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Note: N38 Worked with his brother on the John Ford farm on Section 17 until 1880 when he went to Livermore to carry on mercantile trade.
1880 census indicates “merchant” and lives with brother James.
Moved the family including mother off farm “early day” as John wanted to become a merchant;
Stepmother Ann Kelly made her home with him for many years until his marriage. He ran a general store (J. M. Dry Goods Store)
Elected to Livermore’s first council in 1882
Big fire in 1882, Christmas Eve, wiped out the store. he and Mary managed to climb out a back, upstairs window and drop onto the roof of a shed, then to the ground, without even stockings to protect their feet. Rebuilt and moved to the new main street, where a bank was located
For years it was teh principal trading post for miles around
Humboldt Township Federal Census of 1900: Family members listed are John M, Mary (born Illinois), Lizzie (born July 1890, Iowa), Charles (born sep 1891 Iowa), Annie B (b. Sept 1895, Iowa), Helena Johnson, Servant, born Oct 1879, born Iowa but from Norway, Patrick O’Riley, father in law, born april 1818, Ireland, Ann O’Riley (Oreilley), mother in law, born Apr 1825, Ireland
From Livermore papers: went to Canada to look at land prospects,
April 1902; very enthusiastic regarding the crop prospect and chances for good investments in land. Was one of a party of six who combined in purchasing a tract of 15 sections of land east of Alberta,
May 1902; ad for selling his farm,
July 1902 “good stock and grain farm, very rich black loam, nicely located, fenced in five fields, small lake fed by a spring, good well, and buildings. Nice grove and some natural timber. 5 miles from West Bend. 210 acres, this is a fine farm.” (from Livermore paper)
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