USA > Iowa > Des Moines County > History of Des Moines County, Iowa, Volume II > Part 16
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45
H. B. YOUNG, A. M., M. D.
Dr. H. B. Young, the youngest son of Dr. John A. Young and Isa- bella H. (Wallace) Young, was born in Monmouth, Illinois, March 20, 1851, received the Bachelor of Arts degree from Monmouth Col- lege in 1870, the Master of Arts degree from the same in 1873, the degree of M. D. from Northwestern University Medical School, March 16, 1875. On the 22d of September, 1875, he married Miss Hannah S. Parsons, English born, the daughter of Benjamin and Hannah (Scarboro) Parsons. He took post-graduate work in Europe in 1876-7 and settled in Burlington in 1879.
Dr. Young, the elder, a graduate of Miami Medical College in 1838, came on horseback from his home in Chillicothe, Ohio, to Mon- mouth in 1839 and practiced there until his death in 1874. His wife, who came to Monmouth in 1841 by river via Cincinnati, St. Louis and Oquawka, Illinois, was the pioncer member and organizer of the congregation now known as the First United Presbyterian church of Monmouth. She died in Burlington in 1900. Together they were instrumental in the founding of Monmouth College.
190
HISTORY OF DES MOINES COUNTY
Dr. Young, the subject of this sketch, has been president of the local medical society, also of the State Medical Society (1899), the last of three Burlington physicians to be so honored. In 1904 he withdrew from medical organization because not in sympathy with the purpose of reorganization promulgated by the American Medical Association, through which action he became known as one of the original "insurgents." In point of service he is one of the oldest eye and ear specialists in the state ; also in point of service he is the senior hospital surgeon of Burlington. He is a member of the Golf Club, all the local Masonic bodies and the Elks. In three of the Masonic bodies, chapter, council and commandery, he has been presiding officer. His wife is a member of the Congregational church. The family otherwise consists of two daughters : Helen, the wife of C. H. Topping; Alice, the wife of W. T. Coleman, of San Francisco, Cali- fornia; and a niece, Miss Jessie Blackburn, a public-school kinder- gartner. There is one grandchild, Miss Alice Topping. Dr. Young's only surviving brother, William Young, is a resident of New York, engaged in literary work and a member of the Authors Club. He is perhaps best known by his dramatization of Ben Hur.
WALTER SCHENCK.
Walter Schenck is the second vice president of the Drake Hard- ware Company of Burlington and throughout the greater part of his life has been connected with the hardware trade, so his long expe- rience, as well as his indefatigable effort and ambition is proving a factor in the growing success of the company. He was born in Frank- lin, Warren county, Ohio, December 30, 1848, a son of Isaac P. and Catharine (Du Bois) Schenck. The former was a son of Garret A. Schenck and he in turn was a son of Rev. William Schenck. The family is of Holland descent, the first ancestors arriving in Nieu Amsterdam, now New York, in the year 1640. The Rev. William Schenck was a minister of the Presbyterian church and removed with his family to Franklin, Ohio, making the journey with teams across the country. There he organized the First Presbyterian church. The Du Bois family is of French origin, although repre- sentatives of the name removed from France to Holland and the family was established in New York city at an early period in the development of this country.
WALTER SCHENCK
193
HISTORY OF DES MOINES COUNTY
Isaac P. Schenck was born in Huntington, Long Island, Novem- ber 14, 1809, and after his marriage became a farmer near Franklin, Ohio, winning success through the careful management of his fields. He died February 11, 1877, while his wife, who was born Novem- ber 15, 1828, passed away on the 6th of April, 1907. The youngest sister of Isaac P. Schenck is Mrs. Mary E. Denise, who is still living in Burlington at the advanced age of ninety-two years. She came to this city in 1847 and now makes her home at Columbia and Seventh streets. Her husband, Denise Denise, was of the firm of Denise & Schenck, pork packers, who established the first business of that kind in Burlington. He was a cousin of Mrs. Catharine Schenck, and his wife is the youngest sister of Isaac P. Schenck and is the last survivor of that generation in both families.
Walter Schenck, spending his youthful days under the parental roof, acquired a public-school education and on leaving the high school became connected with the hardware business in Franklin, Ohio, when seventeen years of age. He was thus employed there for three years and seven months and on the 4th of July, 1870, he went to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he spent a little over one year in a large retail hardware store. On July 21, 1871, he came to Burlington and entered the employ of the firm of Nelson & Company as stock clerk, remaining in that connection for a year after the firm of Drake & Dayton purchased the business, which was in March, 1877. He then went upon the road as a traveling salesman for that house and subsequently was in the employ of Lyman H. Drake as a hardware salesman until the close of the year 1887. For three years he traveled for Horton-Gilmore-McWilliams & Company of Chicago and in 1891, upon the organization of the Drake Hardware Company of Burlington, he was elected its secretary. He has since been an active factor in the successful conduct of the business and in July, 1907, was elected the second vice president. He has been traveling again for the past eighteen years, or since September, 1896, and is a most successful salesman, constantly enlarging the scope of business con- nections for the house. He has been identified with the hardware trade for a long period of time and has been an interested witness in all of the changes which have been brought about through the development of commercial conditions to the present day.
On the 20th of September, 1876, Mr. Schenck was united in mar- riage to Miss Emma Combs, of Burlington, a daughter of Richard and Eliza J. Combs. They have become parents of four children : C. P., who is an eye, ear, nose and throat specialist, and is married and has one son; Bertha S., who is the widow of James N. McDavitt
194
HISTORY OF DES MOINES COUNTY
and has one son, and who is also a physician, practicing with her brother in Temple, Texas; W. L., who, after practicing two and one- half years in Texas, returned to Iowa and is teaching dentistry in the State University, Iowa City, from which place he graduated; and Mary E., who is director of physical culture and preceptress of the high school department of Colorado State Teachers' College. The second day after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Schenck removed into the house which they still occupy at No. 801 Starr avenue. Theirs has always been a hospitable home, and they have the warm regard of an extensive circle of friends.
Mr. Schenck holds membership with the United Commercial Travelers and the Travelers' Protective Association. His religious affiliation is that of the Methodist Episcopal church and in his polit- ical belief he is a republican. He is always approachable and genial and is popular with his many patrons, who have learned to esteem and honor him because of the many sterling traits of his character and his thorough reliability in business.
CHARLES E. BROOKS.
No student of history can carry his investigations far into the records of Des Moines county without learning of the prominent part that has been played in its upbuilding and development by the mem- bers of the Brooks family. In financial circles they have been par- ticularly prominent through three generations and Charles E. Brooks of the second generation is now one of the assistant cashiers of the National State Bank, the oldest institution of the kind in Iowa. He was born in Burlington, January 8, 1860, a son of F. W. Brooks, of whom extended mention is made on another page of this volume in connection with the sketch of his son, J. W. Brooks. In the family were nine children: Caroline P., the wife of Frank Peasley, also a prominent figure in the financial circles of Burlington ; J. W., a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work; 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., assist- ant cashier of the National State Bank; F. W., who is a banker of Everett, Washington; H. E., who follows farming in Des Moines county ; Fred, now deceased; and Mollie, the wife of David Roscum, of Burlington.
195
HISTORY OF DES MOINES COUNTY
Charles E. Brooks acquired a public-school education and after- ward became a student at Lawrenceville, New Jersey. For a short time he also attended Harvard and upon his return to the middle west engaged in the banking business in Minnesota for eight years, during which period he gained broad knowledge of various phases of the business. In 1888 he returned to Burlington and two years later entered the National State Bank, becoming a director and assistant cashier. He has thus continued to the present time and is active with others of the family in shaping the policy of the insti- tution. They have ever recognized the fact that the bank is most worthy of patronage which most carefully safeguards the interests of its depositors, and this the National State Bank has ever done, main- taining an even balance between progressiveness and conservatism.
On the 26th of January, 1881, Mr. Brooks was united in marriage to Miss Flora Carpenter, a daughter of G. B. P. and Sally (Stockton) Carpenter, representatives of early pioneer families of the county. The mother was a daughter of Judge Stockton, one of the first set- tlers of Burlington. Mr. Carpenter was for an extended period engaged in the jewelry business but is now deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Brooks have been born five children: Elsie and Ruth Louise, at home; Flora, the wife of Ben Poor; Charles E., an electrician residing in Chicago; and Virginia Peasley, at home.
Mr. Brooks gives his political allegiance to the republican party. The honors and emoluments of office, however, have had no attrac- tion for him, as he has ever preferred to concentrate his attention and energies upon his business affairs, in which connection he has steadily advanced until his name is a well known and honored one in the banking circles not only of Burlington but of the state as well.
JULIUS GEORGE SCHAEFER.
During the years of his connection with the active business inter- ests of Burlington, Julius George Schaefer was a member of the firm of Droegemeyer & Schaefer, dealers in shoes. In the later part of his life, however, he lived retired, enjoying a rest which he had truly earned and richly deserved. He was born in Hesse-Darm- stadt, Germany, July 2, 1847, a son of George and Mary Schaefer, who spent their entire lives in the fatherland. In their family were three sons and three daughters, of whom Julius G. was the eldest. He spent his youthful days in his native land but left that country
196
HISTORY OF DES MOINES COUNTY
in order to avoid military service, crossing the Atlantic to Wheeling, West Virginia. He spent some time in that city as a bookkeeper in a large hotel there and about 1870 he arrived in Burlington, where he became connected with the shoe trade, forming a partnership with Henry Droegemeyer under the firm name of Droegemeyer & Schae- fer. This relation was maintained for several years and they enjoyed a large and profitable business which brought to Mr. Schaefer the handsome competence which he enjoyed through his later years, after he had retired from connection with mercantile pursuits.
On the 7th of March, 1872, Mr. Schaefer was united in marriage to Miss Mary Magel, who was born in Union township, Des Moines county, April 25, 1850, and until her marriage there resided with her parents, Seibert and Mary (Licht) Magel. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Schaefer were born twelve children: William, who was born March 4, 1873, and is now living in Burlington; George, who died in in- fancy ; Clara, the wife of Henry Woellhef, of Marshalltown, Iowa; Minnie, the wife of Frank Woellhef, of Burlington; Edward, who was born October 20, 1879, and learned and followed the plumbing trade but died October 25, 1904; Otelia, residing at Perry, Iowa; Bertha, the wife of C. P. Bonham, of Denver, Colorado; Augusta, the wife of Charles Streedbeck, of Helena, Montana; Lottie, who is living with her sister in Denver, Colorado; Stella, Ruth and Charles, all at home. The family circle was again broken by the hand of death when on the 8th of July, 1910, Mr. Schaefer was called to his final rest, being then about sixty-three years of age. He was a mem- ber of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows but took no very active part in fraternal organizations or club life, always preferring to give his attention to his family when not occupied with business affairs. He was devoted to the welfare of the members of his own household and did everything in his power to advance their interests.
ERNEST IRVING WOODBURY, M. D.
Dr. Ernest Irving Woodbury, a practitioner of medicine of the homeopathic school, who since July, 1896, has followed his profession in Burlington, was born in Council Bluffs, Iowa, on the 25th of No- vember, 1870, and is a son of Edmund Israel and Elizabeth (Whit- ney) Woodbury.
The ancestry can be traced back to "Ye ancient familie of Wood- bury," of Devonshire, England, where a common and castle still
197
HISTORY OF DES MOINES COUNTY
bear the Woodbury name. The progenitors of the family in America were John and William Woodbury, who resided in that part of Salem, Massachusetts, which is now Beverly. John Woodbury, who appeared at Cape Ann in 1623-4 and at Salem in 1626, was identified with most of the important interests in the early settlement of the Salem colony and, together with Roger Conant, stood next to Gov- ernor Endicott in civil matters. In 1627 he was sent as agent to England, returning in 1628, "bringing a comfortable answer to them that sent him." On the 28th of September, 1630, "John Woodbury is chosen constable of Salem." He was one of the original members of the first church in Salem, Massachusetts. In 1635 and in 1638 he attended the general court as deputy for Salem and the same year received a grant of land from the ruling magistrate. William Wood- bury built the first dwelling house at Beverly, a garrison house, in 1630 and after the death of his elder brother John, in 1641, succeeded him in many important offices. The family name figured promi- nently in connection with many events which have left their impress upon the civil and military history of New England.
Dr. Edmund Israel Woodbury was born in Bolton, Massachu- setts, March 7, 1830, in the homestead built and originally occupied by his great-grandfather and afterward owned by his father, adjoin- ing the estate of his grandfather, who served in the Revolutionary war. He was Israel Woodbury, who was born April 13, 1756, and died August 23, 1847. He wedded Annie Morgan and they became the parents of ten children. He was a Revolutionary soldier, serving with distinction until the close of hostilities. He afterward settled on a large farm which was a part of his father's estate. On the 4th of September, 1797, he received from Governor Sumner of Massa- chusetts a lieutenant's commission which was afterward in the pos- session of his grandson, Dr. Edmund 1. Woodbury, who also had another historical family document which he prized highly and which is now in possession of the subject of this review : the original muster call issued in his majesty's name by Captain Robert Wood- bury to his son, Corporal Robert Woodbury, Jr., requiring him to call his squad of soldiers together fully equipped for review in Bev- erly, Massachusetts, June 14, 1731.
Israel Woodbury, Jr., the father of Dr. Edmund I. Woodbury, was born in Bolton, Massachusetts, November 13, 1785, and died April 6, 1852. He spent his early life on a farm and afterward en- gaged in teaching school through the winter months, while learning and later following the mason's trade through the summer seasons. For many years he conducted business as a contractor and builder in
198
HISTORY OF DES MOINES COUNTY
Bolton and was also called to neighboring towns in the conduct of his industrial affairs. He was much interested in the military life of the community and in early manhood served as major of militia. He was twice married. He first wedded Tabitha Wilder and for his second wife married Mrs. Olive Snow, the widow of Edmund F. Snow, of Boston. Her maiden name was Olive Berry. Israel Wood- bury had ten children, five sons and five daughters, of whom Dr. Edmund Israel Woodbury was the third child.
Dr. Edmund Israel Woodbury attended the public schools of New England and studied dentistry in Worcester, Massachusetts, obtaining his degree in September, 1852. He then removed to Yel- low Springs, Ohio, where for five years he engaged in practice, and on the ist of July, 1858, he became a resident of Council Bluffs, Iowa, and the first established dentist in that place or in the western section of the state. He was also among the first members of the Iowa State Dental Society and was prominently connected with that organiza- tion and active in its work, serving as its president in 1872. He was also a charter member and one of the first presidents of the Missouri Valley Dental Society. He became widely recognized as a most eminent member of his profession and aside from caring for his ex- tensive practice, he became one of the instructors and lecturers in the dental department of the University of Omaha. There are few men in the entire west who have been more widely or favorably known in the profession. He invented and manufactured several dental specialties of recognized worth and he ever kept abreast with the profession in all of its advancement. He likewise contributed to public progress and did much to promote the growth, welfare and prosperity of Council Bluffs, where he erected several fine residence and business properties. For several years he conducted a drug busi- ness in partnership with O. H. Brown and he became a prominent horticulturist of western Iowa, demonstrating the fact that fruit could be successfully grown on the hills along the Missouri river. In spite of opposition he planted his orchard and lived to see his hopes realized. Dr. Woodbury was a lifelong republican, but never sought nor desired the honors and emoluments of office. He became a mem- ber of the Presbyterian church in 1863 and throughout the remainder of his life was most loyal thereto. In 1873 he became an elder of the church and twenty years later was made a commissioner to the general assembly of the Presbyterian church at Washington, D. C.
On the 25th of May, 1854, Dr. Edmund I. Woodbury was united in marriage to Elizabeth Whitney, of West Townsend, Massachu- setts. Her ancestors came from England in 1635 and were prominent
199
HISTORY OF DES MOINES COUNTY
in early colonial and Revolutionary history. Dr. and Mrs. Wood- bury had a family of six children. Edmund Nathan, who was born January 31, 1857, died November 4, 1863. Herbert Arthur, born July 9, 1859, was graduated from the Council Bluffs high school in 1876 and from the Boston Dental College in 1880. He then joined his father in practice and helped to organize and was professor of operative dentistry in the dental department of the University of Omaha, becoming dean of that institution. He was married June 6. 1900, to Elizabeth L. Conklin. Elizabeth Olive, born August 9, 1863, graduated from the Council Bluffs high school, was afterward a student in Wellesley College of Massachusetts and for several years taught in the Council Bluffs high school. On the 12th of January, 1888, she became the wife of the Rev. T. B. Greenlee. Charles Elmer, born January 11, 1866, was graduated from the Council Bluffs high school in 1883 and from the Boston Dental College in 1887, and is now practicing at Council Bluffs. He was married November 3, 1891, to Miss Nellie Webster. Cora Louise, born July 20, 1868, sup- plemented her Council Bluffs educational training by study in Albert Lea College of Minnesota. The youngest of the family is Ernest Irving, whose name introduces this review. The father, Dr. Ed- mund Israel Woodbury, was not only the first dentist in Council Bluffs but also in that territory which is within one hundred miles of the western boundary of Iowa. He remained active in his profession until his death, which occurred October 14, 1913, when he was nearly eighty-four years of age. He had for two years survived his wife, who passed away in 1911.
The youngest in their family, Dr. Ernest Irving Woodbury, spent his youthful days under the parental roof, attending the public schools of Council Bluffs, and was graduated from the high school. He afterward spent two years in the Iowa State University, taking pre- paratory work for a professional career. He entered the Chicago Homeopathic Medical College, from which he was graduated in 1894. He became an interne in October of that year in the Chicago Homeopathic Hospital and so continued until April, 1896, and he has also done post-graduate work in surgery. In July, 1896, he ar- rived in Burlington, where he has since remained in the active practice of his profession. He is a member of the Iowa State Home- opathic Society and the American Institute of Homeopathy.
In 1901 Dr. Woodbury was united in marriage to Miss Daisy Garton, of Los Angeles, a daughter of the Rev. Richard Garton, D. D., a minister of the Baptist church who is now living retired. Dr. and Mrs. Woodbury have two sons, Edmund I., born May 8, 1904,
200
HISTORY OF DES MOINES COUNTY
and Perry S., born January 5, 1911. Dr. Woodbury holds member- ship with a college fraternity, the Beta Theta Pi, is also a Knight Templar Mason and belongs to the Burlington Golf Club. He gives his political allegiance to the republican party and is loyal as a mem- ber of the Presbyterian church. He represents one of the oldest pio- neer families of the state, the name of Woodbury having long been associated with the development and upbuilding of Iowa. He holds to high standards in his profession, his purpose is ever honorable and his practice of an ethical character, being dominated by a spirit of conscientious obligation which permits of no neglect of professional duties.
JOHN T. BECKMAN.
John T. Beckman has since 1904 been identified with the Moehn Brewery and is now secretary and treasurer of the company which owns and manages the plant. He was born in Dodgeville, Iowa, June 7, 1854, a son of Theodore and Bernadine (Niemann) Beck- man. The latter was a daughter of John Niemann, who came to Des Moines county from Germany in 1849. Theodore Beckman arrived in Burlington in 1850, but the following year went to Cal- ifornia, attracted by the gold discoveries on the Pacific coast, where he remained for about two years, returning in 1853. He was then married and purchased a farm in Franklin township, upon which he resided to the time of his death, which occurred July 20, 1910, when he had reached the venerable age of eighty-eight years. His wife passed away at the age of seventy-eight years. They were members of the Catholic church.
John T. Beckman, the oldest in their family of nine children, all of whom are yet living, was educated in the public schools of Dodge- ville and had the usual experiences of the farm boy during his youth, dividing his time between the work of the schoolroom, the pleas- ures of the playground and the tasks which came to him in con- nection with the development of the fields. After attaining his ma- jority he chose to give his attention to the occupation to which he had been reared and continued in farming until forty years of age, at the same time conducting a general store and acting as postmaster of Dodgeville for twelve years. In 1904, however, he came to Burling- ton and purchased an interest in the Moehn Brewery, one of the lead- ing establishments of this kind in the city. He was made its secre-
δΈ€
JOHN T. BECKMAN
203
HISTORY OF DES MOINES COUNTY
tary and treasurer and in that office is taking an active part in pro- moting the interests of the business. In addition he still owns farm- ing property, from which he derives a substantial annual income.
In 1880 Mr. Beckman was united in marriage to Miss Theresa Ritter, who died in 1892, leaving three children: Edward J., who is now engaged in the cultivation of his father's farm; Mary A., the wife of Roy Riffle, who is also residing upon the farm; and Ther- esa, the wife of William Riffle, who follows farming on the land owned by her father. In 1896 Mr. Beckman was again married, his second union being with Miss Julia Walz, a native of Lowell, Iowa, and they have a son, Theodore, at home.
The parents and children are members of the Catholic church and Mr. Beckman holds membership with the Elks, the Eagles and the Moose. In his political views he is a democrat and has served as assessor and trustee of his township. He has always preferred, however, to concentrate his energies upon his business affairs and aside from his brewing and farming interests he is known in finan- cial circles as a director of the Mediapolis Bank. His life has been a busy one, and his close application. and energy have brought to him the measure of success which is today his.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.