P. F. Unterkircher

As printed in 1905

P. F. UNTERKIRCHER.

No history given in this volume illustrates more clearly the power of honesty, perseverance, and enterprise as resultant factors in the business world than does the life record of P. F. Unterkircher, deceased, who, coming to this country empty-handed, steadily worked his way upward until at his death he left behind him not only a handsome competence but also an unsullied record. He therefore commanded the unqualified respect of his fellow-citizens, while his many acts of benevolence and unostentatious generosity gained their love and admiration.

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

DES MOIXnS COUXTV. IOWA.

the careful conduct of his business interests, he was enabled to accumulate considerable property and he left a large estate, the visible evidence of his life of intense and well-directed activity. His word was as good as his bond, his honesty in all business matters being proverbial. Throughout his entire life he progressed, because he was ever alert for opportunity for advancement, and utilized all such to the best possible ends.

In 1888 Mr. Unterkircher was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who died that year in Ihirlinston. They were the parents of twelve children. He survived his wife for about five years. He was a member of Harmonia Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows; Stephenson Lodge, Ancient Order of United Workmen; and the Iowa Grove Order of Druids. He was a man of most kindly spirit, generous in giving to the poor and needy, and yet entirely free from ostentation in his many benevolent acts. In fact he desired that none should know of his gifts. He was always interested in the welfare of the city, was the champion of many measures for the public good, and his support of progressive public measures caused him to be honored while he lived and occasioned deep and widespread regret at his death. At one time he served as alderman of Burlington. Seven years prior to his death he made a trip to Germany, both for the purpose of seeing his native land and also in the hope that his health might be improved. He visited several water cures, but received no permanent benefit; and he never recovered his former strength, although his fatal illness covered only a few weeks. No citizen that the Fatherland furnished to America was ever more respected in Burlington or was more justly entitled to public regard, not only because of the success he achieved, but also by reason of the straightforward methods he employed, and his broad humanitarian spirit, manifest in kindly deeds.

As printed in Biographical review of Des Moines County, Iowa (1905). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.