For more than thirty years John T. Temple has been engaged in business in Davenport, and has long been classed among her enterprising and public-spirited citizens. He is a native of New York City, and was born March 7, 1814, to Thomas and Mary (Billsborough) Temple, the former a native of Scotland, and the latter of Yorkshire, England. His parents immigrated to the United States in 1843 and settled in New York, where John was born, and where the father was in business as a florist some thirteen years. In 1856, for the purpose of obtaining more land and putting himself in position to engage more extensively in the cultivation of flowers, shrubbery, etc., he removed to the West, and settled at the place known as “Little's Grove,” four miles from Davenport. He remained there three years, but finding that he needed to be nearer to the city in order to sell his products readily, he purchased a tract of five acres — which is now within the limits of Davenport — and there erected extensive greenhouses. Here he laid the foundation of a successful business, which was cut short by his untimely death in 1862. His widow still survives and at the age of seventy-five is vigorous and well preserved. She is an entertaining conversationalist, and her recollections and reminiscences of early days are exceedingly interesting. After the death of his father, John, who had been associated with him , took charge of the business, which under his careful management has prospered and increased from year to year. He has now (1894) six acres planted in flowers, fruit and shrubbery, and is known far and near as a successful nurseryman and floriculturist. He is a member of the executive committee of the Society of American Florists, and has attended the conventions of that organization at Buffalo, Boston and Toronto, Canada. He is also a director of the Florists' Hall Association.
Mr. Temple has always sought in every way possible to advance the growth and welfare of his adopted city, and has at all times been ready to do his part to increase its prestige and add to its attractiveness. For eighteen years he was a member of the Fire King volunteer engine company of Davenport, and also served as its secretary. He is prominent in Masonic and other secret and benevolent orders; was a charter member of Lodge No. 10, Knights of Pythias, and has held the office of Master of Exchequer in it continuously since 1876. He belongs to Fraternal Lodge Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and is a Royal Arch and Scottish Rite Mason, having attained the thirty-second degree. He belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and is district deputy of Lodge No. 7, and also is a member of the Princes of Iran post, of which he is an official.
December 30, 1868, Mr. Temple married Miss Josephine A., daughter of John and Mary Ahern, who were natives of London, England.
BIOGRAPHIES