The Hager Families of Jasper County, Iowa

Upon the roll of representative citizens and prominent and influential business men of Jasper county consistently appears the name of Fred Hager, the able president of the State Savings Bank of Baxter. He is one of those sturdy spirits who has contributed largely to the material welfare of the locality in which he resides, representing that class of earnest, foreign-born citizens who have done so much for the development of the United States, while at the same time they have benefited themselves in a very material manner. He has been a resident of Independence township for many years, during which time he has gradually won his way into the affections of the people, for he possesses those sterling qualities of character which commend themselves to persons of intelligence and the highest morality, so it is no wonder that he has achieved so high a position in the general estimation of all who have come in touch with him.

Mr. Hager was born in Lippe-Detmold, Germany, on November ±g, 1864, and there Jie grew to maturity and attended the common schools. Leaving his native land in 1882, he emigrated to free America, landing on our shores, "a youth to fortune and to fame unknown." He came directly to Jasper county, Iowa, and has been a resident here ever since, taking an active and important interest in the development of the same, which has been noteworthy and remarkable, considering the fact that it was not so very many. years ago that this locality was a wild plain. Mr. Hager's rise has been rapid, as the steps from a farm laborer to bank president forcibly illustrate; this, too, secured through avenues of industry and integrity is the highest tribute that can be paid to him by his fellow men. He is the son of Herman and Sophia (Stock) Hager, both born, reared, educated and married in Germany. and there the father died, the mother being still a resident of the province of her nativity. They were the parents of five children, namely: Herman is living in Germany; Fred, of this review; Lena Stoelting and Minnie Einsmeyer both live in Germany; August lives in Baxter, Iowa.

Mr. Hager, of this review, was married on December 7, 1899, to Clara Harre, who was born in Jasper county. Iowa. She is a lady of many praiseworthy qualities and has long been a social favorite. She is the daughter of Fred and Wilhelmina (Mierkert) Harre, a prominent pioneer family of Jasper county, the father being now deceased, but the mother is living in Baxter, Iowa. Their family consisted of eight children, all of whom are still living; they are, Mrs. Kracht, of Baxter, this county; Fred lives near Kearney, Nebraska; Paulina Geise, of Malaka township; Otto lives in Marshall county; Albert is agent of the Chicago Great Western Railroad Company at Waverly, Iowa; Mattie Kanne lives in Malaka township; Clara, wife of Mr. Hager, of this review; William lives in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Mr. Hager came to Baxter, Iowa, in 1882 and was for some time employed by his cousins, the Hager Brothers, as a farm hand. By industry and economy he was, after some time, enabled to start in business for himself, and, by close application and wise discretion, coupled with untiring energy and rare discernment he prospered continuously. He finally entered the banking business, in which he showed such aptitude that he was honored with the vice-presidency of the State Savings Bank at Baxter, upon the reorganization of which he was chosen president, which position he continues to hold in a manner that reflects much credit upon his ability and to the entire satisfaction of the stockholders and the patrons of the bank. It is safe to say that the widespread popularity and growing prosperity of this well known, safe and sound institution has been due in no small degree to his ability as a financier and his scrupulous honesty in every relation of life. The capital stock of this bank is thirty thousand dollars and the surplus for 191 1 will amount to ten thousand dollars. The corporation owns two buildings in Baxter and the present home of the institution is modern, substantial, convenient and equipped in an up-to-date manner.

Besides his interest in this bank, Mr. Hager is the owner of six hundred and forty acres near Garnduff, Saskatchewan, Canada, also one hundred and sixty acres of excellent land in Douglas county, Washington, and one hundred and sixty acres in Chaves county. New Mexico. He owns a commodious and beautiful home in Baxter.

Politically, Mr. Hager is a Democrat. He has been a member of the town council for two terms and township clerk for four years, also township trustee for three years. His bank is custodian of the school, township and road funds. Many a poor young man has been assisted through Mr. Hager's largeness of heart, for, having once been a poor boy himself, he has a great deal of sympathy for those worthy youths who need assistance at the threshhold of life. Personally, he is a genial, companionable and public-spirited gentleman, whom to know is to admire and respect. He and his wife are worthy members and Hberal supporters of the German Reformed church. They have no children, but have not withheld their aid and encouragement from the children of their neighbors and friends, and as a result of their many estimable qualities of head and heart they are held in high esteem by all who know them.

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

It is almost unnecessary at this time to speak of the part played by European aliens, many of them exiles, in the upbuilding of this nation. They thronged our shores on the Atlantic prior to the Revolution; the stream grew larger and more constant at its close, and they have continued to come in everincreasing numbers. We have always plenty of room for them and they pay us back manifold by their industrious and frugal lives and by their contributions to the prosperity of almost every section of the national union.

One of the worthy sons of the old fatherland who has become one of Jasper county's progressive citizens is August Hager. well known mill operator of Baxter. He was born in Lippe-Detmold, Germany, September 5,

1875, and there he grew to maturity and received his education in the common schools. He is the son of Herman and Sophia (Stock) Hager, both natives of Germany, the father having died in that country several years ago, but the mother is still living in the old country. Five children were born to them, namely: Herman lives in Germany; Fred, who is president of the State Savmgs Bank of Baxter, was born November 29, 1863, and he is one of the leading business men of this vicinity; Lena Stoelting lives hi Germany; Lena Einsmeyer is also still a resident of her native land; August of this sketch is the youngest.

August Hager emigrated to America in 1894 and located at Baxter, Iowa, and entered the employ of his brother in the local flouring mill, and with the exception of six months spent in farm work he has continued in this business to the present time, having bought the mill from his brother in 1902, Henry Noah being an equal partner from July, 1902. This is one of the best known and most popular mills in the county and has a wide and ever growing patronage, for high grade work is done here at all times and every caution is observed in order to please and give honest service. It is equipped with the most up-to-date and best approved machinery and is properly prepared in every respect to turn out the best material promptly. The products are eagerly sought for all over the country and the mill is usually run at its full capacity, seventy barrels daily, many car loads being shipped to various localities.

On April 6, 1904, August Hager was married to Carrie Kracht, who was born in Independence township, Jasper county, Iowa, August 9. 1878. She is the daughter of Adolph and Wilhelmina (Begemann) Kracht, both born in Lippe-Detmold, Germany, the father on June 29, 1841, and the mother on December 7, 1847. They grew up, were educated and married in the fatherland, and came to Iowa in early life and they now live retired in Baxter, having secured a competency. There were eleven children in their family. The two eldest, Henry and Matilda, died in infancy; Fred, born in Wisconsin, December 19, 1873, lives in Baxter; William died when eight years old; Lydia, born December 5, 1879, lives in Baxter; Carrie, wife of Mr. Hager of this review; Elvina Wintermeier lives in Independence township, this county; Adolph, born March 2, 1884, lives in Baxter; Emma, born December 13, 1884, lives in Baxter; Anna, born November 13, 1887, also lives in Baxter.

Politically, Mr. Hager is a Democrat. He is a member of the German Reformed church of Independence township. He has always been a student of the world's best literature and of the current topics of the times. He has led a commendable life since coming among us and has made a host of friends who admire him for his business ability, his progress! veness and honesty.

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

GUSTAV A. HAGER.

Improvement and progress may well be said to form the keynote of the character of Gustav A. Hager, vell known merchant of Baxter and one of Jasper county's representative citizens, and he has not only been interested in the work of advancement of individual affairs, but his influence is felt in the upbuilding of the community which has so long been honored by his citizenship. The prosperity which he enjoys is the result of energy rightly applied and has been won by commendable qualities.

Mr. Hager was born in Allamakee county, Iowa, April 14, 1865. He is the son of Simon Hager, who was born in Lippe-Detmold. Germany, in 1825, in which 'locality was also born, on August 18, 1827, the mother of the subject, she being known in her maidenhood as Minnie Dalbameier. There they grew up and were married, coming to the United States in early life and spending their last days in Jasper county, Iowa, the father dying in Independence township in 1876 and the mother on September 21, 1895. There were seven children in their family as follows: William, born January 23, 1857, is living in Baxter, Iowa; Lizzie is the wife of H. A. Geise. of Independence township; George T., born September 11, 1860, of Baxter; L. A., born December 4. 1864, died in Santa Barbara, California, September 20, 1909- Gustav A., of this review: Helen died in infancy; Lydia, born in Jasper county on December 2, 1875, lives in Santa Barbara, California.

Gustav A. Hager was educated in the common schools and early in life turned his attention to business and has been very successful, being now a member of the well known firm of Hager Brothers, dealers in pianos and organs at Baxter, this county. They maintain a neat and well ordered store, carrying a large, up-to-date and carefully selected stock of instruments and enjoy an extensive and constantly growing patronage with the surrounding country. They have long been regarded as among the most progressive merchants of this thriving little city and have been among its most successful firms.

Mr. Hager has a modern and well furnished home in Baxter. Politically, he is a Republican and a member of the German Reformed church of this township.

Mr. Hager was married on March 13, 1895, to Mary L. Crawford, who was born in Leesburg. Indiana. February 18, 1872, and this union has been graced by the birth of one child. Raymond Gustav Hager, born November 6, 1898, a promising lad. now attending school at Baxter

Mrs. Hager is the daughter of W. J. Crawford, who. after a long and useful life, is now living retired in this county. He was born in Knox county, Ohio. November 2, 1836. the son of Lloyd and Eliza (Culbertson) Crawford, both natives of Ohio, from which state they moved to Illinois when their son.

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