JOSEPH SCHONBORN

Joseph Schonborn, who is successfully engaged in business as a dealer in grain, coal and poultry, owns a large elevator at Centerdale and also acts as station agent for the Rock Island Railroad. His birth occurred in Frankfort, Germany, on the 3d of August, 1869, his parents being John George and Margaret (Heftrich) Schonborn, who spent their entire lives in that country. The father worked as a contractor. Our subject was the youngest of four children and the only member of the family who came to this country.

Joseph Schonborn obtained his education in the fatherland and was eighteen years of age when he left high school and entered the government mail service, with which he was identified until twenty-three years old. In 1892, having determined to try his fortune in the new world, he crossed the Atlantic to the United states and after landing in New York city there worked as a laborer for a year and a half. Subsequently he was similarly employed at Beerston, New York, for a period of seven years and then learned telegraphy in the service of the Grand Trunk Railroad. He next entered the employ of the Pennsylvania Railroad and remained with that corporation until he came to Cedar county, Iowa, in 1906. Here he first served as station agent for the Rock Island Railroad at West Branch and for the past three years has held that position at Centerdale. When the elevator here was destroyed by fire he purchased the site and has recently completed a new structure with a capacity of ten thousand bushels. He deals in grain, coal and poultry and has already built up a good business of that character, being widely recognized as a man of excellent executive ability and inflexible integrity.

In 1898 Mr. Schonborn was united in marriage to Miss Susie M. Beers, a native of this county and a daughter of Ephraim S. Beers. They now have three children, namely: Hulda, Herman and Elizabeth. The hope that led Mr. Schonborn to establish his home in the new world has been more than realized, for here he found the opportunities which he sought and through their wise utilization has won a place among the prosperous and respected citizens of his community.