The Mardis Family of Madison County, Iowa

THOMAS F. MARDIS.

Thomas F. Mardis, who passed away in 1908, was a prominent contractor of Winterset and erected many of the best buildings of the city. Lie was born in Ohio on the 19th of November, 1837, and was reared in New Comerstown, that state, where he attended the common schools and laid the foundation of his education, later becoming a student in the Iowa Wesleyan University at Mount Pleasant. He learned the mason's trade under his father and in 1857 removed to Washington county, Iowa, where he resided for a year or so, after which he became a resident of Osceola. He worked there for some time and saved money enough to enable him to attend college for two terms. He then taught school for a similar length of time in his alma water, after which he returned to Osceola and again took up the mason's trade. In 1874 li arrived in Winterset and soon established himself as a contractor and mason, building up an enviable reputation for thorough, honest work. He erected many of the leading business blocks and also a number of fine residences and would not tolerate any but good workmanship from his employes. In all of his business dealings he was honorable and upright and he was ranked among the successful men of the city. Lie was active until a short time before his death, which occurred on the 7th of April, 1908.

[This passage is too damaged in the scanned book to reproduce. See the original book.]

Mr. Mardis was a republican, his political views coinciding with the principles of that party. Fraternally he was a thirty-second degree Mason, becoming a member of Bellport Lodge, No. 20, A. F. & A. M. at Osceola, in 1862. He was also a member of the Knights of Pythias and of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and was very popular not only in those organizations but among all of the residents of Winterset, his genial nature and large-heartedness winning him friends w'wherever he was known. He was a consistent member of the Presbyterian church and no good cause ever appealed to him in vain.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

JOHN C. MARDIS.

John C. Mardis, of Des Moines, is one of the best known contractors of Iowa, his business having reached extensive proportions. He was born September 9, 1861, in Osceola, this state, a son of Thomas F. Mardis, mentioned elsewhere in this work. He was but a small boy when the family removed to Winterset, Madison county, Iowa, where he was educated and then began learning the mason's trade under the direction of his father, who was a practical and prominent contractor of Winterset. He mastered the business and worked with his father until 1884, when, seeking a broader field of labor offered in a larger city, he removed to Des Moines and here engaged in the contracting business, forming a partnership with James Robinson that continued until 1890. He was afterward alone until 1895, when he formed a partnership with J. B. McGarrick and the extended scope of their operations included contract paving work as well as building. They built the Sixth avenue bridge in Des Moines and took many other important contracts. In 1904 they dissolved the partnership and in 1905 Mr. Mardis removed to Lincoln, Nebraska, in order to execute some big contracts which had been awarded him there. He erected the state farm buildings and state university buildings at Lincoln, also the building of the H. P. Lowe wholesale grocery firm. In May, 1905, he went to Omaha, where he also erected many large buildings, including the Henshavv and Rome Hotels, and the Paxton & Gallagher wholesale grocery house, which was erected at a cost of two hundred and fifty thousand dollars. He also built the M. E. Smith building at a cost of five hundred and ten thousand dollars and many other of the larger structures of that city. While a resident of Omaha and of Lincoln he still retained his office in Des Moines and did much work throughout Iowa. In 1Q12 he returned to Des Moines, where he makes his headquarters, but also has an office in Cedar Rapids and in Omaha, Nebraska. He has erected many of the largest buildings of Des Moines, Cedar Rapids and other cities of the state. He was awarded the contract for the Silverburg building of ten stories in Des Moines, the Masoliic Temple, the Wilkins Brothers building and in fact has erected fully two-thirds of the largest business blocks of the city. Throughout the middle west his name is well known as a contractor and builder and the nature and volume of his building operations places him as one of the foremost contractors of Iowa, with few equals and no superior.

On the 6th of December, 1888, Mr. Mardis was married to Miss Nellie Ratliff, who was born in VVinterset, a daughter of D. C. Ratlift, who was a prominent pioneer of Winterset and is mentioned elsewhere in this work. Mrs. Mardis died in 1890, leaving a son, John R., who was born January 18, i8(jo, and died April II, 1912. On the 19th of January, 1893. Ii". Mardis was again married, his second union being with Miss Beatrice Ratlifl:, who was born in Winterset, March 12, 1872, and is a sister of his first wife. They have two children: Homer, Ijorn July 22, 1895: and Mary E., December 12, 1899.

Mr. Mardis is a Knight Templar and consistory Mason and also holds membership with the Elks, the Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias. In politics he is a re])publican, stalwart in his advocacy of the party, yet not an office seeker. His attention has been given to his business atiairs, which have been of growing importance since he started out independently. It is a write saying that there is always room at the toy), but a real comprehension of this fact would lead many a man to put forth more strenuous effort. It is those who do realize the opportunity and work toward the goal who accom])lisli great things. Prompted by a laudable ambition and manifesting at every stage in his career unfaltering industry and determination Mr. Mardis has gained the enviable place which he occupies as one of the most prominent contractors of Iowa.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

FRED F. MARDIS.

Fred F. Mardis, who is successfully engaged in dealing in coal, lime and cement and who is also a general contractor of Winterset, was born here on the 25th of September, 1874, a son of Thomas F. Mardis, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work. The subject of this review received excellent educational advantages in his youth and after completing the public-school course he entered the high school of Winterset and supplemented the knowledge there acquired by one year of study in a commercial college at Des Moines. He learned the brickmason's trade under his father and with his brother John worked in Des Moines at that trade for about ten years. Upon returning to Winterset he. engaged in contracting in partnership with his father until the latter's death in 1908. They established a coalyard in 1901, which is now one of the leading establishments of that character in the city. Fred F. Mardis is conducting the business alone and has a good trade. His business dealings are always above question and it is known that he gives good value for money received. As a contractor he has taken high rank in Winterset and its vicinity and has erected a number of excellent buildings here.

On the lath of April, 1897, Mr. Mardis married Miss Jessie Snyder, of Winterset, a daughter of Samuel Snyder, a pioneer grocer of this city, who was engaged in business here for a half century. Mr. and Mrs. Mardis have two daughters, both at home, namely: Josephine and Helen.

Mr. Mardis is a republican and has done not a little to secure the success of his party in many local elections. Fraternally he is connected with Evening Star Lodge, No. 43, A. F. & A. M.; Lebanon Chapter, Xo. ii, R. A. M., of Winterset; and the commandery, consistory and Shrine of Des Moines. His wife is a member of the Methodist church and he attends the services of that church. He has been successful in his business undertakings and has many excellent qualities of character, which have won for him the warm regard of his friends.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.