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Biographical History of Cherokee County, Iowa
W. S. Dunbar & Co., Chigago - 1889

[page 540-541]

    S. J. SOYSTER was born in Cumberland, Maryland, in 1833, where he
    received a common-school education and learned the cabinet-maker's
    trade.  At an early date he emigrated to Clayton, Clayton County,
    Iowa, where he engaged in the cabinet-making business, and while
    there was married to Miss CORNELIA ENSLOW, of Kane, Greene County,
    Illinois.  From Clayton he went to Elkport, Iowa, and there engaged
    in the mercantile business, and was one of the leading merchants of
    the place.  About three years ago Mr. SOYSTER began turning his
    attention westward, and made several trips out as far as Cherokee
    County.  Thinking it a pretty rich country he opened another store
    at Quimby and is now at the head of two mercantile house, one at
    Elkport and the other at Quimby, Iowa.  In politics Mr. SOYSTER is
    a Democrat.  He was postmaster at Elkport during President BUCHANAN'S
    administration.  He has filled many local offices of trust and re-
    sponsibility, and has the confidence of the entire community.  He
    is a member of the A.O.U.W., Elkport Lodge, No. 104, and also of
    the Masonic fraternity.  Mr. and Mrs. SOYSTER are the parents of
    five children: CLARA, CHARLES, LIBBIE (deceased), GEORGE and MARY.
    They have given all their children good educational advantages.
    CLARA, CHARLES and GEORGE were educated at Epworth Seminary, Dubuque
    County, Iowa.  CLARA was married in 1884 to Professor H. L. TOLBERT,
    but in a little over two years after their marriage Mr. TOLBERT died
    of quick consumption.  Since that time Mrs. TOLBERT has made her home
    with her parents, and has spent part of her time teaching school, but
    is now book-keeper in the Bank of Quimby.  CHARLES, second eldest
    child and junior member of the firm of S. J. SOYSTER & Son, was for
    two years in the railway mail service on the Calmar & Chamberlain
    and the Chicago, McGregor & St. Paul Railroad postoffices.  In 1887
    he resigned this position, was married to Miss SOPHRONIA HAMMOND, of
    Hanover, Illinois, and came to Quimby, since which time he has been
    in the firm of S. J. SOYSTER & Son.  He is an able business man and
    has gained the respect and confidence of all who know him.  Since
    his residence in Quimby he has been honored with the office of notary
    public.  Is cashier of the Bank of Quimby, secretary of the Local
    Board of Retail Merchants' Association, treasurer of the Local Board
    of American Building and Loan Association, and agent for the Hartford
    and Capital Insurance companies.  He has always taken a leading part
    in every enterprise tending to advance the interests of the community.
    Is president and treasurer of the Quimby Cornet Band, and has been
    honored with many positions of trust since his residence in Cherokee
    County.  GEORGE, the fourth oldest child, is married and still living
    in Elkport, Iowa.  MARY, the fifth and youngest child, is attending
    school at the Upper Iowa University, at Fayette, Iowa.  The firm of
    S. J. SOYSTER & Son has done much to make Quimby one of the best
    business points on the line of the Sioux Falls & Onawa branch of the
    Illinois Central Railroad.  The first year their sales amounted to
    $25,000, and they have a constantly increasing business.  They run
    three wagons into the country, buying butter, eggs and country pro-
    duce.  Within three month's time they shipped 22,000 pounds of butter,
    and the first six months of the year 1889 they shipped 22,000 dozen
    eggs.  They carry a stock of about $10,000, and although they have
    been in business but a little more than two years at this place,
    they have gained the confidence of the entire community.

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