While Clayton county, at the
primary election in 1916, gave more than one thousand
majority against the extension of suffrage to women,
the men of the county had already shown their faith
in womanhood and their willingness to recognize good
and efficient service, by either man or woman, by the
election of Miss Vina Katschkowsky as recorder for
Clayton county. This was done at the election in
1914, when Miss Katschkowsky was elected by a
handsome majority. In doing this, the voters did not
find their confidence misplaced, for Miss
Katschkowsky has shown herself to be industrious,
capable, accommodating and highly efficient. As a
result of this good work there was no opposition to
her re-election in 1916.
Miss Katschkowsky is a Clayton county product, having
been born in Elkader, in 1891. She is the daughter of
Adolf K. and Elizabeth (Musfeldt) Katschkowsky. Her
father was born in Germany and came to America in
1871, going first to Cleveland, Ohio, where he was
employed in various capacities. He was the first of
his family to come to the "land of the
free," his parents arriving in America a year
later. In 1875 he came to Iowa, settling at Elkport,
where his parents made their home. Shortly afterward
he moved to Elkader, where he now resides. In 1879 he
was married to Miss Elizabeth Musfeldt and to them
five children were born: Minnie, Adolf, Jr., Louis,
Vina, the subject of this sketch, and Freda.
Miss Vina had her preliminary education in the public
school, later attending the Elkader High School, and
then entering business life as a clerk in Poull &
Bink's general store. About a year later she was
appointed to the position of assistant to County
Recorder J. W. McLaughlin, filling the position most
acceptably for four years, and obtaining a thorough
and comprehensive knowledge of the duties and
responsibilities of the recorder's office. At the
insistent request of her friends in the court house
as well as of influential friends throughout the
county, she was induced to allow her name to be
placed on the Democratic ticket as a candidate for
county recorder in the election of November, 1914,
being elected by a large majority. That she has given
entire satisfaction to the public is evidenced by the
unanimous desire for her re-election. Miss
Katschkowsky is a young lady of charming personality.
She is deservedly popular on account of her bright
vivacity and her cheerful and friendly disposition,
and she has a very wide acquaintance throughout the
county. While giving full time to the work of her
office, Miss Katschkowsky's interests are not all
confined to her official duties and she takes an
active part in all the social events which transpire
among the young people of Elkader. Her life record
certainly shows what can be accomplished by a young
woman of intellect and integrity and proves that a
woman can be safely entrusted in the most responsible
positions.
source: History of Clayton County, Iowa; From The
Earliest Historical Times Down to the Present; by
Realto E. Price, Vol. II; page 206-207
-OCR scanned by S. Ferrall
