Charles S. McLaury, of Sheldon. On an old homestead in Delaware County, New York, sat a ripe old age, live Hugh McLaury and his wife. He is a direct descendant of Matthew McClaughry, who was one of the survivors of the ill-fated "George and Ann " which sailed from
Dublin Bay May 20, 1729. These highly respected old people are the parents of Charles S. McLaury of Sheldon, and it was near their old homestead he was born on December 29, 1856.
He attended the little red school house, two miles from his father's farm, until he was fifteen years old, and received no schooling of a theoretical character thereafter. During the next few years he was able to contribute a considerable amount toward improving the homestead from his labors for farmers in that vicinity. On January 8, 1878, he came to Iowa, and located at Cedar Rapids. Being entirely without means, he was compelled to accept the offer of a farmer to give him his board and lodging in return for his work upon the farm, where he remained until he secured a position in a lumber yard at Charles City at $18 per month. He held that position until 1881, when he removed to Sheldon, where he has since resided.
He was married to Miss Fannie H. Willman at the home of her father, near Milford, New York, on November 27, 1882. He immediately returned to Sheldon with his bride, and early the following year completed arrangements for the organization of the Empire Loan and Investment company. He associated with him Hon. George W. Schee and others, and in 1885 incorporated the company and has been closely associated with its management, most of the time as president, ever since. The standing of the company as a negotiator of farm loans and the rapid increase of business usually conducted by companies of its kind, is largely due to the fine abilities of Mr. McLaury. He has given his personal attention to the management of the company, and it has been a potential factor in the building up of Sheldon and the development of the country surrounding it.
In February, 1888, he assisted in organizing the First National bank of Sheldon, became its first cashier, and was elected its president at the second annual election, in which capacity he served until disposing of his interest in the institution in 1895. In 1888 he purchased the Farmers' Bank of George, which was soon thereafter incorporated into a savings bank. The same year he organized a bank at Little Rock, and later incorporated the Ocheyedan Savings bank in Osceola County. Although Mr. McLaury has retired from all these banks they are still in existence and enjoying great prosperity. He has never sought political honor of any sort. His marriage has resulted in one child, Eva M., born July 13, 1887.
Webization by Kermit Kittleson, Sept. 2006