Emery, John M.

EMERY, CHATFIELD, GIBSON, FRYE, ROUNDTREE, HUNT, PIPER, LAWRENCE, TRIPP

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 8/22/2009 at 13:35:31

Emery, John M.

The highest claim to the crown of good citizenship of John M. Emery, a gentleman too well known all over the state of Iowa to need any introduction here, is his universal dedication of himself to all moral and uplifting public issues. Point out the right side of all questions of vital public and general interest and there you will find Mr. Emery arrayed as an advocate and fighter and his popularity is well deserved, as in him are embraced the characteristics of unabating energy, unbending integrity, unswerving public spirit and an industry that never flags, having gained the confidence and good will of his fellow men in all the relations of life by his genial address, his straight forward business policy and his unquestioned loyalty to life's higher ideals.

Like many of the best citizens of Jasper County, Mr. Emery hails from the old Empire State, his birth having occurred in Steuben County, New York, July 31, 1849, he being the scion of a sterling old family, the son of A. G. and Alice (Chatfield) Emery, both natives of New York, the mother's parents having come from Massachusetts, and the paternal grandfather served his country under Washington at Valley Forge. A. G. Emery was a Baptist minister and for many years was prominent in that denomination. He grew to maturity and was educated in his native state, and in 1854 he brought his family to Iowa, locating in Fayette County, and the following year he entered one hundred and sixty acres of land in Clayton County, and there began farming and preaching. He was successful and to his original holdings he added land until he owned a fine farm of two hundred and forty acres. In 1875 he sold this and moved to Kansas, where he homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres, also took up a timber claim of one hundred and sixty acres, and there he spent ten years, preaching and farming, then sold out and moved to Norton, Kansas, where he lived eight years, thence moved to Boulder, Colorado, where he spent the remaining years of his life, dying when past eighty-seven years of age, and there he was buried. He was a good and useful man and highly honored wherever he went. His wife, a most excellent woman, died at Bennett, Colorado, two years later at the age of eighty-five.

Rev. A. G. Emery was a remarkable man in many ways; he was exceptionally alert, vital and forceful, and possessed the magnetic ability to sway all who came into contact with him. His voice was musical and at the same time powerful and his eloquence impassioned and all-pervading. He was a born leader of men, and, whether from the pulpit or lecture platform, he always carried his audience with him. He took a deep interest in politics and was ever the champion of things worth while. He was a fine example of that sturdy band of pioneer citizens who have made the Middle West the great and prosperous land that it is today. His wife was a woman of sweet and gentle character, bringing into her home life the most benign and uplifting influence and she was of great assistance to her husband in his work. She remained at home and took care of the family while he took a course in Hamilton College, New York, through which institution he worked his way.

They became the parents of nine children, one of whom died in infancy; Ogden L. died at Norton, Kansas, in 1885; Effie married Andrew Gibson and died in Smith county, Kansas, in 1895, leaving five children; Hattie married Charles Frye, and she died in Boulder, Colorado, in 1908; those living besides John M. of this review, are: Charles L., of Bennett, Colorado; Dr. H. G. of Denver, Colorado; R. D. of Des Moines, who is secretary of the Great Western Accident Association; Lettie married William Roundtree and lives at Bennett, Colorado.

John M. Emery received a good education in the home schools and he started out for himself early in life. In 1869 he was married to Ellen L. Lawrence, a native of New York. Her parents spent their lives on a farm and are now both deceased. Mrs. Emery is one of eleven children, six of whom are living, namely: Mary A. is the widow of Benjamin Hunt, of Kensington, Kansas; Estella married T. J. Piper and they live at Greeley, Colorado; Myra is the wife of J. A. Lawrence, living in Wisconsin; A. T. lives at Newton, Iowa; Ellen, wife of Mr. Emery, was the youngest of the family.

After renting a part of his father's farm in Clayton County, Iowa, John M. Emery began farming, but six months later he took up the insurance business, at which he worked steadily for ten years, then sold out and took a position in a store for a year, after which he went on the road as traveling salesman for a gents' furnishing house, with which he continued for five years. He then took his present position with the Irwin-Phillips Company, of Keokuk, having given them his usual high grade service and being regarded as one of their most efficient and trustworthy employees.

Mr. Emery has made a special study of many languages, devoting special attention to the Swedish, mastering the same so perfectly that he can assume the role of a Swede for an indefinite time without being detected, even among Swedes. Added to this accomplishment is a rare sense of humor that is delightful in the extreme, consequently, being a good mixer, he is popular with all classes. He has a happy faculty of making after-dinner speeches, having frequently appeared at banquets and public gatherings, and his company is eagerly sought wherever he goes. Personally, he is a man whom it is a pleasure to meet, jovial, kind, hospitable, unselfish.

To Mr. and Mrs. Emery have been born the following children: Burdett R. lives in Abilene, Kansas; Theodosia married Jesse T. Tripp, and they are living at Bennett, Colorado; Avery lives in Newton.

Fraternally, Mr. Emery belongs to Newton Lodge No. 59, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, of Newton, and Gebal Chapter No. 12, Royal Arch Masons. He also belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America at Newton. He has a pleasant and well-furnished home at Newton. Past and Present of Jasper County Iowa B. F. Bowden & Company, Indianapolis, IN, 1912 Page 492.