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 23
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Justice of the Peace, one as Town Recorder, was a member of the City Council of University Place for two yenis, which office he held when Univer- sity Place was annexed to Des Moines. Socially, he is a member of the Legion of Honor. His pub- lie and private life are alike above reproach and he deserves no little credit for the part which he has taken in the advancement and upbuilding of University Place.
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OHN TAYLOR, a retired citizen of Grant Park, was born in Tallington, England, on the 15th of July, 1826, and is the son of Jolitt and Elizabeth Ann ( Booth) Taylor. The father was a shepherd and engaged in that business throughout his entire life, having charge of great herds of sheep in Lincolnshire. He was an upright and honorable man and was a faithful member of the Methodist Church, Hli, death or- curred in his native county at the age of sixty-five years and his mother, a member of the Episcopal Church, passed away at the age of ciglity years. She was born. reared. married and died beneath the same roof. where for many years had lived her father, who was an industrious and energetic citizen and in that home reared a family of fourteen chil- dren. His death occurred in bis ninety-ninth year. To John and Elizabeth Taylor were born seven children, five sans and two daughters: William. who died in England: James, who came to this country in IS IT, and thence removed to Canada. where he spent his remaining days: Charles diel in England after ten weeks of intense suffering. the result of a fall: George thed in infancy ; Catherine. How Mrs. Stars, resides near Lomlon: and Sarah is married and makes her home in that city.
whereby he might carn an honest dollar. At length. his wages being increased. he felt justified in mar- rying and on the 16th of May, 1853, wedded Miss Eliza Butler, who was born in Spaulding, Lincoln- shire. England. June 23. 1:30, and is a daughter of Matthew Butler, who for seven years served as captain on an English mm-of-war. An excellent position was then offered him by the government and he started on his return and last voyage. A storm coming up he received injuries while caring for the ship which terminated his life a few days afterwards. Mrs. Taylor's parents had eleven chil- dren, namely : Jane. John. Harriet, Eliza. Mary 1. (1) ; Mary A. (2); Maria, Sarah, Lucy Ann. Two died in infancy. Previous to Mrs. Taylor's mar- ringe she was engaged in nursing seven years. Since 1869, she has devoted much of her thae to umsing, eighteen years of which has been in Des Moines. Her father served seven years on one of Her Majesty's vessels, at the close of which time he was given command of a vessel which he com- mailed till his death, which occurred at Boston, England. He was married to Sarah Gadsby, who died in Boston, where she is buried. Ile died De- vember 2 1819. aged forty-five years. His wife died in 1868. aged fifty-four years.
The wedding tour of Mr. and Mrs. Taylor con. sisted of a trip to America. Bidding good by to home and friends they sailed for Quebec and located near Milton. Canada. where the husband found em- ployment in the harvest fields at $15 per month. When the harvest was gathered they removed to Stratford. Canadaand for a time he worked upon the Buffalo and Eric Railroad. While there residing isa of their seven children were born unto them : Elizabeth R .. who was born April 28. 1854. became the wife of John Crady of Ft. Dodge, lowa. by whom she ba- Your daughter : Emma, Rose. Carrie and Auma. Cleaks Butler, who was born in Frat. ford. May 20, 1856. is a large ranchman residing in Clark and lewis County. Mont. Seven miles of france and a quired to enclose hi- land srl he is the owner of three hundred head of horses. Miss Ada White because his wife. Prior to the birth of the next chill. 3. Taylor removed to Natth Lyon, N. Y. when on the 15th of June, IS. '
Although our subject is now numbered among the well-to-do citizens of Polk County. his life Ins not been an easy one. When only nibe years of age he was thrown upon his own tesoubres ainl forced to perform any labor that present. l itself. Heat first only received eight cents per day for his services. Struggling against poverty mal it- disadvantages. he worked on; scarring no it hor y 5: - Imena det her. Carrie Hizdith. what is no
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the wife of William OfGraham, who resides near Los Angeles, Cal. The next child. William Butler. was born after the arrival of the family in Web- Her County, lowa, his birth occurring at Ft. Dodge. September 20. 1860. He is the owner of five hun- dred acres of land near Cascade. Mont., and has upwin his ranch three hundred head of cattle. John Booth, who was born in Ft. Dodge. April 2, 1863. i- the owner of a ranch of one thousand acres and also of the water power of Cascade, Mont., he con- dueting the water one mile through a steel pipe which was laid at a cost of $1,000. George, the next child, was born in Ft. Dodge. December 27, 1865, is the owner of three hundred acres of land near Cascade, Mont., and is operating gold mines in that region. Matthew Henry. who was born in Ft. Dodge, February 22, 1868, resides in Fresno. Cal., where he is planting and fitting out a large vineyard. Mr. and Mrs. Taylor may well be proud of their sons, all of whom are useful citizens. By their just and fair dealing with all with whom they have been brought in contaet, and the exercise of correct business principles, they have acquired wealth and are now owners of valuable property. The father and mother who tenderly cared for them in their youth have not been forgotten in the days of their prosperity, but have been remembered by substantial gifts. Tobacco or liquors have never been used by any of them and again we say that the parents have just reason for the pride which they take in their sons,
have characterized his business career and have at length brought their reward, he being now able to retire from active life and spend his declining years in the enjoyment of the fruits of former toil. Both he and his wife are members of the Baptist Church and have made it their daily en- deavor to live in harmony with their professions. A man of sterling worth and strict integrity, cor- dial in manner, genial in disposition and gentle- manly in deportment, he has won the confidence and well wishes of many friends.
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LBERT SMITH KINGMAN isone of the well-known pioneers of Des Moines, resid- ing at Kingman Place, one of the most. beautiful suburbs of the city. He dates his residence in Polk County from April 25, 1850. when he settled upon a farm that now constitutes the beautiful suburban town before mentioned. He was born in the town of Riga. Monroe County. N. Y., in 1826. but soon afterward his parents re- moved to the town of Bergen. Genesee County. He is a son of Franklin D. and Sophia (Smith) King- man, both of whom were natives of Massachusetts and were representatives of early New England families. When the husband was a young man be removed to Western New York, that country being then a comparative wilderness. Returning to Massachusetts, he was married and brought bis young bride to the home which he had prepared, for which continned to be his abiding place until called from this carth. They became parents of four children, two sons and two daughters. of whom Albert is the ellest; Melissa is the wife of Luejus P. Wilcox. of Walnut Township. Polk County : Cecelia married C. P. Mott. and died in Walnut Township many years ago; and Legair died at the age of twelve years.
In the spring of 1860. Mr. Taylor became a resi- dent of Jowa, locating in Ft. Dodge. During the sinminer after his arrival he mowed hay and did such other farm work as he could secure. 11stamm operated rented land for a time, after which, have ing accumulated some capital. he purchased a form. Even then his course was not always smooth suling for a considerable portion of his property was de- stroved by fire. Leaving his home in Webster County, in 1875, he removed to Dallas County. lowa, where he purchased one hundred and sixty The subject of this notice was roared to the accu- pation of farming, and remained under the parental roof until twenty-one years of age. when he started gut in life for himself. He journeyed to the West and after a short soje un in Michigan started for acts of arable land and twenty acres of thaber land, but after three years be sold out and came to Polk County, where he made a purchase of sixteen aer and devoted his energies to gardening. In. dustry, economy, enterprise and good management . the South. He made his way to Cincinnati of
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foot. and thence to Kentucky, but not wishing 10 make a permanent location in that State, he sought a home in Iowa, and has never yet had occasion to regret his choice. He spent his last cent for a dinner in Oskaloosa, and then continued on his way to Polk County, arriving in the latter part of April. 1850. He immediately began a search for employment. and spent the summer of 1850 as a farm hand with a Mr. Frederick. The following winter he was employed by John Dean. receiving for his services $13 per month. and in the spring of 1851 purchased four yoke of cattle and engaged in breaking prairie. With the money obtained thereby, in the fall of 1852, he purchased seventy- five acres of land. including his present home, and afterward added to that amount until his farm com- prised one hundred and twenty acres. One can scarcely imagine the unsettled condition of the country at that time, especially as he looks abroad over the beautiful city of Des Moines, with its fine churches, schools, countless manufactories and in- anstries, large mercantile houses and palatial resi- dences. The land on which Mr. Kingman settled had not even then been cleared, but. possessing great energy. he soon had it ready for cultivation an' planted a nursery. doing an extensive and lucrative business in that line for many years. His first home was a log cabin. situated on the site of his present fine dwelling, but his financial resources increased as time passed, improvements were made. and he is now reckoned among the substantial citi- zelis of the community.
On the 25th of July. 1851. Mr. Kingman was united in marriage with Miss Eliza Jone Highy. a native of Michigan and a daughter of Isaac Hisby. who removed with his family from that Stic to Missouri when she was a child. His death there occurred. and Mis. Kingman afterward came to Polk County with her uncle. Eli Movies, with was one of the carly settlers of this county and the original owner of Kingman Place. After his mar- ringe with Mi -- flighy her mother came to live with the young couple and has since been a per- manent member of the household. finding with them a pdevant home. Fonction children ve" Two of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Kingman. of whom twelve, six come and six daughters, are Low
living, namely : Charles S., Belle S .. Ida M .. Hat- tie L., Etta. Albert M .. Lottie, Harry W .. Tupper. Irving. Grace and Walter. The first and fourth sons died in infancy.
Mr. Kingman made a very fortunate choice in his selection of a homestead. As the city of Des Moines increased in size and approached the bor- ders of his farm he began selling his land. and for forty acres received $1,000 per acre. That land was laid out by the purchasers into town lots. on many of which beautiful Homes have been erected. and the whole called Kingman Place, in honor of the former owner. For forty years Mr. and Mrs. Kingman have been residents of Polk County, and are numbered among its respected pioneers. Their homestead comprises two acres of the original farm, upon which has been erected as fine a home as can be seen in the residence part of the city.
RANKLIN B. COOK, one of the leading young farmers of the county, residing on section 16, Walnut Township. is a repre- sentative of one of the early New England families. which was established in this country during Col- ' onial days, and is of Scotch and German origin. His father was a native of Tompkins County. N. Y., and for a time resided in Itbaca, that State, but in 1855. emigrated to Towa. locating in the city of Des Moines. Ile went to Colorado in 1859, where he engaged in mining. prospecting and team- ing until his death, which occurred in November, 1869, as the result of injuries sustained by being thrown off a stage. He married Catherine A. P'e- ters. a native of Waterloo, N. Y., and a daughter of Philip and Haumab (Markle) Peters, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania. The father served in the Way of 1512. and was stationed at Niagara Falls. To Mr. and Mrs. Cook ware both five children. three sons and two daughters.
The subject of this sketch was the youngest of the family. He was iwan in Des Moines, on the 1st of December. 1859. anlarsided in Ins native att until twelve years of age. attending the grain schools during the tn. . The Aunty then Possivel
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to Cer farm where his brother, John P .. now resides. and he there remained until 1881. or for fourteen ycats, during which time the death of his mother occurred. He then sold his interest to his brother, and the same year removed to his present location on soption 16, Walnut Township, where he owns a gotal farm of forty acres, well improved and culti- vated. In connection with its development he also devotes considerable attention to stock-raising, and in both lines of business has been quite successful. He has made what he has by his own efforts, and in the course of time will doubtless take rank among the leading farmers of the county.
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Mr. Cook was married, on the 1th of October, 1883. to Miss Hattie Jordan, daughter of Benjamin and Mary ( Haines) .Jordan, whose sketch is given below. The lady was born in this county. Septem- ber 22. 1862, and by her marriage has become the mother of three children: Catherine Anna, born September 4. 1881; Hanry P., April 20, 1886; and Mabel M. July 29. 1589. Mrs. Cook is a lady of culture and refinement, and was educated in simp- " College of Indianola, lowa. Mr. Cook cast his first Presidential vote for R. B. Hayes, and has since been a warm supporter of Republican princi- ples. He has in his possession a silver spoon, on ned by his grandmother and which is therefore more than one hundred year- old.
Benjamin P. Jordan. father of Mrs. Cook, was high in Greenbrier County, W. Va .. October 10, 1838. and is a son of the Ion. J. C. Jordan. On his father's side he is of Irish origin, and on the mother's side of Scotch descent. He resided in bis native State until the age of eight years. when he accompanied the family to Michigan. settling about four and a half miles from Nike, where for five yesus he attended the common schieds. He then accompanied his pants to Platte County, Mo. where for three years be aided his father in open- ating the farm, and then came to Polk County. m 1831. At the age of twenty six years he left home to begin life for biore If, and determined to follow the occupation to which he was reaisd. In the line of forming his operations have been very saver ... fal, and are a stock deder he has also met with pre- petity. For fifteen years le engaged in buying and shipping cattle, hot - and hogy. after which he
devoted his time to general farming for a period of several years, His next venture was in Ists, he embarking in the mercantile business in Ida Grove, Ida County, where he continued operations for ten years. He then returned to Polk County. settling in Commerce, where he opened a general mercha !!- dise store, which he still continues. He possesses those characteristics essential to success-industry, enterprise and ability, and by the exercise of cor- rect business principles has secured a handsome competence.
Mr. Jordan was married to Miss Mary Haines, a native of Wayne County, Ind .. and a daughter of David and Hannah (Cramer) Haines. Their union has been blessed with three children: Ida, a graduate of Barnes College, Indianola, Iowa, is the wife of John Philips, of Colorado; Hattie, a grad- uate of the same college, is the wife of F. B. Cook, a well-known agrienlturist of Polk County; and Charles J. is the youngest.
Mr. Jordan cast his first Presidential vote for John C. Premont. in 1856, and has never failed in his support to the Republican party. He takes an active part in public affairs, both political and oth- erwise, and keeps himself well informed on the leading issues of the day. His wife and daughters are members of the Methodist Church. The family is held in high regard in the social world and is widely known throughout the conanunity.
EV. DAVID H. KOOKER. President of the Grand Aventie Savings Bank of Des Moines and editor of the bara Capital, was born Din Limerick. Montgomery County, Pa .. ca the 7th of April. 1812. and is a son of John and Elizabeth (Honning ) Koker, who were also natives of the same State. His father was born in Buchs County. in 1805. of German parentage, and his mother, who was born in Montgomery in 1810, was of the same descent.
The subject of the south was reare in his ma. tive Stade and advanced under the prophets of the Evangelical Asser tion for the ministry. At the age of nineteen your te was Hierted to preach en l
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was employed as pastor in various chuches of his native county. In 1808 he came to Lowa and was assigned to Folk City. Polk County. having charge of the societies of the church of Li- denom . ination at that place and at Cambridge and lowa Center. After two years spent in work at the points named, the Rev. Mr. Kooker was in charge of the church at Afton, Union County. for the same period and at the expiration of that time came to De- Moines. serving as resident pastor of the Trinity Evangelical Church for three years. In 1875 he was elected Presiding Elder for the Des Moines distriet for a four years' term, but resigned at the end of three years and resmined charge of Trinity Church, where he continued three years longer. when he was again elected Presiding Elder. He served a fall term of four years that time and was re elected. but at the end of the first year of the second term resigned on account of failing health. For the space of a year Mr. Kooker was not engaged in active service but at the end of that time was elected Secretary of the Capital City Building and Loan Association, which position he retainel for a year and a half. or until the company's charter ex. pired by limitation. He then bought into the Capi- tal Printing Company and assumed the position of business manager. In 1888 he also took upon himself the editorial management and is now serv- ing in that capacity. He was one of the incorpor- ators of the Grand Avenuey Savings Bank and was elected its first President.
Mr. Kooker was united in the holy bonds of matrimony with Miss Mary Jane Nelson, a native of Zeiglersville, Montgomery County, Pa., mal a daughter of Dr. John Nelson. They have six chil- dren. four sons and two daughters-Ochora Allen. Wilmer Nelson, David Arthur. Charles Ehner, Mary Elizabeth and Bertha Estella.
thee terms of two years cach, and a member of the Board of Missions for a number of years. Elder Kooker is a gentleman of fine scholarly attainments. a conscientious and faithful worker in all positions to which he has been called. He discharged the arduous duties of a l'residing Elder with great of- ficiency and to the general satisfaction of his peo- ple. As an editor and journalist he has made the Ima Capital a popular paper among the best eiti- zens of Des Moines.
FALBERT O. STONE. real-estate broker of Des Moines, takes rank among the leading Le business men of this city. He was born in Madiaska County. Iowa. September 21, 1815, and is the youngest of six children born unto Homer B. and Lucy (Lind-Jeg ) Stone. The parents were both natives of Comveticut. the former born in 1808. the latter in 1806. By trade Homer Stone was a carriage-maker aml followed that occupation in the Exist. In 1841 he became a resident of Mahaska County, lowa, being among its first settlers, and there followed farming until 1857. when he engaged in the grocery trade in Oskaloosa, where he contin- ned for four years. when he embarked in the same business in Newton, It was in 1866 that he took up his residence in Des Moines. and for some live years after his arrival he carried on a retail boot and shoe business, It has since lived a retired life. Though woll advanced in years. both Mr. Stone and His wife enjoy good health and the lady has a remarkable memory for one of her years. They are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. and it has been their daily endeavor to shape their lives in accordance with their profession -.. Of their children four are now living. three sons and a daughter. namely: Wilbur F .. ex-Supreme Judge of Colorado and one the most talented lawyer- of that Stade, went to the West in a very early day and helped to organize the Territory: Well- WS. is an extensive immer and stack-raiser of Dagen. Flu daughter. Hester A., wife of a. W. Factura.
In politics Mr. Kooker is a Republican. but has bever sought or desired ofice outside of his church relations. He has been quite active and influential in his connection with the church and was for four years a member of the Board of Publication of the Evangelical Publishing House at Chelo d. Chio, and during the guest eighteen years be attended four Gen ral Conferences, He was a mender of , who is engaged in fruit-mai-ing and finding. Food .. the Board of Trustees of the N. W College for ost Mitchellville, Low.
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Elbert O .. the one identifiel with the business interests of Des Moines. received a common-school education and was trained in business methods by his father, whose store he entered as a clerk when quite young. continuing to serve in that capacity until admitted to partnership. Selling out on the retirement of his father from business, Mr. Stone then went to Greencastle. Iowa. where for three piration of that period transferred his business to " Colfax, where he carried on operations for eight Years. He was the first Preasurer of Colfax and the first to build a luisiness block in that town. Returning to Des Moines in 1885. he engaged for for a short time in the manufacture of windmills and then embarked in the real-estate business.
LOYD DAVIS, M. Sc., PH. D., Professor of Chemistry and Physies in Drake University, was born at Ithaca, N. Y .. May 29. 1859, being one of three sous of Jolm and Miranda . (Shepherd ) Davis. The founder of the Day' fam- ily in the United States came from Wales :11 set- ted in New Jersey, and was the great-gran rather of the Professor. His son Cald's when a going man. emigrated to New York, Jeeating Bear Hlavy and because Sheriff of Tompkins County. although he made farming his principal occupation. Ile married a Pensylvania lady by whom he he !! eleven children, and lived to the tolvaneed age of ninety years.
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Prof. Davi-' father was reared for the old home stead. and though a farmer lo occupation he did considerable work as a surveyer and civil engineer;
be laid out Michigan City and a number of other towns in Northwestern Indiana and Northeastern Illinois. Ilis death occurred at the age of eighty- four years, His wife, a native of Herkimer County. N. Y., is still living at Itbaca, being now in her seventy -first year.
Our subject is the youngest of three children and the only professional member of the family, years he engaged in merchandising, and at the ex- . one brother being a mechanic, while the other fol- lows farming. Ile received instruction at home until nine years of age when he entered the district schools. When a Jad of fourteen years he com- meneed a higher course of traming, spending a year at cach of the following institutions: Canisteo Academy. Ithaca High School and Cornell Univer- sity; at the Ohio State University he pursued a In Mechanicsville, Iowa, on the 22d of Novem ber, 1867, Mr. Stone was united in marriage with Rachel E. Tyson, a native of Ohio, by whom he has three children- Gertrude, Jessie and Franc. The parents are members of the Presbyterian Church. and in politics Mr. Stone is a Repubhean. He is regarded by all who know him as an upright relia- ble business man. and as a real-estate dealer has been quite successful. His interests are largely in farms, located in several States, notably in Texas. four years' course. In 1882 he went to Missouri, and the following year wes graduated from the Missouri State School of Mines and Metallurgy, receiving the degrees of Ph. B., C. E. and E. MI. Hle was then called to the Chair of Chemistry and Met- allurgy in the Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College, which position he held three years and then spent one year studying at the Johns Hopkins University. After some six months spent as a min- ing engineer in the West, he accepted his present position in January. 1888. Besides the degrees above mentioned Prof. Davis received in 1884 the degree of MI. Se. from Adrian College, and in 1588 the degree of Ph. D. from Miami University.
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