- DANIEL B. BECHTOLT, whose residence in Jordan township, Green
county, covers half a
- century, is a native of Ohio, born Feb. 22, 1837, in Licking
county, where he passed his early years.
- Mathias BECHTOLT, Sr., his grandfather, was a native of Germany,
whence he emigrated to
- America before the Revolutionary war, settling in Berks county,
Penn. His family consisted of eleven children, namely: Isaac,
George (who was a minister), Frederick, Daniel, Mathias, Jr.,
William, Elizabeth, Catherine, and three who died young. Of these,
Mathias, Jr., father of Daniel B. BECHTOLT, was born July 6,
1788, in Berks county, Penn., and in 1813 married Miss Christina
EPLER, of Berks county, born June 10, 1795, who bore him eight
children: Christina, Catherine, Mathias, Lydia, Peter, Permelia,
Elizabeth and Daniel B., all deceased except Mrs. Permelia DEWIT,
of Iowa, and Daniel B. The family came to Wisconsin when our
subject was fourteen years of age, settling in Jordan township,
Green county, where the father homesteaded forty acres of government
land. He died Nov. 19, 1872, the mother on Sept. 21, 1856.
- Daniel B. BECHTOLT received his education in his native State,
and was trained to agricultural
- pursuits on his present farm, which he has continued to carry
on most profitably, having a well-improved farm, now comprising
100 acres, equipped with good barns, etc. When he commenced life
on his own account he had not a dollar to his name, but he has
succeeded by dint of perseverance in acquiring a comfortable
competence, and at the same time has made for himself an honorable
name among the best citizens of his community. As his influence
in local affairs is strong, and always exercised in the cause
of right. His political support is given to principle and not
to party, and he may always be depended upon to aid by his ballot
the best men and the best measures, regardless of their political
sponsors. In religion he is inclined toward the faith of the
United Brethren.
- On March 12, 1857, Mr. BECHTOLT was united in marriage with
Miss Matilda WAGNER,
- who was born Feb. 19, 1839, in Pennsylvania, a daughter of
Charles and Lydia (SHULTZ) WAGNER, and eight children blessed
this union, namely: Maria, who died Feb. 3, 1861; Albert B.,
who is a minister and farmer, residing in Cadiz township, Green
county; Lydia, wife of Charles BLAIN, of Jordan; Samuel, of Iowa,
who married Ettie LAFEVER; George, of Monroe township, Green
county, who married Ina WELLS; Ervin, who remains on the old
home place, and is married to Isa WELLS; Ida Elmedia, wife of
Walter KESSLER, of Jordan; and Orpha Lois, who died in infancy,
Feb. 19, 1879. Mrs. BECHTOLT passed away June 19, 1880. She was
a true Christian woman, sharing in the high esteem in which her
husband has always been held, and was deeply mourned by her neighbors
and friends throughout the township.
-
- Taken from "Commemorative Biographical Record of
the Counties of Rock, Green, Grant, Iowa and Lafayette Wisconsin,"
(c)1901 Union Publishing; pp. 546-547.
-
- Courtesy of Carol.
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