Henry Wiegand. The property of Iowa cannot be attributed entirely to the efforts of her native born sons, for much has been accomplished bye those of foreign birth who have sought a home in America. England has contributed of its thrift, France of its economy, Germany of its perseverance, and Norway and Sweden of their patient industry. Among the natives of Germany who have gained a competence in the United States and have here attained independence and prosperity may be mentioned the name of Henry Wiegand, a prominent farmer of Clayton County, residing on section 31, Mendon Township.

The parents of our subject, John and Catherine (Halwig) Wiegand, were born, reared and married in Hessen, Germany, where they died when advanced in years. In the same province, March 22, 1818, occurred the birth of the subject of this notice, who was the eldest member of the family. He had one brother and two sisters, namely: John, who married Lizzie Snyder and died in Germany at the age of fifty years; Christina, Mrs. William Prunt, who died in Germany, and Trelia, Mrs. John Peters, who died in her native land.

The boyhood years of our subject were uneventfully passed in the land of his birth, and there, March 22, 1847, he was united in marriage with Miss Catherine, daughter of Conrad and Martha Helwig, both of whom spent their entire lives in Germany. Mrs. Wiegand was one of five children, the others being named as follows: John, who died in boyhood; Elizabeth, who married Conrad Butts, and who both died in Germany; Gertrude, Mrs. Conrad Sharp, who is deceased; John who married Elizabeth Smith and came to America, where both he and his wife died.

Ten years after his marriage Mr. Wiegand came to America, landing in New York in 1857, and thence proceeded direct to Iowa, where for nine months he sojourned at McGregor, Clayton County. He then rented a small farm in Clayton Township, on which he lived for six months. His first purchase was that of twenty acres, located in the vicinity of his present property. Afterward he sold the place and bought one hundred and sixty acres, on which he has since engaged in general farm pursuits. He also bought six acres on Section 35, Giard Township, and carried on a country hotel in addition to his. farm work, but after conducting this enterprise a short time, he sold the place. He raises corn, oats and general farm products, and also devotes considerable attention to the stock business, having a number of cattle and hogs on the place.

The family of Mr. And Mrs. Wiegand consists of five children. John, who is unmarried, is a machinist by trade, and formerly was proprietor of the Helwig Machine Shop at Mcgregor, but after being thus engaged for two years, the shop burned down; he then went to Chicago, where for four years he was in the employ of C. H. McCormick & Co. Since 1890 he has resided in Montana, where he is an engineer in a malt house. Elizabeth, who was born March 16, 1850, lives with her parents; Conrad married Augusta Hellman, and operates a farm on section 35, Giard Township; Louis and Henry are at home.

The family attends the Methodist Church at Giard, in which Mr. And Mrs. Wiegand are active members. In politics he gives the influence of his ballot to the cause of the Republican Party. He is devoted to the interests of his adopted country, and Clayton County has no citizen more loyal than he.

~source: Portrait and Biographical Record of Dubuque, Jones and Clayton Counties; Chicago: Chapman Pub. Co., 1894; pg 517-518
~transcribed by Suzanne Terrell