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 52
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In 1892 Mr. Windsor was united in marriage to Miss Katherine Young, a daughter of Henry and Jennie (Ingalls) Young, of Des Moines, who came to this city about 1882. Unto our subject and his wife has been born one child, Doris, who is now fifteen years of age and is attending school.
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Mr. Windsor belongs to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Golf and Country Club and the Hyperion Club, while both he and his wife are members of St. Paul's Episcopal church. The rules which govern his con- duct and shape his life are such as command confidence and regard in every land and clime and in the city where the greater part of his life has been passed Leland Windsor is honored and respected by all who know him.
SAMUEL P. IVES.
There is little doubt that the best managed and most popular institution in the United States is the postoffice department. Indeed, it has been claimed that the United States postal service represents the high water mark of civilization- that it is the best expression of the intelligence and efficiency of man to be found anywhere. Whether this is true or not it is generally acknowledged that the postoffice is indispensable to modern life and its affairs in all their details are remarkably well conducted.
Samuel P. Ives, assistant superintendent of mails at Des Moines, is one who contributes his part toward the efficiency of the postal service. He is a native of this city, where he was born August 25, 1861, and is a son of Samuel P. and Electa A. (Dowling) Ives, of whom mention is made elsewhere in this work.
Mr. Ives, the subject of this review, was educated in the public and high schools of Des Moines and, upon the completion of his education, desiring to see the world and at the same time also to acquire a fortune, went to Colorado, where he engaged actively in prospecting and mining for four years, being in a measure successful. However, he returned to his native city in 1885 and en- tered the postal service, in which he has been promoted from time to time. He has served as assistant superintendent of mails since 1904. To attain the posi- tion now held by Mr. Ives requires special adaptability and years of experi- ence and training. It calls also for alertness, accuracy, tact and knowledge of details to an extent which the uninitiated scarcely ever imagines. Mr. Ives has filled his position with an ability and has fully met the acceptance of patrons and officials of the department and is, therefore, one of the valued and trusted public servants.
On the 12th of December, 1900, Mr. Ives was united in marriage at Des Moines to Miss Bessie K. Davis, a daughter of Joseph P. Davis, well known as one of the old residents of this city. Mr. Ives gives his support to the republi- can party. Socially he is quite popular, having passed almost his entire life in Des Moines. He has devoted twenty-five years to the postal service, attain- ing a record of which he and his friends may justly be proud. He is one of the highly respected and esteemed citizens of Des Moines.
WILLIAM M. ELDRED.
Although a recent addition to the business circles of Des Moines, William M. Eldred has already established his right to be classed with the representative 1 and progressive young men of the city where he has become well known as the general manager of the Mitchell Advertising Agency. He was born in Marion county, Iowa, on the 4th of May, 1883, a son of Daniel H. and Caroline (Mc- Kinney) Eldred. The mother died March 30, 1907, but the father is still living. He came to Iowa in the early '6os and for a long period resided in this city but
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is now living in North Dakota, where for a number of years he has been retired from business.
Becoming a resident of Des Moines in his youthful days, William M. Eldred attended the public schools here, continuing his course to the age of seventeen years, when he set out to become a factor in the business world. Turning his attention to life insurance, he accepted a clerical position with the Equitable Life Insurance Company of New York and was advanced through intermediate positions to that of assistant cashier. During three years of this period he spent a considerable portion of the time in St. Paul, Minnesota, and while residing there became connected with the Mitchell Advertising Agency, which offered him a more lucrative position, with promises of speedy advancement. He was employed by the company in St. Paul until April, 1909, when he came to Des Moines and opened a branch office for the above firm in this city, becoming its general manager. Here he has demonstrated his fitness for the capable con- trol of important interests, for under his guidance the business has grown along substantial lines. On January 1, 19II, the McDonald Advertising Service con- solidated with the Mitchell Advertising Agency, of Des Moines, and by reason of this consolidation Mr. Eldred now has an associate manager.
On the IIth of September, 1907, Mr. Eldred was married in Des Moines to Miss Myrtle Meyer, a daughter of William Meyer, and a native of Nebraska, although her family have been residents of this city for the past seventeen years, her father being now connected with Lederer, Strauss & Company. Mr. and Mrs. Eldred have two children: Janice, born at St. Paul, Minnesota, June 25, 1908; and Harriet, born in Des Moines, May 22, 1910. In politics Mr. Eldred is a progressive republican. He is also connected with the Ad Club of Des Moines, of which he is now secretary and treasurer, secretary of the Associated Advertising Clubs of Iowa, and is a member of the Commercial Club and the Waveland Golf Club. He is a typical young man of the present day, alert and enterprising, seeking for the expansion of business affairs and developing his interests along substantial lines, which are based upon close application, un- faltering industry, and a thorough understanding of business conditions of the present day.
JOHN P. LAYMAN.
Closely associated for many years with the progress of Des Moines and vicinity, John P. Layman earned the gratitude of all lovers of the capital city by his services in uncovering great resources in this region which previously to his time had lain concealed underground. He was the discoverer of No. 3 vein in the coal deposit and was also instrumental in bringing about many im- provements and leading to many discoveries in horticulture and fruit-growing which have been of great practical value to central Iowa. ' He was born at Put- namville, Indiana, July 29, 1837, a son of Albert G. and Jane (Howe) Layman, the mother being a daughter of Judge Howe of Albany. New York.
John P. Layman received the rudiments of education in the public schools of his native state and as he grew to manhood became well versed in science, literature and politics, acquiring an unusually thorough education which he sup- plemented by wide reading for many years. He studied law and was admitted to the bar, engaging quite successfully in practice. However, his plans were interfered with by the Civil war, as he felt it his duty to assist to the extent of his ability in upholding the Union. He enlisted in Company C, One Hundred and Forty-ninth Indiana Volunteers, and advanced to the first lieutenancy, taking part in many of the great battles and movements of the war. He was wounded
J. P. LAYMAN
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in the lungs, the injury inducing heart disease, from which he suffered at times during the remainder of his life.
After the close of the war Mr. Layman took up his permanent residence in Des Moines, having previously visited this city. In 1851 his father purchased a large farm in Polk county in the immediate vicinity of the city and four years later he and a brother spent two years upon the farm making improvements.
After adopting Des Moines as his home he devoted considerable attention to the property interests of the family and also engaged in farming upon his own account.
Through reading and observation he came to the conclusion that the coal deposits of the district had not been thoroughly explored. The No. 2 vein was being mined at a loss and, believing that even more valuable deposits might be found at greater depth, Mr. Layman purchased the necessary machinery and discovered a seven foot vein, which became known as No. 3 vein, and he suc- ceeded in locating two valuable mines upon the family property. In his business he was associated with his brother E. H., and together they platted forty acres on Clark avenue, a portion of which was disposed of as building lots. The brother moved to San Diego, California, in 1899. John P. Layman devoted a great deal of time to horticulture. "He was a lover of roses and his home was beautifully ornamented with the choicest varieties of flowers. He also gave much attention to the development of various varieties of cherries and intro- duced a hardy peach, which proved very successful in this climate. He was also a grower of Jonathan and Grimes' Golden apples upon a scale which had not been attained previously and met with success in the raising of pears.
On the 9th of March, 1881, at Greencastle, . Indiana, Mr. Layman was united in marriage to Miss Jennie Torr, a graduate of De Pauw University of the class of 1876. By this union two children were born : Mrs. Julia Lybyer, who now makes her home with her mother; and Isabella Rose, deceased in infancy. Mrs. Layman is a woman of fine business and executive ability and is in charge of the real-estate interests of the family. She has built twelve residences in the city, and is the owner of a farm north of Des Moines through which the inter- urban line runs. She has had the soil of this farm analyzed, the result showing that a portion of it is adapted for the manufacture of sewer pipe, a vein of clay eighty feet thick having been traced across the entire farm, making this tract of land exceptionally valuable. Both she and her daughter are members of the Des Moines Woman's Club.
Mr. Layman was called away December 10, 1903, at the age of sixty-six years. He was a resident of Des Moines for about forty years and he left behind a memeory which will long be cherished by those with whom he associated. He was never a member of any religious denomination but was a liberal con- tributor to churches and friendly to all movements that aimed to ameliorate the ills of humanity. Politically he was in sympathy with the republican party, and socially he was identified with the Grand Army of the Republic.
DONALD R. GUTHRIE.
A life which has been governed by high principles and devoted in a large measure to the promotion of the best interests of others has attracted many friends to Donald R. Guthrie, of Des Moines. He is identified with the real-estate and insurance business and has attained a measure of success which indicates splendid adaptability to his calling and also proves that he has made use of a liberal amount of energy and discrimination. He was born in Des Moines September 12, 1880, the son of A. W. and Louisa (Penn) Guthrie, the latter of whom was born in Ohio, December 21, 1845. The father was born in Lancaster county, Pennsyl- Vol. II-22
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vania, September 25, 1845. He was an attorney and a dealer in real estate in East Des Moines for thirty-eight years, where he died March 24, 1909.
There were nine children in the family of Mr. and Mrs. Guthrie, three of whom died before reaching maturity. The others are: Minnie L., now at home ; George W., now living in Oregon, who is married and was formerly a missionary in India, returning to this country on account of failing health; Charles P., who is engaged in the real-estate business with his brother in Des Moines; Arthur J., who is married and living in Des Moines; Donald R., the subject of this re- view; and Stella, the wife of Harry Goodrich, boys' secretary of the Young Men's Christian Association of Des Moines.
Donald R. Guthrie received his preliminary education in the public schools of Des Moines and later attended the Iowa Wesleyan University at Mount Pleas- ant. He began his active career as a Sunday-school missionary in Keokuk and Washington counties, Iowa, continuing in this work for two years. Returning to Des Moines, he entered the real-estate and insurance business and maintains offices at No. 420 East Fifth street. He handles Des Moines properties and Iowa lands and is recognized as one of the most capable young men in these lines in the city.
In 1904 Mr. Guthrie was united in marriage to Miss Mary Belle Tillitt, who was born at Boone, Iowa, April 26, 1885, a daughter of Rev. B. C. Tillitt, for many years a minister of the Congregational church, and now deceased. The maiden name of the mother was Elizabeth Annetta Joice. Three children have blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Guthrie: Donald Joice, born November 21. 1905; Mary Louise, born June 15, 1908; and Genevieve Tillitt, born February 7, 1910, and who died July .2 of the same year.
Mr. Guthrie has devoted considerable attention to the study of political and social problems, being a constant reader and thinker, and as the result of his in- vestigations he accepts the platform of the prohibition party. He regards the saloon as the greatest menace to modern society and accordingly casts his ballot in behalf of the elimination of the liquor traffic. In religious views he finds him- self in harmony with the Methodist church and is a valued member of that or- ganization and a liberal contributor toward its support. While at college he joined the Beta Theta Pi fraternity and he still retains membership in that so- ciety. He is a man of large social instincts and is widely known in the city of his birth on account of his manly characteristics of courage, energy and per- severance.
EDWIN F. BOURNE.
For a period of more than forty years Edwin F. Bourne has been actively identified with the commercial activities of Des Moines. A native of this state he was born in Clinton on the IIth of December, 1858, a son of George W. Bourne and a direct descendant of Captain Bourne, who came from England in 1714 and located in Maine, from which state later members of the family went to the front during the Revolution. The father was born in Kennebunk, Maine. but migrated to Iowa in an early day, entering the adjutant general's department of state until his retirement in 1880. Mr. Bourne passed away in 1903 and was laid to rest in Woodlawn cemetery.
When Edwin F. Bourne was a lad of six years his parents removed to Daven- port, Iowa, later coming to Des Moines. His education was acquired in the pub- lic schools and after completing the course of same he entered the employ of Keys. Thompson & Reeves in the capacity of errand boy, remaining there four years. Subsequently he entered the service of Mason & Company, as shipping clerk, continuing in that position two years, at the expiration of which period he was put on the road as salesman. After having been identified with the latter occu-
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pation four years he went with the American Express Company as driver, but withdrew from this at the end of six months to become an employe of the United States Express Company. He served in various capacities until 1892, at which time he was made traveling auditor, retaining that office for ten years thereafter. A competent business man and trustworthy employe, the company rewarded his faithful discharge of duties in 1902 by making him the head of the city office of Des Moines, which position he still occupies.
On the IIth of December, 1884, Mr. Bourne and Miss Florence Hartung were united in marriage. Their religious views accord with those of the Baptist de- nomination, with which church they are identified by membership, while fra- ternally Mr. Bourne affiliates with the Masonic order, being a past master of Pioneer Lodge, No. 22, A. F. & A. M., and the Ancient Order of United Workmen.
Mr. Bourne accords his political support to the republican party, as he con- siders that its policy is best adapted to protect the united interests of the public, but never having aspired to official honors he does not actively participate in civic affairs of a governmental nature.
ALEXANDER M. LINN, M. D.
The consensus of public opinion accords to Dr. Alexander M. Linn a posi- tion of distinction as a representative of the medical profession in Des Moines. In this connection high official honors have been conferred upon him, while a liberal practice is also accorded him. His ability is constantly increasing because of his close and thorough investigation into the realms of knowledge bearing upon health and his practice is conducted along the most scientific lines. He was born in Brownsville, Fayette county, Pennsylvania, February 16, 1854. His father, Andrew Linn, also a native of Pennsylvania, was of Scotch-Irish descent. Having arrived at years of maturity, he wedded Ruth Ann Bailey and in the spring of 1865 he removed with his family to Iowa, settling near Mount Pleas- ant, where he secured a tract of land and engaged in farming up to the time of his retirement, his last days being spent in the enjoyment of well earned rest. During the period of the Civil war he was a stanch and stalwart advocate of the Union cause but the condition of his health prevented him from going to the front. He died in February, 1909, at the venerable age of eighty-six years, and is still survived by his widow, who is now eighty-one years of age.
Dr. Linn, a youth of eleven years when the family came to Iowa, supple- mented his public school education by study in Howell's Academy at Mount Pleasant and also in the Wesleyan University, from which he was graduated with the class of 1877. He afterward engaged in teaching school and his ability in that direction is indicated in the fact that he was chosen principal of the schools at Winfield, Iowa, and so served for several years, but he regarded this merely as an initial step to other professional labor and took up the study of medicine. It was after commencing his studies that he was appointed county superintendent of schools in Henry county, Iowa, in January, 1879, and served during 1880 and 1881. On retiring from the office, which he had acceptably filled, he resumed the study of medicine and entered the Hahnemann Medical College of Chicago, from which he was graduated in 1883 with the valedictorian honors of his class.
The same year Dr. Linn located for practice in Des Moines and in his chosen field of labor has met with gratifying and creditable success. He keeps in touch with the onward progress of the profession through his membership in the Des Moines Medical Society, the Iowa State Homeopathic Medical Society and the American Institute of Homeopathy and his prominence in professional cir-
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cles is indicated in the fact that he was honored with election to the presi- dency of his state society in 1905. He had been president of the Missouri Val- ley Homeopathic Medical Society in 1903 and from 1901 until 1910 was a member of and president of the state board of health and president of the board of medical examiners. He was also assistant surgeon of the Third Regiment of the Iowa National Guard for several years and performed all of the duties of these various connections in addition to the work of a large private practice, such as has been accorded him throughout almost the entire period of his residence in Des Moines.
In 1887 Dr. Linn was married to Miss Emma Work, who died in 1892, and in 1896 he wedded Elizabeth Guyer. They have one son, Alexander, now twelve years of age. Dr. Linn is a member of Capital Lodge, A. F. & A. M., and the Knights Templar commandery. He is greatly interested in the moral progress of the community and for fifteen years has served on the board of directors of the Young Men's Christian Association. He has also been a member of the board of directors of the First Methodist church for the past twenty years and for twenty-five years was teacher of the same class in the Sunday school. Progress might well be termed the keynote of his character. It is manifest not only in his professional connections but in his service in behalf of his fellowmen and especially in his church and kindred work. He stands for all that is best for the individual and for humanity at large and even the physician's close study of human nature has never caused him to lose his faith in the ultimate triumph of good.
CHARLES P. BAGG.
Among the more recent adjuncts to the commercial fraternity of Des Moines must be numbered Charles P. Bagg, who in conjunction with two of his brothers is conducting a general store at the corner of Ninth street and Park avenue. One of Iowa's sons he was born in Polk county on the 4th of April, 1867, his par- ents being William G. and Persis (Brooks) Bagg, natives of Massachusetts. Migrating to Iowa in 1856 they located upon an unimproved farm which Mr. Bagg had purchased in Adair county and in the cultivation of which he engaged for eight years. Disposing of his property at the expiration of that period he bought eighty acres in Bloomfield township, Polk county, upon which they re- sided until 1871, when, selling this property, they removed to a fruit farm con- taining thirty-five acres in the same township. After operating this for several years he engaged in the manufacture of brick, with which industry he continued to be identified until he passed away on the Ioth of January, 1888. During the latter years of his life he erected and sold many residences upon speculation. Mrs. Bagg survived him four years, her demise occurring on the 6th of June, 1892.
Reared upon the old homestead, Charles P. Bagg acquired his education in the district and public schools of Polk county, graduating from the West high school of Des Moines in the class of 1885. After completing his education he engaged in the fruit growing industry until 1893, remaining at home until after the demise of his mother, at which time he opened a grocery store at the corner of Ninth and Park avenue. After conducting this for one year his brother, Harry D., went into partnership with him and they continued the business until 1908, when a third brother, Arthur G., also became interested. Since that date the three have been engaged together and by means of their united capital have very largely increased their stock, which is now a general one. They have been unusually successful in their undertaking, owing to the good judgment they dis- play in the selection of their stock, the personnel of their employes and the gra- cious and accommodating manner they themselves show to all patrons. They
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have the advantage of owning their building, which is a two-story brick struct- ure most admirably adapted to the purposes for which it is used.
Mr. Bagg was married to Miss Elizabeth Fletcher in June, 1902. Mrs. Bagg was a daughter of Joseph and Sarah Fletcher, natives of Scotland but for many years residents of Spring Hill, Nova Scotia, where the father was identified with the coal business. They removed to Des Moines in 1895, where they continue to reside the father being sixty and the mother fifty-eight years of age. Five children have been born unto Mr. and Mrs. Bagg. The two eldest, however, Fletcher and Joseph, passed away in infancy. The others are: Persis S., aged six ; William D., who is four years of age; and Eldridge P., who has passed his second anniversary. The family affiliate with the Presbyterian church, while fraternally Mr. Bagg is identified with the American Brotherhood of Yeomen. They live on South Ninth street, where they own a very comfortable and pleasant residence. In addition to this property Mr. Bagg has a highly improved five acre tract in Bloomfield township and two residences on Boulder avenue, which he rents.
A stanch republican, Mr. Bagg always gives his support to the men and measures of that party. He takes an active interest in politics and has served as a member of the school board, while at the present time he has charge of the Park avenue postoffice. Having spent his entire life in Polk county he has a wide circle of acquaintances, by the majority of whom he is accorded the more intimate term of friend.
LLOYD B. COON.
By birth, education and natural talent Lloyd B. Coon, of Des Moines, was adapted for the pharmaceutical profession, and the gratifying success he has achieved is an indication that he followed the right course in early identifying himself with the drug business. He was born at Detroit, Michigan, December 24, 1873, a son of S. H. and Hattie (Davenport) Coon, the latter of whom was born in Michigan about the year 1844. She is now deceased. The father was born in New York state about 1843 and died in 1898, being then past middle life. He early became connected with the drug business and devoted his attention to it during the greater part of his active career.
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