USA > Iowa > Polk County > The history of Polk County, Iowa : containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, &c., biographical sketches of its citizens, war record of its volunteers in the late rebellion, general and local statistics, portraits of early settlers and prominent men > Part 100
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GUE, B. F .- United States Pension Agent. Was born in Greene county, New York, December 25, 1829, and when four years old his parents removed to Ontario county, same State. They were both Quakers in their religious belief, became pronounced Abolitionists, and in the days of the underground railroad their house was used as one of the stations. The first paper our subject ever saw in his home was Wm. Lloyd Garrison's Libera- tor, the first anti-slavery paper that was published. When ten years of age he was deprived of the care of his father by death. In the fall of 1851, being then twenty-two years old, he returned to his native place and engaged in school teaching. Prompted by a desire to see the then growing West, early in 1852 he came to Davenport, Iowa, after a tiresome journey of three weeks. Went to the northern part of Scott county and entered
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160 acres of prairie land and 40 of timber. Early becoming identified with the public interests of his adopted State, Mr. Gue became known as an influential man of the people, and in the fall of 1857 was elected on the Republican ticket to the State Legislature, it being the first session held after the removal of the State capital from Iowa City to Des Moines. During that session he became one of the authors of the, bill providing for the establishment of a State agricultural college. In 1859 he was re-elected to the Legislature, and in the fall of 1861 was elected to the State Senate for a term of four years. He was one of the authors of the bill providing for the leasing of the land granted to the Agricultural College, by which the college realizes more than thirty thousand dollars annually. Removing to Fort Dodge before the close of his term of office, he purchased the Fort Dodge Republican and became its editor. In the fall of 1865 he was elected Lieutenant-Governor of Iowa, and during the session of the Senate in 1866 was elected one of the trustees of the Agricultural College, serving in that capacity four years, during the construction of the building and the organization of the school, being president of the board and chairman of the executive committee and committee on organization. Changing the name of his paper to the Iowa Northwest, he continued its publication for eight years. In the summer of 1872 he removed to Des Moines and pur- chased an interest in the Iowa Homestead, becoming chief editor of the same. He continued to serve in this capacity until December, 1872, when he was appointed to his present position of United States pension agent. Mr. Gue was married in November, 1855, to Miss Elizabeth R. Parker, whose father was killed by Indians in Arizona. They have four children: Horace G., Alice L., Gurney C. and Minnie. Lost one, Birdie. Such is a brief outline of the life history of one who, by his own power, has risen from comparative obscurity to a position of honor and influence. He is indeed the "architect of his own fortune," and his life furnishes a most worthy example of what may be attained by constant, persistent, honest effort.
GULICK, W. P .- Was born January 26, 1833, in Warren county, New Jersey, where he was raised. He served an apprenticeship of three years as a miller, and for some five years was engaged at the milling business in Blairstown, New Jersey, and afterward for some three years he was engaged in the same business at Hackettstown. In 1866 he came West, settling in Toulon, Illinois, where he resided some three years, working at his trade. After traveling around in various portions of Illinois, and taking a trip to California for the benefit of his health, he came to Iowa, locating in Daven- port in 1872. During a portion of the time he resided in that city he was head miller in one of the large mills. He came from that city to Des Moines in 1874, and was engaged in the flouring mill on the East Side for some time. The latter part of 1875 he, together with J. W. Dye, rented that mill, the partnership lasting for one year. Mr. Gulick then continued the business alone until January, 1880, when he formed a copartnership with M. Kennedy. He was married June 7, 1853, to Miss H. A. Myers, a native of Warren county, New Jersey. They have one daughter, by adop- tion, Luella C.
GUMP, J. F .- Proprietor of the Gault House. Was born in Ohio, June 28, 1827, and there was raised. After leaving school he learned the hatter's trade, following that business until 1848, when he engaged in the hotel business. In 1859 he went to Ottumwa, Iowa, where he continued
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in the hotel business, and in 1864 came to this city. Is now proprietor of the Gault House, and is one of the oldest landlords in the city. An addi- tion is now being built to this house, and it will in a few years rank with the best hotels of the city. With such a landlord it cannot fail to have a large patronage. Mr. Gump is the owner of a fine fruit farm situated about two miles from the city, in Valley township. Upon this farm is a fine brick residence, beautifully located. He was married in Ohio, Novem- ber 16, 1847, to Miss Anna M. Leflar. They have four children: Libbie, Phebe, James and Ida. Lost one, Estella, and also an adopted daughter, Nettie Farirclougf.
GUTHRIE, A. W .-- Attorney at law. Was born September 25, 1845, in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania. When nine years of age his parents removed to Iowa, locating in Jasper county. February 24, 1862, he enlisted in company B, Thirteenth Iowa infantry, serving two years, when he re-enlisted in the same company and regiment as a veteran, and served until the close of the war, participating in all the numerous battles in which his regiment was engaged. After the war he entered the Central University at Pella, remaining in that institution for two years, at the end of which time he was married to Louisa M. Penn. In 1867 he located in Washington township, this county, on a farm, where he resided until 1870, during which time he bought and improved a farm, working the farm in. summer and teaching school in the winter. In 1870 he removed to town, where he engaged in the dairying business, which he followed for four years, when he disposed of the same and entered the Iowa College of Law, graduating June 12, 1877. In the spring of 1877, while he was yet in the law school, he was appointed justice of the peace for Lee township, and in the fall following he was elected to fill the unexpired term. At the close of his term of office he engaged in his chosen profession, which he has since successfully followed. Have a family of four children living: Minnie L., George W .. Charles P. and Arthur J. Have lost one child, Ida.
H AHNEN, J. F .- Was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, Aug. 5, 1838,
and in 1854 emigrated to this country with his mother, settling near Lafayette, Ind. Three years later he came to this State, and crossed the Des Moines river on a pontoon bridge in the fall of 1857, and since that time he has resided here. On the 1st of September, 1861, he enlisted in the Second cavalry, then in the State service, and served until the time he enlisted in the United States service, March 8, 1864, in company D, Sec- ond Iowa cavalry. Was mustered out at Selma, Ala., Sept. 19, 1865. Was commissioned corporal and acting sergeant. He participated in about forty-five battles, among which were New Madrid, Island No. 10, Iuka, Corinth, Okalona, West Point (where he was wounded) and Grenada, besides many important and severe engagements. He always followed farming as his occupation until after the war, when he engaged in his present business, that of a saloon proprietor. Has been a member of the police force of this city. He was married in 1866, to Miss Caroline Zelle, a native of Philadelphia, Penn. They have six sons and one daughter: Louis H., Jacob F., George F., Carl A., Willie, Arthur and Caroline Augusta.
HALLETT, DR. THOMAS A .- Was born in New London county, Connecticut, October 21, 1835, where he was raised. His ancestors emi- grated to this country from England among the earliest settlers. His grandfather was one of General Worthington's staff during the Revolu-
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tionary War. Young Hallett was raised on a farm, attending school some. In 1854 he commenced a course of study at Charlottesville, N. Y., and graduated at the Normal School, Norwich, Conn., in 1856. He followed school teaching a portion of eight years. He came to Des Moines in 1857; and was for a time employed in teaching. In 1861 he began the study of dentistry with S. C. Brownell, working under his direction until 1863, when he bought out Mr. B. and established his present office, justly cele- brated for its excellent work. He was married April 24, 1862, to Miss Minerva, a daughter of W. W. Jones. They have a family of six children: George E., Julia A., Nellie C., Minnie M., James G. and Charles H.
HAMMER, I. A .- Eclectic physician and surgeon. Was born in Jef- ferson county, Tennessee, May 19, 1827. When three years of age he removed, with his parents, to Madison county, Indiana, where he continued to reside until 1850. At the age of eighteen years he commenced the study of medicine with Dr. J. H. Cook, of Pendleton. After the usual course of study he commenced the practice of his profession at that place, continuing there until 1850, when he removed to Lisbon, Linn county, this State. In 1853 he graduated from the Eclectic Medical College at Cincin- nati. He afterward studied law and was admitted to the bar in Linn county in 1860, and to practice in the Supreme Court in this city in 1879. In the fall of 1860 he removed to Newton, Jasper county, and to this city in 1874. Dr. Hammer was a member of the city council during the years 1878-79 and helped to revise the city ordinances and was also chairman of the judicial committee. In 1848 he was married in Madison county, Indi- ana, to Miss C. C. West, a native of Bucks county, Pennsylvania. Their family circle are: Fannie and Edward W. As a physician Dr. Hammer has been very successful, and by close attention to his calling, has built up a large practice and he is always a welcome visitor in the sick room.
HANAWALT, GEORGE P .- Physician and surgeon. Was born in Ross county, Ohio, on the 11th day of September, 1836, of American par- entage, and traces his ancestry to German origin. He was educated in Ohio and studied medicine in the Georgetown Medical College, Washing- ton, graduating in 1864. He was hospital steward in the U. S. army from 1862 to 1864; upon receiving the degree M. D. he was discharged for pro- motion to act as assistant surgeon U. S. army in March, 1864, in which position he remained till 1868, when he resigned. He is a member of the Medical Society of the District of Columbia, also of the Alumni Society of Georgetown College, and was its vice-president in 1869-70. He settled in Des Moines in 1868 and engaged in general practice, but makes a spe- cialty of surgery, for which his experience in the army so well qualified him. He has served as secretary of the Iowa State Medical Society, and as presi- dent of the Polk County Medical Society, and is a member of the board of examiners for pensions and division surgeon of the C., R. I. & P. R. R. Co. and surgeon of the Des Moines & Fort Dodge Railroad Company. Dr. H. is a man of acknowledged ability as a physician, and his services are recognized by a host of appreciating friends, and his kind and sympathetic nature makes him a welcome visitor in the sick room. He was married in October, 1871, to Miss Emma Agnes, daughter of Hon. J. C. Jordan, one of Polk county's oldest and most honored citizens.
HARBACH, LOUIS-Mr. Harbach was born in the district of Wau- san, Germany, November 22, 1838, and there he was raised, receiving the benefit of the excellent systems of common schools of that nation. In
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1854, in company with his brother Christian, he came to America, stopping a short time at Mobile, Alabama, and thence he went to Louisville, Ken- tucky, where he learned the saddler's trade. In 1858 he came to Des Moines, and the two years following was employed by Terry & Butler as a saddler. In 1860 he joined his brother, who, in 1856, had started in the furniture business, in a small shop on Second street, between Court Avenue and Walnut. By diligent attention to business and the exercise of wise discretion in management, their business increased each year. New quar- ters were required, enlargements necessitated, until now the house has be- come the largest and most extensive in the State. A four-story brick and cut stone front building, one hundred and thirty-two feet deep, on West Third, is set apart for their retail trade, embracing furniture, upholstery and carpets of all grades from the most costly to the lowest. Another
building on the same street is devoted exclusively to undertaker's goods. On Second street a building four stories high and one hundred and thirty- two feet deep is devoted to wholesale trade, while another building is de- voted to manufacturing and repairs. Their goods are mostly purchased of manufacturers in unfinished or " knock-down " shape, and finished or up- holstered here, giving employment to a large number of men. The Kirk- wood, the Aborn, the churches and most elegantly furnished residences in the city attest the skill and elaborateness of the establishment. Mr. Har- bach purchased the interest of his brother and became sole proprietor. Starting with but little means, having divided his inheritance with his brothers and sisters, reserving one dollar out of five dollars, his increase in wealth and business has illustrated perhaps in a more noticeable degree than that of any other house in the city the rapid growth and prosperity of the city and surrounding country. He carries a permanent stock of $125,- 000. His wholesale trade is $100,000; retail trade, $125,000 annually. He was married September, 1862, to Sarah Harker, a native of England. By this marriage seven children have been born to them: Mary Jennette, Lizzie H., Louis F., Willie C., Leonard E., George R., Wilmot A. and Carrie M. All are living except Louis F.
HARRIS, H. C .- Of the firm of Osgood, Harris & Co., was born in Wynd- ham county, Vermont, September 11, 1844, where he spent the first twenty- one years of his life on a farm. In 1865 he engaged in the grocery business in his native State, and continued in it till 1867 when he removed to Des Moines. For nearly a year after coming to the capital city he was in the employ of Ankeny & Dart, grocers. In 1868 he entered the dry goods house of G. R. Osgood, with which house he continued to be connected as clerk until 1874 when he bought an interest in the firm. Mr. Harris may be properly termed a self-made man. Commencing life without any capital except a good business education, a strong will and a persevering disposi- tion, he has earned a place as a member of one of the leading mercantile houses of the West. He was married November 21, 1874 to Miss Mary E. Rawson. She was a daughter of Mr. A. Y. Rawson, a prominent business man of Des Moines.
HARLEY, JOHN-Harness maker, was born in Franklin county, Indi- ana, in 1842, and was taken by his parents in 1847 to Washington. Lived there until 1849 and then came to this county, locating in Crocker town- ship. He was raised a farmer. In 1863 he came to this city and learned his trade with Frank Butler. He has been engaged in his present business
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since 1875. He was married in October, 1865, to Miss Belle Gregg. Their family consists of three children: William, Frank and Fred.
HARBACH, F., & BRO .- Cigar manufacturers. This firm is com- posed of F. and Charles Harbach. The former was born in Nassau, Germany, October 1, 1831. He learned the trade of shoe making in his youth and re- mained in his native country until twenty-two years of age and emigrated to the United States, and settled in Mobile, Alabama, and lived there seven months, and then went to Louisville, Kentucky, where he lived two years, and thence to St. Louis, and after a residence of five months came to this country in 1857 and entered the employ of Mr. Corning. He remained in this situation until 1861 and started in business for himself. In 1864 he went to Montana, and returned the following year; and in 1866 engaged in his present business. He married Mary S. Schiesler on the twentieth day of November, 1860. She was born in Prussia. They have five children: Anna, Frank, Agnes, Mena and George. CHARLES HARBACH, the junior member of the firm, was also born in Nassau, Germany, March 21, 1841, and learned the shoemaker's trade, and in 1861 emigrated to the United States and came to Des Moines. In 1865 he went to Germany and returned in 1866. He married Miss Lucy Emnerberg in 1868. She was born in Germany. ' They have three children: Emma, Mary and Clara.
HARTLEY, JOHN-Commission merchant and dealer in fancy gro- ceries, was born in Preble county, Ohio, March 13, 1842, and at the age of nine years came with his parents to Indiana, where they resided until the spring of 1854. He then came to Iowa and located near Salem, Lee county, where he engaged in working on a farm. His occupation, until the spring of 1869, had always been farming and at that time he came to this city starting a small peanut stand under a canvass. The following fall he occu- pied a small room where he had choice fruits and vegetables, and remained there until the spring of 1875, when he built a brick store room, and in 1877, on account of increase in business, he was compelled to put on an addition of forty-four feet. He has a good share of the public patronage, and in addition to quite an extensive business, does considerable wholesale- ing. He commenced business without capital and has attained to a well- merited success. Was married September 26, 1869, to Miss Mattie Os- born, a native of Indiana. They have three children living: Clifford C., Audra D. and Maud. One is deceased.
HARKNESS, W. K .- Grocer, was born in Cayuga county, New York, September 25, 1811, and was there raised and educated. In 1835 he re- moved to Ohio and located in Huron county, engaging in the mercantile business, which he continued about three years; then sold out and moved to the town of Republic, Seneca county, where he opened a general store. Here he remained about fourteen years when he went to East Saginaw, Michigan, there engaged in the manufacture of salt, continuing about three years; and in 1868 came to this city and bought the Callanan farm, near Redfield, Dallas county, containing about one thousand acres. Three years later he sold out and opened a large stock of staple and fancy groceries, at which business he has been successful. He was married June, 1839 to Miss Theoda Follett, a native of Vermont. They have three children living: Bella, Florence and Daniel. Lost two.
HARRIS, CAPT. W. J .- Proprietor of billiard hall and saloon. Was born in Owen county, Indiana, in 1822, and was raised on a farm, and when
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ten years of age he moved with his parents to Clay county, Indiana. In 1853 he came to this city and has since resided here. He was married in Clay county, February 28, 1848, to Miss Nancy Luther, a native of that county. They have a family of five sons and three daughters: Annie, Frank, William, Lincoln, Ettie, Minnie, Herman and Gurney.
HASTIE, ALEX .- Of the firm of Reed, Hastie & Reed, real estate and abstract brokers, was born in Berwickshire, Scotland, on the fifteenth of of November, 1847, and when five years of age moved with his parents to this country and settled in Albany, New York. They resided there for two years and then came to this State, locating in what was then Polk county, but now a part of Warren county. He there engaged in agricul- tural pursuits, and followed the same until 1874 when he moved to Indian- ola. He was there employed by the county as Deputy Auditor for two years after which he came to this city and engaged in his present business, in 1876. He has been very successful and thoroughly deserves credit. He was married May 28, 1878 to Miss Mary L. Berry, a native of Belmont county, Ohio, born November 23, 1839. They have one daughter, Ger- trude.
HATCH, HIRAM B .- Was born in Orange county, Vermont, Septem- ber 18, 1824. He is a descendant direct from Puritanic stock, his ancestors having emigrated from England, landing in Boston in the year 1650. His life was a struggle for a precarious living from the rock-bound soil of his native State. In 1848, being then twenty-four years of age, he removed to. Rock Island, Illinois, where for six years he followed his former occupa- tion. In 1854 he came to Polk county, Iowa, and settled in Des Moines, and with his brother, Hon. J. H. Hatch, engaged in mercantile pursuits. The year following he purchased a farm in Saylor township, which he im- proved and three years later sold; this farm is now known as the County Poor Farm. In 1858 he became a government mail contractor, having the contracts to carry mail to Eddyville, Fort Dodge and Winterset. He has represented his ward in the city council. He was married on the eighteenth of November, 1869, to Miss Eliza Godson, born in Troy, New York.
HEATH, HENRY R .- Proprietor of the Des Moines Oat Meal Mills, is a native of Tyringham, Berkshire county, Massachusetts, and was born on the 6th day of April, 1830. He is of Welsh-English ancestry, his pro- genitors emigrating to America before the revolution. In early life he at- tended the common schools, and at the age of fourteen years he engaged at labor at different manufactories, working with machinery until twenty-five years of age, his specialty being sash, blind and door making. In the spring of 1856 he removed to Des Moines. He first engaged at carpenter and joiner work. After a journey to Pike's Peak, Colorado, he returned in the fall of 1861, and after following his chosen occupation until 1868, he commenced business on his own account. He established a business that has proved of much value to Des Moines as one of the branches of manu- facturing industries that will make of the capital city the great central me- tropolis of the West. In 1879 he engaged in his present business, in which he has been favored with satisfactory results. His mills have a ca- pacity of from one hundred to one hundred and fifty barrels per day, which finds a ready sale in the larger Eastern cities and European markets. He married Miss Edith A. Underwood in 1850. She is a native of Massachu- setts. They have a family of three children : Charles H., Albert C. and Jim.
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HEATON, W. N .- Dentist. Among the numerous young business, men of the East Side, none are more deserving of notice for sterling worth and straightforward business transactions than the subject of this sketch. Mr. Heaton was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, October 31, 1847, where he was raised to manhood. He finished his educational stud- ies at Mt. Union, Ohio, attending school there for two years. In 1874 he came West, locating in East Des Moines, where he has since resided, dur- ing which time he has been engaged in the dental business. He was mar- ried, in 1876, to Miss L. S. Willis, at Perry, Dallas county, this State. They have two children: Arthur D. and an infant.
HENRY, GEORGE F .- Attorney, was born in Chicago, Illinois, on the Twenty-seventh day of August, 1854, and from that place removed to Davenport, Iowa, and was educated at Griswold College. After decid- ing to make the practice of law his vocation for life he entered the office of. Putnam & Rogers, and, after reading for some time with them, entered the Iowa University and was graduated from the law department of that insti- tution in 1877. He then came to Des Moines and commenced the practice of his profession. He was united in marriage with Miss R. Casady, daughter of Hon. P. M. Casady, one of Des Moines' oldest and most honored residents, in November, 1879. She was born in this city.
HERRMANN, JOHN C .- Though young in years, deserves to be classed with the old settlers of Polk county, having been born in this city, January 11, 1859, and is a son of John and Anna, nee Heirb, Herrmann, who came to this city in 1854, where the subject of this sketch was raised., He enjoyed its best educational advantages, supplemented by a course in the Notre Dame University, of South Bend, Indiana, from which institu- tion he graduated with high honors, in the class of '79. He returned home and was in the employ of L. Harbach as shipping clerk for about one year, when he became conversant. with his present business. In April, 1880, he bought the furniture establishment of A. Hill, which he now owns. Mr. Hermann is a courteous gentleman with an extensive acquaintance. He. bids fair to build up a business that will be a credit to the city of his birth.
HILL, J. G .- Physician and surgeon, was born in Shelby county, Ohio, on the 4th of July, 1842, and when six years of age he left that State and accompanied his parents to Illinois. After residing there for a number of, years he returned to Ohio, but came again to Illinois, settling in Fulton: county. His early education was received at the Farmington Academy, of Farmington, Illinois, supplemented by a course at the College of Chillcothe, Illinois. He commenced the study of and read medicine with Dr. George W. Everets, at Toronto, Canada, and graduated from the Eclectic Medical Institute, of Cincinnati, in 1878. He came to Cedar Rapids in the winter of 1864, and, in 1878, to Des Moines, where he still engages in practicing and with good results. His marriage was in Galesburg, Illinois, June 27,. 1865, to Miss Edith H. Owens, of Illinois. They have one daughter, Fannie.
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