Conrad Wendel is the owner of a valuable farm property of four hundred and twenty five acres, the greater part of which lies in Honey Creek township. He makes a specialty of dairying and stock raising and is justly numbered among the leading farmers of Delaware county. A native of Germany, he was born February 12, 1851, of the marriage of Casper and Katherine Wendel, who were also born in the fatherland. Coming to America in 1853, they settled first in Bureau county, Illinois, and after a residence there of twenty years removed to Delaware county, Iowa, in 1873, a location being made in Honey Creek township, upon the farm now owned and occupied by Conrad Wendel. Upon that place the father remained until his death and, carefully tilling his fields, brought the farm to a high state of cultivation. To him and his wife were born eight children, but six of the number have passed away, so that but two survive: Minnie, who is the widow of David Hilsenbeck and who lives in Greeley; and Conrad.
      The latter was but two years of age when brought to the new world and was a young man of twenty two at the time of the removal to this county. On starting in life on his own account he began cultivating the old homestead, which he afterward purchased. Today his landed possessions aggregate four hundred and twenty five acres in Honey Creek and Delaware townships. Mr. Wendel has greatly improved his farm through the erection of fine buildings as well as in the careful cultivation of the fields, which annually bring forth golden harvests as a reward for the care and labor he bestows upon his land. He is also engaged successfully in dairying and stock raising, making those lines a special feature of his business.
      In 1873 Mr. Wendel was united in marriage to Miss Christina Whitman, who was born in Germany, a daughter of Wolfgang and Margaret Whitman, who were likewise natives of that country and have now passed away. Mr. and Mrs. Wendel became the parents of six children: Fred W., on one of his father's farms; Elizabeth, the wife of R. D. Hooker; Minnie K., the wife of W. J. Hann; Henry E., who remains at home and is filling the office of township assessor; George E., at home; and Edward D., on one of his father's farms.
      The wife and mother passed away July 5, 1894, and was laid to rest in the Manchester cemetery. Her death was the occasion of deep regret not only to her immediate family but also to many friends.
      In his political views Mr. Wendel is an earnest republican and has long supported the party. He served for six years as assessor and has been township trustee, school director and school trustee, the cause of education finding in him a stalwart champion who believes that the public-school system is the bulwark of the nation. His religious faith is that of the Methodist Episcopal church, and his life has been guided by the teachings of that organization.