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 166
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Meantime Judge Wright had taken an active and helpful interest in every civic problem that presented itself. In 1860 he was elected president of the State Agricultural Society and during his four terms, by his good judgment and wise counsel, the society was given an impetus toward the highly useful place it now occupies. In 1879 he was elected a director of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railway, which position he held until his death. After his retirement from the senate he became the head of the law firm of Wright, Gatch & Wright and again entered practice with all of his old-time vigor and at once became a dominant factor in the legal profession. In time he became largely interested in financial institutions of the city and in 1882 was elected president of the Polk County Savings Bank and president of the Security Loan & Trust Company.
Many honors of a purely complimentary nature came to him after his re- tirement from public life. In 1885, as a recognition of his worth and ability as a jurist, statesman and citizen, he was elected president of the American Bar Association. He was one of the founders of the Pioneer Lawmakers' Associa- tion and in 1892 was chosen its president. At the reunions of these survivors of pioneer times, where were retold the stories of early days and of old-time con- tests, political and legislative, with their attendant successes and defeats, the Judge with his inexhaustible fund of anecdote, witticism and repartee was the life and soul of every occasion. The last letter written by him was to one of the officers regarding an approaching reunion, in which he expressed anticipa- tion of the coming event.
During the period of the Civil war, though incapacitated for duty at the front, Judge Wright gave to the government every aid within his power, and many a soldier and his family found in him a loyal friend. In recognition of his patriotic service the Military Order of the American Legion of Honor made him a member of the third degree, he being one of only three Iowa civilians thus honored. Politically a whig until the organization of the republican party, he took an active part in republican councils of the state and nation. While he gave more than forty years to public service, the high positions held by him came without solicitation on his part.
Judge Wright was married October 19, 1843, to Hannah M. Dibble, a daugh- ter of Thomas and Ruth (Gates) Dibble. Mrs. Wright was born in Saratoga county, New York, and came with her parents to Van Buren county, Iowa, in 1839. She was a descendant of one of the old colonial families of New Eng- land, who removed from Connecticut to New York early in the eighteenth cen- tury. Judge and Mrs. Wright became the parents of six children : Thomas S., of Chicago, Illinois ; Craig L., of Sioux City, Iowa; Mary D., the wife of Frank H. Peavey, of Minneapolis, Minnesota; Carroll, of Des Moines; Lucia H., the wife of Edgar H. Stone, of Sioux City, Iowa; and George G., of Des Moines.
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Fraternally Judge Wright was a member of the Odd Fellows society. He was reared under the influence of and always affiliated with the Methodist church but his was the broad Christianity that cherished and encouraged the Christian- izing influence of all denominations. Socially he was the embodiment of all that is good and ennobling in social life. His sympathies covered the gamut of human interests and his hold on the affections of the people was remarkably strong. At social functions he was a prime favorite; at banquets, as toast- master or after-dinner speaker, he had few equals. Preeminent in the social affairs of the city and state, in every phase of his life he exemplified the highest type of manhood. His home relations were ideal and were a reflection of his own generous nature. His death occurred January II, 1896. Of the many tributes paid Judge Wright, none were more appreciative than that of Hon. John F. Dillon, of New York city, formerly of the supreme court of Iowa. Said Judge Dillon: "The verdict of the bar on this subject is that, take him all in all, he had no equal among the state's chief justices or judges in her judicial history. Some may have had in special and exceptional lines superior gifts or superior learning, but take him all in all he easily stands conspicuous and foremost."
EDWIN THOMAS MEREDITH.
It requires unusual energy, judgment and discrimination and also a rare faculty of discernment of the demands of the times for a man to maintain a position as the head of a great publishing enterprise-one which weekly reaches hundreds of thousands of readers and keeps them accurately informed as to the progress of the world in agriculture and kindred subjects. Such a man is Edwin Thomas Meredith, editor and principal owner of Successful Farming, a publication which carries the name of Des Moines to the principal agricultural countries of the globe. Mr. Meredith is a native son of Iowa, born at Avoca, December 23, 1876, his parents being Thomas O. and M. J. (Marsh) Meredith. The father was a native of England and came to America, locating as a farmer in Cass county, Iowa, about 1856. The mother was born at Marion, Grant county, Indiana. Mr. Meredith died in 1903, but his wife is still living and makes her home at Indianola, Iowa. There were seven children in their family, six boys and one girl, namely: P. C. and J. C., both of Buhl, Idaho; Edwin; and Belle, Ezra, Harry and Owen, all of whom are living at Indianola.
Edwin Thomas Meredith received his early education in the common schools of Cass county and later became a student of Highland Park College, Des Moines, graduating with the class of 1893. About the time of leaving college he became interested in agricultural publications, his grandfather being the pub- lisher of the Farmers Tribune, and it was in connection with the Tribune that Mr. Meredith received his introduction to the vocation which has occupied the principal years of his life. The Tribune was sold and was moved to Sioux City, Iowa, and Mr. Meredith having decided to engage permanently in the publishing business, founded Successful Farming, which was launched in 1902. The new candidate for favor among the farmers soon attracted attention and its list of subscribers grew rapidly from year to year until at the present time it has a circulation of five hundred thousand in the United States and Canada, and each year witnesses large accessions to its army of readers. It deals mostly with subjects of special interest to farmers of the cornbelt and is known as one of the active and important agencies in America for the promotion of agriculture along modern lines. Mr. Meredith has from the start been at the head of this great enterprise and its success is due mainly to his well directed efforts. He is also a member of the board of directors of the Iowa Trust and
E. T. MEREDITH
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Savings Bank, and is interested in several important irrigation projects in the state of Idaho.
On the 8th of January, 1896, Mr. Meredith was married to Miss Edna Elliott, a daughter of Samuel and Adelaide Elliott, who were natives of Penn- sylvania and early settlers of Des Moines. Two children came to bless this union : Mildred, aged fourteen ; and E. T., Jr., who is five years of age. Mr. Mere- dith and his wife are members of the Methodist church and politically he sup- ports the republican party. Fraternally he is identified with the Masonic order and socially he holds membership in the Grant, Des Moines and Golf and Country Clubs. Endowed with a liberal share of talent as an organizer and starting with the advantages of a good educational training, he has made splen- did use of his talents and opportunities and is today a leading citizen of Des Moines and the moving spirit in one of its most flourishing concerns. His suc- cess has not come by chance. It has been legitimately and honorably earned. He has been instrumental also in promoting not only his own happiness and that of his family, but the permanent welfare of those who may never meet him personally but have been immensely benefited by his work.
LEON C. BROWER.
The business interests of Des Moines cover a wide range and are yearly becoming more important and reaching out to larger territory. Among these expanding interests is the stock and bond brokerage business with which Leon C. Brower has been connected for six years past. Through his special adapta- bility for meeting the public and his excellent judgment as to the value of stocks, he has gained an established reputation in his calling. He was born at Craw- fordsville, Indiana, September 24, 1873, the son of George W. and Ella C. (Chambers) Brower. His mother who was born in Ohio in 1852, is now de- ceased. Mr. Brower, Sr., is a lumberman and makes his home at Emporia, Kansas. He was born in Ohio, in 1849. In the last year of the Civil war, al- though he was only fourteen years old, he ran away from home and succeeded in entering the United States Navy, serving under Commodore Porter in a number of important engagements. At one time he was on a gunboat which was sunk; only ten members in the crew of more than one hundred men escaped. There were five children in the family of Mr. and Mrs. Brower, three of whom are now living, namely : Leon C., the subject of this review ; Hugh R., now pro- fessor of English in the Presbyterian College of Emporia, at Emporia, Kansas ; and Grace, who is now living with her father at Emporia.
Leon C. Brower received his early education in the common schools of Crawfordsville, graduating from the high school in 1892, later pursuing his studies at Wabash College, Crawfordsville, Indiana. He began his active career in the lumber business with his father and afterward was for three years iden- tified with the banking business. In 1895 he came to Des Moines, and until 1905 was an officer of the Stoner Wall Paper Company. Then he opened offices in the Observatory building and has since engaged in handling stocks, bonds and securities of various kinds. Since he is a man of attractive manner and good business ability, he commands a wide acquaintance and has a large clientage, his business yielding a handsome yearly income.
On the 20th of June, 1900, Mr. Brower was united in marriage to Miss Estelle L. Fox, who was born in Iowa and is a daughter of John B. Fox, of Polk county. Her father is now deceased, but the mother, a native of England, is still living.
Politically Mr. Brower gives his support to the republican party, believing that its platform is in accord with the principles of free government. Religiously Vol. II-69
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he adheres to the Presbyterian church, of which he has for a number of years been a stanch supporter. He enjoys the good will of all with whom he comes in contact. During the sixteen years that Mr. Brower has been a resident of Des Moines, he has gained a wide circle of friends, not only in the city, but throughout the entire state.
WALTER R. FERGUSON.
Industry, perseverance and integrity are salient characteristics which have contributed to the success of Walter R. Ferguson, of Camp township, as a farmer and business man. A peaceful and law-abiding citizen, he enjoys a pleasant and comfortable home under whose hospitable roof he and his estim- able wife welcome the many friends whom they have made in Polk county. He is a native of the township where he now lives and was born December 16, 1880, a son of William H. and Sarah E. (Kennedy) Ferguson, a record of whom appears elsewhere in this work.
Walter R. Ferguson attended the district schools of Camp township and after laying aside his books continued to work under his father until he was twenty years of age. He then rented the home farm of one hundred and sev- enty acres, his father retiring from active labor, and has since cultivated the farm to good advantage. He has also bought sixty-one acres in Camp township which he has greatly improved. He keeps about thirty head of cattle, fifteen head of horses and raises seventy-five to one hundred head of hogs each year. He is a good judge of animals and deals extensively in live stock, and as he has a thorough knowledge of values, he has been very successful in this line of business. He is part owner of one hundred and sixty acres of land in Colorado and is also a stockholder in the Farmers' Cooperative Store at Runnells.
On the 18th of September, 1902, Mr. Ferguson was married to Miss Bertha Powers, a daughter of James and Louisa (Warren) Powers, the former of whom was born in Indiana and the latter in Iowa. Mr. Powers came to Iowa many years ago and he and his wife are now living on a farm three-quarters of a mile south of the home of our subject. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Ferguson, one of whom died in infancy, the others being : William Harris, who is now six years of age; and Louisa Helen, aged four.
Although a young man Mr. Ferguson has shown an energy and judgment which give bright promise to his progress financially. He keeps well informed as to the markets and the best modern methods of farming and stock-raising and is also greatly interested in land values throughout the west. He represents the wide-awake, progressive element of the country and his opinion is often sought by his neighbors and friends upon matters pertaining to business. In politics he adheres to the republican party and in religious belief he and his wife are identified with the Church of Christ.
JESSE P. HOWE.
The dominant qualities in the life of Jesse P. Howe, of Des Moines, have been self-confidence, self-respect and a spirit of progressiveness that have brought him to the front in the business to which he has given his attention. He early learned the value of patient industry and by persistent application gained strength which enabled him to meet and conquer numberless difficulties. He was born at Bridgewater, Iowa, in 1871, a son of Orlando and Elizabeth A. (Madison)
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Howe. The father was a native of New Jersey. He was a farmer and came west to Iowa where he engaged successfully in his vocation. He was married in this state and passed away March 6, 1880. The grandparents on the maternal side were John F. and Elizabeth Madison, residents of Indiana, grandfather Madison being well known in the region where he lived as a devout Christian.
Jesse P. Howe began his education in the country schools and later attended the high school at Corning, Iowa. Having decided to devote himself to a busi- ness career, he attended the Gem City College, at Quincy, Illinois, and after leaving this institution became a clerk in the general store of Fisher Brothers, at Bridgewater, Iowa. From the very beginning of his active career he was actuated by an ambition to become independent financially. He received a- salary of twenty-five dollars per month, for the first five months, banking from the same one hundred dollars, which was his first one hundred dollars saved. From savings and investments he accumulated four thousand dollars, which he believed to be sufficient capital for the start he desired to make in his own name. Ac- cordingly, he gave up his position at Bridgewater and removed to Fenton, Iowa, where he began in the general mercantile business which under his management developed rapidly so that later he was able to sell out at a handsome profit. In 1906 he and his family came to Des Moines and opened an office under the title of the Manhattan Oil Company, which was later incorporated as the Manhattan Oil Company of Iowa, with general headquarters in Des Moines. As the auto- mobile came more into use the business grew until at the present time it is very remunerative. He is now president of the Manhattan Oil Company of Iowa, vice president of the Manhattan Oil & Linseed Company, with general offices at St. Paul, Minnesota, and branch offices at Watertown and Mitchell, South Dakota; president and general manager of the Manhattan Oil Company of Ne- braska, with offices at Omaha. He owns a beautiful home in Des Moines.
On the Ist day of January, 1901, Mr. Howe was united in marriage to Miss Amanda L. Dau, a daughter of Christian and Fredericka Dau. The parents came to this country from Germany and lived for a time at Whitewater, Wis- consin, later locating on a farm in Kossuth county, Iowa. The father died in 1904 but the mother is still living in this city. Three children have blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Howe: Chauncey E., who was born January 29, 1905 ; Dean Otis, whose birth occurred November 6, 1906; and Helen Kathryne, born November 21, 1910.
Politically Mr. Howe gives his support to the republican party and his re- ligious views are indicated by membership in the Christian church. He is a pleasing companion and at all times a genial gentleman who aims to be of genuine service to those with whom he associates. He is highly popular in social circles and is a lover of his home which is supplied with modern con- veniences, among which are choice books and magazines of which he is a con- stant reader. It is a principle with him to perform his duty to the best of his ability each day as he sees it and in so doing he has not only found happiness for himself but has very materially assisted others toward the same desirable goal.
JOHN YOUNG.
No man stands higher in the respect of the people of Crocker and adjoining townships than John Young. Beginning as a farm laborer he steadily forged his way to the front and is now one of the well established farmers in one of the largest agricultural districts of the state. He is a native of Butler county, Ohio, born April 23, 1835, son of Lewis and Sarah (Troyer) Young, both of whom were natives of the Buckeye state. The family came to Iowa in 1853 and
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Mr. and Mrs. Young made their home in Polk county until 1867, when they removed to Missouri. Mr. Young passed away in that state in 1880, having then arrived at the age of sixty-five years. The beloved wife and mother died in Polk City in 1888, being then sixty-seven years of age.
John Young was the eldest of a family of eleven children and he found his time as he grew up largely occupied in assisting in the support of his brothers and sisters. He possessed limited advantages of education in the district schools but early became intimately acquainted with the value of labor. He arrived in Iowa with his parents at the age of eighteen years, having previously worked four years upon a railroad. After reaching this state he turned his attention to farm labor and five years of close application provided him with capital by which he was enabled to purchase land from the government. This land he traded for a farm in Polk county, which he subsequently traded for the prop- erty on which he now lives, taking up his residence there in 1866 .. When he first moved to this spot there were no improvements whatever as it was virgin prairie, but he has transformed it into a beautiful and productive farm upon which he built a commodious residence and other structures, providing it also with modern machinery so that he is able to carry on the work with the least expenditure of time and energy. He has engaged in general farming and stock- raising with a goodly measure of success.
In 1858 Mr. Young was united in marriage to Miss Matilda Shellhart, who was born in 1841, daughter of Jacob and Margaret Shellhart, natives respectively of Pennsylvania and Germany. The parents came to Iowa in the pioneer days and there were five children in the family. To Mr. and Mrs. Young eight children were born, namely : Sarah Ann, who married Frank Porter, and is now living in Polk county; Mary E., wife of James Channon and now living in Audubon county and has four children; Eliza J., wife of J. O. Duensing, of Wright county, and mother of one child; George, who married Miss Fannie Lawrence and is now living in Polk county and has six children; Martha E .. who died at the age of two years; W. W., of Polk county, who married Miss Minnie Kobi and has five children; John L., who married Miss Sarah Good. and is now living in Polk county; and Bertha N., of Oregon, who married M. W. Rhodes and has four children. The mother of these children departed this life January 27, 1907, being then sixty-five years of age. Her death was a great loss to her husband and family. She was of a kind and generous disposition and had a host of friends in this county.
Mr. Young is a member of the Masonic order, and for more than forty-five years has been identified with the Congregational church. He is a stanch sup- porter of the republican party, and the estimation in which he is held by his neighbors and friends is shown by the fact that he served for twenty-eight years as road supervisor and for twenty years as president of the school board. His life has been characterized by integrity in all his dealings and by fidelity to every trust, so that today his name is regarded as a synonym for all that is just and true.
J. A. KIZER.
J: A. Kizer is actively affiliated with the insurance circles of Des Moines, be- ing secretary of the Bankers Accident Company. One of Iowa's sons, he was born on a farm six miles northeast of Brooklyn, his parents being Allen Smith and Mary Jane Kizer. The family is identified with the early history of the state as his paternal grandparents came to Iowa in 1838, locating near Tipton in Cedar county. Mr. and Mrs. A. S. Kizer removed from their farm to Colfax, Iowa, in 1882, hoping that the medicinal properties of the water there would
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improve Mr. Kizer's health. Although the doctors had pronounced his trouble to be Bright's disease and incurable Mr. Kizer entirely recovered and is now strong and healthy. After recovering his health he decided not to return to farming, believing the work to be too taxing upon his vitality, so bought a half interest in a hardware store in Colfax. For several years he continued to be identified with this business, which was conducted under the firm name of Bates & Kizer. Disposing of his interest later he bought three additions to the city and has ever since devoted his entire time and attention to his real estate, continuing to reside in Colfax.
A lad of ten years when his parents removed to Colfax J. A. Kizer acquired his education in the public schools of that city, being graduated from the high school in 1894. Coming to Des Moines in 1900 he entered the Capital City Commercial College, in order to better fit himself for a business career. Mr. Kizer was identified with various vocations before finding one he wished to follow permanently. His first position was deliveryman in a grocery store at twelve and a half dollars per month. He was later advanced to sixteen dollars but withdrew shortly after to become manager of a laundry for C. H. Lyons. Following this he accepted a clerical position in the real-estate and insurance office of J. H. Hahn. This was the most congenial employment he had ever had, and being very much interested in the insurance work after leaving business college he obtained a position in the Bankers Mutual Casualty Company. With- drawing from this later he went into the office of the Bankers Accident Com- pany as errand and office boy and by means of close application, faithful dis- charge of duties and tireless energy he has worked his way up to his present position.
In this city on the 25th of August, 1909, Mr. Kizer was united in marriage to Miss Jessie Mae Hitchcock, a daughter of Charles H. Hitchcock. The par- ents located in Des Moines in 1875 and for over thirty years have resided in the same place. One child has been born of this union, Marion Louene. Mr. and Mrs. Kizer attend the Methodist Episcopal church of which denomination they are members, while fraternally he is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and has filled all of the chairs of the local lodge.
A strong advocate of the principles of republicanism Mr. Kizer always gives his support to the men and measures of that party. He does not actively par- ticipate in local politics, however, as he does not aspire to public office, pre- ferring to concentrate his energies upon the advancement of his private interests.
BYRD E. MOORE.
Byrd E. Moore, one of the best known bicycle and motor men in the west and now proprietor of a flourishing bicycle establishment at Des Moines, is a native of Iowa, born at Ottumwa, July 20, 1873. He is a son of A. E. and Ella P. (Baker) Moore, the former of whom was born at Iowa City, in 1853, and the latter at Richland, Iowa, also in 1853. The father engaged in the news- paper business and came to Des Moines in 1886, being connected with the Old Register, which later became the Register-Leader. There were two children in the family, Byrd E. and May Pearl, the latter the wife of H. M. Stewart, of Des Moines. Grandfather Moore was a soldier of the Civil war:
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