NORTHWESTERN IOWA ITS HISTORY AND TRADITION VOLUME II 1804-1926 D. A. MAGEE It is an honor today to be classed among the pioneers of Sioux City and to be acknowledged as one of those who in early days were potent factors in the city's development and progress. David A. Magee, to a brief review of whose life the following ones are devoted, has been a resident of this city continuously since 1869, a period of fifty-seven years, and for many years was an active and prominent figure in the commercial and civic affairs of the community, contributing in a very definite measure to the prosperity and upbuilding of the city. Mr. Magee was born in Armstrong county, Pennsylvania, on the 6th of August, 1849, and is a son of David F. and Abigail Magee. In May, 1855, when he was five years of age, the family emigrated to Iowa, having descended the Allegheny and Ohio rivers to Cairo, Illinois, and thence up the Mississippi river to Davenport. At that time there were no railroads that far west and Mr. Magee retains a vivid recollection of the opening of the railroad bridge across the river between Davenport and Rock Island in 1856. His gather located on a farm in Pleasant Valley township, Scott county, and David A. Magee was given the advantage of attendance at the Davenport public schools for a few years. In 1858 the family went to Muscatine county, Iowa, and in the following year moved to Scotch Grove, Jones county, this state, where they lived during the Civil war period. In April, 1866, Mr. Magee went to Omaha, Nebraska, to enter the employ of a live stock company, but Indian troubles interfered with the company's plans, and Mr. Magee then went to Loveland Mills, Iowa, where he entered the employ of Loveland & Creighton, who directed him to take some stock from Omaha to their mill on the Boyer. When he arrived at the mill he was induced to remain and learn the miller's trade. In November, 1868, Mr. Magee returned to Jones county and attended the fall and winter terms of the Monticello high school. In May, 1869, he came to Sioux City and accepted a situation as miller in the Exchange mills, where he remained until 1871, when he went to work as a miller with the City Mill and Elevator Company, which had just erected a new mill at the corner of Third and Water streets. He continued in that position until June, 1878, when he entered into a partnership with L. Hattenbach, under the firm name of Hattenbach & Magee, and established a retail grocery business at 305 and 307 Pearl street, which they carried on successfully until January 1, 1901, when the partnership was terminated, since which time Mr. Magee has lived quietly in his comfortable home in Sioux City. On June 18, 1876, Mr. Magee was married to Miss Adelia Hattenbach, of Sioux City, and they became the parents of a son, Oliver G., born February 3, 1880. Politically Mr. Magee has been a lifelong supporter of the republican party and has always maintained a deep interest in all matters affecting the welfare of the community. In 1877 he was elected a member of the board of aldermen, serving three years, and in March, 1885, was elected mayor of the city, serving one term. In November, 1887, he was selected sheriff of Woodbury county and in 1894 was elected alderman from the fourth ward. In 1888 he was commissioned by Governor Larrabee as aide-de-camp on his official staff, with the rank of lieutenant colonel. In 1882 Mr. Magee took a leading and active part in promoting the waterworks and street railway projects of this city and eventually be came the first president of both the Sioux City Water Company and the Sioux City Street Railroad Company, having driven the first spike in the building of that road. During the six-year period between 1895 and 1901 he was largely instrumental in the work incidental to the construction of the Floyd monument. He also assisted in placing a marker at the grave of War Eagle on War Eagle Hill to honor the last Sioux chieftain of the Dakotas of the southeast border. In September, 1926, as committee chairman of the Woodbury County Pioneer Club, he caused the removal of the remains of Sioux City's first white settler (1849), Theophile Bruguier, to be laid beside those of his father-in-law, War Eagle, in War Eagle Park, with appropriate ceremonies. The following paragraph is copied from the Sioux City Journal of September 23, 1926: "Routine business occupied the attention of the city council at the regular session Wednesday, the important points of the meeting being the naming of Magee drive, Carlin park and Kellogg park, in addition to authorizing the signing of a contract for the construction of the Greenville branch library. The drive beginning at the northeast corner of War Eagle park and running up to War Eagle hill will be called Magee drive in honor of D. A. Magee, former mayor of Sioux City. The council passed a resolution to this effect." During the World war Mr. Magee served as associate food commissioner of Woodbury county. He has been secretary of the Sioux City Retail Merchants Association for the past twenty years, and he also belongs to the Sioux City Chamber of Commerce, as well as the Academy of Science and Letters. His fraternal relations are as follows: Landmark Lodge, No. 103, A. F. & A. M.; Sioux City Consistory, No. 5, A. A. S. R.; and Sioux City Lodge, No. 181, of the Ancient Order of United Workmen. Genial and kindly in manner and straightforward in all of his relations, Mr. Magee has always enjoyed the confidence and esteem of his fellow citizens and is regarded as one of the grand old men of Sioux City, in whose prosperity, growth and welfare he has ever maintained a devoted interest. 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/