USA > Iowa > Black Hawk County > History of Black Hawk County, Iowa, and its people, Volume II > Part 2
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GEORGE G. DUNN.
George G. Dunn is the proprietor of one of the leading and popular retail establishments of Waterloo, the nature of the business being indicated in its name -the Waterloo Furniture Company. Mr. Dunn's connection with the city covers a period of seven years. He was born in Van Buren county, Iowa, in 1864, and there spent the days of his boyhood and youth, the public-school system of the county affording him his educational privileges. His life work has been along the line of the furniture trade. He was first engaged in the furniture business in
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HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY
Garden City, Kansas, where he remained for a few years, and later he was located at other places until he came to Waterloo in 1907, at which time he bought out the Waterloo Furniture Store and has since continued the business under the name of the Waterloo Furniture Company. He occupies the entire building at Nos. 312-314 East Fourth street. The building is forty-four by eighty feet and five stories in height and he has nearly twenty thousand square feet of floor space which he utilizes in the conduct of a strictly retail furniture business. In his establishment is found furniture of all grades and of both foreign and do- mestic manufacture. His stock enables him to meet the demands of any taste and pocketbook and he has ever in his trade recognized the fact that satisfied patrons are the best advertisement. In addition to being proprietor of the Water- loo Furniture Company he is also at the head of the Dunn-Hosmer Furniture Company of Dubuque.
In 1885 Mr. Dunn was united in marriage to Miss Ida Jacobs and they have become the parents of two children : R. A., who is in charge of the Dunn-Hosmer Furniture Company at Dubuque ; and Belvia, at home. The parents are members of Grace Methodist Episcopal church and guide their lives by its teachings.
Mr. Dunn is also a faithful representative of the Knights of Pythias and the Modern Woodmen of America, and he belongs furthermore to the Commercial Club and Board of Trade, an organization which has for its object the welfare, betterment and business development of the community. He deserves much credit for what he has accomplished, as he started out in life empty-handed and without the assistance of influential friends. Today he is at the head of an extensive and profitable business which furnishes employment to many salesmen. He has their loyalty and high regard, for his has never been the command of the tyrant to go but the call of the leader to come.
CHARLES SHERWOOD.
Charles Sherwood is by the consensus of public opinion the leading florist of Waterloo, conducting business as proprietor of the Sherwood Greenhouses. A residence of a third of a century in this city has made him well known and his fellow townsmen have had ample opportunity to judge of his business methods. He was born in Yorkshire, England, in 1853, and there learned the florist's busi- ness, with which he has been identified from the time he reached the age of twelve years and with which he has been prominently connected from the age of sixteen. On crossing the Atlantic to the new world he made his way at once to Waterloo, where he had an uncle living who was engaged in the gardening business.
Charles Sherwood went to work in the greenhouse of a Mr. Fowler and twenty- eight years ago embarked in business on his own account, establishing a green- house where the Iowa Dairy Separator plant is now located. He sold out to that company about ten years ago and removed to his present location at No. 550 Conger street, where he is the proprietor of mammoth greenhouses, having fifty thousand feet under glass. The company of which he is a member raises all kinds of plants and cut flowers and deals in seed. It has a downtown house on East Fourth street, in the heart of the city, and its trade has steadily grown and has
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now reached extensive and gratifying proportions. Mr. Sherwood's long con- nection with the business has made him familiar with every phase thereof. He knows botany from both the practical and scientific standpoints and is acquainted with the most modern methods of plant production. He has studied the effect of soil and climatic conditions and there are few men better informed concerning the best methods of plant production than Mr. Sherwood.
In 1882 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Sherwood and Miss Mary J. Huggins, also a native of England, and to them have been born three sons: Albert Charles ; Herbert William, who has charge of the store ; and Frank Huggins. The oldest and youngest sons are also associated with their father in the conduct of the business and have been thoroughly trained therein. The firm is today one of the foremost in its line in this part of the state.
Mr. Sherwood is a member of the Masonic fraternity and of the Eastern Star. He also has membership with the Maccabees, the Tribe of Ben Hur, the Fraternal Union and the Sons of St. George. While he retains a deep love for his native land, he is still more deeply attached to the land of his adoption and he has never had occasion to regret his determination to come to the new world, for here he has found the business opportunities which he sought and in their utiliza- tion has gradually worked his way upward. Ability and merit will come to the front anywhere and it is these qualities which have established Charles Sherwood as a leading representative of the florist's business in Waterloo.
JAMES E. DEMPSTER.
James E. Dempster, United States commissioner and secretary of the Home Building & Loan Association of Waterloo, of which city he has been a resident for eight years, was born in Fayette county, Iowa, in 1867. There he was reared and educated, attending the public schools and also the Upper Iowa University at Fayette. He early took up the occupation of farming, which he followed con- tiņuously until about twenty-nine years of age. when he was called to public office, being elected auditor of Fayette county, in which position he made such a credit- able record during his first term that he was reelected and served for four years. He afterward became cashier of the First State Bank of Lesueur Center, Min- nesota, where he remained for five years, and in 1906 he arrived in Waterloo. For one year he was special agent for a fire insurance company, after which he engaged in the general insurance business on his own account. He also filled the office of justice of peace for four years and his decisions were strictly fair and impartial.
On the 14th of July, 1913, Mr. Dempster became secretary of the Home Build- ing & Loan Association and on the 22d of May, 1912, he was appointed United States commissioner for this section. His appointment found its justification not only in his ability but also in the fidelity which he had ever displayed in the dis- charge of official duties intrusted to him. His time is now divided between his official service and his duties in connection with the Home Building & Loan Asso- ciation. He is also secretary of the West Waterloo school board, and he takes an active and helpful interest in many matters pertaining to the general good, cooper-
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ating heartily in all the plans and projects which are initiated for the upbuilding of the county and the advancement of civic standards.
In March, 1889, Mr. Dempster was united in marriage to Miss Myrtle Smith, of Fayette county, and unto them have been born two children: John F., who is with the Firestone Tire & Rubber Company, with headquarters at Minneapolis, Minnesota; and James M., who is with the Young Coal Company of Waterloo. Mr. Dempster is an Episcopalian in religious faith, and he also has membership with the Masons and with the Modern Woodmen of America. He is ever true to his professions and loyal to every cause which he espouses and his well spent life has won him high regard. While he has been a resident of Waterloo for only eight years, he has been a resident of the state nearly all his life and Iowa finds in him a representative citizen, who in all of his public service has subordinated per- sonal aggrandizement to the general good.
G. G. BICKLEY, M. D.
The student of history cannot carry his investigations far into the annals of Black Hawk county without learning that the Bickley family has been long, closely and honorably identified therewith. It is of this family that Dr. G. G. Bickley is a representative. He was born in Waterloo in 1886 and is a son of Dr. G. G. Bick- ley, Sr., now deceased, who was one of the pioneer physicians of Waterloo, where he practiced continuously and successfully for many years. His ability in that direction and his efforts in other connections made him one of the most widely known and prominent citizens of the county. He died October 30, 1911, and in his passing the community lost one of its honored and representative citizens. His son and namesake was reared under the parental roof and received home training that tended to develop the best and strongest in him. His advantages for an education were those afforded by the public schools and ultimately he was graduated from the West Waterloo high school with the class of 1905. The succeeding two years were devoted to the mastery of a literary course in the University of Iowa and he then spent one year in study in the medical depart- ment of the State University. At the end of that time he entered Hahnemann Medical College of Chicago, from which he was graduated on the completion of the three years' course, receiving his diploma and his M. D. degree in 1911. He afterward spent eighteen months in Chicago in connection with the Baptist Hospital and his experience there was of untold value to him, as it enabled him to put his theoretical knowledge to the practical test and to gain that broad experience which only hospital service can bring.
Dr. Bickley returned to Waterloo in 1912 and has since engaged in general practice, forging forward constantly as the result of his ability, determination and laudable ambition.
In 1914 Dr. Bickley was united in marriage to Miss Lois Evelyn Storm, a daughter of E. M. Storm, of Waterloo. Both are widely and favorably known in this city and county, genuine personal worth winning for them the confidence and good-will of all with whom they have come in contact. Dr. Bickley belongs to the Waterloo, Black Hawk County, Iowa State and Illinois State Homeopathic Med-
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ical Associations and he is a physician in attendance at the hospitals of this city. It is characteristic of him that what he undertakes he accomplishes and the more difficult the medical problem which confronts him the more anxious and deter- mined he is to gain a successful solution thereof. He is constantly reading along broadening lines and keeps in touch with the advanced thought and purpose of the medical profession.
LOVANE S. PARSONS.
Lovane S. Parsons, as proprietor of the L. S. Parsons Music House, is at the head of one of the most important commercial enterprises of Waterloo; in fact, this business is the largest of its kind in this section of the state, having enjoyed a steady and substantial growth since it was established on the 5th of August, 1876, by him who is still the proprietor.
Mr. Parsons is one of New England's native sons. He was born in Vermont in 1852 and was reared and educated in the Green Mountain state. Upon attaining his majority he left home and went to Boston, where he remained for about two years, but at that time he heard the call of the west and made his way to Iowa in 1876. He came at once to Waterloo and here embarked in the music trade but his first establishment bore little resemblance to the business of the present time, for at the outset he had but one organ and one piano. He has continued in the busi- ness now for over thirty-eight years and his trade has gradually increased. His store was originally located on East Fourth street, where he remained until 1902, when he erected his present large business block, forty by one hundred feet and three stories and basement. He occupies the entire building, conducting a large retail business, although he also sells to some extent to the wholesale trade and is represented by several agencies located in different towns in Iowa. He handles many of the standard makes of pianos and about one-third of the output is manu- factured especially for him with his name stamped thereon. He sells about one hundred thousand dollars' worth of instruments, mostly pianos, annually. The business has thus grown and the success of the enterprise is attributable entirely to the progressive methods and the close application and unflagging enterprise of Mr. Parsons. He is thoroughly acquainted with the music trade and long ex- perience has taught him how to purchase judiciously and sell with a fair profit. He has ever recognized the fact that satisfied patrons are the best advertisement and in trade circles he enjoys an unassailable reputation. He is also extensively interested in farm lands in Iowa and Texas and is the owner of much valuable city property, his investments having been most judiciously made.
In 1878, Mr. Parsons was united in marriage to Miss Lillie Garrabrant, of Waterloo, who died December 29, 1893. They had one son, Harry O., who is now general manager of the music house. He was born in Waterloo in 1880, was reared in this city and completed his education as a student in the East Waterloo high school. He has been reared in the piano trade and is familiar with every phase of the business. He became his father's assistant at an early age and as the years passed on larger responsibilities were intrusted to him. On the IIth of September, 1906, he was united in marriage to Miss Mathilda
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P. Myers, of Waterloo, and they have become the parents of two children, Harry Otto and Virginia Myers. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, the Knights of Pythias and the Fra- ternal Order of Eagles. He also belongs to the Commercial Club and Board of Trade and is popular in these different organizations, exemplifying in his life the beneficent spirit that constitutes the basic element of these different fraternities. He is also a communicant of Christ Episcopal church. In busi- ness circles he is widely and favorably known and is one of the directors of the Waterloo Retail Merchants Association.
L. S. Parsons was again married in 1896, Dr. Emma Dawson becoming his wife. She was one of the two doctors who owned the Waterloo Electric Cure and has attained high rank in her profession. She received her more specific literary education at the Western Normal College, Bushnell, Illinois. She then attended the medical school at Ann Arbor, Michigan, for two years and was graduated in medicine in 1890 from the Northwestern University. Mr. Parsons is a Knight Templar Mason and also a member of the Mystic Shrine. The principles which govern his conduct are further indicated in the fact that he is a member of the First Congregational church of Waterloo and belongs to the Commercial Club and Board of Trade and the Waterloo Retail Merchants Association, thus keeping in active touch with those efforts which are being made to extend the trade relations of the city and promote its affairs. The sterling integrity of his character has naturally gained for him the respect and confidence of his fellowmen. He is widely and favorably known throughout the county. The terms progress and patriotism might be considered the keynote of his character, for throughout his career he has labored for the improvement of every line of business or public interest with which he has been connected. He stands as an excellent representative of our best type of American manhood and chivalry.
P. E. RITZ.
P. E. Ritz, an attorney of Waterloo engaged in active practice in this city since 1913, was born at Sergeant Bluff, seven miles from Sioux City, Iowa, in 1882. His father, P. E. Ritz, Sr., was also a native of that place, born in 1860. He there carried on farming and is still living in that city, with the agricultural interests of which he has been identified from pioneer times. He is a son of John A. Ritz, who came from Pennsylvania and settled at Sergeant Bluff among the earliest residents of Iowa. At that time the Indians were more numerous than the white settlers and he had various experiences with the redmen. The prairies were covered with native grasses and the forests were uncut. Wild game of all kinds was to be had in abundance and there were also many wild animals, some of which were a menace to the live stock upon the farms. In addition to develop- ing his farm property, John A. Ritz assisted in building the Northwestern Railroad from Sioux City to Omaha.
P. E. Ritz, whose name introduces this review, spent his youthful days under the parental roof and after mastering the branches of learning taught in the lower
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grades of school he entered the high school of Sioux City, from which he was graduated with the class of 1902. He then entered the Iowa State University and won his Bachelor of Arts degree with the class of 1907. His broad literary learn- ing thus served as an excellent foundation upon which to rear the superstructure of professional knowledge. Deciding upon the practice of law as a life work, he began studying in the State University of Iowa and was admitted to the bar in 1909. For three years he was principal of the commercial department of the East Waterloo high school and was the organizer of that department. He was after- ward made principal of the entire school and so continued for a year, but at the end of that time resigned his position to take up the practice of law, which he has since followed in all of the state and federal courts. He served as special assistant county attorney under W. P. Hoxie during the fall of 1913 and again in 1914. He has been connected with much important litigation tried in Waterloo and it is well known that he prepares his cases with great thoroughness and care, while in their presentation he is strong, cogent and logical.
In 1908 Mr. Ritz was married to Miss Ora Iris Crozier, of North Liberty, Iowa, and they have two children, Russell Wesley and Robert E. The parents attend the First Presbyterian church and genuine personal worth has won for them the high regard of an extensive circle of friends. Mr. Ritz is a member of the Commercial Club and Board of Trade and he has been identified with many in- terests of worth in his city. He is a stockholder in the Chautauqua Association, is at present the secretary, and for four years acted as manager in planning and conducting the Chautauquas held here. He belongs to the Black Hawk County Bar Association and he enjoys the high regard and good-will of his fellow practi- tioners because of his close conformity to the highest ethical standards of the profession. His interest in all that pertains to the welfare of city and county is unabating and, while he holds to high ideals, he uses the most practical methods for their fulfilling.
CLYDE ORRIN LAMSON.
Clyde Orrin Lamson, a well known figure in real-estate circles in Waterloo, was born in Waverly, Iowa, February 5, 1873, a son of James and Cornelia F. (Davis) Lamson, who were natives of New York and of Iowa respectively. The father served as a soldier in the Ninth Iowa Volunteer Infantry during the Civil war, remaining at the front for three years, during which time he participated in the battles of Missionary Ridge, Lookout Mountain and other important engage- ments which led to the final victory that crowned the Union arms. He and his wife are now residents of Anamosa, Iowa, where they have many warm friends.
Clyde O. Lamson spent his youthful days in Waverly and in Anamosa, Iowa, and after completing his public-school education won his diploma of graduation from the pharmaceutical department of the State University of Iowa with the class of 1894. He then came to Waterloo and entered the drug store of C. B. Henderson & Company as prescription clerk, occupying that position for two years. He then went to Hampton, Iowa, where he remained in a drug store for a year. On the expiration of that period he returned to Anamosa and estab-
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HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY
lished a drug store on his own account. He conducted that business for two years and then came to Waterloo, where he established a real-estate office and has since engaged in that line of business. He has negotiated many important real- estate transfers and is one of the foremost real-estate men of the city. This does not cover the scope of his activities, however, for in the fall of 1914 he opened the Russell-Lamson Hotel of Waterloo, which he had erected and which is one of the finest in the west. It is thoroughly modern in every particular, equipped after the most improved style of hotel furnishings, and would be a credit to a much larger city. Important and extensive as are his business interests in con- nection with the management of the hotel and the conduct of his real-estate busi- ness, Mr. Lamson has still further interests, being connected with the J. S. Kemp Manufacturing Company, which was organized in Waterloo in 1903 as an addition to the original company in Newark Valley, New York. That business was pur- chased by Mr. Lamson and others and is continued for the distribution of fer- tilizers, by the International Harvester Company, who purchased the business at a good figure about 1908. The factory and main business, however, are at Waterloo and at this point an extensive trade is enjoyed. He also built the Russell-Lamson office building at the corner of Fourth and Commercial streets, which was the first office building in Waterloo equipped with elevator service. Mr. Lamson is both a forceful and resourceful man, ready to meet any emergency and capable of wisely directing his business affairs to a successful completion.
On the 28th of April, 1897, in, Waterloo, Mr. Lamson was united in marriage to Miss Lillian Richards Russell, a daughter of Rensselaer Russell, who was born at Snowden, New York, in 1828, and in 1856 arrived in Waterloo. He was married in 1853, in his native state, to Miss Caroline M. Richards and they soon became widely and favorably known in social circles of Waterloo, while Mr. Russell made for himself a creditable place in business life. He was one of the first bankers of this city and was the owner of extensive landed possessions in Black Hawk county. His political allegiance was given to the republican party and several times he was called to the office of alderman. He belonged to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and to the Episcopal church, and his life was guided by high and honorable principles. It was his daughter Lillian who became the wife of Clyde O. Lamson and unto them have been born two children : Russell Orrin, whose natal day was October 6, 1899; and Maxine Russell, born February 26, 1904.
The religious faith of the family is that of the Episcopal church and Mr. Lamson is senior warden of St. Martin's church of Waterloo. Since age con- ferred upon him the right of franchise he has voted with the republican party and has several times been called to public office, serving for four years as a member of the city council of Waterloo, while for nine years he has been a member of the school board, acting as its president for four years of that time. The cause of education finds in him a stalwart champion and he has done effective work to further the interests of the schools in this locality. In Masonry he has taken the degrees of the Scottish Rite and of the Mystic Shrine and he also is a member of the Knights of Pythias. He belongs to the Country Club and is a member of the Chamber of Commerce, of which he became the first president and so continued for six years, doing much to shape the policy of that organization and broaden the scope of its usefulness. His life has indeed been a busy one, fraught with Vol. II-2
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good results, both as to his own fortunes and to the public welfare. He has a wide acquaintance and wherever he is best known he is most honored and respected.
JOHN P. BERRY.
John P. Berry, superintendent of the Waterloo Waterworks, is a native of Canada, but when only five years of age was brought to this city by his parents, James and Mary ( Pollard) Berry, both of whom were natives of England. They crossed the Atlantic to the new world in 1847 and after living in Canada for nine years came to Waterloo in 1856. The father was first employed in the sawmill of Morrison & Wilson near the present site of the waterworks of Cedar Falls. He spent the greater part of his life from that time on in Black Hawk county and his last years were passed upon a farm which he owned in the vicinity of Hudson. There he died more than forty-four years ago. In politics he was a republican and was a well known citizen of early days, taking an active interest in all that pertained to the county's upbuilding and development.
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