-272-
EDWIN W. GARBERICH
GARBERICH, EDWIN W., M.D., homeopathic physician and surgeon of Des Moines, established practice in this city October 1, 1878. He is a native of Lebanon County, Pa., his birth having occurred on the 24th of July, 1842.
-273-
The first American ancestor of the family was Andrew Garberich, who emigrated from Rotterdam, Holland, to Pennsylvania, and settled in Lebanon County, in 1754. He was the great-grandfather of our subject. The Doctor's grandfather was Philip Garberich, and his father Daniel Garberich, who has been five years a resident of Des Moines, married Elizabeth Wise, and unto them were born four sons, the Doctor being the eldest. Allen D., the second, who enlisted in the late war as a member of the One Hundred and Twenty-seventh Pennsylvania Regiment, died in the hospital near Alexandria, Va., in the year 1862; Philip is a traveling salesman for the well known music firm of Lyon & Healy, and represents the Nebraska store; Prof. Lyman S., the youngest son, is a graduate of the Leipsic Conservatory of Music, and is now a resident of Des Moines, where he is engaged in teaching music.
Dr. Garberich was reared on a farm, and his early education was supplied by an excellent public school. After completing an academic course of study he engaged in teaching a few terms. He determined to fit himself for the medical profession and devoted his leisure time to the study of medical works. In April, 1861, he continued his studies, under Dr. J. B. Herring, of Mechanicsburg, but the War of the Rebellion broke out about that time and, yielding to the patriotic sentiment that imbued the people of the North when the life of the nation was threatened, he decided to go forth to battle for the old flag. Three months after he had entered upon the course of a medical student, he laid aside his books and enrolled his name as a member of Company E, One Hundred and Twenty-seventh Pennsylvania Infantry. For about nine months he served as a private and was then promoted to the rank of First Lieutenant of Company D, Forty-eighth Pennsylvania State Guards. He participated in the battles of Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville, under Gens. Burnside and Hooker. He resumed his medical studies in the fall of 1863, and entered the medical department of the University of Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia, from which institution he was graduated in 1865. Soon after completing his course, he located in New Kingston, near Harrisburg, Pa., where he engaged in practice from April, 1865, until September, 1886, when he removed to Mechanicsburg, in the same State. He remained there until September, 1878, when he came to Des Moines. The Doctor came to Iowa in the spring of that year with a view of selecting a favorable situation, as he had determined to locate in the West, where opportunities for advancement promised better than in the older States of the East. He visited Des Moines and, being pleased with the city, determined to locate here, which decision he carried into effect immediately. Dr. Garberich, by his skill as a physician, his cordial and genial disposition and his enterprise as a citizen, has made a large circle of friends, and his practice is a large and growing one.
The Doctor's wife, whom he married in Pennsylvania, was formerly Miss Mary E. Brandt, a native of York County, Pa. Her father is deceased and the mother came to Des Moines in the fall of 1878, and is still residing in the city, as a member of the Doctor's family.
Top
HENRY D. McANENEY
PROF. HENRY D. McANENEY, Principal of the Business college of Drake University, was born in Piqua, Miama County, Ohio, March 18, 1858, and is a son of William A. and Anne (Dowd) McAneney, both of whom were natives of Ireland. The father was born in Dublin, in 1831, and was a son of an extensive land owner of that country. When a young man he came to the United States, locating in Rochester, N.Y. The mother was born in Wicklow, in 1833, and also belonged to one of the substantial families of the land. Her great-grandfather, Mr. Plunkett, served as a General in the Revolution of 1798, when Ireland sought her freedom. When a young lady of nineteen years, Miss Dowd came to America to join her brothers in New York, afterward removing with them to Rochester, where she again met William A. McAneney, whom she had known in Ireland. Here she and Mr. McAneney were married. After residing in the Empire State for a time, they
-274-
removed to Ohio, residing in Urbana, Piqua and Miamisburg successively. In 1872, they removed to Southern Wisconsin, and the following year became residents of Eastern Pottawattamie County, Iowa, where they resided until 1888, again removing to a farm near Atlantic, where they still reside. In 1864, the husband enlisted in Company A, One Hundred and Eighty-seventh Ohio Regiment, with which he served until the close of the war, participating in some of the hardest fought battles. When he entered the service he was a supporter of the Democratic party, but ere he received his discharge he had become a stalwart Republican. He is in hearty sympathy with the struggling people of his native isle who are contending for their natural rights and both he and his wife are members of the Catholic Church. In their family are six children, four sons and two daughters: John F. is in the implement business in Atlantic, Iowa; William and Thomas are bookkeepers for large firms in Chicago; and the other son is Prof. Henry, who is the eldest.
Our subject prepared himself for public school work which profession he followed three years and then took a course in the Eastman National Business College of Poughkeepsie, N.Y., graduating in 1833. Upon the close of his school life he became book-keeper for Boyle & Co., of Council Bluffs, and subsequently was cashier in the wholesale clothing house of Henry Eisman & Co., but resigned that position to become head book-keeper for Devol & Wright, one of the largest wholesale hardware firms of that city. Mr. McAneney gained an enviable reputation as an accountant and in January, 1884, was tendered a position as instructor in the Business College of Drake University, and the following year was made principal. He has always been a diligent and earnest student and in connection with his professional work has almost completed the philosophical course in the University from which he will take the degree of A.B., this year. He is a young man of strong mental force, untiring energy and fine ability, and has won recognition as an able instructor from some of the most noted educators of the country. In political sentiment he is a Republican, entertaining strong prohibition sentiments.
On the 29th of December, 1888, Prof. McAneney was united in marriage with Miss Kittie A. Woodworth, who was born in Stryker, Ohio, April 28, 1867. One child, a lovely girl, has blessed this union. Both the Professor and his wife are earnest and faithful members of the Christian Church. Mrs. McAneney is a lady of education, refinement and culture, and a musician of artistic ability. she has taken a four years' course in the Conservatory of Music of Drake University. She is in full sympathy with the work of her husband and is a valuable aid in all his efforts.
Top
JOSHUA GESNER HILL
JOSHUA GESNER HILL, M. D., of Des Moines, has been engaged in the practice of medicine in this city since 1878, and ranks deservedly high amongst his professional brethren of Polk County. A native of Ohio, he was born in Shelby County, on the 4th of July, 1842, and is the son of Joshua Hill, a native of Virginia. When our subject was a boy, his father removed with his family to Illinois, but subsequently returned to Ohio, and a number of years later, accompanied by his children, came to Iowa, locating in Guthrie Center, where he died a number of years ago at the advanced age of eighty-four. His wife died in 1862, while a resident of Illinois. They were the parents of fifteen children, eight sons and seven daughters, six of that number still living, namely: James G., of Iowa City; Henry, of Peoria County, Ill.; Dr. J. G.; Caleb, Charlotte and Harriet. Two of the children died in infancy, but the other members of the family reached mature years. Four of the brothers served their country in the War of the Rebellion, and another son, Ephraim S., raised a company, but illness prevent him from entering the service. He was a lawyer by profession, and died in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, in 1880. John L. was Captain of Company A, Sixtieth Ohio Regiment, in which he served until taken prisoner at Harper's Ferry, when that place was surrendered to the Confederates by Gen. Miles. He was paroled and
-275-
returned home, and recruited and organized the Twenty-fourth Ohio Battery, and as its commander re-entered the service, remaining until the close of the war. He died in Waverly, Ohio, in February, 1889, from disease contracted in the army. Henry served in an Illinois regiment during the latter part of the struggle, and our subject also enlisted in the defense of the Union on the 12th of June, 1862, as a member of Company K, Sixty-eighth Illinois Infantry.
The Doctor received his primary education in the public schools of Peoria County, Ill., and subsequently pursued an academic course of study in Chillicothe Academy. When quite young, it became his desire to make the practice of medicine his life work, and at an early age he began fitting himself for that end. He was graduated from the Eclectic Medical Institute, of Cincinnati, in 1878, and afterward was for some time prominently connected with the medical department of Drake University. The necessary labor attending that position, added to his large general practice, so impaired his health that a change of climate and less arduous duties were deemed necessary to his restoration, and in April, 1885, he went to Los Angeles, Cal., where he remained about a year, at the end of which time he returned to Des Moines and resumed his professional labors.
The Doctor was married, in Galesburg, Ill., to Miss Edith H. Owen, a daughter of John M. Owen, and unto them has been born a daughter, Fannie. Dr. Hill is a popular and successful physician, and as a citizen is highly respected and esteemed. A large general practice yields him a good income and indicates the confidence reposed in his skill and ability. He is a member of the United States Pension Board, of Des Moines.
Top
JAMES L. SCOTT
who is now living a retired life in Des Moines, is numbered among the honored pioneers of the State, having first visited Iowa during its territorial days in 1834. He was prominently connected with the early history of several of its counties, and throughout his entire life has been an active and enterprising citizen, doing all in his power for the advancement of the best interests of the State which he adopted for his home more than a half a century ago.
Mr. Scott was born in Giles County, Tenn., January 12, 1813, and is of Scottish descent, his great-grandfather, the original American ancestor, having emigrated from Scotland to this country in a very early day. John Scott, was the grandfather of our subject, and when his son, Andrew, (the father of James,) was a young lad, removed from his home in North Carolina to Tennessee. The maternal grandparents, Caleb and Hannah Longest, were of English descent.
Andrew Scott was united in marriage with Anna Longest, in the State of Tennessee, whence they removed to Crawford County, Ind., during the infancy of our subject. In 1819, they became residents of Sangamon County, Ill., where they spent the remainder of their lives, the father dying in 1859, the mother in 1855. They were the parents of eleven children, five sons and six daughter, all of whom lived to mature years.
James L. Scott, whose name heads this notice, was the third in order of birth in the numerous family of which he was a member, and is the oldest surviving. His early life was spent in the usual manner of farmer lads, and in the days of his early manhood he became a pioneer of the Territory of Iowa. He first crossed the Mississippi River at Burlington in the fall of 1834, being one of a party of five who explored the country with a view of making a location. He returned to Illinois, however, without deciding upon a place of settlement, but in the fall of 1835, again crossed the Father of Waters, and made a claim of a half section of land in Lee County. He resided upon his claim during the following winter, but when spring came he placed it in the hands of Sam Weaver with instructions to sell it to the best possible advantage, as he had decided to go to the lead mines of Wisconsin. For a year and a half Mr. Scott remained in the mining country of Southwestern Wisconsin, and then returned to his home in Sangamon County, where he attended school until 1838, when he again came to Iowa. He made a claim in Jefferson
-276-
County, on which he settled, continuing there to make his home for some time. During the winter of 1838-9, the county was organized and he was elected its first sheriff, and twice re-elected to the same position. He took the first census of Jefferson County in 1840, and was prominently identified with the early history of that community.
In the month of October, 1839, a wedding ceremony was performed in Jefferson County, the contracting parties being James L. Scott and Miss Mary Ann Gilmer. The lady was born in Adair County, Ky., December 18, 1818, and with her parents, James and Elizabeth (Tilford) Gilmer, came to Jefferson County in the spring of 1838. Mr. Gilmer and his sons entered large tracts of land in that section, and he and his wife continued there to reside upon their farm until his death. They were parents of four children, two sons and two daughters, who attained to mature years. Benjamin F., the eldest, removed from Kentucky to Illinois, and engaged in the mercantile business in McDonough County. He afterwards followed the same business in Jefferson County, Iowa, where his death occurred in 1846. Mrs. Jane Ross resides in Fairfield, Iowa. Robert T. married Anna Scott, a sister of our subject and resides in Fairfield. Mrs. Scott completes the family.
A third of a century has passed since James L. Scott, accompanied by his family, settled in Polk County. For eleven years they were residents of Des Moines, but at the end of that time our subject resumed farming in Bloomfield Township, that occupation having occupied the greater part of his business career. For twenty years he devoted his energies to the development and improvement of his land, but a length returned to the city, where he and his estimable wife are now living a retired life, their pleasant home being situated in the first addition to University Place.
Twelve children were born to this worthy couple, six of whom are living, namely: Mrs. Samantha C. Embry; Mrs. Iowa E. McEldery; Dick, a resident of Kansas City, Mo.; Frank, whose home is in Austin, Texas; Caleb D., at home; and Mrs. Mary Olive Bolinger of Afton, Union County, Iowa. The other children all died in childhood, with the exception of Annex Texas, who was an invalid for many years and died at the age of thirty, and Wilson A. who died in Des Moines December 15, 1889, aged thirty-three years.
Mr. and Mrs. Scott are numbered among the well-known citizens of Des Moines and honored pioneers of Iowa, whose growth they have witnessed from its early infancy, until it takes a front rank among the sister States of the Union. Their long residence in the State has brought them many acquaintances, and their upright lives have won them many warm friends. They are consistent and faithful members of the Christian Church.
Top
RUSSELL M. DeWITT
RUSSELL M. DeWITT, M. D., who was a faithful soldier in the late war and is an honored member of the medical fraternity of Polk County, was born in Auburn, Cayuga County, N.Y., on the 8th of November, 1849, and is of Holland descent. He traces his ancestry in direct line back to John DeWitt, an exile from Holland, who to secure freedom crossed the Atlantic and settled on the banks of the Mohawk River in the seventeenth century. Matthew DeWitt, the grandfather of our subject, was an extensive landowner of the Empire State, and served his country as a soldier in the War of 1812, holding a high command. He married June Ammermon, and unto them were born eight children, five sons and three daughters. The sons all became ministers of the Baptist Church, one being the noted evangelist, H. G. DeWitt, who by his noble efforts in promoting the Master's work won a wide reputation.
James A. DeWitt, the father of the Doctor, was born near Auburn, N.Y., March 4, 1814, and was educated for the ministry, which he made his life work. In his native city he married Miss Phoebe Streeter, a native of Cayuga, N.Y., born May 4, 1818, and a daughter of Benjamin and Abigail (Spaulding) Streeter. Her father commanded a battery in the War of 1812, and was a member of the General Assembly of New York. When the late war broke out Mr. DeWitt was
-277-
instrumental in raising troops, and made many public speeches in order to induce soldiers to enlist. He was among the first to enroll his name as a defender of his country, his name heading the list of the company which he raised, while the second name was that of his son, John M., who was then but sixteen years of age, and who was afterward promoted to the rank of First-Lieutenant in recognition of gallantry displayed on the field of battle. He was captured at Monocacy Junction, July 9, 1864, and died in the rebel prison at Andersonville, Va., April 10, 1865. It is supposed that he with others were poisoned by the Confederates, for one hundred and eleven died the same night in that prison. The Rev. Mr. DeWitt served as Chaplain of the Ninth New York Heavy Artillery, and was twice wounded by going to the front in order to relieve the sufferings of those who were lying injured on the field. On several occasions he shouldered his gun and entered the charge. He labored so incessantly and assiduously that his health failed him, and he left the service at the close of the war an invalid, never afterward recovering his health. In 1866 he removed to Michigan, and seven years later became a resident of O'Brien County, Iowa, where his death occurred in 1879. His life was such that he won the regard of all with whom he came in contact, and of him it may truly be said that the world is better for his having lived. His excellent wife died at the home of our subject in 1886. In their family were six children, five sons and a daughter; two of the sons now deceased. Those living are: Charles H., a physician of Lucas, Iowa; Willard W., a druggist of Peterson, Iowa; the Doctor, and Abigail J. Wooley, now living at Wichita, Kan.
Our subject received his early education in the old subscription schools, and though not yet thirteen years of age, on the 21st of July, 1862, he tried to enlist in the service of his country, which was then engaged in the Civil War. The United States enlisting officer, however, refused to muster him into the service, so he remained at Auburn, acting as drummer boy at the State rendezvous. At length, though the influence of W. H. Seward, Jr., who was then Colonel of the Ninth Heavy Artillery, on the 7th of April, 1864, he was mustered into the regular service as a member of Company C, by a special order of President Lincoln, which the Doctor still has in his possession. He had practically done duty for his country from 1862, until that time, but his first regular engagement occurred at Spottsylvania. He had carried a gun in thirteen battles before he was fifteen years of age, and altogether was in some twenty-five battles and numerous skirmishes. On his fifteenth birthday, November 8, 1864, he was detailed as orderly on the staff of Gen. Sheridan, and was relieved the following April on account of sickness.
After being mustered out in July, 1865, Mr. DeWitt returned to his home and resumed work on his father's farm. He acquired his education by study in his leisure hours and at night, after which he engaged in teaching. In that way he helped his parents to pay for their home, and assisted in the support of the family. So liberally did he give of his earnings that oftentimes he had hardly sufficient clothing, yet he always managed to save from his earnings a little sum to invest in books. After teaching for a time his health failed him and he went to Northern Michigan, where he worked in the pineries and located a land-warrant which he had received from his grandfather. At length he made choice of the medical profession as one which he believed he could willingly follow throughout life, and began his studies with Dr. W. W. Whitford, of Coldwater, Mich., after which he attended a course of lectures at the State University in Ann Arbor, in 1869. The following year he located in O'Brien County, Iowa, being among its pioneer settlers, as there were only twelve voters in the county on his arrival. He there engaged in teaching, dealing in real estate and in studying medicine, and in 1877 was graduated from the Keokuk Medical College.
On the 8th of May, 1878, Dr. DeWitt married Miss Lora E. Taylor, a native of Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, and unto them have been born two children——Russell M. and Clive E. The year previous the Doctor located in Lucas, Iowa, whence he came to Des Moines in 1883. He was Medical Director of the Grand Army of the Republic, Department of Iowa, in 1888 and 1889, and was Surgeon General
-278-
of the Grand Army of the Republic during the administration of William Warner, being elected to that position in Columbus, Ohio, in September, 1888. He belongs to the Polk County and the State Medical Societies, socially is a Knight of Pythias, and in political sentiment is a stanch Republican. Dr. DeWitt has now been engaged in practice for twelve years, and is an honor to the profession. He is recognized as one of the leading physicians of Des Moines, and the confidence placed in him is indicated by the liberal patronage which he receives. In 1889, he was appointed a member of the Board of Medical Examiners of the Pension Department in Washington, D.C.
Top
REICHARD WALTER MARQUIS
RICHARD WALTER MARQUIS, one of the successful real-estate dealers of Des Moines was born in Somersetshire, England, on the 10th of October, 1830, and is a son of Richard Marquis, who was a native of the same country and a well-to-do miller and farmer. His mother, whose maiden name was Susan Luffman, was also born in Somersetshire, and is still living of the old homestead at a very advanced age. Like her husband, who died a number of years ago, she is a member of the Established Church of England. Their family consisted of five children, three sons and two daughters, two of whom came to America——John L., who died in Louisville, Ky., leaving a wife and five children; and our subject.
Richard W. Marquis, whose name heads this notice, was reared to manhood in the village of Rimpton, England, and acquired his education in private schools. When a lad of fourteen years, he was apprenticed to the miller's trade at which he served a term of seven years, becoming an expert miller. He crossed the Atlantic to America in 1852, to visit relatives residing in Ohio, but with no intention of making this his future home. He was about ready to return but circumstances prolonged his stay until he abandoned the idea of returning to his native land. Having traveled for a time, he then took charge of the Bay City Mills, at Sandusky, Ohio, where he remained until 1856.
On the 13th day of October, of the year previous Mr. Marquis was united in marriage with Miss Jerene A. Jones, a distant relative of the John Sherman family and a native of Erie County, Ohio, born April 3, 1838. They had three children——Earl L., who died at the age of thirteen years; Walter C. a traveling salesman; and Sherman G. who died in infancy. Mr. Marquis continued the operation of various mills in Milan, West Liberty and Ripley, and was quite successful in his business pursuits. Returning to Milan on a visit, the death of his wife occurred in January 10, 1865. About two years later, on the 17th of February, 1867, he wedded Mary F. Thompson, a native of Ripley, Ohio. Her father, Haden Thompson, was an old river captain who plied his boat, the "Des Moines," when only a forth marked the site of the present beautiful capital city of Iowa. Her mother was a daughter of Thomas Kirkwood, Governor of Iowa.
In 1870, Mr. Marquis located temporarily in Des Moines for the purpose of looking after his farming lands which he had acquired in that vicinity. For several years he spent his summers in this city and his winters in Ohio, and it was not until 1875, that he made a permanent location in Polk County. He has been connected with a number of leading business interests of Des Moines, for a time was a member of the wholesale firm of Watt & Co., then operated a wholesale and retail grocery store for his own interests and subsequently engaged in merchandising as a dealer in dry goods with T. Bethel. He embarked in his present business as a real-estate dealer in 1878 but for some time has devoted all his attention to his own property and the loan business. Enterprising and progressive, his has been a very active life and possessing great sagacity and excellent judgment, he has met with excellent success in his efforts. In 1885, he was instrumental in organizing the Des Moines Loan and Trust Company, of which he has since been a director; has also served in the capacity of vice-president and for four years was a member of the loan committee. He assisted in the organization of the St. Clair Manufacturing Company and is now serving as its president. Mr. Marquis has been a member of the Odd Fellows Society for twenty-five years and has supported the Republican
-281-
party nearly thirty years, but during that time has never sought public office. Both he and his wife are members of the Presbyterian Church and in the social world are held in high regard. Their family numbers five children, namely: Walter C., a commercial traveler also engaged in the retail dry-goods business in Des Moines; Richard H., a traveling salesman; Alice A., a graduate of Callanan College; Addie G. and Clifford S.
Of this world's goods Mr. Marquis has a sufficiency. In addition to his extensive interests in Des Moines, he owns property in Marshalltown, Iowa, Ripley, Ohio, and other points, all of which is but the result of his just dealing, a sound judgment and a proper husbanding of the fruits of his own untiring efforts.
Top
Next
This nonprofit research site is an independent affiliate of the American History and Genealogy Project (AHGP), and proud to be hosted by USGenNet, a nonprofit historical and genealogical Safe-Site Server™ solely supported by tax-deductible contributions. No claim is made to the copyrights of individual submitters, and this site complies fully with USGenNet's Nonprofit Conditions of Use.
Memorial Library.com
 Read More Iowa Books Online
 Iowa Biographies Project
Copyright © 2000 - 2002 D. J. Coover
All Rights Reserved
Webmaster: D. J. Coover - ustphistor@usgennet.org |
