USA > Iowa > Des Moines County > History of Des Moines County, Iowa, Volume II > Part 7
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HISTORY OF DES MOINES COUNTY
Chicago from June 9-19, 1914. She was also a delegate to the con- gress of the Daughters of the American Revolution, held in Washington in April, 1914, as in many previous years. Her home, Hickory Hill, is one of the most picturesque and attractive in Bur- lington and has been the home of four generations of the family. It reflects the brilliant mind and cultured taste of Mrs. Wells, whose talents and ability have led her to the position of leadership which she occupies. The circle of her friends includes many of the most prominent women in club and social life and literary circles through- out the country.
CHARLES HENRY MAGEE, M. D.
Most liberal educational training fitted Dr. Charles Henry Magee for the practice of medicine, and since entering upon the active work of the profession he has continually broadened his knowledge by reading, investigation and post-graduate work both in this country and abroad. He came to Burlington in 1901 and now specializes to a considerable extent in general surgery. He was born in Putnam county, Missouri, October 12, 1859, and is a son of Oliver P. and Caroline M. (White) Magec. The father was a farmer by occupation and thus provided for the support of his family.
Reared on a Missouri farm, Dr. Magee attended the public schools near his father's home and afterward entered the Kirksville (Mo.) Normal School, from which he was graduated with the class of 1884. His preliminary training for a professional career was obtained in the Missouri Medical College of St. Louis, from which he was graduated with the class of 1889. For further study he entered the University of Pennsylvania and won the M. D. degree upon completing a course in the medical department with the class of 1891. He has never ceased to be a close student of his profession and aside from broad reading he has taken post-graduate work in the Univer- sity of London in 1895, in the Rotunda of Dublin in 1896 and also in New York and in Chicago. He entered upon the practice of his chosen profession in Unionville, Missouri, where he remained for ten years and then in 1901 came to Burlington, where he has since lived. He specializes in general surgery and is most skilled in this branch of the profession, having wide and accurate knowledge of anatomy and the component parts of the human body, of the on- slaughts made upon it by disease or left to it as a legacy by progeni-
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tors. Moreover, he is cool and calm in an emergency and his abil- ity has carried him to a prominent position among the leading mem- bers of the profession in the state. He is a member of the Des Moines County Medical Society, of which he served as president for two years, the Southeastern Iowa Medical Society, the Des Moines Valley Medical Association, the lowa Medical Association and the American Medical Association.
In 1902 Doctor Magee was united in marriage to Miss Emma B. De Vore, of Oquawka, Illinois, and they have a son, Robert Burns. Doctor Magee is a democrat in his political views, while his frater- nal relations are with the Masons and the Eagles. Laudable ambi- tion, a love of scientific research and broad humanitarian spirit have been the salient points in his professional career which have brought him to the creditable position which he now occupies.
E. D. ADAMS.
E. D. Adams is the first vice president of the Drake Hardware ยท Company. Starting out for himself when a youth of seventeen years, he has been continuously connected with the hardware trade and it has been his diligence and persistency of purpose which have gained for him advancement until he now occupies a most creditable position in the commercial circles of Burlington as the vice president of the Drake Hardware Company. He was born in Canajoharie, New York, and is a representative of an old New England family long established in Massachusetts. His parents were John Q. and Mary (Wetmore) Adams, who for an extended period lived in New York, the father conducting business as a furniture dealer in Canajoharie.
In the public schools of that city E. D. Adams pursued his edu- cation and when seventeen years of age, his text-books having been put aside, he turned his attention to commercial pursuits, securing employment in a hardware establishment in the Empire state. He remained in the east until 1888 and then came to Burlington, since which time he has been identified with the Drake Hardware Com- pany. The business at that time was conducted by L. H. Drake and he represented the house upon the road as a traveling salesman. In 1891, upon the organization of the Drake Hardware Company, he was made its vice president and has been connected with the business in that connection continuously since. He remained upon the road until 1900 and since that time has been active in directing the affairs
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HISTORY OF DES MOINES COUNTY
of the business in the office. His long experience as a traveling sales- man has made him thoroughly familiar with the trade and its de- mands and he has in his business career ever realized the fact that satisfied patrons are the best advertisement.
In 1895 Mr. Adams was united in marriage to Miss Anna Ren- frew, of What Cheer, Iowa, and they have one child, Mary Eliza- beth. Mr. Adams votes with the republican party and keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day so that he is able to support his position by intelligent argument. His wife is a mem- ber of the Presbyterian church and he has membership relations with the Commercial Exchange and with the Golf Club. He finds recrea- tion in the latter and in the former sees his opportunity for coopera- ' tion with the plans and movements for the city's upbuilding and development. He has never had occasion to regret his determina- tion to come to the middle west and during the twenty-six years of his residence in Burlington he has gained the high respect and warm regard of many with whom he has come in contact.
FREDERICK SCHMIEG.
Frederick Schmieg, who passed away on the 30th of January, 1915, was a notable example of the possible activity of age. Many seem to regard it as but the natural course of events that a man in his later years should lack the power to continue in business, seeming to think that old age must necessarily indicate idleness or want of occu- pation. The record of Mr. Schmieg, however, stands as proof to the contrary, for although he passed the eighty-ninth milestone on life's journey, he was hale and hearty and remained a factor in the com- mercial and manufacturing circles of Burlington until his death, giving out of the rich stores of his wisdom and experience for the benefit of others.
Mr. Schmieg was born in Frankfort-on-the-Main, in Germany, June 10, 1825. His father died before he was born and his mother passed away soon afterward. He was then reared by an aunt, whose devotion to him he repaid in after years in many ways, among them by providing for her invalid daughter as long as the latter lived. He received a liberal education, studying both Greek and Latin, and after finishing his course in the gymnasium was employed in the post- office at Limburg, where, he often said, he had learned promptness and received most valuable training.
JAJahming
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR. ENOX
INS
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HISTORY OF DES MOINES COUNTY
In 1849, at the age of twenty-four years, Mr. Schmieg crossed the Atlantic to the United States, landing in New York in May. During the following summer he worked on a farm in Ohio and in the fall of that year came to Burlington, making the trip overland by team. During the winter he made preparations to cross the plains with a party who were going to seck gold in California and in the spring of 1850 he started on the long journey westward. The party consisted of sixty, including one woman. Among the number were two from Burlington, who remained his lifelong friends, these being Thornton Delaschmutt, now cighty-nine years of age, and John Parkes, eighty-five, who are still residents of Des Moines county. Mr. Schmieg remained almost four years in California, working in the mines near Georgetown, and, although he was one of the young- est of the miners and had only an imperfect knowledge of English, he was chosen foreman and given full authority to manage the affairs of the company. Leaving the Golden state in 1854, he crossed the Isthmus of Panama and proceeded to New York and on to Philadel- phia, arriving in Burlington the following autumn.
As the result of the success which he had achieved upon the Pacific coast Mr. Schmieg was enabled to embark in business on his own account. He first bought a mill near Lowell, but this was car- ried away by high water and ice in the spring of 1857. He then engaged in the retail grocery business with his brother-in-law, J. R. Nelson, but the partnership was dissolved during the Civil war, and shortly afterward Mr. Schmieg opened a retail drygoods store in company with another brother-in-law, Charles F. Schramm. In 188t the firm turned their attention to the wholesale trade and they continued in business together until 1904, when Mr. Schramm passed away. On the last day of the year 1900 their store was destroyed by fire, but, although both were well advanced in years, it never oc- curred to them that here was an opportunity to retire, but with energy that would have been amazing in younger men they resumed business at once. The business was incorporated in 1905 and in 1912 was moved to the present site of the store at the corner of Third and Valley streets. Here they occupy three stories and basement, and it was the intention of Mr. Schmieg to add two more stories in a building sixty by one hundred and twenty feet. The business became an extensive one and thirteen traveling salesmen were kept upon the road. The firm also owned a factory and engaged in the manufac- ture of overalls, employing seventy-five girls in that connection. In their employ were about one hundred and seventy-five people and the business was one of the most extensive enterprises of Burlington. Vol. II-5
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On the 14th of December, 1854, soon after his return from the west, Mr. Schmieg was united in marriage to Mrs. Matilda (Schramm) Ehrmann, who had lost her first husband three years previously. After a happy married life of almost a half century Mrs. Schmieg passed away in 1904. Mr. Schmieg loved good books, and good music was one of his delights and he was instrumental in sending his nephews, William and Arthur Schramm, to the con- servatory of music at Leipsic, Germany. He was a member of the Christian Science church and also of the Commercial Club. In politics he was a stalwart republican from the time of the organiza- tion of the party and in the year 1873 served as alderman of Bur- lington. Throughout his entire life he enjoyed fishing and hunting and killed many wagon loads of ducks and geese.
The life record of Mr. Schmieg constitutes an example well worthy of emulation, for although he had reached the age of eighty- nine years, he always arrived at his office at seven o'clock in the morning. He never abused nature's laws, always took good care of his health and to this may be attributed his splendid physical and mental condition. He was kindhearted and generous and would go out of his way to help one in distress or need. On returning from California there was a young man in the party whom they had to leave in Panama on account of sickness. He had a brother in Chicago and Mr. Schmieg took pains in hunting him up and telling him con- cerning the one left in Panama. In gratitude this brother offered Mr. Schmieg property in the heart of the city at a nominal figure. Today this property is worth millions. Mr. Schmieg, however, never regretted that he came to Burlington, which city he loved bet- ter than any place on earth. For long years he was interested in its development and growth and ever bore a most active and helpful part in its advancement.
GEORGE B. LITTLE, M. D.
Dr. George B. Little was an active representative of the medical profession in Burlington from 1873 until his death, which occurred January 31, 1915, and was a past president of the Des Moines County Medical Society. He was born in Wethersfield, Henry county, Illi- nois, April 15, 1851, a son of Caleb Jewett Tenney and Eliza Ann (Brooks) Little, both of whom were natives of New Hampshire. The father was a mechanic and wagonmaker and on leaving New
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England made his way westward to Illinois in 1837. There he fol- lowed his trade until 1850, after which he withdrew from industrial interests to concentrate his efforts upon mercantile business, being thus engaged until he retired from active life.
At the usual age Dr. George B. Little entered the public schools of Illinois and still later took an agricultural course in Manhattan College, Manhattan, Kansas. He began reading medicine in the office and under the direction of Dr. J. F. Todd, of Kewanee, Illi- nois, and in February, 1873, graduated from Rush Medical College, Chicago. He commenced practicing medicine at Burlington in March, 1873, and here he remained, covering a period of forty-two years. His ability was pronounced and public confidence in his pro- fessional skill was attested by the liberal practice that was accorded him through all those years. He was a member of the Des Moines County Medical Society, of which he served as the president, and of the Iowa State Medical Society and the American Medical Asso- ciation. At his death he was the only surviving charter member of the Des Moines County Medical Society, which was formed in 1873, and he had a copy of the by-laws as set forth at the organization. He always continued in general practice and had the patronage of many of the best families of the city.
On the 14th of May, 1874, in Kewanee, Illinois, Dr. Little was united in marriage to Miss Esther M. Palmer, a daughter of Grove N. and Elizabeth Palmer. They became parents of four children. Palmer J., who was graduated from Rush Medical Col- lege of Chicago in 1900, is married and is engaged in the practice of medicine in Omaha, Nebraska. Louise Blanche is the widow of Dudley K. Wilcox and resides in Burlington with her daughter, Elizabeth Jane. Etta Floy is the wife of Sidney F. Bartlett, a resi- dent of White Plains, New York, and they have one son, John Sidney. George B. is a member of the Iowa Coal Company of Burlington.
Dr. Little held membership in the Court of Honor and with the Mystic Workers. He was long a consistent member of the Congre- gational church and for fifteen years served on its board of trustees. His political allegiance was given the republican party, and he was a stalwart advocate of its principles, yet could never be said to be a politician in the sense of office seeking. He served, however, as a member of the school board and the cause of public education found in him a stalwart champion. He also served as county physician and at his death was the oldest physician of the city in years of continuous residence. To some extent he was then living retired, withdrawing
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HISTORY OF DES MOINES COUNTY
more and more into private life, but many of his patients were loath to give up his professional service and thus he remained to some extent active in the profession to which he had devoted his entire career and in which he had won for himself a most enviable reputa- tion.
WILLIAM EDGAR BLAKE.
For forty-five years William Edgar Blake has been an active practitioner at the bar of Burlington. He is today one of its oldest representatives in years of continuous connection therewith and throughout the entire period he has occupied a creditable position as an able lawyer, one who is forceful as an advocate, wise as a counselor and who at all times holds strictly to the ethics of his call- ing. He was born in Morning Sun, Preble county, Ohio, June 27, 1844, a son of Henry Clay and Mary Ann (Wilson) Blake, who on the 10th of October, 1845, arrived in Iowa with their family, settling first in Louisa county. The father was a carpenter and builder by trade and was thus identified with industrial pursuits for a consider- able period. He also carried on farming and in his later life devoted his attention to merchandising. At the time of the Civil war, prompted by a spirit of patriotism, he enlisted for active service, becoming a member of Company C, First Iowa Cavalry, with which he was connected for three years, participating in many a hotly con- tested battle. Both he and his wife are now deceased. They had a family of five children, of whom two are yet living: W. W., who makes his home in the city of Mexico; and William Edgar. One son, Melville E., who died in 1901, practiced in connection with his brother William for twenty-five years.
Throughout practically his entire life William Edgar Blake has made his home in Iowa, but went to Illinois for the completion of his more specifically literary education, being graduated from Mon- mouth College with the class of 1867. He qualified for his profes- sion in the law department of the State University of Iowa City and was graduated with the class of 1869. He then came to Burlington, opened an office and has since practiced in this city, being actively connected with a profession which has important bearing upon the progress and stable prosperity of any section or community and one which has long been considered as conserving the public welfare by furthering the ends of justice and maintaining individual rights. He
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is a strong advocate with the jury, and concise in his appeals before the court. He has always continued in the general practice of law and throughout the period of his residence in Burlington has main- tained membership relations in the Burlington, Des Moines County and lowa State Bar Associations.
On the 4th of July, 1867, Mr. Blake was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Lucretia Hurd, who died in September, 1902. In November, 1903, he wedded S. E. Jagger, of Burlington. He has two daughters: Mrs. W. B. Swan, now living in Memphis, Ten- nessee; and Mrs. Lucretia B. Wilson, whose home is in this city.
Mr. Blake has been identified with the republican party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise and although he has been interested in the science of government and in the questions relating to municipal welfare, he has preferred to concentrate his efforts upon his professional duties rather than seek or fill office. His life has ever been actuated by high and honorable principles and he is today known as a devoted and faithful member of the Presby- terian church and of the Young Men's Christian Association.
CHARLES R. HUTCHISON.
Charles R. Hutchison is the vice president and secretary of the Rankin Coal & Ice Company of Burlington, in which connection a large and growing business has been developed along lines that con- form to the highest standards of commercial ethics. Enterprise, close application and determination have been the salient features in the conduct of the business and the trade has steadily increased. Mr. Hutchison was born in West Burlington, November 8, 1889, a son of Charles J. and Sarah (Rankin) Hutchison. The great-grand- father in the maternal line was David Rankin, a soldier of the War of 1812, and his son and namesake, the grandfather of Mr. Hutchison, was a soldier of the Civil war. The father was born in Parkersburg, West Virginia, in 1838, and died on the 5th of April, 1906, having for exactly two years survived his wife, who passed away on the 5th of April, 1904. She was then fifty-five years of age, her birth having occurred in Canton, Cherokee county, Texas, in 1849. Charles J. Hutchison was a captain and pilot on the Ohio river and afterward for nine years commanded the old John Taylor, a ferry boat running out of Burlington. In the family was a daughter, Marion, now the wife of H. B. Radford, a resident of Kirkwood, Missouri.
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Charles R. Hutchison, the only son, was educated in the schools of West Burlington and on starting out in life independently worked on a farm at Middletown for one year. He was later employed as messenger boy by the Western Union and Postal Telegraph Com- panies for a year and a half and subsequently spent three years on the Mississippi, Missouri and Ohio rivers in the lighthouse service. In October, 1911, he entered the employ of T. R. Rankin & Company as collector and solicitor, occupying that position for more than a year. He became a member of the firm on the ist of March, 1913, and as vice president and secretary has done not a little since that time in shaping the policy and conducting the affairs of the company, now known as the Rankin Coal & Ice Company, contributing in large measure to its success. The business of the firm is constantly grow- ing and their patronage is now extensive and gratifying.
On the 24th of June, 1913, Mr. Hutchison was united in marriage to Miss Laura Guenther, who was born in Dubuque, Iowa, a daugh- ter of Charles Guenther. They now reside at No. 418 Dunham street and they have one child, Marion, who was born in Burlington, May 8, 1914. In politics Mr. Hutchison is a progressive but is not an office seeker. Fraternally he is connected with the Woodmen of the World. Starting out in the business world empty-handed and work- ing as a farm hand, he has steadily advanced through his own per- sistency of purpose and indefatigable energy, and that he now ranks among the representative and progressive young business men of the city is due to his well formulated and carefully executed plans.
HENRY J. STADTLANDER.
It is meet that a record of Henry J. Stadtlander find a place upon the pages of Burlington's history, for he has long been identified with its industrial and commercial interests, and as a business man has occupied a creditable position. He was born on Court street, in Burlington, in January, 1853, and after entering upon his business career in early manhood he worked as a coremaker in the foundry and machine shops of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Company at West Burlington. He had acquired his education in the public schools, and in this city learned the coremaker's trade. For a long period he continued in active connection with industrial interests, while at the present time he acts as assistant to his son in the ice cream parlor and manufactory of H. F. Stadtlander.
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In his political views Mr. Stadtlander has ever been an earnest democrat, persistently supporting the party and its principles, yet never seeking nor desiring office on his own account. He is a mem- ber of the Modern Woodmen of America, but has always preferred to give his leisure time to his home and has ever been a devoted hus- band and father.
Mr. Stadtlander was united in marriage in 1881 to Miss Louisa Beck, who was born in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1863, and was brought by her parents to Burlington when a little maiden of ten years, since which time she has resided in this city. To Mr. and Mrs. Stadt- lander have been born four children: Clara, who is now the wife of John Smith, residing on Court street in Burlington; Henry F., also of this city; William J., who married Miss Hulda Steinhauer, by whom he has two children and makes his home with his father; and Edward, at home. The two children of Mr. and Mrs. William J. Stadtlander are Alberta, aged three, and Lucile, a year and a half old. The father is engaged in the manufacture of ice cream for his elder brother.
Henry F. Stadtlander, widely and favorably known in connec- tion with the ice cream trade of Burlington, was born at the family home at 859 Court street, his natal day being January 4, 1884. After completing the course in the grammar schools he pursued a commer- cial course covering a year in Elliott's Business College. His first employment was in carrying water for a company engaged in the building of a street railway on Main street. He was afterward em- ployed for several years in a basket factory, and subsequently he worked for three years in the packing department of the Wyman & Rand Company. In 1910 he opened an ice cream parlor on North Hill, on First North street. He later removed to 1336 North Eighth street. He has been at his present location, No. 935 North Eighth street, for the past two years and is enjoying a fine trade. He manu- factures all the ice cream which he handles, selling to both the wholesale and retail trades, and he now has a well-appointed and attractive ice cream parlor which is liberally patronized. His prod- uct is equal, if not superior, to any made in the state, and he has won a well-earned reputation along this line. His trade now extends to all parts of the city, as well as to various neighboring towns and vil- lages. His business is steadily growing, and is the result of his un- remitting energy, sound judgment as manifest in well-defined plans, and his unfaltering enterprise. He is not afraid to venture where favoring opportunity leads the way, and his even-paced energy has carried him into important relations.
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