J. Pingel

PINGEL, LAHANN

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 11/16/2011 at 19:43:28

J. PINGEL is engaged in the practice of law in Grundy Centre, and is the only German attorney in Grundy County, where he has been located since September, 1890, during which time his merit has won him a liberal patronage. He was born in the village of Brokenlande, Germany, on the 29th of July, 1857, and is the second son of Henry and Maria (Lahann) Pingel, who crossed the broad Atlantic to America in October, 1857, and located at Wheatland, Clinton County, Iowa, where they purchased a small farm and carried on agricultural pursuits until the death of Henry Pingel, which occurred October 3, 1861. Mrs. Pingel survived her husband many years, and passed away on the 4th of March, 1885. The parents were both members of the Reformed Church, and the father was a very successful farmer.

Mr. Pingel whose name heads this record is truly a self made man. He was reared on the old farm in Clinton County, Iowa, and began his education in its public and private schools. At the age of fifteen he began teaching, and from that time has been self supporting, making his own way through college. He first attended the Northern Illinois College, in Fulton, Ill., and on completing the classical course was graduated from that institution. He then entered the law department, from which he was also graduated. In the meantime he taught school in order to pay his expenses through college. In 1888, he was admitted to the Bar of Illinois, and in 1890 to the Bar of Iowa. He holds diplomas from the Northern Illinois College and from Drake University, of this state. For six months after his admission to the Iowa Bar he was engaged in the practice of law at Des Moines, and thence came to Grundy Centre.

In politics, Mr. Pingel is a stalwart Democrat, but is not an office seeker, preferring to devote his attention strictly to his profession. He has a very large practice among the Americans of the county, as well as among the Germans. He has one of the best libraries in Grundy County, and his close study has won him a foremost place at the Bar. The success of his life is the results of his own efforts, assiduity and integrity. Socially he is connected with the Knights of Pythias fraternity and is the present keeper of the records and seals in the home lodge. He now owns a third interest in eight hundred and forty six acres of land in this state, besides some town lots and other property. He also owns considerable stock in silver mines in Nevada, Washington and Montana. Mr. Pingel has visited the Pacific Coast and made several trips to Mexico, Texas and other southern states. He is a man of wide knowledge, and the community finds in him a valued citizen.

Source:
Portrait and Biographical Record
of Jasper, Marshall and Grundy Counties, Iowa
1894