Henry Klemme

KLEMME, BERG, MENGLER, JONES

Posted By: Barbara Gehlsen Nugent (email)
Date: 8/24/2011 at 16:34:37

History of Jackson County, Iowa, Volume 2, by James Whitcomb Ellis. 1910.
Biographical Sketches

HENRY KLEMME

The contribution Henry Klemme has made to the world's work has been along agricultural lines and in cultivating his farm of one hundred and ninety acres on section 35, Washington township, he has gained a success that well entitles him to be numbered among the substantial citizens of Jackson county. He was born in Van Buren township, this county, June 27, 1862, a son of August and Mary (Berg) Klemme, both natives of Germany. The former came to the United States when a young man and after residing in Chicago for a time removed to Van Buren township, Jackson county, Iowa, where he bought a farm of two hundred acres, operating it successfully until 1885. In that year he retired from active participation in work and took up his residence in Preston, where he still lives at the advanced age of eighty-six years. His wife is also living and has passed the seventy-sixth milestone on life's journey. She was a mere child when brought to this country by her parents from the fatherland.

Henry Klemme was reared upon the home farm in Van Buren township and for a short time attended the district school of his locality that he might acquire a knowledge of the rudimentary branches of education. The meager training he received, however, was amply supplemented by the experience he obtained while he helped his father in the work of the farm, so that when, at the age of twentyfour years, he started out as an independent farmer, he was well fitted to cope with the problems that confront the agriculturist.

It was in 1886 that he removed to the place in Washington township whereon he now resides. It adjoined the homestead, and for the first year Mr. Klemme operated it as a renter from his father, after which he bought the property. It embraces one hundred and ninety acres, upon which he has erected new buildings and also a windmill, and has made other improvements in keeping with the progressive spirit of the time in agricultural lines. In its cultivation he has manifested a diligence and perseverance which have been well recompensed by generous harvests. He has also engaged in the stock business to some extent, raising Hereford cattle and Poland China hogs, and has found this a profitable branch of his business.

In Green Island, Jackson county, March 5, 1886, Mr. Klemme wedded Miss Matilda Mengler, a daughter of William Mengler, a farmer and one of the old residents of Washington township. Four children have been born to them, namely: Mabel, who died in infancy; August William, who is twenty-one years of age and works on the home farm; Bertha M., who is the wife of Elmer Jones, a rural mail carrier living at Green Island; and Harry August, who is fourteen years of age and is attending school.

In his political sympathies Mr. Klemme is a democrat, but while taking a deep interest in questions and issues and keeping well informed upon them, he has not desired to engage in public affairs, preferring to concentrate his energies upon his business. In its conduct he has gained a conspicuous success and the sincere regard of those who know him, for he has ever pursued a straightforward and upright course, looking for advancement through close application and indefatigable industry.