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 49
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ATRICK HOEY, who resides on section 31, Bloomfield Township, and makes farming his principal occupation, was born on the 20th of March, 1813, in County Louth, Ireland, where for several generations remote his ancestors had resided. His grandfather. Lawrence Hoey, there spent his days in agricultural pursuits, and his father was born in that community about the year 1806. Having attained to mature years, Patrick Hoey, Sr., was united in marriage with Eliza Traynor, a native of the same county, and in 1819, emigrated with his family, consisting of wife, two sons and four daughters, to America. He made his first settlement near Keokuk, Iowa, and was engaged in work on the Mississippi River, and in quarrying stone. In 1851, he came to Polk County, settling in Somerset, in March of that year, but after following farming for two years. he re- moved to Winterset, Madison County, where he engaged in the same occupation for the same period. Returning to this county in 1855, he settled on see- tion 31, Bloomfield Township. where he engaged in agricultural pursuits until his death in 1876. Ile was a devoted member of the Catholic Church, and by those who knew him, was regarded as a useful and upright citizen.
Since the age of twelve years, our subject has to- sided upon the farm which is now his home. He had passed but six summers when with his family he crossed the Atlantic to America. They landed
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at New Orleans in February of 1819, and pro- ceeded up the Mississippi River to Keokuk, Iowa. becoming permanent settlers of Polk County, in 1855, when Mr. Hoey, Sr., entered eighty acres of land from the Government, and purchased two hundred and sixty acres at $10 jor aere. Our sub- jeet was reared to the occupation of farming. and the turmoil of commercial eireles form no attrac- tion for him. He determined to follow in the foot- steps of his father, and devotes his entire attention to farming, the handling of grain and stock-raising. He keeps on hand the best grade of horses, cattle. and hogs, having some of the finest specimens in the county. He began life for himself as a day laborer, but has steadily worked his way upward, and as the result of his industry, economy and good management, he has succeeded in accumulating a moderate fortune. He received no special advan- tages in his youth, his education being acquired in the common schools, but he has made the most of every opportunity, and as the result has one of the best farms in the township. His mother still makes her home with him, and both are members of the Catholic Church, to which Mr. Hoey is a liberal contributor. In politics he supports the Demo- cratie party. Ilis residence in this county covers almost forty years, and in consequence he has been a witness of the greater part of its growth and de- velopment.
HOMAS STILWELL, general farmer and stock-raiser residing on section 5, Wash- ington Townshop, was born in Schuyler County, N. Y., January 26, 1832, and is a son of Jacob and Elizabeth ( Quick ) Stilwell. His father was a native of New Jersey, and went to Tomp- kins County. N. Y. (of which Schuyler County was formerly a part), when a child with his father. James Stilwell, who served in the Revolutionary War, and was wounded in one of the engagements. while faithfully fighting for the liberty of the land. The family was of Welsh origin. Jacob Stilwell was by trade a carpenter. mol also engaged in
farming on a small scale in the Empire State. In Schuyler County he passed to his final rest. about the year 1866. His wife, who long survived him, died in 1885, at a ripe old age. Both were con- sistent members of the Methodist Church, and their upright lives made them greatly respected. They became parents of cleven children, ten of whom grew to manhood and womanhood, while nine are yet living: Catherine, wife of Noah Lyon, of Cayuga County, N. Y .; James, who died after attaining to mature years; Sarah E., wife of Henry Dickerson, a farmer in Schuyler County, N. Y .; Matilda, widow of William Bowers, of Schuyler County; Martha Q., wife of Cornelius Warren, of the same conty; John G., who served in the Twelfth New York Infantry, and is now living in Schuyler County ; Thomas, of this sketch ; Spencer C., who served in the Ninth Heavy Artillery, of New York; Andrew Q., a farmer of Cayuga County ; Lewis of Schuyler County ; and one child who died in infancy.
The early training of our subject was such as he received in the public schools and upon his father's farm. He remained under the parental roof until twenty-one years of age, when he bade good-by to his home and started out in life for himself, work- ing as a farm hand, at. from $12 to $16 per month. Believing that he could better his financial condi- tion in the West, in January, 1855, he emigrated to lowa and, locating in Van Buren County, began working as a farm hand but, in the spring of 1856, went to Scotland County, Mo., where he entered eigthy acres of land. The following fall. how- over, he returned to Van Buren County. and on the 13th of October, 1856, was united in marriage with Miss Lydia 1. Ayers, a native of Fayette County, Pa .. who removal to Van Buren County with her parents in 1858. Her father died in that county, and her mother's death occured near MI.
After bis marriage. Mr. Stilwell engaged in farming until February, 1>61, when he culisted in Company B. Third Towa Cavalry, for three years. and was mustered into the service at Keokuk. wheure he was sent to St. Louis and on to Tenues- see. The first summer the regiment was engaged in scouting duty in Mississippi. participating in
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the Guntown raid. and the battle at Tupelo oppos- ing Gen. Forrest through Mississippi and Tennessee. the following winter, under command of Gen. Greirson, the dashing cavalry leader, they pro- ceeded on to Vicksburg, and thence up the Missis- sippi River to Cairo, and up the Ohio to Lonisville, Ky. In the spring of 1865, they joined the expedition under Gen. Wilson. and made their way through Alabama and Georgia. tak- ing part in a number of skirmishes, arriving at Macon about the time of Lee's surrender. During the summer of 1865. they were in the vicinity of Atlanta, doing gnard duty, or maintaining order throughout the county. In August, 1805, the Third Cavalry was mustered out at Atlanta, Ga., and subsequently discharged at Davenport. lowa.
Immediately after the close of the war, Mr. Stil- well returned to his home in Van Baren County. where he again devoted his attention to farming until 1869, when he traded his property in that county for two hundred and forty acres of will land, which he later exchanged for his present farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 5, Washington Township. At that time only forty acres hendl been broken, but weck affer week saw the - mount of cultivated land increased until the en- tire amount was converted into rich and fertile fields, paying a golden tribute to the care and li- bor which the owner bestowed upon them. The beautiful maple grove which surrounds his home, and attracts the notice of every passer by, was planted and tended by his own band, and long after he shall have passed away, will stand as a monument to his thrift and industry. He is re- garded as one of the enterprising and progressive farmers and stock-raisers of the community, and is On the 7th of November. 1889, Mr. Weaver led to the marriage altar Miss Fay M. Atkins, a dangh- ter of C. B. Atkins, of this city, where their union was celebrated, and a native of Glenwood, lowa. recognized as a man of sterling worth. He has been honored with all the township offices. and for a mimber of years past has served as Township Trustee. To one acquainted with Mr. Stilwell. it i- needless to say that his publie duties have ever In politics, Mr. Weaver is independent. voting for principle rather than party. He is a member of Myrtle Lodge, No. 9. K. P .. and is the present Secretary of the Central lowa Alumni Association. Ile was also President of the Des Moines Invest- ment Company in 1889, and at this writing is a heen discharged in a prompt and faithful manner. as is every trust reposed in him. Socially, he is a member of the Masonic fraternity and the Grand Army of the Republic, and in politics is au inflexi- De adherent to Republican principles. Both he and his wife are members of the Baptist Church. | Director and Vice-President of the same corpora-
Their household is noted for its hospitality, and in the social world they are held in high regard.
To this worthy couple were born seven children. but the oldest four died in infancy ; Dora E., the fifth in order of birth. is a teacher in the public schools of Maxwell, lowa, and is recognized as one of the able educators of the county and where- ever her services have been employed she has given general satisfaction ; Annie M. is also a suc- cessful teacher and is employed in the schools of this county : Katie, who completes the family, is still with her parents.
AMES B. WEAVER. JR., is the junior member of the law firm of Gatch, Connor & Weaver, He was born in Bloomfield, Davis County, Iowa. on the 19th of August, 1861. and is a son of the Hon. James B. and Clara (Vin- son) Weaver. The subject of this sketch was con- cated in the Normal School of Bloomfield. and having determined to made the practice of law his life work. was graduated from the law department of the State I'niversity in the class of June, 1882. Hle established himself in practice in Des Moines during the following August, and in 1883 formed a law partnership with Col. C. I. Gatch. under the firm name of Gatch & Weaver. They continued practice together until the fall of 1885, when on the retirement of Judge William Connor from the bench, that gentleman became a member of the firm and the style was changed to Gatch, Connor & Weaver.
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tion. The law firm of which Mr. Weaver is the junior member is one of the ahlest in the city. Col. Gatch, the present State Senator, and Judge Connor. late District Indge. have established reputations as able lawyers, while the younger member of the firm. by his ability and industry, is fast gaining promineree among the newer representatives of the Polk County har.
ALLIAM W. PHILLIPS, ex-County Attor- ney of Polk County, has been engaged in the practice of the legal profession in East Des Moines since 1868, and is one of the most prominent members of the bar of this city. His professional career has been a successful one, and he maintains an honorable standing at the bar of Polk County.
Mr. Phillips is a native of the Buckeye State, having been born in Carrollton, Carroll County, on the 13th of March, 1810. His father, Alexan- der Phillips, who was a native of Cadiz, Harrison County, Ohio, married Catherine Duvall, and when their son William W., was about eight years of age removed to Findlay. Hancock County, in the same State, where the father died in September, 1876. llis wife still survives him. The maternal grandmother of our subject. Mrs. Mary Duvall. who was born in 1790, died January 26. 1890, in the one hundredth year of her age. To Mr. and Mrs. Phillips were born nine children who grew to mature years, four sons and five daughters, all of whom are residents of Findlay. Ohio, with the ex- ception of our subject. They are: Jantes K., Theo- dore. Leroy, Mrs. Martha Schoonover. Mrs. Saman- tha Cox, Mrs. Caroline MeConell. Mary F. and Alice.
William W. Phillips, whose name heads this notice. was reared on a farm near Findlay, Ohio. He attended the public schools, and was about to enter Oberlin College when the excitement atten- ing the War of the Rebellion. then in progress. aroused his patriotie impulses and led him to en- list, in August. 1862, as a member of company D, Ninety-ninth Ohio Infantry, in which he served
until the close of the war. He took part in many of the most important engagements of that strug- gle. At the battle of Stone River the Ninety- ninth lost so heavily that it no longer continued a separate organization, but was consolidated with the Fiftieth Ohio. Mr. Phillips also took part in the famous battle of Chatumooga and the Atlanta campaign, and then served under Gen. Thomas in the Nashville campaign. After the destruction of the Confederate Army under Gen. Hood by the forces commanded by Gen. Thomas, the regiment was transferred to Ft. Fisher. by way of Washing- ton and the Atlantic, and rejoined the army under Gen. Sherman at Goldsborough, N. C., but the war soon after ended by the surrender of the armies under Lee and Johnston to Gens. Grant and Sher- man. Mr. Phillips was mustered out with his command at Camp Dennison, Ohio. in August, 1865. He was a faithful sollier in the service of his country for three years, and during that long period was not confined in the hospital a single day, but was always found at his post of duty, valiantly defending the country's canse.
As Mr. Phillips entered the service before his education was completed, when he returned from the war he entered a commercial school at Oska- loosa, lowa, from which he was graduated in the class of '67. In the meantime he had fully re- solved to adopt the law as his profession, and to this end entered the office of Lacey & Shepherd. of Oskaloosa, but soon afterward came to Des Moines and attended the law school in this city. In the spring of 1868 he was admitted to the bar, and shortly afterward opened an office in East Des Moines, where he has since practiced his profession. He has been engaged in practice longer than any other man in this part of the city. Soon after it entered upon his business career he became aso- ended with 1. G. Bannister. which connection con- tinned about ten years, when on account of failing health Mr. Bannister withdrew from the firm and retired from law practice. He died in Des Moines not long after. On the dissolution of the partner- ship the firm of Phillips & Conrad was formed. the partner being W. F. Conrad, who is the present District Judge. In 1881 Mr. Phillips withdrew from the firm and went to Tennessee for the benefit.
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of his health, discontinuing his practice for about a year, at the end of which time he returned and has since been alone in business.
In Findlay, Ohio, Mr. Phillips led to the mar- ringe altar Miss Mary M. Taylor, a native of Cadiz. Harrison County, who removed with her parents to Findlay when a child. Her father. Thomas II. Taylor, died many years ago, and her mother. Mrs. Nancy Taylor, departed this life in October. 1888. at the age of eighty-six years. The husband was one of fourteen children, and his wife belonged to a family of ten children. Unto them were born two sons and three daughters, namely : Dr. Wallace, Mrs. Phillips, Catherine, William and Nancy. The wife of our sunijeet is the only member of the fam- ily residing in lowa. Mr. and Mrs. Phillips are parents of four sons-Harvey T., Frank W., Will. iam W. and Carl 11.
In politics, Mr. Phillips affiliates with the Repub- liean party. He filled the office of County Attor- ney of Polk County in 1887 and 1888 in the most acceptable manner to all concerned. A loyal, citi- zen, a prominent lawyer, and a faithful defender of his country during her days of peril, are titles which apply to Mr. Phillips, and justly entitle him to a representation in this volmine.
U RIAH BURR WINTE, one of the most highly respected citizens, and early set- tlers of Polk County, who a few months since was called to his final rest. was born in Now- mk. Com., on the 8th of February, 181t, and in his native city grew to manhood. In his youth he had not even the advantages of the public schools, but acquired his education in the subscription schools, and from an early age made his own way in the world. When a lad of sixteen years he was apprenticed to the carpenter's and joiner's trade and served a term of four years, receiving his board and clothing as a compensation for his la- bors. For the purpose of engaging in business, in 1833 he went to Tarrytown. N. Y., that place unde celebrated by Irving's "Sleepy Hollow," and becoming acquainted with Miss Mary Warren, was
united in marriage to that estimable lady on the with his young bride to Warren, Trumbull County. Ohio, then one of the Western States, where they made their home for almost a quarter of a century. Mr. White took an active interest in all public affairs calculated to benefit the community, and was one of the organizers of the first school in the township where he located. His removal from the Buckeye State occurred in 1857, when he became a resident of Des Moines, then a small village of little importance. The same year. in company with Dr. Turner, he built the first bridge across the Des Moines River, where Court Avenue now intersects the city, and about 1861, superintended the construction of the Coon River bridge, of which he was part owner until some years later, when the structure was purchased by the county and made public property. In the exercise of his chosen vocation he added not a little in the up- building of the city, and many are the works of bis hand which still stand as monuments to his thrift and enterprise. He abandoned carpenter work, however, in 1878, and engaged in farming in the eastern part of the county for some years, when he returned to Des Moines.
By the marriage of Mr. White and Miss Warren, a family of nine children were born. eight of whom lived to adult age. F'riah 11., the eldest. is now engaged in the real-estate business in Council Bluffs; J. A. is extensively engaged in farming near Fargo. S. Dak .; A. C. is a large stock raiser and shipper, of Booneville. Dallas County, Iowa; C. Il., who resides in Marion, Lyon County, is ex- press messenger on the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad, running between Marion and Coun- cil Bluffs, lowa; and Hannah completes the fam- ily. The mother died in 1881, after which Hannah hecame her father's house-keeper, and as far as possible supplied her mother's place in the home until the death of Mr. White, which occurred on the 6th of March, 1890. Besides the many ways in which he aided in the progress and advancement of the city's interests. be filled a nmber of official positions, including that of councilman. llis views, politically, were in accordance with the principles of the Democratic party, and in religious
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belief, both he and his wife were Episcopalians. In being vestryman in the claunch for many years. He lived a long and useful lite, and d'ef respected by all. His noble upright clearseter won bim warm friends, and the high regard of all with when he came in contact.
ROHELAUS C. FIELD, M. D .. L. L. B .. one of the old and successful practitioners of lowa. is a native of Ontario County. N. Y .. born November 15. 1829. His father. Dr. Abel W. Field, was born in Bennington. VI .. July 26, 1802. and was the youngest of a family of fourteen children -- John. Henry. Albert. Eliza- beth. (Mrs. Peter A. Story ): Naomi. Hazen, Daniel, Eunice. (Mrs. Joseph Olin): Sarah A., (Mrs. Selah Squire); Marinda. ( Mr. Rufus Squire) ; Frances, William. and Ruth. Rufus Squire removed to Michigan; Frances, to Ohio; Hazen. to Boston; Daniel, to Michigan; and William to New York. The maternal ancestor was Wakelee. She had three brothers who lived in Western New York. Abel W. was married to Zipha Witter, eldest daughter of Elijah Witter, in Ontario County, N. Y., December 13. 1820. She was born November 2?, 1802. and is still living in Union County. Ohio, a consistent and faithful member of the Baptist Church.
i age of thirteen to earn money to meet school ex- penses, by working for farmers for $8 per month, and at fifteen, by teaching di. friet schools, which business he continued as a "stepping stone" to pro- vide means for the prosecution of his professional studies, During the succeeding five years he taught. successfully in Madison, Union, Pickaway, Ross, and Franklin Counties, receiving at each engage. ment an advance in wages. by reason of which he was enabled to pay his way, and to receive the de- gree of Doctor in Medicine. from Starling Medical College, at Columbus, in the spring of 1851. From the lecture room he was compelled to return to the school room to earn means to buy a few books and medicines, at the same time keeping his horse near the schoolhouse, and making himself useful as far as called upon. by visiting patients before and after school hours. This, however, was not his first ex- perience in practice. During intervals of teaching and attending school, his father's office and prae- tice had afforded him some opportunities, and in the year 1819 he joined a company of emi- grants by wagon, to lowa, and located at Center- ville, and subsequently formed a partnership with Dr. Nathan I'dell, of Unionville. While at Center- ville, he was invited to accompany the commission appointed to locate the county seat of Wayne County. The location having been agreed upon. Dr. Field lost no time in reaching the land office at Fairfield, and being in advance of the commission- ers, secured the site for them, and also an oppor- tunity to pay forty per cent interest on an adjoin- ing investment for himself. He soon returned to Ohio on account of the death of his father, and en- engaged in the home practice until September, 1253, when he was kindly received into the office of the late Prof. John Dawson. After graduation the following spring. and recuperating his finances in the school-room, he located at Hillsboro, where he practiced for a year with but little financial she- was In a lot of respondency he took the advice of a friend, and started south, leaving bis books. beimments, diploma, in fact everything, subject to his creditors, except the contents of a small hand rachel. Arriving at louisville, he found a boat. he gave nearly all his money (*10), for per-sage 19
In 1839, Dr. Abel W. Field removed with his family to Madison County. Obio, where he engaged in the practice of medicine until his death, which resulted from an accident. August 2, 1851. While refining from a professional visit, he is supposed to have been partially thrown from his seat, and his foot having caught in the front jeut of bis sulky. he was dragged to death. Of the three children. James W .. the youngest. is a druggist in Mary- ville, Ohio; Oreste G. is a physician in South So- lon, Ohio; the subject of this sketch. is the eblest. He received such educational advantages as the district schools in these times aferded. supple- mented by brief tern s at the acade mics at West of- forum. London. Pleasant Valley, and Worthington. : most of the time laring a room and providing his . ready for the Tennessee River, and going on bowl, own "grub." During intervals, he began at the
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far as the stage of water would permit it to go. The trip happened to end at Eastport, Miss .. and the balance of his money was expended for stage fare to the county seat, Jacinto. It being a square er of "poot hoy or die." Dr. Field began at once to make himself useful, attending strictly to his own business. His friends and patronage rapidly in peared, and very soon his business was all that could be desired. But the var cloud was fast his- ing. and in 1858 he thought best to come North. Returning to his old possessions in Corydon. Jowa, , he thrie engaged in practice until 1863. He then went to New York City for the advantages of its large institutions and hospitals, and having again graduated at the College of Physicians and Sur- grons of that city, in 1864 returned to lowa and Des Moines, for his future home.
In 1865, Dr. Field was appointed physician for Juk County, being the first to till that office, and from 1865 to 1884, he was United States Examin- 10:4 Surgeon for Pensions. At length he resigned His office, but was immediately thereafter appointed on the Board of Medical Reviewers, in Washing- ton, D. C. In 1882, he was elected to the Chair of Physiology and Pathology in the College of Phy- -ivians and Surgeons, of Kookuk, where he delivered " course of eighty lectures each year. For several youts he held the office of Secretary of the State Medieal Society, and in 1871 was its President. Hle sho hobs membership in the Polk County Medical "witty, the American Medical Association, and the American Society of Microscopists. In the year i456 he was honored by being a Representative from Towa to the International Medical Congress at Philadelphia. Dr. Field has also made some varable contributions to the literature of the pro- 'sinn, including New Treatment for Umbilical Hernia in Children. Report on Spotted Fever. An- ., alous Human Head, Medical Aspect of Jowa, Daagitation in Transverse Presentation, History of Moderation by Amatomized Medical Substances, Birportal Convulsions and Glycogenesis, Urethral Ajadieatot, Address on the Present Attitude of the Silence of Medicine, Alimentation in Disease. Phy- siology and Hygene as a Branch of Popular Educa- tron, Public Health, Cellars and Diphtheria. The Theodor has made a long and careful study of bac- :
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