Harry J. Gutshall

BALDWIN, GUTSHALL, HAGUE

Posted By: Judy Wight Branson (email)
Date: 9/24/2011 at 14:09:48

The History of Dallas County, Iowa, 1915, page 402:

Valuable farming property annually pays tribute to Harry Gutshall, who owns and supervises the cultivation of six hundred acres of valuable farming land, his home being in VanMeter township. Indolence finds no place in his vocabulary and on the contrary a life of activity has resulted in winning for him the favorable place which he now occupies in agricultural circles. He was born in Ohio, October 7, 1853, and is a son of Jacob Gutshall, a venerable and honored citizen of Van Meter township, who is mentioned elsewhere in this volume. He was reared to farm life and was educated in the common schools of Dallas county, having been brought thither by his parents when less than two years of age. When he had acquainted himself with the common branches of English learning he entered the Western College of Linn county, Iowa.

Having arrived at years of maturity, Harry Gutshall was married to Miss Minnie Baldwin, who was born in New Hampshire, January 1, 1865, her parents being also natives of that state. On coming to the west they located in Iowa in 1869. Their family numbered five children of whom Minnie was the second in order of birth.

Her girlhood days were spent under the parental roof, where she was early trained to the duties of the household, so that she was well qualified to take care of a home of her own when, on the 12th of February, 1880, she gave her hand in marriage to Harry Gutshall. Unto them have been born four children: Gertrude, born April 15, 1881, and now the wife of S. M. Hague; Clara, born April 22, 1885; Jacob M., born October 27, 1896; and Vivian, born June 2, 1896.

The family home is pleasantly situated in the midst of a fine farm, where are found all of the comforts and conveniences of modern agricultural life. The latest improved machinery is used in carrying on the work of the fields and good buildings have been provided for the shelter of grain and stock. Mr. Gutshall is engaged quite extensively in feeding stock and derives therefrom a gratifying annual income. His landed holdings embrace six hundred acres and the soil is rich and fertile, and brings forth large crops in return for the care and labor bestowed upon the fields.

He votes with the republican party, which he has supported since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. For several terms he has held the office of school director and is much interested in the cause of public education. He and his wife attend the United Brethren church.

Both are representatives of old families of the county and are much esteemed here.