Memorial and biographical record of Iowa, Part 145

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

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rect supervision. He is much beloved by his parishioners and a great favorite with the young people, over whom he exerts a strong influence for good.

Father Meagher's parents died in the old country, but two brothers emigrated to Amer- ica and are now in business in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

J W. WELCH is a worthy representa- tive of an honored pioneer family of Iowa and is one of the veterans of the late war who valiantly aided the Union when the South attempted secession. He was born in Indiana, March 14, 1835, and is a son of James Welch, a native of Tennessee, who in 1830 removed to Indiana, where he settled on a farm and married Sarah Smith, a native of Kentucky. In 1856 he sold his prop- erty in the Hoosier State, and removed to Dallas county, Iowa, where he purchased land and spent the later years of his life in retire- ment, his death occurring in Adel. His widow is still living, at the advanced age of eighty- seven years, and makes her home with her son, J. W. She is still enjoying good health, but has lost her eyesight. In the family were nine children, six of whom are living and are now prosperous and highly respected people.

Our subject is third in order of birth of the surviving members of the family. The days of his childhood and youth were spent in his parents' home, and at the age of twenty he started out to inake his own way in the world, securing a position as engineer in Rushville, Illinois. In 1859 he came to Dallas county, Iowa, where his parents had previously lo- cated, and settled on a farm which he operated for two years.

He then returned to Illinois, working at the carpenter's trade for one year; but the Civil war was then in progress and he could not content himself with the pursuits of civil life when he thought that his country needed his services. On the 16th of August, 1862, he enlisted as a member of Company H, Sev-

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enty-second Illinois Infantry, and after three years' service was mustered out at Vicksburg, in November. 1865. With his regiment he participated in a number of important engage- ments, including the forty-days siege at Vicks- burg, the fourteen-days siege of Spanish Fort, in Mobile Bay, and the battles of Nashville and Franklin. At the last named a minie ball cut away one side of his mustache.

On receiving his discharge, Mr. Welch returned to Illinois, where he farmed for two years. In 1868 he again came to Iowa and followed the carpenter's trade in Dallas coun- ty, but while thus engaged, in September, 1877, he received a severe cut on the left knee from a sharp tool, which made the leg stiff. This led him to change his occupation, and in 1878 he went to Van Meter, where he engaged in the butchering business until 1883, when he sold his shop and bought out S. T. Akers, a dealer in groceries and provisions. On the night of the 4th of July, 1887, his store was completely destroyed by fire and would have been a total loss had he not had an insurance of $700 upon it. In 1889 he purchased a general store of J. A. Edwards, which he con- ducted until 1893, when he sold out and went to Valley Junction, Iowa, where he engaged in the butchering business for four months. Re- turning then to Van Meter, he has since lived a retired life, for his earnest labor and capable management in former years had brought to him a comfortable competence, which now supplies him with all the necessaries and some of the luxuries of life.

On the 31st of December, 1859, was cele- brated the marriage of Mr. Welch and Miss Leah Ann Working, a native of Pennsylvania, who was reared in Illinois, where the wedding took place. They now have three children: Ann S., born September 9, 1861; Hattie F., born February 27, 1867; and Edith E., born August 30, 1880. The first two are married, and the youngest daughter is now attending school. They also lost one daughter, Mar- garet L., who was born September 28, 1863, and died November 30, 1865.

In his political views Mr. Welch is a stanch Republican, unwavering in his support of the party. He has held various township offices, has served as Justice of the Peace, was Mayor of Van Meter, and during President Harrison's administration filled the office of Postinaster. His fidelity to duty is above question and he is one of the valued and public-spirited citizens of his adopted county. He attends the Meth- odist church, and socially is a member of Coon Valley Lodge, No. 257, I. O. O. F., and Van Meter Lodge, No. 18, K. of P., having filled all the offices in both organizations.

S MITH GREEN BLYTHE, M. D .- The successful practice of medicine demands decided taste and talent for the work, and that our subject has gained prominence in this calling shows that he possesses the necessary characteristics. He was born in the village of Cranbury, Middle- sex county, New Jersey, November 6, 1841, and is a son of Rev. Joseph W. Blythe, who was born in Lexington, Kentucky, in February, I 808.

The father was reared in the place of his nativity and after attending the comnion schools pursued a course in the Princeton Theological Seminary and also graduated at the Transyl- vania University, of Danville, Kentucky. He was a minister of the old-school Presbyterian Church, devoting his entire life to that holy calling. During the war he served as Chaplain of the United States hospitals in Jeffersonville and Madison, Indiana, and afterward became the first pastor of the Presbyterian Church at Charleston, Indiana, where his death occurred in 1875. He was twice married. In Lawrence- ville, New Jersey, he wedded Miss Ellen J. Green, and to them were born two sons and three daughters, who are yet living, namely: Margaret A., who now resides in Hartford, Connecticut; S. G., of this review; Ellen Hen- rietta, wife of James G. J. Campbell, of Mil- waukee, Wisconsin; Elizabeth Van Cleve, now of Hartford, Connecticut; and Joseph W., who

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is general solicitor of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy, and resides at Burlington, Iowa. After the death of his first wife Mr. Blythe was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Moore, of Hopewell, New Jersey, and to them were born four sons and five daughters, namely: Alice Carey, who is now living in Mason City, Iowa; Mary Moore, a twin sister of Alice, and the wife of Robert McElroy, of Springfield, Kentucky; James E., attorney, of Mason City, Iowa, and chairman of the State Republican committee; Thomas Moore, now a practicing physician, of Redlands, California; Samuel Davies, of Sioux City, Iowa; Mrs. Kate Slaugh- ter, also of Sioux City, and twin sister of Samuel; Anna, wife of E. J. Stason, an attorney, of Sioux City, Iowa; Charles, a commercial trav- eler, of Sioux City; and Sarah, a teacher in the Mason City public schools.

The paternal grandfather of our subject, Rev. James Blythe, was of Welsh descent, and was a minister of the old-school Presby- terian Church. For a number of years he acted as president of the Transylvania Univer- sity, of Danville, Kentucky, and also of Han- over College, in Indiana. On the maternal side the Doctor descends from English and Holland Dutch ancestry.

Our subject is the second surviving child and eldest son of his father's first marriage. He remained in the place of his nativity until fourteen years of age, attending the district and preparatory school, and after the removal of the family to Vincennes, Indiana, completed his preparatory course in the university of that State, graduating in the class of 1857. In the autumn of that year he entered the sophomore class of La Fayette College, in Easton, Penn- sylvania. At that institution he was graduated in the class of 1860, after which he took charge of a classical school in Belvidere, War- ren county, New Jersey. He continued among the ranks of the educators until the first call for troops was made to crush out the Rebellion in its infancy, when in 1861 he enrolled his name among the defenders of his country. His service was with Company D, First New Jer-

sey Infantry. He joined the army as a private but was made Sergeant before the troops left for the field. With his regiment he participated in the first battle of Bull Run. At the reor- ganization of the army under General McClel- lan, the First, Second and Third Regiments of New Jersey were formed into a brigade un- der the command of Philip Kearney, after- ward becoming the First Brigade of the First Division of the Sixth Army Corps. Mr. Blythe was promoted to the rank of Second Lieuten- ant of Company A, First New Jersey Infantry: on the 24th of March, 1862, was made First Lieutenant of Company F of the same regi- ment, and on the 29th of November, 1862, was commissioned Captain of Company F, in which capacity he served until the 23d of June, 1864, when he was honorably discharged on account of disability occasioned by wounds previously received. He was first wounded at the battle of Salem Heights by a minie ball, May 3, 1863, and again at the battle of the Wilderness, May 5, 1864. He took part in every battle in which his regiment participated from the first engagement at Bull Run until after the battle of the Wilderness, excepting only the battle of Gettysburg.

After his discharge from the army, Captain Blythe returned to his father's home in Indiana, and for a time engaged in teaching school. He also took up the study of medi- cine, to which he gave his close and earnest attention. His residence in Iowa dates from the 18th of February, 1867, when he located in Vinton and engaged in practice, making his home there until 1869, when he opened an office in Rudd, Floyd county, Iowa. He con- tinued in that place until the Ist of January, 1873, since which time he has been numbered along the successful practitioners of Nora Springs. He is a graduate of the Bellevue Hospital Medical College, of New York, and attended lectures at the Medical College of Ohio at Cincinnati. He holds a membership in the Iowa State Medical Society, and the Austin Flint Medical Society of Northern Iowa, and is an able representative of his pro-

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fession, now enjoying a large and lucrative practice.

Socially, the Doctor is connected with the Knights of Pythias fraternity. He also belongs to Gardner Post, No. 90, G. A. R., has filled all of its offices, and has several times been its Commander. In politics he is an unswerving Republican, and served as one of the Presi- dential Electors in 1880. He has three times been Mayor of Nora Springs, and at the head of the city government materially advanced the interests of his fellow townsmen, whose confi- dence in his powers as a chief executive was demonstrated by his long service. He was also Justice of the Peace for many years.

In July, 1863, Dr. Blythe was united in marriage with Miss Emily Gill Sharp, a native of Belvidere, New Jersey, and a daughter of Jacob R. and Hannah (Longstreet) Sharp. They had a family of ten children, but only four are now living, namely: Emily Margaret, wife of Rev. Thomas J. Woodcock, pastor of the Congregational Church, of Lakeview, Iowa; Hannah Longstreet, a student in the junior class of Carlton College, of Northfield, Minne- sota; Redford V. C., a student in Nora Springs Seminary; and Winford V. D., also in Nora Springs Seminary.

S AMUEL HUMES WATSON. - In the death of this gentleman Vinton lost one of its most prominent and honored citizens, and another name was added to the list of those whose life rec- ords closes with the words "well done." No single individual has done more than did Mr. Watson for the upbuilding and advancement of the city in which he made his home. By the establishment of various enterprises and industries he promoted the material welfare and prosperity of the city, and with a liberal hand gave to various interests from which he could derive no personal benefit, but those that would prove helpful to his fellow towns- men or to Vinton. His public and private career were alike above reproach, and his name

was synonomous with honorable dealing and irreproachable integrity. Best of all, he was a self-made man, and his life demonstrates what can be accomplished through enterprise, perseverance and industry, and should serve as a source of inspiration and encouragement to others.

Mr. Watson was born in Ohio county, West Virginia, on the 3d of July, 1828, and was a son of Joshua P. and Martha (Humes) Wat- son, natives of Virginia. In 1833 his father located with his family in New Athens, Ohio, and about two years later in Harrisville, Har- rison county, Ohio, where he engaged in the mercantile trade, continuing in the same many years. In 1856 he turned his attention to the banking business, which he successfully car- ried on until his death. As long as the Whig party had an existence he gave it his support, Henry Clay, one of its great leaders, being with him an ideal statesman. He was also a consistent member of the Presbyterian Church. Beginning life poor, by industry and economy he accumulated a large property. The mother of Samuel died in 1835, and his father subse- quently twice married. Few women were more highly respected and loved by those who knew her than his mother.

When his father located in Ohio, Samuel was but five years of age; the country was new and the hardships of pioneer life had to be endured. In the old brick school-house near his home he received his first instruction, attended school for about three months in a year and during the remainder of the time as- sisting in the rendering establishment of his father, and finally taking complete charge of the same. At that time country merchants engaged more or less extensively in packing pork, and Mr. Watson's father was thus en- gaged. When about fifteen years of age our subject had the privilege of attending a school for some months kept by James Wollerton, a thoroughly educated man and a. graduate of one of the Eastern colleges. Mr. Wollerton some time previously had embraced the Mor- mon faith and gone to Nauvoo, Illinois, to re-

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side, but becoming dissatisfied returned to Ohio and was engaged to teach the school at Harrisville, in which Mr. Watson pursued the studies of arithmetic, algebra and surveying. At the age of eighteen he took entire charge of his father's mercantile business, which he con- tinued to manage until 1856.

In the meantime Mr. Watson was married. In 1849 was celebrated the wedding which se- cured him as a companion and helpmeet on life's journey Miss Emeline Perrine, daughter of Peter W. and Elizabeth (Hopper) Perrine, of Harrisville, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Watson had seven children, viz .: William P., who married Laura Kendall, and they have one son, Pearl; Peter W., who married Blanche Hughes, and they have three children,-Sam- uel H., Ralph and Leah L., but the father died in October, 1884, at the age of thirty-one years; Clara died March 11, 1880; Clifford married Flora Kreader, and they have one child; Frank married Libbie Burnham, and they have one son, Peter W .; Lillian died at the age of thirteen years; and Estella H. com- pletes the family.

In the spring of 1856 Mr. Watson aban- doned his business interests in Ohio, and came to Iowa to seek a location. After visiting various places he decided to make Vinton his home and at once brought his family to this city, which, however, was at that time a small village containing only two or three hundred inhabitants but giving promise of a bright future. Surrounded by a rich agricultural country it could not long remain unsettled. Mr. Watson had at that time only a small capital, but in connection with Judge Samuel Douglas he embarked in the banking business and the firm of Douglas & Watson continued operations until 1861, when the Judge retired, after which Mr. Watson was alone until 1865. In that year the bank was merged into the First National Bank of Vinton, with H. D. Gay, president; and S. H. Watson, cashier. The capital stock was $50,000. In 1869 it surrendered its charter as a national bank, Mr. Watson succeeding to the business. In

1872 he associated with himself in the enter- prise his sons, William P. and Peter W., and subsequently admitted his sons, Clifford and Frank, and under the firm name of S. H. Wat- son & Sons the business is still conducted. The bank is not only one of the oldest in this section of the country, but is regarded as one of the most reliable, and is doing a large and satisfactory business.

Success crowned the efforts of Mr. Watson in every particular and it was the success that results from capable management, the honest pursuit of a persistent purpose, resolute energy and sound judgment. In this way he kept adding to his possessions from time to time until he had accumulated a large property, and at the same time he won and retained the respect and confidence of his fellow citizens. In every enterprise tending to advance the best interests of Vinton, he was actively en- gaged and did much toward promoting com- mercial activity. He erected several val- uable buildings and established a number of manufacturing . enterprises. He erected the bank building and Watson's opera house, also another substantial business block. He was instrumental in establishing the S. H. Watson Canning Company, having a plant valued at $30,000, and doing business amounting to $60,000 a year. This is still successfully car- ried on by his sons. In 1885, he, with sev- eral others, established the Vinton Washing Machine Factory, with a cash capital of about $20,000, and it also has become one of the important industrial concerns of the city, now furnishing employment to many men.

The cause of education found in Mr. Wat- son a warm and faithful friend, and he was treasurer of the College for the Blind for eighteen years. Religiously he was connected with the First Presbyterian Church of Vinton, his wife being also a member of that body. This church he helped very materially to build, and in 1886 he supplied it with a fine pipe organ, costing $2, 500, built by Johnson & Son, of Westfield, Massachusetts. In politics lie was a Republican, identified with the party

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from its organization. During the war he was a stanch union man, did much toward secur- ing enlistments, and otherwise aided in the suppression of the rebellion. He was ever recognized as a loyal, devoted citizen, pre- eminently public-spirited and devoted to the public welfare as well as that of the resident community. He passed away at his home in Vinton after a useful and honorable career of sixty-seven years, August 7, 1895. Mrs. Watson, a most estimable lady, whose circle of friends is extensive, still occupies the ele- gant home left her by her husband.

ILLIAM PERRINE WATSON .- The name of Watson has been prominently connected with com- mercial circles in Iowa for more than a third of a century, and its present rep- resentative has a record which fully sustains the honorable reputation attached thereto. His superior business ability has been demonstra- ted by his success which has secured him a place in the foremost ranks among the leaders in business life in Benton county, and to-day he is prominently connected with its banking and manufacturing interests.

Mr. Watson is a native of Harrison coun- ty, Ohio, born November 1, 1850, and is a son of Samuel H. Watson, now deceased, who for many years was one of the most promi- nent and progressive citizens of this locality. The son was only six years of age when he accompanied his parents to Vinton. Having acquired his preliminary education in the public schools, he entered the University of Mt. Vernon, Iowa, where he pursued his studies for some time. In 1868 he took a commercial course which fitted him for life's practical and re- sponsible duties, and he laid aside his text-books to learn the lessons in the school of experience. He became bookkeeper in the Watson Bank of Vinton, and was afterward made assistant cashier, in which capacity he served until 1881. At that time he took charge of the business of the Cedar Valley Packing Com-

pany, of Vinton, which concern had been or- ganized by his father and sons. He is also extensively interested and is the present mana- ger in the canning factory, which commands a very large trade. The company was organized in 1878, and the institution has become one of the most important industries of Vinton. His two brothers gave their attention to the banking business of S. H. Watson & Sons.

Our subject displays excellent managerial and executive ability. It takes a broad and comprehensive mind to successfully control and guide extensive business interests; but Mr. Watson is fully equal to the task, and to-day is at the head of successful, industries which add not only to his individual prosperity but also promote the material welfare of the com- munity. He is also largely interested in real estate, the Watson brothers owning nearly 4,000 acres of land in Benton county.

In 1873 Mr. Watson was united in mar- riage with Miss Laura Kendall, a native of Ohio, and the second daughter of Benjamin Kendall, of Vinton. They have one child, Pearl H., and in social circles they occupy a very enviable position, having the warm regard of many friends. Mr. Watson is a member of Vinton Lodge, No. 63, A. F. & A. M .; Ado- niram Chapter, R. A. M., and Cyprus Com- mandery, No. 37, K. T .-- all of Vinton; and De Molay Consistory, No. I, of Lyons.

ON. CATO SELLS is one of the ablest members of the bar of Iowa. Native talent and acquired ability have won him eminence, and the pro- fession and the public both accord him a lead- ing place in the ranks of the legal fraternity. Thoroughly conversant with the law in its various departments and familiar with its sub- tleties, he is both a student and a worker, pos- sessing that dauntless energy without which one must fail of success in any line of en- deavor. The people of his native State honor him, and this volume would be incomplete

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without the life record of the United States District Attorney for the Northern District of Iowa, -- Cato Sells. Although now a resident of Vinton, it was in La Porte City that he be- gan the battle of life, and amidst great trial and much privation built the foundation for his successful career. He was born in Vinton, October 6, 1859. His father, Captain G. W. Sells, was a lawyer of marked ability, and was for many years the law partner of ex-Governor Sherman. The family removed from Vinton to La Porte City, during the boyhood days of our subject, and Captain Sells was engaged in the practice of his profession in that place un- til his death in December, 1873. The death of the father left the mother and three chil- dren with but limited means, and the support of the family devolved upon Cato, then a boy of thirteen.

Immediately after his father's death he was given employment as clerk in the B. S. Stan- ton hardware store, and to the fatherly care and kind encouragement of his generous em- ployer he attributes much of his subsequent success. He remained with Mr. Stanton con- tinuously for three years, excepting through the winter months, when, through the kind- ness of his employer, he was permitted to at- tend school, and worked in the store only out of school hours, but without any reduction in his salary.

When sixteen years old, he entered Cor- nell College at Mount Vernon, on money saved during his clerkship, and by acting as superin- tendent of the college boarding hall managed to meet the expenses of a course in that school. Returning to LaPorte in 1878 he entered the office of ex-Judge C. A. Bishop, now of Des Moines, but at that time a resident attorney of La Porte, and took up the study of law. From his earliest boyhood he had been am- bitious to become a member of the legal pro- fession and all of his work and study up to this time had been but the primary means used to attain a realization of that ambition. He was an especially bright student, and by per- sistent application made rapid progress in his

legal studies. He was wide-awake and ob- servant of everything bearing upon the prac- tice and keenly alert in his application to the office duties of his preceptor, thus gaining much valuable information not to be found in the text-books. After devoting two years to the study he submitted to the examination as prescribed by the laws of the State, and, pass- ing with credit, was granted a license as a member of the bar of Iowa.

He first engaged in practice in La Porte City in 1880, and was for a time associated with his former preceptor. Very early in life Mr. Sells gave evidence of those sterling quali- ties which have since won for him such pro- nounced success in his chosen profession. From the beginning of his career as an attor- ney it was evident to his many friends that he possessed in a marked degree the distinguish- ing features of the true lawyer. With a naturally bright intellect, he was a deep thinker, a keen reasoner and assiduous stu- dent, a close observer of men and a brilliant orator. He was honorable, courageous, am- bitious and able from boyhood, and these characteristics have predominated during his successful career.

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Memorial and biographical record of Iowa, Part 145

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