HENRY W. THEDE

Among the progressive and up-to-date farmers of Cedar county may be named Henry W. Thede, who, although comparatively a young man, is now the owner of three well improved farms in this county and is recognized as one of the responsible members of the farming community. He was born August 20, 1864 in Scott county, Iowa, and is a son of Juergen and Maria Catherine (Broders) Thede, a sketch of the father appearing elsewhere in this work. Mr. Thede received his education in the district schools of Muscatine and Cedar counties and grew up in one of the noted agricultural districts of the state, acquiring a practical knowledge of the industry to which he has devoted his life.

Instead of seeking his fortune in the city amidst strangers and in the face of a stern competition, that has wrecked thousands of promising farm boys, Mr. Thede possessed the good judgment to remain upon the farm. As a result, while many others who left the farm twenty-five years ago, attracted by the excitement of the city, are now standing behind the counter at ten or fifteen dollars a week, the subject of our sketch years ago acquired a competence and may now be said to be one of the wealthy men of the community. He remained at home with his father until he arrived at the age of twenty-six years, when he became associated with a life companion and for five years rented land of his father-in-law. By energy and good judgment he attained a stage where he could start independently and bought a farm of one hundred and sixty acres, which he greatly improved and where he now lives. He also owns another farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Farmington township and a third farm of the same area in Fairfield township, all of which are improved. Active and enterprising in an unusual degree, his efforts have been crowned with success and he is now starting a herd of shorthorn cattle and Duroc Jersey swine, both of which gave promise of development that will meet a constantly growing demand for high grade animals, now more sought after than ever before. To this work Mr. Thede brings a well trained judgment, which is so important in the breeder and without which no man can build up a reputable herd of pure blooded stock.

In 1891 Mr. Thede was happily united in marriage to Miss Sophia Horn, of Durant, Iowa. Her father was John Horn, a native of Germany, who emigrated to this country a poor boy and found employment as a railroad laborer, then became a farmer and, starting with eighty acres of land, at his death five years ago was the owner of four farms and was one of the leading citizens of this county. This record is a remarkable evidence of the possibilities in this country for any young man who is willing to work and who will deny himself in early years in order to gain independence as he grows older. The mother of Mrs. Thede was Johanna Rixe before her marriage. She was a native of Germany and spent her last years with her daughter in this county. Seven children have blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Thede: Elma, Albert, William, Elsie, Norman, Le Roy, and Harry, all of whom are living at home.

Mr. Thede affiliates with the democratic party but has never sought political honors. Although not a member of any religious denomination, he gives liberally toward the support of churches and is known as a broad-minded and patriotic citizen whose aim is to deal justly and to give full value for anything he receives. He is of the type of modern men who feel the quickening pulse beat of the twentieth century and respond to it by enhancing the beauty and value of their surroundings and at the same time contribute in a most important degree to the upbuilding of the community.