Biographies For Muscatine County Iowa 1889

Source: Portrait and Biographical Album, Muscatine County, Iowa, 1889, page 192
AUGUST PIPER, dealer in general merchandise in Fulton, Iowa, is a native of Hamburg, Germany, born Aug. 12, 1813, and is a son of John Peter and Catherine Dorothea ( Sass ) Piper. His father was a native of Germany, and died in that country in 1833, at the age of fifty-three years, while his mother, who was also born in that country, departed this life in 1835, at the age of fifty-six years. One son died the previous year. They had but one child that grew to manhood, August, of this sketch. In 1853 he left his native country, embarking on a sailing-vessel from Hamburg, and after a long and tedious voyage of sixty-seven days landed at New York. He then went to Phidadelphia, Pa., where he remained two months, when he went to Nauvoo, Ill., working in that town for two years at the carpenter's trade, which he had previously learned in the old country. From Nauvoo he continued his journey until reaching Davenport, Iowa, where he made his home for seventeen years, working for a time at his trade, but later clerking in different stores where a salesman who could speak the German language was needed. Having in that way gained the experience in mercantile business, he came to Fulton, Jan. 1, 1872, and opened a store of general merchandise, in which he was quite successful, building up an extensive and lucrative trade. His stock consists of groceries, dry-goods, boots and shoes, crockery, china, glassware, hardware, oils and hats.

In 1836 Mr. Piper was united in marriage with Miss Caroline Helmess, and by their union five children were born, three of whom are deceased. Those living are: Louisa, wife of Charles Beiderbecke, a baker residing in Davenport, and Adolph, who is at present in Davenport, Iowa. In 1856 Mr. Piper was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who in that year was called to her final home. He was again married in 1878, becoming the husband of Mrs. Aibe Volmer, a daughter of Peter and Ebe ( Leiderman ) Volenburg, who were the parents of eight children, five of whom are yet living : John, Gaser, Margaret, Anna and Mrs. Piper.

Like so many of his countrymen, our subject responded to the country's call for troops to put down the Rebellion, and enlisted in 1862, serving until the close of hostilities. He was assigned to Company K, of the 35th Iowa Infantry, and during most of his term did garrison duty. In his political sentiments he is a supporter of the Republican party, and religiously , is a member of the Lutheran Church. He was appointed Postmaster by President Hayes in 1879.

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