Streveler, William J.

STREVELER, BEHRENS, CHAPLINSKI, DODGE, BLACK, SEGAR

Posted By: Janelle Martin (email)
Date: 2/4/2010 at 14:36:52

History of Hamilton County Iowa, Vol II, 1912, p. 108

Among the recent acquisitions to the commercial fraternity of Blairsburg appears the name of William J. Streveler, who since January first, of this year, has been here engaged in the implement business. He represents one of Hamilton County's pioneer families and was born in Liberty township on the 10th of July, 1879. His father, John H. Streveler, was born in Luxemburg, Germany, on the 1st of July, 1847. In his early manhood he emigrated to the United States, locating in this county in 1869. Here he was subsequently married to Miss Margaret Behrens, whose birth occurred in Washington County, Wisconsin, on the 16th of August, 1857. She passed the first thirteen years of her life in her native state, coming from there to Hamilton County in 1870. Mr. Streveler was for many years actively and successfully identified with the farming interests of Liberty township, but in 1905 he withdrew from agricultural pursuits and purchased the implement business now owned by his son, of which he held possession for a year. He and the mother have removed to Waterloo, this state, and expect to pass the remainder of their lives in the pleasant home they own at that place. They are the parents of six children : Mrs. Rosa Chaplinski, of Williams ; William J., our subject; Mrs. H. A. Dodge, of Iowa Falls; Tice S., of Alden; John, who is a resident of Waterloo ; and Clara, who is living at home. The three eldest were born in Liberty township and the three last named in Blairsburg township, all being reared in this county.

Hamilton County has always been the home of William J. Streveler, who obtained his early education in the country schools, supplementing the course there pursued by three month's study in Highland Park College, Des Moines. In common with the majority of lads who are reared on a farm, his youthful energies were early directed along agricultural lines. He remained at home and assisted his father until qualified to begin his independent career and then engaged in farming on his own account. As he is a young man of diligent methods and practical ideas, which he intelligently executed, he prospered in his undertakings, and became recognized as one of the foremost agriculturists of his community. He continued to engage in diversified farming and stock-raising until the 1st of January, 1912, when he purchased the business he is now conducting in Blairsburg. He carries a full line of farming implements, and he also sells wagons, buggies and automobiles. Mr. Streveler is well adapted to his present business, his years of practical experience as a farmer well qualifying him to judge of the merits of the various implements and machines essential to the agriculturist. As he has a wide acquaintance in the county and is known to be a man of high principles and reliable methods, he is building up a good trade and has every reason to feel gratified with the patronage he is enjoying.

Blairsburg was the scene of Mr. Streveler's marriage on the 28th of June, 1905, to Miss Hazel Segar, a daughter of Emmert and Belle (Black) Segar and a descendant of well known pioneer families in both lines. Mrs. Streveler was born in Cass township, this county, and began her education in the rural schools, completing her course of study in the Blairsburg high school. Two daughters have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Streveler: Leona, whose natal day was the 4th of September, 1906; and Olga, whose birth occurred on the 6th of August, 1907.

The fraternal connections of Mr. Streveler are confined to his membership in Blairsburg Camp, No. 7848, M. W. A., and both he and Mrs. Streveler belong to Camp No. 2892 of the Royal Neighbors. He votes the republican ticket and served for six years as school director in Blairsburg township, while for two he discharged the duties of clerk. He retains the title to his farm of eighty acres in Blairsburg township, in addition to which he owns a well furnished, comfortable residence in town and a quarter section of land in Canada. Mr. Streveler is a worker, whose efforts while promoting his individual interests advance those of the community at large, in the progress and development of which he actively cooperates.