Matt Pinnell

PINNELL, ZEIMET, WAGNER, DOSBERG

Posted By: Barbara Gehlsen Nugent (email)
Date: 8/24/2011 at 16:06:33

History of Jackson County, Iowa, Volume 2, by James Whitcomb Ellis, 1910
Biographical sketches

MATT PINNELL.

Matt Pinnell, who since the first of January, 1909, has efficiently served as supervisor of Jackson county, has in many other ways manifested a public-spirited citizenship, being active in every movement or measure instituted for the good of the community in which he lives. He has always made his home in Jackson county, his birth having occurred on a farm in Bellevue township, about two miles from the city of Bellevue, on the 14th of February, 1865. His parents, John and Mary (Zeimet) Pinnell, were both native's of Luxemburg, Germany, the former born in August, 1829, while the birth of the latter occurred in the year 1832. Both the father and mother emigrated to the new world in the early '50s, the latter accompanying her parents to Jackson county. The father, however, spent one year in New York, while later he lived for some time in Canada, and then he made a permanent location in Jackson county, Iowa. It was here that the young couple were married and established their home. They began their domestic life upon a farm in Bellevue township and were identified with agricultural interests until twelve years ago, since which time they have lived retired in a comfortable home in Bellevue. Their marriage was blessed with six children but three of the number died in early childhood, while three reached years of maturity but the eldest of these, John J., died in Cascade, Iowa, leaving a widow and four children. The only living brother of our subject is Henry, who makes his home in Cascade.

Matt Pinnell was reared in the usual manner of farm lads. He assisted his father in the work of the fields from the time he was old enough to handle a plow, while in the winter months he gave his time to the acquirement of an education. He supplemented his training in the public schools by a course in the Northern Illinois Normal School and Business College at Dixon, Illinois. After completing his education he engaged in teaching during the winter term, while in the summer seasons he worked on a farm. He remained under the parental roof until he had reached the age of twenty-six years, at which time, in 1891, he was married to Miss Katherine Wagner, who was likewise born in Bellevue township, February 14, 1868. She is a daughter of John H. and Anna (Dosberg) Wagner, who were natives of the fatherland. The former is now deceased and the latter makes her home in Bellevue.

Following their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Pinnell located in Bellevue, where Mr. Pinnell opened a hotel, which he conducted until the 1st of April, 1907, since which time he has leased the building. He has long been identified with public affairs, being but twenty-four years of age when he was elected township assessor. He served one term, or two years, prior to his removal to Bellevue. In the fall of 1908 he was elected on the democratic ticket to the office of county supervisor and that he is qualified to fill the office to the satisfaction of all and with credit to himself has been demonstrated to the people of Jackson county in the past year. In addition to his duties in this connection, Mr. Pinnell is also president of the Bellevue Piano Factory, having acted in that capacity since the 1st of January, 1909. He was also one of the organizers of the Commercial Club, of which he is now a director.

Other public duties claim a portion of his time and attention, for in 1907 he was elected a member of the city council and one year was chairman of the democratic county committee, while for six years previously he served on that committee. On all public questions where the best interests of the community are involved he takes a firm stand on the right side and is numbered among the publicspirited citizens of this section of the state.

Mr. and Mrs. Pinnell have three sons, Arnold, Clarence and Alton J. and they also lost four children in infancy. The family are well known in social circles and enjoy the warm regard and esteem of all with whom they come in contact.