USA > Iowa > Pottawattamie County > History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, from the earliest historic times to 1907, Vol. I > Part 34
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On the 2d of March, 1871, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Ward and Miss Lucy Cook, who was born near Princeton, Bureau county, Illinois, in 1846. Her parents were both natives of Massachusetts and have departed this life. She was one of a family of eight children and by her marriage has also become the mother of the following children: Mary C., the wife of James Pritchard, liv- ing in North Dakota; Nancy S., at home; Lucy I., who is now a missionary in North Africa; Amy B., who became the wife of J. B. Altig, and now resides in Colorado; Walter, living in North Dakota; Edyph, the wife of Fred E. Snider, a resident of South Dakota; and Leta C., who is at home.
In his political affiliations Mr. Ward is a prohibitionist, being a stalwart advocate of the temperance cause and having firm faith in its principles. He is
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now serving as assessor of Knox township, having held this position for four- teen years, and has also been school director for several years. In religious faith both he and his wife support the Congregational church and are widely known as people of genuine personal worth and commendable traits of char- acter. Their many friends in this part of the county enjoy the hospitality of their attractive home, and they have won the warm esteem of all with whom they have come in contact.
CHARLES E. WALTERS.
Charles E. Walters has displayed much of the spirit of the pioneer and of the inventor in the establishment and control of the business in which he is now engaged. He has wrought along new lines, developing a business the worth of which is widely acknowledged in banking circles. He is. a . dealer in bank stock and the publisher of The Confidential Banker, a monthly journal devoted to banking interests and the largest publication of this class in the United States.
Mr. Walters was born in Mendota, Illinois, on the 4th of April, 1865, a son of Joshua W. and Fidelia Walters, who were natives of Illinois and Pennsylvania, respectively. When our subject was about six years of age his parents removed to Fillmore county, Nebraska, settling on a farm. He attended the country schools of that locality-the only educational advan- tages he received aside from the valuable lessons which he has learned in the school of experience. At the age of seventeen years he entered the Fillmore County Bank. at Fairmont, Nebraska, beginning at the very bottom round of the ladder. He remained with that institution and its successor, the First National Bank, until 1887, and at the time of the change in organiza- tion and management he was made cashier, continuing in that position for two years.
On the expiration of that period Mr. Walter, entered the Citizens State Bank in Council Bluffs as discount clerk and so served for about eighteen months, after which, in 1889, he organized a Mercantile Law and Collec- tion Company, in Omaha, conducting the business under the name of Charles E. Walters & Company (Inc.). The business, incorporated in 1892, is still continued under the same name, with Mr. Walters as vice president He remained an active factor in its management until 1896, when he was appointed the first building and loan examiner of Iowa by the auditor of state and organized the present system now in use in Iowa. At the same time he was appointed state bank examiner and held both offices until Jan- nary, 1899. At that date he was appointed assistant cashier of the First National Bank of Council Bluffs, which in 1899 succeeded the Citizens State Bank, Mr. Walters remaining with the institution for about two years as assistant cashier and auditor. When the Commercial National Bank was organized in Council Bluffs he was made assistant cashier, remaining in that position until 1903, when he resigned to accept the position of treas-
0 tas & Haltenx
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urer of the Fairmont Creamery Company, at Fairmont, Nebraska-the see- ond largest creamery in the world. He spent two years in that way, established their present business system and acted as treasurer and business manager until 1905, when he conceived the idea of his present business of the buying and selling of banks, liquidation of banks, supplying of efficient employes and the location of banks. All this grew out of his extensive knowledge of the banking business, its needs and requirements, his knowl- edge of the money market, and his recognition of the opportunity that offered. It was a unique venture but has proven the wisdom and worth of his business judgment, for success has attended him and the business is developing along safe and satisfactory lines. The amount of his business is indicated largely by his correspondence, his postage bill alone amounting to thirty-five hundred dollars annually. At the same time he established this enterprise Mr. Walters organized the publication, The Confidential Banker, or "The Live Wire," which is a valuable little paper to those inter- ested in or in any way connected with banking. Mr. Walter is also vice president and director of the firm of Charles E. Walters & Company, which besides being a law and mereantile company publishes Walters' Legal Direc- tory.
Qn the 25th of January. 1887, Mr. Walters was married, in Toulon, Illinois, to Miss Eliza E. Wright. a daughter of Thomas J. and Ann (Losey) Wright. They have one son. Ralph Wright Walters. Mr. Walters is a stal- wart republican in political belief but takes no active part in political work, although he was at one time mayor of Fairmont, elected in 1903. He be- longs to the Masonie fraternity, in which he has taken the Knight Templar degree, and is at present filling the office of eminent commander. He also belongs to the Mystie Shrine. He is pre-eminently a man of affairs and one who has wielded a wide influence. Ile stands as a high type of our pro- gressive American manhood-one who plans and does, who labors wisely and well, and who is reaping the just reward of his labor.
ANDREW C. KELLER.
Andrew C. Keller, whose intense energy, intelligence and push have made him well known in industrial eireles in Council Bluffs, is engaged in the manu- facture of horse collars. Ile is a native of Muney, Lycoming county, Pennsyl- vania, born September 27, 1863. and represents one of the old families of that state, his parents being George D. and Mary E. (Masters) Keller, who were mar- ried in 1840. The father was born in Northampton county, Pennsylvania, in 1817, and the mother's birth occurred in Millville, Pennsylvania. He spent his last days in Muney, Pennsylvania, where he died in 1898, at the very venerable age of eighty-one years. He had long survived his wife, who died in 1880. In their family were eight children: Annie E., the wife of DeLay Green ; Parvin N .; David M .; Margaret, deceased; Jacob D .; George M .; Harry S .; and An- drew C., whose name introduces this review.
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Andrew C. Keller spent his first sixteen years in Lycoming county, Penn- sylvania, attending the public schools, and in his father's home receiving in- struction which qualified him for the duties of life in later years. At the age of sixteen years he started out on his own account, going to Grand Rapids, Michigan, where he learned the trade of making horse collars. About two and a half years were spent in the Wolverine state, after which he traveled over the country for nine years, working in various places. In 1888 he located in Omaha, Nebraska, opened a factory there for the manufacture of harness, and six months later came to Council Bluffs, where he has lived continuously since the 15th of April, 1889. Here he is engaged in the manufacture of horse col- lars and has done a good business, becoming recognized as a leading represent- ative of the industrial interests of the city.
On the 27th of September, 1897, Mr. Keller was married in Council Bluffs to Miss Mary C. Dradge, of Omaha. He belongs to the Commercial Club of this city, is president of the West Council Bluffs Improvement Club and also affiliates with the Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks. His association with the two former indicates his deep interest in the welfare of the city and its sub- stantial growth and in many a movement for the public good he has been a co- operant factor, whose labors have been far-reaching and beneficial.
WILLIAM DAVIS HARDIN.
William Davis Hardin, the well known city assessor, has been a life-long resident of Council Bluffs. He was born here on the 13th of October, 1856, and is a worthy representative of an honored pioneer family, being a grandson of Davis Hardin, the first white man to locate in Pottawattamie county, where he was sent by President Van Buren to teach the Indians.
During his boyhood our subject acquired a good practical education in the city schools and on laying aside his text-books at the age of fifteen years he be- came a messenger boy for the Omalia Bridge Transfer Company, being thus employed for two years. He next worked in the abstract and real-estate office of J. P. & J. N. Casady for about the same length of time, and then accepted a position in the county treasurer's office, serving as one of the deputies for two years. During the following three years he was connected with a men's fur- nishing goods establishment, after which he returned to the county treasurer's office and remained there five years.
In the spring election of 1890 Mr. Hardin was first eleeted city assessor of Council Bluffs and so satisfactorily did he discharge the duties of that office that he has been several times re-elected, serving for ten consecutive years. For four years thereafter he was connected with the tax department of the Union Pacific Railroad and was then again chosen to the position of city assessor, in which he has now served for four years, being the present incumbent in that of- fice. Although a strong democrat and an active worker in the ranks of the party he received a majority of eight hundred and fifty at the last elcetion in a city that usually eleets a republican ticket. This faet plainly indicates his per-
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sonal popularity and the confidence reposed in him by his fellow citizens as well as the able manner in which he had previously filled the office. Socially he is a member of the Royal Arcanum and is a man whose true worth and fidelity to duty are widely recognized.
WILLIAM R. McDOWELL.
William R. McDowell, engaged in farming and stock-raising, his time and energies being devoted to the further development and improvement of two eighty-acre tracts of land in Grove township, came to this county in the fall of 1863, from Clayton county, Iowa. Almost forty-five years have since come and gone and the changes which have occurred have transformed this from a west- ern frontier district into one of the leading counties of this great common- wealth.
Mr. McDowell, as one of Iowa's native sons, has been most deeply inter- ested in all that has pertained to its progress and improvement. Ile was born near Epworth, Dubuque county, on the 15th of May, 1854, his parents being Daniel and Barbara (Rice) McDowell, natives of Missouri and Ohio respec- tively. For many years the father resided in Dubuque couny. He was a sur- veyor and largely assisted in the surveys of the state and was closely associated with its early development. In 1863 he removed to Pottawattamie county and became the owner of the farm of one hundred and twenty acres of land in Grove township, which is the present home of A. H. Ives. Here his wife died in the spring of 1864. Some time afterward he started for Kansas but hecame ill and passed away before reaching his destination, his death occurring at Rock Island, Illinois, when about forty-four years of age. In their family were the following children: U. G., Mrs. Susan Chapman, Mrs. Angie Romig, David, Daniel and Lewis.
The other member of the family is William R. McDowell of this review, who has spent the greater part of his active life in Pottawattamie county. He has always lived in this state and since 1882 has been closely associated with its agricultural interests, following farming as a means of livelihood. At one time he owned a thresher operated by horse power and during the past eight years he has owned a steam thresher, doing much threshing in this part of the state. His life has been one of activity and enterprise and, realizing the value of these qualities in business life, he has steadily worked his way upward until he is now one of the substantial residents of his community.
In 1884 Mr. McDowell was married to Miss Alice Stidham, who was born in Pottawattamie county in 1864, a daughter of David G. and Susan (Wine- gar) Stidham, who came to this county in the '40s, settling in what is now Grove township. The father entered a part of his farm from the government and for the portion which he purchased from a former owner he paid a dollar and a quarter per acre. Throughout his entire life he followed general agri- cultural pursuits. The family were among the earliest settlers of this part of the state and shared in all of the hardships and privations which are the in-
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variable accompaniment of pioneer life. Mrs. Stidham did much of her trad- ing at Council Bluffs in early times, the trip requiring some days. They went to Salt Lake City with the Mormons but, becoming dissatisfied there, deserted the party and returned home. enduring many hardships and facing many dan- gers on the backward trail. They then continued residents of Pottawattamie county until called to their final rest, Mr. Stidham passing away in 1880 at the age of seventy-two years. while his wife died in 1890 at the age of seventy-three years. He was a man highly esteemed and respected throughout the com- munity and his personal worth found public recognition in his selection for various offices and positions of public trust. While in office about 1868 a Mr. Bradway was brought to his house to remain over night while on his way to Council Bluffs for trial. That night while under guard he was shot through the window and killed, nine buckshot lodging in his head and the same num- ber in one arm. There were several people in the room at the time and Mr. Bradway was trading pipes with a young man and joking with him when shot. It was never proven who the murderer was although the people were almost positive who did it. Mr. Stidman's family numbered nine daughters and a son, namely: Mrs. Rhoda Gallup, now deceased; Ruth, who became the wife of Mr. Osler and after his death married Mr. Wickersham but is now deceased ; Matilda, who died in childhood; Mrs. Caroline Johnson : Mrs. Ellen Dillard; Melissa, who became Mrs. McCullough and after losing her first husband be- came Mrs. Pershall; Mrs. Joan Harkness; Mrs. Delia DeHart; Mrs. Alice Mc- Dowell; and Samuel, deceased.
Mrs. MeDowell was born and reared in Grove township, where she has spent her entire life. By her marriage she has become the mother of the following: Glenn, who is an engineer in South Dakota; Susan, at home; Leonard, of South Dakota; Elmer. at home: Isabelle, deceased; one who died in infancy; and Vera, at home.
In his political views Mr. McDowell is a republican and keeps well in- formed on the questions and issues of the day. as every true American citizen should do, but has never been an office seeker. He was elected justice of the peace but would not qualify. Fraternally he is connected with the Modern Woodmen of America, and he and his wife are members of the Christian church. They are well known a- pioneer residents of the community and well deserve prominent mention among the early settlers.
DAVID E. STUART.
David E. Stuart, a practitioner at the bar of Council Bluffs, and a member of the firm of Saunders & Stuart, was born in Lucas county, Iowa, on the 16th of October, 1869. He is descended from an old southern family, being a grand- son of the Rev. David O. Stuart, who on the 14th of July, 1907, celebrated his ninetieth birthday anniversary, by delivering the morning sermon at the Meth- odist church in Clarinda, lowa, at which place he makes his home. Rev. Stuart entered the West Virginia conference in 1855 and for a decade was engaged in
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pastoral work on various circuits in that state. He had previous to that time acted as a local preacher, having joined the Methodist church at Williamsburg, Pennsylvania, in September, 1836, this place being located near the place of his birth, which occurred in Huntington county, that state, on the 14th of July, 1817. Hle comes of Scotch-Irish parentage, and of sturdy Presbyterian stock. In 1840, at Williamsburg, he wedded Mary Anna Spicee, of German birth. Her death occurred in Clarinda on Christmas eve of 1893. Rev. Stuart came with his family to Iowa in 1865, settling first in Warren county, near the little town of New Virginia, at which place the Van Scoys and Knotts had located. they having previously lived in West Virginia, where Rev. Stuart had been engaged in pastoral work. Rev. Stuart entered the Iowa conference and was engaged in pastoral work first at Leon and later at Cambridge, Boonesboro, Van Meter, Seranton, Waukee, Avoca, Woodburn, Min- burn, Greencastle, Casey, Adair, Macksburg, Newbern, Weldon, New York (Wayne county) and Red Oak, the last named circuit being the last regular charge on which he served before his retirement in 1890, in which year he re- moved to Clarinda, where he has made his home to the present time. Since going to that city he has preached at the State Hospital for fifteen years. In the family of Rev. and Mrs. Stuart were five children: Rev. T. MeK. Stuart; C. W. Stuart, of Clarinda; D. O. Stuart, a resident of Harlan, this state; George A., president of Nanking University and dean of the Nanking Medical College in China; and Mrs. Katherine A. Forbes, of Portland, Oregon. There are also twenty-two grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. On attaining the ninetieth anniversary of his birth his children, grandchildren and other rela- tives gathered at home to celebrate the occasion, and a reception was also held for him at the home of the Rev. J. W. Abel.
His son, Rev. T. MeK. Stuart, was born in Blair county, Pennsylvania, on the 19th day of May, 1843. He has filled various pulpits in Iowa. He has been three separate terms presiding elder-twice of Chariton distriet and onee of the Creston distriet, making in all fifteen years. He has three times represented the Des Moines Annual Conference in the General Conference, and during one term of four years was a member of the Book Committee-the publishing committee of the Methodist Book Concern, and for a term of three years was a member of the National Board of Control of the Epworth League. It is a matter of noteworthy interest that in the last year of his service in that capacity the Epworth League Board of Control held their final meeting for permanent organization in this eity in Broadway church, May, 1892. He was also a member for four years of the insurance board of the Methodist Episcopal church. He is now pastor of the church in Glidden, Iowa.
Mr. Stuart was married in 1867 to Miss Ruth E. Huff. of Fremont county. Iowa, and they have four children, David E., Thomas E., Frederick C., and Albert B. During the Civil war T. MeK. Stuart served for some time as or- derly sergeant of Captain William Logsdon's company of Independent State Scouts in the state of West Virginia. Under the last call for volunteers he as- sisted in raising a company for the volunteer infantry. Mr. Stuart is a gradu- ate of the Simpson College of this state, which conferred on him the degree of Bachelor and Master of Arts.
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Because of his father's connection with the church, causing the removal of the family to various towns, David E. Stuart acquiring his preliminary cdu- cation in different schools in Iowa prior to entering Simpson College, at Indian- ola, Iowa. At the age of nineteen years he left college and engaged in teach- ing school. His leisure hours during that time were devoted to the reading of law, and in 1892 he was admitted to the bar, settling in Council Bluffs. In 1897 he formed his present partnership, becoming junior member of the firm of Saunders & Stuart-a strong legal combination at the bar of that district. He is an earnest and discriminating student, logical in his deduetions and fair in his reasoning, nor does he fear that laborious study, research and investi- gation of the office, which must always precede the work of the courtroom, never failing to give a careful preparation.
On Christmas day of 1906, in Council Bluffs, Mr. Stuart was married to Miss Dorothy Green, a daughter of Robert Green. He belongs to various fra- ternities, of which he is a valued representative, being a member of Bluff City lodge. No. 71, A. F. & A. M .; Star chapter, No. 47, R. A. M .; to the Knights of Pythias; Modern Woodmen of America; and the Elks lodge. Of the Ma- sonie blue lodge he is now worshipful master. Endowed by nature with strong intellectual force, making good use of his time, talents and opportunities, he has steadily advanced in a profession wherein progress depends entirely upon indi- vidual merit.
CAPTAIN LOUIS EUGENE RENARD.
The subject of this sketch is one of Council Bluffs' most highly respected citizens, occupying a prominent position in business cireles. He lives at the northeast corner of Sixth avenue and Sixth street and aided by his estimable wife, conducts a very popular private boarding house in a commodious two- story brick dwelling. Their house is always filled with desirable patrons who wish to enjoy the comforts of home life and at the same time have a table equal to that of the best hotels in the quality of its viands. These two elements may be enjoyed in the home of Captain Renard, who is a French chef and personally looks after the cuisine. He was born in Paris, France, January 12, 1850. His father was Bernard Renard, a native of France, who died in Paris at the age of eighty-six years, when his son Louis E. was twenty-one years of age. For a quarter of a century he was an inspector of government military prisons. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Mary Delphin, was also a native of France and died eight years ago at the age of eighty years.
Captain Renard spent the days of his boyhood and youth in his native land and in 1872 came to America, settling first in New York city. He re- mained there as head chef in the Brunswick Hotel for seven years and for eight years he occupied similar positions in other hotels. He then located in St. Louis, where he remained for a year, and in 1888 he removed to Omaha, Ne- braska, where he engaged in the restaurant business in the Bee building for four years. On selling out he came to Council Bluff's, where he opened a high
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class private boarding house, conducting business in several localities in the city, being for six years in the Grand Hotel Annex. A few months ago he re- moved to the corner of Sixth avenue and Sixth street, which location is close to Bayliss park and in the same block and south of the postoffice. Here he is conducting one of the finest boarding houses of the city, his previous experi- ence in connection with hotels well qualifying him for his present business. Ile now owns a valuable residence property at No. 11 South First street, occu- pied by Dr. D. Jackson.
Captain Renard was united in marriage to Miss Mary Captolia Hoy, at Grand Island, Nebraska, December 17, 1891. She was born in Parkersburg, Virginia, in 1870, and is a daughter of Daniel and Mary Elizabeth Hoy, who reside on a farm near Saltillo, Nebraska. Mrs. Renard attended the common schools of that place and afterward pursued a course in the State University at Lincoln. She is now a member of Rebekah lodge, No. 3, and of the Pythian Sisters, No. 185. She also belongs to the First Methodist Episcopal church, in the work of which she is deeply interested, being now connected with its Ladies' Aid Society. She is also a member of the Council Bluffs Women's Club and is well known in the social life of the city. Unto Captain and Mrs. Renard was born a daughter, Ida, in 1893, but she lived for only a few weeks.
Captain Renard is very prominent in fraternal circles, belonging to the Knights of Pythias, the Knights of Khorassan, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the encampment, the Eagles, the Royal Highlanders, the Modern Woodmen of America, the Knights of the Maccabees, the Royal Arcanum, the Tribe of Ben Hur, the Improved Order of Red Men, and the Commercial Club. He began life without financial aid but possessed energy and honesty, which, combined with his genial disposition and his unfailing courtesy as a host, have made him very successful in his chosen field of labor. He is one of the best known residents of Council Bluffs and enjoys in large measure the esteem and friendship of all who know him.
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