Steinmetz, J. H.

STEINMETZ, READER, BOND

Posted By: Roseanna Zehner
Date: 7/25/2006 at 17:34:48

STEINMETZ, J.H.

J. H. Steinmetz, for many years a leading citizen of Rock Rapids, Iowa, had more than a local reputation in his own line of trade, and was known far and wide as the leading harness dealer in northwestern Iowa. He carried the best of stock, had machinery modern and up-to-date in every respect, and had a host of friends.

Mr. Steinmetz was born in Indiana April 12, 1855, and at the age of thirteen he had three months' schooling. He then began learning the harness making trade under his father's instruction, with whom he worked in the shop for three years. After this he was a journeyman harness maker for several years at various places in the state. He was not satisfied with his progress as a wage worker, and determined to go into business for himself. With the small sum of twenty dollars he opened a business and went to work making a set of harness and doing repair work. The want of capital was a great hindrance, but he grimly bent to his work, and presently began to find it came easier. His determination to succeed aroused a friendly interest in the community, and custom began to seek him. He soon had a stock to sell from, and was recognized as a capable business man. This was in Salem, Iowa, where he established himself, and where he remained for eleven years. At the end of that time he had one of the most compact and desirable stocks of goods in his line in that part of the state. He disposed of his store and removed to State Center in the spring of 1888, staid there until 1895, when he removed to Hamburg, Iowa. There he remained until 1902, when he again sold. Coming to Lyon county that year, he bought the shop and stock of M. Fitzgerald, for which he paid $4,500. This establishment was greatly enlarged and increased by him until it became one of the best assorted harness stores in the state, with complete machinery, including a two-hundred-and-fifty dollar tug stitching sewing machine, as well as other expensive and complicated machinery needed in harness making.

Mr. Steinmetz owned a handsome residence in Rock Rapids which is occupied by his family. He also owned a second residence which he rented. In the Independent Order of Odd Fellows he was a faithful member and a hard worker; as he was also in the Knights of Pythias and the Modern Woodmen of America.

Mr Steinmetz was married November 14, 1878, to Miss Sarah, daughter of William and Abbie (Reader) Bond. her father was a successful farmer, and donned the Union blue at the outbreak of the Civil war. He died on the field of battle, fighting for his country. To this union were born eleven children: Florence, Cecil, William H., Abbie, John, Virgil, Merton, Catherine, Clarence, Elizabeth and Thelma. Mr. Steinmetz died July 12, 1904, of cancer of stomach.

Source: Compendium of History Reminiscence and Biography of Lyon County, Iowa. Published under the Auspices of the Pioneer Association of Lyon County. Geo. Monlun, Pres.; Hon. E. C. Roach Sec’y; and Col. F. M. Thompson, Historian. Geo. A. Ogle & CO., Published, Engravers and Book Manufacturers. Chicago, 1904-1905

Transcribed by Roseanna Zehner, Darlene Jacoby and Diane Johnson