Marshall County >> 1912 Index

Past and Present of Marshall County, Iowa
by Judge William Battin. 2 vols. Indianapolis, Ind.: B. F. Bowen, 1912.

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August Pothast

No citizen who has lived in Washington township, Marshall county, in recent years had a better reputation or more warm personal friends than did the late August Pothast, who, although he is now sleeping the sleep of the just in "God's silent acre," is well remembered and his influence for good is not lost, but still affects the lives of many of his acquaintances, for his example was ever uplifting and he tried to do his full duty in all the relations of life, being a good neighbor, a public-spirited citizen and kind and indulgent in his home.

Mr. Pothast was born in Lippe-Detmold, Germany, June 12, 1841, and his death occurred in Washington township, Marshall county, Iowa, March 23, 1901.  He spent his youth in the fatherland and was educated there, coming to this county thirty-three years ago and here he continued to reside until his death, being very successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits, owning at his death a fine farm of three hundred and twenty acres, which he had brought up to a high state of improvement and which yielded abundant harvests under his skillful management.  He also raised various kinds of live stock, always handling a good grade.  By close application and good management he prospered, all without the assistance of any one save his faithful wife, who owns {At this point the bio ends because the next 2 pages were not microfilmed or else were missing from the book.. Page 1100 would be the continuation of this biography}

Henry A. Pothast

Starting in life with practically nothing, Henry A. Pothast, of Logan township, Marshall county, has accumulated rapidly through hard work and good management and his fine farm, consisting of two hundred and forty acres in Logan township, and also his valuable place of one hundred and sixty acres in Washington township, are highly cultivated and contain many improvements which reflect credit upon the proprietor and bespeak for him a familiarity with every detail of his chosen calling.  He has followed agriculture with commendable zeal and energy and his well directed efforts have yielded him liberal financial returns.

Mr. Pothast was born in Freeport, Illinois, December 12, 1871, and he came with his parents to Washington township, Marshall county, Iowa, in October, 1877, and here he and the rest of the children were reared and educated, and the subject remained at home until he began life for himself.  It was in 1899 that he purchased one hundred and twenty acres in Logan township, and there he has continued to reside.  His father, August Pothast, was born in Germany and he died in Washington township, this county, March 23, 1901.  The maiden name of the mother of the subject was Minnie Baker, who was born in Germany, and she is residing in Washington township, this county, now advanced in years.  Like her worthy husband, she has a host of warm friends throughout this neighborhood.  They became the parents of ten children.

On August 30, 1899, Mr. Pothast was united in marriage with Margaret Hansen, who was born in Washington township, Marshall county, Iowa, March 25, 1877, the daughter of Lars Peter and Karen (Larsen) Hansen, both born in Denmark, the father dying in Marshall county, Iowa, October 3, 1901, and here the mother's death occurred on March 11, 1898.  Seven children were born to them, of whom Mrs. Pothast, of this review, was the eldest; the others are, Camilla Helfer, born January 21, 1879 , lives at Conrad, Iowa; Henry, born March 15, 1881, died July 15, 1893; Peter, born March 15, 1883, lives in Minnesota; Mary Tigges, born March 25, 1886, lives in Logan township, this county; Carolina, born April 5, 1888, lives in State Center, Iowa; Hattie, born June 21, 1892, died May 6, 1910.

To Mr. and Mrs. Pothast have been born two sons, Louis L. and Lester R. A., both of whom are attending the rural schools of this township.

Politically, Mr. Pothast is a Republican and he has manifested an abiding interest in the success of his party, but he is always courteous to those of different political faith.  He has held some of the local offices, such as school director and township trustee, for two terms, with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of all concerned.  Mr. and Mrs. Pothast are popular with the best social circles of the community and their beautiful, ideal home is often the gathering place for their many friends.

Ed Putnam

One of the successful farmers of Timber Creek township, Marshall county, is Ed Putnam, a man who has preferred to remain in his native locality rather than seek his fortune in some much-vaunted far-away region of uncertain opportunities, and one only has to take a cursory glance at his well kept farm to come to the conclusion that he has been wise in his decision to devote his labors to developing native soil.

Mr. Putnam was born in LeGrand township, Marshall county, September 15, 1861.  He is the son of N. D. and Mary A. (Spake) Putnam, a complete sketch of whose lives is given in another part of this volume.

The subject of this review was reared on the home farm and when but a boy he was to be found in the fields, consequently farming has come naturally to him and his success is not to be wondered at.  He received a very good education in the public schools of his community.  He is the owner of a choice farm of two hundred and ninety-six acres, well located five miles south of Marshalltown, in Timber Creek township.  General farming and stock raising occupy his undivided attention.  He keeps his place well improved and has a pleasant home and good outbuildings.

Politically, Mr. Putnam is a Democrat and he has been more or less active in the affairs of his community.  For several years he has been trustee of his township, filling the office in a very credible manner.  He is still incumbent of that office.  He belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America, and he and his family are faithful attendants of the Christian church at Marshalltown, of which Mrs. Putnam is a member.

Mr. Putnam was married in 1885 to Rose Shank, a native of this county and the daughter of Stephen and Lizzie (Trum) Shank, prominent among the early settlers of Marshall county, where the father's death occurred a number of years ago.  Mrs. Shank is still living at an advanced age.  Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Putnam, namely: Mary, deceased; Russell and Edith M.