Victor E. Wadhams

WADHAMS, SWAN, STONE

Posted By: Connie Swearingen - volunteer (email)
Date: 12/28/2015 at 00:34:34

Northwestern Iowa
Its History and Traditions
1804 – 1926

That so many of the enterprising and successful businessmen of Sioux City are native sons, indicates that here are to be found all the opportunities necessary to insure success in the material affairs of life and that morally and socially it is all that could be desired. In this class stands Victor E. Wadhams, secretary-treasurer and general manager of the Sioux City Paper Company, one of the prosperous and substantial concerns of this thriving city. Mr. Wadhams was born here on the 10th day of April, 1884, and is a son of John S. and Anna L. (Swan) Wadhams, both of whom were natives of Sweden. They came to this country in youth, each locating in Chariton, Iowa, where they were eventually married. The father engaged in the grocery business there until 1883, when he came to Sioux City and again embarked in the same line of business in which he continued for thirty-five years. In 1918 he disposed of his store and a year later became a member of the office force of the Sioux City Paper Company, where he was employed until his death on March 16, 1926.

Victor E. Wadhams attended the public schools of Sioux City, graduating from the commercial department of the high school in 1900. He then accepted a position with the Tolerton & Warfield Company, wholesale grocers, with whom he worked in the claim department until 1907, when he resigned and went to work for the Tackaberry Company, wholesale grocers, being made buyer in the Paper and woodenware department. He continued in that capacity until 1913, when he resigned in order to embark in business on his own account, organizing the Sioux City Paper Company, a co -partnership, of which he was made manager. In 1915 the business was incorporated and Mr. Wadhams became secretary-treasurer and general manager of the company, which has enjoyed a steady and substantial growth, being now numbered among the most important firms in its line in the State of Iowa.

In 1909 Mr. Wadhams was united in marriage to Miss Alice Stone, of Sioux City, and they are the parents of three children, namely: Dwight Stone, who is in high school, and Daniel Edward and Betty Ann, who are in the grade schools. Mr. Wadhams is a member of Tyrian Lodge, No. 508, A.F. & A.M.; Sioux City Consistory, No. 5, A,.A,S.R., and Abu-Bekr Temple, A.A.O.N.M.S. He is also a member of the Rotary Club and the Chamber of Commerce. He and his family are members and active supporters of the McClintock Community Presbyterian Church. He is interested in everything pertaining to the welfare of the people and the commercial progress of the city, and occupies an enviable position in business circles.