My Genealogy Hound

Prosper Pettinger, who has been a resident of the United States for twenty years, has devoted himself industriously to farming, with the result that he now owns a valuable property which he has improved. It is the visible evidence of a life of thrift and industry and is today regarded as one of the best farms of Union county. His life record proves what ambition and determination can accomplish and while he has achieved success in his chosen calling he has also found time and opportunity for cooperation in many interests which have proven of direct benefit to the public.

He has lived successively in Dubuque, Cass and Union counties since coming to this state in 1888, being at that time a young man of eighteen years, for his birth occurred in Luxemberg, Germany, on the 5th of June, 1870. His father, John Pettinger, was also a native of that place and was a farmer by occupation. Having arrived at years of maturity, he wedded Margaret Schneider, who was also born in Luxemberg. The father died in the year 1880 at the age of forty-five years, leaving ten children to the care of the widowed mother, who is still living in Germany, at the age of sixty-three years. Seven children of the family reached adult age.

Prosper Pettinger, who was the fifth in order of birth, was reared to farm life and educated in the French and German languages. Possessed of laudable ambition, he came to the conclusion that America offered better opportunities than could be secured in his native country and when eighteen years of age sailed from Antwerp on the steamer Woesland, carrying eleven hundred passengers. In due course of time the vessel reached the New York harbor and proceeding on into the interior of the country, Mr. Pettinger at length reached Dubuque, Iowa, where he joined friends. For a year thereafter he worked for an uncle on the farm and in 1889 he removed to Cass county, Iowa, where he carried on farm work in the employ of others for two years. On the expiration of that period he felt justified in engaging in business on his own account and rented a farm in Cass county, upon which he lived for four years.

Mr. Pettinger then returned to Dubuque county, where he was married on the 27th of February, 1900, to Miss Jennie Pommes, a native of that county and of German parentage. Following his marriage Mr. Pettinger purchased a farm of two hundred and eighty acres in Cass county in connection with his two older brothers and was in partnership with them in his agricultural interests until 1901, when he sold his share of the property and removed to Union county. In the previous year he had purchased one hundred and eighty acres of land here and in the spring of 1901 he took up his abode upon his present farm on Section 33, Sand Creek township. To this he has added and has improved the place in many substantial ways, remodeling the house, building a large barn, also a double crib and sheds. Fine shade trees have been set out by him and he has fenced his fields, adding about four hundred rods of hog tight fencing upon his place. Altogether he has made this a valuable property, attractive in its appearance and very productive. He carries on general farming, engages to some extent in dairying, and also raises thoroughbred shorthorn cattle, Poland China hogs and a good grade of horses, mostly of the Norman Percheron breed. He has applied himself so closely to his work that he has attained a gratifying measure of success, being now one of the substantial agriculturists of this community.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Pettinger have been born four children but they lost their second son, John W., at the age of eight months. The others are Andrew N., Frank P. and Leo W. The parents are members of the Catholic church of Shannon City. Since becoming a naturalized American citizen, Mr. Pettinger has largely voted with the democracy and although not active in politics he has served for several years as school director and has done effective work in behalf of the general interests in his community, bearing upon the welfare and progress of this part of the state. No native citizen of the county is more loyal to the welfare of Iowa than is Mr. Pettinger, who during the twenty years of his residence in America has never had occasion to regret his determination to seek a home and fortune on this side the Atlantic. Here he has not only prospered but has also gained many friends.