Jacob Breitbach 1824-1908

BREITBACH, SIEGWORTH, LINK, UTZIG, LATTNER, VANZILE, SMITH, MAY, WOLFE

Posted By: Cheryl Locher Moonen (email)
Date: 2/23/2016 at 23:06:43

Jacob Breitbach, one of the oldest and best know residents of Dubuque county, died last Thursday evening at 8 o'clock at the family residence at Balltown, aged 84 years, death resulting from a stroke of apoplexy, with which he was stricken two weeks ago.

Mr. Breitbach was born in May 1824 at Chluehserrath, Rheine province of Germany, near Trier. In 1846 he came to America, settling at Pittsburgh, Pa, where he engaged in the mercantile business. In 1851 he was united in marriage to Philomena Siegworth, who passed away in February, 1896. In the spring 1855 he moved to Iowa and settled on a farm near Balltown, where he remained until 1873, when he moved to Sherrill Mound and engaged In the mercantile business, three years conducting what is now known as the Kiefer place. In 1876 he moved to Lattnerville, where he engaged in the same business, during which time he was appointed postmaster at that place, a position he held for several years. He also served as justice of the peace of Center township.

In 1902 his eyesight became impaired and later was stricken with total blindness, which necessitated discontinuation of active work, at which time he transferred his business to he son, Joseph, and retired to the homestead at Balltown, where he passed his declining days with his daughter, Mrs. Wm. Link. Mr. Breitbach was a lifelong member of the Catholic church, and his life was lived in accordance with its teachings. Honest and upright during his long and useful life, he passed to his reward with the consciousness of having fought the good fight.

Thirteen children survive him. They are: Jacob and Louis of Cascade; Frank, of Wapello, Ia; Peter, or Balltown, Ia; John of Peosta, Ia; Joseph C. of Lattnerville; Mrs. Louisa Utzig, Dubuque; Mrs. Wm. Link, Balltown; Mrs. Paul Lattner, Lattnerville; Mrs. R. A. Vanzile, Epworth; Mrs. Paul Smith, Epworth; Mrs. H. N. May, Masonville; Mrs. Peter Wolfe, Bankston. He is also survived by ninety-three grandchildren and twenty-five great grandchildren, nearly all of whom reside in this county.

The funeral was held Sunday morning to St. Francis' church at Balltown. Rev. J . J. Breitbach, a member of St. Joseph College faulty, Dubuque, and a grandson of the deceased conducted the service.