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 156

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 156

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WILLIAM WALL HENDERSON.

The art glass manufacturing business is each year assuming greater impor- tance in America and Des Moines seems destined to become one of the lead- ing centers in this line of industry. Such is due in an important measure to the talents of William Wall Henderson, through whose labors the reputation of Des Moines in this connection is rapidly extending. Although comparatively a young man, Mr. Henderson is one of the best known designers and artists of the country and his work has been accepted in many instances in competition with that of men who have devoted many years to art glass manufacture.

A native of New York, Mr. Henderson was born at Flushing, Long Island, July 6, 1872, his parents being Charles Wall Millbank and Sara (Purchase) Henderson. The Henderson family is of Scotch descent. The grandfather of William Wall Henderson was Stephen Lann Henderson, manager for Grinnell, Minturn & Company, one of the oldest shipping firms of New York city, for over forty years. He was born and reared at Hampstead, Long Island, and married Maria Wall, a native of New York city and of English descent Charles Wall Millbank Henderson was born in the Empire state in 1841 and in his youthful days devoted five years to the study of architecture. The Civil war then broke out and with "Well, father, I've enlisted" he made the announcement that he had joined the army, although not yet of age. He went to the front as a private but before the close of the war had served for eight months with the rank of captain, winning his promotion through unfaltering loyalty and valor- ous service. His military experience at length brought on an invalid condition, which has existed for the past thirty-six years or more. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Sara Cutter Purchase, was educated at St. Thomas Hall, Flush- ing, Long Island, and at the age of sixteen began teaching. After her marriage she studied art and won first prize for the best fruit painting at the Minneapolis Exposition in 1888. At the age of sixty-nine years she is still engaged in paint- ing fruit and this without sketching. This talent seems to have been inherited

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by her son, William W. Henderson, and it has been manifest by many others of the Purchase family in England, several representatives of the name having won notable reputations as artists. Mrs. Henderson is descended from an ances- try honorable and distinguished. She was the fourth daughter of John Bullen and Susanna B. (Cutter) Purchase. One of her great-grandfathers was Dr. Bullen, a surgeon in the service of the crown in England. Her grandmother, Ann Bullen Purchase, was a very handsome woman of her day, being one of the celebrated "nine beautiful sisters" who were daughters of Dr. Bullen, of Dorsetshire, England. The Cutter family were descended from English ances- try who lived at Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England, and who were in correspond- ence with the first president (Dunster) of Harvard College in 1664. A letter written by William Cutter is to be found in the Massachusetts historical col- lections, volume XXXI, new series, pages 195-6, and is dated at Newcastle, England, May 29, 1654. From him William W. Henderson is descended through his grandmother Purchase. His great-grandmother Cutter was descended from the de Haviland family, Hungarian French, and their ancestry can be traced back as far as the war of the Crusades, in which one member of the .family changed his coat of arms, placing martlets on the turrets of the castles to commemorate that war.

William Wall Henderson pursued his early education in the public schools of Omaha, Nebraska, and Minneapolis, Minnesota, but his opportunities were somewhat limited owing to the fact that he became interested in the stained glass trade, to which he applied himself strenuously until he had mastered the busi- ness when about fourteen years of age. Since that time his attention has been given to the work with an enthusiasm which indicates his deep interest and the pleasure he derives therefrom. He was apprenticed to the trade by his parents that he might have something to employ his time, for his mother was then a confirmed invalid, having sustained injuries which kept her in an invalid condi- tion for five years. She realized that the boy would be better off if his time were employed in some such way and therefore he entered the service of the firm of Forman & Ford, art glass manufacturers of Minneapolis, with whom he continued for eight years, in the course of which he acquired a thorough acquaintance with the business. In 1897 he came to Des Moines and accepted the position of foreman with J. R. Allward and afterward with Thomas Shultz in the manufacture of art glass. Subsequently he entered the service of De- Forest Bowman, with whom he remained until March, 1910, when he formed a partnership with E. M. Leighton and purchased the business of the Allward- Bowman Glass Company. He is now in charge of one of the large organizations of the country in the manufacture of art glass, employing twenty-two expert draughtsmen and workmen. Their business extends over the entire United States and includes the manufacture of windows for churches, municipal buildings and private residences. The company has attained a wide reputation and speci- mens of its work may be seen in the State Historical building at Des Moines, in the windows of all the leading churches of the capital city and also at Walnut, Illinois, Clarinda, Iowa, Omaha, Nebraska, Moorhead, Minnesota, Huron, South Dakota, and many other places, some of which are as far east as the New Eng- land states.

On the 12th of March, 1900, Mr. Henderson was united in marriage to Miss Xenia Bell Hattel, of Madison county, Iowa, a daughter of Charles and Emily Jane Hattel. One child came to bless this union, William Gale, who was born April 3, 1901, and is now attending the East Des Moines schools. In politics Mr. Henderson adheres to the republican party and in religious belief he and his wife are identified with the Methodist church, she being an officer in the church of Des Moines. In past years he was well known in the athletic world, having served as manager of the Palace Baseball Club of Minneapolis. He is a skillful boxer and has participated in many friendly bouts with amateurs. Financially

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he has made considerable progress and he shows his faith in Des Moines by lib- eral investments in city real estate. Popular, genial and ever ready to extend a helping hand to one less fortunate than himself, he may safely be designated as one of the rising men of the west.

HATTIE B. GARRISON.

One of the most creditable institutions of the great state of Iowa is by gen- eral consent acknowledged to be the State Industrial School for Girls which is presided over by the lady whose name introduces this review. The school is a model of its kind in the United States and almost completely meets the ideals of the most advanced philanthropists who would have all prisons, jails and places of detention conducted upon the constructive principle of helpful- ness, the object being reformation and enlightenment rather than punishment.

Miss Garrison is a native of Indiana and is a daughter of Lindsay Garrison who is now deceased. She came to Linn county, Iowa, in childhood and has since made her home in this state. After receiving her preliminary education in the public schools of Cedar Rapids, she entered the high school from which she was graduated in 1880. During the summers. she took special work with the object of preparing herself for teaching and has been a constant and in- defatigable student along those lines. In 1884 she began teaching in the public schools of Cedar Rapids and later for seven years occupied most acceptably the position of principal of one of the buildings. For a similar length of time she was superintendent of the Benedict Home at Des Moines, showing the faithfulness and devotion of a mother to the girls of that institution. In addi- tion to finding homes for them she instilled lessons of faithfulness in the per- formance of duty which they have never forgotten. While she was in this position four hundred girls passed from under her charge and she was also at the head of the Home when it was moved to Fort Dodge, Iowa. Since July 14, 1909, she has filled the office of superintendent of the State Industrial School for Girls, at Mitchellville, and has discharged her duties with an effi- ciency that has met the hearty approval of the board of directors and all who are interested in the school. It is one of the most interesting institutions in the state and it has attained a wide reputation on account of the excellent work that has been accomplished. Under her supervision Miss Garrison has a num- ber of assistants and employes, including a state agent to look after parole girls, five family managers, five teachers, including instructors in vocal and physical training, a resident physician, a supply officer, five kitchen managers, two sewing room teachers, a storekeeper and a bookkeeper, all of whom are women. There are also seven men connected with the institution, including a farmer, a gardner and three firemen. There are six buildings each of which is adapted for a special purpose, including the residence building, the industrial building, hospital, chapel, superintendent's cottage and a building which is oc- cupied exclusively by girls whose good behavior entitles them to special privileges. These buildings are all heated by steam and lighted by electricity. Special attention is paid to the teaching of housekeeping in all its details and also to the making of tailored clothes, so that after the girls again come into contact with the world they are prepared to become active and useful mem- bers of the community. The studies in the school correspond with those of the public schools. Special attention is also given to music and at present fifty out of a total of one hundred and forty-five girls are pursuing a course in in- strumental music. Miss Garrison has adopted a merit system of six thousand credits which each girl has an opportunity of earning at the rate of five credits per day for good work or behavior. At the close of each month report cards

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are sent to parents or guardians showing the credits earned in deportment, studies and industrial work, the possible total for the entire month being four hundred and fifty credits. This system has been found to be an admirable incentive and is also in use in other institutions of this character. Lectures and enter- tainments are provided at various times during the year and religious services and Sunday school are held in the chapel every Sunday, the music by a well trained choir being one of the attractive features of the day. The appearance of the girls in white with large white bows in their hair presents an agreeable and enlightening picture which is not soon forgotten.

Miss Garrison is an interesting speaker and her talks never fail to arouse the enthusiasm of her listeners. She also keeps in close touch with the girls individually and leaves no stone unturned in her unremitting efforts in their behalf. She has displayed an energy and sound judgment and a deep personal interest which have been productive of results as surprising as they are gratify- ing. Friends of the human race owe to Miss Garrison a lasting debt of gratitude for her unselfish and marvelously successful labors, marking as they do a new era in the treatment of unfortunate and deserving members of society.

FRANK H. AND W. O. CRAIG.

No name is more favorably known in the eastern part of Polk county than that of Craig, and the brothers, Frank H. and W. O. Craig, are worthy repre- sentatives of a family which has been identified with the agricultural interests of the county for more than half a century. They were born on the old home- stead in Beaver township where they have ever since lived. Their father, James Craig, was born in Pennsylvania, in April, 1837, and was married in Medina county, Ohio, in January, 1860, to Miss Fiana Blyler, a daughter of Jacob and Rosanna (Billman) Blyler. Mr. Blyler was a farmer of Summit county, Ohio, and of his family of twelve children three are now living, namely: Mrs. Lucy Waltz, of Blue Mound, Illinois; Matilda, now the wife of D. P. Oldfield, of Mitchellville, Iowa, to whom she was married in 1881; and Fiana, who became the wife of James Craig. On March 23, 1860, Mr. Craig arrived with his bride in Polk county, Iowa. He was a plasterer and bricklayer by trade, it being the custom at that time for the same individual to practice both of these trades. Evidences of his handiwork may still be seen in Mitchellville. He built the McKee & Edmundson store building, the Citizens Bank building and a number of private residences. He arrived in this county at the time of the stage coach and the mails were then carried to Apple Grove, but shortly afterward the stage route was changed to old Mitchellville. Mr. Craig was an excellent musician and organized the Mitchellville band, of which he was leader for a number of years and of which his sons were performers. He died in March, 1909, and his remains were interred in the cemetery at Mitchellville. His wife was born April 12, 1836, and is still living on the old homestead, having arrived at the age of seventy-five years. There were nine children in the family, namely, Ella, Frank H., Ida M., Bert, W. O., Ed., Charles, and two who died in infancy. Flla, the eldest daughter, was educated at Mitchellville and was the first pupil to graduate from the public school. She afterwards taught in the district schools and for one year in the public schools of Mitchellville, subsequently being em- ployed as a teacher in the State Industrial School for Girls at Mitchellville. She is now at home with her mother.

Frank H. and W. O. Craig were born in 1863 and 1869 respectively. They were educated in the public schools and have always remained upon the family homestead. When their father became incapacitated by age they assumed charge of the farm which now comprises four hundred and forty-three acres and is

MR. AND MRS. JAMES CRAIG

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located in sections I and 2, Beaver township. This farm is one of the highly productive places of the county, as is shown by statistics extending back for a series of years. The report for 1910 shows that one hundred and eighty acres which was planted in corn yielded over ten thousand bushels, thirty-five acres in wheat yielded eight hundred bushels, eighty-four acres in oats yielded five thousand and eighty-two bushels and the hay crop gathered from ninety acres yielded sixty tons. These figures speak in unmistakable terms as to the ability of the farm management. W. O. Craig is joint partner with his brother and is thoroughly identified with the interests of this section. The brothers are both supporters of the republican party and Frank H. Craig has served as a delegate to county conventions and is now filling the office of township trustee. Fra- ternally he is connected with Crystal Lodge, No. 313, A. F. & A. M., and also with the Eastern Star.

Mrs. Craig has been a sufferer from rheumatism for many years. She receives every possible attention from her daughter Ella and other members of the family, their kindly ministrations having proven a constant relief. Her mind often reverts to pioneer days in Ohio when the clothing of the family was made in the home from flax or wool-the product of the farm; the candles were made by hand; the cooking of the family was done over a large fireplace and even the shoes of the children and grown people were manufactured at home. She remembers that her father made a rope which was constructed from flax raised on the farm. She has witnessed great changes in Polk county during the last fifty years, in which members of her family have taken an active part, assisting to the extent of their ability in bringing about the present desirable conditions. No more worthy or public-spirited representatives of agricultural interests are to be found than the brothers herein named. Their assistance is depended upon in every public undertaking of importance in the township, and in character, energy and progressiveness no men stand higher in this section than the Craig brothers.

JOHN COLLINS.

What ambition will accomplish when sustained by perseverance and deter- mination of purpose is clearly demonstrated in the life of John Collins, who at the age of thirty-one years has established a business which would do credit to the energy of a man many years his senior. He was born in Des Moines on the 14th of October, 1880, a son of James and Anna Collins, natives of Ireland. The father was born in County Fermanagh in 1847 and spent the first twenty- four years of his life on the Emerald isle, from which he emigrated to the United States, locating in New York in 1871. Later he came west, residing for a time in Illinois, and is now engaged with his son, John Collins, in the electrical business. The mother, who was born in County Mayo, came to America with her parents and settled in Illinois. There she later entered the service of Gen- eral Logan as housekeeper, withdrawing from that position when she married Mr. Collins, subsquent to which event they removed to Des Moines, where they have ever since resided.

The income of the Collins home was rather limited during the boyhood of the son John and he was early compelled to relinquish his studies in the public schools and begin work, in order that he might assist in the support of the fam- ily. He was an unusually bright and industrious lad, which together with his conscientious and painstaking efforts to give the best possible service caused all who came in contact with him to do what they could to forward his interests. His business career really began when he obtained a position as elevator boy in the Observatory building. There the engineer became attracted to the youth and Vol. II-65

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succeeded in having him appointed as his assistant. He continued in that capacity for three years, after which he became chief engineer, resigning that position to enter the employ of the Des Moines City Railway Company as engineer. After retaining this for two years he resumed his former position in the Observatory building, in connection with which duties he took outside contracts for electrical work. His business grew so rapidly that in 1908 he was compelled to relinquish his position in order to devote all of his time to his personal interests. He has met with marked success in his venture, being awarded the electrical contracts for many of the best buildings in the city as well as some outside. Among those in Des Moines mention should be made of the Polk county courthouse, the Flynn building, Orpheum Theater, Yonkers store, and the Victoria Hotel, while his bids were also accepted for the courthouses at Keokuk and Glenwood, Iowa.

Mr. Collins' success is most surprising when it is considered that he is a self-educated man and is competing with firms who employ skillful and well trained workmen. In some instances, of course, the figures have probably had weight, but in many cases the cost has not been of so much consideration as the quality of the work and the reliability to be placed in the contractor. He is making rapid strides and is now becoming recognized as one of the best men in his line in the city.

In this city in 1906 Mr. Collins married Miss Isce Sherman, a daughter of Bernard Sherman, a prominent and wealthy retired farmer, one of the pioneers of Iowa, who is now residing in Washington, this state. They are communicants of the Roman Catholic church, while fraternally Mr. Collins is identified with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and the Knights of Columbus. He is very fond of all athletic sports and indulges in them when- ever it is possible for him to spare the time from his business. His political sup- port is given the republican party, but he has always been too absorbed in his private affairs to take an active interest in civic matters further than the casting of a ballot.

RALPH P. BOLTON.

The present secretary of the Greater Des Moines Club, Ralph P. Bolton, is a native of this city, his natal day being July 23, 1873. His father, Leander Bolton, was born in Fayette county, Indiana, on the 8th of October, 1838, from which state he came to Iowa at the age of eighteen years, locating in Des Moines in 1856. He was always connected with the hardware business and established a store in this city in 1871, which he conducted until 1901, in which year he passed away. Mr. Bolton enlisted for ninety days and went to the front during the Civil war, being engaged in garrison duty. His wife, who prior to her mar- riage was Miss Belle Palmer, was born in Ithaca, New York, on the 3d of April, 1853, from which state she removed to Iowa where she was married. In the family were two sons, but Lloyd Y. is deceased.

Ralph P. Bolton acquired his education in this city, graduating from the high school with the class of 1889, following which he entered the law depart- ment of the State University at Iowa City, receiving his degree in 1892. Re- turning to Des Moines, he obtained employment in a soap factory in which his father had been interested, working in the various departments until he had mastered every detail of the business and eventually becoming manager. In 1896 he establishmed a transfer business on the east side, employing from twenty-five to forty-five men, with an average of about thirty-three. He dis- posed of that business and is now secretary of the Greater Des Moines Club.

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Mr. Bolton was united in marriage on the 5th of October, 1898, with Miss Beulah Horton, a native of Bremen, Indiana, and a daughter of Frank and Lina (Linabury) Horton. Her father is a railroad man and district insurance manager. Two children have been born of this union: Berene and Ruth.

Mr. Bolton is a member of the Hyperion and Commercial Clubs of Des Moines, while his political support is given the men and measures of the re- publican party. However as he has never aspired to public honors or the emolu- ments of office he does not actively participate in local matters of a govern- mental nature.

GEORGE E. MESSENGER.

Some men never yield to obstacles. Endowed with courage and an energy that seems never to tire, they bravely forge ahead and rarely do they fail to accomplish the object of their ambition. To this class, as is shown by his record, belongs George E. Messenger, now at the head of a flourishing grocery business at Urbandale. He is a native of Ottumwa, Iowa, born April 24, 1883, a son of Henry H. and Addie R. (King) Messenger, both of whom were born in Pennsylvania. The father came to Iowa and conducted a drug store at Fairfield, subsequently selling out and entering the employ of the Chicago, Bur- lington & Quincy Railway. He advanced through various positions upon the road until he became passenger conductor and was recognized as one of the valuable employees of the company. He was called away December 5, 1891. The mother is now living at No. 1315, Fifteenth street, Des Moines, and has reached the age of fifty-three years.

On account of his father being engaged in the railway service George E. Messenger received his education at various places in Iowa. He began attending school at Chariton and later was a student in the public schools of Washington, finally removing with the family to Des Moines where he entered the North High School from which he was graduated in 1903. He then took a course in telegraphy in the Iowa Business College and after leaving this institution, en- tered the service of the Chicago & Northwestern Railway as a clerk in the gen- eral office at Des Moines, also acting as telegrapher and agent. After two years he transferred his allegiance to the Chicago & Great Western Road, but shortly afterwards went to Houston, Texas, as chief clerk in the general office of the Southern Pacific Railway. Returning to Des Moines, he was connected with the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railway until November 15, 1908, when his right hand was disabled by an automobile engine. He was incapacitated for business for four months and then for six months was connected with the insurance business, after which he started an aluminum factory on the east side in Des Moines, being the first manufacturer in the west to cast kitchen utensils in aluminum. Closing out this business, he served one year as manager of the Iowa Packing Company and then entered the grocery business at Urban- dale, in which he has been from the start highly successful. He sends a wagon through the country and is building up an extensive patronage among the farm- ers, enjoying also a constantly increasing trade from the people of Urbandale.

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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 156

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