GOEDERS, JOHN

GOEDERS, URHAUSEN, WOLNER, CAPESIUS, PINES, ZIGRANG, KENNEDY, UHNDORFF, CLAMPITT

Posted By: Jean Kramer (email)
Date: 4/1/2004 at 15:14:44

Biography reproduced from page 99 of Volume II of the History of Kossuth County written by Benjamin F. Reed and published in 1913:

John, Goeders, who is conducting a general store in Algona, was born in Luxemburg, Germany, February 12, 1854, the son of John and Mary (Urhausen) Goeders, both of whom were also natives of Germany. They came from their native land to the United States in 1864 and settled in Dubuque, Iowa. Later, in 1869, they removed to Riverside township, Kossuth county. On their arrival in this county the father engaged in agricultural pursuits and operated a farm in this section for twenty-three years. He continued to follow farming until his death, which occurred in 1898. The mother passed away in 1911. To them eight children were born namely: John; Nicholas, a resident of Palo Alto County, Iowa; Sebastian, of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Theodore, who is engaged in farming in Kossuth county, Iowa; Barnett, who is also a farmer of this county; Mary, now the wife of Edward Wolner, of Palo Alto county; Anna, who married John Capesius and resides on the old homestead; and Kate, now Mrs. Fred Pines, of Alton, Illinois.

John Goeders pursued his education in the common schools near his home. At the same time he spent many of the hours which are usually termed leisure in assisting his father in the pursuits which came daily to hand on the home farm. After he had completed his studies in the district school he entered upon his business career by accepting a clerical position with Theodore Chrischilles, where he remained for four years. After resigning that position he was employed by G. N. Hancock for three years before accepting a clerkship with Thomas Early. He remained in this latter position for nine years, at the end of which time he engaged in mercantile pursuits independently. Although he began with a meager stock, he has built up a general store which is one of the best equipped of its kind in the town. So successful have his business ventures proved that he has been able not only to increase his stock but also to purchase the property upon which his store is located. The building is a substantial structure, having a floor space of twenty-two by one hundred and thirty feet, and in addition to this property he owns a residence which he built for his family several years ago. His business ability has won public recognition and he has frequently been asked to lend his name and support to financial undertakings in the town. He is interested in the Algona State Bank and much of the standing of the bank in Algona is due to the prestige which his name lends to the directorate. The land of the northwest has appealed to him as being one of the strong sources of wealth in this country and he has invested in Minnesota and Dakota lands somewhat heavily. Although he started out in life endowed with no capital except a common school education and the ability and determination to work, he has risen to a place of prominence in the business circles of Algona.

On the 14th of May, 1879, Mr. Goeders was married to Miss Johanna Zigrang, whose birth occurred on the 6th of October, 1854, while her parents were en route to the United States. To Mr. and Mrs. Goeders three children have been born: Kate, now Mrs. C. T. Kennedy, of Mitchell, South Dakota; Dennis, who married Elsie Uhndorff and is residing in Algona; and Edith, the wife of C. L. Clampitt, of Sheldon, Iowa.

In politics Mr. Goeders gives his support to the democratic party and although he is thoroughly alive to the issues of the day he has never sought a reward for his loyalty and fealty to his party. His religious faith is manifest by his membership in the Roman Catholic church. He is one of the many native sons of Germany who has never had occasion to regret his determination to seek his fortune in America, where, because of the greater territorial expansion and the rapidly growing country, the opportunities for remarkable success are more frequently found.