John A Menton

MENTON

Posted By: County Coordinator (email)
Date: 4/12/2010 at 12:38:58

Since 1902 John A Menton has been connected with the publication of the Boone County Democrat in partnership with John R Herron. He makes his home in the city of Boone, where he is both widely and favorably known. His birth occured in North Easton, Massachusetts, February 25, 1867, his parents being John and Johannah ( Leary) Menton, both of whom were natives of Ireland. The mother crossed the Atlantic to Canada in her girlhood days. The father went from Ireland to Birmingham, England, here he remained for about twelve years and then came to the United States, settling in Massachusetts. It was there they were marreid, and in the srping of 1867 they removed westward to Boone county, where for many years the father followed the occupation of farming. He afterward lived retired until his death, which occurred in the year 1905. His wife survived him for about eight years, passing away in 1913. In their family were eight children as follows: Julia, the wife of T J O'Connell, a resident of Boone, Dennis deceased, Daniel also living in Boone, John A, Kate the wife of D P Ivis of this county, Nellie at home, T P a resident of Boone, W F living in Santa Ana, California and Edward J of Boone.
John A Menton left the farm in his youthful days and supplemented the education which he had previously acquired in the public schools by study in the Western Normal College. He then went to the west for his health, spending two years in Colorado, and upon his return to Iowa, he engaged in teaching school, successfully following that profession for ten years. During that period he took up the study of law and was admitted to the bar in 1899. He afterward practiced in Boone and in Iola, Kansas, and whne he again returned to Boone once more became an instructor in the public schools. He also acted as a saleman and and afterward resumed the practice of law. In 1902 he entered the newspaper field in partnership with John R Herron, and the connection has since been maintained. They are owners and publishers of the Boone County Democrat, which has a good circulation and is therefore, an excellent advertising medium.
On April 28, 1909, Mr Menton was united in marriage to Miss Ida V Engel, who passed away eleven months later. He political allegiance is given to the demcratic party, and for twelve years he was chairman of the democratic central committee of Boone county. His religious fatih is that of the Catholic church. Much of his life has been spent in this section of the state, where he is now widely known, and he has won many friends during the long perold of his residence here.

1914 Boone County History Book