Memorial and biographical record of Iowa, Part 7

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

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Mr. Barhydt is a native of Newark, New Jersey, born April 10, 1835, son of Nicholas and Phœbe H. (Gardner) Barhydt, his father a native of New York and his mother of New Jersey. In their family were four children, two daughters and two sons, of whom only the sons are now living, -Theodore W. and Aaron G. The latter is a resident of Claremore, In- dian Territory. Nicholas Barhydt, their father, was for some years a boot and shoe merchant of Schenectady, New York, and died there in 1851, at the age of thirty-eight years. His wife also died in early life, her death occurring in 1841, at the age of twenty-four. They were Presbyterians.

Jerome Barhydt, the paternal grandfather of our subject, was likewise a native of the Empire State, and was a descendant of Jeromenus Barhydt, who, with his brother Andreas, settled on the Hudson river near Coxsackie, in the vicinity of Albany, in the year 1665. Jerome Barhydt was a man who

HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL

measured nearly six feet, was a well-to-do farmer, owning both a farm and property in Schenectady, and was well known and much respected. He was a veteran of the Revolu- tion, and in his old age was honored as such by his fellow citizens. On a certain Fourth of July near the close of his life he and another old soldier of the Revolution were the honored men of the day, being given seats in a barouche and occupying a conspicuous place in the pro- cession. At the time he died he was eighty- four. Grandmother Barhydt was in Schoharie Fort during the Revolutionary war, being a little girl at that time, and helped to make bul- lets for the soldiers. Her people were all in good circumstances, and were related to the noted Major Becker. In their family were thirteen children, Nicholas being the youngest.

Mr. Barhydt's maternal grandfather was Aaron A. Gardner, who was a manufacturer of shoes for the wholesale trade, in Newark, New Jersey, and sold his goods throughout all the South and portions of the Southwest. Per- sonally, he was a large, well-built man, genial in manner, and commanding the respect of all with whom he came in contact. At the time of his death he was well advanced in years. He was a Presbyterian and a great friend of the Hon. Theodore Frelinghuysen.

Having thus briefly referred to his ancestry, we come now to the life of Mr. T. W. Barhydt, our immediate subject. He was reared in Schenectady, New York, and received an academic education in the Lyceum Academy of that place, where many students were prepared for Union College. Up to the age of sixteen his time was spent in his father's store and in attending school. In 1855, he came out West to Iowa and took up his abode in Bur- lington, having an uncle and aunt, Dr. and Mrs. G. W. Snyder, residing here; and we may here state that it was through their influ- ence that he selected this place for his home. An important event in his life history occurred just before his coming West, namely, his marriage.

Soon after his arrival in Burlington, Mr.

Barhydt accepted a position as clerk in the shoe store of Mr. Sweetzer, and not long after- ward became one of the principal clerks in the post-office. In 1859 he opened a new boot and shoe store, in partnership with Mr. Tizzard, with whom he had been in the post-office, and this association continued one year, after which Mr. Barhydt purchased his partner's interest and for some years ran the business alone. Since 1866 he has had for his partner Mr. Henry A. Brown, his brother-in-law, but has not been active in this business for twenty years. Mr. Barhydt assisted in the organiza- tion of the Merchants' National Bank in 1870, and has since that time been its president.

He became interested in the building of Iowa railroads, and was one of the organizers of the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Minnesota (now the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & North- ern) Railroad Company, and was for several years one of its directors, and a member of the executive committee; also one of the directors of the Burlington & Southwestern Railroad, and is now president of the Burling- ton & Northwestern and Burlington & Western Railroad Companies.

Mr. Barhydt is largely interested in real estate in Burlington, and is the owner of the Delano Hotel, and several other fine business buildings. By his enterprise and energy he has caused many substantial improvements to be made, and is entitled to much credit for the share he has had in improving and developing the city. He was one of the citizens through whose influence the Burlington Water Works was established. and one of the principal pro- moters and builders of the first street railroad in the city, serving for some years as treasurer of the company. He has been president of the Board of Trade, a member of the City Coun- cil, and a Director and Treasurer of the City Water Company. In fact most of the princi- pal enterprises of the city have felt the influ- ence of Mr. Barhydt's touch, as he has always taken an active part in any project cal- culated to benefit and increase the business advantages of Burlington.

RECORD OF IOWA.

Mr. Barhydt's pleasant residence is at No. 420 Iowa street, Burlington. Of his wife, we record that her maiden name was Eleanor Christiancy; her father and mother, Isaac and Maria (Vedder) Christiancy,-both the Ved- ders and Christiancys being of Knickerbocker stock of New York. Mr. and Mrs. Barhydt are members of the First Presbyterian Church.

For several years he has been prominently connected with the Masonic order, being a member of Des Moines Lodge, No. I, A. F. & A. M .; of Iowa Chapter, No. I, R. A. M .; St. Omar Commandery, No. 15, K. T., and of Kaaba Temple, of the Mystic Shrine. Also he is a member of the Sons of the Revolution and is one of its board of managers for the State of Iowa.

Politically, he hasalways been connected with the Democratic party, but has been too closely confined to business pursuits to desire or accept public office. Business is his natural element, and in the legitimate channels of trade and finance he has won success, accumulated a valuable property and acquired the reputation of an enterprising, upright and honorable man.

ON. GEORGE JENKINS MARIS .- Among the prominent citizens of Iowa probably none are better known or held in higher esteem than the gentleman with whose name we are pleased to introduce this sketch. He has been a resident of this State since 1858 and of Guthrie county since 1872, his present residence being in Seeley township and Wichita his post-office.

George J. Maris was born in a log cabin among the hills of Morgan county, Ohio, June 17, 1841, a son of pioneers of the Western Reserve. His father, Owen Maris, was born in Delaware county, Pennsylvania, son of David and Sarah (Fawkes) Maris. The Maris family were among the most prominent people of Delaware county, Pennsylvania. In their religious belief they were Quakers. Their his- tory is traced back to England and to one George Maris, a Quaker, who was persecuted

there on account of his religion and who sought refuge and freedom in America, landing here August 25, 1683. He acquired large tracts of land in Delaware county, Pennsyl- vania.

When Owen Maris was a young man he re- moved with his father to Jefferson county, Ohio, locating near Mt. Pleasant, where they were among the pioneer settlers. He was married in that county to Miss Rachel Jen- kins, a member of one of the leading families in the county and a relative of George J. Jen- kins, who was honored by General Grant with an appointment to a prominent position in In- dian affairs. The Jenkinses, too, trace their ancestry back to the English. Mrs. Owen Maris died when the subject of our sketch was six months old. She was a woman of more than ordinary intelligence and force of charac- ter, and was the mother of a large family of children, eight in number, namely: Sarah Plummer, Marshall J., Mary Ann Penrose, Phœbe B. Wright, Rebecca Smith, Clark T., George J. and one who died in infancy. The father of our subject died in Iowa, at the age of sixty-five years. He was by trade a car- penter, and in religion, like his forefathers, he was a Quaker.

· George J. Maris, the immediate subject of our sketch, spent his boyhood days in his na- tive State and received his education in its public schools. At the age of seventeen he came out to Keokuk county, Iowa, where he spent three years, returning at the end of that time to Ohio. The following year, 1862, he came back to Iowa, this time taking up his abode at Spring Dale, Cedar county, where he bought a farm and where, June 2, 1865, he was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. Smith, who was born in Erie county, New York, a member of a highly respected family. Her parents, Gilbert and Lydia (Palmerton) Smith, were natives of Vermont, and her father is now a resident of Wichita, Iowa. Her mother is deceased. Their family is composed of the following members: Nathan E., deceased; Emily Harris, of Erie county, New York; Dan-

HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL

iel W., Des Moines, Iowa; Hannah, wife of Jesse Binford, of Iowa; and Mary E. Maris. Mrs. Maris was a little girl of six years at the time she came with her parents to Iowa, their settlement being in Cedar county, where she was reared and educated. Mr. and Mrs. Maris have had seven children, viz .: Emma B., bookkeeper in the State Treasurer's office, Des Moines; Eva P., wife of D. Spear, of this county; Lydia C., of St. Luke Hospital, Du- luth, Minnesota; Emily R., a graduate of St. Luke Hospital; Walter S. and Florence L .. at home. They lost one child in infancy. All have had good educational advantages and three of the family have at times been suc- cessful teachers.

In 1872 Mr. Maris removed to his present farm, 260 acres, in Seeley township, one of the best farms in all the country round, having substantial and attractive improvements and being under a high state of cultivation. Among the improvements we note a comfort- able residence, good barns and other farm buildings, modern windmill, orchard of choice fruits and a ten-acre grove.

Politically, Mr. Maris has always given his support to the Republican party and is re- garded as one of its "wheelhorses" in this county and district. In 1875 he was honored by election to the Iowa State Legislature and served as a member of the Sixteenth General Assembly, making a creditable record therein. Also he has on various occasions been elected to fill local offices. He served two terms as Treasurer of Guthrie county, has been a mem- ber of the High School Board, and to what- ever position he has been called he has per- formed prompt and faithful service. Such, in brief, is a sketch of the life of one of Guthrie county's best citizens.

R EV. GUSTAF ALFRED SWAN- BURG, pastor of the Swedish Lu- theran Church of Chariton, Iowa, is a native of Nasby, Sweden, born April 23, 1857. His father was interested in

educational work and at one time was quite well-to-do, but through unfortunate invest- ments he lost much of his property and died in America a poor man. His name was Carl Gustaf Swanburg, and his wife bore the maiden name of Anna Marie Bonde. They came to this country in 1867, bringing with them one son and two daughters, and one son was born after reaching this country. Our subject and his eldest brother remained in Sweden attend- ing school at Ahlsborg for three years after their parents' removal, pursuing the prepara- tory course in Ahlsborg Academy.

In 1870 Rev. Swanburg and his brother, John August, came to America and joined their mother, who had been left a widow the first year after their arrival here, her husband having died on the 8th of September, 1868. The family was left in very straightened cir- cumstances. The eldest son was about seven- teen years of age at the time he came to the New World, and upon his shoulders largely fell the responsibility of providing for the family. Our subject is the second son and third child, and he also aided substantially, contributing his meager earnings as a farm la- borer to the support of his mother and her children. Their labors were rewarded in soon seeing the little family comfortably situated upon a farm of 240 acres in Webster county, Iowa, which had been acquired through their industry and frugality. The mother now re- sides at this home, where she is surrounded with all the necessaries and many of the lux- uries of life. One of the saddest events which has entered into their family life was the death of their eldest son, John August, who had de- voted himself untiringly to the labors that de- volved upon him, and who passed away on the 30th of May, 1888, just as he was prepared to enjoy life. The other members of the family are Anna L. Wallburg, a resident of Dayton, Webster county, Iowa, whose husband is a mechanic; Christina Marie, at home; J. Emil Christopher, who has charge of the home farm; and Carl Oscar, who died February 23, 1893, at the age of twenty-four years.

RECORD OF IOWA.

After working upon the farm until his fam- ily was comfortably situated, Rev. Swanburg entered Augustana College at Rock Island, Illinois, pursuing a classical course of seven years and graduating in 1889. In the fall of that year he entered the theological seminary at Rock Island, pursuing the prescribed course, graduating in 1891, and on the 21st of June, 1891, he was ordained to the ministry. On the 3d of July following he took charge of the pastorate of the Chariton Church, to which he had been called several months previous. Here his labors have been pleasant and suc- cessful, and the church has steadily grown and prospered. It was organized in 1868, and has a membership of 284, with 185 communicants. The parochial school under the jurisdiction of the church is conducted each summer season for three months, at a period when least likely to interfere with the public schools. Here the Swedish language and church and Bible his- tory are taught, thus supplementing the public- school course.

Although still a young man, Mr. Swanburg, by virtue of his ability and zeal in the cause to which his life has been dedicated, occupies an important place among the people of his na- tionality in Iowa. He is a member of the executive committee of the Iowa Conference, also of the board of missions of the same, serving as treasurer of the board. For the past two years he has been chairman of the Southwestern district of the conference, and for some years has been a member of the Orphans' Home State board. The Iowa Con- ference of the Swedish Lutheran Church, of which Mr. Swanburg is an honored member, has 9,438 communicants, and a membership of 15,755.

Mr. Swanburg was married May 2, 1894, to Miss Selma Mathilda Falk, a native of New Windsor, Illinois. Her parents were Carl M. and Ella (Johnson) Falk, both natives of Sweden, and when quite young they became residents of New Windsor, Illinois, the father being thirteen years of age at the time he lo- cated there, while the mother was seventeen

when she became one of the residents of that town. Their marriage was celebrated there, and in 1875 they removed to Essex, Page county, Iowa. The father is a retired farmer, and in Essex operates a flouring-mill and deals in real estate. Mrs. Swanburg was born May 7, 1868, and was educated in the Essex public schools, being a member of the first graduating class of the high school of that place. She afterward attended Shenandoah College and is a lady of culture and refinement, who ably assists her husband in his work.

ILLIAM ADDISON TODD, M. D., a regular practicing physician of Chariton, Iowa, was born in Dan- ville, Indiana, April 4, 1838, and is a son of Dr. Henry G. and Serena (Henton) Todd. The father was a native of Louisville, Kentucky, born in 1811, and was educated in Lexington, that State, being graduated at Tran- sylvania Medical College in 1831. He practiced medicine in Indiana for the long period of sixty-one years, and died in Danville, in Octo- ber, 1892. His wife was born in Highland county, Ohio, February 17, 1816, and their marriage was celebrated in Danville, Indiana, in 1831. In their family were nine children, of whom only four are now living, namely : Laura, now the wife of Joseph O'Haver, a marble-cutter and dealer in monuments and tombstones; Marshall is engaged in the real- estate business in Salt Lake City; Henrietta makes her home in Danville with her aged mother. The eldest of the family was Minerva Jane, wife of Rev. W. N. Steele. She died in Rossville, Illinois. John Orlando died in Danville, Indiana. Sarah died in the same city, at the age of sixteen. Maggie died at the old home there, when eight years of age, and Andrew died in infancy. His paternal grand- father was of English lineage and his grand- mother of Irish descent, while the maternal grandparents also descended from English ancestors.

Dr. Todd, whose name heads this record,

HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL

was educated in the city schools of Danville and in Wabash College at Crawfordsville, which he entered in 1854, pursuing a special course of two years. He began the study of medicine in the office of his father, who was a physician of Indianapolis. He then engaged in the drug business for several years, before he entered medical college, and abandoned that business only when his health failed. Deciding then upon the medical profession as a life work, he entered the University of Mich- igan, where he pursued one course of lectures. He then became a student in the Indiana Med- ical College at Indianapolis, at which he was graduated in the class of 1874. He has been successful in his chosen field of labor, and has succeeded in establishing a reputation which numbers him among the foremost physicians of this locality. He has now a liberal patron- age and the public recognize his skill and ability.

Dr. Todd began practice at North Salem, Indiana, in 1864, but soon after went into the army. In the fall of 1865 he became a resident of Garden Grove, Iowa, his place of abode until the spring of 1882, when he came to Chariton. His labors in the line of his profession have continued almost uninter- ruptedly. Early in 1865 he became assistant surgeon of the Eleventh Indiana Infantry, in which he served until the close of the war, and the loyalty which prompted him to go to his country's aid during those dark days has al- ways been manifest in his faithful performance of every duty of citizenship which comes to . him. His brother, John O., was a member of the Seventh Indiana Infantry and was dis- charged on account of ill health, but afterward re-enlisted in the Fifty-third Indiana Infantry -General Gresham's regiment. Marshall also served a three-years term in the Sixty- third Infantry of Indiana.

The Doctor was married at Eddyville, Iowa, October 3, 1861, to Miss Orpha G. Tuttle, a native of New Hampshire. She was born March 13, 1839, and when in her seven- teenth year came to Iowa with her parents,

the family locating on a farm near Eddyville. Her father, Oliver Tuttle, during his younger years, married Fannie Gray, and they are still living in Eddyville. The Doctor and his wife have two children: Edward Carlton, who was born July 8, 1862, and died January 15, 1864; and Henry Oliver, born June 9, 1867. The latter was educated in the public school of Garden Grove, Iowa, and in Fairfield, this State; also pursued the scientific course of study in the Michigan University at Ann Arbor. He now resides in Omaha, Nebraska, where he is employed as a salesman. He married Miss Myra A. Surface, of Omaha, and to them were born two children, but Addison Gaylord died at the age of six months. Gif- ford Gray is now a babe of six months.

In his political views Dr. Todd has been a life-long Republican, unfaltering in his support of that party. Socially he is connected with Iseminger Post, No. 18, G. A. R. He is a member of the Iowa State Medical Society and of the Des Moines Valley Medical Association, of which he is now serving as president. He belongs to Chariton Lodge, A. F. & A. M., and Chariton Lodge, No. 268, A. O. U. W., and both he and his wife are members of the Presbyterian Church. The Doctor is highly esteemed by his professional brethren, holds an enviable position in social circles and is a respected and honored gentleman.

ON. SAMUEL GUIBERSON RUBY, attorney at law and formerly United States Consul to Belfast, Ireland, is a resident of Winterset. A native of Holmes county, Ohio, he was born Sep- tember 22, 1839, the son of William B. and Ann (Guiberson) Ruby. His father, a farmer by occupation, was a native of Maryland and a son of John Ruby, also a native of the same State. His ancestors moved from France to England and thence to America as early as 1690. The maternal grandfather of our subject, Samuel Guiberson, was among the early settlers of New Jersey, and his ancestry is traceable

RECORD OF IOWA.

back to England. In 1852 William B. Ruby and family moved from Holmes county, Ohio, to Madison county, Iowa, locating upon a new farm in Union township, in the vicinity of Win- terset, where they carried on general farming for a number of years. They then moved into town, where Mr. Ruby finally died, in his eighty-fourth year. His wife had died pre- viously, in 1855.

The gentleman whose name honors the in- troduction to this sketch, the eldest child by his father's second marriage, passed his boy- hood on the farm in Holmes county, Ohio, and after his thirteenth year in Madison county, Iowa.

On leaving the school-room he entured the law office of Messrs. McPherson & Elliott, in Winterset, as a student of law, but his favorite studies were interrupted by that most horrible spectacle of human experience, civil war, and in April, 1861, on the very first call for troops, he and M. R. Tidrick, W. C. Newlon and B. F. Murray went to Indianola, Warren county, this State, and enlisted in Company G, Third Iowa Volunteer Infantry, commanded by N. G. Williams, and they went to the front from Madison county to tender their services to their country. Mr. Ruby enlisted as a private May I, 1861, and served in the ranks two years, participating in the battle of Shiloh and in a number of skirmishes, in the early part of the war, and was honorably discharged the next year.

Returning to Winterset he resumed his law studies in the office where he had commenced, and in due time, in 1863, he was admitted to the bar, before Judge Gray at Winterset. About this time McPherson & Elliott enlisted in the service of their country, leaving their office and law business in the care of young Ruby, who improved the golden opportunity and by industry and wit succeeded in attaining an enviable position in the legal profession. Entering upon his legal career without means or favors he won his way to the front and in a short time was enjoying a good patronage and a handsome income.

By appointment by the Board of Super- visors he served as County Attorney for five years, with credit to himself and satisfaction to the people. For two terms he was Mayor of the city of Winterset, and for a number of years he was an attorney for the Rock Island Railroad Company after its completion to his city. For several years he was interested in farming lands, at one time being the owner of one of the best farms in the county. His resi- dence, which he built in 1878, is one of the finest in the county.

In 1889 Mr. Ruby was appointed Consul to Belfast, Ireland, by President Harrison, and served a term of four years, efficiently and sat- · isfactorily representing our Government at that point. His son, Ralph O., was with him and was Vice-Consul, doing a large part of the business. Toward the close of his term Mr. Ruby established a law office in London, Eng- land, and while there his son was taken sick with typhoid fever, and died February 22d, 1895, in his twenty-eighth year. This was a severe stroke upon the bereaved parents.

Mr. Ruby continued his practice in London until April, following, and, returning to Win- terset, has since devoted his attention to his financial interests. He is a member of the Knights Templar and of Pitzer Post, G. A. R.

December 25, 1863, is the date of Mr. Ruby's marriage to Miss Sophia Ogden, of Covington, Kentucky, a daughter of William Ogden, an honored and influential family; and Mr. and Mrs. Ruby have had three children: Claude A., Ralph O., deceased, and Blanche, who is a student of music in London, England, and has spent six years in Paris and London in the prosecution of musical studies.

ESLEY M. RODGERS, deceased. - The subject of this biographical re- view was born in Guernsey county, Ohio, October 13, 1840. He came to Iowa in the fall of 1861.

In the spring of 1862 he enlisted in Com- pany D, Twenty-ninth Iowa Infantry, and

HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL

served throughout the war of the Rebellion as a private. His military record was in every respect a credit to himself and his family, and his comrades all speak of him as a faithful and patriotic soldier. While in the service he con- tracted disease, which clung to him through his whole life, and in his later years entailed much severe suffering. The recollections of the pri- vations and fatigues of his military life fre- quently came back to his semi-conscious mind in the last days of his life, while confined to his death-bed, and he lived those painful ex- periences over again in imagination.

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Memorial and biographical record of Iowa, Part 7

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