HENRY PIEPER one of the pioneer settlers and a prominent merchant of Minden was born in the village of Leet, Holstein, Germany, August 26, 1848, the son of John N. Pieper, who was a farmer by occupation. He was the father of six children: Henry, Christina, Emma, Nicholas, Herman and Reimer.

Henry Pieper, our subject, came to America in 1867 landing in New York. He came directly to Davenport, Iowa, where he remained seven years engaged in farm work. In 1874 he bought 280 acres of wild land one and a half miles northwest of Minden, which, by hard work and industry he has converted into a fine, fertile farm. He remained here two years and then came to Minden, where he engaged in running the first livery stable in this city. In1885 he engaged in the hardware business in company with John P. Stuhr, and they carry a large stock of furniture and hardware, having a commodious building for the purpose. Personally Mr. Pieper owns the building in which Dr. Wyland's drug store is located, and also the building in which the Bank of Minden is situated. He still owns his original 280 acres, which is now one of the best farms in the township.

Mr. Pieper was Constable of Minden three years, and for two years was a member of the school board. In 1881 he married Abel Rolhfs, and they have two children: Sophie and Rudolph. Mr. Pieper deserves much praise for his manly and straightforward course in life, and is a credit to the sturdy German-American people who have done so much to develop this country.