Harrison County Iowa Genealogy

HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY, IOWA, 1915
BIOGRAPHIES
Page 612
CHARLES G. JESSUP

Dependent very largely upon his own resources from his youth, Charles G. JESSUP, of Dunlap, furniture dealer and funeral director, has attained no insignificant success, and though he may have, like most men of affairs, encountered obstacles and met with reverses, he has pressed steadily forward, ever willing to work for the end he has in view. His tenacity and fortitude are due, no doubt, in a large measure to the worthy traits inherited from his sterling ancestors, whose high ideals and correct principles he has ever sought to perpetuate in all the relations of life. By a straight-forward and honorable course he has made his way to a respectable position in business world, winning the trust and confidence of the people with whom his lot is cast.

Charles G. JESSUP is a native of the state of Iowa, born near the town of Sigourney on July 9, 1870, a son of John and Sarah (MURDOCK) JESSUP, the former a Hoosier by birth and the latter coming from Pennsylvania. When quite young, the father was brought to this state by his parents who settled in Keokuk county, and in that district he grew to manhood. Mr. JESSUP's mother also was brought to Keokuk county by her parents when she was small, and the two families were friends for many years. After marriage, Mr. JESSUP's parents remained in the same county all their lives, the father giving his attention to agriculture, and they are now passing their declining years in comfortable retirement in the city of Sigourney. They were the parents of six children, of whom Harley (deceased) was the eldest. Charles G. was the second child in order of birth and then followed Ida, who is the wife of A. M. ASHCROFT, an attorney of Boston, Massachusetts. Anna May is the wife of D. C. PARKHILL, a farmer living near Sioux City, and Frank E., the youngest son, is also engaged in the same vocation and at the same place. One other son, Elmer, is dead.

Charles G. JESSUP received his elementary school training in the common schools of Keokuk county, later attending the high school at Sigourney. After finishing his high school days, he entered a printing shop with the intention of mastering the business, and remained in this connection for twelve years, being located at Sigourney and Dunlap. However, after the twelve years spent in the printing trade, he decided there were sufficient reasons for him entering other fields, and he went to Marcus, this state, where, for six years, he was engaged in the mercantile business. In 1903 he returned to Dunlap and became associated with his father-in-law, Martin BARRETT, Sr., in the furniture, queensware and undertaking business. In 1907 Mr. JESSUP took over the entire business and for a year handled it alone, at the end of which time his brother-in-law, P. F. BARRETT, became associated with him and the firm then became known as the JESSUP & BARRETT Company, and has so continued since that time. Mr. JESSUP possesses excellent business ability and the firm is one of the best of its kind in the community. He has made a study of embalming and is a regularly licensed undertaker, his license being No. 1,279 under the laws of the state of Iowa.

On December 14, 1898, Mr. JESSUP was united in marriage with Helen A. BARRETT, daughter of Martin and Anne (HART) BARRETT, the former a native of Ireland, and the latter a Canadian by birth. Upon coming to America Martin BARRETT first settled in the state of Indiana, but later came to Clinton county, this state, where he was married and soon after marriage came to Harrison county where he passed the remainder of his life, his death occurring January 23, 1915. Mrs. BARRETT is still living in quiet retirement at Dunlap, this county.

To Martin and Anne (HART) BARRETT were born eleven children, the following being alive: William H., the eldest, is a druggist located at Mallard, this state. Michael L., is an attorney at Logan, Iowa; Helen A. is the wife of Mr. JESSUP; P. F. is associated in business with Mr. Jessup, as heretofore stated; Martin J. is located at Hamburg, this state; Marie is the wife of P. D. MCMAHON and resides at San Diego, California, while John F., a dentist, is located at Chicago.

Mr. JESSUP's fraternal affiliation is held with the Knights of Columbus and he was one of the charter members of the local Organization at Dunlap, and also served as the first financial secretary of that body. He is a communicant of the Catholic church and is aligned with the Republican party. Mr. JESSUP is a man of quiet and unassuming disposition, though genial and friendly in his relations with others, and he enjoys a wide acquaintance and large prestige throughout this district.

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