USA > Iowa > Polk County > Portrait and biographical album of Polk County, Iowa, containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county > Part 10
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Such educational advantages as the common schools affor led were received by our subject, but otherwise he is self-educated. His life has been an industrious che and from: the age of sixteen years be has enade his own way in the world. On leaving home he went to Warren County, Ind., where he seemed work as a farm land at $10 per month. l'or four vous he spent the summer season in that partit. while during the winter he engaged in chapping word at twenty-five cents per cond. cut. ting two and a half words per day. Though such wages now seem very menger to na, Mr. Elliott succeeded in laying by stay with which he ci- baked in ba. ines for hinself.
Having now a prospect of securing a home, on the 14th of January, 1817. having won the offer- tions of Miss Martina Hazleton. he led her to the marriage altar and the union of hearts was consu- med I by the union of hands. The lady i a native of Vermilion Comty. HI. Being left fathiriless at an early age the mecie her home with her grand- latter. lela Paleta .. with whom the posited until het awaitings. A few months later the young couple one to Polk Compos when they have since made their home. Mr. Elliott at ones entered out lum- And ant to any pores of land of ration 5. Des-
is the michelmod. but the ssl men gave very Hele Gentile and Isson aftrawaand left the well -
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ago. An obl flint rifle was used by Mr. L.Hiott in kindling the fire: the farming implements were also of the most crude character; oxen were need in breaking land and handling grain, and the homes of many of the settlers were little one-roomed log cabins. As prosperity attended the efforts of our subject he added to his landed possesions nutil at one time he owned one thousand and forty acres. situated on sections 3. 1, 5. 6, and 7, Delaware Township, but the greater part of this he has since disposed of. giving some to his children and selling other tracts. The family now, however. operates one thousand and ten aeres of land in the county. while Mr. Elliott owns five hundred and thirty -five acres. two hundred of which is comprised in the old home- stead. Knowing the manner in which he started ont in life, we see at once that he has been pros- pered abundantly. but no one is more deserving of success. He shunned no honest measure, but by industry. enterprise and forethought acquired his possessions. Other business interests have also oc- cupied a portion of his time. he having been an 1
extensive and successful stock-dealer. He is Vice President and Dicetor in the American Saving? Bank of Des Moines. Many worthy enterprises which are calculated to up-build the community and its best interests have received from bim lib- cral contributions and he has ever been recognized as a valued citizen; educational and chmich work receive his hearty support and co-operation, and for fifteen years he has been Treasurer of the School Board. His ballot is cast in support of the Repub- hean candidates, he having affiliated with that party since its formation.
But those who were benefited most ly the liber- ality of Mr. Elliott were his children. Hirteen in number. To them he gave everdient & national advantages and also bestowed upon their portivas of his worldly goods, that they would not have to contend against the poverty and hardships which he met in emlier yeats. Ahmarinda. the cides; child, became the wife of T. 3. Thornton, a farm of Delaware Township, but is now decreased: Will- iam H. i living in the State of Washington: Joly Fi- engaged in farming on section S. Delsen Township: Truei. M. follow the same occupati m of the same section. an & Albert W alu thyr makes
his home: Jaques C. is another farmer of Delaware Township: Alexander B. is teller in the American Savings Bank of Des Moines: Laura died in 1880 at the age of sixteen years; Elizabeth is the wife of William Yoder, a farmer of Delaware; George and Clara are at home ; Charles died in 1880. at the age of seven years, and Etta is still with her parents.
J. MILLER. Life for all of us begins and ends 'alike: a birth. a death; a cradle, a grave. We fill in between a short span which is useful or vicious, industrious or idle. successful or unsuccessful, which blesses or curses the world. which is a joy to live, or a burden to lay down.
N. 1. Miller, whose name heads this sketch, began life in Connersville. Ind., June 13, 1839: began it in a comfortable home, descended from excellent parents. and with favorable environments for the development of a noble manhood. Good opportunities for an education were enjoyed in school at Connersville ant Centerville, but in 1856 the western fever took hold of a rather restless nature, and in the spring of that year he came to Des Moines, Jowa, where he has since resided. An only child. his father and mother were as lonely without him in the old home as he was homesick in the new without them, so in the autumn there was a reunited family in the new western village. There was. however, "the girl I left behind me" in this case, as in that of so many young men who vous West to try their fortunes. and in the fall of 1-54 Mr. Miller returned to Indiana and was Hat- ried to Miss Vint Swaford. of Wayne County. Life then began in earnest. and amid varying for- tunes seven years went by, and the young wife was laid away in Wolland Country Life seemed scare ly worth the living then, but time turns the face about from the grave of our dearest, and bids " take up again the duties it imposes. In the "brown and sear" aution of Iste. Mr. Miller was Again mariel. this thue to Mrs. Florence Chip- man, of ] wind ola, long. A few brief years his right to the hand hold a family of the bright, active
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boys. when a sciatic trouble of long standing mode it necessary to leave the farm home and go into solde business not requiring so much manual labor. It was then. April 21. 1871. Mr. Miller entered the mail service as Route Agent from Omaha. Neh .. to Chicago. Ill. Here, as in many other business relations. his integrity of character and faithful- ness to every duty las werk imposed, won him the confidener of the Government he served, and the regard of the men with whom he was associated. It was in this service that he received the terrible injury which has made hin koown to hundreds of people in his own and other States as aplucky Jim Miller," who stood by his mail with his head and face half burned off until be could turn it over to the properly sworn clerk. and then had the "grit" and courage to live under a calamity. the very knowledge of which would have killed half the men of the world had they been in his place.
On the night of April 4, 1875, the two express trains on the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy road were speeding toward each other in the darkness. A nastake in delivering an order to the conductor of train No. 2. allowed it to pass the point desig. nated for meeting, when it should have been hell for the on coming train. No. 1, and though the train dispatcher boarded an engine and went dying after the train which was spreding on to destrue. tion, it could not be overhauled in season to pre- vent the catastrophe. but round a curve hnt a "eut," near the station of Tyrone. the trains crashed into each other and both were belly wrecked. while four persons were killed and several injured. Among these Mail Agent Miller suffered most. having Leen genioned in the debris with the stove Heting tool Die left side of His head and fare The kurs was so deep that the eye. ear, and !! the facial homes with a part of the Full plate sloughel away and wep taken off. Years of suffering fol- losved from a wound that did not beal. but after it year be returned to his work in the service, and for fourteen years railroad men posted men and official in the mailway mail service were well to mest live at his work. olay. prompt. faitful. clearful and inspiring hope and courage by his certaines and bravery in die right on with the work give him. although fait under ii.
great misfortune. Andthe time of trial and sul- fering came in the summer of 1887. when it was found that a cancer had fastened it- deadly fang- in the wonnd of such long standing, and that only a little of life remained unless speedy and heroic remedy was applied. The sumne dauntless courage and "pluck" met the emergency, and a few weeks in hospital, and a surgical operation which took away a good part of the sku'l on the left hand side of the hend, "made him as good as new." Mr. Miller declares, and did it add to the disfigure- ment he had borne all the years before.
April 29, 1889. Mr. Miller was appointed Super- intendent of Mails in the Des Moines Post-office, and went out of the Railway Mail Service, though still in the postal department, connected with the work he likes so well. and in which his long exper- ience makes him of efficient service to the Govern- ment. llis many friends in his own city and State. as well as those beyond his home State, will hope he may long live. a useful member of society (1 .- joying the life his courage and strong vitality have twice won from the grim fingers of death.
OJIN J. HAMILTON is editor and one of the proprietors of the Des Moines Daily Noes. That paper was established Novem- ber 9. 15-1. by C. S. Wilson, George L. MeCracken and C. s. Painter. by act of incorpora- tion, with a capital stock of $0.000. A few months later John JJ. Hamilton purchased M -. Wilson's in- terest in the busines and afterward Mr. Painter's interest passed into the hands of 1. 1. Darley. Mr. Men cken still continues in the company a- its President. Mr. Hudbou holts the office of Seen tary and Mr. Duby is Treasurer. The entire stock of the News Company is held by the three gentlemen and is equally divided between them. The Weekly Very was started in August. Ich a part of the business of this company. 'The paper is independent in politi s. court bas rapids grown The a oject of the chotch ist native of Pom
CIDE
4
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Conmy, on the 10th of November. 1851. HE- par- ents were William and Catharine ( Logan ) Hamil- ton. The paternal ancestors were of Scottish ori- gin. but for six generations the family has resided in Pennsylvania. On the mother's side, the fam- ily, which was early founded in America. is of mixed ancestry. including Scotch. Irish and Dutch.
ob JJ. Hamilton was a lad of twelve years when, in 1866, he accompanied his parents to lowa, the family locating in Davis County. His primary education was supplemented by a course in the State University, from which he was graduated in the class of '77. He entered the newspaper Imsiness as editor of the Bloomfield Republican, and con- tinued that connection for three years, when he be- came interested in the Des Moines Daily Nors. in March, 1885. He was city editor for three years, since which time he has served in the capacity of managing editor. He possesses excellent business ability, and to him in a great measure is due the success of the Daily Nes. In politics Mr. Han- ilton is a supporter of the Republican party. and in his religious convictions a Presbyterian. belong- ing to the Central Presbyterian Church, of Des Moines. Ile is also a member of the Knights of Pythia- and of the Ancient Order of United Work- inen. He ranks high hoth in the social and busi ne's world, and is regarded as a valued citizen.
ILLIAM 11. QUICK. Superintendent of the United States Express Company, has helt the office since 1865, covering a period of a quarter of a century. The mere statement of the at of his long-continued service indicates his ability and the faithful discharge of the duties devolving upon him. He was born in Hamburg. Sosex County. N. I .. on the 1st of July. 1832, and is a sen of William H. and Rebecen ( Ford ) Quick. His parents were natives of New Jersey, and his father waar- descended from an old New York family. The earliest known ancestor of our subject on the 1- tornal side was the founder of the family in Amer. ist who emigrated to the com fy from Holte al
1
and Held a large tract of land in New York, under a grant from Queen Anne, which he leased to varions paties for ninety-nine years. From fail- ure to properly record the grant and leases. the property was ultimately lost to the heirs. The father of William Quick was a miller by trade. and died near Patterson, N. J., at the age of fifty-seven vette. His wife survived him some time, and died in Port Jervis, N. Y., at the age of eighty-three years.
Our subject began lite for himself at the early age of ten. He attended school in Port lervis, N. Y., and when a lad of fourteen we find him learning the miller's trade, which occupation he followed continuously until nineteen years of age, when he began railroading as brakesman. in New York. but was subsequently made conductor. In 1855 he was employed in that capacity on the Chi- cago & Rock Island Road. running out of Chicago, and continued with that company until May 1, 1856, when he went to Jowa City, in the employ of Parker's Express Company. a private company, doing business just in advance of the railroad. IIc was employed by that company as messenger be- tween lowa City and Dubnque for six mouths, and at the expiration of that time was appointed local agent at Iowa City. He contintied with that com- pany until it transferred its business to the United States Express Company, in the spring of 1858, when he was retained in his position by the latter company. As the Rock Island road was extended westward Mr. Quick was transferred to Marengo, Brooklyn, Grinnell, and on the Ist of July, 1863, reached Des Moines, where he succeeded R. K. MeMasters as local agent. He continued to fill that position until 1805, when he was promoted to be Di- vision Superintendent to succeed Joseph Shepherd. who had been promoted to the General Western Superintendey. Mr. Quick's division included Iowa and Nebraska, with headquarters at Des Moines. The business of the company has since increased to haportant proportions, and since the Ist of May. 1886, our subject has served as tieneral Superin- tendent, covering. in addition to the above named territory. Kaust. Missouri, Colorado and Okla-
Mi Qall. was urwried, in Des Moines . no the
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9th of October, 1860, to Miss Mary, duighter of Judge Love, of Buffalo, N. Y. She was a most estimable woman, and a consistent member of the Episcopal Church. She died March 3. 1870, leav- ing one child, a daughter. Ella, who resides with . her father.
Mr. Quick has made his home in Des Moines since 1868, and is a member of Capital Lodge. No. 110. A. F. & A. M .: and of lowa City Chapter. No. 2. R. A. M. He is the recognized pioneer ex- press man of lowa. having been associated with the United States Express Company since it first established business in lowa, in 1857. or for a term of thirty-three years. Early in his service with the company le exhibited those qualities so essential in one in his position-superior executive ability and strict integrity-and soon won the confidence of the company. During the extended term of service his fidelity to every trust reposed in him. and his sagacious and careful discharge of duty. have justified the high estimate placed on his ahil. ity and honesty by the company's management of a third of a century ago. He is genial and cour- teous in manner, and has won the good will and confidence, in the fullest sense of the words. of the officials and employes of the immense corporation of which he is a prominent officer.
EDGE THOMAS 1. MORRIS, ex-judge of Carroll County. lowa, and one of the lead- ing contractors of Des Moines, is a native of Cumberland County. N. J. It was born October 19. 1822. ap | is a con of Robert Morris. The founder of the family in America long ante- dates the Revolution. In 1650. only fifteen years after the landing of the Pilgrims at Plymouth Bad .. John Morris, a gentleman of Fughen birth, 1. It his home across the water and I tool, up hi rosi- de now on Manhattan Island, not far from the pre- and Hasting of Central Park. New York City, at what afterward was known & Monti' Woods. The ": - the ear wax that of the original procusite of tto family. Look up bis resistence near Sandy ford.
on the New Jersey shore, where the father of Thomas was born in 1792. Ile was but two years of age when the family removed to New York State. settling near Cayuga Lake. There Robert Mor- ris grew to manhood. On the breaking out of the second war with England, in 1812, he responded to the call for troops and served mitil the close of hostilities. Later, he went to Philadelphia, and thence to Delaware, where he became acquainted with and married Nancy Watson, who belonged to one of the early families of that State. The young coupde began their domestic life in Cumberland County, N. J., and when our subject was about fif- teen years of age removed to Wheeling, W. Va., where they remained nine years. At the expira- tion of that time they located in Pittsburg, P'a .. and in 1855 emigrated to Town, making their home in Carroll County. at what is known as Old Car- rollton. At his home in that place. in December, 1574. Robert Morris departed this life. His wife sur- vived him several years, when she too, was called to her reward.
Mr. and Mrs. Morris had a family of six chil- dren who grew to maturity, comprising five sous and one daughter-Thomas T. is the oldest; David. the second in order of birth, is a resident of Pitts- burg. Pa .; Catherine, the only daughter. is the wite of S. A. Davis, of Carroll County. Iowa: John and Robert are now deceased; and George W. completes the family.
As our subject ranks among the prominent and influential citizens of Des Moines, we take pleasure in recording his sketch in the history of his selopted county. feeling that it will be received with inter- est by many of our render -. His boyhool days were spent amid play and work in a manner to unlike that of the average lad. breath lite he learned the moson's trade, but for many years he has given his time and attention to contracting and building with good success. He has been munbuted among the chief builders of Des Moines for many years having created a number of it most important business blocks and other innldin s in the city. l'ablie-spirited and progressive. he is a valued factor in the community and a worthy monde of both digits and social circles. il has taken to active interest in the power and
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growth of Des Moines, and in all possible ways has sided in her advancement. Public duties have also engrossed his attention, and the innymtant of- fees which he has heldl indicate the confidence and trust repased in him. While a resident of Car. roll County, lowa. he served as County Judge for a number of years, has been a member of the Board of Supervisors of Polk County, and also held the office of Justice of the Peace. It is ai. mostneedless to say that his duties were discharged with fidelity and ability. thus winning him the commendation of his friends and the respect of even his political enemies. His first Presidential vote was cast for James K. Polk, the Democratie candidate in 1811, but on the formation of the Republican party he joined its rauks, and has ever remained true to its principles. Both be and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Morris' connection with that denomi- nation covering a period of half a century.
Mrs. Morris was formerly Miss Louie? Jarvis Potter. She is a native of Erie County. Pa .. and belongs to an old and highly respected New Eng- land family. which was founded in Concord. Mass .. as carly as 1635, and her father was one of the pio- neer settlers of Erie County, Pa. His death or- curred in 1870. at the age of seventy years, but his wife died long previous, being called home when Mrs. Morris was a child. The union of our sub- jeet and his worthy wife has been blessed with nine children. six of whom are living-Frank T., Robert. Harry, William; Carrh, wife of 31. Q. Tauche: and John A. They lost three dangh- ters-Ella. Laura and Mary.
soldier all through the War of the Revolution. His father served in the War of 1512. and he and his sons were officers in the late war. So we see that his family has been well represented in the important struggles in which our country has been involved, and have faithfully performed their du- ties as citizens in that line.
In 1825, Col. Fox removed with his parents from his native county to the town of Pontiac, in: Michigan Territory. He received a common- school education, and at the age of thirteen began his business career as a clerk in a grocery store m Detroit, at a salary of $G per month. As the progressed so did the value of his services, and his wages were likewise inercased. until, at the age of twenty years he felt justified in marrying. On the 16th of March. 1837, at Detroit, he was joined in wellock with Miss Lorinda Haskell, daughter of Thomas Haskell. Three years later. in 1810. they removed to Lyons, Iowa County, Mich .. and the Colonel engaged in the mercantile business, which he continued until the breaking out of the lite war, when he entered the service.
Mr. Fox enlisted in April, 1861. in the Ninth Michigan Infantry, and was promoted to the rank of Major. September 10. 1861. On the 13th of October. 1862, he was made Colon l of the Twenty- seventh Michigan, and served in that capacity until October, 1861, when he received his honor- alle discharge. He participated in the battles of Tyree Springs Tem .. Knoxville. siege of Vicks- burg. Jackson. Miss .. and then joined the Army of the Potomac, with which he participated in the brattles from Washington through the Wilderness. at Spotsylvania. North Anna, Bethesda Church. in fact was fighting all the way to Petersburg. His west son. Clodles T. Fix. enlisted in the same re iment with his father. the Ninth Michig: s. i. May. 18nl, and on the 12th of October following was commissioned Second Lieutenant, and pro- mt 1 to be Fent Licht went in April. 1862. 11. w / Milk & at Home Springs September 22. 1-12. Having a wider. we were formerly Mi- June Walker of Lyon. Micha now rolling in Beta
(. DORUS MORTON FOX. Register of the United States Land Office of Des Meine was born in the town of Adans. Armon County. X. Y. November 29. 1817, and is the son of Tronen and Lydia ( Matem) Fex. the form a medive of Bemmiopia Coro.ty. V ... and the latter of Comportent lich were of ing- list of rent. Three generations ramel. Elijah Fox. . First Letter of the High of Which .. ...
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seventh Michigan, and died of congestive chills at the siege of Vicksburg, in July. 1863. Col. Fox was wounded at Petersburg. June 17. 1861. by a gun-hot through the right shoulder, bat held his commission until October, 1861.
On his return from the war, the Colonel re- sumed business at Lyons, and continued a resi- dent of that city until the spring of 1871, when he removed to Chicago and engaged in the pub- lishing business. He was but fairly started when the great fire of October of that year occurred, sweeping away all his possessions, even his insur- ance, which was in Chicago companies, proving worthless. After his loss in Chicago, he went to New York City, and was associated with Theodore Tilton in the publishing business hut, in 1876. again came West, spending one year in Missouri. He then returned to Rochester, N. Y., where he remained two years when. in 1880, he came to lowa, locating in Ottumwa, where he engaged in the publishing business until 1887, when he came 10 Des Moines, where he was employed as journal- ist until May, 1889. In that month he was ap- pointed Register of the United States Land Office. to fill a vacaney and was reappointed for a full term January 11, 1890.
Col. Fox was married in New York City, March 11, 1978, his second union being with Miss Nettic Pense, a daughter of Dr. D. A. Pease, now of San Jose, Cal. The lady was born in Cincinnati, Ohio. They have one child, a son, Morton Pease Fox, who is still a student. The father and son are Inembers of the Christian Church.
Col. Fox was a Whig in early life and has been a Republican since the dissolution of that poty. Always a strict temperance man. he is an entrest worker in the interest of that e use and has been a number of some temperance organization since it lyd of twelve yours. He is now the chairman of the Iowa State Central Committee of the łowa Temperance Union, the first State temporaire committee formed in lowa. Ile was appointed Commissione, by Gov. Larrabee, to investigate Industrial Homes for Adult Blind, established in other States. His favorable report led to the founding of the loss Industrial Home for Adult Hial, and he is President of the Des Moines Acima
Tippecanoe Club. As his record shows, Col. Fox has been true to the traditions of his family, where pure patriotism and love of country led to a rep- resentation of the family in the three great wars of America. Ile not only bears the scars on his person. of the enemy's bullets, but sacrificed the lives of his two sons in defense of the Union. While but a short time a resident of the Capita! City. he has already won hosts of friends among the best of his fellow citizens. Enthusiastic to a marked degree as a party man and Republican, earnestly in favor of absolute and total prohibition of the liquor traffic, never ceasing in his work for its accomplishment, it inevitably follows that such a man will have bitter opponents as well. Never- theless his motto is: "Stand by the right."
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