For
Muscatine County Iowa
1911
| Biographies For Muscatine County Iowa 1911 | |
Source: History of Muscatine County Iowa, Volume II, Biographical, 1911, page 101
HENRY F. GIESSLER. Henry F. Giessler, president of the German-American Savings Bank of Muscatine, ranks as one of the leading financiers of the city and one of the valued members of a community which is noted for the independence and progressiveness of its people. He was born in York county, Pennsylvania, October 15, 1853, and is a son of Henry S. and Mary (Wildasin ) Giessler, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania. The father was reared in the Keystone state and came to Iowa in 1856, settling at Wilton, where he conducted a general store and for some years acted as postmaster. He built the first house in Wilton and died there in 1861, before reaching middle life. His wife long survived him, being called away at the age of eighty-four years. She was a valued member of the Reformed church. Three children were born to them: Henry F., our subject; James L., of Muscatine; and Mary, Deceased.Henry F. Giessler was reared at Wilton and received his preliminary education in the public schools. As a boy he evinced unusual taste for intellectual pursuits and after reaching manhood was matriculated at the State University of Iowa at Iowa City, from which he was graduated with the degree of A.M. in 1878. After leaving the university he taught school for a short time and then returned to his alma mater and entered its law department, from which he was graduated in 1880 with the degree of LL. B. He was admitted to the bar the same year and began practice at Vinton. In 1881, however, being attracted to the banking business, he became assistant cashier of the Carroll County Bank at Carroll, Iowa. In 1886 he organized the Bank of Oakley, at Oakley, Kansas , and continued at its head until 1901, when he came to Muscatine as vice president of the German-American Savings Bank, of which he has been serving as president since 1905 This institution was organized July 1, 1899, with a capital stock of sixty thousand dollars. It flourished from the beginning and is now capitalized at one hundred thousand dollars. It is known as one of the stanch financial institutions of the city and is patronized by many of the leading business firms.
On the 23d of June, 1887, Mr. Giessler was united in marriage to Miss Kate Pentzer, a native of Wilton and a daughter of Rev. Jacob and Martha ( Countz ) Pentzer. Mr. and Mrs. Giessler are members od the Presbyterian church. He is identified with Iowa Lodge No. 2, A. F. & A. M.; Washington Chapter, No. 4, R. A. M.; De Molay Commandery, No.1, K. T.; and Kaaba Temple, N. M. S. Politically he is in sympathy with the republican party and while in Kansas served six years, from 1895 to 1901, as a member of the state legislature, being a member of that body at the time he left the state. Had he devoted his attention to law he would have gained a high place at the bar, but having become interested in the banking business he has perhaps been equally useful on account of his ability as an adviser in financial matters. He owes his present standing to perseverance and good judgment, combined with the strictest honor and integrity---characteristics which seldom fail to lead to deserved success.
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