USA > Iowa > Woodbury County > Sioux City > Past and present of Sioux City and Woodbury County, Iowa > Part 33
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Dr. Smith was born December 30, 1828, at Barnegat, New Jersey, and passed away at his home in Sioux City in 1894, his life record therefore covering nearly sixty-six years. He was only seven years of age at the time of his father's death, and his youth was largely a period of toil, although to some extent he at- tended the public schools near his home. He worked upon the farm through the summer months and was also employed in a harness- making shop until the removal of the family to Michigan. In that state he became identified
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with school work as a teacher, but ambitions to enter another field of professional labor, he husbanded his financial resources until he was able to go to New York city and enter upon preparation for the practice of medicine. He attended three courses of lectures there and then returning to the east opened an office in Macon, where he remained until 1856-the year of his arrival in Sioux City, Iowa. He found here a small town, of inconsequential proportions and privileges, but of good possi- bilities, and identifying his interests with those of the embryo city he became an active factor in its development and subsequent progress and prosperity. He was for many years reeog- nized as a leader in community affairs and was the promoter of many interests for the public good. Ile was also active as a medical prac- titioner here for eleven years and during that time enjoyed a large practice, accorded him in recognition of his ability in the line of his profession.
In the meantime, three years after his ar- rival in Sioux City, Dr. Smith returned to Tecumseh, Michigan, and there, in 1859, was united in marriage to Miss Rebecca Osborne. He brought his bride to his new home and as the years passed by eight sons were add- ed to the household, but six are now deceased. Those living are: R. H. Burton Smith, now a lawyer of Sioux City, and Milton Per- ry Smith, of the Sioux City foundry. Mrs. Smith spent three years at Cambridge, Massa- chusettts, while her son was pursuing a law course in Harvard College. The family rela- tion was largely an ideal one. It was but natural with a man of Dr. Smith's great heart that the home should be ever first to him, and that he counted no personal sacrifice on his part too great if it would promote the welfare or enhance the happiness of his wife and children.
Dr. Smith also made for himself an excel- lent reputation in public service as an official whose first interest was the welfare of the peo- ple whom he served. He became identified
with the Republican party upon its organization and was for years a recognized leader in its ranks in his adopted county and state. He stood loyally as one of its defenders when to do so meant not partisanship, but the support of the government and the Union cause. The first military service which he rendered was in con- neetion with a local company of mounted rifle- men who quelled the Indian uprising in 1861. Dr. Smith acted as first lieutenant at that time. Not long afterward he was appointed govern- ment surgeon, acting in that capacity until 1863. IIe was chairman of the vigilance committee for home protection when the Minnesota mas- sacre of 1862 startled the whole frontier. Un- der appointment of Governor Kirkwood he made a tour of inspection among the lowa troops in the field during the winter of 1863, visiting the army in front of Vicksburg, and as a result of his investigation into the needs of the soldiers, he made a strong appeal for vegetables, which he regarded as absolutely es- sential for the health of the "boys in blue."
In March, 1863, Dr. Smith was chosen by popular suffrage for the office of mayor of Sioux City, and two months later he was appointed surgeon for the board of enrollment for this distriet, serving until December, 1864. For several years he was also examining surgeon for the pension bureau. Other governmental duties were assigned him when on the 15th of July, 1865, he was appointed receiver of the I'nited States land office and faithfully discharged its important duties until the office was removed to Des Moines in 1878. It is said that the business of the office in a single year amounted to a million dollars. In the year of his retire- ment from that office he was appointed honorary commissioner from Towa to the Paris Exposi- tion and his report as such was well received and found place in many newspapers and pe- riodicals, both in Europe and America. In 1881 he was again elected mayor of Sioux City, and for fifteen years he was a member of the school board. Ho ever exercised his official
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prerogatives for the benefit and upbuilding of the city, and as a private citizen was equally alert to the possibilities for advancement, growth and improvement here, being a co- operant factor in the great majority of move- ments for the general welfare. In 1885 he platted his home farm of eighty acres, on which he had lived for many years, making it one of the important additions to Sioux City. It is called Smith's Villa and is one of the most at- tractive residence portions of the city. In 1885 he became one of the organizers of Unity church, served as a member and president of its board of trustees, contributed generously to its support and labored effectively and untiringly for the extension of its influence until his death, which occurred on the 1st of July, 1894.
Dr. Smith traveled extensively, both in his native country and foreign lands, thus gaining the broad knowledge and cosmopolitan culture which only travel can bring, but while he took great delight in visiting scenes of modern and historic interest and in meeting men of deep learning, his interest centered in his home city, the friends of his early and mature manhood and in his family. His sympathy, however, was as broad as the universe. Few men have so strongly exemplified in their daily lives a belief in the "brotherhood of man." He was never happier than when contributing to the welfare and happiness of others and his love went out in double measure to the children and to those whom fate or some untoward circumstance com- pelled to bear the heavier burdens of life. His wife shared with him in all his benevolent work and they were associated in establishing in Sioux City the beautiful park known as Smith's Villa Children's Park, although it was named Emmerton, in honor of their son. In recent years the ladies of Sioux City have undertaken the work of beautifying this park and in July, 1902, they ereeted there a beautiful fountain as a memorial to Dr. Smith. Its dedication was made the occasion for a memorable public cele- bration, participated in by the officials of the
city, the pioneer settlers, prominent people of the community and not the least by the children for whose use the park had been established. On one side, the fountain bears the inscription : "By his friends. 'A man that hath friends must show himself friendly.'" Such a man was Dr. Smith. "He had," said an old friend, "the qualities essential to friendship-truthful- ness, frankness, faithfulness and patience, a sympathy that entered into the joy, the sorrows and the interests of his friends. He delighted in their upward progress and stretched out a helping hand to those who fell by the way. Because of these qualities we remember and honor him."
G. W. Wakefield, in an address delivered at the dedication of the fountain, spoke of Dr. Smith's personal characteristics in the following manner: "He was a man of great culture and refinement, of tender sympathies and kindly words ; his arm was ever extended to the poor and needy-his genial voice bore hospitable welcome in its every tone; his smile warmed the hearts of all who felt it with a summer glow, and wherever he went sunshine followed in his train. His monument, more enduring than marble, is erected in the hearts of his friends."
GORDON R. BADGEROW.
Gordon R. Badgerow is the present post- master of Sioux City. The career of Mr. Badgerow has been charcterized by unflagging energy, perseverance and strong determination and he can truly be termed one of Iowa's suc- cessful men.
BENJAMIN F. WILKEY.
Benjamin F. Wilkey, a well known citizen of Smithland, is one of Iowa's native sons, his birth having occurred in Battle Creek, Sep- tember 14, 1877. His father is August D. Wilkey, who is now living in Sioux City. Over thirty years ago the parents removed from
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Indiana to this state and settled in Battle Creek and later became residents of Woodbury coun- ty. From 1885 until 1895 the father owned and operated the grain elevator at Smithland, and then removed to Sioux City, where he now makes his home. His family consists of ten children, of whom our subject is the fourth in order of birth.
Coming to Woodbury county during boyhood Benjamin F. Wilkey was here reared and edu- cated, attending the schools of German City in Willow township, where the family lived for nine years. He accompanied them on their removal to Smithland and continues to reside at that place, being variously employed. In December, 1901, Mr. Wilkey was united in mar- riage to Miss Cora Davis, a daughter of Charles Davis. In polities he is a stanch Democrat, but not a supporter of the free silver policy.
HOWARD N. BROTHERS, M. D.
Aberdeen, South Dakota, where he is now liv- ing a retired life. The two brothers of our sub- jeet are Nicholas Arthur, who was born in Oc- tober, 1872, and is married and resides in Odessa, Minnesota, where he is conducting a photograph gallery ; and Clarence, who was born April 18, 1875, and was married in 1897, to Miss Maggie Ilunt. Ile is a photographer of Aberdeen, South Dakota.
Howard N. Brothers attended the public schools of Michigan until his father's removal to Brown county, South Dakota, when he was twelve years of age. He there resumed his studies in such schools as were found in Dakota at that pioneer epoch in its history, and at the age of nineteen he began teaching, which pro- fession he followed until twenty-one years of age through the winter seasons, while in the summer months he assisted in the work of the home farm. He was also a student in the Brook- ings Agricultural College, at Brookings, South Dakota, for one term. Ile was afterward em- ployed at various occupations until 1892, when he entered the government mail service, and for eight and a half years his route was from Aberdeen, South Dakota, to Sioux City, and for a year and a half he ran to other points. During the last four years of his mail service he spent all of his leisure hours in the study of medicine. He resigned his government po- sition April 9, 1903, and was graduated from the Sioux City College of Medicine, April 29, 1903.
Although one of the recent additions to the ranks of the medical fraternity in Sioux City, Dr. Howard N. Brothers, in the practice of his profession in Morningside, has met with grati- fying success. He was born in Greenville, Michigan, January 22, 1870, a son of Nicholas V. and Abigail (Van Volkenburgh) Brothers. The father was engaged in cabinet and wagon making in Syracuse, New York, and removed thence to Michigan in 1848. In the latter state he secured a claim of forty acres of timber land, Dr. Brothers at once opened an office at Morn- ingside, where he has been exceptionally suc- cessful in the practice of his profession. The manner in which he pursued his studies under difficulties which would have deterred many a man gives indication of his resolute and deter- mined spirit and argnes well for his success in practice. He has been chosen professor of ma- teria medica and pharmacology in the Sioux City College of Medicine. which he at once began to clear. Not realizing the value of the timber at that time, he burned more than the land would now sell for. He was married in Lyon county, Michigan, in Feb- ruary, 1868, to Miss Abigail Van Volkenburgh, and they continued to reside upon a farm in that state until 1882, when they removed to Brown county, South Dakota, where Mr. Brothers took up a tree claim. He retained this for about twenty years, or until 1902, when he Fraternally Dr. Brothers is a Mason, belong- sold that property. In 1897 he removed to ing to Tyrian Lodge, No. 508, A. F. & A. M.,
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at Sioux City. He is also a member of the United Workmen Lodge at Aberdeen, South Dakota. In his religious faith he is a Method- ist and in his political belief a stanch Repub- lican.
In November, 1896, Dr. Brothers was united in marriage to Miss Goldie M. Barr, daughter of James W. Barr, of Aberdeen. Her father was formerly pump inspector for the Jim river division of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad and at the present time he is connected with rice mills at Nederland, Texas. Dr. and Mrs. Brothers have two children: Lucile Goldie, born in July, 1897, and Howard Nor- vin, born in April, 1901.
PAARMER ILALL.
Among the honored early settlers of the count- ty who are now living a retired life is Parmer Hall, a well known resident of Smithland who has borne an active part in the development and upbuilding of this section of the state. \ native of New York, he was born July 22, 1831, on a farm in Jefferson county, which region at that time was considered new country. His father, Thomas Hall, was also a native of that county, where the grandfather, Sylvanuy Hall, located at an early day. The latter was from New England, probably Vermont, and it is believed that he was either of Scotch, Scotch- Irish or English descent. He was a small man but very strong, having much endurance and being able to perform more hard work than the ordinary man. He was engaged in the manufacture of potash, which he would carry through the woods, a distance of twenty miles, to a little place now known as Champion, where he would sell it or exchange it for something that was needed at home. He found a ready customer in an old friend who had established a store and brewery at that place and who after- ward became judge of the new county. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Nabbie
Hall, was of English descent and was known throughout the surrounding country as Aunt Nabbie. In their family were seven sons and six daughters, among whom were Egbert and Eliza, both deceased; Rollin ; Thomas, the fa- ther of our subject ; Samuel, who was a carpen- ter of Missouri, where he died ; Gilbert and Pel- tier, who both died near the old home in New York ; Sylvanus, who died during his service in the Civil war; Mrs. Hannah Ellis and Mrs. Mary Blanchard, who died in New York; and Mrs. Liddy Hardy, who is now living in Indi- ana. Our subject's maternal grandfather was Ephraim Parmer, who died in California iu 1890, at the age of eighty-seven years. His children were Fenner, John, Joel and Polly, all deceased; Liddy, the mother of our subject ; Amelia, a resident of Indiana ; Orilla, deceased ; Noah, who is living in California at the age of eighty-one years; and Ephraim, who is liv- ing in Oregon at the age of seventy-five years. Our subject's parents were life-long residents of Jefferson county, New York, and although the mother died when Parmer was only four years old he still holds her in loving remembrance. She was a Quakeress. After her death the fa- ther married again and by the second union had one daughter, Mrs. Liddy Shufty, who lived in New York state. The father was never out. side his native county but once during his en- tire life. His second wife also died in New York.
Being left motherless at so early an age Parmer Hall had few advantages and was un- able to attend school but little. The nearest. schoolhouse was three miles from his home. After his father's second marriage he did not remain at home and was never under the pa- rental roof a month after he attained his tenth year. At a very early age he became depend- ent upon his own resources for a livelihood. He was the only child by his father's first mar- riage. Although his early life was one of hard- ship, he is, at the age of seventy-three years, a well preserved man, having the strength and
MR. AND MRS. PARMER HALL.
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vitality of one not over fifty. At the age of and Mrs. Hall lived on several different farms fourteen years he began working on the Erie eanal as a driver and afterward as a bowsman and was thus employed for three years during the summer months, while during the winter season he worked in the pinerics.
Mr. Hall finally decided to try his fortune in the west but though his father said "You'll not stay a year," it was thirty years before he returned east and then only when the intelli- gence came of his father's last illness. In the winter of 1855-6 he went to Du Page county, Illinois, where he secured employment with a man for whom he had previously worked in New York. The following spring he came with several families to Iowa and was a resident of Monona county until the spring of 1858, at which time he removed to Smithland.
In the old Pacific House at Sioux City, March 4, 1858, Judge Campbell performed the marriage ceremony that made Mr. Hall and Miss Elizabeth Jane Adams man and wife. She is the eldest child of Elijah Adams and a sister of W. II. Adams, whose sketch appears on another page of this volume. She was born in Boone county, Indiana, October 9, 1839, and in that state acquired the greater part of her education, being sixteen years of age at the time of the removal of the family to Iowa. She was a very good looking girl, blessed with excellent health and rosy cheeks, and was a good singer, although she had no opportunities for a musical education.
Mr. and Mrs. Hall began housekeeping on a farm belonging to her father near Smithland, Mr. Adams having removed to the village where he operated the first sawmill ever brought to the county, except perhaps one at Sioux City. This mill was put in operation by Hiram Smith and Nathan Baker in 1856 and was later sold to Mr. Adams. It was operated by steam pow- er. Here Mr. Smith was killed by falling on the saw and Mr. Adams had his left heel in- jured by the same instrument, crippling him for several years but not disabling him. Mr.
near Smithland until November, 1901, when they removed to the village, spending thirteen years just previous to their removal on the old Adams homestead where they began their married life. Mr. Hall now owns that place, it being now occupied by his eldest son, and he also owns another farm in this county. He owns all together two hundred and eighty-five acres.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hall were born nine children, six sons and three daughters. Will- iam W., born December 25, 1858, operates the old Adams farm and owns an adjoining place. Ile was married November 7, 1889, to Miss Mary Ann Fox, of Canadian ancestry, and they have six children, Wanda, Lloyd, Vesta, Mar- ian, Russell and Evaline. Thomas A., born March 13, 1861, died September 5, 1886. Bertha R., born August 7, 1863, was married November 13, 1884, to Odes G. Buntin and they now live in Oregon. They had four chil- dren, but Calla, the eldest, died at the age of six years. Those living are Parmer, Dean and Madaline. Louis N., born April 5, 1867, lives in Onawa, Iowa. He married Bertha Morgan, a daughter of Thomas Morgan, of Smithland, who is one of the early settlers of the county, and they have two children, Eddalee and IIelen Elizabeth. Edith F., born March 16, 1870, was married November 29, 1894, to Anson Du- vel, of Quimby, Cherokee county, Iowa, and they have three children, Mareus, Dorothy and Ranald. Harry E., born October 4, 1873, died of pneumonia March 4, 1894. Nellie V., born August 26, 1878, was married October 15, 1893, to Edward Wendell and they had one ehikl, Bernadine. Fred P., born February 5, 1882, is employed as a stenographer and type- writer in Sioux City. Mr. Hall has realized the advantages of a good education and has afforded his children the best opportunities along that line. At the age of sixteen his eld- est daughter won a silver eup as the best speller at a county contest under County Superintend-
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ent A. R. Wright. Nellie, the youngest daugh- ter, attended the high school at Oto and the youngest son at Dennison, Iowa. The second daughter is a fine musician and has taught mu- sic, while Mrs. Wendell is also a pianist and all are good singers.
Mr. Hall's father was an old line Whig but our subject has been a life-long Democrat, of the Bryan type, believing in free silver, and he cast his first presidential vote for Franklin Pierce. His sons are all Republicans, however. He always attends the meetings of the Old Set- tlers' Association held at Smithland every year and can relate many interesting incidents of pioneer life in this locality. In 1903 he erect- ed an elegant eight-room residence in Smith- land-the best in the town-and there he and his wife now reside. Although they now live alone in their well furnished and roomy house, their children and sixteen grandchildren find a hearty welcome there. Mrs. Hall has made a model wife and ideal mother and has reared a family of which she may be justly proud. The family honor is above question and "a good name is rather to be chosen than great riches." Mrs. Hall is a motherly woman, kind and benevolent and of unusual intelligence, and she enjoys the best of health, showing the rugged, sturdy pioneer stock from which she is descended.
GEORGE C. MEYER.
George C. Meyer, who, through building operations, has been identified with the im- provement of Sioux City for many years, but is now living a retired life, was born in Han- over, Germany, on the 3d of June, 1826. His parents were Barthel and Mary (Schlichting) Meyer. The former was a farmer by occupa- tion and died in 1866, at the age of sixty-six years, while his wife survived him until 1871. In the public schools of the fatherland George C. Meyer obtained his education and when fif-
teen years of age he began preparation for life's practical business cares by learning the car- penter's trade. He was a young man of twenty- three years when in 1849 he crossed the At- lantic to the new world. For five years he re- mained in New York city, working at his trade in a piano factory, and then sought a home in the west. Coming to Iowa he settled at Du- buque, where he lived until 1866, when recog- nizing the possibilities and business opportuni- ties of the northwestern part of the state, he drove across the country to Sioux City with an ox team, arriving on the 8th of November, 1866. Here he began working at the carpenter's trade and he also bought some land, on which he built several houses that he rented. The first house which he erected was built of cottonwood lum- ber. In 1891 he erected his new residence, which is a comfortable home at Morningside. For many years he was actively identified with building operations, carrying on his work as a contractor until 1888, since which time he has lived retired. He took an active part in the building of the First German Lutheran church of Sioux City, and many other substantial structures here stand as evidence of his skill and handiwork in the line of his chosen trade.
In December, 1859, occurred the marriage of Mr. Meyer and Miss Lonise Marie Brunst, a daughter of Frederick and Mary Brunst. She was born September 11, 1827, in Germany, and came to the United States in 1856. Her mother had previously died in Germany and her fath- er's death occurred in Dubuque, Iowa, in 1862. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Meyer have been born three children: Mary F. C., who is the wife of M. S. Reeves, of Sioux City ; William J. C., a pho- tographer living at home, and Henry August, who is engaged in the grocery business in this city.
Mr. Meyer has always given his political al- legiance to the Republican party since its or- ganization, but has never sought or desired office, preferring that his time and attention should be devoted to his business interests. He
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came to the United States as a young man with 10 eapital, but he possessed energy and strong determination and these elements always win recognition in business circles. Gradually he advanced. his labors at length resulting in the acquirement of a capital that classes him with the substantial residents of this place. His has been a busy and useful life and he has justly won the title of a self-made man.
JOHN MCDERMOTT.
John MeDermott, who devoted his time and attention to general farming on seetion 36, Banner township, was born on the 16th of Oc- tober, 1850, at Brooklyn, New York, a son of John and Martha McDermott. The parents were natives of Ireland, were there reared and married and with two of their children they sailed from the old world and took up their abode in Brooklyn, in 1848. There they re- sided for six years, the father working for a coal dealer for three years and for a similar period he was night watchman for the same company. He then removed to St. Lawrence county, New York, where he resided until 1860, which year witnessed his arrival in Iowa. Set- tling in Cherokee county he began farming, and in the fall of 1861 he removed to Correction- ville, Woodbury county, where he remained un- til the spring of 1865. His next place of abode was on the west fork of the Little Sioux, where he conducted a stage station, until the railroad was built and thus the business of the stage line was ended. He then removed to Sioux City, loeating on Wall street, where he remained from 1878 until his death, which occurred in 1898, when he was seventy-six years of age. Mrs. MeDermott died in April, 1903, also at the age of seventy-six years. They were the parents of eight children.
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