For
Muscatine County Iowa
1911
| Biographies For Muscatine County Iowa 1911 | |
Source: History of Muscatine County Iowa, Volume II, Biographical, 1911, page 76
FRANK J. EPPEL. Frank J. Eppel, senior member of the Eppel-Schlosser Company, plumbing and heating, and a well known citizen of Muscatine, was born in Iowa City, Iowa, October 4, 1862. He is a son of Adam and Catharine ( Haas ) Eppel, the former of whom was born in Germany and the latter in Iowa. The father received a fine education in his native land and taught school as a youn man but was attracted to America and settled in Iowa City, where he engaged in the grocery business for some years. Later he became a bookkeeper and expert accountant. He died from the effects of pneumonia in 1883 at the age of forty-seven years. Mrs. Eppel is still living and makes her home with her daughter, Mrs. Slavata, of Iowa City. She is a member of the Catholic church as was also her husband. Valentine Eppel, the paternal grandfather, lived and died in Germany. There were four sons in his family, Adam, John, Max, and Ludwig. The maternal grandfather was Francis N. Haas, who married Margaret Stapp, and they became pioneers of Iowa City, where they died about twenty-five years ago. They were the parents of four children: Catharine; Helen, the wife of Joseph Cerny; Adelia,and John A. Unto Adam and Catharine Eppel six children were born: Frank J., our subject; Clara, the wife of Charles Slavata, of Iowa City; Adelia, the wife of John Chopek, also of Iowa City; John A., of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Louis, of Iowa City; and Helen, now Mrs. Graf, of Iowa City.Frank J. Eppel was reared in his native town and educated in the public schools. He was early taught the value of necessity and labor and began his business career in a soda water factory, continuing there for fifteen years. Finally, desiring to see something of the world, he went to Denver, Colorado, and spent one year. In 1890 he came to Muscatine and became identified with the Barry Manufacturing Company, in whose employ he continued for twelve and one half years, when the company sold out to the Corry & Wernentine Company, and he remained with the new owners until November, 1907, when he became connected with the plumbing and heating business. He is associated with L. P. Schlosser under the firm name of Eppel-Schlosser Company, and the business has been conducted with ability and progressiveness that ever produce satisfactory results, the firm being recognized as one of the most substantial and reliable of its kind in the city.
On the 7th of May, 1890, Mr. Eppel was united in marriage to Miss Mary Ribak, a daughter of Frank J. and Mary Ribak, both of whom were born in Bohemia. They were early settlers of Richmond, Iowa, where Mrs. Eppel was born. The mother and father are both deceased, the former having been called away at that age of eighty-seven years, in 1909. Four children constituted their family, namely: Frank J., John F., Philomina and Mary A. Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Eppel: Vincent, Max, Helen, Mary and Edna. The second son, Max, died when about one year old.
Mr. and Mrs. Eppel are valued members of St. Mathias Catholic church and assist to the extent of their ability in forwarding the best interests of that church. Mr. Eppel is prominent in fraternal circles, being a member of the Knights of Columbus, the Modern Woodmen of America, the Improved Order of Red Men and the Fraternal Order of Eagles. Politically he is a stanch supporter of the democratic party and assists in advancing the interest of its candidates. That his services have been recognized is shown by the fact that he served for five years as alderman of the third ward. In the course of his official career he was able to promote many measures which have been of practical advantage to the city. He is endowed with genial qualities of a high order and has made many friends in Muscatine. As a business man he is energetic, competent and trustworthy and has won the respect of the best citizens of his home city.
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