Henry R. Alter

ALTER, REINHARD, WEIRICH, HAZEN, MCCREARY, DEAN, GREEN, DAVIS, MARTIN

Posted By: Chuck Helling (email)
Date: 8/20/2003 at 13:40:32

Henry R. Alter, deceased, was one of the most wealthy and successful
farmers of West Point Township, and universally respected for his
honest and upright character and straightforward dealings with his
fellow-men. He was a native of Washington County, Pa., his birth
occurring January 20, 1815, and was the second son and fifth child of
Henry and Elizabeth (Reinhard) Alter, who were of German parentage
and ancestry. His mother died at the age of forty-nine years, in
1835; his father was married a second time, and departed this life in
Tuscarawas County, Ohio,

In 1840 Mr Alter removed from the place of his birth into Beaver
County, Pa., where he became quite extensively engaged in the oil
business, but having an opportunity to dispose of his interests at a
good profit, he sold out and resolved to seek a home beyond the
Mississippi. It was not until 1865, however, that he finally
established himself in Lee County. He purchased a good farm in West
Point Township, and subsequently became the proprietor of 800 acres,
most which lie on Section 3. It is nearly all prairie land, and the
greater part of it improved. Mr. Alter was remarkably successful in
his agricultural pursuits and during the latter part of his life was
extensively engaged in the buying and selling of cattle.

The subject of our sketch, in early manhood, was married to Miss
Elizabeth Weirich, and of this union there were born two
children---Henry H. and Frances E. The mother of these children died
in 1841. She was of German descent, and was reared and educated in
Washington County, Pa. In 1842 Mr. Alter was married a second time,
to Miss Mary Anna Hazen, of Beaver County, Pa. Of this marriage
there were born six children, one of whom, Samuel H. is deceased.
The living are Christmas E., Eliza A. and Luzetta (twins), Josephus
and David R. The mother of these children died in Beaver County,
Nov. 10, 1859.

Mr. Alter was married the third time, to Mrs. Nancy (Dean) McCreary,
daughter of Noah and Elizabeth (Emery) Dean, natives respectively of
Huntingdon and Mercer Counties, Pa. They spent their entire lifes on
a farm, and died in Pennsylvania, in that part of Lawrence County
which was formerly a part of Mercer County. The father departed his
life in 1870, at the age of sixty-six years; the mother survived him
fourteen years, dying on the 7th of October, 1884, at the advanced
age of over eighty-three years. They were most worthy and excellent
people, highly esteemed in their community, and were prominently
connected with the Baptist Church, Mr. Dean was a very successful
man in his agricultural and business pursuits, and accumulated a
large property. He was a solid Republican politically, a man of
great force of character, and used his influence in support of
whatever he believed the truth and right.

Mrs. Nancy Alter was born upon the homestead of her parents in what
is now Lawrence County, Pa., May 12, 1832. She received a good
education in the public schools and remained with her parents until
she was united in marriage with Mr. Pearson McClreary, who died in
Lawrence County, leaving his widow with two children, one of whom,
William N., is now deceased. The other son, Willis P., was married
to Miss Mary B. Green, and is practicing law in Hastings, Neb. She
was united in marriage with Mr. Alter Oct. 6 1859, and by, this last
union became the mother of five children, of whom the record is as
follows: Lizzie A. is the wife of Fred Davis, and they live near
Larned, Kan., on a farm, they are both semi-mutes--they can talk but
are deaf; Mr. Davis lost his hearing at the age of seven years from
scarlet fever; his wife became deaf at the age of five years from
spotted fever. They were both well educated at the Deaf and Dumb
Institute at Iowa City and were also in the school at Council Bluffs.
Elmer T. is married to Nettie L. Martin, and manages the homestead
for his mother. Emma L. and Eva L, twins, are finely educated and
reside at home; Minnie R. is attending school at Danville, Iowa. Mr.
Alter was killed by a horse on the 20th of August, 1885.

A large part of the members of the family are connected with the
Baptist Church, and are well known throughout Lee County, and held in
the highest esteem. They occupy a fine dwelling, and the land is
supplied with all the appliances for carring on agriculture in a
first class manner. It is beautifully located, and forms one of the
pleasantest spots in the landscape of Lee County.

Source:

Portrait and Biographical Album of Lee County, Iowa

Author: Anonymous
City of Publication: Chicago
Publisher: Chapman Bros.
Date: 1887
Page Count: 648 p.: ill., ports