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 109
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TUTTLE, GEN. J. M .- A native of Summerville, Monroe county (now Noble county), Ohio. Was born on the 24th of September, 1823, and prior to his tenth year attended school in Fayette county, Indiana, and afterward, until he attained his twentieth year, when he began life for him- self, his time was employed in assisting his father. Removing to the West in the spring of 1846, he settled at Farmington, Van Buren county, Iowa, and there engaged in the mercantile trade and farming. In 1855. he was elected Sheriff of the county and two years later County Treasurer, being re-elected in 1859. At the opening of the civil war he raised a company of volunteers and was elected captain of the same, but such was the ra-
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pidity with which the call for troops was filled that the company was not called into the service until May 27, 1861, when it was assigned to the Second regiment Iowa infantry volunteers. While quartered at Keokuk Capt. Tuttle was elected lieutenant-colonel, and on the 6th of September, 1861, succeeded Col. Curtis to the rank of colonel, that officer having been promoted brigadier-general. At the battles of Ft. Donelson and Shiloh Col. Tuttle displayed marked courage and self-possession, and made a rec- ord that placed him in the front ranks of Iowa's brave soldiers. During the fall and winter of 1862 he held command of the forces at Cairo, but in the spring of 1863 was assigned the command of a division of Gen. Sher- man's corps. He was an active participant in the campaign against Vicks- burg and in the capture of Jackson, Mississippi. He rendered efficient service in the army until the fall of 1864, when he was mustered out. Settling at Des Moines in the ensuing autumn he was engaged in farming for two years and since that time has been largely interested in pork packing. In 1871 he was elected a member of the State Legislature and served one term. As a business man Gen. Tuttle is prompt and energetic; upright and honorable in all his dealings, he has secured the esteem of all with whom he has had to do. He has been twice married. First, September 22, 1847, to Miss Elizabeth J. Conner, of Fayette county, Indiana, who died September 21, 1851; and on the 17th of August, 1853, he was mar- ried to Laura M. Meek, daughter of Dr. S. G. Meek, of Farmington, Iowa. They have three children living: Laura (now Mrs. A. L. West), Mella and Joel. Lost two: George (died at Vicksburg), and Mary.
TUTTLE, S. B .- Proprietor of the Iowa Carbonated Stone Pipe Works. Was born in Monroe county, Ohio, February 19, 1829, and lived there un- til nine years of age and then removed to Fayette county, Indiana, where he was raised a farmer. In 1854 he emigrated to Iowa and settled in Van Buren county, and resided there until 1870, when he removed to this county and engaged in his present business of manufacturer and dealer in artificial stone for buildings, sewers and tile pipe, and besides doing a large city trade he has a large patronage in the adjoining counties and his business has become one of the permanent industries of the city. Mr. T. was married in June, 1860, to Miss Almira Kelley, a native of Putnam county, New York. They have two children: Linn J. and Albert K. Lost one son, Fred.
TINNEGE, ALVIN P .- Dealer in groceries, provisions, etc. Was born in Miami county, Indiana, May 30, 1854, where he lived until nine years of age; he then came to this city with his mother, his father having died some two years previous. He was raised on a farm and his- time was divided between working on the farm summers and attending school during the winters. He commenced teaching school when sixteen years of age and taught five successive terms; he then attended the Iowa State University, at Iowa City for two years. On his return he accepted position of book-keeper in the bank of I. N. Thomas, where he continued nearly two years, and was afterward employed in the Citizens' National Bank in the same capacity. He established his present business on the East Side in 1877. He was married to Miss Clara E., daughter of the Hon. R. C. Webb, of this city, October 27, 1875. She was born in In- diana. They have one son and one daughter: Leroy J. and Alice. His characteristics as a business man may be inferred from the success which has attended his career.
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VORSE, FRANK W .- Among the few persons who located in Polk county prior to 1846, and the first person to establish a house for the sale of agricultural implements in Des Moines, was N. T. Vorse, who engaged in business in 1845, and continued it till the time of his death a few years since. The subject of this sketch, his successor in business, was born in Sidney, Iowa, February 9, 1856. His early life was passed in Des Moines, where he availed himself of the best educational facilities of the city, having graduated from the high school in 1873. In the same year he grad- uated from the Des Moines High School he entered the Northwestern University, at Evanston, Illinois, where he remained till the spring of 1875, when he was compelled to discontinue his studies on account of a failure of his eyes. In 1877, he became connected with the Marseilles Manufac- turing Company, where he remained until 1879, when he opened out an agricultural implement establishment in the building formerly occupied by his father. The experience he obtained in the business while with his father and afterward with one of the most extensive manufacturing estab- lishments of Illinois eminently fitted him for the business in which he is now engaged. He was married October 24, 1877, to Miss Agnes Newton, a niece of Hon. Curtis Bates, formerly an eminent politician of Des Moines. She was born in Buchanan, Michigan, and was also a graduate of the Des Moines High School, of the class of 1873. They have one child, a daughter, named Ruth.
W ALKER, G. M .- Is a native of Ludlow, Vermont, and was born March 18, 1832. He was brought up there and attended the Green Mountain Liberal Institute, and in 1852 he removed to Richland county, Ohio. There he engaged in teaching school, and in May, 1855, emigrated to Warren county, Iowa. He became engaged in the mercantile business and followed it until the spring of 1860, when he went to Pike's Peak. Re- turned to Indianola in the fall of that year, and on the thirteenth of June following, he enlisted in the First Iowa cavalry, and served until his mus- ter out on the first of March, 1866. He then came to this city and has since resided here. He has served the people as treasurer of the county. Was married at Indianola, March 30, 1857, to Miss Abbie Young. Their family consists of one child, Jessie E., born December 14, 1867.
WARD, C. H .- Wholesale druggist, senior member of the firm of C. H. Ward & Co., is a native of New York, and was born on the ninth day of November, 1848, and when eight years of age accompanied his parents to Illinois, and was principally raised in Geneseo, Henry county. He en- listed in the regular army during the war and served as hospital steward. After being mustered out of the service he returned to his home, and soon after engaged in business in Altoona, Knox county, Illinois. In 1870 he came to Des Moines and established his present business, and has succeeded by a thorough knowledge of all the details of the business, in building up a large and constantly increasing trade. As a business man he is prompt and energetic, upright in all his dealings; he has secured the esteem of all with whom he has had business transactions, and attained to a well merited success. He has never sought or held a public office, preferring the peace and quiet of his legitimate business, and his characteristics as a business man may be inferred from the success which has attended his career. He was married in 1866 to Miss Isabel C. Miles, a native of Michigan. Their family consists of three children living: Raleigh, Constance and Richard.
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WARD, M. W .- Of the firm of C. H. Ward & Co., wholesale druggists, is a native of Wyoming county, New York, and was born on the twenty- first day of November, 1845, and when six years of age removed with his- parents to Genesee, Henry county, Illinois, where he was engaged as clerk in a store until the outbreak of the rebellion and then enlisted in the One Hundred and Thirty-ninth Illinois infantry, and served until the close of the war. After he was mustered out of the U. S. service he attended school at the State University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor; and in 1870 came to Iowa and engaged in the drug trade in Winterset, and remained there un- til 1875 and then removed to Montezuma, and engaged in the banking business. In 1879 he disposed of his interest and came to this city, and became connected with his brother, C. H. Ward, in his present business.' He was married in 1872 to Miss Sue W. Drake, of Lycoming county, Penn- sylvania, a daughter of the Rev. Geo. C. Drake, an Episcopal clergyman : of some note as well as a prominent Mason. They have two children: Clara L. and George H. Lost one daughter, Lillia B.
WARNER, GEORGE A .- Gas fitter and plumber. Was born in St. Louis, February 14, 1847. When he was two years of age his parents re- moved to Davenport, Iowa. During his youth, when not at school, he was employed on a farm which occupation he followed till 1869, when he chose his present business as a permanent occupation. He removed to Des Moines and was in the employ of the gas company until that company sold out to; Robinson & Atherton and was in the employ of the latter firm for four years. He established his present business in February, 1878. If the business at first was not very extensive Mr. Warner did not " despise the day of small things," but perseveringly adhered to his purpose, and industriously per -; formed what work was committed to him. The business has steadily and constantly grown until it has become one of the leading houses of its kind in . the capital city. Mr. Warner was married June 22, 1876, to Miss Helena Whitmore; she is a native of Pennsylvania. They have a son and a daugh- ter: Harry and Daisie.
WARFIELD & HOWELL-Wholesale grocers. Prominent among the younger business men of Des Moines are the above names, who have recently engaged in business in this city, but who, at the same time, have taken a front rank among its business firms. In the selection of a location for a permanent and increasing business in their line, they were naturally attracted by the geographical location of the city and the resources of the country, and so far their most sanguine expectations have been more than realized. Possessing a thorough knowledge of the branch of business in which they are engaged they are determined to do their share in es- tablishing the reputation of Des Moines as a wholesale center. WILSON R. WARFIELD, the senior member, was born in Belmont county, Ohio, November 3, 1849; from here he removed to Princeton, Bureau county, Illinois, where he was principally raised. In 1868 he removed to Quincy, Illinois, and entered the employ of Warfield & Meyers, wholesale grocers, remaining with this firm until he engaged in his present business. He came to this county in 1880. He married Miss Ella Lyford on the 10th day of December, 1873. She was born in Quincy, Illinois. They have, by this union, two children: Mabel A. and Lyford W. J. W. HOWELL was born in Belmont county, Ohio, March 8, 1850, where he was raised until sixteen years of age, and then removed to Quincy, Illinois. He. commenced his mercantile experience with H. A. Williamson & Co.,
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commission merchants, with whom he remained five years, and then en- tered the employ of Warfield & Myers, wholesale grocers, with whom he remained until coming to this county in 1880. He was united in mar- riage with Miss Anna J. Treat on the 10th day of December, 1873. She was a resident of Quincy, Illinois, but born in Rockville, Connecticut. Their family consists of two children: E. Mell. and Helen T.
WARD, DR. W. H .- Has been a practicing physician for more than thirty years, and most of this time in Central Iowa. He was born in Indi- ana on the 29th day of May, 1829. He was raised principally in Danville, that State, and early in life commenced his preparation for the duties of his profession, which he selected from a love for it, and received his diploma from the college at Keokuk. In 1848 he followed a cherished desire to visit the new State of Iowa, and after deciding to make it his home he settled near Carlisle, now in Warren county, and in 1862 came to Des Moines. Has seen more years of active practice than any other physician in the county. He has pursued his profession with great diligence, made constant progress in the healing art, and stands among the foremost men in the medical fra- ternity in Central Iowa. He was married to Miss Allie Parker, November 25, 1851. She was born in Indiana. They have four children: Minnie E., Frank F., Harry C. and Elmer R.
WARNER, FREDERICK A .- Postmaster and dealer in books and stationery. Was born in Cortland county, New York, March 18, 1836, and lived there until he reached his majority. He received all the advantages of the schools at home, and for four years attended the Oberlin College of Ohio. On the breaking out of the rebellion, on the call for 75,000 men, he enlisted in company C, Seventh Ohio infantry. Served for three months and then re-enlisted for three years, but only served about thirteen months when he was obliged to resign on account of a severe wound received in the elbow while engaged in the battle of Winchester. After his return from the army he spent one year in Connecticut. He then came to Illi- nois and was engaged in the mercantile business at Lacon, Marshall county, for one year. In 1867 he came to this city and has been a resident here ever since. He was Deputy Secretary of State for six years and has been postmaster, East Side, about six months. As an official he is prompt, perfectly reliable and very efficient. He was married in Marlow, Ches- hire county, New Hampshire, to Miss Mary M. Dodge. They are the par- ents of one son and two daughters: Beth, Belle and Halbert D.
WATTS, DR. J .- Dentist. Was born in Montgomery county, Indiana, October 10, 1840, and at the age of eight years came with his parents to this State and located in Allen township, Polk county. He here grew to manhood on a farm and was educated in the common schools. When nineteen years of age he came to this city to learn the dental profession with Dr. Molesworth, with whom he stayed two years. At the expiration. of that time he took the road, traveling from place to place, working at his profession, in which he had become very proficient. In 1870 he re- turned to Des Moines and opened an office on his own account and has re- mained here since. Has built up a fine trade which his skill and experi- ence so well deserve. He has also taken quite an interest in the develop- ing of fine horses, and has owned some of the finest steppers that have ever graced the race track. He is now the owner of one of the most prom- ising colts in the county, Charlie G. Hayes. Was married October 31,
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1864, to Miss Sarah A. Bell, a native of Ohio. They have two children: Clarence V. (living) and Calvin P. (deceased).
WATT, JAMES-Of the firm of Watt & Cochran, was born in Quebec, Canada, in 1843, of Scotch parentage. In early life he aided his father in hewing out a farm in the Queen's Bush, Ontario. Studying at night he prepared himself to teach a country school. He studied so assiduously that at the end of his third year he took a first-class certificate during pleasure, excelling especially in mathematics, which led him to adopt civil engineer- ing as a profession. In 1866 he was induced by R. C. Spencer to take a commercial course at his college in Milwaukee, which laid the foundation for his present career. In 1874 he was known as the greatest produce ship- per of the West, sending hundreds of car loads to Kansas, Colorado, Cali- fornia, as well as New York, Philadelphia and New Orleans. This led to a very large acquaintance, and Mr. Cochran, a business man of capital from Ohio, was led to embark with him in the wholesale business, with the success indicated by their present elegant quarters, beautiful stock, and ex- tensive trade. Mr. W. was married to Miss Kirkman, in 1868, daughter of Rev. Fred. Kirkman, late of Quincy, Illinois.
WEAVER, C. A .- Of the firm of Weaver & Maish, druggists. Was born in York, Pennsylvania, in 1832. He learned the trade of cabinet maker in his youth. In 1850 he commenced his mercantile experience in the drug trade. In 1855 he came to this county and entered the employ of Dr. Baker and continued with him until 1869, when, in company with his brother-in-law, Geo. H. Maish, established the present business, and besides doing a jobbing trade are the leading retail druggists of the city, and as business men have been very successful. Mr. Weaver has been twice married. First, in 1856, to Miss M. A. Johns, a native of Ohio. She died, leaving two children: John A. and George M. His second wife was Mary A. Smyser, of York, Pennsylvania. They have three children by this marriage: Carrie, Lillie and Frank.
WEBSTER, I. N .- Was born in Meigs county, Ohio, December 12, 1841, where he was brought up at the hard work of a farmer's boy. He continued to follow the occupation of farming until the breaking out of the late war, when he entered the army. He enlisted August 13, 1862, in company B, One Hundred and Sixteenth Ohio infantry, and served in that regiment till the close of the war, when he was discharged January 14, 1865. During his time of service he participated in the battles of Moorefield, Winchester, New Market, Piedmont, Lynchburg, Stony Ford, Kearnstown, Hall Town, Opequan, Fisher's Hill, Stickney Farm, Cedar Creek, and at the capture of Lee at Richmond. After his term of service he returned home and attended school at Miller's Seminary, Athens, Ohio. In 1866 he entered the employ of the Singer Sewing Machine Company as general agent for Ohio, in which position he remained for three years and was transferred to Iowa in 1869, making Des Moines his home. He continued in the agency of the sewing machine company, with his headquarters at Des Moines, till 1873, when he engaged in the marble business, which he has followed till the present time. Mr. Webster is a man of pleasant address, and by following a strictly honorable and honest system of doing business has succeeded in establish- ing a house which is now doing a business of $40,000 a year. He was mar- ried March 2, 1867, to Miss Maggie Miller. She is the daughter of Amos Miller, a very renowned educator of Athens, Ohio. They have three chil- dren, sons, named, Fred. M., Ralph A., Harry B.
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WEITZ, CHAS .- Contractor and builder. The subject of this sketch is probably the oldest contractor in Des Moines in point of residence. He was born in Germany, on the 4th day of May, 1824, and in early life was apprenticed to learn the carpenter trade, and which avocation he has fol- lowed until the present time. He remained in his native country until 1850, and then decided to emigrate to America. Coming to this country he made his home first in Columbus, Ohio, and worked their five years. At the end of that time business in the building line became very dull there, and in fact almost suspended. Casually hearing mention made of Des Moines, and of its being the place selected for the capital, and ignorant to a great extent of its location, and acting on the impression that it would be a desirable place for a man of energy, willing to brave the hardships of frontier life, he, in company with his wife, reached Des Moines in 1855. He purchased the lot where he now lives and built him a temporary house, and was successful in getting work at once, and before he had been here one month had nine men working for him, and the number could have been largely increased if he could have got the workmen. He has been closely identified with the city's building and progress, and by economy and indus- try has been very successful. He was married to Miss Helena Kinnel in 1854. She was born in Germany. They have seven children: Lizzie K., Charles H., Amelia, Rosa, Fred. W., Emma and Ettie.
WELLS, L. J .- Is a native of Montrose, Susquehanna county, Pennsyl- vania, where he was born January 28, 1831. He traces his origin to Eng- lish ancestry. He learned the trade of carpenter in his youth and by in- dustry and economy, combined with good judgment, had saved about $2,000 at the time he came to Des Moines, in 1857. It may be mentioned here that he came to the city in 1856 and purchased lots on which to erect a home. His arrival at Des Moines happened at an inopportune time. Of his savings $1,000 was invested in his home and $400 that he had de- posited in bank of Ingham & Callanan was swept away in the general mælstrom of wild cat banks. Making the best of ill fortune he took four- teen legislative boarders during the winter, among whom was ex-Governor Gue, of Fort Dodge. This occupation proved a profitable means of sup- port until employment was found, and from that day fortune has favored him in laboring and speculating, and to-day he is recognized among the substantial business men of Des Moines. In 1868 he engaged in his pres- ent business and owns a fine brick stable, two stories above basement, and well stocked with horses and carriages, among the finest in the city, and his character as a business man may be inferred from the success which has attended his business. He is no political aspirant, but devotes his time to his legitimate business. He has been twice married, first to Miss Mary E. Brown, of Pennsylvania, in 1852. She died in 1862, leaving two children: William and Jesse. He married for his second wife Miss Sarah Bailey, a native of Maryland, in 1863.
WEBB, R. C .- Of the firm of R. C. Webb & Co., wholesale grocers. Among the business men of Des Moines few who ever settled here brought with them more of the elements of success than the subject of our sketch, and who, for thirteen years, has been a prominent trader in his line. He has indomitable energy and perseverance and carefully oversees every branch of his business and is shrewd and keen, yet deals fairly with his customers, hence he makes friends rapidly, secures and retains their custom easily, and is a fine example of the reward which industry and honest deal-
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ing often secure. He was born in Tennessee August 20, 1827, and when young he removed to Wayne county, Indiana, where he was raised a farmer and had a mercantile experience. He came to this county in 1866 and en- gaged in the grain trade, and in 1867 embarked in his present business and at the present time is the oldest jobbing house in his line. No firm has done more to build up the reputation of Des Moines as a wholesale center. He has associated with him in business his son, C. L. Webb, and C. C. Prouty. In 1879 he was elected to the upper house of the Iowa State Legislature, and has served faithfully and well, with credit to himself and the entire satisfaction of his constituents. He was married in 1845 to Miss Sarah A. Burgoyne Case, a native of Wayne county, Indiana. They have two children: Constantine L. and Clara E. J. (wife of Alvin Vin- nedge).
WELLS, L .- Druggist. Was born in New York March 28, 1821, and at the age of thirteen years removed, with his parents, to Medina county, Ohio, where he was raised. At the age of nineteen years he engaged in' the potash and pearl business in Litchfield, and a short time after opened a dry goods store which he continued until 1853. He then came to this State, locating in Warren county, and invested his means in land and also town lots in Indianola. In the fall of 1854 he went out to Omaha, Neb- raska, built the first hotel at that place which he called the Douglas House, and boarded the first legislatie body of the State. At the end of one year he returned to Indianola and bought the Hackett Mill, which he ran for about two years and was also engaged in the dry goods business. He owned a livery and sale stable in Holly Springs, Mississippi, and shipped horses and mules to that place, and at the same time ran five mail routes for the government. In 1863 he went to St. Louis, engaging in the com- mission business, but soon sold out and came to Des Moines, where he bought stock. For a short time he was engaged in the livery business at Clinton, Iowa, and then moved to Peoria, Illinois, where he followed his business nearly three years. In 1868 he was burned out, sustaining quite a loss, and returned to this city, where he again engaged in the livery busi- ness. He remained here nearly three years, sold part of his stock and took a trip through the northwest, remaining about ten months. In 1871 he resumed his principal occupation, and continued therein until August, 1877, when he traded his stock for lands in Nebraska. He moved to Beatrice, that State, remained about three months, and then returned here, where he bought his old stable and also a drug stock. The next year he traded the same for property on the East Side, and in December, 1877, bought his present drug store. In January, 1869, he met with a severe accident, falling upon a defective sidewalk and breaking his hip. This made him a cripple for life. Mr. Wells has been thrice married, first, July 14, 1842, to Miss Elesta L. Phinney, a native of Ohio. She died November 1, 1843, leaving one child, Electa (now Mrs. D. W. Wells, of Kearney Junction, Nebraska). He was married again January 1, 1846, to Miss Sarah Jenkins, a native of Ohio. They had four children: Lucius W. and Leander W. living, and two deceased. The third time, October 9, 1866, he married Miss Abbie J. Paris, a native of Ohio. They have no children.
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