USA > Iowa > Buena Vista County > Past and present of Buena Vista County, Iowa > Part 27
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and other farm machinery and supplies. As a business man he has been very successful, his perseverance and utilization of opportunity winning him a place among the prosperous residents of the county.
In 1873 Mr. O'Banion was married to Miss Fannie A. Leavitt, who was born in New Hampshire in 1848 and was of English ancestry. They became the parents of eight children : Clarence W., who is in a packing house at Bal- timore, Maryland ; Josie G., a teacher by profession, who lives at home; Walter .J., who is engaged in the butchering business at Cherokee; Archie L., of Cali- fornia, who is meat and stock inspector for the United States government ; Florence. the wife of T. F. Wait, a physician of Keota, Iowa; Allen, a teacher by profession, who is now a student at Ames Agricultural College; Earl, who is employed as a clerk and resides at home; and Guy, who passed away when nine years of age.
Mrs. O'Banion is a member of the Christian church. Mr. O'Banion belongs to the Odd Fellows society and gives his political allegiance to the democracy. He filled the office of sheriff for one term, was a member of the city council for fifteen years and in the spring of 1907 was elected mayor of the city, in which position he gave a public-spirited, progressive and business- like administration. His official record has always been characterized by the utmost devotion to duty and he is in thorough sympathy with every movement that tends to benefit the community along substantial lines of progress.
AARON CONNER.
Aaron Conner was so closely connected with the business development and the substantial growth of Alta and this section of Buena Vista county as to render his life record an integral chapter in its history. Honored and respected by all. there was no man of the community who occupied a more enviable position in commercial or financial eireles, not alone by reason of the success which he achieved but also owing to the straightforward business policy which he ever followed. He cast in his lot among the early settlers of Iowa and from that time forward labored earnestly and effectively for the welfare of the state.
Mr. Conner was born in Ohio, March 19, 1844, and was a son of Thomas Conner who removed to Iowa when the state had but few residents. He lived for a time in Delaware county. His son. Aaron Conner was reared to man- hood in Iowa and at the time of the Civil war espoused the Union canse, enlist- ing in 1862 as a member of the Twenty-first Iowa Volunteer Infantry, with which he served for three years. He continued at the front until hostilities had ceased, save for a brief period when he was ill with measles and returned home on a furlough, a man being sent with him to care for him. He partici- pated in many of the hotly contested battles of the war and at its close was honorably discharged, for he had always been loyal to the old flag and the cause which it represented. During his absence at the front his people
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removed to Delaware county, this state, where he joined them, remaining on the home farm for two years.
Mr. Conner was then married, on the 17th of February, 1867, to Miss Martha J. Thompson, a native of Kane county, Illinois, born near Elgin and a danghter of George G. Thompson, who was born, reared and married in Greenbrier county, Virginia. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Cynthia Surbaugh, was also born in the Old Dominion and was of German lineage. Mr. Thompson removed westward to Illinois, making the journey across the country with teams. He settled in Kane county, where he entered land from the government and opened up a farm, which he continued to cultivate for nineteen years. He afterward bought and owned two farms there, but event- mally sold his property in Illinois, removing to Iowa in 1862. He then purchased land in Buchanan county, where he improved a farm of four hun- dred aeres, whereon he spent his last years, his death there occurring some nine years prior to the demise of his wife.
Following his marriage Mr. Conner located in Plainfield, where he engaged in general merchandising. Ile carried on that business at that point for five years and then sold out, joining his father in the conduct of a similar business at Manchester, Iowa, where he remained for about seven years. He then disposed of his stock and removed to Alta, where he opened a stoek of groceries but later he added boots and shoes and conducted the business up to the time of his death. He built a large double brick business block and also purchased a neat residence in the town. His store was one of the leading commercial enterprises here and he was also a stockholder in the Alta National Bank, of which he was serving as vice president at the time of his death. He also aided in organizing and became one of the stockholders of the Buena Vista County Fair.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Conner were born two children: A. M. Conner, who is represented elsewhere in this volume; and Ina M., the wife of Ed Larson, of whom mention is made elsewhere in this vohune. Mr. Conner was a prominent Mason, who belonged to the Blue lodge of Alta, to Cherokee chap- ter, and to the commandery and Mystic Shrine. He was one of the earliest members of the Alta lodge, filled all of its offices and was a past master. Both he and his wife were members of the Eastern Star, in which Mrs. Conner also filled all of the chairs and served as the first worthy matron. Mr. Conner likewise belonged to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in which he was honored with the various official positions and was a past noble grand, while both he and his wife were connected with the Rebekahs. Always interested in his old army comrades, he joined the Grand Army post, and served as its commander for several years. He was one of the most prominent and pub- lie-spirited citizens of Alta, respected by all who knew him because of his genuine personal worth, his business enterprise and his loyal citizenship. He was laid to rest with Masonie honors and so useful and active had been his life that his death came with a sense of personal bereavement to the entire com- munity. Following the death of her husband Mrs. Comer took charge of the store, in which she still owns an interest. She has been very prominent in the ladies' auxiliary of both the Masonic and Odd Fellows societies and is
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well known in the social circles of the city, her many good qualities winning for her the kindly regard and friendship of all with whom she has been associated.
GUY E. MACK.
It is a well known fact that the attorney has been a more prominent figure in political and publie eireles than any other man. The reason for this is not hard to find. for the habit of thorough examination into every question in order to get to the root of the matter qualifies him for the discharge of onerous publie duties as well as the clear presentation of a case before the courts. This power of analysis in public life assists him in understanding every situation and solving every problem that is presented to him in his offi- eial capacity. Mr. Mack, therefore, is proving a capable offieer as mayor of Newell, and at the same time is conducting a large business in the practice of law, his ability bringing to him an extensive clientage.
A native of Storm Lake, he was born February 28, 1880, and is therefore yet one of its young men. His parents were Edgar E. and Ellen B. (Ayres) Mack, natives of the state of Vermont. The paternal grandfather, James M. Mack, was also born in the Green Mountain state and was of Scotch-Irish descent. He followed the occupation of farming and about 1868 removed westward to Iowa, settling in Newell township, where he homesteaded a claim of one hundred and sixty acres. It was entirely destitute of improvements when it came into his possession. but with characteristic energy he began its development and converted it into a good property. Ilis wife died at the age of sixty, while he survived to the advanced age of eighty-seven years. Their family numbered six children: Frank P., Edgar E., Fred W., Julian, Wilmer and Elmore.
Of this family, Edgar E. Maek was reared to the occupation of farming and at an early period in the settlement of Iowa became a resident of Alden. IIe afterward removed to Buena Vista county with his father during the latter '60s, and took up his abode in Newell. where he acted as a clerk in the store until 1874. In that year he went to Sioux Rapids to resume the duties of elerk of the district court, and served for fourteen years in that capacity, his long incumbency in the office standing as an incontrovertible proof of his ability and fidelity. About 1877 the courthouse at Sioux Rapids was destroyed by fire, and the county seat was removed to Storm Lake. At that time Edgar E. Mack became a resident of that city. where he has since made his home and is now numbered among the prominent business men there. He is engaged in the practice of law. in the land business, and is proprietor of the eleetrie light plant at that place. ITis enterprise and activity constitute him an important factor in the business development of the community. He has also been one of its political leaders, having been elected to the state sen- ate and by reelection was continued in that office for two terms, during which time he was connected with much constructive legislation and with important
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work done in the committee rooms. Ile was also chairman of the republican state central committee in 1893, and has been one of the influential workers in party ranks. In 1906 he was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who tlied on the 6th of February of that year. at the age of fifty-seven. She was a member of the Congregational church, to which Mr. Maek also belongs. Their family numbered three sons and three daughters: Nellie E., the wife of J. II. Van Wagener, of Pierce, Nebraska; Graee E., of Storm Lake; Guy E., · of Newell, Iowa; Frank W., of Storm Lake; Burt M. and Beatrice J., also of Storm Lake.
In taking up the personal history of Guy E. Mack we present to our read- ers the life record of one who is widely and favorably known in this county. IJe was reared in Storm Lake and attended its public schools until he was graduated from the high school with the class of 1898. He afterward spent one year as a student in the Buena Vista College, at Storm Lake, and for two years was in the law, abstract and loan office of his father and James De Land, devoting his time to the mastery of the principles of jurisprudence. He then became a law student in the lowa State University, where he was graduated in 1903 and, following his admission to the bar in the same year, he located for practice in Newell in 1904. Here he has continued to the present time and has secured a good clientage that has connected him with much important litigation tried in the courts of the district. He is also his father's partner in the law practice in Storm Lake.
Reared in the faith of the republican party his maturer judgment sane- tioned its principles and its policies, and since age conferred upon him the right of franchise Mr. Mack has voted for its candidates. For four years he tilled the office of town clerk ere his election to the position of mayor of Newell in the spring of 1908. Ile belongs to the Congregational church and is identified with several fraternal orders, ineluding the Masonie lodge of Newell, Newell Lodge, No. 132, 1. O. O. F., and the Modern Woodmen of America. lle is a progressive, public-spirited eitizen and an able lawyer, who is making steady progress in his chosen profession, while the worth of his publie service is widely acknowledged.
COLONEL GEORGE CURRIER.
Colonel George Currier has for more than a third of a century been a resident of Buena Vista county and during this time has been closely asso- ciated with various business interests which have been an element in the county's growth. He is, moreover, entitled to representation in this volume from the fact that he is a veteran of the Civil war, loyally aiding in the pre- servation of the I'nion. He was one of five brothers who wore the bhe during that dark hour in our country's history and never did he falter in the per- formance of his duty whether stationed on the lonely picket line or in the face of danger on the firing line.
GEORGE CURRIER
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He was born in Readfield, Maine, June 29, 1842. His father, James C. Currier, was also a native of that town and his life record covered a span of eighty-two years, his death oeeurring in April. 1888. He was of English descent and grandson of Jonathan Currier, who was a member of a New Hampshire regiment at the time of the Revolutionary war. He served as orderly sergeant and laid down his life on the altar of liberty, being buried at Valley Forge. Ile was a member of the regiment being commanded by Colonel John Stark, the hero of the battle of Bennington. ITis son, Samuel Currier, father of James Currier, was a physician at Readfield, Maine, and served as a major in a Maine regiment in the war of 1812.
In his early manhood James Currier devoted his energies to teaching school. and after his marriage turned his attention to general agricultural pursuits. In 1852 he removed to Massachusetts, where he resided until his death and in community affairs he took an aetive and helpful part, giving earnest support to many measures and movements which were of direct bene- fit to the locality. He served as deputy sheriff and constable and voted with the whig party until its dissolution, when he joined the ranks of the new republican party, marching under its banners until his demise. He was a man of broad mind and liberal views, who recognized the good in all and believed that the world was constantly growing better. He held membership in the Universalist church and at a ripe old age passed from this life. His wife bore the maiden name of Mehitable Harding, and was born in Wellfleet.
Massachusetts. She died August 8, 1876, at the age of sixty-six years. She was of English deseent and was also a representative of Revolutionary stoek, for her grandfather. Moses Niekerson, was a private in a Massachusetts regi- ment. He drew pension from 1817 until his death in 1842, the government thus recognizing the aid which he had rendered in the establishment of a republic. Like her husband. Mrs. Currier was a member of the Universalist «hureh. They became the parents of thirteen children, eight sons and five daughters. Five of the sons were valued soldiers of the Union army in the Civil war and though all were wounded all lived to return to their homes.
George Currier pursued his education in the schools of Natick, Massa- chusetts, and Readfield, Maine, after which he learned the shoemakers' trade, which he followed until the outbreak of hostilities between the north and the south in 1861. He watched with interest the progress of the war until, feeling that his first duty was to his country, he enlisted on the 4th of January, 1862, at Cambridge, Massachusetts, joining the Thirteenth Regiment of Massaehu- setts Infantry under. command of Colonel Leonard. He served with Com- pany H for three months and was then honorably discharged because of disability. On the 4th of January, 1864, having sufficiently recovered, Mr. Currier reenlisted as a member of the Seventh Massachusetts Battery and routinned with that command for about twenty-one months, or until the close of the war. He took part in the engagements of Mansur Plains, Yellow Bayon, Chevalier Bayou, Mobile, Fort Blakely and was wounded in front of Spanish Fort at Mobile. He was, however, only in the hospital for a short time and he attained the rank of gunner. The military history of the family is a most creditable one. Sammuel Currier, the oldest brother of our subject,
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joined the boys in blue of Company C. Thirteenth Massachusetts Infantry and rose to the rank of first lieutenant in the Forty-first Massachusetts, which he subsequently joined. While still serving with the Thirteenth, at the battle of Antietam, he was reported mortally wounded. His father then went to the front after him and returned with him to his home where, under earefnl nurs- ing, he recovered. Charles P. Currier. another brother, was a member of Company I, Thirty-ninth Massachusetts Infantry and attained the rank of orderly sergeant. He lost a leg in the battle of the Wilderness, was captured and taken to Libby Prison, where he remained for about four months and was then exchanged. Ile returned home at the close of the war but is now deceased. Joseph Currier also became a member of Company 1. Thirty-ninth Massachusetts Infantry and was company sergeant. He was captured and sent to the prison at Salisbury, where he remained for thirteen weeks. It was after he was wounded in the battle of the Wilderness that he was cap- tured. James Currier enlisted as a private in Company II, Thirteenth Massachusetts Infantry, under Colonel Leonard. He was wounded in battle and was in a three days' fight at Gettysburg in the Shenandoah valley and was captured, but was paroled and sent to Camp Chase, Columbus, Ohio. Samuel Currier was captured in the field hospital at Chambersburg, Pennsyl- vania, but was at once paroled.
In taking up the personal history of George Currier we present to our readers the life record of one who is widely and favorably known in Storm bake. He remained a resident of New England until 1866, when he removed to Stevens Point, Wisconsin, where he made his home for two years, and in 1868 beeame a resident of Dallas eounty, Iowa, where he lived for a year and a half, and in 1869 took up a homestead in Grant township. On the 1st of May, 1870, he located on this farm which he tilled and cultivated until the 1st of May, 1875, when he came to Storm Lake and engaged in the lumber busi- ness. Soon afterward he was called to official duty, being appointed city marshal and street commissioner. In 1877 he purchased the general store of J. A. Campbell and carried on the business for five years. after which he sold out and bought an interest in a coal. lumber and implement business, con- dueting this business under the firm name of Sweetser & Currier. Three years later he sold out and again located on the farm, to which he added by additional purchases, while for eight years he tilled the soil, thereby winning a fair measure of prosperity in farming operations. On the expiration of that period he retired to Storm Lake and was afterward appointed superintendent of roadmaking and city weighmaster. Ile has also been a member of the eity council and in his different official positions has discharged his duties with promptness and fidelity. He was also further identified with business inter- ests here as a grain buyer and conducted the St. Paul & Kansas City elevator for two years, but is now living retired.
In 1866 Mr. Currier was married to Miss Adelia Rokes, who was born in Appleton, Maine, in 1845 and is a daughter of Lincoln and Mary A. (Gordon) Rokes, both of whom died during her early girlhood. They were of English lineage and the father was a cooper by trade. Mr. and Mrs. Currier are the parents of a daughter and son : Mary Isabel, who was born in Stockton, Wis-
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consin, is the wife of August Duglosch, a clothing merchant of Storm Lake. and they have one child; Edward C., the son, was born in Redfield, Iowa. He is now in the wholesale glass and paint business at Sioux City. He, too, is married and has one child.
Mr. Currier is a member of Edward D. Baker Post No. 80. G. A. R., of which he has been adjutant twelve years and is a past commander. He received the title of colonel by appointment as chief mustering officer in the Grand Army of the Republic by General Newman, on whose staff he served. Ile is also a member of the Masonic fraternity and both he and his wife are members of the Universalist church, in which he is now serving as a member of the board of trustees. He likewise belongs to the Sons of the American Revolution, and is also interested in everything pertaining to religions mat- ters. In his political views he has ever stood by that party which was the main defense of the Union during the dark days of the Civil war, voting the republican ticket. He was the first township clerk of Grant township and one of its organizers, and he has also served as a member of the school board. Patriotism might well be termed the keynote to his character. It has been manifest in all of his relations of life and is evideneed by his faithful service in office and his cooperation with the various movements which have tended to promote the interests of county, state or nation. In 1907 he spent four months traveling through the east, visiting the Jamestown Exposition and many points in the New England States.
GEORGE WITTER.
George Witter, whose business activity is now confined to the supervision of his invested interests, was for many years one of the most enterprising and progressive merchants of Storm Lake, and his business affairs contributed in large measure to the upbuilding and prosperity of the eity, as well as to his individual success. There are few men who continue in trade for forty years that enjoy so spotless a record of business integrity, and his record may well serve as an example that might profitably be followed. He was born in Dubuque county, Iowa, April 1, 1851. His father. George P. Witter. was a native of Germany and came to the United States in 1846, in which year he located in Dubuque county upon a farm which he entered from the govern- ment. He had acquired his education in the schools of his native land and had there learned and followed the weaver's trade but in this country his entire attention was given to general agricultural pursuits. Becoming a naturalized American citizen. he gave his political support to the whig party until his death, which occurred in 1852 when he was forty-two years of age. Both he and his wife were consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mrs. Witter, who bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Peter, was born in Germany and passed away in July. 1872, at the age of sixty-one years. They were married ere their emigration to the new world and they became the parents of twelve children, of whom five are yet living: George
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and Adam, who are residents of Buena Vista county ; and three sons now liv- ing in Dubuque county.
George Witter, the youngest of the family, was reared upon the home farm and attended the district schools near by, also pursuing his studies in a private school at Galena, Illinois. There he learned the carriage-making trade, which he followed for about ten years, on the expiration of which period he removed to Storm Lake in the spring of 1878 and here engaged in the fur- niture and undertaking business. For thirty years he was a factor in the commercial eireles of the city, retiring on the Ist of January, 1908. He has been vice president of the Commercial National Bank of Storm Lake since its organization. He had been very successful and had developed an enterprise which is second in importance to no establishment of this character in north- western Jowa. His business policy was one well worthy of emulation. His path was never strewn with the wreck of other men's fortunes, nor was he ever known to take advantage of the necessities of another in a commercial
transaction. He won his success through close application, enterprising methods and honorable dealing. and while promoting his individual interests he also contributed to a great extent to the upbuilding of the city. In 1878
he ereeted a frame building in which to carry on his business and in 1881, in order to meet the growth of the trade, he erected a brick structure twenty-one by one hundred feet. His business still grew, however, and in 1888 he built a two-story L, extending east from the rear and facing on Erie street. This is now occupied by the Vidette office. In 1899 he erected another business bloek west of and adjoining his original property on Fifth street. It is thirty-five by ninety feet and three stories and basement. It has a pressed brick front and is a modern establishment in all of its appointments and equip- ments. The block has a frontage of seventy-five feet from the Erie street corner west on Fifth street.
In 1878 Mr. Witter was united in marriage to Miss Kate Bauman, who was born in Dubuque county, Iowa. in 1855. a daughter of John and Mary Bauman, who were natives of Germany, and on coming to this country settled in Dubuque county in the early '50s. Mr. and Mrs. Witter became the par- ents of five children : Lora, born September 14, 1879, who passed away July 15, 1880; Ella N., whose birth occurred in 1882 and who is supervisor of art in the Muscatine schools; Willard W .. born March 8, 1884, who is at home; Florence F., whose natal day was JJuly 27, 1885, also at home; Frances M .. born September 12. 1887, who is supervisor of music in the Storm Lake schools.
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