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 155
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CHESTER L. GIFFORD.
One of the capable business men of Farrar is Chester L. Gifford, who for several years has been conducting a general merchandise store there. He was born in Washington township, Polk county, on the 5th of August, 1884, and is a son of George and Susan (Snyder) Gifford, natives of Pennsylvania. From his native state the father came to Iowa when a youth of eighteen years, locat- ing in Polk county in 1870. For the first few years of his residence here he worked as a farm hand, during which period he acquired sufficient capital to enable him to purchase eighty acres of land in Washington township. Meet-
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ing with success in agricultural pursuits he has since added to his holdings until he now owns one hundred and sixty acres of land, all of which is well improved and under a high state of cultivation. His wife passed away in November, 1890, but he still survives and continues to make his home on the farm where he has spent so many years.
The early life of Chester L. Gifford was spent on the homestead where he was born, his education being obtained in the district schools of the locality. At the age of eighteen years he left the parental roof and for two years follow- ing he worked by the month as a farm hand. Having acquired the necessary capital, at the expiration of that period he rented some land which he cultivated for a year. He then withdrew from agricultural pursuits and coming to Farrar opened a general store, which he conducted for a year. Disposing of this he began buying and selling horses and continued to follow that occupation for about twelve months, at the end of which time he bought back his former busi- ness. He has ever since been identified with this, and as he carries a very full and well assorted stock of general merchandise is enjoying a constantly increas- ing patronage, his being the only business of the kind in the town.
On the 4th of June, 1909, Mr. Gifford married Miss Edna G. Graham, a daughter of John and Pearl (Woods) Graham, the father a native of Iowa and the mother of Ohio. The father was for many years engaged in the operation of a farm in Jasper county, Iowa, but in 1893 he came to Polk county, buying one hundred and twenty acres of land in Washington township. He has since extended the boundaries of his farm by the addition of another forty acres, mak- ing the aggregate of his holdings one hundred and sixty. Both he and his wife continue to reside upon the farm, which is well improved and one of the val- uable properties of the township.
His political privileges Mr. Gifford exercises in support of the candidates of the republican party, and although he has several times been elected to some of the minor township offices he has never qualified. He is now acting as post- master in Farrar, however, having the office in his store. Fraternally he is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and both he and his wife affiliate with the Methodist Protestant church. Mr. Gifford is meeting with success in his enterprises and in addition to his store owns a forty acre tract of farm land in the vicinity of Farrar.
MRS. MATTIE DICKS.
Mrs. Mattie Dicks was long numbered among the highly esteemed residents of Saylor township. In a large comfortable brick house, surrounded by a beautiful lawn and heavily shaded by the overhanging boughs of the immense maple trees, she lived until called to her final rest. She was a native of Cali- fornia, having been born in Los Angeles on the 6th of October, 1837, and of French extraction. Her parents, Henry and Martha De Mark, emigrated to the United States in their youth and located in southern California, which in climate and vegetation so closely resembled the southern portion of their na- tive land. The father was engaged in military service and the parents both died when their daughter was yet a child, she being the third in a family of four children. In 1855, while living in San Francisco, she met and married Edwin F. Dicks, who was born in Le Roy, New York.
Immediately after their marriage the young couple came east to Iowa and located in Polk county, which thereafter continued to be their home. Mr. Dicks was a cabinet-maker by trade, but upon his arrival here he purchased one hun- dred and twenty-five acres of land, upon which they settled. It was unbroken and unimproved prairie at the time of his purchase, but he immediately erected
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a seven room, story and a half house, which at that period in the state's devel- opment was almost regarded as a mansion, and began cultivating the land. He was a man who ever worked with a positive purpose toward definite ends, and his undertakings therefore were always well planned and as carefully executed and as a result he met with more than moderate success in his pursuits. He added to his original tract at different times until he had acquired three hundred acres of land at the time of his demise, all of which showed the supervision of a progressive and competent administrator. During the very early years of his residence here he planted seventeen hundred trees on his place, mostly maple and box elder, which because of their care have grown to be mammoth trees for this locality and form a veritable forest about the house. In 1878 he also erected a brick house, which was built in accordance with the prevailing architec- tural style of that period and which now lends an air of dignity and distinc- tion to the entire place.
In addition to general farming Mr. Dicks gave much attention to the rais- ing and breeding of stock. He owned the first Jersey cattle in Polk county and always made a specialty of the buying and selling of stock, in which connec- tion he was most successful.
But one child ever came to brighten the home of Mr. and Mrs. Dicks, and this little daughter, Elnora Josephine, passed away at the age of two years. Mr. Dicks died in January, 1903, having passed the sixty-fifth milestone on life's journey. He was a member of the Masonic fraternity and his funeral services were in accordance with the beautiful rites of that order. He was always identified with the democratic party and actively participated in county and local politics. He did not aspire to public office, however, his only service in this capacity being confined to his long association with the local board of school directors. He was a man of high ideals, sound principles and pleasing personality and during the long years of his residence here won and held the esteem and high regard of the people in his community. The old homestead, which contained two hundred acres on section 24, Saylor township, and was one of the valuable properties of the county, continued to be Mrs. Dicks' place of residence until she was called to her final rest. In the community she had many warm friends, whose high regard was won by her gracious manner and kindly consideration. Hers was a most hospitable home and the pleasures were enjoyed by many, but on the 4th of January, 1911, she passed away, her death causing sincere regret in the hearts of many who knew her.
JOHN H. HARGIS.
A history of Polk county would hardly be complete without some reference to the Hargis family, which for more than fifty years has been closely identified with the agricultural development of Bloomfield township. John H. Hargis was born in the house which he now occupies on the Ist of September, 1861, being a son of Henry C. and Elizabeth (Kennedy) Hargis, the former a native of Ken- tucky and the latter of Pennsylvania. The parents came to Iowa in the early days of their domestic life, locating in Polk county on the 22d of. October, 1853, where the father purchased three hundred and twenty acres of prairie and timber land. The greater portion of this he cleared and. cultivated for fifty-eight years, during which time he increased his realty holdings here and in Warren county to five hundred acres, two hundred of which he later gave to a son. Prior to his removal to Iowa he had learned and followed the tanner's trade, which busi- ness he also engaged in here for nine years in addition to his agricultural pur- suits. He was very successful, acquiring considerable property and a comfort-
H. C. HARGIS
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able competence. He died on the 23d of February, 1904, and his wife survived him for more than three years, passing away on the 6th of November, 1907.
John H. Hargis acquired his preliminary education in the district schools of Bloomfield township, which was later supplemented by a course of two terms in the lowa Business College, of Des Moines. He remained at home with his parents until their death, assuming more and more of the responsibility in con- nection with the cultivation of the homestead with the passing years. For five years he cultivated the farm in Warren county for his father, but after the lat- ter's death he came into possession of the one hundred and sixty acres which comprise his present farm. This contains the old home, which is one of the landmarks of Polk county, being the oldest house in Bloomfield township. The interior finish is entirely of black walnut, which wood was also used- in the shingles for the roof. Mr. Hargis has lived here the greater part of his life and it has also been the birthplace of his children. Although he has made many improvements upon the place since it came into his possession the old house and barn, also the oldest in the township, remain unchanged, a silent tribute to the material and workmanship of half a century ago. Here he engages in general farming and stock-raising, paying particular attention to the latter. He keeps about forty head of cattle and ten head of horses and generally raises a carload of hogs each year.
Mr. Hargis celebrated Christmas, 1890, by his marriage to Miss Mina Yount, a daughter of George and Katherine (Van Brunt) Yount. Her parents, who were natives of Ohio, came to Iowa in 1855, locating on a farm near Carlisle, Warren county. Mr. Yount had for many years previously been engaged in a woolen mill in Indiana, but after his arrival here devoted his entire time and attention to the cultivation of his farm until 1890, at which time he retired to Carlisle, where he was living when he passed away seven years later. Mrs. Yount still survived and makes her home in Des Moines. Six children have been born unto Mr. and Mrs. Hargis, five of whom are living, the eldest having passed away on the 6th of June, 1892. The others are: Paul C., sixteen years of age; Carrie E., who is fourteen; George Raymond, now twelve; Katherine M., ten years of age; and Nina M., who has passed the sixth anniversary of her birth.
The family attend the Methodist church, of which denomination Mrs. Hargis is a member. Fraternally Mr. Hargis is identified with Lodge No. 131, I. O. O. F., of Carlisle; and the American Yeomen, Hull 'Camp No. 150, also of Car- iisle.
ELIAS C. JOHNSON.
The agricultural advantages offered by the state of Iowa are in many respects superior to those offered by adjoining states, for the soil is in every respect adapted to the various crops and is particularly excellent for pasture land, enab- ling one who desires to engage extensively in stock-raising to follow that busi- ness to great advantage. Among those who have met with success through agri- cultural pursuits in this state is Elias C. Johnson, the owner of a fine farm of three hundred and twenty acres located in Lincoln township, Polk county. Born in Kendall county, Illinois, on the 25th of June, 1864, he is a son of Charles and Maggie Johnson, natives of Norway. The father came to America in 1854, first locating in Kendall county, Illinois, where he operated a rented farm for ten years, after which he came to Polk county and here purchased two hundred and forty acres in Lincoln township. He devoted his attention to its cultivation until 1901, in which year he retired from active life and removed to Huxley, Iowa, making his home there for five years. He now resides with his son.
Coming to this county in early infancy, Elias C. Johnson has spent almost his entire life within its borders, and in the district schools acquired his educa-
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tion. He was reared to farm work and remained with his parents until twenty- one years of age, when, desiring to enter business on his own account, he rented a farm for about five years, after which he purchased a tract of eighty acres in Lincoln township, which formed the nucleus of his present farm. He at once began its improvement and later added another tract of eighty acres, while a subsequent purchase made him the owner of one hundred and sixty acres more, so that his farm today consists of three hundred and twenty acres, all lying in Lincoln township. He farms by modern principles and his land is as well kept and productive as can be found in this district. He practices rotation of crops, makes a close study of soil and climate and the cereals best adapted thereto, and has equipped his place with all the accessories and conveniences necessary to the successful conduct of his occupation. He also has live-stock interests, mak- ing a specialty of raising cattle and hogs, raising about one hundred head of each annually. He also keeps fifteen head of horses on his farm, and this branch of his affairs is proving a profitable venture. He is well known in the business circles of this locality, also, as a stockholder in the Farmers Cooperative Cream- ery Company of Huxley, Iowa, and also in the Bank of Huxley, connections which are an additional source of revenue.
Mr. Johnson has never married, his home being presided over by his sister, a lady of many excellent traits of heart and mind. His religious faith is that of the Lutheran church, while politically he supports the republican party, although he has never sought nor desired public office. He is a public-spirited and sub- stantial citizen who merits the respect and confidence of the entire community. His present prosperity is due to his own exertions and careful management and he is now comfortably situated in life.
MARTIN J. NELSON.
Of the many successful young farmers and stockmen of Polk county, none have shown stronger capabilities in the administration of their affairs than Mar- tin J. Nelson, who is engaged in the cultivation of a half section of land in Elk- hart township. He was born upon the place where he is now residing in August, 1881, his parents being Andrew and Martha (Ersland) Nelson, natives of Nor- way, who came to the United States with their parents when children. The father still survives and continues to make his home in this county, but the mother passed away in January, 1908. By their union there were born seven children: Seward, a farmer of Elkhart township, who is mentioned at greater length else- where in this work; Carrie, who married Severt Kalsen, a farmer of Story county ; Jane, the wife of Ole Nelson, who engages in agricultural pursuits in Kendall county, Illinois; Annie, who wedded Ole J. Kalsen, of Story county ; Knute, who is mentioned elsewhere in this work; Andrew, who is connected with the Home Savings Bank of Des Moines, Iowa; and Martin J., our subject.
Martin J. Nelson has always lived amid the scenes of his childhood, prac- tically his entire life having been spent in the community where he now resides. The district schools of Elkhart township provided him with his education, while his agricultural training was acquired under the capable supervision of his father, one of the largest landowners and most successful agriculturists of Polk county. He remained at home with his parents until he had attained his majority and then he began his independent career. He rented the old homestead, consisting of three hundred and twenty acres, from his father, and here he engages in general farming and stock-raising. Both have proven to be very lucrative and he is regarded as one of the prosperous farmers of the community. He raises Percheron horses of a high breed, keeping thirty head and sixty head of cattle, while he raises two hundred hogs annually.
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Mr. Nelson was married in September, 1902, to Miss Mollie Johnson, a daughter of Lew and Sarah (Musland) Johnson, natives of Norway, who on coming to America located in Clinton county, Iowa, during pioneer days. Mr. Johnson was a carpenter and continued to follow his trade for some time after coming to this country. He subsequently rented a farm, which he operated until his death in April, 1888, The mother continued to reside in Clinton county for four years thereafter and then came to Story county, where she later married Oliver Thorson, who engages in farming. She is now sixty-eight years of age. Of the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Nelson one son has been born, Arnold Leroy, who is now seven years of age.
In religious matters Mr. and Mrs. Nelson give their allegiance to the Luth- eran church, while his political rights he exercises in support of the men and measures of the republican party. He has never figured prominently in town- ship affairs but at the last election was made a school director and enters upon the duties of his office in July. He is meeting with most gratifying financial success in his various enterprises and in addition to his other interests is one of the stockholders of the Farmers Cooperative Creamery Company at Huxley, Iowa.
NATHANIEL M. HUBBARD, JR.
Prominent as a lawyer and also well known in business circles, Nathaniel M. Hubbard, Jr., of Des Moines, may be regarded as one of the fortunate men of Iowa. He has been actively identified with various interests in the state for twenty-five years. He was born at Marion, Iowa, February 14, 1862, and is a son of Nathaniel M. and Katherine W. (Hervey) Hubbard, the former of whom was born at Oswego, New York, in 1833, and the latter at Brookfield, Massa- chusetts, in 1836. The father established his home in Iowa and became one of the leading lawyers and men of this state.
Mr. Hubbard of this review received his preliminary education in private schools, one of them being the Lenox Collegiate Institute of Iowa. At the age of sixteen he was appointed to the United States Naval Academy at Annapo- lis and in 1882 he was graduated from that institution. He served in the navy for three years, resigning in 1885. After graduating from the law department of Columbia University he came to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and began practice, serving as assistant attorney for the Chicago & Northwestern Railway Company until 1904. He also engaged in general practice and was a member of the firm of Hubbard, Clark & Dawley, which later became known as Hubbard & Daw- ley and then as Hubbard, Dawley & Wheeler. He was one of the founders of the Royal Union Mutual Life Insurance Company, Ex-Governor Jackson, Syd- ney A. Foster and Mr. Hubbard being the only three members left of the origi- nal founders of this company. He removed with his family to Des Moines in 1907 and devotes his attention very largely to his duties as general counsel of the company, which is one of the highly flourishing insurance concerns of Iowa.
Mr. Hubbard was united in marriage to Miss Alice Cooper, of Colorado, and three children have been born of this union: Thanette, Sarah Katharine and Natalys. Isaac Cooper, the father of Mrs. Hubbard, served as captain of Com- pany F, Twentieth Iowa Infantry, during the Civil war. Subsequently he was the founder of Leadville, Colorado, and also of Glenwood Springs, Colorado, being one of the early settlers of the western slope of that state. Mrs. Hubbard is a sculptor whose works are to be found in private homes and public collec- tions of this country, one of her best known works being the statue of Saca- jawia, the Indian woman who guided Lewis and Clark on their celebrated expedi- tion to the northwest. This statue was one of the striking figures at the Lewis and Clark Exposition and now stands in a public park at Portland, Oregon.
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At the time of the Spanish-American war Mr. Hubbard reentered the navy as a lieutenant and for two years again performed his duty in that service. He took part in the blockade at Santiago, serving on the U. S. S. Justin and Moni- tor, Miantonomah and the United States battleship Oregon. In politics he is a republican. He is a member of the Army and Navy Club of Washington, the Naval Scientific Society, the Naval and Military Order of the Spanish-American war and the Loyal Legion.
THOMAS M. BERHOW.
Thomas M. Berhow, an enterprising and progressive agriculturist of Polk county, devotes his attention to the operation of a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Elkhart township. His birth occurred in Norway on the 24th of October, 1865, his parents being Michael and Sarah (Honge) Berhow, who spent their entire lives in that country. The father, who followed farming throughout his active business career, passed away in 1880. The mother was. called to her final rest in 1871.
Thomas M. Berhow spent the first twenty years of his life in his native land and then crossed the Atlantic to the new world. Locating in Cambridge, Story county, Iowa, he there continued his schooling. Subsequently he began working by the month as a farm hand, being thus employed for five years. On the expiration of that period he started out as an agriculturist on his own ac- count, renting a tract of one hundred and sixty acres from his father-in-law in Elkhart township, Polk county, where he has since carried on his farming in- terests with good success. In connection with the tilling of the soil he devotes considerable attention to live stock, keeping ten milch cows, six head of horses and raising from seventy to eighty head of hogs annually. He is likewise a stockholder in the Cambridge Canning Company of Cambridge, Iowa, and is widely recognized as one of the substantial and representative residents of the community.
On the 9th of March, 1891, Mr. Berhow was united in marriage to Miss Ella Johnson, a daughter of John W. and Martha (Lee) Johnson, who are mentioned at greater length on another page of this work. Their home has been blessed with eight children, namely: Matilda S .; John; Milford; Annie; Edith ; Martha and Mabel, twins ; and Henry.
Mr. Berhow gives his political allegiance to the republican party, while his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Lutheran church, to which his wife also belongs. The hope that led him to leave his native land and seek a home in America has been more than realized. He found the opportunities he sought,-which, by the way, are always open to the ambitious, energetic man, ---- and making the best of these he has steadily worked his way upward.
GEORGE BALL.
For nearly twenty-five years a resident of Commerce, Iowa, George Ball is well acquainted in this part of the county and is now established as one of its responsible business men. He is a native of Pennsylvania, born April 15, 1880. son of Mark and Mary H. (Cooper) Ball, both of whom were born in Eng- land. They came to America in 1880, but after a short stay in this country re- turned to England. In 1885 they again crossed the ocean and located at Com- merce, Iowa, where Mr. Ball became a coal miner and continued in that work
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during the remainder of his life. He passed away March 21, 1909, his death being caused by a fall of slate which broke his back. The mother is still living.
George Ball was reared under the parental roof and educated in the public schools at Commerce. He continued at home until twenty-three years of age and then became identified with coal mining and spent fourteen winters in the mines. In 1906 he went to Wisconsin and spent two years cultivating an eighty acre farm. Having disposed of this place he returned to Commerce and opened a general store which he has since successfully operated, also working as op- portunity presents itself at the carpenter's trade. He owns the building in which his store is located and by close attention to the wants of the people has attracted a lucrative patronage.
On the 8th day of March, 1904, Mr. Ball was united in marriage to Miss Laura Kellar, daughter of William and Amanda (Geil) Kellar, both natives of Iowa. The father is a carpenter by trade and is now living at Prole, Iowa, the mother having been called away in 1895. Mr. Ball has from the beginning of his career shown an interest in his work and in everything with which he has been identified which gives bright promise for his future. He has devoted con- siderable attention to the study of political questions and has adopted the views. of the socialists, which in his opinion are best adapted for the prosperity and permanency of the country. Religiously, he and his estimable wife are stanch believers in the authority of the Bible and they give their adherence to the Friends church, as the denomination most nearly representing the teachings of the New Testament.
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