Henry Tebbe
The owner of a valuable farm of two hundred and eighty acres on sections 14 and 23, Hanover township, which he acquired entirely through his own well directed energy and perseverance, Henry Tebbe has attained a place among the substantial citizens of Crawford county.
He was born in Germany, November 27, 1847, a son of Albert and Henrietta Tebbe, both of whom were also natives of Germany. They came to America in 1874, locating in Clinton county, Iowa, where Mr. Tebbe purchased a farm. He was quite successful as an agriculturist and gained an enviable reputation as one of the progressive men of the community. He passed away in 1894, his wife having died four years previously. There were seven children in their family, namely: Henry, the subject of this review; John, now a farmer of Crawford county; Elizabeth, the wife of George Busch, of Clinton county; Anna, the wife of Henry Busch, of Clinton county; Minnie, the wife of William Kuehn, of Clinton county; Matilda, now Mrs. August Keuhl, of Clinton county; and Christina, the wife of Leonhard Zogg, of Wisconsin.
Henry Tebbe was educated in his native land and came to America with his parents at twenty-six years of age, remaining with his father for ten years thereafter and assisting in the work of the home farm. He began farming on his own account in Crawford county, purchasing in 1885 a part of the farm which he now owns. He applied himself to such good purpose that he was able to purchase land as time advanced so that he is now in possession of two hundred and eighty acres, which he has highly improved and which yields goodly returns each year for the time and labor expended. He raises cereals and also feeds stock, which he usually delivers to the market in excellent condition, thus receiving the highest prices available.
On the 25th of February, 1885, Mr. Tebbe was united in marriage to Miss Sophia Wiese, who was born in Germany, September 13, 1863, a daughter of William and Elizabeth (Stoelk) Wiese. Her parents came to America in 1883, first settling in Clinton county, Iowa, but three years later locating in Crawford county. They lived in Denison for eighteen years and then took up their home with the subject of this review, where they continued until their death, the mother passing away in 1906 and the father in 1909. Their remains now lie buried in the German Lutheran cemetery at Denison. There were four children in their family: Elizabeth, now the wife of Ernest Steffen, of Arkansas; Sophia. the wife of Henry Tebbe; Christina, who married Louis Dorale, of Wyoming, Iowa; and Henry, who died in Germany.
Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Tebbe, three of whom, Elizabeth, Matilda and John, died in infancy. Albert W., the eldest, was born March 15, 1887, and is still living at home.
Mr. Tebbe's interests are thoroughly identified with those of Hanover township and no man in the township is more willing to assist in its advancement. He is of a modest, retiring disposition and has, therefore, never sought pub licity, preferring to devote his time and attention to his family and his farm. He is a member of the Lutheran church, as are his estimable wife and his son, and they have many friends in this section.
Source: History of Crawford County, Iowa. Vol. II. Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1911.