Emmert, P. R.

EMMERT, MCCORKLE, HANEY

Posted By: Volunteer Transcribers
Date: 1/31/2003 at 02:09:28

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

P. R. EMMERT

P. R. Emmert, who is now successfully engaged in the livery business in DeWitt, was born in that town, March 2, 1856, on the site of a business house which he owns. His father, John A. Emmert, was born in Germany in 1827, and was a child of four years when brought to this country by his parents. In 1833 the family located in Pennsylvania, where John A. grew to manhood. When the Mexican war broke out he joined the United States army and served all through that struggle, in recognition of which he now receives a pension. About 1849 he came to Clinton county, Iowa, and for a number of years drove the stage coach from Davenport to Dubuque. In early days where the present fine turnpike crossed the slough for forty rods the road was made by four logs, which, not being wide enough for teams to pass, was very inconvenient, as all had to give way to the stage, which carried United States mail. He was married in DeWitt to Miss Sarah M. McCorkle, who was a native of Pennsylvania and was reared in that state. She died in DeWitt in November, 1890. After his marriage Mr. Emmert conducted a hotel and boarding house, being proprietor of the old DeWitt house for some years. Later he purchased a lot and built a good residence, where he lived retired for some years, but is now at the Soldiers’ Home in Marshalltown, Iowa.

Our subject attended the public schools of DeWitt to a limited extent during his boyhood and youth, but is almost wholly self-educated. In early life he was principally engaged in teaming and horse trading. He was married in 1874, at the age of eighteen years, to Miss Phoebe A. Haney, who was born in Canada, and was a childre of eight years when she came to this county. They have three children: John H., now a resident of Alcester, South Dakota; Lillie, at home; and Everett A., who is assisting his father in business.

After his marriage Mr. Emmert was engaged in the manufacture of patent bed springs, first at DeWitt and later at Bellevue, Iowa, where he located in 1880. Subsequently he followed the same occupation at Cascade, and in 1884 returned to DeWitt, where he was engaged in business with D. J. Cranston, selling pumps and buggies. In 1891 he removed to Chicago, where he was employed first as nightwatchman and later filled a number of other positions. During the World’s Fair he was on the grounds as superintendent of delivery for the Cold Storage Company until their building was destroyed by fire. He soon found other employment, and during the two years spent in Chicago lost but seven days from work. At the end of that time Mr. Emmert returned to DeWitt, Iowa. He had previously been engaged in the livery business here, and on his return resumed business at his old stand and with the same partner. He owns some good horses and a fine line of buggies, carriages, etc., and has secured a liberal patronage. For seven years he has also engaged in the ice business, and has built up a good trade in that line. He is also engaged in heavy transfer work, and has a wagon warranted to carry twenty tons. In addition he is a dealer in vehicles. After getting started in 1894 he was burned out and lost everything, but has since made a success. Mr. Emmert started out in life for himself empty-handed, and by his own industry, enterprise and good management has succeeded in accumulating a nice property. He owns about two-thirds of a block where he is now engaged in business, on which is located one dwelling house, his stable and carriage repository, and he also has five other residences erected by him, and an interest in three others. He bought and tore down the old court-house, using the material for the frame work of his residences. A very wide-awake and energetic business man, his success has been worthily achieved, it being the just reward of his own unaided efforts. Politically he is identified with the Republican party, and fraternally affiliates with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the modern Woodmen of America. He has filled all the chairs in the former lodge and is now past grand and trustee of the same. He is a believer in insurance, especially life insurance, and carries about twenty-five thousand dollars in life and fire insurance.