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 105
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Y. She died February 3, 1851, leaving no children. His second marriage was March 15, 1853, to Miss Mary E. Hepburn, a native of New York, residing at the time of her marriage at Augusta, Lee county, Iowa. They have four children: John A., Jennie C., Netta and Hattie. --
NAYLOR, THOMAS-Grocer. Was born in Yorkshire, England, April 18, 1836, and there was raised and educated. In June, 1856, he came to the United States, locating in Sullivan county, New York, where he engaged in the carriage and undertaker's business, having learned in the same in the 'old country. He remained there about eight years,' and then went to Helena, Ark., where he engaged in the grocery business.' This he followed about four years, and then went to Kansas City, where he. opened a grocery store. After remaining there about eight months, in April, 1869, he came to Des Moines and opened a grocery house. In 1873 he erected his present building, and in the fall of that year moved into it. He is one of the prominent flour dealers of the city, keeping on hand a large stock of fine brands. He was married October 7, 1868, to Miss Annie E. Maltby, of New York. They have three children living: Mary; E., Martha and Anna.
NAYLOR, A. W .- President of the Capital City Bank. Was born in Morgan county, Ohio, August 27, 1841, where he grew to manhood on a farm. He received the advantages of a common school education, supple -; mented by a course of academic study. In 1864 he came to Iowa, locating. in New Sharon, Mahaska county. He was there engaged in the mercantile business for ten years with satisfactory results, and for the three years fol- lowing was in the banking business. In December, 1877, he came to this city and took his present position. January 9, 1864, he was married to Miss Rebecca S. King, in Washington county, Ohio. They have one son and one daughter: Frank L. and Jessie N. Lost one daughter, May, aged 3 years. Mr. N. is a thorough gentleman in manners, and treats all persons with a genial and unaffected courtesy. This, added to his ability' as a business man, has gained for him confidence and general esteem.
NEWTON, AUGUSTUS-The subject of this sketch, though not one of the pioneers of Polk county, is one of its early settlers, and closely iden- tified with its history and the growth and prosperity of the Capital City. He was born in Worcester county, Massachusetts, April 11, 1818, where he . resided until he attained his majority. When eighteen years old he began the carpenter's trade, and in 1840, the days of log cabins, hard cider and " Tippecanoe and Tyler too," he came West and located at Niles, Michigan, where he remained about one year, when he went to Elkhart, Indiana, where he engaged in general merchandising, which he continued twelve years." While there, although a Free-soil Whig in politics, as he is now a radical ; Republican, he was appointed postmaster by President Van Buren and held the office four years. From Elkhart he went to Lafayette, Indiana, where he engaged in the drug business under the firm name of Hart & Newton, which he continued one year, when he came to Fort Des Moines, then so called' and engaged in general merchandising, which in those days included every- thing a person wanted to use or wear. Six years after his health became impaired and he disposed of his goods to R. W. Sypher. In 1856 he built: the west half of Exchange Block, corner of Third and Walnut, and in 1857; the first commodious and substantial brick dwelling-house in the town, which is now on Fifth street, between Park and Center, owned by N. B. Collins. . In 18- he was appointed Assistant U. S. Revenue Assessor, which
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position he held until legislated out of office. He was subsequently ap- pointed gauger for the revenue department of the government. In 1874 he was elected Mayor of the city and held the office two years with much; satisfaction to the people and honor to himself. In 1876 he became con- nected with W. B. Mitchell, under the firm name of W. B. Mitchell & Co., manufacturers and dealers in fine carriages, harness, trunks, etc., 221 Wal -: nut street. Mr. Newton inherited from his ancestry those sterling traits. of character, rigidity of purpose and conservatism of action which belong pre-eminently to New England and the Puritans, and which has made its impress on the nation. His unswerving fidelity to his ideas of right and his: religious convictions aided very materially in laying the foundation of a high standard of morality, education and good society in what has come to be the metropolitan city of the State. In business circles he has the confi- dence of the public; in social life, with his most estimable wife, possessing all the graces of true womanhood, they are highly esteemed. September 14, 1843, Mr. Newton was united by marriage with Miss Mary E. Mitchell, daughter of General W. B. Mitchell, one of the most prominent civil engi -. neers of Philadelphia, and who ran the first railroad train out of that city. By this union they have three children living: Augustus M. (now of Col- orado), Matia A. (wife of Judge W. A. Wood, of Goshen, Indiana), and Wil- lie T. Was a member of the school board six years and secretary four years. During his connection with the school board the Second and Third ward school houses were built, and, in connection with Hoyt Sherman, had control of the building.
O AKS, EDWIN-This gentleman is a member of the firm of Oaks & Co., the other one of the firm being J. A. Ferguson. Mr. Oaks was born near Bangor, Maine, July 12, 1827. In 1837 his parents removed to Cambria county, Pennsylvania, where his youth and early manhood were passed on a farm. He afterward learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed most of the time until the present summer. He came to Polk county in 1854, and since that time has constantly resided there, most of his time, having been engaged in building. He owns twenty acres in his homestead, section 16, Bloomfield township. In May, 1880, he bought a half interest in the marble works, of which business he is the senior part- ner. Since coming to the county he has been a member of the Board of County Supervisors for a number of years. He was married October 27, 1853, to Miss Mary A. Gifford, a native of Pennsylvania. They have two adopted children: Francis Marion and Nancy Belle. J. A. FERGUSON, of the firm of Oaks & Co., was born in Preble county, Ohio, June 30, 1825. When yet a youth his parents removed to St. Joseph county, Indiana, where he grew to manhood. When twenty-one years of age he learned the black- smith trade which he followed for twenty years. Removed to this State in 1855, and located in Adel, Dallas county, where he was engaged in black- smithing for eleven years. He came to Des Moines in 1868, and was em- ployed by the Fairbanks Scale Company for six years. Afterward traveled for a boot and shoe house for five years. In 1878 he bought a half interest . in his present business, which has earned for him a widespread reputation in business circles. He was married August 22, 1846, to Miss Sophronia Mastin, who was born in Butler county, Ohio. They have four children: living: Clarence A., Arista M., William E. and James. They have lost by death three children.
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O'BLENESS, HAMILTON CREE-The subject of this sketch, famil- iarly known as "O'B ", first saw the "light of other days" on Eight Mile Run, Washington county, Ohio, June 30, 1846. We might cover many pages with account of his "childhood's sunny hours," but enough is given to show the respectability of his birth, and his claim upon life. When of the age of nine or ten years he removed with his parents to this State, settling in this county, and has remained here ever since with the exception of five or six years spent in St. Louis and elsewhere. Much of his time has been spent in the study of abstract questions, with little profit to himself, he says, and none to the world-was given to go into the realms of the unseen, to picture schemes and fancies of an unreal kind; but it is highly probable that from this he has developed poetical talent. He has large insight into : human nature, capacity to analyze, to dissect and reason on consequences,. but not enough suspicion for a business man. Being possessed of a non- religious nature, and asking a reason for everything, his investigations in that line have led him to the belief that a good devil is better than a bad god, and that all mankind would be far better if religious toleration was more prevalent. When of the age of eighteen he began to learn the " art preservative of arts," and after many years of labor has learned sufficient to make an average living. On the twenty-third of October, 1867, he was married to Miss Martha A. Riley, a native of Wisconsin, a woman of un- common good sense, a good manager of household affairs, and of excellent judgment. Two children, a girl and boy, make music round the house and scatter sunshine everywhere. The father of our subject, Sergeant James O'Bleness, was a member of company C, Twenty-third regiment Iowa vol- unteers, and was killed in the battle of Milliken's Bend, in the late war; his mother is still living and resides in Saylor township, near the county farm; he has six brothers and sisters living, all enjoying good health, with the promise of long life before them.
O'CONNOR, JOHN-Retired merchant. The subject of this sketch was born on the twenty-second of June, 1815, in Ireland, and after obtain -. ing an education from the common schools he learned the boot and shoe business which he followed until 1842, when he emigrated to the United . States, landing in New York, June 17. Then became extensively engaged the manufacturing of boots and shoes, employing from twenty to twenty-five hands. His work was all sewed, and in this business he continued until March 10, 1857, when he came to Iowa, locating in Warren county. There he purchased a farm of eighty-five acres, but in 1861 sold out and came to this city and has since resided here. He has retired from the more active pur- suits of life and is now living in quiet at his home. He was married in Ire- land November 9, 1841, to Miss Rose O'Conner, daughter of Patrick O'Conner, of Dromiskin, County of South.
OLDHAM, JAMES-Grocer, was born in Shelby county, Indiana,. September 17, 1827, and was there raised on a farm and educated in the common schools. While a young man he learned the carpenter's trade, and for a number of years worked atit, though irregularly. Also clerked in a store a part of the time; and in 1849 he bought out his father's stock of dry goods and groceries at Edinburgh, that State. In 1850 he sold out and engaged in working at his trade, and in the fall of 1856 came to Iowa; he located in Eddyville where he worked for two years, then moved to Davis county, and bought a farm, engaging in farming until the spring of . 1863. Then came to this city and, in October, opened a grocery store,
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on the East Side and remained there until 1867. He then sold out, and in 1872 went to Spring Hill and bought a half interest in the elevator at that place, at the same time engaging in the grain business with Mr. Ashworth. In this he continued about two years when he sold his interest. Then went to traveling for Ankeny & Brothers oil works. In March, 1877, he opened a grocery store in connection with G. W. Barkalow, under the firm name of Oldham & Barkalow, and has since been engaged here. He was mar- ried July 28, 1848, to Miss Amanda J. Cheatham, a native of Kentucky. They have three children living: Caroline L. (wife of G. D. Barkalow, of Mitchellville), Mary A. and Sarah N .; lost one Elenora.
:. OSGOOD, G. R .- Of the firm of Osgood, Harris & Co., was born in Orleans county, Vermont, July 3, 1840, where he grew to manhood under the vigilant eye of his prudent and thrifty New England parents. His educational advantages being very good, he received that training which is so important as a preparatory work in the life of every successful business inan. At the early age of seventeen years he entered upon the business career which has thus far proved to be an exceptionally successful one. He came to Des Moines in 1861, his health having previously failed, and sup- posing that the invigorating atmosphere of the Hawkeye State would prove to be beneficial. In this expectation he was not disappointed. He was employed for a year and a half as salesman in the establishment of Rawson & Christie, and in 1863 bought the interest of the latter and the firm name for three years was Rawson & Osgood. At the expiration of that time the firm dissolved, Mr. Osgood taking the dry goods department and forming a partnership with Mr. Geo. H. Bugbee, the name of the firm being Osgood & Bugbee. At the expiration of one year he bought Mr. Bugbee's interest and during the next year conducted the business alone. He then took a partner, Mr. Wyman, and at the end of four years Mr. Harris bought an interest, when the firm name was Osgood, Wyman & Harris. In 1899 Mr. Wyman withdrew and W. C. Crane, a merchant of much experience, from New York City, was admitted as a partner, since which time the firm name is Osgood, Harris & Co. Mr. Osgood was married October 18, 1865, to Miss Caroline Storrs of Madison county, New York. They have three sons, named respectively: Henry H., Geoge J. and Robert S.
AGE, H. R .- Physician and surgeon, was born in Milan, Erie county,
P Ohio, October 17, 1842, and lived there until ten years of age. Then moved to Iowa City, Johnson county, this State, in 1852. His youth was spent on a farm and he received the advantages of a good school education. For four years he served as a member of the Iowa College at Grinnell, and then accepted a position in the Western College of Linn county. This he held for one year and then graduated from that institution, having taken a class- ical course. Having a desire to follow the practice of medicine, he began its study with Dr. Lang of Marshalltown, and Dr. Holyoke of Grinnell. After the usual course he graduated from the State University at Iowa City. In the spring of 1871 he began the practice of his profession in New Sharon, and continued there until the spring of 187S. He then came to this city. During the late war he enlisted, in May, 1864, in company B, Forty-sixth Iowa infantry, and served about five months. His place of en- listment was at Grinnell. He was married in Washington, this State, on the eleventh day of August, 1869, to Miss Hattie Frisbee, a native of New York. They have by this union, two sons and one daughter: Lillie M. A. Carey and Orville. Dr. Page is a genial gentleman and one whom one
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meets only to wish for a more extended acquaintance, and his practice is as wide as his acquaintance. .
.. PARISH, JOHN C .- Deputy State Auditor. Was born March 4, 1832, in the State of Connecticut, where he was raised to manhood. He received his education mostly in the public schools of his native State; graduating from the State Normal School. In 1855 he took up his resi- dence in Boston, where he was engaged as book-keeper for a large whole- sale establishment of that city until the fall of 1857, when he came to Iowa, locating at Eddyville. Here he remained until 1862, when he enlisted in company C, Thirty-sixth Iowa infantry, as a private. He was afterward promoted to the rank of first lieutenant, and remained in the service until March, 1865, when on account of ill health he was compelled to resign. He came to Des Moines in the fall of 1866, and shortly after arriving in the city he accepted a position in the United States Express Company, remaining in the employ of that company eighteen months, when he took the position of book-keeper and cashier for Mills & Co., remaining in that position some four years. He then became the general superintendent of that firm's entire establishment, which position he occupied some twe years and a half. In January, 1875, he received the appointment of Deputy State Auditor under Buren R. Sherman, and has since been connected with the office. He was married in 1868 to Amanda' Spangler, a native of Michigan. -
PARKS, HAZARD-Proprietor of meat market. Was born in Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, in 1813, and when twenty-two years of age removed to Franklin county, Ohio. Was raised a farmer, and received the advan- tages of a common school education. In 1855 he came to Monroe county, Iowa, and engaged in farming until he came here, in August, 1864, since which time he has followed his present business. He was married in Franklin county, Ohio, September 30, 1839, to Miss L. D. Quinn, a native of Pennsylvania, but raised in that county. They have a family of four sons and three daughters: David H., Thomas J., Andrew J. Samuel B., Lavilla C., Elizabeth E. and Elmira L.
PATERSON, P .- Furniture dealer. Was born August 2, 1850, in Sweden, and there was raised and resided until 1868, when he came to the United States, locating in Des Moines. For some eight years was in the employ of C. & L. Harbach, where he learned the trade of upholsterer. In 1877 he engaged in business on the East Side, and since 1879 has been conducting the business alone, having a large store-room well stocked with goods in his line. He was married to Carrie Ericson in 1871. They have three children: Louisa C., Ellen A. and Edward.
PAUL, CONRAD-Agent for Conrad Weil's cigars and tobacco. Was born in now Prussia, but at that time Hesse, Germany, in 1850. When ten years of age he emigrated to America. His education was partly obtained in this country and partly in his native place. After arriving in this country he stopped in New York, and also in Burlington, this State, for a short time, but his first permanent location was in this city in 1861. He was yet a young man, and learned various branches of business, among which were brewing, confectionery and baking. In 1870 he engaged in his present business. ..
. PEARSON, A .- Proprietor of Central House. Was born June 22? 1832, in Henry county, Indiana, where he resided until twenty years o age, when he came to Iowa, locating in Washington township, Polk county;
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Here he resided on a farm until 1875, when he came to Des Moines, and during Mr. Lendrum's term of office as Sheriff he had charge of the county jail. In 1879 he took charge of his hotel in person, and since that time has been engaged in that business. He was married in the fall of 1852, to Miss Matilda Wise. She was also born in Henry county, Indiana. They have four children: O. E. (an artist, now doing business in Harlan), Jose- phine (now Mrs. W. M. Goldsberry), Ellsworth and Loretta.
PERCIVAL & HATTON-Real estate dealers. This firm is com- posed of F. A. Percival and Thomas Hatton, Jr., and for a number of years has been doing the leading business in their line in Des Moines. The for- mer was born in Oswego county, New York, December 25, 1836, and was raised principally in Madison county, same State, and educated in business to the leather and wool trade, which he followed for some years very suc- cessfully. He removed from that State to Ohio, near Cleveland, and thence to Iowa in 1863, with the intention of engaging in the wool business, but there being an inviting field for real estate operations he abandoned his for- mer intentions and availed himself of the opportunities offered, and since that time has been prominenlly identified with the real estate interest of Central Iowa. He was married to Mrs. Etta B. McClelland (whose maiden name was Blodgett), in 1873. She is a native of Wisconsin. They have two children: Lucy M. and Helen. THOMAS HATTON, JR., is a na- tive of Ireland, and was born in December,. 1831. The following year he came with his parents to the United States, and settled in Ohio, remaining there three years, and thence to Will county, Illinois, where our subject was principally raised. His father was a farmer and stock raiser, and in this the son assisted the father when not attending school. In 1861 he came to Polk county, and for five years acted as agent for the Chicago & North western Railroad, and then engaged in the real estate business, and in which he has been fairly successful. The firm being as prominent if not more so than any in their line in the city. Mr. Hatton has held the office of City Treasurer for two terms since his residence in the city. He was mar- ried in 1858 to Miss Mary L. Webster, a native of Candandaigua, New York. They have three children; Hattie, William M. and Angie.
PHILLIPS, WM .- Of the firm of Phillips, Goode & Phillips, attorneys, for twenty-six years a practitioner at the bar, and almost the entire time in Iowa. Was born in Jefferson county, Ohio, in 1827, and was raised there on a farm. In 1851 he moved to Illinois, settling at Peoria. Having made choice of law as his profession, after thorough preparation he was admitted to the bar in 1854. The same year he removed to Jefferson, Greene county, Iowa, and while living there was elected County Judge, being the first to hold that office in the county. In 1856 he came to Des Moines and formed a partnership with Hon. Curtis Bates. This firm was dissolved in 1859, and was succeeded by Phillips & Phillips, the latter a brother of the subject of this sketch. This was succeeded by Phillips, Gatch & Phillips, and later by Phillips, Goode & Phillips. Mr. Phillips has gained a wide popularity, being known as a man who enters with whole soul into whatever he engages, and to this may be attributed his success. He married Miss S. J. Rutan in 1857. She is a native of Richland county, Ohio. They have three children: William, Frank and Jennie.
PHILLIPS, W. W .- Of the firm of Phillips & Conrad, attorneys-at-law. . This is the oldest firm now in practice on the East Side. Mr. P. was born in Carrollton, Carroll county, Ohio, March 13, 1840, and when about eight
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years of age his father moved to Findley, Hancock county, same State. He was brought up on a farm and enjoyed the advantages of a common school education. His intention was to have attended Oberlin College, but on the breaking out of the rebellion he enlisted in company D, Ninety-ninth Ohio, in August, 1862, and was with that regiment about eighteen months. He was then permanently detailed as quartermaster's clerk, and this position he continued to occupy until he was mustered out, which was in July, 1865. He then returned to Findley, remaining there until the following February, when he came to Iowa and located at Oskaloosa. There he attended com- mercial college and graduated from that institution, first in his class, in 1867. He then entered the law office of Lacey & Sheppard and one year later came to Des Moines and attended the law school of this city. In the spring of 1868 he was admitted to practice and soon afterward opened his present office, since which time he has been very successful. August 31; 1865, he was married to Miss Mary M. Taylor, a native of Findley, Ohio, their family consists of four sons: Harvey T., Frank, William W. and C. Herbert.
POWERS, HON. J. K .- Register of the State Land Office, was born in Lowell, Lake county, Indiana, January 27, 1845, where he was raised, and resided until the outbreak of the war of the rebellion, when he entered as a private, the 14th of August, 1861, company H, Ninth Indiana infantry. His regiment served in Western Virginia, participating in the battles of Green River and Buffalo Gap. Shortly after the latter named battle, his regiment was ordered to Tennessee, marching across the State under Buell and Nelson and participating in the memorable battle of Shiloh, where Mr. P., on the 7th day of April, 1862, received a wound in the right arm, caus- ing amputation. He was discharged June 13, 1862, and returned home, where he remained until October 22, 1863, when he re-enlisted in the Twenti- eth company, Second battalion, Veteran Reserve Corps, serving for some fif: teen months as orderly for Captain C. F. Rooper, of Governor Morton's staff. November 14, 1865, he was discharged by general orders. In Sep- tember, 1867, he came to Iowa and located in Lewis, Cass county, where he was engaged a short time in teaching school. after which he was employed as clerk in the store of H. Beekman & Son, in whose employ he remained until he was, in 1868, elected Clerk of the Courts of Cass county, serving in that position for six years. At the close of his last term a very commen- datory notice appeared in the Atlantic Telegraph, which space prevents our publishing. June 21, 1873, he was appointed by Governor Carpenter a member of the State Board of Immigration, which position he held until the board, by statute of limitation, passed out of existence in 1874. After re- tiring from the office of clerk he engaged in the real estate and insurance business at Atlantic, and was general agent for the State for the Springfield Fire and Marine Insurance Company, which business he was engaged in when he was nominated by the Republican convention, in June, 1868, as Register of the State Land Office, he only having been a candidate for the position three days previous to the convention, and having in the convention strong competitors. He is well and favorably known throughout the State and stands high in the esteem of all, both as a public official and as a Republi- can. He was united in marriage to Miss Anna L. Thomas, of Warsaw, Illinois, March 28, 1869. She died in Des Moines, August 30, 1879, leaving one child, Roy E.
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