Herman A. Peglow
Herman A. and Mathilda (Raasch) Peglow
Among the many sturdy, determined and industrious citizens of
Allamakee county whom Germany has given to America is numbered
Herman A. Peglow, whose valuable farm of one hundred and eighty
acres lie on section 13, Franklin township. He has risen by his
own efforts from a humble position to a place among the leading
agriculturists of this vicinity and his record is one which is
well worthy of emulation. He was born in Pomerania, Prussia,
December 19, 1848, and is a son of Gottlieb Carl and Fredericks
(Gerth) Peglow, also natives of that province, the former born
October 17, 1816, and the latter, November 8, 1821. In his early
life the father served in the Prussian army as a member of the
noted Colberg Regiment which saw active service on the Baltic
sea. The parents crossed the Atlantic in 1867 in a sailing vessel
and on July 13th of that year landed in Quebec, Canada, whence
they went by train to Chicago, Illinois.
They arrived in Prairie de Chien, Wisconsin, July 20, 1867, and
remained residents of that city until March 12, 1869. In that
year they moved to Iowa and settled upon the farm where the
subject of this review now resides. This was at that time an
unimproved tract but with characteristic energy the father set to
work on its development and at his death in 1899 owned one of the
finest farms in this vicinity. He was past eighty-two years of
age at the time of his demise and had survived his wife for many
years, her death having occurred in 1886. They were the parents
of four children, of whom the subject of this review is the
second in order of birth.
Herman A. Peglow acquired his education in the public schools of
Germany and before and after laying aside his books assisted his
father with the work of the farm, doing his mowing with a hand
scythe. He became thoroughly familiar with practical agricultural
methods and when he came to America at the age of eighteen was
already an able farmer. He could speak no English at that time
but all such obstacles to his success in life he met with
confidence and courage. He worked as a farm laborer for one year
but afterward returned to the homestead and long before the death
of his father assumed entire charge of the farm, whereon he has
resided since that time. He has added to it from time to time
until his holdings comprise one hundred and eighty acres lying on
section 13, Franklin township. Mr. Peglow has improved this fine
property with substantial barns and outbuildings and has
installed modern, labor-saving machinery and upon it he carries
on general farming and stock-raising, both branches of his
business being extremely profitable under his able management.
His place is one of the model farms of this locality and
everything about it is indicative of his careful supervision,
practical methods and progressive spirit. Mr. Peglow is a
stockholder in the Monona State Bank and the Monona Creamery
Company, a member and director of the Farmers commission Company
in that city and also the Shipping Association, and he is
recognized and respected as a far-sighted, capable and successful
business man.
On the 5th of June, 1889, Mr. Peglow was united in marriage to
Miss Matilda Raasch, who was born in Pomerania, Germany,
September 15, 1861, a daughter of Carl and Caroline (Gutcke)
Raasch, the former a carpenter by trade. His death occurred in
the fatherland and the mother subsequently married William
Schwantz and with him and her children crossed the Atlantic in
about the year 1881 and after residing in Milwaukee for a short
time they all came to Iowa, settling in McGregor. Subsequently
they moved upon a farm in Franklin township, where she passed
away in 1911.
Mr. and Mrs. Peglow have two children. Clara W., who was born
April 24, 1890, graduated from the Monona high school in 1908,
after which she taught in the rural schools of Allamakee county
for two years and is now a junior in the College of Liberal Arts
at the State University of Iowa City. Fred Julius, who was born
March 19, 1892, is now assisting his father with the work of the
farm. He is a graduated of the Ossian public schools. He is well
known in the Modern Woodmen of America, in the local lodge of
which he is one of the younger members.
Mr. Peglow is a republican in his political beliefs and has held
various important public offices, serving as township trustee for
several terms. He is now school treasurer and has discharged the
duties of this office in an able and capable way since 1883. It
is, whoever, his only outside connection for he has always
preferred to give his undivided attention to his business affairs
since he commenced life empty-handed and dependent entirely upon
his own labors and will directed energies for whatever success he
might achieve. In all of his dealings he has been strictly
honorable and is today one of the substantial farmers of
Allamakee county, having accumulated a comfortable and gratifying
fortune.
-source: Past & Present of Allamakee County; by
Ellery M. Hancock; S. J. Clarke Pub. Co.; 1913
-transcribed by Diana Diedrich
Return to 1913 biographies index