Henry D., the subject of this sketch, is the eldest of two sons and one daughter now living. He remained under the home roof until he attained his majority, when he went to Lyons and Davenport, and there learned the blacksmith's trade. In the spring of 1869 he went to Colorado, spending the summer at Breckenridge, near the present site of Leadville, and in the fall of the same year he started on a prospecting tour through New Mexico and Arizona. In the summer of 1871 he visited California, and from there returned to Iowa. During 1872 his father left him in charge of his farm while he visited Europe. July 4, 1873, our subject bought 160 acres of land on section 14, Iowa Township, Crawford County, located about two miles west of where Manning is now situated. The same season he again visited the Territories, spending eighteen months in Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming, working at his trade and at other employment. In 1875 he returned to Crawford County, Iowa. January 29, 1876, he was united in marriage to Miss Dora Georgius, who was born in the province of Holstein February 23, 1851, a daughter of Christian Georgius, of Iowa Township. They are the parents of the following children: Charles T., Rosa C., George E., Francis H., William C. and Charlotte C.
Mr. Radeleff built a good substantial residence on his farm in Crawford County, and planted a grove of twenty acres, and put his property under excellent improvement, and it is now probably the best improved quarter section of land in Crawford County. He still owns his Crawford County property, besides which he owns a farm of 160 acres on section 13 of the same township, which he purchased and improved in 1881. Wishing to live more retired, and to give his children better educational advantages, he, in the spring of 1885, bought lots 2 and 3, in block 3, of Gardner's addition to Manning, and there erected a valuable residence, which he has since occupied, and is now enjoying the fruits of a well-spent life. Mr. Radeleff began life without capital, and his present fine property has been the result of his persevering industry and good business management. He is a man of strict integrity, honorable in all his dealings, and is a much respected citizen. Mr. Radeleff believes in a life of good works, and rejects all creeds and dogmas. He believes he knows how to live, and to understand and practice the duty of man to his fellow man should be man's chief study. To borrow words, that "The proper study of mankind is man." In the full belief that to live right is to die right, Mr. Radeleff leaves to others the apprehensions and fears of the future.
Mr. Radeleff was closely associated with the early history of Manning. He was a charter member of the Schuetzen Verein, which was organized a year following the founding of the town. The next year the organization built Manning's first opera house and held the first children's day celebration.
Mr. Radeleff first lived on a farm west of Manning, then purchasing the land now owned by Leo Fuss. Here he built and conducted a nursery for several years. He was also Manning's first cutting the ice from a pond which he dug the supplied with water by means of a windmill.
Mr. Radeleff was always an enthusiastic booster for Manning.
In 1886, he was appointed to the city council to fill a vacancy caused by the resignation of Christian Grube. He was re-elected consecutively to the council until 1892.
Several children and grandchildren survive. Mr. Radeleff had made his home in California for several years.