Memorial and biographical record of Iowa, Part 142

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

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welfare and improvement of all that tends to the public good.

In his political principles Mr. Brewer is a stalwart Republican, unswerving in his support of the principles of the party, while in his social relations he is a member of Crocker Post, No. 12, G. A. R.

While in Eagleville, Missouri, Mr. Brewer was united in the holy bonds of matrimony with Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Samuel B. Moore. They are the parents of five sons and one daughter, namely : Katie N., wife of C. M. Cook, a resident of Stuart, Iowa; Ralph C., Guy S., James W., Donald R. and Waite F., all yet at home.

ON. CASSIUS C. DOWELL is the senior member of the law firm of Dowell & Parrish, of Des Moines. When a man enters the legal profes- sion he must depend henceforth, in his pro- fessional career, entirely upon the talents which nature has endowed him and the devel- opment of his own latent powers. Money can- not win him success in his calling, nor can in- fluential friends secure him reputation. He has to rise on his own merit or sink back into the ranks of mediocrity. That Mr. Dowell has gained a foremost place among the mem- bers of the bar of Polk county, is a high tribute to his skill and ability.

He is numbered among the native sons of Iowa, his birth having occurred in the northern part of Warren county, in Greenfield township, February 29, 1864. His parents were James W. and Martha (Rees) Dowell. His father is a native of Kentucky, and when quite young removed with his parents to Indiana. The mother was born in Illinois, and was a daughter of Thomas Rees. This worthy couple became the parents of seven .children, five sons and two daughters, of whom our subject is one of the younger. He spent his youth upon his father's farm in Warren county, Iowa, and at- tended the district school until attaining his seventeenth year, when he entered the Baptist

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College of Des Moines, there pursuing his studies for one year. He subsequently joined the freshinan class in Simpson College, of Indianola, and later entered Drake University, at Des Moines, at which he was graduated in the class of 1886, thus completing his literary education.

It was the desire of Mr. Dowell to enter the legal profession, and in the following autumn he became a student in the law depart- ment of Drake University, and was graduated in the class of 1887. He then read law with Judge Barcroft, of Des Moines, for one year, and was admitted to the bar in the latter part of 1888. He at once began practice, forming a partnership with Hon. W. A. Spurrier, now District Judge of Des Moines, with whom he continued until 1894, when Mr. Spurrier was elected to the bench. He then entered into partnership with J. L. Parrish, the firm con- ducting a general law practice in all the courts. They have a large clientage, which is steadily increasing. In 1892 Mr. Dowell was appointed assistant County Attorney for Polk county, and acceptably filled that position for two years.

In his political views Mr. Dowell is a pro- nounced Republican, and in 1893 was nomina- ted by his party to represent Polk county in the State Legislature. He won the election and proved an active and valued member of the Twenty-fifth General Assembly. In 1895 he was again nominated and elected to fill the same office in the Twenty-sixth General As- sembly, and was elected Speaker pro tem of the house. His fidelity to duty and able rep- resentation had won him the confidence and trust of not only his party but the entire com- munity. In June, 1895, he was appointed one of the Trustees of Drake University. He is deeply interested in the cause of education and in all that pertains to its advancement and to the promotion of the general welfare. He is a young man of superior ability and has already gained a reputation in legal and political circles which many an older man might well envy.

W. BAILEY has for nearly thirty years made his home near Guthrie Center, Iowa, and is classed among the foremost leading citizens of the county. Also he is a veteran of the late Civil war, and both as an old soldier and as a prom- inent citizen of this community is he entitled to specific consideration on the pages of this volumne.

Mr. Bailey is a native of the Empire State. He was born in St. Lawrence county, New York, January 13, 1835; descending from old New England ancestors. Sabine Bailey, his father, was born and reared in Vermont, and when a young man left the old farm in the Green Mountain State and removed to New York. He was a participant in the war of 1812. In Jefferson county, New York, he was married to Miss Abigail Marsh, like himself born and reared in Vermont. Both are de- ceased, his death occurring at the age of sixty and hers at eighty-three years. They were the parents of five sons, namely: David P., de- ceased; John, deceased; W. W., whose name heads this sketch; Levi, a resident of Mis- souri; and Amos C., of Florida. They also had four daughters, as follows: Mary Phil- lips; Trifena Ives, of Canada; Lucretia Tall- cott, St. Lawrence county, New York; and Jane Herriman, also of St. Lawence county.

Mr. W. W. Bailey was reared in his native county and on his father's farm, his ed- ucational advantages being limited to those of the public schools. When the war broke out between the North and the South and con- tinued to rage he felt it his duty to enter the Union ranks, and July 27, 1862, enlisted as a member of Company G, One Hundred and Sixth New York Infantry Volunteers, the for- tunes of which command he shared for a period of two years and eleven months. He was first under fire at Martinsburg, Virginia. He was at Rapidan, all through the wilderness cam- paign, at Winchester, Fisher's hill and Cedar creek. At the last named engagement he was wounded in the left breast by a ininie ball, from the effects of which he was confined

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in hospital eight months. On his recovery he rejoined his regiment and remained with it until he was honorably discharged July 1, 1865, re- ceiving a hospital discharge, being unfit for the Veteran Relief Corps.

At the close of the war Mr. Bailey re- turned to St. Lawrence county, New York, and the following year, 1866, came out West to Guthrie county, Iowa, and on his arrival here he purchased sixty acres of land, a por- tion of his present farm, and established his home in a log cabin, he being among the very earliest settlers of this vicinity. To his orig- inal purchase he has added from time to time until now his farm comprises 365 acres and is regarded as one of the best in Baker township. The log cabin has long since given way to a comfortable frame cottage, which is sur- rounded with pretty lawn and orchard, the orchard containing 450 trees. Bear creek meanders through his broad acres and thus affords a bountiful supply of water for his stock, among which are found the best of breeds, including shorthorn and Jersey cattle and Poland-China hogs. "Catalpa Grove," as he is pleased to call his home, is one of the most beautiful rural places in all the country round.

Mr. Bailey was married in St. Lawrence county, New York, about the time he reached his majority, to Miss Ruth Electa Chittenden, a native of Vermont, but who was reared and educated in the Empire State, daughter of Harry and Electa (Sutton) Chittenden, natives of Vermont and both now deceased. Their union was honored by the following named children: Eugene L., Amos H., Levi Sabine, Edward, William W., Edith L. and Nellie E. Edith L., who is now the wife of Mr. D. Long, of Des Moines, was for a number of years pre- vious to her marriage engaged in teaching. The great loss which has come to Mr. Bailey was in the death of his wife, who passed away April 23, 1891. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, her life was characterized by many Christian graces and she was loved by all who knew her.

Politically, Mr. Bailey has for years been an ardent Republican, and is regarded as one of the most enthusiastic members of his party in Guthrie county. He has filled most of the township offices, such as Justice of the Peace, Trustee and member of the School Board. For fifteen years he has served as Treasurer of the School Board, and for six years he was County Supervisor, filling all these positions with credit to himself and entire satisfaction to all concerned. He has a membership in the G. A. R. Post, No. 52.

J. HEMPHILL, who is engaged in a real-estate, loan and insurance busi- ness and who is also a Notary Public, Panora, Iowa, has resided in Guthrie county since his early boyhood and is now classed with its representative citizens.

A. J. Hemphill was born in Ohio county, West Virginia, October 2, 1850. Wallace Hemphill, his father, was a native of Wash- ington county, Ohio, and a son of Thomas Hemphill, who was born in the Highlands of Scotland, and who early in life emigrated to America. Wallace passed his boyhood on his father's farm in West Virginia, and was married in that State to Miss Mary Ann Roberts, a native of Virginia and a daughter of William Roberts, who was of Welsh descent. In 1856 Mr. and Mrs. Wallace Hemphill and their ten children came overland to Iowa and settled in Cedar county, on a farm near Wilton Junc- tion. There he resided until 1859, when he drove to Pike's Peak and later went on to Cal- ifornia. In the Golden State he was engaged in mining until 1864, that year returning across the plains on horseback to his home and his family in Cedar county, Iowa. Cedar county continued to be his abiding place until 1884, at which time he removed to Guthrie county and settled near Bagley. Here he died at the age of eighty-two years. His wife was seventy at the time of her death. Of their large family of children we make record as follows: John, a resident of Memphis,

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Tennessee; Mrs. Elizabeth Slater, Wayne, Nebraska; William, who served three years as a member of Company I, Thirty-fifth Iowa Regiment, during the Civil war, is now a resi- dent of Friend, Nebraska; Mrs. Alice Piggott, Bagley, Iowa; Albert James, the subject of this article; David, a grain dealer of Herndon, Iowa; Clinton, who resides on the old home place near Bagley; Thomas, who was a mem- ber of Company I, Thirty-fifth Iowa Infantry, died while at home on a furlough of disease contracted in the service; and Joseph, who died near Friend, Nebraska, at the age of thirty-five years.

On his father's farm in Cedar county, A. J. Hemphill passed his boyhood days. His common-school education was supplemented by a course in Bryant & Stratton's Business College at Davenport, Iowa, and after com- pleting his studies in that institution he en- gaged in teaching, in which he was remarka- bly successful and which occupied his time for a number of years. He taught three terms in Cedar county and seventeen terms in Guth- rie county. In 1884 he turned his attention to the real-estate, loan and insurance business, and for the past eleven years has given this business his closest attention, his honorable dealing, industry and enterprise being the means of the success he has attained.

October 2, 1877, Mr. Hemphill was united in marriage to Miss Eleanor Montgomery, daughter of Alexander and Jane (Chapman) Montgomery, residents of Stuart, Iowa. Her father is a native of Scotland. Mr. and Mrs. Hemphill are the parents of five interesting children, namely: Alta G., Olive I., Alice E., Victor A. and Verne.

Mr. Hemphill is one of the most enter- prising and progressive men of Panora. He takes an active interest in everything intended to promote the welfare of the town, either in a political, educational or religious way. His political affiliations are with the Democratic party and he has on frequent occasions been honored with official preferment. He has served as Justice of the Peace three terms,

dispensing justice impartially to all who sought adjustment of their claims in his court; served efficiently as a member of the School Board and the City Council; and for five years was Mayor of Panora, proving himself a worthy and acceptable official. Fraternally, he is identified with the A. F. & A. M. and is Sec- retary of the Lodge at Panora. Both Mr. Hemphill and his wife are active members of the Presbyterian Church, he being a Trustee of the local organization. Both in his poli- tics and his religion Mr. Hemphill is following in the footsteps of his honored father. His. mother was a Methodist.

Such, in brief, is a sketch of the life of one of Guthrie county's leading citizens, so- cially, politically and financially.

S ILAS B. KENWORTHY, an honored veteran of the Civil war, was born April 28, 1846, in Boone county, In- diana, and is a grandson of William and Sarah Kenworthy, both of whom were natives of Ohio, and became honored pioneers of Indiana, locating within its borders in Ter- ritorial days. The remainder of their lives was spent in Boone county. Abijah Ken- worthy, father of our subject, was one of their family of five children. He was born in the Buckeye State, accompanied his parents on their emigration to Indiana, and remained at home until his marriage to Sophrona Kent, a native of Pennsylvania. In 1854 he removed to Polk county, Iowa, accompanied by his wife and seven children. There he bought an im- proved farm, upon which he spent his remain- ing days, passing away at the age of sixty-four. His wife died at the age of sixty. They were parents of eleven children, of whom five sons and three daughters are yet living.

On the old homestead Silas B. Kenworthy spent his childhood days and the district schools afforded him his early educational privileges. When a youth of only fifteen years he entered the army, enlisting in Company B, Tenth Iowa Infantry, in which he served for three years,

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taking part in many important engagements. He was probably the youngest member of his regiment, but few were braver than the soldier boy, who continued at the scene of action until his term had expired, when he was honorably discharged, in front of Atlanta.

After his return home, Mr. Kenworthy spent one year in school in Iowa City, and then worked by the month in a flour-mill in Warren county, where he continued for three and a half years. On the expiration of that period he took charge of the mill belonging to J. R. Van Meter and was its manager for fifteen years. At length he abandoned milling to re- move to his farm in Vernon county, Missouri, which he cultivated for a time and then sold out. When he again came to Iowa he re- sumed his old position in the mill and was thus employed until called to public office in 1892 by an election as County Auditor. So acceptably did he fill the position that he was again elected in 1894, and is the present in- cumbent. He has also held various other local offices, discharging his duties to the satisfac- tion of all concerned.

At the age of twenty-seven, on the 27th of February, 1873, Mr. Kenworthy was united in marriage with Miss Ella P. Van Meter, a daughter of Jacob R. and Mary Van Meter. Both he and his wife attend the Christian Church. He is a member of various social organizations, including the Knights of Pythias Lodge, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Masonic fraternity, and Colonel Mills Post, No. 45, G. A. R. In politics he is a Repub- lican, casting his first vote in 1864 when in the army at Corinth, Mississippi, for State officers, while his first presidential vote was cast for General Grant, in 1868.

a HARLES F. SAYLOR, who is serv- ing as Deputy City Auditor of Des Moines, is a native of Polk county, Iowa, born September 8, 1856, and a representative of one of the honored pioneer families of the State. In pioneer days, when

Iowa was still a Territory, his father, Thomas Jefferson Saylor, crossed the Mississippi with his father, Jolın B. Saylor, and took up his residence in Van Buren county, where he re- mained from 1836 until 1844. In the latter year he came to Polk county, where he is now the oldest settler. For more than half a cen- tury he has witnessed the growth and develop- ment of this region, taking an active part in the work of progress and improvement. His connection with the county is an honorable one, and his name deserves a high place on its annals as one of those who here opened up the way to civilization and aided in laying the foundation upon which the present prosperity and advancement of the county is builded. He descends from an old Saxon family of the Rhine that sent its members to America in early Colonial days. He was born in Indian- apolis, Indiana, and is a son of John B. Say- lor, a native of Ohio, who became one of the pioneers of Rush county, Indiana. He was a stone-mason by trade and built the court-house at the county seat of Rush county, also the one in the city of Indianapolis.

The maiden name of the mother of our subject was Adaline Nagel. She was born in Dayton, Ohio, a daughter of Frank Nagel, and is now in the sixty-fourth year of her age. Her father settled in Polk county, Iowa, in 1846, and was therefore also one of the ear- liest settlers. In the family of Thomas J. Say- lor were four sons and six daughters, of whom six are yet living, namely: J. F., president of the Lincoln Normal University, of Nebraska; Lizzie I., private secretary to the President of the Agricultural College at Ames; Charles F., whose name heads this sketch; Mrs. John Matthews, who resides in Des Moines, Iowa; Mattie A., who is engaged in school-teaching; and Effie, at home.

Charles F. Saylor of this review obtained his elementary education in the district schools, after which he entered the Iowa Agricultural College, at Ames, where he completed the course and was graduated in 1882, winning the degree of Bachelor of Science. He then

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turned his attention to teaching and through the three succeeding years was principal of the schools in Redfield, Iowa. In 1886 he was elected Superintendent of Schools of Polk county, which office, by re-election, he held for six years, during which time he greatly raised the standard of the schools by introdu- cing improved methods and more progressive systems of work. In 1890 he was elected by the Legislature of the State to the office of Trustee of the Iowa Agricultural College, in which position he has served also for six years, four years of which time was to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Hon. J. S. Clark- son; and he is still a member of the board. During the last two years of his service as County Superintendent of Schools he was chairman of the Association of County Super- intendents of the State. He also organized the State Teachers' Reading Circle, by which body he was elected inanager and State lec- turer. His work in the interest of education has been extensive and most beneficial, and his labors have done much toward placing the schools of Iowa on a par with those of the other States of the Union. On retiring from the County Superintendency he was appointed Collector of the Fourth Division of the First District of Iowa, in the Internal Revenue serv- ice, which position he resigned under the Cleve- land administration to accept the secretaryship of the Home Savings & Loan Company, of Des Moines. After filling that position for two years he was appointed Deputy Auditor of the city and is now capably discharging the duties that devolve upon him. His has been an honor- able, straightforward business career, and the esteem and confidence of all whom he meets is freely given him. Every trust reposed in him has been faithfully performned. Whether in public or private life he is a man of genuine worth, well meriting the regard in which he is so universally held.

Mr. Saylor's social relations connect him with Des Moines Lodge, No. 68, Knights of Pythias, and University Lodge, No. 368, In- dependent Order of Odd Fellows, while in his

political proclivities he is a Republican. His home life is very pleasant, and with his wife and children he spends many happy hours in their comfortable residence at No. 1141 Tenth street. He was married in 1885 to Miss Jennie McFarland, a daughter of John McFar- land, also of Des Moines. They have two in- teresting children, Donald M. and Helen I.

SAAC HORN TWOMBLY has for nearly twenty years been a prominent figure in the town of Stuart, Iowa, his identity with the place being dated from January, 1876, when he landed here and be- came connected with the Rock Island machine shops. From June, 1876, to May, 1890, he was general foreman of the shops and since the latter date has worked as a machinist; and all this time he has in various ways taken an act- ive part in the affairs of the town. Therefore it is fitting that specific mention be accorded him in this work.

Isaac H. Twombly was born in Dover, Strafford county, New Hampshire, June 2, 1 826, son of William and Lydia (Horn) Twom- bly, both natives of that place. The first rep- resentative of the Twombly family in this country came here about the year 1640 and settled at Dover, New Hampshire, where many generations bearing that name have been born. Captain William Twombly, the grand- father of our subject, was born there. He was a sea captain in early life, later was a mer- chant, and also he served in some public ca- pacities, for a number of years acting as dep- uty Sheriff. Also he was a Captain in the army and during the Revolutionary war did active service four years. His son William, the father of Isaac H., was born September 18, 1793, and when a young man was a participant in the war of 1812. He served an apprentice- ship of seven years to the trade of cabinet- maker, and for many years was employed in wood-work in a Dover factory. Late in life he moved to Lowell, Massachusetts, and in 1859, while on a visit to Lewiston, Maine,

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died there. His remains were taken back to Dover and were interred near the spot where the most of his life was passed. His widow survived him until 1870, when she died at the age of seventy-seven years. In their family were ten children, eight of whom reached ma- turity, viz. : William H., Reading, Massa- chusetts; Abigail, wife of Simon H. Giles, died at Dover, New Hampshire; Sophia C., wife of Volney Sprague, resides in Chicago; Thomas B., also of Chicago; Isaac H., whose name heads this article; Elizabeth A., wife of James H. Shirley, lives in Kansas City, Mis- souri; Richard T. and Albert G., both of whom died in Chicago.

In his native town Isaac H. Twombly grew up and received a common-school education. Then he went to Boston and learned the trade of machinist, serving an apprenticeship to his cousin, Seth Adams, of that city, and for a number of years worked as a machinist in and around Boston, remaining there until his re- moval to Iowa in 1876, as above recorded.

He was married January 4, 1848, to Lu- cinda P. Leach, daughter of Elijah and Jane (Longfellow) Leach, both natives of Maine. She was born in St. Albans, Maine, June 5, 1823: Her father was a farmer, passed his whole life in that State, and died there in April, 1869, at the age of seventy-eight years. His wife died at the age of sixty-six years. They were the parents of eleven children, Mrs. Twombly being the fourth in order of birth. Like Mr. Twombly, Mrs. Twombly can say of her father and grandfather, that they were par- ticipants in the war of 1812 and the Revolu- tionary, respectively. Having no children of their own, Mr. and Mrs. Twombly adopted a daughter, Annie, who is now the wife of J. F. Martin, of Stuart, and has three children : Joyce, Keith and an infant.

For many years Mr. Twombly has taken a leading and laudable interest in public and po- tical affairs. He is a Republican. At home he has served on the City Council a number of years and in 1884 was Mayor of the city. Sev- eral years he served as chairman of the Re-

publican county convention, has frequently been a delegate to State Conventions, and in 1884 was alternate delegate to the national Republican convention at Chicago. He is a member of the Historical Society, of Dover, New Hampshire, and both he and his wife are identified with the First Congregational Church of Stuart. Their elegant home, one of the finest residences in the city, was built by him a few years ago.

J AMES WILLIAM WILLETT .- The gentleman whose name begins this article is a prominent lawyer of the bar of Tama county, of which he has been a member since February 18, 1872, the date of his admission to practice. He is very adroit in the management of cases and has a power and quickness of repartee, and an ability to adapt himself to emergencies that is singularly effective in his client's interests and destructive to the plans of the opposing coun- sel. He is an able advocate, ready, fluent and logical, is thoroughly familiar with au- thorities, and his recognized ability has given him a leading rank in professional circles.

Mr. Willett was born in Keithsburg, Mer- cer couuty, Illinois, March 8, 1846, and is a son of William and Nancy J. (Dennison) Wil- lett, the former a native of Meade county, Kentucky, and the latter of the State of Indiana. The Willett family has long been established in America. the ancestors settling first in Maryland and New York. The grand- father of our subject, Richard Willett, was the owner of a large Kentucky plantation com- prising 3,000 acres, and also owned 2,000 acres on the Indiana side of the Ohio river, operating these lands through slave labor. He reared a family of nine sons and one daughter.

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Memorial and biographical record of Iowa, Part 142

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