Schlecht, George

Notes:

"History of Jackson County Iowa" authored by Hon. James W. Ellis, Volume II, 1910, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co, Chicago, page 438

GEORGE SCHLECHT.

George Schlecht is one of the prosperous farmers of Jackson county, owning one hundred and two acres on section 22, Washington township, which is a neat and well improved property. He has other business interests in the township and has taken some part in the public affairs so that he may well be classed among the representative citizens of the community.

He was born in Bellevue, Iowa, June 22, 1870, his parents being Joseph and Frances (Menger) Schlecht. The father was born in Germany and came to America as a lad of nine years with his parents. They located in Bellevue, Iowa, and as soon as he was old enough Joseph Schlecht began work as a farm hand, being thus employed at the outbreak of the Civil war, when he enlisted in the Union army, serving until the close of hostilities-a period of four years. When the nation no longer needed his aid he returned to Jackson county, Iowa, and again engaged in agricultural pursuits. He was almost forty years of age, however, before he was in a position to buy land, his first purchase being one hundred and sixty acres in Washington township which he cultivated successfully until 1898. In that year he sold all but forty acres to one of his sons and removed to an adjoining farm of one hundred and two acres, which he had bought in the meantime. After operating it for a year he sold it to his son, George, and for five years thereafter lived in retirement in Bellevue, going thence to Crawford. Oklahoma, where he took up a homestead of one hundred and sixty acres, it remaining his place of residence to the present. He has now reached the ripe old age of seventy years and yet is active in supervising his various interests. His wife, who was Frances Menger in her maidenhood, was likewise a native of Germany and came to Iowa as a child. She died some years ago at the comparatively early age of forty-nine years.

Eight children were born to Joseph Schlecht and wife, seven of whom are living, as follows: Frank, a farmer of Washington township; Sophia, the wife of Henry Eggers, who is engaged in agricultural pursuits in that township; Anna, who is living in Bellevue; Clara, the widow of a Mr. Knowles, formerly of Sabula; Lena, who is the wife of Benjamin Daggets, of Bellevue; Mary, the wife of William Schmidt, of the same city; George, the subject of this sketch; and Katherine, who died at the age of twelve years.

George Schlecht, who was the seventh in order of birth in this family, attended the district schools of Washington township in pursuit of an education in the winter months and through the summer season worked upon his father's farm. He remained at home until he reached the age of twenty-four years, when he started to make his way in the world independently. For two years he worked as a farm hand and then secured employment as a member of a section gang on the railroad for four years. In 1896 he returned to agricultural pursuits, renting a tract of one hundred and seventy-five acres of land, which he operated in partnership with another for two years. At the end of that time he bought from his father the farm of one hundred and two acres where he now lives. When he purchased the place there was only a dwelling upon it, and he has since built a large barn and other outbuildings and a new windmill, the character of his improvements indicating his good management and progressive spirit. The greater part of his land is under cultivation, some being reserved for pasturage for stock, however, and by reason of his unwearied industry and perseverance he has gained a gratifying measure of success in the conduct of his agricultural interests. He holds stock in the Washington Township Farmers Mutual Telephone Company and is connected with other enterprises which look toward advancing the welfare of the community.

On the 8th of February, 1899, Mr. Schlecht was married in Sabula, to Miss Katherine Pogeman, a daughter of Herman and Anna (Gerlach) Pogeman, both natives of Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Schlecht have become the parents of two daughters: Anna Irene, born April 19, 1901, and Mary Alverta, born March 28, 1908. The parents are members of the Catholic church of Green Island and are recognized as persons of genuine worth. Mr. Schlecht is a democrat in his political views, and his fellow citizens, recognizing his ability, have called him to the office of township trustee. Although still a young man he has gained a large measure of success in his business, and this may be regarded as indicative of the good fortune which he will win in the future.


Buried:
Saint Josephs Catholic Cemetery

George married Pogeman, Catherine on 8 Feb 1899 in Sabula, Jackson, Iowa, USA. Catherine (daughter of Pogeman, Herman and Gerlach, Anna) was born on 24 Jan 1878; died on 17 Jun 1954. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Schlecht, Anna Irene was born on 19 Apr 1901.
2. Schlecht, Mary Alverda was born on 28 Mar 1908 in Bellevue, Jackson, Iowa, USA; died on 4 Apr 2004.

Other Events:

• Residence: 1856, Jackson, Iowa

Notes:

"History of Jackson County Iowa" authored by Hon. James W. Ellis, Volume II, 1910, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co, Chicago, page 438

...was born in Germany and came to America as a lad of nine years with his parents. They located in Bellevue, Iowa, and as soon as he was old enough Joseph Schlecht began work as a farm hand, being thus employed at the outbreak of the Civil war, when he enlisted in the Union army, serving until the close of hostilities-a period of four years. When the nation no longer needed his aid he returned to Jackson county, Iowa, and again engaged in agricultural pursuits. He was almost forty years of age, however, before he was in a position to buy land, his first purchase being one hundred and sixty acres in Washington township which he cultivated successfully until 1898. In that year he sold all but forty acres to one of his sons and removed to an adjoining farm of one hundred and two acres, which he had bought in the meantime. After operating it for a year he sold it to his son, George, and for five years thereafter lived in retirement in Bellevue, going thence to Crawford. Oklahoma, where he took up a homestead of one hundred and sixty acres, it remaining his place of residence to the present. He has now reached the ripe old age of seventy years and yet is active in supervising his various interests. His wife, who was Frances Menger in her maidenhood, was likewise a native of Germany and came to Iowa as a child. She died some years ago at the comparatively early age of forty-nine years.

Eight children were born to Joseph Schlecht and wife, seven of whom are living, as follows: Frank, a farmer of Washington township; Sophia, the wife of Henry Eggers, who is engaged in agricultural pursuits in that township; Anna, who is living in Bellevue; Clara, the widow of a Mr. Knowles, formerly of Sabula; Lena, who is the wife of Benjamin Daggets, of Bellevue; Mary, the wife of William Schmidt, of the same city; George, the subject of this sketch; and Katherine, who died at the age of twelve years.

Buried:
Catholic Cemetery

Joseph married Menger, Francisca on 1 Jun 1868 in Jackson Co., Iowa, USA. Francisca was born on 17 Jun 1849; died on 3 Oct 1897. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Married:
by J. Harding, Catholic Priest

Michael married Ruff, Barbara. Barbara (daughter of Ruff, Georg Leonhard and Froschauer, Katharina) was born on 16 Feb 1807 in Grosshabersdorf, Bayern, Deutschland; died in Mar 1868. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• Residence: 1856, Jackson, Iowa
• Residence: 1860, Bellevue, Jackson, Iowa, USA

Notes:

Barbara Ruff was from Affing Bavaria, West Germany.