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 103

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 103

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A. Wallace Guthrie accompanied his parents to this state and was closely identified for many years with agricultural interests. At the time of the Civil war, prior to his sixteenth birthday, he enlisted in Company B, Thirteenth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, serving as a private for four years and at all times per- forming his duty as a valiant soldier. Immediately after leaving the army he pursued a course of study in the Central University of Iowa at Pella and in 1873 took up his residence in Des Moines where for thirty-four years he was prom- inently connected with the real-estate and law business, his office being at No. 420 East Fifth street. In 1876 he had been graduated from Simpson College of Indianola, Iowa, the law department of that institution being located in Des Moines. Soon after arriving in the city he purchased twenty acres of land which later became very valuable. This land he divided into lots, many of which he disposed of at a handsome profit. He was active and energetic in all he undertook and was recognized as one of the substantial and influential men of Des Moines. For two terms he served as a justice of the peace in this city.

On March 28, 1867, Mr. Guthrie was united in marriage, at Maxwell, Iowa, to Miss Louisa M. Penn, a descendant of John Penn, a brother of William Penn, the famous Quaker and organizer of Pennsylvania, and a daughter of John Penn, also a native of Pennsylvania, who was a resident of Polk county for forty-three years, being called away January 9, 1900. He was born in Phila- delphia, January 6, 1812, and at ten years of age took up his residence in Pick- away county, Ohio, where he was married to Barbara Powell. In 1850 he moved with his family to Lafayette, Indiana, and came to Iowa in 1856, locating near Maxwell, he and his brother becoming the owners of a large tract of land in Polk county. He spent the last twenty-five years of his life in Des Moines, where he was greatly respected. Politically he was very active and for some years served as supervisor from Washington township. Religiously he gave his adherence to the Methodist church. There were seven children in the family of Mr. and Mrs. Penn : Edward; John; William H .; Louisa M., who be-

A. WALLACE GUTHRIE

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came the wife of Mr. Guthrie; Jacob Mily; George W., and Charles F. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Guthrie were born the following children: Minnie L .; Ida, whose death occurred at the age of eight years; George W., a missionary, now in India ; Charles P., Arthur J. and Donald R., all of Des Moines; Estella, now Mrs. Goodrich, of Des Moines; and Paul, whose death occurred in infancy. Charles P. and Donald R. have since the death of their father continued busi- ness at the same location and have met with most gratifying success.

Mr. Guthrie gave his political allegiance to the democracy and as an old soldier was identified with the Grand Army of the Republic. Socially he was connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Woodmen of the World and the Masonic bodies. He had strong religious convictions and was a stanch member of the Methodist church, being one of the founders of the Capital Park church of this city and one of its most earnest supporters. As a man of unusual intelligence, activity and discernment, he impressed his indi- viduality upon all he met and exerted a constant influence for good on those with whom he associated. Of him it may truly be said: "He made the world better for having lived in it."

JAMES MADISON SHACKLEFORD, M. D.

Dr. James Madison Shackleford was an able and learned physician and a capable business man to whom success came as the crowning reward of his intelligently directed labors, but above and beyond his professional and busi- ness ability was the character of the man-noble purpose, high ideals and sym- pathetic kindly spirit-that won him the confidence, regard and warm friend- ship of all with whom he associated. He lives today in the memory of his friends enshrined in a halo of a gracious presence and a most engaging per- sonality. He was born in Mason county, Kentucky, March 25, 1809, and was a representative of one of the old and prominent families of that state. His father, James Shackleford, was born in Fauquier county, Virginia, February 17, 1763, and when a youth of eighteen enlisted for service with the Virginia Militia, in Washington's last campaign of the Revolution, which ended with the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown. He married Elizabeth Clarke, a native of North- umberland county, Virginia, and in 1800 they removed to Mason county, Ken- tucky. James Shackleford was spoken of as a "courtly gentleman," who imbued his children with the "chivalric spirit of the Revolution." His wife was a woman of great refinement and worth and their home was noted for its cordial hospitality.

Dr. Shackleford spent his youthful days amid the pleasant environment of a cultured home and in early manhood took up the study of medicine in the office of his brother, Dr. John Shackleford, of Maysville, Kentucky, where he was a fellow student of the brilliant Alexander McClung, a nephew of Chief Justice Marshall. McClung became famous as a distinguished orator, the friend of Jefferson Davis and as one of the greatest duelists of the United States. Dr. Shackleford completed his preparation for the medical profession in the medical school of Transylvania University at Lexington, Kentucky, where he was grad- uated in the year 1833. In the previous year he had married and after his graduation established a home in Maysville, Kentucky, residing there until 1837, when he removed to Greenup, Kentucky. He went thence to Portsmouth, Ohio, about 1841, and in 1869 came to Des Moines. While in his early manhood his entire attention was concentrated upon professional duties, he later gave a por- tion of his time to other business interests and, while in Portsmouth, occupied the presidency of the Farmers National Bank in 1866 and 1867. Following his arrival in Iowa he practiced medicine in Des Moines until his death in 1872.

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It had been his purpose to retire but a committee, composed of a number of prominent citizens, General Tuttle, B. F. Allen, Judge Casady and other well known pioneers, waited upon him and urged him to continue in practice. Previ- ous to coming to Iowa, in 1867, he purchased a farm of one thousand acres in Dallas county and his two eldest sons, James and John, came to this state to take charge of the property. In 1869 he arrived with the others of his family and erected a residence on Locust street in Des Moines, where the Unique Theater now stands. The homes of Major Hoyt Sherman, Judge Byron Rice and H. F. Getchell were in the same block. The Shackleford home was the scene of whole- souled and generous entertainment and good cheer. It was the rendezvous of the city's best social life. In addition to his professional duties the doctor con- tinued personal supervision of the development and improvement of his farming interests and his carefully directed business affairs brought him substantial suc- cess.

In his political views Dr. Shackleford was a republican, ardently advocating the principles of the party. A Mason, he remained for many years in active connection with the order and was in sympathy with the noble purposes of the craft. In early life he held membership in the Episcopal church, but at the time of his death was serving as an elder in the Central Presbyterian church.

As previously stated, Dr. Shackleford was married in 1832. It was on the 17th day of April of that year, in Maysville, Kentucky, that he wedded Miss Margaret Scott Baird, who was born in Washington, Kentucky, September 18; 1814, a daughter of Pleasant and Mary (McCall) Baird, both of whom were Virginians. Mr. Baird was a slave-holder in the early days and the owner of a large plantation. Mrs. Baird lived to the remarkable old age of ninety-two years and was of the highest type of Christian gentlewoman. Her daughter, Mrs. Shackleford, lived to celebrate her ninety-fifth birthday. Of her it was written while she yet survived : "Since her husband's death in 1872 she has lived practi- cally in retirement, seeing comparatively few save the old friends who have always sought the sunshine of her presence for the 'sweetness and light which it radiated.' Every faculty save that of sight is keen and alert; she insists upon hearing every bit of news in the daily papers, is alive to present-day issues and responds with enthusiasm to the most progressive thought. Although almost totally blind her mind sees and her heart throbs with intense interest in the world's work." Nine children were born unto Dr. and Mrs. Shackleford: Mary Elizabeth, Charles James, John, Henry, Anna, Daniel, Clarke Baird, Margaret Scott and Harriet Burr. Three of the children died in early life and only three of the family are yet living, Charles James, Clarke Baird and Margaret Scott.

While Dr. Shackleford was a resident of Des Moines for only three years, in that short time he made many warm friends professionally, socially and in the church. He died of cerebro-spinal meningitis after an illness of only a few days, at his farm fifteen miles from Des Moines. Several of his loyal friends of that day-Major Hoyt Sherman, George Maish and L. W. Dennis, left their business and drove the fifteen miles to the farm, in Dallas county, to be with him in his last illness, a token of loving service and friendship which one rarely meets with at the present day. The funeral services were held in the Central Presbyterian church while the Masons conducted the services at the grave. Mrs. Shackleford was left to survive her husband for thirty-eight years. Her youngest daughter, Margaret, devoted her life to loving service for her mother, and the relation was a beautiful one. In her early days Mrs. Shackleford was a gifted singer and was also skilled at the piano. She was a beautiful dancer, vivacious, sparkling and quick of repartee-all the charming traits of the famous Kentucky belles of an early day. She was a woman of broad sympathy, whose heart was quickly touched with the sorrow or distress of others, but it is said that she "always summoned laughter to chase the tears away." In her later years she was spoken of as "the dear little old lady with silky, silvery white hair,

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kind, gentle, loving and bright." Death called her on the 6th of March, 1910. She had been a true helpmate and inspiration to her husband and theirs was largely an ideal marriage relation. The honor and respect accorded Dr. Shackle- ford were matched by the love and friendship entertained for his wife. The notable qualities of each brought them the warm and enduring regard of all who knew them and the memory of both is yet cherished by those who came within the close circle of their kindness, not only in Iowa but also in those districts in Ohio and Kentucky where their earlier years had been passed.

JAMES MORGAN PARSONS.

Left an orphan at an early age, James Morgan Parsons has won a most creditable and enviable position. Honors in politics and success at the bar have been his, and he is regarded today as one of the prominent leaders of the dem- ocratic party in Iowa as well as a distinguished attorney at Des Moines. He wa's born upon a farm in Fairview, Jones county, Iowa, October 16, 1858, a son of Silas and Elizabeth (Hoover) Parsons. The father's birth occurred in Ken- tucky in 1816 and in 1839, when a young man of twenty-three years, he came to this state, which was at that time a part of the territory of Wisconsin. He en- tered a claim in what became Jones county and endured all of the hardships and privations of pioneer life as the years passed on, but continued actively in the development and improvement of his place until the time of his death in 1864. He was married in 1857 to Elizabeth Hoover, who was of Dutch descent and survived him for only four years, passing away in 1868.

James Morgan Parsons was thus left an orphan when a lad of ten years. He made his home with different families in Jones and Linn counties until he reached the age of seventeen and attended the public schools as opportunity of- fered. He was ambitious to secure a more advanced education, however, than had thus far been afforded him, and in 1876 became a student in Ames College, which he attended for a year. In 1877 he matriculated in Cornell College at Mount Vernon, Iowa, where he pursued the engineering course until the fall of 1879. He then read law in the office of Sheean & McCarn, at Anamosa, Iowa, there pursuing his studies until October, 1880, when he was admitted to the bar. For a year thereafter he engaged in teaching school and in 1881 entered upon the practice of law at Rock Rapids, Lyon county, where he remained a quarter of a century. Since 1906 he has been a representative of the Des Moines bar and has established himself firmly in public opinion as an able and leading lawyer, well equipped for the onerous duties of the profession. While a resident of Rock Rapids he served as prosecuting attorney of Lyon county in 1893-4 and previously had been connected with journalistic interests there as editor of the Rock Rapids Review, from 1884 until 1889. His fellow townsmen, appreciative of his worth and of his public-spirited citizenship, had called him to serve sev- eral terms in the office of mayor and his administration was at all times con- ducted along business lines, whereby the best interests of the town were pro- moted. He was also a member of the school board of that place for ten or twelve years and no movement or project for the betterment of the community failed to find in him a strong friend and supporter. Again he was called to pub- lic office when, in September, 1909, he was made assistant city solicitor of Des Moines, which position he filled until January, 1911, when he resigned. Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise he has been an advocate of the democracy. In 1898 he was honored by his party with the nomination for At- torney General and in 1902 was its candidate for congress in the eleventh dis- trict, but the well known republican majorities of Iowa caused his defeat. In 1900 he was a delegate to the democratic national convention in Kansas City

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which nominated Bryan and, in 1904, was a delegate at large to the democratic national convention at St. Louis, which made Parker, of New York, the stand- ard bearer of the party.

In July, 1883, Mr. Parsons was united in marriage to Miss Lutie M. White- head, a daughter of Dudley C. and Margaret (Peel) Whitehead, of Rock Rapids. Her parents were early settlers of Lyon county. Unto this marriage have been born five children, Harry O., Robert A., George A., Mabel and Hortense, all living.

In fraternal circles Mr. Parsons is well known as a thirty-second-degree mason and a member of the Mystic Shrine. He also belongs to the Benevolent and Pro- tective Order of Elks, to the Hyperion Club and to the Press Club. His wife holds membership in the Congregational church. His record is a notable exam- ple of what may be accomplished when laudable ambition and unfaltering energy constitute the motive force of a man's life. His record, too, shows clearly that it is under the stress of circumstances and the stimulus of opposition that the best and strongest in man is brought out and developed. He early became self-re- liant and independent, and by the careful improvement of every opportunity that has been his he has worked his way upward, having now a very wide acquaint- ance among the most prominent men of the state, who regard him as a peer in general ability, while at the bar his skill is widely recognized by his professional colleagues.

CHARLES ASHMAN DUDLEY.

Charles Ashman Dudley, who comes of distinguished American ancestry and for many years has been prominently known in Des Moines as a lawyer and one of its most progressive citizens, is a native of Freedom, Portage county, Ohio. He was born November 14, 1839, a son of Charles and Sarah (Leete) Dudley, both of whom were born in Berkshire county, Massachusetts. The father en- gaged in farming in Portage county, Ohio, and he and his wife continued there during the remainder of their lives. Mr. Dudley of this review descends on the paternal side from Governor Dudley, of Massachusetts, and on the maternal side from Governor Leete, of Connecticut, being in the sixth generation from the persons named.

In the common schools of Portage county Charles Ashman Dudley received his preliminary education. In 1858 he became a student of the Western Reserve Eclectic Institute, at Hiram, Ohio, and continued there for three years. Desiring to pursue his studies further he entered the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, in 1862, and was graduated from that institution with the degree of A. B. in 1865. The honorary degree of A. M. was awarded him by his alma mater in 1906, Drake University having two years previously given him the title of LL.B. Mr. Dudley has been a resident of Des Moines since 1867. He early showed an ability in his chosen calling which attracted a lucrative clientage. By courage, industry, perseverance and indomitable will power he worked his way to the front in his profession and has been identified with much of the important litigation in central Iowa. He has also been prominent in business affairs and was one of the incorporators of the Iowa Loan & Trust Company of Des Moines, becoming a director of the company and one of the trustees for its bondholders. Unostentatious, quiet and mild mannered, but firm and decided in his opinions, he has been a lifelong student of human nature, a good diplomatist, a man of even temperament and a prosperous and influential citizen.

At Dubuque, Iowa, in April, 1871, Mr. Dudley was married to Miss Sarah A. Washburn, a daughter of Gustavus and Sarah E. Washburn. To this union three children have been born: Cora M., who became the wife of Arthur E. Kenyon; Frank L., who married Gertrude Peirterson; and Plimmon H., who

C. A. DUDLEY

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married Hazel Potter. Politically Mr. Dudley gives his earnest support to the republican party and his religious belief is indicated by membership in the Central Presbyterian church of Des Moines. He has taken a great interest in education and served nine years consecutively, from 1871, as member of the board of edu- cation of Des Moines, filling the chair as president during a portion of that time. At college he belonged to the Alpha Delta Phi fraternity but has never since been connected with any secret organization. He is a member of the Prairie Club and formerly held membership in the Grant Club. Although he has passed the seventy-first milestone on life's journey, Mr. Dudley is still actively connected with his profession and his clients are among the leading citizens of Des Moines and Polk county. In all matters pertaining to citizenship he has represented progress and improvement and his influence has ever been exerted in behalf of what he regards as just and right. Few men could be named in Des Moines who stand higher in the estimation of the people of the city than Charles Ashman Dudley.

ULYSSES G. PEDERSEN.

Although only twenty-six years of age, Ulysses G. Pedersen, of Runnells, has attained an excellent reputation as a business man and ranks favorably among the substantial citizens of Polk county. He is a native of Des Moines, born July 6, 1885, and is a son of John J. and Martina (Hansen) Pedersen, the former having been born in Germany and the latter in Denmark. The father crossed the ocean to the new world in 1870 and after remaining a short time in New York came to Iowa and went to work as section hand upon a railroad at Missouri Valley. After two months he removed to Des Moines, where he entered the employ of the Chicago Lumber & Coal Company as teamster. He remained with this company about twenty-five years, becoming one of its most trusted employes. For fifteen years he was a salesman for the company at Des Moines and for nine years filled the position of manager at Valley Junction. In 1890 he was elected city treasurer of Des Moines and served with great acceptance for two years. After retiring from public office he associated with Herman Raaz, of Valley Junction, in the organization of the Farmers Bank & Lumber Company, of Runnells, becoming cashier and manager of the concern. After six years the company was dissolved and the bank incorporated separately, Mr. Pedersen taking over the lumber business, of which he had charge until his death, September 25, 1910. The mother is still living and makes her home at Runnells. Mr. Pedersen was a man of unusually fine business capacity. He demonstratted his ability by rising through the various steps from railroad laborer to a position of responsibility, gaining a name which was hon- ored wherever it was known.

Ulysses G. Pedersen was reared in Des Moines and Valley Junction. He acquired his education in the public schools and later attended the high school at Valley Junction and the Capital City Commercial College. He also took a course of six months at Humboldt College, Humboldt, Iowa. After leaving this institution he began his business career as bookkeeper for the Farmers Bank & Lumber Company at Runnells. At the end of four years he accepted a posi- tion with the R. W. Taylor Company in the grain commission business, but on account of the illness of his father, was obliged to retire from the grain trade at the end of two years. He assumed management of his father's lumber busi- ness and after the death of the father he came into possession of the same. On March 16, 1911, he sold out his lumber interest to G. C. Warfield, of Waterloo, Iowa, but continues as manager of the firm.

Mr. Pedersen is owner of a valuable residence lot in Runnells, upon which he proposes to erect a building at an early day, as he has great faith in the

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future of Runnells. Fraternally he holds membership in the Yeomen Lodge, No. 617, of Runnells, and religiously affiliates with the Christian church. He has not taken an active part in politics, as his attention has been devoted to business affairs, but he votes the democratic ticket and is an earnest believer in the principles of that party. He has many friends in Polk county who have strong faith in his ability and prophesy for him a bright future.

MICHAEL H. NASH.

Through the improvement of the opportunities which Iowa offers in agri- cultural lines Michael H. Nash has become one of the substantial citizens of Polk county. He was born in Four Mile township, Polk county, on the 19th of April, 1872, a son of Patrick and Margaret (Purcell) Nash, both natives of Ireland. The father came to the United States in 1865, making his way direct to Polk county, and located near Altoona, where he was employed by the Rock Island railway system for a number of years, or until 1893. In the year 1888 he had purchased a farm, consisting of one hundred and sixty acres in Elk- hart township, and upon severing his connections with the railroad company took up his abode thereupon, to the cultivation and improvement of which he devoted his remaining days. He passed away September 12, 1909, having sur- vived his wife almost five years, her death occurring on the 12th January, 1905.

In the district schools of Polk county Michael H. Nash acquired his pre- liminary training and later had the advantage of a commercial course in the Iowa Business College, of Des Moines. After completing his education he began working on the railroad, under the direction of his father, and in the mean- time made his home at Valley Junction. He was thus engaged until 1893, when he removed with the family to the farm in Elkhart township and with his father took up agricultural pursuits. He has given his attention to that line of activity and continues to operate the old homesead, of which he became part owner, with two other children, at the time of his father's death. The present pros- perous and well ordered condition of the place is due, largely, to his efforts, for he is progressive in his methods and is an active, alert, enterprising business man. He is interested to some extent in stock-raising, feeding about fifty head of hogs per year and keeping on his place sixteen head of cattle and seven head of horses. As the years have passed prosperity has attended him and he is now one of the substantial and representative farmers of Elkhart township.

The religious faith of Mr. Nash is that of the Catholic church, and he is also a member of the Knights of Columbus and the Modern Woodmen of America. He gives stalwart support to the democratic party, and is now ably filling the office of township trustee. To sum it all up, Mr. Nash is a good citizen and is ever interested in those measures and movements which have for their object the betterment and improvement of the community. Although his life has been quiet and uneventful, it has been worthy in its ideals and honorable in its pur- poses. Today he ranks among the respected and valued men of Elkhart township.

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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 103

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