Memorial and biographical record of Iowa, Part 101

Author:
Publication date: 1896
Publisher: Chicago : Lewis Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1360

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The Judge was a prominent member of the Masonic fraternity, a gentleman of education and refinement, who wielded a strong influence in the business and political world. In politics he was an ardent Democrat. In his dealings he was always upright and honorable, a man of quiet and unobstrusive manner who was most highly esteemed by those who knew him best. He was, comparatively speaking, a young man at the time of his death, March IO, 1871, being not quite fifty-six years of age.

LBERT TOWN HUXLEY, M. D., a homeopathic physician and surgeon of Mason City, Iowa, was born in Norfolk, Connecticut, December 15, 1856, and is a son of John and Mary Ann (Town) Huxley. His grandparents, Albert and Clarissa (Hickox) Huxley, were both of Scotch and English extraction. The former was born in Connecticut, and during his early infancy his parents removed to New Marlboro, Massachusetts, the family locating on a farm, where he grew to manhood. In that locality he was married and made his home until 1865, when, emigrating Westward, he took up his

residence in Neenah, Wisconsin, where he car- ried on agricultural pursuits until his death, in 1880; his wife died about a year later. They had six children, namely: John, Kate, Albert (who died in infancy), Frances, Clara and Hattie.

The father of our subject was born near New Marlboro, Massachusetts, on the family homestead, in 1836, and acquired a common- school education. When a young man he went to Wisconsin, but after a year returned to his old home in the Bay State, where he spent a few months. Again going to the West, he was married, in Briggsville, Wisconsin, to Miss Mary Ann Town, and immediately re- turned to his native State, leaving his young wife with his father's family. In 1852 he went to California in search of gold, hoping to more readily realize a fortune there. After eighteen months, however, he returned and resumed farming in the East, which he continued until 1 864. In that year he took up his residence in Briggsville, Wisconsin, where he continued for three years, after which he located in Nee- nah, also spending three years at that place. In 1870 he made his way to Peterson, Iowa, and both he and his wife are still living on a farm near that town. To them have been born fourteen children, namely: Mary E., Kate L., Albert T., Carrie E., Frank L., Alice (deceased), Henry M., Alma (deceased), Edward R., Sarah A., Willard L., Anna (de- ceased), Josephine and Fred R.

Dr. Huxley of this review attended the public schools of Iowa, and later entered the State Normal at Cedar Falls. He afterward became a student in the State University at Iowa City, pursuing a homeopathic medical course, and was graduated in September, 1884. He then began practice at Avoca, Iowa. His next place of residence was Hampton, Iowa, having spent eighteen months in the former place and six months in the latter. On the ex- piration of that period he came to Mason City, where he is now successfully engaged in the prosecution of his profession. His proficiency and superior ability are recognized by the med-

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ical fraternity and by the public, as he is hon- ored by a liberal patronage.

On the 10th of June, 1891, in Mason City, Iowa, the Doctor was united in marriage with Miss Hattie W. Tuttle, who was born in Cerro Gordo county, Iowa, on the 3Ist of October, 1861, and is a daughter of A. B. Tuttle. She was educated in her native county, and spent her girlhood days in her parents' home. In social circles the Doctor and his wife occupy an enviable position, and have many warm friends throughout the community. In his po- litical views, Dr. Huxley is a stalwart advocate of the men and measures of the Republican party. He belongs to the Congregational Church, and his wife is a member of the Bap- tist Church. He is also connected with the fraternities of the Knights of Pythias, Odd Fel- lows, and the Ancient Order of United Work- men.

J OSEPH O. VARNER is a retail grocer of Albia, Iowa. While the lives of steady men seldom abound in sensa- tional incidents, there is an energy, a perseverance and an underflow of character that lend them a charm, an attractiveness and a worth that merit admiration and careful thought. We need not look among those who have been most honorable people and occupy the highest positions in affairs of state to find lives worthy of record. Those lives that dem- onstrate the power of industry in overcoming obstacles and in creating opportunities, and thus rising through subjective ability, contain lessons that are indeed of inestimable value. Such a career is that of our subject. He is a native of Ohio, his birth having occurred in the vicinity of Van Wert, in Van Wert county, November 7, 1847.

His father, Martin J. Varner, was a native of the Buckeye State, and having attained his majority there married Miss Matilda Parrott, daughter of Samuel Parrott, and they removed to Wapello county, Iowa, where they remained two years. In 1858 they became residents of

Albia, where the father embarked in merchan- dising, carrying on a general store until 1862, when, realizing his duties to his country and that his services were needed at the front, he enlisted as a member of the Union army, and was assigned to Company A, Thirty-sixth Iowa Infantry. The following year he died, thus giving his life in defense of the cause. He was a son of Leonard Varner, of German lineage, and the Parrotts were also of German descent.

Our subject was the eldest of seven chil- dren, two sons and five daughters, and those who still survive are Samantha, wife of H. B. Moore, of Albia, Iowa; Arpin, wife of O. C. Brooks, of Centerville, Iowa; Henry B .; and Hope, of Albia.

Our subject spent his first nine years in the county of his nativity and entered the public schools; but the greater part of his education was acquired after the removal of the family to this city, where he pursued his studies until eighteen years of age. Immediately afterward he entered upon his business career as a sales- man in the store of George W. Cromer, of Albia, with whom he remained for four years. He then went upon the road as a traveling salesman in the employ of S. R. McConnell, of Burlington, Iowa, wholesale dealer in har- ness and saddlery, with whom he continued for twelve years, traveling in Illinois, Iowa and Missouri. On the 24th of August, 1886, he began business on his own account, embark- ing in the retail grocery trade in Albia. He now carries a large and well selected stock of groceries, queensware and crockery. He is well known and enjoys the confidence of his patrons.

In 1865 Mr. Varner was happily united in marriage with® Miss Sarah Jordan, a native of Illinois and a daughter of Mrs. Elizabeth Jordan. Five children have been born to them, and of thiem we make record as follows: Joseph C. is living in Des Moines, Iowa; Harry B. is as- sisting his father in the store; Bessie and Arpin are both at home; and Gertrude died at the age of eighteen months.

Mr. Varner is a member of Albia Lodge,

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No. 76, F. & A. M. He also belongs to Monroe Lodge, No. 81, I. O. O. F., and Atbia Lodge, No. 265; A. O. U. W.

EORGE L. ROBB, a member of the firm of Robb Brothers, dealers in groceries in Albia, Iowa, and one of the Supervisors of Monroe county, was born in Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, in the vicinity of Pittsburg, April 7, 1843, be- ing the youngest in a family of eight children, -four sons and four daughters. His parents, Josiah and Rachel (McMillan) Robb; were also natives of the Keystone State, and the father carried on agricultural pursuits as a means of livelihood. In 1855 he removed to Iowa with his family, locating in Poweshiek county. He after went to Mahaska county and purchased a tract of land, on which he carried on general farming and stock-raising. His death there occurred in 1865, but his wife, surviving him many years, lived until 1890, and departed this life in Albia, Iowa. On both the paternal and maternal sides our subject is of Scotch · descent, and his grandfather, Joseph Robb, was a native of Pennsylvania.

The gentleman whose name introduces this review came with his parents to Iowa when a lad of eleven years, and the following year went to St. Louis, Missouri, where he began clerking for a dealer in hats, caps and men's furnishing goods. For five years he remained in that store and thoroughly mastered the business, becoming a proficient salesman. He then returned to Mahaska county, where lie remained until 1862, when he responded to the country's call for troops, joining the service as a member of Company E, Thirty-third Iowa Infantry, the regiment being commanded by Colonel Samuel A. Rice, of Mahaska county. It was assigned to duty with the western army, and was sent to Missouri, Arkansas, Tennessee, Alabama and Mississippi. Mr. Robb partici- pated in a number of important engagements, including the battle of Helena, Arkansas, July 4, 1863; the battle of Little Rock, that of

Jenkins' Ferry, the capture of Mobile and oth- ers. He enlisted as a private, was made Orderly Sergeant, promoted to the rank of Second Lieutenant in 1864, and served in that capacity until August, 1865, when the war having ended he was honorably discharged, in August, 1865. For three years he served as a valiant defender of the starry banner which now waves so proudly over the united nation.

Mr. Robb at once returned to his home in Oskaloosa, Iowa, and there remained until 1866, when he came to Albia, where he has since resided. Not long after he entered into partnership with his brother, Joseph Robb, in the grocery trade, under the firm style of Robb Brothers. They are both wide-awake, prac- tical and progressive business men, widely and favorably known and well established in busi- ness. They carry a large and complete line of staple and fancy groceries, flour and queens- ware, and their honorable dealing and cour- teous treatment of their patrons has secured for them a liberal trade which they well de- serve.

In December, 1866, Mr. Robb was united in marriage to Miss Mary Campbell, of Albia, daughter of John Campbell. She was born in Indiana, and was brought to this State by her parents during her early girlhood. Three chil- dren grace this union: Ella, now the wife of W. M. Glenny, an employee of the Northern Pacific Railroad Company; Madge, at home; and George L., Jr.

Mr. Robb takes quite an active interest in political affairs, and is a stalwart advocate of the principles of the Republican party. He has frequently been called to positions of public trust, having served for fourteen years as Clerk of Troy township, while in 1893 he was elected a member of the Board of County Supervisors for a term of three years, and is the present chairman. He has served for twelve years as a member of the Board of Education of Albia, and the public-school system finds in him a stalwart champion. Socially he is a member of Monroe Lodge, No. 81, I. O. O. F., and of Orman Post, No. 337, G. A. R. He dis-

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charges his duties of citizenship with the same loyalty and fidelity that marked his career when on Southern battle-fields he followed the stars and stripes to victory and thus aided in the perpetuation of the Republic.

ON. EDWARD R. HAYS, late mem- ber of Congress and a member of the law firm of Hays Brothers, of Knox- ville, Iowa, was judged at the bar of public opinion as possessing eminent fitness for the calling which he had chosen. That judg- ment has never been set aside or in any de- gree modified, and as the years passed by he proved its justness by his capability and the eminence he attained among his professional brethren.

Mr. Hays was born in Wood county, Ohio, in the vicinity of Fostoria, May 26, 1847, and is a son of the Rev. Andrew and Caroline (Thomas) Hays. His father, born in Penn- sylvania, descended from English ancestry, but the maternal grandfather of our subject, William Thomas, was of Scotch lineage. A minister of the Methodist Church, Rev. Hays has devoted the greater part of his active life to his holy calling, and his efforts have been mostly confined to the State of Ohio. He is now, however, living retired and makes his home in Fostoria. His wife passed away in 1886. In their family were four children, two sons and two daughters, of whom three are now living.

Edward R. Hays, the eldest of the chil- dren, in his boyhood accompanied his parents on their various removals in Ohio, attending school at the different places until 1862, when, though only fifteen years of age, he responded to the country's call for troops, enlisting as a member of Company L, First Ohio Heavy Artillery. He was sent to the South under command of General Sherman, and partici- pated in the battles of Knoxville, Columbus and Shiloh, after which he was ordered with his battery to Virginia. He participated in

many important engagements with his com- mand, and served for three years and four months, when, the war being over and his aid no longer needed, he was honorably discharged, in July, 1865.

Returning to Fostoria, Mr. Hays continued his educational work, and eventually entered Heidelberg College, at Tiffin, Ohio, where he vigorously prosecuted his studies for three years. He then took up the study of law un- der the guidance of the firm of W. P. & H. Nichols, and was admitted to the bar in April, 1871. His entire professional life was passed in Knoxville, his Iowa home. He came at once to this place and entered upon practice, form- ing a partnership with G. H. Hart, under the firm name of Hays & Hart, which connection continued for two years. In 1875 he entered into partnership with his brother, L. N. Hays, and the firm remained under the style of Hays Brothers until the death of our subject. Its standing in professional circles was above par. They had a large law practice in both the State and Federal courts, making a specialty of cor- poration law. Mr. Hays was an able jurist of acute and wide-reaching perception, sound and accurate judgment and thorough legal knowl- edge.

In 1875 he was united in marriage with Miss Julia McAllister of Tiffin, Ohio, daughter of Hugh McAllister, a prominent hardware merchant of that place. The daughter, Winni- fred, is their only child. The home is an ele- gant brick residence, standing in the midst of beautiful and attractive surroundings. It has always been noted for its hospitality and good cheer, and its doors have ever been open for the reception of the many friends of the family.

In politics Mr. Hays was a pronounced Re- publican. While rigidly mindful of the rights of the States, the Republican party represented the idea of that strong national government which Mr. Hays justly believed was essentia to national existence. In 1891 he was elected a member of Congress to represent the Sev- enth Congressional District of Iowa, and served on several important committees, including

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that of weights and measures, and also the com- mittee on pensions.

He died at his home at Knoxville, Feb- ruary 26, 1896, at the age of about fifty years. He was a gentleman of charming cordiality of manner, of genuine worth, and was a great favorite among all who were acquainted with him. The wife and daughter survive.

ENRY SPALTI .- The name of this gentleman has long been prominently connected with the history of Marion county. His life has been a varied one, eventful in its experiences, and now in his declining years he is enjoying a well earned rest and the fortune that years of honorable labor have brought to him. The life of such a man contains many valuable lessons and furnishes an example of industry and enterprise that is well worthy of emulation. With few advantages in early life he has made the most of his opportunities and when no opportunities existed has created them. His. life demon- strates what can be accomplished by strong and resolute purpose, and none are more worthy of representation in this volume than the Spalti brothers, so long and prominently connected with the history of Marion county.

Mr. Spalti was born in Switzerland-the land of the Alps-February 20, 1825; and in his nature there seems something that one often finds in those who are reared in the mountain- ous regions, -an unchangeable purpose and a fixed determination, -qualities which are al- ways essential to success. His parents were Fridolin and Elizabeth (Weber) Spalti, and he was one of their eleven children, nine of whom grew to maturity. Of this number only two are now living, Joachim and Henry. Our subject acquired his education in the public schools of his native land, entering at the age of seven years and there pursuing his studies until sixteen years of age, when he secured a situation in a calico factory, where the print- ing was done by hand.

In 1845, in company with two brothers,

Mr. Spalti bade adieu to the land of his birth and sailed for America, hoping to benefit his financial condition. They took passage on a sail- ing vessel from Holland, and after a long voyage of fifty-seven days arrived at Baltimore, Mary- land, on the 3d of July. He at once continued his Westward journey across the country, and at length reached Wapello county, Iowa, where he spent the winter. He had no capi- tal, being dependent entirely upon his own re- sources and labors for a living. During the first winter the brothers had a hard time to get along, and part of the time they lived in a cave, doing their own cooking. Such trials, however, are the test of character, and Mr. Spalti was not found wanting in the strength and courage to meet such difficulties. In the spring he secured employment at farm work, and in the spring of 1850 he took a trip across the plains to California, traveling with ox- teams. After a long and tedious journey of four months he arrived at Hangtown, and felt that the place deserved its name, for during ing his residence there he witnessed the hang- ing of a man. He was fairly successful in his labors among the mines, and after three years returned to Iowa with a capital of between three and four thousand dollars. He now joined his brother Joachim in business, and the partnership thus formed continued for more than a third of a century. Purchasing a stock of goods, they established a mercantile store in Ottumwa, and after a few years there passed removed to Pleasantville. A large trade came to them, and they frequently had to extend their facilities in order to meet the growing demands of their business. Prosperity attended this enterprise, and as their financial resources increased the brothers made judicious investments in land. From time to time their property in this direction was extended until they became the owners of 4, 500 acres. Joa- chim Spalti always managed the' mercantile affairs, while Henry looked after the extensive farming and stock-raising interests. He raised large numbers of cattle, horses and hogs, and, as his stock was always of good grades, he

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found no difficulty in disposing of it in the markets. The partnership between the broth- ers was an ideal one in many respects. They worked together in perfect harmony, the la- bors of one supplementing and rounding out those of the other, and making the firm a very strong one. To say that they were always successful, that they met no obstacles and difficulties, would be an exaggeration; but all obstacles were overcome by them with steady application and persistent, earnest effort. No firm in Marion county has been more success- ful or more deserving of the confidence of the public, for the honor of its members is above question. In addition to their other invest- ments they were purchasers of Government bonds. In 1880 the partnership was dissolved, and both brothers are now practically living retired, devoting their time and energies mostly to the management of their property.

In 1847 Mr. Spalti was united in marriage with Miss Sarah Ann Routh, in Marion county. She was born in Indiana, but during her girl- hood came to this State with her father, Joshua Routh. Her death occurred in 1881, at the age of forty-one years. By her marriage she became the mother of five children: Joshua H., who is now engaged in merchan- dising in Pottawattamie county, Iowa; Henry H., a merchant of the same county; Fridolin H., who is engaged in merchandising in Pleas- antville; John H., a merchant of Pottawatta- mie county; and Lydia, wife of Jacob Cline, who is engaged in the inanufacture of picks, mining tools and machinery in Kansas City, Missouri.

In his political views Mr. Spalti is a Re- publican, but has had neither time nor incli- nation for public office, preferring to devote his energies to his business interests, in which he has met with signal success. He is now the owner of 2, 500 acres of valuable land; but the capitalist of to-day was half a century ago a poor boy, hardly knowing where his next meal was to come from, having no capital save his own bright hope of the future and a deter- mination to succeed.

ARON DELANO WETHERELL, M. D., one of the oldest physicians and surgeons practicing in central Iowa, having successfully engaged in the prosecution of his profession in Knoxville, for thirty-nine years, came to this place in 1856. Therefore, numbered among the pio- neers of the community, as well as ranked among the leading and valued citizens, he is deserving of representation in the history of his adopted State. He was born in Burlington, Chittenden county, Vermont, July 21, 1818, and is a son of Seth D. and Anna (Northway) Wetherell. His father was a native of Massa- chusetts, and a farmer by occupation. The grandfather, Delano Wetherell, was also born in the old Bay State, and was of English de- scent. His father reached the very advanced age of 104 years. The mother of our subject was of Scotch lineage, and her grandfather, Francis Northway, was descended from an old Scotch family that belonged to the nobility of that country.

The Doctor is the eldest in a family of nine children, only seven of whom attained ma- turity, while three are now living. Our sub- ject spent the first fifteen years of his life in Vermont, where he attended the district schools. He then removed with his parents to Licking county, Ohio, locating on a farm in Granville township, where he was reared to manhood. He attended the high school of Granville, and subsequently engaged in teach- ing school in Illinois. During that time he read medicine and then returned to Granville, where he pursued his medical studies under the direction of Dr. W. W. Bancroft. He next entered the Ohio Medical College of Cin- cinnati, where he was graduated with the class of 1844, beginning the practice of his chosen calling in Licking county, Ohio, where he re- mained until 1856.

That year witnessed the arrival of Dr. Wetherell in Iowa. On Robins street, in Knoxville, he at once opened an office, which he has occupied for almost forty years. He is now the oldest practicing physician of Marion

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county, and a leader in professional ranks. His ability has always secured for him a liberal patronage, and even now, in his seventy- eighth year, he still responds to many calls from his old patrons. He is surgeon of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad, a position he has filled since the completion of the road to this place. He is also physician and surgeon of the County Insurance Board, and is a member of the Marion County Med- ical Society and also of the State Medical Society.

In 1844 the Doctor was united in marriage to Miss Harriet Avery, of Licking county, Ohio, daughter of George Avery. Five chil- dren were born to them: Marian, deceased; Maria, wife of Thomas Cathcart, of Des Moines; Lizzie, deceased; Frank D., a real- estate dealer of Des Moines; and Seth, who died in infancy. Having lost his first wife the Doctor was again married in 1861, his second union being with Miss Mary L. Walters, of Knoxville, daughter of Conrad Walters, and a native of Indiana.

Dr. Wetherell's success in business has enabled him to become the possessor of some valuable farming land. He now owns one farm of forty acres, and another of eighty acres, in Iowa, and has 120 acres of land in Mis- souri. His record, covering a period of thirty- nine years, in connection with the medical fra- ternity in Iowa, has been a most honorable one, and he has the respect and esteem of all who know him.

H. SPALTI is the owner of one of the representative mercantile estab- lishments in Pleasantville. He deals in dry goods, carpets and groceries, and has a well conducted establishment with a large and well assorted stock and a store com- plete in its appointments. Courteous treatment, honorable dealing and an earnest desire to please his customers combine to secure him a liberal patronage and he is now a recognized leader in commercial circles.

Mr. Spalti is a native of Marion county, Iowa, his birth having occurred on a farm in Pleasant Grove township, December 5, 1863, his parents being Henry and Sarah A. (Routh) Spalti. The father, who was formerly one of the most prominent and extensive farmers and stock-raisers of Marion county, was born in Switzerland, February 20, 1825, where he was reared to manood, and in 1845 he bade adieu to the friends and scenes of his childhood and sailed for America. Locating in Iowa, he be- came one of its leading agriculturists. To him individual reference is made on another page of this volume. In his family were five chil- dren, four sons and a daughter, of whom our subject is the fourth in order of birth.

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Memorial and biographical record of Iowa, Part 101

Author: Publication date: 1896 Publisher: Chicago : Lewis Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 1360

Author:
Publication date: 1896
Publisher: Chicago : Lewis Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1360