Harrison County Iowa Genealogy

HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY, IOWA, 1891
BIOGRAPHIES
Page 565
HERBERT L. PRESTON

Herbert L. PRESTON, son of W. T. and A. E. PRESTON, whose sketches appear elsewhere in this volume, was born in Holyoke, Mass., October 23, 1867, and came to Harrison County in 1868 with his parents, where he has since made his home, aside from the time he was attending the Agricultural College at Ames, which covered a period of three years, with six months at ELLIOTT's Business College at Burlington, from which institution he was graduated in 1887.

He was reared to farm-life, and in 1887, after he had been graduated, he entered the Exchange Bank of Dunlap, with which concern he was associated until its suspension in 1889, when he at once opened a lumber-yard, or rather, purchased one belonging to A. I. MCMARTIN, which business had been established in 1868 by Daniel R. SMITH, but was subsequently owned by William D. DAVIS and E. G. PERKINS, then by William D. DAVIS alone, then passing into the hands of the OLMSTEAD Brothers, who were succeeded by Ben. JACKSON and A. I. MCMARTIN. Ben. JACKSON succeeded this firm, and he in turn gave way to PIERCE & WELLS, who were succeeded by A. I. MCMARTIN, and he by our subject. It is also stated that L. T. COLDREN was the first owner. The stock consisted of about $3,500 worth of building material, coal, etc., the annual sales of which amount to $12,000. Mr. PRESTON also manufactures lath and wire fence. The buildings consist of a general warehouse, finishing-sheds, coal-sheds, good cabling for patrons of the yard, and a neat office.

In 1889 Mr. PRESTON purchased the old Northwestern Hotel property, which adjoined his lumber-yard. Wishing to occupy the ground upon which it was built he tore the old structure away and built other buildings upon the lot.

Perhaps the most important event of his life occurred March 10, 1887, for it was upon that day that he was united in marriage to Miss Lou J. JACKSON, a native of Clinton County, Iowa, who is the daughter of I. A. and Mary JACKSON, who are early settlers. She was born May 21, 1869. One child has been born to Mr. and Mrs. PRESTON--Perry J., December 20, 1889. Mrs. PRESTON is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Dunlap.

Politically, our subject is a supporter of the Democratic party. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity, being a member of Hospitable Lodge No. 244, A. F. & A. M., of which he is now the Junior Warden; he is also a member of Ark Chapter No. 89.

Although yet a young man, Mr. PRESTON has made for himself a clean, almost enviable record. He is an intelligent, well-educated, energetic young business man, who, if life and health are spared him, is almost certain to take high rank among his fellow-men. It may be added in this connection, that both he and his estimable wife taught school for several terms.

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