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 131

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 131

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CHARLES W. MITCHELL.

A native of England, Charles W. Mitchell, of Camp township, was attracted to America in early manhood and years ago became an adopted son of Iowa. He was born in the County of Kent, September II, 1842, his parents being James and Elizabeth (Reynolds) Mitchell. The father was a shepherd, a voca- tion which he followed in England all his life. He died in February, 1909, at the age of ninety-one, and the mother passed away in 1907, at the age of ninety- two years. An uncle of our subject is now living in the same village and has reached the age of ninety-five.

Charles W. Mitchell was reared in the parental home and received his early education in the common schools. In 1861 he crossed the ocean with his two brothers to Canada and continued in that country for four years. He then went to Cincinnati, Ohio, and secured employment in a nursery. In 1869 he started westward, traveling in a covered wagon, and stopped in Adair county, Iowa, where he spent six months. At the end of that time he went to Warren county and entered the employ of B. F. Roberts, being engaged in hauling timber to Winterset for the Rock Island Railroad, which was then in course of construction. He continued with Mr. Roberts for seven years, during which time he also assisted in the construction of the Wabash Railroad in this state. Giving up railroad work, he rented a farm in Warren county, but after two years came to Polk county and bought eighty acres in Camp township, which

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he industriously improved. He cleared thirty acres of timber and now has a productive farm which yields abundant annual harvests. A log cabin and a log barn which were built many years ago stand on the place and Mr. Mitchell claims that the cabin is the oldest house in Polk county.

On the 13th of November, 1879, he was married to Miss Electa E. Roberts, a daughter of Benjamin F. and Mariette (Jennings) Roberts, who were natives of New York and Connecticut, respectively. Mr. Roberts was born August 26, 1819, and died January 30, 1899. He was admitted to the bar in Cincinnati, Ohio, and engaged in practice at Dayton, that state. He located at Winterset, Iowa, in 1854 and bought two hundred acres of land, where he engaged in sheep-raising upon an extensive scale. At one time he had fifteen hundred sheep on the farm. While living at Winterset he took an active part in public affairs and was twice elected to the state legislature and one term to the state senate. After nine years in the sheep business he sold out and bought a farm near Pella, Iowa, which he cultivated for two and one-half years. In 1867 he came to Des Moines and entered the employ of the railroads as right-of-way man. He also assisted in building the Rock Island Railway from Carlisle to Winterset and built a portion of the Wabash Railway in Iowa. He finally located at O'Neill, Nebraska, and having been admitted to the bar in that state, resumed the practice of law and was elected judge of the district court. He died at O'Neill. His first wife having passed away November 24, 1883, in August, 1885 he married Maria Magers, of an old family of O'Neill. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell: Elbert C., who is now engaged in farming in Camp township; Lida E., who lives at home; Mary E., the wife of Jesse Tyler, of Ames, Iowa; and Celia O., who is also living at home.

Mr. Mitchell gives his political allegiance to the republican party and has served as road supervisor of his township for several years. Religiously he affiliates with the Christian church, while his wife and daughters are members of the Seventh Day Adventists. The members of the family are all earnest seekers for the truth and active in good works.

GEORGE M. KING.

The business circles of Des Moines find a capable representative in George M. King, president of the George M. King Electric Manufacturing Company. He has won his way to leadership in his department of activity by the applica- tion of sound principles and by practical knowledge gained through years of un- daunted perseverance. He is a native of Iowa, having been born in Jefferson county, November 4, 1879, a son of Thomas H. McGovern, who was born in Ireland in April, 1845. The father came to America in his boyhood and after attaining his majority engaged in the meat business and as a farmer, subsequently becoming superintendent of coal mines in Polk county and continuing in that capacity for fifteen years. At the time of the Civil war he enlisted in an Illinois regiment, serving under General Grant at Vicksburg and taking part later in many important engagements. He was honorably mustered out as sergeant of his company.

George M. King was only thirteen months old when his mother died and he was then cared for by his father's sister, Mrs. George B. King, whose name he bears and in whose home he grew to manhood. He acquired his education in the graded district school and began the study of electricity, which he soon found to be one of the most interesting subjects that can occupy the attention of any ambi- tious young man. He advanced by gradual stages and in 1907 established the George M. King Electric Manufacturing Company, which has proven a success even from the start. The business is carefully systematized and the establish-

GEORGE M. KING

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ment is completely equipped along all lines that prevail in the best concerns of the kind. Mr. King is also president of the Canada Arrester Company and the Oklahoma Light and Arrester Company, finding his time well occupied in the many duties that arise from day to day.

On the 22d of August, 1900, he was united in marriage at Des Moines to Miss Marguerite Baird. Her father was formerly engaged in farming but moved to Des Moines, becoming a member of the well known firm of Longman & Baird, wholesale meat dealers. Three children have blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. King: Robert M., born May 20, 1901; Marguerite May, born Jan- uary I, 1903; and Marine, born August 18, 1905. The two older children are now attending the Lucas school.

Mr. King gives his support to the republican party, believing that by so doing he is advancing the permanent interests of the state and nation. He is a consistent member of the Methodist church and is also connected with the An- cient Order of United Workmen, and along business lines with the Des Moines Ad Men's Club. He early was forced upon his own resources and thus ac- quired self-confidence which is so necessary in the development of a success- ful business career. He is earnest, energetic and capable, never slighting any expense of time or labor if it will add to his efficiency in the work to which he is deeply attached. A devotee of the rod and gun, he finds recreation in the open air, close to the heart of nature, rather than in the club room or in social diversions.

FREW L. HAYS.

One of the well known residents of Urbandale is Frew L. Hays, who was born in Marshall county, Iowa, on the 3d of September, 1873, and is a son of Samuel and Lovisa (Clark) Hays, natives of Pennsylvania and Iowa, respec- tively. The father, who was a carpenter and contractor, began teaching school at the age of nineteen, which vocation he followed for several years in the Keystone state, after which he removed to Illinois. Responding to his country's call in 1864 Samuel Hays enlisted in a company of Illinois volunteers, going to the front in the Union cause. Upon being mustered out he came to Iowa and located in Marshall county, where he engaged in farming for some time, after which he bought land in Adams county. Disposing of this at the end of a

. year he removed to Audubon county, buying two hundred and forty acres of land, which he cultivated for fourteen years, and at the end of that time he sold and bought one hundred and ninety acres in Greene county. Leasing the latter place he went to Calhoun county, where he rented a section of land in order to keep his sons well occupied, continuing to reside there for two years. Having traded his Greene county farm for land in Nebraska he removed to that state, engaging in the cultivation of his farm for two years, when he re- turned to Iowa. He joined his son Frew L. at Gilmore City, where they engaged in blacksmithing and carpentering, the father looking after the latter portion of the business. This arrangement lasted for three years, during which time he traded some city property for one-half section of timber land

in Missouri. Having accepted a railroad contract for supplying timbers he started south to superintend the clearing of his land in November, 1898, but passed away before reaching his destination. His widow, who is now fifty- eight years of age, makes her home in Jefferson, Iowa.

The boyhood and youth of Frew L. Hays were largely spent in Audubon county, in the district schools of which he obtained his education. Leaving home at the age of sixteen he went to Loherville, Iowa, to become apprenticed to a blacksmith and cabinetmaker. Having finished his trades he worked for

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others until 1893, when he bought a shop at Pomeroy, operating the same for two years. At the end of that time he sold out and went to Rhodes, Iowa, where he remained for a year, and then to Gilmore City cooperating with his father in a shop for three years. Disposing of his interests when his father went to Missouri, he located in Jefferson, where he remained until 1900, and then removed to Des Moines, buying an interest in the business of George Reese at 425 East Grand avenue, where they conducted a first-class horseshoe- ing shop for five years. Selling out in 1905 he removed to the west side, opening a shop at 312 West Grand avenue, which he conducted for two years. Again disposing of his business Mr. Hays came to Urbandale in 1907 and opened a general blacksmith shop, which he continues to run. Shortly after locating here he built some feed sheds, which have proven to be very profitable as he has done a large business in connection therewith ever since their erection. He has more recently erected a nice two story building and is now conducting a grocery store and meat market in addition to his other interests. He keeps a good and well selected stock of groceries as well as a nice line of meats, which together with the efficient and gracious service of his employes has been the means of building up a large patronage. Mr. Hays is a man possessed of excellent business ability and is meeting with success in all of his ventures. He owns two acres of land in Urbandale upon which his store, shop and feed sheds are located, besides which he has a nice residence lot in Des Moines and a half section of timber land in Missouri.

On the 3rd of July, 1895, Mr. Hays married Miss Amy E. Ewalt, a daughter of David and Rebecca (Garber) Ewalt, the father a native of Penn- sylvania and the mother of Ohio. Mr. Ewalt came to Iowa in the 50's, locating in Polk county, where he farmed rented land for several years and then bought property in Marshall county, continuing to cultivate it until 1883, when he re- moved to Nebraska. He remained there but one year, during which time Mrs. Ewalt passed away. Returning to Iowa in 1884, he opened a meat market in Melbourne, which he conducted for one year, and then removed to the farm in Marshall county, sixteen miles north of Marshalltown, which he is still operat- ing. To Mr. and Mrs. Hays have been born the following children: Albert L., born August 5, 1896; Arthur R., born in 1899; Kenneth F., born in 1903; Dale H., born in 1907; and Doris L., born in 1908.

The family attend the Methodist Episcopal church, in which the parents hold membership. Mr. Hays fraternally is identified with the Red Men, the Knights of Pythias, Modern Woodmen of America, Brotherhood of American Yeomen, Woodmen of the World, Knights of the Maccabees, the Highland Nobles and others. In matters politic his views accord with the principles of the republi- can party. He does not actively participate in civic affairs, however, preferring to devote his time and attention to the development of his private interests, nevertheless he casts a ballot on election day for the candidates of his party. Although he has resided in Urbandale but a few years during that time he has shown himself to be a worthy citizen and capable business man and is esteemed accordingly.

HERBERT C. THOMPSON.

One of the energetic and progressive agriculturists of Webster township, who resides upon a farm of one hundred and twenty acres which he has placed under a high state of cultivation, is Herbert C. Thompson, who is a native of Wisconsin, his natal day being the 20th of May, 1874. His mother was originally from Ohio, but his father was born in Norway, and on coming to America located in Wisconsin, whence he brought his family to Iowa in 1876, first

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locating in Story county but later removing to Polk county, where they settled upon eighty acres of land. Mr. Thompson continued to cultivate this until 1892, at which time he disposed of it, and removed to Dallas county, where he bought one hundred and twenty acres, which he continues to operate.

Being reared at home Herbert C. Thompson acquired his education in the district schools of Dallas county, remaining a member of the paternal house- hold until he had attained the age of twenty-two years, during which time he had become thoroughly familiar with the best methods of cultivating the soil and raising cattle, owing to the careful direction and supervision of his father. Thus feeling fully competent to begin work upon his own responsibility he rented one hundred and twenty acres of land in 1896 and in the spring of 1904 he rented two hundred and forty acres, which he continued to farm for five years. By capable management and careful expenditure he obtained during that time the necessary means to purchase his present farm. That Mr. Thomp- son has not over estimated his ability is attested by the fact that since pur- chasing his property he has made over two thousand dollars worth of improvements, in addition to the purchase of implements and other incidental expenses attached to the operation of a farm. He devotes a great deal of attention to the raising of cattle, always keeping about forty head and eight of horses, while he markets one hundred and fifty hogs per year.

Mr. Thompson was united in marriage on the IIth of June, 1903, to Miss Alta Allen, a daughter of Achson M. and Emma (Hunt) Allen, the father a native of Green county, Wisconsin, and the mother of Illinois. Mr. Allen came to Iowa with his mother when a lad of eight years, locating at Campbell, Walnut township, Polk county. After attaining manhood he engaged in farming, con- tinuing to be identified with agricultural pursuits in Dallas and, Polk counties until he passed away in 1908. Mrs. Allen still survives and is now fifty-seven years of age. Three children have been born unto Mr. and Mrs. Thompson : William Allen, born in March, 1904; Harold Herbert, born November 1, 1907 ; and Florence, born December 13, 1909.

Although Mr. and Mrs. Thompson attend religious services they do not affiliate with any denomination. He supports the men and measures of the republican party but does not aspire to public honors or the emoluments of office, preferring to concentrate his thought and energy on the development of his private interests. He is meeting with success in his ventures and is rapidly gaining recognition as one of the capable and substantial farmers of Webster township.

JASPER M. BECK.

Since pioneer days the Beck family has been identified with the agricultural interests of Polk county, and among its present representatives must be men- tioned Jasper M. Beck, who was born in this county, October 20, 1864. He is a son of Josiah and Cynthia (McDowell) Beck, natives of Montgomery county, Indiana. In 1853 the parents came to Iowa, settling upon one hundred and sixty acres of government land in Jefferson township, this county. After having improved and placed this property under cultivation, Mr. Beck purchased a piece of timber land, which he cleared, continuing to operate his farm until his death, which occurred in October, 1896, at the age of seventy-two. Mrs. Beck had passed away nine years previously at the age of fifty-five, her demise occurring on the 28th of November, 1887.

The early years in the life of Jasper M. Beck were spent upon the home- stead, in the work of which he assisted from his earliest boyhood. In the acquirement of his education he attended the district schools until he had ob-

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tained sufficient knowledge of the common branches to enable him to assume the real work of his life, at which time he laid aside his school books and gave his entire time and attention to the work of the farm. He remained at home, working for his father, until he was twenty-one years of age. In 1885 he invested his savings in forty acres of land in Jefferson township, which he cultivated for two years. At the expiration of that period he disposed of his property and went west and for seven years thereafter he worked in the saw- mills of Washington. Returning to Polk county in 1894 he again engaged in agricultural pursuits. After receiving his interest in the old homestead, follow- ing the death of his father, he located there and enlarged his tract by purchasing the shares of some of the other heirs. Success having attended his efforts,

Mr. Beck has added to his holdings at different times until he now owns one hundred and twenty acres. He has made very extensive improvements upon his farm during the past three years, having erected a new residence, barns and other outbuildings. The property is well cared for, the grounds and build- ings being nicely kept, and it presents a most pleasing as well as prosperous appearance. Mr. Beck has been fortunate in his ventures and now owns one of the valuable and well stocked farms of the township. He keeps about forty- five head of cattle and six horses and raises about a hundred hogs every year. In December, 1907, Mr. Beck married Miss Olive Heigh, a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Askew) Heigh, natives of England, from which country they emigrated to the United States, first locating in New Hampshire, where the father worked in a woolen factory and later bought an interest in the same. In 1861 they came to Iowa, buying a farm three miles west of Valley Junction, which Mr. Heigh improved and operated until his death in 1877. His widow, who is now seventy-six years of age, makes her home in Des Moines.

His political rights Mr. Beck exercises in support of the men and measures he deems best adapted to subserve the interests of the majority, irrespective of party affiliation. Both he and his wife affiliate with the Christian church, in the work of which organization they take a helpful interest.

SAMUEL MCCAULEY.

Iowa has drawn a vast portion of her citizenship from various states in the Union and also from many parts of the old world, and her foreign element has played a prominent part in the development of her natural resources. Among the valued residents whom Ireland has contributed is Samuel McCauley, who was born in that country on the 17th of May, 1833, a son of Robert and Martha (McJenkins) McCauley. The parents were also natives of Erin, where their entire lives were spent. The father was a farmer and miller by occupa- tion and also engaged extensively in the cattle business. `He passed away in . 1891 and his wife's death occurred two years later.

The Emerald isle remained the home of Samuel McCauley throughout the early period of his life, and in the schools of his native country he began his education, which was later supplemented by study in the United States. Early in his career rumors came to him of the excellent opportunities offered by the new world to men of enterprise and ambition, and he was only seventeen years of age when he determined to seek a fortune in America. He therefore bade adieu to home and friends and made the long journey across the Atlantic, land- ing in Philadelphia in July, 1850. His initial step in the business world here was as a farm hand, being thus engaged for two years, after which he began learning the blacksmith's trade with a Mr. Black, continuing with him for about eight months or until Mr. Black's death, after which he gave up that occupation and came west, locating in Des Moines, Iowa. For about two years he worked

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in a sawmill at this city and then returned to Pennsylvania, there being em- ployed in a malt house for a similar period. Again coming to Polk county, Iowa, he became identified with agricultural pursuits on his own account, on a tract of eighty acres in Washington township, which he had purchased during his previous residence here. With characteristic energy he began its develop- ment and improvement and this place formed the nucleus of his present fine estate. As the years passed and his financial resources permitted he added to his original holdings until he is now the owner of seven hundred and twenty acres of land in Polk county, all of which he has brought to a high state of cultivation. He now makes his home on one of his farms in Elkhart township and carries on general farming, being numbered among the substantial agri- culturists and large landowners of that section.

In 1861 Mr. McCauley was married to Miss Annie Beltz, a native of Austria, whose father, a boiler-maker by trade, came to this country at a very early day, locating in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, which remained his home until his death. Unto Mr. and Mrs. McCauley have been born seven children, as fol- lows: Andrew, a farmer of Washington township; Robert, residing with his father on the home place; Charles E., who is married and is living in Michigan ; Elizabeth, residing in Ames, Iowa; Gertrude, deceased; Mamie, the wife of W. B. Atkison, of Washington township, Polk county; and one daughter who died in infancy.

At the beginning of the Civil war Mr. McCauley enlisted for service, going to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, but the company of which he was a member was not accepted. He is a faithful member of the Presbyterian church and gives his political support to the democratic party. Although he has long since passed the Psalmist's allotted span of three score years and ten, he is yet active in the world's work and takes a deep interest in local affairs. Although his life has been quietly spent it has been productive of much good and he has never had occasion to regret his decision to seek a home in this country, for here success has come to him in substantial measure as a result of indefatigable energy and earnest labor, and he enjoys the confidence and esteem of a large circle of warm friends.

WALTER POWELL.

Walter Powell, who is residing on a well tilled farm of eighty acres in . Jefferson township, was born in England on the 12th of February, 1861. His parents, John and Margaret (Williams) Powell, emigrated from the mother country to the United States in 1868, locating in Polk county, Iowa. The father, who was a farmer, first cultivated rented land but finally acquired three .hun- dred and twenty acres in Jefferson township, which his son William is now operating. The mother passed away in May, 1908, but the father is still living and continues to make his home on the farm.

Walter Powell, who was only a lad of seven years, when the family came to the United States, was reared in Polk county, acquiring his education in the district schools. After laying aside his text-books he assisted his father with the work of the farm until he was twenty-one, at which time he rented land and cultivated it for several years. He subsequently went west, residing for a time in California, and from there he went to Colorado, where he remained for five years. At the expiration of that period he returned to Polk county and in 1899 he bought his present home in Jefferson township. He has effected many improvements upon this property during the period of his occupancy and has met with success in its cultivation. In addition to the cultivation of his fields he raises cattle, marketing about fifty head of hogs every year.

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For his wife Mr. Powell chose Miss Jessie McAfee, their union being solemnized on the 23d of April, 1908. Mrs. Powell is a daughter of James and Sallie (Calendar) McAfee, the father a native of Ohio and the mother of Polk county. Mr. McAfee came to Iowa in his early manhood, locating in Des Moines, where for many years he has been engaged in the transfer business. He is now sixty-seven years of age, while his wife is fifty-six. Both Mr. and Mrs. Powell affiliate with the Christian church, while his political views coincide with those of the republican party, for whose candidates he casts his ballot.

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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 131

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