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 116

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 116

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GEORGE K. HOBSON.

For more than fifty years George K. Hobson has made his home upon the farm on section II, Saylor township, this county, where he now resides and upon which he was born on the 12th of December, 1856. The Hobson family is of English lineage and the first of the name to come to America was George Hobson, who settled in Virginia, of which state William Hobson, the great- grandfather of our subject, was a native. Joseph Hobson, the grandfather, was born in Orange county, North Carolina, December II, 1768, and married Jane Tyson, a daughter of Cornelius and Arcada Tyson, of Cumberland county, North Carolina. The death of Joseph Hobson occurred in Henry county, Indiana, November 3, 1825, and his widow, long surviving him, passed away in Polk county, Iowa, April 8, 1856. They had removed to Warren county, Ohio, about 1805 and in 1810 became residents of Clinton county, Ohio, whence they went to Henry county, Indiana, about 1818.

Allen W. Hobson, the youngest of the thirteen children of Joseph Hobson, was born in Clinton county, Ohio, April 5, 1816, and on April 17, 1837, was mar- ried to Anna Case, in Henry county, Indiana. Mrs. Hobson was born August 31, 1813, and died at Kiethsville, Missouri, October 20, 1842. One daughter, Louisa, survived this union and married E. S. Harter, passing away in March,

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1909, leaving two children who are still living, Allen J. and Anna M. In Novem- ber, 1843, Mr. Hobson was again married in Rochester, Missouri, to Anna Malvina Kimberlin, who was born February 22, 1820, in Botetourt county, Vir- ginia. On removing to Polk county, Iowa, they settled in Saylor township in 1846. In 1852 Mr. Hobson, who followed agricultural pursuits and stock-rais- ing purchased what became the old homestead and was living thereon at the time of his death, on the 16th of November, 1892, at the age of seventy-six years. Mrs. Hobson survived him until the 23d of June, 1907, having passed the eighty- seventh milestone on life's journey at the time of her demise. They became the parents of the following children: Christina J., the widow of Andrew Lugen- beel, who is now residing in Sumner, Washington; Alonzo R., who is married and is living in Fresno county, California; Viretta, the wife of M. C. Betts, of Polk county, now residing in Redondo, Washington; Araminta, who married Alonzo C. McMichael of this county, nów living in Des Moines ; and George K., who is our subject and the youngest of the family. The father always gave his support to the republican party, but was not an aspirant for office, preferring to give his entire attention to his private interests.

George K. Hobson obtained his education in the district schools of Polk county and spent his boyhood and youth in a manner very similar to the major- ity of boys reared in the country. His entire life, with the exception of three years, has been spent on the farm where he now lives. It is a small place, including but fifty-two acres, but it contains good improvements, is well stocked and highly cultivated fields are fertile and yield abundant harvests which com- mand good prices. In addition to this land Mr. Hobson also owns forty acres in another tract close by and eighty acres in Kansas. He made his home upon the latter place for three years, but returned to Iowa to look after his property, which was being neglected and mismanaged, and has since continued to reside here. He now engages in general farming and stock-raising, in both of which he is meeting with success.

Mr. Hobson was united in marriage to Miss Emma B. Harris in 1879. She is a daughter of Alfred and Nancy (Graves) Harris and the youngest of nine children, her birth occurring on the 9th of March, 1860. Mr. and Mrs. Hobson have become the parents of four children, as follows: George W., the eldest, married Mabel Marvin, who died on the IIth of July, 1907, leaving one child, Louis. He then married Julia Gebhardt, of Des Moines, on the 30th of March, 1910. They live in Des Moines. Katherine H. married Dr. F. H. Creamer of Belle Plaine, Iowa, and they are now residing in Dupree, South Dakota, and have one child, Lee Montelle. Myrle I. is single and lives at home. Allan H. is the fourth and youngest member of the family.

Even since attaining the full rights of citizenship Mr. Hobson has cast his vote with the republican party. He has never sought public office or political honors, preferring to devote his attention to the administration of his private affairs, but he can always be found at the polls on election day fulfilling his duties as a citizen by casting his ballot for the candidates of the party of his choice. He is well regarded in the community where he has lived practically all of his life and where the comrades of his boyhood are the friends of his man- hood.

W. E. STATLER.

W. E. Statler, whose personal popularity, resulting from a social, genial na- ture, was as great as was his success in business, which came as the legitimate outcome of earnest application and thorough mastery of the work which he un- dertook, passed away February 1, 1908, at which time his name was inscribed on the roll of Des Moines' honored dead. He was born in Marshalltown, Iowa,

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January 21, 1861, so that his life span but compassed forty-seven years. He seemed in the very midst of a career of usefulness when his life's labors were ended, yet he accomplished much more than does the average man in a longer period. He was of German descent, his grandparents having come from Ger- many, and locating in eastern Pennsylvania.

His education was acquired in the schools of his native city and he early turned his attention to the insurance business, in which he engaged in Marshall- town until about 1894. He then came to Des Moines and was elected to the presidency of the Bankers Accident Company, which position he faithfully filled to the end. He was very active and energetic in all that he undertook and would brook no obstacles or difficulties that could be overcome by determined purpose and honorable effort.

Recognizing the fact that recreation as well as business must constitute a feature in the life of every well balanced man, Mr. Statler was instrumental in organizing the Des Moines Golf and Country Clubs, and. at one time was vice president and also a member of its directing board. He also held membership in the Loyal Legion Commandery of Iowa.

It was on Christmas day of 1888 that Mr. Statler's marriage to Miss Ida Belle Anson, a native of Marshalltown, was celebrated. They became the par- ents of two daughters, Margaret and Sarah. Mrs. Statler was born in Mar- shalltown, October 16, 1869, and is a daughter of Horace and Emeline (Smith) Anson. Her paternal grandparents came to this country from England and set- tled in Ohio, where her father was born in 1831. He was a farmer by occupa- tion and continued to engage in that pursuit throughout his active life but retired a number of years prior to his death, which occurred on the 29th of September, 1910. He and his wife were the first couple to be married in Marshalltown, where their wedding was celebrated in 1854. He was a brother of the late Henry Anson, the founder of Marshalltown.

Mr. Statler was a very charitable man, who gave generously of his means to aid the poor and needy. He was genial and approachable and thus gained many friends, who, as the years went by, learned to appreciate him more and more for his many sterling qualities, his fidelity to principle and his deference for the opinions of others. He stood with those of ability and public worth which placed him in a rank above the majority of their fellowmen.

HAROLD G. CALKINS.

Among the highly respected citizens of Polk county should be named Harold G. Calkins who for eight years past has been engaged in the drug business at Bondurant and is also successfully identified with the agricultural interests of the state. He was born at Grinnell, Iowa, February 23, 1869, the son of Russell W. and Mary (Pruyn) Calkins, both of whom were natives of New York. The father came to Iowa in 1858 and was married in this state to Miss Mary Pruyn, subsequently moving to Illinois. In 1869 he returned to Iowa and took up his permanent abode in Cass county. At the time of the Civil war he served as first lieutenant of the One hundred and thirty-ninth Illinois Infantry, discharg- ing his duties as became a brave and loyal citizen. He resides at Anita, Iowa, in retirement, but his wife died in 1900. Of their family five grew to maturity.

Harold G. Calkins received his preliminary education in the common schools and later matriculated at Highland Park College at Des Moines, from which he was graduated with the title of Ph. D. He also studied pharmacy and registered as a pharmacist in Iowa in 1892 and in South Dakota two years later. He has engaged in farming and in the drug business. In 1903 he came to Polk county and located at Bondurant where he has since engaged in the drug business. As

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he possesses special qualifications for his chosen vocation he has met with de- served success, his patrons coming from a wide region around the town.

In September, 1902, Mr. Calkins was united in marriage to Miss Roberta L. Green, a daughter of James and Susan E. (McCune) Green, both of whom are now deceased. The father was born in Leicestershire, England, and emigrated to Canada in 1857. On the 2d of August, 1862, he crossed to the United States and within thirty minutes after his arrival at Ogdensburg, New York, enlisted as a private in Company Q, One Hundred and sixth New York Volunteer Infantry. He continued in service until 1865, performing his duties so acceptably that he was advanced to the position of sergeant major of his regiment. He participated in many important engagements and movements of the war, serving under Gen- erals Grant and Sheridan in the Army of the East. In June, 1865, he received his honorable discharge at Washington, D. C. He was married in Pennsylvania to Miss Susan E. McCune, a native of the. Keystone state. In the 'zos they came west and took up their residence on a farm in Cass county, Iowa, where they continued until September, 1885, when they moved to Atlantic, Iowa, Mr. Green having accepted the position of deputy county auditor of Cass county. Sub- sequently he was elected county auditor and continued in this position until his death which occurred June 24, 1896. He was identified with the county auditor's office for nearly twelve years, discharging his responsibilities with great ac- ceptance to the people of the county. He was a man of fine ability and genial social traits and could have figured quite extensively in politics had he so de- sired. While he was holding the office of county auditor he was urged to be- come a candidate for state auditor but declined to do so, not being ambitious to mix in the turmoil of state politics. Mrs. Green passed away August 13, 1909. There were three daughters in their family, namely: Mrs. S. S. Winchell, of Coffeyville, Kansas; Mrs. W. M. Myers, now a resident of Des Moines; and Roberta L., now Mrs. Harold G. Calkins.

Politically Mr. Calkins of this review gives his support to the republican party, believing that its principles are essential to the perpetuity of free institu- tions. He was elected mayor of Bondurant, but his interest is concentrated on his business and he declined to serve. Fraternally he is identified with the Red Men and religiously with the Congregational church. He possesses good advan- tages of education and has made practical use of the excellent training received, displaying in his affairs careful management, systematic diligence and sound judgment. A broad-minded gentleman, his career has been one of business activity crowned with success. His highly creditable record and sterling per- sonal character have won for him the unqualified confidence of the people of Bondurant and vicinity.

WILLIAM SCHLENKER.

William Schlenker, who is one of the substantial and successful agriculturists of Polk county, owning one hundred and twenty acres of valuable land in Saylor township, was born in Clayton, Iowa, on the 3d of August, 1858, a son of Theo- bault and Louisa (Mally) Schlenker. His parents were natives of Germany who emigrated to the United States in the '40s and located in Clayton county, Iowa, where they were married in October, 1857. In the spring of 1866 they removed to Polk county and settled in Saylor township, where they continued to reside during the remainder of their lives. The father was a farmer all his life and was engaged in that occupation at the time of his demise on the 20th of June, 1890. Eight children were born unto Mr. and Mrs. Schlenker besides our subject, the others being as follows: Mary Louisa married Henry Schnoor, of Jackson county, who is now living in Dallas county, and they have four children ;

WILLIAM SCHLENKER

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Elizabeth, who married Ed Cameron of Dallas county, is now residing in this county and has two children ; Martha, who died in the fall of 1893, was the wife of Henry Seemann, of Jackson county; Charles, who married Amelia Metz of Iowa, is now living in Texas and is the father of ten children; Lena married John Logan, of Boston, now living in San Pedro, California, and they have two children ; Louisa died at the age of two years ; George T. married Cecelia Lahey of this county and has four children; and J. W who manages the home farm for his mother. The father passed away at the age of sixty-four years but the mother is still living at the Psalmist's allotted span of three score and ten years. After acquiring through naturalization the full rights of citizenship Mr. Schlenker gave his support to the Republican party, and although he was never an office holder, he was always interested in local politics.

William Schlenker acquired his education in the common schools of Polk county and assisted his father in the management of the farm. He remained at home until August, 1881, at which time he bought the farm where he now re- · sides. Although he has always followed agricultural pursuits he has engaged quite extensively in the buying and selling of cattle and was also interested in a canning factory for ten years.

On the 30th of November, 1882, Mr. Schlenker established a home of his own by his marriage to Miss Catherina Schnoor, a daughter of John and Cath- erina (Seemann) Schnoor. The parents were natives of Germany and on com- ing to the United States settled on a farm in Scott county, Iowa, in the early days. There Mrs. Schnoor passed away in 1880, at the age of fifty years. The father survived her until 1899, having attained the age of sixty-six years at the time of his death. Mrs. Schlenker was the third in a family of six children, all of whom, with the exception of herself and her brother Henry of Dallas county, are now deceased. She was born on the 12th of March, 1862, and was twenty years of age at the time of her marriage. Two children, a son and a daughter, have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Schlenker: Henry W., residing in this county, married Mabel Miller of Illinois and they have two children; and Luella Catherina is the wife of LeRoy W. De Marce, also a resident of this county.

The family always attended the Methodist church, of which denomination the parents were members. Mr. Schlenker gives his political support to the Re- publican party. He has always taken an active interest in all political issues, has served as township trustee and supervisor and for many years was one of the school directors. He has been an enterprising and industrious man and by close application and good management has acquired a nice competence. In addition to his homestead he owns one hundred and sixty acres of land in Palmer county, Texas, while Mrs. Schlenker owns eighty acres in Polk county. They began their married life in a two-room frame house, but his tireless energy aided by her thrift and capable supervision of the household affairs has enabled them to add to the original structure until today they have a thoroughly modern house, which is both comfortable and convenient in all of its appointments. They are highly regarded in the community where they have lived for nearly thirty years and have many friends to whom they extend their hospitality.

FRANK D. GRAY.

Frank D. Gray, who first engaged in business in Valley Junction eight years ago and now owns one of the finest markets in town, was born in Stuart, Iowa, on the 29th of June, 1878. His parents were William B. and Mary E. (Davis) Gray, the father a native of Maryland and the mother of Vermont. They came to Iowa in 1855 and entered one hundred and sixty acres of uncleared timber and prairie land, which the father improved and brought to a high state of cul-

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tivation before his death on the 25th of February, 1880. The mother passed away on the 4th of July, 1901.

Frank D. Gray · spent his boyhood on the old homestead, acquiring his pre- liminary education in the district schools. When he was thirteen years of age he was sent to the public school at Des Moines, where he remained for several years, and in 1895 he came to Valley Junction. During the first two years of his residence here he worked in a grocery store, but at the end of that period he accepted a position as night clerk in the yard office of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad. He left there to become a helper in the boiler shop but only continued in the latter occupation one year. In October, 1899, shortly after hav- ing attained his majority, he became a fireman on the railroad and four years later was promoted to the position of engineer, which he resigned at the end of six weeks and gave up railroading. On the 18th of May, 1893, he opened a first class meat market in Valley Junction, which he has been conducting ever since. He has met with more than average success in his undertaking, his patron- age, which is constantly growing, being from some of the best families in town.

On the 24th of June, 1908, Mr. Gray and Miss Nellie Casey were united in marriage. Mrs. Gray is a daughter of Peter J. and Mary (Conley) Casey, both natives of New York, who came to Iowa in the early days and located near Fort Dodge. The father has been a railroad engineer the greater part of his life but two years ago he retired and came to Valley Junction, where he and his wife continue to reside. Mr. and Mrs .. Gray have become the parents of one child, Naomi L., who was born on the 17th of June, 1910.

Mrs. Gray is a communicant of the Roman Catholic church and Mr. Gray is fraternally identified with the Knights of Pythias and the Modern Woodmen of America. Ever since attaining manhood he has given his allegiance to the republican party, believing its policy is best adapted to protect the interests of the majority. He is not an aspirant for political honors or public office, but fulfills his obligations as a citizen by casting his ballot at each election for the candidates of the party of his choice.

LAURISTON TWINING.

The material development and upbuilding of Des Moines were largely pro- moted through the efforts of Lauriston Twining, who in 1882 came to this city and thereafter to the time of his death was engaged in the practice of law and the real-estate business. His life exemplified the progressive spirit of the middle west, in which section of the country he always lived. He was born in Iowa City, Iowa, June 7, 1848, and was a direct descendant of Thomas Twining, the progenitor of the American branch of the family, who settled at Cape Cod in 1640. His father was the Rev. E. W. Twining, a native of Ohio, who came to Iowa with his family in 1846 and engaged in preaching the gospel in Wash- ington county and other districts. At one time he was a minister of Des Moines.

Lauriston Twining attended the public and select schools until seventeen years of age in the various localities to which his father's profession necessitated the removal of the family, and then entered the Iowa Wesleyan University at Mount Pleasant, where he pursued his studies for three years. He subsequently became a student in the Iowa State University at Iowa City, where he completed the work of the junior year. Failing health then caused him to leave college but later he read law under the direction of J. F. McJunkin, of Washington, Iowa, who at the time was attorney general of Iowa. After thorough prelim- inary preparation which made him familiar with the leading text-books of the profession Mr. Twining was admitted to the bar at Washington, Iowa, in 1871. After practicing in that city for four years he removed to Corning, Adams

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county, Iowa, where he followed his profession and at the same time compiled a complete set of abstract books for the county. Not only did he become prom- inent through his business and professional connections, but also as an official, serving for one year as mayor of the city. He was a very successful lawyer for fifteen years and tried many cases before the supreme court. His clientage was large and of a distinctively representative character. He gradually added a real-estate business to his law practice, however, and in 1882 he came to Des Moines and engaged in the real-estate business, chiefly handling his own prop- erty. He also made a special study of real-estate law and was regarded as authority upon that branch of practice, and took an active and important part in the city's growth and development. He platted numerous portions of the city, including Twining's plat at Twelfth and Laurel streets; Twining's second ad- dition ; Lake Park, where he erected the first two houses; and Twining's addition just north of the river. He foresaw the possibilities of Des Moines' growth and in his real-estate operations prepared therefor, developing some of the best residence districts in the city. In addition to his other interests Mr. Twining owned a large amount of stock in the Guarantee Abstract Company.

On the 3d of June, 1873, in Washington, Iowa, Mr. Twining was married to Miss Laura Botkin, a daughter of Rev. Jesse Botkin, a very prominent min- ister of Ohio. Her mother was Margaret J. (Howe) Botkin, a daughter of Dr. Nathaniel Howe, for many years a distinguished physician of Ohio. Mrs. Twin- ing was born in Miami county, Ohio, in which state she received her early educa- tion. and came to Iowa in 1868. There she completed her studies; however, by graduation from the Illinois Woman's College at Jacksonville, Illinois. Four children were born unto Mr. and Mrs. Twining: Arthur B, who was a promi- nent citizen of Eagle Grove, Iowa, where he died in July, 1910; Dr. Granville H., now practicing in Mobridge, South Dakota, who has charge of a hospital there and is physician for the Chicago, Milwaukee & Puget Sound Railway; Edward L., a druggist of Des Moines; and Inez A., the wife of O. C. King, a lumber merchant of Montezuma, Iowa.

The family circle was broken by the hand of death May 31, 1895, when the husband and father departed this life. Mr. Twining held membership in the Methodist church, to which his widow also belongs. His political allegiance was given to the republican party and he took an active part in public affairs, serv- ing as a member of the city council, in North Des Moines and also as a member of the school board. If a measure or movement appealed to him as worthy of support he gave to it his earnest endorsement. There were no halfway measures with him. He was either for or against a proposition in so far as he believed in its worth or regarded it as detrimental to the public welfare. He had with him a persuasive manner that made him an influential factor in public life, as well as an honor that knew no swerving from the right, and his knowledge of the law enabled him to determine what could be safely undertaken and the best methods to pursue in accordance with the statutes of the state governing municipal affairs.

ROBERT FULLERTON.

The name of Robert Fullerton, of Des Moines, vice president of the Chicago Lumber and Coal Company, is well known among lumbermen as one of the prominent factors in the development of the business in the great west, a man whose foresight and sound judgment have many times been tested and seldom found wanting. He is now a leading official in one of the large concerns he has been instrumental in a great measure in establishing. He was born at Kilcown, County Antrim, Ireland, October 3, 1845, being descended from grandparents

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who emigrated to Ireland from Scotland. The parents were Samuel and Anna (Holmes) Fullerton, both of them natives of Ireland. They came to America and died at Beloit, Kansas, being called away within one month of each other, the mother in June, 1910, and the father in July following. He was ninety- four and she was eighty-seven years of age at the time of their deaths.

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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 116

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