Biographies For Muscatine County Iowa 1889

Source: Portrait and Biographical Album, Muscatine County, Iowa, 1889, page 199
R. J. ALTEKRUSE, one of the enterprising and progressive young farmers residing on section 3, Seventy-six Township, was born on the farm which still continues to be his home, the date of his birth being June 1, 1848. He was reared to farm life, and his education was received in the district schools, his attendance at the same time being alternated with farm work during the summer months. He aided his father until reaching his majority, when he rented part of the old homestead for two years. At the end of that time he purchased a farm for himself, consisting of 150 acres on section 3, and thirty acres on section 6, of Seventy-six Township.

In 1876 our subject was united in the holy bonds of matrimony with Alice M. White, a daughter of Samuel and Eliza ( Hankins ) White, who were the parents of eight children, six yet living, namely: Benjamin C., a merchant residing in Los Angeles, Cal.; Charles, whose home is in Muscatine; Jane, wife of Presley Bishop, who is engaged in farming in Nebraska; Anderson, a resident farmer of this county; Alice M., the honored wife of our subject; and Rosella, who makes her home with her mother in Nebraska. By the union of Mr. and Mrs. Altekruse an interesting family of five children have been born: Rosella May, born May 22, 1877; May A., Sept. 20, 1878; Ida O., Aug.17, 1880; Samuel C., July 13, 1882; and Clark C., July 14, 1884.

Mr. Altekruse carries on general farming, and also raises considerable stock, all of the best grades. He sells about eighteen or twenty head of cattle annually, and also a number of head of horses, but he makes a specialty of raising Poland-China hogs, annually selling from sixty to 100 head. He is one of the self-made men of the county, his success being due entirely to his own efforts of industry and perseverance. He began life in limited circumstances, but is now one of the well-to-do farmers of the community. Politically he advocates the principles of the Democratic party, while religiously, both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

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