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 55
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Mr. Lasel resolved, after his return, to give his attention to farming. and to that end rented land in Say lor Township. The following spring he was united in marriage with Catherine Kaough, but after a few short months the young wife was called to her final rest. On the FIth of February. 1868. he wedded Miss Lavina A. Beason, a native of Indi- ana. and a daughter of William Brason, one of the honored pioneers of this county. Their union has
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been blessed with seven children: William, born March 1. 1869 : James. March 2. 1871; Hiran. No- vember 17. 1873; Mary J., March 23, 1876; Albert J. horn November 12. 1877, died December 28. 1880; Oscar. born March 15, 1878; Clara May, June 8, 1882, and Daisy. December 13, 1889.
In 1869 Mr. Lasell made purchase of forty aeres of land in Saylor Township and subsequently added to that amount a one hundred-acre tract for which he paid $10 per acre. He there continued to reside until 1887, when he sold his farm in Saylor Town- ship and purchased his present home. as mentioned in the beginning of this sketch. He is one of the lending citizens of the community and has been identified with the history of the county for forty- three years. The journey to Saylorville in 1817 was made in a wagon drawn by oxen. and he was familiar with all the varied experineces of pioneer life and shared in many of its hardships. He has witnessed its wonderful growth and progress and participated in its development. and has identified himself with its best interests. In politics he is a stalwart Republica and a strong advocate of pro- hibition principles and, socially. is a member of the Masonic Order and the Grand Army Post. He has held varions township offices including that of School Director and Justice of the Peace and is a worthy and valued citizen.
E DWIN MITCHELL, deceased. Probably no death which ever occurred in Mitchell- ville was more regretted than that of our subject. It occasioned a loss to the village and county as he was one of its best citizens, his neighbors mourned a kind and accommodating friend and his family suffered an affliction which time may alleviate but can never heal. His acquaint- ances at once became his friends, and as time passed they learned to respect him more and more as they gamed a deeper insight into his character.
Edwin Mitchell first saw the light in Clare- mont. N. H., on the 27th of January, 1836. and spinnt his early life upon his father's farm, re- ceiying such educational advantages as the dis-
hiet schools of the neighborhood then afforded. He remained in the county of his nativity until 1556, when, following Greeley's advice, he came West to try his fortune upon the broad prairies of lowa. Locating in Jasper County, he at once turned his attention to farming, which he followed until 1858. when he came to Des Moines. Soon afterward he was appointed Deputy Sheriff of Polk County, his superior officer being Mr. Spaulding, and continued to fill that position until April, 1861. when, thrilled with patriotic impulses, he enlisted in his country's service and was assigned to Company D, Second Towa Infantry. The re- verberation of Ft. Sumter's guns had hardly died away ere he donned the blue, but he was only per- mitted to serve a short time when failing heaith cansed his discharge. After partially regaining his wanted strength, he accepted an appointment in the State land office with A. B. Miller, then Regis- ter of Deeds, and remained with him until 1862. when Mr. Miller resigned and Mr. Mitchell was ap- pointed to fill the unexpired terin. Hle honorably and faithfully performed theduties of the office until the spring of 1863, when. on account of close appli- cation, his health again broke down and he started on a recuperating tour through the mountains of the West. After traveling until the autumn of 1866, he again came to Des Moines, where he spent the winter, when in the following spring he went to Hannibal, Mo .. and established an office as gen- eral agent of the National Insurance Company, of Hannibal. He was instrumental in organizing that company and was one of its principal managers, remaining in charge of the home office until 1868. when he came to Mitchellville. Here. in company with M. S. Kimball. be opened a hunber yard, and m connection with its operation handled all kinds of grain. By the fair dealing of that firm they soon won the confidence of the people and did an extensive business, grain being brought to their elevators for miles around.
In this village Mr. Mitchell met the lady whom he desired to make his wife and on the 24 of March. 1871, led to the marriage altar Miss Tillie Snyder, a daughter of John and Anna (Crow) Snyder, the former a native of Pennsylvania, and the latter of Hartford. Conn. After their marriage.
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they emigrated to Hartford, Ohio, where Mrs. Mit- chell was born and reared. The mother died in that city, after which her husband removed to Vi- enna, Ohio, where his life closed.
Mr. Mitchell continued in the mother and grain business for many years, and by the exercise of good business ability reaped an excellent income as the result of his labors in that direction. He and his wife were the parents of two children- Thomas C., who was born in Mitchellville, Septem- ber 10, 1878; and Edwin S. Mr. Mitchell was numbered among the leading citizens of the county and for many years was a member of the village board of Mitchellville. In all publie enterprises cal- culated to advance the general welfare he took the deepest interest. and was ready at any and all times to aid in the advancement of the church and school. In manner he was genial and pleasant, and made friend- wherever he went: he had a kind word for all, and was continually giving encouragement and assistance to those who were not so fortunate as he. His life is certainly worthy of emulation and ever won for him the highest regard of everyone with whom he came in contact. His wife and children are still living in Mitchellville, where they have a pleasant home.
RANK E. PLUMMER. Principal of the East Des Moines High School. ranks among the leading educators of the city, which con- tains not a few of the most able instructors in lowa. He was born in Peoris. Il .. February 8. 1858, and is a son of Tallman and Elizabeth (Bramble) Plummer. The family is probably of English origin. His paternal grandfather. John Plummer was born in Canada, but when a young man came to the United States, locating in Ohio. where he was married. Subsequently he emigrated to Illinois and was one of the '19ets that came so near starvation on their road to California in search of wealth. Returning to Ilinois he engaged in contracting and building for himself until the breaking out of the late war, when he and his son Tallman helped build the gunboats for the lower
Mississippi. The maternal grandfather of our sub- ject also emigrated to Ohio at an early day and afterward removed to Illinois. One of his daugh- ters is the mother of Congressman James F. Wilson, and two of his sons served with honor in the U'nion Army. Elizabeth was the youngest of the family.
Mr. Phimmer's parents were born in the Buckeye State, but were married in Illinois. whither they had gone with their respective families. His father was an extensive contractor and buildler, and in political sentiment was a Republican. His mother was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and lived a consistent Christian life. They left four children to mourn their loss: Ida M., wife of George Nowlan, a banker of Toulon, Il. ; Frank E. of this sketch; George C .. a commercial traveler. and Tillie, wife of W. B. Haywood, a farmer of Illinois.
In his youth our subject received liberal educa- tional advantages, completing his course of study in the Brimfield schools in 1876. The succcoding three years of his life he spent as a teacher in the district schools. after which he accepted a call to the Brimfield schools. when he remained two years, He then spent one year in teaching in Pleasantville, a suburb of Peoria. Ill., and in 1882 came to lowa. After spending three years as Superintendent of the schools of Nevada. he was chosen Principal of the East Des Moines High School in 1885, in which capacity he has served very acceptably since. More pupils are said to have graduated from the public schools under his instruction than any other man in the Northwest. In eight years he has graduated two hundred and forty-one students, of whom fifty-eight are now teachers in the East Des Moines schools. Mr. Plummer possesses. in a marked de - gree. the characteristics essential to a stteressful teacher. Genial in disposition and full of life and energy he wins the esteem of his pupils and inspires them to the highest effort.
On the 12th of July, 1883. Prof. Plummai lad the marriage altar Miss Flora L. Fait. a nativeis Pennville. Ind. She is a bely of high accompel. ments, having been educated in the school of 1. onier and Ft. Wayne. Ind .. at Brimfield. IL .. .... Abingdon College. While residing in Nitri. .. i served as assistant Principal of the High ". Lol.
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and since their removal to this city was for a year .a teacher of literature in the East Des Moines schools and also in the Capital City Commercial ( ollege. The Professor is general manager of the National League of State Teachers' Bureau, and socially, is a member of the Knights of Pythias. In political sentiment he is a Republican, but has never sought or desired publie office. preferring to devote his entire time and attention to his business interests. He has now been identified with school work for fourteen years and his career has been a successful one. Long experience has induced him to prepare a work on "Words, their Spelling, Pro- nunciation and Choice." a book which is of value alike to teachers and pupils.
ILAS R. TYLER, who is living a retired life on section 11, Beaver Township. has long been identified with the agricultural interests of Polk County, being numbered among the early settlers. Little is known of the early history of the Tyler family, but it is probable that the original American ancestors came from Scotland to this country in an early day. The father of our subject. Ephraim Tyler, was born in Con- bectient, and at the age of sixteen years began learning the milling business, which he continued until retiring from business life at the age of forty. During the entire period he was employed in what is known as the old Tyler Mills, of Claremont. N. H., of which he became proprietor, and on lay- ing acide business cares sold for $20,000. He was twice married, his first union being with Sallie Cooking, by whom he had four children. two of whom are yet living-Charles, a resident of C'or- nich. N. H .; and Mary. widow of Ai Reed, of Plainfield. N. H. The mother died in 1820, after which Mr. Tyler wedded Rebecca Reed, who was born in Westford, Mass .. and was of English do- scent. They became the parents of six children. but four of that family have also passed away, there remaining only our subject and one dangh- tor. Emily, who resides in Plainfield, N. II. The death of Mr. Tyler occurred on the 12th of De-
comber, 1851, at the age of fifty-nine years, and his wife died in 1875, at the age of seventy-nine years. They were members of the I'niversalist Church. and took an active part in its advancement. Mr. Tyler aided largely in building the Universalist Church in Claremont. He was numbered among the prominent business men and influential citizens of that place, and his death proved a great loss to the community.
Our subject first opened his eyes to the light of day on the 10th of November, 1822, in Claremont, where his early life was spent. After acquiring a common school education he served an apprentice- ship to the papermaker's trade, which he followed for thirteen years in various cities in Massachu- setts, Vermont and New York. In 1818 he aided in establishing a mill in Canada, and the following year went to Columbus. Ga , where he also started a mill, remaining in charge of the same until May, 1851. Returning to his native city in that year, in company with his brother he leased of the heirs the old saw and flowring mill, which they operated for three years.
Previous to this time, while in Columbus. Ga., Mr. Tyler was united in marriage with Miss Ade- line L. Crissey, the wedding being celebrated on the 16th of May, 1850. Six children grace their union: Georgia A., who is now the wife of George W. Rooker, of Beaver Township; Frank C. at home; Kate R .. wife of Daniel Elledge, of Beaver Township; Annie, wife of Charles Ferguson. of Shelby County, Jowa; Sarah E., wife of William W. Ray, of Mitchellville; and Nellie L., who resides in Des Moines.
It was in 1854 that Mr. Tyler first came to the West. Having soll the mill in New Hampshire he made his way to Detroit, Mich., where he worked for a time in the pineries, while his brother contin- ued on to Polk County and purchased a farm. In company with others our subject purchased thir- toen hundred aeres of pine land. and continued business in that line until July. 1855, when he re- turned to his native State. The following year he came to Polk County and aided his brother in put- ting in a crop, after which he engaged in teaming for a time. Later he rented his brother's farm, and in connection with its cultivation worked at any
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other employment which he could find to do. whereby he might earn an honest dollar and thus add to the store necessary for the support of his family. Times were hard and money scarce, and during the earlier years of his residence in this county he had to labor very hard that his wife and children should not want. After about five years he removed to Beaver Township, where he pur- chased eighty acres of wild land, and after plant- ing two crops went to Des Moines to help start a new paper mill. Returning to his farm after a year he began the work of improvement, and com- menced the erection of a house, but before he had the floor laid or the chimney built he found that his means were exhausted and he would have to sus- pend his labors for a time. However, it proved otherwise. Bridges were being built for the new railroad, and Mr. Tyler was requested board for fourteen men engaged in that work. Not being prepared he refused, but they insisted until at last he gave the reluctant consent, and for six weeks boarded and lodged the entire number in bis un- completed house, the result of his labor being that in the end he had $75 in money, together with a lot of provisions which would keep his family for some time to come. He then completed his home. and with characteristic energy turned his attention to the farm, clearing and developing the land, and adding many excellent improvements. In the meantime he also spent one year in lowa City. where he started in operation a paper mill. and by the urgent request of citizens of Peoria established a paper mill in that place. Others had tried and failed, but he was successful. and after the enter- prise was in good running order returned to his farm.
Mr. Tyler certainly deserves not a little credit for his success in life. He not only started out in the world with no capital, but in addition to the fact that he had to contend against poverty. he had also to brave the trials and hardships of pioneer life, yet he worked ou, always looking hopefully forward until at last as the result of his untiring efforts he has a handsome competence, which now enables him to live a retired life. His farm com. prises eighty acres of valuable land, under a high state of cultivation, and there may be found a good
grade of stock and the latest improved machinery. Within the last ten years, however, he has rented his land. retaining only the old home, in which he and his wife will doubtless spend their remaining days. Thirty-four years have passed since he came to Polk County. He has been a witness of its many great changes. and has ever manifested a deep interest in its progress and advancement. Upright and honorable in all things he has won the respect and good will of his fellow-citizens, and is an honored member of the Masonie fraternity. He was initiated into the mysteries of that order in 1853, and since 1851 has been a Royal Arch Ma- son. In 1811 he proudly cast his first Presidential vote in support of the Whig ticket, and remained an advocate of that party until its dissolution, when he joined the new Republican party.
G EORGE L. JARRETT. of the Des Moines Manufacturing & Supply Company, was born in Morgantown, N. C., August 29, 1852. lle is a son of George W. and Elizabeth R. (Zimmerman) Jarrett, natives of the same State. His father came to the Capital City in 1855, and in 1858 his wife and children joined him, this city becoming their permanent home. Mr. Jarrett, Sr., was a carpenter and buikler by occupation, in which pursuit he was quite successful. Nine chil- dren were born to him and his wife, seven of whom grew to mature years, and at the present writing five are living-William received injuries in an areident. which caused his death; David was sup- posed to have been poisoned to death and after- ward robbed at Denver, Colo .; Clara is the wife of John Page: Annie is the wife of Sylvanus Eddibarn: Addie is the wife of G. V. Wright: and Alice is wedded to Jacob Suyder. The surviving children reside in Des Moines. Mr. Jarrett is de- ceased, and Mrs. Jarrett departed this life August. 11, 1885.
Our subject was six years of age when he came to Des Moines. In the old Ninth Street School he obtained the rudiments of an education, which was afterward developed by private study, usually at
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night or at odd times when not otherwise employed. Being endowed with high mechanical genius he early in life beame an able assistant to his father, as from his youth he was an adept in the skillful Use of tools.
At the age of twelve years he began the battle of life for himself, and when fourteen years old we find him an employe of the old Capital Flour- ing-mill, then operated by the late B. C. White. At that age he did all the repairing, and the gen- ins of his mechanism supplied the most intricate parts of machinery when needed.
When only eighteen years old he became a mill. wright, and operated extensively in lowa and Ne- braska, establishing such a reputation as can only he attained by one who is a thorough master of his business.
On the 13th of June. 1877, Mr. JJarrett was united in marriage with Elizabeth, daughter of Almer and Vashti ( Ircton) Wright, natives of New Jersey. Two children have been born of their union, viz .: John G. and Will.
In the spring of 1877 Mr. JJarrett entered into a ro. partnership with William Johnson, and estab- lished in Des Moines a complete stock of mill fur- wishing goods, he taking full charge of the busi- ne4 .. The co-partnership continued until June 1. Fasl. at which time Mr. Jarrett bought bis part- ner's interest and subsequently removed his estab- lishment to the East Side. In January of 1889 he organized the present company with a paid up capital of $110,000, the principal part of which is held by N. S. MeDonald and himself. Their present establishment is complete in its various department-, having facilities for turning out every conceivable kind of iron and steel work that enters tito a mill, and is the only one of the kind in the State. During the summer season employment is given to one hundred and fifty men. Mr. Jarrett processes inventive genius of a high order, having invented and patented numerous devices that enter into complications of modern mill machinery, and give to it a practical utility that brings to its projector both fame and money.
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Our subject is a close student and a keen ob- server of passing events. keeping himself well abreast of the well-informed men of the day. upon
all questions that have an important bearing upon the commercial and economic conditions of our country.
Mr. Jarrett is an able draughtsman, not one of the "cut and fit" kind, but one who plans and excentes with mathematical precision. Relig- iously, he and his estimable wife are members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church. Politically, he affiliates with the Democratic party, and socially, is a popular member of the orders-Ancient Order of U'nited Workmen, Select Knights and Modern Woodmen.
R EV. LESTER PERKINS, State Loan Agent for the Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company, is a native of Jefferson County, N. Y., his birth occurring on the 27th of November, 1828. His father, Dr. Solomon Perkins. was born in the Empire State. April 2. 1805, and in his youth prepared himself for the medical pro- fession. On the 20th of January. 1825, he married Miss Lovina Campbell, who was born in New York, March 9, 1808, five years later removed to Erie County, Pa., where he engaged in an extensive practice and in connection with the prosecution of his chosen profession improved a heavily timbered farm. Ile was a Whig in politics; both he and his wife were leading members of the Methodist Epis- copal Church. On the 18th of November, 1851, Mrs. Perkins departed this life and on March 25. 1863, the Doctor was called to the home beyond. Of their eight children only three are now living- Leroy. a railroad contractor; Lester, of this sketch; and Elvira, wife of Hollis Hiscock.
Our subject was the second child of the family. He was early inured to hard labor, his boyhood day's beig spent upon a farm in a new and heavily wooded country where labor was arduous and du- tie- pressed heavily upon the settlers. For a short time each winter. until about fifteen years of age, he attended such common schools as were in exist- ence fifty years ago. He was a bright student. quick and ambitious to learn; his father, wishing to give him the best opportunities for an educa- tion, procured for his benefit a scholarship in Alle-
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gheny College. From a high sense of duty to his father he decided to forego the pleasures and bene. fits of a college course and assist him on the farm. When twelve years of age he was converted and from that time religion became an all absorbing theme to bim. From an early age he was impressed with the idea that it was his duty to preach the gospel and all his thoughts and dreams had their trend in that direction. Concious of his unworthi- ness he tried to banish the thought and avoid pub- lie confession.
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Before he was twenty years of age. Mr. Perkins had chosen a wife-Clarinda Eaton, to whom he was married April 16. 1848. She was born in Erie County, Pa., June 15, 1828, and was the second of nine children, whose parents were Ebenezer and Ennice (Shattuck) Eaton, natives respectively of New Hampshire and Vermont. In an early day they emigrated to Pennsylvania, where they lived until their deaths. When married Mr. Perkins had no resources save a good constitution and a willing- ness to work. He therefore chopped wood at twenty-five cents per cord and threshed wheat with a flail for every tenth bushel. His father afterward deeded him fifty-six acres of land and he purchased a sixty-aere tract, requiring ten years time on con- tract, but paid the whole in one-half that time. The first money he borrowed was $15 which he obtained from a wealthy uncle who said he could let him have the money, but wanted him to return it at the time promised, which he promptly did. After- ward whenever in need of funds he had only to call upon his unele, whose confidence he had won by the ready payment of the small loan.
In January, 1857, a meeting was in progress which our subject attended. and at the close of the service one evening a good old brother took him by the hand and said, "Lester you ought to have been preaching for years," Returning home he said to his wife. "I must preach," and asked her if she could consent to become a Methodist preach- er's wife, Endowed with high religions instinet- although not a member of the church at that time the heartily approved of his course. In the spring of 1856, he preached his first sermon in his home neighborhood and in the fall of the same year sold his farm and gave his whole time to the ministry,
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his efforts being attended with wonderful suo In 1858, he was sent by Presiding Elder M. Hime- baugh as a supply to Poynett. Wis., where under his preaching a hundred souls were converted dus- ing the first four months from this charge. He was recommended to conference which convened at Monroe, Wis,, and on his way thither stopped to preach at one of his appointments. So great was the interest manifested that he wrote the presiding elder that he could not be there. He was, however, admitted to the Western Wisconsin Conference, and returned to Poynett. where he labored successfully for three years, being ordained at the elose of the second year. He worked hard. preaching three ser- mons each Lord's Day. He was next sent to Juda, where there was a small society; though he had six appointments to fill. during his two years stay at that place he erected two churches and a parsonage. War at this time became the all absorbing issue of the day. In his preaching he had never touched upon that subject, but being pressed to express bis views he finally announced that on a certain day he would deliver a war sermon. All the country came to hear him. His sermon turned not on the Civil War, but the greater struggle against sin, the desh and the devil.
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