Memorial and biographical record of Iowa, Part 153

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

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Mr. Nesselroad was commissioned Post- master at Guthrie Center on the 2d of August, 1894, and took possession of the office on the Ist of September, following. This appoint- ment possesses a peculiar feature, probably not duplicated in any presidential office in the United States, as at the time of his appoint- ment he was not a resident of the precinct, living four miles distant. The recommenda- tion was refused by the Postmaster General on that ground, and went to the President on ap- peal. That official made the appointment with- out the formal recommendations of the head of that department, and it was confirmed by the Senate. Republicans and Democrats were alike in favor of Mr. Nesselroad, and the careful, competent and obliging administration of the office justifies this confidence.

He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and a leader in the Demo- cratic party, well known throughout the Ninth Congressional District. For twenty-two years he has been a member of the Disciples' Church, in which he is a zealous and earnest worker, and his wife is also a faithful member of the same.

J AMES B. BROWN, Panora, Iowa, is a dealer in draft horses and Shetland po- nies, has been engaged in this business for seventeen years, and is one of the best-known horse men in this part of the State.

Also he has a record as a gallant soldier. As such, it is particularly consistent that his name e given a place among the representative citi-

zens of his county, and we are pleased to pre- sent the following sketch of his life in this work: ..

Mr. Brown was born amid the hills of Mor- gan county, and near the town of McConnells- ville, Ohio, January 27, 1838. Jehu Brown, his father, was born in Pennsylvania, a son of Mercer Brown, who was of English descent and a Pennsylvanian by birth, and in that State Jehu Brown was united in marriage to Miss Eliza Maxwell, a member of one of the best families of Chester county, Pennsylvania. Her father, Abraham Maxwell, was a native of the Highlands of Scotland and a cousin of Robert Fulton, of steamboat fame. Mr. Maxwell was a machinist. In 1852 the Brown family came West as far as Bureau county, Illinois, and settled seven iniles east of Princeton, where they made their home four years, removing from there in 1856 to Harrison county, Mis- souri. Five years later they again changed their residence, this time to Atchison county, Missouri, where the father died, at the age of sixty years. He was a carpenter by trade and in his religious belief was a Universalist. The mother also died in Atchison county, being forty-seven years of age at the time of her death. Their family was composed of seven children, namely: Rachel, James B., Sarah, John M., Jehu, Mary and Margaret.

At the tinie his parents removed to Illinois James B. Brown was fifteen years of age. His youthful days both in Ohio and in Illinois were spent on a farm and his educational advan- tages were limited to those of the common school. When he was nineteen he accom- panied the family to Missouri, and subse- quently went from there to Topeka, Kansas.

He was in Kansas during the border troubles, which immediately preceded the Civil war, and was one of the brave men who went to the assistance of old John Brown and who fought for peace and order on the fron- tier; and when the Civil war in all its fury broke forth upon the country our subject was among the Union soldiers who went out to fight for the old flag. He enlisted in Febru-

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ary, 1862, in Company E, of the First Mis- souri Cavalry; and was on active duty until April 4, 1865, when he was honorably dis- charged. He was a participant in several bat- tles of note and in numerous skirmishes, being in several raids against General Price's troops and also against General Marmaduke, and was at the capture of the last named gentleman. Also he had numerous engagements with bush- whackers and guerrillas in Missouri, Arkansas and Kansas.

After receiving his discharge from the army Mr. Brown returned to Atchison county, Mis- souri, where he spent the next three years and a half, whence he came to Iowa and located near Waukee in Dallas county. In 1881 he removed from Dallas county to his present location at Panora. As above stated, he has for seventeen years been dealing in horses. Inı 1878 he bought of Powell Brothers, of Spring- boro, Pennsylvania, one of the best Clydesdale horses that ever came to Iowa. Subsequently he from time to time purchased other horses and Shetland ponies, and now has some of the finest horses in the State. His stock barn in Panora is 36 x 42 feet in dimensions, and is conveniently arranged for the care and han- dling of horses. When he first began dealing in horses he gave more or less attention to the study of veterinary surgery, has by his con- tinued study and experience become proficient in the science, and is now ranked with the leading veterinaries of the State.

Mr. Brown was married in Gentry county, Missouri, in 1859, to Miss Susan A. Carter, who was born in that State, in 1844, daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Turner) Carter, the former a native of Campbell county, Ten- nessee, and the latter of Kentucky. Mr. and Mrs. Brown have eleven children, their names in order of birth being as follows: Sarah M., Mary E., Louisa, Joseph J., Matilda J., James B., Jr., Junius H., John M., Rachel C., Su- sana and Walter Scott.

· Politically, Mr. Brown gives his support and influence to the Republican party. A veteran of the Civil war, he is of course identified with

the G. A. R., and has a membership in Post No. 37, Panora, of which he has served as Com- mander. He is of a genial, jovial nature, has the happy faculty of making friends wherever he goes, and is as popular as he is well known.

J OSEPH P. COOK, who stands at the head of the - well known and popular firm of J. P. Cook & Company, dealers in dry goods, carpets, boots and shoes at Bloomfield, Iowa, was born August 10, 1854, on a farm in Davis connty, of which Bloomfield is the official center. His parents were Captain Norman W. and Mary E. (nee Green) Cook.

The father of our subject was a native of the State of New York, where his birth oc- curred on the 29th of January, 1826, being given the full patronymic of his father, Norman Cook, who was born in Connecticut. In early pioneer days the latter removed to Cattarau- gus county, New York. In his early manhood the father of our subject engaged in school- teaching, following this vocation in southern Indiana. In the year 1845 the family emi- grated to Muscatine county, Iowa, where they remained one year, and then, in 1846, returned to Indiana. Norman W. Cook was married May 22, 1845, to Mary E. Green, near Salem, Indiana.

Joseph P. was the fourth child born to them. Until he had attained the age of six- teen years our subject assisted in the work of the farm, securing such educational advan- tages as were afforded by the common schools, having been for some time a student in the high school at Red Oak, Iowa. Then he be- gan his business career as a clerk in the mer- cantile establishment of H. Roberts & Son, of that place, in whose employ he continued five years, gaining much valuable information in regard to business methods and making a fine record for industry and fidelity. At the expiration of the time noted the firm dissolved partnership, and Mr. Cook passed the summer of 1877 in the Black Hills, South Dakota,

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where the settlers were treated to numerous Indian scares. Our subject returned to Red Oak before the close of the year noted, and in 1879 he formed a partnership with his brother, W. H. Cook, at Bloomfield, under the firm name of W. H. Cook & Brother, and their line of trade included dry goods, carpets, boots and shoes. After three years, on account of failing health, he spent two years more in Da- kota, where he was enabled to recuperate his energies; and then, in 1886, he rejoined his brother in Bloomfield, under the firm name of Cook Brothers. In the spring of 1887 his father-in-law, J. R. Wilkinson, a lumber mer- chant, purchased the interest of our subject's brother, and at that time the present firm title was assumed.

J. P. Cook & Company carry complete and select lines of dry goods, carpets, and boots and shoes, and their finely equipped display and salesrooms are located in a modern build- ing, 25 x 80 feet in dimensions, and most eli- gibly located in the business center of the thriving little city of Bloomfield. Their stock represents a valuation of $20,000, and their business is conducted upon those correct and honorable principles which insures to them the confidence of the community and a consequent supporting patronage of representative order. In addition to his interests in this fine mer- cantile establishment Mr. Cook is also the pro- prietor of a fine farm of 220 acres, well im- proved and under effective cultivation, which is kept stocked with cattle. The family resi- dence in Bloomfield is an attractive and sub- stantial brick structure, commodious and con- veniently arranged, while the grounds have received that careful attention which enhances the beauty of the place, -a home in which the most gracious hospitality is extended to the large circle of friends. In his fraternal rela- tions Mr. Cook is identified with the Knights of Pythias.

The marriage of Mr. Cook was consum- mated in June of the year 1886, when he was united to Miss Fannie Wilkinson, daughter of John R. Wilkinson, to whom reference has

been incidentally made in this connection. Mr. and Mrs. Cook are the parents of one child, Joseph P., Jr.

J OSEPH A. TREAT, M. D., a druggist and practicing physician of Stuart, Iowa, has been identified with this place for a period of twenty years, having located here when Stuart was an embryo town and having all these years been a prominent factor in bringing about its present prosperity.

Dr. Treat was born in Orion, Oakland county, Michigan, December 10, 1841, and comes of stanch old Puritan ancestry, being of the ninth generation from Richard Treat, Sr., who was born in 1584 and was one of the founders of Wethersfield, the first town founded in Connecticut, in 1630, and was a patentee in the charter of Connecticut. The Doctor's parents, Loren L. and Hannah J. (Kingsland) Treat, were born, reared and married in New York State, his birth occurring at Port Byron and hers at Belleville. In 1840, soon after their marriage, they emigrated to Michigan and settled in the town of Orion, where he died in the prime of life, February II, 1853. He was a prominent lawyer, a man of strong individu- ality and strict integrity, and one who gave force and direction to many worthy enterprises, ever ready to sacrifice his own interests in order to assist a friend in need.

Politically he was a leader in the Demo- cratic party. He was a fluent speaker, and was frequently called upon to deliver addresses at public gatherings. He held a number of minor offices, and served two terms in the State Senate, in all of which positions he acquitted himself most creditably. He was an earnest advocate of temperance, was a man of broad charity, and his religious creed was that of universal salvation. After surviving him a number of years, his good wife passed away in January, 1894.

Dr. Treat received his early training in the public schools of his native county. Later he graduated at the Michigan State Normal School

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at Ypsilanti, and was for some years engaged in teaching. He read medicine with Dr. Eg- bert Burdick, one of the foremost physicians of southern Michigan, then entered the Michi- gan State University at Ann Arbor, where he graduated in the medical and chemical depart- ments with the class of 1867. Immediately after his graduation he located at Marquette, Michigan, and there began his career as a med- ical practitioner. Soon his practice grew to such an extent that he was unable to respond to all the calls made upon him, and entered into co-partnership with Dr. A. K. Smith. Later on they took into partnership Dr. C. H. Vaill, and later still Dr. A. L. Brodeur, and while going day and night attending the sick and suffering he neglected his own health, and finally was obliged to give up his large practice and go to Chicago, and himself receive pro- fessional aid from such eminent physicians as Drs. Gunn and Davis, of that city, who con- sidered his case serious and gave him but little encouragement.

About this time he decided on a trip West, and accompanied a friend to Omaha, Nebras- ka, and, as the change of climate proved even more beneficial than he had hoped, he con- cluded to remain, and selected Stuart, Iowa, where the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Rail- road Company was then putting in its shops, roundhouses and division station, as a place of location. Stuart at that time, as already stated, was a small place, and had but few business houses. He purchased a lot near the center of the town, one of its most desirable locations, on which now stands a fine two- story brick block, containing his drug store. Since coming here he has confined himself to the drug business and to an office and town practice, his office practice especially being large, as his specialties are the eye, ear and throat, and gynecology. The Doctor also finds time to do a considerable amount of analytical and other chemical work.

Dr. Treat was married July 9, 1872, to Miss Emma A. Starritt, of Chicago, a daugh- ter of Allan and Parmelia Starritt. They have

had two children, a son and daughter. The former, Loren S., has just graduated at the Stuart high school, and will pursue his studies further. The daughter, Emma, died in in- fancy.

Politically, the Doctor is a Prohibitionist, and in religion is a Universalist. He is a mem- ber of the American Medical Association, the American Pharmaceutical Association, the American Chemical Society, and ex-vice-presi- dent of the Iowa State Temperance Alliance. Fraternally, he is identified with a number of organizations. He is Past Master of Token Lodge, No. 304, A. F. & A. M .; Past High Priest of Damascus Chapter, No. 97, R. A. M .; and at present is Generalissimo of Alham- bra Commandery, No. 58, Knights Templar. Also he is Past President of the Order of Honor; Past Master of the Order of the Palm and Shell; Past Worthy Chief Templar; Deputy Grand Master of Fountain Lodge, Good Tem- plars; Past Worthy Patron of the Star of Bethlehem, and a member of the A. O. U. W.

HRISTOPHER T. JONES .- In the history of the public affairs of Iowa the name of this gentleman stands prominently forth as one whose con- nection with political affairs has been honora- ble and commendable, indicating him to be a man of innate nobleness of character as well as great mental capacity. He is now serving as Clerk of the Supreme Court of Iowa, to which position he was elected in 1894.

A native of Kentucky, he was born in Bar- ren county, near Glasgow, the county seat, on the 1 1th of September, 1837, being the son of John and Mary (Young) Jones, natives of Vir- ginia. His father for a number of years en- gaged in school-teaching, and in 1842 removed with his family to Iowa, where both he and his wife died in 1843. Their home was in Louisa county, but on their demise their son Christo- pher was taken to Washington, Iowa, where he pursued his education in the public schools and later attended Washington College for a

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few years. His literary education being com- pleted, Mr. Jones then began preparation for a life work. His choice of a calling was the law, which he studied under the direction of J. R. Lewis, at Washington, and afterward in the office of his brother, William B. Jones, of Franklin, Kentucky. After thorough and sys- tematic preparation he was admitted to the bar, in 1859, and in a short time returned to Washington, Iowa, where he re-entered Wash- ington College, with the intention of complet- ing the course of study and graduating.

The affairs of the nation, however, claimed his attention. The patriotism of his loyal na- ture was aroused when the rebellious South at- tempted to overthrow the Union and he promptly responded to the country's call for volunteers. His enlistment made him a mem- ber of Company H, Second Iowa Volunteer Infantry, commanded by Colonel S. R. Curtis. Theregiment started southward and on reaching Missouri he was taken ill, and six months after his enlistment was discharged on a surgeon's certificate of disability.

Thus forced to return home, as soon as possible he resumed the duties of civil life. In 1864 he was elected to the office of Clerk of the District Court of Washington county and served in that capacity from the Ist of Janu- ary, 1865, until January, 1875. His long con- tinuance in that position is a most high testimo- nial of his ability. His duties were discharged with a promptness and efficiency that won him high commendation and caused his re-election from time to time until his service covered a decade. On retiring from office he entered upon the practice of law, to which he devoted his energies for six years, in which time he succeeded in building up a large and lucrative patronage. On the expiration of that period he accepted the position of Deputy Clerk of the Supreme Court of the State, and in 1894 he was elected to his present office for the term of four years. In 1880 he was chosen Presidential Elector on the Republican ticket for the First Congressional District of Iowa. He is deeply interested in the welfare of his.

party, to which he gives an intelligent and help- ful support, and in the counsels of his party he is a valued adviser. He is a man of worth, justly deserving the confidence reposed in him and the high regard in which he is universally held. His pleasant, genial manner and ever courteous demeanor have won him a host of warm friends, while in the social circles in which he moves he is a great favorite.

In 1865 was celebrated the marriage which united the destinies of Mr. Jones and Miss Gertrude Reister, of Washington, Iowa, a daughter of George H. Reister. Mr. and Mrs. Jones have three children, namely: Maude G., wife of T. E. Garrett, of Boone, Iowa; and Fannie and Howard, at home.

J UDGE WILLIAM FITCH CONRAD, Judge of the Ninth Judicial District of Iowa, was born in Ithaca, New York, November 7, 1826, and comes of an old family of the Empire State. His paternal grandfather, John Conrad, was born in one of the Eastern States, and was of German lin- eage. His time and attention were given to farming and thereby he earned the means with which to support his family of twelve children. His death occurred in New York when past the age of seventy years. He was a tall, dark- complexioned man, and it was said that the German brogue was still noticeable in his con- versation. His father was one of the heroes of the Revolutionary war, serving with the rank of Major, and was with General Wash- ington at the time of the surrender of General Cornwallis. The maternal grandfather of our subject was of English lineage, was born in New Jersey, made farming his life work and died when about ninety years of age.

The parents of Judge Conrad were both natives of New York. By trade the father was a carpenter and joiner, and during the time of the gold excitement on the Pacific slope he went from the village of Brantford, Canada, to the mines of California, where his death oc- curred in 1850, passing away in Sacramento,

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at the age of forty-nine years. His wife sur- vived him only about one year. In their farn- ily were seven children, four sons and three daughters, of whom three are now living: Mary Louisa, wife of Oscar Monfort, of Bur- lington, Iowa; William F .; and Ransom B., who makes his home in Norwood, Iowa.

Judge Conrad, whose name heads this record, was about fifteen years of age when his parents removed from the Empire State to Canada. He acquired his early education in New York and afterward entered the Wesleyan University at Middletown, Connecticut, for which he was prepared at Lima, New York, and was graduated at the University in the class of 1853. When a boy he learned car- pentering, and upon the completion of his edu- cation he went to Port Gibson, Missis- sippi, where he engaged in teaching. for two years. Not desiring to make this profes- sion his life work, in the meantime he took up the study of law, and in 1855 was admitted to the bar, since which time he has successfully engaged in practice. He at once returned to the North, locating in Burlington, Iowa, where he continued the prosecution of his profession until 1862.

The Civil war was then in progress, and feeling that the country needed the service of all her loyal sons, he enlisted, in the month of August, as a member of Company G, Twen- ty-fifth Iowa Infantry, and served until the 6th of June, 1865. He was made Sergeant Major before entering the field, and afterward acted as First Lieutenant of Company K; but before he was commissioned such he was pro- moted to the rank of Captain. Upon his en- listment he went with his regiment to Helena, Arkansas, and subsequently joined Sherman's army, then operating against Vicksburg. On the 24th of May, 1863, when engaged with his command at Raymond, in the rear of Vicks- burg, he was captured by the Confederates and conveyed to Libby prison, where he was confined from the 3d of June until the 6th of May, following. General Grant had now made considerable progress in his campaign 61

against Richmond, and for greater safety many prisoners were sent further South. Judge Conrad and others were taken to Danville, Virginia, but were soon afterward transferred to Macon, Georgia, and on the 28th of July, of the same year, he was one of the 600 who were taken to Charlestown, South Carolina, and placed before the fire of the Union guns in order to prevent the Union battery from shelling the city. There he was detained until the 5th of October, when he and his fellow prisoners were taken to Columbia, in the same State. While there on the 29th of November, 1864, he effected his escape and six weeks la- ter reached the Union lines at Knoxville, Ten- nessee. He was accompanied by George H. Morrisy, and on the way they suffered greatly from hunger and exposure but met many colored people who adininistered to their wants as far as they were able. On reaching the Union lines the Judge obtained a thirty-days leave of absence, but ere his term had expired was sent on detached service to Fort Snelling, Minne- sota, where he remained until the close of the war. The hardships of prison life greatly im- paired his health and several years passed be- fore he had regained his usual strength and vigor.

In the fall of 1865, opening an office in Canton, Missouri, Judge Conrad resumed the practice of his chosen profession, which he continued until the autumn of 1876, the year of his arrival in Des Moines. He formed a partnership with. W. W. Phillips, ex-County Attorney of Polk county, and the relation ex- isted for several years, while the firm built up a most extensive practice and acquired an en- viable reputation. In 1886 he was elected to the bench, and has since presided over the Ninth Judicial District. In addition to his judicial duties he is interested in the Capi- tal Insurance Company, being one of its stock- holders and directors.

On the 22d of January, 1863, in Aurora, New York, was celebrated the marriage of Judge Conrad and Miss Harriet S. Pierce, a native of Maine, who died April 27, 1888,

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leaving two children: William Fitch, who is married; and Hattie L., who in August, 1889, became the wife of John Trepanier, of Des Moines. The Judge was again married on the 3d of January, 1891, his second union being with Kate B. Phillips.

Judge Conrad is a thorough student, a man of deep research, and his devotion to his client's interests and his superior mental ability make him one of the most able lawyers at the bar of Iowa. His record on the bench is one that entitles him to much credit as a man of the highest integrity. He has a mind par- ticularly free from bias. His keen perception enables him to quickly grasp the important points of argument, and his charges to the jury are clear and forcible. He valiantly de- fended his country in her hour of peril, and is to-day recognized as one of the most pro- gressive and public-spirited citizens, manifest- ing a commendable interest in all that per- tains to the general welfare.

A LDEN HEBBARD WIGHT, M. D., an able representative of the profes- sion to which he belongs, dates his identity with Iowa from the year 1870 and has been a resident of New Hampton since 1880.

Dr. Alden H. Wight was born near Beaver Dams, Schuyler county, New York, July 18, 1843, son of George F. and Polly M. (Loomis) Wight, natives of Maine and New York re- spectively. The Wight family came from England to America as early as 1636 and made settlement in Dedham, Massachusetts, and in New England many generations of Wights were born and passed their lives. A genealogy of the Wight family was published in 1890, by William Ward Wight, of Milwau- kee. George F. Wight, the Doctor's father, is a carriage and wagon-maker by trade, at which he worked for many years. In 1852 he moved to Juneau, Wisconsin, where he made his home until 1870, and since that date had lived retired from active business in Ionia,

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Memorial and biographical record of Iowa, Part 153

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