Harrison County Iowa Genealogy

HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY, IOWA, 1915
BIOGRAPHIES
Page 536
JACOB BOCK

The farmers of German descent who have located in Harrison county, Iowa, have been successful to a most gratifying degree. Jacob BOCK, who now has a fine farm in Taylor township, is one of the best representatives of the German-American farmers of the county. Coming to the United States after he reached his majority, he located in Harrison county during the seventies, and has since made this county his home. He could not speak a word of English when he came to America, but having received a good education in his native land he soon was able to speak and write good English. Now he reads nothing but English newspapers and books and always makes it a point to keep well informed on the current issues of the day.

Jacob BOCK, the son of Hans and Froucka (HARK) BOCK, was born February 23, 1851, in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany. His father owned a small farm in Germany, but was a shipbuilder by trade, hiring some one to attend his farm until his sons were large enough to take charge of it. Eleven children were born to Hans BOCK and wife, Jacob and a twin sister being the ninth and tenth in order of birth.

Jacob BOCK received a good education in the excellent schools of his native land. After reaching his majority he determined to come to America to seek his fortune. He left home March 10, 1872, went to Hamburg, Germany, and took ship for the United States, landing at New York City, Marcy 27, 1872. He had learned cabinet making and fancy carpentering in his native country, but never followed that as a trade after coming to the United States. He went directly from New York City to Minnesota, where he stayed a couple of months and then went down the Mississippi river to Clinton, Iowa. He at once took a train for Missouri Valley, and upon coming to that city immediately found work on the bridge gang of the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad. He must have experienced some difficulty at first, since he was not able to understand any English at all, but in a short time he mastered the language and this handicap was speedily removed. He worked on the railroad for three years, saved his money and then bought one hundred and twenty acres in section 1, Cincinnati township, Harrison county. He lived on this farm for twenty-two years and then sold it and moved to a farm in St. Johns township, which he had previously purchased. On this farm he lived until the spring of 1902, when he bought two hundred acres in sections 7 and 8 in Taylor township, where he now makes his home. He also owns one hundred and sixty-six acres of good land in Morgan township, just north of Mondamin. Both farms are well improved and bring him in a very comfortable income. Mr. BOCK is a large raiser of corn and oats and feeds much of his grain to stock which he fattens for the market.

Jacob BOCK was married March 3, 1877, to Sophia M. HANSEN, who was born in Holstein, Germany, a daughter of Ties and Marguerite Hansen. Her parents came to the United States in 1866. Mr. and Mrs. BOCK are the parents of twelve children, nine of whom are living, Fouca Louisa, John, Charles, Ida, Edward, Fred, Harry, Clarence and Clara, the last two named being twins, and born on New Year's Eve, 1902. Two of the children are married, Fouca L. and John. Fouca L. is the wife of Victor Pierce, and has two children, Edna May and Lloyd Victor. John married Clara Grangeenett, and has two children, Harold William and Wilma. The other children are still unmarried and living with their parents.

Mr. BOCK is independent in his political belief and has never taken an active part in political affairs. He has never aspired to public office, preferring to devote all of his time to his extensive farming interests and his immediate family. He and his wife are justly proud of their interesting children and are giving them the best of educational advantages. Mr. BOCK believes in giving his children all the pleasure and comforts possible, and is never happier than when he is driving around the country in his large six-cylinder automobile in company with his family. Such, in brief, is the history of a poor German youth who came to this country with small means and yet by a life of hard work and good management has accumulated a comfortable competence for himself and family. He and his wife have reared a large family of children and are preparing them to take their places in the field of action in such a manner as will reflect credit upon their parents. It is safe to say that Mr. BOCK is one of the most highly esteemed men of his community and it is a pleasure to record this brief resume of his interesting life in the annals of his county's history.

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