HENRY E. LANG.

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         Henry E. Lang is engaged in the cultivation of two hundred and forty acres on section 15, constituting an attractive homestead of Grand View township. He was born in Muscatine county, Iowa, on the 12th of April, 1866, and is a son of Nicholas and Margaret (Lieberknecht) Lang, the father a native of Germany and the mother of Pennsylvania. Mr. Lang’s parents emigrated to the United States settling in Muscatine county about 1836, and the Lieberknecht family came from the Keystone state to Louisa county about the same time. Subsequent to their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Lang located on a farm in Muscatine county where, at the venerable age of seventy-four years, he continues to reside, but she passed away in 1908, her demise occurring in the month of May. Of their union there were born eight children: Benjamin, who is living on the old homestead; Henry E.; George, who is residing in Louisa county; William, who is cashier of the Wilton Savings Bank at Wilton Junction; Louis, who is residing on the old homestead; Albert, who passed away at the age of twenty- . . .

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. . . one years; Nellie, who married Dr. Miller, of Wilton Junction; and Bertha, the wife of Rolly Herr, living in the vicinity of Wilton Junction.

         The early years of Henry E. Lang were very similar in every way to those of other lads of the period who were born and reared in the country. His preliminary education was acquired in the common schools, following which he pursued a business course in a commercial college. He remained at home until after he had attained his majority, and at the age of thirty he began for himself. Leasing some land in Grand View township, Louisa county, he cultivated it for fifteen years. This brought him a very good return and at the expiration of that period he had sufficient capital to become a property owner, so he purchased his present place. A large portion of the profit netted by his abundant harvests has been turned back into the property in the way of improvements. An ambitious man, he takes great pride in keeping up the appearance of his fields and buildings, which suggest the thrift and prosperity that always accompany capable supervision.

         Mr. Lang established a home by his marriage, on the 5th of February, 1896, to Miss Margaret A. Gast, whose birth occurred in Grand View township, Louisa county, on the 22d of August, 1873. Mrs. Lang is a daughter of Herman and Sarah (Stineman) Gast, the father a native of Germany and the mother of Ohio. They were married in Grand View township and immediately began their domestic life on a farm which they purchased in that township. In 1878 Mr. Gast withdrew from agricultural pursuits and removed to Grand View where for some years he operated a mill, but gave this up in order to engage in carpenter work and contracting, with which he continues to be identified at the age of sixty-six years. Mrs. Gast passed away on the 15th of April, 1906. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Gast four children were born, in the following order: Farrie, who is residing in Louisa county; Margaret A., now Mrs. Lang; Rush, who is living in Grand View; and Ora, who is keeping house for her father at Grand View. Mrs. Lang was given good educational advantages and is a college graduate.

         Mr. and Mrs. Lang hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, and his political support is given to the republican candidates. Although he never prominently participated in political affairs he has served for eight years on the school board and for four as a trustee. Persistence and determination of effort in his case have brought their usual reward and he is now rated as one of the prosperous citizens of Grand View township.