Bio of S. J. MEALY (b.1857), Wright Co., MN Pages 908, 909 ======================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, material may be freely used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material, AND permission is obtained from the contributor of the file. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for non-commercial purposes, MUST obtain the written consent of the contributor, OR the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. If you have found this file through a source other than the MNArchives Table Of Contents you can find other Minnesota related Archives at: http://www.usgwarchives.net/mn/mnfiles.htm Please note the county and type of file at the top of this page to find the submitter information or other files for this county. FileFormatted by Terri--MNArchives Made available to The USGenWeb Archives by: Diane Hanson ========================================================================= 908 HISTORY OF WRIGHT COUNTY drafts, $287.20; banking house, $4,750; furniture and fixtures, $2,869.87; due from banks, $16,442.50; cash on hand, $5,507.50; total, $223,003.25. S. J. Mealey, one of the leading businessmen of Wright county, was born in Monticello, in which village he still lives, October 18, 1857, son of Tobias Gilmore and Catherine J. (Prescott) Mealey. He passed through the graded schools, graduated from the High school, and in 1875 and 1876 attended the University of Minnesota. He and his father then engaged in the mercantile business at Monticello, under the firm name of T. G. Mealey & Son, until 1886. Subsequently for three years he was interested in the implement, loan and insurance business. About this time he took up the potato starch business. In 1888 he established a company, became its president, and erected a factory at Monticello. Later, at various times, he promoted companies and erected factories at River Falls, Grantsburg, Colfax and Osceola, Wis., and Hillsboro, N. D. He is still president and principal owner of all of these concerns, but for the past few years, owing to the increased demand and high price of potatoes, little business has been done. In 1893 he purchased his father's mercantile business, and established the firm of S. J. Mealey & Co. At that time the store building was 24 by 70 feet, and the place was about the average village establishment. Now he has a sightly building with 120 foot front, and a full line of goods. It is one of the finest small- town concerns in the Northwest, and would be a credit to a city of ten or fifteen thousand people. His well-selected stock, his reasonable prices, his substantial standing in the community, and his fair dealing have won him an enviable trade. It was in 1903 that he became interested in banking. That year he organized the State Bank of Monticello and was elected president, a position he still retains. He is also interested in a chain of banks in Minnesota and North Dakota, being president of the State Bank of St. Michaels (Minn.), of the German-American State Bank of Albertville (Minn.), vice president of the State Bank of Rogers (Minn.), and a director in the Scandinavian National Bank at Minneapolis. He is also president of the Monticello Preserving Company at Monticello, and manager of the Monticello Mill and Elevator Company, operating the mill and elevator at Monticello. The sale of Minnesota farm lands also occupies much of his attention. In politics Mr. Mealey is a Democrat. He has been a member of the Democratic State Central Committee, and was a delegate to the National convention held at St. Louis in 1904. For two years, during Governor John A. Johnson's first administration, he was a member of the State Board of Equalization. He has done good service to his neighbors as member of the village council for several terms, and as president of the board 909 HISTORY OF WRIGHT COUNTY of education. Mr. Mealey was married on Thanksgiving day, November 29, 1883, to Mae E. Sherwin, and they have four children: Louise, Marguerite, Helen and Howard Gilmore. Louise is a graduate of the National Park Seminary, and lives at home. Marguerite is a graduate of Welles College, and is now in charge of a department in the Training School for Young Ladies at Sauk Centre. Helen is a graduate of Welles College, and is now at home. Howard Gilmore graduated from the St. Cloud High school, and attended the University of Minnesota, where he achieved membership in the Psi Upsilon. He is now with his father. Edward H. Sherwin, banker, man of affairs, and public-spirited citizen of Monticello, was born in Belle Plaine, Scott county, Minnesota, November 18, 1862, son of John Edward and Cynthia W. (Windsor) Sherwin, both natives of Vermont. He lost his father while still an infant, and in 1868 was brought to Monticello by his mother. At the age of sixteen he left school, and became an apprentice to his stepfather in the harness trade. Finally he succeeded to the business. In this capacity he became one of Monticello's leading men. He was skillful, genial, fair dealing and honorable; he made many friends, and easily won the confidence of all with whom he came in contact. He sold out the harness establishment in January, 1914. In the meantime, since 1903, he had been cashier of the State Bank of Monticello, a position he still occupies. His standing and capability have been important factors in the success which this institution has attained. During his long residence in Monticello he has had the interests of the community deeply at heart. He is the president of the Commercial club, and has done good work on both the village council and the board of education. Mr. Sherwin is a Scottish Rite and a Mystic Shrine Mason, and also a member of the Modern Woodmen. He is a Republican in politics, and the family faith is that of the Baptist church. Edward H. Sherwin was married July 25, 1887, to Rose White, a native of England, and they have four children: Eva R., Rena M., Ruth M. and Carroll W. Carroll W. and Ruth M. are students at the University of Minnesota. Rena M. is at home. Eva B. married J. A. Sende, of Emerson, Manitoba, and they have a daughter, Miriam Esther. Mr. Sende is immigrant inspector, with headquarters at Winnipeg, Canada. John Edward Sherwin was one of Minnesota's heroes, and gave up his life in defense of her peace and integrity. He was born in Vermont, early became a carpenter, and came to Scott county, this state, with the early settlers. During the Indian uprising he enlisted as a citizen soldier in defense of the frontier, was wounded at the Battle of Birch Coulie, and died at Ft. Ridgley. He left a widow, who is still living at Monticello