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 128

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 128

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Christopher Hatfield obtained his education in the public schools of Fon- tanelle, remaining with his mother until her death. Thereafter he made his home with a sister until he had attained his twentieth year, at which time he became connected with the implement and harness business in Fontanelle. He also engaged in agricultural pursuits, devoting particular attention to the breed- ing and raising of thoroughbred cattle. In 1894 he disposed of his interests in order to accept a position as buttermaker with the Blue Grass Creamery, remain- ing in that employ for four years, three years of which time he lived in Green- field and the other in Fontanelle. Following this he became manager of the grain elevator of Kurtz & Son at Sac City, but they went into bankruptcy at the end of three years, their property being purchased by Pease Brothers of Des Moines, which company placed Mr. Hatfield in charge of their plant at Waukee, Iowa. Eight months later Pease Brothers sold their business to the Neola Elevator Company, of Chicago, in whose service he remained for two years at Waukee, at the end of which time they sent him to Yale, Iowa, for sixty days, and then placed him at Coon Rapids, where he remained for two and one-half years. In April, 1908, he was sent to Grimes to take charge of the elevator as well as the lumber, coal, brick, tile and cement interests of the

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company. He likes it here and expects to remain as he has succeeded in build- ing up a fine business.

In November, 1891, Mr. Hatfield was united in marriage to Miss Rose Blair, a daughter of Robert and Emma (Mingus) Blair, the father a native of Nova Scotia and the mother of Cedar county, Iowa. Mr. Blair removed to Illinois in a very early day but later came to Iowa, locating at Fontanelle, where he engaged in the harness business until he passed away in 1906, In the early years of Mr. Hatfield's business career he and Mr. Blair were in partnership for one year. Mrs. Blair still survives and makes her home in Colfax, lowa. One child has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Hatfield, Beulah B., who is seventeen years of age and is attending the school of music at Des Moines, Iowa.

The church relationship of the family is with the Methodist denomination, while fraternally Mr. Hatfield affiliates with the Brotherhood of American Yeomen. His political support Mr. Hatfield accords the republican party, his interest is rather passive, however, as he never participates in affairs of a governmental nature, always preferring to devote his time and energy to the development of his business.

JOSEPH J. FLANNERY, M. D.

One of the members of the Polk county medical profession who has acquired more than a local reputation in the field of surgery is Dr. Joseph J. Flannery, who has very pleasant and well appointed offices in the Utica building. He is of Irish descent and the eldest in a family of six children born to John F. and Mary (Higgins) Flannery, his birth occurring in Des Moines on the 23d of March, 1877. The parents were married in this city, where they spent the remainder of their life, the father being engaged in the grocery and general merchandise business, which he established upon his arrival here in 1850. He passed away in 1904. but his wife is still living and continues to make her home in Des Moines. They were the parents of three sons and three daughters, but Edward is deceased. The other members of the family beside our subject are Agnes, Lillian, Mamie and John, none of whom are married.

The public and high schools of Des Moines provided Dr. Joseph J. Flannery with his preliminary education, but having early decided to follow the medical profession he matriculated at Drake University in 1896, receiving his degree of M. D. from that institution with the class of 1900. Feeling that he would like a broader knowledge and better understanding of some of the modern surgical methods, in 1901 he took a post-graduate course in the Polyclinic Hospital of Chicago. Returning to Des Moines upon the completion of his studies he became an interne at Mercy Hospital, where he remained for four years. At the expiration of that time he felt he had a sufficient understanding of the theory and practice of medicine and surgery to establish a private prac- tice. In the choice of a life work Dr. Flannery was fortunate enough to select something for which he was by nature most ably qualified. He possesses the nervous energy, poise, decision as well as the personality which is so vitally essential to success in the medical profession, in addition to which he has the active mind, acute touch and dexterous hand of the surgeon. Seven years ago he received the appointment of insane commissioner in Polk county from the ninth judicial district court, and he is also a member of the surgical staff of Mercy Hospital and surgeon for the United Commercial Travelers.

Dr. Flannery is affiliated with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, the Hyperion Club and the Knights of Columbus, while he maintains relations with the members of his profession through the medium of the Polk County Medical Society and the State and National Medical Associations. He has never married

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and is a communicant of the Roman Catholic church. His political support is given to the republican party, his views coinciding with those of the progressive faction of that body.

The marked success with which Dr. Flannery has met during the period of his practice must be largely attributed to his studious habits and progressive idea's, as well as his loyalty to his patients and conscientious service. He is constantly endeavoring to raise his profession to a higher standard and guides his life as a man and practitioner in such a manner as to cause no reflection to be cast upon the fraternity.

SAMUEL S. HARVEY.

Agricultural pursuits have always engaged the attention of Samuel S. Harvey, who owns one of the excellent farms of Jefferson township, where he engages in general farming. A native of Polk county, his birth occurred in Crocker township on the 29th of September, 1857, his parents being Stephen and Martha J. (Bowers) Harvey, natives of Indiana and Kentucky, respectively. The father came to Iowa and located in Crocker township, Polk county, in 1847, where he entered one hundred and sixty acres of land, which he immediately began clearing and improving. He later added to his farm at different times until he had acquired two hundred and forty acres, in the cultivation of which he engaged until his demise August 26, 1900. His wife's death occurred Febru- ary 14, 1899.

The early years of Samuel S. Harvey's life were spent on the old home- stead, his education being acquired in the district schools, which he attended at such time as his services were not required in the work of the farm. He remained under the paternal roof until he had attained his nineteenth year, at which time he sought employment with strangers. For two years thereafter he worked as a farm hand and at the expiration of that period rented land, which he cultivated until 1881. Returning home in the latter year he managed the farm for nine years and then removed to Jefferson township, where he bought one hundred and forty-seven acres. Prior to this he had purchased a farm in Cherokee county but had never lived on it. Mr. Harvey is an enter- prising man and takes great pride in his homestead, on which he has made many improvements during the period of his occupancy, having erected new build- ings, while he has built additions to and improved others. His fields are all substantially fenced and he has expended one thousand dollars in tiling his land, every acre of which is under cultivation. The place presents a most attractive appearance and has an air of thrift and prosperity which always bespeaks capable supervision and competent direction, that are as essential factors in the successful pursuit of agriculture as any other vocation. He has added to his holdings at various times until he now owns one hundred and eighty-eight acres in Jefferson township and twenty acres in Crocker.

Mr. Harvey's plans for a home had their culmination in his marriage on the 12th of March, 1884, to Miss Mary A. Channon, who had previously en- . gaged in dress-making and the millinery business. She is a daughter of Robert and Lucy (Squires) Channon, natives of England, who emigrated to the United States in their youth. Upon his arrival in this country her father located in the vicinity of Dayton, Ohio, where he worked by the month as a farm hand and also as a stone-mason. In 1855 he came to Polk county, Iowa, where he worked in a sawmill for a short time. He subsequently operated rented land for three years, during which time he saved enough to enable him to buy eighty acres in Dallas county on the Polk county line. After improving and cultivating this for about ten years he sold it and again rented land for a year, after which he

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went to Texas. Returning to Polk county in 1871 he bought one hundred and twenty acres in Crocker township, to which he later added another eighty, in- creasing his holdings to two hundred acres in Polk county and also having one hundred and sixty acres in South Dakota. He made extensive improve- ments in the property, which he continued to cultivate until his death on the 17th of June, 1902. Mrs. Channon passed away the following September. Two children were born unto Mr. and Mrs. Harvey: Essie, who married S. D. Cunningham, a farmer of Jefferson township; and Elma, who became the wife . of Charles Eads, also a farmer of Jefferson township.

Mr. Harvey, who has served as justice of the peace and assessor of his township for four years, gives his political support to the republican party, and has several times been elected to the board of school directors, of which he is now the secretary. Both he and his wife attend the Congregational church, in which they have for many years held membership, and assist in its support. Mr. Harvey possesses the business sagacity and persistence which inevitably win success in any undertaking and to those qualities must be attributed to a. very great extent the position he today holds among the agriculturists of Jeffer- son township.

LOUIS A. ALTONA.

Not every man starting in a humble position in business becomes the head of an important establishment ; many fall by the wayside or yield to discourage- ment; but a few brave souls push boldly forward and win the prizes. To this class belongs Louis A. Altona, president of the Standard Scale & Manufacturing Company, of Des Moines, and one of the highly respected men of the city.

He is a native of Galena, Illinois, born October 31. 1865, and is a son of George Altona, who was born at Hamburg, Germany, March 24, 1819. The father came to America in 1851 and was a pioneer in Illinois, settling at Galena, where he engaged in the manufacture of carriages. In his native land he served in the German army and at the time of the Civil war in this country enlisted in the Galena Artillery, being commissioned as third lieutenant, and continued with that organization from 1863 until honorably discharged at the close of the war. Returning to Galena, he resumed his business, in which he became eminently prosperous. He died February 14, 1899. The maiden name of the mother of our subject was Theresa Hector. She was married at Galena to

George Altona on the 3Ist of July, 1851, and five children were born to them : Charles H., who was born January 23, 1853, and is now a carriage manu- facturer of Riverside, California; Anna, who was born March 5, 1855, and is now living at Galena; George, who was born November 26, 1859, and is engaged in the carriage business at Galena; Mrs. Edith Willey, who was born August 9. 1862, and is now residing at Dixon, Illinois; and Louis A.

Louis A. Altona acquired his early education in the public schools of Galena. He engaged in clerical work in mercantile lines at Sioux City, Iowa, for five years and then entered into manufacturing on his own account in the same city. Favorable opportunity presenting itself he disposed of his interests and for a short time did clerical work. In 1900 he came to Des Moines and purchased a one-half interest in the Des Moines Scale & Manufacturing Company, being associated with A. L. Smouse. At the end of two years he retired the interests of Mr. Smouse, and in 1910, this corporation having expired by limitation, he reincorporated under the title of the Standard Scale & Manufacturing Com- pany, of which he has since been president. The original company gave employ- ment to four persons at the time Mr. Altona became identified with it, but owing to judicious management the number since employed has been increased

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many fold. In November, 1910, Mr. Altona closed contracts for the largest scale equipment ever purchased by an Iowa mine. In addition to his large manufacturing business he is an extensive jobber of trucks and barrows, wind- mills and towers, pumps and cylinders, wood and steel tanks, etc., etc., and the territory over which his operations extend is each year growing larger.

On February 12, 1902, Mr. Altona was married to Mary Alice Bradrick, of Chariton, Iowa. He is an advocate of the principles of the republican party and in religious belief adheres to the Presbyterian church. He is a member of the Masonic order, being identified with Home Lodge, Corinthian Chapter, Temple Commandery and Za-Ga-Zig Temple, A. A. O. N. M., of Des Moines. As a business man he is a member of the Commercial Club. His wife was for a number of years a member of the state board of educational examiners and as an educator her abilities are recognized. She is a member of the Monday Club, the oldest study club in the city, and has for many years been an active member of the P. E. O. sisterhood. Ambitious and persevering Mr. Altona has won a highly creditable place in the estimation of his business associates and the public. He is an excellent manager. as is shown by the growth of the company of which he is the head, and the future holds out to him and to men of his energy and ability many inducements for continued progress along lines of legitimate activity.

SAMUEL J. OLDFIELD.

Samuel J. Oldfield, a prominent citizen of Mitchellville, was born in Rich- land county, Ohio, July 4, 1850, and when six years of age came to Iowa with his parents, David Phelps and Catherine (Creighton) Oldfield. He was edu- cated in the common schools and at Hazel Dell Academy at Newton. At the age of sixteen he began learning the carpenter's trade, at which he worked for several years. Later he learned telegraphy and also became an expert at the jeweler's trade and was graduated as an optician. He taught school in early manhood for two years, but in 1870 removed to Mitchellville, where he has since lived. After clerking for several years he was, in 1875, appointed post- master of Mitchellville and served in that office very acceptably for eleven years, being at the same time engaged in the book and stationery business. For twenty years he was actively connected with the jewelry business and attracted a large and lucrative patronage. In 1889 he was interested in the organization of the Citizens Bank, which was incorporated as the Citizens State Bank in 1905, and the officers are: S. P. Oldfield, president; D. P. Oldfield, vice presi- dent ; and S. J. Oldfield, cashier. For the past six years he has devoted his energies to the bank with most excellent results.

On November 4, 1877, Mr. Oldfield was married to Miss Mary J. Grismer, a native of Ohio, and by this union three children were born, namely: Edna, now deceased; Maud A., now keeping house for her father; and Guy, of the Coeur d'Alene district, Idaho, who married Ethna Pearson, and they have one son, Raymond. The beloved wife of Samuel J. Oldfield passed away in 1898, but he has since retained his residence at the family homestead.

He is a member of the American Bankers Association and of the various orders including the Shrine; also the Modern Woodmen of America, the Brother- hood of American Yeomen and the Knights and Ladies of Security. He is a past master of Lodge No. 313, A. F. & A. M., at Mitchellville. In 1910 he was elected president of the Early Settlers Association of Polk county and is now serving in that capacity. Politically he is identified with the republican party and has three times filled the office of mayor of Mitchellville, also serving at various times as delegate to the county conventions. He is a zealous member

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of the Universalist church and is now treasurer of the Iowa Universalist Con- vention and has for years been superintendent of the Sunday school. He is one of the capable and energetic citizens of Mitchellville and has the unqualified respect of those with whom he comes in contact.

WILLIAM McKEE.

By common consent of the people living in the eastern part of Polk county it is conceded that one of the most valuable farms of this section is the homestead of William McKee, which embraces two hundred and fifty-six acres, sixteen acres being in timber and the remainder capable of an unusually high degree of productiveness. It is one of the model places of the county and is a credit alike to its owner and to Polk county. Mr. McKee is a native of County Down, Ire- land, born December 23, 1848, a son of William and Jane McKee, who came to Iowa, and their remains now lie in a cemetery at Mitchellville.

At the age of six years William McKee began to make himself useful by herding cattle on his native soil, his hours extending from four o'clock in the morning until late in the evening. This was while he still wore skirts. At the age of nineteen, through the kindness of William Pritchard, a relative who paid for his passage across the ocean, he arrived in America, his total capital upon landing under the stars and stripes being fifty cents. By working out by the month he soon repaid the cost of his passage and later he sent for his brother Joseph, who now lives in California. Coming west to Illinois, he worked by the month in that state until thirty-four years of age and then was attracted to Mitchellville, Iowa, where he engaged as a section hand on the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railway at one dollar and ten cents per day. He was married at this time and supported a family of eight persons. However, he possessed a brave heart and bought on credit a house and two lots located south of the stock yards, where he established his home. This property he purchased for five hun- dred dollars from Uncle Tom Mitchell, in whose honor the town of Mitchell- ville was named. After five years of hard labor and careful saving the property was paid for. In summer during this time he arose at four o'clock in the morn- ing and worked in his garden in order to assist in providing for his family, and at seven o'clock promptly was in his place on the railroad section. In 1887 he sold out for three hundred dollars and rented land east of Mitchellville for two years, later moving to a location south of town and then returning to a farm east of Mitchellville now owned by John Edmundson, where he continued for nine years. In 1900, having decided to launch out upon a more extensive scale, he purchased his present farm of two hundred and fifty-six acres. In order to acquire this property it was necessary for him to go into debt to the extent of about sixteen thousand dollars. The land was well improved and cost seventy- five dollars per acre, the people of the neighborhood laughing at him, as they were of the opinion that the price was excessively high. The farm is now esti- mated to be worth more than two hundred dollars per acre. The records show that in Igro the corn raised upon this place yielded sixty bushels to the acre, and in 1908, the season being very favorable, the yield of corn on thirty-five acres averaged more than eighty-six bushels to the acre. It is also interesting to note that in 1910 ten acres of wheat yielded two hundred and forty-hive bushels, ten acres of barley, two hundred and fifty bushels; and twenty-five acres of oats, eighty-one bushels to the acre. Mr. McKee gives his sons great credit for assisting in producing these remarkable results.

In May, 1871, Mr. McKee was united in marriage to Miss Jane Miller, of County Down, Ireland, who came to Illinois in 1870. She worked with her hus- band early and late to acquire a competency and has proven to him indeed a con-

MR. AND MRS. WILLIAM McKEE

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stant inspiration and encouragement. Six children have blessed their union, namely : John, who married Eva Noble and is the father of one daughter, Edith ; Joseph ; Sadie, now a popular district school teacher; James, who is now assist- ing upon the home farm; Frank, who married Miss Bertha Canfield and is now engaged in farming in Wisconsin; and Fred, who died at the age of thirteen years.

Joseph McKee, the second in order of birth in the family of William and Jane McKee, was born in Henry county, Illinois, September 24, 1873. He came with his parents to Polk county and received his early education in the schools of Mitchellville. He began life on his own account by working by the month and then for nine years cultivated rented land. In 1905 he entered the hardware busi- ness at Mitchellville, under the title of Edmundson & Leach, which subsequently became Edmundson, Leach & Company. Bert Craig purchased an interest in the business from Mr. Leach and the firm became the McKee-Craig Company. Since February, 1910, the style has been McKee & Edmundson, dealers in light and heavy hardware, furnaces, plumbing and pumps, and also doing windmill work. The firm owns two store buildings, one of which is two stories high and one hundred by forty-four feet in area, the second story being occupied as a car- riage repository where eighteen or twenty buggies are usually on display. The other building is one story high and covers an area one hundred by twenty-two feet, a complete line or stoves being carried in this building. The business has been excellently managed and is highly prosperous. In 1898 Mr. McKee was married at Mitchellville to Miss Bertha A. Rumple and three children have been born of this union, Mabel, Dorothy and Loren. Mr. McKee takes the interest of a patriotic citizen in political and local affairs and is now serving his second term as trustee of Beaver township. He is a valued member of the Congrega- tional church, in which he is now filling the office of deacon. Fraternally he is identified with the Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of America. He is a man of energy and good judgment and stands very high in the estimation of the people of the community, being regarded as one of the brightest and most promising young business men in this part of the county.

William McKee of this review and his estimable wife are active members of the Congregational church and fraternally he is connected with Lodge No. 313, A. F. & A. M., of Mitchellville. Their home is an attractive building of brick, finished in oak taken from the farm and dressed in Des Moines, and is a noted gathering place where the many friends of the family find a cordial greeting. Mr. McKee early mastered an important lesson which can be named in one word-economy. He has made it a principle of his life never to allow his ex- penses to exceed his income and to this rule he largely ascribes his financial suc- cess. He and his wife have a host of friends in Polk county, where they have passed a large part of their lives, and have won the esteem of all with whom they have come in contact.

JOHN H. HOGAN.

John H. Hogan is numbered among the young men who are constantly forging to the front in business circles. His progress successively in mercantile and in banking lines has brought him to his present responsible position as cashier of the German Savings Bank.

His name indicates his Irish ancestry. His parents, William and Bridget Hogan, were natives of Ireland and were married in West Newbury, Massa- chusetts. In 1870 they came to the Mississippi valley, establishing their home in Dallas Center, Iowa. The father has been variously engaged in railroad

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work and farming but is now living retired and for the past ten years has been a resident of Des Moines.

John H. Hogan was born in Dallas Center, Iowa, on the 6th of June, 1882, and at the usual age entered the public schools there, continuing his course through consecutive grades until graduated from the high school with the class of 1899. He also spent a short time as a student in Drake University and on leaving school took up the profession of teaching, which he followed in Polk county for one year. He then entered the employ of the Hub Shoe Company of Des Moines, as a salesman and remained with that house for three years, after which he entered the Marquardt Savings Bank in the capacity of book- keeper. Advancement through intermediate positions brought him to the office of cashier, which he occupied for five years. In November, 1909, he accepted the cashiership of the German Savings Bank, serving in that capacity to the present time. His years of experience in banking and his earnest efforts to master the business in every phase have brought him comprehensive knowledge and have so developed his ability as to render him an important factor in the successful control of the business.

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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 128

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