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 16
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It was during the residence of Mr. Wilson in Bilanoud that he formed the acquaintance and v . united in marriage with Miss Amanda M. Lewis. estive of that city. Their union was celebrated as the 22d of October, 1862, and unto them have en born two sons, Lewis D .. and George F.
som after his marriage, Mr. Wilson engaged ". his father-in-law in business as proprietors "gi Strato Power Bakery, with which he con- and his connection some two yeus. His resi- m. in Des Moines dates from 1866, when with Manily he located in this city and breame an That of the Des Moines Iron Works. By in- tis and economy he was soon chaldet, in colt- ; with others, to purchase a plant and did , under the firm title of Brooks. Straw bridge Later, Mr. Straw bridge old his intere.1 der Leyen and in 1875, that gentleman , preity both in the public ciel and the Academy
was succeeded by William Stein. The next change in the firm oreurred in 1878, when by the death of Dr. Brooks. Messrs. Wilson & Stein were left sole proprietors. They own a valuable plant and prop- city adjoining and furnish employment to about fifteen men. Their business is numbered among the leading industries of the city and its rapid growth indicates the successful management and systematic manner in which it has been carried on.
Socially, Mr. Wilson is a member of the Masonic Order. belonging to Pioneer Lodge. No. 22. A. F. & A. M., and his wife is a member of the Epi-co- padl Church. Politically, he is an unswerving Republican but not a politician. He has been repeatedly solicited by his many friends to become a candidate for office but holding the unquestion- able correct view that one cannot attend to both business and politics at the same time, he has never allowed hhoself to be drawn from his business in- terests. lle is now numbered among the oldl set- tlers of the Capital City, having made Des Moines his home for ahnost a quarter of a century.
ILLIAM KENNEDY, who is engaged in the practice of law in Des Moines, bas been a member of the bar of Polk County since 1879. His entire life has been passed in this State. He was born in Lee County, lowa, September 1. 1848, and is a representative of one of its pioneer families. His father. Lewis f. Kennedy, was a na- tive of Kentucky. but removed to Illinois in early life. and thence came to lowa. He wedded Mary Newsom. daughter of Gange Newsom, one of the carly settler- of Lee County, but her death derur- red when our subject was but two years of age. Ulis father afterward remarried.
Wilham Kennedy was reared to manhond in Lee County, and by his own traded efforts made his way through an academy. sont for a considerable time was a student in Howe's Seminary at Mt. Piewant. From the age of seventeen to twenty- five years he was engaged the greater peut of the time in teaching. being employed in that en-
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of Bonaparte, Van Buren County. after which he hell the position of Superintendent of the Farm- ington Schools for two years. He began the study of law in the law department of the Chicago Uni- versity, and was admitted to the lar in Oskaloosa. lowa. in 1875, entering upon his professional ca- reer in that city, where he continued in practice until his removal to Des Moines, in 1879.
While a resident of Van Buren County, lowa. Mr. Kennedy was united in marriage with Miss Alice Proper, daughter of O. C. Proper. one of the early settlers of that community. Two children grace their union: Carrie, born in 1876; and Obie, in 1880.
In political sentiment Mr. Kennedy is a Repub. liean, and is an honored member of the Masonic Lodge of Farmington. By perseverance and in- dustry he obtained a thorough English education, and became a successful teacher, and into the legal profession he brought the sine earnestness of pur- pose that characterized his career as a student and tencher, and cannot but result in success. He is an accurate and able lawyer, and is highly esteemed for his publie spirit and integrity.
JOHN MEERDINK, manager of the Capi- tal City Planing Mill, is at the head of one of the leading industries of Des Moines. and is accounted one of its leading citizens and enter- prising business men. He is a native of Chautan- qua County. N. Y .. born February 23. 1819. sund a son of G. J. and Jennie ( Bennink ) Moordink. both of whom were natives of Holland. So nafter their marriage they emigrated to this romay. reaching New York about 1815, and having lec ted in ( han- tauqua County they re-ided there until 1850. when they emigrated to Muscatine. Iowa, making the en- the journey by water. For some thirty year- Mr. Meerdink had charge of a lumber yard at that cay. Ile was a man of good business ability. well in- formed on general topics and a great student of the Bible being an vetive worker in the Baptist Church. as is also his wife, who is yet living at the age of seventy -five years. Mr. Meerlink de patel
this life in the seventieth year of his age. In their family were six chibiren. five sons and a daughter.
Our subject is the only one connected with the business interests of Des Moines. He is the third child of the family, and was reared and educated in Musetine. Having attended school until four- teen years of age. he commenced his business ca- reer as a clerk in the post-office. but when sixteen years old began learning the planing-mill business. After serving a term of two and a half years, in 1867. he went to ( Licago to become a finished workman. and for more than two years was in the ennday of the eminent contractos, Edwin Ballard. At the expiration of the first three months he was made foreman. and served in that capacity for the time above mentioned. when he resigned and en- tered a large stair building factory, of which hasi- ness he became master. Later he spent a yem und a half in business for himself, and then returned to the management of the stair factory. where he re- mained until the failure of the firm. in 1875. camsul him to seek employment elsewhere. The succeed- ing six years of his life. four of which he was fore- man, were spent in the employ of the W. E. Frost Manufacturing Company. when, having decided to turn his attention to agricultural pursuits, he re- signed and removed to his farin in Guthrie County, lowa. One season sutlived to convince him that he was not suited for farm work; he could not wait for the slow growth of a crop for his returns. Com- ing to Des Moines. in 1851, he worked for a per cont. with the Capital City Planing Mill Company until 1-81. when he acquired a third interest in the above business, of which he has since been mann- ger.
A marriage ceremony performed in Chicago. on the 10th of December. 1872. united the destinies of C. John Meerdink and Mrs. Elizabeth. (Corse!) Daring, who was born in Sciota County. Ohio. No- vembro 1. 1817. They are the parents of six chil chen : Jennie G .. who died in infancy; Anni L .. Charles S .. Bertha M .: Lewis C .. who died in child. hood: an I Sarah E.
Mr. Meerdink and his wife and members of the North Pack (empregoland! Church, in which he holds the office of Testes. He also Inlong- to there arein onters -th . Masonic. the Wordmen.
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and I'nited Workmen, and politically. is a Bopnl :- lien. now serving his second term as Alderman of North Des Moines. Mr. Meerlink is treter of his trade, at which he has now worked for twenty-five years, and is also an expert duitsman. He has succeeded remarkably well considering the fact that he began hte a poor boy. He takes a Lundable in- terest in church, school and city affairs. and Polk County has reason to number him among her best citizens.
ESIN WILKINS, who is engaged in general farming on section 7. Grant Township, has been a resident of Polk County for forty. four years, dating his restlence from the 10th of April. 1816. He justly ranks among its honored pioneers, and deserves no little credit for the active part which he has taken in its upbuilding and advancement. The history of his life is as fol- lows: lle was born in Behoont County, Ohio, and is the son of Robert and Eliza (Holmes) Wilkins. The family was established in America in 1020, founded by English emigrants, who crossed the it- lantic in the Mayflower, and with the Pilgrim L'athets settled at Plymouth Rock. From the New England States their descendants have scattered throughout the East and South. Robert Wilkins was a native of Virginia. but in his childhood went to Pomisylvania, where he became acquainted with and wedded Miss Eliza Holmes, a native of County Down. Ireland. Her father was also born in that. county. and had to dee from his native lan ? on ac- count of having taken part in an insurrection against He Beth Government He first located near I'i ladridia. but at an early day removed to shelby County . Ohio, where the remainder of his life was put in peace and quiet. He there entered band vel devoted his energies to fanning. seal upon the tad how stead one of his sans is get living.
To Robert and Eliza Wilkins was lona family of this of children. Those who grew to manhood www. and by each marion land Unie children. Enten and both hishands are not Bemed.
laurie was married, and at her death left six chil- dren: llester is now a resident of Morrow County, Ohio; Thou makes his home in Paulding County, Ubio: Resin is the next younger: Mary J. widow of John Collins, resides in Paulling County. Ohio; John died in Shelly County, Ohio; Louise became the wife of Chaumey Wood. by whom she had four children. but is now deceased; Ellen is the wife of Edward Shaw, who resides near Atchison. Kan .; Asher died in Shelby County. Ohio: James N. is a farmer of Grant Township. Mrs. Wilkins, the mother of this family. having died some time pre- vious to the death of her husband. he was a second time married, the lady of his choice being Mrs. Roxa Dillon, by whom he bad three children.
The subject of this sketch began his education in a log school-house in Muskingum County, Ohio, and completed it in a subscription school of Knox County. With his father he learned the carpen- ter's trade. which he followed in Knox County, until 1- 11. when, owing to a scarcity of work in that region. in company with three comrades, he started out to seek employment elsewhere. Times were hard, and money scarce, and it was no easy matter to secure work. He started down the Ohio River. but his funds being exhausted fre he reached his destination. he had to stop on his way for two weeks, and work for the money necessary to defray his additional expenses. On arriving in Hanging Rock. he secured a position in the iron works, but they were soon afterward closed. and he engaged in shaving shingles. By working from early dawn mitil dark. he was able to make si per day, from which sum he had to clothe and board himself. In the autumn of Jele he went to Cincinnati and 1. emel aposition of a man who was preparing to take a beat down : Ohio and Mississippi River- to New Orleans, li to receive &12 per month. Sis weeks were consamed in making the trip, after which he took a boat up to the month of the Red River, and in that section Legan cutting and com ing wood, which is continued until the following March, when the weather growing much wanneer, In derminito netern to the Naph. Having la od that Polk County formidled + vocal, of - homes In styted for love. agiving in Des Moines
L
R Wilkins
Jus Martha & Wilkins
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of the With of April. 1816. He staked a half see- Hot of land in Warren County. near Carlisle, and spas it made his home until the autumn of 1817. when he had opportunity to purchase his prosent Camion section 7. Believing this to be a favor- ala location, and that the county would soon be- emne thiekly populated, he determined to make the !! Vestment, and bought one hundred and fifty- Sven acres of wild prairie, upon which not a fur- 10%, at that time, had been turned. It was entirely destitute of improvement, but he courageonly be- gon the arduous task of developing a form.
On the 5th of July, 1819, Mr. Wilkins was joined in the holy bonds of matrimony with Miss Martha J. Henderson, a native of Wayne County. Ind .. and a daughter of Thomas J. Herderson, who was one of the pioneer settlers of Polk County. They made their home on the Henderson farm until 1850, when they removed into a little log cabin on their own land. That dwelling was quite primitive in char- neter, having a puncheon floor and claphoard roof. In 1858. it was replaced by a story and a half frame house. Shortly afterward, accompanied by his wife Mr. Wilkins made a visit to his oll home, twenty- seven days being consnined in making the trip cach way. He returned in October. 1853, and fornished his home, hanling the dry-goods and groceries from Keokuk and Burlington. The pioneers did not have many lexuries, and the wild game which was then found in abundance furnished them many a meal. For a barrel of salt they paid $9. while the prices they received for the farm products were very low.
Mr. Wilkins, maslomted by the hardships and toits of pioneer life. presed on and steadily con- timted the work of developing his farm mitil the breaking out of the late win, when, on the 1st of Novaal s. 1561, he enlisted in the country's sir- vice as a sharpshooter. soon afterward. however. he was 19:referred to the Fifteenth lowa industry. od with his command went to St. Louis. M ... "henry he was ordered to Shiloh, arriving thereon the use of battle. They at once were placed in the Toks, and when Gen. Prentice was about to be ruptura. the Fifteenth formed into line, and he? Ha emmy in chuck until aid was reality I. Om .abject narrowly & coped death seven times olur.
ing that engagement. his cost freving a number of bullet holes through it. On account of meritorious conduct displayed on the field of battle. he was com- missioned Second Lieutenant, but in March. 1868. was discharged from the service on a surgeon's cer. tifieste of disability. It was with deep regret on his part that he was forced to leave the army. for he felt the deepest interest in the cause and wished to aid his country in het desperate struggle.
Immediately after his return. Mr. Wilkins re- sumed farming. but he has never regained his nsnal health and strength. Wishing in every way to ma- mote the happiness and welfare of his family. he has made for them an excellent home and in 1876, replaced the old dwelling by a commodious and beautiful two-story brick residence, which is neatly and tastefully furnished. and surrounded by all the comfort of life. It is situated in the midst of a beautiful grove of shade and ornamental trees which were planted and tented by the master and mistress of the home. The family of this worthy couple numbers ten children: La Fayette, who was born April Is. 1850, and is engaged in farming in Saylor Township: Thomas J .. who died in infancy ; Robert IL .. who was born August 26, 1853, in Shelby County. Ohio, and died August 21. 1886, leaving a wife and one child; William R .. born N )- vember 27, 1855, a farmer of Delaware Township; Eliza E., who was born January 7. 1858, and is now the wife of Jerome B. Thornton. of West Plains, Mo .: James, born in April, Es80, is a farmer of Grant Township: Adolphus, who was born October 29, 1861, and for two years served as Deputy Sim ift of the county, assists his father in the cultivation of the home farm: Mary A .. born September !, 1567. is the wife of Flwin Wyman, of Des Moines ; Emma, bern January 5. 1870. is the wife of Ed ward Moon: and Charles C., born November 22, 1872. is al lagno.
During the long fleurs of las re.idenec in this county. Mr. Wilkins has ever manifested a dropin- terest in public ataire, and fully borne hi- start in the promotion of its enterprises, and the silence. ment of everything cale alsted to promote the gen red wolfte. He ich a deep pride, as well he way, in the posting wheel his wanty not a ajuns in the Site. In politics, las is a Regable and and
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socially. is a member of the Grand Aring of the Repo.Die. Kinsman Post. In business affairs, his conduct ins ever been upright and howtable among bi- aruaintances it has been that of a true and comtrous gentleman.
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ILLIAM STEIN, of the firm of Wilson & Stein, machinists of Des Moines, was one of four children, three sons and a daugh- ter. born to John and Eve ( Kirsh) Stein, and his birth occurred in Baden, Germany, June 30. 1531. His father, also a native of Baden, was a mill- wright by trade. and did an extensive business waking from one hundred and fifty to two hun- dred hands. He died when William was about four years old. leaving his wife and children comfortably provided for. Mrs. Stein was a na- tive of lyons, France, but her parents were of German birth. Of the family only two cro-sed the waters to America, but the older. a son, has never been heard of since his arrival in this coun- try.
William Stein is the founder of his branch of the family in the United States, and a sketch of his life will therefore Le of interest, not only to the present generation. but long after he shall have passed away this will be a monument to the establishment of the Stein family in America. He required a good colocation in the common schools. und at the age of fourteen years was apprentiend in the trade of a cabinet and pattern maker, the conditions of the contract being that he wa to work -extra hours per day, pay a fee of slot per weg and board and clothe himself -- a hard For- in. we would think. in this country. At the wall A two and onyelef years he received his papers loone the Government. certifying that he was a Abd workman and giving him the right to Visel in the empire but not actors the Rhine. De- : to ire more of the country, without permis- be closed into Switzerland and having spent on the returned and work ' in the Black Forest. Sal gently he visited Freching. Dresden and
Hamburg and then returned to his home, where he soon afterwards received a letter from his guardian stating that he innst, in person or by proxy. draw lots which would determine whether he must serve in the army or not. Being author- ized. his guardian drew for him, drawing number 7. which meant five years of military service, but not willing to spend the years of his best manhood thus, assisted by his brother and guardian, he pro- cured the means to pay his passage to America, and without asking the consent of the Govern- ment succeeded in getting away. When he landed at New York, in September. 1851, he had only four and one-half cents in his pocket, but. as he says. "was the happiest boy on earth." Ile soon found work in the city at good wages, and thus reasoned to himself, "land is only $1.25 per acre and every time l can save that much I may add an aere to my possessions." By hard work and economy he saved until his bank account reached over $100, but a strike came on and he went into it. His money dwindled away and he left the city. At Albany he he sold his two hundred dollar kit of tools to get money to bring him to the West. A few days were spent in Chicago. then he went on to St. Louis, where he worked for a time and then floated down the river to New Orleans, where he had an attack of the cholera and narrowly escaped death. On his return to St. Louis he found his papers and other effects had been burned and was thus forced to begin life anew. After saving $200 he went to Minnesota, but after four months siek. nese again made his way back to St. Louis, and there advised by his doctor to come to lowa. The journey from Keokuk to Oskaloosa, Iowa. had to be made by a stage, and though the distance was only fifty miles, it took him from Monday morn- ing till Saturday night to make the trip, the roads being so muddy that mails had to be carried to pry ont the stage. His fare was 89. bis board $13, total ×22 for fifty miles-rather expensive travel- ing.
Mr. Stein surived et his destination Pella, lowa in 1856, and during his residence in that city. on the Hits of March, Dass, he married Rebecca Cas- jer, who was born in Holland. in 1996. Hier father. Charles 1. Camper, emigrated with bi- from-
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=
ily from that country. in 1816. and settled near Pella, where he built a log house, which he coy- ered with beef hides, selling the beef for a song. Ile lived to be only forty-nine years old. but his wife reached the advanced age of seventy nine years. They were parents of seven children. Mr. and Mrs. Stein also had seven children, three of whom are now living-Nelhe. Mary and William.
Soon after his marriage Mr. Stein removed to Indianola and ran a cabinet shop for three years. or until 1862, when he came to Des Moines. Having worked for others until 1873. he became a member of the firm of Brooks. Wilson & Stein. He has succeeded in accumulating a nice property, but has twice met reverses by fire. To use his own thought, he is a runaway German and a burnt- out American. but nevertheless he has prospered and ranks among the well-to-do citizens of Des Moines, where he has made his home for twenty- eight years. Socially, he is a member of the Odd Fellows and Turner Societies, and politically is a Democrat.
INCENT S. MARTIN, of Des Moines. was born in Columbiana County, Ohio. March 22, 1838. Ilis father. Robert Martin, was a native of Washington County. Pa .. but when a youth removed to Ohio, where he resided for many years. At one time he owned the site of the pres- ent city of Youngstown, in that State. lle was twice married, his second union being with Marga- ret Rogers, who became the mother of our subject. Both parents were of Scotch origin, the mother being a native of that land. The Martin family was noted for longevity. Robert Martin passed away at the advanced age of ninety-four years and his death then resulted from an accident. Ile had one brother. Samuel. who died in the city of Pittsburg at the advanced age of one hundred and four years, while other members of the family lived extremely long lives. Robert Martin was an honorable, upright citizen, and, true to his Scottish teaching, was a strict Presbyterian in religions faith. He was the father of ten children. six sons and four daughters, two of whom, Robert and Su-
sang were born of the first marriage. James, the eldest child of the second marriage. is a carriage- maker hy trade, residing in the State of Tennessee; Sarah, who makes her home in Parke County, lad .. is the widow of Martin Nowling. deceased, who en- gaged in the manufacture of plows for a number of : years and died from the effects of an accident. be- ing thrown from a horse: Eliza became the wife of Enos Turner and died at her home in Chicago. where she resided many years; Samuel lives in Co- lumbiana County. Ohio, near the old homestead : Luther resides in Afton, Union County, Jowa; Martha. widow of W. A. Cooper, makes her home in Los Angeles. Cal .: Vincent S. is the next younger: and Joseph, who completes the family. resides on the old homestead in Ohio.
Our subject remained upon his father's farm un- til seventeen years of age, dividing his time he- tween the district schools and assisting his father in farm labor. He then went to Pittsburg. Pa., where he served an apprenticeship to the trade of a plasterer. At length having mastered the busi- ness, in company with his brother-in-law, Mr. Cooper, he located in Galion, Crawford County, Ohio, where he remained until his emigration to Iowa in 1858. For about three years he engaged in working at his trade in Davenport and then em- barked in business in the same line in Winterset. Madison County, where he became aegnainted with and wedded Miss Clara E. Brady. His resi- dence in Des Moines dates from the winter of 1859-60. and covers a period of thirty years.
In 1862, Mr. Martin enlisted in Company E. Twenty-third Iowa Infantry and on the organiza- tion of his company was made fourth Corporal and promoted to third Corporal September 8, 1862. The regiment was under the command of Col. Will- iamll. Dewey aud took part in the campaign in Missouri in the winter of 1862-63. During that campaign Mr. Martin suffered severely with the measles as did many others of his comrades. Dur- ing the campaign of 1863, he took part in many severe and important engagements. At the battle of Black River Bridge, on the 17th of May. the regiment distinguished itself in a most gallint man- ner. At that point the Confederates had a line of on- trenchments about three miles in length and the
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Twenty-third charged the crow's work what car tered twenty-five hundred privit .. Col. Kin nem. who had but lately succeeded to the command on account of the death of Col. De wey. was prestolly wounded in the change and Col & mit & Merrill of the Twenty-first lowa Regiment. She was sufe putting the Twenty-third. was also severely wounded. The regiment lest one hun het a .! seventy men in killed and wounded bat left the licht covered with glory as it m. le one of the warst brilliant charges of the war. It was the assigned to special duty. having change of the prisoner which were conducted to Memphis. At the battle of Milliken's Bend the regiment as tin distinguished itself and lost heavily. but on that acces ion the subject of this satch was on picket daty end con- sequently did not participate in the struggle. Ar- ter the battle. the Twenty-third rejoined the brigade which was in the trenches at Vicksburg. where it remained until the surrender of that stronghold. But while stationed in front of the city, Corporal Martin wasagain taken ill and from the field hospital was sent to Adams hospited in and came home. At the end of the turlough he reported at Keokuk whence he was sent to Now Orleans, whither his regiment had gone in the
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