USA > Iowa > Black Hawk County > History of Black Hawk County, Iowa, and its people, Volume II > Part 20
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eighty-nine years. Both he and the maternal grandfather of Charles W. Hellen were forty-niners of the California gold rush, both going overland with wagon trains. Mr. Hellen returned by the same route, while Mr. Thompson made the return trip by way of the Isthmus. The latter is still living and now makes his home in Webster City, Iowa, being in vigorous health at the advanced age of eighty-nine years.
John G. Hellen is a medical graduate and for several years practiced his profession in Pecatonica, Illinois, but for the past fifteen years has been prom- inently identified with the real-estate business in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Charles Warren Hellen, spending his youthful days under the parental roof, acquired his education in the public schools of Webster City, but as early as his twelfth year went to work for the Iowa Telephone company at that place and when fifteen years of age was made manager for the company, which a year later was merged with the E. H. Martin Telephone Company. The new organ- ization also controlled the Postal Telegraph office in Webster City and while there engaged Mr. Hellen learned telegraphy. The same year he entered the employ of the Western Union Telegraph Company and on the Ist of September, 1898, he entered the employ of the Litchfield Manufacturing Company of Web- ster City, manufacturers of agricultural implements. He entered the employ of that company at a salary of twenty dollars per month and from a humble position he worked his way steadily upward until he became assistant manager of the business and subsequently was made credit man for the firm. On the removal of the firm to Waterloo in 1903 Mr. Hellen came with them and was identified with the business for eleven years, having within that time become a stockholder in the company.
In 1908, in connection with Lore Alford, Jr., Mr. Hellen established the Black Hawk Abstract Company and in 1909 he sold his interest to his partner. On the 15th of September of the same year he went to Philadelphia, Pennsyl- vania, where he became associated with the C. H. Geist Company, operating a line of gas and electric light plants throughout the east. He was placed in charge of the Wilmington, Delaware, office and when three months later the company bought out two plants in Atlantic City, Mr. Hellen purchased an inter- est in these plants and was installed as office manager there. In 1910 he sold his interest in that business and in connection with William Galloway purchased the business of the Dart Manufacturing Company at Anderson, Indiana, and removed the plant to Waterloo, where Mr. Hellen had charge of the erection of the buildings and the installation of the new plant. In December, 1910, he was elected president and manager of the company and has since continued at the head of this business, which, under his direction, has enjoyed continuous growth. On the Ist of August, 1914, the company was reorganized and incorporated as the Dart Motor Truck Company, Mr. Hellen continuing as president and man- ager. This company builds three sizes of motor trucks and ships its output all over the world. The business has been a constantly growing one and is now one of the leading manufacturing enterprises of the city.
On the rith of October, 1911, Mr. Hellen was united in marriage to Miss Ethel M. Miller, a daughter of W. W. Miller, president of the Commercial National Bank of Waterloo, and to them have been born two daughters, Mar- garet Louise and Elizabeth Miller. Politically Mr. Hellen is a republican and
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at the present time is filling the office of river front commissioner of East Waterloo. He belongs to Waterloo Lodge, No. 105, A. F. & A. M .; Helmet Lodge, No. 52, K. P .; and Waterloo Lodge, No. 290, B. P. O. E. He is like- wise a member of the Illinois Athletic Club of Chicago. He belongs to the Waterloo Commercial Club, is a stockholder in the Commercial National Bank and he and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church. The steps in his orderly progression are easily discernible and since starting out in life on his own account at the early age of twelve years he has worked his way steadily upward, advancing continuously and thus winning at all times a broader outlook. No unusual opportunities have come to him, but with characteristic energy he has improved each one as it has been presented and thus he has gained the creditable and enviable place in business circles that he today occupies. More- over, his record has at all times been one of unfaltering diligence and of unques- tioned integrity, proving that success and an honored name may be won simul- taneously.
H. D. MOSES.
H. D. Moses was for a long period identified with farming interests in Iowa although he did not become a resident of Black Hawk county. He made his home in Benton county and was one of its pioneer settlers. His birth occurred in March, 1839, his parents being Alfred and Catherine (Perrine) Moses, who becanie pioneer residents of Illinois.
H. D. Moses was reared in Illinois and is indebted to the public-school sys- tem of that state for the educational privileges which he received. He there engaged in farming and continued his residence in that state until he came to Iowa at an early period in the settlement and development of Benton county. Subsequent to his arrival in this state he purchased land and at once began its cultivation and improvement. In the course of years he transformed the place into a highly improved farm and made his home thereon throughout his remain- ing days, his death occurring in October, 1881.
Twenty years before, or in October, 1861, Mr. Moses was united in mar- riage to Miss Rhoda Williams, a daughter of John and Sarah A. (Drake) Wil- liams, who were natives of New York. The father was a farmer by occupa- tion and always followed that pursuit in the Empire state, continuing his resi- dence there until he was called to his final rest in 1880. His wife survived him for about nine years, passing away in 1889. In the family of Mr. and Mrs. Moses there were six children: Albert, a resident of Nebraska; Elmer, who is living in Washington; Arthur, who makes his home in Montana; John, who resides in Nebraska ; Minnie, the wife of R. E. Berry, a resident of Tama county, Iowa; and Libby, the youngest of the family, who died in 1892.
Mr. Moses was a Mason and in his life exemplified the beneficent spirit of the craft. His political allegiance was given the democratic party but he did not seek nor desire public office, preferring always to give his undivided atten- tion to his farm work, whereby he provided a comfortable living for his family.
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In the year 1889 his widow, Mrs. Rhoda Moses, became the wife of Henry Clark, who was one of the pioneer farmers of Black Hawk county. Settling here at an early day, he witnessed the greater part of the growth and development of this section of the state and was closely associated with its progress along agricultural lines. At the time of his arrival he secured land and from that day until his death was connected with farming interests. He died upon his farm in Spring Creek township in 1908, since which time Mrs. Clark has removed to La Porte City, where she has since made her home. She owns con- siderable property here and from her real-estate holdings derives a substantial annual income. She is now seventy-nine years of age and much of her life has been passed in Iowa, so that her memory forms a connecting link between pioneer times and the present. She has seen great changes and can relate many interesting incidents concerning the early days. She is now well known in La Porte City and in other sections of Black Hawk county and has a large circle of warm friends.
ARTHUR C. COLE.
Arthur C. Cole, engaged in the real-estate business and in speculative build- ing in Waterloo, has done much to improve the city architecturally and along the lines of general development and advancement. He was born at Yorkville. Illinois, January 31, 1871, a son of William G. and Martha C. (Casburn) Cole. who were natives of England, born in 1833 and 1836 respectively. In early life the father devoted his attention to merchandising. About 1868 he and his wife crossed the Atlantic to the new world, settling in Illinois, where they continued to make their home until 1883, when they came to Waterloo. The father had practically retired from business at that time and he continued to reside here in the enjoyment of a well earned rest until his death, which occurred in 1898. His widow now resides at No. 626 Randolph street in Waterloo.
Arthur C. Cole is one of a family of eight children. He attended public schools in Illinois and in Waterloo and was a graduate in the class of 1900, with the degree of Ph. B., of the university at Iowa City. He was eighteen years of age when he entered the railway mail service on the Rock Island, running between Burlington and Albert Lea, Minnesota. He continued for nineteen years in the service and during that period, from 1896 until 1900, pur- sued his four years' course in college, attending school during his lay-off periods and keeping up his studies while absent from his classes. What he accomplished was considered very remarkable by his preceptors and it indicated the strength of his character and his laudable ambition along the line of intellectual develop- ment. After nineteen years' continuous connection with the mail service, in which he reached the highest class then attainable, he turned his attention to speculative building and to the real-estate business. He buys vacant property. plats his land and thereon erects houses for sale. He is still successfully engaged along this line and his efforts have been an important element in improving and beautifying various sections of Waterloo. In his building operations he studies comfort, convenience, utility and beauty and he has erected some of the most
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attractive modern residences of Waterloo. He is likewise a director of the Peoples Building & Loan Association.
In June, 1908, Mr. Cole was joined in wedlock to Miss Anna Holmes, who was born at Aurora, Hamilton county, Nebraska, a daughter of Frank and Lydia (Bickley) Holmes, the former a native of Manchester, England, and the latter of Somerset county, Pennsylvania. The father came to America when a lad of five years and made farming his life work. He lived first in Wisconsin, but came to Iowa in 1864. Later he removed to Nebraska, where he remained for one year, and then returned to Black Hawk county, settling on a farm near Hudson, where he successfully engaged in tilling the soil. Later he took up his abode in Waterloo, where he lived retired until his death, which occurred in the year 1896. He served as a trustee of the township in which he lived and was a valued and representative citizen of that locality. His widow still lives in Waterloo, at 827 Randolph street. Their daughter, Mrs. Cole, was the second in order of birth in their family of six children. She attended the public schools of West Waterloo and is a graduate of the State University of Iowa in the class of 1907 with the degree of B. S. By her marriage she has become the mother of four children, Arline, Erma and Virginia, all at home, and Richardine, who died at the age of nine months.
Mr. and Mrs. Cole are members of the First Baptist church and Mrs. Cole also belongs to the Fortnightly Literary Club. Mr. Cole holds membership with the Knights of Pythias and also in the Chamber of Commerce and the Town Criers Club. The determination and strength of character which he displayed in acquiring an education under odds which would have utterly discouraged many a man indicates much of his nature. He has ever been a man of strong purpose, resourceful, energetic and determined. In his business he has seen the opportunities for advancing his own success and at the same time aiding in the development and improvement of the city, and the one affords him just as great pleasure as the other, for he is a public-spirited citizen and gives his aid and influence to the side of improvement and advancement along all the lines which contribute to Waterloo's welfare.
WILLIAM KOBER.
William Kober, president of the Waterloo Sash & Fixture Works, was born in Wheaton, Illinois, March 3, 1872, a son of August and Charlotte Kober, who now reside in Charles City, Iowa, to which place they removed when their son William was a little lad of but four summers. It was there that he was reared and educated as a pupil in the public schools. As early as his fourteenth year, however, he entered upon an apprenticeship to the carpenter's trade, work- ing during the summer months and attending school in the winter seasons. His life has ever been one of unfaltering industry and in 1888 he returned to Wheaton, where he completed his `apprenticeship and worked at his trade until 1894. He then again went to Charles City and secured a position in a sash and door factory, where he was employed until the spring of 1900, when he came to Waterloo and secured a position with the Cedar Valley Manufacturing
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Company, remaining in the employ of that organization for about eighteen months.
Mr. Kober afterward spent about a year at the plant of the Nauman Com- pany and in 1902 he engaged in business on his own account, purchasing the interest of Stephen Saulsbury in the Novelty Wood Works. He became a partner in the last named corporation which in 1906 was reincorporated and reorganized under the name of the Waterloo Sash & Fixture Works, at which time the capital stock was increased from ten thousand to twenty-five thousand dollars. The officers of the company are: William Kober, president; Harry Parks, vice president; Phillip Koester, secretary; and Fred Burk, treasurer. In 1911 the business had increased in volume to such an extent that a reorgan- ization of the company and an increase of its capital stock were found neces- sary, at which time the latter was increased to fifty thousand dollars. This is one of the important manufacturing industries of Waterloo, conducting an extensive and growing business, their trade relations now covering a wide ter- ritory. They have ever recognized the fact that satisfied patrons are the best advertisement and their efforts to please, combined with honorable business dealings and the excellence of their product, have been the chief factor in their growing prosperity.
In 1894 Mr. Kober was united in marriage to Miss Anna Zeas, a native of Germany, who came to the United States in 1890, being then in young woman- hood. They have become the parents of two children: Edgar Irving, who is attending the University of Illinois ; and Frances Emma, a student in the Water- loo high school.
Mr. Kober belongs to the Brotherhood of American Yeomen, the Modern Woodmen of America, the Knights of the Maccabees, the Loyal Order of Moose, and to Helmet Lodge, No. 89, K. P. He exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the republican party, but the honors and emoluments of office have had no attraction for him, as he has always preferred to devote his attention to his business affairs and other outside interests, which he considers more vital to his life than holding office. He and his wife are mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal church and their many good traits of character have firmly established them in the high respect and good-will of their fellow citizens.
J. G. McALVIN, M. D.
Dr. J. G. McAlvin, physician and surgeon of Waterloo, well qualified for the onerous duties of the profession by a broad course of study in the State University of Iowa and subsequent post-graduate work in New York city and the leading medical centers of Europe, 'has engaged in practice in Waterloo since 1910. He was born in Farmersburg near McGregor, Iowa, October 16, 1869, a son of Dr. James McAlvin, who was a native of Scotland, and was a graduate in medicine, having acquired his education in the Edinburgh Univer- sity. He was one of the early practitioners in northeastern Iowa and was one of the first doctors in the United States to open the abdomen in the region of
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the appendix for the treatment of abscess and inflammation of the bowels, not realizing that he was opening an abscess of the appendix.
Dr. J. G. McAlvin spent his youthful days in his parents' home and supple- mented his early educational privileges by study in the State Normal school at Cedar Falls and in the State University of Iowa, from which he was graduated in the class of 1895 with the degree of Ph. B. Subsequently he pursued his medical course in the same institution and won his professional degree as a member of the class of 1897. Following his graduation he went immediately to New York city and continued his studies in the New York Post Graduate school. Thus splendidly equipped for professional duties and responsibilities, he located for practice in Grundy Center in the spring of 1898. Success attended his efforts during the six years of his residence there and in the spring of 1904 he went abroad, taking special work in the line of his profession in London and in Edinburgh, spending some eight months in study. In 1905 he returned to Iowa, settling at Cedar Falls, where he resided until 1910, when he came to Waterloo, seeking a broader field of labor. In the intervening years to the present he has built up an extensive practice, being ranked among the success- ful physicians of the city. He is able and conscientious in the performance of professional duties, is most careful in the diagnosis of cases and at all times is keenly interested in the investigations which throw light upon the complex mystery which we call life.
In 1899 Dr. McAlvin was united in marriage to Miss Clara Grace Hurst, of Cedar Falls, and to them have been born two children: Helen Mar and James Hurst. Dr. McAlvin is well known in Masonic circles as a member of Emerald Lodge, No. 334, A. F. & A. M., and Ionic Chapter, No. 100, R. A. M., both of Grundy Center. Both he and his wife hold membership in the Order of the Eastern Star, and Mrs. McAlvin is a member of the Congregational church. They are highly esteemed for their many attractive social qualities and during the period of their residence in Waterloo have gained many warm friends, the hospitality of many of the best homes being freely accorded them.
LE CLAIR MARTIN.
Le Clair Martin, attorney at law of Cedar Falls, was born in Paola, Kansas, on the 29th of November, 1870, a son of Dr. Charles M. Martin, a native of Miami county, Ohio, who for thirty-five years was prominent in the medical profession in Illinois and Iowa. At the present time, however, he is living retired in Denver, Colorado. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Hortense Bell, was the first white child born in Knox county, Illinois, and her death occurred in April, 1910.
Le Clair Martin was educated in the public schools and at the Hull Educa- tional Institute at Hull, Iowa, from which he was graduated with the class of 1888. In 1891 he entered the University of Michigan, in which he spent two years. In 1893 his parents removed to Mount Vernon, Iowa, and he attended Cornell College the following year. He was graduated from that institution with the Ph. B. degree as a member of the class of 1894, after which he returned
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to Ann Arbor and took up the study of law and completed his course in the University of Michigan, where again the Ph. B. degree was conferred upon him as a member of the class of 1895. In that institution he continued his law studies and received the LL. B. degree upon graduation with the class of 1896. In the autumn of the same year he came to Cedar Falls, where he entered into a law partnership with Herman C. Hemenway, which connection existed until the time of Mr. Hemenway's retirement on the Ist of October, 1913. The same month Mr. Martin became a partner of Harry B. Turnipseed, a relationship that has since been maintained. The firm is one of the foremost at the bar of Cedar Falls and is accorded a clientage that is not only large but distinctively representative. Mr. Martin is regarded as a very able lawyer and he prepares his cases with that thoroughness and precision which must always be the fore- runner of success in the courts.
In October, 1901, Mr. Martin was united in marriage to Miss Mary White Kinne, of Ann Arbor, Michigan, a daughter of Judge Edward D Kinne, who for twenty-seven years has sat on the district bench of Washtenaw county, Michigan. Mr. and Mrs. Martin are the parents of a son and two daughters, Edward Kinne, Mary Grace and Helen Hortense.
In his political views Mr. Martin is a stalwart republican, giving earnest support to the party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. He served in the years 1899 and 1900 as city attorney but has never been an aspirant for public office. He belongs to Red Cedar Lodge, No. 83, K. of P .; to the Cedar Falls Commercial Club and the Oak Lawn Golf Club. He is also a member of the board of trustees of the Cedar Falls public library. He holds membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he is serving as steward, and his wife is a member of the Protestant Episcopal church. He takes the keenest interest in everything pertaining to the public welfare and to the upbuilding and development of city and county and cooperates heartily with measures and movements for the general good. At the same time he gives careful attention to his law practice and his devotion to his clients' interests is proverbial.
B. A. HASELMAN.
B. A. Haselman is a prominent factor in business circles of Waterloo as the leading harness manufacturer of the city, being at the head of the Western Harness & Supply Company at No. 615 Commercial street, which was organ- ized in 1902. He conducts both a wholesale and retail enterprise, doing a mail order business and selling to the farmer direct. His birth occurred in Dubuque county, Iowa, in 1872, his parents being Anton and Leonore Haselman, both of whom passed away in that county. The father was successfully engaged in business as a contractor and builder. To him and his wife were born nine children, as follows: John, who died when twenty-seven years of age: Fred. who is a resident of Empire City, Minnesota : Chris, living in Nashua, Iowa : Fritz, of Wilmont, Minnesota : B. A., of this review ; Anna, who gave her hand in marriage to Albert Newman, of Dubuque, Iowa; Hannah, the wife of
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Michael Eckstein, of Dubuque, Iowa; Kate, who is the wife of Jacob Smith and resides in southern Minnesota; and Gertrude, the wife of Asa Freeman, of Minneapolis, Minnesota.
B. A. Haselman obtained his education in the common schools of his native county and after attaining his majority served an apprenticeship in the harness business. Subsequently he embarked in business on his own account as a manu- facturer of and retail dealer in harness at Norway, Benton county, Iowa. In 1901 he sold out and came to Waterloo, establishing the Western Harness & Supply Company, which was organized as such in the following year. Success has attended his efforts and, as above stated, he is now the leading harness manufacturer in the city. He owns one of the handsome homes of Waterloo and also has residence property at Dyersville, Iowa.
In November, 1898, Mr. Haselman was united in marriage to Miss Rose Behle, who was born in Norway, Benton county, this state, and whose parents died when she was but a child. She has one brother, Louie, and three sisters, namely: Minnie, who is the wife of George Frese, of Norway, Iowa; Mary, the wife of Joseph Erger, of Norway, this state; and Anna. Mrs. Haselman is the youngest of the family and a high-school graduate. By her marriage she has become the mother of two sons and a daughter, as follows: Eldred A., who was born in 1901 ; Roger F., whose birth occurred in 1907; and Marlys R., born in 1913. Mr. Haselman is identified fraternally with the Benevolent Pro- tective Order of Elks. He is an active, intelligent and progressive business man and one of the valued and representative citizens of Black Hawk county.
JOSEPH A. McNAUGHTON.
Joseph A. McNaughton, a well known resident of La Porte City, still owns considerable land and was for some time actively engaged in farming. He was born in Cedar township, Black Hawk county, on the 5th of June, 1862, a son of Alexander and Jane McNaughton. The father was a native of Fort William, Inverness-shire, Scotland, and the mother of Canada, although of Scotch descent. When a boy of eleven years Alexander McNaughton accompanied his parents to America, the family locating in the province of Quebec, Canada. He learned the carpenter's trade and followed that occupation in the Dominion until the fall of 1859, when he came to the States and made his way by stage to Black Hawk county. He was accompanied by his wife and seven children and on his arrival in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, his capital consisted of but forty dollars. He cultivated a rented farm for five years, after which he purchased a place and gave his attention to its cultivation and development. He also worked at his trade to some extent and was successful in both lines of activity. On the 6th of January, 1913, he passed away at the unusual age of ninety-three years, having survived his wife for almost fourteen years, as her death occurred on the 23d of February, 1899.
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