WASSER, Reuben S.

WASSER

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 5/30/2021 at 17:22:35

Reuben S. Wasser
born Nov 17, 1860

WASSER & BLEAKLY
The grocery and queensware establishment of Wasser & Bleakly, of Ida Grove,
Iowa, was formed in 1885 by R. S. Wasser and J. L. Bleakly. They first opened business at the stand, where they continued until 1889, then removed to the brick building, opposite side of street, starting in with a stock valued at §1,500, which they have increased to the value of $4,000. They carry a
complete stock of everything in their line, have the oldest house of that kind in the city, and now occupy a building, 24 x 75 feet, with basement.
R. S. Wasser, the head of the firm, is a native of Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, born November 17, 1860, a son of Joseph B. and Susan A. Persing Wasser, who were natives of Pennsylvania, of German and Scotch extraction. The parents died when our subject was eighteen years of age upon a farm located in Poweshiek County, Iowa, where he grew up on the farm and attended
the district schools until coming to Ida Grove, where he entered business. At that time he first went into business with his brother,Lot E., and for one year the firm name was Wasser Brothers, after which it was changed to Wasser & Co., for another year, and then took the present name of Wasser & Bleakly. Mr. Wasser has been one of the active business men of the city and has built up a large and profitable trade in his line. He is an active man, politically
aud socially. In the first connection being a Republican and in the latter a member of I. O. O. F., No. 259, Ida Grove Lodge. Mr. Wasser married September 19, 1888, Miss Mollie L. Dutcher, a daughter of Mrs. Mary A. Dutcher, a native of Franklin Grove, Illinois, but she died August 11, 1891, aged twenty-six years. Mr. Wasser is connected with the Presbyterian Church, where he has been chorister of choir for several years and Trustee of the church. He was one of the principal promoters of the organization of
the Y. M. C. A., at Ida Grove, having a membership of 150, and Secretary of the same.
Source: Biographical History of Crawford, Ida, and Sac Counties, Iowa, 1893, p.330