Groneweg, William (1838-1928)

GRONEWEG

Posted By: Joyce Hickman (email)
Date: 12/19/2008 at 14:00:57

William Groneweg
July 24, 1838 - Aug 4, 1928

(From the 1883 History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, by J. H. Keatley, p.26, Council Bluffs)
Groneweg & Schoentgen, wholesale grocers, Council Bluffs, have been engaged in the wholesale grocery trade in Council Bluffs since July 1, 1878. In the building up of this branch of the busines industries of Council Bluffs, the above gentlement have displayed as much energy, enterprise and good financiering ability as any firm in the city. They were both engaged in the retail grocery trade in the city for a number of years prior to establishing their present house. Mr. Schoentgen became a resident of the city in 1866, and began the retail grocery business in 1869, while Mr. Groneweg began in the retail trade in 1862, which was the first year of his residence in Council Bluffs. The building they now occupy is 34 feet frontage by 100 feet in length, three floors and basement. They began business with one man on the road and four in the house, and now have three traveling salesmen and nine men in the house. Their business has more than trebled since their first year. Hitherto, their trade had been mainly in Iowa, but they are now preparing to do a business in Nebraska. Their energy and push have placed them among the first business men of the city. To such men is Council Bluffs indebted for her prosperity.

(From the 1891 Biographical History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, p.449)
HON. WILLIAM GRONEWEG, of the firm of GRONEWEG & SCHOENTGEN, wholesale grocers, has been identified with the interests of Council Bluffs since 1861. He was a native of Germany, born in the Province of Hanover, July 24, 1838, a son of William H. and Caroline (BEHNING) GRONEWEG, natives of the same place. After leaving school, Mr. GRONEWEG engaged in the mercantile business for five years in his native country as an apprentice. In 1859, he emigrated to America, first locating in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he was employed as clerk until he came to Council Bluffs in 1861, and engaged in the grocery business on Broadway, where he built up a lucrative patronage. He continued in the retail trade successfully until 1878, when he formed his present partnership. He was elected as a member of the Board of Supervisors for January 1, 1869, serving two years. He was City Treasurer for two terms from 1872, and was nominated as Auditor on the Democratic ticket in 1876, but the state being about 10,000 Republican majority, he was defeated. He was a member of the School Board for three years and in the fall of 1886 was elected Mayor by a special election to fill the vacancy of John W. CHAPMAN, which position he resigned, to take effect January 1, 1888. He was elected State Senator for the term commencing January 1, 1888, which position he filled with honor to himself and credit to his constituents, and is the present incumbent.

Mr. GRONEWEG was married in 1864 to Miss Catherine LEWZINGER, who came to this country when five years of age with her parents. They settled in Highland, Illinois, and came to Council Bluffs in 1869. Mr. And Mrs. GRONEWEG have seven children, namely: George, Katie, Hattie, Nattie, Herman, Richard and John. Mr. GRONEWEG is a member of the A.F.&A.M. Council Bluffs Lodge No. 71, and of the R.A.M. chapter No. 47. Politically he affiliates with the Democratic Party, but previous to 1872 was a Republican.