JOHN JACOB STAPP.

View Portrait of John Jacaob Stapp

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         About a third of a century ago John Jacob Sapp, who is now one of the prosperous citizens of Columbus Junction, started out to win for himself an honorable place among his fellowmen. His early dreams have largely been realized and through his energy, perseverance and integrity of character he ranks among the leaders in Louisa county. A native of Columbus City township, he was born December 15, 1856, and is a son of Reuben and Sarah A. (Reece) Stapp. The Stapp family traces its ancestry to Germany and the progenitors in America arrived in the colonies preceding the Revolutionary war, a great-grandfather of the subject of this review having served as a soldier in the patriot army. Jacob Stapp, the grandfather, was born in Pennsylvania, where he spent his entire life. He married Anna Berry, also a native of the Keystone state, and there were three children in their family: Reuben; Caroline, who resides in Columbus City township and is the widow of Jonas Diehl; and Mary, who married William Klotz, of Columbus Junction and is now deceased.

         Reuben Stapp was born in Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, December 15, 1821. As an indication of his character it may be stated that he paid his own tuition at school by laboring with his hands. At the age of twenty he began learning the carpenter’s trade in his native county and served an apprenticeship of two . . .

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. . . years. In 1844 he removed to Tippecanoe county, Indiana, and there worked at his trade for eight years. While residing in this county he was married, December 28, 1848, to Miss Sarah A. Reece, a daughter of John and Jane (Nichols) Reece, both of whom were born in Virginia, the daughter Sarah also having been born in that state. In 1852, believing that the west offered more favorable inducements than he perceived in Indiana, Mr. Stapp visited Louisa county, Iowa, to investigate its agricultural possibilities and was so greatly pleased that he bought land on section 16, Columbus City township, and brought his family here in 1853. He built a log cabin eighteen by eighteen feet in size, in which the family lived for about eight years, when a more commodious structure was erected. No one appreciated more highly than Mr. Stapp the value of the rich lands of Louisa county and as his resources increased he purchased additional property until he became the owner of several hundred acres. He was also a stockholder and a director of the Farmers & Merchants Bank of Columbus Junction. He took a deep interest in the development of the resources of the county and was for many years one of its prominent citizens. He was an active member of the Reformed church and politically gave his support to the democratic party.

         Mr. and Mrs. Reuben Stapp were the parents of twelve children, the first four of whom, Thomas, Caroline, Mary E. and Amanda, died in infancy. The others are: Anna, the wife of T. J. Kotz, of Louisa county; John Jacob, the subject of this review; Ada L. and Ida L., twins, the former of whom became the wife of J. S. Blair, of Louisa county, and the latter of whom married J. J. Duncan, of Columbus Junction; George B., of Cotter; Cora, the wife of Sherman Willey, of Louisa county; and Garry and Harry, twins, the former of Louisa county and the latter of Longmont, Colorado.

         John Jacob Stapp, whose name introduces this review, received a common-school education and continued at home until after reaching his majority. At the age of twenty-two years he rented one hundred and twenty acres of land, which he cultivated for one year, and then bought one hundred and sixty acres, upon which he took up his home, developing his farm into one of the valuable properties of the township. After eleven years he disposed of it and purchased two hundred and fifty acres of good land on sections 16 and 21, Columbus City township, which he now owns. On the 25th of November, 1904, he moved to Columbus Junction, having purchased a beautiful home in which he and his family reside. He engages in the real-estate business and, as he has good judgment concerning the value of land, he has attracted a lucrative clientage. He is vice president of the Cotter Savings Bank, of Cotter, Iowa, and a member of the board of directors of the Farmers & Merchants Bank, of Columbus Junction, being a stockholder in both of these institutions.

         On the 24th of December, 1878, Mr. Stapp was married to Miss Flora A. Ogier, a daughter of Thomas and Nancy (Grimes) Ogier, both of whom were natives of Ohio. They came to Louisa county, Iowa, and here passed the remainder of their lives. Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Stapp, namely: Harry R., who is engaged in the insurance business at Dayton, Ohio; . . .

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. . . Elsie, who married Frank Letts, of Clarendon, Texas; Nancy, who became the wife of Harry R. Owen, of Longmont, Colorado; J. Jay, who is in charge of his father’s farm and Mona and Mary, both of whom are at home.

         In politics Mr. Stapp gives his support to the democratic party. He has never sought public office but has served in minor township offices. Fraternally he is identified with the Knights of Pythias and the Ancient Order of United Workmen and in religious belief is identified with the Reformed Lutheran church. His life is a striking exemplification of the effect of perseverance and industry, based on sound judgment and an upright character.