FRANK BARTSCHER

Frank Bartscher, a representative agriculturist of Farmington township, there owns a well improved tract of two hundred and eighty acres and also has a quarter section of land in Inland township, this county. His birth occurred in Waldeck, Germany, on the 23rd of November, 1850, his parents being Henry and Catherine Bartscher, further mention of whom is made in connection with the sketch of William Bartscher, a brother of this subject.

Frank Bartscher attended school in Germany and there spent the first fifteen years of his life. In 1865 he set sail for the new world and after landing on American shores made his way direct to Davenport, Iowa, working as a farm hand in Scott county for about seven years. On the expiration of that period he came to Cedar county, here cultivating rented land for a short time. Subsequently he purchased a farm of one hundred and twenty acres in Farmington township in association with his brother Daniel, the two young men remaining in partnership for four years. At the end of that time Daniel Bartscher sold his interest in the place and returned to Germany, leaving our subject to operate the farm alone. When two years had passed he purchased an eighty-acre tract of land near by and later bought an adjoining tract of similar size, so that his holdings in Farmington township now embrace two hundred and eighty acres. Here he carries on general farming and stock-raising with the assistance of his sons, his interests in this connection returning to him a gratifying annual income. He likewise owns one hundred and sixty acres of land in Inland township, renting the property to his son Harry. He made all of the improvements on his home farm, which is up-to-date in all of its appointments, the buildings thereon including a fine residence, a substantial barn and other structures providing ample shelter for grain and stock.

On the 23rd of April, 1873, Mr. Bartscher was united in marriage to Miss Emma Jammer, a daughter of John and Lena (Bush) Jammer, both of whom were born in Germany and are now living retired in Durant, Iowa. Unto our subject and his wife were born nine children, namely: Annie, who is the wife of John Kroeplen, of Farmington township, this county; Emma, who gave her hand in marriage to Gerhart Schwarting and resides in Sunbury, Iowa; Dora, who was married August 24, 1910, to Hugo Prahl and lives in Doon, Iowa; Harry, who wedded Miss Clara Schneekloth and lives on a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Inland township, this county; August, Arnold, Lulu and Ralph, all at home; and Frank, who passed away in 1888,when six years of age.

In politics Mr. Bartscher is a democrat and now holds the office of road supervisor, having served in that capacity for five years. He was also school director for five years. He belongs to the German Lutheran church and his wife and children are also members thereof. The hope that led him to leave his native land and seek a home in America has been more than realized. He here found the opportunities he sought, and, making the most of them, has steadily worked his way upward until he deserves to be numbered among the leading and successful citizens of Farmington township.