Frederick Bock

As printed in 1905

FREDERICK BOCK.

TiiK name of Frederick Bock became actively associated with the business history of Flint River township, and in trade circles he sustained an unassailable reputation; but those who knew him in other walks of life also entertaineil for bin) the highest regard. He was a son of Frederick I'ock, and was born in Gubeardstadt, Germany, about 1823. He came to-Xnierica in 1864. and settled in Burlington township. Des Moines county. Iowa. Soon after this he bought a place of one hundred and sixty acres on Sections 14 anil 22,. in Flint River township, where he lived till his death, which occurred Sept. 16, 1893, at the ailvanced age of seventy-one years. He gave his political allegiance to the Republican party, and was ever loyal to all of its greatest needs. He was an esteemed member of the German Evangelical church.

In 1884, Mr. Bock was married to Mrs. Mary (Thurman) Houer, of Des.Moines county, who is a daughter of John and Catherine (Schulz) Thurman, and is a native of Machdenberg. Germany, her birth occurring Dec. 16, 1829. Her first husband was William Houer, and they had one child, William, who died at the age of six weeks. Mr. Houer passed away in August, 1882, aged fifty years. The memory of Mr. Houer is enshrined in the hearts of all who knew him.

Mrs. Bock adopted Charles Grothe, son of Henry and Dora (Ileinsauer) Grothe, who was born in West Phalen, Germany,.Xjiril 26, 1882. He came to America when only two years old. His father came before the family did, and met his death in 1884 while walking on the railroad tracks, being struck by a Qiicago, Burlington & Quincy train and instantly killed. His widow later married Christ Pistorius, a prosperous stone-mason of Burlington. Iowa. They reside at 206 South Woodlawn Avenue..Mrs. Bock gave her adopted son a good home and a fair education in the district schools. After her husband died she sold the Bus.se place, and bought one hundred and twenty acres in Sections 7 and 8, in Flint River township. Her adopted son superintend the farming interests of Mrs. Bock. They ha\ e made all the improve- 93:

ments on the place, putting up all the necessary outbuildings for grain and stock, and now have a comfortable home and new barn thirty by forty feet, which they erected in 1903. They do farming and gardening and also raise stock.

Mrs. Bock is a woman who has passed through much trouble, but each trial seems to have made her more able and better fitted to endure the burden of life..She is respected throughout the township for her many deeds of kindness. Charles, her adopted son, also commands the universal respect and esteem of all friends and neighbors for his sterling business qualifications, and for the attention which he exhibits constantly towards his mother in his efforts to make her-comfortable.

As printed in Biographical review of Des Moines County, Iowa (1905). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.