John T Gildea

GILDEA

Posted By: County Coordinator (email)
Date: 5/13/2010 at 16:47:30

John T Gildea, the well known postmaster and general merchant of Luther, has throughout his life been a resident of Boone county, for he was born in Worth township September 9, 1863, a son of Thomas J and Elizabeth (Nutt) Gildea. The father was a native of Kentucky and on leaving that state came to Iowa on 1855, locating in Worth township, Boone county, where he secured land and followed farming until the Civil war. Feeling that his country needed his services, he entered the army as a member of Company H Forty-forth Iowa Volunteer Infantry. Returning to this state, he died in Davenport in the fall of 1864. His widow survived him many years, passing away February 5, 1914, when seventy-four years of age. In their family were the following children: Mrs Sarah Davis, a resident of Worth township, Philip, who is living in Worth township, two mils north of Luther, Robert a resident of Luther, John T of this review, L F who is engaged in the transfer business in Boone, and William T a farmer of Worth township.
John T Gildea attended the common schools of this county during his boyhood and youth and at an early age commenced farming, to which occupation he devoted his attention until his removal to Luther in the fall of 1906, when he embarked in business as a general merchant. He still owns his farm in Worth township, however, but at the present time his attention is given to mercantile pursuits. Since September 1, 1912, he has also served as postmaster of Luther and is regarded as one of the most enterprising business men of his part of the county. He married Miss Rachel A Hoffman, also a native of Boone county. For children have been born to them, namely: Mary Mae, now the wife of James Kenser, of Luther, Grace G at home, William Blaine who is attending the high school in Boone, and Norah Lee at home.
Mr Gildea’s political support has ever been given to the republican party, and he has been called upon to served as councilman and now is school treasurer. Both he and his wife hold member shi in the Luther Methodist church, and socially he is connected with the Ancient Order o Untied Workmen at Boone and the Odd Fellow and Rebekah Lodges of Luther, Mrs Gildea also belonging to the last named. They are well known and highly esteemed citizens of the community who merit the confidence so freely accorded them.

1914 Boone County History Book