Josef KOESTERS

  General Notes:

Page 787-88. ANTON KOESTERS. The population of the United States is the most cosmopolitan of any on the face of the earth. The Statue of Liberty which stands in New York harbor has been the beacon light to the oppressed people of every land, and to our shores have flocked ambitious people from every civilizedcountry on the globe. Of all the people who have come to the shores of the United States no worthier, better or ore patrioric citizens have become a part and parcel of our commonwealth than have those of German descent. Among the manysterling German citizens of Shelby County may be mentioned Anton KOESTERS, oneof the most substantial farmers of Union township.

Anton Koesters was born in Westphalia, Germany, February 17, 1861, and is the son of Joseph and Brigita KOESTERS. His father was educazed in Germany and farmed in his native land until late in life. He then retired and came to America, where he spent his declining years with his children. There were eight children born to Joseph Koesters and wife: Casper, Anton, John, Robert, Joseph, Hubert, Richard and Fredericka. Casper is still living in the old country; John married Mary EBERTS; Robert married Thresia SCHNEIDER; Joseph married Anna HUSH; Hubert is living at Freeport, Illinois; Richard is still in Germany; Frederick is the wife of Theodore SCHNUETTEGEN.

Anton Koesters received a good common school education in the district schools of his native country, and after leaving school took up the trade of a cabinet maker, which occupation he followed while he was living in Germany and even after coming to America. He came to this country in 1880 and first settled in Little Rock, Arkansas, where he worked at his trade for a shorttime. From that city, he removed to Westphalia, Iowa, and again resumed his trade as a carpenter and cabinet maker. In addition to his carpentering and contracting business, Mr. Koesters has invested largely in land in this county, buying his first farm in 1891. From year to year, he has added to this first farm until he now is the owner of 560 acres of the best land in the county. He isnot only one of the best carpenters and contractors in the county, but as a farmer he stands second to none. He keeps in close touch with the management of his large estate and keeps it well equipped with the latest impro Mr. Koesterswas married March 4, 1886, to Mary SASSE, the daughter of Charles and Elizabeth SASSE, and to this union twelve children have been born: Joseph, Annie (deceased), Charles, John, Henry, Aloyious, Anton, Frederick, Annie, Lena, Cecelia, and Mary. Joseph married Annie BRECKER and has three daughters, Elizabeth, Loretta, and Geralda. The rest of the children are still living with their parents.

Mrs. Koesters' parents were also natives of Germany, coming to this country in 1873, and were among the first settlers in Westphalia, Iowa. Her father died shortly after the family came to America from burns received on account ofthe explosion of a lamp. Mrs. Koesters' mother is still living in Westphalia. Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Sasse: Bertha, Mary, Anton, Annie andElizabeth, all of whom are still living, except Annie.

The democratic partyhas long claimed the support of Mr. Koesters, and while interested in good government and the civic welfare of his community, yet he has never been an aspirant for any public office or an active participant in political matters. The only office which he has ever held was that of school board director, and in thiscapacity he gave his fellow citizens faithful and efficient service. The family are all devout members of the Catholic Church in whose welfare they have always taken a deep and abiding interest.

Josef married Maria Brigitta SCHULTE, daughter of Johannes Kaspar SCHULTE gt. Schmelter and Maria Agnes SCHMELTER, on 18 Nov 1858 in Oberhundem, NW, DEU. (Maria Brigitta SCHULTE was born on 12 Mar 1836 in Oberhundem, NW, DEU, died on 6 Oct 1897 in Earling, Shelby, IA, USA and was buried in Earling, Shelby, IA, USA.)