USA > Iowa > Des Moines County > History of Des Moines County, Iowa, Volume II > Part 43
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of kindliness and geniality and of appreciation of the worth of others that made him very popular with his employes. His strict honesty won for him the unqualified respect of the entire community and he well merited the high esteem in which he was uniformly held. He was unpretentious and unassuming in manner but his sterling traits shone forth and could not be concealed even by his innate modesty. He had all the characteristics of a good citizen, husband and father and he left behind him a record of which his family have every rea- son to be proud.
ALLEN E. MILLER.
Allen E. Miller, who carries on general farming on section 17, Yellow Springs township, is one of the native sons of Des Moines county, his birth having occurred in Franklin township on the 16th of December, 1867. His parents were Miles M. and Sarah J. (Shep- pard) Miller, who were also natives of this county, the former born November 11, 1842, and the latter April 12, 1846. The mother is now living in Mediapolis. The Miller family has long been repre- sented in this county, five generations of the family having lived here. The great-grandfather, John Miller, came with his son, John S., in 1836, the family home being established near the Green College schoolhouse. His last days were spent in Franklin township. The grandparents of Allen E. Miller were John S. and Malinda ( Bishop) Miller, natives of Indiana. They arrived in this county in 1836, settling in Franklin township, where Mr. Miller entered land from the government. Iowa was at that time part of the Northwest Ter- ritory and it seemed that the work of progress and development had scarcely been begun within the borders of the present state. He be- came an active factor in advancing the agricultural interests of Des Moines county and in other ways contributed to the upbuilding of this section. In the later years of their lives he and his wife took up their abode in Mediapolis, where he passed away in 1877, while her death occurred about 1878. They had a family of two sons and five daughters, including Miles M. Miller.
The last named was engaged in farming until about 1903, when he retired and took up his abode in the town, there spending his remaining days, his death occurring September 7, 1913. At the time of the Civil war he responded to the country's call for troops, enlisting in Company C, Thirtieth Iowa Infantry, with which he served for
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three years. He joined the army as a private and was raised to the rank of sergeant. He was slightly wounded in the battle of Mission- ary Ridge, and he participated in many important engagements. Some time after his return from the war he removed to Mount Pleas- ant, where he spent four years in order to give his children the benefit of education in the city schools there. The remainder of his life was devoted actively to farming. He started out with one hundred and sixty acres of the old Sheppard place and as the years passed on won a substantial measure of prosperity, having at his death six hundred and twelve acres all in one body. In addition to tilling the soil and the production of crops best adapted to climatic conditions he engaged in stock-raising. He was active as a stalwart supporter of the republican party and was at one time mayor of Mediapolis, in which connection he exercised his official prerogatives in support of various measures for the public good. He held membership in the Presbyterian church in Mediapolis and also in the Grand Army post there.
His wife is a daughter of William Sheppard, a native of New Jersey, who came to Iowa in 1845 and settled in Franklin township. He taught school in a log schoolhouse in Round Prairie and other- wise was identified with the early development and progress of the county. He was not long permitted to enjoy his new home, however, for death claimed him during the cholera scourge of 1850 while he was hauling lumber for his house. His widow remained upon the farm with her six small children to the time of her death, which occurred in 1868. She bore the maiden name of Phoebe Husted. It was their daughter Sarah J. who became the wife of Miles M. Miller, and by this marriage there were born ten children: Allen E .; Eva, the deceased wife of E. B. Conklin; Frances, who died at the age of fifteen years; Cora, who died in infancy; Bessie, who died at the age of five years ; John S., of Yellow Springs township; Mattie, the wife of T. A. Merrill, of Mediapolis; Hattie, the wife of F. L. Coe, of Mediapolis; and twins who died in infancy.
Allen E. Miller has spent his entire life in this county and has al- ways followed the occupation of farming. He owns one hundred and twenty acres which originally belonged to his father and his farm is a well developed and highly improved tract of land equipped with many modern accessories and conveniences. He has carefully and systematically carried on his farm work and his efforts have been at- tended with a gratifying measure of prosperity. He has also been president of the Mediapolis Mutual Telephone Company, with which he was thus connected for four years.
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In 1888 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Miller and Miss Cora Lee Lusk, who was born in Franklin township, May 17, 1867, a daughter of Hamilton Marion and Helen Mar (Gillette) Lusk, natives of Indiana and of Ohio respectively. The mother died August 3, 1900, at the age of sixty-two years, and the father passed away in 1870 at the age of thirty-five. They were pioneer residents of this county. Mr. and Mrs. Miller are the parents of six children : Lena Hazel, now the wife of Theodore Blake, of Huron township; John Russell; June Carroll; Orville Hobart; Daniel Lusk; and Helen Frances.
Mr. Miller and his family attend the Presbyterian church, in which he holds membership. He belongs also to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and gives his political allegiance to the repub- lican party. He is now serving for the eighth year as township trustee, a fact which indicates his fidelity in the office. He is also a trustee of the Mediapolis Presbyterian church. He takes great interest in the Mediapolis Chautauqua and has camped with them every year since the organization was formed. He stands at all times for progress and improvement along material, political, social, intel- lectual and moral lines, and his influence has been a potent element for good. He represents one of the old and honored pioneer families and the work instituted by his great-grandfather and his grandfather and carried on by his father is being continued by him. All have borne their part in the work of general improvement and the family name has ever been an honored one in this county.
CHARLES F. STOCKMANN.
Learning the tinsmith's trade in early life, Charles F. Stockmann has from that time made steady advancement in the business world and is now the proprietor of a well appointed hardware store and tin shop in West Burlington. He was born in Oquawka, Illinois, July 16, 1864, a son of Valentine and Barbara (Cree) Stockmann. The father, a native of Germany, came to the United States in early man- hood, attracted by the broader business opportunities which he be- lieved might be enjoyed in the new world. In early life he learned the cooper's trade and after coming to the new world devoted many years to that business. He resided for a considerable period in Illi- nois and afterward removed to Kansas, where his remaining days
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were passed. His widow still survives him and now makes her home in Burlington.
In their family were ten children, all of whom reached adult age, while eight are yet living. The family record is as follows. May is the wife of Theodore Landhauser, of Burlington. Henry makes his home near Portland, Oregon. Louise is the wife of Louis Cook, also a resident of Burlington. Charles F. is the next of the family. Minnie is the wife of Gus Bonn, a resident of Burlington. Emma became the wife of Harry Bartell and died at Butte, Montana. Lizzie is the present wife of Harry Bartell and they still retain their residence in Butte. J. William, who is a partner of his brother Charles, married Amanda Farrell, of Iowa City, and they make their home in West Burlington. Laura became the wife of James Weddell and passed away in Chicago. Edward is a traveling salesman and resides in Burlington.
Charles F. Stockmann acquired his public-school education in Kansas, to which state he removed with his parents in early childhood days. In 1883, when nineteen years of age, he came to Burlington and for a few months was in the employ of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Company. He then returned to his native city and there learned the tinner's trade, after which he worked at the trade in various places. Later, however, he again came to Burling- ton and once more secured a position in the shops of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Company. He also worked in var- ious other cities and for thirteen years was in St. Louis. In 1900 he came to West Burlington, where he opened a tin shop and in 1903 he was joined by his brother, J. W. Stockmann, in a partnership that still continues. Their first location was on Broadway but in 1906 they removed to their present quarters at No. 115 Mount Pleasant street, where they occupy a store twenty by sixty feet, carrying a large line of shelf and heavy hardware. In the rear they have a tin shop com- pletely equipped for doing all kinds of work in that line. The lot which their business occupies is one hundred feet in depth. Theirs is the leading hardware business of West Burlington and they enjoy an extensive trade which is steadily growing. It is their earnest en- deavor at all times to please their patrons and their courtesy and con- sideration, their promptness and commercial integrity are the leading factors in their success.
In 1894 Mr. Stockmann was united in marriage to Miss Clara Fredenberg, of Red Bud, Illinois. Their marriage was celebrated in St. Louis and they have become the parents of two children, Myrtle and Amelia, both at home. Mr. Stockmann has membership with the
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Knights of Pythias and with the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He may truly be called a self-made man, for from the age of nineteen years he has depended solely upon his own resources, nor did he have any assistance from influential friends. He has worked his way up- ward by diligence, persistency of purpose and unfaltering industry and there have been few idle moments in his entire life. The success which ultimately crowns earnest labor, however, is today his and he is numbered among the prosperous merchants of West Burlington.
J. F. SCHUIRMANN.
J. F. Schuirmann is the president of the Appleton Manufactur- ing Company and of the Cooperative Supply Company of Burling- ton, in which connections he is bending his efforts toward administra- tive direction and executive control, thereby developing the business along substantial and gratifying lines. He was born in the kingdom of Hanover, Germany, on the 12th of June, 1871, a son of F. J. Schuir- mann, who was also a native of that country, born February 2, 1838. His youth and early manhood were spent in Hanover and he there married Elizabeth Junkhoff, who was born in Germany in 1831 and died in 1902.
J. F. Schuirmann was a lad of ten summers when he accompanied his parents on their emigration from the fatherland to the new world. After reaching American shores they came direct to Iowa, settling in Butler county, where he spent about a year in school. He then began work as a cattle herder or cowboy and devoted the succeeding ten years of his life to that business. In the meantime his father pur- chased a small farm and on the expiration of that decade J. F. Schuir- mann began working for his father, with whom he remained until twenty-seven years of age. He then turned his attention to the real- estate business, handling farm lands, and he was active along that line until about seven years ago, when he came to Burlington, seeking a broader and more profitable field of labor.
Mr. Schuirmann took his time to look around for something which suited him and ultimately purchased the interest of Mr. Appleton in the Appleton Manufacturing Company, which at that time was a rather small concern engaged in the production of post cards, novel- ties, etc. The business has since been increased until they are now in control of a large volume of trade extending throughout the United States and they furnish employment to twelve workmen. In 1911
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Mr. Schuirmann founded the Cooperative Supply Company, a cor- poration which has a number of stockholders and is engaged in hand- ling coal, wood and groceries. This company also started in a very small way but the business has grown to large proportions and they are planning to erect a very large store building in the near future. The efforts of Mr. Schuirmann have been a valuable contribution in the growth of both undertakings with which he is now connected. As president of the companies he has largely directed their policy and shaped their course and that his business judgment is sound is mani- fest in the results.
Mr. Schuirmann was united in marriage to Miss Hattie De Vries, of Butler county, Iowa, on the 18th of March, 1895, and they have seven children, all now in school except the youngest, who is but four years of age.
Mr. Schuirmann has membership relations with the Loyal Order of Moose and belongs to the Baptist church, in the work of which he takes an active and helpful part. In 1912 he was a candidate for mayor on the socialist ticket and made a very strong race for the office. He is truly a self-made man and as the architect of his own fortunes has builded wisely and well. There were no special advantages to aid him at the outset and no influential friends to advance his inter- ests, but he builded upon the sure and safe foundation of diligence, persistency of purpose and thorough reliability and today he occupies a creditable place in the business circles of Burlington, while his character worth commands for him the respect and confidence of all.
MARK F. DERBY.
For a period of thirty-eight years Mark F. Derby has occupied a prominent position on the stage of industrial activity in Burlington and his business has ever been of a nature beneficial to the public in supplying a needed commodity and in furnishing employment to a large force of workmen. Moreover, in his business dealings he has always been thoroughly reliable and in all things in his life record has measured up to high standards of manhood and of citizenship.
He is a native son of Burlington, born in 1852, his parents being Albingence Newton and Caroline (Roper) Derby. The father, a native of Pennsylvania, made the overland trip to Iowa in 1846 and since that time the name of Derby has figured in connection with flour manufacturing in Burlington, for following his arrival the
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father established a flour mill in connection with Mark S. Foote upon the location now occupied by his son, whose name introduces this review. The father continued actively in the flour-milling busi- ness until 1861, when, aroused by the spirit of patriotism he responded to the country's call for troops and put aside all business and personal considerations in order to aid his country at the front. He went to the war as chief engineer on a gun boat and laid down his life on the altar of his country, dying while in the service in 1862. His wife sur- vived only until 1863. They were the parents of three children: Newton R., who was reared in Burlington and was engaged in the milling business until his death on the 29th of April, 1913, ranked with the representative business men of the city, his capability and trustworthiness gaining for him the high regard and confidence of all with whom he was brought in contact. He married Belle McCash, who survives him together with one of their three children. Laura C. and Mark F. are the younger members of the family.
The last named pursued a high-school education until he reached the age of fourteen years, when he started out to earn his own living in connection with the lumber business. In 1876 he began the manu- facture of flour and has since been active in that field. He conducted business under the name of N. R. Derby & Company from 1876 until the organization of the present firm ten years later, his partner in the enterprise being his older brother. Their location was at Washington street and Central avenue and here the business has since been con- tinued. In 1886 a reorganization was effected under the name of the Derby Mills Company with N. R. and M. F. Derby as managers. The same year the plant was rebuilt and equipped with new machin- ery and furnished with steam power. The plant has a capacity of one hundred and fifty barrels daily and the output is chiefly the Bakewell brands of flour. Such is the excellence of the product that it is shipped to many points throughout Iowa. and Illinois. From the beginning the business has steadily grown in volume and importance and the success of the undertaking is attributable to the progressive and reliable methods which were instituted at the outset and which have since been continued. In addition to manufacturing flour Mr. Derby conducts a sash and door factory at the same location and the output of that concern is also widely shipped. He employs today more than sixty men in his factories and his business affairs are important elements in the manufacturing circles of the city.
Mr. Derby was united in marriage to Miss Jane Young, of Bur- lington, a daughter of William Young, who was a native of Pennsyl- vania but at an carly age came to Burlington and here conducted
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business as a contractor. His daughter Jane was born in this city and by her marriage has become the mother of four children: Ralph A., who is married and resides in Albany, New York; Caroline S., at home; Marion, the wife of J. Henry Smith, by whom she has three children ; and Newton M., who is associated with his father in busi- ness. He, too, is married.
Mr. Derby holds membership in the Elks lodge, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Commercial Exchange, the Launch Club, the Carthage Lake Club and the Hawkeye Natives. He is also a member of the Congregational church. He exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the republican party. He keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day and is ever ready to support his position by intelligent argument. He is a sound-minded man who has learned many valuable lessons in the school of experience. He has ever sought for advancement and im- provement along all lines which touch the general interests of society as well as for his own benefit. He maintains an unassailable reputa- tion for business integrity and in social circles he is popular because of his unfeigned cordiality and geniality.
MARK SYLVESTER FOOTE.
Mark S. Foote, who for many years resided in Burlington, Iowa, was one of the strongest factors in promoting industrial growth within the state. He was interested in a number of important enter- prises and particularly the district of which Burlington is the center profited by his activities. Mr. Foote was born in Middlebury, Ver- mont, August 21, 1823, and was a son of Justus and Harriet S. (Graham) Foote, whose history is extensively set forth in connection with the sketch of the Hon. John Graham Foote, appearing in this work. The family is of most distinguished ancestry, the first Amer- ican progenitor having come to this country in the early days of the Massachusetts Bay colony. A complete record of the forbears of our subject is given in connection with the sketch of his brother.
Mark S. Foote received his education in Potsdam, New York, and in 1840, at the age of seventeen, went to St. Louis, Missouri, and from there to Mobile, Alabama, where he remained during the following winter. He then returned to St. Louis, remaining in that city until February, 1845, when he came to Burlington, Iowa. In 1846 he became a partner of Charles Hendrie and they engaged in the foun-
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dry and machine business. The concern enjoyed prosperity from the start and in 1848 Mr. Foote extended his interests by building in part- nership with E. D. Rand, Charles Hendric and Moses Foote the first planing mill in Iowa. He disposed of his foundry interests in 1852 and then bought out his partners, Messrs. Rand and Hendrie, in the planing mill, entering at the same time the lumber business, along which line be dealt entirely in Chicago lumber. In 1857 he disposed of his interests and with his brother-in-law, John H. Gear, entered the wholesale grocery business, successfully continuing therein until 1870, when he sold his share in the concern to Mr. Gear. He then bought, in company with others, the old Hendrie foundry, of which he was one of the original owners, and operated the same for a num- ber of years, at the end of which time he engaged in the wholesale paper business, in which he continued until 1876. In 1877 he became one of the organizers of the Burlington Water Company and was employed by the Holly Company to superintend their interests during the construction of the plant, which was built and turned over to the Water Company in June, 1878. In 1880 Mr. Foote founded the Steam Supply Company of Burlington, which he constructed accord- ing to his own plans and which he managed until 1883. This firm had for its purpose the furnishing of heat to business houses and resi- dences from a central source. In the same year Mr. Foote assisted in building the Hoxtun Steam Heater plant at Kewanee, Illinois, and in 1884 originated the project for the Burlington Roller Mills. He worked out the plans and arrangements for this entire plant. Subse- quently he engaged in the construction of a number of buildings and also installed steam heating plants for several years prior to his death. He also had charge of the property interests in Burlington of Mrs. Remey, widow of the well known admiral.
Mr. Foote was one of the most important factors in the building of Burlington, as can readily be perceived from his record. He was connected with all of the early projects for improvement and was one of the most forceful men in the commercial growth and development of the city. Beside the interests above mentioned he was a stockholder in the Burlington and Mount Pleasant Plank Road; the Burlington & Missouri River Railroad ; the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern Railroad; the Burlington & Carthage Railroad; and the Burlington Gas Company. He was a stockholder and director in the First Na- tional Bank of Burlington and the Burlington Iron Works. Beside superintending the construction of the Burlington Waterworks, the Steam Supply plants and the Burlington Rolling Mills, he had charge of the construction of the Hawkeye Woolen Mills and various
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other industrial enterprises. He was a man of great business energy and of an executive ability that permitted him to handle a number of enterprises successfully at the same time. His activities proved of the greatest worth to the city in which he resided and Burlington honors him as one of its foremost promoters.
On December 10, 1851, Mr. Foote was united in marriage at St. Louis, Missouri, to Miss Mary S. Mauro, a daughter of W. H. Mauro, a well known pioneer of Burlington. Mr. and Mrs. Foote had eight children, of whom five survive, as follows: Mrs. Harry Squires, Mark M., Mrs. Helen S. Hayes, Mrs. Eliza W. Lawler and Moses G.
In his early life Mr. Foote was a whig and later gave his support to the republican party. Although he took an active interest in gov- ernment affairs he never sought public honors. He was a member of the Masonic fraternity and carried the charitable principles of that organization into his every-day life. He was a large-hearted, gener- ous man who would further any cause that he considered worthy of his support without considering individual gain, and throughout his long career proved himself most public spirited. When he passed away, February 13, 1904, he was in his eighty-first year and with him there went from life one of the most important figures in the history of the state. His memory is cherished by the many who knew him and who esteemed him for his qualities of intellect and character.
REV. THOMAS F. GALLIGAN.
Rev. Thomas F. Galligan, pastor of St. Paul's church of Bur- lington since September 4, 1909, was born in Taunton, Massachu- setts, in 1873. He is a graduate of Holy Cross College of Worces- ter, Massachusetts, of the class of 1894, and of St. Mary's Sem- inary at Baltimore, Maryland, of the class of 1898. Having com- pleted his course in the latter institution, he was then ordained to the priesthood at the cathedral at Baltimore, Maryland, by Cardinal Gibbons and was assigned to duty as assistant at St. Peter's church in Keokuk, Iowa. Later he was transferred to St. Mary's church in Tipton, Iowa, and also had charge of a mission at Cedar Valley, known as St. Joseph's church, for ten years. In 1909 he came to Burlington, entering upon his duties here on the 4th of September as pastor of St. Paul's Catholic church. He has become popular with his parishioners because of his deep interest in their welfare
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