Wapello County IA Archives Biographies.....Fiedler, William 1860 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ia/iafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00001.html#0000031 July 5, 2013, 9:11 pm Source: See Below Author: S. J. Clarke, Publisher WILLIAM FIEDLER. Prominent among the energetic, farsighted and successful business men of Ottumwa is William Fiedler, the vice president of the Harper & McIntire Company, owning and controlling an extensive wholesale and retail hardware business, Mr. Fiedler having the management of the retail establishment. Power grows through the exercise of effort, and it has been through continuous business activity that Mr. Fiedler has developed his capability and reached his present responsible and gratifying position as a factor in the commercial circles of Ottumwa. He was born in Espy, Pennsylvania, September 21, 1860, a son of Frank and Frances (Fowler) Fiedler, who were also natives of the Keystone state. They came to Iowa when their son William was about a year old, settling at Agency, Wapello county, where they joined Mr. Fiedler's father, Isaiah Fiedler, who had preceded them four or five years. Frank Fiedler conducted business as an architect, contractor and builder and was also superintendent of the waterworks in Ottumwa at one time. He did considerable building in the early part of his life and later became engineer and superintendent of construction of the waterworks for S. L. Wiley, who built waterworks all over the United States. In public affairs too Mr. Fiedler was prominent and his cooperation could always be counted upon to further any movement for the general good. His political allegiance was given to the republican party, and he served for a few terms as alderman. Fraternally he was connected with the Masons and in his life exemplified the beneficent spirit of the craft. He died in November, 1910, at the age of seventy-four years, while his wife passed away in October, 1902, at the age of sixty-seven years. They had two sons and three daughters; Emma, who is principal of the Adams school of Ottumwa; William; Ida, deceased; Alice, who is principal of the Hedrick school; and F. H., a traveling salesman residing in Ottumwa. William Fiedler has spent the greater part of his life in the city which is still his home, being brought to Iowa when but a year old. He passed through consecutive grades in the public schools until he became a high-school pupil and when eighteen years of age started in the business world in connection with the hardware trade in the employ of the firm with which he is now associated. From office boy he has worked his way upward through intermediate positions and official connections to the vice presidency of the Harper & McIntire Company, which is one of the most important commercial firms of this section of the state. The business was incorporated January 1, 1913, and is conducted along both wholesale and retail lines. They have, however, two places of business, the wholesale and the retail establishments, and of the latter Mr. Fiedler has charge. This is one of the most extensive commercial enterprises of Ottumwa and the volume of trade is a large one, their commercial connections reaching out over a broad territory. The house has ever maintained an unsullied reputation for business integrity as well as for commercial enterprise. Mr. Fiedler started out in life a poor boy without any special advantages, but gradually he has worked his way upward through the force of his character and ability until he stands as a leading factor in commercial circles and as an example of what may be accomplished when perseverance, energy and ambition lead the way. In 1894 occurred the marriage of Mr. Fiedler and Miss Belle Graves, a native of Ottumwa and a daughter of H. P. Graves, who was one of the early settlers of this state, arriving soon after its admission to the Union. He engaged extensively in real-estate dealings and for many years acceptably filled the office of justice of the peace, his decisions being strictly fair and impartial. He was likewise prominent in public affairs in the early days and remained a valued and respected citizen of Ottumwa until his death in 1890. His widow survived him for about a year. Mr. and Mrs. Fiedler have become parents of four children, Lydia, Frank, Mary and Rosamond. Mr. Fiedler votes with the republican party. He is quick and generous in his support of any measure or movement which he believes will benefit the city and county. His influence has always been on the side of progress and right, and he is a consistent member of the First Methodist Episcopal church. In Masonry he has attained high rank, being now a Knight Templar and a member of the Mystic Shrine. His social nature finds expression in his membership in the Wapello and Ottumwa Country Clubs, in both of which he is popular. He is regarded as one of the forceful factors of the community, respected by young and old, rich and poor, and best liked where he is best known. Additional Comments: Extracted from: HISTORY OF WAPELLO COUNTY IOWA ILLUSTRATED VOLUME II CHICAGO THE S. J. 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