Burckhalter, Daniel A.

BURCKHALTER

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 9/16/2019 at 12:16:11

Daniel A. Burckhalter
born in Indiana, Sep 22, 1840

(From the 1891 Biographical History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, p.574)
DANIEL A. BURCKHALTER, one of the older soldier farmers of Pottawattamie County, was born in Boone County, Indiana, September 22, 1840. His great-grandfather, Adam BURCKHALTER, was of German descent. His son, Abraham, the grandfather of our subject, was born in South Carolina, and at an early day moved to Ohio on pack horses, and again moved to Union County, Indiana, where he lived several years. He next went to Boone County, where he died, on his farm, at the age of eighty years. He was a member of the Baptist Church, an honorable and upright citizen, and a man respected by all. His wife survived until 1888, dying at the advanced age of 104 years and two days. He was the father of ten children, viz.: Carson, Fannie, Margaret, Rebecca, Jerry, Sarah, Joseph, Thomas, James S., and one who died young. James S., a son of the above and the father of our subject, was born in Union County, Indiana, March 22, 1818, and was reared to farm life. He was married to Leah BELLES, daughter of John W. and Mary (HUFF) BELLES. The father was a native of New Jersey, and moved to Hamilton County, Ohio, where he worked at his trade of carpenter. He was the son of Adam BELLES, who was a native of Germany. John BELLES moved to Boone County, Indiana, in 1863, and built a mill on Prairie Creek, but died two years afterward, at the age of sixty-three. He was an industrious and honorable man, and was the father of ten children: Annie, Elisha, Isaac, Leah, William, Jacob and Peter. To Mr. and Mrs. James S. BURCKHALTER were born eight children: Eliza J., Daniel A., Cynthia A., John M., Thomas W., Abigail C. and Laura A. After marriage his father lived on a farm in Boone County for seventeen years, and then moved to Marion County, Iowa, in 1854, where he lived until 1862, and where he was one of the early settlers. He enlisted in Company H, Fortieth Iowa Regiment Volunteer Infantry, but was taken sick and died one year afterward, from chronic diarrhea. He died on the steamboat at St. Louis. He was a good, substantial farmer, and although over forty-five years of age his patriotism would not allow him to remain at home, and he left his family and a comfortable home to lose his life for his country. His brother, Carson BURCKHALTER, was also in the same regiment, and was sixty years of age when he enlisted, and like his brother was a well-to-do farmer, but could not remain idle when his country needed him. James BURCKHALTER and his wife were devout members of the Christian Church. Politically he was a Republican, and socially a Master Mason. He was a man of high character, true and steadfast, a kind father and loving husband, and a patriot who did not hesitate to risk his life for his country, which is all that any one can do.

Daniel A. BURCKHALTER, the subject of this sketch, enlisted in Company K, Third Iowa Cavalry, Colonel BUSSEY, at the early age of twenty-one years. He was in several skirmishes, served in Missouri and Arkansas, and was in the siege of Vicksburg. The service in Missouri was principally against General PRICE and the bushwhackers, which was very dangerous, as the troops were very often fired upon from the bush. He was in a hard fight at Saline River, after which he was sent to Pine Bluff with the ambulance corps, and was captured by the Confederates under Captain WEBB, but escaped within one hour. He served three years, and was honorably discharged at Keokuk, Iowa, and returned home.

In 1879 he moved to Pottawattamie County and settled on his present farm, which now consists of 160 acres of fine land. He also has 160 acres of land in Dakota, and 120 acres in Cass County, Iowa. He is a hard working and a straightforward citizen, and stands high among the people. He is a member of the G. A. R., Abbott Post, No. 201, of which he has been Chaplain. He is a member of the Christian Church, and has held the office of deacon.

Mr. BURCKHALTER was married in 1865, to Edna BELL, daughter of Simpson and Mary (FOOTE) BELL. The father was born in Vermont, and moved from Ashtabula County, Ohio, to Marion County, Iowa, where he became a prominent farmer. He is now living in Montgomery, Iowa. He was the father of four children. Mr. and Mrs. BURCKHALTER had five children, namely: Charles, Sherman, who moved to Monroe Cemetery, Iowa, and died at the Black Hills, Custer County, Dakota, at the age of nineteen; Mary M., Cora L., Lucy A. and Carrie J. The mother died in Jasper County, Iowa, and Mr. BURCKHALTER was again married January 25, 1891, to Lucie DENNIS, of Essex, Page County, this state.