Lehman, H. L.

LEHMAN, STRAWSBURG

Posted By: Roseanna Zehner
Date: 7/22/2006 at 21:43:09

LEHMAN, H. L.

H. L. Lehman is a name familiar to all users of horses in George and vicinity, as he is a dealer in harness at prices and quality that command their attention. As a good workman, thoroughly trained to his business, he would not be willing to put on the market any poorly made goods. And as an honest and reliable dealer, he keeps his every agreement, and what he says goes without a bond.

Mr. Lehman was born in Germany in 1858, where he was educated, and where he served a three years' apprenticeship at the harness making trade. There he worked as a journeyman harness maker, and then became convinced that he could do far better at his trade in the United States. He came to the United States in 1882, and worked at his trade for some three years in Eldora, Iowa. Here he saved up money to meet a loan which he had made in Germany, to cover his expenses to the New World. After this he set himself to saving money for the purpose of setting up a shop of his own. At the end of three years he had a cash capital of two hundred dollars, and with it he went to Steamboat Rock, Iowa, where he started in a modest way for himself, and gradually increased his trade. In 1899 he felt able to enter a larger field, and accordingly disposed of his establishment in Steamboat Rock, where he had been in business for nearly fifteen years, he came to George, Lyon county. Here he purchased a stock of harness goods, and the following year bought a store in the center of the business district of the town. Today he has a stock valued at $2,000, the largest in the place, and has gradually increased his trade, so that it leads all competition. His store is so arranged that his stock is displayed in a peculiarly interesting and attractive fashion.

Mr. Lehman has bought a home in George, where he lives with his family. He was married in 1886 to Miss Augusta Strawsburg, by whom he has had four children: William F., Harry A., Emelia, and Carl Otto. The family attend the German Baptist church. He is a Republican, and is serving on the school board, to which he was first appointed in the filling of a vacancy, and later has been regularly elected.

Source: Compendium of History Reminiscence and Biography of Lyon County, Iowa. Published under the Auspices of the Pioneer Association of Lyon County. Geo. Monlun, Pres.; Hon. E. C. Roach Sec’y; and Col. F. M. Thompson, Historian. Geo. A. Ogle & CO., Published, Engravers and Book Manufacturers. Chicago, 1904-1905

Transcribed by Roseanna Zehner, Darlene Jacoby and Diane Johnson