LUNEMANN, John H.

LUNEMANN, PLUMER, KOBER, MILLER

Posted By: P. Bergmeier (email)
Date: 5/14/2005 at 17:45:26

John H. Lunemann, cashier of the First National Bank of La Porte City, Iowa, whose portrait accompanies this sketch, was born September 4, 1870, at Waterloo, Iowa, and is a son of Herman and Jantie (Plumer) Lunemann.

Herman Lunemann was born in Hanover, Germany, December 19, 1824, and has been a resident of La Porte City since 1870. He came to America in 1864 and settled at Cedar Falls, Iowa, where he followed the trade of a blacksmith for three years. He lived at Waterloo for the same period, and then in 1870 located permanently in La Porte City, where for the past five years he has led a retired life. In 1854, he married Jantie Plumer, who was born in Hanover, Germany, February 23, 1836, and died in La Porte City, November 18, 1898. Their children were as follows: Elzina Kober, who died in La Porte City in June, 1895, aged 36 years; Angeline, who died in 1876, aged 15 years; John H.; and two chidren who died in infancy. Hermann Lunemann and his wife were for years consistent members of the German Evangelical Church, of which the former is still a constant attendent and liberal supporter. Politically, he is a Republican.

John H. Lunemann was brought to La Porte City by his parents at the age of three months, and here he was reared, graduating from High School at the age of 15 years. He then accepted a clerkship in the clothing store of W.D. Wagoner. Five years afterward he bought an interest in the business, which was then conducted for six years under the firm style of W.D. Wagoner & Company. When this partnerhsip was dissolved, Mr. Lunemann embarked in the clothing business for himself, in which he continued for three years. With abundant capital for investment, he then went to Dysart, Iowa, where he remained for six months, during this time organizing the First National Bank there, of which he was cashier and is still director.

Upon his return to La Porte City, Mr. Lunemann became associated with a number of leading business organizations. He is secretary and treasurer of the Wettstein Loan & Trust Company, which was organized in 1902, with a capital of $50,000; he is connected with the La Porte City Canadian Development Company, a corporation operating large wheat acres in Assiniboia District, Northwest Territory; he is connected as a shareholder with the Southern Plantation Development Company of Alabama; he holds land interests in South Dakota, Kansas, Nebraska and Colorado; he is treasurer of the La Porte City Public Utility Company, which owns and operates the electric light, water-works and telephone plants of this city, and is connected with seveal telephone companies in other parts of the State.

Since March, 1902, Mr. Lunemann has been cashier of the First National Bank of La Porte City, Iowa. This financial institution was founded as a national bank in 1889, with James F. Camp as president and F.E. Wettstein, as cashier. It has enjoyed great prosperity and now has a capital and surplus of $90,000. Its officers are: R.A. Perkins, president; W.D. Wagoner, vice-president; F.E. Wettstein, 2nd vice-president; J.H. Lunemann, cashier; and G.E. Stebbins, assistant cashier.

The board of directors includes these well known capitalists: R.A. Perkins, F.E. Wettstein, W.D. Wagoner, Robert Wagner, W.R. McQuikin, A.E. Kline, H.B. Lizer, A.B. Elmer, C.E. Ashley and J.H. Lunemann. The condensed statement of the condition of the bank at the close of business on March 28, 1904, shows its resources to be: $342,012.59. This healthy condition is largely the result of the high standing of the officers of the institution, their personal reliability and known integrity.

In December, 1896, Mr. Lunemann was married to Augusta Miller, who was born March 23, 1872, at Mendon, Michigan, and is a daugher of Rev. M.J. and Sabina Miller. One son has been born to this union, namely: John Miller Lunemann. Mrs. Lunemann is a lady of much culture, and a prominent figure in the social life of La Porte City. She was educated at the Iowa State Normal School at Cedar Falls, and was a successful teacher in the public schools for about seven years.

Mr. Lunemann affiliates with the Republican Party, but takes only a citizens interest in politics. He has long been a very active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, being treasurer and trustee, superintendent of the Sunday-school and a member of the choir. Fraternally he is a Master Mason and a member of the Knights of the Maccabees and Modern Woodmen of America.

Source: History of Black Hawk County and It's People 1915

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