John Herron

HERRON

Posted By: County Coordinator (email)
Date: 5/4/2010 at 09:44:19

In a history of the early settlers, whose efforts have been factors in the substantial development of Boone county, it is well that mention be made of John Herron, who arrived in the spring of 1860 and for may years was identified with the agricultural interests of this section of the state. Later he promoted and developed the Farmers Mutual Insurance Company, and his activities were ever of a character that contributed to public progress and prosperity was well as to individual success, making him a citizen of worth to the community. He was born in Carroll county, Ohio March 24, 1825, a son of Thomas and Ruth (Davy) Herron. The father who was a farmer represented an old Ohio family of Irish lineage. His father came from Ireland and settled in Pennsylvania, whence he afterward removed to Ohio, becoming one of the pioneer settlers of that state. Thomas Herron was born in Pennsylvania, here he remained until about twenty years of age. Later he took up the profession of teaching in Ohio and while in that state was untied in marriage to Miss Ruth Davy, who was also a representative of an old family there. He afterward followed farming in the Buckeye state until 1845, when death claimed him. His widow survived and passed away during the period of the Civil war. In their family were eight children, but only one is now living a daughter who resides at Magnolia, Carroll county, Ohio at the advance age of eight-six years.
John Herron was reared to the occupation of farming and during much of his life followed the work of the fields on Oho and in Iowa. He was married in Tuscarawas county, Ohio on January 1, 1850, to Miss Miranda A Kollar, who was born in Tuscarawas county in 1831, a daughter of Michael and Catherine (McCrary) Kollar, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania, but were married in Ohio. Her maternal grandfather was from Ireland and married a lady of Pennsylvania-Dutch stock. Michael Kollar was a blacksmith by trade and followed that pursuit until his death, which occurred when his daughter Mrs Herron was an infant of but a few months.
Mr and Mrs Herron began their domestic life I Ohio, but after about ten years removed to Iowa, arriving in the spring of 1860. They settled on a farm a mile east of Boone, in Des Moines township, Boone county, having traded their Ohio property for unimproved land in this state. They resided for a time in Boone while improving the farm by erecting buildings, but in the spring of 86 took up their abode upon that place and there remained until Mr Herron retired from active farm life and returned to Boone in 1882. Soon afterward he began formulating plans that resulted in the organization of the Farmers Mutual Insurance Company of Boone and for sixteen years devoted his time and energies to the up building of the business, securing many subscribers and making the company one of the strength and financial solidity. At length he retired from active business life and spent his remaining days in the enjoyment of a comfortable competence, which had come to him as a result of his carefully directed business affairs in former years.
To Mr and Mrs Herron were born six children, four being born in Ohio ad two in Boone county. Five of the number reached adult age. Thomas S the eldest was one of the oldest engineers on the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad when he left hat service. He died December 22, 1909, at the age of fifty-nine years, having for only about six moths survived his wife, who in her maidenhood was Sarah Gillette and who passed away on May 13, 1909. Isaac A was employed as an engineer on the Chicago & Northwestern before he went west in 1881. He assisted in building the Oregon Short Line and was an engineer on that road for a long period, but now resides on a ranch near Glens Ferry, Idaho, and is recognized as a prominent and influential business man there. He operated the water system at that place and has four children: John who is now a member of the United Stats navy, Thomas a fireman on the Oregon Short Line, residing at Pocatello, Idaho, Leota a teacher and Isaac Elmore, a fireman now residing at Lincoln, Nebraska. Salina Isabelle was married in 1875 to Marion Boyd, a harness makes and farmer who died in 1880. They had a daughter, Edith Ethel, who is now the wife of Edgar Houser, a policeman of Boone. They have one daughter Mary Isabelle Houser. Mrs Houser’s first husband was Robert Lithcow and they had one son, Marion B Lithcow, who was twelve years of age on February 9, 1914. Mr and Mrs Marion Boyd had two sons, Warren M and Thomas Marion, who died in infancy. Margaret, the fourth member of the Herron family, is the wife of Marcellus Smith, a resident of Royal, Clay county, Iowa, where he is engaged in the real estate business. They have three children : Mrs Lottie Chessley, of Spencer, Iowa, John living at Royal, Iowa, ad Nora, of Boone. James A is a farmer near Ogden, Boone county, and married Mrs Hannah Cook. Ruth died at the age of four years.
Politically Mr Herron was a stalwart republican giving unfaltering support to that party and its principles. He served for many years as county assessor and the record which he made in office as highly creditable. He as entitled to wear the Grand Army button by reason of his service as a member of Company D, Thirty-second Iowa Volunteer Infantry, with which he remained for nineteen months. He was afterward a hospital nurse, until the close of the war. In later years he joined the grand Army Post, while his wife became a member of the Women’s Relief Corps. His religious faith was that of the Presbyterian church, and its principles were the actuating spirit in his life, making him a man whom to know was to respect and honor He remained a resident of this part of the state form the spring of 1860 until he passed away on September 30, 1899, and throughout that period his many god traits of character gained for him an extended circle of war friends.

1914 Boone County History Book