Fred Hartwig came to Iowa in 1855, bought land on section 15, township 97, range 17, now known as Cedar township, and has since made this his home. Mr. Hartwig is an intelligent and influential leader among the German people. He is county supervisor, chairman of the republican central committee, has held office ever since he came to the county and is now secretary of the school board.

He was born Aug. 12, 1828, in Waldeck, Germany. His father, Carl Hartwig, was a government officer, and lived in Corbach. Fred commenced going to school when three and a half years of age, and at six was admitted to the high school, which he attended until he was sixteen and a half years of age. He was then employed as book-keeper and overseer on a government farm.

At the age of twenty, the princes having called for troops, he volunteered and served six months, when peace was declared and he was discharged. He then went to Hesse, where he was again employed on a government farm, remaining there until 1852, when he started for America, leaving Hesse on the 16th of April and after a very stormy voyage, landed at New York, June 23, 1852. He then went to Ohio and settled in Erie county. He bought a house and several lots in the town of Vermillion, remaining there until 1855, at which time he came to this county.

He was married in 1852 to Margaret Kneisel. They have had ten children: Mary, John, Christina, Caroline, Margaret, Ricka, Ferdinand, Emma, Fred and William. Emma died in infancy.

Mr. Hartwig and family are members of the German Lutheran Church.

Source: History of Mitchell and Worth Counties, Iowa, 1883, page 301.

 

Transcribed by Gordon Felland -- Posted on IAGENWEB by Kermit Kittleson -- April 2006