Ernest Lange

As printed in 1914

ERNEST LANGE.

The attractive and well cultivated farm owned and operated by Ernest Lange on section 16, Green Bay township, testifies to his skill and ability in his chosen occupation. Like many of the leading citizens of this locality, his early home was on the other side of the Atlantic, for he was born in Prussia, Germany, on the 29th of September, 1845, a son of Herman and Christina (Bettelthon) Lange. The father was born near Gultz, in Wunschendorf, Germany, in 1820, and the mother's birth occurred on the 2d of February, 1821. Deciding to try their fortune in the new world, they crossed the ocean and arrived in Burlington, Iowa, on the 4th of August, 1851. From there they proceeded by wagon to Fort Madison, and took up their above upon a farm in Green Bay township, this county.

Throughout his active business life Herman Lange followed farming and became the owner of several hundred acres of very valuable and productive land. In connection with its cultivation he engaged in the buying and selling of cattle for a time and the success that he achieved was due entirely to his own unaided efforts, for he came to this country empty-handed. He died at the age of seventy-two years, but the mother of our subject still survives at the advanced age of ninety-three. He was a democrat in politics, and both he and his wife were members of the German Lutheran church. Their family numbered eight children as follows: Paulina, who is living with her mother; Ernest, of this review; Ernestina; Augusta, the wife of August Schubert, of Washington township; Robert, of Green Bay township; Anna, the wife of John Fletcher, of Dover, Iowa; Alice, the wife of John Meisel of Green Bay township; and Herman E., also a resident of that township.

Since coming to this locality, in 1851, Ernest Lange has made his home in Green Bay township. He was only six years of age at the time of his arrival here and his education has therefore been acquired in the public schools of the county. Under the able direction of his father he soon became familiar with agricultural pursuits and since attaining manhood has followed farming with good success. He and his wife at one time owned one hundred and twenty-two acres, but have since disposed of a part of this to the Fower Company and now have ninety-five acres on section 16, Green Bay township, which he has placed under excellent cultivation.

In 1876 Mr. Lange married Miss Allie Craig, who was born in Indiana in 1856 and came here with her parents when about six years old. Seven children were born of this union, namely: Clara, the wife of Charles Hunger of Burlington; Charles, a resident of Green Bay township; Robert, who died at the age of six years; Lydia, the wife of Samuel Tucker of Green Bay township; Hulda and Ernest, both at home; and Golda, now in Burlington.

The democratic party finds in Mr. Lange a stanch supporter of its principles, and he has efficiently filled both school and road offices. He and his family hold membership in the Evangelical Lutheran church of Fort Madison, and he is also connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

As printed in Story of Lee County, Iowa; (1914). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.