USA > Iowa > Des Moines County > History of Des Moines County, Iowa, Volume II > Part 21
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Iowa, January 23, 1880, and is a son of William and Martha (Hunt- ing) Debenham. The father followed farming in early life but afterward was connected with business interests in Everly, lowa, and at the present time is living retired, making his home in Arap- ahoe, Nebraska.
The son, William H. Debenham, acquired a public-school edu- cation in Everly and later attended Morningside College of Sioux City, from which he was graduated in June, 1905, winning the degree of Bachelor of Philosophy. He has always devoted his life to the practical phases of Christian work pertaining to the guid- ance of boys and young men. He spent three years as assistant secre- tary, as membership secretary and as boys' secretary in Young Men's Christian Association work at Ottumwa, Iowa, and on the Ist of May, 1908, came to Burlington and entered upon the duties of gen- eral secretary of the Young Men's Christian Association in this city. Under his guidance the work has been steadily carried for- ward along lines of substantial and helpful growth, ever broadening in its influence and in the range of its activities.
Mr. Debenham has been a most active factor in bringing about the erection of the new Young Men's Christian Association build- ing, starting to raise the money in November, 1910. The work was vigorously and earnestly prosecuted until the Young Men's Chris- tian Association building stood as a complete structure on the Ist of December, 1912, the building and grounds representing an invest- ment of ninety thousand dollars, upon which there is no indebted- ness. ' The building is thoroughly modern in every way. There is both a boys' and men's division. The membership is divided into five sections; for boys ranging from twelve to fourteen years; for boys ranging from fifteen to seventeen years; the senior membership from eighteen years up; a sustaining and business men's member- ship; and a limited and educational membership. In the new build- ing the men's division contains a general lobby, reading room, game room and billiard and pool room. In the boys' division there is a general lobby, reading room, game room, a cozy corner and fire- place. There is a splendidly equipped gymnasium forty-four by seventy feet, large, perfectly lighted and ventilated, and equipped with new and modern apparatus. Various classes are conducted in connection with the gymnasium work. There is also an auxiliary gymnasium, a hand ball court, a running track, class and club rooms, an assembly room, dormitories and a swimming pool. The activities of the association include lectures and practical talks on science, civics, literature, art and travel. Several clubs have been formed in
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the organization, religious meetings are held and several courses in Bible study have been instituted. There are various receptions and social gatherings and summer entertainment is provided in camps and hikes. In connection the association has an employment bureau and a boarding house and rooming register. In a word, it seems to touch every phase of life that has to do with the boy and young man in the line of assistance for his material, intellectual and moral needs. There is now a membership of nine hundred and the Young Men's Christian Association is certainly one of the splendid and valuable institutions of Burlington.
On the 12th of September, 1906, Mr. Debenham was united in marriage to Miss Eva C. Erskine, of Highmore, South Dakota, who is a graduate of Morningside College of Sioux City. They have three children, Elizabeth, Roger and William Stuart. The parents are members of the Methodist church and Mr. Debenham gives his political allegiance to the republican party. Along recreative lines he is connected with the Burlington Launch Club and with the Ten- nis Club. The splendid work that he is doing is widely recognized. It would be tautological in this connection to say that he is a man of broad humanitarian principles and deep human sympathy. He has a quick and ready understanding, tact and an infinite amount of patience and good nature, and all who meet him recognize the strong spirit of friendship and helpfulness which dominates his life.
GEORGE W. SLINGLUFF, D. D. S.
Dr. George W. Slingluff, who was honored with the presidency of the Iowa State Dental Society in 1913 and is recognized as one of the most eminent members of the profession in Burlington, his native city, was born August 22, 1871, a son of James Henry and Sarah Alice (Brown) Slingluff. The father was born in Cincin- nati, Ohio, and the mother's birth occurred in Winnebago, Iowa. The paternal grandfather was C. J. Slingluff, who, leaving his home in Cincinnati, Ohio, made his way down the Ohio river by boat and up the Mississippi, bringing his family to Burlington about 1855. His son, James H. Slingluff, became a railway conductor and later took up the business of a decorator and paper hanger, being thus identified with the industrial interests of Burlington at the time of his death, which occurred June 9, 1904. His widow survives and makes her home in this city.
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After acquiring his education in the public and high schools of Burlington Dr. Slingluff entered the employ of the lowa Grain & Produce Company, remaining with them nine years. He then quali- fied for his profession in the Chicago College of Dental Surgery, in which he completed his course with the class of 1900. He has since practiced in Burlington and through the intervening period has made continuous advancement along professional lines. His broad- ening experience has advanced his skill and given him that assur- ance and certainty which are so necessary as factors in accurate work. His office is one of the most modern and is equipped with the latest appliances to facilitate his practice. He is a member of the Des Moines County Dental Society, the Southeastern Iowa Dental Society, the Iowa State Dental Society, the National Dental Society and the Chicago Dental Society. He has been honored with office in the state organization, serving as its treasurer from 1907 until 1911, while in 1913 he was elected its president. He is a member of the executive committee of the Panama-Pacific Dental Congress, which convenes in San Francisco, California, in August, 1915, and is taking an active part in formulating plans for the meeting, which will be of the greatest possible benefit to the profession, disseminating knowledge that will receive contribution from representatives of the profession from all parts of the world. He has also been secretary and treasurer of the Des Moines County Dental Society for two years, secretary and treasurer of the Iowa Inlay Study Club for four years, and secretary of the Southeastern Iowa Dental Society for four years.
Dr. Slingluff's membership connections outside the strict path of his profession have also covered a wide range. He is a member of the Kappa chapter of the Psi Omega Dental Fraternity, and organi- zer and first grand master of the Iowa Alumni chapter of the Psi Omega Fraternity in the state of Iowa. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity, in which he has attained the Knight Templar degree. He is a past noble grand in the Odd Fellows lodge and also is a member of the Rebekahs. He belongs to the Moose, is a charter member of the Woodmen of the World of Burlington, was a member of the old B. B. A. before its disbandment and is now an active member of the Burlington Golf Club.
On the 9th of July, 1901, Dr. Slingluff was united in marriage to Miss Luella Dryden, of Burlington, who died in April, 1902. For his second wife Dr. Slingluff chose Miss Julia Crawford, of Burling- ton, whom he wedded on the 20th of February, 1907. Mrs. Slingluff is a lady of broad culture, is interested in the civic and social life of
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Burlington, is a member of the Shakespeare Club, King's Daughters and also the Golf Club.
Dr. and Mrs. Slingluff are much interested in religious work, being active members of the First Presbyterian church, of which Dr. Slingluff is an elder, while for the past fifteen years he has been treasurer of the Sunday school. His influence is always on the side of progress and improvement, of advancement, truth and justice and wherever known he is held in high esteem and most of all where he is best known. His acquaintance throughout the state and in Bur- lington is very wide and he occupies a central place upon the stage of dental activity in lowa, working his way steadily upward in a calling where advancement depends entirely upon individual merit and skill.
SAM WADLEIGH.
Sam Wadleigh is now living a retired life in Burlington and in preparing this history we present to our readers the record of one who long occupied a creditable position in business circles and who throughout the period of his residence here has ever merited the confidence and goodwill of all who know him. He has displayed many sterling qualities of manhood and citizenship and at the same time has lived a quiet and unassuming life, being entirely free from ostentation and display. At the present he occupies one of the beau- tiful old homes of the city. He was born at Compton, in the prov- ince of Quebec, Canada, June 8, 1833, a son of Luke and Phoebe (Rowell) Wadleigh, who were natives of Hatley, Quebec. His grandfather was Ephraim Wadleigh, a native of New Hampshire, and his great-grandfather was Thomas Wadleigh. The last named participated in the French and Indian war and returned from his last campaign in 1759. His children were Benjamin, Jonathan, Joseph. Thomas, John, Judith, Betsey, Moses, Aaron, Ephraim, Henry and Susanna.
Of this family Ephraim Wadleigh was born in Sutton, New Hampshire, March 8, 1770. He was five years of age when the battle of Lexington was fought and the first blood was shed in the Revolutionary war. In 1800 he went to Canada, where he secured a claim at a time when the province of Quebec was giving land free to those who would settle thereon. He made farming his life work and died in the year 1852. His family numbered four sons and four
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daughters: Samuel, Taylor, Thomas, Luke, Betsey, Mary, Roxanna and Ruth.
Of this family of eight children Luke Wadleigh was the young- est. Like the other sons, he went to work upon the farm at a very early age. He continued his residence in Canada until 1856, when he removed to Oquawka, Illinois, where his death occurred in 1886 when he was seventy-six years of age. His wife passed away therc in 1895 at the advanced age of eighty-six years. In their family were four children : Sam; Mrs. Mary Chapin, now deceased ; Mrs. Lydia Blandon, of Blandinsville, Illinois; and Jennie, who died in 1885.
Sam Wadleigh, whose name introduces this record, acquired his education in the common schools and in the Charleston Academy of Hatley. When eighteen years of age he entered the employ of the St. Lawrence & Atlantic Railroad, spending four years in that connection. He was twenty-two years of age when he became a resident of Oquawka, Illinois, where he engaged in the lumber busi- ness, in which he remained for five years. He also conducted busi- ness as a dealer in wood. In 1878 he came to Burlington and the following year entered into partnership with Colonel W. G. Cum- mins for the conduct of a general fuel business. After eight years the partnership was dissolved and Mr. Wadleigh organized the Wadleigh Fuel Company, conducting business under that name until he sold out and retired in 1910. He was most active throughout the period of his connection with business and to his diligence he added determination and perseverance.
In 1857 occurred the marriage of Mr. Wadleigh and Miss Mary A. Phelps, who was born in Oquawka, Illinois, where their mar- riage was celebrated. She died in 1860 and the two children of that union passed away in childhood. In 1862 Mr. Wadleigh wedded Miss Ella F. 'Bradbury, who died in February, 1911. They were the parents of three children: Mary A., the wife of Robert Moir, of Burlington; Mabel, who became the wife of O. H. Penick and died in May, 1902; and Roy, who died in infancy in 1880. The daughter, Mrs. Moir, has two children, Marjorie and Rosemary. Mrs. Penick had one daughter, Mildred, who was adopted by her grandfather, Mr. Wadleigh, upon her mother's death in 1902. His two eldest grandchildren are being educated in the Mrs. Dow's school, Briar Cliff Manor, thirty miles north of New York city on the Hudson river.
Politically Mr. Wadleigh is a democrat, having supported the party since he became a naturalized citizen of the United States in
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1863. He has always enjoyed an enviable reputation as a business man and as a dealer in fuel for more than thirty years he was spoken of as one who gave good weight and measure and was thoroughly reliable in his business transactions. He ever regarded his grand- father, Ephraim Wadleigh, as a model. When the grandfather passed away in Canada in 1852 his sons had inscribed upon his tombstone: "If an honest man is the noblest work of God, then Ephraim Wadleigh was truly noble." When eighteen years of age Mr. Wadleigh of this review began buying books and now has a very extensive library, having ever been a lover of good literature: As his financial resources were limited, he had comparatively little opportunity in early life to purchase books, but as his business increased he indulged his taste along that line and now possesses a splendid library. He occupies a fine old home which was built by Mr. Wright in 1876 and which was purchased of his widow by Mr. Wadleigh in 1880. It is a commodious residence, beautifully furnished, and an air of comfort and hospitality there reigns. Mr. Wadleigh well merits the rest that has come to him, for his success is the direct result of his close application, earnest purpose and honorable dealing. Wherever known he is held in high esteem and most of all where he is best known.
GERMAN-AMERICAN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
The German-American Life Insurance Company of Iowa is one of the substantial organizations of this character in the state. It has been in existence for more than a quarter of a century, having been founded in July, 1887, by F. H. A. Koch. It was organized as an assessment company under the name of the German Mutual Life Association and was conducted under that style until 1901, when a reorganization was effected under the name of the German-American Equation Premium Life Association, at which time a change was made from the assessment to the equation premium plan. In 1912, when the passage of a state law made it necessary to have a legal reserve, the business was again reorganized under the name of the German-American Life Insurance Company of America and changed to the old line legal reserve plan. Since this second reor- ganization the business has grown rapidly until there are now many clients and a large amount of insurance is written annually. They confine their business to this state although it is their purpose to write
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insurance in other states within a year. The officers of the company are : P. C. Naumann, president; Lewis H. Koch, vice president and general manager; Charles Blanke, secretary; and Henry Miller, Jr., treasurer. The business has been carefully systematized and its methods accord with the most advanced and reliable phases of insur- ance work in any part of the country.
REV. P. BENNO, O. S. B.
Rev. P. Benno, pastor of St. John's Catholic church in Burling- ton, was born in Franken, Germany, May 3, 1869. He attended a preparatory school at Reichelheim, Germany, and when twelve years of age came to the United States to visit an uncle in Atchison, Kansas, this uncle being then a professor in St. Benedict's College of that place. Father Benno entered the school and was graduated there- from on the completion of the classical course in 1889. He after- ward spent a year as a student in the University of Pennsylvania and subsequently returned to Atchison to become an instructor in St. Benedict's College. About that time he entered upon the philo- sophical and theological courses in preparation for the priesthood and he also studied law for a year. He was graduated with the class of 1896 and the same year was ordained. He then had charge of the St. Louis parish in Atchison county, Kansas, for one year, after which he returned to St. Benedict's College and catalogued the library and also assisted in writing the ritual of the order. He likewise acted as assistant procurator. He then went to Pueblo, Colorado, where he was in charge of the St. Boniface church for four years. In 1904 he arrived in Burlington to become pastor of St. John's Catholic church, but when two years had passed, or in 1906, he returned to Kansas and again assumed charge of the St. Louis parish. He made this change on account of his health and remained in that state until Sep- tember 3, 1912, when he returned to Burlington and again became pastor of St. John's church with supervision over the large parish school conducted in connection therewith.
St. John's church was founded when, in 1854, the German Cath- olics of Burlington separated from St. Paul's church. The Rev. J. G. Reffe was made the first pastor and so continued for ten years. The church started with seventy-five families and a house of wor- ship was erected on South Hill, near Division street, the Rev. A. Hattenberger and Rev. M. Lentner finishing the little brick edifice
REV. P. BENNO
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with basement at the northeast corner of Seventh street and Maiden Lane in 1857. The following year a parish school was organized, the Rev. M. Michaels teaching the pupils in the church. Rev. C. Exel became pastor of the church and so continued until 1870. In that year the Rev. Herderer took charge and built a two story frame school building, two lay teachers being engaged for instruction. In 1871 Rev. J. B. Fendrich undertook the task of erecting a large brick school building north of the church, which work was completed in three years, with the Sisters of Mercy in charge as teachers of two hundred children. In 1876 the Jesuit Fathers from Buffalo took charge of the parish with the Rev. Joseph Hieber, S. J., as pastor. During his connection with the church a new building was purchased on the southwest corner of Seventh and Division streets for seven thousand five hundred dollars, to be used as a parish house. In 1878 Father William Becker built an addition to the house, which was later sold to the parish for twenty-five hundred dollars, and he also purchased twenty acres on Prospect Hill for a cemetery called Sacred Heart cemetery. In 1880 Father Nicol Greisch, S. J., took charge and began the work of making a collection for the new church prop- erty. The Hendrie property, at the corner of Eighth and Division streets, was purchased for ten thousand dollars. About the same time the Franciscan Sisters came to Burlington and began a hospital on the land which had been acquired for the church site. The new church was begun in 1882 and the cornerstone was laid in the spring of 1883. The work was steadily carried forward until the church was completed and in August, 1885, Henry Stensbeck gave to the church three large bells costing one thousand dollars. In turn the pastorate, following Father Greisch, was filled by Father Joseph Kreusch, S. J., Father Joseph Hieber, S. J., and Father Alois Sutter, S. J. In May, 1890, after completing the contract the Jesuit Fathers removed to Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, and the Benedictine Fathers, of Atchi- son, Kansas, took charge with Rev. P. Timothy Luber, O. S. B., as pastor and P. John Stader as assistant. During the pastorate of the Rev. Gregory, O. S. B., in 1891 eighteen hundred dollars was col- lected for a new high altar. In 1895 Father Hilary became assistant pastor and collected eleven hundred dollars for side altars and also most of the money for a new organ, which was installed in June, 1898. Following the death of Father Timothy in 1901, P. Alphonse became pastor and remained in charge until the 4th of July, 1904, when he was succeeded by Father Benno. In the meantime a new Sisters' house and school building was erected. The school is a large fine brick structure thoroughly equipped with every modern convenience. Vol. TI-14
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Liberal donations to the church and school work have been made by different church sodalities and other organizations as well as by pri- vate subscription. The school includes the eight grades of work together with a business course.
Father Thomas Burke, O. S. B., served for about two years as pastor of the church, with P. Hilary as assistant, and in 1912 Father Benno was reappointed. The work of the church is thoroughly organized and during the year 1913 the church debt of thirteen thou- sand eight hundred and forty-nine dollars was reduced five thousand dollars. Today there are three hundred and fifty families in the parish and two hundred and twenty-five pupils in the school, and both church and school work are making steady progress.
LINCOLN C. HALL, D. D. S.
Dr. Lincoln C. Hall, an alumnus of the Iowa State University, has practiced continuously in Burlington since his graduation in the class of 1891. He was born in Des Moines county, June 8, 1857, a son of Oliver and Marietta (Whittaker) Hall. The father's birth occurred near Albany, New York, and his father, Gideon Hall, was likewise a native of the Empire state. The great-grandfather of Dr. Hall was a native of England and crossed the Atlantic in 1745, settling in Connecticut. He served as a magistrate under appoint- ment of the king and in later generations other representatives of the family have taken a prominent part in the public affairs of the communities in which they have lived.
Oliver Hall continued his residence in New York until 1838, when he emigrated westward with Burlington as his destination. He found here a little hamlet upon the river bank, giving but slight promise of future growth. Something of the primitive conditions of the times is indicated in the fact that he was able to secure gov- ernment land and entered a claim in Franklin township. As the years passed the evidence of pioneer life gave way before an advanc- ing civilization and Mr. Hall bore his part in promoting the work of general progress and improvement. He had been a resident of Des Moines county for about six years when his father, Gideon Hall, joined him in Iowa and here lived from 1844 until his death. The old gun which Oliver Hall brought to this state is now in possession of Dr. Hall. The family made the westward journey partly by boat after the primitive manner of travel in those times. For a half
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century Oliver Hall continued a resident of Des Moines county and was numbered among the prominent and valued citizens of his sec- tion of the state. It was in Bennington, Vermont, in 1838, that he was united in marriage to Miss Marietta Whittaker, a daughter of Ezra D. Whittaker, a native of Massachusetts and a representative of one of the old New England families. Mr. Whittaker devoted his life to the banking business. Following the celebration of their mar- riage the wedding trip of Mr. and Mrs. Oliver Hall consisted of their journey to lowa and with every phase of pioneer life in Des Moines county they became familiar, sharing in all of the hardships and privations incident to settlement upon the frontier and doing everything in their power to advance public progress. Mr. Hall was a surveyor as well as farmer and at one time filled the office of county surveyor of Des Moines county and laid off much of the county, his original surveys being still in use. In June, 1886, he was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife and on the 25th of April, 1888, he passed away after a half century's residence in lowa.
Dr. Hall acquired a public-school education which he supple- mented by attending college at Mount Pleasant. He then entered the State University of Iowa in preparation for a professional career and became a student in the dental department, completing his course with the class of 1891. He then returned to Burlington for practice and has here since remained, covering a period of about twenty-four years. He was not long in demonstrating his ability and his success from the beginning has been continuous. Keeping in touch with the trend of modern thought along the line of dental surgery, he now uses the latest improved instruments and dental appliances and has a well equipped office, while the latest scientific methods of practice find expression in his work.
In 1884 Dr. Hall was united in marriage to Miss Ella Atchison, of Burlington, a daughter of John and Lucinda Atchison, who were pioneer settlers of this county. The father was a farmer and car- penter, being thus identified with both agricultural and industrial pursuits for a long period, but he has now passed away. Dr. Hall lost his wife in 1907 and of their five children the eldest is also de- ceased. This was Cecil, who was drowned June 13, 1904. The others are Harry A., now living in Los Angeles, California; Charles M., who is pursuing a course in civil engineering in the State University of Illinois ; and Margaret and William H., both at home.
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