WHERRY, ARTHUR T.

WHERRY, GILLESPIE, WIGHTMAN, RICHARDS

Posted By: Jean Kramer (email)
Date: 7/5/2003 at 14:12:33

Biography reproduced from page 154 of Volume II of the History of Kossuth County written by Benjamin F. Reed and published in 1913:

Arthur T. Wherry, mayor of Swea City and cashier at the First National Bank, has made such notable progress during the period of his residence here that he is recognized as one of the most progressive and enterprising young business men of the city. He was born in Kilbourne City, Wisconsin, on the 27th day of August, 1875, and is a son of William O. and Jean (Gillespie) Wherry. The father was born and reared in the state of New York but was of Yankee extraction, while the mother is a native of Scotland. William O. Wherry was successfully engaged in farming in Wisconsin for many years, and there he passed away in 1893. The mother, however, is living and now makes her home with her son, our subject, in this city.

As he was reared on a farm Arthur T. Wherry, in common with the majority of country boys, obtained the greater portion of his education in the district schools. After the completion of the course there offered, however, he attended school for two years at Marshall, Minnesota, and then became a wage earner. When he first started out for himself he learned telegraphy, and as soon as he was qualified to take a position he entered the railroad service. In 1898, at the age of twenty three years, he came to Swea City as station agent for the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern Railroad, which was later merged into the Rock Island system, remaining in their service for about two years. Believing that commercial activities afforded better opportunities for rapid advancement than railroading, when offered the position of cashier of the First National Bank in 1904, he readily accepted, and has ever since been retained in this capacity. He is also licensed as a notary public.

This bank was first organized by G. F. Thomas, of Swea City, G. C. Call and C. J. Lenander, of Bancroft, and several others in 1900, with a capital stock of twenty-five thousand dollars. C. J. Lenander was elected president; George C. Call, vice president; and George F. Thomas, cashier, and the board of directors was comprised of these three men together with W. J. Brunson and S. P. Haglund. In 1904, the bank passed into the control of E. J. Murtagh, of Algona, Gardner Cowles and other business men. Although the capitalization has not been increased, five thousand dollars was added to the bank’s working capital and this, together with the undivided profits now carried, amounts to about thirty-five thousand dollars. Under the present management it was developed in a most remarkable way, the amount of their deposits having increased from fourteen thousand dollars in 1904, to one hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars in 1911. E. J. Murtagh is now president; J. W. Sullivan, vice president; A. T. Wherry, cashier; and C. F. Berggren, assistant cashier; while the three first named officials together with H. Larson and C. B. Murtagh form the board of directors.

Mr. Wherry is a man who is always on the alert for an opportunity to extend his business activities, and in addition to his connection with the bank he is the local representative for a number of life and fire insurance companies, and he is also a stockholder in a general mercantile establishment, the D. W. Fultz & Company.

At Holmes, Iowa, on the 28th of June, 1900, Mr. Wherry was united in marriage to Miss Hebe Wightman, a daughter of J. R. & Clara (Richards) Wightman, of Algona, the father a well known lumber and grain merchant of that city. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Wherry, as follows: Miriam, who is eleven years of age; Violet, aged nine; Virginia, who has passed the fifth anniversary of her birth; and Arthur G., who is an interesting little lad of three years.

Mr. Wherry belongs to the blue lodge of the Masonic fraternity at Swea City and to the chapter at Algona. He is also a member of the Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of America, both of Swea City. In politics he is a republican, championing the principles of the progressive faction of that body, and has always been prominently identified with local public affairs. For three years he was a member of the council and he is now president of the school board and since 1910 he has been incumbent of the mayor’s chair. In addition to various other business and public duties, Mr. Wherry is acting as manager of the Swea City opera house. This was erected by a local stock company ten year ago and upon completion was incumbered by a mortgage for one-half of its cost. During the intervening years this indebtedness has been removed and the stockholders are now drawing a good annual dividend on their investment. Mr. Wherry is a man of more than average perception and sagacity as is evidenced by the capable manner and general efficiency he manifests in his direction of any activity with which he may be identified. In the discharge of his public duties, as in the administration of his business affairs, he is notably reliable, prompt and energetic, always seeming to find it possible to do the right thing at the right time. He takes a deep interest in everything that pertains to the public progress or welfare and despite the exactions of his many duties, always finds an opportunity to assist in forwarding any movement that he feels will advance the development of the town.

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