LEWIS LIEBERKNECHT.

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         The subject of this sketch was born in Louisa county, his natal day being the 20th of November, 1856, and his parents Nicholas and Catherine (Raebold) Lieberknecht. His parents were born, reared and married in Germany, from which country they emigrated to the United States in 1841. Upon their arrival they located in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, where they remained for ten . . .

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. . . years and then came to Louisa county, Iowa, making the journey by way of the Ohio and Mississippi rivers to Muscatine. Mr. Lieberknecht immediately invested in land, which was practically unimproved with the exception of a log house, which for several years thereafter the family occupied. At odd times, when not occupied with the work of the farm, he followed his trade, which was that of shoemaking. By means of thrift, hard work and close application he had acquired eight hundred acres of land when he passed away. His property was well improved and two-thirds of it under a high state of cultivation. In his family were the following children: Jacob and John, both of whom are deceased; Henry; William; Lewis; Benjamin, deceased; and Margaret and Mary, both also deceased, the former the wife of Nicholas Lang and the latter of Christ Werner. The father passed away in 1872, but the mother survived until 1901, her demise occurring in March.

         The early life of Lewis Lieberknecht was very similar to those of the sons of other pioneers. Reared on the home farm he was trained in the habits of thrift, industry and tenacity of purpose which characterizes the Teutonic races, thus laying the foundation for a useful career and good member of society. In the acquirement of his education he attended the schools in the vicinity of his home, which at that time contained in their curriculum little more than the common branches. He remained with his parents until he was twenty-two years of age, at which time he left home to begin his independent career as an agriculturist. While working for his father he had acquired one hundred acres of land, upon which he settled, continuing its cultivation for several years. Subsequently he disposed of this property and purchased two hundred and seventy-three acres of his present homestead, upon which he has wrought extensive improvements during the period of his occupancy. Mr. Lieberknecht possesses the sagacity, foresight and perseverance essential to success in any vocation. These qualities have all been freely exercised in the direction of his affairs and as a result he has acquired eight hundred and forty acres of land in Louisa county. Five hundred acres of this property is under a high state of cultivation, well improved and carefully kept up. His success, Mr. Lieberknecht attributes to the fact that he has always been an extensive stockman as well as a general farmer. In addition to his extensive realty holdings he was one of the organizers of the Grand View Savings Bank, of which institution he has been the chief executive ever since it was founded.

         Mr. Lieberknecht married Miss Anna Crow on the 15th of January, 1891. She was a native of Port Louisa township, her birth having occurred in 1859, and a daughter of George H. and Eliza (Ronald) Crow. Her parents removed from Ohio to Illinois during pioneer days and came from the latter state to Louisa county in 1836. They located on a farm and from then until his death, which occurred in 1876, Mr. Crow was identified with agricultural pursuits. Of the eight children in his family five are living: Harvey and Gavin, both residents of Louisa county; George, who is living in Cedar county, Iowa; Mattie C., the wife of A. Latta, of Kansas City; and Belle, who married E. Herdman, of San Francisco, California. Those deceased are: Anna, who became . . .

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. . . Mrs. Lieberknecht and passed away on the 4th of December, 1909, being laid to rest at Colorado Springs; and Mary and John.

         Mr. and Mrs. Lieberknecht had one daughter and two sons: Ina, born in October, 1893; Scott L., born in December, 1895; and Donald G., born in September, 1897.

         Mr. Lieberknecht is now making his home temporarily in Colorado Springs but still retains his business interests in Iowa. In matters religious both he and his family affiliate with the Congregational church, but his wife was a member of the United Presbyterian church. His relations in life, both public and private, have always been guided by the principles inculcated in him when a youth and which enabled him to lay a foundation for his career that led to prosperity and usefulness.