H. H. Soppe, farmer, P. O. Neola, was born in the kingdom of Hanover, Germany, August 14, 1833. He is the son of Hermann and Catharine (Calker) Soppe, both natives of Hanover, Germany. His father was born in 1803; came to America in 1861, and was engaged in farming till his death, which occurred in May, 1869. The mother of our subject died in her native country in 1858. They have had six children.

Our subject attended school both in Germany and this country. He worked as a day laborer for five years, when he went to California, and worked in the mines of that State, Nevada and Central America for seven years. He came to Lee County, this State, in 1869, and was married, on November 23 of that year, to Miss Catharine Oststdick, born in Lee County in 1849. She is the daughter of Ferdinand and Catharine (Schneker) Oststdick, both natives of Germany. Her father was born in 1815, and came to America in 1846, and died in October, 1873. Her mother was born in 1819, and came to America with her husband.

After his marriage, our subject purchased forty acres of land, upon which he built a brick house, costing $700. He farmed her for five years, when he sold the place for $2000. He then bought eighty acres more.

He has four children living--Ferdinand, Katie, George and John. In religion our subject is a Catholic, and in politics a Democrat.