Varga, Stephen

VARGA, ZANDER, EVANS

Posted By: Mary H. Cochrane, Volunteer
Date: 7/9/2019 at 18:43:54

STEPHEN VARGA

Stephen Varga, who owns the only set of abstract books in Decatur county and who is an able and energetic business man of Leon, was born on the Varga homestead in Long Creek township on the 3d of August, 1859, a son of Francis and Mary (Zander) Varga. A sketch of his father appears elsewhere in this work.

Stephen Varga attended the Leon schools, from which he was graduated in 1879, and later entered the Bryant & Stratton Business College at Burlington, where he received thorough commercial training. In 1876-77 he served as deputy treasurer under his father, after which he entered the law department of the State University, from which he was graduated in 1881. For about a year he was associated with Major Young in the practice of law and later became his father’s partner. In 1892 he and his father purchased the only set of abstract books in the county, which was then owned by the Farmers & Traders State Bank of Leon. Father and son continued in business together until the demise of the former on the 5th of April, 1902, and since that date Stephen Varga has been alone. The abstract books are complete and accurate and have proved of great value to the county, as, in 1874 the records of the auditor and recorder were destroyed by fire and the abstract books now owned by Mr. Varga contained the only other record of land titles in the county then in existence. As the years have passed they have been kept strictly up-to-date and they now comprise ten large volumes. The abstracts are recognized by the courts and are accepted by the expert examiners in the employ of large loan companies. Mr. Varga is reasonable in his charges and most painstaking in his work and has gained a large clientage and an enviable reputation for fair dealing and for thoroughness and efficiency.

On the 21st of October, 1886, Mr. Varga married Miss Sarah Evans, and they have a son, Francis, who, after graduating from the high school of Leon, entered the State University of Iowa and there completed the liberal arts and law courses, graduating with the class of 1913. He is now a member of the Leon bar and is recognized as an alert and aggressive young attorney.

Mr. Varga of this review is a Knight Templar Mason and in his life exemplifies the spirit of goodwill and helpfulness which is the foundation of the craft. He gives his political allegiance to the republican party. He is an acknowledged expert in the matter of land titles and is thoroughly informed on all legal questions pertaining to real-estate matters, his advice being often sought along that line. He is not only aggressive and thoroughly competent but is also courteous and obliging and is one of the most popular as well as one of the most successful business men of Decatur county.