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 22

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 22

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Politically Mr. Lyon gives his support to the republican party and is now serving as member of the republican state central committee from the seventh

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congressional district. Both he and his wife are connected with the First Metho- dist church of Des Moines. Fraternally he occupies a prominent position, holding membership in the Masonic order, the Knights of Pythias, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Modern Woodmen of America, the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Brotherhood of American Yeomen, with whose teachings he is in hearty accord. He is socially well known in Des Moines and is a valued member of the Grant Club. Ever since his boyhood he has been an indefatigable student and investigator, and as a lawyer he has gained a reputa- tion which gives brilliant promise as to his future. He is a logical thinker, a clear and forceful speaker and his contact with the world has given him a knowl- edge of human nature that cannot fail to prove of great practical advantage in his professional work. He is assured of a goodly share of patronage, as he has many friends and admirers in Iowa. He is greatly in demand a's a public speaker being frequently called upon to address various bodies and commence- ment exercises. His ability in this direction is well known.

W. H. DICKINSON, M. D.

Dr. W. H. Dickinson, one of the pioneers in the practice of homeopathy in Iowa, his ability gaining him distinction and honor as a representative of the profession which he followed continuously until his death, was born in the province of Quebec, Canada, September 19, 1828. His boyhood and youth were marked by no events of especial importance save a growing ambition and determination to make the most and best of his opportunities in life. At length he determined upon the practice of medicine as a calling to which he wished to devote his energies, and entering one of the medical colleges of Cleveland, Ohio, was there graduated with the class of 1858. Later he further continued his studies in New York city where he was graduated in 1865.

After the completion of his course in Cleveland he came at once to Iowa, taking up his abode in 1858 in Des Moines, where he resided continuously until his death, with the exception of two years, 1864 and 1865, spent in study and practice in the eastern metropolis. He was one of the first to practice according to the homeopathic school in Iowa, and did much to prove the excellency of that school of medicine. He continuously studied and by investi- gation, research and experiments broadened his knowledge and promoted his efficiency. He was accorded a liberal and growing practice and became the beloved family physician in many households of Des Moines. He also made valuable contributions to medical literature. Some years ago he wrote a work on "Practice," which became a standard text-book. He also wrote a portion of another published volume and became the author of several valuable pamph- lets. He likewise did good work as an educator, for in 1876 he was elected to fill the chair of theory and practice in the Homeopathic department of the State University, which position he held until his death, becoming dean of the faculty in 1892. The profession accorded him high honor, for he was twice elected president of the State Hahnemann Association of Iowa and was also the president of Polk County Homeopathic Medical Society. Governor Gear appointed him a member of the state board of health and he was reappointed by Governor Sherman, after which Governor Boies appointed him to fill out a vacancy, so that he remained a member of the board for ten years. In all of these positions he displayed a rare ability and intelligent industry.

On the 24th of December, 1853, in Baldwinsville, New York, Dr. Dickin- son was united in marriage to 'Miss Sarah M. Buten, who throughout his life- time remained to him a loyal companion and helpmate. They became the parents of three sons: Dr. D. W. Dickinson, now engaged in the practice of

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medicine; Robert, a real-estate dealer; and Warren, a civil engineer. The death of the husband and father occurred October 26, 1898, after a residence of forty years in Des Moines. He was always an active member and worker in the Baptist church and did his share in building up the work of that de- nomination in this city. Various projects for the public good received his in- dorsement and in all such work Mrs. Dickinson was in hearty sympathy with him. She, too, has done much for public progress in many ways and is prom- inent and popular in the Women's Club of Des Moines, of which she is a charter member. She was also active in the organization of the Home for the Aged. She has been chairman of the managing committee of that institu- tion for the past nine years, and a member of its board of trustees for fourteen years. She has also been chairman of the application committee for a number of years. Too much credit cannot be given Mrs. Dickinson for her noble and unselfish work in the upbuilding of this grand institution. .She has been a very active force, also in temperance and church work.

BENJAMIN F. DIVINE.

Beginning as a boy Benjamin F. Divine, now a highly respected citizen of Polk county, learned in the school of experience many of the most important lessons of life and he has applied them with such discretion that they have proved to him indeed a blessing. His career is a remarkable illustration of success attained in the face of great obstacles. He was born in Warren county. Iowa, in May, 1866, the son of John and Diza (Ferguson) Divine, the former being a native of Ireland and the latter of Indiana. The father was reared on the Emerald isle until he was thirteen years of age, when he came to Iowa and took up his home in Warren county. After arriving at manhood he began farming on his own account and continued in agricultural pursuits until his retirement on account of the encroachment of age. He is now living at No. 903 East Eighteenth street, Des Moines, but the mother passed away in 1873.

Deprived of his mother in his childhood, Benjamin F. Divine possessed but limited opportunities of education, although he attended the district school in the winter time for several years. At the age of twelve years he began working as a farm hand and continued for five years, when he went to Des Moines and found employment in various positions. He worked as a member of a bridge gang for three years in different parts of the country, then was for six years connected with the Des Moines Ice Company, after which he assisted Samuel Robertson in paving work for two years. He then began on his own account upon a farm of eighty acres in Bloomfield township, which he culti- vated with such success that later he acquired eighty acres adjoining, making one hundred and sixty acres which he developed to a good paying basis. He has disposed of eighty acres, but still retains an equal amount of land as his homestead. He also owns one hundred and sixty acres in South Dakota and a twelve-room residence on Eighth street in Valley Junction, Iowa. He aims to keep upon his farm each year about seventeen head of horses, twenty head of cattle and from fifty to one hundred and fifty head of hogs, and usually receives a good price for what he has to sell. In addition to his work upon the farm he is agent for the Norman O. K. Acetylene Lighting System, with which he has provided his home. He has been very successful as a salesman, as most of the residences in the neighborhood have installed this system of lighting.

In April, 1890, Mr. Divine was united in marriage to Miss Louise A. Treml. a daughter of William and Mary Treml, both of whom were born in Germany. They came to America and located in Des Moines in 1872, where the father followed the tailor's trade. He passed away in 1887 and the mother one year

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later. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Divine, namely : Effie Louise, who is now nineteen years of age; Charles Elmer, aged fifteen years; Jessie Irene, who died at the age of three months; and Benjamin Harold, who is six years of age.

Politically Mr. Divine gives his support to the republican party. He is a sincere friend of education and is now serving as president of the school board, also being road supervisor of his township. Fraternally he is identified with Lincoln Camp, M. W. A., of Des Moines, and with the Royal Neighbors and Red Men. Both he and his wife attend the Methodist church and are actively interested in the promotion of all good works, their example and influence always being in behalf of the permanent advancement and prosperity of the community.

JACOB ALVIN WAGNER.

For eighteen years past Jacob Alvin Wagner has been superintendent of the Des Moines Union Railway and on account of his acknowledged business ability, public spirit and unimpeachable character he occupies an honored place in the estimation of the people of the city. He was born in Montour county, Pennsylvania, July 19, 1864, a son of William A. and Mary Martha (Gouger) Wagner. The parents are both descendants of German ancestry and on the maternal side the records of Pennsylvania show that John Conrad Gouger and John Nicholas Gouger arrived in Philadelphia on the ship Princess Augusta, which sailed from Rotterdam, Holland, September 16, 1736. In a work entitled "Frontier Forts of Pennsylvania" it says: "In April, 1758, at Northkill, Nicholas Gouger's wife and his two children were killed. This in- formation was taken from Christopher Sauer's German paper of April, 1858." There is a tradition that several of the Gouger family were killed by Indians and this tradition seems to be confirmed by the quotation given above. Jacob Follmer, also an ancestor on the mother's side, was a prominent man in Penn- sylvania and was a member of the Pennsylvania assembly in 1776. William A. Wagner, the father of our subject, was a farmer and moved in 1868 to St. Joseph county, Michigan, where he purchased a farm and resided for several years. In 1875 he came to Iowa and settled on a farm near Shenandoah, Page county. Both he and his wife are now living in Des Moines, the father being a storekeeper of the Des Moines Union Railway.

Jacob A. Wagner received his education in the public schools and at fifteen years of age became a messenger boy for the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railway at Shenandoah. He continued for three years under A. B. West, and at the same time learned telegraphy. He next entered the employ of the Humeston & Shenandoah Railroad, filling the position of operator for three months, and was later appointed train despatcher for the same road with head- quarters at Clarinda, Iowa. In 1888 he was made agent of the Chicago, Bui - lington & Quincy Railway at Shenandoah, and three years later became general agent of the road at Des Moines, serving with such acceptability that on Feb- ruary 1, 1893, he was appointed superintendent of the Des Moines Union Rail- way, which position he has ever since filled. He has a brother, W. G. Wagner, who is division freight agent of the Iowa line of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railway at Burlington, Iowa.

Mr. Wagner was united in marriage to Miss Myrtle Gamble, a daughter of Judge J. D. Gamble, of Knoxville, Iowa, who occupied the position of district judge for fourteen years. There were three children in his family: Myrtle, Ira and Edward, the two brothers both being railway men of Des Moines. To Mr. and Mrs. Wagner were born two sons : Charles Warren,

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the elder, is a graduate of the State Agricultural College at Ames and is now engaged as a civil engineer and contractor in Des Moines. He makes his home with his parents. Donald Forrest, the younger of the brothers, was born at Shenandoah March 18, 1889. He graduated from the West Des Moines high school in 1908 and entered the University of Iowa in the fall of the same year with the intention of preparing himself for the profession of law. On May 21, 1909, he came home to attend a senior class play of the West Des Moines high school and the state high school track meet. On the afternoon of May 22, while boating with three companions on the Des Moines river, the canoe capsized and though unable to swim young Wagner plunged into the water to aid one of his young lady companions who would have drowned except for his assistance. By a great effort he carried her to safety, but owing to the swiftness of the current he was swept away and drowned. The death of the brave young man aroused great excitement in the city and, as his body could not be found, a wealthy citizen of Des Moines offered three hundred dollars for its recovery. Classmates of Mr. Wagner recovered the body but refused to accept the reward and the money was accordingly deposited in a bank as a nucleus to establish a scholarship fund which should bear the name of Donald Forrest Wagner. It has been suggested by the daily press and by a number of citizens that the Carnegie Hero Fund Commission contribute to this fund. The act of young Mr. Wagner was a remarkable instance of heroism and in- dicates a striking nobility of character which is more to be prized in any individual than great earthly riches.

Mr. Wagner and his family are members of the Church of Christ and active workers in its behalf. Politically he gives his support to the republican party. and socially he is a member of the Sons of the American Revoluton. He has served for two terms as president of the Iowa Railway Club and as president of the Central and Western Car Service Association. This association con- sists of car service agents on all railroads between Cleveland, Ohio, and Ogden, Utah, and is one of the important railway organizations of the country. On Feb- ruary 17, 19II, he was elected a member of the executive committee of the Illi- nois and Iowa Demurrage Bureau. Mr. Wagner is widely known among rail- way men and, as he possesses characteristics of geniality and unselfishness, he has a host of friends, not only among his railway associates, but among the citizens of Des Moines generally.

JUDGE JAMES AUGUSTUS HOWE.

The court records indicate the prominence of James A. Howe as a member of the bar, for his name is connected with many of the most important cases that have been tried in this district. Nature endowed him with strong mentality but it has been effort, close application and laudable ambition that have devel- oped his powers and ability and gained for him the creditable position which he occupies as a member of the legal profession of Des Moines. He was born in Attica, Lapeer county, Michigan, April 26. 1865, a son of Francis M. and Mary Howe, farming people whose ancestors had long been connected with agricul- tural pursuits. They now reside at Clive, Iowa, where Mr. Howe is engaged in farming and fruit growing.

After spending the first fifteen years of his life in his native state James Augustus Howe came with his parents to Iowa, the family home being established in Greene county, whence he removed to Des Moines in 1887. His education. begun in Michigan was continued in the public schools of Iowa and in Drake University. He was graduated from the Iowa College of Law June 4, 1889, re- ceiving the degree of LL. B., cum laude. Born upon a farm, he was reared

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amid an agricultural environment much of the time until he entered college. Be- fore taking up the study of law he taught school for a time, but regarded this merely as an initial step to further professional labor, and following his admis- sion to the bar he began practice at Des Moines on the 15th of May, 1889.

Gradually he has worked his way upward in the profession, proving his ability to successfully handle intricate and involved legal problems. He carefully an- alyzes his cases and with keen power discriminates between the essential and the non-essential points, using the former with the utmost effectiveness in argu- ment and in the examination of witnesses. He has been connected with the trial of many of the most important cases ever held in Polk county, among which are the Asphalt paving cases, Agar Packing Company versus Chicago, Rock Is- land & Pacific Railroad Company, the Des Moines Plan case and the Carroll case. His preparation is always most thorough and he seems to master the points in evidence with the precision of the military commander. He has won many notable verdicts and court and jury always listen to him with attention.

In Des Moines on the 12th of September, 1894, Mr. Howe was married to Miss Elizabeth L. Case, a daughter of Farron and Elizabeth (Wylie) Case, who were early settlers of Polk county, having in 1856 come to Des Moines, where they resided until called to their final rest. Mr. and Mrs. Howe have one son, Harold James, who was born July 17, 1898.

The parents attend the First Methodist Episcopal church, of which Mrs. Howe is a member. Mr. Howe belongs to the Knights of Pythias and Masonic lodges and to the Grant Club. His political allegiance is given to the republican party which finds in him an effective and earnest worker. He was chairman of Polk county republican committee in 1893-4, was county attorney from 1895 until 1899, and in 1902 was elected judge of the district court of the ninth judicial district, and was reelected in 1906, his incumbency upon the bench, continuing until January 1, 1911. In 1910 he declined a renomination for judge, although the press and public conceded his renomination without opposition. He preferred to return to the private practice of law, in which he now has a large and dis- tinctively representative clientage. He is associated with Hon. Charles W. Lyon, formerly Assistant Attorney General of Iowa, the firm being known as Howe & Lyon. His legal learning, his philosophical mind, the readiness with which he grasps the point in an argument, combine to make him one of the most capable irrists that has ever sat upon the district bench. In all the relations of public "vate life has been constant in honor, fearless in conduct and blameless in reputation.

HARLEY HERMAN STIPP.

In the department of corporation practice, in which branch of the law he has specialized, Harley Herman Stipp has won gratifying success. Advancement at the bar comes only as the result of individual merit and, therefore, the large and important clientage accorded him is unmistakbble evidence of his ability. He was born at State Center, Iowa, February 25, 1872, a son of William Herman and Harriet E. (Culver) Stipp. The father, who was for many years engaged in the grain business, is now living retired. He is of German descent, his first American ancestors settling in Pennsylvania about 1750. The mother is now deceased. She came of an old English Quaker family that was founded in New Jersey in 1685.

At the usual age Harley H. Stipp entered the public schools of his native town and therein pursued his education until graduated from the high school with the class of 1890. Two years more brought him to his graduation from Grinnell Academy with the class of 1892 and he completed a four years' course in Grin-

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nell College in 1896, at which time the Ph. B. degree was conferred upon him. Two years later he won the degree of Master of Arts from the same college and after thorough preparation for the bar in the Harvard Law School he won the LL. B. degree upon graduation in the class of 1901. On the Ist of October of that year he located for practice in Des Moines and was associated with William H. Bailey until the latter's death in May, 1910. While he has always con- tinued in general practice he has largely specialized in corporation law and few of the members of the Des Moines bar are better informed concerning the prin- ciples of law in that department of practice. Keen discrimination enables him to readily delve to the very root of the matter and his application of legal principles has always been found particularly sound and correct. He now represents a number of important business enterprises and his practice is constantly grow- ing in volume and importance.

On the 21st of June, 1910, Mr. Stipp was married to Miss Laura C. Fay, a daughter of Arthur Holmes and Lillian ( Slater) Fay. In his political views Mr. Stipp is a republican, interested in the forward movement that is characterizing the party at the present time. A believer in political as well as individual honor, he desires the adoption of clean methods in politics and the promotion of legis- lation that shall conserve the interests of the many rather than the few. He be- songs to a number of Des Moines' leading clubs, including the Prairie, Grant, Country, Harvard and Law Clubs and in these is popular, having many friends. in the social circles in which he moves, as well as among his contemporaries and colleagues in practice.

JUDGE CALVIN P. HOLMES.

To few men is accorded the distinction of a fourth election to the bench of the district court, but this and other honors came to Judge Calvin P. Holmes in recognition of his ability, his high regard for the dignity and responsibility of his position and his devotion to the public welfare in other connections. A native of New York, Judge Holmes was born in Madison countythy a son of Luther and Nancy (Pratt) Holmes, both of whom of

1839, New Hampshire. After living for a time in the Empire sta westward to Ohio, and Mrs. Holmes died during the period 1 9357 in that state. The father was a woolen manufacturer for ? or year. but in later life devoted his time and energies to the minist ring in 1864, in Ohio.

1 occur-

Judge Holmes was but a small boy when he accompanie. their removal to Ohio, where he attended the common schools ! : ars of

age, when, in 1854, the family home was established at Tackson county, Iowa. There he was for three years a student in the .d after his graduation he took up the study of law, believing that he find it a

congenial life work. After thorough preparation he was admitted to the bar at De Witt, Clinton county, and immediately afterward formed a partnership with Judge Davis McCarn at Anamosa. There he engaged in practice for three years and in 1863 came to Des Moines, where he entered the office of his brother W. H. Holmes, who had been elected state treasurer. He remained as his brother's assistant for four years and then resumed the practice of law in this city with L. A. Crane. For years he ranked as one of the prominent at- torneys of Des Moines and for a long period was counsel for Iowa for the Chicago, St. Paul & Kansas City Railroad, now a part of the Great Western system. After terminating his partnership with Mr. Crane he was a member of the firm of Holmes & Nottingham for a time. In 1889 he was appointed judge of the district court to fill a vacancy and in the following year was elected to

C. P. HOLMES

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the bench against the famous "bar ticket." Four times he was elected to the office, his last election occurring in November, 1902. His third term would have closed with the end of that year but on the 23d of December, 1902, he passed away. Elected four times, no higher indication of public trust could be given. The people recognized the fact that they had in Judge Holmes one whose de- cisions were ever a faithful exposition of equity and the law. He possessed talent, learning, tact, patience and industry and was, moreover, a man of well balanced intellect. Added to his comprehensive knowledge of the principles of jurisprudence was wide, general information, and to all of his legal work he brought the power of keen analysis and a self-control that was maintained even under the most exasperating conditions. The multitudinous delicate duties of his position were faithfully discharged and he was regarded as one of the ablest jurists that has sat upon the bench of this district.

For some years Judge Holmes was one of the instructors in the Iowa Col- lege of Law in this city and in 1899 published a volume on Iowa Probate Prac- tice. In 1865 he reorganized the State Insurance Company and served as its secretary until it was firmly established. He assisted in railroad promotion and procured the right of way through this part of the state for the Chicago & Great Western Railway. He was always devoted to the welfare of the city and active in its behalf and proved a man of influence in the community, many fol- lowing his leadership because of a recognition of the soundness of his judgment and the honesty of his course.

In 1863 Judge Holmes was united in marriage, at Anamosa, Iowa, to Miss Alice O. Crane, of that city, and unto them was born a daughter, Mabel. Judge Holmes was in every relation of life a man whom to know was to respect and honor. He was progressive in citizenshiup, without fear and without reproach in official service, devoted to his family and friends and ever wore "the pure white flower of a blameless life."

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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 22

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