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The self-made man is held in high honor in this country where enterprise,
initiative and good judgment are the traits of character most valued, as the
exercise of these qualities is necessary to the attainment of success when the
individual must begin his business career without capital or influential
friends. Frederick Wendt, a prosperous farmer of Delhi
township, was practically penniless when he emigrated to this country
from Germany, but is now the owner of a valuable farm comprising two hundred and
eighty acres and situated on section 18, Delhi township, this county. He was
born October 3, 1856, in Germany, a son of Frederick Wendt, who was a farmer in
the fatherland and was an industrious and upright man. His wife passed away in
Germany but he came to the United States with the subject of this review in 1871
and located in Dubuque, Iowa, where he found employment as a laborer, and where
his demise occurred. To their union were born four children: Frederick, of this
review; Charles, a resident of Dubuque, Iowa; William, who died in 1912; and
Katie, who married August Beyer, and who passed away in 1910.
Frederick
Wendt came to the United States in 1871 with his father arid settled in Dubuque,
Iowa, but in 1887, following the latter's death, he removed to this county and
purchased a farm of one hundred and sixty acres located on section 18, Delhi
township, within a mile and a half of the town of Delhi. He immediately gave his
time and attention to its cultivation and improvement and the sale of the crops
raised brought him a considerable sum of money annually. He was thrifty and as
his capital increased invested in additional land until he is now the owner of
two hundred and eighty acres of productive land. He has improved his property by
erecting a commodious house and barn besides a number of
outbuildings, and everything about the place is kept in the best of
condition. He raises graded stock as well as grain and finds that branch of
agriculture a lucrative one.
Mr. Wendt married Miss Minnie Rolf, a daughter of
Charles Rolf, a native of Germany. To this union have been born six children:
Fred, who resides upon one hundred and sixty acres of land in Delhi
township; Freda, the wife of Louis Bacon, of this
county; Minnie, who married Frank Eimloff and lives
at Strawberry Point, Iowa; and Charles, Phenny and
William, all at home.
Mr.
Wendt is a republican and invariably supports the candidates and measures of
that party at the polls. He has manifested in his life the sterling
characteristics of the German race and has proven a valued citizen of the
county, where he is well known and much respected. |
