PETTIBONE, CHARLEY J.

PETTIBONE, MORGAN, HOECK

Posted By: Jean Kramer (email)
Date: 10/13/2003 at 15:49:57

Biography reproduced from page 61 of Volume II of the History of Kossuth County written by Benjamin F. Reed and published in 1913:

Success is not a matter of genius, as held by some, or of good fortune, as others protest, but is the outcome of clear judgment, experience and industry. This statement finds its verification in the life record of such men as Charley J. Pettibone. He is one of the representative merchants of Algona, where he is dealing in agricultural implements as senior partner of the firm of Pettibone & McDonald. Iowa claims him as a native son, his birth having occurred in Des Moines, in 1866. His parents were Guy and Clara (Morgan) Pettibone. The father came to Kossuth county in 1881, settling at what is now Bancroft in 1894. He was elected mayor of that city and his progressive spirit found evidence in his installation of the present water system there. In 1896 he left Iowa and went to Missouri but returned to Kossuth county in 1902. Here he purchased and conducted the “Best Restaurant” at Germania, remaining an active factor in the business circles of the county to the time of his death, which occurred on Christmas day of 1908. For fifteen years he had survived his wife, who passed away in 1893.

Charley J. Pettibone was educated in Dr. Sands’ school, in Greenwood township, a mile and a half south of Bancroft, having for his teacher S. H. McNutt, who is still alive, his home being a mile and a half north of Algona. When fourteen years of age Mr. Pettibone made his initial step in the business world, entering the employ of J. G. Edwards, of Bancroft, as driver in connection with his livery barn. In the fall of 1882 he and his brother ran the only means of transportation across Mud creek, using either oxen or boat to make the passage, according to the season of the year. In 1883 Mr. Pettibone embarked in business on his own account, being engaged in ditching in Kossuth county. In 1886 he entered the farm machinery business as an employe of J. G. Graham, the pioneer dealer in farm machinery at Bancroft. He remained with him until 1894, when the business was sold to Mayer & Gulde. He was then appointed postmaster of Bancroft under President Cleveland, serving from 1895 until 1899, after which he took the position of traveling salesman with the Deering Harvester Company. He continued to act in that capacity until he was appointed deputy sheriff of Kossuth county in 1905, by W. E. McDonald. After serving for more than two years as deputy sheriff he resigned and organized the firm of Pettibone & McDonald, dealers in agricultural implements, at Algona. This firm is still in existence and is doing a good business, having a liberal patronage which comes from a wide surrounding territory. It handles many standard makes of farm machinery and its sales are now large and gratifying, bringing to the firm well merited success and prosperity.

On the 24th of September, 1891, Mr. Pettibone was united in marriage to Miss Anna Hoeck, a daughter of Paul Hoeck, of Kossuth county, who came from Benton county, Iowa, in 1883. He was a farmer by occupation and was identified with agricultural interests in this state to the time of his death in 1906. Both Mr. and Mrs. Pettibone are well known in Algona and have gained many friends. He is prominent in Masonry, holding membership in Prudence Lodge, No. 205, F. & A. M.; Prudence Chapter, No. 70, R. A. M.; and Ernest Council, No. 17, R. & S. M. In the last named he is captain of the guard. As a boy he faced the responsibility of providing his own support and soon proved his worth. As the years went on he showed that he possessed the necessary qualities of diligence and determination and thus step by step he advanced until he is now at the head of a large and growing business and has won for himself a place among the well known and representative merchants of Algona.