Paul William Jahn
The possibilities awaiting in America for wide-awake, ambitious and capable young men are clearly illustrated in the success that has attended the efforts of Paul William Jahn in establishing a home in Crawford county. Coming to this state as a boy, he applied himself to farming and is now the owner of four hundred and forty acres, his farm yielding an income which places him and his family far beyond possibility of want. This desirable condition has been brought about through Mr. Jahn's industry and good management.
He is a native of Holstein, Germany, born April 6, 1857, and is a son of John Frederick and Catherina (Groth) Jahn, both of whom were born in Holstein. In the spring of 1872 the family emigrated to the new world and located on raw land on section 12, Hayes township, Crawford county, Iowa. The tract was developed by the father and sons into a productive farm, which is still in possession of the family. Mr. and Mrs. Jahn moved to West Side in 1901 and there he died in 1906, his wife passing away two years later. Their remains were interred in Hayes township cemetery.
There were seven children in their family, three sons and four daughters, one of whom died in infancy. The others were: Paul William, of this review; Anna, who is the wife of Claus Anthony, of Carroll county, Iowa; Herman, who is now living on the home place; Maggie. who married H. C. Martins, of West Side; Amelia, the wife of George Buck, also of West Side; and Lina, who is deceased,
Paul W. Jahn received his preliminary education in Germany and grew to maturity under the friendly shelter of the stars and stripes. At twenty-two years of age he began farming on his own account and located on eighty acres in Hayes township, which he proceeded industriously to improve. He has made four sets of improvements upon his land and his farm of four hundred and forty acres is one of the valuable properties of the township. He uses discrimination in his work and gives his attention largely to raising graded stock. which he feeds for the market. He generally succeeds in securing a handsome return each year for his time and labor.
At the age of twenty-two Mr. Jahn was united in marriage to Miss Catherine Lemster, who is of German parentage on both sides of the house. Nine children were born to this union: Una, who married E. H. Kuhl, of Iowa township; William, of Hayes township; Minnie, the wife of Gus Meggers, of Iowa township; Herman, who lives across the road from his parents; Henry, whose home is on section 35, Hayes township; Amanda, the wife of George Pepper, also of Hayes township; and Louis, Adelia and Hugo, all of whom are at home.
Politically Mr. Jahn is in hearty accord with the democratic party. He is an earnest advocate of education and has served as a member of the school board and also as township trustee, filling both offices with recognized ability. He and his wife are members of the Lutheran church, in which they were reared. Their children were instructed in the same belief and also in principles of industry and economy, thus preparing them to become valued and useful members of society.
Source: History of Crawford County, Iowa. Vol. II. Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1911.