The Blaul Family

John Blaul in Biographical review of Des Moines County, Iowa

The full biographical sketch as printed, transcribed from the public-domain book. Spelling and wording are the original author’s; a few scanning errors may remain.

JOHN BLAUL.

Prominent among the energetic, far- seeing, and successful business men of Iowa is John Blaul. His life history most happily illustrates what may be attained by faithful and continued effort in carrying out an hon- est purpose. Integrity, activity, and energy have been the crowning points of his suc- cess, and his connection with various busi- ness enterprises and industries has been a decided advantage to this section of the State, promoting its material welfare in no uncertain manner. He is one of the fore- most representatives of commercial inter- ests in Burlington, and with advancing years has broadened the scope of his labors, finding in each stage of his career oppor- tunity for further advancement.

The Blaul family is of German lineage. The grandfather, the Rev. John Blaul, a native of Germany, was a minister of the Evangelical Lutheran church. His son, John Blaul, who became the founder of the family in the New World, and the promoter of the important business enterprises of Bur- lington now conducted under the name of John Blaul Sons' Company, was born in Hesse-Darmstadt, Dec. 18, 1826, and was educated for the profession of school teach- ing. He came to America in 1850 upon a sailing vessel, and between three and four months had passed before he reached his destination. He went first to Norwich, Conn., afterward to Bangor, Me., later to Boston, Mass., and thence came to Burling- ton, where his remaining days were passed. He continued a resident of Bangor until 1856, working at first for sixty cents per day, for he was unacquainted with the lan- guage of the people, and had to take any position that offered until he was better

qualified to meet trade conditions in the New World. He worked for a time in a machine shop in IJanpor. and later in Boston, but finally was induced to ccimc to Burlington by an old frield, August Poehler, who was also a mechanic, and employed in that capacity in this city. Mr. Blaul. making his way west- waril, obtained a [Kisition in a tinshop, where he remained until 1857. -when he embarked in a retail grocery business as a partner of Theotlore I'ochler, on Front Street, Mr. Poehler having established the store some time previous. These gentlemen were also closely associated because of the fact that they had married sisters.

This partner.ship continued for many years, when Mr. Poehler withdrew and joined his brother .August in business, while Mr. I'.laiil continued alone in the retail gro- cery trade iinti! tlie close of the Civil War in 1865. Mr. Blaul then sold out to his former partner, and in 1866 he opened a wholesale and retail business at 113 Jeflfer- son Street. In 1867-68 he was associated with f'hilip 1 locrr in a wholesale and retail grocery business, one being upon the road, while the other managed the business in Bur- lington. In 1869 Mr. Hoerr sold out, and established the first cracker factory in Bur- lington.

From that time until 1882 Mr. jllaiil was alone in business, but at that time admitted his oldest son and later his other sons to a partnership. .\t that time the name of John Blaul & Sons was assumed, and the busi- ness became exclusively wholesale. The father remained a partner and the controlling head of the house until his death, which oc- curred Jan. 2~. 1885. He war; a prudent, conservative man, whrtse advancement came through his own untiring efforts, keen dis- cernment, and the careful husbanding of his

resources. He concentrated his energies upon his business afTairs, and his name be- came a synonym for hon<jrable dealing and connncrcial success. He was plain and un- ostentatious in manner, but possessed the worth of character that won him the confi- dence of the entire business community.

John Blaul, Sr.. was married first in Ger- many to Miss Maria .Anna Neufeld, who died in Boston, Mass., in December. 1854. The children of that marriage died in in- fancy, with the exception of John Blaul, who is now at the head of the grocery house. In 1837 John Blaul, Sr., was again married, his second union being with Katherine Knoener, a daughter of Charles and Kathe- rine Knoener, who were natives of Germany, and came to Burlington early in the '50's, from Lippe, Detmold. Her father was a school teacher and taught in the parochial schools of Burlington, in connection with the carrying on of agricultural pursuits. His daughter. Mrs. Blaul. died in .August, 1902. The children of this marriage are Charles ; Theodore; Lewis; Amelia; Pauline, who died in 1901 ; and two who died in child- hood.

John Blaul, Jr., whose name introduces this record, was born in Boston, Mass.. Feb. II, 1853. and was brought to Burlington in 1857. He pursued his education in the grammar and high schools of this city, and in his boyhood spent all his spare time in his father's store, so that he gained thorough anil practical knowledge of the business. .P'rom the age of sixteen years all of his time was devoted to the grocery trade, and he remained an employee of the house until 1882, when he was admitted to a partnership, lie was married May 13. 1877, to .Miss Louise Dewein. of Burlington, a daughter of Jacob and Catherine (Meier) Dewein,

who came to Burlington in 1841, her father becoming a shoemaker of this city. His daughter Louise was born April 13, 1853, and unto Mr. and Mrs. Blaul were born seven children : Milton, Mark, Robert, and Selma, who are living, and Clara, Louise, and John, who died in childhood. Mr. Blaul has the pleasure of having his two oldest sons employed in the firm, and he hopes to make grocerymen out of them. John Blaul is a Democrat in his political affiliation, and served for two terms, or four years, as alder- man of the city. He is deeply interested in public progress and improvement, and has been a co-operant factor in many measures for the general good. He belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Business Alen's Association, and is a finan- cier of marked ability, strong purpose, and unflagging energy.

Charles Blaul, our subject's brother, was born in Burlington, July 28, i860, was edu- cated in the public schools, and like his brothers received his business training under the direction of his father. He became a partner in 1882. He spent eight years upon the road as a traveling salesman, and he now has charge of the coflfee and spice mills of the company. He was married in Wapello, Iowa, to Miss Jessie Stephen, a daughter of Levi and Jane (Dickeson) Stephen. They have one child, Jessie Marie.

Theodore Blaul, born Feb. 23, 1862, was educated in the public schools, and became a member of the firm in 1882. while the fol- lowing year he -went upon the road as a commercial traveler for the house, but since 1886 has had charge of the canning plant, which is -worked in connection with the busi- ness of the firm. He was married Oct. 14. 1886, to ?^liss Emma L^terkircher, a daugh- ter of P. F. Unterkircher.

Lewis Blaul, born Oct. 16, 1863, was a public school student until 1879, when he entered his father's store, and has since been in the counting house. He was admitted to the firm in 1885, and was head bookkeeper and cashier for a number of years, but in 1902 he retired to his farm south of Burling- ton. He has never resumed active work in the store, although he retains his interest therein : and he also has other extensive in- vested interests in commercial enterprises of Burlington.

After the admission of the sons to the business, the extent and scope of the trade was greatly enlarged. The elder sons be- came partners in 1882, the younger in 1885. Not only have they conducted a wholesale grocery business, but they have also made a special feature of the importation of coflfee and spices, grinding their own spices and manufacturing flavoring extracts and bak- ing poAvder. They have also established a canning factory in connection with the busi- ness, putting it in operation in 1895, and have since canned tomatoes, pumpkins, hominy, and apples, and expect soon to can baked beans. In the manufacturing department one hundred people are employed, in the canning defiartment fifty people. Altogether there are five hundred people dependent upon the business of this firm, including the families of proprietors and employees. The business was at first conducted at 113 Jeflfer- son Street, where John Blaul, Sr., purchased property, which the family still own. In 1880 he built a store at 113 N. Third Street, between V'alley and Market Streets ; and in 1892 the brothers erected the ]5resent fine structure now occupied by the company, to which the addition was built in 1903. The lower story is of stone and the two upper stories are of brick. There is fine trackasre

in the rear. The ])resent canning factory occupies the site of tlic old Sunderland mill, and in fact the old building' still stands on a corner of tiie lot. On the tirst of February, 1903, the business was incorporated under the name of John I'laul Sons' Company, with John Ijlaul as president : Charles P.laul. vice- president ; Theodore Blaul, treasurer ; E. G. Koonz, secretary. John, Giarles, Theo- dore, and Lewis Blaul, together with W. H. Ripley, A. J. Riepe, and E. B. Kerns, constitute the board of directors, several of whom arc traveling salesmen. They now have eighteen traveling salesmen on the road, covering much of the West and Northwest, besides a portion of Illinois, and the volume of their business is indicated by the fact that so many commercial travelers are now em- ployed. From a small retail grocery trade the enterprise has developed until it has reached extensive proportions, covering many brandies, each one supplying a large jjatntnage. The annual business has reached a very large figure, and the house has ever maintaine<l an unassailable reputation, the straightforwanl policy inaugurated by the father being maintained by the sons. They are men of resourceful business ability, who have found in the business conditions of the present opportunity for advancement and successful accomplishment, and their posi- tion in commercial circles of Burlihgton is second to none.

Source: Biographical review of Des Moines County, Iowa. See the original pages at the Internet Archive.