Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2013, All Rights Reserved U.S. Data Repository Please read U.S. Data Repository Copyright Statement on this page: Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott for the US Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ ========================================================================= U.S. Data Repository NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization. Non-commercial organizations desiring to use this material must obtain the consent of the transcriber prior to use. Individuals desiring to use this material in their own research may do so. ========================================================================= Formatted by U.S. Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded. =========================================================================== Biographical History of Cherokee County, Iowa W. S. Dunbar & Co., Chigago - 1889 [page 399-401] WILLIAM B. CHICK, the present treasurer of Cherokee County, has been closely connected with public matters hereabouts for nearly twenty years, coming to the place when the broad, trackless prairies made up the surroundings of a mere hamlet, and before the iron horse had found his way to this part of Iowa. He came in March, 1870, in com- pany with Dr. ROYAL L. CLEAVES. They came overland from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, seeing lots of "beautiful prairies" between here and there. In attempting to sketch the life of so active a man as Mr. CHICK it is the writer's first duty to gain what facts he can from the subject, and then draw from the fund of popular sentiment for the remainder. It will almost go without the saying that this gentleman, by reason of his ability and genial traits, has no real enemies in the county, where he has mingled with all classes of men for almost two decades. But before speaking of his career in Cherokee County, the reader will please go with us in thought to the old "Pine Tree" State, Maine, down by that wave-washed and rocky coast whence came so many of Iowa's early and best settlers. In York County WILLIAM B. CHICK was born July 25, 1848, his parents being NATHAN and BARBARA (FOSTER) CHICK, natives of Maine, and of Puritan blood. The father died when WILLIAM B. was a mere child, and he was thrown upon his own resources to carve out life's history by his unaided hand. At the age of thirteen years he went to the city of Portland, where he remained until that great conflict, the Civil War, demanded the service, and life if need be, of the bravest and best of our sons. Accordingly, young CHICK en- listed in April, 1864, when only sixteen years old, becoming a member of the First Maine Battery; he went South and participated in the bat- tles of Cedar Creek, Fisher's Hill, and others, and was discharged July 15, 1865, before he had reached his seventeenth birthday. He returned to Maine, and shortly thereafter went to the city of Boston, Massachusetts, where he was employed as clerk in a clothing house for two years and a half. Thence he went to Chicago, Illinois, in 1868, but remained there only a short time before he retraced his steps as far east as Michigan, where he worked in the lumber business for about a year. In August, 1869, he came to Iowa, stopping at Cedar Rapids until March, 1870, and then came to Cherokee. In company with Dr. CLEAVES he bought a pre-emption claim on section 30, Cherokee Township, about two and a half miles west of the city. The romance of breaking prairie with ox-teams soon wore off, and the quarter section was sold at a good paying margin. Mr. CHICK then clerked for two years for F. W. HUXFORD, and January 1, 1874, began his duties as deputy county treasurer, which position he held for two years. In the fall of 1875 he was elected county auditor, and was twice re-elected, holding that responsible office for nearly six years, resigning to engage in the mercantile business as a member of the firm of BALLARD & CHICK. Later he bought his partner's interest and continued in the trade until the spring of 1882, when he again took charge of the county auditor's office, managing it until the next general election, which occurred in the fall of 1883, when he was elected treasurer of the county. He was re-elected again in 1885 and 1887, and is now serving the third term of this office, to which he was called without opposition. Mr. CHICK was married February 9, 1875, to Miss SARAH DELANEY, a native of Wis- consin, and a daughter of MITCHELL and PRUDENCE DELANEY. By this union three children have been born, one of whom is living, named MYRTIE; HOWARD and EDITH died within a week, in the month of November, 1887; HOWARD was six years old, and EDITH, three years and five months. This sad bereavement cast a deep gloom over the fond parents, whose hearts still feel the great affliction. Mr. CHICK is a member of Speculative Lodge, No. 307, A.F. & A.M.; of Burning Bush Chapter, No. 90, R.A.M.; and of Crusade Commandery, No. 39, K.T. He has served as Master of the Blue Lodge, and High Priest of the Chapter. He is now serving his fourth years as Commander of the K.T. Commandery. He also belongs to Custer Post, No. 25, G.A.R., of which he has been Adjutant. He has been Chief of the Fire Department for many years, and there is no better business man in all the county than "CHICK," by which name he is known far and wide, but seldom is his given name mentioned, if indeed it be known to the masses. In his manner he is polite and pleasing, in business matters prompt and reliable, and as a friend, neighbor, and good citizen, no one stands higher than WILLIAM B. CHICK. ===========================================================================