USA > Iowa > Woodbury County > Sioux City > Past and present of Sioux City and Woodbury County, Iowa > Part 32
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71
MRS. ALVILDA J. ARNOLD.
One of the most highly esteemed ladies of Willow township is Mrs. Alvilda J. Arnold, who is a native of Woodbury commty, born in Smithland on the 8th of June, 1856, and is a representative of a very old and prominent family of this locality, being a daughter of Eli Lee, the first white settler of Woodbury county. He was born in New York state, on October 12, 1818, and spent his early life in the east, being married in that state to Miss Helen Bowers, who was born in Germany, August 3, 1822, and was nine years of age when brought to American by her parents, Benedict and Elizabeth Bowers, the family locating in New
York. On coming west Mr. Lee first located in Illinois, but in the spring of 1852 became a resident of Woodbury county, Iowa, his home being first in Smithland and later upon a farm east of Holly Springs. He was prominently identified with the early development of the country and his name should be among the fore- most on the roll of honored pioneers. Mrs. Arnold is a sister of Lorenzo B. Lee, who is to- day the oldest living settler of the county with one exception, and of Mrs. Elizabeth Welling- tou, who died April 1, 1904.
On the 5th of November, 1874, Miss Al- vilda J. Lee gave her hand in marriage to George Arnold, the wedding being celebrated in what is now Willow township but then a part of West Fork township. She met her hus- band under quite romantic circumstances. He was born in England, April 13, 1850, and was brought to this country by his parents when only thirteen months old. The family settled near Batavia, Illinois, and there he was reared and educated. In the fall of 1872 he came to Iowa to visit his uncle, Henry Arnold, who owned the Jacob Feltner farm near Holly Springs, making his home with him until his marriage. He first wedded Miss Eliza Bayne, who died December 20, 1873, leaving one son, Cornelius S., who was born July 21, 1873. Cornelius S. Arnold was married January 10, 1897, to Miss Addie Seamans, a daughter of Benjamin Seamans, who was formerly a resi- dent of this county but now makes his home in Missouri. They have three children, a dangh- ter born January 8, 1900; and twin sons, born December 1, 1902. At time of birth these boys weighed nine and a quarter pounds and now weigh twenty-seven and twenty-four pounds, in Angust, 1904.
Unto George and Alvilda J. (Lee) Arnold were born the following children: Myrtie, born September 5, 1876, is the wife of Silas Miner, of Holly Springs, and they have seven children, Mabel, Henry, Hazel, Silas, Lee, Fay and Flora, whose ages range from ten years to
MR. AND MRS. GEORGE ARNOLD.
MR. AND MRS. ELI LEE.
381
PAST AND PRESENT OF WOODBURY COUNTY
four months. Eliza Loretta, born Jannary 19, 1st>, is the wife of Joseph Bend, whose home is in Leland, La Salle county, Illinois, and they have two children: Erma, aged two years; and Ora, aged nine months. John Eli, born November 2, 1879, lives one-half mile north of his mother. He was married March 5, 1902, to Sarah Francis and they have two children, Lloyd, born October 6, 1902, and George, born April 26, 1904. Lorenzo Richard, born July 5, 1881, lives on the home farm. He was mar- ried December 16, 1903, to Amy Francis, a daughter of Joseph and Olive ( Miller) Fran- cis, who reside three miles northwest of Holly Springs. Frank, born April 17. 1884, com- pleted his education in the Holly Springs high school and is now at home. Herman George. born March 7. 1887, Harry, born June 20, 1889, and Hlelen Jane, born August 8, 1890, are all at home with their mother.
The father of these children died on the 25th of January, 1894, honored and respected by all who knew him. He was an earnest and con- sistent member of the Methodist church, al- though reared a Baptist, his mother having be- longed to that denomination, and he was a life- long supporter of the Republican party and its principles. His father recently died at Leland, Illinois, March 12, 1904, at the ripe old age of eighty years, while the mother died April 21, 1904.
Since her husband's death Mrs. Arnold has carried on the farm of one hundred and sev- enty acres in Willow township with the as- sistance of her sons, and in connection with general farming gives considerable attention to stock raising. She has displayed excellent business ability in the management of her af- fairs and has met with well deserved success. She has a beautiful home, which she has re- cently remodeled, it being a two-story, six-room house. She is well known and highly respected throughout the county and has a host of friends in the community where she has so long made her home.
ARTIMUS W. HOGUE.
Artimus W. Hlogue, who is filling the posi- tion of postmaster at Moville, and who is also engaged in journalistie work as one of the own- ers of The Citizen, was born at Tidioute, War- ren county, Pennsylvania, in 1866. His father, Thomas Hogue, was also a native of that state, born in 1832, and is no living in Fagundus, Pennsylvania. In early manhood he married Miss Nancy J. MeCray, likewise a native of the Keystone state, born in 1840. They became the parents of three children, all yet living.
Mr. Hogue of this review spent the first four- teen years of his life in the place of his na- tivity and then accompanied his parents on their removal to Correctionville, Iowa. Four years were there passed and the family then came to Woodbury county, settling one mile southeast of what is now the town of Moville. When the town was founded they took up their abode in the embryo village and the father built the first hotel, called the Hotel Traver, but now known as the Commercial Hotel. He followed the business for about two years and then turned his attention to merchandising. Later he re- turned to Pennsylvania, where he is now liv- ing at the age of seventy-two years.
Mr. Hogue, whose name introduces this ree- ord, was his father's associate and assistant in many of his business enterprises until the latter returned to Pennsylvania, when the son entered the field of journalism, establishing the Mo- ville Mail, which he condueted as a member of the firm of Hogue & Graham. In 1896 this partnership was dissolved and Mr. Hogue es- tablished the Arlington Post, a Republican pa- per. On the 2d of July, 1897, he was ap- pointed postmaster, in which position he has since served, and after entering upon the du- ties of the office he discontinued the Post and with Alfred Redman began the publication of the paper known as The Citizen. This they now own and publish, and it is a good country journal, having a very desirable patronage. This makes it a good advertising medium, and
382
PAST AND PRESENT OF WOODBURY COUNTY
its business is continually growing. Mr. Hogne is also a stockholder in the Arlington Telephone Company.
On the 31st of March, 1896, Mr. Hogue was married to Edith M., a daughter of Hon. W. W. MacElrath, and they have one child, Mac- Elrath. Socially Mr. Hogue is connected with the Masons and the Odd Fellows and his po- litical allegiance is given the Republican party. His interest in local advancement and progress is deep and sincere and has led to hearty and substantial co-operation in many movements for the general good.
JOHN L. SOMMER.
John L. Sommer, who is holding the position of manager of the Sioux City Brewing Com- pany, has advanced in business circles through strong determination, capability and unremit- ting energy. He is a native of Cleveland, Ohio, his birth having occurred in that city in 1870. His father, John L. H. Sommer, was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, and in his boy- hood days came to the new world, crossing the Atlantic in 1840. He settled first in St. Louis, Missouri, where he worked at any employment which would yield him an honest living. For some time he was employed in steamboating on the Mississippi river. He eventually located in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1846, and there secured a position in a grocery store, where his fidelity to the interests of those whom he represented and his quiek business discernment won him promotion. As his financial resources were thus inereased he saved his earnings and event- ually embarked in merchandising on his own aecount, conducting an enterprise which as the years passed brought to him a handsome com- petence that enabled him to retire from busi- ness circles and enjoy a well earned rest. He is a member of the German Protestant church and also of the Improved Order of Red Men. His politieal allegianee is given to the Democ-
racy and in 1876 he was elected a member of the city council of Cleveland, Ohio, serving in that capacity for three terms, his re-election being indicative of his fidelity to the city's wel- fare in the discharge of his duties. He was also one of the county commissioners of Cuya- hoga county, Ohio. In early manhood he mar- ried Margaret Fleurschutz, who was born in Saxony, Germany, and they became the parents of five children: Andy, who at one time was a prominent member of the National League of baseball and is now proprietor of the Tivoli Garden at Cleveland, Ohio; George J., who is general manager of the Gehring branch of the Cleveland & Sandusky Syndicate of Brewers, located at Cleveland, Ohio; John L .; and two daugters, one of whom died at the age of five years and the other at the age of twenty-two years.
John L. Sommer acquired his early educa tion in the public schools of Cleveland and on putting aside his text books entered a brewery in order to learn the trade which he followed for seven years. He then became connected with the pork packing industry as an employe of the Lake Erie Provision Company, which he represented for two years. In 1893 he came to Sioux City, Iowa, and entered the employ of Selzer Brothers, wholesale liquor merchants, as a salesman. When he had remained in their employ for five years he accepted a position as collector with the Sioux City Brewery and re- mained in that capacity until 1900, when he was made manager of this large concern. In January, 1904, he purchased the interest of Joseph Baumgartner, who was then president of the company, and Mr. Sommer was made general manager, and is now filling this impor- tant position. In the discharge of his duties he displays good business ability, executive force and keen perception and his capable manage- ment has contributed in unmistakable manner to the success of the enterprise. The brewery is situated on Elm street and the main build- ing, built in 1898, is seven stories in height,
385
PAST AND PRESENT OF WOODBURY COUNTY
while the bottling house, built in 1904, is three stories in height and one hundred and sixty by sixty-five feet in dimensions. The capacity of the brewery is one hundred thousand barrels per year and that of the bottling department is one hundred barrels per day. In the former forty men are now employed and twenty in the latter. The present officers of the company are Joseph C. Head, of Latrobe, Pennsylvania, president ; Abel Anderson, of Sioux City, vice- president ; B. H. Kingsbury, of Sioux City, secretary ; and Rudolph B. Beerend, of Sioux City, treasurer; while the board of directors consists of F. L. Eaton, B. H. Kingsbury, Joseph C. Head, Abel Anderson and John L. Sommer.
In 1897 Mr. Sommer was united in marriage to Miss Ella Fisher, who was born in Sioux City and is a daughter of George C. Fisher. They have two children, John and Amelia. Mr. and Mrs. Sommer hold membership in the German Lutheran church and he is a member of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, the Sons of Herman, the Fraternal Eagles, the Germania Society and the Bankers' Union. He takes an active interest in political affairs, giving his allegiance to the Democratic party, but never seeking or desiring office as a reward for his party fealty. He is content to devote his energies to his business affairs and it is be- cause of this that he has attained to a very lucrative position in trade eireles.
CHARLES M. WADE, M. D.
Dr. Charles M. Wade, professor of orthopedic surgery in the Sioux City College of Medicine, and also well known in surgical practice and as a consulting physician in northwestern Iowa, is well qualified for his chosen calling by broad scientific knowledge as well as practical skill. He was born in Cedar county, Iowa, April 28, 1868, a son of John I. and Fanny (Safley) Wade. The father was a farmer and raiser of
faney stock, and is now living retired in Mount Vernon, Iowa. He served his country as a sol- dier of the Civil war, enlisting in the Second Iowa Cavalry. After the battle of Shilolı, he sustained injuries in crossing a bridge, which broke down when the troops were on it. This, unfitting him for further duty, led to his hon- orable discharge. In his family were three sons and three daughters: Dr. J. C. Wade, a physician and wealthy ranchman of Oconto, Ne- braska, who is a graduate of the Sioux City College of Medicine; A. E., who is attending the same institution; Elizabeth, wife of Profes- sor Gladson, electrical engineer at the Univer- sity of Arkansas; Francis and Ruby, who are with their father at Mount Vernon; and Charles M.
In the public schools of Cedar county Dr. Charles M. Wade acquired his early education and in 1886 entered the State Agricultural Col- lege, at Ames, from which he was graduated in 1889. He took the degree of M. S. in the Northwestern University at Evanston, Illinois, in 1892, and for several years he was a pro- fessional chemist. He was analytical chemist at the Agricultural College for fourteen months, during 1890-91, at the Hateh experiment sta- tion, and was professor of chemistry in 1902-3 in the University of Fort Worth, at Fort Worth, Texas. His course in medicine was pursued in the Sioux City College of Medicine, from which he was graduated in 1898, and soon afterward he opened an office here, continuing in practice to the present time with constantly growing success. In 1902 he became associated with Dr. William Jepson, and since that time he has been making a specialty of surgery in his prae- tice. He is also consulting physician and to a limited extent engages in the general practice of medicine, but his labors are mostly confined to his specialty. He now occupies the chair of orthopedic surgery, including fractures and dis- locations, in the Sioux City College of Medi- cine. In 1904 he opened a laboratory which he has since conducted with marked success.
386
PAST AND PRESENT OF WOODBURY COUNTY
He has long made a close study of the science of chemistry, devoting six collegiate years to the mastery of its principles.
Dr. Wade belongs to the Woodbury County Medical Society, the Sioux Valley Medical Society, the Iowa State Medical Society and the American Medical Association and through the proceedings of these organizations he is continually broadening his knowledge by keep- ing in touch with the work and discoveries of other members of the profession.
On the 5th of January, 1897, Dr. Wade was married to Miss Alma Hayes, of Dubuque, Iowa, a daughter of John Hayes, and unto them has been born one child, Gladys, whose birth oc- curred March 8, 1901.
In his social relations Dr. Wade is an Odd Fellow and a Knight of Pythias. In politics he is a Republican. He held the office of county coroner four years, retiring in January, 1904. The first time he was elected by a plurality of fourteen hundred and forty-four votes and the second time by two thousand and one votes, running five ahead of the state ticket, a fact which is indicative of his personal popularity in the city where he makes his home, and where he has so directed his labors professionally as to win the confidence of the general public and of the members of the medical fraternity.
MRS. ELIZABETH E. ALLBURN.
Mrs. Elizabeth E. Allburn, of Sioux City, was born at Shell Rock, Butler county, Iowa, October 27, 1855. Her father, George W. Adair, was a native of West Virginia and died in 1879 at the age of sixty-seven years. He was a farmer and mill owner and became one of the pioncer residents of Iowa, arriving in this state in 1837. Here he founded the town of Shell Rock in 1853 and made his home there from that time until his demise. He took a very active and influential part in public prog- ress and improvement and he was one of the
leading members of the Methodist Episcopal church, assisting in the building of that church and contributing generously to its support. He voted with the Democratic party. His wife, who in her maidenhood was Elizabeth E. Smith, was born in Ohio and died in May, 1902, at the age of seventy-nine years. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and in her daily life exemplified her Christian faith. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Adair were born nine chil- dren : Mary J., the deceased wife of Ephriam Town; John, of Sioux City, who served throughout the Civil war as a member of Com- pany B, Seventh Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and was wounded at the battle of Belmont, in which he was taken prisoner; Lucy A., the wife of Ralph D. Bowen, of Smith Center, Kansas; George, a retired farmer of Shell Rock, Iowa, who served for one hundred days in the Civil war as a musician; Walter W., who is a busi- ness man of Auburn, Nebraska; Mrs. Allburn; Sarah M., the wife of Thomas Rawlings, who is living in Wakefield, Nebraska ; Blanche, who is the widow of Charles Herrington and resides in Wakefield, Nebraska; and Nettie E., who is the wife of George E. Meade, of Shell Rock, Iowa.
Mrs. Allburn acquired her early education in the public schools of Shell Rock, Iowa, and afterward attended Cornell College at Mount Vernon, Iowa. She came to Sioux City in 1876 and was here engaged in teaching voeal and instrumental musie until 1879. On Christ- mas evening of that year she gave her hand in marriage to Allen A. Allburn, who was born in Columbus City, Iowa, January 14, 1857, and was a son of Charles and Susan Allburn, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania. ITis father was a contractor and brick mason in former years and is now deceased. At the age of twelve years Mr. AAllburn began work in a printing office at Columbus City and was later employed in Burlington, Iowa, and Washing- ton, D. C., working on the Chronicle in the latter city. In the spring of 1878 he came to
MRS. ELIZABETH E. ALLBURN.
389
PAST AND PRESENT OF WOODBURY COUNTY
Sioux City and has since been in the employ of the Journal off and on for twenty-six years, though at times he has been with other com- panies. He has held the positions of com- positor, foreman and telegraphie editor and is at present linotype man. Fraternally he is a member of the Ancient Order of United Work- men and the Degree of Honor, and politically he is a Republican. Unto Mr. and Mrs. All- burn have been born two children, James M. and Grace 1.
For the past five years Mrs. Allburn has been superior recorder of the Degree of Honor of the Ancient Order of United Workmen and thus has charge of twenty-two grand lodges and one hundred lodges, all of which are under her direct supervision. She has been a member of the order since it was organized in Sioux City and was elected chief of honor in 1894. She represented Prosperity Lodge at the organiza- tion of the grand lodge of Iowa at Cedar Rapids in May, 1896, and was there elected past grand chief of honor and was made a representative of the grand lodge of Iowa to the first session of the superior lodge, which met in Buffalo, New York, in June, 1896. At the latter place she was made a member of the finance commit- tee and performed her work so acceptably that at the session of the superior lodge in Milwau- kee, Wisconsin, was made chairman of the com- mittee. A year later, at Asbury Park, New Jersey, she was re-appointed to the position and elected superior recorder of the Sioux Falls session in 1900. In the year 1901 at Buffalo, New York, in 1902, at Portland, Oregon, in 1903 at St. Paul, Minnesota, and 1904 at Chat- tanooga, Tennessee, she was re-elected to the office, each time without opposition. From the supreme lodge at Buffalo in 1902 she received the highest commendation because of her most capable service. She has created a new system of cards and records by which the classification of ages is reacheed and thus an idea of the workings of the lodge is easily obtained. The
headquarters of the Women's Auxiliary of the fraternity are at Sioux City, Iowa.
Mrs. Allburn was one of the organizers of the Beethoven Club and has probably done more for it than any other member. She was presi- dent of the club for four years and resigned to give her whole attention to her present position. In her younger days Mrs. Allburn produced a number of operas with home talent, giving very successful entertainments. She has great ability and is a tireless worker, and beside being a musi- cian she is an art critic and has been employed as musical editor in connection with the daily papers of Sioux City. A lady of superior enl- ture and refinement, added to which are excel- lent executive ability and earnest zeal in her work, Mrs. Allburn has become widely known in the fraternity of the Ancient Order of United Workmen throughout this country and has won many warm friends among its leading representatives.
FRANK LEYSON WIRICK.
Frank Leyson Wirick, a capitalist of Sioux City, owning considerable property here and also the secretary of the Interstate Live Stock Fair Association, was born in Mendota, Illi- nois, in 1862. He has always lived in the Mis- sissippi valley and in his life exemplifies the enterprising spirit which has been the dominant factor in the rapid and marvelous development of the middle west. His father, Edmund Wiriek, was born in Seneca county, New York, and for thirty years he engaged in merchandis- ing. Prior to his retirement from active busi- ness he conducted a hotel at Storm Lake, Iowa, but is now living retired there at the advanced age of seventy-nine years. In his social affilia- tions he is a Mason and in his political views is a Democrat. In early manhood he wedded Mary Leyson, who was born in Scranton, Penn- sylvania, and is now living at the age of sixty- nine years. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Wirick were
390
PAST AND PRESENT OF WOODBURY COUNTY
born five children: Leora A., who is the wife of G. S. Coman, a druggist at Storm Lake; Frank, of this review; Gertie A., deceased; Aurelia B., who is the wife of Dr. J. H. Law- rence, of Storm Lake ; and Guy G., who is living at Cherokee, Iowa.
Mr. Wirick acquired his education in the public schools of Storm Lake and Fort Dodge, Iowa, and afterward entered upon his business career as a collector for a number of lumber firms, occupying that position for a few years. On the expiration of that period he became connected with the First National Bank at Storm Lake in its real-estate department, serv- ing in that capacity for three years, when in 1892 he opened a private banking institution at Balaton, Lyon county, Minnesota. He con- ducted this enterprise with success for about four years, but in 1896 sold out and turned his attention to real-estate operations in Sheldon, Iowa, where he remained until 1900, when he came to Sioux City, where he has since been en- gaged in the real estate business, his operations in that direction occupying the greater part of his time and attention. He has a number of residences and flats here and the supervision of his property interests makes his life a busy one. In addition to his town property he also has farm lands in Iowa. He was one of the organ- izers of the Citizens National Bank, the suc- cessor of the People's Saving Bank, becoming identified therewith as a director.
Mr. Wirick was married in 1885 to Miss Zella Evans, and their children are Claude, who was born in 1889; and Howard E., born in 1897. Mrs. Wirick is a member of the Uni- tarian church. Mr. Wirick belongs to the Be- nevolent Protective Order of Elks, Tyrian Lodge, A. F. & A. M., of Sioux City, is a mem- ber of the Riverside Boat Club and is a Repub- lican in his political views. He has always been deeply interested in agricultural advancement and was the organizer of the fair association at Balaton and also at Sheldon-a district fair. He was also the promoter of the organization of
the Interstate Live Stock Association in Jan- uary, 1903. It held its first meeting in the fall of that year in Sioux City and this was a decided success. Local advancement and na- tional progress are causes both dear to his heart and in all communities where he has resided he has been recognized as a public-spirited citi- zen, whose efforts in behalf of the general good have been effective and far-reaching.
WILLIAM REMSEN SMITH, M. D.
Dr. William Remsen Smith is numbered among the builders and promoters of Sioux City and the city classes him with its honored and distinguished dead. As a practitioner of medi- cine he was widely recognized for his skill and ability ; as an agriculturist he was progressive and prosperous ; as a public official he was most prompt and reliable in the discharge of the duties that devolved upon him; and yet while all of these qualities won for him the respect and confidence of his fellow men it was his great warm heart that gained for him the love and deep affection of all with whom he was associated and caused his memory to be re- vered and cherished throughout the city in which he made his home. "IIe was," said a friend of many years standing, "the sweetest- souled man destiny ever granted to a com- munity."
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.