Tegtmeier, John A.

METHER, HOLSEN, LEVI, HILLER, KOHAGEN, ALBRECHT, REMICK, WEDEKING

Posted By: BCGS
Date: 1/8/2010 at 10:27:44

John A. Tegtmeier, a well known and successful merchant of Waverly, has for the past nine years been engaged in business as the senior member of the firm of Tegtmeier & Mether, dealers in clothing and men's furnishings. He is numbered among the worthy native sons of Bremer county and has spent practically his entire life within its borders. His birth occurred in Fremont township on the 22d of October, 1856, his parents being William and Dora (Holsen) Tegtmeier, who were born, reared and married in Germany. In the early '50's they crossed the Atlantic to the United States and located first in Illinois but later came to Bremer county, Iowa, settling about twelve miles east of Waverly, in Fremont township. William Tegtmeier purchased land and devoted his attention to agricultural pursuits until well advanced in years. After putting aside the active work of the fields he bought a small tract of land near the edge of Waverly, making his home thereon until called to his final rest in November, 1901. His widow spent her remaining days in the home of our subject, passing away on the 5th of August, 1907. Thus the community lost two of its substantial and esteemed pioneer residents.

John A. Tegtmeier, the third in order of birth in a family of nine children, obtained his early education in the district schools of his native township, also attended a German institution of learning and subsequently pursued a course of study in the Waterloo Business College. When a young man of nineteen he left home to work for a farmer, being afterward employed by others until twenty-seven years of age or up to the time of his marriage. He then purchased a small farm but remained thereon during only one summer, raising but one crop. Removing to Reinbeck, Grundy county, he there embarked in business as a wagon maker, repairer, etc., in partnership with his brother-in-law. At the end of a year, however, the firm sold out and Mr. Tegtmeier returned to Waverly, here securing employment as a clerk in the clothing store of Levy and Hiller, who occupied the same building in which he now conducts business. At the end of a year Mr. Levy purchased his partner's interest, and Mr. Tegtmeier continued in his employ for seventeen years and six months. In April, 1904, in association with Daniel A. Mether, our subject bought out Mr. Levy and has since been engaged in business as the senior member of the firm of Tegtmeier & Mether, conducting an up-to-date and well appointed clothing and men's furnishings store. They carry a complete line of the best clothing and enjoy an extensive and gratifying patronage which is well merited. They own stock in the Waterloo skirt and garment factory and also in the sugar factory. Mr. Tegtmeier is a man of excellent business ability and sound judgment and has worked his way steadily upward to a position among the prosoperous and representative merchants of his native county.

On the 24th of February, 1883, Mr. Tegtmeier was united in marriage to Miss Minnie Kohagen, who was born in Warren township, Bremer county, on the 26th of January, 1865, her parents being Charles and Mary (Albrecht) Kohagen, natives of Germany. They emigrated to the United States some years later than the parents of Mr. Tegtmeier and made their home in the state of New York for a short time. Thence they came to Iowa and eventually settled in Warren township, this county, where Mr. Kohagen engaged in farming throughout the remainder of his life. He passed away while yet a young man and his widow continued on the home farm with her children for a number of years. The last years of her life were spent in Waverly, where her demise occurred in 1894. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Tegtmeier were born two children, namely: Lucinda D., born January 1, 1886, and now the widow of John T. Remick, who died at Waverly in October, 1910; and Aaron A., whose birth occurred on the 16th of August, 1889 and who wedded Miss Christina Wedeking. The latter assists his father in the conduct of the clothing store.

Mr. Tegtmeier gives his political allegiance to the democracy but has neither sought nor desired office as a reward for his party fealty. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Lutheran church at Waverly, while fraternally he is identified with the Yeomen. Ever ready to lend a helping hand in promoting worthy public enterprises, he has become a forceful element in the advancement of his community and enjoys the high respect and esteem of his fellow citizens.

History of Bremer County, Iowa Vol. II 1914