The full biographical sketch as printed, transcribed from the public-domain book. Spelling and wording are the original author’s; a few scanning errors may remain.
ALMOND WHEATMAN.
For the past fifteen years Almond Wheatman has been prominently connected with the agricultural and stock-raising interests of Calmar township, and is today one of the most representative and substantial farmers of that locality, own- ing and operating one hundred and sixty acres of fine land on section 2. lie is a native son of that township, horn September 20, 1868, his parents being Henry and Maria (Daniels) Wheatman, natives of England. The father came to America in the early *6os and located in Winneshiek county, Iowa, where he purchased land in Calmar township. This he operated until 1896 when he retired from active life, moving two years later into Decorah, where he still resides. His wife passed away in 1892.
Almond Wheatman acquired his education in the district schools of his native township and in his childhood assisted his father with the work of the farm, becoming before he had attained his majority a practical and able agriculturist. When he .was twenty-four years of age he rented land which he operated for five years, at the end of which time he purchased eighty acres on section 2, Calmar township. To this he later added another tract of eighty acres and thus owns today one hundred and sixty acres of valuable land. Cpon this he has made substantial improvements in building and equipment and has steadily carried
forward the work of development, making the farm today worthy of comparison with the finest agricultural properties in this section of the stale.
< )n the 2d of March, 1893. Mr. Wheatman was united in marriage to Miss Bertha Fristad, a daughter of 1 laagen and Carrie Fristad, natives of Norway. The parents came to Winneshiek county at an early date ami here the father engaged in farming, still making his home upon the property which he bought at that time. Mr. and Mrs. Wheatman have become the parents of three children: Myrtle, aged nineteen; Elmer, seventeen; and Beatrice, eight. -Mr. Wheatman gives his political allegiance to the republican party and he takes an active inter- est in the affairs of the community where his entire life has been spent. He is a man of many fine qualities of character, strong and resolute in purpose, in- dustrious and enterprising; and he is well known throughout the community for his uprightness and honesty, meriting and enjoying the respect and confidence of his neighbors and friends.
I' >Sh I'll SCHJSSEL.
Through well directed business activity and enterprise Joseph Schissel has gained recognition as one of the prosperous farmers of Winneshiek county. He owns an attractive homestead of two hundred acres on section 16, Military town- ship and since 1858 has lived in the county, during a great portion of which time his labors have not only contributed to his own prosperity but have also proven effective forces in advancing the general welfare.
Mr. Schissel was born in Germany on the 15th of June, 1843, and is a son of Peter and Mary Schissel, who came to America in 1845, settling in Pennsylvania. In that state they resided for thirteen years and at the end of that time moved to Iowa, taking up their residence near Festina in Winneshiek county. The father purchased land in that locality and upon that property engaged in agricultural pursuits until shortly before his death which occurred in Ossian in t<)0~. He had long survived his wife who passed away in 1863. To their union were born five children: Barbara. George, Peter and John, who have passed away; and Joseph of this review.
When Joseph Schissel was fifteen years of age he accompanied his parents to Winneshiek county and he has remained a resident of this part of Iowa since that time, having won in the interval the respect, confidence and esteem of all with whom he has been associated. In his childhood he assisted with the work of the homestead, becoming a practical and able agriculturist, and at twenty- four he rented the home farm from his father, taking entire charge of its opera- tion for one year. At the end of that time he rented one hundred and sixty acres additional land and for more than two years and a half managed both proper- ties, his well directed labors being rewarded by a gratifying measure of success, lie eventually purchased land of his own, buying two hundred acres upon which he resided for seven years, selling it at the end of that time and buying another farm similar in extent, the land lying on section 16, Military township. Five acres are in timber but upon the remainder he carries on general farming and stock-raising, both branches of his enterprise being profitable as a result of his
energy, ability and industry. Upon his farm he has made substantial improve- ments, having remodeled the residence, erected a fine barn and the necessary outbuildings, and installed modern labor saving machinery. He has made it one of the finest agricultural properties in this part of the county, its appearance being a striking evidence of the care and labor he has bestowed upon it.
Mr. Schissel married Miss Carrie Bohardt and to their union were born six hildren : Joseph, who resides in Military township ; Peter, of Calmar, Iowa ; Nicholas, of Military township; John, at home; Mary the wife of Antone Clerc; and Barbara, who married Henry Scheidemantel.
Mr. Schissel is a member of the Roman Catholic church and his political al- legiance is given to the democratic party. Having been a resident of this part of Iowa since his childhood, he has witnessed practically its entire development and he has to a great extent assisted in the work of advancement and progress along agricultural lines. Wherever he is known he is honored and respected for he is a man of many sterling traits of character, reliable in business, progres- sive in citizenship and at all times upright and trustworthy.
Source: Past and present of Winneshiek County, Iowa. See the original pages at the Internet Archive.
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