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Guy Lyman Rawson

Fealty to facts in the analization of the character of a citizen of the type of Guy Lyman Rawson, the popular and able cashier of the German-American National Bank at Arlington, Fayette county, Iowa, is all that is required to make a biographical sketch interesting to those who have at heart the good will of the community, because it is the honorable reputation of the men of standing and affairs, more than any other consideration that gives character and stability to the body politic and makes the true glory of a town or community revered at home and respected abroad. In the broad light which things of good report ever invite, the name and character of Mr. Rawson stand revealed and secure, and though of rather modest demeanor, with no ambition to distinguish himself in public position as a leader of men, his career so far has been signally honorable and successful, and the fact that he is still a young man and because he has made such an excellent record in the past, the future augurs, for him, much of good and promise.

Mr. Rawson is a native of this county and the scion of an excellent old family, his birth having occurred January 17, 1873. He is the son of Walter and Hattie (Gibbs) Rawson. Guy L. Rawson is extensively and successfully engaged in the lumber business at Arlington, Fayette county, and at Volga, Clayton county, besides his responsible and important position in the German-American National Bank here. He is a man of much influence in this community, in public, commercial and social affairs and he has lived an upright life so that he has the confidence and good will of everyone. He is regarded as a man of more than ordinary business ability, as was his honored father before him.

Guy L. Rawson received a good education in the common schools of his native county, later attended the Upper Iowa University at Fayette, where he made an excellent record and from which institution he was graduated in 1897. He started in life as a teacher, which profession he followed with signal success for a period of ten years in Arlington, being principal of the schools here during that time with the exception of two years, and as such he did a noble and most commendable work in strengthening and building up the splendid educational system here. He was popular with both pupil and patron and held high rank among the educators of this section of the state. But tiring of the schoolroom and believing that the business world held greater advantages for him, he turned his attention to banking, becoming cashier of the German-American National Bank of Arlington upon its organization. It opened its doors for business on July 1, 1910, and is making rapid progress. Its officers are: T. J. Ainsworth, president; J. C. Wilken, vice-president; Guy L. Rawson, cashier. These gentlemen are all popular and well established business men of the community.

On June 26, 1904 Mr. Rawson was united in marriage with Lilly G. Walrath, who was born and reared in Arlington, Iowa. After passing through the local schools, she attended Drake University at Des Moines, Iowa, and she is a lady of education, culture and refinement. She is the daughter of Marvin and Margaret (ThompsonN) Walrath. Her father was engaged in the hardware business in Arlington for many years, but sold out a few years ago, and moved to Des Moines, where he is now living retired.

The union of Mr. and Mrs. Rawson has been graced by the birth of one child, a son, Kenneth A., born December 10, 1905.

Fraternally, Mr. Rawson is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Woodmen, and he and his wife are members and liberal supporters of the Methodist Episcopal church. Politically, he is a Republican. He and his wife are popular in the social life of the community and number their friends only by the limits of their acquaintance.