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         ZIBA KREMER, a prominent and representative farmer of Louisa County, Iowa, residing on section 14, Columbus City Township, was born in Luzerne County, Pa., April 15, 1819, and is a son of Peter and Margaret (Smith) Kremer, the father a native of New Jersey, and the mother of Pennsylvania. They were the parents of eleven children, six sons and five daughters: Amelia, born Nov. 21, 1808, is the wife of Mr. Sleppy, a farmer of Marshall County, Kan.; Eliza, born Oct. 25, 1812, is now Mrs. Wright, and resides in Minnesota; Martha, born Oct. 21, 1815, is the widow of Robert Colts, and also resides in Minnesota; Rebecca, now living in Arkansas, is the widow of James Jackson; George, born Sept. 20, 1804, died June 16, 1858, in Pennsylvania; Jacob, born Feb. 12, 1806, died in Louisa County, June 7, 1867; Augustus, born Nov. 4, 1810, died June 11, 1879; William and Edward (twins), born May 7, 1821, in Luzerne County, Pa., are both now deceased, William dying Oct. 23, 1865, and Edward April 9, 1873, at Pittsburgh, Pa.; Mary, born April 9, 1825, died Aug. 21, 1842. The parents of these children both died in Luzerne County, Pa., the father July 10, 1834, and the mother Dec. 3, 1841. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and a sincere Christian woman. Mr. Kremer voted with the Democratic party, and took great interest in political affairs.

The subject of this sketch attended the common schools of his native county, and, as did the other boys of the family, learned the tanner’s trade from his father. They had a tanyard in Luzerne County, and for thirty years he was its manager. Following that occupation until 1865, Mr. Kremer then sold out the business, and in 1869 came to Louisa County, where he has since continued to reside. On the 31st of December, 1842, he was united in marriage, becoming the husband of Miss Isabella Fairchild, who was born in Luzerne County, Pa., June 16, 1825, and is a daughter of Solomon Fairchild. Nine children have been born of this union, all born in Luzerne County, and eight are yet living: Drusilla, born Aug. 30, 1843, is the wife of G. B. Stewart, a mechanic and locomotive engineer; Alzina M., born Nov. 16, 1845, wedded E. W. Tadlock, of Wapello, Iowa; Cynthia E., born Sept. 18, 1847, is the wife of A. J. Louder, a resident of Wilkesboro, Pa.; Violetta M., born Dec. 31, 1849, is the wife of C. P. Woodruff; Philena M., born Nov. 3, 1851, wedded Monroe Woodruff, a farmer of Monroe County, Iowa; Malona U., born July 7, 1855, is the widow of Henry Adye; Alice F. died in infancy, in 1857; Eva, born June 11, 1859, is the wife of Dr. W. J. Woodruff, who is living in Webb City, Mo.; Virginia, born Oct. 4, 1864, is the wife of Frank Peters, a farmer of Anselmo, Neb.

In 1867 Mr. Kremer made his first purchase of land in Louisa County, consisting of eighty acres on section 14, Columbus City Township, since which time he has given his attention to farming and raising of small fruits, in both of which lines of business he has been quite successful, and by his economy and industry has secured an ample com- . . .

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. . . petency for declining age. In 1834 he united with the Methodist Episcopal Church, during a revival in Pennsylvania, and in 1837 his wife became a member of the same denomination. For over half a century they have devoted their lives to the cause of their Master, and have always supported, both by influence and money, the advancement of religious work in the community in which they reside. Mr. Kremer has held all the different offices of the church; for twenty years he was Recording Steward of the Wyoming Conference in Pennsylvania, and is at present Class-Leader and Steward of the church in which he now has his membership. He is also prominent in the promotion of the temperance reform, and as a citizen is held in universal esteem.