Samuel Wesley Klaus is one of the proprietors of a general store at Earlville conducted under the name of Holscher & Klaus, and is considered one of the enterprising and reliable merchants of the town. He was born in Delaware county on the 12th of January, 1861, a son of John D. and Elizabeth (Hartbeck) Klaus, both of whom were natives of Hanover, Germany, but came to America about 1840. They first located in Missouri but after two years came to this county, where they bought government land, which they improved from year to year. Both passed away in this county and their deaths were sincerely mourned by those who knew them. To their union were born six children, namely: Mary, the wife of Rev. F. H. Wellemeyer, of Charles City, Iowa; Elizabeth, who married George Irmscher, of Epworth, this state; Rev. W. H., of Redfield, South Dakota; Rev. J. H., a resident of La Crosse, Wisconsin; Samuel Wesley, of this review; and Adelaide, the wife of Herman Holscher, both of whom are now deceased.

    Samuel Wesley Klaus remained at home until he attained his majority and was given the advantage of a liberal education as he attended Northwestern College in Galena, Illinois. He taught school for two years and then accepted a position as clerk in a general store, where he remained for three years, after which he established a store of his own in Earlville in 1887. He is still carrying on business there as a member of the firm of Holscher & Klaus. He is systematic and businesslike in all that he does and he uses discrimination in the purchase of stock, buying an excellent line of goods and one suited to the needs of his community. As their prices are moderate the firm has a large patronage, the store being well known throughout that part of the county.

    Mr. Klaus was married in 1886 to Miss Lizzie Loomis, who was born in Farley, Iowa, a daughter of N. J. and Mary (Kirby) Loomis, both of whom are deceased. Two sons were born to Mr. and Mrs. Klaus, namely: Roy W., who is a practicing physician in Chicago; and N. J., who is associated with his father in business. The wife and mother died in 1891 and was laid to rest in the Earlville cemetery. Mr. Klaus was married in 1897 to Miss Rose Landis who was born in this county, a daughter of A. B. and Elizabeth (McDonald) Landis, both of whom survive. By his second marriage Mr. Klaus has eight children, namely: Earl S., Kenneth R., Paul D., Ruth, Lucille, Cora, Elizabeth and Edna.

    The parents are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and Mr. Klaus has served as secretary of the official board for twenty-eight years. Fraternally he belongs to Lodge No. 132 of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Earlville and has passed through all of the chairs. He is a republican and is quite prominent in the local councils of his party, being at present chairman of the central committee of Delaware county. For two years he served as mayor of Earlville and for ten years has been a member of the town council. In addi­tion to his interest in the store he owns considerable real estate in the county and is considered one of its substantial citizens. He is much interested in civic welfare and if need be is willing to sacrifice personal interest to the general good as he feels such to be a citizen's duty.