USA > Iowa > Black Hawk County > History of Black Hawk County, Iowa, and its people, Volume II > Part 34
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he is continually broadening his knowledge and promoting his efficiency and skill by further reading, study and investigation.
In 1888 Dr. Nesbit was united in marriage to Miss Nettie McCornack, of Elgin, Illinois, by whom he has five children, as follows: Marguerite I., who is a graduate of Coe College of Cedar Rapids; Wellwood Mack, a graduate of the State University of Iowa, who is now a second-year student in the College of Medicine of that institution; Wallace G., a senior in Coe College of Cedar Rapids; Harold T., a sophomore in Coe College of Cedar Rapids ; and Mark E., who is a high-school student.
Dr. Nesbit occupies an attractive home in Waterloo and in addition to his city property owns three valuable farms, two in Black Hawk county and one in Benton county. Fraternally he is connected with Waterloo Lodge, A. F. & A. M., and in matters of citizenship he at all times recognizes his duties and his obligations. His attention, however, is given most largely to his professional duties, which have been of growing importance. He belongs to the Waterloo City Medical Society, the Black Hawk County Medical Society and the Iowa State Medical Society. His professional brethren speak of him in terms of high regard, recognizing his power in his chosen profession, the duties of which he discharges with a sense of conscientious obligation.
MARK J. PERRIN.
Mark J. Perrin, president of the Waterloo Electrical Supply Company and a member of the Kissel Car Company of Waterloo, is thus prominently and actively identified with commercial and manufacturing interests which consti- tute a factor in the business activity and development of the city as well as a source of individual success.
He was born near Clarksville, in Butler county, Iowa, August 24, 1869, a son of Jeremiah and Anna (Hillman) Perrin. The father was a native of Eng- land and was there reared and married, after which he brought his wife to the United States, settling in Pennsylvania, where they remained for four years. In 1850 they came west to lowa and after a year passed in Muscatine removed to Butler county. There the father purchased a farm, on which he lived for almost a half century and on which his first wife died. About the year 1897 he retired from active work and took up his home with a son in the town of Greene, Butler county, where his death occurred in 1901, when he had reached the age of eighty-two years and ten months. Anna Ilillman, mother of our subject, was the second wife of Jeremiah Perrin, whom she married at her home in Rock- ford, Illinois. She died in Clarksville, Iowa, in 1888, aged fifty-two years.
Mark J. Perrin, reared in Butler county, was educated in the district schools and in the Clarksville high school. from which he was graduated with the class of 1886. He was reared to farm work, having the usual experiences that come when one's attention is concentrated upon the work of plowing, planting and harvesting. He continued to assist his father and after the latter's retirement . assumed the management of the home farm. From 1888 until 1893 he and his father engaged in the hardware business in Clarksville and in the latter year
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Mark J. Perrin returned to the farm, which he continued to cultivate and de- velop through the succeeding eleven years. In 1904 he removed to Waterloo and some time later, or in 1905, he became identified with the Waterloo Elec- trical Supply Company, of which he was made president and at the head of the business he still remains. This is one of the important commercial interests of the city and the firm enjoys a liberal patronage. In June, 1913, he was made the agent for the Kissel car for northeastern Iowa, with headquarters at Waterloo, where he not only sells but also repairs cars, conducting a well equipped garage.
In 1890 Mr. Perrin was united in marriage to Miss Lottie L. Crippen, of Clarksville, Iowa, by whom he has four children, as follows: E. Grace, who is the wife of W. R. Donaldson, of Waterloo; Anna M., a student in the Ferry Hall school at Lake Forest, Illinois; Maud A., who attends the Waterloo high school; and Margaret, who is still in the grammar grades.
Fraternally Mr. Perrin is identified with the following organizations: Butler Lodge, No. 94, A. F. & A. M .: the Order of the Eastern Star at Clarksville ; Royal Arch Chapter at Clarksville; Ascalon Commandery, No. 25, K. T .; El Kahir Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of Cedar Rapids ; and Helmet Lodge, No. 89, Knights of Pythias. Mr. and Mrs. Perrin hold membership in the Westminster Presbyterian church and he has been a member of the board of trustees since its organization. His political indorsement is given to the republican party and he keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day and is ever ready to support his position by intelligent argument. Waterloo has counted him among her leading business men since he came to the city and entered into active connection with her interests. He developed industry, determination and energy when upon the farm, and he has added to these qualities a spirit of initiative, carefully formulating his plans and accomplishing what he undertakes.
MATHIAS J. TRITZ.
Mathias J. Tritz, proprietor of one of the best equipped photographic studios in Waterloo and holding high rank as a representative of the photographic art, was born in Jackson county, Iowa, on the 27th of March, 1861, a son of John A. and Mary (Siren) Tritz. The father was a native of Prussia, and the mother's birth occurred in Germany. They were married, however, in the new world and throughout much of his life the father followed the occupation of farming. He was also quite prominent in political circles and his opinions carried weight in the councils of the democratic party. At an early day in the development of lowa he came to this state, settling in Jackson county, where he was engaged in general farming and was also active in public office, his worth and ability lead- ing to his selection for various important positions. At one time he served as a member of the legislature and did active work as a member of the law-making body of the commonwealth. He died in 1878 in Jackson county when his son Mathias was a youth of seventeen years. His widow survives and yet resides on the old homestead.
Mathias Tritz was the third in order of birth in a family of thirteen children and pursued his education in the public schools of Jackson county and spent
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his youthful days upon the home farm, early becoming familiar with the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops. He remained at home until he attained his majority, but for about three years prior to that time had taught school. He then began learning photography at Bellevue, Iowa, where he remained for a brief period. He afterward followed the business at Mount Carroll, Illinois, for three years and in other places, and then returned to lowa in 1890, since which time he has made his home in Waterloo. He has one of the best equipped studios of this city and has made for himself a creditable name and place in the profession. He has kept in touch with the advancement made in connection with photography, is acquainted with all the modern processes that have resulted through scientific investigation and now devotes his entire time to the business. He is enjoying a liberal patronage, which results from the excellent work which he does.
In 1886 Mr. Tritz was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Kempter, who was born in Galena, Illinois, a daughter of Gotfried and Mary (Gnigler) Kemp- ter, the latter a native of Austria. The father was born in Germany and came to Iowa from Illinois about 1869, settling in Jackson county. He was a cabinet- maker and undertaker by trade and in Jackson county engaged in the furniture business, continuing active in trade circles there up to the time of his death, which occurred about 1892. His widow is now a resident of Bellevue, Iowa. To Mr. and Mrs. Tritz have been born three children : Della M. and Reta F., both under the parental roof; and Arthur, who died in infancy. The parents hold membership in the Roman Catholic church and Mr. Tritz gives his political allegiance to the democratic party. Fraternally he is connected with the Court of Honor and the Highland Nobles. He thoroughly enjoys home life and takes great pleasure in the society of his family and friends. He is always courteous, kindly and affable and those who know him personally have for him warm regard. A man of great natural ability, his success in business from the begin- ning of his residence in Waterloo has been uniform and rapid.
WALTER GORDON MESSINGER.
Walter Gordon Messinger was in 1901 an employe of the Iowa Skirt Manu- facturing Company and in 1909 became its president. His rise was rapid but his advancement was well merited, as is indicated by the fact that as chief execu- tive officer he has so directed the interests of the business as to make it one of the constantly growing enterprises of Waterloo. Black Hawk county numbers him as a native son, his birth having here occurred on the 30th of July, 1882. His father, Zachariah T. Messinger, was the first white child born in the county and was a son of Elias Messinger, who arrived here from Pennsylvania in early pioneer times. The family experienced the usual hardships and privations of pioneer life and contributed to the work of general development and improve- ment. Zachariah T. Messinger throughout his active business life followed agricultural pursuits, living on a farm in Waterloo township, where for many years he made his home, his death there occurring in 1909.
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Walter G. Messinger was reared to farm life, working in the fields from the time of the early spring planting until the crops were harvested in the late autumn. The public schools afforded him his educational privileges and when about eighteen years of age he became a wage earner as an employe of John Mason, a grocer of Waterloo, in whose service he remained for about a year On the expiration of that period he became identified with the Iowa Skirt Com- pany as an employe and in 1906 he acquired an interest in the business. His advancement was continuous and rapid. He was made vice president of the company and in 1909 was elected to the presidency, in which capacity he has since continued. The factory turns out a large output in ladies' skirts and finds a ready market for the product in Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska and the Dakotas. Excellent workmanship and material are factors which promote the growing trade of the house and the business methods of the company are such as will bear the closest investigation and scrutiny.
On the 5th of June, 1907, Mr. Messinger was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary E. Schwanke, of Cedar Falls, and to them has been born a son, Walter Gordon, Jr. Mr. Messinger is a member of Helmet Lodge, No. 89, K. P., and he and his wife hold membership in St. Paul's Methodist Episcopal church. They occupy an enviable position in social circles and warm-hearted hospitality is extended to them in many of the city's best homes. During the period of his residence in Waterloo Mr. Messinger has made continuous advancement in business circles and enjoys the goodwill and confidence of his business asso- ciates and contemporaries.
CARL W. HITCHCOCK.
Carl W. Hitchcock is the senior partner in the firm of Hitchcock & Humph- rey, contractors in inside wiring, fixtures and general repairing at Waterloo. He is a native son of the city in which he still makes his home, his birth having here occurred on the 30th of October, 1879, his parents being Nelson and Mary E. (Weils) Hitchcock, both of whom were natives of New York. In early life the father engaged in farming and later turned his attention to the real-estate business. He came to Iowa at an early day and settled on a farm near Wash- burn, but after carrying on general agricultural pursuits for some time he re- moved to Waterloo and turned his attention to the real-estate business, in which he continued until his death, which occurred in January, 1910. He was also a stockholder in the Oak Lawn Building & Improvement Company and in the Building & Loan Association, beside other local enterprises. His efforts were an element in the business development of the city, contributing to public pros- perity as well as to individual success. He also held a number of public offices in Waterloo and his duties were discharged with notable promptness and fidelity. His widow still survives and yet makes her home in Waterloo.
Carl W. Hitchcock was the youngest in a family of nine children and his boyhood and youth were spent under the parental roof, his time being largely occupied by the acquirement of a public-school education, which he completed in the West high school. At the age of nineteen years he began earning his own
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living and for a decade or more was in the employ of the Waterloo Electrical Supply Company, during which time he gained comprehensive knowledge of the business and learned much concerning practical methods along that line. At the end of that time he became associated with Mark T. Humphrey in forming the present firm of Hitchcock & Humphrey. The connection between them was formed on the 18th of July. 1909, and they began business in a small second floor room at No. 40012 West Fifth street. After eighteen months, however. their growing business justified their removal to their present location at 403 West Fourth street and about a year later they bought out the Iowa Electrical Machinery Company and have since conducted the two enterprises. They do inside wiring and general repairing and carry a full line of electrical supplies, motors, lamps and fixtures. They install electrical lighting systems upon farms and they do a general jobbing and retail business, to which both partners devote their entire time.
On Christmas day of 1906 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Hitchcock and Miss Olive E. Shannon, who was born in Winfield, Iowa, and is an adopted daughter of Cornelius Farrel. then a resident of Danville, Iowa, but now living retired in Waterloo. Mr. and Mrs. Hitchcock have become the parents of three children, namely: Helen Alice, Ruth Eleanor and Dorothy May.
Mr. Hitchcock holds membership with the Knights of Pythias but otherwise is not identified with fraternal or social organizations. He has, however, many warm friends in Waterloo and his many social qualities render him attractive to those with whom he is brought in contact. In business affairs he is thoroughly reliable as well as persistent, energetic and ambitious, and his persistency of pur- pose and keen sagacity are bringing to him a creditable measure of success.
ELLIS E. WILSON.
For fifty-one years Ellis E. Wilson has been numbered among the residents of Black Hawk county and is classed with its prominent and progressive citizens. He has been a leading member of the bar and a most active investor in real estate as well as a factor in the successful conduct of other business enterprises. His connection with any undertaking insures a prosperous outcome of the same, for it is in his nature to carry forward to successful completion whatever he becomes associated with and his prompt and honorable methods have won him the deserved and unbounded confidence of his fellowmen. As a lawyer he is clear-minded and well trained and his ability in this direction has brought to him success in his practice.
Mr. Wilson was born in Mahaska county, Iowa, March 29, 1861, a son of William Alexander Wilson, whose birth occurred in Mount Nebo, Yadkin county, North Carolina, and who on coming westward to Iowa settled first in Hardin county. With some young comrades he walked nearly the entire distance from his old home to Iowa, actuated by a desire to enjoy the benefits offered by a new and growing community and freedom from the thrall of slavery, in the boundless northwest. He afterward took up a claim in Kossuth county and in addition to
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developing and improving his land conducted a general store at Algona in that county. He gave provisions to the soldiers who aided in the defense of the frontier after the Spirit Lake massacre. At Algona, on the 16th of May, 1858, he was united in marriage to Miss Chloe Sanders Lawrence and soon afterward removed to Oskaloosa, where he remained for three years. In 1863 he came with his family to Black Hawk county and, April 7, 1866, settled on a farm in Bennington township, which he purchased. With characteristic energy he began the further development of that property and thereon resided to the time of his death, which occurred September 4, 1899. The family burial lot is in Fairview cemetery. In the intervening years he had added to his possessions from time to time until he was the owner of about eight hundred acres. He took an active interest in local politics, cooperated in many movements which won success for his party and advanced the general interests and welfare of the district. His widow, Chloe Sanders (Lawrence) Wilson, passed away October 4, 1913.
Besides the subject of this sketch the children and grandchildren of Mr. and Mrs. William A. Wilson are as follows: Barnett Adelbert Wilson, a resident of Kirwin, Kansas, was married October 12, 1892, to Eliza E. Leeper, and their children are: Clifford Otto, born November 23, 1894; and Clinton Lawrence, born October 15, 1896. Mary Cordelia Wilson was married April 13, 1887, to Charles Smith Choate and they reside in Eugene, Oregon. Their children are: Lucy Leah, who was born September 7, 1888, and was married September 9. 1908, at Guthrie, Oklahoma, to Elbert Jones; and Nathan Wilson Choate, born September 11, 1894. Emma Iowa Wilson was married November 18, 1891, to James Treglone Allen and they reside in Waterloo, Iowa. William Lawrence Wilson, born December 18, 1867, died May 8, 1882. Frank Grant Wilson, born April 19, 1870, died July 25, 1912. Edith Lillian Wilson was married August 3, 1898, to Dr. H. C. Homer. Elsie Louise Wilson was married December 25, 1894, to Henry H. Schenk and they reside in Memphis, Missouri. They have two sons: Karl Wilson Schenk, born December 8, 1898; and Loren David Schenk, born September 19, 1902. C. Asenith Wilson is the next of the family. Perle G. Wilson was married June 16, 1903, to Louis Bernard Schmidt, who is a professor in the State College of Agriculture at Ames, Iowa, where they reside, and they have one son, Robert, born August 24, 1907.
Ellis E. Wilson was only about two years of age when brought by his parents to Black Hawk county, where he attended the public schools. He afterward entered the State Teachers' College and received his Bachelor of Science degree upon the completion of a course in Drake University in 1885. He taught for a number of years, both in the country schools and as principal of the schools at Hinton, Iowa, for two years; also spent two years as principal at Moville, but regarded this merely as an initial step to other professional labor, and in 1895 received his LL. B. degree upon graduation from the State University, in which he had pursued the regular law course. He then located in Waterloo, where he has since practiced. His ability is pronounced and his practice is now of an important character in the field of finance and real estate. He is devotedly attached to his profession, a man of high ideals, systematic and methodical in habit, sober and discreet in judgment, diligent in research and conscientious in the discharge of every professional duty. His course in the courtroom is char- acterized by a calmness and dignity that indicate reserve strength.
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Aside from his professional activity, Mr. Wilson is largely interested in farm lands in Iowa. In fact he is one of the heaviest holders of real estate and his investments have been most judiciously made, indicating his sound judgment and keen foresight. He belongs to the Chamber of Commerce and cooperates in all movements for the benefit and upbuilding of the city. He is a Master Mason and has advanced high in the order, being now a member of the Mystic Shrine. He belongs to the Town Criers Club and other civic organizations and he takes an active and helpful interest in politics, supporting the democratic party. He possesses marked energy and determination, and as the years have gone by he has become more and more firmly intrenched in the public regard as a man of absolute integrity and honesty and one of the able and representative lawyers, prominent business men and leading citizens of Black Hawk county. Moreover, he is a representative of one of the prominent pioneer families and has himself been a witness of the continued growth and development of this section of the state for more than a half century. His offices are at 518-519 James Black Building.
WILLIAM E. HERREN.
Real ability and merit will come to the front everywhere, a fact which is manifest in the lives of many successful business men. This statement finds exemplification in the career of William E. Herren, a member of the firm of Howrey & Herren, real estate, investment and insurance brokers of Waterloo. He has handled much property and commercial paper, and the success which he has achieved is the logical outcome of earnest purpose, keen insight and thoroughly reliable methods.
Mr. Herren was born in Nashua, Iowa, October 5, 1888, a son of Charles and Lillie (Spencer) Herren, the former a native of Illinois and the latter of Iowa. The father came to this state in 1882, settling in Nashua, where he met and married Miss Spencer. In early life he learned the painter's trade, which he has since followed, and his record has been one of untiring industry. In 191I he came to Waterloo, where he now resides.
William E. Herren spent his youthful days under the parental roof and con- pleted a public school course by graduation from the Nashua high school with the class of 1906. He afterward spent a year as a student in the Iowa State University and then, putting aside his text-books, went to the west in '1909, spending a year in Arizona and New Mexico, during which period he was identi- fied with the Arizona-Cleveland Mining Association. In 1911, when a young man of twenty-three years, he came to Waterloo and the following year entered into partnership with William Howrey in the establishment of their present business, with offices in the Waterloo Savings Bank building. They have since handled considerable property, have written a large amount of insurance and have done a good business as investment brokers. Mr. Herren is a man of energy, is not afraid of hard work, and his indefatigable enterprise and deter- mination have led him steadily along the high road toward success.
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In 1911 Mr. Herren was married to Miss Nelle E. Simpson, of Waterloo. He is a member of the Fraternal Union of America, and he and his wife hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal church. They are young people of sterling worth, highly esteemed wherever known, and most of all where they are best known. They have a circle of friends almost coextensive with the circle of their acquaintance and as the years pass on the number increases.
WILLIAM WAGNER.
William Wagner is a member of the firm known as the Wagner & Wood Auto Company, conducting a garage at Nos. 1027 and 1029 Sycamore street in Waterloo and handling the Herff Brooks and Oldsmobile machines. His birth occurred in Du Page county, Illinois, in 1853, his parents being Michael and Mary Wagner, who emigrated to the United States from Prussia, Germany, in 1846, and were married in Illinois. In 1869 the father brought his family to Iowa, arriving at Raymond, this county, on the 19th of March of that year. He purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land adjoining Gilbertsville on the east and cultivated the same successfully until his retirement, having paid thirty- five dollars per acre for property which, when sold in 1913, brought twenty-two thousand six hundred and sixty dollars. His last days were spent in honorable retirement at Gilbertsville, where his demise occurred in 1888, while his wife sur- vived until 1912. To them were born seven children, all of whom are yet living with the exception of one daughter who died at the age of seven years.
William Wagner received a limited education in his native state and when a youth of sixteen accompanied his parents on their removal to Iowa. He remained on his father's farm until nineteen years of age and subsequently learned the carpenter's trade, working at that occupation for three years. On the expiration of that period he engaged in business on his own account in Gil- bertsville and later in Waterloo, while in 1885 he went to South Dakota, where he was proprietor of a farm machinery establishment until 1890, when he returned to Waterloo. In 1913, in association with William Wood, he estab- lished a garage and agency for the Herff Brooks and Oldsmobile cars, under the name of the Wagner & Wood Auto Company, which has already built up an enterprise of extensive and gratifying proportions. Mr. Wagner is also con- ducting a successful real-estate business, handling his own property exclusively. He owns a number of residences and town lots in Waterloo and also a quarter section of land in Canada. His own handsome home is at No. 207 East Eleventh street in Waterloo.
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