Otto B. Walljasper

As printed in 1914

OTTO B. WALLJASPER.

Otto B. VValljasper is operating the Granite Roller Mills at West Point, owned jointly by himself and R. Shadwell. His activity in this connection places him with the leading representatives of industrial activity in Lee county. In addition he has various other interests and lie is recognized as one who has a genius for devising and executing the right thing at the right time.

He was born at West Point, January 18, 1874, and is a son of Stephen J. and Rosalia (Schulte) Walljasper, the latter a sister of William Schulte, of whom mention is made on another page of this volume. Mrs. Walljasper died in i88q, at the age of thirty-two years, leaving six children, of whom Otto B. Walljasper is the eldest. The others are: Mrs. Lizzie Strothman, who died in IQ03; Dietrich, a farmer of Marion township; Mrs. Edward Strothman, whose husband is a teamster of West Point; Mrs. Frank FuUenkamp, whose husband is a farmer of Pleasant Ridge township; and Anna, who resides with her uncle, Ben Schulte.

Reared at West Point, Otto B. Walljasfier was educated in the parochial school and in his youthful days learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed for three years in connection with his father, who was an expert mechanic. He and his brother worked together and built many substantial structures, including the Catholic school and also did the altar work, which is most beautiful. After following carpentering for three years Otto B. Walljasper turned his attention to the milling business, with which he has since been mainly occupied. The mill which he now owns and operates was built by Adolphus Salmon, about 1846, and was operated as a gristmill in pioneer times, the work being carried on night and day. The product was shipped to St. Louis, being hauled to Fort Madison and thence sent down the river by boat. Later the mill was owned by Alexander Stewart for a number of years. He operated it himself for some time and then rented it to different parties. Later the property changed hands several times until finally it came into possession of Messrs. Walljasper and Shadwell. The building was erected sixty years ago and is still in substantial condition. In 1891 R. Shadwell and Stephen J. Walljasper, father of our subject, installed the roller system and continued the operation of the mill until 1901. It was afterward conducted by Mr. Walljasper and William Gerber, a former mayor of Fort Madison, for about a year and a half. At the end of that time Mr. Walljasper was joined by his son. Otto B., of this review and together they operated the mill until the father's death, which occurred May 27, 1910, when he was sixty-six years of age. The business has since been conducted by the son in a most capable and successful manner. The mill has a capacity of fifty barrels and the Hour manufactured is of the most excellent quality and finds a ready and profitable sale upon the market. The elevator in connection with the mill was built in 1892-3. Mr. Walljasper also owns the elevator at the depot, which was built about twenty years ago by Mr. Everingham. He handles grain of all kinds and also has a wareroom for flour and feed. At the mill he also grinds a large amount of feed and he handles a dozen different kinds of flour. The mill is well equipped with modern machinery and the processes which he follows in manufacture are such as produce excellent grades of breadstuffs. He gives careful attention to every phase of his business, is most energetic and his indefatigable industry, perseverance and reliable business methods have been features in his growing and gratifying success.

Mr. Walljasper was married at West Point, to Miss Callie Strothman, a daughter of the late Casper Strothman, whose widow resides a half mile south of West Point. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Walljasper have been born four children: Adelbert, who died in infancy; and Edward, Evelyn and Robert, aged respectively ten, eight and six years.

Politically Mr. Walljasper is a democrat and he belongs to the Knights of Columbus at Fort Madison. He and his wife are members of St. Mary's church. They occupy an attractive residence in the western part of the town, which was built by Mr. Walljasper, and their is a most hospitable home, whose good cheer is greatly enjoyed by their many friends. They occupy a prominent social position, equal to the place which Mr. Walljasper fills in the business life of the community.

As printed in Story of Lee County, Iowa; (1914). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.