Dege, Charles W. Sr.

DEGE, RUPERT, BRANDT

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 2/14/2003 at 20:26:08

Source: "The 1901 Biographical Record of Clinton Co., Iowa, Illustrated" published: Chicago : S. J. Clarke Pub. Co., 1901.

CHARLES W. DEGE, SR.

For over a third of a century Charles W. Dege, Sr., has been one of the most trusted employees of C. Lamb & Sons, and for eighteen years has most capably filled the responsible position of foreman of their extensive yards at Clinton. His early home was on the other side of the Atlantic, for he was born in Prussia, Germany, February 18, 1841, and was reared in that country, acquiring a good education in select schools. At the age of nineteen he came to the new world with some relatives and landed in Quebec, Canada.

Mr. Dege worked at various occupation until 1865, when he came to Clinton, Iowa, and in July of that year commenced work for C. Lamb & Sons as a common hand in their lumber yard, but being bright and quick he soon mastered all the details of the business, and in 1872 was promoted to assistant foreman. In the meantime he went to Lisbon, Iowa, in 1870, and was engaged in the butcher business at that place for a year and a half. On selling out he returned to Clinton, and was made assistant foreman of the yards of the company, as previously stated. In 1883 he was promoted to foreman, and has since had charge of all the lumber manufactured at their mills and also the grading of the same. He has two assistant foremen, and there is on an average of one hundred and seventy-five men working under him.

In 1867 Mr. Dege was united in marriage with Miss Sarah Rupert, a native of Pennsylvania, and to them were born two children, namely: George, a barber of Lisbon, Iowa; and Charles, who is working in the yards at Clinton. The wife and mother, who was born in 1843, died in 1881. In 1891 Mr. Dege was again married, his second union being with Miss Lizzie Brandt, a native of Canada, by whom he has four children: Otto, Antonia, Gladys and an infant. The children are being educated in the public schools of Clinton.

Mr. Dege has erected two residences in Clinton, his present home being at 659 Eleventh avenue. As a poor boy he came to this country, and although he had a good German education he was unable to speak a word of English, and was entirely unfamiliar with the customs of the American people. He encountered many difficulties before he secured a start, but being willing to work he soon overcame these obstacles and never had to be told to do a thing; when he saw what was needed he always did it. He is now thoroughly conversant with the lumber business, and no more efficient or reliable foreman could be found. He is entirely satisfied with the treatment accorded by C. Lamb & Sons and their managers, and cannot speak too highly in their praise, nor would he ask for better or more agreeable people to work for. Politically he has always been identified with the Republican party, and religiously he is an active member of the Germany Evangelical Society, in which he has held office for ten years, while his wife is a member of the Baptist church.