IAGenWeb Project - Allamakee co.

Gottfried Staadt

 

Gottfried Staadt, a well known druggist of Postville, conducting a profitable and growing business, was born in Post township, Allamakee county, February 21, 1857. He is a son of Anthony and Pauline (Verver) Staadt, natives of the Rhine Province, Germany, the father born January 7, 1821, and the mother, February 28, 1813. Anthony Staadt crossed the Atlantic in 1851, before his marriage, his future wife landing in New York a few months later. Their marriage occurred in that city and the father was afterward employed in a drug store there for a short time, retaining his position until he went to Wisconsin, settling in the vicinity of Sheboygan. In 1854 he came to Iowa, locating on a farm in Post township, two miles east of Postville, and this property he continued to improve and develop for twelve years, at the end of which time he turned his attention to business pursuits, opening a drugstore in Conover. In 1866 he came to Postville, establishing a drug store in this city, which he continued to conduct successfully until his death, which occurred in December, 1902. He was well known in local politics and was especially interested in school affairs, serving for several years as president of the school board. He had long survived his wife, who passed away January 3, 1890. They were the parents of two children: Anthony, who was born October 28, 1853, and who died in Milwaukee, December 16, 1871; and Gottfried, of this review.

After acquiring an education in the public schools of Post township and Postville, Gottfried Staadt, at the age of sixteen, began his independent career, joining his father as a partner in the drug business in this city. He retained this connection until after his father’s death, when he assumed entire charge of the enterprise, which he has since conducted alone. He carries a full stock of drugs and in addition has paid particular attention to his popular lines, which include toilet articles, paints and oils. His excellent business and executive ability has contributed in a large measure to the success which has attended this enterprise, making it one of the largest and most important pharmacies in the city. He is also a stockholder in both of the banks of Postville and is a director in the Postville State Bank. He is connected with the Postville Clay Product Company and is the owner of some valuable farming property in Clayton county.

Mr. Staadt married, on the 9th of February, 1893, Miss Anna Welzel, born in Grand Meadow township, Clayton county, September 13, 1872, a daughter of John and Savina (Thoma) Welzel, natives of Bavaria, Germany. They came to America in early life and were married in Grand Meadow township, where the father turned his attention to farming, although he had been a meat cutter in his native country. He later retired from active business life and moved into Postville, where he died on December 18, 1906. His wife survives him and makes her home in this city with her daughter, Mrs. Staadt. He was active and prominent in local public affairs and held various important offices, including that of school treasurer, in which he served for a number of years. Mr. and Mrs. Staadt became the parents of four children: Anthony, born January 24, 1894, a graduate of Postville high school; Pauline, born January 16, 1896, who was graduated from the same institution in 1913; Edward, born October 23, 1899; and Catherine, born July 2, 1908.

Mr. Staadt gives his political allegiance to the democratic party and served for one term as a member of the city council. He is especially interested in educational matters and has done a great deal to promote the spread of public education in Postville through his long period of service as secretary of the school board, a position which he has held since 1885. Fraternally he is connected with the Masonic lodge, of which he is treasurer, with the Modern Woodmen of America and the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He is a member of the Turner Society and president of the Maennerchor. A resident of Postville during practically all his life, he is recognized as a representative and enterprising citizen of the community and is widely known by reason of the excellent establishment with which he is connected. His business methods have been such as neither seek nor require disguise, being at all times straightforward and honorable.

-source: Past & Present of Allamakee County; by Ellery M. Hancock; S. J. Clarke Pub. Co.; 1913
-transcribed by Linda Earnheart

Return to Bio index