Dentler, Bruce B.

DENTLER

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 9/16/2019 at 17:24:54

Bruce B. Dentler

(From the 1891 Biographical History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, p.514)
BRUCE B. DENTLER, one of the well known citizens of Pleasant Township, has filled an important office in this county for many years. His grandfather, George DENTLER, was a native of Pennsylvania and of German descent. He was the father of six children: John, William, Frederick, Franklin, Maria and Rachel. He died in Pennsylvania in early life. His son Franklin, the father of our subject, was born in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, October 15, 1819, and was reared to farm life. At the age of twenty-one years he went to St. Joseph County, Michigan, where he was married to Mary CATHCART, daughter of William and Mary (BURROWS) CATHCART, and to them were born nine children, viz.: Bruce B., William C., Frank D., James B., John E., Flora A., Luella, Nettie and Emma Lista. The father settled on a farm in St. Joseph County, Michigan, where he lived several years; next he went to Kalamazoo County, remaining twelve years, and then returned to St. Joseph County, where he still resides. He is one of the pioneers of that county, and is a well-known citizen. His wife was born in Pennsylvania, but when ten years of age came with her parents to Michigan. Mr. and Mrs. DENTLER were for many years members of the Presbyterian Church, but having no church near they united with the Methodist. Mr. DENTER was an elder in the former church for many years. He is a prosperous man, a good farmer, and a law-abiding and honorable citizen.

Bruce B., his son and the subject of this sketch, was born in St. Joseph County, Michigan, February 26, 1845, and in early life was inured to farm work. He was married in Kalamazoo County, when twenty-five years of age, to Flora COX, daughter of George and Amanda (McHuron) COX. The father, a native of Vermont and from an old New England family, settled in Kalamazoo County in 1868. He had two brothers in the civil war. Mrs. Cox was born in New York State, and her daughter, Mrs. DENTLER, was born in the town of Lysander, Onondaga County, same State, April 29, 1854. Mr. and Mrs. DENTLER have three children: George E., born September 8, 1873, in Schoolcraft, Michigan; Dora M., born March 29, 1876, in Schoolcraft; and Claude B., born January 1, 1885, in Pleasant Township, Pottawattamie County, Iowa. After marriage Mr. and Mrs. DENTLER lived for five years on a farm in Schoolcraft, Kalamazoo County; then one year in St. Joseph County; and in 1882 they came to Pottawattamie County, Iowa, and settled on their present farm. Mr. DENTLER has been township clerk for seven years, and in his political opinions is a stanch Democrat. Socially he is an Odd Fellow, belonging to Canopy Lodge, No. 401, Shelby, Iowa, in which he is Noble Grand. He is interested in the schools, and has been a director four years. He has an excellent reputation in his township, and is known as a capable and intelligent business man. His children have descended from good old pioneer stock who have aided in founding the institutions of our country, and also helped to subdue the wilderness and make possible the pleasant homes and privileges of the present generation. The American farmer is a man of wide intelligence and great energy of character, and upon his shoulders rest the hopes of our country, and from his descendants may we look for the future of America.