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 90

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 90

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CLIFFTON B. STAFFORD.

Cliffton B. Stafford, who devotes his time and energies to the pursuit of farming, is the owner of one hundred and forty-four acres of land on section 30, Allen township. He is numbered among the worthy native sons of Polk county, his birth having occurred in Camp township on the 26th of May, 1874. His parents, Joseph M. and Elizabeth Stafford, were born in Illinois and Ohio re- spectively. The mother was brought to Iowa by her parents when but three years old, while the father came to this state in 1850, settling at Hartford. Our subject was the third in order of birth in a family of five children.

Cliffton B. Stafford has followed general agricultural pursuits since he started out in life for himself and his undertakings in this connection have been attended with a gratifying and well merited measure of success. In 1909 he purchased a farm of one hundred and forty-four acres on section 30, Allen township, in the further cultivation and improvement of which he has since been engaged. During the year 1910 he made eleven hundred dollars as a thresher, operating the only threshing machine in Allen township. He also owns a clover huller.

On the 27th of March, 1894, Mr. Stafford was united in marriage to Miss Lucy Hayes, a daughter of H. W. and Martha C. Hayes. The father was a native of Jasper county, Iowa, while the mother's birth occurred in Highland, Ohio. Mrs. Hayes was brought to Iowa by her parents in 1850, when she was but three years old, the family first locating in Polk county, while subsequently they removed to Jasper county. Mrs. Stafford was one of a family of three

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children, the others being: Nancy E., now the wife of W. F. Runnels; and W. E., who wedded Miss Maggie Stewart. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Stafford have been born four children, namely: Claud, Marie, Harold and Ethel.

In politics Mr. Stafford is a republican, while fraternally he is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias. He has resided in Polk county from his birth to the present time and is highly esteemed by all who know him, having displayed many of those sterling traits of character which win kindly regard and good will and awaken sincere respect.

W. E. ANDERSON.

The life record of W. E. Anderson is the exception that proves the rule. It is well known that the great majority of men of strongly developed literary tastes and powers of imagination seldom possess that quality which for want of a better term has been called "commercial sense," yet Mr. Anderson has proved a capable and forceful factor in mercantile circles and at the same time his writings, both as dramatic critic and as author of short stories, have created wide and favorable interest and comment.

A native son of Iowa, his birth occurred in Muscatine county on the 30th of March, 1872. The ancestry of the family can be traced back to the Andersons that settled in early times in Northumberland and Lincolnshire, England. His father, S. D. Anderson, was born in Ohio in 1846 and was a farmer by occu- pation. He married Clarissa Barkhurst, a native of Ohio, and W. E. Anderson is their only child.

During the childhood of W. E. Anderson the family home was removed from Muscatine county to Des Moines, and his education was accordingly pursued in the schools of this city. He entered business circles in connection with the Lederer, Strauss & Company, wholesale millinery house, in the capacity of stenographer and has since been connected with the establishment of which he is now superintendent and advertising manager. For this firm he originated several important methods of "indirect advertising," which have since been adopted by some of the largest business houses in the United States. He is considered an authority on practical "common sense" systematizing of business -a most important factor in the mercantile world today.

It would seem that in such a busy commercial life, Mr. Anderson would have had little time for literary pursuits, yet for many years he was prominent in newspaper work as a dramatic critic. About sixteen years ago he turned to this work, to which he devoted his evenings. One of the current magazines said: "He was first attracted to this line of writing when fifteen years ago he wrote for the 'Spirit of the Times' in New York city. Stephen Fiske saw his articles and encouraged the young man to develop a rare gift. Under such a stimulus Mr. Anderson began making a study of dramatic works, both theoretical and practical. When the Saturday Review was organized in Des Moines he became dramatic editor. When Samuel Strauss took charge of the Des Moines Leader he engaged Mr. Anderson to conduct the department devoted to the play. So successful was the department that it was soon known widely and attracted many new readers and subscribers. His page was a feature in the Leader and afterward in the Register and Leader, until this present month of September, when the Daily Capital secured Mr. Anderson's services. For a number of years he wrote under the pseudonym of Matelot, but now over his. own name." We also quote from the Midwestern: "It is temperament united to cultivation and the most exquisite good taste that make Mr. Anderson's literary work so much out of the ordinary. It is not the stage alone that he studies. All dramatic literature, the German, French, Italian and English, is an open

W. E. ANDERSON

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book to Mr. Anderson's keenly appreciative mind. His studies here led him to the most philosophic investigation and his conclusions are his own."

Mr. Anderson continued his regular writing for the Capital until February 18, IQII, when he severed his connection with newspaper work to devote all of his attention to commercial pursuits.

On the Ist of June, 1903, Mr. Anderson was married to Miss May Fisher, a native of Des Moines and a daughter of Julius Fisher, a contractor. They are prominent in the social circles of the city and Mr. Anderson belongs to the Golf and Country Club and the Press Club. He is also a member of the Modern Woodmen of America. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and he has been a critical student of the questions and issues of the day but without desire for office. His broad forehead indicates strong intellectuality, and a keen eye proves as well the possession of those qualities which make him a successful business man as well as one of the most prominent figures in the literary circles of Des Moines.

OLIVER A. JOHNSON.

Oliver A. Johnson, engaged in general agricultural pursuits, is the owner of an excellent farm of eighty-seven acres in Elkhart township. His birth oc- curred in Norway in October, 1869, his parents being John and Laura (Olson) Johnson, who were likewise natives of that country. The father, a stone mason by trade, spent his entire life in Norway, passing away in September, 1909. The mother, who still makes her home in that country, has now attained the age of seventy-three years.

Oliver A. Johnson was reared and educated in his native land and in 1886, when a youth of sixteen, emigrated to the United States, locating in Illinois. In that state he worked by the month as a farm hand for two years, while for six years he was similarly employed in Iowa. Subsequently he was engaged in the operation of a rented farm in Polk county for eight years. On the expira- tion of that period he purchased a tract of eighty-seven acres in Elkhart town- ship and has improved the property until it is now a model farm, its neat and thrifty appearance giving evidence of the supervision of a practical and pro- gressive owner. Rich harvests annually pay tribute to his enterprise and dili- gence and he is numbered among the representative agriculturists of the com- munity. Mr. Johnson is a stockholder in the Farmers Cooperative Creamery Company of Huxley, Iowa, the Farmers Elevator Company of Huxley, Alle- man and Des Moines Junction, Iowa, and the Huxley Mutual Telephone Com- pany of Huxley.

In May, 1898, Mr. Johnson was united in marriage to Miss Emma Richard- son, a daughter of Richard and Carrie (Thorson) Richardson, both of whom were natives of Norway. They emigrated to the United States at an early day and located in Polk county, Iowa, Mr. Richardson here working by the month as a farm hand for several years. Subsequently he operated a rented farm for a number of years and then purchased and improved a tract of land in Elkhart township, there carrying on his agricultural interests until called to his final rest on the Ioth of May, 1891. His widow, who has attained the age of fifty-eight years, still resides on the old home farm, which is being operated by her sons. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have six children, as follows: Jessie Lenore, a maiden of eleven years; Roy C., who is nine years old; and Norman O., Howard E., Orville E. and Ruth C., who are seven, six, three and one year of age re- spectively.

Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise Mr. Johnson has cast his ballot in support of the men and measures of the republican party. His

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religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Lutheran church, in which he is serving as a trustee and to which his wife also belongs. His life has been actuated by high principles and characterized by manly conduct and in the com- munity where he resides he enjoys that warm personal friendship and kindly esteem which are always given in recognition of genuine worth in the individual.

JAMES B. LOCKE.

James B. Locke, who for many years conducted an extensive contracting business, especially in the line of railroad building, was born in Binghamton, New York, in 1829. The educational opportunities of the public schools of his native state were his. He was still a resident of the east when, in 1853. he was married. Soon afterward he brought his young wife of Iowa, settling at Vinton, where they resided for almost a third of a century, or for thirty-one years, when in 1884 they removed to Des Moines. In early life Mr. Locke had learned the brickmason's and stonecutter's trade, which he pursued with such vigor and effectiveness as to become an expert workman. This enabled him to secure a liberal patronage when he embarked in the contracting and building business on his own account. His specialty was heavy masonry. He became widely and favorably known in that field of labor and many important contracts were awarded him. At Davenport he assisted in putting in the first railroad bridge over the Mississippi river. He also had the contract for all bridge work on the old Chicago, Burlington & Northern Railroad, now incorporated with the Chi- cago & Rock Island. He also built several bridges at different points across the Mississippi river and in connection with Mr. Finkbine built the Asylum for the Blind at Vinton, this being one of the heaviest stone buildings in the state. After removing to Des Moines he did not engage extensively in building, although he did not retire altogether from business. His work after coming to this city in- cluded the stone work on the Walnut and Ninth street bridges. He was re- garded as one of the best authorities on brick and stone work in this state and because of his ability and integrity was awarded many important contracts, evi- dences of his skill and handiwork being still seen in many of the public struc- tures of Iowa.

In 1853, near Wellsbridge, New York, Mr. Locke was united in marriage to Miss Elsie Walley, and unto them were born three daughters and a son: Mrs. J. K. Macomber ; Mrs. Alonzo Hopwood; Frank Y., president of the Security Trust Company of St. Paul; and Mrs. Sarah B. Pierce. Mr. Locke died April 17, 1903, after a residence of half a century in this state. He never sought to figure prominently in public life aside from his business, since he found therein ample scope for his energy, industry and cheerfulness-his dominant qualities. His path was marked by steady progression as he developed his talents and skill. and is justly accounted one of those who have nobly done their life work.

HENRY G. LANDE.

Henry G. Lande, one of the prominent residents and prosperous agricultur- ists of Elkhart township, is the owner of an excellent farm of two hundred and forty acres. His birth occurred in Kendall county, Illinois, in November, 1864, his parents being George H. and Anna (Lande) Lande, both of whom were natives of Norway. In 1850 they emigrated to the United States, locating in Kendall county, Illinois, where George H. Lande began the operation of a rented farm. He was engaged in the cultivation of rented land in Illinois for

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about eleven years and then came to Polk county, Iowa, in 1865, here purchasing a tract of eighty acres which he improved and whereon he resided throughout the remainder of his life. He prospered in his undertakings as an agriculturist and, by purchasing a quarter section of adjoining land, extended the boundaries of his farm to include two hundred and forty acres. His demise, which oc- curred in August, 1900, was the occasion of deep and widespread regret, for he had gained an extensive circle of friends here. His widow, who has now at- tained the age of eighty-seven years, makes her home with our subject.

Henry G. Lande was reared and educated in Polk county, having been brought here by his parents when about a year and a half old. He pursued his studies in the district schools of Elkhart township and when twenty-one years of age was hired as a farm hand by his father, in whose employ he remained for four years. Subsequently he operated the home farm as a renter until his father's demise, when the property came into his possession. He has since de- voted his time and energies to the further cultivation and improvement of the place and annually gathers rich crops which find a ready sale on the market. Mr. Lande is a stockholder in the Farmers Cooperative Creamery Company of Hux- ley, Iowa, the Farmers Elevator Company of Huxley, Alleman and Des Moines Junction, Iowa, the Farmers Savings Bank of Huxley, the First National Bank of Cambridge and the Cambridge Canning Company.

Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise Mr. Lande has sup- ported the men and measures of the republican party, believing that its principles are most conducive to good government. In religious faith he is a Lutheran. In his social and business life he is recognized as a man of genuine personal worth, who has won the respect and esteem of all with whom he has come in contact.

FRANKLIN RAYNOLDS LAIRD.

The life history of Franklin Raynolds Laird if written in detail would pre- sent an interesting picture of pioneer life and experiences in Iowa as well as the record of individual effort crowned with success, for in business affairs he so directed his labors that energy and enterprise overcame difficulties and obstacles and prosperity resulted. Public opinion accorded him place with the represen- tative citizens of Des Moines.

He was born on the Island of Mackinac, Michigan, on the 12th of August, 1825, a son of John and Elizabeth (Raynolds) Laird. On the father's side he was descended from Scotch Presbyterians, who came to America about 1685. On his mother's side he was descended from the English nobility, who settled in Virginia in the latter part of the seventeenth century. John Laird was a son of Jacob and Jane (Johnston) Laird, who were married in Huntingdon, Penn- sylvania. The maternal grandparents of our subject were William and Eliza- beth (Millar) Raynolds, who were married in Virginia in 1787. It was their daughter Elizabeth who in 1821 gave her hand in marriage in Canton, Ohio, to John Laird. At the time of the birth of Franklin R. Laird his father was an Indian trader among the tribes of red men in the Lake Superior region. In 1828, however, when his son was but three years of age, he abandoned the trad- ing post and went to Canton, Ohio, where he engaged in general merchandising. In time the boy was sent to a private school and after the completion of his edu- cation he assisted his father in business and displayed such aptitude for success -. ful management that before he had attained his majority he was admitted to a partnership. The father died in 1854 and the business was then closed out.

Recognizing the fact that the trend of emigration was westward and that the natural resources of the country offered great inducements to settlers, Mr. Laird determined to make a home in the growing state of Iowa, whither he and his

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brother Madison came, followed by his mother and two other brothers, John W. and Jacob M. Laird. They proceeded down the Ohio river and up the Missis- sippi to Davenport, where Mr. Laird purchased several horses and carriages and thus drove across the state to Des Moines. The town was then small and the number of dwellings within its borders was limited but at length he managed to secure a house where Foster's Opera House now stands, although at the time his new home was considered "out in the country." The town was crowded with land seekers and speculators and to meet the demand for livery accommo- dations Mr. Laird opened a stable, thus embarking in what proved a profitable venture, for patronage came to him quickly and good prices were secured. When Judge T. T. Morris and his father and their famiiles were in Des Moines in 1855 on their way to Carroll county to find land for a home Mr. Laird provided carriages for the women and children and took them as far as Panora, Iowa. While thus carrying on the livery business in the early days he watched his opportunity for judicious investment and thus acquired considerable real estate.

In 1858 Mr. Laird directed his energies to other lines of business by opening a mercantile establishment on Second street near Court and thus became one of the early and enterprising merchants of Des Moines. Subsequently he pur- chased the dry-goods stock of Harry Stephenson, who was conducting business in a long two story frame building at Fourth and Walnut streets, where the Valley National Bank now stands. For several years he carried on a dry-goods and grocery business at that point, enjoying a growing trade as the country around about became settled. Later, however, he was associated with his broth- ers in the establishment of a wholesale grocery house on Walnut street between Second and Third. This was the first undertaking of this character in Des Moines and it met the needs of many retail merchants in the surrounding coun- try. With the growth of the business and the expansion of the commercial center of Des Moines the brothers moved their establishment west on Walnut street near Fourth to care for the retail trade of that district and the house be- came the most popular in the city for family supplies, being accorded a very extensive and gratifying patronage. In May, 1869, however, they suffered heavy loss through fire, the store and its entire contents being destroyed.

For a time F. R. Laird withdrew from commercial pursuits in order to dis- charge the duties of public office, to which he had been called, serving for one term as country treasurer, beginning in October, 1871. In 1873 he once more embarked in the wholesale grocery business, in which he continued until 1880, when he retired altogether from active commercial pursuits. The following year he was appointed gauger at the Atlas Distillery and occupied that position for three years.

Throughout the entire period of his residence in Des Moines Mr. Laird was recognized as a progressive spirit, who stood in the vanguard of those who pro- moted the best interests of Des Moines and laid the foundation for its present municipal greatness. The extension of the trade to the westward on Walnut street led to the consideration of the question of building a bridge over the Des Moines river on that street and prominent among the projectors of this enter- prise Mr. Laird raised by subscription a fund large enough to build the bridge, which was opened on the 22d of October of that year, a toll being charged from all those who crossed it. He was also one of the most active and liberal advo- cates in securing the first bridge over the river on Sixth avenue. At all times he was actuated by a spirit of patriotism in his public service and when the Civil war was inaugurated would have gone at once to the front had not the condition of his health prevented his acceptance by government authorities. When one of his clerks expressed a desire to go Mr. Laird felt that this would be a good way to be represented, gave his consent to the enlistment of his clerk and paid him his salary regularly until his return.

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On the 30th of July, 1860, in Des Moines, Mr. Laird was married to Miss Adelaide Bausman, a daughter of Adam and Caroline (Lacock) Bausman, who were married in Beaver county, Pennsylvania, about 1826. The former was a son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Saam) Bausman, who were married in Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, about 1785. The maternal grandparents of Mrs. Laird were Abner and Hannah (Eddy) Lacock, who were married in Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, in 1796. The former was United States senator from the Keystone state between the years 1813 and 1819. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Laird were born six children, two sons and four daughters, namely: John W., Frank C., Caroline, Adelaide, Daisy and Flora.

Mr. and Mrs. Laird were active members of the Baptist church, at all times taking a helpful part in the various lines of church work. Mr. Laird's political allegiance was originally given to the whig party, which he supported until its dissolution, when he joined the ranks of the new republican party. He belonged to the Old Settlers Association and was a charter member of the Tippecanoe Club. No one ever questioned his integrity in business affairs nor his public- spirited devotion to the general good. A man of high and honorable principles, he lived to enjoy the respect and confidence of all who knew him and when death claimed him on the 9th of December, 1900, Des Moines lost one of her valued citizens. Coming to the west in pioneer times, he was a connecting link between the primitive past and the progressive present and ever was in touch with the trend of modern progress and improvement.

LAWRENCE E. FLYNN.

Lawrence E. Flynn, who occupies the old family homestead in Polk county, is known as a thorough and progressive farmer who aims to keep abreast of the times in everything pertaining to his calling, to which he has devoted his entire life. He is a native of this county, having been born at Des Moines, September 29, 1860.

His parents were Michael and Honora (Burke) Flynn, both of whom were born in Ireland. The father emigrated to America and landed in Canada, where he worked at whatever he could find to do for three years. He then removed to New York state and engaged in railroad work, later continuing at railroad work in Vermont. In 1856 he arrived in Iowa City, Iowa, then the terminus of the railroad, and pursued his journey to Des Moines by team. He found employ- ment at Des Moines as a common laborer but subsequently entered the contract- ing business, in which he continued until 1872, when he moved upon a farm of eighty acres which he had purchased in Camp township. He proved to be highly successful as an agriculturist and stock-raiser and purchased more land from time to time, until he became the owner of two hundred acres. He died May 21, 1881, but Mrs. Flynn is still living and resides at St. Catherine's Home on Grand avenue in Des Moines, having now arrived at the age of eighty years.

Lawrence E. Flynn received his education in the public schools of Des Moines and after leaving school assisted his father upon the home farm. Upon the death of the latter he came into possession of the home place, which he has carefully improved by the erection of buildings, fences and by drainage and proper rota- tion of crops, showing an enterprise and progressiveness which are the sure and certain forerunners of success. Everything about the farm presents evidence of thoughtful care and intelligent administration of affairs. Such care and ability seldom fails to produce gratifying returns. He raises about seventy-five head of hogs each year and keeps about forty head of cattle and fourteen head of horses.

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In February, 1900, Mr. Flynn was united in marriage to Miss Catherine Enright, a daughter of John and Anna (Dougherty) Enright, the former of whom was born in Ireland and the latter in Canada. The father emigrated to the United States and located in Illinois in 1861. He filled the position of sec- tion boss on the railroad at Cherry Valley, Illinois, for forty years and is still living there. The mother died in September, 1906. Two children have come to brighten the home of Mr. and Mrs. Flynn: Joseph M., now nine years of age; and Mary Grace, aged seven years.

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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 90

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