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 27
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DITHIM. GOULD, M. D. has been connected with the medical fraternity of Polk County since 1850, having for the past ten years been engaged in practice in Des Moines. She was born on the 15th day of May, 1858, in Litchfield, Conn .. where her early life was passed and is e daughter of Edmund and Annie (Wood) Gould. Her father is a native of England. born in Derby- shire in 1821. When a young man of twenty-six years, he crossed the Atlantic to. Amerien and lo. cated in Connecticut, where he embarked in bnsi- ness as a grain dealer, in which line he has since continued. He is the youngest of thirteen brothers. His wife was born near Litchfield. Coon., in 1823, and is a sister of two prominent physicians of the Empire State: C. S. Wood, an eminent doctor of New York City; and M. M. Wood, of Green. N. Y. Mr. and Mrs. Gould are yet resi- dents of Brooklyn and both are members of the Episcopal Church. They are parents of six child- ren. two sons and four daughters.
Mr. and Mrs. Ricks had a family of four chil- dren -- Winfield S., born in Preble County, Ohio, December 5. 1853. wedded Mary M. Smith. and is The subject of this sketch. Dr. Edith Gould, i- the only member of the family living in Town. In ber early girlhood she attended the public schools of her native city, after which she became a stu- dent in a normal school in Brockport. N. Y., where she rou.tued until reaching the senior year. The succeeding two years of her life were spent as a teacher in Syracuse. N. Y., after which she began fitting her-elf for the melied profession. She studied for a year in the syracuse University and I in 1878. preluated from the Woman's Melied Col- now operating his father's land: Hattie ... born in Henry County. Ind .. December 17, 1850. is the nife of Milton Walter, a farmer of Nebraska; Lil- lian L. is the wife of A. F. Surcher, a father of Polk County. by whom she has three children- Charles U., Eva P. and Morris C .: Eva is at home with her father. The mother of this family, who was a faithful and active member of the Christian Church. died October 18, 1887. On the 13th of May, 1889, Mr. Rick- welded Mrs. Margaret X. (Hawkins) Gillian. In politics los was that a Whig i lege of Peru-ylvania. She then spent onegen in the
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hospital at Philadelphia and in 1879, located in St. Paul, Minn., but the following year come to Des Moines, where she has practiced continually since. meeting with excellent success.
Dr. Gould is a member of the Polk County Med- ical Society, of the Iowa State Medieal Society and the American Meches! Association. She is liber- ally patronized by the people of Des Moines and is ever highly spoken of by the leading members of the profession.
RS. A. D. KING. M. D. There are a num- ber of ladies connected with the medical fraternity of Polk County, but none have won a fimmer hold on the confidence of the people, or ate more deserving of their support. than she whose name heads this sketch. Mrs. King was born in Tioga County, Pa .. January 16. 1836, and is a daughter of Theodorus and Susanna (Bowen) Doty. The founder of the Doty family in America crossed the Atlantic in the "Mayflower," and with the little band of Pilgrim Fathers settled at Plymouth Rock, Mass., whence has spread the family south and west. Theodorous Doty was a native of the Empire State, born in Lewis County. in 1806. When a young man. he accompanied his parents to Pennsylvania, where he became ac- quainted with and married Miss Bowen, who was born in Rhode Island, in 1810, and also removed with her family to the Keystone State. Their union was blessed with a family of nine chikiren, seven of whom are now living, but Mr -. King is the only one who has followed a professional career. The mother was called to her final rest in 1887, but the father is still living and makes his home with his daughter in Des Moines. He is a cousin of the eminent judge and ex-Governa of Wisconsin. James Duane Doty. Farming wa his life occupa- tion, and be is a follower of the faith taught by the Society of Friends, of which religion- organization his wife was also a member.
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Mis. King was educated in an academy in het native State, and in December, 1938, because the wife of John King, who was born in Tioga Comity. i previously purchased. The whole constituted vane
Pas, and educated in Alfred Center College. Ile followed merebandizing for a livelihood and was quite successful in his business pursuits, but six years after his marriage the final smomons came. he dying in 1865. He left a widow and two chil- dren to mourn his loss, but the. son, Fred D .. was called to join his father in the better land when a young man of twenty-one years. The daughter, Margaret. is now engaged in teaching in the pub- lie schools of this cily.
Several years after her husband's death. Mrs. King determined to prepare herself for the medi- cal profession. In 1873 she removed to Iowa City and began her studies under the direction of Dr. Schrader. her preceptor, in the lowa State Uni- versity. She had done much private reading prior to this time, and in 1876 she was graduated from the medical department of the Iowa State Univers- ity. Almost immediately thereafter, Dr. King came to Des Moines, where she has since devoted her energies to practice. She is in reality the pio- neer lady physician of the city. for although others had come to Des Moines, they had not male per- manent locations. She came here to make her home, and has found ber stay profitable. having secured during her fomteen years' residence a litt- cral patronage among the best families. She is a member of both the Polk County and the lowa State Medical Societies, and is a faithful worker in the Christian Church.
HARLES WOODWORTH ENSIGN. Pro- prietor of a livery, board and sale stable. of Des Moines, is one of the early settlers of that city, dating las residence from June, 1550. His birth occurred in Saratoga County. N. Y. on the 280 of December. 1813, he being a son of John and Esther (Woolworth) Ensign, who were also natives of the Empire State. In early life the father was a farmer and miller of Saratoga County. but when Charks W. was about nine years of age be removed to Beex County. settling on a Huge treet of land near Lake Champlain, which be bad
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two thousand acres of timber land. mostly pine. There Mr. Eusign created four large sawmills and also got large quantities of ship spare and square timber. He also owned boats, which plied on the lake in the line of his humber interests. He made his purchase of this land just prior to the construc- tion of the Northern or Lake Champlain Canal, which event greatly added to the value of his property. Mr. Ensign became one of the most prominent business men of that section of the State. In connection with his sawmills, he owned a grist or fouring mill, and both branches of the business netted him a good income.
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Charles W. En,ign, the subject of this sketch, received a common-school education, and when not in school was variously employed about the mills, on the farm, in the woods. or spent his time in boating. He was married in December. 1887, his union being with Miss Harriet Tarbell. a dangh- ter of Daniel Tarbell, a prominent merchant and lumberman of that region. Three children were hora unto them, two sons and a daughter. Elgar. the oldest, who married Miss Buten and resides in Colorado Springs, is a lawyer by profession and has charge of the forestry of that country. Frances. the only daughter. is now the wife of John Lynde, of Des Moines. George Frederick, the youngest of the family, wedded Miss Hilda Stitt, and is cu- gaged in Imsiness with his father.
While a resident of Essex County, Mr. Ensign was engaged in the lumber business, and was also elected and served as High Sheriff of the county. and served for a term of three years. He also filkel the position of Deputy Sheriff for six years. _ At one time he owned valuable property at Saratoga Springs, where he began the creetion of a large hotel, but owing to reverse- in business, his plan. were interrupted, and in 1859 he came to Des Moines and embarked in his present bo inc . as has been this employed dring a longer period theus any other liveryman in the city. an lis wyles and favorably known. While in New York he operated lovely in breeding and dealing in line homes and then he came to Des Moines Enough! with him a pair of line calls, which he sulle- quently sold for >2.000. He has alway - pressed
a love for fine horses and has bred and kept many of them, having some promising colts in his stable , at this time. In politics Mr. Ensign was a Whig in early life, and has been a Republican since the organization of that party. He is a genial. kind- hearted man, who has many friends and few one- mies.
ROF. LYMAN S. BOTTENFIELD, who occupies the chair of English Literature in Drake' University, was born in Greene County. Pa .. August 17, 1853, and is a son of William C. and Jane (Drake) Bottenfield. He comes from a long line of farmers, and is of Ger- man descent. His piternal great-grandfather, Adam Bottenfield, was a German by birth, but at a very carly age became a resident of Virginia, where he was educated. and spont his remaining life engaged in agricultural pursuits. Having removed to Greene County. Pa., he purchased a tract of land which remained in the family until the past few years. His son Adam. the grandfather of our sub- jeet, operated the old homestead, and there the father of the professor was born in 1832. When he had attained to mature years, he wedded Miss Drake, who was also born in the sume county, and in 1851. Their residence in Pennsylvania con- tinmed until 1851. when they removed to MeLean County, Til., where they made their home for seven years, Mr. Bottentiell then engaged in farming in Keokuk County. Towa, from 1861 until 1877. when he removed to Audubon County. Jowa, where his death occurred. His widow still survives him, and makes her home in Des Moines. They united with the Christian Church at an early age, and by their upright and consistent lives, won the respect of all. In their family were nine children, seven of whom in the profession of teaching.
Prof. Lyman is the oldest of the fannly. His early life was passed in mech the usual manner of farmer lads, assisting lus father during the summer months. and attending the common schools of the neight athand in the winter season. He showed for aptitude and love for learning, and not content
proprietor of a livery. bund and sale stabde. He , are yet living. Three of that number are engaged
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with the advantages which he received. he de- termined to pursue a collegiate course. In 1871, he entered Oskaloosa College, but did not take a continuous course as he was obliged to meet all of his own expenses, and at intervals was compelled to engage in teaching in order to replenish his ex- chequer. lle was graduated from the classical course in 1878, and the same year was tendered the chair of English Literature in the Oskaloosa Col- lege, which he held until he accepted his present position. In 1880. he received the degree of A. M., from his Alma Mater, At the opening of Drake University, he was elected to the chair of English Literature, and made Superintendent of the Stu- dents' Home. Those in charge of the school have had no occasion to regret their choice of Prof. Bot- tenfield for the position. He has worked out a splendid course of study in his department. and planned the synthetic method of teaching grammar. which has proved of great value.
In 1875, Prof. Bottenfield led to the marriage altar Miss Sue L. Reed, an accomplished lady who was also a student of Oskaloosa College. She is a native of Keokuk County. Iowa, and by their union have been born six children.
Prof. Bottenfield and his wife are members of the Christian Church, and he is Superintendent of the Sunday-school. For the past seventeen years he has been identified with the educational interests of Iowa, and is rapidly gaining a high rank among the able instructors of this State. In the highest and best sense. he is a self-made man; his scholar- love and respect him; hisacquaintances esteem him highly: and his colleagues acknowledge him to be a man of great ability and sterling worth.
G BORGE ROYAL. M. D., who is engaged in the practice of medicine in Des Moines, was born in Berkshire County, Mas. on the 15th of July. 1853, and is a son of Ambrose anel Adelaide ( Buelmer) Royal. The Royal family is of English origin. The father of our subject was born Hear Montreal, Canada, and in early life was deprived by death of the protection and counsel of his parents. Having at length made his way to
Massachusetts, he there met and married Miss Buchner, who was born near Quebec, Canada, mal during his residence in that community he operated a marble quarry, but after removing to Connecticut engaged in farming. In 1865 his wife died, hving thirty-nine years of age. Mr. Royal however still survives and is living in Coventry, Com., at the age of sixty-five year -. He has taken an active part in local affairs. especially on the question of prohibition. In religious belief he is a Congrega- tionalist. Their family consisted of six children. five sons, and one daughter who died in 1882. The Doctor is the eldest son. The others are : Lewi- E .. who is Mayor of Mt. Pleasant, Mich .; Nelson is engaged in the practice of law in Des Moines; Thomas C. is a physician of Ballston, N. Y .; and Horace G. is a farmer of Connecticut.
Until seventeen years of age. Dr. Royal spent his time mpon his father's farm and in attendance at the district -chools. At that age his father gave him his time and the next year he entered Natchang High School, from which be graduated on the com- pletion of a three yours' course in 1871, and entered the Freshman class of Amherst College the same year. but on account of failing health was compelled to abandon his studies and for eighteen months was an invalid. Having been elected Principal of the East Hampton High School he served in that capacity acceptably three years and at the same time when not engaged with his school duties read medicine under the direction of Dr. A. S. Field. He had fornied the determination to make the practice of medicine his life work and in 1882. graduated from the Homeopathic Me lical College of New York. receiving the first prize in treatment of di-cases of children. After pruticing a year in Rockville, Conn .. taking the practice of Dr. C. L. Beach, who left on a vacation. he mme to Des Moines in 1885. and bas hore practiced con- tinnously since, He is a member of the Poll: County Homeopathie Medical Society, of which I served as Secretary two years and is now ( haddeen of the Committee on Materia Medica. He is ala a member of the Haldeman Medieal Assad Fim of Town and has served three years as it - Secretary. On the 27th of November. 1879. Dr. Ro. Iva- united in marriage with Sli -; Ela J. Kingsbury. a
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native of Coventry. Coun., and their union ha- been blessed with three children: Malcolm A .. Wilmot K .. and Harolt P. The Doctor and his wife are members of the Congregational Church and he is regarded as one of the leading citizens of Des Moines. Although never allowing himself to fall behind in the advance march of his profession he has yet found a little time to devote to public interests. He served for three years as a member of the North Des Moines School Board, of which he is now President and is Treasurer of Cottage Home Building Association. He is fast gaining an envia- ble reputation as a physician and has gained the respect of the community in a remarkable degrec.
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E ELDER DENNIS R. ELLIS, who resides on section 3, Four Mile Township, is numbered among the early settlers of the county. bay- ing here resided for thirty-five years. Although he is engaged to some extent in farming, he has devoted the greater part of his time and energies to the work of the Gospel. laboring for the upbuilding of the church and the spiritual welfare of his fellow- men. He was born in Orleans County, N. Y .. August 3,1811,and is a son of Walter and Clarissa ( Nichols) Ellis, both of whom were natives of the Empire State, and descended from Puritan ancestry. Our subject is the eldest of their family of seven chil- Aren. Jason, the second son, was a member of the Eighteenth Iowa Infantry, and died in the service at Springfield, Mo .; Minerva is the wife of Frank Burke, a farmer of O'Brien County, Is a: James residen in Coon Rapids. Carroll County. lowa; Mary i- the wife of Harry Chamberlain. a resident of Spencer, Clay County, Iowa; Nelson i a farmer of Warren County, lowa. and Ehner i living in O'Brien County.
The father of this family was reared by the veen- pation of farming and followed that pursuit ditt- ing his entire life. Selling his farm in Orlean- County, N. Y .. he removed to Marchali County. Ill., where he purchased land and made his home until 1855, when he cune to Polk County. settling in Beaver Township. Upon a form of ope bombed
and sixty apres he resided until 1870. when he re- moved to Rising Sun, where the succeeding five years of his life were spent. He then resided in Dexter, Dallas County, Iowa, later in Clay County and subsequently became a resident of Faulk County. Dak., where he made his home until the f.dl of 1889, when he removed to Marysville, Mo .. where. with his loved wife, be is now residing. Both are devoted members of the Christian Church and are earnest workers in the Master's vineyard. Mr. Ellis is a quiet. unassuming man. kind and generous in disposition and is greatly respected for his inany good qualities.
Our subject began his school life in his native county and completed his education in this county. lle was a lad of fifteen years when his parents came to lowa, and since that time he has been identified with the history of this community. He chose for an occupation that business for which he was reared It gives much of his time to the work of the min- istry. At the age of eighteen years he united with the Christian Church of Rising Sun. then a small congregation of fifty or sixty members, and has continued his connection with it through all these years. In his youth he spent his leisure hours in study, thus fitting himself for a life of usefulness: He made his home under the parental roof until the age of twenty-three years when, in 1861. he was united in the holy bonds of matrimony with Miss Mary J. Ellis, who is also a native of Orleans County. N. Y., but they were not in any way re- lafed. She was reared in Wankesha County. Wis .. and came to Polk County for her health. Their union has been blessed with seven children. as fol- lows: Alva, who was born October 13. 1805; Charle and Ettie, who died in infancy: Ora, boru Decutover 10, 1870; Eddie, May 16. 1873; Walter. November 22. 1875. and Minnie. March 2. 1879. Mr. and Mis. Ellis have given their children good educational advantages and have reared them to habits of morality. all having become members of the church. Having parchased fifty-five acres af Innl in Comp Town-hip. Polk County, Mr. Ellis and his bride there began their domestic life,.but efter a year -old and went on a visit to her parents. On their return they made their home in Risme Sin mitil 1867 when our subject purchased his
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present farm. then comprising seventy acres of wild, undeveloped land. He at once turned his attention to its cultivation and by subsequent pur- chase has extended its boundaries until now one hundred and seventy-five aeres pris a golden trib- ute to the care and labor which he bestows upon it. He has made many excellent improvements, erected a story-and-a-half frame residence and all the out- buildings necessary to well-regulated farming. and surrounded the home with beautiful shade and ornamental trees. Ile has never. however. let his farm duties interfere with his church work. From the time when he confessed his faith in Christ he has taken an active interest in promoting the canse. and in 1863 was ordained as a minister. His sery- ices have been given gratuitously wherever needed, Inboring not for pecuniary benefit but for the good of his fellow-men. His work has been blessed by many additions to the church. fifty having been added at one time under his preaching. He never waited to he called upon for assistance. but when he saw that his services were needed gave them cheer- fully and freely. His example as well as precept has been an important feature in his labors. llis upright life, and his entire consecration to the work. have won many hearts and taught them to search for the motives which influenced him. and in their seeking they learned and accepted the truth. In podlities he has ever supported the Republican party and entertains strong prohibition principles.
OBIN P. COOK. a farmer of Waban Town- ship. residing on section 19, v - born in Des Moines. Janvary 1. 1:56. 80 : fourth in a family of two sons and the e daugh- tv- Catherine. Frances. Charles A. John P. and Frank B. His father. d. S. Cook, was the elde-1 son. and third child of a family of dleven children born to Barnett and Abigail (Christin) Conk. of whoin motion is made further along in this sketch.
Hannah King, Sallie Conklin, Betsey Allen. Phobe Drake. The parents of these children. subsequent to their birth, located in Morris County. N. J. In the year 1794, when Burnett Cook was eight years of age his parents, with all the members of the family. removed to and settled in Ludlowville, Tompkins County. N. Y. At this place Grandfather Barnett served an apprenticeship as a turner and carver. At the age of twenty-two be visited Orange Conty. N. Y .. where he formed the acquaintance of Abigail Christie, whom he married in 1808. Tak- ing up his residence in Ludlow ville, it continued to be his home until 1829, in which year he located at Trumansburg, in the same county. To him and his wife were horn a family of eleven children. five sons and six daughters, viz: Sarah M. Smith. Mary A. Giles. Jehiel S., Calistie Halsey. Abigail M .Cor- mick. Andrew H., James C .. Jackson, Elizabeth Jane King. John Giles and Charlotte. The last named died in infancy.
The father of our subject was born March 12. 1813, was marriedt January 8. 181. to Catherine Ann Peters, born February 28. 1817. She was a daughter of Philip and Hannah ( Markle) Peters. a native of Pennsylvania. from whence they re- moved to Tompkins County, N. Y .. and later to Sencea County. same State, where both died. Philip Peters was a farmer by occupation, and served his country in the War of 1812. Mr. and Mrs. Cook resided in the Empire State until 1855. at which time they emigrated to lowa. settling in Der Moines, where Mr. Cook followed various employ- ments. In 1839. he went to Colorado, and in 1461, retmined. going back again the same year. He enlisted at Denver. Colo. November 21, 1862, in the Third Colorado Regiment. and was commis- sioned Quartermeter with the rank of First Line- tenant. On the 18th of February. 1861, he was com- I mi sioned theatererster of the Second Colma, " Cavalry. Los date from November 26. 1543. He served principally in Missorti.
When the war was over he rotarype 1 to his home and continuiel his residence in Des Moines until ih spring of Ise9. when he went to Colorado and angel in mining. An sevident a pred his det!
Burnett Cook. grandfather of John P. Cook. was born on Long Ished. August 21. 1780 11e Was one of a family of eight children. n. had as follows: Lott. Silas. Burnett. Polly Bulkerson. . com in politics and served as an Aldermat and other
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official positions. Ihis wife. who was a faithful member of the Presbyterian Church, survived her Imsband until September 15, 1878, when she ton was called home.
John P. Cook, the subject of this notice has spent his entire life in Polk County. and from his youth up his career has been characterized by up- tightness and fair dealing, thus winning him the it- spect of those with whom he has come in contact. After attending the common schools of Des Moines he went to New York in 1871. and attended the Academic School of Aurora, and Cornell College, of Ithaca, N. Y., until the spring of 1875, when he returned to Polk County and embarked in business for himself as a farmer, which occupation he has since followed. He owns one hundred and sixty seres of arable land, all suitable for agricultural purposes and has a pleasant home.
On the 10th of September. 1878, Mr. Cook mar- ried Ella Jordan, a daughter of J. C. Jordan, also a native of this county. born March 11. 1857. She is an estimable lady and a member of the Methodist Church. Their union has been blessed with four children, and the family circle remains unbroken. Jehiel S. the oldest. was born August 22, 1879: Emma Agnes, September 23. 1881 : John Calvin. April 16, 1885 ; and Frederick. February 13, 1888. Mr. Cook is conservative in his views but generally supports the Republican party. He is a member of Myrtle Lodge No. 9, K. P., of Des Moines. Although a quiet and massmaing man he possesses qualities of sterling worth and well de- serves a representation in this volume, whose pur- pose is to record the lives of the bading citizen- and pioneers of Polk County.
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