Hans H. Rohwedder was a youth of thirteen years when he came with his parents to the United States, and his education, which had been begun in the fatherland, was completed in the district schools of Clinton county, Iowa. He also learned valuable lessons from his father concerning the best methods of plowing, planting and harvesting, and upon the home farm received thorough and practical training in agricultural pursuits. He remained under the parental roof, assisting in the operation of the homestead, until the outbreak of the Civil war. Actuated by a spirit of patriotism, in response to the country's call for aid he enlisted on the 15th of October, 1861, as a member of Company M, First Iowa Cavalry, for a term of three years. He remained with that regiment throughout the entire period and during the meantime saw much active service, engaging principally with the bushwhackers in Missouri and Arkansas. In spite of the many hardships, privations and dangers which he was obliged to endure, never did his courage waver nor his loyalty diminish, for he served throughout his term of enlistment bravely and valiantly, and was discharged on the 18th of October, 1864, at Little Rock, Arkansas, with a most creditable military record.

After his return home he remained with his parents for about two years and then went to Missouri, where he purchased a farm of one hundred and twenty acres in Chariton county, which he operated for about eight years. Later he sold that property and in 1880 came to Jones county, carrying on agricultural pursuits as a renter near Wyoming for a number of years. He purchased his present farm about fourteen years ago and has since continued to devote his time and attention to its further development. It consists of one hundred and two acres located on section 27, Hale township, which under his careful management and supervision have been brought to a high state of cultivation, the rich crops which the fields annually yield proving a source of gratifying remuneration to him. It is a finely improved place, in the midst of which stand good, substantial buildings, and it is equipped with all of the modern accessories and conveniences for facilitating farm labor.

Mr. Rohwedder has been twice married, his first union being with Miss Margaret Gubel, a native of Holstein, Germany, who came to this country with her sister when a young lady. Unto their marriage were born four children, namely: Max, of Rome township; Dora, the widow of Hans Ahrendsen, of whom mention is made on another page of this volume; Lena, the wife of John Van Sprecken, residing in Rome township; and Johanna, who married Hans Ketelsen, of Woodbury county, Iowa. The wife and mother was called to her final rest in 1880, and in 1884 Mr. Rohwedder was again married, Miss Anna Neilson becoming his second wife. She also is a native of Germany, her birth occurring on the island of Fohr. Unto this second union were born five children: Louis, Margaret, John, Matilda and Henry, all of whom are still at home.

In his political allegiance Mr. Rohwedder was formerly a republican but now gives stalwart support to the democracy, and is now serving as township trustee, having filled that office for four years. He maintains pleasant relations with his old army comrades through his membership in the Grand Army post at Wyoming, and frequently attends the encampments, where he enjoys meeting his old friends and recalling the incidents and experiences of war times. He is a public-spirited man and although born across the waters is as loyal to the interests of his adopted country as any of his native-born fellow citizens. During his residence in Jones county he has gained many warm friends, who hold him in high regard because of his true worth and sterling characteristics.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Past and Present, R. M. Corbitt, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, 1910, p. 336.

John H. Rohwedder was but seven years of age when he accompanied his parents to the promising shores of America. He remained under the sheltering roof of his parents, until the year 1871, when be was married to Miss Frederica Guebel. a native of Germany. Upon their marriage, they started out in life on their own account, first renting a tract of land in Missouri, which they farmed for two years. On returning to Iowa, in 1874, Mr. Rohwedder purchased the old Harvey Niles farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Madison township, Jones county, Iowa, on which he located in the spring of 1875 and which remained his place of residence until 1899, when he purchased the old Nathan Shaffer farm of three hundred and twenty acres, also in Madison township, which has continued to be his home and upon which he now resides with his wife and children. His family consists of his faithful wife and companion in life, and seven children, five sons and two daughters, namely: Harro C., at home; Hans H., residing at Hale, who married Frederica Sieveke, March 4, 1908; Ernest F., residing in Madison township, who married Elsie Levsen, December 20, 1906; Toni (Rohwedder) Holst, residing in Scotch Grove township, who married Nicholas Holst, April 29, 1908; Albert G. Minna H., and Otto G., residing at home. For the past thirty-four years, Mr. Rohwedder has devoted his attention largely to the feeding of cattle and the raising of hogs. He is widely recognized as one of the most extensive stock feeders of the county, feeding from eight to ten carloads of cattle annually. He likewise raises from one hundred and fifty to two hundred head of hogs each year. He is a progressive and a successful farmer.

Mr. Rohwedder is a democrat in politics but is not a bitter partisan. He will often support a candidate of the opposition party if he believes such a course will best conserve the general welfare. Fraternally he is identified with the Wyoming Camp, No. 183, M. W. A. Both he and his wife have now resided in this county for more than a third of a century and have a wide and favorable acquaintance throughout the county. Mr. Rohwedder is a substantial man in every respect. He is not only successful as a farmer, he is a practical and a worthy citizen, a man large of heart, kind by nature, liberal in thought and worthy of trust and confidence.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Past and Present, R. M. Corbitt, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, 1910, p. 150.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Western Historical Company, Chicago, 1879, page 678.

John Ronen whose name introduces this review, was a lad of six summers when the family left the Emerald isle and came to the United States. He accompanied his parents on their various removals, attending school in the different towns in which they lived, and at the age of nineteen years he engaged in the stone construction business at Waterloo, Iowa, where he remained for four years. In 1875 he removed to Stone City, where he leased a quarry from Dr. Natson and engaged in cutting out stone in this way for ten years. During that time he prospered and from his earnings saved sufficient capital to enable him to purchase the quarry which he now operates. It was formerly the property of Martin Heisev and since it has come into Mr. Ronen's possession he has continuously and successfully conducted the business, being now one of the leading dealers in stone in this part of the state. His quarry produces an excellent quality of stone for which he finds a ready sale on the market.

Mr. Ronen is entitled to wear the grand army button from the fact that on the 1st of September, 1864, when but eighteen years of age he responded to his country's call for troops, enlisting in Company F, Seventh Iowa Cavalry, under the command of Colonel Sommer and General O'Conner. He saw service on the western frontier, fighting the Indians through the Yellowstone and the Wyoming. He fought the Sioux on the same ground afterward made famous by the Custer massacre. He also participated in other engagements along the little Big Horn, including one battle which took place on August 24, the anniversary of his birth. He continued in active duty until the regiment was mustered out and he was sent home. It was an arduous warfare for the tactics and military maneuvres of the Indians were unlike those practiced by civilized men, and the soldiers were, therefore, constantly on the alert.

On the 11th of September, 1869, Mr. Ronen was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary Gleason, a daughter of Michael and Mary (O'Brien) Gleason. Seven children have graced this marriage: William, who wedded Prudence Hodgin and resides at Stone City; Carrie, at home; Mary, the wife of J. J. Green, a railroad conductor who was killed in an accident; John Moses, postmaster at Stone City; Charles, Anna and Walter, all at home. The family are well known in this part of the state, and the members of the household occupy an enviable position in the social circles in which they move.

Mr. Ronen is a member of Fred Steele Post, No. 4, G.A.R., at Anamosa, and thus maintains pleasant relations with his old army comrades. He gives his political allegiance to the republican party, which was the defense of the Union during the dark days of the Civil war, and has always been the party of reform and progress. His religious faith is that of the Catholic church. He is known as a successful, enterprising business man, who owes his advancement in commercial lines to his own efforts. He has worked earnestly and persistently to achieve the prosperity which he now enjoys, and his labor and reliability have brought to him gratifying success.

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