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 78

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 78

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Being the child of intellectual and cultured people Lenna L. Meanes was reared in an atmosphere which was conducive to progressive ideas and high aspirations. Endowed with unusual mental qualities she was distinguished as a pupil of more than average power all during the period of her common school course, and upon her graduation from the Mitchellville high school matriculated in the medical department of the State University at Iowa City. She remained there for three years, going to Drake University for the last year of her course because of the better hospital facilities she felt the larger city afforded. Imme- diately following the awarding of her degree she established an office in this city, where she has ever since continued to practice, having become recognized as one of the most able physicians of the city. She has been associated with the various

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colleges and institutions of this section of the state, having acquired a much more than local reputation in the treatment of women's and children's diseases. From 1898 until 1903 she was a member of the staff of the children's hospital, while she is now obstetrician in the Methodist Hospital, member of the staff at Mercy Hospital and physician in charge and obstetrician at the maternity home of the Salvation Army, and she also fills the chair of clinical instructor in obstetrics at Drake.

Dr. Meanes is a woman of recognized ability outside of her profession and · is prominently identified with the women's clubs of the city and state. She is now president of the Professional Women's League of Des Moines, and in 1910 was president of the Iowa Women's State Medical Society, while in 1909 and 1910 she was president of the Women's Clinical Society of Des Moines, which holds free clinics for the women of the city. She maintains relations with the members of her profession through the medium of the county and state medical societies and the National Medical Association. Progressive in her ideas, helpful in her personality, Dr. Meanes always graciously volunteers her services toward the support or development of any movement which will in any way tend to promote the interests of the women or children or improve social conditions generally.

HENRY S. BUTLER.

Starting out in life without any vaulting ambition to accomplish something especially great or famous, Henry S. Butler has followed the lead of his op- portunities doing as best he could anything that came to hand, seizing legitimate advantages as they have arisen. He has never hesitated to take a forward step when the way was open. Although content with what he has attained as he has gone along, he has always been ready to make an advance. Fortunate in possessing ability and character that inspire confidence in others, the simple weight of his character and ability have carried him into important relations with large interests until he is now vice president of the Iowa National & Des Moines Savings Bank.

Henry S. Butler was born on a farm in Oneida county, New York, on the 17th of December, 1840, a son of Ezekiel G., and Eunice (Shaw) Butler. His . paternal ancestors were Scotch, and on coming to America settled in Vermont, but later removed to New York. In the maternal line he also comes of an old Vermont family, of Irish origin however. His youthful days were largely de- voted to the acquirement of an education in the district schools in Oneida county, which he attended to the age of seventeen years. When not occupied with his text-books his attention was largely given to the work of his father's farm, which he assisted in cultivating throughout the periods of vacation and even in his school days aided largely in the work of the chores and other labor upon the home place. On starting out in life for himself he was employed by the Black River Improvement Company, on the construction of locks, dams and canals on the Fox river from Lake Winnebago to Green Bay. He did all kinds of work, much of it of the most arduous nature, and for a time he ran the engine used in making repairs on locks, dams, etc. He continued with the Black River Improvement Company for about three years and then went to Chicago, where he pursued a commercial course in Eastman's Business College. He had come to realize how necessary is thorough school training as a preparation for life's practical and responsible duties. On completing his business course he was employed by the firm of Dean & Mannington, commission merchants, in the capacity of bookkeeper and office man for two years. Later he was asso- ciated with the McCormick Harvesting Machine Company, and for six months

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was upon the road as one of their traveling representatives. In 1868 he was sent by this company to Des Moines as district representative, and filled the position for many years. What higher testimonial could be given of faith- ful and efficient service than the fact of his long retention in the office. In 1892, after leaving the McCormick machinery company, he become connected with the Iowa National Bank, and in 1902 and 1903 served as its president. Since 1907 he has been vice president of the Iowa National and Des Moines Savings Bank, at which time the two banking institutions were consolidated. Previous to leaving the McCormick Machinery Company he had been a director of the Iowa National Bank for five years. He is today one of the best known representatives of financial interests in the capital city, his progressive spirit being tempered by safe conservatism that makes him a man of well balanced capabilities and powers. His sound judgment provides against unwarranted risk, and at the same time he is actuated by a spirit of advancement that results in the constant promoting not only of the scope of his activities but of the in- stitution and business enterprise with which he is connected. Aside from his banking interests he is a director of the National Life Insurance Company. He readily solves intricate and involved business problems, for in the school of experience he has learned many valuable lessons, and the development of his native powers have made him a forceful factor in business and financial circles.

Mr. Butler was married in Kalamazoo, Michigan, to Miss Aurelia Everett, a daughter of Mahlan Everett, and a native of Michigan. Their children are: Maude, who on the 26th of November, 1910, in Des Moines, was united in mar- riage to Thomas Harris, of Topeka, Kansas; and Bruce E. The latter married Edna Trumpler, a native of Iowa. They reside at Des Moines where Bruce E. Butler is engaged in the real-estate and loan business.

In his political views Mr. Butler is a democrat, having affiliated with the party since President Cleveland's first term, although he was reared in the faith of the republican party. He is a Master Mason, and a member and vice presi- dent of the Bankers Club of Des Moines. He is not a society man in the usually accepted sense of the term, preferring the pleasures of his own home and the companionship of his family and friends. He attributes much of his success to the encouragement and assistance of his wife. He started out in life a poor boy, and unfaltering effort and unflagging perseverance have been dominant elements in his continuous progress that has brought him from a humble po- sition in the business world to a leading place among Iowa's financiers.

CHARLES W. VOSS.

One of the popular and able ministers of the Lutheran denomination in Des Moines is Charles W. Voss, who for three years has had charge of Zion's German Lutheran parish. He is one of the five children born unto Christ and Dorothy (Swartz) Voss, his birth occurring in Pomeroy, Ohio, on the 3d of April, 1867. His parents were natives of Germany, in which country they were also married, migrating to the United States and locating on a farm in the vicinity of Pomeroy in 1864.

Charles W. Voss was reared on the farm, acquiring his early education in the district and public schools of his native county, after the completion of which he attended the Capital University at Columbus, Ohio, graduating with the degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1888. Having decided to devote his life to the church he later studied for the ministry, satisfactorily passing the examina- tion and being ordained in 1891. His first charge was at Philo, Ohio, where he remained for two years and at the expiration of that period left the church with a larger and more regular attendance, a renewed spiritual interest and in

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a good financial condition. From there he went to the northwest, having accepted a call into the missionary field of Washington and Idaho, where he developed strong organizing powers and executive ability. He found the spirit- ual needs of the people to be very great, the district was large and the settle- ments scattered, but despite the long trips he was forced to make to get from one community to another he preached five sermons every Sunday, until finally his health broke down under the excessive strain. In 1899 he resigned and returned to Ohio, having accepted a charge at Steubenville, where he found the church very badly run down. He soon infused into the small and rather indifferent congregation, some of his own spirituality, the result being a larger attendance and a renewed and awakened interest in the work. Mr. Voss was pastor there for three years and during this time the church built a new par- sonage and made many improvements in the parish property. From there he went to Cardington, Ohio, meeting with excellent success in the work in his five and a half years' ministry there. At the expiration of that period he re- ceived a call from the church of Des Moines, with which he has ever since been connected. The work of the parish, including both the church and school, is thriving and the results of his ministry highly gratifying and encouraging.

For his wife and helpmate Mr. Voss chose Miss Annetta Dickes, the daughter of Hiram Dickes, a veteran of the Civil war who served for four years in the Army of the Potomac. Three children have been born unto Mr. and Mrs. Voss : Erma D., who is a student in the high school and a teacher of the Sunday school; Herald K., who is also in school; and Charles W., an infant. Mrs. Voss has always taken an active and helpful interest in the work of the church and parish and is well fitted to organize societies, conduct business meetings and preside at the social functions held at the parsonage. She is now acting as pres- ident of the Ladies' Aid Society. Mr. Voss holds membership in the synods of Ohio, Iowa and several other states in which he has ministered to the spirit- ual needs of the people.

DR. CLAUDE F. SPRING.

Dr. Claude F. Spring, successfully engaged in the practice of osteopathy in Des Moines, was born in Ames, Iowa, on the 5th of October, 1875. His father, W. W. Spring, is a native of Ohio, his natal day being May 16, 1828. He was interested in a carding mill until 1855 when he came to Iowa and took up general agricultural pursuits, still residing on a farm near Ames. In 1854 he had wedded Miss Amy Coffelt, whose birth occurred near Greencastle, Indiana, and who is likewise still living. During the progress of the Civil war Mr. Spring twice attempted to enlist for service but was rejected on account of physical dis- ability. He was the father of ten children, six of whom yet survive, as fol- lows: Margaret E., who is the widow of B. W. Smith and resides at Ames ; Lucy E., the wife of Frank Snowden, of Ames; Ulysses S., who is married and also makes his home at Ames; E. May, of Des Moines ; Charles W., who is married, lives in Des Moines and is connected with the Chamberlain Medical Company ; and Claude F .. of this review.

The last named supplemented his preliminary education, obtained in the common schools of Ames, by a course of study in the Iowa State College at Ames, while subsequently he attended Still College of Osteopathy. While still a student he began farming near Ames and later was associated with his father and brother in the conduct of an implement store at that place. He next enlisted for service in the Spanish-American war and spent an entire summer in Chick- amauga Park, Georgia. In the spring of 1900 he came to Des Moines and took up the study of osteopathy, completing the course in 1902. Locating for prac-

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tice at Boone, he there resided for two years and then returned to Des Moines, having here remained continuously since. His offices are in the Securities building. He has thorough understanding of anatomy and the component parts of the human body and in his practice his efforts have been attended with such excellent results that his business has grown largely through the recommenda- tion of friends who have become his patrons. He is a member of the county state and district osteopathic associations and served as president of the county organization for two years. Dr. Spring also pursued a course in optometry and practices that profession in connection with osteopathy. He likewise teaches theory and special pathology at the Still College of Osteopathy. Research, in- vestigation and experience are constantly broadening his knowledge and pro- moting his efficiency as a practitioner and public indorsement is given him in a liberal patronage.

On the IIth of February, 1904, Dr. Spring was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary G. LeGuire, a native of Bertram, Iowa, who lost her father, an Iowa agriculturist, in early childhood. Mrs. LeGuire is still living. Dr. and Mrs. Spring have one son, Claude L., who was born in Des Moines on the 8th of April, 1907.

Dr. Spring is independent in politics, supporting men and measures rather than party. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Methodist church. In his practice he maintains the highest standard of professional ethics, gaining thereby the unqualified respect and good will of his professional brethren.

ROBERT JAMES BANNISTER.

Robert James Bannister who, entering upon the practice of law on the Ist of August, 1903, has since made continuous progress in a profession which has important bearing upon the stability and permanent development of a com- munity and in which advancement must depend upon individual merit and capa- bility, was born at Ottumwa, Iowa, September 2, 1878, a son of Colonel Dwight Bannister, U. S. A., and Lavinia M. Bannister. The father died January 30, 1899. The son, reared in his native city, was graduated from the Ottumwa high school with the class of 1896 and pursued his more specifically classical course in the State University of Iowa, being graduated from the department of liberal arts with the degree of Bachelor of Philosophy in 1901. He then took up the study of law and won the LL. B. degree upon his graduation from the law department of the State University in 1903. On the Ist of August of that year he began practice in Ottumwa, removing to Des Moines in the spring of 1904, where he is a member of the firm of Bannister & Cox. He has made substantial progress in his profession, bending all his energies toward the at- tainment of success along this line. He prepares his cases with provident care and wide research always characterizes his preliminary reading. His legal learning, his analytical mind and the readiness with which he grasps the points of an argument all combine to make him an effective advocate and safe coun- sellor. Aside from his profession, he has other business interests, being a director of the Century Savings Bank and president of the Iowa Investment Company of Des Moines.

On the 2d of June, 1909, in Des Moines, Mr. Bannister was married to Miss Lucille Thomas, a daughter of Dr. and Mrs. C. G. Thomas. They have one son, Robert Clarkson Bannister, born in Des Moines, August 25, 1910. Mr. Bannister holds membership in the Pilgrim Congregational church. He was reared in the faith of the republican party and has always been a stalwart cham- pion of its principles. He belongs to the Sigma Nu, the Phi Delta Phi and the Phi Beta Kappa college fraternities, and also holds membership with the

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Knights of Pythias, the Modern Woodmen of America, the Court of Honor and the Royal Arcanum. He is also a member of the Law Club of Des Moines, the Grant Club, the Hyperion Field and Motor Club and the Grant View Golf Club. In his profession he is prompted by a laudable ambition that causes him to put forth most earnest effort toward the attainment of success, knowing also that advancement at the bar must depend entirely upon personal ability and merit, and that the successful lawyer must possess a keen, analytical mind, plus business sense and a ready capacity for hard work.

C. B. DOCKSTADER.

A valiant soldier in behalf of the stars and stripes during the Civil war, C. B. Dockstader, of Des Moines, has demonstrated the traits of courage and self- reliance as well in times of peace and is today at the head of one of the most important mercantile concerns, the business of which has largely been developed under his administration. He is a native of Pennsylvania and was born Octo- ber 1, 1844. He comes of Revolutionary ancestry, his grandfather on the ma- ternal side having served in the patriot army under General Washington.

The father of our subject, Frederick Dockstader, was born in New York in 1801. He engaged in farming and came to Iowa in 1856, taking up his residence in Carroll county, where he continued during the remainder of his life. The mother, whose maiden name was Catherine Young, was also a native of New York state. They were the parents of the following children : Ezra, deceased ; Margaret, who became the wife of Henry Dartt and died leaving one child ; Henry and Hiram, both of whom are deceased; James, who is married and lives in Kan- sas; C. B .; Minerva, the wife of J. Neilson, of New York; and Wilford, de- ceased.

C. B. Dockstader received his early education in the common schools and came with his parents to Iowa at the age of twelve years. He assisted his father upon the home farm until the beginning of the Civil war and then, like thousands of patriotic young men, he offered his services to help preserve the Union, becoming a member of the Ninth Iowa Volunteers. He participated in many important battles and movements, being present at the battle of Arkansas Post, the siege of Vicksburg, and the battles of Jacksonville, Lookout Mountain, Chattanooga, Missionary Ridge and many other less important engagements. He was taken prisoner by the enemy and confined for twelve months in a stock- ade at Andersonville, Georgia, where he underwent great suffering. However, possessing a good constitution, he survived and was honorably mustered out of service after a period of three years and ten months in the army.

He engaged in farming until 1875 and then gave up agriculture for mercan- tile life, being identified with the hardware business at Panora, Iowa, until 1882 when he came to Des Moines and purchased the interest of Mr. Barnett in the dry-goods store of Barnett & Wilkins, the title of the firm being changed to that of Dockstader & Wilkins. He applied himself with great determination to his business and about 1900 became sole owner of the store, which is now conducted under the title of the C. B. Dockstader Company, two of his sons holding an interest in the business. It is now a flourishing department store and gives em- ployment to more than thirty persons. The house is well known on account of the fairness and reliability of its dealings and the excellent quality of its goods.

Mr. Dockstader was married in July, 1866, to Miss Amelia Brown, of Iowa, whose father, H. O. Brown, was a veterinary surgeon, and whose mother before her marriage was Miss S. E. Gee. Three children have been born to Mr. and

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Mrs. Dockstader: George, now in partnership with his father, who married Miss Lenna Bruner and has three children, Mary, Roland and an infant; Florence, the wife of Charles Christian and the mother of one child, Harvey; and Irvin, also in partnership with his father, who married Miss Florence Backman.

Mr. Dockstader gives his political allegiance to the republican party. He is prominent in fraternal and social life and is a member of the Odd Fellows, the Ancient Order of United Workmen, the Grand Army of the Republic and the East Des Moines Commercial Club. Ever ready to assist in promoting the pub- lic good, he is highly esteemed for his generous and manly traits, and is recog- nized as one of the leaders in the business circles of the city.

JACOB L. MELOY.

Among the recent commercial ventures incorporated in Des Moines must be mentioned the Park Coal Company, located at Sixth and Corning avenues under the management of Jacob L. Meloy. Mr. Meloy was born in Clearfield county, Pennsylvania, on the 6th of June, 1862, a son of James M. and Margaret A. (Kopp) Meloy, who were also natives of the Keystone state. The father, who was a millwright, worked at his trade until the breaking out of the Civil war, when he enlisted and went to the front with the Pennsylvania regulars. Being taken by the enemy he was sent to Andersonville prison, where he passed away in 1864, at the end of fifteen months, his health at last succumbing to the close confinement, unsanitary conditions and lack of wholesome food just one day before all the prisoners were released. Mrs. Meloy, who is now sixty-seven years of age, continues to make her home in her native state.

The boyhood and youth of Jacob L. Meloy were spent in Pennsylvania, the district schools of which he attended until he was fourteen years of age, when he went to Altoona to work in the Pennsylvania car shops, where he remained five years. Migrating to Iowa in March, 1881, he located in Jasper county, where he engaged in farm work, following that occupation until July, 1882, when he went to Oskaloosa to work in the coal mines, where he remained until fall. He then went to Nebraska, renting a half section of land in Burt county, which he cultivated for five years. Returning to Iowa in 1887, he located in Mahaska county, accepting a position as weighmaster with the Consolidated Coal Com- pany, with which he remained five years. At the end of that period he went to Oskaloosa to enter the employ of the Iowa Fuel Company, in the capacity of boss and prospector, being identified with them until 1904. Upon leaving that service he bought a drilling machine and began prospecting for himself, going all over the state. In the meantime he bought a home in Des Moines where he located his family while he continued to prospect until 1909, when he sold out and went to South Dakota, where he railroaded for a year. Returning to Des Moines at the expiration of that time he again prospected until September, 1910, when he withdrew in order to engage with Dr. B. H. Woods, J. D. Owen, Chester Kiefer and E. Roberts in organizing the Park Coal Company. This firm handles coal, cement, lime and feed of all kinds, in addition to which they operate a mill where they grind all of their feed. The company was incorpor- ated on the Ist of February, 1911, Mr. Meloy being made manager and treas- urer. Besides the large stock which they are carrying they own the property where their business is located, and, although the company is yet in its infancy, present indications portend a most promising future.

Mr. Meloy was united in marriage on the 14th of July, 1882, to Miss Eliza A. Youngkin, a daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth Youngkin, who were natives of Pennsylvania, in which state Mrs. Meloy was also born. Mr. and Mrs. Youngkin migrated to Iowa in 1864, locating on a farm near Davenport, where

& Meloy

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they had resided four years when they removed to a farm of their own in Jas- per county. This place is still being cultivated by the father but Mrs. Young- kin passed away in 1909. Nine children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Meloy, as follows : Margaret M., the wife of Charles Hammond, a railroad contractor living at Blanchard; Bessie E., who became the wife of William Gerbhart, of Des Moines; Catherine M., who married Charles Bissett, a piano maker, of Crete, Illinois ; James M., twenty-one years of age, who is a machinist living at home; Joseph Y., eighteen, working for his father; William H., who is sixteen; Luther C., fourteen; Herbert, ten; and Glen L., eight years of age. The last four are all attending school.

The family affiliate with the Methodist Episcopal church, in which the par- ents hold membership, while fraternally Mr. Meloy is identified with the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias and the Modern Wood- men of America. The family reside at No. 3328 Fourth street, where they have a very comfortable home. Although his views in political matters accord with the principles of the republican party, Mr. Meloy votes independently at all local elections, giving his support to the man he feels is best qualified to advance the interests of the community.

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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 78

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