Henry Trost, who came to Fort Dodge in 1883 from his native Germany, and
later became a well-known realtor and insurance representative, erected
this large residence at 1231 6th Ave. S. more than 70 years ago. Trost
acquired a Sixth Avenue South lot in the spring of 1901 and built the
home later that year.
The Trost family resided in the home until 1913 when it was sold.
Ownership then changed several times and in 1966 the house was sold by
Melvin Mandelko to Mr. and Mrs. Michael J. Yetmar who presently reside
there with their six children. Yetmar is associated with the Kolacia
Construction Company.
[Illustration: The Trost home
1231 6th Avenue South]
The original room arrangement of the house included entrance hall,
living room, dining room, kitchen, bedroom and bath on the first floor;
four bedrooms and bath on the second floor. Later upstairs and
downstairs sun porches were added on the back portion of the house. The
Yetmars have done some remodeling and instead of a first floor bedroom
they have a family room and on the second floor five bedrooms, two baths
and a children’s room. The front porch was also remodeled and
modernized.
Trost worked as a section hand for the M. & St. L. Railroad during his
first four years in Fort Dodge and later was employed as a salesman in
the Haire Clothing Store. After several years he joined James H.
Coughlin in the real estate and insurance firm of Coughlin & Trost. When
this firm was dissolved he went into partnership with E. H. Peschau in
the real estate and insurance firm of Trost & Peschau. When illness
forced him to give up active work the business was purchased in 1937 by
Trost’s son Ewald G. Trost and his wife Ermalee. They continued its
operation until 1957 when Art F. Moeller and Henry R. (Bud) Trost
established Trost-Moeller Insurance Service which they presently
operate.
The elder Henry Trost was married here in 1891 to Anna Gunther and they
were parents of six children—Frieda Becker, Erna, Ewald, Lorenz, Marie
and Esther Trost. All are deceased except Mrs. Becker and Esther Trost.
Mr. Trost died in 1937 at age 70. Mrs. Trost died in 1964 at age 92.