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George L. Schoonover
Born February 7, 1880 |
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Few among the younger generation of men today have played a more conspicuous part in the financial prosperity of Anamosa than has George L. Schoonover. Not only has he evinced that fidelity to duty which has characterized those who have risen high in the affairs of the world, but he possesses those qualities of enterprise and organization, which, having been so early brought into a healthy exertion, should bring him to even larger fields than those which now know his labors. One of the native sons of Anamosa, he was born February 7, 1880, his parents being Lawrence and Amelia J. (Tanner) Schoonover.
During the early years of his life, George L. Schoonover was a pupil in the public schools of Anamosa, from which he was graduated in June, 1895. Thereupon he entered the Iowa State University. He received the degree of bachelor of philosophy from that institution in 1900, but returned for two years to take work in its law college, not beginning his business career until 1901, when he entered the Anamosa National Bank as bookkeeper. After having proved his ability and his trustworthiness by less than three years of industry, January 12, 1904, he was elected cashier of the institution. This afforded him an opportunity to exercise some of the power with which he felt he was endowed, and believing that the future of the bank was large, he increased its capital stock to one hundred thousand dollars and guided its destinies along such a safe channel that in February, 1907, after the death of his father, he was appointed to succeed him in the presidency. That same year he organized the Schoonover Trust Company with a capital of fifty thousand dollars, and has since been president of the concern. Another venture of his which has proved equally successful was his establishment of the First National Bank of Olin, Iowa, which was accomplished in the early part of 1905. Of this institution also he is president, and in his direction of its affairs has again proven that he is an able financier, a man upon whose judgment reliance may be placed, and one whose policies, while checked by a healthy conservatism, have tended in the main toward progress and advancement and the full utilization of all opportunities.
Shortly after he had embarked upon his business career, on the 29th of October, 1902, Mr. Schoonover wedded Miss Grace Lovell, a daughter of George L. Lovell, of Monticello, Iowa. Three children have been born unto them, namely: Catharine, who was born August 14, 1903; Lawrence, who was born March 6, 1906, and Donald, whose birth occurred September 25, 1907.
Politically Mr. Schoonover has given his allegiance to the republican party but has taken no part in public life. He is, however, prominent in the ranks of the Masons in this county. He joined the order in 1901, was elected junior warden of Anamosa Lodge, No. 46, A.F.&A.M., in December, 1905, and in 1906 became worshipful master, an office which he filled for three years. He was exalted as a Royal Arch Mason by Mt. Sinai Chapter and later was knighted in the Order of the Temple, by the Mt. Olivet Commandery, NO. 36. In May, 1907, he joined the DeMolay Consistory, No. I.A.A.S.R. and has since been very active in the Scottish Rite, being in 1909 appointed Knight Commander of the Court of Honor by the supreme council of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite during the October session. True to the nobler ideals of manhood, he is not only a successful business man and financier, but loyal and faithful friend, of the many who coming to know him intimately regard him highly for the strong traits of his character.
Source: History of Jones County, Iowa, Past and Present, R. M. Corbitt, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, 1910. |
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© Copyright 1997-2013, The Art Department, © Copyright 2014-2020, Richard Harrison.
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