Businessmen of Note in 1895
in New London, Iowa

The picture on the left is of "prominent" New London, Iowa businessmen in the year 1895. In the center is J. E. Peterson, who owned the department store in town as well as the mitten factory. John Edgar (always known as J. E.) Peterson was born in 1861 and died in 1917. He was the husband of Florence Lee, who was the daughter of Mary Jane ("Versey") Leas and Samuel Lee; Florence was therefore the granddaughter of Jane Walker who was the daughter of George and Julian Jean [Welsh] Walker of Pennsylvania / Tennessee / Indiana.

The text of the caption below the photograph reads:

"A GROUP OF PROMINENT CITIZENS of New London and Vicinity," says the caption on this 1895 group of photographs, which hangs in the Primary Oil office. Top row, left to right: I. H. Redfearn, C. E. Magers, Jas. M. Ferrel. Second row: J. Q. McKinnon, Frank Price. Third row, curving across the middle of the group: Jonathan Doolittle, Dr. F. C. Mehler, J. E. Peteson, H. H. Codner, Hugo Beyer. Fourth row: W. W. Blacker, J. W. Carden, I. V. Shaner, O. D. Glandon. Only the name of O. D. Glandon is completely unfamiliar to us; the others are mentioned in the biographies or under the section on doctors. Frank Price operated a store on the north side of Main Street where Smith Insurance is now [1974], until 1908. W. W. Blacker married Susan Emeline Burge and lived a mile west of town. J. W. Carden was a partner with Frank Hemmings in the elevator -- which was later operated by I. H. Redfearn and H. H. Codner.

Michael Redfern has kindly provided some comments about this photo:

I.H. Redfearn in this photo is Isaac "Ike" Hadley Redfearn, born June 10, 1845 in New London, Henry County, Iowa; and died October 28, 1934, in Los Angeles CA. [He] Married Louisa Fowler March 21, 1875 at the Fowler home in Henry County, Iowa. [She was] born February, 1851 in Pennsylvania. Isaac was the son of John Redfearn and Jane Lee - all long time residents of Henry County, Iowa.

Edward Melvin Lee and the New London, Iowa, Cornet Band

The Walkers - Pictures in the 1800s
The Walker Tour
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