Harrison County Iowa Genealogy

HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY, IOWA, 1915
BIOGRAPHIES
Page 614
JOSEPH H. GALLUP

Joseph H. GALLUP belongs to that class of men who win life's battles by sheer force of personality and determination rather than by the influence of friends or any freak of fortune, and in whatever enterprise he has undertaken he has shown himself to be a man of ability and honor, true to whatever trusts have been reposed in him and in his capacity of capitalist and dealer in lands he has played an important part in the affairs of this section of the state of Iowa. Mr. GALLUP is a native of the state of Michigan, born in Cass county on April 22, 1846, the son of Oliver and Mary (HOUSE) GALLUP. Both of his parents were natives of Vermont, and it is no more than fair to assume that much of his native shrewdness and ability is derived from the proverbial "Yankee wit" of his forbears. Mr. GALLUP's parents had both been well educated in their youth and shortly after marriage in their native state ventured into the then far west, being numbered among the leading pioneers of their section of the state. The elder GALLUP was engaged in mercantile pursuits all his life and was also an extensive dealer in lands. In 1852, during the height of the gold fever in California, Oliver GALLUP started out with a wagon and team of oxen on the trip overland and was successful in reaching his destination after having endured numerous hardships and perils. He remained in California for four years, his return trip to his home in Michigan being by boat around the Horn, a long and arduous journey in those days. He lived but a short time after rejoining his family, passing away within six months after his return.

Joseph H. GALLUP is one of a family of seven children, the only other surviving member being his sister Adelia, who is the wife of Lewis DRURY, a railroad man located at Council Bluffs. Those of the children who have passed from this life are Oliver, Benjamin, Stephen, Edwin and Mary.

Joseph H. GALLUP received his elementary education in the common schools of Cass county, Michigan, later attending the schools of Iowa county, this state. When he arrived at years of early manhood, he went to Chicago with the intention of taking a complete course in one of its best commercial schools, but at the end of six months a serious illness disarranged his plans and he was forced to return home. After his complete recovery, he for a time carried the mails and later went into railroad service, but for a short time only, having decided to make carpentry his life vocation. To this trade he has given some of the best years of his life, but has not confined his efforts to this one line. He soon began dealing in lands in this state, extending his operations into Nebraska, Colorado and Wisconsin. When Mr. GALLUP first came to this state he resided in Iowa county, where he made his home for ten years, after which he resided in Moingona, in Boone county, for one year. It was in August, 1867, that Mr. GALLUP first came to Harrison county, where he has since made his home. For fourteen years he confined his efforts almost entirely to the carpenter trade while residing in Dunlap, but desiring a change in occupation, he secured farm lands near Dunlap and gave his efforts to agricultural labors for eleven years, at the end of which time he retired to Dunlap, where he has lived continuously, being numbered among its most loyal citizens.

Mr. GALLUP is a strong adherent of the Democratic party and takes an active interest in local affairs. He has served one term as justice of the peace and also one term as township trustee and has been a member of the city council of Dunlap. He is interested in the proper education of youth and for the past five years has been a member of the school board. His fraternal affiliation he holds with the Knights of Pythias through the local organization at Dunlap. Religiously, Mr. GALLUP is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and has rendered to his home society a most unusual service. The congregation's church building was destroyed by fire and efforts were soon made toward rebuilding. The enterprise was not progressing satisfactorily and Mr. GALLUP stepped in and offered his services. He himself donated sixteen hundred dollars toward the fund, took charge of the matter, appointed a committee to raise the balance of the funds, submitted plans for a thoroughly modern edifice and proceeded to erect the same. All building materials were shipped direct to him and he had full charge of the work in every particular, and in due time turned over to the congregation the completed edifice, erected at a cost of eleven thousand five hundred and sixty dollars, being one of the handsomest and most complete buildings of its kind in this part of the state. The members of the congregation were so appreciative of the great service rendered, that they voted him a gold medal in token of that fact. The obverse of this medal contains an engraving of the church and on the reverse is an inscription reading: "Presented to J. H. GALLUP by the members of the Methodist Episcopal church, dedicated 1913."

Mr. GALLUP has succeeded well along material lines, being the owner of between eleven hundred and twelve hundred acres of land in this state, of a half section of irrigation lands in Colorado and also lands in Wisconsin. He is known far and wide as a successful and trustworthy dealer in lands and also as a stockman, and is eminently entitled to the enviable degree of respect in which he is held by all who know him. He is a man of broad and generous views and charitably tries to fill correctly his place in the world, rendering service wherever possible. He is endowed by nature as a leader among men and his endorsement of any movement for the bettering of his community readily enlists the co-operation of others.

Mr. GALLUP was married on December 25, 1867, to Sarah J. HULL, daughter of David and Rebecca (TUTTLE) HULL, the family being among the early pioneers of this county, coming originally from Connecticut. Mr. and Mrs. GALLUP have no children.

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