Fred Beutler
Fred Beutler owns and operates a fine farm of eighty acres in
Fairview townshi and is classed among the progressive farmers and
public-spirited citizens of his locality. He was born in Berne,
Switzerland, August 2, 1852, and is a son of John and Susanna
(Gemppelar) Beutler, the former a native of Buchholterberg and
the latter of Wimmis. The father engaged in farming in his native
country, working in the employ of others, and he and his wife
never came to America.
Fred Beutler acquired his education in the public schools of
Switzerland and at the age of seventeen years began earing his
own livelihood, working during two summers as a farm hand in the
employ of his uncle. He afterward obtained a position in an
embroidery factory and retained that until 1874, when he
purchased his father's farm, which he operated for some years,
also working on a telegraph line. In May, 1884, he crossed the
Atlantic to America and settled first in Monroe, Wisconsin, where
he spent seven years as a cheese-maker. From there he removed to
Dubuque, Iowa, and obtained a position in the employ of the
Illinois Central Railroad Company, retaining it two years and
purchasing in the meantime a house and lot in Waukon Junction.
When he sold this he purchased an eighty acre farm in FAirview
township, this county, and upon this property he still resides,
giving practically all of his attention to its improvement and
development with the result that it is today a valuable place
equipped with substantial buildings and labor-saving machinery.
Mr. Beutler engages in general farming and has also important
stock-raising interests. In addition to his own farm he also
operates a tract of land adjoining which belongs to his son.
Mr. Beutler has been twice married. He was married first in
October, 1874, to Miss Anna Egger, who was also born in Berne,
Switzerland, June 10, 1851, and to their union six children were
born: John F., who resides in Wyoming, where he is engaged in
farming; Anna, the wife of Charles Carney, a farmer residing at
Waukon Junction; Bertha, who married John Atall, who is engaged
in clam fishing and in work at the blacksmith's trade at Waukon
Junction; Alfred, who follows the trade of a breidge carpenter
and also engages in clam fishing on an island near Waukon
Junction; Rosa, who married Charles Albright, a farmer in
FAirview township; and Emma, the wife of Alexander Overlee, who
is employed in a mill in Waukon.
Mrs. Beutler passed away February 24, 1903, and on the 5th of
April three years later, Mr. Beutler was again married, his
second wife being Mrs. Emily Reed, widow of George Reed and a
daughter of George Gentz. She was born in McGregor, Iowa, July
26, 1865, and her first husband was a native of Galena, Illinois,
and a representative of a very prominent family. Mr. Reed's
father was a close friend of General Grant, having been his
neighbor and quartermaster under him during the Civil war. Having
met with financial reverses he left home and took up his
residence upon a farm near Cresco, Ioa, but not understanding
practical agriculture, met with difficulties and was obliged to
dispose of his holdings. Some time later, when Grant became
president of the United States, Mr. Reed's father wrote him a
letter explaining the situation and was appointed to a position
in the postoffice in Chicago, where he made his home until his
death. Mr. Reed's mother died at an early age and the father
afterward married again. Mr. Reed continued to make his home in
Chicago until he was about eighteen years of age. He wished to
enlist in the Union army but was prevented by his father's
objections and became a railroad worker, being employed as
newsboy on a train running from Chicago to North McGregor. He
later secured a position in the yards as switchman and rose from
that office to be yardmaster at McGregor, whence he was
transferred to Calmar and then to Sanborn. He afterward returned
to North McGregor, where he was killed while making a coupling on
March 12, 1896. Mr. and Mrs. Reed were the parents of two
children: Melitta, who married Alfred Beutler, a son of the
subject of this review by his first wife; and Crystal, who lives
at home and engages in teaching. Both are graduates of the
McGregor high school; Crystal a member of the class of 1909, and
Melitta, of the class of 1908. The former taught for three years
in the district schools of Clayton county and since that time has
been connected with the schools of Allamakee county.
Mr. and Mrs. Beutler are the parents of a son, George Frederick
Walter, born May 1, 1908.
Mr. Beutler attends the Presbyterian church and in general votes
the republican ticket although he casts an independent ballot
when he feels that the best interests of the community require
such action. For the vast majority of people the term good
citizenship does not mean the faithful performance of official
duty but rather industry and reliability in business with a
spirit more or less active in measures which are calculated to
uphold the social and political status of the community. Mr.
Beutler is generously endowed with all the qualifications which
the term good citizenship implies and he holds therefore the
respect and high esteem of his neighbors and friends.
-source: Past & Present of Allamakee County; by
Ellery M. Hancock; S. J. Clarke Pub. Co.; 1913
-transcribed by Sharyl Ferrall