Koenig, Joseph G. Sr.

KOENIG, NICHOLSON

Posted By: Ardythe Rees Stoesz (email)
Date: 8/6/2008 at 13:24:52

Three Generation Koenig Ins. Building was Constructed in 1897

Joseph G. Koenig Sr. came to the United States from Germany in 1858.

He first settled in Baltimore and took up barbering. In 1871, Jacob moved wife and family to Le Mars where he began farming.

After 10 years of making his living off the land, Mr. Koening wnt back to his former trade and established a barber shop in the downtown district of Le Mars -- 18 Plymouth St. SW. Today, the Koenig Insurance and Real Estate Office is in that same location.

Jacob Koenig Sr. and his wife Mary were the parents of eight children, one of whom began the present family business.

Jacob Jr. was born in 1880 He was an industrious young man and at the age of 13 began working for the Le Mars Daily Sentinel as a carrier, this he continued for four years.

In 1908, at age 28 Jacob went into the land business. Later on he branched out into insurance also.

Jacob married Elsie Nicholson October 10, 1917, and they were the parents of three children, James, Elizabeth, and Jean.

Jean went into the business enterprise with her fahter. Together they carried on a very successful business. Mr. Koenig died in the year of 1950 at the age of 70. He indeed had led a very useful and prosperous life. The insurance and real estate busniess that was started by Jacob is still being carried on today by Jean Koenig.

The property that the office is sutatied on has been in the Koenig family since 1884, when Miss Koenig's grandfather purchased it for his barber shop.

It is now in the hands of the third generation.

The present building they are in was constructed in 1897, and the title contains a 99 year lease to use the walls of the LeMars National Bank building -- now the First National Bank -- as a part of their office.

Le Mars Centennial Edition June 30, 1969