John Herring

HERRING

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 3/10/2009 at 11:44:11

John Herring, now deceased, was a man who throughout life enjoyed the respect and esteem of those with whom he was associated and when death came to him Boone lost one of its valued citizens. He had long been in the railroad service and was a most trusted employee of the corporation. A native of England, he was born at Barnstable, in 1840, and when only four years of age came to the United States, being brought to this country by his parents who settled near Rochester, New York. He was a son of William and Margaret (Cox) Herring. The father remained in the Empire state, following the occupation of farming throughout the entire period of his active business life and thus providing for his family. Both he and his wife died upon the old homestead in New York when about eighty years of age.
Mr Herring, of this review, remained upon the old farmstead in the Empire state until he was twenty-one years of age, and during that time he acquired a good knowledge of eth branches of learning taught in the common schools and also was trained to various departments of farm work, early becoming familiar with the labors of field and meadow. At the age of eighteen, however, he sought a home in the west, making his way to Chicago, Illinois, where he was employed for a number of years. He then resumed his westward journey and took up his abode at Belle Plaine, Iowa, where he entered the service of the Northwestern Railroad Company, being employed as fireman for two years, after which he was promoted to the position of engineer and in that capacity served continuously until twelve years ago, when he was injured in a wreck on the line. He was then running on the limited and in the accident he lost his right leg. After this he did not again engage in active service. He was a member of the Brotherhood of Locomotive engineers and was also a Mason in his fraternal relations.
Mr Herring was married in the city of Boone to Miss Celia Alcott, a second cousin of Louisa M Alcott, the noted author, and a daughter of Addison and Almira Alcott. The parents were both native of Connecticut, born near the city of New Haven, and shortly after their marriage they removed to Ohio and subsequently to Illinois. After spending some time in the latter state they came to Iowa about 1873 and took up their abode in Boone, where they spent their remaining days, but both have now passed away. Mr Alcott was a wagon maker by trade, but did not follow that pursuit during the later years of his life. Both he and his wife passed away in the city of Boone when seventy-nine years of age. Unto Mr and Mrs Herring were born five children< four of whom are still living: Gertrude A, now the wife of Jonas Nichols, a resident of Santa Anna, California, where he is engaged in the grocery business, living there with his wife and their son Jonas, John H, a mail carrier of Boone, who has served in that capacity since the establishment of the free delivery system, Nita, who is at home, Alfred, now sixteen years of age, and Robert, who died at the age of seventeen years.
In his political views Mr Herring was a Republican and believed the principles of that party were best calculated to conserve the general good. His fellow townsmen, recognizing his worth and ability, called him to public office and for a number of years he served as a member of the city council of Boone, taking an active part in its work and promoting as far as possible all measures which he believed would prove of public benefit. He resided in Boone about one-third of a century and was highly respected by many friends there. He passed away March 15, 1898, and was laid to rest in the Boone cemetery. There was in his life much that is worthy of emulation. He was loyal in friendship, faithful in business and true to public trust, while in his family he was devoted and loving husband and father. His widow with her younger children still resides at her pleasant home at No 126 Tama street. Mrs Herring has a wide acquaintance in Boone, including a large number of friends.

1902 Boone County History Book