Barthell, Howard F. 1869 - 1948

BARTHELL, MILLER, ASSELN

Posted By: Bill Waters (email)
Date: 4/16/2014 at 11:26:11

Howard F. Barthell, who has been successfully engaged in the practice of law at Decorah for almost two decades, also acts as justice of the peace, having been elected to that office in 1894. His birth occurred in Troy, New York, on the 30th of October, 1869, his parents being John G. and Sophia W. (Miller) Barthell, both of whom were natives of Germany. After immigrating to the United States the father became a mechanic and manufacturer of roofing in New York. In 1875 he came to Winneshiek county, Iowa, and continued to reside here until 1911, becoming a well-known capitalist of the community. Going to his summer home at Ocean Grove, New Jersey, he there passed away on the 15th of October, 1912, at the age of ninety-one years, two months and twenty days. John G. Barthell was a veteran of the Mexican war, enlisting in a New York company and doing valuable service as a blacksmith and mechanic. His widow, who has attained the age of eighty-four years, makes her home in New York.

Howard F. Barthell, who was a little lad of six years when brought to Winneshiek county by his parents, obtained his early education in the public schools here and also attended the Breckenridge Institute, being graduated there-from with the class of 1889. Subsequently he pursued a course in the Slack Business College and in 1891 went to Iowa City, where he began the study of law in the State University, being graduated from that institution in June, 1893. Making his way to Montgomery, Minnesota, he there practiced law for a period of nine months and then removed to Necedah, Wisconsin, where he followed his profession until October, 1894. At that time he returned to Decorah and has here remained continuously since, enjoying an enviable and lucrative clientage. He has a splendidly equipped office and good law library. His practice is extensive and of an important character. He is remarkable among lawyers for the wide research and provident care with which he prepares his cases. At no time has his reading ever been confined to the limitation of the questions at issue. It has gone beyond and compassed every contingency and provided not alone for the expected but for the unexpected.

On the 20th of June, 1907, Mr. Barthell was united in marriage to Miss Matilda Asseln. Her father, John Asseln, a native of Germany, crossed the Atlantic to the United States and located at Decorah, Iowa, in the '50s, being here engaged in the shoe business for about twenty years. He is now living retired, in West Decorah, with his wife, who also survives. Mr. and Mrs. Barthell reside in a handsome home on Riverside Avenue, which they own.

In his political views Mr. Barthell is a stanch Republican. In 1894 he was elected justice of the peace and has served in that capacity continuously since, his decisions having been at all times fair and impartial. He is well known in Masonic circles, having attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite and being also a Shriner. His name is likewise on the membership rolls of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. In religious faith he is a Unitarian. His acquaintance is wide, and he has a host of friends whose high regard he has gained through his professional ability, his deference to the opinions of others, his genial manner and unfailing courtesy.

Source: History of Winneshiek County, Iowa Vol. II Chicago the S. J. Clark publishing Company 1913

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