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 118

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 118

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Levi J. Wells was a man of sound judgment and keen sagacity and never faltered in the performance of anything that he undertook until success had been reached. Upon the organization of the German Savings Bank he became a stock- holder and was one of the board of directors, while some years later he was elected president. Socially, he was genial, affable and kind hearted and he counted his friends all with whom he came in contact, for his many good qual- ities immediately won their warm regard. In politics he was a republican and actively interested in the success of the party but was never an office seeker on his own account. He exerted a good influence for the betterment of civic af- fairs and his fellow townsmen, appreciative of his worth and public spirit, at length, in 1891, induced him to accept the candidacy of alderman of the Third ward. The count of the March election showed that he had won but through some misrepresentation of a newly introduced statute the entire city election was set aside and another held in April. At that time Levi Wells refused to stand for election, as he had no ambition whatever for political honors or activity. He left his impress for good upon the public life of the city in which he made his home for almost a half century, passing away on the 15th of February, 1902. His first wife, who bore the maiden name of Mary E. Brown, was of English descent and had ancestral connection with John and Priscilla Alden. She was born in Pennsylvania and died in Des Moines in 1861, leaving two sons but the elder, William B. Wells, passed away May 12, 1901 .. For his second wife Mr. Wells married Sarah A. Bailey, a daughter of Josiah Bailey, of Alexandria, Ohio, and she still lives in Des Moines.

Jesse O. Wells was educated in the schools of Des Moines, completing the high-school course with the class of 1874. He then became associated with his father in the conduct of the livery business, with which he has since been iden- tified and is today sole proprietor of what is one of the most extensive and

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prosperous undertakings of this character in Des Moines. He is the owner of the warehouse property at Ninth and Mulberry streets, the largest single building in the state. He is also a large stockholder in the German Savings Bank and its president, to which office he was chosen on the death of James Watt, having previously served as vice president for nine years, and is a director of the Farmers Savings Bank of Carlisle, Iowa.

On the 26th of October, 1881, Mr. Wells was married to Miss Ida Fish, a daughter of Lloyd Fish, a native of Pennsylvania. Their children are: Anna, who was born August 16, 1882, and is now the wife of William D. Philips, their home being at No. 1920 Arlington avenue, Des Moines; Bessie, at home; Harold R., who wedded Miss Stella K. Gilcrest, a representative of. a very prominent family of this city; Herbert, who was born in Des Moines and is at home; and Mary J., also a native of this city. They have also lost one child, George H., who was born in Des Moines, and died in infancy. The family home is at 253 Franklin avenue.

In politics Mr. Wells has been a republican since age conferred upon him the right of franchise but like his father, he has no ambition for office. He be- longs to the Des Moines Club, the Commercial and the Golf and Country Club and has social qualities which render him popular. His entire life has been passed in Des Moines and few men have a wider acquaintance. He possesses excellent business qualifications and in the conduct of the livery business as well as in the management of financial affairs he has met with success, resulting from sound judgment, capable direction and honorable methods.

CHARLES H. TASKETT.

Even as a young man just entering upon his business career Charles H. Taskett gave evidence of the admirable qualities he has shown as an energetic and pro- gressive citizen and today he is one of the prosperous farmers of Bloomfield town- ship. He is a native of Jefferson county, New York, born March 1, 1856, a son of Henry and Pamelia (Alton) Taskett both of whom were born in the Empire state. In 1865 they came to Des Moines, where they lived for one year, and then removed to Bloomfield township, this county. There the father bought eighty acres of land at ten dollars an acre, which he proceeded to improve, the same land now being worth one hundred and twenty-five dollars an acre. He remained upon his farm until his death, which occurred in March 1903. The mother is still living and makes her home with her son, Charles H. She is still in the enjoyment of good health although she has arrived at the age of seventy- five years. Our subject had four sisters: Hattie, who married A. C. Simonds, of Ida county, Iowa; Ella, who married J. H. Graham and lives in Clay county ; Julia, the wife of C. C. Webb, of Mount Vernon, New York; and Mamie, the widow of F. L. Bailey, who lived on the homestead, this county, and died about 1907.

Charles H. Taskett received his preliminary education in New York state and later attended the district schools of Polk county and the public schools of Des Moines. He remained with his parents until twenty-one years of age when he began farming upon his own account by renting one hundred and forty acres of land, which he cultivated in such a way as to produce very satisfactory re- turns for five years. Having acquired the necessary capital, he bought eighty acres of land which was partly improved. He has since largely increased the value of the place by the erection of buildings and fences and has improved its appearance by setting out shade and ornamental trees, so that now he owns one of the most attractive farms of the size in this part of the county. He is also the owner of a quarter section of land in Arkansas and a half section in North

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Dakota, and has acquired an enviable reputation on account of his good judgment in business affairs.

He is unmarried but his life is constantly brightened by the presence of his mother, who presides over the household. Religiously he gives his support to the Methodist church and politically is an adherent of the republican party. He has served as assessor of the township for four years, as school director, and is now secretary of the school board. He has also filled the office of road super- visor to the general satisfaction of the people. Fraternally he is connected with the Yeomen lodge at Norwalk, Iowa, and he has many friends in that beneficent organization. He is favorably known on account of his strictly honorable meth- ods in business and is regarded as one of the representative citizens of Polk county.

JAMES HANLEY.

In a history of the agricultural development of Polk county it is meet that mention be made of James Hanley, whose life record is indicative of the ad- vancement that can be made by the individual who has determination, energy and laudable ambition as basic elements in his character, for Mr. Hanley came to the new world empty-handed and worked his way upward in a most honorable and straightforward manner, his labor being the source of the prosperity which ultimately rewarded him.

He was born in County Limerick, Ireland, in 1835, a son of John and Eliz- abeth Hanley. His father engaged in farming on an extensive scale in the Emerald isle, where he and his wife spent their entire lives. Both were de- voted members of the Catholic church and highly respected citizens. Their family of six children included Mary, now the deceased wife of Dennis Buckley ; Bartholomew, now deceased, who resides near Portage, Wisconsin; Johanna, who became the wife of Michael Coughlin and died in Chicago; James, of this review; and Margaret, the widow of Philip Lawley, of Chicago.

James Hanley pursued his education in his native country, where he resided to the age of sixteen years, when he came to America, first settling in Dutchess county, New York. He was employed as water boy in connection with the con- struction work of the Erie Railroad and afterward served with the construction gang, his connection with the railroad covering three years. Subsequently he removed to Noble county, Indiana, where he was variously employed, and after- ward became a resident of Livingston county, Illinois, where he worked on the Chicago & Alton railroad. On removing to Iowa he took up his abode in Scott county, where he was employed in a brickyard for a year, and then went to Ma- haska county, where he worked in the flour-mill for a year. At the end of that time he came to Des Moines, in 1855, and with the capital obtained from team- ing, which pursuit he followed for three years, he purchased eighty acres of wild land in Warren county, which he held for a time. He next engaged in farming in Polk county on what was known as the General Tuttle farm and on removing to Dallas county rented and cultivated land for two years. On the expiration of that period he returned to Polk county, where he again cultivated a rented farm until 1865, when he invested in one hundred and sixty acres of land in Jefferson township. Success attended his efforts in a marked degree, his diligence enabling him to overcome difficulties and obstacles in his path, while persistency, of purpose constituted the force that made him in time one of the prosperous agriculturists of the community. As his financial resources in- creased he added to his holdings until at his death he owned twelve hundred acres, all in Jefferson township. In additon he rented five hundred acres, upon which he pastured three hundred head of cattle and a large number of horses, and about two hundred head of hogs annually. He was possessed of excellent ex-

JAMES HANLEY

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ecutive ability, was sagacious and far-sighted, industrious and energetic, and these attributes and traits of character were the basis of his splendid success. He was a strong example of a self-made man. Coming to America penniless, upon the foundation of his own industry and determination he built the super- structure of prosperity and his energy, sound judgment and reliable methods were the building material used.

In 1858 Mr. Hanley was united in marriage to Miss Anna Callahan, a native of County Waterford, Ireland, but she lived only four months after their mar- riage. Three years later, in 1861, he wedded Mary Keyes, who was born in County Limerick, Ireland. They became the parents of four children, two of whom have passed away: John, who was drowned at the age of twelve years ; and Patrick, who died at the age of six years. James and George P. Hanley are the surviving sons of the family and are mentioned elsewhere in this volume. The mother died on the 19th of January, 1878, and in 1879 Mr. Hanley was married to Miss Hannah Donahue, who was born in County Limerick, Ireland, in 1834, and came to the United States in 1856. She is now residing in Chicago.

Mr. Hanley's death, which occurred on the 27th of February, 1897, was the occasion of deep regret to the community at large, where he was universally esteemed. Genial and social in dispositon, fair and upright in his dealings, his death was greatly deplored. His word was as good as any bond ever solemnized by signature or seal, and he was a stalwart advocate of any cause which he espoused. From the time he attained his majority he gave his political support to the democratic party and while he never sought or desired office, he was al- ways loyal to his belief and at no time was neglectful of the duties of citizen- ship. He had the strongest love and attachment for his adopted country and was ever ready to cooperate in any movement for the welfare of the community. There was about him no pretense but a genuine worth of character that com- mended him to the confidence and good will of all and brought him the warm friendship of many.

D. H. BUXTON.

On September 23, 1893, D. H. Buxton started in a modest way the Globe Machinery & Supply Company of Des Moines, now one of the principal con- cerns of the kind in Iowa. The great success of this enterprise has been due to the ability, pluck and good business judgment of its founder. Its prosperity indicates that he possesses special aptitude for the line selected, the indications being that the business will continue to develop upon a still larger scale in the years to come. He was born in Washington county, Maryland, May 8, 1860, a son of William T. and Clarissa (Snyder) Buxton, the former of whom was a miller by trade. Grandfather Snyder participated in the war of 1812 and also in the Civil war and in this branch the family traces its relationship to General Israel Putnam of Revolutionary war fame. The original home of General Put- nam is now occupied by members of the Snyder family. There were the following children in the family of Mr. and Mrs. Buxton. Of these Catherine and John are deceased, the others being Jacob; Almedia, who died June 7, 1911; Susan ; Otho; David H .; Noah; Curtis; and one son who died in infancy.

D. H. Buxton was educated in the public schools of his native county and in the high school at Keedysville, Maryland. Thrown upon his own resources at the age of sixteen years by the death of his father, he worked on a farm for eleven dollars per month and saved sufficient money from his wages to pay his way through school during the following winter. In his nineteenth year he came to Iowa and began teaching in the public schools, which occupation he con- tinued for ten terms. He next pursued a commercial course at the old Bower

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Business College of Des Moines and then entered the employ of George L. Jar- rett in the mill supply business as bookkeeper, being promoted, however, from time to time until 1893, when he began business in the same line on his own account. That year he established the Globe Machinery & Supply Company in a small room on the second floor of a building on East Walnut street in this city. After six months, however, a larger space being necessary, he moved to the Iowa Hotel block, occupying the first floor with a frontage of twenty-two feet. His next move was to No. 209 Court street, where for a few years he occupied three floors, then taking up his quarters at Nos. 414-418 Court avenue where he had the use of two floors and basement. In 1909 he moved the office and storeroom to Nos. 205-209 West Court avenue, also maintaining a factory and shops at Nos. 312-328 Southwest Seventh street. The business has grown remarkably and has extended to all parts of this and surrounding states, showing a development that has reflected great credit upon its founder. The house handles steam supplies and heavy machinery, including boilers, engines, pumps and engineers' mill, mining and factory supplies. It also manufactures brick dryer cars, concrete mixers, dump pans for coal mines, and · an extensive line of farm and road drags, aiming to meet all demands along this line and giving employment at present to about sixty persons.

On the 20th day of November, 1884, Mr. Buxton was united in marriage to Miss Mary Almedia Thompson, a native of Boone county, Iowa, and a daughter of Albert P. and Martha M. (McCaskey) Thompson. The father was one of the well known farmers of Boone county. Two children came to brighten the home of Mr. and Mrs. Buxton: Beatrice Olive, who was born May 9, 1887, and is the wife of Fred W. Swanson, a record of whom appears elsewhere in this work; and Leona Marie, who was born February 23, 1895, and is now a pupil in the junior class of the high school at Long Beach, California.

Mr. Buxton ever since arriving at the age of manhood has given his support to the republican party and is a stanch believer in its principles. He is a mem- ber of the Christian church and is very prominent in fraternal and social organ- izations of the city, holding membership in the Masonic order and the Shrine, the Knights of Pythias, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Mod- ern Woodmen of America, the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Knights of the Maccabees. His club affiliations include the Grant, Des Moines, Commercial, Des Moines Business Men's and Men's Clubs. In fishing Mr. Buxton finds recreation, also in mountain hunting, motoring and other out- door sports. He is a man of pleasing address and possesses social qualities that have attracted many friends. In business he is clear-minded, alert and pro- gressive, making good use of his opportunities and never permitting himself to become discouraged by difficulties. It is men of this class who control the large interests of the country and constitute the leaders in the modern world.

GEORGE A. YOUNG.

In the official ranks of the fraternal insurance organizations probably none have made more rapid advancement than George A. Young the supreme presi- dent of The Homesteaders. He has been identified with the work for less than a decade, during which period he has filled some of the most important offices of the companies with which he has been affiliated. He comes of Scotch-Irish ancestors and was born in Fairfield, Jefferson county, Iowa, on the IIth of January, 1866, his parents being Jesse and Sara J. (Murphy) Young. The father was a native of Ohio, but his family was one of the first to settle at Shiloh, Indiana, where they played an important part in the early history of

D. H. BUXTON

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that state. Many relatives are still residents of Indianapolis, Franklin and other cities of Indiana.

Jesse Young migrated to Iowa in 1852, locating in Jefferson county. He served in the Iowa legislature in the early days when the state capitol was located at Iowa City and was an active worker in the Presbyterian church for over sixty years. In 1880 he came to Des Moines where for a time he was engaged in the grocery business. He retired from active work in 1889, thereafter making his home with his children. He was living with a son at Indianapolis when he passed away on the 2d of March, 1903, at the venerable age of eighty- seven years, having survived his wife for nearly twenty years, her demise oc- curring in September, 1883. Six children were born to this union, the son George being the fifth in order of birth.

George A. Young attended the public schools of Fairfield and Des Moines until he had attained the age of nineteen years, when he laid aside his text-books to become a clerk in one of the retail stores of the capital city. He continued in this work for several years, afterward occupying the position of bookkeeper and solicitor with a wholesale cement company, where he remained until 1904, when he became identified with the Brotherhood of American Yeomen as district deputy and field manager. He continued in their service until the Ist of January, 1906, when he withdrew in order to affiliate as district manager with The Home- steaders Fraternal Insurance Society, which was being organized at that time. The following year he was appointed assistant general field manager, remaining in this office until October. 1909, when he was elected vice president of the order. In May, 1910, he received the appointment of supreme president by the board of directors to fill the. vacancy caused by the resignation of John E. Paul.

In Des Moines on the 2d of April, 1889, Mr. Young was united in marriage to Miss Emma C. Jackson, of Sioux City, Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Young affiliate with the Unitarian church, while he is identified with the Masons, Pioneer Lodge, No. 22, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Center Star Lodge, No. 588, and also the Brotherhood of American Yeomen. While an ardent democrat Mr. Young always gives his support to the best candidate regardless of party, having no political aspiration himself. However, he is always actively interested in all civic affairs. Mr. Young's marked progress during the period of his official connection with fraternal orders is entirely attributable to his ability as an organizer, director and solicitor, in each of which lines he possesses unusual powers.

JOHN K. GRAHAM.

One of Polk county's successful agriculturists is John K. Graham, who owns one hundred and sixty acres in Washington township. He was born in Somerset county, Pennsylvania, on the 10th of February, 1856, a son of George S. and Susan (Knepper) Graham, also natives of the Keystone state. The father, who was a physician and surgeon, came to Iowa with his family in 1857, locating on a half section of land in Clear Creek township, Jasper county, which he entered from the government. He immediately engaged in the improvement and culti- vation of this land, upon which he continued to reside until he passed away. In connection with the operation of his homestead Dr. Graham engaged in the practice of his profession, but often times, owing to the demands made upon his time as a physician, as the country became more thickly populated, the supervision of the farm was left to his sons. He passed away in May, 1884, and his wife, who has attained the venerable age of eighty years, now makes her home in Des Moines.

The early years of John K. Graham, with the exception of the first two, were spent on the homestead in Jasper county, and he attended the district schools in

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the acquirement of his education. He remained with his parents until he was twenty-seven years of age, at which time he was married. He subsequently went to farming for himself and bought eighty acres of land, which he improved and cultivated for ten years. Disposing of his property at the expiration of that time he came to Polk county, purchasing one hundred and twenty acres of land in Washington township. Here he has ever since resided and has added another forty acres to his original tract.

In October, 1884, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Graham and Perlina Wentworth, a daughter of William and Lucretia (Nevius) Woods, the father a native of Ohio and the mother of New York. Mr. Woods, who was a farmer, owned a large tract of land in Ohio, which he cultivated until 1876, when he came to Polk county. On locating here he bought the farm upon which Mr. Graham now resides, operating it for about four years. He then sold and pur- chased a place near Mingo in Jasper county, where he was residing at the time of his demise on the 25th of October, 1905. Mrs. Woods passed away on the 18th of March, 1874. By the union of Mr. and Mrs. Graham there have been born three children: Edna, who became the wife of C. L. Gifford, a merchant at Farrar; Winifred, who lives at home; and George William, who is a youth of sixteen years.

In matters of faith the views of the family coincide with the creed of the Methodist Protestant church, in which the parents hold membership, while his political support Mr. Graham gives to the candidates of the democratic party. During the seventeen years of his residence in Washington township he has given evidence of possessing those qualities, in both his public and private relations, which instinctively win for him the esteem of those with whom he comes in contact.

GEORGE M. CHRISTIAN.

George M. Christian, the leading hotel proprietor of Des Moines, is the president of five hotel companies, including the Savory of this city. His birth occurred in Chicago, Illinois, on the 19th of June, 1847, his parents being David William and Lucy A. Christian. The father, a cabinetmaker and contractor of Chicago, settled there at an early day.

George M. Christian spent the first twenty-three years of his life in the western metropolis and obtained his education in its public schools. After putting aside his text-books he worked as a messenger and office boy for Stephen A. Douglas, who was at that time president of the United States Fair, which was held in Chicago in 1861. Subsequently he was employed as a collector on the Chicago Tribune and the Chicago Republican until 1866, while in 1868 he con- ducted a restaurant in Chicago. In 1870 he came to Iowa, locating in Grinnell, Poweshiek county, where he engaged in business as a hotel proprietor until 1901, first conducting the Grinnell House and later the Chapin House. In 1888 he was a delegate to the republican national convention in Chicago, which nominated Harrison for the presidency, being at that time a member of the Iowa state central committee. The same year he was appointed assistant superintendent of railway mail service, acting in that capacity for one year, after which he was transferred to the position of postoffice inspector, which he held for nine years. In 1899 he was appointed United States marshal for the southern district of Iowa, likewise holding that important office for nine years. During all of this time he had continued in the hotel business. In 1903 he opened the Elliott Hotel in Des Moines and is now the president of five hotel companies, as follows : the Savory, Elliott and Oxford, of Des Moines; the Lacey, of Oskaloosa; and the Hotel Keokuk, of Keokuk, Iowa. For two years, from 1884 until 1886, he was the proprietor of the Hotel Colfax, of Colfax, this state. He has intimate knowledge

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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 118

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