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 47

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 47

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In May, 1882, at Lyons, Kansas, Mr. Ballard was married to Miss Lottie E. Gleadall, who was born in Illinois and has proven to him a faithful and loving companion. In politics Mr. Ballard affiliates with the republican party. He is a member of Capital Lodge, No. 110, A. F. & A. M., and is also connected with the Commercial, Des Moines and Hyperion Clubs, and also with the Eureka Club, the latter being the oldest social organization in the city. Pleasing in address and genial in manner, he is highly popular wherever known and is rightly regarded as one of the most useful men of the city.

PORTERFIELD KRAUTH WITMER.

Porterfield Krauth Witmer, recognized as one of the leading insurance brok- ers of Des Moines, which position he has steadily attained through persistent effort and a thorough mastery of all the phases of his business in both principle and detail, was born in Thompsontown, Pennsylvania, March 21, 1871. The Wit- mer family is of German lineage and was first established on American soil in Northumberland county, Pennsylvania. His father, the Rev. Charles Witmer, a Lutheran minister, was born in Northumberland county, September 1, 1819, and died July 22, 1884. He had come to Des Moines in the previous year and passed away at the age of sixty-four years and ten months. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Mary H. Smith, was born in Emmitsburg, Maryland, Jan- uary 18, 1830, and died at Middleport, Ohio, March 30, 1883. Her father has long since passed away, his death occurring April 15, 1847, at the age of fifty-five years, three months and twenty-one days, but Mrs. Smith survived her daughter Mrs. Witmer and died June 10, 1884, at the age of eighty years, eight months and fifteen days.

Both the paternal grandparents of P. K. Witmer reached a ripe old age, the grandfather, George Witmer, dying in November, 1876, at the age of seventy- eight years, while his wife died in January, 1885, at the age of seventy-five. The marriage of Charles Witmer and Mary Helen Smith was celebrated in Emmits- burg, Maryland, in 1858, and they became the parents of five children: Marion Lilly, who was born August 13, 1860, and died September 24, 1863; Mary Emma, who was born August 6, 1862, and died May 2. 1864 ; Charles Ernest, born December 21, 1868; Porterfield Krauth, born March 21, 1871 ; and Samuel Mot- ter born June 14, 1872.

Porterfield K. Witmer pursued his education in the public schools of Roseville and Middleport, Ohio, and of Des Moines, Iowa, prior to entering Thiel Col- lege, of Greenville, Pennsylvania, where he pursued the regular course. Leav- ing college at the age of twenty years, he took a position in the Savery Hotel at Des Moines, where he remained for about a year. His next position was with the Des Moines Gas Company, for one year. In 1893 he joined with his brother Charles E. Witmer in forming a partnership for the conduct of a general insur-

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ance business, the firm being known as Witmer & Witmer. They were first located at No. 606 West Locust, but later removed to 416 West Fourth street, there securing larger and more commodious quarters. The partnership continued four years when Mr. Witmer purchased his brother's interest and became sole owner. In May, 1897, Porterfield Krauth Witmer formed a partnership with Benjamin Franklin Kauffman for the conduct of a general insurance and real- estate business under the firm name of Witmer & Kauffman, and which is now located in the Manhattan building, Des Moines. They are recognized as one of the leading insurance and real-estate firms of Iowa. They represent many of the old line leading companies of this and other countries and have an extensive and gratifying clientele. Aside from his insurance business Mr. Witmer is a director of the Iowa Drug Company and vice president of the Savery House Hotel Company, well known enterprises of Des Moines.

On the 10th of June, 1903, at Wheeling, West Virginia, Mr. Witmer was married to Miss Flora E. Stifel, daughter of William F. and Emma (Schandein) Stifel, both natives of Wheeling, West Virginia, of which city her family are prominent residents.

In politics Mr. Witmer is independent, supporting men and measures rather than party. He is eligible to membership in the Sons of the American Revolu- tion because both his paternal and maternal ancestry were represented in the war for independence. He has never affiliated with secret societies, but is a member of the Golf and Country, Hyperion Field and Motor Clubs, the Commer- cial and the New Des Moines Clubs, while his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Lutheran church. He is a typical man of the period, alert and enterprising, watchful of opportunities pointing to success and at all times recognizing the fact that straightforward dealing is ever a recommendation for patronage.

AMELIA MORTON.

One of the greatest powers for good in America today is the teacher of the public school who recognizes the personal needs of her pupils and realizes that the most essential lessons of life are those not to be found within the covers of a text-book. Of such as these is Amelia Morton, the present head of the Hubbell school. She is a native of Ohio and a daughter of William and Lu- cinda (Cook) Morton, being descended on the paternal side from the Morton and Cotton families who migrated to Plymouth colony from England in 1623. These names are very familiar to every student of American history, as both families played a prominent part, not only in colonial history, but in the Revo- lution and the war of 1812, after which they became scattered, some going to New York and others even farther west.

Mr. Morton passed away while his daughter was yet a child, and after graduating from the Toledo high school and fitting herself for the vocation of teaching Miss Morton and her mother came to Iowa, locating in Des Moines in 1880. Her first position here was that of teacher of the sixth grade of the Irving school, which position she filled for one year, at the expiration of which time she was given charge of the seventh and eighth grades of the same school. After serving four years in the latter capacity she was advanced to the principal- ship, her ability as a teacher, as well as her personality and influence over the pupils during her five years of service, having won the recognition which made the board of education feel she was most ably qualified for that position.

Miss Morton is an advocate of the more progressive ideas of pedagogy, be- lieving that the inculcation of right ideas of living and life, as well as the in- dividual's duty to society, are of paramount importance. She feels that in many instances the child spends much time and strength in the study of the nonessen-

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tial, while they are often-times left in absolute ignorance of the most vital things of life. Prepare the boys and girls to meet the temptations which beset, them on every side and reformatories will not be necessary. To ignorance and not vicious tendencies she attributes the majority of those bitter experiences which darken the child's life and cast a shadow over the home; a wrong knowledge of life and perverted ideas resulting from a child's natural curiosity.

Miss Morton also feels that greater care and discretion should be shown in the choice of teachers, especially for the grammar grades. In many instances the vocation of teaching, particularly among women, is looked upon as merel" a temporary and genteel way of earning a livelihood, its only essentials being the ability to impart knowledge and maintain discipline, while in reality these are really the lesser qualities. The personality of the teacher, her interest, not only in her work but in the pupils collectively and individually, as well as her attitude toward life, forming the greatest factors in the moral development of the coming generations. Doubtless Miss Morton's great mission in life is demonstrated in her work with young girls. Her high, yet thoroughly practical ideas of a woman's duties and responsibilities, which she has ever tried to instill in every girl whose privilege it has been to come under her influence, are most commendable. She feels that a teacher's duty toward her pupils neither begins nor ends in the school room. She should have a knowledge of their life outside, in the home and the social circle, their interests and ambitions bringing her into that closer intimacy which is needed if she fulfills her moral duty, the responsibilities of which are far greater than the fulfillment of the terms of her contract. .

A universal interest in her fellow beings has made of Miss Morton an en- thusiastic club woman. She is affiliated with the Des Moines Woman's Club, the Federation of Clubs, the Professional Women's League, Froebel Association and the State Teachers Association. She also holds membership in the Presbv- terian church and for many years taught a class in the Sunday school. During the long period of her service in the city schools she has made many friends not only among her pupils and fellow workers, but in the community generally and by all she is accorded the regard and esteem, which her high ideals and noble purpose in life justly merit.

THOMAS FLYNN.

Many of the sterling characteristics of the Celtic race found exemplifica- tion in the life record of Thomas Flynn, who was born in County Waterford, Ireland, March 25, 1838, and passed away on the 15th of June, 1909, when sev- enty-one years of age. His parents were Martin and Catherine (Crotty) Flynn. both representatives of old and distinguished families of the Emerald isle. Both the father and mother were born in County Waterford and the former was very extensively engaged in stock-raising until 1848, when he sailed for America, tak- ing up his abode in New York. The eldest son, Dennis, remained in Ireland and reared a family. There were altogether eight children in the family of Martin Flynn, Sr., the others being as follows: Mary, the wife of Patrick Hack- ett, of Norristown, Pennsylvania, both of whom are now deceased; John, for- merly a railroad contractor, who later turned his attention to farming in Walnut township, Polk county, and whose death occurred in October, 1891 ; Bridget, who married Patrick Cushing, of Pennsylvania and removed to Missouri where Mrs. Cushing died in 1859; Patrick, the only one of the family living, a resident of Decatur county, Iowa, where he is a prominent agriculturist and is the father of nine children; Martin, a railroad contractor of prominence, who was associated with his brother Thomas and afterward became a resident of Walnut township,

THOMAS FLYNN

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Polk county, where he was engaged extensively in general farming and stock- raising, making a specialty of fine blooded hogs and high grade cattle up to the time of his death and of whom extended mention is made elsewhere in this vol- ume; and Catherine, who became the wife of David O'Rourke, a railroad con- tractor, both of whom are deceased. They left five children, now residing at Omaha, Nebraska.

Thomas Flynn spent the first fourteen years of his life in the land of his nativity and then, accompanied by his brother Martin, went to Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, in 1852, where he met his parents. Entering business circles he became connected with railroad contracting and his first engagement was with the Pennsylvania Central Railroad. After coming west he built many miles of railroad in the states of Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin and Nebraska, and after residing in Dubuque for a short time he took up his abode in Anamosa. While there living he executed a contract on the construction of the Dubuque & Southwestern Railroad, continuing at that place until 1859, when he became connected with the Des Moines Valley Railroad. At about that time in com- pany with his brothers he invested in lands in Monroe county, Iowa, and it was upon the farm there that his parents lived during their declining years, the father passing away in 1860, while the mother survived until 1864.

In the years 1860 and 1861 Thomas Flynn was engaged in the construction of the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad, after which he joined his parents in Monroe county. A year later, however, he resumed his railroad work with the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Company, representing that corporation until 1865, when he went to Nebraska in the service of the Union Pacific Railroad Company. Two years later he entered into a contract with the Chicago & Northwestern and subsequently aided in the construction of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific to Council Bluffs. Comparatively few lines in the middle west have not benefitted by his labors. He was engaged in building the Des Moines Valley Railroad to Fort Dodge and afterward superintended the construction of the southwest division of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific between Washington and Sigourney, Iowa. On that branch of the Wisconsin Central from Stevens Point to the pineries he did construction work. This was a most difficult task and required great courage. Mr. Flynn was for many years regarded as the leading railroad builder of the middle west, thoroughly understanding the great scientific principles which constituted the basis of his efficiency and success. At length he terminated his connection with building operations to engage in farm- ing and on his retirement from the former field of labor he concluded a service that was of marked value in railway construction in the middle west.

In' 1870 Mr. Flynn took up his abode in Walnut township, Polk county, upon the farm which continued to be his place of residence until his life's labors were ended in death. He brought to the cultivation of his place the same spirit of thoroughness and accuracy, of progressiveness and enterprise that character- ized him in railway building. He did not take an active part in politics, but was deeply interested in the advancement of moral, intellectual and religious affairs and sought the welfare and improvement of his adopted country in every way.

In October, 1872, Mr. Flynn was united in marriage to Miss Mary Collins, a native of New York and a daughter of Miles and Kate Collins, who were born in County Clare, Ireland. Their family numbered four children, of whom Mrs. Flynn was the eldest. Kate, the second daughter, became the wife of Peter Toner, of California. Miles, a resident of East Des Moines, was a railroad man, whose death occurred in Des Moines in 1906. Lizzie, the youngest of the family is now deceased, and to her is due the present site of Mercy Hospital.

Two children were born unto Mr. and Mrs. Flynn. Catherine B., the elder, born December 5, 1873, is a graduate of St. Joseph's Academy of Des Moines and is now the wife of Michael Hackett, of Walnut township, by whom she has one child, Mary Catherine. The younger daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Vol. II-20

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Flynn was Mary, who died when but six months old. Her birth caused the mother's death and Mr. Flynn afterward married Annie Duffy, whom he wedded on the 25th of April, 1876. She was born in November, 1837, and was one of twelve children whose parents, James and Mary (Swift) Duffy, were natives of County Meath, Ireland. Mr. Duffy was an architect and builder and followed his chosen occupation in Ireland until 1851, when he sought the opportunities offered in America. For some years he was a resident of New York, where he carried on business in partnership with his sons, John and Patrick. At length he removed to Dubuque, Iowa, but ill health forced him to retire from such arduous labor and he engaged in bookkeeping, accounting and literary work. He was correspondent to the Dublin Nation while in Utica, New York. His death occurred in January, 1861, when he had reached the age of sixty-three years, and in April, 1864, his widow, Mrs. Duffy, came to Des Moines, her last days being spent in the home of her daughter, Mrs. Thomas Flynn, where her death occurred March 30, 1879, when she was seventy-five years of age.

Mrs. Flynn, the second wife of our subject, died in August, 1901. She was a devoted member of the Catholic church and was a lady of very generous na- ture, ably supplementing her husband in the many charities which constituted an important factor in his life. He was himself a self-made man, with little opportunity for acquiring an education. The difficulties and obstacles which he encountered awakened in him a desire to help his fellowmen as far as possible, and he resolved also to give his daughter liberal educational advantages. He was a man of strong purpose, of laudable ambition, of well balanced mind and of unceasing energy. When obstacles or difficulties arose in his path they seemed to serve as an impetus for renewed effort and determination on his part. No one ever questioned his integrity for his name was synonymous with honesty. A contemporary biographer said of him: "He was quiet, reserved, a man of sterling worth, cordial in manner, at all times approachable, genial in disposition and gentlemanly in deportment." The clearly defined and many sterling traits of his character were the factors which won for him an enviable position in the regard of his friends and made his death the occasion of deep and wide- spread regret.

JERRY B. SULLIVAN.

Jerry B. Sullivan, a prominent attorney of Des Moines, has been engaged in the practice of law for almost three decades. His birth occurred at Mount Pleasant, Iowa, on the Ist of January, 1859, his parents being Stephen and Mary (Brosnahan) Sullivan, both of whom were natives of Ireland. The father was one of a family of four children, two sons and two daughters. He and his brother were the only ones to emigrate to America, however, the latter being Jerry Sullivan, an agriculturist by occupation. It was about 1856 that Stephen Sullivan and his wife crossed the Atlantic to the United States, settling in Mount Pleasant, Iowa. The father of our subject was a laborer in Ireland but after coming to the new world he turned his attention to general agricultural pursuits. In 1873 the family home was established in Union county, Iowa, where Stephen Sullivan died April 4, 19II. His wife was called to her final rest in 1910. They were the parents of three children, namely: Jerry B., of this re- view; Hannah, the deceased wife of Albert Leininger, of Afton, Iowa; and Margaret, who has also passed away.

Jerry B. Sullivan pursued his early education in the common schools of 'Afton, Union county, and subsequently entered the law office of Judge J. W. McDill of that place, reading under his direction for three years. Judge McDill was at one time United States senator from Iowa, and a member of the interstate

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commerce commission. Mr. Sullivan was admitted to the bar in 1882 and began practice in Creston as a member of the firm of McDill & Sullivan, which part- nership was maintained with mutual pleasure and profit until January 1, 1892, at which time Judge McDill withdrew from the firm to become a member of the interstate commerce commission.

In 1904 Mr. Sullivan of this review came to Des Moines and formed a part- nership with John B. Sullivan, who, though of the same name, is no relation. He has since maintained his residence in this city and enjoys an enviable reputa- tion as a successful representative of the legal fraternity. The zeal with which he has devoted his energies to his profession, the careful regard evinced for the interests of his clients and an assiduous and unrelaxing attention to all the details of his cases, have brought him a large business and made him very successful in its conduct. He was formerly a director of the Century Fire Insurance Company of Des Moines and is now a director in the German Savings Bank of this city.

In 1886 Mr. Sullivan was joined in wedlock to Miss Martha C. Groves, a daughter of Dr. L. S. and Mary (Cherry) Groves, of Afton, Iowa. Dr. Groves is still actively engaged in the practice of medicine at Creston.

Mr. Sullivan is a stanch supporter of the democracy and has long been recognized as a leader in the ranks of the party. In 1903 he was the democratic candidate for governor of Iowa, his opponent being Senator A. B. Cummins. He was a delegate at large to the democratic convention at Denver, Colorado, in 1908, when William J. Bryan was nominated. In 1890 he was elected city at- torney of Creston, Iowa, holding the office for one term. His fraternal relations are with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Knights of Co- lumbus, while in religious faith both he and his wife are Catholics. He is also a member of the Golf and Country Club. His good qualities, and they are many, have strongly endeared him to those with whom he has been associated and wherever he is known he is popular with a large circle of friends.

WILLIAM G. TOWN.

Among the successful business men of Des Moines should be named William G. Town, who, ever since arriving at manhood, has been identified with the busi- ness interests of this city. He was born at Elgin, Illinois, January 14, 1859), and comes of a well known family, his father, John Jay Town, having been organizer and president of the Valley National Bank of Des Moines, and for many years a leader in banking circles of the city. The father was a native of Pennsylvania and was born about 1826. He came to Des Moines in 1871 and soon gained a high place in financial circles. His death occurred in 1907. The mother, whose maiden name was Esther Graves, was born in Canandaigua, New York, in 1829, and died in 1901. There were three children in the family of Mr. and Mrs. Town: William G., the subject of this review; Louise, now the wife of E. D. Waldron of Elgin, Illinois; and Bessie, widow of Walter E. Andrews, who was connected with the Iowa Leader, now the Register and Leader, and also one of the organizers of the Western Newspaper Union.

William G. Town received his preliminary education in the public schools and after graduating from the Des Moines high school entered the Valley Na- tional Bank as a clerk and soon displayed a business ability that gave bright promise for his future. In 1885 he gave up his position in the bank and for twelve years was secretary of the Capital City Ice Company, now known as the Des Moines Ice Company, of which he is a director and also a stockholder. At the present time he is owner and manager of the Des Moines Bale Tie Com- pany, which is one of the substantial concerns of the city. He is also connected

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with several other business enterprises and is numbered among the prosperous and highly respected citizens of the community.

In 1906 Mr. Town was united in marriage to Miss Ada Racine Cheney, a native of Ohio and daughter of L. M. Cheney. Politically Mr. Town is identified with the liberal element of the republican party, and firmly believes that the party has within itself the ability to regulate abuses as they arise. Fraternally, he is a valued member of he Knights of Pythias, and in religious belief his fam- ily gives its adherence to the Presbyterian church.

He is of Revolutionary ancestry and has two sisters who are members of the Daughters of the American Revolution, being himself eligible to member- ship in the Sons of the American Revolution. He is recognized as a courageous, genial and capable man, always alive as to the permanent interests of the com- munity and a willing worker in every worthy cause. His business ability in a number of lines has been fully demonstrated and as he has always adhered to a high standard in the various relations of life, he retains the respect of all to whom he is known.

WALTER L. TRUEBLOOD.

One of the representative business men of Des Moines is Walter L. True- blood, who for the past seven years has had charge of the branch house of the M. Rumely Company in this city. Although a native of Indiana he is of Puritan ancestry in the paternal line, his great-great-grandfather, F. Kenelepa White Trueblood, and the great-grandfather, F. Caleb S. Trueblood, having lived and died in New England, but the grandfather, Nathan S. Trueblood, migrated to Indiana in the pioneer days, locating in Washington county, and there the father, Jesse Trueblood was born. Mr. Trueblood was a well known fruit grower and horticulturist of that section of Indiana and spent his entire life in the county where he was born, passing away on the old homestead of his father. His wife, who prior to her marriage was Chlorind Letitia Overman, was originally of English extraction, her ancestors migrating to the colonies from the mother country early in the seventeenth century. Her parents, Samuel and Irene (Holhs) Overman were among the pioneer settlers of Indiana. Mrs. Trueblood is still surviving and continues to make her home on the old homestead in Wash- ington county. Ten children were born unto Mr. and Mrs. Trueblood, those aside from our subject being: Elmer, who is a railroad agent at Willow river, Minnesota ; Luther, a farmer in Washington county, Indiana; Willard A., who is a minister in Toronto, Canada; Oscar, a farmer, now a resident of Idaho; Emmet, teacher of manual training in college at Westtown, Pennsylvania ; Alma, who married Edward Davis, a farmer, of Holt county, Missouri; Jennie, the wife of Dr. Orr Davis, a resident of the same place; and Irene and Mabel True- blood, both of whom reside with their mother on the old homestead in Indiana.

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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 47

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