PAYETTE, JOHN N.

PAYETTE, CORRELL, BENWIRE, DEEDS, CROW, BAHANE

Posted By: Jean Kramer (email)
Date: 10/31/2003 at 10:56:23

Biography reproduced from page 632 of Volume II of the History of Kossuth County written by Benjamin F. Reed and published in 1913:

John N. Payette, who since 1905 has owned and operated a tract of eighty acres on section 22, Eagle township, devotes his attention to the pursuits of general farming and stock-raising. His birth occurred in Green Bay, Wisconsin, on the 20th of October, 1863, his parents being Nelson and Flemem Payette, the former a native of Montreal, Canada, and the latter of Toronto, Canada. Both were of French Canadian descent. Nelson Payette, a carpenter by trade, was engaged in railroad bridge-construction work during his early manhood, later became a railroad engineer and subsequently turned his attention to general agricultural pursuits. It was in 1862 that he crossed the border into the United States, locating in Green Bay, Wisconsin, where he remained for three years. He next spent one year in Des Moines, Iowa, and later resided also in Sioux City and Le Mars, this state, his being the first family to establish their home at that place. They lived there at the time when the Illinois Central Railroad was being built through the town. Nelson Payette subsequently returned to Sioux City, where his demise occurred in the spring of 1907. By his first wife, who passed away in 1865, he had two children, as follows: John N., of this review; and Mrs. Nettie Correll, a widow residing in Montana, in which state she took up a homestead. In 1872 Mr. Payette was again married, his second union being with Mrs. Rozella Benwire, of Sioux City, where she passed away in 1904. Unto them were born four children, two of whom survive: Grant, who is a resident of Colorado; and Theodore, living in the state of Washington.

John N. Payette began earning his own livelihood when a youth of thirteen, working for a truck gardener at Vinton, Benton county, Iowa, for one year. Subsequently he spent two years as a farm hand and was then employed in a rolling mill at Vinton for eight years. On the expiration of that period he began farming on his own account, cultivating a rented tract of land in Benton county. In 1905 he came to Kossuth county, settling on a farm of eighty acres which he purchased on section 22, Eagle township, and in the operation of which he has since been busily engaged. He carries on general farming and stock-raising. His undertakings as an agriculturist have been attended with success and he is well entitled to a place among the substantial and enterprising citizens of the community. He is a stockholder in the Farmers Elevator of Swea City, Iowa, and a shareholder in No. 2 Telephone Line of Swea City.

On the 18th of February, 1887, Mr. Payette was united in marriage to Miss Eva Deeds, a daughter of George and Marina Deeds, who were of German and English descent respectively, and who were living in Benton county, this state, at the time of their daughter’s marriage. George Deeds lived retired at Traer, Iowa, for some time prior to his death, which occurred on the 19th of April, 1912. His wife had passed away just a week previous on the 12th of April, 1912. They had four children, three of whom are living, namely: Edwin Deeds, who is a resident of Minneapolis, Minnesota; Dollie, who is the wife of Thomas Crow and resides in Waterloo, Iowa; and Mrs. Eva Payette. Unto our subject and his wife have been born five children, as follows: Faye, whose birth occurred on the 1st of August, 1889, and who is the wife of Joseph Bahane, a street car conductor of Waterloo; Ralph, born February 22, 1898, who is pursuing his studies in district school No. 4 of Eagle township and who also assists in the work of the home farm; Bernice, born December 20, 1905, who also attends school in district No. 4; Burl, a son, who passed away at the age of five years; and a daughter, who died in infancy.

Mr. Payette is a republican in his political views but does not consider himself bound by party ties, supporting whatever candidate he believes best qualified. His wife is a devoted and consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church of Swea City. They are well known in social circles and enjoy in large measure the friendship and kindly regard of those with whom they have been brought in contact.