USA > Iowa > Des Moines County > History of Des Moines County, Iowa, Volume II > Part 29
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Mr. Burcham is a socialist, and fraternally is connected with the Moose. He is a ball fan, finding his greatest pleasure and recre- ation in our national game. He never allows outside interests, how- ever, to interfere with the faithful performance of his duties as gen- eral manager of the Cooperative Supply Company, and he enjoys the entire confidence and goodwill of all of the stockholders.
EDWARD C. EICHER.
Edward C. Eicher, holding the responsible position of assistant attorney for the Iowa district of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Company, has been continuously identified with the bar of this state since 1906. He was born in Noble, Iowa, December 16, 1878, and is a son of Benjamin and Lydia (Sommer) Eicher. The father, a native of France, came to the United States in 1851 and settled in Ohio, where he remained until 1855, when he removed to Iowa. He was a farmer by occupation and also a minister of the gospel. He organized the German Mennonite church at Noble, Iowa, and remained as its pastor for thirty years, doing effective work in promoting the moral progress and development of that region. It was in this state that he wedded Lydia Sommer, a daugh- ter of Joseph Sommer, who was a farmer by occupation and brought his family to Iowa in 1853. The death of Mr. Eicher occurred in 1893, while his wife survived until 1905.
Spending his youthful days under the parental roof, Edward C. Eicher pursued his education in the public schools of Noble, Iowa, and later attended Washington Academy and afterward the Morgan Park Academy at Chicago. Still later he entered the University of Chicago, from which he was graduated with the class of 1904, win- ning the degree of Bachelor of Philosophy. He then spent two years as a law student in that institution and afterward read law with his brother. He was admitted to practice in 1906 and entered into partnership with his brother, the business connection being main- tained until 1908. He afterward spent a year in Chicago in the
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legal and business department of the University of Chicago as assist- ant registrar and in 1909 he located in Mount Pleasant, Iowa, but remained in practice there for only a month. In November of that year he came to Burlington as assistant attorney for the Iowa district of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Company and in this connection still practices. He is a member of the State Bar Asso- ciation and is widely recognized as an able lawyer, having the sin- cere regard of his brethren at the bar because of his close conformity to a high standard of professional ethics.
Mr. Eicher was married in Washington, Iowa, on the 19th of August, 1908, to Miss Hazel Mount, of that place, a daughter of W. R. and Martha (Wilson) Mount, the former a traveling sales- man. Mr. Eicher holds membership with the Alpha Delta Phi and with the Phi Delta Phi, two college fraternities. He gives his political indorsement to the democratic party and both he and his wife hold membership in the Congregational church. They have gained many friends in that organization and through other connec- tions and warm regard is entertained for them by those who know them. In a profession which demands keen mentality and close application Mr. Eicher has steadily advanced, winning for himself a well earned reputation among the leading lawyers of Burlington.
NICHOLAS LAU.
Nicholas Lau is the senior partner in the firm of Lau & Son, proprietors of one of the leading meat markets of Burlington. He is a native of Germany, his birth having occurred at Itzehoe, Holstein, on the 20th of March, 1847. The period of his boyhood and youth was passed in the fatherland and he came to the United States in' 1866. After reaching the shores of the new world he made his way, across the country to Chicago, where he remained for about a year and on the expiration of that period he removed to Burlington, where he has since resided. He brought with him but little capital to the new world but he possessed the substantial qualities of ambi- tion, energy and determination and these have brought him to his present place among the substantial business men of the city. The meat market of which he is now the senior proprietor was founded in 1872 by three partners under the firm name of Steinbrecher, Dehn & Lau. This relation was continued for about twenty-six years or until 1898, when Mr. Steinbrecher died and Mr. Lau then bought
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out the interest of his remaining partner. In 1900 he admitted his son, Louis Lau, to a partnership under the present firm style of Lau & Son, and they now have one of the largest retail markets in the city. It is supplied with all modern fixtures, with splendid refriger- ators and other equipments and the most sanitary and healthful con- ditions prevail. Their trade has steadily grown, the business having now reached gratifying proportions.
In 1871 Mr. Lau was united in marriage to Miss Caroline Wolff, of Burlington, and to them have been born three children. Henry, who was born in 1874, is now in the employ of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Company. Clara, thirty-eight years of age, is the wife of C. G. Bosh, of Burlington. Louis, thirty-six years of age, is the youngest and is the junior member of the firm. He was reared in this city, attended the public schools and on the 19th of April, 1903, he was united in marriage to Miss Katharine MacPartland, of Burlington, who was also educated in the schools of this city. They have two children: John, now in school; and Mary, two and a half years of age.
Nicholas Lau is a member of the Carthage Lake Fishing Club and both father and son are democrats in their political views, giving unfaltering support to the principles and candidates of the party yet not seeking nor desiring public office. They concentrate their efforts largely upon their business affairs and their combined energy and careful management have brought to them gratifying success as the years have passed by.
F. J. RILING.
F. J. Riling, well known in Burlington as a resourceful business man, was born in Leavenworth, Kansas, November 15, 1867, a son of John J. and Catherine (Murphy) Riling. The father was a well known farmer and stock-raiser and conducted a successful business in the Sunflower state.
Mr. Riling supplemented a public-school education by study in St. Benedict's College at Atchison, Kansas, from which he was graduated with the class of 1884. He was reared to the occupation of farming with the usual experiences that fall to the farm lad. He continued to carry on general agricultural pursuits until twenty- three years of age and then turned his attention to life insurance, acting as agent in Davenport, Iowa, and afterward at Muscatine.
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In 1893 he was called to public office through appointment to the position of chief deputy revenue collector for the southern district of Iowa, in which capacity he served for about five years. He is treasurer and manager of the Burlington Construction Company, a very successful and general contracting company, one of the trustees of the Rand estate and associated with other Burlington business enterprises.
On the 3d of October, 1904, Mr. Riling was united in marriage to Miss Alice J. Bauch, of Milton, Iowa, and they have one daughter, Frances. Mr. Riling holds membership with the Elks and Knights of Columbus and is a communicant of St. Paul's Catholic church. His political allegiance is given to the democratic party and he is a member of the Commercial Exchange, interested in the plans and projects for the upbuilding of the city and cooperating in those measures and movements which are a matter of civic virtue and civic pride.
J. P. SWYGARD.
J. P. Swygard is proprietor of a general store at Mediapolis and has developed a business of gratifying proportions. He keeps an attractive line of goods and his earnest desire to please his patrons has been one of the factors in his growing success. He was born in Northfield, Louisa county, Iowa, May 13, 1862, a son of Frederick W. and Ellen (Jugenheimer) Swygard, natives of Germany, the former born at Schwap, August 11, 1833, and the latter at Hesse- Darmstadt, November 17, 1833. The father was but three years of age when his parents crossed the Atlantic to America and settled at Fredericksburg, Maryland, whence they afterward removed to Bur- lington, Iowa. His wife crossed the ocean when in young woman- hood, the voyage consuming seventy-two days. She made her way direct to Burlington and in that city they were married in 1859. While in that city the father followed the tinner's trade and after their marriage they located upon a farm in Louisa county. When their son, J. P. Swygard, was but three months old the father enlisted for service in the Civil war, joining Company C of the Thirtieth Iowa infantry, with which he served for three years, being advanced to the rank of sergeant. He took part in all of the engagements in which his company participated and at the close of the war resumed farm work, devoting his energies to the further development and
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improvement of his home place until his later years, when, having acquired a handsome competence as the reward of his former toil, he retired to Mediapolis, where his remaining days were passed in the enjoyment of a well earned rest. He died July 21, 1912, while his wife passed away in January, 1911.
In politics Frederick W. Swygard was a stalwart republican, giving unfaltering support to the men and measures of the party, and his religious faith was evidenced by his membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, to which his wife also belonged. They were the parents of seven children: W. H., who is now living in Mediapolis ; J. P., of this review; Matilda, the wife of Henry Todd, of Wheatland, Oklahoma; C. F., who is living on the old homestead farm in Louisa county; J. E., a resident of Colfax, Washington ; Mary E., the wife of Frank Nelson, of Mediapolis; and Deborah, who married John Loper.
J. P. Swygard was reared upon the old homestead farm in Louisa county until he attained his majority and attended the district schools in the acquirement of his education. On reaching man's estate he removed to Mediapolis and began learning the harness-making trade, which he followed for two years. At the end of that time he secured a clerkship in the general store of Parrott & Fulmer, with whom he remained for a decade. He then became a partner in the firm of J. D. Clement & Company, with which he was connected for three years, and at the end of that time bought out his partners' interests and organized the firm of J. P. & J. E. Swygard. After two years a reorganization was effected under the name of Swygard Brothers & Walker. Eventually all sold out and J. P. Swygard then embarked in business alone as a general merchant, occupying a store in the Commercial State Bank building, known as the Brown & McClure building. His store is one hundred and ten by one hun- dred and forty feet. It is a department store and he employs three clerks. He is also proprietor of a store in Garland, where he em- ploys a man to conduct it. He is a stockholder in the Commercial State Bank of Mediapolis and is a progressive and energetic busi- ness man who readily recognizes and utilizes opportunities, and thus is steadily advancing toward the goal of success.
In January, 1888, Mr. Swygard was united in marriage to Miss Lillian Cassing, who was born in Ohio in 1868, and in her childhood came to Iowa with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. John F. Cassing. Mr. and Mrs. Swygard have become the parents of four children: Jessie Elma, who was graduated from the Iowa State University with the class of 1911, and is now a teacher of Latin in Centerville, Iowa;
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Stanley F., who died at the age of five years; Chalmer F., who died at the age of two years ; and Pauline Elizabeth, who was born in No- vember, 1909.
Mr. Swygard is identified with the Masonic fraternity, the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows and the Fraternal Aid, and his re- ligious faith is evidenced by his membership in the Methodist Epis- copal church. He exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the republican party, and keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day, being ever ready to support his position by intelligent argument. His attention, however, is largely concentrated upon his business affairs, and it has been by reason of his close application and unremitting energy that he has gained a place among the representative merchants of Mediapolis.
E. C. GOULD.
E. C. Gould is the president of the Gardner & Gould Company, manufacturers of candies and jobbers of confectioners' supplies. The business which has been built up in this connection is now an exten- sive one, and, constituting one of the important commercial interests of Burlington, is the tangible evidence of the enterprise and ability of the president of the company and his fellow-officers. A native of Ohio, Mr. Gould was born in Geauga county on the 28th of June, 1859, a son of Samuel and Julia (Fitch) Gould. The mother died in the '6os and the father afterward removed to Montgomery county, Iowa, in 1867, there turning his attention to farming, which he fol- lowed for a number of years. Later he retired and spent his last days in Adams county, Iowa, where he passed away at the age of seventy-seven years.
His son, E. C. Gould, was a young lad at the time of the arrival in Iowa, and his youthful days were spent in the usual manner of boys who are reared upon farms, his time being divided between the duties of the schoolroom, the pleasures of the playground and the work of the fields. He continued to engage actively in farm work until he reached the age of twenty-two years, when, thinking to find other pursuits more congenial, he secured a situation in a retail store at Lewis, Iowa. Subsequently he removed to Grant City, Missouri, where he conducted a store, and later he entered the Summer-Rich- ardson factory at St. Joseph, Missouri, in which he received his initial training in connection with the candy trade. He afterward
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went upon the road for Riley Brothers of that city, whom he repre- sented as a traveling salesman for five years. Subsequently he trav- eled out of Des Moines, and in 1893 he came to Burlington, where he entered the employ of J. W. Smither, a confectioner, baker and cracker manufacturer. He afterward went upon the road for the National Biscuit Company, which he represented until 1900. He has been continuously connected with the candy trade since 1884 as a traveling salesman and otherwise, and on the Ist of June, 1900, he became one of the organizers of the Gardner & Gould Company for the manufacture of candy and jobbing in confectioners' supplies. Their business has now assumed extensive proportions, giving em- ployment to seventy people, and as president of the company Mr. Gould is active in controlling one of the leading productive indus- tries of the city.
In 1882 Mr. Gould was united in marriage to Miss Josie Bin- ford, of Grant City, Missouri, who died two years later, in 1884. In 1887 he was again married, his second union being with Lou F. Fiddler, of Sigourney, Iowa. Mr. Gould is an exemplary repre- sentative of the Masonic fraternity. He has attained the Knights Templar degree of the York Rite and has crossed the sands of the desert with the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He also belongs to the Elks lodge and his life is further actuated by his belief as a member of the Congregational church. Politically he is a repub- lican. He keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day and is ever ready to support his position by intelligent argument, but he has never sought nor desired the honors and emoluments of office. He stands, however, for progress and improvement in public affairs, and for three years he was the efficient president of the Com- mercial Exchange of Burlington. He has a business record that any man might be proud to possess, for he never makes an engage- ment that he does not keep, nor incur any obligation that he does not meet. He has constantly advanced, and each forward step has brought him a broader outlook and wider opportunities.
JOHN P. ZURAWSKI.
One of the active business men of Des Moines county is John P. Zurawski, president of the Burlington Paper Company, in which connection he is the controlling factor in one of the most important commercial enterprises of Burlington. His life record indicates what may be accomplished when energy, determination and ambi-
JOHN P. ZURAWSKI
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tion point out the way. A native of Germany, he was born on the 16th of September, 1859, and after spending the first eighteen years of his life in his native land, his time being largely devoted to the acquirement of an education, he crossed the Atlantic to the new world, settling at Belle Plaine, Iowa.
Mr. Zurawski was practically without funds and his finan- cial condition rendered it imperative that he obtain immediate employment. During the early period of his residence in this state he worked as a farm hand, but he was ambitious to engage in business on his own account and to that end carefully saved his earnings until he was able to engage in the lumber trade at Remsen, Iowa. There he conducted business for four years, at the end of which time he was appointed to the position of deputy county treasurer of Plymouth county, in which capacity he continued for two years. He still practiced the closest economy, as well as industry, and thus he acquired a capital that enabled him to embark in the banking business. He organized the German State Bank at Le Mars, Iowa, and was active in its control and management until 1 900.
Mr. Zurawski then severed his connection there and removed to Burlington, since which time he has been with the Burlington Paper Company, which was incorporated in the fall of 1909. This was the successor of the Hyde Paper Company, which had taken over the business of the firm of Hyde & Starker, which was established about 1896. When the Burlington Paper Company was organized in 1902, John Blaul and his sons were largely interested therein. In 1900 Mr. Zurawski purchased an interest in the business and was manager thereof until 1909, when the company was reor- ganized and the following officers elected : John P. Zurawski, presi- dent; Oscar Riepe, vice president; C. E. Weiss, secretary; and E. C. Jordan, treasurer. In connection with these officers Charles H. Krue- ger constitutes the board of directors. The company conducts a wholesale business in the sale and importation of toys, dolls and Jap- anese and Chinese goods. They handle wrapping paper, wax and parchment papers and stationery of all kinds. Their stock also in- cludes notions of all kinds and they employ nine traveling sales- men, who represent the house throughout the middle west. Their business now covers an extensive territory and is growing year by vear, the result of their enterprising methods, thorough understand- ing of the trade, their reliability and persistency.
In 1884 Mr. Zurawski was married to Miss Louisa Sallach, who was born in West Prussia, and they now have five children. Helen Vol. II-19
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Marie is head nurse of the Johns Hopkins Hospital at Baltimore, Maryland. Arnold E. is a student in dentistry in the Northwestern University at Chicago. Elizabeth W., a B. A. graduate of the Northwestern University, is now a high-school teacher in Minnesota. Florence L. is a sophomore in the Northwestern University. Arthur is a high-school student in Burlington.
Mr. Zurawski is a member of the German Evangelical church, the Elks, the Knights of Pythias and the Legion of Honor. He like- wise belongs to the Orchard City Fishing and Hunting Club, and in his leisure hours his many acquaintances find him a most congenial, social gentleman, actively interested in many things which contribute to life's pleasures. He is a trustee of the Burlington public library and in his political views is a progressive. He stands for advance- ment in pubic affairs just as he does in business life, and his efforts have been an element in general improvement in Burlington, for many tangible evidences of his public spirit may be cited. Gradu- ally he has worked his way upward, carving out for himself oppor- tunities where none existed and making wise use of his time and talents until he stands today among the most resourceful, forceful and prosperous business men of the city.
E. T. GARDNER.
Business enterprise finds a worthy exponent in E. T. Gardner, who is the vice president and treasurer of the Gardner & Gould Com- pany. Moreover, his business career is characteristic of the spirit of enterprise which has dominated the west in its rapid upbuilding. He was born in Burlington, January 5, 1861, and is a son of E. T. and Louisa (Webster) Gardner, the former a native of Massachusetts and the latter of Zanesville, Ohio. They were married in the Buckeye state and came to Iowa in the same year as David Grimes, arriving in the early '40s. The trip was made overland by buggy, for no rail- roads had been extended into this section at that time. The father was a cabinetmaker by trade and in connection with his business affairs purchased the first furniture that was installed in the Congre- gational church. He it was who made the first bureau and the first sofa ever made in Iowa, these articles of furniture being sold to Mr. Coolbaugh, but at the present time they are in possession of E. T. Gardner and are prized heirlooms of his father's work.
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To Mr. and Mrs. E. T. Gardner, Sr., there were born seven chil- dren, of whom the subject of this review is the youngest. The public schools of Burlington afforded him his early educational privileges and later he attended Gordon's private school. Starting out on his own account, he secured a position with R. G. Dunn & Company and subsequently he was employed by a firm engaged in the grain trade. He afterward worked for Delahay & Purdy and later entered the em- ploy of J. W. Smither, a confectionery manufacturer, with whom he learned the trade. He became interested in the business, believed that there was a future along that line in Burlington and on the Ist of June, 1900, joined with E. C. Gould in organizing the Gardner & Gould Company. The business, however, was conducted as a part- nership concern until 1907, when it was incorporated under the pres- ent style with E. C. Gould as president, E. T. Gardner as vice president and treasurer, and L. M. Pollock as secretary. They manu- facture candies and do a jobbing trade in confectioners' supplies. Their business is located at the corner of Third & Elm streets, where they have a well appointed factory. They started out at No. 217 Washington street, but removed to their present location in March, 1904. They now employ nine traveling salesmen, while seventy people are employed in the factory. They manufacture high grade candies, specializing in chocolates, and their business is now an ex- tensive one. They occupy a building sixty by one hundred and seven- teen feet, four stories in height, utilize sixty-five horse power in operating machinery and they own an electric light plant and have a complete refrigerating system. The utmost attention is paid to clean- liness and sanitary conditions and the excellence of their product has developed a trade of gratifying and extensive proportions. Mr. Gardner and Mr. Gould still remain at the head of the business, directing its interests and broadening its trade connections.
On the 5th of December, 1884, Mr. Gardner was united in mar- riage to Miss Stella M. Smither, a daughter of James W. and Imogene (Webster) Smither, who came to Burlington in April, 1879, after which the father bought out the business of Phillip Hoerr, a candy manufacturer. Both he and his wife are now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Gardner have two children, Jack and Kathleen, aged re- spectively eighteen and twelve years, and both are now in school. Mr. Gardner is a republican in his political views, but the honors and emoluments of office have had no attraction for him, as he has always preferred to devote his attention to his business affairs. He is a member of the Golf Club and he and his family are members of the Episcopal church. His salient characteristics are such as everywhere
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command confidence, regard and goodwill, and his business career is an example which might well be followed by those who desire to attain success through diligence, determination and close application.
JAMES T. WOOTTEN.
Through an extended period James T. Wootten has been a resi- dent of Des Moines county, and now makes his home at No. 1525 Haskell street, in Burlington. He has long been numbered among the well known and highly respected residents of this part of the state, his many good qualities commanding for him the confidence and high regard of all who know him. He was born in La Grange, Tennessee, September 23, 1842, a son of John and Mary ( Bridges) Wootten. The father was born in Tennessee in 1795 and was a car- penter by trade. On leaving his native state, he removed to Bur- lington immediately following the close of the Civil war. In the south he followed carpentering and also engaged in making coffins. He retired many years before leaving the south, so was never con- nected with business affairs in Burlington. His early political alle- giance was given to the whig party, and afterward he joined the ranks of the new republican party. He was a man of many sub- stantial qualities, honest and reliable, and when he passed away in 1869 there were many friends who deeply regretted his demise. His remains were interred in the Aspen Grove cemetery. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Mary Bridges, was born in South Carolina, and died in 1881. They had a family of twelve children, of whom three are yet living: James T .; Robert, a resident of the state of Washington ; and Frances, the wife of W. H. Warden, of Burling- ton, Iowa.
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