Laros, David A.

LAROS, WINK, SNYDER, GIBBS, GRUVER, LORISH

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 6/9/2010 at 11:54:23

History of Poweshiek County Iowa by L.F. Parker; Publ. 1911
Page 358-361 (A photo of David A. Laros was included in the History of Poweshiek County Iowa book)

DAVID A. LAROS

David A. Laros, a prominent representative of industrial interest in Grinnell, conducting an extensive business in the manufacture of carriages, spring wagons and buggies under the firm style of D.A. Laros & Sons. His birth occurred in Kutztown, Berks county, Pennsylvania, on the 3d of February, 1847, his parents being Robert and Rebecca (Wink) Laros, the former a native of Millerstown, Pennsylvania, and the latter of Kutztown, that state. They were married at Kutztown and there spent the remainder of their lives. The father worked at the hatter's trade in early manhood but subsequently was employed as a day laborer.

Owing to the straitened financial circumstances of the family, David A. Laros obtained only a common school education but his knowledge has been constantly augmented by reading, experience and observation. On the 18th of February, 1865, when but eighteen years of age, he enlisted for service in the Union Army, joining Company G, Seventy-fourth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and remaining with that command until the close of hostilites. After being mustered out he returned to his native town and became an apprentice at the carriage trimmer's trade. In 1877 he came west to Iowa, locating at Lisbon, where he continued work at his trade and for about ten years operated a farm in connection with his carriage work. In 1889 he came to Grinnell and found employment in the shops of Craver, Steele & Austin, remaining with that concern for but one year. He next entered the service of the H.W. Spaulding Manufacturing Company, continuing with that firm until 1897, when he resigned his position and organized his present business, which has since become one of the important industrial enterprises of Grinnell. His business record is one of which he has every reason to be proud. Starting out in life empty handed, he labored as a journeyman workman for thirty-two years, thus gaining the capital and experience which enabled him to embark in business on his own account in 1897. From comparative obscurity and poverty he has worked his way steadily upward to a position of prominence and affluence, being now one of the leading manufacturers of Grinnell.

In 1869 Mr. Laros was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Snyder, of Kutztown, Pennsylvania, by whom he had fourteen children, the record of whom is as follows: Mary, the wife of Kirk Gibbs, of Grinnell, Iowa; Charles, who is a member of the firm of D.A. Laros & Sons; Harry and William, both of whom are deceased; John and Fred, who are associated with their father in business; Bessie, the wife of Ellsworth Gruver, of Allentown, Pennsylvania; Sadie, the wife of Fred Lorish, of Allentown, Pennsylvania; Augustus, who is likewise a member of the firm of D.A. Laros & Sons; and Ruth, Naomi, Roberta, Helen and Gerald, all at home.

In politics Mr. Laros is a democrat, while his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Congregational church. Fraternally he is identified with the Masons, belonging to Hermon Lodge, No. 273. In everything he is eminently practical and this has been manifest not only in his business undertakings but also in social and private life, and he and his estimable wife enjoy the respect and esteem of a large circle of friends.