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 69

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 69

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In May, 1881, Dr. Miller became a member of the Iowa State Dental Society and has never missed one of its annual meetings since that time. In 1883 he

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joined the American Dental Association at Minneapolis. In 1886 this body was consolidated with the Southern Dental Association which then became known as the National, and he has retained membership therein without intermission to the present time. He is also an honorary member of several state dental societies and in 1896 was appointed by Governor Jackson as a member of the state dental examining board, which position he resigned in 1898 to organize the Des Moines College of Dental Surgery, now a department of Drake University. For four years he was dean of that school and succeeded in developing the department to equal rank with others of the university. He has been a valuable contributor to the literature of the profession and has written many papers for dental socie- ties which have awakened widespread interest. He is today the oldest established practitioner of dentistry in Des Moines and is accorded the high honor and re- spect to which his years of practice and ability entitle him. In the State Dental Society he has held all the offices except that of president and at this writing. in 1911, is filling the position of vice president.

On the 4th of October, 1878, Dr. Miller was married to Miss Elizabeth Baird. who was born in Philadelphia July 19, 1857. Her father, William Baird, was a farmer, and he and his wife, who bore the maiden name of Martha J. Stewart, were both natives of Ireland. Dr. and Mrs. Miller have two children: Abbie, who was born at Harlan, Iowa, now the wife of Dr. J. H. McGuire, of Highland Park, and the mother of three children, Elizabeth, Jean Stewart and Jack Miller. The son, Dr. Ray G. Miller, is a graduate of Drake University and is now prac- ticing denistry with his father. He married Ellen Hillis and has one child, Hillis.

The office of Dr. Miller and his son is a beautiful suite of rooms in the Citi- zens Banking building, splendidly equipped for the conduct of their practice which has long been extensive and of a most important character. In his political views Dr. Miller is a stanch republican, and fraternally he is connected with the Ma- sons, having joined the blue lodge in Winterset in 1881. He became an Odd Fellow in the same year, has filled all of the offices in the lodge except the state offices, and has been a representative to the Grand Lodge for two years. He like- wise belongs to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of which he is past exalted ruler. Social and fraternal affairs have constituted an interest in the life of Dr. Miller, yet at all times his chief thought has been his profession in which he has made steady progress, not only resulting to his own benefit but to that of the dental fraternity as well because of his valuable contributions to the literature of the profession. He has ever held to high ideals in his professional service and his ability places him in a prominent position among Iowa's dentists.

WALTER ST. JOHN. .

Walter St. John, a well known insurance agent of Des Moines, has repre- sented the Equitable Life Insurance Company here for the past eight years. His birth took place in Des Moines on the 3d of October, 1877, his parents being J. M. and Angeline (Sleeth) St. John. The father, an attorney by profession, was born in Clarksville, Ohio, in 1837, while the mother's birth occurred in the Buckeye state in 1834. They had nine children, seven of whom are yet living, as follows: Rose, the wife of Frank Rall; Charles, who is a resident of South Dakota ; Maud and Jessie, both at home; Walter, of this review ; and Angie and Jacob, who are likewise still under the parental roof.

Walter St. John was educated in the grammar and high schools of Des Moines, and after putting aside his text-books entered the employ of the Des Moines Drug Company, remaining with that concern for two years. Subsequently he entered the service of the Chamberlain Medicine Company, spending two years in Australia, Tasmania and New Zealand in the interests of the firm, while dur-

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ing the following two years he traveled for the company in the United States. He next became identified with the Equitable Life Insurance Company, which he has represented as general agent at Des Moines for the past eight years. He has thoroughly acquainted himself with the insurance business in principle and detail, understands fully its advantages and merits, and writes a large number of policies annually. His offices are in the Equitable building.

On the 3d of June, 1909, Mr. St. John was united in marriage to Miss Rose Wendermann. His political allegiance is given to the republican party, while in religious faith he is a Methodist. He is a director in the National Travelers Benefit Association and affiliated with the Iowa State Traveling Men's Asso- ciation in the same capacity, also of the Des Moines Commercial Club and the Grant Club His personal characteristics have gained for him the warm regard and friendship of many and he enjoys an enviable reputation as one of the pros- perous and representative residents of his native city.

HOMER R. PAGE, M. D.

Although he departed this life November 5, 1891, and twenty years have come and gone, Dr. Homer R. Page still occupies a place in the love and venera- tion of those who knew him in Des Moines. His kindly, genial nature invited confidence, and his friends will never willingly forget his unselfish service in behalf not only of individuals but of the community. He was a resident of this city for thirteen years and in that time acquired a reputation as one of its most trustworthy and competent practitioners, a man whose judgment could be safely relied upon and whose very presence at the bedside of a sufferer brought relief.

He was born at Milan, Erie county, Ohio, October 17, 1842, a son of Aaron Page, of New York state. At the age of ten years he moved with his parents to Iowa City, Johnson county, Iowa, and in the public schools he acquired 'his preliminary education. He was a bright pupil and even as a boy gave evidence of unusual powers of observation and reflection, clearly pointing to a profes- sional career. After leaving the public schools he became a student in Iowa College at Grinnell, Iowa, and continued for four years in that institution but did not graduate as he accepted a position as instructor at Western College, Linn county, Iowa. Here he continued for a year, at the end of which time he was graduated with the degree of A. B., having applied himself to the classical course.

He studied medicine under Dr. Lang, of Marshalltown, and Dr. Holyoke, of Grinnell, and entered the medical department of the State University at Iowa City, graduating with the degree of M. D. He began practice at New Sharon, Iowa, where he continued for seven years with a gratifying measure of success, coming to Des Moines in 1878, on account of the wider opportunities presented in this city. Here he soon established himself in a lucrative practice which grew to large proportions as the people became better acquainted with him, his skill receiving its merited recognition. He was a thorough student, a close observer and possessed an intuition as to the causes and effects of disease which greatly assisted him in his diagnosis. His time and talents were devoted with increasing success as the years passed to the relief of the physical ills of his fellowmen.

On the IIth of August, 1869, Dr. Page was united in marriage to Miss Hattie Frisbee, of Washington, Iowa, and three children were born to them: Lilian M., now Mrs. E. L. Dougherty; Addison C., who is a graduate of the College of Physicians and Surgeons, of Chicago, and of the Cook County

DR. HOMER R. PAGE

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Hospital, and is now a practicing physician of Des Moines; and Orville L., a mechanical engineer.

Dr. Page was too young at the oubtreak of the Civil war to take part in the conflict but in 1864 he served as a private for five months in Company B, Forty-sixth Iowa Infantry, enlisting at Grinnell. He was a firm believer in the Christian religion and held membership in the Baptist church. He was also identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He never allowed his private interests to interfere with his duty to his profession and was thoroughly conscientious in the discharge of his responsibilities both as a citizen and as a physician. Of him it may be said, he was a true man in every relation of life- one whose ability and personal worth contributed materially to the advancement of all with whom he was associated.

JAMES KNOX BARLOW.

In commercial circles of Des Moines the name of James Knox Barlow was well known, as for almost a quarter of a century he was connected with a retail mercantile establishment, the development and growth of which was the tangible expression of his business ability, close application and determined purpose. Moreover in all of his career there was not a single esoteric phase; on the con- trary he stood for that which is just and right in man's relations with his fellow- man and not only practiced honesty because it is the best policy, but because the principles which governed his career would have forbidden any other course. Ohio numbered him among her native sons, his birth having occurred in Sum- mit county on the 2d of February. 1845. His parents were Joseph and Mary (Bradley) Barlow, who in 1844 removed from Lee, Massachusetts, to Ohio, and after living in that state for about ten years came to Iowa in 1854, settling in the central part of the state where they took up goverment land. Their claim was located in Iowa county and with characteristic energy the father began imme- diately to cultivate and improve his property, making his home thereon until his death, which occurred in 1865. His wife also passed away upon the old home- stead farm in the same year.

James Knox Barlow was reared upon that farm amid the wild scenes, envi- ronment and experiences of pioneer life, having been but nine years of age when the family came to this state. After attending the public schools at Grinnell he entered the University of Iowa at Iowa City and had almost completed his course when he put aside his text-books in order to enter mercantile life. He was for twenty-seven years engaged in the clothing business, of which twenty-four years were spent in Des Moines. He conducted a well equipped establishment, having a large line of goods that proved attractive to his many patrons. In fact he was recognized as one of the leading retail merchants of East Des Moines and his business grew in volume and importance with the passing years until his annual sales reached extensive proportions. At length, however, ill health compelled his retirement and the last seven years of his life were, perforce, spent without any business connection.

On the 15th of December, 1870, at Victoria, Iowa, Mr. Barlow was united in marriage to Miss Lucy C. Titus, a daughter of Harmon Titus, of St. John's, Province of Quebec. Her grandfather was a soldier of the Revolutionary war, enlisting with the Massachusetts troops. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Barlow were born four children : Ora E., the wife of Secretary J. C. Simpson, connected with the state agricultural department of Iowa for many years; Mrs. W. H. Nevins, of Springfield, Massachusetts : Everett James Barlow, a resident of Syracuse, New York; and La Verne M. Barlow, of the Iowa Trust & Savings Bank of Des Moines.

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In politics Mr. Barlow was always a republican from the time that age con- ferred upon him the right of franchise, and though he never sought nor desired office he was always loyal in matters of citizenship and never failed to give his support to those measures deemed essential to the general welfare. He was one of the oldest members of the East Des Moines Presbyterian church and long served as one of its elders, his entire service as church elder covering thirty-four years. He belonged to the Ancient Order of United Workmen, but the interests of home were to him greater than lodge and club relations. He departed this life September 22, 1905, after a long illness, and thus was terminated a record characterized by devotion to high ideals and based upon the principles of Chris- tian manhood. The consensus of public opinion placed him with the most hon- ored and valued residents of the capital city.

WILLIAM R. PROUTY.

William R. Prouty, president of the C. C. Prouty Company, wholesale gro- cers, is prominent among business men of Des Moines, having for many years been closely identified with the history of the city as a representative of one of its important commercial interests. He is a man of keen discrimination and sound judgment and his executive ability and excellent management have brought to the concern with which he is connected a large degree of success. The safe and conservative policy inaugurated at the outset commends itself to the judg- ment of all and has secured to the company a patronage which makes the vol- time of trade transacted of great importance and magnitude.

While a native of Ohio. William R. Prouty has spent almost his entire life in Jowa, having been brought to this state when only a few months old. He was born in Cumberland, Ohio, June II, 1858, a son of Russell and Nancy (Dun- bar) Prouty. The paternal ancestors came from England to the United States in 1667 and settled at Scituate, Massachusetts. The maternal ancetsors were also of English lineage and became residents of the old Bay state at an early day. In the year 1858 the father of William R. Prouty brought his family to Iowa, settling on a farm in Keokuk county. The greater part of his life was de- voted to agricultural pursuits but at the time of his death, which occurred Oc- tober 23, 1868, he resided in Oskaloosa. His wife, who was born in Massachu- setts in 1816, lived to the very advanced age of ninety-five years, her death oc- curring March 7, 1911, in Des Moines. In the family were eight children, the eldest being Edwin Prouty, a resident of Kansas City, Missouri. Emma, the second of the family, lives in Des Moines. Captain Cheney C. Prouty is deceased. George Prouty died during the Civil war while defending the interests of the Union at the front. Adelaide is the wife of J. R. Shawhan, a resident of Sigourney, Iowa. Mary Ella is the wife of J. D. Ferrell, a resi- dent of Lebanon, Missouri. Charles D. Prouty, a resident of Des Moines, is mentioned elsewhere in this volume.

William R. Prouty, whose name introduces this review, pursued his educa- tion in the public schools, continuing his course through successive grades until he became a high-school pupil. When he put aside his text-books he entered commercial circles as a clerk in a dry-goods store in Oskaloosa, there remaining for four years. In 1880 he came to Des Moines and was employed by the dry- goods house of W. K. Bird, with whom he continued for about one year, that establishment being then the leading dry-goods house of the city. He after- ward entered his brother's wholesale grocery house and soon was admitted to a partnership. He became vice president and general manager, which position he filled for eighteen years, and upon his brother's death was elected to the presi-

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dency of the company. He is also president and one of the stockholders of the Des Moines Drug Company.

On the 29th of November, 1902, Mr. Prouty was married in Des Moines to Miss Madge Wilson, a daughter of J. N. Wilson and a native of Minnesota. They have one child, Madge Wilson, born in Des Moines, April 9, 1908. Both Mr. and Mrs. Prouty have a large circle of warm friends in the capital city.

Mr. Prouty holds to the political principles advocated by the republican party, especially its progressive wing, but he has never sought nor desired office. He belongs to no secret societies but holds membership with the Golf and Coun- try, the New Des Moines and the Grant Clubs. Few men are more promi- nent or more widely known than Mr. Prouty, who has been an important factor in business circles for many years. His prosperity is well deserved, as in him are embraced the characteristics of unbending integrity, unabating energy and industry that never flags. He is public-spirited, giving his cooperation to every movement which tends to promote the moral. intellectual and material welfare of the community.

EDWARDS P. ANTHONY.

Edwards P. Anthony, who has been a resident of Des Moines for eleven years, during which time he has always been identified with the cycle business, was born in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, on the 20th of March, 1873. His parents were the Rev. J. P. and Salena (Diehl) Anthony, both natives of York, Pennsylvania, the father's birth having occurred on the 27th of January, 1843, and that of the mother in February, 1844. Mr. Anthony is a minister in the United Brethren church, having been identified with that vocation for more than fifty years.

Edwards P. Anthony was reared in the kindly atmosphere of a good home, acquiring his preliminary education in the public schools, after which he took a general course in Mercersburg and Lebanon Valley colleges. Following the completion of his education he went to Annville, Pennsylvania, and engaged in the bicycle business, continuing to be successfully identified with that enterprise for two years. At the expiration of that period he returned to his father's farm, where he engaged in agricultural pursuits until 1900, when he removed to Des Moines, having accepted a position with W. P. Chase, who was at that time engaged in the cycle business. He continued in the service of Mr. Chase until the latter disposed of his interests to Hopkins Brothers, with whom he continued as expert for three years thereafter. Having decided that he would establish a place of his own he resigned his position and again went into business for himself. This has proven to be a wise and profitable venture, as the under- taking has thrived, and he has not only enlarged his business but has also built a comfortable home.

In Annville, Pennsylvania, on the 30th of September, 1894, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Anthony and Miss Stella Kephart, a daughter of the Rev. C. J. and Sally (Perry) Kephart. Her father, who is also a minister of the United Brethren church, was at that time pastor of the church at Annville, but has since removed to Iowa. The following children have been born unto Mr. and Mrs. Anthony : Donald Clyde, whose birth occurred on the 9th of January, 1896; Mae Ruth, who was born on the 2d of January, 1897, now attending the Willard school; Edwards P., Jr., a student of the Sand Hill school, who was born on the 9th of July, 1901 ; Mabel Luetta, born on the 23d of August, 1906, also attending the Sand Hill school ; Rex Kephart, born on the Ist of December, 1909; and Frances Katherine, whose birth occurred on the 7th of April. 1910.

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The family affiliate with the United Brethren church, and fraternally Mr. Anthony is identified with the Modern Woodmen of America.

An ardent republican, Mr. Anthony always gives his support to the men and measures of that party, but never having aspired to public honors or the emolu- ments of office he does not actively participate in politics. He is quite an athlete and a bicycle rider of more than local reputation, having won a number of prizes in long distance contests.

SHEPHERD W. BETTS.

Since pioneer days the name of Betts has been closely connected with the development and progress of Polk county, and the respect and honor accorded its bearers has at all times been commensurate with their service. Shepherd W. Betts was born on the 8th of November, 1840, in Mercer county, Pennsylvania, the old home being located in the midst of a heavy forest in western Pennsylvania, near the Ohio line. His parents were Jeremiah J. and Elizabeth A. (Flaugh) Betts, also natives of the Keystone state, who migrated to Polk county, Iowa, in the spring of 1857, where they continued to reside thereafter until their death, with the exception of the summer of 1858, which was spent in Crawford county. At the time of their arrival the state was putting on the market a large quantity of school land, one hundred and twenty acres of which Mr. Betts bought and moved upon it a small frame house, in which the family lived for nine years. The land had to be cleared and broken, in which process he immediately engaged, and then planted corn and wheat, these grains constituting his entire first crop. He continued to cultivate that land until 1866, at which time he sold it and bought one hundred and seventy-five acres in another portion of Saylor township, build- ing a comfortable residence and adding many other necessary improvements. Although he afterward bought and sold other land, this always remained the homestead and it was here that he passed away on the 29th of January, 1898. Mrs. Betts survived him until the 17th of March, 1901, when she, too, died at the age of seventy-seven years. Of the fifteen children born to this worthy couple but six survive. They are as follows: James W., Shepherd W., M. C., J. L., Mary L. and Hannah; the third generation, however, is represented by thirty- five grandchildren.

It is to such men as Jeremiah J. Betts that the middle west is indebted for the educational and social development which has rapidly brought it to the fore. That his service was recognized is indicated by the following resolutions adopted by the grand jury and officers of Polk county on the occasion of his death :

Des Moines, Iowa, February 4, 1898 ..

Resolved : that we the grand jury and officials of Polk county do offer our condolence to the bereaved family of Uncle Jerry Betts of Saylor township, Polk county, Iowa, that we who have had almost a half century's acquaintance with Uncle Jerry know his sterling worth and his quiet, modest walk in life, the ready hand to help and generous hospitality in pioneer days to the new comer in want or sickness. We the younger knew his unobtrusive advice ; a counselor that sought not for his own gain, but how he might give the struggling young man a lift to better economy and surer prosperity ; a helper in time of need.

We all know that as an officer he was above reproach and honest to a cent. For years serving in many positions of trust and in some of but small return yet filled as faithfully as if for large remuneration. As postmaster for years, we, his neighbors and citizens of his community, appreciate the great fidelity to duty he exercised and the painstaking desire to accommodate all comers, and none ever did duty better. We know and feel that a useful citizen in ripe old age has gone

S. W. BETTS

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to his rest and we hope the good wife and mother may be comforted and find solace in her bereavement in Him, who has kept her and hers through these long years of trials and usefulness and bring her in His own good time to a peaceful rest, there to be with her loved companion who has gone before.

Signed : Amos W. Brandt

Samuel Smith

W. F. Conrad

J. G. Jordan

Truman Jones

E. J. Ellison

Thomas J. Stevenson

H. C. Murphy

E. D. Crow

Grant Henry

James A. Howe

Annie E. Hepburn

C. P. Holmes

J. E. Stout

John McLean

D. T. McQuiston

Charles A. Bishop

J. S. McQuiston

Shepherd W. Betts was seventeen years of age when his parents located in Iowa, the greater portion of his education, therefore, being acquired in the dis- trict schools of Mercer county, Pennsylvania. His early training was naturally along agricultural lines, as he remained a member of his father's household until after attaining his majority. He then decided that better opportunities were af- forded in other occupations, as farming in Iowa fifty years ago was not so lucra- tive a vocation as it is at the present time, and he engaged in hauling goods to and from Des Moines and the river towns. He had been following this business for several months when he gave it up to enter the army during the Civil war, re- maining away a year and then returning and again engaging in freighting. He continued in this work until the advent of the railroads, at which time he with- drew from it without having acquired the fortune it had seemed to promise in his boyhood dreams. In 1866 he rented land in Crocker township for a year and began farming. He afterward went to Dallas county, Iowa, where he rented land for four years, but while there suffered heavy losses by fire. He continued the cultivation of leased land for twenty-three years and during that period ac- quired sufficient capital to enable him to become a property owner, so that in 1889 he purchased two hundred and twenty-five acres, upon which he resided for a year. This land he had rented for seventeen years and it was through his in- dustry and economy that he was enabled to purchase the property. After selling that farm he bought one hundred acres on section 2, Saylor township, where he has since continued to live.

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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 69

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