James Bertholf (1925)

BERTHOLF, BROWNELL

Posted By: Mary Welty Hart
Date: 3/13/2006 at 17:13:41

The Winterset Madisonian
Winterset, Iowa
Thursday, May 20, 1925

JAMES BERTHOLF Dead

James Bertholf died at his home in Winterset yesterday morning, after an illness of a few days following on a general debility incident to an unusually ripe old age. Surviving him are his faithful companion of many years, one son, Nelson Bertholf and one daughter, Mrs. Armina Brownell, who lives on the old home in Lincoln township. Funeral services were held this afternoon from the home of Mr. and Mrs. Nelson Bertholf, and burial made in Winterset cemetery.

Mr. Bertholf was born near South Bend, Ind., Feb. 8, 1839 and came to this county with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Bertholf in 1851, making a continuous residence in the county of 74 years.

His death marks the passing of one of the early pioneers of this county. There are but few of the old settlers left who came here in 1851 or earlier. Mr. Bertholf possessed the sturdy qualities of these men. Honest, upright, unassuming, home loving, frugal and industrious. The present generation owes much to the goodly influence of men like James Bertholf.
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The Winterset Madisonian
Winterset, Iowa
Thursday, June 11, 1925
Page 3

In the log cabin home of Andrew and Electa Macumber Bertholf in St. Joseph’s county, Indiana, James Bertholf was born on Feb. 8, 1839 over 86 years ago. The Indians had moved westward from South Bend a year of two before the Bertholfs came into that vicinity, so that James came of pioneer blood and spirit. The west called again to the Bertholfs, so by ox and horse drawn wagons, they passed over to Illinois, where they lived in two locations. James was but two years old at this time. In 1850, Andrew Bertholf sold his 600 acres of Illinois land and moved his family westward once more, with Iowa as their goal. Again the ox and horse teams were loaded with the family belongings and the journey was made by way of Burlington, Pella and Indianola to Madison county. At Joel Clanton’s home, the Bertholfs halted for a week, owing to the high waters which made Clanton creek impassable. Choosing Lincoln township the Bertholfs settled there permanently—so the Bertholf family became a strong and reliable factor in the development of Lincoln township. Today, Lindsey Bertholf is the only one living of the 14 children of the Andrew Bertholf family.

Young James Bertholf, as a lad, began to evidence traits of industry and energy, no labor was too arduous nor too heavy for him to share. To his father, he gave cheerful and valuable aid in the work of living in a new country. In 1866, James founded a home of his own. His life companion was Miss Harriet Murphy of Missouri, who was living in Madison county at the time of their marriage. To their home were born three children: Ada, who became the wife of Leonard Thrift and who died six years ago; Mina, now Mrs. Fred Brownell of Lincoln township, and Nelson of Winterset. In their father, the daughters found a firm friend and an interested advisor, barked by a fine understanding and appreciation; and unusually strong was the bond between father and son. Each counseled with the other in business or personal affairs, and the conference between the two were ideal, for age (with rare adaptability) listened to youth, and youth advised age. This comradeship was often remarked by friends who noted its unusual quality. With the two granddaughters, a similar bond existed and the memory of Grandfather will grow in tender reverence as the years pass.

As a husband, James Bertholf gave devotion and kindliness to his companion, with integrity and dignity so blended that his character was of remarkable strength and beauty. James Bertholf was not a talkative man, but what he said was to the point and full of pith and thought. His reminiscences of boyhood experiences were so clear and accurate that lovers of history found his stories and recollections of local history more interesting than any work of fiction.

James Bertholf was a friendly man of the old fashioned, neighborly, hospitable kind. He enjoyed his friends and after he retired from active life on the farm, he frequently discussed political and general news with them. Always his opinions were valued. His even disposition made him a pleasant companion; though of a decided nature, he was never ungenerous toward others’ opinions. Such an individual leaves an indelible impression upon community and private life. So James Bertholf’s influence must continue so long as those who knew him live.

Mr. Bertholf’s health had not been good for some time, yet he prided himself on keeping up to the peak of his strength. His last illness was brief and the end, on May 19, 1925, was typical of his life, quiet and peaceful.

Funeral services were held from the son’s home on Wednesday afternoon, conducted by Rev. A. B. Weed of Orient, assisted by Rev. Stanley A. Gillet of Winterset. Burial was made in the Winterset cemetery.

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