[p 529] John W. Behm, resident manager of the Shenandoah yards of the Green Bay Lumber Company, was born in Dauphin, Pennsylvania, on the 10th of August, 1877. His parents, William and Sally C. (Hocker) Behm, were also natives of the Keystone state, born in Dauphin and in Cumberland counties, respectively. Soon after their marriage they removed westward to Iowa, settling in Clarinda, Page county, and in that vicinity the father was long engaged in farming, converting a tract of land into rich and productive fields, from which he annually gathered profitable harvests. He is now living retired, for his former activity and enterprise brought to him a gratifying competence. His wife passed away many years ago, her death occurring on the 16th of August, 1886.

John W. Behm was brought to Iowa in his infancy and his educational opportunities were those offered in the Clarinda schools. Passing through consecutive grades as he mastered the branches of learning therein taught, he was eventually graduated from the high school with the class of 1896. In the following summer he worked as a farm hand and in the fall of the same year secured a position as clerk in a grocery store in Clarinda, where he was employed until June, 1898. Constrained by a spirit of patriotism, he then offered his services to the government and enlisted as a soldier in the Spanish-American war, becoming a member of Company M, Fifty-first Iowa Volunteer Infantry, on the 14th of June, 1898. He was sent with his regiment to San Francisco, California, whence he embarked for the Philippines on the 3rd of November. There in those oriental islands he saw service under Generals Hale, McArthur, Wheaton and King. The [page 530] regiment landed on the 2d day of February, 1899, in time to participate in the engagements cause by the second outbreak of the Philippinos. Mr Behm was shot in the battle of Quinga, receiving his wound before he had had a chance to fire his gun. Because of his injuries he was confined in the hospital from the 23d of April until the 4th of June. He took part in nine engagements altogether, while his regiment participated in six other battles while he was unfit for field duty because of his wound. On the return trip they landed at San Francisco, October 22, 1899, and Mr Behm was mustered out on the 3d of November following, having done active, faithful and valiant duty in defense of American interest.

Returning home on the 1st of April, 1900, Mr Behm accepted a position with the Green Bay Lumber Company as yard man at Braddyville. There he continued until the 20th of August, when he was transferred to Shenandoah as yard man and bookkeeper, while recognition of his ability won him promotion to the position of resident manager at Shenandoah on the 1st of January, 1903. For more than six years he has now contined in this position and his close attention to business, his energy and stalwart purpose make him a leading business man of the city and a valued representative of the company. He is most capable in the management of the affairs of the company and has succeeded in building up and holding a good trade in Shenandoah.

Mr Behm is a member of Tricentum Lodge, No 300, A.F. & A.M.; Sheshbazzar Chapter, No 82, R.A.M.; Clarinda Lodge, No 139, K.P.; and Page Camp, No 1040, M.W.A. In his political views he is a stalwart democrat, taking an active and helpful interest in the work of the party, and at the present writing is serving as a member of the senatorail committee from his district. He belongs to the Shenandoah Commerical Club and is one of the city's representative business men.