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 21
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martin Flynn
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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
working in their employ until the completion of the road to Conneil Bluffs. He then added in the construction of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific to Council Bluffs, after which he was en- gaged in the construction of the Des Moines Val- ley Railroad to Ft. Dodge. His next engagement was on the southwestern division of the Chicago. Rock Island & Pacific. he superintending its con- struction between Washington and Sigourney. lowa. Ile then made an engagement with the Wis- consin Central between Stevens' Point and the pineries. After many years of more or less -ne- cessful labor as a contractor, he retired from that business.
In 1870, Mr. Flynn turned his attention to ag- ricultural pursuits, purchasing the farm in Walnut Township on which he now resides, and devotes himself almost exclusively to the care of his farm. taking no active part in political affairs, although he feels a deep interest in the advancement and prosperity of his adopted county. He and his family are members of the Catholic Church.
In October, 1872. Mr. Flynn was united in mar- riage with Miss Mary Collins, a native of New York, and a daughter of Miles and Kate Collins, who were born in County Claire. Ireland. Mrs. Flynn was the eldest of four children; Kate. the sveond daughter, is the wife of Peter Toner. of California; Miles, who is engaged in railroading. resides in East Des Moines; and Lizzie is now deceased. Mrs. Flynn was a member of the Cath- olie Church and an exemplary Christian lly. Two children blessed this union : Catherine B. was born December 3, 1878; she is now receiving be education at St. Joseph Academy, Grand Avenue. Des Moines, where she expects to finish her lit- crary course this year. Ms. Flynn died at the birth of her second child. little Mary, who survived her mother only six months.
Mr. Ilyou was again marriot April 26. 1876. his second union being with Aunie Duffy, who was born in October, 1837 and is one of twelve chi !- dren. Her parents were James and Mary (Swift) Dufty. both of whom were natives of County Meath, Ireland. Mr. Dufly was an extensive con- tractor and onggred as an architect ad butler in It- native country until 1850, when he weighted
to America, locating in the State of New York, where for some years he continued operations in that line. his sons. John and Patrick. being his partners in the business. On his removal to Dubuque. Iowa. ill-health foreing him to lay aside such arduous labor, he engaged in book-keeping. being an expert accountant. and also doing con- siderable literary work. He was a valued cutres- pondent to the Dublin Nation, while living in Utica, N. Y. His death occurred January 1. 1861, aged sixty-three years. After her husband's death. Mrs. Duffy, in April. 1861, located in Des Moines. Her last days were spent with her daughter, Mrs. Thomas Flym. at whose home she died March 30, 1881.aged seventy-five years. Of the sons of Mr. and Mrs. Duffy, Patrick resides in Utica. N. Y .. and is an architect and builder: JJohn settled in Chicago, where part of his family now reside. and died at Hot Springs. Ark., in August, 1883; James died, unmar- lied. at Rock Island. Il. ; Thomas and family reside at Chattanooga. Teun .. and he is an architect and bildet; David Gavin, who resides in St. Louis, Mo., is a commercial traveler and handles two lines of goods. paints and leather; Lawrence W. and family live at Kansas City, Mo .. where he is engaged in journalistic work. Of the daughters five of the six embraced religions lives joining the order and becoming teachers of the different acad- emies where they received their education. Eliza- beth became a member of the St. Vincent De Pant Community at Emmettsburg, Md .. and died in the city of Mobile. Ala., where she taught a large school of colored children: her name in religion being Sister Mary Genevieve. Jane Frances, now Sister Mary Alexins, became a men- bet of the same community and is at present a teacher in that academy. Catherine now Sister Maiy Maurier of the Sisters of Clrtrity, whose home is Dubuque. Iowa. taught at Mt. M. Jo- seph and other academies in the State for twenty years, and for two years has been Superiores of a branch Couvent at San Francisco, Cal. Marge ret married W. G. MeNulty, of Des Moines. in Ists, by when she has bad five chiligen. viz .: Catherine M. Many A .. Am E. Idzie 5. Fm Margaret E. Mr. M. Naby is a successful omp .1 fer and beuldes and prices in Des Moines. Man
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of Sister Alberta died at half past eight o'clock. on the morning of December 1th. 1833, at St. Clara's Couvent. Susinawa Mound. Wis. She was a wo- man of marked talent, and zealously devoted her- -elf to the doing of a great and good work, which will long endure as a monument to her memory.
but a part of some of the more important contracts carried through by our subject.
On the 14th of December, 1864. Mr. Flynn was married in Omaha. Neb .. to Miss Ellen Keanddaugh- ter of Michael and Winnefred (Kinsella) Kean. Mrs. Flynn was born in County Wexford. Ireland, February. 23, 1813, and in 1811 was brought by her parents to America. They made their home in New York until 1857, and then removed to Ne- braska.
ARTIN FLYNN. an extensive railroad con. In 1867, Mr. Flynn purchased a fine farm in Wal- mut Township. Polk County, where he made his home until the autumn of 1889, when he left it in tractor. and the proprietor of the largest and most completely appointed farin in Polk County, dates his residence in this , the care of his sons, and removed to Des Moines. commamity from the fall of 1867. A native of Ire- land. he was born in County Waterford, August 21. 1810. and is a son of Martin and Catherine (Crotty ) Flynn, who were also born in the same county. He was but a lad of eleven years when he crossed the Atlantic to America. in company with his parents. The party landed in New York, and without delay made their way to Westmoreland County, Pa., where our subject attended the public schools until about twelve years of age, when be began work on the Pennsylvania Central Railroad.
Mr. Flynn has fifteen hundred aeres of good farm- ing land lying in a body in Wale ut Township, well improved, and stocked with thoroughbred Short- horos. and excellent grade cattle. His herd of full- bloods numbers one hundred and forty. and he has three hundred head of grade stock. while his farmi building> form a small village. In addition to this extensive farm, the largest in Polk County. he has another in Guthrie County, Iowa, of six hundred acres, also well-improved and stocked, on which he has a herd of one hundred and fifty head of cattle at fifty cents a day. When not quite twelve years | -- aff high grade. He also raises excellent grades old. he took his first contract in company with two of horses, and boys in goodly numbers. In addi. tion to his farme. Mr. Flyn is the possessor of considerable valuable city property in Des Moines. owning the elegant brick block on the southeast corner of Seventh and Locust Streets, known as the Flynn Block, and two dwellings one of which he occupies. other boys, in breaking stone, at which he made seventy-five cents a day. He came to lowa during the winter of 1856-37. and made his home in Du- loigne for a short time. In 1858. when eighteen years old. he took a contract on the Dubuque & Southwestern Railroad. and until 1883, was av- tively employed in railroad construction as a con- tractor. operating in Iowa. Wisconsin. Ne cocka. Colando. New Mexico. Tenneste, and ILuta. He had made heavy work a specifity. incl ming tunneling. rock work. and bridge building. mal les Grey very successful. In 1872. In built forty miks of the Wisconsin Central Railroad. en I during 1-T8 built the Haftown Tunel on the Atchison, Topak . A Santa Fe Railroad in New Mexico, Prom ! --! 1. Ist. inclusive, he was engaged in the constatin- Con of one hundred and fifty e.f - of the Chicas Northwestern Railrond, besid - forty miles For The Wabash, and fifteen miles for the The Mona-
Mr. and Mis. Flynn are members of the Catholic Church. Their family musbers five sons and five daughter, namely: Thomas F., who is engaged in mercantile business in Sidida. Colo. ; Catherhas, John M .. Mary. Francis P .. William Va Wimmefred A., Ellen Theres. Edward J .. and Ana Belle. all of whom are residing in the city of on the farmn. Mr. Flynn is a Democrat in politics and although offered the nomination for office. has never bal time or incluirdion to serve in any official je ktion. Il is essentially a self-made man. having started in life without the hdluence of money or friends, Ilis Inst courting- were fifty vente a day. received to crying water to the ufop working on th railroad.
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when a boy. His salary gradually inertred. and at one time amounted to $300 per month. He has len enterprising and sagacious in making con- tracts, and energetic in fishing them to comple- tion. The force of men in his employ, has at times reached as high as two thousand in number. while some of his larger contracts have exceeded half a million of dollars in amount. His farming opera- tions bave been on a magnificent scale, as the lig- ures already given, show, and he has been the means of introducing into Polk County a large munter of thorough-bred cattle. that have added greatly to the reputation of the stock of lowa. Mr. Flynn is an active, energetic man, broad and liberal in his views. possessing superior executive ability, and business sagacity. His success has been the result of the exercise of his best powers. both mental and physical, supported by nerve to undertake. and skill to carry through extensive contracts, that at times gave none too certain promise of profitable returns.
G EN. A. J. BAKER, of Des Moines, was born in Ohio County. Va .. (now Marshall County, W. Va .. ) on the 6th of June. 1>32. This paternal great-grandfather enme to the I'nited States from Brunswick, Gier nauy, landing in Phila- delphia in 1755. Five years later. he married Margaret Sullivan, and with his wife removed to the Shenandoah Valley. In 1780. he purchased a tract of land. situated about a mile south of the mouth of Grave Creek, about twelve miles south of the present city of Wheeling. W. Va .. wh ... with the aid of his six sons he created a Ile house or fort called Baker's Station. The fat of of our subject was born in that fort in April. 17.00. and on reaching maturity married Margaret Reager. In 1555 he removed with his family to Ohio. v.t. thing in Butler County in the Miami Valley, eight- een miles north of Cincinnati.
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On the farm of his father our subject resided until sixteen years of age. spending his time in the district - hook during the winter season, while during the summer mimoby he worked upon the farm. He became quetu bated Fungert . Act. my
at Hamilton. Ohio. in the winter of 1817- 18 and in the month of October, following. started for Jowa. Ile made his first location in Burlington, where he spent the following winter as a clerk in a grocery store and then scented employment asa farm hand. In the winter of 1819-50. he attended the opening session of what is now Wesleyan University. of Mt. Pheasant, lowa, doing chores for a farmer in the neighborhood to pay for his board while attending school. He desired to procure a more advanced alneation and in order to do so underwent many privations and hardships in his endeavor to seenre the money needed for his toition and expenses. In 1849. he taught in Henry County, and the following year attended the private school of Mes. C. B. Darwin of Burlington. From thit time until 1855. he was alternately engaged in teaching and reading law with C. B. Darwin, of Burlington, and was at length admitted to the bar in Angust. 1875. He at once embarked in practice in Winterset, Iowa. and rapidly made his way to the front rank in the profession.
During a portion of the late war. Mr. Baker served as First Lieutenant of Company E. Seventeenth Lowa Infantry. but in 1861. located in Lancaster. Schuyler County. Mo .. where he engaged in legal practice. He also occupied a prominent place in the political arena and was elected to the State Legislature of Missouri, serving as Representative in the two sessions of 1868 and 1869. The follow- ing year he was elected Attorney General of Mis- souri. serving one term. The Democrats then came into power and as he is a stanch Republican in political sentiment. it ended his political career in Missouri. Resuming Ja practice. he soon se- cured a liberal patronage and was appointed Alter- ing of the Missouri. lowa & Nebraska Railroad Company, serving from 1878 until 1890, in 1875 be removed to Centerville. Towa, the headquarter- of the road and formed a las partnership with Gen. 1. M. Drake. President of the railroad company. He was elected Attorney General of Iowa in The and re-elected en Iso9.
On the 19th of August. 1:58, fren. Hader lead To Har marriage aler Mis Sophie Pale daughter of Hov. Leonard Parker of Winterest ional Tha
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
living: Frances, their first-born. is now the wife of J. 1 .. Mason. of Des Moines; Mamte is the wife of W. G. Moore, of Centerville. lowa; Margaret is still at home; ( larence is a civil engineer. now em- played with the King Bridge Company; the younger members of the family are Grace. Lulu, Edith and Ethel. The parents ue members of the Presby- terian Church.
In his social relations Mr. Baker is a Kmight of Pythias and a member of the Grand Lodge and Past Grand Master of Odd Fellows of Iowa. His reputation is not only State-wide but he has many Beam friends and numerous acquaintances among the prominent men of this country. Three terms he has served as Attorney General, once in Mis. souri and twice in lowa, and proved himself not only an able lawyer, but one who was over akent to the interests of the State which he represented and watchful for the best welfare of the people.
APT. HENRY HOLCOMB GRIFFITHIS, a gallant officer of the late war. now deceased, was born in Philadelphia, Pa. December 31. 1821, and came to lowa in 1818. He located in Burlington. where he opened a wholesale hard- ware store which he carrie l on until 1851. In that your he came to Des Moines and shortly after his arrival in the city embarked in the real-estate husi- ness, which he continued until the breaking out of the late war. His sympathies were all enlisted for the I'nion cause and he raised a company which became a part of the Fourth lowa Inte try in April. 1861. and was commissioned its Captain. 01 the Ith of May, 1862, he was transferred to cott mand of the First lowa Battery. Prior to that time. however, he had participated in the battle of t L'ea Ridge and subsequently was made chief of a. Mary under tien. Steele. He took part in the cap. late of Salones Post on the 15th of May, 1803. appand fire on Vicksburg in July following. 11- timpated in the capture of Jackson, Miss .. on the 15th of November, took part in the Fallen Jak. out Mountain and the day following in trit of Mis- "muy Ridge. He was also under the at the
battle of Resaca in May, 1864. and did gallant ser- vico at Dallas. Miss. He was also in the hottest of the fight at Kenes Mountain and participated in the many engagements in the siege of Atlanta, tak- ing an active part in the terrible struggle which oc- curred on that ever memorable 22nd of July, 1861. No truer soldier ever fought on the South- ern battlefields than Capt. Griffiths, and his coolness and bravery not only displayed his loyalty but for- nished an example to his men which made their ef- forts of much more avail. He was honorably discharged and on the 17th of August, 1864. was mustered out of the service, after which he re- Turned to his home.
The wife of Capt. Griffiths was in her maiden- hood Miss Mary Nash, a niece of the late Rev. John A. Nash, of Des Moines. A family of ten children were born unto them, seven of whom are yet living.
At the county election, which occurred the ful- lowing fall after his return from the war. Capt. Griffiths was chosen Clerk of the Court for Polk County, and so ably did he discharge the duties of that office that he was re-elected in 1866, and again in 1868 and 1870, serving in all eight years. In political sentiment he was a stanch supporter of Re- publican principles and took an active part in local politics. His death occurred in July, 1885, and occasioned much sincere regret on the part of many friends who had learned to esteem him for his great worth. Mrs. Griffiths and her children reside in North Des Moines, lowa.
OL. GEORGE L. GODFREY of Des Moines. chairman of the I'tah Commission. is a na- tive of the Green Mountain State. He was born in Orleans Comty. Vi .. in 1853. and is a son of Alba and Lydia ( Martin) Godfrey. His fa- ther, also a native of Vermont. died in INNE, at the advanced age of rights-four years. but his mother passed away in 1850. They were parents of seven children. four sons and three daughters of whom our subject is the youngest. The chest son. Henry, din at theage of thirty years; Hoch K. served in 1
S. L. Quelfrey
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a Massachusetts regiment during the late war and
lowe Regiment under the command of Capt. Mar- is now living in River Falls. Wis .: William W., the cellus M. Crocker, than whom no braver soldier third brother, fought in the War of the Rebellion, as a member of the Sixth Vermont Regiment and was killed in a hand to hand fight with the enemy at Lee's Mills, Va. The oldest sister, Henrietta. became the wife of Alphous Bohomnan, and died in Washington. Vt .. a number of years ago; Augusta is the wife of George Cowdry of South Royalton. Vt .. and Elizabeth is the wife of Frank Curtis of Orange. Vt. fonght. to preserve the I'nion. Our subject. was promoted to the rank of Second Lieutenant of his company December 5. 18Gl: to First Lieutenant, June 22, 1862. and on the same day was made Ad- jutant of the Regiment. He aler acted as Adjutant- General of his brigade. He participated with bis command in its famous charge at Pl. Donelson. which carried the enemy's work and captured the key of its position, resulting in the surrender of the Confederate forces to tien. Grant. In this fa- mous charge Col. Godfrey was struck in the breast by a musket ball and quite severely injured. but was soon alde to resume his place with his regimen! and took part in the bloody battle of Shiloh on the Gth and 7th of April. following the capture of Fi, Donelson. He was in the most furious part of the struggle and was stationed ner W. I. L. Wallace when that noble General fell. His regiment fought on the right of Gen. Prentice's command and was ever in the thickest of the conflict. It was also in the advance at Corinth, Miss., and in the battle which occurred at that place on the 34 and 1th of October. 1862, when the confederates under Gen. Price and Van Dorn made a most desperate and ile- termined effort to capture or destroy the Union Army. There on the 3d, Col. Barker. and on the Ith. Lient-Col. Mills,were mortally wounded in ore of the most desperate engagements of the war. Col. Godfrey hore a conspicuous part in that awful battle of Corinth and successfully repelled the at- tack of the confederates on the Union line. Two horses were shot from under him and many times he narrowly escaped death. The following from the report of the Title by Cion. J. B. Weaver. Vol. II of the Adjutant-General's Report of 1863. will illustrate he's galantry in that action. "Among those who distinguished themselves was Adj. George L. Godfrey, she could always be cool and beard charging along the line upon his horse. shouting to the men to be cool an I -trady. He is one of the most valuable young officers that I have (ver mel." i
The boyhood days of Col. Godfrey were passed on a farm in the State of his nativity and in the public schools of the neighborhood he acquired his primary education. He was yet quite young when he began teaching. with the determination to secure the means to extend his knowledge and also to pro- pare for the legal profession. In the autumn of 1855. he came to lowa and the following winter taught school in Dubuque County. In the spring of 1856, he decided to go to Sioux City. which was then just starting into existence, having been offered a situation which promised to be more profitable than teaching. but on his arrival he found that the position had been given to another. However he was not long idle. soon linding suffici- ent employment to occupy his whole attention. Hle engaged in the speculation common at that time and well known to all old settlers. of entering land on time and selling ont to emigrants. This proved so profitable that by autinn he found Inself in possession of $1000 as the result of his season's la- bor. The object for which he came West was now realized. namely: to acquire the means to continue hi- studies and he accordingly returned to Vermont and entered the academy at Barre. where he Is- mained for about two years. The fall of 1455 witnessed his return to Jowa and after tracking school during the winter term in Boonesborough in the spring of 189. he came to Des Moines and en- tered the law office of Inder ( C. Cole. In due time he was admitted to the be but did not enter upon practice.
The War of the Rebellion was now at hand and in obedience to the call of his country he resolved to enter the army. On the 27th of May. 15G1. M. Godfrey enlisted in Company 1 of the Serial
Hege the relations of Col. Godfrey with the cal last Second loyer Regiment terminated. The State of Vialeuma contained many brade Umon men
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who only needed the opportunity to strike a blow at the vinomons head of rebellion. The defeat of the rebel forces at Corinth and the advance of the I tion Army afforded this opportunity and soon a gallant regiment of Alabama troops was organized as the First Alalguma Cavalry, and of this regiment Mr. Godfrey was made Major on October 18. 1863. and soon after promoted to Lieutenant Colonel. having command of the regiment during the greater part of the remainder of the war. It comprised a splendid body of men and under the leadership of our subject did noble service in the cause of the Union. It took an active part in Sherman's At- lanta conpaign and led by Col. Godfrey -marched to the sea. " One company of the regiment formed Gen Sherman's body guard in that expedition and the remainder of the regiment under our Colonel. formed the advance guard of the Seventeenth Army Corps. Thus honored they continued to Savannah and to the final scene of Johnston's surrender. Col. Godfrey was selected to near important dispatches from Gen. Sherman to the Confederate Gen. John- stan. and was also the bearer of dispatches to him from Gen. Grant, proposing the place of meet- ing between the two commanders for the arange- ment of the final surrender of the Confederate Army, and was present at the consultation.
The war was now over and preparations were Wing made for the march to Washington for the grand review. Col. Godfrey's regiment from Al- lama.caring more for home and friends than for the review. desired to return to Hunt-ville, that State and be mustered out. They had received tidings of the suffering and death of friends at the hands of the rebels and were anxious to know the worst and learn the fate of their families and Andred. fin. Showman protected against the move . it ar a dangerous one for the march would be through the they'- country over the rolle they had just present. His consent. however, was at length given of the earnest and persistent solicitation of tool. Giving sche knew fait well that it much the non Polisen brave and faithful soldiers to the end, that : the war was over nothing would restrain them I am inamedron effort to learn the fate of these .... they had left behind when they joined the Der ling. The grand review would have no
chanus for them when their families or friends were probably suffering or dead, and Col. Godfrey know that desertions and a desperate effort to reach their homes, either singly or in squads, could be the re- sult of refusing them the privilege of returning in a body. The consent of Gien. Sherman having been obtained he placed himself at the head of the regi- ment and the long return march began. At length they arrived at Huntsville, and the Colonel pro- ceeded immediately to Nashville, where he found Gen. Thomas and made arrangements for paying off his men. He then returned to Huntsville, saw that duty performed and the men furloughed. In Deto- ber, 1865. they were ordered to report at Hunts. ville to be mustered out and the Colonel again met the brave comrades who had followed him faith- fully on many a fatigning march and on many a Moody battlefieldl.
While in Huntsville attending to the mustoring out of his regiment. Col. Godfrey was elected by hi- home district to the Legislature of lowa. Some inducement- were offered him to remain in the South and a seat in Congress could have easily been pro pied by him had he consented to remain in Alabama, but the ties of home were more effective than the honor of any political preferment and re- turning to Des Moines he served the following win- ter in the General Assembly. In the spring of 1860, he entered the law department of the State Univer- sity and after continning his studies a year entered into partnership with L. A. Grant. now Assistant Secretary of War. and later was associated in the practice of his profesion with Judge William F. Miller. He served as City Solicitor of Des Moines for two years and Assistant United States District Attorney for three years. He has over taken an active part in sustaining the principles of the Re- publican party and is regarded as an able champion of that organization. He was honored by ling made an Elector in 1876 when President Hayes was chosen as chief executive of the Nation. In 1-42 on the establishment of the Linh Commission, Col. Godfrey become a number and in 1880 va- mole chairman. 'The object of the commission is the ah fore sento clar kovy as the Edgeund's it for the suggestion of polygamy in Italy. The work of the eruitmission has been most effective. re-
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