Henry A. Kruger

That this is a land of opportunity is evidenced from the career of Henry A. Kruger, who came to this country in 1890 from Germany and in 1895 came to Iowa, where he has since prospered along agricultural lines. He now owns a valuable farm of one hundred and forty-three acres in Linton township which he has highly improved with modern buildings and from which he derives a gratifying income. He was born in Pomerania, Germany, April 3, 1869, a son of William and Albertina (Rosien) Kruger, both natives of that province. The fathers was born February 13, 1833, and the mother August 3, 1835. They crossed the Atlantic in 1890 leaving home and friends in order to profit by the advantages which are offered here to all who are willing to work. The father located in Chicago, where he and his wife resided until their deaths, his demise occurring on October 29, 1912, and that of his wife on February 18, 1911.

Henry A. Kruger attended school in Germany and after laying aside his textbooks there engaged as a farm hand, remaining in that country until he came to America in the fall of 1890. He made his way to Chicago with his parents and there engaged in driving a team for a son quarry and also worked in the stock yards for a time, later finding employment with a lumber company and a coal year, in which latter position he remained for two years. At that time he was unable to speak English, a great handicap to his progress in life, but by self study he soon overcame this difficulty. He came to Iowa on February 18, 1895, and bought a farm of sixty acres in Franklin township, having by thrift and industry accumulated the means to make possible the purchase. There he resided for one year and then sold his share in the property to his wife’s father and for two years rented land in the same township. He then removed to a farm in Clayton county, near Luana, where he remained for four years, and then went to McIntire, Mitchell county, where for one year he rented land. From that place he removed to another farm in the same county farther west and on the state line and remained there for six years, at the end of which time he bought his present place. It comprises one hundred and forty-three acres and he has since considerably added to its value by making improvements, putting up modern buildings and erecting a large and well appointed barn. In 1912 he also built a new machine house which furnishes added facilities for his undertakings. He operates the farm along general lines, giving considerable attention to stock-raising, and is also a shareholder in the Farmers Cooperative Creamery Company at Monona and the Shipping Association of that place. Thrifty, energetic and industrious, Mr. Kruger has in a comparatively short time attained a high degree of success and his achievements are the more commendable for having been accomplished entirely through his own efforts.

The marriage of Mr. Kruger to Miss Mary Heller occurred on July 30, 1892. She is also a native of Pomerania, her birth having occurred on July 2, 1871. She is a daughter of August and Wilhelmina (Haas) Heller, both of that province, where the father was born July 2, 1835, and the mother December 13, 1837. They came to America in April, 1892, and located in Chicago, where the father worked for a time as a wagon maker, later coming to Allamakee county, where he settled in Franklin township. The death of the mother occurred here in June, 1897, and the father subsequently went to Kewanee, Illinois, where he resided with a son until his demise in October, 1906. Mr. and Mrs. Kruger have become the parents of ten children: Lizzie, born April 15,1893; Anna, November 26, 1894; Minnie, August 26, 1896; Ida, March 3, 1898; Helene, December 1, 1899; Margarita, April 25, 1901; Ella, May 1, 1903; Willie, March 15, 1905; Lorence, December 3, 1909; and Otto, February 11, 1912.

Mr. Kruger and his wife are members of the Lutheran church at Monona. He gives his political allegiance to the democratic party and although he has never aspired to public office he is interested in all worthy measures undertaken in the interest of the general welfare. Coming to this country a little over twenty years ago practically empty-handed, he has attained to an enviable degree of prosperity and his achievements are not only a source of satisfaction to himself but have played a part in the growth and development that have occurred in this district along agricultural lines. Kr. Kruger has made many friends since locating here who appreciate him and esteem him for his high qualities of mind and character.

-source: Past & Present of Allamakee County; by Ellery M. Hancock; S. J. Clarke Pub. Co.; 1913
-transcribed by Diana Diedrich

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