USA > Iowa > Des Moines County > History of Des Moines County, Iowa, Volume II > Part 40
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idly building up the school in its efficiency and widespread repu- tation."
In the conduct of Elliott's Commercial College the work was broadened from time to time. Every department was well organ- ized and students could be fitted for any branch of commercial life, with thorough training in bookkeeping, stenography, and all kinds of commercial work. A regular banking business was conducted, a commission business, and a wholesale grocery store; importing and jobbing were also features; penmanship and commercial corre- spondence, spelling, drawing and mathematics were all features in the thorough training to be secured in the school. Mr. Elliott gave much time to individual instruction, not only in text-book studies, but conduct, personal appearance, habits and those qualities so essen- tial to success in business. His school became acknowledged as a good place to send a wayward youth or one who did not respond readily to discipline. Such cases Mr. Elliott gave his individual at- tention, and it was seldom that he failed to touch the right chord. If on any occasion he could not stimulate the ambition and secure the cooperation of the student in plans for his assistance, such a student was dismissed, for he would not allow such a one to affect the prin- ciples of the school and prove a detriment to the efforts of other pupils. Something of the success of his school is indicated in the fact that at times it was impossible to supply the demands for its graduates. In the offices of Chittenden-Eastman Company are found thirty former students of this school. One of their graduates is to- day at the head of the Merchants Bank of Burlington, and others have gained positions of equal distinction in other localities. There is perhaps no state in the Union where the graduates of Elliott's Business College are not found as successful factors in promoting commercial activity and success.
In Rochester, New York, on the 7th of July, 1874, Mr. Elliott was united in marriage to Miss Katherine S. Murphy, and they be- came the parents of nine children. The wife and mother passed away in Burlington, December 11, 1911, and a son, Frank, died in Oklahoma City in 1900, while a second son, Louis, departed this life in Chicago, July 12, 1912. The other members of the family are: Mrs. J. J. Bernet of La Grange, Illinois; Minnie and Grace, at home; Mrs. Grey Robbins, of Burlington ; George Herbert, of Win- nipeg, Manitoba; and Charles Edgar and Walter Alfred, of Bur- lington.
Mr. Elliott gave his political indorsement to the republican party and was a stanch advocate of its principles, but was not an active
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worker in party ranks. In early life he espoused the Methodist faith and was dean of the Methodist Seminary at Casanovia, New York, before removing to Philadelphia. He joined the Methodist church in Burlington and continued thereafter one of its strong sup- porters and earnest workers. A spirit of Chistianity dominated his life and influenced him in all of its relations with his fellow-men. A modern philosopher has written: "Not the good that comes to us, but the good that comes to the world through us, is the measure of our success," and, judged by this standard, the life of George W. Elliott was a most successful one. When it was planned to have a reunion at Gettysburg on the fiftieth anniversary of the battle, Mr. Elliott, who had been in poor health, obtained the consent of his physician to go, but while there the excessive heat prostrated him and it seemed for a time as though he would not live to return home. He reached Burlington, however, and passed away four weeks later in the Burlington Hospital, his death occurring on the 14th of Sep- tember, 1913, when he lacked but five days of reaching the seventieth anniversary of his birth. He was a man of fine personal appearance and the physical was but the index to the larger nature within. Few men have so fully recognized their opportunities, their responsibili- ties and their obligations. He understood exactly what he might do for the youth who came under his instruction. He felt that "educa- tion is but preparation for life," and he ever strove to impress upon his students the thought that they must build character with success if they would attain a place in the world worthy to rank with true men and women. His own example inspired and encouraged those who came under his direction, and his memory remains as a blessed benediction to those who knew him.
ANDREW L. LAGOMARCINO.
Andrew L. Lagomarcino, of Burlington, enjoyed the distinction of being called the father of the Italian colony of that city. He was an able and successful business man who in the fruit business attained a remarkable success in this country. Mr. Lagomarcino was born in the village of that name which is situated near Genoa, Italy, the date of his birth being December 1, 1848. At the age of eighteen years he crossed the ocean, being induced by the stories which had reached him of the great opportunities that awaited ambitious youths in the land of the free. Another reason for his removal from Italy was his
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distaste for the conscription system, which he considered an injustice to the people.
After reaching the shores of the western hemisphere Mr. Lago- marcino entered commercial life. He located in New York, where he remained for several years, and then made his way to Wheeling, West Virginia, where he established a fruit and grocery store. In that city he continued until 1875, when he came to Burlington, Iowa, and in partnership with S. Oppice founded the first exclusive fruit store. It is said he was the first man to bring bananas to Burlington for sale, shipping this fruit by express from New York, and at that time this now so popular fruit was considered a rare curiosity. In 1879 the partnership with Mr. Oppice was dissolved and Mr. Lago- marcino continued the business alone until 1885, when he admitted William H. Grupe to a partnership. The latter had been in the em- ploy of the house since 1878 and as a trusted and faithful employe had earned his promotion. The firm became Lagomarcino & Co. and so continued until 1903, when it was incorporated as the Lagomar- cino-Grupe Company, of which our subject became the president and in which capacity he continued until his death. From a small beginning the establishment grew to be one of the largest fruit houses in the country. They were importers and wholesale dealers and maintained branch houses in Cedar Rapids, Creston, Davenport, Dubuque, Ottumwa, Keokuk, Clinton, Centerville, Estherville and St. Louis, Missouri.
The ambition which led Mr. Lagomarcino to leave his native land guided him to the goal of success, and his unfailing business foresight, his industry and his honesty gained him a place among the most substantial citizens of Burlington. Not only, however, was Mr. Lagomarcino successful but he was popular with all who came in contact with him. He took an interest in the welfare of the city that was as great as the care which he exhibited in the conduct of his own affairs, and he therefore made a most valuable citizen and in a large measure contributed to the growth and prestige of Burlington. He was the recognized leader and father of the Italian colony of this city and beloved by all his countrymen, who would come to him for counsel and guidance and sometimes help.
In New York city Mr. Lagomarcino was united in marriage to Miss Maria Tassina and their children were Paul, Charles, Joseph, Angelo, Mrs. John Bardenheier, Mrs. Mathew A. Bley, Albert, Andrew, Columbus, Rosanna and Mamie. The beautiful home in which Mr. Lagomarcino established his residence is still occupied by his widow. It is located at No. 2131 South Main street, Burling-
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ton. There he loved to entertain his friends, who found him always a genial host. It was in this home that he took the greatest pride and at his fireside he found the greatest happiness.
Mr. Lagomarcino was a member of the Improved Order of Red Men and belonged to St. Paul's Catholic church. By his life record he verified the idea that unflagging industry will lead to success and furnished an example to Italo-American citizens which is worthy of being emulated. He combined in him the sunny characteristics of his southland with American business aggressiveness, although when applied to for assistance his great and good heart would often yield to his better judgment. Andrew L. Lagomarcino died October 4, 1907, when nearly fifty-nine years of age, and his memory lives with the many who knew him.
LAGOMARCINO-GRUPE COMPANY.
The Lagomarcino-Grupe Company was founded by Andy Lago- marcino, who arrived in New York city about 1872 and came to Burlington about 1875. He started business in a building on Main street, near the railway track, and gradually forged ahead. In 1885 he formed a partnership with W. H. Grupe and in 1887 they re- moved to larger quarters on Main street. Still the continued growth of their business necessitated another removal in order to secure increased facilities and in 1892 their business was established at Val- ley and Front streets.
Burlington, however, has not confined this growing commercial enterprise, for from time to time branch houses have been estab- lished. The business was started at Cedar Rapids in 1894, at Creston in 1901 and at Davenport in 1903. In 1904 the business was incor- porated and in 1905 a branch house was established at Dubuque and another at Clinton. Still the growth continued and Ottumwa was taken into this chain of business houses owned and controlled by the company. It was in 1907 that Ottumwa became a new field for the firm and in 1911 Keokuk was added and in 1914 Estherville and Centerville were added, so that at present the Iowa company owns ten different houses. Theirs is the largest fruit house in the middle west outside of Chicago. They employ two hundred people and have about sixty traveling salesmen upon the road. They handle fifteen hundred carloads of fruit and vegetables annually and they also deal in soda fountains and supplies. In connection they have established
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and operate three ice cream factories and they have a separate house that handles fish and oysters. The home office is at Burlington and from that point is carried on the general supervision of the business, which with its ramifying trade interests now largely covers Iowa and in its wholesale connections extends much farther.
E. F. HOLSTEEN.
E. F. Holsteen, secretary and treasurer of the Burlington Soap Company and thus actively identified with the manufacturing inter- ests of the city, was born in Houston county, Minnesota, February 12, 1860, but from the age of six years has been a resident of the city in which he now makes his home, his parents being Sophus and Emma A. (Alschlenger) Holsteen. The father was a native of Germany, born October 18, 1830, and came to the United States when sixteen years of age. Crossing the Atlantic, he settled first in Philadelphia, where he remained for a brief period and then came to the middle west, settling at St. Louis in the early 'sos. He was first employed as a clerk in the Corse book store but afterward went to Minnesota, where he lived for several years. Returning southward, he settled at Burlington in 1866 and here engaged in the drug business, opening a· store on Third street, of which he was the proprietor for a number of years. After his family had attained adult age he purchased a farm, on which he took up his abode, and there remained until his death, which occurred on the 29th of February, 1910. His wife was one of the first children born in Gasconade county, Missouri. Her people were of German nativity and emigrated to the new world, becoming pioneer settlers of Gasconade county. Her uncle, who was a minister, came first, making arrangements for the others, who soon afterward followed. It required one hundred and twenty days, or four months, to cross the ocean. Mrs. Holsteen still survives and is yet enjoying good health. In the family of Mr. and Mrs. Sophus Holsteen were fourteen children.
E. F. Holsteen acquired his education in the schools of Burling- ton, beginning his studies in the old German school on Washington street, under Professor Lorenz. He remained in school until seven- teen years of age and subsequently pursued a business course in Bryant & Stratton Business College. He afterward engaged in work at the blacksmith's trade and followed that continuously until 1881, when he began farming on the old homestead north of Burlington, where
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his mother still resides. He continued upon the farm until 1895, bringing the fields to a high state of cultivation and adding to the place many modern equipments. In the year mentioned he left Des Moines county and went to Lee county, where he carried on general agricultural pursuits until 1903. He then returned to Burlington and for one year was vice president of the Burlington Soap Company. In 1908 he was elected secretary and treasurer and is now serving in the dual position. He is an efficient executive officer, watchful of all the details of the business pointing to success and wisely utilizing the op- portunities which seem to promise a steady growth for the business.
Mr. Holsteen was united in marriage to Miss Frances Long, who was born in Burlington, February 29, 1860, and was educated in the schools of this city. Mr. Holsteen is the owner of two hundred and forty acres of valuable farming land in this county, to the supervision of which he gives his personal attention, and upon this he has an attractive country home. He and his wife are members of the First Methodist Episcopal church and in its work take an active and help- ful part. He belongs to the Travelers' Protective Association and his political allegiance is given to the progressive party. He is inter- ested in all that pertains to the welfare and upbuilding of the county in which he has made his home for almost a half century and his cooperation is readily given to many movements and measures for the public good. His life has been one of diligence and industry and the success which is now his is the direct result of his earnest, per- sistent efforts.
DRAKE HARDWARE COMPANY.
The Drake Hardware Company, one of the foremost commer- cial enterprises of Burlington, was organized on the Ist of January. 1891, by L. H. Drake, S. H. Jones, C. E. Otto, E. D. Adams, E. H. Westfall and Walter Schenck. All of these became directors of the company, with Mr. Otto as president, Mr. Adams as vice president, Mr. Schenck as secretary and Mr. Jones as treasurer. The Drake Hardware Company succeeded to the business of Lyman H. Drake, who, in turn, was successor to Drake & Dayton. That firm was the successor of Nelson & Company, and their predecessors were Mor- ton & Nelson. Still earlier the business had belonged to the firm of J. Morton & Company, who succeeded J. W. Grimes & Company, who had founded the business in 1864. The establishment there-
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fore is one of the oldest houses of the city in years of continuous existence. In 1891 the business was located on North Main street, where they remained until they erected the buildings where they are now located, at Nos. 106-110 Washington street and Nos. 413- 423 Front street. A general wholesale hardware business is con- ducted, and they have upon their payroll twelve traveling salesmen, who cover the greater part of Iowa, a part of western Illinois and the northern half of Missouri. On the Ist of July, 1907, the Drake Hardware Company and the C. F. Smith Hardware Company con- solidated their interests, retaining the former name. The present officers of the company are: S. H. Jones, president and treasurer; E. D. Adams, vice president, and H. B. Buhrmaster, secretary.
CARL M. OLSON.
Carl M. Olson, engaged in the wholesale liquor business in Bur- lington, was born in Quincy, Illinois, March 2, 1878. His father, Nels Olson, was a native of Sweden, born August 28, 1849, and when eighteen years of age he came to the United States. He first engaged in the lumber business in Wisconsin and worked at logging as far south as Alabama. He came to Iowa as a bridge builder and aided in building bridges over the Mississippi river as far south as Quincy. He lived for a time in Quincy, and in 1880 took up his permanent abode in Burlington, where he purchased the old Denver Hotel, which he conducted for a few months. He afterward bought the old Burlington House and conducted it until 1883. He then embarked in the wholesale liquor business, his original establishment being at No. III Jefferson street, from which place he removed to the present location at No. 405 Valley street in 1889. He was engaged in the business until his death, which occurred November 2, 1913.
Nels Olson was united in marriage to Miss Mary C. Wegreen, a native of Sweden, in 1875, and they became the parents of three chil- dren, of whom Carl M. is the eldest. The others, Nels A. and Esther, are both deceased. The father was very prominent in the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, and in the Knights of Pythias lodge, and he was one of the oldest members of the Lone Tree Fishing Club. He also served at one time as president of the old North End Boating Association. He had an extended circle of warm friends in Burling- ton, especially among the Swedish-American residents, and many
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who knew him entertained for him warm regard. His wife passed away in 1892.
Carl M. Olson came to Burlington with his parents when a child of two years, and became a pupil in the public schools, continuing his education here to the age of nineteen. On starting out in life on his own account he was employed at farm labor, spending consider- able time as a farm hand in both lowa and South Dakota. He en- listed in the Eighth Infantry at Sioux City, Iowa, and went to the Philippines, where he served for two years in connection with the military organization there, and afterward for three years in the civil service department, being in the quartermaster's office at Manila and at different periods stationed on several islands of the Philippine group. He visited China and Japan before returning to the United States, reaching Burlington on the 4th of August, 1906.
Mr. Olson then became bookkeeper for his father in his whole- sale liquor establishment, and when he married was admitted to a partnership in the business. Owing to the change in the laws of the state, the partnership had to be discontinued, and after the death of the father the son assumed complete charge. He has since conducted the business most successfully and is now one of the foremost mer- chants in his line in Burlington.
On the 10th of June, 1908, Mr. Olson was united in marriage to Miss Julia Ricker, of Milwaukee, who was graduated from Trinity Hospital of that city. They have become parents of three children : Ralph C., Nels William and Esther. Mr. Olson is a member of the subordinate lodge, the encampment and the Rebekah degree of the Odd Fellows. He also has membership with the Eagles, the Gobblers, and with the Pinkham Fishing Club. In politics he is a democrat, giving unswerving support to the principles of the party. During practically his entire life he has been numbered among Burlington's citizens and he has a wide acquaintance among his fellow-townsmen.
JOHN H. PETTIBONE.
John H. Pettibone is the popular and efficient postmaster of Bur- lington and his appointment to the position gave general satisfaction throughout the city. He had long been established as a leading busi- ness man and as a public-spirited citizen whose loyalty to the general welfare was manifest in hearty cooperation with various movements for the public good.
JOHN H. PETTIBONE
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A native of Illinois, Mr. Pettibone was born in Rockford on the 7th of December, 1858, a son of Luman P. and Louisa Matthews (Goodhue) Pettibone. The father was a native of New York and they were married in Rockford, Illinois, in which city the mother came when a child. There they continued their residence for a num- ber of years but in 1865 came to Burlington, the father occupying the position of general agent for the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Company, with which corporation he was connected through an extended period. In the later years of his life he lived retired, enjoying a well earned rest until death called him. His wife passed away in 1910. In their family were but two children, the younger son being Frank G. Pettibone, who has always been con- nected with railroad interests since starting out in the business world with the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad and is now second vice president and general manager of the Santa Fe Railroad Com- pany, with offices in Galveston, Texas.
John H. Pettibone was but six years of age when his parents brought their family to Burlington. Here he began his education, attending the Graff private school and afterward entering the high school. However, he was but thirteen years of age when he began to earn his own living, securing a position as office boy in a wholesale grocery house. He afterward acted as clerk for the Barden-Segner Company, which later became the firm of Pilger Brothers, subse- quently Pilger Brothers & Company, and still later the Pilger Grocer Company. The adoption of the last name was due to the fact that John H. Pettibone had worked his way steadily upward from one position to another until he became a partner in the enterprise, of which he was also general sales manager. He thoroughly acquainted himself with every phase of the business and for eight years was a representative of the company upon the road. It is characteristic of him that he thoroughly masters cvery task which he undertakes and is neglectful of no duty that devolves upon him. At length the firm sold out and about that time Mr. Pettibone became city treasurer, which office he occupied for four years, making a most creditable record through the prompt and faithful manner in which he dis- charged his duties. In 1899 the Modern Electric Company was incorporated with Mr. Pettibone, secretary, treasurer and general manager. The company conducts a wholesale business as dealers in general electrical supplies and has a local contracting department.
In 1894 occurred the marriage of Mr. Pettibone and Miss Mar- garet Danner, of Burlington, a daughter of W. T. and Mary R. Danner. The father was a merchant and both he and his wife are Vol. II-26
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now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Pettibone have one daughter, Harriett Nixon.
Mr. Pettibone is a prominent Mason, having attained the Knight Templar degree of the York Rite and the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite, and he is also affiliated with the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He is a past commander of St. Omer Commandery No. 15, K. T., and is a past grand commander of the state, having been the chief officer in the grand commandery of Iowa in 1899 and 1900. He belongs to the Commercial Exchange and has been a helpful factor in promoting its projects for the upbuilding of the city.
His political allegiance has always been given to the democratic party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise and on sev- eral different occasions he has been called to public office. He has been a member of the board of education and in 1907 was elected county supervisor, to which position he was reelected in 1910 and 1913. He continued to act in that capacity until he resigned in order to accept the postmastership, to which he was appointed on the 19th of June, 1914. He had made a most excellent record as supervisor. There is no more stalwart champion of the good roads movement in Des Moines county, and speaking of his efforts in that connection, one of the local papers said : "His work was not confined to writing resolu- tions and making speeches, but he accomplished things, and the fine start toward a permanent road system that has been made in this county is to a large extent due to his enthusiastic and intelligent labors in behalf of real road improvement. He but recently entered upon a new term as member of the board, of which he is the chairman. He will lay down the duties of this office with regret, because there is much work mapped for the near future which will keep the county of Des Moines well to the fore so far as real road building is concerned, and again he will step out of the office with the knowledge that he has done his share toward starting the movement, which before his time had been discussed here so many years, without much visible progress. Mr. Pettibone, while in county office, gave much time and thought and work to the drainage projects north of the city. He was quick to appreciate the importance of this work and the vast benefits that would accrue to the county and the city through the establishment of these drainage districts, and the fact that Des Moines county has accomplished so much in this regard is due in no small measure to the fact that Mr. Pettibone did not merely approve of drainage in theory, but urged and pushed the consummation of plans that met with no little opposition, which was either overcome by diplomatic moves or by an educational campaign. The drainage north of Burlington con-
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