Excerpt of the book "Writer and Engraver's Picture of Graham County's Progress Since Its Organization" (1906)

Carl Kobler

(pages 85-86)

"Verdant wheat fields stretching southward,

Fruitful orchards east and west;

Not a spot in all the prairie

That the springtime has not blessed;

Every field a smiling promise,

Every home an Eden fair,

And the angels-Peace and Plenty-

Strewing blessings everywhere."

This sketch from Eugene Ware comes to mind when one visits the farm of Carl Kobler. It seems indeed, that the angels, Peace and Plenty have strewn their blessings everywhere. But when Mr. Kobler tells his story, one would realize that these blessings have not come unsought.

He came with his parents to Graham County from Muscatine, Iowa, in 1879. Here he attended the public schools, and grew to manhood and was married. Both Mr. and Mrs. Kobler were teachers, and taught five years after their marriage.

Mr. Kobler began farming in 1894, but bought his first land, 160 acres, in 1899. By hard work and careful management he was enabled to add 320 acres in 1903, 160 in 1904, and 400 in 1905.

Of the 1040 acres, 480 acres are in the Solomon valley and suitable to the growing of alfalfa, 800 acres are fenced, 12 acres under hog tight fence.

In the last three years Mr. Kobler has had 210 acres in wheat and has harvested 3370 bushels of that grain. He has gradually increased his wheat acreage, in 1904 having but 45 acres and in 1906, 95 acres. He also has 180 acres of corn this year, and has begun the cultivation of 100 acres of raw land.

Mr. Kobler has dealt somewhat in live stock, marketing in 1905, $500 worth of hogs and 1906, $800 worth. [He] has now 60 head.

In 1901, Mr. Kobler had but 12 head of cattle, has sold since then $800 worth, and has now 40 head. He owns 10 head of good horses.

The improvements on this farm are valued at $2000.