Memorial and biographical record of Iowa, Part 183

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

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ration of this work, which is designed to be a record that will be read long after the present generation shall have "passed over to the silent majority."

Mr. Seeberger has one of the handsomest homes in Des Moines, -an elegant brick man- sion of exquisite design, standing on a fine elevation at the corner of Grand avenue and Nineteenth street, which gives a commanding view of beautiful, natural and artificial scenery in all directions. This nicely comports with his tastes and energetic and progressive spirit. His life work has been indeed one of success.

ENERAL ROLLIN V. ANKENY, whose brilliant military service dur- ing the late war caused him to be numbered among the honored de- fenders of the country, was born in Somerset, Somerset county, Pennsylvania, on the 22d of May, 1830, and is a son of General Joseph and Harriet (Diesee) Ankeny, the former a native of Somerset, Pennsylvania, and the latter of Berlin, that State. The paternal grandfather, Peter Ankeny, was born on the banks of An- tietam creek, in Maryland, and became one of the pioneer settlers of Somerset county, Penn- sylvania, owning land on three sides of the vil- lage of Somerset, which he left to his heirs. His family consisted of thirteen children, all born on the site of the old block house which he originally built. He descended from Hugue- not stock of German extraction, was a farmer by occupation, and aided the Colonies in their struggle for independence. The maternal grandfather of our subject was Rev. Henry Diesee, a native of Prussia, who was edu- cated at Heidelberg, Germany, and was a sur- geon and chaplain in the regular army there. He came to America, and, joining Washing- ton's army, went to Boston and thence to Yorktown. He engaged both in the practice of medicine and in preaching the gospel, and after the war he made his home for a time in Loudoun county, Virginia. He then removed to Monocacy creek, and from there to Berlin,

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Pennsylvania, and built the first church there. He was a scholarly man of fine mental attain- Inents. He continued his residence in Berlin until his death, which occurred when he was almost one hundred years of age.

The father of General Ankeny was a farmer and merchant of Somerset county, Pennsyl- vania, and in 1831 removed to Ohio, locating in Holmes county, near Millersburg. He was one of its pioneer settlers, and was one of the early settlers of that State, serving for three terms in the Upper House. He acquired an excellent education, and had superior natural endowments. The soldier element for which his family was noted was strongly de- veloped in him. In 1818 he took a trip on horseback through Illinois and Indiana, and then returned to Pennsylvania in the same manner. He remained at home with his widowed mother until his marriage, and con- tinued his residence in Berlin, Pennsylvania, until after four of the children were born. He then went with his family in 1831 to Millers- burg, Ohio, where he lived until 1867, and then came to Des Moines, where he died at the home of his son, General Rollin V. An- keny, in 1876, at the age of seventy-five years. His wife still survives him and is now ninety- four years of age. Mr. and Mrs. Ankeny were the parents of eight children, of whom seven are yet living, namely: Dr. John F .; Captain Peter D .; Captain H. G .; General R. V., Susan S., wife of John R. Barcroft; Mary E., widow of Henry Clark; and Harriet L. The other child died in infancy. Dr. John F. An- keny was a surgeon in the California militia during the early development of that State, and upon a United States vessel. He was also a member of the California Legislature, and in 1861 was a member of the Illinois Legis- lature, when Richard Yates was governor of the State. Captain Peter Ankeny was one of the defenders of his country through the Mexi- can war, becoming a Lieutenant, and for gal- lant service on the field of battle was pro- moted to the rank of Captain. Captain H. G. Ankeny was a brave and intelligent soldier

who was made First Lieutenant of the Fourth Iowa Infantry during the late war, and won the higher title through merit and faithfulness. The Ankeny family has been ably represented in the various wars in which the country has been engaged, and its members have always been found as loyal and trustworthy sup- porters of the nation.

In taking up the personal history of the gentleman whose name heads this sketch, we present to our readers the life rec- ord of one who is both widely and fa- vorably known in Iowa. He was reared in Ohio, his parents having removed to Holmes county in 1831. He worked on the farm and in his father's store, and acquired his primary education in the old-fashioned log school-house. He has been a student, however, throughout life, and reading, experience, observation and contact with the world have made him a well- informed man and given him a large fund of general knowledge.

In the troublous times which preceded the war of the Rebellion, he studied closely the problems and questions up before the people, noted the hostile attitude of the South and resolved that if an attempt at secession was made he would strike a blow in defense of the Union. Accordingly, in 1861, Mr. Ankeny helped to recruit and organize Company A, of the Eleventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry, at the call for 75, 000 troops, and turned this com- pany over to Smith D. Atkins, whom he helped to elect Captain. Governor Yates then noti- fied Mr. Ankeny and others that a call for 300,000 troops would soon be issued and our subject then helped to recruit seven companies for that call. He entered the service as First Lieutenant of Company B, Forty-sixth Illi- nois Infantry, and continued in that regiment until 1863, when he was promoted to the Cap- taincy of the company and did staff duty. He was useful in drawing maps giving the to- pography of the battle-grounds, and did other valuable service out of the regular line. In 1864 he became Colonel of the One Hundred and Forty-second Illinois Infantry, and at the

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close of the war was inade Brigadier General for gallant, meritorious and devoted service. He was slightly wounded at the battle of Fort Donelson, and severely wounded in the leg at Shiloh and again while on the skirmish line at the White House. He participated in the bat- tles of Fort Donelson, Shiloh, Corinth, the second battle of Corinth, the campaign into. Mississippi and the campaign of Vicksburg. He was also in the Nashville campaign, and his troops were the first to reach St. Louis when Price was on his raid toward that city.

When the war was over, General Ankeny returned to Freeport, Illinois, and resumed the operation of the farm to which he had removed in 1854. He continued its cultivation until 1868 and then came to Des Moines, Iowa, where he has since made his home. He pur- chased 640 acres of land north of the city, which is still in possession of the family, and engaged in farming until the death of his wife.

On the 9th of August, 1851, General An- keny married Miss Sarah Irvine; a daugh- ter of Dr. J. S. and Louisa (Armour) Ir- vine, both of Scotch descent. Four children were born of this union: Irvine, who died at the age of thirty-two years; Harriet, who be- came the wife of John Conger, and died in Fresno, California, in 1892, leaving one son, Edwin; Rollin, who is cashier in the Puget Sound National Bank, of Seattle, Washington, and married Nettie Randolph, by whom he has one son named for him; and Mary, wife of Fred Hunter, of Des Moines; they also have one child. Mrs. Ankeny died in 1867, leaving a host of warm friends to mourn her loss, for she was a most estimable lady and had the high regard of all who knew her. She held membership with the Presbyterian Church, and the General is a member of the Christian Church. Since 1851 he has been connected with the Masonic fraternity, and is connected with the Temple Commandery of Des Moines. He is a charter member of the Des Moines Lodge of Knights of Pythias, was a charter member of the first Grand Army post ever or- ganized and belongs to Crocker Post, of this

city. In his political views he is a stalwart supporter of Republican principles.

The General's home is located at 920 Lo- cust street, where he and his sister Hattie and their aged mother, who is now ninety-four years of age, are living together. Mr. Ankeny is given credit by General S. Hurlburt of mak- ing the first map of the battle-ground of Shi- loh. His army record is one of which he may well be proud. Coming of a race of soldiers, he sustained the honor of the family by his brilliant service. He followed the stars and stripes wherever duty called, and through merit won his promotion. He was one of the commissioners and leading spirits of the Cen- tennial Exposition, helping to raise money for that enterprise, and to organize the plans of action. He is public-spirited in an eminent degree, devoted to the welfare of the nation and the progress of his resident community.

J. ALLEN, senior member of the firm of T. J. Allen & Sons, is one of the leading business men of Lucas, Iowa, and may rightly be classed with the pioneers of Lucas county, he having located here as early as 1861.

Mr. Allen dates his birth in Henry county, Indiana, one of the best counties of the " Hoosier " State, September 6, 1840. His parents, William and Keziah (Runyan) Allen, were born in Kentucky and Indiana, respect- ively, and both died in early life, leaving two children, Elizabeth and T. J., the latter being only about four years old when left an orphan. Young Allen was reared by one Ira Stout, an Indiana farmer, by whom he was taught all kinds of farm work and also that honesty, in- dustry and perseverance are the foundation for all true success. His educational advantages were limited to the public schools. In 1861, on attaining his majority, he came west to make his fortune in the State of Iowa and selected White Breast township, Lucas county, as his place of location. Here he settled down to farming and stock-raising. Later he

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removed to Chariton, where he continued in the stock business three years, and from there came to his present place of residence in Jack- son township. The Allen farm, comprising a fine tract of 480 acres of choice land, is lo- cated on section II, and is devoted to general farining and stock-raising, Mr. Allen and his sons dealing largely in stock,-buying, selling and shipping, -in connection with their mer- cantile trade. In 1893 the firm of T. J. Al- len & Sons established their mercantile busi- ness in Lucas and since that date have con- ducted a large and successful business, their store being located in a room, 20x60 in the Masonic block. Here they carry a large and complete line of dry goods, boots and shoes, staple and fancy groceries, gents' furnishing goods, etc. By their straightforward, honora- ble and upright business methods they soon built up a good trade, have maintained the same, and are to-day rated as one of the most popular firms of Lucas.

Mr. T. J. Allen was married first to Miss Sarah J. Baker, a most estimable lady and a member of oneof the well-known families of this county, her father being W. W. Baker. This union resulted in the birth of three children, namely: Carrie L., wife of William Neland, Malvern, Iowa; and W. E. and W. W., part- ners with their father in the business above re- ferred to. His first wife having died, Mr. Al- len was married in 1875 to Elizabeth J. Skid- more, his present companion. Mrs. Allen's father, M. S. Skidmore, one of the earliest set- tlers and honored citizens of Lucas county, Iowa, was born in Henry county, Kentucky, April 19, 1823, son of John and Lucy (McAn- drews) Skidmore. Lucy Skidmore's father was a Revolutionary soldier. M. S. Skidmore was married at the age of twenty-one to Elizabeth J. Evans, a native of Ohio, and in 1863 they removed to Iowa. In their family were six children, of whom three are living, as follows: Elizabeth, wife of T. J. Allen; America, wife of Ellis Mabry; and Mary, wife of Henry Bar- ber.

In his political views Mr. Allen harmonizes

with the Democratic party and casts his ballot and influence with it, taking a great interest in public affairs and serving in some offices of local importance. For a number of years he was on the School Board and for twelve years he was Township Clerk. Fraternally he af- filiates with Good Shepherd Lodge, No. 414, F. & A. M., of Lucas, as also does his son, W. E.

W. E. Allen was married April 26, 1893, to Miss Anna H. Taylor, an accomplished young lady, and they are the proud parents of a little son, Earl L.

HOMAS WATTERS, who is serving as City Auditor of Des Moines, and is the senior member of the Watters- Talbott Printing Company, was born in Hamilton, Ontario, on the 18th of June, 1855, and'is of Scotch descent.

His paternal grandfather, Thomas Watters, was a native of Sterling, Scotland, and fol- lowed the occupation of farming as a means of livelihood. He died at that place about 1855, having reached an advanced age. He became a very wealthy man and owned a large part of what is now called Kelsyth, formerly known as Watters Land. He had a large family that became scattered over America, India and Africa. The father of our subject, Alexander Watters, was a native of Scotland, and in that country married Agnes McKeen, daughter of James McKeen, an agriculturist, who was born in Scotland and died in Leith, Ontario, when about one hundred years of age. He was a very pious man and strict Presbyterian. About 1850 Mr. and Mrs. Watters crossed the At- lantic to Canada, and the father engaged in the dry-goods business in various places, carry- ing on operations in that line in Hamilton, Guelph, Stratford and afterward in Owen Sound. He came to the United States about 1869, and the following year was joined by his family. His death occurred in Chicago, Feb- ruary 25, 1895. His wife, who was a mem-

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ber of the Presbyterian Church, passed away at the age of sixty-four years.

Mr. Watters, whose name heads this bio- graphical notice, has inherited the sturdy inde- pendence and reliability of his Scottish ances- tors and to-day Des Moines numbers him among its leading and influential citizens. He attended school at Owen Sound, and after the removal of the family to Chicago learned the bookbinder's trade in the establishment of Cameron, Amberg & Company. In 1878 he came to Des Moines to enter the employ of Carter & Hussey, and continued in their serv- ice for three years. . On the expiration of that period he began business in his own interest, becoming a partner in the firm of Miller, Girton & Watters, job printers and book-manufactur- ers. This connection was continued for about six years, after which Mr. Girton retired from the firm and the business was conducted under the firm style of Miller & Watters for three years. The junior partner then sold out and entered into partnership with L. L. Talbott, under the style of the Watters-Talbott Print- ing Company, of which he is president, while Mr. Talbott is serving as secretary. They now have one of the largest printing establishments in the State, furnishing employment to some forty hands, and doing an immense business. Their office is excellent, well equipped with the latest improved machinery and appliances, and the superior work which they turn out in- sures an excellent trade. .

On the 24th of October, 1889, Mr. Watters was joined in wedlock with Miss Anna Ganz, a daughter of Philip and Augusta Ganz. Two sons grace this union,-Thomas and Philip Ganz. Their home is pleasantly located at No. 1330 West Fifth street, and is presided over by the estimable lady who now bears the name and shares the fortunes of our subject. She is a member of St. John's English Lutheran Church.

Mr. Watters takes considerable interest in civic societies, being a member of the Masonic fraternity, the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows, and the Knights of Pythias Lodge. In

his political connections he is a Republican. In 1892 he was elected City Auditor of Des Moines, by a majority of 1,260, and in 1894 was re-elected by a majority of 2,525, double the number which he had first received. He had demonstrated his ability and fidelity to duty and his fellow citizens attested their recognition of his faithfulness by this flattering vote. He has cultivated and given direction to his native abilities and has made good use of his opportunities to win success in the busi- ness world. In the walks of life when intelli- gence, honor and manliness are regarded for what they are worth, he has by the practice of these virtues attained an honorable position in the community and won the respect of all who know him.

J OACHIM WULF, deceased, was born in Rentzburg, Province of Prussia, May 3, 1822, and belonged to that army of men who, since the establishment of the first settlement in this country by white men, have crossed the Atlantic to secure homes. He was reared on his father's farm and re- ceived a good common-school education. In 1867 he resolved to try his fortune in the New World, and sailed from Hamburg to Quebec on a post ocean liner. After landing he at once resumed his westward journey, coming to Iowa, where he secured work on the Burling- ton Railroad, which at that time was being constructed westward from Lucas county.

On the 28th of November, 1868, Mr. Wulf was united in marriage to Mrs. Anna M. Rosa, widow of John Rosa, and a daughter of George and Dorothea (Redlingshafer) Redlingshafer, and a sister of John G. Redlingshafer. The lady was born in Bavaria, Germany, February 28, 1824. At the home of her aunt, on the 12th of June, 1850, she became the wife of John Rosa, who was born in that city April II, 1822. He came to America in 1849, and in this country renewed the acquaintance of the lady whom he made his wife, and whom he had known in her native land. The young

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couple removed to St. Louis, Missouri, where he worked at the tailor's trade for about five years. Their next place of residence was in Tazewell county, Illinois, and Mr. Rosa opened a tailor shop in Pekin, which he conducted for two years. He then established a small cigar store in Peoria, Illinois, and in 1864 he re- moved from Illinois to Iowa, locating in Chari- ton, Lucas county, where he again embarked in the cigar business on a somewhat limited scale. His death occurred there October 23, 1867. The same year his widow purchased the farm on which she now resides.

Mr. and Mrs. Rosa had ten children, three now living, namely: John W., who resides on a farm near his mother; George A., also a farmer, of Benton township, Lucas county; and Anna M., who was born in Illinois July 24, 1862; she was married October 25, 1887, to William Schreck, and they have four chil- dren: Rosa May, born June 15, 1888; John H., January 3, 1891; Laura, December 22, 1892; and Gussie Margaret, February 4, 1895. Mr. Schreck has resided in this State since 1 869.

Upon their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Wulf located upon the farm owned by the latter, and to its development and cultivation our subject devoted his energies throughout his remaining days. He passed away on the 2d of August, 1893, and was laid to rest in Chariton ceme- tery.

RS. ELIZA JANE CLEAVENGER, widow of the well-known pioneer citizen and founder of Lacona, was born in Highland county, Ohio, April 24, 1823, a daughter of pioneer William and Elizabeth (McConnell) Cochran. They were the parents of five children, viz .: Eliza Jane, the subject of this sketch; Hetty, de- ceased about two years ago, was the wife of Jackson Corioin, of Osceola, Iowa; Mary, widow of Aaron Higby, and resides with our subject; Jasper, one of the well-known figures of this locality, and has represented Warren

county in the Legislature; Captain John, a contractor and builder of this city. The paternal grandfather of these children was a Pennsylvanian by birth, and served throughout the war of 1812. While returning home one evening he was robbed and murdered by high- wayman. His widow long survived him. Grandfather McConnell was a native of Vir- ginia, and was also a soldier in the war of 1812, in which he was wounded. He subsequently removed to Indiana, where he died at the ad- vanced age of eighty-four years, and his good wife soon afterward passed away.

William Cochran, the father of our sub- ject, emigrated to Ohio in an early day, set- tling in Highland county, where he married Elizabeth McConnell, and there also Mrs. Cleavenger was born. In 1845 the family removed to Indiana, where they resided until their departure for Iowa, in 1855, crossing the river at Burlington, and located in White Breast township, Warren county, just north of where Lacona is now located. Mr. Cochran owned many hundred acres of land, and as Lacona began to grow and White Breast town- ship became settled, a cemetery became neces- sary, and this land was given by William Cochran. To-day, though the silent dead are numerous, the place still bears his name. He was enterprising, progressive and public-spir- ited, and when his son-in-law, Willis Cleaven- ger, proposed to lay out a town, William Cochran did all in his power to promote the project. He was a devout worker in the United Presbyterian Church. He was called to his last resting place after having attained the seventy-first year of his age, and sleeps peacefully in the soil that he donated for burial purposes. Beside him sleeps the wife of his choice. She was a good Christian lady, who so patiently bore many of the privations and vicissitudes of pioneer existence, and was a worker in God's vineyard.

Eliza J. Cleavenger, the subject of this sketch, spent her early life in Highland county, Ohio, where she attended the primitive log schools of the subscription order, and grew to

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womanhood. She was married there January, 23, 1845, by Reverend Phillip Nation, to Willis Cleavenger. They had seven children, namely: Elizabeth, wife of Harvey. Gray, a prominent farmer of Belmont township; Will- iam F., of Des Moines; Jasper, also of that city; John L., a farmer of Nebraska; Alice, deceased, was the wife of Albert Rodgers, proprietor of a hotel and a merchant of La- cona; Mary, wife of Louis Thompson; and Martha E., now Mrs. Bennett, and a resident of Bent county, Missouri.

Their father, Willis Cleavenger, was born May 5, 1819. Of a progressive spirit, his patriotism manifested itself when the country was in the throes of the rebellion by enlisting in Company D, Thirty-fourth Iowa Volunteer Infantry. He was discharged at St. Louis by reason of illness contracted in the service, and his death occurred November 26, 1866. He was laid at rest in Cochran Cemetery, and the old soldiers of Lacona, among whom are com- rades who fought by his side, yearly strew flowers on his grave, while the children who claim Lacona for their birth-place point to his grave as the burial place of the founder of the city.

Much might be said in honor of this sterling, patriot citizen, but suffice it to say that he was ever a warm friend of the public-school sys- tem, and was ever ready to forward any enter- prise which in his judgment would redound to public good. His widow, though seventy-two years have passed over her head and many privations were her lot, is still blessed with comparatively good health and that happy dis- position which has characterized her long life and which has won for her many friends.

EORGE WV. MATTERN, Deputy Sheriff of Polk county, Iowa, is a representative of a widely-scattered and highly respected family. At a re-union of the Matterns recently held in Penn- sylvania over a thousand members of the family were present.

George W. Mattern dates his birth in Marion county, in the State of Indiana, Feb- ruary 14, 1852, and is a son of John W. and Anna (Woodrow) Mattern, natives of Penn- sylvania. They were the parents of four children, only two of whom are now living: John A., a resident of Plainfield, Indiana, and George W. The father of our subject moved to Indianapolis in 1831, where he resided for some years, being the first man in that city to sell ready-made clothing. The greater part of his life, however, was spent on a farm near Indianapolis and his attention was given to agricultural pursuits. He died in Hendricks county, Indiana, June 27, 1884, at the ad- vanced age of eighty-three years. His wife had died in 1879, at the age of sixty-four. They were members of the Society of Friends and were noted for their piety, kindness and generosity. For a number of years he served as Justice of the Peace. Of the paternal grandsire of our subject, we record that his name was John Mattern and that he was a na- tive of Pennsylvania and of German descent; was the father of a large family, and by occu- pation a fariner. The maternal grandfather, Benjamin Woodrow, was born in New Jersey and lived to be eighty-two years of age. He, too, was a farmer

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Memorial and biographical record of Iowa, Part 183

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