USA > Iowa > Pottawattamie County > History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, from the earliest historic times to 1907, Vol. I > Part 28
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Dr. Read, of Avoca, was reared under the parental roof and in the public schools of Ogden acquired his early education, which was supplemented by study in Simpson College in the spring of 1893. He afterward attended the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago and from that city went cast to Buffalo, New York, where he was employed in the mercantile store of his
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A
uncle, E. W. Read & Company, for one year. On the expiration of that period he returned to his native state and took up the study of dentistry, entering the dental department of the University of Iowa in the fall of 1894. In the fall of 1895 he became a student in the University of Pennsylvania at Phil- adelphia, where he spent one term. after which he again came to Iowa and for three years was engaged in the practice of his profession in Ogden.' In order to further perfect himself in his chosen field of labor, in the fall of 1899 he onee more entered college as a student in the Northwestern Univer- sity of Chicago, from which he was graduated in the class of 1900. He then came to Avoca and on the 14th of May of that year opened his office for the practice of his profession. His skill soon gained him an extensive practice and he has since condueted a business which is constantly growing in volume and importance. His work is of a satisfactory character and he continued in active charge thereof until his appointment to the position of postmaster in September, 1906. Assuming the duties of this position, he placed his office in charge of his cousin. Dr. H. E. Read.
On the 5th of January, 1898, Dr. C. H. Read was married to Miss Lilly S. Williams, of Ogden, Iowa. and unto them have been born two children, Cora Lilly and Florence Charlotte. Dr. Read is a republican and for two years has served as clerk of Knox township, Pottawattamie county. He bc- longs to Mount Nebo lodge, No. 297, A. F. & A. M., served for two years as its master, and in 1906 was junior grand deacon of the grand lodge of Iowa. He likewise affiliates with Raboni chapter, R. A. M., and with the Eastern Star, of which he has been worthy patron. He is also an Odd Fellow, holding membership in Avoca lodge, No. 220. He is regarded as one of the repre- sentative citizens of Avoca and in the position of postmaster is making a record equally creditable with that which he has made as a member of the dental fraternity
DONALD MACRAE, M. D.
Dr. Donald Macrae. Sr., who passed away on the 14th of August, 1907, was the most popular as well as one of the oldest physicians of Council Bluffs, having been engaged in practice here for over forty years. His early home was on the other side of the Atlantic, for he was born in Ross- shire, Scotland, on the 3d of October, 1839, his parents being Rev. Donald and Jessie (Russell) Maerae. His father was a minister of the Free church of Scotland, and his maternal grandfather. Rev. James Russell, was also a clergyman, living at Gairloch, Ross-shire, Scotland. The Doctor is survived by three brothers and one sister: James R., of Council Bluffs: Rev. John S., of Melbourne, Australia: F. A., of London, England; and Mrs. Mary Stewart, of Melbourne, Australia.
Dr. Macrae was reared and educated in his native land and was a student at the University of Edinburgh, graduating from the medical de- partment of that noted school in August, 1861. For a year and a half
Donald Macrae
THE I'FORT PUBLIC LIENARY
ASTOR. FAX IN
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thereafter he was engaged in practice at the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary and then accepted a position as surgeon for the Cunard Steamship Com- pany, crossing the ocean seventy-five times during the four years spent in their service.
On his last trip the Doctor landed in New York and was married in that city in 1867 to Miss Charlotte Douchette, a native of Canada and a daughter of Joseph Douchette, who was surveyor general of Canada and died in 1881 at the age of eighty-six years. Dr. and Mrs. Macrae had one son, Donald, Jr., who was born January 24, 1870, and is now successfully engaged in the practice of medicine in Council Bluffs. The wife and mother died on the 28th of March, 1904.
It was in March, 1867, that Dr. Macrae of this review took up his resi- dence in Council Bluffs and opened an office. He was not long in building up a good practice, which steadily increased as the years passed by, and he was always regarded as one of the most popular and successful physicians of his adopted city. The well established family physician obtains an in- fluence in any community which is more far-reaching than that of any man sustaining other relations to the public. Through his long practice Dr. Macrae became widely known and was universally respected and esteemed. For several years he was professor of the principles and practice of medi- cine in the Omaha Medical College and also dean of the faculty, and was president of the Iowa State Medical Society and of the Missouri Valley Medi- cal Society. At the meeting of the International Medical Congress held at Washington, D. C., he was vice president of the surgical section, and these facts plainly indicate his standing with his professional brethren. Frater- nally he was a member of the Elks, the Masons and the Woodmen of the World, and religiously was connected with the Presbyterian church, while his wife was a member of the Episcopal church. His political support was given the democratic party, but he never took a very active part in public affairs, though he served on the school board and as mayor of Council Bluffs to the entire satisfaction of all concerned.
SOREN JENSEN MYRTUE.
Soren Jensen Myrtue. architect and building contractor, occupies a prom- inent position in business circles of the city and his success is the public acknowledgment of his skill and ability in his chosen field of labor. He was born at Wester Hjermitslev, in the extreme northern part of Denmark. His father, Jens C. Sorensen Myrtue, born in the same place, September 13, 1826, still lives in his native country and has devoted his life to farming. The mother, Karen Marie (Jensen) Myrtue, was born at Wester Hjermitslev, June 23, 1832, and died in that country in June, 1881.
In the public schools of his native country Soren J. Myrtue pursued his preliminary education and afterward took a three years' course in a technical school in Denmark, completing courses in architecture and construction,
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thus becoming well trained for his life work. Coming to America he settled in Council Bluffs, February 12, 1890, and turned his attention to the business in which he is now engaged. He is widely known and has gained a most enviable reputation as an architect and contracting builder, and since 1894 he has been associated with his brother, J. J. Myrtue, their place of business being No. 30 South Fourth street. They employ on an average twenty men, with a payroll of three hundred and fifty dollars a week, their business having constantly increased in volume and importance until it is scarcely equalled by any in their line in the city. Many of the fine structures of the city are monuments to their skill and handiwork, and the firm bears an unassailable reputation for fidelity and reliability.
On the 22d of July, 1904, Mr. Myrtue was united in marriage to Miss Ella Smith, of Council Bluffs, who was born near Macomb, Illinois, in 1867. Her father died when she was quite young and her mother died in Council Bluffs, in September, 1906. Both Mr. and Mrs. Myrtue have a wide acquaint- ance and the friendship of many with whom they have been brought in contact. He is a member of the Danish Brotherhood and is a stockholder in the building owned by that society. He lives at No. 384 Harrison street, where he owns a pleasant residence, and in addition to his business property he has an interest in several properties elsewhere in the city, from which he derives a good income. Throughout his life he has made good use of his opportunities, seeking in the field of unremitting diligence the chance for advancement, and liis business rectitude, combined with his technical skill and practical methods, has brought him a goodly measure of prosperity.
JOHN BENO.
John Beno, deceased, was for many years prominently identified with the business interests of Council Bluffs, being at the head of the largest department store in the city. His early home was on the other side of the Atlantic, for he was born in Alsace, France, now a part of Germany, January 11, 1843, but was only seven years of age when he was brought to this country by his parents. The mother, however, died soon after coming to America.
The family home being established in St. Louis, the son there worked at anything he could find to do for about six years. He then spent three years in St. Joseph, Missouri, where he was also variously employed, and in 1861 came to Council Bluffs. During the first year after his arrival here he made his home with a brother, who removed from the city on the expiration of that time and he then went to work for Mrs. W. D. Turner, at whose home he stayed. He had only been able to attend school at short intervals up to this time, and feeling the need of a better education, he entered night school. Through per- sistent and untiring effort he acquired a good practical education, which well fitted him for a business carcer in later years. In 1863 Mr. Beno made his home with H. C. McNutt and worked in a local express office. Later he entered the store of Johnson, Spratlan & Company, as salesman, and remained with
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that firm until July, 1866. For a short time he was in the employ of Fore- man & Warner. The former eventually withdrew his interests from the firm and Mr. Beno resigned his position and formed a partnership with Mr. Foreman, conducting business under the firm style of Foreman & Beno. In August, 1879, Mr. Beno withdrew from the business and went to Port- land, Oregon, to visit his father, brothers and sisters, but in the fall of 1880 he returned to Council Bluffs and opened a general store at No. 18 Main street and 17 Pearl street. Success attended his efforts from the start and to meet the growing demands of his trade he was obliged to move to larger quarters opposite the Grand Hotel, where he occupied five adjoining stores, three stories in height. In 1900 he purchased the building erected by Eiseman & Company, which is still occupied by his nephews, who are his successors in business. In 1901 the business was incorporated under the name of The John Beno Company and in 1902 Mr. Beno sold his interest to his nephews, the business being conducted under the original firm style. Of excellent business ability and sound judgment, Mr. Beno succeeded in establishing the largest department store in this section of the state, carry- ing an extensive stock of dry goods, clothing, millinery, etc., for which he found a ready market. Owing to ill health he retired from the business about four years prior to his death, but it is still carried on under his name, the present directors being Adolph F. Beno, Charles A. Beno, Lincoln R. Hypes, F. L. Ellis and W. F. Hypes, the last named being a resident of Chicago. In addition to an extensive wholesale and retail trade, they do a large mail order business and their stock is unexcelled by any similar estab- lishment in this part of the country.
On the 4th of June, 1872, Mr. Beno was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth M. Robertson, of Little Sioux, Iowa, who had previously been a resident of Council Bluffs, and after her marriage her parents, William H. and Catherine Robertson, returned to this city, making their home with Mr. and Mrs. Beno throughout the remainder of their lives, Mr. Robertson having retired from business. Unto our subject and his wife were born five children, who are still living, namely: John, Donald, Grover, Eliza- beth and Catherine, and with the family also resided Mr. Beno's two nephews, Charles A. and Adolph Beno.
After disposing of his interest in the store Mr. Beno practically lived retired though he gave his personal supervision to his property, but owing to a cancer he was forced to spend considerable time in the hospital. Death finally released him from his sufferings on the 13th of June, 1907, and the community mourned the loss of one of its most valued and useful citizens. He was a member of the Elks lodge but was not identified with any political organization, holding himself free to support the men whom he believed best qualified for office regardless of party lines. His business affairs were always conducted along the strictest principles of honor and integrity and through his own unaided efforts he worked his way upward to a position of affluence, but the most envious could not grudge him his success, so worthily was it achieved. His business associates always spoke of him in terms of the highest praise. He was loyal in friendship and in his home was a loving
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and indulgent husband and father. Mrs. Beno is an earnest member of the Presbyterian church and a most estimable lady, who resides 'with her children at a beautiful home at No. 120 Frank street.
ALFRED A. LENOCKER.
Alfred A. Lenocker, with varied business interests, is accounted one of the most alert, energetic and prominent citizens of Oakland, where he owns and conducts a drug store. As the growth and prosperity of any com- munity depends upon its business men, it is easily seen that Mr. Lenocker may well be termed one of the foremont resident of Oakland.
He was born in Holmes county, Ohio, in 1861, a son of Jacob Lenocker, a native of Switzerland, who is now living in Dexter, Iowa, at the age of seventy-five years. He was brought to the United States at the age of seven by his parents, who located on a farm in Ilolmes county, Ohio, and he was reared to agricultural life, which he chose for an occupation when he started out in business on his own account. For many years he carried on farming but is now living retired in Dexter. He dates his arrival in Iowa from 1869, at which time he took up his abode in Madison county, where he carried on the tilling of the soil and became prosperous. He was also a large cattle raiser and shipper and owned a farm of four hundred and forty acres, which is one of the finest in the state. He belongs to the Odd Fellows society and gives his political allegiance to the democracy. Ile married Barbara Drushal, who was born in Pennsylvania and died in 1879 at the age of thirty-eight years. She was a member of the German Lutheran church. Their family numbered seven children, of whom four survive: Henry D., who follows farming at Fort Morgan, Colorado; Alfred A .; Mary E., the wife of J. J. Larky, a farmer of Oxford, Nebraska; and Carolyn S., the wife of R. II. Rankin, a stock raiser and buyer of Cambridge, Nebraska.
Alfred A. Lenoeker was reared to farm life and attended the country schools. In 1881, abandoning agricultural pursuits, he turned his atten- tion to the drug business, entering a store in Dexter, in which he acquainted himself with pharmacy. In 1885 he removed to Oakland. where he estab- lished a store of his own and has since been successfully engaged in its con- duct, his modern business methods and his well known reliability securing him a liberal patronage. Ile is, moreover, a stockholder and director of the Oakland Savings Bank and was the builder of the Lenocker Rural Telephone lines, which he built in 1901. He is likewise a stockholder in the Council Bluffs telephone exchange and the Harlan and Avoca exchanges and has acted as manager of the Oakland exchange. His property holdings embrace four hundred aeres of land in Furnas county, Nebraska, and two hundred and forty acres in Yuma county, Colorado. His business interests are thus varied and extensive but the ability which enables him to readily solve in- tricate business problems qualifies him for the successful control of all these
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interests aud he is justly accounted a representative citizen of Pottawattamie county.
Mr. Lenocker was married in 1885 to Miss Effie L. Frantz, who was born in Ohio in 1862. a daughter of William and Margaret Frantz, the former a farmer by occupation. He came to Iowa in 1870, settling in Mills county, where he carried on general agricultural pursuits. Mr. and Mrs. Lenocker have one son, Ivan, who was born in 1888 at Oakland and is now with his father in the drug store.
The parents arc members of the Congregational church and Mr. Lenocker is an Odd Fellow and a Woodman. His political allegiance is given to the democracy and he has served as treasurer and clerk of the town. Aside from any official service he has done active work for the community in support of its progressive public measures and the good qualities which he has manifested as a citizen, as a business man and in private life well entitle him to the regard in which he is so uniformly held.
STEPHEN T. MILLER, D. V. S.
Dr. Stephen T. Miller, who is city meat and fruit inspector for Council Bluffs, was born on a farm in Powcsheik county, lowa. on the 23d of August, 1864, and is a representative of one of the old families of this state, his parents having located here at an early period of Iowa's development. The father, Jacob S. Miller, was born in Somerset county, Pennsylvania, in 1812, and after his removal to the middle west continued his residence in Iowa until his death, which occurred in Montezuma in 1877. He married Armilda Edmonds and they became the parents of a large family of seventeen children, fourteen of whom are vet living. The mother still survives and makes her home in Montezuma.
Dr. Miller of this review spent the first fifteen years of his life in the county of his nativity and during most of that period was a pupil of the public schools ncar his father's home. In 1879 his mother removed to Norton, Kansas, where he lived on a homestead until 1892, and there he completed his education in a sod schoolhouse, such as was common upon the plains of the Sunflower state, where it was difficult to obtain building mate- rials. Considering his education completed at the age of twenty-one, he started in life on his own account. About that time he was elected a school director and served for three years. He went to school, however, for nine months after he was elected to office, and, as he expresses it, "hired his own teacher." and says that he learned more in that period than he had done in all of his previous attendance at schools. In 1891 he became a student in a veterinary college at Des Moines, Iowa, and was graduated in 1893. He then located at Shelby, Iowa, as a veterinary, and in 1898 he pursued a post-graduate course in the Kansas City Veterinary College. In 1905 he located for prac- tice in Council Bluffs, where he has since remained, and he has here secured a liberal patronage as a member of the profession. In 1906 he was made
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meat and fruit inspector, which position he is still filling, and in 1907 he was appointed by Governor Cummings assistant state veterinary.
Dr. Miller was married in 1891, in Kansas, to Miss Ida Roys, and they have three children: Russell T., Miss Marvel D. and Bernard C. Dr. Miller belongs to the Yeomen and to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is also connected with the Methodist Episcopal church. Although he was denied in youth many advantages which most boys enjoy, owing to the fact that he lived upon the frontier, he has nevertheless made use of his opportuni- ties and he has now attained to a position of prominence in his profession" owing to the skill which he has acquired therein.
JOHN B. BURKEY.
John B. Burkey belongs to one of the pioneer families of Iowa, honored, esteemed and successful. The name has been closely associated with the county and its progress for a number of years. Jolin B. Burkey was born in Clinton county, Iowa, on the 14th of December, 1870, and is the eldest in the family of three children, whose parents were David and Catherine (Burgin) Burkey. The father, a native of Indiana, came to Iowa at an early date when a boy with his parents, the family home being established in Jackson county. There he was reared amid pioneer environment and after attaining his majority he was married to Miss Catherine Burgin, being at that time about twenty-three years of age. During the two succeeding years he followed farming in Clinton county, Iowa, and in 1872 came to Pottawattamie county and purchased eighty aeres on the southeast quarter of section 27, Layton township. Not long afterward he bought the other eighty-aere tract on that quarter section and upon his farm resided until about 1898, when he retired from active business life and removed to Atlantic, Iowa, where he has since made his home.
John B. Burkey is the eldest of three children, the others being William H., now a resident farmer of Layton township, and Mary, the wife of William Berry, of Cass county, Iowa. The children spent their youth under the parental roof and were educated in the common schools. When not busy with his text-books John B. Bnrkey assisted in the work of field and meadow and on attaining his majority started out in life on his own account. For two years he engaged in farming as a renter and in 1893 he purchased his present farm of one hundred and sixty acres constituting the northeast quarter of section 27, Layton township, adjoining the old homestead farm on the north. Here he has since resided, and the excellent and well-kept appearance of the place indicates his careful supervision. In addition to tilling the soil and raising the crops best adapted to climatic conditions he has also made a specialty of raising shorthorn cattle and during the past two years he has also been feeding cattle, finding this branch of his business very profitable.
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On the 22d of February, 1893, Mr. Burkey was married to Miss Cordelia Berry, of Marna, Cass county, Iowa, a daughter of John W. Berry, a prom- inent farmer and one of the carly settlers of that county. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Burkey have been born two children, Roy Evan and Mildred Myrtice. The parents are widely known in this locality and occupy an enviable posi- tion in social circles, the hospitality of the best homes being cordially ex- tended them. Mr. Burkey is a democrat in his political views but is with- out aspiration for office, his entire time and attention being concentrated upon his business affairs, in which he has met with creditable success. He has spent almost his entire life in this county where the family has lived from pioneer times to the present, and throughout the years the name of Burkey has ever stood as a synonym for progress and improvement.
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SAMUEL B. WADSWORTH.
The subject of this review is 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. For twenty years he has been a resident of Council Bluffs and has successfully engaged in the practice of law here since 1895.
A native of Illinois, Mr. Wadsworth was born in Grand de Tour town- ship, Ogle county, February 22, 1851, and is a son of Christopher and Matilda (Feaster) Wadsworth, who were born in Maryland and were of English descent. Our subject began his education in the country schools of that county. In 1868 he entered Dixon Seminary at Dixon, Illinois, where he was a student for one year, and in 1873-4 attended the Illinois State Normal University at Normal, Illinois. In 1875 he was appointed secretary of the State Scientific Society of Illinois, in which capacity he served for two years, at the same time being superintendent of the schools of Heyworth, that state, to which position he was appointed in 1874. He was next superintendent of the city schools of Oregon, Illinois, for twelve consecutive years and in 1886 was elected president of the Northern Illinois Teachers Association and also county superintendent of schools of Ogle county.
Resigning these positions in 1887, Mr. Wadsworth came to Council Bluffs and embarked in the abstract business, becoming general manager of the Union Abstract & Trust Company upon its formation, but retired from that position several years ago. From 1889 until 1893 he was secretary of the Council Bluffs Board of Trade. Taking up the study of law, he was admitted to the bar in 1895 and has since engaged in the active practice of his profession with marked success.
Since coming to Council Bluffs, Mr. Wadsworth has taken a very active and prominent part in public affairs, being elected a member of the park commission in 1888. He was chairman of the democratic central committee of Pottawattamie county from 1889 to 1893 and was then selected as chairman
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