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 42

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 42

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In 1899 occurred the marriage of Mr. Leamer and Miss Agnes Richards, a daughter of a prominent baker of St. Louis, Missouri. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Leamer have been born three children: Robert, who was born on the 13th of January, 1902; Margaret, born on the 23d of March, 1905; and Helen, whose birth occurred on the 24th of April, 1907. Mrs. Leamer has been of very great assistance to her husband in both his church and parish work, possessing the ability-so essential to a minister's wife-to take charge of meetings, organize societies and superintend the work of executive committees. She is now the presiding officer of the Young People's Missionary Society and the vice pres- ident of the Woman's Home and Foreign Missionary Society.

Although the period of Mr. Leamer's residence in Des Moines has been very short, his personality and assistance rendered in the forwarding of the reform movement in the city has been felt, and he is recognized as one possessing strong powers that are ever exercised for good in the uplifting and advancing of a higher moral standard.

WILLIAM M. MCLAUGHLIN.

William M. Mclaughlin, a member of the Des Moines bar, engaged in the general practice of law, was born in Webster City, Iowa, September 7, 1871. His father, Angus McLaughlin, is now a retired farmer residing in Los Angeles, California. He married Catherine Sells, who died February 22, 1909. The family name indicates the Scotch ancestry of the Mclaughlins, the first repre- sentatives of the name in this country coming from Scotland about 1815, making settlement in Pennsylvania. Later a removal was made to Ohio, where Angus Mclaughlin was born. The Sells family are of Pennsylvania Dutch ancestry, the ancestors coming from Holland.

Spending his boyhood days under the parental roof William M. Mclaughlin attended the district schools and later had the benefit of instruction in the Northern Iowa Normal School and in Drake University at Des Moines, pur- suing his law course in the latter institution, from which he was graduated LL. B. in the class of 1899. Although his father was amply able to provide educational facilities for the son. William M. Mclaughlin took it upon himself to earn his own way in securing his education, and his entire success therefore is at- tributable to his earnest labors, his utilization of opportunities and the wise use he has made of his time and talents. In the interval between his normal school

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and university courses he engaged in teaching in Polk county for a period of four years, and following his graduation he entered upon the active practice of law, remaining alone until 1904, when he entered into partnership with Frank S. Shankland in a connection that still maintains. He is engaged in general practice and has been accorded a liberal clientage, that has connected him with much important litigation heard in the courts of the district. The only public office that he has held has been that of assistant city solicitor of Des Moines, from September, 1905, until April 6, 1908. He has preferred to con- centrate his energies upon the duties of his profession and his loyalty to his clients' interests is proverbial.

On the 2nd of January, 1897, Mr. Mclaughlin was married in Webster City, Iowa, to Miss Cornelia Smalley, a daughter of John Smalley, and they have two children: Ferne, who was born in Des Moines, March 8, 1901; and Catherine, born in this city February 12, 1908.

Mr. McLaughlin gives his political allegiance to the republican party and his indorsement thereof is the expression of his honest opinions concerning the policy of government. He has served as president of the Polk County Republican Club and he stands as a stanch champion of the principles in which he believes. Fraternally he is connected with the Knights of Pythias. The va- ried interests of life are in him well balanced forces and he is continually proving the strength and sanity of his position by his cooperation in those interests which work for progress and public good.

JACOB MARKEL.

The keynote of the character of Jacob Markel, a highly prosperous citizen of Iowa, now deceased, whose widow makes her home in Des Moines, was per- sistence of purpose. Having once determined upon a course of action he per- severed to the end and he generally won. He started in the pioneer days near the foot of the ladder and at his death was the owner of six hundred acres of land. much of which was highly improved, and also of other valuable property, all of which he acquired through his own unconquerable industry.

He was born in Fairfield county, Ohio, April 26, 1830, and at five years of age removed with his parents to Tippecanoe county, Indiana. The father was a farmer, and early inducted his son into a work to which he was to de- vote his life. He attended the common schools, and even as a lad gave evidence of an ability to apply his undivided attention to any subject in which he was interested, thus developing a strength of mind which proved of great assist- ance to him in business affairs as the years advanced. He remained upon the home farm until he was twenty-five years of age, and then feeling that larger opportunities could be found west of the Mississippi river, he came to Marion county, Iowa, settling upon a farm on which he was living at the time of his death. He was unusually successful, both as an agriculturist and stock-raiser. and acquired a farm of three hundred acres which he brought to a high state of improvement, making it one of the most valuable properties in the town- ship. He also owned one hundred and twenty acres in Mahaska county, one hundred and sixty acres in Adair county, and forty acres in Indiana. He be- came well known in financial circles and was a member of the board of directors of the First National Bank of Pella.

On the 13th day of January, 1850, Mr. Markel was united in marriage to Miss Selina Earl, who was born in Ohio, September 17, 1830. Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Markel, namely: Asa E., now of Knoxville, Ten- nessee ; Florence V., deceased; Ida, now Mrs. N. C. Towne; and Lizzie, Eddie, Dora, Clarence and Joseph, all of whom are deceased.

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Mr. Markel was a man of very active temperament, and his great energy carried him through many difficulties that would have baffled a weaker person. He led a busy and useful life, which was well filled with hard work. However, his thoughts were not all concentrated upon himself, for he was a kind husband and parent, and was always generous to those whose necessities appealed to his spirit of helpfulness. He was a good citizen, and politically gave his support to the republican party, believing that by so doing he was best serving the permanent interests of the country. Socially, he was well known, being a valued member of Pella Lodge No. 55, A. F. & A. M., and of the I. O. O. F. Of him it may be said, he was truly a self-made man, who gained the respect of those with whom he associated by his sterling personal character, his ability in busi- ness affairs, and his willingness to give advice or financial assistance to those of his fellowmen who needed the uplifting influence of a strong hand.

CHARLES S. COOTER.

Charles S. Cooter, attorney at law, who is giving to a large clientele the benefit of wide experience and ripe ability, was born in Toledo, Illinois, on the 14th of July, 1869, and is the eldest in a family of nine children whose parents were Benjamin F. and Martha (Myers) Cooter. The father devoted many years to agricultural pursuits, but is now living retired in Bloomington, Indiana. He is of German descent, his grandfather and the latter's brothers having come from Germany and settled in New York and afterward removing to Pennsylvania.

At a later day the great-grandfather of our subject became a resident of Indiana and it was in that state that the grandfather and the father of Charles S. Cooter were both born. The latter removed to Illinois following the Civil war, in which he had rendered valiant service to his country. He was at the front for a year, during which time he participated in the battle of Nashville and in other engagements of minor importance. His wife was of German extraction and her people, who lived for a time in Indiana, removed thence to Illinois where Mrs. Cooter was born. Benjamin F. Cooter was at various times prominent in politics in Illinois and for four years served as county treasurer of Cumberland county and for another period of four years as county commissioner of Monroe county. He was elected in the face of a heavy republican majority, a fact indica- tive of his personal popularity and the confidence reposed in him.

When a little lad of six years Charles S. Cooter became a pupil in the public schools of Toledo and mastered the work of each successive grade until he was graduated from the high school with the class of 1886. He afterward attended Wesleyan University and completed the law course with the class of 1895, win- ning at that time the degree of Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Law. Follow- ing his graduation he returned to his native city for practice and there remained for about a year, after which he removed to Chicago and formed a partnership with James M. Miller under the firm style of Miller & Cooter. He was for five years engaged in general practice in that city, but withdrew from the partner- ship in 1901 and removed to Des Moines. Here he has formed no business alliances, but has continued in the general practice of law and has won a large percentage of the cases which have been intrusted to him. He has conducted important litigation in the federal and state courts and not only possesses much natural ability, but is withal a hard student. He believes in the maxim "There is no excellence without labor," and follows it closely and in all of his practice is absolutely fair.

In 1910 he was made the candidate of the democratic party for the office of county attorney. This is the first political position he has ever sought. Since attaining his majority, however, he has been a stalwart advocate of the democ-

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racy and has been an active worker for the interests and success of the party, especially in campaigns. He also cooperates in movements of the Polk County Jefferson Club and is likewise a member of the Iowa Jefferson Club. His name appears on the membership rolls of the American Patriots and the American Yeomen and in the varied relations of life he manifests those sterling qualities which in every land and clime awaken confidence and esteem.

On the 4th of June, 1903, Mr. Cooter was united in marriage in Des Moines to Miss Ella Teahan, a daughter of John Teahan, a native of Ireland. Two chil- dren were born unto them, but both died in infancy. Mr. Cooter is a man of fine personal appearance, of marked individuality and strength of character, and his comprehensive knowledge of the law and appreciation for the dignity of his profession would make him a capable officer in any position to which he might be called requiring broad professional knowledge and skill.

JOHNSON BRIGHAM.

Johnson Brigham, state librarian of Iowa, author and magazine writer of Des Moines, was born in Cherry Valley, New York, March 11, 1846. His father, Phineas Brigham, was a descendant of Thomas and Mercy (Hurd) Brigham, who emigrated from England in 1635 and founded the prolific family of Brighams in this country. The mother, Mrs. Eliza (Johnson) Brigham-Stone, a native of Cherry Valley, New York, was a descendant of the Johnson and Sloan families of eastern and central New York. Johnson Brigham has for several years been president of the Brigham Family Association, with headquarters in Boston.

Johnson Brigham was educated in the public schools of Watkins and Elmira, New York, and spent freshman year in Hamilton College, Clinton, New York. He next entered the class of 1870 in Cornell University. Long prior thereto in 1862, when a mere youth, he enlisted, with his father, in the One Hundred and Fifty-third New York Infantry, but was not accepted because of his youth. He spent the last year of the Civil war in the service of the United States sanitary commission at Washington and was present at the exchange of prisoners near Savannah in November, 1864.

While at Cornell he was elected a member of the editorial staff of the Cornell Era and was its first managing editor and business manager. He was also the first to win the Goldwin Smith prize in English history at Cornell. His success- ful management of the Era suggested journalism as a vocation. Beginning as local editor of a country weekly in Watkins, New York, he later bought a small democratic weekly in Brockport, New York, and turned it over to the support of General Grant in 1872. He was for several years a half owner of a larger weekly in Watkins, New York. In 1881 he came to Iowa and the following year became editor and half owner of the Cedar Rapids Daily Republican. In 1892 he was president of the Iowa State Republican League. Early in 1893. he was appointed by President Harrison to the consulship at Aix-la-Chapelle, Germany, but resigned the position late in the year; and in January, 1894, founded the Midland Monthly of Des Moines. After five years he sold the magazine to a St. Louis syndicate. In 1898 he was appointed, by Governor Shaw, state librarian of Iowa and has held the position through several administrations since that time. He has been a contributor to the Review of Reviews, the Century, the Forum, the Chautauquan, the Iowa Journal of History and Politics, the Annals of Jowa and various other periodicals and is the author of several works, in- cluding : An Old Man's Idyl (A. C. McClurg & Company. Chicago, 1905) : The Banker in Literature (Bankers' Publishing Company, Chicago, 1911) ; Life of Tames Harlan ( State Historical Society. Iowa City .- in press, 1911) : History of Des Moines and Polk County (S. J. Clarke Publishing Company, Chicago,-in

JOHNSON BRIGHAM

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press, 1911). Aside from his literary work Mr. Brigham is known in business connections, being now a director of the Commercial Savings Bank of Des Moines and vice president of the Farm Property Insurance Company and the Mutual Hailstorm Insurance Company of Des Moines.

Mr. Brigham was married in Watkins, New York, in 1875, to Miss Antoinette Gano, by whom he has one daughter, Mrs. Charles P. Hartley, of Washington, D. C. In 1892 Mr. Brigham married Lucy H. Walker, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and they have two daughters, Ida W. and Mary W. Mr. Brigham is a republican in politics and a Unitarian in religious belief. He is a niember of the Grant Club, the Prairie Club and the Bankers Club of Des Moines. His writings have made him widely known in literary circles. His services as state librarian have brought him into prominence among the leading men of the state and the prominent li- brarians of the county. He has been president of the Iowa Library Commission since its organization in 1900. He was president of the Iowa Library Association in 1903; of the National Association of State Libraries in 1904; and since 1902 has twice been elected a member of the council of the American Library Associa- tion. serving five years.

GUY R. CARSON.

Guy R. Carson, who since 1897 has practiced law independently in Des Moines, is numbered among the young attorneys of worth who have had at least part of their professional training in the office and under the direction of United States Senator Cummins. Mr. Carson was born in Moulton, Iowa, September 13, 1874. His father, Robert Beecher Carson, a resident of that place, was of Scotch descent, the family having been founded in America by the great-grandfather of our subject, who left the land of hills and heather to establish his home in the new world. He first settled in Ohio and afterward removed to Indiana. In the latter state Robert B. Carson was born and reared. He came to Iowa, how- ever, in the early '50s and after the outbreak of the Civil war espoused the Union cause, joining Company G, of the Second Iowa Infantry. With that command he participated in the battles of Shiloh, Donelson, the Atlanta cam- paign and was with Sherman on the march to the sea. At Corinth he was wounded, but with brave and resolute spirit remained at the front and served throughout the entire period of the war.

During the latter part of his military experience he was regimental color ser- geant and with that rank was mustered out in April, 1865. He is now a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. He still resides in Moulton, Iowa, where he is widely known as a prominent and influential business man, being now en- gaged in the lumber and grain business, while also serving as vice-president of the Moulton State Savings Bank. He married Elizabeth May Deeds, who was born in Greene county, Pennsylvania, and was of German lineage, the family having lived, however, for many years in Pennsylvania. Five children were born unto Mr. and Mrs. Robert B. Carson, but a son died in infancy. The other four are still living.

Guy R. Carson, the eldest of this family, was reared in the place of his nativ- ity and attended the public schools of Moulton until graduated from the high school with the class of 1894. In the fall of 1895 he entered Drake University as a law student and was graduated LL. B. with the class of 1897. In the meantime he spent three years in the office of United States Senator Cummins. He was a student under Mr. Cummins' direction and following his graduation became an assistant in the office, being employed there a year and a half before Mr. Cum- mins was elected governor of the state. In 1897 Mr. Carson began practicing independently and has since followed his profession with good success. While Vol. II-18

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he is engaged in general law practice he largely does commercial, corporation, insurance and supreme court work, and his clientage is of a distinctively repre- sentative character. He has no desire to be active or prominent in politics except in the interest of his party and friends, and has never sought public office, although he gives his support to the progressive wing of the republican party.

The salient principles in the life of Guy R. Carson are such as command for him the high regard and confidence of all with whom he has come in contact. He is an exemplary representative of the blue lodge of Masons and belongs also to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Knights of Pythias fra- ternities. For the year 1900 he was colonel of the Iowa Division of the Sons of Veterans and later served on the staff of the commander-in-chief. He is also a member of the Grant Club, the Drake Law Club, the Des Moines Association, the Iowa State Bar Association and the Commercial Law League, and his relig- ious faith is best indicated by his membership in Central Christian church. He stands for all those things which are elements of substantial progress and uplift in the lives of the individual as well as in community interests and at no time is neglectful of the duties which devolve upon him as a man and citizen. His inter- ests, however, chiefly center in his profession, of which he has ever been an earnest student, spending but little time upon outside matters.

GEORGE H. LEWIS.

No state in the union has greater reason to feel proud of her bar than the state of Iowa. The history of the state abounds in mention of the works of her lawyers, and no other city in Iowa can present a list of men of acknowledged prominence in the profession to compare with Des Moines. Among the lawyers who have earned an enviable reputation in Polk county is Hon. George H. Lewis. He was born in New Britain, Connecticut, September 6, 1842, the son of George and Lucy (Gager) Lewis, both of whom were natives of old Connecticut fam- ilies. The Lewis family was quite prominent in the state, some of its early mem- bers being among the original settlers of Farmington.

George H. Lewis received his preliminary education in the public schools of New Britain and Rockville, Connecticut. While at Williston Seminary, East- hampton, Massachusetts, preparing for college, President Lincoln issued his call for three hundred thousand men, and in July, 1862, Mr. Lewis enlisted as a private in Company F. Fourteenth Connecticut Infantry. The regiment was assigned to the army of the east and the young soldier was soon in the thick of the fight, receiving a wound in the shoulder at the battle of Antietam, September 17, 1862, and also being wounded in the knee at the battle of Fredericksburg, December 13, 1863. Being incapacitated from military service on account of his injuries he returned home and, after about nine months in the United States hospital at New Haven, Connecticut, and a private hospital, he finished his prep- aration for college at Williston Seminary.

In 1864 he matriculated at Yale University, graduating in 1868 with high honors in a class of one hundred and fourteen, and tied for first place in oratory for the DeForest medal with Professor Beckwith. The two leading contestants drew lots for the medal and Professor Beckwith won. After leaving the uni- versity he taught school for one year at Branford, Connecticut, and in 1869 came to Grinnell College, where he continued as a teacher for two years. In the meantime, however, he had taken up the study of law, and removing to Des Moines he was admitted to the bar in October, 1872, and began the practice of law in the state and United States courts, continuing in the active duties of his profession for more than twenty-five years. On account of physical complica-

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ions, arising from the wounds which he received in the Civil war, he recently retired from active practice.

In 1878 Mr. Lewis organized the Drake Law School, and for two years was its dean, resigning on account of the stress of professional duties. In 1885 he organized the Lewis Investment Company, with a paid-up capital of one hundred and fifty thousand dollars, and for a number of years was president of this com- pany, which became one of the important concerns of the city. He has taken an active part in politics, and in 1884 and 1885 served as alderman-at-large, having been elected upon the independent republican ticket. While thus serving he prepared the bill for the erection of the Grand avenue and Locust street bridges, and for opening West Grand avenue from Fourth to Fifth street, and he also was author of the bill which gave the city the right to use electric lights, although at that time there were no electric lights in use in the United States. He was prominent in his profession and has been identified with some of the most im- portant causes that have been presented in the courts for the last twenty-five or thirty years.

In March, 1869, Mr. Lewis was united in marriage to Miss Elmina Buell, a native of Sherburne, New York, and to this union three children were born : Anna Newton, Henry Buell and Lucy Gager. The mother of these children was called away in March, 1896, and in December, 1898, Mr. Lewis was married to Miss Emma Lorimer of Iowa. By his second marriage twin girls, Martha Estina and Mary Louise were born, their natal day being October 7, 1908. Mr. Lewis is a valued member of Crocker Post, No. 12, G. A. R., and also of the Congregational church. He was chairman of the building committee at the time of the erection of the new Congregational church and is now serving as deacon. He is a con- vincing and eloquent speaker, and as a writer has shown an ability that has elicited many favorable comments. In 1893 he issued a work on the "National Consolidation of Railroads in the United States," in which he predicted would arise many of the important questions which have since been under consideration in the state legislatures, by the press, and also in congress at Washington. A noted English authority on the subject of railroads, Mr. Hoare, stated that the book written by Mr. Lewis was the best work that up to that time had ever been published.

JAMES TAGGART PRIESTLEY, M. D.

Fortunate is the man who has back of him an ancestry honorable and dis- tinguished, and happy is he if his lines of life are cast in harmony therewith. In person, in talents and in character Dr. James T. Priestley is a worthy scion of a noble race. He has won distinction in the field which he has chosen as his life work and in which advancement depends entirely upon individual merit and ability. Through close application, wide research and discriminating study he has advanced to a position in the foremost ranks of the medical profession in lowa.

His birth occurred in Northumberland, Pennsylvania, on the 19th of July. 1852, his parents being Marks B. and Mary (Taggart) Priestley. He is de- scended from Scotch and English ancestry and his ancestral history is one of which he has every reason to be proud. He is of the fourth generation of direct descendants of Joseph Priestley, D. D., an eminent divine, philosopher and scientist, who was born March 13, 1733, and was a son of James Priestley, a cloth manufacturer of Leeds, England, who early gave evidence of remark- able mental power and capacity. He was a man of broad and liberal thought, became a Unitarian clergyman and gained renown in religious debates. He was a materialist in philosophy and a strong opponent of the association of church and state. He was also an open sympathizer with the revolution of France

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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 42

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