KNOULTON, L. W.

KNOULTON, DUBOYCE, RYERSON

Posted By: Gordon Felland (email)
Date: 6/27/2009 at 12:23:56

In the banking circles of Osage, L. W. Knoulton has long occupied a credit­able and honorable position, and his business activities have been of a character that have contributed in substantial measure to the upbuilding of the community in which he lives.

A native of Canada, he was born in the province of Quebec, June 10, 1846. His father, G. H. Knoulton, was likewise a native of the Dominion and in 1866 crossed the border into the United States, making his way directly to Osage, where he remained until his death, which occurred in November, 1894. He was a shoemaker by trade and followed that business in Osage for a brief period. He became an active factor in politics, being elected to the office of justice of the peace, deputy county sheriff and city assessor, his election to the last named position occurring just a short time prior to his death. He was a stanch republican and was actuated in his public service by a marked devotion to the general good. In early manhood he wedded Julia L. Duboyce, who was also of Canadian birth, and they became the parents of four children: L. W.; Anna, who died in infancy; L. G., who passed away in 1896; and M. H., a resident of Missouri. The last two were twins, their natal day being June 12, 1862. The parents were members of the Osage Universalist church and were people of the highest respectability, being held in warm regard by all who knew them. Mrs. Knoulton survived her husband for a considerable period, passing away February 14, 1911.

L. W. Knoulton began his education in the district schools of Canada and afterward had the benefit of instruction in a Canadian academy and in the academy at Waterloo, Iowa. He was a youth of twenty years when he accompanied his parents to this state. In early life he learned the shoemaker's trade under the direction of his father and worked at the trade for some time. The family arrived in Osage on the 11th of November, 1866, and through the intervening period, covering fifty-one years, Mr. Knoulton has been a resident of the town, taking active part in furthering its business development, and stands at all times for those interests which he believes to be for the general welfare.

On the 6th of July, 1872, occurred the marriage of Mr. Knoulton and Miss Ellen A. Ryerson, a native of Oxford county, Maine, born June 11, 1843, and a daughter of Samuel and Harriet (Small) Ryerson. Her father, who was a carpenter by trade, came to Iowa exactly the same time as Mr. Knoulton, and engaged in building operations here until his death, both he and his wife having passed away. Their family numbered two children, and the son, H. A., died about 1870, only a few years after the arrival of the family in Osage. Mr. and Mrs. Knoulton became the parents of one child, A. E., who was born June 17, 1878, and is at home.

L. W. Knoulton continued to follow the shoemaker's trade until after his marriage, when he went upon the road as traveling representative with the McCormick Implement Company, and later as representative of the William Deering Company. He was afterward with the Osborn Implement Company, and continued upon the road until 1893. About that time he was called to the position of sheriff of Mitchell county, which office he held for eight years, making an excellent record by the prompt and able manner in which he discharged his duties and upheld law and order. He was afterward active in the publication of the Osage News, and was financially interested in the paper. In March, 1907, he entered the Home Savings & Trust Company of Osage, in the position of assistant cashier and after two years was elected cashier, in which capacity he continued until January, 1917, when he was chosen vice president and is now serving as an executive officer of the institution. The bank was organized in 1900 with a capital of twenty-five thousand dollars and about the time Mr. Knoulton became connected with the bank the capital stock was increased to fifty thousand dollars. The present officers are: J. W. Annis, president; L. W. Knoulton, vice president; W. E. Sheldon, cashier; and R. Freddick, assistant cashier. Aside from becoming a prominent figure in banking circles in Osage, Mr. Knoulton has acquired considerable property in both Des Moines and Osage, having placed his surplus earnings in the safest of all investments—real estate.

Mr. Knoulton is a well known figure in Masonic circles, having taken the degrees of the lodge, chapter and commandery in Osage, in all of which he has filled the various offices. He is likewise a member of the Eastern Star Chapter of Osage and is a Mystic Shriner, belonging to El Kahir Temple at Cedar Rapids. For five years he was master of the lodge, for two years high priest of the chapter, for seven years eminent commander of the commandery and for two terms patron of the Eastern Star—official connections which indicate his high standing among his brethren of the fraternity. He likewise has member­ship with the Odd Fellows of Osage. Mr. Knoulton has worked his way upward from a humble position in the business world to one of prominence. Starting out in life as a shoemaker he came to realize the value of industry and determination, and, moreover, his laudable ambition was directed by sound judgment. He made wise use of his time and opportunities, and with the passing years advanced step by step until he has long been known as one of the sub­stantial and valued citizens of his adopted county.

Source: History of Mitchell and Worth Counties, Iowa, 1918, Vol. II, pages 100-102.