John G. Tanner

TANNER, WALTER, SCHAPER

Posted By: Peter Gausmann (email)
Date: 2/7/2010 at 07:11:41

JOHN G. TANNER

John G. Tanner, living on section 4, Twin Lake township, is numbered among the leading and well known farmers of Hancock county. He was born October 15, 1877, a son of Frank and Lena (Walter) Tanner, who were natives of Switzerland and of Ohio respectively. Through the period of his boyhood John G. Tanner was a resident of Kansas and there acquired his education in the district schools, which he attended to the age of fourteen years, when he began working as a farm hand. He was thus employed until he reached the age of twenty-seven and then began farming independently by renting land. In this way he acquired the capital that enabled him to purchase property and his investment made him owner of two hundred acres on section 3 and one hundred and twenty acres on section 4, Twin Lake township, Hancock county. He devotes his farm largely to the cultivation of cereals but also keeps some good grades of stock upon his place. His work is carefully managed, plowing, planting and harvesting being done at the proper time and according to progressive methods based upon an understanding of the scientific principles which underlie his work. In addition to his farm property Mr. Tanner is the owner of stock in the Klemme creamery.

On the 20th of February, 1904, Mr. Tanner was married to Miss Rosa Schaper, a daughter of Frederick and Amelia Schaper, who were natives of Germany, the former born in 1821 and the latter in 1831. It was about 1851 that they made the voyage to the new world and took up their abode near Freeport, Illinois. To Mr. and Mrs. Tanner have been born six children, namely: Clarence V., Bernice L., Luther I., John R., Francis L. and Florence L.

Mr. Tanner and his family attend the German Methodist Episcopal church and he also holds membership with the Modern Woodmen of America. His political endorsement has been given to the republican party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. He has served as township trustee and as school director but is not ambitious to hold office, preferring to concentrate his time and attention upon his business affairs, which have been carefully directed and have brought to him a gratifying degree of prosperity.

Source: History of Winnebago County and Hancock County, Iowa: A Record of Settlement, Organization, Progress and Achievement, Vol. II. Pioneer Publishing Company (Chicago), 1917. p. 486.