Gustav Carl Strelow

Among the successful young agriculturists of Allamakee county is Gustav Carl Strelow, a native of Germany, who now owns a valuable farm of one hundred and fifty-six acres in Linton township. He was born in Hinter Pommern, Germany, January 24, 1870, a son of August and Augusta Strelow, both natives of the same province. The father was born in April, 1832, and the mother March 7, 1839. August Strelow passed away in 1899, but the mother survives and now makes her home in Berlin, the capital of the empire.

Gustav C. Strelow acquired his education in Germany, beginning his independent career at the age of seventeen as a day laborer, and he was thus engaged until he came to America in 1891. Before leaving his native country, however he served his regular term in the army. Coming directly to Allamkee county, Iowa, he located in Franklin township, where for one year he worked by the day, and then bought a farm, going in debt for the entire property, comprising forty acres. He resided thereon three years, giving his whole attention to the cultivation of his fields, and then sold his holdings and bought eighty acres in the same township. After ten years he was enabled to add another forty acres thereto but later sold an equal amount and still owns eighty acres of this farm. In 1907 he bought his present property, comprising a fraction over one hundred and fifty-six acres. He engages in general farming, giving considerable attention to stock-raising, and has made many valuable improvements and has erected substantial and suitable buildings. The prosperity that has come to him is the result of his judicious investments and his incessant and well applied labor. Mr. Strelow is connected with the Monona Creamery Company and also is a stockholder in the shipping association at that place.

The marriage of Mr. Strelow to Miss Bertha Folska took place on the 10th of June, 1893. She also is a native of Hinter Pommern, where her birth occurred on August 2, 1870, her parents being Albert and Mine (Buda) Kolska, natives of the same province. The father was born June 24, 1842, and the mother November 27, 1849. The former served his term in the regular army and has subsequently worked along various lines in the employ of others until his death in 1890. Afterward the mother came to this country and she now lives in Monona. Mr. and Mrs. Strelow are the parents of four children: Otto, born Marcy 13, 1895; Frederick, March 18, 1897; Frank, October 4, 1899; and Paul January 31, 1912.

Mr. and Mrs. Strelow are members of the Lutheran church but at present attend the Methodist Episcopal church at Volney. He gives his allegiance to the republican party but has never aspired to public office. He is deeply interested in all that pertains to advancement and growth and is closely allied with the agricultural development of this section. Having largely contributed thereto through his labors. He enjoys the highest respect of all who know him and who appreciated the fact that he has made his way from the bottom of the ladder to a position of prosperity and honor.

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

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