Des Moines County IA Archives Biographies.....Waite, John Leman 1840 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ia/iafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com December 12, 2007, 12:34 am Author: Lewis Publishing Co. (1896) JOHN LEMAN WAITE, well known as the popular editor and publisher of the Burlington Hawkeye, Burlington, Iowa, has for over three decades been identified with this city, and has in various ways figured prominently here during this entire period. Mr. Waite dates his birth in Ravenna, Portage county, Ohio, August 29, 1840, and is a son of John and Martha A. (Clark) Waite, the former a native of New York and the latter of Ohio. To this worthy couple three children were born, of whom two are now living: John L., and Mary E., wife of R. M. Hartzell, of Peru, Kansas. John Waite, the father, was a cooper by trade, at which he worked for some years in his early life, and later gave his attention to other pursuits. In 1867 he removed to Burlington, Iowa, and engaged in the grocery business; subsequently was a commission merchant, and finally settled down to the quiet life of a farmer. He died in Kansas while on a visit there in June, 1894, at the age of eighty-four years. His widow survives, and at this writing is making a temporary sojourn in Kansas. She is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, as also was Mr. Waite, he having for years held official position in the church. He served in various local offices while a resident of Ohio, and after coming to Iowa filled acceptably some of the township offices in Flint River township, Des Moines county. The paternal grandfather of our subject was John Waite. The Waites are of English origin and the first of the family who came to America settled in Connecticut. It was, however, in New York that John Waite was born. He was a farmer and contractor, and during the war of 1812 proved himself a faithful soldier. About 1830 he moved to Michigan, where he resided for some years, but his last days were spent in Ohio with his son, and he died there at the advanced age of eighty-two years. He was a man of fine physique, full of pluck and energy, and for his many excellent traits of character was admired by all who knew him. The maternal grandfather of J. L. Waite was Ephraim Clark, a native of Connecticut, and one of the early pioneers of northern Ohio. When he first removed to Ohio he located on a farm near Talmage, but later took up his abode in Ravenna, where he ran a large carriage factory for many years. At the time of death he was past eighty. Personally, he was a man of large stature and great force of character; and whatever he undertook he carried to completion. Mr. J. L. Waite, whose name introduces this sketch, was reared at Ravenna, Ohio, remaining there until he was seventeen. His education was received in the Ravenna schools and in a Chicago business college. He learned telegraphy, and was employed twelve years as a telegrapher, filling positions successively at Lebanon, Cleveland, Chicago and Burlington. It was in 1862 that he came to Burlington and his service here was for the Illinois & Mississippi Company first and then for the Western Union. He had always had a taste for newspaper work, and in 1869 became city editor and bookkeeper for the Hawkeye. In 1874 Mr. Frank Hatton purchased the Hawkeye; soon after this Mr. Waite became associate editor, and about 1877 was given the position of managing editor, which he ably filled until 1881. At that time he received the appointment of Postmaster of Burlington, and served a term of four years. In 1885 he again became connected with the Hawkeye, this time as editor in chief and manager, and this position he still occupies. In the newspaper field he has won an enviable reputation. Mr. Waite has a delightful home and charming family. His residence is at No. 108 Woodlawn avenue north. He was married September 21, 1864, to Miss Letitia C. Williams, daughter of Thomas M. and Letitia B. (Benning) Williams; and their union has been blessed in the birth of four children,-Clay M., Jessie B., Lola, and one that died in infancy. The daughters are accomplished young ladies and the son is in the newspaper office with his father, acting as assistant business manager and cashier. The latter is married and has a home of his own. His wife was formerly Miss Ida M. Southwell. Mr. and Mrs. Waite worship at the First Methodist Episcopal Church of Burlington, where they are consistent and active members, he being a Trustee and Secretary of the Board. Politically, he is an enthusiastic Republican. In all public matters pertaining to the welfare of the city, and especially in educational affairs, does he take a deep interest. He is a trustee of the Burlington Institute College, one of the oldest institutions of the city, and is a director and vice president of Elliott's Business College. Additional Comments: Extracted from: A MEMORIAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD OF IOWA ILLUSTRATED "A people that take no pride in the noble achievements of remote ancestors will never achieve anything worthy to be remembered with pride by remote descendants."'—MACAULAY. "Biography is by nature the must universally profitable, universally pleasant, of all things."—CARLYLE "History is only biography on a large scale"—LAMARTINE. CHICAGO: THE LEWIS PUBLISHING COMPANY 1896 File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ia/desmoines/bios/waite129gbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/iafiles/ File size: 5.7 Kb