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 81
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On the 5th of May. 1897. Mr. Morgan was united in marriage to Miss Ber- tha M. Miller, a daughter of Adam V. and A. C. Miller, the father being engaged in agricultural pursuits in Polk county. Two children have been born of this union : Ethel L. and Jeannette I. The parents affiliate with the Church of Christ. Mr. Morgan .is a past noble grand of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and also a member of the Brotherhood of American Yeomanry and the Modern Brotherhood of America.
PETER BOHROFEN.
Of the many agriculturists which Germany has contributed to Polk county none has met with more gratifying success in the pursuit of his vocation than Peter Bohrofen. His natal day was the 14th of March, 1851, and his parents Henry and Mary (Heine) Bohrofen, who spent their entire lives in the father- land, where Henry Bohrofen engaged in agricultural pursuits. The mother passed away in 1866, and the father died in 1873.
Reared in the rural districts of Germany, Peter Bohrofen acquired his edu- cation in the common schools, remaining a member of the paternal household until he was about sixteen years of age. He then decided to put to the test the wonderful stories he heard regarding the opportunities afforded in the United States, so took passage for America. Upon his arrival in this country he made his way westward from the Atlantic seaboard to Keokuk county, Iowa, where he secured employment as a farm hand by the month. He continued to follow that occupation for six years and then went to California, where he remained for four years. During the last four months of that period he worked with a gang of government surveyors and prior to that he was employed on a farm for two years. In 1877 he came to Polk county, Iowa, locating in Jefferson township where he bought eighty acres of land, which he immediately set about clearing and improving. He added to his tract from time to time as he was able until he now owns six hundred and forty acres of land, one hundred and sixty-one and a half of which is in Polk and the remainder in Dallas county. Mr. Bohrofen has ever since been engaged in the cultivation of this farm, upon which he has wrought many improvements. He has met with excellent success in his ventures and now owns one of the best improved and cultivated as well as valuable properties in the locality. In addition to the cultivation of his fields
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he engages in the raising of cattle and hogs, always keeping about fifty head of cattle and eighteen head of horses, while he raises about six hundred hogs annually.
On the 26th of December, 1878, Mr. Bohrofen's plans for a home had their culmination in his marriage to Miss Louise Frick, a daughter of Henry and Frances ( Miller) Frick, natives of Germany and Pennsylvania, respectively. Her father, who was a blacksmith, followed his trade for some time after locating in Iowa but subsequently purchased a farm in Crocker township, this county. He engaged in the improvement and cultivation of his property for eighteen years, at the end of which time he disposed of it and removed to Jefferson township, where he bought another farm which he cultivated for a time. He then went to Dallas county and acquired the title by purchase to . another farm, upon which he was residing at the time of his demise in August, 1901. His widow, who is now eighty-two years of age, continues to make her home in Dallas county. To Mr. and Mrs. Bohrofen have been born six chil- diren, in order of birth as follows: Nellie, who became the wife of Fred Peitz- man, a farmer of Dallas county; Lizzie, the wife of Lee Allen, a farmer in Boone county ; Henry, an agriculturist of Dallas county; William, living at home ; Peter, Jr., also a farmer in Dallas county ; and Mary F., attending school in Grimes.
Although the family is not affiliated with any particular church they attend the services of the various Protestant denominations. Ever since naturalization conferred upon him the full rights of citizenship Mr. Bohrofen has given his political support to the candidates of the republican party. He has for many years served as trustee of his township as well as school director, in both of which capacities he has rendered most commendable service. In addition to his extensive realty holdings Mr. Bohrofen is one of the stockholders of the Farmers Savings Bank of Grimes, of which he is president, and he is also interested in the Farmers Cooperative Grain Company of Grimes. A man well endowed with practical ideas which he directs toward a definite purpose, Mr. Bohrofen has always been recognized as one of the leaders in his community, where he is highly esteemed, not alone for what he has accomplished but for his fine personal qualities as neighbor and friend.
JESSE B. HERRIMAN.
Insurance men of Iowa rank high in the opinion of their brethren in other states, and this is especially true of Jesse B. Herriman, who for more than thirty years has been connected with the insurance business in this state. He was born in Noble county, Indiana, June 5, 1849, and is a son of David B. and Mary Ann (Judy) Herriman, the latter of whom was born in Clark county, Ohio, August 28, 1818. The father was born October 17, 1808. He engaged in farming in Indiana, and turned the first furrow in the eastern part of Noble county. He became quite prominent in politics and served for thirteen years in the general assembly of the state, being elected both to the upper and lower houses. He was for four years agent for the Chippewa Indians in Minnesota, and was known as a man of unimpeachable character and good business ability. He died in December, 1875, his wife having passed away January 30, 1851. There were eight children born to them, six of whom grew to maturity, namely: John, who is married and lives at Wadena, Iowa; Charles, also married and living in Des Moines ; Warren B., who is married and lives at Marshalltown, Iowa; Samuel K., also of Marshalltown ; Hannah E., who married Eber White and is now de- ceased ; and Jesse B., of this review.
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After receiving his preliminary education in the common schools, Jesse B. Herriman attended the Upper Iowa University at Fayette for two terms. He devoted his attention to farming in Iowa from 1875 to 1892. In 1884, while living on his farm, he originated the Iowa Mutual Tornado Insurance Associa- tion, which is now said to be the largest cooperative organization in the world. He has served as secretary of the company for twenty-eight years, being virtually its manager. The company now has ninety-five thousand members and carries one hundred and fifty million dollars' worth of insurance, all of which is placed on property in the state of Iowa. Mr. Herriman also originated the Town Dwell- ing Company, but has turned this business over to C. E. Harsh.
On the 26th of August, 1872, he was married to Miss Mattie E. Guin, and three children were born in this union, namely: Ray D., Milo D., and Guin L. The mother of these children died October 15, 1875, and in May, 1877, Mr. Herriman was again married, the lady of his choice being Miss France Hafer. One child, Bonita, has blessed this union.
Mr. Herriman served three years in the regular army in the early part of his manhood and four of his brothers wore the uniform of blue at the time of the Civil war. In politics he is not affiliated with any of the parties, preferring to cast his vote independently. He is a man of remarkable business ability, as is shown by his success in handling insurance, and he possesses in an unusual de- gree the confidence of the farmers of Iowa, who have found him for a period of time extending through more than a quarter of a century to be safe, conservative and entirely reliable.
LESTER CLARK.
Plain View Farm, the home of Lester Clark, is one of the well known farms of Polk county. It includes two hundred and forty acres and is a valuable property, being highly developed and provided with all modern conveniences. Mr. Clark has a wide reputation as a horse breeder and has developed from his place many of the noblest specimens of Percheron horses that have ever been raised in Iowa.
He was born in Oneida county, New York, March 26, 1837, the son of Eze- kiel and Mary (Edick) Clark, both of whom were natives of the Empire state. The father came with his family to Des Moines in 1859 and in the spring of the same year went to Greenfield, Adair county, Iowa, where he rented eighty acres of land. After two years, having decided to change his location, he came to Polk county and rented two hundred acres which he cultivated to good ad- vantage for seven years, then taking up his residence in Bloomfield township. He and his sons purchased four hundred acres and here he continued until his death, which occurred April 10, 1887. The beloved wife and mother was called away May 5, 1897.
Lester Clark was reared in New York state and received his early education in the district schools, later attending Whitestone Seminary. He came to Iowa with his father and continued at home until 1873, when the father and sons di- vided up the property, each thereafter operating independently. The subject of this review took for his share one hundred and sixty acres in section 23, Bloom- field township. This place was well improved at the time and he has since bought additional land and now owns two hundred and forty acres, most of which is under admirable tillage and capable of producing large crops. For twenty years past he has been engaged in breeding Percheron horses and has attained a wide reputation on account of his excellent judgment as a breeder. In addition to his Percherons he ordinarily keeps twelve head of horses and ten
MR. AND MRS. LESTER CLARK
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head of cattle on his farm. He is a stockholder of the Farmers' Telephone Company.
On the Ist day of January, 1870, Mr. Clark was united in marriage to Miss Emma Hazle, a daughter of Robert and Jane (Simpson) Hazle, the former of whom was born in England and the latter in Ireland. The father was a laborer. He came to this country and located in New York, where he continued until his death, which occurred in 1878, the mother passing away twenty-two years later at Cheyenne, Wyoming. Mr. Clark and his wife have had no children of their own, but took a child to raise at the age of eight years named William I. Cottril, to whom they gave excellent opportunities of education and training. He is still making his home with them and is now twenty-six years of age.
Politically Mr. Clark is affiliated with the democratic party. He has served as township trustee and assessor and for twenty years past as a member of the school board. Both he and his wife are connected with the Methodist church. Although Mr. Clark has reached the seventy-fourth milestone on life's journey he is as greatly interested in affairs as if he were a man of forty or fifty years of age, and he still continues to supervise his farm. His record is a splendid illustration of the beneficial effect of well balanced judgment in shaping the business career of the individual. He is recognized as a man of unquestioned integrity, whose work has proven of lasting benefit to his county and state.
ANDREW W. CARLSON.
The strong business men of the present age are the self-made men-those whom circumstances have forced to become self-reliant and independent. To this class belongs Andrew W. Carlson, who has valiantly fought life's battles and has come off conqueror in the strife. With enterprise and diligence as his am- munitions of war, he has fought against all those forces which mean defeat in business and has gradually advanced to a prominent place in commercial circles, being now president of two substantial mining companies of Des Moines.
Mr. Carlson was born in Sweden, April 6, 1852, a son of John P. and Anna (Bondy) Carlson, both of whom spent their last days in Webster county, Iowa, where the father had for many years followed farming. His son Andrew ac- quired his early education in the schools of Sweden but came with his parents to America in 1865, when a youth of thirteen years. The family first settled in Knox county, Illinois, but in 1868 removed to Webster county, Iowa, and after coming to Des Moines Andrew W. Carlson continued his education as a student in a night school. The family were in limited financial circumstances and the necessity of providing for his own support early devolved upon Mr. Carlson, who had worked on his father's farm when a young lad in Illinois, and when the family removed to Iowa he began work on the Rock Island Railroad between Des Moines and Omaha, being employed for about six months as a teamster. In the fall of that year he secured a position in the mines of D. F. Allen in Des Moines township as weigher of coal and was employed in connection with the mines for a number of years, carefully saving his earnings, for he was ambitious to pro- vide for his own support.
Mr. Carlson at length saved a sum sufficient to enable him to embark in gen- eral merchandising and he opened a store in Dillon, Iowa. In 1880, however, he returned to Des Moines and purchased a small coal mine east of the city. This he operated for two years, his property being known as the Enterprise mine. In 188I he removed to Stratford, Hamilton county, Iowa, where he again carried on general merchandising. In 1884 he once more came to Des Moines and again entered into active connection with the coal business, becoming superintendent for the Giant Coal Company. After serving in that capacity for a year and a Vol. II-34
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half he was made superintendent of the Valeria Mining Company, operating in Jasper county, Iowa. He remained with them for four years and then returned to Des Moines, organizing the Maple Grove Coal Company and opening the Maple Grove mine, which he operated for fifteen years, or until the mine was exhausted. He next organized the Maple Block Coal Company and managed its affairs for two years, after which he sold out. His next mining interests were with the Delaware Coal Company, in which connection he operated a mine until 1910. He is now at the head of the High Bridge Coal Company, at High Bridge, Iowa, and also the Zimbelman Coal Company, located at Boone, Iowa, being presi- dent of the last two. He is also the owner of farm lands in Polk county and his properties and business interests are the visible evidence of his life of well di- rected thrift and energy. Earnest purpose and close application have constituted the basis of his success and his record proves that prosperity and an honorable name may be won simultaneously.
In Des Moines, on the 4th of March, 1880, Mr. Carlson was united in mar- riage to Miss Julia Gustafson, a daughter of Carl Gustafson. A native of Iowa, she was born between Dayton and Stratford, April 25, 1857, and by her marriage has become the mother of three sons, Andrew W., Russell E. and Ralph Herman. The eldest and the youngest are natives of Des Moines but the second son was born in Colfax, Iowa. Russell and Ralph are now law students in Drake Uni- versity.
Mr. Carlson is a member of the Lutheran church and also holds membership relations with the Knights of Pythias and the Odd Fellows. In politics he is a progressive republican. His position in the business world today is in marked contrast to his condition at the time of his arrival in Des Moines. He then had a cash capital of ten cents. He knew what it was to work hard and to depend upon his own resources. He resolved that he would win success if it could be done through honorable effort and close application and those qualities have en- abled him to work his way steadily upward. All days have not been equally bright and at times the storm clouds of defeat and discouragement have gathered but all threatened disasters have been passed and he is today basking in the sunlight of prosperity.
EDGAR CLAYTON CORRY.
Edgar Clayton Corry, attorney for the Brotherhood of American Yeomen, and also successfully engaged in the general practice of law since 1895, was born in Clarence, Iowa, September 17, 1870, his parents being George and Elizabeth (McClellan) Corry. His great-great-grandfather was one of the body guard of King George III. His great-grandfather came with a regiment of soldiers di- rectly from the battle of Waterloo to Canada, and the parents of our subject re- moved directly from Canada to Cedar county, Iowa, becoming pioneer settlers there. They accompanied their respective parents who preempted adjoining claims in 1847. George Corry and Elizabeth McClellan were married at the Flemming House at Tipton, Iowa, and for many years Mr. Corry followed the occupation of farming and eventually became interested in banking.
Edgar C. Corry supplemented his early educational training by study in Ode- bolt (Iowa) high school, from which he was graduated in 1886; in the Iowa State College, which conferred upon him the Bachelor of Science degree in 1892; and in Iowa State University, where he completed his law course in 1895. In early manhood he engaged in teaching, but following his preparation for the bar he began practice in Des Moines, where he has since remained, and in the six- teen years of his connection with the legal profession here has won for himself a creditable place, prominent among those who appear in the courts in the de-
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fense or prosecution of those who are involved in litigation. In June, 1908, he was made general attorney for the Brotherhood of American Yeomen. He is well known in professional circles, being both a member of the Iowa State and the Polk County Bar Associations.
On the 7th of November, 1900, in Des Moines, Mr. Corry was united in mar- riage to Miss Anna Marie Kirk, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A. M. Kirk. Mrs. Corry is very prominent in musical circles in the city, possessing marked talent in that direction. Both hold membership in the Central Presbyterian church and Mr. Corry belongs also to Grant Club, to Jeptha Lodge, No. 201, A. F. & A. M., at Auburn, Iowa, the Modern Woodmen camp, the Modern Brotherhood, the Knights of Modern Maccabees and the Brotherhood of American Yeomen. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and he keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day so that he is able to support his position by intelligent argument, yet he does not seek nor desire office, preferring-to give his entire time to his professional duties, which are of continually growing im- portance. His clientage is now large and of a distinctively representative char- acter and the court records give proof of his ability in the many verdicts that he has won favorable to his clients.
CHARLES STANLEY WALKER.
Charles Stanley Walker, president and treasurer of one of the leading pro- ductive industries of the west, operating under the name of The Kratzer Car- riage Company, has risen to his present place of administrative direction from a very humble position, the early period of his apprenticeship with this establish- ment bringing him a salary of but six dollars per week. Eighteen years sufficed for his rise through intermediate positions to the presidency and the control of one of the large manufacturing plants of the west and in his history is found incentive and inspiration for industry and close application on the part of others. He was born at Mount Orab, Brown county, Ohio, July 7, 1869, a son of Nelson R. and Melissa Jane (Weeks) Walker, both of whom are still living, the former at the age of seventy-three the latter at the age of seventy-five. The ancestry of the family can be traced back through several generations in America and came originally from England and the north of Ireland. One of the great-great-grand- fathers of Charles Stanley Walker was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. One of his great-grandfathers was a defender of American interests in the war of 1812 and the father was a member of the Fifth Ohio Cavalry from 1861 until 1864. The father long engaged in the insurance business, founded a local agency in 1867 and has been "special" and adjuster and has held other prominent posi- tions with various large and important companies in more recent years. His wife, devoted to her family and her household, is a splendid type of Christian woman- hood, her interest centering in the welfare of husband and children and the growth of moral progress in her home community.
Charles Stanley Walker pursued his education in the common schools of his native town and continued his studies in the Southwestern Ohio Normal School at Georgetown, Ohio, and in Nelson's Business College of Cincinnati. He was afterward connected with his father in the fire insurance business and in De- cember, 1890, came to Des Moines, where he engaged in the manufacture of vehicles with The Kratzer Carriage Company. He was then a young man of twenty-one years. He recognized the fact that if he would make his service of value he must thoroughly acquaint himself with the business and be ready for any responsibilities that might come. He, therefore, did not disdain a salary of six dollars per week at the outset of his career, but he proved his worth in such a short space of time that in December, 1891, he was elected to the position of sec-
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retary of the company. He gradually acquainted himself with the business in every department and in November, 1897, became buyer for the house and also one of the stockholders. His advancement has come as the result of a gradual unfolding and development of his powers and talents and in November, 1908, he was elected to the position of president and treasurer of the company, which owns and controls one of the large vehicle manufacturing plants of the west. Moreover, he is today the principal stockholder. He has invested his capital and concentrated his energies upon one concern with the result that the business is growing steadily and in a substantial manner.
On the 20th of September, 1893, in Des Moines, Mr. Walker was married to Miss Cora Edna Cowgill, a daughter of J. F. and Harriett A. Cowgill. The Cowgills are an old family of Ohio of English descent, while the Creels, from whom Mrs. Walker is descended in the maternal line, came from Kentucky and are of Welsh lineage. Mrs. Walker was born in Bushnell, Illinois.
Mr. Walker is a republican but, though he is not actively interested in politics. stands for all that is progressive in citizenship and has served as a director and was one of the incorporators of the Greater Des Moines Committee. He be- longs to Capital Lodge, No. 110, A. F. & A. M., and has attained the thirty- second degree of the Scottish Rite in the Des Moines Consistory, No. 3. He like- wise holds membership with the Grant Club, the Commercial Club and the Young Men's Christian Association, of which he was recording secretary for thirteen years. His name is also on the membership roll of the First Methodist Episco- pal church, which finds in him a liberal and helpful supporter. The nature of his associations indicates the principles that govern his conduct and his life at all times measures up to the highest standard of upright, honorable manhood. Mr. Walker is regarded as one of the best known and strongest business men in Des Moines. When the commission form of government went into effect he was one of the warmest supporters and advocates. Mr. Walker's course through life in his business relations and in public connections has ever been such as has com- manded for him the confidence, respect and good will of his fellowmen. His name has become a synonym for commercial enterprise and business integrity and carries with it the weight of influence in public affairs among men who with singleness of purpose, desire for the city a business-like administration of its public affairs. His city residence, "Orchard Hall," at 4225 Grand avenue, is one of Des Moines' finest homes.
PATRICK J. CLANCY.
The entire period of Patrick J. Clancy's business life has been identified with the insurance circles of Des Moines. He was born in Ackley, Franklin county, Iowa, on the 12th of April, 1874, being a son of Patrick J. and Ellen (Ryan) Clancy, natives of Ireland, from which country they emigrated to the United States with their parents at the ages of eight and ten years respectively. They met and were married in Ohio, after which they came to Iowa, settling upon a farm in Franklin county which they purchased for two dollars per acre. Ar- riving in the year 1860 they were among the pioneer settlers of that section of the state, their nearest market at that time being Cedar Falls, which was forty miles away.
The district schools of his native county provided Patrick J. Clancy with an understanding of the elementary branches, after which he attended Ellsworth College at Iowa Falls. Having decided to teach he later took a two years' course at the Iowa State Teachers College at Cedar Falls, and after his arrival in Des Moines he studied shorthand and bookkeeping in the Capital City Commercial College. After completing his education Mr. Clancy taught school for two years,
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