BATHER, Andrew

BATHER, KILLETT, BEAUMONT, BURDICK

Posted By: Nettie Mae
Date: 1/19/2003 at 00:43:36

Source: "The 1901 Biographical Record of Clinton Co., Iowa, Illustrated" published: Chicago : S. J. Clarke Pub. Co., 1901.

ANDREW BATHER
The subject of this sketch, who is a popular florist, nurseryman and gardener, of Clinton, Iowa, has been connected with the business affairs of the city since 1857, and in his undertaking has met with excellent success. he was born in Manchester, England, July 22, 1840, and is a son of Thomas and Agnes (Killett) Bather, who brought their family to the new world in 1849, and settled in Albany, New York, where the father was engaged in his chosen occupation-that of landscape gardener-until called to his final rest, in March, 1859, at the age of fifty-nine years. His wife died April, 5, 1866, at the age of sixty-six years. Of the children born to them, all but three died young, those who reached maturity were: John R., Emma M., and Andrew.

As previously stated, Andrew Bather came to Clinton in 1857, and for a year was engaged in market gardening on the Aiken farm, located on the Bluff road, but this place has since been laid off in town lots, with Third and Fourth avenues running through it. In 1859 he formed a partnership with his brother, John R., and together they leased one hundred and twenty-five acres of land from the Iowa Land Company, and another twenty-five-acre piece adjoining. They successfully engaged in farming, gardening and the nursery business for some time, and subsequently purchased twenty acres of that tract which they had previously rented. They established what was known as the Sunnyside Nursery, and commenced making a specialty of seeds and fine nursery goods. They also carried on general gardening, and first built upon their place two greenhouses, one sixteen y sixty feet in dimensions, the other eight by sixty. This was added to until at the time the firm was discontinued they had over nine thousand square feet of glass. When the partnership was dissolved John took the greenhouses, and our subject the nursery and garden, but the latter has since built greenhouses upon his place, and now has fifty-five hundred square feet under glass. He raises a choice variety of bedded plants, and is prepared to furnish all kinds of cut flowers for wedding, banquets and funerals, making a specialty of set pieces. he ships his flowers in every direction, and was the first florist to send cut flowers and plants to the cities of Iowa, and is to-day the oldest established florist in the state. For the past five years he has had fine salesrooms on Fifth avenue, which are artistically arranged, and besides having on sale all kinds of flowers, he also carries a good line of jardiniers, etc. he has sold considerable property, which has been divided into town lots and is now all built up. Over half of the shade and ornamental trees in the city of Clinton have been handled by Mr. Bather, and the city is one of the most beautifully shaded in the state. he has also personally superintended the making of most of the beautiful lawns of Clinton, which are to be seen on every hand.

Mr. Bather has been twice married, his first wife being Miss Martha A. Beaumont, a native of Brooklyn, New York, and a daughter of John H. Beaumont. She died, leaving one child, Martha A., who is now the wife of Arthur D. Burdick, and has one son, LeRoy. Mr. Bather then married Charlotte A. Beaumont, the sister of his first wife, and to them wee born five children, namely: Leo H., who is his father’s assistant; John e.; Ralph J.; Agnes H.; and Edith E. The family have a very pleasant home.

In his social relations Mr. Bather is a member of the Odd Fellow’s lodge, of which he is past grand; the Rebekah branch of that order; the Modern Woodmen of America; the Knights and Ladies of Honor; the Golden Security; and the Good Templars. He is also an active member of the First Baptist church, and his upright, honorable life has gained for him the respect and confidence of all with whom he has come in contact. Prior to the war of the Rebellion he was an abolitionist, and his home was a station on the famous “underground railroad,” by which means he assisted many a slave on his way to Canada, helping as many as twelve at one time.