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History of Adair
County, Iowa, 1915.

Biographical.  Volume 2.

  
 

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J. Augustus Rostat.

J. Augustus Rostat, a representative and successful agriculturist of Adair county, residing on section 17, Grand River township, has been identified with farming interests here for the past four decades and is now the owner of two hundred and forty acres of valuable land in Grand River and Lee townships.  His birth occurred in Sweden on the 24th of March, 1853, his parents being Peter and Eliza (Jones) Rostat, who were also natives of that country.  In 1862 they crossed the Atlantic to the United States, taking up their abode in Mercer county, Illinois, where the father worked at the carpenter's trade for two years.  Subsequently they resided for some time in Bureau county, Illinois, but eventually returned to Mercer county, where their remaining days were spent.  To them were born twelve children, six of whom still survive.

J. Augustus Rostat, who was a lad of nine years when brought to this country, attended the common schools in the acquirement of an education and spent the period of his minority under the parental roof.  In 1875, when a young man of twenty-two years, he came to Adair county, Iowa, and here cultivated a rented farm for about four years.  On the expiration of that period he purchased a tract of sixty acres, which he operated for five years, then disposing of the property and buying one hundred and twenty acres of his present home farm on section 17, Grand River township.  He erected commodious and substantial buildings thereon, also planted a fine grove and later extended the boundaries of the place by an additional purchase of eighty acres.  He likewise owns a forty-acre tract in Lee township, so that his holdings now embrace two hundred and forty acres of rich and productive land.  In connection with the production of cereals he makes a specialty of stock-raising, both branches of his business yielding him a gratifying annual income.  His present enviable success is attributable entirely to his own efforts and his is the record of a self-made man which may be profitably considered by all who would win prosperity honorably and unaided.

In 1885 Mr. Rostat was united in marriage to Miss Sabra McKee, a native of Stark county, Ohio, and a daughter of David and Lucinda (Scofield) McKee, the former born in Virginia and the latter in Ohio.  Mr. and Mrs. Rostat are the parents of four children, namely:  Alma, who is the wife of C. W. Childs;  and Harvey, Flora and Lucile, all at home.

Mr. Rostat gives his political allegiance to the republican party and has ably served in the capacities of trustee and school director.  His wife is a devoted and consistent member of the Congregational church.  Both have become widely known and many attractive social characteristics and substantial qualities have gained them high and favorable regard.

 

 

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