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 29

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 29

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John A. Benson received his preliminary education in the public schools of Sweden, his educational advantages being limited. However, he was born with an inquiring disposition, and by close observation and reading he became well informed even as a young man and today is recognized as thoroughly posted along all lines of general information. He came to Des Moines in 1882 and has been identified with building interests continuously since. After learning the brick mason's trade he embarked in business as a contractor on his own ac- count and in 1892 formed a partnership with Edward Marxer under the firm style of Benson & Marxer. The concern was later changed to a corporation, Mr. Benson becoming president. They have built many of the most substan- tial structures of the city, as well as a number of buildings for the state insti- tutions, and have but recently completed the East Side high school, the largest and finest of its kind in America, erected at a cost of four hundred thousand dollars. Mr. Benson has prospered financially and is the owner of a number of valuable properties in Des Moines. He has given liberally of his time and means to various charitable and philanthropic causes, being a member of the executive board of Augustana College at Rock Island, Illinois, and vice president and mem- ber of the board of the Iowa Lutheran Hospital of Des Moines. The latter institution numbers him among its substantial supporters.

JOHN A. BENSON

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On the 24th of September, 1891, Mr. Benson was united in marriage to Miss Mary Lawson, and six children have come to brighten their home, namely : Signi B., Arthur W., Ethel F., Roy A., John C. and Irene M.

Mr. Benson served for two years in the army in Sweden but has never been connected with military affairs in this country. Politically, he is a supporter of the republican party, and fraternally he is identified with the Masonic order, Knights of Pythias, Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Elks. He is a member of the board of trustees of the Swedish Evangelical Lutheran church and has served in that capacity for twenty years. He is fond of outdoor amuse- ments, such as baseball, football and athletic sports, and is also a lover of fine horses. When time permits he indulges in hunting and fishing, and he is never happier than when out of doors in close touch with nature. He devotes his evenings to his home in the enjoyment of a happy family circle. His success in his business has been won by patient industry and an unfaltering ambition to attain an' honorable place in the community. The beautiful buildings he has erected are monuments to his energy and ability, many of which will stand long after he has been called from earthly scenes. Straightforward in all his deal- ings, generous to those less fortunate than himself, broad minded and public- spirited, and unusually happy in his domestic relations, he is to be congratulated upon having selected Iowa as the state of his adoption. His residence is at No. 1332 East Ninth street.

TIIOMAS F. WILLIAMS, M. D.

Dr. Thomas F. Williams, now deceased, who was accorded a high position in professional circles in Des Moines, was born at Poseyville, Posey county, Indiana, 'May 3, 1863. He received his early education in the public schools of his native town, later continuing his studies at Valparaiso, Indiana. Having decided upon a medical career he became a student of Eclectic Medical College at Cincinnati, Ohio, from which he was graduated with the degree of M. D. in 1886. In his studies he had shown a power of application and a keenness of discernment which gave favorable promise for his future, and at the medical college he took high rank on account of his conscientious discharge of all duties pertaining to the work in which his interest was profoundly engaged. Upon leaving college he began practice at Poseyville with his former preceptor, and later located at St. Wendells, Posey county, Indiana, where he met with a kindly reception and attained a goodly measure of success.

In 1888 he moved to Poplar Grove and practiced there and in the neighbor- ing communities until 1893, when he came to Des Moines. He was a special- ist in the treatment of the nose and throat and all chronic catarrhal diseases and also of cancers. He was a close student and kept thoroughly informed as to the discoveries and advancements in his profession, thus being prepared to meet the trying requirements of a growing practice, in the course of which his name became widely known throughout the state. He enjoyed well merited success. Genial, kind and sympathetic in nature, he never allowed his sym- pathies to interfere with his judgment. In his specialty he was regarded by his brother practitioners as an authority and was frequentlyl called in consultation in cases that required the clearest judgment of the best informed minds.

In 1888 Dr. Williams was united in marriage in Lake county, Illinois, to Miss Helen F. Huson and one child, Lloyd, was born of this union. In addi- tion to his professional affiliations Dr. Williams was a valued member of the Knights of Pythias and also of the Grant Club of Des Moines. He was a sin- cere believer in the Bible and an upholder of the Christian religion, being a member of the Central Christian church and an active worker in the Sunday

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school of that denomination. On account of his high character and the spirit of helpfulness by which he was constantly actuated, he gained many friends. His death, which occurred April 25, 1910, was regarded as a loss by the entire community, as he was one of the best known and most thoroughly respected men in the city.

JOSEPH G. BLACK.

The business interests of Des Moines can justly claim many competent and progressive men, but it is doubtful whether the list includes any name more worthy of a place in a record of the city than that of Joseph G. Black. Although a young man, he has demonstrated his ability in several lines and for some years past has been a prominent factor in the ice business of the city. He was born in Marion county, Iowa, January 26, 1874, a son of William A. and Elizabeth T. (Stentz) Black, the latter of whom was born in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, in 1831. Mr. Black, Sr., was a native of the Buckeye state, having been born in Ashland county, Ohio, January 13, 1834. He engaged successfully in the mer- chandising business for a number of years, spending the latter part of his life at Knoxville. He died September 18, 1886, being then fifty-one years of age. Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Black, the subject of this review being the youngest of the group. The other members of the family were: James A., now living in Des Moines; John P., a merchant of Grimes, Iowa; Robert T., who is engaged in the mercantile and land business at Weiser, Idaho; and Mary C., now the wife of Prosper HI. Smith, of Spirit Lake, Iowa.

Joseph G. Black received his early education in the common schools of Knox- ville and later attended Knoxville Academy. He continued upon the home farm until eighteen years of age and then, having determined to adopt a business career, came to Des Moines and for two years was a student in the Capital City Commercial College. At the age of twenty years he became a bookkeeper for the W. A. Edwards Installment House of this city, continuing there for one year, when he entered the insurance business and to which he gave his undivided at- tention for five years. He next devoted his energies to real estate and stock- raising in South Dakota, and after two years' experience along these lines was once more attracted to Des Moines. In 1906 he became connected with the lowa Ice Company, which company was later absorbed by the Zero Ice Company, Mr. Black, having become thoroughly acquainted with the manufacture and distribution of a commodity which has become one of the necessities of modern life, was made secretary and manager of the company. In January, 1910, the Zero Ice Company and the Des Moines Ice Company were consolidated and Mr. Black has continued as secretary and manager of the new organization. This concern has a building with a storage capacity of thirty-six thousand tons of natural ice and a manufacturing capacity of twenty-four thousand tons of ice annually. The company has as many as one hundred and fifty-six persons on its pay rolls at one time and is given credit for handling more teams from one station than any other concern of the kind in the United States.

In 1897 Mr. Black was united in marriage to Miss Alta Tomlinson, who was born at Bryan, Ohio, June 29, 1873, a daughter of F. A. and Jennie (Scott) Tom- linson. Two children have come to brighten the home of Mr. and Mrs. Black: Lyle G., who was born at Carthage, South Dakota, July 2, 1903; and Eunice A., who was born January 20, 1909.

The prominent characteristics of Mr. Black are those which gain the con- fidence and respect of his fellowmen, indicating that he possesses the substantial basis which gives bright promise for the years to come. He has won the respon- sible position he now occupies by patient industry and good business judgment-

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two qualities that should be highly prized by every man. Politically he gives his adherence to the republican party, and in religious faith he and his family are identified with the Presbyterian church. He is a valued member of the Modern Woodmen of America, the Brotherhood of American Yeomen and the Commercial Club of Des Moines .. All the success that has come to Mr. Black he attributes to the help and inspiration of his wife, and to the early admonition of his mother, not to use liquor nor tobacco, and he has followed such teaching unreservedly all his life.

FRANK S. SHANKLAND.

A steadily growing practice accorded him since his admission to the bar is indicative of the skill and ability which Frank S. Shankland displays in the practice of law. He is also well known as one of the local leaders of the repub- lican party in Polk county and the integrity of his political position none has ever questioned. He is numbered among the native sons of Iowa, to whom prominence and success have come in recognition of personal worth.

He was born in Monroe, this state, on the 16th of December, 1870. His father, Robert Bruce Shankland, was of Scotch-Irish lineage, being a direct descendant of Robert Shankland, who because of his bravery in the famous battle of the Boyne was awarded the estate of Butler's Hill in Ireland. The military spirit was equally strongly manifest in Robert Bruce Shankland, who, enlisting for service in the Civil war, participated in the battles of Lookout Mountain, Nashville, Chickamauga and other important engagements. He was a member of the famous Squirrel Hunters brigade of Ohio and later removing to Illinois enlisted in Company I, Thirty-sixth Illinois Volunteer Infantry. Many years of his life were devoted to farming but he is now living retired in Monroe. In early manhood he wedded Catherine Williams, who was born in New York and was a representative of one of the old families of that state, where the Shanklands also lived after the emigration to America. The death of Mrs. Catherine Shankland occurred in Monroe, Iowa, April 11, 1909.

Frank S. Shankland, one of a family of eight children, was reared in the usual manner of farm lads, dividing his time between the acquirement of an education and the work of the fields. He attended the country schools of Jasper county and later entered the Monroe high school, from which he was graduated with the class of 1892. He was also a student in the Benton Harbor College at Benton Harbor, Michigan, and a graduate of the College of Law of Drake University of the class of 1901, there winning the LL. B. degree. In the mean- time, however, he had taken up the profession of teaching and had become principal of graded schools. He was graduated from the Drake Law School in 1901 and immediately opened an office in Des Moines among strangers, so that influence has had no part in his rise to prominence as one of the younger representatives of the capital city bar. He was alone for about three years and in 1904 formed a partnership with William McLaughlin under the firm name of Mclaughlin & Shankland. They have continued in general practice and are accorded an extensive and distinctively representative clientage. Aside from a large general practice Mr. Shankland is serving as a member of the board of directors and attorney for the Des Moines Humane Society, having occupied these positions since 1901.

Since his interest in political questions and issues was aroused Mr. Shank- land has been an advocate of the republican party and has done effective work in its support, becoming in time recognized as one of its local leaders in Polk county. He stands for progress accomplished through practical methods and, in fact, is an advocate of many measures which are looking to the gradual im-

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provement of conditions that effect the general interest of society. In 1910 he was made the republican nominee for state representative for the thirty- seventh district and was elected by the largest majority received by any can- didate in either house, running four thousand votes ahead of his ticket. He in- troduced into the thirty-fourth general assembly the anti-smoke bill which directly effected Des Moines and also gave active support to the fire marshal bill. He handled the Clarkson mining bill in the house, which revised the min- ing laws of the state and was a most important piece of legislation.

In speaking of Mr. Shankland the Sioux City Journal said: "Mr. Shank- land easily ranks as one of the leading orators of the house. His ideals are lofty and his education and training as a pleader and public speaker have superbly fitted him to give happy and adequate expression to his views. He is a power for good in the legislature."

On the 16th of September, 1902, in Des Moines, Mr. Shankland was mar- ried to Miss Mamie E. Babcock, a daughter of John J. and Elizabeth L. Bab- cock. Mrs. Shankland was a primary teacher in the Des Moines public schools for three years before her marriage following her graduation from the Des Moines high school in 1897.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Shankland hold membership in the Methodist church and take an active and helpful interest in its various activities and lines of work. Fraternally he is connected with the Knights of Pythias, the Masons, the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Yeomen. Those who know him-and his friends are many-speak of him in terms of high esteem and warm personal legard. His ability as a lawyer is well recognized and any honors that may be conferred upon him politically will be well merited and worthily won.

HENRY HIRSCH.

Fifty years marked the span of life of Henry Hirsch, one of the most highly respected citizens of Des Moines, who was summoned from earthly scenes April 9, 1896. Although called away in the height of his active career, Mr. Hirsch by his remarkable business ability and his numberless unselfish acts attained a place in the regard of the community not commonly accorded. He is remem- bered for his kindly deeds and for his upright character and personal worth. He was born in Germany in 1846, and received his education in his native land, traveling in the principal cities of Europe before coming to America. In his young manhood he located in Des Moines and engaged for a time in the mer- chandise business with various firms, finally associating in the clothing business with his brother, L. Hirsch, who had arrived at Des Moines some years pre- viously. The brothers established the Globe Clothing Company, with its main store in this city and branches at Winterset, Perry and other smaller towns in the state. By good management and fair dealing the firm gained a wide reputa- tion and attracted a patronage which yielded very substantial returns. Mr. Hirsch, of this review, each year visited New York to buy goods and also to gain new ideas concerning the line to which he so closely devoted his attention.

In February, 1886, he was united in marriage, at Des Moines, to Miss Celia Redstone, and to this union one daughter, Irene, was born. She was given every desirable advantage of education, graduating from Drake University and other schools, and is a young lady of unusual talents and accomplishments. She is now living at home with her mother.

Mr. Hirsch was a valued member of the Knights of Pythias and in religious belief gave his adherence to the Jewish church. Politically he was independent. He was a patriotic citizen, always willing to lend his assistance to any worthy cause that gave evidence of being essential in the advancement of the community.

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His philanthropy was expressed in many ways and was one of his prominent characteristics, no deserving applicant for assistance ever being turned away. He had the gift of personal magnetism, which attracted friends and invited con- fidence, and in business and private life he was never known to act dishonorably or betray a trust.

Mrs. Hirsch is a lady of many rare qualities of mind and character. She is a member of the board of directors of the Women's Club and has for a num- ber of years been prominent in Jewish circles, both literary and educational, being one of the organizers of the Jewish Women's Council and of other societies de- signed to promote the highest interests of their members and to inculcate teach- ings of peace and charity.

WALTER H. FARR.

Walter H. Farr, who is engaged in general farming in Bloomfield township, was born there on the 21st of March, 1878. The parents, Stephen and Addie M. (Goodhue) Farr, the mother a native of New Hampshire and the father of New York, came to Polk county in the pioneer days. They first located on an eighty acre farm in Bloomfield township which they bought for eight dollars per acre -- a fraction only of its present value. Mr. Farr cleared and cultivated this land for several years and disposing of it removed to Sheldahl, Iowa ,where he bought one hundred and sixty acres, which he improved and operated for three years. Selling his place at the end of that time he returned to Bloomfield, buying what was then known as the Theodore Carpenter farm, which also contained one hundred and sixty acres. He effected many improvements upon this place, eighty acres of which he sold a few months after taking possession, but soon buying a nearby forty-acre tract, making his entire holdings one hundred and twenty acres. A short time thereafter he retired to Des Moines and after one year's residence in the city returned to the old homestead, where he continued to reside until his demise, which occurred on the 6th of June, 1902. Mrs. Farr still survives at the age of sixty-five years and is living on the farm.

Reared at home Walter H. Farr acquired his education in the district schools of Iowa, which was later supplemented by a course in the Iowa Business Col- lege of Des Moines. After leaving school he assisted his father in the cultiva- tion of the homestead until a few years prior to the latter's death, when he rented forty acres of the home farm. On the 6th of October, 1910, Mr. Farr in connection with his brother, Stephen Farr, Jr., bought the grocery business of J. B. Young, which they conducted for a time in addition to their agricultural pursuits. However he soon withdrew from the mercantile business in order to devote his entire interests to agriculture.

On the 29th of May, 1907, Mr. Farr was united in marriage to Miss Helen Armstrong, a daughter of William H. and Helen (Laidley) Armstrong. The parents, who were natives of Pennsylvania, came to Iowa and settled at Max- berg in the early days, where the father engaged in farming and stock-raising, paying particular attention to the breeding and raising of thoroughbred stock. He continued to reside upon this place until 1904, at which time he sold and bought eighty acres in Bloomfield township, near Fort Des Moines, which he operated until the 20th of December, 1910, when he retired. Mrs. Armstrong passed away in 1896. Two children have been born unto Mr. and Mrs. Farr: Hubert Russell, two years of age; and Ralph, who is now one year old.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Farr are identified with the Presbyterian church by membership, while fraternally Mr. Farr affiliates with the Modern Woodmen of America. He takes quite an active interest in local political matters and for six years served as constable in Bloomfield township. His support is always

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given to the men and measures of the republican party, the principles of which he considers to be best adapted for the maintenance of a stable government. He is a progressive and enterprising young business man who has a bright and most promising future.

WILLIAM STONE AYRES.

William Stone 'Ayres, an able lawyer of the Des Moines bar, now serving as assistant county attorney of Polk county, was born in Knoxville, Iowa, June 3, 1871. His father, Orlando B. Ayres, a native of Bucyrus, Ohio, was born in 1836, and following his removal to the west became a prominent rep- resentative of the Knoxville bar, at which he practiced from 1864 until 1886. Judical honors were then conferred upon him in his election to the bench of the fifth district, whereon he served until his death which occurred in 1890. His decisions, strictly fair and impartial, indicated a comprehensive knowledge of the law with the ability to accurately apply its principles. In early manhood he married Annie L. Stone, a sister of Governor W. M. Stone, and a native of Coshocton, Ohio. Her death occurred in December, 1909.

In the public school of Knoxville William Stone Ayres began his education, and later attended school in Des Moines. He is a graduate of the law depart- ment of Drake University, wherein he won his Bachelor of Law degree with the class o'f 1894. He at once entered upon the practice of his profession in this city and for a time was a member of the firm of Ayres, Woodin & Ayres, which later became Woodin, Nichols & Ayres. He is now practicing alone and- has been accorded a liberal clientage, to the interest of which he is most devoted, yet he never forgets that he owes an allegiance to the majesty of the law.

On the Ist of January, 1910, he was appointed assistant county attorney of Polk county, and is still filling that position, which is the only political office he has ever occupied. He is, however, a stalwart republican in politics, and since age conferred upon him the right of franchise he has kept thoroughly informed concerning the questions and issues of the day. Fraternally he is connected with Capital Lodge, No. 110, A. F. & A. M. of Des Moines, and he belongs to the Hyperion Club. A social nature renders him popular and his genuine worth has gained for him the high regard of many with whom he has been associated. While politics, social and other interests make claim upon his time and attention, he never sacrifices his profession to outside interests.

FRANK O. EVANS.

Success in a remarkable degree has resulted from the well directed efforts of Frank O. Evans, who has attained an honorable position in the business world. Starting as a telegraph operator he gained practical experience in the conduct of affairs, which he has been able to apply intelligently, and today he is at the head of a great piano factory in Des Moines whose name is familiar in almost every state of the Union. He was born at Mendota, Illinois, October 4, 1867, a son of Enoch B. and Emma (Lee) Evans, both of whom were natives of England. The father was born in Manchester in 1822 and the mother in the city of Lon- don in 1837. They were the parents of six children, namely : Albert B., who is now married and lives at Burlington, Kansas; Charles E., who is also married and is living in Des Moines; Mabel I., the wife of A. M. Hargis, of Grand Is- land, Nebraska ; H. L., of Newcastle, Indiana; Frank O., the subject of this re- view ; and W. H., who is married and living in Des Moines.

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Frank O. Evans received his early education in the public schools of Men- dota, subsequently taking a course in the Columbus (Ohio) University in the class of 1888. Having decided to cast his fortune with the west, he came to Grand Island, Nebraska, where he became a student in a business college in which he learned telegraphy. His first employment was as telegraph operator on the Burlington Railway. He continued in this line for two years, in the meantime acquiring a good knowledge of stenography. Resigning from his position with the railway, he became connected with the Story & Clark Piano Company of Chicago and has ever since been identified with that concern, of which he is now a director and stockholder, being also president of the F. O. Evans Piano Company of this city. This company is a large manufacturer of pianos and maintains at Des Moines one of the most up-to-date factories of the kind in the United States, giving employment to fifty highly skilled men and also to a large office force. The instruments made in this factory are shipped to all parts of the United States, even to the cities of Chicago and New York, the business being carried on by extensive advertising and in dealing directly with the purchaser of the instrument, thus eliminating the profits of jobbers and solicitors. In one day recently the company received in the mail sixty-two orders for pianos from individual buyers in nineteen different states, extending from Georgia to Wisconsin and from Virginia to Kansas. It is interesting to note that one order came from the city of Chicago and another from the city of Minneapolis.

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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 29

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