Nicholas Kascel

Nicholas Kascel, who owns a valuable farm of two hundred and eight acres in Franklin township, adjoining Linton township, in Allamakee county, is a native of this state, where he was born on the Iowa river, near Lansing, in this county, August 29, 1876. He is a son of Nicholas and Charity (Jenkins) Kascel, the former of whom was born in Germany in 1840 and the latter in Pennsylvania, near the Virginia line, on January 15, 1843. When a very young man the father crossed the ocean to America and upon reaching these shores made his way to La Crosse, Wisconsin, where for a time he engaged in the butcher business. Later he made his way over the river, locating on the Iowa side near Lansing, and there acquired title to land whereon he resided until his death, which occurred about 1893. His farm was situated about four miles southwest of Lansing. Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas Kascel, Sr., were the parents of five children, of whom our subject is the youngest.

Nicholas Kascel attended the county schools near Lansing and continued his education for a time in the schools of that city. He remained with his mother until his marriage, when he bought the home farm which previously he had cultivated for a number of years as a renter. His mother then moved to Monona, where she was married to Frank Smith, of Lansing. They now make Monona their home. Mr. Kascel remained on the homestead, which originally comprised eighty acres, and has since added thereto from time to time, his present holdings amounting to two hundred and eight acres of fertile land, all of which is located in Franklin township, adjoining Linton. He engages in general farming, giving close attention to stock-raising, and by incessant labor and modern methods succeeds in obtaining a gratifying income from his enterprise. The farm is modernity equipped in every respect and his residence and buildings are up-to-date and substantial. Such success as has come to him is largely the result of his indefatigable energy and industry and highly merited. Mr. Kascel is also a stockholder in the Monona Creamery Company and the Farmers Shipping Association.

On the 6th of February, 1902, Mr. Kascel married Miss Augusta Butler, a native of Linton township, Allamakee county, where she was born September 18, 1880, a daughter of William and Minnie (Myers) Butler, both natives of Germany. The father always followed agricultural pursuits and was an early settler in Linton township, where he resided until about 1885, when he removed to McGregor. There he met death by drowning, his boat being upset in passing pontoon bridge. The mother subsequently married Jacob Sherbonda and they now reside in Linton township. Mrs. Kascel is the second in a family of six children. She and her husband have three children: Lizette Marie, born October 26, 1902; Glenn Lee, whose birth occurred on the 14th of January, 1904; and Lawrence William, born April 21, 1909. Mr. Kascel gives a general allegiance to the republican party but in local issues votes independently as his judgment dictates. Mrs. Kascel was reared in the Lutheran faith but neither she nor her husband belong to any particular church. Both are widely and favorably known in the district and enjoy in a large degree the esteem and confidence of the general public.

-source: Past & Present of Allamakee County; by Ellery M. Hancock; S. J. Clarke Pub. Co.; 1913
-transcribed by Diana Diedrich

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