Henry G. McGaharen.Among the enterprising and active young business men of Elkader is the gentleman whose name heads this sketch and who now occupies the responsible position of Cashier in the Elkader State Bank. He is well educated and well informed on general topics, and having a mathematical turn of mind is just the man to fill the place which was unanimously tendered him by the Directors and officials of this institution. His trustworthy and honorable principles, in addition to his other qualifications, have won for him this place of honor and responsibility.

One of the native sons of Iowa, our subject was born in Fayette County in 1864. He comes from a long lived family, his father, M. M., having lived to attain the age of ninety-one years, and his mother, who was in her girlhood Rosa Sheridan, is still living at the age of four-score years. M. M. McGaharen was a native of the Emerald Isle, and on coming to the United States settled in Iowa, being one of the pioneers of Fayette County, where he followed agricultural pursuits with good success until well along in years, his death occurring in February, 1898. In politics he was a pronounced Democrat, and was always active and interested in all public improvement and in school affairs. His wife was likewise born in Ireland.

The early years of Henry G. were passed in Fayette County, and he acquired a good knowledge of agricultural pursuits on the old homestead, giving his assistance to his father in operating the farm. He pursued his studies in the common schools of the neighborhood, after which it was his privilege to attend the Decorah Institute, which is located at Decorah, Winneshiek County, this state, where he continued his studies for three years. In 1887 he began his business career by clerking in the drug store operated by Bayless & Hagensick. During this time he studied to become a pharmacist, and secured a diploma from the State Board of Pharmacy on the completion of a required course and after passing a strict examination. The same year he took charge of the Elkader Drug Company of this place, which position he held until October, 1892. The State Bank of Elkader was then organized and he was offered the position of Cashier, which he accepted, having held the post up to the present time. Being a young man of great ability, he has shown himself to be fully capable of discharging the duties of this position, and by his genial and affable manner makes many friends and customers for the bank. His home is in this city, where he is received in the best social circles. Though a young man, he has considerable general business experience and manifests great sagacity and good judgment in dealing with financial matters.

~source: Portrait and Biographical Record of Dubuque, Jones and Clayton Counties;Chicago: Chapman Pub. Co., 1894; pg. 534
-transcribed by Becky Teubner