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 14

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 14

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In January, 1862, Mr. Smith was appointed captain's clerk on the United States gunboat Kanawha, which was then in the navy yard at Brooklyn, New York. However, after looking over the situation he did not like the position and was given a clerkship in the dead letter office of the postal department at Washington, D. C. He served until February, 1864, when he was transferred to the office of the secretary of the treasury. Having decided to study law, he resigned in August, 1865, and entered a law school at Albany, New York, then the leading school of the kind in the United States, from which he was graduated with the degree of LL. B. in May, 1866.

Upon returning to Des Moines he entered into partnership with Joseph · Lyman and began the practice of his profession. But later, Mr. Lyman re- moving to Council Bluffs, the partnership was dissolved and he then became connected with E. J. Ingersoll, president of the Hawkeye Insurance Company, and engaged in several other business enterprises. In 1869 he resumed the practice of law, to which he was eminently adapted, and soon gained a high position in his profession. In October, 1874, he was elected district attorney for the fifth judicial district, comprising Polk, Dallas, Warren, Madison and Adair counties, and served with distinction for four years. It was during this time that he conducted the case against Henry Red and Andy Smith, two negroes, for the murder of Mrs. Ellen Barrett in rooms, over the store of J. McFarland, at the southeast corner of Seventh and Walnut streets. Although opposed by some of the best lawyers in the district Mr. Smith won his cause and the murderers were sent to the penitentiary where they ended their days.

In November, 1881, he was elected state senator, serving in the nineteenth and twentieth general assemblies, during the first of which he was elected chair- man of the committee on judicial districts, and in the twentieth assembly he served as chairman of the committee on dedication of the new capitol and in- auguration, the republican joint caucus committee and the committee on insur- ance, greatly adding to his reputation by his efficiency in these responsible positions.

However, he was yet to occupy a higher place, being elected in 1884 to fill the vacancy occasioned by the resignation of John A. Kasson as member of congress. He served with highest credit during the second session of the fifty- eighth congress and at the end of the term resumed his law practice which became quite extensive and continued to increase as the years passed. He was held in high esteem by his brethren at the bar for his ability, integrity and uniform courtesy. Socially he was a man of generous disposition and an active participant in the affairs of the community. In the early days he became greatly interested in amateur theatrical performances and succeeded in raising a fund which was the foundation for what is now the city library. Fraternally he was identified with the Masonic order, serving as grand master of the grand coun- cil of Royal and Select Master Masons from 1872 to 1874 and as past grand master of Pioneer lodge in 1874. Politically he was a republican to the core and no man was more earnest in advocacy of its candidates and principles. As

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a man he reflected the highest honor on himself and his profession and as a citizen he left a record to which his friends will ever point with pride.

Hiram Y. Smith, whose name introduces this review, received his early education in the public schools of Des Moines and later took the law course at Drake University. However, he was attracted to other lines and in 1905 be- came connected with the real estate business, associating with Mack Olsen until February 1, 1910, when he opened an office on his own account in the Citizens Bank building. He has confined his operations to city property and, being a man of good judgment and genial personality, he has, for one of his age, been unusually successful.

On the 23d day of January, 1909, Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Miss Arline Broderick, born at Monroe, Wisconsin, in February, 1888, a daugh- ter of John R. and Emma (Lemmel) Broderick. The father is manager of Fairbanks, Morse & Company, of Atlanta, Georgia.

Mr. Smith has followed in the footsteps of his father politically and gives his undivided support to the republican party. He is now fairly started on a promising career in a useful field. Social and genial in nature, he commands the esteem of all who know him, and as he has possessed unusual advantages of education and experience, his friends have just cause to prophecy that he. will win a goodly measure of success in the years to come.

JOHN H. BLAIR.

Twenty-five years ago John H. Blair took up his residence in Des Moines and as an attorney and financier he has been identified with the growth of the city and has contributed his share toward making it the most desirable place of residence and business in the state. He is a native of Belvidere, New Jersey, born July 6, 1863, and is a son of William and Henrietta (Halsey) Blair. The father was reared as a farmer in New Jersey. He came to Iowa in 1868 and located in Boone county, where he conducted a general store until 1881. He then engaged in the coal mining business, but after a few years retired, having acquired a competency. He died in 1903, but Mrs. Blair is still living and makes her home at Iowa City. There were three children in their family, one of whom died in infancy; the others being: John H., of this review; and Mary, the wife of Rev. R. F. Hurlburt, a Methodist minister of Iowa City.

John H. Blair received his early education in the graded schools of Boone county and grew up under the friendly shelter of the parental home. He be- came a student of Cornell College at Mount Vernon, graduating at that in- stitution in 1886, having then arrived at the age of twenty-three years. After leaving college he came to Des Moines and read law for nearly two years in the office of Galusha Parsons, being admitted to the bar in 1889. He engaged in general practice for four years, at the end of which time he was appointed attorney and secretary for the Iowa Loan and Trust Company, and continued with this concern until 1901. He spent two years attending to personal business af- fairs and in 1904 was elected vice president of the Des Moines National Bank, which position he still holds. A man of untiring industry and marked busi- ness ability, he occupies a high place among the financiers of the state, and his kindly interest in others has made for him a host of friends.

In 1905 Mr. Blair was married to Miss Frances Mullan, of Waterloo, Iowa, a daughter of Hon. Charles W. and Emma (Hammond) Mullan. The father served as attorney general of Iowa for six years and he and his wife are now living at Waterloo. The Mullan and Hammond families were among the pioneers of Iowa, the early members in this state having laid out the city of Waterloo. Mrs. Blair was a member of a family of four children, the other

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three being: Charles, who now lives in St. Paul, Minnesota; Alfred, who lives at Waterloo; and Alice, who married Carl Walker, also of Waterloo. Two promising children have come to brighten the home of Mr. and Mrs. Blair : John, Jr., and Frances. Mr. Blair is not a member of any religious denomina- tion, but his wife is identified with the Congregational church. Fraternally he is connected with the Masonic order and socially holds membership in the Grant, Des Moines and the Golf and Country Clubs. While he has never sought political honors, he gives his support to the republican party and heartily in- dorses its principles, believing that the party has the vitality and the resources best adapted to maintain the liberty and promote the permanent interests of the republic. A genial and pleasing gentleman and a business man of thorough and tested judgment,, he enjoys the confidence of the people of Des Moines and the esteem of all who know him.

JOHN C. MITCHELL.

Among the prosperous farmers of Polk county who have attained a com- petency and are recognized as important factors in the community in John C. Mitchell, of Bloomfield township. He was born in this county May 16, 1873, a son of Daniel R. and Sarah J. (Miller) Mitchell, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of Indiana. The parents came to Iowa in 1867 and located upon a farm in Bloomfield township, Polk county. Mr. Mitchell cleared and im- proved his place upon which he continued until his death, in 1892. The mother is still living and has reached the age of seventy-three years. She now makes her home with her son, W. H. Mitchell.

John C. Mitchell was reared in Bloomfield township and received his pre- liminary education in the district schools, later attending Highland Park College at Des Moines and the Iowa State College at Ames, receiving an excellent edu- cation, which has greatly assisted him in his career. At the age of twenty-one years he rented the home place of one hundred and sixty acres, continuing in charge of same until 1902 when he bought eighty acres in the same township. He paid therefor thirty dollars an acre and, after cultivating the land for five years and making various permanent improvements upon it, he sold it for one hundred and ten dollars per acre. He then bought eighty acres in the same neighborhood upon which he established his home. He also rents one hundred acres, and as he thoroughly understands his business, he has attained a marked degree of success. He usually keeps about twenty head of horses, fifty head of cattle, one hundred head of sheep and fifty head of hogs, and is in the market each year with stock of a good grade which commands a high price.

One the 19th day of February, 1902, Mr. Mitchell was united in marriage to Miss Elsie Louise Ware, a daughter of Wilmer C. and Mattie J. (Mulhous) Ware, both of whom were born in Indiana. They came west and located at Des Moines in 1888. The father was a contractor and builder and continued actively in that business until his death, which occurred in February, 1905. The mother is still living and resides in California. Three children have come to brighten the home of Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell, namely: Louise Esther, now five years of age; Walter Calvin, aged three years; and Ray Donald, who is now one year old.

Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell are both adherents of the Methodist church and sincere believers in the authority of Holy Writ. Politically he is not allied with either of the leading parties but gives his support to the cause of prohibi- tion. He is a stanch advocate of education and is now serving as a member of the school board of Bloomfield township. He is one of the progressive men of this section and, in addition to thoroughly modern equipment for everything

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pertaining to his farm, has a large touring car in which he and his family take long trips through the country, visiting friends and enjoying beautiful scenes of pastoral life. He and his wife are greatly esteemed by a wide circle of acquaintances and their home is justly noted for its generous hospitality.

EDWIN D. WILEY, M. D.

The history of the medical profession in Des Moines would be incomplete and unsatisfactory were there failure to make prominent reference to Dr. Ed- win D. Wiley, who for many years was a most capable and successful physician and surgeon of this city. Moreover he was widely known throughout the state in connection with his work as a member of the Improved Order of Red Men and his social qualities as well as his business ability and professional skill gained him a firm hold upon the affection and enduring regard of his fellow townsmen. He was born in the city of Woodstock, New Brunswick, Canada. on the 19th of April, 1846, a son of Dr. William and Mary (Dibble) Wiley. The family is of Scotch lineage but William Wiley was born in County Tyrone, Ireland, where he resided until the age of seventeen years, when he determined to seek a home and fortune in America. Crossing the Atlantic he first located in New York city where he studied and practiced law for a number of years. Going to Nova Scotia to visit a brother he was there induced to study medicine and soon afterward entered the medical department of the Bowdoin College in Maine. He located for practice in Woodstock, New Brunswick, where he re- mained until 1854, when ill health compelled him to seek a milder climate and. crossing the border to the United States made his way to Elgin, Illinois. He took up his abode upon a farm in that vicinity and was identified with agricul- tural pursuits until his death, which occurred in 1862.

With the exception of a sister Edwin D. Wiley was the eldest in a family of three sons and three daughters, and upon him largely devolved the care and support of his widowed mother and the younger members of the family. His educational privileges were only such as the common schools afforded, but later he had the opportunity, which he improved, of pursuing an academic course. and when his more specifically literary education was completed he took up the study of medicine and surgery. He was graduated in 1870 from the Bennett Medical College of Chicago and afterward practiced for a year in association with one of his college professors. On the 3d of July, 1871, he arrived in Des Moines and at once opened an office in this city where his ability won him ready recognition that in time brought to him a large and satisfactory practice. He was continuously alert to the opportunities of the profession and studied broadly to improve himself and make his services of greater value in his ministrations in the sick room. He did not heedlessly discard the old and time-tried methods. the value of which had been proven, and yet he was quick to adopt newer meth- ods that indicated the progress of the medical fraternity. He was accorded a good practice and endeared himself to many families during his stay here.

In February, 1884, Dr. Wiley was united in marriage to Miss Eva L. Pratt. a daughter of Dr. Philomen Pratt, a well known dentist of Elgin, Illinois. She had been a student with her husband in Elgin Academy, and unto them was born a daughter, Eva M., who is yet living. On the Sunday previous to his death Dr. Wiley and his wife celebrated their twenty-fifth wedding anni- versary and it was made the occasion of rejoicing on the part of many of their friends.

Dr. Wiley attended the First Baptist church and his influence was always found on the side of right, justice and progress. He was very prominent in the Improved Order of Red Men and held membership in the local organization

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known as Tribe No. 2. He continued to fill offices from time to time in this lodge and for two years was its past sachem. Thirty years prior to his death he was elected keeper of the wampum of this tribe and continued to fill that office until his demise. He was instrumental in promoting and building up sev- eral tribes and in fact was recognized as one of the leading members of the order in the state. In Masonry he attained distinguished honors, the thirty-third degree having been conferred upon him, and he was also a member of the Mystic Shrine. He likewise belonged to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and he attended the First Baptist church. In manner he was quiet and unostentatious, but his strong character, determination and ability won him wide recognition. He was always ready to do good and to lend a helping hand and many have reason to bless his memory for his kindly assistance or for the encouraging word which he spoke. Without ostentation or display he left the impress of his individuality upon the public life of the community, for his pro- nounced characterstics were indispensable elements of an upright and honorable manhoood.

JAMES DEPEW EDMUNDSON.

No man could be more thoroughly a product of Iowa or more closely linked with its growth and prosperity, than James Depew Edmundson of Des Moines, retired banker and capitalist, who in his sphere has contributed very largely to the development of the financial interests of the state.

Mr. Edmundson's life runs along in the same current as does the life of the state. He was born within the confines of Iowa while it was still in its very beginning. He grew into boyhood as Iowa grew into her statehood and came into manhood as Iowa came into the larger promise of her greatness. He strug- gled to make the best of his humble circumstances while Iowa was also strug- gling to come up out of her humble station. His opportunities expanded as Iowa came into her wonderful era of success and prosperity, and it might be said that they have come down the years together and that he has helped in his way and in his field to make Iowa, while Iowa has helped to make him.

Mr. Edmundson is distinctively a pioneer by birth and ancestry. He was born near Burlington in Des Moines county, Iowa, November 23, 1838, at a time when Iowa was still a territory, and his whole boyhood was spent amid frontier surroundings. His father, William Edmundson, was likewise born in a pioneer home in Harrison county, Kentucky, October 5, 1805, and his father before him was a pioneer and a soldier in the Revolutionary war. The name Edmundson was originally Edmiston, and the family came of Scotch-Irish an- cestry. Mr. Edmundson, father of James Depew Edmundson, moved with his father's family from Kentucky to Indiana in 1828, where he had further ex- perience as a pioneer. After having served in the Black Hawk war he removed in 1836 to Des Moines county, Iowa, and again became identified with the work of development on the frontier. Not long afterward he returned to Parke county, Indiana, for a helpmeet, and January 25, 1838, was married to Miss Priscilla Depew, who was born in Botetourt county, Virginia, and who came of a French- Huguenot family whose name originally was Du Puy.

Mr. Edmundson and his bride came at once to Iowa territory and made their home in Des Moines county, where he engaged for a time in farming. In 1843, however, he chose a new home in the so-called "New Purchase," a tract of land in southeastern Iowa which had been recently purchased by the government from the Sac and Fox Indians. In that same year, May 31, 1843, Mrs. Edmund- son died at Fairfield, Iowa. The land on which Mr. Edmundson located, after- ward, on its organization, became a part of Mahaska county. He remained in

J. D. EDMUNDSON

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that immediate vicinity permanently, engaged in merchandising for several years, assisted in the organization of the new county of Mahaska, served as its first sheriff, filled other public offices and took a large part in the development and organization of the new state. He also served as a member of the first general assembly of the state. In 1850 he became a frontiersman again, joining the great movement to California, where he remained for five years, when he re- turned to Mahaska county and again entered into its public life, serving as sheriff a second time. His active career ended with his death, September 22, 1862.

Reared as he was on the frontier, the educational advantages of James De- pew Edmundson were limited and were confined to the subscription schools of the day, with the exception of short terms at a normal school at Oskaloosa and a small academy at Newton, which closed his school days. But that was not the end of his education. The limited education which he had obtained developed a desire for knowledge that prompted a self-education, through reading, travel and observation that has continued to this day.

In 1859, Mr. Edmundson had fitted himself to take up the study of law and entered law offices in Oskaloosa, where he continued as a student until the fall of 1860, when he passed the required examination and was admitted to the bar. Although he had the hard-earned right to practice, he lacked the money to estab- lish himself, so he taught a country school in Mahaska county the following win- ter. In the spring of 1861, with his meager savings in his pocket and a few law books in his trunk, he removed to Glenwood, Iowa, to begin the fight for success. He remained there five years, engaging actively in practice and also in the pur -. chase and sale of Iowa lands, in association with the Hon. William Hale, after- ward governor of Wyoming.

Finding large opportunities in the land business, Mr. Edmundson gave up the practice of law altogether and in the spring of 1866 removed to Council Bluffs, where he became a dealer in farm lands on a large scale. He prospered in that undertaking and soon became a factor in the business and financial affairs of Council Bluffs and southwestern Iowa. His judgment and experience came into demand for other enterprises and the scope of his activities was largely ex- tended. He became connected with the banking interests of the city and in 1882 was instrumental in organizing the Citizens' Bank, afterward the Citizens' State Bank of Council Bluffs, of which he was elected president. After a successful existence of fifteen years, this bank purchased the First National Bank of Council Bluffs and went into liquidation, Mr. Edmundson being elected president of the newly acquired institution, which position he held until his resignation and removal to Des Moines in 1900. At that time he practically retired from active business, his health having become somewhat impaired by many years of close attention to the management of his growing interests. His departure from Council Bluffs was the occasion of general regret, because of the large part he had taken in the upbuilding of its business institutions and his wholesome activi- ties as a citizen.

On May 25, 1871, Mr. Edmundson was married at Council Bluffs to Miss Jennie Way Hart, a daughter of Dr. H. W. and Sarah Way Hart, prominent residents of that city. Her death occurred at Council Bluffs, February 12, 1890. 'On January 1, 1894, he was again married at Council Bluffs to Mrs. Laura Bar- clay Kirby, who died at Denver, Colorado, November 16, 1908.

Mr. Edmundson has been a lifelong republican and has always been devoted to the interests of . that party, though never as an office-seeker. He has never held public position save for a few years when, as a young man at Glenwood. he served as deputy collector of internal revenue, deputy provost marshal and assistant United States Assessor.

While he withdrew from all business some years ago, he has maintained a keen interest in the affairs of the world and has kept himself in close touch with them. He is still active and alert and is an extensive traveler. The habit

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of reading, established in his youth, has continued with him always. It has given him a wide fund of information and has led to his accumulation of a large and well selected library, including many fine volumes. Through his travel he has acquired broad and liberal knowledge and an especial interest in matters pertaining to art. Mr. Edmundson holds membership in the Grant, Des Moines and other prominent clubs of Des Moines and is well known in his later home, as in his earlier home in Council Bluffs, where his substantial qualities of man- hood and citizenship have gained him kindly regard and high respect.

Mr. Edmundson is a man of fine sympathies. In his quiet way he has done much for philanthropy. His large gift of money made possible the erection of the splendid Jennie Edmundson Memorial Hospital at Council Bluffs, which was erected in 1906. In commemoration of the organization of Mahaska county, in which his father had a large part, he gave to the city of Oskaloosa in 1909 the beautiful bronze statue of Chief Mahaska, which stands in the public square, and after whom Mahaska county was named. Incidentally, in commissioning Sherry E. Fry to make the statue, he gave encouragement to a young Iowa sculptor who won distinguished honors in the Paris salon with this piece of work. In 1909 Mr. Edmundson was one of the larger contributors to the Young Men's Christian Association building fund in Des Moines. These are only the gifts the public knows about. There have been many other acts of helpfulness which are known only by a few. He has been especially helpful to young men as a friendly patron to those who sought to make their own way in the world and establish themselves in places of importance and usefulness.

Mr. Edmundson is a devoted Iowan. No man's affections and fortunes could be more closely bound up with those of Iowa than his. He loves Iowa, and Iowa does him honor for his substantial influence in the business field, for his quiet philanthropy and for his fine qualities of manhood and citizenship.

JAMES WATT.

James Watt, a prominent financier of Des Moines, passed away April 6. 19II, near Newton, Kansas, while on a train as one of a party of Des Moines business men en route for Texas where they were considering making an in- vestment in lands. His demise was the occasion of deep and widespread regret. for the circle of his friends was almost coextensive with the circle of his ac- quaintances. Perhaps no one in Des Moines knew more thoroughly the real value of industry and diligence than James Watt. Reared in a home where rigid economy was by necessity practiced, starting out for himself without finan- cial aid in the smallest degree, he realized that labor intelligently directed must prove the foundation of whatever success he would enjoy. He stood at the head of one of the strong banking institutions of Des Moines, but no one in this city had greater sympathy for the laboring men or was more willing to speak an encouraging word or extend a helping hand, for his early experiences made him familiar with the difficulties and obstacles that one must encounter as he attempts to scale the heights of success. Mr. Watt was born in Valcartier. Quebec, August 3, 1843, a son of William and Helen Watt. The, father, who is still living at the venerable age of ninety-one years, was one of a family of four sons and three daughters who were brought by their parents to America from Dunfermline. Scotland. The father of that family was a tradesman, who in early life had learned the molder's trade and engaged in decorating city churches. He also owned a farm near Quebec. His wife was a member of the Howoieson family, who were seafaring people, one of her brothers, Andrew Howoieson. being a ship captain.

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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 14

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