H. A. ESCHER

H. A. ESCHER, of Pleasant Ridge Farm, Lincoln Township, is another of the responsible men of this county, for whom we are indebted to Germany, where he was born October 3, 1851. He is a son of John M. and Martha (Riesland) Escher, and was but twelve months old when his parents emigrated to America and settled in Berks County, Pennsylvania. Here he was reared and educated. In 1866 his parents came to Iowa. The mother died at Lisbon, Iowa, in 1887, and the father still resides there. They were the parents of three children-Charles, of Harlan; Minnie, wife of S. P. Meyers, and H. A., the subject of this sketch. Mr.Escher was united in marriage, March 20, 1873, to Miss Romancy Granel, of Jones County, a daughter of Simon and Rhoda (Miller) Granel, who were formerly from Ohio. Our subject was engaged in farming in Jones County until 1875, when he came to Lincoln Township, Shelby County, where he had formerly purchased eighty acres of land. This was wild and unimproved, but he put it under a fine state of cultivation and made many improvements, and added 120 acres, which made a farm of 200 acres. He sold this place in 1884, and bought his present home from his brother, Charles Escher. This farm is one of the best in the township, and contains 240 acres. In 1876 Mr. Escher erected a residence at a cost of $2,200. There is a beautiful lawn adjoining, and ornamental trees add very much to the attractiveness of the place. There are two large barns, affording abundance of room for stock, grain and hay. There is also a windmill, furnishing water to the dwelling and barns. Mr. Escher devotes his time to stockraising and feeding, making a specialty of high grades, which he sends to the markets at an early age. Mr. and Mrs. Escher have six children-Frankie C., Elsie E., Minnie L., Mabel Maud, Myrtle Romancy and Herbert Ernest. Mr. Escher is a Democrat, and an active worker in his party. He has served as township trustee and as a member of the school board. He and his wife are members of the Evangelical church. Mr. Escher is yet in the prime of life, of a genial disposition, honorable in his dealings, and has won a position in the county of which any man might well be proud.

Source: 1889 Biographical History of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 417. Transcribed by Marthann Kohl-Fuhs.