RANEY, John Loomis - 1912 Bio (1858-1936)

RANEY, LOOMIS, PECKHAM, DAVE, HOPKIRK, MCALLISTER, FOX

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 9/26/2007 at 16:44:10

History of Jefferson County, Iowa -- A Record of Settlement, Organization, Progress and Achievement, Vol II, Published 1912, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago
Pages 256-258

J. L. RANEY.

An important industrial enterprise of Fairfield is the brick and tile factory of which J. L. RANEY is now the proprietor. He has been continuously connected with the business since 1891 and in its control has displayed an aptitude for successful management that has resulted in the enlargement and financial growth of the undertaking. He has ever recognized the fact that the present and not the future holds his opportunity and thus he has made good use of the passing days, never crowding the labors of tomorrow with the work of today. His entire life has been passed within the borders of Jefferson county and therefore his history is largely familiar to his fellow townsmen who recognize that his salient qualities are those of honorable manhood and citizenship. He was born in Cedar township, January 17, 1858, his parents being William and Hannah Mary (LOOMIS) RANEY, the former born in Virginia and the latter in Ohio. The father was married first in the Buckeye state and came to Iowa in 1844, after having previously visited Jefferson county in company with a companion. They had journeyed hither on horseback and returned in the same way. Mr. RANEY carrying back with him a favorable impression of the country and its opportunities. When he again reached Iowa, which at that time was under territorial rule, he settled in Van Buren county, entering a tract of land in Lick Creek township. With characteristic energy he began the development and cultivation of the farm upon which he resided until the death of his first wife. Later he purchased a farm in Cedar township, Jefferson county, comprising two hundred and forty acres of land which is now in possession of his son, J. L. RANEY. Before he left Van Buren county he was married a second time, Miss Mary LOOMIS becoming his wife. She had come to Iowa in 1839 with her parents, Nathaniel and Eliza (PECKHAM) LOOMIS, who settled in Van Buren county. Her father was a native of Connecticut and her mother of Rhode Island, and the former followed farming after the pioneer style of the times. In the LOOMIS family were four sons and four daughters of whom three are yet living. One son, Philander, went to California in 1849 and has since resided there. Soon after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. William RANEY took up their abode upon the Cedar township farm which remained their home until the fall of 1891, when Mr. RANEY retired from active business life and removed to Fairfield. By his first marriage he had one daughter, Mrs. Margaret DAVE, now living in Ringgold county, Iowa. The children of the second marriage were: H. C., a graduate of the first class of Parsons College, who afterward studied law and was admitted to the bar, practicing in Fairfield until his death, which occurred in 1903, his widow and children still living in this city; J. L., our subject; Samuel, living in Salt Lake City, Utah; and Ida, the wife of David HOPKIRK, of Grand Junction, Colorado. There were also four children who died in infancy.

J. L. RANEY has spent his entire life in Jefferson county, living on the old homestead farm until the fall of 1891, when he came to Fairfield, since which time he has been identified with the brick and tile industry, conducting the business under the firm name of RANEY Brothers. He was a partner of H. C. RANEY in this undertaking until the death of his brother who was an attorney and followed his profession while J. L. RANEY looked after the management of the factory. He has been in full control since 1896 and the growth of the business has been both continuous and satisfactory. The factory was built by Messenger & Elliott about 1875 and in 1886 Mr. RANEY and his brother purchased Mr. Elliott's interest and in 1896 bought out Mr. Messenger. Since that time J. L. RANEY has enlarged the plant, doubling its capacity, and it is now operated throughout the entire year with a capacity of one hundred thousand four-inch tile per month. The plant is equipped with seven kilns and employment is furnished to twenty-three men. The business ranks with the leading industrial enterprises of the county and its output finds a ready sale on the market. In addition to the conduct of its business Mr. RANEY supervises his farm which is a valuable property in Cedar township.

In January, 1894, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. RANEY and Miss Mary E. McALLISTER, who was born in Fairfield in 1861 and is a daughter of Alexander and Elizabeth (FOX) McALLISTER. Mr. and Mrs. RANEY now have one son, Frederick. They attend the Presbyterian church in which they hold membership and Mr. RANEY gives his political support to the republican party but manifests only a citizen's interest in politics, never seeking nor desiring office. He has always preferred to give his attention to his business interests and is recognized as a man of keen discrimination and sound judgment, his executive ability and excellent management having been brought to the concern with which he is connected a large degree of success. He has always studied the best methods of manufacture since entering the brick and tile business, has a plant well equipped with the latest improved machinery and places upon the market a product the quality of which insures (sic) a ready sale.

*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I have no relation to the person(s) mentioned.