People's Pilot, Volume 5, Number 27-25, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 January 1896 — ABRAHAM LEOPOLD. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

ABRAHAM LEOPOLD.

One of the most successful of Rensselaer’s business men is Abraham Leopold. A narration of the growth of the town since 1862 would be most incomplete without constant allusion to this enterprising citizen, who has become so conspicuous a figure in its rapid development. The story of his life since he landed in Philadelphia from Bavaria in 1850, a lad of fourteen years with but 95 cents as his whole worldly capital, would make interesting reading. He was born in Grunstadt, Bavaria, in 1836, and therefore he is now in his sixtieth year. His father, Simon Leopold, was also a native of Bavaria, where he died in 1873. His mother, Sarah (Stanfeldts) Leopold, was born in the Dutchy of Darmstadt, and also died in 1873. Our subject came to America and landed in Philadelphia in 1850, where he clerked for a time, then went to Pittsburg, and thence to Cincinnati, where he clerked two years. Afterward he removed to LaPorte, Ind., where he kept a store for three years. He then went to lowa, and thence to Rock Island. 111., and opened a cohfectionery store. Prom Rock Island he went to Francesville, Ind., where he engaged in mercantile business with one Heidelberg, which was continued until 1862, when he removed his stock to Rensselaer, where he has since re sided, always an active and popular merchant. Mr. Leopold married Miss Amelia, daughter of Philip Eltzbacher, and a native of Prussia. This union has been productive of eleven children—Milton, Rachel, Simon, Benhart, Isaac, Louis, Moses, Sadie, Julia, Gertie, and an infant, deceased. Uptouthe time Mr. Leopold commenced busirfcssf in Francesville he had accumulated by thrift a capital of SBOO, which has steadily increased under his skillful management until now he is sole proprietor of one of the finest and best stocked stores, The Model, in Rensselaer. Leopold’s Addition, a tract of 70 acres, was his contribution to the area of Rensselaer. Upwards of 100

houses have been built upon it by purchasers of his lots, and it is becoming a desirable part of the town to reside in. The streets in this subdivision are named for his children Mr. Leopold owns a fine home residence, an illustration of which appears herewith, besides two other re-

sidences in Rensselaer and two in Remington. His chief property, however, consists of business blocks in Rensselaer, among which are those occupied by Ellis & Murray, August Rosenbaum, E. D. Parcels, Robert Randle and all that block to the corner including the livery barn, also the several business rooms of the celebrated “Liberal Corner”, which property he pur chased but a few months ago. with a view of extensive improvements. Mr. Leopold has a farm of four hundred acres of good land, located at Kniman, eighteen miles north of Renssel aer. He has found Jasper county a good field for the exercise of hisexecellent business ability, and few men here have been as successful as he and with the very small (capital in the beginning. It was not his fortune to start life with a college educa i tion or a solid bank account, and his present standing speaks better than words, for his business capacity. He has a stock of goods in Wolcott, of which his sons Isaac and Louis are the managers. He is a member of the Masonic and Odd Fellows

lodges here, and also of the A. O. U. W. Mr. Leopold is imbued with the importance of public improvements and on all occasions displays a spirit of enterprise in keeping with his own progressive ideas. His wife is an estimable woman, always foremost in works of charity, lending her assistance and sympathy to those in distress,

ABRAHAM LEOPOLD.

WILL A. MOSSLER.

RESIDENCE OF ABRAHAM LEOPOLD.

THE MODEL DRY GOODS AND CLOTHING STORE.