Biographical history of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, Part 45

Author: Lewis publishing company, Chicago. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1891
Publisher: Chicago, The Lewis publishing company
Number of Pages: 828

USA > Iowa > Pottawattamie County > Biographical history of Pottawattamie County, Iowa > Part 45

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Roger Williams born in Wales, in 1599, lan led in America in 1631, in the sloop " Lyon," and settled at What Cheer Point, Seekout River, Rhode Island, in 1636. His first act was to divide by deeds, of date 1638, to twelve of his " loving neighbors," equal portions of the land and rights of said plant- ation, reserving to himself only equal rights with them.

Among these twelve were Stukely West- cott and Richard Waterman, ancestors on his father's and mother's side of Mr. Westcott, Stukely Westcott being first named in the deed. Stukely Westcott and Roger Williams, while in Salem, Massachusetts, were " separa- tors from the church of England," the former and wife being baptized by the latter July 1, 1639. Both had passed upon them the " grand censure," which alienated them from the Salem Colony. In the line of family succes- sion was Stukely Westcott, Stokely, Jr.,

Jonah Nathan, Thomas and Samnel,-all of whom were active and influential in public affairs.

Thomas Westcott, the grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was a civilian of note in Rhode Island, and was also a distinguished officer in the Revolutionary war. Samuel Arnold, his son, was born in Rhode Island, December 11, 1794, was engaged in a cotton mill until he moved to Wheeling, Virginia, in 1820, and with the Moores, Reesides and Zanes was among the most active in develop- ing that section of the country.

January 1, 1821, Samnel A. Westcott married Miss Sarah Loring Edgerton, a de- scendant of Richard Waterman, named above, whose parents, moving from Connecticut, were among the early pioneers of Ohio at Marietta.

John Henry, of this writing, their eldest son, was born in Wheeling, Virginia, May 28, 1823, resided there until 1835, then in Brooklyn, New York, in 1835-'36; was at the great fire in 1835; moved to Marietta, Ohio, in 1837; was in the employ of Dudley Woodbridge, formerly a partner of Blenner- hasset, of historic fame, and afterward he en- gaged in the mercantile business. June 16, 1853, he was married in Rochester, New York (at Grove Place, the residence of her grandfather, Levi Ward), to Miss Fannie M. Ward, a lady of fine intellectual culture, of rare accomplishments, lovely in disposition and withal a Christian of high spiritual attainments.

In 1854 Mr. Westeott moved to Madison, Indiana, and engaged in the foundry busi- ness until the death of his beloved wife and child changed his plans of life. In July, 1855, he moved overland to Keokuk, Iowa, engaged in the stationery and book-binding business for a time; then was employed as accountant in the banking house of George

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C. Anderson & Co., and afterward for four- teen years in the office of R. F. Bower, wholesale grocer.

Without desire or solicitation, he was elected to the office of Justice of the Peace for three years, and then County Trustee. While Justice of the Peace Hon. John HI. Craig, seconded by Ilon. Dan F.[Miller, attorneys, in view of some judicial decisions, moved the Circuit Court, Judge Jeffries presiding, that Mr. Westeott be admitted to the Keokuk bar ex gratia, all the members of the bar present assenting. The Honored Judge with much cordiallity expressed the pleasure he felt in complimenting Mr. Westcott with this un- usual honor, and ordered it done.

July 28, 1859, Mr. Westcott married Miss Adelaide Virginia Holsey, a young lady highly esteemed, of great energy of character and superior judgment, his present wife. In May, 1883, he, and later his family, moved to Council Bluffs, accepting a position in the Council Bluffs Insurance Company,- J. Q. Anderson. Secretary,-and later and among the most pleasant duties of his life, acting as Secretary to the Hon. M. F. Rohrer, during his administration as mayor of this city. The ability, integrity and success of Mayor Rohrer's administration as Mayor of Council Bluffs, is commended by his Secre- tary up to the intimate knowledge he has of the same.

Mr. Westcott emphasizes his membership in the church and particularly in his relation to the Presbyterian Church. As early as fourteen years of age he connected him- self with the Congregational Church at Ma- rietta, Ohio. Soon there after he was elected trustee; afterward, upon request of Governor Ralph P. Lowe, he was elected deacon in the First Westminster Presbyterian Church, Keokuk, Iowa, and at present is serving as Elder in the First Presbyterian Church in

the city, and recently was elected director in the Omaha Theological Seminary. fle has represented the latter church in its higher courts. To promote the interests of the church of the Lord Jesus Christ is his highest am bition.

ATRICK LACY, a leading business man of Council Bluffs, was born in Ireland, in September, 1843. His father died in Ireland, and the family removed to this conntry and settled in Savannah, Georgia, in 1850, where his mother died of yellow fever about three years later.

In 1856 Mr. Lacy came to Council Bluffs with his sisters and brother, and here re- mained until he was about eighteen years of age, when he left home and started ont as a teamster in a wagon train to Denver, making several trips to and from the Bluffs. In the spring of 1863 he went to the Colorado mines at Central City and engaged in mining, and the following year he went to Idaho. Ilere, and in Montana, he spent several years, visiting every mining camp of note in those Territories, and spending most of his time in mining. In the fall of 1867 he returned to Council Bluffs, and since that time has been a continuous resident of that city, making several trips at intervals through the West. As a citizen Mr. Lacy has been zealously in- terested in the welfare of his city; was one of the charter members of the first volunteer fire department, being its chief eight years, and a member of it until it was superseded by the paid departinent, when he resigned. Virtually he is the father of the fireman's movement in Conneil Bluffs. In 1878, in company with five others, he organized the State Firemen's Association of lowa, which is now one of the most prosperous organiza-

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tions of its kind. He has been its president three years, 1885-'87. He has also been a member of the National Association of Fire Engineers sinee 1878, and is now viee-presi- dent for Iowa.

In the political affairs of the city and county Mr. Lacy has also taken an active part. In 1887 he was elected by the Dem- oeratie party, a member of the Board of Aldermen, and re-elected in 1889; has been president of the board two years. He has been an extensive dealer in real estate in this eity; his residence is at 231 Park avenue.

Mr. Laey is a member of the Catholic Church. He has been twice married, the first time in 1868, to Miss Annie Wiekham, the second time in 1872, to Miss Mary Fee, of Wisconsin. To the two marriages there has been issue eleven children, nine of whom are at present living.

AMES OLDS is one of the old soldier farmers of Pottawattamie County, who, after serving his country in the great civil war, has settled down to the peaceful pursuits of agriculture. He was born on a farın at Elgin, Kane County, Illinois, on the site where now stands the court-house, Jan- uary 24, 1841. He was the son of Ransom Olds, who descended from an old American family. The great-grandfather of our sub- jeet was a seaman, and during the reign of King George, of England, captured a eele- brated Scottish pirate, and in an encounter with broad-swords killed and beheaded him, and gained a large reward. He was a man of fearless courage, and this trait of character has deseended in the family for generations. He was a native of England, and settled in Vermont. IFis' son George was a farmer of Rutland County, Vermont, and his farm was

on the site of the now famous marble quar- ries; he was a tailor by trade. He married Mary Ormsby, and they were the parents of thirteen children, viz .: James, who was a captain in the war of 1812, and was killed by the Indians; Daniel, Ezra, Gideon and Ran- som, are all that are known. The father lived to be ninety-seven years of age. Ransomn, the father of our subjact, was born in Rut- land County, Vermont, and learned farming in early life. He went to New York State, and was married at French Mills village to Florella McMillen, danghter of Arthur Me- Millen, a millwright by trade, and of Seotel deseent. He was in the war of 1812 and helped to burn the fleet of vessels at French Mills village to prevent the British from capturing them. He was the father of five children: James, Alexander, Duncan, Mar- garet and Floretta. The father lived to the age of eighty-two years, and was killed by the falling of a tree at Elgin, Illinois. IIe was one of the pioneer settlers of that State. Ransom Olds was a soldier in the war of 1812, and the father of thirteen children: Ransom, born December 19, 1800; Florilla H., February 29, 1807; George, November 14, 1828; Jolm, August 28, 1830; Mary Florilia, February 2, 1832; Arthur Ransom, October 24, 1834; Dunean M., January 26, 1837; Lucy J., February 14, 1839; James, January 24, 1841; Gideon, September 8, 1842; Daniel, September 14, 1844; Mar- garet, November 12, 1845; and Laverna, October 10, 1848. The father moved in an early day to La Porte County, Indiana, and settled on a farm at Door Village, but after a few years removed to Elgin, and passed through Chicago, which was then a small trading post. Mr. Olds was the first settler of Elgin, and took up Government land, haul- ing his produce to Chicago. He finally moved twelve miles west of Elgin, where he

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remained several years; then moved to a farm in Kankakee County, Illinois, where he died. IIe was a typical American pioneer, and was one of the men who helped to subdue the wilderness of Illinois. His two brothers, James and Daniel, were soldiers in the war of 1812.

James Olds, our subject, enlisted in Com- pany B, Forty-second Regiment, Illinois Volunteer Infantry, at the age of twenty years, and served three years and ten days. IIe was in the battle of Stone River, and Chick- amangua, where he was wounded in the left fore-arm, and he still carries the ball. He was in the hospital, and after recovering did hos- pital duty, part of the time on the United States hospital steamer R. C. Wood, as second steward. He was mustered ont and honor- ably discharged September 10, 1864, at Lex- ington. Kentucky. Mr.Olds had one brother. Arthur R., who was in Company I, Sixty- fifth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and served nine months, and was captured at Harper's Ferry, paroled and exchanged, and mnstered ont.

After the war our subject engaged in farm- ing in Kankakee Connty, Illinois, and in 1871 went to Fillmore County, Nebraska, where he took up wild land and remained three years. In 1874 he came to his present farm in Lincoln Township. Ile descends from men who fought as soldiers in their struggle for liberty, and as pioneers helped to rebuild the wilderness. Both himself, brother and wife's brother fought for the preservation of the Union, and the children should take an honest pride in the sterling ancestry from which they sprang. Mr. Olds was married in Momenee, Kankakee County, Illinois, to Emily Burns, who was born in the same county, October 17, 1849, the daughter of James H. and Charlotte (Force) Burns. The father was of Scotch deseent,

and moved from Vermont to Kankakee Connty in an early day. He was the father of six children, viz .: Regiah, Amazialı, Amasa S., Lovina, Mary A. and Emily. Amazialı and Amasa were soldiers in the civil war; the former was in Company K. One IIundred and Thirteenth Illinois Vol- nnteer Infantry, and the latter served four years and nine months in Company D, Forty- second Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and was in all the battles of his regiment. Mr. Burns lived to the age of fifty years. To Mr. and Mrs. Olds have been born six children, fonr of whom are now living: Amasa, born Sep- tember 17, 1866; Nettie W., December 25, 1868; Willie, May 22. 1871, deceased; Frank, July 19, 1872; Emma, January 24, 1874, de- ceased; and Lovina, February 10, 1877.

W. GRAHAM, proprietor of the Gra- ham Planing Mill at the corner of Second avenue and Thirteenth street, mannfactures sash, doors and blinds, does all kinds of scroll-sawing and turns out finished woodwork in general. The mill was estab- lished in January, 1890, being removed to this point from Washington avenne, and was first conducted by the firm of Graham & Cody. July 8 following Mr. Graham as- sumed full control. The factory, occupying two lots, is one of the largest and best equipped in the city. Mr. Graham has been a resident of Council Bluffs since March, 1888, removing from his farm in Washing- ton Township, this county, where he had been a resident thirteen years, upon a good farm of 200 acres, which he had improved from its original wild condition. He still owns it and keeps it in good order.

He was born Angust 4, 1850, in Yates County, New York, and reared to farm life,

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and early learned the carpenter's trade, which he ever afterward followed except when he was npon the farm mentioned. His parents, Lewis B. and Pamelia (Green) Graham, were also natives of New York State and of Seoteh and Welsh origin. His father is still living, very old, at Pen Yan, that State; his mother is deceased. After reaching manhood he moved to Clinton, Iowa. December 9, 1874, at Ilampton, Rock Island Connty, Illinois, he married Miss Lottie Wells, daughter of John and Mary (McMurphy) Wells, who were among the early settlers of Hampton. Mr. and Mrs. Graham have two children: Pamelia and Edgar. Mr. Graham is a Republican in his political views and an Odd Fellow.

EORGE W. HIEWITT, attorney, Coun- cil Bluffs, was born in Franklin Grove, Lee County. Illinois, July 31, 1859, and is the son of Dr. George W. Hewitt and Caroline (Miller) Hewitt, both deceased. Dr. Hewitt located in Franklin in 1854 and prac- ticed his profession in that place until his death in January, 1881, save the four years, during the late war, he served as surgeon in the Thirty-fourth Regiment Illinois Vol- unteers. Early in his practice the Doctor took a high rank in his profession, which he dearly loved for the opportunities it afforded him to do good to his fellow-men. Shortly after his decease, a Grand Army of the Re- publie post was organized in Franklin and it was named George W. Hewitt Post, No. 398, in honor of the Doctor. Mrs. Hewitt died in November, 1863, and left surviving her the Doctor and two boys: IIenry M. and our subjeet. After Mrs. Hewitt's death, one of lier sisters, Miss A. T. Miller, remained in the Doctor's home and raised the children.

Henry M. Hewitt, M. D., is now married and resides in Franklin.

Our subject was educated in the public schools in Franklin until 1874, when he en- tered the Northwestern University at Evans- ton, Illinois, where he remained until June. 1880, when he graduated from the college with the degree of A. B. In the fall of that year he entered the Union College of Law, Chicago, Illinois, and in June, 1882, received the degree of B. L. In the same month, he was admitted to the bar of the State of Illi- nois, and since then, to the bar of Dakota and the Federal Courts of Iowa. In June, 1886, the degree of M. A. was conferred npon him by the Northwestern University.

In July, 1883, he located at Ireton, Sionx County, Iowa, and practiced his profession in that place until January 1, 1886, when he entered into partnership relations with Fin- ley Burke, Esq. of Orange City, lowa, which necessitated his moving to the latter town. The firm of Burke & Hewitt continued to practice in that place until February, 1887, when it dissolved, Mr. Burke locating in Council Bluffs, Iowa, and Mr. Hewitt con- tinning in business at Orange City. Here the latter remained until July, 1889, when he again joined Mr. Burke at the Bluffs and became a second time a member of the law firm of Burke & Hewitt. This firm has continned as such until January 1, 1891, when it was joined by Thomas E. Casady, Esq., of Council Bluff's, and the firm is now known as Burke, Hewitt & Casady.

August 21, 1889, Mr. Hewitt was married to Viola J. East, of Clinton, Iowa. He was made a Master Mason, at Ireton, in the sum- mer of 1885; became a member of the Oc- cidental Chapter, No. 114, of Royal Areh Masons, at Le Mars, Iowa, on January 13, 1890; and was a charter member of the Sioux City, Iowa, body of the Ancient and Accepted

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Scottish Rite for the United States of Amer- ica, their territories and dependencies .. He is a member of the Republican party and has always voted the Republican tieket.

OWARD S. WEST is a leading dentist of Council Bluffs, where he has been engaged in the practice of his profession since March, 1882. He was born at West Fairlee, Orange County, Vermont, in Jan- uary, 1854. His father, Leavit West, still lives in that place. He pursued the study of medicine at Chelsea, Vermont; entering upon the practice of his profession he pursned the same for a number of years, when, desiring to qualify himself more thoroughly in his profession, he entered the Dental Depart- ment of the University of Michigan, where he graduated in 1880. After his gradnation he spent some time in the South, pursuing his profession at New Orleans and also at St. Louis, loeating, as already stated, at Council Bluffs, in 1882. Dr. West has a large prac- tice and employs two assistants.

He was married in this eity to Miss Mi- nerva L. Langdon, who is a capable and valable assistant to her husband in his pro- fession. She has had much experience, and holds a license from the State Board of Ex- aminers. Dr. West and his wife have two children, a son and a daughter.

OHN FREDERICK KIMBALL, of the banking firm of Kimball & Champ, was born at Muscatine, Iowa, December 13, 1856, a son of Alvin and Susan A. (Patrick) Kimball, and the youngest of their four children, the others being George A., Emma J. and J. Frank. Ilis father was born in

1813, near Windsor, Vermont. In 1840 lie emigrated to Ohio with his family, and en- gaged in the wholesale grocery trade at Cleve- land. In 1853 he moved to Muscatine, Iowa, and engaged in the grain business, erecting an elevator and having a large trade; but the financial crisis of 1857 caused him great loss. Hle persevered in his business, however, and did well, to the time of his death, April 17, 1865. Politically he was a prominent Abo- litionist, devoting both time and money to the relief of oppressed and fugitive slaves. Hetook an active interest in all that pertained to the moral welfare and material development of the community, and was respected by all parties. The mother of the subject of this sketelı was born at Brownsville, Jefferson County, New York, in 1822. She was a devoted wife and mother, is a useful member of the Bap- tist Church and of good society generally, now living in Minneapolis.

Mr. Kimball, our present subjeet, was but eight years of age when his father died, and he was trained by his mother, who gave him all the advantages at her command, which however, were limited. He completed his school education in Brown's Academy. In 1879, while on a tour through the West looking for a business location, he became acquainted with his present partner, George H. Champ, and in company with him bought out the abstract business of J. P. and J. N. Casady. To this they afterward added the business of money-lending, which, under their equitable, conservative and skill- fnl management, at length grew to large pro- portions, and in 1888 they added banking, and in this line too their operations have be- come extensive. Their bank has taken rank among the leading financial institutions of the city, and even of western Iowa, eastern Nebraska, ete. Mr. Kimball is also a mem- ber of the firm of Kimball, Champ & Ryau,

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bond brokers in Omaha, and he owns a half interest in the Bank of Minden, at Minden, Iowa. He also owns considerable land in Council Bluffs and elsewhere in the State.

Politically lie is a Republican, but has no aspirations for official position, preferring the seclusion of private life to public honor. He is a gentleman of modest and retiring man- ner, a shrewd business man and financier, be- ing deservedly a favorite among all classes. He is public-spirited and genial in disposition. The people of the city point with pride to the elegant structures erected by Messrs. Kimball & Champ. One of these, the Grand Central Hotel, is acknowledged to be the finest building of the kind in the State.

November 30, 1884, he married Miss Louise Greene, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and a daughter of William and Louisa (Higley) Greene. She was educated at Faribault, Minnesota, in a ladies' seminary under the anspices of the Protestant Episcopal Church, and also at St. Mary's Seminary, another Episcopal institution.

A. BOREN, a farmer of Crescent Town- ship, was born in Hancock County, Illi- nois, June 6, 1842, the son of J. B. and Nancy (McIntosh) Boren, whose history will be found on another page. Reared to farm life, the subject of this sketch received a common-school education. He was but four years old when his parents moved to Davis County this State, where they remained one year, and they arrived in Pottawattamie County, June 22, 1847, locating upon a piece of land on which his father still lives. The subject of our sketch was married January 14, 1877, to Miss Mary A. Smith, who was born in Michigan, October 24, 1853, of par-

ents who were natives of New York State; her father was a carpenter by trade.

Mr. Boren bought his present place of 120 acres when it was entirely wild prairie, on section 11, township 86, range 44; and what is seen on the premises to-day are the work of his own hands, aided by his faithful wife, who died leaving two children: Francis M., who was born October 23, 1877, and is in charge of her grandmother; the second child died in infaney. Mr. Boren devotes his at- tion principally to stock-raising. He has in- creased his land and now has 308 acres in good condition, 100 cultivated with the plow.

On national issues he entertains Democratic principles and takes an active interest in civil government. He has often been a del- egate to politieal conventions and has held various offices of his township, many of them in Hazel Dell Township. He has been a School Director for a number of years, and at present is Treasurer of the school district. A man of strong convictions, he fixes him- self upon a well defined platform of princi- ples. He is a member of I. O. G. T. and of the Mutual Protection Society, in which he has held various offices. IIas held all the local offices of the Good Templar Lodge, in- cluding that of delegate to the Grand Lodge.

EUBEN BARTON, of Weston, Potta- wattamie County, is a native of Plain- field, Hampshire County, Massachu- setts, the son of Nathan and Sarah (Bur- roughs) Barton, and was born Jannary 9, 1812. His parents were natives of the same State, where they were married, and reared a family of thirteen children. In 1823 they removed to Phelps, Ontario County, New York. The same year the father died, and

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the mother with the unmarried portion of the family, nine in number, returned to Mas- sachusetts, where they remained until 1832, when the subject of this narrative, at the age of twenty years, decided to again go West, and this time to Ohio, where the family, consisting of the mother and four children, arrived November 21, 1832, and settled in the town of Huntsburg, Geauga County. There, in the spring of 1833, Reuben pur- chased fifty acres of wild land, heavy timber, at $2.50 per acre, paying $30 down. Our subject went to work with a will to prepare a home for himself and mother and a young sister, which he did by hard and incessant toil, chopping and piling the immense growth of timber in heaps, and burning it up! (What a treasure would our Iowa farmers esteem a few acres of such timber!) Here he re- mained, improving and cultivating the soil for about three years, when his mother ac- cepted an offer of marriage from Mr. Jacob Warrener, with whom she lived until her death, which occurred in 1853.

After the marriage of his mother Mr. Bar- ton made his home with a brother-in-law, N. M. Faun, for about two years, when, in Sep- tember, 1837, in company with the brother- in-law, he removed to Coles County, Illinois, then mostly in a state of nature. Here he entered 120 acres of Government land, con- sisting mostly of prairie, with a good supply of timber, and again erected a log cabin and commenced his favorite occupation of farm- ing, while yet in single blessedness, until February 11, 1838, when he was joined in wedlock to Marcia E. Wilson, who was born in St. Alban's, Vermont, December 25, 1811, and by whom he had three children, two boys and one daughter: Nathan Henry, the eldest, born April 13, 1840, now resides at San Bernardino, California; Reuben Almon, born November 10, 1842, and resides at ,

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Biographical history of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, Part 45

Author: Lewis publishing company, Chicago. [from old catalog] Publication date: 1891 Publisher: Chicago, The Lewis publishing company Number of Pages: 828

Author: Lewis publishing company, Chicago. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1891
Publisher: Chicago, The Lewis publishing company
Number of Pages: 828