Thomas Jochimsen
Thomas Jochimsen, who follows general farming and stock-raising in East Boyer township, is the owner of three hundred and twenty acres of rich and productive land.
His birth occurred in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, on the 5th of October, 1856, his parents being Claus and Anna (Ratje) Jochimsen, who were born, reared and married in that country. The father, who worked as a carpenter in Germany, crossed the Atlantic to the United States in 1878, first locating in Davenport, Iowa, where he spent nine months. On the expiration of that period he came to Crawford county, settling in East Boyer township, where he made his home until 1883. In that year he purchased and located upon a tract of raw prairie land in Nishnabotny township, improving the property and bringing it under a high state of cultivation. His demise, which occurred in 1902, was the occasion of deep and widespread regret, for he had lived in Crawford county for almost a quarter of a century and had gained an extensive circles of friends here. His wife died in 1904, her remains being interred in the Nishnabotny cemetery.
They reared a family of six children, as follows: Thomas, of this review; Botilda, the wife of Conrad Eric, of Council Bluffs; Peter, who is a resident of Manilla, Iowa; Kate, the wife of Hans Miller, of Ida county, Iowa; Henry, living in Nishnabotny township; and Claus, who makes his home in Colorado,
Thomas Jochimsen obtained his education in the common schools of his native land and -after putting aside his text-books worked as a farm hand. He was a young man of twenty-two when he accompanied his parents on their emigration to the new world and in 1888 started out as an agriculturist on his own account in Crawford county, cultivating land which he rented from his father until 1892. In that year he located upon his present farm in East Boyer township, first purchasing one hundred and sixty acres. By additional purchase he extended the boundaries of the place until it now embraces three hundred and twenty acres of land which responds readily to the care and labor which he bestows upon it. The property is lacking in none of the improvements and accessories of a model farm of the twentieth century and in its neat and thrifty appearance indicates the careful supervision of the owner. In addition to cultivating the cereals best adapted to soil and climate Mr. Jochimsen devotes considerable attention to stock-raising, finding both branches of his business profitable as well as congenial.
In 1891 Mr. Jochimsen was united in marriage to Miss Bertha Neimeyer, who was born in Germany and came to the United States with her parents in 1877. Unto our subject and his wife have been born four children: Anna, Eddie, Henry and Herbert, all at home.
In politics Mr. Jochimsen is a republican, while his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Lutheran church, to which his wife also belongs. In an analyzation of his character and life work we note many of the characteristics which have marked the German nation for many centuries, the perseverance, reliability, energy and unconquerable determination to pursue a course that has been marked out. It is these sterling qualities which have gained to Mr. Jochimsen success in life and made him one of the substantial and valued citizens of East Boyer township.
Source: History of Crawford County, Iowa. Vol. II. Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1911.