USA > Iowa > Pottawattamie County > History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, from the earliest historic times to 1907, Vol. I > Part 37
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improve the county and are now putting in a big ditch about thirty miles in length in the main ditch, with two branches. This is made after the most approved modern methods and will prove of the utmost value to the county in reclaiming wet lands for cultivation. Mr. Spencer has served as a dele- gate to the state and county conventions and is deeply interested in the success and growth of his party. He and his wife are members of the Pres- byterian church, to which the daughters also belong. Mr. Spencer is a Master Mason, holding membership with the lodge at Neola and his wife is one of the officers in the Eastern Star. He also belongs to the Woodmen of the World. Few residents of Pottawattamie county have longer been wit- nesses of its growth and progress. IIe has killed deer and prairie chickens here at a time when wild game abounded and has also killed many rattle- snakes on the prairies. He has seen the railroads built and the towns laid out and has kept in touch with the trend of general progress, being well known in Council Bluffs and throughout the county as one of the prominent public men and progressive citizens as well as honored pioneers.
SAMUEL D. TOBEY.
Samuel D. Tobey, for many years actively engaged in the practice of his profession, is now living retired. Ile ministered to the needs of mankind for a long period and his services were of the utmost benefit because of his broad scientific knowledge, his professional skill and his deep humanitarian prin- ciples. His present rest is well merited.
Dr. Tobey is a native of Rhode Island, his birth having occurred at Bris- tol Road on the 21st of January, 1837. His father, the Rev. Zalmon Tobey, a Baptist minister, was born in Norfolk, Connecticut, on the 27th of July, 1791, and died September 17, 1858. For several years he was pastor of the Baptist church in Providence, Rhode Island, where his death occurred. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Sophronia Baker, was born at Upton, Worcester county, Massachusetts, March 22, 1799, and departed this life in Kalamazoo, Michigan, on the 7th of February, 1875.
Dr. Tobey accompanied his parents to Pawtuxet, Rhode Island, and later went to Warren, that state, where the family lived until 1856. He was a stu- dent in the Warren Classical Institute for four years and afterward matriculated in Brown University at Providence, where he studied two years for the min- istry. Changing his views regarding a life work, he then began the study of medicine in the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, where he was graduated as a member of the class of 1860. He located for practice at Ganges, Allegan county, Michigan, where he remained until the outbreak of the Civil war, when he enlisted as a hospital steward in the Sixth Michigan Infantry. Later he was transferred as first lieutenant to Company F of the Sixty-fifth Infantry, or the Scottish Brigade, under command of Colonel Cameron, and when the brigade was captured at Harper's Ferry, Dr. Tobey was transferred as a pa- roled prisoner to Camp Douglas at Chicago. Later he was again transferred,
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DR. SAMUEL D. TOBEY
THE NEW YO! PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTON, LINUX AND TILD N FOUNDATIONS.
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becoming assistant surgeon in the Eighth Michigan Cavalry, and during the last two years of the war he saw active service in that capacity in the Western Army. He was taken prisoner with General Stoneman while on the famous Stoneman raid and was confined in the negro workhouse jail at Charleston, South Carolina, being returned to his command when an exchange of prisoners was made. He participated in both battles at Franklin and was also in the Atlanta campaign, in which, however, he escaped all injury, and when the war was over and the country no longer needed his aid he was honorably dis- charged on the 20th of July, 1865. He had made an excellent military record in the different divisions of the service with which he was connected and was ever most loyal to the interests of the government.
After the war Dr. Tobey traveled extensively through the western states, doing newspaper writing. He served on the editorial staff of the Daily Times at Leavenworth, Kansas, and of the Daily Tribune at Lawrence, Kan- sas, being thus connected until 1870, when he came to Pottawattamie county, where he resumed the practice of medicine at Big Grove, later organized as Oakland, where he continued as an able follower of his chosen calling until 1906, when he retired after thirty-six years of constant practice as a member of the medical fraternity. He had kept abreast with the progress made by the profession and his personal research and investigation had constantly promoted his efficiency and broadened his knowledge, making him one of the able prac- titioners of this part of the state. Following his retirement he removed to Council Bluffs to spend his remaining days and he is now making his home at the Ogden Hotel at No. 169 Broadway. He was the first regular physician to practice in Oakland and his ability and skill won hin a large and profitable patronage.
Dr. Tobey has also been well known in other relations. In 1896 he took an active part in the political campaign, giving his support to the democratic ticket. In that year he was defeated for the legislature, having been a candi- date for representative from Pottawattamie county. He served as mayor of Oakland during the year 1897 and for two years was president of the Old Settlers' Association for the counties of Pottawattamie, Mills and Fremont. In 1903 he was chosen commander of the Veterans' Association of Old Soldiers, being honored with that position for two years.
Dr. Tobey has been married twice. He first wedded Estella D. Jilson, a daughter of Welcome Jilson, the wedding being celebrated at Waukegan, Illi- nois, September 29, 1859. Her death occurred at Ganges, Michigan, July 3, 1866, when she had reached the age of twenty-five years, one month and eleven days. On the 9th of October, 1869, Dr. Tobey was married to Augusta J. Ful- ler, at Lawrence, Kansas, a daughter of Chauncey Fuller, whose home was in Oakland. She died November 2, 1895, at the age of fifty-one years, six months and eleven days. The children of that marriage were as follows: Carolyn S. Tobey, born December 25, 1870, attended the Oakland schools for several years and later pursued her studies in the college at Shenandoah, Iowa, in the Female College at Kalamazoo, Michigan, and in the ladies' department of Harvard University, from which she was graduated. She then became prin- cipal of the high school at Oakland but in 1907 resigned her position there to
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go to Golden, Colorado, to accept the position of teacher of Latin in the high school of that place. Frances J. Tobey, the second daughter, was born in Oak- land, October 27, 1872, and is a graduate of the high school of her native town. She, too, was a student in the college at Shenandoah, Iowa, and in the college at Lincoln, Nebraska. Afterward she was graduated from the Emerson School of Oratory at Boston, Massachusetts, and was elected a member of the faculty of that institution. After filling the position for two years she resigned and entered the lecture field, traveling through the southern states for several years, with headquarters at Atlanta, Georgia. She now lives in Greeley, Colorado, and is a member of the faculty of the Colorado State Normal School.
For more than forty years Dr. Tobey has been a member of the Masonic fraternity and is also a very popular member of the Elks. He belongs to the Congregational church and in his life his actions have been guided by the principles of the church and of the fraternal organizations with which he is connected. During his younger days he was a versatile writer of poetry and prose, his productions always being accorded generous space in the leading papers and magazines. He is widely recognized as a man of broad, scholarly attainments and culture. He has left his impress upon every community with which he has been associated. Today he is living retired in Council Bluffs, be- ing the owner of several remunerative rental properties in Oakland, which sup- ply him with a liberal income.
LUCAS F. NEUMAYER.
The Neumayer Hotel, long a factor in the business life of Council Bluffs, is now conducted by the firm of Neumayer & Mergen. The senior partner, one of the native sons of the city. was born October 14, 1874. His father, Jacob Neumayer, was a native of Germany and coming to America resided for many years in Council Bluffs, where he established and conducted the Neumayer Hotel. He married Miss Franciska Banmeister, and unto them were born eight children, of whom three are living: Theresa, the wife of Matthias P. Mergen, of Council Bluffs; Lucas F., of this review; and Louisa.
Mr. Neumayer, whose name introduces this sketch, was reared in the place of his nativity and was a pupil in the public schools in early boyhood, while in 1892-3 he attended St. Benedict's College, in Atchison, Kansas. Leaving that city in 1894, he returned to Council Bluffs and for a year occupied a position as clerk in the Boston store. He then entered the Neu- mayer Hotel, with which he has since been connected, the present firm of Neumayer & Mergen being formed in 1903. They have since been pro- prietors of the hotel and have conducted it along lines pleasing to the public as indieated by the liberal patronage which is accorded them.
In September, 1903, Mr. Neumayer was married in Council Bluffs to Miss Mary A. McGann. They had one daughter and one son, the latter now deceased. The wife and mother died in January, 1907. Mr. Neumayer is a member of the Catholic church and is a democrat. The greater part of
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his life has been spent in Council Bluffs, where he is widely known and public opinion is altogether favorable regarding him as a citizen and as a business man.
AUGUST F. DAMMROW.
August F. Dammrow, cashier of the Treynor Savings Bank of Treynor, Iowa, has made for himself a creditable record in business eireles and has never had occasion to regret his emigration to America, when the family left the fatherland and came to the United States in 1884. He was born in Brandenburg, Germany, January 5, 1870, and his parents were August and Mary (Draeger) Dammrow, who were also natives of the same locality, born July 12, 1837, and August 6, 1841, respectively. It was in the year 1884 that they determined to come to the new world and crossed the briny deep, making their way at once to Pottawattamie county, where they have since lived, their home being now upon a farm in Silver Creek township. They had two children, the daughter being Amma, now the wife of Nis Duysen, who is living near Henderson in Mills county, Iowa.
August F. Dammrow spent the first fourteen years of his life in the land of his nativity and then bade adieu to the friends of his boyhood preparatory to sailing for the United States. He has since lived in Potta- wattamie county and remained upon the home farm until he came into the bank. In 1887 he began farming on his own account and is now owner of a good farming property two miles east and a mile and a half south of Trey- nor, comprising two hundred and fifty acres of rich and productive land in Silver Creek township. He acquired a high-school education in his native country and in the school of experience has learned many valuable lessons. Under the parental roof he was trained to habits of economy, industry and perseverance and these qualities have proved salient features in his success as the years have gone by. In addition to tilling the soil he has been engaged in the cattle business since becoming owner of the farm, buying, feeding and shipping cattle, in which connection he has met with gratifying pros- perity.
On the 1st of July, 1906, Mr. Dammrow became cashier of the Treynor Savings Bank, which was established on the 20th of May, 1902. It is capi- talized for fifteen thousand dollars and has a surplus of two thousand dollars ; its present officers are W. B. Oakes, president; M. Flammant, vice president; and August F. Dammrow, cashier. Mr. Dammrow is a popular officer owing to his unfailing courtesy to the patrons of the bank as well as his own relia- bility in all business affairs.
He belongs to the Free Congregational church of Treynor and withholds his eo-operation from no movement or measure that promises to promote the publie good or advance the interests of society in any way. He was mar- ried to Miss Sieke Duysen, who was born in Holstein, Germany, August 14, 1871, a daughter of Dudley Duysen, who is still living in the fatherland.
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Mr. and Mrs. Dammrow have three children: Elsie, Detlef and Arnold. Since their marriage they have resided upon the farmn but expect soon to ocoupy a new home in Treynor. They are well known socially and have the warm regard of a large circle of friends. In his business career Mr. Damm- row has made an excellent record for he has made good use of his oppor- tunities, has molded conditions to his own ends, and at the same time has been considerate of the rights of others in all commercial transactions.
PAUL C. DE VOL.
Paul C. De Vol, deceased, was one of the oldest and best known business men in Council Bluffs, where for many years he was well known as a hard- ware and tinware merchant. He was also closely associated with commer- cial interests in Omaha and in business circles sustained an unassailable reputation by reason of the progressive and honorable methods which he followed. He came to Council Bluffs with his parents in 1847, when he was only eleven years of age, his birth having occurred in Columbia county, New York, on the 10th of January, 1836.
His parents were David and Delia (Tobey) De Vol. His mother was born in the Empire state. January 9, 1812, and the father's birth occurred in Chatham, New York, on the 27th of November, 1805. 1Ie was a son of Joshua and Martha (Gifford) De Vol, both of whom were natives of Massa- chusetts but were of French extraction. Following his marriage David De Vol located in Chatham, New York, where he remained for a year and on the expiration of that period he removed to West Stockbridge, Massachu- setts, where he engaged in general merchandising for nine years. He sought a home in the middle west, first settling at Nauvoo. Illinois, where he resided for five years, when, in 1846, he again turned his face toward the setting sun. He journeyed with ox teams and spent one winter along the Des Moines river, arriving at Council Bluffs in 1847. His connection with the business interests of his city began as a clerk and he was afterward variously employed until 1861, when his son Paul opened a stove and tinware store and the father was associated with him in business throughout the remainder of his days. Both he and his wife died at the old home at No. 114 South First street, in Council Bluffs, and thus passed away two of the worthy pioneer settlers who contributed in substantial measure to the early progress and upbuilding of the city.
David De Vol was not only well known in trade circles but was also the first justice of the peace of Council Bluffs, being elected to the office in 1852. ITe served in that capacity for several years and rendered decisions which were strictly fair and impartial. He was also assessor and deputy district clerk and his opinions regarding political questions were those of a stanch republican that led to his unfaltering support of the party at all times.
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Unto Mr. and Mrs. De Vol were born ten children: George, now de- ceased; Harriet, the deceased wife of Norman Green; Paul C., of this review; Emily, who has departed this life; Mary A., who resides at the old De Vol liomestead at No. 114 South First street, Council Bluffs; Martha, David and Charles, all of whom have departed this life; Delia, the wife of W. R. Vaughan, of St. Louis; and William, deceased.
As previously stated Paul C. De Vol was only eleven years of age at the time the family home was established in Council Bluffs, then known as Mormon Crossing and later as Kanesville before the present name was assumed. Here he began attending the public schools and in due course of time he acquired a very good education. Early in his business life he fol- lowed any pursuit that would yield him an honest living and was thus employed in various ways until eighteen years of age, when he began to learn the tinner's trade, which he followed until 1861. This proved the initial step of his later business suecesses, opening to him a field of labor in which he was destined to win prosperity. In 1861 he entered into partner- ship with Milton Rogers, and they opened a stove and tinware store, carry- ing on the business connection for two years. On the expiration of that period Mr. De Vol purchased his partner's interest and conducted the enter- prise alone until 1883, when he formed a partnership with W. S. Wright. They not only conducted the store in Council Bluffs but also opened a job- bing house, which they carried on for two years. At the end of that time they organized a stock company under the firm name of Rector, Wilhelmy & Company, at Omaha, transferring their jobbing business from Council Bluffs to Omaha but still carrying on the stove, tinware and hardware business in the latter city. Mr. De Vol was made president of the company at Omalia, with Mr. Wright as secretary, and continued to aet in that capacity through- out the remainder of his life. From the beginning the jobbing business proved a profitable one and is now one of the largest of the kind in this eity. The firm have had many men on the road acting as traveling representatives of the house, and the business has long since reached mammoth proportions, owing to the capable management and safe conservative poliey which was inaugurated on the inception of the company. Mr. De Vol was also con- nected with the stove, hardware and tinware business at the corner of Main and Broadway streets in Council Bluffs, where a very large trade was en- joyed. An extensive stoek is here carried and Mr. De Vol's son, Paul C. De Vol, Jr., is now conducting the business and is recognized as a prominent and influential merchant of the eity. The father possessed keen insight and firm purpose-qualities which are essential to mercantile suecess. He was rarely if ever at fault in determining the value or foreseeing the outcome of a situation, and his business capacity enabled him to rise from a humble position in the commercial world to one of prominence and affluence.
On the 4th of February, 1868, Mr. De Vol was united in marriage to Miss Katharine M. Swobe, a native of Johnstown, New York, and a daughter of Michael Swobe, also of the Empire state, where he was engaged in farm- ing. At an early day the father came to the middle west, settling in Michi- gan, where he carried on general agricultural pursuits and also conducted a
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dairy business and cheese factory. His time was thus occupied until his life's labors were ended in death. His wife, however, died in New York when in early womanhood. Mr. and Mrs. De Vol became the parents of five chil- dren : Hattie, now the deceased wife of Clarence Judson; Mary, who resides in Council Bluffs with her mother; Paul C., of whom mention is made else- where in this volume; William Roy, who is connected with his brother in the hardware business in Council Bluffs; and Arthur, deceased.
During the latter years of his life the father, Paul C. De Vol, attended to his business interests in both Council Bluffs and Omaha and met with a very gratifying measure of prosperity. Though he started in life empty- handed he became one of the successful merchants of the city, and his financial position at his death was in strong contrast to his financial standing as he started out. His first business venture was of very meager proportions and of very primitive nature. He secured a space some six feet in width between two buildings and kept a small stand, selling pies, ginger bread, cider and other commodities to emigrants who were on their way west. This was the beginning, and the end is too well known to need recounting here, for Mr. De Vol was regarded as one of the prominent merchants of Council Bluffs. An analyzation of his life work shows that he was ever reliable and trustworthy in his dealings, that he was progressive in his methods and watch- ful of opportunities, and these qualities constitute a safe foundation upon which to rear the superstructure of wealth.
In politics Mr. De Vol was a stanch republican and although not an office seeker he served as alderman for one term. During the greater part of his life he was a member of the Presbyterian church and for many years prior to his death was one of the most honored members of the First Pres- byterian congregation in Council Bluffs. He belonged to the Omaha Com- inercial Club and was the first president of the Iowa Retail Hardware Asso- ciation, while his son, Paul C., is now filling the presidency. His influence was ever found on the side of improvement and progress. Socially he was connected with the Royal Arcanum and with the Odd Fellows society, pass- ing through all of the chairs in the Council Bluffs lodge, No. 49. Although in ill health for several years prior to his death he continued to give personal supervision to his business interests until his demise, whieli occurred De- cember 26, 1903. He had at that time been a resident of the city for fifty-six years and had seen its growth from a little village into a city of metropolitan proportions with every commercial possibility. His development was com- mensurate with the growth of the city and he belonged to that class of rep- resentative men who, while promoting individual success, also contribute largely to the public welfare. He had the confidence of his business asso- ciates, the respect of all who knew him, and wherever he was known he gained warm friendships and kindly regard.
When Mr. De Vol was called to his final rest the company with which he was so long connected passed the following resolutions :
"Whereas, It has pleased our loving Father and divine Ruler to remove from us our esteemed president, beloved friend and valued business asso- eiate, Paul Coleman De Vol, therefore be it resolved:
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"That while we recognize our loss as his eternal gain, we feel that in his removal from us we have lost a fellow worker, who was broad, generous and conscientious in his views, firm and steadfast in purpose and considerate in action, whose counsel was as wise and conservative as his integrity was un- flinching, and whose best in thought, aet and deed was freely given for the good of his associates.
"Resolved, That our sympathy be extended to his family who, while they have lost his genial presence and kind consideration for their interests, have left the memory of a kind and loving husband and father and a good name that will be an example for future generations to follow.
"Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be spread upon the records of the corporation. Wright & Wilhelmy Company."
The press wrote at considerable length on the life of Mr. De Vol and the daily Nonpareil said: "His death causes widespread sorrow, for there were few people in this city who did not know and cherish the highest regard for the kindly, sturdy and upright man. In his death the city loses one who exerted an active force in its formative period and whose counsels were sought and heeded in all of the erises that have marked the municipal his- tory. The influence he exerted was always for the best."
Mrs. De Vol still survives her husband and owns a large and beautiful residence at No. 332 Willow avenue, where she and her two children are living. Prior to her marriage she was a teacher in the public schools for three years. She has long been prominent in society here, and her social qualities render her a general favorite. Like her husband, she holds mem- bership in the First Presbyterian church and is much interested in its work and growth.
NEWTON J. RICE, M. D.
Dr. Newton J. Rice, a well known and prominent physician of Council Bluffs, is a native of Iowa, born in Harrison county in 1860, and there spent the days of his boyhood and youth, his early education being acquired in the public schools of that county. Later he attended Tabor College at Tabor, Iowa, from which he was graduated in 1884. In order to fit himself for the practice of medicine, which he had decided to make his life work, he entered Rush Medical College in Chieago and was graduated from that institution in 1887 with the degree of M. D.
Going to California, Dr. Rice opened an office at Escondido, San Diego county, and there engaged in general practice until 1894, when he returned to Tabor, Iowa, where he practiced until his removal to Conneil Bluffs in 1900. Soon after locating here he accepted the position of assistant professor in the chair of materia medica at the Omaha Medical College, now the University of Nebraska. It was not long before his skill and ability in his chosen profession became recognized and he now receives a liberal share of the public patronage. He is a progressive physician, thoroughly up-to-date in his methods of prac-
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