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William N. Dearborn
Born May 30, 1861


William N. Dearborn, of Stone City, the measure of whose success is found in the extensive business relations which he now enjoys, stands today as one of the leading contractors of his section of the state. His operations in this field have covered a wide range and, forceful and resourceful, he is classed with those business men whose interests constitute a source of general prosperity as well as individual success. Born in Anamosa, Jones county, Iowa, on the 30th of May, 1861, Mr. Dearborn is a son of Henry and Martha H. Dearborn, of whom mention is made elsewhere in this volume. The latter, who in her maidenhood was Martha H. Frankland, was born and reared in Manchester, England, and was brought to the United States when a maiden of twelve years.
William N. Dearborn was educated in the public schools of Anamosa but did not graduate. Ambitious to engage in business on his own account, at the age of nineteen years he began learning the stone cutter's trade in his father's quarry and was thus employed until he attained his majority, when he was admitted to a partnership by his father, his brother, H. F. Dearborn, being also a member of the firm. They successfully engaged in quarrying and selling stone and are still in business. In 1903 under the firm name of H. Dearborn's Sons, Mr. Dearborn became associated with M. S. Jackson of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, in a general contracting business. This firm now maintains offices in Cedar Rapids and Waterloo, Iowa, and are among the foremost building and paving contractors of this part of the state. They have recently completed a large paving contract at Cedar Rapids and also sewer contracts at that place and at Waterloo, Iowa, Batavia, East Moline and Rock Falls, Illinois and Kirksville, Missouri. They now have contracts for work of this character at Waterloo, Prophetstown and Maquoketa. Their business has reached very extensive proportions and is now a very profitable undertaking, necessitating the employment of a large force of workmen in the execution of their contracts.
Mr. Dearborn is also the vice president of the Anamosa National Bank, is president of the Jones County Telephone Company, and is associated with the firm of H. Dearborn's Sons and with H. Dearborn & Company of Stone City, and with the Johnson Gas Light Company of Cedar Rapids. On the 1st of January, 1896, was celebrated the marriage of William N. Dearborn to Miss Ora Belle Thompson, at Maquoketa, Iowa. His political allegiance is given to the republican party which finds in him a strong supporter but not an office seeker. He is well known in Masonic circles, belonging to Anamosa Lodge, A.F.&A.M., of which he was master for two vears; Mount Sinai Chapter, R.A.M., Mount Olivet Commandery, K. T., of which he was eminent commander for three years, and El Kahir Temple of the Mystic Shrine at Cedar Rapids, of which he was potentate in I901-02. He has also attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite, belonging to the consistory at Cedar Rapids. He is likewise a member of the Elks lodge of Cedar Rapids, the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Order of the Eastern Star. These, however, are but minor interests in the life of Mr. Dearborn, who has directed his energies and efforts along the lines where mature experience and discretion have led the way. His interests have constantly broadened until the extent of his business connections makes him one of the most prominent contractors of Iowa.

Source: History of Jones County, Iowa, Past and Present, R. M. Corbitt, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, 1910, p. 590. Photo from Picturesque Amamosa, compiled and published by W. Leon Hall, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, ca. 1900, and submitted by Lois O'Donnell.

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Last updated on Friday, 16-Apr-2021 16:53:24 MST