A Narrative History of The People of Iowa with SPECIAL TREATMENT OF THEIR CHIEF ENTERPRISES IN EDUCATION, RELIGION, VALOR, INDUSTRY, BUSINESS, ETC. by EDGAR RUBEY HARLAN, LL. B., A. M. Curator of the Historical, Memorial and Art Department of Iowa Volume IV THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY, Inc. Chicago and New York 1931 JULLIAN A. PEVERILL. One of the veteran automobile men of the State of Iowa, Julian A. Peverill, head of the Hudson Jones Automobile Company of Des Moines, is the directing head of the largest organization of its kind in the state. Mr. Peverill's career is a remarkable example of the value of the simple traits of industry, perseverance and honesty in the building up of a large fortune and the attainment of leadership in a given line of business activity, for when he first became identified with the motor car business, twenty-six years ago, his capital consisted of approximately $500. He has been a resident of Des Moines since December, 1918, and is now recognized not only as a business leader, but one who takes a prominent part in civic affairs. Mr. Peverill was born at Worthington, Minnesota, October 3, 1889, and is a son of William J. and Julia (Kistner) Peverill. His grandfather, William Peverill, was born in England, but in young manhood immigrated to the United States and settled in Ohio. Later he moved to Missouri and finally to Iowa, where he resided until his death. During the war between the states he enlisted in the Union army and fought until near its close, when he received a severe wound, which brought on paralysis, incapacitated him from further active service, and eventually caused his death some years later. He was a man of high character, spirit and courage and was greatly respected in the various communities in which he made his home. William J. Peverill, father of Julian A. Peverill, was born in Ohio, and as a young man followed farming, but later became a grain dealer and broker. During the '90s he came to Iowa and settled at Waterloo, where he continued in the same line of business, as he had also for a time at Worthington, Minnesota, and being a man of great industry and good judgment, was successful in his affairs. He is now retired from business and he and Mrs. Peverill are residents of Los Angeles, California. They are members of the United Brethern Church, in the work of which both are active. Politically Mr. Peverill is a Republican, and while residing at Waterloo was a member of the City Council. He and his wife have seven children, all surviving, Julian A. being the eldest. George Kistner, the maternal grandfather of Julian A. Peverill, was born in Pennsylvania, whence he moved in young manhood to Iowa, where he passed the remainder of his life in agricultural operations. Julian A. Peverill attended the public schools of Waterloo, and for a time was his father's assistant in the grain brokerage business. As early as 1906 he embarked in the automobile business, selling Regal cars, but subsequently switched to Dodge cars and then also took over the Hudson agency, selling both makes. In December, 1918, he came to Des Moines and became a minor stockholder in the Hudson Jones Automobile Company, but after four years bought out the interest of Mr. Jones and became the controlling owner of the business, as he is today. This company, the offices of which are situated at 1420 Grand Street, has been developed into the largest automobile dealers in Iowa, operating in eighty counties. Incorporated for $100,000, it now has annual sales approximating $3,700,000, which forms an interesting comparison with the business that was founded with a capital of $500 not so many years ago. In business circles Mr. Peverill is known as being shrewd, capable and energetic, and thoroughly informed as to every angle of the business, to which he devotes practically all of his attention, although not to the exclusion of his duties as a good and public-spirited citizen. He belongs to the various automobile dealers' bodies, the Wakonda Club and the Des Moines Club, and is a Scottish Rite Mason and member of the Mystic Shrine. Politically a Republican, he has had little time for liking for politics, except in exercising his franchise as a voter for the candidates whom he deems best fitted for the office at stake. He was reared in the faith of the United Brethren Church and is a contributor to worthy religious and educational movements. In 1906 Mr. Peverill was united in marriage with Miss Lennis Miller, who was born in Iowa, and received her education at Oelwein, this state, where she was graduated from the high school, later supplementing her education by self teaching and reading. She is active in all good works and has numerous friends in social circles. She is a daughter of William Miller, who for many years was engaged in agricultural pursuits in Fayette County, this state, but is now living in retirement. Mr. and Mrs. Peverill are the parents of two children: Juliet, who was born in June, 1910; and Jean, who was born in August, 1919. Debbie Clough Gerischer Iowa History Project _http://iagenweb.org/history/_ (http://iagenweb.org/history/) Scott County, Iowa _http://www.celticcousins.net/scott/index.htm_ (http://www.celticcousins.net/scott/index.htm) **************Make your life easier with all your friends, email, and favorite sites in one place. Try it now. 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