USA > Iowa > Wapello County > History of Wapello County, Iowa, Volume II > Part 9
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Mr. Burgess not only won the confidence of the people in a business way but also came to be regarded as a man competent to discharge public duties and protect municipal interests. He was elected a member of the city council in 1883, being the youngest man ever chosen to that position in the county and the first democrat elected from his ward in sixteen years-a fact which indicated his personal popularity and the confidence re- posed in him. He was also the second youngest member of the twenty-first general assembly of Iowa, to which position he was elected by the democratic and greenback parties in 1885. So ably did he represent his constituency that in 1887 he was re- elected and thus served for four years. He was a strong anti- monopolist and supported all bills that were of a character to check monopolistic control of public utilities or industries. His fellow townsmen further indicated their faith in him by electing him in 1890 to the position of chief executive of Ottumwa, and he served as mayor for two years. In President Cleveland's second administration he was appointed postmaster of the city and filled the office for four years. On the expiration of that . period he resumed active connection with the agricultural im- plement and buggy business, in which he continued until his death on the 24th of July, 1902.
It was on the 27th of December, 1887, that Mr. Burgess was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Wagner, who was born
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in Agency, Wapello county, a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Lauder) Wagner, the former a merchant. Mrs. Burgess was one of six children, four daughters and two sons, of whom one son died in infancy. She completed a course in the Ottumwa high school with the class of 1880 and afterward spent one year in the University of Chicago. She was a teacher in the Ottumwa schools until her marriage. She became the mother of a son and daughter who yet survive, and another daughter, Elizabeth Katharine, who died in July, 1903, when three and a half years of age. The son, John A., is pursuing the animal husbandry course in the Iowa State University at Ames and Mabel, also a student at Ames, is taking the home economics course. Both are graduates of the Ottumwa high school, the son being a member of the class of 1907, while the daughter is an alumna of 1912. She successfully engaged in teaching for a year prior to entering college.
Following her husband's death Mrs. Burgess turned to the profession of teaching in Ottumwa in the primary grades and after the Fairview school was erected she was principal there for three years. She was then elected county superintendent on the democratic ticket in the fall of 1908 and such has been the splendid record for efficiency she has made that she has been twice reelected and is now serving for the third term. She is a member of the Episcopal church and her work and influ- ence have ever been on the side of intellectual and moral ad- vancement. She deserves much credit for the capable and courageous manner in which she took up the arduous duties of life following her husband's demise. Theirs was a happy home life and the loss of Mr. Burgess was deeply felt throughout the community as well as in his own home, for he had many admir- ers and warm friends in this county and all who knew him respected him.
A. D. WARDER.
The student of history cannot carry his investigations far into the records of Competine township and Wapello county without recognizing the fact that the Warder family has long resided here and has been prominent in promoting agricultural progress and in advancing development along other lines.
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A. D. Warder was born in Competine township, November 27, 1856, and is a representative of one of the old pioneer families of the county, his father being Philip M. Warder, who was a native of Virginia. In 1853, however, he came to Iowa, settling in Wapello county, and thereafter remained a resident of Com- petine township. Upon the old homestead which the father developed and improved, A. D. Warder spent the days of his boyhood and youth, remaining there until he had attained his majority. He then began farming on his own account, first securing a tract of land which he rented for five years. During. that period he carefully saved his earnings until at length his industry and economy had brought him capital sufficient to enable him to purchase a farm. He then invested in a farm in Pleasant township and still owns the original place, to which he has added from time to time until he now has four hundred and sixty acres on sections 4, 5, 6 and 8. He has lived continuously upon this farm throughout all the intervening years to the present time, and its excellent appearance is due to his care and super- vision. He is systematic in his work, plans his tasks carefully and executes them with promptness. Moreover, he has come to know what the soil requires, the best time for planting and the best methods of cultivating his crops and, acting upon this knowl- edge, he is meeting with excellent success in his work.
In 1877 Mr. Warder was united in marriage to Miss Adella Carson, who was born in this county, a daughter of Calvin and Pertina Carson, both of whom are now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Warder became parents of ten children: Nettie, who has de- parted this life; Nancy M., now the wife of H. Muldoon; Per- tenia E., the wife of Arch Shaw; Avis, the wife of William Decker; Goldie, the wife of G. H. Garber; Claude; Gladys, at home; Rex B .; Hilda, at home; and Allen H. The wife and mother passed away June 25, 1911, and was laid to rest in the Ottumwa cemetery. She was a faithful member of the Christian church and possessed many excellent traits of heart and mind, while her good deeds and kindly spirit endeared her not only to her immediate family, but to all with whom she came in contact. Mr. Warder has also led an earnest Christian life. He belongs to the church with which his wife was connected and is serving as one of its elders. His political indorsement is given to the Democratic party, and he has filled the office of township trustee. He is likewise treasurer of the school board and is much inter- ested in the cause of education, believing the public-school system
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to be one of the bulwarks of the nation. Mr. Warder deserves mention in this volume, not only as a representative of an old pioneer family, but as a man whose sterling worth classes him with representative citizens.
JOHN F. PECK.
John F. Peck has for fifteen years filled the office of city assessor in Ottumwa, and the record which he has made in the position is indicated by his long continuance in the office. He was born near Dayton, Ohio, April 3, 1841, and is a son of David and Elizabeth (Wagner) Peck, the former a native of West Vir- ginia and the latter of Ohio. They were married in the Buckeye state and in 1857 removed to Muscatine county, lowa, settling upon a farm, where they remained until called to the home beyond. Their family numbered six children: John F .; Mar- garet, who is the widow of Barney Sheeler, and now resides in Missouri; George W., who is upon the old homestead in Mus- catine county, Iowa ; Sarah and Ellen, both deceased, and Emma, the wife of Clarence Lee, now of Canada.
John F. Peck spent the first sixteen years of his life in the state of his nativity and then accompanied his parents on their removal to Muscatine county, Iowa, where he attained his majority. He was married there in 1869, when a young man of twenty-eight years, to Miss Martha A. Lavery, a native of the state of New York, as were her parents, John and Sylvia ( Rem- ington) Lavery. Both her father and mother spent their entire lives in the Empire state and there reared their family of three children, namely: Mrs. Peck; Julius T., now deceased, and Ros- well C., who is living in New York. Mrs. Peck was educated in an academy in her native state and taught for forty-six years, advancing from the primary grades to the university. She said it was her ambition to teach for fifty years, but her record fell short four years. She is a prominent, active and influential mem- ber of the Suffrage Club of Ottumwa and is a supporter of all movements for civic progress. She went to Muscatine county, lowa, in 1869, and there became the wife of John F. Peck. In 1870 they removed to Wapello county, and in 1871 she was a candidate for the office of county superintendent of schools on the republican ticket. She is a member of the Unitarian church
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and her influence-has been a potent force in promoting moral progress. To Mr. and Mrs. Peck was born a son who died in infancy.
Following their arrival in Ottumwa Mr. Peck secured a clerkship in a grocery store, where he remained for several years. He was afterward a police officer for a number of years and for the last fifteen years has filled the position of city assessor, to which office he has been elected on the republican ticket. He is most loyal in his support of the party and that he has made a capable official, systematic, prompt and faithful in the discharge of his duties, is indicated in the large majorities he receives when year by year he is chosen for the position. Both he and his wife are widely known in this county, where they have now made their home for forty-four years and where they have an extensive circle of warm and admiring friends.
JOHN W. EDGERLY.
John W. Edgerly stood as a man among men and his life record is interwoven with the records of Ottumwa, its business development and its progress along many other lines. His birth occurred in Boston, Massachusetts, October 3, 1833, and he passed away in Paris, France, August 16, 1894. During his youth his parents removed with their family to Somerville, Massachusetts, and after mastering the branches of learning taught by public schools he became a student in Harvard Univer- sity, from which he was graduated in 1855 upon the completion of a four years' course. He became identified with the middle west in its upbuilding and development, accepting a position with the Burlington & Missouri Railway Company in 1857, at which time he became agent of the western end of the road as it progressed from Rome. He remained with the company until the line was completed to Ottumwa and then, deciding to cast in his lot with the residents of this city, he here embarked in the hardware business as a member of the firm of Daggett & Edgerly. From the beginning the enterprise proved profitable and was managed most capably and successfully for a number of years. After an existence of about fourteen years, however, the firm was dissolved on the Ist of February, 1873, and through the succeeding year Mr. Edgerly was connected with the Ottumwa
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Iron Works as a member of the firm of Daggett, Harper & Edgerly. He then entered banking circles and on the ist of January, 1874, was elected vice president of the Iowa National Bank, and in November, of the same year, became its cashier. His activities thereafter were concentrated largely upon the management and direction of the affairs of the bank and he proved a most capable, efficient officer, popular and obliging.
On the 20th of January, 1863, at Ottumwa, Mr. Edgerly was united in marriage to Miss Maria L. Chambers, a native of Zanesville, Ohio, and a daughter of S. G. and Louisa (Adams) Chambers, in whose family there were six children. Mr. and Mrs. Edgerly became the parents of seven children : Edward T .; Adine C .; John W., deceased; Alice L .; Helen; George; and Dennison, now a resident of Omaha, Nebraska.
Mr. Edgerly was always interested in the cause of education and for many years served as president of the school board, doing everything in his power to raise the standard of the schools in this city. In politics he was a republican and took an active part in securing the success of the party, yet was never an office seeker. His opinions, however, carried weight in party councils and he was regarded as one of the republican leaders in this district. He was a friend and associate of the leading men of Wapello county and his history is interwoven with its upbuilding, develop- ment and best interests. He was a man who could be relied upon under every circumstance and in every emergency to do the right as he saw it, and his worth as a man and citizen was attested by all who knew him.
THOMAS F. KEEFE.
Thomas F. Keefe, conducting business in Ottumwa as a gen- eral contractor, has been a resident of this city since the 2d of August, 1879, at which time he made the overland trip from Keokuk in a covered wagon. It was in the latter city that he was born on the 12th of November, 1864, his parents being Thomas and Ann Keefe, who were natives of Ireland, but in early life emigrated to the new world and were married in Marietta, Ohio. They became residents of Keokuk, Iowa, and there it was that Thomas F. Keefe pursued his education in public and parochial schools. He afterward took up the brick mason's trade, which he
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thoroughly mastered, and in time became a general contractor, in which connection he won a liberal patronage by the skill and excellence of his work and the ability with which he managed and controlled his business affairs. He has erected a number of substantial buildings of the city and is himself the owner of some valuable property, being an equal partner in a half block of buildings at the corner of Green and Second streets, now occu- pied by the Iowa Auto Sales Company, the Wardrobe and the Garrick Theater. He is likewise a half owner of three hundred and twenty acres of rich farming land in this county, and his holdings are the visible evidences of a life of well directed thrift and enterprise.
. On the 25th of June, 1894, in Ottumwa, Mr. Keefe was united in marriage at St. Mary's Catholic church to Miss Caro- line Mary Hibler, a daughter of Isaac and Catherine Hibler, who were early settlers of Mahaska county, Iowa. The children of this marriage are: Thomas E., George A., Mary C. and Edward I. The religious faith of the family is that of the Cath- olic church, to the teachings of which they are loyal, while to its support they make generous contribution.
Mr. Keefe holds membership with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and gives his political allegiance to the demo- cratic party, being recognized as one of its local leaders. In 1892 he was elected alderman from the first ward and for eleven consecutive years continued in that position through re-election. He was also president of the city council for one term and exer- cised his official prerogatives in support of many progressive public measures which he deemed beneficial to the city in check- ing useless or extravagant expenditure or in advancing the pub- lic welfare.
MRS. DENISON B. MERRILL.
Mrs. Denison B. Merrill, well known and highly esteemed throughout the city of Ottumwa, was born in Albany, New York, on the 20th of February, 1861, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George Watkin Herbert, who gave her the name of Fannie. Her education was acquired in the public schools of Ottumwa and on the 19th of May, 1885, she gave her hand in marriage to Denison B. Merrill of this city, who was a son of Mr. and Mrs.
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J. H. Merrill. They became the parents of one son, Charles Greenleaf Merrill, who was born in Pasadena, California, April 17, 1888, and on the 28th of September, 1911, wedded Miss Mary Garner, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Garner of Ottumwa, Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Charles G. Merrill have a son, Charles Greenleaf Merrill, Jr., who was born in Ottumwa on the 18th of October, 1913. The widow of Denison B. Merrill still makes her home in Ottumwa, where she has a very extensive circle of warm friends. She is a devoted member of the First Presby- terian church and in her daily life exemplifies its teachings.
BERNHARD HOFMANN.
Bernhard Hofmann, a capitalist of Ottumwa, which city has been his home for more than four decades, is still engaged in the buying and selling of real estate and enjoys an enviable reputa- tion in business circles here. His birth occurred in Baden, Ger- many, on the 29th of October, 1843, his parents being Bernhard and Julianna (Berg) Hofmann, both of whom passed away in that country. They had four children, as follows: Conrad, who still resides in the fatherland; Bernhard, of this review; Phillip, who is now deceased, and Rachel, who died in Germany.
Bernhard Hofmann acquired his education in the village schools of his native land and after putting aside his text-books in 1860 learned the trade of a cooper and brewer. He worked at that occupation for eight years and on the expiration of that period emigrated to the United States, locating first in New York, where he was employed for one month. Subsequently he resided in Chicago for four years, and in 1872 came to Ottumwa, Iowa, being here employed as foreman by the Bower & Schaub Brewery Company for two years. At the end of that time he embarked in the brewing business on his own account, being thus continuously and successfully engaged until 1890. From that time to the present, covering nearly a quarter of a century, he has given his attention to the buying and selling of real estate. In 1893 he erected the Hofmann building, which he still owns, and which is one of the most modern office buildings in Ottumwa. He owns six pieces of business property and also a number of dwellings and has long been numbered among the prosperous and representative men of his city.
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BB. Hofmanne
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On the 15th of November, 1874, Mr. Hofmann was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary Rosina Schlagater, a native of New York, and a daughter of Domenick Schlagater, who has now attained the venerable age of ninety-three years and makes his home with our subject. Mr. and Mrs. Hofmann have six chil- dren, as follows : Carrie, who gave her hand in marriage to Fred Dings, of Ottumwa; Frank, who is a druggist, and has one child ; Dora, the wife of Monroe Thompson of Tacoma, Washington ; Wilhelmina, who is employed in the library; Ralph, who resides in California, and has a son and daughter; and George, who makes his home in Salt Lake City, and has two daughters. The religious faith of the family is that of the Episcopal church. In his political views Mr. Hofmann is a democrat. The hope that led him to leave his native country and seek a home in the new world has been fulfilled, for he has won both friends and for- tune in the land of the free and now in the evening of life can look back upon a well spent, honorable and useful career.
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JOHN JAGER.
John Jager has attained a substantial position in life entirely through his own efforts., He is a native of France and at the age of nineteen came to this country practically empty-handed. He now lives in Eddyville, Iowa, after many years of successful farming, and although he has retired from business affairs still holds the position of president of the Manning &. Epperson State Bank. There is also honor due him as a veteran of the Civil war. Mr. Jager was born in Lorraine, France, October 22, 1839, and is a son of John and Mary Barbara ( Boulie) Jager, natives of France, who passed away in that country. The father fol- lowed farming and was successful in that pursuit. In their family were five children, of whom John, the oldest, and one sister are still living.
John Jager was reared and educated in his native land and at the age of nineteen decided to seek the opportunities of the western hemisphere in order to improve his position in life. He had learned the brewer's and cooper's trades in France and after coming to America located at first in Lee county, where for two years he worked on a farm at a wage of eight dollars per month. He then was employed in a brewery in Lee county for two years Vol. 11-7
7
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and subsequently enlisted for service in the Civil war, joining Company E, Nineteenth Iowa Volunteer Regiment, his term of enlistment being three years. He participated in several of the important battles, and while in Louisiana was taken prisoner and put into a stockade at Taylor, Texas, where he was kept for ten months before he was exchanged, the transfer taking place at the mouth of the Red river. He was honorably discharged at Davenport, Iowa, in 1865 and then returned to Lee county, where for about a year he was again engaged in brewery work. After his marriage he built a brewery in Bridgeport, Wayne county, lowa, operating same until 1877, or for eleven years. He then purchased a farm in Mahaska county and moving upon the property, gave his attention to its cultivation until 1901, when he retired and moved into Eddyville. He still owns one hundred and sixty acres of land in Jefferson county and sixty acres of the old homestead, while he also holds title to three hundred and twenty acres in Greeley county, Kansas.
Mr. Jager was united in marriage to Miss Catherine Simon, a native of Lee county and a daughter of Andrew and Mary (Papen) Simon, natives of Germany, who came to America and after their arrival settled on a farm in Lee county, where both passed away. In their family were three children, of whom Mrs. Jager is the only one now living. Mr. and Mrs. Jager became the parents of ten children : John J., of Monroe county, lowa; Philip and Gustave A., both deceased; William F., of Mahaska county; Richard and Reinhardt, twins, the former a resident of Davis county, and the latter deceased ; George W., of Jefferson county; Mary E., the wife of C. B. Barnett of Jones- boro, Arkansas; Simon, of Jefferson county; and Louisa Anna, who married Frank Epperson. All of those who grew to ma- turity attained substantial and honorable positions in life.
Mr. and Mrs. Jager reside in a handsome home in Eddyville, where they often entertain the many friends of the family. Although he has practically retired from business affairs he yet presides at the meetings of the board of directors of the Manning & Epperson State Bank, of which he is president, having filled that office for seven years. He is cautious and conservative in regard to the management of the bank, yet he is progressive and is ever willing to give credit to new enterprises if they can prove their worthiness to him. However, he takes no risks in investing the funds of the depositors, considering their protection the most sacred duty of any bank officer. He is a democrat, loyal to his
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party and interested in its growth. He has always taken part in public affairs and has served as school director, as township trustee and as justice of the peace, discharging his various duties with faithfulness, conscientiousness and justice toward all. He has been a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows since 1861, having held all of the offices in the local lodge and having served for two years as a delegate to the grand lodge. In fraternal, social and business circles he is respected and esteemed, enjoying that confidence which is merited by his char- acter and his public-spirited citizenship.
ELMER JOHN LAMBERT, M. D.
Dr. Elmer John Lambert, an able and successful representa- tive of the medical fraternity in Wapello county, has continu- ously practiced his profession at Ottumwa for the past fourteen years. He is a native of Keokuk, Lee county, Iowa, and a son of Thomas and Wilhelmina (Kaltwasser) Lambert, both of whom were born in St. Louis. The father is of English descent and the mother of German origin, and they were born in the years 1847 and 1856 respectively. They met and were married in Keokuk, this state, and when our subject was seven years of age came to Ottumwa, where they have remained continuously since, being well known and highly esteemed residents of the city. They have three children, as follows: Elmer John, of this review; Helen, who is at home; and William T., the manager of the Register and Leader office of Des Moines, Iowa.
Elmer J. Lambert completed the high-school course in Ottumwa with the class of 1895 and subsequently prepared for a professional career as a student in the medical department of the State University of Iowa, from which institution he was graduated in 1898. He likewise pursued post-graduate work in Chicago and since 1900 has followed his profession in Ottumwa, where he enjoys an extensive and lucrative practice accorded him in recognition of his skill and ability. With the most advanced methods of the profession he keeps thoroughly informed. He is a member of the Wapello County Medical Society, the Des Moines Valley Medical Association, the Iowa State Medical Society and the American Medical Association. He is also a popular member of the Boat Club and is identified
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fraternally with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, and the Royal Arcanum. In politics he is a republican. Dr. Lam- bert enjoys an enviable and deserved reputation in both profes- sional and social circles of this county, and has won many warm friends among those with whom he has come in contact.
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