Joseph Mattes Joseph Mattes - The hardware firm of Joseph Mattes, of Odebolt, Iowa, was established in 1879, and now is one of the leading houses of its kind in Odebolt. Mr. Mattes was born in Clinton county, Iowa, October, 1855, son of R. and Mary Mattes, natives of Germany, who emigrated to Clinton county, Iowa, in 1854, and still make that county their home. Our subject was educated in the common public schools and at the age of sixteen began to learn the tinners' trade, which he followed for eight years. At this time he took a trip through western Iowa and Nebraska in order to find a suitable location, but finally decided upon his native State and settled in Odebolt, Iowa, where he has since been engaged in business. Upon arrival in this city he established his present business in the same location he now occupies, in a small, one-story frame building. This store was the first on erected in the village and its dimensions were 22 x 60. In this room Mr. Mattes operated his business until 1891, when he erected his present commodious brick building, two-story, with basement, 50 x 100 feet. All its appointments are modern and altogether it is one of the best store buildings in the city. Mr. Mattes carries a full line of shelf and heavy hardware, stoves and tinware, threshing machines, clover hullers and corn shellers. In stoves he handles the Acorn cookstoves and ranges, Stewart hard-coal stoves and Round Oak heaters. He makes a specialty of fine hardware, a full line of cutlery and edge tools. He carries a stock of $10,000; is the oldest hardware dealer in Odebolt and one of the first merchants. He is the only dealer in his line who has been in the business between Carroll and Sioux City since 1879. Mr. Mattes is one of the most active businessmen in the city. Ever since his arrival in Odebolt he has taken an active interest in everything tending to the good of the city. He is a stockholder in the Fair Association and also in the water-works. He affiliates politically with the Republican party and by this party he was elected Treasurer of the School Board and has held the office for a number of years. He has also served as Township Trustee for the past eleven years. Socially, he is a member of the Masonic fraternity and is connected with Wheeler Lodge, No. 398; also belongs to the Knights of Pythias, Syracuse Lodge, No. 200, and A.O.U.W. Lodge, No. 217. Mr. Mattes has been connected with the Fire Department since its organization in 1880, and is one of the original officeholders. Mr. Mattes was married in Clinton, Iowa, in 1879, to Miss Kate Shelley, a native of Ohio, and four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Mattes, namely: Gracie, Howard, Hattie and George. Mr. Mattes is a self-made man, having started in life with little or nothing and risen to his present position by his own, unaided efforts. He is now one of the solid men of Odebolt, financially, while socially, he is extremely popular. Mr. Mattes has been one of the prime movers in pushing the little city onward, and to him is due much of the present prosperity of Odebolt. He is a man of broad and comprehensive views and one not likely to be influenced by anything save his sense of right and justice. Transcribed by B. Horak, November 2002

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