RIST, H. E.

RIST, KENNEDY, SMITH, NICOULIN, PINKERTON

Posted By: Jean Kramer (email)
Date: 9/1/2003 at 20:13:22

Biography reproduced from page 170 of Volume II of the History of Kossuth County written by Benjamin F. Reed and published in 1913:

H. E. Rist, bookkeeper for the Kossuth County Bank of Algona, was born in Algona, Iowa, January 1, 1863, a son of Francis C. and Eugenia (Kennedy) Rist. The father was born in Whitinsville, Massachusetts, in 1835, and the mother was born in the same place in the same year. Francis C. Rist was one of Kossuth county’s early settlers, coming here as a member of the Whitinsville colony in May, 1855. On his arrival he entered a claim of one hundred and sixty acres in section 12, Algona township, which he improved and cultivated for a time, later going into the stage and mail-carrying business. In 1868, however, on account of ill health he gave up farming and connected himself in the same year with Smith Brothers, general merchants, continuing with that firm until his death, which occurred in 1872. The firm of Smith Brothers, as established and carried on by John G. and Lewis H. Smith, was not changed either after the withdrawal of Lewis H. Smith in 1870 or after the death of Francis C. Rist in 1872, and the business still continues under that name. To Francis C. and Eugenia (Kennedy) Rist were born three sons: Charles W., of Lincoln, Nebraska; H. E., of Algona; and Dick, of North Yakima, Washington. After the death of the father the mother married Lewis H. Smith, and passed away in 1909, being laid to rest beside her husband, in Riverview cemetery at Algona.

In 1894 H. E. Rist was married to Miss Myrtle P. Nicoulin, a daughter of Francis and Olivia (Pinkerton) Nicoulin. Mr. and Mrs. Rist are the parents of two children: Eugenia, aged five years; and Alice, who is one year old. Mr. Rist gives his political allegiance to the republican party. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias and prominent in the councils of that order. For over thirty years Mr. Rist has been connected with the Kossuth County State Bank of Algona being a director of the same and his long business experience has made him the center of a large circle of friends along both business and social lines. Careful in his business dealings and just and equitable with all with whom he comes in contact, he has by good management and fortunate investments become the possessor of various real-estate interests.