Hempel, John G. 1860-1945

HEMPEL, NEWMAN, BICKEL, GRAF

Posted By: S. Ferrall - IAGenWeb volunteer
Date: 7/9/2013 at 20:18:43

Elkader, Ia. - Funeral services for John G. Hempel, 84, former state representative, who died at his home here Tuesday, were held at the home Friday afternoon. The Rev. Paul Kitterer officiated. Burial was in the East Side cemetery, where the Masonic lodge was in charge of the service. He was a 50-year Mason.

Mr. Hempel, lifelong resident of Clayton county, was born Dec. 9, 1860, a son of Charles F. and Dorothy Newman Hempel. He was married to Emma J. Bickel on Feb. 1, 1886.

His business career started as a clerk in the J.D. Bickel store at Giard, Ia., and in 1885 went into the clothing business in McGregor, Ia., moving to Elkader in 1895, and opening a clothing store here.

He was a member of the Elkader city council for a number of years, and for four years served as Clayton county auditor. elected state representative in 1922, he served three terms and one special session of the 40th general assembly. He was a member of the state voting machine commission, and served two terms on the Republican state central committee of the Fourth congressional district.

He is survived by his wife; two daughters, Mrs. G.J. Graf, and Miss Kathleen Hempel, both of Elkader; one granddaughter, Mary Elizabeth, a student at Iowa State college; and one brother, Edward, Minneapolis, Minn.

~Dubuque Telegraph-Herald, Friday, October 5, 1945

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Added by Reid R. Johnson 3/3/2024:

Clayton County Register, 11 Oct. 1945.

Funeral service for John G. Hempel, 84, who died at his home in Elkader on Tuesday, were held from the home at 2 o'clock Friday afternoon, the Rev. Paul Kitterer officiating. Burial was in the East Side cemetery with the Masonic Lodge in charge. He had been confined to his bed the past year. Death was due to the infirmities of old age.

John Grenville Hempel was born in Giard township on December 09, 1860, the son of Charles F. and Dorothy (Newman) Hempel. Practically his entire life had been spent in Clayton county. As a boy he attended the rural schools of Giard township and assisted his father on the home farm. At the age of twenty he obtained a position of clerk in the general store at Giard conducted by J. _. Bickel. Six months later when the firm of Neill and Bickel was formed he was made buyer and manager. Three years later he resigned his position and went to McGregor where for seven years he worked for various firms of that city learning the clothing business.

On February 01, 1887, he was married to Miss Emma Bickel of Giard. They began housekeeping in McGregor, and enjoyed 58 years of wedded happiness. In 1890 he purchased the store at Giard where he had formerly been an employee. He conducted this store for the following three years, also serving as secretary and treasurer of the Farmer's Creamery association, secretary of the township school board, and secretary of the Clayton County Fair Association. On April 01, 1895, Mr. Hempel disposed of his business at Giard and moved with his family to Elkader where he opened a men's furnishing and clothing store which he conducted for 42 years. He was elected County Auditor on the Republican ticket in 1896 which office he held for four consecutive terms. While holding office as auditor the county treasurer died, Mr. Hempel, under the law, took charge of his office. During these years and subsequently, he took an active part in the politics of the Republican party in the state and in the Congressional district, and was later elected for two terms as a member of the Republican State Central committee for the Fourth Congressional district. He was also appointed by Gov. A. B. Cummins as a member of the state voting machine commission, in which capacity he served several terms. He was appointed to audit the books of the state fair association. In 1923 he was elected as State Representative from this district, and served in that capacity during the 40th, 41st, and 42nd general assemblies, and also during two extra sessions of the assembly.

Mr. Hempel took an active interest in all civic affairs and served as a member of the Elkader Town Council for many years.

He retired from the clothing business in 1937, and devoted his time to his hobby of gardening and reading until ill health confined him to his bed.

He was a 50 year member of Bezer Lodge, No. 135 A.F. and A.M. of McGregor, and a member of the DeMolay Consistory No. 1 of Clinton, Iowa. He was a member of the State Historical Society of Iowa.

Surviving are his widow and two daughters, Mrs. G. J. Graf (Iowa), and Miss Kathleen, both of Elkader; a granddaughter, Mary Elizabeth Graf, a student at Iowa State college; and one brother E. A. Hempel of Minneapolis, Minn. Preceding him in death was a daughter Johneyette in 1906, and also five sisters and one brother.

Pallbearers were: H. M. Wolf, Frank Bente, J. W. Downie, E. F. Seifert, E. C. Bandow, and Henry Lenth.

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Note: The photo is from Dubuque Telegraph-Herald, Friday, October 5, 1945

Clayton Obituaries maintained by Sharyl Ferrall.
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