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~ Larkin E. Zachary ~
The pursuits of life are as varied as are the tastes and
capabilities of men, and it is an interesting and useful study to
observe the degree of their assimilation. The confidence of the
public in any business enterprise must be measured by its tangible
attitude toward that enterprise. Measured in that way the banking
house of L. E. Zachary, of Prairie City, Iowa, has a strong and
unassailable hold upon the business and financial men of that
city. Mr. Zachary, who is without doubt the wealthiest man in
Jasper County, was born in the grand old mother of states,
Virginia, his birth occurring in Madison County, November 20,
1818. The ancestors of this family came originally from France,
and settled in this country at a period antedating the
Revolutionary War. The grandfather of our subject was a native of
North Carolina and was at one time an extensive slave owner in the
south. He was a soldier in the Revolution and fought bravely for
independence.
William Zachary, father of our subject, was born in the Old
Dominion and was a Sergeant of artillery in the War of 1812. He
married Miss Frances Deer, also a native of Virginia, but of
German extraction; she was the daughter of Morton Deer, who was
also a revolutionary soldier, and who was present at the surrender
of Lord Cornwallis. The father of our subject died about 1820, and
the mother subsequently married a man by the name of John Skinner,
and lived in her native state until her death in 1856. Our subject
was the only child, and was but two years of age when his father
died. When he reached the age of fourteen he was bound out to
learn a trade. This was to toke him four years and he was to have
six months' schooling.
He learned the painter's trade, after which he started out for
himself, he first went to Highland County, Ohio, and was there
married to Miss Eliza Blee, whose father was born on the Emerald
Isle. Mr. Blee came to America at an early date and settled in
Pennsylvania, but subsequently moved to Highland County, Ohio,
where he was among the pioneers. After his marriage Mr. Zachary
followed his trade in Ohio until the spring of 1850, when he
started with his family in a one-horse rig for Iowa, having at
that time about $80 in money. All his household effects were
brought in the one-horse rig, and he first settled in Fayette,
Polk County, where he worked at painting when he could find
anything to do, for the settlers in those days had but little use
for painters. After being there one year, the high water of the
spring of 1851 washed his cabin away, and he was obliged to look
for a new home. He bought a claim in Jasper County, south of what
is now Prairie City, for which he went in debt, and the neighbors
helped him build a log cabin. After this was completed, he had
only a small amount to support his family on until he could earn
more.
Working at his trade when he could get anything to do, but not
depending on this alone, he began improving his land and finally
got a start. He could look ahead and see that land would be
valuable some day and every cent that he could spare went into
cheap land. Thus was laid the foundation of his subsequent
prosperity. He now the owner of three thousand acres of excellent
land. In 1876 he moved from his farm to Prairie City and
established the banking house of which he is now the head. This
has had a prosperous history from the beginning, and the wealthy
men of this county know that when their money enters his bank it
is in safe hands. Many have left their money with him without
interest when they could get good interest at other banks, but
security was what they wanted principally.
Mr. Zachary's has been a most remarkable career. Coming into
the new state with limited means and meeting with misfortune from
the start, he displayed the energy and perseverance for which he
has since been noted, and by his push and remarkable foresight has
amassed a quarter of a million dollars. He is no ordinary
businessman. All his life he has been a Democrat, but has never
aspired to or accepted any office. He is a prominent Mason and is
a Knight Templar in that order. To this marriage were born seven
children, as follows; R. B., in the clothing business at Colfax;
James, farmer; Edward, also a farmer; Martha C., the widow of
Hartwell Hayes, Emily F., single and at home, Eliza Jane, the wife
of H. Cochran, who is Vice-President of the bank, and William, the
eldest, a farmer. p. 245.
~ R. B. Zachary ~
R. B. Zachary, cashier or L. E. Zachary & r Son's Bank, at Prairie City, and a prominent businessman and influential citizen of Colfax, was born in Jasper County, Iowa, March 29, 1856. He is a son of Larkin E. Zachary, a native of Virginia, who came to Jasper County in 1856 and is now a successful banker of Prairie City, being a man of wealth and influence and a large landowner. The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Eliza Blee, and was a native of Ohio and a descendant of Irish ancestry.
In the parental family there were four sons and three daughters, all of whom are residents of Iowa, and six are living in Jasper County. The sixth in order of birth is the subject of this sketch. He was reared upon a farm, and gained the rudiments of his education in the neighboring district schools. The knowledge there secured was afterward supplemented by an attendance at McClain's Business College, in Des Moines, where he prosecuted his studies for a short time. In 1878 he accepted the position of assistant cashier in his father's bank, and two years later became cashier of that institution. He is also financially interested in the Citizens' Bank of Colfax, of which he is a Director.
In addition to his other interests Mr. Zachary is the owner of three hundred and forty acres in Jasper County, from the rental of which he receives a fair income. He also owns three hundred and sixty acres in other places. In 1892 he established in Colfax the boot and shoe and clothing store of which be bas since been proprietor. As a businessman he is keen, sagacious, quick to discern an opportunity and no less prompt in availing himself of every advantage. His transactions are always accurate and honorable, and he has never gained wealth at the expense of another, but has been strictly upright in his dealings with all.
August 16, 1888, Mr. Zachary was married to Miss Jessie A. Goodrich, a native of Johnson County Iowa, and a daughter of George A. Goodrich, of Colfax. In his social connections Mr. Zachary is identified with the Masonic fraternity, belonging to the blue lodge at Prairie City, the chapter at Colfax, the Commandery at Newton, and the shrine at Cedar Rapids. He is a man of much experience, gifted with firmness, sagacity and foresight to a marked degree, which traits have no doubt been instrumental in gaining him a position among the first citizens of Colfax. He is very liberal, and never hesitates to spend his money where it will do good or relieve suffering. In his opinions he is tenacious. This is especially true in regard to his political views, he being a very strong Democrat, active in political affairs and giving material support to his party. However, he has never sought official honors, but has devoted his attention strictly to his private affairs. As a businessman and a citizen he is highly regarded by all with whom he has an acquaintance. Page 392.
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