HENRY SCHNEEKLOTH

Henry Schneekloth, the owner of a valuable and well improved farm of one hundred and fifty-five acres in Inland township, has devoted his attention to general agricultural pursuits throughout his entire business career and the success which has attended his efforts is ample proof of the fact that his choice of a vocation was a wise one. His birth occurred in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, on the 23rd of April, 1854, his parents being Henry and Marguerite Schneekloth, who were likewise natives of that country. They crossed the Atlantic to the United States in 1869, settling at Durant, Cedar county, Iowa, where they continued to reside throughout the remainder of their lives. The family was in limited financial circumstances and after landing in this country the sons immediately secured employment in order that they might refund the money which had been borrowed to pay their passage to the new world. In their family were the following children: William, who is now a resident of Davenport; Christian, living in Sunbury, Cedar county; Claus, of Durant, this county; Henry, of this review; Philip, who likewise makes his home in Durant; Fred, who is deceased.

Henry Schneekloth, who was a youth of fifteen when he accompanied his parents on their emigration to America, first worked as a farm hand in this county for several years. Subsequently he devoted his attention to the cultivation of rented land until he had accumulated sufficient capital to enable him to buy a farm of his own. By his first purchase he came into possession of a tract of eighty acres in Inland township, on which stood a little shanty. As his financial resources increased he extended the boundaries of the farm by additional purchase until it now embraces one hundred and fifty-five acres of rich and productive land. As the years have gone by he has brought the place under a high state of cultivation and improvement and the buildings thereon now include a substantial residence and barns.

In 1875, in Cedar county, Mr. Schneekloth was united in marriage to Miss Lizzie Saco, a native of Holstein, Germany. Unto them have been born ten children, namely: Lena, the wife of John Klahn, an agriculturist of Farmington township; Frank, who is married and lives in Inland township; Della, who is the wife of Herman Krebs and resides in Farmington township; Herman, who is married and makes his home in Inland township; Martha, the wife of Ernst Peterson, of Sunbury, Iowa; Ferdinand, an agriculturist of Inland township; Clara, the wife of Harry Bartscher, of Inland township; and Chrissie, Elsie and Viola, all at home.

Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise Mr. Schneekloth has supported the men and measures of the republican party. He has held the office of school director but otherwise has not sought nor desired political preferment. He was reared in the Lutheran faith and is a devoted member of the church of that denomination. The period of his residence in Cedar county now covers more than four decades and he is well entitled to a place among it substantial agriculturists and representative citizens.