John Squire FORT

FORT, HILL, MCGRATH, FELGER

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 2/10/2024 at 13:06:54

14 April 1850 ---- 6 January 1931

John Squire Fort
Another one of our pioneer citizens has been called to his long home. We regret to see the men and the women taken who have done so much toward the building up of the community and the establishment of better conditions but death is no respecter of persons.

John Squire Fort was born in Jackson county, Iowa, on April 14, 1850. He was the last of a family of four born to Squire Dille and Elizabeth Fort. Mr. Fort never changed his residence until after his marriage to Miss Elizabeth Jane Hill also of Jackson county, on March 21, 1871, when they moved to a farm in Linn county. It was while here that their only child, Blanche, was born. In 1876 they moved to the town of Baldwin where Mr. Fort went into business as a keeper of a general store. In 1882 they moved to Eagle Grove when the town was only ten months old. Only a few buildings were here at that time and on the summer before they cut grass and made hay on Broadway in what is now the business district. He ran a general store here for a while then sold out and went on the road. He returned to Eagle Grove and went into partnership with Dan Atwood and together they ran a clothing store. They occupied a two roomed store building on the south side of Broadway which is now occupied by Schoonover and Nerby. In 1904 they consolidated with R. A. Baker who ran a dry goods store in a building which stood where the Graham store now stands. The firm of Atwood, Fort, and Baker was now a department store. This firm next moved into what is now the James building. They continued in business together for about ten years when it dissolved. Mr. Baker retaining the dry goods department and Atwood and Fort keeping the clothing end of the business. In 1913, Atwood and Fort sold their business to an out of town firm and Mr. Fort went into the real estate business from which he finally retired in 1914.

Aside from his business career, he was an active man in public affairs as well. For fourteen years he was connected with the city council in some official relation from councilman to mayor. He started his public career in 1893 as councilman. He served as mayor for two terms – 1897 to 1901. He served the city of Eagle Grove again in the capacity of mayor from 1915 to 1921. During his administration, all of the city ordinances were revised and codified. A great deal was done also to make and keep the streets and alleys sanitary. He was a good and careful administrator, thoroughly honest and trusted by the people.

He was a 32nd degree Mason, a Shriner, and an Odd Fellow. He built his home in 1896 on W. Broadway and moved into it on June 15. He has spent his retired life and declining days here. The death of their only daughter, Mrs. Blanche McGrath Felger, almost broke his heart, but he received comfort and consolation from his only grandson, Dr. Robert McGrath on whom he lavished his love and between whom there was that beautiful comradeship which beautifies age and strengthens youth.

Mr. Fort was in good health up until noon of Dec. 31 when he suffered a slight stroke from which he seemed to quickly rally, but in just twenty-four hours he had another which resulted in his death on Jan. 7, 1931 at the age of 80 years, eight months, and 23 days.

He is the last of his family but leaves to mourn their loss, his wife, one nephew, Carl Fort of Chicago, and his grandson, Dr. Robert McGrath.

Funeral services were held in the Methodist church on Friday Jan. 9 at 2 o’clock. The sermon was preached by Rev. W. G. Muhleman. The Masons held their services in the church. Interment was made in Rose Hill cemetery.

EAGLE GROVE EAGLE --- Eagle Grove, IA
January 15, 1931

Source --- Paul Wilde