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 88

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 88

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Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise Mr. Mowen has supported the men and measures of the republican party, believing that its principles are most conducive to good government. For a period of eight years he served as trustee of Washington township. Both he and his wife are devoted and con- sistent members of the Evangelical church, exemplifying its teachings in their daily lives. Well known in the county where he has resided from early boy- hood days, Mr. Mowen enjoys a wide acquaintance here and has won uniform trust and good will by reason of a life which in all of its phases has been straight- forward and honorable.

JOHN A. KAVANAUGH.

The man who begins in a humble capacity in a large manufacturing concern and works his way through to a position as manager may be safely designated as a success in the line he has chosen. Having learned the business by actual experience, he has a practical knowledge of its details and is qualified to pass upon those questions that arise in the conduct of affairs from day to day. Such a man is John A. Kavanaugh, manager of the Des Moines house of the Ra- cine-Sattley Company, whose general headquarters are at Racine, Wisconsin.

Mr. Kavanaugh was born at Springfield, Illinois, May 16, 1880, a son of An- drew J. and Anne E. (Gallagher) Kavanaugh, both of whom were of Irish an- cestry. The father was born at Springfield, February 14, 1850. He studied civil engineering and became a prominent factor in the profession, receiving the recognition of government experts and being employed upon government works. He was also a well known railroad builder and surveyed routes for a number of lines in Illinois. He died at Springfield, in 1888, while in the midst of an active and honorable career. The beloved mother was married to Mr. Kavanaugh at Springfield in June, 1878, and is still living at the family home in that city. John B. Kavanaugh, the grandfather, came to America from Ire- land with his wife in the early days of Illinois and located on a farm just out- side of Springfield, the country in that section being then very sparsely settled. He learned civil engineering and with the assistance of his son, platted the city of Springfield, and it is said that the lines which they ran have never up to the present time been changed. He was a highly respected and influential man and the farm on which he first located has always remained in possession of the family. Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Gallagher, the grandparents on the mother's side, also came from Ireland and settled in Illinois. Mr. Gallagher was an army con- tractor at the time of the Civil war and became very wealthy.

John A. Kavanaugh received his early education in the public schools of Springfield and, having decided upon a business career, began in the employ of the Sattley Manufacturing Company. He started as office boy and passed through various positions as clerk, bookkeeper, traveling salesman, sales manager and manager, occupying the latter position at Des Moines since June, 1908. He has acquitted himself so admirably that there is no doubt of his continued advance- ment in the business world. He is a good judge of human nature and that he

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is abundantly supplied with pluck and energy has been fully demonstrated. He now has charge of a force of twenty-six employes and the ease and celerity with which business moves from day to day speaks in no uncertain terms of the tact and skill of the manager.

On the 24th of October, 1905, Mr. Kavanaugh was united in marriage to Miss Kathryn Fisher, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John B. Fisher, of Spring- field, Illinois. Mr. Fisher established the first brewery at Springfield, when it was but a small village, and conducted the same until his death, which occurred in 1890. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Kavanaugh: John A., Jr., born at Springfield, May 20, 1907 ; and Mary, born in Des Moines February 4, 19II.

Mr. Kavanaugh and his wife are both consistent members of the Catholic church and he is identified with the Knights of Columbus and also with the Grant and Hyperion Clubs. He is a man of powerful physique, with a strong inclination for outdoor diversions, which he gratifies when opportunity and the claims of business permit. He is active and energetic in the performance of his responsibilities, and is recognized among business men as a growing factor in the commercial life of Des Moines. He owes his success to a laudable am- bition which early manifested itself and which has led him to deserved victory.

GEORGE J. DELMEGE.

George J. Delmege, well known in Des Moines, was the organizer and pro- prietor of two of the strong fire insurance organizations of Iowa, the Anchor Fire Insurance Company and the Century Fire Insurance Company of Des Moines. He was president of the latter from its organization in 1900 until February, 1911, when he resigned and retired from the business together with all of the stockholders, for at that time the entire stock was sold. Under his able management and direction a good business had been built up, an extensive clientele had been secured and its numerous policies represented a large figure. In the organization of the company and the executive direction of its business Mr. Delmege proved himself a man of strong and forceful powers, capable of promoting important and intricate interests. He was born November 25, 1853, in Bristol, Kendall county, Illinois, a son of Christopher and Rebecca (Holmes) Delmege, both of whom were representatives of old families of Ireland and were born in that country. They also spent their youthful days on the Emerald isle and were there married. On coming to America in 1844 they settled at Bristol, Illinois, and in 1858 removed to Henry county, that state, whence in 1869 they came to Iowa. The father there purchased land at three dollars and seventy-five cents per acre that today is forth one hundred and twenty-five dol- lars per acre. He continued to engage in general farming up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1893, while his wife passed away in September, 1897. In their family were seven children.

George J. Delmege, the youngest, acquired his early education in the public schools of Peoria, Illinois, and afterward attended the district schools of Union county, Iowa. He was also a student in Simpson College at Indianola and put aside his text-books at the close of his junior year, when twenty-three years of age. For a time he engaged in teaching in Polk county and also in Union county but only devoted a brief period to that profession, after which he purchased a newspaper called the Western Workman at Corning, Iowa. This was in 1880. He continued to publish and edit the paper until the close of the presidential campaign in which Garfield and Hancock were contestants. He then disposed of the paper and returned to Creston where he was appointed district agent for the Home Life Insurance Company of Burlington. A little later he accepted

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the state agency of the Mutual Reserve Life Insurance Company of New York and likewise conducted a local fire insurance agency in Creston. In 1882 he was elected county superintendent of schools there and filled .the office for one term, after which he declined a reelection because of the demands made upon his time by his increasing business. In 1889 he organized the Anchor Fire In- surance Company of Iowa and became its first secretary while later he was elected to the presidency. In 1895 he removed the Anchor to Des Moines and continued to serve as president until 1900, when he sold his interest therein and organized the Century Fire Insurance Company of Des Moines, of which he became president, making it one of the leading fire insurance companies of the state. Aside from his success in this connection Mr. Delmege has operated profitably in realty and is now the owner of extensive city holdings and lands elsewhere. He seldom if ever makes a mistake in matters of business judgment and thus his investments have been judicially placed and have brought to him a substantial and gratifying annual return.

On the 24th of December, 1878, Mr. Delmege was married in Lacona, Iowa, to Miss Clara B. Myers, who was born in that town on the 29th of September, 1861, a daughter of Isaac and Eliza (Lee) Myers. They have become the parents of a daughter, Loraine Lee Delmege, who was born in Lacona, August 9, 1882, and is the wife of Charles O. Goodwin, of Des Moines, who is now adjuster for the Century Fire Insurance Company.

Mr. and Mrs. Goodwin are noted musicians. Mrs. Goodwin studied vocal music in Boston and for a number of years was soprano soloist in the choir of the Central Christian church. Mr. Goodwin is a celebrated pianist.

In his political views Mr. Delmege is a democrat, identified, however, with that branch of the party which supports the wholesome and purifying reforms that have been growing up in the political organizations of the country. He is not an active political worker, yet his influence is on the side of improvement and he stands at all times for that which is best in citizenship. Fraternally he is connected with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He is a member of the Christian Science church and belongs to no clubs, preferring to spend his leisure hours in the compan- ionship of his family and friends. In company with his wife he has traveled quite extensively and has contributed a number of articles to magazines con- cerning his travels. He has visited all parts of the United States and has illustrated his articles with photographs taken by himself and his wife. In social circles both Mr. and Mrs. Delmege are prominent and in Des Moines as well as in other parts of the state they have many friends.

ALBERT M. THURTLE.

Albert M. Thurtle, a prosperous farmer and stockman of Walnut township, was born in Orleans county, New York, on the 7th of September, 1869, his parents being Robert P. and Sarah (Cannon) Thurtle, who are mentioned at greater length on another page of this work in connection with the sketch of R. Phillip Thurtle, a brother of our subject.

Mr. Thurtle of this review, who was but four years old when brought to this county by his parents, received his education in Walnut township and also attended the Iowa Business College. After putting aside his text-books he joined his father in business, raising graded stock quite extensively until March, 1905, when the partnership was terminated by the father's retirement. At that time Mr. Thurtle formed a partnership with his brother-in-law, Henry J. Smith, and the two gentlemen have operated the old Thurtle home farm of three hun- dred and fifty acres continuously since. They are also engaged in the stock bus-

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iness on an extensive scale, generally having on hand from seventy-five to one hundred and thirty head of cattle, two hundred and fifty head of hogs and thirty head of horses and mules. Mr. Thurtle owns five business houses in Valley Junction and has a half interest in one hundred and five acres of rich and pro- ductive land on section 7, Walnut township, the other half being owned by his brother, R. Phillip. He is likewise a stockholder and director of the First Na- tional Bank at Valley Junction and well deserves recognition among the suc- cessful and enterprising residents of the community.

Mr. Thurtle has never been married and resides with his brother-in-law, Henry J. Smith. His political allegiance is given to the democracy, while fra- ternally he is identified with the Knights of Pythias, the Modern Woodmen of America, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks at Des Moines and the Masonic lodge at Valley Junction. He attends the services of the Methodist church and enjoys the warm regard and esteem of all who know him.

W. C. HAYWARD.

A life of well directed activity has brought to W. C. Hayward a substantial measure of success and also gained for him the respect and goodwill of his fellowmen, who see in him those substantial elements which constitute the good citizen. He has long been prominently identified with financial interests and has also taken a very active and prominent part in public affairs and is today oc- cupying one of the highest offices at Des Moines, being secretary of state.

His early home was in New York, for he was born in Cattaraugus county, on the 22d of November, 1847, and, although his parents were of American birth, they were of English, Scotch and Irish descent. He was thirteen years of age on the removal of the family, in the spring of 1861, to Dakota county, Minnesota, where the following three years were spent, and in 1864 came to Iowa. He made his home in Hancock county until 1867 and then removed to Winnebago county. He was reared to agricultural pursuits and obtained his early education partly in the district school, but mostly under the tutorship of his father, a school teacher of long standing. During his vacations he worked on the farm and for a time was also employed as a clerk in a store. Several terms were devoted to teaching school and at the age of twenty-one he became a member of the first class at the opening of the State College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts at Ames, where he continued his studies until the middle of his junior year.

Mr. Hayward then returned to Winnebago county and was elected county surveyor and while filling that office also became half owner of the Winnebago Press. In 1873 he sold his interest in the paper to his partner and removed to Garner, Hancock county, buying the Hancock Signal, of which he was editor and publisher for eleven years, at the same time filling the position of postmaster of the town. At the end of that time he resigned his office and sold, his paper. Soon afterward he assisted in organizing and became cashier of the City Bank of Garner, which was afterward merged with the Hancock County Bank into the First National Bank. He also helped to organize and was one of the offi- cers of the company that built the so-called Slippery Elm Railroad from below Eldora through that city to Iowa Falls and Alden, now a part of the Chicago & Northwestern railway system. In business affairs he steadily prospered and at length became a member of the firm of Finch & Hayward, doing a large grain, coal and stock business at twenty-five stations in Iowa, Minnesota and South Dakota. In 1886 the firm moved their headquarters to Davenport and Mr. Hay- ward has since made that city his home. He was one of the organizers of the Union Savings Bank of Davenport and was its president for several years, also

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serving as president of the Davenport National Bank. At this writing he is president and principal owner of the Davenport Ladder Company, a flourishing manufacturing institution located in his home city of Davenport and managed by one of his sons.

Although his time has been largely taken up with his business interests, he lias never neglected his duties of citizenship and has endeavored to bear his part in public affairs. For nine years he was a member of the Davenport school board and in 1897 was elected to the state senate. So acceptably did he fill the latter position that he was reelected in 1901 and was a member of the upper house during the twenty-seventh, twenty-eighth, twenty-ninth, thirtieth and thir- ty-first general assemblies. In 1906 he was elected secretary of state, was re- elected to that position in 1908 and again in 1910. Since attaining his majority he has always affiliated with the republican party and has long been regarded as a leader in public affairs. Genial and pleasant in manner, he has become quite popular and has a very wide acquaintance throughout the state, especially among those who have been active in shaping the course of public affairs.

DEYET WEEKS.

Now and again there comes to the front in business circles a man who has the initiative elements and the pioneer spirit developed strongly enough in his nature so that he forges ahead of others inaugurating new plans, and by reason of executive force as well as keen sagacity carries them forward to successful completion. To this class Deyet Weeks belonged and in the conduct of his business met with success such as comes from the marking out of new paths and the development of plans hitherto untried. His sound judgment enabled him to make no mistake and as the result of his energy and enterprise he came to rank with the prominent business men of Des Moines. Mr. Weeks was born December II, 1866, on a farm near Toddville, Linn county, Iowa. His father, Dr. Charles Weeks, left his home in Cortland county, New York, at the age of sixteen years and became a resident of Iowa in the early '50s, settling in Linn county. He married Laura Davis Chamberlain, a daughter of William and Raechel Chamberlain and a sister of Davis S. and Lowell Chamberlain, of Des Moines.

In his youthful days, Deyet Weeks was a pupil in the common schools of Jowa and Kansas and afterward attended the high school of Denver, Colorado, but did not graduate. He made his entrance into business life as an employe in the laboratory of the Chamberlain Medicine Company, which he afterward represented upon the road as a traveling salesman with the state of Iowa as his regular territory, although, at different times he covered most of the states west of the Mississippi. During that period he established friendships that later became of value to him from a business as well as a social relation.

A laudable ambition prompted him to engage in business on his own account and, in 1897, he severed his connection with the Chamberlain Medicine Com- pany and joined his brothers, Carl and Leo, in organizing the firm of D. Weeks & Company, for the manufacture of proprietary medicines. When the business was first established there was no thought of departing from the usual methods of securing trade through the agency of salesmen and newspaper advertis- ing. The brothers, however, soon found that they did not have the necessary capital to successfully continue their business along the old established lines and were, perforce, compelled to adopt some other plan of sale. Deyet Weeks first planned to make a very extensive trip, but when the time came to start it was found that the funds in the treasury were not sufficient to purchase rail- road transportation. Then the very unusual idea occurred to him that if he

DEYET WEEKS

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could not call on prospective patrons in person he could, at an expense of two cents, reach them, make them as good an offer as he would have been able to do in a personal visit, and then rebate them the amount saved by securing their orders by mail instead of through the expensive method of personal sales- manship. At first about fifty letters written in longhand were sent out and to the surprise of the members of the company forty of these letters produced or- ders fully as large, if not larger, than could have been sold by a personal visit, and the saving to both the manufacturer and the dealer was surprisingly great. Then and there was implanted the idea of a mail order proprietary medicine house. The plan was immediately put into execution and in less than three years the business had grown and developed to such proportions that the "Weeks" cold tablets were to be found in every state, county and almost every town and hamlet in the United States. Until that time nothing of this kind had ever been attempted, but since the success of the method has been demonstrated by the house of D. Weeks & Company dozens of other concerns have adopted the plan and found it profitable. Each year witnessed an increase in the business and the adoption of other progressive methods by the firm has been continued to the present time.

Deyet Weeks was a republican in his political views and sought advancement along political lines although at the time of his death, on the 30th of October, 1908, the progressive cause had not assumed its present proportions. He was a member of different Masonic bodies and of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He also held membership with the Grant Club. In business as well as in private relations of life he adopted honesty as his policy. As a man he was a gentleman of the highest type; gentle yet firm; approachable to all, and when once an acquaintance was formed friendship was sure to follow. He was also generous and charitable, ever ready to aid those in want, possessed an optimistic enthusiasm and ever looked upon the sunny side of life. These many sterling qualities endeared him to his friends, the number of whom con- tinually increased as the circle of his acquaintance widened.

ASAPH STROUD.

As one travels over Iowa in the luxurious railroad train of the present day, it is difficult to realize that a half century ago men were wending their weary way to the west behind the slow plodding ox-teams and that in many sections of the state they found an undeveloped region, many of the natural resources yet awaiting the awakening touch of the enterprising and ambitious citizen. Asaph Stroud was among those who traveled by the ox-team route to Iowa in 1858. His father, John Stroud, whose birth occurred in Vermont, was a repre- sentative of an old colonial family that was represented in the Revolutionary war. Asaph Stroud was born in 1825 and in 1858 sought the opportunities of the growing middle west, making his way to Iowa City, and after looking over the country he determined to settle in that locality. He then purchased a farm of one hundred and twenty acres in Dallas county and with characteristic energy began to break the sod and develop the fields. His original home was a log cabin but with the passing years there was wrought a wonderful transformation in the appearance of his place. He erected an attractive residence and other fine buildings upon his farm, thus providing adequate shelter for grain, stock and farm machinery. He carried on general agricultural pursuits and also raised good grades of stock. He utilized the best improved machinery to facil- itate the work of the fields and his labors were attended with results that were satisfactory and remunerative. He became a very active and influential man in his community and as he prospered in his undertakings he purchased more Vol. II-37

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land from time to time, becoming in the course of years one of the well-to-do farmers of Dallas county. The property which he acquired is still owned by his widow and is one of the best improved places in that section of the state.

Mr. Stroud was married at Mount Morris, New York, to Miss McNamara, a daughter of James and Lizzie (McCabe) McNamara. Their children were: John, who resides in Des Moines; Minnie, also of this city; Edgar, who operates the home farm; Louise; Philip, a resident of Oklahoma; Burd; and Mrs. Irene Mattem.

Mr. Stroud continued to devote his time and energies to farming and stock- raising until his death, May 3, 1911. In the meantime a generous measure of prosperity had rewarded his labors and he had won the proud American title of a self-made man, having worked his way upward from a humble financial position to one of affluence. He was a member of the Universalist church and a republican in his political views. His aid and influence were always cast on the side of progress, justice, improvement and truth and his worth as a man and citizen were widely acknowledged. Mrs. Stroud, who was born and reared in Syracuse, New York, and came to Iowa with her husband in 1858, has met all of the experiences of pioneer life and has now been a resident of this state for fifty-three years. A few years ago she removed to Des Moines, where she erected a comfortable home and is now pleasantly located. She has gained many friends in this city and on her removal left behind her many warm friends in Dallas county, where she had long made her home.

NELSON VAN HORN.

A resident of Camp township with the exception of a short intermission since 1863, Nelson Van Horn is rightly accounted as one of the men who have made the name of Polk county a synonym for productiveness and prosperity. He was born in Indiana, February 6, 1836, a son of Thomas and Hannah (Whitman) Van Horn, the former being a native of North Carolina and the latter of Ten- nessee. The father engaged in farming in Wells county, Indiana, from 1837 until 1856 and then came to Iowa and settled in Des Moines. Being too far advanced in years to carry on farm work, he opened a shoe shop in Des Moines, continuing in that city until his death, which occurred in 1872. The mother took up her residence with the subject of this review and was called away sixteen years after the death of her husband in 1888.

Nelson Van Horn attended the district schools of his native state and worked on his father's farm until he reached the age of twenty years. He then went to Kansas, where he lived for one year, after which he returned to Indiana and was in charge of his father's farm for four or five years. In 1863 he arrived in Polk county and purchased eighty acres in Camp township, which he proceeded industriously to clear and improve. He sold this place in 1875 and bought two hundred and forty acres in Union county, but after a few months on this farm he disposed of it and returned to Polk county, where he bought one hundred and twenty acres of good land, which he selected in Camp township. He now owns one hundred and sixty acres which gives evidence of generous returns for time and labor expended in preparing the soil and handling the crops. The buildings are substantial and the farm is supplied with all desirable modern facilities and appliances for securing the most satisfactory results.

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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 88

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