Henry Hagge
Although he has passed the proverbial age limit of three-score-and-ten, time seems to have but mellowed the years that have passed over the head of Henry Hagge, who today is reaping the harvest of his early endeavors, and he now lives retired from the activities of life in his comfortable residence in West Side, Crawford county.
Born October 2, 1838, in Germany, he is a son of John and Christina (Rohwer) Hagge, and is the only remaining child in a family of five, the following being deceased: Jurgen, Claus, Dora and John. The last named died in 1872. Both the parents spent their entire lives in Germany and there passed away.
Henry Hagge emigrated to the United States in 1864, locating near Davenport, Iowa, and as was customary in those primitive days, broke the prairie land by the aid of oxen and continued to follow farming in that locality for the ensuing four years. He then came to Crawford county and bought one hundred and sixty acres of land, which he also broke in the same primitive way, and to this property, as time went on, he added other lands until at the present time he owns three hundred and forty acres. Aside from this he purchased two hundred and forty acres, which he gave to his son. He gave his entire attention to farming on a broad scale and to the raising of live stock, being very careful to see that the latter was of the finest breed. After nearly forty years spent in tilling the soil, such was his industry and business sagacity that, in 1904, he was enabled to retire from his hard labor and in the spring of that year took up his residence in West Side and has since made that his home.
On March 10, 1868, Mr. Hagge was united in marriage to Miss Sophia Magdalena Grage, a daughter of Chris and Sophia Grage, whose other two children were Claus and Jurgen.
Mr. and Mrs. Hagge became the parents of nine children, of whom the following eight survive: John, of West Side; Stena, who married John Strattman, of Crawford county; Anne, who is the wife of John F. Sheldorf, of Crawford county; Amilia, the wife of Henry Ort, of Manning, Iowa; Emma, who married Henry Frahm, of Carroll county; Henry and Julius, who reside in Crawford county; and Dora, who is the wife of Henry Frahm, of Crawford county. Mrs. Hagge, who was a consistent member of the Lutheran church, passed away on the 1st of July, 1909.
Mr. Hagge has ever taken an active interest in the political affairs of his conununity, giving his support to the democratic party, and at various times has held minor township offices. In religion he is a consistent member of the Lutheran church. Through the long period of his life work Mr. Hagge has always relied upon his own efforts and independently worked his way to the pinnacle of success. He has a wide circle of friends who enjoy the hospitality of his charming home.
Source: History of Crawford County, Iowa. Vol. II. Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1911.