NORTHWESTERN IOWA ITS HISTORY AND TRADITION VOLUME II 1804-1926 Thomas Dealtry Probably no one identified with the live stock commission business in northwestern Iowa is more widely or favorably known than Thomas Dealtry, of Sioux City. With an intimate knowledge of every angle of the live stock business, not only locally, but nationally and internationally as well, he is unusually well equipped mentally for successfully handling the business which he represents, being particularly well qualified as an advisor. he has given long and close study to the live stock situation of the world and his analysis of conditions and his prognosis as to the future conditions of the market have invariably been found to be correct. For these reasons, as well as his sound business judgment and his sterling integrity, he has long held an enviable position as dean of the business in this section of the state. Thomas Dealtry was born in Madras, East India, October 11, 1860, and is a son of a minister who was serving in that country. When eight years of age he accompanied his parents on their return to England, where he attended the public schools and completed his education at Rugby. In 1880 he came to the United States, locating at LeMars, Iowa, where he paid one thousand dollars to Colonel Morton to learn the business of farming, being principally required to milk six cows morning and evening. In 1882 he joined with a Mr. Fullbrook and bought a farm, which they conducted under the firm name of Dealtry & Fullbrook. Later he engaged in the grain business at Morris and bought live stock throughout the district, having seven stations. In those early days prices were quite low, Mr. Dealtry recalling that when he landed at LeMars the best farm lands were selling at from five to fifteen dollars an acre,hogs form two and a half to three and a half cents a pound, cattle from two to four cents a pound, wheat from thirty to forty cents a bushel, corn at twenty cents and oats at fifteen cents a bushel. From 1890 to 1900 Mr. Dealtry was located at Adrian, Iowa, where he gained a wide reputation as a discriminating and successful livestock man. He was active in local affairs there and served as a member of the town council. In 1900 Mr. dealtry came to Sioux City and in January of that year organized the firm of Wood Brothers & Company, his partners being S. E. (Doc) Wood, James Wood and Dick Nash, the concern being formed as a branch house of Wood Brothers of Chicago, which had been established by S. E. and James Wood in 1867. During all these years after he first recognized the wonderful possibilities of the livestock business Mr. Dealtry kept closely in touch with the operations of his firm which he directed with a master hand up to November, 1925, at which time he severed his connection with this firm and organized the live stock commission firm of Dealtry & Gilman, which began business on january 1, 1926, with Mr. Dealtry as managing head of the business. In 1888, at Carbondale, Illinois, Mr. Dealtry was united in marriage to Miss Harriet Hill. He is a member of Tyrian Lodge, No. 508, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and Sioux City Lodge, No. 112, Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. he was a charter member of the Prairie Club of LeMars and served several years on its board of directors. He is a member of the Sioux City Country Club, the Sioux City Boat Club and the Chamber of Commerce, and is a communicant of the Protestant Episcopal church. A man of kindly and genial manner, he nevertheless possesses a strong and forceful individuality, is a man of well defined opinions, with the courage of his convictions, and exerts a beneficent influence throughout his community, in the general welfare of which he has always maintained a deep interest. Because of his success, his public spirit and his affable and friendly manner, he is deservedly popular throughout the community. Debbie Clough Gerischer Iowa Gen Web, Assistant CC, Scott County http://www.celticcousins.net/scott/ IAGENWEB: Special History Project: http://iagenweb.org/history/index.htm Gerischer Family Web Site: http://gerischer.rootsweb.com/