My Genealogy Hound

The Ogg & Elftman Printing Company, of Creston, Iowa, was organized and embarked in business in 1902. The plant is now located on North Maple street, south of the government building, and an extensive business is carried on in printing, bookbinding and in the manufacture of blank books and stationery. This is a local concern, employing seven people and operated by home capital. From the beginning the business has annually increased and the company now does most of the county printing and binding, also work for adjoining counties, and receives orders from Wyoming, South Dakota, Kansas, Missouri and Illinois. The output is first class in every particular. The prices are reasonable and their punctuality in filling orders, together with the skillful manner of execution is a feature that promotes the constant growth of the business. This is the only plant of the kind in Union county. Such in brief is the record of the business. He who reads between the lines, however, will learn much concerning the enterprise, laudable ambition and firm determination which have characterized the members of the company in the establishment and conduct of the business. Theirs was a comparatively unknown industry in this county, for previous to 1902 the greater part of the business in their line was done abroad. Believing that Union county offered a favorable opening for such an undertaking, it was established on a comparatively small scale. The plant, however, has since been increased to meet the growing demands of the trade and the success of the business is largely attributable to the excellence of the output, the punctuality and accuracy with which the work is executed, and the unquestioned business integrity of the proprietors.

J. H. Ogg, the senior partner of the firm, has since 1875 been numbered among the valued residents of Creston. He is a practical printer with thirty years’ experience, having learned the trade with Schultz, Cunningham & Robinson, former proprietors of the Gazette. Through the years of his connection with this line of activity he has made constant progress, keeping in touch with the most recent advancements made in the printing business. Mr. Ogg married Miss Jessie Trumbo, who died thirteen years ago, leaving three children, all of whom are yet at home. Fraternally Mr. Ogg is connected with the Odd Fellows and with the Modern Woodmen.

W. T. Elftman, junior partner of the firm, is one of the native sons of Creston, with fifteen years’ experience as a bookbinder, having learned the trade in this city under Colonel W. A. Page, an old experienced bookbinder. Mr. Elftman now has charge of the book-binding and manufacturing interests of the house, while Mr. Ogg is in control of the printing establishment. The partners thus work together in entire harmony and full sympathy in their efforts to build up an extensive business along honorable lines, there being not a single esoteric phase in the record of the house.

Mr. Elftman was married to Miss Anna Freytag, a daughter of John Freytag. In his social relations he is an Odd Fellow, while his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the German Evangelical church. Like his partner, Mr. Elftman recognizes the fact that this is an age of intense activity and he who would forge ahead in the business world is the one who has few leisure hours. Close application, unremitting energy and laudable ambition characterize the company in their efforts in building up a business which is already recognized as one of the important industrial concerns of Union county.