In a town of five thousand inhabitants Christopher Mardorf was reared and educated, passing from the public school to the high and normal schools, whose instruction he supplemented by four years at the Mission House. He had also learned the trade of a tanner and for a few years before he came to this country he conducted a tannery. In 1873 he came to the United States, making his way directly to Clinton county, Iowa, where he entered the Worfsburg Seminary, which is now located in Dubuque. He completed his course there in one year and August 9, 1874, was ordained a minister of the German Lutheran church. His first charge was at Solon, Iowa, where he remained until December 1875, preaching at the same time to a congregation in Cedar Rapids. He went next to Waterloo, where he stayed until September 4, 1878, when he came to his present charge the Zion Conservative German Lutheran church of Wayne township. At the time of his advent his flock consisted of but sixteen members and he had only one building to serve as the parsonage, the church and the school. Now he ministers to one hundred and twenty-five souls, has built a parsonage and a schoolhouse, and has added to and beautified the church.

In 1879 he had organized another little congregation in Castle Grove township, to whom he preached until 1892, when it had grown to such proportions that if could have a pastor of its own. At present Rev. Mardorf has a little church of twenty-four members in Lovell to whom he ministers every second Sunday. They have held their meetings in the schoolhouse, but now have the money saved for the erection of a church which will be built as soon as they can decide upon a suitable location. The flourishing little school he conducts in conjunction with his pastoral duties in Wayne township consumes all of his time not given to the spiritual needs of his parish, and its growth is one of the factors connected with his mission of which he is justifiably proud. A conscientious man and devoted to the best interests of his congregation he has spared no effort to improve them morally, spiritually and' intellectually. One has but to enter the little building into which he gathers his people to realize that the spirit of true worship there prevails.

In 1875, Rev. Mardorf married Miss Celena Hertz, who was born in Philadelphia, September 8, 1857, and is a daughter of Henry and Florendine Hertz. Her parents were both natives of Germany, but came to this country in their youth, the father when he was only four years of age. In 1858 they came to Iowa, where Mrs. Hertz still lives, her husband having died some years ago. To Rev. Mardorf and his wife have been born seven children: George, who farms on the two hundred and forty acres be owns in Jackson township; Carl, who is the pastor of a German Lutheran church in St. Paul, Minnesota; Christoph, who is at home; Sadie in St. Paul; Christiana, who is the wife of Rev. H. Lutz, of Cullom, Illinois; and Anna and Mamie, who are at home. Consistent in practicing those virtues which he holds up to those who listen to his sermons, imbued with patience and fortitude, he has made many a life the nobler for his work.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Past and Present, R. M. Corbitt, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, 1910, p. 637.

Martin Marek, whose name initiates this review, spent the first ten years of his life on his father's farm in Bolder township, Linn county, and then the parents moved across the line into Castle Grove township, Jones county, and within the borders of this county he has since continued to make his home. He remained under the parental roof until his marriage in 1883, when he took up agricultural pursuits on his own account, having gained thorough and practical training along that line during the period of his residence upon the home farm, under his father's direction. He purchased a tract of one hundred and eight acres of land in Cass township, which constitutes a part of his present farm, at a purchase price of twenty-seven dollars per acre. About 1900 he bought adjoining property so that his home farm now consists of one hundred and sixty acres. Later he invested in additional property and his entire holdings amount to two hundred and fifty-six acres in two adjoining farms, each equipped with a set of buildings and each under a high state of cultivation. In connection with his general farming pursuits he engages to some extent in stock-raising and also milks nineteen cows, selling cream to the creamery at Anamosa. He possesses excellent business ability, is progressive and up-to-date in his methods and has made for himself a creditable place among the substantial and representative farmers of the township.

Mr. Marek was united in marriage on the 8th of January, 1883, to Miss Rose Holub, a native of Iowa City, born on the 19th of March, 1864. She is a daughter of Frank and Kate (Berry) Holub, natives of Bohemia, who passed away in this country. Unto this union have been born twelve children, namely Mary, the wife of Henry Evans of Castle Grove township; Rose, who wedded John Fosek, of Osceola county, Iowa; Anna, the wife of Thomas Fosek, a brother of John Fosek, also residing in Osceola county; Frances, Mike, Kate, John, Joseph, Frank, Helen and Lizzie, all still under the paternal roof; and Tillie, who passed away in infancy. The family are communicants of the Catholic church of Prairieburg and in politics Mr. Marek gives stalwart support to the republican party. He filled the office of constable for two years, but otherwise has never sought nor desired office, preferring to concentrate his energies upon his own business affairs, which, carefully and wisely managed, are proving a source of a most gratifying success. He has always stood for all that is progressive in citizenship and which tends to promote the material welfare of the community, and his labors have been a source of benefit to the community in which he has resided, at the same time bringing to him a substantial reward of earnest effort.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Past and Present, R. M. Corbitt, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, 1910, p. 465.

Mike Marek was but two years of age when the family took up their abode in America, and consequently almost his entire life has been spent here. The common schools of Davenport and Jones county afforded him a fair knowledge of the common branches of English learning, and he remained on his father's farm in Castle Grove township until, he was about twenty-four years of age, when he was married. He then entered business on his own account as an agriculturist, operating a farm in the capacity of renter for two years, at the expiration of which time he purchased forty-five acres of land I in Linn county. Four years later he bought thirty-five acres, making eighty acres in all, and at the end of another four years he purchased a tract of twenty acres in Jones county, so that he then owned one hundred acres. He located on his Jones county property, which was located in Castle Grove township, and made his home there for four years. At the expiration of that period he rented his farm and removed to Monticello, living there for five years while working on the railroad. The next five years were spent on his farm in Castle Grove township but at the end of that time he sold the place and purchased one hundred and forty acres in Cass township, where he now resides. He is directing his efforts toward its further development and under his excellent management it has become a highly improved farm. He has closely studied agriculture in all its various phases, practices rotation of crops, knows the cereals best adapted to soil and climate and has so conducted his business as to gain for himself a most creditable place among the substantial and representative farmers of the community.

It was on the 14th of November, 1874, that Mr. Marek was united in marriage to Miss Anna Lawrence, who was born in Bolder township, Linn county, on the 25th of May, 1856. Her parents were Andrew and Barbara Lawrence, natives of Germany and Bohemia respectively. Although no children came to bless their union, Mr. and Mrs. Marek have raised four children, three girls and one boy, and they also have an adopted son, Wensel.

Although Mr. Marek has won a most creditable degree of success in agricultural lines, he is perhaps better known to his fellow citizens by reason of the active and helpful interest which he has taken in community affairs. He is a stalwart supporter of the republican party and for the past six years has filled the office of township trustee. In this capacity he has under his supervision and care twenty-six miles of township roads, for the condition of which he is responsible. He is also serving as a member of the school board and the cause of education finds in him a stanch champion. His influence is ever upon the side of improvement, advancement, progress and reform and these qualities constitute him a citizen of worth in the community in which he resides. He is a member of the Catholic church of Anamosa, the teachings of which form the guiding influence of his life, and his salient characteristics are such as have gained for him the respect, confidence and good will of his fellowman.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Past and Present, R. M. Corbitt, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, 1910, p. 422.