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 38

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 38

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Frank Schlampp received his preliminary education in the common schools of Burlington and later took a course at Elliott's Business College (College of Burlington). After completing his course he lost no time in finding employment, beginning his active career under Charles Waldon, a well known jewelryman of Burlington. After spending three years in the establishment of Mr. Waldon, Mr. Schlampp went to Chicago, where he completed the trade of manufacturing jeweler and diamond setter, devoting seven years to the work and becoming thoroughly expert in all the details of the calling for which he is by nature emi- nently adapted. In 1892 he came to Des Moines and for one year was in the cmpley of M. M. McMillan, and also for an equal length of time was connected with Herman Kirsch. In 1895, feeling that the time had arrived for him to became the head of an independent concern, Mr. Schlampp entered business for himself in Room I, No. 210 Sixth avenue. He commenced upon a small scale, but as time passed his patronage increased and in 1905 he moved to a double room at the corner of Sixth and Locust streets, the firm being known as the Frank Schlampp Jewelry Company, of which he is secretary, treasurer and gen- eral manager. Three upper rooms are occupied for manufacturing purposes

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and twelve persons are given employment in this establishment, which now car- ries a remarkably complete stock, embracing everything that one may expect to find in a first-class jewelry store.

On the 7th day of June, 1897, Mr. Schlampp was united in marriage to Miss Carrie Wohlgemuth, who was born at Des Moines in 1878, a daughter of Richard and Caroline Wohlgemuth, the former of whom was engaged in the baking busi- ness in this city. Mr. Schlampp owes his success to his indomitable determina- tion to gain a position of responsibility in the community. He is liberal to his employes, straightforward in business affairs and genial in his relations with his friends. He and his wife are valued members of the Catholic church. Frater- nally he is identified with the Knights of Columbus, the Benevolent and Pro- tective Order of Elks, the Modern Woodmen of America and the Yeomen of the World. Politically he is a republican, but in state affairs is in thorough sympathy with the liberal element.

RICHARD P. CLARKSON.

Richard P. Clarkson occupied for many years a central place on the stage of action in Iowa, just as his name today occupies a central place on the pages of history and his memory an equally important position in the minds of those with whom he came in contact. The philosopher of old has said: "An honest man is the noblest work of God," and Richard P. Clarkson was, indeed, an honest man. No man has ever spoken to the contrary. Those who opposed him most strongly in his political 'beliefs and position never once doubted his integrity or questioned the sincerity of his motives. His life work was crowned with success, but ma- terial gain was ever sacrificed to his allegiance to the right as he saw it. His marked ability, however, enabled him to progress in a business way, just as his many admirable traits of character enabled him to take firmer hold upon the affectionate regard of those who came within the circle of his friendship.

Mr. Clarkson was a native of Brookville, Indiana, born in 1840, but for a half century was a resident of Iowa and no man was more intensely loyal to or had greater love for his adopted state and the city of his residence. He was the eldest son of "Father" Coker F. Clarkson, who for many years was prominent in Iowa politics and journalism and for several terms represented his district in the state senate. He had been identified with newspaper publication in Indiana and after coming to Iowa turned his attention to farming, but later became asso- ciated with his two sons in the ownership and publication of the Iowa State Reg- ister and continued his editorial work in connection with that paper until his death in 1890. His younger son, Hon. James S. Clarkson, regarded as one of the most distinguished newspaper men of Iowa, was made surveyor of customs for the port of New York by appointment of President Roosevelt in 1902.

Richard P. Clarkson was a youth of fifteen when he came with his father to Iowa, the family home being established in Grundy county. He had previ- ously learned the printer's trade in the office of the Brookville American, pub- lished by his father. The settlement of the family upon the new and undevel- oped prairie farm led Richard Clarkson to become an active factor in the work of the fields, to which he devoted his energies until the spring of 1861, when he came to Des Moines and secured a position as compositor on the old State Register, of which he was destined to eventually become sole owner. That year witnessed the outbreak of the war of the rebellion and in October, 1861, he enlisted for active service at the front, becoming a member of Company A, Twelfth Iowa' Infantry. He was distinguished for his bravery throughout the war. At the battle of Shiloh, in 1862, he was captured with his regiment after a gallant fight and was held a prisoner by the southern troops for seven months.

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He was then exchanged and rejoined his regiment, with which he served until the close of hostilities. At his death one who knew him wrote: "As a boy he learned the printer's trade and the trade of a farmer. As a youth he learned the warrior's trade and as a man he learned politics and men. His intellect early grasped the eternal truth that industry wins and industry became the beacon light of his life, and such a habit did industry become with Dick Clark- son that it was hard work for him to play. Not enough play entered into his life and had it not been for the rugged strength and the strictly abstemious and temperate life he led his body and mind long ago would have succumbed to the marvels of work which he performed." Veterans of the Civil war have declared that he was an ideal soldier and there were no protests when his me- dallion was selected as one of those to typify the brave soldiers of this state on the soldiers' monument. He was ever the champion of the soldiers' cause, yet he was extremely modest about his own service. He held membership in Crocker Post, G. A. R. While he was always glad to espouse the cause of the Civil war veteran he did not do it because of the fact alone that he had been a soldier, regarding ever as a foremost question the real worth of the man and his fitness for the task which he wished to assume. While at the front Mr. Clarkson kept a complete diary of his war experiences and these little books, written in a hand so fine that it is read with difficulty, were penned at night by a candle light in the dreary tents on southern battlefields and comprise one of the best histories ever written of the campaigns in which his regiment engaged and of the tortures of the southern war prison.

When the war was over Mr. Clarkson returned to the work of the home farm, in which he engaged from 1865 until 1870. In that year, associated with his father, Coker F. Clarkson, and his brother James S. Clarkson, he purchased the Iowa State Register. Two years later the brothers purchased the father's interest, although the latter continued as one of the editorial writers of the paper until his death, chiefly in charge of the agricultural department. When the brothers became sole proprietors Richard P. Clarkson assumed the business management and his brother the editorial management and they were thus con- nected until 1889, when Richard P. Clarkson purchased his brother's interest and became sole proprietor. In the meantime he had displayed notable ability in the business management of the paper, which he had made a particularly profitable investment. His brother was gaining distinction in the political field, his influence extending beyond the state into the field of national politics and for a long time he represented Iowa on the national republican committee and was on the executive committee when James G. Blaine was a presidential can- didate. In 1889, however, Richard P. Clarkson became sole owner of the Reg- ister and achieved one of the most remarkable transitions that ever man accom- plished, abandoning the direction of the business of the counting room of an immense establishment and taking up totally different work, that of editorial

writer. His son John R. Clarkson then became manager of the business end of the paper and later his son Frank P. Clarkson became associate editor. This. relation was maintained until illness caused the retirement of the father, who in July, 1902, sold the Register to George E. Roberts. It was characteristic of him that he gave Mr. Roberts the opportunity of purchase. He had many opportunities to sell the paper but years before he had promised Mr. Roberts the first chance to buy if it were ever for sale, and true to his promise notified his successor that the paper was to be disposed of.

At the time of his death one of the local papers said: "That Richard P .. Clarkson was uncompromising in his inflexible devotion to the principles of the. republican party was daily demonstrated by the editorial page of the Register. From 1889 to the death of President Mckinley there seemed to be a series of most remarkable political and other events in Iowa and the nation. The McKin- ley bill and Blaine's reciprocity induced an editorial discussion not unlike that

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proceeding in the newspapers of today; the election of Cleveland and the panic in business and commerce which marked 1896-97; the free silver agitation which had six million supporters; the revolution in temperance legislation in this state ; the bitter municipal quarrels in which Des Moines spent much strength for several years; the state census difficulties; the retirement of democratic state administrations in Iowa; the beginning of the modern style of primary politics in this congressional district-these things served to enliven the twelve or thir- teen years during which Richard P. Clarkson filled the editorial chair of the Register. He did not seek to exercise direct personal control of political affairs but politicians within the republican party discovered that the Register stood for what its editor believed to be the right. For instance, it had been directly responsible for the adoption of the prohibitory amendment in 1882; it had been responsible for statutory prohibition which closed every saloon in Iowa in 1884, and it closed the distillery in Des Moines; but when it became evident to Mr. Clarkson that the prohibitory law was not enforced he was ready to support the legislature which would enact a better statute, and did it. It was his eye which inspected the mulct law before it was offered to the legislature."

Up to the time of his retirement as editor and owner of the Register Mr. Clarkson had held but one office-that of state printer. Later President Roose- velt, in recognition of his service to the republican party in Iowa, appointed him pension agent for the Nebraska-Iowa agency, which position he filled to the time of his death. It was a tribute to his labor for the republican party and an indication of the confidence which the leaders of the party had in him that when his name was suggested for the pension agency other candidates stepped aside and without contest or a hint of opposition he was named for the appoint- ment. Throughout his connection with the Register Mr. Clarkson made it his personal task every Thursday afternoon, with his own hands, to "make up" the weekly edition of the Register. He wished to give its readers every possible line of reading matter and he felt that he could do this best by making up the paper, for he knew exactly what was of most value.

On the 4th of September, 1867, Mr. Clarkson was married to Miss Aggie Green and they became the parents of four children. The elder daughter is the wife of Judge Edward R. Meek, of the United States district court for the northern district of Texas, located at Dallas. Frank Clarkson is now living in Ida Grove, Iowa. John R. Clarkson resides in Des Moines, as does Mrs. Joe Zwart. The family tie was a most strong and enduring one and in the summer prior to Mr. Clarkson's death there was held a three weeks' family reunion at Spirit Lake, at which were present all of the children and grandchildren.

Mr. Clarkson always regarded Des Moines as the most attractive and desira- ble place of residence in the United States, and often in the columns of his paper gave proof of the fact, setting forth at some length the chief resources of the city and giving as his most expressive argument on why one should live in Des Moines the unquestioned fact that Iowa's metropolis is the center of the best food producing region of the earth. He resided in this city for forty-two years and throughout that period in every possible way contributed to its upbuilding and development and became interested in establishing many industries here. He frequently spoke of Des Moines as a city of beautiful homes and his own residence, a stately mansion on Pleasant street, contributed to this reputation. He was a man of most regular habits and because of his thoroughly system- atized life he was enabled to accomplish a great amount of work. He always walked to and from his office for the benefit of the exercise and he also prac- ticed calisthenics in his own home to keep the physical man in good condition. He did not like to be interviewed upon the street, but he was always approach- able in his office and no man ever appealed in vain to the Register for a hearing. No man with a worthy cause entered the sanctum unwelcome. The sorrow he saved the hearts of men and women by his policy of never inflicting needless

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pain upon the innocent is a monument to his generosity and faith in human nature.

Few men, not active in politics as office seekers, have as comprehensive and intimate knowledge of the questions and issues of the day as did Mr. Clarkson. He maintained the closest friendship with the men of affairs of the state. Said one who knew him well: "His mind seemed entirely free from that jealousy which so often mars the character of a great man and he was utterly incapable of any small or petty action. It seemed that the moving spirit of his mind was pure patriotism and love of his country and its institutions. His teachings were for the betterment of the community and his life offers an example to young men which if copied will result in uplifting citizenship to its ideal fulfillment."

Death came to Mr. Clarkson at his Des Moines home on the morning of October 3, 1905. Profound sorrow was felt throughout the state and expres- sions of deep regret were heard on every hand. Judge Josiah Given said: "As the sad news of the death of R. P. Clarkson reaches the statesmen and journal- ists of Iowa they will recall him as the able and fearless editor, his comrades of the army think of him as the brave, loyal, patriotic soldier. I, with many others of his most intimate acquaintances, think of him as the devoted husband, loving father and genial neighbor. It was in his home circle, where I had been privi- leged to know him for many years, that the true worth of the man was most to be seen and appreciated. In the home he was ever cheerful, spreading sun- shine to all about him. It was in the home with wife and children and neighbors about him that Richard P. Clarkson was to be seen at his best; it was there that he filled to the fullest the measure of a good man." Governor Cummins said : "I have heard with profound sorrow of Mr. Clarkson's death. I have known him for nearly thirty years and have had a better opportunity than most people now in Des Moines to understand his character and appreciate the strength and purity of his life and the nobility of his purpose. He was a strong, resolute man, with high ideals and an inflexible will. I have known few men so deter- mined under all circumstances to tell the exact truth and do exact justice as was Mr. Clarkson. He may not always have been right but his neighbors and the readers of his paper never doubted he believed that he was right. His influ- ence was great and good. The state has lost one of its best citizens and his memory will long be cherished."

From many editors came tributes of appreciation. George D. Perkins said : "It seems out of time for Richard P. Clarkson to die, and yet it may be that no other time could be more fit to gather the harvest of his ripe life and present it as a gift to the prosperity of his people. What he wrought he wrought by strength. That to which he stood sentinel always was the integrity of his pur- poses and the honor of his name. He was a great preacher because he lived his precepts. He was a great editor because he rang true. He was a dear friend because he never honied false words. It is a consolation to go into the heart to gather immortelles for the crown of his days. What he wrought, love wit- nesseth and God knows."

A. K. Bailey wrote: "This generation of public men and Iowa editors must pass away ere the influence of Richard P. Clarkson will have ended. The Clark- son brothers made the State Register a vital force and when Richard P. Clark- son came into sole control the people recognized in his editorials an honesty and virility that marked him as one of Iowa's greatest editors." "R. P. Clarkson did much to characterize Iowa journalism while it was in its formative stage," said J. L. Waite. "He was of that class of editorial writers who individualized their columns and it can be said to his honor that the individuality of the Clark- son editorial columns was high-toned and uplifting. He was a strenuous repub- lican and a hard fighter, but such an one as gave that zest to an encounter which comes to well matched contestants actuated by high ideals."

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George E. Roberts wrote appreciatively of his friend as follows: "Richard P. Clarkson was a man of strikingly marked personality. He was as simple and sincere as a child, rugged, positive and at times apparently harsh, but the kindly and sincere characteristics always impressed those who came in contact with him. I have known men who had been violently antagonistic to him because of his editorial utterances to be won completely over as friends by a personal interview."

Editorially the Register said: "No person who enjoyed the privilege of really knowing Richard P. Clarkson failed to recognize in his heart and mind qualities which inspire confidence, respect and affection. His thorough honesty and conscientiousness, his courage and inflexible will, his actual toleration for the views of others, his hatred of shams, his charity for all, his sympathy for the unfortunate, his kindness to those who were associated with him in the exacting work of the newspaper-these things appealed to men and explain why he was held in the deepest affection by his friends."

From S. W. Moorehead came the following: "Mr. Clarkson was a man of the people of the Iowa farm and fireside and was a splendid representative of the best citizenship of the state. His rugged nature had its roots deep alike in the soil and in the affections of Iowa people. Probably no man in the state of equal eminence held closer relationship all his life with both. As editor of the State Register, in which capacity he did his greatest and best known work, he was bold and aggressive, yet far seeing, prudent, wise, tolerant and, above all, honest in his convictions. What his writings lacked in literary grace was more than compensated for by their directness, clearness and strength. He put him- self into all he wrote. His record is his best epitaph."

CHARLES ELMER HUNN.

There is no success in life without effort. The purpose of life is to afford opportunities for physical, mental and spiritual development and such oppor- tunities are before every one who is willing to embrace them. Yet they slip away from the sluggard and tauntingly play before the dreamer but they sur- render to the individual with high purpose, undaunted courage and indefatigable determination. To the qualities of persistent purpose and unfaltering energy, Charles Elmer Hunn owes his success as a practitioner of law, conservative and reliable in business affairs.

Mr. Hunn was born upon a farm in Genesee county, New York, April 24, 1865, his parents being Hiram Selden and Patience (Simonds) Hunn. On the paternal side he is a direct descendant in the ninth generation of Elder Brewster, who came to America on the Mayflower. In the maternal line he also comes of New England ancestry, of English lineage and represented in the American army during the Revolutionary war.

The removal of the family to Iowa, October 1, 1874, enabled Charles Elmer Hunn to continue his education in Des Moines College and the State University of Iowa. Upon his graduation from the former he received the degree of Bachelor of Philosophy and on the completion of his law course in the State University in 1891 he gained the LL. B. degree. He has done considerable post-graduate work in metaphysics. and psychology, and he has ever been an in- terested student of science and philosophy. Following his graduation he entered upon the general practice of law, and he has epitomized his life history in the words, "Nothing out of the usual experience of struggle and defeat, then with renewed effort a victory scored." This modest account, however, indicates but little of the perseverance and the ability which Mr. Hunn has displayed as a member of the bar. Advancement in law is proverbially slow and like the great

CHARLES E. HUNN

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majority of practitioners, he found it difficult to win a clientage that would meet the needs of the hour. However, he prepared the cases that came to him with great thoroughness and care and proved a forceful factor in the presentation of a cause before the court. In time his ability won recognition and gradually his clientage grew in volume and importance until his gradual advancement in pro- fessional ranks has brought him to a distinguished and enviable position as a member of the Des Moines bar. His sound judgment in business matters is shown in the acquirement of Iowa farms, he being an extensive investor in lands principally in Iowa. He purchased and developed twelve hundred acres besides being interested in considerable other property. To the practice of law and to the development of his farming interests, he has given all of the time that he has cared to devote to the more material things of life.

In the lines of work that touch the general interests of society and generally ennoble and uplift man, Mr. Hunn has been no sluggard. On the contrary he has labored diligently and persistently and is today and has been active in edu- cational, religious and moral activities. He belongs to the Baptist church and is actively interested in its various activities, having served on the directory and executive boards of many educational, religious and moral institutions. His study of the political issues and questions of the day has made him a sup- porter of republican principles and his fraternal relations are with Des Moines Consistory, No. 3, A. A. S. R., and Myrtle Capital Lodge, No. 9, K. P.

On the 3d of March, 1897, in Des Moines, Mr. Hunn was married to Miss Nellie Belle Nesbit, a daughter of Moses M. and Lucinda Nesbit, and they now have one son, Hiram Simonds Hunn, born August 20, 1899. In a review of the life record of Mr. Hunn this fact is easily discernible that his intellectuality early grasped the eternal truth that industry wins and industry became the bea- con light of his life. It has been manifest not only in his professional and business relations but also in his relations with organized movements for polit- ical and moral advancement.

ROY E. CAVETT.

Roy E. Cavett, the cashier of the Farmers' Savings Bank at Runnells, is also a stockholder and director of the institution. His birth occurred at Vandalia, Jasper county, Iowa, on the 5th of October, 1884, his parents being John I. and Eliza J. (Wallace) Cavett, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Iowa. John I. Cavett was brought to this state by his parents when four years of age, the family home being established at Monroe. After completing his education he secured a position in a general mercantile establishment, being thus employed by the month for several years. Subsequently he embarked in business on his own account at Vandalia, Iowa, where he has since been suc- cessfully engaged in the conduct of a general mercantile store. He is now sixty- one years of age, while his wife is fifty-two years old.

Roy E. Cavett was reared in his native town, obtaining his early education in its public schools. Subsequently he entered the high school at Grinnell, Iowa, and was graduated therefrom with the class of 1905. He was next engaged in teaching school for one year and then became a student in Grinnell College. Later he came to Runnells, Iowa, and accepted the position of cashier of the Farmers' Savings Bank, in which capacity he has served continuously since. He is a courteous and popular official of the bank and his ability is a recognized feat- ure in its successful management.

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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 38

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