For
Muscatine County Iowa
1911
| Biographies For Muscatine County Iowa 1911 | |
Source: History of Muscatine County Iowa, Volume II, Biographical, 1911, page 528
OTTO FITCHNER....The agricultural interests of Muscatine county are represented by many of its most substantial citizens among them who may be named Otto Fitchner, the owner of a farm of three hundred and seventeen acres which he has developed into one of the valuable landed possessions of Montpelier and Sweetland townships. A native of Steubenville, Ohio, he was born October 13, 1851, a son of John C. and Lavina ( McCarty ) Fitchner, the former who was born at Wittenberg, Germany, June 5, 1819, and the latter in Washington county, Pennsylvania. The father was a cigar-maker by trade and came to the United States about 1838, living for several years in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, where he worked at his trade. Later he removed to Steubenville, where he continued for twelve years, and then, believing that more favorable opportunities were presented west of the Mississippi river, came to Muscatine, Iowa, April 9, 1855. After working at his trade in town for a year he engaged in farming for a year at Letts and then purchased forty acres in Monpelier township, where he continued until his death, which occurred in 1904.Otto Fitchner received his education in the public schools and as a boy was taught by his father the importance of labor. At twenty-one years of age he began working on his own account on a farm in Cedar county, Iowa, and four years later returned to Muscatine county and purchased forty acres of land. Subsequently desiring to see more of the country, he traveled for two years, but in 1881 returned to this county and has since made good use of the opportunities here presented, being now the owner of a beautiful farm provided with all modern conveniences, so that it produces a handsome yearly income. He engages in general farming and appears to be highly successful in every department of the business which he undertakes. His judgment is seldom questioned in matters pertaining to agriculture or the raising or marketing of livestock.
In 1882 Mr. Fitchner was united in marriage to Miss Mary Louise Staffelbach, a native of Madison county, Illinois, and a daughter of Henry and Rebecca Steffelbach, now of St. Louis. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Fitchner : Henry C., of Sweetland township, who married Annie Junge and has one child, John C.; Archie E., deceased ; William O., at home ; and Freddie Stuart, also deceased.
Mr. Fitchner became a resident of Iowa fifty-five years ago and has been closely connected with the state during an important period in its growth from the pioneer stage to a position as one of the leading commonwealths of the union. He belongs to that reliable and progressive citizenship which has assisted so materially in introducing the conveniences and comforts of modern life and in establishing the farm upon a substantial and permanent basis as the foundation from which the wealth of the country flows. Although now retired from active labor Mr. Fitchner's interest in the work to which he has devoted so many years of his life is as keen as ever. His judgment and ability are recognized by his neighbors and he is now most acceptably serving as assessor of the township. Politically he gives his adherence to the republican party. He is not a member of any secret or fraternal society, but has many warm friends irrespective of party organization, who recognize in him those qualities that are most derirable for the advancement of the interests of society.
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