The Grell Family of Scott County, Iowa

James Grell, who is now practically living retired on his farm in Aliens Grove township, formerly led a very active, busy and useful life and well deserves the rest which he now enjoys. He was born in Kiel, Holstein, Germany, March 10, 1839, a son of Frederick and Margaret (Reinhardt) Grell, who spent their entire lives in the fatherland. The father served seven years in the German army and was a farmer by occupation, being overseer of a large estate. His family numbered five ons and five daughters, but only four came to the United States, these being: John, who is now deceased; James, of this review; Claus, who makes his home in Nebraska; and Katherine, who became the wife of Henry Steen and has departed this life.

James Grell spent the period of his boyhood and youth in his parents' home and when fifteen years of age began learning the wagonmaker's trade, which he followed until he attained the age of twenty-three years. Possessing strong and persevering characteristics, developed by his earlier environment, which, coupled with the Hvelier impulses of the Teutonic blood of his ancestors, made him at that time seek wider fields in which to give scope to his ambition and industry, and he accordingly emigrated to the new world. His brother John had preceded him to America and was located in Aliens Grove township, Scott county. This fact led James Grell to this county, and he here worked at his trade for seventeen years on the farm which he now owns. In the meantime he had purchased small tracts of timber land and in addition to working at his trade of wagonmaker, he cleared and developed his land, putting it in condition for cultivation. When he had a sufficient amount ready to plant he abandoned his trade and gave his full time to the care of his fields. As he prospered he kept adding to his original purchase until he now owns a half section of good farming property, located on section 27, Aliens Grove township, and in addition he owns one hundred acres of timber land. He has also given some of his land to his sons, for at one time he was the owner of six hundred acres. Mr. Grell

.ta:\]Ks rell made all of the improvements on his place, the family occupying a comfortable home, while the outbuildings and barns are all arranged with a view to convenience. For many years he was busily engaged in carrying on his work, but he is now practically living retired, merely giving supervision to his interests, while the actual labor is performed by others.

Mr. Grell was married in 1862, just before starting on his trip to the new world, the lady of his choice being Miss Margaret Bliimer, who was born near Kiel, Holstein, Germany, January 14, 1839. She was a daughter of David Blumer, who was born in Switzerland. The young couple reached their destination, Scott county, in June, 1862, and here reared a family numbering four sons and four daughters. Edward, the eldest, is at home. Julius is a resident of Hickory Grove township, Scott county, and is mentioned elsewhere in this, work. Gus is also mentioned in this volume. Dora is the wife of Charles Blanchard and they make their home in Oklahoma. Emma is the wife of Herman Thede, a resident of Hickory Grove township. Minnie is the wife of Claus Engelhart and they make their home with Mr. Grell. Mr. Engelhart served eight years in the regular army in Company E, Seventeenth United States Infantry. This service included the Spanish-American war in Cuba and thirteen months in the Philippines, where he acted as sergeant of his company. He participated in thirteen engagements during his eight years' service. Chris, the next member of the Grell family, resides in Aliens Grove township, and Jennie, the youngest, is the wife of John Hoffman, of Winfield township, Scott county. The wife and mother departed this life on the ist of May, 1889, when about fifty years of age.

Mr. Grell is a democrat in his political affiliations, and for a quarter of a century served as justice of the peace, his efficiency in office being indicated by his long term of service. For a similar period he also acted as trustee of his tOAvnship. He has always taken a deep interest in political affairs, and is willing to lend his aid and cooperation to everything that tends to advance the public welfare. Though born across the water, he is thoroughly American in thought and feeling, and is patriotic and sincere in his love for the stars and stripes. His career is identified with the history of Scott county, where he has acquired a competence and where he is an honored and respected citizen.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

Julius Grell, a successful farmer and stock raiser of Hickory Grove township, was born in Aliens Grove township, this county, November 8, 1864, a son of James and Margaret (Bliimer) Grell. The former was a native of Kiel, Holstein, Germany, where his birth occurred March 10, 1839, his parents being Frederick and Margaret (Reinhardt) Grell, who spent their whole lives in the German father-' land. To it Frederick Grell was especially attached for he had served a term of seven years in the army. He was a farmer by occupation and was employed as overseer of a large estate. Only four of his family of five sons and five daughters came to the United States. These were: John, now deceased; James, the father of our subject; Claus, who is now a resident of Nebraska; and Mrs. Katherine Steen, now deceased.

James Grell spent his early years in the town of his birth, where he learned the trade of a wagonmaker. At the age of twenty-three he determined to emigrate to America, whither his brother John had preceded him. The latter made his residence in Aliens Grove township, this county, so that it was but in the natural course of events that James Grell should there locate. Wfter his arrival in Scott county he worked at his trade for seventeen years, while at the same time he also engaged in the cultivation of the farm in Aliens Grove township on which he still resides. He cleared and developed it and as he prospered added to its original area until now he owns three hundred and twenty acres of good arable land on section 27. He also owns one hundred acres of timber land, his present holdings, however, representing but a portion of his original acquisition for he has bestowed large farms upon his sons. Before he embarked for Kmerica Mr. Grell married Miss Margaret Bliimer, also a native of Kiel, Germany, and

ME. AND a daughter of David Bliimer, who was born in Switzerland. Their union was blessed with four sons and four daughters, namely: Edward, who is at home; Julius, the subject of this sketch; Gus, who is mentioned elsewhere in this work; Dora, the wife of Charles Blanchard, of Oklahoma; Emma, the wife of Herman Thede, a resident of Hickory Grove township; Minnie, who is the wife of Claus Engelhart and lives with Mr. Grell; Chris, who resides in Aliens Grove township; and Jennie, the wife of John Hoffmann, of Winfield township, this county. The mother died May 1, 1889, when about fifty years of age, but the father is still living. He is a democrat in his political views and has been very active in the public affairs of his township.,

Julius Grell was reared under the careful guidance of his parents in Aliens Grove township, attending the district school near his home, in which he obtained a fair education. The more substantial and practical training for life, however, he received while he worked with his father in the fields, for he was initiated into the secrets of agriculture as soon as he was able to handle the plow. He remained with his father until he married, when he decided to make a home for himself. Accordingly, he removed to section 2, Hickory Grove township, where he owned a tract of one hundred and twenty acres. Here he engaged in diversified farming and raises a quantity of stock for the market. Putting into practice the sound principles inculcated by his father Mr. Grell has won a well deserved success in his calling and enjoys the respect of his associates.

In 1899 Mr. Grell wedded Miss Rosa Hamann, who was born in Davenport, March 23, 1867. Her parents, John and Anna (Tackmann) Hamann, were natives of Holstein, Germany, and when they emigrated to America took up their residence in Scott county. They are at present living in Sheridan township. Mr. and Mrs. Grell have two children: Margaret Anna and Karl Julius.

Like his father, Mr. Grell has allied himself with the. democratic party, although his adherence to its principles is not founded wholly upon the recommendation of another but because he believes firmly in them. He has, however, not taken any conspicuously active part in local affairs.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

Gus Grell was born in Aliens Grove township, Scott county, June 5, 1868, and is of that stanch German stock which is so satisfactory an ingredient of the cosmopolitan civilization of America. His parents were James and Margaret (Bloomer) Grell, both natives of Germany, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this volume. Mr. Grell remained under the parental roof until his marriage, when he established a separate household on a fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres situated on sections 11 and 12, Hickory Grove township. In 1903 he built his present beautiful eight-room dwelling and a number of farm buildings, both substantial and convenient. Besides general farming, he is successfully engaged as a breeder of high grade stock, his animals having a fine reputation in the vicinity.

On the 7th of March, 1900, Mr. Grell laid the foundations of a pleasant home life by his marriage to Miss Lizzie Hamann. She was born in Sheridan township, February 4, 1872, and is the daughter of William and Anna (Ehlers) Hamann, natives of Germany, who came to this county in 1869. Her father died at Eldridge in 1908, and her mother passed away in 1882. Mr. and Mrs. Grell have one child, a son named Orville.

Mr. Grell gives heartiest support to the democratic party, finding wisdom in its measures and placing confidence in the men selected to carry them out. He is a valued citizen of the community and is at present serving his second term as township trustee. He is also filling the office of school director and is a trustee of the Scott County German Mutual Insurance Company.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.