Charles F. Bell
The industrial and business interests of Clinton, Iowa, are well represented by the subject of this sketch, who is a member of the firm of Peterson, Bell & Company, manufacturers of boxes and crates, their place of business being on Franklin avenue on the tracks of the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern Railroad. He was born in Hadley, Massachusetts, October 8, 1852, a son of Samuel and Betsy (Cooke) Bell both now deceased, the former dying at the age of sixty-four, the latter at the age of forty-five years. His paternal ancestors came from Dumfriesshire, Scotland, in 1723, and settled in the present town of Oakham, Massachusetts. The Cooke family is of English origin and was founded in America as early as 1640. For a time they were members of the Hartford colony, and then went up the Connecticut river to what is now Northampton, Massachusetts, but was then known as the Norwotock Plantation. Our subject is one of a family of four children, the others being Samuel, a resident of Hadley. Massachusetts; William, of Clinton, Iowa; and Julia, deceased.
Charles F. Bell passed his boyhood and youth in his native town, and was educated at the Hopkins Academy - one of the oldest institutions of the kind in America, founded in 1664 - from which he was graduated in 1870. Later he took a commercial course at Eastman's Business College, Poughkeepsie, New York. With his oldest brother he was then engaged in buying and selling tobacco, and in the manufacture of cigars until coming to Clinton, Iowa, in 1877, was in the employ of C. Lamb & Sons at this place for twelve years.
In 1892 Mr. Bell formed a partnership with James Peterson, under the firm name of Peterson, Bell & Company, and embarked in his present business, purchasing the ground on which their plant is now located from market gardeners. Their first building was only sixty by ninety feet, but they now have a floor space of over fifteen thousand feet, and the number of men employed by them has been increased from fifteen to eighty-five, so rapidly has their business grown, it amounting to two hundred and fifty thousand dollars during the year 1900, when they shipped six hundred carloads of boxes and crates. Their goods are all sold by the carload and their patronage comes from a large extent of territory. They sell principally to packing houses, and manufacture soap boxes, crates for sewing machines, melons, etc. Their factory is equipped with all the latest Improved machinery needed in their line, and they carry from one to four million feet of lumber in stock. The company was incorporated in 1896, and have their office adjoining the factory on Franklin avenue.
October 16, 1883, Mr. Bell was united in marriage with Miss Louise M. Black, of Clinton, a daughter of William and Jane (Henley) Black, who were natives of Pennsylvania and Iowa, respectively. Mr. Black came from Pennsylvania to Scott county, Iowa, in 1855, and there married Miss Henley, at which place Mrs. Bell was born. They moved to Clinton in 1864, where Mr. Black has been one of the leading architects and builders of the city up to the present time. Our subject and his wife have two children: C. Leonard and Frederic W., who are now attending school. In his social relations Mr. Bell is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, the Royal Arcanum and the Wapsipinicon Club. He is a man of good business and executive ability, sound judgment and keen discrimination, and is generally able to carr forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes. He occupies an enviable position in business circles and personally is quite popular.
"The Biographical Record of Clinton County, Iowa", published 1901
transcribed by Karen Seeman
Henry Francis Bowers
Among the well known and highly respected citizens of Clinton who have borne an important part in the development of this portion of the state is the Hon. Henry Francis Bowers, whose name is enrolled among the pioneers who came to eastern Iowa in the middle of the nineteenth century. He has ever been a prominent factor in the progress and advancement which have wrought a marvelous transformation here. It is a well attested maxim that the greatness of a state lies not in the machinery of government, nor even in its institutions, but in the sterling qualities of its individual citizens, in their capacity for high and unselfish effort and their devotion to the public good. Regarded as a citizen Mr. Bowers belongs to that public-spirited, useful and helpful type of men whose ambitions and desires are centered and directed in those channels through which flows the greatest and most permanent good to the greatest number, and it is therefore consistent with the purpose and plan of this work that his record be given among those of the representative men of the county. His reputation, however, is not limited by the confines of the county, for his labors in connection with the American Protective Association have gained him national fame.
Mr. Bowers was born in Baltimore, Maryland. August 12, 1837. His father was Augustus Bowers, a native of Germany, and in that country the name was spelled Bauer. He served as a lieutenant in the regular army of the fatherland and after coming to America took up his abode in Baltimore, where he married Emeline Lewis, a native of that city. During the childhood of our subject the father started for Germany to settle up the estate of his paternal ancestors, but the ship on which he took passage sank and he was drowned.
The early education of Henry F. Bowers was acquired under the direction of his mother and aunt, who were highly educated ladies and representatives of a prominent southern family. During the time when he should have attended the public schools they were closed and he was thus deprived of the privilege which is and should be the inherent right of every American child. The schools throughout Maryland were closed by an act of the state legislature and remained thus for several years. In April, 1857, the family came to the west, locating on a farm south of DeWitt, Clinton county. At this period Mr. Bowers completed his education by candle light, studying while others slept. Later the family removed to DeWitt and he there secured work as a carpenter and cabinet-maker. In 1863 he entered the office of the clerk of the courts of Clinton county, acting as deputy clerk for one term and as deputy recorder for two terms. During this time his leisure hours were devoted to the study of law. Not long afterward he was elected and served for two terms as county recorder, and on the 20th of June, 1877, he was admitted to the bar of Iowa. The following year he was appointed special aid-de-camp on the staff of Governor Gear and filled the position until the close of his term. In April, 1879, he was admitted to practice in the supreme court of the state, and in the United States courts in April, 1882. From the beginning of his professional career he has enjoyed a large and lucrative practice. As a lawyer he is sound, clear-minded and well trained. The limitations which are imposed by the constitution of federal powers are well understood by him. He is at home in all the departments of the law from the minutiae in practice to the greater topics wherein is involved the consideration of the ethics and the philosophy of jurisprudence and the higher concerns of public policy. But he is not learned in law alone, for he has studied long and carefully the questions which affect the public policy and the stability of American institutions. He is felicitous and clear in argument, thoroughly in earnest, full of the vigor of conviction, never abusive of adversaries, imbued with the highest courtesy and yet a foe worthy of the steel of the most able opponent.
In his political affiliations Mr. Bowers has always been a Republican and shortly after the convention which organized the party he had the pleasure of seeing and hearing its first presidential candidate, General John C. Fremont, in the city of Baltimore, where with his uncle he occupied a position on the platform during the meeting. Perhaps Mr. Bowers is most widely known in connection with his work on behalf of the American Protective Association, best known as the A. P. A. He is the founder of the organization, which he was led to establish through the closing of the Maryland public schools, thus depriving the citizens of the state of their rights under the ordinance of 1798 wherein it is recommended that every American child should have a common school education. The organization was effected for the purpose of maintaining public schools against the machinations and influence of their enemies and does not oppose any church societies or any man's right to worship God as he sees fit; no organization is antagonized so long as it does not resolve itself into a political faction for the destruction of our public institutions, the abridgement of free speech, a free press and a free ballot. It does net discriminate against foreign-born citizens as such. It not only claims "America for Americans" of native birth, but for "all who will be true Americans, irrespective of race, color, creed, original nationality or previous condition of life." The highest welfare of the national body politic is what the organization is designed to promote. That the order has accomplished a great and good work is widely acknowledged by the majority of loyal citizens of the Republic, who place their country before all foreign powers or interests. Mr. Bowers served for six years as president of the order and is now a member of the supreme council of the world.
On the 25th of October, 1870, Mr. Bowers married Miss Emma V. Crawford, of Barnesville, Belmont county, Ohio, who died on the 24th of October, 1878, leaving three children: Clyde C, who is engaged in the jewelry business; Homer H.; and Emma V., who became the wife of David Jones and has one child, Henry F. Mr. Bowers has a very fine home, and an extensive library and art collection, having surrounded himself with the creations of man which uplift the thought and add to the beauty and goodness of the world. For thirty-one years he has been a member of the Masonic fraternity; for twenty-eight years he has been identified with the Consistory, having taken the thirty-second degree of the Scottish rite, and is also a member of the Mystic Shrine. In his life he exemplifies the beneficent spirit of the order, the mutual helpfulness, forbearance and charity. He belongs to the Methodist church and has been a leading factor in the progress of Clinton county. Educational, church and social interests owe their promotion in a considerable degree to him. For forty-four years the county has been his home -years largely devoted to the public good.
"The Biographical Record of Clinton County, Iowa", published 1901
transcribed by Karen Seeman
Edwin T. Boyle
Occupying a prominent place among the newspaper men of Clinton is Edwin T. Boyle, who is now business manager for the Clinton Advertiser. He is a native of this county, born in Lyons in 1871, and received his education in the schools there and at the Clinton Business College. He began his journalistic career in 1889, and is now business manager for the Advertiser, as previously stated. He is not only an especially valuable man in that department, but is also an interesting writer and has done considerable work in that line at different times. He is quite popular socially, is a prominent member of a number of civic societies and is a young man of good executive ability and sound judgment, and occupies quite an enviable position both in business and social circles.
"The Biographical Record of Clinton County, Iowa", published 1901
transcribed by Karen Seeman
David Brant
David Brant, editor of the Clinton Daily Herald, was born in Shelby county, Indiana, July 6, 1850, and is a son of Winans Brant, who died in 1851. When five years old Mr. Brant removed to Iowa, living first in Monroe county, and from 1857 to 1868 in Ringgold county. In 1869 he went to Johnson county and later entered the State University at Iowa City, where he was a student for five years. After leaving that institution he was connected with different newspapers in Iowa City until February, 1881, when he removed to Linn county to become city editor of the Cedar Rapids Republican. In 1883 he founded the Walker News, which he sold in 1890, when he became connected with the Cedar Rapids Evening Gazette. He became editor of the Clinton Herald in December, 1897. The only office he has ever held was that of representative to the state legislature while a resident of Linn county.
On the 30th of October, 1878, Mr. Brant was united in marriage with Miss Ruth Hurd, at Waterloo, Iowa. She was born near Lockport, Niagara county, New York, August 22, 1859, and is a daughter of I. N and Annis (Richardson) Hurd. On her father's side she is descended from the Hurds, Hawleys and Newtons who settled in New England before the Revolutionary war. Mr. and Mrs. Brant have four children: Lucy Winnifred, born in Iowa City, April 15, 1880: Irving Newton, born in Walker, Iowa, January 17, 1885; Archer Winans, born in Walker. May 20, 1886; and Dorothy Annis, born in Clinton, April 26, 1898.
"The Biographical Record of Clinton County, Iowa", published 1901
transcribed by Karen Seeman
Capt. Geo. P. Carman
CARMAN, GEO. P., CAPT., merchant tailor, Marion; born at Tyrone Forge, Blair Co., Iowa, June 1, 1832; moved to Marengo, Iowa, in March, 1869; to Davenport in 1872: to DeWitt in 1873, and came to Marion in 1875.
He enlisted in Co. K. 51st Penn. V. I., Aug. 28, 1861 (having been in three months service previously, he was promoted to Second Lieutenant Dec. 25, 1861; to First Lieutenant July 25, 1862, and to the Captaincy of his Co. on the battle field of Second Bull Run, Aug. 29, 1862; mustered out July 3, 1865.
He married Rachel E. Lyon, May 10, 1853; she was born at Williamsport, Lycoming Co., Penn., Dec. 24, 1835; they have had three children; one son - Orlando Chester, died in April, 1859, aged 3 years and 8 months; the living are Lillie D and Rachel B. The Captain and family are members of the Baptist Church.
[Source: The history of Linn County Iowa; Western Historical Company; 1878; transcribed by Andaleen Whitney]
Oliver W. Childs
CHILDS, Oliver W., civil engineer; born in Clinton County, Iowa, Jan. 11, 1866; son of Thomas P. and Kate Childs; educated in public schools, Nevada, Iowa, and State University of Iowa, graduating, with degree of C.E., 1889; married, Alton, ILL., Sept. 15, 1900, Alma Wine. Engaged in engineering work with the Chicago Bridge & Iron Co., of Chicago, 1890-94; chief engineer of Stupp Bros. Bridge & Iron Co., of St. Louis. 1894-1905; bridge engineer of the City of St. Louis, 1905-11; now manager American Cement Tile Manufacturing Co. Member St. Louis Engineers Club, American Society of Civil Engineers, Western Society of Engineers. Democrat. Episcopalian. Member Civic League. Club: City. Office: 1230 Syndicate Trust Bldg. Residence: 4211 Flad Avenue.
[The Book of St. Louisans, Publ. 1912. Transcribed by Charlotte Slater]
Colonel William G. Cummings
Among the brave men who devoted the opening years of their manhood to the defense of our country from the internal foes who sought her dismemberment was Colonel William G. Cummings, who was a distinguished officer in the Army of the Potomac, and is now one of the honored citizens of Clinton, Iowa. He was born in Danville, Vermont, March 3. 1839, and is a son of Joseph and Sarah (Morse) Cummings, the former a native of Plymouth, New Hampshire, the latter of Danville, Vermont, and a representative of an old New England family. His paternal ancestors were of Scotch-Irish descent, the progenitor of the family in America having come from Londonderry, Ireland, in 1719. The Colonel's father spent his life in the Green Mountain state after attaining the age of twelve years. He was born in 1803, and died in 1891, while his wife was born in 1808 and died in 1896. They were the parents of five children, namely: George, deceased; Martha, wife of George Pettingill, of Danville, Vermont; William G., our subject; Maria, deceased: and L. J., who lives with our subject in Clinton, Iowa.
Colonel Cummings spent the days of his boyhood and youth in his native town, and was educated at Phillips Academy, of that place, and Dartmouth College, where he was a student when the Civil war broke out. He enlisted as a private in Company D, First Vermont Cavalry, September 16, 1861, but on the 15th of the following October was commissioned second lieutenant, and was later promoted in the following manner: to first lieutenant, October 30, 1862; captain, June 1, 1863; major. October 22, 1864; lieutenant-colonel. March 23, 1865: brevet colonel of United States Volunteers, March 13, 1865, for gallant and meritorious service; and commissioned colonel, June 25, 1865, but never mustered.
With his regiment the Colonel left his native state for Washington. D. C December 12, 1861, and on Christmas Day was transferred to Annapolis, where they were on duty until March, 1862, when they were attached to Hatches Cavalry Brigade, Banks Fifth Corps, Department of the Shenandoah, but the following June they were transferred to the Second Army Corps of Virginia, and in September became a pat of Price's Cavalry Brigade, Twenty-second Corps, in the defense of Washington. In April, 1863, they were transferred to the Third Brigade, Stahl's cavalry, the same corps, in June of that year to the Second Brigade. Second Division Cavalry Corps, Army of the Potomac, with which they were connected until June, 1865.
Colonel Cummings went with his command to Washington. March 9, and later participated in the following engagements: Mount Jackson, April 16, 1862; McGaheysville, April 27; Middletown, May 24; Winchester, May 25; Long Court House, June 30; Culpeper Court House, July 10; Kelly's Ford, August 22; Waterloo Bridge, August 20; Bull Run. August 30; Ashby's Gap, September 22; Anandale, December 25; Aldie, March 2, 1862; Broad Run, April 1; Greenwich, May 30; Warrenton, June 18, the above all being in Virginia; Hanover, Pennsylvania. June 30; Huntertown. July 2; Gettysburg, July 3; Monterey, July 4; and Leitersville, July 5; Hagerstown, Maryland, July 6; Boonsboro, July ;: Hagerstown, July 13; Falling Water, Virginia, July 14; Summerville Ford, September 14; Raccoon Ford, September 15; James City, October 10; Brandy Station, October 11; Gainesville, October 18 and 19; Bucklands Mills, October 19; Falmouth. November 4; Morton's Ford, November 28; Mechanicsville, March 1, 1864; Piping Tree, March 8; Craig's Meeting House, May 5; Spotsylvania, May 8; Yellow Tavern, May 11; Meadow Bridge, May 12; Hanover Court House, May 31; Ashland, June1i; Hans' Shop, June 3; Bottoms Bridge, June 10; White Oak Swamp, June 13; Riddle's Shop, June 13; Malvern Hill, June 15; Ream's Station, June 22; Nottowav Court House, June 23; Roanoke Station, June 25; Stony Creek, June 28; Fishers Hill, September 24; Waynesboro, October 1; Columbia Furnace, October 7; Tom's Brook, October 9; Cedar Creek, October 13; Cedar Creek, October 19; Middle Road, November 11 and 12; Lacey Springs, December 21; Five Forks, April 1; Scott's Comer, April 2; Namozine Creek, April 2; Namozine Church, April 3: Sailor's Creek, April 6; Appomattox Station, April 8; and Appomattox Court House, April 9. 1865, all of Virginia.
Colonel Cummings was wounded at Ream's Station, June 28, 1864, by a minie ball, which disabled him about two months, the ball entering just below the left temple at the articulation of the jaw, and coming out on the right cheek. He returned to his command before the wound had entirely healed, so anxious was he to be at the front. He had four horses shot from under him, the first at Town's Hill, another at Cedar Creek, the third at Namozine Church, and one at Appomattox the night before Lee's surrender. At Five Forks he was knocked from the horse by the concussion of a ball which just escaped him, passing through his open lips cutting each so they bled.
He was taken prisoner at Anandale, Virginia, December 25, 1862, and was confined in Libby prison, Richmond, until exchanged May 5, 1863, just in lime to start on the Gettysburg campaign. The following is a letter written by General Custer after the expiration of his first term of enlistment, showing how highly he was appreciated by his fellow officers:
Headquarters Third Division,
November 16, 1864.
Captain Cummings, Commanding First Vermont Cavalry:
Having learned that at was your intention to retire from the service in which you have so long and honorably engaged I desire to express to you my high appreciation of the able and faithful manner in which you have invariably discharged your duties as a gallant officer and as an obedient soldier.
Having been connected with my command for a period dating back to the Gettysburg campaign, and having participated in most, if not all. of the important engagements in which our cavalry won such high and emperishable fame, I am well prepared to assert that few, if any, officers can boast of a more extended experience in cavalry service than has fallen to your lot. I regret that you should deem it necessary to leave the service, and I also regret the circumstances which deprive my command of your efficient service.
Your gallantry and ability as shown upon scores of battlefields have clearly proven you worthy and deserving of promotion. I would be pleased to see you promoted to a field office, and I trust your retirement from service will be but temporary. In the meanwhile let me assure you that wherever you may go you carry with you my earnest and heartfelt wishes for your success and advancement. I am, Captain, Truly yours,
G. A. Custer,
Brevt. Maj. Gen. U. S. Vols.
Colonel Cummings was mustered out of service August 9, 1865, and returned to his old home in Danville, Vermont, but later went south and engaged in the lumber business in North Carolina for one year, after which he returned to New England, and held a position in the United States custom house at Island Pond, Vermont, until 1870. He then came west, and the following ten years were passed in Burlington, Iowa, where he was extensively engaged in the coal business. After that he made his home in Cedar Rapids until 1893, where he was engaged in the same business when he removed to Clinton, and has since engaged in the coal and ice business at this place.
In 1870 Colonel Cummings was united in marriage with Miss Cora Pinney, a daughter of Henry and Corrilla (Nelson) Pinney, both natives of Vermont. By this union was born one child, Isabella E., now Mrs. Henry C. Haskell, of Kansas City, Missouri. The Colonel is an honored member of the Loyal Legion, the Grand Army of the Republic and the National Veterans' Union, and also belongs to Emulation Lodge, .A F. & A. M. Politically he has always been identified with the Republican party since casting his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln in 1860. In years of peace, no less than those of war, he has always faithfully performed his duties of citizenship, and is justly entitled to a place on the nation's roll of honor
"The Biographical Record of Clinton County, Iowa", published 1901
transcribed by Karen Seeman
Hon. George M. Curtis
One of the most straightforward, energetic and successful business men that has ever lived in Clinton is the Hon. George M. Curtis, who, in partnership with his brother, founded one of the most important enterprises that has contributed to the commercial activity and general prosperity of the city, he has been equally prominent in public affairs and has twice been honored with election to the legislative halls of the nation, where his ability as a statesman, as well as his genuine worth of character, gained for him the friendship and high regard of many men of national fame.
Mr. Curtis is a native of Chenango county, New York, born April 1, 1844, and is a son of John S. and Elizabeth (Carpenter) Curtis, who were also natives of the same county. In 1856 his parents left the Empire state, and with their family removed to Illinois, settling in the vicinity of Rochelle, Ogle county. They took up their abode on a farm of two honored and eighty acres, which the father had purchased, and there he and his sons were actively engaged in agricultural pursuits until 1866, when they removed to Rochelle. Two years later they came to Clinton, Iowa. There were born to them ten children, three of whom still survive: George M., Charles F. and Cornelius S.
The first twelve years of the life of our subject were spent in his native state, and he then became identified with the great Mississippi valley, where he has since remained. He attended the district schools during the winter months and assisted in the labors of the home farm until sixteen years of age. He then became a student in Mt. Morris Seminary, at Mt. Morris, Illinois, and later he engaged in teaching school through the winter terms, while in the period of seedtime and harvest he engaged in agricultural pursuits. In 1862, however, he tamed his attention to mercantile pursuits, securing a clerkship in a store in Rochelle, where he was employed for two years. He afterward engaged in the coal business in Cortland, Illinois, and at Sycamore, in the same state, but after two years he sold out, and in April, l367, came to Clinton, at which time he purchased an interest in the business which his brother was then in, and which had been established the previous year.
Under the firm name of Curtis Brothers & Company the business was conducted until 1881, when it was incorporated under the name of Curtis Brothers & Company. The members of the old firm were C. F. Curtis, G. M. Curtis and J. E. Carpenter, and they became and are still the principal members of the corporation. In thirty-five years the business has grown to be one of the most extensive of its kind in America, only one or two other factories in the entire country equaling it in their annual output. The company carries on a wholesale business in the manufacture of sash, doors, blinds, stairs, stair railings, balustrades, mouldings, lumber, lath and shingles, and employment is furnished to two hundred and fifty to three hundred and twenty-five men throughout the year. Their extensive plant is located on the river bank at Clinton and covers a very wide area. It is equipped with the most modern and improved machinery for turning out first-class work and capable mechanics are employed, so that its output has a reputation for excellence that commands a ready sale on the market.
The stockholders of this company are also the principal stockholders of the Curtis .& Yale Company, which has factories at Wausau. Wisconsin, and has branch houses at Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and Minneapolis. Minnesota. Curtis Brothers have branch houses at Lincoln, Nebraska, and Sioux City, Iowa. These branch houses aid in disposing of the Clinton product, which is shipped over a vast extent of territory.
While first and always a business man, Mr. Curtis has at all times manifested a lively interest in the political affairs of his state and the nation. He has made a careful study of political matters, and few men in the country are better posted upon national affairs, especially as pertaining to the material welfare of its citizens. His business interests have been such as to require that he know what the effect of legislation would be upon the country at large. He was twice elected to serve his district as a member of congress, and during the two terms his influence was always felt upon the side of right, and for such legislation as would be beneficial to the people generally, and not to any special class.
While in congress Mr. Curtis was a member of the Committee on the District of Columbia, which is one of the most active committees in congress, and much of the time he served as chairman pro lent of the committee. From this committee he probably reported and had charge of more bills than any other members during his term of service in the fifty-fourth and fifty-fifth congresses. He was especially active in the interests of his city and county, and it was through his influence that the appropriation of one hundred thousand dollars for the government building in the city, and twenty ber of the legislature from his county on the Republican ticket, overcoming the Demopublican. In 1887 he was elected a member of the legislature from his county on the Republican ticket, overcoming the Democratic majority of over 3,000. His plurality being over four hundred, demonstrates his popularity.
Mr. Curtis is a thirty-second-degree Mason, being a member of De Molay Consistory of Lyons, and is recognized as one of the prominent Masons of the state. He is a member of Emulation Lodge. A. F. & A. M.; of Rosecroix Chapter. Scottish Rite, of which he was master for fifteen years. He is also a member of Holy Cross Commandery, in which he has served as eminent commander.
Few men have been more successful in business than Mr. Curtis, and controlling, as he does, thousands of dollars of capital, his ability to advise what is best for the general welfare should be and is greater than that of an individual whose scope is more limited. He has made good use of his opportunities, and has a remarkable faculty for the conduct and dispatch of business. Courteous, genial, well informed, alert and enterprising, he stands to-day among the leading and representative men of the state.
"The Biographical Record of Clinton County, Iowa", published 1901
transcribed by Karen Seeman
Charles J. Dannatt
During his early years the subject of this sketch was actively identified with the agricultural interests of this county, where he has spent his entire life, but is now living retired in Clinton. He was born in Camanche township, on the 3d of July, 1856, and is a son of John Dannatt, whose birth occurred in Lincolnshire, England, in 1812. In his native land the father married Miss Mary J. Berkenshaw, and in 1852 they sailed for America. Subsequently our subject's paternal grandparents. Robert and Elizabeth (Bowers) Dannatt, also came to the new world, where the former lived retired until he passed away at the age of seventy-seven years, while his wife died in the fall of 1856. Having an uncle already living in Clinton county, Iowa, John Dannatt located here on coming to this country, and took up a half section of wild land in Center township, a portion of which is still owned by our subject. In 1855 the father bought one hundred and sixty acres on section fourteen, in Camanche township, on which a very few improvements had been made by Mr. Rochford. Upon that place Mr. Dannatt erected a good brick house, which was destroyed by fire in 1871, but was soon rebuilt and is still standing. In connection with general farming he engaged in stock raising, keeping from seventy-five to one hundred head of a fine grade of cattle upon his farm, and in his business affairs met with wonderful success, being one of the most substantial as well as one of the most highly esteemed citizens of his community. He died on the 6th of April, 1873, at the age of sixty-one years, and his wife passed away in 1886, at the age of seventy. Of the nine children born to them, three died in infancy, the others being Emily Hannath, Charlotte Maria, Edwin John, Robert, William, Marian, Charles J. and Thomas. All the children are deceased with the exception of Emily, Charlotte, Marian and our subject.
The father was one of a large family, of whom Benjamin, Thomas and Betsy reached maturity, and were the only members of the family to come to America, while the others remained in England. Charles J. Dannatt passed the days of his boyhood and youth upon the home farm and early acquired an excellent knowledge of agricultural pursuits, while at the same time he gained a good practical education in the schools of the neighborhood. On the death of his father he succeeded to the farm, and in its successful management showed that he was a man of good business and executive ability, who thoroughly understood the occupation which he followed. At the age of thirty-three he rented his farms and removed to Camanche and in the spring of 1895 removed to Clinton, where he has since made his home, his sister, Charlotte Maria, living with him. He now owns considerable property in that city besides his valuable farm land. At the time of the terrible cyclone in i860, which swept away the town of Camanche and killed so many people, our subject's grandfather, Robert, was in the kitchen part of his house and was somewhat bruised, while the main building, which was of brick, was entirely destroyed, together with his barns and other outbuildings. He is public-spirited and enterprising and takes an active interest in the progress of his county, but has never been prevailed upon to accept office, but he supports the Republican party. In religious faith he is a Baptist.
"The Biographical Record of Clinton County, Iowa", published 1901
transcribed by Karen Seeman
Attorney Dolen
New Colby Attorney
Attorney Dolan was born in Clinton, Iowa, where he graduated from St. Mary’s High School in 1945. He received his bachelor of arts degree from St. Ambrose College, Davenport, Iowa, in January, 1950, after which he attended Marquette Law School in Milwaukee, graduating in June, 1953. After graduating, he came to Clark county and became affiliated with Clarence E. Gorsegner, attorney at law, Loyal, Wis. Attorney Gorsegner is the Clark county district attorney and Attorney Dolan is assistant district attorney. The two opened a law office in the Scidmore building in Colby July 7, 1954.
Dolan married Carol Schellbaecher of Milwaukee in Milwaukee on August 1, 1953. They have one son, Thomas Edward Dolan, Jr., age three months.
Dolan also served for a year and one-half in the U.S. Navy.
[Colby Phonograph (Colby, Clark County, Wis.) Thursday, 26 Aug. 1954; transcribed by Marla Zwakman]
David S. Fairchild
One of the most distinguished physicians in Iowa is David S. Fairchild, whose prominence is not limited by the confines of the city of Clinton, in which he makes his home, but extends throughout the commonwealth. His ability, strong mentality and his close and comprehensive study has gained him distinction that places him in the foremost ranks among the eminent physicians in this portion of the country, and today he occupies the position of division surgeon for the Chicago & Northwestern Railway.
Dr. Fairchild entered upon his life career on the 16th of September, 1847, the place of his nativity being the town of Fairfield, Vermont. His parents were Eli and Grace D. (Sturges) Fairchild, who settled in Fairfield, Vermont, in 1844, and were there engaged in agricultural pursuits. He was a grandson of Archibald Fairchild, of Red-ding, whose descendant became noted in connection with affairs which shaped the policy of the nation in early days. Six of his sons were soldiers in the Continental army which established the republic after eight long years of warfare with Great Britain. The Doctor's mother was born in Fairfield, Vermont, and there the marriage of the parents occurred. Her father was a sea captain and located in the Green Mountain state in 1802. He represented a prominent family of New England that was established in Vermont in pioneer days.
Dr. Fairchild was reared to manhood in the place of his nativity and attended the public schools, after which he continued his education at the academy at Franklin and was also a student in the academy at Barre, Vermont. Determining to make the practice of medicine his life work, he became a student in the office and under the direction of the noted physician, Dr. J. B. Crampton, of Fairfield, and thus laid the foundation for his wide and comprehensive knowledge of the medical science. He afterward attended medical lectures at the University of Michigan, in 1866 and 1867 and was graduated in the Albany Medical College in December, 1868. Believing that the west would furnish better opportunities for a young man just entering upon a professional career, he treated at High Forrest, Minnesota, and after three years of successful practice at that place removed to Ames, Iowa, in 1872. He has always been a student of his profession, and his continued reading and observation have kept him in touch with the progress that is yearly being made by representatives of the medical fraternity. His worth was soon acknowledged, and in 1877 he was appointed physician to the Iowa Agricultural College. In 1879 he was elected professor of physiology and comparative anatomy, acting in that capacity until 1893, when he resigned to accept the position of surgeon of the Chicago St Northwestern Railway, covering all the lines of that system in the state of Iowa. He had served as local surgeon for this road in 1884, and through the satisfactory performance of the duties that devolved upon him. won favorable notice, and two years later was promoted to district surgeon, and in 1893 was made division surgeon, with headquarters at Clinton. In 1897 he was appointed special examining surgeon for the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad system.
He is particularly skillful in the line of surgery owing to his thorough understanding of anatomy, his intimate knowledge of the human system and the function of all its parts, combined with coolness and accuracy in performing an operation. In 1880 he was elected professor of histology MJ pathology in the Iowa College of Physicians and Surgeons, of Des Moines, and in 1885 was transferred to the chairs of pathology and diseases of the nervous system, and in the latter capacity he has since rendered capable and valued service. For two years prior to the incorporation of the college as a part of the Des Moines University, he served as president of the institution. Since 1893 Dr. Fairchild has abandoned general practice and devoted his time and energies almost exclusively to consultation, giving particular attention to surgery and nervous diseases. He has been a valued contributor of numerous articles to the medical journals and his papers have attracted wide attention in various medical societies. He has always taken a great interest in establishing organizations in the medical fraternity to disseminate a broader and more accurate knowledge of the science of medicine and surgery.
In 1873 he issued a call to the physicians of Story county to meet for the purpose of framing a county medical society, and at its organization was elected president. In 1884 he assisted materially in the organizing of the Central District Medical Society, and was chosen its president in 1886.
In 1874 he became a member of the Iowa State Medical Society, and in 1876 was elected second vice-president; in 1894, first vice-president, and in 1895, its president. He is a member of the Western Surgical Association and filled the position of president in 1898. He is also prominent in the American Medical Association, the National Association of Railway Surgeons and the American Academy of Railway Surgeons, serving as president of the last named in 1901. He served as a delegate to the National Medical Congress of 1876 and assisted in organizing the Iowa Academy of Sciences, in which he became chairman of the committee appointed by the State Medical Society to prepare a history of medicine in Iowa. He is local surgeon for the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern Railway Company. All of the patients connected with the various railroads that can conveniently be taken to Mercy Hospital, of Clinton, Iowa, come under the immediate care of Dr. Fairchild. It is his desire to devote three days each week to this work in Clinton, but as his services are so largely in demand it is sometimes impossible for him to accomplish this.
On the 1st of May, 1870, Dr. Fairchild was united in marriage to Miss Wilhelmina C. Tattersall, a daughter of the Honorable W K. Tattersall, of High Forrest, Minnesota. The lady is a native of New York City, and by her marriage has become the mother of three children. The eldest, David S. Fairchild, Jr., is associated with his father in business and carries on a general practice. He is a graduate of the Drake Medical College, of Des Moines, Iowa, of the class of 1897, and in May, 1898, was assistant surgeon of the Fifty-first Iowa Infantry. He went to the Philippines as major surgeon and was promoted to brigade surgeon of the Second Division of the Eighth Army Corps, serving on General Wheaton's staff. Later he was transferred to brigade surgeon of the First Brigade, Second Division, serving on General McArthur's staff. On the expiration of his term he returned home with his regiment and was mustered out of service on the 1st of November, 1899. He was born at High Forrest, Minnesota, in 1871, and is therefore a young man, but already has gained distinction in the line of his profession and is an able assistant to his honored father. He is a member of the County Medical Society, of which he is president, and also belongs to the State Medical Association; the State Railway Medical Association and different branches of Masonry. He married Ella Brown, of Des Moines, and they have one son, Marion. The second member of the family is Gertrude, now the wife of Albert Brown, of Des Moines, while Marguerite completes the family.
Dr. Fairchild is a member of different Masonic bodies and of the Wapsipuncon Club. His beautiful home, with his office and consultation rooms, is located at the corner of Sixth avenue and Third street in Clinton.
In a profession where advancement depends entirely upon individual ability. Dr. Fairchild has won distinction and to-day is one of the most prominent representatives of his chosen calling; in this state. Endowed by nature with strong mentality, he has closely applied himself to the mastery of the principles of medical science and has carried his investigations far and wide into the realms of medical knowledge, not only following the leadership of others but leading in the advance movement that has brought new truths and principles to light, proving of great value in the healing art.
"The Biographical Record of Clinton County, Iowa", published 1901
transcribed by Karen Seeman
Mrs. George H. France
Nannie Bourne France is the daughter of one of the first white settlers of Iowa Territory and as such is certainly a real daughter of Iowa. She was born in De Witt, Clinton county, Iowa. She is the daughter of the Hon. James D, and Christiana Dennis Bourne who were married in 1844 and resided in Clinton county the remainder of their lives. Mr. Bourne was born in Prince Williams county, Va., in 1832. At the age of 21 he came to Gelena, Ill., and was one of a company which built the first smelting works in this section of the U. S. In 1836 he moved to Clinton county, Iowa, and occupied a cabin built by the American Fur Co., on the banks of the Waubesipinicon river. He was the second white settler in the county and was postmaster at Waubesipinicon, Dubuque county, which was then a part of the Wisconsin territory. He was appointed lieutenant of the militia by the governor of the Territory. He served as deputy sheriff continuously by election until Iowa was admitted as a state. He filled the office of U. S. Marshall, was a member of the second general assembly, and served both as treasurer and recorder of Clinton county, and as U. S. Commissioner. In 1863 he began the study of law, was admitted to the bar and became one of the best known members of the profession in Iowa. His death occurred in 1893. His wife having died Nov. 23, 1890.
On April 13, 1887, Nannie Bourne was married to George H. France, of Des Moines. They have one son, George Bourne France, who was born Nov. 23, 1889. He is a graduate of the North High School of Des Moines, and of the University of Wisconsin, and is in business in Des Moines.
Mrs. France is an active club woman and identified with many of the prominent organizations of Des Moines. She is a P. E. 0. and has served chapter Q, which is the largest chapter in the State, as treasurer and as president. She is a member of the Board of Directors of the Roadside Settlement House. She has for a number of years been chairman of the Civics Committee of the Des Moines City Federation of Women's Clubs. She was the first woman of that city to take up the movement against the smoke nuisance. She spent the greater part of nine years in familiarizing herself and the public, through the press, of the waste and of the destruction to plant and animal life and to property by the smoke nuisance. Defeated many times in securing a state law, giving cities power to deal with this problem constitutionally, Mrs. France did not give up, but persevered with determination, that for the sake of suffering humanity she would yet win. At last in 1910 the Anti Smoke law was passed, and in Sep. 6, 1911, a city ordinance was passed for the abatement of smoke. These laws are being enforced by a smoke inspector and by a smoke abatement commission of five persons of which Mrs. France is one, being the only woman on the commission.
She is an earnest advocate of equal suffrage and is an active member of two clubs, working for the full enfranchisement of women. Mrs. France has for a number of years been a member of the First Church of Christ, Scientist, Des Moines. She is a lover of nature and of travel and has seen the greater part of this country. "While she is a woman of public spirit and interested in civic affairs, yet her home is her first consideration and receives a great deal of her personal supervision.
[The Blue book of Iowa Women, by Winona Evans Reeves, Publ. 1914, Transcribed by Renee Capitanio]
John H. Gamble
For over a third of a century John H. Gamble has been in the service of the Chicago & Northwest Railway Company, and since 1889 has made his home in Clinton. He was born in Albany, Illinois, on the 4th of March, 1840, and is the son of Josiah and Elizabeth (Heck) Gamble, both natives of Pennsylvania, the former born in Westmoreland county, of Scotch ancestry, and the latter of Holland Dutch extraction. After their marriage they removed to Ohio, and in 1839 emigrated to Illinois, locating on a farm near Albany, Whiteside county. Subsequently they removed to Rock Island county, the same state, and settled near Moline, where the father followed farming until called to his final rest at the age of fifty-one years. The mother long survived him and passed away in Moline at the age of eighty-three. Both were earnest and consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and the father was a Democrat in politics. He was quite a well-educated man for his day and he always kept well informed on public questions.
John H. Gamble, of this review, is the third in order of birth in a family of nine children, the others being Sarah J., deceased ; Aaron, a fanner and stock raiser, of Wilson county, Kansas; Margaret deceased; William, a veteran of the Civil war, and a resident of Rock Island, Illinois; Alice, deceased; Irene, wife of Joseph Smith, who was also a soldier of the Civil war and is now a resident of Rock Falls, Illinois; and Josiah O. and Silas, both residents of Moline. The children were reared upon a farm and educated in the public schools of Rock Island county, Illinois.
Our subject completed his education in the schools of Moline, and remained on the home farm until twenty years of age. October 29, 1859, he was united in marriage with Miss Samantha C Boyles, who was born in Rock Island county in 1842. Her mother died in 1844, and her father removed to Cadiz, Ohio, where Mrs. Gamble was educated and spent her childhood days, and returning to Rock Island as a young lady, she was there married.
Of seven children born to Mr. and Mrs. Gamble, but five still live, as follows: (1) Ettia May is now the wife of George Kuhnes, of Des Moines, Iowa, and they have one child, Grace E. (2) Willfarene married B. E. Johnson, who died, leaving two children, Fay and John, and for her second husband she married T. P. Rogers, a resident of Boone, Iowa, by whom she also has two children, Meinard and Robert Emmett. (3) Mabel is the wife of William G. MacNicoll, of Clinton, a sketch of whom appears in this volume. (4) Grace Alice and 15) Charles Paul are both at home with their parents. They were principally educated in the schools of Boone, Iowa, though Ettia took a course at the Agricultural College in Ames, Iowa, and the son pursued a business course at the Clinton Business College. He is now brakeman on a passenger train of the North western.
After his marriage Mr. Gamble removed to Moline, Illinois, and engaged in teaming for a time. In 1864 he went as brakeman on the Chicago & Rock Island Railway, now the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific, and it was not long before he was promoted to conductor. On leaving that road in 1867 he removed to Boone, Iowa, and entered the service of the Chicago & Northwestern Railway as switchman, but a month later commenced firing on the road. He was thus employed for a year and a half, and was then night foreman and hostler in the roundhouse at Boone until June 24, 1872, when he was given an engine. He was in the freight and extra passenger service until 1886, when he was given a regular passenger run between Clinton and Boone, which he still retains. During his long railroad career he has met with but one accident, that was a head-end collision in 1875. He has always had the confidence of the company by which he is employed and is considered one of the most trustworthy engineers on the road.
Mr. Gamble has a pleasant home on Seventh avenue, purchased by him in 1897. In politics he is independent, and casts his ballot for the men whom he believes best qualified to fill the offices regardless of party lines. In 1873 he joined Division No. 6 of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineer at Boone, but on his removal to Clinton transferred his membership to Division No. 125 at this place. His wife is a prominent member of the Grand International Auxiliary to the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers. On her arrival here in 1889 Mrs. Gamble was the only member of the Auxiliary in this city, there being no organization here. She, with two others, started the lodge here, getting the charter, and has held the different chairs. She was also one of the founders of the Volunteer Relief Association, a benevolent insurance order for members of the Auxiliary, which has been eminently successful and in which Mrs. Gamble was the first collector and insurance agent of the order at Clinton. During their residence here they have made many warm friends, and are held in the highest regard by all who know them.
"The Biographical Record of Clinton County, Iowa", published 1901
transcribed by Karen Seeman
Lorenzo S. Hastings
For over a third of a century this gentleman was actively engaged in agricultural pursuits in Clinton county, and still owns a fine farm of one hundred and twenty acres two miles from DeWitt, but he is now living retired in that village, enjoying a well-earned rest. He was born in Steuben county, Indiana, January 18, 1848, a son of Sanford H. and Eunice (Murray) Hastings. The father was a native of Vermont and an early settler of Steuben county, Indiana, where he followed farming many years, but he finally came to Iowa in 1865 and located in Clinton county. He bought a farm near DeWitt and devoted his time and attention to its operation for several years, but spent the last fifteen years of his life in retirement from active labor in DeWitt, where he owned a comfortable residence. There he died in December, 1898. His wife survived him only about a month, dying in January, 1899. Of the three children born to this worthy couple, Lorenzo S. is second in order of birth. The oldest, Maria, grew up and married but is now deceased. Edson M., the youngest, is now a resident of Roswell. New Mexico.
Lorenzo S. Hastings was seventeen years of age when he came with the family to Iowa, and has since made his home in this county. He had good school privileges and completed his education at the Orland Academy. During his minority he gave his father the benefit of his labors, and engaged in the operation of the old home farm for several years after his marriage. On the 19th of November, 1869. Mr. Hastings wedded Miss Eliza J. Robinson, who was born in Indiana, but was reared in this county, having come to Iowa with her father, J. M. Robinson, when quite young. They have two children, namely: Eva M., who is now the wife of Warren Walrod, a farmer of this county, and has two children, Harold and Hazel; and Earl L., who is married and is now engaged in farming and the raising of fine stock on his father's farm.
On leaving the old homestead Mr. Hastings bought a farm, which he operated several years, but later sold that place and purchased the farm which he now owns. In connection with farming he was also engaged in raising and breeding pure blooded short horn, Cruickshank and polled Durham cattle, which he had on exhibition at the county fairs for many years and on which he won many premiums. In 1899 he rented his farm and removed to DeWitt, where he has since lived a retired life. He bought a lot and erected thereon a very pleasant residence.
In religious faith Mr. Hastings is a Congregationalist and holds membership in the church at DeWitt, while in political sentiment he is a stanch Republican, having been identified with that party since casting his first presidential ballot for General U. S. Grant in 1872. He has long been connected with the fair association; has been one of its directors for twelve years; and has borne a very important part in making it a success. As a citizen he ever stands ready to discnarge any duty devolving upon him. And has done much toward the upbuilding and advancement of his adopted county.
"The Biographical Record of Clinton County, Iowa", published 1901
transcribed by Karen Seeman
Roger G. Henshey
Since 1860 this gentleman has been one of the trusted employes of the Chicago & Northwestern Railway Company, and during all this time has been an honored resident of Clinton. He was born in Boston, Massachusetts. July 12, 1851, and is a son of Roger and Ellen (Keefe) Henshey.
The father is deceased, but the mother is still living in Boston at the age of seventy years. She has made several visits to her son in Iowa. In the family were three children: Roger G., of this review; and John and William, both jewelers of Boston. Roger G. Henshey began his education, in the public schools of his native city, but in 1858 came west to Fulton. Illinois, to make his home with his grandparents, and completed his education there. His grandfather, who was a farmer by occupation, subsequently removed to Clinton, Iowa, where his death occurred. His wife had previously died in Fulton. Our subject attended school until fifteen years of age, and remained on the farm with his grandparents until he entered the service of the Chicago & Northwestern Railway in 1866, when he removed to Clinton.
Mr. Henshey was but sixteen years of age when he went upon the road as fireman on an old wood burner, and two years later was promoted to engineer, being at that time the youngest engineer on the road between Clinton and Belle Plaine. After several years spent in the freight service, he was given a passenger run in iS86, and is now engineer on No. 15, the fast mail. He has met with no serious accidents, and has never failed to draw his pay on every pay day since he entered the employ of the company. He has watched with interest the many changes that have taken place in railroading since he became connected with it. Although he started out in life with no influence to aid him, he has steadily progressed, and has won success in the face of opposing circumstances.
At Clinton, in 1879. Mr. Henshey was united in marriage with Miss Mary E. O'Donnell, who was born in Dundee, Illinois, in 1857, but came to Clinton with her parents during infancy. She was educated in the public schools of this city and at Sacred Heart Convent, Chicago. Some years prior to his marriage Mr. Henshey purchased the lot on which his home now stands, and in 1S80 erected thereon a comfortable residence. Both he and his wife are communicants of the Catholic church, and he is also a member of the Knights of the Maccabees, and Clinton Division, No. 125, Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, with which he has been connected since attaining his majority, and in which he has held office. He is very popular in railroad circles, and is a man highly respected and esteemed by all who know him. He is a lover of good literature and by careful reading has become an exceedingly well informed man.
"The Biographical Record of Clinton County, Iowa", published 1901
transcribed by Karen Seeman
Archie F. Howes
Archie F. Howes is a representative of the railroad service, in the employ of the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad Company, and makes his home in Clinton. He was born in Aurora, Illinois, November 30, 1856, and is a son of Philip Howes. With his parents he came to Clinton in 1859 and attended the public schools of the city until twelve years of age. The first money which he earned was by driving horses at the mills of Colonel Fairby, and later he worked in the mills for a short time. He was also employed on his father's farm and subsequently secured a position as a farm hand at twenty dollars per month, being thus engaged until June, 1873, when he secured a position as fireman on the Chicago & Northwestern Railway, acting in that capacity for seven years. His close application and fidelity then won him promotion to the position of engineer in 1880 and he made his first run to Belle Plaine. For four years previous to that time he had acted as fireman for Thomas Keefe on the passenger train running to Boone. In August, 18S0, he took charge of a freight train to Belle Plaine. and in 1895 was transferred to the run to Boone. In 1898 he was given charge of a passenger train, and in March. 1899, was made engineer on train No. 9, the fastest schedule train in the world. He has been very successful, never meeting with an accident in all his railway service.
In 1879 Mr. Howes was married to Emma L. Bedford, who was born in Minersville, Pennsylvania, in 1856. Her parents are now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Howes now have one daughter, Mary F., who was born in 1881. and was graduated in the Clinton high school in June, 1901. She is now pursuing a special course in music. The family have a pleasant home in Clinton. Mr. Howes purchased a residence in 1885, but afterward sold it and has since erected a modern home with all the latest equipments and accessories. The Howes household is noted for its hospitality, and the members of the family occupy an enviable social position. Mr. Howes is a member of the Clinton Division, No. 125, B. L. E., with which he has been identified since 1881. He also belongs to Emulation Lodge, No. 205, F. & A. M., and his wife belongs lo the G. I. A., auxiliary of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers. He contributes to the support of church work, and as a citizen is interested in everything pertaining' to the general welfare. His financial success in life is due to his industry and indefatigable labor.
"The Biographical Record of Clinton County, Iowa", published 1901
transcribed by Karen Seeman
Philip Howes
The subject of this sketch is a well-known citizen of Clinton, who first made his appearance here in 1859 as an engineer on the Chicago. Iowa & Nebraska Railroad, now the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad, but for several years past has devoted his time and attention to fruit culture. He was born in Bristol, England, March 2, 1830, a son of Richard Howes, but as his parents died when he was very young, he was reared by William Lewis, a Scotchman, with whom lie came to America in 1836, locating in Minersville, Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, where he grew to manhood and was educated. During his youth he worked in the coal mines of that locality. In 1849 he went west to Indianapolis. Indiana, and accepted a position as fireman on the Madison & Indianapolis Railroad.
Returning to his old home in Minersville, Pennsylvania, Mr. Howes was married, March 2, 1852, to Miss Esther Waters, whose affections he had won before going to Indiana. They have now traveled life's journey together for almost half a century, sharing its joys, and sorrows, its adversity and prosperity. Unto them were born the following children: Philip M., who died in infancy: Edward M.; Archie F.; Thomas R.; William Henry; Philip L.; George W.; Richard N.; Benjaimin [sic]L.; Sarah M., deceased;: Elizabeth M.; Esther S.; and John L.
The year of his marriage Mr. Howes went to Chicago, and after firing for a time he was promoted to engineer on the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, running between Chicago and Aurora. He first had charge of the noted old engine, Rocket, whose history every railroad man knows. As previously stated, he came to Clinton in 1859, and continued in the service of the Chicago & Northwestern Railway as engineer until June, 1872, when he gave up his railroad life. In 1865 he and William Coons, now deceased, purchased one hundred and twenty acres of land, and a few years later he erected thereon the house which has since been his home. After leaving the road he turned his attention to gardening and the raising of small fruits, and still owns twenty and a half acres devoted to that purpose. He has made all the improvements upon the land and at one time had one of the finest fruit farms in the county, his nurseries and gardens being located at the corner of Camanche avenue and Howes street. He formerly raised an excellent variety of berries and grapes, which were noted for their quality and flavor, and also made a specialty of asparagus; and pieplant. On coming to Clinton he built a residence on Twelfth avenue, which he subsequently sold. Although he has reared a large family, he has been able to accumulate a good property, being industrious, enterprising and persevering, and eminently deserves classification among the purely self-made men of the city. In politics he has always been a Republican, and although he has never sought office, he has been called upon to serve his fellow citizens as a member of the school board, city trustee and alderman, the duties of which offices he most capably discharged. In his religious views he is liberal, while his wife holds membership in the Methodist Episcopal church.
"The Biographical Record of Clinton County, Iowa", published 1901
transcribed by Karen Seeman
William Lake
After a very busy and useful life, in which he has won for himself a comfortable competence and an honored name. William Lake is now living retired in the city of Clinton. He is a native of England, born in Trelluck, Monmouthshire, July 30, 1826, and is a son of John and Flora Margaret (Pontifex) Lake, who spent their entire lives in that country, where the former died at the age of sixty-one, the latter at the age of sixty-seven. By occupation the father was a grocer and farmer.
Our subject, who is one of a family of six children, was reared and educated in his native land, and was twenty-two years of age when he crossed the ocean and took up his residence in Elgin, Illinois, where he was first engaged in farming, and then accepted the position of fireman on the Fox River Railroad with John Smith as engineer on the Galena - an engine which was made at the Norris Iron Works in Philadelphia.
On the 9th of March, 1857, Mr. Lake came to Clinton, Iowa, as engineer on the construction train, building the Chicago, Iowa & Nebraska Railroad, now the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad. A year and a half later he went south to Memphis, Tennessee, where, under General Joseph E. Johnson, he assisted in sun-eying for fortifications preparatory for the Civil war, and remained there about a year. He then returned to Clinton, and with Darwin Parsons built a flouring mill near the site of the present Farmer's Mill, it being the second mill erected l»ere, but a year later he sold his interest in the enterprise to Chancy Lamb and entered the railroad shops as a mechanic, being thus employed for five years. During the following year he was employed as engineer on the steam ferry boats carrying cars across the river.
Mr. Lake next went to Chattanooga, Tennessee, and entered the employ of the government as an engineer and mechanic, and while there had charge of rebuilding the engine "General," under General Sherman, who had captured it from the Rebels. This engine had quite a history and figured in one of the most exciting episodes of the Civil war. Captain Foster, a Union scout, together with eighty men, were one hundred miles inside the rebel lines, dressed in civilian clothes, and one day arrived at Big Shanty, a station on the Chattanooga & Atlanta road, and while the passengers and crew of a waiting train, 10 which was attached the engine "General," were eating breakfast, Captain Foster and his men made a dash, captured the train and started for the Union lines. The train crew came out, got a handcar and followed it about five miles, when they got a construction train, took on some rebel soldiers and gave chase, and when within a few miles of the Union lines they overhauled Captain Foster, and in an engagement shot most of his men, captured Captain Foster and sixteen men, took them back to headquarters, where they were all hung as spies.
At the close of the war Mr. Lake returned to Clinton and again entered the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad shops as a mechanic, remaining there until 1871, when he took up the study of law under E. C. Foster and was admitted to the bar the following year. For several years he was successfully engaged in the practice of his chosen profession, but of later years has devoted his attention principally to dealing in grain and stock as a speculator, and in this he has also prospered. He has built his own and several other residences in the city, some of which he has sold, and in 1894 he also erected a fine double residence.
Mr. Lake was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Meredith, also a native of Monmouthshire, England, and a daughter of James and Paulina Meredith. She died in 1897, at the age of seventy-three years. Eight children were born to this union, but five died in infancy, the others being William, an engineer on the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad; John, deceased; and Eleanor Elizabeth.
Mr. Lake has twice visited his native land, the first time in 1867, when his mother was still living, though his father was dead, and again in 1871. He is a member of the Baptist church and a thirty-second-degree Mason, belonging to all of the Masonic bodies, including the blue lodge, chapter, commandery, Mystic Shrine and consistory. The Republican party has always found in him a stanch supporter of its principles, and his fellow citizens, recognizing his worth and ability, have called upon him to fill several political positions of honor and trust. While engaged in the practice of law he has served for seven years as justice of the peace, and he has also been a member of the city council four years and county supervisor six years. In 1880 he was elected to the legislature and most ably represented his district in that body, serving as a member of several important committees.
"The Biographical Record of Clinton County, Iowa", published 1901
transcribed by Karen Seeman
Artemus Lamb
No family name has been more closely connected with the history of Clinton in any period of its growth and development than that of Lamb and the important part which Artemus Lamb had in the business and social life and in all that contributed to the welfare of the community makes his record an integral part of the annals of the city. He was born in Bradford, Steuben county, New York, September 11, 1840, and represented an old and prominent Not England family, tracing his ancestry in direct line back to Thomas Lamb, who came from England to the new world in company with Governor Winthrop in 1630. On the maternal side he was descended from the French Huguenots who settled in Ulster county, New York, before the Revolutionary war. His parents were Chancy and Jane (Bevier) Lamb, the former the founder of the great lumber business which has since been carried on and which has grown to be one of the most important industries in eastern Iowa. Three children of their family still survive and are residents of Clinton: Lafayette, Mrs. Augusta Ware and Mrs. W. E. Young.
During his early boyhood Artemus Lamb was taken by his parents to Carroll county, Illinois, and his youth was there passed on a farm until sixteen years of age. In 1856 his father began the manufacture of lumber in Clinton. low a. a business with which he was familiar, for prior to this time he had spent several years in the conduct of a sawmill in New York and Pennsylvania. Artemus began to assist his father in the new enterprise, the family removing to Clinton, where our subject made his home up to the time of his death. The business steadily grew in volume and importance. It was the era of the wonderful development of the lumber industry in the Mississippi valley and the enterprise established by Chancy Lamb kept pace with the general progress. The son mastered the business both in principle and detail, and more and more the management of the great enterprise devolved upon him. In 1865 his father admitted him to a partnership in the business, and another change occurred in the firm when, in 1873, the younger brother, Lafayette Lamb, also became a partner. Five years afterward the business was incorporated under the style of C. Lamb & Sons, which name has since been retained, although the founder passed away in July, 1897. After the incorporation Artemus Lamb had a growing responsibility in the management of the business of the house, and at his father's death became the senior member and executive officer of the company, although his office as that of secretary and treasurer.
The growth of the business of C. Lamb & Sons as well as the magnitude and diversity of Mr. Lamb's interests may be understood from the following list of official positions held by him. Aside from his office in the company of C. Lamb & Sons, he was president of the Shell Lake Lumber Company, of Shell Lake, Wisconsin; vice-president of the Mississippi River Lumber Company Minneapolis, Minnesota; vice-president of the Mississippi River Logging Company of Chippewa Falls; director in the Chippewa Lumber & Boom Company, of Chippewa Falls; also the White River Lumber Company, of Mason, Wisconsin; the Weyerhauser Timber Company, of Washington; the Coast Lumber Company, of St. Paul, Minnesota; and Fish Brothers Wagon Company, of Clinton, Iowa; president of the Crescent Spring Railroad Company, of Wisconsin; president of the People's Trust & Savings Bank, of Clinton; president of the Lumbermen's Bank, of Shell Lake, Wisconsin ; director in the City National Bank, of Clinton; president of the Iowa Packing & Provision Company, of Clinton; secretary and treasurer of the Clinton Gas Light & Coke Company, of Clinton; and trustee of the Agatha Hospital, of Clinton. He was also a stockholder in the Northern Lumber Company, of Cloquet, Minnesota; the Musser-Sauntry Land, Lumber & Manufacturing Company, of Stillwater, Minnesota; and the Superior Logging & Lumber Company, of Stillwater. With his brother, Lafayette Lamb, he was a large holder of sugar pine in the Yosemite valley, of California. He was one of the founders of the Tri-City Telephone Company, of Clinton; was largely interested in smelting and mining in Georgia, and had large interests in zinc mines in Arkansas and gold mines in Colorado. In commenting upon his death, a local paper said: "As the stately pines fell before the choppers, so fell his giant frame before the great reaper, and the strong, active leader of men in finances, in days gone by a leader in physical effort, is no more, and yet with Dryden he could say to Fate, 'Tomorrow do thy worst for I have lived to-day." And in the present he lived - active, earnest, progressive, full of ambition, ready for a multitude of duties, which were performed with earnestness until he filled the place among his fellow men of a leader, and kindred interests to the business to which he gave so much of his thought and energy looked to him to think out, experiment on and prove that which was best, most progressive, most profit-producing in the methods of handling the raw material or investing the profits to bring the greatest returns with the minimum risk. From the day he entered the firm to the day of the injury which terminated his life he knew no rest, no surcease from effort. It was work, work, all the time: planning here, directing there; ordering here, receiving reports there, for his mind had been so schooled, his habits had been so formed that he would not delegate this duty or that idea to another to execute, but must assist those who were given the charge to perform; counsel with them, help them, and when a man was found in the yards with a timber too heavy to lift, and he was there, it was not his habit to call another workman and stand by and see them place the timber where it belonged, but rather to bend his great strength to the task and thus lighten the load, then with a careless brush of his hands to remove the splinters of the pine that clung to them he would go to the office and the finance man, the bookkeeper or accountant would be assisted over some knotty problem as readily and as quickly." Kindness, amiability and courtesy not only characterized his social relations but were a marked feature of his business life, and the humble employe never saw a trace of the overbearing taskmaster in him.
In Clinton, on the 11th of October, 1865, Artemus Lamb married Miss Henrietta Sabrina Smith, who was born in Perry county, Ohio, April 16, 1845. They became the parents of five children, all of whom are living except Burt, who died January 29, 1898. The living are Emma Rema, wife of Marvin J. Gates; Garret Eugene, who wedded Gertrude May Ellis; James Dwight, who married Mollie Valeria Ankeny; Clara Augusta, wife of Russell B. McCoy; and Burt Lafayette, who married Grace Olds.
Mr. Lamb was one of the early members of Emulation Lodge, No. 255, A. F. & A. M. He was a member of Clinton Chapter, and for many years was recorder of Holy Cross Commandery, and a number of years was commander-in-chief of De Molay Consistory of Clinton. He passed through the Scottish Rite bodies, and received the honorary thirty-third degree. He was a member of the Iowa Society of the Sons of the Revolution.
Mr. Lamb probably did more for the improvement and progress of Clinton than any other one man. His extensive business interests were of the greatest benefit to the city, giving employment to hundreds of workmen, and thus adding to the general prosperity, but along other lines he also contributed to the general welfare, giving generously and freely to all measures which he believed would prove of public good. In his earlier years he was foremost in every movement among the young men of the city instituted in behalf of Clinton, and as late as from 1874 until 1879 he was in charge of the fire department when to be a fireman meant to be ready to fight fire with crude assistance of water works apparatus, and to have charge of a volunteer department was Iv be clothed with more power at a fire than a general on the battlefield. Yet so capably did he discharge his duties that he was retained in that office for five years, and to the earnestness of his effort is largely due the fact that the city now has a splendid paid fire department. He served as a member in the city council and exercised his official prerogatives in support of every measure which he believed would prove of benefit to the city. Though inheriting wealth, he was extremely democratic in his manner, and it was a source of great pleasure to him when his fellow townsmen addressed him as Art. Lamb, for he felt that it was a mark of good comradeship. He was one of the people - his wealth did not place him above his fellow men, and he felt with Burns that "A man's a man for a' that." He was indeed quick to recognize and appreciate character and worth, regarding not its outward environments. He belonged to that class who shed around them much of the sunshine of life. The poor found in him not only a benefactor, but a friend, and he ever had a hand down-reaching to assist those less fortunate than himself. His genial ways, wide experience, careful observance of the habits and customs of others made him at ease in the mansion, in the ball room and at the banquet board, but he was happiest among the common people, in fact, there were no common people for him - all people were of one class, and by him were judged only as to character, and in that he had great sympathy and charity, while in his own life adhering closely to the highest ideals. At length the heavy burdens of business life told upon his once robust constitution, and feeling that he needed rest and relaxation he started for California in January, 1901, there to join his wife and other members of the family. The train on which he was a passenger was wrecked and he sustained injuries. As soon as possible he was taken on to California, and for a time he rallied, but finally succumbed to his injuries and the complication they entailed, passing away at Coronado Beach, California, April 23, 1901. No man in Clinton was ever more respected, and no man ever more fully enjoyed the confidence of the people or more deserved such respect and confidence. Perhaps the feeling prevalent in his home city when the news of his death was received is best indicated by the following telegram which was sent to Mrs. Lamb:
"Our city is hushed and silent. The flag at half mast on the city hall announced to our people the death of their friend and fellow citizen, Mr. Artemus Lamb. We all mourn with you in your great bereavement.
"G. D. McDaid, Mayor."
Thus was ended the life record of one of whom it may justly be said: "His life was noble and the elements so mixed in him that nature might stand up and say to all the world, 'This was a man.’"
"The Biographical Record of Clinton County, Iowa", published 1901
transcribed by Karen Seeman
Chancy Lamb
Honored and respected by all, there was no one in Clinton county who occupied a more enviable position in commercial and financial circles than Chancy Lamb, not alone on account of the brilliant success he achieved, but also on account of the honorable straightforward business policy he ever followed. Integrity, activity and energy were the crowning points of his success, and his connection with various business enterprises and industries were of decided advantage to his section of the state, promoting its material welfare in no uncertain manner.
Mr. Lamb was born in Ticonderoga, Essex county, New York, January 4, 1816, and was a son of Alpheus and Maria (Bailey) Lamb, natives of Connecticut and New York, respectively. On his father's farm he passed his boyhood youth, and received his education in the schools of the neighborhood, which he attended until fourteen years of age, when he commenced his sawmill career. He early had a desire to try his fortune in the great west, and in June, 1844, with his wife and family, removed to Illinois and located in York, Carroll county. As they were also desirous of identifying themselves with the west his parents accompanied him on the journey. Their children were Merrette N., Emily, Lucy, Garrett and Chancy.
On taking up his residence in Illinois, our subject's cash capital consisted of twenty-five cents. He pre-empted a tract of land and rented an adjoining place which had been somewhat improved, and as a farmer he began his business career. Not being entirely satisfied with results he returned to New York at the end of seven years, and was there employed on a salary to manage a lumber business, working by the day or year, and occasionally taking contracts to saw lumber by the thousand feet.
In the meantime Mr. Lamb has retained possession of the two hundred and eighty acres of land which he had purchased in Illinois. Hearing glowing accounts of the state of Iowa, he resolved to give the west another trial with the hope of bettering his financial condition and establishing a permanent location. With this end in view he came to Clinton in 1856 and started in business with a capital of less than three thousand dollars. Purchasing an old sawmill which stood on the bank of the Mississippi river where the railroad bridge now crosses it, he put it in running order and had begun business with a fair prospect of success when the building was destroyed by fire in 1858. With characteristic energy, however, he at once re-built what was known as mill B, but that was also burned October 14, 1876. In 1868 he built the stone mill which was designated as mill A, and also purchased and remodeled a mill at Chancy, afterward known as mill D, which was also destroyed by fire January 4, 1877, but with the same persistency as before Mr. Lamb caused its reconstruction, and also acquired what is known as mill C, just below it on the Mississippi river. Two years later, May 22, 1879, he lost, by the ravages of the same element, a fine brick office, a large amount of lumber and several dwelling houses and barns. Nothing daunted, however, he continued business here uninterruptedly up to the time of his death, and his labors were at length crowned with success. He had large interests in various mills at Eau Claire, Chippewa Falls, Barronett, Shell Lake and White River, Wisconsin. It is estimated that his loss by fire alone in early years aggregated three hundred thousand dollars. In addition to his extensive milling transactions Mr. Lamb was largely interested in pine lands, which was a source of supply for their mills. He was also a stockholder and director of the Clinton National Bank; was president of the Clinton Water Works Company, and interested in the gas company. He did much toward building up the city of his adoption, and in Clinton alone gave employment to over nine hundred men.
On the 17th of November, 1839, Mr. Lamb was united in marriage with Miss Jane Bevier, who was born in Bradford, Steuben county. New York, March 10, 1820, and was a daughter of David and Sarah (Geer) Bevier. David Bevier was born in Ulster county, New York, and his wife, Sarah Geer, in Norwich, Connecticut. On the removal of her parents to the Empire state, they settled at Bradford, then called Jersey Hollow, where the father, who was a farmer by occupation, died in 1829, and the mother in 1847. Her father served seven years during the Revolutionary war, in the Third Ulster County, New York Regiment, and also took part in the war of 1812. He was a man of great courage and bravery, and was an honored and respected citizen of the community in which he resided. His children were Mrs. Mary W. Gannon; Charles; Mrs. Elizabeth H. Switzer; William; George; Mrs. Sarah A. Whitehead; Mrs. Jane Lamb; Mrs. Phoebe Reeder. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Lamb were born four children: Artemus; Augusta, wife of Edward Ware; Lafayette; and Emma E., wife of William E. Young. The sons are both represented elsewhere in this volume.
During the Civil war Mr. Lamb was a stanch supporter of the Union cause, and was active in encouraging enlistments and in every way strengthening the arm of the government. After the battle of Fort Donelson, in company with Dr. A. L. Ankeny, he made a trip to Mound City on the Ohio river, from which place they started home with thirty-one wounded soldiers, bringing many to Clinton, where they rendered them such aid as was possible, being assisted in these Christian duties by their families until the recovery of the soldiers. At another time during the war they went to Memphis on the same humane and patriotic errand, but much to their regret succeeded in bringing home only a few soldiers at this time, circumstances preventing the transportation of a large number. Such 2cts as these can be better appreciated than described but they show the finer qualities of a noble nature of one who took great delight in aiding those in need. The Republican party always found in Mr. Lamb a stanch supporter in its principles, and he took an active interest in all enterprises which he believed calculated to advance the moral, social or material welfare of his city and county. He died July 12, 1897, and in his death the community realized that it had lost a public benefactor. His career was such as to warrant the trust and confidence of the business world, for he conducted all transactions on the strictest principles of honor and integrity, and his devotion to the public good was unquestioned, arising from a sincere interest in the welfare of his fellow men. He was a man of the times, broad-minded public-spirited and progressive, and it is but just and merited praise to say of him that as a business man he ranked among the ablest; as a citizen he was honorable, prompt and true to every engagement; and as a man he held the honor and esteem of his fellow citizens.
"The Biographical Record of Clinton County, Iowa", published 1901
transcribed by Karen Seeman
Garrett E. Lamb
G. E. Lamb, a son of Artemus Lamb, was born in Clinton November 14, 1869, and since reaching manhood has become prominently identified with the business interests of the city. He prepared for college at Clinton, and then spent two years in the literary department of the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, and then returned to his business life at Clinton. He is now president of the Peoples Trust & Savings Bank; is secretary of the C. Lamb & Sons and is also extensively engaged in mining operations in Arizona. He is a wideawake, energetic and progressive young business man, and carries forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes. It is true that he became interested in business already established, but in controlling and enlarging such enterprises many a man of even considerable resolute purpose, courage and industry would have failed; and he has demonstrated the truth of the saying; that success is not the result of genius, but the outcome of a clear judgment and experience. Fraternally he is a Scottish Rite Mason, having taken the thirty-second degree. He is a member of Emulation Lodge, of the Chapter and Commandery, De Molay Consistory, at Clinton, and El Kahir Temple of Mystic Shrine, at Cedar Rapids. He is also connected with the Elks. He married Miss Gertrude Ellis, daughter of Lyman A. Ellis.
"The Biographical Record of Clinton County, Iowa", published 1901
transcribed by Karen Seeman
James Dwight Lamb
The name of Lamb is so well known in Clinton and eastern Iowa that a representative of the eastern lumber firm of C. Lamb & Sons needs no introduction to the readers of this volume, and he who forms the subject of this review holds the responsible position of superintendent of the yard. He was born in Clinton, June 25, 1871, a son of the late Artemus Lamb, whose sketch is given above. He pursued his preliminary education in the schools of this city and later Continued his studies in Exeter, New Hampshire. In his youth he became familiar with the lumber business, spending considerable time in the yards, and since 1890 he has held his present important position with the firm of C. Lamb & Sons, and also has charge of the Chancy mills. The magnitude of the trade renders his duties no sinecure; in fact, in the successful control of the yards and mill there is demanded excellent business and executive ability, careful foresight and keen discrimination, - qualities which Mr. Lamb possesses in an adequate degree. He is a director of the People's Trust and Savings Bank, also a director of the Shell Lake Lumber Company, and president and director of the Clinton Separator and Engine Works, a new institution giving employment to forty skilled mechanics, and also otherwise a prominent factor in financial circles.
On the 5th of October, 1892, Mr. Lamb was united in marriage to Miss Mollie Ankeny, of Clinton, and they now have an interesting little daughter, Celeste. In his fraternal relations Mr. Lamb is a prominent Mason. In addition to the degrees of the blue lodge, he has taken those of the commandery and of the consistory of Clinton, and is likewise a member of the Mystic Shrine, and of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks.
"The Biographical Record of Clinton County, Iowa", published 1901
transcribed by Karen Seeman
William H. Large
William H. Large, a well-known and highly esteemed citizen of DeWitt, who has now retired from active business, was born on the 22d of May, 1856, in Boston, Massachusetts, and is a son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Rogers) Large, both natives of Ireland. The father was born in Dublin in 1821, and came of a long line of sturdy Irish ancestry. After his marriage he removed to England, and in 1844 emigrated to the new world, locating first at Boston, Massachusetts, where he engaged in the boot and shoe business for a time. In 1859 he came to Clinton county, Iowa, and opened a boot and shoe store in DeWitt, which he carried on for a time, but later turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, having purchased a farm near the village, which he operated with the help of his sons. Upon this place he built a good house and barn, and was successfully engaged in general farming and stock raising until his death, which occurred in December, 1888. His first wife died upon the farm in 1864, and he subsequently wedded Mary Gorman, who died in DeWitt. He was one of the substantial and representative agriculturists of the county, and was widely and favorably known. By his first marriage he had four children, two sons and two daughters, all of whom reached years of maturity, but the daughters are both now deceased.
William H. Large, the youngest of this family, attended the common schools of this county, and supplemented the knowledge there obtained by one term at the Davenport Business College in Davenport, but he is almost wholly self-educated. On the 13th of March, 1883. he was married in this county to Miss Mary Saddoris, a native of Davenport, Iowa. Her father, Samuel Saddoris, was born in Ohio, March 4, 1816, of good old German ancestry, and in early life became a mechanic, learning the wagonmaker's trade. In 1845', he removed to Davenport, Iowa, where he successfully engaged in business as a public contractor and invested considerable in real estate. After residing there for eight years he came to Clinton county, and in 1865 purchased 1 farm near DeWitt, to which he has since added from time to time until now he is the owner of a large and valuable farm. Here Mrs. Large was principally reared. Unto our subject and his wife were born five children, of whom Samuel, the only son, died in infancy. Those living are Clara, Amy. Florence and Helen, all attending the home school.
Mr. and Mrs. Large began their domestic life upon the old homestead, to which he succeeded after his father's death, and in connection with farming he engaged in stock-raising, always keeping a high grade of cattle and fattening for the market from one to two carloads annually. He continual his farming operations with marked success until 1897, when he rented the place and bought a residence in DeWitt, there he has since lived retired. He still owns the old homestead in DeWitt township, which consists of two hundred and forty acres of well improved and valuable land, pleasantly located within four miles of the village of DeWitt. He is one of the original stockholders of the DeWitt Savings Bank.
Since casting his first presidential vote for James G. Blaine. Mr. Large has never failed to support each Republican candidate for that office, though at local elections he votes independent of party lines, supporting the men whom he believes best qualified for office. He has never cared for political honors, preferring to give his undivided attention to his business interests. He is a prominent member of the Odd Fellows Lodge at DeWitt, in which he has filled all the chairs and is past grand, and is also a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, while he and his wife have taken the Rebekah degrees in the former order. He takes a deep interest in public affairs and the good of the community in which he resides, and does all in his power to advance its interests.
"The Biographical Record of Clinton County, Iowa", published 1901
transcribed by Karen Seeman
Thomas R. Lea
Thomas R. Lea, who for thirty-three years has been a resident of Clinton, was born in Birmingham, England, December ir. 1858. and is a son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Morton) Lea. both natives of England. The family came to America in 1868 and settled in Clinton, Iowa, where the father followed milling until his death, which occurred in the fall of 1899, when he was seventy-six years of age. His wife died while on a visit to the scenes of her early childhood in England. They were the parents of the following four children: William H.. who is working in a mill in Clinton; Thomas R.. the subject of this sketch; Fred, a farmer living in Bellevue. Nebraska; Fred, Morton, an engineer on the Chicago & Northwestern Railway and a resident of Chicago. These children all received their education in the schools of Clinton.
In 1880 our subject, upon leaving school, went to work for the railroad company as brakeman, and this position he filled with credit for eighteen months. He was fireman on an engine for about five years and was then promoted to engineer. He made his first trip in that capacity September 17, 1887, and since that time has been running fast freights and extra passenger trains between Clinton and Boone. His number as an employe of the railway company is 106.
In 1881 Mr. Lea was united in marriage with Miss Georgia Cone, who is a native of this county, born in 1862, and daughter of Frederick and Emma (Roberts) Cone. The parents of the latter came to Clinton county in 1838 and entered land from the government and became quite wealthy. The year of their emigration to this state was one in which many Indians were passing back and forth through his district, and the Roberts homestead was many times their stopping place. Mrs. Cone was born in 1841, the second white child born in this county, in a house at the end of Fifth avenue, and is still living. Mr. Cone was a native of Connecticut, and before coming to Iowa lived for a time in Ohio. Mr. Cone passed away in 1894, mourned by all who knew him and leaving his wife and children. Besides his wife, Mr. Cone left surviving him the following five children: Mrs. Sadie Pierson, a resident of Clinton: Mrs. Lea, wife of our subject : Charles, a conductor on the Chicago & Northwestern Railway, running between Chicago and Clinton; Carl, manager of a machine shop in Clinton: and Minnie, who lives with Mr. Lea, and is a stenographer in the People's Bank. To Mr. and Mrs. Lea have been born two children: Fred C., born in 1883, who took a thorough business course in Clinton College; and Mabel E., born in 1886, who is attending high school.
In 1894 Mr. Lea purchased the old Cone homestead, which is finely situated in the town of Clinton and has every modern convenience He has held the position of engineer on the Northwestern Railway for many years, and by his ability and faithfulness to duty has won for himself a high place in the estimation of his employers. He is a member of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, Division No. 125.
"The Biographical Record of Clinton County, Iowa", published 1901
transcribed by Karen Seeman
Paul Lubbers
Prominent among the successful business men of Clinton b the well-known insurance and real estate dealer, who for some years has taken a very active and prominent part in public affairs. He was born in Lyons, March 5, 1858, and is a son of John Lubbers, one of the early settlers of this county. The father is a native of Bremen, Germany, and a son of Edward Lubbers, who spent his entire life in that country. At the age of fifteen years John Lubbers went to sea as a sailor, and was serving as second lieutenant in the German navy during the war of 1848, when he was captured by the Danes and held a prisoner for three months. He then managed to escape and came to America, locating at Sandusky, Ohio, in 1850, where he bought a farm and engaged in agricultural pursuits for some years. Before taking up his residence there, however, he made a trip to California. In 1854 he came to Clinton county, Iowa, and erected the hotel at Lyons, now known as the Dressen Hotel. This he conducted until 1861, when he enlisted as captain of Company E, Twenty-sixth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, of which he was later made lieutenant colonel and served throughout the war. After his return home he carried on the hotel for a time and then he traded it for an improved farm, which he operated until his death. He was a Democrat in politics and served as assessor and in other minor offices. He died in 1885, at the age of sixty-six years, honored and respected by all who knew him. In early manhood he married Miss Johanna Fuhrmann, a native of Schleswig. Germany, and to them were born nine children, but all died in infancy with exception of Paul and Hattie. The wife and mother now makes her home in Clinton, but the old home farm is still in possession of the family.
Paul Lubbers was educated in the public and high schools of this county, and engaged in farming until he attained his majority. He was then employed as clerk and bookkeeper in Lyons until 1881 and in Clinton for the following five years. In 1886 he was appointed deputy treasurer of the county under Mr. Lund, and after filling that office for four years he was employed as bookkeeper in the City National Bank of Clinton for two years. At the end of that time he was elected in 1891 county treasurer, and served in that capacity for tight years with credit to himself and to the entire satisfaction of the general public. In 1893 he became a member of the firm of J. O. Jeffries & Company, insurance and real estate dealers, who are now doing a very large and important business. In 1885 Mr. Lubbers was united in marriage with Miss Lena Hanson, a daughter of John Hanson, of Lyons, who was formerly a farmer of this county. Of the four children born to this union, three died in infancy, and Alber is now attending school in Clinton.
In his social relations Mr. Lubbers is an honored member of Western Star Lodge, No. 100, A. F. & A. M., and Walhalla Lodge, No. 150, I. O. O. F., of which he is past grand, and the Encampment. No. 20. He is also a member of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and the Knights of Pythias fraternities, and is captain of the uniformed rank of the last named order. He is widely and favorably know throughout the county, and is quite popular both in business and social circles.
"The Biographical Record of Clinton County, Iowa", published 1901
transcribed by Karen Seeman
Wiliam G. MacNicoll
Wiliam G. MacNicoll, the present efficient foreman of the Curtis Brothers & Company mill at Clinton, was born in Glamous, Forfarshire, Scotland, February 23, 1872, a son of James and Mary (Greenhill) MacNicoll. By trade the father was a shoemaker. In the family were eleven children, four of whom now live in America, namely: Joseph, a carpenter, of New York City; John, a gardener on Long Island; Helen, wife of Robert Simms, of Morristown, New Jersey; and William G., our subject. One son, who is a blacksmith by trade, is now in South Africa, and the others are still living in Scotland.
The subject of this sketch was educated in the common schools of his native land, and there learned the trade of stair-builder. When a lad of sixteen years he came to the new world with friends, and on landing on American soil proceeded at once to Clinton, Iowa. Having friends living here, it was not long before he became well acquainted, and he soon secured employment in the mill of Curtis Brothers & Company. He has rapidly worked his way upward, advancing step by step over many men who have been in their employ for a number of years, until he now holds the very responsible, position of foreman of the mill, having under his supervision about eight experienced men. He was appointed to that position on the 1st of January, 1901. Feeling the need of a better education than he had previously received, Mr. MacNicoll has attended night school since coming to Clinton, and is practically a self-educated as well as a self-made man.
In 1895 was celebrated his marriage with Miss Mabel Gamble, a daughter of John H. Gamble, whose sketch precedes this. She was born in Boone, Iowa,, in 1872, and attended the public schools of that city. Unto our subject and his wife were born two children: Bamlet E., who died in infancy; and Madge Lorine, born May 18, 1897. Mr. MacNicoll has made his home in Clinton since the fall of 1888, and during this time has gained the confidence and respect of all with whom he has come in contact. He is a member of the Orient, a social order; Robin Hood Camp, M. W. A.; and the Wood Worker's Union, No. 92, of Clinton. He was a charter member of the last named order and has served as its president.
"The Biographical Record of Clinton County, Iowa", published 1901
transcribed by Karen Seeman
There is no profession in which its members are brought into closer relations with the people than the medical, and the old family physician is honored wherever he may be. Clinton county is well represented by physicians and surgeons that are an honor to the profession, and none stand higher in the estimation of its citizens than Dr. William MacQuigg, who has been a resident of the county since June 4, 1852, and is the oldest physician, in point of practice, now living within its borders. In the forty-nine years that have passed what changes has he witnessed in the development of the county of his adoption, and of the grand state of which it forms a part?
Dr. MacQuigg was born in the city of Philadelphia, May 14, 1828, and is the son of James and Margaret (Dunlap) MacQuigg, both of whom were natives of Scotland, born near the city of Edinburg. In early life they came to the United States and located in Pennsylvania, which remained their home for some years, and from which state they removed to Muskingum county, Ohio, in 1842. They reared a family of five children, and continued to make Ohio their home until called to their reward. In the city of his birth the Doctor received his primary education, and in the schools of Ohio he finished his course and laid the foundation for the well stored mind developed by intercourse with his fellow man. Before attaining his majority he began reading medicine under the instruction of Dr. McMillan, of Newark, Ohio, in whose office he continued until the fall of 1850, when he attended a course of lectures in the Medical College at Cleveland, Ohio. While he did not then graduate from the medical institution, he commenced the practice of his profession, and in June, 1852, came to Iowa and located in Camanche, then the most important town in Clinton county. At that time the site of the present city of Clinton was a cornfield, while Lyons was but a village of one hundred and fifty inhabitants. Commencing practice here, the Doctor soon had calls from all parts of the county, and for twenty miles around he was in constant demand at the bedside of the sick or in consultation with other physicians. While his experience was beneficial, and the practical knowledge obtained was very great, he felt that it would be better for him if he should finish his course of lectures, graduate and receive the approval of his alma mater. Accordingly he returned to Cleveland, and in the class of 1860 was graduated from the Cleveland Medical College. Receiving his diploma, he again took up his residence in Camanche and was actively engaged in practice until 1862, when he was commissioned assistant surgeon of the Twenty-sixth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and with the regiment went to the front and for a year and a half served in that capacity, being then compelled to resign on account of ill health.
On the acceptance of his resignation Dr. MacQuigg returned to Camanche, where he resumed his general practice and remained until 1866, when he removed to the city of Lyons, which has since been his permanent home. His reputation as a skillful physician and surgeon being well known in that city, it was not long before calls were numerous, and for about a third of a century he was actively engaged in office and general practice with gratifying success. For the past three years he has endeavored to quietly retire from the field, but many of his old patients will not let him yield to his desire and will continue to visit him at his office and call for him in extreme cases.
Dr. MacQuigg has been twice married, his first union being with Miss Mary Jane Scripture, a native of New York, and after her death he was married, in 1884, to Miss Anna Aultman, a native of Pennsylvania. They reside in a beautiful residence in the city of Clinton, on a fine elevation, overlooking the Mississippi river, and there the Doctor delights to entertain his friends and talk with them over old times when Iowa was a new state, its inhabitants being few and widely scattered, and then to contrast it with the present, when it ranks as one of the greatest states in the Union, with less illiteracy than any other state. Dr. MacQuigg is one of the most prominent Masons of the state of Iowa, and has attained the thirty-second degree, being a member of DeMolay Consistory, No. 1, of Lyons. Few men are better posted in the work of the order, and none stand higher in its councils. He has now been identified with it for forty-six years, having first united with the blue lodge at Camanche in 1855.
When Dr. MacQuigg first located in Clinton county it was almost a wilderness, there being but few roads, and over its trackless prairies he rode day and night at the call of the distressed. In its improvement and development he has taken no mean part, his best efforts, however, being given to his profession, and as he looks back he can see how the changes were gradually brought about, and how thriving cities and villages have sprung up, and almost every acre of its fertile soil under cultivation. The noble profession of which he is an honored member has made advancements of which the world never dreamed, and in the onward movement the Doctor has kept step, while never ignoring the experiences of the past. Honored by his professional brethren, and held in the highest esteem by his fellow citizens, he can look back upon a life well spent and with the proud satisfaction of knowing that he has done well his part and that he has the confidence of those with whom he has been so long association.
"The Biographical Record of Clinton County, Iowa", published 1901
transcribed by Karen Seeman
Arthur R. Olney
Prominent among the successful and enterprising business men of Clinton, Iowa, is numbered the senior member of the well-known corporation of OIney & McDaid, wholesale druggists of that city. He is a worthy representative of an old and honored New England family, being able to trace his ancestry back to Thomas Olney, who was born in Hertford, Hertfordshire, England, in i Coo. and in 1635 came to the new world on the vessel Planter, landing at Salem, Massachusetts. A year later he was appointed surveyor of Jeffry Creek, now Manchester, near Salem, and was made a freeman the same year. He became one of the followers of Roger Williams, and when they were exclude from the Massachusetts colony he visited Narragansett bay with Williams while seeking a location. They finally decided to locate on the west bank of the See Konk river, where with eleven others they formed a new settlement, purchasing the land from the Indians. This was the site of the present city of Providence. In 1638 Mr. Olney was chosen treasurer of the town, and in 1655 was chosen a judge of the justice court with Roger Williams and Thomas Harris. His name also appears among the grantees of the Royal Charter of Charles II in 1663. He was one of the founders of the Baptist church in the colonies and was active in its ministry. He was buried on North Main street, a short distance south of the state house at Springfield, Massachusetts. He had died in 1682.
Arthur R. Olney, of this review, is of the ninth generation in direct descent from Thomas Olney. He was born in Girard, Branch county, Michigan, August 11, 1846, and is a son of Daniel T. and Adelia (Ames) Olney, the former a native of Saratoga, New York, the latter of Vermont. The mother was a descendant of William Ames, who was born in Somersetshire, England, in 1605, and on coming to America located in Braintree, Massachusetts, where he died in 1654. It was prior to 1641 that he emigrated to this country, in company with his brother John. The parents of our subject were married in Michigan in 1843, their respective families being pioneers of that state, in 1848 they removed to Illinois and settled in Belvidere, where Daniel T. Olney spent he remainder of his life, dying there in 1898. He was a capitalist and also did a private banking business. He also did considerable legal work, although he was not a practicing attorney. His widow is still a resident of Belvidere. In their family were three children. Marietta, wife of John L. Witbeck, of Belvidere; Arthur R., our subject; and Clara, wife of Rev. J. P. Philips, also of Belvidere.
Mr. Olney, whose name introduces this sketch, was educated in the public schools of Belvidere, Illinois, and when twenty years of age began his business career as clerk in a bank at that place, which position he held one year. The following year he was bookkeeper in a dry-goods store in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, and then spent one year in Chicago at the same occupation. In 1869 he came to Clinton, Iowa, and after serving as bookkeeper in a saddlery hardware establishment for one year he embarked in the retail drug business. Since 1880, however, he has conducted a wholesale drug house, at first as a member of the firm of Olney & McMahon, which shortly afterward was succeeded by the present firm. The firm was incorporated in 1891 with a paid-up capital of one hundred and fifty thousand dollars, Mr. Olney being its president. In 1892 they erected a fine modem pressed-brick block, 113-117 Fifth avenue, occupying four floors, fifty by one hundred and forty feet, together with a warehouse extending back to Sixth avenue. The building was erected from their own plans exclusively for their trade, and is one of the model drug houses of the west. They have seven men on the road and are doing a large and increasing business, besides giving employment at the store to twenty-three people. The Fish Brothers' Manufacturing company is also one of the urge and growing concerns of the city, giving employment to one hundred and twenty-five persons, and they distribute about ten thousand-wagons yearly. Mr. Olney is president of the company. Mr. Olney was also one of the organizers and is now president of the Clinton Industrial Improvement Company; has been a director of the Merchants' National Bank since its organization. He is a man of excellent business and executive ability, whose sound judgment, unflagging enterprise and capable management have brought to him a well-merited success, and he now occupies an enviable position among the representative business men of his adopted city.
On the 10th of January, 1872, Mr. Olney was united in marriage with Miss Ella May, a sister of Calvin D. May, in whose sketch appears a history of the family. By this union were born two children: Florence, wife of Dr. Herbert R. Sugg, of Clinton; and Lilian, wife of Samuel G. Van Camp, of Indianapolis, Indiana. Socially, the family are prominent. Mr. Olney attends and supports the Presbyterian church, of which the family are members.
"The Biographical Record of Clinton County, Iowa", published 1901
transcribed by Karen Seeman
James Peterson
Among the wide-awake and energetic business men of Clinton is numbered James Peterson, of the firm of Peterson, Bell & Company. He has made for himself an enviable reputation in business circles, and occupies a position of no little prominence in connection with the political affairs of the city. His early home was on the other side of the Atlantic, for he was born in North Schleswig, then a part of Denmark, but now a province of Germany, October 20, 1853, a son of H. G. and M. N. Peterson, and was reared and educated in his native land.
With the hope of bettering his financial condition. Mr. Peterson came to America at the age of seventeen years, and first located in Columbus. Ohio, where he remained only a short time, however. He then removed to Sabula. Iowa, where he was first employed as a laborer on the Chicago. Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad, and then engaged in farming for a time. In 1873 he came to Clinton and entered the employ of C. Lamb & Sons, with whom he remained nineteen years, being yard superintendent for that firm for fifteen or sixteen years. In 1897 Mr. Peterson formed a partnership with Charles F. Bell, under the firm name of Peterson. Bell & Company, and embarked in the manufacture of packing boxes and crates at their present location on Franklin avenue and the tracks of the Burlington. Cedar Rapids & Northern Railroad, which property they purchased from market gardeners. Their first building was only sixty by ninety feet, but they now have a floor space of over fifteen thousand feet, and the number of men employed by them has been increased from fifteen to eighty-five, so rapidly has their business grown. It amounted to two hundred and fifty thousand dollars during the year 1900, when they shipped six hundred carloads of boxes and crates. Their goods are all sold by the carload and their patronage comes from a wide extent of territory. They sell principally to packing houses and manufacture soap boxes, crates for sewing machines, melons, etc. Their factory is equipped with all the latest improved machinery needed in their line, and they carry from one to four million feet of lumber in stock. The company was incorporated in 1896. with Mr. Peterson as president, and they have their office adjoining the factory on Franklin avenue.
Mr. Peterson was married in 1873 to Miss Catherine M. Smith, of Clinton, and to them have been born four children, namely: John C. now foreman in the box factory; Albert F., an employe of the Chicago & Northwestern Railway Company; Minnie B.; and James G.
As a Republican. Mr. Peterson takes quite an active and influential part in national, state and local politics, and always attends the county and state conventions of his party. He has always taken great interest in what is now known as the fifth ward of Clinton. When years ago that part of the city was a corporation by itself and called Riverside, he served a number of terms as alderman and also as mayor one term, and for a number of years filled the office of school director, in which capacity he was instrumental in building what is known as the Longfellow school that was erected in 1883 and is to-day one of the finest common school buildings in Clinton. It is surrounded by a beautiful lawn and shade trees, which were planted by Chancy Lamb and today stand as a monument to his memory. Mr. Peterson is at present efficiently serving as alderman of the fifth ward and as a member of the school board. Socially he is a member of the Clinton Commercial Club and a director of the same, and is also a member of the Wapsipinicon Club, the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, and the Modern Woodmen of America. He eminently deserves classification among the purely self-made men of Clinton who have distinguished themselves for their ability to master the opposing forces of life and to wrest from fate a large measure of success and an honorable name.
"The Biographical Record of Clinton County, Iowa", published 1901
transcribed by Karen Seeman
Mrs. Albert Myron Price
Georgia V. Snoddy was born on a farm in Clinton county, Iowa, Dec. 13, 1868. Her parents, Matthew Snoddy and Ellen Teskey, figured in the early struggles of the first settlers, of eastern Iowa. In 1886 she moved with her parents to Maquoketa, Iowa, where she was educated in the public schools, later taking a course in the Northern Illinois Normal College. For several years she was a successful primary teacher. She was married to Albert Myron Price, cashier of the First National Bank, De Witt, Iowa, on June 18, 1895. Besides looking after a commodious home, she takes an active part in all organizations, having for their object, public improvement, and moral and social progress. She is serving as president of Pierian Club for the second time; was first president of the Clinton County Federation of Women’s Clubs, a charter member of Chapter B G, P. E. O., also of Golden Star chapter, O. E. S., and in 1909, served as deputy grand matron. She helped organize the Twentieth Century Dames, a local organization, and was its second president. She is now chairman of the second district of the Iowa State Federation of Women Clubs, and was a member of the educational committee during the previous year. She is a trustee for the Carnegie Public Library, is an active member of the First Congregational church, and interested in all branches of church work. She has traveled extensively in the United States, Alaska and Canada. Her capable and efficient service has brought many responsible positions, which she has filled with much credit to herself, as well as to the organizations which she represented.
[The Blue book of Iowa Women, by Winona Evans Reeves, Publ. 1914, Transcribed by Dana Kraft]
John Robson
John Robson, deceased, came to Clinton county, Iowa, in 1862, and as an agriculturist was for many years prominently identified with its growth and development, but his last years were spent in retirement from active labor in the village of DeWitt where, after a useful and well-spent life, he passed away on the 31st of March, 1900, honored and respected by all who knew him.
Mr. Robson was born in Roxburyshire, Scotland, April 8, 1825, of English parentage. After his marriage his father, William Robson, removed to Scotland and reared his family in Roxburyshire. On reaching manhood our subject married Miss Isabella Rathie, a daughter of George and Margaret Rathie, who belonged to a good old Scotch family.
Mr. and Mrs. Robson continued their residence in Scotland for several years after their marriage, but in 1854, started for America in company with their two children and Mrs. Robson's father, two sisters and a niece It was a long and trying voyage of thirteen weeks, during which both of our subject's children died and also his wife's sisters, and he suffered the anguish and despair of seeing them buried at sea. At length they arrived in New York, and went up the Hudson river to Albany, in the suburbs of which city Mr. Robson engaged in gardening for eight years.
At the end of that time he came west to Iowa and joined his father-in-law, who had located in Clinton county about 1856, and through whom Mr. Robson had previously purchased a little place of forty acres in Welton township with a log house upon it. On arriving here he retained the house and made it his home for a few years while developing his farm. Later he erected a good residence, barn and other outbuildings and made many substantial improvements upon the place, which added greatly to its valuable and attractive appearance. As the years passed and he prospered in his farming operations, he added to his farm until he had two hundred acres in the home place and another farm of one hundred and sixty acres. He was a very successful and thrifty farmer and continued to engage in agricultural pursuits until 1888, when he removed to DeWitt and lived retired until his death.
There were eight children born to Mr. and Mrs. Robson, but as previously stated, two died while coming to the new world, these being Margaret, aged four years, and William, aged two. Those born in this country were George, who grew to manhood and died on the home farm at the age of twenty-four years; John, who is a well-educated man and is now engaged in business in Albany, Oregon; Fred, who died in DeWitt, Iowa, at the age of twenty-six; Samuel, a railroad man who lives in Davenport, Iowa: and James, who resides with his mother in DeWitt and oversees the operation of the farm.
Mr. Robson was a stanch Republican in politics, and two of his sons, John and Samuel, also support that party, while James is identified with the Democracy. On coming to America our subject had but little means, but he always made the best use of his opportunities, and being industrious, enterprising and ambitious, he steadily prospered, and at his death left his family in comfortable circumstances. He was well and favorably known throughout this county, and his upright, honorable course in life commended him to the confidence and respect of all with whom he came in contact either in business or social affairs. Mrs. Robson still survives her husband and continues to make her home in DeWitt, where she has a large circle of friends and acquaintances. She is a consistent and faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal church of that place, and a most estimable lady.
"The Biographical Record of Clinton County, Iowa", published 1901
transcribed by Karen Seeman
Andrew J. Smith
Andrew J. Smith is one of the enterprising and well known agriculturists of Latah county, whose estate is situated one mile north from Freese post office, and consists of one hundred and sixty acres of fertile land which is well improved and provided with modern and commodious buildings and all necessaries for a first-class farm. He was born in Rockingham county, Virginia, on January 10, 1851, his parents, John V. and Susanna (Thomas) Smith, being natives of the same county, and born on January 5, 1827 and February 9, 1829, respectively. The father was a cooper and a man of prominence in his county, being assessor for a number of terms. The mother was descended from German stock, her father, Peter Thomas, being a farmer.
The family came to Iowa in 1855, settling in Dewitt, Clinton county, where the father took a soldier's right, and then went to farming. Our subject worked on a farm and attended school until he was twenty-two years of age, when he went to Monona county and took up farming for himself. Two years later he returned to the old home and then in 1875 came to Oregon, settling in Benton county. After one year of general work, he took charge of a farmers' warehouse, and at the end of 1878, came to Latah county just in time to assist in the construction of the fortifications and stand guard.
The marriage of Mr. Smith and Miss Deborah C. Thomas was solemnized in 1879, at Walla Walla, Washington, and she died on June 3, 1888, leaving no children. Mr. Smith was married a second time, the lady becoming his bride on this occasion, being Gallic E. Johnson, daughter of James and Elizabeth (Hubbard) Johnson, and the nuptials occurred on August 18, 1889. Mr. Johnson was a soldier in the Civil war and his health was broken through the arduousness of his service. He was also a native of Arkansas. Mrs. Smith was born in Greene county, Missouri, on June 14, 1870. Her brothers and sisters are, Albert, in Kansas, and Eva, wife of B. J. Jones, county assessor of Latah county. Mr. Smith's brothers and sisters are named as follows: Rebecca, deceased; Amanda B., Isaac, Katherine, Frank, William, John, Addison, Virginia, Cornelius, Daniel, Elizabeth. To Mr. and Mrs. Smith has been born one child, Ruby M., at home.
In 1900 Mr. Smith was nominated for county commissioner but did not make a canvass. He and his wife are members of the Christian church, while in educational matters he is always zealous for good schools and strives for the same.
[An Illustrated History Of North Idaho Embracing Nez Perces, Idaho, Latah, Kootenai, Shoshone Counties, State Of Idaho, Western Historical Publishing Company, 1903, submitted by Barb Z.]
J. Alexander Smith
Prominent among the successful agriculturists of Clinton county is J. Alexander Smith, who now makes his home in DeWitt. He was born in Morgan county, Ohio, September 18, 1835, and is a worthy representative of one of the pioneer families of that state, being a grandson of John L Smith, who was one of the first settlers of Belmont county and later made his home in Morgan county.
Our subject's father, William Smith, was also a native of the Buckeye state, and spent his early life in Morgan county, where in the midst of the dense forest he cleared and improved a farm. He married Miss Sarah Beal, who was born in Harrison county, Ohio, and was a daughter of Asa Beal, also an early settler of that state, living first in Harrison and later in Morgan counties. She died in 1848 and he subsequently married again, and had children by both unions. He continued to reside in his native state until 1863, when he removed to Clinton county, Iowa, and purchased a farm in DeWitt township, where he made his home for some years, but his last days were spent in the village of DeWitt, where he passed away July 14, 1899, at the ripe old age of eighty-six years. His second wife still survives him.
Mr. Smith, of this review, who is one of the children born of the first marriage, grew to manhood in the county of his nativity and acquired his education in its common schools. He remained with his father until twenty-two years of age, and was then married in Morgan county, November 13, 1856, to Miss Ursula Mummey, also a native of that county, and a daughter of Joshua Mummey, who was a soldier in the war of 1812. By this union were born two children: Lucetta O., wife of Charles Arthur, a retired farmer of DeWitt; and George M., a business man and farmer residing in DeWitt. The latter is married and has one child living: Harold. Emery W. was accidentally killed May 31, 1901, by falling from a loaded wagon and the wheel passing over him. He was aged seven years and four months.
After his marriage Mr. Smith rented land in Morgan county, Ohio, and was engaged in farming there until June, 1863, when he came to Clinton county, Iowa. Here he also rented land for several years, but was at length able to purchase forty acres in DeWitt township, to the cultivation and improvement of which he at once turned his attention. He added to the original tract from time to time until he had a quarter section in the home place, which was pleasantly located about four miles from DeWitt. He built a pleasant residence, good barns and other outbuildings, and made many other improvements which added greatly to the value and attractive appearance of the farm. After living there for several years he bought an adjoining farm of one hundred and twenty acres, and subsequently sold his first farm and removed to DeWitt, where he owns a good home. Since then he has purchased another farm of one hundred and sixty acres two miles east of the village, and another of eighty acres, so that lie now has three fine farms aggregating three hundred and sixty acres. All of this property has been acquired through his own well directed and energetic efforts, for he came to the county in limited circumstances and has received no outside aid from any source.
Mr. Smith has taken an active part in all that tends to upbuild or advance the interests of his town or county, and never withholds his support from any enterprise for the public good. He has been a stockholder, director and one of the officials of the Agricultural Society of Clinton county for several years; is now president of the Fair Association, and was one of the promoters of the Clinton, Jackson & Scott Mutual Insurance Company, of which he has been secretary for some years. Since casting his first presidential vote for John C. Fremont in 1856, he has supported every Republican candidate for that office, but at local elections casts his ballot for the best man regardless of party lines. He has been a delegate to both state and county conventions of his party, and has been a member of the township central committee. While living on the farm he served six consecutive years as assessor; also filled the office of township trustee; and has been a member of the school board many years, serving as secretary of the township board six years and treasurer for the same length of time. His public and private duties have always been most faithfully and conscientiously performed, and he is recognized as one of the most valued and useful citizens of his community. He attends the Methodist Episcopal church, of which his wife is an earnest member, and gives to its support.
"The Biographical Record of Clinton County, Iowa", published 1901
transcribed by Karen Seeman
John Smith
Among the highly esteemed and honored citizens of Clinton is John Smith, who was the first engineer to run a train west of the Mississippi river on the old Chicago, Iowa & Nebraska Railroad, now the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad, the name of his engine being the Clinton. This was in December, 1856. His railroad career was begun previous to this time in the east.
Mr. Smith was born in Middlebury, Vermont, July 5, 1830, and is a son of Adnah and Sophronia (Jones) Smith. The father was a native of Shoreham, that state, and was a blacksmith by trade, which occupation he followed in early life and later served as sheriff of Addison county, Vermont, for nine years. He died at the age of forty-tour years, his wife at the age of seventy-six. They were the parents of four children, namely: Edwin, deceased; John, our subject; Charles, a resident of Denver, Colorado; and Sophronia, deceased.
John Smith was reared in the Green Mountain state and educated in its public schools. He was quite young when his father died, and at an early age began earning his own livelihood as a clerk. At the age of fifteen he found employment in Middlebury, Vermont, and later in Burlington, that state. Subsequently he worked as a journeyman in New York state for five years, and in 1854 went to Illinois, where he was employed as fireman on the Fox River Railroad running out of Elgin for seven months, and was then promoted to engineer, being given an engine of early make, known first as the Galena and later as the Dundee. In 1856 he came to Clinton to accept a position on the Chicago, Iowa & Nebraska Railroad. He was given a Manchester engine, which had been used for track work, being run by a master mechanic, Robert Huffman, for a few days. Our subject's first fireman was Thomas Davis, and his first regular run was from Clinton to DeWitt, making two trips a day, one with a passenger, the other with a freight train. He remained on the road, running on different lines until 1868, when, becoming tired of being on the road, he accepted the position of foreman of the round house at Clinton, which was a fine one for that day with twenty-five stalls, and remained in charge of the same until his retirement from active labor in 1892. Although he had many narrow escapes he was new injured during his entire railroad career, and is today a well-preserved man. finely built and appearing at least ten years younger than he really is.
In 1852 Mr. Smith wedded Miss Mary E. Latman, of Keeseville, Essex New York, who was born in Luzerne, Warren county, that state, and is a daughter of Ira and Besheba (Peacock) Latman. Her father was a large lumber dealer of Keeseville. Our subject and his wife have three children, namely: Laura Evelyn is now the wife of Nathaniel B. Patterson, one of Clinton's largest insurance and real estate dealers; Herbert, senior member of the firm of Smith & Oats, of Clinton, dealers in coal, cement, wood, etc., and agents for river steamers, married Minnie Fellows, and they have one child, Katherine Helen; and Charles Edwin is a traveling salesman for Curtis Brothers, of Clinton.
On coming to Clinton Mr. Smith built a small frame house in which he and his family lived until he purchased his present fine residence on Fourth avenue, which was erected by John Vosburg. He is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Legion of Honor, and is held in the highest respect by all who know him.
"The Biographical Record of Clinton County, Iowa", published 1901
transcribed by Karen Seeman
Colonel Milo Smith
More than forty-six years have passed since Colonel Smith arrived in Iowa, and he is justly numbered among her honored pioneers and leading citizens. He has been prominently identified with her business interests as a railroad builder and as a factor in the control of many enterprises which have contributed in large measure to the welfare and prosperity of the communities in which they have been located, as well as to his individual success. His is an honorable record of a conscientious man, who by his upright life has won the confidence of all with whom he has come in contact. For four score years he has traveled the journey of life, and although the snows of many winters have whitened his hair he has the vigor of a much younger man and in spirit and interest seems yet in his prime. Old age is not necessarily a synonym of weakness or inactivity. It need not suggest, as a matter of course, want of occupation or helplessness. There is an old age that is a benediction to all that comes in contact with it, that gives out of its rich stores of learning and experience and grows stronger intellectually as the years pass. Such is the life of Colonel Smith, an encouragement to his associates and an example well worthy of emulation to the young.
Milo Smith, now a resident of Clinton, was born in Shoreham township, Addison county., Vermont, January 25, 1819.a son of James Smith and a grandson of John Smith, who was a native of Massachusetts and a hatter by trade. He fought in the Revolutionary war at Bunker Hill and in consideration of his services in the war for independence received the tract of land on which our subject was born. He also bought a large tract there, took up his abode thereon, cleared the place and carried on agricultural pursuits. His death occurred when he was about eighty years of age. He married the daughter of a Revolutionary colonel, and her death occurred when she was ninety-two years of age. She was a pensioner of the go\ eminent. They battled with the Indians in their pioneer home, and wild animals were a constant menace. All of their children with one exception reached the age of eighty-five years, namely: John, James and William, twins, Samuel, Josiah, Mrs. Betsey Callender, Mrs. Sarah Callender, Mrs. Polly Chipman, Mrs. Eunice Higley.
James Smith, the father of our subject, and his brother William, obtained a grant of land and deed thereto in 1801, and later the father purchased the brother's interest, and made his home thereon throughout his remaining days. It now belongs to one of his nephews. The original house is still standing, being used as a wood-shed and cheese house. The second residence erected is a very fine one. James Smith married Sarah Cochran, of New Hampshire, and his death occurred at the age of eighty-five years, while his wife passed away at the age of eighty-six. Their children who reached mature years were: James. William, Joseph, Milo, and Eliza, the wife of Captain E. Esterbrook. The father of this family served in the war of 1812, participating in the battle of Plattsburg.
Colonel Smith, of this review, was reared upon the home farm and attended the public schools, after which he entered Newton Academy, at Shoreham, Vermont. At the age of seventeen he began teaching, and three years later went to Rochester, New York. In 1840 he made his way westward to Chicago, Illinois, and through the three succeeding winters engaged in educational work in the schools of Belvidere, Illinois, while in the summer he engaged in the operation of a farm which he had purchased while serving as county surveyor. In 1848, when the first railroad enterprise was originated west of Chicago, he accepted the contract to make the survey and run the compass line on the old Elgin State Line Railroad, known as the Galena & Chicago Union Railroad. In 1852 he was appointed chief engineer and superintendent of the Elgin State Line Railroad. In 1855 he came to Iowa and was made chief engineer and superintendent of the Chicago, Iowa A Nebraska Railroad, now the Chicago & Northwestern line. In this position his ability as a financier and his skill as an engineer were severely taxed, but stood the test splendidly. During the financial panic of 1855-6 Colonel Smith carried the company successfully through the financial crisis and to facilitate transportation and utilize the entire line already completed he built a bridge across the east half of the Mississippi river and at the same time constructed a boat transfer to convey loaded cars over the west half, thus enabling the road to continue its business with uninterrupted connection with the west. In 1852 he surveyed the Elgin State Line Railroad and completed it in 1855.
When Colonel Smith came to Clinton, in 1855, the city of Clinton did not exist and not an inhabitant was on the place and he saw the first shanty in which a meal could be served, erected in front of the present Milwaukee freight depot. He continued his work of railroad construction and has thus been largely instrumental in opening up the great section of the west for improvement, for the railroad is ever the avant courier of civilization. Through the next decade the country was aroused over the slavery question and the attitude of the south toward the Union. At length the war cloud burst, and in 1862 Mr. Smith was commissioned by Governor Kirkwood to take command of the Twenty-sixth Iowa Infantry as colonel, and thus served until February, 1865. He was twice seriously wounded, but though his injuries were quite alarming his strong constitution enabled him soon to rally and again engage in active duty. His regiment formed part of the First Division, Fifteenth Array Corps, and continued in service until the close of the war. He was with General Sherman in his movements in and around Vicksburg and Atlanta and on the memorable march to the sea. For eight months he was in command of the First Brigade of the First Division of the Fifteenth Corps and his distinguished service won high encomiums from his brother officers and the government officials. He possessed superior military ability combined with marked modesty of character. He has been prominent and foremost in all civil enterprises and equally so in military undertakings, and he led his men in many a gallant charge and action, his own bravery inspiring them to deeds of valor. "He jests at scars who never felt a wound," but to most people they are the badge of honor, the mark of courage, and those which Colonel Smith bears are certainly of this character.
Since the war the Colonel has been connected with furthering many railroad enterprises and has been an active factor in the upbuilding of Clinton, his adopted city. In his career he has manifested great energy, foresight and thoroughness of his ability to overcome obstacles is proverbial. From the moment that he becomes connected with an enterprise which before has been regarded as a chimera or at least of doubtful expediency, it takes on a practical guise, assumes the elements of good working conditions and other men then give it their support. The Colonel has always declined official preferment, although he could undoubtedly have won high honors in this regard had he so desired. He has preferred to faithfully perform his duties as a private citizen, aiding his country in other ways than through the avenue of office. Although he is now practically living retired in Clinton, he is yet financially interested in many enterprises. He has served as vice-president of the Clinton National Bank and is now a director of the City National Bank, also owns considerable property and a fine residence in Clinton, and at one time he conducted the Revere Hotel, which he still owns.
In 1887 a commission of five men were appointed by the governor to take charge of the Soldiers' Home, then being constructed at Marshalltown, Iowa. These men, unbeknown to our subject, elected him superintendent., which position he filled for five years and then resigned.
Colonel Smith was first married, in 1847, when Miss Mary J. Dodge, of Shirley, Massachusetts, became his wife. They had one child, George W. While on their way west, in 1853, as passengers on the Atlantic, the steamer collided with the propeller, Ogdensburg, and was sunk, Mrs. Smith, their only child and Mrs. Smith's sister all being drowned. In 1854 the Colonel wedded Miss Dernis E. Oatman, of Geneva, New York, who died in 1868, and in 1869 he married Mrs. Charlotte Baker, who bore the maiden name of Charlotte Caruthers, and was the widow of Colonel James Baker, who was killed at Shiloh. She was a native of Virginia. After her demise Colonel Smith married Mrs. Lucius Walker, nee Emeline Gardner, and by Mr. Walker she had three children: Gardner, Lucius and Mrs. Alice Stone.
With the old army comrades the Colonel retains pleasant relations through his membership in General N. B. Baker Post. G. A. R.. of which he served as the first commander and since that time has filled the office three times. He is emphatically a self-made man and in him is personified the genius and adaptability of America - elements that have led to the wonderful development of this land. Bold, progressive and successful in his undertakings, by his superior ability and indefatigable industry he has secured wealth and at the same time has maintained a high reputation for integrity and benevolence.
"The Biographical Record of Clinton County, Iowa", published 1901
transcribed by Karen Seeman
William H. Talbot
The prosperity of any community depends upon its business activity and the enterprise manifest in commercial circles is the foundation upon which is builded the material welfare of town, state and nation. The most important factors in public life at the present day are therefore the men who are in control of successful business interest and such a one is William H. Talbot, a prominent merchant and banker of DeWitt.
A native of Ohio, he was born in Harrison county, on the 6th of December, 1835, and belongs to a family of English origin, which was founded in Maryland at an early day. His father. Isaac Talbot, was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, in 1801, and on reaching manhood he was there married to Miss Ruth Hazlett. a native of the same county. Subsequently they removed to Harrison county, Ohio, where he was engaged in business up to the time of his death. He died in the prime of life, about 1847, aged forty-six years. His wife survived him and reared their family of three children, two having died previously.
William H. Talbot spent the first twelve years of his life in his native county, and then accompanied the family on their removal to Belmont county, Ohio, where he grew to manhood. He received his primary education in the common schools, and later attended the high school at St. Clairsville, that county. When a young man he went to Wheeling, West Virginia, where he learned the tinner's trade, which he continued to follow at that place for about five years.
Coming west in 1857, Mr. Talbot located at DeWitt. Iowa, where he first worked at his trade in the employ of others, but the following year embarked in the hardware and tin business on his own account. He began in a small way, but kept adding to his -.lock from time to time to meet the growing demands of his trade, and now carries a large and complete assortment of shelf and heavy hardware. He was one of the first stockholders of the First National Bank, which he helped to organize, and later became one of its directors. In January, 1897, he was elected president of the institution and is now filling that position in a most efficient and satisfactory manner. The bank, which is one of the most substantial financial concerns of the county, was started with a capital stock of fifty thousand dollars, and now has a surplus of twenty-five thousand. Mr. Talbot also helped organize the Farmers & Citizens Savings Bank, of which he was the first president: he also helped to organize the electric light plant, of which he is a stockholder and director.
In June, 1863, at DeWitt, Mr. Talbot was united in marriage with Miss Helen Bissell, who was born and reared in that village, being a daughter of A. R. Bissell, one of its early settlers. Her father was engaged in both farming and merchandising.
Mr. Talbot has been a life-long Republican, having supported every presidential candidate of that party since casting his first ballot for Abraham Lincoln in 1860, but he has never cared for the honors or emoluments of public office, preferring to devote his undivided attention to his business interests. However, he served as councilman in DeWitt for a time. He is a Scottish-Rite Mason, having taken the thirty-second degree in that order, and is a member of the blue lodge at DeWitt, the chapter and commandery at Clinton, and the consistory at Lyons. He has passed through all the chairs of the local lodge. For forty-four years he has been a resident of this county, and has therefore witnessed almost its entire growth and development. As a public-spirited and enterprising citizen he has materially aided in the upbuilding and improvement of DeWitt, and has been prominently identified with all enterprises tending to advance her interests or promote the prosperity of the people.
"The Biographical Record of Clinton County, Iowa", published 1901
transcribed by Karen Seeman
William Taylor
William Taylor is a leading representative of the business interests of Clinton, Iowa, being president and treasurer of the Clinton Novelty Iron Works, whose office and shop are located at 114-118 Eighth avenue. A native of New York, he was born in Albany county, March 23, 1835, and is a son of John and Susan (Shepard) Taylor, also natives of the Empire state. He was reared upon a farm and remained at home until twenty years of age, when he went to Warren, Massachusetts, and served an apprenticeship as a mechanic, thoroughly mastering the machinist's trade. He then started out as a journeyman machinist and came west, arriving in Moline, Illinois, in 1856. For some time he was in the employ of Williams & White at that place, and then, desiring to see more of the west, he went to northeastern Kansas. He visited various places and finally drifted back to Dayton, Ohio, where he worked as a mechanic in a tub and bucket manufactory and later engaged as brakeman on the Ohio & Mississippi Railroad until the Civil war broke out.
At the president's first call for troops Mr. Taylor enlisted for three months in Company H. Sixth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, which was mustered into the United States service at Indianapolis, and on the expiration of that time he re-enlisted in the Second Indiana Battery, with which he served three years, taking part in sixteen battles. He was then honorably discharged and returned to Albany, New York, where he spent one year working at his trade.
In 1865 Mr. Taylor came to Clinton, Iowa, as engineer in the W. J. Young Mills, and was superintendent of the same for twenty years. In 1894, in partnership with his brothers Lucius O. and John, he bought a tract of vacant land, which they filled in from six to eight feet, and then built thereon the Clinton Novelty Iron Works, one hundred by one hundred and forty feet in dimensions. Here they manufactured steam and gas engines and do all kinds of repair work to machines, having the most modern lathes and machinery for such purposes. They keep only the best and most skilled mechanics, and furnish employment to as many as twenty men, including general mechanics, founders and wood workers. They are also agents for the Dodge wooden pulleys. Our subject purchased his brothers' interests in the business in 1898, and has since admitted to partnership H. S. Wilson, who is now secretary of the company. They are now at the head of a large and flourishing trade, which is constantly increasing, as the work which they turn out is first class in every particular.
In 1867 Mr. Taylor married Miss Alice V. Soper, a native of Rome, New York, and a daughter of Hiram Soper, of Clinton, Iowa. She is a most estimable woman, who makes many friends, and presides with gracious dignity over their pleasant home at 327 Tenth avenue. Besides this house, Mr. Taylor also built another at 311 the same street, which he sold. Unto our subject and his wife were born four children, namely: William J., who died at the age of twenty-six years; Susie; Eva; and Belle, wife of H. S. Wilson, who is now engaged in business with our subject.
In his social relations Mr. Taylor is a member of the Grand Army Post of Clinton, and in religious views is liberal. As a business man he is straightforward and reliable, and has won success by his well-directed, energetic efforts, the prosperity that has come to him being certainly well deserved.
"The Biographical Record of Clinton County, Iowa", published 1901
transcribed by Karen Seeman
Judge Edward H. Thayer
Editor and one of the proprietors of the Clinton (Iowa) Morning Age, was born at Windham, Maine, November 27, 1832. His father, Ludo Thayer, was born in Braintree, Massachusetts, in 1796, and his mother, whose maiden name was Rhoda Penniman, was born in Windsor, Vermont, the same year. For many years he attended the district schools at Orono, state of Maine, graduating from the East Corinth Academy in 1850. That year he started for Portland. Oregon, although at that time Greeley had not given the young men that excellent advice "to buy a Hoe press and go West." At Albany he look passage on a canal boat for Buffalo, thence by lake boat to Cleveland, where he was taken sick, preventing his continuing his journey.
He remained in Cleveland three years reading law in the office of Bolton, Kelley & Griswold, attending lectures of the medical college and doing local work on the Herald and Plain Dealer, newspapers of that city. While in Cleveland, the subject of this sketch learned shorthand writing, being one of the very few persons in the country who at that time was able to report speeches verbatim. In the political campaign of 1852 he reported speeches made by Stephen A. Douglas, Lewis Cass, Horace Greeley, Sam Houston and other distinguished gentlemen. He reported the speech of General Scott which was made in that city, in which occurred the noted phases "sweet German accent" and "rich Irish brogue." He accompanied the party that escorted General Scott to the Blue Lick Springs, reporting the speeches made on the route of that celebrated chieftain. He also reported several speeches made by Louis Kossuth, the Hungarian patriot.
In the spring of 1853 Mr. Thayer was admitted to the bar, passing the very thorough examination at that time made imperative by law. his certificate authorizing him to practice his profession in all the courts of the state. In May of that year he started further West, spending a week or two in Chicago. By railroad he went to Freeport, Illinois, thence by stage to Savannah, and down the river by boat to Muscatine, Iowa, where he commenced the practice of law. In 1854 he was elected county attorney on the Democratic ticket. In 1856 he was elected county judge of Muscatine county, and re-elected in 1858. both times as a Democrat. In 1858 he married Miss Delia E. Payne, of Westport, New York, who during their 43 years of married life has been his most valuable helpmate. The fruits of this marriage were three daughters, all now residing in Clinton. In 1860 he was elected by the Democratic state convention as a delegate to the Charleston convention, being made the Iowa member of the committee on permanent organization, before which committee the first contest was made between the Douglas and Breckenridge factions. In that convention Judge Thayer voted fifty-six times for Stephen A. Douglas for candidate as president. The convention without selecting a candidate adjourned to Baltimore, where on the first ballot Judge Douglas was placed in nomination. In 1862 Judge Thayer was the Democratic candidate for congress, but was defeated by Hiram Price. During his residence in Muscatine, Judge Thayer was engaged in the newspaper business, and in 1868 he moved to Clinton, where he established the Age, which paper he has since continued to edit and manage. He at once took a prominent part in advocating the construction of railroads, was director in several railroad companies, president of the Iowa Southwestern road, building a portion of that road and then operating it. He has been active through his paper in urging capital to establish manufactures in Iowa, has been a leader in championing the educational interests of the state, a persistent advocate of good roads, his work in that direction running through a period of twenty years. He has made the beet sugar industry a study, beginning the agitation of that subject in 1873 and from time to time publishing a vast amount of valuable information which has had much to do with the establishment of beet sugar factories in this country, and he is now a firm believer in the practicability of growing sugar beets and manufacturing beet sugar in Iowa.
In 1875 Judge Thayer was elected a member of the lower house of the General Assembly of Iowa, and the following year he was appointed by Governor Kirkwood, a trustee of the state normal school, assisting in the establishment of that institution, holding the office of president of the board for several years, resigning in 1885 to accept the office of postmaster of Clinton, which unsolicited, was tendered him by President Cleveland. In 1876 he was chosen a delegate to the Democratic national convention which met in St. Louis, taking an active part in securing the nomination of Samuel J. Tilden. In 1884 he was elected delegate at large to the Democratic national convention held at Chicago, was selected as the Iowa member of the platform committee and performed valuable service in formulating the tariff plank.
Besides his active advocacy of good roads in the Daily Age he inaugurated a movement for a good roads convention, which met at Des Moines in August, 1892. This was one of the largest assemblies, outside of political gatherings, ever held in the state, every county and nearly every city and town sending delegates. He was elected chairman of the convention, making an address upon the subject of good roads, and subsequently, when the permanent organization known as the "Iowa Road Improvement Association" was organized, he was elected the president, which position he held for a number of years.
In October, 1892, the first national convention to consider the subject of good roads met in Music Hall, Chicago. This convention was presided over by Judge Thayer, and subsequently when the national league of good roads was organized, he was made chairman of the executive committee, which office he now holds. In January, 1893, he read a paper on "good roads" before a convention of the National League for Good Roads, held at Washington, D. C. In May, 1893, he addressed the Iowa Bankers' Association at their annual meeting, taking for his subject "Good Roads and how they affect our financial condition." In October, 1893. he delivered two addresses in Chicago; one before the American Bankers' Association, at their annual meeting, being assigned the subject, "The construction of good roads as a matter of finance," and the other before the "Good Roads Congress of the World s Columbian Exposition," his topic being "A New Departure."
In 1880 he was appointed by Governor Gear the Iowa member of the Mississippi River States Commission, taking a prominent part in the annual meetings which were held in New Orleans, Memphis, St. Louis and St. Paul. This committee consisted of one member from each state bordering on the Mississippi river. It served the public many years and until congress recognized the importance of its work by providing for the existing national commission.
For almost half a century Judge Thayer has been a familiar face in Democratic state conventions. He has often been placed on. the committees on resolutions and he presided over the deliberations of the convention of 1864 held at Des Moines.
For several years he was a member of the school board of the city of Clinton and for twenty-five years a vestryman in St. John's Episcopal church. In local matters the Age. under the direction of its editor, has been active in advocating and urging forward the material interests of the city. At an early day, realizing the fact that railroads were essential to the growth, prosperity and welfare of the state, the Age zealously and untiringly, not only advocated gridironing the state with railroads, but discountenanced and condemned the spirit of antagonism toward railroads which at times prevailed or. the part of some of the people and some of the law makers.
"The Biographical Record of Clinton County, Iowa", published 1901
transcribed by Karen Seeman
Herman E. Wills
There is probably no more popular engineer on the Chicago & Northwestern Railway than Herman E. Wills, of Clinton. He was born in Randolph, Orange county, Vermont, July 16, 1848, and comes of good old New England stock. His father, Ezra Wills, was a native of the same county, born in Tunbridge, October 1, 1808, and was a son of Jonathan Wills, who served as a soldier in the Revolutionary war on special duty under General Lafayette. His paternal ancestors were from England and were among the early settlers of Connecticut.
On the 27th of December, 1827. Ezra Wills was united in marriage with Miss Mary Hibbard, who was born in East Brookfield, Vermont, October 24, 1809, and was quite well educated for those early days. She belonged to one of the very l>est families of the east, and was a cousin of General Hovey, deceased, who was a prominent statesman of Indiana. Her ancestors were also of English descent, and came to this country with Governor Winthrop March 16, 1635, settling in Salem, Massachusetts. Throughout life the father of our subject engaged in contracting and building. He was a self-made man and was always doing something for those around him often to the neglect of his own welfare. He was a very prominent Mason and advanced to the council of the order at South Royalton, and he also belonged to the Sons of Temperance. In politics he was first a Whig and later a Republican. He died at his old home in South Royalton, Vermont, June 30, 1889, honored and respected by all who knew him. The mother of our subject has long since passed away, her death occurring May 27, 1859, and her remains were interred on the old home place in the Green Mountain state. Her people were all religiously inclined, and many of her ancestors were either ministers or great church workers.
Unto Ezra and Mary (Hibbard) Wills were born ten children, of whom two died in infancy. The others were as follows: William W., who served through the Civil war as a member of a Wisconsin regiment, is now living in Janesville, that state, at the age of seventy-two years, and is the owner of a machine shop there. George W., a retired engineer of the Chicago & Northwestern Railway, was also in the Union army as a member of a Massachusetts regiment, and is now living in Eagle Grove, Iowa, at the age of sixty-seven years. Porter B., who is employed as engine inspector for the Chicago & Northwestern Railway at Milwaukee, Wisconsin, was formerly a passenger engineer on that road, and was in the service of his country during the Civil war. He has now reached the age of sixty-two years. Thomas P., aged fifty-eight, served in a Massachusetts regiment during the Rebellion, and is now a pattern maker of North Andover, Massachusetts. Herman E., our subject, is the youngest son. Mrs. A. A. Currier, the oldest daughter, is also a resident of North Andover, Massachusetts, and is now sixty-nine years of age. Mrs. George Hutchins, aged fifty-eight years, makes her home in Pittsfield, Vermont, and Mrs. William Halliday, aged forty seven, lives in North Andover, Massachusetts. They were all educated in the schools of Vermont, and the older ones were given every possible advantage along that line.
Herman E. Wills was only ten years of age at the time of his mother's death, and he then made his home with a neighbor for five years white earning his own livelihood. At the age of fifteen he went to Massachusetts, where he worked at the carpenter's trade until coming to Clinton, Iowa, in 1866, and entered the employ of the Chicago & Northwestern Railway, as fireman, but was promoted to engineer in 1868. Leaving the road in 1873 he went to Cedar Rapids, and for the following five years was employed as engineer by the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern Railroad. On his return to Clinton in 1879, he accepted his old position, and has been in the employ of the Chicago & Northwestern Railway continuously since. After four months' service with the Burlington. Cedar Rapids & Northern Railroad he was given a passenger train, and when he returned to the Chicago & northwestern Railway, he was engineer on the work train constructing new lines for about six years and on the pay car for two years, but has been in the passenger service for the past twelve years. He has never met with any serious accidents, and is considered one of the most trustworthy engineers on the road. Four of the five sons in his father's family have been connected with the mechanical department of the Chicago & Northwestern Railway, three as engineers and one as a machinist for the aggregate period of one hundred and eight years, and all are in perfect physical condition. Mr. Wills has always been thoroughly devoted to any task he has undertaken and has proved a most competent and faithful employe. His education has mainly been received through contact with the realities of the world, as he has met them and by reading good literature.
In 1869 Mr. Wills was made a Mason at Clinton in the building he now occupies, and is today a member of the blue lodge, chapter, commandery, shrine and consistory. He is also a prominent member of Clinton Division, No. 125, B. of L. E., and was for many years its chief up to 1900. He has always taken a very active and influential part in its conventions, and has served as chairman of the division of engineers in his locality. He is well known in political circles throughout the state as an ardent supporter of the Democratic party and its principles and has been a candidate on the state ticket for railroad commissioner. He takes a just pride in his work for the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, and does all in his power to advance the interests of the order.
"The Biographical Record of Clinton County, Iowa", published 1901
transcribed by Karen Seeman
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