G.A. Gleason

GLEASON, LARAWAY, SMITH, MOORE

Posted By: Clay County IAGenWeb Coordinator (email)
Date: 11/6/2010 at 16:15:00

G. A. Gleason, who manifests a spirit of unfaltering determination and unwearied industry in carrying on his farming interests in Logan township, Clay county, is a representative of one of the early families of Iowa and a direct descendant of General Putnam. His parents were Clement and Jane (McDowell) Gleason. His father was a native of the state of Massachusetts, his birth having occurred in Salem. At an early date he located in this state and throughout his life was well known as a farmer and merchant. He was one of the first to take up land in Wapello county, at which time the greater portion of the state was unsettled and unimproved. It was therefore not without strenuous efforts and unfaltering perseverance that the raw land was brought under cultivation. Mr. Gleason belonged to that early generation of men who did not expect to make their way in life without having to overcome difficulties and hardships, and being a man inspired by a firm purpose and an aggressive spirit he soon converted the wild and unproductive prairie into fertile fields from which he reaped generous harvests. In connection with farming he also carried on a general mercantile business and was one of the first to engage in that enterprise in his locality. He was well known throughout the county and in his day did much toward advancing the general improvement of the township in which he spent his life.

G. A. Gleason was born in Agency City, Iowa, June 10, 1848. He acquired his education in the district schools and upon completing his schooling at the age of twenty years he was apprenticed to a cooper and carpenter, with whom he remained until he learned the trade. He then worked as a journeyman for five years, at the expiration of which time he began contracting and building on his own account, his previous experience well qualifying him for this step. He followed the business in Atlantic, Cass county, and in Coon Rapids, Carroll county, Iowa, and the undertaking proved quite successful. In 1893 he came to this county and has since devoted his time to raising general crops. He has given much attention to his farming by way of making improvements and conducts the occupation upon modern principles, also carefully studying the nature of the soil. He has been successful in so cultivating his crops as to approximate a maximum yield per acre and from year to year has been gradually adding to his prosperity.

In 1867 Mr. Gleason wedded Mary L. Laraway and to this union were born the following named: Clement, an agriculturist of Sioux township; Amanda, the wife of H. A. Smith, residing on a farm in Gillets Grove township; Fred R., who is manager of the Farmer’s Elevator Company at Gillets Grove: Bessie, the wife of Robert Moore, who follows agricultural pursuits in Logan township, and Catherine, who resides with her parents. Mr. Gleason’s political views have always been in accord with republican principles and, although he is not an active politician nor does he aspire to hold public office, he takes considerable interest in elections and during campaigns uses his vote and influence in behalf of the candidates of his party. He belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church and Spencer Lodge, A. F. & A. M. Mr. Gleason’s life has been such as to merit the respect of his fellowmen and by his honesty, uprightness and industry he has contributed much toward the upbuilding of the community of which he is a representative citizen.

Source: History of Clay County Iowa – Steele – 1909, page 584.