McGee, Harry G. (1858-1946)

MCGEE

Posted By: Joyce Hickman (email)
Date: 12/1/2008 at 13:59:25

Harry G. McGee
Apr 26, 1858 - Feb 18, 1946

(From the 1883 History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, by J. H. Keatley, p.15, Council Bluffs)
Cooper & McGee, hardware and stoves, Council Bluffs. H. G. McGee was orn in Grafton, W. Va., April 26, 1858; he removed to Pittsburgh, Penn., with his parents when eight years of age, and was educated at Western University of Pittsburgh, Penn. He came to Council Bluffs in the spring of 1874, and engaged with Miller & Company in hardware store as salesman, adn remained with that firm until forming his present partnership. He is if Irish descent. W. S. Cooper was bornh and raised in Council Bluffs, and educated in the public schools of that city. After leaving school he worked for Empkie & McDoel, hardware dealers, as salesman, for two years. He then became bookkeeper for P. C. Devol, hardware merchant, and held that position until entering the present firm. His ancestors came to America many generations back. The firm of Cooper & McGee commenced business in Council Bluffs in March, 1882, at No. 41 Main street, their store occupying two stories seventy feet long by twenty-two feet in width. The lower story is occupied by the hardware and stove department; part of the upper story is used as a tin shop, while the other part is used for storing goods. They carry from $10,000 to $15,000 in stock, and expect to increase that amount. Their annual sales, from present indications, will run as high as $30,000. They employ two practical tinners the year round.

(From the 1891 Biographical History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, p.486)
HARRY G. McGEE is one of the leading real estate dealers of Council Bluffs, in which business he engaged in 1887. He does a general real-estate business, but devotes his attention principally to the platting and improving of residence property, and has platted several of the finest residence additions in the city - among them being Morningside. This addition is owned jointly by Mr. McGEE and his brother Judge McGEE, who have expended a large amount of money in improving and beautifying it, and it is now acknowledged to be the most attractive suburb of Council Bluffs, which is noted for its beauty as a residence city.
Mr. McGEE is a son of Manasseh McGEE, who came to Council Bluffs in 1855 and entered a large amount of land, which has since become very valuable. Mr. McGEE was born in Virginia in 1858, but his early life was spent in Pennsylvania. His father never became a permanent resident of this city but came here and made investments in 1855, returning to the east where he resided until his death. His family became permanent residents of Council Bluffs in 1874. Our subject was educated in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, and is now a successful businessman and an enterprising and progressive citizen.

(Who's Who in Pottawattamie County, Iowa, 1920, compiled and edited by F. C. Lake & L. N. Prince)
Harry G. McGee, Realtor, Council Bluffs; born Grafton, West Virginia, April 26, 1858; Protestant; Republican; educated West University of Pennsylvania; married Margaret L. Green, Jan. 12, 1893, Council Bluffs, Iowa; children, Mrs. Mary Grace Blanchard, John A.; hardware mechanic; treasurer school board, 1900; member park board since 1910; member Ancient Free & Accepted Masons, Elks, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Chamber of Commerce, Council Bluffs Real Estate Board, Former residences, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 1867-1874; Council Bluffs, 1874-1896; Kansas City, 1896-1897.