Page 793
ALEXANDER AHRENS, one of the progressive farmers and good business men of
Lake township, is a native, having spent his entire life in Hall County,
where his birth took place July 2, 1876. His parents were Henry and
Magdalene Ahrens, the former of whom was born in Germany, December 5, 1839,
and the latter, November 1, 1847. They came to the United States in 1868
and to Nebraska in 1871, where the father homesteaded. Assisted by the
mother of Mr. Ahrens, the father prospered in spite of many early
hardships, and at the time of his accidental death, in 1885, he owned a
large estate.
Alexander Ahrens was but a lad when he was left fatherless. His mother, a
woman of great energy and executive ability proved equal to the
responsibilities suddenly placed upon her, and not only reared her young
children carefully and judiciously, but ably managed the farm, and, as the
sons grew into manhood, guided and joined them in adding to the already
ample estate. Mr. Ahrens operates his farm of one hundred and eighty acres,
which is well stocked and highly improved. His second farm, the old August
C. F. Wendt estate, containing one hundred and forty acres, he rents out.
His brother, Henry C. Ahrens, is also a large farmer in Lake township. The
mother, after an enjoyable visit to Germany, in 1907, took up her residence
in Grand Island, where she has a comfortable and attractive home and is
within a pleasant social circle.
On March 6, 1914, Mr. Ahrens married Miss Sofine Lorenzen, a daughter of
Falquardt and Marline (Bonson) Lorenzen, residents of Germany. They have
two most engaging little children, Walter and Anita. Mr. and Mrs. Ahrens
are active members of the Lutheran church. He has always been affiliated
with the Republican party but has never been willing to accept any
political office. He belongs to the Farmers Union and the Non-Partisan
League, and is identified also with a German social organization in Grand
Island.
History of Hall County
by Buechler, Barr, & Stough (Published 1920)
Transcribed by Larry Coates
