Mr. and Mrs. John Anglum

ANGLUM, BOWEN, MANN

Posted By: Cathy Joynt Labath (email)
Date: 11/11/2006 at 15:58:16

AYRSHIRE, IOWA CENTENNIAL
1882-1982

p. 129

MR. AND MRS. JOHN ANGLUM
By Marie Anglum Mann

Ninety years ago, in 1892, Mr. and Mrs. John Anglum, then newlyweds, moved to the thriving little town of Ayrshire, Iowa, where they raised their family, farmed and operated a meat market. Mr. Anglum served as councilman, mayor and county supervisor, and both of them took an active part in the Catholic church, of which they were members.

Mr. Anglum was born in Stratford-On-Avon, Ontario, Canada, on July 24, 1862, and died in Ayrshire, Iowa, at the age of 75. He was married to Catherine Bowen of Neola, Iowa, on Sept. 13, 1892. Their eight children were all born and raised in Ayrshire. They were : James, Margie, Joe, Kathleen, Edward, Margie, Joe, Kathleen, Edward, Marie, Nellie and John. The only surviving member of the family is Mrs. Marie Mann of Sioux Rapids, Iowa.

Mr. Anglum opened a new meat market upon his arrival in Ayrshire in 1892, and operated it until 1910 when he leased the business and started farming. The family lived in the John Fagan house north of the hardware store during those years.

In 1917 Mr. Anglum moved back to town, purchased the hotel building and opened an englarged market which he operated until his death. In 1919 electricity and a new high school came to Ayrshire, and the town continued to thrive. One native had stated correctly that “In the early days Ayrshire was a thriving small town. Everybody made a living and was happy.”

Upon the dath of Mr. Anglum the market was left to his two sons, Joe and Jim. Jim was in the Navy during WWI and Joe was in the Army. The boys were just nicely in the business when the store burned down. Emmetsburg and Laurens fire departments helped fight the fire.

The Anglum brothers then built a fine new store which they operated until Jim’s death. At this time the store became the sole property of Joe, who continued to operate it. Joe died in 1956. The store continues to operate and serve the community of Ayrshire under different management.