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 107

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 107

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At all times and in every relation of life Mr. Redhead was a most active man, accomplishing what he undertook and holding to high ideals whether in business, social or public life. His record indicates clearly what can be accom- plished when determination, laudable ambition and energy lead the way. His youth was a period in which he knew privation and want. Hard work was his lot from his boyhood days until his own labor had brought to him a measure of success that enabled him largely to relegate to others the heavier burdens of business life. He never scorned honest employment, yet he continually sought a wider field of labor and larger opportunities of advancement and, never fear- ing to venture where favoring opportunity led the way, he came in time to a prominent position in connection with many important business interests of this state.

HUBERT UTTERBACK.

Hubert Utterback, one of the comparatively recent accessions to the Des Moines bar, has demonstrated his ability and is now assured of a lucrative and growing clientele. He is a native of Iowa, born near Hayesville, Keokuk county, June 28, 1880, a son of Adna M. and Julia Esther (Hayes) Utterback, on the paternal side his grandparents being Josiah and Frances E. (Dyer) Utterback, formerly of Sigourney, Iowa. Josiah Utterback is now a resident of

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Pasadena, California. On the maternal side his grandparents were Joel Win- throp and Esther (Brolliar) Hayes, of Hayesville, Iowa, both of whom are deceased. The father of our subject is now living in Keokuk county, where he has resided during his entire life, and is a well known farmer and stock buyer. He has been prominent in county politics and served as a member of the county board of supervisors and also very acceptably as a member of the Iowa house of representatives.

Hubert Utterback received his early education in a country school one and one-half miles east of Hedrick, Iowa, and later attended the public schools of Hedrick and the Hedrick Normal and Commercial School. Having decided to devote his life to the law, he became a student of Drake University, graduat- ing from the liberal arts department in 1903 with the degree of A. B. and from the law department in 1906 with the degree of LL. B. He continued his studies still further and in June, 19II, received the degree of LL. M. from the same university. He entered the law office of the late William H. Bailey of Des Moines in 1905 and continued there until after being admitted to the bar. While in the university he was for four years a member of the Athenian Literary Society. In his sophomore year he was manager of the lecture course, which for the first time in years was conducted at a profit. He belonged to the track team, was chosen president of the Athenian Literary Society and was elected for the year following editor of the Quax, the university annual, and also as a member of the Athenian Literary Society Debating Team for two years. In his junior year he was a member of the lecture course committee and was manager of the track team and baseball team. In his senior year he was manager of all athletics. In the college year of 1902-3 he represented Drake University on the Iowa state games committee and now represents the Univer- sity of Missouri on the Missouri Valley conference games committee. After com- pleting his college course, because of his health, he went to Colorado, where he spent a year and then reentered Drake as a student in the law department. Since 1906 he has engaged in the active practice of the law, and although for the first two or three years he experienced difficulty in gaining recognition, he steadily persevered and has won several difficult cases. Being thoroughly quali- fied for his life work, he has gained deserved recognition as a capable advo- cate and counselor. He has been prominent in politics and is an earnest advo- cate of the principles of the democratic party, favoring a complete, progressive, popular government program. He was a candidate for county attorney of Polk county in 1908 and led the democratic county ticket by several hundred votes, his opponent being Lawrence De Graff. In 1910 he was the democratic candidate for state senator, John B. Sullivan being his opponent on the republi- can ticket. He reduced the usual republican majority to about twenty-two hundred plurality for Mr. Sullivan and received from three hundred to eleven hundred more votes than the other candidates on the democratic county ticket. He served as head of the legal department of the Iowa Business College in 1907, 1908 and 1909, to May, 1910, and is also a member of the faculty of the law department of Drake University. Professionally he is identified with the Drake Law Club and the Lawyers' Club, being president of the former and a member of the executive committee of the latter organization. He is also a member of the Polk County Bar Association and the Iowa State Bar Associa- tion.

On the 4th of October, 1904, Mr. Utterback was married at Des Moines to Miss Edith Gwynne, a daughter of Dr. Robert and Anna Rebecca Gwynne, the former of whom died in the early '8os at Madrid, Iowa. The family on both sides of the house was identified with the pioneer settlement of Boone and Dallas counties. Two children, Esther and Gretchen, have been born to Mr .. and Mrs. Utterback. In religious belief Mr. Utterback adheres to the Chris- tian faith and is a member of the University Place Church of Christ, serving

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at the present time as deacon. He is also a member of the board of directors of the Men's Club of the church and as a public-spirited man is a member of the Des Moines Citizens' Association, and is identified with The Men and Religion Forward Movement. Fraternally he is connected with Adelphic Lodge, No. 509, A. F. & A. M., of which he is junior warden; University Lodge, No. 356, I. O. O. F., of which he is trustee and chaplain, and also holds mem- bership with the Yeomen of America and the Homesteaders. He also belongs to the University Club, the Iowa State Jefferson Club, the Waveland Golf Club and the Young Men's Christian Association. Being endowed with an abun- dance of energy and perseverance, he bravely met many obstacles at the outset of his legal career and thus gained professional recognition. He has the satis- faction of knowing that many difficulties have been conquered, and the credit- able place he has won for himself gives assurance of increasing responsibilities in the years to come.

HENRY J. McDONALD.

Polk county had hardly passed beyond the pioneer epoch when Henry J. McDonald took up his abode within its borders. He was classed with those who were still known as early settlers, for from 1867 until his death, which occurred forty-three years later, he remained a resident of Polk county and his sterling qualities were such that men were glad to call him friend. He was born at Kingston, New Jersey, September 26, 1834, a son of Joseph and Cath- erine (Hayes) McDonald, both of whom were natives of New Jersey, where the father carried on farming and fruit-raising. In his youth Henry J. McDon- ald profited by the educational advantages afforded by the public schools. Arriv- ing in Polk county in 1867, he turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, making his home upon a farm near Polk City until 1882. Industry and per- severance characterized him in the conduct of his farming interests, but at length he retired from the work of the fields and removed to Des Moines, becoming traveling representative for the J. I. Case Company and the I. L. Ellwood Barbed Wire Company, of De Kalb, Illinois, representing those two firms until 1898, when he retired from an active business life.

Mr. McDonald was married, in 1860, to Miss Carrie L. Tindell, of New Brunswick, New Jersey, and unto them was born a son, who died in 1876, when fourteen years of age. Mrs. McDonald survived until June, 1894, and passed away in Des Moines. On the 30th of October, 1895, Mr. McDonald was again married, his second union being with Miss Adell Parsons, a daughter of Luther B. and Clarissa (Devereaux) Parsons, of Knoxville, Iowa.

Colonel McDonald was well entitled to wear the Grand Army button and no man of Des Moines was more popular or highly esteemed in Grand Army cir- cles than he. Soon after the outbreak of the Civil war he responded to the country's call for troops, enlisting on the Ioth of September, 1861, as a private of Company A, Eleventh Connecticut Volunteer Infantry. His promotion was rapid and the following account of his war record is taken from the memorial prepared by the Military Order of the Loyal Legion, of which he was a repre- sentative, his membership being in the commandery of Iowa: "Promoted second lieutenant by special order of General A. E. Burnside, June 17, 1862, with rank from March 31, 1862. Promoted first lieutenant Company A, July 27, 1862. Promoted Captain Company D, December 2, 1862. Promoted major of his regiment, March II, 1865. Promoted lieutenant colonel, December 14, 1865, but not mustered in this rank on account of deficiency in strength of regiment. Companion McDonald participated in the following battles and engagements : Roanoke Island, February 8, 1862; South Mountain, September 14. 1862;

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Antietam, September 17, 1862; Fredericksburg, December 12 to 15, 1862; Suf- folk, April 24 and May 24, 1863; Drury's Bluff, May 16, 1864; and was there captured and endured all the hardships of life in rebel prisons until paroled March I, 1865, nine and a half months. Upon rejoining his regiment in June, 1865, he was detailed as assistant inspector general on the staff of Major Gen- eral Terry, August 10, 1865. Assumed command of post at Lynchburg, Vir- ginia, relieving General Brisco, September 29, 1865. Companion McDonald was wounded at Antietam and disabled and made a prisoner at Drury's Bluff as above mentioned.

"The foregoing record is indeed a notable one; it speaks with simple but enduring eloquence of Colonel McDonald's high character and achievements as a man and a soldier. That he was a trusted and capable officer and leader is evidenced by the fact of his continuous promotions. That he courageously encountered and endured all the hazards and hardships of the march, the camp and the battlefield, including wounds and rebel prison pens, is evidenced by the record of the number and importance of the bloody battles and engagements in which he was an active participant. That his service was with a gallant and fighting regiment is evidenced by the fact that at the time he received his merited promotion to the rank of lieutenant colonel their strength was reduced to such a small number that he could not, under the regulations of the war department, be mustered in that grade. In the later years of his life, following the terrific struggle, the consciousness of possessing such a record of faithful, loyal and gallant service in the defence of his country, the flag and human liberty, must have been a source of great pleasure and satisfaction to him."

At the time of his death, which occurred October 20, 1910, one of the local papers wrote of him: "Colonel McDonald's war record is one any man would be proud of, but this record does not contain an account of his most heroic struggle. His neighbors and friends know that his last battle, his struggle with a disease which he knew from the first was likely to prove fatal, was his bravest and best battle. To go bravely forward to meet the enemy without beating of drums and blaring of trumpets and waving of banners, to bear con- stantly agonizing pain and yet to meet each day's advance of the grim reaper with a cheerful face, requires courage of the highest order. He stood the test. 'I don't know why it is, but there's some good reason for it, and it's all right,' he would say. Colonel McDonald was a man who endeared himself to his friends and neighbors by his enthusiastic interest in plant life. His garden was his delight; a delight which he shared with all. No blossom was too choice to cut; he grew to give. The big petunia bed which he planted outside his garden, along the alley, that passers-by might be cheered by the gay blossoms, will long remain a monument to one who thought on the 'things that are lovely.'"

Colonel McDonald not only had appreciation for the beauty of flowers but in all nature, and that beauty of character which transcends even the beauty of nature. He ever appreciated worth in others and no man was more loyal or faithful to his friends.

GUY W. LIGHT.

The young business men of Polk county are entitled to great credit for their ability and progressiveness, many of them being among the most successful citizens of the county. In the number is Guy W. Light, who is at the head of a flourishing livery establishment at Bondurant. He was born on a farm in this county, the son of J. P. and Mary (Stooten) Light, the latter of whom was a daughter of John and Anna Stooten, who were early settlers in this county.

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Mrs. Stooten is still living at Bondurant. The father was born in Tennessee, June 27, 1864, and came to Iowa with his parents, John and Elizabeth Light, in 1872, the family settling at Altoona. Four children were reared by John and Elizabeth Light, namely: J. P .; Henry; Vivia, who became Mrs. Cheeney ; and Rebecca. Six children blessed the union of John P. and Mary Light : Guy, the subject of this review; and Harry, Mable, Emory, Bernice, and Lena, all of whom are at home.

Educated in the public schools Guy W. Light grew up under the parental roof and early gave evidence of ambition to accomplish a worthy object in the world. Since 1904 he has engaged in the livery business at Bondurant. Being a man of energy, excellent judgment and good address, he has steadily devel- oped his business until he is now proprietor of one of the substantial concerns of the town. His success is entirely due to his industry, adaptability and tact in meeting the wants of his patrons, whose number from year to year has shown a gratifying increase. In the summer time he runs an auto livery, which is generously patronized. In political affairs he is identified with the republican party, believing that in supporting its principles and candidates he is discharging a patriotic obligation, which should be one of the first duties of every good citizen. Socially, he is prominent in the community. He is a valued member of the Modern Woodmen of America and has many friends in that organization. In religious belief he adheres to the Christian church, and in business affairs has always aimed to give full value for value received. He has made good use of his opportunities and is rightly numbered among the estimable citizens of Polk county.

JACKSON BEYER.

With the lumber trade of Iowa, Jackson Beyer has long been connected and is now secretary of the Queal Lumber Company of Des Moines, giving undi- vided attention to the development of the business and the expansion of his trade relations. He is a native of the state of Pennsylvania, born December 28, 1852. His father was a pioneer of the Keystone state and his mother, who bore the maiden name of Mary Brunner, was also a representative of an old Pennsylvania family. The public schools of Pennsylvania afforded Jackson Beyer his educational opportunities. He pursued his studies until about seven- teen years of age and then, thinking that the opportunities of his home locality were more restricted than those of the growing middle west, he came to Iowa in 1869, settling first in Nevada. There he remained for only eight months, however, after which he went to Ames, Iowa, where he worked on a farm. He was employed in that way for several years, after which he was united in mar- riage to Miss Mary Queal, a daughter of Atcheson and Lucy (French) Queal, of New York state. Two children have been born of this union, Lucy J. and John H.

Not long after his marriage Mr. Beyer and his wife removed to Sheldahl, Iowa, taking up their abode in that town in 1879. He joined his brother-in- law in the establishment and conduct of a lumber business at that place, con- ducting the yard for three years, after which he returned to Ames, where he opened another lumber yard in connection with Mr. Queal. Mr. Beyer con- tinued in Ames, however, for only about a year and in 1883 came to Des Moines, where he has since made his home, the period of his residence here now cover- ing twenty-eight years. Immediately upon his arrival he and Mr. Queal opened what is known as the Queal lumber yards, beginning business upon a small basis. The trade has since grown until their yards are now the most extensive in the city and their business reaches out far into the adjoining territory. They

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carry a very extensive stock of lumber and the success of their undertaking is indicated in the substantial and rapid growth of their business. Mr. Beyer acts as secretary and general manager of the company and his success has fol- lowed close application and earnest effort.

For a short time Mr. Beyer held the office of justice of the peace in Lin- coln township, Polk county, but resigned owing to other demands made upon him. In matters of general concern, however, he is public-spirited, being greatly interested in all that pertains to the welfare and progress of the com- munity. Fraternally he is a Mason and has taken high rank in the order, hold- ing membership in the consistory and shrine. He is also prominent in the Knights of Pythias lodge and is an ardent Elk. He is fully in sympathy with the fraternal spirit of these orders, which recognizes the brotherhood of man- kind and the obligations of the individual to his fellowmen, and he is ever ready to extend a helping hand to one of his brethren in these organizations.

FRANK J. FOY.

Among the residents of Iowa who in the cultivation of her rich soil are meeting with substantial success, is numbered Frank J. Foy. He was born in Switzerland, on the 19th of April, 1869, a son of Joseph and Caroline Smith, also natives of that country. The mother there passed away in 1870 and in 1876 the father came to the United States, locating in Des Moines, Iowa, where he followed his trade of basket-making throughout the remainder of his life, passing away in that city in 1.880.

When but seven years of age Frank J. Foy was brought by his father to this country, and when nine years old was adopted by Adam and Maria (Les- ter) Foy, natives of Ireland and Illinois respectively. Mr. Foy had come to America in 1850, locating in New York upon his arrival, but later going to Pennsylvania. Subsequently he was engaged in river pursuits on the Missis- sippi during the summer months, while in the winter seasons he worked in the forests, his time being thus employed for about fifteen years. At the expira- tion of that time he came to Iowa and was employed at the Agricultural Col- lege at Ames for a time. He then went to Des Moines and purchased a team with which he hauled freight between Nevada and Des Moines for several years. Subsequently he invested in eighty acres of land in Washington town- ship, Polk county, and was actively engaged in its operation until 1886, when he retired from business life, continuing his residence upon his farm, however, until his death. As he prospered in his undertaking he invested in more prop- erty until he eventually became the owner of two hundred and eighty acres, all well improved land. He passed away on the 8th of August, 1908, but his wife survives and at the age of seventy-one makes her home on the old home- stead.

Frank J. Foy was given good advantages for thorough mental training, acquiring his preparatory work in the district schools of Polk county, while later he became a pupil in the public schools of Des Moines. After his gradua- tion therefrom he became a student in the Des Moines Normal College, and, making the most of his opportunities, was able, upon leaving that institution at the age of nineteen years, to engage in the profession of teaching. He was thus employed for three terms, after which he withdrew from that occupation to take up agricultural pursuits, in which he was engaged for two years. He then went to Maxwell and accepted a position as clerk in a general store, remaining there one year. In 1894 he went to Arkansas, where he worked on a tram road in the logging business six months, after which he operated his foster father's place five years. At the end of that period he purchased a tract

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in Polk county, Minnesota, and, taking up his abode thereon, established a meat market at Fisher, Minnesota, which, however, he conducted only six months. He was next employed as fireman for the Great Northern Railroad, being thus connected only a short time, following which he returned to Iowa and made his home one year in Cedar Rapids, there working in the Rock Island shops as an assistant blacksmith. After severing his connections in that city, Mr. Foy moved to Canon City, Colorado, where he was engaged as smelter one year. In the meantime he had pursued a course of study in engineering and the follow- ing seven months he spent as fireman for the Colorado Fuel & Iron Company at Chandler, Colorado, while five months were spent in a similar capacity in the power house.

Mr. Foy then returned to the old homestead, upon which his foster-parents were residing, for they were growing old and had no other children, and he has since given his time and attention to its cultivation. Being practical and progressive in his business, he has brought this property to a finely developed state, using the most modern methods of tilling the soil, and has introduced the latest inventions in farm machinery to facilitate the work of the fields. He owns twenty-three head of cattle, twenty-one head of horses and raises on an average of eighty head of hogs annually, and both branches of his business are proving profitable sources of revenue, so that he today enjoys a most credit- able degree of prosperity.

Mr. Foy laid the foundation for a happy home life of his own through his marriage, on the 24th of January, 1891, to Miss Arvilla Douglas, a daughter of John and Mary (Wurtenburger) Douglas, both natives of Ohio. The father, a farmer by occupation, operated for a short time in Michigan and in 1866 came to Iowa, locating in Lucas county, where he remained one year. He then came to Polk county, purchasing a farm in Washington township, which he worked until 1894, when he disposed of his property and retired from active life, taking up his abode in Maxwell, Iowa. There he and his wife spent their remaining days, his death occurring in 1901, while she passed away five years later, in 1906. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Foy have been born nine children, as fol- lows: Florence, aged nineteen years, who is engaged as a stenographer in Denver, Colorado; Amy and Eugene, who at the age of seventeen and fifteen years respectively are living at home; Charles, who passed away in September, 1908; and Frederick, John, Mary, Francis and Irene, aged nine, seven, five, three years and ten months respectively, who are all under the parental roof.

. The family are communicants of the Catholic church, while fraternally Mr. Foy belongs to the Brotherhood of American Yeomen and also to the Modern Woodmen of America. He has ever given his political support to the republi- can party, doing all in his power to further the cause of that organization, although he has never desired nor sought public office for himself. He is pro- gressive and enterprising in his business connections, public-spirited in his citi- zenship and has gained a large circle of friends throughout the country because of the extent of his business associations.

MAURICE LYNCH.

Maurice Lynch was for many years a popular citizen of Des Moines and had many friends in the capital. He ever had great faith in the city and its future, and therefore cooperated in many movements for its progress, and at all times was one of its enthusiastic advocates.

He was born at Waterloo, New York, in 1858, a son of James Lynch, also a native of the Empire state. Liberal educational advantages were accorded him, and after attending the public schools he became a student in Hobart Col-

MAURICE LYNCH

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lege. When a young man he came to Des Moines with his four brothers and they established a hardware store on East Sixth street in 1874. This was one of the largest enterprises of the kind in the state at that time, and they not only enjoyed a large trade, but were also builders of a portion of the block in which they conducted their store. Eight years later they sold out and the brothers scattered to all parts of the country, but Maurice Lynch remained a resident of Des Moines.

He became much interested in sports and was an authority on many kinds of amusements. He bore the reputation of ever being straightforward, regarding his word as something that could not be broken, and he was charitable almost to a fault. He could not hear a tale of sorrow or distress without wishing to give aid, yet he never boasted of his liberality and, in fact, gave so quietly and unostentatiously that on many occasions none knew of his bounty save himself and the recipient. Hundreds of widows and orphans received from him gifts that proved of timely assistance in an hour of need, and many there were who had gratitude for him while he was living, and have cherished his memory since his death.

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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 107

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