John R Herron

HERRON

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 3/10/2009 at 11:18:41

John R Herron, In the promotion and conservation of advancement in al the normal lines of human progress and civilization, there is no factor which has exercised a more potent influence than the press, which is both the director and the mirror of public opinion. Iowa has been signally favored in the character of its newspapers, which have been vital, enthusiastic and progressive, ever aiming to advance the interests of this favored section of the union, to aid in laying fast and sure the foundations of enlightened commonwealth, to further the ends of justice and to uphold the banner of the Hawkeye state. In a compilation of this nature, then it is clearly incumbent that due recognition be accorded the newspaper press and in this connection we are glad to mention the Boone County Democrat and its proprietor, John R Herron.
Mr Herron was born in Des Moines township, Boone county, Iowa March 19, 1874, and is a son of Richard and Sabina (Payton) Herron. The paternal grandfather also bore the name of Richard and was a native of Ireland. Crossing the Atlantic to America at an early date, he located in Canada and followed the occupation of farming. His wife bore the maiden name of Mary Henneberry. In their family were four children, three sons and a daughter: Richard, Mary, the wife of T McDermott, of Eagle Grove, Iowa, William, of Missouri Valley, Iowa and John, deceased. The father of our subject was also a native of the Emerald Isle and when he sought a home beyond the Atlantic, took up his abode in Stratford, Ontario, in 1847, making his home there until 1865. In the meantime, in the year 1858, he wedded Sabina Payton, a daughter of Patrick Payton, who was born in Ireland but in the 30’s removed to Canada and there spent his remaining days. His wife bore the maiden name of Hogan and died when her daughter, Mrs Herron was quite young. In the family were eight children: Catherine, Bernard, Thomas, Jane Sabina, Ann, Alice and Margaret. While residing in Canada Mr Herron engaged in farming and in 1865 he came to Iowa, residing for two months in Cedar Rapids, after which he removed to Boone. The railroad at that time extended only to Nevada and there were but two houses in what is now the city of Boone. Mr Herron and his family took up their abode in the little hamlet where they remained until 1869 when they settled upon a farm in Des Moines township, three and one-half miles southeast of the city. It was there that our subject was born. The family resided continuously upon the farm until the spring of 1886, when the parents removed to Boone, where they yet make their home, Their children are: Mary, deceased and John R.
In the common schools John R Herron began his education, attending the parochial school of Boone and also the high school of this city. His connection with journalistic work began when he was sixteen years of age, in the capacity of a printer’s devil in the office of the Boone County Democrat. There he remained, winning advancement form time to time until he became the owner of a half interest in the plant, purchasing this on January 1, 1899. He had previously served as an apprentice and local editor. His partner in the enterprise is W F Menton, the partnership being designated by the style of Herron & Menton. They are both wide awake, enterprising young business men and are publishing a journal which is creditable to the city and which is ever found as the champion of movements and measure for the general good. Socially Mr Herron is connected with the Woodmen of the World, the Fraternal Choppers of America, and other social and fraternal organizations.

1902 Boone County History Book