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 7
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The fourth child of the family, Samuel Green, whose name heads this notice, grew up at the bench and received such educational advantages as the district schools of that day afforded. At the age of sixteen years he began elerking in a drug store. but after being thus employed a vem and a half an opportunity was offered him to learn the foundry business in Pen Yan. N. Y .. at which he worked five years. His residence in the West dates from 1×56, when be located in Michigan, but after a short time he continued bis journey to Des Moines. arriving in this city on the 26th of March, 1857. He found employment with H. M. Hemming way, who had an old wooden shop almost destitute of machinery, and for him and others worked until 1869. when he began business for himself. leasing a lot on West Third Street, where he built a foun- dry at a cost of $200. When he had taken off the first blast. be found himself 8700 in debt and was beset with many misgivings as to whether he should ever be able to pay his creditors. Encouraged by his wife, who possesses a hopeful disposition and has proved a true helpmate to him. he presse for- ward. however, and macle money so rapidly il fat the expiration of four years he was cual . to build a splendid two-story brick foundry at No. 101 West Second Street, and to the main building has since folded mitil it covers an pica of 121x132 feet. It is equipped with the best appliance need in the work and on an average furnishes employ- ment to eighteen men.
In political sentiment. Mr. Green is a Republican. sijo ostine that paty in opposition this folder mandeix brothers. all of whowe were stalwart Dane- crats. He cast his first I'ne idential Ballet for Tie-
mont and feel- that he has never yet had occasion to change his political views. He would never av- cept office however, and on admitting his sowe to partners in the business he required from them a pledge to do likewise. Socially he is a member of the Old Settlers' Association, which is formed of former residents of New York. who came to this State in an carly day: the Odd-Fellows. United Workmen and Good Templars.
On the 6th of September, 1800, Mr. Green led to the marriage altar Miss Jennie, daughter of John W. and Sarah Owen, who emigrated from Pensyl- vania to Des Moines in 1856. The lady is a native of the Keystone State, born in Perry County, March 28, 1839, and is the mother of two children. Frank O. and James B., both of whom are partners of their father in the foundry. The firm of S. Green & Sons does the most extensive foundry business in the city and also gives considerable at. tention to the manufacture and sale of furnaces. The senior partner is the oldest foundry mon of Des Moines, now in business and one of the most successful as well. He started in this city thirty .. four years ago as a day laborer but has become a man of wealth and the secret of his success is in- dustry, perseverance and good management. While he has not pushed himself into public notier. in a quiet way he has won the universal esteem of his fellow-citizens, such as is accorded an upright honorable man.
FRAMES. AMES, ESQ .. Justice of the Peace of Valley Towa tip, which includes Korth
12 among the well- known business pen of this city for about eight years. A rative of Michigan. he was born in Hisdale County, Mey 7. 1att. His father, Henry Ames, was a native of Mensuely of's and a representative of the well-known As family of that sere. Having anivel at the years of maturity la made his way to Recht m. N. Y. in it- infony and he let me one of it culy - 19. In Pittsford. Monroe County. A. Y. he iene.
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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
born in August, 1826. is the wife of George Hlicks. und resides near the off homestead in the Kes - stone State: Susan, Forn Amil 12. 1828. is the widow of Truman Whitaker, who followed farming in Bradford County. Pa .: John M. born March 17, 18:0, is a farmer of Beaver Township. Folk County, Jowa; Frances, born February 2. 1532. is the wife of Charles Dimond, a farmer of Bradford County, Pa; Jesse M. is the fifth in order of birth; Dexter N., born April 16, 1837, is engaged in agricultural pursuits in Delaware Township; George, born October 10. 1839. was for many years a resident of Nebraska, but has now returned to his native county; Charles, born August 10. 1812, enlisted in a Pennsylvania regiment during the late war and laid down his life on the altar of his country, September 20, 1864. The father of this family also followed the same ocenpation which his sons have made their life work. lle was one of the pioneer settlers of Bradford County, Pa .. becoming a resident thereof when it was an almost unbroken wilderness. Blazed trees served to point out the road to the traveler, and the en- tire county was then under but little civilization. lle proved an excellent mil valued citizen of the community and, although quiet and undemonstra- tive, did much for its upbuilding and won the respect of all. In politics, he was a Jackson Dem- ocrat. His death occurred on the 8th of Novem- ber. 1857. at the age of sixty- four years. he having been born in 1793. Ilis wife, who was born Feb- ruary 11. 1802, is now in the eighty-eighth year of her age. She makes her home in Bradford County, and is a devoted member of the Method- ist Episcopal Church.
Early inured to ha a lobor. the physical natt .. of Mr. Chaffee was developed by work upon a farm. while his intellectual nature was strength- ened by exercise in the common schools. As the county in which bis family resided was quite stony, when a small boy he was put in the fields to gather up the stones, which were used in making fences. As he grew older other parts of the form work were as igned him, and life dutiful son he assisted his father until twenty-one years of age. It was in 1-56, when having a' tained his majo ity. Mr. Chatter started out in life for himself. He
made his way to Carroll County. H .. and in the fall of the stone year continued his journey to Benton County, Iowa, where he spent the winter. In June of 1857. he went to Missouri. later spent some months in Kansas and afterwards settled in Bates County, Mo .. where he remained until the spring of 1800, when he made an overland trip to Denver, Col .. and engaged in freighting. The following autumn we again find bim in lowa, and having chosen Polk County as the sound of his future labors. he has here since made his home. He earned his first money in the county by working as a farin hand with Daniel Justice. In the spring of 1861 he rented a farm and put in a crop, but about this time other events of a more important nature were attracting his attention.
About harvest time a call was issued for three hundred thousand volunteers, and anxious to strike a blow in defense of his country's cause, he dis- posed of his crops for almost nothing and enlisted in Company D, Second lowa Cavalry. From the 10th of August, 1861. until October, 1861, he was actively engaged in the service. He was mastered in at Davenport. lowa. and then sent to Benton Barracks, St. Louis, where his regiment was drilled and equipped for duty. Then followed a number of important engagements in which our subject participated, including the battle of New Madrid where the troops were under fire for twenty-four hours. Another engagement was brought on at Ft. Pillow, followed by the important battles of Farmington, Booteville. Iuka and Corinth. For a part of the time he was on delatche I duty in the quartermaster's department. end at length was mustered out. Omtaler 5. 1864. at Davenport. lowa. after thice years of hard fighting on South- era battle fields.
Tomediately after the close of the war, Mr. ( hattee returned to hi lane in Pek County. mal engaged in burning the west of Des Moines. 1
- mary. 1 GG. he purchased righty seres of land on section &, Delaware Township, and ten years later built , andi frame home theicon. that now fois a part of his spl arfid forme resi ches Just before starting for t', war. on the fall of Angeret. 11.
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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALDUSL.
who was born in folges. December 1. 1 -11. and 19 a daughter of Isedi anal Maria .d. (Ewing) Jardim. natives of Ohio, slo removed to luciana In its pioneer days. They were also manbered among the early sattler of Polk County, taking up their residence in. Delaware Township when In- dians atel wolves al oun ted in the setth ment and when the nearest neighbors were miles away. Both parents passed away at the home then made. the mother dying October 1. 1269, aged forty- nine years, and the father February 17. 16/5. aged sixty nine years. They will long be remembered by the valy settlers of the county and are well deserving of mention in this volume. Hler early life is a picture never to be chfaced frota the mem- ory of Mrs. Chaffee. Her early days were spent in a little cabin with no other chiffrer negr. save the other members of her family, yet that little hand of boys and girls spent many happy days in the pioneer home and made the cil logy sing with their merry laughter and shouts of joy. Areth Hardin. father of Mrs. Chapter, was born in Vir- ginia. April 22. 1810, and was a set of Themis and Katy ( Wilsin) Hodin. Joseph married Maria 1. Ewing, who was born in Ohio, Jeje 17. 1820. daughter of Joseph and Jane (Localy Ewing. Their neuriage vas celebrated in Indiana. They had eight children. three of whom were born in Indiana: James T. been August 12. 1-3: ; Eliza I .. December 4. 1811 . Benjamin F. October 31. 1541. Malic & Anu Inna in Ulinuts. September 11. 1847. In Poll: County were I En Alonzo R .. Ich- mary 8. 1851; Mery ML .. Noves Iwr 23. 1:53; Jo- seph C. July 31. 1826: Hattin H .. . NR. 141. died in infancy. In Die- Hardin'- velt man. th. show the cra terisie. nf Werel med. She ys
Telligen and a very me feel
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Al Warr gion and regler in Delaware Town- ship; Joseph (om erici Calvia Biel; Maty M. marri & John Brown. By their united efforts Mi. and Mirs. Chaffee have establishedone of the most pleasant homes in the empty. Two children have been born unta there Charles. November 21, Ister: and Rose, June 29. 1869. The daughter is an accomplished young lady. having been afford of the a lvatiages f instruction in muste aul paint. ing. Many works of art, the result of her Melier. adorn the walls of their happy home. In politics sentiment. Mr. Chatice is an ardent supporter of the Republican party. and for eight years has been Township Truste, Socially. he is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmien. He has been a liberal sap ator of the interests of his adopted county and is ranked among it- best citizens.
W F. GARRISON. Secretary and Tremmer the of Maple Grove Cool and Mining Com- pan weasley December 1. 1955,ju Filbert twenty. Ind. and is a way of Alfred Garrison. 1li- father was born in New York, Int at an early day resed to bianl: 1. and in that Stie bersine ar- quais ted with erd wedded Mary J. Jaques.a natis- of Ohio, who dso a voogribie ffer finally to Indi mussten carly day. The young couple began then domestic He agens farth in Ellerut Com's. Ind . and in his bustos efforts Mr. Garrison proquiel. becoming out of the eplerutial farmer of the weightedand. He won the crafilme and go !! vill outher the bres linas iled at the agent
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
Emma Virgil. a native of Elkhart County. Il. and unto them were both two children- - Bertha. who died in infancy, and Sylvia.
On his marriage Mr. Garrison turned his atten- tion to farming. but in isso, sold las fare equip- ments and purchased the Butler Bred. a Repul. hean paper. published in DeKalb County. Though he was entirely unfamiliar with the busines he it once became proprietor, clitor and foremen. Ile increased the size of the paper from six to eight columns and in every way made it an acceptable journal, but after five years spent in that line of business he sold out, and in 1885 came to Polk County. He leased a fruit and garden farmy in con- nection with which he carried on a dairy until No- vember, 1889, when he organized the Maple Grove : Coal and Mining Company with JJ. A. Carl-on as President. C. A. Swanson. Vice Pre ident. and W. F. Garrison. Secretary and Treasurer. They throw the first . hovelful of dirt last November and now have a daily capacity of two hundred tons per day, working some thirty-five men. Their mine ! is situated three miles northeast of the court- house. Mr. Garrison is well calculated for a busi- ress man. being pleasant in manner, full of energy. ambitious and far-sighted. In politics be is a Re- ! publican.
R BAM C. JOHNSON. chief of the Des Moines Tite Department, is a native of Indiano. He was born in New London. nem Cincinnati. on the Hled October. 1819. his parents he- accompanied by ! family, came to love in 123H. and after spending one year in Kookul beatel in Des Moines. Our subject attended the public school of the city, and in the early springof 1. when a lad of fourteen years and small of his agr. offered himself as a rternit in the volunteer service for the life was. but on recount of His extreme . youth Levy - refused. After read in nevesful pats be attached himself to the Top : les In- fautty and went to the front'. Ating the Ing ly of
Resaca Ga. he was talea sick and sent to the hos- pitde and on his discharge from the hospital worked his way back home as best he could, steal- ing rides on trains free which he was frequently put off to journey along on foot. He reached Des Moines in due time, having gratified his love of adventure but disappointed at not having been a regularly enrolled soblier. On his return made from the war be re-entered school and later entered his father's har- ness-making shops here he worked for about a year. He then took lessons in civil engineering and was employed on the Des Moines and Indianala Manch of the Chicago & Rock Island Road as fingman and later as head chainmm. He next obtained a posi- sition on the survey of the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad from Des Moines to Poll. City. and after- ward engaged as rodman on the Winterset branch of the Chicago & Rock Island Road. Subsequently he worked with a city engineer for four or tive yours and in 1876 savol as Deputy Sheriff under George Lendring. In IST he became a member of the Des Moines Fire Department and in 1876 was chosen chief. in which position he served two years. "Still retaining his connection with the depart- ment he resumed railroading as leveler on the Chicago. Kansas City and St. Paul Road. He was also employed in the same capacity on the Waleth frota Des Moines to Allin, and hier on the Des Moines of Northwestern Narrow Change to Spirit Lake. Again he we employed og the Chicago. St. Paul & Pacific Railroad as leveler and continued with that comjemy until the spring of 1582. While away on duty he was again elected chief of th. Ins
Moines Fire De pattinent and has told that position e. Hinton-ly since. covering a petit b of right years. A the recent cleef. . following the organizoin 6. the city gove ma : 1 marley the new charter of 1 : 0, he was mach theted chief.
Mr. Johnson was married. in Des Moines on the 1-t of Many. 18 76. to Miss Ario Murphy. dengite ut Holm Murphy. Br -. Johnson was born i Can- ada and one to De Moines in 1871. Five chil dreng wer ther man. o tre daughters and fun
The parent of an Jeli a seat reside in the
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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBEM.
Department and his long retur then in the is goed evidence that his services have licht satisfactory to the people.
JOHN JAY TOWN. Problem of the Valky National Bank of De Nomes, was born in Northeast, Erie County. Ha. Detaber 17. JMEG, and is a son of Bester and Betsy MI. ( Martin) Town. The family is one of the oldest in New England, dating it- origin in America back to 1640. Well authenticated genealogical records he- gin the family history in Amesi a with William and Joanna ( Blessing) Towne, who was born and reared in Yarmouth Cornis, Norfolk. England. They were married at St. Nicholas Church, at that place. on the 25th of March. 1699. and there -ix of their older children were baptized. The best we learn of the family. they appear in Salem. Muss., in 1610. as shown by the local records. William Town's residence was in that part of Salem known a- Northfield, and in 1051. he removed to Tops. field, of the same State. The second generation is represented by Jacob Towne. son of Willian and lo- anna (Blessing ) Towne, who was baptized in Yar- month, Engroot. Maich H. 1632. and came to America with his parents. He was married June 26. 1657. 10 Catherine. daughter of John, Symonds. of Salem, and died in 1701. Theirson. John, Town, the first of the tomil; in this country who spelled his name with the outside of their, was born in Topat. April 2. 105%, and on the 20 1; Fils- mary, V. O. wedded Mary Smith. Their .n. I .. ral lian, was born in Top field. November Is. Ist- 1. sunt mentiel Serveand daughter of Deavon Me . Haven. He lived to the art of eighty -01 9 vous at his wife attained to theadvanced age of mary 12. 1727. N Said Namnet Sobie . Hehe
died Febu my 12. 1-27. 1 the mindy cal yon
Town, was born Holmmeg 22. 1701, and avertiel Hannah Coleman. November Jd, 1785.
Their son. Bester Town, the father of our sub- ject. was born in Grandville. N. Y. August 20. 1791. and on the 220 of September. 1616, well Betsy M. Martin, who was born in Bennington County. V.t., June 4. 17:4, and died January 22, 1872. in her seventy- venth year. Hvis was an oll New England Ponily of French origin. Bester Town was a merchant of Northeast. Pas, and died in 1871, at the age of seventy seven years.
We now come to the personal history of our sub- jeet. John Jay Towa, who was educated in the com- iron schools of his native State and in an werdeny of New York. He was reared to parte mile pur- suits in his father's store, as were h's four brothers. anal all became merchants. but ister three engaged in banking. Two of that number were bankers for thirty-five years, and one for twenty -five. In 1848, our subject removed to Elgin. M., where he en- gaped in merchandising in comjring with a brother. an l'inter carried on lariling in the city. whence heremoved to Genesen. I., and followed merchant- dising. In 1861, he returned to Erie. Ya .. amd with others organizal the Keystone National Bank of that enty, of which he was ca hier up to 187 ;. when he removed to Des Moines, and in 1873, in company with George M. Hippere established the Valley Bank. After a few years, his pirine rietired from the business. and in land, Mr. Town. in com- pimy with others. organized the present Valley Na- tional Bank, of which he has been President from the beginning. while Williem D. Lucas hes served a- eshier during the same period. The present Board of Directors is composed of the following 1 d gentlemen: I Cook. Samuel B. Tutth .J. S. Ankeney. 1 .. R. Chap. William Lyon. W. D. En- cas. Clearly. Weitz. . I. K Gilerest, and .J. J. Toan. At this writing. in ismo, the rapid and andivided profit- amount to x 22920, and the bank is doing a properou. No morvafive lume. and i ; . cogniz las one of the leading bak of the State.
Mr. Towy was nearest in Dundee. IL. on the
Tom to them Jour win of b. D. AMan
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
Cashier of the Home National bank. of Elgin. Il .; self with the occupation which he had chosen as Bessie A .. wife of W. E. Andrews, son of Flein: and William G .. who is single, retling in Des Moines.
Mr. Town is a Republican in political sentiment. but has never been an office socker. In religions belief, he and his wife are Presbyterians and the latter holds membership with the First Presta torian Church of this city. In addition to banking. he is largely interested in other business concerns. helt . a stockholder and Director of the Sleepers Starch Company of Des Moines. Director and Treasurer , of the Des Moines Insurance Company, and is con- nected with the Dexter Manufacturing Company of this rity. Mr. Town has had thirty-five years experience in banking, and is accounted one of th. most expert and conservative financiers in Des Moines, as well as one of the most highly esteemed and public-spirited of her citizens.
HARLES WEITZ has been one of the lead- ing contractors and builders of Des Moines for many years, his residence in the city covering more than a third of a century, during which time he has sided idecially in its opbuild- ing and advancement and won for himself'a p lice among its representative and influential citizens. 11. was born in Sebotten, about thirty miles north of the city of Frankfort, in Het-Dannstadt. Ger- may, May 1, 1826. His father. Henry Weitz. was also a native of the same country and spent hi- entire life in the hard. Ont subject was one of tour children, three sons and a digchter. hat hos only one brother now living- (listing, who is older than he, accompanied Glial- in Anie and is now a resident of Walmid Townchip. Po': County.
Attheage of frenteen year , Mr. Weitz v. apprenticed wilde renter's :: . Miller's if and having serve la trom of max weller 1. If ve. for his first employer & Figli further know it les of the business in enige of the thing gif, ofte .- many, France pind switzerland Social your- code
his life work. But there came a time when his gov- errment desarden hi- services and in 1817. he was drafted into the army and for two years was en. gaged in active duty. He fought in a number of hotly contested battles and was severely wounded in an engagement that occurred mar the city of Manheim, which resulted in his confinement in the hospital for more than three months. In 1-50. Mr. Weitz emigrate I to America, landing in New York City in the spring of that year. After engaging in work for about a month he and his brother left " the Eastern metropolis and proceeded to Ashland, Ohio, where they remained a year. when they de- parted for Columbus, the capital of the State. There Mr. Weitz continued to work at his trade and settled down to the actual life of a citizen. Bus- mess during the winter of 185 1-35. in many places. including Columbus, was much depressed on ac- count of the great fatality that attended the pre- valence of cholera the preceding summer. While sitting in the shop of his employer one day. read- ing a new-paper. his eye fell upon an item which stated that the capital of lowa had been changed . from lowa City to Fi. Des Moines. There thoughts at once occurred to him - that is the place for me. The new capital city shall be my future home. I will go to lowand grew up with the country." He at once made preparations to carry out his reso- Intion, sold what little property he then possessed that be did not wish to carry with him and stated at onre for his destination. His comse was by rail " to Cincinnati, themedown the Ohio River and up the Mississippi to Keokuk, where a padrie schooner mas chattered, which herughe him safely to his destination. 1
Mr. Werz was aesempiol on his journey by his wife. their marriage having been eddettol in Kimil a darker of Adam Kindl whereing. de! from fern byte Serien sich hi- family when hi- daughter wasch infant. The aim of Che and three sons and four daughters-Lizzie. ( art . am
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ability: and Eddie who complete the fans. T. chi fron have been provided with good agu sten ties and the members of the family who Line :.. taibed to mature years are worthy den belgie. citizens of whom the parents may will be grund.
On his arrival in Ft. Des Moines. Mr. Write deavored to obtain work as a journeyam het de: considerable efort. filing no one willing to give him employment. he resolved to art halim loudly and at one annoum of himself as a central. ran brikler who desired a fair share of the pubfe jet. rouge. He did not have to wait low .. for Ie Hh tit as a mechanic and Ins integrity as a citizen som became known to the people and -cemed him all he could do. His life has been an can out an ? sur cessful one as regards his business and schen off age comes on him he can retire from the active duties of life, knowing that a confortable compa'. eure. the fruits of former toil. will provile for all his wants for the remainder of his days. He las ever attended strictly to the duties of 3's law how soul only once has he been induced for ace pt an official position. In 1856, he was pres till upon. · to become the nomince for Aldermen at laige of Des Moines and served on a term, but refused a re-election. In his political affiliations 31 .. Write is a Democrat and he and his family are worthy members of the Lutheran Church. They ako boldt an cuviable position in the social world and are widely known throughout the community.
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HARLES W. TERRELL. of the rest-t -15ic firm of Webb Ferrell. of De. Meine. 200 born in (From County. Ohio. Fuldeas 25. 1531. ad traves de amersfry hung to The list. migrants who at tol curly day en . Htm Mentir and called in Virginia. Su roquently de family removed to Olin, vloje his father. Dr. C. C. Tu En Tis profession in a medien echar of this vati. Ohio, and vat within the grow plus
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