Frederick Wendt

WENDT, BEYER, ROLF, BACON, EIMLOFF

Posted By: Oregon Rain
Date: 9/2/2006 at 09:29:37

The self-made man is held in high honor in this country where enterprise, initiative and good judgment are the traits of character most valued, as the exercise of these qualities is necessary to the attainment of success when the individual must begin his business career without capital or influential friends. Frederick Wendt, a prosperous farmer of Delhi township, was practically penniless when he emigrated to this country from Germany, but is now the owner of a valuable farm comprising two hundred and eighty acres and situated on section 18, Delhi township, this county. He was born October 3, 1856, in Germany, a son of Frederick Wendt, who was a farmer in the fatherland and was an industrious and upright man. His wife passed away in Germany but he came to the United States with the subject of this review in 1871 and located in Dubuque, Iowa, where he found employment as a laborer, and where his demise occurred. To their union were born four children: Frederick, of this review; Charles, a resident of Dubuque, Iowa; William, who died in 1912; and Katie, who married August Beyer, and who passed away in 1910.

Frederick Wendt came to the United States in 1871 with his father arid settled in Dubuque, Iowa, but in 1887, following the latter's death, he removed to this county and purchased a farm of one hundred and sixty acres located on section 18, Delhi township, within a mile and a half of the town of Delhi. He immediately gave his time and attention to its cultivation and improvement and the sale of the crops raised brought him a considerable sum of money annually. He was thrifty and as his capital increased invested in additional land until he is now the owner of two hundred and eighty acres of productive land. He has improved his property by erecting a commodious house and barn besides a number of outbuildings, and everything about the place is kept in the best of condition. He raises graded stock as well as grain and finds that branch of agriculture a lucrative one.

Mr. Wendt married Miss Minnie Rolf, a daughter of Charles Rolf, a native of Germany. To this union have been born six children: Fred, who resides upon one hundred and sixty acres of land in Delhi township; Freda, the wife of Louis Bacon, of this county; Minnie, who married Frank Eimloff and lives at Strawberry Point, Iowa; and Charles, Phenny and William, all at home.

Mr. Wendt is a republican and invariably supports the candidates and measures of that party at the polls. He has manifested in his life the sterling characteristics of the German race and has proven a valued citizen of the county, where he is well known and much respected.

~ source: History of Delaware County, Iowa and its People, Illustrated, Volume II. The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company, 1914, Chicago. Page 21-22. Call Number 977.7385 H2m; LDS microfilm #934937.