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 83

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 83

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SEYMOUR H. UHL.

Seymour H. Uhl, a prominent, prosperous and progressive citizen of Wash- ington township, devotes his attention to the cultivation of three hundred acres of land, constituting one of the best improved farms in Polk county. His birth occurred in Logansport, Indiana, in September, 1863, his parents being Jo- seph and Caroline (Miller) Uhl, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania. The father, a miller by trade, removed to Indiana in 1847 and built the first flour mill in Logansport. He was connected with milling interests throughout his active business career and never lived in Iowa, although in 1857 he purchased the farm which is now in possession of our subject. He retained the property for about twenty years and then sold it to his son Seymour. His demise oc- curred at Logansport, Indiana, in March, 1898, while his wife was called to her final rest in July, 1901.

Seymour H. Uhl was reared in the place of his nativity and attended the public schools in the acquirement of an education. When a youth of seven- teen he came to Iowa and began working by the month as a farm hand, being thus employed for one year. Subsequently he operated a rented farm for one year and then went to Montana, where he remained for two years, rounding up cattle on the range. He is a millwright and carpenter by trade and after re- turning to this state worked at those occupations in Sioux City for one year and in Polk county for two years. On the expiration of that period he purchased his father's farm of three hundred acres in Washington township and began its improvement. From that time to the present he has been busily engaged in its operation and now owns one of the most highly improved farms in the county. In connection with the tilling of the soil he raises a carload of hogs each year and also keeps fifty head of cattle and six head of horses. He likewise owns a well improved farm of four hundred acres in Jones county and is a stockholder in the People's State Bank at Maxwell and the Farmers Grain Company at that place. During the years 1902, 1903 and 1904 he was engaged in the house-

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furnishing business at Santa Barbara, California, and also conducted a car- riage repository there.

On the Ist of January, 1889, Mr. Uhl was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary Kulow, a daughter of Frederick and Matilda (Webster) Kulow, who were na- tives of Germany and Pennsylvania respectively. The father emigrated to the United States and located in Mendota, Illinois, in 1851, becoming identified with industrial interests as a contractor and builder. In 1857 he removed to Story county, Iowa, entered and improved a tract of land and operated the same for three years. In 1864 he purchased a farm in Washington township, Polk county, devoting his attention to its further cultivation and improvement until 1885. In that year he sold the property and bought another farm in the north- east corner of Washington township, which he operated throughout the remain- der of his life, passing away on the 30th of January, 1890. The demise of his wife occurred on the 24th of September, 1868. Mr. and Mrs. Uhl have four children, as follows: Mabel, twenty-one years of age, who is the wife of Carl Hurst and resides in Washington township; Joseph M., a youth of eighteen; and Caroline and Ellen, who are fifteen and thirteen years of age respectively.

Mr. Uhl is a republican in his political views and has served as school di- rector of Washington township for a number of years. Fraternally he is iden- tified with the Masons, belonging to the blue lodge at Maxwell, Iowa, the chap- ter at Santa Barbara, California, and the consistory and shrine at Des Moines, Iowa. He is likewise a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks at Des Moines. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Evangelical church, to which his wife and children also belong. He is a man of marked strength of character, genial disposition and genuine worth and has the unqualified respect and good will of his fellowmen.

JAMES C. O'DONNELL.

James C. O'Donnell was born in Aurora, Illinois, on the 28th of June, 1867, his parents being Charles and Elizabeth (Dumas) O'Donnell. They located here in 1879, and for many years the father has been president of the Western Granite Company. Seven children were born unto Mr. and Mrs. O'Donnell, six of whom are surviving. Those beside our subject are: Elizabeth, who is a sister of Mercy at Joplin, Missouri; Grace ; Charles D., the owner of the O'Don- nell Printing Company of Des Moines; Henry D., a draughtsman; and Margaret.

James C. O'Donnell was educated in St. Ambrose school, Des Moines, after which he entered the Bowen Commercial College, where he pursued a full busi- ness course. His first independent business venture was a retail grocery, which he established in the Flynn building in 1890. Having decided at the end of four years that he preferred banking to commercial pursuits, he disposed of his interests and accepted a position in the Marquardt Savings Bank. He contin- ued to be identified with this concern for seven years, having advanced to the position of paying teller. He resigned in order to become assistant cashier in the German Savings Bank. assuming his duties in the latter institution on the 12th of September, 1903. On the 27th of November, three years later, he was made cashier and on the first of November, 1909, he was elected vice president. which position he still retains. Mr. O'Donnell is widely known in local banking circles, as in addition to his official connection with the German Savings Bank of this city, he is president of the First Savings Bank of Norwalk; vice presi- dent of the Farrar State Savings Bank at Farrar ; cashier of the Bevington Bank, Bevington ; and a director of the Farmers Savings Bank at Carlisle. Iowa. He is also president of the Granite Brick Company, treasurer of the Farm Prop-

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erty Mutual Fire Association of Iowa and director of the Des Moines Sheet Metal Company.

On the 20th of October, 1897, in St. Jarlath's church, Chicago, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. O'Donnell and Miss Nellie D. Byrne, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Byrne, of Fairfield, Iowa. Three children have been born of this union : James Byrne, who passed away in infancy; Kathleen Mary, born on the 31st of August, 1900; and Bernardine Nellie, born on the 27th of March, 1904. The family are communicants of St. Ambrose Catholic church. Mr. O'Donnell is a member of the Knights of Columbus and the Benevolent Pro- tective Order of Elks. His affiliations of a more strictly commercial and social nature are with the Bankers Club and the Commercial Club of this city.

Mr. O'Donnell accords his political allegiance to the men and measures of the democratic party. He has always taken an active and helpful interest in all civic affairs and for eight years served as treasurer of the board of education of Des Moines. As an organizer and director of financial institutions, Mr. O'Donnell is recognized as a man of unusual power, as under his capable super- vision ventures which involve the protection of the funds of the general public are always given that judicious care which has ultimately won him the confi- dence essential to the successful career of a financier.

MAJOR HOYT SHERMAN.

In the annals of the history of this great city, now the capitol of one of the foremost states of the Union, for many future generations will stand the name of Hoyt Sherman, one that carries to every heart memories of a man of the highest attainable character, ever loyal to his country, state and city, a faithful husband and kind father in his home, a most valued friend to all who knew him and always ready to lend a helping hand to his fellowmen.

Hoyt Sherman was a son of Hon. Charles R. Sherman, judge of the su- preme Court of Ohio from 1825 until his death, which occurred in 1829. His brothers were Hon. John Sherman, secretary of the treasury, General W. T. Sherman of the United States Army. the late Charles T. Sherman, judge of the United States court for the northern district of Ohio, and James and Lampson P. Sherman, early settlers of Polk county. He was born in Lancaster county, Ohio, November 1, 1827. During his boyhood days, while attending school, his leisure time was given to learning the printers trade in the office of his two brothers, Charles and John, in Mansfield, Ohio. At the age of twenty-one, in 1848, his long cherished desire to see the then less frequented spots of this great continent culminated in his emigration to Iowa where upon his arrival at Des Moines, he immediately decided to remain. His initial step in Des Moines as a business man was his association with Thomas McMullen, then school fund commissioner, in the selling of school lands granted the state by an act of con- gress. However he remained not long at his first position for as he showed signs of remarkable business ability he was soon appointed deputy postmaster of Des Moines, the office then being known as Raccoon River. R. L. Tidrick was Postmaster and the office was in conjunction with that of Cassady & Tidrick, attorneys, located on Second street, near Vine. He served in the capacity of deputy until 1849 when upon the resignation of Mr. Tidrick he was appointed postmaster, under the administration of President Zachary Taylor, which office he held until 1853 when he resigned and recommended the appointment of his well known successor, Wesley Redhead.

Soon after his appointment he built an office on the east side of Second street, near Vine, and moved the office from the old barracks building thereto, it being the first exclusive postoffice building in the city.

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It is a coincidence that he also built the second building used as a postoffice. called the Sherman Block, corner of Third street and Court avenue, and the third postoffice, a two-story frame on Third street, in the rear of the Sherman Block, and disbursed the funds for the building of the postoffice which was occupied until the completion of the present one, March, 1910.

At the May term of the district court, 1849, Mr. Sherman was admitted to the bar and became one of the most prominent attorneys of his day. An illus- tration of his determination to gain a foothold in the business world is shown by the methods used in his first investment. In 1850 the well known and exten- sive Pursely estate was to be sold and the realty divided into five-acre tracts and sold by order of the court. His accumulated savings amounted to exactly one hundred dollars. The sale was to be at auction. He was on the grounds at the opening hour and was approached by one of the executives to act as clerk of the sale for which services he was to receive a compensation of five dollars. The tract he most desired was called and soon reached one hundred dollars, the extent of his assets, but at this point there was a hesitancy in the bidding. By raising it to one hundred and five dollars, including the pay he was to receive for that day's work, he was the highest bidder and the land was his. This was his first step, the property was sold to the city after the death of Mr. Sherman.

In 1852 he was elected clerk of the district court and administrator of the estate of Judge Burbridge. In 1853 the Sherman Block at the northeast corner of Third street and Court avenue was built and for several years was occupied by the county and city offices. In 1854 the bank of Hoyt Sherman and Company was organized to do a legitimate and exchange business. The known integrity and character of the company at once brought success, and it was largely in- strumental in driving out the worthless notes of the Agricultural Bank of Ten- nessee. In 1856, during the state house scrimmage, between the "East Siders" and Fort Des Moines, Mr. Sherman took an active part. To give aid and com- fort to the "West Siders" and put the state house on Grinnell's Hill he subscribed three thousand dollars.

In 1858, when under the new constitution authorizing banks of issue, the State Bank of Iowa was organized, Mr. Sherman was elected cashier of the Des Moines branch and one of the directors of the state organization, elected to supervise the system and guard the public interests, and the bank of Hoyt Sher- man merged into it. It had ample capital, its notes were kept at par and re- deemed upon presentation. It continued to do business until the present na- tional banking system went into operation.

In 1861 he was appointed by President Lincoln, paymaster in the Union Army with the rank of major. He held that highly responsible position for more than three years, disbursing millions of dollars without the discrepancy of a penny much to his credit and to the high satisfaction of the government. In 1866 Major Sherman was a member of the house of the eleventh general as- sembly, where he was a chairman of the committee on ways and means. In January, 1867, the Equitable Life Insurance Company of Iowa, now one of the strongest companies in the middle west, was organized and he was elected actuary ; in February following, secretary ; and in January, 1874. president, hold- ing that office fourteen years.

In 1868 he was elected corresponding secretary of the Old Settlers Associa- tion and held that place 'several years. In 1871 he became one of those who founded the Des Moines Water Company, and laid the foundation of the present system of water supply. Early in 1876 the Iowa Industrial Exposition Com- pany was organized, with Mr. Sherman as president, the object being to erect a building for the permanent exhibit of specimens of art and industries of the state. A fine three-story brick, one hundred and thirty-two feet square, was crected, a large organ put in it and the interior arranged for exhibits. In Sep- tember a formal opening was held and a display most creditable.

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In 1886 he was one of the founders of the Pioneer Lawmakers Association and was ever one of its influential members, serving as president and long as a member of the executive committee. He contributed some very valuable his- torical articles on Annals of Iowa, Early Banking in Iowa, and on the State Bank of Iowa. Many years he was the executive officer of the Associated Charities of Des Moines.

On the failure of Allen, at a massmeeting of citizens and creditors, Mr. Sherman was selected by a unanimous vote as assignee to settle the immensely entangled affairs of the estate and make distribution of the property, a service which for several years required the exercise of sterling business qualities, diplo- macy and sound judgment. It was a constant vigorous contest with lawyers and litigants in the courts which terminated in a much more liberal distribution of property than was foreseen by anyone.

On the 25th of December, 1855, Major Sherman was married to Miss Sara Moulton, of Ohio, a highly accomplished lady who as wife, mother and neighbor won the esteem and good will of all. She was called to her final rest on March 2, 1887, leaving a fond husband and five children. The oldest was Frank Allen, a lawyer of Des Moines, who died March 1, 1902; Adeline M. is the wife of Frank B. Wiborg, of Cincinnati, Ohio; Charles M. is an attorney residing in Washington, D. C .; Arthur H. is of Des Moines; and Helen, now Mrs. William O. Griffith, lives in Washington, D. C. Major General Sherman died January 25, 1904.

WILLIAM E. HYLAND.

William E. Hyland, conducting a general store at Campbell in partnership with his brother Lewis, is a worthy and successful representative of mercantile interests in Polk county. His birth occurred in Pella, Iowa, on the 6th of Octo- ber, 1858, his parents being Lewis and Ann (Taylor) Hyland, more extended mention of whom is made on another page of this volume. He was reared and educated in Des Moines, attending the public schools and also the business college of that city. He remained under the parental roof until twenty-two years of age and then secured a position with Gus Smith, the grocer, in whose employ he continued for twelve years.On the expiration of that period he turned his attention to general agricultural pursuits, renting and operating a farm be- longing to his father until 1896. In that year he purchased a tract of eighty- seven acres in Walnut township, devoting his time and energies to its further cultivation and improvement for four or five years. In 1898 he bought a half interest in a general store at Campbell, Iowa, and four years later his brother Lewis purchased the remaining half. The two brothers have since successfully conducted the establishment, having built up an extensive patronage because of their large and well selected stock of goods, their reasonable prices and ear- nest desire to please their customers.

On the 10th of April, 1889, Mr. Hyland was united in marriage to Miss Hattie E. Youngerman, a daughter of John and Mary Youngerman, both of whom were natives of Germany. They crossed the Atlantic to the United States in 1845, locating in Des Moines, Iowa, where Mr. Youngerman worked at the blacksmith's trade for some time. Subsequently he made his way to California, being there engaged in gold mining until his return to Polk county. Here he purchased a tract of eighty acres and set himself resolutely to the task of clearing and improving the property. As his financial resources increased he added to his holdings from time to time until he had accumulated two hundred and eighty acres of valuable land. His demise occurred in 1903. while his wife was called to her final rest in 1907. Mr. and Mrs. Hyland are the parents of three children, namely: Grace V., who is married and resides at Valley Junc-

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tion, lowa; Russell, a youth of eighteen, who is at home; and Hazel, a maiden of thirteen, who is also under the parental roof.

Mr. Hyland is a democrat in politics and has served as school director of Walnut township for several years. Fraternally he is identified with the Mod- ern Brotherhood of America, while his religious faith is indicated by his mem- bership in the Methodist Episcopal church, to which his wife and children also belong. He has spent his entire life in this part of the state and has long enjoyed an enviable reputation as a representative business man and respected citizen.

A. O. HAUGE.

A. O. Hauge, who in 1906 was appointed to the position of cashier of the Iowa Trust & Savings Bank, in which capacity he has served continuously since, his business ability and fidelity contributing in no small measure to the sub- stantial success of the institution, was born in Lincoln township, Polk county, Iowa, February 13, 1879. His father, Halvar Hauge, was a native of Norway, born in 1832, and while residing in his native country worked at the painter's trade and was also a sailor. Favorable reports which reached him concerning America and her opportunities led him to try his fortune in the new world, and in 1860 he arrived in Lincoln township, Polk county, where he turned his at- tention to farming, securing a tract of land which he brought under a high state of cultivation. In 1892 he removed to Emmet county, where he resided until 1895, and then took up his abode in Wright county, Iowa, where his re- maining days were passed, his death occurring January II, 1906. He was a citizen of genuine worth and of high Christian principles. He held member- ship in the Lutheran church and took a prominent and active part in its work. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Kari Handeland and is a native of Nor- way, is still living. They were married in the land of the midnight sun and they became the parents of eleven children, all born in Polk county with the ex- ception of the eldest. A daughter, Mrs. Andrew Martinsen, is a missionary of the Norwegian Lutheran church in Cho Shan, China.

A. O. Hauge pursued his education in the public schools of Iowa, while spending his youthful days under the parental roof, and in Humboldt College, which he entered in 1895, being graduated therefrom with the class of 1897. He afterward became a member of the faculty taking charge of the commer- cial work, and at the same time he took up the study of law and also pursued other courses in the college. Removing to Des Moines in 1902, he took charge of the commercial department in the East Des Moines high school for a year, at the end of which time he resigned to become cashier in the office of the state treasurer under Gilbert Gilbertson. He filled that position until 1906, when he resigned to become cashier of the Iowa Trust & Savings Bank and is thus closely associated with the banking interests of the capital city. His previous experi- ence well qualified him for the onerous duties of a responsible position and he is thoroughly competent to discharge the tasks entrusted to him, his course win- ning him the high commendation and approval of those whom he serves. He is also secretary and treasurer of the Union Realty Company, which has platted and sold the highest class realty in East Des Moines.

On the 3Ist of December, 1904, Mr. Hauge was married to Miss Elizabeth Heggen, a native of Lincoln township, Polk county, and a daughter of Hans Heggen, a native of Norway. The two children born of this marriage are: Her- bert Henry, whose birth occurred March 25, 1906; and Gerhard Stanford, born April 6, 1908.

Mr. Hauge is a very active republican, untiring in his efforts to support the party and insure its success but never seeks office on his own account. He be-

AMOS O. HAUGE

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longs to the Home Lodge of Masons at Des Moines and other fraternal organi. zations, and his religious faith is indicated in his membership in the Norwegian Lutheran church. He is interested in every movement and measure that tends to upbuild and benefit the city and is now a director of the East Des Moines Commercial League, a director of the City Club, and secretary and treas- urer of the Des Moines Bankers Club. He finds time for the recreation which should form a part of every well appointed life and holds membership in the Grand View Golf Club. He is regarded as one of the rising young men of the capital city, interested and active in its welfare and at the same time proving his worth in the business world by his ready adaptability, energy and determined purpose-qualities that have won him substantial advancement and promise for the future.

HARRY F. GROSS.

While Harry F. Gross is now occupying a responsible position in business circles as assistant secretary of the Iowa Mutual Tornado Insurance Association of Des Moines, he also bears a wide and enviable reputation because of his activity and his fidelity in public office. For a number of years he was an in- cumbent in official positions and over the record of his official career there falls no shadow of wrong or suspicion of evil. He was born in Joliet, Illinois, October 19, 1873, a son of Frederick and Elizabeth (Sauck) Gross. The father a farmer by occupation, removed from Illinois to Webster county, Iowa, in 1879, and there turned his attention to general agricultural pursuits. The youthful days of his son Harry were spent upon the home farm, during which period he early became familiar with all of the duties and labors connected with the cultivation and development of the fields. He supplemented his early edu- cation acquired in the district schools, by study in the Fort Dodge Collegiate Institute, now the Buenavista (Iowa) College. In 1891 he came to Des Moines and here attended a business college, thus becoming still better equipped for life's practical and responsible duties. In 1896 he was appointed license collector for the city and after filling that position in a capable manner for three years he was elected city treasurer in 1900 and served six years, on the expira- tion of which period, in 1906, he entered the employ of the Iowa Mutual Tor. nado Insurance Association as assistant secretary and is now associated with that corporation in the same capacity.

Mr. Gross has been an active and efficient public servant. He has been no truckler for public favor, ever taking a firm stand in behalf of the right and of the best interests of the city. In 1906 he was appointed a member of the the commission that was created by acts of the thirty-first general assembly to secure uniform municipal accounting and was elected chairman of this com- mission. Out of the recommendations of this commission came the state super- vision of municipal accounting.

During his term as city treasurer he refused to acquiesce in the order of the city council to make a fifty-thousand-dollar loan for the water-works, believing such a course to be illegal. In this he was sustained and supported by John B. Lucas and they were the only two officials to oppose the loan. The matter was under public discussion for some time and much was said pro and con. The water company sued Mr. Gross and Mr. Lucas for fifty thousand dollars dam- ages and the two city officials successfully fought the matter at their own ex- pense, their course being completely vindicated and the city thereby saved a useless and heavy expenditure. The public saw the true position of Mr. Gross and his course was indorsed in a third election without opposition from any source. He is now giving his attention to business affairs as assistant secretary

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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 83

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