USA > Iowa > Pottawattamie County > History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, from the earliest historic times to 1907, Vol. II > Part 3
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HISTORY OF POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY
continued to be known by that name as long as he was a factor in trade interests of this city. As his patronage increased he enlarged his stock to meet the growing demands of his business and as the years passed by he won a goodly measure of success.
Mr. Clausen was married in Council Bluffs to Miss Anne Bergfleth, who was born October 17, 1834, in Germany, whence her parents started for the United States during her girlhood. The mother died, however, on ship- board while coming over. After living for a time in the east, Mr. Berg- fleth continued his journey toward the setting sun, locating in Nebraska, where he resided until his death.
There were eleven children born unto Mr. and Mrs. Clausen: Mary, the wife of D. F. Allen, a resident of Minneapolis; Emma, the wife of S. A. Herald, whose home is in Council Bluffs; John H., who married Amanda Cook and is engaged in the agricultural implement business at No. 1218 South Sixth street in Council Bluffs; Josephine, who is a teacher in the Washington Avenue school and makes her home with her mother; Lena, a stenographer and bookkeeper in Council Bluffs; Fred, who married Ethel Goode and is living in Council Bluffs; Belle, residing at home; and four who died in infancy.
For some years Mr. Clausen continued to provide for his family by en- gaging in the grocery business and then turned his attention to the hardware and implement business, in which he also continued for a number of years. During his last days, however, he conducted a transfer business. In what- ever line he was engaged he met with success, for he was persevering, ener- getic and capable in his management. He became widely recognized as one of the enterprising merchants of Council Bluffs and, moreover, his worth as a citizen was acknowledged by his fellow townsmen, who called him to the office of city treasurer for two terms. He filled the position in the years of 1876 and 1877 and he was also auditor of Pottawattamie county for some time. The school board found in him a worthy member, his labors being effective and far-reaching in behalf of the cause of education. In politics he took a deep interest, giving his vote in support of the men and measures of democracy. He was also a veteran volunteer fireman, belonging to the fire department of Council Bluffs at an early day. His interest in community affairs was deep and sincere and rose from an earnest desire for the city's welfare and upbuilding. No movement for the public good ever sought his aid in vain and on the contrary he stanchly advocated every measure that tended to benefit Council Bluffs and the county at large. He died August 26, 1900, after a residence of forty-four years here. Thus passed away one of the pioneers to whom the city was indebted for much he accomplished in her behalf.
The family are members of the Episcopal and Methodist Episcopal churches. Mrs. Clausen owns the old homestead at No. 407 East Broadway. The place where the residence stands is a historic spot in Council Bluffs, as it was one time the headquarters for the Indians. As the work of civilization has been carried forward, all trace of its original use has been lost and only memory remains to tell the tale of the early occupancy here. Mr. Clausen
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came to the county at a time when Indians still visited this section of the country, for Council Bluffs was at that time a frontier city of little commer- cial or industrial importance. As the years have passed the tide of empire has drifted steadily westward and ere the death of Mr. Clausen the city had become a metropolitan center of considerable pretension, a fact which is due to the united efforts of such men as he.
WILLIS F. PIERCE, M. D.
Dr. Willis F. Pierce, one of the most capable physicians of the county, his ability being attested by a large practice at Carson and throughout the surrounding district, was born in Dover, Bureau county, Illinois, December 11, 1853. His parents were Caleb and Martha F. (Paddleford) Pierce, the former a native of Canaan, New Hampshire, and the latter of Enfield, that state. The father became a pioneer settler of Bureau county, Illinois, and resided at Dover until his death. In 1852, however, he came to Pottawat- tamie county and entered land which was a part of his estate and was event- ually inherited by Dr. Pierce of this review. The father made the journey westward by stage, for it was prior to the era of railroad building. He was a wagon manufacturer and repairer and in his later life owned a number of farms but employed others to cultivate them. His widow survived him and died at the home of her son Dr. Pierce. Their children were Mrs. Mary E. Huff, of Oklahoma; Mrs. Abbie Mckinstry, of Carson; Mrs. Shuah B. Walker, of Carson; Willis F .; and Mrs. Ida L. Curtis, of Davenport, Iowa.
Dr. Pierce was reared in the place of his nativity, where he resided until after he had become a member of the medical profession. His education was pursued in Dover Academy and in the Princeton high school and when he had resolved to make the practice of medicine his life work he entered the Rush Medical College of Chicago, where he completed his course in Feb- ruary, 1876. He then practiced at Malden, Illinois, near his old home, until his removal to Carson, where he has engaged continuously and suc- cessfully in general practice since February, 1880. He and Dr. Johnson, a druggist, were the only two business men here at the time the village was established. Dr. Pierce had invested what he had received from his father's estate in property in Grove township and it was this which led him to estab- lish his home in Carson that he might superintend his realty interests in this locality. He has a beautiful residence, which he erected in 1900, it being by far the finest in Carson. His practice is large and his strict conformity to a high standard of professional ethics has gained him the unqualified regard of his brethren of the medical fraternity. while his skill is uniformly ac- knowledged throughout Carson and the community in which he makes his home. He is now surgeon for both railroads that enter the town and is a member of the County, the State and National Railway Surgeons' Associa- tions.
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In November, 1880, Dr. Pierce was united in marriage to Miss Orlinda C. Childs, of Dover township, Bureau county, Illinois, born February 19, 1859. Her father, Rudolphus Childs, was a pioneer of that locality, and his wife was a sister of Dad Joe Smith, for whom Dad Joe Grove was named.
In his political views the Doctor is a republican and is interested in all matters of progressive citizenship. He has done much for the independent and upbuilding of the village in which he makes his home, and his labors can always be counted upon to further any movement for the public good. He has erected not only the finest residence in the village but one which would be a credit to any city in the state. It is of most attractive archi- tectural design, two and a half stories in height with basement. It is built entirely of brick and contains ten rooms of convenient arrangement and of fine interior finishing, while the furnishings are all that refined taste sug- gests. Moreover a spirit of hospitality and good cheer reigns supreme there and the home is the center of many a most entertaining social function. The Doctor and his wife have traveled extensively, having made four European tours, and on their last trip abroad they made a tour of the world, leaving San Francisco in December, 1906, and returning by way of New York after five months spent abroad amid scenes of rare beauty and of modern and historie interest in Japan, the Philippines, India, China and the Holy Land. They have visited all parts of Europe, gaining that knowledge and culture which only travel can bring. The Doctor is a member of the Knights of Pythias lodge and has been a delegate to the grand lodge of that order three different times. 'He is a charter member of the Elks lodge at Council Bluffs.
HANS WIESE.
Hans Wiese, who for more than a quarter of a century was numbered among the enterprising and representative agriculturists and stock-raisers of Shelby county, Iowa, is now living retired in a pleasant home in Avoca, in the enjoyment of the fruits of his former toil. He is one of the sturdy sons that Germany has furnished to this country, his birth having occurred in Holstein on the 11th of May, 1839. His parents were Hans and Bertha Wiese, who were also natives of the fatherland and passed away in that country. Of their family of four children, two survive, the sister of our subject being still a resident of Germany.
Hans Wiese acquired his education in the schools of his native country and maintained his residence there until the year 1868, when, thinking to find better business opportunities and advantages in the new world, he set sail for America. On arriving in this country he located first in Davenport, Iowa, and for six years was there employed at the carpenter's trade. On the expiration of that period he removed to Shelby county, this state, purchasing one hundred and sixty acres of raw prairie land, which he immediately be- gan to improve in a most practical and progressive manner. He broke the sod, tilled the fields, erected all necessary buildings and in fact made it a
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model farm in every particular. As time passed and his financial resources increased he added one hundred and sixty acres more, thus becoming the owner of three hundred and twenty acres of highly developed and arable land. In addition to his general agricultural pursuits he also carried on stock-raising, both branches of his business proving profitable and bringing to him the competence which in 1903 enabled him to retire from the active work of the fields. IIe purchased a fine residence in Avoca and has here since enjoyed the life of ease made possible by his well directed energy and enterprise in former years.
Mr. Wiese was united in marriage January 11, 1874, in Davenport, Iowa, to Miss Bertha Lamp, a native of Germany. Her parents were also born in that country but in 1887 crossed the Atlantic to America and both the father and mother are now deceased. Mrs. Wiese was one of a family of five children, and by her marriage has become the mother of two daugh- ters : Minnie, the wife of John Eggert, of Atlantic, Iowa; and Anna, who is clerking in a store at Minden, Iowa.
In his political views Mr. Wiese is a democrat, while fraternally he is connected with the Odd Fellows lodge, No. 401, at Shelby, Iowa, in which he has filled all the chairs. The family are members of the German Lutheran church and are highly esteemed in the community. Germany has furnished to the United States many bright, enterprising young men who have left the fatherland to enter the business circles of this country with its more progressive methods, livelier competition and advancement more quickly secured. The hope that led Mr. Wiese to leave his native land and seek a home in America has been more than realized. He found the opportunities he sought, which, by the way, are always open to the ambitious, energetic man, and making the best of these he steadily worked his way upward to the goal of prosperity.
SAMUEL L. ETNYRE.
Engineering in its various lines has become a marked necessity of our twentieth century civilization. The colleges have recognized this and have instituted thorough courses in these lines and can scarcely supply the de- mand for well equipped engineers. Prominent in this profession is the gentleman whose name introduces this sketch-one who has served as city engineer in a most satisfactory manner.
Mr. Etnyre was born in Oregon, Illinois, in 1866, and there received his preliminary education and was reared to manhood. Recognizing the trend of the times, he took up a course in civil engineering at Cornell University, from which he was graduated with honor in 1888. He located at Council Bluffs, where he has since followed his profession. In 1894 he was elected city engineer and has served in this capacity ever since, except the years 1896 and 1897. Mr. Etnyre has never made a sinecure of his office but has always fulfilled its duties with honor. He has a spirit that, while devoted
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to his resident community, is liberal enough to recognize and appreciate advancement and progress in any other part of the world. He was popular as a young man and in his more mature years has won the esteem and con- fidence of all with whom public or private life have brought him in con- taet. He is a member of the Masonic order, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Elks, and is active in the local ranks of the democratic party.
An important event in his life took place in Council Bluffs on Decem- ber 21, 1903, when was celebrated his marriage to Isabel Paterson, a daugh- ter of William L. and Mary E. (Wallace) Paterson. One son has blessed this union, Samuel Rice Etnyre.
W. C. STUHR.
In financial circles in Pottawattamie county the name of W. C. Stuhr figures as a prominent representative of banking interests, for he was one of the promoters and organizers of the Farmers Savings Bank of Minden, in which he is now serving as cashier. His life record is as an open book to his fellow townsmen and the citizens of the county, for he has always lived here, his birth having occurred in Minden, September 11, 1879.
His father, John P. Stuhr, was one of the early settlers, leading farmers and respected citizens of the county. He served as a soldier of the war of the rebellion, rendering valiant aid to the Union cause, and after the close of hostilities he became a resident of Pottawattamie county and was promi- nent in public life. Here he was elected and re-elected sheriff of the county, serving for two or more terms. At the present writing he is a resident of Nome, Alaska, where he has made his home for ten years. He was a prac- tical business man of Pottawattamie county for years and reared his family here.
W. C. Stuhr spent his boyhood in Minden and supplemented his early educational advantages by study in the Avoca high school. He later went into the German American Bank and was bookkeeper for James Hunter, holding a position in that bank for eight years. In 1904 he assisted in organ- izing the Farmers Savings Bank, of which he has since been cashier. The bank is now one of the substantial institutions of the county. In fact it is one of the popular moneyed enterprises and has a large bank deposit, exceed- ing now the sum of one hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars. The bank is owned and controlled by a stock company, the president being Peter Langer, one of the well known business men of Pottawattamie county, men- tioned elsewhere in this work. Mr. Stuhr has thoroughly acquainted hini- self with the banking business in every particular and is thus well qualified for the conduct of the business interests which are now in his care.
On the 10th of October, 1902, Mr. Stuhr was married in Minden to Miss Ethel L. Wishart, a native of England, who was born and reared in Bristol. There is one son by this marriage. Phil C. Stuhr. The parents are
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both consistent and faithful members of the Congregational church. Mr. Stuhr affiliates with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and is a charter member of Minden lodge, of which he is now serving as secretary. He orig- inally joined the lodge at Shelby but demitted to the organization with which he is now connected. Politically he is identified with the republican party and takes a deep interest in community affairs but has never sought or desired office. He finds that his time and attention are fully occupied by business cares and his close application, unfaltering diligence and deter- mination constitute a strong element in the successful conduct of the Farm- ers Savings Bank. He has many friends here, who have known him from his boyhood to the present time and the salient characteristics of his business career and his private life are such as have gained for him the warm regard of those with whom he has been brought in contact.
DONALD MACRAE, JR., M. D.
One of the most prominent and successful practitioners of Council Bluffs is Dr. Donald Macrae, Jr., who limits his work to surgery and has performed many difficult operations that have justly won him fame. He was born in this city January 24, 1870, and here spent the days of his boyhood and youth, his elementary education being acquired in the public schools. Later he attended Lake Forest College at Lake Forest, Illinois, and Morgan Park Military Academy at Morgan Park, that state. He was next a student. at the University of Iowa at Iowa City for two years, and then entered the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, where he took up the study of medicine and was graduated in 1891 with the degree of M. D.
Returning to his native city, Dr. Macrae here engaged in general prac- tice until after the outbreak of the Spanish-American war. In 1898 he was appointed first lieutenant and assistant surgeon of the Fifty-first Iowa Volun- teer Infantry and was sent to the Philippines, where he was in active service for eighteen months as assistant surgeon. At the end of that time he resigned and returned home. Again taking up his residence in Council Bluffs, he resumed the practice of his chosen profession, but has since devoted his attention to surgery. He is to-day recognized as one of the ablest surgeons of the city and his practice is large and remunerative.
On the 19th of November, 1891, Dr. Macrae was united in marriage to Miss Mary Virginia Miller, of Omaha, a daughter of the late Harry C. Miller, and to them have been born two children : Marion and Donald.
For ten years Dr. Macrae was professor of anatomy in the medical depart- ment of the University of Nebraska at Omaha, but has recently resigned that position, though he still occupies the chair of clinical surgery in the same institution. He has acceptably served as secretary of the Missouri Valley Medical Society; as vice president of the Iowa State Medical Society; and president of the Council Bluffs Medical Society. Besides these different organ- izations he belongs to the American Medical Association; the Pottawattamie
Donald macraefr.
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
AS OR. 1 . OX AND TID FOUNDATIONS.
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County Medical Society ; the Western Surgical and Gynecological Association ; the Southwestern Iowa Medical Society ; and the Iowa Clinical Surgical Society. In 1901 he was made first vice president of the National Society, which was organized while he was in the Philippines. He now holds rank as major and surgeon of the Fifty-sixth Regiment of Iowa National Guard.
Socially he is a member of the Masonic order, the Knights of Pythias and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Popular as a citizen, the Doctor has been called to public office by his fellow townsmen who recognized his worth and ability and he is now most acceptably serving his second term as mayor of Council Bluffs, giving a progressive and businesslike admin- istration that has won the commendation of the best people of the city. He has also served on the school board and never withholds his support from any enterprise which he believes will prove of public benefit.
MRS. ELIZABETH T. DAVENPORT.
Mrs. Elizabeth T. Davenport is residing with her son-in-law and daugh- ter, Mr. and Mrs. C. M. Maynard, at No. 27 North First street in Council Bluffs, having for many years lived in the city. Her parents were Samuel and Rachel (Test) Swanner, the former a native of Pennsylvania, while the latter was born in New Jersey, September 12, 1803. They came west with the Mormons at an early day and established their home with them in Potta- wattamie county. Mr. Swanner settled on a farm east of the city and resided there until the Mormons started westward, when he joined them and went with them to Salt Lake City, his wife remaining here with her daughter, Mrs. Davenport. He continued in Salt Lake City for several years but died in 1880 in Chillicothe, Ohio. Mrs. Swanner was well-to-do and made her home in the dwelling now occupied by Mrs. Davenport up to the time of her death, which occured on the 22d of November, 1888.
Mrs. Davenport has been married three times. She first gave her hand in marriage to Fred Lord, who was killed a few years later, in July, 1853, at Traders' Point, Iowa, leaving her one daughter, Ella, now the wife of W. O. Liscomb, a resident of California. After losing her first husband Mrs. Lord became the wife of D. Washington Griffey, of Covington, Kentucky, who came to Pottawattamie county at an early period in its development and re- sided here for several years, being recognized as a leading and influential citizen. He served as deputy county clerk under William Turner for some time and was active in the public life of the community at an early day. In 1852 he went west and in 1861 joined the army there, serving throughout the period of the Civil war. When hostilities had ceased he returned home and died in Dakota City, Nebraska, about ten years ago. There were two daughters by that marriage: Frances, who is the wife of Clarence M. May- nard, who was born in Des Moines in 1856 and is a son of William Maynard, a former postmaster of Council Bluffs, who was a pioneer business man here and established the Nonpareil, then the only paper of the city, becoming its
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first editor in 1857. He had resided a short time in Des Moines, where he engaged in the printing business for several months. With this exception he lived in Council Bluffs continuously from May, 1856, and here died in February, 1876. At the time of his death he was compiling and publishing the first directory of Council Bluffs. His son, Clarence M. Maynard, is now en- gaged in the printing business in Omaha but he and his wife and family reside with her mother, Mrs. Davenport. Mr. and Mrs. Maynard have two children, Mignon J. and Rachel M. The latter is at home, and the former, a grad- uate of the State University of the class of 1907, is now a teacher of Greek and Latin in the college at Decorah, Iowa. Dora Griffey, the second daugh- ter, is the deceased wife of John G. Bohn, a barber of Council Bluffs, and unto them were born three children: Lizzie, Frank and Thomas.
After the death of Mr. Griffey his widow became the wife of Taylor Davenport, a native of Illinois, who came west in 1870, settling in Council Bluffs with his father and mother, Mr. and Mrs. Zacharias Davenport. The father and son were both railroad contractors and engaged in work in the west on the Union Pacific and other railroads. They afterward went from Iowa to Mexico, where they were engaged in railroad construction and later they proceeded to Denver, where both the father and mother died. Taylor Davenport continued in railroad contracting in the west and south, and died in Texas in 1889. The only child of that marriage died in infancy.
Mrs. Davenport is well known among the pioneer residents of Coun- cil Bluffs, having resided in this city since 1847. She owns an attractive home at No. 27 North First street, where she is living with the Maynard family, and four generations have been represented in this home. Mrs. Dav- enport has intimate knowledge of the leading events in the history of the city and has been an interested witness of its growth and development through more than four decades.
JOHN BENNETT.
John Bennett, cashier of the State Savings Bank, and more or less promi- nent in political circles, having been called to several public offices, in which he made an excellent record, is a native son of Pennsylvania. He was born in Allegheny City on the 16th of July, 1832, and is a son of James and Cath- erine (Runyen) Bennett. The father, who was a native of Ireland, died in 1834, and the mother was born in Pennsylvania and passed away in 1837. Thus John Bennett was left an orphan at the early age of five years and was reared in Cincinnati from 1839 until 1851. During that period he acquired his education but had opportunity to attend school only three years, as he was early forced to start out in life on his own account. He began work in Cin- cinnati, when but twelve years of age, and during his youth was largely em- ployed in a hardware store there.
Thinking to find better opportunities in a district beyond the Mississippi, he made his way to western Missouri, where he lived for two years and in April,
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1853, came to Council Bluffs. Here he has since made his home, covering a period of fifty-four years. He sought and obtained a clerkship, which posi- tion he filled until 1857, when the careful husbanding of his resources made it possible for him to embark in business on his own account. He then opened a lumberyard, which he conducted for five years and again he engaged in clerk- ing for five years, or until 1867, when he established a grocery store, which he carried on for four years, or until 1871. In January, 1872, he was elected county auditor and filled that position for ten years. He was also for four years county treasurer and proved a capable official, the duties of his offiec be- ing discharged systematically and with an ability that won for him the high commendation of all concerned. He retired from office as he had entered it. with the confidence and good will of the general public, and in March, 1888. he accepted the cashiership of the State Savings Bank, which position he has since filled, becoming well known in financial circles of the city. He is a popular official, always courteous to the patrons of the bank and at the same time most loyal to the interests of the institution. .
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