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 8

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 8

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CITY OF DES MOINES AND POLK COUNTY

takes, he holds membership in the Des Moines Homeopathic Medical Society, has been secretary of the Hahnemann State Medical Society for the past five years, and is the editor and business manager of the Iowa Homeopathic Journal the official organ of the Iowa and Nebraska State Homeopathic Medical So- cieties. He is also vice president of the obstetrical section of the American Institute of Homeopathy, and on May 1, 19II, was appointed a member of the state board of health for the seventh district for a term of seven years.

On the 2d of September, 1896, Dr. Huntoon was united in marriage to Miss Hattie Gesberg, a native of Iowa City, Iowa, and a daughter of Bernard and Elizabeth (Weber) Gesberg. Dr. and Mrs. Huntoon are the parents of two children : Eloise, who was born October 8, 1897; and Royal, who was born January 17, 1901. Dr. Huntoon gives his support to the republican party, and fraternally is identified with the Masonic order, the Odd Fellows, Knights of the Maccabees, the Ancient Order of United Workmen, the Brotherhood of American Yeomen, the Degree of Honor and Court of Honor. He is an earnest member of the Christian church and has devoted much attention to Sunday school work, being now superintendent of the largest Sunday school in the United States west of the state of Ohio. He has rare social qualities and, as is indicated by his many activities, is fully alive to the obligations he owes to his fellowmen. By conscientious service in his chosen profession he has gained just recognition as one of the most successful practitioners in Polk county.

LEWIS GRAVES.

Lewis Graves, who has devoted his entire life to agricultural pursuits, in which direction he has met with most gratifying success, was born in Indiana on the 15th of June, 1838, a son of Joel and Nancy (Brookshire) Graves. The parents were natives of South Carolina and at a very early day came to Iowa, being numbered among the pioneer settlers of this state. The family home was established in Madison county, where the father entered land and opened up a farm. With the passing of the years he brought his farm under an excellent state of cultivation and continued in its development and improvement until the time of his death, which occurred June 10, 1900. For eight years he had sur- vived his wife, who passed away in September, 1892.

In Indiana and Iowa Lewis Graves spent the period of his boyhood and youth, and in the latter state acquired his education, being a pupil of the dis- trict schools of Madison county. In addition to the development of his mental capacities he also received thorough training in the work of the farm, early becoming familiar with the tasks that fall to the lot of the country lad. As time passed and his strength increased he undertook greater responsibilities and the practical experience which thus came to him made his services of value in the operation of the home farm, in the cultivation of which he continued to assist his father until he was thirty-five years of age. He then took up farm- ing independently on a rented place, which he continued to operate for some time, and then purchased forty acres of land in Bloomfield township. With characteristic energy he at once turned his attention to its development and cultivation and in the course of time made of it a valuable property, well im- proved, with a fine house and substantial barns and outbuildings, and equipped with all of the modern accessories necessary for facilitating farm labor. In the conduct of his agricultural pursuits he is meeting with most gratifying suc- cess for his methods have been progressive, his business insight keen, and with indefatigable energy he has combined an aptitude for successful management which brings about desired results. Aside from his home farm he is the owner of eighty acres of valuable land within the city limits of Des Moines.

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Mr. Graves was married at Winterset, Iowa, on the 4th of December, 1865, to Miss Arvilla Jane Dodd, whose parents, Greenville P. and Harriett E. (Smith) Dodd, were natives of Virginia but moved to Putnam county, Indiana, where she was born February 2, 1845, and the family, in 1851, came to Iowa, locating at Osceola. There the father opened a blacksmith shop which he continued to operate for twenty-five years, when he purchased a farm and engaged in farm- ing in connection with his blacksmith business until his death, which occurred on the 30th of June, 1902. His wife had passed away September 29, 1891. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Graves was blessed by ten children, as follows: Nancy J., who is now married and makes her home in Warren county; Laura E., the wife of D. E. Miller, of Bloomfield township; Homer H., whose home is in Des Moines ; Almon, also of Des Moines; Ella M., a widow residing in Chicago, Illinois ; Charles F., a resident of Bloomfield township; Forest B., of Woodburn, Iowa; Harry E .; Louis, who passed away in April, 1893; and one who died in infancy. The youngest surviving son, Harry E., makes his home with his parents and assists in the operation of the old homestead, taking charge of the actual work of the place, although the father still retains the supervision of his affairs. Harry E. Graves was united in marriage, on the 14th of September, 1910, to Miss Blanche Chatfield, a daughter of Edwin and Martha (Dowdney) Chatfield, natives of New York and Iowa respectively. Her parents are both living and now make their home at Iola, Kansas. The father is a contractor and has followed that trade throughout his entire life.

Mr. Graves and his family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and are well known in the locality in which they make their home. He gives his political allegiance to the democratic party and although he has never sought nor desired public office as a reward for party fealty, he has been called to minor township offices, serving for some time as road supervisor; also as school di- rector of Bloomfield township. He has been a stanch champion of the cause of public education, taking a deep interest in the subject of progress in the schools. Indeed, all matters which tend toward progress along material, political, intel- lectual and moral lines make strong appeal to him, and in his citizenship he is ever public-spirited and loyal to the interests of community, state and nation.'

BARLOW GRANGER.

With events of early importance which have left their impress upon the later history and development of Des Moines Barlow Granger was closely asso- ciated. He was born in Cayuga, Cayuga county, New York, May 31, 1816. His parents, Erastus and Betsey (Gillett) Granger, were also natives of the Empire state and came of old English ancestry. In the year 1828 they removed to Rochester, New York, and Barlow Granger was there permitted to attend the public schools until thirteen years of age, when he started out to make his own way in the world, becoming a printer's apprentice in the office of the Cort- land Advocate edited by Henry S. Randall, the distinguished writer and histo- rian. He became a resident of New York city in 1835, being there at the time of the great fire. His close application to his trade soon made him an expert printer and he readily found employment when as a journeyman he made his way to New Haven, Connecticut; Hudson, New York; Cleveland, Ohio; and Detroit, Michigan, successively. In 1838 he returned to New York and ob- tained employment on the state work at Albany, residing in the capital city for nearly ten years. However, during that period he spent a part of the time on special work in the south and was connected with the Charleston Courier, form- ing a lifelong friendship with one of its proprietors. Returning to Albany he again engaged in state work but in 1847 started on a tour of the great west. He

MR. AND MRS. BARLOW GRANGER

CITY OF DES MOINES AND POLK COUNTY

passed through Chicago, visited Wisconsin, made his way on to Minnesota, and saw St. Anthony's Falls at a period long before that interesting sight was ever visited by tourists. From Minneapolis he went down the Mississippi river to St. Louis and secured a position in the office of the Republican, where he re- mained through the winter of 1847-8.

While there he met an old friend, James V. Jones, of Albany, New York, and the two agreed to visit Iowa and look at the new state in the hope of finding a favorable location within its borders. Traveling by boat to Keokuk, they proceeded by stage to Fairchild and at that point hired a horse and buggy, with which they drove through to Des Moines, reaching their destination in August, 1848. They found a little city of no special importance, yet which was growing, and Barlow Granger became a factor in its later development and upbuilding. Having studied law in New York he was admitted to the bar in 1848. He served on the staff of Governor Stephen Hempstead with the rank of colonel from 1850 until 1854 and in the latter year was elected prosecuting attorney of the county. He also served for one term as mayor of Des Moines and was twice mayor of the town of Sevastopol. Not only in the conduct of private business interests, therefore, but in public matters as well he became closely. associated with Des Moines and her progress.

At one time it seemed that Des Moines would lose Mr. Granger as a citizen. As previously stated, he and his friend, Mr. Jones, came to Iowa from St. Louis and after spending two days in looking over this city they concluded they could do better elsewhere and started away. They had traveled about two miles out of town and were standing upon a bluff. They stopped to look back over the city. The view that met their gaze was most attractive. They realized that they were in the midst of a rich and fertile country and saw that it had many unde- veloped resources. Acordingly they returned and became engaged in the real- estate business, one feature of which was purchasing and locating land warrants. Mr. Granger selected a spot near where they halted on the bluff for a suburban home, while Mr. Jones selected what is now Terrace Hill, the home of F. M. Hubbell. In those early days there was no great field for the real-estate dealer and Mr. Granger announced himself as a practitioner of law following the time when his partner went to California. He had not studied law to the extent that most practitioners had and he did not claim to be any more than he was. He be- lieved, however, that success is largely due to the determination and energy of him who seeks it. He had had previous experience in a printing office and to some extent in connection with the law and through study and experience had become a well educated man. He hung out a sign which read :

BARLOW ATTORNEY AND COUNSELOR AT LAW GRANGER SOLICITOR IN CHANCERY Court House, Fort Des Moines Barlow attends to all business in his line and Granger to some that ain't.

After being chosen to the office of prosecuting attorney in August, 1854, he continued to serve in that capacity until July, 1855, when through the operation of the law then in force he became judge of the county court by reason of the resignation of Judge Byron Rice, and for a year remained upon the bench.

In April, 1849, the democrats of Polk county concluded that their party needed a newspaper and Curtis Bates, a lawyer with political aspirations, of- fered to become sponsor for the cost of the outfit. Mr. Granger purchased a press and other materials at Iowa City, Mr. Bates indorsing his paper. After much trouble the fixtures arrived and the first number of the Star was issued Vol. II-4

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June 26, 1849, the home of the paper being one of the double log barrack buildings on Coon Row. The second number of the Star did not appear until August, for the man whom he sent to Keokuk for paper was taken ill on the road and did not return until that month. The paper was a seven-column sheet and the price was two dollars per year in advance, but payments were made practically at the convenience of the subscriber and in whatever material seemed most convenient to him. Stumptail and wild cat currency were in use. At times old rags, eggs and cord wood were given in payment for a subscription to the paper. Such conditions, however, were discouraging to an ambitious young man and after the first year Mr. Granger abandoned the publication of the Star. His paper, however, had been greatly enjoyed by all for it was a bright and catchy sheet. He did not need to employ a reporter for he knew every family in Des Moines and throughout the surrounding country at that time.

On the 7th of October, 1856, Mr. Granger was married to Mrs. Lucinda Rush, the widow of John W. Rush and a daughter of Daniel and Abbie (Van Schenk) Powers. She was born in Montgomery county, Indiana, March 7, 1825, and in 1849 came to Des Moines with her first husband, who died two years later. Following his marriage Mr. Granger erected a residence on his farm of eighty acres, which is now mostly within the city limits of Des Moines and is one of the most attractive building sites of the county. There he and his wife took up their abode in November, 1856, and there he continued to re- side until his death, it being still the residence of his widow. The Granger home has ever been known for its warm-hearted, cordial and unlimited hospi- tality.

Colonel Granger was widely known as a man of ability, experience and inde- pendent views upon all questions. He ever stood for what he believed to be right and his position was never an equivocal one. His influence was on the side of progress, improvement, justice and truth. He enjoyed the confidence of his fellowmen in an unusual degree, and respect and esteem were freely ac- corded him in recognition of genuine personal worth.

CHARLES DRAPER PROUTY.

The Buckeye state is represented in Iowa by many stanch sons who have established homes here and gained positions of influence and responsibility in the business world. Of this number is Charles Draper Prouty, for more than thirty years connected with the wholesale grocery business in Des Moines. He comes of ancestors who located at Spencer, Massachusetts, about 1666, the family now being well distributed over the United States, some members being found in almost every state of the Union.

He was born at Cumberland, Ohio, October 31, 1855, a son of Russell and Nancy (Dunbar) Prouty, the former of whom was born at Spencer, Massa- chusetts, in 1815, and the latter at Belchertown, Massachusetts, May 14, 1816. Mrs. Prouty was a direct descendant of Colonel Knowlton of the Mayflower. Mr. Prouty's father was engaged at various times in farming, merchandising and manufacturing. . In the early '30s he and a brother came to Illinois and pur- chased some land. In 1857 Mr. Prouty acquired property in Keokuk county, Iowa, and the year following his family located in that county where he con- tinued until his death, which occurred in 1867. He was a man of considerable energy and a worthy representative of the pioneers who left behind the com- forts of an established home and introduced the arts of civilization in the wilderness.

Charles Draper Prouty received his early education in a little log schoolhouse in Keokuk county, which consisted of one room with greased paper for win-

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dows and puncheon roof and floor. However, even under these conditions it was possible to lay the foundation for a successful career. Later he pursued a commercial course at Oskaloosa, Iowa, and began his active career in 1868. as a clerk in the mercantile house of Madison Brothers at Oskaloosa. In 1870 he became connected with McCune & Allen at Sharon, Iowa, and two years later entered the mercantile business in his own name at What-Cheer, Iowa. Selling out in 1875, he removed to Lacey, Iowa, but believing that more favor- able opportunities were presented at Des Moines, he came to this city in 1878.

Having made thorough preparation for the work to which the principal energies of his life were to be directed, he entered the wholesale grocery house of R. C. Webb & Company and for fifteen years' traveled for the firm, at the end of which time he became a partner, the title being changed to that of Webb & Prouty. Subsequently Mr. Webb withdrew and for a few years the business was continued under the title of Prouty & Pratt, the firm being later incorporated as C. C. Prouty & Company, which name has ever since been retained. Mr. Prouty also began the manufacture of soap in 1889, the factory being located at Fourth and Market streets. A new plant was erected in 1890 and this branch of the business is conducted under the title of the Prouty & Bowler Soap Company. Mr. Prouty is also a large holder of real estate and other interests in Des Moines and vicinity and in many ways is identified with the prosperity and development of the city.

On the 7th day of February, 1902, Mr. Prouty was united in marriage to Miss Mary Alice Benson. He early learned the value of application and perse- verance and his success has been largely due to the close attention he has de- voted to his business and a laudable ambition to accomplish something useful in life. Politically he supports the republican party but he has never sought public office, as he prefers to devote his time and attention to his business affairs. Socially he is identified with the Country and Des Moines Clubs, and during his leisure hours seeks the field or stream, as no more ardent lover of outdoor recreation is to be found than the subject of this review.

SAMUEL ADAMS MERRILL.

With the advancement of time opportunities are larger, owing to the growing complexity of the interests of trade, but competition is also greater and the successful man is he who makes wise use of every moment, who neglects no advantage and who brings to bear on the intricate problems of business a keen intellect, clear discrimination and sound judgment. Proving his worth in the business world, Samuel A. Merrill has reached the position of vice president and director of the Citizens National Bank of Des Moines.

Mr. Merrill was born on the 8th of June, 1856, at Tamworth, Carroll county, New Hampshire, a son of Jeremiah Hill and Ann Elizabeth (Dearborn) Merrill. of whom mention is made elsewhere in this volume in connection with which appears the ancestral history of the family. His education was acquired in the public schools of Iowa to which state his parents removed in his boyhood days, and in Grinnell College, from which he was graduated in 1879 with the Bach- elor of Science and Master of Arts degrees. Not a little of his success, per- haps, is attributable to the fact that he has always continued in the line of business to which he turned his attention in the years of his early manhood. thus concentrating his energies upon a single undertaking. He was connected with the Citizens National Bank of Des Moines in clerical capacities from 1879 until 1888, when he became treasurer and secretary of the Security, Loan & Trust Company, with which he was associated through the following decade. Since 1903 he has been vice president and one of the directors of the Citizens

CITY OF DES MOINES AND POLK COUNTY

National Bank of Des Moines and is likewise a director of the State Savings Bank of this city.

On the 23d of September, 1882, Mr. Merrill was married at Newton Center, Massachusetts, to Miss Fannie Raney Hyde, a daughter of Peter Ludlow and Harriette E. (Clapp) Hyde. Her father was a lieutenant in the Twenty-sixth Iowa Volunteers in the Civil war until killed at the battle of Arkansas Post on the IIth of January, 1863. Mr. and Mrs. Merrill have three sons, Ludlow J., Edward D. and Russel H.

In his political views Mr. Merrill has been a republican since age conferred upon him the right of franchise and since 1879 he has held membership in the Plymouth Congregational church of Des Moines, to the welfare and up- building of which he is devoted, its activities having share in his time and labor. He is also a member of the Sons of the American Revolution belonging to Ben Franklin chapter. He is likewise a trustee of the Iowa College at Grin- nell and progressive movements tending in any way to further the interests of humanity and promote the material progress of the city or to uplift the individual receive his indorsement.

CONRAD DANIEL REINKING.

Conrad Daniel Reinking, whose demise occurred at Des Moines in March, 1902, was the first furniture manufacturer of the city and remained a prominent and respected resident here for more than a half century. His birth occurred in the province of Westphalia, Prussia, Germany, on the 2d of May, 1820. His father, who served under Napoleon whom he later deserted, was also a native of Westphalia, in which country he passed away.

In 1832 Conrad D. Reinking crossed the Atlantic to the United States, lo- cating in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he continued to reside for twelve years. At the expiration of that time, however, he decided to migrate west, coming to Fort Madison, Iowa, in 1844. He shortly returned to Philadelphia, remaining there until 1848, at which time he came to Des Moines, ever after considering it to be his home. Being a cabinetmaker by trade, he soon opened a small shop on the west side of Courthouse Square and there made the first furniture manufactured in Des Moines. Finding that his location was too far distant from what was then the business district, he purchased a lot on Third street, erected thereon a log cabin and opened the first furniture store and cab- inetmaker's shop in the town. In 1849, owing to the discovery of gold in Cal- ifornia, he went west and engaged in prospecting for two years. Realizing at the end of that time that his possibilities of discovering a wealth,-producing vein of ore were very remote, he again took up his residence in the capital city. After abandoning the manufacture of furniture he became identified with agri- cultural pursuits, farming some land which he had acquired from the govern- ment in section 34, range 23, and which is still included in the estate. Though times were hard, his faith in the future of Des Moines was so great that he invested all his spare capital in real estate, on one occasion purchasing two lots at Eighth and Walnut streets, where he later built a home and subsequently erected the Reinking block. In 1852 Mr. Reinking was elected a member of the first council of the town of Fort Des Moines and played an important part in founding the civic government. Meetings were held in the old first courthouse and the council was made up of such sterling characters as Rev. Father Bird, Jesse Dicks, C. D. Reinking, P. M. Casady, William T. Marvin, Hoyt Sherman and R. M. Sypher.

It was in Iowa City that Mr. Reinking was united in marriage to Miss Eleanor P. Shaver, who was born in Somerset county, Pennsylvania, on the 19th of May,

CONRAD D. REINKING

CITY OF DES MOINES AND POLK COUNTY

1831. Her parents, George and Rose (Ankenny) Shaver, were married in the Keystone state, of which the father was one of the early settlers. Unto our subject and his wife were born four children, as follows: Vera, who passed away in 1897 and who was the wife of Willam A. Jones, by whom she had five children; Ella, who is the widow of Charles A. Towle and makes her home in Grinnell, Iowa; George F., of Des Moines, who wedded Miss Carrie Bailey and has two children; and Daniel P., who is likewise a resident of Des Moines. When Conrad D. Reinking was called to his final rest in March, 1902, Des Moines mourned the loss of one of its most prosperous and honored pioneer residents. His widow, who celebrated her eightieth birthday on the 19th of May, 1911, makes her home at No. 1308 East Grand avenue.

Daniel P. Reinking, a son of Conrad D. Reinking, devotes much of his atten- tion to the administration of the estate left by his father. He was born on the old family homestead, located just outside of Des Moines in Polk county, on the 3d of April, 1862. Reared upon the farm, he obtained his early education in the district schools of Polk county, this being later supplemented by attendance at the public schools of Des Moines, from which he withdrew at the end of his freshman year in the high school. In 1881 he began his career by accepting a position with the McCormick Harvester Company, being identified with that firm for five years. He subsequently learned carpentry and for twelve years followed that trade, during which time he was employed on some of the largest and finest public buildings and residences in the city. He assisted in the con- struction of the Youngerman building, being the last workman to leave the place after the structure was pronounced completed. Shortly following this he withdrew from his own pursuits to assume the management of the extensive interests left by his father and has ever since devoted his attention to this estate, which includes holdings in many local, financial and industrial enterprises. He is a stockholder and has served as a director of the Valley National Bank, is a stockholder and director in the Bentley & Olmsted Company, the vice pres- ident and treasurer of the Beck Coal & Mining Company and one of the direct- ors and incorporators of the Central Trust Company.

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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 8

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