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 153
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In 1862, when the Savery House, now the Kirkwood, was opened, Major Cavanagh was one of its first guests and there made his home until his mar- riage to Miss Mary Gibbons, in 1871. Miss Gibbons was a daughter of Owen and Alice Gibbons, pioneers of Davenport, Iowa, the former a prominent build- ing contractor. Her father and mother were both born in Ireland and came to America at an early age. Major Cavanagh was one of the founders of the Des Moines public library and one of its firmest supporters. After many years of great usefulness he retired from active affairs in 1890, and died April 25, 1891, leaving a wife and three children. A man of large and handsome physique and of pleasing address, he made friends wherever he was known. He was a model citizen and was noted for his manly character, his reliability and his progressiveness, and the record which he left is one of which his friends may ever be proud.
Bartholomew J. Cavanagh was educated at the St. Ambrose parochial school of Des Moines, the St. Ambrose Seminary of Davenport, Iowa, and St. Mary's College, of St. Marys, Kansas, subsequently becoming a student in the law department of Drake University, at Des Moines, from which he was graduated with the degree of LL.B., May 17, 1901. He engaged in newspaper work in Des Moines for ten years before his graduation in law and has practiced his profession since his admission to the bar, January 16, 1901. He has applied him- self with a zeal and ability which have redounded greatly to his credit, so that he has gained recognition as one of the thoroughly wide-awake and efficient attor- neys of Polk county. In addition to having a liberal income from his pro- fession, he is an extensive holder of real estate in Des Moines and elsewhere.
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On the 17th of April, 1901, Mr. Cavanagh was united in marriage, in this city, to Miss Elizabeth A. Ewing, a daughter of John and Janet Ewing, of Pike River, Quebec, Canada. The early members of Mrs. Cavanagh's family settled on Pike river in the pioneer days, and the Ewings since have conducted the most important business interests in the district lying between St. Johns and the head of Lake Champlain. Two children came to bless the union of Mr. and Mrs. Cavanagh : Janet, who was born May 22, 1907; and Elaine Mary, born November 6, 1909.
Mr. and Mrs. Cavanagh are valued members of the Catholic church. Socially Mr. Cavanagh is identified with the Knights of Columbus, and the Golf and Country Club, being also a member of the board of directors of the Associated Charities of Des Moines. Fortunate in his education and training, possessing a genial and kindly disposition, and endowed with marked ability as a lawyer, he has proven a worthy successor to his revered father. He is one of the most popular citizens of Des Moines, and by a sincere and straightforward life has earned the respect in which he is held by the entire community.
DR. JACKSON WATTS.
For nearly forty years in the active practice of dentistry in Des Moines, Dr. Jackson Watts gained an established reputation as one of the leaders in his spe- cialty in Iowa. He was born on a farm in Montgomery county, Indiana, October IO, 1840, a son of John and Ruth (Cox) Watts, both of whom were natives of Kentucky. The father, who was born near Lexington in 1805, was reared as a farmer and after his marriage joined in the movement northward from various states of the south and settled for a time in the midst of a forest in Indiana. Glowing accounts of the productiveness of the land west of the Mississippi river reached his ears and he undertook a journey by wagon to Polk county, Iowa, purchasing a tract of one hundred and sixty acres in Allen township from a man named Perkins. Having acquired this property, he returned to Indiana in the fall of the same year, accompanied by his wife and eight children, and after settling up his affairs in the Hoosier state, once more turned his face west- ward. Here he applied himself diligently and became one of the leading men in his township. He was in many respects a man of the typical pioneer type, determined, courageous and indefatigable in following any honorable course leading to an independent career. He was an earnest believer in the authority and inspiration of the Bible and a stanch member of the Baptist church. Polit- ically he gave his influence and support to the Jacksonian democracy. He passed away November 28, 1857, and his wife was called from earthly scenes March 8, 1879.
Jackson Watts came with his parents to Iowa in October, 1848, and spent the remainder of his life in this state. He was reared upon the home farm and received his preliminary education in the district schools. Even as a boy he evinced an inclination for a professional career and, having chosen dentistry as his vocation, he entered the office of Dr. J. W. Bishop, of Des Moines, where he was inducted into the various details of the art, so that at the age of nineteen years he felt prepared to engage in practice upon his own responsibility. Ac- cordingly he associated with Dr. William Molesworth in 1859, whose interest in the business he purchased in 1861, thereafter practicing alone. As the years passed he won a position as one of the foremost men in the ranks of his pro- fession, continuing in active practice until his death, which occurred October 16, 1899.
On the 3Ist of October, 1864, Dr. Watts was united in marriage to Miss Sarah A. Bell, who was born at Johnstown, Pennsylvania, a daughter of Sam-
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uel Bell, who emigrated to Ohio and later to Polk county, Iowa. The father died in Colorado, after having been attracted to the mountains in search of wealth in the mines. Dr. and Mrs. Watts became the parents of one child, Clar- ence Victor, who was born February 10, 1867. He was given every desirable opportunity of education and after completing the common-school course en- tered Callanan College and Drake University, subsequently becoming a student in the dental department of the University of Pennsylvania. He is now engaged in practice in Des Moines.
Dr. Jackson Watts began his business career at Des Moines when the pres- ent thriving city was a mere village in a thinly settled region which few imagined would within a single generation become one of the garden spots of America. He devoted himself closely and conscientiously to his profession and lived to see Des Moines and the surrounding country transformed into a center of civilization and refinement in a great state. He gained a host of friends and a reputation as one of the highly influential citizens of the state. His place in professional circles is now ably occupied by his son who has proven by his intimate acquaintance with his profession and his acknowledged talents a most worthy successor to an honored father.
LEONIDAS H. DE FORD.
Among the native sons of Polk county who have become successful agricul- turists and substantial citizens appears the name of Leonidas H. De Ford, who was born in Des Moines on the 25th of November, 1851. His parents, William and Elizabeth (Robinson) De Ford, were natives of Ohio but they removed to Bureau county, Illinois, in pioneer days and there the father engaged in black- smithing. In August, 1846, they removed to the Hawkeye state and located in Des Moines, where Mr. De Ford continued to follow his trade. He was one of the well known citizens of the town and was elected to the highest office of the municipality in 1856, the duties of which he discharged with credit to him- self and his constituency. Mr. De Ford was also a musician of recognized ability and during his residence in Des Moines organized the first brass band in the town. He disposed of his business in 1872 and shortly afterward became a citizen of Lexington, Nebraska, where he continued to pursue blacksmithing until his death in 1892. Mrs. De Ford had passed away while they were living in Des Moines, in 1853.
Leonidas H. De Ford obtained his education in the public schools of Des Moines, remaining a member of his father's household until he had reached his fifteenth year, when he accepted the appointment of government mail carrier to the surrounding settlements. The towns were scattered, the roads very poor, being practically impassable at times because of the heavy rains, so he covered his territory on horseback. The mail was not heavy in those days, for letters were not often exchanged because of the poor facilities and the rate of postage which at that time was considerably higher than it is today, and an item of ex- pense worthy of consideration among the pioneers, so a pair of saddle-bags pro- vided ample room for its accommodation. He continued to follow this for four years and then responded to the call for volunteers in 1870 to go west to fight the Indians. He enlisted in the Seventh United States Cavalry, known as Custer's regiment, and was soon promoted to the rank of sergeant of Troop C. He remained in the army for five years and at the end of that period was mus- tered out and returned to Des Moines. After leaving the army he decided to become a farmer and bought two hundred acres of land in Polk county, which he immediately set about clearing and developing. He has continued to cul- tivate this property ever since and by forty years' careful supervision and man-
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agement, together with modern improvements and methods of fertilization and drainage has made it one of the very valuable farms in the county.
Mr. De Ford's arrangements for a home of his own had their culmination in his marriage on the 14th of September, 1887, to Miss Martha A. Nuttall. Mrs. De Ford was a daughter of Jesse and Emma (Toller) Nuttall, natives of Indiana, who came to Iowa in 1847 and located on a farm in Polk county. Mrs. De Ford passed away on the 14th of June, 1908, after a brief but not supposedly serious illness, although she had been in delicate health for several years. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which denomination Mr. De Ford is still a communicant. He is also identified with several fraternal organizations, holding membership in the Masonic order, the Knights of Pythias, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Eagles and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
Since being granted the right of suffrage Mr. De Ford has been a strong supporter of the policy of the republican party. He takes an active interest in all local political issues and for nine years was a member of the board of county supervisors, his long incumbency indicating the regard in which he was held by his constituency. He has been an industrious and persevering man and has met with more than moderate success in his undertakings, as in addition to his large farm he owns seven fine residences in Valley Junction which he rents. He has many friends in the community where he lives and has spent almost his entire life.
S. C. SUMPTER.
S. C. Sumpter, who is successfully engaged in the real-estate and insurance business at Des Moines, was born in Warren county, Iowa, on the 16th of May, 1874. His great-great-grandfather on the maternal side, Thomas Wilson, was a member of General Washington's staff during the Revolutionary war. He entered land in Kentucky on the site of Mammoth Cave. Christopher Sumpter, the father of S. C. Sumpter, was born in Putnam county, Indiana, on the 23d of April, 1849, and became a contractor and carpenter. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Eliza Greder, was born in Warren county, Iowa, on the 18th of March, 1857. They were the parents of five children, as follows : Mary E., who is deceased, as is also her husband, William Marsh, by whom she had a daughter, Edna ; S. C., of this review ; Effie, who is the wife of Frank Wilson and resides at Oskaloosa, Iowa; William A., who left a wife and two children when he passed away; and Lulu Myrtle, the wife of L. Kimes, of Eldon, Iowa.
S. C. Sumpter obtained his education in the common schools of Carlisle, Iowa, and at an early age took up the work of farming, following general agri- cultural pursuits for several years. Subsequently he thoroughly mastered the trade of brickmaking and worked at that occupation for some years, manufactur- ing brick during the summer months and selling nursery stock during the win- ter season. Later he spent about two years in organizing subordinate lodges for the Yeomen, materially assisting the organization to gain its present high stand- ing in the state of Iowa. In 1900 he came to Des Moines and the following year entered the real-estate and fire insurance business, having since built up a large clientage in these connections. He handles both farm and city property and has made it his purpose to fully acquaint himself with realty values. His offices are in the Clapp building. He helped to organize the Des Moines Real Estate Ex- change and in 1908 was elected secretary and treasurer of the association, hold- ing the dual position until the close of the year 1910, when he resigned because of the pressure of other business.
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Mr. Sumpter was married in 1895 and has one son, Clifford D., whose birth occurred on the 19th of December, 1896. He gives his political allegiance to the republican party, while his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Christian church. Fraternally he is identified with the Yeomen, the Modern Woodmen of America and the Court of Honor. His enterprise and laudable ambition have carried him into important business relations and at all times the course that he has pursued has commended him to the good will and confidence of those who know him.
FREDERICK W. EWING, M. D.
One of the well known residents of Grimes is Dr. Frederick W. Ewing, who for nearly twenty years has been engaged in the practice of his profession in Polk county. He was born in Winterset, Iowa, on the 18th of May, 1859, and is a son of John C. and Esther M. (Stinson) Ewing, natives of Tennessee. The parents came to Iowa in 1845, locating at Troy, where the father, who was a Presbyterian minister, was placed in charge of the church of that denomina- tion. During the period of his pastorate there, Mr. Ewing, who was a very active and progressive man, succeeded in establishing the Presbyterian College which is one of the oldest educational institutions in the state. The typical pioneer in whom the missionary spirit was strong, he entered new fields, es- tablishing churches in Bloomfield and Unionville. He served the spiritual needs of the people of Troy for eight years, at the end of which period he went to Oskaloosa for a short time, after which he filled a charge at Des Moines, and went from there to Winterset, Madison county, where he organized a church with nine members. Most efficiently he filled the position of pastor there for nine years, which completed his service, as on the 14th of December, 1868, he passed away. His wife survived him until the 12th of January, 1894, passing away after a long illness. She was one of the oldest residents of Winterset, a woman of noble character and rare spiritual nature, who was of great assistance to her husband in the missionary field.
Frederick W. Ewing was educated in the public schools of his native town, graduating from the high school with the class of 1875. Shortly after this event he accepted a position as voucher clerk in the quartermaster's office at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, which he retained for nine months, and then en- tered a military academy at Orchard Lake, Michigan, where he remained for a year. The summer following he studied medicine and in the fall matriculated at the medical department of the University of Michigan, from which institution he received the degree of M. D. in March, 1881. Upon completion of his med- ical course he accepted a position as physician with a mining company at Mc- Allister, Indian Territory, remaining in their service for nine months, at the end of which period he went to Sioux Falls, South Dakota. After practicing in the latter place for three months he entered the government employ as physi- cian in the Indian service at Fort Thompson, South Dakota, where he remained for three and a half years. Following this he returned to Winterset, where he bought a drug store,, which he conducted in connection with his practice until 1892, at which time he located at Grimes, where he has ever since continued to reside. Dr. Ewing has built up a lucrative practice here and stands well in the professional and social circles of the town. He is a thoroughly capable and conscientious physician, progressive in his ideas and infinitely patient, even under the stress of exacting and oftentimes inconsiderate demands made upon his time and strength. His sole thought seems to be to stimulate the failing courage of the weak, alleviate the pain of the suffering and carry comfort to the sorrow-
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ing, --- those duties of the humane physician who seeks no reward but the com- forting thought of having served a fellowbeing.
Dr. Ewing married Miss Effie J. Tarbell in March, 1887. Mrs. Ewing was a daughter of George and Elizabeth (Churchill) Tarbell, the father a native of Maine and the mother of Massachusetts. Mr. Tarbell was a miller by trade but always followed farming after locating in Iowa. He was one of the pioneer settlers, first locating in Madison county, where he remained for many years, after which he bought land in the vicinity of Spirit Lake, which he continued to cultivate until he passed away on the 19th of August, 1896. Mrs. Tarbell died on the 4th of August, 1907. Six children were born unto Dr. and Mrs. Ewing : Dwight T., who was born on the 13th of June, 1888; Warren W., born on the 4th of November, 1889; Irene, born on the 20th of July, 1892; Lester M., born on the 13th of May, 1895; Clara, born on the 9th of October, 1897; and Fred- erick, whose birth occurred on the 12th of October, 1900. The wife and mother passed away on the 22d of March, 1909, after an illness covering a period of four years.
The religious affiliation of the family has always been with the Presbyterian denomination. His professional associations Dr. Ewing maintains through mem- bership in the Polk County Medical Society, Iowa State Medical Association and American Medical Association, while he is also identified with the Sons of Aesculapius, a fraternal society confined to members of the profession. His political views are in accord with the principles of the republican party, whose candidates are always given his support, although, not being an office seeker, he does not actively participate in governmental affairs.
Dr. Ewing has been successful in his profession, having acquired a fine farm of two hundred acres in Madison county in addition to property in Grimes, while he carries twelve thousand dollars worth of life insurance, the greater portion of which he has paid up. Both he and his family are well regarded and are prominent in the social circles of the community.
EUGENE A. BRECHT.
Among the young men who have become identified with manufacturing in- terests in Des Moines should be named Eugene A. Brecht, the successor of a worthy father in the manufacture of brick which during recent years has be- come one of the highly important industries of the country. He was born in Des Moines March 23, 1881, a son of William L. and Johanna E. (Armbrust) Brecht, both of whom were born in New York. The father was by trade a carriage-maker. He worked at his trade in Buffalo, New York, prior to com- ing to Iowa in 1880 when he located at Des Moines and began as a contractor and builder. After ten years, during which he acquired an excellent reputation, he became general manager of the Des Moines Brick Manufacturing Company and continued in this position for two years. He then organized the Flint Brick Company of which he was president, general manager and treasurer until his death which occurred April 17, 1904. He was a man of splendid business ability whose integrity and honor were above question. The mother is now liv- ing in Des Moines and has arrived at the age of fifty-eight years.
Eugene A. Brecht was reared under the favoring influences of a kindly home and received his education in the public schools and later attended the Capital City Commercial College and St. Mary's College at St. Mary's, Kansas. After completing the college course he became connected with the Warfield-Pratt- Howell Company, wholesale grocers of Des Moines, continuing with this firm for one year. He then became connected with his father in the manufacture of brick and as thoroughness is one of his characteristics, he mastered this work
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in all its details. He was made yard foreman and continued in this position until after the death of his father when he was elected secretary of the company and became manager of the plant. Since February, 1911, he has been general manager of the company. For a number of years this company operated coal mines in connection with its brick business, but the mining department has been discontinued and the entire force is concentrated in the manufacture and sale of a high quality of brick for which there is a steadily growing demand.
On September 10, 1902, Mr. Brecht was united in marriage to Miss Jessie I. Cross, a daughter of Charles C. and Iona (Harp) Cross, both of whom were born in Illinois. The father engaged as an architect in the Prairie state and in 1890 took up his residence in Des Moines where he conducted his business for seventeen years. He removed with his wife to Los Angeles, California, in 1907 and they are now living in that city. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Brecht, Virginia, now five years of age, and Eugene Jr., now two years of age.
Mr. Brecht owns a beautiful home at Ninth and Clinton streets, Highland Park, where he and his wife dispense generous hospitality. They are both iden- tified with the Catholic church and sincere believers in its teachings. Politically he gives his support to the republican party and socially is connected with the Elks, the Knights of Columbus, and the Hyperion Field and Motor Clubs. In his acts he is controlled by a high sense of duty and by personal worth and integrity has gained the friendship of the best people of the city.
GEORGE H. FITZSIMMONS.
Of the many successful agriculturists in Jefferson township none has made more steady and substantial progress than George H. Fitzsimmons, who owns two hundred and forty acres of land, in the cultivation of which he is engaged. He was born in Delaware county, Iowa, on the 27th of March, 1869, and is a son of Charles T. and Elizabeth (Hotchkiss) Fitzsimmons, the father a native of Vermont and the mother of New York. Charles T. Fitzsimmons removed to Dubuque county, Iowa, in a very early day and rented a farm, which he operated for several years, and then bought eighty acres in Delaware county. He im- proved and cultivated the latter place until 1880, at which time he disposed of it and bought a farm of one hundred and twenty acres in Jefferson township. Success rewarded his efforts and he added to his holdings at different times as he was able until he had acquired two hundred and twenty acres, which he operated until his retirement in 1903. He is now making his home with a son in Council Bluffs, Iowa, having attained the age of seventy-two years. His wife passed away on the 17th of February, 1908.
George H. Fitzsimmons was reared in the country, his education being ob- tained in the district schools of Delaware and Polk counties. After he had mastered the common branches he laid aside his text-books and assisted his father in the work of the farm until he was twenty-three years of age, when he rented the homestead and about the same time bought eighty acres of unim- proved land in Jefferson township. He improved the latter during the two years he operated his father's place, subsequently locating upon it. He has been very successful in his work and has increased his tract from time to time until he now owns two hundred and forty acres of fine farm land. Although he en- gages in general farming Mr. Fitzsimmons raises about seventy-five hogs per year and keeps fifty head of cattle and ten horses.
The marriage of Mr. Fitzsimmons and Miss Dora Elder occurred on the - 26th of March, 1892. Mrs. Fitzsimmons is a daughter of Alfred and Alice (Holmes) Elder, the father a native of Davis county, Iowa, and the mother of
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Ohio. Mr. Elder, whose natal day was the 21st of July, 1840, in early youth went to Illinois, where he worked as a farm hand by the month until his mar- riage. He subsequently came to Iowa, renting a farm in Davis county for sev- eral years, and then removed to Van Buren county, where he bought a farm which he is still operating at the age of seventy-one. Mrs. Elder has passed the sixty-first anniversary of her birth. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Fitzsimmons : Clarence O., who is seventeen years of age; Leslie G., who is sixteen; and Georgia May, nine years of age.
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