The Benne Family

Henry Benne in Biographical review of Des Moines County, Iowa

The full biographical sketch as printed, transcribed from the public-domain book. Spelling and wording are the original author’s; a few scanning errors may remain.

HENRY BENNE.

Henry Benne, at one time actively en- gaged in agricultural pursuits in Des Moines county, and now living a retired life in Burlington,' was a soldier in the Civil War. and has demonstrated his loyalty to his country in times of peace by faithful and efficient service in local office. Though born across the water, he has a deep and sincere attachment for the stars and stripes, and is one of the valued German-.\merican citizens of r.urlington.

Mr. Benne, a son Herman and Christina (Baker) Benne, was lK>rn in West Phalcn. Germany, Jnly 15, 1830. He was educated in the public schools of the Fatherland and

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spent the period of liis minority in that country, but on the first of September, 1851, at the age of twenty-one, he came to Amer- ica, landing at New York City. The voyage across the Atlantic was made in a sailing vessel, and he was seven weeks upon the water. He then went to Lockport, N. Y., where he lived for four and a half years, giving his attention to farm labor during that period. He afterward spent three sea- son's at work on the Erie Canal, and in 1856 he started for Burlington, reaching his destination on the seventh of April.

Here Mr. Benne turned his attention to farming, which has been his principal oc- cupation throughout his business career. In July, 1856, he purchased eighty acres in Benton township, Des Moines county, and afterward by various purchases he became the owner of two hundred acres in Benton township, also, one-fourth section in Saline county, Nebr., where his son now resides, and eighty acres in Henry county, Iowa, where the daughter lives. Year after year he engaged in the tilling of the soil, placing his fields under a very high state of culti- vation and adding many substantial im- provements to his home farm. In 1894 he sold his farming interest in Des Moines county, and removed to the city of Burling- ton, where later he purchased the old rolling mill site of twenty-two acres, but after- ward sold that property to the county. In 1890 he had purchased his present home at the corner of Central Avenue and Linn Street, and since taking up his abode in Burlington he has here resided. He has lived practically retired since leaving the farm, his labor and jutlicious investment in former years bringing to him the prosperity that now enables him to enjoy a well-earned rest.

On the fourteenth of December, 1852, Mr. Benne was married in Lockport, N. Y., to Miss Marie Riepe, a daughter of Christian and Mary (Lake) Riepe, who was born in West Phalen, Germany, Jan. 26, 1831, and came alone to America in 1852. She has two brothers, Henry and Casper, who are now living in Burlington, the latter a justice of the peace. Mr. and Mrs. Benne have become the jiarents of nine children : Ed- ward, who was born March 5, 1854, and resides in Nauvoo, 111. ; Nancy, who died at the age of fourteen months ; Henry, who died at the age of twenty-one years ; Louise, who died at the age of two months ; Louisa, the-wife of William Flaar, who resides in Henry county, Iowa ; Lydia, the wife of Mitchell Beard, connected with the city fire department of Burlington ; Lillie, the wife of Joseph Morrette, of Washington, Iowa ; John, who is living near Milford, Nebr., upon the farm which he purchased of his father ; and Alma, who died at the age of one year and twenty days.

In October, 1864, Mr. Benne responded to the call of his adopted country for troops, enlisting as a member of Company G, Fourth Iowa Infantry, in Burlington, under Captain Shrei. He served with General Sherman's troops and was on the celebrated march to the sea, and also in the grand review in Washington, where tlie victorious army marched in parade through the capi- tal city and passed the reviewing stand on the White House grounds, where the presi- dent cheered the return of the " boys in blue." After serving until Aug. 5, 1865, Mr. Benne received an honorable discharge at Davenport, Iowa, was mustered out of service, and then returned home. He was once slightly wounded by a stray ball which struck him in the elbow.

Mr. Hennc lias always btcn a stanch Democrat in his political views. In 1886 he was elected county supervisor, and by re-election served for three consecutive terms, or nine years, retiring from the office in 181J5. He was superintendent f)f the building of the jail in Burlington. He also served as trustee of his townshii) for seven years, resigning that office when elected supervisor. He was a member of the German Lutheran church, and while living on the farm he served for six years as trustee of the church to wliich he belonged. His life has thus been of benefit In his fel- low-men in days of peace and days of war. He came to the United States with strong purpose but limited capital, and in his busi- ness affairs he achieved the success which is the goal of all earnest and legitimate endeavor.

Source: Biographical review of Des Moines County, Iowa. See the original pages at the Internet Archive.