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 143

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 143

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The early years of Edward J. Askew were spent in a manner quite similar to those of every boy reared in the country. His days were occupied by the tasks of the schoolroom, the work assigned him about the farm and such sports

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and amusements as appeal to healthy boys. He obtained his education in the district schools and when he reached the age of fifteen years he laid aside his text-books to assume the heavier responsibilities of life. Having decided that he would be a pharmacist, he entered the drug store of William T. Irwin, at Valley Junction, with whom he has been connected during the sixteen years of his business life. In 1902 he became a partner of Mr. Irwin and from that period they have conducted business under the name of the Irwin-Askew Drug Company. Mr. Askew has entire charge of the store at Valley Junction, while the Des Moines store is under the management of Mr. Irwin.

Mr. Askew completed arrangements for a home of his own by his marriage in November, 1907, to Miss Edna Hopley, a daughter of Peter and Edna Hopley, both natives of England. They came to Iowa in pioneer days and, locating on a farm, Mr. Hopley engaged in the stock business. He has been most successful in his undertakings and has become one of the well known stock- men of the state. For many years he has been going to Europe twice every year to import both horses and cattle. He owns a fine farm of two thousand acres near Lewis, Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Askew have one child, Peter Hopley, who was born in November, 1909.

Mrs. Askew holds membership in the Congregational church and Mr. Askew is fraternally connected with the Masonic order, the Knights of Pythias, the Modern Woodmen of America and he also is identified with the Dramatic Order Knights of Khorassan. They have a nice residence at 577 Eighth street, which is known as one of the hospitable homes of the town. Politically Mr. Askew has always been an ardent supporter of the principles of the republican party, and while he does not take a particularly active interest in politics, not being an aspirant to office, he can always be found at the polls on election day, casting his vote for the candidates of the party of his choice, He is known as one of the progressive and promising young business men of the community and is well regarded.

THOMAS B. HANLEY.

The rapid growth of fraternal insurance organizations in the past quarter of a century has called forth the energies, initiative spirit and cooperation of many strong business men who, guiding the destinies of these enterprises, have given strong proof of executive ability and keen discrimination. To this class belongs Thomas B. Hanley, now president of the Modern Brother- hicod of America. He was born in Cleveland, Ohio, December II, 1852.

His father, Dennis Hanley, a native of Ireland, came to America in Sep- tember, 1852, and first settled in Ohio, while later he removed to Michigan, and in 1856 became a resident of Le Claire, Scott county, Iowa. He was a pioneer settler of Le Claire and also one of the early residents of this state. He was married in his native land to Bridget O'Shaughnessy, and they became the parents of nine children, of whom Thomas B. was the fourth in order of birth.

Our subject began his education in the public schools of Le Claire, con- tinuing his education until he had completed the high-school course by gradua- tion. He also spent one year in Ames College and was graduated in law from the State University of Iowa, with the class of 1880, at which time the LL. B. degree was conferred upon him. He then returned to Le Claire for practice and was a member of the bar at that place until 1888, in which year he removed . to Tipton, where he joined the Hon. William P. Wolf, under the firm style of Wolf & Hanley. His residence in Tipton covered a period of nineteen years, during which time he won a creditable position at the bar and was accorded an

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extensive clientage. For two terms he served as mayor of Tipton and took a leading part in securing for the city the ownership of the electric light and water plants.

Seeking a still broader field of labor, Mr. Hanley removed to Des Moines and became one of the organizers of the Modern Brotherhood of America, which had its inception in Tipton in April, 1897-a fraternal benefit society, of which he became the first president and the only one up to this date. The head- quarters of the society are in Mason City but the president's office is in the Observatory building in Des Moines. Since 1905 Mr. Hanley, withdrawing from the practice of law, has given his attention exclusively to the upbuilding of this order and the rapid and substantial growth of the Modern Brotherhood of America is evidence and proof of his ability, his administrative direction and his executive powers.

On the 7th of October, 1880, at Port Byron, Illinois, Mr. Hanley was mar- ried to Miss Flora Free, who was there born January 4, 1856, and is a daugh- ter of Israel Free. They have become parents of one daughter, Edna, who was born in Le Claire, Iowa, August 16, 1885, and is now the wife of Dr. Robert J. Lynch, of Des Moines.

Mr. Hanley is identified with a number of the fraternal organizations, especially those having insurance features. He still holds membership with Cedar Lodge, No. II, A. F. & A. M., at Tipton, Iowa, belongs also to the Knights of Pythias, the Modern Woodmen of America, the Brotherhood of American Yeomen, the Court of Honor, the Knights of the Maccabees and the Homesteaders. He served as grand chancellor of the Knights of Pythias of Iowa in 1895-6 and for eight years was one of Iowa's representatives to the Supreme Lodge. In more strictly social lines he is connected with the Grant and Commercial Clubs of Des Moines and is in hearty sympathy with the pur- poses of the latter for the exploitation of the advantages and opportunities of the city and for the upbuilding of its business interests. His political allegiance is given to the republican party. While in the practice of law he met with suc- cess, he finds in the organization and development of the Modern Brotherhood of America a work for which his talents seem to especially qualify him and in advancing the interests of this society he has given incontrovertible proof of his business ability. He is a man of determined purpose, never faltering in the accomplishment of what he undertakes and his personal traits as shown in business and social life have brought him wide recognition and friendly regard.

ALTON W. MALLY.

Alton W. Mally, the present superintendent of the county poor farm and hospital for the insane in Polk county, is a native son of Iowa, having been born in Delaware township, this county, on the 9th of January, 1881. His parents, Paul F. and Anna (Metz) Mally, are also natives of the Hawkeye state but of German origin as the names would suggest. Paul F. Mally, who was the third child in a family of six, was born in Clayton county but in his early boyhood accompanied his parents on their removal to this county, where he continues to reside. He was united in marriage in 1879 to Miss Anna Metz, who was born near Newton, Iowa, being the fourth in a family of seven children, and unto them were born the following children beside our subject, who is the eldest : Rudolph, now a resident of Decker, who married Edna Decker and became the father of two children, one deceased; Lydia, and Laura L., both at home; Julia, who is the wife of Roy Denny, of Crocker township, and has one child ; Arthur, Henry W., and Flora, all at home ; one who died in infancy ; and Frank and Tillie, also at home. The father has engaged in farming and stock-dealing all of his life.

A. W. MALLY

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He has a farm of three hundred and seventy acres in Delaware township, where he resides, which is highly improved and well stocked with good breeds of cattle and hogs. At present he is giving much time and attention to the buying and selling of stock, which business he is conducting on rather a large scale. In ad- dition to his homestead he owns eighty acres of land in Saylor township. He has met with more than moderate success in all of his undertakings and is one of the affluent citizens of his township.

Alton W. Mally received his education in the public schools of Polk county, and when he had acquired sufficient knowledge to enable him to assume the heavier responsibilities of life he laid away his text-books and occupied himself with the work of the home farm until he was in his twentieth year. He then engaged in farming and the buying and selling of stock upon his own account for one year. At the expiration of that time he embarked in the hardware business in Berwick but at the end of twelve months returned to his farming and stock- buying, in which line he continued until he received his appointment on the 8th of January, 1910, to his present position.

Mr. Mally was married to Miss Florence Thornton on the 20th of November, 1901, and they have become the parents of three children: Emma, Edna and Marion. Mrs. Mally is a daughter of R. G. and Sophrona (Coffin) Thornton, natives of Polk county, and is the fourth in a family of five children, her birth occurring on the 20th of September, 1882.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Mally are members of the Methodist Episcopal church in Berwick and are also identified with the Knights and Ladies of Security. Ever since he attained his majority Mr. Mally has given his support to the republican party, feeling that the basic principles of that body are best adapted to serve the interests of the majority. He is a young man to hold the position to which he was appointed a little more than one year ago, but during the period of his incumbency has discharged his duties in such a manner as to stamp with public approval the action of the supervisors in placing him there.

FRANK W. BRIGGS.

One of those who have been actively and successfully associated with the commercial development of Grimes is Frank W. Briggs, who was born in Dallas county, Iowa, on the 14th of June, 1873. His parents are James G. and Lucy E. (Carpenter) Briggs, the father a native of Illinois and the mother of Ver- mont. James G. Briggs came to Iowa with his parents when a lad of four years, locating in Polk county, where the mother passed away. Three years afterward the father and son removed to Dallas county, where they were re- siding at the time of the father's demise, which occurred when the son was thirteen. Immediately following this event James Briggs returned to Illinois, where he completed his education, making his home with an uncle until he was twenty-five years of age, at which time he was married. Subsequently he and his bride removed to Dallas county, Iowa, locating upon eighty acres of land which they bought for two and a quarter dollars per acre. They were both young and industrious and, although many of the hardships incident to fron- tier life fell to their lot, they never lost courage, confidently believing that the con- veniences and comforts enjoyed by those who lived farther east must soon come to them. . They added to their realty holdings from time to time as they were able until they had acquired four hundred and forty acres of the finest land in Dallas county, all of which was well improved and under a high state of cultivation. Mr. Briggs continued to operate this farm until 1897, when he rented it and retired to Des Moines. Five years later he disposed of it and

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very soon removed to Kansas City, Kansas, where he and Mrs. Briggs con- tinue to reside.

It was in the district schools of Dallas county, Frank W. Briggs acquired his education. When he had reached that age when most boy's rebel at the con- finement of the school room, longing to take their place in the activities of the more practical world he laid aside his text-books and began assisting his father in the cultivation of the home farm. He remained at home until he had at- tained his majority, when he rented two hundred acres of land from his father, which he operated for five years. At the end of that period he returned to the old homestead and for one year cultivated its two hundred and forty acres in addition to that which he had been farming. Having met with success in his agricultural pursuits he had acquired the capital necessary to purchase three hundred and twenty acres of land at Red Deer, Alberta, Canada, upon which he engaged in the cattle business. After following this for five years he rented his ranch, putting his cattle out on shares, and came to Grimes, where he estab- lished a pump and windmill business. The following year he added farming implements to his stock, all three of which lines he continues to handle with most gratifying success, having no competition whatever.

In May, 1893, Miss, Beulah McClain, a daughter of Silas and Susan (Co- burn) McClain became the wife of Frank W. Briggs. Mr. and Mrs. McClain, who were natives of Virginia, came to Iowa in pioneer days, locating in Polk county, where he engaged in agricultural pursuits for many years. Later he removed to Grimes and opened a grocery store, which he disposed of after a few years and engaged in the implement business until 1906, when he sold his interest to his son-in-law. Mr, McClain passed away in 1909 but his widow still survives, making her home in Grimes. Five children have been born unto Mr. and Mrs. Briggs : Esther E., born in 1896; Verva P., born in 1897 ; Hazel, born in 1898; Grace, born in 1904; and Frank M., born July 14, 1910.

The family attend the Presbyterian church, while fraternally Mr. Briggs is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern Wood- men of America. His political support is given the democratic party, consid- ering that its policy is best adapted to meet the needs of the general public. He does not aspire to public honors or the emoluments of office, so concentrates his time and energy on the development of his personal affairs, in the conduct of which he is meeting with marked success. In addition to his business he owns a nice modern residence. Although the period of his citizenship has been brief in Grimes, it has been sufficiently long for Mr. Briggs to be accorded the esteem of his compeers in the business and social life of the community, in recognition of his worth and fine personal qualities.

ELBRIDGE DREW HADLEY.

Elbridge Drew Hadley, who since 1898 has been secretary of the Iowa So- ciety of the Sons of the American Revolution and since February, 1899, re- corder of the Iowa Commandery of the Loyal Legion, with offices in Des Moines, was born in Deering, New Hampshire, September 16, 1842, his parents being Enoch and Mary Ann (Bailey) Hadley. The Hadley family came from England and was found in Hampstead, New Hampshire, during the pioneer epoch in the development of that state. George Hadley, the great-grandfather of E. D. Hadley, enlisted from South Weare, New Hampshire, for service in the Revolutionary war and held the rank of captain. A great-uncle of E. D. Hadley was at one time secretary of state and was a man of state-wide promi- nence. Enoch Hadley devoted his life to farming, which pursuit he largely fol- lowed up to the time of his death in August, 1879.

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Elbridge D. Hadley was therefore reared upon a farm and to the work of the fields largely gave his attention until twenty years of age, save for the period devoted to the acquirement of an education. He prepared for college at Mount Vernon, New Hampshire, but went to war instead of college, enlisting in August, 1862, as first sergeant of Company D, Fourteenth New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry. In March, 1864, he was promoted to the rank of second lieutenant of Company F of the same regiment and later was commissioned first lieutenant of Company H, but had command of Company F most of the time until September of that year, when he was wounded at the battle of Winches- ter and thus disqualified for service. He resigned in December, 1864, and was subsequently brevetted captain. For a year after being wounded he was in an invalid condition but in the autumn of 1865 took up the profession of teach- ing, which he followed in Manchester, New Hampshire, and at the same time devoted his leisure hours to reading law. He thus continued his preparation for the bar until September, 1869, when he was admitted at Nashua, New Hampshire. Opening an office in Manchester, he there practiced until Decem- ber, 1871, and in the meantime also filled two or three offices in the city gov- ernment.

In the latter year Mr. Hadley sought a home in the middle west. He recog- nized the fact that the tide of emigration was steadily moving in that direction and believed that greater opportunities could be found in the Mississippi valley than in the older settled portions of New England. He accordingly came to Iowa and settled at Dewitt, where he remained for a year. In 1872 he re- moved to Luverne, Rock county, Minnesota, and almost immediately won recog- nition as a prominent member of the bar there. His fidelity in citizenship also led to his selection for public office. He served as deputy register of deeds for two years and was county attorney and judge of the probate court simultane- ously for one term. He was then reelected judge of probate and was also court commissioner and president of the village school board. He took an active part in shaping the policy of town and county and in promoting its interests and welfare. While a resident of Manchester, New Hampshire, he had done more or less editorial work on the local papers and in 1873, when the Rock County Herald was established he became editorial writer for that journal. Still other business interests claimed his attention. In 1880 he became a partner in a bank with which he was connected for two years, acting as cashier, but at the end of that time he sold out on account of ill health. He afterward organized the Corporate State Bank of Luverne and was made its vice president, so continu- ing to serve after it was converted into a national bank. He remained a resi- dent of Rock county, Minnesota, until 1887, when, thinking to benefit his health by removal, he went to Dewitt, Iowa, where he remained for a few years, giv- ing his attention during that period to the task of winding up the affairs of a bank in southwestern Minnesota. From 1887 until 1896 he performed some literary work along historical lines, preparing several articles, chiefly upon the Revolutionary war in New Hampshire, printed in the Granite Monthly, a maga- zine published at Concord, New Hampshire, and many other articles along the same line.

In 1896 Mr. Hadley became a resident of Des Moines, where he built a home. During the 'early years of his residence here he was not actively engaged in business. From 1895 until 1908, however, he was collection attorney for the Anchor Fire Insurance Company and since 1898 has been secretary of the Iowa Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, and since February, 1899, has been recorder of the Iowa Commandery of the Loyal Legion, giving his entire time and attention to these two organizations, displaying marked ability in the control and management of their interests.

On the 30th of June, 1873, Mr. Hadley was married to Miss Mary Eliza- beth Bourne, a daughter of the Hon. James D. and Christiana (Denis) Bourne,

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of Dewitt, Iowa. Her father was the first settler of Clinton county, this state. In his political views Mr. Hadley has been an earnest and life-long republican, casting his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln in 1864. He belongs to Capitol Lodge, A. F. & A. M., of Des Moines, and to Crocker Post, G. A. R., at Des Moines. He has been president of the Ben Franklin Chapter of Sons of the American Revolution of Des Moines for about ten years and during that time has prepared several papers on the Revolutionary war. His religious faith is that of the Congregational church. Mr. Hadley deserves much credit for what he has accomplished in life. He was a poor boy and his success has come to him through unfaltering perseverance and close application: Since the war he has been in poor health, at times necessitating a retirement from business but not- withstanding this handicap he has so directed his labors and interests that he has made progress. In whatever place he has been found and in whatever rela- tion of life, he has commanded the respect and good-will of his fellowmen and during his fifteen years' residence in Des Moines has gained many warm friends.

ALFRED I. STUBBS.

Alfred I. Stubbs, who is vice president of the Fairview Farm and Creamery, was born in Polk county on the Ist of June, 1877, and is a son of William and Georgiana (Skinner) Stubbs, the father a native of Indiana and the mother of lowa. Coming to Iowa in the pioneer days William Stubbs first located in Earl- ham but shortly afterward removed to Des Moines, where he located upon a farm which he continued to cultivate until 1910. For many years he was one of the extensive fruit-growers of this section of the state, but as his years ad- vanced he found the work too taxing and so disposed of his farm, coming to Des Moines to engage in the grocery business with his son Elmer E. His wife passed away in 1886.

Alfred I. Stubbs was reared and educated in the common schools of Polk county, remaining a member of his father's household until he had attained his eighteenth year. Being unusually ambitious he decided in 1895 to begin working for himself and so rented the old Hobbs place, containing one hundred and sixty acres, which is now within the city limits, and then embarked in the dairy business. Three years later he sold out and feeling the need of a better knowl- edge of business methods went to Des Moines, where he entered the Capital City Commercial College. After completing his course he again engaged in the dairy business, from which he withdrew at the end of a year in order to go into partnership with his father-in-law, C. W. Wilcox. This connection continued until 1909, when they incorporated for twenty thousand dollars, paid-up stock, and took into the firm his brother, A. O. Stubbs. C. W. Wilcox is president of the company and our subject vice president, while A. O. Stubbs is secretary and treasurer as well as manager of the Des Moines creamery, which is located at 1401 Grand avenue. In addition to their dairy business they make a spec- ialty of breeding and raising thoroughbred Guernsey cattle, from the sale of which they are meeting with most lucrative returns. They are now milking two hundred cows in order to supply their customers, while the scope of their busi- ness is constantly increasing in a most gratifying manner. In addition to his stock in the dairy company Mr. Stubbs owns two and one-half acres of real estate just outside of the city limits.

In November, 1900, Mr. Stubbs married Miss Lillian A. Wilcox, a daughter of Curtis W. and Mary (Page) Wilcox, natives of Vermont and old settlers in Polk county. Five children have been born unto Mr. and Mrs. Stubbs: Alice Aileen, aged nine years; Mary Louise, who is five; Lillian Annett, now four; Mildred Laura, who has passed her second year; and Lucile, aged seven months.

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Mr. and Mrs. Stubbs hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal church. Although he is a strong advocate of the principles of the republican party he does not actively participate in local politics, preferring to concentrate his time and attention on the development of his personal affairs. He is one of the com- petent young business men of Polk county whose future seems to be assured.

EDWARD W. VAN DUYN.

Edward W. Van Duyn, the present commissioner of the bureau of labor statistics, has been a resident of Des Moines for a period of thirteen years, hav- ing been engaged in contracting and building until he received his present ap- pointment from Governor Carroll in 1909. He was born in Davis county, Iowa, on the 20th of January, 1870, his parents being Daniel C. and Mary P. (Cornell) Van Duyn, the former a native of New York and the latter of Columbus, Ohio. The father, who has always been engaged in agricultural pursuits, came to Iowa from the Empire state in 1851, locating upon a farm in Davis county.

The district schools of his native county provided Edward W. Van Duyn with his early education, which was later supplemented by a course in the South- ern Iowa Normal at Bloomfield, Iowa. His boyhood and youth were spent upon a farm, in the cultivation of which he assisted his father at such times as he was not engaged in school, the responsibilities of his duties increasing in accordance with his strength as the years passed. When he finished his educa- tion he learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed for a short time, and then returned to farm life, locating upon land in Nebraska, which he cultivated for three years. Removing to Missouri in 1896, he settled in Kirksville, where he pursued his trade for two years. At the expiration of that time he became a resident of Des Moines, engaging in contracting and building, in which occu- pation he was meeting with success when he withdrew from business in 1909 to accept the appointment to his present office.

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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 143

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