William John Scriver
William John Scriver, the manager of the Stewart Lumber Company of Denison, has been actively and successfully identified with the lumber business here for the past twenty-seven years.
His birth occurred in the village of Lacolle, county of St. Johns, province of Quebec, Canada, on the 2d of November, 1849, his parents being Edwin and Susan (Quest) Scriver, who were natives of Canada and England respectively. His parental great-grandfather was William Scriver, a Hollander.
William Scriver, the grandfather of our subject, was born near Poughkeepsie, New York, and followed blacksmithing in early manhood but later took up farming. He removed to Canada when a young man and passed away in that country at the age of ninety-three years. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Ann Pearson, was past sixty when called to her final rest. Their children were three in number, namely: Edwin, Edward, and Mary Ann, the wife of W. R. Van Vliet, of Stevensville, Montana.
The maternal grandfather of William John Scriver was a native of England and emigrated to Canada, where he died of cholera. Unto him and his wife were born the following children: John, Robert, Harriet, Susan and Ann.
Edwin Scriver, the father of the gentleman whose name introduces this review, was reared to the work of the farm and later took up merchandising, being identified with that line of activity throughout practically the remainder of his life. His demise occurred at Lacolle in 1881, when he had attained the age of fifty-seven years, while his wife passed away in 1893 at the age of seventy three years. Both were Methodists in religous faith. Edwin Scriver served as a volunteer soldier during the period of the Fenian raid. He was the father of seven children, as follows: William John, of this review; Frederick, who is a resident of Seattle, Washington; Ernest Albert, of Merrill, Wisconsin; Victoria Alice, the wife of Charles S. Gilbert, of Wausau, Wisconsin; Herbert Edwin, who passed away in early manhood; and a son and daughter who died in early life.
William John Scriver was reared and educated in Lacolle, Canada, and after putting aside his text-books clerked in a store for several years. In August, 1872, he crossed the border into the United States, locating in Wausau, Wisconsin, where he likewise secured a clerkship. Subsequently he became identified with lumber interests there, operating a sawmill. In 1884 he came to Denison, Iowa, becoming a member of the lumber firm of Scriver & Company, which was afterward incorporated as the Stewart Lumber Company. In the latter concern he has held the position of manager to the present time and his excellent executive ability and sound judgment have proven potent elements in the continued growth and success of the business.
On the 5th of February, 1884, Mr. Scriver was united in marriage to Miss Hannah I. Force, who was born in Lacolle, Canada, and was a former classmate of his. Her parents, Alonzo and Caroline (Van Vliet) Force, were likewise natives of Canada. Her paternal grandfather was a Frenchman and the father of four children, namely: Alonzo, Timothy, Hiram and Elizabeth Fosburg. Traver Van Vliet, the maternal grandfather of Mrs. Scriver, was a native of New York and became a plow and wagon manufacturer of Lacolle, Canada, where he conducted a foundry. He was a devoted Methodist and served as a Sunday school superintendent in Lacolle for over forty years, being absent but one Sabbath during the entire period. Unto him and his wife were born the following children: William, George, Caroline, Mary, Charles, Alice and Sarah.
Alonzo and Caroline (Van Vliet) Force had seven children, namely: Emma, Edgar, Amelia, Fred, William, Hannah and Edward Albert.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Scriver were born three children, as follows: Marion Force Scriver, Stewart Alexander and Clara Ethelwyn. The wife and mother was called to her final rest on the 9th of May, 1906, when she had attained the age of fifty-two years.
In politics Mr. Scriver is a republican, while his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Methodist church. Fraternally he is identified with the Masons, having attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite. He belongs to Sylvan Lodge, No. 507, A. F. & A. M.; Wausau Chapter, No. 51, R. A. M.; and Council Bluffs Commandery. He is also a member of the Knights of Pythias fraternity. In citizenship he stands for progressiveness and substantial improvement and in all his relations with his fellowmen has shown a spirit of consideration and deference that has made him popular with his fellow townsmen.
Source: History of Crawford County, Iowa. Vol. II. Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1911.