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 130

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 130

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Within that period he had become convinced that the growing west offered the best field of labor and he made his way to Keokuk, Iowa, where he accepted the position of bookkeeper for the Keokuk, Fort Dodge & Des Moines Railway Company, serving in that capacity until 1860, when he was advanced to general passenger agent. He continued in that service until May, 1864, when the road was merged with the Des Moines Valley Railroad, of which he was appointed general passenger and freight agent. He thus served until September, 1870, when further promotion made him general superintendent of the road. He

JOHN GIVIN

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occupied this position of executive control until 1874, when he was made gen- eral freight and passenger agent of the Keokuk & Des Moines Railway, which in 1878 was merged with the Rock Island. Of the latter system he became division freight agent and so continued until 1880, when he was made division superin- tendent and freight agent. Still higher responsibilities came to him in his ap- pointment in 1883 as division superintendent of the Iowa & Keokuk division of the Rock Island. He then moved to Des Moines and in June, 1887, was pro- moted to the responsible position of superintendent of the Iowa division of the Rock Island Company. His worth in railway circles was widely acknowledged. While in the office he enforced the discipline so necessary to careful management of railway interests. His employes found him just and considerate and his col- leagues entertained for him the warmest confidence and regard.

In 1859 Mr. Givin was married to Miss Margaret McDermott, of Dubuque, and they became the parents of four children, namely: Mrs. Hal Chase; Mrs. N. M. Stark, who has two children, John and Margaret; Edith, who married L. J. Tuttle, of Des Moines, and both were killed in the Iroquois Theatre fire in Chi- cago in December, 1903, leaving two children, Linn, Jr., and Dorothy ; and Bessie, the youngest of the family, who died in July, 1900.

Mr. Givin was devoted to his family and their welfare, counting no personal sacrifice on his part too great if it would promote the happiness of his wife and children. His many sterling qualities won him the love, honor and respect of all who knew him, He was a man of intense activity and unceasing effort and in relation with municipal interests he manifested a public spirit that found tangi- ble expression in generous support of all measures and movements for the public good. He passed away on the 24th of March, 1892, and all who knew him, whether in business, social or home relations, felt that they had suffered a dis- tinct loss in his passing. He possessed the versatility and wit of the Irish race and the ready adaptability which the sons of Erin have ever displayed enabled him at all times and under all circumstances to meet each condition that arose with tact and ease. This trait was as strongly manifest in business as in social life and thus he became a favorite with all with whom he was connected.

WILLIAM E. HAYES.

William E. Hayes, one of the substantial farmers of Polk county, owns three hundred and eighteen acres of good land in Camp township, which he cultivates to excellent advantage, and also has charge of eighty acres in the immediate neighborhood of his farm which belongs to his mother. He is a native of this county and was born in Camp township, July 14, 1872, being a son of Hartwell W. and Martha C. (Zackary) Hayes. The father was born in Iowa and the mother in Highland county, Ohio. After his marriage, at twenty-one years of age the father came to Polk county, Iowa, with his bride and bought a farm in Camp township, upon which he lived for twenty-two years, being called from earthily scenes in September, 1891. The mother is still living and makes her home with the subject of this review.

William E. Hayes acquired his early education in the district schools of Camp township. He assisted his father upon the home farm and after the death of the latter the property came into his possession. He has made many improvements, supplying the place with modern conveniences and machinery and thus being able to produce the best results with the least expenditure of time and labor. He feeds one hundred head of hogs per year for the market and usually has on hand forty or fifty head of cattle and twenty head of horses. In addition to the property which he owns in Camp township he has acquired one hundred Vol. II-54

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and sixty acres in Canada and is a stockholder in the Farmers Cooperative Mercantile Company at Runnells.

In 1892 Mr. Hayes was happily married to Miss Maggie D. Stewart, a daughter of J. B. and Isabelle (Fouch) Stewart, and to this union seven children have been born, all of whom are living with the exception of Eddie, who was born March 28, 1893, and died August 23, 1895. The others are: J. Bryan, born August 21, 1895; Emma Ruth, born September 26. 1898; Clyde B., born April 13, 1901; Stewart, born August 26, 1905; Lucille May, born May 2, 1907 ; and Blanche, born January 21, 1910.

Mr. Hayes votes in support of the democratic party. He has not sought public office, preferring to concentrate his attention upon his farm, but he has served as school director and fraternally is connected with the Knights of Pythias and Modern Woodmen of America. His success has been due to thorough knowledge of all the departments of farming, which he acquired early in life, and to habits of industry and perseverance, which are the foundation of accomplishment in all worthy lines of effort. He is now entering upon the prime of an active and useful career and the responsible position he has gained in the community is, in the opinion of his friends, a bright prophecy of additional victories in years to come.

JOHN F. N. DRAKE.

The business interests of Des Moines are constantly increasing in scope and number, making the capital city one of the most important inland centers of the west. Many new lines have been introduced during recent years and among them may be named that of roofing, which is becoming an important industry. It is ably represented in Des Moines by John F. N. Drake, who twelve years ago founded the John F. N. Drake Roofing Company, of which he is sole proprietor.

He was born at Easton, Bristol county, Massachusetts, March 20, 1846, a son of John R. and Martha (Trowbridge) Drake. The father was a foundry- man and became well known in the iron industry, which he followed the greater part of his life. The mother gained an enviable reputation in Massachusetts in early womanhood on account of her musical talent and was in urgent demand as a choir and concert singer. The grandfather on the paternal side was Bartholomew Drake, while the grandfather on the maternal side was S. Trow- bridge, a highly respected resident of Boston. Of the children of Mr. and Mrs. John R. Drake three are now living: John F. N., the subject of this review; Edward P., of Des Moines; and Martha A., now the widow of Mark A. Dane, of St. Paul, Minnesota.

John F. N. Drake received his early education in the common schools and began upon his own account at Taunton, Massachusetts, in the employ of Charles Lathrop, who was engaged in the candy manufacturing business. While still connected with the factory Mr. Drake met C. O. Godfrey, who had made a trip to the east for the purpose of securing promising young men to engage in various lines of work in the coal mines in Missouri, owned by C. O. Godfrey and associates. Being advised by his employer to take advantage of the oppor- tunity, Mr. Drake came west and for twelve years was one of the valued employes at the Godfrey mines. In 1873 he took up his residence in Des Moines and in 1880 entered the coal mining business on his own account with offices on the east side. Starting on a small scale, he became one of the large dealers of the city and conducted the business for eighteen years, when he sold out and founded the roofing company of which he has since been the head. From the

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very start the business has proven highly successful and is now the most im- portant of its kind in Des Moines.

On the 19th of September, 1870, Mr. Drake was united in marriage in Macon county, Missouri, to Miss Nannie C. Tompkins. Her father, S. J. O. Tompkins, was a native of Virginia and the daughter was reared by a slave "mammy" before the Civil war. During the war Mr. Tompkins was often in great danger on account of his sympathy with the south and at one time was sentenced to be shot, but his life was saved through the intervention of Governor Brown. He lost nearly all of his property through the depredations of the Federal soldiers. Subsequently he was converted to the Union cause by reading Uncle Tom's Cabin, which he declared disclosed the actual conditions under slavery as he knew them. To Mr. and Mrs. Drake were born four children: John Willie, born November 8, 1871, died in 1882; Frances O., who was born in February, 1875, married Byrd Warford, of Minburn, Iowa, and is now the mother of two children, Beatrice, who was born in 1897, and is attending Grant school, and Jack Huntoon Drake, who was born in 1910; Mabel, born December 29, 1877, married A. O. Bishop, now in the service of the United States govern- ment, and has three children, Wilma, who was born April 7, 1904, Clela, whose birth occurred June 29, 1906, and Ireta Drake, born January 10, 19II; S. Tompkins, now engaged in the bicycle and feed business, was born August 23, 1887, and married Miss Ethel McFarland, June 19, 1910.

The career of Mr. Drake has clearly demonstrated that he is a man of good business judgment. He is a firm believer in the Scriptural maxim "Let not the sun go down on your wrath," even going to the extent of never losing his temper, however severe the provocation. He attributes his good health and vigorous constitution to right living and a pleasant disposition. As a natural result of his genial manner, he has many stanch friends and admirers in Des Moines and the state of Iowa. Fraternally he is connected with the Ancient Order of United Workmen. Lodge No. 14, and is a republican in politics. Both he and his wife are members of the University Christian church, and their home is at No. 1510 Twenty-fifth street.

CHARLES H. YOUNG.

Charles H. Young is now living practically retired in Lee township, being the owner of a tract of eighteen acres within the city limits of Des Moines. His birth occurred in Delaware county, Iowa, on the 18th of May, 1850, his parents being James and Mary A. Young. The father, who was connected with the regular army, was stationed at Fort Des Moines in the '40s and after- ward removed to Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin. He located claims comprising three hundred and twenty acres in Monona county, Iowa, which he sold some time afterward, taking up his abode near Lancaster in Peoria county, Illinois. It was while he was a resident of that state that the Civil war broke out and he went to the front in defense of the Union as a member of the Fifty-fifth Illinois Volunteer Infantry. Subsequently he established his home in Texas, wiere his demise occurred in 1892. Unto him and his wife were born the following children: Thomas A., who is a resident of Des Moines, Iowa ; William J., living in Houston, Texas ; Charles H., of this review ; Mrs. Nellie E. Cotter, who makes her home at Sutherland Springs, Texas; and Mrs. Laura Gault and Mrs. Ida Becton, both of whom reside in Houston, Texas.

Just before the Civil war broke out Charles H. Young accompanied his parents on their removal from Monona county, Iowa, to Lancaster, Illinois, where he attended the common schools, and later completed his education at Canton, that state. On laying aside his text-books he engaged in farming for

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several years and was then connected with the street car service in Peoria, Illinois. While residing there he was married and subsequently removed to Cambridge, that state, where he was associated with his brother in the soap manufacturing business under the name of the Standard Soap Company. In 1884 they came to Des Moines in order to enlarge the business and here formed a stock company with Mr. Swart and Mr. Munson under the name of the Capital City Soap Company. Afterward they bought out the firm of Clarkson, Alexander & Meek and changed the name to the Domestic Soap Company and still later they purchased the business of Prouty & Bowler, the firm becoming known as the Prouty-Bowler Soap Company. Mr. Young continued his con- nection therewith until about four years ago, when he retired on account of ill health, and removed to his present place in Lee township, which he had pur- chased about eight years before. At one time he owned ninety-eight acres of land within the city limits of Des Moines but has since sold all but eighteen acres to A. M. Parker. The soap company with which he was connected are still using the same formula that was used by them during the time he was a member of the firm. Besides his farm Mr. Young owns two houses and lots in Des Moines proper and is recognized as one of the substantial and esteemed citizens of the community.

In 1883 he was married, in Peoria, Illinois, to Miss Catherine E. Clow, of Milan, Illinois, her father being Edward E. Clow. She was called to her final rest on the 4th of March, 1907. Mr. Young gives his political allegiance to the republican party, while fraternally he is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

WILLIAM F. BUCHE.

William F. Buche, who lives on the old family homestead in Lincoln town- ship, is a representative farmer of Polk county who by intelligent application of labor has won from nature her richest rewards. He was born in Wisconsin, April 23, 1862, a son of Charles and Charlotte (Grieser) Buche, both of whom were born in Germany. They came to America in early years and were reared in this country, their marriage taking place in Wisconsin. The father was by occupation a farmer and came to Polk county, Iowa, in the spring of 1864 and bought eighty acres in Lincoln township and later acquired eighty more. He died in 1877, at the age of fifty-six years, and his wife passed away in 1908, being then in her seventy-seventh year. There were seven children in their family of whom William F. is the fifth in order of birth.

William F. Buche received his early education in the common schools and continued with his parents until he was twenty-one years old. After working for wages for a year he began farming on his own account on rented property and purchased the old homestead from his mother about 1890. He has engaged in general farming and stock-raising and as he understands his business thor- oughly has been very successful. He has made many improvements upon the place, the family home being almost lost to view, as it is surrounded by a beautiful grove of pine trees, including Norway spruce, Scotch and white pine, red cedar and American arbor vitæ, all of which he planted with his own hands. He has tiled and fenced the farm and erected a large barn which is built accord- ing to the best modern appliances. He makes use of up-to-date machinery and the ample harvests gathered each year indicate that his labors are well repaid.

In 1896 Mr. Buche was united in marriage to Miss Frederica Graeber, who was born April 14, 1873, a daughter of Frederick and Elizabeth (Brendal) Graeber. Her parents were both born in Germany and came to America in their earlier years, being married in this country. Six children came to bless

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the union of Mr. and Mrs. Buche, namely: William, Henry, Frank, Alma, Robert and Theodore. On September 6, 1910, Mr. Buche suffered the greatest loss of his life in the death of his wife, who was a woman of many noble traits and regarded no sacrifice too great provided it enhanced the happiness of those with whom she was associated.

Religiously Mr. Buche is identified with the Evangelical church, as was also his wife. Politically he gives his support to the republican party. He has not aspired to public office but for some years past he has served acceptably as a member of the school board.

EDWARD MARXER.

It has been amply demonstrated under the stars and stripes of the American republic that Austria produces many sons who are stanch lovers of liberty, and who also possess the attributes that make good citizens and successful business men. Leaving the land of their nativity, thousands have found in the new world opportunities which they improve, and they are now numbered among the best citizens of America. To this number belongs Edward Marxer, a prominent contractor of Des Moines, born at Mauren, Lichtenstein, Austria, May 24, 1860, a son of Mathias and Catherine (Jager) Marxer, and a grandson of Sebastian Marxer. The father was a farmer, who lived and died in the land of his birth.

Edward Marxer received his early education in the schools of Austria and as he grew up became thoroughly acquainted with the building trade, so that when he reached manhood he was well prepared to take care of himself wherever he might desire to live. Having decided to seek his fortune in a new country where competition would be less intense than in the thickly settled communities of the old world, he bade farewell to his relatives and friends, and at twenty-two years of age came to America, locating at Des Moines. After working for wages for eight years, he associated with John A. Benson, in the contracting and building business. They have ever since continued together and have erected a number of the largest and most beautiful buildings in the city, among which may be named the Howard Building, the Hewitt Wholesale Grocery building, the new East Side high school, which has just been completed and is the finest structure of the kind in America, the Capital City Commercial College, the West Side high school, and numerous residences. The firm is well estab- lished and enjoys the confidence of financial and business circles on account of the excellence of its work and the high character of its members. Mr. Marxer has become largely interested in Des Moines real estate.

In May, 1882, Mr. Marxer was united in marriage to Miss Marie Boehler, who died in 1892 and by whom he had one child, Marie. On September 18, 1893, at Des Moines, he was again married, the lady of his choice being Miss Pauline Kautzky, a daughter of Joseph Kautzky, and by this union the following children have been born: Carl, a student in St. Mary's Catholic school; Pauline ; Lawrence; Hugo; Theodora; John; Josephine and Isabel, twins; and Georgia. The family residence is at 1233 Fifth street.

Mr. Marxer and his wife are sincere members of the Catholic church. Politically he is not allied with any party but casts his vote for any measure he considers most conducive to the welfare of the state and nation. He is a member of a number of organizations, among which are the Ancient Order of United Workmen, Knights of Columbus and Elks, and he is vice president of the Roman Catholic Union. He is also a member of the Builders Exchange and the Commercial Club.

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As a boy he learned the necessity and value of conscientious application to everything that he undertook, and his success has been largely due to wisely directed energy. He is also bringing up his children to principles of honor and industry, such as he was early taught himself. He is fond of literature and music, and keeps his home well supplied with good papers, magazines and books, the children furnishing the music, thus forming one of the happy family circles of the city.

DAVID PHELPS OLDFIELD.

Fifty-five years ago David Phelps Oldfield arrived in Iowa in search of a home and became one of the pioneers of Jasper county. For some time past he has lived at Mitchellville and although he is now in his eighty-sixth year he is vice president of the Citizens State Bank and retains in a remarkable degree his powers of body and mind. He is a native of Richland county, Ohio, born September 23, 1825, and is a son of Richard and Elmina (Phelps) Oldfield, a record of whom appears in the sketch of Silas P. Oldfield, elsewhere in this work.

Reared upon a farm, David Phelps Oldfield had such advantages of educa- tion as were available in the early district schools of the Buckeye state. On the home place he became familiar with the various details pertaining to agri- culture and stock-raising and early decided to devote his attention to farming. After his marriage his interest was aroused by stories of the great west told by returning travelers, and Iowa seemed to him one of the most favorable locations in the Union. Accordingly in 1856 he started westward from Bell- ville, Ohio, by wagon, with his wife and three children, and two neighbors, making the trip in three wagons. They drove seven head of cattle across the prairies and through the forest, the journey requiring seven weeks. Arriving in Clear Creek township, Jasper county, Iowa, he settled on a quarter section of government land and erected a comfortable cabin of one and one-half stories, the lumber for which he had sawed at Mylan's mill, two and one-half miles away. The land was raw prairie but he succeeded in having it broken with a yoke of oxen at a cost of three dollars per acre. The nearest trading post in those days was Newton, now the county seat of Jasper county, which was fifteen miles distant, the country being open and a roaming place for turkeys, wolves, deer and other wild animals. The nearest settlement was a hamlet called Clyde, two and one-half miles from Mr. Oldfield's home and located between Newton and Nevada. Indians were numerous but friendly and as the trail ran near the home of Mr. Oldfield they often stopped at his cabin. One day two squaws with their papooses paid him a visit, and as it was butcher- ing time he asked them to assist in the work. In payment for their services he cut off a liberal slice of the flank, but the visitors gave notice of their dissatis- faction and insisted that a more tender part of the ham should be chosen.

In 1860 Mr. Oldfield began carrying the United States mail, traveling on horseback between Des Moines and Marshalltown. He continued in that busi- ness for four years, making a round trip once a week. Bridges were few and roads were often very bad and on more than one occasion he forded the river when the water almost reached the back of his Indian pony. When the stage line was established, mail carrying by horseback was discontinued. As early as 1857 he saw a pontoon bridge carried away in the flood, and the same year he went to Des Moines with a wagonload of wheat which he offered in vain for sale as money was extremely scarce and many settlers were suffering from lack of the necessities of life. In order to get rid of the wheat he was obliged to trade it for plows. Later, times became brighter and during the Civil war

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the financial cloud entirely disappeared. In 1870 Mr. Oldfield sold his place and removed to Mitchellville, for three years cultivating forty acres just out- side the city limits. He has for a number of years lived in retirement, although since 1905 he has served as vice president of the Citizens State Bank.

Mr. Oldfield has been twice married. His first wife was Miss Catherine Creighton of Bellville, Ohio, to whom he was married about 1847. By this union there were three children: Sylvanus, now a farmer of Fort Collins, Colorado; Samuel J., now cashier of the Citizens State Bank of Mitchellville ; and Catherine, who lives in Mitchellville and is the widow of C. A. Lafferty. The mother of these children, having died, Mr. Oldfield was married just before leaving Ohio to Mrs. Mary (Drew) Cross, who by her former mariage had a daughter, now the wife of William Mitchell, who lives in Madison county, Montana.

Mr. Oldfield was originally a whig but since the organization of the republican party has given his adherence to its principles. Religiously, he is in sympathy with the Universalist church. He retains a vivid recollection of his boyhood days in Ohio when the sheep on the farm supplied wool which was spun at home and made into clothes for the family. He remembers the old Aladdin lamp. This lamp consisted of a deep bowl filled with grease with a long neck carrying a wick that supplied light for the parlor. He remembers how the girls used to walk barefoot to church until within a short distance of the building, when they would stop and put their shoes and stockings on. He also remembers the spelling bees of his boyhood and the fact that he walked many miles to take part in contests, often coming out winner. He still retains two of the old Webster spellers of his early days. His first overshoes were made of buffalo skin which was beautifully tanned by the Indians by using the brains of elk and deer. One of the valued heirlooms of the family is a cradle in which he and his ten sisters and brothers were rocked. It is now a relic in the Iowa Historical Building at Des Moines. It was hewn out of a white elm log by David Phelps, the father-in-law of Mr. Oldfield. It was carefully dressed and polished and is a most interesting reminder of pioneer days.

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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 130

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