For
Muscatine County Iowa
1911
| Biographies For Muscatine County Iowa 1911 | |
Source: History of Muscatine County Iowa, Volume II, Biographical, 1911, page 120
CHARLES CLARENCE BRAUNWARTH. A most progressive spirit has characterized the business record of Charles Clarence Braunwarth, a shoe manufacturer of Muscatine. Strong purpose and unfaltering industry are among his chief characteristics and throughout his business career he has carried forward to successful completion his carefully formulated plans. Few men are more widely or favorably known in this city than Mr. Braunwarth, for he is one of Muscatine's native sons, his birth having here occurred on the 14th of January, 1861. The family name indicates the German ancestry. His grandfather, Michael Braunwarth, was born in Germany and followed the occupation of farming in that country until 1855, when he crossed the Atlantic to America, taking up his abode in the home of his son Jacob in Muscatine. There he died in 1868. His wife bore the maiden name of Johanna Niebling and they had four children, Jacob, Michael, Hauslet and Marguerite.The eldest son, Jacob Braunwarth, was born at Langenau, Wurtemberg, Germany, November 7, 1812, and in the schools of that place acquired his education while spending his youthful days in his parent's home. After extensive travel through European countries, he came to America in the spring of 1849, landing at New Orleans. He had previously learned the shoemaker's trade in Germany and for a decade he traveled over that country and other parts of Europe, where he worked as a journeyman. On coming to the United States he first set foot on American soil in the Crescent city and gradually traveled northward, making his way to St. Louis and the to Vandalia, Illinois, where he remained from 1849 until 1855 working his trade. In the latter year he came to Muscatine and embarked in business as a shoe merchant. For about forty years he conducted his store, making it one of the leading commercial interests of the city. In 1849 he married Miss Louisa Wagner, also a native of Germany and a daughter of Henry Wagner, who was born in that country and there learned the tailor's trade. After coming to the new world he settled at Vandalia, Illinois where he conducted a tailoring business for many years. Both he and his wife lived to an old age. Their family numbered but two children, Louisa and Charles, the former the wife of Jacob Braunwarth. In the years of an active business career the father of our subject made for himself an honored name and gained a creditable position in the commercial circles of Muscatine. His record remained an untarnished one to the end and his name became a synonym for business activity, enterprise and integrity. He passed from life on the evening of April 5, 1897, when more than seventy-two years of age and thus Muscatine lost one of its oldest and most esteemed citizens, one whose probity and honor were ever above question. He cared nothing for social activities and when not occupied with his business his chief delight was to spend his leisure hours at home with his family. He was a broad reader and the taste which he displayed in the selection of books was excellent. He ever warmly encouraged his children in their studies and was very anxious that they should have good educational privileges, knowing the value of thorough mental training and discipline as a preparation for life's practical work. Unto him and his wife were born seven children: Sarah, who is a practicing physician; Anna, who is also practicing medicine in Chicago; Emma, who is likewise engaged in the practice of medicine; Charles C., of this review; Jessie; Alice, the wife of Frank Halsteat, a practicing physician of Muscatine; and William, also of this city.
Charles C. Braunwarth, whose name introduces this record, was born and reared in Muscatine and at the usual age began his education in the public schools, from which he was graduated on the completion of the high school course in the class of 1879. When nine years of age his father gave him twenty-five cents with which to buy a bed-ticking apron and he began right then to learn the shoemaker's trade, working in the morning and evening hours and attending school during the regular session of the day. He also worked at the shoemaker's bench on Saturdays and did not know what is was to have a holiday. He followed in his father's footsteps, obeyed his instructions and cultivated habits of industry and economy which have constituted valuable factors in his success in later years. When he was graduated from school he had his trade learned and continued to work with his father until the latter's death, after which he became his father's sucessor in the business that he still carries on at the old location, at No. 112 East Second street, where the business has now been conducted for almost sixty years.
In May, 1904, Mr. Braunwarth was married to Miss Anna Keck, a native of Wapello, Iowa, and a daughter of John and Anna Keck. The father died in Wapello in 1898, but the mother is still living. They were the parents of four sons and a daughter, John, Fred, Henry, Louis and Anna. The family residence is at Sixth and Linn streets, where Mr. Braunwarth owns a fine residence. He also has other city property which is the evidence of his success in the field of business which he has chosen as his life work.
He is a prominent and exemplary Mason, holding membership in Iowa Lodge, No.2, A. F. & A. M., of which he is worshipful master; Washington Chapter, No. 4, R. A. M.; Webb Council, No. 18, R. & S. M.; De Molay Commandery, No.1,K. T.; Zaraphath Consistory, A. & A. S. R., of Davenport, Iowa; and Kaaba Temple of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. Both he and his wife hold membership with the Eastern Star. Politically he is an active democrat. He greatly enjoys hunting and fishing and in collaboration with Philip Mackey has written a valuable and interesting history on hunting and fishing in Iowa, covering a period of about seventy-five years. The volume covers the names of a great many noted hunters and fishers during that period. The sucess that he has achieved is such as to allow leisure in which to indulge his love of sports and yet he is preeminently a business man, active and energetic, his well directed labors having brought him the success which is fitting the crown of his well spent years.
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