Fay Sperry (1879 - 1942)

SPERRY

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 8/16/2022 at 19:55:09

Fay Sperry
(April 8, 1879 - April 1942)

It is with pleasure that the historian presents to the readers of this volume the life record of Fay Sperry, for few young men of his years have attained to a more creditable position in financial circles. He is certainly one of the youngest bank owners in the state, but his ability does not seem to be limited by his years. Throughout his business experience he has been identified with banking, and his knowledge thereof is comprehensive and accurate. The institution which he has established and is now conducting has already won a creditable place, enjoying is marked degree the confidence and support of the public.
Fay Sperry was born in Bryan, Ohio, April 8, 1879, and is a son of Charles T. and Emma (Garver) Sperry. The father was a native of Connecticut, while the mother of our subject was born in the Buckeye state. Charles Sperry is now located in Des Moines, Iowa, where he is engaged in the wholesale grocery business and is accounted one of the leading men of this city, actively associated with its commercial interests. He has there resided for a number of years and is among the successful and well known merchants of that place.
Mr. Sperry of this review was reared in Des Moines, obtaining his elementary education in the public schools. He also completed the high school course in Des Moines and then entered Drake University of that state. His excellent educational privileges well fitted him for assuming responsible duties in business life, and on putting aside his text-books he entered upon his business career in the position of remittance clerk in the Des Moines National Bank in 1898. He remained in that institution for two years, being from time to time promoted as he mastered the duties assigned to him and gave evidence of his excellent business ability. On leaving Des Moines he came to Somers, Calhoun County, where, in connection with
A. R. Daughenbaugh, he established the Somers Security Bank in 1901. They carry on a general banking business, also deal in real estate, making loans on farm property and represent a number of reliable insurance companies. In 1901 they erected the present bank building, which is well fitted up with fine equipment and furnishings and has one of the latest improved time safes. In fact everything about the bank is such as is found in a first-class institution and from
the establishment of the enterprise the business has continuously increased, owing to the conservative methods and well known reliability of the gentlemen who are at its head.
On the 5th of June, 1900, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Sperry and Miss Nellie Daughenbaugh, and unto them has been born one son, Donald D. They have a very pleasant home which their hospitality renders a favorite resort with their many friends. Mr. Sperry is now serving as justice of the peace and notary public and in his political views is a stalwart Republican, doing all in his power to promote the growth and insure success to his party. In his religious faith he is a Congregationalist. Pleasant and genial in manner and social in disposition, he has become very popular and has won a host of warm friends in and around Somers. A young man, he has but slightly passed maturity, but has given evidence of the possession of marked business ability in executive affairs. He is possessed of a laudable ambition and the enterprising spirit which is so typical of the west. With these qualities to serve as a foundation of success there is no doubt but that he will gain a very prominent position in financial circles. [Source – Biographical Record of Calhoun County, Iowa, by S. J. Clarke, 1902, p.333]