For
Muscatine County Iowa
1911
| Biographies For Muscatine County Iowa 1911 | |
Source: History of Muscatine County Iowa, Volume II, Biographical, 1911, page 613
EDWARD JOHN ZEIDLER....Edward John Zeidler, a well known representative of commercial interests in Muscatine, is proprietor of the leading dry-goods establishments of the city, wherein is displayed a large line of everything to be found in a well equipped store of this character. Progressive methods characterize him in all that he undertakes and he has ever regarded obstacles and difficulties in his path rather as an impetus for renewed effort. Laudable ambition, too, has prompted him to put forth unfaltering anergy and he is today numbered among those who are contributing to the commercial stability of the city as well as to individual success.He was born in Muscatine, March 19, 1864, a son of William and Christina ( Zoble ) Zeidler, both of whom are natives of Luebeck, Prussia. The former was a son of Gottlib Zeidler, who came to America in 1853 with his family and settled in Muscatine about 1855. He was a cabinet-maker by trade, following that pursuit in his native land, but took up carpentering after coming to the new world. Both he and his wife died in Burlington, Iowa, at an advanced age, after living for a number of years in that city, the death of Mr. Zeidler occurring when he reached the age of eighty-two years, and Mrs. Zeidler at the age of sixty-nine. They had four children, William, Henrietta, Hannah and Edward. The maternal grandparents were also natives of Germany and the grandfather there engaged in business as a cattle-dealer. Both he and his wife died in Germany, he being eighty-two years of age and his wife seventy-six. They had twelve children, including : Carl, Henry, Julia, August, William, Louise, Christina, Hannah, Julia, Julia and Hannah, deceased.
William Zeidler learned and followed cabinet-making when in Germany but as a young man came to the new world, for favorable reports had reached him concerning its excellent business opportunities and other advantages. He settled first in New Orleans in 1853 and about 1855 came to Iowa, taking up his abode in Muscatine, where he has since engaged in carpentering and building, being closely identified with operations in this city for more than half a century. He and his wife are consistent and faithful members of the Methodist church. Their family numbered four sons and four daughters, namely : Henry W.; Charles A.; Edward J.; Clara S., the wife of Paul Steinmetz ; Hannah ; Arthur B.; and two who died in early childhood.
Edward J. Zeidler has always been a resident of Muscatine so that his life history is well known to many of his fellow townsmen. In his boyhood he attended the public schools and after completing his education began clerking. He also worked in a sawmill during the vacation periods and early learned to correctly value industry and energy. In 1890 he formed a partnership with J. L. McColm and E. Reinemund, under the name of the McColm Dry Goods Company, the partnership being maintained until Mr. Reinemund sold his interest in 1896. Business was successfully conducted under the same name for about twelve years, or until 1908, when Mr. Zeidler sold his interest to Mr. McColm and for a year rested from further labor. He then purchased the store of Tobin & Malone in the spring of 1909 and now has a well equipped dry-goods establishment, his stock occupying two floors, while employment is furnished to a number of salespeople. His business methods never seek nor require disguise. He is straightforward and honorable in all that he does and his success is the logical result of close application and ability.
On the 9th of December, 1897, Mr. Zeidler was married to Miss Emma Mark, a daughter of Barthol and Elizabeth Mark. Mrs. Zeidler was born in Muscatine, where her parents located at an early day on coming to this country from Hessen-Kassel, Germany. The father died here in 1868 and the mother passed away in 1903 at the advanced age of seventy-eight years. They had seven children, including Frederick J., John, Frank, Emma, and Carl. Mr. and Mrs Zeidler have become the parents of one son and one daughter, Marl Allison and Eleanor Alice, but the former died at the age of six years.
The parents are devoted members of the Methodist church and Mr. Zeidler is an exemplary representative of the Masonic fraternity, holding membership with Iowa Lodge, No. 2, A. F. & A. M.; Washington Chapter, No. 4, R. A. M.; DeMolay Commandery, No.1, K. T.; Webb Council, No. 18, R. & S. M.; Zarephath Consistory, No. 4, S. P. R. S.; and Kaaba Temple, N. M. S. He is also a member of Wyoming Lodge of the Knights of Pythias and his political faith is indicated by the support which he gives to the men and measures of the republican party. He has never sought to figure in any political connection, yet in matters of citizenship is always progressive, lending his aid and influence to every movement which he deems of value. He is a representative of our best type of American manhood and chivalry. By diligence and determination and honorable effort he has overthrown the obstacles which ever bar the path to success and has reached the goal of prosperity, while his genius worth, broad mind and public spirit have made him the director of public thought and action.
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