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JOHN P. PRESSLER. The farming interests of Curran Township have a worthy exponent in the person of the gentleman above named, who operates three hundred and fifty-seven acres on sections 29 and 30. The entire tract is improved and tillable, and altogether makes up an estate whereon a remunerative business may well be done by a man who devotes himself closely and intelligently to his work. In the way of buildings every arrangement has been made for the shelter of crops and stock and the comfort of the family, while good fences enclose and subdivide the land, and orchards and groves adorn it. It is watered by Sampson Creek, and is well adapted for both stock and crops, to the raising of which Mr. Pressler gives his attention in due proportion.
The Kingdom of Bavaria, a part of the great Germanic Confederation, is the ancestral home of the Presslers and there the grandfather of our subject spent his life. George Valentine Pressler, father of our subject, was born there in 1813 and worked at the trade of a blacksmith thirty-five years. He owned a farm connected with his place of business at Offenbach. In 1862 he emigrated to America and established a new home in New Berlin, this county. After working at his trade a year and a half he rented land and began farming, continuing that line of work until 1887. He then retired from active labor and made his home with his son Jacob until his death, June 5, 1890. He was an active Christian and helped to establish the Lutheran Church in New Berlin.
The widowed mother of our subject now makes her home under his roof. She bore the maiden name of Annie Barbara Shue, was born in Bavaria in 1818, and is a daughter of one of the soldiers of Napoleon Bonaparte and one of the number who accompanied the famous general to Russia. Mrs. Pressler is the mother of six children, all yet living except a daughter Catherine who was the wife of J. Rommel and died in Logan County; Henry is farming in New Berlin Township; Mrs. Lizzie Diedrich lives near Broadwell; Michael owns a large farm in Clay County, Neb.; the next in point of age is our subject; Jacob is farming in New Berlin Township.
The eyes of John P. Pressler opened to the light in Offenbach, Germany, June 1, 1854, and he was eight years old when he saw the shores of his native land receding as the family started for America. Going to Havre, France, they embarked on the sail vessel "Winthrop," and after a tedious voyage of seventy-two days landed in New York. The passage to New Orleans would have been much shorter but on account of the Civil War which was in progress they were obliged to come to the northern port. Provisions became short some time before the vessel reached port and the passengers suffered greatly from hunger. The family sojourned in Pittsburg, Pa., a few weeks, then came to this county, where our subject attended the public schools, first in New Berlin and then in the country. After they left town, his schooling was confined to the winter season and the summers were spent in helping to carry on the farm.
Young Pressler remained with his parents until he was of age, when he began the labors of life for himself as a farm hand. He worked by the month for three years, receiving the highest wages paid to farm laborers, as he was faithful and efficient. He was then elected Constable of New Berlin Township and during the following four years performed the duties of that office and also did collecting. During this time he made his home under his parents' roof, and in 1878 hired a man to carry out his wishes in the operation of a farm of one hundred and twenty acres. He next turned his entire attention to agriculture, still making his home in New Berlin Township until 1883, when he located where he is now living. In crops he raises corn and wheat alternately, and in stock raises high grades of cattle and keeps full-blooded Chester-White hogs for breeding purposes. Of this he makes a specialty and is the only breeder of swine in the township. He buys and feeds cattle in large numbers. His horses are graded Clydesdales, at the head of his herd being the stallion J. Smith, a three year old, weighing fourteen hundred pounds, and seven-eighths pure blood. Mr. Pressler also raises mules to a considerable extent.
The lady to whose housewifely skill the neatness and order of the home are due, and whose intelligence and amiability make her a charming companion, became the wife of our subject March 18, 1880. She bore the maiden name of Anna Barbara Raps, was born in Springfield, and is a daughter of John and Elizabeth Raps, who occupy a farm in Cartwright Township. Mr. Raps is a native of Bavaria and is one of the old settlers of this county. Mr. and Mrs. Pressler are the parents of four bright children, named respectively, Lizzie, Henry, John and Charles. They are receiving careful home training and the educational advantages suited to their years, and, with the worthy example set before them, are likely to become useful and honored members of society.
Mr. Pressler is now serving as Supervisor of Curran Township, having been first elected to the office in 1889 and re-elected in 1890 for a two year's term. His name was brought before the public on the Democratic ticket, he being a stanch member of the party, and one who has served as a delegate to the county conventions. From 1886 to 1889 Mr. Pressler was Commissioner of Highways and he is now serving his second term as Second Clerk in his district. He belongs to the Curran Lodge No. 3087, F.M.B.A., and to Curran Camp, No. 1290, M.W. of A. In the latter organization he is a charter member and he was the first Council here, an office which he resigned on account of the inconvenience under which he labored in attending. He is the representative to the Head Camp at Springfield. Both Mr. and Mrs. Pressler hold membership in the Lutheran Church at New Berlin.
Not only is Mr. Pressler one of the most successful farmers in the township, but he is also one of her leading citizens and most useful members of society. The education which he obtained in the schoolroom has been added to by reading and observation and he possesses a wide fund of information on topics of general interest. Pleasant in speech and agreeable in manners, he readily makes friends, and his fine moral character and indomitable energy in whatever he takes in hand ensure the continuance of the friendships formed.