Progressive Men of Iowa
1899

GARDNER, Dr. Ira Kilbourn, of New Hampton, is a highly educated physician, a graduate of the medical department of Michigan university in 1870, and a post-graduate of the Chicago Polyclinic Medical school in 1890. He was born in Kilworth, Canada, February 8, 1846. His father, Abel S. Gardner, was a miller until he reached middle age and then took up the occupation of farming. His paternal ancestors came to America with the early colonists and were in the revolution. His mother, Mary M. Parker, was born in Switzerland, and came to this country with her parents when only 4 years old.  

Young Ira passed through the common schools and when old enough entered the Michigan State Normal school, at Ypsilanti, where he made an excellent record as a faithful and industrious student. After completing his medical course at Michigan university in 1870, Dr. Gardner located first at Lawler, Chickasaw county, Iowa.  Here he enjoyed a good practice and acquired the varied experience which is necessary to develop the perceptive faculties and ripen the judgment of young practitioners. In 1877 he was ready for a larger field of usefulness and removed to New Hampton.

Since engaging in the practice of his chosen profession he has gladdened the hearts of many in that vicinity by the exercise of his rare skill as a physician and surgeon, and he possesses the confidence of the entire surrounding community. He enjoys a large practice, and he is a pleasant, intelligent and capable gentleman, as well as an educated and conscientious practitioner. He has a fine library and a full equipment of surgical instruments and appliances.

Two years ago Dr. Gardner completed the finest residence in the city, built of brown stone, brick and frame and furnished throughout with all the latest conveniences, such as electric lights, steam heat, toilet and bathrooms, electric bells, etc. Dr.  Gardner has his office, reception and examination rooms, also library and laboratory, at his residence, at the corner of Chestnut Avenue and Court street, all fitted up in an elegant and convenient manner.

In 1871 Dr. Gardner was married to Miss Maggie Gardner, and they have one child, Nellie E.

The doctor has been a constant and consistent republican since attaining his majority, but has always refused to become a candidate for any but minor local offices.  He is a Knight of Pythias and a member of numerous medical societies: The International Medical congress, American Medical association, Iowa State Medical society, Austin Flint Medical society, North Iowa Medical society, and Wapsie Valley Medical association. Dr. Gardner is now, and has been for many years, local surgeon for the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway company. The doctor has also been a member of the board of education for the past six years, being its president the last four years.

PERRIN, Hon. Wm. B. Senator Wm.  B. Perrin is one of those public men who has passed through the lower branch of the general assembly to a place in the upper and more dignified body-the senate.  He was a member of the house from Chickasaw county in the Seventeenth and Eighteenth General Assemblies, and at this writing is representing the counties of Floyd and Chickasaw in the senate.

He is the son of Porter and Lucy Kinney Perrin, rural people in good circumstances.  His grandparents were natives of Connecticut. Zachariah Perrin and family came from Hebron, Conn., and settled in the forest upon territory that was afterwards within the town of Berlin, Vt. This was in 1789. The father of this subject was the first male white child born in the town.  The premises settled upon by the grandfather are still in the possession of the family and owned by a brother of Senator Perrin. The grandparents on the maternal side settled in Plainfield, Vt. Grandfather Jonathan Kinney was a Baptist minister, not in good standing with his denomination, however, because he did not believe in nor practice close communion. The home he established over 100 years ago still remains in the Kinney family. 

Senator Wm. B. Perrin was born at Berlin, Washington county, Vt., January 19, 1839. His education commenced in the district school, was continued in Barre academy. In 1861 he entered Dartmouth college and graduated therefrom in 1866, his course having been interrupted by military service. He took a course of lectures at the Albany Law school in the fall and winter of 1866 and spring of 1867, then came to Iowa and became a student in the law office of Tracy & Newman at Burlington. In August, 1868, he located at Nashua, Iowa, where he has since been engaged in practice. His first dollar was earned in teaching school. He has served as justice of the peace, county supervisor, secretary of the school board, school director and president of the school board, member of the council, and mayor. 

He has a good record as a soldier. He enlisted in the First Rhode Island cavalry, Company B, Seventh squadron, composed mainly of college students. They saw service in the Shenandoah Valley, about Harper's Ferry and at Antietam. He afterwards enlisted in the Third Vermont Light battery, and was in the campaign from the Wilderness to Petersburg, and until Lee's surrender. He is unmarried.  In politics he is a republican, having cast his first vote for Lincoln, but in his duties as a public servant he places the good of the whole people above devotion to party.  As a legislator he has gained many friends and no enemies, for his conduct is always courteous, and his ability is recognized by every member of the senate. He has a keen sense of humor and a droll, inimitable way of expressing himself, so that he never lacks for a reply.

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