ACHENBACH, William - 1912 Bio (1859-1939)

ACHENBACH, THOPAL, LANGNER, REEDER

Posted By: Debbie Nash (email)
Date: 10/29/2002 at 02:00:14

From the History of Jefferson County - 1912, Volume II
Pages 180-182

WILLIAM ACHENBACH

In Lockridge township, Jefferson county, Iowa, the name ACHENBACH has come to connote certain sterling qualities that reflect enviable distinction upon its bearer and assures him undeniable rank in the agricultural world. Thus William ACHENBACH enjoys a standing in his community of which he can be as justly proud as can his brother Lewis ACHENBACH who is three years his senior. They are both high-minded men, noble in their dealings with others, men who live simply but fully, who have discovered the philosopher's stone in honest toil, in the use of the hand and the brain. To their father, Ludwig ACHENBACH, who went before and blazed the trail that made their rise possible, they must give thanks for the boon of such a heritage.

William ACHENBACH was born in Lockridge township, Jefferson county, Iowa, December 8, 1859. He was a son of Ludwig and Margaret (THOPAL) ACHENBACH. As noted in the sketch of Lewis ACHENBACH, his parents were natives of Germany. His father, on coming to this country in 1849, located in Ohio. He remained there only a short time, however, when he went to Iowa and settled in Lockridge, where he worked on the construction crew of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, then engaged in building their road through this section of the country. After having remained at this employment several years he took up farming, buying twenty acres in Lockridge township. He improved and operated his property and kept on purchasing additional land until he became the owner of a farm of one hundred and seventy acres. Eight or ten years before his death, which occurred in 1898, he retired and rented the land to his sons. His wife died in December, 1882.

William ACHENBACH attended the district school in Lockridge township. When he attained his majority he left home and rented a farm in Osceola, Iowa. He operated this tract for two years, when he returned to Jefferson county, Iowa, and bought two hundred and forty acres in his native locality. This land he improved and cultivated in part. Now he rents out a large portion of it, retaining the remainder for his own use. He raises forty head of hogs annually, owns eight head of Jersey cattle and one team of horses. Some years ago he bought five hundred and sixty acres of cut-timber land in Wisconsin, later selling one hundred and sixty acres of the same.

The marriage of William ACHENBACH and Miss Mary LANGNER was solemnized March 5, 1891. She was a daughter of John and Eleanor (REEDER) LANGNER, natives of Poland, who came to this country in 1854 and located in Lockridge township, Jefferson county, Iowa. Here Mr. LANGNER bought a farm and engaged in agriculture until his death in March, 1894. His widow survived him two years, passing away in April, 1896.

A daughter, Irma Cornelia, born to Mr. and Mrs. ACHENBACH, April 26, 1907, died January 8, 1911, her death being due to infection from eating impure candy.

William ACHENBACH has served as school director of his district. He is a loyal republican and with his wife subscribes to the tenets of the Lutheran church. They have a very pleasant home in which hospitality is dispensed with a generous hand and their many friends are given a warm welcome.

I am copying this information for the benefit of genealogical research and am not related to said individuals.