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 20

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 20

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On Christmas day, 1895, Mr. Kline was united in marriage to Miss Carrie Keeney, a native of Allen township, this county, and a daughter of B. K. and Martha Keeney, who were born in Iowa and Indiana respectively. Unto our subject and his wife have been born six children, namely: Florence. who is fourteen years of age; Bertha, twelve years of age; Albert, a lad of ten years, Floyd, who is eight years of age; Ruth; and Marion.

In politics Mr. Kline is a democrat, while fraternally he is identified with the Brotherhood of American Yeomen. Both he and his wife are well known and highly esteemed throughout the community in which they have spent their entire lives, the circle of their friends being almost coextensive with the circle of their acquaintances.

DWIGHT N. LEWIS.

Dwight N. Lewis, of Des Moines, assistant commerce counsel of the state, one of the most important appointive positions in the commonwealth, is a native of Oskaloosa, Iowa. He is the son of David and Anna Barber (Lukens-) Lewis. The father served in an Illinois regiment during the Civil war and

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passed away some years later, the noble mother rearing a family of four chil- dren by her own unassisted efforts.

The Lewis family is descended from the Garrets and Schooleys, of Mary- land, and the Lukens', Barbers', and Lewis', of Eastern Ohio. The ancestors were mostly Quakers, members of the family going from Pennsylvania as pioneers into Ohio in the latter part of the eighteenth century. Grandfather Moses Lukens settled near Cadiz, Harrison county, Ohio, and was one of the prominent abolitionists prior to the Civil war. He maintained a station of the famous underground railway, the route leading from Wheeling to the great lakes, and across the state of Ohio. The attic of the Lukens' home was often well filled with escaped slaves on their way to Canada and freedom. The men of the family were accustomed to escorting the fugitives to the next station in the night time, as it would have led to almost certain arrest had they attemped to travel in daylight. The great-grandmother, Ann Schooley, herself descended from slave owning parents, was one of the heroic women of the times, and was uncompromising in her opposition to slavery, and she lived to see the chains stricken from four million fellow beings in the south. The family history. politically, has been whig, anti-slavery and republican.

Dwight N. Lewis received his early education in the public schools of Oska- loosa and Des Moines, Iowa, subsequently becoming a student in the law de- partment of Drake University, from which he was graduated with the degree of LL.B. in 1893, being immediately thereafter admitted to the bar. Since the age of sixteen years he has made active use of his energies, the only time that he has lost being a period of three weeks, during which he was confined to his home by illness. He began his active career in the employ of the Des Moines White Bronze Works, later becoming connected with the Des Moines Jobbers and Manufacturers' Association as clerk and stenographer. From 1899 to May, 1911, he filled the position of secretary of the state railroad commis- sion, performing his duties with a fidelity and efficiency which met with the warm approval of the commissioners and the people of the state. He resigned in order to take the appointment of assistant commerce counsel.

He has found time outside the duties of office to assist others on the way to becoming responsible citizens. As the leader of a large Sunday school class of young men, he has developed a spirit of self-help and self-respect in many boys and young men that has changed the whole current of their lives. Many interest- ing features are connected with his class work, which are being adopted by many other competent teachers in various parts of the country. Fraternally he is con- nected with the Knights of Pythias and in political affiliation is identified with the republican party.

THOMAS F. FLYNN.

Thomas F. Flynn, banker and capitalist, who now figures prominently in connection with the financial circles of Des Moines as vice president and director of the Peoples Savings Bank, came by inheritance into close connection with moneyed and business interests of the city, but it is by personal worth and ability that his reputation for keen discernment and successful management was main- tained. He is a western man by birth and training and the spirit of enterprise which has ever been characteristic of the west in its rapid and substantial growth finds apt expression in the life of Thomas F. Flynn. He was born in Douglas county, Nebraska, September 14, 1866, a son of Martin Flynn, whose record of continuous progress from a most humble financial position to that of president of the Peoples Savings Bank constitutes an example well worthy of emulation. Extended mention of the father is made upon another page of this volume.

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Martin Flynn became the owner of valuable landed possessions and it was amid the environment of farm life that Thomas F. Flynn spent his youthful days. He pursued his education in the country schools of Walnut township, Polk county, Iowa, and also at home under the direction of a governess before entering Notre Dame University of Indiana. He therein pursued the scientific course and was graduated with the class of 1882. Returning home he became associated with his father in the conduct of extensive and important farming interests and also in the management of large stock-raising and financial enterprises. He is today one of the leading members of the Flynn Farm Company and the Flynn Sheep Company, owning and conducting an extensive ranch in Wyoming whereon are found thousands of sheep. His association with the Peoples Savings Bank of Des Moines has been an element in the successful management of that institu- tion of which his father was president at the time of his death. The son is now vice president and director and his opinions concerning the managerial policy of the business have been embodied in successfully conducting and in expanding business relations for the institution.

In June, 1908, at Fort Worth, Texas, Mr. Flynn was married to Miss Ida May Crowley, a daughter of B. F. and Ida Crowley, pioneer residents of the northern part of the Lone Star state. Mr. and Mrs. Flynn have one child, Marion W., born in Des Moines. The parents are members of St. Ambrose Catholic church, to the support of which they contribute liberally. Mr. Flynn belongs to the Des Moines Club and to the Golf and Country Club, of both of which he is a prominent representative, his genial manner, social disposition, ready wit and sterling worth making him popular in the membership of both associa- tions. Politically he is a progressive republican and his support of the party is the result of his thorough investigation into the vital and significant problems and issues of the day. He is justly accounted one of the strong figures in financial circles in Des Moines and belongs to that progressive type of business men who are constantly reaching out into broader fields and seeking success along advanced lines whereby public prosperity as well as individual success may be conserved.

C. J. ENGLEEN.

Sweden has assisted very materially through her promising sons and daugh- ters in the upbuilding of Des Moines and the state of Iowa. By their energy, thrift and good character the citizens of Swedish birth have not only added greatly to the wealth of the community, but have contributed also toward the maintenance of a high standard in business and social relations. Among the Swedish citizens of Des Moines C. J. Engleen has attained an enviable stand- ing on account of his business talent and progressive spirit. He was born in Dalecarlia, Sweden, June 24, 1866, a son of Carl and Christine Louise (Pjerro) Engleen, the former of whom was born October 23, 1842, and the latter Oc- tober 10, 1847. There were eight children in the family of Mr. and Mrs. En- gleen : C. J., the subject of this review; Christine Charlotte, now the wife of E. N. Peterson, of Ogden, Iowa; Emma, the wife of John Reagan, of Greeley. Colorado; Herman, Martin, Ellis and Albin, all of Ogden, Iowa; and Josephine. the wife of Martin Sandeen, of Ogden, Iowa.

C. J. Engleen came to America with his parents in 1869 and received his preliminary education in the district schools of Iowa, later becoming a student at Augustana College at Rock Island, Illinois. He early became acquainted with the details of agriculture and stock-raising but, not being attracted to agricultural pursuits, he identified himself with the drug business in 1885 and has ever since continued in that line. In 1893 he came to Des Moines and seven years later,

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having acquired the necessary capital, associated himself with J. W. Eade and purchased half of the Sandholm Drug Company's stock. Three years later they purchased the other half of the stock and changed the firm name to En- gleen-Eade Drug Company. By good management and polite attention to cus- tomers the firm has grown rapidly in popular favor and has attained substantial financial standing in the community.

On the 6th of May, 1891, Mr. Engleen was united in marriage to Miss Mary A. Eade, who was born in Iowa county, Wisconsin, May 27, 1867, and is a daugh- ter of Nicholas and Josephine Eade. Mr. and Mrs. Engleen have one child, Marie Louise, who was born November 17, 1892.

Mr. Engleen has won his way to his present position among his asso- ciates by well directed energy and enterprise, and today he stands as one of the live factors in the business circles of this city. He is not allied with any political party, preferring to be independent and to cast his ballot for the man rather than in support of any part organization. Religiously he is identified with the Lutheran church. He is a man of pronounced social instincts and is a valued member of the Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias and Elks.

LEANDER BOLTON.

The name of Bolton is well known in Des Moines, the family it represents having for many years been prominent in this city. Leander Bolton, who passed away December 31, 1901, was the eldest of four brothers, all of whom were . active and efficient business men. He was born at Connersville, Fayette county, Indiana, October 10, 1838, a son of Evan N. Bolton, record of whom is given in the sketch of Lewis E. Bolton, which appears elsewhere in this work. Mr. Bolton, together with his parents came to Des Moines in 1856, and began his business career as clerk in a grocery store on West Second street. Subse- quently, he became connected with the hardware firm of Childs & Howell and in 1866 entered the hardware business upon his own account with Samuel Mc- Kisson, freighting hardware from here to Salt Lake City by means of ox teams. Their store was located in East Locust street, just west of Fifth street. While in partnership with Mr. McKisson, Mr. Bolton made two trips over the plains with ox teams, conveying loads of hardware, which he disposed of in the min- ing camps. In 1873 the partnership was dissolved, and he continued alone for a short time, after which he was associated with his brother, Lewis E., in the same line of business, at No. 524 East Locust street. They continued together until 1892, and our subject then conducted the business alone. He was very successful not only in the enterprise to which he devoted his principal energies but in other lines, serving for several years as president of the Bolton Soap Company and also of the Building & Loan Association, which inaugurated the work for the large seven story structure at Fifth and Locust streets. He was a director and a stockholder in the Capital City Bank, and his advice was much sought by friends desiring to make safe investments. He was a firm friend of the east side and owned considerable real estate in that part of the city.

In 1872 Mr. Bolton was united in marriage to Miss Belle I. Palmer, and by this union two sons were born: Ralph and Lloyd, the latter of whom died Jan- uary 10, 1906, at the age of thirty years, just when he was entering upon a ca- reer of great promise.

Mr. Bolton took the interest of a patriotic citizen in the upbuilding of Des Moines, and while he was never a seeker for public office, he served very ac- ceptably for three consecutive terms as alderman from the fifth ward, perform- ing much valuable service in that capacity. For one hundred days, near the close of the Civil war, he served in the Union army. He possessed a high sense

LEANDER BOLTON

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of duty, and to his family was a loving husband and father, whose greatest happiness was found at his own fireside. He lived to witness the marvelous growth of his adopted city and was one of the willing instruments by which the change was wrought.

The mother of Mrs. Bolton, known as "Aunt Becky" Young, was one of the noted army nurses at the time of the Civil war and later received many atten- tions at gatherings of the Grand Army of the Republic, showing that she had gained a remarkable hold upon the hearts of the old soldiers. She bore the maiden name of Sarah A. Graham and was a native of New York state. Her first hus- band, Mr. Palmer, died before the outbreak of the Civil war, and in 1862 she proffered her services at Ithaca, New York, as an army nurse. Having been ac- cepted she went alone to Baltimore, and thence to Blandensburg, where the Ithaca company of the One Hundred and Ninth New York Volunteers were stationed. She at once entered upon her duties and when the regiment was ordered to the field, the entire command marched by the hospital as a farewell greeting to "Aunt Becky." She had promised under no circumstances to sepa- rate from the company, and Miss Dix, then in charge of the army nurses, pledged her word that she should go to the front at the very first opportunity. Accordingly, on May 12, she started for Fredericksburg and on the following day arrived at Belle Plaine, being then in the midst of hostilities. There she began work among the wounded faithfully night and day wherever her services were most needed, assisting in the principal hospitals in Virginia until the close of the war. In 1865 she returned to Ithaca, New York, where she was given a greeting which has been accorded few who have ever entered that city. She never relinquished her services as an angel of mercy, and it was largely through ber efforts that the Iowa Sanitary Commission was organized May 9, 1898, for the relief of sick and wounded soldiers in the Spanish war. She was called to her reward April 6, 1908, and will be remembered by many who never met her personally as the author of a book which was issued in 1871, graphically setting forth her experiences as an army nurse. In 1867 she was married to D. C. Young, a contractor, and came with him the year following to Des Moines, where she resided during the remainder of her life.

JASPER CORRINGTON BENNETT.

Continuous advancement in educational circles by reason of well developed power and ability have brought Professor Jasper Corrington Bennett to his present position as deputy superintendent of public instruction. He was born February 15, 1863, near Victoria, Knox county, Illinois. His parents are Phineas and Semira Arminta (Codding) Bennett. The ancestry of the Ben- nett family can be traced back to Robert and Rebecca Bennett, who came from England to Newport, Rhode Island, in 1639. Robert was appointed tailor in that year by William Coddington, who was judge of. Newport (1639) and governor of Portsmouth and Newport in 1640 and 1647, from whom Professor Bennett traces his ancestry in the maternal line. Robert Bennett, son of Robert and Rebecca Bennett, was born in Newport in March, 1650, and died in Ports- mouth, Rhode Island, in 1722. He married Anne Cory, a daughter of William and Mary (Earl) Cory. Robert Bennett (Bennit) of the third generation, was born in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, in 1681 and died at Tiverton in the province of Massachusetts Bay, in 1746. His wife Amy survived him. Of their seven children John Bennett was born in Tiverton, Rhode Island, and died in Dart- mouth, Massachusetts (at Long Plain), in 1769. He was married in Dartmouth in 1741 to Thankful Soule, a daughter of William and Rachel (Allen) Soule, a lineal descendant of George Soule, the thirty-fifth signer of the Mayflower Vol. II-9

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compact, the line being as follows: (5) Thankful; (4) William and Rachel; (3) William and Hannah; (2) George and Deborah; (1) George and Mary (Becket).

Alden Bennett, son of John and Thankful Bennett, was born in Dartmouth, Massachusetts, April 24, 1754, was married in Dutchess county, New York, in 1776, to Elizabeth Vail, daughter of Sampson and Sarah (Warren) Vail, and died at sea in 1798. Their son, Isaac Bennett, born in Dutchess county, New York, June 23, 1780, died in Harpursville, New York, March 30, 1812. In his native county on the 6th of March, 1803, he was married to Anna Losee, a daughter of Simon and Phebe (Lewis) Losee. Their son, Joseph Bennett, born in Harpersfield, New York, August 31, 1809, was married in 1830 to Lydia Birdsall. His death occurred in Harpursville in 1884. Phineas Bennett, the third son of Joseph and Lydia Bennett, was born in Otsego county, New York, July 29, 1839. He was married May 3, 1862, to Semira Arminta Codding, a daughter of Albert Burt and Abigail Permelia (Jones) Codding, a descendant of William Coddington, first governor of Portsmouth, Rhode Island, and also of the Thayer family, Deacon George Codding having married a Thayer. The line of descent is Deacon George Codding, Burt Codding, Albert Burt and Semira, who became the wife of Phineas Bennett and is the mother of the sub- ject of this sketch.

Phineas Bennett was but three years of age when the family removed to Illinois, he and his mother going as far as Chicago by way of the lakes, and by stage from that point to Lafayette. He cast his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln in 1860. In Cambridge, Henry county, Illinois, in 1862, he married Semira A. Codding, who was born in Medina county, Ohio, January 31, 1843, and was taken by her parents to Knox county, Illinois, in August of the same year. Following their marriage they lived on a farm near Victoria, until March, 1874, when they removed to Ringgold county, Iowa, where they now reside.

Professor Bennett was educated in the rural schools, the Mt. Ayr high school, the Elliott Business College at Burlington, Iowa, from which he was grad- uated with the degree of Master of Accounts, and in Western Normal Col- lege at Shenandoah, Iowa, where he secured the degree of B. S. in 1890. Early in his business career he secured the position of assistant bookkeeper with the A. G. Adams Boot & Shoe Company of Burlington, Iowa, and later was engaged as an expert accountant in Burlington. Subsequently he became book- keeper in the Citizens Bank of Mt. Ayr, but resigned to enter the Western Normal College. Following his graduation from that institution he was made surveyor of Ringgold county, but resigned to turn his attention to educational work. He secured the position of principal of the public schools of Wirt, now Ellston, and subsequently was principal at Conrad, Iowa. Later he became city superintendent of the Ruthven schools, and afterward county superintendent of the public schools of Ringgold county, which position he held until he was made deputy superintendent of public instruction. He is thus closely associated with the public school work of Iowa. and holding to high ideals in the matter of general education, he has put forth earnest, practical and effective effort for the improvement of the schools. Aside from this he has agricultural inter- ests in Missouri, owning a farm of two hundred acres in the Ozark fruit region.

On the 16th of August, 1893, in Plano, Johns township, Appanoose county, Iowa. Professor Bennett was married to Miss Louie Dooley, a daughter of John Nelson and Mary Elizabeth (Wales) Dooley. Mrs. Bennett's ancestry in America, like that of Mr. Bennett, may be traced to early colonial times. On the paternal side, the name of Dooley appears in Virginia history long before the Revolution and the family was active in the civil, military and re- ligious life of the colony. About the close of the Revolution the descendants of Captain Thomas Dooley, who had died in the army, joined Daniel Boone

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in Kentucky. The family next moved to Indiana and later to Iowa. From Captain Thomas Dooley the line runs as follows: Captain Thomas Dooley, Thomas (2d), Thomas (3d), John Nelson, Louie (Dooley) Bennett. On the maternal side, the name of Wales appears in early New England history and the family bore a prominent and honorable part in all of the activities of that time. Mrs. Bennett's ancestors early moved to Maryland. Edward Lloyd Wales and his son, John Perry, were with Washington at Valley Forge. From Ed- ward Lloyd Wales the line is as follows: Edward Lloyd, John Perry, Leonard, Samuel, Mary (Wales) Dooley, Louie (Dooley) Bennett. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Bennett have been born three children: Jasper Carroll, born near Mt. Ayr, in Ringgold county, August 3, 1894; Corwin Ruthven, born at Ruthven, Palo Alto county, Iowa, March 1I, 1897; and Helen Alberta, born at Mt. Ayr, June 24, 1902.

Mr. Bennett is a member of the First Unitarian church and Mrs. Bennett of the Pilgrim Congregational church of Des Moines. Professor Bennett be- longs to the Men's Unity Club and the East Des Moines Commercial League. His fraternal relations are with U. S. Grant Camp, No. 108, M. W. A., Castle Homestead, No: 49, of the Brotherhood of American Yeomen, Mt. Ayr Lodge, No. 169, I. O. O. F., and Faith Lodge, No. 179, A. F. & A. M., at Mt. Ayr. He is a republican, without explanation or qualification. He cast his first vote for Blaine and Logan in 1884 and has been called to several public offices, serv- ing as township clerk in 1888 and 1889, county surveyor in 1892 and 1893, county superintendent from 1900 until 1904, and deputy superintendent of public in- struction from 1904 to the present date, 19II.

He has done much excellent work in behalf of the schools, both in an official and non-official capacity. He actively advocated the consolidation of all the school districts in Des Moines, was active in securing legislation, in securing the petition and in the preelection campaign for the new East high school. He did much in supporting the laymen's movement in the city campaign of 1910. He is also a member of the Des Moines Citizens Association and is actively engaged in the contest against the petition of consent for mulct saloons. His influence is always on the side of progress, reform and improvement. His labors have been practical and the results thereof beneficial. In educational circles he won wide recognition because of marked ability, and in his present connection he has done much valuable service for the cause of the schools.

JAMES L. PARRISH.

James L. Parrish, connected with the law department of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad Company, and a practitioner at Des Moines since his admission to the bar, was born at Sterling Valley, Cayuga county, New York, May 9, 1866. He is a son of William W. and Martha (Harkness) Par- rish, the former a native at Cambridge, New York, and the latter of Delaware county, that state. The father died in the year 1900, having for five years sur- vived his wife, who passed away in 1895. The family removed to the west in 1890 and James L. Parrish supplemented his early education, acquired in the public schools, by study in Parsons College at Fairfield, Iowa. He after- ward took up the study of law, which he pursued in the law office of Harvey & Parrish at Leon, Iowa, and was admitted to the bar in 1891. Immediately afterward he entered upon practice in Des Moines and continued in general practice in this city, until 1905, becoming junior partner in the well known law firm of Parrish, Dowell & Parrish. His constantly increasing ability re- sulting from broad experience and thorough research as well as a most careful preparation of each case brought him to a position of distinction that led to his

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selection for the important position which he now occupies as legal representa- tive of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad Company in Iowa.

On the 18th of August, 1888, Mr. Parrish was united in marriage to Miss Ollie T. Clark, a daughter of I. N. and Elizabeth Clark. Their children are Marie, J. L. and Willard C., all yet at home. The family attend the Presby- terian church, of which Mr. Parrish is a member.

His political allegiance is given to the republican party and he has an abiding faith in the merits of the constitution of the United States and the ultimate adoption of political principles which uphold it and work for good government. He is a Mason of high rank, having attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite and he also belongs to the Knights of Pythias fraternity. He is a member of the leading clubs of the city, including the Golf and Country, Grant, Hyperion, Press and Des Moines Clubs. In manner he is free from ostentation and display. His fellow townsmen, however, appreciate his worth and the consensus of public opinion places him in the foremost rank of the legal fraternity of Des Moines. He is found, too, where the intelligent men of the city are gathered in discussion of vital questions and he stands as a high type of all that is best in manhood and citizenship.

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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 20

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