My Genealogy Hound

HENRY MOLLHAGEN, one of the prominent and prosperous German-American citizens of Berrien County, owns and occupies a farm on section 34 of St. Joseph Township. He was born in Prussia, Germany, on the 22d of April, 1826, and is the son of Christof and Apherezeana M. Mollhagen, natives of the Fatherland. The father emigrated to America in 1845, and, locating in New York, remained there for ten months, after which he removed to Wisconsin and made settlement in Wayne County. There for a number of years he followed the occupation of a farmer, and thence he proceeded still further Westward, settling in Kansas, where he remained until death terminated his career.

In the parental family there were five children, of whom three are now living Henry, Charles and Hannah, the latter being a resident of St. Joseph, Mich. Henry passed the years of his childhood and youth in the land of his birth, where he gained a practical education in the common schools. He was early trained to habits of industry and energy, and those traits, together with excellent business judgment and sound common-sense, have contributed to his success in life. He was a youth of about nineteen years when he accompanied his father to the United States and located with him in New York. Later he removed to Wayne County, Wis., where he resided until he was twenty-six years old.

From Wayne County Mr. Mollhagen proceeded to Milwaukee and St. Joseph, and engaged in fishing on the Lakes for about thirty years. In connection with his brother Charles he purchased and ran a tug, from which he received a good income. During his long life on the water he had many interesting and memorable experiences, and while he enjoyed the life, yet he did not regret exchanging it for the peaceful occupation of a farmer. When about twenty-six years of age he was united in marriage at Milwaukee, Wis., with Miss Sophia Stock, of that city. Six children were born of the union: Henry; Alfred and John, who own a tug on the lake and are doing a good business; Minnie, who resides in St. Joseph; Annie, who makes her home in Chicago; and Martha, who died in 1892.

While the farm owned by Mr. Mollhagen is quite small, consisting of only twelve acres, the property is valuable, owing to the adaptability of the soil to the cultivation of small fruits. Since locating here he has made many improvements on the place, the most important of which is the erection of the substantial and commodious residence now adorning the homestead. During his sojourn in Kansas he was in the militia for two and one-half months and had some experience of active service on the Kansas frontier. In his political affiliations he is a Republican, firm in his adherence to the party of his choice. In his religious connection he is a member of the German Baptist Church and contributes with generosity to the support of that denomination.