J N Gildea

GILDEA

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 3/11/2009 at 16:28:40

J N Gildea, A half century has passed since J N Gildea come to Boone county, and throughout the intervening period he has been a prominent factor in the advancement of the commercial interests upon which the growth and prosperity of the community always depends. Widely known, his life history cannot fail to prove of interest to his many friends, and it is therefore with pleasure that we present this record of his career to our readers. He was born in Bowling Green, Clay county, Indiana August 1, 1845. His father, James Gildea, was born on a ship en route from Ireland to the new world about 1804. The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Sarah Zenor, and was born in 1802. By their marriage this worthy couple became the parents of ten children, of whom seven are yet living, but one brother, Oliver G was wounded and died in the army while serving as a defender of his country in the Civil War. Eliza is the widow of G M Drake of Kansas City, Missouri, John C makes his home in Washington, Mrs Sarah J Grime died in Colorado, Sarentha is the wife of J R Epperson of Boone, Thomas R is living in Washington, George W also makes his home I the same place, Clara is a resident of Iowa, living near Des Moines and J N of this review complete the family. It was I the year 1852 that the Gildea family came to Boone county, and the father purchased the farm which was operated by his son. He died in 1859, and his wife, long surviving him,, passed away in April 1888. J N Gildea, of this review, was but seven years of age when his parents came to Iowa. He acquired his early education in the public schools of Boone county, but through reading, experience and observation has become a well informed man. He remained upon the old homestead until 1863, when he turned his attention to merchandise, establishing a grocery store in Boonesboro. There he remained until 1872, when he removed to the city of Boone and engaged in the same business, conducting a store until 1891. He then became connected with a green house enterprise, continuing the raising of flowers until 1901, in which year he established a store in Boone, in which he carried a fine line of cut flowers and makes a specialty of floral designs. In this business he has bet with creditable success, having a liberal patronage.
On Nov 23, 1873, Mr Gildea married Miss Mattie R Slater, who was born in Champaign county, Illinois, Dec 2, 1851, a daughter of Jacob Slater, whose birth occurred March 11, 1811. After arriving at years of maturity her father married Rebecca Harvey, who was born April 22, 1810. His death occurred December 18, 1852, and his wife died march 9, 1887. Three children have blessed the marriage of our subject and his wife: Russell M who was born September 3, 1875 in Boone, Bessie G who was born December 3, 1877, and is the wife of F R Payne, and Loran S was born March 17, 1881. Our subject and his wife hold membership in the Episcopalian church and in politics he is a Republican, earnest I support of the principles of the party and for four years he served as a member of the city council. Socially he is identified with the Fraternal Choppers. During the half century that he has resided in Boone county he has witnesses many changes and has taken an active interest in the work of the public improvements. When he came here the country was all wild, little of it having been reclaimed from its primitive condition. Deer, elk, buffaloes, and smaller game, such as ducks, geese and turkeys, could all be found in abundance, and wolves were often seen. Mr Gildea has shot ducks at the corner of Eighth and Story streets in Boone. AS the years have passed, however, a great transformation has been wrought, and the little hamlet has emerged from primitive conditions to take its place among the enterprising cities of the commonwealth. Mr Gildea has ever manifested a deep interest in his work, and as a public spirited citizen has done what he could to advance public progress.

1902 Boone County History Book