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 154

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 154

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Mr. Fitzsimmons casts his ballot in support of the republican candidates but has never been prominently identified with the political activities of his township, having served in no official capacity save as that of trustee. The family al- ways attend the Congregational church, in which both Mr. and Mrs. Fitzsim- mons hold membership. During the long period of his residence in Jefferson township Mr. Fitzsimmons has become recognized as one of the competent as well as enterprising and progressive agriculturists of the community, who well merits the lucrative returns awarded his endeavors.

FRANK JAMES CAMP.

The life record of Frank James Camp, secretary and general manager of the Brown-Camp Hardware Company of Des Moines, is a splendid instance of the rise of a young man without the aid of family or business influence but entirely by his own industry and fidelity to the interests commended to his care. Vigor- ous health, a temperament equal to the occasion and a determination to rise superior to obstacles, all these are elements in his steady advancement which has brought him at length to the creditable and enviable position which he now occu- pies as a representative of the commercial interests of Des Moines.

He was born near What Cheer, Keokuk county, Iowa, September 13, 1870, his parents being James Montgomery and Mary (McClenahan) Camp, who were pioneer residents of Iowa. The father was engaged in business in Des Moines from the year 1871 until the time of his death in May, 1909.

Only the educational advantages offered by the public schools were afforded Frank James Camp, who pursued a course in the East Des Moines schools to his graduation with the class of 1889. Throughout his connection with business affairs he has been identified with the hardware trade. He first entered the services of the J. D. Seeberger Hardware Company as office boy, but advance- ment came to him in recognition of his loyalty and industry and he rose to head clerk of the retail department. A later promotion made him buyer of the build- ers' hardware department, and at the death of J. D. Seeberger, with whom he had been so long associated, he became one of the original incorporators of the Brown-Hurley Hardware Company, of which he was made assistant secretary. At the demise of Mr. Hurley in 1909, Mr. Camp was elected secretary and gen- erai manager, in which connection he has complete administrative control of the most extensive wholesale hardware house in this city, located at Nos. 101 to 107 Court avenue.

His rise is due to the fact that he thoroughly acquainted himself with every department of the trade and was not afraid to do more work than the position which he was filling seemed to demand. He thus proved his willingness and his worth to his employers and advancement followed, making him at length one of the executive officers of a most extensive commercial establishment.

On the 8th of March, 1898, in Socorro, New Mexico, Mr. Camp was united in marriage to Miss Louise Edith Meek, a daughter of Joseph Meek, a pioneer citizen of Iowa, who was formerly in the lumber business at Indianola and now a resident of Santa Rosa, New Mexico. He was also prominent in public affairs

FRANK J. CAMP

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in Indianola and was formerly sheriff of Warren county. Mr. and Mrs. Camp have three children, a son and two daughters, James, Katheryn and Virginia. The family occupy a fine residence at No. 1825 Oakland Avenue.

Mr. Camp belongs to Capital Lodge, A. F. & A. M., and to the Ancient Order of United Workmen, to Grant Club and the Hyperion Club. While the years have chronicled Mr. Camp's success, they have also been witnesses of the fact that he has maintained an even balance in all things. He has never allowed commercial interests to dwarf the finer sensibilities of his nature or to prohibit participation in the activities of life which should concern every individual. He is at all times approachable and genial and for real worth of character is held high in the estimation of his fellowmen.

ENOS P. MARMON.

The press has long been regarded as both the mirror and the molder of public opinion and undoubtedly there is no one agency that has more direct bearing upon the upbuilding and welfare of a community than an enterprising journal which advocates public progress so strongly and so wisely as to win a large following for the cause it supports. In connection with newspaper publication in Mitchellville, Enos P. Marmon is widely known, being owner of the Index, one of the attractive weekly journals of Polk county. He has not always been engaged in the newspaper business, for in early life other interests claimed his attention. He was born November 6, 1853, in Zanesfield, Logan county, Ohio, a son of Asa Marmon, who was also a native of Logan county, born in 1830. His parents were of Quaker faith and French descent. They lived for some time in North Carolina and thence removed to Ohio, becoming early settlers of Marmon valley, which was so named in their honor. The grandfather of Mr. Marmon of this review was a farmer and aided in transforming a tract of wild land in that district into richly cultivated fields. His son, Asa Marmon, was reared to farm work, assisting in the fields throughout the period of his boy- hood and youth, but when a young man turned his attention to commercial pur- suits, becoming connected with a mercantile enterprise in Zanesfield, where he carried on business until his death, which occurred in 1863. His capable manage- ment was shown in the prosperity which attended his efforts. He wedded Miss Mary Ann Marmon, who, though of the same name, was not of the same family. She was a native of Michigan and long surviving her husband, passed away in 1905. Following the demise of Mr. Marmon, she married again, becoming the wife of John Everingham. By her first marriage she had four children: Lean- der, now a resident of Ohio; Enos P .; Henry C., living in Iowa; and Laura, who died in 1899.

Enos P. Marmon pursued his education in the common schools of Zanesfield to the age of fourteen years, when he put aside his text-books in order to enter upon an apprenticeship in a woolen factory. That he was diligent and reliable is indicated in the fact that he remained with the house for five years. He then went to Richwood, Ohio, where he continued for four years in the same line of business and later removed to Madison, Indiana, where he was also employed in a woolen mill for a time. While there he began learning the printing busi- ness in the office of the Madison Daily Courier, with which he was connected for about two years, when he returned to the factory in which he had become acquainted with the woolen trade. He was also employed in a woolen factory in Carthage, Missouri, for about a year, at the end of which time he embarked in the printing business in which he continued for a similar period. Removing to Bellefontaine, Ohio, he secured a position as foreman in the Index office, where he remained for a year and on the 18th of August, 1882, he came to Vol. II-64

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Mitchellville and established the Index in company with his brother, H. C. Marmon. When another twelvemonth had passed Enos P. Marmon purchased the paper which he has since issued. It is a weekly journal, republican in poli- tics and is regarded as an excellent news as well as advertising medium. It is printed in attractive manner and has enjoyed a continually growing circulation which makes it now a profitable investment.

In 1875 Mr. Marmon was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Worth, a native of Zanesfield, Ohio, and a daughter of James Worth, who was born in New Jersey. In their family were three children, of whom Edward P. died in 1883, when six years of age. The second son, James Asa, born in 1882, was a graduate of Simpson College and of the State University of Iowa and for a time was assistant professor of English in the Iowa University. Subsequently he was appointed clerk to the United States paymaster in the Philippine Islands, where he is now stationed. Charles W., born in 1885, is now deputy postmaster at Mitchellville and is assisting his father in the printing business.

Mr. Marmon has always been a stanch republican in his political views and takes an active part in upholding republican principles and in furthering the interests of the local organization. Fraternally he is connected with Mitchell- ville Lodge, No. 313, A. F. & A. M., with Mitchellville Chapter, No. 363, I. O. O. F. and with the Modern Woodmen of America, while his religious faith is indicated in his membership in the Methodist church. Almost thirty years' resi- dence in Polk county has made him widely known and he is justly accounted one of the valued citizens of the community, for his labors directly and indirectly, have constituted an effective force for public progress and improvement.

C. A. SNOW.

C. A. Snow, one of the enterprising and capable business men of Polk City, is a native of Indiana, his birth occurring in Marion county on the 22d of Feb- ruary, 1864. His parents, John and Rebecca J. (Sellsgrove) Snow, died before he had passed his second year and he was brought to Iowa and reared by P. P. Bristow.

Mr. Snow acquired his education in the district schools, remaining a mem- ber of Mr. Bristow's household until he had reached the age of seventeen years, at which time he started out in life for himself. He engaged in agricultural pursuits, the vocation to which he was adapted by training until February, 1909,. at which time he entered the hardware and implement business, with which he is still identified. Mr. Snow was quite successful and in addition to his business in Polk City owns one hundred and sixty-five acres of farm land in Madison township, this county.

In January, 1884, Mr. Snow married Miss Kate Blanch Van Dorn, a daugh- ter of Isaac and Elizabeth Van Dorn, natives of Indiana. Her parents came to Iowa in the pioneer days, settling in Polk county, where they continued to re- side for the remainder of their lives. Mrs. Snow, who was the third in a family of six children, was born on the 6th of July, 1862, and passed away on the Ist of February, 1899, and was buried in the Polk City cemetery. Five chil- dren were born of this union: Howell, the eldest, lives in Kendall, Montana. Almeda, who has been married twice, her second husband being LeRoy Elliott, is a resident of this county. Florence became the wife of Silas Stubbs of this county and is now living in Boone county, this state, and they have three chil- dren. Katie is the wife of Roscoe Channon of this county and has two children. I. E. is single and lives in this county. On the Ist of October, 1902, Mr. Snow was united in marriage to Miss Clara Becker, a daughter of Christian A. and Elizabeth (Heisel) Becker, natives of Prussia and Illinois respectively. They

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came to Iowa about 1897 and located in this county, where they continue to reside. Mrs. Snow was born on the 6th of September, 1877, and is the fourth in a family of five children. Mr. and Mrs. Snow have one child, Goldie M.

They attend the Congregational church of Polk City,. and fraternally Mr. Snow is identified by membership with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Modern Woodmen of America and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, and has held the most of the offices of the two former organizations. Ever since attaining his majority he has given his political allegiance to the democratic party. He always takes an active interest in public affairs and was for eighteen years secretary of the board of school directors and has also been assessor of his township. He is one of the public-spirited citizens of Polk City, always striving to forward every movement the adoption of which will be of benefit to the community or improve local conditions.

FRANK H. KITCHEN.

The rapid advance of Frank H. Kitchen in the pharmaceutical business at Des Moines is an evidence of the possibilities awaiting ambitious young men in this land of opportunity. Although only twenty-six years of age he is the owner of a flourishing drug store and has gained acknowledged standing among the practical business men of the city. He is a native of Vandalia, Jasper county, Iowa, born October 6, 1885, and is a son of Dr. Carl and Mary A. (Elliott) Kitchen, both of whom were born in Indiana and were brought to. Iowa in their childhood. The father studied medicine under Dr. H. C. Potter, a well known practitioner of Des Moines, and was graduated from the Keokuk Medical College in 1878. He practiced for six years at Vandalia and then removed to Runnells, where he continued until 1906, then retiring at Des Moines. He was a man of marked ability and was highly successful as a physician. He died April 23, 1908, but the mother is still living and has arrived at the age of sixty- three years.

Frank H. Kitchen was reared in a happy family and under favorable condi- tions for a useful life. He attended the public schools at Runnells and later entered the Highland Park College, where he pursued the regular course in pharmacy, graduating in 1907. After leaving college he associated with H. D. West and they entered the drug business at East Fifth and Locust streets, in which they continued together for six months, when Mr. Kitchen purchased the interest of his partner and conducted the business alone. On March 1, 1910, he sold out and for several months enjoyed a vacation, in the meantime consid- ering his next step. Having decided to reenter the business, he opened a drug store for prescriptions only at 334 East Fifth street, of which he has been in charge since October, 1910. He manufactures Kitchen's cough and cold remedy, Kitchen's rheumatism cure and various other preparations which are finding a ready sale in the market. He keeps a complete assortment of drugs and medi- cines of the purest and best quality and by the application of conscientious business principles, integrity and fair dealing is gaining an enviable reputation and lias attracted a lucrative and growing patronage.

On the 14th of June, 1906, Mr. Kitchen was happily married at Monroe, Iowa, to Miss Laura Ogburn, a daughter of L. D. and Elizabeth Ogburn, natives of Ohio. The family located in Jasper county, where the father engaged in farming. In 1901 he retired and is now living with his wife at Monroe, Iowa. Religiously Mr. Kitchen is identified with the Christian church, his wife being a member of the Baptist church. He takes great interest in the Masonic order and holds membership in the blue lodge, chapter and consistory, also being con- nected with the Yeomen of America and the Modern Woodmen of America.

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His study of political questions has led him to accept the platforms of the re- publican party as his standard in voting. He is held in high esteem in com- mercial as well as social circles and on account of his known integrity and reliability is steadily forging ahead as a prominent factor in the business circles of the city.

JAMES MCKEON.

The name of James McKeon must needs occupy a prominent position in the list of self-made men in Polk county, for it is to his own unaided efforts, integrity and perseverance he is today indebted for the competence he enjoys, and which those who have known him during all his active career feel he has justly earned. He was born in Polk county on the 17th of April, 1857, a son of Patrick and Catherine (Fay) Mckeon, natives of Ireland, who emigrated to the United States in 1855 and made their way westward to Iowa. They located on ten acres of land which they rented in Des Moines and after cultivating this for two years they had accumulated sufficient capital to enable them to buy thirty acres on Beaver avenue. They paid twelve dollars per acre for this land and after cultivating it for ten years sold it for one hundred and fifty dollars per acre, and today it could not be obtained at one thousand dollars per acre. After selling they invested in ninety-eight acres located a quarter of a mile north of their former place, paying twenty-five dollars per acre for forty-eight acres and forty dollars per acre for the remainder. Mr. Mckeon cleared and cultivated this land until the time of his death on the IIth of February, 1889. Mrs. Mc- Keon still survives and makes her home at 1212 Woodlawn avenue.

It was in the district schools of Polk county that James McKeon acquired his preliminary education and after completing the course he attended the Iowa Business College in Des Moines for one term. When he laid aside his school books he began working for his father, continuing to live at home, and re- mained in his employ until he was twenty-six years old, during which period he accumulated five hundred dollars. In 1873 he rented one hundred acres of land and began farming and for six years he cultivated leased land, but at the ex- piration of that time he bought eighty acres in Walnut township. He cleared and improved this property, adding to his tract from time to time as he was able until he now owns two hundred acres of land in that township, all of which he improved and cultivated. In addition to his farm he owns thirteen lots and five houses in Clive, where he now resides.

Mr. Mckeon withdrew from active agricultural pursuits in 1890 and removed to Des Moines, but after one year's residence in the capital city he came to Clive and bought out a mercantile business which he conducted for eight years. In 1909 he disposed of his store to Mr. Lovell, the present owner, since which time he has been living retired, devoting his entire attention to the administra- tion of his own and his mother's property.

On the 25th of January, 1885, the marriage of Mr. Mckeon and Miss Ella Brady was solemnized. Mrs. McKeon is a daughter of Michael and Jane Brady, the father a native of the Emerald isle and the mother of Michigan. Mr. Brady came to Iowa in pioneer days, and when the call came for troops in the '6os he showed his allegiance to his adopted country by going to the front in a company of volunteers from the Hawkeye state. For three years he served in the Union cause and then returned to Iowa and located on a farm, which he cultivated until the time of his retirement. He is now living in Clive at the age of eighty-two years, but Mrs. Brady passed away in 1876. Unto Mr. and Mrs. McKeon has been born one son, James Francis, who is twenty-six years of age and is weighmaster at the Gibson coal mine.

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The parents are communicants of the Roman Catholic church and Mr. Mc- Keon is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America. His political affilia- tion has always been with the democratic party. He has been quite an active participant in municipal politics and has for the past twelve years served as postmaster, and two years ago was elected to the office of trustee in Walnut township. Mr. Mckeon has proven himself to be a man of more than average executive ability, his foresight and keen powers of discernment having brought him through business transactions most successfully where his acquaintance all prohpesied disaster. He stands well in the community where he has resided for many years and is accounted one of the substantial men of the county, while at the same time his record contains no suggestion of injustice or wrong - toward any with whom he has dealt.

HARRY L. HEWITT.

In the passing of Harry L. Hewitt Des Moines lost one of the more repre- sentative among her leading young merchants and business men. It is true that he had the advantage of entering upon a business already established, but not one in hundreds would have turned his advantages to such excellent account and from the outset of his career he made it his purpose to thoroughly master every duty and every detail of the business and thus qualify for larger responsibilities and greater interests. He was born in Des Moines, March 12, 1872, a son of Charles Hewitt, president of the Charles Hewitt Sons Company, a leading whole- sale grocery firm of Des Moines. In the city schools Harry L. Hewitt pur- sued his education until graduated from the West High School with the class of 1891. He then entered Iowa 'College at Grinnell, where he studied for two years, when he put aside his text-books and left that institution, feeling that his services were needed in the business of which his father was the head. He en- tered the office of the wholesale grocery firm and devoted two years to thoroughly familiarizing himself with the business in principle and detail. He gained still other knowledge of questions bearing upon the trade by representing the house upon the road for three or four years and thus qualified for administrative direction to which he was called when, in 1905, the Charles Hewitt Sons Com- pany was incorporated. On that date he was elected vice president and treas- urer and became practically the manager of the business. . He closely studied methods for the extension of the trade and made the house a standard of service in every line. Promptness in the execution of orders, courtesy to all patrons and above all straightforward dealing were made characteristic forces of the business which, growing in volume and importance, has become one of the leading whole- sale interests of Des Moines. Mr. Hewitt applied himself closely to the work and was largely instrumental in having erected the new business block occupied by the company.

In October, 1903, Mr. Hewitt was married to Miss Winifred Leonard, of Des Moines, a daughter of Charles Leonard, now living in Canada. They be- came the parents of two children, Mary and Florence, who are with their mother in this city.

The news of Mr. Hewitt's death came as a shock to the community for it seemed that many years of usefulness should have been spared to him. Socially he was very prominent and was regarded as a popular member of the Golf and Country Club, the Grant Club and the Commercial Club. He also held mem- bership with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Iowa State Trav- eling Men's Association and the United Commercial Travelers. He was at all times genial and courteous, kindly and approachable, and while he had the exe- cutive ability so necessary to the conduct of a successful business and put forth

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earnest effort for the growth of the house, he did not concentrate his energies upon commercial affairs to the exclusion of all other interests, but displayed a well rounded character manifest in a broad-minded interest in public affairs and in progressive citizenship.

FRED M. HILKER.

Although Fred M. Hilker began as a teacher less than a year ago, he has demonstrated his ability and as principal of the Runnells schools has gained an enviable reputation as an educator. He is a native of this county, having been born on a farm near Mitchellville, May 4, 1873, his parents being Will- iam and Mary Hilker. The father was born in Germany and the mother in Indiana. He came to America and established himself at Cambridge, Illinois, in 1857, where he continued until the outbreak of the Civil war. Like thou- sands of liberty loving German American citizens, he offered his services to the cause of the Union and became a member of Company K, One Hundred and Twelfth Illinois Infantry, serving nearly three years. After receiving his hon- orable discharge he returned to Cambridge and was married, continuing there for several years. In 1870 he arrived with his family in Polk county and bought a farm, which he cultivated for two years. He then sold his place and pur- chased a farm near Mitchellville, which became his permanent home. He and his wife are now living upon this place in the enjoyment of the results of many years of labor.

Fred M. Hilker attended the district and public schools of Mitchellville, sub- sequently becoming a student of Highland Park College at Des Moines, from which he was graduated in 1910. Upon leaving college he accepted the posi- tion of principal of the Runnells schools, a responsibility which he still fills. He owns one-third interest in a well improved farm of ninety acres in Frank- lin township.

Politically Mr. Hilker gives his support to the republican party. His study of social and industrial conditions has convinced him that the platforms of this party enunciate principles which may safely be relied upon for the preservation of popular government and he gives his hearty support to its candidates. Al- though not a seeker for political office, he served as clerk of Franklin town- ship four years. He is a sincere believer in the authority of the Bible and of the fundamental truths of Christianity and is a valued member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Ever since his boyhood he has been a reader and a thinker and he is the happy possessor of a mind well stored with history, science, philosophy and general knowledge and in the theory and practice of education he is well grounded. He has many friends who express implicit confidence in his continued success.

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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 154

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