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 44

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 44

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

On the completion of his literary and professional education he took up the practice of medicine in Moline, Illinois, where he remained until he was, on the Ist of December, 1874, elected assistant superintendent of the State Hospital for the Insane at Independence, in which position he remained until the Ist of No- vember, 1881. The following is an extract from a Grinnell newspaper: "Dr. Gershom H. Hill, for seven years assistant superintendent, has been promoted to the supenintendency of the insane asylum at Independence. He graduated from Iowa College in the class of 1871. In the best sense he is a self-made man, having secured his education and paid for it by his industry, 'working his way through college' and through all obstacles to his present enviable but worthily earned position. He was 'an excellent hand' and very seldom out of a job when employers had tested his quality. Many of his college friends and the people of the town will remember him in those days and have a thrill of gen- erous, grateful pride as they learn of his recent promotion. It was not natural brilliancy or dash but a good sound mind and trustworthy judgment, with a determined purpose and industry equal to his needs, that carried him steadily forward. Few men can give a better account of their talents, time and oppor- tunities or furnish an example more worthy. We congratulate the trustees,

367

CITY OF DES MOINES AND POLK COUNTY

and ourselves as a part of the general public, that so excellent a Christian gen- tleman and so competent a physician has been found and charged with the care of the unfortunate insane at Independence." The Doctor was repeatedly and unanimously elected superintendent. In 1902 the hospital contained eleven hun- dred patients, the medical staff comprised five assistant physicians, the pay roll embraced two hundred names. The administration of such an institution is characterized by the qualities of the man in charge, especially when the direc- tion of its affairs has continued uninterruptedly for a great many years. The evenness of Dr. Hill's temper, his self-control, his balance of character and a certain imperturbability and quietness of spirit, beginning at the superintendent's office with the example he set, seemed to extend to the remotest parts of the estab- lishment. The generous and accommodating disposition of the Doctor not only produced harmony and cooperation within the confines of the hospital, but with the neighboring farmers, with the citizens of Independence and with the county officials who committed patients to his care.

The following is an extract taken from the American Journal of Insanity : "Dr. Gershom H. Hill, Medical Superintendent Iowa State Hospital for the Insane at Independence, Iowa, after twenty-eight years' service at this hospital, has sent to the board of control of the state institutions his resignation to take effect July 1, 1902. Dr. Hill proposes to enter into private practice at Des Moines. Iowa, confining himself to neurology and psychiatry. Dr. Hill has been one of the most earnest and active workers in the American Medico-Psycho- logical Association and has, in his work among the insane in Iowa, done much to elevate the standard of care and the excellence of the work done in the in- stitutions of that state. He has been at all times an ardent advocate of scientific work in the wards of the hospitals and in the laboratories and, although one of the older superintendents, has been as energetic and enthusiastic in this direc- tion as have been many of the younger men in the Association. It is gratifying to learn that Dr. Hill, in severing his relations with institutional work, will still continue his relations with the Association."

Below are the resolutions of the Ministerial Association of Independence, Iowa.

WHEREAS, Dr. Gershom H. Hill, superintendent, and family have con- cluded that their physical well-being demands that they should have a change in service. hence the resignation of the Doctor from the superintendency of the hospital for the insane of the northeastern section of the state of Iowa, a posi- tion that he has filled with distinguished credit and uninterrupted success for twenty-one years, having been the first assistant the seven years preceding :

And whereas, in the midst of the many pressing duties of this important position. he has in an unstinted way freely invested of his means, time and in- fluence for the promotion of the interests of the kingdom of our Lord, as rep- resented by the Young Men's Christian Association and the several churches of this city ;

And whereas, in the everyday living of the Doctor and his excellent family there is a continued expression of truth and tact, courage and patience, love and helpfulness, and believing that they have always been actuated by the priceless gifts of kindness and gentleness, since they have always been observed as serving faithfully in the foremost rank of every good movement ; therefore be it

Resolved, first, That we, the Young Men's Christian Association and the Ministerial Association of Independence, lowa, tender to Dr. Hill and family at least a feeble expression of our appreciation of their inestimable services as Christian citizens. Believing that our Young Men's Christian Association might have disbanded but for the faith and courage of Dr. Hill and because of his generosity and that which his deeds have inspired in others. therefore today we have abundant reasons to thank God that our association is located in their own building free of debt. We are therefore placed under profound obligations

368

CITY OF DES MOINES AND POLK COUNTY

to our heavenly Father for the exalted privilege of knowing and cooperating with this Godly family.

Resolved, second, That we will cherish in our lives a sacred memory of their earnest devotion to and faithful service for the right and will seek a holy in- spiration therefrom.

Resolved, third, That we most sincerely commend them to the fellowship of the Christian forces of the city of Des Moines, forecasting for them a brilliant and an illustrious career. We believe them to be worthy of the fraternal con- sideration of all, and pray that grace, mercy and peace may continue with them as they go from us.

H. C. ROSENBERGER, President. C. J. SHUTT, Secretary.

Indorsed by F. M. Devendorf, secretary of the Young Men's Christian As- sociation.

Independence, June 30, 1902.

On resigning his position Dr. Hill removed to Des Moines, where he has since continued the practice of medicine as an alienist. In conjunction with Dr. J. C. Doolittle, on the Ist of July, 1905, he opened a private hospital in the homestead of James Callanan, Sr., comprising forty acres of natural timber used as a park, and for hospital purposes he utilized all the buildings erected by Mr. Callanan for a rural home. The patronage of this retreat for nervous and mental invalids has steadily increased; the institution has become popular and prosperous. Although this local habitation is ideal, delightful and satisfactory, yet like any other business enterprise, the great success which The Retreat has already achieved is due to the skillful management which it has received, to the close personal attention which has been given to patients, to internal and to ex- ternal conditions, also to the reliable relations which are maintained and to the policy of securing to patients if possible, the benefit desired.

While residing in Des Moines, Dr. Hill has also maintained an office in the Equitable building, has conducted a consultation practice in the city and state ; has also served as an expert witness in cases where mental conditions need to be determined. The Retreat, as its name implies, is a quiet and secluded place for tired and discouraged people to rest. Everything there is made attractive. cheerful and homelike, and physicians, business men and others who have vis- ited the place unanimously declare it to be ideal for its present use. Indoors the life is like that of a large, orderly, agreeable family. Outdoor life is in- dulged in as much as possible. There is every equipment for the care and treat- ment of patients according to the most modern scientific methods and many cures have been effected under the influences and through the treatment that is here accorded.

For many years Dr. Hill was president of the Buchanan County Medical Society and later held the same office in the Austin-Flint Medical Society. He is a member of the Polk County, of the Des Moines Pathological and of the Iowa State Medical Societies, also of the Congress of American Physicians and Surgeons, of the American Medical Association, the American Academy of Medicine and the American Medico-Psychological Association. He is like- wise a member of the staff of physicians and surgeons of the Iowa Methodist Hospital. He has done excellent work as an educator, serving for sixteen years as lecturer on mental diseases in the State University of Iowa. The president of that institution, under date of September 28, 1906, wrote him as follows: "It gives me, personally and officially, sincere regret not to have you continue on our staff. I know that many members of the regents and faculty feel in the same way. We understand that we are indebted to you for practically free service for many years. For some time there has been a regulation that one upon our staff in the College of Medicine should not also be upon the staff of another college. We have winked at the enforcement of this regulation since

369

CITY OF DES MOINES AND POLK COUNTY

you became a member of the staff at Drake. Of course we have nothing but kindly feelings toward Drake, but the general principle is one that in the long run it is probably just we should have. The board of control has been good enough to favor the beginning of coordination between their institutions and the educational institutions. It was thought, therefore, that it would be helpful to have one of their superintendents serve us, and so the regents have offered a lectureship for the ensuing year to Dr. Witte. Hoping that the relinquishment of your active lectureship may not mean that we shall not see you from time to time and have some word of cheer and expert counsel, believe me,

Your sincere friend,

GEORGE E. MACLEAN."

Since 1903 Dr. Hill has been professor of mental diseases in the College of Medicine of Drake University. He is also president of the Des Moines Asso- ciation of the Alumni of Grinnell College and a member of the Des Moines Association of Alumni of Chicago University.

On the 9th of January. 1879, Dr. Hill was married, in Lynn, Massachusetts, to Louisa Bliss Ford, a daughter of Richard Ford, a retired merchant. Her only living brother is also a merchant in Malden, Massachusetts. Mrs. Hill completed her education in the Massachusetts Normal School at Salem and for seven years taught in the graded schools of Lynn. Their only child, Julia Ford Hill, born in the State Hospital at Independence, in 1886, is a graduate of the West Des Moines high school and of Grinnell College and became a student in the medical college of Drake University in 1909.

Dr. Hill is entitled to wear the Grand Army button, inasmuch as he served as a private in Company B, Forty-sixth Iowa Infantry, in the Civil war. He cnlisted in May, 1864, and served as a hundred-day man at Collierville, Tennes- see, under command of David B. Henderson of Dubuque. In 1902 he became a member of Crocker Post, No. 12. G. A. R., and served as its commander in 1910. Few men with such active and important professional interests as claim the at- tention of Dr. Hill find time for the helpful cooperation in public affairs which he displays. In many ways, however, he has aided in general progress and improvement. He has been a trustee of Grinnell College since 1888, was pres- ident of the board of directors of the Young Men's Christian Association at Independence, Iowa, for several years prior to 1903, and since that time has been a member of the executive council of the Associated Charities of the City of Des Moines, of which organization he is the chief executive officer. This indicates his benevolent and humanitarian spirit, which finds expression in many individual ways of helpfulness outside of organized systems of benevo- lence. Through home training and by preference he is a Congregationalist, although while living in Independence he was a member of and elder in the Presbyterian church. He is now serving as a deacon in the Plymouth Congre- gational church of Des Moines and is the leader of the Business Men's Class in the Plymouth Sunday school. His club and society relationships are with the University, the Congregational, the Commercial and the Prairie Clubs and with the Ben Franklin Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution. He likewise belongs to the Des Moines City Club, which undertakes to secure honest voting and correct returns every two years when the city council is elected. He is a progressive republican and a member of the Grant Club. A total abstainer from the use of tobacco and liquor, he at all times advocates temperance, re -. form and improvement and is in favor of municipal ownership of public utilities. He is well known as the president of the State Anti-Saloon League of Iowa. He is a believer in Des Moines and her future and never fails to speak a good word for the city at a timely hour. His life work in all of its phases has been characterized by advancement and by far-reaching helpfulness and influence. Frankness, faithfulness, honesty and stability are marked characteristics.

370

CITY OF DES MOINES AND POLK COUNTY

The following letter speaks for itself :

"My first acquaintance with Dr. Gershom H. Hill was in the spring of 1898. A board of control of state institutions had been created and, having been ap- pointed a member of that board, one of the first duties was to visit all of the state institutions that had been placed in charge of the new board.

"On visiting the Independence State Hospital, of which Dr. Hill was super- intendent, I was agreeably surprised to find the farm, the garden and grounds in connection with the hospital all in an excellent condition, evidencing by the growing crops and well kept grounds that the superintendent had the faculty of securing the services of those who like himself were earnest and painstaking in the discharge of their respective duties.

"The internal management of the hospital gave abundant proof of the same conditions, the officers, nurses and attendants being devoted to their work, prov- ing that the superintendent was a careful observer and a good judge of the character of those whom he employed.

"Another characteristic of Dr. Hill was his sociability not only with his em- ployers but also with the patients, and his affability with the patients endeared him so much that 'Father Hill,' as he was affectionately named, was always a welcome visitor in the wards. Ever ready to listen to a patient, to give kind words and heartfelt sympathy to the afflicted he won not only the respect but the love of those entrusted to his care.

"After Dr. Hill had resigned as superintendent of the Independence State Hospital and located in Des Moines, establishing The Retreat. a constant in- quiry that greeted me on my visits to the hospital was 'have you seen Father Hill lately, is he well?' and other kindly inquiries proving beyond all doubt the esteem in which he was held by his former patients.

"The high Christian character of Dr. Hill in all his associations proves a great aid in his chosen work, for it is his chief delight to assist the unfortunate and to alleviate the suffering of patients whose minds have become impaired through overwork, mental worry or physical infirmity. JOHN COWNIE."

JOHN B. FLYNN.

The name of Flynn is a familiar one to the citizens of Des Moines, as for over fifty years it has been closely identified with the progress and development of various local interests. The present head of the family, John B. Flynn, was born in this city on the 26th of January, 1857, his parents being Michael and Honora (Burke) Flynn, natives of Ireland. The father came to America from Ireland in 1855, first locating in Canada where he met and married Miss Burke, after which they removed to the United States, settling in Des Moines in 1856. The journey was a long and tiresome one, the greater part of the distance having to be covered by stage. At that period there were no railroads west of Chicago. After arriving here Mr. Flynn, who was a carpenter by trade, engaged in the contracting business, in which venture he met with marked success, but he later withdrew from this and engaged in the business of buying and selling farm lands in the state. Mrs. Flynn shared all the hardships and privations which fell to their lot during the early days when he was endeavoring to become estab- lished, but seems to be none the worse for the experience. She still survives, although she has passed her eightieth anniversary, and is hale and hearty.

The public schools of Des Moines provided John B. Flynn with his educa- tion, which was pursued until he had become old enough to go to work, when he took a position with the Phoenix Fire Insurance Company of Brooklyn, New York. He continued in their employ for five years, following which he entered the service of a local agency, with whom he remained until he felt he had ac-

371

CITY OF DES MOINES AND POLK COUNTY

quired sufficient understanding of the insurance business to enable him to form a company of his own. Thinking that the west offered a larger field for his activities he went to Spokane, Washington, where he organized the Spokane Fire Insurance Company, of which he was the secretary and treasurer for three years. Returning to Des Moines at the expiration of that time he entered the life insur- ance field, accepting a position with the New York Life Insurance Company which he retained for two years. Then again becoming an organizer, he formed a local company, acting as its secretary for three years. He subsequently be- came associated with R. Seeburger in the development of some oil fields in Jen- nings, Louisiana. They disposed of their interests in 1907, however, after which they invested in some zinc and lead mines in Missouri, which they are promoting under the name of the Tahoma Mining Company. Mr. . Flynn pos- sesses the essential qualities of the financier and has the happy faculty of mak- ing a success of anything he undertakes.

On the 26th of September, 1882, he was united in marriage to Miss Kathryne L. Kritz, and they have become the parents of three children: Roy J., who was born in September, 1889; Ruth, whose birth occurred in 1899, now attending the Crocker school ; and Dorothy, who was born on the 20th of April, 1905, also going to the Crocker school. The family are communicants of the Roman Catholic church and Mr. Flynn is also affiliated with the Knights of Columbus and the Elks.

In his political views Mr. Flynn has always remained independent, giving his support to the men and measures he considered best adapted to meet existing conditions. He is a most capable business man, ever having given evidence of possessing strong powers of organization, which have enabled him to carry to a successful issue every venture with which he has been connected.

CARL C. CARTER.

Iowa has always been distinguished for the high rank of her bench and bar, and in Des Moines are found many young representatives of the profession who give promise of fully sustaining the enviable reputation borne by members of the legal fraternity. This number includes Carl C. Carter, who was born at Nil- wood, Macoupin county, Illinois, September 21, 1876. His parents were Ephraim and Margaret (Lair) Carter. The father was a native of New Jersey who became an early settler of Macoupin county, Illinois, where he took up his abode in 1808. He died in 1884, when his son Carl was but eight years of age. The mother was born in Macoupin county. Her father served throughout the Civil war, was with Sherman on the celebrated march to the sea and lived to the age of eighty-two years, spending his last days in the Soldiers' Home in Quincy. His wife was a native of Scotland. Mrs. Carter survived her husband for about two years, passing away in October, 1886.

Carl C. Carter attended the public schools of Nilwood, the district schools of Macoupin county and the high school at Palmyra, Illinois, continuing his educa- tion in that manner to the age of eighteen, after which he spent one year as a student in the Western Normal College at Bushnell, Illinois, devoting his time to the study of law. He then entered Drake University as a law student and was graduated in June, 1900, with the LL.B. degree. He practiced, however, about four months before his graduation, having been admitted to the bar on the 17th of January of that year. He began to practice independently and has never had a law partner. He has never entered the field of criminal law, always con- fining his attention to civil law, and in this connection he has built up a large clientage connecting him with much important litigation, in the conduct of which he has won gratifying success. He now has a number of important and exten-

372

CITY OF DES MOINES AND POLK COUNTY

sive outside investments, consisting largely of farm lands and bank stocks, to- gether with improved properties in Des Moines. He is the president of the Farmers' Security Bank of Perry, Iowa, and also of the Farmers' Bank of Hartford, this state.

On the 4th of June, 1903, in Des Moines, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Carter and Miss Dollie Norton, a daughter of Frederick Norton. Mrs. Carter was born in Wisconsin, but was reared in Aurora, Illinois, and by her marriage has become the mother of two children: Florence Margaret, born in Des Moines, July 22, 1904 ; and Vernon Elmer, born September 15, 1905.

The parents attend the Christian church, of which they are members, and Mr. Carter also belongs to several fraternal organizations, including the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, the Woodmen of the World, the Modern Wood- men of America and the Mystic Toilers. In politics he is a Republican in sym- pathy with the now well organized branch of the party that is seeking to do away with the domination of machine rule by largely managing politics for the inter- ests of the great majority rather than the minority who have hitherto regarded the spoils of office as their just due. Mr. Carter does not seek political prefer- ment, desiring to give undivided attention to his profession, for he recognizes that the law is a jealous mistress and that if he would win her favor he must do so by close application and unremitting effort. Left a poor boy by his father's death, his entire success-and it is most creditable-has been won through persever- ance and determination, stimulated by laudable ambition.

CAPTAIN DIEGO C. ROSS.

In the life history of Captain Diego C. Ross is found a splendid illustration of the self-made man who, dependent upon his own resources from an early age, proved that determination and energy are resultant factors in the attainment of progress and prosperity. He was a native of Ohio but when only four years of age accompanied his parents, John and Nancy Ross, to Tazewell county, Illinois. The following year both his father and mother died, and thus left an orphan, he went to live with a man by the name of Alexander Small, by whom he was reared to the age of eighteen years. He then went to the home of his brother, William A. Ross, at Washington, Illinois, and there resided until after the outbreak of hostilities between the north and the south in 1861. He had watched with interest the progress of events and resolved that if a blow was struck to overthrow the Union he would stand manfully in its defense. He was therefore the first man to enlist from his town and he joined the Forty-seventh Illinois Regiment of Volunteers. He was made orderly sergeant and later pro- moted to the rank of captain of Company B of the Forty-seventh Illinois In- fantry, with which he served until the close of the war, participating in a number of hotly contested engagements. He never faltered in the performance of his duty whether standing on the firing line or with measured tread marking off the lonely picket line, and with a creditable military record he returned to his home when the war was ended.

Soon afterward Captain Ross was called to civic office, being appointed as- sistant internal revenue collector. Later he filled the office of postmaster at Washington, Illinois, where he made his home for a number of years, being accounted one of the valued and worthy citizens of that community.

In 1866 Captain Ross was married in Tazewell county, Illinois, to Miss Eliza A. Kingman, a sister of M. F. Kingman and S. A. Kingman, both of whom are mentioned elsewhere in this volume. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Ross were born two children: Frank H., living in Nampa, Idaho; and Mrs. Lizzie Mc- Clary, of Des Moines. Mr. McClary is a native of Missouri and several years

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

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 44

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