John B. Mayes

MAYES, ARMSTRONG, CASCADEN, KNOWLES, NUTT, MARIETTA

Posted By: P. Bergmeier (email)
Date: 5/14/2005 at 22:01:07

John B. Mayes, a substantial and representative citizen of Black Hawk County, Iowa, and the largest retail manufacturer of harness, has been a resident of La Porte City since 1895. He belongs to one of the pioneer families of the county, and has been a resident of the State since he was eight years old. Mr. Mayes was born October 14, 1848, in Logan County, Ohio, and is a son of Thomas L. and Rebecca (Armstrong) Mayes.

Thomas L. Mayes was born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, in 1809, and died in Black Hawk County, in 1875. In his native county, he learned the tanning business, but later moved to Logan County, Ohio, to engage in farming. There he married and as his children grew around him he began to think of their future welfare. This led to the migration of the family to Iowa, Mr. Mayes finding it possible to exchange his Ohio property for uncultivated land along the beautiful Cedar River, in Black Hawk County. The trip up the river was made by boat, no railroads having yet penetrated this region. Mr.Mayes secured a quarter section in Big Creek township and land in adjoining counties, aggregating some 400 acres. Here Mr. Mayes encountered pioneer conditions, for not so many years had elapsed since this land had been the favorite hunting grounds of the Sacs and Foxes. Only ox teams were strong enough to break the prairie, although the soil was loamy and proved fertile. The nearest market was Cedar Rapids, 40 miles distant, and the nearest church was at Waterloo, 15 miles away. A small log house of two rooms sufficed for a time as a dwelling, but later a comfortable frame residence took its place.

Mr. Mayes was an admirable type of the sturdy pioneer. He combined courage and determination with judgement, a good education and business sense, and was far selling enough to realize that this beautiful section would one day be one of the most populous and prosperous portions of the State. Much of his life work was for the benefit of those to come after. He was a leader in the organization of schools and churches, and was one of the early founders and generous supporters of the Presbyterian Church at La Porte City, in which he served as an elder for many years. Although stern and strict with his family, and demanding justice from all those with whom he came in contact, he was kind and generous at heart and was regarded as an honorable and upright citizen.

The mother of John B. Mayes is very dimly recalled by him, for she left him motherless when a child of four years. The family consisted of eight children, viz: James, who died in the army, at Raleigh, North Carolina, during the Civil War; Anna, deceased. who was the wife of Thomas Cascaden; William R., who is a retired resident of La Porte City; Rebecca, deceased, who was the wife of G.A. Knowles, of Grand Junction, Colorado; John B.; Mathew, who lives on the old homestead; Mary, who is the wife of David Nutt, and lives near the old homestead; and Katherine, who died, aged three years.

John B. Mayes was eight years old when his father settled on the farm in Big Creek township, Black Hawk County, and he can vividly recall many of the prevailing conditions. At any time the winters in this valley were so severe that many settlers suffered from the cold, even to the point of freezing, having to make such long trips to secure necessary supplies, and over most execrable roads. Mr. Mayes was fortunate in having a father who believed in educating his children, and thus was able to spend several years in Iowa College, completing the literary and scientific courses, and three years at the State University of Iowa. He then put his education to account, by teaching school for the succeeding 15 years, and continuing to operate the farm until 1895. Then he removed to La Porte City, and started his present enterprise. He owns a farm of 80 acres in Benton County, but has given his personal attention to his manufacturing business since the date above mention. His establishment is well eqipped with modern machinery for the manufacture of all kinds of harness, and he employes three skilled workmen, the capacity of the concern being about 8,000 sets per annum, and its sales being made to the retail trade. His business is the largest of its kind in Black Hawk County and is the direct result of his energy and business ability.

In 1880, Mr. Mayes was married to Jennie M. Marietta, who was born in 1858, at Ashland, Ohio, and was a daughter of John W. and Mary A. Marietta. Mrs. Mayes was brought to Benton County, Iowa, by her parents in infancy. Her death occurred October 8, 1896, leaving no issue. Mr. Mayes is one of the leading members of the Presbyterian Church at La Porte City, where his late father is recalled with so much respect. He is one of the trustees, and a very liberal supporter of all its enterprises. His fraternal associations are with the Masons and the Knights of the Maccabees. Politically, Mr. Mayes, like his late father, is a Republican. He has served the township as supervisor and as assessor.

History of Black Hawk County and It's People
1915