Harrison County Iowa Genealogy

HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY, IOWA, 1891
BIOGRAPHIES
Page 915
TRUMAN L. TRACY

Truman L. TRACY, proprietor of Tracy's "job shop" at Missouri Valley, probably has as fine an equipped establishment for all kinds of job carpenter work as can be found in the county. He was born in Cattaraugus County, N.Y., April 25, 1858, and is the son of William H., and Caroline (NEWTON) TRACY, natives of New York. Father was a farmer until 1882, when he engaged as a traveling salesman for a nursery of that section, which he still follows.

Truman was reared upon the farm receiving his education in the district schools of that section, remaining at home until 1882, when he took Horace Greeley's advice and went West, coming direct to Missouri Valley.

His first work in this section was at River Sioux, where for about one year he assisted his uncle, Rueben NEWTON in the railroad office. The following six months he acted as coach-cleaner at the shops at Missouri Valley, after which he acted as night-watch about the shops for a time. Being in ill health he was obliged to take a rest. Later he was in the employ of the railroad; also helped his uncle and did other work until 1887, at which time being a natural genius, he started a small carpenter and repair shop, which business have proved quite lucrative. He has at this time a shop with circle rip saw, planing-machine, wood-lathe, jig-saw, mortising-machine, and emery wheels, propelled by a six-horse power water motor, receiving the water from the city water works. This was put in at a cost of about $500. He was married in Missouri Valley, December 14, 1883, to Miss Carrie BRADLEY, a native of Canada; they have been blessed with one child, Harry L. In summing up this man's life, he may be termed a self-made man. Coming West when a young man, without means, he has built up a nice trade, which goes to show what might be accomplished by many a young man with proper energy.

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