The Stellern Family of Lee County, Iowa

J. G. H. STELLERN.

y. G. H. Stellern, who was long identified with the business and industrial interests of Fort Madison, but is now living retired here, was born in Prussia, Germany, on the 25th of December, 1830, a son of John Bernhard and Elizabeth Stellern. His father died in that country when our subject was only eight years of age and in 1844 the mother brought her family to the new world. They located in St. Louis, Missouri, where she passed away in 1850. By occupation the father was a farmer. J. G. H. Stellern was the fifth in order of birth in a family of several children, four of whom accompanied the mother on her removal to the United States, these being John. Christina, J. G. H. and Richard. Joseph started with them, but died at sea, while Henry, who was serving as a soldier in the German army, did not come until eighteen months later. All are now deceased except the subject of this review.

. G. H. Stellern was only thirteen years of age when the family settled in St. Louis and about a year later he began learning the brick maker's trade, which he foUovved until he removed to Lee county, Iowa, in 1869. Here he located on a farm in West Point township and for two years devoted his attention to agricultural pursuits, but at the end of that time removed to Fort Madison, where he has since made his home. He purchased a half interest in the bottling works of Frank Hesse, being in partnership with Barney Bellman, who died two months later. Mr. Stellern was then alone in business until 1902, when he was succeeded by his son, Frank. He now lives retired.

While living in St. Louis, Mr. Stellern was married, November 7, 1857, to Miss Charlotte Knippschild, who was also a native of Prussia, born August 9, 1836, and was twenty years of age when she came to the new world. By this union were born the following children: Emma, now the wife of George H. Van Tilburg, of St. Louis; Joseph, a resident of Fort Madison, Iowa; Henry, of Washington township, this county; Ida, the wife of William Dues, of Fort Madison; Clara, the wife of George Haessig, of Fort Madison; Frances, at home; Frank, who is mentioned below; Rose, the wife of H. D. Lawrence, of Fort Madison; Albert, who died at the age of eighteen years in 1891; and Charles, who died in infancy.

Mr. Stellern gives his political support to the democratic party and in religious faith is a Catholic. During his long residence in Fort Madison he has made many warm friends and is highly respected and esteemed by all who know him.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

Henry Stellern, a representative of a well known and honored family of Lee county, which has been identified with agricultural and industrial interests of the community since 1869, was born in St. Louis, Missouri, on the 5th of September, 1861, and is a son of John G. H. and Charlotte Stellern. He was only eight years osage when the family arrived here and has, therefore, been identified with the interests of Fort Madison during the greater part of his life. He was principally educated in the German Catholic schools, but also attended a business college in Chicago for a time. He is now the owner of a good farm adjoining the corporation limits of Fort Madison on the north, and there he has made his home since his marriage, occupying a fine brick residence. In connection with agricultural pursuits, he is also engaged in the manufacture of brick, his plant having a capacity of twenty thousand per day. He has given considerable attention to this industry since 1910, although he still engaged in farming and is the owner of a fine tract of land in Caddo county, Oklahoma.

On the 28th of November, 1897, Mr. Stellern was united in marriage to Miss Bertha White, a native of Buffalo, New York, who was born in 1871 and in childhood came to this county with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Patrick White. Her father was a native of Ireland. Mr. and Mrs. Stellern have two children, Harry P. and Mabel Bertha.

As a democrat, Mr. Stellern has taken quite an active interest in public affairs and at one time was the candidate of his party for county supervisor. For six years he has acceptably served as treasurer of the West Point Agricultural Society, and as a public-spirited citizen does all in his power to advance the general welfare. He is a member of the Catholic church and fraternally is connected with the Knights of Columbus, the Moose and the Eagles.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

Frank Stellern, now at the head of the Stellern Bottling Works of Fort Madison, is an enterprising and progressive business man who stands high in the esteem of all who know him. He was born in Lee county, Iowa, February 17, 1872, and is a son of J. G. H. Stellern, whose sketch appears above. At the usual age he entered the public schools and continued his education until he was fourteen, when he began work in the bottling works of his father. He has since been identified with the business and is thoroughly conversant with the trade in all its departments. Since 1902 he has been sole owner and manager. He manufactures flavored soda waters of all kinds and employs on an average of six hands. He not only has built up a good business in Fort Madison, but ships his product to other towns and vicinity. Fraternally he is an honored member of the Elks, the

Eagles, the Moose and St. Joseph's Society, and by his ballot he supports the men and measures of the democratic party. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in St. Mary's Roman Catholic church.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.