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 107

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 107

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ROBINSON, HIRAM-Of the firm of Robinson & Atherton. Was born in Bradford, England, January 13, 1839, and lived there until 1846, and then emigrated with his parents to the United States, settling in Law- rence, Massachusetts, where the subject of this sketch grew to manhood. He enjoyed the good educational advantages of that State and assisted his father in a store until 1855, and for two years was in the employ of the Lawrence Machine Shops; he then supplemented his education by one

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year's attendance at a private school. From 1858 to 1861 he was engaged in the steam-heating business, and then enlisted in the army and served his adopted country faithfully and well and was mustered out as captain. In 1865 he removed to Chicago and resumed his former occupation in the steam-heating business and lived there until 1869 and then came to this city, where he has since conducted the leading business in his line in Cen- tral and Western Iowa. In 1870 he purchased the gas-fitting department of the Des Moines Gas Company, and which the firm successfully conduct in connection with their steam-heating business. He was married in No- vember, 1862, to Miss Lizzie Gallie, a resident of Lawrence, Massachusetts, but born in Liverpool, England. They have three children: Gussie, James Alfred and Bessie Maud.

ROGERS, JOHN-Dealer in boots and shoes, was born in Ireland, Jan- uary 15, 1831, and remained there until three years of age, when he emi- grated to America, landing at Quebec. From there he went to Ohio, and there received his education, after which he went to Pittsburgh, Pennsyl- vania, where he learned the shoemaking trade and followed the same for three years, then returned to Ohio, where he became engaged in the manu- facture of boots and shoes and continued this until April, 1853, when he went to Agency City, Wapello county. There he remained until 1856, and then came to this city. He carries a good stock in his line and enjoys a liberal share of the patronage. He was married in Ohio, April 21, 1852, to Miss Ellen McManus. Their family consists of two children: Joseph A. and Frank.

RUNNELLS, JOHN S .- Born in Effingham, N. H., July 30, 1844. Graduated at Amherst College, Amherst, Massachusetts, in 1865; taught the high school at Dover, New Hampshire, and studied law there until 1867, then came to McGregor, Iowa. Shortly afterward was appointed private secretary to Governor Merrill. March 31, 1869, married Helen R., daughter of Adjutant-General N. B. Baker. Appointed consul to Turnstall, England. Came home in 1871 and was employed upon the Iowa State Register. In 1872 he became a member of the law firm of Gatch, Wright & Runnells. In 1875 was elected Reporter of the Supreme Court, which office he still holds. Upon his election he retired from the firm of Gatch, Wright & Runnells and for two years devoted himself exclusively to the duties of his office. In 1877 he formed a law partnership with Galusha Parsons, under the firm name of Parsons & Runnells, which co-partnership has been prosperous and still continues. In 1879 he was chosen chairman of the Republican State Central Committee, and was re-elected this year to the same position. He was a delegate to the Chicago convention in 1880, and was there chosen a member of the Republican National Committee for the ensuing four years. It will thus be seen that Mr. Runnels is a man of much more than county or even State reputation. He is widely known and generally admired for many brilliant qualities. He is a gentleman of fin- ished culture and fine social accomplishments, inspiring strong personal at- tachment among all who know him. As a public speaker he is ranked among the very finest in the State, and his ability as a party organizer and manager, at the head of the State Committee, has been signally shown in the conduct of perhaps the most difficult campaign ever known in the State. It goes without telling, among thhse who know Mr. Runnells best, to pre- dict for him a future career second to that of no man in Iowa. Their family consists of three children: Mabel, Lucy, and Clive.

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SCHOLTZ, LOUIS-Mr. Scholtz was born in Prussia, April 13, 1826: When thirteen years of age he was apprenticed to the tailoring trade and served three and one-half years. He then spent four years in Berlin, Dresden, Vienna, Warsaw and St. Petersburg, where he acquired a perfect knowledge of his business. At twenty-one years of age he entered the Prussian army, and served three years, during the revolution of 1848 and 1850, and during the latter year was honorably discharged. He at once re- turned to his trade and spent five years in Paris, Hamburg and London. In 1855 he came to America and stopped for a short time in Boston and New York; thence he went to Toronto, where he remained one year, thence he returned to New York, where he was employed as a cutter until 1861, when he went to Cincinnati and Indianapolis, where he embarked in the merchant tailoring business. In 1868 he came to Des Moines and has es- tablished a popular and profitable business and has the leading house in that line. Mr. Scholtz is of sanguine temperament, positive in character, radical in ideas and independent in action. He is courteous, social and highly esteemed in business and social circles. April 3, 1855, he was united in marriage, at Sheffield, England, with Marian, second daughter of Captain John Nelsey, of London. Six children have been born to them: Edmund L., John Nelsey, Alfred H., Ada M., William O. and Beatrice L. Three of the children have died.

SCOTT, RUFUS I .-- Was born in Richmond, Wayne county, Indiana, where he received his education and early training. At the age of fifteen years he commenced his railroad career as a train boy and steadily advanced till the age of eighteen years, when he was given charge of a train on the Chicago & Great Eastern Railway. He remained in the employ of that company until 1867, and in May, 1868, came to Des Moines and entered the employ of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad. After twelve years' continual service in the employ of this great corporation, he still holds the position of passenger conductor, and is favorably known by hundreds of the traveling public as one of the most gentlemanly and efficient officers of the road. He was married March 3, 1870, to Miss Sarah H. Jordan, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They have one child, a son, named Harry V. A very inte- resting and lovely child, a daughter named Jessie J., died July 9, 1871.

SCOVILLE, TYLER-Manager of the Iowa School Furniture Com- pany, was born in Chatauqua county, New York, April 3, 1839, and resided there until 1869, when he came to Des Moines, and for a time was in the real estate business with Percival & Hatton. His father is a carriage builder by trade, which business the son followed until he came West. In January, 1874, he became treasurer and manager of the furniture company, which position he still occupies. He is an active, zealous business man, and has done much to enhance the interests and extend the trade of the company. He was married in Cleveland, Ohio, April 3, 1860, to Miss Eunice H. Percival. They have four sons and one daughter: Willie P., Melvin J., Percy, Tyler and Ella.

SEEBERGER, J. D .- Comparatively few business men are successful in these days of fluctuation, strife and competition. The risks are great in all enterprises, and rarely does mere genius succeed, aside from untiring industry, in any department. Moreover, it is the man who follows a single line and bends his energies in one direction, in whatever occupation, who is most likely to make his mark in the world. Mr. Seeberger, who is here briefly noticed, is one of the few who may fairly and rightly claim to have

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been successful in business, and he has become so by fulfilling the condi- tions of success as suggested above. He was born at New York City on the 4th of November, 1836, but was raised in Wooster, Ohio. He received his early education at the common schools, and in 1850, being but fourteen years of age, he left home to commence life for himself. He secured a sit- uation as clerk in a dry goods store, remaining in that position for ten years, when the severe hard work and close confinement he had undergone com- menced to tell upon his physical system and he was forced to make a change. He went to Idaho, where he was restored to health, and remained there three years. Then, in 1864, returned to Chicago, and in February of the year following came to this city and bought the interest of Mr. Childs, of the firm of Childs & Howell, hardware dealers, and conducted the business for nine years under the name of Howell & Seeberger. At the expiration of this time he purchased the former's interest and has since conducted a business second to no house in his line in the State, and, as a business man, has established a wide and honorable reputation, and no one has contrib- uted more to Des Moines' good name as a business center. He was mar- ried November 13, 1866, to Miss M. B. Cooper, of Mount Vernon, Ohio.

SEEBURGER, R .- Is one of the contributions of Germany to the list of successful business men of Des Moines. He was born in "Faderland." December 29, 1833, and was there educated and served his time at the trade of harness making and upholstering. He came to this country in 1854 and settled in Columbus, Ohio, where for a year he followed his trade. He then came to Iowa City and followed the same business. While there he lined and trimmed the first stage coach in this State. Here he remained until 1860, when he came to Des Moines in the employ of the Western Stage Company until 1863. He then went into the grocery trade, buying out Rollins & Hermon, following this business untill 1873. He then sold out and went into the butter and egg business, which he has since successfully managed. In this line his business has been immense, and it has required rare business tact to manage it. April, 1857, he was married to Miss Fannie Ruck. She was a native of Erie, Pennsylvania. They are the parents of four children: Rammond J., Albert H., Walter L. and Fran- cis E.

SERRIN, J. R .- Of the firm of Serrin & Fairbanks, millers, was born in Washington, D. C., March 2, 1831, and at the age of three years removed with his parents to Terre Haute, Indiana, living there until fourteen years of age, at which time he went to New York City. While there he was en- gaged in clerking until 1856, when he came to Iowa and settled at Daven- port, and for one year followed different lines of business. In 1857 he went to Marengo, Iowa county, and engaged in the mercantile business, which he followed until September, 1862, when he enlisted in company E, Twen- ty-fourth Iowa infantry. May 16, 1863. he was wounded at the battle of Champion's Hill, through the knee, and while rolling down the hill was shot in the head and thigh. He was discharged in September, 1863, on this account, and after returning home he again commenced the mercantile business, which he continued until 1870. He then went into the milling business, continued the same until December, 1879, then came to Des Moines and bought the mill in company with Mr. Fairbanks. In 1864 he was appointed postmaster at Marengo, which office he held until Andrew Johnson's administration. He was elected to the Eleventh General Assem- bly of Iowa, from Iowa county, in 1866, and served for one term. Was

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married, August 18, 1859, to Miss Sophia McConnell, a native of Ohio. They have three children: J. R. and Thomas H., living, and one deceased, Lincoln.

SHANKLAND, J. M .- Of the firm of Shankland & Lockwood, grocers, was born in Noble county, Ohio, November 13, 1830, and there was raised on a farm and educated in the common schools. In 1864 he engaged in the mercantile business in Summerfield, Ohio, where he remained until 1870. He then came to this city and was employed to work by City Engi- neer Pelton, following the same about two years. He then went to clerk- ing in the grocery house of B. W. Morrison, with whom he remained until October 1, 1878, when, in company with B. C. Lockwood, bought out Mr. Morrison, and since that time have continued the business at the old stand. He was married, November 20, 1860, to Miss E. G. Hare, a native of Ohio. They have six children: Carrie, John, Wilbur, Frank, Nellie and an infant.

SHERMAN, HOYT-Among the early pioneer settlers who have watched the growth of this populous city, from a little hamlet of a few houses to its present population, and have seen it take its place as the me- tropolis of Iowa, is the name which heads this sketch. He is the son of Hon. Charles R. Sherman, Judge of the Supreme Court of Iowa, from 1825 until his death, which occurred in 1829, and brother of Hon. John Sher- man, Secretary of the Treasury, Gen. W. T. Sherman of the U. S. army, and of the late Hon. Chas. B. Sherman, Judge of the U. S. Court, for the North- ern district of Ohio, and was born in Lancaster, Ohio, November 1, 1827, and until eighteen years of age divided his time between attending school and learning the trade of printer with his brothers Charles and John in Mansfield, Ohio. He then followed a cherished plan to emigrate West, and early in the spring of 1848 he came to Iowa and settled in Des Moines, and in 1849 was admitted to the bar. His first business engagement was with Thomas McMullen, School Fund Commissioner. He became connected with Casady & Tidrick and served as deputy postmaster until 1849, when he was ap- pointed postmaster by President Pierce, and held the office until 1853 when he resigned and recommended his successor, who was appointed. In 1849 he was elected clerk of the District Court. Mr. Sherman was one of the organizers of the State Bank of Iowa, and was cashier of the same until 1861 when he was appointed a paymaster in the U. S. army with the rank of major. After his return from the army he engaged for a short time in mercantile pursuits. He was one of the incorporators of the Equitable Life Insurance Company, and in 1868 took the general management of the same and still holds this position. As a citizen he has always shown a worthy public spiritedness, and has heartily sympathized with all local improvements and enterprise. His career has been both honorable and successful, and as a man is appreciated most by those who know him best. He was married to Miss Sarah Moulton in 1855. She is a native of Ohio. Their family consists of five children: Frank A. (an attorney in his father's office), Addie M., Charles M., Arthur and Nellie T.

· SHERMAN, BUREN R .- Auditor of State, was born in Phelps, On- tario county, New York, on the twenty-eighth of May, 1836, and there re- ceived his early education in the public schools, concluding his studies at Elmira, New York. He never had a collegiate course but being a close observer has gained a practical knowledge of men and things that admira- ble fits him for active business life. At the close of his studies he appren- ticed himself to learn the watchmaker's trade, and in 1855 he removed to

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Iowa and settled in Tama county. There he followed agricultural pursuits, employing his leisure hours in the study of law, which he had begun at El- mira. In the summer of 1859 he was admitted to the bar and the follow- ing spring removed to Vinton and began the practice of law. A flourishing practice was built up, and he was prospering, when, upon the opening of the war in 1861, Mr. Sherman enlisted as second sergeant in company G, Thirteenth Iowa volunteer infantry, and immediately went to the front. In February, 1862, he was made second lieutenant of company E. On the sixth of the following April he was severely wounded at the battle of Pittsburg Landing, and while in the hospital was promoted to the rank of captain. He remained on duty till the summer of 1863, when by reason of his wound he was compelled to resign and return home. Soon after returning from the army he was elected County Judge of Benton county, Iowa, and re-elected without opposition, in 1865. In the fall of 1866 he resigned the judgeship, and accepted the office of Clerk of the District Court, to which he was re- elected in 1868, 1870 and 1872, and in December, 1874, resigned in order to accept his present office, Auditor of State. Captain Sherman was mar- ried on the twentieth of August, 1862, to Miss Lena Kendall of Vinton, Iowa, a young lady of rare accomplishments and strength of character. They have two children: Lena K. and Oscar E.

SHERMAN, L. P .- Collector of revenues for the Fifth District of Iowa. Is a native of Fairfield county, Ohio, and was born on the 13th day of October, 1821, and belongs to the Sherman family who have at- tained to a high civil and military fame. Being deprived of the care of a father early in life he went to Cincinnati when eight years of age and be- came a member of the family of Charles Hammond, Esq., by whom he was principally raised. He learned the trade of printing and followed it for many years. In 1849 he came to Des Moines and was urged to enter journalism and inducements were offered in the way of a bonus and a promised list of subscribers, which were accepted, and he commenced the publication of the Fort Des Moines Weekly Gazette. The promises were easily broken, and there was almost an utter failure in the bonus and the subscription list fell far below the promised number. He was urged to continue his enterprise, and he accepted conditionally, that he should be paid one-half the cost of his material in Cincinnati, and have a business manager and an editor. The proposition met with favor, and P. Meyers became business manager and Judge Williamson editor. The name was changed to the State Journal, and after continuing under the new man- agement for a few months Mr. Sherman was left to shoulder the responsi- bility, minus the promised aid, and at the end of the year sold the material, which was used in the office of the Star. He then engaged in mercantile pursuits and afterward entered the employ of Hoyt Sherman & Co. In 1867 he was appointed to his present position, and as an official he is prompt, methodical, perfectly reliable and very efficient. He has been honored by his fellow citizens with the offices of mayor, recorder, treas- urer, and member of the city council. He has been twice married. First to Miss Mary Getchell, of Ohio, in 1846. She died in 1849, leaving one son, Charles H., now connected with the United States Mint, in San Fran- cisco. His second marriage occurred December 31, 1851, to Miss Susan R. Lawson, a native of Missouri. They have by this marriage three chil- dren: John, Minnie E., and L. P., Jr.

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SIMS, GEORGE C .- Railway Postal Clerk, was born July 28, 1844, in Pickaway county, Ohio, and when four years of age his parents removed to this county, where he was raised and educated. During the war of the rebellion he served in company E, Fourth Iowa infantry, enlisting in 1861, and serving three years, when he re-enlisted as a veteran and served until the close of the war. During the latter part of the war he was on detached duty at brigade headquarters. During the time he was in the service he participated in no less than thirty-three hard fought battles, be- ing twice slightly wounded, the first being at White Oak Mountain and the other at the battle of Atlanta. At the close of the war he engaged in agricultural pursuits, which he followed until 1873, when he removed to Des Moines and was appointed constable for Lee township, which office he held until 1874, when he resigned for the purpose of accepting a position in the mail service from Omaha to Davenport, and afterward from Omaha to Chicago. He is now occupying the position of Railway Post-office Clerk, running from Wilton Junction to Chicago. He was united in marriage to Phebe D. Hallett, of this county, July 4, 1869. Have two children liv- ing: Mertie and William D.

SMITH, PROF. T. H .- The public schools of the country are its chief glory, and those of Iowa are deservedly popular, and among the schools of the State those at the capital are, as they should be, among the best. They are not the creature of day, neither did they spring into their pres- ent condition of efficiency and usefulness without years of toil and perse- verence. Scores of noble men and women have contributed to this result, and should have a share in the honor. Among this number none deserve more credit than Prof. Sinith, who has so long and so faithfully been en- gaged in building up the schools of the Capital City, and who still holds the position of superintendent. He was born in Harrison county, Ohio. April 22, 1838. During the late war he enlisted in the One Hundred and Twenty-sixth Ohio infantry. After serving one year was discharged on account of disability in the form of inflammatory rheumatism. Prior to his enlistment he had completed a regular classical course at Oberlin College, graduating in 1860. He came to Iowa in 1871, having been lo- cated at Mattoon, Ill., as Superintendent of Schools for four years. From Washington Prof. Smith went to Cedar Rapids, and was superintendent

of the public schools in that city for a number of years. From Cedar Rapids he came to Des Moines, and has faithfully, efficiently, and accepta- bly discharged the duties of the office of superintendent till the present time. By his untiring efforts the schools have been raised from a condi- tion of inefficiency and chaos to that of the best discipline and most per- fect organization in the State. Prof. Smith was married in 1879 to Sarah E. Graham. Mrs. Smith, at the time of her marriage, was also engaged in the school work, and had earned the reputation of being one of the most successful teachers in the State.

SMITH, N. W .- Superintendent of the machinery, derricks, etc., on the capitol. Born July 24, 1838, in what is now Scott county, Iowa not then being organized as a Territory. He was raised and learned the trade of a stone- mason, and also that of a blacksmith, in that county. In 1868 he removed to Macoupin county, Ill., where was engaged in the construction of the new court-house at that place. From there he went to Springfield, Ill., and was engaged on the new capitol building of that State, until he came to Des Moines in 1871. Since coming to Des Moines he has had charge

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of his present position on the new State House, having under his supervis- ing all of the work except carpentering, stone-cutting and brick-laying. In 1871, he was united in marriage to Miss Augusta Haskins, a resident of New York State. Have three children: Anna May, Nettie B., and Er- nest N.

SMITH, J. H .- City marshal. Was born in Johnson county, Iowa, December 27, 1848, and was raised on a farm until sixteen years of age, then went to Iowa City, where he learned the trade of blacksmith. On arriving at his majority he came to this city and opened a shop, and con- tinued business until February, 1879, when he went to Leadville; returned in August of the same year, and in the spring of 1880 was elected to his present position. He married Elmora Wical, November 9, 1870. She was a resident of Johnson county, Iowa, but a native of Ohio. They have two children: Guy W. and Nellie M.,

SMITH, JOHN L .- Was born at Cazanovia, New York, December 12, 1814. His father died when he was quite young and left his mother with a large family of children. At the age of fourteen he joined the American Fur Company and went as a trader among the Chippeway and Winnebago Indians in Michigan and Wisconsin, delivering fur at Chicago as early as 1830. Mr. Smith remained in the employ of the company seven years and then settled at Findlay, Ohio. In 1840 he moved to Piqua, Miami county, Ohio, and engaged in the manufacture of fanning mills, under the firm name of Sawyer & Smith. He there married Mary A. Girard, May 3, 1842, who survives him. He removed to Rock Island, Illinois, in 1850, and engaged in the mercantile business until October, 1854, when he moved to Des Moines, Iowa, and was for a short time in the same busi- ness on Second street. He then engaged in the land business and subse- quently in the marble business. In 1866 he was appointed Indian Agent for the Otoe and Missouri reservation in Gage county, Nebraska, and held that position until superseded by the Quaker policy of President Grant, when he again organized in business in Des Moines. Mr. Smith died on the 26th of May, 1874, from injuries received from being thrown from a carriage drawn by a runaway team. Mr. S. united with the Baptist Church at the early age of thirteen years, and continued a consistent and active member of that denomination to the time of his death. He was widely known among the Baptists of Central Iowa, and was generally in attendance at their annual associations. He was a man of unusual energy, active and earnest in all his undertakings. Five children survive him: Three girls, and Hiram Y. Smith, formerly District Attorney, and Ed. L. Smith, at present and for seven years last past Deputy Sheriff of Polk county.

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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 107

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