Wm. J. Breitenstein

BREITENSTEIN, CAMPBELL, MARTIN, BORMAN, WOOD, ROTH, WHITE

Posted By: Gloria Dodds (email)
Date: 10/19/2002 at 17:04:24

Information taken from the 80 year Anniversary 1855-1935 edition of The Keosauqua Republican
Thursday, August 15, 1935 Page Five

Van Buren County's Living Civil War Veterans

Wm. J. Breitenstein

William J. Breitenstein of Farmington was born in Ft. Madison on August 15, 1841, and therefore is celebrating his 94th birthday aniversary the day that the Republican is going to press, August 15, 1935.
He had one brother Jake, who went to California in 1862, but was never heard of after the quake of 1905.
Mr. Breitenstein's mother died when he was two days old and his father passed away when he was about three. He was then left with friends in that section. After he became large enough to be of value as a laborer he worked at various jobs, living with different families until February 27, 1864, when he enlisted at Keokuk, Iowa, as a member of Company "B", Third Regiment Iowa Volunteers, and served in the Civil war until he was mustered out at Atlanta, Georgia, on August 9, 1865. He then returned to his old home in Lee county.
On December 7, 1881, he was united in marriage to Miss Alice Campbell, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Uriah and Maranda Campbell, who settled in Lee county in an early day.
To this union were born seven children, six of whom are still living: Lottie Eva Martin of Farmington; Iva Ethel Borman, of Davenport; Walter V., of Farmington, Della Agnes Wood of Ft. Madison; Verna Iola Roth, of Farmington, and Edith Audria White of Ft. Madison; Harry Arthur passed away several years ago.
Mr. and Mrs. Breitenstein moved from their farm in Lee county, to Farmington, in Van Buren county in 1913. They are now comfortably located in a very pleasant home and are enjoying life and as good health as could be expected at the age they have now reached.