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LEVI JESSE WELLS
LEVI JESSE WELLS, is a leading liveryman and one of the most popular citizens of Des Moines. The story of his life would be full of interest to many of our readers and might well serve as an impetus to young men, who like our subject had nothing with which to begin life save a strong right arm and determination. Wit that capital he started, yet he is now one of the prosperous citizens of the county. His upright life may well be taken as an example and if followed will win for all an honorable position although they may not acquire wealth.
Mr. Wells was born in Susquehanna County, Pa., near Dimmock Corners, January 28, 1831, and is a son of Levi and Mary (Baird) Wells. The family has long been established in America and its members were connected with the history of the Revolutionary War. His paternal great-grandfather and
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his wife were in the Wyoming Massacre, where the husband was killed by the Indians. Mrs. Wells, however, escaped, flying with her babe in her arms through the woods to a place of safety. Both of their names appear on a monument which was erected to commemorate that event. Both grandfathers of our subject were members of the Colonial forces, Grandfather Baird serving with the rank of captain.
Levi Wells, Sr., was a native of Bradford County, Pa., and on reaching manhood wedded Mary Baird, a native of Susquehanna County. He was a prosperous farmer and in the midst of the forest cleared and developed an excellent farm, upon which he planted a fine orchard. He died in the prime of life at the age of forty-seven years and the death of his wife occurred in her fifty-third year. Both were members of the Baptist Church and were highly respected people. Their family numbered five children, three of whom are now living——William B., a lawyer of Pottsville, Pa.; Guy P., an extensive farmer of the Keystone State; and Levi J., the youngest.
Our subject was reared to manhood upon his father's farm and attended the district schools in his youth, but so poor were the advantages there afforded that he says the only real school training he received was in an academy where he spent one year. At the age of eleven, he began work in the harvest field for $4 a month and his dinner, but he determined to make some other pursuit than farming his life work and when a lad of fifteen year began an apprenticeship to the carpenter's trade, serving a term of five and a half years, a year and a half being spent with one employer, the remainder four years with another gentleman. His wages were his board and $60 per year and at the expiration of his term he was to receive $100 additional. During that period he thoroughly mastered the business and at the age of twenty-two took a contract to build twenty double miner's houses for the Jessup & Millard Coal Company. Believing he could better his condition in the West, he came to Polk County in 1856, and purchased two lots in East Des Moines. Shortly afterward he was employed as foreman by the father of J. J. Williams, to superintend the building of a dam across the Des Moines River and the construction of a mill, which is now being torn down, it being one of the last landmarks of pioneer days.
On his arrival in this city, Mr. Wells found a mere village with little general trade and few improvements of any importance. He erected buildings on lots which he purchased, built others around the capital square and in many ways aided in the development and progress of the city. He was proprietor of the Grout House for eight months and in 1870 commenced the liver business, which he has since continued. He has built the finest stables in the city, one being located at 119 Fourth Street, a four floor brick, and the other at 818 Mulberry Street. It is the finest barn in the State, was erected in 1889, and is three stories in height. Mr. Wells keeps on hand one hundred head of horses, runs buses and a baggage line and carries all the mail, meeting fifty-five trains per day. He began life in Des Moines as a day laborer, but scorned no work by which he might earn an honest dollar. He has been a hard worker and a man of remarkable strength. On one occasion, before the day of elevators, when the wheat had to be carried to the fourth floor of the mill, the men under the employ of Mr. Wells refused to carry a sack, saying it was too heavy, so he himself shouldered it and landed it in its proper place. On being weighed it tilted the beam at two hundred and fifty pounds.
In 1852, Mr. Wells was joined in wedlock with Mary Brown, a native of Bradford County, Pa., who was employed as a teacher in an academy. Unto them were born two children——William B., a liveryman of this city; and Jesse O., who is associated with his father in the livery business. The mother died in 1860, and the following year Mr. Wells married Sarah Bailey, a native of Maryland, who was reared in Ohio, and came to Des Moines some years prior to her marriage. In political sentiment our subject is a Republican, but though he has always been a popular personage in the city, he has never asked for political distinction, prefering rather the life of a quiet and unobtrusive citizen. Since his arrival in Des Moines he has accumulated a fortune, but not through speculation. One speculation served him for all times. Toward the close of the war he purchased one hundred
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barrels of pork on which he lost $800 and that investment satisfied him. His financial growth has been steady and he now does the largest livery business in the Northwest. In all his dealings his course has been marked by honesty and fairness.
See also
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ALEXANDER SHERIFF
ALEXANDER SHERIFF, one of the old and respected citizens of the county, who is now engaged in general farming and stock-raising on section 36, Bloomfield Township, is a native of Scotland. He was born in 1830, and is a son of James and Elizabeth (Hays) Sheriff, who were also natives of the same country, and in that land his father followed farming until his death. Their family numbered eight children, six of whom are yet living—— Alice, wife of Philip Pilmer, who is living in Warren County on the line of Polk County; Mary, wife of George Pilmer of Warren County; Mary, wife of Robert Dyer of the same county; James, also a resident of Warren County, Alexander of this sketch, and George, who is a resident of Bloomfield Township.
In his native land and under the parental roof the boyhood days of our subject were passed. He received a limited education in the common schools and resided with his parents until they were called to the better land. The children then remained together for about four years, during which time Alexander upon a farm. Realizing that he was not receiving sufficient compensation for his labors in Scotland, he concluded to try his fortune in this country and in the spring of 1850, accompanied by two brothers and two sisters, took passage on a sailing vessel at Glasgow, bound for Quebec. After a voyage of some weeks, the boat reached its destination and our little party proceeded by was of canal to Cleveland, Ohio. On their arrival in that city they found that they had lost their tickets and that their money was completely exhausted. Having no friends in the neighborhood, they were compelled to sleep in an oat field and the next morning our subject started in search of some acquaintances who lived about sixty miles distant. From them he borrowed money and returned to his brothers and sisters, after which they procured their luggage and again started on their way. They made their first location near Alliance, Columbia County, Ohio, where the brothers procured work on a railroad at seventy-five cents per day and from that sum paid $2 per week board. After working in that capacity for three years, having saved $300 apiece, they started westward. Alexander Sheriff was accompanied by his brother-in-law Robert Dyer. The railroad extended no further than Illinois and they had to walk the remainder of the distance. They had chosen Iowa City as their destination, but as they did not like the country in that neighborhood they continued their travels to Des Moines, where Mr. Dyer had a friend living by the name of William Hastie. It proved of great importance to our subject that they decided upon this community as the scene of their future labors, for here he found his wife.
After looking around for a time, Mr. Sheriff purchased two hundred and forty acres for himself and brothers, after which he returned to Ohio, where he again spent the winter in railroading. The following spring the family came to Iowa and moving their few household effects into a little log cabin which had been erected upon the land, began life in true pioneer style. The brothers continued the cultivation of the land in partnership for a number of years, when at length it was divided, each receiving his share of eight acres. To that amount Mr. Sheriff has added until he now owns a fine farm of two hundred and ninety acres, all of which is under a high state if cultivation. Its well tilled fields indicate the thrift and enterprise of the owner and its many excellent improvements indicate that he is a breast with the times. In 1880, he erected a commodious and substantial two-story dwelling and a large barn. His home is neatly and tastefully furnished and surrounded by many of the comforts of life.
In the same year, Mr. Sheriff was united in the holy bonds of matrimony with Miss Janet Hastie, daughter of William and Elizabeth (Purvis) Hastie, both of whom were natives of Scotland, in which the county the father followed farming until 1855, when he sailed with his family for New York, and thence proceeded by train to Salineville, Ohio
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After a residence there of six months, in 1856, he removed to Warren County, Iowa, where he engaged in agricultural pursuits until his death, which occurred in 1878. His wife died in 1874, and their remains are buried in the cemetery near where Mr. Sheriff now resides. They had a family of six children, but the three eldest, Margaret, William the first and William the second are now deceased. David died in the army; Philip is a resident farmer of Warren County, and Janet is the wife of our subject. The parents were both members of the Presbyterian Church and in politics, Mr. Hastie was a Republican.
To Mr. and Mrs. Sheriff were born two children——Margaret, who died in infancy, and Lydie Belle, who was born March 17, 1883. Mr. Sheriff has now one of the best farms in the county and in connection with its cultivation also raises a good grade of stock. In politics, he is a supporter of the Republican party and himself and wife are members of the Presbyterian Church. They have many warm friends throughout the community, their home is the abode of hospitality and in the social world they are held in high regard.
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W. L. READ
W. L. READ is the senior member of the law firm of W. L. & J. M. Read, of Des Moines. He entered upon the practice of his profession in the spring of 1876, as a partner of Mr. Wishard. That connection continued until 1883, when by mutual consent it was dissolved, and Mr. Read continued alone in business until 1885, when he was joined in practice by his brother.
The Read brothers have been residents of Polk County, since 1867. Their father, Ambrose Read, was born in Guernsey County, Ohio, and was a son of one of the early pioneers of that section. The original ancestors of the family in this country were residents of New Jersey and Maryland.
Ambrose Read grew to manhood in his native State, and wedded Mary Ann Lewis, also a native of Ohio, whither her parents had emigrated from Virginia, in an early day. Her family was of Welsh origin, the earliest American ancestor having settled in New Jersey in Colonial times. In the fall of 1860, Mr. Read accompanied by his family, removed to Iowa, settling in Scott County, where the mother died in 1863. Four years later, the family became residents of Polk County, settling in the town of Altoona, but the father died in the city of Des Moines. By occupation he was a farmer, and followed that business throughout his entire life. He was a man of much ability, and possessed a large amount of general information. A conscientious, upright and worthy citizen, his loss was deeply mourned. In the early days of the Republican party, and extending through the War of the Rebellion, he was an earnest advocate of the principles of that organization, but as new issues arose of a national character, he believed he saw his duty elsewhere, and in 1872, voted for Horace Greeley, the Democratic candidate for the Presidency. Later he became identified with the National Greenback party, and took an active interest in the monetary and industrial interests of the country.
Ambrose and Mary Ann Read were the parents of five sons, and by a second marriage Mr. Read became the father of two daughters. Albert, the eldest of the family, is deceased; W. L. is the next in order of birth; George and H. H. are engaged in the real-estate business in this city; and J. M. completes the family.
W. L. Read, whose name heads this sketch, is a native of the Buckeye State, having been born in Harrison County, on the 15th of May, 1851. He was a lad of sixteen years when he came with his father's family to Polk County, Iowa. Choosing the law as the profession which he wished to make his life work, when he finished his literary studies, he entered the Iowa State University, graduating from the law department of that institution in 1875. His wife was formerly Miss Juliet E. McMurray, who is a native of Indiana, and a daughter of Hiram McMurray. Their union has been blessed with two children, Ralph L. and Helen.
J. M. Read, the junior member of the law firm, was born in Ohio, on the 9th of August, 1859, and passed his boyhood days under the parental roof. He attended school in Des Moines, and to fit himself for his chosen profession, entered the law
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department of the State University, from which he was graduated in the class of June, 1885.
The firm of W. L. & J. M. Read, as already stated, is numbered among the leading law firms of Des Moines. The source of every lawyer's success in his profession is the confidence which the people feel in his personal and professional integrity. The large and lucrative business of this firm proves that they have not only won the confidence of their fellow-citizens, but that they retain the high regard and good wishes of all whose friendship they have once secured. Honorable and upright in their professional calling, cordial and genial in disposition, they are numbered professionally and socially among the leading citizens of Des Moines. In their political affiliations they are both supporters of the Democratic party. Their office is located at Nos. 334 and 336 East Fifth Street, and No. 427 East Locust Street.
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GEORGE G. WRIGHT
 HON. GEORGE G. WRIGHT, an eminent jurist and a pioneer lawyer of Iowa, is a native of Indiana, having been born in the town of Bloomington, Monroe County, on the 24th of March, 1820. His father, John Wright, was a native of Pennsylvania, and was of Welsh descent, the family dating its origin in America back to the year 1720, when the founder, an emigrant from Wales, settled in Pennsylvania. John Wright was a mason by trade, and in early life married Miss Rachel Seaman. His death occurred in Bloomington, Ind., in 1825, when our subject was but five years of age. Mrs. Wright survived her husband many years. She came to Iowa in its Territorial days, and died in Keosququa, in 1850.
George G. Wright was educated in the State University of Indiana, being graduated in the class of '39, while in his twentieth year, after which he read law at Rockville, Ind., under the tutelage of his brother, Joseph A. Wright, afterward Governor of Indiana, and was admitted to the bar in the State Courts of that State in 1840. In September of that year he came to the Territory of Iowa, and in November established himself in practice in Keosauqua, then one of the most promising towns in the Territory. A thorough Whig in political sentiment, the young lawyer at once took prominence in his party, and was chosen Prosecuting Attorney of his county, was also elected to the State Senate fo the term of 1848 and 1850. In the latter year he was the Whig candidate for Congress in a district comprising the whole southern half of Iowa, but the waning strength of the party was not equal to the task of electing him, although his vote exceeded that of the general ticket. In January, 1855, and while yet under thirty-five years of age, his ability and learning as a lawyer and his personal popularity led to his election as Chief Justice of Iowa, to which position he was re-elected, holding the office for a period of fifteen years, or until 1870, when he was elected to the United States Senate. At the close of his Senatorial term, Judge Wright declined a re-election, preferring as more congenial, the practice of his profession, to the more exciting arena of politics.
"His time on the Supreme Bench covers the most important period in the judicial history of the State. The adoption of the Code system and judicial construction of it is embraced in it. Judge Wright's opinions will be found in all the Iowa reports from Volume 1 to Volume 30, and the lawyer, whether he be in Iowa, Maine, California or elsewhere, will find in those volumes precedents on general law that he may cite with confidence to any court, assured that they will be accepted with respect and will carry weight and authority with them."
Ten years after his election to the Supreme Bench, Judge Wright removed from Keosauqua to Des Moines, which has since been his home. In the fall of that year he associated with himself Judge Chester C. Cole, of the same court, in the organization of the Iowa Law School (the first law school west of the Mississippi river). Judge Wright had had a number of students in his office during the two or three years preceding, and several applications for a like privilege suggested the formation of a school, in which, during the first year, twelve students pursued the study of law
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under the tutelage of these two gentlemen, they being the only instructors. At the opening of the second year, Prof. William G. Hammond became connected with the school, giving it a constant personal attention, which the judicial duties of the other professors did not permit them to render; and the three men carried the enterprise through the two succeeding years with but slight increase in the number of students. The merits of the school attracted the attention of the bar throughout the State, and in 1868, the Iowa Law School, by the action of the Regents, became a department of the State University, and its instructors still remained in charge as its professors, while the prior graduates were made Alumni of the University. Prof. Hammond removed to Iowa City and was placed at the head of the school, Judges Wright and Cole continuing to give a portion of their time to its service.
During his labors on the bench, and while engaged in building up a sound and safe fabric of the unwritten law, Judge Wright found time to give, by his energy and influence, an impetus to many public enterprises and objects. Prior to the organization of the Iowa Law School, he took a prominent part in the organization of the State Agricultural Society, of which he was President for five years, from 1858 to 1863, thereby fostering and encouraging improved methods in all that pertains to Iowa's peculiarly agricultural population.
"An earnest patriot, while physical incapacity prevented his entering the army, by word and deed he sustained the arm of the Government in the struggle to save the Union, and many a soldier drew inspiration from his earnest speech, and many a soldier's family found in him a steadfast supporter in time of need. In the Senate, he at once became Chairman and member of influential committees, and had he not, for reasons wholly personal to himself, voluntarily declined re-election, he would doubtless have become one of Iowa's famous long-time Senators. Retiring from the Senate, he took the head of the law firm of Wright, Gatch & Wright, and again entered the practice with his early enthusiasm, and at once was felt in the work of his profession. A desire for rest and greater quiet induced him in time to seek less engrossing duties, and as the trusted head of financial institutions of this city, he now devotes such times as he desires to business. Retaining, however, his early love for his profession, Judge WRight continues to lecture to his old law school, and for like reasons is actively associated with the American Bar Association, of which he was President from June, 1887, to June, 1888. His wide experience as a lawyer, legislator and judge, makes his judgment in that body of recognized value, and as such is constantly sought and observed. In 1882, he severed his connection with the law firm of which he was the head, and accepted the Presidency of the Polk County Savings Bank, which was organized that year, and which position he has filled continuously since, cover a period of seven years. During the same time he has been President of the Security, Loan & Trust Company, of Des Moines, an important financial institution of Polk County.
Judge Wright was married in Van Buren County, Iowa, on the 19th of October, 1843, to Miss Hannah M. Dibble, daughter of Thomas and Ruth (Gates) Dibble. Mrs. WRight was born in Saratoga County, N.Y., near the celebrated springs of that name, and came to Iowa with her parents in 1839. Her family was of New England origin, and removed from Connecticut to New York early in the eighteenth century. Judge and Mrs. Wright have six children living, four sons and two daughters——Thomas S., the eldest, wedded Miss Mary Tuttle, is an attorney by profession, and is the present solicitor of the Rock Island Railroad for Iowa and Illinois, and resides in Chicago; Craig L. married Miss Kate Van Dyke, and is a practicing attorney of Sioux City, Iowa; Mary D., the eldest daughter, is the wife of Frank H. Peavey, a grain merchant of Minneapolis, Minn.; Carroll, who married Miss Nellie Elliott, was graduated from the Iowa State University, and also from the Law Department of Simpson College, and is a lawyer in active practice in Des Moines; Lucia h. is the wife of Edgar H. Stone, a banker of Sioux City; George S. is single and a resident of Des Moines.
Judge Wright is and has been an earnest Republican since the formation of the party. In his
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religious views he adheres to the Methodist Episcopal Church, under the auspices of which he received his early religious training. Mrs. Wright is a member of the Unitarian Church. The Judge is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and enjoys the distinguished honor of being one of the three Iowa Members from civil life of the Loyal Legion of the United States. Almost half a century has passed since he made his maiden speech in an Iowa court. Then this now populous and wealthy State was a sparsely-settled region, with but a portion of its territory open to settlement by the whites. During hat period his name has been honorably associated with the history of the bar of Territory and State, and for fifteen years he has served with distinction in the highest office in its Judiciary. The imprint of his legal talent is stamped upon the records and reports of the State in a manner that reflects credit upon himself and the commonwealth, and will perpetuate his memory for all time. Many of the most successful and promising lawyers of the State were his pupils or were benefited in their professional education through his efforts in founding a law school, and his continued interest in the Law Department of the State University. His election to the United States Senate was an honor justly deserved, and his honorable and upright service in that distinguished body fully justified the choice of his constituents.
While it is difficult to write of the living in terms worth of their merits, virtues and talents, without incurring the risk of offending with an appearance of flattery, it is nevertheless true that in a work like this, that is intended to be a standard work of reference for posterity, a true delineation of character and a fair representation of the life-work of the subject should be presented. We know no reason why we should wait until a man is dead to speak the truth of him.
Judge Wright possesses all the characteristics of a great lawyer. Studious by inclination, he is well grounded in the law. His mind, always active, grasps with force the subjects of his thoughts, and his opinions are expressed in terms at once clear, logical and comprehensive. In his intercourse with men his manner is entirely free from ostentation and self consciousness, but is calm, dignified and at the same time evincing an earnest cordiality that wins him many friends. The purity of his life and his fidelity to every trust have won for him the unbounded confidence and respect of his fellow-citizens, both at home and abroad.
A portrait of Judge Wright is presented on another page of this volume.
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JAMES MADISON TUTTLE
GEN. JAMES MADISON TUTTLE, the hero of Donelson and the late Commander of the Department of Iowa of the Grand Army of the Republic, is an honored citizen of Des Moines. He was born in Summerfield, Noble County, Ohio, (then Monroe County), on the 24th of September, 1823, and is a son of James and Esther (Crow) Tuttle. His father was a native of Bangor, Me., and was descended from one of the oldest New England families, his ancestors having emigrated from England and settled near Hartford, Conn., in 1630. The mother of our subject was born near Pittsburg, Pa., and was of German descent. In 1819, James Tuttle removed to Ohio, where he followed the occupation of farming until the winter of 1833-34, when with his family he became a resident of Fayette County, Ind., where his wife died in 1853. They had nine children, of whom three sons and four daughters are living and are residents of Des Moines. In 1860 the father came to this city, where he spent the remainder of his days, his death occurring in 1872.
James M., the subject of this sketch, was reared on his father's farm and received a common-school education. He accompanied the family from Ohio to Indiana, and when twenty years of age left home to make his own way in the world. In the spring of 1846 he emigrated to Iowa, settling in the town of Farmington, Van Buren County, where he engaged both in agricultural and mercantile pursuits. Returning to Fayette County, Ind., in the fall of 1847, he was there united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Conner, the wedding being celebrated
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September 22. The lady is a daughter of James Conner, one of the early settlers of Indiana, and a member of the family after whom Connersville was named.
Gen. Tuttle and his wife at once came to Iowa and took possession of the home previously prepared by the husband, but Mrs. Tuttle's married life proved of short duration, her death occurring on the fourth anniversary of her wedding day, the 22nd of September, 1851. On the 17th of August, 1853, the General was married near his home in Farmington, to Miss Laura M. Meek, a daughter of Samuel G. Meek, of that place. She was born in Goshen, Ohio, and came to Iowa with her parents in the early settlement of Van Buren County. Five children were born of their union three daughters and two sons, of whom one son and two daughters are living. Laura, who was born July 16, 1854, is the wife of Albert L. West, a hardware merchant of Des Moines; George, born January 26, 1856, died on the 16th of October, 1863, in Vicksburg, Miss., while on a visit to his father during the late war; Mary, born March 16, 1860, died May 2, 1862; Mella born July 13, 1865, and Joel, April 4, 1872, are still at home.
Gen. Tuttle was a Democrat in early life, and in the fall of 1855 was elected by that party Sheriff of Van Buren County, serving two years, when in the autumn of 1857, he was elected County Treasurer and Recorder of that county, whic position he filled two terms of two years each. On teh breaking out of the late Civil War he raised a company of volunteers and was elected its Captain. The company rendesvoused at Keokuk and was assigned to the Second Iowa Infantry, of which Capt. Tuttle was then elected Lieutenant-Colonel, and with the regiment was mustered into the service of the United States on the 27th day of May, 1861, being the first three years regiment mustered into the service from Iowa. The regiment was assigned to duty under Gen. Grant and on the 6th of September, 1861, our subject was promoted to be Colonel, succeeding Col. Curtis. He distinguished himself at the battle of Ft. Donelson, as the leader of the successful charge on the enemy's works, February 15, 1862, which resulted in the capture of that stronghold, together with a large quantity of provisions and ammunition. Several unsuccessful assaults had been made on the entrenched confederates by the Union forces, and on the 15th, Gen. Grant having satisfied himself that the enemy contemplated cutting their way through the army, ordered the storming of the Confederate forces. The attack was made in a double column, the Second Iowa being on the left of Lehman's brigade and Col. Tuttle with his regiment led the assault. "Can you get into the entrenchments?" asked Gen. Smith, of Col. Tuttle. "Yes," was the prompt answer, "only support us, for we are going in there inside of twenty minutes." Through a storm of shot and shell the gallant Colonel led the charge and the Iowa boys followed, climbing the steep ascent over fallen trees, reserving their fire until the trenches were reached, when the Second drove the enemy from their rifle pits and the day was won, not, however, without a terrific loss to the storming party. Fully one-half of the left wing led by Col. Tuttle was lying dead or wounded when the fight behind the trenches ceased, the total loss being two hundred and forty-one. The Colonel, while leading that brilliant charge at Donelson, was grazed by a ball which passed through his coat sleeve and glove, hitting his sword hilt and knocking the weapon over his head. The sudden wrenching of it from his hand paralyzed his arm during the rest of the engagement. Afterwards, while standing on a log, beckoning a regiment behind him to follow, a cannon ball struck the log, knocking it from under him and throwing him backwards upon a limb of a tree, by which he was seriously injured, but not sufficiently so to prevent his continuing the charge. Gen. Tuttle and the Second Iowa won high praise for their brilliant achievement at Donelson, and were the subject of a complimentary telegram from Gen. Hallock, as follows:
ST. LOUIS, FEBRUARY 18, 1862.
Adj. Gen. Baker:——The Second Iowa Infantry proved themselves the bravest of the brave. They had the honor of leading the column which entered Ft. Donelson.
(Signed)
H. W. HALLOCK
At the battle of Shiloh Gen. Tuttle commanded a brigade of Gen. W. H. L. Wallace's division, composed of the Second, Seventh, Eighth, Twelfth and Fourteenth Regiments, Iowa Infantry and
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Artillery. He advanced on the Corinth road early Sunday morning, April 6, 1862, to a point about one-third of a mile beyond the forks of the Hamburg and Corinth roads, where he encountered the enemy in force. He succeeded in placing a large portion of his command in a washed-out road which served the purpose of an entrenchment. The engagement began before 9 o'clock A.M., and Gen. Tuttle's three batteries and his infantry repulsed the enemy five times. At about 4:30 o'clock the Rebels had nearly surrounded the Federal force and succeeded in capturing three regiments, when Tuttle with the remainder of his troops cut his way through to the main Federal army. In the morning he was the fifth in command in his division, but when the night closed upon the scene he was the first officer, his superiors having been all killed., wounded or taken prisoners. By the prompt and gallant action of Gen. Tuttle in making the advance on the line as he did and the determined and fierce resistance his brigade had made to the advancing Rebel arm, thereby delaying and cutting them up so severely, they were prevented from marching directly to the river and effecting a surprise that would in all probability have resulted in the capture or destruction of the whole Union army. His promotion to the rank of Brigadier-General followed his brilliant effort at Shiloh, his commission bearing the date of June 9, 1862.
During the fall and winter of 1862, Gen. Tuttle was in command at Cairo and in the spring of 1863, was assigned to the command of a division of Gen. Sherman's corps and while serving in that capacity participated in the campaign against Vicksburg, and the capture of Jackson, Miss. He continued in active service until September, 1864, when he resigned and returned to his home.
On his return from the army Gen. Tuttle settled in Des Moines and for two years was engaged in farming and the real-estate business, after which he embarked in pork packing with his brother Martin, under the firm name of Tuttle Bros. In 1870, he bought his brother's interest and carried on the business alone for the succeeding three years when he formed a partnership with Lewis Igo, under the firm name of Tuttle & Igo, which connection continued until the spring of 1875, when he again came sole proprietor. He carried on business alone until 1877, when he closed out and has since devoted his attention to other matters, including extensive mining interests in Colorado, Arizona and New Mexico. In 1863, the General was the Democratic candidate for Governor and placed himself on record in regard to the important question of the day, the prosecution of war, in an open letter, as follows:
I am in favor of a vigorous prosecution of the war to the full extent of our power until the rebellion is suppressed, and of using all means that may be in our possession, recognized by honorable warfare, for that purpose. I am for the Union without an "if" and regardless of whether slavery stands or falls by its restoration, and am in favor of peace on no other terms than the unconditional submission of the Rebels to the constituted authorities of the United States."
His party being in a large minority he was defeated. In 1866 he was the Democratic candidate for Congress in opposition to Gen. G. M. Dodge, and although unsuccessful ran ahead of his ticket two thousand votes. In 1871 he was elected to the State Legislature and served one term. Later changing his political views, he was elected to the same office as a Republican in 1883, and has since been affiliated with that party. He is a member of Crocker Post, No. 12, G. A. R., and in 1887, was elected Department Commander of Iowa. During his term of service in that capacity he attracted the attention of the Nation by his successful opposition to the partisan attempt to make President Cleveland the guest of the Grand Army of the Republic at their National Encampment in St. Louis. Just prior to the last presidential convention he also vigorously denounced the order of the President in regard to the return of the captured rebel flags, in which he prove himself in full sympathy with a large majority of his comrades.
In 1886, when the State of Iowa determined to establish a Soldier's Home, Gen. Tuttle was appointed by Gov. Larrabee, one of the commissioners, and he was at once chosen by the board as its President, which position he still fills. A handsome building, capable of accommodating three hundred and fifty men, was erected at Marshalltown; and carried to a satisfactory completion without any jobbery. The institution is a credit to the State and its managers.
Gen. Tuttle is tall of stature, being six feet in height, and well proportioned, very erect and of commanding appearance. He is unassuming in manner, but firm and resolute where principle is at stake. As his history shows he has won distinction as a soldier, and in private life commands the respect and esteem of his fellow-citizens, regardless of party affiliations.
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