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 71

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 71

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ARTHUR REYNOLDS.

The Reynolds family is well known in Iowa, the father having been promi- nent as a farmer, merchant and banker, and three of the sons are now presi- dents of national banks. Arthur Reynolds, the subject of this review, is presi- dent of the Des Moines National Bank; George M. Reynolds is president of the Continental and Commercial National Bank of Chicago; and M. M. Reynolds is president of the Guthrie County (Iowa) National Bank. The special ability of the father in finance was evidently inherited by the sons, the record being one scarcely duplicated by any other family in the entire country.

Arthur Reynolds is a native of Panora, Guthrie county, Iowa, born March 10, 1868, being a son of Elijah Jackson and Eliza (Anderson) Reynolds, the former of whom was born in Ohio and the latter in Indiana. Mr. Reynolds, Sr., was one of the early pioneers of Guthrie county. He located at Panora and became one of the leading men of the county, being widely known not only on account of his business talents, but because of his public spirit and his phil- anthropy. He served four terms as county treasurer and was one of the most esteemed citizens the county has known. He is deceased, but Mrs. Reynolds is still living. Of their children five survive, the three sons heretofore mentioned and two daughters. George M. Reynolds, president of the Continental and Commercial National Bank of Chicago, the second largest bank in the United States, is recognized as one of the leading bankers of America. He has served as president of the American Bankers Association, and in 1908 accompanied the United States monetary commission as adviser. In 1909 he declined the portfolio of secretary of the treasury in President Taft's cabinet.

Arthur Reynolds spent his early years on the home farm, where under his father he was taught the important lessons of industry, thrift and economy. He attended the public and high schools at Panora and also became a student of Iowa College at Grinnell, but did not complete the course. He was for ten years connected with the drug and jewelry business at Panora, devoting his personal attention to the store for one and one-half years. He was then employed by the Guthrie County National Bank at Panora, in which his father and brothers were interested, George M. Reynolds being cashier. Three years later he was

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elected assistant cashier of the bank, and subsequently cashier, when George M. was elected cashier of the Des Moines National Bank. One anu a half years later the brother George M. became president of the Des Moines National Bank and Arthur Reynolds was elected cashier of that institution. Two years later George M. Reynolds went to Chicago and the subject of this review was made president of the bank, a position he has held for the past eleven years. He is a large stockholder in the bank and is a director of the Home Savings Bank, the Guthrie County National Bank at Panora, the Des Moines Life Insurance Company, the Hawkeye Fire Insurance Company, the Atlas Fire Insurance

Company and the National Life Association, being also treasurer of the Atlas Fire Insurance Company, the Des Moines Life Insurance Company and the Mill Owners Mutual Fire Insurance Company. Moreover, he is a stockholder in a number of important business enterprises. He has for some years been promi- nently identified with the American Bankers Association and is treasurer of that body, chairman of its federal legislative committee and member of its currency commission.

On the 8th of October, 1902, Mr. Reynolds was married, at State Center, Iowa, to Miss Bertha Landon Goodrich, a daughter of L. B. Goodrich, a promi- nent farmer and money lender. Two children were born to this union : Arthur, Jr., who is six years of age; and Jeanette, aged four years. Politically Mr. Reynolds gives his suport to the republican party and he is especially interested in all national monetary affairs. In his earlier manhood he served as mayor of Panora. In religious faith he affiliates with the Episcopal church, and so- cially he is identified with the Golf and Country Club. His success as a banker has been remarkable. When he became the head of the Des Moines National Bank the capital, surplus and undivided profits were absorbed by losses, deposits then being five hundred and fifty thousand dollars. At the present time the de- posits amount to five million, two hundred and fifty thousand dollars and the bank is on a sound financial basis, paying eight and ten per cent dividends. It is one of the leading depositories for the country banks of Iowa as well as for the business men of Des Moines. It is evident that the early teachings of his father as to industry and fidelity to trust made a lasting impression upon the son and . the great financial institution at Des Moines, which is pointed to with pride by all lovers of the state, is a monument to his energy and ability, well worthy of the time and labor expended in its development. His name is associated with progress in business and social life and his course has been such as to win an unassailable reputation for integrity of character and the trust and respect of his followmen.

FRANK NORMAN.

The latter half of the nineteenth century passed into history as the most remarkable period of inventive genius the world has ever known, and the first decade of the twentieth century witnesses improvements which promise still more wonderful results in the years to come. This is the age of the mechanic and the inventor-the class to which Frank Norman belongs. He recently located at Des Moines, but his reputation as a practical inventor had preceded him and he was a welcome accession to the manufacturing interests of the city, which is holding out splendid inducements to the brightest men of the west. He is a native of Tuscarawas county, Ohio, born May 4, 1867. The father, Joshua Nor- man, was also born in Tuscarawas county. He engaged in farming and removed to Illinois, later taking up his home in Kansas, where he died in 1904. The mother, whose maiden name was Catherine Ward, was born in Ohio and died in 1868, when our subject was in his infancy.

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Frank Norman came west with his father and received his early education in the public schools. He early gave evidence of mechanical genius and in Kan- sas learned the machinist's trade, working under j. B. Ehrsam, of Enterprise, Kansas, a manufacturer of mill machinery, etc. Having become thoroughly familiar with his trade, he started a machine shop at State Center, Iowa, later engaging in the same business at Marshalltown.

About the year 1899 he began the manufacture of gas generators, which he invented, placed them upon the market and has ever since been actively engaged in manufacturing. In October, 1908, he arrived in Des Moines and organized the Norman Manufacturing Company, of which he is president, for the manu- facture of generators on a large scale. The company makes five different types of gas generators which are unlike any others on the market, and the business has extended to the principal parts of the United States. By the application of inodern ideas in its affairs and promptness and reliability in all its dealings the company has acquired an enviable reputation and its machines are being dis- tributed each year throughout a constantly widening territory. The success of the enterprise is due mainly to the energy, ability and creative genius of its originator.

On November 15, 1885, Mr. Norman was married to Miss Martha Buchanan and five children were born of this union : Della, Carrie, Gertrude, George Colum- bus, and Vera. The mother of these children died in March, 1910, and Mr. Norman was again married, the lady of his choice being Miss Hattie Gearin.

Fraternally he is connected with the Modern Woodmen of America, the Ancient Order of United Workmen, the Iowa Lodge of Honor and the Eagles. His attention has mainly been given to his business and he has never sought political office or aspired to publicity except along legitimate business lines. In politics he is independent. Having been blessed with mechanical genius, he has made good use of it and he has had the satisfaction of applying many of his ideas in such a way as to add to his resources and also to assist in promoting the comfort and convenience of others. He is now at the head of an establishment that promises to become one of the leading manufacturing concerns of Des Moines, and no man can prophecy the extent of the field it may eventually oc- cupy. Motoring is Mr. Norman's chief source of recreation.

J. K. PEMBERTON.

Well known among the younger business men of Des Moines is J. K. Pem- berton, who owns a most attractive pharmacy at the corner of Sixth avenue and Center streets, where he is doing a large business. A son of W. H. and Rachel (Bunten) Pemberton, his birth occurred in Vinton, Iowa, on the 30th of August, 1882. The father, who was a farmer and contractor, migrated from the state of his nativity, Indiana, and located in Vinton when a young man. There he met and married Miss Bunten and ever since continuing to be a resident of that place. Besides the son J. K., Mr. and Mrs. Pemberton are the parents of two daughters : Ada A., who lives at home, and Ida M., the wife of the Rev. Men- agh. of Linden, Iowa.

J. K. Pemberton spent the early years of his life in the refining atmosphere of a good home, acquiring his education in the public schools of his native town. After leaving the high school he entered the pharmacy department of Drake University, being awarded his degree on the 23d of March, 1904. Immediately following he entered the employ of a Mr. Grover, a druggist in the northern part of the state, remaining in his service for one and a half years. Feeling assured at the expiration of that period that he possessed sufficient theoretical and prac- tical knowledge of the business to open a store of his own he went to Ogden,

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Iowa, where he engaged in business for one year. Disposing of his interest at a good profit at the end of that time he returned to Des Moines, and was in charge of a store at Ninth and University, where he remained for one year. He then came farther down town, locating at Sixth and Center, where he car- ries a much larger stock than at his previous stand and is building up an excel- lent business. He is generally considered by those who know him to be one of the enterprising younger members of the commercial fraternity of the city, whose progressive ideas practically assure his success.

On the 2nd of August, 1905, in the Little Church Around the Corner in New York city was witnessed the marriage of Mr. Pemberton and Miss Elsie C. Diehl, a daughter of D. W. Diehl, one of the successful merchants of. Penora, this state. Mr. and Mrs. Pemberton affiliate with the Christian church, and fraternally he holds membership in Ogden Lodge. A. F. & A. M. and the Knights of Pythias.

In matters political Mr. Pemberton gives his support to the candidates of the republican party, but owing to the demands of his growing business has never taken an active part in local affairs of a governmental nature. He is a devotee of outdoor life, being enthusiastic about all sports and games which have to be pursued in the open. He possesses unusual business acumen, as has been demonstrated by his successful conduct of his various ventures, and from all of which he has realized gratifying returns.

CARL J. KURTZ.

As a manufacturing center Des Moines is each year gaining wider recogni- tion, the products distributed from this city being accepted, wherever they have appeared, as equal to any of those manufactured elsewhere on the continent. Carl J. Kurtz, who is prominently identified with the manufacturing of proprie- tary medicines, is one of the energetic and capable men of Des Moines who as- sists in spreading abroad the good name of the city. He is a native son of Des Moines and was born June 26, 1867, his father having been Charles Kurtz, a native of Germany. The father emigrated to America with his parents in his boyhood and both of the parents died from cholera shortly after landing in the new world. He lived at Keokuk and Farmington. Iowa, subsequently associat- ing with his brother, L. H. Kurtz, in the hardware business for many years. After severing his connection with his brother he engaged in the wholesale liquor business. He died in 1883. He was a man of energy and large business ability and made many friends, who were attracted by his genial characteristics. The mother of our subject before her marriage was Katherine Munzenmein. a native of Germany. There were four children in their family, three sons and one daughter, and all are now living with the exception of one.

Mr. Kurtz, of this review, possessed excellent advantages of education. He attended the public schools of Des Moines, a military academy at Poughkeepsie, New York, and also became a student of the Poughkeepsie Business College. which for many years was one of the leading institutions of the kind in America. After graduating from business college he returned to Des Moines and becarne connected with the Des Moines National Bank and later with the Citizens Bark. continuing with those institutions six years in all. In 1893 he entered into part- nership with Norman Lichty, and engaged in the manufacture of proprietary medicines, under the title of the Norman-Lichty Manufacturing Company. The business prospered greatly from year to year, and in 1906 Mr. Kurtz purchased the interest of Mr. Lichty and is now the principal owner of the concern and president of the company. The business has been ably managed and its products are sold in every state of the union, and also in Canada and Mexico. Mr.

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Kurtz is also interested in real estate, but he devotes his principal energies .o the business with which he has now been identified successfully for eighteen years.

On the 21st of September, 1904, Mr. Kurtz united in marriage to Miss Nellie Fairburn, and by this union one son, Fairburn, has been born. Their city home is at No. 3801 Grand avenue, where Mr. Kurtz recently erected one of the city's finest residences, and they have a country home at Lake Okoboji. Fraternally he is identified with the Elks, and he is also a member of the Golf and Country Club. Possessing unusual advantages of education in his early life he has made practical use of his opportunities and talents and has gained, not only high standing in the business world, but an established reputation as a progressive and enterprising citizen, one who recognizes his responsibilities and aims in his daily life to perform his duty. He stands high in the estimation of those who know him and he possesses the sterling qualities which command respect and are the characteristics of the true gentleman.

JOHN E. ALDRICH.

The list of prominent residents of Des Moines contains the name of John E. Aldrich, who is well known in manufacturing circles as the president of the Des Moines Paper Box Manufacturing Company and is one of the substantial business men of the city. . He was born in the state of New York, April 3, 1859, a son of E. A. and Emily (St. John) Aldrich, the latter of whom was born in the Empire state in 1836 and passed away June 15, 1910, at the age of seventy- four years. The father is also a native of New York state. He was identified with the planing mill business in the east until 1901, when he came to Des Moines and was here connected in business with his son, subsequently moving to Addison, New York, where he still resides.

John E. Aldrich was educated in the public schools of Addison and El- mira, New York. His first occupation after laying aside his books was in a planing mill under the direction of his uncle. After some years he established a paper and cigar box factory at Elmira, which he conducted for six years. Hav- ing an opportunity to sell out profitably, he did so and in 1890 came to Des Moines and embarked in the manufacturing business at No. 220 Second street, removing subsequently to larger quarters at No. 213 Second street. The busi- ness having increased rapidly, he moved once more, becoming established at Nos. 707-711 Cherry street. In 1901 the firm was incorporated under the title of the Des Moines Paper Box Manufacturing Company and in 1909 the large building which it now occupies was built for them, employment being given at present to sixty persons. In order to appreciate the growth of the business, it may be stated that when Mr. Aldrich began operations in this city he was able to meet all demands with the assistance of three persons.

In 1893 Mr. Aldrich was united in marriage to Miss Grace Galbraith, of Des Moines, a daughter of William A. Galbraith, who was a prominent citizen of the early days. His birth occurred at Jefferson, Pennsylvania, on the 19th of Sep- tember, 1827, his father being Dr. William B. Galbraith, a prominent Pennsyl- vania physician. William A. Galbraith learned the cabinetmaker's trade at Brownsville, Pennsylvania, and in 1851 came to Des Moines, making the window sash for Polk county's first courthouse. He was long identified with the city's business interests, engaging for several years in the hardware trade and later be- coming interested in the flour and grain business. In 1868 he erected a build- ing at the southwest corner of Walnut and Sixth streets which was destroyed by fire two years later. He was one of the pioneer members of the city council and was serving in that capacity when the first street car franchise was granted.

JOHN E. ALDRICH

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At Brownsville, Pennsylvania, he had wedded Miss Mary E. Evans, who was born on the 14th of July, 1830, and passed away on the 16th of January, 1902. They were the parents of seven children, as follows: Annie S., who is deceased ; William E., a resident of Spokane, Washington; Edgar E., Mary and Charles' Edgar, all of whom are deceased; Grace, who is the wife of John E. Aldrich; and Jennie May, of Des Moines. Mr. and Mrs. Galbraith were prominently identified with the First Baptist church from its organization, the former serv- ing for many years as its treasurer. His demise occurred on the 2d of Decem- ber, 1896.

The union of Mr. and Mrs. Aldrich has been blessed by the birth of one child, Mary E., who was born January 28, 1896, and is now a student in the high school. Mr. Aldrich fraternally is connected with West End Council, No. 295, A. O. U. W. He is a valued member of the Baptist church and politically gives his support to the republican party. In his beautiful home at No. 1523 Linden street he possesses all of the comforts and as many of the luxuries of life as he desires. He has no greater pleasure than to add to the happiness of his family and in the fireside circle he enjoys a peace to be found nowhere else. He is a lover of the national sport and his outdoor recreation is an occasional baseball game.

EMERY FRANKLIN SPERRY.

While Emery Franklin Sperry never sought to figure prominently in public life, he manifested those sterling traits of character which brought him the high regard and friendship of his fellowmen because of his sterling worth. It has been said "An honest man is the noblest work of God" and E. F. Sperry was in- deed an honest man. There were moreover, in his life record equally strong and commendable traits that gained him position with Des Moines' best citizens. He was born in Cavendish, Vermont, on the 3d of August, 1841, and after spend- ing the first ten years of his life in his native state, accompanied his parents on their removal to Iowa, the journey being largely made by way of the Great Lakes, and on reaching the western shore of Michigan, across the country in a wagon, with Louisa county, Iowa, as their destination. After mastering the elementary branches of learning in the public schools he attended Central College at Pella and while a student enlisted in the Third Iowa Infantry, his patriotic spirit being aroused by the attempt of the south to overthrow the Union. Donning the blue uniform and receiving his equipments of war, he marched to the front to face the enemey on the battlefields below the Mason and Dixon line and at Shiloh, in April, 1862, he was wounded, his injuries resulting in the loss of one of his legs.

No longer able for active duty at the front, Mr. Sperry returned to the north and took up his abode in Knoxville, Iowa, where his fellow townsmen, apprecia- tive of his military service and his personal worth, elected him to the office of treasurer of Marion county. He was afterward engaged in the real-estate and insurance business there until September, 1898, when he came to Des Moines to act as United States pension agent, resigning in 1903 in order to devote his time and attention to the real-estate and loan business, which claimed his atten- tion throughout his remaining days. His business record was characterized by steady progress that is always the outcome of close application and intelligent effort.

In 1866 Mr. Sperry was united in marriage to Miss Anna Eldredge, and unto them were born six children, two of whom are deceased. Those living are : Mrs. Eugene Cutler, of University place ; Emery Frank, in Des Moines ; Charlene, a teacher in Des Moines College; and Mrs. Sylvia Kinney, of Massillon, Ohio. Mr. Sperry was devoted to the interests of his family and his example as hus- Vol. II-30

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band and father is indeed worthy of emulation. He was prominent in the ranks of the Grand Army of the Republic in Iowa and served as senior vice commander. His religious faith was that of the Baptist church and he was very prominent in the denomination. His membership was with the First Baptist church of Des Moines, of which he served for many years as trustee and treasurer. He also filled the office of treasurer of the State Baptist Convention for a number of years and in every possible way he aided in the work of the church and the ex- tension of its influence. He was generous, helpful and kind and always took an active interest in helping the colored people, often not only advising but con- tributing toward their various enterprises. He was a man upright and honorable in his dealings, positive in his convictions and honest and sincere in his purposes. At all times he endeavored to serve the right. Following his demise his pastor said: "In Wisconsin, Lake Geneva is a beautiful body of crystal clear water. Lying placid under the summer's sun it reflects in minute detail the landscape that rises from its shore line. At times its surface has been ruffled into white- caps under the strong winds. But whether in calm or storm its waters are trans- parent to the bottom. Seemingly it had no secrets to hide, but was lucid to its depths, giving full view of all it contained of white sands, submarine growth, or swimming fish. This lake has become for me a symbol of E. F. Sperry's nature. I have seen him in soul serenity when his face has reflected that 'true light which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.' There were times when spasms of pain crossed his pallid face as clouds throw their shadows over the lake. He has given testimony in prayer meeting when his quivering voice in- dicated the strong undercurrent of religious fervor that ran through his life. I have also seen him when a gust of opposition swept over him, temporarily ruf- fling his nature into whitecaps of resistance, soon to pass away under a sense of humor that resulted in a great calm. But whatever the mood in which I have seen him his soul has always seemed transparent. He was sincere, open in heart, honorable in motive, genuinely pure and kind in his innermost thought. Mr. Sperry was possessed of sterling integrity, directness of utterance, a scorn for duplicity, and he was sometimes blunt and to the point in what he said, but that was due to an openness of soul that had never yielded to sophistry in argument nor diplomacy in manner. He was just his own, open, true self, neither parading piety nor covering fault. Any estimate must take account of him as son, brother, husband and father. He was citizen, soldier, veteran; we knew him as Chris- tian, church member and philanthropist."

REUBEN MARKS.

Of the many citizens which Poland has contributed to Des Moines none is more highly regarded than Reuben Marks, who since 1885 has been engaged in commercial pursuits in this city. He was born in the 15th of July, 1859, in Par- shilee, Suvalky, Russia Poland, being a son of Abraham Jacob and Rebecca (Le- vine) Marks. The Levine family are highly cultured, many of their members being Hebrew scholars and philosophers of note, and they are also remarkable for their longevity, the grandfather, Irwin Levine, who was a scholar and pliil- osopher, having died at the age of one hundred and nine years and eight months, while all of his children lived to ninety years of age or more. Mrs. Marks, who still survives, has passed her seventy-ninth year and is in excellent health. Abraham Jacob Marks was born and reared an agriculturist, but in 1848 he engaged in commercial activities, becoming a grain and lumber dealer. He was successful in his venture and became well and favorably known because of his integrity and honorable methods in all business transactions, as well as because of his keen mind and sagacity.

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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 71

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