Bernard Kettler, b. 26 Feb 1854

HOXMEIER, BREHM, SPOERLEIN, PURDY

Posted By: Donna Moldt Walker (email)
Date: 2/20/2004 at 23:12:04

Bernard Kettler, postmaster and merchant, of Cottonville, although a resident of this village only about three years, has already become one of the leaders both in society and in business circles. His store here is nicely fitted up and well stocked with general merchandise, drugs, etc. He owns beside some fine farming land, and devotes some of his time to agricultural pursuits. He and his wife are people of education and refinement, and their pretty home is the center of culture and a charming hospitality, where the cordiality and courtesy of the host and the gracious pleasantness of the hostess attract many friends, and are a solace to the stranger, who may happen to sojourn with them.

The date of the birth of our subject was Feb. 26, 1854, and his birthplace is in the German Fatherland across the sea, in the village of Dreforden, in the province of Hanover, which was the home of his ancestry, on both his father's and mother's side. The former, whose given name was Theodore, was a farmer in that province, and owned a small farm and also had a weaving establishment, which he managed successfully. In 1866, he sold his property in the old country and sought the new world with his family, embarking at Bremen on the steamer Hensa, and after a voyage of twelve days landing at New York City. From there he came with his wife and children to Jackson County, this State, and bought land in Tete des Morts Township, where he engaged in farming till death closed his mortal career. He was a strict member of the Catholic Curch, and did his duty as a man and a Christian in every department of life that he was called on to fill. The mother of our subject, whose maiden name was Margaret Hoxmeier, was born in the German Fatherland seventy years ago. She is now living on the old homestead in Tete des Morts in deserved comfort and happiness. Five children were born of her marriage, as follows: Margaret, living in Richland; Mary, living near Alton, in Sioux County; Theodore, in Tete des Morts; Anna, (deceased) and Bernard.

The latter of whom we write passed the first twelve years of his life on his father's farm in the land of his nativity, receiving the foundation of a liberal education in the excellent German schools, and he also attended the public schools of this county, after coming to the United States with his parents, remaining in school until he was seventeen years old. He was then fitted for college, and he became a student at the Pio Nono College, a teacher's seminary at Milwaukee, Wis., where in a fine course of study of three years' duration he attained high rank as a scholar, and was gradulated in the spring of 1874, with honors. At the close of his college he went to Chicago, and having adopted the profession of teacher, he secured a situation in a school at Niles Centre, near Chicago, Ill, was there was year, and then accepted a similar position at Grosse Point, near the same city. He taught there successfully two years, and after that was engaged the same length of time as a teacher in a school at Waukegan, Ill. After that he was called to take charge of a school at Buffalo Grove, in the same State, and retained the position eight years. In June, 1885, he abandoned pedagogy to give his attention to his present business, buying at that time his store and a stock of merchandise and sixteen acres of land of F. M. Purdy. He has refitted his store, enlarged his stock and is doing a good and paying business. He has a comfortable residence, has built a good barn, and made many other improvements on his place, and keeps his land under admirable tillage. He was appointed to his present position as Postmaster in 1885, and is ably discharging the duties of the office.

Mr. Kettler was married at Buffalo Grove, Ill., June 25, 1878, to Miss Christina Brehm. She is a native of that place and a daughter of Mathias and Mary (Spoerlein) Brehm, natives of Bamberg, Bavaria. Her father was the owner of a farm near Buffalo Grove. The pleasant household circle of our subject and his amiable wife is completed by the six children that have been born to them - Maggie, Rose, Alex, Leo, Clara, and Bertha.

Mr. Kettler, though educated for the teacher's profession has shown no less talent as a business man, who is alert and wide-awake, keeping abreast of the time. He possess in a full degree discernment, forethought, excellent financial ability and other useful traits that lead life to a successful issue. Religiously, he and his wife are earnest members of the St. Lawrence's Catholic Church at Otter Creek; and in politics, he is actively identified with the Democrats, and has been a delegate to County conventions. He has served on the Petit Jury one term. Mrs. Kettler is a well-educated, intelligent lady, and is a great help to her husband in the management of his store, attending to it when he is obliged by the exigencies of business to be away.

("Portrait and Biographical Album of Jackson County, Iowa", originally published in 1889, by the Chapman Brothers, of Chicago, Illinois)