John Buntrock

John Buntrock and family

A native of Germany, John Buntrock has again demonstrated through his success that this country offers opportunities to all who are able to grasp them. Having come to Allamakee county in 1870, he purchased, with money that he saved, an eighth section of land and has since increased the boundaries of his farm until it comprises one hundred and fifty-seven and a half acres, all under high cultivation and improved with substantial buildings. Born on September 26,1843, John Buntrock is a son of Martin and Engel (Storm) Buntrock, who came to the United States in 1866 and established their home in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where the father engaged in various tasks. They came to Allamakee county in company with their son John and made their home with him until the death of the mother, when the father again married, later passing away in this county. John Buntrock was the oldest of four children, the others being; August, deceased, who followed in merchandising in Waukon, Iowa; Mary, the wife of Henry Fettkater, of French Creek township; and Bertha, who married F. Laab, of Lansing, Iowa.

John Buntrock, in the acquirement of his education, attended the excellent schools of the fatherland and at the age of twenty-three came with his parents to the United States. For four years he engaged in various occupations in Milwaukee but in 1870 came to Allamakee county and, having carefully husbanded his resources, bought with his savings eighty acres of land, which is part of the farm he now owns. On the land he found a one-room log shanty which served as his first home, but he subsequently build a comfortable dwelling which he has made his home since. As the years have passed he has put his acres under cultivation, has erected substantial barns and outbuildings and as his means have increased has extended the boundaries of his farm, which now includes one hundred and fifty-seven and a half acres. His success is largely due to his enterprising spirit and his incessant labors, which have found a just reward in his present prosperity.

Mr. Buntrock was united in marriage to Miss Fredericka Deters, now deceased, a native of Germany, by whom he had four children: William, who makes his home in Canada; Ida, the wife of Rev. August Klieber, of Birmingham, Ohio; Emma, who married W. T. Goffe, of Rockefeller, Illinois; and Louis, farming in French Creek township. Mr. Buntrock was again married, his second union being with Matilda Hausmann, also a native of Germany and a daughter of Fred and Minnie (Oloff) Hausmann, early settlers of Allamakee county and both now deceased. Of this union seven sons have been born: Fred, Martin, Herbert, Oscar, Arthur, Melvin and Allen. Mr. and Mrs. Buntrock are members of the German Methodist church, in the work of which they take an active interest. He gives his political allegiance to the republican party and served his township at one time as a school director. Although nearly seventy years of age, Mr. Buntrock is still active in the operation of his farm and enjoys the best of health. He is highly respected and esteemed in his community for what he has achieved through his own labors and those qualities of his mind and character which have made possible his success.

-source: Past & Present of Allamakee County; by Ellery M. Hancock; S. J. Clarke Pub. Co.; 1913
-transcribed by Diana Diedrich

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