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 103

Author: Union Historical Company, Des Moines, pub
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Des Moines, Iowa : Union Historical Co.
Number of Pages: 1074

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 103

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McCALL, J. N .- Was born in Syracuse, New York, June 3, 1842, and . lived principally in that State until he removed to this city in 1877. He learned the trade of a machinist when young and has followed that busi -:

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ness as an occupation through life. On the twenty-fourth of September, 1864, Miss Mary E., daughter of J. S. Kenyon, an eminent physician of New York, became his wife. She, in early youth, made the most of the advantages offered in her father's library, and chose medicine as her princi- pal study, making the treatment of cancers a specialty, in which she has- been very successful. They have a family of two children: Frances J. and Harry K.

McCAIN, SOLOMON .- The student of history will remember the reign of Charles II, one of the most dissolute and profligate monarchs who ever disgraced a throne, and his bloody persecution of the Scotch covenant- ers, when their heads and quarters rotted on poles in all the streets and market places of Somersetshire and Dorsetshire; when aged women held in high honor for their piety and charity were, for the most trivial offenses, beheaded or burned alive; when one-third their estates were confiscated to furnish money to gratify the greed of this monster and his dissolute habits; when Catholics were permitted to build chapels and parade the streets, while Presbyterians were forbidden to worship God anywhere except in private dwellings; or to build meeting houses, or even occupy a barn, and if they dared to hold meetings in the open air they were beheaded. Dur-, ing this persecution in 1651 two brothers, Donald and O'Brion MacCain, , with three sisters and their husbands, Canaday, Moffett and Bucanon, to- gether with their families, oppressed beyond endurance by the persecution which was waged against their religious notions, resolved to sacrifice their worldly possessions, home, kindred and all that was dear to them in the land of the shamrock and thistle. They went to the north of Ireland, where they again began the battle of life, joyous in the hope that there they could worship God according to the dictates of their own conscience and the faith of their fathers. They prospered and were happy, but in 1689 James II, successor to Charles II, invaded Ireland, and the war be -. tween church and the king was raging, the king desiring to abolish all re- ligious creeds except the Catholic. This little band of covenanters again became alarmed, and William Moffett, the great great grandfather of Mr. MacCain, fearing that his religious notions would cause him further trouble, gathered together his family, left his luxurious home and worldly estate, turned his back upon the green isle, and sought refuge in the home of the free, landing at Perth Amboy, New Jersey. He settled in what subse- quently became Somerset county. There he reared anew his family altar and made a pleasant, happy home, amid the companionship of others who joined him from Ireland. He was a brave and efficient officer in the Revo- lutionary war, taking a conspicuous part in the battles of Trenton, Prince- ton, Camden and many others. In 1738 John MacCain, a grandson of Donald, landed at the same harbor, where his ancestors had, fifty years be- fore, first set foot on American soil. It was about this time that their name was changed, and it became McCain. Soon after his arrival John McCain married Elizabeth Logan, a woman of Scotch descent, by whom he had six sons: Richard, John, Daniel, William, James and Robert; and two daughters, Mary and Elizabeth. In 1788 John, one of the sons, and the father of the subject of this sketch, married Mary Moffett, the great granddaughter of William Moffett, who came to America in 1688. In 1793 John McCain, with his family, removed to Fort Washington, on the Ohio river, where now stands the city of Cincinnati. The journey was made with wagons and on flat-boats. The first year after his arrival there

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he removed the timber and brush from a few acres of ground and raised a small crop to supply the needs of his family. That "clearing " is now what is known as " the square," north of Market and west of Main streets, in the heart of that city. In 1794 he removed to Fort Hamilton, and it was near that locality Solomon McCain was born, August 19, 1810. There he passed his early youth, mostly upon a farm. When twelve years of age his father died, and thenceforward he was thrown upon his own re- sources to obtain a livelihood. He was ambitious and energetic and greatly desired an education, to secure which he made many extraordinary ventures. In 1824 he went to Maryland, where he engaged in various oc- cupations, meeting with continued reverses, which only increased his zeal, aroused his courage and strengthened his resolve to win success and es- tablish a reputation worthy of his ancestral name. In 1832 he went to. Knightstown, Indiana, and was employed as salesman in a store. He soon became a partner in the business with a Mr. McCall. The following year he purchased the interest of his partner. In 1834 he disposed of his busi- ness and traveled through Michigan and Illinois and returned to Knights- town, when he entered the drug business, which he continued until 1840, when he sold out and came to Iowa. He made investments in Burlington and returned to Knightstown, where he again engaged in mercantile busi- ness until 1842, when he entered the employ of the Knightstown & Shel- byville Railroad Company, where he remained two years. In 1855 he came to Des Moines and entered 600 acres of land and returned to Knightstown, when he was prostrated by severe illness. On his restoration to health he, in 1856, with his family, removed to Des Moines, then but a mere hamlet. He purchased eighty acres of land adjoining the now city limits on the, west and a whole block on Walnut street, corner of Sixth, eastward to the alley, both of which investments proved highly remunerative. He lived long enough in the home of his adoption to see his family pleasantly and happily situated. He died November 11, 1857. He inherited from his ancestors those strong religious principles, those sterling traits of character, which made him a model man. He was actuated always by the best and purest motives. He carried with him to the grave those deep religious convictions which had come down to him from the old Scotch covenanters in the days of Cromwell. He was kind and generous, courteous, but in- clined to be reserved in his manner. His heart and hand was in all good works, and his name is greatly revered by the early settlers contemporane- ous with him. He was an active, honored member of the Masonic order, and he observed all its obligations and duties with that fidelity and zeal which characterized his religious faith. June 24, 1840, Miss Margaret Ann Davis, of Henry county, Indiana, became his wife, a woman of rare personal attraction and accomplishments. At the death of her husband she found the great burden of life thrown upon her. She proved nobly equal to the task, and with most excellent wisdom she managed the affairs of her hus- band and raised to majority her children, who have proved an honor and a blessing to her name. Five children were the result of the marriage: George D., Walter M., Mary Frances, Flora Belle (now the wife of John W. Chase). Mary Frances died in 1860, at the age of twenty. Another child died in infancy before the family came to Iowa.

: MCCLELLAND, W .- Mr. McClelland was born in Cecil county, Mary- land, September 3, 1837, where he passed his youth. At twelve years of age he began an apprenticeship to the trade of carpenter and builder. He

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subsequently added to these the trade of millwright. In 1849 he came to Des Moines, which was then a mere hamlet, and known as the "Fort." The country was new and sparsely settled. Mills were few and far between. Oskaloosa, Fairfield and other equally remote points were the nearest ac- cessible mills. Mr. McClelland was, therefore, the right man in the right place, and eleven mills in this and adjoining counties erected by him attest the fact. He relates many incidents of those early days of Polk county and adjoining counties, and has a vivid recollection of the privations en- dured by the pioneers. In the winter of 1855-6 he was building a mill in what is now Greene county, which was then the frontier of settlements. The weather was severe and the settlers were poorly protected against its inclemency. Their cabins were rudely constructed of logs, with puncheon floors. They answered very well in summer, but in winter there was too much ventilation; very few, if indeed any, families in that section escaped freezing more or less that winter. Owing to frequent and continued ex- posure in 1856, Mr. McClelland was prostrated with rheumatism, and was finally compelled to abandon his trade, and he has now retired from active business, and is enjoying the evening of life as pleases him best.

MCCLELLAND, GEORGE F .- Attorney at law and justice of the peace. Was born in Rensselaerville, Albany county, New York, Septem- ber 24, 1845, and is consequently in his thirty-fifth year. His father was a blacksmith by trade. Our subject lived in New York until twelve years of age, when, with his parents, he came to Iowa, in 1858, settling in Cedar county, near Tipton. He attended the State University at Iowa City, and graduated therefrom in 1872, receiving two degrees. During the year 1875-6 he completed the law course in the same institution, graduating with the degree of LL. B. In August, 1876, he commenced to practice in this city. In the fall of 1878 he was elected justice of the peace, which office he now holds. He was married July 17, 1879, to Miss Charity Willsey, of Des Moines. She is a native of Canada, born near Montreal. Mr. McClelland is a close student in matters pertaining to his profession, and though yet a comparatively young man, he has a long ca- reer of usefulness in store for him.

McDONNELL, N. S .- Proprietor of the Des Moines Steam Boiler and Iron Works, was born May 8, 1841, in Ireland, where he resided until 1857, when he immigrated to the United States and located in Goldsburg, Penn- sylvania, and there resided but a short time, when he went to Memphis, Tennessee, where he learned the trade of a boiler-maker in connection with his late partner, Mr. James Marla, now deceased. He worked there until June, 1861, when he came to Des Moines, and engaged in his present bus- iness. He is now doing a very large business, his trade extending through central, southern and western Iowa, and into Nebraska. His works have long since become one of the permanent industries of the city, and he is continuously adding improved machinery in order to facilitate business and keep up with the increased demands being made upon his house. He has been very successful in business, having come to Des Moines a compar- atively poor boy, and by patient industry and strict attention to business has been able to accumulate considerable of this world's goods.

McHENRY, M. D .- Attorney. Was born in Washington county, Ken- tucky, on the 21st day of September, 1806, and was raised there until he attained his majority: In acquiring an education he had the personal su- pervision of his father as instructor. At the age of twenty he commenced

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the study of law, and in November, 1827, he was admitted to the bar. He engaged in the practice of his profession in his native place until 1835, when he removed to Shelby county, where he was elected Prosecuting Attorney. In 1844 he was elected to represent his district in the Senate of the State. Legislature, and re-elected to the same office in 1846, and in 1849 was elected Judge of the Circuit Court. In 1856 he came to Iowa and settled in Des Moines, where he has since pursued his chosen calling. In 1878 he was elected police judge of Des Moines, and held the office two years. He was united in marriage with Miss Mildred Merriwether, of Shelbyville, Kentucky. She is a niece of Hon. David Merriwether, Governor of New Mexico. By this union they have six children: two sons and four daughters.

MAISH, GEORGE H .- Cashier of the Iowa National Bank. A native of York county, Pennsylvania. Was born September 30, 1835, and during his earlier years had the advantage of a common school education. At the age of seventeen he placed himself in the employ of Messrs. P. A. and S. Small, machinists of York, Pennsylvania, and after remaining with them a period of nine years formed a partnership with Mr. John M. Brown, and during the next four years was engaged in the coal business, with good suc- cess. During that time he became well known as a thorough and compe- tent business man, and at the earnest solicitations of the board of directors of the old York Bank, accepted the position of teller in that institution. After four and a half years of most satisfactory service he relinquished his position, and removing to Iowa, settled at Des Moines, where, with his brother-in-law, Charles A. Weaver, under the firm name of Weaver & Maish, he engaged in the drug business. To this business he gave his close attention until the fall of 1875, when, with other gentlemen, he organized the Iowa National Bank of Des Moines, and was elected to his present position of cashier of the same. As a business man Mr. Maish has from the first been eminently successfully. Beginning without capital other than his own native abilities, and prompted by the ambition to become known as an upright, honorable, and influential man, he has by his own effort gradu- ally risen to his present commanding position. And his life history fur- nishes a worthy example to young men who aspire to dignity and noble- ness of character, He was married on the 1st of October, 1857, to Char- lotte E. Weaver, a native of York, Pennsylvania. They have seven chil- dren living: William W., Anna K., Harriet J., Albert G., Mary M., Georgia E. and Lottie. One, Charles E., is deceased.

MASON, JOHN F .- Manufacturer of sheet iron, tin and copper work. Was born in New York, September 10, 1848, and in 1858 removed to Iowa and settled in Van Buren county, where he commenced his trade in 1871. The house of Mason & Co., which was established in 1869, and of which E. R. Mason is senior partner, commenced doing business in Des Moines, and the subject of this sketch has charge as general manager. Their busi- ness is an exclusive wholesale one. Their trade extends though Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska and Utah; are the patentees and manufacturers of the Hawkeye lantern, one of the best in use, and in which they have succeeded in building up a large trade. Mr. Mason was united in marriage with Miss Anna B. Montague, in 1868. She was born in Grandville, Ohio. They have four children: Charlie F., Kittie A., Hattie N. and Fan- nie C.

MASON, E. R .- Clerk of the United States Circuit Court, Des Moines. Is a native of Franklinville, Cattaraugus county, New York, and was born on the

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18th day of December, 1846, and lived in his native place until eleven years of age, and then came with his parents to Van Buren county, Iowa. He came to this county in 1869, and in 1870 was appointed Deputy Clerk of the United States Circuit Court, and continued in this position until Jan- uary 1, 1876, when he was appointed Clerk of the same court. Mr. Mason is also senior member of the firm of Mason & Co., mention of which is made in another part of this work. Mr. Mason is one of those fortunate individuals who almost invariably succeed in what they undertake, and to no one man in Central Iowa are the citizens more indebted for the impetus to the raising of fine horses than the subject of this skeich, and his horses, Alamo and Primo have a State-wide reputation. He is a man of quick perception, clear judgment, and a high sense of honor, and in the positions of trust to which he has been called to fill he has discharged his duties with scrupulous care and fidelity. He was married May 31, 1870, to Miss Alice Losie, of Cleveland, Ohio, who was born in 1853. They have one daughter, Etta R.

MAHANA, J. O .- One of the most sagacious and successful business men of Des Moines, was born in Waynesburg, Greene county, Pennsylvania July 15, 1829. His father was Captain Bradley Mahana, who came to this State in 1855, and settled at Iowa City, and was commissioned captain of the first company which enlisted from Iowa during the late war. He with three brothers were in the service of their country, the family giving six- teen years of active service in the suppression of the rebellion. His mother was a daughter of William Seals, Esq., a native of England, who came to this country and settled in Waynesburg, Greene county, Pennsylvania, and became one of the most prominent merchants of the State. The sub- ject of this sketch early commenced his mercantile career, which he has since followed with signal success. After three or four years experience in his native State, while yet a young man, lie became impressed with the ad- vantages offered to men of industry and integrity in the West, and in 1854 emigrated to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he was for five years in the employ of Ringwalt & Avery, carpet dealers. From this place he went to St. Louis, and entered the employ of A. McDouree & Co., the most prominent carpet house of that city. September 12, 1862, he received a lieutenant's commis- sion from Governor Gamble, and was engaged for some time in organizing and drilling men for the service. In 1864 he came to Des Moines and bought a stock of goods on wagons, opened a store on Second street under the firm name of Luce & Mahana. The first year their business increased to such an extent they were compelled to build more commodious room on Court Avenue, and their business here kept apace with their accommoda- tion. In 1870 Mr. Mahana removed to his present location, No. 303 Wal- nut street, and has since continued the business alone. In 1876, in con- nection with his retail trade, he opened an auction and wholesale house, corner of Third and Walnut streets, and in this department is conducting a successful business. He has built up his business upon the sure founda- tion of fair dealing with all men, and as a prominent, influential and thorough- going business man, he has done his full share in contributing to Des Moines, commercial supremacy. He was married in 1865 to Miss Sarah, daughter of William Shaw, of Newburyport, Massachusetts. They have a family of four children: Kittie G., George S., Cornelia (who took the first premium at the exposition fair in 1877), and Jessie O. They have lost one daughter Mary Seals.

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MAXWELL, MRS. S. B .- State Librarian. Mrs. M. came to Iowa with her husband the latter part of 1863, locating in Guthrie county. He was a member, during the rebellion, of the Third Ohio cavalry, enlisting in 1861, and serving over two years. At this time he was compelled to leave the service on account of ill health. He was captain of company A, of that regiment. He was elected Clerk of the Courts of Guthrie county in 1864, holding that office for four years. He also represented Guthrie county in the Fourteenth General Assembly. Mr. M., together with their oldest son, was murdered by a negro in New Mexico in 1877. Mrs. M. was ap- pointed State Librarian by Gov. Gear in 1878, and reappointed to the same position in 1880, an appointment worthily bestowed upon a painstaking and excellent official.

MERRILL, HON. SAMUEL-Was born in the town of Turner, Oxford Maine, August 7, 1822, and is of English ancestry. At the age of sixteen he moved with his parents to Buxton, where his time was mostly engaged in turns at teaching and attending school until he attained his majority: Having determined to make teaching a profession, he set out for that pur- pose toward the sunny South, but, as he says, he was "born too far north," for his political comfort. Suspicion having been raised as to his abolition- ist proclivities, and finding the elements not altogether congenial, he soon abandoned the land' of the palm and the palmetto, for the old Granite State, where he engaged for several years in farming. In 1847, he moved to Tanworth, New Hampshire, where he embarked in the mercantile busi- ness, in company with a brother. In this, as in all his industrial enter- prises, he was quite successful. In 1854, he was elected to the New Hamp- shire Legislature, at the same time Gen. N. B. Baker was Gov- ernor of the State. In 1855 he was returned a second term

to the Legislature. Not being satisfied with the limited re- sources of Northern New England, he determined to try his fortune on the broad prairies of the new and more fertile West. Accordingly, in 1856, he turned his face toward the setting sun. He made a final settlement at McGregor, Iowa, where he established a branch house of the old firm. McGregor, was then a small village with a few scattering houses, and sur- rounded by a country with a sparse population. But immigration poured in rapidly, and with increased population their trade increased until their house became one of the most extensive establishments on the Upper Mis- sissippi river. This result was owing to his correct and energetic business qualities. In Iowa he was equally fortunate in securing the good will of those who knew him. His neighbors, and those who had dealings with him, found a man, honest in business, fair in his dealings, social in his re- lations, and benevolent in his disposition. He took and active interest in the prosperity of the town and ever held an open hand to all needed chari- ties. These traits of character had drawn around him, but not realized or intended by himself, a host of personal admirers. This good will re- sulted in his being nominated for a seat in the State Legislature, and the only one elected on his ticket. The session of the Legislature, which con- vened in January, 1860, was composed of some of the best minds in the State, and did more real, hard service than any session held in Iowa before, or since that date. He continued in business at McGregor until the sum- mer of 1862, when he was commissioned as colonel of the Twenty-first Iowa volunteer infantry, proceeding immediately to Missouri where active service awaited him. At the battle of Black River Bridge Col. Merrill

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was severely wounded, and this brought his military career to a close. Suffering from his wounds, he resigned his commission and returned to McGregor, but was unable to attend to his private affairs for many months, and is still, at times, a sufferer from his "tokens of remembrance," re- ceived on the battle-fields of freedom. In 1867 he was selected by the Re- publicans as their standard bearer for Governor, and again in 1869 was elected to the same position, and probably no incumbent of that office ever devoted himself more earnestly to the pulbic good. He was one of the organizers of the Citizens' National Bank, of which he is now President. Has been twice married, first to Miss Catherine Thoms, who died in 1847, but fourteen months after their marriage. In January, 1851, he was again married, his second wife being a Miss Hill, of Buxton, Maine. By this union they have a family of two sons and a daughter living.

MERRILL, KEENEY & CO .- This firm is located at number 314 Walnut street, and is engaged in the furniture, carpet and upholstering business. Mr. William Merrill was engaged at Davenport, in 1854, as fore- man in a furniture factory. While there he met Thomas S. Keeney, and the two determined to establish a business of their own. They came to Des Moines in 1861, and formed a partnership for the purpose of carrying on the furniture business in Des Moines. The business was carried on by the two till August, 1865, when John H. Merrill was admitted as a part- ner. Since that time the three partners have continued the business. The management has been prudent, judicious and energetic; the house has steadily grown in the public favor, and is now one of the representative retail and jobbing houses of the city. WILLIAM MERRILL-Was born in Sidney, Maine, March 18, 1834. He spent his early youth picking stone and coaxing a precarious herbage from the poor soil of that rock-bound re- gion. His education was the best that could be obtained in the public schools of his native State, supplemented by a course of study at an acad- emy. At the age of eighteen years he went to Augusta and learned to make doors, sash and window blinds. In 1854 he came West and was em- ployed in a furniture establishment at Davenport, as already mentioned. In 1862 he enlisted in company E, of that noble old fighting regiment, the Twenty-third Iowa regiment. Was first promoted to the office of sergeant- major, then to that of second lieutenant, then to that of quartermaster, which office he held until he resigned, in July, 1864. He took part in the battles of Port Gibson, Milliken's Bend, Champion's Hill, Black River and other important engagements of the war. He was married October 30, 1861, to Miss Elizabeth Lindsay, a native of Wheeling, Virginia. They have three children, sons: named Edward L., Harry B., Albert W. THOMAS S. KEENEY-Was born at Carlisle, Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, January 1, 1832. At the age of fourteen years he was ap- prenticed to a cabinet maker, and served for four years. He went to La- fayette, Indiana, in 1852, where he was engaged in the furniture business. From Lafayette he went to Joliet, Illinois, where he was engaged in gen- eral merchandise. His health failing, he disposed of his business and made a tour through Minnesota and thence to Davenport, Iowa, where he met his present partner. He was married. November 17, 1857, to Miss Eliza A. Gorham, a native of Vermont. They have one child, a daughter named Maggie. JOHN H. MERRILL-Was born in Portland, Maine, Novem- ber 10, 1827. His parents removed to Sidney, in the same State, when he was four years of age, where he remained till nineteen years old. He then

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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 103

Author: Union Historical Company, Des Moines, pub Publication date: 1880 Publisher: Des Moines, Iowa : Union Historical Co. Number of Pages: 1074

Author: Union Historical Company, Des Moines, pub
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Des Moines, Iowa : Union Historical Co.
Number of Pages: 1074