USA > Iowa > Wapello County > History of Wapello County, Iowa, Volume II > Part 2
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A. G. HARROW.
In presenting to the public a history of the representative men of Ottumwa and the state of Iowa who have by superior force of character, energy and ability won for themselves con- spicuous and commanding positions in private and public life, we find that by the consensus of public opinion none is more worthy to be cited as an example than A. G. Harrow. Not only has he maintained the highest standards in banking, but he also possesses in a high degree those excellencies of human nature that make men worthy of regard among their fellows. He is a high- minded man, progressive and reliable in business and keenly alive to all that tends toward the advancement and betterment of city, state and nation. He conducts operations of extended and weighty character and largely through his individual efforts has succeeded in making Ottumwa a commercial center. He is one of the native sons of the city and from pioneer times has been an interested witness of its growth and development. His birthplace was a little log cabin on a part of what was then the Harrow farm, comprising five hundred and six acres, the pioneer dwelling standing about where North Benton street crosses West Fourth street, and his natal day was December 3, 1852. His father, Francis M. Harrow, was a son of Charles F. Harrow and the latter was a pioneer of Wapello county. He was born in Bracken county, Kentucky, in 1800 and in 1821 he was united in marriage to Miss Grace Frame. In 1843 they removed to Wapello county and purchased a tract of land in the vicinity of
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the present site of Ottumwa. The high school on West Fourth street is situated on a part of the original Harrow homestead. Charles F. Harrow, one of the first commissioners of Wapello county, was elected to that office in May, 1844.
His son Francis M. Harrow was born in Kentucky in 1826, came with his parents to this state and was married in Ottumwa on the 18th of February, 1852, to Miss Harriet F. Humphreys. Captain James Ward, the maternal great-great-grandfather of A. G. Harrow, was killed October 10, 1774, at the battle of Point Pleasant, at the mouth of the Great Kanawha river in Vir- ginia, in a battle between the whites and the Indians. The whites were commanded by General Lewis and the red men by an In- dian warrior named Cornstock. In that engagement two hun- dred were killed, it being the greatest battle fought up to that date between the two races. Mr. and Mrs. Francis M. Harrow had three children, of whom one has passed away, the others. being: Albert G .; and Frances M., the widow of Frederick Hanger, of Little Rock, Arkansas. The father passed away October 31, 1855, and the mother's death occurred on the 2d of February, 1864.
A. G. Harrow spent his youthful days under the parental roof and supplemented his public-school education acquired at Ottumwa at the Adams school by an academic course in the Iowa State Agricultural College at Ames, which he attended in 1869-70, and a business course at Bryant & Stratton's Business. College at Chicago in 1870. He was one of the promoters of the Johnston Ruffler Company, which was organized in 1871, and he was continuously identified with the business and its active management until it was sold to eastern parties in 1898. He was likewise one of the owners of the Ottumwa Iron Works and still retains an interest in the business, being treasurer of the com- pany. He was one of the organizers of the Ottumwa National Bank and has been a member of its board of directors since 1887. In financial as well as industrial and commercial circles his name has figured prominently, and he is today recognized as a leading representative of banking interests in Iowa. In 1888 he assisted in the organization of the Ottumwa Savings Bank, of which he is one of the directors, and at the present time he is vice president of the Ottumwa National Bank and the Wapello County Savings Bank. His efforts in and connection with banking circles, how- ever, have extended beyond the city in which he makes his home, for he is now president of the Hedrick State Bank at Hedrick;
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vice president of the Farson Savings Bank at Farson; and also vice president of the Union Trust & Savings Bank at Farming- ton, Iowa. He is numbered among the directors of the Batavia Savings Bank at Batavia, Iowa, and is a stockholder in the First National Bank at Hedrick and in the Hedrick State Savings Bank. He is likewise a stockholder in the Blakesburg Savings Bank at Blakesburg, Iowa, and has done much to establish and maintain the banking system of his section of the state upon a safe, sound basis. While he is thoroughly progressive, he is at the same time conservative, maintaining an even balance between these two qualities. Extending his activities into other business fields, he is now secretary and treasurer of the Courier Printing Company, is a stockholder, director and vice president of the Davenport Times of Davenport, Iowa, and in 1904, in connec- tion with leading business men of Ottumwa, he purchased a large interest in the Ottumwa Gas, Light, Heat & Power Company and in 1905, in connection with J. T. Hackworth of Ottumwa, he obtained control of the gas company, of which he was elected president, with Mr. Hackworth as secretary. He continued as chief executive officer until 1911, at which time they sold their holdings in the business to the United Light & Railway Company of Grand Rapids, Michigan. Mr. Harrow was one of the twenty men who made it possible for the Dain Manufacturing Com- pany to move to Ottumwa from Carrollton, Missouri. At an early day after its location here he became interested in the Dain Manufacturing Company financially and was a director in the same for ten years and at the time it was taken over by Deere & Company of Moline, Illinois, in May, 1911, he was the largest stockholder in the Dain Manufacturing Company next to the president. At the above mentioned time Hackworth and Harrow owned one hundred sixty-one thousand and eight hun- dred dollars-over one-fourth-of the capital stock of the com- pany, which at that time was six hundred thousand dollars. Mr. Harrow is also a director of the Ottumwa Railway & Light Company and is largely interested in valuable business proper- ties on Main street. He is a forceful and resourceful business man, ready to meet any emergency, and with the ability to co- ordinate seemingly diverse elements into a unified and harmo- nious whole.
On the 9th of October, 1877, Mr. Harrow was united in marriage to Miss Mary L. Carpenter, a daughter of Colonel Seymour D. and Sarah (Weare) Carpenter. They have become
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parents of a daughter, Mary Grace, who was married in Ot- tumwa, January 12, 1904, to J. Rudy Smith, of Little Rock, Arkansas, where they now reside. Their children are: Natalie Harrow and Stephen Harrow Smith. In his political views Mr. Harrow has ever been a stalwart republican. Socially he is connected with the Wapello Club and for two years was presi- dent of that organization. He has been associated with Mr. Hackworth in business for a period of forty-three years and the relations between them have ever been of the most cordial char- acter. They both stand as representative men of the city and have contributed largely to its upbuilding and progress along many lines. Mr. Harrow is a representative of one of the oldest families here and at all times has taken an active and helpful part in promoting public progress and in contributing to the general welfare. His name stands as a synonym for energy, enterprise and business integrity and what he has accomplished represents the fit utilization of the innate talents which are his. There is no dissenting voice when Mr. Harrow is mentioned as one of the leading, influential and honored residents of Ottumwa. His opinions have long carried weight not only in business affairs but in public matters as well. All know that he never sacrifices the public welfare to individual interests. Progress and patri- otism might well be termed the keynote of his character and one never overshadows the other in his life work.
HARRISON LYMAN WATERMAN.
Harrison Lyman Waterman, a resident of Iowa since the fall of 1865, has been an active factor in the business circles of Ottumwa and a recognized leader in the ranks of his party. He was born in Croydon, New Hampshire, November 19, 1840, a son of Lyman and Lucy (Carroll) Waterman. He is a descend- dent of Robert Waterman, who emigrated from Norwich, Eng- land, about 1632, first settling in Plymouth, Massachusetts, and afterwards moving to Marshfield, where on December 9, 1638, he married Elizabeth Bourne, daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth Bourne. A son, Sergeant Thomas Waterman, born November 30, 1644, was one of the founders of Norwich, Connecticut. Here the great-grandfather of the subject of this sketch was born January 22, 1745. He was a soldier in the War of the Revolution
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N.L. Waterman
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HISTORY OF WAPELLO COUNTY
president of the First National Bank, and his enterprise, ambi- tion and industry, places him in the foremost ranks of the busi- ness men of the city.
On the 9th of October, 1879, Mr. Waterman was married to Miss Alice Hill, daughter of Newton C. and Mary ( Blake) Hill, both pioneer residents of Wapello county. He has one son by a former marriage, Philip Hammond Waterman, who is general superintendent of the Wapello Coal Company and lives in Albia, Monroe county, Iowa. He has three grandchildren, Harrison Bell, David Clay and Alice Louise Waterman.
Mr. Waterman has been called to several public positions, having been mayor of Ottumwa from 1880 to 1884. He was also state senator from Wapello county from 1893 to 1897, and he has been chairman of the board of waterworks trustees since the purchase of the waterworks by the city in December, 1910. He is a member of the Masonic lodge, Grand Army of the Republic, Loyal Legion, Sons of the American Revolution, Commercial Association, Wapello Club and the Ottumwa Country Club.
MRS. ALICE HILL WATERMAN.
Prompted by motives which have found expression in prac- tical and tangible service for the benefit of mankind, Mrs. Alice (Hill) Waterman has left the impress of her individuality upon the community in which she has long made her home. Her broad mind, her culture and her keen intellect have constituted her a force for good and if she had accomplished nothing else save being largely instrumental in the establishment of a hospital and giving over twenty years of service to its growth and develop- ment, that would be sufficient to entitle her to especial mention.
She was born in Ottumwa January 6, 1855, a daughter of Newton C. and Mary C. ( Blake) Hill, who were pioneer resi- dents of Wapello county, the latter coming to Ottumwa with her father's family in early childhood. The father was a son of Wil- liam and Achsa (Vestal) Hill and was born in Guilford county, North Carolina, May 15, 1821. In 1843 he came to Ottumwa and his last days were spent in Pasadena, California, where his death occurred January 17, 1906. His wife was born in Minden, Prussia, January 15, 1826, and when eleven years of age came to America with her father's family. They first located in Indiana,
Alice H. Naterminar
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but in 1844 arrived in Ottumwa, Iowa, and it was in that city that Mary C. Blake gave her hand in marriage to Newton C. Hill on the 17th of October, 1847. He was a carpenter and con- tractor and took contracts for the erection of many of the early buildings of Ottumwa. He was active in all public affairs of the young town, holding different offices at various times until 1857, when he removed from the county seat to a farm which he had purchased, then situated a mile and a half from the town. Today, however, the street cars pass the old home and the Sisters Acad- emy is located on the northeast corner of his tract of land. Mr. Hill ever kept abreast'of the times in his up-to-date methods of farming and stock-raising and did much to improve the grade of cattle and sheep raised in this part of the county, his shorthorn cattle and merino sheep being prize stock. Mr. Hill was the first man to be made a Mason in Wapello county and in his life he exemplified the beneficent spirit of the craft, recognizing the brotherhood of mankind and seeking at all times to promote a spirit of helpfulness among his fellows.
Unto him and his wife were born nine children. Frances, the eldest, died at the age of four years. Albert, born February 22, 1851, married Jennie McCormack on the 11th of March, 1891, and they had two children, Newton Robert and Charlotte. Albert Hill's death occurred May 1, 1908. Anna, born April 30, 1853, was married October 21, 1896, to Wade Kirkpatrick and they now live in Hedrick, Iowa. Alice, born January 6, 1855, became wife of H. L. Waterman on the 9th of October, 1879, and has since been a resident of Ottumwa. Charles William, born Jan- uary 8, 1857, married Frances McCarroll on the 27th of Febru- ary, 1892, in Kirkville, Iowa. They reside in Boise, Idaho, with a daughter, Helen, who was born May 30, 1897. Emma, born July 14, 1859, became the wife of C. E. Bedwell on the 18th of May, 1882, and they have six children; Mary, became the wife of R. A. McNown and has three children, Eleanor, Robert and Richard; Edgar Hill, married Elizabeth Smith; Harry Water- man, died at the age of three years, and Ralph, Louise and Char- lotte, who complete the family, reside with their parents in Omaha, Nebraska. Horace Hill, born February 23, 1861, lives in Lewistown, Montana, and Laura and Nellie died in infancy. The father of this family, Newton C. Hill, was always deeply interested in educational matters and strove to give his children good opportunities in that direction. He also did much to improve Center District No. 1, the banner school district in the
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HISTORY OF WAPELLO COUNTY
'6os and 'zos. For years he served as school director and took great pride in selecting competent teachers.
Alice (Hill) Waterman on account of financial conditions found it impossible to carry out her cherished desire of attending college, so after completing the school course, which she did at the age of eighteen years, she began teaching in the Center school in the fall of 1874. After being thus engaged for two years she was chosen one of the teachers of the Ottumwa public schools in the fall of 1877 and taught the sixth grade in the old Adams school for two years.
On the 9th of October, 1879, at Oakland Farm, Ottumwa, Alice Hill gave her hand in marriage to H. L. Waterman, who by a former marriage had a son, Philip H., who has ever felt for Mrs. Waterman the deep attachment and love given to an own mother. His children, too, have been very dear to her, bringing to her the delight of being a grandmother.
Her parents uniting with the Methodist Episcopal church, she, too, became a member of that denomination and has worked most earnestly in all of the different societies of the church, the Sunday school, however, claiming her greatest effort. For years she was superintendent of the intermediate department of the Sunday school in the First Methodist Episcopal church of Ottumwa, and it was largely through her efforts that it was con- verted into a graded school.
At different times Mrs. Waterman has been connected with clubs, but has never been active in that line of effort. She has been an earnest worker in the Woman's Christian Temperance Union, however, and for one year was state treasurer. Her efforts in the founding and promotion of the Ottumwa Hospital have been, outside of her home, the thing to which she has devoted the greater part of her time and attention.
WILLIAM DENNY.
William Denny is proprietor of a general store in Dahlonega and is also identified with agricultural interests in Dahlonega township. He was born in Keokuk county, Iowa, August 12, 1857, and is a son of Benjamin and Martha ( Brooks) Denny, the former a native of England and the latter of Ohio. The father came to America when twenty-one years of age and for a time
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HISTORY OF WAPELLO COUNTY
remained in the state of New York. Later, however, he came to Iowa and was married in this state in the '4os. Here he resided until his death, remaining continuously upon the farm which he entered from the government. It was a tract of wild land when it came into his possession, not a furrow having been turned nor an improvement made upon it, but with characteristic energy he began its development and continued its cultivation until his demise, which occurred in 1905. His widow still survives and is now in the eighty-third year of her age. In their family were nine children: Matilda and John, both of whom have passed away; George, living on the old homestead in Keokuk county, Iowa; Rachel, the wife of T. J. Williams, also of Keokuk' county ; Samuel, now in Kansas; William, of this review; Alice, the wife of A. Sykes of Des Moines; Frank and T. J., who have passed away.
William Denny was reared upon the old homestead with the usual experiences of the farm lad, the public schools according him his educational advantages, while thorough training in farm work made him familiar with the best methods of cultivat- ing the fields. However, believing that he would prefer a com- mercial career, he turned his attention to merchandising by the establishment of a general store in Dahlonega. He carries a, large and well selected stock and is accorded a liberal patronage. He is also identified with agricultural interests, being the owner of two hundred and thirty-six acres of rich and productive land on sections 4, 8, 9 and 16 in Dahlonega township. He was also postmaster of the village for a quarter of a century.
In 1883 Mr. Denny was united in marriage to Miss Mary A. Goehring, who was born in Dahlonega, August 15, 1865, and is a daughter of Louis and Helen (Fisher) Goehring, the former a native of Germany and the latter of Pennsylvania. They were among the pioneer settlers of Wapello county, arriving in 1852. From that time until death called them they retained their resi- dence here, and in this county they reared their family of seven children, all of whom yet survive. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Denny were born nine children: Benjamin L., who is a merchant of Highland Center; Thomas F., who follows farming in Dah- lonega township; William D., also a farmer; Philip H., who is with his father in business; Leslie D., at home; Mary R., who was born December 15, 1898, and died October 22, 1908; Victor S .; Lillian R .; and Harold G. The family attend the Methodist Episcopal church, and Mr. Denny holds membership with the
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HISTORY OF WAPELLO COUNTY
Woodman of the World. When he acquired the right to vote, having attained his majority, he became a supporter of Demo- cratic principles and for fourteen years has served as township clerk. He has given practical proof of his interest in the welfare of the public schools as he has served as secretary of the school board for twenty years. He is always loyal to the best interests of the community, but prefers that office holding shall be done by. others rather than by himself. This leaves him free to con- centrate his energies upon his business affairs, and the capable management of his interests has brought him a substantial measure of success.
THOMAS DOVE FOSTER.
Thomas Dove Foster, chairman of John Morrell & Com- pany, Limited, has been prominently identified with the busi- ness interests of that well known British packing company since August, 1865. He is today one of its best known and most im- portant representatives on this side the Atlantic. He makes his home in Ottumwa and from this point controls important busi- ness interests.
He was born at Bradford, Yorkshire, England, November 25, 1847, a son of William and Mary (Morrell) Foster. His education was acquired in public and private schools of England and Ireland, but he did not graduate. However, the honorary degree of LL. D. was conferred upon him by Lennox College of Hopkinton, Iowa, in 1906. His initial step in the business world was made in connection with the pork-packing business and gen- eral merchandising at Castlecomer, in County Kilkenny, Ire- land, under his father, and he was employed by the firm of John Morrell & Company of Liverpool, England, in August, 1865. After three years spent in the firm's employ at Liverpool he was transferred by the company to the New York branch in July, 1868, and, advancing steadily from one position to another of greater importance and responsibility, he came, in April, 1872, to the position of general manager of the firm's business in the United States and Canada. In May, 1893, he was further advanced, becoming chairman of John Morrell & Company, Limited, which position he now holds, and in this connection is directing the policies and interests of the business
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HISTORY OF WAPELLO COUNTY
on this side the Atlantic, bending his efforts to adminstrative direction and executive control.
Mr. Foster has been married twice. He first wedded Miss Eliza M. Thompson, daughter of William S. Thompson, the wedding being celebrated at Brooklyn, New York, on the 3d of October, 1872. Following her death, which took place in 1879, he married, on the 19th of August, 1885, in Washington, Penn- sylvania, Miss Eliza J. McClelland, a daughter of George McClelland. His children are: William H. T., who married Jeanette Pattison; T. Henry, who wedded Mary Bulger; Ann L. A., the wife of Rev. D. A. Murray, D. D .; Ellen M .; George McClelland, who wedded Mary Slutts; Edith M., the wife of Rev. H. S. Huntington, Jr .; Florence D .; and John M.
Mr. Foster is a member of the East End Presbyterian church, to the support of which he contributes generously, and in its work is actively interested. He is at present president of the board of trustees of Parsons College, Fairfield, Iowa. His political allegiance is given to the democratic party, but he has held no political offices. He served, however, as a member of the Iowa state board of education from July 1, 1909, until June 30, 1911. He belongs to the Union League Club of Chicago and is widely known in business circles in various sections of the country. Association through business or otherwise has brought him many friends wherever he is known. His record is credit- able and commendable, for through successive stages of promo- tion he has advanced to a prominent position in the business world.
H. H. HARROLD.
H. H. Harrold, who in 1911 became identified with the Eddyville Savings Bank, is now cashier of that institution. He was born in Mahaska county, Iowa, March 29, 1882, and is a son of J. G. and Eleanor (Evans) Harrold. The father is a native of Mahaska county, Iowa, while the mother's birth occurred in Jones county, this state. Both are now residents of Oskaloosa. In their family were two children, but Paul, the younger, is now deceased. The father is engaged in the life-insurance business and is well known in Oskaloosa and that section of the state.
e
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HISTORY OF WAPELLO COUNTY
H. H. Harrold at the usual age became a pupil in the public schools, passing through the consecutive grades until graduated from the Oskaloosa high school. Later he continued his studies in Penn College and made his initial step in the business world as a bookkeeper in a bank at Oskaloosa, where he remained for some time. Subsequently he became assistant cashier in the Oska- loosa National Bank, in which he continued for several years. In November, 1911, he removed to Eddyville, where he has since been an active factor in the management of the Eddyville Savings Bank, of which he is now the cashier. His previous training has well qualified him for the responsible duties that devolve upon him in this connection and under his guidance the bank has made steady progress, becoming one of the safe and solid financial institutions of the county.
In his political views Mr. Harrold is an earnest republican but has never been an aspirant for office. He belongs to Eddy- ville Lodge, No. 74, F. & A. M., and to Chapter No. 99 of the Eastern Star. He is a member of Lodge No. 340, B. P. O. E., Oskaloosa, lowa, and of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is widely recognized as a fine business man, alert, capable, energetic and enterprising, and he is well liked by all who have dealings with him.
A. J. AND L. C. MITCHELL.
A. J. and L. C. Mitchell constitute the well known Ottumwa law firm of Mitchell & Mitchell. The father, John R. Mitchell, who was born in Indiana in 1853, passed away in Missouri in 1896 at the comparatively early age of forty-three years. He too was a member of the bar and practiced in Grant City, Missouri, where he was widely recognized as a prominent attorney. His wife bore the maiden name of Addie F. Fouts and is now living with her sons, A. J. and L. C. Mitchell, who are her only children.
A. J. Mitchell was born in Worth county, Missouri, in September, 1883, and was educated in the common schools of that county and in the West Des Moines high school, in which he completed a course with the class of 1902. He next entered the liberal arts department of Drake University and was graduated therefrom in 1905. The following year was spent as a student
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