Julius Grell

As printed in 1910

JULIUS GRELL.

Julius Grell, a successful farmer and stock raiser of Hickory Grove township, was born in Aliens Grove township, this county, November 8, 1864, a son of James and Margaret (Bliimer) Grell. The former was a native of Kiel, Holstein, Germany, where his birth occurred March 10, 1839, his parents being Frederick and Margaret (Reinhardt) Grell, who spent their whole lives in the German father-' land. To it Frederick Grell was especially attached for he had served a term of seven years in the army. He was a farmer by occupation and was employed as overseer of a large estate. Only four of his family of five sons and five daughters came to the United States. These were: John, now deceased; James, the father of our subject; Claus, who is now a resident of Nebraska; and Mrs. Katherine Steen, now deceased.

James Grell spent his early years in the town of his birth, where he learned the trade of a wagonmaker. At the age of twenty-three he determined to emigrate to America, whither his brother John had preceded him. The latter made his residence in Aliens Grove township, this county, so that it was but in the natural course of events that James Grell should there locate. Wfter his arrival in Scott county he worked at his trade for seventeen years, while at the same time he also engaged in the cultivation of the farm in Aliens Grove township on which he still resides. He cleared and developed it and as he prospered added to its original area until now he owns three hundred and twenty acres of good arable land on section 27. He also owns one hundred acres of timber land, his present holdings, however, representing but a portion of his original acquisition for he has bestowed large farms upon his sons. Before he embarked for Kmerica Mr. Grell married Miss Margaret Bliimer, also a native of Kiel, Germany, and

ME. AND a daughter of David Bliimer, who was born in Switzerland. Their union was blessed with four sons and four daughters, namely: Edward, who is at home; Julius, the subject of this sketch; Gus, who is mentioned elsewhere in this work; Dora, the wife of Charles Blanchard, of Oklahoma; Emma, the wife of Herman Thede, a resident of Hickory Grove township; Minnie, who is the wife of Claus Engelhart and lives with Mr. Grell; Chris, who resides in Aliens Grove township; and Jennie, the wife of John Hoffmann, of Winfield township, this county. The mother died May 1, 1889, when about fifty years of age, but the father is still living. He is a democrat in his political views and has been very active in the public affairs of his township.,

Julius Grell was reared under the careful guidance of his parents in Aliens Grove township, attending the district school near his home, in which he obtained a fair education. The more substantial and practical training for life, however, he received while he worked with his father in the fields, for he was initiated into the secrets of agriculture as soon as he was able to handle the plow. He remained with his father until he married, when he decided to make a home for himself. Accordingly, he removed to section 2, Hickory Grove township, where he owned a tract of one hundred and twenty acres. Here he engaged in diversified farming and raises a quantity of stock for the market. Putting into practice the sound principles inculcated by his father Mr. Grell has won a well deserved success in his calling and enjoys the respect of his associates.

In 1899 Mr. Grell wedded Miss Rosa Hamann, who was born in Davenport, March 23, 1867. Her parents, John and Anna (Tackmann) Hamann, were natives of Holstein, Germany, and when they emigrated to America took up their residence in Scott county. They are at present living in Sheridan township. Mr. and Mrs. Grell have two children: Margaret Anna and Karl Julius.

Like his father, Mr. Grell has allied himself with the. democratic party, although his adherence to its principles is not founded wholly upon the recommendation of another but because he believes firmly in them. He has, however, not taken any conspicuously active part in local affairs.

As printed in History of Davenport and Scott County Iowa : Illustrated (1910). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.