Charles B. Bachtell
Although a native of
Pennsylvania, Charles B. Bachtell has practically spent his
entire life in Iowa, where for many years he was prominently
connected with agricultural pursuits, actively operating a large
and profitable farm of two hundred and forty acres. In 1909,
however, he removed to Postville, where he now resides in a
handsome residence set in a plat of five acres, still supervising
the operation of a two hundred and twenty-five acre farm, which
he cultivates by the means of hired help. Mr. Bachtell also has
other valuable property in Postville. He was born April 23, 1849,
a native of Chester county, Pennsylvania, and a son of David and
Susanna (Davis) Bachtell, both natives of the same county of the
Keystone state. The father was born December 18, 1818, and the
mother, May 6, 1819. In early life the father followed the trade
of butcher, but gave up that line in favor of farming when he
came to Iowa in 1853. He settled at National, Clayton county,
later buying land and, in the course of years, becoming one of
the leading agriculturists of his section. He continued to reside
there, near Elkader, and passed away on February 17, 1891, his
wife’s demise occurring within one month, on March 13. In
their family were ten children, of whom Charles B. of this review
is the fifth in order of birth.
Charles B. Bachtell was brought by his parents to Iowa when but
four years of age and, in the acquirement of his education,
attended school at Elkader, making use of such opportunities as
were afforded pupils at that pioneer period. He subsequently
attended district school near there in Clayton county. At the
early age of sixteen Mr. Bachtell tried his hand at farming and,
hiring out, worked for others until thirty years of age,
carefully saving his earnings during that time with a view toward
independence. He then married and bought a tract of one hundred
and twenty acres, upon which he resided for thirty-one years,
profitably engaged in general farming and stock raising. As his
means permitted, he had added to this farm until he owned two
hundred and forty acres. In September, 1909, he removed from
there to Postville, buying a commodious residence set in a
beautiful five-acre tract. However, he still operates a farm of
two hundred and twenty-five acres with hired help. Mr. Bachtell
is a stockholder in the Canning Factory and also in the
Cooperative Creamery of Postville. Moreover, he is interested in
the Citizens Bank of this city.
The marriage of Mr. Bachtell and Miss Carrie Carrithers occurred
on February 11, 1879. Mrs. Bachtell is a native of Post township,
where she was born August 3, 1859, a daughter of William H. and
Elizabeth (Smith) Carrithers. The father was born in Ohio county,
West Virginia, on December 29, 1829, and the mother in Indiana,
at or near Perryville, on May 23, 1833. Their marriage occurred
in 1851, in Allamakee county, whence he had come in that year on
horseback, the mother arriving in 1849. The father always
followed agricultural pursuits and here took up government land,
which he cleared, improved and developed, spending the balance of
his life, with the exception of two years in the early part of
his career, in this county. During those two years he worked in a
mill in Clayton county. He was prominently and favorably known in
his locality and for some years served as county supervisor. His
marriage was performed by Judge Topliff, who was the first judge
of Allamakee county. Both he and his wife resided in the home
which he first prepared for sixteen years, when he built the
residence as it now stands and which is known as the Carrithers
homestead. He made a specialty of stock-raising in connection
with general farming. Mr. and Mrs. Carrithers had three children,
of whom Mrs. Bachtell is the youngest. She grew up on the home
farm amid the primitive conditions of pioneer life, under the
able guidance of her worthy parents and received her educational
advantages in the district school of Post township. Mr. and Mrs.
Bachtell became the parents of three children: Elmer C., who was
born October 11, 1880, and died at the age of eleven months; one
child, born in 1882, who died in infancy; and Ralph William, born
March 18, 1889, who resides at home.
In his political affiliations Mr. Bachtell is a republican and,
at a period about twenty years ago, served efficiently as
township trustee of Post township for three terms, doing valuable
work in promoting public interests at that early period. A man of
progressive tendencies and sound principles, he has based his
success upon determined endeavor and honesty, and the financial
independence which has come to him is well merited.
Public-spirited and progressive, he has ever been considerate of
the general welfare and by his work has done much toward
promoting agricultural development. He enjoys the confidence and
good-will of all who know him and there are many in the Postville
district who are proud to call him friend.
-source: Past
& Present of Allamakee County; by Ellery M. Hancock; S.
J. Clarke Pub. Co.; 1913
-transcribed by Linda Earnheart
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