M. M. BECHTELL
M. M. Bechtell, grain dealer, was born in Hagerstown, Me., in 1822; remained there until 1843; then studied for the ministry at Pennsylvania College, from which he graduated in 1874; then took a course in the theological seminary at Gettysburg, Pa.; was licensed as a preacher in the Lutheran church, and ordained in 1853; moved to Somerset county the following year; continued preaching, and also engaged in the lumber business. In 1858 he moved to Cumberland county, Me., and continued the lumber trade; in 1865 was engaged in the oil trade in Pa., and the following year removed to Victor, Ia., and engaged in farming; thence to Mitchellville in 1873, and engaged in the grain business; the next year to Lennox, Taylor county, where he built a mill and remained four years; removed to Essex, Page county, and engaged in the mercantile business; thence to Harlan in 1879, and engaged in the hardware business, which he sold to Mr. Snively; then built elevator number two, and engaged in his present business.
Transcribed February, 2018 by Cheryl Siebrass from: History of Western Iowa, Its Settlement and Growth, published in Sioux City, IA.: Western Publishing Company, 1882, pg. 415.
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