WILLIAM LIEBERKNECT

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Catherine (Raebold) Lieberknecht         William Lieberknecht and Family
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         The best improved farm in Louisa county stands as a monument to the energy, enterprise and thrift of William Lieberknecht who, through the ready recognition and wise use of his opportunities, has made for himself a place among the most prominent and prosperous agriculturists and business men of this district.

         He was born in Grand View township, Louisa county, on the 20th of May, 1854, a son of Nicholas and Catherine (Raebold) Lieberknecht, natives of Germany. The parents were reared and married in the fatherland and in 1841 came to the United States, first locating in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. There they . . .

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. . . remained for ten years, after which they made their way to Louisa county, journeying by the water route to Muscatine. Upon arriving in this county the father invested in land, being one of the early settlers in this district, and at once began its development and cultivation. It was an unimproved tract when it came into his possession, containing simply a log-house, which remained the home of the family for several years thereafter. In connection with tilling the soil the father also worked at his trade, having learned cobbling in early life, and by strict economy, unfaltering industry and unfailing perseverance along both branches finally attained a position of independence in the business world, becoming the owner of a highly improved and valuable estate of eight hundred acres. He passed away in 1872, being survived by his wife for many years, her death occurring in March, 1901. In their family were nine children, as follows: Jacob and John, both of whom are deceased; Henry; William of this review; Lewis, mentioned on another page of this volume; Benjamin, who has also passed away; Margaret, the deceased wife of Nicholas Lang; Mary, who married Christ Werner and is now deceased; and Mary, who died in infancy.

         William Lieberknecht attended the district schools in the acquirement of his education, and when but ten years of age began business upon his own account in a small way earning ten cents as his first money—which he saved, while at various times he also worked for his father, thus continuing until he was twenty-one years old. Upon attaining his majority he bought a tract of land which he operated for a time and then, after selling that tract, purchased another in Washington county, Iowa, upon which he resided for five years. At the end of that time he also disposed of that property and invested in his present farm, consisting of four hundred acres in section 8, Grand View township, Louisa county. He also owns ninety acres of timber land in this township.

         A man of progressive ideas and thoroughly up-to-date and modern in his methods, he has introduced upon his home farm every improvement which might contribute to its neatness and fertility, adding all of the conveniences and accessories of a model farm of the twentieth century, and today his is the finest improved farm in the county. During all of these years he has also devoted considerable attention to his live-stock interest, being an extensive buyer, raiser, feeder and shipper. He uses all of the produce raised upon his farm for stock-feeding purposes and also buys a large amount of grain annually. He makes a specialty of raising thoroughbred Duroc Jersey hogs for market and is a heavy feeder of cattle, his pastures containing many high grade specimens. The high quality of his stock is recognized throughout this and adjoining counties and his efforts have been potent factors in elevating the standard of stock in this district. His name is not unknown in financial circles in Louisa county, for he has been a stockholder in the Citizens Savings Bank of Letts, Iowa, since its inception and for the past ten years has occupied the office of president of that institution. He is also a member of the Muscatine & Louisa County Telephone Company, and is a man of keen sagacity and sound judgment.

         Mr. Lieberknecht was married, on the 15th of January, 1891, to Miss Erminie Pemble, who was born in Wapello, Iowa, on the 27th of August, 1865, . . .

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. . . a daughter of James and Marian (Wyman) Pemble, whose biography appears on another page of this volume. The parents, natives of England and Vermont, respectively, were married in Illinois, where they resided upon a farm for a few years, after which they came to Louisa county and located upon a farm here, casting in their lot among the pioneers of this county. Both still survive and make their home upon their place in Jefferson township, owning a section or more of finely improved land. Their family of nine children included the following: Charles, of Peoria, Illinois; Frank, residing in Wapello; Fannie, the wife of Fred Kennedy, now operating the old Pemble homestead; Grant, who passed away at the age of two years; Mrs. Lieberknecht and Justin, twins, the latter a resident of Idaho; Ada, who married Charles Johann, of Wapello; Raymond, of Idaho; and Earl, whose death occurred when the was twenty years of age. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Lieberknecht have been born five children, namely: James Max, who was born January 8, 1892, and William Floyd, born September 15, 1893, both of whom are students of high school and still reside at home; Marian, born March 30, 1896, now attending high school; Mildred, born May 23, 1898, at home; and Dorothy, born June 10, 1900, also under the parental roof.

         The family all attend the Methodist Episcopal church, of which the parents are members, and politically Mr. Lieberknecht gives his support to the republican party. He has never sought nor desired office for himself, however, as the conduct of his personal business affairs has demanded his entire time and attention. An analyzation of his life work shows that his success is not the result of unusual characteristics, but has come rather from his close application and ready utilization of opportunities such as are met with in the life of almost every individual. He has known when, where and how to put forth his best energies, and the careful directing of his efforts along the lines where mature judgment has led the way has brought to him the success which he now enjoys. He is held in the highest esteem and regard by his fellowmen, not merely for the degree of prosperity which he has attained, but also for the high principles which have ever governed his actions, whether in business or private life.