Bear, Ben 1853 -

BEAR, TANNEBAUM, HOMBERGER, BENJAMIN, HELLER

Posted By: Bill Waters (email)
Date: 2/19/2014 at 12:00:33

BEN BEAR.

The prosperity of a section is due to the collaboration of many, but among them always stand forth a few who on account of their attainments are entitled to special mention, Ben Bear, who is closely connected with a number of the most important commercial interests of Decorah and Winneshiek county, is one of these and while he has attained individual success and must be considered today one of the most substantial men of this part of the state, he has by his labors also largely contributed to general advancement and development. A native of Germany, he was born in 1853 in Hohebach, Wurtemherg. His father was Jacob Bear and his mother before her marriage was Rose Tannebaum, a member of one of the prominent families of that section of Wurtemberg. The father also was a man of affairs in his native land where he was extensively engaged in the grain and wool business.

Ben Bear attended school in Germany until thirteen years of age, when the spirit to will and to do seized him and. believing he would find a greater field of opportunity in the new world, he came at that early age to America. He made the trip on the steamship Hermann of the North German Lloyd the jour¬ney consuming four weeks. Indication of the spirit that then dominated him and has continued to influence his life is found in the fact that this United States citizen-to-be arrived in New York on a Saturday afternoon at four o'clock, and seven o'clock the next morning found him installed as errand boy in the general store of Rosenthal & Sulzberger, doing business at the corner of Fourth street and Avenue D. Industry and ambition were the keynote of his code and as his willingness to work, his devotion to the business and his ability became recognized he rose successively in this establishment until he became general manager, the period of his connection with this firm covering the years from 1867 until 1876. A determination to be master of his own business prompted Mr. Bear to seek a location in the middle west early in the latter year, his fore¬sight enabling him to recognize the possibilities of that great and yet thinly peopled region. Somehow he had heard of Decorah and he decided upon this place as a likely location. Arriving here in the twilight of a March day, he was out early the next morning before most people had greeted the new day and rented from the late Cyrus Adams the old wooden structure that occupied a portion of the ground which is now covered by Mr. Bear's magnificent store building, and there he owned a clothing store. This act was thoroughly char¬acteristic of the man. The following year the building was destroyed by fire but, not daunted by this disaster, Mr. Bear immediately occupied the Asseln building, now used as the Morrison furniture store, but when Mr. Adams re¬built on his lot Mr. Bear moved back to his original location, and has continued to occupy it since that time. Several years ago he purchased the property and lots adjoining and as his business grew he enlarged his quarters, making his one one of the largest and best of its kind in Iowa. In the direction of this large establishment with its many departments he displays that management which only comes from a master mind. The organization is considered one of the most efficient and thorough, and Mr. Bear's methods serve as an example to others. The sales force of the establishment is discriminately selected by Mr. Bear, who has fomented a spirit of cooperation among his employees and the man¬agement, which is seldom to be found in such large institutions.

In 1884 Mr. Bear was married to Miss Antonia Homberger, of New York, and his family life is ideal in its happiness. Three children were born to them: Gertrude, the wife of D. S. Benjamin, of Springfield, Illinois; Dot, who married S. G. Heller, of Chicago: and Alexander, who makes his home in New York. In his household warm hospitality is bestowed upon friend and guest and kind-ness and consideration for those upon whom fortune has not smiled is a precept that is practiced in its best and most helpful sense.

Public-spirited and progressive, Mr. Bear's record in regard to growth and improvement is one of which any good citizen might be proud. He has been identified with every movement that has tended to upbuild the city and, liberal in the expenditure of time and money, has taken the initiative along many tines. He was president of Decorah’s first electric light company, was active in promoting the building of the Winneshiek county courthouse and was an im¬portant factor in making possible the erection of the Grand Opera House of which he is associate manager. He was one of the leading spirits in the build¬ing of the Winneshiek Hotel and is president of the company that operates this first-class house. When the question of a federal building for Decorah came up it was he who materially helped in securing the desired location now occupied. For several years Mr. Bear was president of the Winneshiek County Fair and under his direction it was an unqualified success. At present he is treasurer of the Decorah Commercial Club and in fact anything that is undertaken for the good of Decorah and Winneshiek county finds a willing spirit in Mr. Bear.

In his affairs he is prompt, straightforward and businesslike, and in no way is this more clearly evidenced than in the conduct of his business. Beginning in a small way he has applied incessant industry, keen foresight and fair and square methods to his transactions and by his honorable course has built up a business that is accorded first place in northeastern Iowa and is favorably known throughout this state. Minnesota, the Dakotas and even Montana. In another two years Mr. Bear will celebrate his fortieth anniversary of active business life in Decorah, an occasion not only of significance to him but to the city at large, who will heartily join in the jubilee. Another side to his life is his interest in literature as exemplified by the fact that during his residence in New York he was a prominent member of the Irving Literary Union, and was a very active participant in an organization known as "The Boys." The term "captain of in¬dustry" finds justification in the life record of Mr. Bear, especially if we apply the word industry in its first and original sense, for he is a man who by the sheer force of his will, his ability and his initiative has built up an enterprise of which the city of Decorah is proud. That his qualities are of a character far beyond those possessed by the majority no one doubts, but in manner Mr. Bar never indicates that he recognizes or knows aught of his own superiority. Ever moving, he has pushed on, never losing sight of the goal before him, conscious that his aim was justifiable and his course honorable. The years have proven the worth of his labors and his record reflects credit and honor upon the city that honors him.

Source: History of Winneshiek County, Iowa Vol. II Chicago the S. J. Clark publishing Company 1913

Winneshiek Biographies maintained by Jeff Getchell.
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