USA > Iowa > Black Hawk County > History of Black Hawk County, Iowa, and its people, Volume II > Part 19
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55
Dr. Laughlin is a republican in political matters, gives his religious adherence to the Congregational church, and fraternally is connected with the Modern Woodmen of America, the Yeomen, and the blue lodge of the Masonic order. His professional interest is attested by his membership in a number of medical societies, including the Black Hawk County Medical Society, the lowa State Medical Society, the Austin Flint, Cedar Valley Medical Society of Iowa. the Tri-State Medical Society of Iowa, Illinois and Missouri, and he is a Fellow of the American Medical Association. Although at present not in active practice, Dr. Laughlin intends to maintain his professional standing with regular physi- cians and the medical profession by constantly reading his medical journals and diligently keeping up his membership in the best medical societies, which has been his hobby for the past nineteen years. Through his association with other physicians in these organizations he keeps informed as to the consensus of opinion in medical circles and is also able to give others the benefit of his experi- ence and observation. The same spirit of progressiveness and willingness to cooperate characterizes his relations with his fellowmen in all phases of life and to this is due in a large measure his success.
CHARLES B. SANTEE.
Charles B. Santee is a member of the firm of Santee Brothers, conducting an extensive real-estate business in the handling of farm lands in Iowa and the northwest. He was born in Butler county, this state, near Kesley, November 6, 1864, a son of Joseph Laughery and Jane (Nixon ) Santee. The father was born in the state of New York, October 8, 1827, and the mother's birth occurred in the north of Ireland in 1832. In early life Joseph L. Santee engaged in the operation of a sawmill and subsequently cleared a farm in Ohio. In 1855 he came to Iowa, settling at Cedar Falls and afterward he went to Butler Center, where he built the first house. Still later he took up his abode upon a farm seven miles west of the town and there the children of the family were born. He resided upon the farm until the spring of 1890, when he again removed to Cedar Falls, where he spent his remaining days, passing away in April, 1908. His wife had previously died in 1900, at the age of sixty-eight years. He held various local offices, including those of justice of the peace, trustee and school director, and was ever faithful to the trust reposed in him. In his family were five chil- dren. The mother had been previously married and had three children by the first union. The father had also been married before and had one child by his first marriage.
Charles B. Santee attended school in Mount Vernon and continued his education in the State Normal school at Cedar Falls, now known as the State . Teachers' College. He remained with his father until he attained his majority
181
HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY
and in early manhood devoted the winter months to school teaching and the summer seasons to farm work, spending his time in that way until twenty-five years of age. He then went to Cedar Falls with the intention of reading law but changed his plans and engaged in the real-estate business, in which he has since continued. He is now associated with his brother, Robert A. Santee, under the firm name of Santee Brothers. They will have continued business under that style for twenty-five years on the 10th of April, 1915. They buy, handle and sell lowa, Minnesota, Dakota and Canada lands and have a good clientage. They have disposed of thousands of acres and have also bought and sold mortgages and negotiated loans. Their business has long been a growing and profitable one and they are today among the best known real-estate men in this section of Iowa. Moreover, they are large stockholders in all of the different factories in Cedar Falls and their sound judgment and cooperation are factors in the business development and upbuilding of the city.
On the 5th of April, 1899, Mr. Santee was united in marriage to Miss Lulu Probert, of Shell Rock, Butler county, Iowa. The father died during the early girlhood of his daughter, Mrs. Santee, and the mother now resides in Waterloo with her daughter, Mrs. A. R. Walker. Mrs. Santee is the third in a family of six children and by her marriage has become the mother of five children, Harriet Mary, Leslie Carleton, Donald Probert, Margaret Elizabeth and Paul Joseph.
Mr. Santee is a member of the Modern Woodmen camp and also has mem- bership with the Yeomen. In politics he is a republican, interested in the growth and success of his party. He has served as recorder of Black Hawk county for six years and has been a member of the city council. He was a delegate to the national convention in 1912 and favored the nomination of Cummins. He is now serving on the board of education of Cedar Falls and the cause of public schools finds in him a stalwart champion. He believes in progress in all things and does everything in his power to promote advancement and upbuild- ing along lines that will contribute to the general good. His has been an active, useful and well spent life. He has accomplished much that he has undertaken and his labors have by no means been concentrated upon efforts solely for his own benefit, for as a citizen he has done much to further the public welfare.
EDWARD H. MCCOY.
In a profession where advancement depends entirely upon individual merit and ability, Edward H. McCoy has made continuous progress until he stands today among the foremost lawyers of Waterloo, practicing alone and having now a large and distinctively representative clientage. He is one of Iowa's native sons, his birth having occurred in Butler county on the 14th of February, 1881, a son of John and Anna (Coyle) McCoy, of Waterloo. The father, a native of Ireland, became a resident of Butler county, Iowa, in 1859 and was there engaged in farming until 1860, when he went to Chicago. In 1861 he responded to the country's call for aid, enlisting as a member of Company G, Twenty-third Illinois
182
HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY
Infantry, which was known as Mulligan's Irish Brigade of Chicago. With that command he served for three years and was then wounded and honorably dis- charged because of disability. He was subsequently engaged in farming in Butler county for forty-four years or until 1909, when he came to Waterloo, where he is now residing.
Edward H. McCoy pursued his education in the schools of Butler county and in the Iowa City Academy, from which he was graduated in 1899. He afterward entered the University of Iowa, where he won the degrees of Ph. B. and LL. B. In June, 1904, he was admitted to the Iowa bar and in September of the same year opened his office in Waterloo, where he has since engaged in practice. He practices in all the courts of the state and in the federal courts and is a member of the State and American Bar Associations. He is a close and discriminating student and quickly determines what is essential and what is nonessential in the matter of evidence. He is always courteous to and considerate of witnesses and gives to the court that deference which is its due.
On the 12th of June, 1907, Mr. McCoy was united in marriage to Miss Mary F. Kelly, of Sigourney, Iowa. They hold membership in St. Joseph's Catholic church and Mr. McCoy is also a member of the Knights of. Columbus, which organization is formed of those of the Catholic faith. He likewise has member- ship with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, with the Waterloo Commer- cial Club and Board of Trade and the Town Criers Club. For ten years a prac- titioner of law in Waterloo, he has become widely and favorably known both in professional and social connections and has gained for himself a creditable place at the bar of Black Hawk county.
HON. HENRY W. GROUT.
The activities of Hon. Henry W. Grout touch in many ways the general in- terests of society and have been an element in advancing progress and improve- ment along various lines. His sound judgment has been a factor in furthering the business advancement, his public spirit has been manifest in official service and he is identified with plans and projects which are ever looking to the benefit and upbuilding of city, state and nation. Waterloo numbers him among her native sons, his birth having occurred in this city in 1858, his parents being Samuel B. and Harriet Augusta (Whittemore) Grout, both of whom are now deceased. Both the father and mother were natives of Massachusetts and in the year 1856 they removed westward to Iowa, settling in Black Hawk county, where the father was engaged in agricultural pursuits throughout his remaining days. He passed away in 1882, having for a brief period survived his wife, who died in 1881.
Reared under the parental roof, Henry W. Grout was educated in the schools of Black Hawk county and in Field Seminary of Waterloo, in which he studied for a year. When not busy with his text-books he gave his time to farm work, aiding in the development of the fields. He was thus busily employed until he reached his majority, when he went to the west, where he engaged in mining for a year. On the expiration of that period he returned and took up railroad work, which he followed until his father's death, when he once more located upon the
-
HON. HENRY W. GROUT
185
HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY
farm and continued its cultivation for seven years, or until 1889, when he went upon the road as a traveling salesman, devoting the ensuing twelve years to that business. He has since been engaged in dealing in real estate and has negotiated many important property transfers and has himself become the owner of con- siderable valuable property. He likewise has other business connections, for he is now one of the stockholders and a member of the board of directors of the First National Bank and also of the Waterloo Saddlery Company. In fact, he has been one of the leading spirits in many of the city's business enterprises and is now the president of the Fairview Cemetery Association. He is a man of un- faltering determination and in his vocabulary there is no such word as fail, for energy and ambition prompt him to carry forward to successful completion what- ever he undertakes.
Mr. Grout is recognized as an active factor in political circles, stanchly advo- cating the principles of the republican party. He served on the board of park commissioners and in that connection made a creditable record. He was elected to represent his district in the thirty-fourth and thirty-fifth general assemblies of Iowa and in November, 1914, was elected state senator from the thirty-eighth district, comprising Black Hawk and Grundy counties, for four years. He is very popular and makes friends wherever he is, not only among the followers of the republican party, but among those who are opposed to him politically. His con- stituents feel that there is a brilliant public career before him. He has ever been a public-spirited citizen and in office has made a creditable record through his unfaltering devotion to duty and the capability with which he has met the tasks required of him. He is descended from Revolutionary ancestry in both the paternal and maternal lines and is now the president of the Iowa State Society of the Sons of the American Revolution.
Mr. Grout has been married twice. He first wedded Mrs. Olive Wright Wil- son, who died four years ago, and on the 3d of September, 1914, he was joined in wedlock to Miss Agnes A. Perry, a daughter of James B. and Arlette (Tuttle) Perry of McHenry, Illinois. They attend the Baptist church and Mr. Grout holds membership in the Masonic fraternity, in which he has attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite. He is also a member of the Commercial Club and Board of Trade, and he cooperates in all movements that he deems of benefit and value to the community and to the commonwealth, while in his public service he has subordinated personal aggrandizement and advancement to the public good.
FRANCES AUGUSTA GROUT.
In connection with educational and charitable work in Black Hawk county the name of Miss Frances Augusta Grout is indeed widely known and honored. She is a daughter of Samuel B. and Harriet Augusta ( Whittemore) Grout, and a sister of Senator Henry W. Grout. When only three years old she was brought to Waterloo by her parents, her birth having occurred in McHenry county, Illinois. She acquired her early education in the public schools of Waterloo and afterward supplemented it by study in summer schools until she reached the age of twenty years, when she entered upon the profession of teach- Vol. II-10
186
HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY
ing, being paid for her services during her first term at Dewar eighteen dollars per month. Her life thereafter was devoted to that work until 1912, when she retired. Her career as a teacher was marked by continuous progress and improve- ment and she did much to further the interests of public education in Iowa. She was appointed principal of the Hawthorne school, with which she was connected for nine years, and afterward became principal of the John Fisk school, her entire service in East Waterloo schools covering twenty-six years.
Waterloo, indeed, owes much to her efforts, which have been both practical and progressive. She has been largely instrumental in introducing manual train- ing and has assisted in establishing manual training classes and in introducing advanced work in other lines, her efforts at all times working for the general betterment of the Waterloo public schools. She is spoken of in terms of highest praise, as none-have questioned her fidelity or had doubt as to her efficiency. She has the remarkable record during all the years of her service in connection with the schools of Waterloo of never having been tardy or never missing a day's attendance on account of illness.
Miss Grout is now devoting much time to charitable and religious work. She is very active in connection with the Young Women's Christian Associa- tion, of which she is the vice president. She rightfully believes that religion is the avenue along which one should be improved physically, mentally and morally and she has been greatly interested in organizing classes among the working girls, enabling them to acquire better educations. She has largely solved some of the problems of the philanthropic worker for which others have found 110 solution. In a word, as Zona Gale puts it, she has learned that factory workers, as well as those in other avenues of life, are "folks," and that the secret of helping one's fellows is not to work for them but to work with them, thus obliter- ating the distinction of class which produces the feeling of inferiority and dependence. Miss Grout is also an active member of Waterloo Chapter, D. A. R., is chairman of the Board of Associated Charities, is vice president of the local Woman's Christian Temperance Union and is prominent in the work of the First Baptist church, constantly broadening her efforts along those lines. Her labors have been attended with far-reaching and beneficial results and there are many in Waterloo who have cause to bless her for her timely aid, her word of encouragement and her work of practical assistance.
CLAUDE E. CULLEY.
Claude E. Culley is secretary and treasurer of the Kemble Floral Company of Waterloo and devotes his entire time to the business, which is now liberally patronized and ranks with the leading establishments of this character in Black Hawk county. A native of Jefferson, Iowa, Mr. Culley was born August 30, 1881, a son of Charley H. and Ida M. (Keeler) Culley. The father was the first white child born at Jefferson and in early life became connected with mer- cantile interests, as did his father before him. When a young man he embarked in business in Jefferson and later went to Fort Dodge, Iowa, where he continued in the same line. About 1893 he became a resident of Marshalltown, Iowa,
187
HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY
where he established a retail grocery store and is still actively engaged in the conduct of that business. Practically all his life has been devoted to mercan- tile interests and his close application and unremitting energy have been the salient features in his success. His wife, who was born in Warren, Illinois, also survives.
Claude E. Culley is the eldest in their family of six children and in the acquirement of his education he attended the public schools of Marshalltown, passing through consecutive grades until he became a high-school pupil. Through the period of his youth he gave considerable time to assisting his father. Later he spent some time in clerical work and afterward was assistant cashier with one of the large business houses of Chicago. Because of his father's health, however, he returned home and became his assistant in the business as a mem- ber of the firm, being thus connected with the grocery trade in Marshalltown until January 1, 1914, when he removed to Waterloo and entered the Kemble Floral Company as one of the stockholders and as the secretary and treasurer. He now devotes his entire attention to the business, looking after the sales and otherwise managing the interests of the house.
On the 5th of February, 1914, Mr. Culley was united in marriage to Miss Esther L. Seerley, her father being Homer H. Seerley, president of the Iowa State Teachers' College at Cedar Falls, Iowa. Mr. Culley is an advocate of temperance and gives his political support to the prohibition party. His life has ever been honorable and upright and his course has been guided by manly principles. Laudable ambition has prompted him in his business affairs and in his removal to Waterloo, Black Hawk county gained an enterprising, valuable and public-spirited citizen.
HON. CATO SELLS.
The Hon. Cato Sells, formerly of La Porte City, is acceptably serving as commissioner of Indian affairs and is demonstrating his fitness to discharge duties carrying with them great responsibility. He was born at Vinton, Iowa, on the 6th of October, 1859, a son of Captain George W. Sells, a lawyer of marked ability, who was for many years the law partner of ex-Governor Sher- man. Removing to La Porte City. during the boyhood days of the subject of this review, Captain Sells engaged in the practice of his profession here until his death in December, 1873.
After the death of his father Cato Sells was given employment as a clerk in the B. S. Stanton hardware store and he attributes much of his success to Mr. Stanton, who gave him an excellent business training and, moreover, took a personal interest in his welfare. At the age of sixteen years Mr. Sells entered Cornell College at Mount Vernon, Iowa, and three years later, in 1878, returned to La Porte City and entered the office of Judge C. A. Bishop, where he took up the study of law. After two years he was admitted to the bar and in 1880 began the practice of his profession. In the same year he was elected city recorder of La Porte and after serving in that capacity for two years was given still greater honor, as he was chosen mayor. He served for many years as city solicitor and
188
HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY
also practiced law privately, gaining a representative and lucrative clientage. He has been an active force in politics for many years, as when a boy of nine- teen he took the stump for the democratic party, and the effectiveness of his speeches and his youth gained him the name of the "boy orator." His interest in public affairs grew with his knowledge of statecraft, and his fitness for office was recognized in 1886, when he became the democratic nominee for secretary of state, but was defeated at the election. In 1889 he transferred his residence to Vinton, Iowa, and about the same time was made a member of Governor Boies' staff, serving in that capacity for four years. In 1892 he was elected to fill Governor Dysart's place on the board of trustees of the Iowa State College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts but at the end of that time declined reelection. He was twice elected state's attorney of Benton county and gained a reputation as one of the most able and vigilant public prosecutors the county ever had. In 1894 he was appointed United States district attorney for the northern district of Iowa and proved equally efficient and aggressive in this larger field of action. He subsequently removed to Texas and while living there was appointed com- missioner of Indian affairs, which position he still holds, now living at Wash- ington, D. C. While a resident of Iowa he was prominent in the councils of the democratic party, representing the Dubuque district on the democratic state committee for many years, while in 1893 he was made chairman of the Iowa state convention. In 1892 he was honored by the democratic national conven- tion, which made him its secretary., Mr. Sells is well remembered in La Porte City, where he began his public career, and the characteristics of integrity, keenness of insight and initiative which marked him in his relations with men here have enabled him to win advancement in state and national affairs.
ALBERT R. FERGUSON.
Albert R. Ferguson, partner in the Ferguson Manufacturing Company, which manufactures all kinds of well drilling machinery and supplies at No. 118 Rath street, Waterloo, was born in Black Hawk county, October 21, 1868, his parents being Edward and Isabelle (Cummings) Ferguson, who at an early period in the development of this section of Iowa came from Pennsylvania and cast in their lot with the pioneer settlers of Black Hawk county, establishing their home eight miles northeast of Waterloo, where the father began farming. His remaining days were devoted to the further development and cultivation of that place and his death occurred in 1874. The mother continued to reside upon the home farm with her family until about 1894, when they came to Waterloo, where Mrs. Ferguson still makes her home. By her marriage she became the mother of six children: George C., who is interested in the Ferguson Manufacturing Company ; Robert, in business alone in Waterloo: Albert R., of this review ; Stephen, who resides in Waterloo and acts as salesman for the Ferguson Man- ufacturing Company ; Charles, who is also connected with the firm; and Iona, the wife of J. W. Noble, who is assistant postmaster at Manitou, Colorado.
Albert R. Ferguson attended the district schools near his boyhood home until nineteen years of age and afterward pursued a commercial course in
189
HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY
Waterloo. Through the periods of vacation his attention was given to the work of the farm and at the age of twenty-one years he rented the old home- stead and continued the further cultivation and improvement of the farm for about two years. On the expiration of that period he came to Waterloo and entered the employ of the Kelley & Tannehill Company, with whom he continued for about six or seven years, during which time he gained a comprehensive knowledge of and training in mechanical pursuits and developed his latent powers, thus greatly increasing his ability. At the end of that time he, with his three brothers, organized the Ferguson Manufacturing Company for the manufacture of all kinds of well drilling machinery and supplies. They have a well equipped factory supplied with the latest improved machinery necessary to their line at No. 118 Rath street. Mr. Ferguson is secretary of the company, with three of his brothers as partners, and he devotes his entire time to the factory. He now owns valuable real estate in Waterloo, including an attractive residence property at No. 150 Harrison street.
On the 10th of October, 1894, Mr. Ferguson was united in marriage to Miss Myrtle Rodifer, who was born in Waterloo in a house which then stood on the site of the present Ellis Hotel, at which time her father owned the entire block. She is a daughter of George and Mary (Harrod) Rodifer, who were among the early and highly respected residents of the county. The father here engaged in the building business as a contractor and both he and his wife died in Waterloo. Mr. and Mrs. Ferguson have three children, Ruby Lucille, Leila Maud and Donald E., all at home.
Mr. Ferguson holds membership with the Modern Woodmen of America and the rules which govern his conduct are indicated in the fact that he is a member of the Walnut Street Baptist church, to the teachings of which he consistently adheres. In politics he is independent, nor has he ever aspired to public office. He has always given his undivided attention to his business affairs and it is well known that he has never been afraid of hard work. Energy and close application have been the salient features in his success and he has advanced step by step, proving his worth and ability in concentrated and intel- ligently directed effort.
CHARLES WARREN HELLEN.
Charles Warren Hellen early displayed the business ability that has carried him into important relations as president of the Dart Motor Truck Company, manufacturers of motor trucks in Waterloo. In this connection he is shaping the policy and directing the interests of a most important enterprise and its con- tinuous growth is largely the result of his business ability and keen discrimina- tion. He was born upon a farm in Winnebago county, Illinois, near Rockford, on the 7th of October, 1882, a son of John G. and Bertha (Thompson) Hellen, the former a native of Iowa and the latter of Illinois. The paternal grand- father, Norval Hellen, was a native of Pennsylvania and about 1842 came to lowa, being among the first of the pioneers of Hamilton county, in which locality he spent his remaining days, there passing away in 1909 at the advanced age of
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.