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 170

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 170

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

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CITY OF DES MOINES AND POLK COUNTY

proof of the lobby compact as to break it up, stampede the lobby for the re- mainder of that session and got what he asked for. The report of the joint committee was at once taken up and an act passed providing for a board of control, consisting of three persons to be appointed by the governor, not more than two to be of the same political party, or resident in the same congressional district ; to be ineligible to any other executive office, and prohibited from using his political influence on any employe of the state. The salary was fixed at three thousand dollars per year, the official bond at twenty-five thousand dollars. The term of office two, four and six years. Judge Kinne was appointed a mem- ber of the board and drew the six year term. In 1904 he was reappointed and served until his death, March 10, 1906. On his appointment to the board he became a resident of Des Moines, and one of its foremost citizens.

"Immense power was given to the board. It had control of the expenditure of all funds and the absolute appointment and dismissal of the heads of the fourteen institutions. It was an experiment, another Iowa idea, no other state having attempted such a concentration of power in the hands of a board in the management of such vast interests, scattered over the state and having very intimate relations with the daily life of different localities. All state institu- tions except the educational were placed under control and management of the board, and of the latter, it is required to investigate all their reports and doings and report its findings to. the legislature. It also has supervision over all private or county institutions where insane persons are kept. A quarterly bulletin of the board is issued, in which is printed the reports of and proceedings and discussions of superintendents of institutions, with a review of the same and suggestions to the legislature. During his whole term Judge Kinne was the editor and compiler of the bulletin, to which he gave the best effort of his well trained mind. He also developed remarkable executive ability, business capacity and good judgment respecting the multifarious and widely diversified interests of the institutions, in one whose whole life work had been the very antithesis of his new vocation. The board has saved to the state an immense sum of money, vastly improved the management and condition of the institutions, elimi- nated them from all political influences and established an economic system which several other states have adopted.

"Aside from the numerous public offices held by Judge Kinne he found time to devote earnest thought and labor to many subjects, for he seemed never to be contented except when pressed with work. He was for many years a lecturer in the state university at Iowa City and Iowa College of Law in Des Moines on legal subjects. He was the author of the law text-book on 'Pleadings and Practice,' recognized by the bar and courts as standard authority. As one of the national commission, he rendered valuable service in the effort to secure greater uniformity of legislation and laws among the several states. He was also the author of many addresses and papers on legal subjects, charities and corrections. His last work was his exhaustive investigation of tuberculosis and voluminous report to the legislature in 1905."

Judge Kinne was married in September, 1869, at Peru, La Salle county, Illinois, to Miss Mary E. Abrams, and they had two daughters: Lillian L., at home ; and Esther M., who is the wife of J. F. Trear, of Vinton, Iowa, and has one son, James Kinne Trear. Judge Kinne was a member of the Baptist church and while living in Syracuse attended Dr. Talmage's church and also sang in the choir, possessing a fine tenor voice. His ability as a musician enabled hin to add much to the pleasure of various social occasions. His position as a sup- porter of the democratic party was never an equivocal one. He ever stood loyally by the principles in which he believed and in 1876 he was a delegate to the democratic national convention and in 1884 was made a delegate at large. He also served for several years as secretary and later as chairman of the democratic state central committee. He did not regard local office as too

1435

CITY OF DES MOINES AND POLK COUNTY

unimportant to claim his attention and three times was elected and served as mayor of Toledo, while for some time he was city solicitor and also a member of the school board. Every movement that indicated public progress received his indorsement and in as far as possible his cooperation. One of the Des Moines papers said of him: "As a citizen he represented the best type of manhood and his influence was always for the uplift of the commonwealth. As a judge of the supreme court he brought,to the bench the force and influence of a strong mind, thorough legal and literary education. He was ardently devoted to duty and untiring in its performance; was by temperament aggressive and progressive. His opinions were strong, keen-sighted, long-headed and noted for clearness of diction. One of his opinions, unprecedented in Iowa, in its doctrine in which the city of Des Moines was a party interested, became the established law. The point was, whether a city already indebted to the extent of the constitutional limit, could further bind itself by the issue of warrants. In the case at bar, he held the warrants valid. It was generally conceded that he became one of the ablest and best judges of that court since its creation."

Judge Kinne held membership with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias. His manner was courteous and affable, yet he never sacrificed dignity in manner or speech. His standing in the profession is indicated by the fact that he was elected the second president of the State Bar Association. At all times he was popular. This was not because he courted popularity but because his pronounced traits of character won him the friendly regard, the good-will, the confidence and the honor of his fellowmen. Fearless in conduct and stainless in reputation, his life history constitutes a most credit- able chapter in the annals of Iowa.

AMOS BINNEY GEORGE.

One of the important wholesale houses of Des Moines is the Des Moines Rubber Company, at No. 307 Court avenue, which owes its origin to Amos Binney George, for sixteen years past an active and progressive business man of this city. He is a native of Newburyport, Massachusetts, born November 9, 1841. . He received his education in the public schools of Newburyport and grew to manhood in his native town. At the time of the Civil war he served in Company A, Forty-eighth Massachusetts Volunteers, and after the close of the Rebellion returned to Massachusetts and entered upon his business career at the bottom rung of the ladder in the counting-room of the Salisbury Mills, at Amesbury. He continued his connection with this concern for four years, being advanced to the position of assistant paymaster of the mills. After leav- ing Amesbury he came west to St. Louis, Missouri, where he secured employ- ment in a retail shoe store, a position which he filled for five years. From there he returned east, to Boston, Massachusetts, and became associated with J. Durgin & Son, wholesale shoe manufacturers, as traveling salesman. The company soon became convinced of the ability of Mr. George and on March II, 1869, they associated with him to open a shoe store at Cedar Rapids, Iowa, under the title of A. B. George & Company, copartners with J. Durgin & Son of Boston. Mr. George was the head of this establishment until 1895, a period of nearly twenty-seven years, his connection with the company at Boston being terminated by the death of J. Henry Durgin. In November, 1895, he came to Des Moines and established the wholesale house of A. B. George & Company, dealers in rubber boots, shoes and kindred goods. In 1902, the business having grown to handsome proportions, the firm was incorporated under the title of the Des Moines Rubber Company, with Mr. George as president, treasurer and manager. He is the oldest shoe merchant in Des Moines, having been actively

1436

CITY OF DES MOINES AND POLK COUNTY

engaged in this business in Iowa for forty-two years. Being a man of intelli- gence and of a broad and well balanced mind, he has made a success of his vocation, at the same time attracting many friends by his sterling qualities of character.

On the 3Ist of August, 1869, Mr. George was married at Amesbury, Massa- chusetts, to Miss Ellen M. Dearborn, a native of Maine. Mrs. George died at Chelsea, Massachusetts, in 1886, at the age of forty-five years, leaving three children, namely: Harry M., who died in Chicago at the age of twenty-five years ; Abigail M., who is the wife of De Nise Burkhalter, of Bradford, Penn- sylvania; and Arthur D., who is associated with his father in business. The children of Mr. and Mrs. George were all born in Cedar Rapids.

Mr. George was a true soldier when the life of the republic was assailed and he has demonstrated in times of peace qualities of fortitude, patience and perseverance which are necessary in the accomplishment of all important under- takings. Always reliable and progressive, he has built up a flourishing business and is fully entitled to the enviable reputation he has gained as one of the substantial men of Des Moines.

MATTHEW SEXAUER.

Over sixty years ago Matthew Sexauer, now a leading citizen of Polk county, first set foot on the soil of this county. He was then a lad of six years but the long journey from the east and the strange scenes that met his eyes after arriv- ing in Iowa made an impression upon his mind that time has scarcely dimmed. During the years that have since elapsed he has assisted very materially in the agricultural development of the county, and today his name is honored wherever he is known. He was born in Fairview township, Erie county, Pennsylvania, September 24, 1845, son of Jacob and Magdalena (Dietz) Sexauer. The parents were both natives of Baden, Germany. They started for America in the fall of 1844 and were married on shipboard during the voyage. They took up their residence in Erie county, Pennsylvania, and there the mother passed away when the subject of this review was two and one-half years old. Two years later the father was again married, the lady of his choice being Miss Mary Provile, who was born in Wurtemberg, Germany. The family came to Iowa in 1850 and settled in Polk county. Mr. Sexauer departed this life in 1875 at the age of forty-nine years. Mrs. Sexauer died about 1894. The father had two children by his first marriage, Matthew being the eldest. The second child died in infancy.

Matthew Sexauer received his early education in the district schools and remained under the parental roof until twenty-four years of age. He then began farming for himself on land belonging to his father, and so continued until the death of the latter about two years later, when he inherited two hun- dred and eighty acres. He has conducted his business with such success that he now owns six hundred and sixty-five acres in Polk county, eighty acres near Winterset, Dallas county, and a half section of land in Idaho. In 1902 he erected a beautiful modern brick residence which contains ten rooms and is heated by furnace, being provided with all the conveniences of a strictly up-to- date home. He has made many other improvements upon his farm which is today one of the most attractive and valuable properties in the county.

He devotes his attention to general farming, paying special attention to the raising of horses and feeding of cattle and hogs for the market. Being a man of more than ordinary intelligence, gifted with a well balanced mind and wise in counsel, he is held in high respect by his fellows.

1437

CITY OF DES MOINES AND POLK COUNTY

In 1870 Mr. Sexauer was united in marriage to Miss Minnie Fregenbaum, born in Quincy, Illinois, July 5, 1851, daughter of Rev. F. W. and Louise (Otto) Fregenbaum. The parents were natives of Germany. They came to this country early in their lives and were married in Illinois. They are now living at Wathena, Kansas, the father being eighty-two and the mother seventy-nine years of age. There were ten children in their family. Five children came to brighten the home of Mr. and Mrs. Sexauer, namely: Rosana M., of Utah, who married George McDougall and became the mother of five children, four of whom are now living: Fredrick J., of Canada, who married Miss Pearl McClung and has one child; Emily L., now living at home, who married Clarence Picken- brock, and became the mother of three children, one of whom is now living; Hallett M., of Polk county, who married Miss Cora Cornwall; and Roscoe, at home.

Mr. Sexauer gives his support generally to the republican party but lets his judgment not be restricted by partisan lines in local issues, where he votes for the man of highest character best qualified to fill the office without regard to political affiliation. He served very acceptably as school director for many years although he has never had aspirations for public office. He and his family are stanch members of the Methodist church of Ankeny and he is one of the trustees of that organization. He is a gentleman of fine social characteristics and a rare conversationalist, his stories of pioneer life being intensely interesting. He remembers that, coming overland with team and wagon from the Mississippi river, he suffered greatly from hunger on the last stage of the trip into Des Moines, then a straggling village with no accommodations for travelers and at that time with no provisions to sell. The father, not knowing of the conditions at Des Moines declined the hamper of food offered at the last stopping place before reaching Des Moines. Being unable to purchase a single mouthful of food the entire party was obliged to go without sustenance until they reached their destination near Polk City, about nine o'clock at night. Mr. Sexauer remembers that he shed tears and also he has a clear recollection of the deep sympathy aroused in the heart of his father. After the family was fairly settled in its home in the new country the father and a government surveyor were one day engaged in surveying near the family home. They discovered by an ominous noise that a rattlesnake was hidden in close proximity and they called a dog which had been brought from Pennsylvania. The faithful animal quickly found the snake and shook it into pieces, however, as the dog was nosing around in the grass, the head of the snake, which was still attached to about one foot of the body, viciously jumped at the dog and bit him in the head. He ran to the house where Mrs. Sexauer in attempting to relieve his pain received some of the poison into her own system and her head swelled to double its usual size. The nearest physician was many miles away, but Mrs. Sexauer saved her life by drinking two pints of rye whiskey and the life of the faithful dog was saved by washing out his wound with common lye soap. Mr. Sexauer also remembers that in 1858 the wheat and corn in this section was almost totally destroyed by the early frost and rust and farmers had gloomy forebodings as to the future. Wheat was then thirty-five cents a bushel and corn ten cents for that measure. There were forty fat hogs upon the farm and the father of our subject in the fall of 1858 killed two of them and drove to Des Moines with the carcasses, expecting to receive a reasonable price. However, he was offered only two and one-half cents per pound, which aroused his indignation to such an extent that he brought the meat home and proceeded with the assistance of two men to build a smoke house. He then killed all of his hogs and smoked the meat, holding it for a higher price. In the early part of the season he had planted corn which gave a fair yield and he also carefully stored away this corn for future demands. The next year witnessed the massacre at Fort Dodge and prices suddenly went up so, that he readily sold his pork for eighteen and twenty cents per pound, his seed corn for one dollar and fifty cents per bushel and five

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CITY OF DES MOINES AND POLK COUNTY

hundred bushels of wheat which he had carried over from 1857 for the hand- some price of one dollar and fifty cents per bushel. This year marked the turn- ing of the tide and henceforth the prosperity of the family was assured.

BERT O'KEEN.

Although he has been identified only a short time with the mercantile busi- ness at Ankeny, Bert O'Keen has demonstrated his ability as a hardware man and is meeting with a gratifying measure of prosperity. He is a native of Johnson county, Iowa, born June II, 1868, a son of Oliver J. and Drusilla (McCord) O'Keen. The parents were both born in the Keystone state and came to Johnson county, Iowa, many years ago, removing to Polk county about 1873. The father devoted his attention to farming. He died in 1909, at the age of eighty-two years, the mother having been called away in 1901, in the sixty-fifth year of her age.

Bert O'Keen was the third in order of birth in a family of four children. He received his preliminary education in the public schools and at the age of fifteen began his contest with the world. He worked for wages on a farm for about twelve years, then engaged in railroading and subsequently in the restaurant and livery business at different times, acquiring practical experience which he has put to good use, so that today he is one of the substantial business men of this section. In March, 1910, he opened a hardware store at Ankeny and as he is well acquainted with the wants of his patrons and keeps his shelves well filled with the best articles of hardware that the market affords, his income shows from month to month a handsome increase.

In April, 1899, Mr. O'Keen was united in marriage to Miss Hattie Hall, who was born November 12, 1876, a daughter of W. A. and Mary Ann (Shep- herd) Hall. The parents were born in Pennsylvania and settled in Polk county, Iowa. being now residents of Ankeny. There were four children in their family. The home of Mr. and Mrs. O'Keen has been brightened by the arrival of one child, Vera Florence, who was born May 4, 1907.

Fraternally Mr. O'Keen is identified with the Odd Fellows and politically gives his support to the republican party. He and his wife are stanch members of the Methodist church of Ankeny. In every enterprise for the good of the community he cheerfully lends his aid and being now in the prime of life, it is reasonable to prophesy that he has before him many years of happiness and increasing usefulness.

KELLER J. BELL.

Keller J. Bell, a well known citizen of Des Moines, was born on a farm in Washington county, Maryland, April 6, 1880, a son of Joseph W. and Cath- arina (Oaks) Bell. He was graduated from the township high school and took a preparatory and collegiate course at Pennsylvania College, Gettysburg, Penn- sylvania. On leaving that institution he went upon the road selling cream sep- arators for the Empire Cream Separator Company of Bloomfield, New Jersey, and during the years 1902 and 1903 had charge of the sales end of their busi- ness out of their Chicago office. In January, 1904, he secured from this com- pany the exclusive territory to job their machines in central Iowa and at once removed to Des Moines to take charge of the work. He carried on the business under the name of the Capital Creamery Company, which he organized at that time, and in connection with the jobbing of cream separators started a small

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CITY OF DES MOINES AND POLK COUNTY

creamery on Sixth avenue, just south of the Union station, in a building twenty by fifty feet. Both the separator and creamery business grew enormously and in the winter of 1905-1906 he erected a building on West Ninth and Elm streets, forty-four feet wide and three stories high, into which he moved in May of the latter year. In the new location the business gradually increased until it became one of the largest independent plants in the west. In the spring of 1908 the company began the manufacture and sale of silos and in May, 1911, Mr. Bell severed his connection with the creamery business and purchased the silo department, which he is now conducting at the corner of West Eleventh and Elm streets.

On the 17th of June, 1903, Mr. Bell was united in marriage to Miss Augusta Garlough, a native of Clark county, Ohio, and a daughter of Oliver Garlough. Mr. Garlough was for many years a well known farmer, having arrived in Clark county previous to the Civil war, at a time when the region was sparsely settled. Captain Garlough, the great-grandfather of Mrs. Bell, served under Washington in the Revolutionary war. Two children have come to gladden the home of Mr. and Mrs. Bell: Lawrence, born June 17, 1905; and Charlotte, born July 31, 1907. Politically Mr. Bell gives his support to the republican party. He is a member of the Presbyterian church and is connected with the Grant Club of this city.

INDEX

Adelman, Mier

624

Bebinger, A.

557

Ainsworth, L. W.

552

Beck, J. G ..

527

Alberson, R. .

216

Beck, J. H. 532

Aldrich, J. E.

604

Beck, J. M .. 1119

Alexander, J. A.

929

Beer, Paul 1283

Alf, Gustaf

1124

Bell, H. M. 960

Alleman, J. L. 1393

Bell, K. J .. 1438

Allen, F. H.

Bell, R. B. H.

470

Allen, S. B.

694

359

Allen, T. L.

973

Bennett, J. C ..

171

Altona, L. A.

1092

Bennett, L. P.

1071

Amend, Conrad 672

Benson, J. A.

240

Anderson, J. H. .

642

Berg, F. W.

388

Anderson, W. E

762

Berhow, T. M ..

1322

Ankeney, H. E ..

177

Berkstrand, C. J

907

Ankeny, Joseph

624

Berryhill, J. G.

236

Anthony, E. P.

587

Betts, S. W.

588

Ariss, Thomas

1236

Beucher, Nicholas

1162

Armstrong, J. W.

931

Beyer, Jackson

916

Arpy, G. F.

818

Bieghler, Mary E.

1340

Ash, A. J.

1070

Bilz, A. F.

560

Ash, J. W.

831

Black, J. G.

214

Ashworth, C. A.

259

Blair, J. H.

115

Askew, E. J ...

1214

Blake, . S.

472

Blake, E. L.

472

Blake, John

956

Blank, T. L ..

219

Bagg, A. G.

478

Bleakly, J. L.

1083

Bagg, C. P.

438

Blood, L. P ..

1180

Bagg, H. D ..

610

Bohrofen, Peter

684

Bolton, Leander

168

Bailey, E. F.

981

Bolton, L. E.

536

Bailey, F. L.

145

Bolton, R. P.

1330

Baily, W. H.

480

Bond, T. P ..

543

Bair, W. M .:

1339

Bonus, Daniel

674

Baird, R. J.

571

Botsford, Geis

517

Baker, W. E.

946

Bouchard, Eliphe

895

Ball, George

1322

Bourne, E. F.

436

Ballard, W. C ..

389

Bowen, Cromwell

206

Balthis, I. C ..

315

Bowen, William

546

Bannister, R. J.

664

Boyd, Thomas

260

Barber, W. C .. 770

Bradshaw, C. S.

1229

Barcroft. J. R.

Brand, Jennie

1063

Bard, E. J.

578

Brecht, E. A ..

1304

Barlow. J. K.

585

Brecht, W. L .. 72

Barquist. G. L .. 505

Brennan, R. O. 1259

Barrett, Benjamin 893

Brewer, O. F. 233

Barrett Brothers 922

Bridges, E. L. 1032

Basham, L. W. 1195

Briggs, F. W. 1219

Battles, Hiram 863

Brigham, Johnson 352

Bayes, C. L.

795

Brockett. O. M.

191

Raylies, Nicholas

1074

Brower, L. C. 1409

Beaner. F. H.

361 Brown, E. W. 796

Vol. II-71

1441

Atherton, C. H .. 1146

Ayres, W. S.

248

Backman, J. A. 1274

Bender, Rosa

1442

INDEX

445

Brown, J. A.

270

Brown, J. E.

135

Brown, J. W.

955

Collins, John

1171

Brown, W. B.

Compton, J. S.

266

Brush, G. W ...

Conkling, W. S.

419

Buche, W. F.

Cook, Ira

1098

Cook, J. P ..

795

Bullard, R. A.

Coon, L. B ..

675

Burgess, Nelson

Cooter, C. S.

399

Burnette, A. S.

1245

Burt, C. W ..

1244

Butcher, G. A.

661

Butler, H. S.

Cosson, George

898

Cowles, Gardner

622

Cox, Henry

724

Craig, Charles

1326

Craig, F. H. & W. O.

1269

Cram, Frank

1265

Camp, F. J ...

844

Campbell, A. K.

689

Carlson, A. W., Sr

644

Carlson, A. W., Jr.

1166

Carney, A. E.

1169

Carney, Walter

Carr, G. H ..

570

Carrell, F. M.

1384

654

Dale, H. F.

504

Dana, C. A ..

1176

Daughenbaugh, A. R.

215

Davis, F. G.

857

Davis, J. B.

149

Caulfield, Martin

1296

Cavanagh, B. J.

Davis, M. H.

719

Davis, R. C.

Chambers, C. A.

619

Day, Joseph

1214

Chappel, G. M.

Deets, L. C ..

1205

Chase, F. W.

De Ford, L. H.

502

Christian, G. M

1396

Delmege, G. J.

1332

Church, W. C.

692

Clancy, P. J.

Densmore, Norman

680

Dewey, A. E ...

1401

Dickinson, Warren

183

Clark, J. S.

Dicks, Mattie

1192

Clark, Lester

1241

Dissmore, G. A.

184

Divine, B. F ...

411

Clarke, C. H.

Dobson, G. D ..

665

Clarke, R. L.

Dockstader, C. B.

547

Clarkson, R. P.

Dole, F. V ..

511

1060

Dorr, E. E .. 416

1108

1284

Drake. J. F. N.

882

Dudley, C. A ..

150

Dukehart, C. J.

801

Coffin, N. E ..

249

Duley, M. L ...

775

Dunlap, J. T.

Coggeshall, J. M.

754

Cole, C. C .. .

492

Coleman, R. M. J.

1329

Brown, Leonard

Combs, W. J.

1185

Brubaker, B. F.

Conkling, H. B.

1275

Bryant, H. C. C.

Conroy, J. T.

327

Budd, J. W ..

386

Budlong, E. C.

Cook, R. E.

439

Bump, H. L ..

Cooper, W. A.

351

Burkheimer, C. D.

Cope, F. A ..

387

Corey, A. H.

1080

Cornick, H. H.

690

Corry, E. C ..

737

1011

Buxton, D. H.

1341

Byers, H. W.

218

Byers, M. H.

239

Byrnes, J. H.

Calkins, H. G. 991

Cram, W. F.

1186

Cromley, G. E.

815

Cullen, George

935

Cummins, A. B.

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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 170

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