GLEN H. BRINGOLF
Glen H. Bringolf, cashier of the Farmers & Merchants Bank of Grafton, was born in Webster City, Hamilton county, Iowa, on the 27th of January, 1881, his parents being Jacob J. and Gladys (Brock) Bringolf. The father is a native of Wisconsin, while the mother's birth occurred in Webster City, Iowa. Her parents were early settlers of this state, removing westward from Kentucky and Virginia. The paternal grandfather of Glen H. Bringolf was killed in the Civil war, after which his widow came with her family of children to Iowa, settling in Webster City. Jacob J. Bringolf was at that time a little lad of four years and he was therefore largely reared in this state. He acquired a common school education and after arriving at years of maturity was married in Webster City. Subsequently he engaged in farming, to which occupation he had been reared, and about 1886 he purchased a large tract of land near Lake City, Iowa, to which he removed, but after several crop failures he traded his place for a stock of merchandise at Gowrie, Iowa, where he conducted commercial interests for three or four years. He then returned to Webster City and for several years was employed as a traveling salesman for the Champion harvester people. He afterward became identified with the Osborne people and later with the International Harvester Company and about 1906 he took up his abode in Grafton, where he concentrated his attention and efforts upon the real estate and implement business. He is still prominently identified with the real estate business but remained in the implement trade for only two years. On the 1st of June, 1916, he purchased an interest in the Farmers & Merchants Bank of Grafton and was made president of the institution, in which important position he is still serving. It was about 1875 that he was united in marriage to Miss Gladys Brock, of Webster City, and to them were born four children, three sons and a daughter: Earl J., now deceased; Ralph L., a watchmaker and jeweler living at Ames, Iowa; Glen H., of this review; and Gertrude, the wife of O. J. Tiffany, who is with the American Tobacco Company. For his second wife Mr. Bringolf chose Mrs. Minnie Kruger, whom he wedded in 1906 and who by her former marriage had a daughter, Caroline, who is now the wife of Glen H. Bringolf, their marriage having been celebrated in June, 1917.
Glen H. Bringolf was educated in the Webster City and Plymouth public schools and in the Cedar Valley Seminary at Osage, graduating from the commercial department of the latter institution with the class of 1915. For two years thereafter he engaged in farming in cooperation with his brother Ralph, but in 1917 they sold out and Ralph Bringolf returned to his trade--that of watchmaking, while Glen H. Bringolf purchased an interest in the Farmers & Merchants Bank of Grafton and was elected assistant cashier of the institution. A month later he was advanced to the position of cashier, in which capacity he has since served and has contributed much to its growth, development and continued prosperity. He is a wide-awake business man, energetic and determined, and strong purpose has brought him prominently to the front.
In politics Mr. Bringolf is independent, voting for the candidates whom he regards as best qualified for office. He is now serving as school treasurer of Grafton. His religious faith is that of the Episcopal church, while his wife is a member of the Lutheran church. Both are well known and highly esteemed not only in Grafton but throughout their section of the county, and their genuine worth has gained for them the trust and goodwill of all with whom they have been associated. Mr. Bringolf has wisely used his opportunities for business advancement and has now made for himself a creditable place in financial circles
SOURCE: HISTORY OF MITCHELL AND WORTH COUNTIES, IOWA, 1918, VOL. II; Page 527
Transcribed by Gordon Felland, August 14, 2006