ALBRECHT STIEFEL

In this enlightened age, when men of energy and merit are rapidly pushing their way to the front, those who, by their own individual efforts, have won favor and fortune, may properly claim recognition. Mr. Stiefel is a worthy representative of this class. He is the proprietor of an establishment where all kinds of steel and iron articles can be repaired and sharpened. He has mastered the business in its various departments and gained advancement as he displayed ability and energy. He is the son of Christof and Elizabeth (Schwartz) Stiefel, and was born in Gros, Altorf, Wurtemberg, Germany, Nov. 18, 1840. Reared under the parental roof he acquired his education in the public schools of the Fatherland in accordance with the laws of that country. He afterward entered upon an apprenticeship to the steel cutler’s trade, and completed the term of four years, becoming an excellent workman, with a thorough understanding of the business in every department – making keys, knives, and all kinds of edge tools, and doing the repairing of the same. He worked at his trade till he was twenty-six years of age; and hoping he might find better openings for business in this country, he crossed the Atlantic to the New World, and from the Atlantic Coast he at once proceeded to Bristol, Conn., where he had a sister living, and with whom he remained for three months. He next spent one summer with a brother, who was a prosperous farmer in Henderson County, Illinois. In April, 1866, he came to Burlington and located permanently, first being employed for a year in a wagon shop. He then started a business for himself, doing all kinds of light grinding, filing of saws, sharpening scissors, knives, and making various tools. His place of business at this time was on North Main Street in a stone-cutting shop, where he tempered and sharpened all their tools. After this Mr. Stiefel occupied different rooms on West Jefferson Street, in each place always having enough work to keep him busy from early morn till late at night. In 1899 he moved to 709 Jefferson Street, where he is now located at this writing. His work is all of the best class, doing the most of it himself, and his judgment can always be relied upon. In February, 1869, Mr. Stiefel wedded Miss Louisa Lee, of Burlington, who was born in New York. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Stiefel four children have been born: Nellie, who married L. Simmon, a shipping clerk at the Burlington Lumber Company. They have a beautiful home on Arch Street, Burlington, Iowa; Lulu, with her parents, who is an artist of considerable ability, doing all kinds of painting in oil colors; Albert, of Arkansas; Reuben, at home, and a popular clerk in Beckman’s dry-goods store. Mr. Stiefel is a Republican, believing firmly in the principles of the party and their adaptability to the best good of the State and nation. Mr. and Mrs. Stiefel are both highly respected, and devoted members of the German Methodist church, and are among the most regular attendants. Mrs. Stiefel also takes an active part in the Ladies’ Society of this church, sparing neither time nor strength to promote its prosperity. There is probably no man in the city who has lived a more quiet and regular life than has our subject. One might well say that regularity has been a part of his religion, and that to this one trait he owes much of his success. The entire career of Mr. Stiefel is illustrative of the fact that certain results are obtained through certain actions – that industry and perseverance, guided by sound judgment, always win prosperity in the land of the free, where labor is not hampered by caste or class. Mr. Stiefel’s pleasant home is located at 827 Arch Street.