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 5
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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
seres on section 5, Gal ut løsning, but les since disposed of a portion of it. having a mining thirty- three and one half seres-hi- present home. Since his removal to the county he has served as see- rotary of the Independent School District of Pleasant Hill. In polities, he is a supporter of the Democratic party.
To Mr. and Mis. Cooley have been horn two children. William, the oldest. who was both in Butler County, Ohio, and now makes his home upon the farm. wedded Miss Abbie Hendricks. by whom he has Jour children - John. Joe Josephine and James. Josephine, the only daughter of our subject and his wife, welded Joseph Cox. and died February 20, 1870, aged twenty years.
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AMES II. FINCH. who resides ou section a. Grant Township, is numbered muong the honored pioneers of Poll. Comty. In re- cording this sketch we present to the rend" er's of this AmBry a history of one of the most popular and best beloved citizens of the commu- nity. His popularity ha come not through his seeking for public favor but is the result of an hour- orable. upright life, where the ment has won the confidence and regard of those who are his friends. He was born in Ross County. Ohie, on the 1st of January, 1522. and is of English descent. His priolfather, dosiah Fhich. was a pioneer ettler of Kentucky and of Ross County, Ohio. Her mel to the former State during the last half of the eighteenth century and there reside i amtil the c'est of the War of 1-12. wlan be enlist land serval dming the way. The following ver the family removet to Ohio, x nere lu develop da fri, which is still in the passion of war of his de mais.
This son. I've Finch, the fager of out withi et. when a lad of glory function gate vont to the Buckeye State, where The retninger of his 1 . was arriving at man's .1. 2. her old Mr . lang Ir- win, who was the fi I whiter ! pi leg m Bude,
22. 1800. They became the parents of five while dren: lillen deves-al wife of Isane C. Wilson, of Ross County : James Ha. of this sketch; Sarah ... who died in Fayette County. Ohio. July 28, 1850, at the age of thirty six years: Joseph A. of Payette County. Ohio, and Love 1., a retired farmer of Highland County. Ohio. The father died in Ross County, September 21, 1828. His wife survived Tim many years, dying February 13. 1878. at the advanced age of seventy-eight. They were both leading and influential members of the Presbyterian Church and in the community where they so long made their home were held in the highest esteem.
On the obl homestead in Ross County, Ohio, which his grandfather located, James H. Finch was born and spent his early boyhood days. Later he went to live with an unele and remained at his home until fourteen years of age. when he returned to his parents. From that time until seventeen years of age. he had almost the entire management. of the home farm. Later he engaged in carpenter- ing for about two years. after which he workc } for a time by the month and subsequently again took charge of the farm, continuing its management un- til his mariage, which was celebrated May 26, 1816. The la ly of his choice. Miss Sarah 3. Dean. was the chtest daughter of J.s. Dein.late of East Des Moines, a native of Pennsylvania. The following summer. with a company of five families, nun,bei- ing thirty-one persons. they started with teams from Ross County. Ohio, to I'VE County. Jowa. reach- ing their destination November 2. 1-17. The en- the party sefilled in what is now called Chant Township, with the execution of July S. Den. When became a re. Ident of Best Des Moines.
Mr. Finel. ofta d two hundred tel forty alles. the first outing of ri ... hand made in Polk County. With His laide be then moved into a Hoffe log colin, which frame, I- bis hom until Jahr when to
Szenny Putin. when he made his lop netil 1 25. Og Gat form is not located de ]ist. Seating Markar Company of De Moines. Fortin
indeed hast been the changes which is
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beautiful capital city of which the people of Iowa are justly proud contained then but two frame hottes. a few log calens and the fort. but with chriseter- istic foresight he determined to here några loven- tion, believing that the little handet gave promise of becoming a city of importance n areout of its favorable location and the rich farming district of which it is a center. Little di l he dream, however. of the wonderful transformation which has been brought about. In those early days dry-goods and provisions were obtained at Keokuk and Barling- ton, but now mercantile establishments second to none in the State are here seen
1
Since Me. Finch came to Polk County, he has met with reasonable success in his life-work and has acquired a comfortable competency which enables him now in his declining years to lay aside the more aidons duties of faim life. Ih has always taken a deep pride in keeping aburst of the times and all the improvements of the day are found upon his farm. The interests of his family, however. by nearest his heart and he bre labored untiringly for their welfare and the promotion of the Happiness of his wife and children. The greatest sorrow of his life emme upon him February 9. 1890. when Mrs. Finch was called to her final home. Together they had traveled life's journey for ahnost forty- four years. She had patiently shared the triads and hardships of pioneer life, had aided him in bearing the adver-ities and hardships which fell to his lot and bad rejoiced with him in his success and pros- perity. She was kind, loving and affectionate. a friend to all and an enemy to none. At the age of sixteen years the united with the Presbyterian Church, and for half a contany did what she eh! for the advenement & the cause of (laistini .. earth, and who wil of that her lat ors woren- fruitful? Her end , i will ever be present be her children. and the mumnory of her pie lin allt dwell in many hearts for your- to com. She va the orchard- ford candens plantel by the first set- there blighted with frust, decay and dies and in The manner she saccepted to the past se of die .... but like the foliage ber live crew let ton :shop beautiful to the ent For fifty yoos he hath was broken. Last she hate for watering nome anglais. ingly. glad. however, Men the Nagyon fta
call bes to her rest. She leaves a fond husband and seven loving children to mourn their loss.
Martha R., the Oldest child of James and Sarah Finch, is now the wife of George W. Smith, a farmer of Grant Township: Isme S, is a carpenter and joiner residing in East Des Moines; Lucy and Hannah are both deceased: John D. is a farmer of Grant Township: James 1. is living in Grant Park; Abraham F., who resides in East Des Moines. is an engineer in the employ of the Northwestern Railroad Company; Mimie died aged one year; Sarah E., wife of James Wilkins. a farmer of Clay Township. and Jennie B. completes the family. it was her desire to become a teacher and when her education was completed she embarked in that profession, but on her mother's death she unselfishly laid aside her school duties to take charge of the home.
Mr. Fitch has been one of the leading farmers of the county for many years. and has ever identi- fel himself with its best interests. He and his wife were charter members of the first Presbyterian Church of Des Moines sad have ever been active workers for the promotion of the cause, He supports the Republican party and has filled various township offices, having discharged his duties with prompt- ness and fidelity. His life work is now almost lin- ished and. like Paul. he con say I have fought a good fight. He is not only one of the honored and and respected citizens of Grant Township but has a wide cirele of acquaintances throughout the county. by whom be is held in the highest regard.
GIL LIAM C. EDINGER. a leoling photo- napht of Des Moines, is a native of the
W Buckeye State. He was hin in Green- vila, Olio, but the 20th of February. 1300, and i- a son of William and Referen (Feder) Edit. Her ivel a comment school education, and in 18. C. one inpartie I his parents to lowa. the family lureding it. Miniam Confty. where Williga C. re- mined threegens. At the expiration of the time. neko pasado hi- 11 work, at lon his marital in this .es. oppbe babelf to learning the hai-
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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
ness. When hedd sufficiently mastered the art. he opened a gallery, and from that ture. July 181. to the present. February, lage, he's dont an excel- lent business. receiving a liberal share of the public Patronage.
Mi. Edinger was married in this city on the 5th of June, the lady of his choice being Miss Bertha Comfort. a daughter of E. M. Comfort. She was born in Boone, Boone County. lowa, and their union was blessed with two children. twins, Edith and Ethel, but the latter mentionot. died in ii .- fancy. Mr. and Mrs. Edinger were both reated un- der the auspices of the Society of Friends, and are now members of that religious denomination. Mr. Edlinger is independent in politics, and has never sought political prominence, referring to devote his undivided attention to his business. He has now been engaged in the photograph business in Des Moines uninterruptedly for eleven years, and through his superior skill in this work, and his genial and courteous manner has won a wide popu- larity that places him in the front tank as an artist.
0 R. FRANCIS C. GRIMMEL. one of the pionece physicians of Des Moines. of 181G, and who for sixteen years was one of the most highly respected citizens of this city. was a native of the Kingdom of Hanover. Ger- many, where his birth occurrol Mey 8. 1800, Ile was educated in his native country. On arriving at yeats of maturey, he was united in bearisge wit !! Miss ( bristeng & college, and in 1993. maigaded to America with a family. scaling in. Frnckston. MI. where he & ddichel : la and Igerati. .. paring. His with died the year after the is served. having three children two daughters end ; som. 1 Meny. the oldest, became the affer! Thomas M . Mail : and died in the spine of 1. 18; Augustiis how the wife of Judge P. M. Costs of It-
Germany, and came to America in 1842. She had one child, a son. George, by her former marriage. a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work. Six children were born of the Fitter marriage, three sobs and Three daughters, but all died in infancy, with the exception of Louis, who died at the age of twenty-four years.
In 1830. Dr. Grimmel and family removed to Taylorsville. Ohio, and the year following to Lan- caster, whence they journeyed to Perry County, in 1843, tiling up their residence in Chapel Hill. The Year 1816 witnessed the emigration of the Doctor and his family from Ohio to lowa. and the follow- ing account of the expedition is taken from a recent article from the pen of George Sneer, the Doctor's step-son. "About the last of August. 1816. my step-father, Dr. F. C. Grimmincl with his family. consisting of mother (the Doctor's wife); threesons and two daughters. look up their line of march from a little village called Chapel Hill. Jested in the southeast. rh portion of Perry County. Ohio, for the far off West, lor king to Jowa as cor point of destination and the land of promise, making the entire journey by land and camping out every night. Our motive power consisted of four wagons drawn by four. three. two and one horses, respect- ively, with a one horse buggy to bring up the Year. which was wel by father and mother while the three wagons were loaded with household furniture. medicine, etc .. and the fourth was set ofart for commissary purpose The nar journey was con- tinned up to the 15th of October, 1816, when we landed in what was then known as Racego. Forks: later on, by the rame of Ft. Des Moines. ant how Des Moines. Our entrare to the fost we obtained In fordista De La Rive in a diego !di- restons starting in : about the west end of Grand
Wading Sure " bridge, kadering at the top 1. Arten
tose mes heter in which to spend the wings. To
Partner
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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
place. In the spring. father purebased the trading house which was used by the Government for the storage of supplies, etc. Said building was built of walnut plank, one and a half stories Ligh. withou! partition, which we took down and ended again about where the Sisters' residence now stands, on West Sixth Street, and used it as a residence dur- ing the summer of 1817. We immediately com- menced getting out the framing timbers for the oll home which was destroyed by fire Sunday night. Ortober 6. 1889. These timbers, including the upper joists and rafters were cut down. scored and hewn from the land which lies between Park and School Streets and Fifth and Eighth Streets. The shingles were hand made as was also a greater por- tion of the lath. The weatherboarding was sawed at Parmelee's mill on Middle River. fifteen nales to the south. latte in the fall of 1847. the house. was finished ready for the plastering. but being un- able to procure any line, and much less a plasterer to do the work. we were con pollo ? to u a heavy muslin on the walls and exciting and thus spent the winter of 1817-18 therein. In the fall of 1518. we succeeded in securing linee and Samuel Gray, who had come thither from Ohio during the sminmer of 1818. and who pow lives on the bluffs south of Coon River, dil the plastering.
.It was in this house that Judge P. M. Cassady. during the summer and winter of 1817- 18, neceeded in the consumation of a contract which resulted in his marriage to Miss Augusta Gri nel. in June of the latter year. In this house a reception was given in the latter part of November. 1815. on the orea. sion of Dr. P. B. Fagen's marriage to Miss Melissa Hoxie sister of the late H. M. Hoxie. the phone magnate. It was in this hons that the first mont- ing was kell in the fill of Isst for the j boss of organizin ca Lutheran Church, which vis consit- mated. as I the old count Lower. while she But the site of the Wabash depot. was the glee where the congresotion met for organic tym-Li. m thi. house was also held the fet mettre for the p.o .- building a both rom Coly wit. De Meur , which
tired from active duty. He was a skillful and well-read physician and was very successful in his practice. Religions and educational matters on- lister his warmest interest and support, and his liberality and publicspirit were shown in numerone wars by which the community was largely bene- fitted. He and his estimable wife were the prime movers in founding the Lutheran Church in Des Moines and contributed liberally to its support as well as toward the creation of the college that was started by that denomination, and in aid of other worthy public enterprises. See portrait.
G GEORGE ENDER, one of the cathest pioneers of Des Moines, was born in Funkytown. Washington County. Md., on the 3rd of May. 1835. His parents were George and Maria ( Russey ) Sheer. both of whom were natives of Germany, the former born in the Kingdom of Baden, the latter in Rheinhver. They come to America almot the same time, Mr. Sncer arriving probably a little later than his wife. They were married in 1831. The name was originally spelled Schnearer. according to the German orthography. but for the sake of convenience when a boy. our subject changed it to its present form. which he has since used. George Sneer, Sr., was a mill. wright by trade. Int survived his emigration to America only a few years. dying in February. 1s25. about three months prior to the birth of his son. the subject of this sketch. In 1897. Mrs. Spor Venne fre wife of Dr. Femvis C. Grimmel. : Get- tout physician and u widower with three children. jami. C. Tu ke ch & The Doctor appears el. .. where in the world In 1-39. with his family, in chling on subject be removed to Tagande. Ohio, and the policedia que brune a resident of
In LAS they ranged to Chapel Hill. Pens County, and in the letter part of Angy '. ISE.
Dr. Grimmel parquet the practices of his grave; sign in Des Moines until ghoul I . in. whende 1. 5 worried of what we don KoA : Hover For ..
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
now Des Moines on the 15th of October, the que Veal.
Mr. Sicer was scared on a farm, which wos sit- uated on the site of the well built section of Des Moines, the south line being Grand Avenue. while the old home was situated on the corner of High akt sixth Meets. The old house which was rich in tustorie interest. was burned on sunday night. Unmber 6. 1820. At the time of his arrival in Des Moder, the subject of this sketch was in his desenth year. Eight years of his life had been sent in three different Ohio settlements, whose educational facilities were very meager, and he bad received one quarter's schooling in cach place. The privileges of It. Des Moines included still les of educational character, and it was not until he was twenty years old that he again attended selond. He then spent a year under the instruc. tens of Mr. Anderson. now of Madison County. luisa: Judge J. P. Cassady. now a resident of Council Binds; Judge Byron Rice and Rev. J. A. Sort of Des Moines. Nature bad endowed Mr. Starter with a sound mind and body, and he became "delucated by using his faculties in the battle of He. His prosperity and high standing in the com- minity are due to his own well-directed efforts, and he stands an example to coming generations of a su Jf-made man.
On the 234 of November. 1856. in Des Moines. Me sneer was joined in wellock with Miss Paulina 1. Beinig. daughter of John M. Reinig, and a pov of Hoffenheim, in the Kingdom of Baden. where the was born September 5. 1885. She came with Her parents to America in 1850, and residen 1. coaster. Ohio, until 1835. when the family merciless of De Moines, where her father Leather gent their last days. They w ... " ritirare and highly respected people. Mi. Mis Saver have two children, a son and : - George S. wie married Mis desch B. - Her daughter of W. A. Snavely, and is now od in the brandware Wariness at No. 524 West wassent; while Minnie is the wife of Philip & # Reste a whole slo given of this city.
& they Towiship, on which Is spent three vous. We areused to the city. where he has sing
been engaged in building, and in real-estate busi- ness. In early life, he was a stanch Republican, and in isc1 and 1862, was Allerman from the Third Ward. In 1869, he was elected City Clerk. which position he held for two years. after which he served as Street Commissioner in 1871 and 1872. and in 1875 was again cloeted a member of the city council for a term of two years. In 1877, he was elected Mayer, to fill a vacancy caused by the resignation of J. Il. Turner. and was cheted his own successor. holding the office until 1880. In 1841. he supported Cleveland and Hendricks for the Presidency and Vice- Presidency, and since that time has been independent in politics.
Mr. Snver is prominently identified with Free Masonry. having attained the Thirty-second degree. He is a member of Capital Lodge, No. 110, A. F. d. A. M .. Corinthian Chapter. No. 11, R. A. M., and Temple Commandery. No. 4. K. T .. and is a post officer of all these bodies. He is also a mem- ber of Ft. Des Moines Folge. No. 25, and Eben- ezer Encampment. No. 10. I. O. O. F .. in both of which societies he has passed all the chairs.
Mir. Suver is one of the old settlers of Des Moines, and has spent forty-four years of his life in that city. When he first fordel the Des Moines river from the east, on the 15th of October, 1816. coming out about where the west end of Walnut Street bridge now is, he was a boy of eleven years of age. Where he then found a wilderness, is now the leading city of Jowa, containing a population of fifty thousand citizens, with all the modern ac- cesaries of a metropolitan town. He has been identified with the intere to of the Capital City since its inception, and has always been recognized as a liberal minded, public se ited citizen. upright in all his dealings indepen out both in thought and action, and always reliable.
R. WILLARD BRADWAY is the color partner of the firm of Breadway & Bradway, which is one of the recent additions to the undival Gretenny of Des Moins. He was han in Mon oo, Ma .... on the 1st of November. DET,
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and comes from an early od well-known New England family. He revivela gom | English of- neation. studying the higher breites in the shi- son Academy, and coly in life made choice of the medical profession as his life work. He login fitting himself for practice in his native town nu- der the instruction of Prof. Calkins, of a Philadel- phia medical school, and afterward was gradested in the Eclectic Medical College of Philadelpe.
Dr. Bradway removed to the West in the spring of 1856. and the town of Le Claire. Scott County. lowa. witnessed his first efforts as an authorized practitioner. Removing to Nebraska City in the summer of 1859, at a time when a very extensive epidemic of dysentery was prevailing in the city. gave him an opportunity of making a Very ro. markable record of success in practice. having treated three hundred and twenty -five cres of the disease. and many of them of a serions type. 1. fore he had a fatal case to report. Dating part of his residence bere he acted as surgeon for four cold- panies of the Seventh lowa Cavalry. which were stationed at this point. His exturive protice here during a period of five years made such in- roads upon his health, that he found it now will to have a season of rest from active professional labor, which led him to make a trip to Mortana spending nearly three years in the pure biacht gat- mosphere of that healthful region.
After having fully recovered his former health and vigor our subject returned Last. and opened am office in the city of Philadelphia, confiois bit. self to office practice, but having bien so lor gne. ensfound to plenty of outdoor exercise chat confinement to att office was not found to pher | enjoyalde of health jul, and he cerdu turn . the :'- tention to the growing State of Ina, com o. i. in Anita. in October, 182%. where he parte nine years. While there he malt a reputation in the treatment of cerelgo- piel meningit's, which prevailed extensively in Care sul Ardalen oweth- ties in epidemie form in 1:58-71. treating boh than one hundred eres out; two of which provo? fatal. Heafterward practical in order. Acht Atlantic lowa. from which it place her hoved to Des Moines in September, Lash
Dr. Hnedway les ben tried partial; de cal
life to Miss Mary a. Buffington, who died in 1-7). They were the parents of four children. three of whom. a son and two daughters are still living. The latter Mary Eugenia and Ida May are both married and reside in Colorado. In 1873 the Doctor was maried in Mrs. M. C. Sherwood, of Washington, D. C. In 1872 Dr. Bradway was the recipient of the honorary degree of medicine con- ferred by the University of Philadel his. Pa.
De Widand F. Bradway. the junior member of the firm of Bralway & Bradway and the wally son of the senior member, was born in Menson. Mass .. i in 1851. Liberal educational advantages were af- forded him and on the completion of his literary studie- he began ranling medicine under the que- ceptorship of his father: In March, 1878, he was graduated from the medical department of the Iowa State l'udiversity since which thine his field of practice has been at various points in lowa. He also engaged in the proscention of bis profission for a time near Huron. S. D. but come to Des Moines in September. 1889. joining bi- rethel in partnership. April 28. 1689, he was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife who passed to the land beyond. Her maiden name was Diffie .A. simmons.
The office of Brad way & Bradway is log toll on Cottage Grove Avenue. The gentlemen constituent- ing the frin are physicians of long and stressful experience and that their merit and ability is ap- previstele is attested by their constantly increasing practice.
3 ILLIAM B. CROSBY. junim mandar of W
the Irs firm of Phillip . Das & Ciosly. one of the lasting law firms of the State of lowa. is a resident of the Capital ( My. He was born in Whitewater. Wish on the 27th of July. Crusty. it's father was born in the ei's of Belfast, Indian I, and came to America in his gotth. In the 1.1. He wetthing in trevitom. where he war ofu.
Des Moines. mit os tim Hle of November. 11.
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entered in the study of low rider the fire Son , residence in Carroll County continuo for & period of Judges Phillips & Day. both ember for' fs, the last named being an ex-Chief Justice of Iowa. He continued reading in the office of those gentlemen until the month of June, 1987, when having passed a regular examination before a committee of the judges of the supreme court of that State. he was admitted to the bar, and at once entered & pon the practice of his profession in Des Moines, which lo pursued alone until December. 1859, when he was admitted to partnership with his precep's, and berame a member of the law firm of Philips. Day & Crosby.
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