Frank C. Mielke

Crossing the Atlantic from Germany in 1885, Frank C. Mielke came directly to Iowa and here has attained to a prosperity which entitles him to be numbered with the well-to-do agriculturists of Allamakee county. He owns a stock farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Linton township and for nearly two decades has given his time and attention to the improvement of this property. He was born in Pomerania, Germany, on December 19, 1853, and is a son of August and Caroline (Christopher) Mielke, both natives of the same province. The parents never came to America, the father passing away in 1870, in Germany where the mother still makes her home.

Frank C. Mielke attended school in his native country and when twenty years of age entered the army and served for three years as a bugler. Laying aside his uniform, he then worked for two years for his mother and also for others until he came to America in 1885 in order to profit by the opportunities which he had heard were waiting for all who came here ready to work determinedly and persistently. He came directly to Iowa and to this county, where for a few years he made his living in the employment of others and then rented a farm in Clayton county, which he operated for three years. His dreams came nearer to realization when he was enabled at the end of that time to buy his present farm, which comprises one hundred and sixty acres of fertile land. It is largely devoted to stock-raising and as the years have passed Mr. Mielke has made it a valuable property. He is a stockholder in the Monona Cooperative Creamery and also belongs to the Shipping Association.

In October, 1880, when still in the fatherland, Mr. Mielke married Miss Matilda Czech, also a native of Pomerania, born March 10, 1854, whose parents spent their entire lives in Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Mielke became the parents of nine children: Charles, who resides near Sixteen, Linton township, and engages in agricultural pursuits; Otto, born July 2, 1882, who farms near Volney, this state; Paul, born March 1, 1884, at home; Fred, the first to be born in this country, his date of birth being March 22, 1886, at home; Emma, born March 5, 1888, who married Paul Levenhagen, a farmer of Fairview township; Leo, born September 20, 1889, at home; Frank, whose birth occurred February 6, 1892, also at home; Anna, who was born May 9, 1895, and married Frank Hertramps, who follows agricultural pursuits in Linton township; and Lena, born October 9, 1898, at home. Mrs. Mielke, the wife and mother, passed away on May 16, 1905, deeply mourned by her family and a large circle of devoted friends.

Mr. Mielke is a member of the Lutheran church and reared his family in that faith. Politically he is not a party man, preferring to vote independently, following his own judgment in supporting candidates. Although Mr. Mielke had to begin under disadvantages, including his inability to understand English, he has become a prominent and substantial citizen of this section of Allamakee county and today stands high in the regard and esteem of all who know him.

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

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