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 94
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ERNEST W. BROWN.
Ernest W. Brown, who is the secretary of the Inter-State Business Men's Accident Association, has been identified with the business interests of Des Moines for a period of twenty years. He was born in De Witt, Iowa, on the 12th of June, 1867, a son of James W. and Regina (Young) Brown, the father a native of Iowa and the mother of Ohio. James W. Brown, who is a real-estate dealer of Des Moines, is of Scotch extraction. His ancestors upon their arrival in this country located in Massachusetts, from which state his father removed to Ohio, later coming to Iowa and settling in Clinton county, where he ran a tavern and where the son James W. was born. When the latter attained man- hood he was united in marriage to Regina Young, who was of Pennsylvania Dutch extraction and a daughter of S. K. Young, a Methodist circuit rider and one of the pioneer settlers of Linn county, as well as one of the founders of Cornell College.
The public schools of Des Moines provided Ernest W. Brown with his pre- liminary education, following which he entered Cornell College, where he re- mained until the age of twenty years. After laying aside his text-books he entered the employ of J. D. Seeberger, a wholesale hardware dealer of the Capital city, with whose clerical force he was identified for a period of four years. At the expiration of that time he went on the road as salesman, in which capacity he continued to be retained until 1901, when together with Thomas D. Hurley
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ERNEST W. BROWN
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he purchased the interest of J. D. Seeberger. Mr. Brown became vice president and manager of the sales department of the new company, which was conducted under the name of the Brown-Hurley Hardware Company. It was one of the well known business houses of Iowa, having been established for thirty-five years when they purchased it. At the expiration of three years Mr. Brown with- drew from commercial pursuits to enter the employ of the New York Life Insur- ance Company, with which he was connected for a similar period. In 1907 he became associated with Webb Souers in the organization of the Iowa Drug Com- pany, now one of the largest wholesale drug houses in Iowa, of which Mr. Brown was originally one of the directors. He severed his connection with this com- pany in 1908 and in connection with several others founded the Inter-State Busi- ness Men's Accident Association. This is the only organization of the kind in the world and is conducted along lines similar to those governing the Traveling Men's Association, affording accident indemnity, at absolute cost to business and professional men. No greater assurance of the reliability and excellent method of the company could be offered than that the record of the growth of inembership is second to that of no company in the country. During the three years of their existence they have had over twenty-seven thousand applicants. Mr. Brown is secretary and treasurer of the company and has been ever since its organization.
In Des Moines, on the 28th of December, 1892, Mr. Brown married Miss Susan Barcroft Ankey, a daughter of the late Dr. J. F. Ankey, a native of Illinois and one of the pioneer settlers of Des Moines. Two children have been born of this union: Emerson, whose death occurred at the age of three years ; and Robert, who was born on the 26th of June, 1899.
The religious view of Mr. and Mrs. Brown are manifested through their membership in the Unitarian church, while fraternally he affiliates with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Brotherhood of American Yeomen, and he is also identified with the Grant Club. In matters politic he accords his support to the men and measures of the republican party, his views coinciding with the progressive faction of that body. He takes an active interest in public affairs, but has never been an aspirant for public honors or the emoluments of office. Mr. Brown's unusual powers of organization and executive ability are manifested in the unprecedented develop- ment of the company with which he has been officially identified since it was founded.
WILLIAM A. WHITNEY. ,
William A. Whitney, the owner of a highly improved and valuable farm of eighty acres in Washington township, is devoting his attention to general agri- cultural pursuits with excellent results. His birth occurred in Humboldt county, Iowa, on the 7th of February, 1874, his parents being Eli H. and Mary E. (Hale) Whitney, both of whom were natives of Ohio. The father followed farming in the Buckeye state in early manhood and subsequently came to Iowa, purchasing a farm in Clayton county which he operated for one year. On the expiration of that period he disposed of the property and bought a tract of land in Webster county which he cultivated for five years and then sold. He next invested in a farm in Jasper county but remained thereon for only one year and then disposed of the place. Another farm which he pur- chased in the same county remained his home for eleven years. At the end of that time he sold the property and took up his abode in Saybrook, Illinois, where he conducted a hotel throughout the remainder of his life. His demise occurred in May, 1891, while his wife was called to her final rest in December, 1909.
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William A. Whitney, who was but four years of age when his parents removed from Humboldt to Jasper county, obtained his education in the dis- trict schools of the latter county. When a youth of sixteen he left the parental roof and began working as a farm hand, being thus employed for three years. Subsequently he was engaged in the cultivation of rented land in Jasper county for three years and for a period of four years operated a rented farm in Har- din county. In 1898 he purchased a tract of eighty acres in Washington town- ship, Polk county, and began the improvement of the property, erecting a hand- some residence and a substantial barn. He also tiled the place and has there carried on his agricultural interests continuously since with gratifying success. The property is lacking in none of the equipments and conveniences of a model farm of the twentieth century and in its neat and thrifty appearance indicates the supervision of a practical and progressive owner.
On the 27th of February, 1894, Mr. Whitney was united in marriage to Miss Ollie Dickey, a daughter of Solomon and Rebecca (Barker) Dickey, who were natives of Ohio and Indiana respectively. The father, an agriculturist by occupation, operated a farm in Indiana for several years. In 1854 he removed to Jasper county, Iowa, and purchased a tract of land from the government, improving the property and operating the same until his retirement in 1901. The remainder of his life was spent at Mingo, where he passed away in Janu- ary, 1905. The demise of his wife occurred in May, 1902. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Whitney have been born three children, namely: Florence E., Esther M. and Laura Irene, who are sixteen, twelve and two years af age respectively.
Mr. Whitney gives his political allegiance to the republican party and has served as school director of Washington township for a number of years. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Evangelical church. He is much interested in all that pertains to progressive public movements, and in citizenship and in private life has manifested the sterling traits of character which everywhere command respect and regard.
WINFIELD S. GOODING.
Winfield S. Gooding, president of the Farmers Cooperative Company of Runnells, is one of the well known citizens of Polk county who, on account of his acknowledged high character, exercises a wide influence in behalf of the observance of law. He is a native of Camp township and was born October 5, 1870, a son of John and Amy (Chenney) Gooding, the former of whom was born in Kentucky and the latter in Illinois. The father was brought to Polk county in childhood with his parents, the family locating on a farm near Adelphi, in Camp township. During the remainder of his life he engaged in farming in this county, with the exception of two years which he spent in Kansas. He died February 8, 1889, his wife being called away January 8, 1907.
Winfield S. Gooding was reared on his father's farm and received his educa- tion in the district schools of Camp township. Owing to the poor health of his father the son early assumed a position of responsibility upon the farm, the other boys of the family being too small to work, and he thus learned lessons of self-denial which proved of inestimable advantage to him in later years. After his father's death he partly improved and purchased a farm of one hun- dred and forty-nine acres in Camp township. After cultivating it for two years he turned the place over to his younger brothers, who are now old enough to take charge. After his marriage he worked out by the month for one year, renting land for two years in Jasper county and for eleven years in Polk county. He then purchased sixty acres in Camp township, which he has greatly improved so that his farm yields a handsome annual revenue. He generally keeps twenty-
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five head of cattle and eight head of horses and raises about thirty head of hogs each year.
On the IIth of December, 1890, Mr. Gooding was married to Miss Mary E. Blodgett, a daughter of James and Agnes (Kutchura) Blodgett, both of whom were born in Bohemia. They came to America in a sailing vessel which required eight weeks for the voyage across the ocean. After farming in Indiana for a short time Mr. Blodgett and his family arrived in Iowa taking up their residence until 1883 at Iowa City, where he worked in a paper mill. He then came to Des Moines and for many years was identified with coal mining. He is now living retired with a daughter at No. 620 Maple street, Des Moines, his wife hav- ing passed away in May, 1903. Three children have been born unto Mr. and Mrs. Gooding : Mina, who is now eighteen years of age and resides at home; Lawrence Ernest, aged thirteen years, who is attending school; and Norah Lucille, three years of age.
In politics Mr. Gooding is a stanch prohibitionist and in religious belief he is an adherent of the Congregational church, being a deacon of the Adelphi church. He is also a valued member of the Grange. He has taken a great interest in public affairs, especially in the enforcement of the temperance laws and is a member of the Citizens Association of Des Moines, which incorporated for three hundred thousand dollars, to combat the liquor traffic.
He was first introduced to public office in Four Mile township where he served as township clerk, school director and road superintendent. He resigned the office of township clerk when he moved to Camp township and has served in most of the offices of the latter township. During the entire year of 1903 he was a member of the grand jury at Des Moines and in 1910 again served on the grand jury, being its foreman. This jury indicted the governor of the state for criminal libel upon charges brought by John Cownie, a member of the State board of control, the vote standing six to one, Mr. Gooding being in the minority.
He holds pronounced opinions on subjects which he believes to be of vital interest to the people, and as to his integrity and fidelity to principle there is no question. No man in Polk county stands higher in the estimation of his friends than Mr. Gooding and no man is more willing than he to make personal sacrifices for what he regards as right and just.
MONROE L. DULEY.
Monroe L. Duley was born July 4th, 1860, a son of Washington Monroe and Elizabeth (Duncan) Duley, the former of whom was born February 21, 1822, and at one time was a well known politician in Ripley county, of which he was a representative in the state legislature and also served as treasurer and county clerk. The mother was a native of Pennsylvania. To this couple was born six children namely: W. R., who served as mayor of Little Rock, Arkansas, for two terms; Mrs. W. H. Churchill, of Birmingham, Alabama; Elmore; Ellen Emily ; Jeanette; and Monroe L. The mother's demise occurred in 1880, she being survived by her husband who departed this life in 1884.
In his youth Mr. Duley attended the district schools of Indiana and was grad- uated from the high school of Saymore, after which he became connected with the O., St. L. & Chicago Railroad, remaining in its employ for twenty-three years. During the last four years of his service with this railroad he studied the profes- sion of embalming and subsequently became associated with his brother-in-law in this business at Danville, Illinois. On July 1, 1901, he came to Des Moines and opened up an establishment here.
On December 20, 1899, Mr. Duley was married to Miss Frances Middleworth, who was born in Shelbyville, Illinois, August 3, 1876, her parents being James
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and Anna (Wendling) Middleworth. Her father is a native of Shelbyville, where his birth occurred May 21, 1850, and where he became well known as an extensive dealer in live stock. His wife was born in Shelby county, Illinois, July 5, 1857, her demise having taken place in St. Louis, Missouri, February 19, 1909.
In politics Mr. Duley is independent, giving his support to the men of either party whom he considers most worthy of the office to which they are nominated. Socially he is a member of the Chautauqua League and the local literary society and in religion is a faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He is an ardent sportsman and during his summer vacation seeks recreation from the cares of business in his favorite pastime of hunting and fishing. Being of a sociable disposition he has numerous friends who hold him in the highest esteem.
NELSON BURGESS.
Among the well improved and carefully cultivated homesteads of Elkhart township must be numbered that of Nelson Burgess who owns ninety acres of land which he is operating. He was born in Wayne county, Indiana, in Decem- ber, 1837, a son of Orin and Sarah S. (Reynolds) Burgess, natives of the state of New York. The father in his youth came to Indiana by way of the river from his native state with his parents, who located on a farm in the pioneer days. He remained at home assisting his father with the work of the fields until the latter's demise, after which he worked the farm for his mother until he was married. He subsequently rented some land which he cultivated until 1850, when he bought fifty acres in Laporte county. Later he added to this another twenty acres, upon which he resided for fifty years, continuing its cultivation until his demise on the 25th of June, 1900. The mother survived him until the 26th of December, 1905.
Nelson Burgess spent his boyhood and youth as do the majority of lads who are reared in the country. His education was obtained in the district schools, much of his spare time being devoted to the work of the farm. He remained a member of the paternal household until he was twenty-five years of age, when he bought a small farm, which he cultivated in connection with some adjoining land which he rented. Disposing of his interests in Indiana in 1872 he came to Iowa, first locating in Dallas county, where he farmed as a renter for two years. At the expiration of that period he came to Elkhart township and bought fifty acres. The cultivation of this proved so lucrative that he was later able to extend the boundaries of his homestead until they now embrace ninety acres.
He has wrought many and extensive improvements upon his property during the period of his ownership, having erected a nice house and barns as well as other outbuildings. The grounds about his residence are particularly attractive. When he first settled here he planted a nice grove and orchard, both of which have been given careful attention. Although he continues to reside upon his homestead Mr. Burgess now rents his land, having been so successful in his early enterprises that he has sufficient means to enable him to live in retirement during his latter years.
On the 21st of December, 1862, Mr. Burgess was married to Miss Sarah V. Powers, a daughter of John L. and Martha (Pool) Powers, natives of North Carolina. The father came to Indiana in the pioneer days and for years worked out as a farm hand. He finally acquired some land of his own which he oper- ated until his demise in November, 1862. The mother passed away in January, 1856. To Mr. and Mrs. Burgess there were born three children, but one .of whom is now surviving: Orin J., who was born in April, 1864, and passed away in March, 1871 ; Walter E., born February 1I, 1870, who is deputy county auditor
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of Polk county, and lives in Des Moines; and Daisy, who was born on the 15th of February, 1879, and died on the 29th of October, 1879.
Mr. and Mrs. Burgess have long been identified with the United Brethren church and politically he is a republican. He has always borne his share of the governing duties of the township, having served as a justice of the peace and school director. During the thirty-seven years they have resided in Elkhart township both Mr. and Mrs. Burgess have won and retained the friendship of many worthy people by whom they are held in high regard.
D. G. MENDENHALL, M. D.
Dr. D. G. Mendenhall, a medical practitioner of Des Moines, is entitled to recognition among the able representatives of the profession in Polk county. His birth occurred in Belleplain, Illinois, on the 30th of August, 1877, his par- ents being A. L. and Catherine (Smith) Mendenhall, who were natives of Ohio and Indiana respectively. The father and also the paternal grandfather of our subject were physicians by profession. On coming to Iowa, Dr. A. L. Mendenhall took up his abode in Washington county, where he practiced medi- cine for three years. Following his demise, which occurred in that county in 1892, the family home was established in Des Moines.
D. G. Mendenhall obtained his more advanced education in the Illinois Nor- mal School and subsequently took up the study of medicine in Drake University at Des Moines, from which institution he was graduated in 1907. For a num- ber of years prior to his matriculation, however, he was employed as printer and proof-reader by the Kenyon Printing Company, thus earning the necessary funds for a medical course. In 1908 he pursued a post-graduate course at Har- vard University. The city of Des Moines has been the scene of his profes- sional labors and his practice has steadily grown as he has demonstrated his ability to cope with the intricate problems which continually confront the phy- sician in his efforts to restore health and prolong life. He is a member of the Polk County Medical Society, the Iowa State Medical Society and the American Medical Association, thus keeping in close touch with the onward march of the profession.
In February, 1910, Dr. Mendenhall was united in marriage to Miss Claire McDannel, a native of Iowa. He is identified with various fraternities, includ- ing the Modern Woodmen, the Court of Honor and the Homesteaders. A young man of unfailing courtesy and unfeigned cordiality, he is popular in pro- fessional and social circles alike.
S. NEWTON CLARK.
For twenty years S. Newton Clark, who is manager of Shannon & Mott Company mills, has been actively connected with the milling industry in this city. Mr. Clark was born in Hendricks county, Indiana, on the 22d of Novem- ber, 1860, his parents being Dennis and Rebecca (Ashley) Clark. The father, who died in 1879, was a native of Middletown, Kentucky, and the mother of Louisville. Mr. Clark was a farmer and a breeder of thoroughbred stock being one of the most successful and best known stock raisers in the state of Ken- tucky. His brother, William Clark, took an active part in the Civil war, partici- pating in the engagements at Chattanooga and Lookout Mountain as well as the battle of the Wilderness.
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The boyhood and early youth of S. Newton Clark were spent on a farm in Indiana, in the district schools of which state he acquired his education. After the completion of his high school course the parents migrated to Nebraska, lo- cating at Salem, where he learned the miller's trade with Valentine & Reppe. He continued in their service for eleven years, following which he went to Steel City, Nebraska, where he worked for six months, and then to Fairmont, Exer- ton and East Omaha in none of which he remained for a very long period. In 1891 he came to Des Moines to assist Shannon & Mott in the construction of the mill with which he has ever since been identified. When they first began oper- ating their output was seventy-five barrels per day, but this has been increased until at the present time it is three hundred barrels.
Mr. Clark was united in marriage on the Ist of May, 1884, at Falls City, Nebraska, to Miss Olive Lawson, a daughter of Alfred Lawson, a native of Ohio who migrated to Indiana during the early days. One son has been born of this union, Vernon L., whose birth occurred on the 31st of August, 1886.
The religious views of the family coincide with those of the Christian de- nomination, with which they affiliate. Mr. Clark is also a member of the Knights of Pythias, Modern Woodmen of America and the Brotherhood of American Yeomen, while Mrs. Clark affiliates with the Priscilla Club and the Des Moines Science Club. His political support Mr. Clark accords to the can- didates of the republican party, his views conforming to those of the progressive faction of that body. He has never aspired to official honors, however, and so does not actively participate in civic affairs, preferring to devote his entire at- tention to the development of his personal interests, in which he is meeting with success, and he is justly regarded as one of the substantial citizens of the community.
STEPHEN FARR.
Stephen Farr, whose demise occurred on the 6th of June, 1902, spent prac- tically his entire business career as an agriculturist of Polk county and at the time of his death owned two very valuable farms on the outskirts of Des Moines. His birth occurred in Jefferson county, New York, February 15, 1838, and it was in the Empire state that he acquired his education. When a young man he determined to establish his home in the west and came direct to Iowa. The lady who first became his wife bore the maiden name of Angeline Fuller and became the mother of four children, three sons and one daughter. The daughter died in early childhood but the sons all grew to manhood. William H. is now a trusted and valued employe of the Des Moines Telephone Com- pany. Elmer, the president of the Des Moines board of education at the time of his death, which occurred in July, 1903, was for years engaged in the grocery business at Sevastopol. Clarence A. is an agriculturist residing at Cumming, Iowa. On the 8th of September, 1868, Stephen Farr was again married, his second union being with Miss Addie M. Goodhue, a daughter of Joseph W. and Mary (Ordway) Goodhue, who spent their entire lives at Groton, Grafton county, New Hampshire. Miss Goodhue came to Des Moines in 1863 and in 1864 began teaching school, following that profession until the time of her marriage.
With the exception of five years spent just across the line in Story county, Stephen and Addie M. (Goodhue) Farr resided in Polk county throughout the period of their married life. Aside from the brief period which he spent in the capacity of superintendent of railroad construction in other parts of the state, Mr. Farr was actively and successfully identified with agricultural interests throughout his entire business career. At the time of his demise he owned two
STEPHEN FARR
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valuable farms on the outskirts of the city of Des Moines, one of forty acres and the other of one hundred and sixty acres.
Unto Stephen and Addie M. Farr were born three children, two sons and one daughter, as follows: Walter H., who operates the old homestead place of one hundred and sixty acres, residing thereon with his mother; Stephen, Jr., who was formerly a dairyman and is now engaged in the grocery business on South Ninth street in Des Moines; and Nellie F., the wife of Harry D. Bagg, who is a member of the well known grocery firm of Bagg Brothers in Des Moines.
The death of Stephen Farr occurred on the 6th of June, 1902, when he had attained the age of sixty-four years, and in his passing the community lost one of its most respected and substantial citizens. Mrs. Farr is now in her sixty- sixth year and enjoyed excellent health until within the last few months. She has an extensive circle of friends here, her many good traits of heart and mind having endeared her to all with whom she has come in contact.
JAMES F. POWERS.
A well cultivated farm of forty acres in Camp township about two and one- half miles northwest of Runnells pays tribute to the industry of James F. Powers. He was born at Crawfordsville, Indiana, December 27, 1853, a son of David and Millie (Chiles) Powers, the former of whom was born at Dayton, Ohio, and the latter in East Tennessee. The father learned the carpenter's trade as a young man and worked at his trade in Indiana and Missouri. He came to Iowa in 1850 and spent a short time at Keokuk, then returned to Crawfordsville, Indiana, and later went to Dent county, Missouri, but in February 1864, he once more re- turned to his native state. He died at Waveland, Indiana, in 1866. Mrs. Powers survived her husband eighteen years, being called away in November, 1884.
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