H. L. Willrodt Biography


	This biography is from "Memorial and biographical record; an illustrated
 	compendium of biography, containing a compendium of local biography,
	including biographical sketches of prominent old settlers and 
	representative citizens of South Dakota..." Published by G. A. Ogle & 
	Co., Chicago, 1899. Pages 435-436

	Scan, OCR and editing by Maurice Krueger,mkrueger@iw.net, 1998. 

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H. L. WILLRODT, one of the most energetic, industrious and enterprising 
agriculturists of Brule county, has since 1884 resided upon his present 
farm on the northeast quarter of section 21, Ola township, and since 
attaining to man's estate has been prominently identified not only with 
the agricultural interests of this locality, but also with its 
political affairs. 

He was born in Tama county, Iowa, in 1868, and is a son of Frederick L. 
and Christina M. Willrodt, both natives of Germany. The father, who 
followed the occupation of farming throughout the greater part of his 
life, emigrated to America in 1866, and took up his residence in Tama 
city, Iowa, where he conducted a restaurant for a time. In the fall of 
1884, he came to South Dakota and bought the relinquishment to the 
northeast quarter of section 21, Ola township, Brule county, and to its 
improvement and cultivation he devoted his energies until called from 
this life in 1892. He was highly respected by all who knew him and had 
many friends throughout his adopted county. 

Our subject was reared and educated in Tama City, Iowa, where he 
continued to make his home until the removal of the family to this 
state. They brought with them only a few household goods and 
agricultural implements, and one wagon, and here commenced life in true 
pioneer style in a house, 12 x 14 feet, to which a kitchen has since 
been added. On attaining his majority our subject started out in life 
for himself by renting his father's farm, and in his farming operations 
met with most excellent success until the fall of 1892, when a fire 
destroyed all his buildings with the exception of the house. Among the 
property burned were sixteen hundred bushels of wheat, the same amount 
of oats and twelve hundred of corn, the total loss being about four 
thousand dollars. The following year Mr. Willrodt only raised one 
hundred bushels of wheat, and in 1894 his crop was a failure. In the 
fall of the latter year he drilled a well upon his farm, putting down a 
six-inch pipe, from which the water poured forth to a height of 
eighteen inches and has never ceased to flow. In 1896 he drilled a well 
in Kimball, but this undertaking proved a failure financially. Eight 
years ago he had upon his place trees eight inches in diameter and some 
thirty feet high, mostly cottonwood, and now has upon his tree claim 
ten acres of ash and cottonwoods. He also has apple trees and a few 
plums and mulberries. 

In 1892 Mr. Willrodt was united in marriage with Miss Annie Pattinger, 
a native of Germany. Her father died during her infancy. She is the 
daughter of Mr. and Grace (Ritter) Pattinger, and when she was four 
years old she was brought to America by her mother. Our subject and his 
wife now have two children, Freddie and Harold. Since attaining his 
majority Mr. Willrodt has always supported the Democracy, and has 
filled some township office continuously. In 1891 he served as county 
judge, and his official duties have always been most capably and 
satisfactorily performed. Socially, he is a member of the Ancient Order 
of United Workmen.