John Tingwald

TINGWALD

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 3/11/2009 at 15:10:29

John Tingwald may well be classed among those men of enterprising spirit who owe their advancement to their own efforts, as he started out upon his business career empty handed, placing his dependence upon self reliance, energy and determination. Gradually he has advanced until he now occupies a position among the leading merchants of Boone. I the analyzation of the character and life work of Mr Tingwald we note many of the characteristics which have marked the German nation for many centuries the perseverance, the reliability and the unconquerable determination to pursue the course that has been marked out. It is these qualities which have gained for Mr Tingwald success in life and made him one of the substantial and valued citizens of Boone county. His birth occurred in the fatherland in 1865, his parents being Fred and Anna (Kelting) Tingwald. The father died in 1884, at the age of fifty-one years, but his widow is still living in Germany. In their family were six children, of whim our subject was the second in the order of birth. The others are: Henry, a resident of Perry, Boone county, Iowa, Charles F, of Boone, Martin, Louisa, and Freida.
At a very early age John Tingwald entered upon an independent business career. Early in life, when but sixteen years of age, he came to America, believing that he might have better business opportunities in the new world. He accepted a clerkship in the store of P Rattray, with whom he remained for three years. At the expiration of that period he removed form Ogden, Iowa to Boone and entered the employ of F M Ballou, a dry goods merchant in whose service he remained as a salesman for five years. He afterward clerked for Theodore Wilson for five years and in the fall of 1896 began business on his own account, establishing a mercantile store which he conducted until 1902. In that year he entered into partnership with his brother, Charles F, under the firm name of Tingwald Brothers, and in order to meet the growing demand of their trade they removed to larger quarters and increased their stock, They now carry a large line of dry goods, notions, cloaks, and carpets. On February 1902, they removed the store to its resent location.
In 1899 occurred the marriage of Mr Tingwald and Miss Katie Braklow, a daughter of Herman Braklow, of Boone. Mr and Mrs Tingwald now have two children Lillian and Edward.
Charles F Tingwald the partner of our subject married Rosa Leininger of Dodge township, Boone county, a daughter of Chris Leininger, their wedding being celebrated in June 1901. The firm occupies a very enviable position in trade circles of Boone.
The hope that led Mr Tingwald to leave his native land and seek a home in America has been more than realized. He found the opportunities he sought, which by the way, are always open to the ambitious, energetic man, and making the best of these4 he has steadily worked his way upward. He possesses the resolution, perseverance and reliability so characteristic of people of his nation, and his name is now enrolled among the best citizens of Boone county.

1902 Boone County History Book