USA > Iowa > The United States biographical dictionary and portrait gallery of eminent and self made men, Iowa volume > Part 35
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He was married at Mount Vernon, Ohio, in 1848, to Miss Amanda T. McGugin, only child of D. L. McGugin, M.D., and Eleanor McGugin. Dr. Mc- Gugin was a practitioner of medicine in Mount Vernon, Ohio; was surgeon in the Mexican war, as also surgeon in the late war, and for fifteen years a professor in the College of Physicians and Surgeons
at Keokuk. He died in June, 1865, aged fifty-eight years.
Dr. Hughes never mingled in politics, although a strong partisan, first a whig and then a republican. In his religious belief he is a Presbyterian.
His family consists of four children, three sons and a daughter. His eldest son, J. C. Hughes, junior, M.D., was elected professor of anatomy in the Col- lege of Physicians and Surgeons in the spring of 1876, and is now in Edinburgh, Scotland, attending the University there, preparing himself for the posi- tion to which he was elected. This is his second trip to that country, having made it in 1866, accom- panying his father. Dr. Hughes is a delegate from Iowa to the National Medical Congress, which meets in Philadelphia in September of the present year. He is the leading surgeon of the west ; has been successful financially, and his position and practice yields him a handsome income.
EDWARD H. HAZEN, M. D.,
DAVENPORT.
E DWARD HAMLIN HAZEN was born at Elyria, Ohio, on the 12th of April, 1834, and is the son of Edward and Minerva C. Hazen née Hamlin. His father was the author of "Technol- ogy of Professions and Trades," published by Harpers, also of a grammar and a number of school books. He was a native of New York. He died on the 24th of April, 1877, in his eightieth year.
Edward's early boyhood was passed in the east- ern states in the quiet attainment of a rudimentary education. Through home discipline he was led in early childhood to form habits of observation, which proved invaluable in later life. Lacking robustness in early manhood, a collegiate course was aban- doned, and for several years certain avocations were followed with a view of acquiring physical strength and a knowledge of the world. He com- menced the study of medicine in Ohio, and attended his first course of lectures at the Michigan Univer- sity in Ann Arbor during the winter of 1860-61. At the breaking out of the rebellion he joined the first three-years regiment raised in Michigan, and participated in the Bull Run battles of the 18th and 21st of July. He remained one year in the volun- teer service and was honorably discharged, when he entered the regular army as hospital steward, serv-
ing three years in the general hospitals of Alexan- dria under United States surgeons Porter, Summers and Page, receiving his discharge on the 22d of June, 1865. He was much favored by these officers in the practice of medicine and surgery, often sup- plying the place of contract surgeons in operations and in the wards as physician. During the latter part of his last year of service he was engaged in compiling and arranging the history of cases for the surgeon general's office and army museum, which gave him valuable information. He resumed the study of medicine at the Charity Hospital Medical College of Cleveland, Ohio, and graduated in 1866. After practicing one year in Buffalo, New York, he concluded to make a specialty of diseases of the eye and ear, and to try his fortune in the west. He came to Davenport in 1867, and opening an office attended to general practice, but gave special atten- tion to these branches. He was for four years lecturer in the State University on ophthalmology and otology, and during that time built up the most successful clinic in the university. He has done everything for the purpose of improvement in his specialty. The best written authorities have had his attention, and he has received instruction from those in our own country who are eminent in
Cadres lazul
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this profession. In 1872 he traveled in Europe and attended the clinics of those highest in reputation in the old world, and frequented the hospitals de- voted to these diseases. Increased practice from all parts of the west, demanding that facilities for the accommodation of patients be provided, led him to establish an infirmary. The institution is delightfully situated, modern in its architecture, comfortably fitted up, and the only institution of its kind of any importance in the state. His practice is large and constantly increasing, and much of his success may be attributed to his careful attention to the details of his profession, and his particular adaptation to the branches to which he has devoted himself. He has been president of the Scott County Medical Society, vice-president of the Iowa and
Illinois Central District Medical Associations, presi- dent of the Davenport Academy of Natural Sci- ences, a member of the American Medical Associa- tion, the International Ophthalmological and the Otological Congresses.
He was an acceptable member of the Congrega- tional church for five years, and withdrew ; but still believes in the religion of paying his debts and living agreeably with his neighbors.
He is a Royal Arch Mason, having been a mem- ber of that order for twelve years.
. He was married, in 1874, to Miss Sallie Feeman, of Lancaster, Ohio.
Dr. Hazen is of fine appearance, about medium height, and of prepossessing manner. He is an earnest worker and deserving of his success.
GEORGE BEED,
HAMPTON.
T HOUSANDS of enterprising young English- men have heard of the rising west, and, at- tracted by its promising openings, have sailed for the New World, and proceeded directly to the land of prairies. Here with their business habits, ac- quired in the old country, they have cast them- selves upon their own powers, and by industry and prudent management secured a competency, or be- come independent in a few years. To this class belongs George Beed, the subject of this sketch. He is the son of Thomas and Anne (George) Beed, and was born at Colyton, in Devonshire, on the 25th of June, 1832.
He attended school most of the time until he was sixteen years of age, and during the next ten years was employed as a clerk in the importing house of Ricketts, Boutcher and Co., in London. Thus thoroughly educated in a business line, and well read in American progress, and full of en- thusiasm to visit the young west, and there select a home, he sailed for the United States, and reached Franklin county, Iowa, in the spring of 1856; purchasing a tract of land near the present site of Hampton, the county seat, he spent two years in its improvement. In 1858 and 1859 he was engaged in a steam grist-mill and saw-mill near Hampton, an enterprise which proved very unfortunate, he losing all he had.
The following year Mr. Beed served as deputy
treasurer and recorder of the county, and a year later was elected treasurer and recorder. By re- peated elections he served eight consecutive years, the last term of two years as treasurer only, the two county offices having been separated.
In 1870 he engaged largely in the real-estate business, to which he had previously given some at- tention, and became, in a short time, a heavy dealer in landed property. He owns a large quantity of improved lands, and has had over five thousand acres broken during his residence in the county. Indeed, very few-citizens, owners of real estate, have done more than he to develop the agricultural wealth of Franklin county.
In September, 1875, Mr. Beed organized the Citizens' Bank, of Hampton, he being one of the principal stockholders, and the president. It has already become a popular institution, and is doing a thrifty business.
Mr. Beed has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and an officer in the same for many years, and is known for his liberal support of the gospel, and of every worthy benevolent enter- prise.
In politics, he has always been identified with the republican party.
On the 18th of August, 1857, he was married to Miss Marinda Denman, of Erie county, Ohio, and by her has had five children, four of whom are now
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living. Mrs. Beed died on the 2d of August, 1875. On the 12th of April, 1876, he was married a second time, to Miss Amelia Illingworth, of Hampton.
Mr. Beed is a leader in local enterprises. He obtained the subscriptions by which the right of way for the Central Railroad of Iowa was secured, bringing the road to Hampton, the natural line being about three miles east of town. He not only gave much time but much money to accomplish this end, and a failure would have been ruinous to the place.
Mr. Beed has been for several terms one of the school directors of the village, and cheerfully gives more or less time, from year to year, to advance its educational interests, and in many respects is one of the most enterprising and useful citizens of Frank- lin county.
Mr. Beed has eight brothers, seven of whom live in Franklin county. William, the eldest, is one of the most public-spirited men in his part of the state. All are hard-working men, who by their industry have placed themselves in easy circumstances.
JAMES P. GAGE,
LIONS.
AMES P. GAGE was born on the 10th of June, J 1810, at Stony Creek, Canada, a few miles east of Hamilton. His father, James Gage, was a farmer, and among the very first settlers in that section of country, then a wilderness. His paternal grand- father served as a soldier in the war for independ- ence, and was killed. on the Hudson river, some forty miles above New York city. He was a man highly esteemed and respected for his sterling integ- rity and patriotism. His mother, an estimable and worthy lady, was a native of North Carolina; and his maternal grandfather, sympathizing with the local prejudices of his neighborhood, espoused the cause of the tories during the American revolution. At the close of the war he settled in Canada, re- gretting sincerely his error of judgment that induced him to commit this political blunder, the great folly of his life. He died at an advanced age. His mother's maiden name was Mary Davis, and the middle letter in the name of the subject of this sketch is derived from the maternal grandmother, whose name was Phillips.
His parents were worthy and prominent mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal church, and being wealthy and liberal, contributed largely to its sup- port and welfare. In his parental home, the early ministry of that denomination always found a hearty welcome and christian hospitality. The children of the family consisted of four sons and six daughters, all of whom arrived to maturity. The subject of this sketch recently assisted in cele- brating the "golden wedding " of one of the sur- viving sisters, Mrs. I., I). Birely, residing in Canada.
In the schools of the neighborhood he received
the rudiments of an English education, and was always first in his class among his school-fellows. In these early years he obtained the elements of a sound and practical education.
The children were early taught that industry is essential to success in life, and hence the boys and girls of the family were always engaged in some household duty, or useful employment on the farm. Hunting, trapping and field sports generally have always been very attractive to him. Through life his gun has afforded him the highest enjoyment and greatest amusement.
In a biographical sketch of this nature, the trifling incidents that enter into the life of an individual should be briefly noticed, as essential to the full and faithful delineation of character.
At the age of twenty-two, having been gener- ously endowed by a gift from his father of a deed of seventy acres of good land, together with a horse and fifteen hundred dollars in cash, he left the parental mansion, and, in company with his brother, entered into the mercantile business in Wellington Square, some ten miles distant. The enterprise was conducted with prudence, and proved profitable. The brother having withdrawn, the business was continued by Mr. Gage with ability and success. Making his purchases principally in New York and Montreal, his business increased, and, to a limited extent, became the center of commercial transac- tion for that locality.
In his various business relations he soon acquired a reputation for financial ability and thoroughness in business, having no recollection of ever contract- ing an obligation that was not paid at maturity.
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He has never sought nor accepted office, and belongs to no society. When a boy he joined the temperance movement, and, during the southern difficulties, the "Union League." His travels have been limited. Some thirty years since, however, he visited England, principally to improve his health. In 1836 he rode from Schenectady to Albany, a dis- tance of sixteen miles, on the only railway at the time in America.
His first visit to Iowa was in 1853, with a view to land investments. Having made a large invest- ment of some twenty-two hundred acres, near Lon- don, at one dollar per acre, he returned in the fol- lowing year and made another large purchase in the same vicinity. He found the country attractive, and in 1855 settled on a farm of half a section (three hundred and twenty acres) in Jackson county. His experience, however, as a farmer, was not gratifying. To use his own expression, "he found the sun very hot, the acres very large, and good help very scarce."
About this time he established a grocery store in the city of Lyons, with Wm. Lyall as manager. He also invested in other property in the same vicinity, and finally, in 1858, moved hither with his family.
This enterprise is still in successful operation, doing business in a commodious edifice erected by himself. Associating himself principally with Messrs. Rands, he entered into the banking busi- ness, and early, with few associates, established the first national bank at Lyons, O. McMahon and he being the principal owners. He has been the presi- dent of the bank since its organization. In 1873 he erected in Clinton, Iowa, the building known as the Farmers and Citizens' Savings Bank. He is the owner of the building and nearly the entire stock of the institution. It enjoys a fair business, and is increasing in usefulness.
The extent and variety of his business relations, and the admirable manner in which they have been managed, furnish sufficient proof of his comprehen-
sive intellect and thorough business capacity. His reputation for financial ability and integrity is so extensive that he is made the custodian of impor- tant trusts, not only in his own, but also in neigh- boring communities. His financial career has been characterized by remarkable success. He has proved what a man can do who depends upon himself, and is resolved to trust himself to the end. He did not believe that man is the creature, but the lord, of his circumstances. Those who hope for his success must adopt his means.
His religious views are peculiar and somewhat in- definite. He is neither a sceptic nor a sectarian ; he believes all religion relates to life, and that the life of religion is to do good.
In politics, Mr. Gage is decidedly an independ- ent thinker and actor, and has no sympathy with the party hacks who make politics a trade. Al- though not a partisan in politics, yet he is a firm believer in the science of self-government, and entertaining an abiding faith in the Demos-Krotos principle.
He was married on the 24th of November, 1836, to Mary Jane Davis, of Wellington Square, Canada. This lady died on the 7th of February, 1857. In 1858 was again united in matrimony, to Helen Julia Buck, of Palermo, Canada West. One son and two daughters are the result of the latter marriage. Mr. Bidwell Gage, the very efficient and gentlemanly cashier of the Farmers and Citizens' Savings Bank, is the only surviving issue of the former marriage.
Mr. Gage is a man of pleasing address ; his man- ners are affable and courteous, yet manly and digni- fied. He has been highly favored by nature, being endowed with an active and comprehensive mind, singularly keen perceptions, and the most untiring energy. He is one of the most prominent and influential men in that region of Iowa where he resides, and, as a business man, has the confidence of a wide circle of merchants and capitalists, who find in him a prompt and trustworthy associate.
FREDERICK BECKER,
BURLINGTON.
T HE subject of this sketch, a native of West- phalia, Prussia, was born on the 16th of De- cember, 1824, the son of Ignatz and Elizabeth Becker. His father was a lawyer of considerable
celebrity in his country. Frederick received his education at Coesfeld, Germany; and after com- pleting a thorough classical course and graduating with honor, he, at the age of fourteen years, entered
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a large manufacturing establishment for the pur- pose of learning a trade, and remained until 1846. He was next called to his military duties in the army, but after seven months of service was dis- charged by reason of ill health. After spending a short time with his brother in the wine business, he, in 1848, immigrated to America, and there found himself in a strange land without a friend. He at the first established a small hotel or boarding house, which he conducted with good success for about eighteen months, and at the expiration of that time removed to Buffalo, New York, and there resumed the same business, and continued it for nearly five years. Selling out his establishment, he next opened a wholesale liquor business, in partnership with his brother-in-law, which was conducted under the firm name of Funck and Becker. In 1857 he removed to the west, and settling at Burlington, at once re-
sumed the liquor business, and by his native busi- ness ability, energy, enterprise and fair dealing, has accumulated a handsome fortune. During his early life Mr. Becker traveled extensively throughout Eu- rope, gaining an experience and a knowledge of men and things that have been invaluable to him in all his subsequent business career.
His early religious training was under Catholic influences, but he is now very liberal in his views, belonging to no church organization.
In politics, also, he is very liberal, being bound by no party ties.
Mr. Becker was married on the 20th of June, 1848, to Miss Bettie Altrenter, of Bavaria.
He has rare personal characteristics, a command- ing presence, and most excellent social qualities, and enjoys the highest confidence and esteem of all who know him.
HENRY C. HUNTSMAN, M.D.,
OSKALOOSA.
P ROBABLY no man in the central part of the state is more thoroughly wedded to his pro- fession than Dr. Huntsman, who has been a phy- sician in Iowa (except when in the army) since 1851. He was born in Dayton, Ohio, on the 16th of Sep- tember, 1826. His father, Howell Huntsman, a farmer in early life, and subsequently a general busi- ness man, was born in 1801, and is yet living at his home in La Porte, Indiana. The grandfather of Dr. Huntsman came over from Prussia, settled in New Jersey, and fought in the war during the adminis- tration of James Madison. The wife of Howell Huntsman was Sarah Rogan, whose ancestors were early emigrants from England to New England. When Henry C. was about five years old the family moved to Elkhart, Indiana, and a few years later removed to La Porte county, settling near La Porte city. There the son aided his father in cultivating land, receiving such education as could be obtained at a common school, and a few terms at Franklin College, Indiana, where he paid especial attention to the classics. He studied medicine at La Porte with Professors Meeker and Higday, of the med- ical college, which was then in its palmiest period ; attended two courses of lectures at La Porte, another at Ann Arbor, Michigan, and graduated from the latter place in April, 1851.
Dr. Huntsman then removed to Iowa, and prac- ticed medicine at Lafayette, Polk county,-a town since become extinct-about three years, and at Pella, Marion county, from 1855 until after the civil war had commenced. In the winter of 1861-62 he raised a company of volunteers, intending to enter the service with the 15th Iowa Infantry; but at the solicitation of his family he relinquished the idea of going into the line service, and substituted the medical.
In the spring of 1862 he was appointed first as- sistant surgeon of the 5th Iowa Infantry, and joined the regiment in front of Corinth in April; in Au- gust, 1863, he was appointed by the President, sur- geon of United States volunteers, and had charge of general hospitals, and did general staff duty for three years, not being mustered out until the sum- mer of 1866. By special order of the secretary of war he was retained in the service the last year to finish up the work of the field, and take care of the medical supplies of the government. These supplies he sold in Jackson, Mississippi, and upon final settlement with the government was able to account for every cent of the vast amount of public property and funds for which he became responsible, and received a full discharge.
Dr. Huntsman located at Oskaloosa in 1868, and
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soon became the leading physician. He has a steady, uniform and successful practice ; attends to his pro- fessional duties with the utmost attention, and his kindly feelings and gentle and polished manners, coupled with his skill, make him a very welcome visitor in the sick room. He had much experience in surgery during the rebellion, and makes this branch a specialty, though doing general practice. He is surgeon for the Oskaloosa branch of the Chi- cago, Rock Island and Pacific Railway Company. The confidence of the community in him, both as a citizen and physician, seems to be unlimited.
Dr. Huntsman pays some attention to conchology, and has the finest collection in this branch of the natural sciences in this part of the state. His scien- tific studies, with this single exception, are given to medicine and surgery. He is a careful economist of time ; gives to his medical library and fresh peri- odicals the hours which can be spared from pro-
fessional visits, and with his studious habits and excellent means for growth in knowledge, is making fine progress.
In politics, the doctor is a republican.
His religious connection is with the Baptists, he having been a member of the church since twenty years of age. He is quite active in religious matters, and most emphatically a christian gentleman.
His wife was Miss Matilda Fulton, of Ohio ; they were joined in wedlock on the 29th of September, 1856, and have five children.
Dr. Huntsman has been president of the Mahaska County Medical Society; was the first president of the Des Moines Valley Medical Association, and is a member of the State Medical Society and of the American Medical Association. His standing in the profession is truly enviable. In all respects Dr. Huntsman is a very useful and honored member of society.
ROBERT HOLMES,
CEDAR RAPIDS.
T' HE oldest journalist in Linn county, Iowa, Robert Holmes, is a native of Kentucky, and was born in Shelby county, on the 29th of May, 1819. His father, Andrew Holmes, a farmer and surveyor, died when Robert was two years old. The mother, who was a McCormick, moved to Mont- gomery county, Indiana, eight years afterward. From ten to fourteen years of age Robert spent his time in school and aiding an elder brother on a farm; he then went to Crawfordsville, the county seat, and acted as clerk for another brother in a drug store until he was about twenty, when he be- came a partner in the business. In 1841 he moved to Marion, Iowa, and opened a dry-goods store, still in partnership with the brother, who followed him to Iowa a short time afterward. At the end of two years Robert bought out his brother, and continued the mercantile business until 1857, when he took possession of the "Linn County Register," this he published until 1863, when he sold out, and did not engage in business until the autumn of 1865, con- tinuing it until 1867.
Three years ago Mr. Holmes moved to Cedar Rapids, joined the editorial corps of the "Daily Republican," and is now its political editor. He is at his post early and late, applies himself with great
diligence to his task, and makes a good local reper- tory of passing events. He looks well to the interests of Cedar Rapids.
Mr. Holmes served two years as clerk of the board of county commissioners, and one year as school commissioner for the sale of public lands while Iowa was still a territory. In 1854 he was elected to the lower house of the general assembly, serving one term.
In 1864 Mr. Holmes was appointed commissary of subsistence, with rank of captain; was sent to Cape Girardeau, Missouri, as post commissary ; re- mained there until May, 1865, when he was sent to Denver, Colorado, to occupy the same official posi- tion. Late in the same year, when discharged, he received a commission as brevet major for faithful and meritorious services.
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