In the books' own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. The later printing (1915) is folded below the first. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
Born 1854
From Biographical review of Des Moines County, Iowa (1905), History of Des Moines County, Iowa (1915)
CHARLES G. BOSCH.
Charles G. Bosch, one of the prominent and leading plumbers of Burlington, is a son of Leonard and Katherine ( Boeck) Bosch, and was born in Burlington, Iowa, May 24, 1854. His parents were natives of Germany, and came to Burlington in 1851 or 1852, and opened a grocery store on West Washington Street. They had seven children, of whom but two remain. Charles, of this review, and his sister, Mrs. Joseph Spies, -whose husband is a railroad man. The father died some thirty years ago, and his widow later married John Dabb. who was a baker, and had a shop on Washington Street, where their grocery formerly was. Mrs. Herman Wolfert. of West Burlington, is a step-sister of his. Mrs. Dabb passed away a short time ago, and she and her husbands are buried in Aspen Grove cemetery. Mr. Bosch was educated in the German subscription schools and public schools of Burlington, and at the age of eighteen went to work in the drug store of C. P. Squires. In 1871 he secured employment with the firm of Stewart & Hayden as a plumber. One of his first duties was to move the shop, which he accomplished in half a day, using a wheelbarrow. After this he worked for a while in Chicago and Denver. In 1880 he built the gas plant in Creston, Iowa, and ran it for two years. Nov. 1, 1883, he opened his present store on Main Street, where he has been for twenty years. He first began in a very quiet and modest way, but in a short time his ability as a mechanic became known, and from that time to the present his business has by close application and fair dealing increased wonderfully.
Oct. ID, 1882. Mr. Bosch married Miss Blanche Louisa Whitehead, daughter of Josiah Whitehead, of Crcston, Iowa. They reside at 717 North Third Street. Mr. Bosch also owns several lots in the city and the place at 1900 Orchard Street. He has been a Democrat all of his life, but has voted somewhat independently for the last few years. He is actively connected with the Modern Woodmen of the World; was secretary of the Business Men's Club for a while, and is still a member of the same, and also a member of the Commerical Club. He is a member and was a director in the Cottage Lake Club, of which he is a great worker. Mr. Bosch was raised in the German Lutheran church, and has given much to charities and churches in a quiet way. He is enterprising and public-spirited, wishing at all times to see the city of his birth grow and prosper. As a merchant, citizen, and private individual he has made a record which is worthy of commendation and approval.
As printed in Biographical review of Des Moines County, Iowa (1905). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
CHARLES G. BOSCH.
Charles G. Bosch, conducting a profitable and growing plumbing and electric business in Burlington, belongs to that class of men who do not seek to figure prominently in public affairs nor occupy a spectacular position in public regard, but who by reason of their substantial qualities constitute a most valuable element in citizenship. Burlington claims him as a native son. He was born May 24, 1854, his parents, who were natives of Germany, having come to this country about 1 85 1 or 1852, at which time the father opened a grocery store on West Washington street. In their family were seven children but only two survive, Charles Bosch and Mrs. Joseph Spies, both of Burlington. The father passed away almost four decades ago, after which his widow became the wife of John Dabb, who was a baker, conducting business on Washington street. The surviving daughter of that marriage is Mrs. Herman Wolfert, of West Burlington. The mother has passed away, however, and she and her two husbands now rest in Aspen Grove cemetery.
Charles G. Bosch pursued his early education in the German subscription schools and also attended the public schools of Burlington. He was eighteen years of age when he secured a position in the drug store of C. P. Squires, and subsequently he obtained employment in the plumbing establishment of Stewart & Hayden. At a later period he worked at the plumber's trade in Chicago and Denver, and with the passing years his skill, ability and resourcefulness steadily increased. In 1880 he built the gas plant in Creston, Iowa, which he operated for two years, and on the ist of November, 1883, he established a plumbing business on Main street in Burlington, so that he has now been connected with the business for more than three decades. The beginning was small but as time passed on he had to increase his facilities to meet his growing trade and today he is conducting a very gratifying and successful plumbing and electric business.
On the loth of October, 1882, occurred the marriage of Mr. Bosch and Miss Blanche Louisa Whitehead, a daughter of Josiah Whitehead, of Creston, Iowa. She died in 1910 and was buried in Burlington. In 1912 Mr. Bosch married Miss Clara Lau, of Burlington, a daughter of Nicholas and Caroline Lau. Her father conducts a meat market in this city. Mr. Bosch owns residence property in the city and also has other valuable real estate in Burlington. Fraternally he is connected with the Woodmen of the World and he also belongs to the Silver Lake Club. His political indorsement is usually given to the democratic party although he does not hesitate to vote independently if his judgment sanction that course. He has been secretary of the Business Men's Club, in which he still holds membership, and he is likewise a member of the Commercial Club. He cooperates in every movement for the benefit and welfare of the city and is a consistent and faithful member of the German Lutheran church, which has found in him a generous supporter as have various charitable organizations. His life has been well spent, and the salient traits of his character are such as win high regard. His business ability has gained for him the trust of contemporaries and colleagues, and his devotion to the public good has placed him high on the roll of Burlington's progressive citizens.
As printed in History of Des Moines County, Iowa (1915). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
Named in this biography: C. P. Squires
The printed record stops around 1905. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.