McArthur, Walter L.

MCARTHUR, BANJAMIN

Posted By: Volunteer Transcribers
Date: 1/28/2003 at 19:04:58

WALTER L. McARTHUR
This well-known and popular citizen of Clinton, who is cashier for the Joyce Lumber Company, was born in Geneseo, New York, in 1861, his parents being Walter L. and Amanda (Benjamin) McArthur, who were natives of Scotland and New York, respectively and are both now deceased. His education was completed in the State Normal School of Geneseo, and he began his business career at the age of seventeen in the office of the surrogate at that place.
Coming west in 1879, Mr. McArthur located in Chicago, where he was in the employ of Hodge & Homer, hardware merchants, until his removal to Clinton in 1884, when he entered the employ of the Joyce Lumber Company as bookkeeper, in which capacity he served until promoted to cashier in 1894. His books were masterpieces of bookkeeping, as he in unexcelled as a penman, and he has often been employed by other firms as an expert accountant.
What is now the Joyce Lumber Company was first founded by the firm of Joyce & Smith, later business was carried on under the name of D. Joyce, and on the death of David Joyce, William T. Joyce succeeded to the business, which was conducted under his name until the Joyce Lumber Company was organized in December, 1899. Their logs are rafted from the north by contract and they are engaged in the manufacture of lumber in both Clinton, Iowa, and Fulton, Illinois, and the daily capacity of the mills being about one hundred and eighty thousand feet of lumber, besides shingles and laths, which they also manufacture. The present mill at Lyons was established in 1868, and here one hundred and twenty- five hands are employed, while one hundred and fifty are employed across the river at Fulton. Their principal office is in the former place. The present officers of the company are W. T. Joyce, of Chicago, president and treasurer; George S. Sardam, of Fulton, vice-president and manager; W. A. Remick, of Chicago, secretary; and W. L. McAarthur, cashier. All shipments made by the company are by railroad. Mr. McArthur possesses considerable ability as an artist and is familiar with all kinds of photography. He is also talented as a vocalist, and has had considerable experience in organizing and instructing church choirs, having been leader of the choir in the Baptist church of Clinton for some time. In religious faith he is an Episcopalian, and in his political views is a Republican, and takes a great interest in public affairs and the progress and prosperity of his adopted county. About ten years ago he was made a Mason at Lyons and has since risen to the thirty-second degree, and is a member of DeMolay Consistory, No. 1, of Clinton. He also belongs to the camp of Modern Woodmen of America and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. In manner he is genial and pleasant, and has a large circle of friends and acquaintances in the city where he has now made his home for seventeen years.  
Source: The 1901 Biographical Record of Clinton Co., Iowa, Illustrated published: Chicago : S. J. Clarke Pub. Co., 1901.