John Chauncy Mardis

MARDIS, RATLIFF

Posted By: Judy Wight Branson (email)
Date: 8/13/2004 at 01:15:00

John C. Mardis, of Des Moines, is one of the best known contractors of Iowa, his business having reached extensive proportions. He was born September 9, 1861, in Osceola, this state, a son of Thomas F. Mardis, mentioned elsewhere in this work. He was but a small boy when the family removed to Winterset, Madison county, Iowa, where he was educated and then began learning the mason's trade under the direction of his father, who was a practical and prominent contractor of Winterset. He mastered the business and worked with his father until 1884, when, seeking a broader field of labor offered in a larger city, he removed to Des Moines and here engaged in the contracting business, forming a partnership with James Robinson that continued until 1890. He was afterward alone until 1895, when he formed a partnership with J. B. McGarrick and the extended scope of their operations included contract paving work as well as building. They built the Sixth avenue bridge in Des Moines and took many other important contracts. In 1904 they dissolved the partnership and in 1905 Mr. Mardis removed to Lincoln, Nebraska, in order to execute some big contracts which had been awarded him there. He erected the state farm buildings and state university buildings at Lincoln, also the building of the H. P. Lowe wholesale grocery firm. In May, 1905, he went to Omaha, where he also erected many large buildings, including the Henshaw and Rome Hotels, and the Paxton & Gallagher wholesale grocery house, which was erected at a cost of two hundred and fifty thousand dollars. He also built the M. E. Smith building at a cost of five hundred and ten thousand dollars and many other of the larger structures of that city. While a resident of Omaha and of Lincoln he still retained his office in Des Moines and did much work throughout Iowa. In 1912 he returned to Des Moines, where he makes his headquarters, but also has an office in Cedar Rapids and in Omaha, Nebraska. He has erected many of the largest buildings of Des Moines, Cedar Rapids and other cities of the state. He was awarded the contract for the Silverburg building of ten stories in Des Moines, the Masonic Temple, the Wilkins Brothers building and in fact has erected fully two-thirds of the largest business blocks of the city. Throughout the middle west his name is well known as a contractor and builder and the nature and volume of his building operations places him as one of the foremost contractors of Iowa, with few equals and no superiors.

On the 6th of December, 1888, Mr. Mardis was married to Miss Nellie Ratliff, who was born in Winterset, a daughter of D. G. Ratliff, who was a prominent pioneer of Winterset and is mentioned elsewhere in this work. Mrs. Mardis died in 1890, leaving a son, John R., who was born January 18, 1890, and died April 11, 1912. On the i9th of January, 1893, Mr. Mardis was again married, his second union being with Miss Beatrice Ratliff, who was born in Winterset, March 12, 1872, and is a sister of his first wife. They have two children: Homer, born July 22, 1895; and Mary E., December 12, 1899.

Mr. Mardis is a Knight Templar and consistory Mason and also holds membership with the Elks, the Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias. In politics he is a republican, stalwart in his advocacy of the party, yet not an office seeker. His attention has been given to his business affairs, which have been of growing importance since he started out independently. It is a trite saying that there is always room at the top, but a real comprehension of this fact would lead many a man to put forth more strenuous effort. It is those who do realize the opportunity and work toward the goal who accomplish great things. Prompted by a laudable ambition and manifesting at every stage in his career unfaltering industry and determination Mr. Mardis has gained the enviable place which he occupies as one of the most prominent contractors of Iowa.

Taken from the book, “The History of Madison County, Iowa, 1915”