Welcome to
Jasper County, Iowa
Historical and Genealogical Data Exchange
|
|
|
|
John
M. Emery The
highest claim to the crown of good citizenship of John M. Emery, a gentleman too
well known all over the state of Iowa to need any introduction here, is his
universal dedication of himself to all moral and uplifting public issues. Point
out the right side of all questions of vital public and general interest and
there you will find Mr. Emery arrayed as an advocate and fighter and his
popularity is well deserved, as in him are embraced the characteristics of
unabating energy, unbending integrity, unswerving public spirit and an industry
that never flags, having gained the confidence and good will of his fellow men
in all the relations of life by his genial address, his straight forward
business policy and his unquestioned loyalty to life's higher ideals. Like
many of the best citizens of Jasper County, Mr. Emery hails from the old Empire
State, his birth having occurred in Steuben County, New York, July 31, 1849, he
being the scion of a sterling old family, the son of A. G. and Alice (Chatfield)
Emery, both natives of New York, the mother's parents having come from
Massachusetts, and the paternal grandfather served his country under Washington
at Valley Forge. A. G. Emery was a
Baptist minister and for many years was prominent in that denomination.
He grew to maturity and was educated in his native state, and in 1854 he
brought his family to Iowa, locating in Fayette County, and the following year
he entered one hundred and sixty acres of land in Clayton County, and there
began farming and preaching. He was
successful and to his original holdings he added land until he owned a fine farm
of two hundred and forty acres. In
1875 he sold this and moved to Kansas, where he homesteaded one hundred and
sixty acres, also took up a timber claim of one hundred and sixty acres, and
there he spent ten years, preaching and farming, then sold out and moved to
Norton, Kansas, where he lived eight years, thence moved to Boulder, Colorado,
where he spent the remaining years of his life, dying when past eighty-seven
years of age, and there he was buried. He
was a good and useful man and highly honored wherever he went. His wife, a most
excellent woman, died at Bennett, Colorado, two years later at the age of
eighty-five. Rev.
A. G. Emery was a remarkable man in many ways; he was exceptionally alert, vital
and forceful, and possessed the magnetic ability to sway all who came into
contact with him. His voice was
musical and at the same time powerful and his eloquence impassioned and
all-pervading. He was a born leader of men, and, whether from the pulpit or
lecture platform, he always carried his audience with him.
He took a deep interest in politics and was ever the champion of things
worth while. He was a fine example
of that sturdy band of pioneer citizens who have made the Middle West the great
and prosperous land that it is today. His wife was a woman of sweet and gentle
character, bringing into her home life the most benign and uplifting influence
and she was of great assistance to her husband in his work.
She remained at home and took care of the family while he took a course
in Hamilton College, New York, through which institution he worked his way. They
became the parents of nine children, one of whom died in infancy; Ogden L. died
at Norton, Kansas, in 1885; Effie married Andrew Gibson and died in Smith
county, Kansas, in 18951 leaving five children; Hattie married Charles Frye, and
she died in Boulder, Colorado, in 1908; those living besides John M. of this
review, are: Charles L., of Bennett, Colorado; Dr. H. G. of Denver, Colorado; R.
D. of Des Moines, who is secretary of the Great Western Accident Association;
Lettie married William Roundtree and lives at Bennett, Colorado. John
M. Emery received a good education in the home schools and he started out for
himself early in life. In 1869 he
was married to Ellen L. Lawrence, a native of New York.
Her parents spent their lives on a farm and are now both deceased.
Mrs. Emery is one of eleven children, six of whom are living, namely:
Mary A. is the widow of Benjamin Hunt, of Kensington, Kansas; Estella married T.
J. Piper and they live at Greeley, Colorado; Myra is the wife of J. A. Lawrence,
living in Wisconsin; A. T. lives at Newton, Iowa; Ellen, wife of Mr. Emery, was
the youngest of the family. After
renting a part of his father's farm in Clayton County, Iowa, John M. Emery began
farming, but six months later he took up the insurance business, at which he
worked steadily for ten years, then sold out and took a position in a store for
a year, after which he went on the road as traveling salesman for a gents'
furnishing house, with which he continued for five years. He then took his
present position with the lrwin-Phillips Company, of Keokuk, having given them
his usual high grade service and being regarded as one of their most efficient
and trustworthy employees. Mr.
Emery has made a special study of many languages, devoting special attention to
the Swedish, mastering the same so perfectly that he can assume the role of a
Swede for an indefinite time without being detected, even among Swedes.
Added to this accomplishment is a rare sense of humor that is delightful
in the extreme, consequently, being a good mixer, he is popular with all
classes. He has a happy
faculty of making after-dinner speeches, having frequently appeared at banquets
and public gatherings, and his company is eagerly sought wherever he goes.
Personally, he is a man whom it is a pleasure to meet, jovial, kind,
hospitable, unselfish. To
Mr. and Mrs. Emery have been born the following children: Burdett R. lives in
Abilene, Kansas; Theodosia married Jesse T. Tripp, and they are living at
Bennett, Colorado; Avery lives in Newton. Fraternally,
Mr. Emery belongs to Newton Lodge No. 59, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, of
Newton, and Gebal Chapter No. 12, Royal Arch Masons.
He also belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America at Newton. He has a
pleasant and well-furnished home at Newton. Past and Present of Jasper County
Iowa, Gen. James B. Weaver, Editor-In-Chief, B.F. Bowden & Company,
Indianapolis, IN, 1912, p. 492. |
|
|
