Memorial and biographical record of Iowa, Part 161

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

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The gentleman whose name heads this record was the fifth in order of birth. He passed his early boyhood in Germany, where he pursued his education in the public schools until fourteen years of age, when he accompanied his parents on their emi- gration to the New World. During his youth he spent three years in the logging dis- tricts of the Alleghany mountains, where he re- ceived in compensation for his services $15 per month. Thus from an early age he has been dependent entirely upon his own resources, has been the architect of his own fortunes and therefore richly deserves the success he has achieved. His identification with the history of Iowa dates from 1858, when he came to Polk county, where for a number of years he was employed as a farm hand in the vicinity of Des Moines. He was next engaged by Alex- ander Williams in building a dam across the Des Moines river at the city, and afterward continued in the employ of Mr. Williams for eight years, most of the time in service in a flouring mill. In 1869 he accepted a position on the police force of Des Moines, thus serving the city until 1874, when he was elected City Marshal, being the first City Marshal elected by the people of a first-class city. He made a most efficient and popular city officer and held the position for two years. In 1876-7 he

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served as deputy in the same line of duty, and for two years thereafter was Chief of Police, and later for two years City Marshal and ex officio Chief of Police, until 1886, when he re- tired from public life.

In 1888 Mr. Hafner removed to his farm in Greenfield township, Warren county, Iowa, and for three years and four months devoted his time and attention to agricultural pursuits; but tiring of farm life he then returned to the city. His farm, which he still owns, com- prises 2033 acres, and is in a high state of cultivation. In 1894 he was elected Alderman of the Fourth Ward of Des Moines, for a term of two years. The election was certainly a compliment to his popularity and personal worth, for the ward is strongly Democratic and his majority was 203. For a number of years he has been a member of Jonathan Lodge (German), No. 137, I. O. O. F.

On the IIth of March, 1861, Mr. Hafner was united in marriage with Miss Maria D. Montgomery, who however died in 1863, leav- · ing one son, William, who subsequently was drowned in Des Moines river, in his fifteenth year. For his second wife Mr. Hafner mar- ried, in 1865, Miss Rebecca A. Burnett, of Des Moines, and by this marriage there are two sons: Theodore A. V. and Charles A. D .; and one daughter, who died in 1884, in her fif- teenth year. The family has a pleasant home at No. 817 West Second street, Des Moines, and in social circles holds an enviable position.

F. KLINE is one of the most popu- lar and respected citizens of Fremont county, Iowa, a fact which is indi- cated by his frequent election to office on the Republican ticket in a county that is Democratic. His course has ever been such as to commend him to the public confidence and regard, and his circle of friends is there- fore very extensive.

The Kline family is of English origin. His grandfather, Daniel Kline, was probably a na- tive of England, and engaged in the work of

the gospel as a minister of the Methodist Epis- copal Church. The father of our subject, D. W. C. Kline, was a native of York county, Pennsylvania, born in 1836. Determining to try his fortune in the West, he removed to Biggsville, Illinois, in 1865, and was there en- gaged in merchandising until 1872. He was a man of broad scholarship, who was educated in Pennsylvania Academy and taught school successfully for thirty terms. Before coming to the West he had made an effort to enter the Union army, but was rejected by Governor Curtin, of Pennsylvania, on account of his being a school-teacher, for the members of that profession were needed for the education of the children, who could not be neglected even though the country was engaged in civil war. Mr. Kline continued merchandising in Biggs- ville, Illinois, until 1872, when he removed with his family to Dallas county, Iowa, locating in Dexter. He there conducted a restaurant and bakery for a year, but in 1873 removed to Malvern, Mills county, Iowa, where he carried on general merchandising. His last days were spent in Marysville, Missouri, where his death occurred in 1885. The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of A. E. Baxter, and was a daughter of J. M. Baxter, a native of Ireland, who, crossing the Atlantic to America, took up his residence in Maryland. By their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Kline became the par- ents of the following named children: L. F., of this review; Emma, now Mrs. Perry De Bolt, of Santa Rosa, California; Kate, wife of A. L. Chantry, of Emerson, Iowa; William E., who is located in Malvern, Iowa; May, wife of Guy Smith, of Mills county; Florence, Mabel, Lawrence, Charles and Edwin, all living with their mother in Malvern. Three of the family have also passed away.

Mr. Kline, whose name introduces this sketch, was born in York county. Pennsyl- vania, on the 29th of March, 1859, and was a lad of seven summers when he accompanied his parents on their removal to Biggsville, Illinois. At the age of thirteen he came with the family to Iowa, and completed his literary

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education in the Baptist Centennial Academy at Malvern, at which institution he was graduated in the class of 1878. He then entered upon his business career in the capacity of book- keeper and salesman, and was employed in that position by several prominent mercantile firms of Mills county, Iowa. He thus obtained considerable knowledge of business methods, and on attaining his majority. he entered into partnership with his father in Malvern, Iowa, as a dealer in groceries and provisions, boots and shoes, under the firm name of Kline & Son. This connection continued for two years, and then our subject removed to Fremont county, residing at Randolph from the Ist of April, 1881, until his election to the office of County Recorder. His first service in Fre- mont county was with Spencer Brothers, later he was with Mr. Sturgeon, and subsequently with J. M. Barber. He was during the greater part of the year 1888 employed as traveling salesman by the firm of D. M. Steele & Com- pany, of Omaha, Nebraska.

Mr. Kline was an enthusiastic worker in the ranks of the Republican party even before at- taining his majority, and has always been an ardent supporter of its principles.

He was first called to public office by his election as Justice of the Peace in Randolph, Fre- mont county, which position he acceptably filled for four years. In 1888 he was elected County Recorder on the Republican ticket by a ma- jority of 613, although the county is Demo- cratic, and so acceptably did he fill the office that in 1890 be was re-elected. On his retire- ment from that position in 1892 he was elected Clerk of the District Court, and in November, 1894, was again chosen, his term therefore ex- tending through 1896. His public duties have been most capably performed to the general satisfaction of all concerned.

In Mills county, Iowa, November 28, 1878, Mr. Kline was united in marriage with Miss E. A. Conrad, daughter of Rev. J. M. Con- rad, of Malvern, who died April 19, 1895, at the age of sixty-nine years. He was a native of the Empire State, but came west at an

early day, and after spending some years in Indiana removed to Iowa in 1855. His family numbered the following members: M. S., a resident of Randolph; George F., who is liv- ing in Nevinville, Iowa; H. S., of Creston, Iowa; E. J., also of Creston; Mrs. Kline; Emma and Nora, of Nevinville. To our sub- ject and his wife have been born eight children, namely: W. E., May I., Leslie L., Pearl, de- ceased, Conrad W., Lemon F., Jessie F. and Glen A.

Socially, Mr. Kline is a Master Mason, an Odd Fellow, a member of the Order of Knights of Pythias, and the Modern Woodmen of America.

ARL M. WOODWARD .- Whatever else may be said of the legal frater- nity, it cannot be denied that mem- bers of the bar have been more prom- inent actors in public affairs than any other class of the American people. This is but the natural result of causes which are manifest and. require no explanation. The ability and train- ing which qualify one to practice law also qualify him in many respects for duties which lie outside the diametrical line of his profession and which touch the general interests of so- ciety. The subject of this record is a man who has brought his keen discrimination and thorough wisdom to bear not alone in profes- sional paths but also for the benefit of the city which is his home and with whose best inter- ests he has been so thoroughly identified. He holds and merits a place among the represen- tative legal practitioners and citizens of this section of the State; and the story of his life, while not dramatic in action, is such a one as offers a typical example of that alert American experience which has enabled many an indi- vidual to rise from obscurity to a position of influence solely through native talent, indomi- table perseverance and singleness of purpose.

Mr. Woodward was born in Truxton, Cort- land county, New York, December 16, 1848. His ancestors were New England people, who

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came to this country from England during early Colonial days. His father, George N. Woodward, was a physician, and his mother was the daughter of a physician, Dr. Miles Goodyear, of Cortland, New York, and a rela- tive of Charles Goodyear, of India rubber fame. The literary education of our subject was obtained in the common schools and an academy, and in 1864, though only a boy of sixteen years, he enlisted in his country's service, becoming a private of Company C, One Hundred and Forty-second Regiment Illi- nois Volunteer Infantry, with which he served for six months, being discharged three months before he was sixteen years of age He after- ward engaged in clerking in a drug store in Illi- nois for a time and then returning to the East took up the study of law in Cortland and Troy, New York, and in May, 1874, he was gradu- ated at the Albany Law School.

Believing the West would prove a better field for a young practitioner who had to win name and fame for himself, he came to Iowa, taking up his residence in October in Lansing, Allamakee county, where he has since resided with the exception of a few years passed in Minnesota. His success is well deserved. His conscientious devotion to his clients' interests, combined with a broad and comprehensive knowledge of the law and its application, has secured to him a most liberal patronage. In connection with his profession he has per- formed a work which has brought to him the gratitude of the people of this vicinity. He was City Solicitor of Lansing for two terms and was elected County Attorney of Allamakee county, in November, 1894. In the latter office he won a most important success in the Big Lake fish case, in which it was decided by the Supreme Court that the laws of the State pro- hibiting seining in all waters except the Missis- sippi and other boundary rivers applied to the wide expanse of waters comprising the lakes, ponds, sloughs and bayous in the broad valley of the Mississippi, outside the main channel, which constitute the niost extensive and im- portant fisheries of this State, these waters not

being a part of the Mississippi within the meaning of the statute and that these vast fisheries were within the prohibition and pro- tection of the law. His successful prosecution of the Waukon fraudulent banking case, the trial of which occupied two weeks, has also added to his high reputation and standing as a lawyer.

On the 10th of May, 1876, Mr. Woodward was united in marriage with Miss Cassie R. Fowler, a native of New York.

He is prominently connected with several civic societies, belonging to the Grand Army Post of Lansing; to Maple Lodge, Iowa Legion of Honor, of which he has been for many years Recording Secretary; and to Mount Hos- mer Lodge, A. O. U. W., in which he has served as Master, Recorder and Representa- tive to the Grand Lodge. He has for many years been a member of the First Presbyterian Church, of Lansing, and for the past six years has served as one of its Elders. His political support is given the Republican party, and he often delivers campaign addresses, when his eloquence and logic seldom fail to convince.

ON. L. O. HULL .- Of the adopted sons of Iowa none are more worthy of representation in a work of this character than the gentleman whose name introduces this review. Few men are more widely known in the State, and he is certainly one of the most popular and highly esteemed citizens. His connection with jour- nalistic and political work has brought him into close contact with a large number of peo- ple of all classes, and wherever he goes he wins friends who tender him the high regard which is universally accorded genuine worth, manly principle and honorable conduct. The story of his life is not one of dramatic episodes, but it is typical of that ambitious American activ- ity which has enabled many individuals to rise from obscurity to positions of influence solely though native talent, indomitable perseverance and singleness of purpose.

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Mr. Hull is a native of Cortland, Illinois, born March 16, 1855. His parents were Lo- renzo and Emily (Stewart) Artlip, the former a lineal descendant of a Russian refugee who came to this country with the French Hugue- not colony in 1680. His mother was of Irish- German descent, tracing her ancestry back through several generations of a New England family.

When Lorenzo Orlando, the subject of this review, was six months of age his father died, and four months later his mother. Both were devout members of the Baptist Church, and their relationship was with the congregation that met for worship in the little church which is still standing on the road between Sycamore and Cortland, Illinois. Among the other mem- bers of this church in 1856 were Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Hull, who had no children of their own. The kindness of their hearts prompted them to give a home to the little orphaned boy, and thus our subject became a member of their household when eleven months old. He lived with them until after he had attained his majority, and no father and mother could have been kinder to him than were the foster par- ents whom he reveres, having for them the ten- derest love. Not until he was almost a man grown did he know that he was not their son by birth. When he was about sixteen years of age his name was changed by an act of the Legislature to Hull.

In 1858 Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Hull removed from Cortland, Illinois, to Sheboygan county, Wisconsin, where they were living when the Civil war broke out. The Hulls in this coun, try have always been noted for their patriotism- and with the spirit of loyalty strong within him Mr. Hull went forth to the defense of the Union, shortly after the South attempted to secede, and remained at the front until the rebellious States were only more willing to acknowledge allegiance to the national Gov- ernment. There were in the Wisconsin neigh- borhood in which he lived many who were not sympathizers with the North, and feeling. ran very high in that region. It awakened in the

boy Lorenzo a fidelity to the nation which has always been manifest, and one of his strongest characteristics is the feeling of respect and gratitude for the old soldiers who went forth to battle for their country, at the sacrifice of every personal consideration, not knowing what hour they might be numbered among the slain.

When the war was over his parents sold their farm in Sheboygan county and went to Fond du Lac county, locating near the village of Oakfield, where he spent much of his time in the school-room, acquiring the educa- tion which has served as a foundation on which to rest the knowledge gained in manhood and on which is brought to bear the judgment of his mature years. In 1873 his parents again sold their farm and took up their residence in Blackhawk county, Iowa, where he joined them in a few months. Within the next few years he worked on the farm, taught school, continued his studies, took up the study of law and also worked at the car- penter's trade. In the summer of 1880 he was employed by Hon. Matt Parrott as editor of the Iowa State Reporter, at Waterloo, where he remained until July 1, 1882, when he bought the Clarksville (Iowa) Star. Two years later he sold this paper on account of failing health and removed to Gordon, Nebraska, where he founded the Gordon Press, which he pablished for two years, when he again sold out to give his attention to his rapidly increas- ing legal business. He had a very large and lucrative practice, both in courts and in the land office, his practice extending both east and west along the line of the railroad. He was finally induced to leave Gordon and remove to Harrison, the new county seat of Sioux county, Nebraska, where he was elected to the office of County Attorney; but about this time pros- perity and advancement took their departure from the county. Three years of drouth im- poverished the people, and when the Pine Ridge Indian war broke out the region was rapidly depopulated. Attorney Hull met with finan- cial reverses, and though he was able to pay

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all that he owed he had barely enough re- maining to enable him to leave the region.

At the close of his term of office, Jan- uary 1, 1891, Mr. Hull went to Lincoln, Nebraska, where he served as a newspaper re- porter on various papers during the session of the Legislature. Later he went to Des Moines, Iowa, where he held positions in the editorial department of the daily newspapers of the capital city. For about a year he was news editor of the Evening News, and later served in the same capacity on the Daily Cap- ital and also did much work at various times for the State Leader and State Register. He was the Iowa correspondent for the Minne- apolis Tribune and other leading papers of the North west. On the Ist of January, 1894, he purshased the Free Press at Guthrie Center and established the Guthrie County Sentinel, an independent local newspaper supporting the People's party. The paper has been very successful and has steadily grown in popu-

larity.

Mr. Hull has always taken an active inter- est in public affairs, and has been a recognized leader in political circles. Naturally, after the war he became a Republican and while in Blackhawk county, Iowa, he was for several years a member of the Republican county cen- tral committee and frequently addressed the people at schoolhouses in that county in sup- port of his ticket. While editor of the Star at Clarksville, he supported the Republican ticket, and in the famous prohibition campaign of 1883 he delivered some sixty addresses in favor of that ticket. From the beginning of his po- litical career, however, he has been a believer in an increase rather than a decrease of money, and drifted away from the Republican party on that issue. For about four years he took no part in political affairs. In 1887 and 1888, however, he was elected a delegate to the Nebraska Democratic convention, but two years later he joined the Independent party, then organizing in that State, and threw all of his energies into the work of building up that party in the Northwest. He was on the stump

nearly all of the time for four months in the sparsely settled portions of the State and in some of the larger towns, and it was largely owing to this work that Congressman Kem was elected. Since coming to Iowa he has con- tinued to act with the People's party. In the summer of 1892 he spoke in about fifty cities and towns in the State. The next year he or- ganized the famous Silver Glee Club of three male singers. The State committee made routes for them and they traveled together for several months in a carriage, going from Des. Moines into the south and west portions of the State and holding two meetings each day. Most of these meetings were well advertised and drew large audiences. Often they were held in groves where hundreds, sometimes thousands, of people would gather. A meet- ing would be held in the afternoon, and then came a drive of from five to fifteen miles to reach the place of appointment for the evening. At these meetings Mr. Hull usually spoke for about two hours, sometimes more than three, and nearly always to large audiences; but so strong is he physically and so careful in his habits that he never missed an appointment on account of illness or weariness.

As a political orator Mr. Hull stands high in the estimation of the many thousands who have heard him. He is logical and direct and enforces his reasoning with a good array of pertinent facts. He expresses the thoughts of the common people and so weaves them into his discourse as to lead the willing ones to en- dorse his plans for the relief of their distresses. He never indulges in personalities. If he rid- icules the opposing political party he is care- ful not to spoil kindness for the sake of a laugh. As a public speaker his efforts have not been confined to political questions alone. He has many times delivered addresses before Grand Army of the Republic gatherings, at 4th-of-July celebrations and on other occasions. He is an earnest, forceful, entertaining speaker, and his well modulated voice with its weight of truths seldom fails to strongly impress the hearers.

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On the 6th of October, 1882, Mr. Hull was united in marriage to Lizzie I. Beck, of Du- buque, Iowa. She is a true helpmeet to her husband, and is an able assistant to him in his newspaper work. They have two children, a son aged eleven and a little daughter now in her fourth year.

Mr. Hull was for some years a member of the Methodist Church, but does not now con- nect himself with any congregation, although he is a firm believer in the cardinal doctrines of the Christian religion and closely follows its precepts. With a strong dislike to anything that borders on snobbishness, he believes in appreciation of the true nobleness of man, and his cheerful disposition, his sincere friendliness and charming cordiality of manner have won him a host of warm friends.

ILLIAM PEDIGO, of Lucas county, was born in Barren county, Ken- tucky, August 24, 1825, a son of John Pedigo, a Virginian by birth. His father, Edward Pedigo, was also a native of that State. John Pedigo was reared on a Virginia plantation, and afterward removed to Barren county, Kentucky. He was married there to Frances Hill, a daughter of Clemen- tine Hill. John Pedigo and family left their Kentucky home for Indiana in 1827, locating in Lawrence county, and subsequently settled near Worthington, Greene county, that State, where the parents died,-the mother at the age of seventy years and the father at the age of eighty years. He was a carpenter by trade, but later in life also followed agricultural pur- suits. Politically he was identified with the Democratic party, and religiously was a mem- ber of the Baptist Church. Mr. and Mrs. Pedigo were the parents of nine children, as follows: Elijah, Greenville, John, Elizabeth, Mary, James, William, Edward, and one de- ceased in infancy.

William Pedigo, the subject of this sketch, was reared to farm life in Indiana. In 1856, in company with his brother-in-law, John

Young, he came with ox teams to Iowa. A short time afterward he returned to Indiana, and again came with ox teams, four cows and some household goods to Iowa, locating in Otter Creek township, Lucas county. Six months afterward Mr. Pedigo settled near Marysville, in Nodaway county, Missouri, where he remained eighteen months, after which he returned to Indiana on a business trip. He enlisted for service at the opening of the late war, entering the Ninety-seventh In- diana Infantry, Company C, but was honor- ably discharged three months afterward on ac- count of weakness of the eyes; he has never fully recovered his sight. Mr. Pedigo has re- sided in Otter Creek township, Lucas county, since the war.

September 1, 1850, in Indiana, our subject was united in marriage with Elizabeth E. Beem, a native of Owen county, that State, and a daughter of Neely and Leah (Storm) Beem, natives of Kentucky and both now de- ceased. They were the parents of six chil- dren, namely: Cynthia Ann, Mary, Rich, John, William and Elizabeth.

To Mr. and Mrs. Pedigo have been born four children: Jesse W., of Monroe county, Indiana; Molly J. Gray, an accomplished musi- cian, is at home; Rich E., also at home; and John C., formerly a clerk at Woodbine, Iowa, who died at the age of twenty-eight years.

Mr. Pedigo originally voted with the Dem- ocratic party, but was a strong Abolitionist, and since the war. has been identified with the Republican party. He served with honor and credit as Township Trustee two terms. Mrs. Pedigo is a member of the Methodist Episco- pal Church.

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Memorial and biographical record of Iowa, Part 161

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