Barney J. Kleve

As printed in 1913

Among Winneshiek county's most able, progressive and successful native sons is numbered Barney J. Kleve, engaged in farming and stock-raising upon the old Kleve homestead on section 30, Military township, upon which his father settled during the Civil war. Upon that property lie was born on the 17th of January, [873, and there his entire life has been spent, his industry, honesty and ability having gained for him a high place in the respect and regard of his fellow citizens. His parents were Antone and Margaret (Schrandt) Kleve, natives of Germany. The father came to the United States in 1841 and located in Kentucky where he remained until about 1860, when he moved to Winneshiek county, Iowa, resuming the occupation of farming, to which he devoted his attention all during his active life. During the Civil war he purchased the farm upon which his son now resides and upon this property he passed away on the lath of February, 1890. He had become in the interval prominent in local public affairs and served with credit and distinction in various official positions including that of township trustee. Hi-- wife still survives him and makes her home with the subject of this review. In their family were eight children: Mary, the wife of Barney Muller of Ossian; Antone F.; Catherine, wdio married H. Massmann of Ossian; Annie, the wife of John Hankens of Washington township; Elizabeth, who married John Bushman of Stearns county, Minnesota; Henry J. of Nobles county in the same state; Barney J. of this review: and William J., of Stearns county, Minnesota.

Throughout the period of his boyhood and youth Barney J. Kleve assisted with the operation of his father's farm, spending his summers at this work, and in winter attending district school. At the age of twenty-one, a practical anji able agriculturist, he bought a half interest in the property and two years later purchased the entire farm which he has since owned and operated, his careful supervision, practical methods and unremitting industry having resulted in making it a model agricultural enterprise. He owns two hundred and forty acres on section 30, Military township and this he has improved substantially, erecting a fine silo and barn and the other necessary outbuildings and installing labor-saving machinery. In addition to his general farming, he makes a specialty of breeding and raising thoroughbred Brown Swiss cattle and is now an extensive breeder and dealer, his animals commanding a high price on the local market. He is a very reliable, farsighted and discriminating business man, capable of carrying forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes, and upon his determination, comprehensive farming experience and business acumen he has founded a success which places him today in the front ranks of progressive agriculturists in this section of the state.

Mr. Kleve married Miss Theresa Hankin and to this union were born seven children. Maggie, Arnold, Hugo, Edward, Raymond, Julita and Felicitas. The family are devout members of the Roman Catholic church. Mr. Kleve is president of the Festina Creamery Company and fraternally is affiliated with the Roman Catholic Mutual Protective Society and the Zentral Verein. His political allegiance is given to the democratic party and while he never seeks nor desires public office he takes an intelligent interest in movements to promote community advancement. All who know him hold him in high esteem and honor and most of his friends are numbered among those who have known him since childhood — a sure indication that his life has at all times been upright and honorable.

As printed in Past and present of Winneshiek county, Iowa; a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement (1913). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.