|
One of the representative farmers in Flint River township is Joseph Landwehr, who has resided there for the last twenty-five years. He was born in Brinkenfeld, Kris Haffort, Germany, May 16, 1845, and is a son of Fred and Rickie (Dickhaner) Landwehr. Entering the common schools of his native land he pursued his studies, and at the age of nine years came to America with his parents. They were thirteen weeks on the water coming in an old-time sailing vessel by way of New Orleans. They settled at once in Quincy, Ill., where later the parents both died. Mr. Landwehr learned the trade of a cigarmaker, but his health failing soon after, he was advised to go to farming. He came to Des Moines county in 1880, and has since been a resident of Flint River township. In December, 1890, he bought his present farm of a little over fifty-one acres in Section 2. As the years passed, modern improvements have been made upon it, and it is now a very valuable property. His fields are richly cultivated, and annually return to him golden harvests, and the neat and thrifty appearance indicates his careful supervision. He has never been active as a politician, and is independent in his political affiliations.
Aug. 25, 1868, Mr. Landwehr was married to Miss Anna Frederica Bringer, daughter of Fred William and Anna (Bochstat) Bringer, whose birth occurred in Springa, Germany, May 14, 1849, and came to America when but five years old with her parents, who settled in Quincy, Ill. Mr. Bringer has passed away, while Mrs. Bringer is living at the advanced age of seventy-eight years.
Eight children have blessed the home of Mr. and Mrs. Landwehr: Fred; Anna, who married Charles Haar; Bertha, the wife of Port Kirby; John; Herman; Edward; Emma, died in 1878, aged two years; Lydia, born in 1888, died in 1894. The worth of our subject as a man and citizen, are widely acknowledged, and he belongs to that class known as self-made men, because they have triumphed over obstacles, and depending upon their own resources have worked their way upward to prosperity.
|