USA > Iowa > Black Hawk County > History of Black Hawk County, Iowa, and its people, Volume II > Part 28
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bridge was built and also when the site for the present courthouse was pur- chased. His life was one of continuous activity and was a useful element in the county's progress and improvement along various lines. He enjoyed the respect and good-will of all who knew him and his death, which occurred in November, 1905, was deeply regretted. His wife, who was born December 20, 1855, is still living in Waterloo, her residence being at No. 612 Grant avenue. They were the parents of two children, the elder being a daughter, Maude, who is now the wife of Aaron Palmer, who resides in Marshalltown, being the pres- ent superintendent of schools there, in which capacity he is serving for the eighth year.
The son, Mark T. Humphrey, was a pupil in the country schools and in the Waterloo high school, from which he was graduated with the class of 1905. He afterward studied in the electrical engineering department in the Iowa State College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts at Ames, completing his course in 1909. He resided at home and from choice, while at school, he put in his vaca- tions doing wiring and other work preparatory to following the business in which he is now engaged. He thus obtained valuable experience and continued in this way until he started in business on his own account, on the 18th of July, 1909, when he formed a partnership with C. W. Hitchcock. They established the present business under the style of Hitchcock & Humphrey, starting in a small way in a second floor room at No. 4001/-, West Fifth street. There they remained for about eighteen months, when they came to their present location, and after about a year they bought out the Iowa Electrical Machinery Company and have since conducted the two enterprises. They carry a full line of electrical supplies, motors, lamps, fixtures, etc., and in addition they install electrical lighting systems upon farms and in small towns. They do a jobbing and retail business and have gained a liberal patronage. In addition to his business affairs Mr. Humphrey is the owner of residence property in Waterloo.
Mr. Humphrey exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the republican party. He keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day and is ever ready to support his position by intelligent argument. He has been a member of the Baptist church since 1901 and he holds membership with the Knights of Pythias. He is well known in the county where his entire life has been passed and that many of his warmest friends are those who have known him from his boyhood to the present is an indication that his career has ever been an honorable and upright one.
LOUIS W. WITRY.
Louis W. Witry is the vice president and factory manager of the Waterloo Gas Engine Company, in which connection he has the supervision of the labors of seven hundred employes. He is a man of determined purpose, carrying forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes, and his life work has been of a character that has contributed to public prosperity as well as to individual success.
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He is a native of Waterloo, born in 1870, his parents being Dominic and Margaret (Pott) Witry, both of whom were natives of Germany. The father was born in 1841 and came to Waterloo in 1868. He entered the employ of Henry Daniels in the only sawmill of the town and in that connection engaged in the manufacture of furniture, for he was a cabinet-maker by trade. It was soon after his arrival in Waterloo that he wedded Margaret Pott and they became parents of three children ; Louis W .; Perrie J., who has always lived in Waterloo; and Mary, also of this city.
Louis W. Witry was educated in Our Lady of Victory Sisters' school in Waterloo and at the age of fifteen commenced work at the machinist's trade with the Illinois Central Railroad Company, serving a five years' apprentice- ship. He was engaged in locomotive work for twelve years, working in a number of the leading shops in the middle west and on the coast in order to gain greater experience. In August, 1897, he became associated with the Waterloo Gas Engine Company, which was then occupying the old building located on the river and employed twenty men. The following January he was made superintendent of the factory and a little later he became a stockholder in the company and was elected to the office of vice president and factory man- ager. Something of the growth of the business is indicated in the fact that they now employ on an average of seven hundred workmen, many of whom are most skilled and efficient in their particular line. Mr. Witry designed the Waterloo Gasoline Engine, which was far superior to anything that had been put upon the market at that time, and it gave such uniform satisfaction that it was necessary to immediately arrange for a larger factory in order to supply the demand. This was the starting point of the great plant which they have today, a plant that covers many acres and utilizes a number of buildings, the largest of which is one thousand by one hundred and twenty feet. There are two other buildings one fifty by one hundred and twenty feet, another three hun- dred by one hundred and forty feet, with a foundry one hundred by six hundred feet. Theirs is one of the most popular engines on the market and in the great factory the hum of industry is continuously heard, for the work is carried steadily forward in order to furnish the supply that is demanded in all parts of the world. Their trade not only covers America, but many foreign countries, this being indicative of the superiority of their engine over many others upon the market. In this factory was built the first automobile ever constructed or used in Black Hawk county and the design was by Mr. Witry. They continued the manufac- ture of automobiles for some time but on account of the rapid increase in the demand for gasoline engines had to abandon the former for lack of room.
Mr. Witry is an extensive property holder of Waterloo and now occupies the old homestead with his mother and sister, his father having died in 1912. He is a member of St. Joseph's Catholic church and of the Knights of Columbus, and he also has membership with the Fraternal Order of Eagles, the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, the Chamber of Commerce, the Waterloo Club and Waterloo Business and Traveling Men's Association. His has indeed been a busy, useful and active life, resulting in continuous advancement. Following out the bent of his nature he soon reached an expert position in connection with inechanics and his initiative spirit has led to inventions that have been of the utmost value and worth. A man of great natural ability, his success in business
LOUIS W. WITRY
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has been uniform and rapid. As has been truly remarked, after all that may be done for a man in the way of giving him early opportunities for obtaining the requirements which are sought in the schools and in books, he must essen- tially formulate, determine and give shape to his own character and this is what Mr. Witry has done.
W. K. VOORHEES.
W. K. Voorhees, one of the foremost business men and popular young citi- zens of Cedar Falls, has since 1910 served as secretary and general manager of the Standard Manufacturing Company of the city, which concern is engaged in the manufacture of steel gates and conducts one of the important industrial plants of Black Hawk county. His birth occurred in Mahaska county, Iowa, near the town of Pella, on the 25th of August, 1887, his parents being John K. and Algenette (Ryan) Voorhees, likewise natives of this state. John K. Voor- hees, Sr., the paternal grandfather, came to Iowa from Ohio in 1845 and at that early day located on a farm in Mahaska county, spending the remainder of his life thereon. It was there that the birth of his son occurred. For about twenty years John K. Voorhees, Jr., has been a commercial salesman, now representing the Gale Manufacturing Company of Albion, Michigan, manufacturers of farm machinery. In 1904 he took up his abode in Cedar Falls and has here since resided.
W. K. Voorhees was reared under the parental roof and in the acquirement of an education attended the graded schools and the Cedar Falls high school, from which institution he was graduated with the class of 1906. Soon after putting aside his text-books lie secured a position with the Iowa Gate Com- pany of Cedar Falls, acting as office man for the concern. He continued in the service of the company for about four years and that his worth and ability were recognized by his employers is indicated in the fact that he was sent out to represent the firm when a special representation was required. In 1910 he resigned his position with the Iowa Gate Company and became one of the leading spirits in the organization of the Standard Manufacturing Company, which was incorporated under the laws of Iowa and of which he was made secretary and manager. The concern began operations in the old paper mill property, but the business developed so rapidly that larger quarters were neces- sary and in 1912 a modern brick building was erected which extends through from Third to Fourth street, having a length of about two hundred and sixty feet and a width of eighty feet. In 1913 the company built an addition of seventy by ninety feet to house their galvanizing plant, which they installed at that time. The state factory inspector declares it the best equipped and best ventilated galvanizing plant in the state of Iowa. The firm does all the galvan- izing for the Wagner Manufacturing Company and for the Du Mond Manu- facturing Company as well as their own work. In his capacity as secretary and manager Mr. Voorhees has contributed not a little to the continued growth and success of the business, and he is widely recognized as a young man of splendid executive ability and enterprise.
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In 1909 Mr. Voorhees was united in marriage to Miss Julia C. Philpot, of Cedar Falls, by whom he has one son, Maynard K. Fraternally he is identified with the following organizations: Black Hawk Lodge, No. 65, A. F. & A. M., in which he is a member of the board of trustees; Valley Chapter, No. 20, R. A. M .; Baldwin Commandery, No. 11, K. T .; Crescent Council, No. 16, R. & S. M., of Waterloo ; and El Kahir Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. Mr. Voor- hees is also a well known member of the Cedar Falls Commercial Club and has already attained a position in business circles of his city that many a man of twice his years might well envy.
J. F. CASS.
J. F. Cass is the vice president of the Waterloo, Cedar Falls & Northern Railroad but this is only one phase of his activity, as he has been identified with various plans, projects and measures which have been an element in promoting the material, intellectual, political and moral progress of his community. A native of Wisconsin, he came to Iowa with his parents when three years of age and was reared in Sumner, his education being acquired in the public schools. When a young man he went to Chicago and for five years was with the First National Bank, starting as messenger and becoming assistant to E. K. Boisot, then manager of the bond department and foreign coin teller.
Mr. Cass afterward engaged in the banking business in Summer, lowa, with. his father, conducting a private bank. Subsequently he organized the bank at Tripoli and at Denver, Iowa, and with his partners controls those two banks and also one at Sumner. He is a well known figure in financial circles, thoroughly conversant with every phase of banking, and his business ability has been an element in establishing strong financial institutions. He is also a director of the Commercial National Bank of Waterloo. His principal interest is in the invest- ment and banking business and he also deals largely in real estate, buying and selling lands as well as bonds and other commercial paper. He organized and is the president of the Iowa Real Estate & Investment Company, which is capitalized for two hundred thousand dollars, all of which has been paid in cash. He is likewise financially and officially connected with various other business enterprises of importance which have been factors in the upbuilding and busi- ness development of the state. He is the president of the Cass Farm Company, which is the owner of five hundred acres of valuable land in Bremer county and of many thousands of acres in Black Hawk and Grundy counties. This com- pany is winning notable success in the development and conduct of its Bremer county farm, which is a model property. Thereon they handle nothing but blooded stock and upon the place have been produced some of the finest cattle and horses of the state.
Mr. Cass was also instrumental in organizing the Western Electric Telephone System and was president of the company when they put in the first toll telephone lines throughout Iowa, Dakota, Nebraska, Wisconsin and other points in the middle west. He was also at one time president of the Kinloch Telephone Com- pany of St. Louis and of Kansas City and few men have been more active in
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instituting and developing the telephone system of the central western states. When the Western Electric Telephone Company sold out to the Bell Telephone Company they had nearly six thousand miles of line in operation. Mr. Cass certainly deserves great credit for organizing the company, of which he was the president and the principal stockholder. He is now prominently, closely and actively associated with the operation of interurban railways as the vice presi- dent of the Waterloo, Cedar Falls & Northern Railroad. His business interests have on the whole been of a character that have contributed in large measure to public progress and prosperity as well as to individual success.
In 1887 Mr. Cass was united in marriage to Miss Florence B. Royal and they have one daughter, Hazel M., now the wife of J. C. Koeneke, of Waterloo, and a son, Ernest Cass, who was educated in the public schools, in the Shattuck Military School at Faribault, Minnesota, and is now in the office of the Water- loo, Cedar Falls & Northern Railroad Company.
Mr. Cass has been a member of the Knights of Pythias for twenty-five years and he also has membership in the Commercial Club and Board of Trade of Waterloo. In politics he is a prominent republican and has served as state chairman of the republican state central committee. He has likewise been a member of the board of trustees of the Upper Iowa University of Fayette. His interests and activities have thus covered a wide range, having to do with the welfare of his state in many connections. Progress and patriotism might well be termed the keynotes of his character. He is a man of well balanced mind, even temper and conservative habit and is rich in the possession of enterprise of the kind that leads to great accomplishments.
: JOHN W. ROBERTS.
In the demise of John W. Roberts, which occurred at La Porte City on the 2d of June, 1911, Black Hawk county lost one of its esteemed citizens and repre- sentative agriculturists, for he had resided within the borders of this county for more than six decades and had won gratifying success as a farmer, owning a tract of two hundred acres in Spring Creek township. His birth occurred in Indiana on the 11th of August, 1843, his parents being E. O. and Irene Roberts, both of whom were natives of Wales. They emigrated to the United States in a very early day and located in Indiana, where they made their home until 1849, when they removed to Jones county, Iowa. The following year, however, they came to Black Hawk county, settling in Spring Creek township, where the father carried on agricultural pursuits during the remainder of his life. He passed away January 27, 1899, and his wife died January 17, 1899. They had lived in this county for almost a half century and had won an extensive circle of warm friends who sincerely mourned their loss.
John W. Roberts, but a very young lad when brought to Black Hawk county by his parents, was reared and educated in Spring Creek township and remained on the home farm until twenty-four years of age. He then started out as an agriculturist on his own account, purchasing forty acres of land on sections 9 and 4, Spring Creek township, which he began improving. Prosperity attended
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his labors and as time passed he extended the boundaries of his farm by addi- tional purchase until it embraced two hundred acres. He brought the place to a high state of cultivation and improvement and devoted his attention to the active work of the fields until 1900, when he took up his abode in La Porte City, where he purchased an attractive residence and spent the remainder of his life in honorable retirement. His demise occurred on the 2d of June, 1911, at the end of about eight years' illness. The farm of two hundred acres is still in possession of his widow, who also owns a residence in La Porte City which she leases.
On the 30th of May, 1867, Mr. Roberts was united in marriage to Miss Anna M. Sroufe, who was born in Ohio, July 26, 1850, her parents being Benoni and Mary Ann (Grandoll) Sroufe, natives of Ohio. In 1853 they removed to Buchanan county, Iowa, where the father successfully carried on farming throughout the remainder of his active business career. He enjoyed retirement, however, for but three months, passing away in Brandon at the end of that time-in 1902. For four decades he had survived his wife, who was called to her final rest in 1862. To Mr. and Mrs. Roberts were born four children, as follows: Mrs. W. H. Abbott, of Los Angeles, California; E. O., of Spring Creek township, this county; J. W., who is a resident of Waterloo: and Mrs. Fannie Wells, living in Hitchcock, South Dakota.
Mr. Roberts gave his political allegiance to the democracy and served as school director for several years, being ever a stalwart champion of the cause of education. His religious faith was that of the Methodist church and fra- ternally he was identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. His life was upright and honorable in every relation and his death came as a great bereavement to many friends as well as to his immediate family. Mrs. Roberts, still living in La Porte City, is also highly esteemed here, the circle of her friends being almost coextensive with the circle of her acquaintances.
FRANK N. MEAD, M. D.
Dr. Frank N. Mead has engaged in the practice of medicine at Cedar Falls since the fall of 1899 and in the intervening period of fifteen years has made continuous progress in his profession. He was born in Shellrock, Butler county, Iowa, October 6, 1868, and is a son of Levi and Adeline (West) Mead, the former a native of Saratoga Springs, New York, and the latter of Indiana. The father followed farming as a life work and in 1867 came to Iowa. settling near Shell Rock. He became a landowner and for many years engaged in farming but is now living retired, he and his wife making their home in Shell Rock. His business record is a creditable and enviable one but not more so than his record as a soldier of the Civil war. Through four years and five months he was with the army as a member of Company B, Eighth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, known as the "Live Eagle" Regiment because of the fact that they had with them through much of the war a live eagle. Mr. Mead was never wounded nor con- fined in a hospital through illness but was always at his post, never faltering in the performance of duty, whether upon the lonely picket line or in the midst of
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the firing line. He was promoted from the rank of corporal to that of first lieutenant and he returned to his home with a most creditable military record.
Dr. Mead was the oldest of the four children in his father's family. He attended school in Butler county, Iowa, and also became a student in the State Normal School at Cedar Falls. Determining upon the practice of medicine as a life work, he entered the medical department of the University of Iowa and afterward continued his studies in preparation for his profession in the Uni- versity of Pennsylvania. He was graduated from the former with the class of 1893 and from the latter as a member of the class of 1895 and was thus well equipped for important responsibilities and grave professional duties. Before pursuing his medical course, however, he took up the profession of school- teaching in Butler county, devoting a year to that work. Following his gradua- tion from the Pennsylvania Medical College he located for practice at Bristow, Butler county, Iowa, where he remained for several years. He then came to Cedar Falls in September, 1899, and has here followed his profession contin- uously since. He continues in general practice, to which he devotes his entire time, and he belongs to the city, county and state medical associations. Long experience and broad reading have greatly augmented his knowledge and ability, and at all times he has kept in touch with the onward trend of thought and scientific investigation in regard to medical practice.
In December, 1898, Dr. Mead was married to Miss Daisy Seefried, who was born in Vienna, Austria, in which city they were married while Dr. Mead was attending the University of Vienna. To them have been born three children, Joseph O., Bertha Louise and Marion Ruth.
Dr. Mead is prominent in Masonic circles, having advanced from the lodge through the various degrees of the York Rite until he is a Knight Templar in Baldwin Commandery. He is also a member of the Mystic Shrine. He has passed through all of the chairs of the chapter and commandery. Laudable ambition has actuated him in all of his professional activities and led to his going abroad for further study, so that he became familiar with the advanced methods of many eminent physicians and surgeons of the old world. His reading, how- ever, has not been confined alone to the science of medicine but has compassed a broad field, bringing him in touch with many of the vital and significant prob- lems of the day.
J. W. GALLOWAY.
J. W. Galloway needs no introduction to the readers of this volume, for as vice president of the William Galloway Company and of the Galloway Brothers Company he is prominently connected with the business interests not only of Waterloo and Black Hawk county, but of the state. Iowa has reason to be proud to number him among her native sons. His birth occurred in Tama county in 1876 and there he was reared and educated. His advantages were not above those which come to the average youth.
Early in life Mr. Galloway engaged in farming and in fact is still heavily interested in agricultural pursuits, for in connection with his brother he is the
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owner of four sections of land in the Saskatchewan district in Canada, which they use in growing seed for their business at this point. Three years ago the company was incorporated as the Galloway Brothers-Bowman Company, but at the present time it is the Galloway Brothers Company. The capital stock is five hundred thousand dollars. The company deals in all kinds of farm and field seeds, flowers and shrubbery and, as indicated, their farm and field seeds are cultivated upon their Saskatchewan property, while their flower seeds are all imported. The business has reached large and gratifying proportions and their shipments cover a very wide territory, being sent to all parts of the country. Of this company J. W. Galloway is the vice president and active in the manage- ment of the business. He is also the vice president of the William Galloway Com- pany, manufacturers of farm machinery and implements, in which connection they control one of the most extensive and important industrial concerns of the state. Their business in the seed line is a mail order business and they also take contracts for landscape gardening, doing considerable work of that char- acter throughout the country.
In 1904 Mr. Galloway was united in marriage to Miss Lula Jones, of Seaton, Illinois, and they have become parents of three children, James Harold. Margaret Virginia and Roger Maine. Mr. Galloway is a member of the United Presby- terian church, also of the Commercial Club and Board of Trade-interests and activities which indicate the rules which govern his conduct and point out his line of activity for the benefit of the community. He is a most energetic man, resolute, forceful and resourceful. He is well balanced, physically and mentally, possesses sufficient courage to venture where favoring opportunity is presented, and his judgment and even paced energy have carried him forward to the goal of success.
CHARLES S. BICKLEY.
Charles S. Bickley is a real-estate and insurance broker numbered among the active business men of Waterloo, of which city he is a native son. He was born September 26, 1878, his parents being G. G. and Eliza J. (Blough) Bickley. of whom mention is made elsewhere in this volume in connection with the sketch of their son, Dr. G. G. Bickley.
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