Theodore A. Stossel (1867-1944)

STOSSEL LASALLE, CODAY, SISTER MARY JUSTIN, WAHL, REUSCH, MUSGROVE, CASTALIN, LOGON, TOLBERT, SCHAEFER, WIGHT

Posted By: John Davis (email)
Date: 2/20/2020 at 06:54:24

Obit posted in Ottumwa Courier April 16, 1944
Photo posted with obit
Native Of Ottumwa Operated Oil Concern For Many Years
Theodore A. Stossel, 76, well known Ottumwa businessman and Spanish American war Veteran died at 12:10 p.m. Sunday in the Veterans’ hospital, Des Moines where he had been a patient since last August. Mr. Stossel was born in Ottumwa August 28, 1867, the son of Peter and Martha LaSalle Stossel. His father a native of Alsace, France came to the United States in 1851. He married Theodore’s Mother in Davis county, she being a native of France, too.
Learned Shoemaking
When 7 years old, Theodore began working on his father’s farm near Ottumwa and continued there until 13 years of age. The family having moved here, he began learning the shoemaking trade at the age of 15. Later he worked as a cooper for the Standard Oil Co. and at 20 was foreman of its plant at Burlington. While in the employ of the oil concern he worked in Cincinnati, Ohio. Burgan Point, New Jersey and Oil City, Pennsylvania. In 1859 Stossel left the Standard service and went to Seattle. For a few months he worked in Washington and up and down the coast, going as far north as Sitka, Alaska. In 1890 he returned to Ottumwa and worked for Henry Throne, pioneer grocer, later being in the grocery business for himself. He also worked for the Burlington and Milwaukee railroads.
Becomes Lieutenant
Stossel was with a Burlington bridge gang when he enlisted for service in the Spanish American war. He became a member of Company G. 50th Iowa infantry, of which he was a sergeant and later a first lieutenant. The company left Ottumwa in April 1898, later moving on to Florida. Upon his return Stossel started a line of coal and oil wagons about the city. These later became conveyors of gasoline on the same house-to-house basis. In more recent year he and his son, Albert operated on oil bulk station, before bulk station, before Theodore’s retirement. Establishing the Stossel Oil Works in 1909, he was president until 1929, when the corporation expired. He was proprietor of the Ottumwa Rubber Works from 1915 until 1928.
Once On Council
Politically, he was a democrat, and was a member of the city council in 1910, when the waterworks was purchased. For many years he was zealous in behalf of patriotic, fraternal and civic organizations., fraternal and civic organizations. He was a pension attorney and secretary of the Wapello county soldiers’ relief commission. During the first World war he was active in all Liberty loan campaigns, and in civic programs in connection with departure of draft contingents. He married Miss Anna Theresa Coday in St. Mary’s church, Ottumwa June 22, 1892. Ten children were born to them, three dying in infancy. Survivors are Mrs. Stossel, a son, Albert T. Ottumwa; daughters, Loretta E. Stossel at her home; Sister Mary Justin, Order of St. Francis, Winona, Minnesota; Mrs. Elaine Green Castalin, Iowa; Mrs. Theodora S. Musgrove, Ottumwa; Mrs. Marguerite Reusch, Savanah, Georgia and Mrs. Mary Martha Wahl, Sioux City. There are also 10 grandchildren, two great grandchildren, a brother, Henry Stossel, Minneapolis: sisters Mrs. Blanche Langon, both of Minneapolis, Mrs. Jeannette Tolbert, Chicago and Cele Schaefer, Ghent, Minnesota, Pauline Wight, St. Paul, Minnesota.
Mr. Stossel was a life member of the Ottumwa Elks, a member to the Knights of Pythias and Woodmen of the World, and of St. Patrick’s Catholic church, and Joe Hays camp, Spanish American War Veterans. The funeral will be Wednesday. Requiem high mass will be celebrated at 9 a.m. in St. Patrick’s church by the Rev. R.C. Donohoe. Pallbearers will be Spanish American war veterans, with the American Legion firing squad at the grave in Calvary cemetery. The body has been returned from Des Moines to Johnson’s chapel, where it will remain until Wednesday morning, when taken to the church. The Rosary will be recited at the chapel at 8 p.m. Tuesday.