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ROYAL L. CLEAVES, Physician and Surgeon at Cherokee, Iowa, is one of the popular and highly respected representatives of the medical profession in Northwestern Iowa. In keeping with the prime object for which this book was published, it is befitting that something more than the professional work that Dr. Cleaves has accomplished during his twenty years' residence in the county should be known of him. It is a familiar fact to his fellow-citizens that he ranks high in his profession, and he stands out prominently in the community as a man of great integrity and reliability. His aim in life seems to be to excel in his profession, live honorably, have the respect of his friends and neighbors, and enjoy the true, unalloyed pleasure of being blessing to his family. Somewhat reserved in manner, he attends strictly to his own affairs, aspiring to no publicity. To acquaint the general reader with something outside his present self, and his life away from this county, it may be well to outline briefly his earlier career, thus giving a better knowledge of the training which has brought him to his present standing. Dr. Cleaves was born April 23, 1843, at Bridgeton, Cumberland County, Maine. His parents were Benjamin L. and Jerusha (Lewis) Cleaves, who were among the pioneer families of the old Pine State, and were descended from English ancestry. Up to the breaking out of the Rebellion he attended the public schools of his native State, and the Edward Little Institute, Aubuen, Maine. At the age of eighteen years he enlisted, as many brave and patriotic sons of New England did, in the Union Army. His enlistment dates from June 7, 1862. He entered the service of his country as Hospital Steward for the sixteenth Maine Volunteer Infantry, and was placed in the army of the Potomac, where he remained until he was honorably discharged, June 9, 1865. He then returned to his home in Maine, and in a short time decided to enter the medical profession, and to be well equipped for the work. He entered the medical department of Harvard University, from which institution he was graduated in the spring of 1869, having taken a very complete course. Soon after leaving college he caught the Western fever, and not unlike many another ambitious New Englander, longed for the newly-developing and ever-changing prairies of the West, and upon that soil he determined to fight the battle of life, and perhaps achieve something for himself not probable in the rocky, coast-bound State in which he had been reared. So during 1869, in company with others from Maine, he came West, and might have been seen peering out from under the white canvas of a genuine prairie schooner as it swayed to and from in its western course from Cedar Rapids to Cherokee County. this was indeed a great change for the young doctor whose professional skill was at that time all -429-untried, and his record of success or failure yet unwritten. But as time has proven this middle era of his life was the one leading on to victory. He was the first to enter the medical profession in the town of Cherokee, and be it said that none have succeeded better in the role of physician and surgeon. While he has, through long years of toil and prudence, accumulated considerable property, yet his early experience in the county was anything but pleasing. In 1888 he erected what is styled upon its front, in beautiful block letters, Cleaves Block, which structure is indeed an ornament to the town and a monument to the good taste and financial success of the builder. He has rooms in this building elegantly fitted up as offices. The secret of his uniform success in life is this: He first selected a calling to which he was especially fitted by nature; next, he had a thorough educational preparation for such profession, and last but not least, he cultivated stability of life by staying in one place and continuing steadfast in one thing. The Doctor's estimable wife is Caroline, daughter of Nathan Chick, to whom he was married in 1869. Mrs. Cleaves is also a native of Maine. Four children have been born to bless their home: Carrie Ellen, Bertha, Edward and Nina. Dr. Cleaves is an honorable member of Speculative Lodge, No. 307, A.F. & A.M. He is one of the charter members of the Congregational Church at Cherokee. In politics he is an ardent Republican, always assisting to give the party success, although having no official aspirations himself. Be it said to his credit that those who know most of his life and character esteem him most highly, and pay him greatest compliments, both as a physician and surgeon and as a citizen. Many are the homes in Cherokee County that he has cheered by his presence, not alone in his professional rounds, but as a citizen, friend and neighbor. While he has centered his energies in the close application to his profession, yet he finds time to enter with a right hearty good will all laudable public enterprises which have for their object the upbuilding of the county and town. He is liberal in a public sense, and at the same time full of genuine charity for those in poverty and distress. There are not a few within the circle of his practice who have had relief without money and without price. Some of these were homesteaders who have since become well situated and have paid him, but who will never forget the solicitude and kindness displayed by him. No wonder such an one lives environed by a multitude of friends. NOTE: Photos of Dr. and Mrs. Cleaves scanned from the 1914 Cherokee County History are Here.
click for full way of flattery, which is a species of contempt, it is necessary in this connection to speak of a few from out of the many successful operations with which Mr. Burroughs has been connected, and by which his friends, neighbors and fellow citizens have been frequently benefited either directly or indirectly. It should be remembered that the sketch of a purely business man differs very materially from that of a professional man, a politician, or one in the humbler or less public walks of life. Yet when one writes of a business man, business matters should be the principal topic, as when treating of a professional man, his particular profession necessarily comprise the topic; the same of a politician, the mechanic, the agriculturist. First, to make the reader acquainted with some of Mr. Burrough's earlier career, it should be stated that he is a native of Michigan, born in Lenawee County, a few miles from the town of Tecumseh, June 28, 1839. His parents were N. S. and Electa (Hunter) Burroughs. The father is a native of New Jersey, of Puritan ancestry, while the mother was born in Seneca County, New York. The parents were united in marriage in the mother's native home, and were among the early pioneers who first ventured into the unbroken forests of Michigan, where they undertook the laborious task of clearing up a farm from out the big woods just vacated by the savage tribes of Indians. This worthy couple still reside in the locality described, enjoying the fruits of their labors in the homestead long ago chosen, around which many hallowed memories still cluster. The son, N. T. Burroughs, of whom we write, was an only son; his three sisters are still residents of their native State. The youth and early manhood of Mr. Burroughs was spent at home, assisting his father in clearing up and better developing the forest farm. He attended the common schools and also the High School at Tecumseh, walking a distance of four miles to and from school. He did not leave the home of his childhood until he was past his majority. When eighteen years of age he commenced teaching school, which he followed three years. What he earned he put out at interest, and this was the beginning of his business career. In 1863, wishing to better his surroundings, and doubtless advised as to the excellent opportunities then presenting themselves to young men of push and enterprise, Mr. Burroughs came to Story County, Iowa, with a flock of sheep, numbering 1,700. He was engaged in the livestock business until 1867, when he disposed of his stock, together with his farm, and ventured into an untried business, that of railroad grading. He contracted to grade a road-bed from Ames to Polk City, Iowa, which is now known as the Des Moines branch of the Northwestern system. This engaged his time and attention for about a year. In 1869 he came to Cherokee County, and entered eighty acres of Government land, on section 18, Cherokee township, and soon owned the greater part of the section. He located at Old Cherokee, engaging in the real-estate business. In 1871, in company with Carlton Corbett, G. W. Lebourveau and H. C. Kellogg, Mr. Burroughs platted New Cherokee, and erected the first building in the town, the lumber being brought by wagon from Sioux City. Mr. Burroughs operated in both real estate and the live-stock business. This business existed until 1873, when our subject purchased the interest of F. R. Fulton, in the business of Fulton & Scribner, then engaged in a general banking business. After this transfer the style of the firm was changed to Scribner & Burroughs. Their business was conducted in a small frame building until 1875, when they erected the attractive brick block -431-on the corner of Main and Railroad streets, which they still occupy as a banking house. They changed their plans of banking in 1883, and organized what is known as the First National Bank of Cherokee, of which Mr. Burroughs is president. Besides his banking interests he is, and has been for many years, listed among the most extensive live-stock dealers in the Northwest. In 1875 he went to Michigan, and purchased a brick machine, with which the first machine-made brick of the county were manufactured. He also, in company with R. H. Scribner, erected the second brick building in the town, the bank. As early as 1883 he shipped 270 car-loads of cattle, equal to about 11,029 head, a greater part of which went to purchasers in the Black Hills and Wyoming Territory. At the same time he had 2,000 cows and calves, principally of native stock. In 1884 he did a still larger business, his shipments reaching over 17,000 head. He is now a fifth owner of a very large ranch in Colorado, upon which there are grazing the present season not less than 28,000 head of stock. Another investment was in 100,000 acres of timber lands situated in the Southern States; he still owns about one-third of this tract. He also figured largely in the prospecting for coal in the neighborhood of Cherokee upon lands owned by himself, and upon which was fully discovered the wonderful magnetic well, now within the city limits of Cherokee. Near this beautiful, ever-flowing fountain of nature Mr. Burroughs erected the sanitarium known as the Fountain House. There he expended his money liberally in the adornment of the grounds, the excavating of a miniature lake, and the laying out of tasty parks and drives. It was largely due to the exertions of Mr. Burroughs that the Cherokee & Dakota Railway was built each way from this point. Nothing but genuine pluck and personal influence could possibly have secured this road, when one considers the fact that Le Mars was competing strongly on the west, while every effort was being put forth by the enterprising people at Storm Lake and Fort Dodge on the east. Mr. Burroughs was the conqueror, and the conquest gave the business men of the county a leverage hitherto unfelt. Upon lands purchased he platted the town sites along the line from Onawa to Sioux Falls. He is the president of the Cherokee and Western Town Lot and Land Company, which concern does an extensive real-estate business. Among the large stock farms in Cherokee County, Mr. Burroughs has one of 1,640 acres, all well improved and in a paying condition. Not alone in his business enterprises is he fully appreciated by the community in which he lives, but also as a genial friend and respected citizen. His name generally heads the list of benevolent and public donations, and he gives with the greatest freedom. There are many churches and numerous other societies which can testify to his generosity. Mr. Burroughs was united in marriage September 12, 1871, to Miss Addie Phipps, a daughter of Albert Phipps, Esq. a pioneer of this county, of whom honorable mention will be found elsewhere in this book. Mr. and Mrs. Burroughs are the parents of three children: Roy C., Raynor N. and Jettie E. Mr. Burroughs and wife are acceptable members of the Congregational Church. In his political belief he is an ardent Republican. Though never aspiring to hold public office, he does his share royally for the success of the party whose platform he believes to be best calculated to carry out the great issues coming up in our form of government. In conclusion it may be stated that the secret of our subject's in life's battles is mainly due to his good judgment, and to the fact that he -432-is constituted to stand prosperity. Unlike most men absorbed in commercial pursuits, he has not hoarded his accumulations, but wisely branched out with investments which have not only brought their return to him, but to the communities in which he has operated. These traits of character have necessarily won for him and his estimable family a wide circle of friends and admirers, who only regret that the world has not more such men.
REV. J. MacALLISTER.The pastor of the Presbyterian Church of Cherokee, Iowa, Rev. J. MacAllister, is a native of Scotland, born in Greenock, on the River Clyde, November 4, 1842. He came to the United States in 1870. Residing in Chicago for several years, he held situations in the large dry-goods firms of Hamlin, Hale & Co., S. Keith and Gale. He was in the employ of the former when the disastrous fire swept over that city. The house in which he boarded, the warehouse in which he was employed, and the church in which he worshiped were all destroyed, but he sustained no personal loss or injury. After the decease of his mother and an invalid sister, who were dependent upon him, he, feeling free to follow the bent of his wishes, entered upon a course of study for the ministry, graduating from the McCormick Theological Seminary (Chicago) in 1879. In the vacation between the first and second years of study in this institution he labored, under appointment of the Home Mission Board of the Presbyterian Church, among the minors of Colorado, in the San Juan country most of the time. As this service was rendered before the days of the railroad extension, it was full of difficulty, danger and adventure among the settlers, whom he found a warm-hearted, generous class of men (there were very few women among them in those days). There were no churches with sweet-toned bells to call the worshipers. Places had to be found, and very crude means employed to do the work on which he was sent. He tells of calling the people together by striking a bar of steel with a hammer, at the church door, and the house lighted with half candles stuck on nails around the walls, and the praises sung from rough charts (?) made of coarse brown paper borrowed at the store, the hymns written in large letters that could be seen all over the room. This experience was one of great profit, affording as it did opportunity to travel amid the grandest scenery of the continent, and work among people who were hungry for the gospel, because long deprived of the privilege of hearing it. The second vacation, between seminary years, was spent in a quiet country region, with Pine Creek Church, in Buchanan County, Iowa. Here he was privileged to see an entirely different phase of life, one which was as new to him as the Colorado mining, for he had always lived in a large city. He had no knowledge of the labors, the joys, and the stalwart courage of the poorer class of farmers laboring in all sorts of extreme weather to build homes and make farms. Here he also witnessed the fullness of plenty in the homes of the well-to-do farmers, and saw the beauty of religion as it lit up the lives and homes of the wealthy and the lowly. Truly "one-half the world does not know how the other half lives," and all would be greatly benefited by a fuller knowledge. During the last year of study at Chicago, he supplied the church at Crown Point, Indiana, going out ever Saturday morning. This was also a useful item toward his training. It brought him into contact and sympathy with good and industrious people in a -433-small town, trying to maintain the worship of God according to their conscience. There is now a much finer church there than the old one, in which he preached some of his early sermons made among the Colorado mines, and on the Iowa prairies. Finishing his studies, he accepted a call to go back to the little church of Pine Creek; here he was married to Miss Isabella Hamilton, and remained as pastor for three years. Then the people of Waltham Church, in La Salle County, Illinois, invited him to visit them with a view of undertaking work. But he did not see his way clear to accept the unanimous call which was extended to him at the close of a few months. This brief sojurn fills the mind with the pleasantest of memories. Here were formed friendships which will continue through life. Jesup, in Buchanan County, Iowa, was the next home for two and one-half years. Here, in fellowship with the pastors of the Baptist and Methodist Episcopal churches, he enjoyed a sweet season of work and blessing, many being added to the churches of "such as were being saved." From Jesup Mr. MacAllister was called to Cherokee, in May, 1885, where he bears witness to a kind people and a pleasant work. During this period, during his summer vacation, he has visited Montana, preaching in Bozeman for a season for an absent friend, and roaming among the mountain creeks and glens of that famous region of "The Rockies,"near to the Yellowstone Park. During last summer he enjoyed a long-looked-for pleasure, revisiting his native land, after an absence of nearly twenty years. Of course there were great changes observable in towns and people, but the country wore its old charm. He visited London for the first time and spent a week among its wonders, meeting the irrepressible American tourist everywhere. What a city it is? A week left but the knowledge of how little a traveler could know about it,about its extent of territory, its labyrinth of streets, its oddities, its enterprise, its wealth, and comfort, and power. Across that dreadful channel in those miserable boats was the next experience, and Paris had been wondered over and guessed at for another week. Its Eiffel Tower and its Exposition were a constant amazement. The home journey was made in that "greyhound of the sea," the City of Paris, in five days twenty-three hours and ten minutes from land to land (Queenstown to Sandy Hook), and he says the statue of Liberty in New York Harbor was the finest piece of art seen in all his travels; perhaps because the good lady welcomed him home and hinted at Cherokee. |
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