Otho S Burkhart

BURKHART

Posted By: County Coordinator (email)
Date: 5/27/2010 at 14:15:56

Otho S Burkhart, local manage for the Standard Oil Company at Woodward and well qualified for his preset position, was born in Peoples township, Boone county, July 13, 1878. He is a son of David L and Sarah (McDonald) Burkhart. The former a native of Pennsylvania, was born in Butler county in 1833, but came to Iowa in early life, casing in his lot with the pioneer settlers of Boone county at a time when the work of progress and development seemed scarcely begun here. On first reaching this state he made his way to Iowa city, then a small town, while Fort Des Moines had not yet been founded. After a short time at Iowa City he removed to Fort Des Moines and worked at his trade of carpentering for a number of years. At length he exchanged his home in Des Moines for a tract of land in Peoples township, Boone county and took up his abode thereon, making that place his home until he was called to his final rest. Following the outbreak of the Civil war he enlisted in Company A, Twenty-third Iowa Volunteer Infantry, in 1862. He was enrolled at Zena and was honorably discharged in 1863 on account of physical disability. IN the meantime he was with Grant at the siege of Vicksburg and was in charge at Big Black river, I which he received special mention. For bravery on that occasion he was advanced to the captaincy of his company. In the charge his company captured many swords and flags and a sword and flag which he took on that occasion are still in the possession of his family in Peoples township. He made an excellent military record, and it was with the deepest regret that he was forced to put aside his duties on account of the greatly impaired condition of his health.
David L Burkhart was united in marriage to Miss Sarah McDonald whose mother was a near relative of John Brown, the famous anti slavery leader who was killed at Harpers Ferry. Mrs Burkhart was born in Michigan n 1834 and died in Peoples township, Boone county, Iowa august 7, 1892. She became the mother of eleven children: Mrs Laura Hayer, residing at Lesmore, Minnesota, Mrs Sarah J Rittenhouse of Oregon City, Oregon, John P, Thomas deceased, Charles who makes his home in California, William who has passed away, Aaron E who was born March 24, 1870 ad is living in Peoples township, Alva A, George Washington who makes his home in the state of Washington, Albert living in Peoples township, and Otho S of this review. The parents of these children were married in Polk county, but established their home in Peoples township, Boone county and all of the children were born there.
Upon the death of his parents Otho S Burkhart was taken into the home of an aunt in Polk county, where he remained for a year, or until the aunt’s death. He then returned to Peoples township, where he continued to lie until taking up his abode I Woodward. In his youthful days and early manhood he followed farming and stock raising, being thus continuously engaged until 1907, when he removed to Woodward and secured a clerkship in a hardware store. He was thus employed for five peasant afterward spent one year at the carpenters trade and one year as a painter. In May 1914, he became manager of the Standard Oil Company at Woodward and has charge of its immediate territory. He is well qualified for the position and is doing god service for that corporation in this section.
In his political views Mr Burkhart is an earnest republican, well informed on the questions and issues of the day. He belongs to Peaceful Lodge, A F & A M of Woodward, and to Woodward Lodge No 460, I O O F. He is a member of the World’s Champion Odd Fellows’ Degree Staff of Woodward and was with them in their triumphant career.

1914 Boone County History Book