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Henry Wicke

On section 20, Fairfax township, stands one of the most modern and finest country homes to be found in Linn county, it being occupied by Henry J. Wicke and his family. It is surrounded by a tract of valuable and productive land, embracing three hundred and twenty acres, to the cultivation of which the owner gives his entire time and attention. Mr. Wicke was born on this farm, a portion of which formerly constituted the old family homestead, in a little dwelling, which still stands on the place and which was his home from the date of his birth until 1910, when he erected his present fine residence. The date of his birth was January 15, 1866, his parents being Henry and Katherine (Lucas) Wicke. The father was born in Hanover, Germany, in October, 1828. He emigrated to the new world in 1860 and took up his abode in Linn county, Iowa, on a tract of eighty acres of raw and unimproved land which he entered from the government. This was prior to the building of railroads through this section and many hardships had to be endured in establishing a home in this pioneer district. On his place the father built a small house with a porch, this being the first porch in this part of the country. In the little dwelling he and his family resided and he worked for many years in the further development and improvement of the place. As he prospered in his undertakings he added to his original holdings a tract of eighty acres, which he also improved, and still later he bought one hundred and sixty acres more, but this last tract he sold to a neighbor during the last years of his life. His death occurred June 23, 1876, when he was but forty-eight years of age. The mother, who was born on the 5th of April, 1834, in Soignies, Belgium, accompanied her parents, John and Mary (Baptist) Lucas, on their emigration to the new world in 1859, the family home being established in Iowa City, this state. She eventually gave her hand in marriage to Henry Wicke, after which they took up their abode on a farm in Linn county and here reared their family of four sons and two daughters, of whom Henry J. is the third son. His sisters are: Mrs. Joe Thoman, of Fairfax; and Mrs. Frank Spellerberg, residing near Dalhart, Texas. His brothers are: John P., of Bemidji, Minnesota; and Joseph A., who is agent for the Moline Auto Company and makes his home in Marengo, Iowa. He is an expert in his line of business and has made several successful races with the automobile. Another brother, Charles Wicke, makes his home in Fairfax, Iowa. Following the father's demise, the mother continued to reside on the farm until all her children had reached years of maturity and she now makes her home in Fairfax with her son Charles.

Source : History of Linn County Iowa from its Earliest Settlement to the Present Time: Volume II. Biographical