Memorial and biographical record of Iowa, Part 13

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

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We cannot better close this review than by quoting the words of an old neighbor and law associate of Judge Mott's, who spoke of him as follows : "In all the relations of life he aims to be true to the best interests of manhood, and his worth is widely recognized. He is pleasant in his manner, kind-hearted and charitable, ever ready with a kind word when a kind word will do good. He is an earnest Christian worker, public-spirited and an in- valuable citizen. As captain and assistant adjutant general in the army, he was prompt, courteous, efficient and gallant. As a judge he was pleasant in his treatment of the bar and

litigants, ever anxious to see that fair play and justice were accorded to all. Few appeals were taken from his rulings and in only two instances were his rulings reversed by the Supreme Court of the State."

Judge Mott has been twice married. At Grafton, Vermont, in 1856, he married Emma E. Dean, daughter of Hon. Peter Dean, one of the foremost .Baptists of that State. Miss Dean was a lady of talent and culture and marked amiability. She was preceptress of the Derby Academy of Vermont at the time it was under Judge Mott's control. She died at Win- terset, Iowa, in August, 1858. In July, 1861, he was married to Mary J. Best, daughter of Mrs. Minerva Leonard, wife of Honorable John Leonard. She was a student at the Baptist College, of Pella, Iowa, prior to her marriage. She has been a faithful companion of the Judge in all the vicissitudes of his life. She is a woman of marked individuality and of executive ability. Her home is always at- tractive to her friends, and the members of her household. Judge and Mrs. Mott are the par- ents of four sons : Shelton, the oldest, is a successful clerk; Leonard is a young farmer in what was lately an Indian reservation in Gregory county, South Dakota; the other two, Chester and Myron, are still boys at home.

ON. ALBERT B. CUMMINS.

- Among the prominent lawyers of the State of Iowa, whose success has been achieved by their own excel- lence, ability and energy, none are more de- serving of consideration in this connection than he whose name initiates this sketch, Hon. Al- bert B. Cummins, of Des Moines, a member of · the firm of Cummins & Wright.

Mr. Cummins was born near Carmichaels, Greene county, Pennsylvania, February 15, 1850, son of Thomas L. and Sarah B. (Flen- niken) Cummins, natives of Pennsylvania. In their family were four sons and six daughters, of whom eight are now living, namely: Albert B., James C., Margaret R., Benjamin F.,

HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL

Ella, Anna, Louisa, and Alice. The father

was for many years engaged in contracting and building, and since 1886 has been a resident of Des Moines. He and his wife are consistent members of the Presbyterian Church, in which, during their residence in Pennsylvania, he served for many years as Elder. The paternal grandfather of our subject, Benjamin Cum- mins, was a native of one of the Eastern States, was of Scotch descent, and was by occupation a farmer. He met death by drowning at about the age of fifty years. He was the father of

a large family. The maternal grandfather, James Flenniken, was a native of Pennsylva- nia and was descended from staunch Irish an- cestors. He, too, was a farmer. In physique he was of short stature, and he was a man of strong individuality, his religious creed being that of the Presbyterians. To him belongs the distinction of being the immediate descendant of a signer of the Mecklenburg Resolutions. He died in Pennsylvania, at the age of seventy- five years. In his family were six children.

We turn now to the life record of our im- mediate subject, Albert B. Cummins. Al- though comparatively a young man, he shows in his career that steadfastness of purpose and strong individuality which are characteristics of his Scotch and Irish forefathers. The first nineteen years of his life were spent in his native county, and he graduated in 1 869 at Waynesburg College. When a boy he learned the car- penter's trade, and for several years worked at it with his father. In the autumn following his graduation he came west to Clayton county, Iowa, and that winter was employed as clerk in the office of the County Recorder, and at the same time began the study of law. The next spring and summer he worked at his trade, and in the fall accepted a position as clerk in the United States and American Express office at McGregor, continuing thus occupied until the spring of 1871, when he went to Fort Wayne, Indiana, and became Deputy Surveyor of Allen county. After serving in that capacity two months, he was employed as division civil en- gineer on the Cincinnati, Richmond & Fort

Wayne Railroad, and soon afterward was pro- moted to assistant chief engineer of that road, completing the work in hand that same year. January 1, 1872, he was employed as engineer in the construction of the Northern Central Railroad of Michigan, and in the latter part of December, having finished that road, had an engagement as assistant chief engineer of the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad. He started to Colorado to fulfill this engagement, but on the way was induced to abandon the trip and enter a law office in Chicago, and resumed the study of law under the direction of the firm of Mc- Clellan & Hodges. He was admitted to the bar in January, 1875. Immediately after his admission he entered upon the practice of his profession in that city, continued alone four months, and at the end of that time was made a partner in the firm with which he had studied. Six months later Mr. Hodges retired, and Mr. Cummins and Mr. McClellan practiced together until January, 1878, when the part- nership was dissolved, and Mr. Cummins came to Des Moines. Here he has since made his home, and has during these years gained an en- viable reputation as a lawyer. Mr. Cummins' present partner is Mr. Carroll Wright, the firm of Cummins & Wright being one of the strong- est in the city. In addition to conducting a general practice they represent all the railroad Companies running through Des Moines except two, and also a number of other corporations, the railroads they represent being as follows: Rock Island, Chicago, Burlington & Quincy, Chicago & Great Western, Des Moines, North- ern & Western, and Des Moines & Union. Mr. Cummins has a pecuniary interest in the Des Moines, Northern & Western, being a di- rector and general counsel of that road, and also of the Des Moines Union, of which latter he is vice-president.

June 24, 1874, Mr. Cummins was united in marriage to Miss Ida Gallery, of Eaton Rapids, Michigan, and daughter of James and E. M. (Hamilton) Gallery. They have one child, Kate. Mrs. Cummins is a member of the Congregational Church, and a devoted and act-

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RECORD OF IOWA.

ive worker in the same. Their comfortable and attractive residence is located at the corner of Forest Drive and Grand avenue.

For years Mr. Cummins has been active and prominent in politics. He is a Republican. His extensive knowledge of men and affairs, together with his marked abilities, renders him especially valuable to his party. While thus politically prominent, his profession has had far greater attraction for him than any grade of official life could offer, and until recently his name has been withheld by him from consid- eration in connection with a nomination for office. In 1888 he was elected a member of the Iowa State Legislature, and, while a mem- ber of that honorable body, not only rendered acceptable service to his constituency but also made a record that was distinguished for its ability and brilliancy. In 1892 he was elected and served as Presidential Elector. Mr. Cummins is still a young man, and with the success he has already achieved it is fair to judge that he will attain yet higher honors. He has invested in real estate to some extent, and beside his property in Des Moines owns some fine farming land.

ON. BENJAMIN F. GUE, ex-Lieu- tenant Governor and now secretary of the Historical Society of Iowa, has been a resident of this State since 1852. He was born in Greene county, New York, December 25, 1828, and is a son of John and Catherine (Gurney) Gue. His father was born in Westchester county, New York, and his mother was a native of Dutchess county, of the same State. The first known ancestor of our subject that came to America was an exile from France who settled in Ulster county, New York, about the year 1761. On the mother's side the family was of English origin, Mrs. Gue being a lineal descendant of the Hon. Joseph John Gurney, who was a member of the English parliament.

The subject of this sketch was reared to manhood on a farm and educated in the

Canandaigua Academy, and at East Bloomfield. In the spring of 1851 he emigrated to Iowa, locating in Scott county, where he was en- gaged in farming. He was married in Daven- port on the 12th of November, 1855, to Miss Elizabeth Parker, who was born in Allegany county, New York, and was the daughter of Francis Parker, who descended from an old Vermont family that settled in Allegany county in an early day. She came to Iowa with her parents in 1840, and taking up her residence in Scott county engaged in teaching school for several years before her marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Gue are the parents of four children, -- two sons and two daughters,-Horace G., Alice, Gurney and Katherine.

Mr. Gue continued to reside in Scott county until 1864, when he removed to Fort Dodge and purchased the Fort Dodge Republican, changing its name to The Northwest, which paper he edited and conducted for nine years. He entered upon his political career in the au- tumn of 1857, when at the age of twenty-nine years he was elected to the Iowa Legislature from Scott county, and served four years. He was then called to the office of State Senator and served four years in the Upper House, after which he was elected Lieutenant Gov- ernor of the State for a period of two years. In 1866 he was elected president of the Board of Trustees of the State Agricultural College, and was most actively engaged in the manage- ment, construction and organization of the college for six years. He was the leading spirit in the establishment of that important institution, and in connection with R. A. Rich- ardson was the author of the bill providing for the founding of the college, which they suc- ceeded in having passed at the session of 1858. In 1864, while a member of the Senate, he as- sisted Mr. Clarkson, Sr., in drafting a bill which provided for the sale of the lands of the Agricultural College land grant. The lands were sold in accordance with the provisions of that bill and the college has since then received an annual income of from forty to sixty thou- sand dollars from that source. He was chair-

HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHIICAL

mnan of the commission to visit the various ag- ricultural colleges of the United States and ex- amine into their plans of organization, their success or failure, for the benefit of the new Iowa college. For two years he gave most of his time to this important work. In 1867 he made an elaborate report to the board of trustees, recommending a plan of organization which was adopted and upon which the college has for twenty-seven years been successfully conducted. He selected the first faculty, at the head of which was that distinguished edu - cator, President. A. S. Welsh, who for eighteen years filled the executive chair with marked ability.

Mr. Gue continued to reside in Fort Dodge until 1872, when he sold The Northwest and the same year came to Des Moines, where he has since made his home. During his resi- dence in the former place he also held the office of Postmaster for two years. On com- ing to this city he took editorial charge of the Iowa Homestead, the State agricultural paper, and continued his connection with that jour- nal until December of that year, when he sold his interest and accepted the appointment of United States Pension Agent, which he re- ceived at the hands of President Grant. He held that position for eight consecutive years, during which time he discharged the duties of the office with fidelity and promptness. At the close of his term in 1880, in company with his eldest son, Mr. Gue repurchased the Iowa Homestead, which they published four years, greatly increasing its circulation during that time and making of it a valuable property. They sold out in the fall of 1883, and from that time until the present Mr. Gue has de- voted much of his attention to gathering the material for an elaborate history of Iowa. He and his wife are members of the Unitarian Church, with which they became connected in 1878. He owns a fruit farm, which is situated about five miles east of Des Moines, and in fact has never been without a farm since reaching man's estate.

Mr. Gue is one of the prominent public

men of Iowa, and enjoys an extended acquaint- ance among its citizens. His connection with the Agricultural College from its inception to its completion and successful operation has been distinguished by earnest and wise fore- thought, while the results of his influence, in connection with the legislation relating to that institution, will long be felt. In manner, Mr. Gue is unassuming but earnest where duty de- mands an aggressive stand. His course in public. as well as private life has been distin- guished by a high standard of honor, and the strictest purity. He is an able writer, and as a journalist ranks as a peer of the brightest in Iowa. Correct and methodical in the dis- patch of business he has proved himself possessed of good executive ability and has discharged with exactness and fidelity every public trust reposed in him. The forthcoming history of Iowa, on which he is engaged, can- not fail to prove a work of great interest, and to be a standard on the subject of the annals of the Hawkeye State, as he has given a great deal of his time to the careful and accurate compilation of his invaluable work. For a time he suspended work during the perform- ance of his present duties as secretary of the Historical Department of Iowa, but expects to soon resume gathering material with the view to the early publication of this much needed history.

ELLS WENTWORTH EATON, dealer in grain and coal, Panora, Iowa, occupies a leading position in the business circles of this place. He has maintained his residence in Iowa for a period of forty-two years, nearly the whole of his life, and he is, therefore, entitled to bio- graphical mention in connection with other representative citizens of his county.

Mr. Eaton dates his birth in Green county, Wisconsin, April 8, 1853. His father, Wells Eaton, deceased, was the son of English par- ents and was born on the Bay of Fundy in Nova Scotia. He was there reared and mar-

RECORD OF IOWA.

ried, the lady of his choice being Miss Mary Wood, who, like himself, was born and reared in Nova Scotia. They came to the United States about 1844 and settled in Allamakee county, Iowa, in 1853. Wells Eaton was a hardy pioneer, was by occupation a calker of vessels, and was for years employed by the well known Alexander McGregor, an old Mis- sissippi boatman. In Allamakee county Mr. Eaton spent the remainder of his life, and died at the age of fifty-nine years, his death occurring on the farm he had acquired there. He was a man of deep religious convictions and was identified with the United Brethren Church. Politically he was a Republican. His widow is still living, is now seventy years of age and makes her home in Postville, Iowa. They had eleven children, namely: Albert, Edwin, Maggie, Wells W., Etta, Eunice, Amanda, Eliza, Frank, Scott and Alfred. All are living except Albert and Al- fred, and four have been popular and success- ful teachers-Eunice, Amanda, Eliza and Wells W.

Wells W. Eaton, the subject of this re- view, was reared on his father's farm in Alla- makee county, Iowa. His education was re- ceived in the public schools and at Waukon College, and at the early age of eighteen he began teaching. His career as a teacher cov- ered a number of years and included twenty- six school terms, during which time he gained a wide acquaintance and a popularity with the best people among whom he taught. In 1875 he purchased a farm of eighty acres near Yale, Guthrie county, and for the next sixteen years devoted his energies to agricultural pursuits in which he was fairly successful. On retiring from his farm he moved to Panora, where he has since been largely interested in a grain and coal business. His elevator has a capac- ity for 6,000 bushels of wheat and 8,000 bushels of corn. .

Mr. Eaton was married in Allamakee coun- ty, in 1875, to Miss Ella E. Hall, who was born and reared in this State, daughter of Reuben K. and Elizabeth (Desbrough) Hall,

both deceased, her father having died in Guth- rie county, and her mother in Allamakee county. Mr. Hall was an old soldier, a member of the Twenty-seventh Iowa Infantry, in which he served as Sergeant, and made a record as a gallant soldier. Mr. Hall was a relative of Reuben Knox, of Kentucky fame, and was named in honor of him, his middle name being Knox. Mr. and Mrs. Eaton have four chil- dren, Cloy W. and Myrta M., both graduates of the Panora high school with the class of 1895, and Harvey H. and Flossie F.

Mr. Eaton is a man of broad and progress- ive views, gives his support to the advance- ment of religious and educational interests, and is regarded as one of the leading citizens of his place. He has served on the School Board, and at this writing is Town Recorder. Polit- ically he is a Republican. Fraternally he main- tains a membership in the Knights of Pythias Lodge, No. 176, and the Modern Woodmen, No. 1717, both of Panora; and both he and his wife are active members of the Methodist . Episcopal Church, of which he is Steward.

J OHN LEMAN WAITE, well known as the popular editor and publisher of the Burlington Hawkeye, Burlington, Iowa, has for over three decades been identi- fied with this city, and has in various ways figured prominently here during this entire period.

Mr. Waite dates his birth in Ravenna, Port- age county, Ohio, August 29, 1840, and is a son of John and Martha A. (Clark) Waite, the former a native of New York and the latter of Ohio. To this worthy couple three children were born, of whom two are now living: John L., and Mary E., wife of R. M. Hartzell, of Peru, Kansas. John Waite, the father, was a cooper by trade, at which he worked for some years in his early life, and later gave his atten- tion to other pursuits. In 1867 he removed to Burlington, Iowa, and engaged in the grocery business; subsequently was a commission mer- chant, and finally settled down to the quiet life

HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL

of a fariner. He died in Kansas while on a visit there in June, 1894, at the age of eighty- four years. His widow survives, and at this writing is making a temporary sojourn in Kan- sas. She is a member of the Methodist Epis- copal Church, as also was Mr. Waite, he having for years held official position in the church. He served in various local offices while a res- ident of Ohio, and after coming to Iowa filled acceptably some of the township offices in Flint River township, Des Moines county.

The paternal grandfather of our subject was John Waite. The Waites are of English origin and the first of the family who came to America settled in Connecticut. It was, how- ever, in New York that John Waite was born. He was a farmer and contractor, and during the war of 1812 proved himself a faithful soldier. About 1830 he moved to Michigan, where he resided for some years, but his last days were spent in Ohio with his son, and he died there at the advanced age of eighty-two years. He was a man of fine physique, full of pluck and energy, and for his many excellent traits of character was admired by all who knew him. The maternal grandfather of J. L. Waite was Ephraim Clark, a native of Connecticut, and one of the early pioneers of northern Ohio. When he first removed to Ohio he located on a farm near Talmage, but later took up his abode in Ravenna, where he ran a large car- riage factory for many years. At the time of death he was past eighty. Personally, he was a man of large stature and great force of char- acter; and whatever he undertook he carried to completion.

Mr. J. L. Waite, whose name introduces this sketch, was reared at Ravenna, Ohio, re- maining there until he was seventeen. His education was received in the Ravenna schools and in a Chicago business college. He learned telegraphy, and was employed twelve years as a telegrapher, filling positions successively at Lebanon, Cleveland, Chicago and Burlington. It was in 1862 that he came to Burlington and his service here was for the Illinois & Missis- sippi Company first and then for the Western

Union. He had always had a taste for news- paper work, and in 1869 became city editor and bookkeeper for the Hawkeye. In 1874 Mr. Frank Hatton purchased the Hawkeye; soon after this Mr. Waite became associate editor, and about 1877 was given the position of managing editor, which he ably filled until 1881. At that time he received the appoint- ment of Postmaster of Burlington, and served a term of four years. In 1885 he again be- came connected with the Hawkeye, this time as editor in chief and manager, and this posi- tion he still occupies. In the newspaper field he has won an enviable reputation.

Mr. Waite has a delightful home and charming family. His residence is at No. 108 Woodlawn avenue north. He was married September 21, 1864, to Miss Letitia C. Will- iams, daughter of Thomas M. and Letitia B. (Benning) Williams; and their union has been blessed in the birth of four children, -Clay M., Jessie B., Lola, and one that died in infancy. The daughters are accomplished young ladies and the son is in the newspaper office with his father, acting as assistant business manager and cashier. The latter is married and has a home of his own. His wife was formerly Miss Ida M. Southwell.

Mr. and Mrs. Waite worship at the First Methodist Episcopal Church of Burlington, where they are consistent and active members, he being a Trustee and Secretary of the Board. Politically, he is an enthusiastic Republican. In all public matters pertaining to the welfare of the city, and especially in educational affairs, does he take a deep interest. He is a trustee of the Burlington Institute College, one of the oldest institutions of the city, and is a director and vice president of Elliott's Business College.

R EV. JAMES STUMBAUGH .- This gentleman is one of the pioneers of Lucas county, Iowa, Derby being his post-office address, and both as a pio- neer and as a representative citizen is he enti- tled to consideration in this work.

RECORD OF IOWA.

Mr. Stumbaugh was born in Lawrence county, Ohio, January 4, 1822. The Stum- baughs are of German origin. Our subject's grandparents, Frederick and Margaret (Hondy- still) Stumbaugh, were born in Germany, and were among the early settlers of the Old Do- minion, Frederick Stumbaugh being a partici- pant in the Revolutionary war. Their son David was a native of Rockingham county, Virginia, and during the war of 1812 rendered valiant army service. He was reared in Vir- ginia, went from there to Kentucky, and in the latter State married Miss Rhoda Gilliland, also a native of Virginia, her parents being William and Hannah (Taylor) Gilliland, who had re- moved from Virginia and settled on the frontier in Kentucky. Some time after their marriage, David Stumbaugh and his wife went to Law- rence county, Ohio, where they cleared up a farm and where they made their home for twenty years; removing thence in 1832 to Cass county, Indiana, they cleared up and improved another farm. Here they spent the closing years of their lives and died, his death occurring at the age of sixty-three years and her's at eighty-nine. Their religion was that of the United Brethren, and in politics he was a Democrat. Their children in order of birth were named as follows: Sarah, Margaret, William, Pelmia, John, Anna, James, Andrew, Jackson, David, Adam, and Archibald. Three of their sons, John, David and Archibald, were Union soldiers during the late war.

The subject of our sketch spent his early life on his father's farm in Lawrence county, Ohio, and Cass county, Indiana, his boyhood days being spent in assisting in the clearing up of these farms. During the winter months he conned his lessons in a log schoolhouse, and at home was taught by his parents that honesty and industry underlie all success, and this early training was supplemented by home study and reading and also by close observation. Indeed, he has been a student all his life. January 8, 1846, he married Miss Barbara Woods, daugh- ter of John and Susanna (Buffington) Woods, natives of Ohio. Her mother died in Febru-

ary, 1889, at the age of eighty-four years, and her father now lives in Greenwood county, Kansas, at the advanced age of ninety-two years. The names of Mrs. Stumbaugh's broth- ers and sisters are Sarah J., Hugh, William, James, John, Cyrus, Abraham C., Susanna, Maria and Henry S. Three of her brothers, James, John and Henry S., were participants in the late war, serving in the Union army.

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Memorial and biographical record of Iowa, Part 13

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