GOLDE E. McQUATTERS

Golde E. McQuatters

Golde E. McQuatters, president of the McQuatters Company, real estate dealers, handling farm lands and loans, ranks with the representative business men of Northwood, being actuated in all that he does by a spirit of enterprise that falters not in the face of difficulties or obstacles. Worth county numbers him among her native sons, his birth having occurred in Grove township, March 19, 1887, his parents being James and Mary (Whitcome) McQuatters. The former was born in Westville, Indiana, October 4, 1855, and his parents were James and Jane (Jardine) McQuatters. James McQuatters was a native of Newry, County Armagh, Ireland, born in 1819, and his wife was a native of the same place. They were married there and on the 1st of January, 1855, came to the United States, crossing the Atlantic in a sailing vessel which dropped anchor in the harbor of New York. They made their way westward to Laborite county, Indiana, settling near Westville, where Mr. McQuatters rented a farm, upon which he resided for twenty years. In the fall of 1874 he drove across the country to Northwood, Iowa, and took up his abode east of the city, purchasing one hundred and sixty acres of land. He also bought each of his sons a farm. The old homestead here was purchased for seven dollars per acre and with characteristic energy James McQuatters began the development and improvement of his land, which he converted into a rich and productive tract, annually gathering therefrom abundant harvests. He spent his remaining days in Worth county and died in 1912, at the notable old age of ninety-three years. His wife also died upon the home farm in 1907, at the age of eighty-two years. Their son, James McQuatters, Jr., pursued his education in the schools of Indiana and remained upon the home farm with his father until June, 1874, when the family came to Worth county, Iowa. James McQuatters, Jr., purchased a tract of land of one hundred and sixty acres and continued its further development, cultivation and improvement until 1912, when he removed to Northwood, where he erected a fine modern residence and is now living retired. He has reached the age of sixty-two years, while his wife is fifty-three years of age. They were married in Kensett township, Worth county, and Mrs. McQuatters was born in Kaneville, Illinois, in 1864. She had there spent her girlhood days, pursued her education in the public schools of that locality and later came to Iowa with her father, who was a farmer by occupation and who purchased a tract of land of one hundred and sixty acres in Kensett township, Worth county, where he remained for a number of years. He afterward returned to Illinois, settling in Elgin, where he lived retired, and his last days were passed in Quincy, Illinois. His wife died in Northwood, Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. James McQuatters are among the highly respected residents of Northwood, enjoying the friendship and warm regard of all with whom they have been brought in contact.

Their son, Golde E. McQuatters, spent his boyhood days on the farm near Northwood and attended the public schools, passing through consecutive grades to the high school. Later he pursued a commercial course in Austin, Minnesota, and following his graduation he accepted a position with the Northwestern Railroad Company, remaining in the train service for a year. Later he was with the Western Supply Company of St. Paul, Minnesota, for three years and then returned to Northwood, where he entered the real estate business in connection with Bert Butler but after a short time purchased his partner's interest and was then alone in business until July, 1916, when he organized the Dwelle-McQuatters Real Estate Company for the conduct of a business in farms, lands and insurance. On July 1, 1918, Mr. Dwelle having retired from the corporation, the articles of incorporation were amended to change the name of the corporation to the McQuatters Company. They have been accorded a very liberal clientage and have built up their business along substantial lines, so that it has now reached a gratifying annual figure.

Mr. McQuatters was married in June, 1913, to Miss Maude B. Miller, a daughter of Edward Miller and a native of Deer Creek township, Worth county. Mr. and Mrs. McQuatters have one child, Geneva Faye. In his political views Mr. McQuatters has always been a stalwart republican since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. He is also well known in Masonic circles, having attained the Knight Templar degree of the York Rite and the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite, while with the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine he has crossed the sands of the desert. At the present writing he is Worshipful Master of the blue lodge located in Northwood, and known as Northern Light Lodge, No. 266, A. F. & A. M. He is also a member of the Elks Club and is very widely and prominently known in Northwood and this section of the state. He has many admirable qualities and high regard is entertained for him as an enterprising business man and as a loyal and progressive citizen. He represents one of the old families of the county, having made his home within its borders throughout his entire life, so that he has witnessed much of its growth and development, and since attaining his majority he has taken a helpful part in promoting interests that are matters of civic virtue and of civic pride.

SOURCE: HISTORY OF MITCHELL AND WORTH COUNTIES, IOWA, 1918, VOL. II; PAGES 590-594

Transcribed by Gordon Felland, October 28, 2006