Christ V. Rock

As printed in 1907

CHRIST V. ROCK.

An excellent farm property of two hundred and forty acres, situated in Pleasant township, three miles west and two miles south of Avoca, pays tribute to the care and supervision of its owner, Christ V. Rock. Standing in the midst of well cultivated fields is a beautiful residence, while near by is a mammoth barn, with all other buildings necessary for the sheltering of grain and stock. The farm is in fact one of the best improved properties of the locality, lacking in none of the accessories of a model farm of the twentieth century. Today Mr. Rock is classed with the prosperous residents of his community but when he arrived in Iowa he was possessed of a capital of only twenty dollars. All that he now owns has come as the direct result of his labor and perseverance. In connection with general farming he follows stock-raising, making a specialty of registered polled Durham cattle.

Mr. Rock was born in the province of Waldeck, Germany, January 5, 1858, a son of Frederick Rock. His parents' home was his shelter during the days of his boyhood and youth, while the common schools of Germany afforded him his educational privileges. The reports which reached him concerning America proved so attractive to him that in 1876, when eighteen years of age, he bade adieu to friends and native country and sailed for the United States. Journeying into the interior, his destination being Iowa, he spent two months in Clinton county and afterward came to Pottawattamie county, where he began work as a farm hand, continuing in the employ of others for nine years. During this period he carefully saved his earnings with the intention of some day becoming the owner of a farm.

In the fall of 1881 Mr. Rock returned to Germany and in the following spring brought his father to the United States. He then located in Scott county, Iowa, and for three years longer was employed at farm labor, when he began farming on his own account on rented land in Scott county. In 1889 he once more arrived in Pottawattamie county and here his earnings took tangible form in a farm of one hundred and sixty acres, which he purchased on section 23, Pleasant township, where he now lives. The land being now his own, he resumed agricultural pursuits in earnest and has carefully conducted his business affairs up to the present time. In 1898 he erected a barn of very extensive proportions, the following year purchased an adjoining eighty acres, whereby the boundaries of his farm were extended until it now comprises two hundred and forty acres. Further evidence of his prosperity was given in 1903, when he erected a handsome residence, while at different times he has built substantial fences, sheds, cribs and added all of the conveniences of a model farm of the twentieth century. What a contrast to his financial condition when he first came to Iowa! He had twenty dollars and was a stranger in a strange land, unfamiliar with the customs and habits and the speech of the people. He has since become possessed of a comfortable competence through the wise use he has made of his opportunities and his careful investment. The secret of his success lies entirely in his perseverance and his diligence, and his record should serve to encourage others to follow a similar course and reach the same desirable results.

In 1885 Mr. Rock was married to Miss Caroline Rock, a native of Scott county, Iowa. Her father also bore the name of Christ Rock and came to this state from Germany, being among the early settlers of Scott county, where he located in 1856. Our subject and his wife became the parents of six children but Caroline, the third, is now deceased. The others, Bertha, Ida, Alfred, Arthur and Rosa, are all at home.

Mr. Rock is a democrat with somewhat liberal views and while supporting the party on national questions he often cases an independent local ballot. He is a member of the board of trustees, having served for six years in the office, while for ten or eleven years he has been a member of the school board, putting forth effective effort in behalf of the cause of education through the employment of competent teachers and the adoption of new and liberal ideas concerning education. He belongto Avoca lodge, No. '220. I. 0. 0. F., and to Avoca Gesang verein. His church relationship is with the Lutherans and he is classed with the prominent and leading German farmers of Pottawattamie county. Never neglectful of any business interest, he has never allowed the accumulation of wealth to make him sordid but on the contrary is a man of generous spirit and progressive views, desirous that others shall accomplish a success similar to that which he has won in his business life here.

As printed in History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, from the earliest historic times to 1907 (1907). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.