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 137

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 137

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The last named acquired his education in the public schools of Des Moines, and on laying aside his text-books assisted his father in the cultivation of the home farm. Being an ambitious youth, however, and desiring further educa- tion, he attended classes at the Capital City Commercial College for five years during the long winter evenings. Not desiring to make agriculture his life occupation, at the end of that time he left the farm and accepted a position in Des Moines. At the end of three years he purchased a grocery store, which he conducted for eight years, and subsequently became identified with the Granite Brick Company, with which he was connected for eleven years. He then organized the Des Moines Building Material Company, dealing in building and contractors' supplies, in which he is still actively engaged.

On the 16th of November, 1892, was celebrated the marriage of John F. Keefner and Miss Jessie Fry. They have become the parents of four children, namely : Helen, who was born February 17, 1895, and is attending the East high school; Kathryn Barbara, who was born September 28, 1900, and is attend- ing the Webster school; Jessie Irene, who was born February 18, 1903, and is also in the Webster school; and Joseph, who was born May 29, 1905, and is in the kindergarten.

Mr. and Mrs. Keefner are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. By his ballot he supports the men and measures of the republican party but has never aspired to political honors. He has always been very fond of literature and has a large and well chosen library. He stands high in the esteem of his fellow citizens, and those who have known him from boyhood are numbered among his warmest friends.

THOMAS ROBERTSON.

Thomas Robertson, who owns one hundred and sixty acres of well improved and highly cultivated land in Bloomfield township, was born in Greenfield township, Warren county, Iowa, in March, 1861. He is a son of Mathew and May (MacMurdo) Robertson, natives of Scotland, who emigrated to the United States and located in Iowa in 1858. They entered one hundred and twenty acres of land in Warren county, which they immediately began to clear and cultivate, adding to their holdings from time to time as they were able until they had acquired considerable property. In 1870 they removed to Polk county, again engaging in agricultural pursuits until Mr. Robertson's demise in 1876. The mother survived him until 1908, passing away at the age of eighty-seven years. One hundred and sixty acres of the two hundred and eighty which comprised his estate were sold to the government and now form part of the army post.

Thomas Robertson was reared in Polk county and in the district schools he obtained his education. He was a lad of only fourteen years at the time

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of his father's death but the management and cultivation of the homestead thereafter devolved upon him. He remained with his mother until about twenty-three years of age, at which time he was married. Subsequent to this event he purchased eighty acres of land and began farming for himself, con- tinuing to reside upon that place, until 1909 when he sold the property to the government. Following this he removed to his present location, which is two and a half miles northwest of the army post, where he engages in general farming and stock-raising. This is one of the valuable farms of the township and during the period of his residence Mr. Robertson has always kept it in excellent condition. He devotes considerable attention to his stock and now has twenty-five head of cattle and eight head of horses. After the establish- ment of the army post he and his son opened a general store nearby, which they conducted four years and then discontinued, but Mr. Robertson still owns the property, however.

In 1885 Mr. Robertson was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Hastie, a daughter of Andrew and Elizabeth (Whitaker) Hastie. Her parents, who . were natives of Scotland, came to Iowa about 1860 and located in Warren county, where the father engaged in contracting. Later he followed farming until his death in November, 1910. The mother of Mrs. Robertson had passed away in 1868. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Robertson : Charles M., who is married and lives near the army post; George A., also married and living at home; Raymond V., who is eleven years of age; and Wilbur K., now in his ninth year.

The parents are communicants of the United Presbyterian church, while fraternally Mr. Robertson is affiliated with the Modern Woodmen of America and the Yeomen. Although he is an ardent republican he never actively par- ticipates in local political matters, always having preferred to devote his time and attention to the advancement of his private affairs. At the same time his interest in educational matters has caused him to serve as a school director for many years, in which capacity his services have been most satisfactory as his repeated election indicates.

ALBERT E. CARNEY.

One of the capable as well as prosperous agriculturists of Elkhart township is Albert E. Carney, who was born in the township where he now resides in October, 1871, and is a son of Hugh and Sarah (Lester) Carney. The father was a native of Ireland but of Scotch extraction, and the mother of London, England. Mr. Carney emigrated to the United States in his early manhood and engaged in grade contracting on railroads for several years. He subsequently purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land in Elkhart township, this county, which he immediately began improving and cultivating, continuing its operation until his death on the 22d of February, 1909. The mother still survives at the venerable age of seventy-five years.

Albert E. Carney was reared on the homestead where he was born, attending the district schools of Elkhart township in the acquirement of his education. His early years were not unlike those of the average farmer lad, for such time as he was not in school was very largely devoted to the work of the fields and such odd jobs about the homestead as were assigned by parental authority. He con- tinued at home until he was twenty-five years of age, when he was married, after which he farmed as a renter until 1909. Upon the death of his father he came into possession of one hundred and fifty acres of land, which he has ever since cultivated in connection with ninety acres which he rents. In connection with

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MR. AND MRS. HUGH CARNEY

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the cultivation of his fields he raises about seventy-five head of hogs annually and he keeps thirty head of cattle and twelve horses.

In June, 1896, Mr. Carney married Miss Elizabeth Nolan, a daughter of Charles and Bridget (Hartnett) Nolan. Her parents are natives of Ireland, whence they emigrated to the United States, locating in Polk county, Iowa, where the father engaged in farming for nearly forty years. Disposing of his interests here he then removed to Palo Alto county, where he continues to fol- low agricultural pursuits although he has attained the age of seventy years, while the mother is sixty-five.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Carney are communicants of the Roman Catholic church, and in politics he is a republican. He has met with most gratifying success in his work and in addition to his homestead owns one hundred and sixty acres of land in South Dakota. His entire life has been spent in the locality where he now resides, among whose citizens he numbers many friends who were the comrades of his boyhood.

WALTER CARNEY.

Fairview Farm is one of the attractive homesteads of Elkhart township. It is the property of Walter Carney, who was born in the township where he . now resides on the 16th of November, 1875. He is a son of Hugh and Sarah (Lester) Carney, the father a native of Ireland but of Scotch extraction, and the mother of London, England. Mr. Carney emigrated to the United States in early manhood and for some years after his arrival engaged in executing grade contracts on the railroad. He subsequently purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land in Elkhart township, in the cultivation of which he met with such excellent success that he became one of the extensive landowners of the township. He passed away on the 22d of February, 1909, but the mother still survives at the age of seventy-five years.

Reared on a farm, Walter Carney early became familiar with the tilling of the fields and care of the crops, having to assist in these operations while pur- suing his studies in the district schools. He remained a member of the parental household until he had attained his majority, devoting his time and attention to the work of the farm under the supervision of his father. Leaving home ne began his independent career as an agriculturist by renting land, which he cultivated until 1906. He then purchased forty acres, which he operated in connection with some rented land until after his father's death, when he came into possession of one hundred and fifty acres of his property. A capable agriculturist and good manager as well as business man, his ventures have been rewarded with very good success and in 1910 he increased his holdings by the addition of eighty acres. In 1911 he purchased another forty, his acreage now aggregating three hundred and thirty in Polk county and also one hundred and sixty acres in South Dakota. He is operating in addition to his own land eighty acres which he rents of his mother, thus having about four hundred acres under cultivation. In connection with the tilling of his extensive fields Mr. Carney raises one hundred hogs annually, keeps from forty to one hundred head of cattle and twenty horses. His various enterprises proving very lucrative he has a well improved, plentifully stocked and highly cultivated homestead.

On the 16th of April, 1900, Mr. Carney was united in marriage to Miss Minnie E. Sheehan, a daughter of William and Mary (Maxwell) Sheehan, the mother a native of Polk county and the father of Minnesota. Mr. Sheehan came to Polk county during pioneer days and engaged in farming for several years, but later turned his attention to railroading and has ever since followed . the latter vocation .. He and his wife are now living in Des Moines. To Mr. and Vol. II-57

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Mrs. Carney have been born five children, as follows: Edward Leo, who is a lad of nine years; Mary E., aged seven; William Hugh, now five; James Virgil, who is three; and Charles Walter, a babe of six months.

The family attend the Roman Catholic church, of which both Mr. and Mrs. Carney are communicants, and politically he is a republican. He has al- ways been too deeply engrossed in the development of his own interests, how- ever, to prominently participate in township activities but has served as school director. He is one of the prosperous agriculturists of his township, his success being very largely due to his energetic perseverance and intelligent direction of his affairs.

FRANCIS M. ELLIOTT.

The attractiveness of Iowa as a place of residence is indicated by the fact that many of her native sons have remained within her borders, believing that her advantages and opportunities are equal, if not superior, to those to be secured in other parts of the country. Francis M. Elliott was born in Elkhart township, Polk county, on the 5th of February, 1857, his parents being Abraham and Emeline (Cunningham) Elliott, both natives of Indiana. The Elliott family removed from Virginia to Kentucky at an early day and our subject's grand- father, William Elliott, subsequently became a resident of Indiana. In 1849 he came to lowa, accompanied by his sons, who remained in Henry county, this state, tor one year, but he proceeded to Polk county and entered claims for him- self and sons in Elkhart township, where they all subsequently located. The winter of 1850 was very severe and the grandfather was compelled to abandon his log cabin and seek shelter with the Indians, then located at the head of Cory Grove, in Elkhart township, on what is now known as the Peter Keller farm.

Abraham Elliott, the father of our subject, came to Iowa, as previously stated, in 1849, and first located near Fairfield, in Henry county, and a year later came to Polk county, locating upon the land in Elkhart township which his father had entered. To its cultivation and improvement he devoted his attention until 1870, in which year he sold that property and removed to Jewell county, Kansas, to make a homestead claim. On account of a heavy drought, however, ne did not remain in that state but drove back to Polk county, Iowa, purchasing another farm in Elkhart township, which remained his home until the time of his death. He passed away on the 4th of July, 1899, having long survived his wife, whose death occurred in July, 1875.

Reared on the home farm in Polk county, Francis M. Elliott attended the district schools of Elkhart township, and after completing his education con- centrated his efforts upon the work of the fields, giving his father the benefit of his assistance until he attained his majority. In the meantime he had learned much valuable information concerning the best methods of carrying on agri- cultural pursuits, and thus he was well equipped for an independent venture when he entered the business world on his own account. He first began as a renter, operating farms in that capacity until 1899, when he purchased his present farm of seventy-five acres in Elkhart township, which has since remained his home. Since his occupancy he has greatly improved the place and through wise management and close application has been able annually to reap abundant harvests, which have made his farming venture a paying proposition and which have placed him in comfortable circumstances, being now one of the substantial and prosperous agriculturists of the locality. +

In March, 1883, Mr. Elliott was united in marriage to Miss Margaret J. Law, a daughter of Andrew and Mary (Bell) Law, both natives of Ireland.

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In 1865 the father came to the United States, locating in Des Moines, Iowa, and there remained for one year, after which he rented a farm north of that city and in its operation he continued for three years. At the expiration of that period he removed to Lincoln township, Polk county, where he rented a farm for four years, and then went to Douglas township and purchased a tract of forty acres, to the improvement and development of which he devoted his energies for four years. Subsequently he sold that property and came to Elk- hart township, where he purchased one hundred and sixty acres, and on that farm he made his home while actively engaged in business. He added to this place from time to time until he became the owner of three hundred and seventy- eight acres of highly improved property. In 1905 he retired from agricultural . pursuits and returned to Des Moines, where he lived in the enjoyment of well earned rest until his death, on the 6th of February, 1910, when he had attained the age of seventy-eight years. His widow still survives, at the age of seventy- four years, and now makes her home in Des Moines. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Elliott have been born six children, as follows: Mary, aged twenty-seven years, who married Andrew Johnson, a farmer of Emmet county; Andrew A., aged twenty-four years, residing at home; Bertha V. K., aged twenty-two years, a resident of Des Moines; and Alvaretta, Harry and Othozone, aged twenty, fifteen and twelve years, respectively, all yet under the parental roof.

The family attend the United Brethren church and are prominent in the social circles of the community. Mr. Elliott is a republican in politics, believing that the principles of that party are best adapted to advance the public welfare. He served as constable of the township for ten years, has also acted as school director, and is deeply interested in the material and moral as well as the in- tellectual growth of the community. No public trust reposed in him has ever been betrayed in the slightest degree and his fidelity to honorable, manly prin- ciples has ever won for him the good-will and friendship of those with whom he has been brought in contact.

WILLARD J. COMBS.

The Iowa Machinery & Supply Company is widely known as one of the growing and profitable business enterprises of Des Moines. Its affairs have been conducted along lines that have met with general favor so that today, after an existence of a little more than twenty years, the name is familiar not only in Iowa but throughout many states of the west. Willard J. Combs, the founder of this organization and ever since one of its prominent factors, was born in Carroll county, Ohio, September 24, 1862, a son of William B. and Sarah A. (Drake) Combs, the latter of whom is now living in Chicago. The father was for a number of years engaged in the carriage manufacturing busi- ness in Carroll county, Ohio. At the time of the Civil war he was instrumental in organizing a company of volunteers who intercepted the Morgan Raiders, thus performing a service of great importance to the state. He continued in Ohio until his death, which occurred in 1896.

Willard J. Combs received his early education in a country schoolhouse in Brown township, Carroll county, Ohio, little dreaming that in later years he would become closely identified with one of the most beautiful cities of the west. As a boy he assisted his father upon the home farm and later was con- nected with the Sheppard Dry Goods Company for four years. His next ex- perience was with R. H. Parker & Company, of Youngstown, dealers in whole- sale notions. In 1886 he went to Altoona, Iowa, where he engaged in the grain business for twelve years, gaining an experience which has assisted him very materially in overcoming many difficulties that have since presented themselves.

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Seeing a favorable opening in Des Moines, he located in this city in 1889 and was associated with W. H. Baker under the title of the Iowa Machinery & Supply Company. Well managed from the start, the company made rapid headway and today it is one of the most favorably known concerns of the kind west of the Mississippi river. In 1904 Mr. Combs purchased the interest of Mr. Baker and the business is now in charge of Combs & Bramhall.

On the 26th of June, 1906, Mr. Combs was united in marriage to Miss Wilma Blagg, whose father is a well known brick manufacturer of Des Moines. Mr. and Mrs. Combs have two children: Willard James, born March 3, 1908; and Leona Louise, born June 25, 1910.

Mr. Combs fraternally is identified with Capital Lodge, No. II0, A. F. & A. M. He has for many years been a valued member of the Christian church and politically is a supporter of the democratic party. In his business career he has shown a high degree of enterprise, tempered by cool judgment, by which the various steps in the development of the Iowa Machinery & Supply Company have been wisely directed. A good judge of men, he possesses the qualities of mind and heart that attract others and strengthen the bonds of mutual esteem, making him one of the acknowledged leaders in the community. He has been governed by a high sense of justice, never seeking to advance his own interests by the overthrow of others. By this course, consistently pursued, he has gained the confidence and good-will of all who know him.

LARS O. LARSON.

Lars O. Larson, one of the extensive landholders and prominent citizens of Polk county, is the owner of one thousand acres in the state of Iowa, three hundred and fifty-five acres thereof being in Polk county. He is also a leading factor in financial circles as the president of the Bank of Huxley at Huxley, Iowa. His birth occurred in Illinois on the 28th of May, 1850, his parents being Oscar and Gonelda (Tegelend) Larson, both of whom were natives of Norway. His paternal grandfather was Lars Larson, of Aetna, Norway, living near Stowell, where he was engaged in farming, and there our subject's father was born and reared. The maternal grandfather, Torger Tegelend, was a farmer of Skonevig, Tegelend, Norway, which was the birthplace of his daugh- ter, Mrs. Larson. To Oscar Larson and wife were born three children, namely : Lars O., of this review ; Thomas, a farmer of Eagle Grove, Iowa; and Charles, a retired merchant of Des Moines. Our subject's parents emigrated to the United States in 1849, locating in Kendall county, Illinois, where the father purchased and improved a farm, being successfully engaged in its operation until 1855. He was a blacksmith by trade and worked at that occupation in connection with his farming interests. In 1855 he removed to Story county, Iowa, and bought a farm on section 30, Union township, paying a dollar and a quarter an acre for the property. He improved the place and was busily en- gaged in its operation until 1874, when he disposed of it to our subject. The remainder of his life was spent in honorable retirement on a tract of forty acres near Cambridge, Iowa, where he passed away on the IIth of January, 1900. His widow, who is still living at the age of eighty-six, makes her home in Des Moines.

Lars O. Larson was reared in Story county. this state, and attended the district schools in the acquirement of an education. He remained under the parental roof until twenty-three years of age, when he was married and started out as an agriculturist on his own account, operating a rented farm for two years. On the expiration of that period he purchased a tract of ninety acres from his father, devoting his attention to its cultivation until 1877, when he

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sold the property and took up his abode in Elkhart township, Polk county. Here he bought an improved farm of one hundred and forty-five acres and has been engaged in its operation continuously since, gradually adding more improvements until it is now a model property. As his financial resources increased he augmented his holdings by additional purchase until they now em- brace one thousand acres of valuable land in Iowa, three hundred and fifty-five acres thereof being in Polk county and the remainder in Story, Wright and Boone counties. He has won an enviable measure of success in the conduct of his agricultural interests and is also a prominent factor in financial circles, being now the president of the Bank of Huxley at Huxley, Iowa, and a stockholder in the Iowa Trust & Savings Bank of Des Moines and the Farmers. Savings Bank of Slater, Iowa. Fifteen years ago he organized the Farmers Coopera- tive Creamery Company of Huxley, Iowa, and served as its chief executive officer for several years. At the present time he is a director of the company.

In September, 1873, Mr. Larson was united in marriage to Miss Randy Sheldahl, a daughter of Osmond and Anna (Tesdahl) Sheldahl, both of whom were natives of Aetna, Sheldahl, Norway. Her paternal grandfather was Eric Sheldahl and her maternal grandfather was Halvor Tesdahl, of Aetna. On coming to the United States in 1845 her parents located in Kendall county, Illinois, where Mr. Sheldahl purchased a farm and' resided until 1855. In that year he removed to Story county, Iowa, where he purchased, improved and operated a farm until 1875, when he put aside the active work of the fields and took up his abode in Sheldahl, Iowa, which town was named in his honor. He was a minister of the Lutheran church and pastor of the Palestine church from 1859 to 1876. In Sheldahl, Iowa, he passed away on the 28th of May, 1900, and his wife was called to her final rest on the 5th of July, 1881.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Larson were born ten children, as follows: Julia, who is now the wife of Henry T. Wieeks, of Boone county, Iowa, and has two adopted children, Orvile and Stella; Osmond, a farmer of Story county, who married Sarah Westwold and has two children, Seward and Lawrence; Oscar, at home; Andrew, who married Nellie Michelson and is engaged in farming in Story county ; Louis, who died September 29. 1884; Lewis, at home; Anna, who died May 9, 1893 ; and Mary, Carrie and Henry, all three at home.

Mr. Larson is a republican in politics and has proved an able incumbent in several public offices. He served as trustee of Elkhart township for sixteen consecutive years, acted as a school director for a number of years and likewise held the office of road supervisor. In religious faith he and his family are Lutherans. His genuine personal worth and sterling traits of character have won him the unbounded confidence and esteem of the entire community and the respect and admiration of all with whom he has come in contact.

CHARLES A. SWANSON.

There are many apparently endowed with an indomitable will which over- comes all obstacles and nothing short of death itself can prevent them from accomplishing almost any object they may desire. To this class belongs Charles A. Swanson, of Des Moines. Self-educated and from his boyhood self-directed, he has won the favors of fortune and also an honorable name and today has' a large circle of friends who recognize in him those qualities that contribute most toward the development of a manly character. He was born in Sweden, January 10, 1857, a son of K. E. and Sophie (Johnson) Swanson, the latter of whom passed away at her old home in Sweden in 1909 at the advanced age of eighty years.

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Des Moines, the pioneer of municipal progress and reform of the middle West, together with the history of Polk County, Iowa, the largest, most populous and most prosperous county in the state of Iowa; Volume II, Part 137

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