| CHICKASAW COUNTY Another IAGenWeb Project |
| FACES OF CHICKASAW COUNTY - Y - |
J. A. YARGER |
J. A. Yarger, mayor of Nashua and a member of the Chickasaw county bar, was born in Green county, Wisconsin, January 11, 1868 (probably really 1856), a son of Joseph and Mary (Harding) Yarger, both natives of Pennsylvania, in which state they were reared and married. Soon after the close of the Civil war they removed to Wisconsin, establishing their home in Green county. The father was a wheelwright by trade and for many years he conducted a wagon shop in that county. In 1876, however, he removed with his family to Iowa and purchased a farm in Webster county, but on the trip contracted a severe cold which caused his death shortly after his return to his family in Wisconsin. Following his demise the mother removed with her family of six children to the Iowa farm which her husband had purchased and thereon they resided for ten years. On the expiration of that period they became residents of Clarksville and not long afterward removed to New Hampton. Mrs. Yarger passed away in 1906 (probably really 1901 as stated on her tombstone) in Eldora, Iowa, where she was then making her home with a son. J. A. Yarger of this review was educated in the common schools of Webster county and the public schools of Clarksville and when about eighteen years of age he began reading law in the office of D. W. Dow, of Hampton, Iowa. In January, 1889, he was admitted to the bar, taking his examination a few days before attaining his twenty-first year. For two years after his admission he remained with his preceptor, Mr. Dow, and in 1891 he came to Nashua, where he entered into partnership with the New Hampton law firm of Springer & Clary, conducting their Nashua office as a branch of the New Hampton office. The firm of Springer, Clary & Yarger continued its existence until the senior partner was elected to the bench, after which the firm became Clary & Yarger and so remained until Mr. Clary's death in 1915, since which time Mr. Yarger has practiced alone. He enjoys a large and distinctively representative clientage and is regarded as an able member of the bar, clear in his reasoning, logical in his deductions and seldom if ever at fault in the application of a legal principle. On the 17th of September, 1894, Mr. Yarger was married to Miss Mary Davidson, of New Hampton, and they became the parents of two children: Edwin H., now an officer of the United States navy, and Austin M., a student in the Nashua high school. The wife and mother passed away January 22, 1903, her death being the occasion of deep regret to many friends as well as her immediate family. Mr. Yarger belongs to Bradford Lodge, No. 129, A. F. & A. M., and to Charles City Lodge, B. P. O. E. His political endorsement is given to the republican party but he has never been a politician in the sense of office seeking. However, he keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day and his fellow townsmen, recognizing his ability and his devotion to the public welfare, persuaded him to accept the mayorality of Nashua and he is said to be one of the best city executives that Nashua has ever had. He studies closely the conditions here found and not only seeks to meet present needs but to prepare for the future as well. His administration is strictly businesslike and progressive, and Nashua has reason to be congratulated upon having at the head of her interests a man of such genuine public spirit and farsightedness. The practice of law, however, he regards as his real life work and his steady advancement in a profession where progress results only through merit and ability indicates the power that he has developed in his chosen life work. Source: History of Chickasaw and Howard Co (1919), Vol II, pages 430 - 431 |