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biography from Portrait & Biographical Album of Mahaska Co., Iowa, 1887
JOHN B. ADLON. Among the business men of push and energy of Oskaloosa, who have accumulated what they have of this world's goods through their own energy and perseverance and not as recipients of a legacy, is the subject of this short notice. He is a watch-maker by trade and is engaged in the watch and jewelry business and also deals in musical instruments, and established his business at Oskaloosa in 1850. Mr. Adlon has been engaged in his present business longer than any one else in Mahaska County, having spent upward of thirty-six years in the same. He began in a small way, mended jewelry, repaired watches and clocks, and as the demand for the jewelry in those early days as well as repairing was not sufficient to occupy his time, or his sales large enough for him to make a living, he carried on a barber-shop in connection with his business. But close attention to business and the growth and development of the country soon increased his trade and his stock was increased proportionately, until he now has an extensive establishment, and is meeting with signal success. Mr. Adlon was born in Mentz, a city of Hesse, the principal city of Rhein-Hessen, on the left bank of the river Rhine, Dec. 18, 1826. He is the son of Nickolaus and Annie Adlon, and learned his trade in his native city, after an apprenticeship of five years. He then traveled in Europe and worked as a "jour" until 1849, when he came to the United States, landing at New Orleans. He worked in St. Louis for a while, and in December, 1850, came to Oskaloosa and engaged in his present business. Mr. Adlon was united in marriage in St. Louis, Mo., April 9,1850, with Miss Elizabeth J. Kalbfleisch. She was born in Dillingen (Hesse Homburg) Germany, March 16, 1830, and has borne our subject six children, two sons and four daughters, all of whom are living: John H., born in Oskaloosa, May 25, 1851, married Alice K. Kline, and is a farmer in Garfield Township; Mary A., born in Keokuk, Iowa, March 24, 1853, was next in order of birth; Henrietta E., born in Oskaloosa, Nov. 27, 1854, became the wife of Prof. Howe, of Oskaloosa Commercial College; Ida F., born in Oskaloosa, Nov. 19, 1856, married F. Horst and they reside in Oskaloosa; Nickolaus C., born in Oskaboosa, April 7,1859, married Mary Kalbfleisch, and they are living at Farmington, Iowa; Eunice H., born in Oskaloosa, April 7, 1861, married R. O. Morrison, a resident of Oskaloosa. The good wife and mother died Feb. 20, 1863, respected and loved by all who knew her. The second marriage of our subject took place Dec. 15, 1867, in Oskaloosa, and the lady selected as his life companion was Miss Sarah P. Byers. She is a sister of Consul S. H. M. Byers, and daughter of James Byers, and was born in Mercer County, Pa., July 7, 1840. Of the latter union two children were bornÄMaggie May, July 5, 1869, and Alice Anna, June 1,1871. Mrs. Sarah Adlon departed this life Jan. 19, 1875. Religiously Mr. Adlon is a Unitarian, and in politics independent.
Portrait & Biographical Album of Mahaska Co., Iowa, 1887
Mahaska County, Iowa Genealogy