Jess C. Headington

WEPLOR, HEADINGTON, ROBINSON

Posted By: Connie Swearingen- Volunteer (email)
Date: 12/5/2015 at 19:29:43

Northwestern Iowa
Its History and Traditions
1804 – 1926

The name of Jess C. Headington occupies a prominent place on the list of Sioux City’s active, successful and well-liked citizens. His record as a public official has been a most commendable one, being marked by strict fidelity to duty, while as a business man he gained marked prestige for sound judgment and discrimination. He was born in Winneshiek County, Iowa, on the 17th of March, 1881, and is the son of Thomas and Caroline (Weplor) Headington, who were early settlers in Winneshiek County, where the father was engaged in farming to the time of his death, which occurred in 1890. He was survived many years by his widow who passed away in 1917.

Having secured his early education in the public schools of his native county, Jess C. Headington then took a course in a business college. When eighteen years of age, he and two brothers engaged in business in Mason City, remaining there five years, and on September 1, 1903, he came to Sioux City and engaged in the fruit business with his brother Henry, under the firm name of Mabie & Headington. He was identified with that undertaking for twelve years and then turned his attention to the fruit brokerage business and still later engaged in the real estate business. IN 1918 Mr. Headington was elected treasurer of Woodbury County, filling the office for a term of two years. In 1922 he was elected a member of the city council and was re-elected in 1924. He now holds the office of commissioner of finance of Sioux City. He has given conscientious attention to the duties of all positions held by him and has thereby gained a large and loyal following throughout the city.

On April 14, 1908, Mr. Headington was united in marriage to Miss Florence Robinson, daughter of Elijah and Della (Flint) Robinson, natives of Illinois, who moved to South Dakota in an early day and in 1890, came to Sioux City. Mr. and Mrs. Headington have three children, June Corine, Vergene and Darlene Jessie. Mr. Headington is an earnest supporter of the Democratic Party and has been active and influential in local public affairs. During the World War he took a prominent part in the Liberty loan and Red Cross drives. He is a member of Landmark Lodge, No. 103, A.F. & A. M.; Sioux City Consistory, No. 5, A. & A.S.R., and Abu-Bekr Temple, A.A.O.N.M.S. He also belongs to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and the Knights of Pythias, to the Sioux City Chamber of Commerce, the Shore Acre Boat Club, and was formerly a member of the Rotary Club. His religious faith is that of the Church of Christ, Scientist. He is a strong and persistent booster for Sioux City and has at all times cooperated in all movements for its betterment and the advancement of its prosperity. He is a consistent man in all that he does, had been loyal and true in all relations of life and is held in the highest regard by his fellow citizens.