Individual Details

Census (family)

122, 122, Antons, John H, Head, WM, Feb 1830, 70, married 34 yrs, Germany 3x, immigrated 1881 19 yrs in US, Farmer, own mortgage farm
, Gracia K, Wife,WF, Nov 1839 60, 6 children born & living, Germany 3x
, John, Son, WM, Feb 1867, 33, single, Germany 3x, Farm Laborer
, Gerd, Son, WM, Feb 1874, 26, single, Germany 3x, Farm Laborer
, Hilke K, Daughter, WF, Apr 1876, 24 single, Germany 3x
, Anna, Daughter, WF, , single, Germany 3x

Death

John H. Antons Born 1830
John H. Antons, who at the time of his death was one of the most substantial and well-to-do farmers of Scotch Grove township, was one of those representative American citizens who claimed Germany as the land of their nativity and who in the new world found opportunity for advancement and progress. He was born in the province of Hanover, Germany, in 1830, and was therefore seventy-eight years of age at the time of his death, which occurred on the 10th of November, 1908. Reared in the fatherland, he was there educated and married, and came to the United States in 1881, attracted by the advantages here offered for advancement in business lines. Upon arriving in this country he came direct to Jones county, Iowa, taking up his abode in Wayne township, he was engaged in agriculture until 1892. In that year he removed to the present home farm in Scotch Grove township, lying about one mile north of Center Junction, upon which he resided until his demise. It consisted of two hundred acres of land which, under his careful management, was brought under a fine state of cultivation, becoming one of the most highly improved and valuable farming properties in Jones county. Industrious and energetic, he was one of those sturdy Germans who know no such word as fail, and who brook no obstacles that can be overcome by diligence and perseverance. Arriving in the United States a poor man, he steadily worked his way upward in the business world until he had amassed a very comfortable fortune and ranked among the progressive and well-to-do farmers of the county, earning and well deserving the proud American title of a self-made man. Although he won most gratifying prosperity in the business world, it all came to him as the result of well directed efforts, unswerving integrity and honest and upright methods, and his life record is but another indication of the fact that success and a good name can be won simultaneously.
Before leaving the fatherland Mr. Antons was united in marriage to Miss Gesche Catherine Johnson, who still survives him and makes her home on the old farm. In their family were six children, namely: John and Gerhard, operating the home farm; Sophia, the wife of John Stahlberg, of Scotch Grove township; Henry, residing in Delaware county, Iowa; Catherine, the wife of Charles Teten, of Laurel, Nebraska; and Anna, who married John Radloff and resides in Madison township, Jones county. The two eldest sons who are now managing the home farm, are very skilled agriculturists, progressive and up-to-date in their farming and business transactions. Upon their place are found only the best breeds of stock and the consensus of public opinion accords them a foremost place among the enterprising and substantial farmers and stock raisers of the county. They are stalwart republicans in their political allegiance and are members of the German Lutheran church, both standing very high in the community where they have resided for almost two decades.. The younger of the two, Gerhard, was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Lurkens, of Scotch Grove township, and unto this union have been born four children, namely: Gesche Catherine, Maria Christina, Ann Margaret and John Henry.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Past and Present, R. M. Corbitt, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, 1910, p. 649.