John W. Kay, one of the prominent and influential citizens of Carroll County, and dealer in general merchandise at Dedham, is a native of Pennsylvania, born in Bedford County March 10, 1826. His parents, George B. and Elizabeth, were the parents of fourteen children, our subject being the third child. He grew to manhood on a farm, being reared to the avocation of a farmer. At the age of eighteen years he began buying and selling stock, and was thus engaged for two years. He then immigrated to Bremer County, Iowa, where he lived four years, and was there engaged in operating a saw-mill and selling goods. He then sold out his business and returned to his old home in Pennsylvania, and a short time later returned to Iowa and engaged in selling goods in Bremer County. February 16, 1859, he was united in marriage to Miss Sarah J. McDuel, a daughter of George and Sarah McDuel, of Washington City, D.C., his wife having been born there May 15, 1833. They are parents of four children—Anna E., wife of Sidney Corbin, of California; Mary M., wife of C. L. Wattles , of Nebraska; Edward L., assisting his father in the store, and George H., still attending school. In 1870 Mr. Kay came with his family to Carroll County, and engaged in the dry goods business at Carrollton, where he resided fourteen and a half years. From Carrollton he removed to Coon Rapids, where he carried on his mercantile business two and a half years. In 1884 he settled at Dedham, where he has since carried on his dry goods business, and by fair and honest dealing and strict attention to the wants of his customers he has gained their respect and confidence and built up a large trade. Besides his business he owns a good farm in Guthrie County containing 160 acres. Mr. Kay is a member of the Odd Fellows lodge at Dedham. Politically he is a Republican.

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