WILLIAM H. KACHELHOFFER, a successful general farmer of Silver Creek Township, has a snug homestead on section 16, not far from the place of his birth. He is a native of this township and the first drew breath Dec. 16, 1853. He was the youngest but one of his parents’ family of ten children, and comes from substantial German ancestry. His father, Joseph Kachelhoffer, emigrated to the United States from Alsace, now Germany, in 1839, and located first in the State of New York. Thence, about 1848, he migrated westward, and coming into this county, assisted in the erection of the old Yellow Creek brewery in the northern part of the township. In this he owned a half interest, and for some time was the partner of Mr. Hettinger. Upon withdrawing from this business he began purchasing land, and in due time became the owner of more than 900 acres in this township and 400 acres near Parkersburg, Iowa. He departed this life at his home in Silver Creek Township, on the homestead where his son now resides, July 1, 1880. He is remembered as a man of more than ordinary intelligence, and as his career indicates, was uniformly successful in his business transactions.

Our subject remained under the parental roof until reaching his majority, and was married at Freeport, Ill., Nov. 28, 1877, to Miss Martha J. Bardel, a native of Silver Creek Township, and born July 30, 1853. The sketch of her father, John Bardel, will be found elsewhere in this Album. Mrs. K. was reared by her parents and remained with them until her marriage. Her union with our subject resulted in the birth of five children, of whom one, Henry J., died when nine months old. Those surviving are Magdalena E., John H., Clara H. and Mary J. Soon after his marriage our subject began farming for himself, and is now the owner of 190 acres which has been carefully cultivated and is supplied with valuable improvements. He is considered a representative farmer and citizen, and by his manly and straight forward course has attained to a good position among his neighbors. Politically he is a Democrat, and religiously, a loyal adherent of the Catholic faith.

Transcribed by Carol Parrish
History of Stephenson County 1888 Portrait & Biographical Pg 362