Charles A. Fett
Charles A. Fett, one of the successful farmers and
representative business men of Linton township, owns one hundred
and twenty acres of land on section 33 and in addition to its
operation is proving able and far-sighted in the discharge of his
duties as director and adjuster of the German Fire Insurance
Company in Allamakee county. He was born in Pomerania, Germany,
November 19, 1857, and is a son of Frederick and Henrietta
(Schroeder) Fett, also natives of that province, the former born
March 13, 1836, and the latter, March 12, 1832. In early life the
father worked in the employ of others and later was a successful
administrator. He came to America about the year 1883 and settled
immediately afterward in Monona, Iowa, making his home with his
son, the subject of this review, who at the time lived in Clayton
county, near Monona. In this family were six children, of whom
Charles A. is the oldest.
The latter acquired his education in the public schools of his
native country and when he was nineteen years of age began
working at farming in the employ of others. In 1881 he left
Germany and crossed the Atlantic to America, settling first in
Chicago, Illinois, where he spent one year employed as a
carpenter in a lumberyard. At the end of that time he came to
Iowa and, settling in Clayton county, entered the employ of a
farmer with whom he was associated for six years thereafter. He
married at the expiration of that period and purchased a farm of
his own near the village of Sixteen, Linton township, a property
which he continued to develop and improve until March 1, 1904. He
then disposed of his first farm and bought the one hundred and
twenty acres on section 33, Linton township, upon which he has
since resided. Here he carries on general farming and
stock-raising and his well directed efforts have been attended
with a gratifying measure of success. For more than nine years he
has been connected with the German Fire Insurance Company as a
director and adjuster in Allamakee county and he still holds
these positions, discharging his duties in a capable and
systematic way. He is in addition a stockholder in the Monona
Creamery and in the Stock Shipping Association and his business
ability is widely recognized.
On the 15th of December, 1887, Mr. Fett was united in marriage to
Miss Minnie Kuester, who was born in Germany, May 6, 1868. They
have become with the parents of ten children: Elizabeth, who
married Michael G. Bending, a resident of Chicago; Arnie, who is
at home; Lydia and Minnie, both of whom are employed in Chicago;
Elsie, who is filling a position in McGregor; and Matie, Charles,
Oscar, Alma and Lorena, all of whom reside at home.
Mr. Fett gives his political allegiance to the republican party
and was for two years constable in this township and refused the
office of justice of the peace. He is an enterprising and
progressive citizen who takes a commendable interest in public
affairs and during the period of his residence in Linton township
has made a host of warm friends.
-source: Past & Present of Allamakee County; by
Ellery M. Hancock; S. J. Clarke Pub. Co.; 1913
-transcribed by Diana Diedrich
Return to 1913 biographies index