Joseph Schlake, a pioneer of Clayton County, was born in Hanover, Germany, about 1822, where he was reared and educated. He came to the United States in 1840 with his father, the rest of the family remaining in Germany. They reached the State of Ohio, where they obtained employment and resided two years. The father then started to return to Germany for his family, but was never heard from afterward. Joseph came to Clayton County in 1845, and located in the town of Jefferson, where he resided several years, then settled on section 26, Garnavillo Township, in 1855. He afterward sold this property and removed to Read Township. In February, 1873, he purchased his present farm on section 20, this township. In 1857 he sent to Germany for his mother and the family; the former still resides with him. Two of his brothers, Henry and Gerhardt were soldiers in the war for the Union, and both died while bravely serving their country's cause. Mr. Schlake married Elizabeth Leibers. They have two children-- Henry, born in 1857 (married Elizabeth Wilker, of Garnavillo Township, and has one child, Ida) and Louisa. source: History of Clayton
County, Iowa, 1882, p. 807-808 |