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 91

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 91

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Mr. Flynn has through life been active and industrious, displaying those traits of character which are recognized as essential in good citizenship and in the promotion of kindly relations with others. His friends and acquaintances ever speak of him in terms of commendation and he enjoys their fullest regard and confidence. Politically he supports the republican party and in religious belief he and his family are sincere followers of the Catholic church.

WILFRED C. BARBER.

One of those who has been prominently associated with the work of the Anti-Saloon League for the past five years is Wilfred C. Barber, who was born in Springfield, Massachusetts, on the 2d of July, 1870, and is a son of Philetus H. and Elizabeth L. (Chapman) Barber.

The father who was born in Phoenix, Rhode Island, on the 7th of March, 1836, was a machinist, having followed that trade during the entire period of his active life. His first position was in the employ of the Lamphear Manu- facturing Company, from whose service he withdrew to enter that of the Indian Orchard Mills Company. He was with the latter company during the period of the Civil war and having been drafted into the government service his em- ployers secured for him a substitute, feeling that they could not dispense with him, as at that time he was their master mechanic. In 1890 he resigned his position with that firm and became identified with the Lyman Manufacturing Company's Mills at Holyoke, continuing with them for ten years in the ca- pacity of master mechanic, following which he retired to Springfield, Massa- chusetts. In 1860 he was married to Miss Elizabeth L. Chapman, whose birth occurred in 1845. She was a daughter of C. C. Chapman, a ship carpenter on a merchantman vessel which sailed from New Bedford to San Francisco. Mr. Chapman never lived to reach his destination, however, dying at sea, where he was also buried. His wife was later married to a John Davis, a farmer of South Dartmouth, who also died in 1898.

After having finished the course of the public schools of his native city Wil- fred C. Barber pursued a commercial course, following the completion of which he entered the business world. His first position was that of bookkeeper in the service of the Bliss-Fabyan Cotton Mills at Thorndike, Massachusetts. He en- tered their service in 1889, continuing with them for six years, at the end of which time he migrated to Chicago and studied for the ministry. While residing in Chicago he filled the pastorate of the Dauphin Park Congregational church for three years, in which work he was very popular and successful. At the end of that period he accepted a call to a church in Lee Center, Illinois, where he also remained for three years. In 1902 he removed to Iowa, first assuming charge of the church at Prairie City, where he resided for two years, and then went to Valley Junction for a like period. He withdrew from the ministry in 1906 to accept the position of field secretary of the Anti-Saloon League un- der Dr. McCash. After being identified with this office for ten months he was made state superintendent, the responsibilities of which he has discharged in a manner highly creditable to himself and to the organization up

W. C. BARBER

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to the present time. He has worked patiently and tirelessly in his efforts to stamp out the liquor traffic in this state and although his work has not been rewarded as he should have liked in many instances, on the whole the results have been most gratifying, and he is most optimistic and enthusiastic regarding the future.

In Chicago, on the 5th of January, 1899, Mr. Barber was united in marriage to Miss Cora B. Redding, of Marion, Ohio, a daughter of Thomas and Alice Redding, well known residents of Broadway, Ohio. Mrs. Barber's father was for a number of years superintendent of the car shops of the Nickel Plate Railroad. Two children have been born unto Mr. and Mrs. Barber : Florence B., who was born on the 8th of May, 1901, at Lee Center, Illinois, and now attending the Elmwood school; and Wilfred C., Jr., whose birth occurred on the 13th of January, 1908. The family affiliate with the Congregational church, in the work of which denomination Mr. and Mrs. Barber take an earnest and helpful interest. Fraternally he is identified with the Masonic order through the medium of Preston Lodge, No. 66, A. F. & A. M.

In politics Mr. Barber always accords his allegiance to the republican party in state and national elections, but in municipal affairs casts his ballot in support of the men and measures he feels are best adapted to conserve the interests of the community. He is a man who is well adapted to follow the work in which he is now engaged, as he is absolutely fearless and does not hesitate to give his support to any movement he considers essential for the moral and spiritual development of the public regardless of its unpopularity, as he will accept no compromise in fighting for a principle.

ADRIAN P. KIVITS.

Adrian P. Kivits, who is one of the substantial business men of Des Moines, lowa. was born in Amsterdam, Holland, July 24, 1843, a son of Peter and Minnie (Stolwyke) Kivits. His father followed the occupation of a miller in Holland until he emigrated to the United States in 1848, and upon arriving in this country engaged in the steamboat business. By force of circumstances Adrian P. Kivits was only able to obtain a limited education in the public schools. At the outbreak of the Civil war he enlisted in the Third Regiment, Missouri Volunteer Infantry, under Colonel Segal, and faithfully served throughout the entire war. He was ever ready to answer the call of duty at the firing line and, notwithstanding his youth, demonstrated his courage on various occasions. Among the prominent battles in which he participated were those of Wilson Creek, Carthage and Vicksburg, and although he received wounds in these en- gagements he never allowed them to interfere with his duty and accompanied Sherman when he marched to Atlanta. He was only twenty-one years old when he was mustered out of service and in recognition of his service in the defence of the Union he was appointed a cadet at West Point, but declined to serve, as he had decided to direct his attention to commercial pursuits. He began as a traveling salesman for a St. Louis firm and later, about 1889, entered the employ of Shurman Brothers, of Des Moines, with whom he remained for twelve years. He then decided to enter business for himself and started a dyeing and cleaning establishment, which, by diligence and perseverance he has succeeded in placing on a most prosperous basis.

Mr. Kivits was united in marriage, March 4. 1868, to Miss Hattie Barber Millenitt and unto them eleven children have been born, as follows: Emma, who married W. G. Neafie, and has three children; Atellia, who married J. J. Hal- loran and has three children; Minnie, who is the wife of C. F. Cotter, and has two children; Hattie, who is the wife of H. D. O'Neil, and has two children; Vol. II-38

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Roy, who married Miss Grace Pease; Bernard, who is married and has one child; Charlotte, who became the wife of Wesley D. Lentz, and has one child; Bertha, who married A. R. Amaburg and has two children; Florentine, who is the wife of J. A. Wirt, and has twin girls; Mary and Vivian, who are living at home.

Fraternally Mr. Kivits is affiliated with the Ancient Order of United Work- men, and Lodge No. 110, A. F. & A. M. In religion he is a member of the Lutheran church. Since coming to Des Moines Mr. Kivits has, by his many admirable qualities attained a prominent position in the social circles of his home city where he has a wide acquaintance which also extends to adjacent localities. He is a great admirer of high class literature and has a splendid library of the works by the foremost writers of the world. Of a genial, sociable nature, it is his great pleasure to welcome and entertain his many friends, to whom he hospitably throws open his magnificent home.

ROBERT JAMES LYNCH, M. D.

Dr. Robert James Lynch, one of the younger members of the medical fra- ternity of Des Moines, whose ability, however, has already won him wide rec- ognition so that he occupies responsible positions in the line of his profession, was born in Dunlap, Harrison county, Iowa, May 6, 1881, a son of James and Mary (McNalley) Lynch, of Eagle Grove, Iowa. The McNalley family is one of the oldest of this state, the parents of Mrs. Mary (McNalley) Lynch having settled in Jones county at an early day on their removal from Pennsylvania. The father's parents came to Iowa about fifty-five years ago and established their home in Harrison county, coming from Pennsylvania. The great-grand- father of Dr. Lynch was born in Ireland and emigrated at an early age to America, settling in Pennsylvania. The maternal ancestry came from the same country and also settled in Pennsylvania.

At the usual age Robert James Lynch entered the public schools, wherein he continued his course until graduated from the Eagle Grove high school in 1898. He afterward became a student in the collegiate department of the Iowa State University, where he spent three years, on the expiration of which period he entered the medical department of the Northwestern University at Chicago, Illinois, and was graduated in June, 1906, at which time he was serving as extern at Hotel Dieu Hospital.

In July of that year Dr. Lynch came to Des Moines and was appointed assistant medical director of the Bankers Life Association and assistant sur- geon for the Chicago & Northwestern Railway Company. In 1908 he resigned the former position to become medical director for the Modern Brotherhood of America, which office he has since filled. He is also assistant surgeon for the Chicago & Northwestern Railway and a member of the board of governors of the National Insurance Bureau. In 1907 he was appointed a member of the lecturing staff of Drake University Medical School, as professor of clinical pathology. The importance of the positions which he fills is indicative of his ability and the confidence reposed in him. At the outset of his career no vault- ing ambition prompted his efforts but with steady and persistent purpose he has worked his way upward, the weight of his character and ability winning him recognition and success.

On the IIth of May, 1910, in Des Moines, Dr.' Lynch was united in mar- riage to Miss Edna Helen Hanley, a daughter of T. B. and Flora (Free) Han- ley, a sketch of whom appears in another part of this work. Dr. and Mrs. Lynch now occupy a prominent position in the social circles of the city. Since age conferred upon Dr. Lynch the right of franchise he has voted the repub-

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lican ticket and is a stanch advocate of the progressive movements of the party. While in college he became a member of the Delta Tau Delta at Iowa City and while pursuing his professional education joined the Phi Ro Sigma. He be- longs to the Hyperion Field Club of Des Moines and while in college was quartermaster sergeant of the University battalion at Iowa City, ranking first lieutenant. He belongs to the Polk County Medical Society, the Iowa State Medical Society and the American Medical Association and in his profession is making that steady progress which results from broadening experience and the wider knowledge that comes through research, reading and investigation.

JAMES T. DUNLAP.

James T. Dunlap, owning and operating a farm of ninety acres in Washington township, has won a place among the substantial and respected citizens of his community. His birth occurred in Story county, Iowa, on the 22d of May, 1862, his parents being George and Elizabeth (Hutson) Dunlap, who were natives of Ohio and Indiana respectively. The father, an agriculturist by occu- pation, began farming in the Buckeye state and in 1856, when a young man of about twenty, came to Iowa. The lady who afterward became his wife arrived in this state in 1854. George Dunlap operated a farm in Story county until his enlistment for service in the Union army as a member of Company K, Thirty-second Iowa Volunteer Infantry. He died while at the front in a hos- pital at Memphis, Tennessee, thus laying down his life on the altar of his coun- try. His wife was called to her final rest in September, 1898.

After losing her husband Mrs. Dunlap took up her abode in Washington township, Polk county, where our subject was reared and educated, attending the district schools. When still quite young he began working as a farm hand, being thus employed until a youth of nineteen. He then rented a farm with his mother and started out as an agriculturist on his own account, cultivating 1ented land for five years. On the expiration of that period he purchased a tract of eighty acres in Hardin county, devoting his attention to its ope- ration for two years. Disposing of the property, he returned to Washington township, Polk county, and purchased a farm of eighty acres, in the further cultivation and improvement of which he was busily engaged for five years. He then sold the place and removed to Maxwell, where he remained for two years, conducting a blacksmith shop and also buying grain. Subse- quently he devoted his attention to the cultivation of rented land in Jasper county for two years and then spent a year on a rented farm in Story county. Again returning to Washington township, Polk county, he purchased an im- proved farm of one hundred acres, which he cultivated for two years and then sold. The farm of one hundred and seventy acres, which next came into his possession, is the one on which he has resided continuously since, but he dis- posed of eighty acres of this in 1908. He has made a number of substantial improvements on the property, and the well tilled fields annually yield golden harvests which find a ready sale on the market. In connection with his farming interests Mr. Dunlap raises fifty head of hogs annually and also keeps twenty head of cattle and twenty-two head of horses.

On the 23d of December, 1883, Mr. Dunlap was united in marriage to Miss Emma Eatwell, who was born in Dane county, Wisconsin, on the 3d of Sep- tember, 1864, her parents being John and Helen (Gardner) Eatwell, natives of England and Michigan respectively. John Eatwell followed general agricul- tural pursuits in Wisconsin until 1868, when he removed to Jasper county, Iowa, where he bought a farm and made his home throughout the remainder of his life, passing away in September, 1884. His widow, who has now at-

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tained the age of seventy-six years, resides with her son in Jasper county. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Dunlap have been born eight children, as follows: Bessie, who gave her hand in marriage to A. S. Gifford, a farmer of Washington township; and George, Mary, Bert, Frank, Mildred, Carrie and Loren, all at home.

Mr. Dunlap gives his political allegiance to the republican party and has served as justice of the peace, school director and road supervisor of Washing- ton township. Fraternally he is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Maxwell, while in religious faith he is a Methodist. Wherever known he is held in highest esteem and is best liked where best known.

JOSEPH P. MAHER.

Joseph P. Maher, filling the position of clerk of the district court and recog- nized as one of the leaders among the younger element in the republican party in Polk county, was born in Des Moines, November 4, 1878. His father, James Maher, was a native of County Tipperary. Ireland, and his wife who bore the maiden name of Julia Byrne, was a native of County Carlow, Ireland. The father came to the United States in 1848 and in 1852 established his home in Des Moines, where for a number of years he had charge of the stage coaches which were in use ere the period of railroad travel. He was a good citizen and highly respected. His death occurred in July, 1879. and his widow, long sur- viving him, passed away in the year 1902.

Joseph P. Maher acquired his preliminary education in the parochial school of this city, followed by a course in St. Andrews College from which he gradu- ated in 1895. The same year he entered the law department of Drake Uni- versity where he studied for three years. He then entered the employ of J. B. McGorrisk as a bookkeeper with whom he remained for a number of years, or until 1909 when he resigned to enter upon the duties of his new office, having been appointed deputy clerk of the district court. He fulfilled the duties of this office for ten years, at the expiration of which period he was elected clerk. Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise he has always given active and loyal support to the republican party, in the ranks of which he is popular, enjoying the confidence of the republican leaders of the district. In his work as clerk of the courts he is accurate and systematic and his service in this ca- pacity is giving entire satisfaction.

Mr. Maher is a member of the St. Ambrose Catholic church, and fraternally he is connected with the Knights of Columbus, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and socially with the Hyperion, Field, Motor and Grant Clubs. He has spent his entire life in Des Moines and has a wide acquaintance, his stanchest friends being those who have known him from boyhood.

M. H. KANARY.

M. H. Kanary holds the important and responsible position of manager of the Des Moines Bridge & Iron Works, doing business throughout the United States. Canada, the Philippine Islands and Cuba. His birth occurred in Williams- port, Pennsylvania, on the 13th of January, 1870, his parents being Philip and Alice (Purtle) Kanary, both of whom were natives of England. The father, whose natal year was 1830, was engaged in the bridge and iron business throughout his active career, passing away in 1881. Unto him and his wife were born eight children, all of whom are yet living.

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In the acquirement of an education M. H. Kanary attended the Pittsburg high school, from which he was graduated in 1887. He next took up the study of civil engineering in Chicago under private tutors. Beginning work at his profession as an apprentice with the Shifflar Bridge Company, he has been steadily promoted from one position to the next higher, thus gaining the ex- perience and knowledge that qualified him to undertake the important duties devolving upon him as manager of the Des Moines Bridge & Iron Works. About six hundred men are employed in the.conduct of the business, which covers the entire United States, Canada, the Philippine Islands and Cuba. The com- pany has erected nearly all of the large buildings in Des Moines and has just completed the largest office building on the Pacific coast-twenty-eight miles from Seattle. At Tacoma, Washington, they erected the National Realty build- ing, a fireproof, steel-skeleton structure of twenty-four stories, which is only one of many similar buildings which stand as monuments to their ability and enterprise. They have also been engaged in waterworks construction on an extensive scale. At their large plant in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, about five hun- dred men are employed. The Des Moines plant of the concern covers about ten acres and is located at Ninth and Tuttle streets. The business had its in- ception seventeen years ago, when Messrs. Crellin, Jackson and Moss became the pioneers in this branch of construction in the territory.

In 1899 Mr. Kanary was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary Armstrong, a native of Pennsylvania and a daughter of Alexander and Mary Armstrong, the former a coal merchant. This union has been blessed with two children, namely : Frances, whose birth occurred on the 3d of May, 1903; and Orville, who was born in May, 1904.

In politics Mr. Kanary is independent, supporting men and measures rather than party. His fraternal relations are with the Masons, being a member of the Scottish Rite body of Des Moines, and he is a worthy exemplar of the order. His prominence in industrial circles is not the outcome of propitious circumstances but the honest reward of labor, good management, ambition and energy, without which no man can win prosperity.

HON. WILLISON W. MORROW.

Hon. Willison W. Morrow, in his present position as state treasurer, is proving himself a worthy custodian of the public funds and previous to his election to this office he had given proof of his ability to successfully conduct important and extensive agricultural interests. It is characteristic of Mr. Mor- row that he accomplishes what he undertakes and his energy and enterprise seek direct paths that at all times strictly parallel the course of honor and busi-' ness integrity. He was born in Guernsey county, Ohio, January 4, 1850. His grandfather and grandmother came from Ireland and were early settlers in Pennsylvania. His parents, William and Elizabeth (Roberts) Morrow, were natives of Washington county, Pennsylvania, but during the youth of Willison W. Morrow lived in Guernsey county until August, 1864, when they came to Iowa, settling at Afton, Union county. The land upon which they took up their abode in that year is now a part of the farm that is still owned by their son Willison. A youth of fourteen years when the family came to Iowa, the son continued his education in the public schools of Afton until graduated from the high school. His life has largely been devoted to farming and stock- raising. He was reared to agricultural pursuits and he now owns and per- sonally manages a highly cultivated and splendidly improved farm of seven hundred and sixty acres, situated a mile from Afton. There in addition to raising grains best adapted to soil and climate he is also engaged in raising a

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high grade of stock. Temporarily he is making his home in Des Moines. In 1870 Mr. Morrow wedded Miss Mary E. Roberts, a daughter of C. G. and Arminda (Beebe) Roberts, early settlers of Union county, Iowa, coming here in 1856. Mr. and Mrs. Morrow had two children, both now deceased.

Although Mr. Morrow has always been active in public affairs and has sought the progress and improvement of the community, state and nation, he has held but few offices. However he represented Union county in the twenty- third and twenty-fourth general assemblies and was a member of the board of directors of the state fair association for eight years, during which period he served for one year as its vice president and was president of the board for four years during the most prosperous period in the existence of the association. He has always indorsed the principles of the republican party and there came to him merited recognition of his work in its behalf in his election to the office of state treasurer in 1906. Two years later he was reelected and again in 1910, his present term expiring in January, 1913, so that he is now the incumbent in the office. Mr. Morrow is by no means a politician in the usually accepted sense of the term. He has proven his ability and worth as a business man and he has brought the same qualities to the discharge of his official duties. Promptness, system and accuracy are factors in his control of the affairs of the office which for three terms have been intrusted to his keeping.

GEORGE PROCTOR.

George Proctor, the owner of one hundred and twenty acres of rich and productive land in Walnut township, is busily engaged in the pursuits of farm- ing and dairying. His birth occurred in England on the 8th of March, 1872, his parents being Daniel and Ann (Evans) Proctor, who were likewise natives of the Merrie isle. The mother there passed away in November, 1893. In 1881 the father crossed the Atlantic to the United States, coming direct to Des Moines, Iowa, where he rented eighty acres of land and operated a dairy farm for about six years. On the expiration of that period he embarked in the coal business, conducting the Proctor Coal Company for about ten years. At the end of that time he put aside active business cares, spending the remainder of his life in honorable retirement in the home of our subject. When he passed away in February, 1906, the community mourned the loss of one of its most respected and substantial citizens.

George Proctor spent the first seventeen years of his life in his native land and there obtained his education. In 1889 he emigrated to America, locating in Des Moines, Iowa, where he worked on a dairy farm for his brother. Sub- sequently he was employed in a coal mine for two years, on the expiration of which period he bought out his brother's interests and embarked in the dairy business, in which he was successfully engaged until 1908, when he sold out. During this time he had operated a rented farm comprising six hundred acres. In 1907, however, he purchased a tract of one hundred and twenty acres in Walnut township, which has since remained in his possession and which he has brought under a high state of cultivation and improvement. He has remodeled the house and erected a fine barn, and the place is now lacking in none of the conveniences and accessories of a model farm of the twentieth century. Forty acres have been planted to fruit. Mr. Proctor is gradually devoting more and more time to the dairy business, keeping at present fifteen head of cattle. He owns and leases five residences in the city of Des Moines and is widely recog- nized as one of the successful and representative citizens of the community.

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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 91

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