Highland, Samuel M.

HIGHLAND, GREGORY, ROCKHILL, RYAN

Posted By: Volunteer Subscribers
Date: 4/15/2003 at 22:24:58

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

SAMUEL M. HIGHLAND.

Samuel M. Highland, the president and secretary of the Gas Light & Coke Company, of Clinton, Iowa, is one of the leading and substantial citizens of this city.

Samuel M. Highland was born in Carroll county, Iowa, in 1849, and he was a son of Daniel and Mary Ann (Gregory) Highland, farming people of the county. His education was acquired in the public schools, but his course was shortened to permit his entrance into the Rodey’s mills, at Lyons. Mr. Highland’s career has been from this early date connected with gas, and so thoroughly has he studied the subject and experimented with all its possibilities that no one could be better fitted for the high position which he holds.

At Masterton, Ohio, Mr. Highland so impressed his employers with his reliability and knowledge of the business that he continued for a considerable period there as superintendent, moving to Alliance, Ohio, in 1883, where he became a part owner of the plant. Later he became connected with the gas plant in Muncie, Indiana, and bought the Marion gas works, this association necessitating the building, buying and remodeling of so many plants that Mr. Highland found his health failing and on this account was obliged to dispose of his interests there.

In the fall of 1890 Mr. Highland came to Clinton as superintendent of the water works, and the citizens of this city are greatly indebted to him for their successful and efficient service. In 1901 Mr. Highland again became connected with gas, purchasing an interest in the Clinton Gas & Coke Company, which was established in this city in 1869, its president being W. J. Young, whose death left the vacancy which Mr. Highland has so efficiently filled. Under his capable management there has been a marvelous growth; the price of the commodity has been cheapened; mains have been extended, and general commercial prosperity established. The capital stock of the original company was twenty-five thousand dollars, while in contrast, it now is one hundred and forty thousand dollars. The beautiful offices and salesrooms of the company are located at the corner of Fifth and Second streets, formerly the site of the Lee drug store, this property having been remodeled under the supervision of Mr. Highland.

The marriage of Mr. Highland was to Miss Mary Rockhill, who was a daughter of David Rockhill, of Alliance, Ohio, and to this union two children were born, namely, Lenora, who is the wife of Thomas Ryan, of Clinton; and Edward, who is the reliable assistant superintendent and practical manager of the plant, which is one of the finest and most modern in the state. The gas furnished daily to the citizens of Clinton aggregates one hundred and fifty thousand feet, necessitating the consumption of twenty-six tons of coal per diem.

Mr. Highland occupies one of the handsomest residences in this beautiful city and is prominently identified with the Masonic order, the Elks, and other social organizations.