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 115

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 115

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EDWARD F. BAILEY.

Edward F. Bailey, a prominent merchant tailor of Des Moines, is perhaps one of the best known and counted one of the most successful by dealers in woolens throughout the country. He is well known to the trade from coast to coast. His birth occurred in Jackson, Michigan, on the 18th of July, 1855, his parents being Alfred and Marilla (Godfrey) Bailey. The mother passed away when Edward was eighteen months old. The father married a few years later and unto him and his second wife were born five children, of whom one son and one daughter are yet living. The father emigrated from England with his parents in 1830, being at that time a lad of seven years. On attaining his major- ity he took up his abode among the pioneer residents of Michigan, becoming a farmer and later a shoe merchant.

Edward F. Bailey obtained his education in the public schools of his native town and in 1874 secured a position as clerk in the office of the Central Car & Manufacturing Company of Jackson, Michigan, rising to be the chief clerk and remaining with them until 1878. In that year he resigned to take a position in the office of the general master mechanic of the Michigan Central Railroad, remaining there for two years, when he was transferred in charge of the same company's division office at Michigan City, Indiana, and for twenty-one years acted as chief clerk to the master mechanic of the Western and Joliet divisions. While in Michigan City, Mr. Bailey with others erected a theater building and for eight years served as its manager, also owning the bill-posting plant in the city. These were operated by him by permission of the railroad company. In the spring of 1899, The Glasgow Woolen Mills Company of Chicago, a firm making a specialty of made-to-order clothes for men at fifteen dollars, no more no less, called on Mr. Bailey to have some bill posting done for them in Michigan City. The subject of branch stores was broached, he became interested and a plan was materialized. In September, 1899, Mr. Bailey established a "Glasgow" store in Des Moines, having a contract with the Chicago company permitting him to use their name and trade-marks, and for two years they supplied him with goods. At the end of that time they moved east from Chicago. Mr. Bailey then began the manufacture of clothing on his own account, establishing The Bailey Tailoring Company as the manufacturing end of the concern with head- quarters in Chicago. After five years he removed the same to Des Moines, bringing twenty-five families of workmen out from Chicago. At the end of three and a half years, however, it was found hard to keep the more competent workmen in this line of business in Des Moines, they preferring to work in the larger cities. In July, 1911, therefore, the plant was again returned to Chicago and renamed the Midwestern Tailoring Company, occupying some ten thousand square feet of the Fraser building at 24 to 30 South Jefferson street, Chicago, where a large force of workmen are employed. Mr. Bailey has won a most gratifying measure of success in the business and has fifteen established stores

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throughout Iowa, Illinois and Missouri-all supplied with woolens and the gar- ments made to order as sold, by the Chicago end of the business. The largest of these stores is in Des Moines and is considered by the trade as the most suc- cessful "fifteen dollar" store in the country, enjoying an unusual clientage of high class trade.

On the 20th of February, 1879, Mr. Bailey was married to Miss Clara May Sisson, a daughter of J. and Martha (Winslow) Sisson, of Blissfield, Michigan. One child was born to them, a daughter, Veva May, who died at the age of eleven years in Denver, Colorado, while they were there on a pleasure trip in 1891. Mr. Bailey gives his political allegiance to the republican party and belongs to the Grant Club. He is a member of the Congregational church and fraternally is identified with the National Union, the Royal Arcanum and the Masons, hav- ing attained the thirty-second degree in the last named. Courteous and genial in manner and cordial and kindly in disposition, loved by his employes, admired by his competitors, the circle of his friends is almost coextensive with the circle of his acquaintance. He has a beautiful home at No. 3118 Cottage Grove avenue, considered by many who have seen it to be one of the most artistic in the city.

REUBEN J. YOUTZ.

A well developed and highly improved farm in Bloomfield township is the property of Reuben J. Youtz, who has spent much of his life in this section of Polk county. He was born in Stark county, Ohio, November 23, 1834, a son of Joshua and Esther (Bosler) Youtz, both natives of Pennsylvania. The father was a shoemaker by trade, following that pursuit for about thirty-five years in the Keystone state and Ohio. On removing to Ohio, he purchased a well im- proved farm of one hundred and fifty acres and continued its further develop- ment and improvement throughout his remaining years. He became a success- ful man and also took an active part in the public life of the community in which he lived. For a quarter of a century he filled the office of justice of the peace and throughout his career of continued and far-reaching usefulness his duties were performed with the greatest care and his business interests were so man- aged as to win for him the confidence of the public and the prosperity which ever attends honorable effort. He passed away in the spring of 1884, having for many years survived his wife, whose death occurred in 1867.

Reuben J. Youtz was reared in the state of his nativity, and his early educa- tion, acquired in the district schools of the Buckeye state, was later supplemented by a course of study in Greensburg Seminary, at Greensburg, Ohio. After com- pleting his education he engaged in teaching for a time, or until ill health forced him to abandon the profession. In the fall of 1862 he enlisted for service in the Civil war, becoming a member of Company I, Nineteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, but after a year spent at the front he returned home. In 1864 a com- pany, known as the Home Guards, was formed and Mr. Youtz was chosen cap- tain of the company, with which he served one year, when he received an honor- able discharge.

Upon his return from the field of battle in 1864, Mr. Youtz took up his abode in Des Moines, there following the carpenter's trade for a time, while later he gave his attention to cabinet-making. However, believing that farm life would prove more congenial to him, he purchased one hundred and ten acres of prairie land, situated in Bloomfield township, Polk county, and, removing to this place, at once began to improve the property and prepare it for cultivation. He oper- ated the same until 1870, when he disposed of it and purchased his present farm of one hundred and sixty acres. He began to develop and improve this tract and in course of time had his fields under a high state of cultivation. He also erected

R. J. YOUTZ

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two sets of farm buildings and the place is now supplied with all equipments necessary for the successful conduct of the farm. He has been engaged in agri- cultural pursuits to the present time and although he is now in his seventy- seventh year he is still active in the management of his business affairs and is enjoying a gratifying measure of prosperity. He is a stockholder in the First Valley Junction Savings Bank and is now serving as its vice president.

Mr. Youtz has been married twice. In 1860 he wedded Miss Harriet Miller, a daughter of Emanuel and Elizabeth (Walker) Miller, both of whom were na- tives of Pennsylvania and were farming people of that state. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Youtz were born six children : Minnie, the wife of W. H. Mitchell, of Polk county ; Louis, who is a professor of chemistry in the University of Wisconsin; Ella E., the wife of W. J. Stratton, a minister of Indianola, Iowa; Arthur W., who follows farming in Bloomfield township; Homer, who died in 1892; and Chauncey, who resides in Des Moines. The family were called upon to mourn the loss of the wife and mother on the 22d of November, 1885, and Mr. Youtz was again married on the 3d of April, 1889, his second union being with Mrs. Martha Badley, a daughter of Moses and Maria (Whitney) Hewitt, who were natives of Indiana. In an early day, however, they came to Iowa, the father en- tering one hundred and twenty acres of land in Warren county from the govern- ment. He continued to carry on general agricultural pursuits there until his death, which occurred in July, 1884. The mother survived him for many years and passed away in February, 1904. Of the second marriage of Mr. Youtz there are two sons and one daughter, namely: Harry B., who is in the employ of H. S. Chase & Company at Valley Junction ; Horace Fletcher, who is a high school student at Valley Junction ; and Harriet, who at the age of twelve years is with her parents.

While to a great degree Mr. Youtz advocates the principles and policy of the Republican party, yet in a measure he is independent in his political views, never voting a straight ticket but rather voting for the men whom he deems worthy of his support. He has always been very active in public affairs and has been called by his fellow townsmen to fill a number of local offices, having served as trustee of the school board for a long period, while for many years he has been assessor of Bloomfield township and clerk of the township, being the incumbent in these positions at the present time. He is accounted a man of influence in the commu- nity in which he has so long made his home and by those whose good fortune it is to know him intimately, his companionship, friendship and counsel are appre- ciated and helpful. He never turns aside from right and duty but his every day life reflects the true Christian character, while in his relations with his fellow- men and in his treatment of his neighbor he has never lost sight of the principle of the Golden Rule.

CONRAD YOUNGERMAN.

The history of building operations in Des Moines would be incomplete were there failure to make mention of Conrad Youngerman and the important work which he did in connection with the upbuilding and improvement of this city. For years he figured as one of the most prominent contractors here and at the same time, neglectful of no duty of citizenship, aided in every movement for the good of the city and supported all projects for public improvement. He was born at Wichdorf, Germany, near the city of Cassel in the province of Hesse, December 15, 1833, and was a son of Henry and Elizabeth (Sonnenschein) Youngerman. The father was a contractor and builder who died when his son Conrad was but eight years of age, and the mother passed away in Des Moines at the age of eighty-seven years, having accompanied her son here on his return Vol. II-48

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from a visit to Germany in 1872. The parents were members of the Lutheran church and the father served for several years in the regular army. The grand- father. Heinrich Youngerman, was also a contractor and builder and the maternal grandfather, Heinrich Sonnenschein, followed the same business and served in the army under Napoleon. Thus Conrad Youngerman was, as it were, "to the manner born." If heredity and environment have anything to do with the choice of a life work it was but natural that he should become a contractor and builder as both of his grandfathers and his father followed that business, and in his early youth his interest was stimulated by the work that his father was doing. He was, however, but a young lad when Henry Youngerman passed away. He continued in school until fourteen years of age, when he entered upon a three years' apprenticeship to the stone cutter's trade and when his term of indenture was ended he spent two and a half years traveling as a journeyman.

At the end of that time he was drafted for military service and was forced to return home. The life of a soldier, however, was distasteful to him and this led him to think of the United States. Accordingly in 1854 he sailed for America, landing at New York, and as he had neither money nor tools he worked for a time in a brick yard at Haverstraw on the Hudson. He next made his way to Elyria, Ohio, where he secured employment as a carpenter and builder, and while there living he was married. Having heard favorable reports of the little city of Des Moines, the young couple determined to make it their future home and Mr. Youngerman arrived here on the 28th of September, 1856. Soon afterward he became identified with building operations, taking contracts for stone and brick work and for building generally. For years he continued in that field of business with much success and many of the earlier substantial structures of the city are his handiwork as well as those which had been erected later. He was the builder of many of the best business blocks, schoolhouses, churches and homes of Des Moines. Among the hundreds of buildings which he erected are the Exposition building, the west and east side schoolhouses, the Abour House, the Masonic Temple, the Perry block and three bank buildings. The character of his workmanship, his fidelity to the terms of a contract and his unfaltering energy were all factors in the success which rewarded him. He was energetic, determined and possessed sound judgment and keen discrimination. He could always be relied upon to live up to any contract he made, so that in a few years he became recognized as one of the successful business men of this city for his building operations made constant demand upon his time and energies and brought him substantial returns. In addition to building for others he erected a number of stone and brick structures, mostly business blocks, for himself and these brought him gratifying financial returns. In 1893 he tore down the brick build- ing previously erected by him at the corner of Fifth and Mulberry streets and at once began building the new and magnificent Youngerman block which is one of the finest structures of the city. It is eight stories in height and contains one hundred and forty business offices and stores. It is handsome in architectural design and workmanship and is a credit to the city as well as a monument to the ability and enterprise of its builder. As he prospered in his undertaking Mr. Youngerman extended his business connections and became interested in Des Moines and Polk county banks and in other financial enterprises.

On the IIth of September, 1856, occurred the marriage of Mr. Youngerman and Miss Miene Stark, a daughter of Louis and Miene Stark. They became parents of seven children. William A., the eldest, married Alice Longshore and after her death married Mollie Lafferty .. He had two children. George H. married Sophia Tilton and had four children. He and his older brother William were both contractors. Louis, the third son of the family, conducted the brick yard which had been established by his father to the time of his death, which occurred in 1898. Carl is an electrician, August is a jeweler ; Frank, treasurer and general manager of the Conrad Youngerman estate, was associated in business

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with his father; and Minnie, president of the Conrad Youngerman estate, is the wife of Frank P. Mattes, secretary and treasurer of the Des Moines Brewing Company.

The death of Mr. Youngerman occurred in September, 1901, when he was not quite sixty-eight years of age. He filled various local offices. He served for four years as a member of the city council and made an excellent record for honesty and thorough business methods when in office. He aided in all projects and movements for the benefit and unbuilding of the city and was particularly interested in promoting its welfare along permanent lines. In fraternal relations he was widely known, being a thirty-second degree Mason, a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and of the Knights of Pythias fraternity. He died in September, 1901, and thus was closed a record that has permanent value for Des Moines. For many years he occupied a central place on the stage of action here and his labors were attended by direct and beneficial results which were tangible elements for good in the improvement and upbuilding of the community. His ability placed him far beyond the point of mediocrity with the men who ranked as the leading citizens during the latter half of the nineteenth century.

CHARLES HENRY GOOD.

In the evening of a long and useful life Charles Henry Good reviews a period of more than sixty years which has passed since he came to Polk county, during which time this section has become one of the most fertile and productive parts of the state. He was born at Logan, Hocking county, Ohio, July 23, 1839, and has now reached the age of seventy-two years. His parents, Charles and Sallie (Geil) Good, were also natives of the Buckeye state. The father came west in 1850 and settled at Des Moines on the 2d of May of that year, when it was a small village. He entered the mercantile business, in which he continued very successfully until 1865, when he sold out and retired from active participation in affairs. In 1880 he erected the Good block at the corner of Fifth and Walnut streets, which is still recognized as one of the important properties in the city. He was a blacksmith by trade but never worked at his trade after he came to Iowa. He died in Des Moines, March 27, 1898, his wife having been called away many years previously, on October 14, 1847.

Charles Henry Good began his early education in the public schools of Ohio and was eleven years of age when he came to this state. He attended the public schools of Des Moines and also a commercial college in Cleveland, Ohio. He continued with his father until twenty-five years of age and was connected with his store for several years. Subsequently he had charge of a farm which be- longed to his father and later began raising fruit on a small farm located at what is now Fourteenth street and University avenue. He was in this business five years and then bought one hundred and sixty acres in Walnut township, which had previously been improved with the exception of a residence which he erected. Here he has since made his home. In 1894 a division was made of his father's estate and he has since devoted most of his time to his city prop- erty. He owns a third interest in the Good block and is also the owner of ninety acres of productive land in Dallas county, Iowa. He was formerly a stock- holder in the First Valley Junction Savings Bank but disposed of his stock in July, 1910.

On the 21st of February, 1864, Mr. Good was united in marriage to Miss Adeline M. Thornberry, a daughter of G. J. and Nancy (Melton) Thornberry, natives of Indiana and Kentucky respectively. It was in 1853 that Mr. Thorn- berry came to Iowa and located in Appanoose county, where he engaged in farming throughout the remainder of his life. His wife died in February, 1869.

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Unto Mr. and Mrs. Good were born six children. William E. married Anna M. Hines, of Polk county, and is now a resident of Oregon City, Oregon. Ida Elizabeth, born June 12, 1867, died September 5, 1868. Samuel James, born May 17, 1870, died November 26, 1876. Ernest Francis, now a farmer of Dallas county, Iowa, married Mabel Vesta Bishard, of this county, and they have three children : Merl Carlton, born March 12, 1900; Doris Ramona, born October 3, 1903 ; and Beatrice Lurene, born August 30, 1905. Minnie May, born January 30, 1878, died August 28, 1882. Clarence T., a farmer of Walnut township, married Edna Belle Brown, and has two daughters: Vivian Gladys, born Sep- tember 20, 1909; and Frances Elizabeth, born July 2, 191I.

Politically Mr. Good is not identified with any party organization, preferring to vote independently. Although not a member of any church, he and his wife are friendly towards all. He is a man of kindly disposition, who has always been actuated by a desire to perform his duty, and has never attempted to advance his own interest to the detriment of his fellowmen. As a pioneer of Polk county and one of its highly esteemed citizens he deserves honorable mention in this work.

WALTER FRICK.

In the list of enterprising and progressive agriculturists who have so ma- terially assisted by their loyal citizenship and public spirit in the development of Iowa must be mentioned the name of Walter Frick, who for thirty years has been a resident of this county. He was born in Rock Island county, Illinois, on the 6th of July, 1859, and is a son of Michael and Matilda (Benson) Frick, the father a native of Pennsylvania and the mother of Sweden. Michael Frick was but one year of age when his parents removed to Illinois, so that practically the entire period of his brief life was spent in that state. He had only passed the twenty-seventh milestone on life's journey at the time of his demise and left a young wife and three children, the son Walter, the second member of the family, not having yet attained his third year. Alice, the eldest, married H. A. Anderson, of Moline, Illinois, which city continues to be her home, and she has become the mother of three children. Archie married Miss Clara Benson of Illinois, and they have four children and live in Union township, this county. Some time after the death of her first husband Mrs. Frick became the wife of John Thompson, but in 1869 she passed away.

Walter Frick spent the most of his boyhood in the home of his paternal grandfather, who was his guardian, acquiring his education in the district schools. He was only fourteen years of age when he began working by the month, con- tinuing to follow the occupation of a farm hand in Illinois for seven years. In 1880 he came to Iowa with his brother and after one year's residence here began farming for himself as a renter. In 1882 the brothers formed a partnership, continuing this plan of cooperative farming for three years, at the end of which period Walter Frick had acquired the necessary capital to enable him to purchase one hundred and sixty acres of land, on which his brother now lives. By means of his indomitable courage, perseverance and industry he has been able to add to his original tract until he now owns three hundred and forty-seven acres of land on section 2, Union township, this county, and one hundred and sixty acres adjoining in Boone county. The secret of his success has not only been his wonderful gift of prescience which has enabled him to recognize opportunities, but the ability to create them. He is progressive in his methods, always ready to adopt any new method or system in the science of agriculture which he con- siders to be based upon practical working principles. His land is tiled and well fenced, while the barns and outbuildings are commodious and substantially con- structed. In 1904 he erected a modern eleven room residence, which is one of

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the most convenient and comfortable farm houses in that vicinity. He engages in general farming and stock-raising and in both ventures has met with good success. In 1905 he rented his farm for two years but at the end of that period his sons wished to operate it, which they are now doing, with the assistance of hired help, under his supervision.

In March, 1889, Mr. Frick was united in marriage to Miss Ellen Peterson, of Henry county, Illinois. She is a daughter of Peter and Cecelia (Akerson) Peterson, natives of Sweden, who came to the United States and located in Rock Island county, Illinois, and later removed to Henry county, that state, where they died, the father in 1901 at the age of eighty-five years and the mother in June, 1904, at the age of seventy-nine. Mrs. Frick was born on the 9th of March, 1861, and was the seventh child in a family of twelve. Mr. and Mrs. Frick have become the parents of six children, who are as follows: Lloyd W., the eldest, was born on the 23d of July, 1890. Laura D., born on the 9th of February, 1892, was graduated from the Slater (Iowa) high school in 1909 and is now taking the liberal arts course at Drake University, preparatory to becoming a teacher. Forrest A., who was born on the 6th of February, 1894, was graduated from the Slater high school in June, 1910. Florence C., whose birth occurred on the IOth of December, 1896, is now attending the high school. Frances M., who is also attending school, was born on the 4th of July, 1902. Lester L., the youngest member of the family, was born on the 5th of September, 1907.

The family attend the Swedish Methodist church, of which Mrs. Frick is a member. Ever since acquiring the full rights of citizenship Mr. Frick has sup- ported the platform of the republican party in state and national elections, but in local issues he feels that it is a matter of supporting the man best adapted to meet the needs of the community at large and so casts an independent ballot. He has always taken a very great interest in educational matters and for several years has been a member of the board of school directors, and at the present time is acting as treasurer of that body. During the long period of his residence in the township Mr. Frick has made many friends, who accord him the respect which should be meted out to a man whose success can be attributed to his own effort and unflinching purpose, which was at all times sustained by sound prin- ciples and incorruptible integrity.

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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 115

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