Pg 382

         FREDERICK KREINER, residing on section 29, Jefferson Township, was born in Baden, Germany, in 1827, and is the second in a family of eight children born to George and Catherine (Wycke) Kreiner, natives of Germany, who emigrated with their family to America in 1845. At Antwerp, Belgium, they boarded the sailing-vessel “Platina,” and after a long and tedious voyage of forty-two days, during which they encountered three storms, landed at New York. They settled in Buffalo, where the parents both died. Our subject was educated and learned the shoemaking trade in his native country, and after landing in America followed that vocation in Buffalo. In that city, in 1853, the marriage of Frederick Kreiner and Rosina Fath was celebrated. She is a native of Baden, Germany, and a daughter of Christian and Rosina (Keyser) Fath, also of Germany. Her family came to America in 1846, settling in Buffalo, N. Y., where they remained until 1854, and then became residents of Louisa County, Iowa, making this their home until their death. The father departed this life in 1876, his wife having preceded him to her final home in 1870.

After his marriage our subject remained in Buffalo until 1855, when he followed the course of Western emigration, and settled in Port Louisa Township, Louisa Co., Iowa, engaging in the shoe-making trade, which he followed for five years. In 1860 Mr. Kreiner purchased forty acres of land, which was wild, unbroken and stumpy. This tract was situated in Jefferson Township, and he immediately began its improvement. From time to time . . .

Pg 383

. . . he has added other lands to his original purchase, until now 288 broad acres pay tribute to his care and cultivation. His barns are stocked with a good grade of cattle and horses, and everything about the place shows him to be a man of thrift and enterprise. In politics Mr. Kreiner is not partisan, but supports the man whom he thinks will best fill the office. He assisted in the organization of the school district of his township, has held the office of School Director for a number of terms, and has served as Township Trustee. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, at Wapello, of which he is one of the Trustees.

To Mr. and Mrs. Kreiner have been born nine children, though five died in infancy; those living are: Sophia, now Mrs. Wiederrecht, resides near her parents; George is married, and lives not far from his old home; Lizzie, now Mrs. Ross, also resides near the home farm; and Frederick still remains with his parents. Mr. Kreiner is practically a self-made man, having obtained his entire possessions by his perseverance and industry, and is one of the highly respected citizens of Louisa County.