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 121

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 121

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at the age of seventy-four years, but the mother died six years previously, in 1880, at the age of seventy-one. In their family were eight children, of whom Mrs. Davis is the sixth in order of birth. It was in 1866 that Miss Louisiana Witmer gave her hand in marriage to Henry Davis, a son of Benjamin and Mary Davis. His father was a native of Knoxville, Tennessee, and a representative of an old North Carolina family, his father having removed from Raleigh to Tennessee at an early day. From the latter state Benjamin Davis went to Illinois and in July, 1847, came to Iowa, locating in Polk county. His first wife died when their son Henry was a little lad and the father subsequently married again. In 1879 his death occurred. Henry Davis was the fourth in order of birth in a family of eight children and to him and his wife were also born eight. William Edgar, who wedded Mary B. Moore, of Seville, Medina county, Ohio, now lives in Oklahoma. Mary became the wife of John Peters, of this county, and has one child, Paul. Lizzie is the wife of Henry Bogue, of this county, and has two children, Berle and Beulah. Clara, the wife of Jesse Wright, of Polk county, is the mother of three children, Carol, Gloyd and Howard. Wiley, living on his mother's property, married Hallie Latta and has three children, Cleo, La Verne and Russell. John, also a resident of Polk county, married Jessie Trouple, of this county, by whom he has three children, Virgil, Marjorie and Gerald. Court- ney, who lives with his mother, married Rebecca Rooker, of Mitchellville, Polk county, and had three children but the eldest, George, died in infancy, the others being Lester and Eline. Orville, the youngest of the family, is single and makes his home in California.

Mr. Davis always engaged in agricultural pursuits and stock-raising, making a specialty of feed and stock for the market, and in all his undertakings was unusually successful. His efforts, however, were always most ably assisted and promoted through his wife's capable management and supervision of the house- hold affairs, and by means of their united efforts they acquired quite extensive real-estate interests. At the present time Mrs. Davis owns three hundred and fifty-one acres of land in this county, all of which is thoroughly improved and cultivated and held at a high valuation.

Mr. Davis always supported the principles of the republican party from the time he acquired the right of suffrage, feeling the policy of that organization was best adapted to meet the needs of the majority. He never actively participated in political affairs, not being an aspirant to public office, but he at all times met the requirements of good citizenship by casting a vote on election day for the candidates of the party of his selection. Both Mr. and Mrs. Davis attended the Congregational church of Berwick, of which she is still a member. Mr. Davis had reached the age of sixty-one years at the time of his death in 1904, having been born on the IIth of September, 1843, in Vermilion county, Illinois. He was one of the progressive and substantial citizens of Delaware township and during the long period of his residence here made many friends, who speak of him in terms of the highest regard.

EVERETT LUTHER BRIDGES.

Everett Luther Bridges, auditor of the Great Western Accident Association, was born in Holliston, Massachusetts, September 16, 1849, a son of Lyman and Harriet (Chamberlain) Bridges. He traces his ancestry back to Edmund Bridges, who came to New England in the vessel James, in July, 1635, when twenty-three years of age. He settled in Lynn, Massachusetts, where he was one of the first shoemakers and also gave some time to blacksmithing and farming. He was made a freeman in 1639 and from that date took an active part in town affairs.

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He lived also in the town of Rawley and died January 13, 1684. He had five children, Edmund, Hachaliah, Faith, Bethia and Mary.

Edmund Bridges (2d) was born about 1637 and lived at Topsfield and Salem, Massachusetts. He married Sarah Towne, a daughter of William and Joanna (Blessing) Towne, and they had five children, namely : Edmund, Benjamin, Mary, Hannah and Caleb.

Caleb Bridges was born June 3, 1677, and married Sarah Brewer, a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Rice) Brewer, of Sudbury, Massachusetts. Caleb Bridges was a soldier in the expedition to Canada, enlisting in the Sudbury company, and was a sharer in the Sudbury Canada grants of 1741, which were located in Maine and embraced the present towns of Canton and Jay. To Caleb and Sarah Bridges were born nine children: Bathcheba, Hachaliah, Caleb, Martha, Bethiah, Benjamin, Sarah, David and Jonathan.

Hachaliah Bridges was born in Farmingham, Massachusetts, May 30, 1705, and died at Southboro, September 27, 1739. He served in Father Ralle's war in 1722 in a detachment from Marlboro. He was the father of six children: James, Jonathan, Nathan, Sarah, Hachaliah and Benjamin.

Benjamin Bridges was born at Southboro, November 26, 1739, and died at Holliston, January 26, 1814. He married Esther Parker, a daughter of Timothy and Kezia (Hammond) Parker, who was born at Holliston, December 5, 1743, and died February 8, 1819. His children were: Timothy, Sarah, Nathan and Martin.

Nathan Bridges was born at Holliston, November 26, 1772, and died May 8, 1844. He married Julia Johnson, who died July 20, 1808. For his second wife he married Nabby Stone, a daughter of Josiah and Abigail (Cheney) Stone. He was a farmer and was a selectman of Holliston, from 1815 to 1828. His children were: Amos, Benjamin, Kies Johnson, Lyman and Mary Wheaton.

Lyman Bridges was born at Holliston, March 24, 1811, and died at Hopkinton, April 6, 1889. On May 29, 1832, he married Harriet Chamberlain, a daughter of Enoch and Lucy (Holbrook) Chamberlain, who was born June 24, 1807, and died January 29, 1891. Their children were: Charles Lyman and Everett Luther. The father was a farmer by occupation.

Everett L. Bridges was a pupil in the public schools of Holliston and pursued a partial high-school course but put aside his text-books at the age of thirteen years. He then made his initial step in the business world and has since been dependent upon his own resources. His first position was that of bookkeeper for J. H. Martin, proprietor of a grocery store at Worcester, Massachusetts. There he continued for about four years, after which he secured a position in the general mercantile store of Wright Brothers at Cordaville, Massachusetts. He continued in their employ as clerk for several years, after which he went to Hopkinton, Massachusetts, where he became a salesman for the firm of Willard & Parker, general merchants of that place. Coming to the middle west, he was living in Chicago at the time of the great fire in October, 1871. He then returned to Hopkinton, Massachusetts, and purchased the business of his former employers, Willard & Parker. In the conduct of the store Mr. Bridges met with success and for twenty-six years continued in business, beginning in a small way and gradually increasing his stock to meet the growing demands of his trade. Suc- cess thus crowned his efforts as the reward of his persistent labor, his honor- able dealings and his earnest desire to please his patrons. At length, however, ill health compelled him to leave the store. He handled dry goods, groceries, and furniture and did an undertaking business.

In 1897 Mr. Bridges removed to Des Moines and became manager of the newspaper advertising department of the Chamberlain Medicine Company, con- tinuing with that firm for about ten years. He then became connected with the Great Western Accident Association, which he has since represented as auditor.

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He owns and controls considerable city realty and property elsewhere and his life's labors have been crowned with a gratifying measure of success.

On the 9th of November, 1871, Mr. Bridges was married in Worcester, Massachusetts, to Miss Nellie A. Parmenter, a native of Pottsdam, New York. They have one child, Edith M., who was born in Hopkinton, Masachusetts, January 7, 1874.

Mr. and Mrs. Bridges have won many friends during their residence in Des Moines and enjoy the hospitality of many of the leading homes of the city. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and while not ambitious for office he keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day and is allied with the progressive movement which is seeking to bring about practical reform. While in the east he served as town treasurer in Hopkinton for three years but otherwise has never consented to fill a political position. He belongs to the Grant Club and is prominent in Masonry, having attained the Knights Templar degree of the York Rite and also holding membership with the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He may truly be called a self-made man for he started out on his own account at the age of thirteen and has since been dependent upon his own resources, utilizing at all times strictly honorable means for advancement and thus winning the respect and confidence of colleagues and contemporaries.

JOHN JUSTICE.

John Justice, who resides at Greenwood Farm in Delaware and Douglas townships, is a native son of Polk county, having been born on the place where he now lives June 27, 1874. His parents were William and Lucinda (Thornton) Justice, the former a native of Illinois and the latter of Indiana. It was in the fall of 1850 at the age of twelve years that the father came to Polk county, Iowa, and four years later he entered Forest Home Seminary, where he completed his education. Later he engaged in teaching school for a few winters but through- out the greater part of his life followed general farming and stock-raising. He was a most capable man and succeeded in his various ventures, having acquired a nice competence and considerable property at the time of his demise. The homestead, where his son John is now living, contains two hundred acres of land on sections 32 and 33, Douglas township, and sections 4 and 5, Delaware town- ship, all of which is under a high state of cultivation and is well improved. In his family were six children, our subject being the fourth in the order of birth and the others as follows: Mary married Harry Traxler and lives in Denver, Colorado. Jennie died in infancy. Romain became the wife of Elmer A. Adam- son and has three children and is living in Bellevue. Idaho. George married Blanch Evernden and they have four children and are living in this county. Edith makes her home with her brother John. The father passed away in Sep- tember, 1897, at the age of fifty-eight years, and the mother on the 27th of February, 1910, having passed the sixty-sixth milestone on life's journey.

John Justice passed the early years of his life in practically the same man- ner as all farmer lads. His preliminary education was acquired in the common schools and after having completed the course he entered the commercial de- partment of the Highland Park College, at Des Moines, being awarded his di- ploma with the class of 1895. He then returned home and assisted his father in the management of the farm until the latter's death, at which time he was ap- pointed administrator of the estate and has ever since continued to reside on the homestead. He engages in general farming and stock-raising, making a specialty of raising thoroughbred hogs, particularly Duroc Jerseys, which he sells for breeding purposes. He is not only one of the most careful and painstaking

MR. AND MRS. WILLIAM JUSTICE

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farmers but is particular about all the seeds from the crops he raises, selling most of his grains for seed purposes and guarantees them as represented. His place is called Greenwood Farm because for many years it was the postoffice, the mail being sent out from Des Moines twice a week and carried on to Elkhart and back on the following day. In addition to the postoffice there was a general store and blacksmith and wagon shop. Our subject's father was postmaster for eight- cen years but after the railroad was built, and the town of Berwick was estab- lished, that became the postoffice, but the Justice homestead has ever since been known as Greenwood Farm. He was also assessor in Douglas township for about sixteen years and served in the capacity of notary public and justice of peace.

In December, 1903. John Justice was united in marriage to Miss Lina Wright, a daughter of Thompson and Ruth (Henderson) Wright. The parents were na- tives of Illinois but came to Iowa in pioneer days and settled on a farm in Polk county. Mrs. Justice was the eighth child in a family of twelve, her birth oc- curring on the 7th of March, 1880. She has become the mother of four children, as follows : Harold A., Minnie Fern, John E. and Jessie Loretta. Mr. and Mrs. Justice attend the Congregational church of Berwick, of which denomination they are members. He gives his political support to the republican party, taking an active part in all local and municipal elections. Although he is not an office holder at the present time, he served as township assessor for five years, dis- charging the duties of that position most creditably.

JOSEPH SHAW.

In a history of agricultural progress in Polk county there is no one whose life indicates more clearly the possibilities which the county offers for the at- tainment of success in farming operations than does that of Joseph Shaw, who started out here as a farm hand and before his death was the owner of almost one thousand acres of land. He was born May 15, 1829, in New Mills, York- shire, England. His father, William Shaw, was a farmer of that country and represented one of the old Yorkshire families living near New Mills for many generations. In the family of William Shaw were six children, William, George, Sarah, Elizabeth, Anne and Joseph, but the last named is the only one, who emigrated to America. He spent his youth upon his father's farm and was edu- cated in the public schools, while later he pursued a course in a veterinary col- lege. Following his father's death in 1860 he crossed the Atlantic and estab- lished his home in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, but after a year sought the op- portunities of the middle west, making his way to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he was employed by the United States government as inspector of horses for cavalry use.

It was while living in Wisconsin in 1863 that Mr. Shaw was married and in the latter part of that year, accompanied by his bride, came to Des Moines. Soon afterward he established his home on a farm in Warren county, Iowa, where he worked by the month for a time, after which he cultivated rented land. In 1866 he rented a farm in Polk county, north of Des Moines, and re- sided thereon for five years, at the end of which time he was enabled, through his previous industry and economy, to purchase eighty acres of land. His new farm, situated in Washington township, became the family homestead and is still in possession of his children. For ten years Joseph Shaw continued a resi- dent of Washington township and as opportunity offered added to his hold- ings. In 1881 he removed to Franklin township, where he erected a new resi- dence and made his home to the time of his death, which occurred November 9, 1905. That prosperity attended him as the years passed by is indicated by

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the fact that he became the owner of nine hundred and ten acres in Franklin and Washington townships, his holdings and farm lands being equalled by few resi- dents of Polk county. He also engaged extensively in feeding and raising stock and seemed to carry forward to successful completion whatever he undertook. He possessed great energy and determination, enabling him to overcome all obstacles and difficulties in his path, and, moreover, he was scrupulously honest in all business transactions.

On the 16th of July, 1863, Mr. Shaw was united in marriage to Miss Johanna Gleason, a daughter of Timothy and Julia (Russell) Gleason, who were natives of County Tipperary, Ireland, where the father followed farming. For many generations the Gleason family lived near Loughmore. Unto Timothy Gleason and his wife were born ten children: Catharine, Mary, Margaret, Honora, Ellen, Julia, William, John, Johanna and Timothy. All of the family are deceased and they all remained in Ireland with the exception of William, who went to Aus- tralia, and Mrs. Shaw, who came to America about 1860, landing at Quebec, Canada, where she resided for a year. She then went to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where she formed the acquaintance of Mr. Shaw to whom she gave her hand in marriage. She was a good industrious woman and her life was a quiet one but Mr. Shaw's great success is in part attributable to her. The seven children born to them are: Julia A., who is living on the old homestead; Mary Ellen, who was a twin sister of Julia and died at the age of eight months; Timothy J., a farmer and stock-buyer of Stewart, Iowa, who married Margaret Kelly and has five children ; John F., residing on the old homestead; Mary T., the deceased wife of Dennis J. Healy, of Stewart, by whom she had one child; Margaret, who died in infancy; and William M., who resides on the old home place and is mentioned elsewhere in this volume.

Mr. Shaw and his family were members of the Catholic church and in politics he was a republican. He never aspired to political office but for a number of years served as school director, the cause of education finding in him a stalwart cham- pion. His death occurred in November, 1905, and his wife survived until August, 1910. During the long years of his residence in Polk county he maintained a most creditable position as a leading farmer and business man and his record may well serve as a source of inspiration and encouragement to others, showing what may be accomplished when determination and ambition form the keystone of character. His record, too, for integrity and worth in all business transactions is most commendable, and he thus made for himself an honored name.

ALVY S. GIFFORD.

Alvy S. Gifford, an agriculturist of Washington township, was born on the farrn where he now resides on the 22d of May, 1874, and is a son of George W. and Susan (Snyder) Gifford. The parents are both natives of Pennsylvania, the father having come to Polk county when a youth of eighteen years. For some time thereafter he worked by the month as a farm hand, following which he purchased eighty acres of land in Washington township. He immediately began improving and cultivating this property, adding to his holdings from time to time until he had acquired one hundred and sixty acres, all of which is fertile and under a high state of cultivation. The mother passed away in November, 1890.

Reared on the home farm, Alvy S. Gifford attended the district schools in the acquirement of his education until he felt that he had sufficient knowledge of the common branches to warrant his laying aside his text-books in order to assume the heavier responsibilities of life. He then gave his entire time and attention to the work of the farm under the direction of his father until he was twenty-

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two, when he left the parental roof to begin life for himself. For a time he worked as a farm hand and then rented land, which he cultivated until he re- moved to his father's homestead, now operating it in connection with an eighty acre tract in Jasper county. Mr. Gifford is making a specialty of raising and feeding stock and places from one hundred and twenty-five to one hundred and fifty hogs on the market each year, while he always keeps fifty head of cattle and about ten horses.

On the 24th of February, 1904, Mr. Gifford was united in marriage to Miss Bessie Dunlap, a daughter of James and Emma (Eatwell) Dunlap, the father a native of Iowa and the mother of Michigan. Mr. Dunlap, who was born and reared in Polk county, early engaged in agricultural pursuits, first as a renter, following which he bought several farms that he cultivated for a time and then sold, finally settling upon his present place of ninety acres two miles west of Farrar. Here he and his wife continue to reside. Mr. and Mrs. Gifford have one daughter, Lenore E., who is four years of age.

In matters of religion the views of Mr and Mrs. Gifford coincide with the tenets of the Methodist Protestant church, of which they are members. Ever since attaining his majority Mr. Gifford has cast his ballot in support of the men and measures of the republican party, and he has several times been elected to township offices but would never qualify, although he is now serving as school director and has filled the position of road supervisor. Owing to the competent supervision and intelligent direction of his affairs Mr. Gifford is meeting with success and is becoming recognized as one of the substantial citizens of Washing- ton township.

ULYSUS A, RICE, M. D.

The life of Dr. Ulysus A. Rice, of Des Moines, has been one of unusual activity and usefulness and, although he is now in the sixty-eighth year of his age, his services are more widely called for than ever before. He was born at Bethel, Clermont county, Ohio, September 27, 1843, a son of Esau Daily and Sarah (Emmons) Rice, the latter of whom was a native of Mount Pleasant, Ohio. The father was born in 1815 and in 1867 came to Iowa and opened a blacksmith shop at Pella. Subsequently he moved to Guthrie county and en- gaged in farming, becoming one of the substantial and prosperous members of the community.

Ulysus A. Rice received his preliminary education in the district schools and, being attracted to a professional career, attended the American Health College at Cincinnati, Ohio. In 1888 he entered King College, Des Moines, from which he was graduated with the degree of M. D. When he came to Des Moines the city numbered twelve thousand inhabitants and he has been a witness of the great change that has since taken place here and in the sur- rounding country. He is a disciple of the eclectic school of medicine and at the start had many difficulties to overcome. Gradually prejudices disappeared and he won a place as a leading practitioner of his school in Des Moines. He owes his present high standing to conscientious devotion to a noble profession, for which he thoroughly prepared himself by close and well directed application.

On the Ioth of August, 1862, Dr. Rice was united in marriage to Miss Selilah Jane Wells, of Bethel, Ohio. Five children came to bless this union, namely : F. B., now of Commerce, Iowa, who was born August 2, 1863, and mar- ried Miss Bertha Anderson, October 22, 1882; Ulysus A., Jr., who was born August 28, 1869, and is now connected with the Register and Leader, a well known newspaper of Des Moines; Flora B., who was born September 16, 1872, and died August 17, 1893; Harry A., born October 5, 1887, and also employed

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by the Register and Leader; and Fred Guy, born June 3, 1879. F. B., the eldest son has five children, Mabel, Lulu, Le Roy, Myrtle, and Loren. Dr. Rice is a valued member of the Masonic order, the Odd Fellows and the American Mechanics. Politically he is identified with the republican party and is in sym- pathy with the progressive element which believes that the party has within itself the ability to correct abuses and keep in touch with the most advanced ideas in local and national affairs. In religious belief Dr. Rice gives his adher- ence to the Christian church. He has a host of friends in Des Moines, where he has been favorably known for many years as one of the most successful exemplifiers of the healing art. He has made some valuable original. discoveries in medicine, upon one of which he has experimented for eighteen years, and as he keeps at all times thoroughly informed concerning the latest developments of his profession both in America and Europe he justly deserves the high esteem in which he is held by all who know him.

DANIEL P. GRIGSBY.

Daniel P. Grigsby, whose homestead, Cedar Croft Farm, is one of the valu- able properties of Union township, was born in this county on the IIth of Octo- ber, 1855, a son of John H. and Susan (Worden) Grigsby, natives of Ohio. In the fall of 1852 they came to Iowa and located on a farm in Polk county, where Mrs. Grigsby passed away one year later at the age of twenty-six years and was laid to rest in the Hopkins cemetery. In the family were four children, Daniel P. being the youngest. The father was again married in 1859, his second wife being Miss Nancy J. Wolgomott, a daughter of David Wolgomott of Ohio. Thirteen children were born of this union, nine of whom are living at the present time .. Mr. Grigsby had followed the vocation of farming all his life and was living retired in Madrid at the time of his death February 6, 1911, at the venerable age of almost eighty-five years.

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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 121

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