Breitsprecher, Henry

BREITSPRECHER, MEYER, BERNDT, ONEFELDT, ECKHARDT

Posted By: S. Ferrall - IAGenWeb volunteer
Date: 4/6/2025 at 14:19:43

Henry Breitsprecher, carrying on general farming upon a fine property of two hundred and nine and three-quarter acres near Ossian, was born in Germany, August 19, 1878, and is a son of Henry and Mary (Berndt) Breitsprecher, also natives of that country.

The parents came to America in 1882 and located in the same year in Monona, Clayton county, Iowa, where they resided about eight years, moving to Winneshiek county in 1889. They made their home in Military Township, where the father purchased land and there he engaged in agricultural pursuits until his death, which occurred on the 24th of July, 1892. His wife survives him and makes her home at Muscatine, Iowa.

To their union were born three children: Bertha, the wife of Louis Eckhardt, of Sheffield, Iowa; Charles, who has passed away; and Henry, of this review.

Henry Breitsprecher came to America with his parents when he was yet a child and in the public schools of Clayton and Winneshiek counties acquired his education, spending a great deal of his time in his youth aiding with the operation of the homestead.

He assumed the entire management of this property after his father's death and for a year and a half carried on the work of its improvement and development. He then entered the employ of his brother Charles, for whom he worked on section 7, Bloomfield Township, for five years. At the end of that time he purchased a farm of two hundred and nine and three-quarter acres near Ossian and upon this he has since resided.

By following the most progressive and practical methods in its cultivation and by giving almost all of his time and attention to its development he has made it a valuable and productive property, reflecting everywhere his careful supervision and intelligently directed labor. He has made extensive improvements upon the place and he here carries on general farming, intending, however, to specialize in the dairy business in the near future.

On the 24th of February, 1901, Mr. Breitsprecher was united in marriage to the widow of his brother Charles. His wife was in her maidenhood Miss Emma Meyer, a daughter of William and Charlotte (Onefeldt) Meyer, natives of Germany, who now reside in Castalia. Mr. and Mrs. Breitsprecher have five children, William, Raymond, Lyle, Marie and Evelyn.

Mrs. Breitsprecher has also three children by her former marriage, Rena, Edwin and Charles.

Mr. Breitsprecher is a devout member of the German Lutheran church and he guides his honorable and upright life by its principles. His political allegiance is given to the Democratic Party and he has rendered the township excellent service in various capacities, acting as township trustee for two years and as a member of the school board, which latter position he still holds.

He is a man of alert and enterprising spirit, possessing the resolute will that enables him to carry forward to completion whatever he undertakes, and at all times his methods are practical and progressive.

~History of Winneshiek County, Iowa Vol. II Chicago the S. J. Clark Publishing Company 1913, pages 570-571 (transcribed by S. Ferrall from the book digitalized by Google).