Matthias Leinen is one of the leading German citizens of Cass Township. He has been identified with the interests of Shelby County since 1876, and has done his share toward its development. He was born in Germany, November 3, 1849, and is a son of Matthias Leinen, a resident of Cass Township. Matthias, Jr., was a child of six years when his parents emigrated to America, and settled in Keokuk County, Iowa. There he grew to manhood, and received a fair education in the public schools. November 25, 1874, he was married to Miss Anna Hammes, a native of Germany, who came to America and settled in Iowa at the age of eighteen years. She is a daughter of Michael Hammes, who died in Keokuk County, Iowa. Three of her brothers live in Cass Township - John, Frank and Mike Hammes. As before stated, our subject came to Cass Township in 1876, and settled on eighty acres of land. He has been prosperous and now owns 200 acres of well-improved land; 120 acres lie in section 23, and eighty acres in section 22. He has a fine dwelling house, a good barn, a grove and an orchard, and is well equipped for carrying on farming. His farm is situated two miles east of Portsmouth, and is one of the best in the neighborhood. Mr. and Mrs. Leinen are the parents of six children - Mary, Anna, Michael, Maggie, Peter and Susan. The family are members of the Roman Catholic church, and are among the worthy citizens of the township. Politically Mr. Leinen affiliates with the Democratic party.