Gadd was a native of Rolfe and lived there until 21 years of age. He then moved to Buffalo Center where he began his banking career with the First National Bank of that community. He resided there for 30 years before coming to Fort Dodge in 1920 and operating a real estate business dealing principally in farm land.
In 1929 Gadd became associated with the bank now known as The State Bank and was active in its management until his death in 1949 at age 78. He was executive vice president of the bank until 1944 when he was elected chairman of the board.
Gadd was active in civic affairs, including the Fort Dodge Betterment Foundation, the Chamber of Commerce and the Rotary Club. Married in 1900 he and Mrs. Gadd were parents of five children—Robert Gadd and Mrs. Lyle (Louise) Sells, both of Fort Dodge; Clem Gadd, now deceased; Mrs. Kenneth (Eunice) Edwards of Silver Springs, Fla., and Richard Gadd of Atlanta, Ga. Mrs. Gadd died here in 1936.
In addition to his banking interests, Gadd was also identified with the gypsum industry and served for a time as treasurer of the Cardiff Gypsum Company.
THE MONK-ANDERSON HOME
This house at 910 5th Ave. N. dates back to 1884 when it was built by Dr. Casper D. Koch, an early-day musician in Fort Dodge. Later it was the home for many years of a prominent educator—Prof. John F. Monk—and a widely-known social worker and YWCA executive—Miss Lynn S. Anderson.
The two-story frame house is now owned by Mr. and Mrs. Walter J. Gurnett who acquired it in 1959. There presently are four apartments in the house—two on each floor. One of the downstairs apartments is occupied by the Gurnetts.
Windows in the house are typical of the era when the house was built and are long and narrow. Three windows in the front living room extend from the floor to the ceiling.
Dr. Koch acquired the building lot and erected the home in 1884. Evidence of the years he spent in the house came to light some years ago when sheet music with Dr. Koch’s name was found in the attic of the home.
The house was purchased in 1901 by S. J. Robertson, a Fort Dodge businessman, who resided there until 1910 when he sold the property to Mrs. J. F. (Helen) Monk and her sisters, Lynn S. Anderson and Florence A. Anderson. Prof. and Mrs. Monk and the Anderson sisters occupied the home at various times during later years. Monk was a professor at Tobin College here and owned the college in partnership with C. V. Findlay. The college was located at the northwest corner of First Avenue North and Seventh Street and at one time had between 400 and 500 students in its various departments.