Riedesel, G.L.

STUMME, WILDER, PHILLIPS

Posted By: BCGS
Date: 12/7/2009 at 10:23:02

G.L. Riedesel, proprietor of the business operated by the Denver Lumber & Grain Company and a progressive and leading business man of that town, is one of the many industrious, reliable and progressive citizens whom Germany has given to America. His birth occurred in 1863 and his parents, G.L. and Katrina Riedesel, died in Germany.

Mr. Riedesel of this review came to America in 1881 and settled first in Clinton county, Iowa, where he engaged in farming for three years. In 1884 he moved to Bremer county, following the same occupation for five years in this locality, after which he was for nine years a clerk in a general merchandise store in Denver. At the end of that time he started a mercantile establishment of his own, erecting a store building, in which he continued to do business alone for two years, after which he sold a half interest to John Stumme. They operated the enterprise together for one year and then Mr. Riedesel sold his interests to his partner and went to Germany on a pleasure trip. Upon his return he became manager of the Citizens Lumber Company of Denver and at the end of seven years started a yard of his own, which he has since operated. He handles all kinds of building material as well as coal and he owns also a grain elevator in Denver, the entire concern being operated under the name of the Denver Lumber and Grain Company. Mr. Riedesel controls a large and growing patronage and is ranked among the progressive business men of the community.

In 1891 Mr. Riedesel was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. Wilder, who was born in Waverly, a daughter of John and Elizabeth Wilder, natives of New York state. The parents came to Iowa in the early '60s and the father followed carpentering and contracting in this area until his death. His wife survives him and makes her home in Waterloo. Mr. and Mrs. Riedesel have become the parents of four children: Alice E., who was born in 1892 and is now the wife of R.W. Phillips, of Shelby county, Iowa; Florence L., born in 1896, a student in the Waverly high school; Raymond H., born in 1900, attending school in Denver; and Vernon L., born in 1904. The family are members of the Evangelical church.

Mr. Riedesel belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America and gives his political allegiance to the republican party. He has served as township trustee, assessor and secretary of the school board and has been found reliable and efficient in positions of public trust and responsibility. He is favorable known in Denver and his worth as a man and citizen is widely acknowledged.

History of Bremer County, Iowa Vol. II 1914