W. J. Denniston

The name of Denniston has been for many years an honored and respected one in Jasper County, and the gentleman of that name who is the immediate subject of this sketch is richly deserving of the universal respect and esteem which is accorded him by all with whom he is acquainted.  For many years he has been one of the leading lumbermen of Newton; still in the fullness of years, he is to be found at the helm of a large and growing business.

 W. E. Denniston, of the firm of Denniston & Partridge, was born in Jasper County, October 28, 1868, on the parental homestead in Buena Vista Township.  He is the son of Robert E. and Delia (Hotchkiss) Denniston, the father a native of Ohio and the mother of Wisconsin.  The elder Denniston came to Iowa in 1861 and settled in Buena Vista Township, and he has resided in the County ever since, now living on a farm of sixty acres just on the edge of Newton.  He has long been well known in this community and has lived to see and take part in the great development of the same.  His family consisted of five children, two of whom are living, three having died in infancy; besides the subject, the other living child is Mrs. Charles Emery, who is living on a farm near Metz, this County.

 W. E. Denniston spent his early life on the home farm where he assisted with the general work about the place when of proper age, and he attended the common schools during the winter months, his education in later years being supplemented by good business training and wide home reading.  He remained under his parental rooftree until he was twenty-one years of age. He learned the carpenter's trade, at which he worked two years in Newton after he had left the farm.   He then worked in the lumberyards for Fred L. Maytag for two years and twelve years for Maytag & Emerson, then he formed a partnership with Mr. Emerson under the firm name of Emerson & Denniston, which continued three years.  Upon the death of Mr. Emerson, about two years ago, the firm became Denniston & Partridge, a corporation, of which Mr. Denniston is secretary and general manager.  They have been very successful and have now a large and rapidly growing business which is wide in its scope, owning other yards besides the large one at Newton, including one at Altoona and Mitchellville, both in Polk County, Reasoner, Colfax and Baxter, in Jasper County.  They handle a varied line of up-to-date building material, lumber and also grain.  Their home shed is one hundred twenty by one hundred eighty feet, everything being conveniently and attractively arranged.

On February 24, 1892, Mr. Denniston was united in marriage with Lizzie Wilson, daughter of William and Mary Wilson, who came from Scott County, Iowa, to this County, Mr. Wilson having been born in the former. To Mr. and Mrs. Denniston two children have been born, Roy, whose birth occurred on February 20, 1892, and Homer, born August 5, 1895.

Mr. and Mrs. Denniston attend the United Presbyterian Church.  Politically, he is a Republican and has taken an abiding interest in local affairs for some time. In 1906 he was elected to the city council from the first ward and has been on the board since then, making his influence felt for the good of his city and community whenever possible.  He is a man of energy, rare business foresight and he is a good mixer, being always a gentleman and yet easily approached and unassuming, a man who has the confidence and good will of his fellowmen owing to his fair dealings and exemplary character.