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 146

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 146

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In 1875, in Buffalo, New York, Mr. Wambach was united in marriage to Miss Mina Grapenthin, a native of Prussia, Germany, who came to this country

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in 1870 and settled in Buffalo. By their union there were born four children, three of whom died in infancy, the surviving son being Albert G. Wambach, who is living in Nebraska, where he is engaged in the insurance and real-estate business.

In 1879 George Wambach left Buffalo for the west and settled in Webster City, Iowa, where he became engaged in the mercantile business but remained in that line only for a short time. He found the venture not to his liking because of his strong desire to take up the study of law. In consequence he gave up mer- cantile pursuits and entered the law office of the late Judge N. B. Hyatt, who directed his reading and study until the year 1885, when he was admitted to practice. Immediately thereafter he opened an office and continued alone for about a year, when he formed a partnership with the Hon. Wesley Martin, of Webster City. In 1891 he withdrew from the partnership and entered into prac- tice in Webster City own his own account, remaining an active member of the bar there until the year 1899, when he opened an office in Des Moines. Here he has continuously followed his profession, devoting his attention largely to practice in the field of corporation and mercantile law. He is accorded an extensive client- age both in Des Moines and Webster City and his work is bringing good sub- stantial returns in addition to a well earned reputation. During the past eight years he has been employed on a number of cases involving property rights of Americans in Mexico and in this way acquired some knowledge of Mexican law. He has been engaged in a number of important matters and acquired concessions from the Mexican government and is now interested in real estate and mining in Mexico.

While living in Webster City Mr. Wambach filled the office of city attorney for several terms and was also a member of the city council and of the school board. Fraternally he is a Mason, belonging to nearly all of the Masonic bodies, and is also a member of the Mystic Shrine. Politically he affiliates with the republican party.

RALPH A. CLARK.

Among the enterprising and progressive citizens of Elkhart must be num- bered Ralph A. Clark, one of the founders and cashier of the Corn Exchange Savings Bank. He was born in Webster City, Iowa, on the 25th of February, 1878, a son of Frank A. and Ella A. (Beauchaine) Clark, the father a native of Maine and the mother of Canada. Frank A. Clark enlisted as lieutenant in the First Maine Heavy Artillery and served all through the Civil war. After re- ceiving his discharge he removed to Iowa, locating in Hamilton county, where he purchased a farm, which he set about improving, continuing its operation un- til 1881, when he removed to Washington, D. C., to take a position in the treasury department. He continued in that position until his death, which occurred in 1903. His wife had passed away in 1887.

Ralph A. Clark was reared and educated in Webster City, Iowa, and Wash- ington, D. C. After finishing the public school course he attended Drake Uni- versity for a time and the Columbian University at Washington. Upon the com- pletion of his education he entered the treasury department, where he remained for four years. At the expiration of that period he returned to Iowa and lo- cated at Coon Rapids, Carroll county, where he engaged in the practice of law for two years. In 1903 he came to Elkhart and opened a private bank, called the Corn Exchange Bank, which was reorganized in 1909 and now operates under the title of Corn Exchange Savings Bank. Mr. Clark is the cashier, John Abuhl. president, and L. R. Henderson vice president. They are known to be thoroughly

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reliable and trustworthy men and enjoy the confidence of the entire community and as a result the bank has a fine patronage.

In 1903 Mr. Clark was united in marriage to Miss Bethenia Mckinstry on the 16th of June. Mrs. Clark is a daughter of Thomas and Meriam (Bailey) Mckinstry, natives of Illinois. Her father, who was a farmer, passed away in 1885 at the age of twenty-two years, but Mrs. McKinstry survived until 1903. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Clark have been born two children: Atherton G., who died in 1906; and Thomas M., who is now one year of age. Mrs. Clark has always been closely associated with her husband in his business life and is now acting as his assistant.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Clark are members of the Christian church, and frater- nally he is identified with the Masonic order, being a member of Coon Rapids Lodge, No. 197, A. F. & A. M., and he is also affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows of that town and the Loyal Legion of Des Moines. His political support is given the republican party and he always takes an active and helpful interest in public affairs. He is now township clerk of Elkhart, while for two terms he served as mayor of the village, and since 1906 he has been post- master. Mr. Clark has met with success in his business ventures and in addition to his interests in Elkhart he owns stock in the Cunningham Glove Company, of Des Moines. The possessor of a pleasing personality and gracious manner he is well adapted to the position which he is so capably filling.

ARTHUR A. GEIL.

Arthur A. Geil, who owns a well cultivated farm of eighty acres in Bloom- field township, is a native of Polk county, having been born in the township where he now resides on the 25th of March, 1875, his parents being Joseph and Mary C. (Graham) Geil, natives of Ohio, from which state they came to Iowa, locating in Polk county about 1862. Here they rented a farm, which they culti- vated for two years and then bought eighty acres in Bloomfield township. They lived upon the latter place until 1883, at which time they sold and bought one hundred and sixty acres elsewhere in the same township, upon which the mother continues to reside. During the long period of their occupancy many improve- ments have been effected. A new residence, barns and outbuildings have been erected and substantial fences constructed besides the innumerable little things which, although they seem insignificant in themselves, add not only to the ap- pearance but to the value of property.

Arthur A. Geil's boyhood and youth was as uneventful as that of the ma- jority of boys who are reared in the rural districts. He attended the district schools and on laying aside his text-books he assisted his father in the cultivation of the home farm. He remained a member of the paternal household until he had attained his majority, when he rented land and began farming for himself. He continued this for eight years, during which period he accumulated sufficient capital to enable him to buy eighty acres adjoining his father's first farm, upon which he is now living. Although engaged in general farming Mr. Geil devotes a great deal of attention to stock-raising keeping eleven head of horses and plac- ing about forty hogs on the market each year. During the season he also runs a threshing machine, which in addition to the direction of his own farm keeps him quite busily engaged. Since purchasing his homestead he has wrought many improvements, having remodeled the house, erected new outbuildings and built substantial fences, all of which have greatly increased the value of his place.

On the 21st of September, 1898, Mr. Geil and Miss Grace Boyd were united in marriage. Mrs. Geil is a daughter of John and Phoebe (Hoare) Boyd, na- tives of New York, who came to Iowa in pioneer days and located in Polk county,

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where they engaged in farming until the father's demise on the 3d of July, 1905. The mother is still living and makes her home in Des Moines. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Geil, as follows: Eva M., now eight years of age; Robert T., who is six; Lelia C. and Lola P., twins, who are four years old; and Francis S., who is just entering his second year.

The family attend the Methodist Episcopal church, in which the parents hold membership. Fraternally Mr. Geil is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of America, while his political affiliation is with the republican party. He never participates in governmental affairs however, preferring to give his time and attention to the direction of his private interests.

CLIFFORD S. MARQUIS.

Clifford S. Marquis, the founder of the village bearing his name in Polk county as well as a progressive and successful agriculturist in Saylor township, is a native son of this county, born on the 26th of August, 1880, his parents being Richard W. and Mary F. (Thompson) Marquis. The father was born in Somer- setshire, England, October, 1830 and was reared to manhood in the village of Rimpton, acquiring his education in private schools. When he had reached the age of fourteen years he decided upon the vocation of milling for his life work and accordingly was apprenticed to that trade for seven years, at the end of which period he was discharged as an expert workman. In 1852 he came to the United States to visit relatives residing in Ohio and prolonged his stay until he aban- doned all idea of returning to the mother country. He accepted a position which gave him the supervision and management of the Bay City Mills at Sandusky, Ohio, and there he remained four years, during which time he was married. Mr. Marquis was very successful in his business and acquired extensive farm lands in Iowa, in the interest of which he took up his residence in this state in 1870, continuing to live here during the remainder of his life. He was twice married, the first time on the 13th of October, 1855, to Miss Jerene A. Jones, and to them were born three children: Earl L., W. C. and Sherman G. W. C. became a traveling salesman but has since been admitted to the bar and is practicing in Des Moines. The other two died when quite young, The mother of these chil- dren passed away about ten years after their marriage and on the 17th of Feb- ruary, 1867, Mr. Marquis married Miss Mary F. Thompson, a native of Ohio. They became the parents of four children: Hayden, the eldest, has never mar- ried and makes his home in Des Moines. Alice Jerene is the wife of De Forest Bowman, of Des Moines, and they have one child. Grace married Howard M. Jones, of Des Moines, and has become the mother of three children. Clifford S., our subject, is the youngest member of the family. In 1870, about three years after his second marriage, the father removed with his family to Des Moines, where he engaged in the real-estate business. He continued to reside here dur- ing the latter years of his life and passed away on the 15th of February, 1909, at the age of seventy-nine. His second wife died in 1892.

Clifford S. Marquis obtained his early education in the public schools, which was supplemented by five months in the Des Moines Business College. While a youth he entered his father's real-estate office, where he was employed for nine years, during which period he thoroughly familiarized himself with every phase of the business. He was married at the age of twenty-nine years and imme- diately following that event removed to the farm on section 13, Saylor township, which had been presented to him by his father and where he has ever since re- sided. He has one hundred and sixty acres of land, which under most excellent and capable supervision is utilized for general farming along thoroughly ap-

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proved and modern methods. In addition to his agricultural pursuits Mr. Mar- quis still devotes considerable time to his real-estate business, dealing extensively in South Dakota, Nebraska and Kansas farm lands as well as Des Moines city property. He is a man of more than average initiative and business acumen and sometime ago recognized the need of a village in the immediate vicinity of his farm and accordingly platted twenty acres of his land. There he erected forty cottages, which he rents to the coal miners, and established a general store, the town being now known as Marquisville.

On the 18th of August, 1909, Mr. Marquis was united in marriage to Miss Golden Stanley, a daughter of E. S. and Harriet (Hayes) Stanley. She is the youngest member of a family of five children, her birth having occurred on the 8th of October, 1888.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Marquis worship with the Methodist Episcopal denomina- tion and hold membership in the First Church of Des Moines. His fraternal relations are confined to the Knights of Pythias, his local identification being with the Des Moines Lodge, No. 68. Ever since attaining his majority at all state and national elections Mr. Marquis has always voted the straight republi- can ticket, but in municipal government he feels that it is a question of the man best adapted to subserve the interests of the community at large and not a matter of political platform or party fealty, so reserves the right to vote in accordance with his best judgment. He is yet a young man, having but passed the thirty- first anniversary of his birth, but if he forges ahead during the next twenty years as he has in the past ten, one can reasonably prophesy for him the attain- ment of the heights to which all aspire and which is the reward of well directed and painstaking effort, as well as the recognition and adaptation of opportunity.

GEORGE A. BUTCHER.

With the upbuilding and development of Des Moines George 'A. Butcher has been prominently identified since starting out in life for himself and is today recognized as one of the most prominent contractors and builders of the city. A native of Iowa, he was born in Dubuque, on the 3d of November, 1869, and is a son of Charles and Mary (Beal) Butcher, both of whom were born in Eng- land, the former in Norfolk and the latter in Huntingdonshire. The parents were married prior to their emigration to America in 1869 and on reaching this county settled in Dubuque, Iowa, where they made their home for three years. During his youth the father had learned the bricklayer's trade in Eng- land and after becoming a resident of the United States continued to follow that occupation and was instrumental in the erection of some of the most notable buildings in Iowa, particularly in Des Moines, to which city he removed in 1872. He had charge of parts of the brick work on the state capitol and was one of the last men to work on that magnificent structure. After a useful and well spent life he passed away in Des Moines, February 17, 1891.

George A. Butcher was about three years of age when brought by his parents to Des Moines and in the public schools of this city he acquired the greater part of his education, where he also pursued a commercial course and was graduated. He began his business career as a bricklayer in the employ of his father, serving his apprenticeship. He then established the firm of Butcher & Storey Contracting & Construction Company, with which he remained for ten years. He then bought the business on his own account under the name of the George A. Butcher Contracting & Construction Company, at No. 529 East Walnut street. Since that time he has received many important contracts and erected a number of the principal buildings in Des Moines, such as the Rock Island depot, the Grant Park school, Chesterfield school and Park avenue school. He has al-

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ways been found true to the terms of every contract, his work has always been of the best and he is regarded as one of the leading men in his line in the city today.

On the 3d of May, 1891, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Butcher and Miss Effie Turbett, and to them have been born four children, namely: Georgia May Sanburg; Charles A., who is attending the Ames College, taking a course in electrical engineering; Everett L., who is pursuing a business course in the high school; and Floy L., attending the Longfellow school.

Fraternally Mr. Butcher is a prominent member of Capital Lodge, No. 106, I. O. O. F., and also the Rebekahs. He belongs to the Elks Lodge, No. 98, the Modern Woodmen of America, No. 3134, Capital City Encampment, No. 165, and Myrtle-Capital Lodge, K. of P. He is also connected with the Brit- ish-American Society and the National Builders Association. He has firm faith in the future of Des Moines, as is evidenced by his investment in real estate, and today he has considerable property in the city. He is fond of out- door life and as opportunity presents itself devotes his leisure time to hunting and fishing.

CHARLES W. BURT, M. D.

Dr. Charles W. Burt, a popular and well known member of the medical profession in Valley Junction, having been engaged in practice here for the past ten years, was born in Dallas county, Iowa, on the 2d of February, 1874. His parents were Calvin W. and Francis (Boone) Burt, natives of New York and Indiana respectively. They came to Iowa and located in Des Moines in 1851. The father was a well known contractor and during the period of his residence in Des Moines erected many of the public buildings as well as many of the private residences. He gave up contracting, however, to engage in agricultural pursuits and in 1884 he bought a section of land on the edge of Dallas county, which he continued to cultivate until he retired and removed to Valley Junc- tion, where he now resides.

It was in the district schools in the vicinity of Booneville that Dr. Charles W. Burt acquired his early education. At the age of fifteen years he entered the high school at Des Moines and after two years study there enrolled at Drake University and for six years was a student in the latter institution, graduating with the class of 1896. The following year he took a post-graduate course at the University of Illinois and at the expiration of that period accepted a position as instructor in his alma mater, which he filled for one year. During that time he received his Master's degree. In the fall of 1899 he matriculated in the medical department of the University of Illinois and on the 28th of May, 1901, was awarded the degree of M. D. On the Ist of the following September he lo- cated in Valley Junction, Iowa, and began the practice of medicine. He has met with more than average success in his work and has a large and constantly growing practice. He is a man of scholarly instincts and tastes, progressive in his ideas and at all times endeavoring to improve the standard of his profession. He keeps in close touch with the development of the science by means of var- ious journals and publications issued for that purpose, and while he does not too readily adopt every new theory advanced in the treatment of disease, at the same time he is not overly cautious or conservative in the acceptance of methods, the efficacy of which he feels has been thoroughly tested and established. His personality, skill as a diagnostician and conscientious devotion to his patients have all combined to make him a credit to his profession.

On the 28th of November, 1903, Dr. Burt was united in marriage to Miss Jennie M. Barr, a daughter of David and Amanda (Lafferty) Barr, natives of

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Ohio but long residents of Iowa. One little daughter, Pearl Auline, now a most interesting child of three years, has been born unto Dr. and Mrs. Burt.

They affiliate with the Church of Christ and fraternally he is connected with the Knights of Pythias and the Modern Woodmen. He keeps in touch with the members of his profession through his identification with the Des Moines Patho- logical Society, Polk County Medical Society and the American Medical As- sociation. Ever since attaining his majority Dr. Burt has given his support to the republican party and he is now a strong advocate of the policy of the prog- ressive members of that body. He has never been conspicuously active in muni- cipal politics, not aspiring to public office, but at the same time he always dis- charges his obligation as a citizen by casting a ballot at each election for the candidates of the party of his choice. Both Dr. and Mrs. Burt have many friends in Valley Junction and take a prominent part in the social life of the community.

ANDREW NELSON.

No farmer in Polk county has achieved greater success in agricultural pur- suits than has Andrew Nelson, whose attractive homestead lies in Elkhart town- ship and is one of the finest in the county. He belongs to that valuable class of citizens which Norway has furnished to the new world and which has brought with it from the old country the unremitting energy and perseverance character- istic of that nation. His birth occurred on the 20th of November, 1842, a son of Shure and Jane (Hougen) Nelson, also natives of Norway, the former having been born at Svelland. The father came with his family to the United States in 1848, locating in Grundy county, Illinois. There he purchased a farm, to the cultivation of which he devoted his energies until 1854, when he sold the property and removed to Kendall county, where he invested in another tract, which he also improved and cultivated. That farm remained his home through- out his remaining days, and there he and his wife both passed away, in No- vember, 1864, their deaths occurring but a week apart. The grandparents of our subject were Nels and Alice Nelson, both of whom came to America with Shure Nelson, and died shortly after their arrival in Grundy county. In the family of Shure and Jane Nelson were nine children: Nels, who is living in Kendall county, Illinois; Andrew, the subject of this review; Alice, who is the wife of Anfin Ersland, of Norge, Oklahoma; Helen, who married Lars Ander- son, of Morganville, Kansas; Lars, of Slayton, Minnesota, who is judge of the district court; Joseph, who makes his home at Cambridge, Iowa; Randey, de- ceased; Bertha, who became the wife of John Barke, of Fergus Falls, Minne- sota ; and Severt, who lived at Kanawha, Iowa, and is now deceased.

Andrew Nelson was but six years old when he left "the land of the mid- night sun," and came with his parents to this country, and in the district schools near the Illinois homestead acquired his education. He remained with his par- ents until twenty years of age, when, in 1862, he enlisted for service in the Civil war, becoming a private in Company E, Ninety-first Illinois Volunteer Infantry. This company was raised in Kendall county to serve for three years. Private Nelson bravely participated in all of the engagements of the regi- ment. He was first under fire December 27, 1862, at Elizabethtown, Kentucky, where the entire regiment was captured by the Confederates, Company E of the Ninety-first Illinois Regiment being among the number. The prisoners were paroled but were released from parole in June, 1863. Mr. Nelson and his com- panions were then sent down the Mississippi river, stopping at Vicksburg and Port Hudson and later proceeding to Carrollton, Louisiana. The regiment was next ordered up the river to Morganza, Louisiana, and engaged in action

MR. AND MRS. ANDREW NELSON

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with the enemy at that point. After this it was sent to Brownsville, Texas, and remained there fourteen months guarding the frontier, being then ordered to New Orleans, where Mr. Nelson was assigned to provost duty. The regiment was later sent to Alabama and participated in the assault upon Spanish Fort, a stronghold which was taken after a bombardment of thirteen days. The men then marched to Fort . Blakely, Alabama, which was captured on the day the regiment arrived at that point. The command was next sent to Mobile and from there to Whistlers Station, engaging in a skirmish with the enemy at the latter place. After this the regiment went into camp about five miles from Mobile. Here Mr. Nelson continued until he was honorably mustered out of service with his regiment, having gained a most creditable record as a soldier in one of the greatest and most important conflicts known in the annals of the world.

After the war he returned to Kendall county, Illinois, where he was em- ployed as a farm hand for one year. In 1866 he came to Iowa, locating in Story county, and there operated a rented farm for one year. At the expiration of that period he came to Polk county, which has since remained the scene of his activities. His first purchase made him the owner of a tract of seventy acres in Elkhart township, which became the nucleus of his present fine estate. A man of excellent business ability, he has readily recognized and utilized the opportunities that have come to him and, possessing keen discernment, has known where and how to direct his efforts so as to achieve the best results. As the years have passed and his financial resources have increased he has invested in more property until today he is one of the largest land holders in Polk county, his holdings consisting of nineteen hundred and seventy-three acres in Polk county, three hundred acres in Story county and eight hundred acres in South Dakota. The home place, located in Elkhart township, has been greatly developed by him and is now one of the finest improved properties in the county. Putting forth his efforts in other channels he now is one of the firm of Nelson Brothers, dealers in hardware and farm implements at Cambridge, Iowa, and is president of the Citizens State Bank of that city. Both enterprises have felt the stimulus of his keen business insight and sound judgment, and his efforts have been a factor in their growth and development.

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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 146

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