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 135

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 135

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In November, 1892, Mr. Mosier was united in marriage to Miss Alma Stan- ford, a daughter of Miles and Elizabeth (Ladd) Stanford, natives of Indiana. The father came to Iowa in the early '50s, locating in 1853 on the farm which Mr. Mosier is now cultivating and upon which Mrs. Mosier was born in 1873. He owned this until his death, which occurred in 1901. Mrs. Stanford is still living at the age of seventy-two years. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Mosier, as follows: Allen L., who is now fifteen years of age; Eldon S., ten; and Charlotte E., who has passed the fourth anniversary of her birth.

They affiliate with the Congregational church, and Mr. Mosier gives his political support to the republican party. He has always taken an active part Vol. II-56

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in township affairs and is at present serving as trustee. Left an orphan at the age of twelve years, Mr. Mosier has always made his own way unaided and the position he has attained is due to his energy and perseverance, as well as the good judgment and business ability he has at all times exhibited in his under- takings.

WILLIAM B. SCOTT.

William B. Scott, owning and operating a well improved farm of two hun- dred and eighty-five acres in Elkhart township, is an agriculturist whose labors have been attended with a gratifying measure of success. His birth occurred in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, on the 31st of July, 1849, his parents being Robert and Mary (Drake) Scott, who were likewise natives of the Keystone state. They came to Iowa in 1867, first locating near Keokuk, Lee county, where they resided from April until September of that year. Subsequently they took up their abode four miles west of Newton in Jasper county, where Robert Scott operated a rented farm for ten years. On the expiration of that period he re- moved to Story county and purchased a tract of one hundred and twenty acres ten miles south of Nevada, improved the property and there carried on his agricultural interests for fourteen years. He then put aside the active work of the fields, sold the place to his son and took up his abode in Maxwell, Iowa, where he lived retired until the death of his wife in March, 1905. He has now attained the venerable age of eighty-eight and for the past six years has made his home with his son in Missouri.

William B. Scott was reared and educated in Pennsylvania and also attended school in Iowa for one term. He remained on the home farm until twenty-six years of age and then started out as an agriculturist on his own account, culti- vating rented land for one year. At the end of that time he bought a farm of ninety acres in Jasper county, devoting his attention to its operation until the fall of 1881, when he sold the property and came to Elkhart township, Polk county. Here he purchased eighty acres of partially improved land and began its further cultivation and improvement. As his financial resources increased, owing to his well directed industry and capable management, he extended the boundaries of his farm by additional purchase until it now embraces two hun- dred and eighty-five acres of rich and productive land. In connection with the tilling of the soil he devotes considerable attention to live stock interests, keeping forty-eight head of cattle and twenty-one head of horses and raising one hundred head of hogs annually.

Mr. Scott has been married twice. In 1878 he wedded Mrs. Laura Reed Evans, a daughter of John M. and Sarah Reed, who were natives of Indiana and Pennsylvania respectively. By that union there were two children, namely : Carl R., thirty years of age a graduate of Iowa State College, follows farming near Mitchellville; and Walter R., a young man of twenty-eight, is engaged in farming in Madison county, near Truro. The wife and mother was called to her final rest in March, 1885, and in November, 1886, Mr. Scott was again married, his second union being with Miss Caroline Heileman, a daugh- ter of Fred and Caroline (Huttenlocher) Heileman, both of whom were na- tives of Stuggart, Wurtemberg, Germany. Her father emigrated to America in 1847, locating in New York, where he clerked in different stores for several years. The mother came in 1853 and they were married about 1860. On the 5th of June, 1861, at Providence, Rhode Island, Mr. Heileman enlisted for service in the Union army as a member of Company E, Second Rhode Island Volunteer Infantry, under Captain Isaac Rodman and Colonel Wheaton. On the expira- tion of his term, three years later, he was honorably discharged and went to Wisconsin, where he resided for two years. In 1867 he came to Des Moines,

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Iowa, and embarked in business as a restaurant proprietor, conducting the first restaurant on the east side of the city. In 1876 he purchased and took up his abode on a farm near Ankeny, devoting his attention to its further cultivation and improvement until 1884, when he disposed of the property and bought a tract of land in Story county. To the operation and improvement of that farm he gave his time and energies until he passed away in 1906 at the age of seventy- four years. His widow, who has now attained the age of seventy-eight, makes her home with a daughter in Greeley, Colorado.

Unto our subject and his wife have been born four children, as follows: Willis W., a young man of twenty-one, who is still under the parental roof ; Ruth, aged eighteen years, who is now teaching school; and Horace and Anna M., who are seventeen and ten years of age respectively.

In politics Mr. Scott is a republican, loyally supporting the men and meas- ures of that party. He has acted as trustee and has also served in the capacity of school director for ten years. His wife and children are faithful members of the Methodist church. In the community where they reside they are much esteemed as people of genuine worth, manifesting those sterling traits of char- acter which in every land and clime awaken confidence and regard.

CHARLES EDGAR THOMPSON, D. O.

Among the well known and popular members of the medical profession in Des Moines must be numbered Dr. Charles Edgar Thompson, who for five years most capably filled the position of president of The Still College of Oste- opathy. A native of Illinois, his birth occurred at Momence, Kankakee county, on the 14th of December, 1864, his parents being John M. and Phoebe J. (Mott) Thompson. John M. Thompson migrated from New York to Michigan with his parents in pioneer days and there he was reared and educated. After he at- tained his manhood he married Phoebe J. Mott, whose parents lived in Canada, where the father engaged in agricultural pursuits. Shortly after their marriage the young couple removed to Illinois, locating in Kankakee county, where they bought a farm, in the cultivation of which the father spent the remainder of his active life.

The early years of Charles Edgar Thompson were spent in the unvaried routine which characterizes life upon the farm. He attended the district school, giving his father such assistance in the work of the farm as his strength and time warranted, after which he was permitted to indulge in the recreations which appeal to young lads. Upon the completion of the course in the common schools he attended Ewing College, from which institution he received the de- gree of Bachelor of Arts with the class of 1888. In this college he was professor of Latin and Greek for six years. He also taught in high schools four years, during which period he continued his studies and was awarded the Master's de- gree by his alma mater. At the expiration of that time he was offered the chair of Latin and Greek in the Baptist College at Decatur, Texas, which he filled for two years. During this period he had given evidence of the possession of strong powers of administration which were recognized by the board of regents who elected him to the position of president. He resigned that office at the end of two years to accept the position of professor of Greek and Latin at the Mary Nash College at Sherman, Texas. Owing to the failing health of Mrs. Thompson he felt impelled to withdraw from this in 1899 and came to Des Moines in order that she might have the benefit of more competent medical skill than could be obtained in Sherman. Under osteopathic treatment she entirely recovered her health, which for some time they had feared would never be re-

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stored. The simple and practical methods of this school combined with the effi- cacy of their treatment appealed to Dr. Thompson so strongly that he decided to take the professional course. Thereupon he entered Dr. S. S. Still College of Osteopathy, graduating in the class of 1902 with the degree of D. O. His thorough preliminary preparation together with his experience as a teacher made him a most desirable adjunct to the faculty, and he was retained to teach chemistry, which subject he had taught while pursuing his two year medical course. Later he also had classes in the practice of osteopathy, gynecology and symtomatology. Upon the reorganization of the college in 1905 Dr. Thompson was elected president and most ably and satisfactorily he filled that position until 1910, at which time he was forced to resign owing to his private practice which ·had increased to such an extent that it required all of his time and attention, making it impossible for him to give the requisite consideration to the exacting demands made upon a presiding officer.

On June 6, 1895, Dr. Thompson was united in marriage to Miss Roberta Carr, a daughter of Dr. J. C. D. Carr, of Galatia, Illinois, and unto them has been born one child, Dorothy Octavia. The family attend the services of the Baptist church, of which they are members. The Doctor has been superintend- ent of the Sunday school, while Mrs. Thompson has always taken a very active and helpful part not only in Sunday school but in missionary and charitable work. Although he has always been too absorbed in the advancement of his profession to actively participate in politics, Dr. Thompson meets the demands of good citizenship by' casting a ballot at election for the candidates of the re- publican party, the principles of which body he is a most ardent advocate. Al- though he has been a resident of Des Moines for only ten years the time has been sufficiently long for his qualities as a man and physician to be recognized and appreciated, as is attested by his rapidly growing practice.

. DANIEL S. MEYERS.

Daniel S. Meyers, a well known farmer and stock-raiser of Washington township, was born in that township, July 2, 1872, his parents being Samuel and Barbara (Klingaman) Meyers, both of whom were natives of Somerset county, Pennsylvania. The father, who was an agriculturist by occupation, followed farming in Indiana at an early day and in 1856 journeyed across the country in a covered wagon to Johnson county, Iowa, where he carried on general farming for one year. In 1857 he came to Polk county, purchasing a tract of one hundred and sixty acres in Washington township and devoting his attention to its improvement and cultivation throughout the remainder of his life. His death occurred May 15, 1902, while his wife was called to her final rest in January, 1911, the community thus losing two of its most respected and substantial residents.

Daniel S. Meyers acquired his education in the district schools of this county and has remained on the home farm from his birth to the present time. He early became familiar with the duties and labors which fall to the lot of the agriculturist and since the death of his father has operated the old homestead. The estate has not yet been settled, there being eleven children or heirs to the farm of one hundred and sixty acres, which is valued at two hundred dollars an acre. In connection with the tilling of the soil Mr. Meyers raises fifty head of hogs annually and also keeps twelve head of horses and twenty-eight head of cattle.

In October, 1906, Mr. Meyers was united in marriage to Miss Birdella Hutson, a daughter of Luther and Ann (Tomlinson) Hutson, natives of Indiana and Maryland respectively. In the early '6os her paternal grandfather, James

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Hutson, came from Indiana with his family and settled in Washington town- ship, Polk county, Iowa, where his son Luther grew to manhood. In early life the latter followed school-teaching but later turned his attention to the painter's trade and worked at that occupation for a number of years. At the present time he is living retired in Peoria, Polk county, enjoying the evening of life in well earned ease. His wife died on the 17th of July, 1908. Mr. and Mrs. Meyers have one child, James, who is now three years of age.

In politics Mr. Meyers is a republican, while fraternally he is identified with the Modern Woodmen of America. He and his wife attend the Dunkard church and are well known and highly esteemed throughout the community.

WILLIS B. JOHNSON.

One of those who have but recently become associated with the business activities of Des Moines is Willis B. Johnson, who a little more than a year ago bought an interest in the Des Moines Silo Manufacturing Company, with which he continues to be identified. He was born in Fayette county, Iowa, on the 12th of September, 1873, a son of Albert and Helen (Bunton) Johnson. The father, who was born in Illinois in 1848, came to Iowa with his parents when four years of age and located on a farm in Fayette county, where he has since continuously lived. The mother is a native of Wisconsin, her birth occurring in Janesville in 1853, and she is a daughter of Willis Bunton, who was originally from Kentucky, a well known circuit rider in the pioneer days of Wisconsin, where he spent the latter years of his life.

Willis B. Johnson was reared on the farm where he was born, obtaining his early education in the district schools of Fayette county, and later he entered the commercial department of the Upper Iowa University, from which he was graduated in 1892. He later attended the Iowa State College at Ames, taking a course in both the dairy and mechanical engineering departments, and being awarded his certificate from the former in 1894. Returning to Fayette county after the completion of his course at Ames, in 1895, he became identified with a number of farmers cooperative creamery associations, with which he was successfully identified for nine years. In 1904 he entered the employ of Simp- son, McIntire & Hyde, who had the contract for furnishing butter to the gov- ernment, as superintendent of their butter department, continuing in their ser- vice for two years. At the end of that period he received the appointment of assistant food and dairy commissioner for the state of Iowa, the duties of which office he discharged in a manner highly creditable to his department until Jan- uary, 1910, when he resigned his position and bought an interest in the Des Moines Silo Manufacturing Company.

In Fayette county on the 10th of May, 1899, Mr. Johnson married Miss Lucy A. Hunt, a daughter of Ruben and Elizabeth Hunt, who for many years were residents of Fayette. They are now both deceased, the mother passing away in 1900 and the father in 1907. Three children have been born unto Mr. and Mrs. Johnson: Helen Elizabeth, who was born on the Ist of July, 1900, and is now attending the Whittier school; Albert R., who was born on the 29th of July, 1902, and is attending the Whittier school; and Gladys Mildred, whose birth occurred on the 28th of September, 1908.

The family attend the services of the Methodist Episcopal church, while Mr. Johnson is also affiliated with the Masonic fraternity, through the medium of York Lodge, No. 202, A. F. & A. M., and the Brotherhood of American Yeomen. In matters political Mr. Johnson always remains independent, casting his ballot for the men or measures he feels are best adapted to meet the exigences of the situation at the time being, and although he takes an interest in all civic:

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affairs he does not actively participate in political agitations. He is a man who takes great pride in his family and devotes as much time as he can spare in his home, where he finds his greatest enjoyment.

WILLIAM HENRY TITUS.

William Henry Titus, who is living on a farm on section 28, Bloomfield township, where he engages in the dairy business, was born on his present farm on the Ioth of February, 1880. His father, Henry A. Titus, who was a native of Vermont, came to Iowa from the former state in 1859, locating near Ottumwa, where he entered the employ of an uncle who was a merchant. After clerking there for eighteen months he took a position in a store in Ottumwa, which he retained for two years, and then went on the road as a traveling salesman for a nursery company. He followed this for seven years, at the end of which period he bought forty acres of land on section 28, Bloomfield township, which be began cultivating. He made many improvements upon his place during the period of his occupancy, erecting a nice residence, substantial barns and out- buildings in addition to making many minor changes, all of which enhanced the appearance as well as the value of the property. Mr. Titus continued to operate his farm until he passed away on the 27th of June, 1906. His widow still survives him at the age of sixty-three years.

Being reared at home William Henry Titus obtained his education in the district schools of his native township, but when he had acquired such knowl- edge as he felt fitted him to assume the heavier responsibilities of life he laid aside his text-books and assisted his father in the cultivation of the farm. He continued to reside with his parents until he was married, at which time he withdrew from agricultural pursuits in order to engage in teaming. After following this for a year he returned to the homestead and engaged in dairying, in which venture he has met with marked success, and in connection with his brother-in-law now owns twenty head of cattle and five horses. He has erected a fine residence for himself during this time, while the careful supervision and care he has bestowed upon the land has brought it to a high state of cultivation, and it is recognized as one of the model farms in that section.

Mr. Titus married Miss Martha Martin on the 23d of October, 1901. Mrs. Titus is a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Parks) Martin, natives of England, who located in Iowa in 1881. While living in the mother country Mr. Martin was a coal miner but ever since he came to Iowa has been engaged in the grocery business and is now conducting a store on Park avenue and Ninth street, Des Moines. Three children have been born unto Mr. and Mrs. Titus : Mary L., now eight years of age; Henry A., a little lad of three; and William H., who has passed his first year. Their faith conforms to that of the Christian denomination, with which they are identified by membership, while in matters politic Mr. Titus affiliates with the republican party. Although he does not actively participate in local matters of government he meets the requirements of good citizenship by casting a ballot at election for the candidates of his party.

LEWIS F. ROTHFUS.

Lewis F. Rothfus, a prosperous and enterprising agriculturist of Allen township, is the owner of a well improved farm of two hundred and forty acres on sections 30 and 31. His birth occurred in Germany in 1859, his parents being Gottlob and Hannah Rothfus, who were likewise natives of that country. They

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crossed the Atlantic to the United States in June, 1864, first locating in Warren county, Iowa, while in 1869 they came to Polk county. Both have passed away, the father dying in January, 1895, and the mother May 15, 1910.

Lewis F. Rothfus, who was the fifth in order of birth in a family of eight children, was a little lad of five years when he accompanied his parents on their emigration to the new world. In the acquirement of an education he attended the common schools. After putting aside his text-books he chose the occupation of farming as a life work, and the success which has crowned his efforts as an agriculturist is evidence of the fact that his choice was a wise one. In 1880 he removed to South Dakota, there residing for two years, on the expiration of which period he went to Nebraska, where he made his home for ten years. In 1892 he returned to Polk county, locating in Allen township, where he has resided continuously since. He owns two hundred and forty acres of land on sections 30 and 31 and raises the cereals best adapted to soil and climate. The property is constantly increasing in value owing to the improvements he has placed upon it and by reason of the able manner in which he tills the soil, thus keeping it in good condition. His prosperity is attributable entirely to his own efforts, for he started out in life empty handed and unaided.

While living in Nebraska Mr. Rothfus was married, March 3, 1887, to Anna Ruff, a daughter of Mathias and Jacobine Ruff, natives of Germany. She died in the fall of 1891, leaving two children: John G., who was born October 27, 1888; and Clara K., who was born April 27, 1890, and died June 29, 1907. The son is still with his father. In 1894, at Des Moines, Mr. Rothfus married Miss Louise Eilbert, a native of Germany and a daughter of Ludwig and Fredricka Eilbert, who came to the new world in 1883. She is one of a family of twelve children. Her parents both died in Warren county, Iowa, the mother November 21, 1907, and the father August 29, 1903. By his second union Mr. Rothfus has two children: Helen R., born October 13, 1895; and Louis E., born April 7, 1904.

Mr. Rothfus gives his political allegiance to the democracy and has held the offices of trustee, school director and road supervisor. In religious faith he is a Lutheran. Mr. Rothfus is a man of high principles, his life being actu- ated by worthy purposes and characterized by honorable conduct in every rela- tion. Thus he has won the respect of his fellowmen and is numbered among the worthy residents of Polk county.

ALFRED DAHLSTROM.

Alfred Dahlstrom, who is prominently associated with the business interests of Des Moines, was born November 22, 1867, in Dahland, Sweden, a son of Swan and Christine (Swanson) Dahlstrom, who were also natives of Sweden. He received his early education in the public schools of that country and obtained his livelihood by working on a farm until 1887, in which year he determined to seek his fortune in the new world and emigrated to the United States. He first located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where he remained until November, 1888, when he came to Iowa, where he followed mining, and in 1897 he engaged in the livery business at 624 East Grand avenue, Des Moines, continuing there until February, 1910. In connection with this he started an undertaking estab- lishment in 1906, in which business he has been very prosperous as a direct result of his diligence, thrift and keen business acumen. He is a graduate of the Barnes School of Embalming of Chicago.

On October 15, 1898, Mr. Dahlstrom was united in marriage to Miss Augusta Swanson, of Des Moines, a daughter of Swan and Christina (Larson) Swan- son, the former of whom was a farmer in Sweden, where he was born in 1830.

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Mr. and Mrs. Dahlstrom are the parents of three children: Mabel, born Sep- tember II, 1899; Alice, born November 8, 1906; and Roy, born November 28, 1908.

In politics Mr. Dahlstrom belongs to the progressive element of the republican party, while fraternally he is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Woodmen of the World. In his religious faith he is a consistent member of the Swedish Lutheran church, in which he is a deacon and trustee. He is an admirer of all kinds of outdoor sports, in which he indulges during his leisure time. His home life is ideal, as he takes great pleasure in the society of his family, and as both a father and husband as well as a faithful friend he possesses the high regard and esteem of all who know him.

CHARLES C. PUGH.

Charles C. Pugh, of Des Moines, now giving much of his attention to the real-estate business, handling southern and western lands, was born in Dallas county, Iowa, near Dexter, December 18, 1865, the eldest child of William C. and Lovina C. Pugh, natives of Indiana and Illinois respectively. The father was descended from the cavalier stock of Virginia, in turn of Welsh lineage, while his wife descended indirectly from the Pennsylvania Dutch.

Charles C. Pugh was reared upon the home farm, remaining there until seventeen years of age, attending during the fall and winter the high school in Menlo, Iowa. For two years he filled the position of deputy postmaster at Menlo and in 1884 he was a student in Parsons College at Fairfield, this state. In 1885-6 he engaged in teaching in the country schools. He always possessed a studious nature and, it is said, would often neglect his plowing to sit beneath a tree and enjoy biography, history and travel-the three branches of literature most to his liking.

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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 135

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