Henry Vullgraff, who is a practical and progressive agriculturist and one of the popular citizens of Read Township, Clayton county, resides on section 9, and is a native of Germany. He was born in Mecklenburg June 20, 1825, and is the son of William and Zema Vullgraff. They were the parents of six children: Henry, our subject; Fritz, who came to this county with his brother Henry and lived in Farmersburg Township, this county, dying about 1870; Sophia, Rickoff, Mary and Catherine. The last four named still make their home in Germany. The parents of our subject never left the Fatherland, but spent their entire lives on a farm in that country; both passed away in the same year, 1874.

In 1852 our subject emigrated to this country, landing in New Orleans, and as he knew a few people in Clayton County, he decided to come here. He bought one hundred and twenty acres of wild land and immediately set about clearing and cultivating the same. In a short time he purchased eighty acres more and now has a fine farm of two hundred acres all well stocked and improved.

In the year 1859 Mr. Vullgraff was married to Miss Dorris Henning. She was a native of Germany and came to America alone in 1855, her parents having died in their native land some time before. Mrs. Vullgraff was one of four children. Two of her brothers came to this country. Henry is living on a farm in Nebraska, and John is in Garnavillo Township, this county. George, her youngest brother, is still in Germany.

Our subject and his wife are the parents of five children, three boys and two girls. Henry married Miss Brooks and is living on a farm in Farmersburg Township. They have one child living and two dead. William married Mary Drends and they make their home in Farmersburg, this county. Charley, who is not married, lives at home and assists his father on the farm. Lena, the wife of F.W. Vogt, lives on section 16, Read Township. Louisa is now Mrs. Fritz Teues, also of Read Township.

Mr. Vullgraff has held many offices of honor and trust. He filled the office of Supervisor for one year and served as School Director for the same length of time. Mr. and Mrs. Vullgraff have long been members of the Lutheran church at Clayton Centre. He has always voted the Democratic ticket, and is widely known as a liberal spirited man, generous and ever ready to do his full share in all matters of general welfare.

~source: Portrait and Biographical Record of Dubuque, Jones and Clayton Counties; Chicago: Chapman Pub. Co., 1894; pg 539-540
~transcribed by Sharyl Ferrall