BENJAMIN H. IRONMONGER
Page 422
BENJAMIN H. IRONMONGER
Page 422
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BENJAMIN H. IRONMONGER, formerly proprietor of the Mason City Flour Mills, was born in Staffordshire, England, October 1, 1832. He is of English descent through a long line of ancestry. His paternal grandfather, Benjamin, spent his entire life in that country, which was also the birthplace of Joseph Ironmonger, our subject's father. The latter emigrated to America in 1845, and landing in New York, proceeded thence to Virginia, but afterward removed west and settled in St. Louis, Mo., where he followed his occupation of an engineer. His wife, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Hickman, was born in England and died in Jacksonville, Ill. At the age of thirteen years our subject accompanied his parents to America and remained with them for some years thereafter. Under his father's tutelage he learned the trade of an engineer and acquired a thorough knowledge of engineering, and of machinery in general. At the close of the war he embarked in the milling business at Delavan, Ill., in partnership with Arthur Stubbs, the concern being known as the "Young American Mills." After three years this occupied the firm sold out the business, and in 1871 our subject came to Mason City, where he built a Mill. Business was carried on under the firm name of Ironmonger & Co., the company being Messrs. Johnson and Tibbets. Later Mr. Johnson disposed of his interest to Morgan Barngrover, and in 1880 that gentleman sold his interest to Mr. Tibbets, the firm being then changed to Ironmonger & Tibbets. This connection continued until the death of Mr. Tibbets, in April of 1887, at which time our subject assumed the full control. Throughout the surrounding counties he transacted an extensive business, and the flour being of a superior quality, found a very ready sale. Three grades were manufactured, the "Gold Drop," "Sunrise" and "Wife's Delight." Though of foreign birth and antecedents, Mr. Ironmonger was reared under American Institutions, and the United States has no more loyal or law-abiding citizen than he, nor one who more heartily favors the Republican form of Government. In politics the Republican party finds in him an intelligent supporter of its policy. He has taken an active interest in the public schools and public improvements of all kinds, and was one of the prime factors in the organization of the water works. Socially, he is a member of Mason City Lodge No. 143, A. F. & A. M. In1855 Mr. Ironmonger was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth, daughter of George Stubbs. Mrs. Ironmonger was born in England, where her education was commenced, and after emigrating to the United States she was a student in the public schools. Three sons and four daughters were born of this marriage, namely: Olive E., wife of John G. Green, of Mason City; Hattie, deceased; Laura, who married Henry Stevenson, of Nebraska; Minnie R., Benjamin F., Arthur J. and Joseph D., who are at home. In their religious belief Mr. And Mrs. Ironmonger are Presbyterians, and the church of that denomination in Mason City has in him one of its most liberal supporters; he has served as an Elder for a number of years. Coming to this country without means, he has acquired a handsome competence by the exercise of those traits that mark him as a man of more than ordinary push and foresight, endowed with excellent powers of calculation and discrimination.
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