Trenery, Charles L. 1849-1920

TRENERY, SWEETLAND, CLARKE

Posted By: Linda Ziemann, volunteer (email)
Date: 7/20/2012 at 11:11:39

LeMars Sentinel
Tuesday, October 19, 1920

PIONEER AUTO MAN
C. L. TRENERY WAS FIRST DEALER IN NORTHWEST
PIONEER SUCCUMBS TO ILLNESS

Located in LeMars Nearly Forty Years Ago and Was Prominent in Business
and Community Circles During Active Life

C. L. Trenery, a resident of LeMars for the past thirty-eight years and
well known in business and social circles, died at his home, 799 Court
street, on Friday morning. His death was caused by cancer of the liver.

Mr. Trenery went to Omaha a couple of months ago to consult specialists
as his health was ailing somewhat and underwent an operation for relief
of gallstones. At this time was disclosed the fact that he was
suffering from a still more serious malady. After recuperating from the
operation he returned home and was able to greet the friends who called
upon him, but rapidly became worse. He realized his illness was serious
and met the end with fortitude. Comforted and solaced by his faithful
wife and cheered by the visits of his friends whose coming and
solicitude, he said, brightened the day of his painful illness.

Charles L. Trenery was born at Platteville, Wisconsin, August 15, 1849,
and died in LeMars, October 15, 1920. He was a member of a large
family. His parents came from Cornwall, England, at an early day and
settled near the mines in Wisconsin where Charles Trenery grew up. He
was educated in the public schools and in early youth started out to
make his own way in the world. After leaving Platteville, he became a
resident of Iowa and worked at Hampton, Iowa, for some years and later
moved to Fort Dodge, Iowa.

He drove into LeMars with a buggy and team of ponies on April 27, 1882, and
this was his home until his death. On coming to LeMars he was engaged in the
land and insurance business and was employed by Clay Bros., a pioneer land
firm of this town. Their office was located on Court street, where the
Wasmer laundry is now situated. When the Clay Bros. left LeMars for
California, Mr. Trenery bought out their interests and conducted the
business for some years. Subsequently he engaged in handling farming
implements and did an extensive business in selling farm machinery and
threshing machines. He had large warehouses and storage rooms on Court
street, adjoining his present residence. He subsequently bought the Ablion
house, which in the early eighties was headquarters for the British Colony,
that flowed into Northwest Iowa from 1879 to 1885. He moved the house and on
the ground built a fine modern residence for himself and family. When the
automobile came into being, C. L. Trenery was quick to see the possibilities
of the new invention and bought one of the first machines extant. He was the
first automobile dealer west of Des Moines river and the second automobile
dealer in Iowa. He sold the first machine every bought in Sioux City, and
sold the first machine ever used in Yankton, S.D., to Nyberg Bros. of that
place, the first machine in Sioux Falls, S.D., to Ferin Bros. Carl Kuehule,
a law partner of former Governor Leslie M. Shaw, bought his first automobile
from C. L. Trenery and introduced it into Denison. The first automobiles
owned in Orange City, Paullina and other northwestern towns were obtained
through Mr. Trenery.

Mr. Trenery retired from business a few years ago but always maintained an
active interest in community affairs.

During the war he was recalled to hard activities and worked faithfully and
conscientiously, and was head of the Plymouth draft board during the
existence of that institution. Mr. Trenery was all his life deeply
interested in public affairs and was a prominent figure in the community,
and in local politics. He was an ardent Republican and was always found
working for the principals and interest of that party. He was president of
the Commercial Club a few years ago and instrumental in shaping civic
improvements. He was a dominant figure and aggressive in his stand for the
thing which he considered were for right and betterment. He was a fighter
for his ideas, being of a forceful, strong character, and naturally with
opposition, made warm friends and bitter enemies.

His strong personality leaves its imprint on the history of the town in
which he lived for forty years.

His home life was ideal. He was a loving husband and father and genial host
to those to whom his house was thrown open.

In his day, he was an accession to social and musical circles and in amateur
theatricals.

Mr. Trenery was married in LeMars on October 19, 1887, to Mrs. Fidelia
Sweetland Clarke, who survives him. He also leaves a son, Frank Trenery, of
Sacramento, Calif., and a step son, Dr. S. F. Clarke, of Omaha, Nebraska.
He is also survived by three brothers and four sisters who are Ed. Trenery,
Lorraine, Ia.; Nelson Trenery, Santa Rosa, Calif.; Rev. J. E. Trenery,
Barkier, Calif.; Mrs. Carrie Buston [copy gets very dark here for two
lines-unreadable] Mrs. C. W. Black, Platteville, Wis., Mrs. Rose Van Ness,
Oklahoma City, Okla.

Two brothers, Eldred Trenery, of Platteville, Wis., and Albert
Trenery, of Miller, S.D., preceded him in death.

The funeral was held yesterday afternoon at the home and the sermon
conducted by Rev. J. J. Steele, of Sioux City, a former minister in the
Congregational church in this city of which the deceased was a member.

Dr. and Mrs. F. S. Clarke and children, of Omaha, Neb., and Mr. and Mrs.
Frank Trenery, of Sacramento, Calif., Mrs. C. Butson, of Pomeroy, Mrs.
J. J. Pascoe, of Albia and Mrs. Chris Roehler, of Hastings, Neb., are
relatives who came to attend the funeral.