EWALD M. WERNER.

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         A large portion of the citizens of Iowa are either of German birth or descent, and among those who were born in the fatherland is numbered Ewald M. Werner. His birth occurred on the 9th of September, 1864, his parents being Adam and Eva (Rank) Werner, also natives of that country. They never left their native land, the mother there passing away in 1871. The father still sur- . . .

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. . . vives, however, and is a weaver by trade. In their family were five children, as follows: Christ, of Louisa county; David, still residing in Germany; Henrietta, who is married and also lives in Germany; Louisa, the wife of George Dilchert, of Muscatine, Iowa; and Ewald M., of this review.

         In the fatherland the latter spent the early years of his life, and was but seventeen years of age when, in 1881, he came to the United States, determining to seek a new home and fortune in the new world. He at once made his way to Iowa, settling in Louisa county, where he worked as a farm hand by the month for ten years. Desirous, however, that his efforts should more directly benefit himself, he started out for himself at the end of that period, renting a farm for about a year. He then purchased a small farm which he sold seven years later, at which time he invested in the farm which he now owns and occupies, a tract of one hundred and ninety acres, located on section 35, in Grand View township. He has since added to this purchase until his property today includes two hundred and thirty acres of good land, of which about two hundred acres are under a very high state of cultivation. He engages in general farming and stock-raising and in all of his work he is progressive, employing the latest improved machinery to facilitate the work of the fields, while his close study has given him thorough and accurate knowledge concerning the best methods of raising stock. He makes a specialty of Chester White hogs and Hereford cattle, and has some very fine animals on his place.

         Mr. Werner was married, on the 4th of March, 1891, to Miss Vada Hunter, who was born in Port Louisa, May 10, 1865. Her parents, John and Matilda (Wagner) Hunter, were both born in Pennsylvania, from which state they removed to Wisconsin at an early day. After residing in the latter state for a short time they came to Louisa county, Iowa, in 1860, locating in Port Louisa. The father, a tailor by trade, was engaged in that occupation until his death, which occurred in 1897. The mother survived him for two years, passing away in 1899. In their family were three children, of whom Mrs. Werner is the youngest. The others are: Marcellus, of Wapello; and Lillie, who has taught school for many years. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Werner have been born seven children, one of whom died in infancy, the others being as follows: Carl D., born January 9, 1892, a high school graduate; Helen, born March 22, 1894, who has received a good musical education; Wayne, born March 13, 1896; Ernst, born February 13, 1901; Fay, born January 15, 1904; and Mabel, born March 23, 1908.

         The family attend the Congregational church and are well known and prominent in the community in which they reside. Mr. Werner gives his political support to the republican party, deeming the principles of that organization best adapted to conserve public welfare. He has never held office, however, other than that of member of the school board, preferring that his service as a citizen should be done in a private rather than public capacity. He has concentrated his entire energies upon the conduct of his private business, and this close attention has been one of the salient factors in his present prosperity. Throughout his career he has exemplified many of the sturdy traits of character for which . . .

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. . . the people of the German race and lineage have ever been noted, to which he has added the enterprising American spirit which has constituted the foundation of the country’s commercial greatness.