| An early settler of Des Moines county, and one who stands high in the list of her successful men, is Henry Sandberg, now residing on his large farm of two hundred and thirty-five acres, located in Sections 14 and 15, Augusta township. R. Sandberg is a native of Germany, in which country he was born on Aug. 22, 1844. His parents were Edwin and Mary Sandberg, and he was one of a family of seven children. His mother died when he was quite young, and in 1868 he came with his father to America. Landing at the port of New York, they came immediately to the West, and located in Des Moines county, Iowa, but here they were overtaken by misfortune, for about four weeks after their arrival the father died, he being then in the sixty-fifth year of his age. He was a farmer, having followed that occupation during his entire life in his native land, and was a man of devout character, being a member of the Lutheran church. It was in Union township that his death occurred, and he is buried in that township.
Mr. Sandberg, upon the death of his father, began working by the month on a farm in Union township, and this he continued for approximately four years. At the end of that time he removed to Augusta township, and purchased eighty acres of land, comprising a portion of his present holdings. The land was improved, but he has made many additional improvements from time to time, and has increased the size of the farm by further purchases until he now owns two hundred and thirty-five acres, the larger part of which is under cultivation. On his removal here he took up his residence in the log house which then stood on the farm, but he has recently erected a large two-story frame dwelling and a number of other buildings, thus making his one of the model farms of this part of the county.
In 1872 Mr. Sandberg married Miss Minnie Blume, who was born in Burlington, Iowa, a daughter of William and Mary (Schultz) Blume. Mr. Blume was among the pioneer settlers of Augusta township making his home on the farm on which our subject now resides, and died at his home in this township when about sixty years of age. Mrs. Blume died in May, 1905, at the age of eighty-one years. Mrs. Sandberg, who was reared and educated in the city of Burlington, is now deceased, her death having occurred at the farm home in 1898 in the forty-first years of her age. In all her relations with those near and dear to her she was kind, loving, and devoted, and as a member of the Lutheran church she led the beautiful life of a true Christian. She was the mother of seven children, as follows: Lydia, now deceased, was the wife of Peter Dietz; Mary, died at the age of one and one-half years; Eda, at home; Herman, resides at the parental home; Carl and Clara, twins, died when about eighteen months old; and Albert, the youngest, still at his father's home. Thus out of a family of seven children of Mr. and Mrs. Sandberg, but three survive. All the children were born in Des Moines county.
Mr. Sandberg has long been one of the best-known workers in the ranks of the local Democratic party, and as a man of diamond character and rigid integrity and honor, holds the confidence of his neighbors and fellow-citizens to an unusual degree. In token of their regard, and as a proof of their trust in his probity and ability, they have at various times elected him to a number of the public offices of Augusta township, and for several terms just past he has occupied the office of trustee for the township, and still holds that honorable position. Faithful to all duties, he has ever generously supported the cause of public morality and religion, and is a prominent member and worker in the Lutheran church, in which he has often held the various official positions. It is generally recognized by those who know his life history that his character is one of strength and decided qualities. Success he has won by his own efforts and in spite of many difficulties, and the main factors in his achievement are firmness and resolution, coupled with strict integrity in every relation of life. A successful farmer, a good neighbor, and an ideal citizen, he has made many friends, and gained for himself a standing before the world which no man may impeach. |