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E. M. Babcock
Born 6 March 1852 |
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The mercantile interests of Wyoming find a worthy representative in E. M. Babcock, proprietor of a drug and jewelry store of that city. His birth occurred in New York on the 6th of March, 1852, his parents being Cottrell and Martha L. (Armstrong) Babcock, who were likewise natives of the Empire state. The first representatives of the Babcock family in this country came from England in 1640 and took up their abode in Massachusetts but subsequently removed to New York. Cottrell Babcock, the father of our subject, was an agriculturist by occupation and in 1858 came west to Jones county, Iowa, purchasing a farm in the eastern part of Wyoming township. There he successfully carried on his agricultural interests until 1884, when he put aside the active work of the fields and lived retired in Wyoming until called to his final rest in 1889 at the age of sixty-seven years. He was a well known and highly respected citizen of the community and an exemplary member of the Methodist Episcopal church, in the work of which be was deeply and helpfully interested. His wife had passed away in the year 1863. Their union was blessed with five sons and two daughters, as follows: Charles H.; E. M., of this review; Edward R.; Herbert C.; Mrs. Alice Calahan; and two who died in infancy.
E. M. Babcock, who was a little lad of six years when he came to this county with his parents, pursued his education in the country schools and also in the public schools of Wyoming. Subsequently he gave his father the benefit of his services in the cultivation of the home farm for two years and in 1878 came to Wyoming establishing himself in the drug business. Afterward he opened a jewelry store and has since built up an extensive business in this line, now enjoying a large and remunerative patronage. In 1900, in association with Peter Jansen, he installed the Independent Telephone System in Wyoming, being connected therewith until 1908, when he sold out his interest.
In 1879 Mr. Babcock was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Wherry, who was born in Ohio, her parents being David and Mary Ann (Bratton) Wherry, natives of Ohio and Pennsylvania respectively. Mrs. Babcock, who was one of a family of five sons and five daughters, was but two years of age when brought to this county by her parents. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Babcock have been born two children: Irma A., now the wife of Wayne Pringle, of Galesburg, Illinois; and Kenneth E.
Politically Mr. Babcock is a stalwart advocate of the republican party and, though he does not desire the honors and emoluments of office, has been called to serve the public in various capacities. He acted as mayor of Wyoming for three years and has been a member of the council for thirteen or fourteen years and on the school board for six years, ever discharging his official duties in a most prompt and efficient manner. He belongs to the United Presbyterian church and to the Masonic fraternity, being now past master of Keystone Lodge, A.F.&A.M., of Wyoming. The period of his residence in Jones county covers more than a half century and he is widely recognized as one of its most prosperous, worthy and representative citizens.
Source: History of Jones County, Iowa, Past and Present, R. M. Corbitt, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, 1910, p. 107. |
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© Copyright 1997-2013, The Art Department, © Copyright 2014-2020, Richard Harrison.
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