WILLIAM BARTSCHER

William Bartscher is numbered among the prominent and prosperous agriculturists of Farmington township, where he owns four hundred and eighty acres of rich and arable land. His birth occurred in Waldeck, Germany, on the 6th of October, 1845, his parents being Henry and Catherine Bartscher, who spent their entire lives in that country. He obtained his education in the schools of the fatherland and there remained until a youth of sixteen, crossing the Atlantic to the United States in 1861. He made his way direct to Scott county, Iowa, where he continued his studies for three months and then began working as a farm hand, being thus engaged for about ten years.

In 1871 Mr. Bartscher came to Cedar county, first purchasing and locating upon a tract of eighty acres in Farmington township. As his financial resources increased, owing to his unremitting industry and good management, he bought more land from time to time until his holdings in Farmington township now embrace four hundred and eighty acres. The property is all under a high state of cultivation and improvement, and on his home farm Mr. Bartscher has erected an attractive and up-to-date residence, a fine barn and all necessary out-buildings. Here he follows general farming and has also engaged in the raising of stock to some extent. Thrifty and intelligent, unsparing of hard work when necessary, he has found that good harvests have made a rich return for his toil and that his cattle are readily disposed of, thus netting him a substantial income. Mr. Bartscher has been married twice. In 1876 he wedded Miss Rica Kronberg, by whom he had three children, namely: Henry; William; and Amelia, the wife of Theodore Korthaus, of Bennett, Iowa. The mother was called to her final rest in 1886 and on the 21st of May of the following year Mr. Bartscher was again married, his second union being with Miss Dora Stuehm, a daughter of Fred and Sophia (Thode) Stuehm, both of whom passed away in Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Bartscher now have four children, as follows: Alma, who is the wife of William Rohse, of Farmington township; and Theresa, Hugo and Cora, all at home.

In politics Mr. Bartscher is a democrat, exercising his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of that party. He has served as a school director but has had neither time nor inclination to participate actively in political affairs. He and his family belong to the German Lutheran church and are deeply interested in its work. The period of his residence in this part of the state covers practically a half century and he is widely and favorably known here, the circle of his friends being almost coextensive with the circle of his acquaintances.