Charles H. Barthell
Charles H. Barthell
Charles H. Barthell is known as one of the most extensive and
successful breeders of pure-blooded Aberdeen Angus cattle in
Allamakee county, where he is prominently connected with
agricultural interests as the owner of a fine farm of two hundred
acres and another tract of sixty acres on section 21, Union
Prairie township. He is in addition a member of the firm of
Barthell Brothers of Waukon, controlling an important real-estate
business in that city and by his integrity, his upright and
honorable methods and the standards by which he has directed his
activities he has made his labors a source of prosperity to
himself and of profit to the community at large.
Mr. Barthell was born in Winneshiek county, December 29, 1866,
and as a child came to Allamakee county where he was reared,
acquiring his education in the public schools and at a select
school in Waukon. When he was fifteen years of age he made his
home with his brother Jonathan, with whom he remained until his
marriage. Upon the death of his father he inherited two hundred
acres of land upon which he now resides and after he was married
he moved to this property, which he has made one of the finest
farms in this section of the state. Upon it he made substantial
improvements, erecting a commodious frame house, a basement barn
and the necessary outbuildings and carrying on its operation
along the most modern and practical lines. After eight years,
however, he rented out the farm and moved into Waukon where he
joined his brother in the conduct of a hardware business, later
selling his interest in order to deal in farm implements, wagon,
buggies and gasoline engines. He built up a large and profitable
business along this line, managing it successfully for five years
and purchasing in the meantime a fine residence and business
house in Waukon. In 1907, however, he disposed of his interests
in Waukon and moved back upon the farm whereon he has since made
his home. He brought with him a few pure blood Aberdeen Angus
cattle and established himself as a breeder and shipper, giving
the greater part of his attention to the development of his herd.
This now numbers one hundred and five heard, all pure-blooded or
high-grade animals and they command a high price and a ready sale
in the market. In addition to stock-raising Mr. Barthell carries
on general farming and dairying and he has made all branches of
his business important and profitable. He was one of the
promoters of the Waukon cooperative Creamery Association, of
which he has served as director and of which he is now a large
stockholder, and he is besides a partner with his brother M. J.
Barthell, in the real-estate business. Under the firm name of
Barthell Brothers they control extensive holdings in Winneshiek
and Allamakee counties and valuable business and residence
property in Waukon. Mr. Barthell’s interests are always
carefully and conservatively conducted and his success in the
management of his enterprises proves him a resourceful,
farsighted and discriminating business man who thoroughly
understands modern business condition and possesses the
aggressiveness, the energy and the personality necessary to cope
with them.
In Union Prairie township on the 14th of April, 1891, Mr.
Barthell married Miss Mary Engrav, a native of that section and a
daughter of Haulver Engrav who was born and grew to mature years
in Norway. He afterwards came to the United States, settling in
Allamakee county where he is numbered among the earliest
residents. Mr. and Mrs. Barthell have five children: Martha J., a
graduate of Waukon high school and now engaged in teaching in
Allamakee county; Irene, also a graduate of the Waukon high
school; Grant O.; Esther; and Mary Charlotta. The family attend
the Waukon Presbyterian church, of which the parents are members
and liberal supporters.
Mr. Barthell does not adhere to any particular political party,
preferring to vote according to his person convictions without
regard to party lines. Although not an office seeker he has at
different times been honored by election to office having served
seven consecutive terms as township assessor, and one term as a
member of the school board. Fraternally he is connected with the
Modern Woodmen of America and the Masonic order, holding
membership in the lodge, chapter and commandery, while his wife
and daughter, Martha, belong to the Order of the Eastern Star.
Mr. Barthell is essentially a man of affairs, his broad and
varied interests touching many important phases of business and
political progress and his individual prosperity forming an
element in community growth and advancement.
-source: Past & Present of Allamakee County; by
Ellery M. Hancock; S. J. Clarke Pub. Co.; 1913
-transcribed by Diana Diedrich
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