JOHN KROELL, SR.
Page 596

JOHN KROELL, SR. In no portion of the world is the result of patent industry illustrated more forcibly than in the great west. Could the young man of forty years ago have had the power to look into the future and discover not only what he himself would accomplish, but what would be done by his fellow-citizens, he would have labored with even greater courage than he has done. Among those whose energy, tireless perseverance and judicious management have contributed to the progress and material interests of Mason County, is the gentleman above named, who owns a farm located on section 19, Quiver Township. A native of Germany, our subject was born in Hesse-Darmstadt, November 20, 1822, and is the son of Jost Kroell, who lived and died in the Old Country. Of the parental family of four children only two are now living: John, of this sketch, and Elizabeth, now Mrs. Gerhardt, who makes her home in Iowa. He of whom we write was reared a farmer boy, and emigrated to America October 6, 1851, landing some days later in New York City. He came directly to Illinois, and for a time worked out on a farm near Havana, until he was enabled to purchase property of his own, his first estate comprising eighty acres of improved land on section 7 of this township. Mr. Kroell was married in November, 1851, to Miss Mary Katz, also a native of Hesse-Darmstadt, and after making his first purchase of property, the couple resided on the farm until 1867, when Mr. Kroell moved upon his present place. His wife departed this life December 5, 1885, aged sixty-three years. Of the family of five children of which she became the mother, four are living. John married Julia Reddinger and makes his home on a farm in Quiver Township; Lizzie, the second in order of birth, is in Clinton; Conrad took to wife Miss Mary Heimel and is also a farmer of this township; Mary, Mrs. Fred Zelle, is living in Kansas. Harman died when a young man of twenty-one years. May 11, 1886, our subject was married to Elizabeth Crawford, the widow of Dr. Henry Crawford, and daughter of Peter and Elizabeth (Riddle) Ringhouse. Her father was born in Germany, and removed to Mason County in 1833, where he died in November, 1859. His good wife, who is also deceased, departed this life in 1883. Mrs. Kroell was born February 20, 1824, in Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, and was reared to womanhood in this country. Her first marriage, which took place in 1840, was with William Atwater, by whom she became the mother of twelve children, five of whom are living. Edwin W., who married Ellen White, lives in Nebraska; Louis is now of Mason County; John married Josephine Dare and lives in Havana; Sheldon, who is a farmer of Quiver Township, married Iris Jones; Emma, who is the wife of Woodford Roundtree, also lives in this township. The others are deceased. Mr. Kroell has resided on his present farm since 1867, and it comprises two hundred and fifteen acres of very valuable land. He is also the proprietor of a quarter-section in Hardin County, Iowa, which finely improved estate he rents to good advantage. In 1876 he built his present residence at a cost of $2,350, and also erected a barn at the same time which cost $600. Mr. and Mrs. Kroell are church members, the former belonging to the Evangelical and the latter to the Christian Church. He served as a School Director of his district, and in politics never fails to cast a vote for Republican candidates. Mrs. Kroell is also a warm advocate of Republican principles, and is actively interested in advancing the cause of temperance in this township. They are both old settlers here, our subject having been a resident of Mason County for forty-three years, and his good wife for sixty-one years. They attended the old settlers' meeting held at Manito several years ago, on which occasion Mrs. Kroell was given a chair in honor of her being the oldest settler in Quiver Township. Our subject is charitable and benevolent, and the poor and needy find in him a friend. In his business career he has met with signal success, and his diligence and good management have made him the owner of a fine farm and the possessor of a competence. He loves his adopted country, and the community recognize in him a valued citizen.

1894 Biography Index

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