Oltmann, Dietrich A. 1858-1925

OLTMANN, MCCLOW, WILSON

Posted By: Viv Reeves (email)
Date: 3/27/2008 at 10:27:39

From the LeMars Sentinel, LeMars, (Plymouth), Iowa, Tuesday, September 15, 1925, Page 1, Column 4 & Page 8, Column 5:

DEATH SUMMONS LEADING BANKER

D. A. OLTMAN(N) WAS INTIMATELY CONNECTED WITH

LIFE AND GROWTH OF KINGSLEY

Friends in LeMars were notified Sunday of the death of D. A. Oltman(n), well known banker and landowner in Plymouth county, which occurred at his home in Kingsley. Mr. Oltman(n) was one of the pioneers in the southeast part of the county and popular in a wide circle of friends and acquaintances.

D. A. Oltman(n) was born in Hampton, Illinois, December 26, 1858, his parents having emigrated from Oldenburg, Germany, two years prior to his birth. The elder Oltman(n) spent his life on the Illinois farm, dying there in 1903.

D. A. Oltman(n) grew up on the farm and attended the country schools and the high school in Hampton, later taking a business course at Davenport. In the spring of 1881 he located on a farm in Ida county, coming from to Plymouth county in September, 1883. He settled in Kingsley the year the railroad was built and started in a bank known as the Kingsley bank, which was operated by the firm of John A. Heeran & Co. Mr. Oltman(n) acted as bookkeeper for the institution and was admitted into partnership. The bank was operated by this firm until 1889, when George H. Phelps purchased the interest of John Heeran and the firm became Oltman(n) & Phelps. The bank enjoyed a steady and satisfactory growth from the beginning and is one of the popular and sound institutions of northwestern Iowa.

Mr. Oltman(n) was married to Flora McClow, of Ida county, October 12, 1886. She died in 1901, leaving one daughter, Anna Fern, who married Leo Larkins, of Rock Island, Illinois. Mr. Oltman(n) later married Miss Emma Wilson.

Mr. Oltman(n) politically was a democrat. He was prominent in Masonic circles, being a thirty-second degree Mason. He was always active in community affairs and served on the town council and held other offices. He was an attendant of the Congregational church, of which he was a trustee and treasurer.

Mr. Oltman(n), in addition to his banking interests, was a large landowner and possessed valuable holdings in Elkhorn and Lincoln townships.

The funeral services will be held in Kingsley today, at 2 o'clock. Members of the Masonic order will attend the funeral in a body.