Biographies For Muscatine County Iowa 1889

Source: Portrait and Biographical Album, Muscatine County, Iowa, 1889, page 289
FREDERICK GIESENHAUS, dealer in groceries, provisions and queensware, Muscatine, Iowa, is a native of Prussia, and was born near Heiligenhaus, in Kreis Dusseldorf, Aug. 14, 1832. His parents, John and Maria ( Isenbuegel ) Giesenhaus, were natives of Prussia, and both spent their lives in their native country, where, when death called them, they were laid to rest. Frederick emigrated to America in 1857, landing in New York in the month of November. He was the first of the family to come to this country. After reaching harbor he at once came to Muscatine, Iowa. Being without capital, he was obliged to seek employment by which to provide a living for himself, and for the first year worked as a day laborer. He then engaged with John Schmidt, as a baker, working for him for two years, after which he opened a restaurant at Muscatine, and continued in that line of business for himself until 1866. On the 28th of February, 1867, he embarked in the grocery business, which he has carried on successfully ever since, his genial manner and his desire to please his customers gaining him a large patronage. Mr. Giesenhaus has now been engaged in the mercantile business for twenty-one years, building up a large and profitable trade. He has made substantial improvements in the city. In 1866 he purchased a one-story brick building, which he rebuilt in 1867, when he erected a three-story brick business block, Nos. 216 & 218 East Second street, where he carries on business. He also owns a three-story brick block on the same street, the first floor of which is occupied by his brother, Charles Giesenhaus, who carries a fine stock of jewelry. The second floor is used for a commercial school, while the third floor is a tenement. Mr. Giesenhaus now does a business of over $30,000 per year, and is classed as one of the substantial men of Muscatine. In addition to his city property he also owns a fine farm of fifty-eight acres, situated in Sweetland Township, a few miles east of Muscatine, which he has improved and put under a good state of cultivation.

February 3, 1861, in this city, Mr. Giesenhaus wedded Miss Henrietta Unterweg, a daughter of Peter Unterweg. The lady was born in Ratinger, Kreis Dusseldorf, April 26, 1840, and losing her mother in childhood, she came to America with her father in 1848. His death occurred in St. Louis shortly after, and she came to Muscatine in 1851.

Mr. and Mrs Giesenhaus have been the parents of six sons and two daughters, six of whom are living: Charles A., born Dec. 27, 1861, is now assisting his father in the grocery business; Frederick William, born March 8, 1863, died Jan. 21, 1864; Frederick, born Oct.8, 1864, married Miss Bertha Kope, and resides in Hastings, Minn.; Henrietta, born May 6, 1866, is at home; Albert, born Sept. 29, 1869, died June 225, 1870; Nellie, born Dec. 19, 1872, died December 26 of the same year; Edward, born Oct. 12, 1876, and George, May 23, 1880, are both yet at home. Mr. and Mrs. Giesenhaus are members of the German Protestand Church. He is a Republican in politics, and has always voted with that party, but has never sought or desired public office. He has been, and is yet, a hard worker and thorough business man. His course has been that of a fair-minded, honest gentleman, who, though he wants his just dues, is always willing to meet his obligations fairly and promptly, and enjoys the confidence and highest regard of all with whom he has business or social relations.

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