BOWMAN & KRANZ Bros.

BOWMAN, KRANZ, MCKAY

Posted By: Nettie Mae
Date: 1/18/2003 at 21:00:10

SOURCE: "Biographical history of Crawford, Ida and Sac Counties, Iowa" Lewis Pub. Co., Chicago, 1893

BOWMAN & KRANZ BROS., lumber and coal dealers of Holstein, Iowa. This firm was
organized July 1, 1886, purchasing the business of the S. H. Bowman Lumber Company,
the pioneer lumber dealers of Holstein. The present firm carry a large stock of lumber and
coal, do an extensive business in the city and county, and are well and favorably known.
Their large building, 38x100 feet, with all the smaller buildings, are located near the
depot. S. H. Bowman, the senior member of the firm, is a man of large means.

H. G. Kranz was born in Altenberg, near Cassel, Germany, February 7, 1865, a son
of Adam and Elizabeth Kranz. He received a good education in his native language,
attending school until fifteen years of age, and three years later came to Odebolt, Sac
county, Iowa. He found employment in the Bowman Lumber Company, and by strict
attention to business and ability as a salesman, he has risen to his present position. Mr.
Kranz was married to Margaret McKay, a daughter of James McKay, of DeWitt, Clinton
county, Iowa. To this union has been born one child, Leslie H. Politically, Mr. Kranz
affiliates with the Republican party, and has served as Treasurer of the School Board.
Socially, he is a member of the Masonic order, Alpine Lodge, No. 471; has filled al the
chairs in the I. O. O. F., Finvoy Lodge, No. 490; a charter member of the K. of P., No. 55,
in which he served as Keeper of Records and Seal for five years; is secretary and direcor
of the Holstein Town Lot Company, and secretary of the N. W. & D. Investment
Company, of this city. He is the junior member of the firm of Bowman & Kranz Bros.

J. C. Kranz, also a member of the firm of Bowman & Kranz Bros., was also born in
Altenberg, Near Cassel, Germany, a son of Adam and Elizabeth Kranz. He received a
good education in his native land, and when a young man in 1878, came to Odebolt, Iowa,
where he was employed as a farm hand on the Wheeler farm. By his ability and strict
attention to business he was promoted to the position of foreman of the place, and later
was superintendent and manager. After eight years of employment on the Wheeler farm,
Mr. Kranz came to Holstein, Ida county, entering the lumber firm of Bowman & Kranz
Bros. He was married in this city to Sallie Witt, who was born, reared and educated in
Davenport, Iowa. They have two children: Ervin and Enrine. Mr. Kranz affiliates with
the Republican party, has served as Alderman of his city five years, is one of the directors
of the National Bank, president of the Holstein Building Company, and treasurer and
director of the Holstein Town Lot Company. Socially, he is a member of the Masonic
order. Mr. Kranz is one of the well-known and popular business men of the city.