Memorial and biographical record of Iowa, Part 51

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

USA > Iowa > Memorial and biographical record of Iowa > Part 51

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Iowa; and Ruth, wife of John Walker, also a resident of Wapello county.

Mr. and Mrs. Thompson have nine sons and a daughter, namely: Clifton M., Charley W., Calvin, Frank, Leroy, Sylvia H., Alva Dean, Carl and Worth, -all yet under the pa- rental roof. The family are prominently con- nected with the Christian Church of Indianola. Socially, Mr. Thompson is an Odd Fellow, being now Past Grand of Palmyra Lodge, No. 146, I. O. O. F. He is also an active mem- ber of James Reynolds Post, No. 116, G. A. R. He was elected to the office of Sheriff of Warren county by the Republican party in 1893.

The father of our subject was of Irish and German ancestry. The ancestry has always been in the advance guard of American civil- ization, being on the frontier from the earliest history of their settlement in America. They possessed very marked family characteristics. The men were invariably tall and erect in stature and strong and robust, ranging in height from five feet ten inches to six feet two inches and in weight from 190 to 220 pounds. Mr. Thompson of this sketch is a most perfect specimen of physical manhood, and an intelli- gent and companionable gentleman with hosts of friends and few enemies.

HARLES WEITZ .- The name of this gentleman is synonymous with the building interests of Des Moines, where for many years he has been recognized as one of the leading contractors. No man has done more toward building up the resident districts of the city, and many of the beautiful homes stand as monuments to his en- terprise. He is a worthy representative of that type of American character, that progress- ive spirit which promotes public good in ad- vancing individual prosperity. His success is the result of his industry and untiring enter- prise, combined with good judgment, correct business habits and a determination at what- ever sacrifice to do right.

319

RECORD OF IOWA.

Mr. Weitz is a native of Germany, his birth having occurred in Schotten, about thirty miles north of the city of Frankfort, in Hesse-Darm- stadt, May 4, 1826. Hisfather, Henry Weitz, was also a native of that locality and there spent his entire life. In his family were three sons and a daughter, but only two are now liv- ing, Christian and Charles, who together came to America and now reside in Polk county, the former making his home in Walnut township.

In accordance with the laws of his native land, Mr. Weitz attended school until fourteen years of age, and then was apprenticed to the carpenter and builder's trade. He con- tinued with his first employer for two and a half years, and then perfected himself in his chosen field of labor by work and study in some of the important cities of Germany, France and Switzerland. For several years he was thus employed, but there came a time when his government demanded his services, and in 1847 he was drafted into the army, being engaged in active duty for two years. He fought in a number of hotly contested battles and was severely wounded in an engagement which occurred near the Manheim and resulted in his confinement in the hospital for three months.

On leaving military service, Mr. Weitz sought a home in the New World, crossing the Atlantic to New York city in the spring of 1850. He was accompanied by his brother, Christian, and after working for a month in the eastern metropolis, proceeded to Ashland, Ohio, where they remained for a year, then departed for Columbus, the capital of the State. There our subject began to work at his trade in earnest, but hard times came on in the win- ter of 1854-5, resulting in the depression on account of the great fatality that attended the prevalence of cholera the previous summer. It often seems that the most important actions of our lives are occasioned by trivial incidents. The reading of a newspaper caused Mr. Weitz' removal to Des Moines. He was one day sit- ting in the shop of his employer in Ohio, when he happened to glance at an item in a paper

which gave an account of the removal of the capital of Iowa from Iowa City to Des Moines, and instantly there flashed across his mind the thought, "That is the place for me. The new capital shall be my future home. I will go to Iowa and grow up with the country." He foresaw that the removal of the capital would cause considerable building in Des Moines and provide good business opportunities for one in his line of trade. He therefore sold what lit- tle property he possessed, boarded a train which carried him upon his way as far as Cin- cinnati, then took a steamer down the Ohio river and up the Mississippi to Keokuk, where a prairie schooner was chartered which brought him safely to his destination.

Mr. Weitz at once endeavored to obtain work as a journeyman. He found the task a difficult one,-in fact failed in the attempt; but he possessed a resolute spirit that was not to be daunted by discouragement, and so soon began business on his own account as a con- tractor and builder. He soon demonstrated his skill and ability, and his able workmanship and the faithfulness with which he fufilled his part of a contract won him a very liberal pa- tronage, which has continued as the years have passed. He has erected hundreds of the dwell- ing-houses of Des Moines, also a number of the business blocks, and usually employs a force of from twenty to fifty men. He has largely given his personal supervision to the work, and in as far as possible carries out the terms of a contract to the very letter.

Mr. Weitz' success in his chosen field has made him the possessor of considerable capital, and he has become extensively connected with the banking interests of Des Moines. He is to-day a stockholder and director in the Ger- man Savings Bank, a stockholder in the Des Moines Savings Bank, and a stockholder and director in the Valley National Bank. What- ever he undertakes he carries forward to suc- cessful completion and his connection with any enterprise therefore insures its prosperity. He has always been methodical and systematic in his work, has followed strict business principles

320

HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL

and honorable methods, and his success comes as the fitting reward of earnest labor.

In his political connections, Mr. Weitz is a Democrat, and as every true American citizen should do feels an interest in political ques- tions, yet has steadily refused office. In 1886 he consented to the solicitation of many friends and accepted the position of Alderman of Des Moines, but refused re-election. He andhisfam- ily are worthy members of the Lutheran Church, and give their support to all that is calculated to promote the social, educational or moral wel- fare of the city.

Mr. Weitz was married in 1854 to Miss Helena, daughter of Adam Kinnel, who came with his family from Germany to America dur- ing the infancy of his daughter. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Weitz numbers three sons and four daughters, namely: Lizzie; Charles, an architect and builder of Des Moines; Amelia; Rosa; Fritz W., who carries on the same busi- ness as his brother; Emma, who is successfully engaged in school-teaching; and Eddie. The hoine of this family is one of the finest resi- dences in Des Moines, and was erected in 1893,-a brick structure of Italian design with spacious rooms and halls, the interior beauti- fully finished in hard wood. The chambers on the upper floor are finished with cypress wood, and the cornice of the building is solid copper. The mantels, of oriental design, are artistic in the highest degree. The home is supplied with the latest improvements, heated throughout with hot water and is furnished with taste and elegance. This palatial residence is the abode of hospitality, and the friends of the family are many.

J OSEPH WILLIAM GENESER has for almost a quarter of a century been con- nected with banking institutions in Des Moines, and is now the cashier of the German Savings Bank. From the age of three years he has made his home in the Capital City, and to-day is numbered among its most prominent business men. Yet in the prime of

life, he has won the success that might well crown a life-time of labor, and his career demon- strates what can be accomplished by persever- ing, determined effort. The achievement de- pends upon the man, and the inan in this case possessed the necessary qualifications for suc- cess.

Mr. Geneser was born in Albany, New York, March 16, 1853, and is a son of Francis and Mary A. (Klein) Geneser, both natives of Ger- many, the former born in Bavaria and the lat- ter in Prussia. The paternal grandfather, Francis Geneser, spent his entire life in Ger- many, where he followed the occupation of fruit-growing. He served as a soldier under Napoleon, and lived to a ripe old age. The father, Francis Geneser, Jr., came to America about 1850, locating in Albany, New York, where he remained until 1856, when he came to Des Moines. Here he has since resided, and for many years has been engaged in the manufacture of brick and in contracting and building. He has also for the past twenty- three years been connected with the banking business, and is recognized as one of the in- portant factors in the commercial circles of his adopted State. Both he and his wife are de- vout members of the Catholic Church. In their family were seven children, of whom five are yet living, namely: Joseph W .; Mary, wife of Harry Harritt, of Des Moines; John F .; George; and Mattie, wife of C. S. Starr- mann, of Quincy, Illinois.

J. W. Geneser was educated in Des Moines, graduating at the high school, and then en- tered upon his business career in connection with his father, learning the brick mason's trade, which he followed for some years. He became foreman of the business, which he mastered in every detail, and was a capable manager. In 1872 he began his connection with the banking business as collection clerk for the Citizens' National Bank. He afterward served as bookkeeper and continued with that institution as a most trusted and faithful em- ployee for ten and a half years. He then entered the employ of the State Savings Bank

321

RECORD OF IOWA.

as cashier, and acceptably served in that posi- tion until 1893, when he aided in the organiza- tion of the German Savings Bank, of which his father is now president, while he is acting as cashier. In connection with his other business interests, he is a member of the Capital City Oatmeal Company. When measured by what he is and by what he has done, Mr. Geneser may be pronounced in the truest and best sense of the term a successful man.

On the IIth of September, 1884, Mr. Geneser was united in marriage with Miss Mary Jennings, a daughter of Patrick and Mary (O'Neal) Jennings. Three children were born to them, but the second daughter, Frances, died at the age of six years. Cora and Joseph J. are still at home. The parents are members of the Catholic Church, and Mr. Geneser is connected with the Catholic Knights of Amer- ica, the Roman Catholic Protective Association of Iowa, and the American Sons of Columbus. In politics he is a Democrat, but has never sought or desired honors or emoluments of public office.

OAH TUTTLE is an Iowa pioneer, as for nearly half a century he has had his residence in this great State, in which time his honest and earnest efforts have been rewarded with prosperity, and to-day he is ranked with the wealthy and influential farmers of Lucas county. A re- view of his life is appropriate here and is as follows:

Noah Tuttle was born in Pitt county, North Carolina, November 3, 1830, son of Benja-, min and Gatsey (Legget) Tuttle, both natives of that State. Benjamin Tuttle died there when our subject was a small child, and after liis death the widow and children, in 1836, moved to Virginia and subsequently went from there to Bartholomew county, Indiana. Following are the names of the children composing this family: Abram, Talitha, Lewis, William, Re- becca, Guilford, Noah and Marinda. The moth- er lived to see them occupying honored and use-

ful positions in life, and her death occurred in Iowa, at the age of seventy-six years. Of the father, we may further record that he was a farmer by occupation, and that in politics he was a Whig.

Noah Tuttle's early life was spent on farms in North Carolina, Virginia and Indiana, and on the roads as the family journeyed from one place to another, these long journeys being made by wagon. He was early initiated into all kinds of farm work and was taught that honesty and industry are the foundation of all true success. While his schooling was limit- ed to an attendance of only two weeks, he has by close observation and contact with the world gained a broad and practical knowledge. In 1851, on attaining his majority, he left the "Hoosier " State and came out west to Iowa. He settled in Wayne county, near the county line, on Wolf creek, and on the tract of land which he acquired he built a little cabin, 16 x 16 feet, and as he was yet unmarried his mother kept house for him. Their journey to Iowa, like their other moves, was made with a horse team. In 1888 Mr. Tuttle removed to his present location in Warren township, Lucas county, his post-office address being Chariton. Here he owns an excllent farın of 700 acres, and besides he has given to his children no less than a thousand acres. He has a fine modern residence, built at a cost of $1, 500, and his home is surrounded with all the comforts and luxuries of life. His barns and other farm buildings, and indeed his whole premises, give evidence of prosperity and at once distinguish the owner as a man of taste as well as thrift. Mr. Tuttle is an excellent judge of stock. In his rich pastures are found a high grade of horses, cattle and hogs. Without going into further detail, we state that Mr. Tuttle is recognized as one of the most successful farmers and stock men of Lu- cas county.

Mr. Tuttle has been married twice and has a large family of children. When he was twenty-two he wedded Miss Barbara Tees, a native of Henry county, Iowa, her people hav-

322

HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL

ing come to this State from Ohio. Their union resulted in the birth of eight children, - Gatsey, Rachel, William, Joseph, Grant, Mar- tha, Charles, and Noah, -two of whom, Rachel and Noah, are deceased. The inother of this family has been dead for twenty-three years. In 1882 Mr. Tuttle married Margery Williams, who was born in Davis county, Iowa, October 1, 1853, daughter of Samuel and Su- san (Swinney) Williams, who were both of Virginia birth and who came to Iowa in 1849. Mr. Williams was a soldier in the late war, his regiment being the Fourth Iowa Infantry, and he was killed in the battle of Pea Ridge. Mrs. Williams died at the age of fifty-seven years. She was a true Christian woman, a member of the Baptist Church, and in that faith reared her family, the names of her chil- dren being Parkison, John, Margaret, Delana, Margery, Martha, Mary and Matilda. Mr. Tuttle and his present wife have five children living, viz .: Rachel, Bertha, Lydia, Amanda and Ethel. They had one child that died in infancy.

Mr. Tuttle is a man of plain manner and speech, his word is ever as good as his bond, and his hospitality is genial and genuine. To know him is to admire him for his many ster- ling traits of character. In his political views he harmonizes with the Republican party.

EORGE HENRY SUTTON, a wealthy and influential farmer of Union town- ship, Lucas county, Iowa, is one of the prosperous citizens of Iowa who hails from the "Buckeye" State. He was born in Muskingum county, Ohio, sixteen miles from Zanesville, June 2, 1833. His grand- father Sutton was a native of Nova Scotia and came from there to the United States, settling in New Jersey. He was the father of ten chil- dren, one of whom, Samuel, the father of our subject, was born in New Jersey, in 1802. Samuel Sutton married Elizabeth Slack, a na- tive 'of Loudoun county, Virginia, and they be- came the parents of ten children, viz .: Joseph,

Phillip, John, George H., Thomas, Elizabeth, Anna, William, Samuel and Maggie. Both the father and mother lived to a good old age, her death occurring in her seventy-ninth year and his in his eighty-fourth, and both were members of the Baptist Church. He was a farmer all his life, was in politics first a Whig and later a Republican, and was a man who stood high in the community in which he re- sided.

On his father's farm in Muskingum county, Ohio, George H. Sutton spent his boyhood days, receiving his education in the common school, and early in life receiving from his worthy parents those lessons of honesty, indus- try and frugality which have been of such value to him. To his early training he attributes the success he has attained in life. When he was eighteen he began teaching school, and for twelve years followed the profession of teach- ing during the winter, spending his summers on the farm. Thus was he occupied previous to and during the early part of the war. In May, 1864, he enlisted in Company E, One Hundred and Sixtieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and went to the front. He was at Harper's Ferry, Martinsburg, Virginia, Maryland Heights, and other points in the East, guarding railroad supply trains. He was also at Winchester and Cedar creek and in the Shenandoah valley, and after a service of four months was hon- orably discharged and returned to his home in Ohio.

In 1865 Mr. Sutton removed with his fam- ily to Lucas county; Iowa, settling first on a tract of land 250 acres in extent on section 17, of Union township, where he improved a good farın and where he made his home for a period of fifteen years. From there he removed to his present farm, 480 acres on section 29, of the same township, Derby being his post-office, and here he has one of the best farms in the county. He has from time to time acquired other lands, and altogether is the owner of about 1,000 acres, well adapted for grain and stock. His residence, which was built in 1882, at a cost of $2, 500, is modern and commodious and

323

RECORD OF IOWA.

finished and furnished throughout in good style. Surrounding it is an attractive lawn, and near by is a grove and orchard, the latter covering about two acres. His main barn is 36x38 feet, and he has other barns and sheds for stock, and has everything conveniently ar- ranged. His farm is supplied with windmills, in his broad, rich pastures are found the very best of stock, and everything about the whole farm gives evidence of the fact that its owner has made a study of both farming and stock- raising.

Mr. Sutton was married June 5, 1856, in Muskingum county, Ohio, to Nancy Swank, who was born and reared there, daughter of Lemuel and Martha (Honold) Swank, both natives of Ohio, where they passed their lives and died. Mrs. Sutton had one brother, James T., who was a member of the One Hundred and Sixtieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, for the hundred-day service and is now a resident of Kansas; and Mr. Sutton had a brother, Will- iam, in the army, who was a member of the Ninety-seventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and is now a resident of Clarke county, Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Sutton are the parents of seven chil- , dren, namely: Marion L., Union township, Lucas county ; Maggie, wife of William Leech, also of this township; Harvey, of Derby, Iowa; A. C., residing on the old home place on sec- tion 17, of this county; W. E., also of Union township; and Pearl and Blanche, at home. All have had good educational advantages, and Harvey, like his father, for some time followed the profession of teaching.

Mr. Sutton has taken an active interest in local affairs ever since he settled in this county. He has filled the offices of Township Trustee and Assessor, and for years served as a mem- ber of the School Board, being the efficient Secretary of the Board for twelve years. He is an ardent Republican. A veteran of the late war, Mr. Sutton is, of course, a member of the G. A. R., his name being on the list of charter members of McKnight Post. He is also identified with the Odd Fellows and main- tains a membership in Derby Lodge, No. 329,

I. O. O. F. Although now sixty-two years of age, time has dealt gently with Mr. Sutton and he would easily pass for a man much younger than that. He is honorable and upright in all his dealings, frank and genial in his intercourse with his fellow men, and is as popular as he is well known, both he and his family ranking with the leading people of their community.

ENRY JOY came to Lucas county, Iowa, in 1866, and has ever since fig- ured prominently as one of the rep- resentative farmers and leading citi- zens of his community. He was born in Mus- kingum county, Ohio, February 25, 1838, son of Thomas and Milly Ann (Rollings) Joy, the former a native of Maryland and the latter of Virginia. The paternal grandfather of our sub- ject was John Joy, and his birth occurred either in Maryland or Virginia. Thomas Joy and his wife when well along in years removed to Illinois and settled near Terre Haute, Indi- ana. There the father died at the age of eighty- seven years and the mother at the age of sev- enty-three. They were the parents of ten chil- dren, -Nancy Jane, George Washington, Henry, William, Stephen, Mary Frances, Cath- erine, Elizabeth, Alfred and Louisa A. The parents spent their lives on a farm, were de- voted and active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and were people who stood high in the communities in which they resided.

Henry Joy grew up on his father's farm and was educated in the common schools, and was engaged in farining in Ohio at the time the war- cloud gathered and burst upon the country. August 8, 1862, in response to President Lin- coln's call for 300,000 soldiers, Mr. Joy en- listed in the Ninety-seventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and soon afterward went to the front, going out as a private and returning at the close of the war with the rank of Corporal, his rec- ord being that of a gallant and daring soldier. He was with the forces that operated in the South, was at Missionary Ridge, Nashville and

324

HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL

other points, and took part in the Atlanta cam- paign. At the battle of Missionary Ridge he was wounded in the left leg by a minie ball, and twice at other places he was struck by a spent ball, once on the leg and the other time on the scalp; but these were not serious wounds.

At the close of the war Mr. Joy received an honorable discharge and returned to his home in Ohio. In 1866, as already stated, he be- came a resident of Iowa, his first location here being on an eighty-acre farm located a mile and a half northwest of his present place. The farm he now owns and occupies comprises 320 acres on section 33 in Union township, Lucas county, and is one of the best farms in the county. It is improved with good build .. ings, orchards, grove, etc., and is under a high state of cultivation. The two-story residence is modern and commodious and is furnished in good style, and everything about the premises gives evidence of the taste as well as the thrift and prosperity of the owner. The barn is 46 x 48 feet, with eighteen-foot posts.

Mr. Joy has been twice married. February 20, 1865, he wedded Miss Eliza J. Swank. Her parents, Lemuel and Martha (Honold) Swank, died in Ohio. She was one of four children, and her brother, James J., was a soldier in the late war. Their union resulted in the birth of the following children: Millie Ann, John, Frank, Myrtie, Edna, Bruce and Ivy. The mother of these children departed this life October 5, 1888, and January 8, 1890, Mr. Joy married Miss Fannie Leech, his pres- ent companion. She is a daughter of A. J. and Mary J. (Lackey) Leech, her parents being early settlers of Union township, this county, and the members composing their family being Lizzie, Fannie, William, Cora and Dora. Mrs. Leech died in January, 1894. By his present wife Mr. Joy has two children, Dora B. and Edith.

Politically, he is a Republican. Personally, he is a man of fine physique, being six feet in height and weighing 260 pounds; and in man- ner always frank and genial, having the happy faculty of making friends wherever he goes.

3 ESSE CLARK BAKER .- This gentle- man dates his identity with Lucas coun- ty, Iowa, from October, 1853, has for a number of years figured as one of the leading business men of the county, and for the past ten years has been engaged in bank- ing in Lucas. He is therefore entitled to rank with the pioneers of this part of Iowa, and we here take pleasure in presenting a sketch of his life, believing that it will be read with in- terest by many.

Mr. Baker is a native of the "Hoosier" State, born in Nashville, Brown county, In- diana, December 29, 1843, a son of early set- tlers of that State. Jesse Baker, his grand- father, was born in North Carolina, in the year 1774, a descendant of German ancestors. From North Carolina he removed to Ken- tucky, and settled in Henry county soon after Daniel Boone had made it possible for the white man to establish his home in Kentucky. Some years later he continued his way north into Indiana, and in Boone county, of this State, he died, at the advanced age of ninety years. He also had a brother who lived to the age of ninety years, and who died in that same county. Jesse Baker was twice married, and had one child by his first wife and six by the second. His son, Walker William Baker, the father of our subject, was born in Ken- tucky, June 29, 1814, was quite small when the family removed to Indiana, and was reared in Johnson and Brown counties, early in life being inured to hard work on the farm, and a portion of the winter months attending the common schools of his district. His early training in the district school was supplemented by home study. In political matters he took an active interest. He was a Democrat, a zealous worker for his party and friends, and on a number of occasions was officially hon- ored. He served as Sheriff of his county, and for six years filled the office of Collector and Treasurer, and while thus employed studied law, and was admitted to the bar in Indiana. He was married in Johnson county, Indiana, to Miss Eliza Musselman, a native of Jennings

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Memorial and biographical record of Iowa, Part 51

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