HENRY V. LECHTENBERG
Henry V. Lechtenberg is a native son of this county and his entire life has been spent within its confines. He is today the owner of a fine farm of three hundred and sixty acres situated on section 12, Bremen township, and is considered one of the most prosperous and up-to-date agriculturists of his locality. He was born in that township, a son of Joseph and Caroline (Honkomp) Lechtenberg, both natives of Germany. The father was a carpenter by trade and in 1846 emigrated to this country, settling in Dubuque county, Iowa. The mother came with her parents to Delaware county when a girl of sixteen and here grew to womanhood. She married a Mr. Duthmann and to them was born a daughter, Mary, who is now the wife of Frank Recker, of Dyersville, Iowa. Mr. Duthmann passed away in 1847 and in 1849 his widow married Joseph Lechtenberg, who then removed to this county, where he lived until called to his final rest. To Mr. and Mrs. Lechtenberg were born eleven children, namely: William H., whose birth occurred April 8, 1850; Francisca, who was born November 6, 1851, and is now the wife of John Hagemann, of Dubuque county; Frank J., who was born September 28, 1853, and is now living at Templeton, Carroll county, Iowa; Charles B., who was born March 17, 1855, and passed away in 1911; Matilda, whose birth occurred March 16, 1857, and who married Henry Lieb, a resident of the state of Washington; Frederick, born July 14, 1858, now a resident of Granville, Iowa; Annie Louise, born March 30, 1860, who married Frederick Lieb, of Alton, Sioux county, this state; Anton, who was born March 25, 1862, and died April 29, 1865; Mary A., who was born June 25, 1864, and died May 2, 1865; Martin J., who was born April 5, 1866, and died June 29, 1885; and Henry V., whose natal day was September 27, 1870. The mother was called to her reward on the 9th of February, 1896, and the father died September 28, 1900.

Henry V. Lechtenberg attended the common schools in the acquirement of his education and when not in school learned by experience practical agriculture as he assisted his father in the work of the home farm. He has devoted his life to farming and has won a large measure of success as he is now the owner of three hundred and sixty acres of fertile land, which is situated on section 12, Bremen township. Forty acres of this tract has been in the family for many years as it was taken up from the government by his maternal grandfather, Henry Honkomp. He specializes in the raising of graded stock and as his animals are always in prime condition they bring a high price upon the market and he derives a good income from this branch of his business. He has improved his farm since it came into his possession by erecting a barn and several outbuildings and by remodeling the house, which is one of the comfortable residences of the locality.

Mr. Lechtenberg was united in marriage on the 7th of October, 1902, to Miss Catherine Sandmann, a daughter of Reynold and Josephine Sandmann, both natives of Germany. Her father emigrated to this country about forty years ago and her mother about thirty-four years ago. Both are deceased, the father dying in 1893 and the mother in March, 1914. Mr. and Mrs. Lechtenberg are the parents of seven children, namely: Marcella, born September 18, 1903; Edna M., April 25, 1905; Joseph, October 14, 1906; Leona, May 28, 1908; Irene, November 29, 1910; Dorothy, January 3, 1913; and Lawrence Cletus, September 28, 1914.

Mr. Lechtenberg is a democrat in his political belief and is now ably serving as township trustee. His religious belief is that of the Catholic church and he belongs to the Foresters and the Roman Catholic Mutual Protective Association and is well known in the ranks of those organizations. The greater part of his time and energy is given to the cultivation and improvement of his farm but he also finds time to cooperate in a number of movements for the betterment of his community.

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