Gottfried Staadt
Gottfried Staadt, a well known druggist of Postville,
conducting a profitable and growing business, was born in Post
township, Allamakee county, February 21, 1857. He is a son of
Anthony and Pauline (Verver) Staadt, natives of the Rhine
Province, Germany, the father born January 7, 1821, and the
mother, February 28, 1813. Anthony Staadt crossed the Atlantic in
1851, before his marriage, his future wife landing in New York a
few months later. Their marriage occurred in that city and the
father was afterward employed in a drug store there for a short
time, retaining his position until he went to Wisconsin, settling
in the vicinity of Sheboygan. In 1854 he came to Iowa, locating
on a farm in Post township, two miles east of Postville, and this
property he continued to improve and develop for twelve years, at
the end of which time he turned his attention to business
pursuits, opening a drugstore in Conover. In 1866 he came to
Postville, establishing a drug store in this city, which he
continued to conduct successfully until his death, which occurred
in December, 1902. He was well known in local politics and was
especially interested in school affairs, serving for several
years as president of the school board. He had long survived his
wife, who passed away January 3, 1890. They were the parents of
two children: Anthony, who was born October 28, 1853, and who
died in Milwaukee, December 16, 1871; and Gottfried, of this
review.
After acquiring an education in the public schools of Post
township and Postville, Gottfried Staadt, at the age of sixteen,
began his independent career, joining his father as a partner in
the drug business in this city. He retained this connection until
after his father’s death, when he assumed entire charge of
the enterprise, which he has since conducted alone. He carries a
full stock of drugs and in addition has paid particular attention
to his popular lines, which include toilet articles, paints and
oils. His excellent business and executive ability has
contributed in a large measure to the success which has attended
this enterprise, making it one of the largest and most important
pharmacies in the city. He is also a stockholder in both of the
banks of Postville and is a director in the Postville State Bank.
He is connected with the Postville Clay Product Company and is
the owner of some valuable farming property in Clayton county.
Mr. Staadt married, on the 9th of February, 1893, Miss Anna
Welzel, born in Grand Meadow township, Clayton county, September
13, 1872, a daughter of John and Savina (Thoma) Welzel, natives
of Bavaria, Germany. They came to America in early life and were
married in Grand Meadow township, where the father turned his
attention to farming, although he had been a meat cutter in his
native country. He later retired from active business life and
moved into Postville, where he died on December 18, 1906. His
wife survives him and makes her home in this city with her
daughter, Mrs. Staadt. He was active and prominent in local
public affairs and held various important offices, including that
of school treasurer, in which he served for a number of years.
Mr. and Mrs. Staadt became the parents of four children: Anthony,
born January 24, 1894, a graduate of Postville high school;
Pauline, born January 16, 1896, who was graduated from the same
institution in 1913; Edward, born October 23, 1899; and
Catherine, born July 2, 1908.
Mr. Staadt gives his political allegiance to the democratic party
and served for one term as a member of the city council. He is
especially interested in educational matters and has done a great
deal to promote the spread of public education in Postville
through his long period of service as secretary of the school
board, a position which he has held since 1885. Fraternally he is
connected with the Masonic lodge, of which he is treasurer, with
the Modern Woodmen of America and the Ancient Order of United
Workmen. He is a member of the Turner Society and president of
the Maennerchor. A resident of Postville during practically all
his life, he is recognized as a representative and enterprising
citizen of the community and is widely known by reason of the
excellent establishment with which he is connected. His business
methods have been such as neither seek nor require disguise,
being at all times straightforward and honorable.
-source: Past & Present of Allamakee County; by
Ellery M. Hancock; S. J. Clarke Pub. Co.; 1913
-transcribed by Linda Earnheart
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