HENRY C. KORTE, general farmer of section 4, township 17, range 11, was born in Kurhessen, Germany, January 2, 1840. He grew up at home, and in 1855 came to this country with his parents and three children. They set sail from Bremen, Hanover, on a sailing vessel, landing after an eight weeks' voyage on the vessel Oldenburg in Baltimore, and from there by railroad to Springfield, Illinois, and from there by wagon to Beardstown, Cass county. The father, Conrad, started a blacksmith shop, that being the trade he learned in Germany and carried it on for twenty years, dying at the age of seventy-six. He was a good worthy citizen and a member of the Lutheran Church. He was a Democrat in politics. His wife survived him about ten years and died at the age of seventy-two. She was also a Lutheran. Her maiden name was Christina Meyer. Henry, a sister, Mrs. Sophia Krohe, and a half sister, Mrs. Catherine Fischer, are the surviving members of the family.

Mr. Henry Korte began here as a poor man and worked as a farm laborer, beginning for himself in 1863, having been in the county since 1856. He purchased his first land in 1889. He has a fine farm in the section where he lives.

He was married in this county to Wilhelmina Krohe, born, reared and educated in Cass county, near the farm where she now lives. She is the daughter of August and Christine (Jokisch) Krohe, natives of Germany who had come to America when young and single, and were married in Cass county, where they made their home, the mother dying in 1889, aged over seventy. Mr. Krohe is still living in this county and is eighty years old. He and his family were always Lutherans and Mr. Krohe continues in the faith of his youth.

Mrs. Korte is one of seven children, being the third, and has been a good and faithful wife and mother. She has borne her husband four children: Albert H., married Mary Hessler of this county, and they live on Mr. Henry Korte's farm; Arthur G., single and a farmer on his own account, living at home; Edward, at home assisting his father; and Amelia, at home.

Mr. and Mrs. Korte, with their family, are Lutherans, and Mr. Korte and his sons are all Democrats. They are worthy good people.