Bratthaner, Christian

BRATTHANER, SCHELKA, PLOUGH, MYER, KOLTZA, BUCHOLTZ, MOORE, MESENBRINK, PETERSEN, BRODERSON, FEHMERLING

Posted By: Volunteer Transcribers
Date: 6/8/2003 at 21:05:24

Source: "The 1901 Biographical Record of Clinton Co., Iowa, Illustrated" published: Chicago : S. J. Clarke Pub. Co., 1901.

CHRISTIAN BRATTHANER

For many years the subject of this sketch was prominently identified with the agricultural interests of Deep Creek township, his home being on section 7, and he was a man highly respected and esteemed by all who knew him. He was born in Germany, in 1819, and came to this country about 1850. Deciding to make his home in Clinton county, Iowa, he purchased three hundred and twenty acres of unimproved land on section 7, Deep Creek township, which he converted into a fine farm, making his home thereon until called to his final rest on the 10th of September, 1873.

Mr. Bratthaner was married in June, 1856, to Miss Minnie Plough, who is also a native of Germany, born November 16, 1839, and is a daughter of Ernest and Henrietta (Schelka) Plough. Her mother, who was born December 23, 1814, now makes her home with her in Deep Creek township. She is the oldest in a family of five children, the others being Dora, wife of Henry Myer, a resident of Preston, Jackson county, Iowa; Ernest, who married Louise Koltza, and is engaged in farming in Crawford county, Iowa; Henrietta, wife of Fritz Bucholtz, of Buena Vista county, Iowa; and Caroline, wife of Hans Moore, of Jackson county.

Nine children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Bratthaner, namely: (1) August, a machinist by trade, wedded Mary Mesenbrink, now deceased, and he died in Crawford county, Iowa, July 22, 1900, at the age of forty-three years, leaving five children; Menna, who lives with Mrs. Bratthaner; Etta, a resident of Crawford county; Lee, who lives with Mrs. Bratthaner; Louis, a resident of Preston, Jackson county; and Frank, of Crawford county. (2) Henry, a farmer of Monona county, Iowa, married Ida Petersen, and they have nine children; Anna, Hubert, Ella, Henry, William, Lilly, Honnes, Diedrick and Louis. (3) Minnie is the wife of Martin Petersen, of Preston, Jackon county, and they have five children; Gustine, Emma, Martin, Minnie and Fern. (4) Herman, a resident of Deep Creek township, wedded Mary Broderson, and they have three children: Romy, Orpha, and Lloyd, (5) William, a resident of Crawford county, married Emma Fehmerling, and they have five children: Lula, Edna, Martin, Charles and Anna. (6) Emma is the wife of Julius Broderson, of Charlotte, Iowa, and they have five children: Minnie, John, Lilly, Myrtle and Hilda. (7) Louis, who lives with his mother on the home farm, married Dora Moore, and they have one child; LeRoy. (8) Charles is also at home. (9) Anna died at the age of three years.

The old home farm is now owned and successfully operated by Louis and Charles. The family hold membership in the German Lutheran church at Charlotte, and are held in the highest regard by all who know them. In his political affiliations Mr. Bratthaner was a Democrat, and he always took an active and commendable interest in public affairs. He was a very successful farmer, a man of good business and executive ability, and as a citizen was ever ready to discharge any duty which devolved upon him.