~Page 1465~

HERMAN NEUMANN

Among the large class of enterprising Germans who have cast their lot with the people of Fayette county, Iowa, none is more deserving of specific mention than Herman Neumann, and few have benefited themselves or their neighbors more than he, for while laboring for his own advancement he has never been neglectful of his duties to others. He was born in Germany in 1852, the son of Fred and Louise Neumann. The father spent his life in the fatherland, but the mother and the rest of the family, with the exception of one child, came to America, four boys and an equal number of girls coming to our shores. The family located in Watertown, Wisconsin, where they remained three years, then the mother and Herman, of this review, moved to Ft. Atkinson, where they lived about a year; then they lived on a farm near Eldorado, that state, for about two years, then purchased sixty acres near that city, which they retained for two years and then bought eighty acres in Union township, Fayette county, Iowa, which they retained for about six years, then rented a farm four miles south of Hawkeye where they lived a year, then bought sixty acres where they now live. Prospering here, ten acres were first added to the original, then forty-five, and a second forty-five, now owning over a quarter section. Mr. Neumann has been a good manager and has placed all the improvements on this farm and so well has he carried on general farming that he deserves to rank with the leading agriculturists of the township. He handles a good grade of stock and makes farming and stock raising pay, no matter what the times may bring forth. He has a substantial, pleasantly located and nicely furnished home and everything about the place shows thrift and prosperity and that a gentleman of good judgment and taste has its management in hand. The mother of Herman Neumann died after coming to Fayette County, and many of the changes in location were made after the subject’s marriage.

Mr. Neumann was married in 1876 to Margaret Reisner, who was born in Wisconsin, the daughter of Henry and Mary (Hawe) Reisner, both born in Germany, from which country they came to America and located in Wisconsin. When Mrs. Neumann was three years of age they moved to Clermont township, Fayette county, Iowa, and engaged in farming. Mrs. Reisner is still living on a farm one mile west of West Union.

To Mr. and Mrs. Herman Neumann the following children have been born: Martha is living in Kansas; Louisa, Emma, Bertha, Edward, Lewis, Tilla, Walter and Ella, all live in Fayette county, Iowa. Particular attention has been given to the education and general training of these children.

Mr. and Mrs. Neumann are members of the German Lutheran church. They are highly respected people of this township, or wherever they have lived, being hospitable, kind, friendly and honorable in all their relations with their neighbors.

~transcribed for the Fayette Co IAGenWeb Project by Doris A. Smith