John Wm. Iler (1864-1950)

ILER

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 9/3/2023 at 22:00:10

John Wm. Iler
(January 30, 1864 – August 13, 1950)

John W. Iler has since 1887 been a representative of the train service of the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad Company, and is one of its most efficient engineers. He makes his home at Lake City and throughout his entire life has resided in Iowa, his birth having occurred in Pella, Marion County. His father, John F. Iler, was a native of Kentucky, born near Louisville. When he attained the adult age, he was united in marriage to Mary A. Earp. who was also born in Kentucky, but their marriage was celebrated in Marion County, Iowa, in 1857. The father was a farmer by occupation and followed that pursuit in order to provide for his family of ten children. Five of the number died in infancy, while five are still living, namely: Almeda E., the wife of Louis Rice, a farmer of Sac County, Iowa; John W., of this review; Zella, the wife of C. E. Brady, an agriculturist of Calhoun County; Lorenzo D., also a farmer of this county; and Roscoe E., a miller of Grant City, Iowa. The parents are still living, now making their home in Sac County, where they removed from Marion County in 1878. The father has attained the ripe old age of seventy-three years and both are highly respected people, enjoying the confidence and good will of many friends.
John W. Iler at the usual age began his education attending the public schools of Pella, Sac County, and of Grant City, Iowa. He made his home with his parents until 1884, when he began traveling and spent two years in Colorado and Nebraska, but in 1886 returned to Sac county, this state, where he worked at the carpenter's trade until the spring of 1887, when he entered the service of the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad Company, with which he has since been connected. He came to Lake City and for about a year was employed as carpenter in the roundhouse at this place. In 1888 he
began firing on the Northern Iowa division, running out from Lake City, and continued to serve in that capacity until 1892, when he
was promoted to the position of locomotive engineer on the same division. For about ten years he served in this way, being most
careful in the performance of his duty and thus gaining the confidence and approval of the company. During all this time he has
ever with faithful diligence cared for the interests of the corporation, which he represents.
On the 23d of October, 1891, Mr. Iler was united in marriage to Miss Viola M. Morgan, the daughter of R. H. Morgan, who is employed as foreman at the round house of the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad Company at Elmore, Minnesota. Unto our subject and his wife have been born three children; Norma Myril, who was born October 8, 1892; Myron Morgan, born October 5, 1894; and Diral Dewey, who was born in May, 1897, and died November 23, l900. Mr. Iler holds membership with the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and with the Improved Order of Red Men and is well liked in these fraternities. He possesses many sterling characteristics and qualities, which endear him to his friends and by all who know him he is held in the highest esteem. [Source - Biographical Record of Calhoun County, Iowa, by S. J. Clarke, 1902, p.577]