USA > Iowa > Woodbury County > Sioux City > Past and present of Sioux City and Woodbury County, Iowa > Part 37
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Loring B. Crafts acquired a good education, completing his course in the high school of Council Bluffs, after which he learned the cigarmaker's trade, following that pursuit in the employ of others for some time and then beginning the manufacture of cigars on his own account in that city. After a brief period, how- ever, he removed to Sioux City, where he se- cured a good position in the frieght office of the Illinois Central Railroad Company. Ile discharged his duties in connection with the railroad for several years and then returned to Council Bluffs, when he established a chattle and loan business and soon secured a large eli- entage. He continued in that line of business activity up to the time of his death, which oc- curred in Council Bluffs on the 26th of May, 1893.
While residing in Sioux City Mr. Crafts was married to Miss Emma A. Marion, a native of this city and a daughter of Paul J. B. and Engenia M. Marion, who were also residents here and are mentioned on another page of this volume. Her father is now deceased, while Mrs. Marion resides with her daughter at No. 714 Jones street, Sioux City. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Crafts were born three children: May
Marion, who was married in August, 1904, to Ralph J. Allen, a pharmacist residing in Kan- sas City, Missouri; George L., who makes his home with his mother and is employed by the Baker Hardware Company; and Minnie J., at home.
Mr. Crafts gave his political allegiance to the Republican party and earnestly desired its success, but never sought the rewards of polit- ieal office. Fraternally he was connected with the Masonic lodge and was laid to rest with Masonic honors at Council Bluffs. During his residence in Sioux City he formed an extended acquaintance, and he is yet held in kindly re- membrance by many who knew him. All of the family are members of the Baptist church but have never united with the congregation of that denomination in Sioux City. After her husband's death Mrs. Crafts resided in Council Bluffs and in Des Moines with his mother, thus spending ten years, and then wishing to be with her own mother in Sioux City she returned to Woodbury county and established her home in Morningside, at No. 1721 Vine street. She was left in very comfortable financial circum- stances by her husband, whose chief interest centered in his family and whose greatest de- light was in ministering to the happiness of his wife and children.
1. S. STOLL, M. D.
Dr. L. S. Stoll, who is engaged in the prac- tice of medicine and surgery in Smithland, has that love for and devotion to his profession which has brought to him success and won for him a place among the ablest representa- tives of the medical fraternity in Woodbury county. He is a native of France, born in Alsace-Lorraine, April 5, 1845, and is a son of Anthony and Elizabeth (Schmidt) Stoll, who were also born in that province, the former July 14, 1792, and the latter in 1810. Com- ing to the new world in 1853, they first located
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at Cascade, Dubuque county, Iowa, where the father died in 1857. He was twice married, his second wife being the mother of our sub- ject. She long survived her husband, dying in Dyersville, Iowa, in 1896. There were five children by the first union and eight by the second, who in order of birth were as follows: Anton, born December 16, 1816; Magdalena, born May 2, 1819; Joseph, who was born Sep- tember 9, 1821, and died while serving in the French army in 1851; Andrew, born January 7, 1824; John, born December 27, 1826; Eliza- beth, born November 3, 1830; Ludwig, born January 30, 1833; Michael, born September 27, 1835; Mary, born February 17, 1838; Bar- bara, born April 17, 1840; Katharina, born January 21, 1842; Louis S., born April 5, 1845; and August, born January 25, 1850.
Dr. Stoll was eight years of age on the emi- gration of the family to America and he has since been a resident of Iowa. He obtained his literary education in the public schools of Cascade and studied medicine under the direc- tion of Dr. J. S. Rundell, of Dubuque, receiv- ing his diploma as a Doctor of Medicine from the state board of health in June, 1872. He began practice the following year at Arcadia, Carroll county, Iowa, and has since followed his profession in connection with the drug busi- ness, in which he has been engaged since 1863, being a charter member of the State Pharma- ceutical AAssociation of Des Moines.
On the 10th of September, 1867, Dr. Stoll was united in marriage at Dyersville, Iowa, to Miss Sarah E. Trentor, who was born in Wheeling, West Virginia, November 30, 1847, and in 1853 removed to Dubuque, Iowa, with her parents, Jacob and Sarah Trentor, who resided at that place, but are now deceased. Her great-grandmother was Mrs. Jordan, the first white woman to cross the Mississippi river at Dubuque. She lived to be one hundred and eleven years of age and died at Atlantic, Iowa, at the home of an Indian girl, whom she had adopted and reared after being captured from
the Indians in battle at Dunleith, Iowa. Dr. Stoll and wife have two children. William Walter, the elder, was born October 10, 1868, and was educated in the public schools and at the University of Des Moines, where he pur- sued a course in pharmacy and was graduated in 1886, when but eighteen years of age, being the youngest pharmacist in the state. For five years he was prescription clerk for W. L. Hunt, of Sioux City, and then purchased the drug store of Kill & Company at Fonta- nelle, Adair county, Iowa, where he is still engaged in business. He was married in 1898 at the home of our subject to Miss Katie Boer, of Sioux Center, where she taught in the pub- lie schools. They now have one child, John W., born in 1903. Clare Gertrude, the Doctor's only daughter, was born in Arcadia, September 30, 1886, and attended the public schools of Smithland. She is a graduate of the Chicago Conservatory of Music, from which she re- ceived her diploma in June, 1892, and is now assistant bookkeeper in Pelatier's dry-goods store of Sioux City.
Dr. Stoll has always taken an active inter- est in public affairs and served as assistant postmaster at Dyersville under Presidents Lincoln, Johnson and Grant from 1864 until 1874; was postmaster of Arcadia under Presi- dent Cleveland from 1885 until 1889; and of Granville, Iowa, under President Harrison from April 10, 1891, until 1894, while en- gaged in the drug business at those places. He is a liberal thinker and has been a writer for the New Liberal party and also for medical pa- pers and journals for the last ten years. He is a high-minded man, very conscientious and fearless in the expression of his thoughts. His character is above reproach, his reputation be- ing unassailable and his honor sustained under the most trying circumstances. He has made and lost a fortune. The Doctor is the patentee of an automatic gate latch, which opens the gate both way, and for which he has been offered thirty-five hundred dollars. He has sold the
PAST AND PRESENT OF WOODBURY COUNTY
patent right in five states for five hundred dollars each. Ile has also patented a hog cholera remedy, a check-rein holder and a safe ty line fastener device. He is a specialist and expert analyzer of drugs and chemicals and has patented and manufactures several of his own proprietary medicines which have added to his fame and increased his income. Stoll's Family Medicines are found in every drug store and are very generally used. Among them is the stomach bitters, cough and hung balsam, headache capsules, and the cornhusk- er's friend. For the past year he has devoted considerable attention to the raising of high- grade Plymouth Rock chickens, both for the table and market.
Dr. Still takes great delight in outdoor sports, especially fishing and hunting. He is a fine marksman and at one time carried off the highest prize at the Marshalltown Shooting ('lub. He is also a good boatman and enjoys all kinds of healthful sports. He is a man of most generous and unselfish disposition, will- ingly giving his last dollar to any one in need, and though in moderate circumstances he ex- presses himself as being as happy as if he had millions.
WILLIAM FINNEGAN.
William Finnegan, one of the California gold miners of an early day and later an enter- prising farmer of Woodbury county, is now living a retired life in Sioux City, where he has invested his capital in real estate. He is a son of Malaehai and Mary (Smith) Finnegan. The father came to America from Ireland about 1835 and settled in Waukesha county, Wisconsin, where he purchased a farm, con- tinuing its cultivation for many years. His death occurred in that conty in 1840, at the age of eighty-five years, while his wife passed away at the age of eighty-two years.
William Finnegan, who was born in Ireland in 1820, attended the public schools of his
native country and came to America when about fifteen years of age. He assisted his father in the cultivation of the home farm in Wisconsin until the time of his marriage, which was celebrated on the 6th of October, 1851, Miss Elizabeth Cantillion becoming his wife. She was a daughter of James Cantillion, a farmer of Waukesha county, Wisconsin, who was also a native of Ireland.
In the year following his marriage William Finnegan drove across the country to Cali- fornia, crossing the Missouri river at Council Bluffs, and after two years spent on the Pacific coast he returned in 1854. He was quite sne- cessful in his mining ventures, sending and bringing back with him considerable gold dust and nuggets. During his absenec his wife re- mained upon the home farm and after his re- turn he devoted his attention to general farm- ing in Wisconsin until 1869, when he came to Woodbury county and purchased a farm of one hundred and sixty aeres at James station. He there resided until 1889, when he came to Sioux City and his attention was devoted to general farming with good success. He rented his property until 1901 and then sold it, largely investing his capital in city property, which returns to him a good income.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Finnegan were born five children: Thomas E., born February 2, 1856, died October 9, 1900. Ilis life was one of adventure on the plains and mountains and for many years he followed the life of a gold prospector, locating some valuable mines in Idaho and the Klondike. It was on his return from the Klondike, after locating a valuable elaim there, that he was taken ill and died in Seattle. If he had papers they were never found, but his family came into possession of his property. He was married and went to the Klondike in 1889. John Finnegan, the eldest son, was born July 11, 1855, is a farmer and prospector, spending many years with his brother Thomas in the west, as a cowboy and miner. He had been educated in the public
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schools of Plymouth county, Iowa, and in 1874 he went to the west with his brother. They located a valuable mine at Solomon City, Idaho, which they sold for fifteen thousand dollars. William Finnegan, born November 7, 1857, was married in 1886 to Miss Bell Barrett and they have nine children. Elizabeth, born July 23, 1860, married Edward Barrett, who died in 1900, leaving six children. James, born November 11, 1861, is a carpenter of Mon- tana.
Mr. Finnegan and his family are members of St. Joseph's Catholic church, and in politics he is a Democrat. He has reached the eighty- fourth milestone on life's journey and his has been an active, useful and honorable career, in which his labors have been crowned with a fair measure of financial success, so that, possessing good property interests, he has been enabled to spend the evening of his life in retirement from further labor.
CHAUNCEY L. JOY.
The true measure of success is determined by what one has accomplished and, as taken in contradistinction to the old adage that a prophet is never without honor save in his own country, there is particular interest attaching to the career of the subject of this review since he is a native son of the city in which he has passed his active life and so directed his abil- ity and efforts as to gain recognition as one of its representative citizens. He is actively connected with a profession which has impor- tant bearing upon the progress and stable pros- perity of any section or community, and one which has long been considered as conserving the public welfare by furthering the ends of justice and maintaining individual rights.
, Mr. Joy, born in Sioux City, in 1864, is a son of William Leonard Joy, whose birth oc- curred in Townsend, Vermont, Angust 17, 1829, and who died in 1900. His parents were
William H. and Hetty (Leonard) Joy, and the former was the grandson of a patriot of the Revolutionary war. William HI. Joy followed farming and was also the owner of milling property and during his youth William Leon- ard Joy largely assisted his father. In the meantime, however, he attended school and prepared for college as a student in Leland's Seminary in his native town. When twenty-one years of age he entered Amherst College, com- pleting the regular course with the class of 1855, but in the meantime he had devoted three winter seasons to teaching school. He was a teacher in Leland's Seminary for a few terms and during that period devoted all his leisure hours outside the schoolroom to the study of law, which he continued under the direction of Judge Roberts. Early in the spring of 1857 he was admitted to the bar and almost im- mediately afterward came to Sioux City, Iowa, where he arrived on the 5th of May. Here he remained as an active member of the bar until his death, which occurred in California. He entered into partnership with N. C. Hnd- son under the firm style of Hudson & Joy, and the relation was maintained until 1866, after which Mr. Joy was alone in practice for two years. He then became the senior partner of the firm of Joy & Wright, which for twenty years maintained a reputation as the leading law firm of Woodbury county. These gentle- men acted as local attorneys for the Illinois Central Railroad Company and the general at- torneys for the Sioux City & Pacific, the Da- kota Southern, the Covington, Columbus & Black Hills Railroad Companies and for the Iowa Falls & Sioux City Railroad & Land Com- pany. The clientage of Mr. Joy continually increased and he practiced in both the state and federal courts. He practiced in northwest- ern Towa at a time when his professional labors were attended with many hardships and diffi- culties. During the winter seasons and when the waters were high has he traveled the cir- cuit. The journeys were often fraught with
.
. Far
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danger, for he had to make his way over wide prairies which were crossed with swollen streams. There were nights spent by the law- yers in wandering over bleak prairies, search- ing amid blinding snows and piercing winds for a dim trail; days and night spent in wet clothing, journeying through drenehing rains and swollen streams, crossing the almost track- less prairies ; trips on foot made through mud and water to Dakota City and back; crossing the Missouri in skiffs and dng-outs amid float- ing ice and angry waves, when the chances of reaching the shoreless land were better than those of making the home port. Then, too, for many years the possibility was ever before them in their journeys that the red man might be lurking for them in every ravine and clump of trees. This constant exposure to danger made them fearless almost to recklessness. As he found opportunity he made investment in real estate and became the owner of extensive property interests. In 18SS the partnership of Joy & Wright was dissolved and Mr. Joy after- ward became the senior partner of the firm of Joy, Hudson, Call & Joy. He ever main- tained a foremost place among the prominent lawyers of the state. He did not confine his attention, however, entirely to his legal prac- tice, for he became a factor in financial eireles. He was the president for many years of the Sionx National Bank, which was organized in June, 1881, with a capital of one hundred thon- sand dollars, which was afterward increased many fold. He was also a stockholder and a director in the Iowa Savings Bank, which was organized January 15, 1883. He was likewise a director of the Union Loan & Trust Com- pany. He was always deeply interested in school matters and for more than a quarter of a century was a member of the school board of the independent district of Sioux City. He gave the benefit of his large business experience and mneh valable time to the district. To him and his co-laborers, who comprised some of the most prominent citizens of this city, is due
the excellent condition of the public schools of the city and most of the property the dis- triet now owns. His political support in early life was given to the Whig party and after- ward to the Republican party. He was twice called to represent Woodbury county in the lower house of the state legislature, serving in 1864 and 1866, and he took an active part in many publie movements and measures hav- ing direct and important bearing upon the wel- fare of the community. One of his special duties was the investigation concerning railroad interests of northwestern Towa and he succeed- ed in carrying through the measures for which he was sent. Having accomplished this work he steadfastly refused to again become a candi- date for office. For two years he was a mem- ber of the board of county commissioners. He was frequently urged by his friends to become a candidate for judge of the district and cirenit courts and also of the supreme court and his analytical mind and freedom from judicial bias were qualities that would have enabled him to grace the bench, but he never desired such office. He held membership with the Baptist church for many years and lived a life which brought him not only prominence but the re- speet and confidence of his fellow men.
On the 10th of October, 1859, he married Frances Alfreda Stone, who was born in West- moreland, New Hampshire, and is a represent- ative of an old New England family. She is still living in Sioux City. In the family were only two children : Chauncey L. and Helen F.
In the public schools Chauncey L. Joy mas- tered the elementary branches of learning and then matrienlated in the Iowa State University. in which he was gradnated with the class of 1886. He next entered the office of Joy, Wright & Hudson as a law student, spending two years there, and in 1889 he was admitted to the bar of Towa. Prior to that time, how- ever, he was admitted to the bar on motion in Nebraska and he entered npon the practice of his profession in Sioux City. The year after
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he began reading Craig L. Wright withdrew
of German lineage. His paternal grandfather, from the firm and Mr. Joy of this review was Charles Fryer, was a native of New York and admitted as a member. This partnership was served his country as a soldier in the war of maintained until 1889, when A. F. Call, of Algoona, Iowa, was admitted to the firm. 1. L. Hudson withdrew in 1892 and was after- ward ordained a minister of the Unitarian church. Mr. Joy and his father with Mr. Call then remained together until 1896, when Mr. Call withdrew from the firm, after which Mr. Joy and his father continued until his death and Mr. Joy then practiced alone for a time. In 1901 he formed a partnership with A. H. Burton, and this still continues, the clientage being of an important character and in vol- ume it is sufficient to bring to the partners a good annual income.
In 1901 Mr. Joy was married to Miss Laura E. Jones, and they are well known in the so- cial circles of the city. Mrs. Joy is a member of the Episcopal church. Mr. Joy gives his political allegiance to the Republican party and has filled the office of United States referee in bankruptcy since the law went into effect. He belongs to the Sioux City Bar Association and he is a representative of that class of Amer- ican citizens who stand for high ideals in their chosen calling, who are the promoters of mu- nicipal honor and the supporters of all meas- ures which have for their object the greatest good to the greatest number.
SAMUEL FRYER.
1812. He afterward settled in Center county, Pennsylvania, where Philip Fryer, the father of our subject, was born, reared, educated and married. He wedded Margaret Bryan, also a native of Center county and a daughter of Jacob Bryan, who was born in Pennsylvania and was of English parentage. Philip Fryer became an enterprising agriculturist of Center county and in addition to his farm pursuits he also owned and operated a grist and flouring mill. His entire life was spent in the place of his nativity. In the family were four chil- dren: John HI., who is now living in Marion county, Iowa; Sammel F., who is the second in order of birth ; Wyman, of Marion county; and Anna, the wife of John Dixon, of Kansas.
Reared upon the home farm in Pennsylvania, Samuel Fryer lost his father when only eleven years of age and almost from that time had to depend entirely upon his resources for a living. Ilis educational privileges in conse- quence were extremely limited and, having no opportunity to attend school, he is also a self- educated as well as self-made man. He pos- sesses, however, an observing eye and retentive memory for knowledge that has proven of prac- tical benefit in the business world and he is also well informed on many subjects concern- ing citizenship. In 1872 he went to Kansas, locating in Jackson county and afterward estab- lishing his home in Nemaha county, Kansas. There he rented a tract of land and engaged in farming on his own account. In 1873, how- ever, he returned to Pennsylvania, where he spent the succeeding winter and in the follow- ing spring he returned to Kansas and again engaged in farming in Nemaha county, where he resided for three years. He next removed to eastern Iowa and operated a tract of rented land in Mahaska county for several years. He afterward engaged in farming in Marion coun-
The home farm of Samuel Fryer, one of the best in Rutland township, comprises two hundred and forty acres and is situated on section 17. He did not receive this through gift or inheritance but gained it through his own persistent effort, unabating energy and indefatigable industry, and his life record shows what may be accomplished by these traits of character. A native of Pennsylvania, he was born in Center county, March 23, 1853, and is ty and for three years in Keokuk county. In
MR. AND MRS. SAMUEL FRYER.
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PAST AND PRESENT OF WOODBURY COUNTY
1881 he arrived in Woodbury county and has since remained upon the farm that is now his home. He purchased one hundred and sixty aeres of land, which was entirely unimproved up to this time and began its development and cultivation. Ile erected a good residence and commodions structures. Shade trees and fruit trees have been planted by him and the orchard is in good bearing condition: in fact, he has made the farm what it is today-one of the model farm properties of the twentieth een- tury. As his financial resources increased he extended the boundaries of the place by addi- tional purchases and now has two hundred and forty acres.
Mr. Fryer was married in Jackson county, Kansas, February 3, 1876, to Miss Sarah Cant- ner, who was born in Ohio, where her girlhood days were passed. She was a daughter of Silas Cantner, and her death occurred May 16, 1892. The children of this marriage are Jessie S., who is married and resides in Kingsley; Ella May; Quilla O., who is a teacher in Woodbury county; Harry; Miller; Alpha; Flossie; Leona; and Hyrtle. They also lost one son, Omega, who died in infancy. Mr. Fryer was again married in St. Paul, Minnesota, Jan- mary 12, 1904, his second union being with Mrs. Clara Hoyle Faast, a widow, who was born in Van Buren county, Michigan, and was reared in Ohio, where she was married the first time. Her father was John Napoleon Ketchum. She had one child by her first marriage.
Mr. Fryer was formerly a Democrat, but is now a stanch Republican where state and na- tional issues are involved, but at local elections votes independently of party ties. He was elected and served as supervisor of highways for five years and was school director for seven or eight years, during which time he did effect- ive and helpful service in behalf of publie edu- cation. He is a member of the Evangelical church, in which he is serving as an officer. His career has been marked by steady progress and though he started out in business at a very
early age and had no one to depend upon but himself he has gradually climbed upward and now stands upon the plane of affluence. His large and valuable farm is the visible proof of his life of untiring industry, capable man- agement and keen business discrimination. lle has been a resident of lowa for a quarter of a century and is thoroughly identified with its interests, its people and its prosperity.
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