Christian Straub, a contractor, builder and brick manufacturer of Council Bluffs, was born in Heidenheim, Wurtenberg, Germany, February 3, 1847, the son of Carl and Emma (Koch) Straub, both natives of Wurtenberg. The father was a wagon manufacturer by trade, and both he and his wife died in their native country. They were members of the Lutheran Church, and were the parents of six children; George, who resides in Germany; Jacob also of Germany; Mary, wife of Fred Rig, and resides in Council Bluffs; Anna M., a resident of Germany; Dora, who lives in Illinois; and Christian, our subject.

The later attended school and also worked at his father's trade until seventeen years of age, when he came to America, landing in New York. He then went direct to Aurora, Illinois, remained four or five months and then came to Council Bluffs, Iowa, in the spring of 1867. He worked for the Northwestern Railroad Company a short time, and then learned the brick and stone mason's trade, which he has since followed. In 1872 he became a contractor and builder, and in 1875 purchased the brick-yard of George Baum, and has been engaged in manufacturing bricks since that time. Mr. Straub was one of the first stockholders of the Citizens' State Bank, and also of the Iowa Insurance Company.

He was united in marriage, in Council Bluffs, April 12, 1873, to Arnetta Feifer, a native of Bavaria, Germany. Mr. Straub was elected Councilman from the Third Ward in 1885-'86, and is also a member of Humboldt Lodge, No.75, I. O. O. F. He ranks among our most reliable citizens, and by honesty, frugality and diligence has accumulated a comfortable fortune.