A. WAECHTER

Born in Pella, January 11, 1857, where he received his education and started to
work for his father in the lumber business in the spring of 1871. After the
retirement of his father he carried on the same business, later taking his son,
G. H. Waechter, into the firm and has continued up to the present time. While
Mr. Waechter has been eminently successful as a business man, he has found time
to devote his ability in public affairs. He served on the school board for four
terms and two years on the City Council, being elected in 1909 as Councilman
from the First Ward, and reelected in 1911. It was during this time that the
Municipal Water and Light plants were installed, the Sewer system established,
and the preliminary steps taken for the paving of the streets. Mr. Waechter's
judgment and business experience were invaluable to the city in carrying out
these important improvements. He has been a member of the First Reformed Church
for many years and since 1887 has served that congregation as Deacon.

BARNEY BUERKENS

Wagon manufacturer, was born on the 24th day of July, 1842, in the Netherlands,
and lived there until the age of twelve. In 1854 he came to America with his
parents, and settled on a farm near Burlington, Iowa. Here he lived for five
years, when he commenced to learn the wagon-making trade, with Jedia Bennett, of
Burlington. In the spring of 1865 he came to Pella and opened a shop, and soon
afterward took in Abraham Wisse, as a partner. He was one of the organizers of
the Pella Manufacturing Co., and took eighty-five shares of the stock. In
August, 1880, he traded his stock for a farm of 120 acres in Mahaska county. The
same year he started a wagon shop on East First street, which he run
successfully until 1902 or 1903, when he purchased the plant of the Pella
Manufacturing Co., which was then in the hands of a receiver. He was at the head
of this factory until his death, which occurred March 7, 1922. The factory is
still running under the name of the Buerkens Manufacturing Company, with Mr.
Buerkens' son-in-law, Art Ver Steeg, as manager.

BARNEY BUERKENS