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.

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.