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 108
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SMITH, HIRAM Y .- Was born at Piqua, Miami county, Ohio, on the 22d day of March, 1843, moved with his father, John L. Smith, to Rock Island, Illinois, in 1850, and from thence to Des Moines, Iowa, in October, 1854. Was appointed captain's clerk in the United States navy, in Jan- uary, 1862, but subsequently resigned and was appointed to a clerkship in the dead letter office of the post office department at Washington. . From thence Mr. Smith was promoted to a clerkship in the office of the Secretary of the Treasury. In May, 1866, he graduated at the Law School at Al- bany, New York, and immediately returned to Des Moines and entered upon the practice of law, a member of the firm of Ingersoll & Smith. He has continued since in the practice of his profession and is now a member of the firm of Smith & Morris. Mr. S. was master of Pioneer Lodge No,
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22, A. F. & A. M. of Des Moines in 1874, and was Grand Master of the Grand Council of Royal and Select Masons of Iowa for two terms, from October, 1872, to October, 1874. He was District Attorney of the Fifth judicial district of Iowa, consisting of Polk, Warren, Madison, Adair, Guthrie and Dallas counties, from 1875 to 1879. He was married to Susan Smiley, of Piqua, Ohio, April 10, 1873.
SNEER, GEORGE-Was born in Washington county, Maryland, on the 3d day of May, 1835. His father died before his birth, and his mother was again married to Dr. F. C. Grimmel, by whom he was principally raised. From Maryland he was taken to Ohio, and in October, 1846, came with his family to Des Moines, and where for thirty-four years he has been so closely identified with all its interests. In early life he was engaged in agricultural pursuits, and in later years has held many important offices, among them member of the city council, in 1861; city clerk, in 1869; street commis- sioner, in 1870; member of the city council, in 1876; and mayor of the city in 1878-79; and as an officer has been fortunate in every capacity in which he has served and has made a good record, and his administra- tion while mayor was characterized by efficiency and economy, and such as has recommended him to the hearty approval of the taxpayers and resi- dents of the city. He was married November 23, 1856, to Miss Pauline E. Reinig, a native of Baden, Germany. They have two children: George S. and Minnie E.
SOULES, R. B .- Of the firm of Soules & Fleming, proprietors of the Utica Clothing Store. Was born in Oneida county, New York, August 19, 1824, and was there raised. Was educated in the common schools, and has followed mercantile pursuits most of his life. In 1854 he opened a general store in Oneida county, which he kept about three years and also began the manufacture of sheeting, cotton-wadding and paper. There he remained until 1875, when he sold out his interests and commenced the clothing trade at Utica, New York. He came to this city in March, 1877, and opened the celebrated Utica Clothing House, of which he still remains the head. They keep none but fine goods and enjoy an excellent trade, as they treat all alike and sell the goods for what they are worth. He was married March 3, 1847, to Miss Satira Bessey, a native of Oneida county, New York. She died January 19, 1856, leaving one child, D. D. Was married again, January 4, 1860, to Miss Mary A. Shaw, also a native of Oneida. county, New York. They have no children.
SPOFFORD, S. F .- Was born in Jeffrey, Cheshire county, New Hamp- hire, May 11, 1808, and is the son of Abner Spofford and Betsey, nee Litch, both natives of New Hampshire. His father was a blacksmith and miller, and young Spofford, during his minority, was engaged a part of the time in " blowing and striking," as mill-boy and on the farm. In 1824 he re- moved to Tecumseh, Michigan, and engaged in agricultural pursuits. In the spring of 1830 he drove the first stage that ever went west of Tecumseh. He bought a farm in 1839 and lived upon it until 1840, when, upon account of his wife's illness, he moved into the village of Tecumseh. While there he was elected constable, and during the following twelve years he held the offices of Sheriff, Deputy-Sheriff and United States Mar- shall of Lenawee county. In 1851 he became conductor on the Michigan Southern & Northern Indiana Railroad, betweon Toledo and Chicago, which position he held until 1855. In September of that year he moved to Des Moines, Iowa, and on the 16th of October next he purchased an undivided
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half interest in the "De Moine House." The following 10th of June he purchased the other half and continued to run the hotel until 1862. Dur- ing his residence in this city he has held many offices of trust and honor, being elected mayor of the city in the spring of 1864. He was one of the Directors of the State Agricultural Society for twelve years, and afterward served as Vice-President two years and President of the same society for 1877-8. He was Director and Treasurer of the City School Board for six years, and April 1, 1870, was commissioned by Governor Samuel Merrill, a member of the Iowa Centennial Board of Commissioners and served on the executive committee of both boards. For many years he was a director of the Citizens' National Bank of Des Moines. April 20, 1836, he married Miss Emeline E. Bixby, daughter of David and Laura Bixby, of Adrian, Michigan. She was born in Middlebury, Massachusetts, November 15, 1814, and died at Des Moines, July 17, 1878. To them three children, one son and two daughters, were born: Charles S. (born in Tecumseh, Michi- gan, October 10, 1837, died January 16th, 1872); Ellen E. (born in Adrian, May 14, 1845, died Auguet 30, 1845); and Laura E. (born in Adrian, De- cember 5, 1847, died August 25, 1849).
STEELE, DR. B. L .- Was born in Belmont county, Ohio, January 9, 1816, and was raised there until 1832, and his early life was divided between attending school and working on a farm. At the age of sixteen he com- menced the study of medicine, and in 1852 came to Iowa and settled in Hartford, Warren county, and in 1861 came to this county and has since continued the practice of his profession. He married Miss Mary Carter, in 1844. She was born in Belmont county, Ohio.
STEWART, J. B .- Among the pioneer settlers of what is now the pros- perous State of Iowa, and one who has witnessed the growth of Des Moines from a town of a few houses to one of the leading and most important cities of the State, is the subject of this sketch, who was born in St. Charles, Missouri, on the 2d day of August, 1821, and is the son of Abram Stewart and Emily, nee Ayers. The former was born in Vermont and the latter is a native of Ohio. His father was a physician, who received an appoint- ment as surgeon in the United States army, and in 1805 was stationed at St. Louis. His mother preceded his father a year or two at this place and was present when the Spanish surrendered the place to the French, previous to the United States acquiring title. Dr. Stewart was wounded by the Indians in 1814 on his way to the river Prairie du Chien. Young Stewart's boyhood, until fourteen years of age, was spent principally in Pike and Marion counties, Missouri. In 1835 he came to what is now Lee county, then a part of Michigan Territory, and lived there under three Territorial Governments previous to Iowa being admitted as a State. Mr. Stewart was a reader of the Dubuque Visitor, the first paper published in the State. Until 1853 his time had been occupied in agricultural pursuits combined with a mercantile experience, and in that year he came to Des Moines as an employe of the United States Land Office. He has since that time been a resident of the county and has been closely identified with its interests. He married Miss Dora McKay in 1861. She is a native of Wyoming county, New York. Their family consists of four children: Mary, Cecil McK., Dora and Emily.
STEWART, WILLIAM R .- Was born in Lee connty, Iowa, October 29, 1853, where he passed the years of youth, and where he received the first lessons in commercial business under the watchful eye of his father,
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William R. Stewart, Sr., one of the first and for many years the leading business man of Southeastern Iowa. While yet a mere youth he became connected with his father and brothers in the well known firm of W. R. Stewart & Co. In 1877 the sons sold their interest in the business to the father and senior member of the firm. From 1877 to 1880 the subject of this sketch held the responsible position of traveling agent for the firm of Pitkin & Brooks, of Chicago, dealers in crockery, glassware, etc. Though holding a most desirable and lucrative position, Mr. Stewart did not design to continue the employment of his energies in the interest of another house when there was such an inviting field as Des Moines for the establishment of a house of his own. In May, 1880, he opened out at the corner of Fifth and Locust streets, numbers 419, 421, 423, Des Moines, a wholesale crock- ery-house. Though of but three months standing the house has already acquired a wide-spread reputation and is now doing a large and remunera- tive business. Mr. Stewart was married August 14, 1875, to Miss Carl Berte Little. She was a native of New Hampshire, daughter of William Little, Esq., of Littleton, New Hampshire, whose ancestors were the first settlers of that State. Mrs. Stewart died September 9, 1876.
STEWART, L. A .- Was born in Lee county, Iowa, June 10, 1855, where he spent his youth and early manhood. He took a regular course of studies at the Iowa Wesleyan University, located at Mt. Pleasant, Iowa. His father, William R. Stewart, Sr., was one of the early merchants of the State, who, by uniting industry, with rare business sagacity, achieved an enviable reputation in the various business circles which came within the range of his influence. It was in his father's store that the subject of this sketch received the first lessons in business. At the age of fourteen he com- menced business for himself, when, in 1869, he went to Hopeville, Clark county, Iowa, and engaged in an extensive general merchandise business, in which he continued for about one year. In 1870 he came to Des Moines, where his father had in the meantime located and engaged with the latter in business. In 1878 he established a wholesale oil store. This was the first oil jobbing house established in the Capital City and still remains the only one. It is one of the leading houses of the city and Central Iowa. It has full control of the oil market throughout a large region of country. Every barrel of oil which is shipped to Des Moines is ordered through this house. Mr. Stewart is a natural born business man and his experience has well fitted him to compete successfully with the shrewdest and most active business men. Though yet young in years he has a record which would do credit to one who has attained a fullness of years.
STEWART, ADRIAN S .- Was born in Lee county, Iowa. He early entered his father's store, where he received a thorough and prac- tical business education. He was in the employ of his brothers, L. A. and W. R. Stewart, until 1880, when he established the business which he now controls. His establishment is located on the corner of Fifth and Locust streets. He is a wholesale dealer in pocket-cutlery, scissors, shears, razors, etc. In connection with his two brothers, who likewise have been engaged in business in Des Moines, he has been succeeding far beyond his most sanguine expectations. The father, William R. Stewart, Sr., elsewhere alluded to as a prominent business man of many years standing, was born in Athens county, Ohio,, March 11, 1819, where he was raised and resided until he was twenty-one years of age, when he removed to West Point,
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Lee county, Iowa. Upon locating in Iowa he entered into the general mer- chandise business in partnership with his father, Col. William Stewart, who is now a resident of Fort Madison. Col. Stewart, the grandfather, was a veteran of the war of 1812, where he achieved a good reputation as an efficient officer. The great grandfather was a soldier of the Revolu- tionary war, and as a veteran of that great conflict made a record of which his descendents may well be proud. The subject of this sketch is the youngest son and head of the wholesale cutlery house. His splendid busi- ness education and natural adaptations for his chosen life work are sufficient guaranties of success.
SWOPE, HENRY H .- Blacksmith. Was born September 11, 1828, in Clermont county, Ohio, and was raised in Ross county, although he served his apprenticeship in the former county. He spent his younger years at journey work, having been engaged in the same at different points. He came to Des Moines in May, 1855, where he has since resided. During the war he served as a member of company B, Twenty-third Iowa infantry, enlisting August 1. 1862, and serving until August, 1865, when his regi- inent was mustered out of the service. After being honorably mustered out of the service he returned to Des Moines and at once engaged in busi- ness on the East Side. He was united in marriage in 1868, to Melissa M. Simmons. She died June 6, 1877, in Des Moines, leaving one child, J. S.
T
EACHOUT, HORACE E .- Proprietor of Capital City Ice Company.
Was born January 5, 1846, and is a native of Onieda county, New York, and lived there until 1876. He graduated from the Eastman Busi- ness College, of Poughkeepsie, New York. Was raised a farmer, and that occupation he followed until 21 years of age, when he became engaged in the manufacturing of cheese. This he followed until he came to this city. Since that time he has been engaged in the above mentioned busi- ness. He was married in his native county to Miss Marian Meyers, No- vember 11, 1867. They have one son, Herbert. Mr. T. was chairman of the Polk county Republican Central Committee, and also secretary of the school board.
THOMAS, DR. M. W .- Is a native of Maryland, and was born Septem- ber 24, 1815. When a child his parents removed to Ohio, where his youth and early manhood were spent, principally in acquiring an education. Hav- ing a desire for the practice of medicine, he commenced its study and re- ceived his first diploma from the La Porte Medical College, in 1846, and in 1851 he graduated from the Ohio Medical College at Cincinnati. After three years practice in that State he removed to Franklin Ind., where he resided twelve years. In 1857 he came to Iowa, and was actively engaged in his chosen profession until the outbreak of the rebellion, when he en- listed in the Thirteenth Iowa infantry. He became regimental surgeon, and after promoted to the Sixth division, Seventeenth Army Corps, and had charge of the hospital of that division at Savannah. For a time he was professor of theory and practice of medicine in the Iowa Med- ical College at Keokuk. It was while holding the very responsible position of surgeon in the army that he had the wide range of experience, and his genius and skill in surgery were most frequently employed, but while holding the honorable place in the Iowa Medical College that he became well and favorably known throughout the West as a physician of profound learning and ripe experience. He came to Des
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Moines in September, 1865, since which time he has been constantly and actively engaged in pursuing his chosen profession. Several years ago he founded a medical and sergical institute for the treatment of deform- ities and all kinds of chronic diseases. This institution has been in opera- tion four years, and has constantly grown in public favor and usefulness. He was married to Miss W. Kinsell in 1856. She is a native of Illinois, but raised in Kentucky. They have two children: Daisy K. and John K. Dr. Thomas has a daughter, Mary E., by a former marriage.
THOMAS, J. R .- Of J. R. Thomas & Son, blacksmiths. Born Decem- 19, 1821, in Oneida county, New York. When he was ten years of age his father removed to Delaware county, Ohio, where the subject of this sketch resided until 1840, when he took up his residence in Columbus, Ohio, where he served his apprenticeship. In 1854 he removed to Spring- field, Illinois, where he remained some time, and in 1848 removed to Mt. Pulaski, Ill., where he carried on blacksmithing for eleven years. From the latter place he removed to Des Moines in 1859, where he has since re- sided and been engaged at his trade. He was married February 20, 1848, to Anna M. Vliet, a native of Ohio. Have eight children: M. A., W. E., E. J., D. L., Esther, John A., Lizzie and Mila R.
TONE, I. E .- Was born in Genessee county, New York, January 6, 1839. Was raised a farmer, and when arrived at his majority removed to Huron county, Ohio, where he was engaged in the occupation of farming for eight years. In 1868 he made a prospecting tour in the Western States, and returning to Ohio engaged in the oil and paint business in Cleveland for one year. In 1870 he entered in the confectionery business at Nor- walk, Ohio, where he remained two years. At the expiration of that time he disposed of his business and engaged in the boot and shoe trade until 1873, when he came to Des Moines. When locating in the capital city he engaged in his present business in connection with a brother, J. Tone. The business in which the firm is engaged is that of spices, coffee and bak- ing powder. Their business has gradually and constantly prospered. It is the only business of the kind in Central Iowa, and is an important fea- ture in the history of Des Moines. He was married September 13, 1871, to Miss Betty O. Wheaton, of Norwalk, Ohio. They have two children: Jay and Fred.
TIDRICK, R. L .- Among the prominent names of Des Moines, early settlers is the subject of this sketch, who was born in Guernsey county, Ohio, August 20, 1825. At that time Ohio was regarded as a frontier country, and during his youth, which was passed in the county of his birth, Mr. Tidrick was inured to the hardships of pioneer life. Early in its his- tory Ohio had an excellent public school system, and he is a very good ex- ample from a large number of successful business and professional men, who received the inspiration and preparation for their life work in the primitive log school-houses of the Buckeye State. Early in his youth he became connected with the County Clerk's office in his county town, and had a large experience for one so young, and while thus engaged he formed a taste for the legal profession, and after preparing himself was admitted to the bar in Cambridge, Ohio. Soon after his admission to the bar he re- moved to Iowa, arriving at Fort Des Moines on the 4th day of May, 1847. For a number of years after locating in his new home he was actively en- gaged in the practice of his chosen profession. Among those who were
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associated with him as partners were William McKay, afterward Judge of the District Court, and P. M. Casady, who was also elected to that hon- orable position. He held the position of postmaster at an early day, also the office of Register of the Land Office for several years, and until his resignation was accepted. In 1850 he was appointed Prosecuting Attor- ney, and in 1857 was elected mayor of Des Moines. For a number of years he has not been actively engaged in the practice of law, his entire time being given to the management of his private interests which by in- dustry, prudence and superior business tact, have grown to a large estate. The whole history of the capital city is familiar to Mr. Tidrick, all of which he has seen, and part of which he has been. There is no one that has been more continuously and thoroughly identified with Des Moines' interest than Mr. T. He was married in 1850 to Miss Cornelia B. Chit- tenden, a native of Ohio. She died in 1868, leaving two children: George C. and R. Laning. Lost one child in infancy.
TOWN, J. J .- Cashier Valley Bank. Among the causes that have contributed to the prosperity of Des Moines and its reputation as a busi- ness center, its banks have been an important factor, and prominent among them is the Valley Bank, under the management of the subject of this sketch, who was born in Erie county, Pennsylvania, on the seveneenth day of October, 1826; and was raised there with a mercantile experience. In 1848 he removed to Elgin, Illinois, and made that place his home for six- teen years, and then returned to Erie, Pennsylvania, and remained there seven years and came to this city in July, 1871, and engaged in his present business, and with very satisfactory results. His financial ability has never been questioned, and as a man is careful and prudent, upright, reliable and honorable. Married Esther M. Graves of Steuben county, New York, in 1850. Three children: Louisa (now Mrs. Waldron), Bessie A. (wife of W. E. Andrews), William G. (of Home National Bank, Elgin, Illinois).
TURNER, DR. M. P .- Was born in Missouri, in October, 1824, and when four years of age removed with his parents to Morgan county, Illinois, where his early life was spent on a farm. After making choice of medi- cine as a profession, he studied with Dr. Stewart, of Exeter, that State, as preceptor, and graduated from the Illinois College, at Jacksonville. He then formed a co-partnership with his preceptor, and continued in practice six years. In 1853 he purchased a herd of cows and went overland to California, and remained there five years, the first three years it was a losing business, but with a tenacity characteristic of the man, he overcame all discouragements, and the last two years proved very successful. He returned to Illinois, and after a short residence there became convinced that Iowa offered a superior field for a man of energy, and resolved to come to Des Moines. He was largely instrumental in building the Court Avenue bridge over the Des Moines river, also the 'Coon river bridge. He was one of the incorporators and first stockholders of the Des Moines Street Railway Company, and when others became dissatisfied he purchased their interest, and at the present time is the sole proprietor. It has been a marked trait of Dr. Turner's life to throw his whole energy into whatever he undertakes, and being of a practical turn of mind he has spared no pains or expense in adapting ends to means, and in the management of this road he has manifested remarkable judgment as well as executive abil- ity. He has patented an improvement for keeping his track clear of mud and snow, by means of brooms attached to the cars and worked automat-
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ically, saving much expense; an invention that must commend itself to all who are interested in street railways, for its economy. Few men have the disposition, as has the subject of this sketch, to make large outlays with- out immediate returns, but he, with an eye to the future, has extended the road and afforded all the accommodations that the travel would justify to meet the wants of the public, and he has richly earned the success which his investments must return in the near future. A marked feature of his management has been that the road has never had a bonded debt of one dollar. He was married in 1852, to Miss Mary A. Ramsey, of Illinois. They have two children: Emma J. and Susie. Lost two: Lizzie and Mary.
TURNER, C. H .- Justice of the peace, was born in Jacksonville, Illi- nois, on the third day of May, 1857, and was brought by his parents to this county in March, 1858. His youth was divided between attending school and clerking in a store, until he decided to study law, and he was admitted to the bar in 1876, and in 1878 was elected to his present office and which he has filled to the satisfaction of all with whom he has business inter- course.
TURNER, GILES H .- Attorney at law, was born in Boone county, Missouri, May 13, 1824, and when fourteen years of age his parents moved to Jacksonville, Illinois. His father was a farmer, and young Turner nat- urally followed that as an occupation. He received a good school educa- tion and graduated from the Illinois College. Studied law with Governor Yates and was admitted to the bar in 1846. From 1852 to 1856 he repre- sented his district in the State Legislature. In 1858 he came to this county and has been engaged, more or less, in the practice of his profession, since residing here. Has held the office of mayor of Des Moines three terms, and has been city attorney for six years. On the twenty-fourth of April, 1851, Miss Delia Rickart of Whitehall, Illinois, became his wife. She was born in Ohio. Their family consists of two children: John D. (physician), and Charles H. (lawyer). Have lost four children.
TURNER, WILLIAM-of Grupe & Turner, Iowa Boiler Works, East Des Moines; born June 13, 1828, in Fibeshire, Scotland, where he was raised. He learned his trade in the city of Glasgow, serving an appretice- ship of five years and working in that city some five years after serving his apprenticeship. He came to the United States in 1867, locating in Des Moines. In 1871 he engaged in business for himself, and two years afterward he formed a partnership with his present partner. The firm now enjoys a good trade, having all they can do the year round; their trade ex- ending beyond the borders of our own State. He was united in marriage in 1854, to Margaret Bell, she was also born and raised in Scotland. Have six children: Robert, William, James, John, May and Thomas.
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