JOHN FINDLAY
John Findlay, dealer in grain and livestock, is one of the represesntative men of Marne. He is the pioneer grain buyer of the town, having been here nearly a year before any one else entered the field in that line. He transacted business in a temporary building on the south side for three years. He bought the lot where his present building stands, on the west side of Main street, at the corner of Washington, in 1876, but could not make use of it until 1880. He also has a place on the north side of the railroad track near the depot. He deals extensively in grain and live stock, and does a large shipping business. He also handles agricultural machinery, coal, etc. In 1882 his total business amounted to $160,000, and in 1883, to $80,000. He has stock yards of his own to facilitate the handling of his large business; also an elevator, where he grinds feed for fattening his own stock, as well as that of others. When Mr. Findlay commenced in Marne, he also carried on the lumber business to some extent, but has gradually dropped out of that line.
John Findlay is a native of Aberdeen, Scotland, born June 14, 1850. He is a son of Thomas and Mary (Anderson) Findlay, natives of Scotland where they now live. Thomas Findlay was born in 1801, and was a farmer by occupation. In May, 1871, John Findlay came to America and located at Lake Forest, Illinois, where he remained five years, clerking in a store. He then went to Chicago and engaged as traveling agent for a commission house a short time. While in the latter business, he passed through Cass county, Iowa, and being pleased with the country, located here permanently in July, 1876. He has a fine cultivated farm, and has a stock of the finest cattle known. He pays particular attention to the raising of stock, and is know throughout the country as a breeder of the fine Black cattle. He was married September, 7, 1879, to Elizabeth Williams, daughter of T.T. Williams, a resident of this county, but formerly of Iowa City. Mr. And Mrs. Findlay have four children...George T., Mary A., Charles E., and Mercedes. Mr. Findlay is an elder of the Presbyterian church, of which they are members. He is an enterprising business man and a public spirited citizen.
Transcribed by Gloria Goltiani from "History of Cass County, Iowa. Together With Sketches of its Towns, Villages and Townships, Educational, Civil, Military and Political History: Portraits of Prominent Persons, and Biographies of Old Settlers and Representative Citizens." Springfield, Ill.: Continental Historical Company, 1884, pg. 612.
