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 164

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 164

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Vol. II-68

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In San Francisco, California, on the 23d of August, 1900, Mr. Garver was married to Miss Gertrude Van Dyne, a native of California. Three children have been born of this marriage; George, whose birth occurred in San Francisco in 1901; Bayne, who was born in Alameda, California, in 1903; and Winifred Marion, whose birth occurred in Des Moines in 1905.

Mr. Garver is of Swiss extraction on the paternal side and English and German on the maternal, but his ancestors actively participated in the struggle for liberty which entitles him to a membership in the Sons of the American Revolution. During his residence in Wyoming Mr. Garver served one term as mayor of the town of Douglas and two terms as county clerk of Converse county.

HENRY SABIN.

During the last quarter of the last century, the most prominent educator in Iowa was Dr. Henry Sabin, long state superintendent of public instruction. Henry Sabin was born in Pomfret, Connecticut, on the 23d day of October, 1829. He graduated from Amherst College in 1852, and soon entered upon his life work as an educator. He came to Clinton, Iowa, in 1871. After winning prominence as a superintendent of schools, in 1878 he was elected president of the state teachers' association. In 1888 he became state superintendent of public instruc- tion, and took up his residence at the state capital. He held that position until 1892. In 1894 he was rechosen state superintendent, and held the office until 1898. In that high place he exerted great influence not only in his adopted state but also in the nation. In 1893, he was president of the department of super- intendence in the National Educational Association, and in 1895, chairman of the committee on rural schools in that association. Since his retirement from active educational work, Dr. Sabin has been a helpful contributor to educational periodicals. In 1900, assisted by his son, Edwin L., he wrote "The Making of Iowa," still used throughout the state as an authority on Iowa history. In 1903, appeared his able work on "Common Sense Didactics." Henry Sabin was a son of Noah and Betsey (Cleveland) Sabin. His doctor's degree came from Drake University, Cornell College and the State University of Iowa. An honor well won and modestly worn by him was the naming of one of the public schools of Des Moines the "Henry Sabin School." In 1858 Henry Sabin married Esther F. Hotchkiss,-whom he survives. Two sons blessed their union,-the elder, Elbridge Hosmer, born in 1865, the younger, Edwin Legrand, born in 1870. The elder son is a lawyer by profession, was a soldier in the Spanish-American war, and has latterly devoted his talents to literature, having written several successful books for children. The younger is an author by profession, having written several novels and books of short stories and contributed many sketches, stories and poems to the Century and other leading magazines. His humorous poems and sketches have placed him in the front rank of American humorists.

L. A. JESTER.

It required patient application and a very liberal endowment of grit to carry L. A. Jester, of Des Moines, through the years during which he secured a lib- eral education and thus prepared himself for the great battle of life in which he has since been earnestly engaged. Mr. Jester is now prominently identified with the real-estate business. He is of English descent on both sides of the family and was born in Benton county, Iowa, April 16, 1873, a son of Joshua

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Jester, who was born in Delaware, September 10, 1844. He was a farmer and also a local Methodist preacher. In 1879 he removed to Greene county, Iowa, where he lived for sixteen years, then taking up his residence in Polk county. The mother, Margaret Cole, was born in Delaware, February 22, 1845. There were six children in the family of Mr. and Mrs. Jester, three sons and three daughters, namely: William, who is married and lives at Los Angeles, California ; Joshua, Jr., who is also married and lives at Caldwell, Idaho; Jennie, now Mrs. Harvey Lee, of Los Angeles; Emma, the wife of Earl Chandler, of Los Angeles; Anna May, now Mrs. Harry Gayton, of Los Angeles ; and L. A. L. A. Jester received his preliminary education in the common schools and later attended the Paton high school, continuing upon his father's farm until twenty years of age. Having resolved to secure as complete an education as possible, he hired a man to take his place upon the farm and after attending a preparatory school at Mount Vernon, matriculated at Cornell College from which he was graduated with the degree of Ph. B. in 1898. Subsequently he became a student in the Des Moines Law School and entered the law department of Drake Uni- versity, from which he was graduated with the degree of LL. B. in 1904. As it was necessary for him to earn the money to pay his expenses at the various schools and colleges, he taught school for several years and for three years was prin- cipal of the Central City, Iowa, schools. He also, for some time, was a teacher of law and English in the Capital City Commercial College. After leaving the university he associated with his father in the real-estate and insurance business in the Bank building and now devotes his attention to handling large bodies of land. He has been highly successful not only in the real-estate business but also in promoting a friendly feeling among the business men of the city, and for five years past has served most acceptably as secretary of the East Des Moines Com- mercial League.

On the 24th day of September, 1902, Mr. Jester was united in marriage to Miss Lydia M. Hatch, of Central City, a daughter of Henry and Sarah (Jor- dan) Hatch. Mr. and Mrs. Jester are the parents of one son, Ralph, who was born September 19, 1903. Politically Mr. Jester is a stanch supporter of the republican party and in religious belief he gives his adherence to the Methodist church. He is a valued member of the Modern Brotherhood of America and also of the Grand View Golf Club. He is recognized in business circles as a man of unusual enterprise and perfect reliability, his word at all times being as good as his bond, and it is due largely to his acknowledged integrity of char- acter that he occupies the high position accorded him by the best business men of the city.

MICHAEL E. GANNON.

Fifty years ago the subject of this review opened his eyes to the light of day on a farm in Polk county and here he has spent his entire life. Today he is recognized as one of the most highly successful citizens of the county, being classed among the prosperous and progressive farmers. He is also well known in financial circles. He was born October 21, 1861, the son of William and Katherine Gannon, both of whom were natives of Ireland. Mr. Gannon, Sr., emigrated to America in 1849 and spent several years in Illinois. He came to Des Moines July 4, 1856, and from that time became identified with Polk county. There were nine children in the family of Mr. and Mrs. Gannon, namely : John, now of Valeria, Iowa; William, of Mingo; Hugh, of Elyria; Michael E., the subject of this review; Alice, of Elyria; Catherine, now living at Marshall- town; Ellen, a resident of Mingo; Lizzie, who is living at Auburn; and Mary, deceased.

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Michael E. Gannon received his early education in the public schools and after laying his books aside devoted his attention to farming in which he has ever since continued with such gratifying success that he is now the owner of five hundred and thirty-four acres of good land in this county. He is a general farmer but specializes in stock-raising and feeding and in dealing in cattle. As he is a good judge of stock and is thoroughly posted as to values he has for years been known as a leading stockman in this part of the county. He is also president of the Bank of Bondurant, a position which he fills to the great acceptance of all who are connected with that institution and also of the people of the community.

April 29, 1889, Mr. Gannon was united in marriage to Miss Mary O'Brian, a daughter of James O'Brian, a native of Ireland, who came to Iowa in July, 1857, and located at Des Moines. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Gannon, two of whom, May and Irene, are deceased. Anna, Willie and James are living at home.

Politically Mr. Gannon is identified with the democratic party and as a patriotic citizen he votes for those candidates whom he believes will best ad- vance the welfare of the state and nation. He has not sought public position but has served in all the township offices. In religious belief he and his wife are identified with the Catholic faith and are consistent members of St. Mary's church. His success in business has been due to an unalterable purpose, a thorough knowledge of his calling and principles of honor and rectitude from which he has never wavered. Through his reliability and trustworthiness he has made the name of Gannon honored wherever it is known.

LEON STRAUSS.

Of the popular business men of Des Moines none stands higher in the esti- mation of the people than Leon Strauss. From the time he was able to con- sider seriously the duties of lite he decided upon a mercantile career and the result has shown that he chose wisely, as he is today one of the highly successful merchants of the city. He was born at Des Moines, September 26, 1871, and is a son of Moses and Nannie (Shloss) Strauss, of this city.

He received his early education in the public schools of Des Moines and later attended the Shattuck Military School at Faribault, Minnesota, one of the lead- ing institutions of the kind in the west, where he received many lessons that have proven of great value to him in his. contact with the world. Returning home, he entered the employ of the Lederer, Strauss Company, starting at the foot of the ladder. He has assisted very materially in the years that have since passed in maintaining the high standard of the house and has been secretary and treasurer of the company since its reorganization in 1903. He devotes his energies to his business and, like other members of the family, is deeply inter- ested in the city and is ever ready to assist in the promotion of its welfare.

In 1896 Mr. Strauss was united in marriage to Miss Bertha Sheuerman, a daughter of Abraham and Bronette (Wiley) Sheuerman, and by this union one son, Bertram, has been born, his natal day being October 10, 1901.

Fraternally Mr. Strauss has attained the thirty-second degree in Scottish Rite Masonry and is a member of Capital Lodge, No. 110, A. F. & A. M. He also belongs to the Woodmen of the World and the Elks and is a member of the Hyperion and New Des Moines Clubs. He is an enthusiastic motorist and takes an active interest in golf and other outdoor sports. Public-spirited in an unusual degree, the personification of enterprise and progressiveness and thoroughly suc- cessful in business, he is a striking example of the up-to-date man of affairs whom obstacles serve only to stimulate to greater exertions. The enterprise with

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which he is prominently connected has shown large development and the patron- age is continually increasing. These are indications of wise management and well applied labor. It is doubtful whether any business man of Des Moines has a brighter future than the accomplished and pleasing gentleman whose name stands at the' head of this sketch.

JOHN L. ALLEMAN.

The success that generally crowns well directed labor resulted from the efforts of John L. Alleman as a farmer of Polk county and today he is living at his ease in the town of Alleman. He acquired a competence and has resigned the labors of the field to younger shoulders. He was born in Sauk City, Wis- consin, January 14, 1853, the son of Peter and Mary Alleman, both of whom were natives of Switzerland. They came to America after their marriage, about seventy-five years ago, and took up their residence in Wisconsin where the mother died at the age of fifty years. In 1865 the father removed to Iowa and seven years later was married to Miss Anna Bailey, of Polk county, who died two years after her marriage. The father departed this life in 1892, having reached the advanced age of eighty-two years. He was a farmer until about 1877 when he entered the dairy business in Des Moines, in which he continued during the remainder of his life. There were ten children by his first marriage, of whom the subject of this review was seventh in order of birth.

John L. Alleman came to Iowa with his father at twelve years of age and received his education in the common schools at Sauk City, and in this county. He remained at home until reaching manhood and then rented land from his father for two years, after which he purchased one hundred and sixty acres on his own account and engaged in general farming and stock-raising. He made a specialty of raising Hereford cattle and as he devoted close attention to the business, it proved highly successful. In 1908 he erected a handsome residence in Alleman in which he took up his abode, and is now enjoying the fruits of many years of well applied labor.

When the Fort Dodge, Des Moines & Southern Railway was surveyed Mr. Alleman gave a considerable tract of land to the company for right of way out of appreciation for the transportation and shipping advantages that it would afford the locality, and upon the completion of the line a station was established at that point and named Alleman in his honor. Here a small town has grown up, in the building of which Mr. Alleman has been the leading spirit. He has con- ducted a livery stable, which he built at a cost of two thousand dollars and in its equipments and turn-outs compares favorably with any in this part of the state. He has also been instrumental in the establishment of a bank and a grain elevator, in both of which he is interested, and likewise in the store and im- plement buildings.

On September 20, 1871, Mr. Alleman was united in marriage to Miss Mary Ringgenberg, who was born November 14, 1852, a daughter of Peter and Annie Ringgenberg, a sketch of whom appears in the record of David Ring- genberg which may be found elsewhere in this work. Mrs. Alleman was the eighth in order of birth in a family of fourteen children. Eleven children came to bless the union of Mr. and Mrs. Alleman, namely: Albinis J., who married Louisa Abhul and has four children; Samuel P., who married Emma Abhul and has two children; Charles D., who married Miss Lucy Smith, of Ohio, and died December 23, 1902, in his twenty-eighth year, leaving two children; Mor- ris W., who married Miss Hattie Graeber and has four children; David A., who married Inger Urdahl and has two children; Albert J., who married Miss Anna Accola, of Wisconsin, and has three children; George C., who married Miss

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Mary Graeber and has two children; Edward H., of Winnebago county, who married Miss Hannah Fausch and has two children; Amelia M., who married Jacob Fausch and has three children; Ida M., who married Edward Merkel, of Sauk City, Wisconsin, and has one child; and Lee R., who is living at home. All of the above named are residents of Polk county with the exception of Edward.

Mr. Alleman is independent in politics and has never aspired to the emolu- ments of office, preferring to devote his attention to his private affairs. He and his family are worthy members of the German Reformed church and they are held in high esteem by a large circle of friends and acquaintances in Polk county.

GEORGE HENRY FRANCE.

George Henry France, who since 1887 has been prominently identified with the financial and real-estate interests of Des Moines, is a native of Sharon, Wisconsin, his birth having there occurred September 17, 1851. His paternal great-grandfather, the founder of the family in America, was Sebastian France (Frantz), who was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, in 1732. He was married in 1752 to Miss Anna Fritz and a few months later they started for the United States, leaving the fatherland on account of the religious intolerance which then prevailed in that country. They landed in New York in 1753 and from there went up the Hudson river to Albany and thence to Schoharie county, New York, where Sebastian France afterward assisted in founding the town of Se- ward. To him and his wife were born twelve children, of whom the two eldest sons, Christopher and Jacob, at the outbreak of the Revolutionary war, enlisted as soldiers in the cause of liberty. On the 18th of October, 1780, while Sebas- tian France was away from home doing government service as committeeman, his home was raided by the notorious redskin known as Seth's Henry, together with Phillip Crysler and two other Tories and a band of eighteen Indians led by Seth's Henry. They captured, tomahawked and scalped John France and took Henry France, then a boy of twelve years, prisoner. They also burned the barns and barracks. The mother and seven children escaped capture. It was the intention of the Indians to kill Henry France later but he made good his escape while his captors were engaged in cooking and eating a meal from pro- visions found in the house. After reaching manhood Henry France married Maria Horn, who was born in Albany, New York, February 28, 1777, and died in Seward, that state, February 10, 1845. Her father, John Horn, was a native of Germany. Fourteen children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Henry France the average life of the fourteen being a few months short of seventy years.

William France, one of this number and the father of George H. France, of this review, was born in Schoharie county, New York, December 25, 1808, and on the 7th of May, 1834, married Elizabeth Kent, a daughter of Augustus and Elizabeth (Munn) Kent, of Stamford, Connecticut, and a granddaughter of Augustus and Mary (Bissell) Kent, of Suffield, England. Her brother, Edward H. Kent, was prominent in military affairs, serving in the Mexican war as a commissioned officer under General Scott. He had many thrilling ex- periences during his army life, his horse being shot from under him twice and bullets having passed through his sleeve. His death occurred at Austin, Texas, while paroled from service on account of illness. Mrs. William France was born in Stamford, Connecticut, January II, 1813, and after her marriage, she and her husband resided in the town of Sharon, New York, until 1843, when they removed to Wisconsin, going by way of the Erie canal to Buffalo and around the Great Lakes to Racine, Wisconsin, whence they traveled across the country with ox team to Walworth county. It was through a petition to con- gress presented by William France, his brother, Gilbert G., and two other pio-

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neers that the town and township of Sharon were named after their old home place-Sharon, New York. William France engaged in farming during prac- tically all his active life and passed away June 3, 1892, at the age of eighty- four years, while his wife died March 25, 1889, at the age of seventy-six years.

George Henry France was educated in the public schools of Sharon, Wiscon- sin, and in an academy at that place. He remained upon the home farm until his twenty-fourth year, when he came to Iowa, settling at Ames, where he en- gaged in the harness business. For eleven years he resided in Ames and in the meantime became identified with various business interests. For some years he was largely interested in the Ames & College Railway, now the Fort Dodge, Des Moines & Southern Railway, and served for a time as a member of its board of directors. In April, 1887, he came to Des Moines and at once entered the real-estate and loan business, to which he has since devoted his energies. In recent years he has operated extensively in the purchase and improvement of business properties and was for years identified with local banking and financial interests.

On the 13th of April, 1887, Mr. France was married to Miss Nannie Bourne, daughter of the Hon. James D. and Christiana (Dennis) Bourne, of Clinton county, Iowa. The father was one of the honored pioneers of this state. His birth occurred in Prince William county, Virginia, January 27, 18II, and in the following year the family crossed the mountains to Kentucky, where they lived until 1824. His father then put his family and household goods into a keel boat and after a four months' trip down the Ohio and up the Mississippi arrived at Hannibal, Missouri, in August, 1824. There they occupied a house, that had been deserted on account of Indian raids, until 1825 when they removed to Lewis county, Missouri, where the father secured a tract of land and built a log house. In 1832, when twenty-one years of age, James D. Bourne set out on horseback for the lead mines at Galena, Illinois. On reaching his destina- tion he at once engaged in mining and was one of the company that built the first smelting works in that locality. In 1833 he engaged in mining near Du- buque and in 1836 went to Clinton county, where he occupied a cabin on the bank of the Wapsie river that had been built and abandoned by the American Fur Company. He was the first permanent settler in the county and in 1836 or 1837 was appointed postmaster of Waubesipinicon, Dubuque county, which was then a part of Wisconsin territory. He was also appointed by the governor of the territory lieutenant of militia. He served as deputy sheriff of Scott county until the organization of Clinton county in 1840, when he was elected sheriff of the latter and served continuously by reelection until Iowa was ad- mitted to the Union. He filled the office of United States deputy marshal for a time and in August, 1848, was elected a member of the second general as- sembly. In 1850 he was again appointed United States deputy marshal and the following year was elected treasurer and recorder of Clinton county and the same year was appointed United States commissioner. He took up the study of law and in 1863 at a session of the district court at Dewitt, Judge Dillon presiding, he was admitted to the bar. He was one of the sterling char- acters of pioneer days and one of the best known men of his time in Iowa. In 1844 he married Christiana Dennis, whose death occurred November 23, 1890. Mr. Bourne lived in comparative retirement in Dewitt for twenty-five years preceding his demise, which occurred in 1893. To him and his wife were born ten children, including Mrs. France, who by her marriage has become the mother of one son, George Bourne, now a student in the University of Wis- consin.

Both Mr. and Mrs. France are prominent socially in Des Moines. Polit- ically he is a progressive republican and while a resident of Ames served as a member of the city council. He belongs to the Grant Club, while his wife is a member of the P. E. O. Society of this city and has served in different offices

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including that of president. She is also helpfully identified with various char- itable and philanthropic organizations. They reside at No. 1820 Oakland ave- nue in one of the finest of Des Moines' handsome homes. Mr. France has met with most gratifying success during his residence in the capital city and has con- tributed in no small degree to its physical and civic development, so that his residence here may briefly be summed up in a quarter of a century of good citizenship.

C. C. CHRISTY.

C. C. Christy, proprietor of the Christy Cafe, one of the popular establish- ments of that character in Des Moines, his business being located at No. 517 Mulberry street, was born in the capital city, in the same house which is still occupied by his parents, his natal day being October 17, 1860. His father, Will- ian Christy, was a native of Philadelphia and came to Des Moines in 1856, mak- ing the journey by rail to the Mississippi and after crossing the river proceeding by stage to his destination. Here he engaged in the contracting business for many years but ultimately retired a few years ago, a comfortable competence, the reward of his earnest, diligent effort, supplying him with all of the comforts of life. He is now in his seventy-ninth year. His political support is given the republican party and for fifty years he served continuously in office in Polk county. The official record of perhaps no other in the county extends over as long a period and certainly the record of none has been more faultless in honor, fearless in conduct and stainless in reputation. He served as trustee, later filled the office of supervisor, afterward was justice of the peace and in other posi- tions rendered his community faithful and efficient public service. Being one of the pioneers, he is well known among the old residents of the city and as con- tractor occupied a prominent position in business circles for many years. He erected many of the first important buildings in the city and for an extended period was accounted one of Des Moines' leading contractors. During the period of the Civil war he served in Captain J. T. Hull's Company of the Twenty- . third Regiment of Iowa Infantry, being connected with that command for four years. He wedded Mary Deal, also a native of Philadelphia, their marriage taking place there. She, too, is still living, having reached the advanced age of seventy- five years. This worthy couple became the parents of eight children : William B., now a contractor of Des Moines; C. C., of this review; Frank, who is engaged in contracting and building in Globe, Arizona; Harry, a contractor and builder of Des Moines; Archie, who is associated with his brother C. C. Christy in the restaurant business; Edward, who is engaged in the harness busi- ness in Des Moines; Kate, the wife of William Peyton, of this city; and Edith, at home.

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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 164

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