Otto C. Baak
No record of Soldier township would be complete without mention of Otto C. Baak, who as an energetic and capable citizen has won a substantial place in the community.
He was born in the township where he now lives, September 12, 1885, a son of Carl and Frederika (Wittkopf) Baak, both of whom were born in Germany. The father was one of a family of six children, of whom two are still living in Germany. The four who came to America were: August and William, both of whom are deceased; Sophia, of Detroit, Michigan; and Carl.
The last named was married in the old country and arrived in America with his wife in 1884, coming to Soldier township, Crawford county, Iowa, where he engaged in farming for two years. He then purchased the place which became the family homestead and cultivated it to good advantage until 1906, since which time he and his wife have lived retired at Charter Oak.
To them five children were born: August, of Ricketts, Iowa; William and Herman, both of South Dakota; Adolphine, who is now the wife of Herman Wieschoff, of Terril, Iowa; and Otto C., of this review.
Otto C. Baak received his early education in the district schools of Soldier township and as he grew to manhood applied himself diligently to agriculture and stock-raising upon the home farm. At the age of twenty he rented land for two years and then bought a farm of one hundred and sixty acres which he now owns. It is located on section 33, Soldier township, and is one of the well improved places of the locality. He carries on general farming and also raises good grades of stock. He is diligent and persevering and through legitimate channels has attained prosperity.
On the 14th of December, 1904, Mr. Baak was united in marriage to Miss Augusta Maas, who was born in Charter Oak township, April 10, 1883, a daughter of Carl and Christina (Krueger) Maas. The parents were born in Germany and came to America in 1870. After living for a while in Chicago, Illinois, they arrived in Crawford county, where Mr. Maas rented land, applying himself so successfully to his work that he is now the owner of a beautiful farm in Charter Oak township.
There were thirteen children in the family, two of whom died in infancy, the others being: William, of Crawford county; Martha, now the wi fe of Fred Kuhlmann, of this county; Augusta, now Mrs. Otto C. Baak; Elizabeth, who lives in Crawford county; Emma, the wife of Edward Meyer, also of this county; Alvina, the wife of Henry Rhode; Herman, of Monona county; Max, who is still at home; and Carl, Bertha and Louisa, deceased.
Two children have come to gladden the home of Mr. and Mrs. Baak: Meta A. A., who was born October 27, 1905; and Julius H. M. E., born July 18, 1907.
Mr. Baak is now fairly started in his life work and as he possesses in a goodly measure the elements of zeal and persistence in whatever he undertakes there is no doubt as to his continued success. As a native son of Crawford county he is well and favorably known and is held in high regard by his associates and friends. He and his wife are active members of the German Lutheran church.
Source: History of Crawford County, Iowa. Vol. II. Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1911.