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EDWARD P. BARTLETT
REV. EDWARD P. BARTLETT, pastor of the East Des Moines Baptist Church, was born in Oxford Township, Oxford County, Me., February 15, 1844, and is of English descent, the family having been founded in America at an early day by English emigrants. The great-grandfather of our subject who lived in Holden, Mass., had a large family of sons, whom he started out in life to battle for themselves at an early age, Daniel, the grandfather of our subject, and a
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brother were given an ax by their father, and a sort of scrip in which to carry their clothes, by their mother. Thus equipped, they went to Oxford County, Me., and bought a three hundred-acre tract of land at $1 per acre. Having felled some trees and built a rude cabin, they went to the seashore to earn some money in a hay-field, and while there Daniel Bartlett was married and returned with his young bride to his rustic home in the midst of the forest. He became a prosperous farmer and reared a family of seven children, only one of whom is now living——Mrs. Charlotte Simonton, who has reached the very remarkable age of one hundred and two years, and is still enjoying a fair degree of health.
The parents of Rev. Mr. Bartlett were both natives of Maine. His father was born on June 20, 1800, and his mother some seven years later. For many years, Mr. Bartlett was a deacon in the Baptist Church and both he and his wife were zealous workers for its advancement and upbuilding. They lived a quiet, yet useful life on their farm in the Pine Tree State, where the husband died at the age of sixty-nine years, the wife in the fiftieth year of her age. Of their family of eight children, two sons and one daughter are yet living.
Our subject was the only one of the family who followed a professional career. In his younger days he performed the usual duties of a farmer lad and when the crops were harvested and the summer work over, he was allowed to attend the district schools for three months. The rapidity with which he mastered the branches there taught, led to a more advanced education. When sixteen years of age he entered Hebron Academy to prepare for college, and for several years attended Waterville College, now Colby University. After further pursuing his studies one year in Rochester University, at Rochester, N.Y., he graduated fro that institution in the class of 1867, receiving the degree of A. B. The same year he went to Minnesota, where for six years he was employed as teacher in the public schools, when, having decided to enter upon the work of the ministry, he became a student in the Baptist Theological Seminary of Chicago, Ill., graduating in 1876. Not long afterwards, he accepted a call from the church in La Moille, Ill. For thirteen consecutive years he was pastor of that church and it was with sincere regret on the part of the congregation that he resigned in 1887, to enter upon the work of Des Moines.
In La Moille, on the 10th of June, 1876, Mr. Bartlett led to the marriage altar Miss Alida E. Fargo, a native of New York, Mrs. Bartlett, a lady of culture, is a graduate of Knox College, of Galesburg, Ill. Their union has been blessed with two children——Jesse M. and Kate L.
Mr. Bartlett devotes his entire time to the ministry. He is an able orator, and by his warm-hearted and courteous manner, wins many friends. The church of which he is pastor was separated from the First Baptist Church of Des Moines, the organization being effected in 1871, the Rev. Granger Smith being its first minister. Four years later the first house of worship was erected on the corner of Des Moines Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, but since that time the congregation has so increased in numbers that the accommodations are already too small, and probably before long East Des Moines will be beautified with a new church edifice.
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FRANK E. CRUTTENDEN, M. D.
FRANK E. CRUTTENDEN, M. D., of Des Moines, was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., on the 29th of June, 1854, and is a son of Alexis H. and Matilda J. (Stephenson) Cruttenden. His father was born in Otsego County, N.Y., and was descended from an old Connecticut family. The mother was born near Richfield, Ohio, on the Western Reserve. Both parents are still living and are residents of Bath, Steuben County, N.Y.
Our subject was educated in the University of Buffalo, N.Y>, from which institution he graduated in the class of 1877. His literary and medical education being completed he then took a special course in the medical department in the New York University, and attended the Bellevue Hospital and the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary, making a specialty of the diseases of the eye, ear and throat. After the completion of his course of study, he entered upon the practice of his profession in Steuben County, N.Y., where he continued two years, when
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he removed to Des Moines, reaching this city in December, 1879. Since that time he has been engaged in active practice in Polk County, and is recognized as one of the leading citizens.
Dr. Cruttenden was married in Columbus, Wis., on the 16th of May, 1882, the lady of his choice being Miss Ella Henderson, who was born near Oil City, Pa., and is a daughter of James Henderson.
They have one child, a son, Alexis H., who was born on the 1st of September 1886. The Doctor and Mrs. Cruttenden are members of the Christian Church, and in politics he has been independent since 1884, but prior to that time was a Republican. He was the founder and is now the editor and publisher of the Iowa State Medical Reporter of Des Moines. He is a member of the New York Medical Legal Society; of the Iowa State Medical Society; the Polk County Medical Society; is Lecturer of Opthamology at Ames College; and also professor of diseases of the throat of Iowa College of Physicians and Surgeons, the Medical Department of Drake University. The Doctor is a member of the Masonic and Turner societies and is Master of Pioneer Lodge A.F. & A. M. He has already built up a large and lucrative practice in Des Moines and has won a high reputation for skill, especially in the treatment of all diseases of the eye, ear and throat. The Iowa State Medical Reporter under his able management has proved a valuable acquisition to the medical journalism of the State.
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EDWARD HANSON LOCKWOOD
EDWARD HANSON LOCKWOOD, M. D., a practicing physician of Des Moines, has the honor of being a native of this State. He was born on the 27th of December, 1846, in Cedar County, and is a son of James B. and Lucy (Walbridge) Lockwood. The family is of French origin, having been founded in America by the great grandfather of our subject who left his home in France and settled in the New York Colony. He served his adopted country in the struggle for independence. His son, the grandfather of the Doctor, was born in the Empire State, emigrated to Indiana, and about the year 1843, became a resident of Iowa, settling in Burlington. James Lockwood was born in Northern Indiana in 1824, and accompanied his parents to this State. Having arrived at years of maturity he wedded Miss Walbridge, who was born in Herkimer County, N. Y., in 1826, and also came with her parents to Iowa. Their marriage was celebrated in this State, and unto them were born four children, one son and three daughters. The mother, who was a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, died in 1876. Mr. Lockwood was again married and is now living in Anamosa, Iowa. He is a brick-mason and plasterer by trade and takes rank among the respected citizens of the community in which he makes his home.
Dr. Lockwood has spent his entire life in his native State and for the past three years has been engaged in active practice in the capital city. He received his early education in the district and graded schools, but not content with such advantages, by his own labor he secured the money necessary to defray his expenses and tuition and entered Iowa University. Later he became a student at Cornell College where he took an optional course. Teaching was the means employed toward securing a collegiate drill and in that he was very successful. Having determined to make the practice of his profession his life work, he entered the office of Dr. L. J. Adair of Anamosa, Iowa, as a student, and in 1875, graduated from Rush Medical College of Chicago. He began practice in Mechanicsville and after four years removed to Linn County, Iowa. HIs next field of operations was in Guthrie County, Kan. and while there located he held the position of surgeon for the Santa Fe Railroad, and was a member of the board of pension examiners. As before stated he came to Des Moines in 1887, and has built up a good practice. In 1888 and 1889, he took two courses at Rush College, besides a private course in surgery, which he makes a special study, unwilling to be behind his profession in any particular. He is a member of the Iowa Union Medical Association and of the American Medical Association, and
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socially is a Royal Arch Mason, a member of the Legion of Honor and the V.A.S.
On the 14th of June, 1875, in Fairview, Iowa, Mr. Lockwood was united in marriage with Cerelda Mershon, a native of Newton, Iowa. Unto them have been born five children——James H., Leah, Lusk D., Zetta and Ioyl. The Doctor, his wife and two eldest children are members of the Church of Christ. In politics, he is a Republican, having supported that party since attaining his majority. When he entered upon his business career his cash capital consisted of but fifteen cents, which amount he spent for stamps to his friends, but he public soon discovered that he was well fitted for the work he had chosen and gave him a liberal patronage. He has now been engaged in active practice fifteen years and deserves the confidence and respect given him.
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HENRY A. TITUS
HENRY A. TITUS, who is engaged in general farming and stock-raising, and who also devotes considerable attention to fruit growing, lives on section 28, Bloomfield Township. His farm comprises sixty acres of fine land under a high state of cultivation and well improved, and his home is a most pleasant one. He raises an excellent grade of stock, has erected a large barn, 32x40 feet, which furnishes ample accommodations for his cattle and horses, and serves as a storehouse for his hay and grain. In fact, all the necessary improvements may there be found, and the neatness and regularity which abounds at once gives evidence to the passer-by that the owner is a man of thrift and enterprise.
Mr. Titus was born on the 24th of February, 1835, in Vermont, and is a son of Lyman and Almira (Wheaton) Titus, who were also natives of the Green Mountain State. On the paternal side he traces his ancestry back to Ireland, while on the maternal side he is of Scotch descent, the family having been founded in Connecticut at an early day by Scottish emigrants. The occupation of farming was the pursuit which Lyman Titus made his life work, he following that business until his death, which occurred in Vermont, January 24, 1889, at the ripe old age of eighty-four years. His wife departed this life several years previous, dying on the 17th of May, 1875. Our subject was the eldest of their three children, his sisters being Julia M., who resides in Thetford, Vt., and Ellen, wife of William H. Burr, of the same city.
Since the early age of nine years, Henry A. Titus has made his own way in the world. His life is an example of what may be accomplished by industry, enterprise and a determination to succeed. His first work was as an employe [employee] of his uncle, with whom he remained three years, when he began clerking in a hotel, where he continued until the fall of 1856. In the meantime his uncle had come to the West, and believing that it would be to his best advantage to follow the advice of Horace Greeley, Mr. Titus also emigrated to Iowa. His journey was made by rail to Mt. Pleasant, and thence by stage to Agency City, Wapello County, where he again acted as salesmen for his uncle for about eighteen months. Later, he spent two years as a clerk in Ottumwa, Iowa, after which he determined to follow some other pursuit, and obtained a position as a traveling salesman for a nursery firm, with which he continued his connection for seven years. Having in the meantime acquired some capital, he then made a purchase of forty acres of land on section 28, Bloomfield Township, a part of his present farm. He erected a shanty, in which he kept bachelor's hall for at time, carrying on the work of developing and improving his land.
A marriage ceremony performed December 3, 1872, united the destinies of Henry A. Titus and Sarah A. Fuller, but after about four years of happy wedded life the lady was called to her last rest. Her death occurred on the 19th of March, 1875, and her remains were interred in Woodland Cemetery, Des Moines. Mr. Titus was again married, January 24, 1877, the lady of his choice being Miss Lorilla Babcock, daughter of Joseph and Mary (Cole) Babcock, the former a native of Rhode Island, of Holland descent, the latter of Pennsylvania, born of German parentage. Mr. Babcock followed the occupation of farming in Erie County, Pa., until 1852, when he went to
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California to engage in mining. His operations in that line were very successful, and for a period of twelve years he remained on the Pacific Slope accumulating considerable wealth, but he was never again seen by his family. The last word that ever reached them, was a letter which he had written saying that he would return to his home in about three weeks. The supposition was that on the return journey he was murdered for his wealth, but the manner of his death will ever remain a mystery. Mrs. Babcock is still living and makes her home with her daughter, Mrs. Ann Eliza Eaton, of Des Moines, who was the only child, with the exception of Mrs. Titus. Mr. and Mrs. Titus have two children——William H. and Julia A., who are still with their parents.
For a quarter of a century Mr. Titus has been a member of the Masonic fraternity, and since attaining his majority has supported the principles of the Republican party. He held the office of Assessor for one term, and was Road Supervisor for a number of years. He came to the county during the days of its early infancy, and has witnessed almost its entire growth. He has seen the introduction of factories, manufacturing establishments, large business industries, the railroad, the telegraph and telephone, and many other enterprises which have done much for the upbuilding of the county. There was only one hotel in the city when Mr. Titus arrived, that being a wooden structure containing forty rooms, but so great was the influx of emigrants shortly afterward that during the second year, when Mr. Titus filled the office of clerk, the profits were $16,000.
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G. W. CLARK
GEN. G. W. CLARK, a prominent citizen of Des Moines, who is now sojourning temporarily in Washington D. C., was born on one of the pioneer farms made in the forests of Indiana, now in Johnson County, on the 26th day of December, 1823. His father was one of the early settlers of that community, having emigrated to the Hoosier State, in 1820, from Kentucky.
The early life of our subject passed uneventfully, his time being spent in the performance of such duties as fall to the lot of farmer lads and in attendance at the district schools, but later he pursued a course of study in Wabash College. The law appeared attractive to his eyes as a means of gaining a livelihood, and to fit himself for the practice of that profession he entered the office of Robert Walpole, of Indianapolis, who remained his preceptor until Gen Clark established business for himself in Indianola, Iowa, in 1856. He achieved prominence and success in his chosen work, and at the breaking out of the Rebellion in 1861, was holding the office of State's Attorney. He had watched the progress of events in the South with interest, and when it was seen that blood must flow ere the rebellious States would submit to the general Government, he resolved to strike a blow in defense of freedom, and volunteered at the first call for troops, becoming a member of the Third Iowa Infantry, being commissioned First Lieutenant of Company G. After the battle of Shiloh, where he displayed great coolness and courage, he was commissioned Colonel of the Thirty-fourth Iowa Regiment, of which he remained in charge until near the close of the war, and won honorable distinction as a brave and successful commander. Before the war was closed, however, he was brevetted Brigadier-General, in recognition of his gallant services, and as such led his men to victory. When the South had surrendered and peace was declared he returned to Iowa, where he has since made his home.
In 1867, Gen. Clark was appointed, by President Grant, as United States Marshal for Iowa, and while engaged in the discharge of the duties of that office made his home in Des Moines. For many years he was closely identified with the enterprise, growth and prosperity of this city and the State, which he yet claims as his home and where he expects to permanently reside, although he is now living in Washington D.C., that he may better attend to the discharge of his duties in the legal department of the general land office. He has spent several years in traveling through the countries of Europe and is a polished and cultured gentleman, entertaining in manner, genial in disposition, winning the friendship of all with whom
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he comes in contact. In 1880, Gen. Clark was united in marriage with Miss Sara Robinson, of Iowa City, and unto them have been born three children——Edith, Clifford and Eleanor.
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EDWIN RUTHVEN CLAPP
 EDWIN RUTHVEN CLAPP, general live-stock agent of the Chicago & Rock Island Railway Company, is numbered among the pioneers of Iowa, of 1837, and ranks among the most prominent citizens of Des Moines. He was born in the town of Cazenovia, Madison County, N.Y., May 30, 1827, and is a son of John and Lucy (Hanson) Clapp, both of whom were natives of Deerfield, Mass., descended from old New England families. The Clapp family is of Scottish origin, Edwin E. Clapp, the great-grandfather of our subject, was the original American ancestor. John Clapp was enthusiastic in his devotion to the land of his ancestors as the names given his four children will suggest. The eldest was William Wallace, the second Edwin Ruthven; the third Helen Marr and the youngest Robert Bruce. The second is the only one now living. John Clapp removed from Deerfield to Madison County, N.Y., about 1825, and a few years laer became a resident of Kirtland, Ohio, whence the family came to Iowa by team in 1837, settling at what is now Mr. Pleasant, Henry County, then a little hamlet containing a few log huts.
The youth and early manhood of our subject were spent amid the scenes of pioneer life. He received no school privileges during his boyhood days, were no schools in the community, but his parents taught him at home and,w hen nearing man's estate, he spent two winter terms in Prof. Howe's Academy, at Mt. Pleasant, an institution of learning which was famous throughout the State for its superior management and high standing. Many of the most successful and prominent men of Iowa received instruction under Prof. Howe, the peer of any educator of his day or since.
Mr. Clapp took an active part in improving his father's farm and making a home for the family, breaking prairie, splitting rails, driving ox-teams, or ding any sort of labor that fell to his lot. In 1846 he came to Ft. Des Moines and engaged as clerk with his brother William W., who was one of the earliest merchants of the city. After spending about a year as a salesman he went to Wisconsin, where a few months were passed in the lead mines of Plattsburg. After returning to Des Moines, he worked at any pursuit whereby he might earn an honest dollar until the spring of 1849, when he engaged in farming north of Des Moines.
Mr. Clapp was married in Washington County, Iowa, on the 4th of April of the year last named, to Miss Emily J. Boughton, who was born in Chenango County, N.Y., and came to Iowa with her parents during the early settlement of the State. Five children were born to their union, two sons, and three daughters: Helen, the eldest, became the wife of Milton Forster, and died in 1878; Ella is the wife of W. L. White of Sioux City, Iowa; Ida married L. C. Smith, a resident of North Des Moines; Edwin B. died at the age of five years; and John W. at the age of twenty-four years. The death of the mother occurred on the 25th of March, 1869, and Mr. Clapp was again married, April 20, 1871, his second union being Mrs. Sarah A. Mills, widow of Col. N. W. Mills, and a daughter of Gen. P. A. Hackleman. Her husband and father both fell in the battle of Corinth on the 4th of October, 1862. Col. Mills had just been promoted to the command of the Second Iowa Infantry, of which he was Lieutenant-Colonel when it made the famous charge at the capture of Fort Donelson. Mrs. Clapp was born in Franklin County, Ind., and came to Des Moines with her husband in December, 1856. She had two children by her former marriage——P. J. Mills, who wedded Miss May Easton, and is proprietor of the White Line Transfer Company, of Des Moines; and Minnie, wife of H. A. Elliott, Assistant Secretary of the State Insurance Company of this city. There were two children, daughters, born of the second marriage——Bertha A. and Nellie. The latter died at the age of two and a half years.
Mr. Clapp engaged in farming until 1851, when he removed to the city, where he has since resided. He at first accepted any employment whereby he
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might earn a livlihood for himself and family, and for a time engaged in freighting between Des Moines and Keokuk with ox-teams. In 1853, he stored the first ice ever put up in Des Moines for market, and continued that business until 1858. As he accumulated capital he invested it judiciously in city real estate, and in that way added to the competence which he was now acquiring. In 1860 he bought a farm in Walnut Township and engaged extensively in farming and stock dealing, which led to his becoming agent for the Chicago & Rock Island Railroad Company in 1867. The following year he sold his farm to Martin Flynn, who still resides there, since which time he has devoted his entire attention to the business of the railroad. He has entire management of the work in his department of the lines of the road between the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers, covering about seven hundred miles. In 1871 Mr. Clapp built a fine block on the southwest corner of West Fifth and Walnut Streets, which was burned down January 11, 1883. He rebuilt the same year on a more improved plan, having the finest business block in the city, until the recent erection of the building of the Iowa Loan and Trust Company. He put up the first passenger elevator ever erected in Des Moines and in many other ways has added greatly to the upbuilding of the city. In the fall of 1856, he erected a residence on the site of his present home, where he has three-fourths of an acre of land and in 1878 transformed it into the elegant and commodious mansion which is now his home. In 1887, accompanied by his wife and daughter, Bertha, Mr. Clapp made a tour of Europe. Leaving Des Moines on the 28th of March, of that year, they were absent until the 1st of October, following, during which time they visited the points of greatest interest in England, Ireland, Scotland, France, Italy, Austria, Germany, Holland and Belgium. Mrs. Clapp is a member of the First Methodist Episcopal Church. Socially, Mr. Clapp is a Mastor Mason. In August, 1889, he was elected President of the Old Settlers' Society and now fills that position.
We cannot close this sketch without a few words in regard to the characteristics of our subject. E. R. Clapp is widely known throughout Iowa as a man of superior business capacity, indomitable energy and good executive ability. He is most affable and genial in disposition, with a keep appreciation of a good jest. He tells jokes upon himself as readily as on others, and give and takes with impartiality. His private enterprises and undertakings have been conducted with such sagacity and forethought that he has acquired a valuable property and is classed among the successful men of Des Moines. In his relations with the Rock Island road, the prompt and judicious manner in which he has discharged the important duties devolving upon him has won him the confidence of the officers of the company and secured his retention in the position he holds, for twenty-three consecutive years.
In closing this sketch we wish to mention more full the family of our subject. His brother, William Wallace Clapp, was born in Deerfield, Mass., in 1820, came to Iowa with his parents in 1837, and in the fall of 1845 settled in Raccoon Forks, now Des Moines, where he opened a general store. He was one of the pioneer merchants of the city and was known as an enterprising, upright businessman. In 1851, he went to California during the gold excitement, and was a resident of that State until his death which occurred in 1857. The parents of the Clapp brothers both died in Iowa, the father in Mt. Pleasant in 1837, the mother in Des Moines in 1879. A portrait of Edwin R. Clapp is found upon another page.
NOTE: More on Mr. Clapp can be found in the 1908 Pioneers of Polk County, Iowa.
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JOHN W. H. VEST
JOHN W. H. VEST, M. D., of Des Moines was born in Buckingham County, Va., May 22, 1822, and is a son of John and Elizabeth (Price) Vest. HIs ancestors on his father's side were of mixed origin, being of Scotch, Welsh, and French descent, while his mother, who was a native of Virginia, was born of German parentage. John Vest, Sr., was a farmer by occupation, and removed in 1833, from Virginia to Highland County, Ohio. He died in Scott County, Iowa, at the age of eighty-six years. His wife departed this life at the age of eighty-three years. Their family
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consisted of six children, of whom four are living, three sons and a daughter: Rainey C., wedded Mary E. McKinney, and lives near Stone Lake, Iowa; Peter McAfee is married and lives in Jefferson, Green County, Iowa. The daughter, Mrs. Catherine Watts, a widow now seventy-nine years of age, resides in Highland County, Ohio; Mrs. Martha P. Wear died at Hastings, Neb. The sixth died in infancy.
John W. H. Vest is the third son of the family. He was reared on a farm, and received his medical education in Starling Medical College of Columbus, Ohio, and at the Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia. He graduated from the former institution in the Class of '56, and received his degree from the latter in 1865. He began his medical studies in 1845, and, having nothing to depend upon except his own unaided efforts, had to work his way through college. He began practice in Newmarket, Ohio, and in 1856 came to Iowa, where he has since resided. On his arrival in this State, he established himself in practice in Montezuma, Poweshiek County, where he was living when in August, 1862, he was commissioned surgeon of the Twenty-eighth Iowa Infantry. He served until December 4, 1864, and was with the Thirteenth and Seventeenth Army Corps combined, participating in the siege and capture of Vicksburg, the battle of Champion Hills, and many others. On his return from the war, he took a course of lectures in Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia, graduating from the same in the Class of '65. On receiving his degree, he resumed practice in Montgomery, where he remained until October 15, 1887, during which time he succeeded in procuring a large and lucrative business. His professional rides carried him into six counties, and the work becoming to arduous for him, he having become somewhat advanced in years, he removed to Des Moines with the expectation of retiring from active practice. This he has not been able to do, however, but still does considerable office practice, which comes to him through his well earned reputation for skill in specialties.
Dr. Vest was married in Russellville, Brown County, Ohio, December 25, 1854, to Miss Margaret Phibbs, who was born in Adams County, Ohio, April 3, 1831. They became the parents of six children, three sons and three daughters: Mary E., the eldest, became the wife of John McDonald, and died on the 14th day of May, 1874; Martha is the wife of L. W. Wilson, of Topeka, Kan.; John W. married Mary Johnson, and is engaged in farming in Poweshiek County, Iowa; William E. is a physician; he was graduated from the Keokuk Medical College, and later from Jefferson Medical College at Philadelphia, and is now successfully engaged in practice in Montgomery, Iowa, where he has gained great popularity. His wife was formerly Miss Alice Wood. Fred E. has also twice graduated. First from the medical department of the State University at Iowa City, and later from the Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia. He is now in partnership with his brother in Montezuma, where both are recognized as skillful and thoroughly educated physicians, and enjoy a large and lucrative practice. The junior member wedded Miss Addie Stevenson. Myrtie, the youngest child of the family, died in infancy.
Dr. Vest is a radical Republican in politics, and belongs to several civic societies, including the Grangers, the Odd Fellows and the Masons. He is a member of the county Medical Society, and is distinguished in the profession for his skill in his advertised specialties.
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