Zachary, R. B.

ZACHARY, BLEE, GOODRICH

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 8/15/2009 at 18:41:32

R. B. Zachary

R. B. Zachary, cashier or L. E. Zachary & r Son's Bank, at Prairie City, and a prominent businessman and influential citizen of Colfax, was born in Jasper County, Iowa, March 29, 1856. He is a son of Larkin E. Zachary, a native of Virginia, who came to Jasper County in 1856 and is now a successful banker of Prairie City, being a man of wealth and influence and a large landowner. The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Eliza Blee, and was a native of Ohio and a descendant of Irish ancestry. In the parental family there were four sons and three daughters, all of whom are residents of Iowa, and six are living in Jasper County. The sixth in order of birth is the subject of this sketch. He was reared upon a farm, and gained the rudiments of his education in the neighboring district schools. The knowledge there secured was afterward supplemented by an attendance at McClain's Business College, in Des Moines, where he prosecuted his studies for a short time. In 1878 he accepted the position of assistant cashier in his father's bank, and two years later became cashier of that institution. He is also financially interested in the Citizens' Bank of Colfax, of which he is a Director. In addition to his other interests Mr. Zachary is the owner of three hundred and forty acres in Jasper County, from the rental of which he receives a fair income. He also owns three hundred and sixty acres in other places. In 1892 he established in Colfax the boot and shoe and clothing store of which be has since been proprietor. As a businessman he is keen, sagacious, quick to discern an opportunity and no less prompt in availing himself of every advantage. His transactions are always accurate and honorable, and he has never gained wealth at the expense of another, but has been strictly upright in his dealings with all. August 16, 1888, Mr. Zachary was married to Miss Jessie A. Goodrich, a native of Johnson County Iowa, and a daughter of George A. Goodrich, of Colfax. In his social connections Mr. Zachary is identified with the Masonic fraternity, belonging to the blue lodge at Prairie City, the chapter at Colfax, the Commandery at Newton, and the shrine at Cedar Rapids. He is a man of much experience, gifted with firmness, sagacity and foresight to a marked degree, which traits have no doubt been instrumental in gaining him a position among the first citizens of Colfax. He is very liberal, and never hesitates to spend his money where it will do good or relieve suffering. In his opinions he is tenacious. This is especially true in regard to his political views, he being a very strong Democrat, active in political affairs and giving material support to his party. However, he has never sought official honors, but has devoted his attention strictly to his private affairs. As a businessman and a citizen he is highly regarded by all with whom he has an acquaintance. Portrait and Biographical Record, Jasper, Marshall and Grundy Counties, IA Page 392.