Adolph Baustian, long connected with the agricultural interests of Pottawattamie County and now successfully engaged in the raising of shorthorn cattle, is a self-made man, who received little assistance at the outset of his career. No special family or pecuniary advantages aided him, and on the contrary he placed his dependence upon the safe, substantial qualities of diligence and determination. Gradually he has worked his way upward until he is now a leading representative of farm life in this part of the state.

He was born in Scott County, Iowa, on the 28th of March, 1857, his parents being John C. and Dora (Nissen) Baustian, who were natives of Mecklenburg, Germany, in which country they were reared and educated. They came to the United States some time in the '40's, locating in Scott County, Iowa, where they were married. There the wife and mother died about 1863. The father, however, long survived her and passed away in Scott County in 1898. He owned four hundred and eighty acres of land, having made judicious investment in farm property, which brought to him a good financial return and made him one of the men of affluence in the community. In addition to tilling the soil he raised cattle on quite an extensive scale. His cash capital when he arrived in America consisted of only one dollar and fifty cents, but he realized the fact that diligence and strong purpose constitute a good foundation upon which to build success and he thus became the architect of his own fortunes. In religious faith he was a Lutheran, while in his political views he was a Republican. Unto him and his wife were born seven children, but only three of the number are now living, namely: Henry, whose home is in Garrettson, South Dakota; Adolph; and Ida, the wife of William Witt, of Davenport, Iowa.

Adolph Baustian was reared in his native county and at the ususal age began his education in the district schools, where he mastered the common branches of learning. He was reared to the occupation of the farm and his labors brought him the practical experience which enabled him to successfully carry on farming on his own account at a later day. He soon became familiar with the work of tilling the soil and caring for the stock and upon his removal to Pottawattamie County in 1882, when he was about twenty-five years of age, he purchased one hundred and seventy-five acres of land on section 31, Pleasant Township. He began to develop and improve this with characteristic energy and about ten years later he bought one hundred and seventy-five acres more. Later, however, he disposed of the second tract and invested in three hundred and twenty acres in Nebraska, which he continued to own until the fall of 1906, when he sold it at a profit of ten thousand dollars. He then purchased four hundred acres in Harlan County, Nebraska, which he still owns. In early manhood he was given four horses by his father, who also gave him the necessary seed for planting and with that assistance he started out in life on his own account and is today one of the prosperous agriculturists of this part of the state. He owes his success entirely to his own labors and his business worth and enterprise are demonstrated in the prosperity which he is now enjoying. In addition to the tilling of the soil he raises shorthorn cattle, which proves to him a profitable source of income.

Mr. Baustian was married to Miss Anna C. Schmidt, of Scott County, Iowa, and they became the parents of two daughters and two sons: Hilda, Mabel, John and Adolph, all yet at home. The family is well known in the community, occupying an enviable position in social circles. Mr. Baustian is a Republican, pronounced in his views on political questions, yet never bitterly aggressive. He served for seven years as township assessor and for the same length of time has been justice of the peace. He likewise belongs to the Modern Woodmen Camp of Hancock. He is justly accounted one of the leading and representative farmers of Pleasant Township--a position to which he has attained solely through his own labors and capable management.