Memorial and biographical record of Iowa, Part 147

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

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Mr. McEniry is a native of Illinois, his birth having occurred on the 11th of October, 1850, in Moline, where his father, William McEniry, had located in 1841. The latter was born in Ireland in 1816, and in 1840 sailed from the Emerald Isle to the New World. In 1847 he returned to his native land, where he married Elizabeth Coughlin. whom he brought as a bride to his new home. They reared a family who became intelligent and useful citizens, namely: Mrs. T. Dwyre, whose husband is one of the most prominent citi- zens of Dwyre, St. Louis county, Missouri; M. F., of this review; John, who is a clerk in the Moline post-office; M. J., an attorney and postmaster of Moline, Illinois; William, who is engaged in the practice of law in Rock Island, Illinois; and Molly. The father of this family voted with the Democracy, but took no active part in public affairs. His death oc- curred in 1873.

Our subject acquired his early education in the common schools and completed it by study in the academy of LaSalle, Illinois. At the age of seventeen he joined his father in his farming operations, and continued under the parental roof until twenty-five years of age, when he established a home of his own by his marriage, in December, 1875, to Miss Kate Fitzharris, whose father, James Fitzharris, was born in Ireland. She died in May, 1888, leav- ing three bright boys, -William, Frank and Gregory. In April, 1890, in Taylor county, Iowa, Mr. McEniry was again married, his second union being with Miss Margaret, daugh- ter of Patrick Slattery, who came from Canada to Taylor county in 1878 and is a prosperous farmer of that community. Three children grace the second union,-John, Marie and Eugene.

In the spring of 1879 Mr. McEniry came to Iowa and purchased a small farm in Adams county, for he had but limited means. He is

to-day the owner of 320 acres of rich and arable land, which is under a high state of cul- tivation and improved with all the accessories and conveniences of a model farm. For some years he successfully engaged in general farming and stock-raising, and his capable efforts and enterprise enabled him to extend the boundaries of his place and add to it the many improvements which have largely in- creased its value and attractive appearance. In 1890 he laid aside agricultural pursuits and removing to Lenox opened a lumber-yard, which he conducted until April, 1894, when he sold to A. S. Brown. Since that time he has engaged in no business enterprises, but is enjoying the fruits of his former toil and the rest he richly deserves.

Mr. McEniry owns a handsome residence in Lenox, and his deep interests center in his home and family, doing all in his power to promote their welfare and enhance their hap- piness. He is providing his children with ex- cellent educational privileges, that they may be fitted for the more difficult lessons of life which are learned in the school of experience. In his political views Mr. McEniry is a Demo- crat, and is numbered among the most promi- nent members of his party in Taylor county. His counsel is often sought on matters per- taining to the interests of Democracy, and he is justly numbered among its leaders. He has acted as chairman of the county conventions, and was a delegate to one of the State con- ventions, that nominated Governor Boies. His views on the monetary interests are in accord- ance with those of President Cleveland, of whose policy he is a warm advocate.

e LMER L. COFFEEN, principal of the public schools of Waukon, Iowa, was born in Fond du Lac county, Wisconsin, on the Ist of February, 1869, and is a son of Hiram L. and Rosina Arvilla (Whitford) Coffeen. His early educa- tion was obtained in the schools of Decorah, Iowa, which rank in excellence with the best

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in the State. When his studies there were completed he entered upon a commercial course in Slack's Business College at Decorah and was thus fitted for life's practical duties. He has throughout his business career devoted his energies to teaching. It is doubtful whether there is a profession more beneficial to man- kind. Many of the most prominent men of the nation attribute their success largely to the practical lessons which they mastered in the school-room and to the careful guidance and encouragement of instructors in their early years.

Mr. Coffeen's first experience as a teacher was in the schools of Freeport, Iowa, where, in January, 1887, he was employed as his father's assistant. The following September he was elected principal of the schools of Le- roy, Minnesota, and remained in that position for two years, giving good satisfaction and largely advancing the standard of the school, which at the time of his taking charge was in a very poor condition. With characteristic en- ergy he began the work of improvement, suc- ceeding in introducing much needed reforms and instituting more thorough methods and establishing a regular course of study which would compare favorably with any of the schools in the State.

In September, 1889, Mr. Coffeen entered the sophomore class of the Latin classical course at Carleton College, of Northfield, Minnesota, where four years later he was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Let- ters. During this time he taught one year at the Decorah Institute, at Decorah, Iowa. In Sep- tember, 1893, Professor Coffeen was elected principal of the Waukon public schools, a po- sition which he has filled consecutively with credit to himself and satisfaction to his fellow townsmen. These schools were graded in 1879 and the course comprises four years' work in the high school. The people demand that their schools shall be kept fully abreast of the times, and as this is right in line with the progressive spirit of the principal the work now being accomplished is a inost

commendable one. On account of the high standard of the schools it requires a man of no small ability to fill the position which he occu- pies. Since taking charge he has introduced several important changes in the texts and has brought about the consolidation of the Young Men's Temperance Library with the High School Library, thus making a collection of 640 volumes of well-selected literature. The library is located in the high-school building, thus being easy of access to the students. Professor Coffeen was the first to institute a system of military drills into the schools of Allamakee, a work that has proven very popu- lar as well as beneficial. He realizes that the best inental work is secured through a vigor- ous, alert body, and thus advocates the physical exercise brought about through the drills, which also cultivate attention and promptness and regularity. He has succeeded in establishing a laboratory for the aid of the study of the sciences, and has made many minor revisions in the course of study, which certainly have been very helpful in keeping the Waukon schools in their leading position among the foremost schools of the State. That his methods have proven highly success- ful and satisfactory is shown by the increased attendance, which will soon necessitate more commodious quarters. In fact so large is now the attendance that the subject of an ad- ditional school building is being discussed with a view to its erection in the near future.

The Professor is justly recognized as one of the leading educators of the State, and,; al- though a young man, ranks with many much older in years and experience. He believes in making teaching a profession and not a step- ping-stone to some other calling. He is a fine disciplinarian, has good executive qualities and is careful as to detail. He also endeavors to surround the pupils with a healthy intellectual and moral atmosphere. He keeps thoroughly in touch with the methods of others, and with the progress which marks his profession through the reading of the literature connected there with. He is himself a deep student, contin-

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ually broadening his mind by investigation in the fields of literature and science. He has always taken a deep interest in economic and social problems, and during his college course he gave particular attention to this line of study, while yet it is a matter of great interest to him. Advancement is his watchword and Excelsior his motto.

Professor Coffeen was inarried on the 27th of December, 1893, to Miss Mabel Roy, daughter of Charles Roy, of Leroy, Minne- sota. Their only child, Carl Roy Coffeen, was born in Waukon, October 21, 1894. /

Our subject was reared a Congregation- alist, but on coming to this place, as there was no society of his denomination. he united with the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. He is now serving as Superintendent of the Sunday-school and is an efficient and valued assistant in the church work. He is liberal in his views, according to all the right of free thought and opinion. He is Vice Chancellor of Bayard Lodge, No. 121, K. of P., of Waukon.

RANCIS MARION BROWN, pension attorney, real-estate, loan and insur- ance agent of Greenfield, was born in Iowa during Territorial days, his birth having occurred in Clinton county on the 5th of April, 1845. His parents, Hiram and Car- oline (Dawson) Brown, were natives of New York, and in 1842 emigrated to Iowa. The father drove across the country with a team, and on reaching his destination traveled through this State selling clocks, making his headquar- ters at Dubuque, and later at Davenport, Iowa. Subsequently he located in Clinton county, where he purchased an unimproved tract of land and began the development of a farm. He also made his home in De Witt for a time and was elected County Assessor, and subse- quently filled the office of Sheriff, discharging his duties with a promptness and fidelity which won him high commendation. He was also Postmaster of Orange. Returning to his farm

he was for many years engaged in agricultural pursuits, and was recognized as one of the leading farmers of the community. He re- moved to Guthrie county, where he also pur- chased a tract of land which he yet owns, although he makes his home in Norfolk, Ne- braska. His wife is also living and has now reached the age of seventy-two years. Hiram Brown was a stanch Democrat, and in all the relations of life has been an honorable, up- right man, winning the esteem of those with whom business or social relations have brought him in contact.

In the family of Mr. and Mrs. Brown were two sons and four daughters, of whom Francis M. is the eldest. The others are William A., who carries on farming near Norfolk, Nebraska; Emma C., wife of Frank Smith, a resident of Sioux City, Iowa; Ella, Carrie and Hattie.

The childhood and youth of Mr. Brown were passed upon the old home farm. Iowa was in a measure at that time a frontier re- gion, and he has been a witness of much of its development and upbuilding. He acquired his education in the schools of Mount Vernon, Iowa, and Mount Carroll, Illinois, and when his literary education was completed, took up the study of law in Clinton county, in the office of Captain N. A. Merrill, of De Witt. He was admitted to the bar in Clinton, Iowa, in 1874, but about the same time became quite seriously ill and has never since fully re- covered his health. In the fall of 1874 he came to Greenfield, where he has since been successfully engaged in business, as a real-es- tate, loan and insurance agent. He also does an abstract business, and as a pension attorney has an extensive clientage. Another industry has long since engrossed a part of the time and attention of Mr. Brown. When a boy of twelve years he began raising blooded chickens and has since continued the business with the exception of the period when ill health pre- vented. He now makes a specialty of the Golden Polish breed and has had on hand as many as nine different varieties of fine chick- ens, which he has exhibited at fairs through-

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out the State for many years. In 1888 he began to act as judge of poultry and to the posi- tion of poultry judge was appointed by the superintendent of that division of the State Agricultural Society. He has also been judge of the poultry at the Blue Grass Palace from the beginning, and has written many able articles for publication on the subject of raising chick- ens. His study and care of these little do- mestic fowls has made him very fond of them and he is thoroughly conversant with their habits and needs.

On the 26th of December, 1875, Mr. Brown was united in marriage with Miss Sadie E. Dew, a native of Macomb, Illinois, and a daughter of John M. Dew, who was for some years a hotel-keeper in Greenfield. His wife bore the maiden name of Frances H. Ray and was a native of West Virginia. Mr. and Mrs. Brown now have two sons,-Floyd M. and Irwin D. They have a pleasant home in · Greenfield, which was erected by Mr. Brown.

In politics he is a Republican, and is a prominent and influential citizen, who served as Mayor of Greenfield, as Justice of the Peace, and for twelve years as a member of the School Board. He has been a prominent factor in the promotion of educational, busi- ness and public interests, and one of the most highly respected citizens of Greenfield is Fran- cis M. Brown.

ATHER JOHN TEGELER, who now has charge of the Catholic congrega- tion in Dallas township, Marion coun- ty, was born in New Vienna, Iowa, March 19, 1859. His parents, Gerhard H. and Frances (Belm) Tegeler, were both natives of the little town of Thine, Alfhausen, Ger- many. The father was born on the 18th of January, 1827, and in his youth learned the plasterer's trade, which he followed for many years. At the age of twenty he sought a home in America, and settled in Quincy, Illinois, where he was married to Frances Belm early in 1852. In September, 1854, he took up his

residence in Dyersville, Iowa, where he is now living retired. His wife, born on the 24th of August, 1824, is also yet living. They had a family of eight children: Henry, who married Miss Anna Burkle, is a fariner and school- teacher, and resides in Dubuque county, Iowa; Barney is deceased; Kate is the wife of G. W. Sudmeir, a farmer of Petersburg, Delaware county, Iowa; Gerhard J. married Miss Anna Brumsmann, and carries on agricultural pur- suits in Delaware county; Barney, the second of the name, married Miss Theresa Beckman, and follows farming in Dubuque county, Iowa; our subject is the next younger; Joseph J. wedded Miss Maggie Eilers, and owns and operates a tract of land in Dubuque county; Lewis, also a farmer of Dubuque county, mar- ried Miss Mary Steffen.

Father Tegeler attended St. Joseph's Col- lege of Dubuque, Iowa, where he pursued a classical course, and also spent two years in study in Mount Calvary, Wisconsin. He stud- ied theology at Cape Girardeau, Missouri, com- pleting the course in May, 1890, and on the 30th of the same month was ordained for the priesthood by the Right Rev. H. Cosgrove, of Davenport, Iowa. Soon after he was given charge of St. Joseph's Church at Bauer, where he has since remained, also having charge of the church at Rosemount. The congregation at the former place numbers forty families, and at the latter forty-five families. A beautiful church building has been erected at Bauer, and the church work is now in a thriving con- dition. Father Tegeler is a great favorite among his people, and highly respected by all who know him. In politics he is a Democrat, and is a man of broad general information,-a scholarly and highly esteemed gentleman.

RANK EBER PALMER, A. B., super- intendent of the city schools of Green- field, Iowa, is one of the well known educators in the central portion of the State, and his high reputation as an instructor is well deserved.

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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL

He is numbered among the native sons of Iowa, his birth having occurred in Jones county September 24, 1863. The ancestry of the family is traced back to England, and the paternal grandfather of our subject was a direct descendant of Ethan Allen, the honored hero of the Revolution. Both the paternal and maternal grandfathers of Mr. Palmer were liv- ing at the time of the Civil war, and were ardent supporters of the Union cause, fre- quently aiding the families of soldiers at the front. The grandfather Palmer is numbered among the pioneers of Jones county, Iowa, having located there when but one log house marked the site of the present city of Monti- cello. He had served as a soldier in the British army during the war of 1812, being at that time a resident of Canada, but his sym- pathies were with the Americans and it was with reluctance that he obeyed the command to enter the English army. He lived to the advanced age of nearly ninety years. His father had been one of the heroes of the Revo- lution, enlisting from Vermont, and being wounded in battle he carried a British musket ball in his body to the day of his death. The maternal grandfather of Mr. Palmer also at- tained to a very advanced age. He had one son who was killed at the battle of Shiloh dur- ing the Civil war; and it will thus be seen that both sides of the house were well represented in the various wars in which this country has been engaged.

The parents of our subject were Stephen Alfred and Angeline (Bennett) Palmer. The father was born in Genesee county, New York, in 1836, and the mother was a native of Sum- mit county, Ohio. They became pioneer settlers of Jones county, Iowa, were promi- nently identified with its development and up- building, and continued to make their home there until 1882, when they removed to Grin- nell, Poweshiek county. There the mother died on the 9th of May, 1894, at the age of fifty-eight years, seven months and twenty- four days. They were the parents of eleven children, ten of whom are living, namely :

George A., a farmer residing near Grinnell, Iowa; Martha C., wife of H. T. Hicks, a farmer of Delaware county, Iowa; Almond E., who occupies.the chair of elocution in Washburn College, of Topeka, Kansas; Frank E., of this review; Ashley B., who is engaged in the prac- tice of dentistry in Newton, Iowa; Charles A., a dentist of Grinnell; Mary A., wife of C. C. Keister, a boot and shoe dealer of Grinnell; Emma, who died at the age of two years; Willard G., who is clerking in Mr. Keister's store; and Nellie and Trula I., who are gradu- ates of the Grinnell high school, and are now at home with their father, who resides in that city.

Frank E. Palmer spent his boyhood days under the parental roof, and acquired his ele- mentary education in the public schools of the neighborhood. After the removal of the fam- ily to Grinnell he became a student in Iowa College, and was graduated on the completion of the classical and didactic courses with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. While a student in Iowa College he taught as an undergrad- uate, having charge of classes in algebra and geometry. He also taught two terms in the country schools of Poweshiek county prior to his graduation, and in the fall of 1888 he was elected principal of the city schools at Spirit Lake, Iowa, a position which he acceptably filled for three years. He then received a call to the principalship and superintendency of the schools of Guthrie Center, and with the in- ducement of a higher salary he accepted the offer in 1891, and was for three years at the head of the schools in that place. Again he obtained an increase in salary when he became superintendent of the schools of Greenfield. Here he has charge of two buildings, compris- ing nine departments with nine assistant teach- ers. The school curriculum is of a high or- der, its graduates being admitted to the State University with but little or no additional preparation. Mr. Palmer has been elected as superintendent for the succeeding school year with a liberal increase in salary. The standard of excellence of the Greenfield schools

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RECORD OF IOWA.

has been raised considerably since he took charge, and his able administration has won high commendation. He is a very successful Normal Institute instructor, and lecturer upon educational subjects, and has been employed in nine county normal institutes in this State.

Mr. Palmer was united in marriage with Miss May Lennon, daughter of Captain P. H. Lennon, of Guthrie Center, Iowa, and they now have one child, a daughter, Lorna Ange- line, who was born in Guthrie Center, on the 3Ist of August, 1894. The parents occupy an enviable position in social circles, and are most highly esteemed people.

Mr. Palmer is connected with the Knights of Pythias fraternity, holding membership in the lodge in Spirit Lake, and his religious re- lations are with the Methodist Episcopal Church. His wife, however, is a member of the Presbyterian Church. In his political views he is a stanch Republican, having warm- ly advocated that party since casting his first presidential vote for "the Plumed Knight," James G. Blaine. He has never sought or de- sired political preferment, however, content to give his time and attention to his professional interests, in which he has met with signal suc- cess. He is a respected citizen, a man of more than average ability, and with his high and laudable ambition and straightforward, inanly course must attain to a high place in his pro- fession.

S AMUEL FISK FARNHAM .- For twenty years and over this gentle- man has been a potent factor in Charles City, Iowa. His influence has been felt for good along educational lines, on the side of moral reform, in all public en- terprises of benefit to the city, and especially in financial circles.

Samuel Fisk Farnham was born in Somer- set, Maine, May 23, 1846, son of Samuel and Eliza C. Robinson Farnham, natives of the Pine Tree State. The Farnhams are of Eng- lish extraction. Their advent in America was

during Colonial times and their first settlement at Andover, New Hampshire. Great-grand- father Ralph Farnham was a Revolutionary soldier, and his son Samuel, our subject's grandfather, served in the war of 1812. This Samuel Farnham moved from New Hampshire to Maine about the year 1800, where he en- gaged in farining and where he died about 1827. At the time of his death his son Sam- uel was a lad of ten years, and besides there were three other sons and three daughters in the family. Samuel, when he grew up, early gave his attention to lumbering in Maine; later he settled down to the quiet of farm life, and still resides in his native State. Both he and his good wife are well advanced in years. They are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, have long been active workers in the same, and are among the most highly respect- ed people of their community. The children born to themn are seven in number, and as follows : Samuel F .; John W., a farmer of Rockford, Iowa; Frank A., deceased, left a widow and three children in Maine; Addie, de- ceased wife of the Rev. T. F. Millett; Eliza O., deceased; Charles A., a farmer of Pitts- field, Maine; and Mary A., wife of H. A. Bennett, resides at Danforth, Maine.

Samuel F. Farnham is what may be termed a self-made man, he having started out at the age of sixteen and made his own way in the world. Until he was sixteen he worked on his father's farm and attended the common schools. When he launched out on his own responsibility his first object was to secure an education. But first he must earn the money with which to pay his way. He taught school at intervals and worked in sawmills and pur- sued his studies whenever opportunity offered, and at the age of twenty-four we find him a graduate of Wesleyan College, in Maine, and with about $1,000 which he had saved from his earnings. After his graduation he accepted a position as superintendent of the schools of Old Town, Maine, which he filled acceptably five years.

At the end of this time, in July, 1875, he

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came out to Charles City, Iowa, to look after some real estate, he having previously invested here. A teacher was then wanted to fill the position of superintendent in the Charles City schools, and Mr. Farnham was induced to re- sign his position at Old Town and accept the one here. During the five years following his graduation he had by careful economy and judicious investment increased his $1,000 to $5,000, and at the end of his school year in Charles City he turned his attention to bank- ing, organizing the Charles City National Bank. It was established with a capital stock of $50,000, which was subsequently increased to $100,000, did a successful business, paid its dividends regularly and accumulated a surplus of $20,000. During the first nine years Mr. Farnham was cashier, the next seven years was president, and all along was one of its heaviest stockholders. In 1893 he sold his stock and retired from the bank. Throughout the whole of his residence here he has been more or less interested in real estate, and outside the bank he did a large brokerage and investment busi- ness. He was one of the organizers of, and originally the largest stockholder in, the Charles City Water Power Company, and he was one of the originators of the Electric Light & Power Company. Nor have his operations been confined to this city. He put in and owns the electric-light plant at Hampton, Iowa. He is a stockholder in the Denver Savings Bank, Denver, Colorado; in the Dakotas he has large tracts of land, and has improved farming land near Charles City and in the city valuable property, including business blocks and resi- dences.

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Memorial and biographical record of Iowa, Part 147

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