The full biographical sketch as printed, transcribed from the public-domain book. Spelling and wording are the original author’s; a few scanning errors may remain.
CHRIS HAFFNER.
Chris Haffner is a most progressive and public-spirited citizen. He resides in Donnellson and takes a most active part in promoting progress and upbuilding along various lines for the benefit of the communitv. He is especially a moving spirit in county alifairs. He was born in West Point township, February 10, 1867, a son of Walter J. Hafifner, also a native of this county, born in Franklin township, October at;, 1841. He made farming his life work and from birth to death continued his residence on the old homestead farm in West
Point township. As the years progressed his well directed efforts brought him substantial success, and he became the owner of four hundred acres, which property is still owned by his sons. He mar- ried Magdalen Graeber, who was born near Franklin Station, in Charleston township, in 1848 and is now living with her son. The Haffner family is of German origin. The grandfather was Chris- topher Haft'ner, who left his native land of Germany in 1838, cross- ing the Atlantic to America. Lee county became his destination, and he cast in his lot with the pioneer settlers long before the admis- sion of the state into the Union. He was married ere he left the fatherland and was accompanied to this country by his wife, while si.\ of his brothers also took up their residence in Iowa at the same time. Christopher Haffner lived to the ripe old age of eighty-six years.
His grandson and namesake, who is now a well-known resident of Donnellson, was educated in the country schools and in a German school at Franklin, pursuing his studies to the age of sixteen years. He afterward worked upon the home farm until he reached the age of twenty-three and in 1890 removed to Donnellson, where he became connected with a flour mill, devoting his attention to that business until 1897. He then turned his attention to the real estate and insur- ance business and has secured a large clientage. He writes a con- siderable amount of insurance annually and at the same time he deals quite extensively in farm lands and in town property, having nego- tiated many important realty transfers during the seventeen years which he has devoted to this business. He is thoroughly conversant with property values and knows what is upon the market, so that he is able to make profitable sales and judicious investments for his patrons.
On the 2ist of March, 1893, Mr. Haffner was united in mar- riage to Miss Molly Wagner, of Montrose, and they have two chil- dren, Leona and Alberta M., aged respectively twenty and eleven years, the younger being now in school. The family attend the Methodist Episcopal church.
Mr. Haffner belongs also to the Knights of Pythias lodge and the Modern Woodmen camp. His political support is given to the democratic party, and he has been quite active in local politics, serv- ing for fourteen years as city assessor. He has also done important work for the county as secretary of the Fair Association, and he has been most active in planning for and conducting the fairs, which are a notable and attractive annual event of Donnellson. The stu- dent of history cannot carry his investigations far into the annals of
Lee county without learning that the Haffner family has long been prominently and helpfully connected with the work of public progress. The efforts instituted by the grandfather were continued by the father and are now being carried on still farther by Chris Haffner, who is justly accounted one of the representative and enter- prising citizens of his community.
Source: public-domain records. See the original pages at the Internet Archive.
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