Jacob LIEBERKNECHT, who passed away in Concord township [Louisa County, Iowa] on the 30th of June, 1903, was long numbered among the representative residents and prosperous agriculturists of Louise county, owning four hundred and sixty acres of land at the time of his death. His birth occurred in Pennsylvania on the 30th of August, 1840, his parents being Nicholas and Catherine (REIBOD) LIEBERKNECHT both of whom were natives of Germany. They emigrated to the United States in 1840 and were married in Pennsylvania. Nicholas LIEBERKNECHT worked at the shoemaker's trade until 1841 and devoted the remainder of his life to general agricultrual pursuits. About 1850 he came to Iowa, taking up his abode among the pioneer settlers of Louisa county. In the conduct of his farming interests he won a gratifying measure of success, owning eight hundred acres of valuable land at the time of his demise, which occurred in 1872. His wife was called to her final rest in 1901. Unto them were born nine children, as follows" Jacob, of this review; Margaret, the deceased wife of Nicholas LANG, of Muscatine county, Iowa; John, who died when twenty-one years of age; Mary, the deceased wife of Christ WERNER, of Louisa county; Henry, William, and Louis, all of whom are residents of this county; and one who died in infancy.

On attaining his majority, Jacob LIEBERKNECHT started out as an agriculturist on his own account, operating a portion of the old homestead farm until the time of his marriage. Following that important event in his life he purchased three hundred and twenty acres of the home place, the property being now in possession of his widow. Subsequently he augmented his holdings by additional purchase and at the time of his demise owned four hundred and sixty acres of well improved land, all under a high state of cultivation except a tract of one hundred and fifty acres of timber land on section 25, Concord township.

On the 23rd of December, 1875, Mr. LIEBERKNECHT was united in marriage to Miss Rosina BLAUER, a native of Switzerland and a daughter of Frederick and Anna (RUBIE) BLAUER, who were likewise natives of that country. They crossed the Atlantic to the United States in 1862, settling on a farm near Grand View, Iowa, and operating the same until 1874. In that year, Mr. BLAUER disposed of the property and bought a tract of eighty acres west of town, residing thereon until the time of his retirement. Both he and his wife spent their remaining days in the home of our subject. Mr. BLAUER passing away on the 4th of May, 1896, while Mrs. BLAUER was called to her final rest on Thanksgiving Day, 1889. Their union was blessed with eleven children, namely: Frederick, who passed away in Ringgold county, Iowa, when sixty-three years of age; Anna, the wife of George WALTER, Sr., of Grand View, Iowa; John, who died in Ringgold county, Iowa, when seventy-one year of age; Elizabeth, who was the wife of Peter SCHMOKER and passed away in Louisa county when forty years of age; Christ, who is a resident of North Dakota; Margaret, the wife of John DANKERT, of Muscatine, Iowa; Mary, the wife of Charles PANTEL, of Louisa county; Susie, the decesed wife of Daniel ANTHONY, of Keokuk county, Iowa; Mrs. LIEBERKNECHT; Katrina, the wife of Louise WIEDERRECHT, of Louise county; and Ulrich, who died in Germany.

Mr. and Mrs. LIEBERKNECHT had seven children, but the two first born died in infancy. Hilton F., whose birth occurred on the 6th of May, 1881, wedded Miss Ethel BROWNING and resides in Louisa county. William Herbert, whose natal day was October 6, 1883, operates the homestead farm in association with his mother and brother. The next in order of birth also died in infancy. Liela mabel, whose natal day was March 16, 1887, is a high school graduate and also attended Cornell College at Mount Vernon, Iowa. She is now the wife of Harold WILLIAMS, of Grand View, Iowa. Anna Ruby, whose birth occurred on the 22nd of May, 1890, is a high school graduate and has followed the profession of teaching for two years. She also has a good musical education.

Mr. LIEBERKNECHT gave his political allegiance to the republican party and his fellow townsmen, recognizing his worth and ability, called him to various positions of public trust. He assisted in organizing several school districts of Concord township and was a member of the school board for a number of years. He served as a member of the board of trustees of Grand View township and likewise held the office of justice of the peace. During the last eleven years of his life he acted county supervisor, ably discharging the duties devolving upon him in that connection.

He died in the faith of the Congregational church on the 30th of June, 1903, and was laid to rest in Grand View cemetery. The period of his residence in Louisa county covered more than a half century and as he had gained an extensive and favorable acquaintance within its borders, his demise was the occasion of deep and widespread regret. His widow, who still resides on the old homestead, has now attained the age of fifty-eight years. She and her children are also faithful members of the Congregational church.

SOURCE:
SPRINGER, Arthur. History of Louisa County, Iowa, From Its Earliest Settlement to 1912 Vol. II. Pp. 292-96. S. J. Clarke Pub. Chicago. 1911

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, March of 2009