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 167

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 167

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Byrd E. Moore received his early education in the public schools of Ottumwa and Lincoln, Kansas. He began his great battle with the world in making incan- descent lamps in a factory at Lincoln, Nebraska, where he continued for three years. He then entered the department store of Maxwell, Sharp & Ross at Lincoln. Mr. Ross took a great interest in the young man and as our subject was small in stature, quick in movement and mentally very bright he persuaded

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him to become a bicycle race rider and put him through a course of training, furnishing him the style of bicycle then in use, which was the old ordinary high wheeled vehicle. After the pupil had been put through the proper training he entered a six-days' race, which took place at Bohannon's Hall, for the champion- ship of Nebraska. He was pitted against three experts-Bert Banks, Hal Zerun and Joe Sullivan. He put forth extraordinary efforts and won the race, earning one hundred and seventy-seven dollars, the championship of the west and a medal. Two months later, in the fall of 1891, he left Lincoln and drove a pet pony across the country to Des Moines, Iowa, where he established his head- quarters. Realizing the need of more education, he attended school for two years and sold papers to pay expenses. His second great race was against Bert Edmunds, the state champion of Iowa. It was a ten-mile-handicap road race. There were fifty-eight starters, and the handicap was fifteen minutes. The scratchmen were Byrd Moore, Bert Edmunds, C. V. Davies, of Chicago, and Walter Hibbs, a noted rider of Mitchellville, Iowa. Byrd Moore soon over- hauled his competitors and took the lead, winning first place and time prize and thus securing two medals. After the race was over he found himself in posses- sion of a new bicycle, a full-jeweled Elgin watch and a handsome new suit of clothes. For some time after this event he devoted his attention to racing in various parts of the state, the interest in the bicycle then being at its height at all principal centers in the west. At a state meet at Oskaloosa he won nearly half the races and at Jefferson, Iowa, carried off three first prizes. The great race of his life, however, was a ten-mile match race with Walter Hibbs at Des Moines, on the spot now occupied by the Auditorium. Mr. Moore won in twenty-two minutes and twenty-five seconds, and thus became the undisputed champion bicycle rider of the state. He acted as referee of three day races run by women and paced Marie Kawalski, of Chicago, a mile in two minutes and eighteen seconds. In 1900 he opened a bicycle store and shop at Des Moines, handling all the leading high grade machines, and now carries a bicycle known as Byrd's special, named after himself, which is a beautiful wheel. He also handles motor-cycles, with which he is thoroughly familiar. He rode a motor- cycle a mile in fifty-one seconds, in an exhibition straightaway on Kingman boulevard, Chicago, the leading papers of the city giving full account of this event with a picture of Mr. Moore. He began in 1907 handling motor-cycles but now sells only the Thor motor-cycle, of which he carries fifteen different models. To him belongs the credit of having been engaged the longest in the bicycle and motor business of any man in the state of Iowa and he has attained a wide reputation not only on account of his professional ability but because of his success as a business man.

On the 23d of May, 1900, Mr. Moore was united in marriage to Miss Oliv- ette Larson, a native of Dayton, Iowa, who was left an orphan in her early girlhood. In politics he is independent and in religious belief he adheres to the Methodist church. Possessing the qualities that attract friends and also lead to business prosperity, he has attained a highly creditable record by his energetic and honorable course.

ALVAH JOHN GAGE.

Having made thorough preparation for his profession as an architect, Alvah John Gage, although a young man, has already realized in an important degree the ambition of his earlier years. He is well established in his life career and has gained an enviable reputation on account of the excellent work he has ac- complished in Des Moines and elsewhere in the state. He was born at Winona, Minnesota, April 24, 1873, and is a son of Alvah Webster and Christiana Gage,

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the latter of whom is a native of Pennsylvania. She came west to Winona in her early girlhood with her parents and is now living at Winona, Minnesota. The father was born at Brackney, Pennsylvania. He became a contractor and builder, locating at Winona in 1857. He passed away April 17, 1887.

Alvah John Gage received his preliminary education in the public schools of Winona, subsequently attending the University of Pennsylvania. After leav- ing the university he entered the office of McKinm, Mead and White, architects, in New York city, where he remained about three years. He then removed to St. Paul, Minnesota, and in 1899 to Des Moines, Iowa, entering the employ of the firm of Smith & Gutterson. Upon the death of Mr. Gutterson he ac- quired the interest in the firm which had been held by the former and became a partner of Mr. Smith. They remained in business together until 1905, when Mr. Gage went to Paris for further study and observation under the most favorable conditions to be found in the world. In 1907 he resumed practice in Des Moines, associating himself with Smith and Wetherell, with offices in the Youngerman building, and in 1908 the firm became Wetherell & Gage. He has drawn plans for some of the most attractive buildings in this part of the state, among which may be named the Hubbel school building and the Brooks school building of Des Moines, courthouses at Centerville, Leon and Sigourney, and other public and private structures.

On the 20th of December, 1899, Mr. Gage was united in marriage to Miss Rose M. Clock, who was born at Geneva, Franklin county, Iowa, February 28, 1873. She is a daughter of Jarvis Clock, a native of New York, now deceased. Mr. Gage has been identified with the republican party ever since reaching manhood and gives it his earnest support. He is a member of the Grant Club. He is a constant student, a close observer and, being of a progressive nature, is not restricted by conventionalities. Hence, he displays an originality in his plans which is highly pleasing to patrons. In Des Moines he has found an in- viting field, which is constantly widening and gives great promise for years to come.

HENRY GRAY.

Henry Gray, who, by years of applied industry, has attained a prominent position in the business circles of Des Moines, was born January II, 1852, in Weston, Vermont, in the same house his father was born in, a son of Andrew Jackson and Mary (Burton) Gray, both of whom were also natives of Ver- mont, the father's birth taking place in that town on February 23, 1820. The family genealogy is replete with interesting history, of which only a brief out- line can here be given. The estate upon which the father was born has been in the Gray family for several generations and he was identified with various agricultural and business enterprises, having been a farmer, banker and hotel proprietor, each of which lines of endeavor he successfully conducted during his life time. In 1884 he moved to Hampton, Iowa, where he lived until 1900, when he moved to Des Moines and there his death occurred February 20, 1904. His wife passed away in the same city August 31, 1906. The paternal grand- father, who was a cousin of George Bancroft, the noted historian, came with his family from Scotland at an early day and located on the land which was subsequently occupied by the succeeding generations. He was a physician of considerable prominence in his day and obtained some renown as a soldier in the Revolutionary war. The maternal grandfather, Mather Erin Burton, emi- grated from England to the United States at an early period and located in Vermont. Hon. J. Lorin Martin, justice of the United States Supreme court, who is a cousin of Henry Gray, was speaker of the house of representatives for seven terms and married a niece of Admiral Dewey, U. S. N.

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Henry Gray received his preliminary education in the public schools, sup- plemented by a course at Burr-Burton Seminary, at Manchester, Vermont. At the age of sixteen years he went to Chicago, Illinois, where he worked for Field, Leiter & Company for four years, then moving to Sterling, Illinois, where he remained until 1876, when he moved to Iowa Falls, Iowa, for a short period and in the same year returned to Manchester, Vermont, there embarking in the hotel business. In 1882 he disposed of his interests and proceeding to Hamp- ton, Iowa, he engaged in the undertaking business, later taking a course of instruction in embalming at Hampton, Iowa, and after receiving his diploma, he conducted an embalming establishment in that city until 1901. In the same year he came to Des Moines and started an undertaking business at III3 Lo- cust street, becoming one of the best known men in this line of work in the city. He eventually sold his undertaking establishment and entered the real- estate business, in which he has since been engaged, meeting with unqualified success.

Mr. Gray has been twice married, his first wife being Alice M. Smith, to whom he was united March 3, 1880. They became the parents of four chil- dren, namely : Harry S., who was born December 15, 1880, and married Miss Ethel Holman, having two sons, Henry H. and Jack Burton, is engaged in the automobile business in Des Moines; Roy B., who was born June 10, 1884; Clara I., born November 5, 1889; and Ruth, born October 2, 1891. Mrs. Gray departed this life October 31, 1897, in Hampton, Iowa. On August 24, 1898, Mr. Gray was married to Miss Emma Brockway, of Cambridge, New York.

Politically Mr. Gray supports the democratic party. He is a member of the Presbyterian church and fraternally he is connected with Capital Lodge, Knights of Pythias, and the Modern Woodmen of America, as well as the Sons of the American Revolution. Mr. Gray is one of the substantial citizens of Des Moines, where he owns considerable real estate, and is popular with both his business associates and his personal friends. He is an enthusiast in regard to all athletic sports and takes particular pleasure in automobiling.

LEWIS MEUSBURGER.

Lewis Meusburger, the owner of one hundred and twenty acres of rich and productive land in Walnut township, is one of Polk county's young and enter- prising agriculturists. His birth occurred in Walnut township, Dallas county, Iowa, on the 26th of September, 1887, his parents being Joseph and Mary (Young) Meusburger, the former a native of Germany and the latter of Dal- las county, Iowa. The father emigrated to the United States when twenty-five years of age, locating in New York, where he worked as a hired hand on a dairy farm for about three years. At the expiration of that period he came to Iowa, being here employed by the month as a farm hand for several years. By dint of untiring industry and close economy he eventually accumulated sufficient capi- tal to enable him to buy land of his own, coming into possession of a tract of eighty acres in Dallas county. The operation of that farm claimed his atten- tion until he disposed of the property to his father-in-law, at which time he purchased and located on another tract of land comprising one hundred and sixty acres, in the further cultivation and improvement of which he was engaged until called to his final rest in March, 1895. The mother is still in possession of the home farm in Dallas county, which is now being operated by two of her sons. At the present time she is residing with our subject.

Lewis Meusburger was reared in his native county and attended the district schools in the acquirement of an education. When not busy with his text-books he assisted in the work of the home farm, thus early becoming familiar with the

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duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. In 1905 his mother bought a well improved farm of one hundred and twenty acres in Walnut town- ship, Polk county, whereon he and his mother took up their abode the following year. They have resided thereon continuously since, Mr. Meusburger working the farm in accordance with advanced methods of agriculture and producing good results in large marketable crops.

Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise Mr. Meusburger has sup- ported the republican party, being convinced that its principles are most con- ducive to good government. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the German Lutheran church, while fraternally he is identified with the Mod- ern Woodmen of America, belonging to Camp No. 7193 at Campbell, Iowa. He is also affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, his member- ship being in Waukee Lodge, No. 31I. He has always lived in this part of the state and enjoys a wide and favorable acquaintance here.

DANIEL M. FINCH.

A representative of one of the leading families of Des Moines, Daniel M. Finch has spent his entire life in this city and for twenty years past has been identified with the railway business. He was born May 18, 1857, and is a son of Daniel O. and Ellen Maria (Calder) Finch. The father was for many years one of the leading lawyers of Iowa and was also a prominent factor in demo- cratic politics of the state. He was born at Unadilla, Otsego county, New York, June 6, 1829, being a son of David and Ruth Ann Finch, both of whom were na- tives of Connecticut. Ransome Mallory on the mother's side served as cap- tain in the Revolutionary war and married Ruth Wooster. When Daniel was eleven years of age his father died and later he attended Delaware Institute at Franklin, Delaware county, New York, and Oxford Academy of Chenango county, taking a complete college preparatory course. He studied law in the office of Judge C. C. Noble, of Unadilla, with whom he remained for two years. In 1847 he entered the law school at Cherry Valley, graduating the fol- lowing year. He began practice at Monroe, Green county, Wisconsin, and con- tinued there until 1851, when he arrived at Cedar Rapids, Iowa, becoming a member of the banking firm of Wear, Finch & Company. At the same time he continued to practice his profession. In the spring of 1853 he disposed of his interests at Cedar Rapids and' settled at Des Moines, then a village of four hundred and fifty inhabitants. He associated in practice with Judge Curtis Bates and was also interested in a banking enterprise and was editor of the Iowa Star, a newspaper. Judge Bates withdrew from the firm in 1855 and was succeeded by General M. M. Crocker. Subsequently Mr. Finch was associated at various times with Judge Mitchell, Hon. John A. Kasson, George Clark, Byron Rice, John D. River and W. S. Sickman.

He was always enthusiastic in politics and in 1856 canvassed one-half the counties of the state in behalf of Buchanan. In 1860 he was a delegate to the national democratic convention at Charleston, South Carolina, and took an active part in the nomination of Stephen A. Douglas for president. Two years later he ran for congress in the fifth district, but was defeated by a small vote. In 1864 he was a delegate to the national democratic convention at Chicago and supported George B. McClellan for the presidency. At the New York con- vention four years later he was an enthusiastic supporter of Horatio Seymour. He was chairman of the Iowa delegation at the national convention at St. Louis and was president of the democratic state convention in 1877 and headed the electoral democratic state ticket at the national election in 1884 when Grover Cleveland was elected for his first term. On the 26th of September, 1885, he

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was appointed United States attorney for the southern district of Iowa, which office he held until November 27, 1889.

On September 16, 1851, Mr. Finch was married to Miss Ellen Maria Calder, whose parents were natives of England. The father owned a beautiful farm on the shores of Otsego lake, New York. There were five children born to Mr. and Mrs. Finch: Willie, who died at the age of four years; Joseph C., born January 8, 1855, and now a leading attorney at Los Angeles, California ; Daniel Mallory, of this review; Edward Douglas, who studied law under his father and is a graduate of the lowa State University, being now a practicing lawyer of Des Moines; and Charles Marcus, who is engaged in business at San Fran- cisco, California. Mr. Finch, Sr., died while visiting his son in San Francisco, November 26, 1906, having then arrived at the age of seventy-seven years. The beloved wife and mother passed away two years previously. Mr. Finch will be remembered as a man of unusual ability, whose name is indelibly iden- tified with the upbuilding of Iowa.

Daniel M. Finch, the subject of this review, received his early education in the public schools of Des Moines. He began his business career as a clerk in a dry-goods store of this city and later was deputy sheriff of Polk county un- der Daniel Bringhof, serving in a similar capacity under George Lendrum. After retiring from public office he engaged in the fire-insurance business as special agent of the Globe Insurance Company, in which capacity he served until the company discontinued business at Des Moines. In 1891 he became connected with the Des Moines City Railway Company as claim agent and has also served as cashier and train master, at the present time filling the posi- tion of claim agent for the Des Moines City & Interurban Railway.

On the 30th of June, 1880, Mr. Finch was united in marriage to Miss Emma Thomas, who was born at Sennett, Cayuga county, New York. Two children came to bless this union : Paul R., born September II, 1885, who is now mar- ried and engaged as a manufacturer of gas mantles in Kansas City, Missouri; and Daniel O., born August II, 1887, who is also married and is now assistant scenic painter of the Princess Theater of Des Moines. The mother of these children died in 1892 and Mr. Finch was again married, in 1897, to Miss Bertha Dewey, a native of Des Moines and a daughter of John M. Dewey, one of the pioneers of this city. He was an engineer and later engaged in the real-estate business and with the Des Moines Water Works Company. He took an active part in politics, serving with general acceptance as member of the city council. The mother of Mrs. Finch, whose maiden name was Hettie Johnson, was born at Newbury. Vermont, and is still living. Politically Mr. Finch is not connected with any of the leading parties, preferring to remain independent. In religious belief he adheres to the Episcopal church. He is well known socially and, hav- ing seen Des Moines grow from a village until it has become one of the large centers of the west, he is well acquainted with its business interests and few men can claim a more intimate knowledge of the resources and possibilities of the large section from which this city draws its support. Thoroughly effi- cient in the work to which he applies himself, he has attained a gratifying meas- ure of prosperity and Des Moines can claim no more loyal son than the one whose record is here presented.

SAMUEL PROCTER KNEELAND.

For ten years Samuel P. Kneeland has been identified in an official capacity with the Des Moines Hosiery Company, whose mills constitute one of the thriv- ing local industries. He was born in Berea, Ohio, on the 9th of January, 1857, being a son of Isaac and Susanna C. (Procter) Kneeland, the father a native of

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the state of New York and the mother of New Bedford, Massachusetts. The parents came to Iowa from Ohio in 1857, locating at Chariton, where the father, who was a physician, engaged in the practice of his profession. Five children were born to them, two daughters, who died in childhood, and three sons: Herbert, who is married and living at Fort Gibson, Oklahoma; Samuel P., our subject; and Williams, who is also married and a resident of Malvern, Iowa.

Samuel P. Kneeland obtained his education in the common schools. of Char- iton, Iowa, after the completion of which he engaged in teaching for several years. Deciding at the end of the period that he preferred a commercial career he accepted a clerkship with which he was identified for two years, following which he came to Des Moines and entered the employ of R. G. Dun & Com- pany. He continued in their service for fourteen years, during eleven of which he was the manager of their Des Moines office. Resigning his position with this company in July, 1901, he became the treasurer of the Des Moines Hosiery Company, of which he was one of the stockholders. This is one of the suc- cessful enterprises of the city, the company employing a force of two hundred people in the operation of their local mills, and sixty in their branch at Boone, Iowa. Their products are of the best quality, the merits of which are recog- nized and as a result they are building up a patronage extending from eastern Ohio to the Pacific coast and yielding gratifying results to the stockholders.

Mr. Kneeland established a home by his marriage on the 18th of April, 1889, to Miss Julia M. Corning, who is a native of this city and a daughter of B. H. and Francenia R. (Rollins) Corning, the father being one of the oldest shoe merchants in the city. One daughter graces the home of Mr. and Mrs. Knee- land; Elizabeth Corning. The family affiliates with the Congregational church, while fraternally Mr. Kneeland is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of America, his local membership in the latter organization being charter in Grant Camp, No. 108, which is the oldest in the city. He is also a member of the Sons of the American Revolution, this privilege being accorded him because of his descent in the maternal line from Pilgrim ancestry through Miles Standish. The Procters have always been well connected and one of Mrs. Isaac Kneeland's sisters married Colonel War- ren S. Dungan, several terms representative from Lucas county and senator from Locust and Wayne counties; also lieutenant governor under Governor Jackson.

His political support Mr. Kneeland awards the candidates of the republi- can party. However, as he does not aspire to official honors, he never very actively participates in political campaigns, preferring to devote his time and attention mostly to his personal interests.

S. E. PARMENTER.

Living on the old homestead of two hundred and seventy acres in Crocker township, S. E. Parmenter has attained a measure of prosperity which places him and his family beyond fear of want in the years to come. He is one of the substantial farmers of Polk county-a man who uses sound judgment in his plans and generally secures substantial results. Born on the place where he now lives September 13, 1865, he is the son of Edward and Annie E. (Porter) Parmenter, the former a native of New Hampshire and the latter of Ohio. They came to Iowa about 1855 and were married in this state. The father was by trade a blacksmith and for five years he shod the horses of the Western Stage Company, which operated between Des Moines and Council Bluffs. He continued at his trade until 1863 when he purchased two hundred and twenty acres in Crocker township upon which he took up his residence. As the years

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passed he became one of the leading farmers of this section and acquired more than one thousand acres of land in Crocker township. He passed away in 1897 at the age of sixty-five years. Mrs. Parmenter is still living on the home place and has now reached the age of sixty-nine years. She was the mother of nine children, the subject of this review being second in order of birth.

S. E. Parmenter received his education in the common schools and as he grew up became thoroughly acquainted with all classes of work pertaining to agriculture and stock-raising. The father gave a farm to each of his children when they reached maturity and the farm which our subject received he later traded for the old homestead, so that he has always lived in the same place in which he was born. He has cultivated the farm in such a way as to produce gratifying annual returns. He is a general farmer and stock-raiser and it is doubtful whether any place in this part of the county is in better condition for cultivation or posseses better facilities than the one he owns.

In 1893 Mr. Parmenter was united in marriage to Miss Ada Riley, a daugh- ter of John and Lydia Riley, and of this union one son, Charles E., was born. In 1910 Mr. Parmenter was again married, the lady of his choice being Miss Lulu Banks, who was born July 10, 1891, a daughter of John and Catherine Banks, of Crocker township. The father was born in England and the mother in Iowa. They were married in this state, Mr. Banks having come to America in his boyhood. The mother passed away in 1904, but the father is now living in Polk county and has reached the age of sixty-nine years.

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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 167

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