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 104

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 104

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

E. G. WYLIE.

E. G. Wylie, filling the position of freight commissioner of the greater Des Moines committee, to which he was appointed on the Ist of January, 1907, was well qualified for his present position by reason of his extended and varied service in connection with railway operations in the middle west. He is a native of Mount Vernon, Jefferson county, Illinois, and a son of William Bird and

887

CITY OF DES MOINES AND POLK COUNTY

Chlorine (Gray) Wylie. He traces his ancestry in two lines back to New Eng- land and the south. At the time of the Revolutionary war Samuel Wylie and son William, who were residents of Maryland, became soldiers of the Continen- tal army and the former was accidentlly killed October 19, 1781 at Yorktown, after the surrender of Cornwallis. His son, William Wylie, also served with him in the army under General Washington. Also in Revolutionary service among the ancestors of E. G. Wylie, living in Virginia and Pennsylvania, were Colonel Abraham Bird, Jacob Spears, William Fry, Jesse Durrett Winn, Stephen Johnston and David Gray. In New England his. ancestors in Revolutionary service were James Lovett and Hosea Chapman. The latter was one of the Connecticut men who responded to the Lexington alarm. He was a descendant of Robert Chapman, who came from England to Massachusetts and in 1635 established his home at Saybrook, Connecticut. Following the Revolutionary period the ancestry in the Wylie line is traced down through William Wylie, Jr., son of William Wylie, Sr. He was a soldier in the Fourth Regiment of Mounted Kentucky Volunteers of the American army under General Carroll who fought in the battle of New Orleans, under General Jackson, in the war of 1812. His son, the Rev. Samuel Robert Harwood Wylie, was the grandfather of E. G. Wylie of this review.

In the schools of Washington, D. C., E. G. Wylie pursued his education. Early in life he became connected with the retail dry-goods business and later engaged to some extent in farming. His connection with the railroad service began in Kansas City, Missouri, March 15, 1879, in the employ of the St. Louis, Kansas City & Northern Railway. He was employed by this company and its successors, the Wabash, St. Louis & Pacific Railway Company, the Wabash Western Rail- way Company and The Wabash Railroad Company and their several receiver- ships until the Ist of January, 1905. On that day he became assistant general freight agent of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway Company but left the service of the company on the 31st of December, 1906, to become freight commissioner of the greater Des Moines committee on the Ist of January, 1907.

Mr. Wylie was married in St. Louis, Missouri, November 25, 1886, to Miss Susan Elizabeth Logan, a native of that city and a daughter of Samuel Logan. Their children were: Paul Eugene; Norman Ernest and Naomi Elizabeth, twins ; and Chlorine Logan, who died December 12, 1910. All were born in St. Louis or its vicinity.

The family attend the Presbyterian church, in which they hold membership. He also belongs to the Grant Club and usually gives his political allegiance to the republican party. He is deeply interested in the cause of good government and the management of municipal affairs upon a sound business basis and has cooperated heartily in the work to secure progress along those lines. He be- lieves that municipal integrity should be maintained as strictly as individual honor and his own record in office has been the exposition of this belief.

SAMUEL, MISHLER.

Among the substantial agriculturists of Washington township, whose efforts are also effective forces in the public life of the community, is numbered Sam- uel Mishler. Born in Ohio, on the 2d of October, 1840, he is a son of John and Catherine (Miller) Mishler, natives of Pennsylvania and Ohio respectively. The father, a farmer by occupation, was engaged in that pursuit in Ohio several years and then, in 1859, he arrived in Iowa, locating in Johnson county. He had also followed the cooper's trade prior to his arrival in this state, after which time, however, he gave his attention entirely to farming. He remained a resi- dent of Johnson county until 1869, in which year he sold his property there and

888

CITY OF DES MOINES AND POLK COUNTY

came to Polk county, here investing in one hundred and forty-eight acres in Washington township. That farm remained the scene of his activities through- out the remainder of his life, his death there occurring in 1884. His wife, how- ever, survived until 1901, her death occurring in June of that year.

Samuel Mishler spent the first nineteen years of his life in the state of his nativity, where he began his education in the district schools, after which he came with his parents to Iowa and in the schools of this state completed his mental training. He remained on the farm of his parents until twenty-three years of age, when, becoming actuated by the gold fever, he went to Colorado and for two years was engaged in digging in the mines. At the outbreak of the Civil war, however, he put aside all personal considerations and enlisted for service as a private of Company A, Third Colorado Cavalry, his command being sent to New Mexico. It was engaged in Indian warfare for three months. He then returned to Colorado, where he contracted typhoid fever, being ill of that disease for three months. When Mr. Mishler was restored to health he went to his home in Iowa and for one summer was employed on a farm there, after which he went to Omaha and there assisted in the building of the Union Pacific to Utah. Re- turning to Iowa in 1868, he worked for his father in Polk county for some time, and then rented a farm upon which he began an independent agricultural ven- ture. He operated in the capacity of renter for about three years, at the end of which time he invested in a tract of forty acres in Washington township, which he operated for eight years, and then, disposing of that property, purchased a tract of sixty acres, also in this township, upon which he has since made his home. He has since disposed of a portion of this land, however, and now owns but forty-two acres, to the care of which he gives much of his time and attention, although he also has political interests.

Mr. Mishler was married on the 6th of January, 1870, to Miss Mary Whit- more, a daughter of John and Harriett (Brandt) Whitmore, both natives of Penn- sylvania. The father, who was a farmer by occupation, came to Iowa in 1854, locating in Johnson county, where he resided until his death in 1862. His wife passed away in the fall of 1895. In the family of Mr. and Mrs. Mishler were five children, as follows: Mattie, who married W. W. Bruner, a farmer of Po- cahontas county, Iowa ; Jesse T., engaging in farming in Palo Alto county, Iowa; Nora E., residing at home; Frank M., whose home is at Loring, Washington township; and John W., who passed away in October, 1876.

The family are members of the Evangelical church, while politically Mr. Mish- ler has taken an active part in democratic circles of this locality. For seven- teen years he has served as constable of Washington township and has also acted as school director and road supervisor, and no measure pertaining to the ma- terial, intellectual or moral development of the community lacks his indorsement. and support. His efforts have been important features in promoting the gen- erai welfare and Washington township numbers him among her most represen- tative and valued citizens.

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN HIBBS.

The beneficial effects of wisely directed industry are illustrated in the lives of many men in this work, but in no instance are they more strikingly displayed than in the career of Benjamin Franklin Hibbs, of Beaver township. He is the owner of a highly productive farm which he acquired through the application of unwearied perseverance that never yielded to discouragement. He was born in Guernsey county, Ohio, March 23, 1846, the son of William and Sarah (Hol- lett) Hibbs, the former a native of Virginia and the latter of Ohio. There were twenty-one children in their family and those still living are: Valentine, a resi-

889

CITY OF DES MOINES AND POLK COUNTY

dent of Dexter, Iowa; George; James; Benjamin Franklin, the subject of this review ; and Rhoda, the wife of Smith Pearson.

Mr. Hibbs of this review came with his parents to Iowa in the fall of 1853 and grew up upon the home farm in Jasper county. He received his early edu- cation in the district schools, which in those days were far apart in that section, and was obliged in winter to go three miles through the snow to reach a school- house. In the fall of 1868, being then twenty-two years of age, he began for himself upon eighty acres in section 36, Beaver township, which he developed from the raw prairie. He applied himself with great diligence and as op- portunity presented acquired more land, until he now owns two hundred and seventeen acres, all of which he has improved. He has brought his farm to a high state of cultivation, as is indicated by the rich harvests which are gathered each year, ninety acres in corn yielding from forty to forty-five bushels per acre. The original family residence was a building fourteen by twenty feet in size and ten feet high, containing four rooms, but he now has a beautiful modern home and enjoys the advantages of a fine orchard and all the conveniences which are recognized in the most up-to-date farms of the county.

In 1868 Mr. Hibbs was united in marriage to Miss Maria McCraney, of Du- buque, Iowa, and of this union nine children have been born, namely: John Le- ander, now living in Canada; Walter; May, who married William Staley; Cora ; Ollie, now the wife of William Snooks and the mother of one daughter, Sylvia ; Sadie ; Benjamin; George ; and Marie.

In the spring of 1910 Mr. Hibbs took up his residence at Mitchellville but after a few months in town decided to return to his farm. He is not connected with any religious denomination, but is a valued member of the Odd Fellows and in the course of many years has made a host of friends and acquaintances who are attracted by his sterling characteristics. A man of clear outlook and correct purpose, he has contributed greatly to the comfort and happiness of those with whom he is associated and ranks as one of the influential citizens of this part of the county.

TOM RICE.

Although his residence in Valley Junction dates only from August, 1910, Tom Rice has in the meantime established himself firmly in business circles as proprietor of a prosperous drug business, his thorough preparation for the duties devolving upon him in this connection making him a most capable pharmacist. He is one of Iowa's native sons, his birth having occurred in Carlisle on the 24th of March, 1881, his parents being William F. and Mary D. (Norris) Rice, also natives of this state. In early life the father engaged in school teaching but later took up farming on a tract of land of one hundred and sixty acres north of Car- lisle. This he cleared and improved and in its operation was engaged for about twelve years, after which he sold out and purchased a fruit farm of fifty-four acres about five miles southeast of Des Moines. After a similar period of twelve years devoted to its improvement he also disposed of that property and went to California, retiring from active business life. After residing in that state for some time he returned to Iowa and built a beautiful home at Carlisle, where his remaining days were spent. His death occurred December 13, 1908, but his wife still survives and makes her home in Carlisle.

The advantages of a good education were afforded Tom Rice, who spent the period of his boyhood and youth in Polk county, attending the district schools near his father's home in the acquirement of his early training. Later he at- tended the Normal institute at Drake University and then for two years was engaged in teaching school. Desiring to make the profession of pharmacy his

890

CITY OF DES MOINES AND POLK COUNTY

life work, he next pursued the pharmaceutical course at the Valparaiso Univer- sity at Valparaiso, Indiana, from which institution he was graduated with the class of 1901. Returning to Des Moines, he again entered Drake University and was graduated therefrom in 1902, after which he went to Norwalk, Iowa, where he established himself. in the drug business and was there engaged for about four years. Selling out, he went west, remaining in California one year, at the end of which time he returned to Iowa and for one year conducted a drug store at St. Charles. But the west again called him, and for the second time he made his way to the Pacific coast, purchasing forty acres of land in Califor- nia. Thirty acres of this tract were planted to oranges and for a time he en- gaged in the fruit business, his efforts in that direction meeting with substan- tial and gratifying success. Disposing of his interests in the west he again came to Iowa, and on the 12th of August, 1910, arrived in Valley Junction, where he purchased a drug store and once more took up his trade. The comprehensive theoretical training, which he received at school, and the broad practical ex- perience, acquired since his graduation, well fitted him for the conduct of a busi- ness which has constantly increased in volume from the first, as the reliable meth- ods of the house have inspired confidence in its patrons. He has ever realized that satisfied patrons are the best advertisement and has therefore sought to carry on his enterprises according to the highest standard of commercial ethics.

On the 16th of November, 1904, Mr. Rice was united in marriage to Miss Dollie Beery, a daughter of George and Genoa (Clarey) Beery, natives of Ohio and Maryland respectively. Her parents came to Iowa at an early day and here the father engaged in farming until 1900, when he retired from active work and with his wife removed to Norwalk, Iowa, where they yet make their home. Unto the union of Mr. and Mrs. Rice were born two children, of whom the eldest, Thelma Josephine, passed away on the 12th of August, 1908. The surviving child is Clifford B., aged fifteen months. The parents are members of the Meth- odist church, in the work of which they are helpfully interested, while frater- nally Mr. Rice belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America and also the Broth- erhood of American Yeomen. In politics he supports the candidates of the democratic party but is not active in the party ranks. He takes deep interest, however, in the questions and issues of the day, is public spirited in his citizen- ship and strongly advocates all measures which have for their object the prog- ress and improvement of city, state and nation.

GEORGE A. WRIGHTMAN.

Since 1908 the office of secretary of the Iowa State Manufacturers Associa- tion has been filled by George A. Wrightman, who has most creditably discharged the duties of the position. He was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on the 3d of July, 1867, his parents being Henry C. and Elizabeth (Myers) Wrightman, the father a native of Belleville, Ontario, and the mother of Liverpool, England. Although more recently residents of Canada the Wrightman family were for- inerly citizens of the United States. The early spelling of the name was Ryck- man and they were among the original Dutch settlers of New Amsterdam, theirs being one of the families mentioned by Washington Irving in his Knickerbocker's History of New York. Following the Revolution the royalist members of the family migrated to Canada.

George A. Wrightman was reared at home and pursued his early education in the common schools. He was later sent to the Brookside Seminary at Mc- Minnville, Tennessee, and subsequently attended the Bloomington Normal at Bloomington, Nebraska, in order to qualify himself for the vocation of teacher. Upon leaving school he began teaching in Franklin county, Nebraska, continuing

G. A. WRIGHTMAN

893

CITY OF DES MOINES AND POLK COUNTY

in this calling for four years. Going to Omaha in 1886 he entered the employ of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, remaining in their service there and in Chicago for eighteen years. Withdrawing at the expiration of that period he became traffic manager of Sears, Roebuck & Company, of Chicago, with which company he was identified until 1908. He was elected to the position he contin- ues to fill in that year and removed to Des Moines, where he is now residing.

Mr. Wrightman was married in Princeton, Illinois, on the 17th of June, 1903, to Miss Lena Shaw, a daughter of Anson and Jane Shaw, of Simcoe, Ontario. Fraternally Mr. Wrightman affiliates with Capital Lodge, F. & A. M., and U. S. Grant Camp, M. W. A., and is also a member of the Grant, Credit Men's, Com- mercial and Ad Men's Clubs. For three years he was a member of the National Guard but never saw any active service.

The political views of Mr. Wrightman coincide with those of the progressive faction of the republican party, for the candidates of which body he generally casts his vote. He has never actively participated in governmental affairs, how- ever, other than to do some campaigning, as he does not aspire to a public office. In his official capacity as secretary of the Manufacturers Association Mr. Wright- man has done most efficient work in his effort to promote the industrial interests of the state, the results of which are evidenced through the growing enthusiasm of the organization.

BENJAMIN BARRETT.

Benjamin Barrett, deceased, whose home was for nearly fifty years near Mitchellville, gained a reputation as one of the successful agriculturists of this section and by his unblemished character and spirit of helpfulness won the con- fidence and esteem of all who knew him. He was born in Hampshire county, Virginia, now West Virginia, August 30, 1833, and beside himself four sisters and one brother grew to maturity in the family, namely : Mrs. Hannah Hodgens, now living at Pleasantville, Iowa; Mrs. James Acklin, residing at Valley Junc- tion ; Mrs. William Vanansdall, of Rockwell City; Mrs. Rhoda Caudy, of Gales- burg, Kansas; and Jonathan Barrett, of Anglin, Washington. Mrs. Hodgens is the only one now living, the others dying in 1910.

About 1862, a short time after his marriage, Mr. Barrett came to Jasper county, Iowa, and located upon land near Mitchellville, where he made his home during the remainder of his life. He was unusually competent and progressive as a farmer and during many years contributed very materially toward the up- building of this part of the state.

In 1861 Mr. Barrett was united in marriage to Miss Mary T. Walker and four sons and three daughters were born of this union: William E., now living near Mitchellville; Mary M., who married John Hadsall in 1887 and died Jan- tiary 15, 1905; Ella M., who married Eston Downs and is now living near Mit- chellville; Stewart W. and John W., a record of whom appears elsewhere in this work; Charles E., who was born in 1872 and died June 9, 1884; and Effie Bell, who died in infancy. The mother of these children was called away April 30, 1875, and in January, 1882, Mr. Barrett was married to Eliza Jane Shilling, who died February 6, 1888. One son, Elda, who now lives at Mitchellville, was born of this union.

In March, 1909, Mr. Barrett accompanied his son Stewart to the new home of the latter in Saskatchewan, Canada, but soon after his arrival there he was seized with a disease of the stomach, which increased in severity to such an extent that he returned to Mitchellville in June of the same year. His condi- tion grew worse, involving great suffering which he bore with uncomplaining fortitude. Finally nature yielded and he passed away at the home of his son,

894

CITY OF DES MOINES AND POLK COUNTY

John W. Barrett. on July 6, 1909. The death of no man ever affected the com- munity more profoundly than that of Benjamin Barrett, who was universally beloved on account of his many kindly traits of character. The funeral was held from the Congregational church Friday, July 9, Rev. P. H. Fisk preaching the sermon before a great audience from the words "The years draw nigh when thou shalt say I have no pleasure in them." Ecclesiastes 12:1. The large at- tendance of people from many miles around gave evidence of the deep respect in which Mr. Barrett was held. His body was laid to rest in the cemetery at Mitchellville. Genial in disposition, he represented the very soul of hospitality, and his house was a noted gathering place whose roof gave shelter to friends and acquaintances from far and wide. He was a liberal contributor to the church and no needy fellow being was ever turned away unassisted from his door. It may truly be said of him that his influence was for good and the world is bet- ter for his having lived in it.

JOSEPH SCHOLL.

Iowa is constantly attracting a class of progressive citizens who recognize the opportunities here offered and utilize them for the advancement of individual prosperity. Among the number who have come to Polk county in comparatively recent years is Joseph Scholl, now residing in Elkhart township. He is of sturdy German origin, the industrious qualities of which race he inherits in large measure, his birth having occurred in the fatherland on the 12th of March, 1851. His parents, Peter and Susan (Lannen) Scholl, were also natives of Trier, Germany, where they were reared and married. In 1852 they came to the United States, spending nine months and four days on the long and tedious journey. The family home was established in Indiana, on a homestead which the father purchased and to the cultivation and development of which he devoted his remaining days. As prosperity came to him he invested in more land, and at the time of his death was the owner of three hundred and sixty acres of val- uable and well improved property. He lived to a ripe old age, his death oc- curring in March, 1909, after he had reached his ninety-second year. His wife had passed away on the 19th of September, 1869.

Joseph Scholl was but a year old when brought to this country by his parents, and in the Indiana home spent the early period of his life, there attending the district schools in the acquirement of a preliminary training. Later he went to Chicago, where he entered the public schools, and while completing his education in that city learned the blacksmith's trade in which he became very proficient. Later, he followed that trade in Chicago and elsewhere in Illinois and also in Indiana and Missouri, and was thus employed for about thirty years, or until injured by a horse. He then withdrew from that line of activity and came to Iowa, locating upon a farm in Polk county which belonged to his father-in-law and which has since remained his home. He is operating this tract, consisting of one hundred and seventy-five acres in Elkhart township, and its well developed condition and neat and attractive appearance is due in large measure to his efforts. He may well be proud of this farm, as it is one of the best kept and desirable properties of the township, the fields responding to his care and labor in rich and abundant harvests. He is also interested in the live-stock business to a considerable extent, raising from seventy-five to one hundred hogs each year, while his place is provided with ten milch cows and about twelve head of horses. His life has been a very active and useful one, and prosperity has attended his endeavor as the years have gone by. Putting forth his efforts in financial fields, he is now a stockholder in the Corn Exchange Savings Bank of Elkhart.

895

CITY OF DES MOINES AND POLK COUNTY

In December, 1887, Mr. Scholl was united in marriage to Miss Francis Greiser, a daughter of Bernard and Anna (Heinsman) Greiser, natives of Wurtemberg, Germany. Her father came to the United States about 1851 and located in Woodford county Illinois, where he purchased a farm and continued in its operation for many years. 'When age demanded retirement from active life he went to live with his daughter at Metamora, Illinois, and there resided until his death on the 30th of April, 1911. He survived his wife for thirty-six years, her death occurring in 1875. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Scholl were born six children, as follows: Florence, the wife of Andrew Meister, of Woodford county, Illinois; Gertrude, who married Leo Ely, also residing in Woodford county, Illinois ; and Amy, Annie, Peter and Othmar, all yet at home. The family are communicants of the Catholic church while the political allegiance of Mr. Scholl is given to the democratic party. He is numbered among Polk county's enterprising and progressive men who have contributed much toward the general welfare of the community, in which he is held in high confidence, and is num- bered among its substantial and representative citizens.

ELIPHE BOUCHARD.

Eliphe Bouchard, who has the distinction of being one of the oldest settlers in Des Moines, was born August 17, 1842, in Naperville, Canada, his parents being Vital and Mary Ann (Trayhan) Bouchard. The father's birth occurred near Quebec, Canada, while the mother was born near our subject's birthplace. Vital Bouchard was an agriculturist by occupation and participated in the war of 1812. He became one of the pioneer settlers of the Hoosier state, taking up his abode in Valparaiso, Indiana, about 1848.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

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 104

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