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Subject: Bio of Roy B. Gault
Date: Tue, 18 Oct 2005 09:33:35 EDT

A Narrative History
of
The People of Iowa
with
SPECIAL TREATMENT OF THEIR CHIEF ENTERPRISES IN
EDUCATION, RELIGION, VALOR, INDUSTRY,
BUSINESS, ETC.
by
EDGAR RUBEY HARLAN, LL. B., A. M.
Curator of the
Historical, Memorial and Art Department of Iowa
Volume IV
THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY, Inc.
Chicago and New York
1931

ROY B. GAULT. The increasing importance of the subject of automobiles, with
its innumerable complexities, has resulted in the establishment in
practically all states of the Union departments entirely devoted thereto. Even the
merest layman, whose only personal interest may be centered in teh ownership of
a car, can appreciate the importance of the duties of the head of such a
department. Sound judgment, great tact, a thorough knowledge of conditions,
strict justice and high integrity, combined with moral courage, are necessary
qualifications for the proper handling of the problems that constantly are
arising and for the successful upholding of such laws and regulations as already
have been inaugurated. In this connection it is apropos to sketch briefly
the career of Roy B. Gault, who since 1928 has been head of the motor vehicle
department of the State of Iowa.

Mr. Gault was born at Cromwell, Union County, Iowa, January 3, 1887, and is
a son of James and Madge (Long) Gault. His paternal grandfather, Miria
Gault, was born in Ireland, an don coming to the United States settled near
Morning Sun, Louisa County, Iowa, where he spent the remainder of his life in
agricultural operations. James Gault was born in Ireland, and was a child when
brought by his parents to the United States, his boyhood and youth being spent
on the home farm and his education being acquired in the rural schools of his
day. He became a pioneer settler of Union County, where he was first
engaged in general farming, but later centered all of his activities in the grain
and live stock business, in which he was successfully occupied for a long
period of years, but at present is living in comfortable retirement at Creston,
Iowa. He still has large interests and is accounted one of the substantial
men and good citizens of his community. He is a Republican in politics and an
active member of the Congregational Church. In Iowa Mr. Gault was united in
marriage with Miss Madge Long, who was born in Pennsylvania, a daughter of
Rev. David Long, also a native of the Keystone State, and for many years a
minister of the United Brethren Church. Mrs. Gault died February 11, 1902, in the
faith of the Congregational Church, having been the mother of four children:
Roy B., of this review; George B., a livestock buyer and shipper at
Creston; Earl, who is engaged in the stock business at Des Moines; and Grace, the
wife of Earl Trenholm, cashier of the Gas and Electric Company, of Lincoln,
Nebraska.

The public schools of Creston furnished Roy B. Gault with his educational
training, and his first employment was with his father in the grain and
livestock business, which he followed until the United States entered the World war.
He had become a member of the Iowa National Guard at the age of eighteen
years, and in 1917 went with his command to Camp Mills. In November of that
year he went overseas with the One Hundred and Sixty-eight Infantry,
Forty-second Division, A. E. F., and remained with that outfit until March, 1918, when
he was transferred to the Division Headquarters, and served until the close
of the war, with the rank of captain. On his return to the United States he
rejoined the One Hundred Sixty-eighth Infantry, but again was transferred to
Division Headquarters, and still is a member of the Iowa National Guard.

Upon resuming the duties of civilian life Mr. Gault again engaged in
business with his father, which he followed until 1924, when he was appointed United
States marshal, following the duties of this office for one term. He then
took charge of the motor vehicle department of the State of Iowa, and since
March 1, 1928, has centered his entire abilities and activities in discharging
its responsibilities. He has established an excellent record for steadfast
and intelligent handling of the duties of his department, and has the
confidence of the public and the respect and esteem of his associates. Mr. Gault is a
member of the Congregational Church, and as a fraternalist is a Knight
Templar Mason and a Shriner, and is also a past exalted ruler of the Benevolent and
Protective Order of Elks. He is a past commander of Champaign Post,
American Legion, at Creston, occupying this office for one and one half years, and
under his administration the general condition of the post was greatly
improved, and its financial affairs placed upon a firm and substantial basis. He
also served as president of the Creston Chamber of Commerce, and took an active
part on the civic welfare of the community.

On June 22, 1922, Mr. Gault was united in marriage with Miss Maude Heflen,
who was born on a farm in Union County, Iowa, a daughter of Frank Heflen, a
railroad engineer in the service of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad.
Mr. and Mrs. Gault have no children.



Debbie Clough Gerischer
gerischer.rootsweb.com/

Iowa History Site
iagenweb.org/history/index.htm

Scott County
celticcousins.net/scott/index.htm

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