My Genealogy Hound

MATTHAUS PFEFFER is the fortunate possessor of a splendid farm in township 46, range 26, Johnson County. His homestead numbers three hundred and sixty acres, about two hundred acres of which are under a high state of cultivation. He is a self-made man, having acquired his property in the past few years by assiduous toil and well directed efforts. He is interested in everything that tends toward the upbuilding and development of the county, and is a public-spirited citizen.

The birth of Mr. Pfeffer occurred in Wurtemberg, Germany, December 19, 1846. His parents, Matthaus and Margaret (Schmidt) Pfeffer, were likewise natives of the Fatherland, and lived on a farm. The mother died when our subject was only twelve years of age, but the father is still living, though now in his seventy-seventh year. He is a very prominent man in his community, and has led an industrious and useful life. Agnes, his eldest daughter, is the wife of Frederick Warenberger, who owns a farm in Wurtemberg. Catherine, wife of Casper Shick, a cabinet-maker, lives in Cincinnati, Ohio. Jacob married Margaret Baier, and is a liquor dealer in Cincinnati. Mary who has never married, keeps house for her father in the Old Country. John married Mary Coomer, and operates a farm in Wurtemberg.

After receiving a good general education in his mother tongue, Matthaus Pfeffer started for America on the good ship “Germania,” landing in New York. As he had an uncle living in Cincinnati, he proceeded to that city and was employed in his flouring-mill and bakery for a year and a-half. Subsequently he was for seven years in a distillery in the same city, but becoming homesick returned on a visit to his native land, where he remained for a year. Returning to Cincinnati, he worked in the same distillery for two years, after which he embarked in business for himself in company with a brother. For about three years they ran a saloon in Cincinnati, but not meeting with great success sold out, and, going to Lebanon, Ill., ran a distillery there until 1881. About this time he determined to try his hand at agricultural pursuits, and bought two hundred acres in this township. To this he afterwards added one hundred and sixty acres more, and has invested large amounts of money in the improvement of the farm.

While living in Cincinnati, Mr. Pfeffer was married, in December, 1877, to Barbara Thieringer, likewise a native of Wurtemberg and born in 1848. She was a daughter of Johannas Thieringer, who died on his farm in the Old Country. His wife died when Mrs. Pfeffer was only ten years of age, and the latter crossed the Atlantic at the same time as did her future husband. To our subject and his wife were born five children, namely: George, Charles, John, and two little daughters who died in infancy. The sons are receiving good educational advantages, and are being fitted in a practical manner for life’s duties. Mr. Pfeffer does not belong to any party politically, but uses his ballot in support of men whom he thinks worthy and qualified to carry out the wishes of the public.