The Lauer Cotton Grove Farm

Anton Lauer II who was born in Russia, moved to America in 1949. At 16 years old he spoke 7 languages (German being his first language) and in 1850 with his family settled southwest of Burlington, Iowa buying 155 acres. In 1875, at the age of 42 Anton and his bride bought 624 acres in what was unsettled land of Canaan Prairies (township today) and raised their 13 children (losing one at 1 year of age). Anton gave each child a part of the farm when they were married. The oldest son Victor Emanuel Lauer received the home place where he and his wife Catherine raised 5 children. When Victor and Catherine retired to Mt. Union Iowa, their youngest son Arthur Benjamin Lauer brought his new bride Helen Lillian Wheeler to the Cottonwood Farm where they raised 1 son and 3 daughters. Today the 2 story 5 bedroom home stands as a reminder of all who came before us and the farm continues to be owned by the 4th and 5th Lauer generation.