USA > Iowa > Black Hawk County > History of Black Hawk County, Iowa, and its people, Volume II > Part 29
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Charles S. Bickley spent the days of his boyhood and youth under the parental roof and at the usual age began his education as a public-school student. When he had completed the high-school course in Waterloo he entered the Waterloo Business College and after putting his text-books aside he was for a number of years identified with his father in the telephone business, being thus connected until the father disposed of his interests along that line. Charles S. Bickley then remained with the father's successors, the lowa Telephone Company, in the capacity of city foreman and in other connections for two years and later he identified himself with James Gardner in the real-estate business. They were associated for two and a half years and subsequently Mr. Bickley entered into business with Louis Miller, which relation was maintained for three years. On the Ist of May, 1914, he established an independent business with offices in the
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Bickley building, which is a part of his father's estate. He is now devoting his attention to real-estate and insurance brokerage and has handled much valuable property. He is thoroughly versed concerning realty values and he knows every phase of the business and has manifested keen sagacity in managing and directing the affairs under his control.
In 1903 Mr. Bickley was united in marriage to Miss Helen D. Hull, of Chi- cago. Mr. Bickley exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the republican party and has always been loyal to that organization, believing that its principles contain the best elements of good government. He belongs to the Town Criers Club, an organization formed to further the interests, promote the upbuilding and extend the business relations of his city. He is ever loyal to Waterloo and aids in many movements which are directly beneficial to the municipality. His entire life having been passed in this city, he is well known and the sterling traits of his character have gained for him the high esteem of those with whom he has been brought in contact through both business and social relations.
PETERSEN BROTHERS.
The firm of Petersen Brothers is composed of A. T. and A. H. Petersen, conducting a successful business as funeral directors and embalmers. The senior partner of the firm, A. T. Petersen, was born at Durant, Iowa, October 15, 1883, a son of J. W. and Henrietta E. (Friedrich) Petersen, the former a native of Hamburg, Germany, and the latter of Davenport, Iowa. The mother, however, came of German parentage. J. W. Petersen arrived in the United States in 1853 and first settled at Durant, Iowa. It was on the 10th of December, 1876, in Davenport, that he wedded Miss Friedrich, although she was a resident of Durant at the time. Mr. Petersen was one of the pioneer funeral directors of the latter city and engaged in the business when each undertaker made the coffins which he sold. He has been in the business in Durant for more than thirty-five years and is a well known and highly respected citizen there.
A. T. Petersen was educated in the schools of his native city and after com- pleting the high-school course attended Brown's Business College of Davenport, from which he was graduated in both the bookkeeping and stenographic depart- ments as a member of the class of 1907. A. H. Petersen, who was born Septem- ber 13, 1886, also attended the public and high schools of Durant. The brothers worked under their father's direction from an early age and thereby laid the foundation for their later success in their chosen field of labor. They entered the Hohenschuh-Carpenter College of Embalming at Des Moines, A. H. Petersen being graduated on the 28th of July, 1909, while A. T. Petersen completed his course in that institution in July, 1911. The previous year the brothers had come to Waterloo and established themselves in business in commodious quar- ters, their rooms including a chapel and a private morgue, together with thor- oughly modern show rooms supplied with glass wall cases. Theirs is the only firm in Waterloo with the glass wall show cases. The firm also owns a private
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motor ambulance, which they operate in connection with the business. This is thoroughly up-to-date, having all of the latest improvements.
On the 6th of June, 1910, A. T. Petersen was married to Miss Edna C. Goettsch, of Durant. On the 15th of the same month A. H. Petersen wedded Miss Hilda S. Goettsch, a sister of his brother's wife. They all live in one resi- dence as one family at No. 611 West Fifth street and own their own home. The brothers are members of Waterloo Lodge, No. 105, A. F. & A. M .; Taber- nacle Chapter, No. 52, R. A. M .; Crescent Council, No. 16, R. & S. M .; and Ascalon Commandery, No. 25, K. T .; while A. T. Petersen has taken the work of the Mystic Shrine and is a member of El Kahir Temple, of Cedar Rapids. He and his wife are also members of Waterloo Chapter, No. 128, O. E. S., and he is likewise a member of Helmet Lodge, No. 89, K. P .; the Tribe of Ben Hur; and Waterloo Lodge, No. 328, L. O. O. M., of which he is the secretary. His brother is a member of the Modern Woodmen camp and both brothers hold membership in the Episcopal church, while A. T. Petersen is likewise a member of the Young Men's Christian Association. Both are men of sterling qualities and upright character as well and business ability has been a factor in estab- lishing them in the high regard in which they are uniformly held. Since coming to Waterloo they have built up an enviable and lucrative business and their suc- cess is well merited by reason of their honorable methods and enterprise.
S. F. CASS.
No history of Black Hawk county would be complete were there failure to make prominent and extended reference to S. F. Cass. whose efforts along various lines contributed to the upbuilding, development and improvement of this section of the state. Moreover, through his well directed business career he won the proud American title of a self-made man and his life history should serve as a source of encouragement and inspiration to others, showing what may be accomplished when determination and energy point out the way and when industry goes hand in hand with integrity. Mr. Cass was born in Prescott county, Canada, June 31, 1839, and in 1860 accompanied his parents to Wis- consin. There, a year later, he was united in marriage to Miss Martha Wilcox. a native of New York, and to them were born six children, of whom three sons, J. F., L. S. and C. D. Cass, are now living and are numbered among the prom- inent, influential and successful business men of eastern Iowa.
About 1864 S. F. Cass left Wisconsin for Ogdensburg, New York, where he pursued a course of study in the Bryant & Stratton Business College, having realized the need and worth of such a training as a preparation for the business world. Following his graduation he taught in that school for one term but in 1865 severed his connection with the college and returned to his old home in Wisconsin for a visit. Soon afterward he came to Iowa and took up his abode in Sumner township, Bremer county, where he purchased five acres of land. Subsequently he established a store which constituted the nucleus of a little town that grew up around it and was called Cassville. It had gained considerable importance in 1875, when it was decided to move Cassville to Sumner in the
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hope that the railroad would be built through the latter place. The winter of 1875-6, therefore, saw Cassville on runners. Mr. Cass moved seven buildings, one of which was drawn by a team of forty horses, with a yoke of oxen at- tached to the rear to hold back going down hill. So closely interwoven with the history of Sumner is the life record of Mr. Cass that it is impossible to mention one without including the other. He did most important work in upbuilding and promoting the interests of that town and its development is attributable in no small measure to his efforts. For a number of years he spent a part of his time in Oregon, where he had large interests.
On the Ist of January, 1881, Mr. Cass established the Bank of Sumner, of which he remained the president up to the time of his death. He was also presi- dent of the First National Bank of Grants Pass, Oregon, and was an able busi- ness man, carrying forward to successful completion whatever he undertook. He recognized and utilized opportunities that others passed heedlessly by and as the years went on he won the reward of his labors. He was indeed a self- made man who by diligence and honesty gained advancement, and although he started out as a poor boy, empty-handed, having no special advantages to assist him at the beginning of his business career, he was at the time of his death president of two banks and held extensive real-estate interests in Bremer and adjoining counties and also in Wisconsin and Oregon.
The attainment of success, however, was not the sole aim and purpose of his life, for he was a generous and public-spirited man and his name could always be found on any subscription list to assist the needy or promote any charitable enterprise. When there was a plan or project advanced for the up- building of town or county he gave to it his earnest and generous support and it would be impossible to estimate the measure of his work and influence in that direction. He judged men by their individual merit and not by wealth or posi- tion. He always spoke as cordially and kindly to the man clad in overalls and blue jacket as he did to the one in broadcloth and fine linen. He was always generous toward his employes and it was no unusual thing for him, as the day drew to a close, to say at 5:30: "Well, boys, you have done well today. Pick up your tools and we will call it a day." The salient traits of his character were such as endeared him to all and he was loved and honored wherever known and most of all where he was best known.
HARRY B. BAHR.
Harry B. Bahr is engaged in the real-estate and investment business at Waterloo, with offices in the Marsh-Place building. Thoroughness and energy characterize his work in all connections and have been the means of bringing to him substantial success in this field of business. He was born at La Porte City, in Black Hawk county, November 22, 1888, a son of Levi and Amelia Bahr, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania. The mother died during the in- fancy of her son Harry. The father, who early learned the carpenter's trade, became a contractor and on his removal to the middle west prior to the Civil war settled in Wisconsin. Soon after the close of hostilities between the north
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and the south he came to Black Hawk county, casting in his lot with its pioneer settlers. He then began farming near La Porte City and devoted a few years to the work of tilling the soil but at the end of that time again turned his atten- tion to the carpenter's trade, which he followed until his retirement from active business life. He now lives in La Porte City at the advanced age of seventy- eight years and throughout the entire period of his residence in this county he has ever enjoyed the confidence, good-will and esteem of his fellow townsmen. His family numbered six children: Samuel; William; Charles; Franklin ; Ida, the wife of W. A. Lawrence; and Harry B., of this review.
The last named acquired his education in La Porte City, Iowa, under the direction of Mr. Lizer, mention of whom is made elsewhere in this volume. He attended the high school at Parkersburg and afterward was a student in the Cedar Rapids Business College and the Waterloo Business College. He was graduated from the College of Commerce during the first year of its existence in Waterloo. He was afterward employed in the Citizens Savings Bank and in the Waterloo Loan & Trust Bank, where he was the secretary of the president of the bank, Mr. Jamison, for one year. In 1910, in company with C. M. Allen, he turned his attention to the real-estate business but two years later dissolved that partnership and continued alone as a real-estate dealer, since which time he has maintained his offices in the Marsh-Place building. He makes a specialty of investments in timber lands and colonization tracts, handling property in the northern, southern and western states. He owns considerable property in dif- ferent sections of the country and a good residence property in Waterloo. His investments are judiciously made, for he has thoroughly informed himself con- cerning realty values in the different districts in which he operates.
In 1912 Mr. Bahr was united in marriage to Miss Eva Christopher, who was born at Parkersburg, Butler county, a daughter of L. P. Christopher, whose wife died when their daughter, Mrs. Bahr, was but a young child. Mr. and Mrs. Bahr hold membership in the Presbyterian church. He gives his political alle- giance to the republican party and fraternally he is connected with the Knights of Pythias. He has attractive social qualities and many sterling characteristics which have won for him warm friendship among those with whom business or social relations have brought him in contact.
HON. CHARLES EDGAR PICKETT.
Hon. Charles Edgar Pickett of Waterloo is a well known figure in Iowa. Prominent among the members of the bar of the state, an orator of national reputation, well known in business circles and fraternal organizations and com- ing from a strong family, Mr. Pickett ranks among the distinguished sons of Black Hawk county. He was born in Bonaparte, Van Buren county, Iowa, January 14, 1866, a son of Edgar C. and Glovina E. (Ballard) Pickett, the former a native of Kentucky and the latter of Indiana. They came to Iowa in 1863, settling in Van Buren county, and in 1872 removed to Black Hawk county, where their remaining days were passed. Edgar C. Pickett responded to the country's call for aid in 1861 and became captain of Company A, Fiftieth
HON. CHARLES E. PICKETT
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Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and later captain of Company C, Eighth Iowa Volun- teer Cavalry, both of which companies he organized. In 1863 he was wounded, returned home and later organized a cavalry company, of which he was captain until the close of the war.
Charles Edgar Pickett was graduated from the high school at Waterloo with the class of 1884. His literary education was acquired at Iowa City, where he was graduated in 1888 in liberal arts and from the law department of the state university in 1890. He then located in Waterloo for the practice of law and here has remained continuously to the present time, ranking among the foremost members of the bar. He has also been prominently identified for many years with the business interests of the city and is connected with many of its leading institutions, among which is the Leavitt & Johnson National Bank, of which he is vice president, and the Farmers Loan & Trust Company, of which he is a director. Being active in promoting the progress of the city, he has served as a director of the Chamber of Commerce since its organization.
In politics Mr. Pickett has been a lifelong republican, having a place in the party's counsels by inheritance, as Captain Pickett did much to shape the early policies of republican Iowa. In 1899 Mr. Pickett was chosen temporary chair- man of the republican state convention and the papers of Iowa at once accorded him a place among the state's great orators. In the years following he cam- paigned in many of the northern states and in 1908 was elected to congress from the third Iowa district. He served for four years in the national house of representatives, early taking his place among the forceful men of that body and soon establishing a reputation as a resourceful debater. He was the author of the national conservation bill and was connected with other important con- structive legislation. Among the speeches which he made that attracted wide- spread interest were those on the Lincoln Memorial, Conservation Bills, Cana- dian Reciprocity and Recall of Judges. As indicated he is today an orator of nation-wide reputation and he has on various occasions delivered addresses in many of the leading cities of the United States. He addressed the Grant Club of Des Moines on the 27th of April, 1903; the Gridley Club of Ionia, Michigan, on the 29th of January, 1910; the Lincoln Club of Brooklyn on the 12th of February, 1912; the Union League Club of Baltimore on the 12th of February, 1913; and was the speaker on the occasion of the Grant Anniversary at Galena, Illinois, April 27, 1914. He has delivered memorial addresses in Duluth, St. Paul, Dallas, Texas, Indianapolis, Cincinnati, Louisville, Baltimore, Washing- ton, D. C., and many other cities.
In educational matters in Iowa Mr. Pickett has taken a keen interest, having served for thirteen years as regent of the state university. In fraternal organ- izations he has been active, holding the position of grand chancellor of the Knights of Pythias of Iowa in 1894-5 and grand exalted ruler of the Benevo- lent Protective Order of Elks in 1901-2.
Mr. Pickett was married June 17, 1902, in Louisville, Kentucky, to Miss India Parmley Ryan, a daughter of Dr. and Mrs. J. R. Ryan. Their children are India, Edgar Ballard and Charles Joseph. Mr. Pickett attends the Con- gregational church and his influence is always on the side of progress, advance- ment and improvement. The public has been either a direct or indirect bene- ficiary of his efforts throughout the period of his manhood. He has done much Vol. II-15
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in planning for his city's development and progress along business lines and in the improvement of civic conditions. He now devotes his attention largely to his law practice in Waterloo, where his ability has brought him to a foremost rank among Iowa's able members of the bar.
CHARLES M. DU MOND.
Charles M. Du Mond is the president and manager of the Du Mond Manu- facturing Company of Cedar Falls, one of the important industrial firms of Black Hawk county, manufacturing a vacuum washing machine of his own invention. His birth occurred on a farm in this county, his parents being Eugene and Maggie E. (Burke) Du Mond, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of Indiana. Joel Burke, the maternal grandfather, came to this state from Indiana in 1868, locating on a farm at Finchford, Black Hawk county. He has remained a resident of this county throughout the intervening forty-six years and now makes his home in Waterloo. Eugene Du Mond was brought to Iowa by his parents in 1861, when but four years of age. His father, Andrew J. Du Mond, first located in Clarinda, Page county, and at the end of about two years came to Black Hawk county. Some time later, however, he purchased a farm just across the line in Butler county and on this property he spent the remainder of his life. In early life Eugene Du Mond was identified with farm- ing and with land speculation, but in subsequent years he was employed as a commercial salesman, representing the Rex Stock Food Company of Omaha, Nebraska. He is now a valued representative of the Du Mond Manufacturing Company.
Charles M. Du Mond acquired his early education in the district school and subsequently pursued a course of study in the Waterloo Business College. He then secured a position as commercial salesman for the Parsons music house of Waterloo and engaged in selling pianos for about two years, on the expiration of which period he entered the service of the Wagner Manufacturing Company of Cedar Falls, manufacturers of hardware specialties. This firm he represented on the road for about one year, subsequently becoming identified with his father in the land business. In 1909 he entered his present field of activity as an employe of the Barlow & Seelig Manufacturing Company, manufacturers of washing machines at Ripon. Wisconsin. He represented this concern on the road for about four years and during that period thoroughly familiarized himself with the workings of the washing machine and invented the machine which he now manufactures. On the Ist of May, 1913, he organized the Du Mond Manu- facturing Company, of which he was made president and manager and which was incorporated under the laws of Iowa with a capital stock of twenty thou- sand dollars. Remarkable success has attended the enterprise from its inception and the company is now shipping its product into some twenty different states. Mr. Du Mond and his associates secured as a factory the old Monarch self- feeder plant, a three-story, commodious stone structure. They manufacture hand-power, gas-power and electric-power machines, and theirs are among the most modern and efficient machines now on the market. Mr. Du Mond recently
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closed a contract with an Omaha house for a carload of machines and expects to ship the firm a carload each month, the machine having been designed by him for their especial trade. It will thus be seen that the business is constantly expanding under his able direction, and his record is indeed worthy of com- mendation, for success has come to him as the reward of his own efforts, perse- verance and ability.
In 1906 Mr. Du Mond was united in marriage to Miss Bertha McBride, of Shell Rock, Butler county, Iowa, by whom he has two children, Ray and Evelyn. He belongs to the Cedar Falls Commercial Club and is also a member of the Chris- tian church, which his wife attends, though the latter adheres to the Methodist belief. They are highly esteemed throughout the community and the hospitality of the best homes is cordially extended them.
HENRY JOHNSON.
As president of the Johnson & Wyth Company of Cedar Falls, Iowa, who conduct a large hardware, plumbing and heating business, Henry Johnson is an important factor in commercial circles of that city. He was born in Denmark in 1837 and in 1862 emigrated to America, settling in Chicago. In 1863 he en- listed in the Seventy-fifth Regiment of Illinois Volunteer Infantry for service in the Civil war and remained with the regiment until the conclusion of peace, being mustered out at Springfield, Illinois, in 1865. He returned to Chicago, where he entered the grocery business, in which connection he remained until 1870. He then sold out his interests there and came to Cedar Falls, establishing a grocery store on Main street which he conducted for a year. After selling that store he located upon his two hundred and twenty-acre farm four and one- half miles from Cedar Falls and for seven years concentrated his energies upon farm work. He then rented his land and came again to Cedar Falls, establishing a drug and grocery business which he conducted for eighteen years. At the end of that time he engaged in the hardware, plumbing and heating business and has since remained active in that line. He is the executive head of the Johnson & Wyth Company and much of the success of that concern has been due to his knowledge of business conditions, his foresight and financial acumen. The business of the company has grown steadily and promises to continue to do so as the goods carried are of the highest quality, while the prices are reasonable. Mr. Johnson is a director of the First National Bank of Cedar Falls and owns stock in a number of manufacturing concerns of this city. He also owns con- siderable residence property in Cedar Falls from which he derives a gratifying addition to his annual income.
Mr. Johnson was married in Chicago, in 1868, to Miss Louisa Frandsen, a native of Denmark. Of the children born to them three died in infancy, the others being as follows: Harry, cashier of the First National Bank of Cedar Falls; Louis, who is a partner in and treasurer of the Johnson & Wyth Com- pany ; Nettie, a graduate of the Cedar Falls high school, who is bookkeeper and stenographer for that company; Josie, the wife of W. A. Waterman, a resident of Rockford, Illinois ; and Eva, who died when nineteen years of age.
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Mr. Johnson is independent in his political views and was for thirteen years a member of the school board. His family belong to the Protestant Episcopal church and are helpful in its work. He is a Knights Templar Mason and also belongs to the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Danish Brotherhood of America. He has never regretted coming to this country as he has risen to a position of prominence through utilizing the opportunities that he found here. He is thoroughly American in spirit and is one of the valued citizens of his adopted city.
W. O. FOSTER.
W. O. Foster, conducting business as a member of the Producers Milk Com- pany, with offices at No. 119 East Eighth street in Waterloo, was born in Algona, Iowa, in 1886, a son of James A. Foster, now a retired merchant of Burt, Iowa. The son acquired a public-school education in Kossuth county, Iowa, passing through consecutive grades until he became a high-school pupil. At the age of twenty-three years he started out in the business world on his own account. opening a cleaning and dyeing establishment, which he conducted for two years He was afterward connected with a business similar to that in which he is now engaged and ultimately he formed a partnership with his brother, Victor B., and organized the Producers Milk Company, which is now engaged in furnishing milk for the wholesale and retail trades. The company was organized in April, 1914, and its capacity has been steadily increased until they now have one of the most extensive enterprises of the kind in Waterloo. Their plant is equipped with the most up-to-date machinery and their process is the latest method of pasteurizing milk. Theirs is the most sanitary plant of the kind in Waterloo and the milk which they handle is all bottled, keeping it free from dust and other contaminating influences. The brothers conducted the business alone until October 21, 1914, when they merged their interests with those of the W. S. Bishop dairy and Mr. Bishop is now vice president of the company with W. O. Foster as president, treasurer and manager, and Victor B. Foster as secretary.
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