FRED ESCHERICH

Fred Escherich, actively engaged in general farming on section 2, Fertile township, Worth county, is a native son of Chicago, born in that city on the 27th of April, 1874. His parents, Henry L. and Caroline (Zimmerman) Escherich, were natives of Germany but came to the United States in childhood with their respective parents and were reared in Chicago, where they were married after the return of Mr. Escherich from service as a soldier in the Fifteenth Illinois Cavalry during the Civil war, in which he had bravely and loyally defended the interests of the nation. He continued his residence in Chicago until 1878, when he removed with his family to Worth county, Iowa, trading some Chicago city property on State street, in the very heart of the present business district of the city, for a farm in Fertile township. He then concentrated his efforts and attention upon agricultural pursuits and continued to occupy and cultivate his land to the time of his death, which occurred May 2, 1892. His widow is still living and makes her home among her children. She is now in her seventy-third year. In the family were nine children, namely: Gustav, Caroline, Fred, George W., Anna L., Edward, Henry L., Rosaline and Catherine.

Fred Escherich was educated in the district schools of Iowa, dividing his time between the mastery of his lessons and farm work. He was eighteen years of age at the time of his father's death, after which he took charge of the home farm and continued its cultivation for his mother for four years. He then removed to Polk county, Minnesota, where he purchased a tract of land which he developed for four or five years. On the expiration of that period he returned to Worth county and settled on his present home farm, comprising two hundred acres of rich and productive land. He has since lived upon this place and his labors have worked a most interesting transformation in the appearance of the farm. The fields are now highly cultivated, there are good buildings upon the land and everything about the place indicates his careful supervision and his practical and progressive methods. In addition to his care of his farm property Mr. Escherich is a stockholder in the Farmers Savings Bank of Hanlontown and a member of its board of directors. He is also a stockholder in the Hanlontown and in the Joice Cooperative Creamery Companies and is a director of the Farmers Cooperative Elevator Association of Joice. In fact he takes an active and helpful interest in everything that tends to promote agricultural development and progress in this section of the state and his labors have been far-reaching and beneficial.

In April, 1902, Mr. Escherich was united in marriage to Miss Inger Burtness and to them have been born four children: Gaylord B., Irvine L., Blanche E. and Reuben H.

In his political views Mr. Escherich is a republican, having always supported the party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. He and his family are members of the Lutheran church and they are well known in Worth county, where Mr. Escherich has spent the greater part of his life, having been but four years of age when brought to this state by his parents.

SOURCE: HISTORY OF MITCHELL AND WORTH COUNTIES, IOWA, 1918, VOL. II; Pages 574 & 575

Transcribed by Gordon Felland, October 15, 2006