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 50

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 50

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fore the publication of this work. It is largely through Dr. Guild's energy, per- severance and technical skill that the young society has grown in less than two years to a national health factor, including among its members eminent phy- sicians from twenty different states. His professional service has been of far- reaching effect and importance and he has done excellent work in that connec- tion, his developing powers and talents bringing him skill and ability that places him in the foremost rank of the profession in the capital city.

On the 16th of March, 1904, in Panora, Iowa, Dr. Guild was married to Miss Leonora Campbell, a daughter of Albert Campbell. They are prominent socially in Des Moines, where they have many friends. In politics Dr. Guild is a republican and at times takes an active interest in the local work of the party when he deems that some essential question or measure needs his active support. Fraternally he is a Mason, belonging to Pioneer Lodge, No. 22, A. F. & A. M., also to the chapter, commandery and the Mystic Shrine. He likewise holds membership with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, the Ancient Order of United Workmen, the Homesteaders, the Yeomen and the Foresters. He is likewise a member of the Grant Club and of the Baptist church, and these associations are indicative of the nature of his interests and the rules which govern his conduct. He holds to high ideals not only in professional service but in citizenship and in social relations, and his sterling manhood has gained for him the warm and enduring regard of all with whom he has come in contact.

DONALD M. DOUGLASS.

Among the progressive business men of Des Moines who endeavor to capably perform their duties as citizens, and who also are thoughtful and considerate as to their relations to their fellows, is Donald M. Douglass. He was born at McGregor, Iowa, August 3, 1873, and is of Scotch descent, the emigrant ances- tor, William Douglass, arriving in America from Scotland in 1640. He settled in Massachusetts. Gilbert Douglass, the grandfather on the paternal side, was a native of New London, Connecticut.

The father of our subject was also Gilbert Douglass. He was born in Fre- donia, New York, May 8, 1822, and removed to Jerseyville, Illinois, with his parents in 1830. In 1847 he arrived in Iowa and located in Clayton county, where he engaged in the business of manufacturing. He was one of the pioneers in the movement which led to the repeal of the laws existing against the use of barb wire. In 1847 he came to Des Moines and engaged in the manufacture of barb wire, removing to Grinnell eight years later, where he started a factory along the same lines. He met with business reverses and lost all his property, dying at Grinnell, August 7, 1888.

He was a very popular man and was highly gifted mentally, being cultured and brilliant, but his forte was not business, and he never succeeded in his busi- ness plans. He was an ardent advocate of the republican party and was always willing to assist his friends in accomplishing their political aspirations, often doing so through the generosity of his kindly heart when it was detrimental to his cwn interests. The mother. Julia Risley before her marriage, was a native of Fredonia, New York, and was a woman of many estimable traits of character.

Donald M. Douglass in his boyhood was thrown upon his own resources and his opportunity for education was limited to a very brief period in the public schools at Grinnell. At twelve years of age he engaged in peddling chickens at Grinnell. At fourteen years of age he came to Des Moines and entered the employ of the Bentley Olmsted Shoe Company as office boy at a stipend of three dollars per week. He began at the foot of the ladder, but he applied himself diligently and conscientiously and arose step by step, with the passing years.

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until on the 7th of November, 1910, he was elected vice president of the com- pany. He is also vice president of the Mercer Rubber Company of Denver, Colo- rado, and as a business man and citizen occupies a highly creditable position in the community.

On the 14th of October. 1896, Mr. Douglass was married at Des Moines to Miss Alice Curtis, a native of Illinois, and it is doubtful whether a happier home is to be found in the state than that of Mr. and Mrs. Douglass, where re- finement and sympathetic companionship abide. He is an earnest advocate of economy and the simple life, and his ideas are heartily concurred in by his wife. He believes that simple and economical living is conducive to peace and hap- piness, as it undoubtedly assists in promoting the financial interests and general well being of any individual. In order to demonstrate his theory he purchased twenty-three acres of land near the city on which he erected a bungalow at a cost of six hundred dollars, where he and Mrs. Douglass welcome their friends and show that extravagance is not a necessary adjunct to comfort and happiness. He is active in church work and is a valued member of the North Park Congre- gational church. He also holds membership in the Grant Club and the Young Men's Christian Association. By his influence and example he has assisted many to adopt his ideas of a simple and unconventional life, and is performing his part in promoting good will among men and sane living among a wide circle of friends and acquaintances in Des Moines.

REV. B. E. S. ELY.

Rev. B. E. S. Ely, whose eyes closed upon earthly scenes at Des Moines April 22, 1910, was one of the faithful followers of the great Master, illustrating by many years of devotion to a noble cause the true principles of the Christian life. He was born at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in February, 1828, the son of Rev. Ezra Stiles and Mary (Carswell) Ely, the latter of whom was a native of Connecticut. The father was for twenty-seven years pastor of the old Pine Street Presbyterian church in Philadelphia, and was also stated clerk of the gen- eral assembly for twelve years, being one of the leading men of the denomina- tion in the east. He was a graduate of Yale University and was noted as a scholar and theologian. Grandfather Ely was also a Presbyterian minister of high standing in the east, the family for generations being noted for the intel- lectuality of its members.

Mr. Ely, of this review, received every desirable advantage of education, com- pleting his training at Delaware College. He studied law and was admitted to the bar under Judge Todd. Just as he was preparing to begin his active career the California gold excitement aroused .his interest and he crossed to the Pacific coast, where he soon attracted attention by his ability in a profession which en- listed in California many of the brightest minds gathered from all the states of the Union. He was an active factor in politics and was elected to the state sen- ate and served as city attorney of Sacramento, also being a candidate for con- gress, for which office he was defeated by just one vote. He introduced the first anti-liquor bill ever brought to the attention of the state legislature of California and throughout all his life he was a strong and persistent advocate of temperance.

It had been the wish of his father that he should become a minister of the gospel and in the midst of a large and growing practice, yielding to parental importunity, he gave up the law and entered the pulpit, his first charge being at Healsburg, California. Subsequently he officiated at Stockton, California, and in 1871 accepted a call as pastor of the Grace Presbyterian church of Chicago, now the Sixth Presbyterian church. Here he met with splendid success and attained a standing as one of the prominent divines of the city. After leaving Chicago

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he occupied the pulpit of the Willow Creek Presbyterian church of Chicago, Illi- nois, and of the First Presbyterian church of Ottumwa, Iowa, his last charge being at Winterset, this state. In 1898, having arrived at the age of seventy-one years, he retired from active labor and came to Des Moines, where he passed the remainder of his life. He was a member of five general assemblies of the Pres- byterian church and was widely known throughout the denomination in the United States. He was an eloquent speaker, a clear thinker, and as a genuine Christian set an example which many earnestly attempted to follow, being a most powerful agency for the promotion of the religious life wherever he was known.

Mr. Ely was twice married, the maiden name of his first wife being Elizabeth McElroy. She was a native of Kentucky and passed away after taking up her residence on the Pacific coast. Of the seven children born of this union, three are living : Mrs. S. F. Moore, of Wooster, Ohio; Mrs. Laura E. Curtis, whose husband is a professor of Yale University ; and Rev. B. E. S. Ely, of Cedar Rap- ids, Iowa, the fourth in his generation to become a minister. Mr. Ely was after- ward married to Miss Abbie Aurelia Moore, who was born in Illinois. One son blessed this union, Dr. F. A. Ely, who was graduated from the medical depart- ment of the State University at Iowa City and took a post-graduate course in medicine and surgery at Harvard College. He is now a successful practitioner of Des Moines.

Mrs. Ely is a lady of many rare qualities and an earnest worker in social and literary lines. She is a valued member of the Woman's Club and also of the chorus of that organization, and has for some time served with general approval as secretary of the Review Club. Mr. Ely devoted the principal years of his life to the work upon which his mind and energies were closely concentrated and he was more than ordinarily successful in awakening his hearers to a sense of their personal responsibility and duty to their fellowmen. Having accomplished his earthly work, he passed to his reward, leaving a record of which all who knew him may justly be proud.

ANSEL H. HULING.

For a period of more than thirty years Ansel H. Huling has been prominently connected with various insurance publications of the United States, and at the present time is editor-in-chief of the Underwriters' Review of Des Moines. He was born in Chenango county, New York, in 1838, the son of Daniel Huling, a Free Baptist minister. He is a descendant of the religious martyrs of the six- teenth century in England, the family being frequently alluded to in Macaulay's history, and a direct descendant of Captain James Huling, who came to America, locating in Rhode Island in 1642, while his grandfather, Augustus Huling, served in the Revolutionary war. His mother prior to her marriage was Lydia Bur- lingame, the daughter of a Methodist minister of New Berlin, New York, and the aunt of Anson Burlingame, an American diplomatist and politician, who studied law in Boston under Charles Sumner. The latter was elected to Con- gress from Massachusetts in 1855, being there at the time Congressman Brooks made his unwarranted attack on Sumner, which act was denounced by Bur- lingame, who later was challenged by the southern senator to a duel. Burlingame accepted the challenge, the meeting to take place on the Canadian side of Niagara Falls, the weapons to be rifles at fifty yards. Burlingame and his second were there at the time appointed but Brooks failed to materialize. In 1861, following the expiration of his term of office in Congress, Anson Burlingame was appointed ambassador to China, where he remained for six years. Subsequent to that pe- riod he became special ambassador from China to negotiate treaties with the United States, England, Denmark, Sweden, Holland and Russia, these serving as

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the foundation of the treaty effected with the allied powers following the Boxer uprising in 1899. Mr. Burlingame passed away in St. Petersburg in February, 1870, while in the service of the Chinese government.

Ansel H. Huling was reared at home and acquired his preliminary education in the public schools and academies of Chautauqua county, New York, and in northern Illinois, whither his parents had removed when he was seventeen years of age. Later he attended Hillsdale College, Michigan, leaving before he had been awarded his degree, however, in order to engage in teaching. In 1862 he entered the Free Baptist ministry and for nine years filled the pastorate of various churches in northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin, following which he served for two or three years as associate editor of the Christian Freeman of Chicago .. Owing to the state of his health he was compelled to abandon the ministry in 1870, after which he entered the employ of the Life Association of America of St. Louis, as manager of the southern Illinois department with headquarters at Springfield; afterward he became joint manager of the same company at Chi- cago.

He withdrew from this latter in order to become western editor and manager of the Morning Star, a religious weekly of Boston. He remained on the staff of this publication until 1880, when he became editor of the Investigator of Chi- cago, which position he retained for nearly five years. From 1886 to October, 1889, Mr. Huling was superintendent of publications of the Union Central Life of Cincinnati, following which he was associate editor of the Insurance and Finance Chronicle of Montreal. Returning to Chicago he engaged in literary work until the spring of 1895, when he again accepted an editorial position on the Investigator. In March of the ensuing year, he became editor of the Argus, continuing in that capacity until February, 1900, when he became editor of the Insurance Herald of Louisville, now published at Atlanta, Georgia. Resigning from this on the Ist of February, 1903, he became editor of the Underwriters' Review of Des Moines. Mr. Huling is generally recognized as one of the strong- est and ablest writers on insurance topics in the United States today. All of the articles on marine and accident insurance for the latest revised American edition of the Encyclopedia Brittanica were from his pen. He also compiled in 1898 a most interesting and exhaustive compilation and treatise on the "Panics of the United States," besides which he has been an extensive and varied contributor to the religious press.

Mr. Huling was united in marriage in 1860 to Miss Emila L. Stewart and in April, 1910, they celebrated their golden wedding. Unto them were born two daughters : Alice A., who taught in the Oak Park, Illinois, schools for a number of years; and Edith A. Both are now living at home with their parents, how- ever. Fraternally. Mr. Huling's relations are confined to the Masonic order, in which he has attained high rank. He is a life member of Waubansia Lodge, No. 160, A. F. & A. M., Chicago, and a Knight Templar ; he is also a thirty-second degree Mason of the Scottish rite, being a life member of the Oriental Consis- tory of Chicago.

JOHN T. CONROY.

John T. Conroy, justice of the peace of Des Moines township, was born in New York city, May 2, 1882, but has spent the greater part of his life west of the Mississippi. The family is of Irish lineage. His father, James Conroy, who was born in County Mayo, Ireland, came to America in 1871 and arrived in Des Moines in 1884. He devoted most of his life to contracting, although in his later years he lived retired, passing away February 5, 1910, at the very advanced age of ninety years. In his native county he had wedded Mary Menahan, who was also born in County Mayo. Her death occurred August 23. 1906.

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John T. Conroy, the youngest in a family of nine children, pursued his edu- cation in the St. Ambrose parochial school and in St. Mary's school and the Cap- ital City Commercial College. He determined to make the practice of law his life work and to this end entered Drake University, from which he was gradu- ated LL. B. in 1907. Folowing his preparation for the bar he was appointed United States commissioner in the western district of the Indian Territory, being located at Grove from the 16th of January, 1907, until May, 1909. He was next appointed assistant city solicitor of Des Moines and filled the office from the lat- ter part of 1909 until the spring of 1910. On the IIth of April of that year he was appointed justice of the peace of Des Moines township, which position he · is still filling. Thus throughout the entire period of his manhood he has contin- ved in public office and has ever discharged his duties with ability and fidelity that have won him high commendation.

In politics Mr. Conroy is a republican and takes an active part in campaign- ing and is recognized as a factor in local political circles. He belongs to the Ro- man Catholic church and to various fraternal organizations, including the Benev- olent and Protective Order of Elks, the Knights of the Maccabees, the Yeomen, the Modern Woodmen of America, the Woodmen of the World and the Knights of Columbus. He is also a member of the Waveland Club and belongs to the Polk County Bar Association. He is yet a young man but has made a creditable record in the various connections where he has been found and his ability prom- ises further advancement in the future.

BERNARD FREDERICK REHKOPF.

Through almost his entire life Bernard Frederick Rehkopf has filled posi- tions of public trust, political and otherwise, and his loyalty to the duty and faith reposed in him has ever been one of his most strongly marked character- istics. He is now serving for the sixteenth year as grand recorder of the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the success of this strong fraternal organization is largely attributable in recent years to his efforts. A native of Galveston, Texas, he was born July 26, 1846, a son of Henry Augustus and Magdalene (Van Buren) Rehkopf. The father, a native of Hanover, Ger- many, engaged for many years in the harness and saddlery business, following that pursuit until his death in 1868. His wife, who was born in the canton of Bern, Switzerland, long survived him and died March 2, 1906.

During the boyhood of Bernard F. Rehkopf his parents removed to Van Buren county, Iowa, where he pursued his education in the public schools. He also attended Bryant & Stratton Commercial College of Chicago, continuing his studies to the age of nineteen years, when he turned his attention to teleg- raphy, in which connection he was associated with the Burlington Railroad Company, at Montrose, Iowa. On account of his father's illness, however, he was obliged to take charge of home interests in Van Buren county, and after- ward never took up the business for which he had first qualified.

Becoming a prominent factor in local political circles, in January, 1876, he entered upon the duties of county auditor of Van Buren county, to which posi-, tion he had been elected the previous fall. His capable service during his first term led to his reelection and he continued in the office for four years. He after- ward went upon the road as traveling salesman for Acres, Blackmar & Com- pany, blank book manufacturers and stationers of Burlington, Iowa, with whom he continued until January, 1883, when on account of ill health he was obliged to leave the road. Removing to Des Moines in January, 1883, he accepted the position of chief clerk in the state auditor's office, and that his services were entirely satisfactory is indicated by the fact that he was continued in the

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position for fourteen years, or during the administrations of J. L. Brown, Cap- tain J. A. Lyons and C. G. McCarthy. During this time, in May, 1895, he was elected grand recorder of the Ancient Order of United Workmen and has filled this position to the present time, being splendidly qualified for the duties of the office, for he is not only in thorough sympathy with the beneficent spirit of the order, but also has business qualifications that are manifested in his prompt dispatch of the work, his keen insight into the possibilities of a situation and his effective efforts for the growth and development of the organization. He likewise holds membership with the Modern Woodmen of America, the Knights of the Maccabees and the Royal Arcanum.

On the 12th of February, 1874, in Keosauqua, Iowa, Mr. Rehkopf was married to Miss Aralda J. Cheney, a daughter of Edward J. Cheney and a native of the city in which their marriage was celebrated. Three children were born unto them: Laura, born in Bentonsport, Iowa, October 17, 1875, is the wife of Dr. L. D. Carpenter, of Indianola, this state. They have two children: Cath- erine C., who was born in Indianola, October 3, 1903; and Elizabeth, also born in Indianola. Ned Bernard, the second child, was born in Keosauqua, August 26. 1877, married Miss Ellen Darling Erwin. He is a West Point graduate of the class of 1902, connected with the United States army, and at the present time is an instructor at West Point with the rank of first lieutenant of Battery E, Second Regiment. His company, however, is now in the Philippine Islands. Lieutenant Rehkopf has three children: Isabel, who was born at Fort Russell, Wyoming ; and Jane and Ellen, born at West Point. Katherine E., the third child of Mr. and Mrs. Rehkopf, was born in Des Moines, November 3, 1885, and has been educated in the public schools of this city and in Simpson College at Indianola, Iowa. She has specialized in music, possesses a very fine contralto voice and is a leading member of the choir of the Central Christian church.

Mr. and Mrs. Rehkopf are members of Trinity Methodist Episcopal church, in the work of which they are actively and helpfully interested. His political allegiance has always been given to the republican party. The list of the leading citizens of Iowa contains his name as one of the representative and honored residents of Polk county. His record as an official and business man has been so honorable that he has gained the confidence and good will of all with whom he has been brought in contact, and as grand recorder of the Ancient Order of United Workmen he has won still higher encomiums from his fellowmen by reason of the fidelity and ability which he has manifested in the discharge of his duties.

JULIUS LEDIG.

One of the well known florists of Des Moines is Julius Ledig, who owns some of the best greenhouses of the city at the corner of Nineteenth and High streets, where he is doing an excellent business. A son of Gotlob and Theresa Ledig, he was born in Germany in September, 1855. The parents spent their entire lives in a small village in the fatherland, where the father engaged in mercantile pursuits until his demise in 1870. The mother survived him thirty- five years, passing away in 1905.

Julius Ledig was reared in the land of his nativity and in the common schools of which he acquired his education, remaining a member of the paternal house- hold until he was fifteen years of age. Following the death of his father he ap- prenticed himself to a florist for three years, from the expiration of which period until 1880 he worked at his trade in the old country. Realizing at the age of twenty-five years, the limited opportunities afforded in his native country as well as the slight probability of his ever acquiring a business of his own, Julius Ledig decided to take passage for America.

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Upon his arrival in the United States he first located at Burlington, Iowa, but being unable to procure work at his trade entered the employ of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad. After remaining in their service for five months he went to Mississippi, where he worked for sixteen' days. He then tramped back to St. Louis, obtaining a position in a florist's shop. Resigning his situation in fifteen months he went to Milwaukee, continuing to follow his trade in that city until 1884, when he came to Des Moines to take a position as florist and gardener with J. S. Polk. Leaving the service of Mr. Polk at the end of a year he accepted a similar place with Mr. G. H. Windsor, from which he withdrew in 1886 in order to engage in business with a friend. Disposing of his interests at the end of nine months he again entered the employ of Mr. Windsor, with whom he remained for six years. At the end of that period he rented a piece of ground on South Ninth street upon which he erected some greenhouses and again went into business for himself. Here he encountered various hardships and misfortunes. It was an unusually rainy season and as the ground in that portion of the city is quite low his property was twice inundated, which put him to considerable expense in addition to the loss sustained. Giving up his lease he removed to Seventeenth street where he remained five years at the end of which period he was forced to vacate, the land being wanted for building purposes. He then bought the block where he is now located and well established, and where he enjoys a large and constantly growing as well as lucrative patronage.

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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 50

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