USA > Iowa > Des Moines County > History of Des Moines County, Iowa, Volume II > Part 25
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grandfather also arrived at the same time-1858-and settled on Stony Lonesome, now Division street. He was a nurseryman.
Dr. Wehman is thus a representative of one of the old pioneer families of the city. He is a graduate of the Burlington public schools and in preparation for a professioanl career entered the St. Louis University, from which he was graduated in 1905 on the com- pletion of a course in the medical department. He spent two and a half years in hospital service in St. Louis and in 1907 returned to Burlington, where he opened his office and has since followed his profession, specializing in internal medicine.
On the Ist of October, 1910, Dr. Wehman was united in marriage to Miss Ina B. Hildebrand, of Burlington, a daughter of John I. Hildebrand. Both Dr. and Mrs. Wehman are widely known in this city and have a large circle of warm friends. He belongs to the Phi Beta Pi, a college fraternity, while along strictly professional lines he has membership with the Des Moines County Medical Society, the Iowa State Medical Society and the American Medical Associa- tion. In 1910 he was appointed city health physician and is now serving for the third term in that connection. He has made for him- self a creditable name and place as a practitioner of medicine.
FRED WUELLNER.
Fred Wuellner, manufacturer of and dealer in farm implements, wagons, buggies, etc., has built up a business of substantial propor- tions, his plant comprising a three-story building sixty by one hun- dred and twenty feet and a warehouse. He belongs to that class of industrious, energetic and persistent business men that Germany has furnished to the new world. His birth occurred at Minden, Ger- many, on the 2d of March, 1860, his parents being Carl Heinrich and Louise (Hoppman) Wuellner, both of whom were natives of the fatherland. The former was born in 1820 and died May 20, 1890, when about seventy years of age. The latter was born August 17, 1825, and passed away on the 24th of June, 1912.
Fred Wuellner was educated in his native town and when eleven years of age came to the United States in company with his parents. They landed at New York and thence made their way directly across the country to Burlington, where they arrived in the year 1871. Here Fred Wuellner entered school but his course was somewhat limited. However, he studied at home and in the school of experience he has
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also learned many valuable lessons. He began work with his father, who was engaged in truck gardening, and at the age of twenty-four years he started out independently, beginning gardening on his own account. For several years afterward he was engaged in the dairy business and purchased twelve acres of land at Mason Grove, now Mason street, in Burlington, which property he still owns and upon it stands his present comfortable residence. He continued actively in the dairy business until about 1896, when he withdrew from that connection and concentrated his efforts upon the contracting business, in which he remained until about 1907.
Mr. Wuellner then branched out along manufacturing lines, beginning the building of wagons, which he placed upon the mar- ket under the name of the Burlington wagon-a name that is today known throughout the entire country. The new enterprise prospered from the beginning. He utilized excellent materials and expert workmanship became a feature of every wagon turned out from the factory. By reason of these qualities the product soon found a ready sale and his trade interests reached out along ramifying lines until today his wagons are found in all sections of the United States. About two years ago Mr. Wuellner further extended the scope of his busi- ness to include farm implements, buggies and engines of all descrip- tions and today he has a large warehouse for the storage of these, in addition to the three-story building, sixty by one hundred and twenty feet, which is used for manufacture and sale and which is equipped with the latest improved machinery necessary in the construction of the machinery, implements and vehicles which he handles. He em- ploys sixteen men and now enjoys a very gratifying trade throughout Des Moines and Lee counties and across the river in Illinois. Two years ago his eldest son, Frank, was admitted to a partnership.
On the 24th of October, 1889, Mr. Wuellner was united in mar- riage to Miss Magdaline Tiemann. Six children have been born of this marriage: Frank, who wedded Augusta Schmidt, of Amster- dam, New York, on the 24th of April, 1912, and has one daughter, Beatrice; Mattie, Alvin and Mildred, all at home; and Reuben and Paul, twins, who are also under the parental roof.
Mr. Wuellner exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the republican party and his religious faith is that of the Evangelical church, of which he has been a trustee for nine years. He is also a teacher and superintendent of the Sunday school and in all lines of church work he and his wife have taken a most active and helpful part. His father was one of the trustees of the same church, aided in erecting the house of worship and acted
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as church treasurer until the time of his death .. Mr. Wuellner's busi- ness ever balances up with the principles of truth and honor and his life has been actuated by high purposes. His enterprise and the nobility of his character have firmly established him in the warm regard of his fellow townsmen. .
GEORGE J. FINCK.
George J. Finck is the president of the Cave Coal Company of Burlington, with which he has been identified since 1909. He was born in San Francisco on the 13th of January, 1875, a son of George and Zora A. (Moffatt) Finck. The father's birth occurred in Ep- pigen, Germany, while the mother was born in Augusta, Iowa.
George Finck was brought to America by his mother when four years of age. Two sons of the family had previously gone on ahead and were located in New York city. When a young man George Finck went to San Francisco and there met the lady whom he made his wife. She was a daughter of Levi Moffatt, who went to Cali- fornia in 1849 with his three sons, and Zora A. Moffatt was visiting her brothers in that state when she formed the acquaintance of Mr. Finck, who successfully sought her hand in marriage. For twelve years they remained residents of California and then returned to Burlington in the year 1885. Her father, Levi Moffatt, had come to Des Moines county in 1834 when a man of thirty-four years, his birth having occurred in 1800. He was one of the first settlers here and he took up government land along the Skunk river. He operated the first flour mill in Iowa and the millstones which he used are now a feature of historic interest in the city park. He also founded the town of Augusta, where he established both flour and saw mills. He was one of the most prominent factors in the colonization and devel- opment of the state, having brought forty families from Ohio and founded the settlement of Augusta. Mr. George Finck had been engaged in the jewelry business in California and after residing for a time in Burlington he left his family in this city while he went to Chicago, where he established a wholesale jewelry store. There he conducted business up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1896. His widow survives and is yet a resident of Burlington. In their family were four children: Zora, the wife of E. M. Hurd, of El Paso, Texas; George J., of this review; Lillie, the wife of F. S. Fear, who is living in Burlington; and Moffatt, also of this city.
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George J. Finck was a lad of about ten years when his parents returned to Burlington and in the public schools he pursued his edu- cation until graduated from the high school. In 1899 he became connected with the coal trade in Denver, Colorado, in connection with E. M. Hurd and was thus engaged until 1901, when he returned to Burlington and entered the employ of the Hosford Coal Com- pany. He was afterward associated with the Millard Coal Com- pany and in 1909 purchased an interest in the Cave Coal Company. Following the death of Mr. Cave his interest was purchased by F. S. Fear, who is mentioned elsewhere in this volume. The association between Mr. Finck and Mr. Fear still continues and business is still carried on under the name of the Cave Coal Company. They enjoy an extensive patronage, to which the reliable business methods of the firm justly entitle them.
On the 16th of October, 1906, Mr. Finck was married to Miss Mary Roades Brooks, a daughter of J. W. Brooks, and they have one child, Mary Louise. Mr. Finck holds membership with the United Commercial Travelers, as does his partner Mr. Fear, and the firm has membership in the Commercial Exchange. He is a mem- ber of the Golf Club and the Shokoquom Boat Club, associations which indicate something of the nature of his recreation. In politics he is independent, but is not remiss in the duties of citizenship, giving earnest support to many measures which are of value to the com- munity.
HENRY C. KOESTNER.
Henry C. Koestner, president of the Sanitary Milk Company and as such proprietor of a profitable dairy business, makes his home three and a half miles southwest of Burlington. He was born in the city, July 11, 1867, a son of Charles and Philomena (Gebhardt) Koestner. His father still resides on Madison road and is repre- sented elsewhere in this volume. The son attended the country schools and the parochial schools and still later was a pupil in Elliott's Business College. He afterward remained with his father upon the home farm until his marriage and has always followed agricultural pursuits.
On the 10th of February, 1891, Mr. Koestner was united in mar- riage to Miss Sophia Brune, who was born in Westphalia, Germany,
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September 23, 1870, a daughter of Theodore and Sophia (Sommers) Brune, both of whom passed away in Germany.
Following his marriage Mr. Koestner settled upon the farm where he still resides and has always been engaged in the dairy busi- ness. He is one of the leading men in his line in this section of the state. The farm is owned and was improved by his father and Henry C. Koestner is further carrying on the work of development and cul- tivation. He also rents and cultivates a part of the Peter Smith farm. He is a very progressive and energetic agriculturist and there is probably no one better known in the city or county in connection with the dairy business than he. For a number of years he drove the wagon himself and he made acquaintances and friends in all parts of the city. He has always been a booster for Burlington and Burlington made goods, and his business affairs have always been carefully and systematically conducted, bringing to him good returns.
To Mr. and Mrs. Koestner three children have been born. Philo- mena Anna, born September 30, 1894, was graduated from St. John's parochial school and is now at home with her parents. Bathilda Mary, born October 23, 1897, also attended a parochial school, from which she graduated, and Elliott's Business College and is now con- nected with that institution. Katherine Louise, born January 19, 1899, is attending St. John's parochial school.
In politics Mr. Koestner is an active democrat, recognized as one of the leading party workers in his community, and he has served as chairman of the township committee. To his children he is giving excellent advantages and his chief interest centers in his family. He has provided for them an automobile and many other things which add to the comfort and pleasure of life. He is well situated in a business way and his success is the merited reward of his labors.
J. H. SCHIER.
J. H. Schier is one of the owners of the Burlington Willow Ware Shops, is president of the company and as such is conducting one of the most important productive industries of the city. He was born in Burlington, September 2, 1881, and is a son of Joseph and Katherine (Eibes) Schier. The father was a native of Germany and a son of Herman Schier, who brought his family to Burlington in the year 1864. In early life Joseph Schier learned the tailor's trade, which he followed for many years. He is now living in Davenport. His wife,
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a native of Burlington, is a daughter of Joseph Eibes, one of the pioneer settlers of this city and in later life a farmer.
J. H. Schier is the elder of two children, his sister being Antoin- ette, who became the wife of James Dugan, a resident of Rock Island, Illinois. In the parochial schools of Burlington Mr. Schier pursued his early education and afterward studied for the priesthood in St. Benedict's College at Atchison, Kansas, for five years, but, abandon- ing his plans of taking holy orders, he attended Elliott's Business College of Burlington for a year and then secured a position with the house of A. Booth & Company of this city. He afterward became an employe of the Burlington Basket Company, with which he was con- nected for six years, and at the end of that time he with Arthur Schwerin, bought out the Burlington Willow Ware Shops. His previous experience with the basket company well qualified him for the tasks which he undertook in the latter connection. He thoroughly understands the trade, knows the marketable value of such articles and by reason of his personal experience is able to direct the labors of those who are in his employ. The products of the shops now have an extensive sale and excellence of manufacture constitutes one of the features of his growing prosperity.
The business of which he is now the head was incorporated De- cember 1, 1908, with E. A. Florang as the president, O. E. Florang, vice president, Arthur Schwerin, secretary, and J. H. Schier, treas- urer. In 1911 Mr. Schier and Mr. Schwerin purchased the interests of the others in the Burlington Willow Ware Shops and the present officers are J. H. Schier, president and manager ; F. G. Nelson, vice president ; and Arthur Schwerin, secretary and treasurer, Mr. Nelson having purchased an interest in the business in 1913. The factory is located at Nos. 205 to 211 Washington street and at Nos. 207 and 209 Main street, forming an L with frontage on both streets. They occupy three stories and basement of the building, having twenty-five thousand square feet of floor space. They manufacture willow bas- kets and willow furniture and also do a jobbing trade in baskets of foreign manufacture. All work is done by hand and they employ thirty-two people. They buy willow from New York and Indiana and also from Mr. Florang, who is the owner of a willow farm. The firm now has four traveling salesmen upon the road and their trade covers the United States east of Omaha, their sales being made in the larger towns and cities. This is one of the few factories of the kind in the United States and the only one in Iowa. They are now special- izing in the manufacture of willow furniture and, the output being most attractive and the prices reasonable, their sales are increasing so
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that the business has become one of the important productive indus- tries of Burlington.
On the 11th of July, 1906, Mr. Schier was united in marriage to Miss Laura H. Keller, a daughter of Henry Keller, and they have become parents of three sons and a daughter: Joseph Elmer, Cath- erine, Herbert and Henry. Mr. Schier's name is on the membership rolls of the United Workmen, the Travelers Protective Association and the Commercial Exchange. The democratic party finds in him a stalwart supporter and one who in a quiet but effective way does everything in his power for the adoption of its principles. He belongs to the Iowa State Manufacturers Association, formed to pro- mote and further the interests of manufacturers in this state. Dis- cussion of trade conditions leads to the solution of many intricate business problems and the organization has been one of value to manufacturers. The large percentage of German citizens in Bur- lington makes it evident that the city owes much of her development to Teutonic enterprise and ambition.
ALFRED WIESLEY.
Alfred Wiesley, commissioner of public safety in Burlington, was born in Bern, Switzerland, October 19, 1880. He is a son of Lewis and Rose Wiesley, who came to America with their family about 1884. The father passed away in 1904, but the mother is still living and makes her home in Aplington, Iowa.
Alfred Wiesley was a little lad of but four summers when the family came to the new world, settling first at St. Louis, where they remained for a year. They then went to Milwaukee, where they re- sided for two years and on the expiration of that period removed to Coal City, Illinois, where they continued for four years. Alfred Wiesley attended school in both Milwaukee and Coal City and after- ward spent two years as a pupil in the schools of Joliet, Illinois, while the family there resided. At the end of that time a removal was made to Winona, Minnesota. The father was a minister of the gospel and this occasioned the various removals of the family as he was called from one pastorate to another. When eighteen years of age Alfred Wiesley started out in the business world as a clerk at Eureka, South Dakota, where he continued for four years and then went to Parkston, South Dakota, where he was connected with a hard- ware store as manager for two years. On the expiration of that period
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he went to Aplington, Iowa, where he remained for three years in the hardware business and then came to Burlington. Here he turned his attention to the decorating and paper hanging business and in 1911 he joined with others in organizing the Cooperative Supply Com- pany, of which he was the manager until he received appointment to his present position as commissioner of public safety, in which office he is making an excellent record by his capability and fidelity. He now has charge of the police and fire department of the city.
On the 21st of May, 1900, Mr. Wiesley wedded Miss Barbara Bernhorn, a native of Berlin, Germany, and they now have one son, Herbert, eleven years of age, who is attending school. Mr. Wiesley holds membership with the Loyal Order of Moose. His political views are in accord with the principles of the socialist party and his religious faith is that of the German Baptist church. He greatly enjoys fishing and his hours of recreation are largely spent in that way. The city finds him a public-spirited man, anxious and willing to cooperate in all measures for the general good, and he is popular with those with whom he has been brought in contact.
CHARLES KRIECHBAUM.
Charles Kriechbaum is at the head of the Kaut & Kriechbaum Company, controlling the oldest hardware establishment of Burling- ton and doing a general business as metal contractors. Charles Kriechbaum is another representative of the German-American cit- izenship which in the second generation has been such an important factor in the development and upbuilding of Burlington.
Mr. Kriechbaum was born in this city, September 9, 1846, a son of John Philip and Elizabeth (Funk) Kriechbaum, both of whom were natives of Hessen-Darmstadt, Germany. They came to Amer- ica, however, in early life and were married in Burlington in 1840. The father was a son of Peter Kriechbaum, who brought his family to the United States in the early part of the nineteenth century and settled in Pennsylvania. Subsequently he removed westward to Illi- nois, taking up his abode in Bellville, and from that place John P. Kriechbaum and his brother came to Burlington, the latter arriving in 1840, while the former came in 1837. He found here a little ham- let constituting one of the Mississippi river ports. Iowa, however, at that time was still under territorial rule as a part of Wisconsin and
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there were many sections of the state into which white men had not yet penetrated and even the river towns gave little evidence of the growth and development which was so soon to change this part of the state. John P. Kriechbaum was engaged in the cooperage busi- ness, opening the first establishment of that kind in Burlington. He conducted the business until 1860 and then retired, spending his remaining days in the enjoyment of well earned rest. He was a highly respected pioneer of Burlington and the family for many years has been well known here. The brothers and sisters of Mrs. Kriechbaum were also early settlers of this city, Adam coming here in 1834, Fred in the early 'Los, William in the later 'sos, and Mrs. Kaut and Mrs. Schaffer both coming at an early day. Five genera- tions of the family either lie buried or are living in Burlington.
Charles Kriechbaum, reared in Burlington, acquired a public- school education and in early life learned the tinner's trade. At length he engaged in business on his own account as proprietor of a tin shop and it was but a logical step from that to the hardware trade. In 1871 the firm of Kaut & Kriechbaum was organized by George Kaut and Charles Kriechbaum for the conduct of a hardware busi- ness at No. 315 Jefferson street, where they remained for ten years. A removal was then made to the corner of Main and Jefferson streets, where they continued for about five years, and at the end of that time they returned to No. 315 Jefferson street. Fire, however, destroyed their store in 1890. The place was afterward rebuilt and the firm returned to the Wyman-Rand building, where they continued for another decade. When the Tama building was erected at No. 304 Jefferson street, they removed to the new business block, where they still continue. This is the oldest hardware firm of Burlington in years of continuous existence. Mr. Kaut died in November, 1910, after which the company was incorporated on the Ist of February, 1911. The present officers are Charles Kriechbaum, president and treasurer; Theodore Kriechbaum, vice president; and H. W. Gret- zinger, secretary. They conduct business as dealers in general hard- ware and also take contracts for metal work.
In 1871 Mr. Kriechbaum was united in marriage to Miss Maria Voigt, of Peoria, Illinois, and they have become parents of five chil- dren: Anna C., the wife of Frank Robinson, a resident of La Grange, Illinois, where he is attorney for the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Company; Ida, the wife of F. A. Soleman, a drug- gist living at Tama, Iowa; Jessie, the wife of Ward Walker, of Cali- fornia ; Marie, at home; and Carl V., an electrical engineer living at home.
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Mr. Kriechbaum gives his political indorsement to the republican party. He belongs to the Commercial Exchange, the Odd Fellows lodge and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. For almost a half century Mr. Kriechbaum has been connected with the hardware trade in Burlington and there is no feature of the city's development along that line with which he is not familiar. His place in business circles has been won through earnest, honest labor and his standing as a merchant is a merited tribute to his ability.
W. L. COOPER.
W. L. Cooper, engaged in the general practice of law at Burling- ton, was born in Henderson county, Illinois, July 3, 1855, and is a son of John and Eliza (Deane) Cooper. His father was a native of Ireland and ere leaving that country had charge of canal boats as a captain. Crossing the Atlantic to the new world, he established his home in Illinois, where he followed the occupation of farming.
W. L. Cooper supplemented his preliminary education by study in Denmark Academy in Lee county, Iowa, graduating in the class of 1873. The following autumn he entered the University of Vir- ginia, where in 1874 he received a certificate of proficiency in con- stitutional and international law. He afterward entered the Uni- versity of Michigan in preparation for the bar and was graduated with the degree of LL. B. in the class of 1876, and admitted to prac- tice in the courts of the state of Michigan. The same year he came to Burlington and entered the office of Hall & Baldwin, where he remained until 1879. In 1876 he was admitted to practice in the courts of Iowa, and in February, 1877, by the supreme court of Illi- nois to practice in the courts of that state. Later he was admitted to practice in the United States circuit courts for the southern district of Iowa. In April, 1879 he entered into partnership with H. A. Kelley, an association that was maintained for more than twenty-one years, or until October, 1900. Since that time Mr. Cooper has been alone in practice. For many years he was general attorney for the Burlington & North Western Railway and the Burlington & Western Railway but now devotes his attention to the general practice of law, representing several corporations. He is well known as an able rep- resentative of the profession, and one who is strictly ethical in his practice. He prepares his cases with thoroughness and care, and his presentation of his cause is always strong and forceful. He belongs
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