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 120

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 120

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Appreciation on the part of his parents for all that education means enabled Wallace R. Lane to enjoy excellent educational privileges. He attended suc- cessively Hopkins Academy, from which he was graduated in 1894; Williston Seminary, Brown University; and the Yale Law School, which conferred upon him the LL. B. degree in 1900. The same year he was admitted to the bar and for a time was associated in practice with Stillman Haynes at Fitchburg, Massa- chusetts. Subsequently he removed to Des Moines and became a member of the law firm of Orwig & Lane, in which connection he specialized in patent litiga- tion, manufacturing and corporation law and allied work. When first a resi- dent of the capital city he was connected with the faculty of Highland Park College of Law and later with the faculties of Drake University and the Univer- sity of Nebraska as lecturer on patent. trademark and copyright law. Among numerous other public addresses, in 1908 Mr. Lane delivered the annual address before the patent section of the American Bar Association at Seattle, Washing- ton. Recently he has contributed a number of articles to legal publications, including the Green Bag of Boston, the Yale Law Journal and the Illinois Law Review. In January, 1910, he removed to Chicago and entered into partnershin with Robert H. Parkinson under the firm name of Parkinson & Lane. At pres- ent he is counsel in patent matters for some of the larger manufacturing com- panies of the country and occupies a position of distinction in connection with patent law practice in America. He has important financial interests as stock- holder, director or attorney of various manufacturing concerns.

On the 2d of July, 1901, in Swansea, Massachusetts, Mr. Lane was married to Miss Gertrude Gardner, a daughter of William F. and Esther Marion (Cook) Gardner, of that place. Mrs. Lane is a direct descendant of early Massachu- setts families, her ancestor having come over in the Mayflower. By her mar-

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riage she has become the mother of two daughters and a son, Esther Haynes, Josephine Gardner and John Wallace. The parents hold membership in the Congregational church of Evanston, Illinois, where the family residence is maintained.

Mr. Lane is an advocate of republican principles but has never been an aspirant for office. In his college days he became a member of the Gamma Sigma Society and the Pi Beta Pi, of Williston Seminary; the Beta Theta Pi, of Brown University ; and the Book and Gavel Society, of the Yale Law School. He now belongs to the Union League Club and the University Club of Chicago and the University and Evanston Golf Clubs of Evanston, Illinois, the Ameri- can Bar Association, the Chicago Patent Law Association, the Washington Patent Bar Association, of Washington, D. C., the Yale Club of Chicago, and the Chicago Association of Commerce. In Des Moines he still holds member- ship with the Golf and Country Club, the Grant Club and the Des Moines Club.

HARMAN FAGEN.

One by one the pioneers of Polk county, those who were builders in the de- velopment and greatness of this section of the state, pass from this life to the life beyond, but they leave in their work an enduring monument to their memory. Among the early settlers of central Iowa Harman Fagen was numbered, arriv- ing in Polk county with his parents on the 10th of May, 1848. He was then a youth of sixteen years, his birth having occurred in Columbiana county, Ohio, in the year 1832. The opportunities of the west, then new and undeveloped but giving promise of progress and advancement in the future, attracted his father who brought his family to Iowa and entered from the government a tract of four hundred acres of land which is now within the city limits. It was then just as it had come from the hand of nature, being covered with wild prairie grasses. The sod had never been broken, but the father and his sons at once undertook the arduous task of clearing the property and building for themselves a home in a new country. In time the farm was well cultivated and the father continuously and successfully carried on general agricultural pursuits up to the time of his demise, after which the property was divided into equal shares among the chil- ·dren.

Harman Fagen was a strong and vigorous youth at the time of the removal to Iowa and his energies were employed in the work of the fields from the time of early spring planting until after crops were harvested in the late autumn. His youth was largely a period of unremitting toil with comparatively few opportu- nities beyond the limits of the farm. At his father's death he retained his in- terest in the farm which was located at what is now Forty-first street and Uni- versity avenue. For some time he kept the property intact but later when real- estate prices had risen considerably in value he plotted his land into city lots and placed it upon the market. He had always followed farming up to this time and was a progressive, enterprising agriculturist whose labors were evidenced in the neat and thrifty appearance of his place. At length, however, the sale of his lots brought him a substantial capital and with this as a gratifying source of in- come he retired to private life.

On the 8th of March, 1855, Mr. Fagen was married in Des Moines to Miss Ella M. Likes, a daughter of James and Mary (Cunningham) Likes, who came to Iowa from Ohio in 1852. Her father engaged in farming throughout his en- tire life, and his home was situated on what is now Beaver avenue. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Fagen were born ten children, of whom seven are living. Three of the number are yet at home with their mother, who still occupies the old family resi- «dence.

HARMAN FAGEN

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The death of Mr. Fagen occurred March 16, 1899, when he was about sixty- seven years of age. His political allegiance had always been given to the repub- lican party from its organization and while he did not seek nor desire office was ever loyal to the best interests of the community and stood for all that is pro- gressive in citizenship. He desired the public good and to the extent of his ability cooperated in projects that were based upon the needs of the capital. Moreover, as one of the pioneers of Polk county, he witnessed much of the growth and development of Des Moines and the surrounding district and was widely and favorably known among the early settlers as well as citizens of later arrival.

BENJAMIN A. LOCKWOOD.

The financial and commercial concerns, the educational, charitable, political and religious interests which constitute the chief features in the life of every city, have all prospered by the support and cooperation of Benjamin A. Lock- wood. While he has been preeminently successful in business his life has never been self centered, but has reached out to broader interests which affect mankind in sociological, economic and political relations, and although he has not sought honors nor office in the fields of activity mentioned, he has cast the weight of his influence and aid on the side of progress in all those connections.

A native of West Virginia, Mr. Lockwood was born in Moundsville, April 28, 1852, a son of David B. and Caroline (Anshutz) Lockwood. The family is of English lineage on the paternal side, the first representative of the name coming to America many years ago and settling in New York. David B. Lock- wood was born in Belmont county, Ohio, and through his business life followed milling and general merchandising. He is now deceased while his widow yet resides in Des Moines. During much of his youth the family lived in Pitts- burg, Pennsylvania, and Benjamin A. Lockwood attended the public and high schools of that city from which he was graduated with the class of 1867. He was a young man of seventeen years when, in 1869, he sought the opportunities of the middle west and established his home in Des Moines. Here he has resided for more than forty years-years which have seen the fulfillment of his hopes as intelligently directed labor has brought its reward in the successful conduct of important business interests. His first position was with the Keokuk & Fort Dodge Railroad in the land commission office, acting as secretary for Hon. John A. Elliott. Mr. Lockwood continued in that service until the Citizens National Bank was organized in 1872 ,when he was appointed head bookkeeper in that establishment and passed through various positions in the clerical depart- ment. In 1892 he was elected one of the directors of the bank of which he still remains a stockholder. He started in business on his own account in 1878 when he began operating in grain. The broad prairies of Iowa were fast becom- ing settled with the people who were devoting their efforts to general agricul- tural pursuits. There must be a market for the large harvests which were pro- duced and Mr. Lockwood began buying grain of the farmers which he placed on sale in the leading cities. Gradually he developed, expanded and systema- tized his business and in 1890 the B. A. Lockwood Grain Company was organ- ized. He also engaged in the milling business and in the fields of labor to which he directed his energies he found opportunity for the attainment of success. The story of his rise is a simple one, for his advancement was based not upon any unusual conditions or favorable circumstances but upon persistent, earnest, honest labor and business sagacity. He was in very doubtful financial circumstances when he first came to Des Moines; today he is one of the sub- stan:tial men of the city and his record is such as wins for him high commenda- tion and esteem. The measures he has employed have been of a constructive Vol. II-50

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character and his initiative spirit has enabled him to venture where others have hesitated. Sound judgment made him appreciative of opportunity and as the underlying foundation of all his progress there has been an industry which has never faltered. Conducting extensive operations in the grain trade as the senior member of the B. A. Lockwood Grain Company, later on he became interested in the Des Moines Roller Milling Company and was elected its president. In this connection he became a prominent representative of manufacturing as well as commercial interests of the capital city. That he is widely and favorably known in grain trade circles throughout the country is indicated by the fact that he was honored with the presidency of the National Grain Dealers Association which he was instrumental in organizing. It was also through his efforts when president that the association came to Des Moines for its annual convention which was the largest gathering of the kind ever held in the United States, and it was here upon that occasion that he was elected to the presidency for a second time.

Mr. Lockwood is a republican in politics. He has long been interested in the work and welfare of the party, yet has never sought political recognition in office. He was one of the organizers of the Grant Club, of which he served as a director for many years. He is likewise interested in the civic enterprises of the city and has promoted many valuable measures for the upbuilding and progress of Des Moines.

On the 9th of June, 1884, Mr. Lockwood was here married to Miss Florence Bailey, a daughter of Judge D. R. Bailey, of Sioux Falls, South Dakota. They have one son, Benjamin A., born in Des Moines, March 3, 1889. Mr. and Mrs. Lockwood hold membership in the Central Presbyterian church and the govern- ing principles of his life are furthermore indicated by the fact that he belongs to the Masonic fraternity which has its basic elements in mutual helpfulness and brotherly kindliness. Mr. Lockwood well merits the altogether expressive, if somewhat hackneyed title of a self-made man. He early displayed the inherent force of his character in his efforts to qualify for the business world in the acquirement of a thorough education. He is a broad-minded man who has mas- tered life's lessons, who knows that good and not evil dominates the race, who knows that opportunity is open to every individual and has in the active affairs of life made good use of the chances which have come to him.

HARRY L. SEYFERT.

Among the successful business men of Valley Junction must be mentioned Harry L. Seyfert, who for nearly twenty years has been actively identified with the commercial interests of the town. . He was born in Pennsylvania on the 12th of August, 1867, and is a son of Jacob H. and Josephine (Beiteman) Sey- fert, also natives of the Keystone state. The family removed from Pennsylvania to Iowa in 1870 and located on a farm which they rented in Clinton county. After operating this for several years the father bought forty acres, upon which he continues to live, and has brought the land to a high state of cultivation.

Harry L. Seyfert received his education in the public schools of Clinton, Iowa, remaining at home with his parents until he was twenty-one years of age, when he went to Arcadia, this state, to work for his uncle who was engaged in the drug business. After three years he decided that he would like to adopt that vocation and entered Highland Park College, Des Moines, where he took a short course in pharmacy and was then in the employ of John A. Sandholm in the Kirkwood Pharmacy for fourteen months. In the fall of 1893 he formed a partnership with W. T. Irwin in the drug business at Valley Junction. This firm was in existence for ten years and then Mr. Seyfert sold his interest and

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embarked in the hardware business. He only remained in that for about one year, however, when he gave it up to return to his former occupation, and after several years identification with it again sold out to engage in the hardware business, with which he has ever since been connected. He has a nice store and a full and complete line of goods, which have been carefully selected, are of good quality and tastefully displayed, so that he enjoys a large and constantly increasing patronage.

In 1902 Mr. Seyfert married Mrs. Sadie M. Taylor. Fraternally he is con- nected with the Modern Woodmen of America, the Knights of Pythias and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks of Des Moines. In addition to his busi- ness Mr. Seyfert has extensive real-estate interests. He owns the building in which his store is located, the St. Joe Hotel, several other business blocks and residences and a farm of six hundred and twenty-four acres in Minnesota. He is regarded as one of the affluent citizens of the town as well as one of the most capable business men.

Ever since acquiring the full rights of citizenship Mr. Seyfert has cast his vote for the republican party. He is always an active participant in all local political affairs and for twelve years has been secretary of the school board and is at present a member of the town council as well. He is at all times ready to give his support to every measure that will in any way improve local conditions or benefit the community at large, and during their long residence here both he and Mrs. Seyfert have made many friends whose regard they retain.

DAVID RINGGENBERG.

David Ringgenberg, an agriculturist who is now living retired in Sheldahl, Polk county, was born on the 25th of October, 1846, in Holmes county, Ohio, a son of Peter and Annie Ringgenberg. His parents were both natives of Swit- zerland, who came to this country at the age of twenty-two and seven years respectively and were married in Ohio. In 1867 they removed to Iowa and located on a farm in Polk county, where they spent the remainder of their lives. They were the parents of fourteen children, David being the fifth in order of birth.

The early years of David Ringgenberg did not differ save in details from those of the majority of boys reared in the country. He received his education in the district schools of Ohio and when he laid aside his school books he assisted his father with the work of the farm. He remained under the paternal roof until he was twenty-one years of age, when he began farming as a renter and for twenty years he cultivated leased land. At the end of that time he and his brother bought eighty acres, upon which he removed, but at the end of a year he again rented land and later sold his interest to his brother, and purchased another eighty acres in Lincoln township. He lived upon that tract for fourteen years, during which period he so carefully and capably managed his affairs that he was able to add to his original tract from time to time until his realty interests comprised four hundred and forty acres. He sold one hundred and sixty acres and bought a farm in South Dakota, which he later disposed of, and invested in a farm in Webster county containing one hundred and twenty acres which he still owns in addition to his homestead of two hundred and forty acres in Lincoln township. Mr. Ringgenberg always engaged in general farming and stock-raising, in both of which undertakings he met with gratifying success. He made a specialty of high bred Galloway cattle and still has some of these in South Dakota at the present time. In 1902 he retired from active farming and is now residing in Sheldahl, enjoying such rest and comfort as a well spent life merits.

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Mr. Ringgenberg was united in marriage in 1867 to Miss Mary Ann Fitz, also a native of Holmes county, Ohio, but she passed away three years later, at the age of twenty-two years, leaving two little daughters, Margaret and Lovina, both of whom died in childhood. In the fall of 1871 he was again married, his second wife being Miss Lucy Kurtz, a daughter of Gotlieb and Christina Kurtz, natives of Wurtemberg, Germany, in which country they were married. They emigrated to the United States in 1844 and settled in Erie county, Pennsylvania, where they resided for nine years. In 1853 they started westward and located in Des Moines, Iowa, where the father passed away in 1886 at the age of seventy- seven years. The mother survived him until 1902, when she too died, having reached the eightieth milestone in life's journey. Mr. Kurtz was a veteran of the war of the Rebellion, having enlisted in the First Iowa Battery in 1863 and serving until the close of the war. In his family were eleven children, Mrs. Ringgenberg being the fourth in order of birth. To Mr. and Mrs. Ringgenberg have been born ten children, as follows: George, who married Emma Harpel, of this county, is now living in South Dakota and has seven children. Paul L. married Laura Zachery, also of this county, and they have four children and live in Boone county, this state. Harry A., who is a resident of Minnesota, married Matilda Harmon, of this county, and they have six children. Walter D. has been married twice, his first wife being Miss Belle Fisher, who died about six years after marriage, leaving three children, one of whom died while yet quite young, and he then married Miss Jessie Abhul, of this county, and they also have three children. Emma, who lives in South Dakota, became the wife of Amos Benson, of this county, and they have four children. Flora, who is a resident of Polk county, married J. Richhart and has one child. Jennie became the wife of Charles Klongland, of this county, where she continues to reside, and has five children. Orange C. is still unmarried and lives at home. Elnora, who lives in Merrill, Iowa, married A. V. Graeber, of this county. Hazel L., the youngest child, is unmarried and lives at home.

The family attend the New Lutheran church, of which they are members. Mr. Ringgenberg has always been an ardent advocate of the principles of the democratic party and his political fealty has been rewarded by his being elected to various offices. He has been mayor of Sheldahl during his residence here and has also been one of the town commissioners and is now serving his twelfth year on the school board. He is regarded as one of the substantial men of the community where he lives and is accorded the respect which justly belongs to the man who by honest, persistent and unaided effort has made a position for himself in the world.

JOHN W. HOWELL.

John W. Howell is secretary and treasurer of the Warfield-Pratt-Howell Com- pany of Des Moines, controlling the largest wholesale grocery house of the state, and as a business man has ever been conspicuous among his associates not only for his success but for his probity, fairness and honorable methods. In every- thing he has been eminently practical and his activity in business has not only contributed to his individual success but has also been a factor in upholding the commercial standing of Des Moines. He was born in Bridgeport, Ohio, March 8, 1850. His father, David E. Howell, was a native of Wales but in his child- hood left that little rock-ribbed country and with his parents came to the United States. The family home was established in Pennsylvania and later a removal was made to Belmont county, Ohio, where the grandfather of John W. Howell engaged in business as a coal operator. His son David prepared for the Metho- dist ministry and devoted his life to preaching the gospel. He married Susanna

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Mardis, who was born in Natchez, Mississippi, her father being a southern planter. The death of the Rev. David E. Howell occurred October 25, 1885, and his widow now resides in Crafton, Pennsylvania, at the age of eighty-eight years.

John W. Howell was a pupil in the public schools of Bridgeport, Ohio, and afterward spent a year in a business college at Quincy, Illinois, and another period in an academy at Wheeling, West Virginia. He continued his education to the age of fourteen and after leaving school took up the profession of book- keeping in the employ of the firm of Howell & Nugent, hardware dealers of Bridgeport, Ohio, the senior partner of the firm being his older brother. He continued in that service about a year and then went to the west, settling in Quincy, Illinois. There he was employed by H. A. Williamson, agent for an oil company, in the capacity of bookkeeper, which position he filled for several years. At the end of that time he became bookkeeper for the firm of Warfield & Meyer, wholesale grocers of Quincy, Illinois, with whom he continued for seven years. Desiring to engage in business on his own account, he sought opportunity in Des Moines in 1880, becoming a member of the firm of Warfield & Howell in the establishment of a wholesale grocery house at the corner of Second and Walnut streets, his partner being Wilson R. Warfield. This association was continued successfully a number of years and in 1885 changes in the firm led to the adoption of the style of Warfield, Howell & Company, which was main- tained until 1889, when James Watt was admitted to a partnership under the firm name of the Warfield, Howell, Watt Company. This was continued until 1897 and the business was reorganized under the name of the Warfield-Pratt- Howell Company, of Des Moines, Sioux City and Cedar Rapids, of which Mr. Howell is secretary, treasurer and general manager. From the outset he has been connected with the business and has contributed in substantial measure to its growth and expansion. It is today the largest grocery establishment in the state, its ramifying trade interests covering a wide territory. The company has ever held to a high standard in the character of its service rendered to the public, in the personnel of the house and in the class of goods carried, and along legiti- mate lines the business has grown to extensive and gratifying proportions.

In Quincy, Illinois, on the Ioth of December, 1873, Mr. Howell was united in marriage to Miss Anna S. Treat, a daughter of Adna and Susan Treat, who were early settlers of Quincy. Mrs. Howell was born in Rockville, Connecticut, and by her marriage has become the mother of two children: Malvina, the wife of B. F. Kauffman, of Des Moines; and Helen T., In politics Mr. Howell is a straight republican, giving inflexible support to the principles of the party, for he has ever regarded this organization as the party of reform and advancement. In Masonry he has attained the Knight Templar degree and is also well known in club circles of the city, holding membership with the Des Moines Golf and Country and the Grand View Golf Clubs. He stands as a splendid representa- tive of a high type of American manhood. By perseverance, determination and honorable effort he has overthrown the obstacles which always bar the path to success and has reached the goal of prosperity, while his genuine worth, broad mind and public spirit have made him a director of public thought and action.

MRS. LOUISIANA DAVIS.

Mrs. Louisiana (Witmer) Davis, who resides on a farm of two hundred and forty acres on sections 7 and 8, Delaware township, is the widow of the late Henry Davis. She was born in Marion county, Indiana, on the 3d of July, 1846. and is a daughter of John and Sarah (Rhodes) Witmer, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania but lived for some years in Indiana and in 1853 came to Iowa, locating on a farm in Polk county. Her father passed away in 1886,

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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 120

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