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 44
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On the 17th of December, 1863, Dr. Fuller was married to Miss Charlotte T. Phillips, daughter of William Phillips, a pioneer of Jackson County, lowa. The lady was one of the first white children born in that. county, her birth having occurred hear Maquoketa. in 1839. They have become the parents of three children, two of whom are living: Benjamin, a student of Des Moines College and Edith S. Minnie E., their first born, died in 1881, at the age of fifteen years. She was a most amiable worthy girl and gave promise of a bright future. Iler early death was the greatest affliction that the parents have ever been called upon to endure.
Socially, Dr. Fuller is a leading member of the Masonie order and has been prominently identified with the higher degrees of that brotherhood. le was recorder of Temple Commandery. No. 4, K. T. for three years and later was elected Generalissimo. or second in command and when the conclave of Knight Templars was held in San Francisco in 1883. owing to the inability of the Commander to attend. the Doctor, as second officer, bad command of the pilgrimage from Des Moines to the conclave on the Pacific Coast. He is a gentleman of culture and refinement. His carly advantages for education were more than ordinary and with that excellent foundation to build upon he has made his life a successful one. He has been prominently connected with the educational and religious growth of the city and he and his wife are faithful and consistent members of the First Baptist Church, in which the Doctor served as Deacon for ten years. He is now
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Chairman of the Board of Trustees and is also Vice-President of the Des Moines College Board of Trustees. In his political views he is identified with the Republican party. For the long period of thirty-seven years Dr. Fuller has been a resident of Des Moines, or its immediate vicinity, and has been a witness and participant in the remarkable growth, progress and advancement that those years have brought about. His reputation as a worthy, upright and progressive citizen attests the esteem in which he is held by all.
ACOB W. RANDOLPH, druggist and phar- macist of Des Moines, has been engaged in business in that line in this city since 1866. He first located on the corner of East Sixth and Locust Streets. That corner was then covered with brush, and with his brother-in-laws. William J. Hamer, and John Wooley, he engaged in the mer- cantile business. . His partners, however, were as- sociated in business with Mr. Randolph but a short time, when they retired. Both are now residents of Kansas. Our subject remained at his first loca- tion about three years, and then retired from mer- cantile business, devoting his energies to various occupations for some six years. At the expiration of that time he opened a drug-store on the north- east corner of East Fifth and Loenst Streets, where he has carried on business continuously since.
The life record of Mr. Randolph is as follows: he was born in Warren County, Ohio. in 1831, and his father. John Randolph was a native of the same county. He was born and lived on the farm where his death occurred in Angu-t. 1889, at the age of eighty-four years. His father, the grandfather of our subject. was a native of Kentucky, and an early pioneer of Warren County. Ohio. The family is of the same line of descent as the famous John Randolph, of Virginia, who claimed descent from Pocahontas. the celebrated daughter of the noted Indian chief Powhatian. The mother of Mr. Ran- dolph was, in her maidenhood Ellen Weaver. She Was a native of Pennsylvania, and died at the okl
homestead in Ohio, in July, 1888, at the advanced age of seventy-eight years.
John Randolph and wife were the parents of nine children. Two of the number died in child- hood, but the remaining seven, consisting of four sons and three daughters, grew to mature years. The surviving members of the family in 1890 are: Rebecca. the eldest. who resides in Warren County. Ohio; Jacob W., whose name heads this sketeb; David a resident of St. Louis, Mo .; and John, who makes his home in Guthrie County, Jowa. The deceased members of the family who grew to ma- ture years were Mrs. Mary Brown ; James, and Mrs. Alvia Rieker.
Jacob W. Randolph, our subject, was reared to manhood on his father's farm, and in his youth divided his time between work upon the farm and attendance at the common school, where he ac- quired a good English education. Remaining un- der the parental roof until twenty-two years of age, he then left home and went to Ilinois, where he re- mained from 1857 until 1866, a period of nine years. During that time he became acquainted with Miss Kate Wooley, a native of Illinois, and a daughter of Lewis Wooley. The friendship of the young couple ripened into love, and they were mar- ried, and in 1866 came to Des Moines. By their union have been born four children, two sons and two daughters-Minnie, Frank, Nellie, and Milo. The latter was accidentally drowned in the Des Moines River in 1887.
Mr. Randolph is one of the leading druggists of - the city. By courteous treatment to his customers and prompt attendance to their wants, he has built up a good trade, and has thereby secured a com- petence which numbers him among the substantial residents of the city. He has many excellencies of character worthy of emulation, and is a worthy citi- zen, publie-spirited and progressive.
OIIN W. M. CLURE, loan agent and dealer in real estate, merchandise and live stock of Des Moines, is one of the most extensive property owners in the county. He was horn in St. Louis, Mo .. July 7, 1847. and is the
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third child of Alvin and Juda (Tapp) MeClure, both of whom were natives of Ohio, the former of Scotch descent, the latter born of Scotch and Ger- man parentage. When children they were taken by their parents to Knox County. Il .. where they became acquainted and were married. After some years they removed to St. Louis, where the father died of cholera in 1819. He was a mechanic by trade and labored long and earnestly for the inter- ests of his family, Imt was taken from them when our subject was a babe of less than two years. His widow afterwards returned to Knox County, Ill .. and is now living in the city of Galesburg, Il. In their family were four children, two sons and two daughters.
On the death of his father, as the mother could not provide for her family, John W. Mcclure, our subject, was given in charge of Alex Sornborger. a farmer of Knox County, HI., who as far as possible supplied a father's place to the boy, rearing him to habits of industry and uprightness and affording him such educational advantages as could be ac- quired in the district schools. John found with him a good home until twenty-one years of age. when having attained to man's estate he started out for himself. He chose for a companion and help- mate on life's journey Miss Sarah Spencer, a native of Otsego County, N. Y., who with her parents re- moved to Ilinois when a child. Their union was celebrated on the 21st of November, 1868, and unto them has been born an interesting family of four children: Rena M., Ruby W .. Nathaniet F. and Meta.
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Mr. MeClure and his wife are both members of the Evangelical Church. in which he holds the office of Trustee. Having engaged in farming in Illinois until 1871. he then brought his tunily to lowa. lo- cating in Madison County, where he followed the same pursuit for nine years, when in Is50, he em- barked in merchandising, to which business he de- voted his energies for the succeeding five years. Since his arrival in Des Moines he has been cil- gaged in the real estate business and is meeting with excellent success. From time to time he bas invested his carnings in property and is now the owner of lands in Texas, Nebraska, Kana an lowa. in all amounting to fourteen hundred and
eighty acres. He may truly be called a self- made man for without capital or the aid of influential friends he began life, overcoming all difficulties by his determined will. enterprise and ability, until he is now numbered among those who occupy posi- tions of affluence.
LERED HENRY MeVEY, a member of the law firm of Cole, MeVey & Clark. is an honored representative of the bar of Des Moines. He is a native of Fayette County, Ohio, and is descended from an old and well-to-do family, being of Scotch descent on the paternal side and of English on the maternal. The MeVey family was founded in America during Col- onial days, about the middle of the seventeenth cen- tury, his ancestors being among the Scotch-Irish emigrants of that name who crossed the waters, and settled in Washington County. Pa., in 1654.
Our subject received his elementary education in the conmion schools of his native State, and after- ward he entered the Southwestern Normal School at Lebanon, Ohio, where he was prepared for col- lege. While but a youth he was noted for his studious habits and before leaving the common schools was familiar with a wide range of English literature. When a mere boy be entered the vol- uniteer service, becoming a member of the Seventy- Ninth Ohio Infantry, and when his term had expired be resumed his studies, entering the Ohio Wesleyan U'niversity at Delaware in 1864. Having completed the classical course of that institution, which is the same as that of Harvard and Yale Col- leges, le was graduated in 1868. While in college, although in all things a good student. he was es- pecially marked for his literary attainments, and was considered the best debater and writer in the University. Hisability and scholarship resulted in his election as a tutor in the university. but he resigned that position to enter upon the practice of law, which in the meantime he had devi led to make his life work.
Mr. Me Voy is also a graduate from the law school of the Cincinnati College, one of the oblet and
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best las schools west of the Alleghanies. Having prepared himself for the legal profession, in 1809, he opened a law office in Wilmington, Ohio, and immediately took rank among the abjest members of the bar in that section of the State, cvincing un- usual ability both in presenting his case to the jury. and in arguments addressed to the bench. Three Jours later, in February. 1872. he opened an office in Toledo, Ohio, and removing to that city there continued his residence until January, 1883. Ilis Abilities immediately won recognition and he soon secured a good general practice in the local courts, but he there more particularly de- voted himself to professional duties in the United States, courts and in addition to his forensic efforts he has for some years devoted the time. usually termed leisure, to anthorship, and is the author of several professional works of merit. Ile is the anthor of MeVey's Ohio Digest, published in 1875. consisting of two large octavo volumes. This work has been highly commended by the press and pro- fession and within seven months after its first ap- poarance it had reached a third edition. While in Toledo, Mr. MeVey was for some years employed as general counsel for the Toledo, Cincinnati & St. Louis Railroad Company, and gave considerable at- tention to insurance and corporation law.
Accompanied by his wife, whose maiden name was Anna Holmes, a daughter of the Rev. Wil- liam Holmes, and a direet lineal descendant of the Rev. Obadiah Holmes, who settled in Salem, Mass .. in 1699, and was one of the founders of the Baptist Church in America, Mr. MeVey, having signed his position as general counsel for the railroad company, came to Des Moines in JJanuary, 1883, having shortly before formed a co-partner- ship with Judge C. C. Cole and Capt. J. S. Clark. From its organization this firm has been one of the leading law firms in the State of lowa, its mem- hers all being men of professional merit and ability. They have the largest insurance clientage in the West, and have as large a general practice as any law firm in lowa. Mr. MeVey has had charge of a large part of the litigation of this firm. As a lawyer he is distinguished for superior natural ability and judicial talent. His life has always been a busy one, and in the practice of his profession he is es.
pecially noted for the conscientious regard for the interests of his clients, in a careful. painstaking preparation of his enses and uniform candor and honesty. By the strictest integrity and keen sense of professional honor he has won and retained the confidence of the people. Mr. MeVey is a thorough scholar, a man of large and varied reading, and whose general information is extensive and accu- rate. Ile hasa decided taste for general literature and has one of the largest and best selected mis- cellaneous libraries in the State, and few men have a greater knowledge of books and literature. Mr. MeVey has never been a candidate for any office, appointive or selective, but has always taken. a deep interest in public affairs. In person he is tall and well proportioned, while his countenance be- trays the man of thought and great enpacity for mental work.
ILLIAM YOUNG HUME. a representa- live farmer of Bloomfield Township, was born in Shapinsay, Scotland, Angust 21, 1830, and is a son of William Hume. His boy- hood days were spent in his native land, where he learned the stonemason's trade, and at the age of twenty years he emigrated to America. with the intention of trying his fortune in the New World. He made his first location in Canada, settling in Argentueil County, in the Province of Quebec, where he became acquainted with and married Miss Martha Dorrman. daughter of Peter Dorrman, September 17, 1855. She is also a native of Scot- land, born in Glasgow March 1, 1836, and emi- grated to Canada about the same time that her husband took up his residence in that country. Their union was blessed with a family of nine children, five sons and four daughters-Thomas, the eldest, died in infancy; Mary is now the wife of George Grayson, of Des Moines; Annie 1, is a resident of the Capital City; John T., whose sketch is given below, is Chief Clerk in the office of the Adjutant General of lowa; Martha; Will- im P., Janet Il. and George and James, twin .. died in infancy.
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The year 1870 witnessed the arrrival of Mr. llame and his family in Polk County, As : mason he aided in laying the fist stones for the foundation of the present State Capitol, and was aiso employed at other important works. He con- timed work at his trade in Des Moines until Au- gust, 1877, when he was seriously injured in the terrible railroad accident that happened at Four Mile Creek, just east of the city, on the Chicago. Rock Island & Pacific Railroad, which was a see- ond Ashtabula affair. Seventeen people were killed and thirty injured, Mr. Hume among the latter number. His spine was so seriously injured that he has never since been able to pursue his usual occupation. In 1881 he removed to a farm in Bloomfield Township, where he now makes his home, devoting his attention to its care and culti- vation.
Mr. Hume is a Republican in politics, and a strong advocate of prohibitory law. Prom carly life his sympathies have been enlisted with the temperance cause, and he has ever labored for its advancement, Religiously, he and his wife, and also their children, are members of the United Presbyter- ian Church. Mr. Hume has lived a useful and indus- hious life. U'pright and strictly conscientious in all his dealings, he has observed the Golden Rule and his Christian obligations with a fidelity consis- tent with his carly instructions and the strict relig- ious views of maturer years.
OLEN T. HE ME, Chief Clerk in the office of the Adjutant General of lowa, was born in Argentueil County, Province of Quebec, Canada, October 27, 1863, and in May, 1871, came to Des Moines with his parents, William Y. and Martha (Dorrman) Hume, a sketch of whom
appears on another page of this work. Our subject was educated in the city schools, and on the com- pletion of his school life was employed as messenger in the State service from 1878 outil 1881. In June, 1882, be entered the National Guard service of lowa as a private of Company A, Third Regiment,
was pornoted to the rank of corporal, November 15. 1882, was made Second Lieutenant, July 30, 1885, and on the 20th of March. 18SG, was com. missioned First Lientenant. His next promotion occurred on the 24th of March following, when he was meule Adjutant of the Third Regiment; on the 16th of May, 1888, he resigned. He was elected as Captain of Company A. Third Regiment, on Feb- ruary 4, 1889; May 21, 1890, he was appointed Assistant Inspector General of the First Brigade. and in every way he has proved himself capable of discharging the duties of the office. Since October, 1881, he has been employed in the Adjutant Gon- eral's office, and for three years discharged the du- ties of Ordinance Sergeant. He was appointed as Chief Clerk in 1881, and as in his other offices, has gained popularity on account of his fidelity and promptness in the discharge of every task.
In political sentiment, Mr. Hume is a Repub- lican, having supported that party since attaining his majority. He takes considerable interest in civie societies, being a member of Myrtle Lodge. No. 9. K. of P., and to Diamond Division. No. 4. In 1889 he was appointed Assistant Adjutant Gen- cral of the lowa Brigade, Uniformed Rank of Knights of Py thias, and is an active worker. Mr. llume possesses a natural love for military affairs. and has taken an active interest in everything per- taining to the lowa National Guards.
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C 4 YRUS H. KEELEY. Postmaster of Mitchell- ville, has been a resident of Polk County for the continuons period of seventeen yours. He was born in Madison County, IB., on the 13th of hume, 183s. and is a son of Jesse and Maryte. ( Whittaker) Keeley, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania. By occupation his father was a blacksmith and carried on that business near Car- rollton. I .. for a number of years, until finding that that work was too laborious for one of his age he turned his attention to farming. He owned a farm of two hundred and forty aeres, eighty of which was timber land and continued its cultivation until 1868, when he moved to Greenfield, III. His
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derth occurred in March. 1883. His wife, the mother of our subject, died in 1813, leaving three children: Daniel S., who served as a soldier in the Sixty-first Illinois Infantry during the war as First Lientenaid, Captain and Major, but is now deceased : Cyrus II., of this sketch ; and Charles W .. a soldier in Company F, Seventy third Illinois Infantry. a resident of Eldred, I. Mr. Keeley was again mar- sind in 1811, his second union being with Celissa Curry. by whom he had four children: dossie, of Grand Island. Neb .; JJacob and John. deceased; and Ellen, wife of d. H. Entrekin, a resident of Green- field, Il .; the mother died in 1872.
Cyrus W. Kelley spent but two years of his life in his native county. the family moving to Greene County, Ill. The days of his boyhood and youth were spent upon his father's farm and in the district schools of the neighborhood he acquired his educa- tion. At the age of twenty-two years he left home to enter the service of his country. He enlistedin the mouth of Angust. 1861, at Carrollton, Il., in Company F, First Missomi Cavalry, and with his connand, went to Jefferson Barracks. Mo., where they recruited. During their stay at the latter place the battle of Wilson's Creek was fought Au- gust 10, 1861. The First Missouri Cavalry were next ordered to Benton Barracks, back of St. Louis. where the troops were equipped for duty, and were employed in drilling and in dress parades, Gen. Fremont being in command. From Benton Bar- racks they were ordered to Tipton, War-aw, and on to Springfield, Gen. David Hunter, now command- ing. Springfield was captured and held for a time, but the Confederate retreat was not followed up. The Union troops were next ordered to Rolla, Mo., and scouting parties sent to Salom, Eminence, and Bolivar, Gen. Samuel R. Curtis. now being in command of the Department of the Missouri. The army moved again in the direction of Springfield, halting a few days cach at the Gasconade River and at Lebanon. On approaching Springfield, the enemy was encountered muler Gen. Price, but the city was recaptured by Gen. Curtis, February 13, 1862. Gen. Price retreating into Arkansas, the I'nion troops followed him to Sugar Creck, where a skirmish occurred, they losing a number of horses and several men, both killed and wounded.
The enemy continued the retreat. the I'nion troops following to Cross Hollows, then going into camp. on the north side of Sugar Creek. Gen. Prive now being reinforced by Gens. Van Dorn, McIntosh. and Pike, surrounded Gen. Curtis army during the night of February 7, and the battle of Pea Ridge was begun by Gen. Curtis at sunrise the 8th and ended during the forenoon of March 9, 1862, by the I'nion troops gaining a complete victory, Gen. Price losing two Generals, McCulloch and MeIn- tosh. After participating in the battle of Pea Ridge, Mr. Keeley was taken sick with typhoid fever and remained in the hospital at Caseville until his recovery. Hle then rode a distance of two hundred miles on horseback to Batesville, Ark., where he rejoined his regiment. He served until 1861. when he returned to Carrollton, Ill., being mustered out with the rank of Second Lieutenant.
On his retinn from the war. Mr. Keeley com- meneed work on a farm in Macon County, Ill .. where he remained three years, when in the spring of 1865, be rented a farm in the same county, which he operated two seasons until his marriage in 1870. the lady of his choice being Miss Lavina Bough- man, of Medina County, Ohio. He then rented the old homestead and carried on agricultural pur- suits until 1873. when he came to lowa, locating temporarily in Mitchellville. Shortly afterwards he purchased one hundred and eighty acres of hund on section 25. Beaver Township, and after erecting a honse and making other needed preparations he ro- moved with his family to the farm, where he con- tiuned to make his home until 1886. During that time he added many improvements and placed the entire amount of land under a good state of culti- vation. He then rented and came to Mitchellville. where he has since resided. As a citizen he is pub- lie-spirited and progressive and takes an active part in everything that tends to advance the best inter- ests of the community. Since affrining his major- ity be has supported the principles of the Republican party, and in May, 1889, was appointed Postmaster of Mitchellville. He has proved himself a capabile and popular officer and is faithful to every duty imposed upon him. Socially, he is a member of the Masonic Folge and the Commander of a Po-t in the Grand Army of the Republic. He and his
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wife are members of the Congregational Church. Three children have been born to this worthy couple but. Sarah, the only daughter and the chest child, is now deceased. John A. is assistant postmaster and Edwin S. is still at home.
C ONRAD YOUNGERMAN, one of the most prominent contractors and builders in the capital city of lowa. is of German birth. In Hesse-Cassel, Germany. on the 13th of Decem- ber. 1833. he first saw the light of day. His par- ents were Heury and Anna (Sonnenshein ) Younger- man. The original spelling of the family name of our subject was Jungermann, which he changed to the present mode on coming to America in order to preserve the correct pronunciation. When he was eight years of age the death of his father of- curred. but he was tenderly cared for by his most estimable mother, who now at the age of eighty- tive, is a member of his household. When his school life was over Conrad was apprenticed to the stonecutter's trade, at which he served the usual 'erm, and further perfected himself by a year's travel and work in distant cities, in accordance with the custom of his country. which required all mechanies and tradespeople to have spent at least one year, known as the "Wanderyahr". in travel and work in the cities of foreign countries before establishing business for themselves. While working as a journeyman, the desire came to him to try his fortune in the new world. Leaving home on New Year's day 1>5 1. he embarked at Bremen for America. reaching New York May 5. of the sinne year. after a voyage of ninety days, during which time he suffered all the discomforts incident to such a journey.
Being without money Mr. Youngerman at once began seeking for employment and at length en- gaged work at a brickyard at Haverstraw, N. Y., where he remained for two months, canning money enough to continue his journey to Byria. Lorain County. Ohio, where he worked at his trade, thereby acquiring sufficient capital to permit his taking a very important step in hte. On the 11th of Septem-
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