Rust, Steven S. (1848-1913)

RUST

Posted By: Joyce Hickman (email)
Date: 8/12/2008 at 16:13:53

Steven Sumner Rust
Feb 23, 1848 - June 23, 1913

(From the 1883 History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, by J. H. Keatley, p.73, Belknap Twp.)
S. S. Rust, grain-dealer, Oakland, was born in Henderson County, Ill., February 23, 1848. His father, Jacob Rust, was born in Frederick County, Va., May 27, 1795. Subject's grandfather, George Rust, was born about March 20, 1767, and had four brothers in the Revolutionary war. One of them, Vincent, died in the service; John was a Captain, Peter a lieutenant and Jerry a private; the last three were in the battles of Brandywine, Cowpens, and at the surrender of the British at Yorktown. In 1829, Jacob Rust left Kentucky and emigrated to the military tract now called Warren County, Ill. He boarded Maj. Butler and Capt. Jennings while they were surveying the site for the town of Monmouth, Warren County. After Warren County was organized as such, Jacob Rust served as Justice of the Peace for a number of years. He afterward moved to Henderson County, Ill., then to Pottawattamie County, Iowa, locating at Big Grove, where he was one of the first settlers. There he followed farming till retiring from business. He now lives in Oakland, and is eighty-eight years old. He was first married in Hardin County, Ky., to Frances McDonald, born in Virginia; this union was blessed by fourteen children, of whom three survive - Mrs. W. E. Brunk, Mrs. C. E. Chastain and Mrs. Louisa Ward. Subject's father next married, in Illinois, Mrs. Eda E. Morris, by whome he had three children - Mrs. Reuben Morris, Steven Sumber (our subject) and Larue, who died at the age of four years. Subject's early education was limited to two years in the common schools, but he has since studied much by himself. Mr. Rust worked out from the age of fourteen till he was seventeen, when he began farming for himself; this he continued till the fall of 1879, when he began buying grain at Parma, two and one-half miles north of Oakland. In the fall of 1880, he sold his farm and came to Oakland, Pottawattamie County, where he has since been engaged as a grain-dealer. Mr. Rust was married at Council Bluffs, September 2, 1865, to Mary Anne Strong, born in Ohio February 18, 1845, daughter of J. M. and Nancy (Barker) Strong, natives of Ohio, who came to this county in 1863, and now live near Oakland. Mr. and Mrs. Rust have one child - Bertie. Mr. Rust was for five years Treasurer of the school fund of Centre Township, and he is now Treasurer of the Oakland School Board. He is a Mason and an Odd Fellow; in politics, he is a Republican.

(From the 1891 Biographical History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, p.260)
THE CITIZENS’ BANK OF OAKLAND was first organized by S.S. RUST in October 1883; succeeded by RUST & POTTER in March 1884. The Bank of Oakland, organized in January 1882, by W.H. and B.F. FREEMAN, continued until February 1885 when it was consolidated with the Citizens Bank and called by the latter name, under the present firm of W.H. FREEMAN, President; S.S. RUST, Vice President; L.F. POTTER, Cashier, B.F. FREEMAN, retiring, and with a capital stock of $30,000. They have increased their stock and real estate loans and in 1885 erected a fine brick block, 22 ½ X 50 feet and two stories high, in which they now carry on their business. They have a fine timelock and automatic bolt work on their safe, and also all the latest improvements that make a commodious and a thorough banking outfit. They exchange with Council Bluffs, Davenport, Chicago and New York, and have at the present time a cash capital of $36,000 with a surplus of $15,000, making a working capital of $51,000. They are live, energetic and self-made men, and by their honesty and integrity have won the high place in the hearts of their many friends, both in business and social relations.
S.S. RUST, the Vice President of the Bank, was born in Henderson County, Illinois, February 23, 1848, son of Jacob and Eda (PALMER) RUST, natives of Kentucky and of South Carolina. He was reared to the profession of his father, a farmer and merchant. He came to Pottawattamie County with his parents in 1855, locating in Valley Township. He left home when he was 13 years old and was engaged in working by the month for several years. In 1865, he married Mary N. STRONG, to whom his success in life in a large measure is due. He purchased his first land in 1872 and in 1880 came to Oakland, and engaged in the grain and lumber business, in which he was very successful. Mr. RUST then started in the banking business, on his own responsibility, and has made different changes until he now occupies his present place. He also has a fine farm where he raises stock and to which he gives a great deal of attention. He is a live, energetic and self-made man, and is interested in the advancement of the county as well as community, and is esteemed and respected by his many friends, both in social and business relations.

These men have been residents, the principal bankers and identified with the best enterprises and improvements of the town since its beginning. The bank went through the disastrous fire of May 28, 1887, without loss and they immediately erected a brick block, sixty-six feet front, for the benefit of those who were burned out, and did not feel able to rebuild. They have also in various other ways aided the people to recover from their losses.