HENRY L. GROTE, an enterprising farmer of section 7, Eldorado township, Benton county, is a native of the county, born in Union township on December 14, 1873. He is a son of Henry A. and Rebecca (Fry) Grote, the father a native of Germany and the mother of Pennsylvania. The father died in 1898, aged sixty-seven years, and the mother now resides in Van Horne, having reached the age of sixty-four. They were the parents of ten children, of whom six are living, namely: Sarah, wife of Charles Lutz, of Perry, Iowa; Henry L.; Clara, living at Sheldon; John, of Marion, Iowa; Hattie, unmarried and living at Sheldon; and Emma, living with her mother. Henry A. Grote came to the United States about 1858 and located at Davenport, Iowa, from where he enlisted to serve in the Civil war; he served until the close of the struggle, and was once wounded. He returned to Davenport and worked in Scott county until 1872, when he came to Benton county and located in Union township. He rented a farm for three years and in 1875 purchased three hundred and twenty acres in section 18, Eldorado township, which he improved and put into fine condition. He continued to carry on this farm until 1893, and then retired to live in Van Horne, Iowa, where he died.
Henry L. Grote spent his boyhood on a farm and received a common school education; in 1893 he began working by the month on a farm, and after his marriage in 1896 he rented his father's farm, which he carried on until 1904, when he purchased his present farm of one hundred and thirty-eight acres. He is an ambitious and industrious farmer, and carries on his work in an intelligent and business-like manner. He has met with much success, and is well liked in the community, being a good neighbor and trustworthy friend. He is a member of the Evangelical church of Van Horne, and in politics is a Republican.
On February 26, 1896, Mr. Grote married Emma, daughter of Henry Werner, born in Will county, Illinois, March 31, 1875. Mr. Grote and his wife have four children, all at home, namely: Carrie, Ralph, Ethel and Lucille.
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