History of Tama County Iowa United States of America

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William H. Ahlbrecht, conspicuous as one of the progressive men of Tama county, was born at Iowa City, Iowa, January 13, 1854, and has ever since made this state his home. He came from staunch German ancestry, being the son of Henry and Louise Victor Ahlbrecht, both born in the kingdom of Hanover, Germany, the first in 1806 and the second in 1811.

The father was a linen weaver by trade, and came to the United States in 1832, locating at Wheeling, W. V., where he was married in 1834. Later the couple concluded to go farther west, and accordingly, in 1843, removed to Iowa and settled at Iowa City, which place was their home until the death of the father in 1883. The good old mother is still surviving, and resides upon the homestead which her labors helped to provide. The father was one of those sturdy, industrious and thrifty characters so often found among the early settlers, and left to his children, as a heritage more to be valued than the goodly amount of this world's goods which had been accumulated through strict economy and persistent labor, the example of a pure, honorable and consistent Christian life. The subject of this sketch recalls an incident that occurred after he had been in business for several years, in Tama, Iowa. A prominent citizen of Iowa City called, and after congratulating Mr. Ahlbrecht on his apparent prosperity, said: 'Will, if you are half as good a man as your father was, you will be a good citizen.' There is no question that the remarkable success of the son is due in a large measure to the excellent moral and business training given him by the father.

This subject attended the common schools of Iowa City, and took besides several terms in the German Lutheran school of that place. He was a diligent student, and at the age of 14 was prepared to enter the freshman class of the State university, but believing that he should have an avocation of some kind, learned the baker's and confectioner's trade. In that respect he was wise, for thereby were early instilled in his mind the principles of business which served him well in later years. Being ambitious to commence life for himself he went to Tama, in February, 1875, and secured a position with John T. Matson. His good judgment, industry and fine ability aided materially in the building up of his employer's business, and so successful was he that that city has continued to be his home to the present time. Taking an active interest in municipal and educational affairs, he was elected to serve many terms on the city council, and after re-incorporation became an alderman, assisting as such in the shaping of much important legislation. He has been a member of the school board for many years, a portion of the time acting as its president. In politics, he was independent until five years ago, when he allied himself with the republican party, and has since been one of its strongest supporters. In the spring of 1899, at one of the most closely contested municipal elections ever held in the city, Mr. Ahlbrecht was elected by the republican party to the position of mayor, and is now acting in that capacity. Possessing a keen business judgment he has, by judicious investments in real estate, acquired a snug little fortune, and all in the short space of a few years; for he went to Tama without capital. He now owns two fine store buildings on Main street and several fine residence buildings. He was one of the foremost of those who secured for his town the Mutual Savings and Loan association, was its first president and for eight years its secretary. The association has helped build more than seventy-five structures in the place and has made over 100 loans. It is one of the flourishing concerns of its kind in the state, and much of its success is due to the personal efforts of Mr. Ahlbrecht. He was married to Miss Mary Matson, September 20, 1876. They have three children, Emma, Alda and Edith. Their beautiful home is filled with the best of art and literature, and is a model one in every respect.

SOURCE: Biographies and Portraits of the Progressive Men of Iowa published by Conway and Shaw, Des Moines: 1899.

History of Tama County Iowa

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