USA > Iowa > Pottawattamie County > History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, from the earliest historic times to 1907, Vol. I > Part 35
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G. J. MILLER.
G. J. Miller, engaged in general farming and stock-raising on section 7. Neola township, owns a well improved farm of one hundred and twenty acres and also operates another tract of similar amount. He is one of the early set- tlers of the county, having made his home within its borders since 1878. He arrived here when a young man of twenty-five years, having been born in Muskingum county, Ohio, May 18, 1853. His father, George Miller, was born in Germany but was reared and married in this country. On coming to the new world he settled near Zanesville, Ohio, where he reared his family and spent his remaining days.
G. J. Miller was reared to manhood in his native county and educated in the common schools. In the spring of 1878 he left his Ohio home and made his way direct to Pottawattamie county, where he worked by the month as a farm hand for four years, when with the money he had saved from his earnings he
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purchased one hundred and twenty acres of land, upon which he now resides. This he broke and fenced, erected buildings thereon and continued the work of opening up and developing a farm. For a time he kept bachelor's hall but later completed arrangements for having a home of his own by his marriage in Neola, on the 7th of August, 1884, to Miss Catherine D. Buchanan, a native of Scotland, who came to the new world when a maiden of eleven years with her father, John Buchanan, who on crossing the Atlantic established his home near Neola, Iowa. The young couple began their domestic life upon the farm where they have since lived. Mr. Miller has here erected a good residence, com- modious and attractive in its style of architecture, and has also put up two barns and outbuildings. He now cultivates two hundred and forty acres of land in the production of grain and is also largely engaged in raising and feeding stock, both branches of his business proving profitable.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Miller have been born five children: Jessie C., George J., Arthur W., Janet T .. and Anna S. In his political views Mr. Miller has been a life-long democrat where national issues are involved but casts an inde- pendent local ballot. He served as township trustee for three years, was school treasurer four years and secretary of the school board for eight years. He also capably served as assessor for fourteen years, his last term being in 1896. He has been a delegate to the county conventions and is much interested in the political situation of the country, while in office he has always been found trust- worthy, efficient and reliable. Both he and his wife are active and helpful members of the Neola Presbyterian church, in which Mr. Miller is serving as an elder, and their upright lives and fidelity to principle have gained them the kindly regard and warm friendship of many with whom they have come in contact.
ELI L. SHUGART.
Eli L. Shugart, financially connected with various corporate interests of Council Bluffs, a promoter of its business enterprises and of all progres- sive measures for the general good during the past forty years, is justly ac- counted one of the leading and representative citizens of Pottawattamie county. His birth occurred in Fayetteville, Franklin county, Pennsylvania. February 25, 1836. his parents being John and Mary A. Shugart. The fam- ily comes of a patriotic ancestry, the paternal grandfather, Eli Shugart. having served as a soldier of the Revolutionary war during the greater part of that long contest of arms. His son. John Shugart, who was born and reared in Pennsylvania, served a short time in defense of his country in the war of 1812. John Shugart, the father of our subject, learned the trade of a brick and stone mason in early manhood in Pennsylvania and followed contracting. In 1840 he removed with his family to what was then Richland and is now Ashland county, Ohio, where he turned his attention to farm- ing, there engaging in agricultural pursuits until 1850, when he took his wife and children to Peoria county. Illinois. He afterward removed to Bureau county, that state, and again engaged in farming. devoting his time
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and energies to the tilling of the soil until his life's labors were ended in death.
E. L. Shugart received the benefit of careful training and of parental love and attention in a good home and after attending the common schools of Ashland county, Ohio, he had the privilege of continuing his studies in the Vermilion Institute at Hayesville, that county. After removing to III- inois he worked upon his father's farm and as opportunity offered attended the pubic schools, also Smith's Princeton Academy at Princeton, Illinois, and the Northwestern University at Henry, Illinois. Prior to this he had learned the tinner's trade in Princeton. After putting aside his text-books in 1857 he engaged in the hardware business at Princeton for eleven years and on the expiration of that period came to Council Bluffs, arriving in 1868. Here he embarked in the wholesale implement business, in which he con- tinned successfully for thirty-seven years. The city was only a small place at the time of his arrival but he had great confidence in its future and de- termined to make his home here, benefitting by its opportunities and in turn contributing to its upbuilding through his business activity. As a wholesale implement dealer he concentrated his energies upon the development of the enterprise until the trade extended over western Iowa, South Dakota, north- ern Missouri and part of Kansas. The patronage steadily grew in volume and importance, the business becoming one of the leading commercial interests of Council Bluffs. For seven years G. W. Lininger was a member of the firm, having charge of their Omaha house and Mr. Shugart was then in partnership with Frederick Weiss. For a time business was carried on as E. L. Shugart and the Shugart Implement Company and then for several years the firm was Shugart & Waite. When Mr. Weiss again became a member of the company the name was changed to Shugart, Waite & Weiss, while for several years it was the Weiss Shugart Company and the Pioneer Imple- ment Company for six years. Mr. Shugart then sold his interest in the business but after living retired for one year became connected with Fuller & Johnson, manufacturers, forming the Fuller-Johnson-Shugart Company. which was in operation for several years, when Mr. Shugart retired. He was successively vice president and president of the Empkie-Shugart-Hill wholesale hardware house and a stockholder, director and vice president of the Citizens State Bank, of which he was one of the organizers. He was also connected with the First National Bank until his health failed, when he resigned as director and vice president, but he is still financially interested in the First National, the State Savings and the McClelland Banks, as well as many other enterprises of the city, including the Independent Telephone Company. His investments have been carefully made and prove the wis- dom of his sound judgment and keen discernment. He is pre-eminently a man of affairs and his sagacity and business discernment are qualities recog- nized by all who know aught of his career. Whatever he has undertaken he has carried forward to successful completion and the soundness of his opinions concerning business matters is indicated by the excellent success which has attended his efforts. He was the owner of extensive and valuable real estate in Council Bluffs, which he has given his sons, having erected a
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number of fine buildings in the city. He is also one of the principal donors in connection with the Associated Charities in building a fine home for poor women and children of Council Bluffs, now being erected.
On the 4th of September, 1860, Mr. Shugart was united in marriage to Miss Angela R. Downing, a daughter of Heman and Rachel Downing, who were pioneer settlers of northern Illinois. She pursued her education in Mount Carroll Seminary and in Princeton, Illinois, and by her marriage became the mother of four children, but the two daughters died at the age of sixteen months. The sons are Lyman T. and Elmer E. The former married Miss Jenette Hanthom, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Hanthom. For his second wife Eli L. Shugart wedded Miss Mary J. Triplett on the 11th of January, 1899. She was a daughter of Orville and Mary J. Triplett, of Council Bluffs, and was educated at the high school of Fontanelle, Iowa, from which she was graduated. She died at their country home near Council Bluffs June 13, 1906, after giving birth to a boy baby, now named Marion L. Shugart.
Mr. Shugart, although he did not serve his country at the front, was a stalwart advocate of the Union during the Civil war and is a friend to and popular with the Grand Army boys, whom he is always ready to assist. He has been treasurer and presiding officer at their memorial services for many years and is an honorary member of the Abe Lincoln post at Council Bluffs. Ile also belongs to Excelsior lodge, A. F. & A. M .; Star chapter, R. A. M., and Ivanhoe commandery, K. T., of all of which he became a charter member in 1869. He likewise affiliates with the Council Bluffs Commer- cial Club and belongs to the First Presbyterian church.
His political allegiance is given to the republican party and he served as a member of the city council for five years, beginning in 1871. He was also a member of the county board of supervisors for three years but whether in office or out of it his aid and co-operation can always be counted upon to further any movement for the general welfare and his labors have been di- rectly beneficial to the city in many ways. He was among those who were instrumental in securing the grounds for beautiful Fairmount Park, of which the city is now justly proud. He is interested in all matters of civic virtue and of civic pride. is opposed to anything like misrule in municipal affairs and has done effective work for the city in advancing its material, political, social and moral interests. Throughout his active business career the house with which he was connected sustained an unassailable reputation for commercial integrity and business ability. They passed through the hard times and the financial panics of the '70s, weathering every storm and at all times following business methods that neither seek nor require dis- guise.
After having secured a comfortable competence Mr. Shugart retired to a country home, Edgewood, which he had prepared near Council Bluffs, Iowa, and here he expects to spend his remaining days. Since the death of his second wife his son Lyman has taken charge of the large farm and country home, known as Edgewood, where Mr. Shugart and his young son have lived with his son Lyman since the death of his wife, while his other
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son, Elmer, now lives near him on a fine farm which the father has pro- vided. In 1893 he bought the home farm, consisting of four hundred acres, and now owns about fifteen hundred acres, having in the past few years sold twelve hundred acres. He also owns a ranch of about two thousand acres in Holt county, Nebraska. No man deserves in greater measure the confidence, trust and respect of those with whom he has been associated and his life record may well serve as a source of inspiration and encouragement to others, showing what may be accomplished through carefully directed diligence and perseverance and proving, too, that success and an honored name may be won simultaneously.
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FRANK J. CAPELL.
Frank J. Capell is numbered among the younger members of the bar of Council Bluffs but nevertheless has attained a reputation in practice which many an older attorney might well envy. He was born in Casey, Guthrie county, on the 27th of December, 1874. His father is Dr. Western L. Capell, who was born in Noble county, Ohio, in 1853. Preparing for the practice of medicine, he was graduated from Barnes Medical College, and came to lowa in 1874. IIe now practices in Omaha and is recognized as an able physician of that city. He was married in 1871, in Ohio, to Miss Ellen Rogers, and unto them were born four children, of whom two died in infancy, while two are yet living, Dr. Clarence S. Capell being a resident of Kansas City, Missouri. The wife and mother died in Council Bluffs in 1890. The father still remains an active member of the medical profession and has made a creditable record as a practitioner.
When Frank J. Capell was quite young his parents removed to Modale, Harrison county, Iowa, where the father engaged in the practice of medicine until 1880. He then went with his family to De Soto, Kansas, where they lived for three years, after which they returned to Modale, there remaining un- til 1886. In that year they came to Council Bluffs. Frank J. Capell had been a student in the public schools of Modale, Iowa, and in De Soto, Kansas, while in Council Bluffs he again took up his studies, completing a high-school course by graduation in the class of 1894. Ambitious for still further advancement of this character, he entered the University of Iowa, at Iowa City, where he spent two years as a student and then matriculated in the University of Ne- braska, at Lincoln, from which institution he was graduated in 1899. In the meantime, however, in May, 1898, he had offered his services to the country as a member of Company A, Third Nebraska Volunteer Infantry, Colonel William Jennings Bryan commanding. He was finally rejected, however, on account of a disabled ankle caused by a football accident. Resuming his studies in the university, he remained in Lincoln until 1899, when he entered the law office of Wright & Stout, attorneys at Omaha, and while there he also attended the Western School of Law, from which he was graduated in 1901. The same year he was admitted to the bar, and in 1903 he came to Council
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Bluffs, being now with the law firm of Harl & Tinley. He has since practiced his profession here, making gradual but steady advancement in a calling where progress depends entirely upon individual merit, learning and skill.
In 1902 Mr. Capell was married in Council Bluffs to Miss Adele Meyers, and they have a son and daughter, Richard L. and Katharine F. The parents are well known socially in the city and have many warm friends here. They attend the Presbyterian church and Mr. Capell holds membership relations with the Phi Delta Theta, a college fraternity.
EDWIN H. GEISE.
Edwin H. Geise devotes his time and energies to general farming and also to the raising and breeding of pure blooded Hereford cattle, in which connec- tion he is well known, being classed with the leading stock-feeders of this part of the county. His home is on section 16, York township, where he and his father own and conduct a farm of four hundred and eighty acres, under the firm name of C. & E. II. Geise. This is a well improved and valuable property, lacking in none of the equipments or accessories of a model farm.
Edwin H. Geise has a wide acquaintance in Pottawattamie county, for his entire life has here been passed and his record is as an open book to his many friends. He was born in Council Bluffs. July 28, 1868, and is a son of Conrad Geise, a native of Germany, who came to the new world with his sister when a young man of sixteen years. He settled in this county among its earlier resi- dents, bought wild land and opened up a large farm, owning at one time six hundred and eighty acres, a portion of which he has since sold. In his business affairs he has gained a reputation for reliability and enterprise, which classes him with the leading agriculturists of this part of the state. At one time Mr. Geise owned and operated a brewery at Council Bluffs but retiring from that business, he located upon the farm where for many years he successfully con- ducted the work of field and meadow. In 1904, however, he returned to the county seat, where he is now assisting with soda water manufacture and also with the manufacture of cereal food products. He is one of the prominent business men of the city, actively associated with its commercial and industrial interests, his labors and enterprise contributing to the general business de- velopment. Further mention of Mr. Geise is made elsewhere in this volume.
Edwin H. Geise was reared to manhood in the county seat and acquired his education in the public schools there. IIe was also a student in the Educa- tional Institute, at St. Louis, Missouri, finishing his course there in 1886. He then returned to his native city and was associated with his father in manufac- turing interests there until 1891. when he came to the farm and has since successfully carried on general agricultural pursuits and stock-raising. After some years he turned his attention to the business of breeding and raising Hereford cattle and now has about one hundred and forty head upon his place, all pure blooded registered stock, this being one of the finest herds to be found in the Mississippi valley. He has two fine bulls at the head of his
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herd, both having been exhibited and won prizes at the state fairs. Mr. Geise also makes a business of raising and feeding stock. He has his place mostly in grass in order to afford pasturage for his cattle. His stock-raising interests are very extensive, constituting him one of the leading representatives of this line of business in Pottawattamie county.
On the 18th of March, 1891, Mr. Geise was married in Underwood, to Miss Anna Klopping, a daughter of August Klopping, and a sister of K. W. and A. K. Klopping, mention of whom is made elsewhere in this volume. Three children grace this marriage, Fred, Pearl and Edna, all of whom are still under the parental roof. The parents are prominent socially in the county, having a wide and favorable acquaintance in Council Bluffs, in Under- wood and in fact throughout the entire county. their social qualities render- ing them popular, while the hospitality of their own home is greatly enjoyed by their many friends.
Mr. Geise gives his political allegiance to the democratic party where national issues are involved but at local elections casts an independent ballot. He was elected and served for two years as justice of the peace but otherwise has held no official position, desiring to concentrate his time and energies upon his business affairs. He is numbered among the well known breeders and dealers in pure blooded registered Hereford cattle and has raised some fine animals. Ile is a successful agriculturist, stock-breeder and business man and though he had the assistance of his father in starting out in business life his record demonstrates the fact that suecess is not a matter of genius but is the outcome of clear judgment, experience and capable management.
WILLIAM A. MYNSTER.
William A. Mynster, a prominent representative of the legal profession who has successfully engaged in practice at Council Bluffs since his admis- sion to the bar in 1866, claims Denmark as his native land, being born in Copenhagen on the 13th of October, 1843. He is the only child of Christopher and Maria Mynster and was about three years of age when brought to this country by his parents, the family locating in Washington, D. C. In the spring of 1851 they came to Conneil Bluffs, being the first Danish family to locate in Pottawattamie county and probably the first in the state. Today the Danish population in Iowa is greater than in any other state.
Mr. Mynster grew to manhood in Council Bluffs, pursuing his early education in the public schools. Later he attended Sinsinawa Mound College in Wisconsin and the St. Louis University, graduating from the latter insti- tution in 1861. He subsequently entered the Albany Law School at Albany, New York, where he was graduated in 1865, and then returned to his home in Council Bluffs to engage in the practice of his chosen profession. For one year he was alone and then formed a partnership with E. W. Hight, being engaged in practice for several years under the firm name of Mynster & Hight. He was next a member of the firm of James, Aylesworth & Mynster
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and still later that of Mynster, Mickle & Davis and that of Mynster & Adams. His next association was in the firm of Mynster, Lindt & Seabrook, and still later was a member of the firm of Mynster & Lindt.
Mr. Mynster was united in marriage to Miss E. A. Platner, a daughter of Ira Platner, an early settler of Council Bluffs. She died in November, 1886, leaving five children, namely : William Rufus Choate, Marie, Ira C., Lester A. and Henry F. Mr. Mynster was again married August 31, 1898, his second union being with Miss Bertha Sherere, a daughter of George Sherere, a native of Switzerland, and to them has been born a son, Carl.
By his ballot Mr. Mynster formerly supported the men and measures of the democratic party but has been a republican for a number of years. He has never been a politician in the sense of office seeking, though he lias served as president of the city council and as attorney of Pottawattamie county. He is a prominent member of the Danish Brotherhood, the Danabo and the Danish Social Society, being one of the founders of the last named organiza- tion. He is the nestor of the county bar and has known personally every judge and practicing attorney located here. He has been elected president of the Pottawattamie County Bar Association for three terms and is now hold- ing that position. Possessing all the requisite qualities of the· able lawyer, he has met with marked success in his chosen calling. He is a strong advocate with the jury, and concise in his appeals before the court. His reputation as a lawyer has been won through earnest, honest labor and his standing at the bar is a merited tribute to his ability.
JULIUS C. DEETKEN, D. D. S.
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Located in a well equipped office with all modern appliances known to the science of dentistry, Dr. Deetken is enjoying an enviable practice, having gained a reputation as one of the leading members of the dental fraternity in Council Bluffs, his native city. Ile was born on the 6th of October, 1874, and is a son of Dr. Carl Deetken, a native of Carlsruhe, Germany, born in 1842. The father came to America in early manhood, settling in Council Bluffs. He began the study of medicine in this city and was graduated from the Long Island College Hospital of New York. He had studied pharmacy in his native country and a year after coming to Council Bluffs he opened a drug store on upper Broadway, carrying on the business until his death in 1903. His political support was given to the democracy and he served as coroner of Pottawattamie county. Ile became well known during the years of his residence here and as a business man and citizen, as well as in social relations, made an excellent reputation. He was married in Council Bluffs to Miss Eliza Saar and they had six children, of whom four died in early life, while two are yet living. the brother of our subject being Dr. Henry C. Deetken, a physician now in Seattle, Washington. He was married in 1902, in Council Bluffs, to Miss Estella MeIntire and they have one son, Carl Deetken. The mother is still living and yet makes her home in Council Bluffs.
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Reared in the city of his nativity, Dr. Deetken is indebted to its public- school system for the educational privileges he enjoyed. He then began to study dentistry and in 1898 was graduated from the dental department of the University of Iowa at Iowa City. Returning home he opened an office and has been very successful in building up a good practice. He had many friends here and his personal popularity contributed toward winning him a patronage which his skill and ability have enabled him to keep. He does excellent work, as is attested by public opinion, and he keeps at all times abreast with his profession in the advancement which is continually being made by the dental fraternity.
Dr. Deetken was married, in Colorado Springs, Colorado, in 1902, to Miss Anna G. Coyne and they have two daughters, Katharine Elizabeth and Mary Lynn. Dr. Deetken affiliates with the Elks and gives his political allegianee to the republican party.
ARTHUR L. PRESTON.
In a history of the bar of Pottawattamie county mention should be made of Arthur L. Preston, a member of the Avoca bar, whose knowledge and ability in the line of his profession has gained him rank with the leading lawyers of this section of the state. Born at Newton, Jasper county, Iowa, on the 25th of October, 1860, he is a son of Sylvester S. and Amelia (Wilde) Preston. The father was born in Vermont, December 7, 1832, and was a son of Warner Preston, also a native of the Green Mountain state.
Sylvester S. Preston was reared and married in the state of his nativity and in 1856, immediately after his marriage, he came to Iowa, locating at Newton, purchasing a quarter section of land four miles east of the town. There he engaged in farming until 1870, when he removed to Marseilles, Illinois, spending, however, only a year at that place. He then again eame to Iowa, settling at Grinnell, where he turned his attention to merchandising; continuing actively in that business until 1885, when he retired to private life, having since enjoyed the fruits of his former toil. In 1903 he removed to Los Angeles, California, where he is now residing. In politics he was a republican but has never been an aspirant for public office. He holds membership in the Congregational church and in all his life has been actuated by a spirit of enterprise and of fidelity to the publie good. In the family were ten children: Byron W., a resident of Oskaloosa and judge of the sixth judicial district of Iowa; Herbert B., of Los Angeles, California; Arthur L .; Elmer S., also of Los Angeles, California; Myrta L., the wife of Fred Burlew, of Los Angeles, California; Virgil G., a merchant of Cornell, Iowa; Viola G., living in Los Angeles; Fred A., an attorney of Oskaloosa; and George W., a merchant of Anita, Iowa. The other member of the family is deceased.
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