The United States biographical dictionary and portrait gallery of eminent and self made men, Iowa volume, Part 24

Author: American biographical publishing company, pub
Publication date: 1878
Publisher: Chicago, New York, American biographical publishing company
Number of Pages: 954

USA > Iowa > The United States biographical dictionary and portrait gallery of eminent and self made men, Iowa volume > Part 24

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Although always an active and laborious man, Dr. Ball has taken good care of himself; he has never used tobacco or liquor, and at sixty-five is sprightly and active as most men at fifty.

REV. JOSEPH W. HEALY, M.D., D.D.,

IOWA CITY.

A MONG the leading clergymen of the Congre- gational denomination in the country, none deserves more honorable mention than Rev. Joseph W. Healy, M.D., D.D., pastor of the Congregational Church at lowa City, Iowa. He was born in South Hero, Vermont, on the 11th of April, 1827. His father Nathaniel, and his mother Jane Tabor, were both of English descent, their ancestors having im- migrated to America in 1643. His father having died while he was young, leaving the family in mod- erate circumstances, he was thrown upon his own resources in acquiring an education. By manual labor in the summer and teaching in the winter, he prepared for college at Newbury Seminary and Bradford Academy, Vermont. He spent a year at Norwich University, and then entered upon the study of law in the office of Judge Batchelder, of Tapsham, where he remained some two years. His

early inclinations were for the ministry, and believ- ing this to be his future vocation, he entered the sophomore class of the University of Vermont, and graduated in 1852. Having graduated, he became principal of Bath Academy, Bath, New Hampshire, and Tapsfield Academy, Tapsfield, Massachusetts, where he taught successfully and gained a well- merited popularity. While teaching he pursued his theological studies, and afterward attended lectures at Andover Theological Seminary.

He married Miss Jane Hibbard, daughter of Sabin Clark, Esq., of Groton, Vermont, who has shared with him all his struggles and successes. She is a lady of high attainments, and distinguished for a marked excellence of womanly and christian virtues.

His first pastoral charge was the Congregational Church in Walpole, Massachusetts. At the begin- ning of the war he moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin,

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and became pastor of the Hanover-street Congre- gational Church. In 1865 he became connected with the Tabernacle Church in Chicago, and in 1868 removed to New Orleans, Louisiana, because of the severity of the lake climate ; there he became pastor of the First Congregational Church. Among the fruits of his labors in the south was the establishing of Straight University, of which he became presi- dent. He received the degree of M.D. from the Medical College, Cleveland, Ohio, in 1870, and that of D.D. from Olivet College, Michigan, in 1871. He was chosen by the American Missionary Asso- ciation as a delegate to Great Britain to organize an auxiliary to that association, and sailed with his family in January, 1872. While abroad, nearly three years, he organized the Freedman's Missions Aid Society, of which he became corresponding secre- tary. He delivered addresses in all the large cities of the kingdom, and visited the continent and the east, raising large sums of money. Before returning from Europe he was elected professor of English literature and pastoral theology in Maryville College,

Tennessee, and upon his return was recalled to his former charge in Chicago. Loving his chosen voca- tion above all others, and confident that his restored health would permit a residence in Chicago, he re- newed his labors there in the autumn of 1874, but the first winter again proved too trying for his con- stitution, and he sought the milder inland climate of Iowa City, Iowa, where he resides as pastor of the Congregational Church. Dr. Healy is a popular preacher and a hard worker; into whatever he undertakes he throws his whole energy, and to this his success may be largely attributed. As an ardent student, he has climbed the hill of knowledge, has been a successful teacher, is eminent as a preacher, and a great lover of his kind. He is gifted with minor graces often denied men of studious habits ; he is graceful, engaging, genial and attractive in manner, and in personal appearance is remarkably imposing. He ranks high as a promoter of every good work, and has made a record to which the limits of our space render it impossible for us to do justice.

JOHN W. CHAPMAN,

COUNCIL BLUFFS.

JOHN WILSON CHAPMAN, a native of Blairs- ville, Indiana county, Pennsylvania, was born on the 19th of July, 1834. He is of Scotch-English descent, and a grandson of Judge Thomas Pollock, of Ligonier valley. His father was engaged in vari- ous kinds of business ; in early life he was a farmer, and he and his brothers owned a large distillery in Westmoreland county, and were interested in an iron furnace; this was early in the present century, when the western limit of Pennsylvania was almost the boundary line of civilization; and, in the ab- sence of railroads, the varied products of the farm, the distillery and the furnace, were carried to mar- ket annually by means of flat-boats, between Pitts- burgh and Louisville, on the Ohio river. John re- moved to the west with his family while still young, and received a good education at Yellow Springs Academy, in Des Moines county, Iowa.

At the age of twenty he engaged in the mercan- tile trade at the last named place, and continued there, doing a successful business, until the year 1859, when he settled at Plattsmouth, Nebraska. Here, during the next four years, he was employed

as chief clerk and manager in the large establish- ment of Tootle, Hanna and Co., now of Kansas City. The business was principally that of selling goods for outfitting emigrants, and his position being one of responsibility, Mr. Chapman gained from it a most valuable experience. Throughout all his business relations his conduct has been marked by sterling enterprise, and a rigid adherence to the highest principles of integrity and justice. His course of life, too, has been such as to throw him much upon his own resources; and he has thus been enabled to develop his native powers, and to acquire fine executive ability. Such characteristics early disclosed themselves, and his fellow-citizens, recognizing his fitness for official positions, have conferred upon him offices of grave responsibility.

In the fall of 1862 he was elected a member of the general assembly of Nebraska, and served dur- ing that session. In the spring of 1863 he was elected a delegate to the constitutional convention which met at Omaha, and in the following fall was again elected to the assembly. In the fall of 1864 he was elected to the territorial council, and in the

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republican caucus was nominated for president of the same. During the balloting, however, a dead- lock occurred which resulted in the election of Judge Mason, of Nebraska City. While acting in this capacity he rendered very efficient service, and was placed on some of the important committees. During the second session of the council he was one of the committee who prepared the constitution of Nebraska, which was afterward adopted. He was also author of the celebrated "Chapman Election Law," the purpose of which was to protect the purity of the ballot box. Although his business career was one of peculiar activity he found time for general reading, and kept himself posted upon the current news of the day. He is a man of literary tastes, and having some aspirations in that line, in the year 1865 became editor of the "Omaha Repub- lican." He was also, during that year, chief clerk in the office of Colonel E. B. Taylor, superintend- ent of Indian affairs of the northern superintend- ency. In the summer of the ensuing year (1866) he purchased an interest in the "Council Bluffs

Nonpareil," and took up his residence in that city. He is at present editor-in-chief and principal pro- prietor of that paper. In 1869 he was elected coun- ty treasurer, and was reelected in 1871. He was also appointed, by President Grant, United States marshal for Iowa in March, 1875.

In local enterprises he has been especially active, and has done much toward the growth and develop- ment of his city. He has been president of the Merchants' Exchange Club, and is now (1877) one of the committee of eight-called the railroad com- mittee-whose office is to look after and protect the interests of Council Bluffs in all railroad mat- ters appertaining to the city.

In religious sentiment he is a Presbyterian.

Mr. Chapman was married, in 1858, to Miss Ada Annagene Gillett, of Jamestown, New York, a daughter of Rev. Dr. E. J. Gillett, who is now presi- dent of the Keokuk Medical College. Mrs. Chap- man is a lady of fine accomplishments, and highly esteemed by all who know her. Their family con- sists of two daughters.

J. M. ANDERSON, M.D., MONTROSE.

T HE subject of this sketch, a native of Mont- gomery county, Kentucky, was born on the IIth of July, 1818, the son of William and Francis Anderson, both of whom were natives of Virginia. His father died at Montrose in 1861, and his moth- er, in October, 1876, at the age of eighty-five years.

Our subject removed to the west in 1828, and settled at Quincy, Illinois. During the cholera epi- demic of 1833 the family removed about sixteen miles into the country, where they remained three years. An incident which occurred about this time is worthy of note, since it was the means of casting him upon his own resources, and doubtless shaped, in a measure, his subsequent course of life. His father sent him, in company with another young man, with a stock of goods to Farmington, Van Bu- ren county, lowa, with a view to opening a store. Upon reaching Alexandria, Missouri, his partner was taken ill, and he returned home to await his recovery. After ten days he went again to Alexan- dria, and found that his partner had not only recov- ered, but had also sold the stock of goods and, pocketing the proceeds, had gone to Texas. It was

a sad disappointment to young Anderson, and being unwilling to return home he went on foot to Farm- ington, and at once engaged in teaching school. He continued that vocation there and in Clark county, Missouri, about two years, and then return- ing to Farmington, spent six months working as a day laborer.

At the expiration of that time he entered the office of Dr. Miles, formerly of Vermont, and during the next two years zealously pursued the study of med- icine. In 1840 Dr. Miles went to New Orleans for his health, and there died of yellow fever, leaving his business in the hands of Dr. Anderson, who con- tinued in practice at Farmington until 1844, when he removed to Montrose, his present home.

At that time the old barracks were still standing ; the population numbered about two hundred; rank weeds covered the ground, breeding malaria and ague, and pale faces and general lassitude marked the appearance of the inhabitants. There were sev- eral "steam doctors " in the place, and the Mormons were treating diseases literally according to the di- rection of St. James : " Is any man sick among you,

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let him call in the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil," etc.

Against the prejudices incident to such a state of society Dr. Anderson was obliged to contend, but persevering in an upright, honorable course, he mas- tered every difficulty and overcame every opposi- tion, and fully established himself in the respect and confidence of the people. For thirty-three years he has continued in the practice of his pro- fession at Montrose and vicinity, and, having been eminently successful, has attained a wide reputation and accumulated a liberal competence.

Although Dr. Anderson is not a man of great physical strength, he has passed through all these years, subject at times to great exposure and fatigue, with scarcely any loss of time from illness. He has not been sick more than a week during this entire period of more than thirty years, a fact attributable to his thorough knowledge of himself and a strict ob- servance of the laws of health.

Aside from his profession, Dr. Anderson has been honored by his fellow-citizens with many positions of trust.

In political sentiment, he is a conservative demo- crat. In 1850, 1851 and 1856, he was a member of the state legislature, and during his first term was chairman of the committee on schools and universi- ties. He took an active part in legislation during his terms of office, and became widely known as a man of clear foresight and good judgment.

A marked characteristic of Dr. Anderson during his entire career has been his untiring energy and enterprise. A man of strong will and a determined purpose, he turned the whole current of his life force into one channel, and as a result has secured that reward and success which must follow persist- ent, honorable effort.

He was married to Miss Electa A. Miles, a daugh- ter of his early preceptor; they have had one son and five daughters, of whom four are now living.

JAMES F. EVANS,

COUNCIL BLUFFS. .

T HE subject of this brief biography is a man whose life-work well illustrates what may be accomplished by persistent, energetic and honor- able effort. He was born in Huntsville, Alabama, on the 9th of October, 1825. His father, James Evans, was a farmer by occupation, and a man of high character.

Our subject received a fair education, attending school at Jacksonville, Illinois, and closing his studies at the age of seventeen, turned his atten- tion to farming. He continued that occupation with varying success until the year 1864, when, on the 8th of November, he settled in Council Bluffs, Iowa. During the next three years he was en- gaged in the transportation 'of goods, groceries, pro- visions, etc., to the mining districts of Colorado, Montana and Utah. He was also, for three years, engaged in the lumber trade, and at the close of that time (about 1870) began dealing in grain. In this business he has been very successful and is vigorously prosecuting it at the present time (1877).

His business career has been one of gradual growth, and he has established a wide reputation as a business man of sterling integrity, shrewd tact and decided action ; this he has acquired by long

years of experience. During his early life in Illi- nois he underwent great inconvenience in getting his produce, stock, etc., to market ; but persevering he overcame all obstacles, and toiling on through every vicissitude has attained to his present high stand- ing, where he is reaping a bountiful reward for all his effort. He has confined his attention to no single line of business exclusively, but being alive to the necessities of the times, and the demands of trade, has carefully watched his opportunities, and thus been enabled to make profitable and judicious investments. He now ships large quan- tities of grain to the eastern cities, and is also ex- tensively interested in the shipment of cattle and hogs. He owns a large interest in the elevator at Council Bluffs, and besides is connected with several elevators along the line of the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad, and of the Bur- lington and Missouri railroad in Nebraska. He owns a part interest in a large stock ranch in Wyoming, the object of which is to raise cattle for the eastern market. The present year (1877) there are about ten thousand head of cattle on the ranch. The amount of grain annually shipped by his firm varies from one to two millions of bushels.

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Mr. Evans is a public-spirited man, and engages heartily in such local enterprises as tend to build up and further the interests of his city. The First National Bank of Council Bluffs was first incor- porated under the state law; in 1865 it was organ- ized under the national banking law. In 1870 Mr. Evans was elected president of this institution, and still holds that office. He took an active part in building up the agricultural works and the paper mill of Council Bluffs, and is a stockholder in the same. He is a man who takes pride in educa- tional matters, and during the last ten years has contributed liberally of his time and money to the development of the public schools of his city.

Although he has never sought political honors,

his fellow-citizens have imposed upon him positions of trust. During the years 1868 and 1869 he served in the city council as alderman; it was at the time when the railroad lines running into the city were being completed, and the street railway and gas works were in process of construction,-so that the office was one of more than usual responsibility.

Personally, Mr. Evans is a man of admirable qualities, and from his varied experience and wide observation has acquired a fund of knowledge that renders him a most agreeable social companion.

His family consists of a wife and three sons. Mrs. Evans is a lady of fine attainments. The sons are now in school, their parents desiring to give them the advantage of a liberal education.

HON. JOSEPH M. CASEY,

FORT MADISON.

JOSEPH M. CASEY, a native of Adair county,

Kentucky, was born on the 25th of March, 1827, the youngest of a family of six children. His grand- father was one of the pioneers of Kentucky, and his father, Green Casey, was the first male child born in Adair county. His mother, Jane née Patterson, was a native of Rockbridge county, Virginia. Both of his parents were well educated, and zealous mem- bers of the Presbyterian church.

When Joseph was eleven years old his father died, leaving his family in moderate circumstances. He received a good academical education, and at the age of seventeen began the study of law in the office of Judge John F. Kinney, who was then a prominent jurist in Lee county, Iowa, and who afterward be- came judge of the supreme court of Iowa. After a three years' course of diligent and thorough study, young Casey, in 1847, was admitted to the bar, and, settling in Keokuk county, was at once elected prosecuting attorney. He held that office for five years, and in that time established an enviable reputation as a prosecutor and as a lawyer. In October, 1859, he was elected county judge of Keo- kuk county, and satisfactorily performed the duties of his office until April, 1861. Desiring, however, to make Fort Madison his permanent home, he removed thither, arriving on the 12th of April of the last-named year, leaving a lucrative practice and many true friends.

Although Judge Casey's attention has been de-

voted mainly to the practice of his profession, he has yet found time for literary culture. He was for two years editor of the Iowa "Democrat," while a resident of Keokuk county, and was for three years editor of the Fort Madison "Plaindealer."

In political sentiment he has been always an uncompromising democrat, and cast his first vote for General Cass. But although he has firmly ad- hered to and advocated the principles of his party, he has never been so biased by political prejudice as not willingly to allow those who differed from him the peaceful enjoyment of their opinions, recogniz- ing the fact that men may honestly differ in their views. As a consequence he has many warm per- sonal friends among men with whose political views he has no sympathy.

Personally, Judge Casey is kind, courteous and affable. He has a decidedly mathematical turn of mind, and his arguments, especially those before the supreme court, have been styled by superior jurists as models of logical strength and literary excellence.

He has taken a prominent stand in the masonic fraternity, and been honored with the highest offices of the craft. As a Royal Arch Mason, he is acknowl- edged to have few superiors.

He has taken a deep interest in educational mat- ters, and in all public enterprises tending to the prosperity of his city he has cooperated to the extent of his ability. He has twice filled the office of mayor.

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As a lawyer, his aim has been to be true and faithful to his clients. He resolved, when he first began his practice, that he would never resort to deception or dishonesty, and has rigidly adhered to his principles, so that courts and juries never doubt the sincerity of his arguments, and it has become a common saying, "for safe counsel and honest advice go to Judge Casey."

His life has been spent in the interests of his fellow men, with a full realization of the truth that, while he should seek to develop in himself a true manhood, he should also do all in his power to assist others. Such has been his course of life, and

his dealings with all with whom he has had to do, that he has secured to himself universal confidence and respect.

Judge Casey was married in 1854 to Miss Sarah J. Ward, a native of Ohio, and daughter of Thomas and Nancy Ward. They have had five children, four of whom are now living.

Such in brief is an outline of the life history of one whose career has been marked by enterprise, energy, pure motives and honest effort. He has made himself what he is, a worthy type of inde- pendent manhood, and may justly be placed upon Iowa's roll of honor.

HON. LYSANDER W. BABBITT,

COUNCIL BLUFFS.

TYSANDER W. BABBITT, a native of Ovid, L Seneca county, New York, was born on the 3Ist of January, 1812, and is the son of William J. Babbitt and Persena née Losey. His paternal an- cestors were of Welsh origin, while his maternal grandfather was a Hessian and served in General Burgoyne's army. His father was a blacksmith by occupation, and he himself early developed a de- cided mechanical taste. In 1828, being then sixteen years of age, he learned the gunsmith's trade and pursued that occupation in New York until 1833. During the next three years he continued his trade at Cleveland, Ohio, and in 1836 removed to Bur- lington, Iowa, and there resumed the same calling, and continued it with good success until the year 1844. During his residence in Burlington he be- came well known as a man of fine native talents and thorough business qualifications, and in considera- tion of these he was soon honored with positions of trust. In 1838 General A. C. Dodge, who was then brigadier-general of the territorial militia, at Bur- lington, appointed him adjutant of a regiment which was held in readiness to quell border troubles. In 1841 he was elected city recorder, and served in that capacity for two years. Soon after this he re- moved to Knoxville, in Marion county, and there was appointed clerk of the district court and of the board of county commissioners.

Iowa was then a territory, and there being at that time no railroads within its limits, Mr. Babbitt made the journey to Knoxville with an ox team. Some idea of the wildness of the region may be formed

from a knowledge of the fact that within the last hundred miles which he traveled there was but one house, and that was on the present site of Oskaloosa. At Knoxville he turned his attention toward mer- cantile pursuits, and also operated a grist and saw mill. In his business he met with fair success, but was soon called to serve in other capacities.

In 1849 he was elected to represent in the state legislature Marion, Jasper, Story, Polk, Dallas, Mad- ison, Guthrie, Warren, Boone, and all the counties of that tier, westward to the Missouri river. There were then probably not more than thirty voters in this whole section outside of Pottawattamie county, and only nine votes were cast. After serving his term of two years, he was, in 1851, reelected for a second term. In 1853 he removed to Kanesville (now Council Bluffs), having been appointed by President Pierce register of the United States land office at that place. He served in this capacity until 1856, at which time he again turned his attention to merchandising, opening an establishment of general stores, and erecting a three-storied building to ac- commodate his business. He continued this busi- ness with good success for two years and then sold his interest. This was at that time a fine business point, since the overland emigrants to California, and the Mormons going to Utah, made it the prin- cipal place for purchasing their outfit.

In the year 1857 Mr. Babbitt purchased the "Council Bluffs Bugle," the oldest paper in western Iowa, having been established in 1850. This he continued to edit until 1870, firmly and zealously

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advocating the principles of democracy, antimo- nopoly, hard money, opposition to every kind of special privilege by the government, and the doctrine of individual liability of members of corporations for all debts of corporations.

For many years Mr. Babbitt has devoted much attention to raising blooded horses, cattle, hogs, etc., having, as early as 1853, purchased of five Mormons the beautiful farm upon which he now resides (1877). In local improvements he has been a leading man. He was the first vice-president of the Council Bluffs and Saint Joseph railroad, now known as the Kansas City, Saint Joseph and Council Bluffs railroad, and it is but just to state that to his foresight and per- sistent effort is largely due the locating of the state capital at its present site. As early as 1842 he ex- plored central and western Iowa, with a view of determining, in his own mind, where the capital of the state would be, and finally selected Fort Des Moines. He at that time attempted to settle there, but was ordered off by the United States troops, it being then Indian territory. Afterward, while a member of the state legislature, he introduced the first bill for removing the seat of government from where it then was (Iowa City) to Des Moines. The bill met with strong and bitter opposition, those not favoring it declaring that all the country west of Des Moines was fit only for Indians and beaver, and that the United States government would never

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The United States biographical dictionary and portrait gallery of eminent and self made men, Iowa volume, Part 24

Author: American biographical publishing company, pub Publication date: 1878 Publisher: Chicago, New York, American biographical publishing company Number of Pages: 954

Author: American biographical publishing company, pub
Publication date: 1878
Publisher: Chicago, New York, American biographical publishing company
Number of Pages: 954