HENRY BRITCHER

Henry Britcher, busily engaged in farming and stock raising, his place of two hundred acres adjoining the boundary limits of Clarence, was born in Fairfield township, this county, on the 19th of February, 1869. He is, therefore, hardly yet in the prime of life. His success, however, would be creditable to a man many years his senior, for in business affairs he displays sound judgment and unfaltering industry and his enterprise never wavers at the performance of any task to which he sets himself. The Britcher family is of English lineage. The father, Jesse Britcher, was born in Kent, England, and grew to manhood in that country. Believing that he might have better business opportunities in the United States, he sailed for New York and was employed for a time as a farm hand in the Empire state. While living there he was married to Miss Ann Smith, also a native of Kent. On leaving New York he came at once to Cedar county, Iowa, settling in Fairfield township, and during the first year he worked for a brother and later rented land which he continued to cultivate for several years. During that time he carefully saved his earnings until his economy had brought him capital sufficient to enable him to purchase a farm. His investment made him the owner of two hundred and forty acres in Dayton township, the further development and improvement of which he at once undertook. As the years passed he continued the work of the farm and his efforts were attended with gratifying results. He spent his land years upon that place, passing away in 1902, and is still survived by his wife.

Henry Britcher began his education in the common schools at the usual age, and from his youthful days was trained to the work of the home farm, early becoming familiar with all the duties and labors that constitute a part of the daily routine of farm life. He remained with his father until twenty-nine years of age and was then married in Story county, Iowa, on the 12th of January, 1898, to Miss Luella Worrell, a daughter of George W. Worrell, who was born and reared in Ohio but when a young man went to Illinois, settling in Earlville. There he was married to Melissa Bagley, a native of that state. About 1870 he came with his family to Iowa and followed farming. At the time of the Civil war he espoused the cause of the union and did active duty at the front. He reared his family in Story county and was a well known farmer there.

Following their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Britcher located in Fairfield township. They had eighty acres of land, on which he built a good dwelling and a substantial barn. Sheds were also provided for the shelter of grain and stock and the land was fenced and tiled. He likewise set out an orchard and otherwise added to the attractiveness of the place. He had eighty acres of land which he afterward sold, and in 1909 purchased where he now resides. His present property is a valuable farm of two hundred acres which adjoins the corporation limits of Clarence. The land is devoted to the cultivation of various crops and annually he gathers rich harvests. He also raises and feeds stock, shipping two carloads of steers and three carloads of hogs each year. He has studied the best methods of caring for the stock so that he sends both cattle and hogs to market in excellent condition and receives a high price therefor.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Britcher have been born seven children: Loren A., Myron R., Mary A. Dorothy M. and Charles E., all of whom are yet at home; Warren, who died in infancy; and George, who died at the age of six weeks.

In his political views Mr. Britcher is a republican and keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day. His religious faith is that of the Methodist Episcopal church, to which he and his family belong. He is one of Cedar county’s native sons and for forty-one years has been a witness of its development and progress. He has lived to see many changes in the methods of farming as new methods have been introduced and science has thrown light upon the food demand of much plant life. At all times he has kept pace with the spirit of progress that is being manifest in farm work and his success has resulted largely therefrom.