For
Muscatine County Iowa
1911
| Biographies For Muscatine County Iowa 1911 | |
Source: History of Muscatine County Iowa, Volume II, Biographical, 1911, page 128
SIMON GERBERICH STEIN. An analyzation of the life record of Simon Gerberich Stein indicates the facts that he has shaped his actions by the rules that govern strict and unswerving business integrity and indefatigable industry. It is true that he entered upon business interests already established, but in controlling and enlarging these many a man of less resolute a spirit would have failed. His record stands as proof of the fact that success is not a matter of genius, as held by some, but is rather the outcome of clear judgment and experience.Muscatine is proud to number Dr. Stein among her native sons. He was born December 12, 1861, of the marriage of Simon G. and Ann Catharine ( Berntheisel ) Stein, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania. They had but two children, The elder being Barbara Angeline, the deceased wife of Arthur M. Barnhart of Chicago, Illinois. The surname indicates the German ancestry of the family, yet from colonial days the ancestors of our subject have lived in America. The lineage is traced back to John Sebastian Stein, who was born in Grumbach, Rheingravestein province, Germany on the 1st of October, 1696. He was the father of John Abraham Stein, who was born in 1724, and became the father of John Philip Stein, who was born in 1760. His son, Abraham Stein, the grandfather of our subject, was born in Pennsylvania in 1788, and made farming his life occupation. He married Anna Barbara Gerberich, and both lived to an advanced age. They reared a family of five children: Abram G., John G., Daniel G., Barbara and Simon G. The maternal grandfather of Simon Gerberich Stein was Matthias Berntheisel a native of Pennsylvania, born in South Lebanon township, Lebanon county. He made farming his life work, thus supporting his family. He married Nancy Huber and they spent their entire lives in Lebanon county, where his death occurred when he was in middle age, his widow surviving until she had reached an advanced age. They were the parents of four children: Enos, Josiah, Ann Catharine, and one who died in infancy.
Of that family Ann Catharine Berntheisel became the wife of Simon Gerberich Stein, Sr. The latter was reared in East Hanover township, Lebanon county, Pennsylvania, spending his youthful days upon his father's farm, and acquiring during that period a good common-school education. He afterward removed to Ohio and subsequently became a resident of Moline, Illinois, where he was employed in the old Sears mill. In 1849 he came with a lumber raft to Muscatine, bringing a supply of lumber for a retail trade. From that time to the present the name of Stein has figured prominently in the business circles of the city and enterprise and progress here have largely been conserved through the efforts of Simon Gerberish Stein, Sr., and his son who is also his namesake. In 1850 the firm of S. G. & P. Stein, was organized for the conduct of a furniture store, which was managed by the junior partner, Philip Stein. About the same time S. G. Stein became one of the founders of the Merchants Exchange Bank, the successor of the Isett & Brewster Bank, and the predecessor of the Merchants Exchange National Bank and later, the First National Bank. He was chosen to the presidency of the institution and remained as its chief executive, continuing as president of the First National Bank up to the time of his death. For forty-three years he was a resident of Muscatine, and his business ability constituted a valuable feature in the growth and prosperity of the city. He quickly and correctly solved the intricate problems on banking, and yet this did not cover the scope of his business activity, for he was also prominent in the management of other concerns. He was president of the Muscatine Oat Meal Company, a director of the Muscatine Water Works Company, and vice president of the Muscatine Savings Bank. He was also a part owner with Captain Andrew Davidson of the old Ida May ferry boat, and was actively interested in the organization and building of what was then the Muscatine & Western Railway, now a part of the Rock Island system. In public affairs he also figured prominently, and his opinions carried weight where subjects relative to the welfare of the commonwealth were under discussion. In 1870 he served as one of the commissioners who had in charge the building of the state capitol. He also twice served as mayor of Muscatine, and the personal popularity reposed in him by his fellow citizens is indicated in the fact that at his second election he was made the nominee of both parties and had no opposition. His life record, which had its beginning in East Hanover township, Lebanon county, Pennsylvania, on the 7th of March, 1818, was brought to a close in Muscatine on the 11th of January, 1892. His wife, who was also a native of Lebanon county, born March 2,1823, traveled life's journey for seventy-eight years, passing away on the 5th of June, 1901. Both became members of the Lutheran church in early life, but attended the First Presbyterian church of Muscatine.
Inspired by the example of his honored father, Simon Gerberich Stein, Jr., has made steady progress in business circles, and by his excellent record has added to the splendid reputation of the family. He was reared in Muscatine, where he attended the public schools, however supplementing his early education by study in the old Chicago University, where he remained as a student from 1878 until he graduated in 1883, at which time the Bachelor of Arts degree was conferred upon him. From 1886 to 1889, he attended the Chicago Medical College, now the medical department of the Northwestern University at Evanston, Illinois. In 1890 he went abroad and traveled for fourteen months in the principal countries of Europe and also entered Asia as a tourist in Syria. In 1891 he returned to his native land. He found that his father's health was failing, and at his father's death he was elected a member of the directing boards of the different companies with which his father was associated, thus taking up the work which the Hon. Simon Gerberich Stein had laid down. He was made vice president of the First National Bank, and proving his ability, business sagacity and unfaltering enterprise, he was chosen to the presidency of the bank upon the death of H. W. Moore. He was also made president of the Muscatine Oat Meal Company, so serving until it was merged with the Great Western Cereal Company, after which he served as a director in the latter for several years. He was likewise a director in the Muscatine Water Works Company until the property was sold to the city. He has been a library trustee of the P, M, Musser Library since its establishment.
On the 17th of March, 1896, Dr. Stein was married to Miss Clarissa Ormiston Sawyer, a native of Hamilton, Canada, and a daughter of Stephen Payson and Frances ( Gillit ) Sawyer. Her father was a native of West Amesbury, Massachusetts. Unto Dr. and Mrs. Stein have been born two children, Simon Gerberich and Samuel Sawyer. The parents are very prominent socially and are devoted members of the First Presbyterian church in which Dr. Stein is serving as a trustee and treasurer. His politcal endorsement is stanchly given to the republican party. He is very prominent in fraternal organizations, holding membership in Iowa Lodge, No. 2, A. F. & A. M.; Washington Chapter No. 4, R. A. M.; Webb Council, No. 18, R. &. S. M.; De Molay Commandery, No. 1, K. T.; Kaaba Temple of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine at Davenport; and Zaraphath Consistory, No.4, A. & A. S. R., of Davenport. In 1909 he also received the degree of K. C. C. H. He likewise belongs to the Muscatine Lodge No. 5, Prairie Encampment, No. 4, I. O. O. F.; Wyoming Lodge, No. 76, K. P.; and Muscatine Camp, No. 106, M. W. A.
There is no resident of Muscatine more loyal to his honest convictions than Simon Gerberich Stein, whether it be in professional, social, political or religious life, and his service, therefore, has been of the greatest possible value to his fellowmen. He has accomplished much in the business world and his varied enterprises have been of such a character that they have benefited the country and advanced the general prosperity while contributing to his success. A man of strong force of character, determined purpose and sound judgment, he has had not only the ability to plan but also to execute large business interests, and through all the years of his successful career he has maintained a reputation for commercial integrity that is above question.
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