The Burkhart Families of Boone County, Iowa

AARON E. BURKHART.

Boone county is fortunate that so great a majority of her sons remain within her borders, devoted to her welfare and upbuilding, and well they may, for she offers splendid advantages to her citizens, especially to those who make farming a life work. Among this number is.Aaron E. Burkhart. who was born in Peoples township, March 24, 1870. The usual experiences of the farm lad were his. He worked in the fields through the summer months and attended school in the winter seasons. As he advanced in years and strength, he aided more and more largely in the farm work, and after attaining his majority he decided to continue therein, realizing the opportunities offered in this connection in Boone county. He has. therefore, always carried on general farming and as the result of his close application and unfaltering industry has met with a fair measure of success. Carefully saving his earnings, he has invested in property and is now the owner of one hundred and twenty acres of choice land, lying on section 13, Peoples township. He has made substantial improvements thereon, none of the equipments of the model farm of the twentieth century being found lacking there. His is a well furnished and attractive home, standing in the midst of highly cultivated fields, and he also has good grades of stock upon his place. He has been quite successful and the years have witnessed his advancement along ])business lines.

In Cass township Mr. Burkhart was united in marriage on the 28th of April, 1894, to Miss Anna Johnson, who was born in Norway, December 26, 1876. In 1884 she came to America with her parents, Jordan and Lena (Olson) Johnson, the family home being established at Woodward, Iowa. Her father was born in Norway and since coming to the new world has always followed farming in this state. For a time he was identified with agricultural pursuits in Cass township and is now living in Colfa.x township. His wife also survives, in their family were ten children, namely: Anna, now Mrs. Burkhart; John; Olive; Nels; Charley; Fred; Olaf, deceased; Gertrude; Mable; and Gladys.

Mr. and Mrs. Burkhart have become parents of one son, Donald, who was born in Peoples township, April 5, 1896. and is now attending the ])public school near his home. Mr. Burkhart gives his political allegiance to the republican party, which he has supported since age conferred upon him the right of franchise, but the honors and emoluments of office have had no special attraction for him, as he has always preferred to concentrate his energies upon his business affairs, which, well directed, have gained him recognition as one of the representative farmers of his section of the state. He has lived to witness many changes during the period of his life as the work of progress and development has been carried forward in this county, and at all times he has borne his share in discharging the duties which devolve upon every individual in relation to the public good.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

ALVA A. BURKHART.

Among the native sons of Boone county who have recognized and utilized the business opportunities here offered, never finding it necessary to seek success elsewhere, is Alva A. Burkhart, now busily engaged in the further development and improvement of an excellent farm in Peoples township. It was in the same township that his birth occurred on the ist of Januarv, 1872.

His father, David L. Burkhart, a native of Pennsylvania, was born in Butler county in 1833, but came to Iowa in early life, casting in his lot with the pioneer settlers of Boone county at a time when the work of progress and development seemed scarcely begun here. On first reaching this state he made his way to Iowa City, then a small town, while Fort Des Moines had not yet been founded. After a short time at Iowa City he removed to Fort Des Moines and worked at his trade of carpentering for a number of years. At length he exchanged his home 111 Des Moines for a tract of land in Peoples township, Boone county, and took up his above thereon, making that place his home until he was called to his final rest. Following the outbreak of the Civil war he enlisted in Company A, Twenty-third Iowa Volunteer Infantry, in 1862. He was enrolled at Zena and was honorably discharged in 1863 on account of physical disability. In the meantime he was with Grant at the siege of Vicksburg and was in the charge at Big Black river, in which he received special mention. For bravery on that occasion he was advanced to the captaincy of his company. In the charge his company captured many swords and flags, and a sword and flag which he took on that occasion are still in the possession of his family in Peoples township. He made an excellent military record, and it was with the deepest regret that he was forced to put aside his duties on account of the greatly impaired condition of his health. David L. Burkhart was united in marriage to Miss Sarah McDonald, whose mother was a near relative of John Brown. Mrs. Burkhart was born in Michigan in 1834 and died in Peoples township, Boone county, Iowa, August 7, 1892. She became the mother of eleven children: -Mrs. Laura Hayer, residing at Lesmore, Minnesota; Mrs. Sarah J. Rittenhouse, of Oregon City, Oregon; John P.; Thomas, deceased; Charles, who makes his home in California; William, who has passed away; Aaron E., who was born March 24, 1870, and is living in Peoples township; Alva A., of this review; George Washington, who makes his home in the state of Washington; Albert, living in Peoples township; and Otho, who is a resident of Woodward. Iowa. The parents of these children were married in Polk county but established their home in Peoples township, Boone county, and all of the children were born there.

Throughout his entire life Alva A. Burkhart has resided in the county which is now his home. His educational opportunities were those afforded by the public schools. His early training was that of the farm, and he has always carried on general agricultural pursuits and stock-raising. His work has been intelligently directed, and his energy and determination have constituted the basis of his growing success. His methods are at all times practical, and he has annually gathered good harvest as a result of the intelligent manner in which he has cultivated his fields and cared for his crops.

In Marcy township, February 8, 1899, Mr. Burkhart was united in marriage to Miss Beatrice Stewart, who was born in Coal X'alley, this county, and spent her girlhood days here, where she has always resided. Her parents, Stephen and Margaret (Patterson) Stewart, were among the early residents of the county and were well known through the pioneer epoch and later periods in the history of this section of the state. Their children were as follows: Eleanor Webster, of Hot Springs county, Wyoming; Janet Edgar, a resident of Tacoma, Washington; Jane Thompson, of Thermopolis. Wyoming: and Mrs. Burkhart. Mrs. Stewart was twice married, the children by her second union being: John Hodge and Bessie Nelson, both of Rock Springs. Wyoming.

Mr. and Mrs. Burkhart have become the parents of the following named: Austin, who was born January 31. 1900; Mahlon, born June 27, 1901; Velma. born January 3, 1905; David and Stephen, twins, born May 17, 1909; and Clifton, whose birth occurred on the 23d of July, 1913. The older children are now in school. The family occupy a pleasant home, the house is commodious and tastefully furnished, and the air of hospitality which there pervades makes it a favorite resort with the many friends of the family. The residence stands in the midst of one hundred and five acres of arable land situated on section 13, Peoples township, and in addition to a comfortable home there are good barns and outbuildings, well kept fences and the latest improved machinery. The political allegiance of Mr. Burkhart is given to the republican party, and both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, to the teachings of which they are ever loyal, while to the support of the church they make generous contributions.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

OTHO S. BURKHART.

Otho S. Burkhart, local manager for the Standard Oil Company at Woodward and well qualified for his present position, was born in Peoples township, Boone county, July 13, 1878. He is a son of David L. and Sarah (McDonald) Burkhart. The former, a native of Pennsylvania, was born in Butler county in 1833, but came to Iowa in early life, casting in his lot with the pioneer settlers of Boone county at a time when the work of progress and development seemed scarcely begun here. On first reaching this state he made his way to Iowa City, then a small town, while Fort Des Moines had not yet been founded. After a short time at Iowa City he removed to Fort Des Moines and worked at his trade of carpentering for a number of years. At length he exchanged his home in Des Moines for a tract of land in Peoples township, Boone county, and took up his above thereon, making that place his home until he was called to his final rest. l'following the outbreak of the Civil war he enlisted in Company A, Twenty-third Iowa Volunteer Infantry, in 1862. He was enrolled at Zena and was honorably discharged in 1863 on account of physical disability. In the meantime he was with (grant at the siege of Vicksburg and was in charge at Big Black river, in which he received special mention. For bravery on that occasion he was ad-

vaiiced to the captaincy of his company. In the charge his company captured ir.any swords and flags, and a sword and flag which he took on that occasion are still in the possession of his family in Peoples township. He made an excellent military record, and it was with the deepest regret that he was forced to put aside his duties on account of the greatly impaired condition of his health.

[This passage is too damaged in the scanned book to reproduce. See the original book.]

Upon the death of his parents Otho S. Burkhart was taken into the home of an aunt in Polk county, where he remained for a year, or until the aunt's death. He then returned to I'people township, where he continued to live until taking up his above in Woodward. In his youthful days and early manhood he followed farming and stock-raising, being thus continuously engaged until 1907, when he removed to Woodward and secured a clerkship in a hardware store. He was thus employed for live years and afterward spent one year at the carpenter's trade and one year as a painter. In May, 1914, he became manager for the Standard Oil Company at Woodward and has charge of this immediate territory. He is well qualified for the position and is doing good service for that corporation in this section.

In his political views Mr. Burkhart is an earnest republican, well informed on the questions and issues of the day. He belongs to Peaceful Lodge, A. F. & M., of Woodward, and to Woodward Lodge, No. 460, I. O. O. F. He is a member of the World's Champion Odd Fellows' Degree StatT of Woodward and was with them in their triumiihaiU career.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

WILLIAM P. BURKHART.

The student of history cannot carry his investigations far into the records of this county without learning that the Burkhart family was early established in Peoples township and it was there that William I'. Burkhart was born on the [/th of April. 1863, on the section where he now lives. His father. Paul Burkhart, was born in Butler county, Pennsylvania, and on removing to the west cast in his lot with the early settlers of Boone county, where he followed farming until the outbreak of the Civil war. He then enlisted for service in the Second Iowa Battery, went to the front and died at Memphis, Tennessee, in 1864, while doing active duty for the Union. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Amanda McDonald, was born in Michigan and, surviving her husband, now resides in Boone, Iowa. In their family were two children: Mrs. Maria Rebecca Cunningham, who was born in Polk county, Iowa, in 1860, and is now residing in Van Meter, this state; and William P., of this review. Both were reared in Peoples township, where the Burkhart family settled when the work of progress and de- Aelopment seemed scarcely begun in this part of the state.

William P. Burkhart was reared in Peoples township and like most lads of the period pursued his education in the district schools near his home, no event of special importance occurring to vary the routine of farm and school life for him in his youthful days. Since then with the exception of a period of three years he has engaged in farming and stock-raising on his own account.

Mr. Burkhart made arrangements for having a home of his own through his marriage in Roone county on the 29th of March. 1888. to Miss Nellie Miller, who was born in La Grange county, Indiana, May 24, 1868, and in 1885 came to Iowa with her parents, who settled in Peoples township. Her father, David Miller, was a native of Ohio, born January 4, 1831, and he is now residing in Woodward at the advanced age of eighty-three years. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Asenath Day, was born in Ohio, December 31, 1843, but died in Woodward, January 31, 1 90 1, a little over fifty-eight years of age. There were seven children in the Miller family, all of whom are living, as follows: Frank, who was born in September, 1862, and resides in Indiana; Mrs. Rose Taylor, born July 13, 1864, a resident of Woodward; Charles, who was born January 3, 1866, and makes his home in Texas; Mrs. Burkhart of this review; Mrs. Ida Stiles, who was born December 26, 1871, and is now residing in Runnells, Iowa; Mrs. Flora Albaugh, whose birth occurred in December, 1874, and who makes her home in Cedar Rapids; and Clyde, who was born (Jctober 18, 1884, and is a resident of Alliance, Nebraska.

The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Burkhart has been blessed with three children. Gaylord Roy, born June 6, 1889, attended the common schools of the neighborhood and afterward entered Highland Park Business College of Des Moines. He is now residing on the old family homestead in Peoples township. Lola Fay, born December 1, 1894, attended the common schools, was for a year a pupil in the Woodward high school and is now engaged in teaching in Peoples township. William Ralph was born April 17, 1904, and is still in school. All of the children were born upon the home farm in Peoples township. This farm is a tract of one hundred and eighty acres of choice land on section 12, in addition to which Mr. Burkhart owns eight acres on section 11, of the same township, and upon this place are two sets of good buildings and other improvements, none of the accessories of the model farm of the twentieth century being lacking. Mr. Burkhart raises high grades of stock, and his farm presents a neat and thrifty appearance, indicating his careful supervision and his practical and progressive methods. He is determined and energetic, and his well formulated plans are promptly and successfully executed, so that as the years have gone by he has acquired a gratifying competence. His political allegiance is given to the republican party, but he has never sought nor desired public office. He has served, however, as school director and is interested in various projects and measures which tend to promote the welfare of the county and advance its interests in many ways.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

D. A. BURKHART.

Boone county numbers D. A. Burkhart among her native sons and those who know him — and he has a wide acquaintance — entertain for him warm regard and friendship. He is now engaged in general farming, cultivating a quarter section of land in the township in which he was born on the 2d of September, 1875.

The usual experiences of a farm lad fell to the lot of D. A. Burkhart, who spent his boyhood and youth in Peoples township, where he still makes his home. He early learned lessons of industry, for at an early age he began to work in the fields and throughout his life he has followed farming and stock-raising. He is today busily engaged in the further development and cultivation of one hundred and sixty acres of land situated on section 14, Peoples township, and in addition to cultivating the cereals best adapted to soil and climate he is engaged in raising graded stock, meeting with a fair measure of success in this undertaking.

On the 24th of December, 1902, Mr. Durkhart was united in marriage to Miss Luella Loretta Pentico, who was born in Prairie City, Jasper county, Iowa, on the 22d of November, 1882. Her father, Emanuel Pentico, was born in Westover, Cleveland county, Pennsylvania, January 21, 1854, and when a youth of seventeen years, or in 1871, came to the middle west, settling in Iowa. He was married in Jasper county, this state, on the 20th of March, 1879, the lady of his choice being Miss Mary Wiggins, who was born in Prairie City, Jasper county, November 4, 1858. The parents removed to Boone county in 1890. The parents of Mrs. Pentico were among the early settlers of Jasper county. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Pentico were: Lucy, deceased; Frank, a resident of Peoples township; Mrs. Burkhart, wife of the subject of this review; Mrs. Etta Olson, whose home is in Regent, North Dakota; Orville, of Cylinder, Iowa; and Mrs. Myrtle Sparks, of Marcy township.

Mrs. Burkhart was reared to womanhood in her native county and attended the public schools near her father's home. By her marriage she has become the mother of one son, Raymond LeRoy, who was born April 1, 1904, and is attending school near his parents' home. In his political views Mr. Burkhart is a republican, voting for the men and measures of the party yet never seeking office as a reward for party fealty. He has been an active, energetic man, carefully directing his business affairs, and he is well known as one of the pioneer settlers of Peoples township, his life being in every respect worthy of the regard which is accorded him.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.