Memorial and biographical record of Iowa, Part 19

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

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world, its inhabitants and their customs, for no other school furnishes the facilities that the school of travel does. This worthy couple are leading members of society, and in the city which is still their home they have a wide circle of warm friends.

J D. BLAKE, M. D., Palmyra, Iowa .- Among the physicians and surgeons of Iowa, Dr. Blake has for years occupied an enviable position. His natural adap- tation for the arduous duties of his profession, his close study and long years of research, his success in the performance of many difficult surgical operations, his numerous contributions to the different medical journals at various times, all go to stamp him as one of the emi- nent physicians and surgeons of his day.

Dr. Blake was born in Noble county, Ohio, November 28, 1838, one of the large family of children of Israel and Elvira (Clark) Blake. Israel Blake was born in Ohio in the year 1800, and his early life was spent amid the priva- tions and dangers incident to a residence on the frontier. For a number of years their rude home in the wilderness of the Western reserve was nearly surrounded by Indians. There he passed his life and died, his death occurring in 1872. His wife, whose maiden name, as already stated, was Elvira Clark, was, like him, a native of Ohio, she being the daughter of Aurelius Clark, one of the early pioneers of that State. The Clarks, who were of English origin, came to this country at an early period of its history and made settlement in Maine, whence a few generations later they emigrated to Ohio. Mrs. Blake died in middle life.

Simeon Blake, the Doctor's grandfather, was a native of the State of Maine and emi- grated in early life to Ohio, which was then considered the extremne Western frontier. He was one of the occupants of the block house at Marietta, the first settlement of Ohio; was Captain of a military company, and one of the leading spirits of the time in which he lived.

At the time of his death he was about sixty years of age. Beyond him the ancestry of the Blake family is traced through Nathaniel, William, Jr., and William, Sr., Blake back to the early days of the Colonies on the New England coast; and in the old country, back to the distinguished Commodore Blake of the British navy, who, generations ago, was fore- most among the men who established England's supremacy upon the seas.

Dr. James D. Blake, the immediate sub- ject of this sketch, was educated at Marietta College in Ohio, where he pursued a four years' course. Then he took up the study of medi- cine at Starling Medical College, Columbus, Ohio, from which institution he received his degree in 1869; and previous to his gradua- tion at Columbus he practiced under his pre- ceptor for four years. In 1870 he came West and settled in Palmyra, Iowa, where he has since been engaged in the practice of his pro- fession.

Dr. Blake was married in 1863 to Miss Hannah E., daughter of James Kelly, of Zanes- ville, Ohio, and to them have been born three children, Eugene L., Byron S., and Lula May. The sons are both members of the legal pro- fession and are located at Des Moines, where they are working their way to the front.

ILLIAM C. WALTERS .-- The gen- tleman whose name heads this re- view is one of the successful busi- ness men of Toledo, Iowa. Though not possessing a collegiate education-which he deplores-yet he has by careful reading and long business experience accumulated a stock of valuable information not to be found in any school curriculum. Beginning life at the foot of the financial ladder, he has steadily advanced without aid to a position of promi- nence and affluence.

Mr. Walters was born in Stark county, Ohio, July 13, 1843, of German and Irish ancestry, though both his father's and mother's family lines had been represented in the New

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World for several generations. His father was William Walters, who was born in Vir- ginia, in 1814. His early life was spent in the humble pursuit of a mechanic; but after his marriage he became a merchant in Stark county, Ohio, continuing his labors there until the family removed to Poweshiek county, Iowa, in 1865. Here he lived a retired life until his death, which sad event occurred at the family home in Poweshiek county, August 8, 1895. Father Walters was a man universally esteemed for his excellent traits of character and devo- tion to the cause of humanity.

The companion of his long and useful life was Miss Elizabeth McKee, who was born in Ohio, of Irish ancestry, in 1815. Together they traveled the pathway of life, sharing each other's joys and sorrows for more than half a century. When we consider the wonderful progress made in art, science, literature and the development of the far West, we cannot but recognize a volume of interesting history embodied in the lives of these venerable pio- neers. Properly to portray a history of the useful inventions brought into existence dur- ing their lives would require a volume of the capacity of this work. When they first saw the light of day there was not a mile of rail- road in the world. The old slow-moving stage coach has given way to steam and elec- tric cars, and messages are transmitted by electricity to every part of the civilized world instead of by the slow process of horseback couriers. The invention of the telephone has brought the voices of absent dear ones to our very ear, while the more modern appliances bring to our ears the sayings of the departed. The old hand-sickle, the use of which rendered the husbandman's labors tedious and irksome, has given place to self-binding machinery which renders harvesting a play-spell. All of this and much more has transpired within the short span of a single human life, which was witnessed and recognized with passing events by the parents of our subject. The aged widow, whose life seems as a benediction to her children, still lives in her lonely home

where her life partner so recently passed from her presence.

Nine children were born to this venerable pair, two of whom have preceded their par- ents to the spirit world. The others are hon- ored and respected men and women located as shown below: Mary A. is the wife of W. H. McQueen and resides at Modale, Iowa, her husband being a retired merchant; Jacob R. is a prosperous farmer living near Findlay, Ohio; Maggie became the wife of Basil Shi- mer, a machinist at Brooklyn, Iowa; James served four years as a soldier in the late Civil war incurring disabilities which caused his death in 1891. At the time of his death he was a merchant in Kansas. The subject of this sketch was the next in order of birth; Hi- ram is a merchant at McAllister, New Mexico; Josie is the wife of Rev. George Dalby, a Meth- odist Episcopal minister now stationed at Hutchinson, Kansas; Leroy S. is unmarried, employed as a traveling salesman; and Nancy Jane died at about ten years of age.

Our subject left the parental home in 1863. after having received a good common-school education in his native county, and was soon installed as a clerk in a mercantile house in Poweshiek county, Iowa.

This was the beginning of a successful busi- ness career, which, after November 1, 1866, was continued in his own name at Toledo, Iowa. For a few months he was associated with a partner, after which he became sole proprietor of a very successful grocery busi- ness, continuing in that line until 1885, when he retired from business for about two years, taking a much needed rest. His next venture was in the grain and produce business, where we now find him.

In 1872 Mr. Walters became interested as a stockholder and official in the Toledo Savings Bank, one of the solid, financial institutions of the city, and is the vice-president of that pop- ular institution. He is a business man in the true sense of the word, and in all of his various enterprises his efforts have been crowned with success. Starting in life poor, and without

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influential friends, he has accumulated valuable properties in Toledo and adjoining country. Among his possessions -- the result of his own industry and energy-may be mentioned a fine farm of about 700 acres of choice Tama county lands, a valuable business block in the heart of the city of Toledo, a grain elevator with large capacity, and an elegant home in the city.

He is a gentleman of genial manners, pub- lic-spirited and enterprising, and to his energy and liberality is due much of the. prosperity of the beautiful little city which he calls his home.

Mr. Walters chose for his life companion Miss Mary H. Reynolds, whom he wedded in Poweshiek county, Iowa, the place of her birth, on the 22d day of November, 1866. She is a daughter of Rev. Commodore Perry Reynolds, a pioneer minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Iowa. He was a native of Ohio, and espoused the calling of a minister at twenty-one years of age. He spent his life in the service of the church and died, as he had lived, a consistent Christian, July 10, 1891, aged sixty-nine years, His wife was Miss Martha Orr, who survives him and now resides in Toledo. She is a native of Kentucky.

Mr. and Mrs. Walters have but two chil- dren, the eldest of whom, Charles Earnest, is a practicing attorney in this city. He is a young man of excellent attainments and gives fair promise of making a mark in the world. He is a graduate of the Toledo high school, Cor- nell College, and the law department of the University of Michigan, where he took a two- years course, graduating in June, 1893. He is now the junior member of the law firm of Caldwell & Walters, the senior member having served several years as District Judge. The other son is John Perry, who was born Octo- ber 3, 1879, and is now a student in the city high school, just entering the senior year, which attainment is a remarkable achievement for one of his years.

Mr. Walters has always been connected with the Republican party and has been active and influential in political affairs, though not

an office-seeker in any sense. He has served in various official stations of trust and responsibility. The family are connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church in Toledo.

J OHN R. WALLACE .- Holding dis- tinctive prestige as one of the influential and representative business men of Bloomfield and prominently identified with the agricultural interests of Davis county, Mr. Wallace is clearly entitled to considera- tion in this volume; and not alone for the rea- sons above enumerated, for his parents were among the honored pioneers of the county and were intimately concerned in the labors which constituted the initial stages of development in this section of the favored commonwealth of Iowa.

Our subject, who is cashier of the State Bank of Bloomfield, is a native of the State of Tennessee, having been born in Marshall county, on the 13th of February, 1847, thie son of William and Elizabeth M. (Rawson) Wal- . lace, both of whom were natives of Tennessee, where they were reared to maturity and where their marriage was consummated. The mother was born in Marshall county, that State, Oc- tober 23, 1829, and her marriage to Mr. Wal- lace occurred when she was sixteen years of age. She was the daughter of Dr. Joseph Rawson, a distinguished physician of Tennes- see. In February, 1849, William Wallace re- moved with his family to Iowa, settling in Prairie township, Davis county, where he pur- chased a farm and devoted his attention to its cultivation and to the raising of live stock, re- maining there until the spring of 1858, when he removed to the village of Troy, this county, and there continued his residence until 1862, when he again resumed farming operations, lo- cating on a tract of land four miles west of Troy. Mr. Wallace served with the militia in defense of the southern Iowa border during the late war of the Rebellion, assisting in the work of repulsing the armed bands of guerillas and bushwhackers who made frequent raids

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into the State for the sake of plunder, and in which connection they committed many atroci- ties and murdered many defenseless and peace- able citizens. These desperadoes were a men- ace to the State, and the annals of the period are replete with records of their nefarious and inhuman deeds. The father of our subject was one of their unfortunate victims, having been murdered by these dastardly outlaws, Novem- ber 7, 1864, while at work on his farm. . He was a man of strong nientality, utmost integ- rity and pleasing personality, having been an influential factor in the community and having retained the high esteem and friendship of all with whom he came in contact. It may well be imagined that the disaster of his untimely death, at the hands of craven assassins, was a inost grievous loss and a most poignant sor- row to his family, but the devoted mother bravely assumed the double burden placed upon her shoulders, keeping her family to- gether and continuing to reside on the farm un- til 1870, when she removed to Bloomfield. In · 1888 she went to Colorado and there remained with her children until she was called upon to obey death's inexorable summons, her demise occurring July 25, 1895, near Grand Junction, that State. She was a devoted member of the Presbyterian Church, in which faith she passed away, and in the merging of her noble and beautiful life into the infinite there was a con- sistency which could not but serve to palliate the grief of those who remain to revere her memory. Her mortal remains were interred beside those of her husband in the old ceme- tery in Prairie township, this county, wliere also repose the remains of two sons and two daughters who had preceded her into eternal rest. She was the mother of five sons and four daughters, of whom the survivors are: Thomas A., Camilla and W. S. Wallace, residing at Grand Junction, Colorado; and John R. and Mrs. Mary M. Moore, of Bloomfield, Iowa.

John R. Wallace, the immediate subject of this review, remained with his mother on the old homestead until he had attained the age of seventeen years, receiving his educa-

tional discipline in the district schools and in the academy at Troy. Upon leaving school he secured a clerical position in a general store, conducted by N. W. Cook, in Bloom- field, and later held similar incumbencies in turn with Thomas Ewing and the firm of Cooper & Wray, the latter being dealers in clothing and men's furnishing goods. He had by this tinie developed a keen discrimination and a valuable knowledge of business methods, and he entered upon a business career indi- vidually by engaging as a real-estate, loan and insurance agent, his operations in this line being so ably conducted as to gain him marked pre- cedence and a representative supporting patron- age. He continued to be thus concerned until 1887, when he associated himself with others in the organization of the State Bank of Bloomfield, of which he was simultaneously made cashier, and has since served in that exacting capacity, having proved himself a discerning and conservative financier and one particularly eligible for the office he holds. The institution is recognized as one of the solid monetary concerns of the county, and the representative support accorded shows the confidence in which the interested principals are held by the people of the community. A general banking business is conducted and care- ful attention is paid to the wants of patrons and to the extending of accommodations within the province of the institution. Mr. Wallace is the owner of an excellent farm of 587 acres, lo- cated in Davis county, and the same is devoted to general agricultural operations and to the rais- ing of live stock, while the permanent improve- ments are of substantial and attractive character. Our subject maintains a personal supervision of the work of his fine farmstead, and is in close touch with the interests of the agricultural com- munity. He is also identified with other im- portant financial institutions and industrial con- cerus outside of Bloomfield, in which connec- tion it may be stated that he is a stockholder and director of the State Bank of Albia and the State Bank of Keosauqua, this State.

Politically Mr. Wallace does not render a

Vm. B. Kinnick.

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supine allegiance to any party organization, but maintains an independent attitude, using his franchise in support of men and measures rather than in upholding a prescribed political code. In his fraternal relations he is promi- nently identified with the Masonic order, being a member of Franklin Lodge, No. 14, A. F. & A. M., of Bloomfield Chapter, R. A. M., and of Malta Commandery, Knights Templar, at Ottumwa. He is also a Noble of the Mys- tic Shrine, and is a member of the lodge and encampment of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, being held in the highest esteem in both business and social circles.

The marriage of Mr. Wallace was solem- nized January 8, 1873, when he was united to Miss Mary J. Walton, a daughter of Ira D. Walton, of Bloomfield, Iowa, and they are the parents of two sons: Fred W. and Samuel T.

ILLIAM BUTLER KINNICK, who figures as one of the wealthy and influential farmers and stock men of Adel township, Dallas county, Iowa, is the proprietor of as fine a stock farm as there is in this part of the State. The follow- ing facts in regard to his life have been gleaned for publication.

William B. Kinnick first saw the light of day in Johnson county, Indiana, March 20, 1849, and is the youngest of the fourteen chil- dren in his father's family. Of this number, three sons and five daughters are still living. The family was represented in the Civil war by three of the sons, two brothers and a half brother of our subject. . William Kinnick, the father, was a native of North Carolina and a pioneer of Indiana, he having removed to In- diana before there was any town where the prosperous city of Indianapolis, the capital of the State, now stands. In 1854 he came out to Iowa, locating in Adel township, Dallas county. Here he bought a tract of wild land, which he improved to some extent and sold, and afterward purchased 400 acres in the same 8

township. On this latter place he passed the residue of his life, and died at the age of seventy-two years, in 1862, and his wife sur- vived him several years, dying at the home of our subject, in 1891. The Kinnicks are noted for longevity. It is recorded of the grandfather of William Kinnick that at the age of ninety- six years he made the journey on horseback from Ohio to Maryland, to visit his old home!

We return now to William B. Kinnick, with whose name we began this sketch. He was reared as the average farmer boy, going to school in winter and working on the farm in summer. By industry and careful economy, - which principles, by the way, have formed the foundation of his success, -he saved consider- able money and inherited forty acres of land from his father's estate, and had this nice lit- tle start when he married. After his marriage he continued farming 160 acres of the home farm, and became the owner of the same by buying out three other heirs. Now he owns nearly 1,400 acres of choice land, is extensively engaged in the stock business, in connection with his farming operations, and is one of the largest shippers of stock in this part of the West.

Mr. Kinnick was married March 3, 1875, to Miss Mary J. Stump, a native of Indiana, and they have had seven children, four of whom are living: Mary B., Frank B., Ruth and Nile C.

Mr. Kinnick is a Republican, voting first for General Grant when he ran for a second term, but takes no part in politics other than exercising the right of franchise. He attends strictly to his own business, is known as a man of sterling integrity and one whose word is ever regarded as good as his bond, and as such he is worthy of the high regard in which he is held by his fellow citizens. His family attend the Methodist Episcopal Church.

ON. RALPH GURLEY PHELPS, the leading attorney of Cass county. Iowa, residing at Atlantic, was born in Monmouth, Warren county, Illi- nois, January 26, 1846. He traces his ances-

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try back to William Phelps, who came from England in 1630 with the Warham congrega- tion of Puritans, and located for a time in Massachusetts, and then removed to and founded Windsor, Connecticut. William Phelps was the father of Lieutenant Timothy Phelps, who was born at Windsor, Connecti- cut. The latter also had a son named Timo- thy, who was born in the same place and who afterward removed to Hebron, in the same State. He had a son whom he named Tim- othy and who was born at Hebron. He was the father of Timothy Phelps, who was also born at Hebron, and had a son named Samuel, who was a soldier in the Revolutionary war and who was the father of Porter Phelps, who was born in Madison county, New York, March 23, 1804. Porter Phelps was a farmer and merchant in his native State and there married Mary Rees, also a native of Madison county, New York, and a daughter of David Rees, a native of Wales, who came to America in 1802 and located in Madison county, New York. The marriage ceremony took place, at the home of the bride's parents, in 1826.

In 1837 Porter Phelps with his family emi- grated to Warren county, Illinois, and settled on a farm near Monmouth, the county seat, where he engaged in farming, in which occupa- tion he continued during the remainder of his life. A pioneer of Warren county, Illinois, he was well and favorably known throughout all that region of country and died at the ripe age of eighty-four years. His wife, the mother of our subject, died at the age of eighty-two years and the remains were interred in the cemetery at Monmouth, where they await the summons of the great day. They were the parents of eight children, of whom Gertrude M., Ann E. and Kenneth J. are now deceased. Samuel D. now resides in Monmouth, Illinois, in the employ of the United States Government; De Witt, who also resides in Monmouth, is living a retired life; Delos P. is at present United States Assistant Treasurer, at Chicago and is a member of the firm of Shope & Phelps, attorneys, IIIO Exchange Building, Chicago.

The subject of this sketch was reared on the home farm near Monmouth, Illinois, and received his primary education in the district schools. He later entered Monmouth College at which he was graduated in the class of 1867, being the class valedictorian. On leav- ing college he commenced reading law with Stewart & Phelps and was admitted to the bar by the Supreme Court of the State at Al- ton, Illinois, in 1869. In 1877, he removed to Lewis, Cass county, Iowa, where he re- mained one year, and then came to Atlantic, where he has since been engaged in practice with great success. For the past fifteen years, he has been attorney for the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railway, and since 1886 for the Western Union Telegraph Company. The very fact that he has been retained as at- torney by these companies is proof positive of his ability in his profession.

On the 21st of September, 1871, Mr. Phelps was united in marriage, at Lewis, Iowa, to Miss Alice Hardenbergh, a native of Ulster county, New York, and a daughter of Thomas H. Hardenbergh, also a native of New York. She came to Lewis, Cass county, Iowa, in 1858, with her parents, and here grew to womanhood. Mr. and Mrs. Phelps are the parents of two sons: Porter I., born May 13, 1881, and Robert G., born Septem- ber 21, 1889.

In politics Mr. Phelps is an uncompro- mising Democrat, with which party he has been identified since attaining his majority. He has ever taken an active interest in polit- ical affairs of State and nation and, while never aspiring to office, has advocated with voice and pen the principles of his party. As a speaker, he ranks among the best in the State and is logical and conclusive in his arguments. He is a man of great executive ability and for two years was member of the State Demo- cratic central committee, and did much toward reducing the large Republican major- ity of Iowa. For two terms he served the city of Atlantic as Mayor, to the satisfaction of his constituents.

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In connection with his duties as an at- torney Mr. Phelps has given some attention to other business interests. In 1886, he estab- lished the Commercial Bank at Atlantic, of which he was elected president. Under his management and counsel the bank has had a successful existence. Fraternally he is a member of Pymosa Lodge, No. 271, A. F. & A. M .; Ophir Chapter, No. 84, R. A. M .; and of Kedron Commandery, K. T. In each of these bodies he has filled most of the chairs. For years he has been an active member of the order and for two years was Grand Master of Iowa. He is also a member of the Knights of Pythias. Few men are better known in the State and none more highly honored than the subject of this sketch.

B C. McNAIR, who is now living re- tired in the pretty city of Milo, War- ren county, Iowa, was born in Som- erset county, Pennsylvania, June 14, 1830. His father, Andrew McNair, was a native of the same State, and throughout life followed the occupation of farming. He mar- success. He is a wide-awake, energetic and enterprising business man, and his well directed efforts have made him a substantial citizen.

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Memorial and biographical record of Iowa, Part 19

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