HENRY LETH

Henry Leth, who obtains a gratifying annual income from his farming and stock-raising interests, is the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of valuable land in Farmington township. His birth occurred in Holstein, Germany, on the 13th of February, 1848, his parents being Henry and Bertha (Steffen) Leth, who were born, reared and married in that country. The father, whose natal day was June 9, 1823, wedded Miss Bertha Steffen about 1842 and in 1873 emigrated to the United States. Having lost his wife in 1886, he makes his home with our subject and though now eighty-seven years of age, is still hale and hearty and in possession of all his faculties.

Henry Leth acquired his education in the schools of the fatherland and after putting aside his text-books worked as a farm hand until he had attained the age of twenty years. In 1868, believing that he might enjoy better advantages in the new world, he crossed the Atlantic to the United States and after landing on American shores made his way direct to Scott county, Iowa. There he labored as a farm hand for a year and then came to Cedar county, here working as a hired hand for about four years longer. On the expiration of that period he rented eighty acres of land in Farmington township and subsequently purchased a tract of similar size there. Later, by buying an eighty-acre tract adjoining, he extended the boundaries of his farm to embrace a quarter section of land. That property has remained his place of abode continuously since and he has made all of the improvements thereon. His home was destroyed by fire in 1900 but he immediately erected another fine residence. He carries on the work of tilling the soil and also raises stock and his business interests are so carefully managed that annually his sales of grain and stock return to him a good financial reward for his labor.

On the 28th of February, 1877, Mr. Leth was united in marriage to Miss Cicle Gottsch, who was born in Holstein, Germany, December 28, 1849, a daughter of Claus and Anna (Kuel) Gottsch. The father was also born in Holstein, February 5, 1810, and passed away on the 17th of August, 1894, in Farmington township, this county, but the mother, who was born March 9, 1814, died in Holstein, August 18, 1871, before the emigration of the family to America. It was in 1875 that Mrs. Leth crossed the Atlantic and first located in Moline, Illinois.

Of the eight children born to our subject and his wife, four are now deceased, three having died in infancy, while Annie died at the age of thirteen years. The others are: Tillie, who was born February 13, 1879, and is now the wife of George Thede, of Cedar county; Alma, born April 12, 1883; Lillie, born September 20, 1886; and Harry, born July 6, 1890. The three youngest are at home with their parents.

Mr. Leth casts an independent ballot at local elections but supports the democracy on national questions. He was a school director for twenty-five years and also acted as road supervisor for two years, declining to serve longer. He and his family belong to the German Lutheran church, and he is also a member of the Knights of Pythias fraternity at Sunbury. During the period of his residence in Cedar county, covering more than four decades, he has gained an extensive acquaintance and many friends who hold him in high esteem.