H. B. VAN NEST Our Genial and Obliging Postmaster Slated for Another Term AN ARTICLE EXTRACTED FROM THE PEABODY NEWS 1901 Contributed by Charmaine Keith (charmain@southwind.net) 24 September 1998 --------------------------------------------------------------------- KSGENWEB INTERNET GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY COPYRIGHT NOTICE: In keeping with the KSGenWeb policy of providing free information on the Internet, this data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages cannot be reproduced in any format for profit or other gain. Copying of the files within by non-commercial individuals and libraries is encouraged. Any other use, including publication, storage in a retrieval system, or transmission by electronic, mechanical, or other means requires the written approval of the file's author. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Peabody News 1901 In 1886 H. B. Van Nest come to Peabody from Grinnell, IA., and opened an office for C. W. H. Beyer & Co. of Grinnell, IA., to transact a general land and loan business. Mr. Van Nest soon became one of the leading men of the town. The business under his management developed into large proportions. He did business in all parts of the state. In the boom days representatives of loan companies frequently became reckless, placed extravagant values on property, made loans accordingly and swamped their companies. But Mr. Van Nest does not belong to that class. He always followed a safe and conservative plan and scrupulously guarded the interest interests entrusted to him. He believes that there is only on kind of success worth the effort-the success gained fairly and honestly. His dealings have always been characterized by this principle. He is over alert to his client's interests and at the same time considerate of the customer's rights. His representations are at all times as he believes, and it is not difficult to do business with him. Mr. C. W. H. Beyer, whom Mr. Van Nest still represents as Kansas manager, made a tour of the state last month inspecting his properties, and was agreeably surprised to find them more valuable than he supposed. Mr. Van Nest has at different times been honored by his fellow citizens. He has served on the board of education, in the city council and is now postmaster of Peabody. In this capacity he is as proficient, dutiful and obliging as he is in his private affairs. Perhaps no other person who has held the position has given such general satisfaction. The public is a hard master to serve, and grumbling about the postmaster is not unusual in most places. But this is an exception. The office is so systematically kept, and the patrons given such prompt and diligent service that every shadow of an excuse for grumbling is removed. His first term expires next January, when he will be reappointed for a second term, as all the businessmen and party workers of the county are enthusiastically for him. In politics Mr. Van Nest has always been a republican. He is influential with his party in the county and in the state. His family consists of his estimable wife, and son Harry, who is one of the promising young men of the city. Mr. Van Nest is a Mason in high standing, and Woodman and a member of the Lutheran church.