Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1907-01-16
DEATH CONES IO
!. ARNBRUS|[R
Pioneer Shoe Merchant of the
City succumbs to Short At
tack Of Illness
ONCE PROMINENT IN POLITICS
Leading Democrat Of His Time, and
Former Member Of City Council =
Built One Of the First Good Business
Buildings in the city-sketch Of His
Career.

the life of Mr.. Louis Armbruster, one
Of the prominent older citizens of Mar
shalltown, and pioneer shoe mer-
chant of the city. Mr.. Armbruster had
been i'll only little over q week, suf-
fering from hemorrhage of the kid
neys and prostate trouble. AS he had
been subject to the prostate trouble
for several years, and had passed thru
the attacks successfully, his family was
hardly prepared for the shock OF his
death, altho 1t had been realized that
Mr.. Armbruster was in critical con-
dition for several days.
Louis Armbruster was one OF the
best known older residents of Mar
shalltown, and was highly respected by
host OF life long friends. He was one
OF the first shoemakers to start in
business in Marshalltown, and was one
Of the first to engage in the retail shoe
business here. He built one of the first
good business buildings in town, and
at the time of his death was the owner
Of considerable valuable city property.
as we'll as Nebraska farm land. A
monument to his memory has just been
completed at 20 and 81 West Main
street by his two daughters, Mrs. I. A.
Sieg and Miss Catherine Armbruster.
to be known always as the Armbruster
block. Mr.. Armbruster, wishing that
his children might enjoy his money be-
fore he died, presented each with a
large sum few years ago. The daugh
ters have invested here, and the son,
DR.. Fred Armbruster. in valuable Kan
sas City business property.
Louis Armbruster was a native OF
Weingarten, Baden, Germany, a point
on the French border, an was born
Dec. 20, 1881. He received his educa-
ton in the same thorough manner as
do all Germans, and was educated in
both German and French. When he
finished school he decided to learn the
cobblers trade, and spent his appren-
1ticeship with an old cobbler who taught
him thoroughly all Of the minor details
Of the business.
Emigrates to America.
Being progressive young Armbruster
decided that there was more Of a fu-
ture for him in America and, at the
age OF 20, after spending one year
at his trade in Paris, came to this
country in company with his two
brothers. He landed in New York
City, remained there year, and then
went to Chicago, and later to st.
Louis. A few. years spent in the cities
made him believe that the newer wes-
tern country was the place for a
young man, even tho he had but little
capital, and he came to Iowa, to what
was then the capital of the state, Iowa
City. Here he met Margareta Becker,
who was later to become his wife.
Comes to MarshalItown in 81.
Mr.. Armbruster came to MARSHALL
town in June, 1857, and started a lit
tie shop on West Main street, where
the Calhoun building now stands. He
began to prosper and in October, 1858,
went to Iowa City to claim the hand
Of his sweetheart, and bring her to a
new home. In 1863 he built at FOL
South Center street brick house
that was, at that time, as fine home
as there was In town. This place has
continued to be Mr.. Armbruster's home
ever since.
Builds Business Building.
Enlarging his business as his means
would permit, Mr.. Armbruster began
to see the needs Of more room, and in
1850 erected a brick building on East
Main street, now the east half of the
double store room occupied by Henry
Pappe. This he occupied with a boot
and shoe stock from the time OF its
completion until eight years ago, when
he retired from business. Mayor O.
L. Ingledue who Is himself almost q
pioneer shoe merchant, learned the
business under Mr.. Armbruster, for
whom he worked many years. Mr.
Armbruster at one time Gid whole
sale as we'll as a retail business, had
several men on the road, and branch
store in State Ceneter.
Member Of City Council.
In his time Mr.. Armbruster was
prominent in politics. He was life
long democrat, and was earnest tni3his
endeavors to promote the party's good.
In 1873 he was appointed one of two
Iowa commissioners to the Paris ex-
position by Governor John H. Gear, and
spent three months in Europe, visiting
his old home at the time. In 1883 he
was elected to the city council from
the Third ward, and served one term,
until the spring of 1885.
A Founder Of Lutheran Church.
Mr.. Armbruster was one of the
founders of the old German Lutheran
church Of this city, having organized
the church in company with the late
George Shelter, ST., and Charles Bren=
necke He was leading member OF
the church until the organization dis
banded. Since that time Mr.. Arm
bruster has been affiliated with the
Presbyterians, altho he never became
member of that church.
Mr.. Armbruster was a prominent
member of the Masonic fraternity, be-
longing to Marshall Lodge, No. 10S, A.
F. and A. NJ, Signet Chapter, st. AID
emar Commandery, and Ell Kahir Tenn
pie, A. A. o. N. NJ. S. File was also one
Of the early members of Goethe LodgA
l. o. o. F., but has not been affiliated
with that order for several years
Mr.. Armbruster is survived by his
wife and three children, two daughters
and one son. The son, DR.. Armbrus-
ter, arrived Monday morning, owing
to hts fathers illness. One brother,
Frederick Armbruster, OF Des Moines,
also survives the deceased.
The funeral will be held Saturday