Des Moines, the pioneer of municipal progress and reform of the middle West, together with the history of Polk County, Iowa, the largest, most populous and most prosperous county in the state of Iowa; Volume II, Part 100

Author: Brigham, Johnson, 1846-1936; Clarke (S.J.) Publishing Company, Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1911
Publisher: Chicago, The S. J. Clarke publishing company
Number of Pages: 1464

USA > Iowa > Polk County > Des Moines > Des Moines, the pioneer of municipal progress and reform of the middle West, together with the history of Polk County, Iowa, the largest, most populous and most prosperous county in the state of Iowa; Volume II > Part 100

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what may be attained by diligence and applied industry. He is a stockholder in the Mechanics Savings Bank- and is regarded as one of the stable and trust- worthy business men of Des Moines. He enjoys all kinds of outdoor sports and socially takes pleasure in entertaining his many friends, to whom he is always ready to throw open the doors of his hospitable and commodious home.

CHARLES C. YOUNGERMAN.

Polk county numbers among its native sons many of its most enterprising and progressive citizens and in the number should be named Charles C. Younger- man, of Walnut township. He was born in the township where he now lives April 4, 1867, the son of John and Mary (Robins) Youngerman, the former of whom was a native of Germany and the latter of Ohio. The father came to America with his parents when he was five years of age, the family stopping in Pennsylvania and later removing to Indianapolis, Indiana, where Mr. Younger- man engaged in the mercantile business. In 1849, believing that more favorable opportunities were presented in Iowa, he came to Des Moines and opened a blacksmith and carriage-making shop which he conducted successfully for a number of years. He finally made up his mind to devote his attention to farming and bought two hundred and eighty acres in Walnut township, which he cleared and improved, continuing upon his farm until his death, in September, 1903. The beloved wife and mother was called away five years later.

Charles C. Youngerman was reared upon the paternal farm, and received his preliminary education in the district schools and later took a course in the Iowa Business College of Des Moines. He remained at home until after the death of both of his parents and he and his brother cultivated the farm until 1908. He owns a thoroughly up-to-date threshing outfit which he has operated for four years past. He also owns four hundred and eighty acres in South Dakota and a one-eighth interest in the John Youngerman estate which is not yet settled.

Mr. Youngerman is not married and makes his home with Ben Rosecrants at present. He gives his support to the democratic party and is now serving as trustee of Walnut township, which office he has held for four years. He has also served as road supervisor and member of the school board, discharging his duties with a fidelity that met the hearty approval of the people. In religious faith he is identified with the Methodist church, while fraternally he is connected with the Modern Woodmen of America. Having spent his entire life in this section, he is well acquainted with the people, and as in his business he has always been thoroughly upright and honorable, his name is respected wherever he is known.

CYRUS A. MOSIER.

It is important in a work treating of the leading citizens of Des Moines and Polk county that the pioneers should receive adequate mention. In the list should appear the name of Cyrus A. Mosier, now deceased, the first stenographer of Des Moines, the first court reporter and one of the early teachers. He was called away October 12, 1905, and will long be remembered by those with whom he associated, being a man of many noble traits and a citizen whose generous spirit readily responded to every demand upon his services. He was born in Mansfield, Ohio, in 1837, a son of Eli and Maria (Swan) Mosier. At two years of age he was taken by his parents to Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, but after eight years' residence there Mr. Mosier, being a rank abolitionist, decided to move out of the territory controlled by slave-owning interests and came to

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lowa, settling in Des Moines in 1846. The father located one hundred and sixty acres of land, on part of which Drake University now stands and there built a log cabin, in which he lived for some years.

Cyrus A. Mosier received his early education in the primitive schools which were in session only during the winter months, receiving instruction under Father Nash, and in Mrs. Judge Gray's School, which occupied the site now covered by the Iowa Loan and Trust building. At thirteen years of age he entered the employ of A. C. Kingman, driving an ox team that broke most of the land along Birds Run, where many of the principal buildings of Des Moines now stand. He also worked in the early years on the Des Moines river, logging and trapping. At the age of nineteen he began teaching school and in 1863 commenced to make use of his knowledge of stenography which he had picked up at odd moments as a means of livelihood. About this time the Polk county bar selected him as official stenographer and he held that position continuously for twenty-five years. At the time of his selection as court stenographer he was the only person in the west who understood shorthand, the science not hav- ing made much progress even in the more thickly settled regions of the east except in the largest cities. In October, 1867, he was elected county superintendent of schools but was soon obliged to resign on account of the pressure of duties as court reporter. He was prominent in various movements of the earlier days, organizing in 1855 the first brass band in Des Moines. It consisted of eleven pieces and was a leading feature at Fourth of July celebrations and other public occasions. The band also gave its services in raising funds to assist in paying teachers' salaries. He was a stanch member of the Old Settlers' Association and for several years served as its president. He was a student and investigator, especially along prehistoric lines, and was of firm belief that the Des Moines valley was inhabited by a race prior to the advent of the Indian, as is indicated by the artificial mounds found in various parts of the valley. During his later years his health rapidly failed.

In 1861 Mr. Mosier was united in marriage to Miss Rachel Bell, of Des Moines, who still lives in this city. Of this union seven children were born, namely : Mrs. Lenore Devan, of Des Moines ; Mrs. Blanche M. Snook, of this city ; Albert, a civil engineer living in Washington, who married Bessie, daughter of Gene Reno; Cyrus, who died at the age of five years ; Charlie, at home; Mrs. Rachel Gray, of California; and McHenry, a mining engineer living in Arizona. Samuel Bell, father of Mrs. Mosier, came to Des Moines to locate after having made three trips here from Harrison county, Ohio. He finally brought his family in 1856 and entered from the government forty acres, which at his death was inherited by his son, Albert G. Bell, now deceased. The land today is in possession of Mrs. Mosier and her present home stands close to the site upon which the first house at Des Moines was built. Mr. Bell was a man of scholarly tastes and took up the study of Latin and higher mathematics when but eleven years of age, receiving instruction from a finely educated Quaker who lived about twenty miles from the Bell home. With that gentleman Mr. Bell studied for over two years. He remained throughout life a student, constantly broadening his knowledge up to the time of his death, which occurred in March, 1877. He was a surveyor here in 1856, doing surveying work in Polk and adjoining counties through the summer months, while in the winter seasons he taught school and also served as the first county superintendent of schools of Polk county. In politics he was a strong democrat throughout his entire life and his religious faith was that of the Christian church. In many ways he left the impress of his individuality for good upon the community and his name is inseparably and prominently connected with the early history and progress of central Iowa. He and his wife celebrated their golden wedding in 1876, having been married in Harrison county, Ohio, in 1826, on which occasion there were about fifty guests present, all coming on horseback from great distances through a thickly wooded

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country. Mrs. Bell bore the maiden name of Rachel Croskey, being a daughter of John and Catherine (Fry) Croskey, who were residents of Harrison county, Ohio. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Bell were born six children, of whom three died in infancy, the others being: Catherine, now the wife of Philander Smith, of Des Moines; Albert G., now deceased; and Mrs. Rachel Mosier, who occupies the old home place.

Mr. Mosier was greatly interested in Des Moines and lived to witness marvelous changes, in the course of which the capital city became one of the most beautiful residence centers of the west. He was devoted to his wife and family and made many warm friends by his manly character and unwearying spirit of helpfulness.

MANUEL H. DAVIS.

The record of Manuel H. Davis, postmaster of Mitchellville, is one of which his friends may well be proud as it reflects naught but credit upon himself and all with whom he has been connected. He is of Welsh ancestry and is a native of Indiana, born in Clay county on Christmas day, 1843. His parents were Wesley C., and Amanda (Griffith) Davis. The father was a farmer and in October, 1852, started with his wife and seven children for Iowa. The trip was made by team and required three weeks, the family camping out at night by the way. Mr. Davis bought eighty acres in Jasper county and entered four hundred acres, transforming the land from the wilderness into a highly productive farm. He became one of the prominent men of his section and passed his last years in O'Brien county. He died in 1888 at the age of seventy-three years. The beloved wife and mother spent her last years at Spirit Lake, Iowa. There were nine children in their family, seven of whom are now living.

Mr. Davis of this review came with his parents to Iowa at nine years of age and received his early education in the little log schoolhouse in Jasper county in the neighborhood of the farm upon which he was reared. . After reaching the age of manhood he devoted his attention to farming until the time of the Civil war, when he responded to the call for soldiers to defend the Union, and enlisted at Knoxville, in Marion county, in Company G, Seventeenth Iowa Volunteers, and served ten months, being assigned to guard and hospital duty. Returning home he later became identified with mercantile business, to which he devoted the principal years of his life. He conducted a store at Prairie City, Iowa, fifteen years and then removed to Des Moines, where he was engaged in the same line of business two years. He then went to Paullina, O'Brien county, and after three years took up his residence at south Mitchellville, where he successfully conducted a store for seven years. In 1903 he was appointed postmaster of Mitchellville by President Roosevelt and was reappointed by President Taft. His services have proven highly satisfactory, as he is an excellent public official, sparing no time or pains in performing his duties so as to meet the full require- ments of the service.

In 1864 Mr. Davis was united in marriage at Prairie City, Jasper county, to Miss Rebecca Meanes, who died in 1904, and subsequently he was again married. the lady of his choice being Miss Susan J. Wetzel. Politically, ever since arriv- ing at the age of maturity he has been an ardent supporter of the republican party. He has been an active worker in its behalf and has served in many con- ventions, being a member of the convention that elected Hon. Leslie M. Shaw as secretary of the treasury. He has served in many elective and appointive offices, and for six years filled with great acceptance the position of trustee of the Iowa Industrial School at Eldora. Fraternally, he is a valued member of Warr Post, No. 17, G. A. R., and is past commander of that organization. Religiously, he is identified with the Methodist church.

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As a soldier, business man and public official, and also in the various other relations of life Mr. Davis has displayed the qualities of energy, efficiency and self-reliance that lead to the accomplishment of worthy objects. He is, therefore, accorded the respect of the entire community, which he has richly earned by his uniform kindness and courtesy.

EDWARD BAKER EVANS.

Few instances parallel the history of Edward Baker Evans, who entered a law school for the first time as instructor. No collegiate training equipped him for the life work in which he has attained success, prominence and honor. He is today widely known as an instructor and author, having contributed largely to the literature of the profession, while in Drake University he occupies the po- sition of dean of the law department. A native of Davis county, Iowa, Mr. Evans was born February 2, 1861, of the marriage of Joseph Vance and Nancy (Childers) Evans, the former descended from Welsh ancestry, who settled in Tennessee, while the latter came of Irish ancestry, representatives of which lived in Illinois at an early day. Joseph V. Evans, born in Tennessee, came to Iowa in 1851, casting in his lot with the early settlers of the state. Within its borders he followed farming and stock-shipping up to the time of his death, which occurred on the 24th of October, 1877. He had for two years survived his wife, who died on the 19th of May, 1875.

Edward B. Evans, one of a family of nine children, was reared on the old homestead farm and his first instruction aside from the training of the home was obtained in a little log schoolhouse in Perry township, Davis county. Some years later he continued his education in the Bloomfield (Iowa) high school, where he pursued a three years' course to the spring of 1879. After putting aside his text-books he was apprenticed to learn the marble carver's trade, which he followed for a period of six years, and while thus working with the slab and chisel there awoke in him the ambition to seek broader fields in more in- tellectual lines, and he took up the study of law, devoting every spare moment to the mastery of legal principles. Night after night he pored over Blackstone, Kent and other commentaries and text-books, and in January, 1888, succeeded in passing the examination before the supreme court at Des Moines, whereby he secured admission to the bar. He determined to remain in the capital city, and in May of that year opened a law office on East Fifth street in East Des Moines; where he remained until 1894. In that year he was appointed by Grover Cleveland register of the government land office, comprising all of the consol- idated land offices of the state of Iowa. He occupied the position continuously until July, 1897, when he resigned and resumed the practice of law, in which he continued for ten years, or until 1907. In the meantime, in 1901, he had become secretary of the Drake Law School and a member of the law faculty. He remained, however, in active practice until 1907, when, under the term of Judge Cole, he was elected dean of the law faculty, after which Judge Cole retired. Mr. Evans is still at the head of the law department of Drake and un- der his guidance the law course has been broadened and its efficiency promoted. Never had he been connected with a law school until he entered Drake as a teacher. His ability had previously been recognized by the university, which in 1903 had conferred upon him the Master of Law degree. He has written much for the literature of the profession and was one of the associate editors of the American Cyclopedia of Pleadings and Practice, a thirty-two volume law publication. His special work was the preparation of a chapter on Pen- dency of Actions. He has now in preparation a text-book on Insurance Law, planned and printed especially for teaching in law schoolis. Aside from the

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work he is now doing in authorship and in the educational field he is one of the directors and attorney for the American Life Insurance Company.

Mr. Evans has also done important work in fraternal societies and in pub- lic relations. His political allegiance was given to the democracy until 1899, since which time he has advocated republican principles. He left the ranks of the democratic party because of its attitude on the liquor question in the advocacy of licensing of saloons. Mr. Evans is a strong temperance advocate and has done active work in the interest of prohibition. He was for years a member of the headquarters committee of the Anti-Saloon League, and he has done all in his power to suppress the evils of intemperance. He is a member of Capital Lodge, No. 110, A. F. & A. M. He is also a member of University Lodge of Odd Fellows, the University Lodge of the Knights of Pythias, the Brotherhood of American Yeomen, Lincoln Camp, No. II, M. W. A., the De- gree of Honor and the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He has filled the office of grand master workman for the state of the last named for the past six years. He is likewise a member of Grant Club and holds membership in the First Methodist church of Des Moines.

In Winterset, Iowa, on the 18th of December, 1881, Mr. Evans was married to Miss Nettie Motley, who was born in Warren county. They have one son, Frederick Vance Evans, who was born July 19, 1883, and af- ter reaching manhood was married to Miss Mae Weisbrod, a native of Des Moines. He is now at the head of the vocal department of the Conservatory of Music of Highland Park College. Mr. Evans attributes not a little of his success to the encouragement, help and advice of his wife, a lady of rare attainments and sound practical judgment. His is a notable example of the fact that character and ability will come to the front anywhere. A poor boy, from the age of sixteen years he had been dependent upon his own resources not only for the attainment of success but also for the acquirement of an educa- tion, which has constituted the basic element of his professional advancement. Spurred on by laudable ambition, persevering in the face of all obstacles, and meeting each difficulty with determined effort, he has come off victor in the strife. The mental powers with which nature endowed him he has made the basis of broad scholarly attainment and his record is today a credit and honor to the state and to the profession which has honored him.

JOSEPH . B. DAVIS.

Joseph B. Davis, now deceased, for a number of years in the marble business at Des Moines, will be clearly remembered as one of the earnest and efficient members of the community during the time when this city was beginning to attain prominence as one of the growing municipalities of Iowa. He was a man of many noble characteristics that attracted others and gained for him a promi- nent place in their regard. A native of the Buckeye state, he was born on a farm in Guernsey county, in 1842, a son of William and Leah (Kinney) Davis. The father moved with his family to Mount Pleasant, Iowa, in 1856 and after retiring from active business took up his residence on Grand Avenue in Des Moines, where he continued during the remainder of his life. He was for many years one of the large bridge builders of the state and erected many of the first bridges over important streams in Iowa. .

Joseph B. Davis grew up under the paternal roof and received his early education in the public schools of Ohio, coming with his parents at fourteen years of age to this state. At the outbreak of the Civil war he had arrived at the age of nineteen years and. like thousands of patriotic young men throughout the north, promptly offered his services to the government, becoming a member Vol. II-42

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of the First Iowa Volunteers. He participated with his regiment in many of the important battles and movements of the war, always responding to the call of duty and acquitting himself in such a way as to elicit the warmest approval of the officers of his company. After receiving his honorable discharge he returned to his home in Fairfield, Iowa, where he conducted a marble busi- ness until 1868. He then came to Des Moines and continued in the marble business, being general manager of the Iowa Monument Company the last year of his life. He was called away June 24, 1889, in the midst of an active career, being then forty-seven years of age. He possessed good business judgment and, having a pleasing address and a convincing manner, attained a high standing among his business associates and also in the estimation of the people of the community. By diligence and perseverance he acquired a competence and was known as one of the substantial men of the city. Fraternally he was identified with Joe Hooker and Crocker Posts, G. A. R.

In 1863 Mr. Davis was united in marriage to Phoebe E. Hutzinger, of Fair- field, Iowa, whose parents came from Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, to Jeffer- son county, Iowa, in 1856. Of this union seven children were born, namely: Lilian, now Mrs. F. L. Kauffman; Frank and Harry, both of whom are engaged in the grocery business; Bessie, now Mrs. S. P. Ives, of Des Moines; Benson; Mayme, now Mrs. B. B. Everett of Des Moines; and Paul. Mrs. Davis still resides in Des Moines in the home which is endeared to her by many associa- tions. She is a lady of unusual intelligence and discrimination and in her chil- dren. all of whom are now useful members of society, she has found a comfort that she richly enjoys.

ANDREW MCCAULEY.

Andrew McCauley is one of the native and prosperous farmers and stock- men of Washington township, Polk county, his well improved farm paying sub- stantial tribute to the care and labor bestowed upon it. He was born on the 5th of July, 1866, a son of Samuel and Annie (Beltz) McCauley, natives of Ireland and Austria respectively. The father spent the first seventeen years of his life on the Emerald isle, after which he sought the opportunities of the new world, coming to America in July, 1850. He landed at Philadelphia and for a time was engaged as a farm hand in the vicinity of that city, subsequently, however, taking up an apprenticeship in the blacksmith trade. He was thus employed for only eight months, after which he came to Iowa and worked in a sawmill in Des Moines for a time, after which he returned again to Penn- sylvania, where he worked in a malt house for three years. Again returning to Polk county, Iowa, he took up agricultural pursuits here and is still giving his attention to that line of activity, being the owner of considerable valuable farm land in this county. He now makes his home on one of his farms in Elkhart township. His complete sketch appears on another page of this work.

In his native county Andrew McCauley was reared and educated, passing through consecutive grades until his graduation from high school, and he also had the benefit of a course of study at Drake University at Des Moines. After completing his studies he returned to the home farm and remained with his parents until twenty-three years of age, when he went to Pittsburg, Pennsyl- vania, and there learned the baker's trade. He remained in that city for two years, after which he returned to Polk county and took up agricultural pur- suits, renting a farm from his father which he operated for two years. At the end of that time he purchased eighty acres in Washington township and at once set about its further improvement and development. This still remains his home place and under his careful supervision he brought it under a high state

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of cultivation, while he has also equipped it with all of the conveniences and accessories of a model farm. Altogether he is operating three hundred and twenty acres, a large portion of which he rents, and in his undertaking is meet- ing with well merited success. In his pastures are found a good grade of stock, for he keeps on hand about sixty head of cattle, fifteen head of horses and raises annually for the market about one hundred head of hogs.

Mr. McCauley was married, on the Ist of September, 1891, to Miss Sapho Lane, a daughter of Bradford B. and Nannie (Brown) Lane, the former a native of Canada and the latter of Rhode Island. The father, a minister by occupation, came to Iowa at an early day, preaching in Hardin county several years. In 1873 he arrived in Polk county and purchased a farm in Washington township, in the operation and improvement of which he has since engaged. He has now reached the ripe old age of seventy-three years, while his wife passed away in December, 1903.

To Mr. and Mrs. McCauley have been born six children, namely : Andrew F., aged sixteen years; Harold W., aged fourteen years; Sapho Blanche, aged eleven years ; Mildred, aged nine years; Helen Doris, aged eight years; and Dorothy, aged six years.

The parents are members of the Evangelical church. Fraternally Mr. Mc- Cauley belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and is also a charter member of the Knights of Pythias lodge of Maxwell. Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise he has given stalwart support to the republican party, and for some years has served as justice of the peace of Washington township In business he has met with creditable success, for he is industrious, enterprising and straightforward in all transactions, and his upright character and true per- sonal worth have won him the confidence and regard of his neighbors and fellow citizens.

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Des Moines, the pioneer of municipal progress and reform of the middle West, together with the history of Polk County, Iowa, the largest, most populous and most prosperous county in the state of Iowa; Volume II, Part 100

Author: Brigham, Johnson, 1846-1936; Clarke (S.J.) Publishing Company, Chicago, pub Publication date: 1911 Publisher: Chicago, The S. J. Clarke publishing company Number of Pages: 1464

Author: Brigham, Johnson, 1846-1936; Clarke (S.J.) Publishing Company, Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1911
Publisher: Chicago, The S. J. Clarke publishing company
Number of Pages: 1464