Note from the Family Contributor, Stephen Klosterman: "Attached is an autobiography written by my great grandfather and was found by my uncle Francis at a library in Iowa. The narrative is little confusing, and I believe that my uncle copied and typed this and the only error that I found is that my great grandfather's brother name is FH (Frank Henry) not TH."

Frank J. Klostermann came from a family of pioneers in eastern Iowa, his father and mother having been among the first settlers in Dubuque county where they located and [illegible] and built one of the first log cabins. They lived there for many years. Frank attended the first country schools in that territory and later attended school in the town of New Vienna. He remained under the parental roof until he was twenty-three years of age, having spent three years teaching school. On February 18, 1873, he was united in marriage to Mary Kramer, who was a native of Oldenburg, Germany, and who settled near New Vienna with her parents in 1857.

After their marriage, Mr. Klostermann purchased a farm near Petersburg, Iowa from his father, and the couple lived there for twenty-five years. During that time he took an active part in civic affairs and held the office of justice of the peace, also serving as secretary of the school board for eleven years. The family sold out in February 1898, and came to Plymouth county, settling in Marion township, four miles southwest of Remsen, where they lived until the spring of 1911. During that time, Mr. Klostermann was active in all civic and political affairs, his interest centering primarily in the improvement of 320 acres of the best Ply[illegible] of the schools. His land holdings at the time of his retirement Plymouth county land.

Mr. and Mrs. Klosterman were the parents of twelve children, six of whom are living to mourn with their aged mother the loss of a loving father and husband. The children are: Louise Kniep, Elkton, S.D.; Frank, Elkton, S.D.; Clem, Remsen; Charles, Elkton, S.D.; Andrew, Sioux Falls, S.D.; and Emma, now Mrs. Mike Frank, Remsen.

Mr. Klostermann was a successful farmer and home builder, and as such won the admiration and respect of his many acquaintances.

~Source:  LeMars Sentinel, Sept. 7, 1923 (excerpt from Frank J. Klostermann obituary)