USA > Iowa > Des Moines County > History of Des Moines County, Iowa, Volume II > Part 38
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Something of the development of the business may be indicated in the fact that the sales originally amounted to about fifteen thousand dollars annually but now bring in a return of nearly two million dol- lars. The growth has been continuous and substantial and the house enjoys a most enviable reputation among its customers and among the manufacturers from whom they purchase goods not made in the Burlington plant. Each department has at its head a member of the company who is especially interested in that line and there is a friendly rivalry to see who can make the best showing. They issue a catalogue of about seven hundred pages, ten by fourteen inches, in which are shown the most complete and best selling lines of goods that can possibly be brought together by men of long experience in manufacturing and buying with the advantage of ample capital and an enormous outlet for goods. Their motto has ever been "the best goods for the money." The company manufactures an exceedingly tasteful and well made line of upholstered goods, for which they have won an enviable reputation. No factory in the country can excel their mattress department, for the building has been especially designed for the purpose for which it is used and is perfect in its convenience and sanitary arrangements. Carrying an immense stock on hand, the company is ready to meet any order at almost a mo- ment's notice. Within twenty-four hours after an order is received shipment is ofttimes made. The house is today recognized as the world's largest furniture distributors. The plant covers a large acre- age and most of the buildings are five stories in height. They have an extensive selling force and they employ skilled and competent workmen, while each department is under the care of capable man-
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agers. At the head of the credit department is R. J. Cowles; of the mail order department, C. J. Schenck ; of the chair department, E. G. Disque; of the sales department, W. H. Plock; of the upholstery and mattress department, H. C. Jordan and C. A. Duffy. The officers of the company are : H. W. Chittenden, president; E. P. Eastman, vice president; W. B. Eaton, secretary; R. S. Schramm, treasurer; and H. Roberts, auditor.
Aside from his connection with commercial activities of Burling- ton as head of the Chittenden-Eastman Company Mr. Chittenden is interested in several wholesale houses, also in the water company and in various banks. In fact, he is one of the most prominent busi- ness men of the city.
In 1881 Mr. Chittenden was married to Miss Caroline Sherfey, of Burlington, a daughter of J. M. Sherfey and a granddaughter of E. D. Rand, who was one of the oldest settlers and most prominent citizens here. Mr. and Mrs. Chittenden have become the parents of four sons and a daughter: Abram B., who is now associated in busi- ness with his father; Mary; Herbert S .; Henry W .; and Talcott Bates.
Mr. Chittenden is a member of the Golf Club, the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and of the Commercial Club. In politics he is a republican, but his interest in political affairs is manifested only in his familiarity with the leading issues and his indorsement of the same at the polls. It can be readily seen that his time has been fully taken up with the direction of the mammoth concern of which he is now at the head and which is known as one of the most impor- tant productive industries of the state. Through its development he has largely promoted the material prosperity of Burlington, furnish- ing employment to many, and the policy which he pursues toward employes and patrons has largely made this a model establishment.
GEORGE C. HENRY.
Among Burlington's prominent citizens is George C. Henry, a leading druggist and capitalist and a well known figure in political and in boating circles. As indicated, his interests have been wide and varied, and he is a splendid representative of American man- hood and chivalry. He was born on the Ist of August, 1851, in the city where he still resides, a son of Dr. Greenbury and Kate (Cham- bers) Henry. The father was a son of Dr. John Flournoy and Lucy
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Stringer (Ridgely) Henry, who were married in Kentucky on the ist of January, 1828. Dr. John F. Henry served as a surgeon in the War of 1812 under Colonel Boswell, of Kentucky, and won distinction not only in military, but also in political, circles and left the impress of his individuality upon the progress and development of two states. Ere leaving Kentucky he was elected a member of Congress from Christian county in 1827 and was connected with the constructive legislation of that period. In the early '4os he came to Burlington and opened an office, continuing in the practice of his chosen profession in this city until his death.
His son, Dr. Greenbury Henry, followed in the footsteps of his father, whether influenced thereto by natural predilection, environ- ment or inherited tendency it is difficult to say, but at all events his choice of a profession was a wise one as he came to rank among the leading physicians of the city. He was graduated from the Uni- versity Medical College at Louisville, Kentucky, with the class of 1$49. On the 16th of October of the following year he was married and established his home in Burlington, where he continued active in the practice of medicine to the time of his death, which occurred on the 14th of May, 1885. Endowed by nature with keen mentality, he used his talents wisely and well and won a place in the foremost ranks of his profession.
Well descended and well bred, the opportunities afforded George C. Henry were such as have called forth his native talents and powers. He is an alumnus of the University of Michigan, having been there graduated in 1874 on the completion of the pharmaceutical course, whereby he gained the Ph. G. degree. Returning to Burlington, he has since been identified with the drug business and occupies a posi- tion of prominence in this connection. However, he now devotes much time to travel and has made various transcontinental and trans- atlantic trips, in fact he has made a tour around the world, visiting many points of modern, historic and scenic interest in Asia as well as in Europe, gaining thereby the broad experience and liberal culture which only travel can bring.
On the 5th of April, 1899, Mr. Henry was married to Mrs. Eliza- beth Hunt (Selden) Ensley, of Memphis, Tennessee, who by her former marriage had two children. Mr. Henry is well known in social, military and political circles. He served as colonel on the staff of the Iowa governor during the period of the Spanish-American war and was a lieutenant in the Fourth and Second Army Corps until the close of hostilities. He holds many medals won in the Burlington Boating Association contests, and he gives his political allegiance to
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the democratic party. He is typically American in his interests, his activities and in his progressive spirit. While necessity does not press him to that strenuous activity in business which actuates many men, he is constantly on the alert to accomplish some purpose and carries forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes.
JOHN LAHEE.
Those qualities which in every land and every clime awaken con- fidence and respect found expression in the life of John Lahee, a man of many sterling traits of character. He held to high ideals and guided his actions by honorable purpose and thus when death called him he left behind him a memory that should serve as an inspiration to his family and all who knew him.
A native of New York, he was born at Martinsburg, Lewis county, May 7, 1820, and was of Scotch-Irish descent. His father, Timothy Lahee, was born in the northern part of Ireland in 1795 and came to the new world as a British soldier during the War of 1812. He became interested in America and her people, however, and con- tinued on this side of the Atlantic, remaining in the Empire state until his death. He there married Catherine Buck, who was born in 1796 and passed away in 1846. She was the eldest daughter of Elijah Buck, a farmer of Lewis county, New York, and descended from Dutch ancestors who settled in Washington county, New York, prior to the Revolutionary war. His father, Elijah Buck, Sr., was once the owner of the township of Harrisburg, Lewis county, which he named in honor of his friend, Governor Harris, of New York.
John Lahee pursued his education in the schools of Martins- burg and in Yale Academy and later became a law student in the office of D. M. Bennett, of Martinsburg, thus qualifying for the practice of law, upon which he entered at Rome, New York, in 1849. He built up a good practice during several years of his connection with the profession there, but on the 19th of December, 1852, he ar- rived in Burlington, having come to the west through the influence of a relative who was superintendent of the Wells Fargo stage lines and post routes between Burlington and the Missouri river. Mr. Lahee began dealing in real estate and in 1854 entered into partnership with W. R. Brown. Their business prospered because of the rapid growth of the town, owing to the construction of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railway. In 1858, however, owing to the great financial
JOHN LAHEE
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panic of the previous year, land began to depreciate in value and at that time Mr. Lahee accepted the agency for the Continental Insur- ance Company of New York, the first company from that state to operate in Burlington. Although he still continued to give some attention to the real estate and loan business, he concentrated his efforts and energies more and more largely upon insurance and in 1868 he was one of the organizers of The Republic Insurance Com- pany of Chicago, of which he was a prominent stockholder, and was one of its most earnest promoters. The business was successfully conducted until the great Chicago fire in 1871. He was in partner- ship with the late Judge Phelps from 1871 to 1875 and during that period promoted, organized and was the first stockholder of the Ger- man-American Savings Bank of Burlington, of which he was made assistant cashier and one of the directors. He contributed much toward the establishment of the bank upon a safe and substantial basis and remained in the office for two years. He was an expert on real-estate values and a good judge of human nature, and the bank never had to call in a single loan that he passed upon favor- ably. In matters of citizenship he stood at all times for progress and advancement and during the period of the Civil war proved his loyalty to the country by assisting W. D. Gilbert in equipping an artillery company known as the Fletcher or First Iowa Battery, which did notable service on southern battlefields, especially at Pea Ridge.
Mr. Lahee was always greatly interested in the political questions and issues of the day and in early life gave his allegiance to the dem- ocratic party. In 1840 the writings of Horace Greeley, editor of the New York Tribune, converted him to the political creed of the whig party and upon its dissolution and the formation of the new republican party he joined its ranks and was a delegate from Des Moines county to the first republican convention held in Iowa, the meeting taking place at Iowa City in 1854. Upon the organization of the party in the state in 1856 he was chosen a member of the con- gressional committee from the first district, at once assuming a posi- tion of leadership in partisan councils. He gave the most earnest effort and thought to the cause and contributed much to its growth. In 1860 he was elected clerk of the district court of Des Moines county, being the first republican in this county elected to any office. In this connection a contemporary writer has said: "His interest in the workings of practical politics continued for a long period, and he lived to serve the party over whose infancy he had watched in many a convention hall and post of honor. He was a man of strong
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and determined character, frank, open and above board as far as is consistent with the care of complicated and delicate interests, and commanded universal admiration, while the cordiality and amiabil- ity of his disposition won him the friendship of the majority of those with whom he was personally acquainted."
On the 6th of December, 1856, Mr. Lahee wedded Miss Ellen F. House, of Rome, New York, whose grandfather was one of the Life Guards of General Washington. Mrs. Lahee was educated at Miss Willard's Academy at Utica, New York, and the Troy Female Seminary of Troy, New York. Four children were born to this marriage, John Stillman and Effie Frances, a graduate of Vassar College, being the surviving members of the family. The death of the mother occurred July 7, 1908, while Mr. Lahee passed away October 2, 1900. As one of the pioneer residents of the city, he had contributed largely to its upbuilding and development, wisely utilizing his time, talents and opportunities, and thus he won a sub- stantial measure of success. Never did he sacrifice honor and good name to the attainment of a competence, and his record is indeed one well worthy of emulation.
F. BELL HUNT.
F. Bell Hunt, who is the proprietor of The Feed Yard, Burling- ton, has been a resident of the city since 1913 but for many years before was actively identified with agricultural interests in this county and is a representative of one of its pioneer families.
Mr. Hunt was born in Burlington, March 15, 1860, a son of Wil- liam Claybourne Hunt, whose birth occurred in Bond county, Illi- nois, on the 27th of June, 1818. The father came to Burlington in 1833, being one of the first residents here, there being only two log cabins on the site of the present city at the time of his arrival. Iowa was not organized as a territory at that time and the most farsighted could not have dreamed of the changes which would be wrought, making this one of the leading cities of a great state. He purchased a farm of one hundred and sixty-three acres and with characteristic energy began to break the sod and till the fields, living upon that place until 1901, when he sold his property and removed to Burling- ton. He died in January, 1911, at the venerable age of ninety-two years. In early manhood he had wedded Ann Smith, who was born in Lincolnshire, England, in 1820 and was thirteen years of age when
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she came to the United States with her parents, who settled near Bur- lington, where they owned a large farm, a part of which is still the property of F. Bell Hunt. The mother also reached the very ad- vanced age of ninety-two years, passing away in July, 1913. In the family were eight children, five of whom survive: William A., a resident of Burlington; Mattie and Charles C., who live in Cuba, Illinois; John, a dentist residing in Mount Pleasant, Iowa; and F. Bell of this review. There are few families in the county that have been so long connected with the development of this section of the state. The father was personally acquainted with Black Hawk and Keokuk, two of the most famous Indian chiefs residing in the middle west. He lived to witness remarkable changes, for the Indians ceased to be the occupants of the country and their wigwams were replaced by the cabins of the pioneers. These in turn gave way before the more commodious and substantial but no more hospitable homes of the farmer and townsman as the work of advancement and progress was carried forward.
F. Bell Hunt attended the district school near his father's farm, the little temple of learning having been built on land that belonged to his grandfather, and his father also went to school there. The building was constructed of logs after the primitive manner of the times and its furnishings were equally crude. F. Bell Hunt continued to attend school until about eighteen years of age and his last terms were spent in the old Baptist school. He remained upon the home farm with his father until forty-one years of age, when the property was sold to C. E. Perkins, in whose employ Mr. Hunt remained for six years. In 1913 he came to Burlington and purchased his present business, conducted under the name of The Feed Yard. He is meet- ing with success in this undertaking, having been accorded a liberal patronage.
In October, 1895, Mr. Hunt was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Fullerton, of Burlington, who was educated in the schools of this city while spending her girlhood days in the home of her father, Nixon Fullerton, one of the pioneers of this section of the state. Mr. and Mrs. Hunt have become the parents of three children : Nixon Claybourne, eighteen years of age; Frances Grey, fifteen years of age; and Robert Bell, aged twelve. The two younger children are pupils in the high school of Burlington, while Claybourne is a student in the Episcopal school at Knoxville, Illinois. The parents are mem- bers of the Episcopal church and Mr. Hunt exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the democratic party. He is fond of outdoor sports and takes great delight in a fine saddle
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horse. For almost fifty-five years he has lived in this county and has been an interested witness of the changes which have occurred as time has passed and man has wrought continuously along the lines of devel- opment and improvement.
JOHN M. MERCER.
John M. Mercer, a member of the Des Moines county bar, was born in Kewanee, Illinois, August 28, 1858, and has been a resident of Burlington, Iowa, since May, 1859. He was a pupil in the public schools of Burlington, afterward graduated from Allen's Business College, and became a student of the law in the office of Newman & Blake, then well known attorneys of Burlington. In June, 1880, he graduated with the degree of LL. B. from the law department of the State University of Iowa, and was licensed to practice in the United States district and circuit courts for lowa and the supreme and other courts of the state.
In September, 1880, he established a law office in Burlington and later was associated as partner with Samuel K. Tracy, then general solicitor of the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern Railway Company, and upon the retirement of Mr. Tracy from the partner- ship, he associated George S. Tracy with him, continuing the firm name Tracy & Mercer, as before. In 1891 Mr. Mercer was ap- pointed solicitor for the city, which office he held for two terms with credit to himself and advantage to the city. During this period he made his first oral argument in the supreme court of Iowa, in the Water Works Company case, wherein a decision favorable to the city was handed down. In June, 1904, his son, Herbert M. Mercer, also a graduate of the legal department of the State University of Iowa with degree of LL. B., became associated with him under the style of Mercer & Mercer, which continues. The subject of this sketch has proved himself to be an able lawyer, a wise and careful counselor and a forceful, capable advocate. As attorney and financially he is con- nected with a number of business enterprises.
In paternal and maternal line Mr. Mercer is of Scotch-Irish line- age. His father, William Mercer, was born near Listullycurran, in the parish of Dromore, County Down, Ireland, September 23, 1828, and when a lad of twelve years came to America with his parents, John Mercer, born October 10, 1800, died December 15, 1878, and
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Eliza (Murphy) Mercer, born November 18, 1796, died September 15, 1858, who established their home at Allegheny, Pennsylvania, later removing west to Henry county, Illinois, where they settled upon a farm known as Virginia or Lost Grove, near Kewanee. Wil- liam Mercer learned the painter's trade while in Allegheny. In 1867 he entered the employ of the then Burlington & Missouri River Rail- road Company at Burlington, Iowa. With the exception of about three years spent on the Pacific coast during the gold rush of the '6os he was a resident of Burlington from 1858 until his life labors were ended by death April 4, 1890. By virtue of faithful, intelligent serv- ice he was promoted to the head of the locomotive painting depart- ment at Burlington. He was a member of Washington Lodge, No. I, I. O. O. F., and a past noble grand. His wife's maiden name was Sarah Chambers Miller, and she was born February 3, 1831, near Downpatrick, in County Down, Ireland, and was a maiden of thirteen at the time of coming to the United States. She died at Burlington, April 29, 1909, the mother of eight children. She and her husband held membership in the United Presbyterian church, but in later years they and all of their children, save John M., became members of the Episcopal church.
John M. Mercer was married February 23, 1881, to Jennie M. Bernard, born September 17, 1860, at Burlington where she was reared. She has the distinguished honor of having nine ancestors in direct line of lineage, who served in the war for independence and she and her daughters are members of the Stars and Stripes Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Her father was Cor- nelius Bernard, born July 5, 1804, died July 15, 1887. He was one of the early settlers of Des Moines county, arriving about 1839, and with the passing years he was closely connected with the agricultural and financial development of the community. He aided financially in the development of the street railway system of Burlington and of the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Missouri and Burlington & North Western Railways, leading out of the city to the north and in later vears was a retired capitalist. He was a substantial citizen of the Vermont type and left the impress of his individuality and sterling qualities upon the history of this section of the state. He was twice married, first to Miss Root, and second to Martha M. White, born January 17, 1832, near Grafton, Vermont, died June 8, 1910. Mrs. Mercer was one of her daughters. Mr. and Mrs. John M. Mercer are the parents of three sons and one daughter : Herbert Miller, born December 27, 1881 ; Harry Bernard, born June 6, 1883; Ralph Paul, born November 6, 1884; and Jane Annette, born August 18, 1888.
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Mr. Mercer, the subject of this sketch, gives political allegiance to the democratic party because of a firm belief in its basic principles, and has been an active, effective worker in its highest interests. He has filled public offices as follows : clerk of Burlington township four years; surveyor of customs, port of Burlington, four years during Cleveland's first administration; city clerk, eight years; and city solicitor, two years. He is a member of Iowa Camp, No. 98, Modern Woodmen of America and has repeatedly represented the county camp in the state camp, and the state camp in the national camp. He also has membership with the Royal Neighbors of America and the Fraternal Union of America. He was a charter member of the Elks Lodge No. 84 and was a member of Flint Hills Lodge, No. 39, K. P. He is a member of the Baptist denomination and now and during the past fifteen years has been the moderator of the Burlington Baptist Association. For some twenty years he has been trustee, and for some fifteen years has been a deacon of the Walnut Street Baptist church. For many years he was a trustee and for several years the secretary of the Burlington Institute and a trustee of Des Moines College, and a member of the state board and of various committees of the denom- inational state work. It will thus be seen that his activity has ex- tended along beneficial lines into the political, intellectual and relig- ious fields of activity and his work has been an element for progress in this connection as well as in his profession.
C. F. WEBER.
C. F. Weber is engaged in the wholesale and retail liquor business in Burlington and also is interested in agricultural affairs in this county, owning and cultivating an excellent tract of land not far from the city. He was born in Burlington, June 11, 1864, and was educated in the public schools, but his opportunities in that direction were somewhat limited as he began to earn his own living when but ten years of age. He was first employed in a brickyard, where he spent two years, after which he secured a position at the old wheel factory, where he remained for a number of years, working his way gradually upward as he mastered the tasks intrusted to him and proved his ca- pability to assume added responsibilities and duties. At the end of that time he was employed by the Burlington & Northwestern Rail- road Company, continuing in that service for two and one-half years, and in 1884 he embarked in the liquor business on his own account.
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He has been located at the same place for twenty-six years and he sells both to the wholesale and retail trades, in which connection he has secured a large patronage. He also carries on farming and is the owner of one hundred and seventy-six acres of land near Burlington, north of the city, which is operated on shares. On the place is a fine country residence and stock-raising is made a feature of the business.
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