USA > Iowa > Wapello County > History of Wapello County, Iowa, Volume II > Part 4
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43
PATRICK LEENY.
Patrick Leeny, mayor of Ottumwa, is actuated in all of his public service by an unfaltering devotion to the general good that has its root in a belief that patriotism finds its best expres- sion in a helpful attitude toward municipal and civic interests.
He was born in Jefferson county, Iowa, in 1871, a son of John and Rebecca Leeny, the former a native of Ireland and the latter of Iowa. In their family were five children, who were left motherless when Patrick Leeny was a little lad of seven years. Since her death Ottumwa's present mayor has earned his own living and though difficulties and obstacles have confronted him, seemingly at times almost insurmountable, he has steadily pursued his way and has gained not only a fair measure of suc- cess, but also more than local distinction in connection with pub- lic affairs. His educational opportunities were only such as the common schools afforded, and even then the necessity of provid- ing for his own support prevented him from attending school to the age when most boys put aside their text-books. He was early
48
HISTORY OF WAPELLO COUNTY
employed in carrying water to section hands employed by the railroad company, and when he was seventeen years of age he became a brakeman on the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Rail- road, and afterward worked as a switchman on the same road. He was connected with railway interests until called to public office, and he is a member of the Brotherhood of Railway Train- men, belonging to the local organization, No. 537. Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise he has given his alle- giance to the democratic party, and upon that ticket he was elected alderman of the sixth ward, and in 1913 was elected to the office of mayor on the commission form of government, with ten candidates in the field. Notwithstanding that both newspapers and all of the banks were against him, Mr. Leeny was elected. He made his canvass upon the question of equality between the rich and poor, without discrimination in favor of either. He holds to progressive ideas, getting far away from the old belief that party lines must be strictly followed and that party welfare is above the right of the individual citizen.
In 1891 Mr. Leeny was united in marriage to Miss Mary Summers, a native of Wapello county, and to them have been born two children, Agnes and James A., but death claimed their first born. The son and his mother are members of the Catholic church. Mr. Leeny is connected with various fraternal organ- izations, belonging to the Moose, the Eagles, the Red Men, the Maccabees and the Yeomen. In all of those lodges he is well known and prominent. He may truly be called a self-made man, for his advancement has come as the direct result of his capa- bility, his earnestness, his industry and his laudable ambition. Gradually he has worked his way upward and he stands today among those whose worth is recognized and whose work has been of practical value to the city of his residence.
MORRIS W. CHRISTIE.
Morris W. Christie, one of Ottumwa's native sons, is promi- nently known in business circles as an insurance, real-estate and loan agent, with offices at No. 105 North Court street. In this connection he has built up a large and gratifying business and has won the confidence and good-will of his colleagues and con- temporaries in business circles. He was born April 8, 1883, a
49
HISTORY OF WAPELLO COUNTY
son of William S. Christie, who was a native of Watertown, New York, born July 1, 1849. He came to Ottumwa in 1872 and the following year opened an insurance office, in which line of business he continued with growing success to the time of his death, on the 17th of August, 1912. He married Julia Hill Alex- ander, a representative of one of the old pioneer families of this city, her birth having occurred in Ottumwa, April 28, 1848, while on the 10th of May, 1906, she passed away at the age of fifty-eight years. Her father, John Alexander, came by wagon from Kentucky to Iowa and aided in the reclamation of Wapello county for the purposes of civilization. Making investments from time to time, he eventually became the owner of a large amount of land in this county. Unto Mr. and Mrs. William S. Christie were born three children: William W., whose birth occurred May 17, 1878, and who is now a resident of Portland, Oregon ; Morris W .; and Elizabeth, who was born January 24, 1886, and died on the 26th of April, 1889.
At the usual age Morris W. Christie became a pupil in the public schools of Ottumwa, in which he passed through consecu- tive grades until graduated from the high school with the class of 1902. He next entered the University of Minnesota, in which he spent two years, and later was a student for two years in the State University of Washington at Seattle. Upon his mother's death he returned home and soon afterward entered into the insurance business with his father, becoming his successor. He is now conducting an extensive and profitable business in insur- ance, real estate, loans and rentals, occupying well appointed offices at No. 105 North Court street. His clients are many, and his business returns to him a gratifying annual income. He owns an attractive residence in Ottumwa and several farm prop- erties in Iowa, Oklahoma and Missouri. In partnership with his brother he owns a farm of one hundred and sixty acres and also owns a farm individually eight miles from Ottumwa. He likewise has land in Arkansas, and thus from time to time he has made judicious investments in real estate until his holdings are now quite extensive and bring to him a gratifying annual income.
On the 25th of June, 1908, Mr. Christie was united in mar- riage to Miss Caroline Drake Mabry, who was born in Center- ville, Iowa, and is a daughter of Judge and Nannie (Lockman) Mabry, who are residents of Albia, Iowa. Mrs. Christie is a lady of innate culture and refinement and is identified with a number of the leading social and club organizations of the city.
50
HISTORY OF WAPELLO COUNTY
She belongs to the Fortnightly Club, of which she is treasurer, the Womans Club, the Art Club, of which she is president, and the Twenty Club. She is also eligible to the Daughters of the American Revolution. Mr. Christie holds membership in the Masonic fraternity and in the Wapello and Country Clubs, while both he and his wife are members of the Episcopal church. They are among the highly esteemed residents of this city and theirs is a hospitable home, whose good cheer is greatly enjoyed by their many friends. Mr. Christie is a young man of determi- nation and enterprise and in his business career carries forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes, knowing that obstacles and difficulties can be overcome by persistent, earnest and honorable effort.
JAMES F. POWELL.
Since 1889 James F. Powell has been connected with the Courier and steady progression has brought him to the position of publisher and editor. He is today one of the well known newspaper men of Iowa, and the Courier has been an important factor in promoting the progress and advancing the welfare and prosperity of Ottumwa, advocating as it does at all times a line of practical progress. Mr. Powell was born in Harrington, Delaware, August 16, 1868, a son of Dr. C. C. Powell, who was likewise a native of Delaware. He became a practicing physi- cian and devoted many years of his life to that profession. He married Miss Kate Fountain, a native of Maryland, and in 1876 they removed westward to Illinois, where they resided until 1883 and then came to Ottumwa, where Dr. Powell passed away in 1901.
Since making his initial step in the business world James F. Powell has been connected with newspaper interests, and one of the factors in his success is the point that he has always continued in the line in which he embarked as a youth. In 1885 he secured a position in the office of the Democrat at Ottumwa, then con- ducted by S. B. Evans and H. D. Crawford. He learned the printer's trade, which he followed in Des Moines, Council Bluffs, Omaha and at other points in Iowa and Nebraska, but in 1889 returned to Ottumwa and secured a position as typesetter on the Ottumwa Daily Courier. Since that time he has been continu-
51
HISTORY OF WAPELLO COUNTY
ously connected with the paper and was in the mechanical de- partment until the fall of 1900, either in the composing room of the newspaper or in the job department. With the opening of the present century he was taken into the business office as advertising solicitor and in 1901, when E. P. Adler, who was business manager of the Courier, was transferred to the Daven- port Times by A. W. Lee, who owned the controlling interest in both papers, Mr. Powell was made business manager of the former. In 1905 he became publisher of this paper and so con- tinues. In 1907, following the death of A. W. Lee, who was president of the Lee Newspaper Syndicate, E. P. Adler was made president and Mr. Powell vice president and treasurer of the Syndicate, which owns and controls the Tribune of La Crosse, Wisconsin; the Daily Times, of Davenport; the Journal of Mus- catine, Iowa; the Courier of Ottumwa; and the Courier Post of Hannibal, Missouri. Both Mr. Adler and Mr. Powell still retain their positions in connection with the Lee Newspaper Syndicate and as such have become prominent figures in news- paper circles in this state.
In September, 1907, Mr. Powell was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. Gardner, a daughter of W. H. and Elizabeth Gardner, now residents of Lincoln, Nebraska. Mr. Powell has always taken an active interest in athletics, particularly shooting and rowing and he indorses all manly outdoor sports, believing that, in the division of time, recreation may constitute a balance wheel for the arduous business effort which is typical of the age. His policy in connection with the Courier has been one of con- tinuous advancement without recourse to any of that sensation- alism which has made the yellow journal an object of abhorrence to all who believe in the educational and real news value of the modern paper.
GEORGE F. CAPELL.
George F. Capell has been engaged in business as a contractor and builder of Ottumwa for the past thirty-five years and has won an enviable reputation and gratifying prosperity in this con- nection. His birth occurred in St. Lawrence county, New York, on the 6th of February, 1848, his parents being William P. and Mary (Cook) Capell, both of whom were natives of New
52
HISTORY OF WAPELLO COUNTY
Hampshire. They passed away in St. Lawrence county, New York. Their children were seven in number, three of whom still survive, as follows: Sarah L., who is the wife of David Richardson; Martha E., who gave her hand in marriage to J. G. Taylor, and George F., of this review.
The last named attended the common schools in the acquire- ment of an education and spent the period of his minority under the parental roof. In 1869, when twenty-one years of age, he came to Ottumwa, Wapello county, Iowa, and has here resided contin- uously since. He has engaged in business as a contractor and builder for thirty-five years. Many contracts have been awarded him in recognition of his ability in this line, and numerous sub- stantial business structures and attractive residences of Ottumwa stand as monuments to his skill. He owns a handsome home in this city and has long been numbered among its prosperous and representative residents.
In 1879 Mr. Capell was united in marriage to Miss Emma Spencer, a native of Davis county, Iowa, and a daugther of Horace A. and Eveline (Rudd) Spencer. The father, who was born in New Hampshire, came west at an early day. Unto our subject and his wife have been born two children : Harvey, who is deceased, and G. Vernon, at home. Mr. Capell gives his polit- ical allegiance to the republican party and is identified frater- nally with the Modern Woodmen of America, belonging to Camp No. 103. He is a man of genuine personal worth, and his sterling traits of character have established him on a high plane in public regard.
JUDGE JOSEPH C. MITCHELL.
Judge Joseph C. Mitchell has for twenty-one years been an active representative of the Ottumwa bar, while for forty-one years he has been a practitioner in Iowa. He was born in Mon- roe county, Indiana, January 23, 1849. His father, James Mitchell, also a native of that county, was born December 2, 1828, and was reared to farm life but later turned his attention to merchandising. He came to lowa in 1850 and after his removal to this state patented a binder which was the first ever patented in America. He dropped this, however, to enter the army, for the country had become involved in the Civil war.
.
J.b. Whitehall
55
HISTORY OF WAPELLO COUNTY
He joined the Sixth Iowa Infantry and was among those who laid down their lives on the altar of their country, his death being occasioned by typhoid fever when he was in the service. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Susannah Berry, was born in Lincoln county, Kentucky, August II, 1827, but was reared in Indiana, and her last days were spent in Osceola, Iowa. By her marriage she became the mother of four children, but two of the sons are deceased. The daughter, who survives, is Eliza Frances Mitchell, now living in Osceola.
Judge Mitchell pursued his education in the common schools to the age of twelve years and afterward worked upon the farm, in a woolen factory, in a printing office and also drove stage to the age of seventeen years. His youth was largely a period of earnest and unremitting toil and upon him devolved responsi- bilities not often resting upon one of his years. Recognizing the value of education, he determined to supplement his early training by further study and by the aid of a friend, H. C. Sigler of Osceola, he was able to take the full classical course at the Iowa Wesleyan University at Mount Pleasant, gradu- ating with the class of 1871. He then took up the study of law in the office of Ambler Brothers & Babb of Mount Pleasant, these gentlemen directing his reading until his admission to the bar in that place. In January, 1873, he opened an office in Chariton, Iowa, where he remained in active practice for twenty years. He was appointed by Governor Boies to the bench of his district and served thereon for about a year. In 1893, how- ever, he came to Ottumwa, where he opened a law office and resumed private practice. He does not specialize along a given line to the exclusion of other branches but continues in the gen- eral practice of law and is well informed upon the subject of jurisprudence. He has always prepared his cases with thor- oughness and care, and his clear and cogent reasoning and logical deductions have been important features in his success.
On the 28th of April, 1875, Judge Mitchell was united in marriage to Miss Alice C. Wilson, then of Eau Claire, Wiscon- sin, but who was born at Oakland Mills, Henry county, Iowa. She was reared and educated in Mount Pleasant and was a daughter of Robert and Adeline (Henshaw) Wilson, both of whom are deceased. Mrs. Mitchell was born June 22, 1853, and passed away on the 2d of December, 1912. She was the organizer of the chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution at Ottumwa and was the representative from that
56
HISTORY OF WAPELLO COUNTY
chapter to the national convention in Washington. She was also very active in the P. E. O. sorority, being the second or third person initiated into that sorority's first chapter in Mount Pleasant, Iowa. She was eligible to membership in the Daugh- ters of the American Revolution from the fact that she was descended from five ancestors who were officers of the Revolu- tion, and she had five bars upon her pin. Judge Mitchell belongs to the Sons of the American Revolution and some time ago was notified by the secretary of the Society of Cincinnati that he was eligible to membership in that organization by rea- son of the fact that Colonel Joseph Crockett, of the Revolu- tionary war, was the grandfather of Judge Mitchell's grand- mother. He reared his granddaughter, who afterward became Mrs. Mitchell. At her death Mrs. Alice Mitchell left a daugh- ter and two sons: Adelyn, the wife of F. R. Williams of Ottumwa; Mark, who is connected with a coal company in Albia, Iowa; and Paul, living in Ottumwa.
Judge Mitchell gave his allegiance to the democratic party until 1897 and since then to the republican party. He has ever kept well informed on the significant and vital questions of the day but does not seek nor desire office. He attends the Episcopal church, and he has for many years had membership in the Masonic and Odd Fellows societies. He is a broad-minded, cultured gentleman, keeping in touch with the general line of the world's progress, while in his profession his comprehensive knowledge and clear reasoning have gained him more than local distinction.
LOUIS A. CLAPP.
Louis A. Clapp was for a long period a representative farmer of Wapello county, where he lived to the time of his death, which occurred on the 10th of July, 1913. He was born in Franklin county, Ohio, October 11, 1841, and was a son of Arnold and Adaline (Kellogg) Clapp, who were natives of New York and Massachusetts respectively. At an early day the father made his way from the Empire state to Ohio and in 1855 he removed with his family to Iowa, settling upon a farm in Wapello county, where both he and his wife continued to make
57
HISTORY OF WAPELLO COUNTY
their home until they were called to their final rest. In their family were seven children, of whom four are yet living.
Louis A. Clapp spent the first fourteen years of his life in the state of his nativity and then accompanied his parents to Iowa. He remained with his mother until he had attained his majority and then began farming on his own account on the old homestead, which he afterward purchased. He won a gratify- ing measure of prosperity in the conduct of his business inter- ests and at the time of his death was the owner of two hundred acres of land, naturally rich and arable. His place is situated on Section 5, Dahlonega township, and presents a neat and thrifty appearance, owing to the care and cultivation bestowed upon it by the owner. Mr. Clapp used the latest improved machinery to facilitate the work of the fields, and his farm had upon it all modern equipments and accessories.
On the 16th of June, 1875, Mr. Clapp was united in mar- riage to Miss Julia C. Burns, who was born in Preble county, Ohio, a daughter of Samuel C. and Nancy ( Fitzimmons) Burns, the former born in Ohio and the latter in Pennsylvania. Follow- ing their marriage they lived for a number of years in Ohio and in 1860 removed westward to Coles county, Illinois, where they resided for five years upon a farm. They then became residents of Keokuk county, Iowa, where they continued until 1887. In that year they removed to Wapello county, lowa, where they continued until called to their final rest. Her father died July 23, 1893, and for about ten years was survived by his wife, who passed away January 17, 1903. Unto them were born seven children, of whom three are yet living: Mrs. Clapp; Lucy I., the widow of John Cregg, residing in California; and Belle, the wife of F. Coffin, of Long Beach, California.
Mr. and Mrs. Clapp never had any children, and she was left alone by the death of her husband on the 10th of July, 1913. She still owns the farm of two hundred acres, which returns to her a gratifying annual income, supplying her with all of the com- forts and some of the luxuries of life. She holds membership in the Presbyterian church and in all of her life's relations is guided by its teachings. Mr. Clapp voted with the republican party, but did not seek nor desire office. For fifty-eight years he was a resident of this county and was therefore numbered among its pioneer settlers. He came here when the work of develop- ment and improvement had been carried forward to but a slight extent, and as the years passed on he bore his share in the task
58
HISTORY OF WAPELLO COUNTY
of promoting the agricultural possibilities of the county and thus winning for Iowa its well earned reputation as one of the leading agricultural states of the Union. Mr. Clapp saw many changes as the work of transformation was carried on. He could remember the time when most of the farm houses were little cabins, but he lived to see these replaced by commodious and attractive residences, standing in the midst of well kept fields. He also saw the building of churches and schools and the intro- duction of all modern improvements in various lines of business, and he took great interest in what was thus accomplished.
SUMNER SIBERELL.
Sumner Siberell is a member of the Ottumwa bar and is also identified with business interests of importance. He began prac- tice here a quarter of a century ago and throughout the entire period has maintained a place among the leading lawyers of Wapello county. A native son of this locality, he was born on a farm near Blakesburg, May 9, 1859, his parents being Jacob and Elizabeth Jane (Rose) Siberell, the former a native of Ross county, Ohio, and the latter of Jennings county, Indiana. They became early settlers of this section of the state and were married in Wapello county.
It was in the common schools of his native county that Sumner Siberell pursued his early education, which was supplemented by a course in Drake University at Des Moines, which he entered in September, 1883, when twenty-four years of age. He was graduated from the liberal arts department in June, 1887, winning his Bachelor of Arts degree. He began reading law in the office of W. S. Coen and was admitted to practice before the supreme court of Iowa in 1889. He then entered into partner- ship with his former preceptor and remained with him until June, 1893. In the fall of 1892 he was elected county attorney, in which position he remained for two terms, being reelected in 1894. He proved a capable official, fearless in prosecuting the law breakers of the county and seeking at all times to uphold the highest legal status. Since his retirement from that position he has continued in the general practice of law, having offices in the Hofmann building since May, 1895. His clientage is large and of a distinctively representative character, and his ability
59
HISTORY OF WAPELLO COUNTY
is evidenced in the many verdicts which he wins that are favor- able to the interests of his clients. He is also conducting an abstract business under the name of the Wapello County Abstract Company, having a complete set of abstracts of the county. He is also a director of the Peoples Building & Saving Association.
On the 23d of May, 1895, Mr. Siberell was united in marriage to Miss Ora Carpenter of Ottumwa, a daughter of L. D. and Mary E. (Stuart) Carpenter. The father, who was a farmer by occupation, is now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Siberell hold mem- bership in the First Christian church of Ottumwa and for the past twenty years he has been a member of the board of trustees of Drake University of Des Moines, which excellent school is under the supervision of the Christian church.
Mr. Siberell has an interesting military chapter in his life record, having, in July, 1888, enlisted at Ottumwa as a private of Company G, lowa National Guard, with which he served for five years, being mustered out as quartermaster sergeant in 1893. Fraternally he is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and in politics he is a progressive republican. He has ever stood for law and order and for those things which are a matter of civic virtue and civic pride. He has been and is still chairman of the committee that led the fight against saloons in Ottumwa and has been very active in putting them out of busi- ness. When filling the office of prosecuting attorney Mr. Siberell prosecuted Brady, overseer of the poor, for defrauding the county with the result that he was sent to the penitentiary. He was also instrumental in ousting Mayor T. J. Phillips from the office of chief executive of Ottumwa. Mr. Byers, attorney gen- eral, instituted proceedings against Phillips and Mr. Siberell assisted George Cosson in the trial. He does not believe in a compromise with wrong, whether in individual or public affairs, and has ever been an advocate of clean politics all along the line, opposing strenuously anything like misrule in public office.
MARTIN HARDSOCG.
Martin Hardsocg is the largest stockholder in the Hardsocg Manufacturing Company, one of the important productive in- dustries of Ottumwa, employing on an average fifty men and women. He is resolute and his persistency of purpose and close
60
HISTORY OF WAPELLO COUNTY
application have been the salient features in bringing him to the position of success which he now occupies. A native of Ger- many, he was born on the 20th of April, 1852, his parents being Christopher and Caroline Hardsocg, who during the boyhood of their son Martin crossed the Atlantic to the new world with Iowa as their destination. They made their way to Agency, where the mother still resides, but the father has passed away.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.