Andrew Leppert

Among the large landowners of Allamakee county is Andrew Leppert, who owns a valuable farm of seven hundred and forty acres on section 14, French Creek township. His handsome residence and substantial farm buildings are evidences of his prosperity and proof of his incessant labors and progressive methods which he follows. He was born upon this property on September 19, 1858, and is a son of Andrew Leppert, a native of Bavaria, Germany, whence he accompanied his parents to the new world when fourteen years of age. The family settled at first in Utica, New York, and there the father grew to manhood and married. In the early ‘50’s he came to Galena, Illinois, where he lived for two years, at the end of which period he settled on a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in French Creek township, among the pioneers, the farm being left to his wife by her brother. The land was but slightly improved and he cleared and developed it, transforming it into a highly productive agricultural enterprise. As his means increased he added thereto and at the time of his death, which occurred at the age of fifty-six, he owned seven hundred acres. He was one of the foremost agriculturists of his day, was a member of the German Methodist church and prominent in public affairs, having held every office in his township. He gave his allegiance to the republican party. In New York state
Andrew Leppert married Miss Johanna Henry, a native of Saxony, Germany, who passed away in French Creek township at the age of thirty-six years and four months. The father subsequently married again and his widow now resides at Church, Iowa. Of the children born to his first union three are living, those beside our subject being Mrs. Jacob Hirth and Mrs. Jacob Ebner. Andrew Leppert was reared under the parental roof on the home farm and early trained to agricultural pursuits under the able guidance of his father. In the acquirement of his education he attended the neighboring schools. When twenty-two years of age he and his brother Charles purchased the old homestead and for several years farmed it in partnership. At the death of his brother he acquired the widow’s interest and has since conducted its operations alone. He has made many improvements upon the property and his farm is considered today one of the model enterprises of its kind in the county. His land is largely under cultivation and planted in the most suitable grains and he also gives attenttion to stock-raising. His residence is comfortable and commodious and the whole appearance of the property bespeaks the prosperity of its owner. Mr. Leppert was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Ann Bulman, a native of Union City township, Allamakee county, and a daughter of G.W. Bulman, who resides in that township and is a member of one of the early families who settled in the county. Mr. and Mrs. Leppert have ten children, all of whom are living: James H., Ralph H., Emma A., Jesse A., Oscar S., George Dewey, Lydia J., Cora A., Willard A., and Gilbert Taft. Mr. and Mrs. Leppert are members of the Presbyterian church, taking a deep interest in the organization. His political faith is that of the republican party and he has served as school director of his support to worthy enterprises of a public character and is glad to bear his share of time and money in bringing about growth along material, intellectual or moral lines.

-source: Past & Present of Allamakee County; by Ellery M. Hancock; S. J. Clarke Pub. Co.; 1913; pg. 181/182.
-transcribed by Diana Diedrich, gg-niece.

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