GUND, Louis - 1914

GUND, EDEN, SCHALL

Posted By: VOLUTEER
Date: 6/26/2009 at 16:09:04

HISTORY OF
Cherokee County
IOWA
VOLUME II
ILLUSTRATED
CHICAGO
THE S. J. CLARKE PUBLISHING COMPANY
1914

LOUIS GUND.

The name of Louis Gund has come to be regarded as synonymous with business development and progress in Cherokee county, for he is not only one of the foremost citizens of Marcus, but he has for more than thirtyseven years been prominently identified with business interests. He stands as a central figure in banking circles here, being president of the Bank of Marcus and his interests have extended to many other fields, notably that of public service. He was born near Freeport, Illinois, November, 1842, and is a son of George and Margaret (Eder) Gund, natives of Germany. In their early years the parents emigrated to America and settled in Illinois where the father engaged in farming until his death. He and his wife died of cholera during the same week in August, 1850.

Louis Gund was reared upon his fathers farm in Illinois and acquired his early education in a log schoolhouse three miles east of Freeport. In 1851 he made the trip overland from Freeport to Galena, Illinois, in an oldfashioned stage coach with his sister. He afterward attended public school in Galena, making his home with his brotherinlaw during that time. When he had laid aside his books he began learning the wagon-making trade and he followed this in Galena until 1867 when he moved to Blairstown, Iowa, Benton county, and there formed a partnership with his brother and they operated a hotel until the spring of 1876. In that year he came to Marcus, built an elevator and established himself in the grain business in which he continued for many years thereafter, securing important trade relations and building up a large patronage. In 1881 he added to his activities by organizing the Bank of Marcus of which he has been president since that time. He continued the grain business for a number of years afterward, but finally disposed of this in order to concentrate his attention upon his financial interests. In the beginning the Bank of Marcus was operated by the firm of Gund & Hiltgen, but in 1887 Mr. Gund purchased his partners interest and has since conducted the enterprise alone. The business of the bank has steadily increased and it has reached extensive proportions at the present time. Mr. Gund is also extensively inter ested in Cherokee county farming land and also owns a fine home at the corner of Maple and Cedar streets in Marcus.

In December, 1869, Mr. Gund married Miss Margaret Schall, and they became the parents of three children: Minnie C., assistant cashier of the Bank of Marcus; William L., cashier of the bank; and Cora I.

Mr. Gund is connected fraternally with the Masons and was formerly a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He gives his political allegiance to the republican party and has long been one of the foremost factors in the political life of Marcus. He was the first mayor of the city and has served also as township trustee and as member of the school board, proving a capable and farsighted public official. His energy, enterprise and progressive spirit have carried him forward into important relations with financial and political interests of the community and have made him a citizen whose worth is widely known.