REIMERS, HENRY E.

REIMERS, EILERS, LEGENHAUSER

Posted By: Jean Kramer (email)
Date: 9/9/2003 at 21:32:23

Biography reproduced from page 706 of Volume II of the History of Kossuth County written by Benjamin F. Reed and published in 1913:

Henry E. Reimers, one of the progressive business men of Fenton, Iowa, where he has been engaged in the lumber business for the past twelve years, is a native of Iowa, his birth having occurred in Tama county, October 10, 1872. His father, Jurgen Reimers, was born in Germany and remained in that country until he was fourteen years of age. He came to America with his parents and located immediately in Scott county where he completed his education and grew to manhood. He married in Davenport and followed agriculture in the section in which he originally settled in Tama county.

Henry E. Reimers is one of eight children born to his parents, three sons and five daughters. He was reared upon his father's farm and received his education in the public schools of Tama county. He has been actively identified with the lumber business all during his life and is known as an expert judge of wood values and as a systematic and thoroughly progressive business man. His first business identification was with the Quael Company, at Fenton, in the employ of which he remained four years, learning the details of the lumber business and becoming acquainted with financial transactions. At the end of four years Mr. Reimer established himself independently in the same line and was successful in his enterprise for eight years. At the end of that time he sold his interest to his original employers and now remains with the Quael Company as manager of the firm. This company carries a large stock of lumber and building material, and also deals in coal and cement. They have a large and constantly increasing patronage, and much of their success is due to the systematic business methods and efficient management of Mr. Reimers.

On November 20, 1901, Mr. Reimers was united in marriage to Miss Emma Legenhauser, who was born and reared in Kossuth county. To their union have been born three children, Raymond H., Wilfred A. and Dorothea. Politically Mr. Reimers gives his allegiance to the republican party, and is always active in promoting progressive movements. He has served as delegate to numerous county conventions and for several years as township trustee. He is well known in the city in which he resides as a man who has done much to promote the expansion and growth of his state and county, and whose cooperation may always be counted upon in movements looking toward further advancement. He was one of the first settlers in Fenton, and during the period of his residence here has been identified with the upbuilding of the city. He was one of the promoters in the establishment of the waterworks system and was active in the building of the town hall. He is now serving as township clerk and is bringing to his duties an active, straightforward and energetic mind and business qualities which are the basis of his success. He has been extensively engaged in building as a speculating enterprise and has erected five residences in Fenton, four of which he has sold. He has led an active and industrious life, during the course of which he has been identified with the growth and development of his community and is numbered among its progressive and public-spirited citizens. He has gained prosperity in the field of labor in which he has sought success and has influenced the commercial expansion of this section.