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Kinyon Digital Library

History of Adair
County, Iowa, 1915.

Biographical.  Volume 2.

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John Ehrenfried.

John Ehrenfried, the period of whose residence in Adair county covers forty-three years, was long and actively identified with agricultural interests here but is now living retired at Fontanelle in the enjoyment of well earned ease.  His birth occurred in Germany on the 16th of September, 1844, his parents being Henry and Fredericka Ehrenfried, who spent their entire lives in that country.  They had five children, three of whom survive.

John Ehrenfried acquired his education in the schools of his native land and remained at home until he had attained his majority.  In 1868, when a young man of twenty-four years, he set sail for the United States and after reaching American shores made his way to Lee county, Illinois, where he worked on a farm for four years.  In 1872 he came to Adair county, Iowa, and here continued working as a farm hand for four years more, on the expiration of which period he purchased eighty acres of land on section 9, Summerset township.  He erected good buildings on the property and engaged in its operation, annually gathering good crops which found a ready sale on the market.  In 1894 he sold the eighty acres and bought one hundred and sixty acres of unimproved land in the same township, which he also converted into a modern farm.  He has developed two farms in Adair county and thus contributed to its agricultural progress.  Eventually accumulating a comfortable competence, he put aside the active work of the fields and purchased a handsome residence in Fontanelle, where he is now spending the evening of life in honorable retirement.  He may truly be called a self-made man, for the prosperity which he now enjoys has come as the direct result of his own efforts and unfaltering perseverance.

In 1874 Mr. Ehrenfried was united in marriage to Miss Amelia Flaeshman, a native of Germany and a daughter of George and Margaretta (Bomgardner) Flaeshman, who spent their entire lives in the fatherland.  They had seven children, four of whom are yet living.  To Mr. and Mrs. Ehrenfried have been born four children, as follows:  Lena A., who is deceased;  John A., on the farm;  Emma, who is the wife of Fred Newman, a landowner of Jackson township; and Elsie, who gave her hand in marriage to William Schroeder, of Fontanelle.

Mr. Ehrenfried gives his political allegiance to the republican party and has ably served in the capacity of road supervisor.  Both he and his wife are devoted and consistent members of the Lutheran church.  He has never had occasion to regret his determination to seek a home in the new world, for here he found the opportunities which he sought and with the assistance of his estimable wife he has won well deserved and gratifying prosperity.

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