USA > Iowa > Wapello County > History of Wapello County, Iowa, Volume II > Part 3
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HISTORY OF WAPELLO COUNTY
in the law department of the same institution, after which he went to the Philippines and was school supervisor there for the government from 1906 until 1912, doing much to further the interests of education among the people of that country. At length he returned to his native land and settled in Tacoma, Washington, there engaging in the practice of law for a year in partnership with Charles Arnold. On the 30th of May, 1913, he came to Ottumwa and opened a law office in connection with his brother. In the intervening period they have gained a clientage that is becoming more and more extensive and important. A. J. Mitchell is also connected with R. G. Dun & Company as assist- ant manager of the local office and gives much of his attention to the interests of the company which he represents.
In 1909 Mr. Mitchell married Miss Kathryn Conwell, a native of Chillicothe, Iowa, and a daughter of Albert Conwell, a resident farmer of the state. Mr. and Mrs. A. J. Mitchell are now the parents of a daughter, Ramona. They are members of the Catholic church, and Mr. Mitchell also holds membership with the Knights of Columbus. His political allegiance is given to the progressive branch of the republican party, and he stands for advancement at all times, whether political or otherwise. He is a member of the Commercial Law League and of the Com- mercial Association, and his interests find expression in practical efforts for progress and advancement along many lines.
L. C. Mitchell, junior partner of the law firm of Mitchell & Mitchell, was born on a farm in Worth county, Missouri, March 30, 1887, and was educated in the common schools and in the public schools of Des Moines, completing a course in the West Des Moines high school by graduation with the class of 1906. He too eagerly embraced his opportunities for further educational advancement and completed a liberal arts course in Drake University with the class of 1909. He also finished a one year's law course in 1909, after which he went to Colorado, where he proved up a homestead on Routt county, a property which he still owns. He afterward devoted a year to the study of law in the University of Colorado and then took up the pro- fession of teaching in the Alamosa (Colorado) high school. He afterward cmpleted his law studies in the University of Cali- fornia as a student in its law department, known as the School of Jurisprudence. There he was graduated in the spring of 1913 and immediately afterward he came to Ottumwa, where he began practice and where he has since been located.
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The firm is enjoying a good law business, and their devotion to the best interests of their clients insures them not only of its continuance but also promises well for the growth of their prac- tice. L. C. Mitchell also teaches in the Iowa Success Business College, being an instructor in commercial law. He is a mem- ber of the Commercial Association and is in hearty sympathy with all movements and measures for the public good. His political indorsement is given to the democratic party, and his religious faith is that of the Methodist church. His life has been well spent and, characterized by industry, determination and laudable ambition, has brought him to a creditable place as a representative of the lowa bar.
ALVIN COE LEIGHTON.
The substantial development and improvement of Ottumwa are due in no small measure to Alvin Coe Leighton. He was born in Manchester, Scott county, Illinois, June 2, 1839, his par- ents being Joseph and Mary L. (Coe) Leighton. His great- grandfather, Tobias Leighton IV, was born in Kittery, Maine, August 31, 1742, and passed away in 1818 at Harmony, Maine, whither he had gone with his son James, the grandfather of A. C. Leighton, to establish a mill. Tobias Leighton was a soldier in the French and Indian war, serving in 1758 and 1759. He was present at the capture of Lewisburg and his military experience at that time proved an excellent training school for him in prep- aration for his later arduous duties of a military character, for at the time of the outbreak of the Revolutionary war he enlisted in the Thirtieth Maine Regiment, participating in the battle of Bunker Hill. When his first term of service expired he was mustered out, but later re-enlisted under General Washington.
Joseph Leighton, the father of Alvin Coe Leighton, was a native of Harmony, Maine. He learned the carpenter's trade in early life and was connected with building operations for many years. Attracted by the opportunities of the growing west, he became a resident of Scott county, Illinois, in 1836 and in 1841 established his home in Des Moines county, Iowa. There he resided until Wapello county was opened for settlement May I, 1843, when he entered a claim from the government and devoted the succeeding three years to its development and improvement.
MG Lighton
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In 1844-45 he was active in the building of Meeks' mill at Bona- parte, Iowa, after which he removed to Ottumwa, where he was elected county treasurer in the fall of 1846. At that time the office carried with it the duties of both treasurer and recorder. The work perhaps was not especially heavy, however, for at that time Ottumwa contained but eighteen houses and the entire county was but sparsely settled. At the close of his first term he was re-elected and served until 1851. In that year C.tumwa received its charter as a city and Mr. Leighton was chosen the first city assessor, while the following year he was elected treas- urer. During the years 1854 and 1855 he served as a member of the board of city trustees, and in 1856 popular franchise again placed him in the office of city assessor. In 1851 he embarked in general merchandising with Dr. C. C. Warden, conducting stores in both Ottumwa and Blakesburg. When the partnership was dissolved in 1853 Mr. Leighton retained ownership of the Blakesburg store and after disposing of his interests there turned his attention to the real-estate business. He also occupied the position of justice of the peace for a short time prior to his death, in 1858. His political allegiance in early life was given to the democratic party, but with the passage of the Kansas-Ne- braska bill he joined the ranks of the new republican party.
Joseph Leighton was married in 1838 to Miss Mary L. Coe, who was born in Greene county, Illinois, in 1821. They became the parents of three sons and three daughters, of whom Alvin C. is the eldest. Mr. Leighton's mother survived all of her chil- dren except himself and passed away October 15, 1905, at the age of eighty-four years, three months and twenty days. She had resided in Iowa for sixty-four years and in Wapello county and Ottumwa for sixty-two years. She was only thirty-seven years of age when her husband died and devoted the remainder of her life faithfully to rearing and caring for her children. There were beside our subject five children, as follows: Ann Elizabeth, born at Dodgeville, Des Moines county, Iowa, in 1841 and died in Competine township, this county, in 1845; James, born in Competine township November 16, 1844, and died December 15, 1882; Joseph, born in Ottumwa, February I, 1848, and died September 1, 1888; Mary Emily, born in Ot- tumwa, October 9, 1851, and died February 15, 1890; and Abby, born in Ottumwa, August 25, 1854, and died in Ottumwa in 1904. Mrs. Leighton was a kind and loving mother, a devout Christian and died beloved by all. One brother, six grandchildren and five
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great-grandchildren survive her. She is buried in the beautiful Ottumwa cemetery, surrounded by her husband and her sons, daughters and grandchildren who passed away before her.
Alvin C. Leighton was a little lad of not four summers when brought by his parents to Wapello county on the ist of May, 1843, and was a youth of seventeen years when, in 1856, he made his way westward to the Missouri river. He remained upon the plains until 1878 and since that time has continued in Ottumwa, being today one of its citizens. His efforts have been of large value in upbuilding and improving the city. Soon after his re- turn he purchased what is now the Leighton block on Market street and erected an addition thereto. He also erected a number of other buildings and continued in the real-estate business, handling his own property only. He has been connected with the Coal Palace, the Opera House and the Wapello County Agricultural Society and he aided in securing the building of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad through Ottumwa. He has co-operated in every movement that has for its object the benefit of the city, and his aid can always be counted upon to further any progressive plan.
Mr. Leighton was united in marriage in Baltimore, June 2, 1874, to Miss Mary T. Benson, who was born in that city in 1851 and is a daughter of Benjamin S. Benson. The latter was a foundryman and inventor of Baltimore and there died a number of years ago. He possessed marked mechanical skill and inge- nuity and in his boyhood invented a water ram. He manufac- tured all the piano plates used by the Knabe Piano Company, but his principal business was the manufacture of water and gas pipe. He was also one of the original founders of the Maryland Institute. His grandson and namesake, Benjamin S. Benson, occupied offices in the Leighton block but now resides in Los Angeles, California.
In his political views Mr. Leighton is a democrat, but the honors and emoluments of office have had no attraction for him, as he has always preferred to concentrate his energies upon his business affairs and the supervision of his investments. He possesses many sterling traits of character, and a social disposi- tion has made him popular with those who come within the circle of his friendship. He is a gentleman of the old school. He is courteous, jovial and entertaining and his friends always look forward with pleasure to a visit at his home. He holds
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friendship inviolable and is most loyal to those who give him their confidence and their regard.
Mr. Leighton can safely be called an old resident of Iowa, having made his home in this state from 1841 to 1914. He has resided in Wapello county and Ottumwa since May 1, 1843, the day the Indians were to leave. Thus he resided seventy-three years in the state and seventy-one years in Wapello county.
W. D. DAVIS.
W. D. Davis, a member of the Ottumwa bar, was born in Wayne county, Iowa, in October, 1864. His father, D. M. Davis, was born in Van Buren county, Iowa, January 2, 1841, and made farming his life work. He wedded Lucretia Lynch, who was born in Indiana, July 4, 1846, and passed away on the 17th of March, 1910. Their family numbered five children : W. D., of this review; D. L., who is living in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Emma, the wife of John Langford of Lucas county, Iowa; Ruby, the wife of Scott Adamson of Lucas county; and Mrs. Kate Briles, also of Lucas county.
At the usual age W. D. Davis became a public-school pupil and eventually entered the high school at Corydon, Iowa, from which he was graduated with the class of 1886. A review of the great field of business led him to the conclusion that he would prefer a professional career, and with this end in view he began the study of law, but before being admitted to practice he drifted into the newspaper business and at different times was connected with newspaper publication in Corydon, Eldora, Odebolt, Bloomfield, Pulaski and Eldon, this covering a period of twenty years. At length he disposed of the Eldon Forum in Septem- ber, 1909, for on the 3d of June, of the same year, he was ad- mitted to the bar. However, he had previously been associated with Adelbert Christy in law practice at Eldon for some time. In August, 1910, he removed to Ottumwa and entered into part- nership with E. P. Henry, a graduate of Drake University, who, however, was called back to the farm on account of his father's illness. Since that time Mr. Davis has practiced alone and is now one of the well known representatives of the Ottumwa bar. In different localities he has held public office, serving for two years as city clerk of Eldon, while at the present time he is a
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candidate for the office of county attorney of Wapello county. His political allegiance has always been given the democratic party.
On the 2d of November, 1888, Mr. Davis was united in mar- riage to Miss Althea Noel, who was born in Davis county, this state, a daughter of P. A. Noel, a farmer. To this union were born seven children: Bert, who is engaged in the newspaper business in Eldon; Walter, a printer of that place; W. D., Jr., who is also in Eldon; Roe, who is married and lives in Eldon; Noel, also of Eldon; Nellie, the wife of Carl Finney; and Lou. Mr. Davis was married August 25, 1913, to Minnie Shafer, who was born in Davis county, a daughter of Edward Shafer, who is still living, although her mother passed away.
Mr. Davis is identified with several fraternal organizations, holding membership with the Modern Woodmen of America, the Knights of Pythias, the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, and the Loyal Order of Moose. He is a member of the Chris- tian church and while in the newspaper business, as well as at the present time, he always exercised his influence as a factor for development, progress, improvement and justice.
MARTIN B. HUTCHISON.
The name of Martin B. Hutchison has been a familiar one in banking and lumber circles in Wapello county for many years. He is now, however, concentrating his energies upon the lum- ber trade and has a line of yards in this section of the state, making his headquarters, however, at Ottumwa. He was born in Altoona, Pennsylvania, January 5, 1860. His father, Joseph Hutchison, likewise a native of the Keystone state, was born in 1828 and there spent his entire life, following the occupation of farming. He wedded Mary M. Scott, who was born in Bed- ford, Pennsylvania, in 1829 and is still living in that state. Their family numbered eight children, six of whom survive. All those surviving with the exception of our subject are still residents of Pennsylvania.
It was in the common schools of his native state that Martin B. Hutchison pursued his early education, which was supple- mented by two years' study in Lafayette College at Easton, Penn- sylvania. In November, 1882, he arrived at Ottumwa and
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HISTORY OF WAPELLO COUNTY
entered at once upon active connection with the banking business in this city, becoming collector for the Ottumwa National Bank. A year later he was promoted to the position of bookkeeper, in which capacity he continued for two years and was then advanced to cashier, occupying that position of responsibility for seven years. On leaving that position he went to Chicago, where he engaged in business for a year. At the end of that period, how- ever, he returned to Ottumwa and accepted the cashiership of the First National Bank, remaining in that position for eleven years. In the meantime he had assisted in organizing the Union Trust & Savings Bank, of which he was made cashier and director. He was also a director during the entire eleven years of his connection with the First National Bank.
In 1903, however, on account of failing health he resigned his position with the bank and turned his attention to the lumber business, which would enable him to spend more time out of doors, avoiding the close confinement incident to the banking business. He then organized the M. B. Hutchison Lumber Company, of which he has since been the head. This is today a large concern, having extended its activities from town to town until yards have now been established and are being successfully conducted at Ottumwa, Batavia, Libertyville, Stockport and Hillsboro. Since leaving the bank in 1903 Mr. Hutchison has devoted his entire time to the lumber business save for three years, from 1908 until 1911, when he was again with the First National as vice president, devoting a part of his time to the bank. He found, however, that his entire time was required by the lumber trade, and he then permanently severed his connec- tions with the bank as an active factor in control and manage- ment. However, he is still the vice president and director of the Union Trust & Savings Bank and also a director of the First National. He is likewise a stockholder in the Ottumwa Auto- mobile Company, but his energies are concentrated chiefly upon the lumber trade, in which he has already built up a business of gratifying proportions. The policy of the company is one which bears close investigation and scrutiny, and his enterprise has brought him into close touch with the more important trade interests of the state.
On the 25th of April, 1888, Mr. Hutchison was united in marriage to Miss Inez B. Jordan, a daughter of W. A. Jordan, and they became parents of two children: Margaret, the wife of L. M. B. Morrissey of Minneapolis; and Elizabeth, a student
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HISTORY OF WAPELLO COUNTY
in the high school. The family attend the Presbyterian church, in which the parents hold membership, and for almost a quarter of a century continuously he has been one of the church trustees. His political allegiance is given the Republican party and, while he has never sought nor desired office, he has always cooperated in measures of value to the community. He is president of the board of education, has been a director of the Commercial Asso- ciation and for one year was its president. He also belongs to the Wapello and Country Clubs and is widely and favorably known as a factor for progress in the business, social, intellectual and moral interests of city and county. He has been connected almost continuously with Ottumwa since 1882 and is today ac- counted one of her most valued citizens.
SMITH AUGUSTUS SPILMAN, M. D.
Prominent among the leading physicians of his section of the state is Dr. Smith Augustus Spilman, of Ottumwa. In a pro- fession where advancement depends entirely upon individual merit he has steadily worked his way upward, promoting his skill and ability by study abroad. He is now largely specializing in surgery and is a member of the consulting staff of the Ottumwa Hospital.
Dr. Spilman was born in Jennings county, Indiana, March 6, 1853. He had three great-grandfathers who were soldiers of the Revolutionary war and one of the number held the rank of captain. John D. Spilman, father of Dr. Spilman, was born in Kentucky in 1823 and made farming his life work. After living for some time in Indiana he brought his family to Wapello county, Iowa, in November, 1871, and settled on a farm in High- land township, where he passed away in August, 1876. He married Amelia Percival, who was born in Kentucky in 1825 and died in 1881. She was a descendant of Captain Percival, of whom mention has been made above. John D. Spilman was a soldier of the Civil war and one of his sons, T. P. Spilman, en- listed for service in the Union army at the age of sixteen years and had risen to the rank of major some months before he at- tained the age of twenty years. He enlisted with the Fifty-second Indiana volunteers and at the close of hostilities was major in the One Hundred and Forty-sixth Indiana. He was also inspector
S. A. Spilman M. L.
TLO
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HISTORY OF WAPELLO COUNTY
general of the troops in Delaware and on the eastern shore of Maryland. The family of Mr. and Mrs. John D. Spilman num- bered eleven children, five of whom are yet living: Major T. P. Spilman, now a resident of Wapello; Smith A .; J. H., living in Highland township; Miss Dorinda R. Spilman, of Ottumwa; and H. M., of Bigelow, Missouri.
Dr. Spilman was educated in the common schools of Indiana and in a private school and completed the work that usually con- stitutes the high school curriculum. He afterward engaged in teaching for several terms in Wapello and Keokuk counties and then entered what is now the Northwestern University Medical School, from which he was graduated on the 4th of March, 1879. He then entered upon general practice, in which he continued for many years, but now confines his practice largely to surgery and consultation work. He spent some time in New York city, doing post-graduate work, and also pursued special work in Vienna, coming under the instruction of some of the eminent physicians and surgeons of the old world. He has been a constant student of his profession, broadening his knowledge by wide reading and investigation and keeping in touch with the best thinking men of the age through the dissemination of knowledge in books and in the medical societies. He belongs to the Wapello County Med- ical Society and the Des Moines Valley Medical Association, of which he was secretary for six years and president for one term. He likewise holds membership with the Iowa State Medical As- sociation and with the American Medical Association. In addi- tion to his private practice he is acting as a member of the con- sulting staff of the Ottumwa Hospital, and is local surgeon for several railroads.
On the 23d of September, 1873, Dr. Spilman was united in marriage to Miss Mary J. Kizer, who was born in Decatur county, Indiana, where the marriage took place, her parents being John and Martha (Woodfill) Kizer, both now deceased. The father was a farmer. To Dr. and Mrs. Spilman was born a daughter, Martha, now the wife of H. O. Bowen of Belling- ham, Washington. Mrs. Spilman passed away in 1876 and in December, 1879, Dr. Spilman wedded Miss Mary Ball, a native of Jefferson county, Iowa, and a daughter of Joseph Ball. She died March 4, 1881, and on the 29th of December, 1886, Dr. Spilman married Miss Alice Sellers, who was born in Topeka, Kansas, a daughter of J. C. Sellers, of Oskaloosa, lowa, now de- ceased. The only living child of this marriage is Dr. Harold A. Vol. II-3
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Spilman, who is practicing medicine in Ottumwa. He was mar- ried September 10, 1912, to Miss Myra Lawrence, of Decatur, Michigan. There was one son who died in infancy.
Dr. Spilman gives his political support to the republican party and has always been a stanch advocate of its principles, but never an aspirant for office. His religious faith is that of the Methodist Episcopal church, and his fraternal relations are with the Masons and the Knights of Pythias, while along more strictly social lines he is connected with the Wapello and the Country Clubs. Entertaining high professional ideas, Dr. Spilman has constantly striven to reach their level and is today one of the eminent and capable physicians and surgeons of Iowa, while at the same time his many friends appreciate his attractive social qualities and enjoy his companionship.
FRANK KUSSART.
Frank Kussart is the popular postmaster of Eddyville, hav- ing entered upon his duties in August, 1913. He is a conscien- tious official, thoroughly efficient, courteous and obliging, and has made many friends since entering office. He was born on the border between Monroe and Mahaska counties on Decem- ber 26, 1873, and is a son of Jacob and Sarah A. (Phillips) Kussart, natives of Pennsylvania, where the father was born in 1843 and where they were married. The former followed farm- ing throughout his active life and since his retirement in 1900 has lived in Eddyville. In their family are eight living chil- dren : Jeanette, the wife of G. A. De Tar; Charles, of Eddy- ville ; Jacob, of Colorado; E. G., of California; Frank, our sub- ject; Lucy, who married S. A. Shawver of Eddyville; Edward, of California ; and Eva Mary, the wife of Fred Grimes of Cedar Rapids, this state.
Frank Kussart acquired his education in the common schools and the Eddyville high school, from which he graduated with the class of 1894. He then entered the Medical College of Kansas City, which he attended for two years, but left at the end of that time in order to take up the active duties of life. He engaged in the restaurant business in Eddyville, in which he successfully continued until 1912. He proved himself an able business man and in August, 1913, was appointed postmaster of
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HISTORY OF WAPELLO COUNTY
Eddyville under the Wilson administration. While he is a man of executive ability he has a great capacity for detail and has his office well systematized. He is always courteous and obliging to his patrons, and those who have transactions with the post- office speak of him in the highest terms of commendation.
On August 18, 1898, Mr. Kussart married Miss Amanda Savilla Meeker, a daughter of W. T. and Sarah (Davis) Meeker, both deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Kussart have two children : Leroy Mason, a student in the high school; and Anna Madge, who is also in the high school. Mr. Kussart is a democrat and has always given his support to that party, being thoroughly in sym- pathy with its principles, its ideals, its aims and its purposes. He attends the Methodist Episcopal church and fraternally is a member of the blue lodge of Masons, the Eastern Star, the Mod- ern Woodmen of America, and Homestead Lodge, No. 98, of the Brotherhood of American Yeoman. He is a useful and pub- lic-spirited citizen who not only thinks of his own progress but is considerate of the interests of others and is always ready to contribute his share to such efforts as are made in order to pro- mote the welfare of the community.
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