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 29
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Sarah J. Porter acquired her literary cqueation chiefly in Senacaville, but has been a student all her life. In her young womanhood, she became the wife of Stephen 11. Springer, their union bring ecl- chrated in Guthrie County, Iowa. September 25. 1861. To them have been born seven children as follows: Clifton F. who is engaged in the insur- ance business; Elba MI., wife of Clrirles West ; Etts, a stenographe. ; W. H .. a plumber; Leroy P .; Her- man B. and Lizzie.
For many years prior to comme ning regular practice, Dr. Springer had read me Beine in order to know how intelligently to attend bn: family in the ills which alway . accompany childheo. 1. Pursuit g a systematic course of study. in Isi. the grain- ated from what is now the medical department of Drake University and when the lowa Eclectic Col. Lage of Des Moines was established. was elected teacher of Obstetrics and in DEN. Professor of Chomi-try. Dr. Springer is a mtinker of the Ion a State Eclectic Medical Society. She is now outraged in general practice and though bite a short time is clapped since she took up public with. she Is airrady secured a liberal patronage.
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Stephen 11. Springer, was born in Cambridge. Ind. in 1512. and is the son of William M. and Sarah (Buck ) Springer, the formper born in North Caro- ling and the latter in Virginia ... In 1815 they sel- tled in Mahaska County. lowa. and in IS 46 removed to near the present city of Newton. and when theit place was settled, William M. Springer opened a public house which he kept fifteen years. Hedied in 186 L,aged fifty-one years. Mrs. Springer lives in Des Moines. They had twelve children, eight of whom are living. viz: Mary J .. Eliza A., Lovina I .. Stephen H. Martha, Oliver P. William .A. and Oscar E. At the age of thirteen years, our subject en- tered the office of the Newton Free Press, He subse- quently went to Harlan and in 1859. to Guthrie Centre, and established the Gazette. Selling out he bought a half interest in the Winterset Madisonion with which he continued until 1878. In 1680 he founded the Chronicle and conducted it two years In 1882, in Des Moines, he engaged in the misthradce and real-estate business. April 12. 1887, Mr. Springer patented a safety car coupling. a simple sarl yet effectual device that is unquestionably des- tined to come into universal use.
OHN BARLOW, decreased, is worthy a repre- sentation in this volume, for he is nunbered among the honored pioneers of Polk County. and for a number of years was a representa- tive citizen of Des Moines. He was a native of In- diana, born on his father's farm in Shelby County. on the 11th of March. 1827. His early life was spot in attendance at the district school in the neighborhood, where he required a good English education and in aiding in the cultivation of the home farin. He made agricultural porsubs his life work, and in that line of industry was quite sheress ful. In 181. when a young man of twenty-one years. he accompanied hi- father to Polk County, lowa. and entered sme seven hundred arres land new Rising Sun. After attending to it- do- velopment and cultivation for two years. he re- turned to lu- native State, and in 1990, was united m mariage with Miss Georgina West. a daughter
PHOTO. BY PEARSON
AKrbatch
Sarah A Hatch 0
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of William and Martha (Finley ) West. The former was a native of North Carolina, and the latter of Kentucky. The parents died in the Howsier State, where they were highly respected citizens.
Shortly after his marriage. Mr. Barlow Started with his young bride for his home beyond the Mis- sissippi, and in a log cabin. 12x 12 feet. with punch- con floor and stick chinmoy, they began their domestic life. They endured all the hardships and ditlieulties incident to settlement on the frontier, but their efforts were crowned with a good degree of prosperity, and they were soon enabled to buikl a more comfortable home, which continued to be their abiding place until 1856, when Mr. Barlow traded his property near Rising Sun for land on Agency Prairie. in Polk County. Great indred have been the changes which have occurred since that time. The county was but very sparsely set- tled, and at the time of his arrival in lowa, there were but two stores in Des Moines. He took his grist to mill at Oskaloosa. and travelel long dis- tances for provisions. Stock growing and feeding engrossed the greater part of his attention after lo- cating in this community, and for a munber of years his shipments were large. Mr. Barlow pos- sessed the qualities essential to business success. was enterprising. industrious, and persevering. and his honesty was proverbial, his word being as read- ily received as his bond. Whatever he undertook to do. he would accomplish if an honorable path led to the goal. He was a great reader. kept lim- self well-informed ou the affairs of the State and Government, and was a strich supporter of Demo- cratie principles. While residing in Lee Towns.p. he was elected Justice of the Peace, which offer he ! filled with credit to himself. and to the sati fashion of his constituents.
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Seven children were born of the union of Mr. Barlow and Miss West. hat of theit muaber only two are now living: Lewi- W., who resides on the oll homestead in Lee Township: and Indiana T., a student of Drake U'niversity.
The pioneers of a counts of State are rightfully regarded as its founders. and to them gred credit is due for the establishment of a settlement, ami the introduction of such in Iustries and business in- teresty as make i nomi-bing commommity. Mr.
Barlow justly ranks among this class. He lived a quiet and unselfish life, and although unpreten- tious, del much toward promoting the interests of his a loptedl county, and advancing its worthy ch- terprises. The cause of church and school found in him a special friend. and the community, at his death. felt it had lost a worthy factor. At the age of sixteen years. he united with the Christian Church, and the upright life which he henceforth led, is well worthy of emulation. His wife is still living. and makes her home in Des Moines, where she has many warm friends. Like her husband, she delights in doing good. and is ever ready to extend a helping hand to the poor and needy.
ON. JOSHUA D. HATCH, who for many yours was identified with the history of Des Moines, was one of the representative men of the State. and a native of Vermont, born in Williamstown. Orange County. on the Isth of November. 1816. He was descended from one of the New England Puritan families through a line of ancestors who without exception were virtuous mon. Although none could boast of immense wealth they had suficient means to obtain the com- forts of life and though none became distinguished personages in history, all were respected by their neighbors and the community in which they lived. The family is noted for longevity and the Puritan principles which all have advocated. It is said that at the time of the settlement of New England, mem- bers of the Match family were very numerous in the mother country be the carty history is lost in antiquity. In all probability, however, they be- longed to the middle class of society, but it is cer- talely known that soon after the founding of the Plymouth Colony. Jeph Hatch left his home in Fugkoni and joined the Puritan band. Soon after- wind he purchased of the Indians the whole of the original township of Falmouth, situated on the Forthe rest of Vineyard Sound, in Hetstalde County, Mas At The death he left theme wow. Joseph Benjamin and Jonathan, and in all proba- bility scored daugthers survived him and from I'm
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family it is believed that all of the name of Hatch in the I'nited States have sprung. Asi Hatch. fa- ther of our subject. was born August 15. 1759. and served as a soldier during the Revolutionary War. He was three times married. his second wife being the mother of Joshua Il. By that marriage were born three sons and two daughters who lived to mature years, while two others died in infancy. All have now passed away however with the ex- ception of a brother who is living in Evansville. Ind.
Joshua II. Ilatch was the ellest of the family and upon his father's farm he remained until attaining his majority, spending his time in farm work and attendance at the common schools. He engaged in teaching school for two winters previous to his emi- gration to the West, which occurred about 1838, his location being Peoria. IN. In 1810, he removed to Rock Islaud County, and for five year, was em- ployed as a salesman in Moline. In that county he was married to Sarah A. Cook, the union being celebrated in Rock Island on the 9th of May. 1811. She is a daughter of Zachariah Cook, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this volume.
In 1850, Mr. Hatch was elected Mayor of Rock Island and served one term to the satisfaction of his entire constituency. Ile continue ? his residence . in that city until 1853, when attracted by the glit- tering prospects of the West he made his way to California, where he engaged in business umtil 1856. That year witnessed the arrival of himself and family in Des Moines and in the third of a century which has since elapsed. the people learned to know and appreciate him for his high worth and ability. Publie enterprises calculated to advance the gon- eral welfare ever found in him a ready supporter. He did much to aid in the progress and alvente- ment of the city and was also commented with its business interests, but of these we will speak further
Abbott of Des Moines; Annie ML .. born April 8, 1856, became the wife of Morton Pickering, and died July 1. 1882; Charles 11. born April 9, 1858. was drowned January 20, 1866, while skating on the Des Moines River. the ice breaking through and he perishing before help could reach him; Nettie B .. the youngest of the family. born Septem- ber 11, 1861, is the wife of Peter Bloom of this city.
For some time Mr. Hatch was engaged in the boot and shoe Irade as a partner of his son-in-law, W. A. Abbott, who served as captain during the Jate war. The many official positions which he sub- quently held, indicate his popularity and the fidel- ity displayed in the discharge of the many and important duties devolving upon him. Only four years after he became a resident of Des Moines he was elected to the State Senate and served for four years with credit to himself and satisfaction to all concerned, his district being Polk County, the cap- ital county of the State. Two years later, in 1864, he was again called from retirement to public life as the representative of bis district in the Lower House of the General Assembly and in 1869, he was elected Mayor of the city and re-elected in 1870. Subsequently he was appointed assistant clerk in the Forty-second Congress. The interests of the people he made his interests, when occupying a seat in the legislative halls of his adopted State, and with that object ever in view he gave careful consideration to every question or measure which came up for settlement, and was thus enabled to deposit an un- biased ballot. Ilis public and private life were alike above reproach. Jo politics. he was a Republican ; socially, he was a member of the Masonic order. He died at San Francisco, Cal., June 9, 1881.
OUN WEBER has been connected with many of the leading business interests of Des Moines. And has borse no inconsiderable part in. the advancement and progress made by this city. lle is of German birth, and a son of John Frederick Weleer. also a native of Germany. By occupation his father was a bortientturist. son!
A funily of eight children was born of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Hatch. two of whom diol in in- fatey. Emily J., boru April 10, 18 18, became the wife of A. W. C. Weeks. a soldier of the late var. mo residing in Winterset. Josa: George 1. Was bejn in Rock Island. Gelaber 31. 1851: Lenora .I .. born March 80. 1853. 1- the wife of Capt. W. A. i gave especial attention to the culture of grapes. a
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common industry in that part of Germany. Our subject was born in the town of legensberg, in the State of Wartemburg. September 7, 1837, and was one of seven children, all of whom are yet living. lle. however. is the only one who has left the fatherland and become a resident of America. In the autumn of 1851 he crossed the Atlantic, land- ing in New York. and at once proceeded to Me- dina County, Ohio, where were living two aunts, sisters of his mother. After a year spent in that neighborhood he continued his journey to linois. where he resided from 1855 until 1859, when he caine to Des Moines. Five years later he went to Montana, where he remained until 1869, during which time he viewed much of the country, and helped to found the town of Helena, now a city of considerable importance. He was fairly successful in his mining operations. but at length decided that Iowa was a more desirable piace of residence than the far West, and returned to this city. Va- rious occupations have engaged his attention sinve that time. He followed farming, and for a time owned and operated the Sevastopol Coal Mine. In 1880 be purchased what is known as the Na- tional Brewery, which he operated until recently. In 1885, in company with G. Van Ginkel. he built the Des Moines & Sevastopol line of street rail road, which they owned until 1883. when they sold to the Des Moines Street Railroad Company. Mr. Weber was also one of the incorporatots of the Broad Gauge Street Railroad of Des Moines, and up to within a year was always prominently con. nected with the street railroads of the city. owning a fourth interest in the same. In December. 1880, he parchased the street railroad at Atchison. Kan. which he still own- and operates. This inclu ly several branches, and the total length of this total is eight miles.
During his residence in Illinois Mr. Weber was joined in wedlock with Miss Louisa Woher. who. thangh of the same name, was no relation to him. Six children have been born of their union. two sons and four daughters. viz: Louise Wilhel- min . Helena (decra-el). John. William and Caro- line.
Mr. Weber is one of the representative men of Des Moines, where history is heep daily connected
with the record of the city's progress and advance- ment. Publie spirited and progressive. he is always willing and ready to aid in the work of improve- mont, and refuses his support to no worthy enter- prise. Courteous in manner, and gentlemanly in disposition he has many varia friends, both in business and social circles. and an extensive ac- quaintance bolls him in high esteem.
IDGE WILLIAM EDWARD MILLER, of Des Moines, one of the well-known pio. neers of Iowa, was born near the town of Mt. Pleasant. Westmoreland County. Pa .. October 18, 1823. His father. Samuel Miller. was born in Somerset County. that State, but when a child removed with his parents to Westmoreland County, where he was reared and became an active and prominent business mim. distinguished for his energy, public spirit and integrity, and ale for his zeal as a Methodist. of which church he became a member prior to his marriage, and to which he and his wife were ever faithfully attached. He removal from Mt. Pleasant. Pa .. to Johnson County. Iowa, in 1851, where he and his wife spent their remain- ing days.
Although in early life Judge Miller had not the advantage of a university course, he had a good English education obtained in the select schools of his early home, for the common school system of Pennsylvania feel not yet been established. In 1× 16. he hegan the systematic study of law, which for three years be applied himself to incessantly during his leisure hour- and at night. supporting himself and his family meantime by working at hi- trade as a moulder in his father's foundry. At the same time he also with diligence external hi- study of ancient end modern history as collateral with that of law, an I so captivated was h. by the charis of study, and so posessed did to become with the determinesion to meter the pron sion. that to him the d. Ale vek seined an treat hip. By the year 1859, the present construit of Pometh ana fel gone into efert with : more
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liberal code of laws. Previous to this time the office of Justice of the Peace in that commonwealth had been looked upon as well-nigh In reditary in certain families, and was at all events filled by appointment by the Governor, and in Mt. Pleasant had been hell for a half century by John E. Flom- ing with great acceptability to the people, but in this year the " Young American Party" elected Mr. Miller to the office as a tribute to his worth a> a rising and persevering young man, and as a mark of their approbation of his efforts in the face of great difficulties to master the abstruse science of jurisprudence. He had now become the most popular youth of the place, and his associates lav- islied upon bim most of their honors. Among other marks of distinction they conferred on him wie the title of Captain, by elveting and having him commissioned Captain of the "Jackson Blues," a military company, whose history covered a per- lod dating back to the South Carolina nullification troubles during the Presidency of Andrew Jackson. and which formed a part of the naiformed militia of the State.
From April, 1850, to September. 1852. Mr. Miller held the office of Justice of the Peace, at the same time pursuing more closely his law stud- ies, as the object of his an bition seemed nearer attainment. In the latter voor he doffed the jus- tice's ermine and the captain's cockade, and started with his family for fowa, making the journey by steamer Gom Pittsburg to Keokuk. and thence by stage to Jowa City, where he con his little flock arrived on the 10th of October. He was married on the Ist of August. 1844. to Miss Mary Robin- son, daughter of James Robinson. a prominent citizen of Payette County, Pa. They now have right children, four sous and four daughters. Two daughters. Mr-, William R. Herr and Mrs. Laura EMredge and W. E. Miller, Jr., reside in ( birago; James W. is living in Winter of, Iowa: Mrs. C. C. Fuller, Miss Grace and Dr. I. D. are living in this city ; and Albert G. makes hi- home in Cheelron, N.b.
On his arrival in I ot. City. Judge Miller found the fall term of the District Court over an ! upon consideration of this fact, and that the project of inmediato practice for a new young langer dil
not seem Hattering, together with his unacquaint- ance with the practice under the Iowa code. de cided him to defer for a time entering upon his profession and to accept the offer of the two lowa City papers. the Luca Republican and the Lara Capital Reporter. to report for them the proceed- ings of the Senate during the session of the Fourth General Assembly, then about to convene in Iowa City. At the spring term of the District Court for Johnson County. in May, 1853. he was ad- mitted to the bar and at once opened a law office in Iowa City. A tin shingle. attention to business, application to study and honorable conduct toward his clients, soon brought their rewards in patrons with gold in their hands, gave him local popularity. placed him in the front rank of the profession of his town. and finally laid that foundation on which his eminent reputation as a jurist now rosts. In August. 1951. on the ticket opposed to the Demo- cracy. he was elveted Prosecuting Attorney for Johnson County. a no despicable tribute to his popularity. for, with one other exception, all his associates on the ticket were defeated. The duties of his office he discharged for the full term of two years. In 1867 he was selected as one of the Republican candidates for Representative in the Legislature from the district then composed of lowa and Johnson Counties. but the Democrats, having received accessions of strength. their major- ity was too strong to be overcome by personal popularity. however great, and he was defeated.
At the October election of 1858. the first held maler the present constitution, Mr. Miller was elected Judge of the Eighth Judicial District, con- prising the counties of Benton. Cedar, Jowa, John- son. Jones. Linn and Tebe and entered upon the difficult and responsible der ies of the office on the Ist of January. 1859. At that time the court, were overwhelmed with business In his own district the cases on the calender had been accu- imilating for about three years, having been continued from term to term. He at once set him- self to work to clear the dockets in the seven counties of his district, and by persistent industry accomplished the task in the first two years of hi. term. Holding court in these days in Town. besides it - plodding, hard work. was sob wwhet fruitful in
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adventure, At that time none of the county seats in the Eighth District were accessible from any direction by railroad, except there of lowa and Johnson, and the Judge usually traveled in his own conveyance.
In 1862, after a service of nemily four years on the bench, in which the public were well and faithfully served, and the bar well satisfied. Andge Miller resigned the position to accept the Coloneley of the Twenty-eighth lowa Infantry, then organiz- ing at Camp Pope near Iowa City. The last year of his service as Judge was one of irksome re>- traint on his inclination. The martial spirit of every one was aroused, and it did not seem to him becoming that the former Captain of the "Jackson Blues" should dally at home over law decisions when the very foundation, not only of law but of constitutions. had been submitted to the dread arbitrament of the sword. For two months Col. Miller performed perhaps the most ardaons service that falls to a commander- to drill raw recruits under the shadow of their own eves. He did, however, with such tact as to gain their ap- planse without sacrificing discipline. In Novem- ber, with the Twenty-eighth he broke up camp and proceeded to Helena, Ark., in the environs of which he encamped with his regiment about the 20th of November. There he remained until spring, in what was denominated winter quarters. but he, with the whole or detachments of his regi- ment, made frequent expeditions in different direc- tions. It was a detachment of the Twenty-eighth with a detachment from the Eleventh Ohio, under command of a captain, that out the levee and allowed the waters of the Mississippi to rush ito the Yazoo Pass. which afterward become so fane as. The Twenty-eighth, with Col. Miller at its be . also formed a part of the expedition conananded by Gen. Gorman, which ascended White River in January. 18GB. Capt. Start. in his - Iowa Colo- nels and Regiments." in speaking of this campaign. says:
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" If on this expedition Col. Miller and his Mai- ment won little distinction it was A cause no way. sion offered. One thing is outsin, that the hardships and exposures attendin . the moveland were hardly ever equalled. The weather was cold.
and it rained and snowed by turns almost inces- santly. Scores contracted disease at that time. which totally disabled them for further service."
The arduous service and exposures experienced in this expedition laid the foundation of that disease which finally compelled Col. Miller. on the entreaty of friends and the recommendation of surgeons, to resign and come home. in March, 1863, the alternatives presented being certain death there and the possibility of recovery at home. His constitution was very much impaired.and it was not until long after the war that it recovered its pristine strength.
In the spring of 1864. Judge Miller's health having been partially renewed. he resumed hushiess as a legal practitioner in lowa City, and about this time began to prepare "A Treatise on Pleading and Practice in Actions and Special Proceedings at Law and Equity in the Courts of lowa. under the Revis- ion of 1860." the Grst edition of which was pub- lished in 1868, and. though a large one. has already been exhausted, and a new one. revised to meet the changes resulting from recent legislation, being called for, is now in conse of publication-the best evidence of the appreciation by the bar of the worth of the work. In 1880, he also made a re- visions of the code and statutes of the State, anno- tated from the dori-ions of the Supreme Court. and in 1888 revised and annotated a new edition of the same work. He also prepared, in 1888. a work upon the "Low of Highways. Bridges ou .. " and in 18:3 a work opon the "Practice in the Probate Court," a practical work as a guide and helper in the settlement of the estates of deceased persons and guardianship of minors. etc. In 1881. in connection with Jo'ze Field. be prepared the work. "Federal Practice." All of these works have heen and are yet published by the Mills Publish- ing Company of Des Moines.
In 1868. Mr. Miller was again called to the beach by an election as Jeder of the Circuit Court in the Eighth Judicial District. entering open the dis. charge of his duties in January. 169. The ex- perience gained while acting as District Judge and later se Chtenit Jedre. the approbation with which his decisions were received by the bar and the pub- lie, the adment uniform in exper ement they met by
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