Birth: Feb. 18, 1804, Germany
Death: Jul. 24, 1878

1883 History of Iowa, pg 298

Harmon [Herman] Lesch, a native of Germany, came in 1854 from Illinois and entered land on section 1 of township 97, range 16, where he remained until the time of his death in 1880. [1878]

He was one of the first settlers of Cedar township, locating on section 1, township 97, building a log cabin with a straw or thatched roof, in which humble cottage he lived until 1868 when he erected a fine brick house on the old site.

He was a native of Schleswig-Holstein, born Feb. 18, 1804. He attended school until sixteen years of age, after which he worked on a farm.

He was married in 1836 to Dora Weinrebe. They had four children: Sarah, John, August, and Henry.

In 1848 they emigrated to America, first settling in Cook Co. Ill., remaining until 1854 when they came to Iowa.

Mr. Lesch departed this life July 1878.

Sarah, now Mrs. Peter Behrns is a resident of Floyd Co. [Iowa]

Their eldest son John, born Feb. 11, 1843 remained at home until 1862 when he enlisted in the 16th United States Infantry and went south where he died in Columbus, Ky., Feb. 7, 1863.

The second son, August, is married and lives in Floyd County [Rudd].

Their youngest son Henry was born in Cedar Township, May 22, 1855. He married Nov. 7, 1878 Anna, daughter of August and Jeannette [Erbe] Lange, born in Dane Co. Wis. They have one child- Alfred Henry, who occupies the homestead with his mother.

Note: Age at death: 74 yrs. 5 mo. 13 days