Carl F. Spiry Biography


	This biography appears on pages 655-656 in "History of Dakota 
	Territory" by George W. Kingsbury, Vol. V (1915) and was 
	scanned, OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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				CARL F. SPIRY. 

	Carl F. Spiry is one of the extensive landowners of Walworth 
county and is also cashier of the German State Bank at Java. He is a 
native son of the county in which he lives, his birth having occurred 
on the 16th of December, 1893. His parents, Philip and Rosina (Oster) 
Spiry, were natives of Russia and came to America in 1883, settling at 
Menno, South Dakota, where the father first worked as a common laborer. 
Five years later he removed to Walworth county, where he settled on a 
farm which he entered as a claim from the government. For an extended 
period he was identified with general agricultural pursuits but in 1901 
put aside the work of the fields and removed to Java, where for four 
years he was engaged in the implement business. In 1906 he organized 
the German State Bank of Java, of which he has since been the 
president. 

	In his political views Mr. Spiry is a republican and for two 
terms filled the office of county assessor, while in 1902 he was 
elected county treasurer and occupied that position for two terms, or 
until 1906. He is regarded as a most prominent and influential business 
man, resourceful, enterprising and progressive. His plans have been 
well defined and carefully executed and what he has undertaken he has 
carried forward to successful completion. 

	In the family were twelve children: Magdalena, the wife of G. F. 
Sweigardt; Philip H., who is married and is now vice president of the 
German State Bank of Java; Carl F.; John E.; Bertha, at home; Samuel; 
Rosa; Arthur; Theodore; Johanna; Albia; and one who has passed away. 

	Carl F. Spiry was reared in the county which is still his home, 
its public schools affording him his educational training. He was a lad 
of eight years when the family left the farm and removed to Java and as 
soon as old enough he became a factor in the management of his father's 
business interests. He is now cashier of the German State Bank and is 
also associated with his father and brothers in the ownership of 
fourteen hundred and forty acres of land in Walworth county, all of 
which is now under cultivation. They also own the bank building and 
other city property. 

	Carl F. Spiry was united in marriage to Miss Rosina Zeller and 
they have one son, Harold F., who was born June 7, 1915. C. F. Spiry, 
like the others of the family, is a member of the German Lutheran 
church, and he also belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America. The name 
of Spiry has always been associated with progress and improvement in 
Walworth county along material, intellectual, social and moral lines 
and the influence of the family has been a potent force for good.