Treynor, Irving M.

TREYNOR

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 9/22/2019 at 20:47:35

Irving M. Treynor

(From the 1891 Biographical History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, p.303)
IRVING M. TREYNOR, the present postmaster of Council Bluffs, Iowa, was born in this city on the 26th day of November 1857, and is the second son of Thomas P. TREYNOR, now a prominent and successful farmer of Pottawattamie County. Mr. TREYNOR’s earliest years were spent in the old log cabin where he was born, his father having moved to this county at an early date, in fact, when the now thriving city of Council Bluffs was only a straggling village, known as Kanesville.

At the age of four years, the subject of this sketch began his educational career in the public schools of this city, and remained until he had attained the age of 14, when he entered the Iowa State University at Iowa City. There he remained for three years, and, returning home, assumed the position of assistant to his father, who was postmaster of Council Bluffs from March 1869 to May 1877. Here he remained for two years when, having received a flatering offer from the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railway, he entered the service of that company as freight clerk. His recognized ability brought him rapidly to the front, and in a comparatively short space of time he had reached the responsible position of cashier and chief clerk at this point. In 1884, desiring to embark in business for himself, he severed his connection with the railroad company, and with Messrs. ORCUTT and FRENCH, organized the Council Bluffs Carpet Company. By common consent, he was made the financial manager of the concern, and the successful building up of a large and well-established business attests the wisdom of the choice which the members of the firm made in this direction.

Mr. TREYNOR has always taken a lively interest in musical matters, and the reputation which Council Bluffs now enjoys in this line is in no small measure due to his untiring energy and unselfish devotion, as well as to his generous contributions of time and money toward the development of a high order of musical culture. He has given much of his leisure time to the study of vocal music, and his voice (a robusto tenor), has been heard quite frequently in church, on the stage, and in various gatherings in this and other places. He has sung the leading tenor roles in a number of light operas and oratorios. At the present time, he is a member of the Apollo Club of Omaha, Nebraska; is a trustee of that organization, and holds the responsible position of chairman of the musical committee of that society.

Mr. TREYNOR is a prominent member of the Royal Arcanum; one of the founders and a trustee of the Council Bluffs and Omaha Chautauqua; an active member of the Rowing Association, and one of the leaders of the Board of Trade. Religiously he believes in the doctrines of the Episcopal Church, is a member of St. Paul’s and has served in the vestry of that religious organization. Politically he is a Republican of the stalwart type and has been a delegate to nearly every Republican State, Congressional and Judicial convention which has been held during the past twelve years.

In September 1889, he was appointed Postmaster of Council Bluffs by President Harrison, succeeding Hon. Thomas BOWMAN. Mr. TREYNOR was married on the 4th day of November 1880, to Miss Kittie E. OBLINGER, daughter of Captain H.G.P. OBLINGER of this city. Albert McKune TREYNOR is the only issue of this union.