OLIVER, John H.

OLIVER, HICKS, THAYER, EDWARDS, HOGBIN

Posted By: Nettie Mae
Date: 1/19/2003 at 00:09:30

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

JOHN H. OLIVER.

John H. Oliver, who since 1885 has been as resident of Clinton, Iowa, and during all that time has been one of the trusted employes of the Chicago & Northwestern Railway Company, was bon in Chicago, on the 10th of July, 1866, and is a son of William and Lucy (Hicks) Oliver, the former a native of Kilmarnick, Scotland, and the latter of Devonshire, England. Both came to this country when small children. The father is a well-educated man and an expert bookkeeper, who is now in the employ of Ashcraft & Ashcraft, attorneys, of Chicago. In the family were four children, namely: John H., our subject: Lucy, wife of Charles Thayer, of Chicago; William P., who died at the age of twenty-six years; and Nellie M., at home with her parents.

In the public schools of his native city John H. Oliver acquired his early education, and also attended the Bryant & Stratton Business College. He began his business career as a clerk in a wholesale store, but always had the desire to become a railroad man, and in September, 1885, came to Clinton and entered the service of the Chicago & Northwestern Railway, as fireman, running between Clinton and Belle Plaine. In July, 1890, he was promoted to engineer, and has since served the company in that capacity with credit to himself and to their entire satisfaction, having never been blamed for any accidents which have occurred to his train.

Mr. Oliver was married in Clinton, September 11, 1888, to Miss Nellie F. Edwards, who was born in Dubuque, in 1869, and in 1880 came to Clinton with her parents, William and Maria E. (Hogbin) Edwards. The father was born in 1838 and died in 1899, having been an invalid for fifteen years prior to his death. He was a well-informed man, who was widely and favorably known in boating circles, especially among the pioneers on the river. For ten years he was an engineer on the Artemus Lamb, plying on the Mississippi. His wife who was born in 1844, is still living, and makes her home with our subject. Unto them were born three children, but two died in childhood, so that Mrs. Oliver is the only one now living. She is a graduate of the Clinton high school. Our subject and his wife have three children, two sons and one daughter, namely: Robert W., aged eleven years; Marjorie B., aged ten: and William P., age two. The two older are attending the public schools of Clinton. The family live at the Edwards home, and Mr. Oliver has made many improvements in the residence. A part of which he has rebuilt.

Socially Mr. Oliver is a member of American Lodge, I. O. O. F., of Clinton, and his wife belongs to Star of Hope Lodge, in which she has filled all the chairs. He is also a member of Clinton division, No. 125, B. of L. E., while she is a member of the Grand International Auxiliary of that order. Since leaving school, at the age of fourteen years, he has been dependent upon his own resources for a livelihood, and his success in life is due entirely to his own industry, perseverance and fidelity to the trusts reposed in him. Mrs. Oliver is an active member of the First Methodist church, of Clinton.