One of the most public-spirited andhighly respected citizensof Davenport was Ira M. Gifford. He was born in Schaghticoke, Rensselaer County, New York, November 3, 1829. His father was a prominent farmer and leading citizen of that locality and came of that old New England family that gave to the world the celebrated painter, R. Swain Gifford. His mother, Susan (Cornell) Gifford, numbered among her ancestors not only the founder of Cornell University but also the Delanos, or de la Noyes, a family of importance in the early colonial days, two descendants of which, Edward and Benjamin F. (brothers), were in command of the Charleston and Brooklyn navy yards during our late Civil War.
The boyhood of Mr. Gifford was passed on his father's farm, and his education was obtained in the public schools of Troy, New York. After attaining his majority he was employed in mercantile business in Troy, and here developed that business sagacity and keen insight into financial matters for which he was distinguished in after years. In 1853 he came west and located on a farm about six miles from the City of Davenport and for some years gave his attention to agricultural pursuits. He was very successful in farming, while his genial personal ity, fine presence and keen intelligence soon made him a prime favorite not only among his immediate neighbors but also among the busines men of Davenport, where he soon established an extensive acquaintance. His popularity was attested by being elected clerk of the court of Scott County, an office which he held from January 1, 1858, to January 1, 1862. During the latter part of his term of service the War of the Rebellion came on, and Mr. Gifford being an enthusiastic supporter of the Union cause, entered into the work of recruiting in a way that met with the most hearty approval of Governor Kirkwood, so much so that he was given an especial appointment on the Governor's staff with the rank of lieutepant-colonel, and was detailed to visit Iowa regiments in the field and make investigation as to their needs. In the performance of this duty Colonel Gifford commenced a tour of the armies of the West in the fall of 1861. He visited Cairo after the battle of Belmont with supplies for the Iowa soldiers wounded in that engagement; was at Fort Donelson after its capture, and followed the Iowa troops into Tennessee, making investigations into and supplying their needs. He was with them at the battle of Shiloh, and afterward at the battle of Corinth. In his mission of mercy he had special privileges and bore passes through all the lines from General Grant and other noted commanders. Many a poor soldier had cause to bless Ira Gifford , and many instances might be given which would illustrate the kindly humanitarianism of the man, but we will let one suffice. At Cairo he found a young man who had enlisted in the Second Iowa Regiment and who had been seriously wounded at the charge on Fort Donelson. The young man was in a sad condition, and had no parents, relatives or friends to care for him or minister to his needs. Mr. Gifford became interested in him and sent him to his own home in Davenport, where Mrs. Gifford nursed him back to health and strength.
In 1863 Mr. Gifford, Austin Corbin — the celebrated New York financier who then resided in Davenport — and a number of other leading citizens organized the First National Bank of Davenport, which was the first bank organized in the United States under the national banking act. Mr. Corbin was elected president of this bank and Mr. Gifford cashier, which position he retained until 1867, when Mr. Corbin severed his connection with the bank and moved to New York, and Mr. Gifford was elected president.
He served as chief executive officer of the bank for four years, until failing health compelled him to retire. His intention was to engage in some occupation that would allow him more exercise and thus enable him to regain his accustomed vigor, which had been much impaired by his long confinement to a sedentary pursuit. He spent some time in Chicago, engaged more or less in various business ventures, but in 1876, at the urgent solicitation of friends, he returned to Davenport and accepted the secretaryship of the Davenport Plow Works, a position which he filled in the ablest manner until 1880, when increasing physical infirmity warned him to retire, which he did, seeking beneficial effects from living in a milder climate.
He first went to Mexico, and his active nature calling for some employment, he engaged in mining enterprises a year or two. The climate not benefiting him as much as he had hoped, he went to California and also to Colorado, spending about four years altogether on the trip. He was benefited to some extent, but the insidious disease consumption having obtained a firm hold upon him, nothing could check its ravages, and his many friends in Davenport saw with sorrow on his return here that his stay with them would be of short duration. On the first of July he and his faithful wife, who was his constant companion, left for the East to visit friends and relatives. At the home of his sister in Johnsonville, New York, his last hours were passed and there he peacefully passed away August 24, 1883.
Mr. Gifford was twice married, his first wife living but a short time. He was married the second time March 10, 1858, to Miss Helen Josephine, daughter of Waite and Hannah Lowrey of Troy, New York. They were married in Brooklyn, New York, the eminent divine, Rev. Richard S. Storrs, officiating. Mrs. Gifford still resides in Davenport, and they have one son, Ira Lowrey Gifford, who is in business in Chicago. They had another son, Waite Lowrey Gifford, a bright and very promising lad, who was killed by a fall from his horse in his thirteenth year.
Mr. Gifford was a man who left a host of friends to mourn his loss. He was by nature of so kindly a temperament that he won the personal regard of those with whom he came in contact, while his business relations brought him in close relationship with the best citizens of the community. Few enterprises of consequence were inaugurated in Davenport without the promoters first consulting him, his reputation for sagacity and integrity making his advice of great value, while his never- flagging interest in the welfare of the city of his adoption made him an earnest supporter of all things tending to the material welfare of the city and its people. Such men are well worthy a place in the annals of their country.
BIOGRAPHIES