BODE, H. J.

BODE, WEGNER, BRIGGS, WILLMERT, ZEIGLER

Posted By: Jean Kramer (email)
Date: 5/24/2004 at 13:39:58

Biography reproduced from page 333 of Volume II of the History of Kossuth County written by Benjamin F. Reed and published in 1913:

H. J. Bode is one of the well known farmers of Kossuth county, being successfully engaged in the cultivation of a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Plum Creek township. He is a native of Illinois, his birth having occurred in McLean county, March 1, 1879, and is a son of Herman and Anna (Wegner) Bode, the former a native of Germany and the latter of Wisconsin. The father emigrated to the United States in 1870, settling first in New York city and later removing to Philadelphia, from which city he removed to Chicago and from there to McLean county, Illinois, in 1874, where he now resides. His father, who was by occupation a gunsmith, emigrated to the United States in the early ‘70s and here he was engaged in general farming. He was a public spirited and enterprising man and held several of the minor offices in the township in which he lived. The father of Mrs. Herman Bode was a resident of Wisconsin and a veteran of the Civil war. Her mother is a native of Wisconsin and is still living. In the Bode family were five children: W. H., who resides in Logan county, Illinois; H. J., the subject of this review; Winnie May, who is the wife of William Briggs, of McLean county, Illinois; Frank, also a resident of McLean county, Illinois; and Theodore, who still resides at home.

H. J. Bode was reared at home and received his early education in the public schools of Illinois. He remained under the parental roof until he attained his majority, at which time he settled on a farm, section 20, Plum Creek township, the place having been purchased some time before the event of his removal to Kossuth county. On that property he established his home and has since continued to reside. He has made all of the improvements on the property and is the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of highly developed land. In addition to his own farm he also rents and cultivates an adjoining quarter section.

Mr. Bode was united in marriage February 8, 1900, to Miss Louisa Willmert and they became the parents of two children: Paulina and Herman. The wife and mother died in September, 1905. Mr. Bode was again married, December 27, 1906, his second union being with Miss Ella Zeigler, by whom he has one child, Evelyn.

Mr. Bode is a loyal supporter of the republican party and has served as trustee of his township for one term. He is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and also of the Knights of Columbus, of Algona, Iowa. He and his wife are members of the Catholic church.