Frederick W. Brammeier, who has devoted his attention to general agricultural pursuits throughout his entire business career, is now the owner of three hundred and forty-five acres of valuable land, one hundred and five acres of which is situated in Muscatine county, while the remainder lies in Farmington township, Cedar county. His birth occurred in Westphalia, Germany, on the 11th of October, 1836, his parents being William Frederick and Wilhelmina (Ketemann) Brammeier, who were likewise natives of that place. Both are now deceased, however, passing away in Cedar county, Iowa.
 

Frederick W. Brammeier attended the schools of the fatherland in pursuit of an education and when seventeen years of age emigrated to the United States. His first place of residence in this country was St. Louis, Missouri, where he remained for one month. On the expiration of that period he went to Muscatine county, Iowa, with his eldest brother, William, while subsequently he worked as a farm hand in Cedar county for about three years. For three seasons he was engaged in breaking raw prairie with four yoke of oxen. Later he farmed a quarter section of land in association with his brother Henry for three years and then bought a tract of eighty acres from his brother William. As his financial resources increased, owing to his untiring industry and capable management, he added to his holdings by additional purchase from time to time untilhe is now the owner of three hundred and forty-five acres of rich and productive land, one hundred and five acres of which lies in Muscatine county and the remainder in Farmington township, Cedar county. The place is highly improved in every particular and all of the buildings, including a handsome modern residence, were erected by our subject. In all of his farm work he has been progressive andhis life record is an indication of the fact that success is not a matter of genius, as some aver, but comes as a result of in fatigable labor, sound judgment and experience.
 

On the 10th of December, 1863, at Wilton Junction, Iowa, Mr. Brammeier was united in marriage to Miss Annie Martha Otto, who was born on the 14th of September, 1836. Her parents, Emanuel and Martha Elizabeth (Simon) Otto, spent their entire lives in Germany. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Brammeier were born eight children, as follows: J. W.Henry, who is mentioned on another page of this work; Louis, who resides in Farmington township; Gottlieb, at home; William, a sketch of whom appears on another page of this volume; Lydia, who passed away on the 13th of June, 1900; and Catherine, Selma and Clara, who are likewise still under the parental roof.
 

Politically Mr. Brammeier is a democrat and for five years he ably served his fellow townsmen in the capacity of road supervisor. He and his family belong to the German Lutheran church and take a deep and helpful interest in its work. Coming to America as a youth of seventeen, he possessed the laudable ambition that prompts close application and earnest effort, and upon these qualities he has builded his success. The period of his residence in this part of the state now covers fifty-seven years and he has long enjoyed an enviable reputation as a prosperous and respected citizen.

 

J. W. Henry Brammeier, whose labors as an agriculturist have been attended with a gratifying measure of success, is the owner of one hundred and twenty acres of rich and productive land in Farmington township. His birth occurred in Cedar county, Iowa, on the 21st of August, 1863, his parents being Frederick and Annie Martha (Otto) Brammeier, who are mentioned at greater length on another page of this volume.
 

J. W. H. Brammeier supplemented his preliminary education, obtained in the district schools, by a course of study at the Wilton Normal Academy. He remained under the parental roof until twenty-six years of age, assisting his father in the operation of the home farm and thus gaining practical knowledge of the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops. In 1889 he started out as an agriculturist on his own account, renting eighty acres of land, in the cultivation of which he was actively engaged for six years. During the following four years he devoted his attention to the operation of a rented farm of one hundred and twenty acres and then purchased the tract of one hundred and twenty acres in Farmington township which has remained his place of abode to the present time. The many substantial improvements which now adorn the property, including a handsome residence, good barn and outbuildings, all stand as monuments to his industry and enterprise. In connection with the tilling of the soil he follows stock-raising to some extent, finding both branches of business congenial as well as profitable.
 

As a companion and helpmate on the journey of life Mr. Brammeier chose Miss Lena Wacker, a daughter of Peter and Wilhelmina (Stender) Wacker, who were among the earliest settlers of Wilton, Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Brammeier had two children, namely: Alma, who was born on the 10th of March, 1891; and Ernest, whose natal day was October 24, 1893. The wife and mother was called to her final rest in April, 1894.
 

Mr. Brammeier is a stalwart democrat in politics has never sought nor desired office as a reward for his party fealty. In religious faith he is a Lutheran. Having resided in Cedar county from his birth to the present time, he has a wide acquaintance here and his friends know him as an enterprising agriculturist and a man of genuine worth.