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 106

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 106

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In politics Mr. Wood has always given his support to the republican party. Fraternally he is a Mason and Master of Home Lodge No. 370; high priest of the chapter; and a master in the Scottish Rites, also a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, the Ancient Order of United Woodmen and the Iowa State Traveling Men's Association. Mr. Wood has never married, his only near relatives being two sisters, Mrs. A. C. Miller, of Des Moines, and Clara. He is a man of broad mental caliber, strict business integrity, possessing a gen- ial nature and cordial disposition, which characteristics make him popular in both commercial and social circles.

LE ROY V. PORTER, M. D.

A native son of Iowa, Dr. Le Roy V. Porter, now in active practice at Bondurant, grew up in this state and has during his entire life been identified with its interests. He was born at Blue Grass, Scott county, in 1872, his parents being Dr. Joseph R. and Hannah Porter. Dr. Porter, Sr., came from Zanesville, Ohio, to Scott county, Iowa, early in the '50s and practiced medicine for forty years in that county, becoming one of its leading physicians and also one of its most respected citizens. He was active in politics and during the period of the Civil war served as a member of the state legislature from Scott county, accomplishing much work of importance to the state. As an intelli- gent and patriotic man, he maintained for many years a high rank in the com- munity. He died at Davenport, Iowa, in 1895. Mrs. Porter arrived in Scott county with her parents about 1851 and has lived in Iowa for sixty years. She now makes her home at Davenport. There were nine children in the family, eight sons and one daughter, seven of whom are now living.

Le Roy V. Porter received his early education in the public schools and later taught school for one year. He. entered the normal department of Cornell College at Mount Vernon, subsequently, however, turning his attention to medi- cine. He received the degree of M. D. from the medical department of Drake University and in 1902 took a post graduate course in the Post Graduate Med- ical School of New York University. He located in Bondurant one month after leaving Drake University and soon found himself surrounded by friends and in the midst of an excellent practice. Politically he gives his support to the republican party and fraternally is identified with the Masons, the Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias, the Modern Woodmen of America and the Elks. Ever since choosing medicine as his profession he has been an indefatigable student of the healing art and as he possessed every necessary advantage of training under many of the greatest physicians and surgeons of America, he started in his life calling under highly favorable circumstances. He possesses tact, energy and ambition, three highly important elements in the attainment of success, and on account of his skill in his profession and his excellent social, moral and intellectual qualifications, he enjoys the confidence and esteem of the people of Bondurant and the country for many miles around.

H. J. TILLIA.

Although he entered the real-estate and land business only six years ago, H. J. Tillia, president of the Holland Farms Company, of Des Moines, has gained a reputation as one of the leaders in handling large bodies of western land. He was born in Bureau county, Illinois, February 16, 1877, son of John and Emeline (Miller) Tillia, the former of whom was born in 1827 in St.

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Chamant Correze, France, and the latter, in 1849, in England. The father after coming to this country engaged in mining and later was identified with the agricultural interests. Of the family of Mr. and Mrs. Tillia, one child, Eva, is deceased, the others being: Mary, now the wife of Peter Faurie; Jennie, wife of C. H. Pottorf; Ella, wife of George Bliss; H. J., the subject of this review ; and Effie and Ethel, twins, now living at home.

H. J. Tillia received his preliminary education in the common schools of Bureau county, and later entered the Buda high school, from which he was graduated in 1895. After laying his books aside he became a farmer and for ten years devoted his attention closely to agriculture and stock-raising. In 1905, being then twenty-eight years of age, and having decided to change his occupation, he came to Des Moines and entered the real-estate and land busi- ness, becoming vice president of the Federal Land & Securities Company, a prosperous corporation of this city. He continued with the company until he had disposed of most of his stock and then assisted in organizing the Holland Farms Company, of which he is president, being also a member of the board of directors of the Denver Suburban Farms Company. He was instrumental in laying out two handsome additions to Des Moines, known as the Pleasant View and Sunnyside additions, on which he erected most of the houses and then sold them himself. He is now organizing a company upon a large scale for the development of lands in the south. He has been actively interested in irri- gated lands in Wyoming and Colorado, especially in the fertile lands of the famous. Greeley district of northern Colorado and tracts immediately adjoining the city of Denver. He has also handled large properties in Iowa, Illinois, Canada and the Dakotas, and has found that it is more satisfactory to deal in lands owned by himself or his company than in properties upon a commission basis owned by others.

In 1900 Mr. Tillia was united in marriage to Miss Cora Johnson, a native of New London, Ohio, daughter of Lewis and Jane (Nickerson) Johnson, the father being well known as a farmer and stockman. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Tillia has been blessed by the arrival of two children: Darwin, who was born May 20, 1904, and Virginia, born May 5, 1909. Politically, Mr. Tillia is affiliated with the republican party, believing that it represents better than any other the true spirit of the republic. He is a valued member of the Methodist church, and socially is connected with the Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias, the Masons, and the Commercial and Hyperion Clubs, and is a director in the Des Moines Real Estate Exchange. The success of Mr. Tillia has been attributed to his gentlemanly manner, good judgment of values and to his energy and ability to make a clear and convincing presentation of any subject in which he was interested. His devotion to his clients has met with liberal recognition, and few men handling investments have in a higher degree the confidence of their friends and acquaintances than H. J. Tillia.

SAMUEL PARK.

A striking illustration of the power of a determined will is presented in the life of Samuel Park of Des Moines, who forged his way through many obsta- cles to a position of ease. Thrown upon his own resources at the tender age of ten years, he bravely took up the battle and now he is living retired after winning a victory which reflects upon him the highest credit. A native of England, he was born September 4, 1857, a son of Mathew and Jane (Fell) Park. The father was a butcher by trade and engaged in this calling in his native country, never coming to America. He departed this life in 1867, the mother being called away ten years later.

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Samuel Park possessed very few opportunities of education in the public schools, as he was obliged at ten years of age to begin working for strangers in order to assist in supporting his father's family. He continued at employ- ments such as he could find for eight years, at the end of which time, by careful saving, he had accumulated enough money to pay for his passage to America, believing that under the stars and stripes would be found opportunities that could scarcely be hoped for in long inhabited countries of the old world. His first employment after arriving in America was in a coal mine at Streator, Illinois. After continuing there for eight months and becoming familiar with work as a miner he went to Pennsylvania, where he took unto himself a wife, with whom he went to England, where they remained two and one-half years. He then returned to this country, taking up his residence at Des Moines and again becoming identified with coal mining. In 1891 he entered the United States mail service and for twelve years filled the position of mail carrier in this city. In 1903 he moved to a comfortable home in South Des Moines on a twenty-acre place, which he purchased ten years previously. He is now living retired in a comfortable residence, provided with all modern conveniences, and also owns valuable lots at 1219 to 1221 Mulberry street and nine acres of land near the Washington school inside the city limits. Moreover, he is a stock- holder in the Jewett Lumber Company and as his real-estate interests are con- stantly increasing in value he is financially in very comfortable circumstances.

Mr. Park was united in marriage in Pennsylvania to Miss Bessie Green- field, a daughter of James and Bessie (Wilson) . Greenfield. The parents were natives of Scotland and came to America in 1863, continuing for a short time in the Keystone state, after which Mr. Greenfield paid a visit to Scotland, returning to Pennsylvania in 1866. In 1878 he removed to Des Moines and engaged in coal mining until his retirement from active work. He is now living in this city. The mother was called from earthly scenes in April, 1899. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Park has never been brightened by the arrival of chil- dren of their own, but they adopted three, namely: Mary, now Mrs. B. H. Porter, of Bloomfield township, Polk county; George, who is married and also lives in Bloomfield township; and Ruth, who is now thirteen years of age and is a student in the public schools.

Mr. Park has been remarkably industrious and persevering and in his earlier years when it was necessary to exercise frugality he did so to a degree that few can realize who have been reared in the midst of plenty and never suffered lack of the comforts and conveniences of life. He is now not only able to supply all reasonable desires, but also to assist those less fortunate than himself. Politically he gives his support to the republican party and socially he is a valued member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. His religious belief is indicated by membership in the Christian church.

MORTON H. PICKERING.

Morton H. Pickering, general manager of the B. C. White Milling Com- pany, one of the oldest and best known firms in Iowa, was born September IO, 1852, a son of Elias and Mary (White) Pickering. The father was an early resident of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, where for many years he was prominent as a miller. In his family were six sons, namely: Morton H., of this review; Edgar, who married Miss Carrie Garvey and is engaged in the milling busi- ness in Minneapolis, Minnesota; Walter, who follows farming in Polk county ; Elsworth, who married Miss Mary Wheeler and conducts a farm in Polk county ; Oliver, who is in the cattle business; and Howard. The maternal grandfather of our subject was one of the pioneers in Pennsylvania, where he followed the

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occupation of a miller, and the paternal grandfather, Anthony Pickering, was a cloth weaver in England, whence he emigrated at an early date to the United States, locating in Pennsylvania.

Morton H. Pickering attended the public schools in his youth and later took up milling in Lancaster, where he remained until 1873, in which year he came to Des Moines and entered the employ of his uncle, B. C. White, with whom he subsequently became associated as a member of the firm. Mr. White is one of the pioneers in the milling business in Des Moines, first on the west side, but after becoming associated with Mr. Pickering, in 1882, he changed the location of his mill to Third and Vine streets, on the east side, where they remained until 1900, in which year they purchased the property at No. 410 East Court avenue, where they are at present located.

Mr. Pickering has been twice married, his first wife being Miss Anna Hatch, to whom he was united in 1877. By this union there was one child, Bertha, who was born April 13, 1882, and at the present time is engaged in the millinery business in Fort Madison, Iowa. Mrs. Pickering departed this life in 1882, and in 1894 Mr. Pickering married Miss Nettie Tate.

In his political views Mr. Pickering upholds the republican party and in religion he is a consistent member of the First Episcopal church. Fraternally he is affiliated with Lodge No. 68, Knights of Pythias. He is an admirer of outdoor sports, his favorite pastime being hunting and fishing. He is in every way a man of excellent qualities, broad-minded and liberal in his views, fond of the best class of literature, and in his home life is a devoted husband and father.

CHARLES J. BERKSTRAND.

Charles J. Berkstrand is numbered among the younger representatives of agricultural pursuits in Polk county, yet the results which have attended his efforts in this direction have been substantial and creditable. One of the county's native sons, he was born in Elkhart township on the IIth of February, 1877, a son of John W. and Martha (Lee) Johnson, natives of Norway. The father came to the United States at a very early day, locating first in Illinois, where he engaged in farming for about a year. Later he came to Iowa, taking up his abode in Story county, and here was employed by the month as a farm hand for a time, after which he rented a farm which he operated for several years. Subsequently he purchased a tract of land in Elkhart township to which he later added until he is now the owner of five hundred acres of land, all under excellent cultivation. He has now reached the age of sixty-five years and is still actively engaged in agricultural pursuits, while his wife has also reached the sixty-fifth milestone on life's journey.

No event of special importance came to vary the routine of life for Charles J. Berkstrand during the period of his boyhood and youth, which was spent on the homestead in Polk county, and in the district schools where he acquired his education. He received thorough practical training about the farm, early being assigned the tasks which usually fall to the lot of the country lad. As he grew older and his experience became wider his responsibilities increased, until he had at length mastered the various branches of agriculture, and upon attaining his majority was well equipped for the successful conduct of an inde- pendent enterprise. Consequently, after a year spent as a farm hand, he began farming for himself on a rented farm of his father's, and this has since remained the scene of his operations. He has made a close study of agriculture and is methodical, systematic and progressive, so that he is numbered among the substantial and prosperous farmers of his section. In addition to tilling the soil he raises about forty head of hogs annually for the market and is the

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owner of ten head of milch cows and eight head of horses. As his financial resources have permitted he has also become identified financially with other enterprises, being now a stockholder in the Farmers Co-operative Creamery Company, of Huxley, Iowa; a stockholder in the First National Bank of Cam- bridge, Iowa, and also a stockholder in the Cambridge Canning Company, and is recognized as one of the substantial and affluent residents of Elkhart town- ship.

Mr. Berkstrand was married, in December, 1906, to Miss Johanna Ostrem, a daughter of Johanas and Aasa (Langlan) Ostrem, both natives of Norway, where their entire lives were spent, the father there engaging in agricultural pursuits. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Berkstrand have been born three children, Joel A., Alfred L. and Anna M., aged four years, two years and four months respectively. The parents are members of the Lutheran church, and the repub- lican party finds in Mr. Berkstrand a stalwart supporter, although the honors and emoluments of office have never held attraction for him. Although com- paratively a young man he has, nevertheless, made for himself a creditable position in agricultural and commercial circles, and his name is now a well known one throughout the community by reason of his progressive spirit and the commercial integrity which he has ever displayed in his transactions.

WESLEY REDHEAD.

Wesley Redhead, who was an employe in the office of the Iowa Capital Re- porter when the first state constitution was there printed and who, left an orphan at the age of six years, was early thrown upon his own resources, became through the force of his industry, determination, ambition and capable manage- ment one of the leading and prosperous business men of the capital city. He was the proprietor of the fourth book store established in the state and was one of the pioneers in the development of the coal industry. Necessity called forth his latent powers and his initiative spirit led to the organization of various busi- ness enterprises which were valuable elements in public progress as well as in individual success. He came in time to rank with the most prominent business men of Des Moines.

He was born near Penrith, Cumberland county, England, on the 22d of July, 1825, and was a little lad of four years when his parents, Nicholas and Sarah (Clark) Redhead, crossed the Atlantic to become residents of Montreal, Canada. His father had followed merchandising in England and continued in the same line of business in Montreal to the time of his death, which occurred in 1831. In the same year the mother fell a victim to the great cholera scourge, and thus were orphaned a family of six sons and one daughter, of whom Wesley was the sixth in order of birth. He and his younger brother went to live with an uncle in Cincinnati, Ohio, and the schools of that city provided him his educational privileges. But when quite young necessity forced him out in the world to earn his own living and he entered upon an apprenticeship in a printing office. He was also one of the first newsboys of Cincinnati; but his uncle, regarding the influences around him as detrimental to the best character development, sent him to Fairfield, Vermont, when he was fourteen years of age, his eldest brother being then engaged in the cabinet-making business in that city.

After spending four months with his brother Mr. Redhead became so dis- satisfied that he determined to run away and thereafter depend upon his own resources and ability. Accordingly he set out with but five cents in his pocket and with but a poor suit of clothes. From Fairfield he walked to St. Albans, Ver- mont, and thence proceeded to Whitehall, New York, where he secured employ- ment as a driver on the Erie canal. When the boating season ended he obtained

WESLEY REDHEAD

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employment on a farm in Washington county, New York, receiving as a com- pensation for his labors his board, clothing and the opportunity of attending school for three months. He spent two years there, working diligently, but was not satisfied with the business outlook before him and went to Saratoga Springs, where for two seasons he was employed as dipper boy. Within that time he saved a little money, after which he greatly surprised his relatives by making them a visit in Cincinnati. He afterward engaged as cabin boy on a Mississippi steamboat and, having reached Muscatine, Iowa, in September, 1844, he de- cided to visit a brother who was then living in Iowa City, at that time the state capital. While there he obtained a situation in the office of the Iowa Capital Reporter, his salary being three dollars per week, and it was during that fall that the first constitution of Iowa was printed in the office where he was em- ployed.

With a nature that could never be content with mediocrity, Mr. Redhead continued making changes that seemed to promise better and broader oppor- tunities. In the year 1845 he went to Anamosa, where he operated a carding machine until impaired health forced him to abandon that work and he re- turned to Iowa City. As he was not qualified for hard manual labor, he took up the tailor's trade, at which he served a three years' apprenticeship. He con- tinued to follow the trade at Iowa City until 1851, when he came to Fort Des Moines and established business on his own account. But he did not like the work and the venture was not profitable, so that after a year he closed out his shop and accepted a clerkship in a store at a salary of twenty-five dollars per month. The city of Des Moines was then in its embryonic state. A little settle- ment had grown up on the site of the present capital and from that time until his death Mr. Redhead was closely, actively and helpfully associated with move- ments and projects that have constituted important elements in the city's growth, improvement and progress.

In 1853 he was appointed postmaster of Fort Des Moines by President Fill- more, following the resignation of Hoyt Sherman, and for nine years he con- tinued in that position, acceptably discharging the duties that devolved upon him. Shortly after his appointment as postmaster he opened a small line of books, becoming proprietor of the fourth book store in the state. He built up a fine business, gradually enlarging his stock until he was at the head of one of the extensive book stores of Iowa. After a time he admitted R. T. Wellslauger to a partnership that was maintained for several years. Subsequently the firm became Redhead, Norton & Lathrop, and their establishment, in importance and in the extent of trade, overtopped all others in the state. They conducted busi- ness as wholesalers and jobbers in books, stationary, fancy goods, etc., and their ramifying trade interests reached out over a constantly widening territory. Success in one field prompted Mr. Redhead to extend his efforts into others and the determination, close application and energy which brought him prosperity as a book merchant also gained him advancement in other directions.

In November, 1864, he organized the first coal company in Des Moines and began the first systematic coal mining. His efforts attracted the attention of others and in August, 1865, the Des Moines Coal Company was organized, Mr. Redhead having as his associates James Starr, William Vincent, B. F. Allen, William Phillips, Hoyt Sherman and others. The company purchased a set of Fairbanks' scales and Mr. Redhead did the first weighing of coal in this city. Success attended the new enterprise and gradually he purchased the interest of his partners until, in 1874, he became sole proprietor. He was then alone in business until May, 1880, when James P. Clark was admitted under the firm name of the Pioneer Coal Company, with Mr. Redhead as president. In 1890 he again became sole owner of the business. Moreover, he became a factor in the successful management of various other companies and corporations. At one time he was secretary and treasurer of the Black Diamond Coal Company

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of Marion county, Iowa; treasurer of the Des Moines Scale Company ; a director of the State National Bank; and vice president of the State Printing Company.

He organized the Pioneer Hay Company for the conduct of a wholesale business in hay and was chosen its president. He made extensive investments in property, becoming the owner of large farms, and his home was a palatial resi- dence, which at the time of its erection was situated at the corporation limits of the city but is now within the boundaries of Des Moines. A park which was named in his honor has also become a part of the city. He was the owner of extensive tracts of land in Polk county and in his real-estate investments, as in other connections, his business was attended with a gratifying measure of suc- cess. At one time he was treasurer of the State Insurance Company of Iowa, and he located the present state fair site which he sold to the state.

On the Ist of October, 1851, Mr. Redhead was united in marriage to Miss Isabelle Clarke, of Iowa City, who was a sister of the wives of ex-Governor Kirkwood, Edward Lucas, I. E. Jewett and William Rutton, of Iowa City. All were ladies of broad culture and natural refinement, fitted to adorn the high stations in life to which they were called. The death of Mrs. Redhead occurred in 1858, and in 1860, in Des Moines, Mr. Redhead wedded Anna Seymour, a daughter of Austin and Margaret (Miller) Seymour and a native of Kentucky, whence she came to Des Moines in 1855. The children of this marriage were three sons and five daughters, of whom three are yet living: George S., Charles W. and Herbert S.

Mr. Redhead exemplified in his life the beneficent spirit of the Masonic fra- ternity, with which he long held membership. His was also a noble Christian character, in keeping with his professions as a member of the Methodist Episco- pal church. His early political allegiance was given to the democracy, but in 1861 he became a supporter of the republican party, which was the defense of the Union during the dark days of the Civil war. He served for one term as a member of the Iowa legislature, was supervisor of his county, a member of the city council and also of the school board. In these various relations he proved his loyalty to the general welfare, seeking at all times the progress and best interests of the community. His home was the scene of many brilliant social functions in the early days. Both of his marriages were most happy, and a very attractive hospitality was ever a feature of the household.

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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 106

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