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 17
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R. G. LEONARD BAGLEY, of East Des Moine, who joined the medical fraternity of Polk Comty in 1886,is a native of the Biophe State. Paving Leen born in the city of Chinira. Janu- Memphis, where he was granted a leave of absence , ary 20. 1851. His father, William A. Bagley. is a
native of Pennsylvania, but for many years he has middle Lis home in Elmira, where he is still living. The early life of the Doctor passed un ventfully, meantime. Shortly afterward the Twenty-third : be spending his time in much the usual manner of Started to join the Red River expedition under Gen. Banks, hut arrived only in time to build a bride across the river for the retreating troops. 1 ; of his profesion with Dr. Walkin- a- preceptor. took part in the Mobile campaign, including the battles of Spanish Fort and Ft, Blakely and contin- tinned in service until the close of the war. when he was amustered out in Barrichin s. Tix. July 26. 1:65. Thus ended the war record of Mr. Martin and the gallant Tra my-third. Learning by way of the Gull and New Orleans, to Haveapat, the regiment was then wechatgul.
Mr. Mantin at sures proceeded to hi. Tome and for a number of yours was engaged a a playerin. corretor. continuing in that line of Matthew antal Haut work. He is, n enterprising and indu Triot - Ich man and hisshorts have Been goneaby
the loss of his wife was died on the 17th of De- ember. having seven children, six sons and one .hele, as follows: James I ... Charles C .. Willin C .. Frank S .. Carrie Dell, Harry V. and Norman 1. In March, 1981, the father was again married. his second union being with Mis- Mollie V. Triggs. They have one son, John, and lost their first child. a daughter. in infancy. Im perditical sentiment. M. Mattan is a stanch Reguldiean and socially is a member of the Cracker Post. G. A. R. He was a gallant soldier for the cause of the Union and is a worthy and valued citizen. well deserving repre- sentation in this volume, which records the lives of the most prominent and representative citizens of Polk County.
other boys. His literary einemtion was acquired in his native city, where he entered upon the andy He attended lectures in the Western Reserve I ni- wer-ly of Cleveland, Ohio. from which he was graduated Folymary 25. 1885, but desiring to still further puesto his medical researches when he In might obtain the best advantages posible. he rossived to go to Europe and spend a ven in Vienna, the capital city of An-trin, where he re- ceived spend instruction from the most lethed medical professor of that city, which is renowned for the ore. There's and thorough character of its medical in reactions. Feeling that he had now practice, he agghin crossed the Atlantic and sought a home In The West. choosing Des Moines field of labor gad his place of res iente as well.
11. Begley come to this city only four you won
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Thankson 'Bird
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an entire stranger, but his merits as a physician and surgeon have become fully established, as is indicated by his large an I growing practice. He is cordial and affable in manner. and socially, as well as professionally. is highly respected and estermed.
The Doctor has been twice martial. His first wife was a Miss Alsen, who died in Elmira, N. Y .. leaving one child, a son. Wayland O. His present wife was formerly Miss Molly Ivie, a native of Tennessee, who, like her husband, has won popu- larity in social circles and has made many warm friends. They are both widely known throughout the community, and as they are worthy and repre- sentative citizens, we are pleased to record their sketch in this volume.
R EV. THOMPSON BIRD (or Father Bird). as he was familiarly and reverently called by his many friends. was the pioncer Presbyterian minister of De- Moines, and in June. ISIS. organized the Central Presbyterian Church in a lit- de hamlet called Ft. Des Moines, now the Capital City and metropolis of lowa.
Mr. Bird was a native of North Carolina, bom in Caswell County. on the 7th of January, 1801. sont when twelve years of age engaged as clerk in a store, where he remained until 1821. His ambi- tion for the requirement of knowledge led to his preparing himself for college, which he succeeded in doing at a private academy. He then entered the University at Chapel Hill. N. C., from which I was graduated in the class of 1897. Returning to his native town he became a tutor in the and- ces, which position he held they turis. serving to: the vine length of time as tufor in his Want Man In the ingenting be resolved to enter the finition ministry. With him. to solve was to 1 Jo. He became a student m the Antover The. dogged Seminary, where he spent three years, be. og a el made of Prof. Caleb Mil's, of Water h , committee was chosen comprised of the following- S Nego, and other rainer ( scholars. He returned to the South with theged views, l'ag strongly impressed with the superior condition of the people
of a free State with liberal palle school privileges. over the region where he had been bom and reued, in which the unfortunate institution of Af- rican slavery was a bar to the intellectual progress of the masses. On returning to North Carolina he engaged in missionary work on Dan River. and along the borders of North Carolina and Virginia.
On the 18th of December. 1838, the Rev. Mr. Bird was united in martinge, in Sussex County. Va., with Miss Anna Parkhurst Knowlton. a daugh- ter of William Knowlton, and a native of ilartford. 11. A lady of rare culture, possessing all the attributes of the highest type of the true woman. she proved to be a true helpinate to her husband. She was reared and educated in her native State, and went to Fayettville, N. C., in 1836. where she tanghit school one year. Thence she went to Ral- cigh and engaged in teaching. It was there she formed the acquaintance of Mr. Bird. which resulted in their marriage.
In 1810 31 :. Bird removed with his family to Thorntown, Ind., where he resided until INIT. when he emigrated to lowa. After spending a few months in Red Rock. he located in Ft. Des Moines, then but a small frontier hamlet. In December, of that year, he began his libors as a missionary of Des Moines Presbytery for Polk and adjoining counties, which embraced a wide extent of terri- tory, Polk County alone covering nearly all the Male north and west of Des Moines. His first work was to form a melens about which to labor, In June. 1818, he organized the Central Presby- trian Church of It. Des Moines, the society con- sisting of six women and one man. During the summer meetings were held in the barrack build- ing. but as cold weather approached they met in private house on the completion of the collet- house the society made use of it as a place of sor- ship. In the meantime Mr. Bird was industriously striving to gather material for the creation of a church colifee of Hair own. A lot wa- parented on West Fourth Street. adjoining on the south that which is now known as Mille & Co.'s. A building manmed gentlemen: R. W. Sypher. Bulow & manger. happens the burden of the jabat fel upon the poster
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log six yeus he tailed. gathering a little here and a little there. The settlers were poor and money was scarce. His own salary was a mere pittance. but of that he gave fredy. while bis estimalde wife gave her aid to his good works by teaching school. She erected a building for that purpose, which two years since was standing at the corner of Second and Locust Streets, Six years after the project was started the building was but half completed, but in June. 1855. it was made habitable, and was dedi- cated in that month. A hell was needed, but the means to procure it were not easily obtainable. Mr. Bird came to the rescue, and by the sale, to the Rev. Dr. Sprague, of a choice collection of auto- grajdi letters from eminent men of the country. which he prized highly, the bell was procured. It proyed to be one of the sweetest in tone that has rung in the city. On the night of November 1, 187. the church was burned to the ground, and the bell was reduced to a shapeless mass. For twenty years Father Bird was the beloved pastor of this church. His labors, however in the early years of his residence in Jowa. extended over a vast region, sparsely settled and difficult of access. Ile probably organized more churches than any other minister within the limits of the State. He was an earnest. self-sacrificing worker in his holy salling, going forth often "without money or scrip," and frequently weary and hungry, but he always found a hearty welcome from the pioneers wherever he went, and a generous hospitality. On foot or on horseback. from hamlet to bamlet, some times swimming rivers or wading cloughs to keep an appointment to hold divine service. It was no unusual ocenrience for him to walk from Red Rock to Cedar Rapids to attend a meeting of the Synod. Where duty called he went. at all times and in all Serons. Sunday-schools were queial objects of interest to him, and Bible and tiart distribution his 1 .. orite woth. While the fiebl of his labors em- 1. ord avlarge portion of the State. it was in Des Moins where he was best known. and where his in- 1. que as a refined gentleman. a ripe scholar and June Christian minister was not felt. There ver fuss people who have done so much to mold the manval. religions and social sentiment of this city : did the Res. Thompson Bird through his long and
active career. Early in the settlement of the town Mr. Bird made small but judicious investments in real estate, which, owing to the rapid growth and increased value of city property placed him in casy financial circumstances.
On New Year's Day of 1861. Mr. Bird was stricken with paralysis, from the effects of which he never recovered. On Monday, January 1, 1809, a calm winter day, he quietly fell asleep for the last time on earth. as the sun was setting in a bright halo of glory. typical of the close of the life of this worthy Christian gentleman. The funeral services were very properly conducted by the Rev. Dr. John A. Nash. who had been his co-laborer in ministerial work, and an intimate acquaintance for nearly a quarter of a century.
Mrs. Bird survives her husband, and at this writing is seventy-seven years of age. She is a lady of superior intellectual attainments, possessed of an carnest Christian spirit and many noble at- tributes of character. She shared the arduous labors of her husband, and endured with cheerful- ness the many trials and privations incident to pio- neer life, and proved herself in every way worthy to be the wife and helpmate of such a man as the Rev. Mr. Bird. These worthy people have left the imprint of their lives upon the community in which they have been potent factors in laying the foundation of a higher civilization. Through their labors in church and school, and in the pmity and perfection of their lives. as shown in daily inter- course with their fellow-citizens, they won a strong and lasting hold upon the affectionate remembrance of all who have enjoyed their society.
Y. RAWSON is one of the early settlers and representative business men of Des Moines. le springs from an old English family. Six generations back Edwendt Han - son, a native of Dor.et-bire. Englust, in 1637. emigrated to America sopl located in Newbury, in the Colony of Massachusetts Bay. He was printer of that town and hold various positions of fre-t. including that of Secretary of the Colony to which
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he was annually elected for thirty five years of mini- til the Government was turned over to Sir Edmund Androse. The family have greatly increased in mibers, as may be surmised from the fact that his son William was the father of twenty children. Able lawyers, skillful physicians. prominent legie- lafors and military men are numbered among the descendants of that sturdy English pioneer. Har- vard College graduated a goodly number of them. and in the struggle for Independence and the War of 1812 they fought for liberty.
Elijah Rawson, the father of our subject. mar- ried Susan Allen and settled in Craftsbary. Vi. where he devoted himself to agricultural pursuits. Unto them was born a family of nine children. five sous and four daughters, but only four are liv - ing at this writing. in 1890. Horace L. is a resi- dent of Vermont; E. E. is President of the Gates City Coffin Company of Atlanta, Ga .; A. Y. is the wext younger, and S. M. is the widow of Judge Barber. Those deceased are: Mrs. C. M. Boynton. who died in Atlanta, Ga .; E. U. Hastings and Mrs. Emma Clapp who died in Vermont: William A. who died in Des Moines. and Dr. Charles H., whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work.
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The life history of A. Y. Rawson is as follows: He was born on the 9th of June. 1523, in Orleans County, V6, and spent his carly life in his native State. His education was acquired before he was fourteen years of age. at which time he entered a store as clerk and worked until he had attained his majority. for $100. For a number of years he made dlerking a means of support. At length, thinking his income justifying him in marrying. in the month of June. 1859. he wedded Miss Eliza Boot, who died after fourteen years of happy wedded life. leaving one daughter, Mary E., who became the wi. of Hardy C. Harris, of Des Moines and died June 27, Loso. In April, 1860. Mr. Rawson was again mar- Hod. his second union being with Mary L. Scott, a native of Vermont, by whom he had four children: thank A .. Superintendent of the Pipe and Tile Works; Joseph S. a student of Iowa College: 1! !! his A. and Harvey D.
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he sold out and breame identified with the coal dealing interests of this city. In 1881 the Des Moines Sewer Pipe and Tile Company was organ- ized and he was made its Secretary and manager, which position he still continues to fill. This is one of the most extensive manufacturing interests of Des Moines, furnishing employment to some fifty hands, while their annual gross output aggregates about $200.000.
Mr. Rawson and his wife belong to the Plymouth Congregational Church of this city. and ig social circles are held in high esteem. Politically. he wasn Whig until the rise of the Republican party. when he joined the ranks of that organization. He has been a witness of the growth of Des Moines from a town of twenty-five luindred to a city of sixty thousand, containing important industries and manufactories, large mercantile establishments and other business interests, and churches. schools and palatial residences which would grace the older cities of the East. Shortly after his arrival. Mr. Rawson erected a one-story wooden store house on Fifth and West Walnut Streets, paying a yearly rent for the ground of $5. His sign bore this inscription, "Ilead of Navigation on Wahuit Street." When he built his present home, in 1857. he was asked why he was going so far out in the country, but now it is within a few squares of the business pour- tion of the city. For thirty-four years he has been in active business in Des Moines. All his trans- actions have been just and honorable, and as a re- sult he has not only you the esteem and confidence of those with whom he has been associated, but ben also accumulated a fair share of this world's goods.
OULX I. RUSSELL of the firm of Russell &. Patrick. who are engaged in the livery bu-ine - in Des Moines, was born in Colum. biana County. Ohio. August 11, 1852. and is descended from an old Senich family. Hi- lather, the Hon. doba Rassel. was born on the sth In that, when Central lowa was still sparsely of A.Huber. 1891. in Fifishire. Scotland, where 11. family had lived for at least five generations poor to engaged in general merchandising until 1868, when I that time. In early life he learned the stage-
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mason's trade from his father, who was also a con- tractor. Reared by intelligent parents, whose lives were in keeping with the principles of the Scotch Presbyterian faith. it might be expected that a man of sterling worth would be the result, and so we find it. In 1812 John Russell sailed for the United States. landing in New York on the 29th of May. Ho at once proceeded to Pittsburg, Pa., where he had an unele living. but after a year spent in work- ing at his trade in that city removed to Colum- Viana County, Ohio, where he engaged in mer- chandising. On the 29th of November, 1819, he married Margaret Fechan, a native of Colum- biana County.
Having continued merchandising until 1852. Mr. Russell then sold out and emigrated to Jones County!' lowa, where he improved the fertile and valuable farm on which he now resides. His pub- fie career has been a remarkable one. In early life he was an anti-slavery Democrat, but in later years he has been a stanch advocate of Republican prin- ciples. In 1851 he took a leading part in molding publie sentiment in opposition to the encroach- ments of slavery, as manifest in the Kansas- Ne- braska Bill. Gaining favor with the public, which recognized his superior abilities, in 1861 he was elected a member of the General Assembly, which position he held five consecutive terms, being the only man in the State ever thus honored. At the session of 1868 he was chosen Speaker of the 'Honse, and the able and impartial manner in which he discharged the duties of that important office won high ecomiums even from the opposing party. In 1870 he was elected Auditor of the State. and ideeted in 1872. At the expiration of his form of service he returned to his farm in Jones ( willy, where he has since made his home, but was not long permitted to remain in retirement. In 1979 he was sent to the Senate from the Twenty-first Senatorial District. consisting of Jones and Cedar Counties. This public carcer has been distinguished by honesty and farsightedness, ever keeping in view the the great object- the interests of the
The family of Mr. and Mrs. Russell consists of four children - Robert W .. John F .. David W. . and Lizzie. The second is the one prominently
connected with the business interests of Des Moines and the history of his life is as follows: His boy- hood days were spent chicily upon his father's farm. Owing to defective sight he was permitted to attend school but little. Coming with the fam- ily to Des Moines in 1870. he worked at whatever his hands could find to do, among other things breaking stone for the foundation of the capitol building. In 1873 he bought an interest in a livery stable, and many changes were made in the firm until 1882, when lames W. Patrick became his partner. since which tine the business has been carried on under the firm name of Russell & Pat- rick, and they do the leading business on the East Side. Four years prior to that time his older brother, Robert W., was connected with him in business.
In this city, on the 29th of September. 1880, Mr. Russell was united in marriage with Eveline M. Chapman. a native of Warren County. lowa. by whom he has two chikhen -- Lester W. and Hoyt C. Mr. Russell began business with a capital of ouly $150. but from that small beginning has risen until he is now one of the leading livery men of the city. His success is chiedy due to the fact that he has attempted but one line of business with which he is thoroughdy conversant, and has given that his con- stant personal supervision. ile is a Republican in polities, but unlike his father has steadily refused to accept public office.
GEORGE RICHTER is one of the pioneers in the grocery business of Des Moines. his operations in that line in this city com- mencing in 1866 and continuing uninterrupted ils up to this date, 1590. covering a period of twenty- four yen! ..
A record of the life of Mr. Richter we herewith append: Ite was born in Bavmia. Germany. Or- tober 26, 1885. and i- a son of Jolm George and Kunigunda Richter. His father was a farmer. and the family being in limited circumstances, he was reared to habits of industry and frugality. In the
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spring of 1861, believing that he might better his financial condition, he emigrated to America. set- tling near LaPorte, In ... where he worked for a year as a farm band. The following year he was engaged as clerk with an chler brother who had preceded him to the New World, after which. in March, 1866, he came to Des Moines and opened a grocery store on the West Side. where he contin. ued operations five years. He then removed to the East Side, where he has since carried on busi- ness with marked success.
Ere his removal to this State, Mr. Richter was united in marriage with Miss Enuna J. Aindage. their union being celebrated in La Porte. Ind., on the 11th of September, 1863. Mrs. Richter was horn'in Breslau, Prussia. and came to America in 1857. They are parents of four children, all sons Schiller. Frank. George, and Harry. The last. named and youngest died at the age of ten years.
In politics, Mr. Richter is a Democrat, but has never desired public office, and he and his wife are members of the Lutheran Church. Soon after his arrival in Des Moines, in 1886, he joined the Odd Fellows society, becoming a member of Jonathan Lodge, No. 137, 1. O. O. P., and has passed all the chairs of the order.
There were four of his family came to this coun- try, two brothers and a sister beside himself-John, an elder brother, is a merchant of La Porte, Ind .; Christopher died in La Porte in 1877; and the sister. Barbara, is now the wife of John Sehroppell, of Madison County, Iowa.
Mr. Pieliter is justly regarded as one of the en- terprising and snecessful business men of Des Moines. Always upright and honorable in his dealing . he let succeeded in seeming a large and profitede business, and is highly respected among a wide circle of friends and acquaintances.
ANDEL B. TUTTLE. Mother of fich. d. M. and Martin Tuttle. if one of the few pioneers of forty years ago Set residing in Des Moines. He was Born in Olio, on the Both of Tehuurus, 1×29, and when five years of
age accompanied his parents to Indiana, where he worked upon his father's farm and attended the district school until reaching his majority. In 1850, having just reached man's estate. he wended his way westward and spent the summer in Des Moines working in Mr. Dean's sawmill. In the fall he returned to Indiana, and engaged in operat- ing the old he mestead until 1858. when he again came to Jowa and purchased a tract of Fond near Farmington. Some three years later he removed into the town. where he made his home for four- teen years, during which time he served as Mayor one term, and when the battle of Athens was fought he was an active participant.
In the month of January, 1860, Mr. Tuttle was united in marriage with Miss Almira Kelley, a na- tive of New York, and by their marriage were born three children-Fred, who died at the age of eleven Vers ; Lynn J., who is employed as draughtman for the King from Bridge Company; and Albert II. the youngest.
In April, 1876, Mr. Tuttle took up his residence in Des Moines, and shortly after purchased a half-in- terest in the Iron Stone Pipe Works. Subsequently he purebased his partner's interest, and bas since been sole proprietor. Possessing excellent business ability, he has met with uncommon success. and in addition to his manufacturing establishment is in- terested in several of the moneyed associations of the city. He is a director in the Polk County Saving- Bank. in the Valley National Bank. and in the Security Loan and Trust Company. His accu- midations. with the exception of $300 received from his father, are the result of close application to business and sage jous investment. His basis ... entreles been mented with the strictest integrity and uprightness, and is certainly worthy of emula- tion.
Politically, Mr. Tuttle was an old- line Whiz mitil the organization of the Republican party. with which he tres always affiliated. His first Presidential vote was ent for Gen. Seult. In IMX2 he was appointed a megabet of the County Real et Supervisor, and served continuously until I& m, having been twice cheated to the po t-
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tous with social orders are confined to the Masonic fraternity. He and his wife attend the Congrega- Cional Church. In manner. Mr. Tuttle is naturally retiring. for to him the quiet of business and home life are more compatible than the honors of a pub- lic career. His friends in the community are mapy. and his acquaintances alike hold him in high estrem. (For genealogy of the family see Gen. J. M. Tuttle's sketch on another page. )
OODS HUTCHINSON, M. D. one of the brightest and most skillful of the younger class of physicians of Des Moines, is a na- tive of England. and was born in Yorkshire, Janu- ary 3. 1862. His parents were Charles and Eliza- beth ( Woods) Hutchinson. the former a native of Yorkshire, England. and the latter of Limerick, Ireland, but both were followers of the Society of Friends. The family crossed the Atlantic to Amer- ica in 1871, and settled in Oskaloosa, lowa. where they resided until the winter of 1885-86. when they removed to Des Moines. Mr. Hutchinson died in . October. 1889, but his widow has since continued to make her residence in this city. Dr. Hutch- inson's aurestons on both sides were members of the Society of Friends for several generations re- mole, and the Doctor's early education was re- esi, ed at a large and popular Friends' school in Yorkshire. England. After his arrival in America, he entered Pem College of Oskal. osa, from which he was graduated with the degree of A. B. in the class of Isso, and received the degree of N. A. in 1.3. IF then entered the State University of Michigan. at Ann Arbor, and was graduated from the medical department of that institution in the
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