HENRY R. ALTER
ALTER, DEAN, EMRY, REINHARD, WEYRICH, BRACKEN, HAZEN, MCCREARY, HARRISON
Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 3/21/2020 at 22:14:40
HENRY R. ALTER, the second son and fifth child of Henry Alter and Elizabeth Reinhard, his wife, was born in Washington County, Pennsylvania, January 20, 1816, an is consequently fifty-eight years of age. His ancestors, as far as they can be traced back, are of German descent.
In 1835, his mother died at the age of forty-nine. In 1840, he moved into Beaver County, Pennsylvania, and in 1865, he came to this State, and located at his present home in West Point Township. While living in Pennsylvania, he was engaged in the “oil business,” but having a good chance to dispose of his property, he sold his place and immediately began seeking a new home. Hearing of a place in this county that was offered for sale, he came and purchased it, the one on which he now lives. Mr. Alter received his education in the common schools of Pennsylvania. At that time the facilities for being educated were not so good as at the present day, yet his education is by no means deficient. In the usual way he worked on his father’s farm during the summer season, and in the winter he attended school. Mr. Alter is well informed, and in his conversation shows a resource of ready knowledge possessed by only a favored few. As one of the fruits of his early training he has a vigorous mind, active on any point, and is possessed of good memory.
In 1837, on the 16th day of March, he was joined in marriage to Elizabeth Weyrich; by this union two children were born, one son and one daughter. Norman H. Resided in Watseka, Ill. The daughter, Frances F., is the wife of the Rev. Mr. Bracken; they reside in Ohio. In 1841, Mrs. Alter departed this life. In 1842, he was married to Mary Ann Hazen. Five children were born. Three sons and two daughters, all of whom are living. Both daughters are married and the sons are living at home. In May, 1858, his second wife died. Nov. 10, 1859, he was married to Mrs. Nancy McCreary. She is a native of Lawrence County, Pennsylvania. Her father, Noah Dean, and her mother Elizabeth Emry, were natives of Pennsylvania. He died in May, 1870, at the age of sixty-six. Her mother is still living at the advanced age of seventy-one. Her home is in Pennsylvania. By his last marriage five children have been born, one son and four daughters, all of whom are living at home. Mr. and Mrs. Alter and six children are members of the church. In politics, Mr. Alter is a Republican. He supports certain measures and holds certain doctrines to be true, and in doing these things he identifies himself with the Republican party. He was formerly a Whig, and polled his first vote for President for Gen. Harrison.
His mother dying when he was quite young, Mr. Alter was left in sad circumstances. His sister kept house for them a short time, when they broke up housekeeping, and shortly afterwards the homestead was sold. His share of the estate at his father's death amounted to a goodly portion, and this enabled him to begin in moderate circumstances. With his one thousand dollars invested, and care in conducting his business transactions. He has reached a financial condition attained by only a few, sought after by many. A good farm of over four hundred acres, most of which is under cultivation, on which is a good house and surroundings, a view of which is given in this work, makes a home where, with a loving Christian family, he can enjoy the future in the ease becoming his years.
Source:
Illustrated Historical ATLAS of Lee County, IOWA
A. T. Andreas
Chicago, ILL.
1874Transcription by Mary H. Cochrane, Volunteer
Alter Residence Illustration
Lee Biographies maintained by Sherri Turner.
WebBBS 4.33 Genealogy Modification Package by WebJourneymen