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 101

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 101

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DAVID E. MILLER.

A highly improved farm of one hundred and twenty acres, located in Bloom- field township, is the visible evidence of the success which has attended the efforts of David E. Miller, for he started out in the business world in a humble capacity and today stands among the substantial and representative farmers of Polk county. He was born in Pierceton, Indiana, March 19, 1866, a son of Louis and Sarah (Sherrick) Miller, who were natives of Ohio. In early life the father was employed as clerk in a store and later engaged in the hardware business in Canton, Ohio, being for many years classed among the successful business men of that city. He died there in 1879, having survived his wife a few years, for her death occurred in 1871.

David E. Miller was quite young when taken by his parents from his native state of Indiana to Canton, Ohio, and in the schools of the latter place he acquired his education. His advantages in this direction, however, were quite limited, for at the early age of twelve years he came to Iowa and for four years worked at farm labor in the employ of Reuben Youtz. He then went west and for four years worked on cattle ranches, spending his time in Colorado, Wy- oming and Montana. At the age of twenty years he returned to Polk county and invested his money in two hundred and eighty acres of undeveloped land. He immediately began to clear and improve his land and at the end of five years had converted it into a valuable property, so that he was able to dispose of it to good advantage. He then took up his abode in Des Moines and for one year conducted a restaurant in the city. At the end of that period he once more took up farming, on a tract of one hundred and twenty acres in Bloom- field township, and this farm he has owned to the present time. Mr. Miller has made all the improvements on the place, having erected a fine modern country

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home and substantial outbuildings for the shelter of grain and stock. He raises the various cereals best adapted to the soil and each year his labors are rewarded by abundant crops.

It was in January, 1889, that Mr. Miller made arrangements for having a home of his own, by his marriage to Miss Laura E. Graves, a daughter of Louis and Jane (Dodd) Graves. Her parents, natives of Indiana, came to Iowa in an early day and have since continued to make their home in Bloomfield township, the father being still actively connected with agricultural pursuits. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Miller has been blessed with six children, four daugh- ters and two sons, namely : Mabel M., who at the age of twenty years, is en- gaged in teaching school; David Louis, who at the age of eighteen is a high- school student in Valley Junction; Eva B., sixteen years of age and now in school; Grace J., aged eight years, and also attending school; and Onna M. and Eugene S., aged respectively three and two years.

Mr. Miller's study of the political issues and questions of the day has led hini to give stalwart support to the republican party. For one term he filled the office of road supervisor and is now acting as school director. In his fra- ternal relations he is a Mason, while religiously he and his family are identified with the Congregational church. Coming to Polk county at an early age, Mr. Miller was favorably impressed with the advantages and opportunities that seemed open in the agricultural field, and although he went to the far west to gain his real start in life, was eager to return to this state to make his perma- nent abode. In the years that have since passed he has worked earnestly and persistently and today finds a place among the substantial and successful citizens of Bloomfield township and Polk county.

GEORGE B. LAWRENCE.

For the past thirteen years postmaster of Commerce, Iowa, and also actively identified with the business interests of the town, George B. Lawrence occupies a prominent place in the community. It is entirely through his own industry and ability that he has gained his present enviable standing. He was born in Pennsylvania May 13, 1840, a son of William C. and Emily (Castle) Lawrence, the former a native of the Keystone state and the latter of New York. The father was by trade a mechanic.

Having lost both parents when he was a child the subject of this review took up his home with J. C. Reed, an attorney of Marion county, Jowa. He was educated in the district schools and grew up upon a farm, which was the home of Mr. Reed, continuing with his benefactor until he was twenty-one vears of age. He then went to Columbus, Ohio, and for five years was clerk in a con- fectionary store. However, he was again attracted to his old home and re- turned to Iowa and assumed charge of a sawmill and a farm belonging to Mr. Reed, continuing in this employment until the death of the latter, which oc- curred in October, 1871.

Our subject was now thirty-one years of age, and having decided to embark in business on his own account he rented eighty acres of land, which he cul- tivated with a goodly measure of success for ten years. He then went into the restaurant business at Monroe, Iowa, but after four years sold out and en- gaged in farming for a period of three years. Responding to a desire to again engage in mercantile pursuits he opened a notion store at Commerce, of which he has ever since been the head. He has also been postmaster of the town since 1897, discharging his duties in such a way as to meet the hearty approval of the people.

MR. AND MRS. GEORGE B. LAWRENCE AND DAUGHTER

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On the 24th day of December, 1871, Mr. Lawrence was united in marriage to Tabitha A. Smith, a daughter of Joseph and Margaret Smith, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania. They came to Iowa and were identified with the agri- cultural interests of this state. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence one child, Anna Bell, was born. Mr. Lawrence was called upon to mourn the departure of his beloved wife, who died March 14, 1898, and his home was again visited by death on March 23, 1906, when his only daughter was called away.

He has bravely borne his afflictions, being a consistent member of the Chris- tian church and a firm believer that in the end an all wise providence will make all things right. Since arriving at the age of manhood he has given his adher- ence to the republican party, and while living in Marion county served for two years as township clerk. By the practice of economy and thrift he accumulated a competence and he has the satisfaction of being in possession of a comfortable maintenance for the remainder of his life and also of having earned the grati- tude of many to whom he has been a true friend.

HIRAM BATTLES. .

A resident of Polk county for twenty-six years and highly successful in his business as an agriculturist and stockraiser, Hiram Battles, deceased, is remem- bered by many as a man of generous and noble character whose personal worth was recognized by all who knew him. He was called to his final rest in 1892. A native of Ohio, he was born in 1838. He received advantages of education in the common schools of the Buckeye state and later removed to Iowa, and at the time of the Civil war valiantly responded to President Lincoln's call for soldiers to defend the union. He enlisted in the Second Iowa Cavalry and served for four years and three months, being honorably discharged as second lieutenant of his company. After the war he worked for his brother Beriah in Jasper county, Iowa. In 1866 he removed to Polk county and settled on eighty acres of wild land in Franklin township, which he industriously pro- ceeded to improve, erecting a residence, barn, outbuildings and fences, and culti- vating the land until he brought it to a high state of productiveness. He also engaged in stockraising and prospered to such an extent that he became owner of seven hundred acres of good land in this county.

In 1866 Mr. Battles was united in marriage to Miss Susan E. Lacey, a native of Carter county, Tennessee, daughter of Issac T. and Mary Jane (Boyd) Lacey, both of whom were born in Carter county, Tennessee. The father's natal day was June 17, 1821. He came to Jasper county, Iowa in 1854 and located upon two hundred and forty acres of government land. In 1872 he came to Polk county and acquired several hundred acres of land in Franklin township, being very active in township affairs. He died in Mitchellville in March, 1909. The beloved wife and mother was called away in 1902. There were thirteen children in the family, seven of whom grew to maturity, namely: Susan E., who was born January 25, 1846; George N., born July 30, 1850; James R., born January 6, 1852; Isaac F., born November II, 1856; William H., born August 25, 1858; Ulysses S., born December 6, 1865, and Jonathan L., born- December 17, 1868. Thirteen children came to brighten the lives of Mr. and Mrs. Battles, one of whom died in infancy, those surviving being: Isaac, now of Franklin township; Etna; Bertha, now the wife of Ledger Williams, a farmer of Polk county; Delmer who is married and lives in South Dakota; Ephriam, who is also married and lives in Jasper county; Frederick, who is married and lives in Jasper county ; Beriah, of Franklin township; Luella, now Mrs. Bald- win of Mingo, Jasper county ; Dora, now Mrs. Hilker of Polk county; Leroy of Mitchellville; Asa, of Oregon; and Lloyd.

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Mr. Battles was a member of the Methodist church at Valeria. Iowa, and was ever ready to assist in forwarding any course that gave evidence of proving of permanent benefit to the community. He conducted his affairs along lines of the strictest honor and integrity, was loyal to his friendships and loved his family and his home. His gratifying success was due to a worthy ambition and an indefatigable industry, difficulties only serving to strengthen him to greater exertions. Mrs. Battles continued to live upon the old homestead until January, 1909, since which time she has resided in a beautiful residence at Mitchellville. She has many friends in this section, where she has lived for more than forty years.

A. H. LEONARD, M. D.

For seven years past in active practice at Mitchellville, Dr. A. H. Leonard is also known as an accomplished educator and scholar and a man who has earned the gratitude and friendship of many by his great public spirit and his interest in the welfare of others. He was born near the city of Kingston, Ontario, in Frontenac county, in 1862, the son of John and Margaret (Scott) Leonard, who are now living in honorable retirement at Kingston. The family is of German- Irish and Lowland Scotch ancestry and its history has been traced for many years back in the British Isles, the progenitors in America having settled in Canada. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Leonard, namely: A. H .. the subject of this review; Edith, who is married and lives near Kingston; and Maud, a graduate of the public and high schools and also of the Dominion Busi- ness College, who is now an instructor in the Dominion Business College at Toronto.

A. H. Leonard received his early education in the public schools of Frontenac county and graduated from the high school in 1877. He later attended the Provincial Normal School at Ottawa, Ontario, completing the regular course in that institution. In 1903 he received the degree of M. D. from the medical department of Queen's University at Kingston, attaining such a high standing in his class that he was given the advantage of interneship in the general hospital where he continued for seven months. After leaving this institution he went to London, England, where he took a post graduate course before entering upon his life work. Earlier in his career he engaged in farming for two years and theni taught school eight years in Frontenac county. In 1888, believing that more favorable opportunities were presented in this country than in his native land, he came to Iowa and accepted a position as instructor in the State Industrial School for Boys at Eldora, Hardin county. He continued with this institution nine years, during four of which he served as assistant superintendent. In 1897 he was appointed superintendent of the Girls' Industrial School at Mitchell- ville, which position he filled with great acceptance to the board of directors and all concerned, during the years 1897, 1898 and 1899. After an absence of several years, which he devoted to a thorough preparation for the practice of- medicine, he returned to Mitchellville in 1904 and has since made his home in this place. He practiced in partnership with Dr. Hibbs, as Hibbs & Leonard. four years, until 1908, and since that time has practiced alone. He has served as physician for the Industrial School for Girls and is now examining physician at Mitchellville for a number of old-line insurance companies.

In 1888, at Kingston, Ontario, Dr. Leonard was united in marriage to Miss Nora Hughes, who was called away in 1902, leaving a daughter, Gladys, who is now ten years of age. In 1903 he was again married, the lady of his choice being Miss Harriet Gordon. He has been prominent in local affairs and served for four years, from 1906 to 1909 inclusively, as mayor of Mitchellville. He is

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prominently identified with the Masonic order and has taken the degrees of the blue lodge, chapter and commandery. He served as high priest of the chapter at Eldora two years. In religious belief he affiliates with the Methodist Episco- pal church and is now chairman of the board of trustees of the church at Mitch- ellville. He has been very active in Sunday school work and is prominent in literary as well as professional circles. He has been for many years a close student and has a large and carefully selected library, containing a splendid col- lection of medical and surgical works, with which he is thoroughly acquainted. He owns a beautiful home, and maintains a well equipped office on the second floor of the State Bank Building which would be highly creditable to a physician with a large practice in a metropolitan city. Thoroughly conscientious and eminently equipped through training, study and experience, he has gained marked . success in a profession that calls for the highest skill and talent. He is a genial and agreeable gentleman, but at the same time determined and earnest in every- thing he undertakes, so that he is today a leader in this part of the state and a bulwark of strength in any cause which he represents.

HARRY PORTER HOLMES.

Among the optometrists of acknowledged standing in the west, Dr. Harry Porter Holmes of Des Moines deserves a high place, being recognized as one of the leading practitioners in his line in the country. He was born at Maquo- keta, Jackson county, Iowa, January 22, 1861, a son of Edward James and Sarah C. (Hyde) Holmes. The father was born at Wilson, Niagara county, New York, January 27, 1831, and was a nephew of John W. Taylor, who for twenty years was a member of congress and served as speaker of the house of repre- sentatives in the sixteenth and nineteenth general assemblies. In the year 1874 Edward J. Holmes came to Des Moines, having been elected clerk of the su- preme court of Iowa, which position he filled until 1883. He was also for ten years clerk of the courts of Jackson county, Iowa, and his death occurred in Des Moines on the 6th of April, 1888. He was married in Lockport, New York, October 18, 1853, to Sarah C. Hyde, who was born in Rochester, New York, June 12, 1831. She was a great-granddaughter of Lord McBride and is believed to be one of the heirs to Hyde Park, in England. Mrs. Holmes' mother, with her parents, settled in Des Moines the year the soldiers were ordered away from the fort. They at one time owned and operated the Des Moines House which stood where the post office is now located on First and Walnut Streets.

Harry Porter Holmes acquired his preliminary education in the public schools of Des Moines, being graduated from the East high school with the class of 1881. Soon afterwards he entered commercial circles and in 1885 established a jewelry and optical business in East Des Moines, which has steadily grown until it is now accorded a very extensive patronage. The business is now conducted under the name of the Holmes-Irving Company and is one of the leading estab- lishments of this character in East Des Moines. He began work as an opto- metrist in 1892 and in the years following continued his studies, being graduated from the Chicago Ophthalmic College and Hospital in the class of 1893. Subse- quently, in order to promote his knowledge and efficiency, he entered the McCor- mick Optical College, from which he was graduated in 1900 and also completed a course in the Chicago College of Optics in that year. He spared neither time nor effort in making himself thoroughly familiar with every detail of the calling to which he was strongly directed by talent and inclination and in 1905 he attended the La Grange College of Refraction.

In 1902 he removed his offices to the Utica building in West. Des Moines. where he has since remained, his patronage steadily increasing, so that he is

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now well known over a wide region in the west. He specializes on relieving eye strain by adaptation of lenses and the development of weak eye muscles. Dr. Holmes is a highly intelligent man. Quick of perception and sharp in discrimina- tion, he loves science for its own sake. He is a close student, an accurate observer and is enthusiastic and indefatigable in his efforts to learn the true cause of disease and the treatment of each case brought to his attention. A frequent contributor to optical journals he is widely known in the special field he has chosen, his contributions to professional literature being extensively copied in optometrical publications. In 1896 he organized the Holmes Optical College, of which he has since been the president. He is a member of the Iowa Association of Optometrists and served for six years as its president, beginning in 1898. He also belongs to the American Association of Optometrists, of which he was for one year president.

On the 22d of April, 1884. Dr. Holmes was united in marriage, in Des Moines, to Miss Ada Overman, a daughter of Dr. A. M. and Mahala ( Stutsman) Overman. Her grandparents were early settlers of Polk county. Mrs. Holmes is a graduate of the East Des Moines high school of the class of 1880. By her marriage she has become the mother of two children: Clara Louise, who was born May 25, 1889, and is a graduate of the East Des Moines high school and of Drake University ; and Donald Edward, born January I, 1891. and is a graduate of the East Des Moines high school. At the present time he is a student in the mechanical engineering department of the Iowa State Agricultural College at Ames.

Politically Dr. Holmes gives his support to the republican party and by reason of his religious belief is identified with the First Presbyterian church of East Des Moines. Fraternally he is identified with Home Lodge, No. 370, A. F. & A. M .; Des Moines Lodge, No. 68, K. P., of which he is past chancellor, while on several occasions he has been delegate to the sessions of the grand lodge; Capital Lodge, No. 14, A. O. U. W .; the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks ; the Grand View Golf Club; and the Friday Club of East Des Moines, of which he was president for two years. His high standing is due to his thorough educa- tion and natural talents for a profession which requires real powers of dis- crimination and expert knowledge of the delicate machinery of the human system. Possessing tact, energy and ambition, he has met with deserved success, enjoy- ing the confidence of his fellow citizens as well as a large and lucrative practice.

HANLEY BROTHERS.

For more than a half century the name of Hanley has figured in connection with the agricultural development of Polk county and the brothers, James, Jr., and George P., are now designated as the most progressive farmers of this sec- tion of the state. Their interests are large and carefully conducted and all that stand for improvement and advancement along agricultural lines find exemplifi- cation in the work that is done upon their farm. They are sons of James and Mary (Keyes) Hanley, who are mentioned elsewhere in this volume. James Hanley, Jr .. was born in Polk county, September 21. 1864, and his brother, George P. Hanley, on the 25th of March. 1867. Their youthful days were spent under the parental roof and their educational opportunities were those afforded by the public schools of the community in which they lived. The boys remained at home with their parents until the father's death, at which time they came into possession of the farm, which the father had acquired through untiring effort. The practical training which they had received in youth concerning the most efficient methods of tilling the soil stood them in good stead when they became owners of the property. Whatever tends to promote advancement in husbandry

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receives their indorsement and every modern idea is always given a trial by them if it presents a practical phase. They have studied the question of farming from the scientific standpoint as well and have not only demonstrated the worth of the methods which they follow, but are also able to give a reason therefor. From time to time they have extended the boundaries of their property until they now own twenty-five hundred acres, all in Jefferson township. This they have improved very greatly and are now largely engaged in the live stock busi- ness, keeping on hand generally from three hundred to eight hundred head of cattle. They also raise about eight hundred head of hogs each year and have about thirty-five head of horses upon their place. They cultivate the greater part of their extensive lands and rent a portion. Their fields are carefully tilled and return golden harvests as a reward for the labor bestowed upon them. Other avenues of usefulness have opened to them and they are now proprietors of the Granger Elevator, of Granger, Iowa, and are also conducting a similar business under the name of the Granger Elevator Company, at Madrid, Iowa. They have likewise become important factors in the grain trade at other points, by establishing and conducting elevators at Gardner and at Herrold, Iowa. Their landed possessions include property in Texas and at all times their investments have been judiciously made so that excellent results are attained in the conduct of their business affairs.

Both brothers are members of the Des Moines Lodge, No. 98, B. P. O. E., and James Hanley is a member of the Knights of Columbus. Both hold mem- bership in the Catholic church and give their political allegiance to the demo- cratic party, although they never actively participate in political affairs, preferring to concentrate their entire time and attention upon the development of their per- sonal interests, in which they have met with enviable success. Each year has chronicled their progress along the lines in which they have labored and their work has set the standard for progressive farming in Polk county.

FRANK R. KIMBLE.

In the list of well established citizens of Bloomfield township is to be found the name of Frank R. Kimble, the owner of a valuable forty-acre farm which he has brought to a high state of cultivation. He also owns other property and is recognized as one of the intelligent and progressive men of the county. He was born in this county January 1873, son of Charles F. and Martha (Bames) Kimble, the former born in New York and the latter in Indiana. They came to Iowa in the winter of 1858 and Mr. Kimble began farming in Polk . county. Subsequently he purchased one hundred and sixty acres in Bloomfield township, upon which he established his homestead. Here he continued to reside until November, 1909. when he retired and moved to Valley Junction. taking up his residence at Second and Maple streets. The beloved wife and mother was called away in 1896.

Frank R. Kimble grew up on the home farm in Polk county and attended the district schools, later becoming a student of Highland Park college at Des Moines. He remained with his parents until nineteen years of age, when he ac- cepted a position in a grocery store at Des Moines. After one year, however, he transferred his allegiance to J. E. Schonneman, proprietor of a grocery store at the corner of Sixth and School streets, and continued for ten years in his employ- ment, gaining a practical knowledge of business that has been of very great value as applied to agriculture and stock-raising. Giving up his position in mer- cantile life Mr. Kimble purchased forty acres of good land in Bloomfield town- ship, upon which he erected a handsome residence, a good barn and other out- buildings, making a very attractive home. His farm is well improved and

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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 101

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