HORACE G. LARIMER
Horace G. Larimer is prominently connected with business interests of Chariton as a member of the firm of Hollinger & Larimer, dealers in men’s clothing and furnishings. He is a man who has risen rapidly by the force of his ability, enterprise and initiative, his interests touching closely the political and business development of his city. He was born in Chariton township, this county, November 27, 1875, and is a son of Wilson King and Margaret (Young) Larimer, of whom extended mention is made elsewhere in this work.
Horace
G. Larimer grew to manhood in his native township and acquired
his education in the public schools. He moved with his parents to Chariton
when his father was elected county clerk and in August, 1900,
turned his attention to business in the city. He formed a
partnership with Mr. Hollinger under the firm name of
Hollinger & Larimer, dealers in men’s clothing and
furnishings. They
carry a large and well selected stock of goods and enjoy a
liberal patronage, for their business methods are at all times
straightforward and their business integrity beyond question. Mr. Larimer was for
three years president of the State Federation of Mercantile
Associations of Iowa and for two years held the same office in
the Iowa Retail Clothiers’ Association. He has made a close
study of trade conditions and keeps in touch with everything
pertaining to the line of work in which he is engaged. He has other
important business connections in Chariton and has valuable
real-estate interests, owning besides a modern home a number
of pieces of land.
On
the 19th of December, 1900, Mr. Larimer married
Miss Willie Blanche Hollinger, who was born in Chariton,
October 1, 1877, a daughter of Napoleon Bonaparte and Ellen
Frances (Blanchard) Hollinger, the former born in Seneca
county, Ohio, November 21, 1834, and the latter in
Charlestown, Massachusetts, September 17, 1842. The parents went to
Wright county, Iowa, in 1855 and moved from there to Chariton
in 1872. Here
the father engaged in the hardware and implement business for
a number of years, later joining his son-in-law in the firm of
Hollinger & Larimer.
He is numbered among the best known business men of
Chariton and has secured a comfortable fortune. He and his wife
became the parents of the following children: Mrs. Clara
Culberson, who was born January 3, 1859, and who is now
residing in Chariton; Mrs. Lydia Welch, born November 9, 1863,
a resident of Des Moines; Nellie, whose birth occurred April
1, 1865; Etta, who was born January 9, 1869, and who died
December 21, 1886; and Mrs. Larimer, wife of the subject of
this review. Mr.
and Mrs. Larimer have become the parents of three children: Mildred, born May
29, 1902; Hugh, whose birth occurred October 28, 1907; and
Margaret, born August 30, 1909.
The family reside in the well known Crocker house, one
of the finest and most modern in the city, and the parents are
well known in social circles.
Although Mr. Larimer is one of the most able business men of Chariton his interests have not been confined to this line but have extended to other fields also. He is active in republican politics and has always been vitally interested in the welfare of the party, having attended every state convention since he was of age. He was mayor of Chariton for one term and during that time accomplished a great deal of constructive and progressive work, it being largely due to his efforts that the subways were constructed under the Rock Island Railroad. He has for the past eight years been a member of the Grand Tribunal of the Knights of Pythias of the state of Iowa, is connected with Chariton Lodge, No. 64, A. F. & A. M., the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Modern Woodmen of America, the Woodmen of the World, the Homesteaders and the Yeomen. He is a vestryman in the Episcopal church, of which his wife is also a member. Mr. Larimer is a liberal, broad-minded and public-spirited man, active in community affairs and giving largely of his time and means to the promotion of progressive public projects. A representative of the best type of modern business man, he holds the esteem and respect of his associates, standing among the men of marked ability and substantial worth in the community.