USA > Iowa > Scott County > Davenport > History of Davenport and Scott County Iowa, Volume II > Part 23
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RIGHT REV. THEODORE N. MORRISON, D. D.
The Right Rev. Theodore N. Morrison, Episcopal bishop of Iowa, was born in Ottawa, Illinois, February 18, 1850. His father, Theodore Morrison, a native of Pennsylvania, was brought to Illinois in 1835 by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Morrison, who settled at Tremont. Theodore Morrison, Sr., became a rep- resentative of the Episcopal ministry, being ordained by Bishop Chase in 1848, after which he labored for many years in Aurora, Jacksonville and Bloomington, Illinois. A life consecrated to this holy calling was closed in 1888 when, at the age of sixty-two years, he passed away. In early manhood he had wedded Anna Eliza Howland, a native of New York and a daughter of Allen A. Howland, M. D., who settled in Ottawa, Illinois, in 1832.
Bishop Morrison, whose name introduces this review, was the eldest in a family of three sons and two daughters. In his youthful days he attended the public schools of Jacksonville and in 1870 was graduated from the Illinois Col- lege of that city, having completed the literary and scientific courses. Determin- ing to devote his life to the ministry, he entered the General Seminary of New York city and in 1873 was made deacon. The same year he took charge of St. Paul's Episcopal church in Pekin, Illinios, and in 1875 was advanced to the priesthood. In 1876 he became rector of the Church of the Epiphany in Chicago, where he remained until February, 1899, or for a period of almost twenty-three years. His work there was characterized by continuous growth in the various lines of church activity and the Epiphany became one of the strong churches in Chicago. His parishioners were loath to part with him yet rejoiced in the honor that was conferred upon him when on February 22, 1899, he was consecrated bishop of Iowa. He then came to Davenport, where he has since resided, care- fully guiding the destinies of the churches under his direction with the same zeal and earnestness which he manifested when in charge of the Church of the Epi- phany in Chicago. He holds the degree of Doctor of Divinity from Illinois Col- lege and from General Seminary, and the degree of S. T. D. from the Western Theological Seminary.
On the 28th of October, 1879, Dr. Morrison was married to Miss Sarah B. Swazey. a daughter of the Rev. Arthur Swazey, for many years pastor of the Third Presbyterian church of Chicago, and the first editor of The Interior. Dr. and Mrs. Morrison have six children, namely : Rev. Cameron S., who resides in
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the state of Washington; Mrs. Zay B. Curtis, living in Little Rock, Arkansas; Nevin S .; Arthur S .; Theodore N .; and Sarah.
Dr. Morrison is a man of strong executive ability, marked ecclesiastical force and with that broad general culture which makes him the peer not only of the leading representatives of the clergy but also of those men whose thought is given to the solution of problems of grave import to mankind. Transcending every other interest in his life, however, is the work to which he has been devoted from early manhood and, conscientiously and zealously utilizing and consecrat- ing the powers with which nature endowed him, his labors have come to be rec- ognized as a strong force in the development of the Episcopal church in the middle west.
HANS J. EHLERT.
Ernest, persistent labor is the secret of the success which constitutes the crowning feature of the business record of Hans J. Ehlert, who for many years diligently engaged in gardening and in the nursery business. He was born near Dannewerk, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, April 4, 1839. His parents, Chris- tian and Anna Ehlert, both died in Germany. They were farming people of that country and owned a fine tract of land there. Their son Hans still has a picture of the old home and also the church and churchyard in which his parents lie buried. He acquired his education in the schools of his native land, was reared to the occupation of farming and followed that pursuit during his residence in the fatherland. He owned two hundred acres of land there, which he sold on coming to America, the year 1881 witnessing his arrival in New York. He made his way direct to Davenport, where lived his uncle, Jens Peter Stebold. His first work here was for a Mr. Putnam, whom he served as gardener, and to that business he continued to devote his energies for many years. He also served as sexton of the West Davenport cemetery for nearly seven years and made many improvements while there, employing the art of the landscape gardener to make it a beautiful silent city. In the spring of 1899 he erected his present fine resi- dence, which he has since occupied.
Mr. Ehlert was married on the 2d of May, 1861, to Miss Christina Harmsen, a native of Germany, who was born May 24, 1836, and died January 23, 1889. Mr. and Mrs. Ehlert became the parents of nine children but the first two died in infancy. The others were: Anna, the wife of Hans Anderson, of Springfield, Missouri, and the mother of two children-Nelson and Christ; John, of Daven- port, who married Leona Peterson and has two children-Flora and Irma; Christ, of Davenport, who wedded Laura Peters, who died, leaving two chil- dren-Ella and Minnie-after which he wedded Mary Jens; Marie, at home; Chrissie, the wife of William Murray, of Batesville, Arkansas, by whom she has one child-Gladys; Julius, at home; and Henry, who died at the age of nine years.
Mr. Ehlert is a prominent member of Davenport Lodge, No. 50, K. P., in which he has been honored with all of the offices. His diligent life, enterprising
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spirit and reliable business methods have constituted the chief features in a suc- cess which is as honorable as it is desirable. For many years he carried on gar- dening and the nursery business until his labors brought him a substantial suc- cess, permitting of his present retirement from business cares.
HEINRICH and CARL MATTHEY, M. D.
The interests and life history of Drs. Heinrich and Carl Matthey are so in- separably associated that it would be impossible to record the career of one without giving extended mention of the other. Twin brothers, they are natives of Prussia, born on the 20th of October, 1852. Their parents were Heinrich and Emilie (Kuntz) Matthey. The father was one of the German patriots of 1848 and was active in the revolution of that year, but was not destined to go to the front, for they were captured and disarmed ere they took part in active military service. Heinrich Matthey was a man of education, and it was that he might enjoy the benefits of a more liberal government that were denied him in his native country that he sought a home in the new world. Settling in Davenport, he engaged in literary work, being for many years the editor and publisher of the Sternan Banner, which he established in 1876. He still makes his home in this city, and is one of its most respected and honored German residents.
The brothers, Drs. Heinrich and Carl Matthey, acquired their preliminary education in Germany, where they resided with their parents until twenty-one years of age, at which time the family came to the United States, first settling in Milwaukee. Heinrich Matthey accompanied his parents, for he had already finished his elementary education, and had adopted journalism as his profession. With that field of labor he was connected until 1882. Dr. Carl Matthey elected to remain in Germany until he had finished his education. The family home was maintained in Milwaukee from 1873 until 1876, when a removal was made to Davenport. Dr .. Heinrich Matthey was associated with his father for some time on the Sternan Banner, and in 1880 went to Sterling, Illinois, where he published the Sterling Beobachter, which he conducted successfully for two years. He then sold out and went to Germany to study medicine, pursuing a course in medicine and surgery in Leipsic and in Wuerzburg Universities, being graduated from the latter with the class of 1887. In the meantime Dr. Carl Matthey had studied at the universities in Munich, Marburg and Zurich, being graduated from the university in the last named place in 1880. He then came to America and opened an office in Davenport. Dr. Heinrich Matthey returned to Davenport in 1887 and for two years practiced alone, but in 1889 the brothers formed a partnership and have since been associated in the practice of medicine and surgery. They have made continuous progress in their chosen field of labor, becoming more firmly established each year and increasing as well the scope, extent and value of their professional practice. They have always remained close and discriminating students and by research and investigation have kept in touch with the marvelous advance in knowledge, methods, appliances and mechanical auxiliaries made in the past few years. At times they have gone
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abroad to visit the best and most progressive hospitals of Europe, and while at home new distinctions, new work, and new public duties in their profession have been theirs, finding them ready to give their best efforts and meet in full each duty that has devolved upon them. Their practice is now extensive and the profession as well as the public accords them high rank as distinguished physicians and surgeons. Both hold membership in the Scott County, the Iowa and Illinois Central District, the Iowa State and American Medical Associations. They are also serving on the staff of Mercy and St. Luke's Hospitals.
In 1882 Dr. Carl Matthey was married to Miss Meta Steffen, a daughter of August Steffen, Sr., and to them have been born two sons and a daughter. In 1890 Dr. Heinrich Matthey wedded Miss Hilda Mueller, a daughter of Chris Mueller, and they now have two children. The families are prominent socially and the brothers are identified with several clubs and social organizations. Dr. Heinrich Matthey belongs to the Commercial Club and is much interested in its success. He is also a member of the park commission, and by appointment of the governor has served as a member of the state board of health for eight years. Dr. Carl Matthey was a member of the school board for two terms, or six years, and both are interested in promoting the best interests of good govern- ment and municipal improvement, yet are without personal ambition for office. In the positions to which they have been called, however, they have done excel- lent work for public benefit, their service being marked by many tangible evi- dences of their devotion to the general good. Although born across the water, they stand as a splendid type of American manhood and citizenship, and are neglectful of no opportunity to advance the public welfare, while their deepest interests, their ambitions, and their natural inclinations are bound up in their profession, in which they are honored, and in which they have achieved enviable distinction.
CAPTAIN W. A. BL'AIR.
Prompted always by the laudable ambition of eventually attaining success, Captain W. A. Blair, as the result of his energy and capability, has gradually advanced in business circles until he is today one of the best known of the river men in the Mississippi valley. He has for a number of years been president of the Carnival City Packet Company. For thirty-two years he has been con- nected with the shipping and passenger service and has been an interested witness of the changes which have constituted features in the history of shipping on this great natural highway. Few, if any, are more competent to speak authoritatively upon the subject for practically throughout his entire business career Captain Blair has been actively connected with marine interests, conforming his business to changing conditions and utilizing the various oppor- tunities offered for success.
He was born in Galena, Illinois, November 17, 1856. His father. Andrew Blair, a native of Ireland, came to America when fifteen years of age and in this country wedded Margaret A. Henry, a native of Baltimore, Maryland, who is now living in Davenport. Captain Blair is the eldest of seven children, four
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sons and three daughters. His boyhood days were spent in and around Galena and the aptitude which he displayed in the acquirement of an education enabled him, at the age of eighteen years, to secure a teacher's certificate. He then engaged in teaching in and near Princeton, Iowa, following that profession for nine terms. During the last four terms he taught only in the winter months, while the summer seasons were spent on the Mississippi river, and thus he en- tered the department of labor which was to claim the major portion of his at- tention throughout the remainder of his active life.
When twenty-one years of age he secured the position of clerk on the tow- boat Le Claire Belle, of which ex-Governor Van Sant was part owner and man- ager. He spent four seasons in the employ of Governor Van Sant, by which time he had thoroughly learned the river, so that he was granted a pilot's and master's license to navigate the river between St. Louis and St. Paul. It was at that time that Captain Blair joined Captain Van Sant in a partnership under the name of the Le Claire Navigation Company. This was in 1882. They be- came actively engaged in towing logs and lumber and at one time operated seven boats, while Mr. Van Sant owned also four other boats independent of the company's interests. Thus together they handled one-fifth of the output of logs at Beef Slough in its palmy days. Their business grew to extensive and profit- able proportions, and they were regarded as one of the most reliable, capable and enterprising firms connected with river interests. The decline of the log- ging business, due to the exhaustion of the supply of pine, induced Captain Blair to sell his stock in the towboats at a sacrifice.
He then turned his attention to the local packet business and organized the Carnival City Packet Company in 1892, its board of directors consisting of Cap- tain August Reimers, L. M. Fisher, F. W. Smith, M. L. Marks and Captain W. A. Blair. There has been but one change in the board since the organiza- tion, that occurring in the winter of 1908, when G. M. Bechtel was elected to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Captain August Reimers. In the intervening years the company has owned and operated nine different boats, plying between Davenport and Burlington, Keokuk and Burlington, and Keokuk and Quincy. They now own and operate the following river craft: the Columbia, Helen Blair, Wenona and Keokuk and the Black Hawk, a new boat. The business has steadily grown, and they now handle about one hundred and twenty-five thousand pas- sengers and fifteen thousand tons of freight annually. They have had two losses by fire but never a mishap resulting in the loss of a single passenger. Captain Blair during the thirty-two years' experience has never had occasion to use a life pre- server. He is regarded as one of the most careful and reliable river captains, giving frequent and thorough inspection to his vessels in every department, his long and practical experience enabling him to correctly judge of the worth and substan- tiality of each part of the boat and also of the value of the services of the men who are in charge.
In 1882 Captain Blair was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Bard, a daughter of Richard and Phebe Bard, of Le Claire, Iowa. They have two sons and a daughter: George W., Gertrude Helen and Burdette.
Captain Blair is a member of the Masonic fraternity in Davenport and has always been much interested in public affairs of the city, giving active and loyal
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support to every project and movement which he deems of value in upholding civic virtue and civic pride. For more than a half century he has witnessed the growth and progress of this and other cities along the river and has been a factor in the business activity which has promoted the commercial and industrial progress. His chosen life work has brought him a wide acquaintance among leading business men and wherever known he is highly esteemed, winning the respect and admiration of his fellowmen by reason of his fidelity to high and honorable principles.
O. C. ROGERS, M. D.
Dr. O. C. Rogers, engaged in the practice of medicine in Davenport since 1892, was born in Pennsylvania on the IIth of February, 1860. His father, Wil- liam Rogers, was likewise a native of the Keystone state and a representative of the medical profession. He visited Scott county in the '50s, carefully looked over the situation and then returned to the east. The memory of the pleasing western country, however, remained with him and at length proved an irresistible attraction, so that in 1862 he returned with his family and took up his abode in this county. He continued to practice in Slopertown until the early '80s, when he removed to Pleasant Valley, where he remained for two years and then came to Davenport, passing away in this city in 1892. He married Sarah Conklin, also a native of Pennsylvania.
The country schools afforded Dr. Rogers his early educational privileges, while later he had the benefit of instruction in the Davenport high school. De- siring a professional career, he studied medicine in the office of Dr. H. L. Baw- den, of Davenport, who directed his preliminary reading, while subsequently he attended the Iowa State University. He next entered the Creighton College at Omaha, from which he was graduated, and when seven years had been devoted to practice at Pleasant Valley, Iowa, he removed to Davenport in 1892 and has since been engaged in general practice in this city.
In 1889 Dr. Rogers was married to Miss Mary B. Finefield, a native of Iowa, and unto them have been born two children, Bertha and William. Having spent practically his entire life in this county, Dr. Rogers is well known and has made many friends during the years of his residence in Davenport.
S. H. MOORHEAD.
It is seldom that an individual wins distinction in more than one line of busi- ness or has time to devote himself to more than one line of activity. An excep- tion to this rule, however, is found in the life record of S. H. Moorhead, who not only is identified with various lines of business in Buffalo, but is also a well known and influential figure in financial and political circles of the community.
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Scott county, Iowa, numbers him among her native sons, his birth occurring in Buffalo township on the 28th of October, 1861, a son of H. C. and Mary Moorhead. The former came to Scott county in 1835, from Zanesville, Ohio, and here purchased what was then known as the Campbell place, consisting of three hundred and twelve acres of land in Buffalo township, just west of the village of Buffalo. There he reared his family and spent his remaining days. Our subject was one of a family of four sons and two daughters born unto Mr. and Mrs. H. C. Moorhead, and of this number three sons and two daughters lived to reach mature years. The brother, William Moorhead, who still survives, makes his home on a portion of the old homestead, while one sister, Mrs. D. B. Morehouse, of Davenport, is now deceased.
On his father's farm S. H. Moorhead was reared to manhood, acquiring his education in the public schools of Buffalo, and devoting the time not given to his text-books to the work of the fields, early becoming familiar with the tasks that fall to the lot of the farm lad. Amid the busy activities of the farm he learned many lessons concerning the value of industry, integrity and persever- ance-lessons which served as an excellent foundation stone upon which to build his future business success. After leaving school he devoted several years to the occupation to which he had been reared, engaging as a farm land, and then, on the Ist of September, 1886, in connection with his brother-in-law, Mr. Dor- man, started his present lumber business. In 1889 he purchased his brother- in-law's interest in the business and has since conducted the enterprise alone. He does a general business in lumber and building materials, having an exten- sive trade, not only throughout Buffalo township, but also in several Illinois towns lying across the river. A man of excellent business ability and wise sagacity, he has made a close study of the demands of the trade and has ever kept in close touch with the lumber market, so that he not only knows where and when to purchase, but also how to sell to the best advantage, and has be- come a well known and prominent figure in lumber circles of Scott county.
Mr. Moorhead has also found time to direct his attention to other business channels and has dealt considerably in real estate. He is the owner of a section of land in Canada and also owns a part of the old homestead farm, upon which his brother William resides. In April, 1909, he became the prime mover in the organization of the Buffalo Savings Bank and was elected its first president, in which office he is still incumbent. This bank has already become an important factor in financial circles, taking its place among the safe and reliable moneyed institutions of the community, and much of its rapid progress and success is due to the well directed efforts of its president, whose reputation for integrity and honesty in all business dealings is universally conceded. He is thoroughly identi- fied with its interests and is doing everything in his power to increase its in- fluence and standing in the locality.
In June, 1891, in Buffalo, Mr. Moorhead was united in marriage to Miss Amelia Dorman, a daughter of Henry Dorman, of Buffalo, and this union has been blessed with one daughter, Flora, who is at present a student in the Daven- port high school.
The religious connection of Mr. Moorhead is indicated by the fact that he was baptized in the faith of the Episcopal church, while fraternally he holds
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membership in Banner Lodge, No. 16, K. P., and in Buffalo Camp of Modern Woodmen of America. Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise, he has given stalwart allegiance to the republican party and has been called by his fellow citizens to fill various local offices, including that of councilman. He has also served as a member of the school board, the cause of education ever finding in him a stanch advocate. Preeminently a man of business, his efforts in con- nection with various enterprises have served as potent factors in stimulating ac- tivity along those lines, and he justly deserves a foremost place among the sub- stantial, influential and representative citizens of Buffalo township, within whose borders his entire life has been spent and where he is respected, trusted and ad- mired by an extensive circle of warm friends.
ESEK STEERE BALLORD.
One of the most prominent of the older generation of the citizens of Daven- port is Esek Steere Ballord, who for upward of half a century has been con- nected with the business life here. During that time he conducted a drug store at one locality, although the firm name was changed several times, but more than that he has identified himself with those interests that are calculated to promote the intellectual and moral advancement of his fellow citizens. He is a descendant of a family for many years associated with the history of this country. The first of his name to settle upon American shores was William Ballard, from whom were descended in direct line Nathaniel, William, Zaccheus and Lynde, who was the grandfather of our subject. His son John was one of the first graduates from Colgate University and became a minister of the Baptist church. He wedded Miss Augusta Maria Gilman, who was descended from colonial ancestors, for Moses Gilman came from England in 1635, settling in what is now known as Hingham, Massachusetts.
Esek Steere Ballord was born in Bloomfield, Connecticut, July 26, 1830, and received his education at Bacon Academy. Later he went to Hartford, where he learned the drug business. Having attained a certain efficiency in what was to be his vocation he went to New York city, where he became an apothecary for a charitable institution. After two years' experience there he went to Cleve- land, Ohio, but remained only two years before he continued his western jour- ney and came to Davenport. Here he engaged in the drug business, with which he was connected for forty-five years, dispensing healing medicines and other sundries at the same place throughout that period. The name was first Taylor & Ballord, but was later changed to E. S. Ballord & Company, by the admis- sion of his cousin John W. Ballard. E. S. Ballord retired from the company in 1903, when it was continued by John W. Ballard and his son Harry in the firm name of Ballard Drug & Dental Company. Upon retiring from active participation in the business, Mr. Ballord devoted himself to farming, for the estate he owns in Davenport is one of the largest in the city. It embraces six acres and is known as the Birches. There are in all thirty varieties of trees planted upon the grounds to enhance their beauty, many of them having been
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