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 64

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 64

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GEORGE A. FIELD.

George A. Field, the treasurer of the Wheeler Lumber, Bridge & Supply Com- pany at Des Moines, is one of the prominent and enterprising young business men of the city. His birth occurred in Carson, Iowa, on the 6th of May, 1882, his parents being Leslie S. and Ella T. (Adams) Field. The first of the Field family to come to this country was from England, having crossed the Atlantic with Burgoyne's army to fight against the colonists. He afterward settled in Vermont. The maternal ancestors of our subject, however, fought for Amer- ican independence and the family has ever been a patriotic and loyal one. his grandfather, John T. Adams, of Ottumwa, Iowa, having been a soldier of both the Mexican and Civil wars. The father, Leslie S. Field, now a retired lumber- man, was born in Richford, Vermont, on the 22d of May, 1846, while the mother first saw the light of day at Ottumwa, Iowa, on the 13th of August, 1850. They reared a famly of seven chldren, namely: John A., who is a resident of Des Moines ; Arthur L., who is married and likewise resides in Des Moines; Pearl I .. the wife of Thomas Daylor, of South Dakota; George A., the subject of this review ; Herbert O., who is principal of a high school at Missouri Valley, Iowa ; Richard H., a resident of Kansas City; and Harry W., at home.

George A. Field obtained his early education in the common schools of his native town and was graduated from the high school at Britt, Iowa, in 1899. Since leaving school and entering the business world he has been continuously identified with the Wheeler Lumber Company of Des Moines, being gradually promoted as he demonstrated his ability and fidelity, until he is now the manager of this important concern. The headquarters of the firm, now known as the Wheeler Lumber, Bridge & Supply Company, are at Des Moines and about two hundred and fifty men are employed in the conduct of the business. One of their branches is located at Littell, Washington, where they have a lumber mill as well as their own railroad and all necessary appurtenances. Another branch has been established at Wittenberg, Wisconsin, where the company owns

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a cedar plant and store, while at Whittemore, Iowa, they have a retail yard. They likewise own and operate the Globe Coal Company of Des Moines, with mines at Runnells, Iowa. The concern has a sales office at Lincoln, Nebraska. as well. The Des Moines plant covers about a block and a half and constitutes one of the leading business enterprises of the city. In his managerial capacity Mr. Field has displayed keen discrimination and sound judgment and his efforts have contributed in large measure to the continued growth and success of the business.

On the 7th of October, 1908, Mr. Field was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary Ryan, a native of Des Moines and a daughter of Peter and Mary Ryan. Our subject and his wife have one son, John Leslie, whose natal day was September 20, 1910.

Mr. Field gives his political allegiance to the republican party and holds . membership in the Commercial Club, the Iowa State Traveling Men's Association, the Illinois Commercial 'Men's Association and the Hoo Hoos. He is a lover of literature and derives much pleasure and recreation from his books. He has gained a creditable measure of prosperity for one of his years and fate seems to hold in store for him a bright future.

JOHN W. RAY.

In enumerating the citizens of Des Moines who are identified with the com- mercial interests of the city mention must be made of John W. Ray, who is the head of Ray Brothers Mercantile Company, one of the well known enterprises of South Des Moines. A native of England, his birth occurred in County Dur- ham on the 25th of March, 1853, his parents being Thomas and Jane (Adey) Ray. The father, who was originally from Northumberland, emigrated to the United States in 1854, locating in Coal Valley, Illinois, where he worked in the mines for six years. Returning to the mother country at the end of that time he remained there until 1870, at which time he again came to the United States. bringing with him his wife and family. Settling in Illinois, he continued to reside there until 1884, when he removed to Iowa, taking up his residence in Boone county. Later he came to Des Moines, in which city he was living when he passed away in 1892. Mrs. Ray, who was born in 1827, continues to reside in the capital city, making her home with her sons.

John W. Ray acquired his education in the common schools of his native land, laying aside his school books as soon as he was old enough to work in the mines with his father. After becoming a citizen of the United States he con- tinued to follow mining until 1884, at which time he engaged in the mercantile business in Boone county. He was identified with the commercial interests of that county for four years. At the expiration of that period. however, he came to Des Moines, where in connection with his brothers he established the Ray Brothers Mercantile Company in the south part of the city. This has been a most successful venture, being one of the leading business enterprises of the vicinity in which it is located. Mr. Ray is also president of the Warrick Coal Company, as well as being interested in various other financial enterprises of the city.

The marriage of Mr. Ray and Miss Mary E. Irwin was solemnized in Cable. Illinois, on the 27th of May, 1880, and they have become the parents of four children: William E., who was born in Rapid City, Illinois, in June, 1881, and is now a grocer in Des Moines; Gladys, who was born in 1887 and is the wife of a Mr. Doll, of Boone county, Iowa; Hazel. who was born in 1890, and is liv- ing at home; and Irwin, who was born in 1895 and is now attending the West high school.

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The family affiliate with the Methodist church, while fraternally Mr. Ray is identified with the Masonic order and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. In politics he affiliates with the democratic party and always takes an active and helpful interest in civic affairs. He is now serving as a member of the school board. During the twenty years of his residence here he has acquired quite extensive real-estate interests, all of which were acquired through the capable management of his commercial investments. He is well and favorably known among the business men of the city. Their regard and esteem is accorded him because of his high principles and honorable business transactions.

HENRY JOSIAH GRISWOLD.

Henry Josiah Griswold, who has been engaged in the real-estate business in Des Moines since January, 1903, is well known in Polk county and in other parts of the state, having served with great credit in the state legislature for three sessions in the lower house and two in the senate. He is a man with a broad and intelligent outlook-one who has gained a large amount of practical informa- tion by contact with the world, and who has made good use of those opportunities for advancement which come to every individual but are recognized by com- paratively few. He was born at Janesville, Wisconsin, November 13, 1858, a son of Harvey and Mary E. ( Dillenbeck) Griswold, the former of whom was born in Saratoga county and the latter in Montgomery county, New York. The family came to Iowa about 1863 and settled near Winthrop, in Buchanan county. Here the father engaged in farming for many years. He died December 25. 1883.

At the age of five years Henry J. Griswold arrived in Iowa with his parents. He received his early education in the district schools and at the age of seventeen years had advanced sufficiently in his studies to be awarded a certificate as a teacher. He taught in country schools for three years and then became inter- ested in the mercantile business, in which he engaged for a short time until his health compelled him to seek outdoor employment. In 1882 he went to Plank- inton, South Dakota, and entered a half section of government land, upon which he spent two years. While "holding down" his claim he took a census of the county, surveyed and divided the civil townships and located the school districts of the county. His health being restored he returned to Iowa and engaged in the lumber business at Winthrop, where he became proprietor of a flourishing mercantile concern. In 1893 he was elected to the state legislature and performed his duties so acceptably that two years later he was reelected without opposition. In 1901 he was elected to the senate. His standing in the general assembly was such that in 1896 his name was prominently mentioned for the speakership of the house. He served as chairman of several important committees during his term of office and in other responsible positions, his vote and influence being at all times in accord with what appeared to him to be the best interests of the people. Formerly he took an active part in politics and, in 1897, accomplished good work for the republican party as member of the state central committee. Since coming to Des Moines he has given his attention mainly to business and has developed a liberal patronage, bringing him substantial financial reward.

On the 24th of January, 1884, Mr. Griswold was married, at Winthrop, to Miss Marie J. Risk, and two children came to bless this union: Gracie E., born November 15, 1884, and who is married to Leslie G. Berry ; and Dale A., born March 15, 1890, and now a student at Drake University College of Law.

In religious belief Mr. Griswold adheres to the Congregational faith and is a valued member of Plymouth church of Des Moines. Fraternally he affiliates with the Masonic order, with whose principles he is in hearty accord. He has

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through life been active and capable in his undertakings and has always been controlled by a desire to promote the best interests of his fellowmen. Having acquired a competence he now enjoys the fruits of many years' exertions and also the respect of a large circle of friends and acquaintances in central Iowa.

WILLIAM STEVENSON, M. D.

Throughout the years of his connection with the medical profession Dr. Will- iam Stevenson has practiced continuously in Des Moines. He has been medical director of the National Life Association since its inception in 1900 and since 1908 has devoted his entire time to it. Dr. Stevenson was born in Scotland on the 7th of May, 1858, his parents being James and Mary (Reid) Stevenson, also natives of that country. In the public schools his education was begun and was continued in Aberdeen University. He afterward went to St. Vincent in the West Indies and became connected with the operation of a sugar plantation for three years but believing that still broader opportunities could be had in the United States, he arrived in New York in September, 1884, and for some time thereafter was employed as a reporter on the Newark (New Jersey) Evening News, filling that position during the first Cleveland campaign. He then turned his attention to the life insurance business, in which he was engaged in Newark, later in Brooklyn, New York, and afterward in Kansas City, Missouri.

In 1890 he took up the study of medicine at the University Medical College of Kansas City and later enrolled as a student in Drake University, being grad- uated from the medical department here with the class of 1894. He at once opened an office in Des Moines for the general practice of medicine. In 1895 he was appointed lecturer on materia medica in the medical department of Drake University and later professor of materia medica and therapeutics and dean of the pharmacy department of that institution, from which position he resigned in 1905 on account of the pressure of private business. In 1908 he retired from the general practice of medicine and has since devoted his entire time to insurance work as medical director of the National Life Association. He belongs to the Polk County Medical Society, the Iowa State Medical Society and the American Medical Association and his close conformity to a high standard of professional ethics has ever gained for him the high regard of his brethren of the medical fraternity.

In 1891, in Kansas City, Dr. Stevenson was married to Mrs. Martha M. (Tharpe) Cunningham, a native of Louisiana. The hospitality of many of the best homes of the city is freely accorded them and Dr. Stevenson is a valued and prominent member of the Grant and Hyperion Clubs, his social qualities and liberal culture making him a congenial companion.

OLIVER W. HAZARD.

Oliver W. Hazard, who in 1880 opened the first mercantile brokerage office in the state of Iowa, has been successfully engaged in business at Des Moines during the intervening years. His birth occurred in Boston, Massachusetts, on the 10th of January, 1841, his parents being Samuel L. and Olivia (Woodman) Hazard. The father, a native of Liverpool, England, came to the United States with his parents about 1813 when five years of age. The mother was a descend- ant of the early colonists in Maine, her grandfather participating in the Revo- lutionary war, while her brother took part in the Civil war as colonel of the

DR. WILLIAM STEVENSON

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Third Maine Cavalry. She was a first cousin of Major General Otis O. How- ard, Brigadier General Charles H. Howard and Major S. P. Lee.

After completing his studies in the common schools Oliver W. Hazard pur- sued a business course and when about eighteen years of age accompanied his uncle to New Orleans, Louisiana, where he became identified with mercantile interests as an employe in a wholesale drug house. In 1865 he went upon the road as salesman for a company engaged in the wholesale grocery business and also in the manufacture of canned goods. In 1876 he came to Des Moines, Iowa, but continued to represent eastern houses as a traveling salesmen until 1880. In that year he opened a mercantile brokerage office here-the first of its kind in the state. He controls the complete output of the Columbia River Packing Association for Iowa and also of the Griffin & Skally Company, having held their account continuously for twenty-four years. In business affairs he has always displayed sound judgment and keen discrimination, and the success that he has achieved is well merited.

In 1906 Mr. Hazard was united in marriage to Mrs. Ida May (Jester) Mc- Carty, the widow of James McCarty. She is a member of the Woman's Club of Des Moines, the Young Woman's Christian Association and the Christian church. Mr. Hazard was made the first president of the Iowa State Travelers Association and served as treasurer of the organization for seven years. He belongs to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and is a demitted mem- ber of the Masonic fraternity. He spends his winters in California and, though he has now passed the Psalmist's allotted span of three score years and ten, is still youthful in spirit and in appearance.

THOMAS PARSONS BOND, M. D.

Dr. Thomas Parsons Bond, who has been engaged in the practice of medicine in Des Moines for several years, was born in Cass county, Michigan, on the 9th of March, 1863, being a son of Thomas Faxon and Clara (Farnam) Bond. Dr. Bond is of English extraction, being the ninth descendant on the paternal side of Thomas and Joane Faxon, the former having been born in the mother coun- try about 1601, migrating from there to America in 1640 and locating in Brain- tree, Massachusetts, from which colony many of his descendants later partici- pated in the Revolution. The maternal ancestors were the Rev. Thomas and Mary Carter, who located in Woburn, Massachusetts, about 1640. Thomas Faxon Bond was a veteran of the Civil war, having enlisted on the 5th of Sep- tember, 1862, in Company A, of the Nineteenth Michigan Infantry. He was captured by the enemy on the 5th of the following March and consigned to Libby prison at Richmond, Virginia, but was paroled on the 15th of April and exchanged about the middle of July. On the 20th of May, 1864, he was wounded, but continued in the service until the 29th of April, 1865, when he was mustered out. He passed away on the 6th of February, 1875.

Being reared in the country Dr. Bond obtained his early education in the district schools of his native county, after which he graduated from the high school of Decatur, Van Buren county. His first work was in civil engineering, with which vocation he was identified in 1881-2. Subsequently he engaged in various lines of activity and in 1893 entered the Y. M. C. A. training school at Springfield, Massachusetts. Having decided to take up the profession of medi- cine in 1898 he matriculated at the Wisconsin College of Physicians and Sur- geons, from which institution he received his degree in 1902. Following his graduation he established an office in Des Moines where he has ever since con- tinued to practice.

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On the 26th of July, 1892, at Arcola, Illinois, Dr. Bond was united in mar- riage to Miss Mary A. Dillingham. Her father, the Rev. J. H. Dillingham, was a Presbyterian minister, having pursued his academic work at Hamilton College and his theological course at Auburn Theological Seminary. He died May 21, 1898. Four children were born of this union: Wilbert White, Edwin Roy and Thomas Arthur, all living; and Edward, who died in infancy.

The family affiliate with the Presbyterian church, in the work of which they take an active and helpful interest. His political allegiance Dr. Bond always accords the republican party, giving his support to the men and measures of that body, but as he has never aspired to official honors he does not actively partici- pate in civic affairs. He is a member of the Polk County and State Medical Socie- ties and the American Medical Association.

L. C. DEETS.

L. C. Deets, who is now engaged in the real-estate and insurance business in Des Moines, is a native of Ohio, born in Lamartine, September 3, 1860, and is a son of Adam and Anna (Flory) Deets. The Deets family is of Holland origin but was founded in Pennsylvania at an early period. The Flory family is of German lineage and was established in the Keystone state during the early part of the seventeenth century. Adam Deets, father of L. C. Deets, was born in Ohio and through much of his life conducted business as a contractor. At the time of the Civil war he joined Company A of the Eightieth Ohio Infantry and participated in the battles of Vicksburg and Gettysburg, and was with Sherman on the celebrated march to the sea. He also participated in a number of minor engagements and was honorably discharged at the close of the war, having faithfully defended the interests of the Union for three years. He died April 2, 1896, having for a number of years survived his wife, who passed away in October, 1877.

L. C. Deets was a pupil in the common schools of Lamartine, Ohio, and afterward in the Holbrook Normal University at Lebanon, Ohio, where he pursued a business course. Putting aside his text-books at the age of twenty years, his first position was with F. L. Ingmon, a dealer in books and stationery at Villisca, Iowa. This was in 1881, and he there continued until 1885. In the spring of the latter year he came to Des Moines and accepted a position as traveling salesman with the firm of F. Hooker & Company, wholesale jewelers. with whom he remained until March. 1889. He then formed a partnership with M. M. Baker and F. J. Craig, at which time they opened a wholesale fruit and produce business in this city conducting their enterprise under the name of the Iowa Fruit and Produce Company. A year later Mr. Deets sold his interest and withdrew from the firm. He then turned his attention to the wholesale and retail oil business, which he carried on under the style of the Crystal Oil Com- pany of Des Moines, devoting his energies thereto for a period of five years. He next received a state appointment as deputy oil inspector of Des Moines and while engaged in this work also wrote insurance, continuing in both lines until August, 1905, when he was elected secretary and treasuer of the Iowa State Traveling Men's Association, which position he filled continuously until January, 19II, when he resigned. He added very materially to the growth of the asso- ciation, which, at the time he accepted the position, had a membership of twen- ty-two thousand and today has a membership of over forty thousand, being rep- resented in every state in the Union and in every civilized country on the face of the globe.

During the first half of the year 1904 Mr. Deets served Polk county in the position of deputy county treasurer but resigned after a few months. In poli-

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tits he has always been a stalwart republican of the progressive type, and while never seeking nor desiring office for himself, has ever taken an active interest in the work of electing good men to office. He is prominent in Masonry, hold- ing membership in Pioneer Lodge; A. F. & A. M., Des Moines Consistory, S. P. R. S. and Za-Ga-Zig Temple of the Mystic Shrine. He also belongs to the Ancient Order of United Workmen, to the Knights of Pythias, the American Yeomen, the Modern Brotherhood of America and the Homesteaders.

On the 16th of April, 1890, in Omaha, Nebraska, Mr. Deets was married to Miss Nellie Clark, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George Clark, of Omaha and a native of Redfield, Iowa, born July 22, 1856. They have become parents of two children : Helen, born July 30, 1891 ; and Grace, October 30, 1893. The parents are both members of the Central Presbyterian church in the work of which they are actively and helpfully interested, Mr. Deets now serving as pres- ident of the Men's Brotherhood. His social connections are with the Hyperion and Golf and Automobile Clubs. He is genial, always approachable, ever cour- teous and kindly, and his personal traits of character have given him a firm hold upon the affectionate regard of many friends.

ALICE HUMPHREY HATCH, M. D.

Association with the. Des Moines Homeopathic Medical Society, the Hahne- mann Medical Association of Iowa, and the American Institute of Hemeopathy, keep Dr. Alice. Humphrey Hatch in close association with the work that is being done by the prominent representatives of the medical profession of the school in which she practices and have augmented the ability which she acquired through her initial study in the Iowa State University.

She was born in Redfield, Iowa, March 30, 1864, a daughter of William C. and Mercy (Cheney) Humphrey, the former a native of Pennsylvania, and the latter of New York. Her father came with his family to Iowa in 1863 and for many years followed farming, but is now living retired in California. Both the paternal and maternal ancestors of Dr. Hatch came from England, the latter settling in Plymouth, Massachusetts, and it is supposed they were related to Miles Standish. Representatives of the name espoused the cause of the colon- ists at the time of the Revolutionary war and aided in the establishment of American independence.

In the country schools of Dallas county, Iowa, Dr. Hatch pursued her early education and later attended the State Normal until nineteen years of age. She then entered upon the profession of teaching in the country schools of Dallas county and also taught at Van Meter and at Adel, Iowa, remaining a capable and successful representative of that calling for ten years. Attracted, however, to the practice of medicine. in the fall of 1892 she entered the State University at Iowa City and began a course in medicine, which she completed in 1895, winning her professional degree upon her graduation in that year. She then located in Des Moines, where she has continued in general practice, although she specializes largely in the treatment of diseases of women and children. She has been a close and constant student of the science of medicine and the work being done by the eminent representatives of the homeopathic school of prac- tice and her increasing ability has brought her an extensive and gratifying patronage.

She is a member of the Professional Woman's League and, as previously stated, holds membership in the Des Moines Homeopathic Medical Society, the Hahnemann Medical Association of Iowa, and the American Institute of Homeo- pathy. She is also a member of the Woman's Clinical Society of Des Moines and a member of the staff of the Children's Home. She is devoted to her profes-

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sion, in which connection she does much charitable work and she enjoys a high position in public regard as a practitioner, enjoying at the same time the good will and confidence of her professional brethren.

On the 10th of October, 1900, in Redfield, Iowa, Alice Humphrey became the wife of John B. Hatch, who is engaged in the real-estate and brokerage bus- iness in Des Moines. Dr. Hatch is a member of the Plymouth Congregational church and finds time for benevolent and church work as well as social duties outside the path of her profession. She is a lady of strong intellectual attain- ments and of rare talent and enjoys an extensive practice, much of which comes from among Des Moines' best people.

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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 64

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