DERRY, George Herbert

DERRY, WHEDAL, FRANCE, ANDERSON

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 1/25/2014 at 06:11:04

History of Decatur County Iowa and Its People
Illustrated, Volumne II.

Prof. J. M. Howell and Heman C. Smith
Supervising Editors

The S.J. Clarke Publishing Company. pp. 274-76. Chicago. 1915.

George Herbert Derry

Among the enterprising and prosperous business men of Decatur county is George Herbert Derry, who is proprietor of the Lamoni Auto Company, operates a fully equipped garage and also deals in harness and saddlery. He was born in Dodge county, Nebraska, in 1870, a son of George Derry, whose birth occurred in Stafford, Staffordshire, England, July 18, 1824. The paternal grandparents of our subject were Charles and Amelia Derry, the latter of whom died when their son George was but eighteen months of age. When ten years old he was apprenticed to the harness maker's and leather manufacturer's trade and he became an expert workman in those lines. He worked for eight years in London and also lived for a time in Walsall, England, but in 1856 he emigrated with his family to America, landing at Boston, Massachusetts. They soon made their way to Council Bluffs, partly by rail, partly by wagon, but did not remain long in that city. They continued their journey westward and located at Fontanelle, Nebraska, where Mr. Derry took up a homestead, upon which the family resided for about eight years. He then followed harness making at Fontanelle until the spring of 1880, when he removed to Lamoni. He built up a good business as a harness maker and leather manufacturer and owned the building in which his shop was located, also a good residence and sixty acres of fine land in Ringgold county.

For about seventy years he worked more or less at his trade and he had an enviable reputation for doing excellent and conscientious work. He was an active member of the Reorganized Church of Latter Day Saints, and held the rank of high priest. His wife also belonged to that denomination. He was a democrat in politics and for several terms served on the city comicil of Lamoni. He was married in 1846 to Miss Louisa Wheldal, a native of Derby, Derbyshire, England, whose birth occurred in 1822. He died February 26, 1911, and she passed away in 1888 or 1889. They became the parents of seven children, two of whom died in infancy. Those who grew to maturity besides our subject are: Ada L., the deceased wife of William A. France, who is mentioned elsewhere in this work; Charles H., a farmer and stock-raiser residing in Holt county, Nebraska; M. W., a farmer of Butte, Nebraska; and Arthur E., who is farming near Elgin, that state.

George H. Derry has resided in Lamoni since 1880. He received a high-school education and when seventeen years of age went into his father's harness' shop, subsequently becoming a partner in the firm of George Derry & Son. He continues to deal in harness and saddlery and in 1911 added a garage. He was at first a partner in the business which is known as the Lamoni Auto Company but subsequently became sole owner of the business, although he retains the original firm name. In 1912 he erected the large building on the east side of Linden street in which his harness shop and garage is situated, and he has a large trade in both lines, employing several assistants. He also engages to some extent in the livery business and has the agency for the Chalmers and Reo cars. He is himself an expert mechanic and built a four-cylinder car which is still in good condition after having been run for several years. He also built the omnibus which operates between Togo and Lamoni. In addition to the various interests already mentioned he is treasurer of the local telephone company and his duties in that connection are promptly and accurately discharged.

Mr. Derry married Miss Charlotte Anderson, a daughter of the late Bishop William Anderson, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work. Mrs. Anderson resides with our subject. Mrs. Derry was born in St. Louis but for many years has resided in Decatur county and is a graduate of the Lamoni schools. By her marriage she has become the mother of two sons and two daughters, namely: Ada Louise, whose birth occurred in June, 1896; Ruth Charlotte, seventeen years of age, who graduated in 1915 from the Lamoni high school; and Arthur Wallace, fourteen years old, and Ralph, twelve years of age, both of whom are in school.

Mr. Derry is a democrat and has served with credit to himself in various local offices. Fraternally he belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and he is also connected with the Modern Woodmen of America. Both he and his wife hold membership in the Reorganized Church of Latter Day Saints and cooperate in the work of that demonination. Mr. Derry has won a place among the progressive and energetic business men of Lamoni and receives a good annual income from his varied activities.

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, January of 2014