JOHN MCEACHIM
October 23, 1876, was the date on which John McEachim started in the grain business in Marne. At first he rented a warehouse for storage purposes, but after a short time he built one of his own. Finding his business rapidly outgrowing his facilities, he had this house torn down and in 1880 built a steam elevator. In August, 1881, he had the misfortune to lose this elevator by fire, but built one to run by horse power shortly afterward. He was also engaged in the stock trade at the commencement of his business, but now confines his attention to grain and coal. He ships an average of two hundred and fifty cars per year. He also has corn cribs, and in 1883, cribbed 30,000 bushels.
John McEachim, grain dealer at Marne, was born in Massachusetts, June 10, 1848. His parents, Neal and Jane (Taylor) McEachim, were natives of Scotland. He established himself in business here in October, 1876, first renting a warehouse, and soon afterwards erecting a steam elevator building of his own which in August 1881, was burned. Since that time he has put up another building and has a considerable trade in grain and coal. His mother died when he was quite young. His father was a stone mason and farmer, and died in 1838 in Canada, where they were then living. After the death of his father, John went back to Massachusetts and engaged in the drug business. In 1871, he went to Door county, Wisconsin, where he followed the same occupation and remained until 1876, when he came to Cass county, settled at Marne and has since remained. He is a Master Mason and a member of the A.O.U.W.
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. 613.
