Memorial and biographical record of Iowa, Part 102

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

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F. H. Spalti was reared to manhood on the old home place and early became familiar with all the duties that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. He entered the district school and there pursued his studies through the win- ter season, while in the summer months he worked on the farm. Thus his time was passed until he had reached his twentieth year. An important event in his career then occurred, for at that time he was united in marriage with Miss Joanna Agard, a daughter of E. D. Agard, of Marion county. The young couple began their domestic life in Pleasantville, where they have since made their home, and Mr. Spalti embarked in merchandising on his own account in a small building which occupied the site of his present new store. There he reamined for four years, when he sold out, turning his attention to another department of merchandising. This time he became a dealer in hardware, agricultural implements and lum- ber, forming a partnership with J. R. Cline, under the firm name of Cline & Spalti. This connection was continued one year and the stock .was then divided, Mr. Spalti taking the lumber-yard, which he carried on for two years, when he sold out to Eikenberg & Com- pany. His next venture was as a dry-goods and grocery merchant, in which line he has continued up to the present time. He is the senior member of the well known firm of

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RECORD OF IOWA.

Spalti & Wilson, the junior partner being W. J. Wilson. Both are enterprising and pro- gressive business men and conduct a store that would be an ornament to a city of much more pretentious proportions than Pleasantville. In 1894 Mr. Spalti erected his fine brick business block, 24 x 100 feet, two stories in height with a basement, and the entire building is used by his business.

Mr. Spalti is a man of broad capabilities, of great energy and enterprise, and carries for- ward to successful completion whatever he un- dertakes. His efforts are by no means confined to one line of endeavor. He was prominently connected with banking interests for a time, and was one of the organizers of the Pleasant- ville Bank, of which he served as president for a few years. He is justly regarded as one of the prosperous merchants of this attractive and wealthy little city. Social and political inter- ests also claim his attention and he is num- bered among the valued members of the Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias and the Ma- sonic fraternities. In his political adherency he is a Republican.

Mr. and Mrs. Spalti have two interesting children: Maud and Henry C. Their home is one of the pleasant residences of the town and is noted for its hospitality. Our subject is a man of remarkable poise of character whose judgment in mercantile affairs and upon gen- eral matters is singularly wise and sagacious, and who is always loyal to a high sense of moral obligation.

DOM D. LOCKMAN is the efficient and popular cashier of the First National Bank, of Albia, Iowa. . It is said that banking institutions are the pulse of the nation, giving indication of the healthful condition of commercial life. It is certain that in times of financial crisis there is nothing does more to restore the public confidence than a bank that follows a safe, honorable and open-handed policy. Such an institution is that with which our subject is

connected, and its high standing among mon- etary concerns in this section of the State is due in no small degree to the capable efforts of Mr. Lockman. Banking is his profession and he gives to it all his energy. It is his am- bition to have the establishment one in which the people can place the utmost reliance -- an institution. that is known to pay dollar for dollar.

Mr. Lockman is a native of Drakeville, Davis county, Iowa. He was born January 28, 1859, and is a son of John B. and Nancy M. (Drake) Lockman, the latter a sister of General F. M. Drake, the Governor-elect of this State. She is a representative of one of the honored pioneer families in the West, and it is related that when a child she sat on the knee of Chief Black Hawk in Fort Madi- son, in 1837. After a visit to Washington, where Andrew Jackson, then President of the United States, presented him with a suit of tailor-made clothes, the chieftain wished to trade these to Mr. and Mrs. Drake for "little Nan," whose long, curly hair he greatly ad- mired. The father of our subject was a na- tive of Indiana, and in the fall of 1847 his father came with the family to Iowa, locating on the land which has since been the Lock- man homestead. Subsequently he made his home in Drakesville, where he embarked in general merchandising, conducting a store for a number of years. He is now living re- tired, in his sixty-eighth year, and his wife, who was born in Rushville, Indiana, in 1836, is still his faithful companion and helpmeet. For many long years they have traveled life's jour- ney together, sharing with each other the hard- ships of frontier life in early days, and now the prosperity which crowns the honorable busi- ness career of her husband.

Mr. Lockman was the third in order of birth in a family of ten children, four sons and six daughters. He spent his boyhood days in Drakeville, and is indebted to its public schools for his literary educational privileges, while his business training he received in his father's store, where he served in the capacity

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of clerk. He was thus employed for two years, when he was offered and accepted a position more to his taste, becoming a clerk in the First National Bank at Albia. Later he was promoted to the position of assistant cash- ier, and in 1885 he was made cashier, in which capacity he is still serving. His busi- ness record here is so well known that it needs no comment. There is probably in Monroe county no more popular or more highly es- teemed man, and he is also an honored inein- ber of the Iowa Bankers' Association, in which he is now serving in the capacity of treasurer.

In the year 1891 was celebrated the mar- riage of Mr. Lockman and Miss Josamond Stahl, then a resident of Montezuma, Iowa, and.a daughter of John Stahl. Socially Mr. Lockman is connected with the Masonic fra- ternity, and is now serving as Treasurer of Astor Lodge, No. 505, F. & A. M. His polit- ical support is given to the Republican party, but he has never had time nor inclination for public office, devoting his energies solely to the banking business.

ON. J. E. BLYTHE. - In the ranks of the Republican party in Iowa there is no more prominent or valuable man than this gentleman. With a mind to plan, a will to execute and a sound judg- ment to direct, he has managed the interests of his party in a way that has not only brought to it success, but reflected credit upon it. Too high-minded to stoop to any of the insidious wiles employed by many politicians, he se- cured the victory which rewarded the Repub- lican forces in Iowa through organized effort and indefatigable labor. As a general mar- shals his army and assigns to each soldier his duty and his place, so Mr. Blythe arranged the forces which were to uphold and defend the Republican banner in Iowa. Appealing to the patriotic support of every loyal Republican, success was won not by the able efforts of a few, but the combined labors of individual voters. Such a result could never have been

accomplished by the professional politician seeking political preferment; but, appealing to the party pride and the loyalty of each advo- cate of Republicanism, he secured a co-opera- tion that proves the truth of the old Kentucky motto, "United we stand, divided we fall." All classes of people recognize the powers of organization and management which Mr. Blythe displayed, and in his straightforward, manly course he compelled the respect of even his political eneinies.

Mr. Blythe is a native of New Jersey. He was born in Cranbury, June 20, 1856, being a son of a Presbyterian clergyman who removed with his family to Indiana during the early childhood of James. He was graduated at Hanover College in that State in 1877, and immediately after came to Iowa, where he be- gan reading law in the office of Goodykoontz & Wilber, of Mason City. The following year he entered upon the practice of law, having become a member of the firm of Go dykoontz & Blythe, and has since been an active and successful member of the bar, being now the senior partner of the firm of Blythe, Markley & Smith, of Mason City. He possesses an analytic mind, keen powers of perception, is logical, forceful and eloquent, and his standing among his professional brethren of Iowa is en- viable.

Mr. Blythe's reputation in the field of poli- tics is well and widely known. He served as chairman of the Cerro Gordo county com- mittee in the Garfield campaign and through the three subsequent campaigns, and was a member of the Lower House in the Twenty- second and Twenty-third General Assemblies. He became the Fourth District's representa- tive on the State committee in 1890, and was its chairman in 1892, 1893 and 1894. Doubt- less, had he consented to serve longer he would still be filling the position. He is a great favorite among the representative men of his party, and in all of the relations of life he is a thorough gentleman, a man of high principles and unvarying courtesy, and scrupu- lously faithful to every trust committed to his

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care. Quiet and unostentatious in his de- meanor, with not the slightest trace of affecta- tion, during his chairmanship he bore himself with a becoming dignity, acted with delibera- tion and won the approval of his party in the discharge of his responsible duties. Mr. Blythe is an orator of superior ability, a ready, fluent and instructive speaker. He has fre- quently been called upon to deliver addresses, and in one's home community, where praise comes slowly, a high testimonial of his power is given by the Gazette Globe, which said that the oration of Mr. Blythe, July 4, 1895, was filled "with the ablest and most stirring pa- triotic expressions ever made in Iowa," and that "the speaker held that vast crowd of six thousand people in rapt attention."

Mr. Blythe has a pleasant home. He was married in 1881 to Miss Grace Smith, a cul- tured and educated lady of Queensville, Indi- ana, and they have two daughters: Maude and Jeane.

ENRY CLAY STURGIS is a mem- ber of the banking firm of H. C. Sturgis & Company, proprietors of the Citizens' Bank of Oelwein. Num- bered among the native sons of Iowa, he was born in West Union, Fayette county, and has spent his entire life in this State. His father is the Hon. P. F. Sturgis, of West Union. In

the public schools the son began his education, and subsequently attended the Upper Iowa University, where he completed the regular course. He then accepted the position of Deputy County Treasurer of Fayette county, which he filled for a period of eight years, serving from February, 1878, until January, 1886. For the two succeeding years he was engaged in the real-estate business in West Union, and then, in company with his father, established the Citizens' Bank of Oelwein, which he has since conducted with marked success.

Mr. Sturgis was married in Waucoma, Iowa, on the 8th of January, 1880, to Miss

Dora E. Scoville, a daughter of William and Phœbe (Stannard) Scoville. Mrs. Sturgis is a native of Palatine, Cook county, Illinois, and is a member of the Presbyterian Church, while in social circles she occupies an enviable posi- tion, and has many warm friends. One child graces this union-Lew C., who was born June 4, 1883.

Mr. Sturgis removed with his family from West Union to Oelwein in March, 1888, and has since made this city his home. In addi- tion to his banking business he is largely in- terested in real estate in company with his father, having extensive realty in Fayette county and other sections of Iowa. They now own upwards of 1,000 acres of valuable land in this county alone.

The business methods of our subject are such as to commend him to popular favor, and under his management the Citizens' Bank of Oelwein has prospered from the start, and is rapidly winning warm friends among the peo- ple of that place and the surrounding coun- try. This bank was established in March, 1888, and does a general banking business, re- ceiving deposits, buying and selling exchange and making collections with dispatch. Its financial standing is guaranteed by the well- known and extensive real-estate possessions of its proprietors, their superior business quali- fications and unquestioned integrity. The Hon. P. F. Sturgis is a pioneer settler and merchant of West Union, whose prominence and high standing throughout north Iowa is a matter of history, while his son through many years' service in the County Treasurer's office enjoys an extended acquaintance throughout Fayette county, where he commands the confidence and esteem of all with whom he has had busi- ness relations. His judgment is seldom at fault. He has the happy faculty of meeting and dealing with men in a way that makes them his friends, for added to his business ability and his uprightness is a cordial, genial manner.

Mr. Sturgis is a valued member of West Union Lodge, No. 124, Knights of Pythias,

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and, although living in Oelwein, still maintains his relationship with that organization. In his political views he is a pronounced Republican, giving an unfaltering support to the party principles, and doing all in his power to pro- mote the growth and insure the success of Re- publicanism. He is not, however, identified with party management. In March, 1895, he was elected Mayor of Oelwein, and is now ac- ceptably and creditably filling that office. He is pre-eminently a public-spirited and progress- ive citizen, and withholds his support and co- operation from no enterprise that he believes calculated to prove of public benefit.

J OSEPH HOBSON is a member of the firm of Hobson Brothers, dealers in lumber, lath, shingles, sash, doors and blinds. The material welfare of a city depends upon its commercial activity and Al- bia owes its prosperity and upbuilding to such enterprising business men as Mr. Hobson. He is a self-made man in the fullest sense, having through his own unaided efforts attained the high position he now occupies in the mercan- tile world, and his life is but another instance of what honesty of purpose and integrity, as combined with perseverance and ambition, can accomplish in this great country of ours.

Mr. Hobson was born in Henry county, Iowa, December 5, 1840, the son of George and Tamer A. (Gibson) Hobson, the former a native of North Carolina, and the latter of In- diana. George Hobson removed with his par- ents, Joseph and Mary Hobson, to the Hoosier State in an early day, locating near Moores- ville, where eventually occurred his marriage to Tamer A. Gibson. In 1837 they removed to Henry county, Iowa, locating in the town of Salem, where the father was for many years successfully engaged in general merchandising. In religious faith both he and his wife were Quakers and were people of the highest re- spectability, their many noble qualities winning them the high regard of all with whom they came in contact. Mr. Hobson died in 1863,

but his wife still survives him, and is now liv- ing in Salem, at the advanced age of seventy- five years. She is a daughter of Mountillian Gibson, a miller by trade, who later in life fol- lowed farming. In the Hobson family were ten children: Eliza J., deceased; Joseph; George H .; Cassius C .; Esther; Hannah A .; Sarah, deceased; Mary; Rachel and Ella.

Joseph Hobson acquired his preliminary education in the public schools of Salem, Iowa, and later pursued his studies at Howe's Aca- . demy at Mt. Pleasant, Iowa. When his edu- cation was completed he began learning the carpenter's trade with Samuel Comer, and later clerked for two years in the drug store owned by his father at Mt. Pleasant. His next service was with the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Company in the bridge-build- ing department, and he was made supervisor of the Iowa division of bridge-building, which position he held for nineteen years. He as- sisted in the construction of the pioneer bridge across the Missouri river at Kansas City, Mis- souri, and was intimately concerned with other incidental work of equal importance. During all that time he was not absent from his duty a month, and his long continued service well indicates his efficiency and trustworthiness- qualities which were numbered among his strong and marked characteristics. In 1860 Mr. Hobson drove an ox team to Pike's Peak and returned in a similar manner, after an absence of about three months, within which time he had carefully canvassed the situation of affairs in that section and had come to the decision that the outlook was not favorable for him. In the year 1863 he gave evidence of his loyalty by enlisting for the service in the late war of the Rebellion, as a member of Company A, Forty-fifth Iowa Infantry, com- manded by Captain John A. Edwards. He was mustered in at Keokuk, and after serving the full six-months term of his enlistment re- ceived his honorable discharge, in the same city.

On leaving the employ of the railroad company Mr. Hobson came to Albia and

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entered into partnership with James M. Robb, under the firm name of Robb & Hobson, and purchased the stock of the Kendall Lumber Company. There they engaged in business for four years, when Mr. Hobson purchased his partner's interest. He was then sole pro- prietor for a time, but in 1889 the present firm was organized, his brother, George H. Hobson, being admitted to a partnership in the business, under the present style of Hobson Brothers. They are ·doing a large business, carry every- thing to be found in their line of trade and have the confidence, good will and patronage of the public.

Mr. Hobson has been twice married. In 1872 he wedded Miss Jane Robb, a daughter of William Robb. She died in 1877, leaving three children : Anna E., now the wife of Z. W. Gibbons; James R., who is his father's assistant in business; and John J., who is yet attending school. In 1880 Mr. Hobson was again married, his second union being with Barbara E. Zear, of Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, and a daughter of Joseph Zear. They have a pleasant home and their circle of friends is limited only by the circle of their acquaintances. They hold membership with the Methodist Episcopal Church, and Mr. Hobson belongs to Henry Lodge, No. 10, I. O. O. F., of Mt. Pleasant, Iowa. The cause of education finds in him a stalwart friend, and he has done effective service in its interests while acting as a member of the School Board for seven years. In his political adherency he is a Republican.

J OHN M. JOHNSTON, who is serving as Postmaster of Sumner, is one of the worthy sons of the Buckeye State. He was born in Hancock county, about six miles from Findlay, and was the eighth in order of birth in the family of nine children. The father, John Johnston, was born in eastern Ohio and was of Scotch-Irish descent. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Mary L. Loy, was born in Fredericksburg, Maryland,

of erman parentage. Six of their children attained to years of maturity.

Our subject was a child of only five years when his parents left Ohio, and removed to Louisa county, Iowa, where he spent his boy- hood days on a farm, there remaining until he had attained his eighteenth year. He fol- lowed the plow over many a furrow and aided in planting and harvesting their crops through the summer months. In the winter season he enjoyed the instruction afforded by the common schools, and later he spent two years in the Eastern Iowa Normal School at Grandview, and subsequently pursued a one year's course of study at the Northwestern College of Naper- ville, Illinois. At that place he was a mem- ber of the first class of the Union Biblical In- stitute, a department of the College. Return- ing to Grandview, he again spent nine months in study there.

Mr. Johnston was united in marriage with Miss Anna C. Wagner, daughter of Philip Wagner, of Grandview, on the 10th of April, 1877, and on the 12th of April he joined the conference of the Evangelical Association held at Lisbon, Iowa, and was assigned as junior preacher of Colo circuit, Story county. His next pastorate was at Reasnor, and a year later he was transferred to Grand Junction, where he remained for two years, when he was again called to Colo. His next pastorate was in Vinton, Iowa, and while residing there his wife died, June 15, 1883. For three years be had charge of the church there and did effect- ive work in its interests. He was again mar- ried, March 14, 1885, his second union being with Miss Carrie W. Freiberger, of Clinton, New York.

In September, 1884, Mr. Johnston entered the railway mail service, receiving one of the first appointments under the new administra- tion, being appointed September 25, 1885. He continued in the service for four years, and then resigned to enter the furniture business in Sumner, as a member of the firm of Wahlman & Johnston. In the fall of the same year, 1889, he was elected to the Lower House of

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the Twenty-third General Assembly of Iowa, and was subsequently re-elected to the Twen- ty-fourth General Assembly. The county was Republican, but at the first election he re- ceived a majority of 319 votes, and so capa- bly did he serve his county that when re-elected he received a majority of 630 votes. He la- bored untiringly for the best interests of the community, giving his support to many pro- gressive measures. He was a member of the House during the famous deadlock session, when six weeks were spent in an attempt to elect a speaker. He served as a member of the committee on ways and means during both sessions, also on schools and text books. The cause of education has ever found in him a warm friend and he is now serving as secretary of the School Board in his district. He has been for the last ten years a member of most of the Democratic State conventions, and on the 27th of October, 1894, was appointed Postmaster.

By his first marriage Mr. Johnston had two children: Lelia Glenn, born November 2, 1879; and Myrtle Ethel, born December 19, 1881. Two sons have been born of the second union: Loy F., born January 6, 1887; and John M., born March 7, 1891.

It was with great reluctance that Mr. John- ston abandoned his chosen calling, but failing health necessitated this. His career has been characterized by fidelity to duty that has won him high commendation. He is an orator of considerable ability and is fearless in the de- fence of what he believes to be right. His in- tegrity is above question, his sterling worth well known and wherever he has gone his up- right course has commanded the esteem of those with whom he is brought in contact.

ALTER EUGENE WHITNEY, de- ceased, was one of the leading and influential citizens of Tripoli, and his death proved a loss to the entire community. A native of the Green Mountain State, he was born in Plymouth, Vermont,

September 12, 1855, and was the tenth in order of birth in a family of eleven children, whose parents were Daniel W. and Julia (Hall) Whitney. The father was born in England, October 28, 1809, and the mother was a na- tive of the Green Mountain State. They were married in Vermont, February 24, 1834, and always resided in that State.

Our subject was a youth of sixteen years when his parents died. He had acquired a fair English education and during that winter taught school. The following year he determined to seek a home in the West and made his way to Wisconsin, locating at Fort Atkinson, where he taught school for three years. On the ex- piration of that period he removed to Sibley, Iowa, where he took up the study of medicine, which he pursued for a year, and then went to Chicago, entering the Rush Medical College, where he continued three years. On the ex- piration of that period he was graduated and immediately afterward located in Tripoli, where he engaged in practice up to the time of his death. Three years after locating here he bought out the drug store of Al W. Wuest and erected a building in which he conducted the business. In February, 1894, however, he sold out to Drs. Dunkelberg and Jungblut. He was a capable physician, and thoroughly con- versant with his profession in all its depart- ments and enjoyed a large and lucrative gen- eral patronage.

On the Ist of November, 1882, Dr. Whit- ney was united in marriage with Miss Sarah G. Skillin, a native of Bremer county, Iowa. Her grandfather was a native of Ireland, and was there reared and married. Her father was born in New York, where he lived until twenty- four years of age, and then sought a home in Bremer county, where he resided until 1893. Since that time he has lived in Waterloo, where he now makes his home, at the age of sixty-six years (1896). His wife was born in Illinois, and is descended from old Colonial stock. She has reached the age of sixty years.

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Memorial and biographical record of Iowa, Part 102

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