USA > Iowa > Black Hawk County > History of Black Hawk County, Iowa, and its people, Volume II > Part 17
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CLINTON P. SHOCKLEY.
Clinton P. Shockley is a leading architect of Waterloo and many of the fine structures erected in this city in recent years stand as monuments to his profes- sional skill and ability. Iowa claims him as a native son, his birth having oc- curred in Vinton in 1880. There he remained through the period of his minority and he supplemented the knowledge gained in the grammar schools by a course in the high school of Vinton. He then went to Chicago, where he entered the
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Armour Institute of Technology and was graduated from that institution in 1904. He then returned to Iowa, settling at Waterloo, where he has since made his home, covering a period of more than ten years. His natural ability was developed through his study and he is continually broadening his knowledge through the reading of architect's journals, through experience and investigation. He had engaged in his profession for only a brief period when his skill and talent were recognized, gaining for him a liberal and growing patronage. He has been the architect of the Manual Training high school, the Walnut Street Baptist church and the James Black building, one of the largest buildings in the state, in which he has offices on the seventh floor. He and Mr. Cleveland were associated in making the plans for the Iowa building for the Panama-Pacific Exposition to be held in San Francisco in 1915. Going to that city, Mr. Shock- ley there completed the plans and the result is one of the finest state buildings which will be seen upon the grounds of that exposition. He has been the archi- tect and builder of numerous commercial houses and fine residences, including the palatial home of H. L. Litchfield, on Logan avenue, and the homes of Dr. Small, Samuel Pinkerton and Fred L. Worthey. While architecture is his chief business, Mr. Shockley is also connected with other interests and enterprises, and the scope of his activities covers a broad range.
In 1909 Mr. Shockley was united in marriage to Miss Jeanette L. Redfern, of Galena, Illinois, and they have one child, Pauline Redfern. Mr. Shockley belongs to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, the Knights of Pythias, the Commercial Club and Board of Trade and the Iowa Chapter, American Institute of Architects. In his hours of leisure he is invariably a most congenial and companionable gentleman. In business connections he is alert and energetic, and wide study and experience have brought him to a position among the lead- ing architects of the state. He has learned to wisely use his time and improve his opportunities and has based his advancement upon an intimate, accurate knowledge of the great scientific principles which underlie his chosen life work, as well as of the practical phases of the business.
LILLIE A. ARNETT, M. D.
Dr. Lillie A. Arnett, successfully engaged in the practice of medicine in Cedar Falls, her duties in this connection being discharged with a high sense of conscientious obligation, is a native of Whiteside county, Illinois, and a daughter of Phillip Somers and Elizabeth (Wagner) Arnett. The father is also a native of Whiteside county but the mother's birth occurred in Germany. Mr. Arnett has ever made farming his life work and has spent his entire life in Whiteside county, living yet upon the old homestead upon which he was born and which his father had purchased from the government in pioneer times. As the years have passed on he has bent his efforts to the further development and improve- ment of the property, but at the time of the Civil war put aside all business and personal considerations and joined the army as a member of the Ninth Illinois Cavalry, with which he enlisted as a private of Company F in 1864. He was mustered out the following year and then returned to the old homestead, which
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has since been his place of residence. He has lived to witness many changes in the county of his nativity and has always borne his part in the work of advance- ment and improvement. To him and his wife were born ten children, two of whom are deceased.
Dr. Arnett was the third in order of birth. After attending the country schools she continued her education in the schools of Geneseo. Illinois, and later entered the State University of Iowa at Iowa City, becoming a student in the regular department of medicine. She has since done post-graduate work in Chicago and has always kept in touch with the advanced thought of the profes- sion. She was graduated at Iowa City with the class of 1904 and the same year began practice in Cedar Falls. After a few months, however, she returned to Whiteside county, Illinois, where she followed her profession for about three years. The succeeding year was spent in study and in rest, after which she located for practice at Nemaha, Iowa. After a short time, however, she went to Chicago, where she took up post-graduate work and in 1910 she came to Cedar Falls, where she has since remained. She continues in the general prac- tice of medicine and has been accorded a large and growing patronage. She devotes her entire time to her professional duties and her work has been attended with a substantial measure of success. She is now a member and secretary of the Cedar Falls Medical Society and at one time was president of that organiza- tion. She belongs also to the Black Hawk County Medical Society, the Iowa State Medical Society and the American Medical Association.
Dr. Arnett holds membership in the Eastern Star. She is also connected with the Woman's Club and is much interested in vital civic questions. She was one of the fifteen women who helped to incorporate the Hemenway playground in Cedar Falls and she has done much for the benefit and interests of the public along various lines. Her religious faith is that of the Congregational church and as one of its members she takes an active and helpful interest in its various phases of work.
CORTLANDT FIELD FOWLER.
Cortlandt Field Fowler is the president of the Fowler Company, wholesale grocers of Waterloo, and is practically the father of the wholesale interests of the city in that he was the pioneer in the establishment of wholesale enterprises here. He has long been recognized as a man of progressive spirit and his initiative has been a strong and forceful element in the success of various business con- cerns with which he is connected as an officer or director. Opportunity tauntingly plays before the dreamer, but succumbs to the efforts of the determined, ener- getic man, yielding its fruits to those who will brook no obstacles. It has been through the ready recognition and wise use of his opportunities that Cortlandt F. Fowler has advanced to the position of prominence which he now occupies in commercial circles of central Iowa. He dates his residence in Waterloo from 1869 and in all the intervening years has been a factor in the upbuilding and progress of the city as well as in the advancement of his individual interests.
CORTLANDT F. FOWLER
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A native of New York, Mr. Fowler was born at East Henrietta, Monroe county, on the 9th of June, 1845, his parents being Vincent and Rebecca Fowler. He began his education in the schools of Hinckleyville and Adams Basin and afterward attended the Parma Institute of Parma, New York, where the family lived. His father was a miller by trade and followed that pursuit in various places, his last mill being at Hinckleyville, a mile north of Adams Basin, New York. He followed milling from boyhood until 1857, when he removed to a farm on the noted Ridge road, thirteen miles west of Rochester and two miles west of Parma Corners. There he remained for a quarter of a century, until he removed in the 'Sos to Spencerport, New York, where his death occurred in IQII, at the advanced age of ninety-one.
While the family resided on the farm Cortlandt F. Fowler attended an academy through the winter months, while the summer seasons were devoted to the work of the fields. When about seventeen years of age he embarked upon his first commercial venture, which was in shipping fruit to Boston and later down the Hudson river, and although but a youth in years he proved his capabil- , ity as a factor in business circles by the competent and able manner in which he managed his affairs. He was twenty-three years of age when, in 1868, he came to the west, settling in Waterloo, where he became interested in the nursery busi- ness with A. T. Lane, thereby becoming a partner in the firm of Lane & Fowler. In August of the same year he returned to his old home at Parma, New York, and there in April, 1869, was united in marriage to Miss Delphene M. Amadon.
The wedding journey of the young couple consisted of a trip to Waterloo and from that time forward Mr. Fowler has been closely and prominently associated with the business interests and development of the city. His initial step toward the wholesale grocery trade was of a most humble character-the sale of a few barrels of vinegar shipped from his old home town. Gradually he worked into the wholesale grocery business and today is president of the Fowler Company, which controls a business representing an investment in the building and stock of more than three hundred thousand dollars. He had made considerable progress along business lines in Waterloo when his infant son, Martin Vincent, passed away at the age of six months. It is said that troubles never come singly and so it seemed with Mr. Fowler, for on the 15th of April, 1872, his wife passed away. Leaving his business affairs in the care of his brother, George V. Fowler, C. F. Fowler returned to his old home in New York, where part of the summer season was passed in a much needed rest. In the fall of that year he again took up his abode in Waterloo and has since been at the head of the wholesale grocery firm, the business of which has developed year by year until it is one of the most im- portant commercial enterprises of the state. His trade interests and connections have constantly broadened and the business today extends over a wide territory.
Mr. Fowler has ever been the guiding spirit in this enterprise and in demon- strating the fact that a wholesale grocery house could be successfully maintained and developed at Waterloo his career became an example for others until this city is today an important wholesale center. Aside from his interests in that business Mr. Fowler is a director of the Waterloo & Cedar Falls Union Mills Company, a director of the First National Bank of Waterloo, a director of the Waterloo Canning Company and is financially or officially interested in various other business concerns which figure prominently in the upbuilding, progress and Vol. II-9
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development of the city. He has made extensive and judicious investments in real estate and is now interested in four business blocks on Lafayette street between Fourth and Fifth streets.
On the 26th of February, 1880, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Fowler and Miss Julia Clark, the daughter of a prominent farmer of Brockport, New York. After a happy married life of nineteen years Mrs. Fowler passed away March 13, 1899, her death resulting from an operation performed in St. Luke's Hospital, Chicago.
There is no resident of this city who has taken a deeper or more sincere in- terest in its upbuilding and development. Whenever a project has been promul- gated for the benefit of the city it has received his hearty cooperation and support. He was largely instrumental in developing the excellent park system of Waterloo, serving for an extended period as a member of the park commission board, of which he was chairman for six or eight years. He is a member of Grace Metho- dist Episcopal church, and he is serving on the official board. He was largely instrumental in securing the erection of the new church, which is one of the finest church edifices of the state, and he was the largest contributor to the building fund. He is a member of the Commercial Club and Board of Trade. His activi- ties have touched the general interests of society in many ways and always to the benefit and advancement of the community. In manner he is pleasant, genial and courteous and he is known as a most charitable man, giving generously to those in need and to benevolent institutions. His personal characteristics have won him high regard and there is no more popular or valued citizen in all Black Hawk county than Cortlandt F. Fowler. Moreover, his life record may well serve as a source of inspiration and encouragement to others, showing what may be accomplished when there is the will to dare and to do and standing as in- controvertible proof of the fact that success and an honored name may be won simultaneously.
J. O. KNOX.
J. O. Knox is the president and manager of the Waterloo Register Company and has other commercial connections that entitle him to rank with the leading business men of the city. He is a native son of Waterloo, born in 1878. His father, Dr. O. S. Knox, came to Black Hawk county about 1366 and engaged in the practice of medicine here for a number of years, being an active representa- tive of the profession until his death. His wife bore the maiden name of Agnes Manson and to them were born two children, R. M. and J. O., twins. The former is now manager of the Iowa Spreader & Engine Company of Waterloo.
The two boys were reared and educated in Waterloo, attending the public schools and afterward becoming students in the Shattuck Military Academy at Faribault, Minnesota. J. O. Knox made his initial step in the business world as an employe of the Waterloo Saddlery Company and was actively connected with that business for nine or ten years. He purchased stock in the enterprise and is still financially interested, but in 1904 he directed his energies toward the upbuilding of the Waterloo Register Company, of which he has since been the
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president and manager, with F. J. Eighmey as secretary and treasurer and W. L. Carter as vice president and superintendent of the plant. They engage in the manufacture of registers, furnaces and furnace supplies and their business has now reached extensive and gratifying proportions. Their factory comprises three buildings at Nos. 110-112 Rath street and they employ from twenty to twenty-five workmen. Mr. Knox is also interested in the Iowa Spreader & Engine Company. The progressive policy which he has instituted in the con- duct of his business has proven substantially resultant. Excellence of work- manship and durability are characteristics of the output and honorable business methods have won for the house an enviable reputation.
In 1903 Mr. Knox was united in marriage to Miss Florence Clay, of Cedar Falls, Iowa, and they have a son, John Clay. Mr. Knox holds membership in the Commercial Club and Board of Trade and he belongs also to the Masonic lodge and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, exemplifying in his life the beneficent spirit on which those organizations rest. He is well known in Water- loo, where his entire life has been passed, and he has made for himself a credit- able position in business circles. He had no special advantages at the outset of his career but he recognized the fact that industry and energy are a sure founda- tion upon which to build advancement and he has ever employed those qualities in the attainment of success and the creditable position in business circles which is now accorded him by the consensus of public opinion.
L. D. MILLER.
L. D. Miller is the secretary and treasurer of the Crystal Ice & Fuel Com- pany and as such occupies a creditable position in the business circles of Water- loo, in which city he has made his home for a quarter of a century. Attractive personal qualities as well as business enterprise have made him widely and favorably known and he has a large circle of warm friends here. For forty- six years he has lived in Black Hawk county, being but an infant when his parents left their home in Cook county, Illinois, where he was born, and brought their family to Black Hawk county. He is a son of Christ and Elizabeth (Welter) Miller, who arrived in this section of the state in 1867, after which the father was for many years actively engaged in business at Gilbertville, where he passed away several years ago. His wife died about five or six years ago.
L. D. Miller was reared at Gilbertville and was employed in his father's store until about twenty years of age, when he came to Waterloo and entered the employ of the Smith, Lichty & Hillman Company, wholesale grocers, with whom he was connected for about twenty years. He entered their employ as driver of one of the wagons, later was advanced to the position of shipping clerk, and in 1893 went upon the road as traveling representative of the house. From the beginning he thoroughly mastered every task assigned to him and thus de- veloped the power and ability to meet the increased responsibilities which came with promotion. He remained with the firm until 1906 and then after twenty years' connection with the house resigned, to the deep regret of his employers. He was, however, ambitious to engage in business on his own account and hav-
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ing been, in 1901, one of the organizers of the Waterloo Ice & Fuel Company, he in 1906, in connection with J. F. Simpson, bought out the interests of the other stockholders in the concern. The business had been reorganized the pre- vious year under the name of the Crystal Ice & Fuel Company and since 1907 Mr. Miller has been the secretary and treasurer. This business now has a liberal patronage, its annual sales of both ice and fuel reaching a creditable and gratifying figure. Aside from his interests therein Mr. Miller is a stockholder in the Commercial National Bank of Waterloo.
On the 7th of June, 1893, Mr. Miller was united in marriage to Miss Helena Weber, of Fox township, Black Hawk county, and they have become the parents of three children: Roger C., who is a student in St. Mary's College at St. Marys, Kansas; and Celeste and Evelyn, both at home.
Mr. Miller and his family are communicants of St. Joseph's Roman Catholic church and he holds membership in the Knights of Columbus, the Foresters and the Elks. Diligence and determination have been the basic elements in his busi- ness career, winning for him the success which he now enjoys. Practically his entire life has been spent in Black Hawk county, where he is well known, and the twenty-five years of his residence in Waterloo have established him as a resourceful, enterprising and representative business man.
THURMAN D. TEETER.
Thurman D. Teeter. a worthy native son, enterprising citizen and represen- tative agriculturist of Black Hawk county, now owns and operates an excellent farm embracing one hundred and sixty-eight acres on section 17, Spring Creek township. His birth occurred in that township on the 21st of January, 1862, his parents being Daniel and Emaline (Clark) Teeter, both of whom were natives of Bedford county, Pennsylvania. They came to Iowa in 1852 and the father taught school in the southern part of the state until the following year, when he took up his abode in Black Hawk county, entering and improving a quarter section of land in Spring Creek township, the cultivation of which claimed his attention throughout the remainder of his life. His demise, which occurred January 13, 1903, was the occasion of deep and widespread regret, for he had won an extensive circle of warm friends throughout the community which was his home for a half century. His widow, who is now eighty-three years of age and resides in Waterloo, also enjoys an extensive and favorable acquaintance here.
Thurman D. Teeter was reared and educated in this county and remained under the parental roof until twenty-two years of age, when he began working as a farm hand for others. Subsequently he cultivated rented land for five years and on the expiration of that period purchased property which he later sold, then buying another farm of which he also disposed. The place on which he now resides is the third farm which has been in his possession and embraces one hundred and sixty-eight acres on section 17, Spring Creek township, which he has operated continuously for the past thirteen years and has brought under a high state of cultivation and improvement. He likewise owns land in North
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Dakota and is a stockholder in the Farmers Savings Bank of La Porte City and the Farmers Western Land Company of Waterloo. His interests have been carefully directed and he has long enjoyed an enviable reputation as one of the prosperous and representative citizens of his native county.
On the 5th of March, 1886, Mr. Teeter was united in marriage to Miss Jennie Broad, a daughter of James and Polly (Wells) Broad, who were natives of Kentucky and Ohio respectively. They took up their abode among the pioneer settlers of Black Hawk county in the '60s and here the father carried on farming and blacksmithing until his demise in 1891. The mother survives and makes her home in Spring Creek township. Mr. and Mrs. Teeter are the parents of two children : Ray E., who is twenty-six years of age and follows farming in Spring Creek township; and Glenn C., who is twenty years old and resides at home.
Mr. Teeter gives his political allegiance to the democracy and for ten years has ably served in the capacity of assessor, still holding that office at the present time. He has also acted as secretary of the school board for the past eighteen years and was elected county supervisor from the fifth district November 3, 1914. His religious faith is that of the Christian church, the teachings of which he exemplifies in his daily life. He has remained a resident of Black Hawk county from his birth to the present time and in its progress takes an active interest, giving his hearty support from time to time to movements for the gen- eral welfare, and personally he has always commanded and held the confidence and high regard of all who are associated with him.
R. C. SINNARD.
The name of Sinnard Brothers is respected as a standard for enterprise and progressiveness in connection with the retail grocery trade of Waterloo, for this firm, of which R. C. Sinnard is one of the partners, controls the leading stores of the kind in the city. They have two establishments, one at No. 320 East Fourth street and the other at 216 West Fourth street. For fourteen years R. C. Sinnard has been a resident of Waterloo and is today accounted one of its foremost merchants, a position to which he has attained through his own efforts and ability.
Iowa, however, claims' him as a native son, his birth having occurred in Wapello county in 1877. He was reared in the place of his nativity and is in- debted to the public-school system for the educational advantages which he en- joyed. On leaving Wapello county he came to Waterloo and for nine years was employed in the grocery store of Charles Eighmey, during which period he gained comprehensive knowledge of every phase of the business and gradually worked his way upward, enjoying the full confidence of his employer. He was ambitious, however, to engage in business on his own account and during that period he carefully saved his earnings until his industry and economical expendi- ture had brought him sufficient capital to enable him to embark in business on his own account. He joined his brother, L. P. Sinnard, in organizing the present firm of Sinnard Brothers and they opened a grocery store on East Fifth street,
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where they remained until July, 1913, when they removed to 320 East Fourth street. Success attended the venture from the beginning and in 1912 they established a second store on West Fourth street. They now control one of the most extensive retail grocery trades of Waterloo. They carry everything that can be included in a line of staple and fancy groceries and the neat and attrac- tive arrangement of their establishments, their thoroughly reliable business methods and earnest efforts to please their patrons have secured to them a con- stantly growing trade. Mr. Sinnard is a member of the Retail Merchants Asso- ciation and cooperates in all its plans for the promotion of business conditions.
In November, 1904, Mr. Sinnard was united in marriage to Miss Jessie M. Gregg, of Cedar Falls, by whom he has two children, Edythe Doris and Royal C. Mr. Sinnard is well known in the ranks of the Knights of Pythias and the Yeomen. He also belongs to the Commercial Club and Board of Trade and to the Town Criers Club. He has made for himself a creditable place and name in the business circles of Waterloo. He early realized that if one would win success, they must be willing to pay the price of self-sacrificing effort, of in- defatigable energy and close application. He has wisely employed these quali- ties and ranks today among the foremost retail merchants of the city. He possesses, too, those personal traits of character which win friendship and re- gard, and goodwill is entertained for him by all with whom he has come in contact.
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