CHARLES A. BREECE (DECEASED), ATLANTIC.
Sturdy pioneers and honored residents of Cass county, Charles A. Breece and his wife (formerly Mary Haynes) were both natives of the Buckeye State. The husband was born in Knox county, Ohio, but was reared in Coshocton county, while Mrs. Breece was a native of Licking county, in that State. Charles A. Breece, who was a farmer and a harness maker, came to Marshall county, Iowa, in 1862, but not long afterward returned to his native State, removing thither to Bates county, Mo. In 1871 he located in Bear Grove township, this county, buying the farm on which his son, Harry O., now lives, and on which the parents passed the remainder of their days. Mr. and Mrs. Charles A. Breece had a family of four children -- two sons and two daughters -- all of whom are living at home except one. The paternal grandfather was born and reared in Virginia, but in his early manhood became a pioneer of Knox county, Ohio, where he died, the father of thirteen children. He was a weaver and wrought many years at his trade.
Although he has long been an invalid, Harry O. Breece, who resides on the old family homestead, is well known as a successful farmer and an able citizen, who has made himself eminently useful in a variety of functions. He is a native of Knox county, Ohio, where he was born on February 28, 1867. As he was only four years of age when the family located in Cass county, he has received his education here and devoted the years of an earnest manhood to its best interests. Despite the fact that he has been an invalid for the past eighteen years, he has never shirked his duty as a bread winner for himself, or as a source of productiveness in the interest of the home community. He has taught school and superintended the farm; has served ten years as secretary of the Farmers' Mutual Insurance Company of Cass county, and has also been honored with the secretaryship of the school board for a period of sixteen years. In all the lines of effort which have engaged his attention he has given a good account of his time and won substantial success. He is identified with the M. E. Church, is well known and very well thought of.
From "Compendium and History of Cass County, Iowa." Chicago: Henry and Taylor & Co., 1906, pg. 272-273.
