Buena Vista County, IA
USGenWeb Project

Buena Vista county numbers Wallace M. Struble among her native sons, his birth having occurred November 2, 1871, in a log house just east of Sioux Rapids.  The same building was at one time used as the county courthouse, where the first term of court in this county was held, and figured prominently in the pioneer development of the district.  The father, George W. Struble, was for many years a prominent and influential citizen who, coming to the west in the fall of 1863, settled in Buena Vista county when it was still the haunt of many wild animals and much wild game.  The Indians had vacated the neighborhood and nothing had been done to convert the country into productive fields.  The first land which he owned in the county was a homestead claim, to which he secured the deed from a well known Indian called "Feather in the Lake."  This tract of one hundred and sixty acres was situated just outside the present corporation limits of Sioux Rapids and remained in the possession of Mr. Struble during his life time.  About 1872 he built a hotel in Sioux Rapids, being the second to engage in the business in the town, his predecessor being William Swiford, who some time before had opened a pioneer hotel.  Mr. Struble successfully conducted his hostelry until 1882, when the Northwestern Railroad was built through the town, and he sold out to a Mr. Rhodes.  He then erected a fine residence near Sioux Rapids and spent the remainder of his days in honorable and well earned retirement, his death occurring in 1900 when he was sixty-three years of age.  He had always taken a great interest in politics and in matters relating to the public welfare.  He gave influential support to the principles of the republican party and stood at all times for that which is progressive in the life of the community.  He aided in laying broad and deep the foundation for the present development and progress of the county and will long be remembered and honored as one of the old pioneers here.

George W. Struble married Miss Mary Moore and both were natives of Steuben county, New York.  The children of that marriage were Flora, deceased; M. C, who wedded Lena Weeks and had one child, George, and who, after the death of his first wife was married in 1900 to Mrs. Shaffer, their home being now in Wellman, Iowa, where he is engaged in banking; and Wallace R., the youngest of the family.

In taking up the personal history of Wallace R. Struble we present to our readers the life record of one who is widely and favorably known.  He attended the public schools and was graduated from the Sioux Rapids school.  Later he became a student in the business college at Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and when twenty-four years of age he started out in life on his own account.  For two years he farmed the old homestead and then disposed of his agricultural interests and removed to town.  He has been connected with the milling business and electric light plant for two years and is a man of business enterprise, who accomplishes what he undertakes by reason of his determined purpose and unfailing energy.

On the 16th of October, 1895, Mr. Struble was married to Miss Fannie Cuthbert, a daughter of Charles and May (Woods) Cuthbert, who were natives of Wisconsin and came to Buena Vista county at an early date.  Mr. and Mrs. Struble now have one son, Delbert C.  The parents are well known and the hospitality of many of the best homes of this section of the country is cordially extended them.

Mr. Struble votes with the republican party but has no desire for the honors of public office.  He belongs to Enterprise Lodge, No. 132, A. F. & A. M., and is in hearty sympathy with the beneficent spirit of the craft.  Always a resident of Buena Vista county, he has witnessed its development from pioneer times and has seen many remarkable changes as the county has been transformed from a wild prairie district into a region of fine farms and beautiful homes.