Chandler, Byron A. 1864 - 1934
CHANDLER, WHEELER, FISHER, BOUGHTON, GELLERMAN
Posted By: Bill Waters (email)
Date: 4/19/2014 at 10:43:28
BYRON A. CHANDLER
Among the prominent business men of Decorah, Iowa, is Byron A. Chandler, who ably carries on a plumbing, heating and contracting establishment in that city, the outgrowth of a pioneer concern founded by his father. A native of Minnesota, he was born in Fillmore County on May 5, 1864, and is a son of A. A. and Mary (Wheeler) Chandler, the father a native of New York, being born near Jamestown on February 23, 1833. When he was yet a boy he moved with his parents to Michigan, where the family made their home for seven years before going to Wisconsin, where the)' lived until 1854. In that year they continued their westward march to Fillmore County, Minnesota, passing through Decorah while en route. For seven years the father had charge of a sawmill located on the Canoe river and known as the Bartlett mill. It was built by a Mr. Belding and was one of the first mills in that part of the country. He was married on January 20, i860, to Miss Mary M. Wheeler, who lived near Burr Oak, the ceremony being performed by Rev. Ephraim Adams of Decorah. They made their home on the farm in Fillmore County, Minnesota, until 1865, when removal was made to Frankville, Iowa, whence in 1866 they came to Decorah, There the father engaged in selling pumps and moving buildings. He would go to McGregor and buy a wagon load of wooden pumps, retailing them by-traveling through the country. He subsequently formed a partnership with a Mr. McMasters, opening a storeroom in Decorah in order to handle his business from there. This partnership continued until 1879, when the father bought out Mr. McMaster's interest, continuing to be connected with the business until his death. During his later years he also did an extensive trade in windmills, which line he added to the stock he carried. He met his death on July 23, 1910, by falling from a windmill in his own yard, injuring himself so severely that he passed away within an hour from the time of the accident. His wife had preceded him in death, her decease occurring January 18, 1907. He was of old American stock and his wife was a native of Canada, born near Lake Champlain, but she also was of Yankee extraction. To their union were born four children: Mrs. Alice G. Fisher and Mrs. Alta M. Boughton, both of Chicago; Byron A., of this review; and a son who died in infancy.
Byron A. Chandler acquired his education in the Decorah schools and early in life began to assist his father with the work in the store. He subsequently became a partner in the business at the time when Mr. Chandler bought out Mr. McMasters and carried on the enterprise after his father's demise. Several years ago both he and his father began also to engage in the plumbing and heating business and of late years Byron A. Chandler is devoting his entire time to that line. The business of which he is the owner is one of the foremost of its kind in the city and the large trade which he enjoys is but the result of his fair methods, his close attention to the task in hand and his industry and energy. He is one of the substantial men of Decorah to whom credit is due not only for the success which he has attained but for his public-spirited citizenship, which connects him with all measures and movements inaugurated to promote the city's advancement along material as well as intellectual lines.
In 1897 Mr. Chandler married Miss Hannah D. Gellerman, a daughter of William Gellerman, who is engaged in draying in Decorah. Mr. and Mrs. Chandler have two children: Fred, aged fourteen, who attends the Decorah high school; and George, who is twelve years of age and attending public school.
Mr. Chandler gives his political adherence to the Republican Party, stanchly upholding its principles and candidates. Both he and his wife attend the Congregational church and fraternally he is a member of the blue lodge of the Masonic order and the Modern Woodmen of America, belonging to Decorah lodge. Mrs. Chandler is well known in the Order of the Eastern Star. A son of a pioneer, Mr. Chandler has worthily carried on the family name and has become a forceful element in his community, where he is widely and favorably known, enjoying the. High regard and confidence of all who come in contact with him in a business or social way.
Source: History of Winneshiek County, Iowa Vol. II Chicago the S. J. Clark publishing Company 1913
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Winneshiek Biographies maintained by Bruce Kuennen.
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