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 102
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yields handsome annual returns. He is also the owner of a ten acre peach orchard in Missouri, which has proven a good investment.
On the 14th day of June, 1899, Mr. Kimble was united in marriage to Miss Nora Mitchell, daughter of Martin B., and Julia A. (Hitchcock) Mitchell, the former a native of Maine and the latter of Illinois. The father in his early man- hood engaged in mining, but subsequently moved to a farm in Nebraska, where he continued until his death, which occurred in 1903. The mother is still living in Nebraska.
Mr. Kimble and his wife are sincere believers in the inspiration of the Bible and hold membership in the Methodist church. He is an earnest friend of educa- tion and has served as secretary of the school board of Bloomfield township. Politically, he is identified with the republican party and fraternally, with the Maccabees. He belongs to the younger element among the farmers upon whose shoulders will rest a large share of the responsibilities after the fathers have passed from the scene. As he has always made use of strictly honorable methods in business he is fully entitled to the respect in which he is held by all to whom he is known.
ARCHIBALD K. STEWART.
In every community there are always to be found a few citizens who con- sider their public duties and civic responsibilities paramount to all other inter- ests. Among such in Des Moines must be numbered Archibald K. Stewart, who did such notable work on behalf of the public school system and the city charter. He is a native of Iowa, having been born near Grand View, Louisa county, on the 26th of April, 1859, his parents being Archibald K. and Mary A. (Lawrence) Stewart. He is of Scotch Irish extraction, his ancestors having emigrated from the mother country to America long prior to the Revolution, in which war two of his great-great-grandfathers, John Stewart and John Robinson, participated. The former enlisted from Carlisle, Pennsylvania, and the latter from Virginia, but after the close of hostilities both located in Beaver county, Pennsylvania, and there A. K. Stewart, the son of Archibald and Mary (Kennedy) Stewart was born on the 23d of March, 1820. Archibald K. Stewart, Sr., was twice married, eight children being born of the first marriage and three of the last, while ten attained maturity, nine of whom are still surviving. The following were born of the first marriage: Lavina; J. W .; A. E .; A. K .; Eliza Jane, now Mrs. E. J. Erdice ; Mary A. ; Louis B .; and one child who died in infancy. Three children : Grace, Lee and Daisy, were born of the second union.
The first five years of Archibald K. Stewart's life were spent on the farm where he was born but in 1865 the family removed to Washington county, locat- ing upon a farm five miles east of Washington, where they continued to reside until 1876 when they became residents of Keota. Being reared upon a farm Mr. Stewart acquired his education in the district schools of Washington county, the winter sessions of which he attended and at such times as he could be spared from the work of the homestead in the spring and fall until 1874, at which time he entered the academy at Washington where he remained for two years. As the family removed to Keota at the expiration of that time, he completed his preliminary education in the high school of that town, following which he took a law course in the State University at Iowa City, being awarded the degree of LL. B. with the class of 1879. After graduation he returned to Keota and with two of his brothers, J. W. and A. E., engaged in the live stock and grain business, operating under the firm name of Stewart Brothers. He con- tinued to be identified with that business for nearly four years, during which time he was also following his profession, now and then trying such cases as
A. K. STEWART
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came his way. In 1883 he withdrew entirely from business life and coming to Des Moines established an office and has ever since been successfully engaged in practicing law in this city, his present location being at 500 East Locust street.
Mr. Stewart has always taken an active and helpful interest in municipal affairs and is well known throughout the city because of the firm stand he took for the consolidation of the school districts of the city as well as for the adoption of the non-partisan clause on the new charter. He served on the board of school directors for six years, during which time he was on many of the most important committees and for two years acted as president. His first connec- tion with the board of education was in 1891, at which time he was elected a member of the independent school district of Des Moines for a term of three years. At the expiration of that time he was unanimously reelected, his name appearing on every ticket-this being previous to the adoption of the Australian ballot. When he was first elected Des Moines was divided into a number of independent school districts, and readily recognizing the inefficiency, unnecessary expense and dissatisfaction resulting from such a method Mr. Stewart deter- mined to do his utmost to effect a change. He expressed his views publicly the first time at the dedication of the North high school when as a representa- tive of the East high school he advocated the necessity and advisability of a unified school system. From that time on he never relaxed his efforts during a ten-years struggle to overcome public prejudice and political chicanery. He pre- sented the matter to the various commercial organizations of the city and ap- pealed to the people through the press and personally until he had the hearty cooperation of every newspaper in the city. The law was such at that time that it was impossible to submit any. measure affecting the schools to the public vote without first securing the acquiescence of the various schoolboards. This they refused to grant and Mr. Stewart appealed to the East Des Moines Commercial League, which organization assisted him in securing additional legislation. He headed a strong committee which appeared before the educational committee of the legislature asking that the law be repealed, but a strong lobby killed the bill before it left the committee at the first session. This but strengthened his determination and by means of the increasing support and united effort of those assisting him the bill was put through by the assembly of 1907. At the general election held shortly following, the schools of this city were placed under the control of one board, the vote being carried by more than two thousand majority. Mr. Stewart considers this to be his most important contribution to the people and feels that he has been amply rewarded by the knowledge that more than twenty thousand school children are accorded equal educational privileges, in the burden of which the taxpayers share alike.
Civic affairs have always absorbed a great deal of Mr. Stewart's attention and he was one of the strong supporters of the Des Moines plan of municipal government, having been a member of the first committee of twenty-five who ·advocated the commission plan of city government. He has always been a strong advocate of the non-partisan form of municipal government and suggested such an amendment to the committee appointed to draft the charter. This was known as the Stewart amendment and was strongly opposed by the drafting committee, who called to their assistance the most subtle of parliamentary tactics to defeat its passage. It was adopted, however, by a large majority when submitted to the vote of the three hundred committee and afterwards became a part of the state law and the Des Moines charter, which latter is now non-partisan. This plan has been very generally approved and favorably commented upon by pub- licists and is being followed by other municipalities, which is the greatest tribute it could possibly be paid. Mr. Stewart was a member of the campaign com- mittee that secured the adoption of the law by the legislature, as well as a mem-
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ber of the committee that secured the adoption of the Des Moines plan at the special city election held for that purpose. He was unanimously selected by the first council under the new charter as municipal judge, which office he held longer than the term of the first council.
In Keota, Iowa, on the 18th of June, 1885, occurred the marriage of Mr. Stewart and Miss Mary E. Van Winkle, a daughter of James and Martha (McNutt) Van Winkle. Three children have been born to them: Lawrence O., whose birth occurred on the 14th of November, 1887; Joseph Warren, who was born on the 20th of June, 1893, and died in infancy ; and Mary Ruth, born on the 8th of March, 1899. Lawrence graduated from the East Des Moines high school in 1907 and won a scholarship in the Cummings Art School and has since been pursuing his art studies in the Cummings school and the Chicago Art In- stitute. Ruth is attending the public schools of this city. The family attend the First Presbyterian church in which Mr. Stewart has always taken an active and helpful interest. He has been a trustee of the church for more than ten years and was secretary of the building committee when the present edifice was erected. His interest in educational matters generally has been the means of his election to the board of trustees of Highland Park College, and he has great hopes of being able to develop their mechanical department into one of the finest technical schools of the west. Fraternally Mr. Stewart is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Royal Arca- num, Improved Order of Red Men, Ancient Order of United Workmen, Mod- ern Brotherhood of America, the Homesteaders and the Court of Honor, and has filled the chairs of several of them. He is also a member of the Des Moines Commercial Club and the East Des Moines League, and for five years has been a director of the latter, besides being identified with several smaller improve- ment leagues, while he maintains relations with the members of his profession through the medium of the Polk County Bar Association and the State Bar Association. Although his political views accord with the principles of the democratic party, Mr. Stewart only casts his ballot in support of the candidates of this body at national and state elections, advocating in municipal affairs the selection of such men and measures as are best adapted to meet the needs of the community.
Mr. Stewart is a man who places strong stress upon the recognition of public and fraternal duties and is ever striving to do his utmost to promote harmony and unity of purpose in all civic and social relations, regarding the responsi- bilities of citizenship to be the most important in life.
GEORGE W. HOWE.
A veteran of the Civil war and a man who has never shirked the perform- ance of duty or labor either in times of war or peace, George W. Howe, who is engaged in truck farming in Jasper county, four miles from Runnells, can claim warm personal friends wherever he is known. He is a native son of Iowa, born in Jackson county March 19, 1841. His parents were John and Sarah (Stuckey ). Howe, the former a native of Kentucky and the latter of North Carolina. Mr. Howe, Sr., was a carpenter by trade and came to Iowa in the pioneer days, locat- ing in Jackson county. He worked at his trade in Akron and died in 1847, when, the subject of this review was in early childhood. The mother was again mar- ried and died in 1862.
George W. Howe received his early education in the public schools of Akron. After leaving school he worked for his stepfather on the home farm until the outbreak of the Civil war, when he enlisted in Company H, Fifth Iowa Cavalry. He was present at many important battles and skirmishes and participated in
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many movements, gaining experiences in contact with men which can never be learned from books. A true soldier, he rejoiced, however, when peace again prevailed, and after receiving his honorable discharge returned to his native state and found employment on the Valley Railroad, the first railway line that was built into Des Moines. He continued with the railway company for three years and then began building stock yards along the Rock Island Railway system. In 1869 he went to Nebraska and for three years was connected with farming, returning to Iowa in 1872 with one hundred and thirty-two head of cattle belong- ing to J. E. Rawson, which he iended in Warren county for two winters. Dur- ing the next twenty-five years he devoted his attention principally to building fences, in the course of this time fencing many of the large farms of the state. He then engaged in the lumber business for two years in Jasper county, since which time he has given his attention to truck farming with very favorable results.
Mr. Howe cast his first ballot for Abraham Lincoln while serving in the army, in 1864. Since that time his sentiments have undergone a change and he is now a stanch supporter of the democratic party as the one best adapted to promote the welfare of the entire country. He is not connected with any religious denomination, but is friendly toward them all and contributes freely in behalf of worthy objects. On account of ill health he was obliged to place himself for several months in the early part of 1911 under a physician's care at Runnells, but with the return of spring his strength was much improved. As a valiant soldier he deserves the gratitude of all lovers of liberty and his friends sincerely trust that he may live many years in the enjoyment of prosperity and peace.
THOMAS I. STONER.
Although Thomas I. Stoner, of Des Moines, is a native of Bedford county, Pennsylvania, he has spent almost his entire life in the west, having been brought to Iowa by his parents in his infancy. He is, therefore, essentially a western man and his energy and ability have gained for him general recognition as a leader in the business development of Des Moines. He was born March 31, 1868, and is a son of Joseph B. and Rebecca (Harwood) Stoner, the former of whom was born in Maryland, October 13, 1832, and the latter in Pennsylvania. Mr. Stoner, Sr., came with his family to Jasper county, Iowa, in 1869 and engaged as a contractor and builder, erecting some of the first homes in the county. He also became identified with the hotel business. His wife is deceased but he is now living retired at Wooster, Ohio.
Thomas I. Stoner attended the public schools of Prairie City, Iowa, and when yet a lad secured employment with William Johner, of Prairie City, who gave him his first instruction in decorative work. He afterward attended the Shenandoah (Iowa) Normal and Commercial College, pursuing a commercial course, and upon leaving school at the age of twenty years went to Omaha, Nebraska, where he was employed by the leading firm of decorators in that city. In 1889 he came to Des Moines and was employed by the Holland & New Company, decorators and paper hangers, continuing with this firm two sea- sons. He then engaged in business for himself upon a modest scale in a basement room at 509 'Mulberry street. By close attention to his work and giving satisfaction to patrons the demands for his services developed to such an extent that after one year he removed to more commodious quarters at 518 Grand avenue and two years later to 821 Walnut street, where he con- tinued one year, then removing to 810 Walnut street, his present headquarters. He maintains one of the largest and best equipped stores of its kind in the west, giving employment during the season to nearly one hundred persons. He has
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the reputation of doing some of the best work in the state, including interior work in the various state buildings. He has had charge of all the decorative work in the state house since the fire, also in the state historical building, the railway commissioners' office and has frescoed a number of the leading Catholic and Protestant churches of the state. His business is conducted as the Stoner Wall Paper Company, Inc., of which he is president and general manager. He is also president of the International Wall Paper Company, jobbers of wall paper and kindred lines, of Des Moines, and was the organizer of the Grand department store, being lessee of the building and a member of the board of directors of the concern.
In the organization of the Grand department store, Mr. Stoner's most notable achievement, he had to face the keenest competition and opposition. It is now one of the leading stores in the city, receiving a large and well merited patronage. He was for four years engaged in the manufacture of wall paper and established the first wall paper factory west of the Mississippi, at Eighth and Tuttle streets, Des Moines. At the time of the flood, in 1903, he lost over twenty-three thou- sand dollars in merchandise, fourteen car loads of wall paper being swept away, and also lost nine thousand dollars in the flood of 1904. He is not a man, how- ever, to become discouraged and these losses served only to spur him to greater exertion. Mr. Stoner is certainly a remarkable man when judged by what he has accomplished and the methods he has pursued. He has surrounded himself with an efficient corps of trained employes and has systematized his business in such a manner that it is conducted with the precision and accuracy of a bank. His long fight against the wall paper trust covered a period of four years through the courts, resulting in a verdict in his favor which awarded him twenty-eight thousand dollars in damages. The Stoner Wall Paper Company has never recognized union labor and is the only concern in the city following this policy that has won progress and success. His record cannot fail to prove of interest, showing what may be accomplished when determination, enterprise and ambition lead the way. Starting out in a humble capacity as a painter and decorator, he is now a capitalist and a man of considerable local prominence. His success is due to the high standard of materials and workmanship which he has always maintained and his prosperity has been won along the legitimate lines of trade and never at the expense of another's success. He is a very persistent and enthusiastic man, accomplishing what he undertakes, and has long been accounted one of the progressive citizens of Des Moines.
On the 22d of February, 1890, Mr. Stoner, at Prairie City, was married to Miss Lyda C. Zachary, a daughter of James F. Zachary, a native of this state. In politics Mr. Stoner gives his support to the republican party. He is a mem- ber of the Church of Christ and the Knights of Pythias and as a business man is identified with the Commercial Club, socially being connected with the Grant Club. Remarkably efficient and successful in whatever he undertakes, he has been an active factor in the business life of the city and never hesitates to take advantage of opportunities, thus forging his way to a position of large and grow- ing financial responsibility.
HARRY D. LIDDLE.
Harry D. Liddle, secretary and assistant treasurer of the Merchants' Transfer and Storage Company of Des Moines, by his industry and efficiency has gained substantial recognition as one of the valued citizens of this city. He was born at Keokuk, Iowa, September 26, 1872, a son of William H. and Lydia (Pollock) Liddle, the former of whom was born near Mount Pleasant, Iowa, August 4, 1847, and the latter in Indiana, September 9, 1849. Mr.' Liddle, Sr., engaged
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successfully as a merchandise broker in Des Moines and was the father of two children: Arthur W., who married Miss Harriet Blodgett and is now living at Davenport; and Harry D., the subject of this review.
Educated in the public schools of Des Moines, Harry D. Liddle began his active career in the employ of Schramm Brothers, grocers, continuing with this firm for two years. In 1894 he became identified with the Merchants Transfer and Storage Company, beginning as office assistant, and has ever since continued with the company, passing through various positions, and is now secretary and assistant treasurer. This company is one of the most important concerns of the kind in the west and maintains at Des Moines a thoroughly modern establish- ment, a description of which may be found elsewhere in this work, in the sketch of W. L. Hinds, president of the company.
On the 12th day of June, 1901, Mr. Liddle was united in marriage -to Miss Georgia E. Maish, who was born in Des Moines July 3, 1874. She is a daughter of George H. Maish, a well known banker of this city, now deceased, who organ- ized the Iowa National Bank. Two children have blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Liddle: David Maish, who was born August 13, 1903; and Harriet Lucile, born November 16, 1906.
For seventeen years or almost ever since he began his active career Mr. Liddle has been connected with the Merchants Transfer and Storage Company. His long period of service has made him thoroughly familiar with the work and his fidelity to all responsibilities entrusted to his hands has met with recognition by the officers of the company and its patrons. Kindly in manner, he wins respect by his straightforward address, and he also gains the lasting friendship of those with whom he comes in contact. Politically he gives his support to the republican party and in religious belief he adheres to the Presbyterian church.
BENJAMIN T. JOHNSON.
Benjamin T. Johnson, who has lived retired at Bondurant since 1904, was for many years successfully identified with general agricultural pursuits in Polk county and is still the owner of a farm of one hundred and twenty acres in Franklin township. His birth occurred in Van Wert county, Ohio, in 1842, his parents being Abel and Margaret Johnson, who came to Iowa in 1862. Follow- ing the mother's demise, which occurred in Decatur county, Iowa, the father returned to Van Wert county, Ohio. Their children were as follows: Benjamin T., of this review; Joseph H., who wedded Miss Mary Goodwin, a native of Van Wert county, Ohio; John W., who wedded Miss Martha Foster, a native of Polk county, Iowa; Evan D., who married Miss Susan Parker, a native of Iowa ; and Elias F., now a supreme court judge in the Philippine Islands, who married Miss Anice Smith, of Van Wert county, Ohio.
Benjamin T. Johnson spent the first nineteen years of his life in his native county and in August, 1861, started for Iowa with four hundred and sixty-four head of sheep, arriving in Polk county in the following October. He took up his abode in Franklin township and there followed farming throughout the remainder of his active business career, cultivating one hundred and twenty acres of land. In 1904 he put aside the active work of the fields and removed to Bondurant, where he is now spending the evening of life in well earned ease. The farm is still in his possession and he also owns town property in Bondurant.
In 1866 Mr. Johnson was united in marriage to Miss Eliza Pring, a daughter of Richard and Mary Pring. who were natives of Ohio. Her father was one of the first settlers in Van Wert county, that state, and also one of the first judges of election, serving on the board when there was only one voting precinct in the county. He came to Iowa in the year 1857, settling in Franklin township,
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Polk county. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Johnson were born two children, one of whom, Ora Agnes, passed away in April, 1885, when fourteen years of age. The son, Frank L., is now serving as cashier of the Bank of Bondurant at Bondurant, Iowa. He wedded Miss Irene Goddard, a daughter of George and Mary Goddard and by this union had two children: Fay, a high school student in Des Moines ; and Grace. His wife died in 1904. In 1905 he married Miss Bertha Royce, a daughter of Phillip and Betsy Royce, who reside in their native state-Vermont.
Mr. Johnson of this review gives his political allegiance to the republican party, believing that its principles are most conducive to good government. The . period of his residence in Polk county covers five decades and he has gained an extensive circle of friends here.
A. WALLACE GUTHRIE.
There are many names on the rolls which contain a list of the citizens of Des Moines and Polk county, now departed, who were in years past active fac- tors in public or private affairs. A. Wallace Guthrie, who passed away March 26, 1909, belonged to this class. He was one of the best known men in the city, also having many friends throughout central Iowa. He was a native of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, born September 25, 1845, a son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Diller) Guthrie. The father was a farmer in the Keystone state but believing that better opportunities lay westward, he went to Newton, Jasper county, Iowa, in 1853, and engaged so successfully in his vocation that he ac- quired thirteen hundred acres of land, becoming one of the prominent agricul- turists of the county.
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