USA > Iowa > Des Moines County > History of Des Moines County, Iowa, Volume II > Part 15
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PETER RUFF.
Peter Ruff, a barber of Burlington, conducting an extensive busi- ness at the corner of Main and Washington streets since 1898, was born February 18, 1863, in the city in which he still resides. His father, Gregor Ruff, was a native of Germany and in 1849 crossed the Atlantic to the United States, settling first in St. Louis, whence he afterward came to Burlington. He was a cooper by trade and upon abandoning that pursuit entered the employ of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Company, with which he was con- nected for forty years, being one of the oldest and most trusted men in its service at the time of his demise, which occurred on the 12th of November, 1907. His wife died when their son Peter was but four years of age.
The latter was educated in the public schools, which he attended to the age of thirteen years and then started out to earn his own liv- ing. Whatever success he has achieved is attributable entirely to his carnest efforts. He was employed in a cigar shop as a stripper and afterward secured a situation with Rudolph Linden in the old Lawrence House, there remaining for a year, or until the fire. He then started in business on his own account as proprietor of a barber shop near the Dory Mills, continuing at that location for seventeen years. In 1898, however, he removed to the corner of Main and Washington streets, where he now has four chairs. He has a well
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equipped establishment, containing various rooms for baths of dif- ferent kinds, in addition to his facilities for the barbering business.
Mr. Ruff was married on the 26th of August, 1884, to Miss Mary Keller, of Burlington, a daughter of Mike Keller, one of the old- time coopers of this city. Here Mrs. Ruff was reared and educated. By her marriage she has become the mother of two daughters: Flora M., now the wife of Ralph Jordan, of Burlington; and Hilda, who married Oscar Berges, also of this city. Both Mr. and Mrs. Ruff hold membership in the German Evangelical church, in the work of which they take an active and helpful interest, doing all in their power to further the cause. Mr. Ruff also has membership with the United Workmen. He gives his political allegiance to the demo- cratic party and for two years served as ward committeeman. His entire life has been spent in Burlington and he is much interested in its welfare and progress, rejoicing in what has been accomplished for the upbuilding of the city along many substantial lines.
HENRY A. BECK.
Henry A. Beck, conducting a general contracting business in Burlington, his native city, was born April 3, 1865, a son of Jacob and Agnes (Mesmer) Beck. His father was born in Germany in 1818 and the year 1850 witnessed his arrival in Burlington. The previous year he had crossed the Atlantic and settled in St. Louis, where he remained until he came to this city. He was a carpenter, having learned his trade in the old country, and here he became identified with building operations. His study of political conditions led him to give earnest support to the republican party, but he never sought or desired political preferment. He died in 1897, having for almost a quarter of a century survived his wife, who passed away in 1874. She was then fifty-two years of age, her birth having occurred in Germany in 1822. In their family were eight children : Henry, who enlisted for service in the Civil war as a member of Company D, Twenty-fifth Iowa Infantry, and was killed at the siege of Vicksburg; Lena, who became the wife of John B. Schworm and both are now deceased ; Rosa, the wife of Nicholas Sickinger, a resident of Topeka, Kansas; Anna, the deceased wife of Albert Albertsen; Mary, resid- ing in Pasadena, California; Lizzie, who married John Kraul, of Burlington ; Mollie, the wife of John J. Miller, of Burlington ; and
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Henry A., of this review. The parents were consistent members of St. John's Catholic church.
Henry A. Beck attended the public schools of Burlington until he had passed through consecutive grades to the high school. When his text-books were put aside he entered the employ of William F. Hay- den, under whose direction he learned the carpenter's trade. He remained with Mr. Hayden for twenty-one years, gradually working his way upward until he became foreman, in which capacity he con- tinued during the last years of Mr. Hayden's life. About 1898 Mr. Beck began contracting on his own account and that he occupies a prominent position in building circles is indicated in the fact that he has been accorded the contracts for the erection of the Young Men's Christian Association building and the Young Women's Chris- tion Association building; for the Hertzler & Boersch department building; the Schramm & Schmeig store; the Chittenden & Eastman warehouses ; the Moehn Brewery ; the Nurses' Home of the Burling- ton Hospital; the offices of the water company; the Citizens State Bank building at Mediapolis; and many private residences in Bur- lington and throughout the county. In a word, he is recognized as one of the most prominent contractors of Burlington. He is himself an expert mechanic and is thus able to direct the labors of those whom he employs. He possesses sound judgment, is thoroughly reliable and lives strictly up to the terms of his contracts. His word is at all times as good as his bond, and his business integrity is unassailable.
On the 12th of June, 1888, Mr. Beck was united in marriage to Miss Lena Stoll, who was born June 12, 1867, in Burlington, a daugh- ter of Andrew and Mary ( Bauemly) Stoll. The father was born in Germany about 1830 and made coopering his life work. His death occurred in 1879. The mother was born in Germany, August 26, 1840, and passed away in February, 1903. In their family were eight children: Joseph, who died in infancy ; William, deceased ; Maggie, the wife of Christ Reichert, of Burlington; Joseph, also residing in Burlington ; Mrs. Beck; Lizzie, the deceased wife of Claude Miner; Francis, who has passed away; and Mollie, the wife of Conrad Lersch, of Burlington.
To Mr. and Mrs. Beck have been born three daughters. Ruth Marie, who was born December 31, 1889, and was graduated from the Lincoln school; Helen Margaret, who was born October 13, 1894, and followed a course in St. John's parochial school by a commercial course in Elliott's Business College, being now a stenographer in the office of Ben Poor, city solicitor; and Dorothy Agnes, who was born May 3, 1901, and attends St. John's school.
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Mr. and Mrs. Beck are communicants of St. John's Catholic church and Mr. Beck is a democrat, having supported the party since casting his first presidential vote for Grover Cleveland. For four years he filled the office of building commissioner of Burlington. In 1889 he erected a modern residence and now has a pleasant home in the west end. He also owns four residence properties, which he rents, and he has done much for the development and improvement of the city. He is thoroughly public spirited and cooperates in many move- ments for the general good. He is also a broad and liberal-minded man, always approachable, always genial. He has been actuated in his business undertakings by the desire to provide well for his family, and he and his wife occupy an enviable position in the social circles of the city.
BEN PERLEY POOR.
Ben Perley Poor is one of the younger representatives of the Burlington bar and in his practice holds to the highest standards. While he is ever loyal to the interests of his clients, he never for a moment forgets that he owes a still higher allegiance to the majesty of the law. He had a splendid example of professional ability and honor set him by his father, the late Cornelius L. Poor, who was one of Burlington's most distinguished citizens. His death brought a sense of irreparable loss to the great majority of Burlington's res- idents, for he had long practiced in lowa and had taken a most active and helpful part in promoting the welfare of the municipality. Moreover, he was of a most kindly spirit and genial disposition, possessing in large measure those qualities which make for warm personal friendships. Extended mention of him is made on another page of this work.
His son, Ben Perley Poor, was born in Burlington, March 31, 1881, and after attending the public schools here he entered Cornell University, where he won the Bachelor of Arts degree on the com- pletion of his literary course and the Bachelor of Laws degree in 1905. He was admitted to the New York State Bar Association and to the Iowa State Bar Association, joining his father in practice in 1905 and continuing with him until the latter's death. He acted as assistant city attorney under his father and in June, 1912, was ap- pointed to the office of city solicitor, which position he filled with such capability and satisfaction to the general public that he was
BEN P. POOR
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reappointed in April, 1914, being therefore the present incumbent in the office. He has great respect for the dignity of the bar and is indeed a worthy representative of that profession to which prop- erty, life and liberty must look for protection. He stands high, espe- cially in the discussion of legal matters before the court, where his comprehensive knowledge of the law is manifest and his applica- tion of legal principles demonstrates the wide range of his profes- sional acquirements. The utmost care and precision characterizes his preparation of a case and has made him one of the successful attorneys of Burlington. He is a member of the local, state and national bar associations and, imbued and inspired with the splendid example of his father, he is holding high the standard of legal prac- tice and has won a well merited and well earned reputation.
On the 15th of September, 1909, Mr. Poor was married to Miss Flora Carpenter Brooks, a daughter of Charles E. Brooks, and their children are Virginia Louise and Richard Brooks. Mr. Poor holds membership with the Elks and the Commercial Club, and he gives his political indorsement to the republican party. His attention, however, is mainly concentrated upon his profession, and step by step he has advanced until, like his father, he has attained an hon- orable and enviable position as a representative of the Burlington bar.
SUPERINTENDENT W. L. HANSON.
Superintendent of city schools W. L. Hanson has devoted his entire life to educational activity and since July, 1909, has been super- intendent of the city schools of Burlington. A native of Greeneville, Tennessee, he was born on the 29th of July, 1879, and is a son of S. C. and Nancy Elizabeth (Edmondson) Hanson. The father was also a teacher who became superintendent of schools and he was likewise well known as a composer of vocal music, publishing many music books for use in the schools, including Merry Melodies and others.
W. L. Hanson acquired his early education in the schools of Williamsport, Indiana, where his father was at that time engaged in teaching, and later he entered the University of Indiana, in which he completed the classical course, being graduated in 1900 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. He also devoted three summer terms to study in the University of Chicago and did post-graduate work in Columbia University of New York, receiving the degree of Mas- Vol. II 10
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ter of Arts from this institution in 1915. Taking up the profession of teaching as a life work, he was connected first with the schools at Kentland, Indiana, and afterward at Monmouth, Illinois, first as teacher of the sciences and later as principal of the high school, to which position he was appointed in 1902, continuing therein for four and a half years. He came to Burlington in 1906 to accept the principalship of the high school, in which position he remained for three years, when, in July, 1909, he was chosen superintendent of the public schools of the city. He is a most able educator, occupying a high position in the ranks of his profession, his course having been marked by steady progress as a result of his continuous study, inves- tigation and broadening experience. He employs practical methods while working toward high ideals and he has the ability to inspire teachers and pupils with much of his own zeal and interest in the work. He believes in the special study of the individual and agrees with ex-President Eliot of Harvard that "What is needed is con- tinuous education which lasts through life."
On the 14th of June, 1906, Mr. Hanson was united in marriage to Miss Blanche Morrow, of Monmouth, Illinois, who was an in- structor in English in Monmouth College. They hold membership in the United Presbyterian church, and they occupy a prominent position in social circles where true worth is accepted as a passport. Mr. Hanson keeps in touch with all of the important interests and issues of the day and is abreast with the world's thought, so that association with him means expansion and elevation.
J. W. BROOKS.
J. W. Brooks is vice president and cashier of the National State Bank of Burlington. Honored and respected by all, there is no man who occupies a more enviable position in the business and financial circles of the city, for his career has been marked not only by steady advance but by the employment of methods which will bear the clos- est investigation and scrutiny. It is true that he entered upon a busi- ness already established, but to wisely direct and control this and cnlarge its scope he must himself possess the qualities of keen sagacity, sound judgment and indefatigable enterprise and in none of these is he lacking.
Burlington claims Mr. Brooks as a native son. He was born in 1853, the second in order of birth in the family of nine children whose
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parents were F. W. and Harriet Cordelia (Williams) Brooks. The father, who was the pioneer banker of Burlington, was born in Liv- ingston county, New York, in March, 1819, and when a young man lived in Canada, whence he again crossed the border into the United States and established his home in Illinois. In the meantime, how- ever, he went to California, where he met Miss Harriet Cordelia Williams, whom he made his wife. They returned by way of the Isthmus route and were married in Burlington, by the Rev. William Salter. It was in 1842 that Mr. Brooks took up his abode in this city and here embarked in the commission and brokerage business, which was the initial step that led him a little later into the banking business. The history of his career from that time forward until his death is practically the record of the development of the National State Bank, of which extended mention is made on another page of this volume. He was among the organizers of the institution after conducting a private banking business for a number of years and he was also a stockholder in the First National Bank of Burlington and in other business concerns. His political allegiance was given to the republi- can party, but he never sought nor desired the honors or emoluments of public office, preferring to concentrate his efforts upon his im- portant and growing business interests. He continued as president of the bank until his death, which occurred in Burlington April 1, 1869. His widow long survived him and passed away about 1907. In their family were nine children: Caroline P., the wife of Frank Peasley ; J. W., of this review; Clara, the wife of J. T. McChesney, a resident of Everett, Washington ; Annis, who married S. S. Hawkins, but both are now deceased ; Charles E., assistant cashier of the Na- tional State Bank; F. W., who is a banker in Everett, Washington ; H. E., who follows farming in Des Moines county; Fred, now deceased ; and Mary Peasley, the wife of David Roscum, of Burlington.
J. W. Brooks, the second in order of birth in that family, was edu- cated in the public schools of his native city and of Lawrenceville, New Jersey, where he was graduated with the class of 1873. The year 1874 was spent in European travel. Returning to the middle west, he has since been continuously identified with banking and financial interests, his initial experience coming to him in the Union National Bank of Chicago, where he remained until 1876. He then returned to Burlington and entered the National State Bank. He has since been identified with this institution, in which he served in various capacities, being promoted through intermediate positions until he was made assistant cashier on the 22d of April, 1887. On the 10th of
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January following he was elected a member of the board of directors and on the 20th of March, 1900, he succeeded John J. Fleming in the office of cashier and at the same time was chosen vice president as the successor to Charles Starker. He has since continued in the dual capacity, being most active in directing the interests and shaping the policy of the institution, the steady and substantial growth of which is attributable in large measure to his efforts.
Mr. Brooks was married September 24, 1879, to Miss Lily Louise Roades, of Burlington, and they have four sons and two daughters : Francis W. and Miller R., both of whom are assistant cashiers in the National State Bank; Mary Roades, the wife of George J. Finck, who is president of the Cave Coal Company of Burlington; Harriet Louise, wife of John D. Ohrt, now of Lannon, Wisconsin ; James W., Jr., attending school at Lawrenceville, New Jersey; and Fred Phillips, a student in the Culver Military Academy of Indiana.
Ar. Brooks holds membership with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and is also a member of the Episcopal church. His political support is given to the republican party and he has ever kept well informed on the questions and issues of the day. He has prac- tically spent his entire life in Burlington and has a circle of friends almost coextensive with the circle of his acquaintance. He possesses the goodwill and confidence of men throughout the country-men high in authority and men in the lowly walks of life and in Burlington where he is best known he is termed one of the best loved citizens.
FRED HILL.
Fred Hill, agent at Burlington for the Leisy Brewing Company of Peoria, Illinois, conducts business at No. 834 Valley street, where they own a good warehouse and office. He was born in Somerset- shire, England, November 14, 1873, and at the age of twelve years left his native country and came to the United States. He had pre- viously attended school to some extent in England and after reaching the new world continued his studies in the old South Hill school of Burlington for about a year. At that time he began earning his own livelihood at farm work and, stimulated by a desire to engage in business on his own account, he saved his earnings until he was able to purchase ninety-one acres of land. To this he has gradually added in small amounts until he now owns one hundred and sixty-seven acres of valuable farming property. He continued his farm work until
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1901, at which time he accepted the wholesale agency of the Leisy Brewing Company of Peoria, Illinois. In that connection he has built up a substantial and growing business and in 1906 they erected the present warehouse and office building at No. 834 Valley street. His trade covers many of the nearby counties of Iowa and also a sec- tion of western Illinois and he employs nine men in the conduct of the business. In addition he gives personal supervision to the further development, cultivation and management of his farm, which is only a short distance outside the city limits, and from his agricultural in- terests he derives a gratifying annual income.
On the 21st of November, 1894, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Hill and Miss Celia F. Meyers, of Burlington. They have an adopted daughter, Grace, who is now attending the high school. Mr. Hill holds membership with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Fraternal Order of Eagles, the Owls, and the Sand Lake Fishing Club and is regarded as one of the most popular men in Burlington, being approachable, genial, cordial and at all times considerate of the opinion of others.
OLIVER W. BOATMAN, M. D.
Dr. Oliver W. Boatman has been a resident of Burlington since 1903 and began the practice of medicine in this city when a young man of twenty-four years. He was born August 3, 1879, in Louis- ville, Kentucky, a son of J. A. and Josephine (Wheeler) Boatman. He traces his ancestry back to three brothers who came to America with the Marquis De La Fayette when he crossed the Atlantic to assist General Washington and the American colonists in winning independence. The father of our subject was a minister of the Meth- odist church and came to Iowa with his family in 1884, settling first at Moulton. He resided in various places in the state according to the itinerant methods of the Methodist ministry and, actively engaged in preaching the gospel, his efforts were a strongly influential factor in advancing moral progress. He is now living retired in Wash- ington, Iowa.
Dr. Boatman entered Parsons College at Fairfield, Iowa, after completing a public-school course, which was gained in various towns and cities of the state. Attracted by the opportunities of the medical profession and thinking to find practice congenial, he en- tered the Keokuk Medical College, from which he was graduated
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with the class of 1903. He then located for practice in Burlington and through all the intervening period to the present time has made continuous advancement, his power and ability growing through the exercise of effort as he has faithfully performed his professional duties.
On the 12th of March, 1907, Dr. Boatman was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Mercer, a native of Burlington and a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel W. Mercer. The family is of French Hugue- not descent. Samuel W. Mercer was the first of the family to locate in Burlington, here establishing his home in 1863. His wife was a daughter of Thomas Kitchen, a pioneer of Burlington, in which city his birth occurred in 1838 when this city was a tiny hamlet upon the river bank.
Dr. Boatman holds membership with the Masonic fraternity and with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. He votes with the republican party and belongs to the Methodist church, guiding his life according to the teachings of the latter organization.
HENRY STEYH
Henry Steyh has from the age of sixteen years been a resident of Burlington and throughout his entire life has engaged in the harness making business. He was born in Kisselbach, Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, on the 7th of June, 1851, and is a son of Balzar and Cath- arine (Schaefer) Steyh, who always remained residents of the father- land. Their family numbered three sons and three daughters, all of whom have passed away with the exception of Henry and William, both of whom are now residents of Burlington.
Henry Steyh was the fifth in order of birth in his father's family and when sixteen years of age he bade adieu to friends and fatherland and sailed for the new world, making his way to Wheeling, West Virginia, in company with his brother William. They remained there for a few months and then came to Burlington, where Henry Steyh has since remained. Here he began working at the harness maker's trade and has since been connected with that line of business.
On the 28th of October, 1875, Mr. Steyh was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Magel, who was born in Union township, Des Moines county, September 20, 1852, a daughter of Seibert and Marie (Licht) Magel. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Steyh are eight in number: Emma Elizabeth, a graduate of the Burlington high
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school and for two years a student in the normal school of Burlington, now the wife of John C. Moline, living in Dallas, Illinois; Lilly May, who became the wife of Oscar Vollmer and died in Burlington, October 16, 1912, at the age of thirty-four years; Frederick William, who is a graduate of a business college of Burlington and is now located in Seattle, Washington; Walter Henry, who is also a grad- uate of a business college and is now in St. Louis ; George Philip, who is a graduate of the St. Louis College of Pharmacy and is living in St. Louis; Marie Louise, a graduate of the Burlington Business Col- lege, living at home; Herbert Edward, a druggist of this city; and Margaret Estella, who is a graduate of the Burlington high school and is now a student in the State University of Iowa, pursuing the classical course, from which she will graduate with the A. B. degree in 1915. The family are members of the German Zion church. They have long been well known in Burlington and have enjoyed the high regard, confidence and goodwill of many friends. Mr. Steyh has here resided for about forty-eight years and has therefore been a wit- ness of much of the city's growth and development. The family residence is at No. 414 South Central avenue, where they are most pleasantly located.
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