Memorial and biographical record of Iowa, Part 186

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

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well selected stock of plumbers' material and supplies in their Des Moines store, from which they ship to retail dealers in Nebraska, Kansas and Texas, as well as in their own State. The store is one of the best of the kind in the West, with an office elegantly fitted up and supplied with all modern conveniences and ap- pliances.

Mr. Wallace is vice-president of the Master Plumbers' Association. His business career is one of which he may well be proud. Receiv- ing aid of no kind he came to the West to seek a home and fortune and worked for others until he could secure a capital sufficient to en- gage in business for himself. Successful man- agement, close attention to all details and energy have brought him to the desired goal, and he is to-day one of the leading and sub- stantial business men of Des Moines.

In 1887 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Wallace and Miss Maggie Lennon, of Des Moines, and they have one son, Arthur T. Their home is a pleasant residence at 404 Laurel street.

RS. MARGARET R. HARLOW, widow of the late William Harlow, is a well-known and most highly es- teemned lady residing in the vicinity of the village of Woodward, Iowa, where she has one of the most attractive country seats in this section of the State.

Mrs. Harlow is a daughter of Jedediah and Nancy (Newland) Waldo, natives respectively of New York and Virginia. She was first mar- ried in Illinois to Mr. Henry Thornley, and with him and her parents emigrated about 1850 to Iowa, making settlement in Dallas county, where both her husband and father took claims to Government land; but they had only fairly established themselves in their new homes when Death came and left Mrs. Thorn- ley a widow and her little son fatherless. This son, George H. Thornley, is now engaged in general merchandising in Woodward. Her father, Mr. Waldo, died in this county in 1864,

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at about the age of sixty-one years, while her mother lived to the age of seventy-three, dying in 1881. Her paternal grandparents were Schubel and Esther (Crippen) Waldo, the for- mer a descendant of the noted Frenchman, Peter Waldo, and the latter of English origin. On the maternal side we find her grandparents, John and Margaret (Weir) Newland, were na- tives respectively of Ireland and Scotland, early emigrated to this country, and both died in Ohio.

For her second husband Mrs. Thornley married Mr. William Harlow, one of the hon- ored residents of Dallas county and a brave soldier in the late Civil war, he having served nearly all through the war as a member of Company B, Twelfth Iowa Infantry. He was a man of sterling integrity, his character with- out a· blemish, and his friends numbering as many as his acquaintances. By his death there are left a widow and two children, namely, Belle and Mary, both of whom are married and settled in life.

UGH BRENNAN is numbered among the most distinguished members of the bar of Iowa, and is now success- fully engaged in law practice in Des Moines, as a member of the firm of Phillips & Brennan. He has also taken a prominent part in political affairs and has been honored with public office, wherein he has demonstrated his fidelity to the best interests of the city.

A native of the Emerald Isle, he was born in county Monaghan, March 12, 1845, and is a son of Owen Brennan, who emigrated with his family to America about 1850, locating first near Philadelphia, and afterward remov- ing to Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. At length he decided to seek a home in the West and cast his lot with the settlers of Polk county, Iowa, where his remaining days were passed. His life labors were ended in 1873, but his wife still survives and yet makes her home in Des Moines.

Hugh Brennan was a child of only five

years when the family crossed the water to the United States. He was reared in the East, and having attained his majority he was mar- ried in Pittsburg to Miss Jane Burnett, a lady of Scotch descent. In early life he did not enter professional fields, but it was his desire to take up the study of law for some years be- fore he was able to carry out his wishes. He had a family to support, and to prosecute his studies would require capital which he did not possess. As the years passed, however, he managed to save something from his earnings secured by manual labor, and also devoted his leisure hours to the study of law; but it was not until 1874 that he could give his entire time and attention to it.

In that year Mr. Brennan became a student in the law office of Smith & Bayles, a promi- nent legal firm of Des Moines. He applied himself closely to the, work, made a thorough study of the standard authorities, and in Feb- ruary, 1878, was admitted to practice in the courts. Mr. Bayles withdrew from the firm and Mr. Brennan was associated with his old preceptor, Mr. Smith, in the regular practice of law for some years. He possesses superior legal ability, an analytical mind and good powers of oratory. In 1886 he was appointed to the position of assistant City Solicitor of Des Moines under James H. Detrick, Esq., and at once began to make a special study of municipal law, devoting his whole time and at- tention to the faithful discharge of the duties of his office. So efficient and acceptable were his services to the public that he became the regular nominee on the Republican ticket for City Solicitor in 1890, and at the election held on the 7th of April of that year he was given a large majority. This was particularly con- plimentary to his ability, fidelity and personal popularity, as it was the first election of the city officers after the consolidation of the city and suburban towns which largely increased the responsibility resting on the City Solicitor. He qualified himself for the position by his own unaided efforts, and by so doing overcame adverse circumstances which would discourage

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inany another. That he was true to every trust, and capably served and discharged his duties with credit to himself and satisfaction to his constituents, is indicated by the fact that he was re-elected on the expiration of his first term and continued in that office until April, 1894.

On his retirement to private life Mr. Bren- nan resumed the general practice of law, form- ing a partnership with W. W. Phillips, which still continues. The firm has won a reputation that places it in the foremost ranks of the pro- fession in Iowa, and receives the most liberal and extended patronage from among the best citizens. Mr. Brennan is recognized as a lead- ing member of the Republican party and does all in his power to promote its growth and in- sure its success.

OVERNOR BUREN R. SHERMAN (By Hon. George G. Wright, ex- Chief Justice of Iowa and ex-United States Senator). - Buren R. Sherman, the eleventh Governor of Iowa, was born in Ontario county, New York, of sturdy and dis- tinguished English stock, May 28, 1836. He made Iowa his home in 1855, first in Tama county, and in 1859 removed to Benton county, where he resided at the time of his election as Governor, in 1881, his official term com- mencing in 1882; was re-elected in 1883, his second term expiring in 1886, and his successor being Mr. Larrabee. He had been admitted to the bar, and before his election as Governor was for several years Clerk of Benton county, and for three terms was Auditor of the State (1875-1881), stepping directly from the latter office into the executive chair. It need hardly be said that his knowledge of the law and his services in the offices named admirably quali- fied him for his new field of labor, for he thus had a thoroughly trained experience and ob- tained a knowledge of public business and affairs of State which few, if any, of our ex- ecutives had, or have acquired, and what served him so well in his new and responsible

station; and especially may it be noted that few offices, if any, are more responsible, more important to the welfare and correct adminis- tration of the executive branch of the State and the successful discharge of the duties of Governor than the office of Auditor.

Prior to 1861 he engaged in the practice of his profession in Benton and surrounding coun- ties, and had the usual success attending the studious and faithful young man, who in those early days had to work hard and live poor. depending upon the hopeful growing future for adequate returns; and though thus fairly suc- cessful and hopeful, he early enlisted in Com- pany G, Thirteenth Iowa Infantry, his captain being that grand man, John Shane, who was afterward, and until his untimely and, I regret to say, continued illness, prominent in affairs of State; and his first colonel was M. M. Crocker, whose name is a synonym of the truest courage and pre-eminent discharge of duty during the great struggle for the nation's life. The subject of this short sketch was afterward made Second Lieutenant of Com- pany E of the same regiment, and was so serving when seriously wounded at the memor- able battle of Shiloh, on the 6th of April, 1862. While detained for treatment in the United States general hospital he was promot- ed to the Captaincy of his company, continuing in the service, and doing all that his health would permit until just before the surrender of Vicksburg, in 1863, when by reason of his wounds and the condition of his health he most reluctantly resigned and returned to his home.

From these wounds he has never fully recovered. For some years he has been living quietly at his old home, and engaged, as his health would permit, in the practice of his pro- fession, loved and respected, as few others, by his old neighbors and friends, and, indeed, by the people of the entire State.

Of his life as a soldier, or while filling our highest offices, or as a lawyer, or a citizen, I need say little. It is so comparatively recent as to be almost an open book, speaks for itself,

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and all can read. I may state, however, with confidence, that there is no stain upon either. In defense of that flag we love so much, he offered almost his life, since for months, if not years, it was doubtful whether he would ever fully recover the effects of rebel bullets on Shiloh's bloody field. Indeed it may be re- peated that he has never fully recovered, and yet, for thirty years or more following, he has done an amount of work and displayed an ability in whatever he has undertaken, seldom equaled by those in the most vigorous health.

As Governor, his messages show a most in- timate acquaintance with the affairs of State, his recommendations always on the side of economy and good government, and his every act giving evidence of devotion to the welfare of the public, an intense desire for the integ- rity of public officials, and the upbuilding and highest interests of our commonwealth. Called to the high office at a time of comparative quiet in the State's history, but liftle before him beyond the routine of every-day work, and yet, for a sovereign State always and forever important, he nevertheless so administered its affairs as to add luster to its name and re- tain its high standing in the great sisterhood.

Duty, well performed, is but a definition of his conception of official action, and in political life he knew no truer or more effective re- ligion. Great opportunities, like those coming to Lincoln, Grant, Kirkwood and men of that class, develop the truest manhood; and thus far we have seen that men are always to be found equal to great emergencies. And while the man of well balanced mind, honest pur- poses, and faithful to duty in the quiet years of official life may not be called upon to so act as to send his name down the centuries, he never- theless may, and does, do much to conserve the public welfare, and is equally entitled to the plaudit, "Well done, good and faithful servant." The man, in other words, who is equal to the task before him, is not the only one entitled to unstinted praise, for one with- out such opportunities may be equally faithful, and acquitting himself well in the work as-

signed, we may well presume would be equally fitted for higher and more trying duties. The greatest heroes often pass to their graves with praises unsung. After all, it is doing duty, whether in the highest or humblest walks of life, that makes us great; and that this is true and may be said of Governor Sherman, I doubt not.

In his declining years, health not the most vigorous, having the love of our people, and surrounded by a most interesting and devoted family, the hope of all is, that the sunset of life may be as serene and happy as his earlier years were full of good to the State and nation.

Governor Sherman's home is at Vinton, Iowa.

EE IRVING CARSON, assistant cashier and one of the-stockholders in the Farmers & Merchants' Bank of Tama, is a gentleman of excellent business ability and a leading factor in com- mercial circles in Tama county.

He was born in Marion, Linn county, Iowa, July 8, 1858, and is a son of Joseph Scott and Phæbe (Vaughn) Carson. The father was a native of Mercer county, Pennsylvania, born in 1817, and a representative of one of the old families of the Keystone State, of Scotch-Irish origin. During the '40s, when Iowa was still a Territory, he located within its borders, and was for many years one of its prominent and leading citizens. By trade he was a cabinet- maker and ship finisher. On leaving the State of his nativity he took a trip through the Southern States, working at his trade, and finally came to Iowa, locating in Marion, where he established the first furniture manu- factory in that locality, the power for the es- tablishment being furnished by horses. In the spring of 1882 he removed to Tama county, and under the firm style of Carson, Fay & Company engaged in the lumber and coal trade for three years. Selling out on the expiration of that period he removed to Valley county, Nebraska, where he purchased a tract of land,

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and made his home until March, 1894. In that year, accompanied by his wife, he went on a visit to his children in Taylor county, Iowa, where he died very suddenly, his remains being interred in the cemetery of Bedford. Mr. Carson was a stanch Republican from the formation of the party, took an active part in temperance work and was an advocate of all reforms that tended to uplift humanity. His own life was one of honor and uprightness, and for many years he served as an Elder in the Presbyterian Church, occupying that office in the various communities in which he lived. He never sought political office, but for some time served as Deputy Revenue Collector. His life was a busy and industrious one, and he met with good success in his undertakings. A fire in 1857 destroyed much of his property, but with characteristic energy he set to work to retrieve his losses and accumulated a com- petence.

The mother of our subject was a native of Pennsylvania, and came to Iowa with her par- ents. Her father, William Vaughn, was one of the pioneers of Linn county, and was one of the prime inovers in the founding of the Pres- byterian Church in Marion. His occupation was that of farming, which he followed until his later life. During the last decade of his life he was blind. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Carson was celebrated in Marion, and the mother is still living in that city, at the age of sixty-eight. She is a devout member of the Presbyterian Church, and her earnest Chris- tian life and many excellencies of character have won her a large circle of friends. Her family numbers four children: Ollis Irene, wife of Hon. A. J. Sawyers, of Bedford, Iowa; Orin Scott, a dealer in hardware and imple- ments at Clearfield, Iowa; Lee I., of this re- view; and Willie, a real-estate and insurance agent of Ord, Nebraska.

The early life of our subject was passed in Marion, and his primary education was ac- quired in its public schools. He afterward at- tended Lennox College, and subsequently took a course in the commercial college of Val-

paraiso, Indiana. Coming to Tama, he joined his father in the lumber business, and had charge of the interests of the firm until selling out. He then accompanied the family on their removal to Nebraska, where he remained about five years. In May, 1890, he accepted his present position in the Farmers and Mer- chants' Bank, of Tama, and is capably dis- charging the duties that devolve upon him. His efforts, however, have not been confined to one line of endeavor. He is a resourceful man, and a member of the firm of Jackson & Carson, engaged in land loans, real-estate and insurance business. He is also a director in the Tama Loan & Savings Association.

An important event in the life of Mr. Carson was celebrated in May, 1883, it being his marriage to Miss Emma Edith Jackson, a daughter of Andrew Jackson. They have one daughter, Marie. Their pleasant home in Tama is the abode of hospitality and the favorite resort with inany friends. In politics, Mr. Carson is a supporter of Republican principles, and as every true American citizen should do he feels an interest in his party, but has neither time nor inclination for public office.

3 OHN HERRIOTT .- A view over the field of public life in Iowa shows forth one whose career is a credit to his party and to the State, whose adminis- tration of public affairs will bear the closest scrutiny and whose private life has won him the kindest regard of many friends; and this man is the gentleman whose name introduces this review, -the honored Treasurer of Iowa, now a resident of Stuart.

A native of Pennsylvania, he was born in Allegheny county, near Herriottville, on the 20th of October, 1844, and is a son of David Herriott, a farmer by occupation. He de- scended from one of the old families of Mary- land that was founded on American soil in Colonial days by James Herriott, the grand- father of our subject, who was a native of Scotland and of Scotch and English lineage.

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The mother of Iowa's Treasurer bore the maiden name of Isabel Frier. A native of the Emerald Isle, who was brought by her parents to the New World during her early girlhood. Her father was William Frier. Thus it is that the blood of various nationalities flows in the veins of John Herriott, and in him are man- ifested some of the most sterling characterist- ics of these races.

In his boyhood Mr. Herriott early became familiar with the duties of farm life. He be- gan his education in the district schools of the neighborhood, where he pursued his studies until his twelfth year, when he became a stu- dent in Mercer Seminary, devoting his ener- gies to mastering the branches of learning therein taught until after the breaking out of the late war. Patriotism was then stronger within him than a desire for learning. He felt that his country needed his services, and though only a boy of seventeen he was willing to risk his life for the preservation of the nation, and in July, 1861, enlisted. He was first assigned to Company K, First Pennsyl- vania Reserves, which regiment was com- manded by Colonel George D. Bayard and as- signed to the Army of the Potomac. He participated in a number of the fiercest en- gagements of that sanguinary struggle, includ- ing the battles of Antietam, Chancellorsville and others, and when his three-years term of enlistment had expired he was honorably dis- charged, in September, 1864.

Returning to Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, Mr. Herriott entered the State Normal School, but after a short time, to enlarge his opportunities in life's field of action, he came, in 1865, to Scott county, Iowa, stopping first at New Lib- erty and engaging in farming and stock-raising. There he continued his residence until 1873, when he removed to Stuart, Guthrie county, changing his occupation by embarking in mer- cantile pursuits. He purchased a stock of drugs, books, stationery, etc., and has since continued this line of business. Success came to him in this undertaking, rewarding him for his capable management, his unswerving fidel-

ity to business ethics and his earnest desire to please his patrons. He now has a well appointed store and is enjoying a most liberal patronage.

In connection with his other business in- terests Mr. Herriott is president of the First National Bank of Stuart, and holds other local trusts, besides owning considerable real estate in Stuart and elsewhere.

In his political principles Mr. Herriott is a decided Republican, giving an unfaltering and intelligent support to the principles of that party. In 1877 he was elected Treasurer of his county (Guthrie) and in 1879 was re-elect- ed, serving for four years. In the autumn of 1894 he was called to his present exalted posi- tion as Treasurer of the State of Iowa, and as one of the chief officials of the commonwealth he has become well known throughout the State, and has by manly principle and con- duct won the regard of his many fellow citi- zens.

Socially, Mr. Herriott is connected with Stuart Lodge, No. 214, I. O. O. F. His home life is most pleasant. He was happily married in 1867 to Miss Mollis Moss, of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, and they have four children, namely: Frank Irving, Lawrence B., steno- graphic amanuensis for his father; Della I. and John Donald.

H. FARWELL, a member of the firm of Willey & Farwell, proprietors of the Bulletin-Journal, of Independ- ence, and the owner of one of the fine farms of Buchanan county, is a native of the Green Mountain State. He was born in the town of Danville, Caledonia county, and is a son of Silas and Rosalina (Hedley) Farwell, also natives of Vermont. The father was a prosperous business man. The grandfather, Henry Farwell, of English ancestry, was a successful farmer. Our subject was the fourth in order of birth in a family of six children, three sons and three daughters, of whom five are yet living. He attended the common schools and the home academy, and in 1865

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accompanied his father on his removal from Vermont to Iowa Falls, Iowa, where the latter made a permanent location, his death occurring there in 1893. He was twice married and his second wife still makes her home at Iowa Falls.

A. H. Farwell continued his education at Iowa Falls, and on attaining his eighteenth year he entered the office of the Sentinel, pub- lished at that place, of which M. C. Wood- ward was proprietor, and there learned the printing business. He was afterward employed for two and a half years on the Sioux City Journal, and later secured a position with the Dubuque Times. From Iowa he went to North Platte, Nebraska, where he purchased the Western News, and continued its publica- tion for a few months, when he disposed of the paper and returned to this State. He then purchased a paper in Jesup called the Vindicator, which he published for a year, and in 1879 established the Buchanan County Journal at Jesup, conducting the paper at that point for two years, when he removed the office and business to Independence. At length this paper was consolidated with the Bulletin under the name of the Bulletin-Journal. The Bulletin had been the property of the firm of Chandler & Toman. Mr. Farwell purchasing Mr. Toman's interest, while Mr. Willey pur- chased Mr. Chandler's interest, the firm name was changed to its present form. These gentle- men are equal partners in the ownership and Mr. Willey has editorial charge of the paper, while Mr. Farwell largely manages the busi- ness interests. The Bulletin-Journal is an eight-column quarto, neat in appearance, well printed and filled with interesting reading matter. It is Republican in politics and has the largest circulation of all Republican papers in northeastern Iowa. The office is fitted up with all the latest improved equipments known to the business.

In 1872 Mr. Farwell was united in mar- riage with Miss Eliza Dodge, of Harvard, Illinois, a daughter of Nathan C. Dodge. They now have four children, a son and three

daughters, and their pleasant home in Inde- pendence is noted for its hospitality.

Our subject formerly served as Postmaster of Independence, and is a public-spirited, pro- gressive citizen who takes a deep interest in everything pertaining to the welfare and up- building of his community. In addition to his other interests, he is the owner of a valuable farm of 270 acres, and has engaged extensively in the breeding of fine trotting horses, mostly of the Wilkes and Hambletonian strains. His farm is well improved with good buildings, specially fitted up for breeding purposes, and the Farwell stock farm has a wide reputation. It is pleasantly and conveniently situated about a mile northeast of Independence, and our subject spends considerable time in looking after his business interests there. He is ener- getic and industrious, and possesses excellent business ability which is manifest in the suc- cess which has crowned his labors and which has all been acquired through his own efforts.

J ACOB JULIUS WOHLWEND, Police Judge of Burlington, as his name indi- cates, is a native of Germany, but he became identified with Iowa about the time he began to number his years by the "'teens," and since 1872 has lived in Bur- lington.

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Memorial and biographical record of Iowa, Part 186

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