Altmannsperger, Charles A. (1858-1926)

ALTMANNSPERGER

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 9/14/2019 at 23:36:24

Charles A. Altmannsperger
July 12, 1858 - Dec 4, 1926

[From the 1891 Biographical History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, p.632]
CHARLES A. ALTMANNSPERGER, one of the prominent businessmen of Iowa, and a Council Bluffs City Councilman, was born in the town of Burgehaun, Province of Kurhessen, Germany, July 12, 1858, the son of ANDREAS ALTMANNSPERGER, who was a lawyer of Marburg, Germany. He was elected a Judge of his notive province, and died at the age of 51 years. CHARLES ALTMANNSPERGER received an excellent education at the Gymnasium of Fulda, Germany, where he obtained a knowledge of the English language, and after completing his education he entered the business house where he served three years. During this time he book a commercial course, and then served three years as a clerk in Switzerland. In 1880 he came to America, and in 1881 to Avoca, Iowa, where he entered the employment of Seifest & Wiese, an extensive business firm of that place. After remaining with them a few months, he came to Minden and took charge of their business here, which is principally lumber and coal, and since that time he has attended to their work with satisfaction to his firm and credit to himself. Mr. Altmannsperger takes an interest in thoroughbred English mastiffs, being a lover of the traits and character exhibited by that noble breed of dogs, and like many men, see many traits which are worthy of being cultivated and improved. He now has a large kennel, numbering at times as many as 30 thoroughbred English mastiffs. Ashmund, Suwanee, American Kennel Club, 16,006; Vesta, 6,854; Queen Victoria, 16,008, are the leaders from which he breeds. His dog Ben Harrison, 2d, 16,010 is a splendid animal and is one of the best specimens of the English mastiff now living. He is now only twenty months old, and weighs 185 pounds. Mr. Altmannsperger is a careful breeder of the English mastiff, and his dogs are being shipped to all parts of the country. His noble race of dogs have descended from old English stock, made famous by the pens of the great English writers. Sir Walter scott described in "Woodstock" a magnificent specimen of this race as the famous guardian of Woodstock Hall. Socially, Mr. Altmannsperger is a prominent Mason, being a member of the blue lodge, Neola Chapter of Avoca, and Scottish Rite, Council Bluffs. He has taken 14 degrees in Masonry. He is also a member of the Knights of Pythias of Neola. He has the confidence of the people of Minden, and is now serving as township Clerk which office he has held six years. He has taken an active interest in good schools, having been treasurer of the School Board for five years, and has lately been elected, as before stated, to the first Town Council of Minden. In 1881 Mr. Altmannsperger married ELIZA BOHREN, a native of Switzerland, and they have three girl: Caroline, Eliza and Matilda. Mr. Altmannsperger is a reliable citizen, owning his residence and other property, and also a farm in this township. He is a young man and has just entered upon his career of usefulness. He is an active and reliable businessman, possessing the confidence of his firm and the respect of the community in which he lives, and he is not only a credit to the sturdy German race from which he sprang, but a direct benefit to the county in which he has settled. He is a courteous host, having a delightful home, in which he takes great pleasure entertaining his friends, and in which he dispenses a liberal hospitality.