USA > Iowa > Des Moines County > History of Des Moines County, Iowa, Volume II > Part 26
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
.
308
HISTORY OF DES MOINES COUNTY
to the Burlington Bar Association and also to the Iowa State Bar Association.
On October 14, 1885, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Cooper and Miss Matilda E. Teuscher of Burlington. In politics he is inde- pendent, nor has he ever been an office seeker, although he served as United States circuit court commissioner until the office was abol- ished. Something of the nature of his recreation is indicated by the fact that he is a member of the Golf Club. He belongs also to the Masonic fraternity, is a past master of Malta Lodge, No. 318, A. F. & A. M., has attained the Knight Templar degree in the York Rite, the thirty-second degree in the Scottish Rite and is a member of the Mystic Shrine. In his church affiliations Mr. Cooper is an Epis- copalian. He has served as vestryman almost continuously since 1887 and has been treasurer of the church for the last ten years.
MERRILL LEEBRICK WOOTTEN, D. V. S.
Dr. Merrill Leebrick Wootten, a prominent and successful vet- erinary surgeon practicing in Burlington and through the surround- ing country, was born in the city where he still resides in April, 1884, his parents being James T. and Josephine (Worrell) Wootten, of whom mention is made elsewhere in this volume. He acquired his education in the public schools near his father's home and being a lover of fine horses from his early boyhood, it was but natural that he should take up the study of veterinary surgery. With the intention of making the practice his life work he entered the Veterinary Col- lege of Chicago, from which he was graduated in the class of 1909. He first practiced for two years in Brighton, Iowa, and in October, 1912, returned to his birthplace, where he has since been engaged in his chosen profession. He has a large and growing practice and is highly thought of as a business and professional man. He keeps in touch with the advanced thought and investigations of veterinary science and his efforts have been attended by a remarkable degree of success. He learned the trade of harness-making in early life but his natural tendency was manifest in his love for and care of horses and this naturally led him to take up the profession in which he has ' excelled.
In politics Dr. Wootten has always been a stanch republican, giv- ing earnest and unfaltering support to the principles of the party. He is also an Odd Fellow, belonging to Washington Lodge, and he
309
HISTORY OF DES MOINES COUNTY
is widely known in this connection. Practically his entire life has been passed in Burlington, and he has a circle of friends almost coex- tensive with the circle of his acquaintance.
HON. THOMAS G. HARPER.
At the bar of Burlington Hon. Thomas G. Harper has gained distinction. He is well known as a writer and perhaps even better known because of his public service as a member of the upper house of the general assembly and his close identification with various movements looking toward the welfare and upbuilding of the com- monwealth. Far-sighted, sagacious, level-headed and public-spir- ited, there has been no question as to the intrinsic value and worth of his efforts for the public good.
Mr. Harper was born in Greene county, Ohio, on the 13th of January, 1853, a son of Parker B. and Nancy (Grieve) Harper, the former a contractor and builder, who in the year 1857 removed with his family to Mercer county, Illinois, where he resided until 1861 and then went to Monmouth, Illinois. At the time of the Civil war he was commissioned captain by Governor Yates and was put in charge of a construction crew. He built the bridge over the Ten- nessee river at Chattanooga after the battle of Lookout Mountain and throughout the remainder of the war was with the command of General Thomas doing construction work. When hostilities were over he returned to his home in Monmouth, Illinois, where he re- mained until his death. His son, Robert M. Harper, was a soldier of the Seventeenth Illinois Infantry and was killed at the battle of Pittsburg Landing.
Thomas G. Harper acquired a public-school education and also attended the academy at Xenia, Ohio. He determined upon a pro- fessional career and, thinking to find the practice of law congenial, he began reading under the direction of Judge William C. Norcross at Monmouth, Illinois, and was admitted to the bar at Mount Vernon, that state, in November, 1880. He then located for practice at Rose- ville, Illinois, where he remained until 1883, when he came to Bur- lington, Iowa, as attorney for the Burlington Insurance Company, which he thus represented for thirteen years. On the expiration of that period he was elected to the Iowa senate and served through the twenty-fifth and twenty-sixth general assemblies and through the special session of the twenty-sixth. He was connected with much
310
HISTORY OF DES MOINES COUNTY
important constructive legislation and he gave most careful con- sideration to every question that came up for settlement. He was instrumental in holding the semi-centennial of Iowa at Burlington and he secured the passage of a number of bills aiding in the con- struction of Crapo Park. His influence and his efforts were ever on the side of progress and improvement and he left the impress of his individuality for good upon the laws enacted during his connection with the senate.
Upon his retirement from the general assembly Mr. Harper opened a law office in Burlington, where he has since engaged in gen- eral practice. He has a keen, rapid, logical mind plus the business sense, and a ready capacity for hard work. An excellent presence, an earnest, dignified manner, marked strength of character, a thor- ough grasp of the law, and the ability to accurately apply its prin- ciples are factors in his effectiveness as an advocate. In following his profession he has practiced for individuals and not for corpora- tions. He is national attorney for the Chicago School of Naprapathy, a system of treatment which attributes all disease to disorders in the ligaments and connective tissue, whereby healing is effected through manipulation of the flesh. He has never lost a case in defending his clients of that school.
While enjoying a large and distinctively representative clientage that makes heavy demands upon his time and energies, Mr. Harper, nevertheless, finds opportunity to cooperate in public movements and his service has been of inestimable value along many lines. Ever a friend of the public-school system, he did active work in its behalf during three years' connection with the board of education. He served for nine years as president of the Iowa State Good Roads Committee and has long been interested and active in furthering the movement for the establishment of an adequate system of fine public highways. He was sent as the Iowa delegate to Washington to a meeting composed of delegates from all the states to aid in securing the passage of the Latimer-Brown bill asking for an appropriation of twenty million dollars to be distributed among the various states for the development of good roads. Of that committee Mr. Harper was elected chairman. He succeeded in having the bill introduced, but the law was never passed. His political allegiance has always been given to the democratic party.
Mr. Harper has two daughters: Mrs. Beryl L. Burg, the wife of Herbert E. Burg, of Burlington ; and Edna Helen, at home. The latter is a graduate of the State University and was given a life teacher's certificate, but has never engaged in teaching. Mr. Harper
311
HISTORY OF DES MOINES COUNTY
belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Ancient Order of United Workmen and has been grand master of the latter, while at the present time he is the sitting past grand master. He is also connected with the Maccabees and the Woodmen of the World. He is not identified with any church, but is a worker for good, and is a writer of note on religious and other subjects. Nature endowed him with keen mentality and his mental powers have been used not only in the solution of intricate legal problems but also in solving questions which have to do with the welfare and progress of city, county, state and nation. His life's activities have been far-reaching in their interests and purposes and his service has been one of benefit and value to his fellowmen.
A. J. BENNER.
A. J. Benner is president of the Benner Tea Company, one of the important business concerns of Burlington. He was born in Pella, Iowa, June 18, 1869, and the following year was brought by his parents to this city, where at the usual age he became a pupil in the public schools and supplemented the training therein received by a year's study in Elliott's Business College. He left school when fif- teen years of age and received practical training in commercial methods as an employe in a dry-goods store. He secured a situation with the firm of Boesch & Company and it was while with that house that he pursued his commercial course in Elliott's Business College. For fifteen and a half years he remained with the firm of Boesch & Company, advancing step by step as his powers developed and he proved his capability and trustworthiness. It was with deep regret on the part of his employers that he severed his connection with the business, but he was desirous of engaging in business on his own ac- count and entered into active connection with the tea trade as a stock- holder in what is now the Benner Tea Company.
This business was founded about thirty years ago by Otto Lorenz and was conducted under the name of Latona Mills. In 1899 Mr. Benner purchased the interest of Mr. Lorenz in the business, which was reorganized under the name of the Home Tea Company. In 1908 the business was incorporated and became the Benner Tea Com- pany, with A. J. Benner as president; W. F. Rensch, of Waterloo, Iowa, as vice president; and P. G. Benner as secretary. Theirs is one of the important industries of this character in the state. The
312
HISTORY OF DES MOINES COUNTY
home office has always been maintained at Burlington but they now have branch establishments in Keokuk, Ottumwa, Waterloo and Cedar Rapids in order to facilitate rapid delivery and bring the source of supply in closer touch with the demand. The house han- dles tea, coffee, spices and baking powder. They buy in car load lots. They have a roasting plant in Burlington and make this their dis- tributing center. As the years have gone on, the business has steadily increased and the trade now covers a wide territory, for the house has an unassailable reputation for reliability and promptness as well as for the excellence of the goods handled.
Mr. Benner was united in marriage to Miss Gertrude N. Smith, of Burlington, who acquired her education in the schools of this city and at Nauvoo, Illinois, where she was graduated from the high school. Three children have been born unto them: Lauren, nine- teen years of age, who has completed the high-school course and is now attending Ames College; Gertrude, sixteen years of age, a high- school pupil; and Florence, aged thirteen, also in school.
Mr. Benner is well known in Masonic circles and has attained the Knight Templar degree in St. Omar Commandery. He is also identified with the Woodmen of the World. His political belief is that of the republican party and his religious faith that of the Pres- byterian church. He was very active in the work of securing the building for the Young Men's Christian Association and is now serv- ing on its board of directors. He belongs to the Crystal Lake Fish- ing Club and takes an active interest in athletics. He is also presi- dent of the Automobile Club. His is a well rounded character in which the activities and interests of life are evenly balanced. In matters of citizenship he is never remiss but cooperates in all plans and projects for the general good and his worth is widely acknowl- edged in many relations.
EDWARD HAGEMANN.
Edward Hagemann, dean among Burlington's bankers, has been associated with the Iowa State Savings Bank since its organization. Honored and respected by all, there is no man who occupies a more enviable position in business circles of Burlington, not alone by reason of the success which he has achieved but also owing to the straightforward and reliable business methods which he has ever
EDWARD HAGEMANN
313
HISTORY OF DES MOINES COUNTY
followed-methods which at all times would bear the closest inves- tigation and scrutiny.
Mr. Hagemann was born in Germany, in 1830, and spent the period of his minority in the fatherland, coming to the United States in 1853. He made his way first to Chicago, where he remained for two years, and in 1855 came to Burlington. With the development, upbuilding and progress of the city he has since been continuously connected and has done not a little toward molding public policy and advancing public interests here. In the period of his early resi- dence he located various land warrants through Iowa for a Balti- more firm and he also engaged in clerking in Burlington stores. Gradually he advanced, working his way steadily upward and gain- ing recognition by his close application, his unfaltering industry and the ability which he displayed. In 1865 he embarked in the whole- sale grocery business in partnership with Charles Starker and for ten years concentrated his attention upon the development and exten- sion of the trade, theirs becoming one of the important commercial enterprises of the city. In 1875 he retired from the grocery busi- ness and has since been a leading factor in financial circles in Bur- lington.
, In August, 1874, the Iowa State Savings Bank was established by E. D. Rand, J. C. Peasley, Charles Starker and E. Hagemann, Mr. Starker becoming the president. The institution was organized as a state bank, capitalized for one hundred thousand dollars, and was located at Main and Market streets in a brick building. Subse- quently a removal was made to the corner of Main and Valley streets, occupying space in the Odd Fellows building. In June, 1904, their location was changed to the corner of Third and Jefferson streets and in 1913 the present eight-story business block owned by the bank was erected. This is the largest bank of Burlington and is regarded as one of the most safe and reliable in all the Mississippi valley. At the outset its promoters recognized the fact that that bank is most worthy of patronage which most carefully safeguards the interests of its depositors. Progressiveness has ever been tempered by con- servatism, an even balance being maintained between the two. The bank has enjoyed a steady, healthful growth until its business now exceeds that of any other banking institution of the city. Mr. Hage- mann has been continuously connected with the active management since 1875. He was chosen a director on the organization, was after- ward vice president and in 1898 was elected to the presidency, in which connection he still continues, and the success of the institution is in large measure the expression of his business ability, enterprise, Vol II-17
316
HISTORY OF DES MOINES COUNTY
sound judgment and his ready understanding of intricate financial problems.
Mr. Hagemann was married in 1853 to Miss Katherine Bach- mann, of Germany, and the only child of that marriage, like the mother, is deceased. Mr. Hagemann afterward wedded Mrs. Emma Meyer, of Burlington, who has also passed away. His polit- ical allegiance has always been given to the republican party and his efforts have furthered public progress along many lines relating to the material development of the city, to its substantial improve- ment and to its civic progress.
WILLIAM B. KELLEY.
William B. Kelley has the distinction of having been among the first boys admitted to the Burlington high school. He started out in the business world as an office boy and has advanced steadily until he now occupies the responsible position of manager of the Bur- lington office for the Bradstreet Company.
Mr. Kelley was born in this city, September 23, 1850, a son of George W. and Margaret (King) Kelley, the former a native of Kentucky, while the latter was a daughter of William B. King, a native of Virginia, from which state he removed to St. Louis at an early day. The parents of William B. Kelley met and were married in St. Louis and thence made the river trip to Burlington, Iowa, in 1835, this being their wedding journey. They found a tiny village bearing no resemblance to the metropolitan center known today. The father opened a general store which he conducted for several years or until his stock was destroyed by fire. He built one of the first substantial houses on top of the hill on North Main street, using black walnut in its construction, and this dwelling is still standing. In the early days that locality was known as "Kelley's Hill." In 1851, attracted by the discovery of gold in California and by business op- portunities which in consequence were afforded there, he made his way to the Pacific coast, where he died of fever in 1863. His wife passed away in 1893, in Burlington, where she had remained with her children while her husband went to the coast in search of for- tune. In the family were four children : Mary J., who is the widow of P. K. Wilson and makes her home in Burlington; George E., who died in 1903; Margaret, at home; and William B. Mrs. Wilson has a daughter, Gertrude, and all of the family live together.
317
HISTORY OF DES MOINES COUNTY
William B. Kelley acquired a public-school education and, pass- ing through consecutive grades, was qualified to enter the Burling- ton high school at the time it was established, being among the first boys admitted thereto. When his text-books were put aside he started out in the business world on his own account, securing a situation as office boy in the wholesale hat and cap house of H. S. Phillips. Afterward he was with the firm of Phillips & Hawkins, wholesale dealers in hats and caps, and subsequently was connected with various lines of business. In 1879 he began work for the Bradstreet Com- pany, with which he remained for eight years. He was afterward in other connections until 1899 and then again joined the Bradstreet Company, with which he has now been associated for fifteen years. In 1902 he was made manager of the Burlington office and so con- tinues, having in this capacity supervision over twenty surrounding counties.
Mr. Kelley is a member of the Commercial Exchange and co- operates in all of its plans and projects for the upbuilding and devel- opment of the city along business lines. His political indorsement is given the republican party and he has ever been interested in its success but not as an office seeker. He represents one of the oldest families of the city and has himself been a witness of its progress and development through sixty-four years, so that his memory forms a connecting link between the primitive past and the progressive present.
E. FRY.
E. Fry is one of the wide-awake, progressive and successful mer- chants of Mediapolis. He has been identified with business interests here from pioneer times and is now enjoying an excellent patronage as a furniture dealer and undertaker. He was born in York county, Pennsylvania, on the 3d of September, 1847, and is a son of George and Sarah (Wolever) Fry, who were also natives of the same locality and there spent their entire lives upon a farm. In their family were eleven children, of whom E. Fry was the tenth in order of birth, and four of the number are yet living.
Through the period of his boyhood and youth E. Fry remained at his parents' home in the east, acquiring his education in the public schools and performing such tasks as were assigned him by parental authority. The opportunities of the growing middle west attracted
318
HISTORY OF DES MOINES COUNTY
him, however, and on the 7th of March, 1867, when he was in the twentieth year of his age, he came to Iowa. After spending three years in Burlington he removed to Mediapolis, where he has since made his home. He had followed farming before coming here and subsequent to his arrival in this state he learned the carpenter's trade, eventually conducting business as a contractor, his work taking him to various sections of the county. Thirty-three years ago he entered the furniture and undertaking business, purchasing a half interest in the furniture store of Dan Kelley, after which the business was con- ducted under the firm style of Fry & Kelley, for thirteen years. Their stock included hardware and furniture and at the end of that time Mr. Kelley took over the hardware business and Mr. Fry remained proprietor of the furniture store, which he conducted alone until he admitted his son to a partnership under the present firm name of E. Fry & Son. He erected the present store building, which is one of the best in the town-a two story brick structure with basement ninety-six by thirty-six feet. There is also a warehouse across the alley twenty-six by sixty feet. He occupies the entire building with a stock of furniture, chinaware and undertaking goods. His estab- lishment has the reputation of being the best store in the state outside of the larger cities. He carries an attractive line of goods and his patrons are many. He has ever been thoroughly reliable in his deal- ings, the house sustaining an unassailable reputation for business integrity as well as enterprise. Mr. Fry also owns one hundred and twenty acres of land two miles north of Yarmouth. In Mediapolis he has erected a good home and made many other improvements upon the property where he resides. There were only two dwellings in Mediapolis and one store when he took up his abode here, and he has lived to see the little hamlet become a flourishing, enterprising town with many evidences of the progressive spirit of its leading citizens.
In Burlington, on the 30th of June, 1869, Mr. Fry was united in marriage to Miss Hannah Messenger, who was born in Chenango county, New York, January 18, 1848, a daughter of Samuel and Eunice (Miner) Messenger, natives of New York and Connecticut respectively. The father died in the Empire state in 1861 and the mother afterward removed with her family to Yellow Springs, Iowa, in 1862. Here her remaining days were passed, her death occurring in 1881. Mr. and Mrs. Fry have become parents of four children : Lulu, the wife of the Rev. W. H. McDonald, a minister of the Methodist Episcopal church in Illinois, by whom she has three chil- dren, Foss, Joyce and Ruth; Arthur Charles, who is in partnership with his father; Willard, who died at the age of two years; and
319
HISTORY OF DES MOINES COUNTY
Clarence Dale, at home. He is married and has one child, Howard. Arthur Charles Fry wedded Bessie Statham and has four children, Paul, Harriet, Lawrence and Doris.
Mr. Fry gives his political allegiance to the republican party, which he has supported since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity and exemplifies in his life the beneficent spirit of the craft. He is also a member of the Presbyterian church and the consensus of public opinion ranks him as an honorable and upright man, worthy of high regard because of an active and well spent life. He has been deeply interested in the upbuilding of the community in which he makes his home and has contributed in large measure to its progress and development.
JOHN. A. GREGG.
John A. Gregg is well known in commercial circles of Iowa be- cause of the long period which he has spent as a traveling salesman. He still devotes five months of the year to the road and since 1894 has also conducted an office in Burlington, where he represents ten manufacturers of hardware, selling to the jobbing trade. Through- out the entire period of his business career he has been connected with hardware houses and there is no feature of the business that is not familiar to him. He was born in Burlington on the 24th of April, 1857, and is a son of Samuel and Barbara (Ramsey) Gregg. The father was a native of Ireland and with his parents came to the new world, the family home being established in Nova Scotia. Later he crossed the border that divides Canada and the United States and made his way to Washington, D. C., where he conducted business as a contractor. In 1855 he arrived in Burlington and purchased a farm at the head of Flint Hills, devoting several years there to gen- eral agricultural pursuits. In 1859, however, he returned to Wash- ington and continued to make his home in the capital city until his death.
John A. Gregg remained in Burlington with an aunt and was reared in her home. Her husband was John H. Armstrong, who came to Burlington in the early '30s and was an active business man of the city in pioneer times. John A. Gregg attended the public schools to the age of fourteen years, and then started out in the busi- ness world to earn his own living, becoming an employe in the whole- sale house of Donahue & McCosh, wholesale hardware dealers. He
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.