Andrew Hopper Bertholf

BERTHOLF, DEMAR, KIGGINS

Posted By: Judy Wight Branson (email)
Date: 8/5/2004 at 16:03:55

Although thirty-seven years have come and gone since Andrew H. Bertholf was called to his final rest, he is still remembered by many of the older residents of Madison county as one of its prosperous agriculturists and esteemed citizens, having made his home in Lincoln township for more than a quarter of a century and owning eighteen hundred acres of rich and productive land. He passed away on the i5th of July, 1878, when seventy-four years of age, his birth having occurred in New York City on the 3d of March, 1804. When a youth of twelve years he was taken by his parents to Gallia county, Ohio, and on the i7th of June, 1832, there wedded Miss Electa Macumber, who was born in that county, January 5, 1816. Making his way to Indiana, he purchased a farm in that state and then returned to the Buckeye state for his family. He and his wife rode horseback from Ohio to St. Joseph county, Indiana, and each carried a small child. In 1842 they removed to Lee county, Illinois, and in 1851 came to Madi-son county, Iowa, settling on section 20, Lincoln township.

Mr. Bertholf here devoted his attention to general agricultural pursuits with excellent results throughout the remainder of his life, becoming the owner of eighteen hundred acres of valuable and productive land, from which he derived a gratifying annual income. He was also a well known stockman in the early days. He assisted all of his sons in making a start and was long numbered among the most prosperous agriculturists and respected citizens of the community.

To Mr. and Mrs. Bertholf were born thirteen children, as follows: Alexander M., whose birth occurred April 2, 1833, and who is deceased; George, born December 19, 1834, who died in early life; Zachariah, born March 12, 1837, who is also deceased; James, born February 8, 1839, who is a prominent agriculturist of Lincoln township, this county; Letecia, who was born July 12, 1840, and died in infancy; William H., who was born February 2, 1842, and passed away in Des Moines; Esther Jane, born January 1, 1844, who is the deceased wife of L. H. Demar; John M., whose birth occurred June 29, 1846, and who is a resident of Bonanza, Oregon; Rebecca, born August 16, 1849, who is the wife of S. J. Kiggins, of Baker City, Oregon; Lovica, who was born July 8, 1850, and died in childhood; Thomas, born January 27, 1853, who is deceased; L. M., who was born in 1855 and is a well known agriculturist of Lincoln township, this county; and Benjamin Franklin, born September 7, 1858, who died in infancy. The wife and mother was called to her final rest on the 15th of June, 1883, and her passing was the occasion of deep and widespread regret.

Andrew H. Bertholf was a democrat in politics and a Baptist in religious faith. His life was upright and honorable in all relations and he enjoyed the warm regard and friendship of those with whom he came in contact in both business and social connections.

Taken from the book, "The History of Madison County, Iowa, 1915" pages 10, 11, 13

Madison Biographies maintained by Linda Griffith Smith.
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