John Struve

STRUVE, SCHNOOR, NEILSEN

Posted By: Barbara Gehlsen Nugent (email)
Date: 7/26/2011 at 22:39:57

1911 Wolfe's History of Clinton County, Iowa by P. B. Wolfe. Biographical Sketches, pages 578-579.

JOHN STRUVE

The gentleman to a review of whose life the reader's attention is here respectfully directed, is recognized as one of the energetic, progressive business men of Lyons, who by his enterprise and modern methods has contributed in a material way to the commercial advancement of this community, besides gaining the position that all men ought to strive for - that of a public-spirited, honored and trustworthy citizen, and, considering the fact that he has labored of his own account to advance himself rather than depend upon the assistance of anyone, the large success that has attended his efforts has been worthily gained.

John Struve was born of an excellent family of German stock, on August 13, 1860, in Jackson county, Iowa, the son of Ernest H. and Catherine Struve. The father was born in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, in April, 1827. He grew to maturity in his native land and was educated there. He crossed the Atlantic in an old-fashioned sailing vessel and landed, after almost as tedious a journey from the coast, at last in Iowa, settling in Jackson county in 1849, and there he farmed until 1868, getting a good start. He then turned his attention to the milling business and rented a flour mill at Teeds Grove, Iowa. In 1870 he went to the Elk River Mills, Clinton county, remaining there until 1881, and he retired from active business life at that time, having been very successful in his milling business and won a reputation as an able, honest and friendly man of affairs. His death occurred in 1900. Politically, he was a Republican, and in religious matters a Lutheran. He married Catherine Schnoor at Bellevue, Jackson county, Iowa, in the early fifties. Her death occurred in 1898. To this union seven children were born, five sons and two daughters.

John Struve, of this review, grew to maturity in his native community and received a good common school education. He learned the miller's trade under his father and in 1881, he, in company with his brothers, Paul and William, rented the mill at Elk River from their father and continued to run it successfully. In 1887 he came to Lyons, Clinton county, and started the Lyons roller Mills, and soon had an excellent patronage. This mill was dismantled in 1898 and Mr. Struve erected the present popular Model Mills, of which he has since been proprietor and which is universally regarded as one of the leading mills of this type in eastern Iowa, turning out a most excellent grade of work. It has two stories and basement, thirty-six by forty, engine room attached. It is equipped with the latest and best machinery and has a daily capacity of seventy-five barrels, manufacturing the famous brands, "Star," patent, and "Golden Crust." He keeps two wagons and five people. This mill is the outgrowth of the old mill on Main street, between Eighth and Ninth streets, which was built in 1887. Here may be procured an excellent grade of corn-meal and bran, also.

Politically, Mr. Struve is a Republican and in religious matters a Lutheran.
Mr. Struve was married in April, 1887, to Annie D. Neilsen, of Clinton, Iowa. She was born in Denmark, in July, 1868, and this union has resulted in the birth of seven children, named as follows; Ernest H. is a law student in the University of Iowa, and will graduate in 1911; Hans N. is working in the mill at Lyons; Bertha M. is attending high school; Emma C., Ollie, Elmer and Clarence are in school.

Mr. Struve has been very successful in his operations and is now very comfortably established. He has won the confidence of all with whom he has had dealings owing to his honorable methods.