Kieruff, G. W.

KIERULFF, HARRALSON

Posted By: Gary Norris (email)
Date: 2/2/2013 at 10:00:34

The History of Poweshiek County, Iowa
Des Moines: Union Hist. Co., 1880.

KIERULFF, G.W.—Jackson Twp—pg 653. Of the firm of Hall, Kierulff & Co., bankers, Montezuma. This gentleman was born on the island of St. Croix, West Indies. His father, being an attorney and a man of culture, decided upon giving his son a good education, and when but seven years of age he was sent to Altona, Schleswig-Holstein, where he attended school for five years, then retuned to the West Indies and remained several years. When nineteen years of age he embarked on the steamer Kent for California, where he engaged for a short time in mining. He then moved to San Francisco and kept books for a large lumber firm for about two years. He then went to Calaveras county and opened a small store of general merchandise to supply the miners. In 1857 he went to New York, where he remained but a short time, and then went South and taught school a few months. The same year he came to this county, and bought 320 acres of good farming land, on the present site of Ewart, in Pleasant township. Here he continued in agricultural pursuits till 1869, when his friends, recognizing his good business qualifications, urged him to accept the nomination for County Treasurer. He was elected, and held that office three consecutive terms, thus showing the appreciation of his worth by the general public. After his retirement from office he formed his present partnership with Mr. John Hall, making, with his good business tack, the banking business a thorough success. He was married in Selma, Alabama, to Miss F. B. Harralson. Their family circle are George B. and Anna E.