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OSCAR W. HEISERMAN

There could be no more comprehensive history written of a city or county or even of a state and its people, than that which deals with the life work of those who, by their own endeavor and indomitable energy, have placed themselves where they well deserve the title of "progressive," and in this sketch will be found the record of one who has outstripped many of the less active and less able plodders on the highway of life, one who has not been subdued by the many obstacles and failures that come to everyone, but who has made them stepping-stones to higher things, and at the same time that he was winning his way in the industrial affairs of life gained a reputation for uprightness and honor.

Oscar W. Heiserman, well known optician, jeweler and watchmaker of West Union, Fayette county, Iowa, is a native of this place, having been born here and spent his life in his home community. His father, William Heiserman, was born in Ohio, and his mother, who was Anna Cochrane before her marriage, was born at Albany, New York. The father was one of the pioneers in the manufacturing business at West Union and for many years he was well known and influential in this county. He engaged in the manufacture of wagons, which, owing to their superior quality and workmanship, were eagerly sought after and he enjoyed a very liberal patronage, the title of the firm being Peck & Heiserman, and Peck, Wimber & Heiserman.

Oscar W. Heiserman received his education in the West Union public and high schools, and he began his business career as student in the professions of watchmaking, engraving and optics, having in due course of time become expert in all. He is a graduate of Woodcock's Horological School, also Trawbridge's Watchmaking and Optical School at Winona, Minnesota. He opened his present store in 1896 and has a neat, well equipped, tastily arranged store and a well-established and extensive trade. He carries a large, valuable, carefully selected and up-to-date stock of goods. Because of the courteous and uniformly honest consideration each customer receives, they invariably remain his friends. He is one of the most expert workmen in the county or this part of the state, his reputation being second to none in this respect.

On September 11, 1905, Mr. Heiserman was married to Marie Newman, daughter of H. Newman, of Clarksville, Iowa, a well known citizen of that place. Mrs. Heiserman is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and Mr. Heiserman is a Republican politically. In fraternal matters he belongs to West Union Lodge No. 69, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons; Unity Chapter No. 62, Royal Arch Masons, Elgin, Iowa; Langridge Commandery No. 47, Knights Templar; also the El. Kahir Shrine, Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

~transcribed for the Fayette Co IAGenWeb Project by Cheryl Walker