Alva A. Burkhart

As printed in 1914

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 History of Boone County, Iowa (1914). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.