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 15
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ATT. FRANCIS R. WEST. a pioneer bank- er. and prominent business man of Des Moines, well deserves representation in this volume. He is a native of Wayne County. N. Y., born in the town of Clyde, July 28. 1818. 11is parents, Harry and Nancy (Warren) West. were also natives of the Empire State, born in Albany County, and both were descended from old Anati- can families of English origin, whose settlement in the New World dates back to the middle of the seventeenth century. Harry West, the father of our subject, hadd removed to Wayne County. with his family. but a short time prior to IS13. ]] ..... a contractor, and was also extricively engaged in merchandising.
Francis R. West was educated innevate - pool and became familiar with Mucho: met al- while assisting his father in his various enterprises, Has - ing arrived at yours of meity. ws July 17. 1833, he welded Miss Elizalutte I. Bland. the boy- riage taking place in Elmira N. Y. when Mr.
West was trevel. She has proved a helpmate to her Husband in the highest sense of the word. Pos- sensing intellectual faculties of a high order. and an earnestness and fidelity in ber devotion to duty. she has, through fifty -seven years of wedded life. been the light of her home, and the comfort and ¡ joy of husband and childien.
In 1836. Capt. West went to Pennsylvania. where he was engaged on public works. (canals and railroads) operating between Pittsburg and Johnstown. At one time he ran a packet boat on the Pennsylvania Canal. where he acquired the title of Captain, by which he is so generally known. When the Allegheny & Portage Railroad was completed over the mountains, he became its Superintendent. and served in that capacity until 1855, when he removed to lowa with his fonily. settling in Des Moines. After his arrival in that city he became extensively engaged in the real- estate business, and in 1856, built a brick block at the southwest corner of Count Avenue and West Fourth Street. now the Iowa State Register Block. Two years later a branch of the Iowa State Bank was established in Des Moines, beginning business on the Ist of January. 1859. with Capt. F. R. West as President, and Host Sherman as Cashier, but in 1861. Mr. Sherman wa- appointed Paymaster in the army, and our subject was made Cashier, while B. 1. Allen was elected President. A few years later, Capt. West was appointed one of the commission- er on lowa War claims. arising from the clothing and equipment of Town soldiers in the beginning of the war.
In May. 1865. the bank which Capt. West had been instrumental in establishing was incorporated mala the national banking law. as the National State Bank of Des Moines, with B. F. Allen as . President. and our subject as Cashier. The laisi- ness of the bank attained mammoth proportions. making it by far the most important financistron- corn in losa. At one time the deposits in the two banks amounted to 21.750.000. Mr. Allen enise- quently het phit the Cook County Bank of Chiengo. and ostali hela banking hore in New York City. he ftes there he had a private Les in Last De
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the day Cook failure of 1858 shook the financial writers of the country. Mr. Allen was forced tothe wall and in consequence the National State Bank of Des Moines became involved, and was suspended in 1575. In company with his sons. Rany and Albert L. Capt. West then organized the State Bank of Des Moines. Albert 1. had been running a private bank of his own on the East side. which he sold out, when he joined his father and brother in the State Bank, under the firm name of I. R. West & Sons. Complications beyond their control caused the proprietors of the State Bank to close their doors in July, 1877. and the affairs of the bank were settled up through a course of law. The career of Capt. West as a banker extended over a period of eighteen consecutive years in Des Moines, during which time he had been the chief manager of one of the most important monetary institu- tions in the State. The ultimate failure. which wrecked his fortune in common with many others. grew out of the gigantic failure of B. F. Allen, with whom he was intimately identifel and m when the people of lowa had the most implicit confidence. The business management of Cand. West was distinguished by a conservative pru- dence. and strict integrity that commande the confidence and respect of all with whom he had business relations. At one time he owned several hundred acres of valuable land. in what is now North Des Moines, besides numerous desirable business lots and buildings. Being advanced in years when trouble overtook him. the is now seventy-seven). he has since lived in quiet retire- ment.
ing frites of the Liverpente Des Moines Pak-
ing Co. Albert L. valued Miss Laura Tuttle. a daughter of Gen. Tuttle. and is engaged in the hardware basiness in this city. Whitman died in childhood. Netti. L., the youngest, is the wife of Norman Lichty, wholesale druggist of Des Moines.
Although far advareed in years, Capt. West is well preserved. both playssially and mentally. Ilis life has been an active and useful one, and in spite of the business disaste: that befell him, he retains the respect and good will of his old neighbors and friends in a marked degree.
OHN PENN, a real-estate dealer of Des Moines and an early settler of this county Was born in the city of Philadelphia, Pa., on the 6th of Bounty. 1812. Her father, Abraham Pean, was born in Chatham, England, and descended from an old Quaker family of that lood- ity. He also embraced the faith of that society. Coming to America in early life, he became ae- quainted with and married Miss Elizabeth Living- ston. who was born in Philadelphia and was a daughter of Capt. John Livingston. a Revolutionary here, who was killed in the battle of Brandywine. She was also a piece of Robert R. Livingston, our of the siguers of the Declaration of ladependence. Abralara Penn. father of our subject. was a ship builder by trade but in after life followed farming. In 1822, accompanied by his family, he removed to Pickaway County. Ohio, and engaged in agricul- tmal pur-uits.
Capt. and Mrs. West had six children, of shot From the age of ten years until he had attained! Is majority, our subject remained upon his father's farm set in the me. mtime acquired an education. in the spring of 15 50. he was joined in wellek with Miss Barbena Ponel, a daughter of John 1 Ford, her family bring of Cernem afin. Hu birth occurred in so meget County. Han ten! their mariage was blessed with a family of ten chilli eight son and two denghiters. Of the month y four con send our daughterate ytt living - Id and. two are new deceased. Francis M. want to ( Hur- ma when a lad of sixteen yous. Il apprend a loving habit. and spent many years in the mining region of the West. and when last hương trom was in the city of Mexico. The next oldest was Mary Archansin, who became dla wife of B. F. Allen. the wel lova banker. She traveled exten ich in Europe, an l died January 31, 1877. leaving four children, two sons, and two daughters. Harry West, the Just younger, wedded Miss Mary Che . 1 and the Mithed Wing Company at De. Net. Last John W. who i living in De. More ....
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ried Jane Goldsbury, now deceased; William J. is , parents to Johnson County. Ind .. where be acquired represented on another page of this work : Louisa . such education as the district schools of that day Maria is the wife of A. W. Guthrie of Des Moines: Jacob Miley married Susan Meese and died at the age of thirty years; George welded Allie Ayers and died in 1881. at the age of thirty ; Charles Fre- mont married Susan Parker and makes his home in Des Moines, being employed as a mail agent in the railway service. The other children died in in- fancy.
In 1853. Mr. Pen left Ohio and settled in Tip- pecanoe County. Ind., but six years later resumed his westward journey and took up his residence in Say lor Township, Polk County, where he made his home for a year and a half. Having purchased a farm in Washington Township, he then engaged in its operation until 1875, when he determined to try city life and came to Des Moines. For a time he engaged in the insurance business, later was con- nected with the Barb Wire Manufacturing Con- jany for four years and since that time has the voted his attention to real-estate dealings.
In January, 1879, Mr. Penn was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife who died at her home in this city. She was an estimable lady and her loss was deeply regretted by many worm friends. 11. though reared in the faith of the Society of Friends. Mr. Penn united with the Methodist Episcopal Church of which he is yet a member. In early life . he was a supporter of the Whig party but joined the new Republican party on its organization and bas since continued to fight under its banner. He has held a number of local offices, both township and county and for three terms was a member of the County Board of Supervisole.
OHN A. DAY, deceased, is numbered among the early settlers of East Des Moines and having at his death left many warm friends behind him who will be glad to learn more of his history. we record with pleasure this brief sketch of his life. He was a native of Ohio, born in Clermont County, on the 15th of November 1816. In 1822, when a lot of six years, he accompanied his
afforded. However the advantages of the pioneer school were rather limited. The building in which the youths of that day familiarized themselves with the "three K's" was built of logs. the floor was formed of puncheon or perhaps bad no floor at all. the chimney was made of ind and sticks and greased paper placed over a small opening in the logs served as windows. In his youth he also served an apprenticeship to the plasterer's trade which he afterward followed in pursuit of fortune for a number of years.
On the 24th of December, ISIO, Mr. Day married Miss Frances Galbreth, the ceremony being per- formed in Indianapolis, Ind. The lady was born in Hendricks County, Ky., April G, 1821, and is a daughter of JJamies and Nancy Galbreth, who ate numbered among the pioneers of the Boosier State. In 1827. they left their old home and with their family located in Johnson County, where in com- mon with her husband Mrs. Day shared in the bard- ships and trials of pioneer life, being reared amid the wild scenes of the frontier. Wild beasts, such as wolves, bears and wild cats were yet frequently seen, while deer and other kinds of game were found in abundance and furnished many a meal for the settlers.
Mr. and Mrs. Day were the parents of a large family of fifteen children. seven of whom lived to adult age-Josephus, who oolisted in the late war as a member of the Thirty-second Iowa Cavalry, after serving his term of three years veteranize ! and remained with the big - in blue until the ces- sation of hostilities. He was wounded at Min- Creek in the ellos, but survived until February 4. 1871. Those who grew to manhood and womantool and are yet living are Austin. Luther. Sarah. George, Dora and Charles.
Having resided in: Indiana until 1857, Mr. Day emigrated with his family to Davis County, Iowa. and in 1865. came to Poll County, locating in what is now Fast Des Moines. The land on which be settled was covered with hazel brush and vas a mile distant from the river. As the city had not yet begun to be built on the east side he did not dreson that it's boundaries would be extended will
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it embraced his home, but such is the case. In polities, he was a staneb Democrat and an ardeut advocate of Jeffersonian principles. He could not. be called a politician, having never sought publie ollice. but he always kept himself well-informed concerning public affairs and took a deep interest in the success of his party. He was killed by being sored by a vicious bull. his death occurring on the 12th of September, 1873. In early life he was con- verted and joined the Methodist Church and ever remained one of its faithful and devoted members. His career was one of the strictest integrity and up- rightness and his honorable life was so well known throughout the community that his word was as readily received as his bond. Austin has four chil- dien, viz: Clara, Charles W .. Isabelle. John W. Luther has three children, viz: Lillie. Mary E. Fannie F. Sarah Brown has three children. viz: Byron, Lotta M. and Mabel D. George W. has three children. viz: Lewis, Harvey, Ewing. Dora Hinkle has one child. Arthur J. Lavina Neal. the deceased daughter left three children, viz: John T .. Frances E .. Ida S. John has two children, Alonzo and Harry.
RS. A. B. TRACY, the founder and pro- prietor of Tracy Home, was born in Ports- mouth, Ohio, April 28, 1835, and is a daughter of Capd. James W. Davis. Her father, a native of Pittsburg. Pa., born on the 1th of January, 1805. was left an orphan at a very early age and thus forced to begin the battle of life for himself, Soon after the death of his parents be went to Lexington. Ky .. where he grew to man- hood and acquired a common-school education. He was one of the first captains of the vessels ply- ing up and down the Ohio River and for several years followed that life. Later he was extensively engaged in the manufacture of pig iron in Ports- mouth and also devoted considerable attention to peak packing, becoming one of the substantial citi. ans and business men of that place. On the 3d of Imp. 1997. in his native city. he was mited in mariage with Mi-> Annepla Baldwin. . nyt excel-
lent July, by whom he had six children, five yet living -John S., now a resident of Newton. lowa: Mrs. Tracy. of this sketch; Elizabeth II. wife of M. A. Bently. of Nebraska; Eunna T., wife of L. W. Dennis, of Los Angeles. Cal .; and Julia B., wife of C. W. Keys, of Des Moines.
On the 15th of November. 1861, accompanied by his family, Mr. Davis reached Des Moines. where he spent the remainder of his life, He im- mediately embarked in the wholesale and retail grocery business and succeeded in building up an excellent trade, which he afterward sold out to his sons-in-law. L. Dennis and C. W. Keys. From the first he was numbered among the representative citizens of Polk County, and his record both in the social world and in business circles was such as to command the respect and confidence of all with whom he was brought in contact. In early life he was a supporter of the Whig party and a great ad- mirer of its two prominent statesmen, Henry Clay and Daniel Webster. His death occurred in this city, December 12. 1869. and his wife died May 7. 1888. She was a sincere Christian woman and in a quiet, unostentatious manner performed the duties of life, striving to conform her actions to her pro- fession.
Mrs. Tracy, whose name heads this sketch, was liberally educated and graduated with honor from the Steubenville Female Seminary, Ohio. She was united in marriage with V. D. L. Tracy, a gentle- man of culture and refinement and of good husi- bes qualifications. For six years he was engaged in the banking har-iness at Portsmouth. Ohio, and his upright manner of doing business made him a record worthy of emulation. Their marriage was celebr: ted in 1854. but after six short years of happy wedded life the husband was called to his last rest in 1860. He was a prominent member of the Episcopal Church and ako a Knight Templar Mason. Two children were born unto them. dangh- ters-Lible and Gertie. but in 1863. death again visited the home. both dying of diphtheria.
Left alone, with no one to care for, Mrs. Tracy has siner devided herself to others, and the many friends which she has gained will. while life 1: 1. ever hold lay in loving ressemblances. In. 187. the Cottage Hospital was organized through the
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instemmentality of a few Christian women. Mrs. Tracy and her mother being two of the chief movers in the affair, and in October. 1886 she es- tablished Tracy Home. A short history of that institution will not be inappropriate. Several at- tomopt- had been made in the past decade to found a good hospital in the city hut, all had proved uss- areasful with the exception of the Cottage Hos- pital. therefore, such a home as she established was much needed. It is a private hospital located m West Des Moines and is pleasantly situated on a high eminence overlooking the river, and in full view of the State Capitol. The building is two stories in height with a basement and the rooms are all separate and well ventilated. It is finished in- side with Georgia pine and the whole presents an attinetive appearance which makes the patients feel at home and at once at ease. The arrangement is so perfect that the rooms do not open opposite and the sanitary condition is all that could be required. On the first floor are the waiting and operating rooms, with eight rooms all large and airy, and on the upper floor the remaining eight rooms. The whole is under the personal supervision of Mrs. Trwy, who has had many years experience is lius- pital work. She is also assisted by a competent corps of trained nurses. While Mrs. Tracy's "Home" is a private institution it is conducted on Uwe broadest kind of liberal principles. all schools of medicine with their patients, being received by it - proprietor.
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1) I.NRY CLAY MURPHY. off of the pro- pristors of the Capital Rolley Mills. of 1 - Meines, belongs to one of the early families of North Carolina, of which State be paternal grandfather, Miles Murphy, was a me- sve, fast at an early day he left the south and emi- good to Wayne County. Ind .. when that State Viss territory. He required an extensive tret . i had and became a substantial fanny of the comunity. Of his eight children. Robert Murphy, List of our subject, was the oldest. 'The water- 1. 4 grandfather. Daniel Burgess removed from
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South Carolina to Wayne County. Ind .. during the early days of its history and became one of the founders of the city of Richmond.
Robert Murphy was born in North Carolina in 1796, but at an early day accompanied his family to Wayne County. where he was reared and mar- ried Sarah Burgess, who was born in South Caro- lina in 1797. and became a resident of Indiana during her girlhood. They continued to make their home in that State until late in life and were numbered among the respected people of Wayne County. Though farming was his chief occupation. Mr. Murphy dealt extensively in lands and be- came quite wealthy. About 1837 he made a tour through the West in a wagon. and on reaching Central lowa purchased some two thousand acres of land. However, he carried back with him the greater part of his money, fearing to invest it in real estate as he did not believe railroads would ever be built through this part of the country. but he lived to see a perfect network of roads cross- ing the Stade, and consequently increasing the value of his property. He made a permanent lo- cation in Des Moines in 1861, sunl he and his wife spent their last days in this city. 3h. Murphy dy- ing at the age of eighty years. his wife in the sev- enty-ninth year of her age. He supported the Whig party until its dissolution, and was after- ward a warm advocate of Republican principles. In Wayne County, Ind., he held for several terms the office of County Commissioner, one of the most responsible positions within the gift of the people of the county.
The family of Mr. and Mrs. Murphy numbered eight children. of whom six sur now living --- John, a farmer. nosiding near Inchiamipolis, Ind .; Daniel is engaged in business in Gila Bend. Ariz .: Miles M. a real-estate dealer of Ashburn, Cal .: Sarah ... wife of Milton Lawson, a retire & farmer of Madi- son County: Martha, widow of Joy ph Midler. of Des Moines.
Henry Chy Murphy. su the member of the family and the subject of this sketch. was lost in Wayne County, I.d. Septenday 3. 1887, and was toul on a formaljoining te town of Milton. consequently obtaining such cung tional advan- there is the place atlondon He subsequently at.
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tended Newcastle Academy, and at the age of sixteen entered upon his business career as a sales- man in his brother's dry goods store. where he re- mained three years, when he engaged in buisness for himself. After two years' successful opera- tions a disastrous live swept away his store and stock, and as very few insured in those days he had nothing remaining but debts, and nothing with which to pay them. He again resorted to clerking, and by this means, aided somewhat by his father, he paid off all incumbrances, starting in life anew. Going to Denver, Colo, in 1879, he engaged in mining one summer, and on his return to his na- tive State opened a store in Middletown, which he continued until August. 1862, when he enlisted as a private in the Eighty-fourth Indiana Infantry. U'pon the organization of the regiment. he was ap- pointed Commissary sergeant, in which capacity he served until the close of the war. being dis- · charged at Nashville, Tenn.
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Soon afterward Mr. Murphy came to Des Moines. but not being able to suit himself in business he returned to Indiana and purchased his old store in Middletown, which he carried on until 187!, at which time he returned to this city. and for two years engaged in the grain business. His next place of residence was in Earthat, Iowa, where he dealt in stock and grain and carried on farming. but something seemed drawing him to Des Moines. and in 1882 he again returned. Fonning a part- nership with B. C. White and M. H. Pickering, he built the Capital Roller Mill at a rest of about $80,000. Its capacity is one hundred and fifty barrels per day, and as it is the only douring mill in the city a very liberal patronage is accepted it. Since the death of Mr. White the enterprise has been managed by the other partners. Mr. Martin having charge of the financial interests and Mi. Pickering the practical operations of the mill.
On the 220 of December Ists, Mr. Murphy was joined in wedlock with Miss Mary A. Deploye. a native of Mid Hetown. Ind .. where they were na"- Hed. Hoy have two children -- Mattie L. a.d Wingethn.
1;Pticaly. Mr. Murphy has always been a to- Hable Republican and cast his fire Presidential vote for Linoch. He isesa member of the 1 .-
sonic fraternity and of the Grand Any of the Re- public. He takes an active interest in political affairs. but not with selfish ends in view, ais he has never asked, nor would he he inclined to ne- : vept any official position. Being a mau of business. he attends strictly to his affairs, and has therefore prospered. He is also Vice- President of the Execu- tive Committee of the Millers' Mutual Fire Ist- ance Company.
TEPHEN D. WILSON, the senior partner of the firm of Wilson & Stein, machinists. located in business at No. 229, East First Street. Des Moines, was born in Salisbury Township, Lancaster County, Pa., November 28. His paternal great - grandfather was a Scotch-Irishman and a miller by trade. He left his home in the north of the Emerald Isle and emi- grated to Amerien at an early day. locating in Penn- sylvania. He had but one son. John, who passed his entire life in the Keystone State and followed the verupation of farming. He married and had two sons but one only. John D. Wilson, father of our subject. rested a family. On his mother's side, Mr. Wilson is of Welsh descent. His maternal grandfather. Jehin Jones, a Pennsylvanian by birth. was eduented for the legal profession but his in- clinations never led him to the practice of law. He taught school and keld hotel for many years. Ile married and bad five children, three sons and two daughters. One of the former is deserving of (special mention-4, Gilaney Jones, who was horn in Pennsylvania in ist. He was educated for the ministry but In came a successful lawyer and served as Deputy Attorney General of Pensylsania, was three times sent to Congress, was founder of the Count of Claims, for a Pie scivol as Chairman of the Committee of Ways and Means and was sent a. Minister to Austria in 1858. He died in Ked- the moder of on subject. She too was born in l'angleania nel in thet State He maritere of Mr. Ingly respected citizen and wale members of the
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Episcopal Church. Mr. Wilson was a well-to-do fattoer and in political sentiment was a supporter of the Democratic party. During the War of 1812 be belonged to a troop of horse but was never cadla into active service. He reached the advanced age of seventy-four and his wife was seventy-one years of age at the time of her death. Their fait- dy consisted of ten children, of whom six are hvang -- two sons and four daughters. The other p. John D .. is a real-estate dealer of Helena, Mont. Stephen D. Wilson, the well-known machinist of Des Moines, was reared to manhood in his native county and until sixteen years of age his time was divided between the school room and such duties is are incident to a boy's life on the farm. Hle taly learned the two great principles which have isole his life a success-industry and a proper huslanding of his resources. At the age of sixteen he was apprenticed to the machinist's trade, at Healing. Berks County, Pa., serving a term of about three and a half years. Having thoroughly mastered his trade he worked as a journeyman for a wrumher of years. in the employ of the Pennsyl- vania Railroad, when that line belonged to the Mate, and after it passed into the hands of a com- fragy; also for the Lancaster Locomotive Works and for the Ohio & Mississippi Railroad in Southern Indiana. In 1850. he went to Richmond. Ind .. to work for the Cincinnati & Chicago Air Line.
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