Memorial and biographical record of Iowa, Part 93

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

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a HARLES JOHN IVES .- Railroads have been termed the "highways of civilization," and their construction is ever followed by progress, upbuilding and advancement. The light that flashes along its rails is an indication of the dawn of pros- perity. Practically annihilating time and space, it has largely been the railroads that have pro- duced the marvelous growth of the West, placing this section of the country on a par with the older East, and the promoters of the work justly deserve to be termed benefactors of their race. For many years our subject has been connected with railroad building in the Mississippi valley, and to-day stands at the head of the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & North- ern Railroad Company as its president. The position of prominence to which he has at- tained is a tribute to his skill, his executive ability, his perseverance and sound judgment,

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-qualities which have been instrumental in securing him success.

The life record of such a man cannot fail to prove of interest, and the history of Iowa would be incomplete without his sketch. He was born in Wallingford, Rutland county, Ver- mont, October 4, 1831, and is descended from honored New England ancestry, connected with the history of that section of the coun- try almost from the beginning. The founder of the family in America sailed from England on the Truelove, and landed at Boston, Massa- chusetts, on the 19th of September, 1635. Our subject is numbered among his direct lineal descendants. Another of his ancestors was John Ives, who wedded Mary Yale, sister of Elihu Yale, the founder of the famed Yale College. They had a son, Joseph Ives, who married Esther Benedict, and became the father of Nathaniel Ives, whose wife bore the maiden name of Mehitable Andrews. Their son, Lent Ives, was the grand- father of our subject, and married Mary Mighell. The father of our subject, John Ives, was born in Wallingford, Vermont, and by occupation was a farmer and merchant. In 1847 he came to the West, locating in Linn county, Iowa; he died at the age of sixty-three years. His wife, who descended from New England ancestors, bore the maiden name of Lucretia Johnson. The Ives family have al- ways been noted for loyalty and patriotism. There were thirty-one representatives of the name in the Revolutionary war, including the grandfather of our subject. Three members served in the war of 1812, and twenty-four were numbered among the defenders of the stars and stripes during the Civil war. These included three brothers of C. J. Ives, namely : William J., who was in the Fourth Iowa Cavalry; and Nat L. and George E., who were members of the First Iowa Cavalry.

Mr. Ives, whose name introduces this sketch, may well be called a self-educated man, for his school privileges were somewhat limited, and in the school of experience he has learned more valuable lessons than the com-

mon institutions of learning ever afforded him. He attended the public schools of his native county, and for a short time was a student in the academy at Poultney, Vermont. This ended his school life, but an observing eye and retentive memory and sound judgment have made him a well-informed man. He worked upon his father's farm in the Green Mountain State until 1847, and then aided in subduing a portion of the prairie in Lee county, Iowa, on which his father settled when emigrating to the West. Thus through his minority he con- tinuously followed agricultural pursuits. With a desire to see more of the country and a hope that he might gain one of the fortunes which was said to be so plentiful in that region, he went to Pike's Peak, Colorado, and passed through the experiences of mining and lumber- ing in that then wild and frontier settlement. He found that wealth, however, was not so easily procured as reports stated, and after a year and a half returned to his Iowa home, which he reached in the autumn of 1861. Through the year that followed he was en- gaged in various pursuits, and on the Ist of October, 1862, he became connected with railroading as a clerk of the Burlington & Mis- souri River Railroad at Mount Pleasant, Iowa. His duties were various. It was a little West- ern station where he sold tickets, loaded freight cars, drove hogs into the cars for shipinent and performed such other tasks as were connected with railroad service in the Western district.

Possessing a laudable ambition, Mr. Ives determined to work his way upward if this could be done through energy, fidelity to duty and perseverance. There is no company or corporation that demands of its employees more faithful service than a railroad company, but it is always sure to appreciate and reward the conscientious discharge of duty, and the case of Mr. Ives was no exception to the rule. On the 15th of January, 1864, he was ap- pointed clerk in the local office in Burlington, Iowa, and from January, 1867, until July, 1870, was clerk in the general freight office in that city. Since the latter date he has been

U. MANZ & COVIC

Vm. Holsman.

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RECORD OF IOWA.

continuously connected with what is now the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern Rail- road, but, at the time when he allied his in- terests with it, it was called the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Minnesota Road. During the first year he was general freight agent of the first division, and from 1871 until October 15, 1874, served as general passenger and ticket agent. On the 15th of October his duties were further increased by an appointment as general freight agent, and he served in that capacity as well as the others until October 28, 1875, when he was made acting superintendent and general freight, passenger and ticket agent. From November 26, 1875, until November 28, 1879, he was superintendent and general freight, passenger and ticket agent, and from the latter date until June 14, 1884, he was general superintendent. He was then presi- dent and general superintendent until June I, 1893, and since that time he has been president of the road. His advancement has been steady and continuous. The growth of the road with which he has been connected so long has been largely accomplished through his progressive efforts.

When he became connected with the Bur- lington & Missouri River Railroad its western terminus was at Ottumwa, Iowa; now the State is crossed and recrossed by a perfect net- work of railroads, facilitating commerce, intro- ducing all the improvements known to the East, and advancing the State with a rapidity that is known only to Western districts. The road of which Mr. Ives is now president was only forty miles in length when he first became identified with it. Now its aggregate length is 1,150 miles, and it justly ranks among the most important business institutions of Iowa. He rode upon the first train of steam cars that made a trip in this- State. His own progress has been proportionate to that of the road, and the farm boy of forty years ago is to-day at the head of a concern whose importance in the world of commerce cannot be estimated.

While promoting in all possible ways the interests of the railroad company, Mr. Ives has 37

also aided materially in the prosperity of Cedar Rapids by his connection with various enter- prises there. He was for some time president of the Cedar Rapids Electric Light Company, but resigned that position in January, 1893, owing to the press of other duties. His capital has been judiciously invested and he has be- come the possessor of a handsome property. He is purely a business man, practical, ener- getic and capable, with a mind to plan and a will to execute.

In 1854 Mr. Ives was united in marriage with Miss Ellen M. Dale, of Wallingford, Ver- mont, and six children were born to them. A son and daughter are living with and near him. The mother died April 16, 1895. Per- sonally Mr. Ives is courteous and affable, a gentleman in the truest and best sense of that term; and while his career excites the admira- tion it also commands the respect of all.

ILLIAM HOLSMAN, who for near- ly forty years figured prominently as one of the leading and influential agriculturists of Guthrie county, Iowa, passed away on the 25th of July, 1895, and his death proved a loss to the entire com- munity. He was ever a valued citizen, plac- ing the advancement of the general welfare above party preference. In business life his integrity was above question and his private career was undimmed by the shadow of wrong. True and honorable in all things, the world is better for his having lived, and the history of his adopted county would be incomplete with- out the record of his life.

Mr. Holsman was a native of the Keystone State, born in Union county, Pennsylvania, March 1, 1814. His parents, George and Hannah (Lenhart) Holsman, were also natives of that State, and the former, born near Phila- delphia, was of German lineage. About 1816 they removed to Perry county, Pennsylvania, locating on the banks of the Susquehanna river, twenty-seven miles from Harrisburg.

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They became the parents of nine children, six sons and three daughters, namely : Mary Ann, George, William, James, Peter, Susan, Mar- garet, Henry and John. The last named is the only one now living, his home being in Sedalia, Missouri. The father died in Liver- pool, Perry county, Pennsylvania, at the age of forty-five years, and his wife, who long sur- vived him, passed away at the home of her son William in Guthrie county, Iowa, at the ad- vanced age of eighty-three. The father was a shoemaker by trade. His religious faith was that of the Lutheran Church, and his wife, for more than half a century, was a devoted mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Mr. Holsman of this review was reared in Perry county, Pennsylvania, acquired his edu- cation in the district schools, and learned the trade which his father followed, becoming an expert workman. When he had thoroughly mastered the business, he traveled through Virginia, Ohio, Indiana and Illinois, and at various points in those States was employed as a journeyman shoemaker. He worked in several of the larger cities, including Chicago, Pitts- burg and St. Louis, and his ability along this line made it an easy task for him to secure a situation. In 1839 he visited Chicago when the now magnificent city-the metropolis of the West-was hardly more than a village, and gave little promise of its future phenome- nal development. He also visited Galena, Illi- nois, and St. Louis, Missouri.

During this time Mr. Holsman had always considered Pennsylvania his home, but in 1840 he bade adieu to the State of his nativity and took up his residence in Senecaville, Guernsey county, Ohio, where the following year oc- curred one of the most important events in his life-his marriage with Miss Lucy Dilley, who was born and reared in that county. Her parents, Robert and Hannah (McDonald) Dil- ley, were both natives of New Jersey, the former of English and the latter of Scotch de- scent. As the years passed by sons and daugh- ters, to the number of nine, were born to Mr. and Mrs. Holsman. In order of birth they

were as follows: George, who was born in 1843, was a veteran of the late war, serving three years as a member of the Twenty-ninth Iowa Infantry. He died in 1892, leaving a widow and eight children. Hannah is the wife of G. W. Reed, a farmer and stock-raiser of Baker township, Guthrie county. Julia is the wife of W. C. McCool, an implement dealer of Salem, Nebraska. Susan married Judge J. B. Car- penter, an attorney of Oklahoma. John is living on the home farm. Lucy M. is the wife of Frank M. Hopkins, a banker of Guthrie Center, Iowa. Harry B. is a prominent at- torney of Omaha, Nebraska. Two children died in infancy.

During his residence in Ohio, Mr. Holsman followed shoemaking, and also engaged in the raising of horses and cattle. In 1856, how- ever, he disposed of his interests there and came to Iowa, making the journey by rail as far as St. Louis, thence up the river to Keokuk, and on by the rougher method of travel by team. At length he arrived in Orange town- ship, Guthrie county, where he had purchased 280 acres of land. He remained on the farm for two years, but farm products at that time brought low prices, corn being only ten cents a bushel, and he believed he could make more by following his trade. In consequence he re- moved to Panora, where by his untiring labors he made from $12 to $15 a week. Subse- quently he traded his land for the old home- stead on Bear creek, then comprising 160 acres, on section 26, Baker township. This land had been claimed in 1853 by Joseph Fleek, one of the early pioneers of the State, and was partly improved at the time it passed into the possession of Mr. Holsman. With characteristic energy he began its develop- ment, and as his financial resources increased he extended the boundaries of his farm from time to time until it comprised 500 acres, a large portion of it being rich bottom soil along Bear creek. The place was well tilled and the waving fields of grain indicated the care and supervision of the owner. He was also largely interested in stock-raising, keeping on hand be-

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tween one and two hundred head of cattle. He has also purchased land in other localities until at the time of his death his possessions aggregated more than 900 acres. His name was synonymous with honorable dealing. His success came to him as the result of earnest effort, steady application and good manage- ment and was certainly well deserved. From humble surroundings he arose to a position of wealth and affluence, and as he mounted higher step by step he commanded still more the ad- miration and confidence of the community.

Previous to 1860 Mr. Holsman was identi- fied with the Democratic party, but in that year supported Abraham Lincoln for the presi- dency, and was ever afterward a stalwart advo- cate of Republican principles, taking a deep interest in political affairs, and supporting all the candidates of his party. He attended every State convention with two exceptions from 1860 until called to his final rest, and was fre- quently honored with positions of public trust, wherein he discharged his duties with a promptness and fidelity that won him high re- gard. Shortly after his removal to Panora, he was appointed Sheriff of Guthrie county to fill an unexpired term, at the end of which he was elected for a two-years term. After an interval of two years he was once more elected, in 1863, and served until 1865. In March, 1879, he was appointed Postmaster of Guthrie Cen- ter, holding that position for nearly eight years, or until August 30, 1886. In 1889 he was ap- pointed to fill a vacancy on the Board of Super- visors, and in the autumn of the same year he was elected for a full term. The confidence reposed in him was never misplaced. He dis- charged his duties to the best of his ability and that ability was of a high order. He was a recognized leader for. his superior intelligence, excellent executive ability and unsullied char- acter well fitted him for leadership.

Mr. Holsman was long identified with the Masonic fraternity. He became a charter member of Orange Lodge, No. 123, F. & A. M., which was named in honor of his old home in Orange township. He served as Tyler of this

lodge on its organization and was afterward its Treasurer for a number of years.

In 1874 Mr. Holsman was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who died in No- vember, at the age of fifty-six years. She was a devoted wife and loving mother, and had the warm regard of a large circle of friends. Some years after her demise Mr. Holsman paid a high tribute to her memory in the following words: "She was one of the best women that ever lived, and I miss her all the time." He was called to his final rest July 25, 1895, in the eighty-first year of his age. His life was indeed a successful one. He was numbered among those pioneers of the county who had watched its growth from an early day, and he had ever borne his part in the work of progress and improvement. He possessed a positive character, being intense in his likes and dis- likes and no element of hypocrisy found a place in his nature. Among all the citizens of Guthrie county none had a warmer place in the hearts of the people, and on the announce- ment of the death of Mr. Holsinan a feeling of sadness pervaded the whole community. He was laid to rest with Masonic honors, and his funeral was one of the largest ever held in the county, friends assembling from far and near to pay their last tribute of respect to one whom they had long known and honored.

a C. RUNDALL, one of Iowa's early settlers, now living a retired life in New Virginia, where for a year and a half he has rested from the arduous duties of the farm, was born in Delaware coun- ty, Ohio, May 6, 1846, and is a son of Shad- rach and Rhoda (Nettleton) Rundall. The father was born in Putnam county, New York, July 18, 1804, was reared on a farm, and ac- quired a common-school education. In his younger years he worked in a tannery, and soon after his marriage he started with his wife for Ohio, locating in Delaware county. His home was a rude log cabin in a comparatively wild region, but in time he developed a good

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farm, and had accumulated a comfortable com- petence ere coming to Iowa. In 1854 he again became possessed with the spirit of emi- gration, crossed the Mississippi river at Dav- enport and took up his residence in Clinton county, Iowa, where he spent his remaining days, his death occurring July 24, 1872. He was a life-long Democrat and an honored and esteemed citizen. His remains repose in Wheat- land cemetery, where a monument has been erected to his memory. His wife was a native of Connecticut, whence her parents removed to New York during her early girlhood. She survived her husband for several years, and became a resident of Clarence, Cedar county, Iowa, where she spent her remaining days, passing away January 12, 1887, at the age of seventy-four years. Her remains were then interred by the side of her husband's. She was a member of the Baptist Church, and a lady whose many excellencies of character won her high regard.

This worthy couple were the parents of ten children, three sons and seven daughters, six of whom are yet living, namely: George, a re- tired farmer, residing in Wright county, Iowa; Louise, wife of Joseph Organ, a farmer of Clin- ton county, Iowa; Helen, widow of L. D. Ris- den, of Berry county, Missouri; Mrs. Frances McCudden, of New Virginia township, Warren county, Iowa; Roxie V. Bumbarger, of Jack- son township, Warren county, Iowa; and Emma H., wife of S. N. Wade, of Taylor county, Iowa.

Our subject was the seventh in order of birth in this family. His educational privi- leges were those afforded by the common schools, and he was early inured to the labors of farm life. At the age of eight he accom- panied his parents to Iowa, since which time he has been a resident of this State. After reaching his majority he wedded Miss Mollie V. Kimes, the second in order of birth in a family of four sons and two daughters, whose parents were Jacob and Sarah (Hicks) Kimes. About the year 1862 her father brought his family to the Hawkeye State, locating in

Wheatland, Clinton county. The wedding of Mr. and Mrs. Rundall was celebrated at the home of the bride April 27, 1869, the cere- mony being performed by Jerome Dutton, Jus- tice of the Peace.

In the fall of 1874 Mr. Rundall located in New Virginia township, Warren county, and on section 3 erected a comfortable home on raw prairie land. His first purchase comprised 160 acres, to which he added from time to time until he became owner of a rich tract of 480 acres, which he placed under a high state of cultivation. His life has been an active and useful one, and his earnest toil has brought to him a comfortable competence, which now en- ables him to live retired in the beautiful home that he has recently erected in New Virginia. Since casting his first presidential vote, for Samuel J. Tilden, he has been a supporter of the Democracy. His estimable wife holds membership with the Christian Church.

UTHER ELIJAH BAKER, secretary and manager of the Mutual Benefit Association, of Toledo, is one of the best-known men in the State of Iowa. He is a worthy type of a self-made man, and has, through his individual exertions, his busi- ness ability and steadfastness of purpose, reached a position of prominence among the leading citizens of his adopted State.

A native of Melrose, Buckingham county, Virginia, Mr. Baker was born on the Ist of January, 1865, being a son of William H. and Sarah (Pulse) Baker. The family was of Ger- man and Scotch ancestry, but for many gen- erations had resided in the Old Dominion, and was ably represented in that struggle which re- sulted in the supremacy of the American arms and the establishment of the grandest republic on the face of the globe. Soon after the Civil war, the parents of our subject removed to Logan county, Ohio, thence to Bloomington, Illinois, and in 1871 to Wilton, Iowa, where the father served as superintendent of con- struction at the erection of Wilton Seminary.

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RECORD OF IOWA.

In 1872 he removed to Tama county and fol- lowed contracting and building for a time, be- ing a mason by trade, but later engaged in farming. In early life his advantages for se- curing an education were limited, but being a student by nature and possessed of a retentive memory, he stored his mind with valuable in- formation and became exceedingly well posted. He was an earnest Christian and after reach- ing the age of fifty years was ordained as a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church, preaching the gospel in Kansas and California. His death occurred in the latter State in 1892, at the age of fifty-two years. His widow still survives and is now living in Melbourne, Iowa. They were the parents of four children, namely: Franklin H., County Superintendent of Schools, of Norton, Kansas, and one of the well known educators of that State, having lectured through- out the State on educational subjects; Luther E., of this review; Minnie, wife of Henry Cober, an extensive farmer of Melbourne, Iowa; and Estella, who is living with her mother in Melbourne.

Early in life Luther Baker manifested those traits of character that have led to his suc- cess-strong determination, firm purpose and untiring energy. He resolved to secure an education. He had no means with which to pay his tuition, but neverthelss he was en- rolled among the students of Western College in 1882, continuing until the close of the term in 1885, and he did all kinds of work, no mat- ter how humble, if honest, in order to meet the necessary expenses. He made it a point also to come in contact with influential citi- zens to learn business methods, and thus pro- vide for future advancement. While in col- lege he became a thorough master of book- keeping and commercial law, and also gained a broad general information. He served as the first principal of the schools in Vining, Iowa, where he taught seven terms, resigning at the expiration of that period to pursue the study of law. It soon became necessary, how- ever, for him to seek some remunerative em- ployment and he accepted a position with a

wholesale house as manager of a branch book- store at Webster City, Iowa. In 1886 he became bookkeeper for the Mutual Benefit As- sociation of Toledo, and made his services so valuable to the company that in 1891 he was chosen secretary and manager of the same. He has grown up with the association, is thor- oughly familiar with the business both in princi- ple and detail and every book in the office con- tains some of his work. He possesses superior ability as a business man, and his native force of character, combined with enterprise and indomitable energy, have won for him a splen- did success of which he may indeed be justly proud.

The abilities of Mr. Baker are by no means confined to one line of endeavor, and he has been connected with various enterprises, which have largely advanced the material welfare of the community and has been a promoter of a number of such undertakings. He is secre- tary of the Commercial Telephone Company, a stockholder and director in the Toledo Sav- ings Bank, of Toledo, Iowa; a stockholder in the Marquardt Savings Bank, of Des Moines; a stockholder in the Hoover Cow Milker Com- pany, of Hubbard, Iowa, and owns 6,242 shares in the Mineral Farm and Deep River Milling and Mining Company, of Aspen, Colo- rado. He also has two fine farms in Tama county, a well improved farm of 400 acres in Emmet county and a good tract of land in Clay county. He is owner and manager of the Baker Opera House, and is one of the most prominent business men in this section of the State.

On the 15th of January, 1889, Mr. Baker enlisted as a private in the First Regiment, Iowa National Guards, and has since taken a deep interest in military affairs. Within three years he was promoted to the rank of Captain, transferred to the Fourth Regiment, made Brigade Inspector of small-arms practice, and elected and commissioned Major of the regi- ment. He is a born leader-a fact which is demonstrated by his rapid promotion in busi- ness as well as in military life. While holding

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Memorial and biographical record of Iowa, Part 93

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