USA > Iowa > Pottawattamie County > History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, from the earliest historic times to 1907, Vol. I > Part 57
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RAY O. WILLIAMS, D. D. S.
Dr. Ray O. Williams, who is successfully engaged in the practice of dentistry in Council Bluffs, has spent his entire life in Iowa and has ever been actuated by a spirit of enterprise and progress which has done so much for the development of the state. He was born upon a farm in Montgomery county, Iowa, in 1874, and was there reared to the age of fourteen years, working in the fields as opportunity offered and also attending the country schools. In 1888 the family removed to Oakland, Iowa, where he continued his studies until graduated from the high school, with the class of 1892. Through preparation for life's practical duties he entered the Iowa Business College, at Des Moines, of which he is a graduate of the class of 1893. Thus well trained for the business world he spent eight months in the employ of the Pacific Mutual Life Insurance Company, at Omaha, Nebraska, after which he returned to Oakland, Iowa, where he acted as telegraph operator for eighteen months. He afterward engaged in keeping books there for eighteen months and then took a dental course in the Iowa University, from which he was graduated in 1899. Locating for practice in Council Bluffs, he has since remained in this city and has gained a liberal support. He has thorough and comprehensive knowledge of the most modern methods of practice, keeps in touch with the advancement that is continually being made by the profession and as the years have gone by has shown that he is equally efficient in the mechanical work of the operating room. His services have given general satisfaction and thus his practice has continually grown.
Dr. Williams, on the 18th of June, 1902, was married in Council Bluffs to Miss Emma E. Crewdson, a daughter of the Rev. W. B. Crewdson, and they are well known socially here. They hold membership in the Christian church and Dr. Williams is also a member of the Knights of Pythias fraternity and the Knights of the Maccabees. He likewise has a military record, for he offered his services to the government at the time of the Spanish-American war, enlisting on the 28th of April, 1898, as a member
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of Company I, Fiftieth Regiment of Iowa Volunteer Infantry. This com- mand was stationed at Jacksonville, Florida, and he was honorably dis- charged on the 3d of November, 1898.
GEORGE MAIER.
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On the roll of Pottawattamie county's dead appears the name of George Maier, who was one of the pioneer business men of Avoca and one of its most prominent citizens during the years of his residence here. The life record of a man that is honorable and successful is a source of stimulation in the lives of others, pointing out a course which may be profitably followed. Many lessons may be drawn from the life record of George Maier-a man who stood four square to every wind that blows. His purposes and plans would bear closest investigation and his methods were never such as sought or required disguise. On the contrary he was as straightforward as he was energetic and his name ever stood as a synonym for integrity in the town where he made his home.
Mr. Maier was born in Schwenningen, Wurtemberg, Germany, on the 21st of February, 1841, and at the age of twelve years became a student in the Polytechnic School for Watchmakers in the Black Forest. For seven years he studied under the best masters of the watchmaker's art and during that time he also attended the gymnasium, which is equivalent to a high school of this country. There he mastered a thorough course and after fin- ishing his education he traveled through the Black Forest for a watch manu- facturing concern for two years, making sales and collections as well. At times he carried large sums of money, having the complete confidence and trust of the firm by which he was employed and under whom he had mas- tered the watchmaker's trade. The house in which he served his apprentice- ship is still in existence and is one of the largest in Europe.
Following his two years' experience as a commercial salesman Mr. Maier came to the United States, locating in Buffalo, New York, where he remained for a short time. He then proceeded westward to Ann Arbor, Michigan, where lived his maternal uncle, George Haller, who was proprictor of one of the leading jewelry establishments of that state and president and owner of the Horological Institute, which is still conducted by his son and name- sake. Subsequently Mr. Maier located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he remained for two or three years as master workman for Preuser Brothers and George Logeman.
In 1870 he came west to Council Bluffs, looking for a location which would prove a favorable business opening. For one year he remained in the county seat, employed in the jewelry house of Mr. Savely and in carly spring of 1871 he came to Avoca, Iowa, where he established himself in business, renting a small corner in the store of G. Diedrich. IIi- quarters were so tiny that on the arrival of a customer he was compelled to rise in order to face his caller. However, he had thoroughly mastered the watch-
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maker's trade and jeweler's art and in later years when he employed a num- ber of people in his store none of the more particular work in that line was ever entrusted to his assistants, but was performed by his own hand. He possessed superior mechanical ingenuity and skill which had been directed along the lines of the watchmaker's art and he had attained a degree of proficiency far surpassing that of most followers of the business. Within a few months after his arrival in Avoca he had gained the entire confidence of the people and soon the increase in his patronage demanded more room. He therefore rented larger quarters where he might keep house and also have a business room. He then sent to Wisconsin for a sister whom he had been educating. She joined him in Avoca about Christmas time of 1871 and they lived together until the following August, when both Mr. Maier and his sister became ill with typhoid fever. The latter's death occurred two weeks later and it was four months before Mr. Maier had sufficiently recovered to resume his business duties. His patronage grew rapidly, however, and he removed to more commodious quarters, constantly enlarging his stock to meet the growing demands of his trade.
In 1877 Mr. Maier erected a briek business block at Avoca and equipped it second to no jewelry establishment in this section of the state. Each forward step brought him a broader view and wider opportunities and, seeing a chance for advantageous investment elsewhere, in 1880 he opened a branch store in Shelby. In 1881, however, he was advised by his physician to give up some of his business cares, which were making too great demands upon his strength and accordingly he disposed of the business at Shelby. He then admitted Fred Woltman, who had for some time been in his employ, to a partnership in the Avoca store. Mr. Maier then turned the management of the busines over to his partner and removed to Stuart, Iowa, where he opened a store, but the enterprise in Avoca missed the attention and guiding hand of the master and one year later Mr. Maier returned to Avoca, where he resumed his business cares. His patronage steadily increased and he was in command of a very large and profitable business when, in 1891, he sold his interest to his partner, Mr. Woltman, who removed the stock to Rock Island, Illinois. The store building was then leased for a short time but in December, 1892, Mr. Maier resumed business at his old location, refitting his store with solid black walnut and rosewood fixtures, fine showcases and everything to correspond. He continued to conduct a most gratifying and prosperous trade until January 21, 1904, when failing health forced him to consult a specialist. Mrs. Maier had been of great assistance to her husband in his business career, often taking care of patrons in the store while Mr. Maier did some intricate work in connection with watchmaking. He relied greatly upon her sound judgment and keen business discernment and attributed no little of his prosperity to her aid and guidance. On the 21st of January. 1904, however, they locked the store door and started for Chicago for medi- cal advice. This proved the close of Mr. Maier's commercial connection with Avoca, for he was never again able to resume active business. On the 7th of February Mrs. Maier opened the store and supervised the business during certain hours of the day until the 1st of May, when the store and fixtures
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were sold to E. E. Wilcox, who thus succeeded to the business which Mr. Maier had built up in preceding years. He lingered until the 14th of June, 1904, and was then called to his final rest, his death being mourned by a vast circle of friends.
Mr. Maier was a charter member of the Gesang Verein and one of its most active representatives, being its treasurer from its organization until his demise. He was reared in the faith of the Lutheran church and through- out his life remained a liberal and generous contributor to church and charitable work. In politics he was a republican in his endorsement of many issues before the people, yet in his later years he cast an independent ballot. He was never an office seeker but his interest in the cause of edu- tion led him to serve for some time as a member of the school board. He stood for all those things which are a matter of civic virtue and civic pride and in citizenship was progressive and helpful.
Mrs. Maier, who survives her husband, was born in Davenport, Iowa, a daughter of Mathias J. and Elise (Rode) Rohlfs. Her father was for many years a prominent resident of eastern Iowa and served at one time as county treasurer of Scott county. Few, if any, old settlers were better known than he and in his death one of the noted characters of the county passed away. For more than a half century he there resided and during the greater part of his life was identified with its interests, while in every capacity in which he served he was always found the careful, honest, vigilant and en- ergetic worker that characterizes the thorough and progressive man of affairs. He was born in the town of Tondern, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, April 19, 1816, and during the years of his young manhood he attended the teachers' seminary of his native town. He taught school for several years in the fatherland and in 1847 crossed the Atlantic. After a brief residence in New York he decided to locate in the west, journeying by way of the Erie canal, the lakes and by wagon to Davenport. He was the first German educator of the locality and both preached and taught school to some extent, but more of his time and attention were given to farming. He rented land two miles north of Davenport and proved himself a successful agriculturist. While engaged in farming, however, he found time to give some attention to outside matters and organized a German society and a German school, in which he taught several days in the week and on Sunday. There were many of his countrymen who took advantage of the opportunity to learn from him, for he was an excellent German scholar. He was looked upon as a leader in all community interests, especially among the Germans. He it was who organized the first singing society-the earliest organization of the kind in Scott county, now known as the Maennerchor. He desired that it should be a permament thing and today it is a great and powerful organization in the musical circles of the city.
Continuing his farming operations, Mr. Rohlfs bought land in Lincoln township in 1850 and upon one of his farms there resided until 1873. He laid out gardens according to principles of landscape gardening and soon the beauty of his place attracted the attention of others, who followed his example. He was also a man of influence in political circles, being first
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elected justice of the peace in Lincoln township. In 1866 the republican party elected him to the eleventh general assembly and for four successive terms he was chosen to that office. In that position he urged the adoption of every measure that would promote the interests of the public schools and that in any way promoted the educational interests of the state. He was the first man in Iowa elected for three successive terms and he left the im- press of his individuality upon the legislation enacted during his incum- bency in office. The commercial and agricultural interests of Iowa and matters pertaining to immigration received his careful consideration and aid whenever the interests of the state demanded it. He was bitterly opposed - to all sorts of sumptuary laws, or anything that was regarded by him as a barrier to personal liberty. His opposition to such legislation was shown in a most energetic manner. While a member of the legislature he belonged to the committee on immigration, and during the time he served on that committee he published a pamphlet, "Iowa, the Home for Immigrants," which received a large circulation. It did much toward directing the stream of immigration to this state.
In 1872, when the corruption of the Grant administration was being discussed in many of the leading newspapers of the country, it became ap- parent that a liberal republican party should be called into existence, and when it was Mr. Rohlfs joined it. At the state convention of that party held some time afterward, he was nominated as its candidate for state treas- urer. He was also a delegate that year to the national convention of the party which met at Cincinnati and which nominated Horace Grecley for president. He took an active part in the campaign and made a canvass of all the counties, but the state ticket met the same fate as the national, and Iowa lost the opportuntiy of having Mr. Rohlfs as its treasurer.
The republican party, however, continued to exist in Scott county and in the following year, 1873, Mr. Rohlfs was nominated by it for county treasurer and elected by a great majority. He served so faitlifully in this office that he was continued in it for fourteen years, a record unprece- dented in office-holding in this county. He also served one year as deputy treasurer, the first year of Colonel McManus' incumbency of that office. Mr. Rohlfs was active not only in the political arena, but in the business world he demonstrated his tact and ability. He was the founder of the Mutual Fire Insurance Company of Scott county and proved one of its most industrious and energetic workers for years. He served as its president and its secretary from the inception of the company to January 1, 1900, when he was retired at his own request on account of the infirmities of age. For many years he was president of the German School Society and he had been second speaker of the Turngemeinde, member of the Schuetzen-Verein and of Odd Fellow's lodge, No. 37.
He was married in 1840 to Miss Eliza Rode and she proved a faithful wife and companion. Her death occurred about twenty-seven years ago. They had six children, four of whom are living: Theodore, who is in the insurance business at Avoca, Iowa: Mrs. Emma Maier; Emil, who resides in Eldridge, Scott county; and Rudolph, who was a member of the firm of
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Rohlfs & Bishoff in Davenport, but for the last six years has been county treasurer of Scott county. The daughter deceased was the former wife of Charles Hetzel, of the board of public works. August, who was a farmer living near Avoca, died February 3, 1907.
It was Emma, daughter of Mr. Rohlfs, who became the wife of George Maier and to them were born two children: Zoe, educated in the high school of Avoca; and G. W. Marque. The latter was educated in the public schools, being graduated therefrom in 1895, and from Princeton College with the degree of B. S. (magna cum laude) in 1901. He afterward pursued a post-graduate course at Princeton, receiving his master of science degree in 1902 for work done in mathematics and astronomy. From 1902 until 1904 he was connected with the observatory at Beirut, Syria, and was in- structor of mathematics at the American College of that place. Returning to America on account of his father's death in 1905, he took charge of math- ematics and physics in the Preparatory School for Boys in Chicago, in which position he is still serving. He is a republican, consistent in his support of the party because of his firm belief in its principles. His church relationship is with the Presbyterians. The daughter, Zoe Maier, was educated in the high school of Avoca and in Iowa Wesleyan University, winning the degree of Bachelor of Music in the conservatory. Five years later she returned to the conservatory for a post-graduate course but while pursuing her studies there sprained her wrist and was thereby forced to discontinue her practice. Up to the time of her father's death she taught music in Avoca. Mrs. Maier, while not a member of any church, has always worked for the interests and upbuilding of the Presbyterian church.
The husband and father was a man whom to know was to respect and honor. As a pioneer business man he contributed to its commercial prosper- ity from an early day and as the years went by his position in public regard was strengthened by an irreproachable life and unfaltering moral worth. In manner he was entirely free from ostentation and display but the quali- ties of true manhood cannot be hid. They show forth in one's daily conduct and speech-they are the real basis of character. Such was the case with Mr. Maier and wherever he went he was respected and most of all in the communities where he was best known.
THEODORE HENRY DINGMAN.
Theodore Henry Dingman, who is now engaged in the production of berries and in general farming on section 8, Garner township, was born in this township, June 16, 1858, a son of John Boyd and Martha (Ritter) Ding- man, of whom mention is made on another page of this volume. His ma- ternal grandfather, Adam Ritter, came to Garner township in 1846, being one of its first settlers. He was born in Wythe county, Virginia, July 24, 1812, and was seven years of age when he accompanied his father to Burkes Garden, Tazewell county, Virginia. In 1837 he married Nancy T
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Ward and in 1842 became a resident of Hancock county, Illinois. In the spring of 1846 he came with a colony of Mormons to Pottawattamie county, traveling by team and wagon to Council Bluffs, which was then called Kanes- ville, and the same year settled on the farm which for a very long period was his home. He lived in Garner township until within a few years of his death and then removed to Neola, this county, where his last days were passed.
It will thus be seen that Theodore H. Dingman is a representative of one of the oldest pioneer families of this section of the state. He was edu- cated in the common schools and reared to farm life, early becoming familiar" with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. Having arrived at years of maturity, he wedded Miss Eliza Butterfield, a daughter of Charles and Annie Butterfield, of Kane township, this county, the mar- riage being celebrated on the 31st of January, 1883. They became the parents of nine children : Oscar Henry, Nancy May, Frank Robert, Luella, Myrtle Emma, Zoe, Flossie Leona, Jessie and Lottie, all of whom are still under the parental roof, the family circle yet remaining unbroken by the hand of death.
Mr. Dingman has made his home upon the old family homestead dur- ing the greater part of his life. In 1893, however, he went to Oklahoma, to which place he removed his family in the fall of that year, remaining there for three months. He then came home on a visit and continued here for five months, after which he again went to Oklahoma, where he lived for one year. He bought a quarter section of land and homesteaded a claim there, but before returning he sold the property. He now owns thirty-six acres of his father's home farm and has a tract of fourteen acres in addition. He is now largely engaged in fruit-raising, making a specialty of blackber- ries, raspberries and strawberries, having about eight acres planted to fruit. The fruit that he raises is of good quality, finding a ready sale on the market and bringing to Mr. Dingman a gratifying and profitable income. His political allegiance is given to the democracy but he has never been an office secker.
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The New York Public Library Astor Venox and Tilden Foundations
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476 FIFTH AVENUE
New york, August 22 ....... 1913
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Mr. George E. Warner,
Minneapolis, Minn.
Dear Sir:
On your invoice of June 3rd, you billed the "History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, " by H. H. Field and Hon. Joseph R. Reed, in two vol- umes at $7.00. In collating these volumes we find that a plate is apparently missing, between pages 412 and 415 of Vol. 1. Will you kindly try and find this plate and send it to us that it may be placed in the volume?
Very respectfully,
plate is W Edition
Chief of Order Division
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