HENRY SIEFJEDIERS

Henry Siefjediers, one of the well known pioneer settlers of Worth county, engaged in general farming on section 32, Lincoln township, was born in Germany on the 6th of September, 1840, a son of Ranka and Elizabeth Siefjediers, both of whom passed away in their native country. Their son was reared and married there. He acquired a common school education and on reaching manhood took up the occupation of farming as a life work. As a companion and helpmate for life's journey he chose Miss Lena Benja. They were married in 1870 and in 1881 came to the United States, establishing their home upon a farm in Lincoln township, Worth county. After cultivating the place as a renter for four years he purchased the property, comprising one hundred and sixty acres of land, and has continued to reside thereon to the present time, converting his farm into rich and productive fields, from which he annually gathers good harvests. He is also a stockholder in the Farmers Savings Bank of Manly and a stockholder in the Farmers Cooperative Creamery Company of Manly.

To Mr. and Mrs. Siefjediers have been born three children: George, at home; Louise, the wife of G. H. Benjegerdes, of Danville township, Worth county; and Minnie, the wife of Fred Marken, of Lincoln township.

The family hold membership in the German Evangelical church and in political faith Mr. Siefjediers is a republican. He has never had occasion to regret his determination to come to the new world, for here he has found the business opportunities which he sought, and in their utilization has made steady progress. He has now passed the seventy-seventh milestone on life's journey but is still active in the conduct of his business affairs and his close application and enterprise have constituted the foundation of his success.

SOURCE: HISTORY OF MITCHELL AND WORTH COUNTIES, IOWA, 1918, VOL. II; Pages 642 & 644

Transcription by Gordon Felland, 11/20/2006