Memorial and biographical record of Iowa, Part 144

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

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Eugene B. Dyke removed with his parents to Wisconsin, was reared on his father's farm in Rock county, and received his education at Beloit College, where he received the degree of B. A. in 1865, and later that of A. M. For about ten years he was engaged in teaching in Wisconsin and Indiana, his last position as teacher being as principal of the city schools of Rockville, Indiana. Then he took up the study of law and was admitted to the bar at Syracuse, New York, in 1867. This he did at the request of his father, but has never prac- ticed the profession. In the meantime; in 1864, he left college and enlisted in Company C. Forty-seventh Iowa Volunteer Infantry, in which he served about one year; was in Steele's division, Seventh Army Corps. Re- turning to college at the close of his army ex- perience, he completed the studies of the senior year in one term and graduated. This over- work, however, nearly ruined his eyes.

In 1870 Mr. Dyke came to Charles City, the date of his arrival here being July 1, and soon after he purchased the Intelligencer and as editor entered the newspaper field. In this enterprise he succeeded the Hon. A. B. F. Hildreth, who founded the paper in 1856. The Intelligencer, as above stated, is the old- est paper published in northern Iowa. It con- tains eight pages, is Republican in politics, has the largest circulation of all papers in the county as well as being the most influential, and throughout the years has maintained its high standard of excellence. In 1874-5 Mr.

Dyke was in California, having sold the paper before leaving, and on his return repurchased it. Since that date it has received his undi- vided attention.

He was married December 19, 1872, to Miss Emily C. Gilbert, a native of Rockford, Illinois, and a daughter of Milo Gilbert, one of the original owners of the town-site of Charles City, Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Dyke have two children: Harry N., a member of the law class of 1896 in the Iowa State University; and Evelyn A., at home.

Mr. Dyke served four years as Police Jus- tice and under President Harrison's adminis- tration he was Postmaster of Charles City, the duties of both offices having been discharged by him with the strictest fidelity. He and both his son and daughter are members of the Congregational Church. In fraternal circles he has long been prominent and active. He is now serving his twentieth year as Secretary of Almond Chapter, R. A. M., and is also a Knight Templar Mason. In the O. E. S. he has been honored with the office of Grand Pa- tron of the Grand Chapter of Iowa. He is a member of the Iowa Chapter, Sons of the Revolution; is Past Commander of the Charles City Post, No. 3, G. A. R .; and is Past Chancellor of the K. of P.

ATHAN CLARK MORSE is the old- est regular physician in years of con- tinuous practice in Eldora. He lo- cated here on the 4th of July, 1877, and has since given his entire time and atten- tion to his profession. He has won an envia- ble reputation as a surgeon, and his skill and ability are attested by the liberal patronage which he receives. Dr. Morse is a native of Louisville, Kentucky. He was born on the 12th of July, 1851, and is a son of Nathan C. and Mary Z. (Withers) Morse, the former a native of Vermont and the latter of Lynch- burg, Virginia. In early Colonial days the Morse family was established in America, and the grandfather of our subject, Joshua Morse,

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was numbered among the heroes of the Revo- lution. Joining the Colonial army, he rose to the rank of Captain, and valiantly aided in the struggle for independence.

The father of our subject was born in New Fame, Vermont, in 1818, and in an early day removed to Virginia, whence he afterward went to Kentucky, where he became a whole- sale leaf-tobacconist. He finally located in Covington, and engaged in the manufacture of pianos in Cincinnati, Ohio, in which business he was succeeded by D. H. Baldwin. Subse- quently he carried on an extensive wholesale tobacco manufactory in Cincinnati, and retired with a good competency. He died suddenly in 1877, while at Hazel Green, Kentucky. He was an earnest Christian gentleman, a promi- nent member of the Baptist Church, and his life was one above reproach. His school priv- ileges were limited, but by extensive reading and study he became highly informed, and was especially proficient as a scientific scholar. The cause of the needy and distressed ever found in him a warm friend. He had the greatest sympathy for the colored people, de- plored their wrongs, and early became a stanch abolitionist. When the Republican party was formed to prevent the further extension of slavery he joined its ranks, and was ever after- ward one of its stalwart supporters.

Mr. and Mrs. Morse were the parents of six children: Charles P., superintendent of the Great Western Despatch Transportation Com- pany at Cincinnati; Belle, now the wife of W. O. Chenault, of Mount Sterling, Kentucky; Nathan C., of this review; Samuel F. B., general passenger agent of the Southern Pa- cific Railroad, New Orleans, Louisiana; Mat- tie, wife of Dr. Patton Griffith, of Towanda, Pennsylvania; and Sarah, wife of Jay H. Hu- ber, an architect of Louisville, Kentucky.

Dr. Morse was reared in Covington, Ken- tucky, and was graduated at the State Uni- versity in the class of 1872, with the degree of B. A. Resolving to enter the medical profes- sion and make its practice his life work, he completed his preparation by his graduation in

the medical department of the University of Ohio at Cincinnati, with the degree of M. D., in 1877. He also took a course at the College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York city. Although he engages in general practice he is especially skilled as a surgeon and now occu- pies that position with the Iowa Central, the Chicago, Iowa & Dakota, and the Chicago & Nortwestern Railroads. His office is well equipped with all necessary implements and a large professional library; he has ever been a close student, and has done all in his power to attain perfection. Thus he is working his way steadily upward, and has gained a most enviable reputation.

The Doctor is connected with various medical societies, being a member of the Austin Flint Medical Society, the American Medical Association, the Iowa State Medical Association and the American Association of Railway Surgeons. He is a man of ripe scholarship and has contributed many valuable articles to medical journals. One of these, which attracted considerable attention and favorable comment, was read before the Aus- tin Flint Medical Society at Mason City, Iowa, July 9, 1895, and published in the Iowa Med- ical Reporter, entitled " Christian science and other irrational methods of practice." It was prepared with great care, was a very able article and has been widely copied.

In 1878 Dr. Morse was united in marriage with Fannie Wilson, daughter of E. Smith Wilson, of Covington, Kentucky. They are members of the Universalist Church, and the Doctors belong to the "Knights of Pythias" and several other fraternities. In politics he is a Democrat.

J AMES SAMUEL ROSS, editor and pro- prietor of the Herald, of Eldora, was born in Huntington county, Canada, December 23, 1851, and is a son of Donald and Martha (McArthur) Ross. The father, as his name indicates, was a native of Scotland. He was born in 1831, and the fol-

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lowing year was taken by his parents to Canada, where he was reared to manhood upon a farm. He afterward followed boating on the St. Lawrence river for a few years. In that country he married Miss Martha McArthur, a lady of Scotch descent, and subsequently came to the United States, securing a position as superintendent of the shipping department of a copper mine in northern Michigan. In 1857 he removed to Steamboat Rock, Hardin county, Iowa, where he invested his capital of $1,000 in a sawmill; but the enterprise was a failure. He then turned his attention to farm- ing, which he followed for several years, until his health failed. His death occurred in Febru-

ary, 1866. To the widowed mother was left the care of four children, the eldest being only fourteen years of age. As they were in limited circumstances, they were. obliged to practice the strictest economy and industry. One of the children died soon after the father, but the others reached years of maturity and lived to bless the memory of her who had so tenderly cared for them. Mrs. Ross died in 1888, and the surviving members of the family are James S .; Agnes, wife of R. D. Ellsworth, of Hamil- ton county; and Clara, wife of George Moir, of Eldora.

J. S. Ross, of this sketch, was reared on a Hardin county farm, and after his father's death he aided in supporting the family. His school privileges were very limited, but by reading and observation he managed to store his mind with useful knowledge, and is now a well-informed man. In 1871 he entered the office of the News, a paper published at Steamboat Rock, and availed himself of every opportunity of learning the printer's trade. He was so thorough and systematic in his work and so desirous to please that he soon gained a mastery of the business, and in 1873, when the office was sold and removed to La Porte City, he went with it in the capacity of fore- man. In the fall of that year, however, he came to Eldora and secured employment in the Herald office. Soon demonstrating his ability, he was made foreman of this establish-

ment, and continued to serve in that capacity until 1879, when he purchased a half interest in the paper. This partnership was continued for two years, but in 188 1 he became sole pro- prietor, and has since been alone in business. The Herald is an eight-page paper published weekly, and is devoted to local interests and to the cause of Republicanism. It is an able journal, well edited, and has a large circula- tion, equal to that of any paper in the county.

On the 23d of December, 1879, Mr. Ross was united in marriage with Miss Martha Daniels, daughter of Samuel P. Daniels, a blacksmith, of Tipton, Iowa. She was born in Ohio, came to this State with her parents in her early girlhood, and when only fourteen years of age began teaching. In this work she was very successful, and is one of the cul- tured ladies of Eldora. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Ross, three sons and two daughters, who in order of birth are as follows: Clarence, Donald, Julia M., Ken- neth and Susie.

Mr. Ross has always taken a deep and commendable interest in all matters pertain- ing to the public good, and has contributed liberally to various enterprises for the public welfare. Through the columns of his paper he also advances public improvement, and is ever found on the side of progress. In this way he has also earnestly labored for the in- terests of the Republican party, but has never been a politician in the sense of office-seeking. He and his wife hold membership with the Congregational Church.

ON. SAMUEL MERVIN ENDI- COTT, one of the prominent adopted sons of Iowa, now representing his district in the Twenty-fourth General Assembly, has been a resident of Tama county since August, 1884, while his residence in the State dates from 1876. Mr. Endicott is a na- tive of Ohio, his birth having occurred in Ath- ens on the 3d of April, 1857. He is a de-

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scendant from the Endicott family that was long connected with Massachusetts history, and several of its members have been quite promi- nent in public affairs. The grandfather of our subject, Charles Endicott, was a native of the Bay State, whence he removed to Barnesville, Ohio, becoming one of the pioneer farmers of that locality.

The father, Washington Endicott, is still living in Athens, Ohio, at the age of seventy- five years. He has carried on agricultural pur- suits throughout his life, and is the owner of a good farm near Athens, whereon he makes his home. He has always been a loyal and de- voted citizen, true to the interests of his coun- try and his resident community, and the needy and distressed have ever found in him a friend. During the exciting period that preceded the Civil war his home was a station on the " un- derground railroad," and he has aided many a slave on his way to freedom. From its organ- ization he has been a stanch supporter of the Republican party, and is a man of high moral principle whose integrity has ever been above question and his life above reproach. His es- timable wife, who bore the maiden name of Susanna Hanson, is a member of the Friends' Society, to which her people have for several generations belonged.

This worthy couple were the parents of four sons and three daughters: Isaac, who at the age of eighteen joined the Union army as a member of Company I, One Hundred and Forty-sixth Ohio Infantry, and served throughout the war, is now engaged in farming at Plantsville, Ohio; Mary M. is the wife of S. A. Beatty, of Tama county; Hannah J. is the wife of W. W. Rar- din, of Athens county, Ohio; Charles E. car- ries on farming at Plantsville, Ohio; Samuel M. is the next younger; Washington I. is the editor of the Cedar Rapids Gazette, published in Cedar Rapids, Iowa; and Eliza M. is now deceased.

Mr. Endicott of this review spent his boy- hood days in the usual manner of farmer lads, assisting his father in the cultivation of the fields until nineteen years of age, and pursuing

his education in the common schools. He then came to Iowa in 1876 and began teaching school in Tama county, winning success in this undertaking, which he followed for four years. In 1880 he was appointed Deputy Postmaster of Traer, and filled that office for two years, but in the meantime took up the study of law and pursued his course under the direction of F. G. Clark, of Cedar Rapids. In 1883 he was admitted to the bar, and licensed to prac- tice by the Supreme Court of the State. In 1884 he opened an office at Traer and contin- ued alone in practice until October, 1894, when he admitted to a partnership in his busi- ness Charles A. Pratt, the firm name of Endi- cott & Pratt being assumed. This is one of leading law firms in this section of the State. Mr. Endicott has one of the best law libraries in the county. He has made his own way in the world through life, but the obstacles and difficulties which he has met have served to bring forth into prominence the resolute pur- pose and energy which are numbered among his chief characteristics.

When he arrived in Iowa he was $40 in debt. By plowing corn he made the money with which to pay this, and then resolutely set to work to make for himself a good home and securean honorable place in the business world. In his business career he follows the course that would undoubtedly be considered poor policy by many practitioners, but nevertheless it has won him the respect and gratitude of many, and these are to be valued far more than wealth. His plan is to advise arbitration wherever it is possible, and always to dissuade his clients from entering upon a trial unless they have a strong case. He is a capable law- yer and able advocate, and the bar of Iowa numbers him among its leading members.

In 1882 Mr. Endicott was united in mar- riage with Miss Emma J. Ellis, a native of Ohio and a daughter of Lorenzo and Mahala (Dougherty) Ellis, the former engaged in spec- ulation in the Buckeye State. Mrs. Endicott was educated in Warren, Ohio, and was living in that State at the time of her marriage.

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They have a very pleasant home in Traer, and their friends are many.

In politics Mr. Endicott is a stalwart Re- publican, having always supported that party. For several years he served as township Clerk, and on several occasions received the unani- mous vote. In 1893 he was elected a member of the Legislature by a majority of 110, although the county gave a majority of 103 to the Dem - ocratic nominee for governor. His personal popularity and his known reliability won himn this flattering support. In the House he has proved a most able member, working earnestly for the best interests of the people at large. He is chairman of the committee on enrolled bills, a member of the ways and means, of the judiciary and other committees, and takes a very active part in campaign and political work, being deeply interested in the success of his party, which recognizes in him a wise counselor and able leader. Socially he is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

ARCUS KAHLER, of the lumber firm of Kahler & Wood, Traer, Iowa, is a native of Schleswig-Hol- stein, Germany, and was born July 12, 1843. His parents were Fritz and Frede- ricka (Pommerenck) Kahler. The father was an officer under the German government for fifty-three years and was retired on a pension some years before his death. The mother also died in Germany. Our subject is one of a family of two sons and two daughters. Mr. Kahler's only brother was suffocated with gas in Traer, Iowa, while clerk in a dry-goods store. His sisters are Sophia, now the wife of Herinan Hulse, a commission merchant at Hamburg, Germany, and Julia, now Mrs. Schroder, who resides at' Neustadt, Holstein, Germany.

Marcus Kahler was educated at a private school and subsequently studied architecture for three years at Siegen, on the River Rhine. He then entered the German army as a volun- teer, serving in the artillery for twelve months,

after which he passed a Sergeant's examina- tion and was in the line of promotion to the position of Lieutenant. The army, however, did not suit this ambitious youth. He longed to possess a portion of this world's goods, and hearing of the advantages which were offered in America he decided to cross the ocean and try his fortune in this new land. Arriving here in 1869, he decided to locate among his own people, who had collected in a small settle- ment now known as Rheinbeck, Grundy coun- ty, Iowa. Here for four years he was em- ployed at the carpenter's trade, then removed to Waterloo, Iowa, where he kept books in an agricultural implement house for another four years.

In the spring of 1877 Mr. Kahler came to Traer, Iowa, and secured a position as teller in the .banking house of Brooks & Moore, where he remained for ten years, after which he engaged in the lumber business, at his pres- ent stand in company with Orrin Hartshorn. This partnership, however, had continued but one year, when Mr. Asa Ames entered the firm and two years later Mr. Lyman Wood was in- cluded in the partnership, which firm, passing under the name of Kahler & Wood, still exists. The business includes the handling of all kinds of lumber and building material, coal, lime, wood, cements, etc. By a course of fair deal- ing and generous behavior toward their pa- trons they have worked up a large and pros- perous business, which yields goodly returns.

In July, 1877, Mr. Kahler was united in marriage, at Waterloo, Iowa, to Miss Lena Kuehnle, a native of Dubuque, Iowa, daughter of C. F. Kuehnle, Jr., who is now a prominent attorney and banker at Denison, Iowa, and a law graduate of the Iowa State University.

Mr. and Mrs. Kahler have five living chil- dren and two deceased. The living are Hugo Victor, Waldo Emerson, Elsie, Gertrude and Herbert Bismarck.

Mr. Kahler is a member of the Knights of Pythias and Iowa Legion of Honor. In poli- tics he has ever been a Democrat, although not so " dyed in the wool" that a candidate's

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shortcomings would not influence his vote. Justice and fairness are his mottoes, and though slow to condemn, if the facts prove a serious charge against a man he abandons him then and there and nothing can change that de- cision. Well educated, refined and thoroughly informed on the topics of the day, he becomes naturally a leader among men. Especially is his influence felt among his own countrymen, who love the genial, whole-souled gentleman from whose hands they always receive most generous treatment.

EV. THOMAS MORGAN PRICE, pastor of the Congregational Church, of Iowa Falls, was born in Lansford, Carbon county, Pennsylvania, July

27, 1856. His parents, Morgan and Ann (Davis) Price, were both natives of England. The father followed a mercantile life for many years in Pennsylvania, but at the present time has retired from active business. The mother died in Lansford, Pennsylvania, in 1867.

The family of which our subject was a member consisted of four sons and two daugh- ters who are living, and one son who died in infancy. They are as follows: David, a mer- chant in Lansford, Pennsylvania; Isaac M., an attorney in Philadelphia; Thomas M., our subject; Reece, a tradesman in Pennsylvania; Joan, a resident of Lansford, Pennsylvania, and Margaret, who is married and also dwells in Lansford.

Mr. Price is the only representative of the family in the West. He was educated under private tutors, and while taking his college course was employed as a teacher. Follow- ing this he studied medicine for three years in the office of Dr. Davis, of Lansford, Penn- sylvania, and in 1880 entered the Theological Seminary at Hartford, Connecticut, where he completed a thorough preparatory course for the ministry. He was graduated in 1883, re- ceived his ordination in June, 1884, and im- mediately entered upon his ministerial duties.

His first call was at Agawam township,

Massachusetts, where he remained three years. The following three years were spent at Will- iamsburg, Massachusetts. In 1889 he came to Minneapolis and became the pastor of the church at Lake Minnetonka for two years.

In 1891 Mr. Price was stationed at Vern- dale, Minnesota, remaining there also three years, and in June, 1895, he was chosen as pastor of his present church at Iowa Falls, Iowa. His congregation numbers about 145 members. The church edifice, erected at a cost of $15,000, is handsomely furnished and commodious.

Mr. Price was married April, 1877, at Lansford, Pennsylvania, to Miss Mary P. Thomas, a native of Tamaqua, Pennsylvania, Schuylkill county. She was educated at Kings- ton Seminary, at Wilkesbarre, Pennsylvania. They have two sons and one daughter.

EV. MICHAEL MEAGHER, pastor of the St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church, of Ackley, Iowa, is a native of county Tipperary, Ireland, and was born February II, 1848; received his primary education at Mount Mallory Seminary, in the county of Waterford, Ireland; and subsequently entered All Hallows College, Dublin, at which popular institute he was graduated in 1874. This college is one of the best known halls of learning of its kind in the old world, and was es- tablished by Irish philanthropists especially for the education of young men for the church, the only conditions being that the graduates should, after finishing, emigrate to some foreign coun- try and enter the ministry of the Roman Cath- olic Church.

In 1874 Father Meagher emigrated to America, and was ordained by Bishop (now Archbishop) Hennessey, at Dubuque, Iowa. He became assistant pastor at Charles City, Iowa, for about eighteen months, when he was appointed pastor of Pleasant Grove Church, Dubuque, Iowa, Dubuque county, where he remained one year and a half. He was then called to take charge of the pastorate at Tama

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City, where he remained for ten years. He then demonstrated his ability as a financier, as well as a pastor, by paying off a heavy debt upon the church property, purchasing a parochial house, and in addition building a new church at Belle Plaine and establishing his parishes upon a prosperous basis.

In September, 1887, Father Meagher came to Ackley as pastor of the Roman Catholic Church here and began the erecting of a new brick edifice, at a cost of $13,000. He also built a handsome parochial residence of the same material in close proximity to the church, at a cost of $3, 500. This is not all, however, which he has accomplished in the eight years of his pastorate here. In connection with his other duties he has had the general superin- tendency of the Sacred Heart Academy, which institution is for the education of both Catholic and Protestant children, and embraces in its curriculum common-school branches, church history, etc. Then there is a musical depart- ment, with competent instructors for those who desire it. This school was opened in 1876, first in charge of the Sisters of the Presenta- tion; but two years later the Holy Cross Sisters of Notre Dame assumed control, re- maining also two years. Since 1883 the Sis- ters of Charity of Dubuque have managed the institution under the direction of their pastor.

The buildings and grounds are spacious and inviting, and are valued at about $30,000. For the instruction and edification of the people of Father Meagher's church, there are various organizations of a religious character: as the Ancient Order of Hibernians, of about twenty- five members, the president being Patrick Brannon; the Young Ladies' Sodality Society, organized in 1889, with a present membership of forty, the prefect or chief officer being Miss Gertie May; the Holy Name Society, for young men, is one of a restrictive character, wherein the initiate takes a vow to abstain from the use of profane language and as far as possible in- fluence others in that direction. The prefect of this society is Fred S. Esser. Over all of these organizations Father Meagher has a di-

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Memorial and biographical record of Iowa, Part 144

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