Fred J. Bartsche, who owns a farm on section 36, Milo township, was born in Wayne county, Ohio, on the 10th of February, 1872, a son of John and Catherine (Bickel) Bartsche, natives of Switzerland and Germany respectively. When a lad of twelve years John Bartsche came with his parents to this country and grew to manhood in Ohio. The mother was twenty years of age when she left the fatherland and made her way to the United States. The subject of this review is one of two children born to his parents, the other being Amanda, who is now the wife of John Aldrich and lives in Hazel Green township. The family came west in 1879 and settled in Delhi township upon twenty acres of land which the parents purchased.  After a few years this place was sold and the father rented a farm, which he cultivated for four years, at the end of which time he leased another tract of land, which he operated for three years. He then removed to Hazel Green township and rented land for three years. He subsequently bought ninety five acres on section 36, Milo township, which the subject of this review later bought. John Bartsche is at present living upon twenty acres in Hazel Green township and is widely known as a chicken fancier, raising full blooded chickens, which he ships to all parts of the United States. His wife passed away on the 12th of May, 1906.

     Fred J. Bartsche lives upon the farm on section 36, Milo township, which his parents purchased a number of years ago. He has added ten acres to the original holdings and now owns one hundred and five acres of fine land. Most of the improvements upon the property have been made by the Bartsche family and the place is well developed in every respect. The land is in a high state of cultivation, the fields are enclosed by strong fences and the house and other buildings are well adapted to the purposes which they serve. Mr. Bartsche follows general farming and is meeting with a fair measure of success in all of his operations.

    Mr. Bartsche was married on the 21st of October, 1900, to Miss Estella Aldrich, a daughter of Henry and Emeline (Belding) Aldrich, natives of Illinois and New York respectively.  Mr. and Mrs. Bartsche have a daughter, Ruth, born on the 30th of October, 1906.  Mr. Bartsche is a republican and is keenly interested in public affairs.  For some time he served as trustee of the creamery at Delhi.  He is a man of unquestioned integrity and has many friends and the full confidence of all who have been brought in contact with him.