Jacob Kress

HOOFER, UTHE, ARNOLD

Posted By: Lisa G. for Becky Teubner
Date: 5/3/2004 at 05:07:52

1914 Buchanan Co., IA History pgs. 573-574

, who has made his home in Buchanan county for almost six decades, is widely recognized as one of its most esteemed and venerable citizens. He has lived retired for the past twelve years, but still resides on his farm. His birth occurred in Germany on the 12th of May, 1833, his parents being Martin and Barbara (Hoofer) Kress, likewise natives of that country. The father, an agriculturist by occupation, emigrated to the United States about 1846 and took up his abode in Buffalo, New York, living there three years. He then moved to Kane. county, Illinois, and from there to Quasqueton, Buchanan county, Iowa, where he purchased one hundred and twenty acres of land for a dollar and a quarter per acre. He improved the property and continued its operation throughout the remainder of his life, passing away at the age of sixty-six years. The period of his residence in this county covered a third of a century and he had gained many friends who sincerely mourned his loss. His wife was called to her final rest in 1888 at the ripe old age of eighty years.

Jacob Kress was a youth of thirteen when he accompanied his parents on their emigration to the new world and his education was continued in the schools of this country. He began working as a farm hand at the early age of thirteen, receiving a wage of three dollars per month, and as soon as old enough started out as an agriculturist on his own account. For a period of three years he worked in the sawmill at Quasqueton. He first purchased an interest in a forty-acre tract and also rented land which he cultivated for some time. Subsequently he augmented his holdings by additional purchase from time to time until at present he owns four hundred and ten acres of rich and arable land on sections 8, 9, 14, 16 and 17, Cono township, and ten acres on section 33, Liberty township, his residence being on section 9, Cono township. He made many substantial improvements on the property which stand as monuments to his enterprise and energy, and he devoted his attention to its operation with excellent success until 1902, when he turned over the active work of the fields to his sons.

On the 23d of May, 1856, Mr. Kress was united in marriage to Miss Almina Uthe, a daughter of Christopher Uthe, a native of Germany. Her mother died on the ocean. The father became a resident of the United States about 1855 and carried on agricultural pursuits in Buchanan county, Iowa, throughout the remainder of his life. The stepmother, Mrs. Christina Uthe, now makes her home with her daughter, Mrs. Jacob Arnold. To Mr. and Mrs. Kress were born eight children, as follows: Mary, Martin, Barbara, George, Emma, Jacob, Annie and William. The wife and mother passed away in April, 1913, and her demise was the occasion of deep and widespread regret.

In politics Mr. Kress has always been a stanch republican. He held the office of trustee in Cono township for fifteen years, acted as road superintendent for a period of thirty years and also served as school director for a similar length of time, ever proving a most capable and trustworthy public official. His religious faith is that of the Evangelical church. He has now passed the eighty-first milestone on this earthly pilgrimage and his career has been such that in the evening of life he is surrounded by many material comforts and is accorded the loving esteem of a host of friends.