Heinrich Linder

LINDER, RALPH, LONBENE, WAGNER

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 11/12/2011 at 19:36:03

HEINRICH LINDER. As another evidence of the intelligence and usefulness of the German class of western citizens, we are glad of the opportunity of presenting this sketch. Its subject needs no eulogy, and we give a “plain, unvarnished” sketch of his life, believing that there is in it matter of pride to his own Fatherland people, and certainly enough to instruct and encourage young men beginning life under difficulties. Heinrich Linder was born in Holstein, Germany, September 20, 1845, and was the only child born to the union of Fritz and Anna (Ralph) Linder, both natives of the Old Country.

The father was born in the year 1816, and although he worked hard and was industrious and enterprising, he made little headway. He has followed the occupation of a farmer all his life. The mother of our subject died in 1848, and the father afterward married Mrs. Catherine Lonbene, who bore him five children, two sons and three daughters, as follows: Catherine, Henrietta, Dora, Fritz and Markus. For years Mr. Linder has been a member of the German Lutheran Church, and is a man well respected by all acquainted with him. In 1883 he came to the United States and made his home with a daughter in Iowa for some time, but for the past few years he has found a pleasant home with our subject.

Heinrich Linder was only about three years of age when his mother died, and when nine years of age he began working out. Of course his educational advantages were limited, but he possessed a naturally bright mind, and by observation and contact with the world is as well posted as the ordinary man. Young Linder was poor in purse, but rich in integrity, industry and resolution, and when but twenty-one years of age, in 1866, he decided to seek his fortune in the New World. He went direct to Davenport, Iowa, and worked by the month on farms until 1872, by which time he had accumulated some means. Previous to the last date, in 1871, he was married to Miss Johanna Wagner, daughter of Fritz and Catherine Wagner.

In 1872 Mr. Linder came to Grundy County, Iowa, and rented land for four years, but during that time he had purchased eighty acres where he now lives. As the years passed by he added to his original tract until he is now the owner of seven hundred and twenty acres of land, one of the finest farms in the township. Mr. Linder is a self-made man in every sense of the term, and what he has accumulated is the result of great industry and perseverance on his part. From the time he reached that period of life when his physical strength was sufficient to enable him to wield the implements of husbandry, he began to contribute to the earning of his own bread. His marriage resulted in the birth of six children: Fritz H., born November 15, 1871; Dora A., March 10, 1873; Alma D., June 24, 1879; Rosa L., March 12, 1881; Ella M., April 11, 1883; and Herbert M., June 13, 1886. In politics, Mr. Linder is a strong supporter of Democratic principles, and is a public-spirited and enterprising citizen.

Source:
Portrait and Biographical Record
of Jasper, Marshall and Grundy Counties, Iowa
1894