BURKHARDT, Jacob F.

BURKHARDT, BAKER, FRESH, STANCIL, KURN, RICHARDS, WOODRUFF, SMITH

Posted By: Volunteer Transcribers
Date: 1/20/2003 at 12:01:11

JACOB F. BURKHARDT

Jacob F. Burkhardt, who since 1899 has made his home in Clinton, was born in Baden, Germany, April 16, 1853, a son of Jacob and Dora (Baker) Burkhardt. The former died in Germany, but the mother came to America and spent her last days in Oswego, Illinois. She was here married to T. Fresh, who died in 1863, leaving two children: George, a resident of Plattville, Illinois, and Eliza, wife of Mingo Stancil, who resides in Florida.

The subject of this review was brought to America in March, 1857, by his aunt, Barbara Baker, who is now living in Oswego, Illinois. His mother had come to this country the year previous. He was educated in the common schools of Oswego, and at the age of fourteen put aside his text books. He then went to Belle Plaine, Iowa with his Uncle, C. Kurn, who is now a resident of Luzerne, Iowa. The uncle purchased a farm and Mr. Burkhardt worked thereon for a year. In the fall of 1867 he began working in the round-house as engine wiper. He afterward went to Omaha and for a year was employed on s gravel train, returning thence to Belle Plaine, where he again worked in the round-house until the fall of 1870, when he went upon the road as fireman. He worked under William Boam as foreman, and afterward un W. A. Scott. Mr Burkhardt continued to serve as fireman for eight years, and was then promoted to engine dispatcher, while on the 5th of March, 1879, he was assigned to a position to engineer, running both east and west from Belle Plaine. He was in charge of the fast mail No. 15, for twenty-five months. In April, 1899, he came to Clinton and now runs between this place and Boone, having charge of train No. 5, the Colorado special to Boone, and returning on No. 2, the overland limited, two of the best trains on the road. Since being on the road he has never met with any accidents and has the entire confidence of the company. In fact, he is regarded as an expert engineer and his promotion is a recognized tribute to his skill and ability. He has worked under six general mechanics and seven general division foremen. He was at the front on the construction of the road from Tama to Webster City, and was the first to cross the river at Gifford.

On the 8th of August, 1873, at Belle Plaine, Mr. Burkhardt married Miss Sarah Richards, who was born in Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, in 1845, wand was living in Belle Plaine with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Richards, at the time the wedding was celebrated. They now have seven children: Sybill, wife of J. W. Woodruff, who is in the marble business at Marengo, Iowa, and has two children; Louis, who is engine dispatcher at Tama; William, who is employed in a grocery store at Belle Plaine; Almeda, wife of William H. Smith, of Clinton; Ruth and Ruby, twins, the latter and employee in the round-house; and Elmer, at school.

Mr. Burkhardt owes his success and advancement in life to his own efforts and his close application to duty. He is a member of Clinton Division, Mo. 125, Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, which he joined in 1880. He was formerly associated with Boone Division, No. 6, and with Belle Plaine Division, No. 526, of which division he was secretary and treasurer. In 18888 he joined the Odd Fellows society and is now a member of both subordinate lodge and encampment, belonging to Belle Plaine Lodge, No. 151, Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is likewise connected with the American Lodge, No. 42 of Clinton, and belongs to Clinton Lodge, No. 1, K. L. G. P. In manner he is genial and jovial, and wherever he goes he wins friends. 
Source: The 1901 Biographical Record of Clinton Co., Iowa, Illustrated published: Chicago : S. J. Clarke Pub. Co., 1901.