History
of Tama County, Iowa
by Samuel D. Chapman. [Toledo:] Toledo Times Office, 1879.
J
Hon. Gamaliel Jaqua
The subject of this brief note is a native of Ohio , and was born in that State, Preble County , December 30 th , 1828 . His parents were both natives of New York and emigrated to Ohio at a very early day settling upon a farm.
Gamaliel remained at home with his parents assisting in farming and attending district school until eighteen years of age. At this age he had acquired a sufficient amount of knowledge to make school teaching his business during the winter months, attended school during the summer until he had attained his majority. Mr. Jaqua was appointed County Examiner of teachers of Preble County , Ohio . This position he filled with honor to himself and the County. Shortly after this he was elected County Superintendent of public schools, and filled the office for several years.
In the year 1856, Mr. Jaqua emigrated to this State and located in Buckingham township, this County. For a number of years after locating here, besides attending to the duties of his farm, he was engaged in teaching the Buckingham schools.
In the year 1866 he was elected a member of the Board of Supervisors filing the office for a number of years giving satisfaction to all, and besides this Mr. Jaqua has filled several of the various township offices.
In the year 1875 Mr. Jaqua was elected a member of the House of Representatives by the Republican party, and filled the office two terms, to the satisfaction of his numerous friends and supporters.
Since Mr. Jaqua has been a resident of this County, he has gathered about him a host of friends and has proven himself in the eyes of the people, an honorable and valuable citizen. His farm is located about one mile north of Traer, where he has one of the finest and most convenient homes in the County.
W. S. Johnston & Co
On High Street, is located one of the oldest dry goods houses in Tama County, being established in the year 1858, by Galley & Johnston, who managed the business ten years when Mr. Galley sold his interest, and Wesley Johnston, and C. C. Guilford, became interested. After the firm changed hands it done business under the first name of W. F. Johnston & Co, until the spring of 1879, when it passed into the above named gentleman's hands. The firm now consists of W. S. Johnston, and J. A. Owen. Who are both young men of good reputation and during the present proprietors ownership, we are happy to state, that they have not allowed any of the former prestige of the store to wane, but have rather increased its former business. They keep a full line of staple dry goods and dress goods, making a specialty of fancy goods, notions, embroideries, laces, etc.
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