Michael J. Barthell
A power of initiative, ambition, energy and a progressive spirit,
directed into important business channels, have carried Michael
J. Barthell forward into close relations with the general
business life of Allamakee county and of Waukon, where he makes
his home. Under the firm name of Barthell Brothers he is
associated with his brother in the conduct of one of the largest
and most profitable real-estate enterprises in this county and he
is also a force in agricultural circles, owning and developing
two fine farms in Winnesheik county. His enterprise and business
aggressiveness, dominating and influencing all the activities of
his career, have made the various interests with which he is
connected successful and profitable and place him today among the
leading and influential men of Allamakee county.
A native of this county, Mr. Barthell was born on a farm in Makee
township, April 6, 1871, a son of John M. Barthell, who is
numbered among the earliest settlers in Iowa, having located in
Allamakee county in pioneer times. For many years he was a
prosperous farmer in Makee township but later he removed to
Waukon where he turned his attention to the live-stock business,
becoming a dealer and shipper on an extensive scale. His death
occurred in the city, March 6, 1902, and he is survived by his
wife who makes her home in the family residence in Waukon. They
were the parents of ten children, six sons and four daughters,
all of whom grew to maturity. Of this family, four sons and four
daughters still survive, the sons being: M. J., B. F., and
Charles, who live in Allamakee county; and George, who makes his
home in the state of Washington.
Michael J. Barthell was reared on the home farm in Makee township
and from his childhood aided in the operation of the property,
gaining in this way a practical knowledge of the best
agricultural methods, which has been invaluable to him in his
present farming operations. He acquired his education in the
district school but is largely self-educated, having made up for
his early deficiencies in this line by reading, observation and
study since reaching mature years. When he left the farm he came
to Waukon and for a few years thereafter was associated with his
brother in the conduct of a hardware business. This enterprise
they later sold and turned their attention to the real-estate
business in which they are now engaged under the firm name of
Barthell Brothers. They handle a great deal of valuable property,
dealing extensively in Waukon residence and business property and
in Allamakee and Winnesheik county farming lands, and they
control an important and growing trade having won the confidence
of the public at large by their straightforward and honorable
business methods. They conduct also a loan department in
connection with their real-estate enterprise and have done much
to stimulate general business activity in this way. Michael
Barthell and his brother also own and operate two fine farms in
Winnesheik county, which they have improved and developed along
modern and scientific lines, making their properties among the
best and most profitable in this part of the state. Along the
lines of his interests Mr. Barthell has proved himself a
reliable, far-sighted and resourceful business man, modern in his
views, progressive in his ideas and honorable and upright in his
standards. He has done a great deal of important work in the
development of the county where he was born and his private
prosperity is counted a public asset.
In Waukon, on the 27th of December, 1905, Mr. Barthell was united
in marriage to Miss Jessie Stilwell, a daughter of C. S.
Stilwell, one of the well known lawyers of Waukon, of whom
further mention is made on another page in this work. Mrs.
Barthell was born and reared in this city and after graduating
from high school took a two year kindergarten course. Mr. and
Mrs. Barthell have a daughter, Barbara Elizabeth.
Politically Mr. Barthell is identified with the republican party
but has never sought nor held public office, preferring to devote
all of his time to his business affairs. He belongs to the
Masonic order, holding membership in the lodge, chapter and
commandery, and in his religious views he is a devout
Presbyterian. He and his wife attend the Presbyterian church in
Waukon to which he is a contributor, although he has also given
generously toward the building of the Baptist and German
churches. He is preeminently a business man and the energy,
aggressiveness and determination necessary for success in
business life are dominating forces in his character. Waukon is
fortunate in numbering him among her citizens, for his work has
been a potent force in the city’s development and the record
of his career is worthy of a place in a history of its successful
and able men.
-source: Past & Present of Allamakee County; by
Ellery M. Hancock; S. J. Clarke Pub. Co.; 1913
-transcribed by Linda Earnheart
Return to Bio Index