John Slater

SLATER

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 3/20/2009 at 00:29:33

John Slater, with the industrial interests of Moingona John Slater is identified being successfully engaged in the manufacture of brick in the village of which he is a very prominent citizen. More than a third of a century has passed since he came to Boone county, for he took up his abode within its borders on January 1, 1866, when there were only tow other men living in Moingona. Mr Slater was the first man to engage in the manufacture of brick I this county, and throughout the intervening years he has carried on his business is and honorable, straightforward, manner, winning a good living an gaining the respect and confidence of those with whom he is associated.
Mr Slater is a native of England, his birth having occurred in Cumberland count, on April 17, 1832.
He is a son of Thomas and Mary (Mark) Slater, both of whom were natives of England. In 1850 the father came to America, bringing with him his family, and later settled in Keokuk, Iowa where he resided for nine years, living retired fro active business life. On the expiration of that period he removed to Jasper county, Iowa where purchased land and engaged in farming until his death, which occurred about 1882. His wife also passed away there. In their family were seven children: William, now deceased, John of this review, Mary who is residing in Jefferson county, Iowa Elizabeth who resides in Nebraska, Annie the wife of Ira Smith whose home is in Marcy township, Sarah Jane who is living in Kansas, and Ruth who is the widow of Monroe Sprague and makes her home in Iowa. In the common schools John Slater pursued his education. He did not come to America with the other members of the family but was brought to this country in 1847 by his uncle, John Lancaster, who then owned land in Lee county, Iowa. They settled in Keokuk and our subject began work upon his uncle’s farm, where he remained for two years. After his father took u\up his abode there Mr Slater went to work for him and remained upon the old home farm until he had attained his majority. He then entered upon an independent business career, beginning the manufacture of brick in Jasper county, Iowa. The new enterprise met with success and he conducted the business successfully for nine years. On the expiration of that period he removed to Boonesboro, where he also conducted a brick yard for two years, and when that period had elapsed he took up his abode in Moingona, being the first person to manufacture brick at this point. Throughout the intervening years he as since carried on the business, meeting with very creditable and gratifying success. His plant has a capacity for drying ninety thousand brick. He manufactures common hand slap brick from bank clay and ships his product throughout this portion of the country. He is now enlarging his plant in order to meet the increasing demands of his trade and the large and growing business is making Mr Slater one of the prosperous representatives of industrial circles I this part of Iowa.
Mr Slater was united in marriage to Nancy Hammer, a native of Tennessee and at the time of her marriage a resident of Iowa. She is a daughter of Seth Manner, who came to Jasper county, this state, in 1846, and there spent his remaining days. In 1870 Mr Slater was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife ,who departed this life in the month of February, of that year. Unto Mr and Mrs Slater were born six children: John who married Clara Burchard and is a brick mason, living at Madrid, Iowa, Mary the wife of William Boone a resident of Moingona and Curtis E and William both of whom are deceased. After the death of his first wife Mr Slater wedded Mrs Louisa Battin but she also passed away and he now boards with his daughter, Mrs Boone.
In his political views Mr Slater is a Republican and has always voted for the men and measures of that party. He has served as justice of the peace of Moingona for some times, discharging his duties with absolute fairness. He belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church of this place and is a representative citizen, deeply interested in everything pertaining to the progress and improvement of the county along lines of material, social or moral up building. He has been a witness of the changes that have occurred in this county for a long period and his enterprise has been a potent factor in Moingona’s development.

1902 Boone County History Book