W R Menton

MENTON

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 3/10/2009 at 11:17:24

W F Menton, who is connected with journalistic interests in Boone, Iowa as one of the owners and publishers of the Boone County Democrat, was born in Colfax township on September 13, 1874, and is a son of John and Joanna (O’Leary) Menton, both of who were natives of Ireland, whence they emigrated to the United States and took up their abode in Boston. The father was first employed upon a farm and later was for twelve years an employee in the Ames Shovel Factory, near Brockton, Massachusetts. In April 1866, he came to Iowa, locating in Colfax township, Boone county, upon the farm where our subject was born. He purchased 58 acres of land and in the spring of 1889 he removed to Boone, where he is now living retired, having for about a quarter of a century been an active factor in agricultural interests. He is now enjoying a well earned rest, for in the years of his business activity he accumulated a considerable competence. In his family were nine children, of whom eight are yet living: Julia, Daniel, John A, Catherine, wife of D P Ivis, of Boone county, Ellen Elizabeth, ,Thomas P, William F, and Edward J. One son, Dennis, died at the age of twenty-five years, on February 19, 1888. He had been admitted to practice at the Boone county bar, after completing a course in the State Agricultural College at Ames, Iowa, and in the Iowa State University, where he pursued his law course. He seemed to have a bright future before him, but his career was terminated in death.
W F Menton, whose name introduces this record, pursued his education in the public schools and in early life became familiar with all the work of the farm, early assisting in the cultivation of the fields. At length, however, he left the old homestead and on September 3, 1900, purchased a half interest in the Boone County Democrat, becoming the partner of J R Herron. This relation has since been maintained and the paper is conducted under the firm name of Herron & Menton. The Democrat was established in 1868 and has the larges circulation of any Democratic weekly published in Boone county. It also is the strongest organ of the party in central Iowa. Its owners and publishers are men of good business ability, wide awake and enterprising and their paper has now a large and constantly increasing circulation. It supports every measure calculated to benefit the general welfare and has been a valued factor in advancing the public good.
Mr Mentor is a member of the Improved Order of Red Men, belonging to Oneida Tribe, No 22, of Boone and he now holds the office f great senior saga more of Iowa. He is also identified with Boonesboro, Lodge K of P and with the Fraternal Choppers of America. Mr Menton is a young man who exemplifies the progressive spirit of the west. He has a wide acquaintance in Boone county where he has always resided, and the circle of his friends is almost co-extensive with the circle of his acquaintances.

1902 Boone County History Book