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 ENRY MOHLENHOFF owns and occupies
a fine homestead in Humbolt Township, on
section 22, of which he took possession in
the spring of 1871. He has eighty acres of
good land, thoroughly drained with tile, and improved with substantial fences and good buildings.
He is regarded as a skillful and enterprising farmer,
and a man taking a genuine interest in the welfare
of the people around him. He has served as
School Director for fifteen years, and Overseer of
Highways eight years. Politically he affiliates with
the Democratic party. The subject of our sketch was born May 6, 1841, in the Kingdom of Hanover, which is now a Province of Germany, and was the fourth child of his parents, John G. and Anna Adaline (Linndermann) Mohlenhoff, also natives of the Fatherland, where they were married and reared a family. In the fall of 1871 they embarked on a sailing-vessel from Bremen, and after a tedious ocean voyage landed in New York City. Thence shortly afterward they proceeded westward, and taking up their abode in this county, purchased forty acres of improved land on section 15, Humbolt Township, where they spent the remainder of their lives. The father only survived about six years, his death taking place in June, 1876. The mother died a few years later. Both were active members of the Lutheran Church, and are remembered by their children as people of the highest moral worth and entitled to their entire respect and affection. The household circle included William, Mary E.; Henry, of our sketch; Anna and Elizabeth; the eldest child died in infancy. The paternal grandfather of our subject, John Mohlenhoff, was also a native of Hanover, where he married and spent his entire life. His five children were named respectively: Henry; John G., the father of our subject; Elizabeth, Diet- rich and Catherine; all are now deceased. John G. was the only member of the family who emigrated to America. Our subject, in accordance with the laws of his native country, received the advantages of the common school, pursuing his studies continuously until he was fourteen years of age. Much of this time was spent at the home of his uncle, Dietrich Mohlenhoff, and at the age of fifteen he commenced working on the farm for himself, being thus employed four years, and until embarking for the United States. He landed in New York City in the spring of 1869, and thence proceeded south to Nashville, Tenn., where he engaged with his brother William in market gardening, for two and one-half years. In the meantime he had accumulated a small sum of money, and in company with a partner, engaged in the grocery trade under the firm name of Peoples & Co. They continued together nearly two years, and then Mr. M. sold out his interest to his partner, to engage in the liquor trade. This, however, he also sold out shortly afterward, and then became clerk in a hotel at Nashville, where he continued until near the close of the late war. In 1865 he engaged as sutler’s clerk in the 8th Kansas Infantry, until the regiment was mustered out of service. The following spring he rented a tract of land in Humbolt Township, of which he has since remained a resident. He has been greatly prospered in his farming transactions, and is accounted a reliable man and responsible citizen. Mr. Mohlenhoff was united in marriage in this county, with Miss Mary B. Steelbarr, the wedding taking place at the home of the bride April 1, 1869. Mrs. M. was born May 2, 1852, in Adams County, Ohio, and is the daughter of Charles and Mary (Copes) Steelbarr, the former a native of Germany and the latter of Ohio. The four children of this marriage were Anna; Charles W., who died in infancy ; Frederick and Mary. Mr. M. and his eldest daughter, Anna, are members of the Lutheran Church. |
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