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 168

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 168

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Mr. Parmenter is a man of pleasing social characteristics and has many friends who have been attracted by his generous disposition. Fraternally he is a valued member of the Masonic order, the Odd Fellows and the Eagles. He gives his support to the republican party and although not an aspirant for pub- lic office, he has served most acceptably as a member of the board of township trustees. He ranks as a thoroughly enterprising and energetic citizen and enjoys in a high degree the esteem and confidence of his neighbors, with many of whom he has been intimately identified ever since his boyhood.

ROTHERT R. McBRIDE.

In enumerating the successful and progressive business men of Des Moines the name of Rothert R. McBride should occupy an honorable place. A native of Adair county, Iowa, he was born March 8, 1876, and is a son of James A. and Elizabeth E. McBride. His father was born in Wheeling, Virginia, now West Virginia, September 18, 1842, and after coming west was married at North Henderson, Illinois, February 10, 1871. He made the trip to Iowa with an ox team, taking up government land near Dexter, where he established his home. He engaged successfully in farming and was also identified for a number of years with the dry-goods business. He is still living on the old homestead and clearly remembers the time when the land on which the capitol building at Des Moines now stands was sold for a dollar and a quarter per acre. Our subject's grandfather McBride came to this country from Scotland and the grandparents on the mother's side from Germany, the latter settling in Pennsylvania.

Rothert R. McBride was educated in the public schools and was graduated from the business course of the Dexter Normal College. After assisting his father for several years upon the home farm, he decided to seek other employ- ment and began learning the embalming business under W. C. Harbach, of Des Moines, with whom he continued for two and one-half years. In 1896 he be- came connected with the J. W. Patrick Undertaking & Embalming Company and for ten years was one of its most faithful employes. In 1906, having be- come thoroughly acquainted with the business in all its details, he opened an

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undertaking establishment of his own and by conscientious application has gained a most gratifying reputation and a liberal patronage, being recognized as one of the most capable men in his line in the city. As a member of the firm of McBride & Patrick he is still carrying on business and has two establishments, one at No. 815 Locust street and the other at No. 526 East Grand avenue, Des Moines.

On the 8th of March, 1899, Mr. McBride was united in marriage to Miss Emma Krisinger. One child, Harold R., was born to them, March 7, 1900, and he is now attending the Bryan school. The mother having passed away Novem- ber II, 1901, Mr. McBride was married a second time, May 17, 1906, the lady of his choice being Miss Martha V. Drennen, of Des Moines.

Since leaving the home farm Mr. McBride has been identified with the un- dertaking and embalming business and he has shown an efficiency in his chosen pursuit which indicates that he made no mistake in his selection of a life voca- tion. He is past president of the Iowa Funeral Directors Association ; has been a member of the State Board of Embalmers Association for the past ten years ; and is also a. member of the North America Embalmers Association. He is to- day one of the growing factors in the business interests of Des Moines, having achieved his present position through genuine merit and well directed effort. Politically he gives his adherence to the republican party but is not an ardent partisan, as he is broad-minded and believes that every man should follow his own best judgment. He is a valued member of the Methodist church and is prominently connected with the leading fraternal organizations among which are Home Lodge, No. 370, A. F. & A. M .; Des Moines Lodge, No. 68, K. P; Capital Lodge, No. 106, I. O. O. F .; Evening Star Lodge, No. 3134, M. W. A .; Seni Om Sed Lodge, No. 9, D. O. K. K .; and the Order of Ben Hur.

HARRY G. CURTIS.

Harry G. Curtis, who for the past four years has been connected with the county surveyor's office, was born in Livingston county, Illinois, on the 28th of November, 1874, a son of J. D. and Roxana (Weeks) Curtis. The father was a native of Augusta, Maine, and the mother of Ohio. J. D. Curtis, who was always connected with the lumber industry, followed that business for years before coming westward. He first located in Illinois but in 1878 he came to Des Moines, where he accepted a position with the Hewett Lumber Company, continuing in their employ for many years. In 1894 he passed away, but the mother is still surviving, making her home in this city.

Being but a lad of four years when his parents removed to Des Moines, Harry G. Curtis obtained his education in the public and high schools of this city. Before completing his education, he began to learn the cigarmaker's trade, which, however, he did not follow long, having in the meantime acquired suffi- cient knowledge of engineering to procure a position in the city office. For six years he served in the capacity of assistant in the engineering department, with- drawing from that work in 1907 because he had been appointed to a position in the office of the county surveyor. On the Ist of September, 1910, he bought an interest in the 'Madison Coal Company but did not become actively identified with this concern until the expiration of his term of office, in January, 19II.

On the Ist of March, 1898, Mr. Curtis and Miss Ellen Cooper were united ' in marriage. Two children have been born to them: Edna, whose birth occurred on the 12th of August, 1899, and who is a pupil in the Kirkwood school and Howard, who was born on the 7th of April, 1904, and is attending the same institution.

Mr. Curtis is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and also the Waveland and Des Moines Clubs. He is very fond of all outdoor sports

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and is a golf and base ball enthusiast, devoting as much time as he can during the season to the former game. His political support is given to the republican party, his views being in accordance with those of the more progressive wing of that body. He has many friends in the city, the majority of whom have known him from boyhood, and they accord him the regard and esteem his life and public career fully merit and deserve.

JAMES LEE.

James Lee, one of the early settlers of Polk county, was loved for his genial disposition, and honored for his noble principles, which were manifest in his helpful cooperation with many movements for the moral progress of this sec- tion of the state. To the many who knew him, he was, as one of his friends expressed it "largely the ideal of the perfect man, friend and citizen." His life was a continuous example of helpful service to others and such an example could not be other than an encouragement and an inspiration. He was born in Delaware county, Ohio, May 23, 1822, a son of Hugh and Mary Ann (Kin- kade) Lee, both of whom were Virginians, in which state they were married in 1821. Immediately after they removed to Delaware county, Ohio, where their six children, five sons and a daughter, were all born. Of these James Lee, who was the eldest, was the last survivor. His brothers were: William Elliott Lee, who died in Denver in 1886; Rev. S. A. Lee, who for a number of years was a presiding elder in the Methodist church in Iowa; General John C. Lee, of Toledo, Ohio; and George W. Lee, of Daviess county, Missouri.

The public schools and academy of his native county afforded James Lee his educational privileges. He did not attend college with his brothers for the reason that his father, who had an extensive leather business, wished his eld- est son to engage in business with him. He, therefore, entered into active connection with tanning and saddlery interests with his father in Delaware, Ohio, and later established a potash factory in Marysville, Ohio, being connected in this enterprise with his brother William Elliott Lee.

On the 15th of May, 1845, in Delaware, Ohio, he wedded Maria Louisa Brown, a daughter of Hiram J. L. and Rosanna (Perry) Brown. After a drive to Marysville, escorted by the entire bridal party, the young couple took possession of a home that had been prepared for them in Delaware and remained residents of that city for several years before removing to the west. It was in 1851 that he traveled overland with his father to Iowa for the benefit of the father's health, proceeding after a short stay in Keokuk to Washington, Iowa, where a number of relatives had settled. Pleased with the state and its pros- pects, Mr. Lee sent for his wife and one child, who joined him in the spring of 1852, making the trip by way of the Ohio and Mississippi rivers to Keokuk. Here Mr. Lee met them and they proceeded to Washington, where in the mean- time he had established business as a merchant. Subsequently he became the proprietor of a store in Springfield, Iowa, and afterward in Oskaloosa, form- ing a partnership with Henry Howard and later with S. P. Farrington. . Ill- health, however, necessitated his withdrawal from commercial pursuits that he might enjoy the benefits of outdoor life, and in consequence he removed with his family to Flint, a country place a few miles from Oskaloosa, where they resided for a year or two, prior to their removal to Des Moines. While they were living at Flint, they were visited by Captain James Davis and his family of Des Moines, Mrs. Davis being a cousin of Mrs. Lee, and it was through the influence of Captain Davis that Mr. Lee was induced to come to Des Moines, and engage in business with him. The journey to the capital was made by team, in the spring of 1864, Mr. Lee driving with his family, followed by two

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prairie schooners containing their household furniture. They first boarded in the Otis home, a two-story frame building at the southeast corner of Third and Walnut streets, until Mr. Lee could purchase a suitable residence, when a removal was made to a frame dwelling at the northwest corner of Twelfth and Sycamore streets, (now Grand Avenue), the family residing there for many years. That district was then considered very remote from the business center, which was at that time on Third street. The Lee residence stood on the main thoroughfare leading to the west and all outgoing travel passed that way. For years long lines of prairie schooners wended their way toward the setting sun, carrying homeseekers to the region farther on. Indians also came and went, often stopping to ask for food and supplies, and were most pleased at being given corn-meal and bacon, which they prepared after their own fashion.

For some time Mr. Lee continued in merchandising in connection with Cap- tain Davis but again the close confinement of this life proved unfavorable to his health, and he found it necessary to engage in a business that would admit of his spending much time in the open air. When the Hawkeye Insurance Com- pany was organized he became identified with it and remained in the insurance business for the rest of his active business life, being connected with both the State and the Des Moines in turn.

After establishing their home in Iowa several children were added to the family of Mr. and Mrs. Lee. Edward, their first-born, however, died in infancy. The second child, Rosanna A., was married in 1878 to Horatio Cox Chambers, a banker of Ottumwa, Iowa, and had two children: Helen Lee Chambers, who died in 1899, at the age of nineteen years; and Charles Edward Chambers, an artist of New York city, who was married in 1907 to Fanny Hamilton Munsell, of Chicago; they have one child, Richard Chambers. Hiram Hugh Lee, the third of the family, was a resident of Denver, where he died in 1899. In 1890 he had married Susie Sloss, of North Bend, Nebraska, and they had one child, James Robert Lee. Charles Fenelon Lee of Toledo, Ohio, was married in 1883 to John Clifford Hodges, of Junction City, Kansas, and they had three children : Katharine Hodges Lee, who died in 1904; John Clifford Lee, of the United States army, who was graduated at West Point in 1910; and Josephine Lee. Helen M. Lee, of Des Moines, the youngest of the children of Mr. and Mrs. James Lee, has been first assistant state librarian since 1898.

Death came to the husband and father on the 5th of January, 1904, when he was eighty-one years of age. Business had perhaps been the least important phase of his career; to him it was ever a means to an end; he desired to sur- round his family with such comforts and material things as would add to their welfare and happiness, but aside from this he had no real desire for wealth. His activities reached out along other lines in a helpful spirit that recognized the needs of the world and attempted to meet them. He neglected none of the ob- ligations of citizenship and believed it his duty as well as his privilege to exercise his right of franchise. In early manhood he supported the whig party until its dissolution, when he joined the ranks of the new republican party and be- came one of its stanch advocates, never wavering in its support. Though an en- thusiastic worker for the cause of prohibition, he relied upon the republican party to champion the cause of right in all moral issues. He never sought for himself a political office, but he realized that it was the duty of every citizen to use his influence in securing good government, and this to Mr. Lee meant the passage of good laws and the placing of good men in office-men who would enforce the laws -- thus bringing about the best moral conditions possible. In this direc- tion his influence was always exerted and for years this influence was a power to be reckoned with in the political life of Polk county. His position on the tem- perance question was never an equivocal one and he became an active member of the Good Templars Society in the early days of its organization. He belonged also to the Tippecanoe Club and to the Octogenarian Society. He was one of

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the early members of the Polk County Bible Society, taking a prominent part in all its activities. Following the trend of Scotch ancestry on his mother's side he was always identified with the Presbyterian church. From the Des Moines Daily Capital of January 6, 1904, we quote the following :

"Perhaps Father Lee, as everybody called him, was best known in religious circles. He was converted in Ohio when he was but seventeen years old. From that time to his death he was an active worker in the church. Here he found a multitude of opportunities to serve God and his fellowmen. He was elected an elder in the church when he was only thirty years old and served as an officer in the Central Presbyterian church of this city before and after its union with the Old School church. When the Central Presbyterian church was located on Fourth street Mr. Lee was acting as a member of the session. His pastor at that time was Rev. Thompson Bird. Some twenty years ago Mr. Lee moved with his family to the northwest part of the city and soon after, in cooperation with Rev. W. J. Young, he founded the Sixth Presbyterian church, which is now one of the strongest churches of the city. The first meetings were held in a tent on Twenty-second street and Cottage Grove avenue. When the formal organization of the congregation was made Mr. Lee withdrew from the Central Presbyterian church and became a member of the new society, being elected one of its first elders, an office which he held up to the time of his death. Not only in the particular church to which he belonged but in other churches Mr. Lee worked. He was known throughout Iowa as a lay evangelist. For weeks at a time he would hold meetings in nearby towns and in these meetings many were converted. Not a few faithful Christians today were brought into the kingdom through the influence of 'Father' Lee. A special work that was near to his heart was the establishing of Sunday schools. Wherever there was a community without religious instructions there Mr. Lee went to begin a school which he nursed until it was old enough to take care of itself. In this way he founded many churches which today are strong organizations.

"Mr. Lee was always the first one to visit the sick. Never did he hear of the illness of a neighbor or friend, or indeed of a stranger needing a friend, but that he was at the bedside frequently, giving assistance and speaking words of counsel and comfort.

"The sum of this good man's kindness and helpfulness will never be known. He proved his profession true. He was a Christian. His life was long and filled from first to last with service in the Master's name."

ROBERT R. MCCUTCHEN.

Robert R. Mccutchen, one of the leading and respected residents of Des Moines, is successfully engaged in the real-estate and insurance business, con- ducting the Hatton Mccutchen Agency and also being the president of the Mccutchen-Verran Company. His birth occurred in Waterloo, Iowa, on the J5th of January. 1872, his parents being William A. and Emma (Hent) Mc- Cutchen, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania. The father, who was born about 1840, engaged in business as a dealer in farm implements. He came to Polk county, Iowa, in 1884, and here handled implements until called to his final rest in 1888. James Adams, the great-great-grandfather of our subject, was a captain in Colonel Lyons' regiment of Cumberland county militia. To William A. and Emma (Hent) Mccutchen were born three children, namely : Mary, who died in childhood; Robert R., of this review; and James W., who is married and resides in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Robert R. Mccutchen obtained his education in the graded and high schools of Des Moines and also spent two years in the Baptist College, now Des Moines

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College. After putting aside his text-books he spent one year in the employ of F. A. Field, the shoe man, and subsequently was identified with the Central Loan & Trust Company for a number of years. He next associated himself with the president of that company, continuing operations along the same line until his partner's death in 1903, when he purchased the business from the . latter's estate. At the present time he conducts the enterprise under the firm name of the Hatton Mccutchen Agency, with offices at No. 210 Fifth street, doing an extensive business in real estate and real-estate loans. Mr. Mccutchen is now the sole proprietor of the business and handles city property exclusively. He is likewise the president of the Mccutchen-Verran Company, a concern engaged in the fire insurance business. His official connections are varied and important. He is the secretary of the Vermont Syndicate, a corporation that laid out Kingman Place, and is also the secretary of the Hyperion Park Com- pany, which laid out Hyperion Park. He was instrumental in the paving and improvement of Kingman boulevard and his efforts have been an important factor in the material development and upbuilding of Des Moines. The Mechanics Bank numbers him among its directors.

On the 9th of September, 1896, Mr. Mccutchen was united in marriage to Miss Frances Jenkins, a native of Iowa and a daughter of J. W. Jenkins, a real- estate dealer. Our subject and his wife now have one son, Donald, whose natal day was August 1, 1897.

In politics Mr. Mccutchen is a republican, loyally supporting the men and measures of that party by his ballot. He was one of the original Greater Des Moines Committee, from which he was forced to resign about one year ago on ' account of the increasing demands of his business, which would not permit him to devote to the committee work the time and attention which it should be given. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity and is also a member of the Commercial Club, the Grant Club, the Country Club, the Des Moines Club and the Hyperion Club. He has the best collection of big game specimens in the state of Iowa- all tributes to his own prowess. Mr. Mccutchen is a man of easy dignity, frank and cordial in address and possessing that confidence and courage which rightly come from conscious personal ability, a right conception of things and an habitual regard for what is best in the exercise of human activities.

GEORGE P. SWARTZEL.

The dairy interests of Des Moines find a most worthy representative in George P. Swartzel, who eighteen years ago established the Iowa Dairy & Creamery which is today recognized as one of the thriving enterprises of the city. A native of Iowa, he was born in Independence, on the 29th of October, 1869, his parents being Henry and Mary (Meyer) Swartzel. Henry Swartzel came from Preble county, Ohio, to Iowa with his parents when a child. His education was acquired in the common schools of this state and when old enough to decide upon his life's vocation he elected to become an agriculturist. He was most successful in his ventures and for many years was one of the well known and substantial stock-raisers and farmers of Buchanan county. The marriage of Mr. Swartzel and Miss Meyer was celebrated in Buffalo Grove, Iowa, their union was not to be long, however, as Mrs. Swartzel passed away in 1876, while he survived until 1907.

George P. Swartzel was reared at home acquiring his education in the com- mon schools. When old enough to lay aside his school books, he accepted a position in a creamery, remaining there four years, during which period he thoroughly mastered all the details of the business. Coming to Des Moines in 1892, he opened the Iowa Dairy & Creamery, starting in a small way, owing to Vol. II-70

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his limited capital, maintaining at first but two wagons for delivery purposes. Later as his business grew and developed he incorporated, taking the presidency himself, and now it requires the services of thirty men to conduct this establish- ment, owing to their constantly growing patronage. The flourishing condition of the company at present must be attributed to Mr. Swartzel's excellent judg- ment and capable supervision as competition in Des Moines is very keen in the dairy business. Always having had unbounded faith in the future of the city as a commercial center he has invested in real estate as he was able, and is now assured of profitable returns from his transactions.

On the 27th of January, 1906, Mr. Swartzel was united in marriage to Miss Alice Hamilton of Lincoln, Nebraska, and to them has been born one daughter, Lillian Ione, whose birth occurred on the 25th of January, 1908. Mr. and Mrs .. Swartzel attend the Baptist church. being members of that denomination. Being very fond of outdoor life he delights in going off on long hunting and fishing trips and in the mild seasons devotes as much time as he can spare from his business in such recreations as will keep him outside.

Although he has never evinced any particular interest in local politics, not aspiring to public honors, Mr. Swartzel is an ardent republican, always casting his ballot in support of the men and measures of that party. He is well known in the city having made many friends during the period of his residence whose regard has been won and retained through his industry and commendable business principles.

GEORGE E. GOUGHNOUR.

George E. Goughnour, who for nine years past has been engaged in general merchandise business at Ankeny and is known as one of the substantial and progressive business men of the community, was born at Libertyville, Iowa, November 7, 1863. He is the son of S. M. and Delilah (Brown) Goughnour, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania. They came to Iowa about 1843 and were married in this state, living for a short time in Jefferson county. In 1867 Mr. Goughnour removed to Polk county, where he has since continued, being now seventy-two years of age. The mother departed this life in 1909, having arrived at the age of sixty-six years. Mr. Goughnour, Sr., has engaged in farming ever since he began his active career. He is also a minister of the Church of the Brethren (Dunkards), and is a man of high character and acknowl- edged influence in the denomination to which he belongs. There were ten children in the family of Mr. and Mrs. Goughnour, six of whom are now living and are married and heads of families.

George E. Goughnour received the advantages of a common-school education and prepared himself for teaching by becoming thoroughly acquainted with the text-books and also by attendance at teachers' institutes. However, after three years' experience in the schoolroom he felt attracted to a business career and, going to Chicago, engaged for one year as clerk with Siegel, Cooper & Company, gaining practical experience which has since been of great benefit. He returned to Iowa and entered the employ of Baldwin & Maxwell at Maxwell, this state, remaining with the firm two years. He then entered business on his own account at Maxwell under the title of Goughnour & Reitz, but after seven years sold out and was employed in the same town as clerk for the firm of C. H. Dickey & Son, continuing four years. In 1902 he came to Ankeny and pur- chased a general merchandise business, which he has since largely developed by good management and close attention to the wants of the people until he is now at the head of one of the most flourishing concerns of this section.

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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 168

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