USA > Iowa > Pottawattamie County > History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, from the earliest historic times to 1907, Vol. I > Part 53
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Mr. Purdy was born in Covington. Fountain county, Indiana. Decem- ber 11, 1850, his parents being Joshua Milton and Penelope Ann (Johnson) Purdy, who were natives of Michigan and Virginia respectively. The father died in Minnesota at the age of thirty-eight years, when his son Benjamin was five years old, and the mother now resides in Monona county, lowa, with her son. By her first marriage she had two children, Benjamin Ross and James Arthur. After losing her first husband she became the wife of George Allen, who is now deceased. They were the parents of six children.
When Benjamin Ross Purdy was five years of age his parents removed to the vicinity of St. Charles, Minnesota, where they located on a claim but
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MR. AND MRS. B. R. PURDY.
THE NEW Y PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOX AND TILD N FOUNDATION8.
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before improvements could be made on the property the father died. After ten years there passed Mr. Purdy of this review returned to Indiana and was employed in various ways there for nine years, when be began work by the month as a farm hand. In 1869 he came to Tabor, Iowa, and in 1882 he bought his present farm. upon which he has since resided, making his home here for a quarter of a century. This was the first property he ever owned-a traet of land of two hundred and forty acres on seetion 21, Center township. When he came into possession of this place only about forty acres had been broken and there was a small house upon it. Today the place is well improved. He - has brought the land under a high state of cultivation and rich fields return to him good crops. His home is one of the fine dwellings of this part of the county and there is also a large barn and other substantial outbuildings. He has every reason to be proud of the home which he has made. Grain and stoek raising are the principal features of his farm and everything about his place is kept in first class condition.
Mr. Purdy was married in Sidney, lowa, October 11, 1874, to Miss Laura Isabelle Henderson, who was born in Indianola, Iowa, October 26, 1855, and has always lived in this state, her parents being Hubbard C. and Eliza (Moore) Henderson, natives of Indiana and Illinois respectively. Mrs. Henderson went to Indianola, Iowa, with her parents in 1851 and Mr. Henderson arrived in 1852. His death occurred in Council Bluffs, July 17, 1888, when he was fifty-four years of age, and his widow now resides with her daughter. Mrs. Purdy.
Unto our subjeet and his wife have been born eight children. Arthur Leon, born at Tabor, Iowa, July 9, 1875, is married and resides with his father. Lulu Ann, born at Tabor, July 17, 1877, is the wife of W. P. Walker, of Center township. Lillian, born at Tabor, January 5, 1880, is the wife of Victor Boreherdt, of Denver, Colorado. Orland K., born on the home farm in Center township, March 23, 1882, is now in Council Bluffs. Inez Isabelle, born September 24, 1884, is at home. Ethel May died at the age of five months. Milton Ross, born April 5. 1888. and Hubbard Rudolph, born August 2, 1890, are both at home.
Mr. Purdy is a staneh demoerat, having given his support to the party throughout his entire life, yet he has never been a politician in the sense of office seeking. He is an agriculturist of prominence, owing his success entirely to his own labors, and in his capable management and energy he has seeured a sure foundation upon which to build his success.
ELMER E. MINNICK.
Elmer E. Minnick, a substantial business man engaged in the livery busi- ness at Council Bluffs, was born in Falls City, Nebraska, October 12, 1866. He received his early education in that city, but from a boy he had been a lover of horses and when he decided to start out in the world for himself it was the livery business which most attracted his attention. With the exception of two
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years in western Kansas he lived in Falls City until 1891, being engaged in the livery business in that city. In 1891 he removed to Washington and for three years was connected with the civil engineering department on the Northern Pacific Railroad. He then returned to Falls City and subsequently removed to Omaha, where for two years he was bailiff of the United States district court. He became very much interested at this time in ophthalmology and took up a course in this line, practicing it for four or five years in Nebraska. But he had never found anything that quite took the place of his first business enter- prise and in 1902 he joined his brother, J. W. Minnick, in the livery business in Council Bluffs under the firm name of J. W. Minnick & Company.
Elmer E. Minnick was married December 13, 1893, in Falls City, Ne- braska, to Myra L. Burnworth, a daughter of the Rev. J. H. Burnworth. They are the parents of an only son, Elmer Burnworth Minnick.
In his political relations Mr. Minnick has always been affiliated with the republican party and was a delegate to the state convention in 1906. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias, the Eagles, Elks and Royal Highlanders. He is a man of kindly disposition and upright business integrity. His horses are always well kept and well fed and it is a pleasure to make use of the livery he sends out. The real character of a man always displays itself in his treat- ment of his horses and Mr. Minnick never abuses those which belong to him, nor will he allow any of his patrons to do so. His business has grown and has thrived because the community can always depend upon his word. He has many friends in this city, who hold him in the highest esteem.
FRANCIS HIOW.
In a history of the representative citizens of Pottawattamie county men- tion should be made of Francis How, who has been actively associated with business interests in Avoca but is now living retired save for the supervision which he gives to his property interests. Ile was born in London, England, on the 24th of June, 1839, his parents being Jeremiah and Eliza (Phillips) How, who were likewise natives of England and spent their entire lives in that country.
Francis How remained a resident of his native land during his boyhood and youth and is indebted to its public schools for his educational privileges. In 1862, attracted by the broader opportunities of the new world, he crossed the Atlantic and first located in Canada. In 1863 he went to Buffalo, Now York, where he enlisted for service in the Civil war in the fall of 1863 as a member of Company L, Thirteenth New York Heavy Artillery. He served for two years and seven months and participated in a number of engage- ments, including the battle of Fort Fisher. He was discharged in 1865 after having rendered valiant and valuable service to his adopted country for almost three years. When mustered out of the service he took a trip to England, where he remained for three months, and then returned to New York, where he spent three months. On the expiration of that period he came to Council
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Bluffs in 1867, making his home in the city for three years. He then bought a farm in this county of eighty acres and located thercon, making it his home for two years. In 1872 he removed to Avoca, where he established a restaurant, and when two years had passed he and his wife opened a millinery and notion store called The Fair, continuing in business until 1902 with excellent sue- cess. They then sold out and took a trip to England, spending a year in his native country.
Mr. How was married in 1865 to Miss Caroline Thomas, also a native of England and a daughter of Francis and Caroline (Johnson) Thomas, whose family numbered fourteen children. Mr. and Mrs. How have four children : Francis R., of Council Bluffs; Henry A., of Nebraska; Sidney S., of Council Bluffs; and Edith, an adopted daughter, living at home.
Mr. How belongs to the Masonic lodge, No. 292, and to the chapter No. 85 at Avoca, being made a Mason in England in 1862. His wife and daugh- ter are connected with the Eastern Star. Mr. and Mrs. How own twelve resi- dences and store buildings in the village of Avoca, from which they derive a good income, supplying them with all of the comforts and many of the luxu- ries of life. For many years they were prominent in business circles here and through that means were enabled to invest quite largely in property. In his political views Mr. How is a democrat but has never been an office seeker, preferring to devote his time and attention to his business interests, which, be- ing capably managed, have brought to him a very gratifying success.
PAUL C. DE VOL.
Paul C. De Vol, the president of the P. C. De Vol Hardware Company of Council Bluffs, was born in this city in 1873 and is a son of P. C. De Vol, one of the oldest business men of Council Bluffs, of whom extended mention is made elsewhere in this volume. Our subject was educated in the public schools of this city and studied for two years at Ames College, Ames, Iowa. He early displayed marked business characteristics and even as a boy was al- ways the organizer of their games as well as the one who carried them out. When he left Ames College in 1892 he entered the store of his father, P. C. De Vol, and in 1900 the firm became known as P. C. De Vol & Son. In 1904 the business was incorporated as it is at the present time. Mr. De Vol is al- ways at the head of any business enterprise with which he is in any way con- nected. He is director in the Growers Canning Company; treasurer of the Council Bluffs Transfer & Stove Storage Company; director of the Council Bluffs Sheet & Metal Company; vice president of the Wright, Wilhelmy Com- pany of Omaha; and president of the Iowa Hardware Dealers' Association. It is interesting to note that in the last named capacity he is the sixth presi- dent, while his father was the first.
Mr. De Vol was married in 1897, at Council Bluffs, to Bessie Harkness, a daughter of James E. Harkness. He is second vice president of the Commer- cial Club and is a member of the lodge of Elks and the United Commercial
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Travelers, No. 146. In religion he has always been associated with the First Presbyterian church, to which he has given his active support. Mr. De Vol is a force in the business world, for he possesses unusual executive ability and is always foremost in the organization and conduct of large enterprises. He is regarded by all who know him as an honest and upright citizen and a busi- ness man of integrity. Whenever he enters any enterprise its success is ax- sured and Council Bluffs is to be congratulated upon having a citizen like Paul C. De Vol.
AMBROSE CRELLIN.
Ambrose Crellin, the general agent of the International Harvester Com- pany of America at Council Bluffs, Iowa, was born in Port St. Mary's on the Isle of Man ( England) January 31. 1871. That same year he was brought by his parents to Nebraska. They located first in Cuming county, that state, on a farm, and it was there that Mr. Crellin was reared. He attended the district schools and assisted his father upon the farm. At the age of fourteen he set out for Lyons, where he spent three years learning the harness trade. At the end of that period he removed to Randolph, Nebraska, where he opened a harness store. He built up a business which was lucrative and for which he was soon offered a price which he could not afford to refuse. Hle accordingly sold out in 1892 and re-embarked in the harness and implement business at Wausa, Nebraska. With a keen eye for business advantages, he sold out in 18944, when a good offer was made him for the establishment. These were the first three steps in his business career and he then set out in another line of work by accepting a position as traveling agent for she Walter 1. Wood Harvester Company of St. Paul, Minnesota, and remained in that capacity up to the year 1896. Ile was a young man of push and enterprise and his worth was highly appreciated. The McCormick Harvesting Machine Company were not slow to recognize his ability and offered him a position which he accepted. Ile made his headquarters at Lincoln, Nebraska, and served them efficiently up to the time that the International Harvester Company purchased the busi- ness of the other companies in 1902. Mr. Crellin was then appointed col- lection agent at Council Bluffs, lowa, a position in which he remained until February, 1907, when he received an appointment to his present position. In addition to this business he is the junior member of the firm of Crellin Broth- ers, hardware and implement merchants at Pender, Nebraska.
On August 2, 1890, Mr. Crellin was married, in Randolph, Nebraska, to Hattie I. Totten, the daughter of William M. Totten. This union has been blessed with four daughters and one son, who form an interesting and attract- ive family.
Mr. Crellin belongs to Star chapter, No. 47. R. A. M .; Bluff City lodge, No. 71. A. F. & A. M .: and the United Commercial Travelers, No. 134, of Grand Island, Nebraska. In his political affiliations he has always been a stal- wart republican and though he has never sought its honors or offices has al-
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ways been ready to aid those who have. When a lad he was ready to begin at the bottom of the ladder and to make his way gradually through the vari- ous stages until he attained his present position. Such a man is invariably in a substantial condition, for his foundation is sure. Too often our young men want to begin at the top round of the ladder. Mr. Crellin has always been a man of strong and determined character, who has gained his prosperity by honesty and straightforwardness and by sticking closely to his purpose. He has never cared to figure prominently in political work but has preferred to devote his energies to his business and to have leisure to enjoy his home and his family. He has a wide circle of friends, who take great pleasure in their acquaintance with Mr. Crellin and hold him in the highest esteem.
JUSTIN J. OLNEY.
Justin J. Olney is a self-made man who started out in life empty-handed but is now a prosperous farmer, his home being on section 24, Belknap town- ship. His life record began in Kirtland, Ohio, February 8, 1838. His father, Oliver Olney, was a native of the east and was a woolen manufacturer and farmer. In the spring of 1838 he went to Illinois and later settled in Jackson county, Missouri, with a colony of Mormons, of which he was a member. ITis son Justin afterward returned to Ohio with an older brother in the year 1843. Soon after the father died. Ilis wife bore the maiden name of Alice Johnson and was a native of Vermont. She, too, joined the Mormons and her death occurred in Missouri in 1842. By her marriage she became the mother of eleven children, of whom the following reached adult age: Newton, now deceased; Milton, who enlisted in the Mexican war in New Orleans and has now passed away; Emily, the widow of Henry Marlan and a resident of The Dalles, Oregon, having crossed the plains with ox team in 1845; Mary, Laura, Oliver and Caroline, all of whom have passed away: and Justin J.
The last named was reared on a farm in Portage county, Ohio. It was in the year of his birth that the family removed to the west but he later returned to his native state with an older brother and three sisters. He attended school at Hiram, Ohio, but his educational privileges were somewhat meager, as it was necessary for him to provide for his own support. He had to work hard to earn a living in early life, but he possessed resolute purpose and untiring industry-qualities which he has always manifested. In 1855 he came to Iowa, settling in Pottawattamie county near the Shugart place, east of Council Bluffs. He lived with an uncle, John Johnson, for about eleven years, and in 1866 removed to Belknap township, purchasing land on sections 22 and 23. He added to his holdings until at one time he was owner of four hundred acres, while at the present writing he owns eighty acres on section 24 and eighty acres on section 23, Belknap township. He is an enterprising business man and has been quite successful in his farming operations. He was also engaged for about a year and a half in the implement business at Oakland.
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Mr. Olney was married August 9, 1865, to Miss Mary Morrison, who was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, in November, 1842, and died in February, 1905. She was a member of the Christian church and was an estimable lady, whose death was deeply regretted by many who knew her. She left a daughter and a son: Alice, the wife of Dorson S. Pleak, a farmer in Belknap township, with whom Mr. Olney makes his home; and Wayne, who is on a homestead in Wyoming. There are now three grandchildren.
Mr. Olney gives his political support to the republican party and has held a number of local offices. Fraternally he is connected with the Masons, being initiated into that order at Council Bluffs in 1872, and his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Christian church. In the face of obstacles and difficulties which would utterly discourage many a less resolute man, he has pushed forward to the goal of prosperity and has proven that laudable ambition and untiring diligence can win success. In 1890 he went to Washington, where he remained for about one year, and with that exception he has lived in Pottawattamie county since 1855.
MARTIN PLÄHN.
Martin Plahn makes his home near Avoca and is operating a farm, being a prominent representative of the agricultural interests of Knox town- ship. He was born in Holstein, Germany, on the 29th of November, 1843, and acquired his education in the schools of that country while spending his boyhood days under the parental roof. His parents, C. W. and Louise Plähn, were both natives of Germany and died in that country. Of their family of six children three are yet living, Sophia and Gustav being yet residents of the fatherland.
Martin Plähn spent the first twenty-three years of his life in the country of his nativity and in 1866 sought a home in America, attracted by the broader business opportunities of the new world, where competition is greater and advancement more quickly secured. Making his way into the interior of the country, he located at Davenport, Iowa, where he resided until 1874. He then removed to Shelby county, this state, where he operated a rented farm for three years and on the expiration of that period he invested his earnings in one hundred and twenty aeres of land, to which he after- ward added a similar tract, his farm then comprising two hundred and forty acres. The year 1891 witnessed his arrival in Pottawattamie county, where he purchased two hundred and twenty acres of land and in 1897 he added one hundred and twenty acres to this, making a total of three hundred and forty acres on section 21, Knox township. This is appropriately known as the Oaklawn Stock Farm and its proximity to Avoca makes it one of the fine farms of the county, the advantages of town life being easily ac- cessible, while those of rural life can at all times be enjoyed. He is one of the most prosperous tillers of the soil in this part of the state, his fields
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bringing forth rich crops and at the same time he is making a specialty of the raising and feeding of shorthorn cattle. For the past thirty-two years his entire time and attention have been devoted to general agricultural pursuits and his place is now one of the most productive farms of the neigh- borhood. The stock which he raises is of high grade and he makes large sales annually. He also owns one hundred and eighty acres in Washing- ton township, Pottawattamie county.
On the 31st of January, 1872, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Plähn and Miss Adcle Volkmann, who was born in Germany, February 27, 1853, and is a daughter of Frederick and Julia Volkmann, who were natives of Germany, where they spent their entire lives. Their family numbered ten children and unto Mr. and Mrs. Plahn ten children have been born, namely : Louise, at home; Julia, the wife of John Lage, of Wayne county, Nebraska; Ernest, of Pottawattamie county; Lottie, the wife of Jesse Potter, also a resident of this county ; Ricklef, Rudolph and Helene, still under the parental roof; one now deceased; and Sophia and Johannas, with their parents.
Politically Mr. Plähn is a democrat and has served as trustee of his township for two terms and is now school treasurer. He and his wife are supporters of the Lutheran church. They own a fine residence on Chest- nut street in Avoca but his time and energies arc still given to the farm and in the control of his business affairs he is meeting with very desirable success.
WALTER S. GOODRICH.
As long as Walter S. Goodrich continues in the hotel business Council Bluffs will never lack first class accommodations for the guests who may visit the city. He was born in Chicago, February 22, 1861, and was reared and educated in Evanston, Illinois, until he had reached the age of sixteen. He then came to Council Bluffs to enter the employ of the Chicago & North- western Railway and for fifteen years served this road in various capacities, being for three years an engineer. In 1893 he entered the hotel business in Council Bluffs, conducting the Tremont House for three years. He im- proved and remodeled this hotel and made it a popular home for all those who sought its accommodations. He then took hold of the Metropolitan and pushed it to the same position that he had given to the Tremont. For five years he conducted this house but at the end of that time he felt convinced that a new building was needed. In 1906 he erected his present establish- ment, the finest and most elaborate and complete American and European hotel of Council Bluffs. Its erection was due entirely to the enterprise and public spirit of its proprietor and he has spared neither pains nor expense in its plan and its building. He has installed everything that modern ideas and utility can possibly furnish for the comfort, pleasure and general well- being of its guests. Hotel Goodrich is built of the finest pressed brick, fire proof, with hose, fire escapes and fire extinguishers on every floor. It is steam heated and lighted by electricity, having its own electric plant and
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electrie bells. It has baths in connection with the rooms and an accommo- dation of sixty well lighted and ventilated guest chambers. The dining room is forty feet square, with a barber shop and bar in connection. It has an up-to-date cafe, which serves the best bill of fare for the money in the city.
Mr. Goodrich was married in 1880, in this city, to Jennie Jones, a daughter of Daniel and Rachel Jones. This union has been blessed with three children: Harry E., Everett E. and Ferris.
In his political affiliations Mr. Goodrich has given his support to the republican party and has served as delegate to the county conventions several times. He is a member of the Improved Order of Red Men and the Eagles. It takes unusual ability and tact to conduct successfully a hotel. For this business a man must be a good manager, a social and genial host, must have the rare ability of dealing agrceably with all kinds of people and at all times. In all this Mr. Goodrich has certainly proved capable. Council Bluffs owes much to the good opinion which the guests of this city have formed, because of the comfortable quarters which have been furnished them by Mr. Goodrich.
LEWIS HAMMER.
Lewis Hammer is now extensively and successfully engaged in raising live-stock, but, although his business interests are at present confined in con- siderable measure to this line, he is, nevertheless. contributing largely to the commercial and industrial activity of Council Bluffs, and he also figures in its financial circles as vice-president of the Commercial National Bank. His intense and well directed activity has been the basis of his success and at all times his efforts have been guided by safe, conservative and sound judgment.
His birth occurred upon a farm in Lorain county. Ohio, on the 4th of September. 1837. his parents being Godfrey and Kathrina (Dachtler) Ham- mer, who were of German ancestry. The father was born in Germany, and, coming to America, settled upon a farm in Lorain county, Ohio, where he spent his remaining days, devoting his entire life to general agricultural pur- suits. Both he and his wife died in the Buckeye state. In their family were five children, of whom four are now living: John, a resident of Coun- eil Bluffs: Godfrey; Christian, who is living in Ada. Ohio: and Lewis, of this review.
The last named spent the first twenty years of his life in the state of his nativity and as a farm boy was reared, early assisting in the work of field and meadow. He was about eighteen years of age when he began learning the carpenter's trade, which he followed for two years, and in 1857 he sought a home west of the Mississippi, thinking to enjoy better business opportunities in a district which was then less thiekly settled than Ohio. Accordingly he came to Council Bluffs and soon afterward made his way to Harrison county. There he followed earpentering and contracting, carrying on the business for about six years. He again came to Pottawattamie county, where he estah-
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