JESKA, GUSTAVE WILLIAM

JESKA, CESSINE, JENSEN

Posted By: Jean Kramer (email)
Date: 3/8/2004 at 08:59:42

Biography reproduced from page 263 of Volume II of the History of Kossuth County written by Benjamin F. Reed and published in 1913:

Gustave William Jeska, who is manager of the Swea City elevator, which he has been operating for the past eleven years, is one of the active and enterprising young business men of the town. He was born in Hokah, Houston county, Minnesota, September 22, 1876, and is a son of Ernest and Caroline (Cessine) Jeska. The parents were both natives of Germany, having been born, reared and married within twenty miles of Berlin. They emigrated to the United States in 1872, locating at Hokah, where the mother passed away at the age of sixty-four years. The father, who is a miller by trade, operated the old W. W. Cargill mill at Hokah for many years, but later he sold his property and retired and is now making his home with his children.

The early years in the life of Gustave William Jeska were passed in his native town, where he attended the public schools during the winter months, while in summer he herded cattle. After his graduation from the high school in 1895, he worked on a farm in the vicinity of Spring Valley, Minnesota, for two summers, thus acquiring a good practical knowledge of agricultural pursuits. He subsequently turned his attention to commercial activities and went to La Crosse, Wisconsin, where he clerked in a grocery and feed store for three years. From there he came to Iowa in 1900, locating at Forest City. For several months thereafter he was employed in one of the elevators of Charlie Rippie, and at the end of that time he was sent to Swea City by Mr. Rippie to do the work of a second man in the elevator here. Six months later he was made manager and has ever since been retained in that capacity. After Mr. Rippie retired, Anderson & Stockdale of Estherville leased the elevator for a year, and it was subsequently purchased by Grieg & Zeeman, also of Estherville, who still own it. Despite the various changes in ownership, Mr. Jeska has always been retained in the same capacity and has given most efficient service. He is an energetic man and has succeeded in building up excellent business for the company. Their elevator has a capacity of forty thousand bushels and in addition to grain they also deal in coal.

On the 29th of November, 1905, Mr. Jeska was united in marriage to Miss Marie Jensen, a daughter of Alfred and Reana Jensen and a native of Denmark. The mother died when Mrs. Jeska was a child of three years, but the father, who is a shipbuilder, is still living and resides in Denmark. Mrs. Jeska came to the United States with friends in 1897 and located in Goldfield, this state. She remained there for three years, and going to Ringstead, Iowa, opened a millinery store there. She disposed of this two years later and came to Swea City, where she engaged in the same business until 1908, when she sold her store to Gussie Toveson. One son has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Jeska, Milton W., whose natal day was the 30th of June, 1908.

Mr. and Mrs. Jeska attend the Methodist Episcopal church, although she is a Lutheran in faith. Fraternally he is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and has filled all of the chairs. He votes the republican ticket and for the past eighteen months has been city marshal. He is very loyal in matters of citizenship and takes an active interest in all municipal affairs or those pertaining to the community welfare and has been treasurer of the fire company ever since its organization nine years ago. Mr. Jeska is recognized as a young man of excellent business capacity and an aptitude for successful management and is accorded the esteem of a large circle of friends