Iowa: Its History and Its Foremost Citizens
Original Edition. 3 Vols. Des Moines, IA: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company, 1915-1916.
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Unless otherwise noted, biographies submitted by Dick Barton.
PETER EDMOND NAREY
There are men who are remembered for their successful management of business affairs. There are men who are remembered because of their leadership along political or military lines. There are others whose names are perpetuated because of their gifts to charitable and benevolent institutions. But the man who is remembered longest is he whose good qualities and personal characteristics firmly entrench him in the hearts of his associates, so that they miss him when he is gone and long for his presence and his companionship. Such a one was Peter Edmond Narey, a most popular and widely known citizen of Spirit Lake, who in every relation of life measured up to the responsibilities that came to him and went about shedding around him much of life's sunshine.
Mr. Narey was born July 22, 1845 , in Huntington , Quebec , Canada , and was the eldest of thirteen children whose parents were Bernard and Ann Narey. The family name indicates his Irish lineage. He pursued his education in the schools of Canada to the age of sixteen and then secured a clerkship in a store but after a short time crossed the border into the United States and in 1869 became a resident of Charles City, Iowa. Six months later he removed to Osage, Iowa, where for several years he engaged in clerking, during which period he carefully saved his earnings until his industry and economical expenditure brought to him sufficient capital to enable him to engage in business on his own account as a boot and shoe merchant. He continued in the trade there for about two and a half years and then went upon the road as a traveling salesman, remaining in that position until 1881 He then retired and secured a contract to assist in the building of the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern Railroad, which was then being constructed through Spirit Lake. He removed his family to that city and after completing his contract work was connected with various business enterprises in Spirit Lake , all of which he carefully managed, winning a substantial measure of success. He was from time to time called to public office by his fellow townsmen, who recognized his worth and ability. He served for one term as deputy county sheriff and for four terms guarded the public interests and welfare as sheriff of Dickinson county. He was also deputy revenue collector for northwestern Iowa for about ten years under the administrations of Presidents McKinley and Roosevelt.
On the 5th of October, 1870 , in Osage, Iowa , Mr. Narey wedded Miss Emma Francis Megquier of that place and they became the parents of two daughters and two sons: Mrs. A.M. West, now of Chicago; Mabel, at home; C.E. and H.E., both of Spirit Lake . Their home life was always ideally happy. Mr. Narey counted no personal sacrifice on his part too great if it would enhance the welfare of his wife and children. He was also greatly loved among his brethren of Twilight Lodge, A.F. & A.M., and they accompanied his remains to lakeview cemetery and laid him to rest with Masonic honors when death claimed him.
Mr. Narey was ever a man of firm convictions, announcing his position fearlessly and adhering to it with determination, yet he was open to conviction and would listen attentively to argument. In all of his actions he was straightforward and honorable, was a man of the highest integrity and withal possessed a kind and helpful disposition. Even his political enemies entertained for him the warmest personal affection and the friends who knew him longest loved him best -- a fact which is indicative of a life that measures up to the highest standards of manhood and citizenship.
A beautiful eulogy was written by one of his old-time friends, giving a splendid characterization of him: "And so 'Pete' is gone. It was not as Mr. Narey or as Peter E. Narey that he was best known and most beloved. The directories are full of Nareys, for the Emerald Isle has given many of them to the world, but there never was but just one 'Pete' -- big-hearted, genial kindly, affectionate, 'Pete,' who would scrap you to a finish when his Irish blood was up, and next day weep with you if what you needed most was sympathy or give you his last dollar if this would do you most good. 'Pete' gone. Really, it doesn't seem possible. He had passed the limit of three score and ten before we knew it, for he had kept so young in spirit and was so alert to all the impulses of buoyant manhood that the years piled up on him before we realized he was not yet in the prime of life and vigor. And he had not only lived a long while but he had lived a very great deal. A sturdy boy in the hills and valleys of eastern Canada . A little later a soldier of the crown to help his government deal with insurrection and anarchy. Then he came to this country and in business, in politics, in public service, things were always doing in the vicinity of 'Pete.' When he was working politics he knew the game, and the other fellows understood he was there. He did everything with a full head of steam. He had known what it was to be poor, but he was never known to despair. No burden of life could crush his indomitable spirit or make him strike his manhood colors. He could give blows and take them hard and fast, but never struck below the belt, never nursed a grouch nor planned a revenge. The man we affectionately called 'Pete' will be very much missed. In his presence good cheer abounded His home was always wide open to his friends, and this has meant everybody worth neighboring with. It has been a home of hospitality and of helpfulness and of unfailing kindliness. His hand was open to every man regardless of politics or religion or any sort of conventional distinction. His heart was so easily touched by human sorrow and human need that he could resist no appeal for moral or material relief. He was always for his family, his friends, his community, his party and his country with all his might, but 'with malice toward none.' Dear 'Pete.' We all have our limitations, and so had he, but all is so soon forgotten of a man like him save and except his splendid humanity -- his warm heart and spontaneous helpfulness."
Mr. Nary placed a correct valuation upon the things of life and he always felt, as the Psalmist expressed it, that "a good name is rather to be chosen than great riches." He forgave readily, had a smile for everyone and the deepest sympathy for those who needed it. He brought into life the riches of warm and rare friendship and those who knew him are better for his having lived.
IRA MINEHART NEEDLES, who was a well known citizen and business man of southwestern Iowa, was born in Indiana, April 16, 1854, and was but a young lad when the family home was established in Linn county, Iowa, about 1860. In the year 1869 his father, J. H. Needles, removed with his family to Cass county, locating in Atlantic where, in connection with J. A. McWaid, he established the first implement and wagon-making factory of the town, remaining active in business there until his death, which occurred in January, 1908.
Ira M. Needles was a youth of fifteen years at the time he became a resident of Atlantic. He first engaged in clerking in a general store until twenty-three years of age, after which he was a partner of his father for two years in the implement business. He was next connected with Robert D. McGeehon in the cultivation of small fruits. Subsequently he became interested in the conduct of a canning factory at Atlantic and later removed to Red Oak, where he established a canning factory which he incorporated and conducted for four years. On the expiration of that period he went to Hamburg , Iowa , where he conducted a canning factory for two years or until his death, May 5, 1908 . He possessed initiative spirit and keen insight in business affairs and capably conducted and directed his interests.
In 1879 Mr. Needles was united in marriage to Miss Helen M. McGeehon, the only surviving child of Robert D. and Mary Jane (Hoblit) McGeehon. She was the second white child born in Cass county, her natal day being December 22, 1854 . To Mr. and Mrs. Needles were born seven children, all of whom are yet living: Kate, the wife of G. W. Todd, of Des Moines; Amanda, a nurse in Seattle, Washington; Mary Alice, the wife of F. A. Mathews, living in Clinton, Iowa; Selden M., with the Bell Telephone Company; Helen M., who is assistant matron at the Methodist Hospital in Des Moines; Johnson D., living in South Dakota; and Beth, who is a student in the St. Joseph Academy at Des Moines.
The death of the husband and father occurred may 5, 1908, when he was fifty-four years of age. He had made many friends during the years of his residence in southwestern Iowa and was highly esteemed for his sterling personal traits as well as his business characteristics. His family is yet well known in Atlantic and Cass county and high regard is entertained for Mrs. Needles and her children. |
