Maaser, William F.

MEIER, WAGNER, THIES

Posted By: BCGS
Date: 12/11/2009 at 18:21:10

William F. Maaser, a well known and enterprising business man of Waverly, has for the past twenty-two years been associated with A.J. Wile in the conduct of the firm of Wile & Masser, proprietors of an up-to-date and excellently equipped furniture and undertaking establishment. His birth occurred in Hesse-Nassau, Germany, on the 3d of April, 1862, his parents being Jacob and Pauline (Meier) Maaser, likewise natives of the fatherland, the former born in Wurtemberg and the latter in Hesse-Nassau. Their entire lives were spent in Germany, Jacob Maaser working as a railroad construction engineer.

William F. Maaser, the first born in a family of five children, acquired his early education in the public schools of his native land and later spent three winter seasons in a technical institution at Stuttgart. He began providing for his own livelihood at an early age and had already worked for a number of years when, as a young man of eighteen, he crossed the Atlantic to the new world. He had learned the cabinet-maker's trade in the same city where his father had mastered the details of his business. Landing on American shores, he made his way direct to the home of an uncle at Nora Springs, Floyd county, Iowa, this relative having provided him with the funds to come to the United States. When, at the end of three months, he had worked out his passage money, he came to Waverly and here secured employment with Woodring Brothers, who conducted a furniture store and small factory. At the end of ten years spent in their service, he and A.J. Wile bought out the furniture business of John Wagner and have since maintained their partnership under the firm style of Wile & Maaser. In 1910 they removed to their present commodious quarters at the corner of Bremer avenue and Harmon street, occupying a double store of two stories and basement which comprises one of the finest furniture establishments in northern Iowa. Mr. Maaser, as the junior member of the concern, devotes his entire attention to his business interests and by his carefully executed plans and wise management has contributed in no small measure to the continued growth and success of the enterprise.

On the 9th of April, 1885, Mr. Maaser was united in marriage to Miss Edna Thies, who was born in Benton county, Iowa, on the 11th of February, 1862, her parents being Frederick and Elizabeth Thies, natives of Germany. They took up their abode among the early settlers of Iowa and Mr. Thies followed farming in Benton county until called to his final rest. His wife is also deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Maaser have three children, as follows: Carl E., who was born on the 21st of December, 1889, and is a graduate of the Medical College of the State University of Iowa and served for a time as intern in the Mercy Hospital at Iowa City; Elena J., whose birth occurred April 24, 1893, and who is a graduate of the Iowa State Teachers' College at Cedar Falls; and Helen, born September 24, 1897, who is a high-school student.

Mr. Maaser exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the republican party and has served as a member of the school board for eight years, the cause of education ever finding in him a stalwart champion. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Evangelical church of Waverly. He has never had occasion to regret his determination to come to the new world, for here he has found the opportunities which he sought and in their wise utilization has won a place among the prosperous, represntative and esteemed citizens of his community.

History of Bremer County, Iowa Vol. II 1914