USA > Iowa > Des Moines County > History of Des Moines County, Iowa, Volume II > Part 39
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Mr. Weber was united in marriage to Miss Ada M. Fishback, of Burlington. They are members of the First Evangelical church and Mr. Weber belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Fraternal Order of Eagles, the Carthage Lake Fishing Club and the Auto Club, associations which indicate much of the nature of his in- terests and his recreation. He has depended upon his own resources from the age of ten years and his success is the direct result of per- sistent, earnest labor carefully directed.
WALTER B. EATON.
With the manufacturing interests of Burlington the name of Walter B. Eaton is now closely associated, for he is secretary of the Chittenden-Eastman Company. He was born in St. Louis, Missouri, July 6, 1863, a son of S. Dwight and Gertrude (Williams) Eaton, who were married in Burlington in the year 1858. The father was a native of Framingham, Massachusetts, and in early life learned civil engineering, which profession he made his life work. He came to Iowa in 1856 and built the Des Moines Valley Railroad. During the period of the Civil war he was in the employ of the government, hav- ing charge of the transportation of troops and superintending the operation of the Ohio & Mississippi Railroad for the government. Following the close of the war he became a large railroad contractor, conducting a most important business of that character.
In 1878 Mr. Eaton came to Burlington and from this point super- intended his business affairs. He was connected with railroad con- struction in various localities and was thus with the advance guard of civilization, for the railroad is always the forerunner of settlement and development in the west. For twenty-one years Mr. Eaton con- tinued his residence in Burlington and was then called to his final rest in 1899. His wife passed away January 1, 1900, and was laid to rest by his side in the Burlington cemetery. She was a daughter of Silas Williams, one of the pioneer settlers of Burlington. Mr. and Mrs. S. D. Eaton were people of the highest respectability, both being
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loyal and consistent members of the Presbyterian church, and Mr. Eaton gave his political support to the republican party. To them were born two sons and a daughter: William D .; Walter B., of this review ; and Anna, also residing in Burlington.
Walter B. Eaton was a public-school pupil in Burlington, passing through consecutive grades of the high school, and in 1881, when a youth of eighteen years, he entered the employ of the Chittenden- Eastman Company. Gradually he worked his way upward in that connection, proving his worth in his ability and fidelity, and eventu- ally, upon the incorporation of the company, he was made a member of the firm and has since been its secretary. He is bending his energies to administrative direction and executive control, and not a little of the success of the enterprise in recent years has been attributable to his efforts, his keen discernment and his unfaltering energy.
While Mr. Eaton occupies a prominent position in business circles he is equally well known in the club life of the city, holding member- ship in the Golf Club, the Shoquoquon Boat Club and in various fishing and shooting clubs. He is also identified with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. In politics he votes independently, sup- porting men and measures rather than party. Progress and pa- triotism might be termed the keynote of his character. He believes in advancement along all the lines which affect the general interests of society as well as in connection with individual affairs. He seizes an opportunity eagerly, watches for chances to improve conditions and by reason of his determination and energy has worked his way steadily upward.
PETER HALVOR CHRISTENSEN.
Peter Halvor Christensen is the superintendent of the Aspen Grove cemetery and the beauty of this "silent city" is attributable largely to his capable direction and his understanding of how to pro- duce the best effects in landscape gardening. He is one of Burling- ton's self-made men and has worked his way steadily upward since starting out in the business world on his own account. At the begin- ning he had no capital but industry and determination have enabled him to overcome obstacles and difficulties and steadily advance.
Mr. Christensen was born in Hjörring, Denmark, September 20, 1866, a son of F. W. and Emilie Theodora Amalie ( Björneboe) Christensen. The father, who was born in Denmark, July 29, 1840,
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PETER H. CHRISTENSEN
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passed away when about seventy years of age. He had been engaged extensively in the undertaking and furniture business. His wife, who was born September 5, 1843, died about the same time as her husband. They were life-long residents of Denmark and there they reared their family. They had twelve children, of whom five died in infancy. The others were: Peter Halvor, of this review; Frederick and Cath- erine, both of Denmark ; Karl, deceased; Wilhelm, who follows mer- chandising near Copenhagen; Frederica, who resides in Denmark, and Marie.
Peter H. Christensen was educated in the public schools of his native country and in the high school, where he studied several lan- guages. He came to America in 1890, making his way direct to Burlington, Iowa, where he arrived on the 8th of April, having crossed the Atlantic on the Dominion line. This was much against his parents' wishes, but he felt that the new world would offer him better opportunities for rapid advancement. He brought with him very little money. For a few days he worked at street paving under George Kreichbaum but became ill with diphtheria. After recover- ing he secured a good position in the paint department of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad shops at West Burlington, there remaining for about six years. On the expiration of that period he entered the employ of the Unterkircher Burial & Embalming Com- pany in the capacity of general bookkeeper. While connected with that company he learned embalming and took a course in Clark's School of Embalming, receiving his diploma April 8, 1898. He was a successful embalmer and funeral director through the next ten years and while with the Unterkircher Company he had charge of some three thousand cases of embalming. He advanced steadily in the employ of that company until he became general manager, and his value in connection with the business was widely recognized by those whom he represented.
On the first of February, 1907, Mr. Christensen was elected by the board of control of Burlington as superintendent of the Aspen Grove Cemetery Association, in which connection he has rendered notable service to the public in making this one of the most beautiful ceme- teries of the middle west. Between the first of February, 1907, and August 22, 1914, he superintended two thousand four hundred and sixty-five interments. He has in his servie seven men throughout the year and a greater number in the summer season, when it is possible to cultivate the flowers, shrubs and trees which make Aspen Grove so beautiful. The cemetery has improved one hundred fold under his management. He has put in much tiling, many gutters and thus Vol. 11-25
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improved the drainage system and he has added thirty acres to the grounds. The cemetery association built a beautiful residence adjoin- ing the cemetery in 1909 and Mr. Christensen there resides. He owns a residence property elsewhere in the city, which he rents. Mr. Christensen is not only a man of excellent business ability, as dis- played in the control and management of the cemetery, but is a fine penman and his books are indeed a thing of beauty.
On the IIth of March, 1890, in Aalborg, Denmark, the oldest city of that country, Mr. Christensen was united in marriage to Miss Ida Pauline Petersen, who was born in Denmark, June 24, 1872. Her father died during her early girlhood and her mother afterward became the wife of P. C. Cortsen, who lived in Aalborg and died at the age of seventy-one years. By her first marriage she had two children : Mrs. Christensen ; and Valdemar, a prominent contractor of Viborg, Denmark. Mr. and Mrs. Christensen have become the parents of four children, all born in Burlington: Ethel Theodora Amalie, who was born November 21, 1892; Mildred Ranghild, July 2, 1897; Leverne Alice Margarth, January 8, 1906; and George Lambert Halvor, December 22, 1909.
Mr. and Mrs. Christensen are widely and favorably known in Burlington, their sterling worth gaining for them high regard. Mr. Christensen is a democrat in politics but usually votes for the best man. Fraternally he is a Mason, belonging to the lodge, the chapter, the council, the commandery and the Shrine. His many excellent traits of character, his business ability, the enterprise with which he has worked his way upward from a humble position in the business world to one of prominence have all combined to make him one of the respected citizens of Burlington.
REV. P. HILARY.
Rev. P. Hilary, pastor of St. John's Catholic church of Burling- ton, was born in Wardasdine, Austria, on the 19th of January, 1866, and is a son of Marcus Rosenfeld, who was a rabbi of the Jewish church. He attended the public schools, pursuing a gymnasium course, which is equivalent to the high-school course of this country. He also graduated from a commercial college and he became a mer- chant in Prague. After reaching the age of eighteen years he resumed his studies and became a Jewish rabbi, being made pastor of a congre- gation at Cham, Bavaria, when nineteen years of age. There he
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served for two and one-half years. During that period he began to investigate the Catholic religion, was converted thereto and was bap- tized in the church on the 18th of October, 1887, the same year as Rev. Father Newman. The vicar general, Dr. Leidner, who had in- structed him, acted as his sponsor at his baptism. The next day he was confirmed by the bishop and, crossing the Atlantic, made his way direct to St. Benedict's Monastery at Atchison, Kansas, where he studied for the priesthood, to which he was ordained on the 22d of December, 1895. His mother also died in the Catholic faith and he has a sister who embraced the faith and who is now a famous writer of Austria.
After taking holy orders Father Hilary was assigned to St. John's church at Burlington, where he remained as assistant for seven years. He was then transferred to St. Peter's church at Council Bluffs as assistant priest and afterward was assistant at St. Benedict's church in Kansas City, Kansas. In April, 1909, he returned to Burlington and has since been assistant priest of St. John's church. He is the only Jewish rabbi in the United States who has become a Catholic priest. He has done excellent work for his church during his connection with St. John's, his labors being a strong supporting influence to Father Benno, who is priest of this church.
A. L. AND ELLA J. HAWKSWORTH.
A. L. and Ella J. Hawksworth are the owners of the Arts-Crafts Shop of Burlington. The former was born in this city, June 24, 1874, a.son of Lionel and Margaret (Bowser) Hawksworth, natives of England and of Pennsylvania respectively. The father was born in 1832 and when a young man came to the United States. He made the journey westward to Burlington by water and after taking up his abode in this city was employed by the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Company until he retired from active business several years ago. He and his wife occupy their home at 2003 Madison avenue. In the family were five children, two sons and three daughters, who are yet living.
A. L. Hawksworth acquired a public-school education, supple- menting the work of the grades by two years' study in the high school. When he was about sixteen years of age he put aside his text-books and began working for his brother, who was engaged in the confec-
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tionery business. He spent a year in that connection, after which he entered the employ of the Granite Brick Company of Cascade, Iowa, with which he remained for eight years. At the end of that time he became connected with the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Company in the bridge department and was employed in that way until he opened his present business in connection with his sister, Ella J. Hawksworth, who has charge of the art department. She was born in Burlington, August 30, 1867, and was educated in the schools of this city. She took up the study of art and afterward pursued a special art course in china painting in Chicago. She taught china painting in the Institute College here and is known as an expert, especially in this line of work, displaying marked talent. The brother and sister opened their store in October, 1907, beginning first in a small way, Miss Hawksworth teaching an art class while her brother handled the business. They carry artists' materials and various kinds of arts and crafts work and now have an extensive stock. They also sell fancy art goods and do picture-framing. Miss Hawksworth gives instruction in that line as well as in painting and other branches of art and she has a large class, while her work is known not only throughout Iowa but throughout the middle west. Theirs is one of the attractive establishments of the city and a visit thereto is a pleasure to all who are interested in fine art work, including anything which comes under the name of arts and crafts work.
Miss Hawksworth is a member of the Presbyterian church. In politics Mr. Hawksworth is independent, voting for the men and measures he thinks most likely to subserve the best interests of all the people.
THOMAS STIVERS.
The name of Thomas Stivers was long associated with the publi- cation of the Burlington Daily Gazette. Moreover, it was a name dear to the hearts of all who knew him, for he had the happy faculty of winning and retaining friends. That he was everywhere known as "Tom" was no indication of familiarity, but the expression of real brotherly regard and appreciation for his good qualities on the part of those who knew him. He was regarded by his colleagues and con- temporaries rather as a brother than as a friend, and all who knew him bore testimony to his sterling manhood, his integrity and his loyalty.
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Mr. Stivers was a native of Ohio, his birth having occurred in Pomeroy, September 4, 1848. The entire period of his youth was spent in his native state. He was a resident of Middleport, Ohio, at the time of his marriage, which was there celebrated on the 16th of August, 1870, the lady of his choice being Miss Sarah Frances Met- calf. Again and again stories concerning the opportunities of the west reached him and with the hope of enjoying better advantages beyond the Mississippi, Mr. Stivers left his old home and friends in Ohio and made his way to Kansas, where he entered heartily into the spirit of the country and took ready advantage of the opportunities that presented themselves. In his business career he advanced step by step because of the wise use which he made of his time and talents, proving his worth in every relation. Eventually he became owner of the Atchison Patriot, which he successfully conducted for a con- siderable period. He afterward went to Leavenworth, Kansas, and was the builder of a street car line in that city. On the Ist of July, 1887, Mr. Stivers came to Burlington and purchased the Burlington Gazette, which was then published on Washington street, between Main and Third streets. After a year he purchased the interest of his brother, Henry Stivers, who had been his partner in his ownership of the paper, and assumed sole control. He thereafter bent his en- ergies entirely upon the development of the paper, maintaining a keen interest in its affairs and the direction of its policies.
At the time of his death it was said editorially of him: "Mr. Stivers was a lover of Burlington and it occupied a first place in his affections. He never tired of extolling its virtues, editorially and in person, and aimed to make the Gazette its champion at all times. He was ready and cordial with his _sanction of every project of public benefit. He foresaw big possibilities for the city and took pride in every step of progress. He was accorded the satisfaction of viewing the culmination of many of his fondest expectations, and the fact that he had contributed in some degree to this growth and prosperity afforded him profound satisfaction. Mr. Stivers was a man of energy and initiative and a tireless worker in any cause undertaken by him. He had a true idea of the mission of a newspaper ; to make it a pub- lication for all the people."
To Mr. and Mrs. Stivers were born two children, a son, George A. Stivers, now surviving. A daughter, Mrs. Caroline Urania Coffin, born in Doniphan, Kansas, March 7, 1872, passed away November 23, 1899. Mr. Stivers was devoted to the welfare of his family, find- ing his greatest happiness in promoting the interests of wife and chil- dren. One of the predominant traits of his character was his love of
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little children, with whose interests and pleasures he had the keenest sympathy. He enjoyed to the full their company and they recognized his deep sympathy.
Mr. Stivers was recognized as one of the forceful factors in bring- ing about democratic successes in Iowa, Judge Wade saying of him that: "The value of his work in the cause cannot be over-estimated." His acquaintance was extensive throughout the state, and wherever he was known he had friends. The Saturday Evening Post wrote of him: "In the passing of Mr. Stivers to another world, Burlington loses one of her foremost citizens and a man who was of great value to the community in many ways. At the time of his death he had been for twenty-six years the publisher of the Burlington Gazette. It is not an undue compliment to say that he fit well in the place and that he gave the community in efficient and loyal service far more than he received. Mr. Stivers was a man of great energy and ability and did not stint his work or his genius in building up the fine daily news- paper which remains as a monument to him. He was very loyal to Burlington, and was constant and earnest in his labors for the ad- vancement of the city industrially, commercially and in a social way. Mr. Stivers was universally esteemed in his home community. His qualities of head and heart were so great and royal that when it came to enlisting lifelong friends they were irresistible. He goes to his long rest both loved and mourned by the entire community."
The Davenport Democrat said editorially : "The death of Thomas Stivers of Burlington removes an Iowa publisher who for more than a quarter of a century had been a genial and courteous and always sincere member of the newspaper circle in Iowa. That they are to see him no more will be a matter of regret to all those who have touched elbows with him in the course of newspaper work in the state during that period." Another wrote : "He was an able, well in- formed, level-headed political editor, of splendid judgment, keen foresight and a courageous champion of the political principles of his party." From the Iowa City Republican comes this: "The death of Thomas Stivers, editor and publisher of the Burlington Gazette, removes one of the forceful Iowa men. He had energy and convic- tions and they were controlling factors in his newspaper management. He had been at the head of the Gazette for twenty-five years. His son, George, who has been actively identified with the business, be- comes the editor."
Perhaps the strongest element in the life of Thomas Stivers was his humanity. He was thoroughly human. He always stood for progress in his city as well as in newspaper publication, and there may
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be cited many tangible evidences of the assistance which he rendered. The Fort Madison Democrat said: "Tom Stivers was one of the most successful newspaper publishers in Iowa, but it is not on that success his many friends throughout the state and at his home will dwell when thinking of Tom-they will think of the man himself. Everybody who knew him called him Tom-he was that sort of a man-he liked to be called by the familiar appellation. He loved his friends and was loved by them and wanted to be Tom to them the same as they were Will and Charlie and Sam to him. He was of that nature that broke down undue ceremony between friends and wel- comed reasonable familiarity. That was his great charm. Meeting him and becoming his friend was a delight that continued with each succeeding meeting. And he was dependable-always. The news- paper fraternity of Iowa has by his death lost one of its best known and best loved members. Memory of him will long fragrantly linger in their hearts."
GEORGE W. ELLIOTT.
The name of George W. Elliott is written large on the pages not only of Burlington's, but of Iowa's, history. There are few men who have had such a direct influence upon business conditions and upon moral progress as did Mr. Elliott, the founder and promoter of Elliott's Business College. In the school which he established and conducted he held to the highest standards of efficiency, and at the same time was guiding the development of the young along lines which fitted them for all the responsibilities and duties of life, as well as for activity in commercial fields. There are many who ac- knowledge their indebtedness to him for the stimulus and impetus which he gave them, resulting in a reaching out toward the higher, better things of life.
Mr. Elliott was born in Rochester, New York, September 19, 1843, and lacked but five days of reaching the age of seventy years when he passed away. His boyhood was largely spent in Ilion, Herki- mer county, New York, and when his education was completed he became his father's assistant in a transportation business on the Erie canal. He was still a young man in his teens at the time of the inau- guration of hostilities between the north and the south. His patriotic spirit was strongly aroused and he enlisted for service with the Forty- fourth New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment, which was assigned
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to the Army of the Potomac and was on active duty in many hotly contested battles. Several times he was wounded, but recovered from his injuries. He participated in the three days' engagement at Gettys- burg and it was his visit to the reunion held upon that battlefield that hastened his death a half century later. For almost four years he was in the army, returning to his home with a most creditable military record, and never in after life did he waver in the slightest degree in the loyalty which he gave to his country.
After the war Mr. Elliott was employed for a time by John Wanamaker, the millionaire merchant of New York and Philadel- phia, and it was his experience in that direction that probably awak- ened in him a desire to become a teacher of commercial methods. His first activity in that field was his connection with the famous Soule College of Philadelphia. Later he went to Chicago, and thence came to Burlington in 1879, at which time he was a member of the faculty of Bryant & Stratton Commercial College of Chicago.
A desire to conduct a school of his own brought Mr. Elliott to Burlington. Already he had studied its situation and its possible ad- vantages. He knew that it was situated midway between St. Louis and Chicago, and that its railway lines stretched out to every section of the country. Recognizing in this an advantageous situation, Mr. Elliott came to Burlington and, with a partner, purchased a com- mercial school which had already been established here with quar- ters on the second floor of the Hedge block. With the purchase he at once began the development and improvement of the school. The most up-to-date methods were introduced, and the school was reor- ganized along the lines of the most advanced commercial colleges of the larger cities. From the beginning the institution grew, and a removal of the school was made to the Squires building. Mr. Elliott soon purchased his partner's interest and remained sole proprietor and active manager of the school until his death, but in the mean- time had added a large teaching force, people who were expert in- structors in their line. He possessed great physical and mental energy and power, and concentrated every effort upon the upbuild- ing and advancement of the school. Of him it was said: "He in- troduced new and original features, and made it a point at times to visit other commercial schools, especially the more successful ones in the large cities, studying their methods and profiting by their in- troduction into the curriculum of his own school. This progressive spirit, backed by a resolute will and untiring energy, combined with wonderful capacity for hard and continuous work, all day and often extending into late hours of the night, bore its material fruit in rap-
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