[Illustration: The Leary home
225 So. Seventh Street]
A large house with huge columns reminiscent of elegant southern
plantation homes has dominated the northeast corner of Third Avenue
South and Seventh Street since shortly after the turn of the century.
It is the house at 225 S. 7th St., built in 1901 by Dennis E. Leary, a
prominent Fort Dodge grocer for many years. Ownership of the property
has changed several times and the house is now owned by Robert Walters
who acquired it in 1956.
The house has now been converted into five apartments—two on the first
floor, two on the second floor and one in the attic area. Walters
resides in one of the downstairs apartments—others are rented out.
Originally house had a large hall, living room, parlor, dining room,
kitchen and pantry on the first floor. The second floor had four
bedrooms, bath, den and large hall. All floors were of hard wood and
walls had much beautiful fresco work. Leary purchased property in 1893
at Third Avenue South and Seventh Street which had a small house on the
lot. This remained until 1901 when it was moved to Second Avenue South
and Third Street to make way for the large Leary home.
Leary, a native of Boston, Mass., came to Waverly, Iowa, with his
parents and remained there until 1893 when he moved to Fort Dodge. On
arrival here he purchased property at the southwest corner of Central
Avenue and Seventh Street and established a grocery store there. He
operated this store until 1903 when fire destroyed the building.
Leary then purchased a building across the street on the north side of
Central Avenue and opened another grocery store which he continued to
operate until 1910 when he sold the business to Tom Welch. Ownership of
the building continued in Leary’s name.
Leary was married in 1892 to Ellen Foley and they were parents of two
sons—John A. Leary and Dennis E. Leary, both of whom reside in Fort
Dodge. The elder Leary died in 1910 at age 48. Mrs. Leary died in 1950
at age 91.
The Learys had a large barn at the rear of their home where they kept
horses, a surrey with fringe on the top and the wagon used for
delivering groceries to customers in the city. One of the owners of the
Leary home after it was sold was Dr. W. E. Alton who had a private
hospital and office there. His hobby was boat building and he built a
number of boats.