WI BIO - Dane Co - BECHTEL, Daniel
Biographical Review of Dane County, WI. Chicago: Biographical Review Pub. Co. 
1893. Vol II, pp 324-325

Daniel BECHTEL, an extensive farmer of Blooming Grove Township, Dane County, 
WI, was born at Laurel Township, Lycoming County, PA, 31 Aug 1845. His 
father, John BECHTEL, was born near Reading, Burks County, PA, and the 
grandfather, Peter BECHTEL, was born in the same county, although of German 
ancestry. The BECHTELs were among the first settlers of the State of PA. He 
was a farmer by occupation and spent his last years in Buffalo Valley.

John BECHTEL, the father of our subject, was reared to agricultural pursuits, 
but when a young man commenced the business of freighting on the canal, 
carrying both grain and lumber, later engaging in the lumber business, at one 
time operating two saw mills and a grist mill. In 1850 John BECHTEL traded a 
grist mill for a tract of land, in the town of Pleasant Springs, Dane County, 
WI, and in the fall of that year moved here with his family. They came via 
rail to NY, thence by canal and lakes to Milwaukee, thence to their future 
home by team. On his arrival John BECHTEL found that he had been swindled, 
that he had traded his mill for a piece of marsh instead of farm land. 
Therefore he bought a tract of 40 acres, on which there was a log house, in 
which the family spent the winter. In the following spring John BECHTEL 
purchased the farm where the subject and his mother now reside. Here John 
BECHTEL built a brick [p 325] house and otherwise improved the place, 
residing there until his death, 05 Feb 1876.

The maiden name of the mother of our subject was Catherine EYER, born in Dry 
Valley, Union County, PA, 06 May 1818. The great grandfather of our subject, 
John EYER, was born in Dry Valley, where his father was a farmer and spent 
his last days. The grandfather removed from Dry Valley to Lycoming County, 
settled near Henstown, where he rented a farm and resided until his death. 
The maiden name of his wife was Elizabeth WISE. She was a native of PA, 
where she spent her entire life. The grandfather was a member of the Baptist 
Church, his wife of the Presbyterian, the father a Presbyterian, and the 
mother a Lutheran. The father was a Democrat in politics.

Daniel BECHTEL was five years old when he came to WI with his parents. He 
attended school quite steadily in his youthful days, acquiring a good 
business education. He always resided with his parents, and since his 
father's death has managed the home farm, which he has greatly improved. He 
has purchased other land and is now very well situated. He has always been 
identified with the Democratic party, having filled various offices of trust. 
For three years he has served as Town Clerk, and for 14 years represented 
his township on the county Board of Supervisors. He was elected Sheriff of 
Dane County in Nov 1882, which office he filled the succeeding two years.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly