Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1915-01-18
SENIOR MEMBER STATE RAIL
ROAD COMMISSION, PIONEER
BUSINESS MAN DIES.
DEATH COMES TO END
SICKNESS OF SIX MONTHS
Grip With Which He Was Taken Sick
in July Developed Into Rrisht's Dis
ease-Was Founder of Ole, Firm and
Organizer Of ketchum Wagon Com
pany-Lived Here Fifty Three Years.

Nathaniel 5. Ketchum. senior mem
Der of the state railroad commission
a pioneer retailer and Joobef OF here
and an early manufacturer OF this and
Iilirois cities died at his home, Sos
East Church street, Saturday evening
of Bright-s disease. He oegan sinking
raoidlv early in the afternoon and
slept away at $50. His death ended
a sickness of six months and occurred
on the fifty third anniversary OF ms
arrival in the city.
An attack OF grip in midsummer
was the direct cause Of MS last SICK
ness. Altho ne seemingly recovered
from its effects and was even able TO
resume his duties on the commission.
il was for only a day. The grip had
left him debilitated and he steadily
lost strength and vigor. About Dee.
Bright's disease developed. Since that
time he had kept TO his bed. except
for few days three weeks before ne
died. when he seemed better for time
and was able 70 be up little each day
Came With Northwestern.
Mr.. Ketcnum was one of the group
Of active business men OF the citS
village days who came with the iirst
railroad. the Chicago Iowa & Nepras-
ka now the Northwestern. He came
into Iowa with the party OF engineers.
lead bv the late George F. Kirby. OF
this city. who surveyed The right of
wav and built the road John !. Blair.
nf New Jersey. Mr. Ketcnum's native
stare fnanc!ed this extension. j. B.
Howe father of George a. Howe. OF
this CITY. was the superintendent IN
charge
this city when young Mr. ketchum LEFT
the engineering party and came here
TO stay. Jan IS. 1862.
Part Owner First Elevator.
A, that time Z. g. Sleight vas in the
grain and agricultural implement bust
ness al the corner Of Market street and
Third avenue. where Mr.. ketcnums
son = 6 Eetcau.n, Is n business
now. SIe.ght owned the first grain ele-
vator built here. Young Ketchum en-
tered in business with him, the frm
rame being first Z. 6. Sieight & Co,
and later Sleight & ketchum. the
business was destroyed oy the ire that
swept the depot district lay !, lsI2.
Mr. ketchum re- established nam
sell IN the Teldli -iilp4tsiiNHN S"'e'''N''"
in building he built on the north
eas- corner of Third avenue and Mar
ket street after the fire. He took into
partnership Joseph II. Johnston. of
this city. AT first the firm name was
y. $. Ketchum & Co. Later it be-
came Ketchum G. Johnston, partner
ship that continued for many years.
Helps Establish Sterling Factory.
About 1873, or soon after the ketch-
nm & Johnston partnership was
formed. Mr.. Ketchum. leaving John
ston in charge of the business here.
went 10 Sterling III. There with men
of that city he organized the Eureka
| Manufacturing Company nanufac-
turers Of agricultural machinery and
school furniture Mr. ketchum was
the first president and manager
connection that lasted for TWO years
This corporation stiIl exists. the name
being now the Eureka Company
Selling his interest 2, Sterling, Nj
Ketchum returned here and de*oted
himself 10 tfe partnership retail bus
mess. l. was az this time, 1877. that
he bought the property II south f'irs.
avenue, ard built thereon Agricultural
block. nos. 1915. occupied BY p. +.
Arney.
Organized Wagon ceareay.
w Hetcir,rn accepted IN oNer 70
neroroe general rr.a.szer Of the Moline
I v-ayC,, 6,o-,r,a-y Moline III In HE
re reroajreo ryere sW9 yee.rr. when
] ,e oz-nx ,,acL he ard o,ae~s. 1rzarIzed
! m getos,.rc wagon COMPANY and
oar,s,4Bszed - ff,- $40 gJ9. THIS group
=. -foreN- industrial promoters vere
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