Wile, A.J.

LEES, WOODRING, MAASER, WAGNER, THIES

Posted By: BCGS
Date: 12/5/2009 at 21:16:06

The history of Waverly's business enterprises would be incomplete without mention of the career of A.J. Wile, a member of the firm of Wile & Maaser, furniture dealers. Respected and esteemed by all, no man occupies a more enviable place in commercial circles not alone by reason of the success he has achieved but also owing to his straightforward business policy and his progressive spirit. He was born in Lafayette township, this county, August 24, 1861, and is a son of John and Judith (Lees) Wile, the former a native of Germany and the latter of Pennsylvania. In early life the father learned the blacksmith's trade, but after coming to America he engaged in farming in Pennsylvania, remaining there until he moved to Iowa. After residing in Waverly for a time he resumed his agricultural pursuits, buying a farm in Lafayette township, whereon he resided until 1871. In that year he returned to Waverly, living retired upon a small tract of land until his death. He passed away July 28, 1898, and was survived by his wife until October 5, 1901. They were the parents of two children: A.J., of this review; and John F., residing on the old homestead.

Upon laying aside his books A.J. Wile began working in the furniture store conducted by Woodring Brothers in Waverly and he held this position for ten years, at the end of which time he formed his present partnership with Mr. Maaser. They purchased the furniture business of John Wagner on the 21st of April, 1891, and have conducted it continuously since that time. In 1910 they built their present store, a two-story brick structure, forty by one hundred feet in dimensions, modern in every respect and fully equipped to meet the demands of a discriminating and growing trade. On the occasion of the opening of the store in the new building the Bremer County Independent published the following article:

"Twenty years ago next spring A.J. Wile and W.F. Maaser, two young men who had been in the employ of Woodring Brothers for several years and mastered the details of the furniture business, formed a partnership under the firm name of Wile & Maaser and embarked in business for themselves by buying a small stock of furniture from John Wagner, who was then in business here. They gave their entire time to the business, doing their own work, and from the first their efforts were crowned with success. Their stock of goods was added to from time to time as the business increased until the store which they have just vacated for their new quarters would no longer meet their wants and it was decided that a larger place of business must be secured. About a year ago Mr. Wile bought the two lots on the corner of Bremer avenue and Harmon street and had plans drawn for a double store of two stories, in which his firm could handle its large business. In order that they might have every convenience Mr. Wile did not spare expense in the construction of the building, which is up-to-date, and we believe it to be one of the finest furniture stores in northern Iowa. The building has a frontage of forty-four feet on Bremer avenue and extends one hundred feet along Harmon street. The salesroom on the lower floor is seventy-six feet deep and the width of the building. There is an elevator at the rear of the salesroom and a handsome stairway close by, while directly back of this is a convenient workshop twenty-four by forty-two feet. Here all repairing and picture framing will be done. This room will be furnished with all the latest equipment necessary to the wants of the business, including a morgue in connection. On the first floor a general line of furniture is displayed, while the second floor salesroom is given over to parlor suites and library furniture, which, like the stock below, is of beautiful design and of the best quality. On this floor there is also a reception room handsomely furnished and the underking parlor or casket room is in keeping with the other departments. This room is so arranged that whenever the occasion requires it may be used as a chapel where funeral services can be conducted. The opening of the new store took place last Saturday, December 3, 1910, and for the occasion twenty-five hundred invitations had been sent out to the residents of Waverly and the surrounding country, and from the crowds that thronged the place from ten o'clock in the morning until the same hour at night it was evident that all of the invitations had been accepted, for it was estimated that over three thousand people visited the store during those hours. The firm had provided one thousand beautiful souvenirs for this occasion, one going into each farmily, and early in the evening the supply was exhausted. Over fourteen hundred persons entered their names in the visitors book and not half of those who visited the place registered. Orchestra music was furnished during the afternoon and evening and as the crowds wandered through the store, they were entertained with beautiful music, the affair taking the form of a promenade while the visitors looked over the fine stock and the spendid appointments of the building. The new place where Wile & Maaser will now conduct their business is the result of years of steady application to the trade, a thorough knowledge of the business and honest dealings with their patrons. They deserve the success they have achieved and with their success Waverly is given a substantial improvement of which she may well be proud." In addition to his connection with the firm of Wile & Maaser, Mr. Wile is also a stockholder in the State Bank of Waverly and in the sugar factory here and he is president of the Waverly Savings Bank.

On the 1st of November, 1883, Mr. Wile was united in marriage to Miss Eva L. Thies, who was born in Benton county, Iowa, September 1, 1859, a daughter of Frederick and Elizabeth Thies, natives of Germany and early settlers of the state of Iowa. The father engaged in farming during all of his active life, becoming a large land owner in Bremer county. Mr. Wile is a member of the Evangelical church of Waverly and gives his political allegiance to the republican party. He is a public-spirited citizen who seeks the benefit of the community along lines of progress, reform and improvement, and his cooperation can be counted upon to further any movement for the general good.

History of Bremer County, Iowa Vol. II 1914