Channer, R. E.

CHANNER, ROWE, HENNING

Posted By: Janelle Martin (email)
Date: 5/18/2009 at 18:55:26

History of Hamilton County Iowa, Vol II, 1912 p.20

R. E. CHANNER.

There is a thriving drug store in Webster City, located at No. 627 Second street, the title of which, "The Big, Busy Drug Store," gives a complete picture of the nature of the enterprise and of the lines along which it is conducted and developed. It is a large and most modern pharmacy and in its prescription department as well as in its more popular lines does a gratifying and constantly increasing business. At its head and directing its policy is R. E. Channer, who founded the enterprise in February, 1911, and whose expert knowledge of drugs combined with his business ability have advanced the concern to its present degree of success. R. E. Channer was born in Utica, New York, September 2, 1874. His parents, John L. and Louisa J. (Rowe) Channer, were both natives of London, England, where the family has been established for many generations. Mr. Channer's grandfather was for many years an officer on the London police force, holding the rank of sergeant in that organization and being eventually retired on a pension. The American branch of the family was established about 1849, when John L. Channer left England and came to the United States, settling in Brooklyn, New York. The mother of our subject left London at about the same time and located in the same city. Here their marriage occurred and was immediately followed by their removal to Utica, where the father was engaged as a shoemaker during the remainder of his life. He died in 1909, at the age of eighty-six. His wife is still living and celebrated her eighty-third birthday on December 18, 1912.

Mr. Channer was educated in the public schools of Utica, New York, and even as a boy was interested in the drug business. He was an employee of a local pharmacy when he was scarcely more than a child and the early experience which he thus gained directed his later ambitions and was a valuable asset to him in his life's career. His residence in Iowa began in 1900, when he took a position with the Des Moines Drug Company in Des Moines as city salesman and traveler. He remained in this capacity for two years, eventually severing his connection with the Des Moines Drug Company to take a similar position in the employ of the Iowa Drug Company. His headquarters at this time were in Webster City, and he spent six years in traveling in this vicinity in the interests of his employers. He was ambitious and energetic and always attentive to the details of his business. These qualities won him rapid success and continuous advancement. He saved money and in September, 1908, was able to buy a half-interest in Wise Brothers Drug Store of Webster City. The firm was reorganized and the name changed to the Channer & Wise Drug Company. The influence of Mr. Channer's energetic and capable business methods was soon felt in their developing trade. He gave his entire time and attention to expanding and reorganizing the business along modern and systematic lines and met with a degree of success which was the natural result of his liberal and broad-minded policy. In February 1911, he purchased the interests of the Wise brothers in the enterprise and conducted the concern independently. His pharmacy is now known as The Big, Busy Drug Store, and fully justifies its name.

On December 18, 1900, Mr. Channer was united in marriage to Miss Emma D. Henning, a daughter of F. H. Henning, of Chicago.

Mrs. Channer is of German lineage and her parents were both born in the fatherland. Her mother is still living in St. Paul, Minnesota, having survived her husband, who passed away in 1910. Mr. and Mrs. Channer are the parents of a daughter, Evelyn Dorothy, born April 22, 1902.

Fraternally Mr. Channer holds membership in Acacia Lodge, No. 176, A. F. & A. M., and belongs to Webster City Lodge, No. 302, B. P. O. E. In the latter organization he held for two years the office of trustee and is now esteemed lecturing knight. He is also prominent in Webster Eagle Council, No. 343, U. C. T., and in Webster City Camp, No. 416, M. W. A. He is well known in social and business circles in Webster City and holds membership in the Country Club and in the Webster City Commercial League, in which organization he is also a director. He attends the Christian Science church and is a firm believer in the principles of that faith. His business life is so intelligently ordered and so quietly efficient and his store is so model an enterprise that Mr. Channer is regarded in Webster City as representative of its business life and a valued addition to its commercial world.

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