Buena Vista County, IA
USGenWeb Project

Melchior Gutel, a prosperous and substantial agriculturist residing on section 17, Washington township, there owns and operates a well improved and valuable farm of one hundred and sixty acres.  His birth occurred in France on the 28^th of September, 1853, and in that country he was reared, while in early manhood he served for five years in the French army.  The year 1880 witnessed his emigration to the United States and after landing on the shores of the new world he made his way to Livingston county, Illinois, where he was employed as a farm hand by the month for five years and subsequently rented a farm there, in the operation of which he was successfully engaged for several years.  In 1894 he purchased one hundred and twenty acres of land where he now resides in Washington township but did not lake up his abode thereon until 1895, since which time he has been numbered among the progressive and enterprising farmers of Buena Vista county.  On the property he has erected an attractive and commodious residence, a granary, cribs and a new barn, and has likewise planted shade and fruit trees.  He has also extended the boundaries of his farm by an additional purchase of forty acres, so that it now embraces one hundred and sixty acres, all under a high state of cultivation and improvement.

On the 17th of February, 1885, at Ottawa, Illinois, Mr. Gutel was united in marriage to Miss Ida M. Roux, who was a native of Illinois but of French parentage.  Their two sons are Joseph R. and Jule E. Gutel, both of whom were born in Livingston county.

Having resided in this county since 1895, Mr. Gutel is widely and favorably known here and has the respect and esteem of all with whom he has been associated.  Coming to this country in limited financial circumstances, he has utilized his opportunities to the best advantage and has steadily worked his way upward until he is now numbered among the successful agriculturists and worthy citizens of his adopted county.