USA > Iowa > Scott County > Davenport > History of Davenport and Scott County Iowa, Volume II > Part 33
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He has now retired from active participation in the cultivation of his fields, hav- ing rented his land to his sons, who are carrying on the work.
While the extent of these landholdings affords a palpable evidence of Mr. Marti's skill as a farmer and the good judgment which has distinguished his business operations, an even greater indication of his success in the world's work is seen in the high regard in which he is held by the men in whose midst he has lived and who were pleased to bestow upon him many marks of their approval. He served as clerk of Winfield township for four years, in 1872 was elected secretary of the school board of the independent district of Winfield, an office he has filled continuously to the present, and in 1889 was elected to the twenty-third general assembly at Des Moines, Iowa. He was reelected to the twenty-fourth assembly, did not serve in the twenty-fifth, but returned to the twenty-sixth. He also served in the call session summoned by Governor Drake. In 1898 he was nominated upon the democratic ticket for state senator but was defeated by W. E. Hayward. He always remained true to what he believed to be for the interests of his constituents and in accord with his own ideals of honor and uprightness, and the record of his public acts is one of which any man might be proud.
Mr. Marti has been twice married. On the 13th of December, 1866, he wedded Miss Ellen Madden, who was born in Liverpool, England, August 16, 1847, and was brought to this country by her parents, John and Ellen Madden, in 1850. Of this union there were four children, George D., the eldest, now re- siding in Austin, Minnesota, married first Miss Emma Clapp, by whom he had a daughter, Vera. Mrs. Emma Marti died in July, 1900, and he later mar- ried Miss Evelyn Williamson. Howard B. lives with his father. John S. also lives upon part of his father's farm. He wedded Miss Mary A. Neil, and they have two daughters, Jennie and Helen. Delbert C., a resident of Winfield township, married Miss Dorothea Hendricksen and unto them has been born a daughter, Myrtle. On the 5th of December, 1888, Mr. Marti was called to mourn the death of his wife, who had been a faithful helpmate and companion for more than twenty years and was laid to rest at Long Grove. On October 22, 1890, he married again, his second wife having been Miss Anie B. Thompson, a daughter of Hugh M. and Jennie (Robinson) Thompson, who had come to Long Grove, Scott county, from England, in 1844, among the early settlers of the state. They were of Scotch descent. The father became closely identified with the interests of his locality and was generally known as the Hon. H. M. Thompson, for he served in the general assembly at Des Moines and was ap- pointed superintendent of the agricultural department of the Iowa State College at Ames. He passed away in 1887, but his widow is still living at the venerable age of ninety-five years and makes her home with Mr. Marti. Two daughters have been born to Mr. Marti's second union, namely: Nellie, who is attending the high school in Davenport, and Anie T., who is at home.
Mr. Marti voted for Governor Cummins the first time he was the candidate for state executive and has since voted with the republican party. Fraternally he belongs to the Long Grove Camp of the Woodmen of the World and to the Modern Brotherhood of America at Eldridge, while he maintains intimate as- sociation with his fellow agriculturists through his membership in the Sheridan
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Grange. His religious support is given to the Christian church of Long Grove, of which he is trustee. The salient traits of his character are energy, perse- verance and the capacity to work, united with high ideals of honorable man- hood and progressive citizenship. He has been true to all trusts imposed upon him, and now in the evening of life may well enjoy the rest he so well deserves, assured of the respect, good will and esteem of the citizens of Winfield town- ship, in whose midst the most of his years have been spent.
JACOB IRA CROOK.
Jacob I. Crook was connected with what has become one of the most important laundry concerns in Iowa, being associated in this with his two sons, Lester J. and Rolland W. Crook, who are the principal factors in the business, which is con- ducted under the name of Crook Brothers on East Third street. Mr. Crook was born in Steuben county, New York, July 11, 1836. He enlisted in the United States army on the 16th of August, 1861, and was a member of Company A of the Forty-seventh Illinois Infantry. He served three years as private and was hon- orably discharged in 1864, reentered the army at Hartford, Connecticut, February 8, 1865, in the capacity of sergeant, and was honorably discharged after the close of the war, on the 7th of February, 1866.
On the Ist of November, 1864, at Peoria, Illinois, Mr. Crook was united in marriage to Miss Louisa H. Stringer. To this union four children were born, two sons and two daughters. After locating with his family in Davenport, Mr. Crook was engaged in various business pursuits. One of the daughters, Olive L., was born in Peoria county, Illinois, June 6, 1866, and on the 27th of November, 1897, at Dubuque, Iowa, was married to David N. Albaugh. One son, Jacob Ira, was born to this union. They reside in Davenport. Martha J., whose birth occurred in Atkinson, Illinois, February 16, 1871, was married at Davenport, Iowa, on the 30th of January, 1890, to Alonzo S. Collins. They live in Buffalo, New York, and have one son, Alonzo William.
Lester J., the eldest son, was born in Henry county, Illinois, March 16, 1868. He acquired his education in the public schools and in his early manhood was employed as a clerk in a dry-goods establishment. He then abandoned that posi- tion and entered the employ of the firm which formerly conducted the laundry of which he is now one of the proprietors. He was first employed as driver on the delivery wagon for this concern. From the beginning he seemed alert to every point by which he might learn more concerning the laundry business and this alert- ness, coupled with his generosity of service, was soon noted by his employers and in a short time he was put in charge as manager of the laundry. He was not long in proving himself capable of handling the affairs of this concern in managing its financial interests and in directing the labors of the employes over whom he had supervision. Although when he took charge the business was one of insignifi- cance, Mr. Crook soon built up the trade and eventually purchased a half interest. Wishing to become more firmly established in trade circles, he then found a man to purchase the other half interest in the concern, the latter acting as a silent part-
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ner. Still later Mr. Crook induced his brother, Rolland W., who was a photog- rapher, to purchase the interest of the silent partner. The two then set to work to make theirs an important industry. They rebuilt the plant of twenty-two by seventy-five feet of room to their present quarters of twenty thousand feet of work space, using both floors and equipping the plant with modern machinery. They now have an outfit for doing first-class work, the earning capacity being second to none in the state. The business is located at No. 221 East Third street and is conducted under the name of Crook Brothers. Their patronage is not only drawn from Davenport but extends to other districts within a radius of one hun- dred miles, and their laundry is now one of the largest in the state.
Lester J. Crook was married at Rock Island, on the 29th of September, 1893, to Miss Katharine C. Scott. One daughter, Louisa K., was born to this union. Mr. Crook belongs to the Knights of Pythias, the Elks and the Red Men and is popular with his brethren in these various societies.
Rolland W. Crook was born in 'Atkinson, Illinois, on the 4th of October, 1873. He acquired his education in the public schools and when but a lad entered the employ of Frank Hastings, the photographer, remaining in that line of activity until he entered the laundry business. On the 3d of June, 1907, at Davenport, he was married to Miss Dorothy K. Eberly. His fraternal relations are with the Masons and the Elks. The brothers are alert, enterprising men, putting forth every endeavor to make today find them further advanced than yesterday and their constant progression rapidly brings them toward the wished for goal. They take an active part in the city's welfare and have become recognized as prominent business men of Davenport.
ED S. BOWMAN, M. D.
Dr. Ed S. Bowman, who established the county hospital of Scott county and is a successful general practitioner who continuously augments his knowledge and efficiency by study and investigation along the lines of medical science, was born in Andalusia, Illinois, October 14, 1868. His father, Ed H. Bowman, was a native of Rock Island county, Illinois, and a son of Dr. E. H. Bowman, of Rock Island county. The father still resides in the place of his nativity, where he is largely engaged in real-estate business. He married Ellen Sumet, also a native of Rock Island county.
Passing through the consecutive grades of the public schools, Dr. E. S. Bowman of this review eventually became a high school student in Rock Island and received his early business training in the office of his father, who was at that time clerk of the circuit court. Subsequently he engaged in journalism on the Rock Island Argus for two years and then went to Bennett, Iowa, where he clerked in the drug store of an uncle, Dr. S. C. Bowman. At the same time he studied medicine and, becoming convinced that the practice of medicine and sur- gery would prove a congenial vocation, he entered the State University of Iowa, where he spent three years and was graduated in 1893. He then joined his uncle, Dr. A. W. Bowman, in Davenport, and at his death continued his practice.
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He continually reads and studies along those lines that will promote his efficiency and that his practice has given uniform satisfaction is indicated in his constantly increasing patronage. He belongs to the Scott County Medical Society, the Iowa State Medical Society, the National Medical Association and the Iowa & Illinois Medical Society, of which he was secretary for a number of years.
Dr. Bowman takes active interest in politics and is a stalwart republican. The Bowman family on the whole have been interested in political questions and activities and thus Dr. Bowman's record is in keeping with that of others of the name. In 1898 he became county physician of Scott county and thus served until 1904, during which time he established the county hospital, which has developed from modest proportions into an important institution, doing excellent work in conserving the public health. He also assisted in the organiza- tion of the Visiting Nurses Association, secured the present city ambulance and instituted many other improvements that are of great benefit to Davenport from the health standpoint. In 1897 he was appointed United States examiner and still holds that office.
It was also in 1897 that Dr. Bowman was married to Miss Evelyn Stan- ton, a native of Rock Island, and they have one daughter, Beulah, who was born March 4, 1901. Dr. Bowman is prominent in Masonry, having attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite. He is also a leading representa- tive of the Knights of Pythias, a charter member of Columbian Lodge and brigade surgeon of the Iowa Brigade of the uniformed rank, Knights of Py- thias. He likewise holds membership with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Foresters. In his life work he has put into practice his belief that earnest labor and thorough appli- cation are the fundamentals of success and he possesses in a high degree the confidence of a large clientele.
LOUIS P. BEST.
The promotion which follows skilled labor and close application brought Louis P. Best to a position where upon him devolved administrative direction and executive control in connection with a number of the most important industrial and financial enterprises of Davenport. His abilities, at all times adequate to the demands made upon him, enabled him to so direct interests with which he was concerned as to win most substantial results, and at length by reason of the success to which he attained he was enabled to put aside business cares and is now practically retired. He is, however, still financially interested in some en- terprises in which he was formerly a member, with active voice in management. He was born in Germany on the 7th of April, 1848, and acquired his education largely in the schools of Stuttgart and Berlin. Coming to the United States in 1869 as a young man of twenty-one years, he landed at New York, where he spent five years, being first employed as a chemist with the Brunjes & Ockers- hausen Sugar Refining Company, while subsequently he was identified with the importing business. In 1874 he made his way to Davenport, being called
L. P. Jest
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to this city to take charge of the works of the Glucose Manufacturing Company. He then bought an interest in the business and, increasing his holdings therein, was for a considerable period one of the chief stockholders. In an official ca- pacity he was active in its management and control, taking important part in formulating the policy and plans whereby the business became one of the lead- ing enterprises of eastern Iowa. When he became connected therewith the business was in its infancy but was reorganized in the fall of 1874, Mr. Best acting as general manager from that time until his retirement, on the Ist of January, 1898. To his knowledge and skill as a chemist were added excellent executive ability and keen discrimination. As his powers became recognized Mr. Best's cooperation was sought along various other lines and at one time he was president of the Davenport Machinery & Foundry Company, of which he is still a director. He is also a member of the Bettendorf 'Axle Company and served as its treasurer until obliged to resign that position on account of ill health, after which he traveled in Europe for two years, being greatly benefited by his sojourn abroad. While connected with the glucose trade he built a new glucose factory at Granite City, Illinois, which he afterward sold. He was for- merly interested in the Hawkeye Electric Company and was a director of the Citizens National Bank.
While Mr. Best established his place as one of the foremost representatives of business interests in Davenport, he did not fail to heed the call of citizenship and, in fact, has taken active part in furthering many progressive public projects. For six years he served on the school board and for four years was its presi- dent, in which connection he was active in holding to a high standard the sys- tem of public instruction in the city, bringing to bear in the discharge. of his duties the same businesslike qualities which have characterized his conduct of individual interests.
In 1871 Mr. Best was united in marriage to Miss Louise Heck, the wedding being celebrated in London, England. Their only child, Rudolph, resides in Fort Scott, Kansas. For his second wife Mr. Best chose Miss Krause and to them have been born a son and daughter, Louis and Margaret. The family residence is situated on Ripley street and the evidences of cultured and refined taste, as well as of wealth, make it most attractive to the many friends of the family. The wise use of time, talents and opportunity has brought Mr. Best to his present enviable position with a name that has remained untarnished through all the years of his connection with commercial interests.
JAMES R. THOMSON.
Unfaltering perseverance and unabating energy have brought James R. Thom- son a gratifying measure of success and he is now classed with the highly re- spected and progressive farmers of Winfield township, where he owns two hun- dred and forty acres in the farm upon which he now resides, which is the old homestead, on sections 25 and 26, about a half mile northeast of Long Grove.
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It was upon this farm and in this county that he was born, March 19, 1854, his parents being Hon. Hugh M. and Jean (Robertson) Thomson, both of whom were natives of Scotland. The father, who was born July 4, 1812, was a son of Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Thomson, who spent their entire lives in the land of hills and heather. Hugh M. Thomson acquired his education in his native country and in his early manhood had the friendship and patronage of a nobleman who took great interest in him and obtained for him a position on the police force in Liverpool, England. Later he was promoted to police inspector, occupying that position until he came to the United States in 1844. He landed at New Orleans after a voyage of nine weeks and then came up the Mississippi river to Davenport, where he landed in the month of June. He was accompanied by his wife and five children and he made the trip to the new world in order to keep the family together, believing that he would receive a more adequate re- muneration for his labor in this country. Three families had emigrated to- gether. Mr. Thomson took up forty acres of land as did each of the others- John Grieve, John Pollock and John Robertson. The forty acres which Mr. Thomson secured is now a part of the J. G. Robertson place in Winfield town- ship. It was all open prairie then and his land was too low to build a house thereon, so that he soon afterward entered eighty acres more in Winfield township. Upon the latter tract he erected a log cabin and the families of John Pollock, John Robertson and Mr. Thomson all occupied it. Mr. Thomson lived there for about seven years, after which he entered the farm upon which his son James now resides. In the intervening years he had experienced all the hard- ships and privations of pioneer life but now the country was beginning to be settled and he was offered six hundred dollars for his eighty acre tract, so that he sold it, considering this a good price for the property. He then made invest- ment in three hundred and twenty acres of land on sections 25 and 26, Winfield township, for which he paid a dollar and a quarter per acre and then had two hundred dollars remaining from the sale price of his former farm. He built his house and from time to time added to the improvements upon the farm, which under his careful direction was transferred into a productive tract of land, annually yielding him generous harvests. He lived upon the place all his life but later sold eighty acres of the original tract. He carried on general farming and was very progressive in his methods. He was one of the first to introduce shorthorn cattle into the county, buying stock of that class about 1857. He was also prominent in community affairs and held nearly all of the township offices, including that of justice of the peace, township trustee and school director. He was also president of the school board at one time and still higher official honors were conferred upon him, for in 1863 he was elected to represent his district in the state legislature and thus served until 1866. He was chosen to the office on the republican ticket and later he was appointed superintendent of the Agri- cultural Farm at Ames, Iowa, remaining in charge for four years. He then returned to Scott county and his fellow townsmen desirous of again benefiting by his official service elected him a member of the board of county supervisors in 1879. He filled the position for about a year and a half, after which he with- drew from public life and concentrated his energies upon his farming interests. Over the record of his official career there falls no shadow of wrong or sus-
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picion of evil. He was always loyal to the interests entrusted to his care and progressive in his support of beneficial public measures. He held membership in the Odd Fellows lodge while in Liverpool but took no active part in lodge affairs while in Iowa. He and his wife held membership in the Presbyterian church in Scotland but as there was no congregation of their denomination near their home in Scott county they attended the Christian church. The death of Mr. Thomson occurred March 1, 1887, and his remains were interred in the Long Grove cemetery. His wife, who was born June 20, 1814, is still living in Scott county.
In their family were nine children: M. L., of Hewins, Kansas; Jean, the wife of Gavin Long, of Brooklyn, Iowa; John R., who is mayor of Earlham, Iowa; Elizabeth, who became the wife of A. W. Brownlee, and is now deceased ; Agnes, who became the wife of Herman Ficke, of Davenport, but died in 1907; Andrew L., a resident of Stuart, Nebraska; Annie, the wife of Chris Marti of Scott county ; Hugh M., who makes his home in Moville, Iowa; and James R., of this review.
James R. Thomson has always lived in the county which is yet his home and the place is therefore endeared to him by the memories of boyhood as well as the associations of later years. He acquired his education in the district schools and the Agricultural College at Ames, after which he returned to the old home- stead and has since engaged in general farming, assuming the management of the farm in 1885. He is first vice president of the Stockman's Bank of Long Grove.
On the 30th of September, 1891, Mr. Thomson was married to Miss Emma Evans, who was born in Butler township and is a daughter of John and Clarinda (Baughman) Evans. Her father was born in Pennsylvania and became one of the early settlers of this county, arriving here when fourteen years of age. He is still living, at the age of sixty-six years, but his wife, who was born in Winfield township, this county, passed away in June, 1906. In their family were six children: Dr. S. J. Evans, who is a resident of Davenport; Bert E., making his home in Long Grove; Mrs. Thomson; Effie, the wife of Charles Clapp, of Sheridan township; George, who died in March, 1904; and Lottie, also living in Sheridan township.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Thomson has been born one son, Frank Evans, whose natal day was December 7, 1893, and who is now a high-school pupil in Daven- port. Mr. Thomson strongly advocates higher education and is a stalwart sup- porter of the public-school system. He has served for four years as a school director and he takes an active part in politics as a supporter of the republican party. He has been committeeman for his township on the county central com- mittee for twenty years and does all in his power to further the interests and promote the success of the republican party in this county. He holds membership with the Modern Woodmen of America at Long Grove and has attained high rank in Masonry, his membership being in De Witt Lodge, No. 34, F. & A. M .; Kilwinning Chapter No. 56, R. A. M., also of De Witt; St. Simon's Cyrene Commandery, No. 9, K. T., of Davenport; and Kaaba Temple of the Mystic Shrine. His life is in harmony with the beneficent teachings of the craft which is based upon mutual helpfulness and brotherly kindness. He enjoys in large
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measure the high regard of his brethren of the Masonic fraternity and, moreover, has the warm esteem of his fellow citizens throughout his part of the county. He is a worthy representative of one of the oldest pioneer families, and for more than a half century the name of Thomson has been associated with all that is progressive and commendable in citizenship as well as in business life.
RAY R. KULP, M. D.
Dr. Ray R. Kulp entered upon the practice of medicine at Davenport in July, 1905, as a member of the firm of Kulp, Kulp & Kulp, his associates being his father, Dr. John H. Kulp, and his brother, Dr. Oliver W. Kulp. Since the death of Dr. John H. Kulp, which occurred in March, 1906, the sons have taken care of the extensive practice of their father and have already gained enviable recogni- tion among the skilled and able members of the medical profession.
Dr. Ray R. Kulp of this review is numbered among the worthy native sons of Scott county, his birth having occurred in Davenport on the 2d of March, 1879. His father, Dr. John H. Kulp, was born in Sherman, Summit county, Ohio, on the 21st of June, 1849. He obtained his literary education in the Mennonite Acad- emy at Wadsworth, Ohio, and in 1869 came to Iowa, taking up the study of medi- cine in the medical department of the University of Iowa, which institution con- ferred upon him the degree of M. D. in 1872. He had studied under the direction of Professor Robertson, of Muscatine, Iowa, who was professor of the theory and practice of medicine in the University of Iowa. Prior to his graduation he entered the State Hospital for the Insane at Mount Pleasant, Iowa, as apothe- cary and hospital clerk and after receiving his degree he was appointed second assistant physician of that institution, which position he held for two and a half years, when he was made first assistant. He likewise spent one season at post graduate work in Bellevue Hospital of New York city.
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