Rordorf, Albert 1861 –

RORDORF, SCHELLER, HAUSER, VOGLER, HEROLD, FREY

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 4/26/2015 at 08:34:55

ALBERT RORDORF.

For over thirty years Albert Rordorf has followed agricultural pursuits on the same farm of one hundred and eighty acres on section 13, Sumner township, the place being known as Oak Ridge Farm. It is highly improved, yielding its owner annually rich harvests, and speaks well for his industry, energy and discrimination in applying the most suitable methods to his work. Born in Switzerland on June 2, 1861, Albert Rordorf is a son of Albert and Mary (Scheller) Rordorf, both natives of the Helvetian republic. The father died in his native country but the mother is still living there. They were the parents of six children: Albert, of this review; Mary, of Switzerland; Oscar, of New Caledonia, a French island settlement in the Australian archipelago; Lena, of Switzerland; Emile, also of New Caledonia; and Ida, of Switzerland.

Albert Rordorf left his native land in May, 1882, when twenty-one years of age, in order to seek the larger opportunities of America, coming to Conover, Iowa, where for five years he followed farming in the employ of others. Careful of his earnings, he was enabled in 1887 to buy one hundred and sixty acres in Sumner township on section 13 and has since added twenty acres to his farm. From 1887 until 1899 he lived in the old log house, which was first erected in the early '60s by an old pioneer named Benda, but in the latter year built a modern two-story residence, which greatly enhances the value and improves the appearance of the farm. He has made numerous improvements, practically all of his land being now under cultivation, and derives a gratifying income from the farm. The property is known as Oak Ridge Farm.

On October 29. 1887, Mr. Rordorf married Miss Fredericka Heuser, a daughter of Godfrey and Fredericka (Vogler) Heuser, natives of Switzerland. The parents came to America from Switzerland in 1854, locating near Fort Atkinson, where the father for many years was successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits. Both now live retired in Decorah, enjoying the fruits of their former toil. Mr. and Mrs. Heuser have six children: Robert, of Sumner township; Fredericka. the wife of our subject; Maggie, who married F. Herold, of Hazleton, Iowa; Frederick, the present mayor of Spillville; Bertha, the wife of Charles Frey; and Henry, of Lanesboro, Minnesota. Mr. and Mrs. Rordorf are the parents of two sons: Emil A., born November 30, 1889; and Oscar Henry, born March 17, 1891.

The father is a democrat and stanchly supports the candidates and measures of that party. Fraternally he is a Woodman. He is a member of the Congregational church of Fort Atkinson, taking an active interest in its work. He is popular among his neighbors, who esteem him for his high qualities of mind and character and take pride in what he has accomplished, for he started out with little capital and has by his own efforts become one of the substantial men of his section.

Source: History of Winneshiek County, Iowa Vol. II Chicago the S. J. Clark Publishing Company 1913