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 45

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 45

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D. C. ROSS

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ago came to Des Moines, where he has since been engaged in the real-estate business. Unto him and his wife have been born three children: Mary and Laura, who are now students in Drake University; and Robert, at home.

The family continued to reside in Washington, Illinois, until 1870, when they removed to Iowa, making their way to Decatur. In the vicinity of that city Mr. Ross purchased a farm, which he at once began to further develop and improve. Upon the place he erected a fine home for himself and family, and his remaining days were there devoted to general farming and stock-raising

until 1883, when because of impaired health he went to Hepner, Oregon. He was greatly improved by the change, after which he returned to Iowa in 1887 but in this climate his health again failed and he passed away March 18, 1889. Mr. Ross was a member of the Masonic fraternity and the Methodist Episco- pal church, taking a helpful interest in the various departments of the church work and at all times exemplifying in his life the principles upon which it is founded. He was strictly honorable in all his dealings, lived peaceably with his fellowmen and sought to do good at every opportunity. His many excellent qualities endeared him to a large circle of warm friends.

The esteem in which he was held is shown by the following letter :

My acquaintance with Captain Diego C. Ross was during the ten years pre- ceding the war of the Rebellion, and for a number of years after that period. During the war we served together in the Forty-seventh Regiment, Illinois In- fantry. I was with him in the battles of Iuka, Corinth, Vicksburg and numer- ous other places when it tested men's courage and endurance and on all occa- sions he displayed the highest order of courage and the qualities of the true soldier. He was loved and respected by all his comrades. He was always in- terested in their welfare and in many of the disputes between the men they ap- pealed to him. He was the arbiter of their difficulties. The fatiguing march, the vicissitudes of camp life, the exposure and sufferings on the battlefield and in the hospital enlisted his earnest sympathy; and by his cheerful disposition and his wit and humor he threw about his comrades an influence that is always deemed so valuable among soldiers. His death was finally caused by a grape- shot wound received in the battle of Vicksburg.

It was in Washington, Illinois, that I knew him before and after the war. During all these years he was held in high esteem by all who knew him. He was upright and honest in all his dealings. He was kind, generous and consid- erate of others' welfare and rendered a valuable service in upbuilding the com- munity in which he lived, and his neighbors and friends will remember with pride that they knew him and regret that he has gone from among them. His old comrades will revert back to the times when he and they went through the test that proved the courage and manhood of men and in their hours of sad re- flection will shed a tear to his memory.

Respectfully, GEO. KINNEAR, Late Capt. 47th. Ill.

Seattle, August 21, 19II.

Mrs. Ross continued to reside upon the home farm until 1893, when she re- moved to Des Moines and erected here a comfortable residence, which she has since occupied with her two brothers as neighbors.

ROBERT LEE CLARKE.

Eleven years ago, on February 7, 1900, the angel of death visited the home of Robert Lee Clarke, and called him from earthly scenes. For thirty-one years a resident of Des Moines he became well known in the city, and in political and Masonic circles was one of the popular men of the state, attaining positions of Vol. II-19

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trust in which he displayed an ability that met with the approval of all who were interested. Born at Streetsboro, Portage county, Ohio, April 2, 1838, he was the son of Robert and Nancy (De Haven) Clarke. By occupation the father was a farmer.

Robert Lee Clarke received his early education in the district schools, and having taken up his residence in Van Buren county, Iowa, became actively iden- tified with political interests, and was elected county treasurer. In 1880, he removed to Des Moines, as private secretary of Governor Buren R. Sherman, and served in the same capacity for several months under Governor Larrabee. He gained a wide acquaintance and by his gentlemanly address and thorough knowledge of political affairs in Iowa, became a great favorite among leaders visiting Des Moines from various parts of the state. He was also very compe- tent in business affairs, and was one of the organizers of the National Masonic Accident Association, serving as director and president of the company.

In 1858, he was united in marriage, in Van Buren county, to Miss Jennie M. Yeager, a daughter of Amos and Catharine (Welliver) Yeager, who came to Iowa from Pennsylvania in 1856, and six daughters were born to this union. namely : Mrs. John Angus Morrison, who was called away in 1905; Carrie A .; Mrs. Frederick M. Hunt : Mrs. Ella Clarke Wells ; Mrs. J. W. Horner, and Mrs. E. J. Manning. Miss Carrie A. Clarke, the eldest daughter, has been prominent in Des Moines for a number of years, and was one of the first lady court report- ers in Polk county. Mrs. Clarke is still living at the family home.

Robert Lee Clarke in private life was thoroughly genial and unselfish, and in the discharge of his duties for others he was governed by principles of highest honor and integrity. He attained a position of prominence because he deserved it, always retaining the respect and confidence of his associates. He made good use of his time and talents, and as the head of a promising family and also as a patriotic and progressive citizen his memory will ever be accorded loving remem- brance by all who knew him. The work which he accomplished in the encour- agement of fraternal relations between men will stand as an enduring monu- ment to his name.

HENRY HOLCOMBE GRIFFITHS.

Henry Holcombe Griffiths, engaged in the practice of law in Des Moines, his native city, was born February 19, 1868, and comes of Welsh ancestry, al- though representatives of the name have been found in this country since 1716. Through several generations the family were connected with the Society of Quakers, or with the Baptist denomination, as several were active in the ministry.

His father, Captain Henry Holcombe Griffiths, Sr., was born in Philadelphia. Pennsylvania, December 31, 1824, and was the youngest son of Dr. Elijah and Ann Isabella Griffiths. The ancestral line is traced back to the thirteenth cen- tury without a break. In 1849 Captain Griffiths came to Iowa, landing first at Burlington but soon afterward came to Des Moines, where he continued to reside up to the time of his death, which occurred on the 20th of July, 1885. At the time of the outbreak of the Civil war he entered the Union service. The military secretary of the war department at Washington, D. C., transmitted under date of December 5, 1904, the following facts regarding Captain Griffiths: "It is shown by the records of this office that Henry H. Griffiths was mustered into service, August 8, 1861, as captain of Company E, Fourth Iowa Volunteer In- fantry, to serve for three years ; that he was transferred to the First Independent Battery, Light Artillery, May 15, 1862, and that he was mustered out of service as captain of the battery, August 16, 1864, at Davenport, Iowa."

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One of the early battles in which Captain Griffiths participated was that of Pea Ridge, where the regiment formed a part of General Steele's division. He also fought at Chickasaw Bayou and Arkansas Post, and because of valiant service received honorable mention. On the 13th of April, 1863, he left Milliken's Bend, Louisiana, ran the blockade on the 29th of the month and fired the first shot of the Vicksburg campaign at Port Gibson, on the Ist of May, at ten o'clock at night. He took a prominent part in that action and was complimented by General Carr and General McClernand, commanding the Thirteenth Army Corps. He assisted in the capture of Jackson, Mississippi, in May, 1863, and fired the first shot in front of the rebel lines at Vicksburg on the 18th of May, continuing in that vicinity throughout the siege, firing thirteen hundred rounds from each gun. At daylight on the 5th of July he marched to Jackson, Mississippi, and participated in the second capture of that place, pursued the enemy to Brandon. Mississippi, and arrived back at Big Black Bridge, July 28, 1863. He then fought the Forrest Rebel Cavalry for five days, while on the way from Iuka to Tuscumbia, Alabama, and opened fire on Lookout Mountain, November 24th, and participated in the battle of Missionary Ridge, November 25th. He received three recruits for the battery in January and February, 1864, and marched in the Fourth Division of the Fifteenth Army Corps, for Atlanta, Georgia, par- ticipating in the battle of Resaca on the 15th of May, and that of Dallas, on May 28th. He was also at New Hope Church in June, and at Kenesaw in June and July, leading the attack on the rebel line near Atlanta, July 20, and participating in a desperate engagement, which occurred on the 20th, 2Ist and 22d, where heavy losses were sustained but where victory eventually crowned the Union army.

On the 2d of September, 1854, Henry H. Griffiths, Sr., was married in Des Moines to Miss Mary Winton Nash, a daughter of Darius Albert Nash, who was born at Sherburne; Chenango county, New York, May 5, 1812, and died in Des Moines, March 14, 1865. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Ann Rebecca Peck, was born in New York, August 25, 1816, was married March 10, 1836, at Flushing, Long Island, and died July 15, 1884, in New York city. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Henry H. Griffiths there were born ten children: Ellen Little, born in October, 1855, was married in Des Moines, February 19, 1879, to Emelin Mc- Lain, A. M. LL. D., who was justice of the supreme court of Iowa; Albert Nash, born February 2, 1857, died January II, 1860; Anna Keasbey, born October 14, 1858, died January 29, 1860; Jennie, born October 13, 1861, was married June 13, 1888, at Ames, Iowa, to the Rev. Oscar W. Jansen, a Baptist minister, who died April 20, 1899; Mary, born August 23, 1862, is now at Alta Loma, Texas : Elijah, born September 28, 1864, died October II following; Gweney, born January 28, 1866, has been a resident of Constantinople, Turkey, since Septem- ber, 1900; Henry Holcombe, Jr., of this review, is the next of the family ; John Kasson, born June 5, 1870, is a resident of Denver, Colorado ; James Thompson. born May 31, 1873, is living in Alta Loma, Texas.

At the usual age Henry H. Griffiths entered the public schools of Des Moines and after leaving the high school attended the State University, from which he was graduated in June, 1891, having completed the law course. The same year he began practice in Des Moines and for four years was associated with the firm of Berryhill & Henry, but at the end of that time established himself in an independent practice and has had no law partners. He continues to some extent in the general practice, but specializes in probate and real-estate law, and has a comprehensive knowledge of this department of jurisprudence. He is accorded a large clientele and bears the reputation of being one of the leading lawyers of the county.

On the 25th of August, 1897, Mr. Griffiths was married, in Humboldt, Iowa. to Miss Lizbeth Vaupel, who was born at Elkader, Clayton county, Iowa, March

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15, 1866, a daughter of John C. and Clara (Sandganger) Vaupel. Her parents were both natives of Germany and the mother is still living in Des Moines, but the father passed away in Clayton county, Iowa.

Mr. Griffiths is well known as an advocate of republican principles and is allied with that movement which is one of the hopeful signs of the times, wherein patriotic and public-spirited men are seeking to make the party serve the inter- ests of the great majority rather than to bring the spoils of office or special privileges to the few. He is deeply interested in all municipal affairs and was a member of the commission of one hundred that established the Des Moines plan of municipal government. He belongs to the Iowa State Bar Association and the Des Moines Bar Association and is a member of the First Unitarian church, of which he has served as treasurer for a number of years, while at the present time he is treasurer and trustee of the Iowa Unitarian Association: He looks at life from a broad and liberal standpoint, is charitable in his judgment, optimistic in his faith, and generous and zealous in his support of all movements for the benefit of mankind or the welfare of the commonwealth.

SUMMERFIELD S. STILL, D. O., LL. B., LL. M.

One of the most widely known and skillful osteopathic practitioners in Des Moines is Dr. Summerfield S. Still, the founder of the S. S. Still College and Hospital of Osteopathy. He was born in Macon county, Missouri, on the 7th of December; 1851, a son of J. M. and R. M. (Saunders) Still. His parents have passed away and are at rest in Maryville cemetery in Missouri. The father, who was a graduate of Rush Medical College of Chicago, engaged in the practice of his profession during his active career.

Being reared at home Summerfield S. Still acquired his preliminary education in the common schools of Kansas. After completing the prescribed course he studied at the Hyatt Normal School, at Eudora, Kansas, following which he attended Baker University at Baldwin, Kansas, and the State University at Law- rence. . Having decided to follow the profession of medicine, after having pur- sued various other vocations, he went to Kirksville, Missouri, to study oste- opathy, believing after much observation and experience that the practical and simple methods of this younger school must ultimately win recognition from the most intelligent people. Graduating at Kirksville in 1897 with the degree of Docter of Osteopathy, the following year Dr. Still came to Des Moines, where he founded the S. S. Still College and Hospital of Osteopathy, in which institution he held the chair of anatomy as well as the position of president until 1905, when he disposed of his interests. Since that period he has been devoting his attention to the development of his private practice, which has in- creased so that it absorbs his entire time. Dr. Still is justly proud of the fact that he has assisted one thousand successful practitioners of osteopathy into their chosen field of work, all of them graduating from the school he established during his regime.

Dr. Still was married in 1877 to Miss Ella Dougherty, a daughter of George Dougherty, an agriculturist of Douglass county, Kansas. Two children have been born of this union, a son and daughter: George A., who is head surgeon in the Still College of Osteopathy at Kirksville, Missouri, and a graduate of Northwestern University Medical Department; and Delia, the wife of Guy B. Brunk, of Des Moines.

The interests of Dr. Still and his wife have always been united. She also studied at Kirksville, obtaining her degree one year after her husband grad- uated, since which time they have worked together. For seven years she most capably filled the chair of obstetrics in the S. S. Still College, and now, notwith-

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standing her large private practice, she spends much of her time in the lecture field. She is a woman of unusual attainments and rare mental qualities, forceful personality and an excellent and fluent command of English unite to make her a most popular lecturer. She appears before state and national associations as well as colleges and universities. She recently filled an engagement in Port- land, Maine, and Portland, Oregon, within one calendar month. This most clearly indicating how widely she is known as well as being a marked recogni- tion of her abilities. They both hold membership in the Christian church, while they fraternize with the fellow members of their profession through the me- dium of the National, State and District Osteopathic Associations.

Dr. Summerfield Still is also identified with the Masonic order, his local affiliation being with Pioneer Lodge, No. 22, A. F. & A. M. Owing to the common and prevailing idea current today that a man's best years are passed when he attains the age of forty, much consideration should be given to Dr. Still's life. He had passed the fortieth anniversary of his birth before he took up the study of his profession, yet he has met with most gratifying success not alone in his practice but in the school which he founded and so skillfully con- ducted for seven years. He has contributed many articles to periodicals, both professional and literary. Some of the leading articles have appeared in The Bulletin, a monthly magazine devoted to the interests of osteopathy, and he is associate editor of the American Journal of Physiologic Therapeutics, a monthly publication in the interests of medicine.

W. W. FINK.

A man of liberal education, large and varied experience and well tested capacity, W. W. Fink, now engaged as pension attorney at Des Moines, can claim many stanch friends in a community with which he has been prominently identified for many years. As a soldier during the Civil war he valiantly de- fended the Union, and as a private citizen he has at all times attempted to perform his duty in such a manner as to advance the permanent interests of those with whom he was associated.

He is a native of Missouri, born November 8, 1844, son of Valentine P. and Louisa (Paciants) Fink, the former of whom was born in Kentucky and the latter in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The father moved to Missouri in his young manhood and entered the ministry of the Methodist church, coming to Van Buren county, Iowa, in 1846, and to Polk county three years later. After he was superannuated he preached at intervals and also engaged in agriculture and operated a fruit farm. He took up his residence in Des Moines in 1867 and his death occurred August 20, 1899, having then arrived at the advanced age of ninety-five years. The beloved wife and mother was called away at Des Moines December 25, 1885.

W. W. Fink grew up on the home farm and attended the country schools until eighteen years of age, when he responded to his country's call and en- listed in Company E. Twenty-third Iowa Volunteers, serving three years, less eighteen days. He participated in many of the great battles and also in some of the principal movements of the war, always responding to the call of duty und being mustered out at the close of the war as sergeant. He had two brothers who entered the service and gave up their lives for their country. After laying the accoutrements of war aside, and feeling the importance of larger educational advantages than he had possessed previous to his entrance into military life, he became a student of Iowa Wesleyan University at Mt. Pleasant, where he continued for four years. After leaving college he engaged in the coal business for six years, and then became connected in a clerical ca-

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pacity with the Union Pacific Railway. In 1886 he entered the real-estate business in Des Moines and was largely instrumental in establishing Highland Park and other suburban property. He was secretary and one of the principal organizers of the Highland Park College, which is one of the largest and most popular schools of the state. Since 1908 he has devoted his time exclusively as United States pension attorney.

On the 21st day of Feburary, 1871, Mr. Fink was happily united in mar- riage to Miss Elizabeth C. Allen, a native of Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, and one daughter, Louise, has blessed this union. She is now the wife of F. G. Ryan of Des Moines. Mr. Fink is the possessor of fine literary talent which he has, fortunately, not permitted the cares of business life to obliterate. As a poet he has received recognition from many quarters, and his published volumes entitled "Valley Forge," "Ad Hades," and "Echoes from Erin," have been accorded wide recognition. He is also a valued contributor of poetry to some of the best metropolitan magazines. Fraternally, he is identified with the Beta Theta Pi Society, a college organization, and to Crocker Post, G. A. R., being adjutant of the latter. Although now in his sixty-seventh year, Mr. Fink appears as sprightly as a man of forty-five or fifty, and is in possession of a clear and vigorous mind, which is a constant source of gratification and enjoyment not only to himself. but to his associates and many friends.

CHARLES BARENT VAN SLYKE.

Charles Barent Van Slyke, who throughout his entire life has been engaged in the insurance business, his ability being manifest in the fact that he has increased the business fivefold since assuming the state agency for Iowa for the Mutual Benefit Insurance Company of New Jersey, owes his success to the sub- stantial qualities of close application and thorough mastery of all the details which have come under his direction. He was born near Baltimore, New York, April 19, 1853. His father; Barent Van Slyke, though a native of the Empire state, comes of Holland-Dutch ancestry, the great-grandfather having been the first of the family to seek a home in the new world. The grandfather, espous- ing the cause of the colonies in the struggle for independence, served as a soldier of the Revolutionary war. Through many generations the maternal ancestry of Charles B. Van Slyke has been represented in Connecticut. His mother bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Hawley and was a descendant of one of Connecticut's governors. She was born in that state and died in Au- gust, 1890, having long survived her husband, who passed away in July, 1865. Charles B. Van Slyke was only twelve years old at the time of his father's death. When a young lad he became a resident of Jackson, Michigan, where he pursued his education in the public and high schools. He afterward entered the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor and was graduated from the literary department with the class of 1876, receiving at that time the degree of Master of Arts. In early manhood he gave his attention to the profession of teaching, which he followed in Mendon, Michigan, where he served as superintendent of schools for a year. He then removed to Dubuque, where he continued his school work, filling the position of principal of the high school for six years. At the end of that time he turned his attention to fire and life insurance, be- coming a representative of five of the leading fire insurance companies of the country and also of the Mutual Benefit Life Insurance Company at Dubuque. For five years he remained a resident of that city and then removed to Mil- waukee, Wisconsin, to become state agent for the Mutual Benefit Life Insurance Company of Newark. New Jersey. The period of his residence in Milwaukee covered seven years and in 1893 he came to Des Moines, where he was made

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state agent for lowa and Nebraska for the Mutual Benefit of New Jersey. He has increased the business of the office fivefold and during the past ten years has confined his attention entirely to the state of Iowa. He is today one of the most valued and prominent representatives of the corporation with which he is connected and is accounted one of the leading insurance men of the city. It is difficult to find a phase of the insurance business on which he is not thoroughly versed. Its advantages and possibilities he understands to the fullest extent and his executive ability has been so directed that the business of the company has been constantly extended during the period of his state superintendency. As he has prospered in his undertakings he has made judicious investment in real estate and is now the owner of valuable farm land in Madison county, Iowa. He was also director for a number of years of the Des Moines Ice Com- pany and in business affairs his judgment is at all times sound and his methods practical and progressive.

Aside from business interests of a purely personal nature Mr. Van Slyke has done much important public service. He was school director for North Des Moines before the districts became consolidated and the cause of education has ever found in him a stalwart champion. He does not seek nor desire office but keeps well informed on the questions of the day and is allied with the progressive republican movement that is seeking to benefit state and nation at large without sacrificing the interests of the public to the wishes and welfare of the few. He belongs to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and to the Knights of Pythias lodge and is also well known as a member of the Grant Club and the Golf and Country Club. He likewise belongs to the Central Presbyterian church, in the work of which he is much interested, serving as chairman of its board of trustees for a number of years and contributing generously of his means to its support.

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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 45

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