Sometime after 1880, but before 1900 (then age 38), John A. Prechtel enters an apprenticeship with the well-known Daniel Myron Lefever of Syracuse, N.Y. After spending an unknown amount of time under Mr. Lefever's tutelage, he allowed to complete a firearm from "scratch" to demonstrate his proficiency in the craft. He then returns to Cleveland and sets up his own gunshop.
By 1900 he was listed in the Ohio Census as residing in Cleveland; occupation – Gunsmith.
Mother and father were from Germany.
Sophia – Wife. Son - Walter
He and R.E. Sheldon to compete in a Challenge Cup Cleveland vs. Dayton in 1895
http://www.la84foundation.org/Sports.../SL2511027.pdf
He shot in the 1895 Cleveland Tournament
http://www.la84foundation.org/Sports.../SL2514025.pdf
The fourth annual tournament of the Cleveland Cartridge & Target Co. was held at Cleveland, O,, on June 16, 17 1897 and on the grounds of the Cleveland Gun Club.
http://www.la84foundation.org/Sports.../SL2914026.pdf
http://www.la84foundation.org/Sports.../SL2914028.pdf
"R. E. Shelden, of Cleveland, the old-time expert, was present and shooting very well, using a single barrel, hammerless gun made by J. A. Prechtel, of Cleveland. It was one of the finest pieces of work we have ever seen in a single barrel gun. The finish was simply beautiful and the working mechanism of the gun was perfect. The gun cost about $750, is surely a pretty weapon."
Two of his guns were used at the 1898 GAH at Live Birds
http://www.la84foundation.org/Sports.../SL3114021.pdf
No Prechtel at the 1899 GAH
http://www.la84foundation.org/Sports.../SL3305016.pdf
One gun at the 1899 New York State Shoot
http://www.la84foundation.org/Sports.../SL3313011.pdf
http://www.la84foundation.org/Sports.../SL3313013.pdf
1900 GAH used by “Stanley” from Cleveland
http://www.la84foundation.org/Sports.../SL3504011.pdf
http://www.la84foundation.org/Sports.../SL3504012.pdf
1904 Ohio State Shoot
http://www.la84foundation.org/Sports.../SL4315028.pdf
http://www.la84foundation.org/Sports.../SL4315029.pdf
Prechtel shot at the 1905 GAH
http://www.la84foundation.org/Sports.../SL4517025.pdf
High gun Veteran’s Day Tournament in Cleveland 1906
http://www.la84foundation.org/Sports.../SL4724032.pdf
1906 making a gun for Chan. Powers
http://www.la84foundation.org/Sports.../SL4815012.pdf
Chan Powers used the gun at the 1908 Eastern Handicap
http://www.la84foundation.org/Sports.../SL5120026.pdf
http://www.la84foundation.org/Sports.../SL5120028.pdf
Shot in the 1908 GAH with a 86x100 in the GAH and 148x200 in the Amateur Championship. Guns used by the competitors were not reported.
http://www.la84foundation.org/Sports.../SL5117029.pdf
http://www.la84foundation.org/Sports.../SL5117030.pdf
Prechtel 1911 GAH High Amateur All Targets 479x500
http://www.la84foundation.org/Sports.../SL5717022.PDF
http://www.la84foundation.org/Sports.../SL5717023.PDF
http://www.la84foundation.org/Sports.../SL5717024.PDF
http://www.la84foundation.org/Sports.../SL5717025.PDF
http://www.la84foundation.org/Sports.../SL5717026.PDF
http://www.la84foundation.org/Sports.../SL5717027.PDF
Attended the 1914 GAH
http://www.la84foundation.org/Sports.../SL6403029.pdf
Tied for 3rd with the highest average in Ohio in 1914
http://www.la84foundation.org/Sports.../SL6421021.pdf
He was still listed in the 1920 Ohio Census as “Gunsmith”.
He died age 65 and was buried in the Monroe Cemetery of Cleveland, Ohio.
J.A. Prechtel
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