J. Donald McGhee Papers

Approximately 10 years worth of letters to J. Donald, dating from 19-- to 1922, and other documents (diploma, college textbooks, WWI unit photo) were found in the house.

1910

James Donald McGhee graduated from high school in 1910. We have his diploma.

The Park Inn Hotel and City National Bank, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, opened in downtown Mason City across from Central Park

Colby Car Company started operation (buildings are still used, until recently by the Associated Milk Producers, Inc. AMPI)

1911

The first airplane flight was made in Mason City

The former fire ‘shed’ was razed, the new fire headquarters was built on the same lot

1913

Shown as freshman at Iowa State College as a member of Kappa Sigma, p300-301 The Bomb

1914

Sophomore in Kappa Sigma, p298-9 The Bomb

1915

Junior in Kappa Sigma, profile on pg 89 The Bomb, nickname "Maggie"

1916

Missing from the Kappa Sigma page, pp 190-1 The Bomb

1917

Junior (!?) in Kappa Sigma, p 252 The Bomb. Graduated from Iowa State College in Animal Husbandry. We have his diploma (on parchment!). We have photos of his fraternity brothers.

J.D.'s father sells the family home to his older sister.

1918

Drafted and served in the 70th Machine Gun company. We have the unit photo.

Leone, J.D.'s sister, is working at a school in Biwabik in far northern Minnesota.

J.D.'s father elected to the state legislature, running unopposed as a Republican.

October

• 4 October 1918 - from Biwabik, MN to Don McGhee, M.G. Co. 70th Infantry, Camp Funston, Kans. - adventures of a young teacher in rustic Minnesota
• 6 October 1918 - from Biwabik, MN by way of the Hotel Holland in Duluth to ibid. - https://www.perfectduluthday.com/2016/09/04/lobby-hotel-holland/
• 7 October 1918 - from Mason City, IA to ibid. - election news, family financial stuff
• 9 October 1918 - from Waukon, IA to Don McGhee, M.G. Co. 70th Infantry, Camp Funston, Kans. - discusses influenza
• 10 October 1918 Waukon - from Bess H. Medary, Waukon, IA to ibid. - discusses family's move to Mason City in 1903, father's election to legislature
• 10 October 1918 Biwabik - from Biwabik, MN to ibid. - not much news
• 11 October 1918 - from Biwabik, MN to ibid. - Army flu quarantine and pyles

1920

The census reported Mason City’s population at 20,065 and was ranked as Iowa’s 11th largest city, and shows J.D. living in the family home with his sister's family.

James H. McGhee (father) elected to second term in state legislature

1922

James H. McGhee (father) starts service as mayor of Mason City