Centerville Iowegian
Centerville, Iowa
Nov. 3, 1942


John Phares, former local butcher and constable, died at Des Moines at 5 a.m. today following an illness of about a years duration. some five years ago Mr. Phares left Centerville and had gone to live with his son Raymond at Des Moines and had been employed at a market in the capital until taken ill.

Had he lived, Mr. Phares would have obtained his 73rd birthday on November 18. He was well known in this city and over the county. Many years ago he was employed by various local markets, none of which are operating today. They were the Ullrich, Rizer, McMain shops, and he worked at ease in turn. He served as constable under the late Justice Dan Bryan for a period of some four years.

Having been in business and in public life he became a familiar figure here and many friends will remember him.

In death he is survived by four boys. One daughter preceded him in death and his wife passed away some 20 years ago. the four boys are Raymond and Alfred of Des Moines and Guy and Paul of Davenport.

There are three brothers and two sisters surviving, Mrs. Ida Benge and Mrs. Chester Fletcher of California and Adolph of Kansas City, Charley of Centerville and Wright of Centerville.

Funeral services will be held from the Beckner Funeral Home here Thursday at 2:00 o'clock and burial will be in Oakland Cemetery.

__________________________________________________________



HISTORY OF APPANOOSE COUNTY page 355


John L. Phares, a well known and prosperous resident of Centerville, is proprietor of the Centerville Poultry & Produce Company, an extensive and important concern which was establishted on the 16th of November, 1912. It was in Centerville that his birth occurred on the 17th of November, 1868, his parents being A. J. and Jennie (Brough) Phares. The father, a gentleman of German and Irish descent, is a native of Keokuk, Lee county, Iowa, while the mother, who is of Dutch extraction, was born at Amity, Ohio. Their marriage was celebrated in Centerville, this county. For several years A. J. Phares drove a stage between Fort Madison and Burlington and after removing to Centerville, in 1862, drove stage from there to Moravia and Leon, Iowa. Subsequently he took up the butcher's trade, also dug coal and conducted a restaurant. In 1890-91 he served as a member of the city council. In 1907 he put aside active business cares and with his wife has since lived retired in Centerville. Our subject had ten brothers and sisters and there was no death in the family until all had reached adult age and were married. Mr. and Mrs. A. J. Phares have lived in Appanoose county for a half century and enjoy an extensive and favorable acquaintance within its borders.

In the acquirement of an education John L. Phares attended school at Centerville and after putting aside his text-books learned the butcher's trade. He was also employed for a time as motorman on a street car in Centerville and for several years acted as a stationary engineer. In November, 1908, he became connected with the poultry business as foreman for the firm of Hurd & Company and at the end of a } ear accepted the position of local manager for the Iowa Produce Company. He held the position continuously until he engaged in business on his own account under the name of the Centerville Poultry & Produce Company. He makes shipments to Chicago, New York. Boston and Philadelphia and sends out on an average of five thousand live chickens and four cars of dressed poultry per month. At times he ships from two to three cars of eggs per week. Mr. Phares buys all the produce on his own account and all proceeds from eastern sales return directly to Centerville. He devotes his attention exclusively to his growing business interests and in their control is winning a gratifying and well merited measure of success.

On the 19th of October,1890, Mr. Phares was united in marriage to Miss May Goldsberry, a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Gilbert) Goldsberry. The father is a veteran of the Civil war and an agriculturist by occupation. He was a resident of Cincinnati, Iowa, at the time of his daughter's marriage to Mr. Phares but subsequently came to Centerville, where both he and his wife still make their home. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Phares have been born the following children. Guy V., whose birth occurred on the 2d of October, 1891, and who is now a substitute city mail carrier, wedded Miss Isel Critzer of Centerville, by whom he has two children, Barnard and Clyde. Raymie, whose natal day was November 9, 1893, ^^^^ as foreman for his father. Alfred, who was born on the 30th of October, 1896, is also in the employ of his father. Jennie, whose birth occurred on the 6th of October, 1906, attends the Gartield school. Paul, who was born November 14, 1908, is at home. Four gen-
erations of the Phares family are now living.

Mr. Phares exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the democracy, believing firmly in the principles of that party. He is a supporter of the Christian church and his wife is a member of the assembly. Fraternally he is identified with the Foresters of America, belonging to the Centerville lodge. He is one of the prosperous and capable business men of Centerville, where he has passed his entire life and has a host of warm friends.

________________________________________________________

John's first wife was Lizzie Sears. They married in Centerville on March 25,1887 at the home of L.L. Brough.

John's son Albert Johnson died in 1945 in Des Moines after an operation, his FAG memorial is # 103851521