Vincent was active in many affairs, one of which was designing and building of the present St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, which replaced an earlier edifice destroyed by fire. He also helped in laying out and beautifying of Oleson Park and in designing of 17th Street as a boulevard.
In 1911, Leon Vincent and the brothers Harry S. and Donald Vincent, sons of Webb Vincent, founded the Vincent Clay Products, Inc., which operated its big plant at Shady Oaks until recent years. Many of the plant’s machines and processes were inventions of Leon Vincent.
In failing health for many years, Leon Vincent died in 1916 at age 69. Mrs. Vincent died in 1928 at age 81. Mr. and Mrs. Vincent were grandparents of Al Loomis, photographer for most of the houses shown in the book.
THE JOHN HAIRE HOME
The John Haire home
502 North Ninth Street
One of Fort Dodge’s earliest businessmen—John Haire—purchased property along north Ninth Street and built the home at 502 N. 9th St. nearly 100 years ago. Haire acquired the property along the west side of Ninth Street from Fourth to Eighth Avenues North in 1878 and platted it as Haire’s Seminary Square Addition to Fort Dodge.
Shortly after purchasing the property, Haire built the north Ninth Street residence. He and his family resided there during his lifetime; then the property passed on to his heirs. In 1941 the home was purchased by the late Verne Schram and his wife Thora.
The Schrams remodeled the home extensively and added a small apartment and garage at the rear of the house. Earlier, in 1914, Haire’s son Jack, had remodeled the house for apartments. Presently there are four apartments, three on the first floor and one on the second floor.
John Haire came to Fort Dodge from his native Ireland in 1855 and entered into the mercantile business. His store was reported to be the third one opened in the newly-founded town and was located at First Avenue South and Sixth Street.