Althouse, Henry, Jr. & Martha (Bechtel)

ALTHOUSE, LINDERBAUM, BECHTEL, BORSETH

Posted By: Darla Doyle (email)
Date: 4/9/2006 at 14:14:48

Henry Althouse, Jr. (known as H.F.) was born in 1899 in Sec 8, Bloomfield Twp. He was the second son of Henry and Anna (Linderbaum) Althouse. In 1915 H.F. moved with his family to a farm just east of Postville in Clayton Co., IA.

In 1929 H.F. bought a farm north of Postville in Allamakee Co. with the help of the whole family. On 19 Nov 1930 he married Martha Bechtel (b 6 May 1906). Then came the Depression. It was tough going and every day he questioned if could hold on to the farm. H.F. was a natural carpenter and loved to work in the woods. He built or remodeled every building on the farm. H.F. and Martha farmed on this place until they retired.

When their son Leonard married, H.F. built himself and Martha a smaller house on the property and lived there until his death 24 May 1987. Martha still lives in the house.

H.F. and Martha had 2 children: Dorothy (b. 20 Apr 1932) and Leonard (b. 1 Dec 1937). Dorothy married Norman Borseth (b. 10 May 1923 in Springfield Twp.). Norman and Dorothy were the parents of 3 children: Gary (1 Jun 1955 - 7 Jun 1963), Wayne (stillborn 4 May 1960), and Ann (b. 3 Dec 1961). Dorothy died in Jun 1988.

Winneshiek County, Iowa
Biographies - 1996