John A. Guiher

EVANS, FAUROTTE, GUIHER, THROCKMORTON

Posted By: Judy Wight Branson (email)
Date: 8/15/2004 at 10:50:08

Among the successful attorneys of Winterset is numbered John A. Guiher, who was born in Waynesburg, Pennsylvania, in 1858, a son of Dr. James and Rebecca (Throckmorton) Guiher. The father, who was born in Pennsylvania in 1820, passed away in June, 1869, and the mother was born in Greene county, Pennsylvania, in 1834, and lived until March, 1908. Dr. Guiher attended the Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia and upon completing his course began the practice of, medicine, becoming a physician of Waynesburg, where he remained until about 1865. His health failed at that time and he removed to a farm near that city and for some time devoted his attention to agricultural pursuits, but on recovering his health he returned to Waynesburg, where he engaged in the mercantile business until the time of his death. He was identified with the Methodist church but was willing to uphold the work of all churches and was very liberal in his contributions. He was a republican and was one of the leaders in political circles in his locality. He was also very active as a temperance worker. To him and his wife were born five children, of whom John A. Guiher is the eldest.

The last named attended the Waynesburg College after completing his preparatory work and was for a while a student in the law department of the University of Pennsylvania. Before this time, or when he was eighteen years of age, he had learned the painter's trade, which he followed for two years. In preparation for the legal profession he entered the law office of Wyly, Buchanan & Walton and pursued his study there. When in the law school in Philadelphia he was for nine months in the office of Vaux & Arnold, of that city. In 1881 he was admitted to the bar in Waynesburg, Pennsylvania, and practiced his profession there until September, 1883, when he came to Winterset. He associated himself with A. R. Dabney and the firm became known as a reliable and able one. He now has as a partner his brother, W. T. Guiher. They engage in the general practice of law and are represented in much of the most important litigation in the courts of the county. Our subject is also a director and stockholder in the Madison County State Bank, which he aided in organizing in November, 1889. He likewise owns land in the county. From 1897 to 1901 he was county attorney and proved aggressive and efficient in that capacity. Mr. Guiher was appointed railroad commissioner by Governor Clarke in January, 1915, to succeed N. S. Ketchum, deceased, of Marshalltown, Iowa.

In June, 1891, Mr. Guiher was united in marriage to Miss Mary L. Evans, who was born in Winterset, Iowa, a daughter of E. W. and Maria L. (Faurote) Evans. The father was born in Granville, Ohio, and the mother's birth likewise occurred in the Buckeye state. The father passed away in 1870 but the mother is living with her daughter in Winterset. Mr. Evans came to Iowa in the late '5os and was engaged in the butcher business and was also interested extensively in real estate, owning four hundred acres of farm land and town property as well. He was quite a young man when he died but was one of the substantial men of the county. He dealt in live stock in addition to his other interests and found that a profitable business. Mrs. Guiher is the only child born to her parents.

Mr. Guiher is a republican and since attaining his majority has taken a keen interest in political affairs. He is at present serving as school director. His religious allegiance is given to the Presbyterian church and for several years he has been an elder. Fraternally he is well known, belonging to the Masonic lodge, Knights of Pythias and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. As a man and as a lawyer his conduct has measured up to the highest standard and the respect which is generally accorded him is to be ascribed to his integrity and unswerving rectitude as well as to his professional ability.

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