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 20
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Sarah A Dean
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
knocked out of his hand by a rebel ball. In May they participated in the battle of Milliken's Bend, where the Twenty. third took part in a hand to hand light. losing sixty-nine out of one hundred and right. but nevertheless they held the ground. This was followed by the siege of Vicksburg, which lasted forty-seven days. The regiment then took part in the seige against Fort Esperanza and Span ish Fort. ending April 9th, 1865. That night the Confederates surrendered and the great war was inought to a close. The Twenty third regiment was then sent to Harrisburg. Tex. and mustered out July 26. 1865, disbanding in Davenport in August, following. Our subject was discharged with the rank of First Sergeant. to which he had been promoted about a year after his enlistment as a reward for bravery and meritorious conduct. and for a short time had command of his company ('), while the regiment was posted at Bra-hear City. La. While at Devil's Bluff. Ark .. in November 1861, he east his first Presidential ballot. the troops vot- ing at midnight so that the regiment could start for other fields.
Immediately after the close of the war Mr. Dean returned to his home. On the Ist of May. 1866. he led to the marriage altar Miss Sarah A. Blatchley, who traces her ancestry back to Wales. She was born in New Haven Conty, Conn., October 29. 1845, and is a daughter of Gilbert and Mariette ( Field) Blatchley. Her mother is now deceased but her father isstill an honored citizen of Des Moines. Eight children have been horn to Mr. and Mrs. Dean-Nellie E. barn September 3. 1868. is a grid- nate of the State Agricultural College of Ames, lowa; JJames C .. born January 19. 1870. died Jui .. 21. of that same year: Annie. In July 13. 1571. isattending college at Amas; Susan, born De em- ber 8, 1873: Jerome. Janmirry 21. 1876: Mali, April 16. 1575: Grant. April IS. ISS1; and Logah. November 23. 1883. are now at home. Mr. and Mrs. Dean bave taken great pride in educating their children and fitting them for useful ml honomble positions in life The two oldet ale now attending the State Agricultural College, pre- paring for teaching and Mr. Nellie he taught three succes ful tonas of seload.
came to Both County. He has been prominently identified with its history and to such as he the county is indebted for its present prosperity and advanced position. He has witnessed the many great changes which have taken place, has seen the pioneer cabins give way to palatial residences, ba- witnessed the marvelous growth of town and city. the introduction of the large mercantile estab. lishments, industries and enterprises, and has beep an active participant in the work of developing the wild land into fertile farms and beautiful homes. Although he is now practically living a retired life he yet owns forty-five acres in Grant Township; together with some city property and one thousand and twenty-nine acres in Vendia Par- ish, near Jennings. a thriving little city of Lonis- iana. Ilis home is a handsome frame structure and is one of the most comfortable in the township. The household is noted for its hospitality and in the social world its members rank high. As a citizen, Mr. Dean is public spirited and progressive and has taken great interest in everything tended to benefit the community. He is a special friend of education and for twenty years has been a member of the School Board. In politics, Le is a stalwart supporter of the Republican party and in the many official positions which he has hebel, his duties have ever been discharged with promptness and fidelity. Socially, he is a member of Kingsman Post, No. 7. G. A. R., of East Des Moines. Mr. Dean has frequently been called by his party to represent it in the State. Judicial and County Conventions.
OTIN A. WEBB. suior partner of the real- estade mim of Webb & Terrill. was born in Gamaville. Clayton County, lowa. on the 24 of July, 1857, and is a son of Bry. John and Frances (Jones) Webb. The origin of the family is lost it antiquity. However, We know that the great-grandfather of our salget was William Webb, a noted politician, who for. many ver- served in the Legislature of North
Forty -three gens have passed since Mr. Bean , herses. His family comprised twenty two chi? hen.
576
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
His son. Willian, Jr .. married a Miss Moorman. and emigrated from Richmond County. N. C. 10 Wayne County. Ind., where he cleared a heavily wooded farm and became one of the extensive ag- rieulturists of that day. He was the father of ten chillen, five of whom are now living. the Hon. Robert C. Webb, of Polk County. being of the number.
Conference and was assigned to the church in sib- ley. but shortly afterward was appointed Presiding Elder of the North Dakota District, taking in all that part of the territory. He served in that ca. pacity three years, making Sibley his home. In 1870. the Rev. Mr. Webb was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who died on the math of February, in Sibley. On the 27th of Sepient- ber of the same year he married Mrs. Augusta D. Bellows, ner Chase, who was born in Vermont, March 12, 1835.
The Rev. John Webb. the third of that family. was born in Wayne County. Ind .. May 15. 1825, and in early life was taught the useful lessons of industry and perseverance which he has never for- From Dakota the Rev. Mr. Webb went to Kan- sas and for a time was connected with the Kunsos Motherlist, a paper published in Topeka. In 1582. he came to Des Moines, where he has since made his home. In 1888 he became the editor of the Inland Aldrocat. a journal devoted to the interests of the Methodist Church in Jowa. Mr. Webh has given the greater part of his life to the work of the ministry, and the fruits of his labors enn only be known when the final record are read. His quiet and unassuming mumer combined with his Christian character, as well as his teachings have led many to adopt a better mode of life, and have won him the high regard of all with whom he bas come in contact. He had îve children by his first wife: Lucy A .. widow of W. H. Cooper; William W .: Sarah M., deceased wife of C. M. Brooks; Nancy A,, who died in infancy; and John A. gotten. His educational advantages were confined to elementary training in the Quaker schools. and Unee months in a county seminary. On the Sth of Ily, ISI4, he married Frances JJones, a native of Wayne County, Ind., born June 21. 1822, and a daughter of Benjamin Jones, one of the carly settlers of the Hoosier State. Soon after his mar- riage he removed with his bride to the Miami Reserve in Howard Comix and in the midst of the forest cleared and developed a farm. In 1851, he removed to Fayette County, Iowa, and made a location on Turkey River, but after a year. being elected District Clerk. took up his residence in Wist I nion. At the close of the term of office be ran for County Judge. and on counting the bal- lote there was found in be a tic. It was decided to settle the matter by drawing cute, but unforto- nately for Mr. Webb he drew the shorter and his We now take up the personal history of John A. Weble, whose name heads this sketch. In his youth he receivel good opportunities for scouting an education but. possessing a taste for business rather than books, he did not pursue an extended curry Having elerked for several years in the empey of his father and others, at the age of ei; Son be opened a hardware store in Sibley. but sony . all out. From that time until he made a permanent location in Des Moines his life ami or- cupation wore extremely varied. He passed face months in the Black Hills, spent one year is a traveling salesman, took a general tour over differ. cnt States, was engaged as a drummer for a cigar ! House of San Francisco, visited Washington Teni- tury, and thence went to New Mexico where he was employed as foreman for the California ('a ) opponent was declared elected. However, it per- haps proved fortunate in the end for he then de- cided to give his whole attention to the ministry. When only thirteen years of age ko had mited with the Methodist Church, under the Rev J. H. Hull. of bloon sport. Ind. For some four years prior to 1553, he had been pre: l'is regi bnly. vet had got male it his entire busit , but at that date he joined the Iowa Conference, which then embrace the whole State. Having laboral faith- fully until 1842, he was elected chaplain of the Thirty-eight Towa Infantry. but after a year's ser- vive in the South his health gave way and he was forget to resign. During the sureveling seven years le engaged in farming but alo devoted a cosidegalde portion of his time to ministerial work. In 1870. he joined the Northwest Lower, and Mining Company, they returning to b ws. lo.
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
cated in Sioux City, where he remained until his removal to Des Moines, in 1853. In the same year he opened a grocery house, carrying on that busi- ness until 1881. since which time he has given his attention to real estate.
In September, 1885, Mr. Webb led to the mar- riage altar Miss Lettie E. Andrus, a native of DeRuyter, N. Y .. and urto them have been born two children-John E. and Amie M. The former died at the age of two and one-half years. The mother is a member of the Church of Christ. Mr. Webb is a member of the Knights of Pythias and V. A .S. fraternities, and in political sentiment is a Republican. Though a "rolling stone" for a number of years, he has noi failed to gather some "moss." Possessing excellent business abil- ity he is rapidly acquiring a competence, and the firm of Webb & Terrill is recognized as one of the leading real-estate firms in the city.
OUN MILNE is Treasurer and Manager of the Des Moines Soap Works, which position he has held since 1883, covering a period of seven years. He has been identified with business in that line for a fifth of a century, and is therefore qualified for the important office which he now holds. & native of Scotland. he was born in. the city of Aberdeen, April 11. 1851. of a highly respected Sentent family. His father. Alex- ander Milne, who was a well-to-do farmer of that country, died when John was about fourteen years age. His mother, whose maiden name was ist Farmie, about six years after her husband's d . h. came with a part of her children to the Hotel i States, reaching Chicago in 1571, where she has since mad . ber home. She has three children liv- ing. two of whom reside with her in the city.
age. when he bade farewell to home and fatherland and sailed for America, his destination being Chi- cagn. Soon after his arrival in the city he was fortunate enough to secure a good position. and for fourteen years remained in Chicago, working for Wrisley Bros. Thomas Degel or S. W. McBride. As before stated. his residence in Des Moines date- from 1883, when he became manager of the Des Moines Soap Works, and by the exercise of indus- try and economy he was enabled. in Isss, to pur- chase an interest in the factory, whereupon he was elected Treasurer. Mr. Milne is a competent busi- ness man and thoroughly understands the trade, having for more than twenty years been engaged in that line of operations. The enterprise of which he is manager is the most extensive one in the city, employing some fifteen hands in the factory and three salesmen on the road. About fifty thou- sand pounds of laundry soap are turned out per week and ten thousand pounds of toilet soap per month.
Mr. Milne's political affiliations are with the Re- publican party. and he is an earnest worker in the Congregational Church. In after years, when it shall be asked, who was the founder of the Mihne family in America and from what nationality did it spring, this brief sketch will tell the story though all living witnesses may have perished.
y-EDWARD S. MERRITT, Superintendent of the city delivery of the Des Moines Post- 4 office. has spent his entire life in Iowa. He was born in Ft. Dodge. April 26. 1856. and is a son of Cal. Willion HI. Merritt. Postmaster of this city, whose sketch appears on another page of this work. Our subject enjoys the distinction of In- ing been the first white child born at Ft. Dodge. He was educated at the lowa State University, being graduated from the law department in the Ches of 81. which consisted of one hundred and fifty-sis members, and out of that large class Mr. Merritt had the depar of bring choses President. By virtue of his diploma be van admitted to pate.
During his early life John Milne. the subject of this sketch, received such educational advantages as the common schools afforded. but on his father's death he was forced in lay avide his books and carn his own livelihood. At the age of fifteen years he learned the hapiness of manufacturing soap, which In continued until eighteen years of [ tive in the court of the state and the 1 mld
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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
States, and at once entered upon the prosecution of his profession in Des Moines, where he has re- sided since 1865. Two years later, in 1883. he went to Nebraska, visited various towns in that Mate, and was there engaged in the practice of law until 1887, when he returned to the capital city to accept the position he now holds, that of Superin- tement of the entire city delivery in and out of the Des Moines post-office.
O the 12th of February, 1885. Mr. Merritt was joined m wedlock with Miss Bertha 1. Kidd, a daughter of John S. Kidd. The lady was born in Brooklyn, N. Y., and is a member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church of Des Moines. Their union has been blessed with two daughters- - Marcia Louise and Edna Southerland.
In polities, Mr. Merritt is a Democrat. and has been an active worker in the interests of his party, having served as Chairman of the Polk County General Committee. As Superintendent of the city delivery he discharges the arduous duties of hi- official position with energy and fidelity and to the general satisfaction of the patrons of the office. He has the ability to became a leading lawyer, and should he again resume the practice of the legal profession will no doubt attain a foremost place in it- ranks.
E DWIN D. WILEY. M.D .. has been en- gaged in the practice of medicine for twenty years, and is a member of the Eclectic " hool. Nineteen years of that titer have been spont in the city of Des Moines, when he stilt vsides, and from the beginning he has met with good sue- viss. his practice steadily increasing until he has all the business which he can attend to.
On the Job of April, Ist6. in Woodstock. Proy. Lin of New Brunswick. Dr. Wiley bist opened his gusto the light of day. He is one of a family of . 'ere hildren. sis of whom are yet living. born to In. William and Mary (Dibble) Wiky. The "Had originally is of Se Ach origin, but during So reli van- persecution were forend to keve that wetry and seek a home in Ireland. William
Wiley was born in County Tyrone, Ireland. amat the age of seventeen years crossed the Atlantic to America, Jocating in New York City, where he studied and practiced law successfully for some years. Going to Nova Scotia to visit a brother, he was induced to study medicine, which he did. being graduated from the medical department of Bowdoin College, in Maine. Having fitted himself for this new field of labor, he now entered upon practice in Woodstock, New Brunswick. where he remained until within a few years prior to his death. when in 1854 he emigrated to Elgin. Il. lle was married in Woodstock, New Brunswick, to Miss Mary Dibhlee, who was of French descent, and both lived to about the age of sixty years. The husband was a member of the Presbyterian Church and his wife of the Episcopal. They were highly respected citizens, and won for themselves a place in the esteem of those amidst whom their lots were cast.
The early life of our subject was passed amid the trials and difficulties of comparative poverty, yet he overcame all the obstacles in his path and won for himself a place in the ranks of the profession which he has chosen that many with far more ad- vantages might well envy. The death of his father out short his school life, for his mother was left with a family of small children, and he felt called upon to aid in their support at the sacrifice of his education. He afterwant, however, pursued an academic course at Elgin. Il., and then read medicine with Dr. Tynell. of the same city. He paid his own way through college, Jing graduated from the Bennett Medical School in 1870, after which he practiced for a year in Chicago, associated with one of his processors. On the 3d of July. 1871. he arrived in Des Moines and at onceopened an office in this city. since which time he has en. gaged continuously in practice.
In February. ISST. Dr. Wiley married Mis- Eva Pratt. daughter of J'hilomm Pratt. a dentist of Ilgin, H1. Two children were born unto them, but both are now dicratel. In -lion to the loss of his children. The Doctor has undergone other atthetions. For two years hava confined to his hope with inflammatory themedium. which to a man of his activity and energy payed a sore til,
£
375
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
His career. nevertheless, has been a successful and prosperous one. the result of his ability and well- directed energy. The Doctor is a member of the Eclectic State Medical Society. of which he was President two years, and of which he has been Recording Secretary for four years. Socially, he is a Mason, a Red Man and a member of the Fat- riarchal Cirele. His wife, an estimalde lady, is a communicant of the Baptist Church.
C 01. JOSEPH MURRAY GRIFFITHS, R resident of Des Moines for forty years. was born in Philadelphia, Pa .. on the 9th of March, 1823, and is a son of Dr. Elijah and Anna Jsabella (Sharp) Griffiths. His father, who wasone of the leading physicians of Philadelphia of his time. was born in Chester County. Pa .. and was a gradu- ate of the I'Diversity of Philadelphia. The family is one of the oldest of the Keystone State. Grace Sharp, the great grandmother of Col. Griffiths, came from England with the Penn Colony. On the father's side the family is of Welsh origin. Two brothers of the paternal grandfather of the Colonel were in the Colonial Army and Washington's comp at Valley Forge was situated on the farm of the grandfather. Thomas Sharp, the Colonel's maternal grandfather, who was a Quaker, laid aside bis re- ligious -erupdes against shedding blood and served in the War of the Revolution. Dr. Griffiths took part in the War of 1812, and the Colonel, as will appear later, was an officer during the Civil War.
In his native city our subject was reared and ed- ucated and in early life engaged in mercantile pur -. suits. On the 20th of April. JeIS, he wedded Mis | Sarah J. Lyttle, daughter of Archibald and Smah (Conarros) Lyttle. the former : intive of Chester County. Pa .. and the latter of New Castle, Del. Mrs. Lyttle's parents were members of the Society of Friends and came originally from New Jersey, belonging to one of the oldest families of that State. The Colour and his wife spent a few years hear Salem. N. J. and in ISMO. emigrated to lowa. . warn he lived a comenatively raffred life uni. locating in Des Moines. On their arrival in this , 1852. when he was appointed to is present position
city Col. Griffiths engaged in merchandising, which he continued entil 1859.
His military record began in August. 1862. when. entering the service. he was commissioned Major of the Thirty-ninth Jowa Infantry, on the both of November following. He was wounded at Parker's Cross Roads. December 31. 1862. was made Licu- tenant- Colonel, October 6. 1864. and promoted to the rank of Colonel May 12. 1865. The Thirty- binth lowa Regiment particularly distinguished itself at the battle of Altoona where it repulsed the heaviest charge made by the enemy who were greatly superior in numbers. It was right after the battle and the death of Col. Redfield, that Major Griffiths was promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel. The Thirty- ninth went upon the field nine hundred and seventy- six strong and returned with only three hundred and eighteen. having lost six hundred and fifty- eight men in killed. wounded and prisoners. Col. Griffiths took part in the celebrated much with Sherman to the sea and participated in the Grand Review in Washington at the close of the war.
Eight children. three sons and five daughters were born to Co !. and Mrs. Griffiths, but of that number only three are now living -- Isabella. wife of Henry Choate of Chicago; Sarah wife of Simon Casady. a resident of Des Moines, and Mabel. the youngest. is the wife of Dr. L. C. Swift of Great Barrington, Ma-s. Robert died at the age of two years; Joseph Murray died aged two years and four months; Paul died in infancy; Grace died in New Orleans of yellow fever while with her father in that city.
Col. Griffith- is a Republican in politics and was a member of the first City Council of Des Moines. In February. 1875. he went to New Orleans as Government Inspector and Examiner of Custos .. which position he bell for four years. During that period he was streken with yellow fever and wa- brought near death's door. It was at that time flad his daughter Gowe. a beautiful and accomplished young lady. lost her life in her devotion to her for- ther. In May. IsTH, the Colonel returned to hi- " Ine in this city. Provides to his departure for !!! South he cigaret at the grain business but after li.
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
in the money order department of the post-office in Des Moines. He takes considerable interest in civic societies, especially the Masonic order. He was made a Mason by the Grand Lodge of New Jersey in 1851, and on coming to this city becamea mem- ber of Pioneer Lodge, of which he has served as Master for eleven years. He helped to organize Capital Lodge. No. 110. A. F. & A. M .: is a mem- ber of Corinthian Chapter, No. 11. R. A. M., is a charter member of Temple Commandery, No. 10, K. T. and has served as Eminent Commander seven Years. At this writing he is the only surviving contributing member of the Commandery of the charter members. Mrs. Griffiths and her daughters are all communicants of St. Paul's Episcopal Church. The Colonel is one of the oldest and most highly respected citizens of Des Moines. His record as a soldier is one of which his friends may well be proud, and his comse during the late war was in keeping with the history of the family for patriot- isin and devotion to country.
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HOMAS FLYNN, who resides on section 31, Walnut Township, is one of the land owners of Polk County. He was form- only an extensive and successful railroad con- tractor and built many miles of road in the Central States, both east and west of the Mississippi. He was born in County Waterford. Ireland. 1938, and is a descendant of a family of prominence which oc- enpied an eminent and influential position in Ireland ete it became a part of Great Britian, With all the better and more intelligent class of Tich citizens. Mr. Flynn greatly deplores the fact that his native country is now denied her political light-, and has contributed liberally to the work which is now being carried on in the hope of at- training it- independence once more. His parents. Martin amel Catherine ( Crotty) Flymm, were also native- of County Waterford, and their reated a family of children. The father was an extensive stock-eber of thet county until Ists, when he tade sud-by to his old home and waited for Austin. locating in New York. The oldest soll.
Dennis, remained in Treland. where he still lives on the old homestead, although he has five sons in this country. Of the other seven children Mary married Patrick Harket, of Norristown, Pa., where she still resides; John, who was also a railroad contractor until recently, row owns a farm in Walnut Town- ship: Polk County, where he resides; Patrick mar- ried Elizabeth Wallace, of Decatur County, Iowa. where he purchased the farm on which he now re- resides; Bridget married Patrick Cushion, of Penn- sylvania, and they removed to Missouri soon after their marriage, where she died m 1859; Martin, who was the principal railroad man of the family, is also a resident of Walnut Township. where he is extensively engaged in fine stock raising, and has become somewhat noted, as a breeder of swine, in Polk County, lowa; Catherine married Da- vid O'Rourke, who was also a railroad contractor, but is now deceased, his widow and five children are living in a comfortable home at Lincoln, Neb .; Thomas, the subject of this sketch accompanied the family to Westmoreland County. Pa., in 1852. Throughout almost his entire business career he has been engaged as a railroad contractor. One of his fist engagements was with the Pennsylvania Central Railroad, and after coming to the West he did an extensive business with the roads having lines in lowa, Illinois, Wisconsin and Nebraska. After residing in Dubuque for a short time he re- moved to Anamosa and engaged in railroading on the Dabuque & Southwestern until 1859, after which he made an engagement with the Des Moines Valley Railroad. About that time, in company with his brothers. be purchased a tract of land in Monroe County, Iowa, which they improved and on which the parents spent the remainder of their days, the father dying in the0, and the mother in 1861. During IsGo anl 1861, Mr. Flynn was en - gagod in the construction of the Chicago & North- western Railroad, after which he joined his parents in Momoe County. After a year, however, he re- sumed railroading, obtaining a position with the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad. with which he remained usual Ista. when he obtained a position with the I'mon Paride, bi- work being in Nebraska. Two years later he medie another engagement with the Chinig & Northwestern,
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