Winfield S. Fleck (1848-1930)

FLECK

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 10/3/2022 at 10:28:19

Winfield S. Fleck
(November 22, 1848 – January 16, 1930)

Winfield S. Fleck, who is engaged in general farming on section 24, Elm Grove Township, is one of the worthy citizens that Pennsylvania has furnished to the Hawkeye state. His birth occurred in Blair County, Pennsylvania, November 22, 1848, and he represents one of the pioneer families of that state and of Maryland. The grandfather
was Abraham Fleck and his father William Fleck. The latter was born in Pennsylvania and there carried on farming for many years. As a companion and helpmate for the journey of life he chose Maria Smith, who was born in the Keystone state, where her father, Abraham Smith, located at an early date. He served as a soldier of the war of 1812, while the father of our subject was one of the brave heroes of the Rebellion and died during the progress of hostilities, passing away at San Antonio, Texas, in 1865. His wife survived him for many years, carefully reared her family and passed away on the 1st of December, 1901. Winfield S. Fleck spent the first seventeen years of his life in Pennsylvania and in the common schools acquired his education. At the time of the Civil war he strongly endorsed the attitude of the Union and in July, 1864, he enlisted for one year's service as a member of the first Battalion of the Pennsylvania Infantry. He was only about seventeen years of age when with his regiment he was sent into Virginia and did guard and picket duty, remaining in the Old Dominion until the expiration of his term of service, when he was honorably discharged in July, 1865, in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The same year Mr. Fleck came to the Mississippi where he located first in Lee County, Illinois, where he was employed as a farm hand for about five years. In 1870 he moved to Iowa, taking up his abode in Cedar County, where he also engaged in farm work for a few years. He was married in Scott County, Iowa, September 20, 1874, to Rachel A. Andre, a native of Ohio, born in Columbiana County, and the daughter of John L. Andre, who was likewise born in the Buckeye state. Mrs. Fleck spent the first twelve years of her girlhood in Ohio and in 1865 accompanied her parents on their removal to Scott County. After the marriage of our subject and his wife, they resided with Mrs. Andre for five years on account of her health, she being an invalid for many years, and then removed to Cedar County, Iowa, where they spent two years. In 1882 they arrived in Calhoun County and Mr. Fleck located on one hundred and sixty acres of raw land. When he had erected a residence for his family he at once began the task of breaking his land and placing it under cultivation. He also had other improvements, including a good barn, cribs and granaries. Fruit trees yield their products in season and the fields now annually return to him rich harvests. Modern improvements make this one of the leading farm properties in Elm Grove Township and the owner is accounted one of the most progressive agriculturists. Mr. and Mrs. Fleck have one son, Charles W., who is married and resides in Lake City. He is now in the railroad service of the Northwestern Company. In politics Mr. Fleck is a stalwart Republican and cast his first vote for General Grant, since which time he has supported each presidential nominee of the party. He takes quite an active part in local politics and also attends the elections and conventions. For five years he has served as township trustee, was township clerk for six years and for some time has been a member of the school board. He has been president, clerk and treasurer of
his school district and has done everything in his power to promote the cause of education. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to the blue lodge in Lake City and also holds membership relations with the Grand Army Post there. His life is as an open book which all may read, for there has been nothing in his career that he wishes to cancel. In business he is honorable, in citizenship is loyal and in private life is true to all relations and duties devolving upon him. [Source - Biographical Record of Calhoun County, Iowa, by S.J. Clarke, 1902, p.400]