USA > Iowa > Black Hawk County > History of Black Hawk County, Iowa, and its people, Volume II > Part 1
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HISTORY OF
BLACK HAWK COUNTY IOWA
AND ITS PEOPLE
Guitar
ILLUSTRATED
VOLUME I:
CHICAGO THE S. J. CLARKE PUBLISHING COMPANY 1915
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Ferdinand &. Counter
BIOGRAPHICAL
FERDINAND E. CUTLER.
Ferdinand E. Cutler is the president of the Cutler Hardware Company, one of the leading wholesale establishments of Waterloo. He occupied a prominent position among the enterprising, alert and progressive business men of the city, in which he has made his home for forty-eight years, or since 1866. He was born in Canada and during his early childhood his parents removed with their family to Lockport, New York, where he was reared and educated. He removed from that city to Iowa and, establishing his home in Waterloo, became one of the early merchants of Black Hawk county. Here he engaged in the grocery and hardware business as junior partner in the firm of Weatherwax & Cutler. That relation was maintained for several years, but in 1871, Mr. Cutler sold out, in order to organize the firm of Crittenden & Cutler, dealing exclusively in hard- ware. A change in the partnership in 1873 led to the adoption of the firm style of Cutler & Parker and this was continued until the incorporation of the business in 1891 under the name of Cutler Hardware Company. Through all these years Mr. Cutler was the active and managing partner of the business and when the company was incorporated in 1891 he became the president and now is the prin- cipal owner of the plant. The business was capitalized for twenty-four thousand four hundred dollars and in the early period trade was conducted only along re- tail lines, but soon after the incorporation they began a wholesale business on a small scale. Their patronage in that direction increased so rapidly that in 1901 they discontinued the retail business and since then have conducted an exclusive wholesale hardware establishment. In 1910 they erected their present business block, which is sixty by one hundred and forty feet and is five stories in height. The building has been constructed with so broad a frame and foundation that two more stories can be added if necessary and is especially arranged for their business with an eye to convenience. This building is constructed of steel and cement throughout and is practically the only true fireproof building in the state of Iowa. They now employ about thirty-five people, while their trade covers Iowa and southern Minnesota. The capital stock and surplus at the present time is one hundred and seventy-five thousand dollars-a fact indicative of the con- tinued growth and prosperity of the enterprise. Mr. Cutler as the founder and active head of the business deserves great credit for building up this important commercial undertaking, which ranks among the foremost wholesale mercantile interests of Waterloo. Something of his high standing in business circles is in- dicated in the fact that he was honored with the presidency of the Iowa State Hardware Jobbers' Association for three or four years. Mr. Cutler was one of
5
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HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY
the founders of this organization. For the past three years, also, he has been on the membership committee of the National Hardware Jobbers' Association. He is widely known in trade circles and his business ability and personal worth have gained him high regard.
In matters of citizenship Mr. Cutler has ever manifested a deep and helpful interest. He was a member of the first city council of Waterloo following the incorporation of the city and served in that capacity for two terms. Mr. Cutler has since respectfully declined to accept the offers of numerous political positions. He is most helpfully and heartily interested in all enterprises for the betterment of Waterloo, was one of the organizers of the Commercial Club and Board of Trade and for fourteen years acted as its president, covering the period of the greatest growth of Waterloo. He instituted many plans and measures which were directly resultant in bringing about the growth and improvement of the city and the extension of its trade connections. He resigned about three years ago to the deep regret of many, for his worth was most widely recognized. He was presi- dent of the Humane Society following its organization and has been chairman of the board of trustees since the time the Universalist church erected its present house of worship. He has always taken an active and helpful interest in church work and, in fact, his influence is ever on the side of advancement and improve- ment along intellectual, material, social and moral lines. Fraternally he is con- nected with the Masons. He occupies a fine home in Highland and he enjoys the high regard and respect of his fellow townsmen, for his life has at all times commended him to the confidence and good will of those with whom he has been associated, while his ability and public spirit have brought him prominently before the people at large.
JOHN H. STEWART.
John H. Stewart, vice president, treasurer and manager of the Cement Tile Machinery Company, finds in laudable ambition the incentive for his persistent and indefatigable effort which, intelligently directed, is leading him continually toward the goal of success. He was born in Vermont in 1862 and when thirteen years of age accompanied his parents on their westward removal to Iowa, the family home being established in Winnebago county, where John H. Stewart was reared to manhood and attended school. His advantages were somewhat limited, however, because of the comparatively undeveloped system of education at that early day. When a youth of but sixteen years he and his brother began drilling wells and he followed that pursuit for three years, after which he learned the carpenter's trade. He was employed at the trade for three years and then began contracting and building on his own account.
In 1898 Mr. Stewart removed to Waterloo, where he became prominent in business in contracting and architectural work, ultimately, however, confining his attention and activities to the latter. The last work he did of that character was in drawing the plans for the Ellis Hotel. He had been accorded a liberal pat- ronage and had made for himself a creditable position in that field of labor, but in 1905 he turned his attention to other interests, organizing the Cement Tile
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HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY
Machinery Company. Three years before, or in 1902, he got out a patent for a cement block machine, but later sold his interest therein and in 1905 he organized the Cement Tile Machinery Company, which was incorporated in that year and capitalized for thirty thousand dollars. Something of the growth and importance of the business is indicated in the fact that the capital stock has been increased to one hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars, of which eighty thousand dol- lars has been paid up. The present officers are: J. M. Schenk, president ; J. H. Stewart, vice president, treasurer and manager ; and H. A. Sharp, secretary. In 1906 the company began erecting its present plant, containing thirty-two thou- sand square feet of floor space, and they have from twenty-five to fifty employes. Their business has gradually grown along substantial lines and their output has a wide sale. Mr. Stewart is also president of the Cement Products Company and is thus an active factor in industrial circles of the city. His business methods have been thoroughly reliable and he has earned for himself an enviable reputa- tion as a careful man of business, being known in his dealings for his prompt and honorable methods, which have won him the deserved and unbounded con- fidence of his fellowmen.
In 1884, Mr. Stewart was united in marriage to Miss Ella Allen, of Mankato, Minnesota, and they have become the parents of six children: W. H., A. A., Nina C., Mildred V., Naomi and Russell. The eldest daughter, Nina, is now the wife of Clarence Basserear, of Waterloo, and Mildred is now Mrs. Fred Bartz. Mr. Stewart is a Mason and exemplifies in his life the beneficent spirit of the craft. He has membership in the Commercial Club and Board of Trade and his name is also on the membership roll of the Town Criers Club. His time and attention have been given mostly to his business affairs and his close application and excellent management have brought to him the substantial degree of pros- perity which is today his. He is a man of resolute purpose, courage and industry, and his record proves that prosperity and an honorable name may be won simultaneously.
HOPE C. MARTIN.
Hope C. Martin, a wholesale and retail dealer in cigars and tobacco at Water- loo, is a native of the city which is still his home, born in 1875. His father, Henry Martin, was a native of New Hampshire and about 1868 became a resi- dent of Black Hawk county, casting in his lot with the early settlers. For an extended period he was engaged in the bakery business and was a leading factor in the material development of city and county in the early days. He died about twenty-four years ago and his demise was the occasion of deep and wide- spread regret, for all who knew him recognized his worth and felt that the county suffered a loss in his passing. His wife, Mrs. Margaret Martin, was a native of Halifax but came from Boston, Massachusetts, to Waterloo. She was called from this life twelve years ago.
Hope C. Martin acquired a public-school education. He became clerk of the Logan hotel and in 1897 he established a cigar stand in the hotel. Afterward he opened a wholesale and retail cigar business on Water street, where he remained
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HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY
until his stock was destroyed by fire. With characteristic energy, however, he immediately started again, opening his store in the Logan House block, and when that property was purchased by James Black he removed to his present location at No. 211 East Fourth street, having purchased this property for a permanent home for his wholesale and retail business. He is now conducting an extensive business, being a distributor of the best selling brands of tobacco and cigars handled in the western markets. He has agencies in many of the cities of Iowa, South Dakota and Illinois and has built up a business of extensive and gratifying proportions. He has now altogether thirty-two agencies, cigar stores and news stands in operation in Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota and the Dakotas and is represented upon the road by five traveling salesmen. The business has grown year by year until it is of extensive proportions and Mr. Martin is therefore accounted one of the leading merchants of his city. He is also largely interested in a number of good real-estate properties in Waterloo, including the Princess Theater and the Hotel Martin.
Mr. Martin was united in marriage to Miss Mayme A. Baro, of Waterloo, and they have one daughter, Fay Dorothy. That Mr. Martin has attained high rank in Masonry is indicated in the fact that he is now a Mystic Shriner. He is also connected with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. He has member- ship in the Commercial Club and Board of Trade and he was one of the organizers of the Town Criers Club. In politics he is a democrat, well versed on the ques- tions and issues of the day, and he has served as chairman of the county central committee. One meeting him at once recognizes that he is a most energetic man, alert, determined and resourceful. While he has never sought to figure person- ally before the public in any light or any relation, his influence has been felt as a strong, steady, moving force in the business and civic development of the city.
L. A. KNITTEL.
L. A. Knittel has since 1899 been connected with the Waterloo Fruit & Com- mission Company, of which he is now the president. Advancement has come to him in recognition of merit and ability and today as chief executive officer of the company he is in control of a large and substantial business that long since reached gratifying proportions. He is a native son of Dubuque, Iowa, born May 18. 1862, his parents being John and Mary (Fettkether) Knittel, the former a native of Germany and the latter of Dubuque. After living for a period of years in her native city they removed to Bremer county about 1871 and for an ex- tended period the father was identified with mercantile pursuits in the town of Knittel, which had been so named in his honor. He was a progressive and rep- resentative business man of his community and when he passed away in 1913 his death was the occasion of deep and sincere regret. His widow still survives.
L. A. Knittel had an excellent home training in those lines which make for upright character, while mental discipline came to him in his public-school educa- tion, which was supplemented by a business course in Bailey's Commercial College at Dubuque. He then became connected with mercantile interests in the village of Knittel and while thus engaged was appointed postmaster of the little town,
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HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY
the third assistant postmaster of the United States giving the family name to the postoffice. L. A. Knittel continued in business there for three and one-half years and at the end of that time went upon the road for Albert Holzer, who was the owner of a commission business which later became the Waterloo Fruit & Com- mission Company. He represented Mr. Holzer for twelve years and gained for him a liberal and gratifying patronage. In 1899 the Waterloo Fruit & Commis- sion Company was organized, taking over the business of Mr. Holzer, and at that time Mr. Knittel became a member of the firm and was elected one of the directors of the new company. Two years later he was elected president and has since continued in that capacity. His previous long experience with the trade made him thoroughly qualified to become an executive officer and the keen interest and sagacity which he manifests in the direction of the business are factors in its growing and substantial success.
In December, 1886, Mr. Knittel was united in marriage to Miss Lena Tegt- meier, of Bremer county, Iowa, and,they have become the parents of six children, of whom four are yet living: Horace C., who is city shipping clerk with the Waterloo Fruit & Commission Company ; Esther M., a student in the State Normal school at Cedar Falls; and Louis C. and Ruth C., who are attending the public ·schools.
Mr. Knittel holds membership in Helmet Lodge, No. 89, K. P., and also with the Ancient Order of United Workmen, the Commercial Club and the Town Criers Club of Waterloo. He and his family are members of the Baptist church and they enjoy the high respect of all who know them, their sterling qualities gaining for them high regard. Mr. Knittel devotes his time almost exclusively to his business, and his concentration of purpose, his close application and his well- defined spirit of enterprise are the elements in his substantial success.
IRA W. BLOUGH.
Waterloo, strong, aggressive and growing rapidly, has furnished a fruitful field for the establishment and conduct of important business interests, which in turn have acted as a boomerang in the upbuilding of the city. Prominent among the well-known representatives of financial interests is Ira W. Blough, cashier of the Iowa State Bank. He is a young man, having just completed his third decade, his birth having occurred in Black Hawk county in 1884. He is a son of W. A. Blough, of Waterloo, who was born in Lanark, Illinois, and in his childhood was brought to this county by his parents in 1860. His father was A. J. Blough, one of the pioneer dentists of Waterloo. On reaching young manhood W. A. Blough chose farming as a vocation and was engaged in general agricultural pursuits and stock-raising in Orange township until he retired from active business life and took up his abode in the county seat, where he has resided continuously since 1910-one of the worthy and highly respected residents of this city.
Spending his youthful days upon the old home farm, Ira W. Blough was educated in the schools of Orange township and also spent several terms in the Mount Morris College at Mount Morris, Illinois. He then returned to the home farm and devoted the succeeding two years to the work of the fields. At the end
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HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY
of that time, however, he came to Waterloo and became associated with the Iowa State Bank as collector. By diligent service, trustworthiness and ability he has won promotion from time to time until he has passed through all the intermedi- ate positions to that of cashier, in which capacity he has served since 1912. He is a popular and obliging official, ever courteous to the patrons of the bank, ex- tending favors wherever possible, and at the same time he is most loyal to the interests of the institution and careful in safeguarding its business stability.
In 1912 Mr. Blough was married to Miss Alta Rodamar, a daughter of Ben- jamin Rodamar, one of the early residents of Black Hawk county, of whom men- tion is made elsewhere in this work. Mr. and Mrs. Blough have one child, Mary Jean. They are members of the Church of the Brethren and Mr. Blough's interest in community affairs is indicated in the fact that he is a member of the Chamber of Commerce, of the Waterloo Club and the Town Criers Club. His entire life has been spent in this county, where he is widely and favorably known, and few of the young men of Waterloo have a broader acquaintance or are held in higher esteem than is Ira W. Blough.
HON. HENRY O. BERNBROCK.
The sentiment is rapidly growing that practical business men, capable of understanding and handling affairs of importance, should have control of the laws which regulate trade conditions and affect the general interests of society. More and more business men who have proven their worth as factors in the business world are being called to direct and shape legislation and mark out the policy of city, state and nation. As such a man the Hon. Henry O. Bernbrock is well known and at the present writing is the representative of his district in the gen- eral assembly of Iowa, to which position he was elected on the republican ticket. His connection with the industrial life of Waterloo is that of president of the Waterloo Laundry Company and president of the Model Laundry Company, and in those capacities he has carefully developed and systematized his business. He dates his residence in Waterloo from March, 1902.
Mr. Bernbrock was born in Quincy, Illinois, February 12, 1874, and pursued his education in the public schools of that city and in St. Francis College. When sixteen years of age he entered into active connection with the laundry business in Chicago, where he remained for about two years and then returned to Quincy. where he became connected with the Weems Laundry Company, controlling one of the most extensive laundries of the middle west. About 1897 he became a partner in the Weems Laundry at Springfield, Illinois, and there remained until !902, when he came to Waterloo and purchased an interest in the Waterloo Steam Laundry. In August of the same year he bought out his partner and since that time has been at the head of the business. At intervals, however, he has been associated with partners. On the 29th of June, 1914, the business was incorporated under the name of the Waterloo Laundry Company with Mr. Bern- brock as the president and A. J. Cornwell as secretary and treasurer. Broaden- ing the scope of his activities, he is now also the president of the Model Laundry Company and he is a member of the board of directors of the Home Building &
.O. Berbrock.
THE BES TOFK FUUCK LIBRARY
1 NOX TION DE DATIONS
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HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY
Loan Association. Prosperity has attended his efforts during the period of his residence in this city and with faith in its future he has invested quite extensively in real estate in Waterloo and is now the owner of much valuable property.
On the 18th of February, 1910, Mr. Bernbrock was united in marriage to Miss Jean Marcham, of Waterloo, and they reside at No. 709 South street. They are members of the Sacred Heart Roman Catholic church and Mr. Bern- brock holds membership with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. He is also a member and director of the Chamber of Commerce, the Commercial Club and the Town Criers Club and is actively and helpfully interested in all move- ments for the upbuilding of Waterloo and the uplift of her citizenship. His life record serves to indicate what may be accomplished in a business way when there is the will to dare and to do, for obstacles and difficulties can always be overcome by persistent, earnest, indefatigable and honorable effort.
CONRAD D. WANGLER.
Conrad D. Wangler was a pioneer druggist of Waterloo and for many years one of the prominent, representative and successful business men of the city, but commercial interests indicated but one phase of his existence. Whenever aid was needed in public affairs, whenever a worthy individual sought his help, assistance was freely and generously given and thus in many ways he left the impress of his life for good upon the welfare and upbuilding of the community in which he lived.
A native of Germany, Conrad D. Wangler was born in Baden on the 8th of January, 1851, his parents being Mr. and Mrs. Conrad Wangler, who always re- mained residents of the fatherland. The subject of this review, however, left Germany when a youth of fifteen years. He had already acquired a mastery of the preliminary branches of learning in the schools of his native country, and after crossing the Atlantic alone at the age of fifteen in 1866, he continued his education in the schools of Cedar Falls, lowa, to which place a sister had pre- ceded him. There he not only became familiar with the English language but also came into touch with American thought, habits and customs as exemplified in the lives of the school children of that district. Later he became a student in the schools of Waterloo and here completed his more specifically literary course. He next entered the College of Pharmacy at Cincinnati, Ohio, and completed the course by graduation with the class of 1875.
Mr. Wangler again became a resident of Waterloo in 1878 and in connection with his brother, R. C. Wangler, purchased the drug business of Carpenter & Smith. Their store was located on East Fourth street, but about a quarter of a century prior to the death of Conrad D. Wangler a removal was made to the corner of East Fourth and Lafayette streets, the brothers there erecting a good business block: They conducted a retail business alone for some time but afterward sold an interest to Mr. Todd, at which time the firm style of Wangler Brothers & Todd was assumed. It was about that time or in 1900 that the Wangler Drug Company was organized for the conduct of a wholesale drug business, with C. D. Wangler as the president. Papers of incorporation were taken out and the business was
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HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY
capitalized for one hundred thousand dollars, but after a few years they withdrew from the wholesale trade to again concentrate their efforts upon the retail busi- ness. They had a large and well appointed store, carrying an extensive stock of goods and doing everything in their power to meet the wishes and requirements of the public. Conrad D. Wangler was also one of the founders of the Waterloo Building & Loan Association and for many years served as one of its directors. He was energetic and determined and quickly recognized the possibilities and the obstacles in any business situation, utilizing the former to the best advantage and overcoming the latter by determined and honorable effort.
On the 5th of May, 1878, at Cedar Falls, Mr. Wangler was united in marriage to Miss Kathryn Landgraf and they became the parents of three daughters : Clara L., now the wife of W. P. Kerwin, of Oelwein; Agatha M., who became the wife of F. C. Braniger of Waterloo, and who since the latter's demise about four years ago has been with her mother; and Gertrude J., also at home with the mother. Mr. and Mrs. Wangler had celebrated their thirtieth wedding anniversary ere death separated them. He was most devoted to the welfare of his family and counted no sacrifice on his part too great if it would enhance their happiness. He also held friendship inviolable and was always ready to extend a helping hand to a friend.
In politics Mr. Wangler was a democrat, recognized as one of the party leaders in Black Hawk county. He frequently served as a member of important demo- cratic committees and attended congressional and state conventions as a delegate. His religious faith was that of the Catholic church, his membership being in St. Joseph's. He was the first to propose the construction of the new St. Francis Hospital and was a most enthusiastic worker when the plan was actually under way. At the end his greatest desire was to live to see the consummation of his hopes, but this had been planned otherwise. He belonged to the Knights of Colum- bus and held the office of grand knight for two years. He was also a member of the Waterloo lodge of Elks. To his church he was a most generous contributor and was equally liberal in charitable work, serving as treasurer of the Associated Charities of Waterloo at the time of his death. Wherever he was known he was held in high esteem and most of all where he was best known. His long residence in Waterloo brought him a very wide acquaintance and all with whom he came in contact were glad to call him friend. He left the impress of his individuality for good upon many activities with which he was connected and the material, political, social and moral progress of the city was furthered through his cooperation.
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