The above
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JOHN MINICK.
For thirty-five years John Minick has been identified
with the farming interests of this county and
now owns and cultivates two hundred and eighty
acres in Valley township. This period has witnessed
remarkable changes in methods of farming and with
the march of progress Mr. Minick has always kept
pace. He was born in Warren county, Ohio, on the
8th of January, 1838, and is one of a family of
ten children, but only two are now living, his
brother being William Minick, a resident of Henry
county, Missouri. The parents were Michael and
Sarah (Weller) Minick, natives of Virginia, whence
they removed to Ohio at an early period in the
development of the latter state, there remaining
until they were called to their final rest.
John Minick spent his boyhood and youth in the
place of his nativity and remained with his parents
until their deaths. He was educated in the public
schools and early trained to the work of the farm
as he assisted in the labor of plowing, planting
and harvesting. The newer and less thickly settled
districts of the west seemed to him to offer favorable
opportunities to a man of ambition and energy
and accordingly he sought a home in a region of
that character, coming to Pottawattamie county
in 1872. He set
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tled in Valley township and has here found the
fruition of his hopes. His careful management
of his business affairs, his untiring diligence
and his perseverance have resulted in making him
the owner of two hundred and .eighty acres of
land in Valley township and he also has two hundred
and eighty-six acres in Nebraska. His farm in
Pottawattamie county has been brought under a
high state of cultivation and he is also engaged
extensively in raising and feeding hogs, which
proves a good source of income.
In 1873, the year following his arrival in this
county, Mr. Minick made further arrangements for
having a home of his own through his marriage
to Miss Rebecca A. Hitesman, with whom he pas
since traveled life's journey. Mrs. Minick was
born in Ohio, and this union has been blessed
with three children: Alberta, the wife of A. B.
Houghtaling, of this county; Jessie S., also of
this county; and Clara, the wife of Frank Gunda,
of Oakland, Iowa.
In his political views Mr. Minick is a republican,
having supported the party since age conferred
upon him the right of franchise, and he cast his
first presidential vote for, Abraham Lincoln.
While he has never been a politician in the sense
of office seeking he has always rejoiced in his
party's victories. The cause of education finds
in him a warm friend and for several years he
served as school director. His attention, however,
has been chiefly concentrated upon his farming
and stock-raising interests, and thus he has become
one of Valley township's substantial citizens.
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Curtis G. Ouren, treasurer of the Shugart-Ouren
Seed Company, and one .of the progressive and
influential citizens of Council Bluffs, whose
friends are many in the community, is a native
of Pottawattamie county, born on a farm April
5, 1871. He received his early education in the
county schools, working during summer on the farm
and receiving practical training in all of the
details of agriculture. At the age of seventeen
he came to Council Bluffs, where he supplemented
his early education by attending the schools of
the city. At the age of eighteen he entered the
employ of the Weir-Shugart Company, dealers in
implements, and was an efficient employe of this
firm for three and one half years. At the end
of that period he accepted an offer from the Shugart
& Frederick Seed Company. After one year,
he bought out Mr. Frederick and -the firm became
known as Shugart & Ouren and in 1905 was incorporated
as the Shugart-Ouren Seed Company, with Mr. Ouren
as treasurer. He entered upon his duties immediately
and he is still holding that position. He is a
most capable business man, devoted to the best
interests of the firm.
On the 19th of August, 1896, Mr. Ouren was united
in marriage to Anna, L. Gregory. Three children
have blessed this union: Frances, Curtis G. and
Katharine. Politically Mr. Ouren is a democrat
and takes a deep interest in public affairs; but
has never sought its honors or offices, his extensive
business operations and personal affairs occupying
the whole of his time. He is a member of the Independent
Order of Odd Fellows. He was reared in the faith
of
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the Congregational church and has been active
in its interests ever since. Though still a young
man he is well known in the business circles of
this city and his support can always be depended
upon in everything pertaining to the welfare of
the community and its upbuilding, so that the
community numbers him among its valued citizens.
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Marvin White, deceased, became a resident of
Council Bluffs in 1870 and. was identified with
its business interests throughout his remaining
days. He was born in Erie county, Pennsylvania,
August 10, 1841, his parents being David and Lucy
White, who were likewise natives of the Keystone
state and resided in Erie county, where the father
engaged in farming for many years. He then removed
to the west and took up his abode at Osage, Mitchell
county, Iowa, where he purchased a tract of land
and engaged in general farming throughout the
remainder of his life. Both he and his wife died
upon the farm property there.
Marvin White was a pupil in the public schools
during his residence in the east, and after coming
with his parents to the west he assisted his father
in the development and improvement of the home
farm at Osage, Iowa, until after the outbreak
of the Civil war. He was just twenty-one years
of age at the beginning of hostilities, and, offering
his services to the government, he joined Company
K of the Twenty-seventh Iowa Infantry and served
for three years under Captain, now Judge, C. T.
Granger. His company was in many engagements and
participated in seven of the most important battles
of the war, and though often in the thickest of
the fight Mr. White was never injured and remained
at the front until the expiration of his time
of service, being honorably discharged in 1865.
Three of his brothers were also soldiers of the
Union army.
After the war Mr. White returned to his home
in Osage, Iowa, and remained with his parents
for a brief period. He then continued on his westward
way until he reached Brownville, Nebraska. There
he engaged in driving a stage coach until he came
to Council Bluffs in 1870, remaining a resident
of this city until his demise. Here he also drove
a stage coach, his route extending to the northern
part of the state. After being thus employed for
several years he turned his attention to the livery
business, entering into partnership with Theodore
Lund. They purchased what was known as the old
Patton barn on North Main street, and there Mr.
White engaged in the livery business for several
years, after which he sold out. During his last
years he was retired from active business, suffering
from ill health for some time prior to his death.
On the 20th of November, 1883, Mr. White was
united in marriage in Council Bluffs to Miss Elizabeth
A. Dykes, a native of this city and a representative
of one of its oldest families. Her parents were
William and Polly (Hatch) Dykes, the former a
native of Pennsylvania and the latter of New York.
The Hatch family settled in Pottawattamie county
in 1846 when the
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Mormons were here, and William Dykes came a few
years later. Here he turned his attention to merchandising
and thus provided for the support of his family
during his remaining days. His wife also passed
away in Council Bluffs, August 14, 1878. The death
of Mr. White occurred June 25, 1899, but he is
well remembered by many friends whom he made during
the years of his residence here.
In early days Mr. White gave his political support
to the republican party and later voted with the
democracy, but eventually had no party affiliation
and cast his ballot for the candidates whom he
regarded as best qualified for office. Both the
White and Dykes families were well known to the
pioneers of the city and county. Mrs. White still
resides in Council Bluffs and is held in high
esteem by a large circle of friends. She owns
a nice home at No. 820 A venue A, where she resides,
and she also owns other property on West Broadway,
from which she derives a good income.
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Chester C. Smith, who for more than a third of
a century has been a resident of the county, was
born in the state of New York, January 21,1831,
his parents being Shubal and Urania Smith, both
of whom were natives of Vermont and are now deceased.
Of their family of seven children only two are
now living, the younger being S. K. Smith, who
resides with his brother Chester C., in James
township.
During his boyhood Chester C. Smith remained
in the east and in 1844 accompanied his parents
on their removal to Illinois, locating in McHenry
county, where the father purchased one hundred
and sixty acres of land from the government and
at once began to clear, develop and improve that
property. Our subject remained under the parental
roof until 1855, when he went to Wisconsin and
located on a tract of government land which his
brother had previously purchased, remaining there
until 1861. He then went to California, traveling
overland with horse teams, and spent one year
in San Francisco. He was next engaged in prospecting
in Idaho for one summer, after which he returned
to San Francisco and followed teaming. In the
summer of 1863 he went to Nevada, prospecting
and mining in Humboldt county until the spring
of 1865, when he returned to Idaho, spending one
year in mining in Owyhee county. During the following
two years he was connected with a sawmill and
in the fall of 1868 came to Pottawattamie county,
Iowa, but in the spring of 1869 again went to
Wisconsin, making his home there until 1873.
It was in that year that Mr. Smith located permanently
in Pottawattamie county. He bought land on section
1, James township, where he and his brother, S.
K. Smith, are now living retired, each owning
one hundred and sixty acres of land on which they
have made all of the improvements. Since coming
to this county our subject has been continuously
connected with agricultural interests and whatever
success he has enjoyed is attributable to his
own
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1abors, as he has worked persistently and earnestly
to win advancement. He -completed his education
in the high school at Rockford, Illinois, and
during his boyhood became thoroughly familiar
with the duties which fall to the lot of the farmer.
His brother served as a soldier in the Civil war,
being a member of the Illinois cavalry, with which
he continued for ten months.
In 1870 Chester C. Smith married Miss Amy A.
Smith, who was born in Michigan and is one of
a family of eight children. By her marriage she
has become the mother of one son, Jay, also a
native of Michigan, who is now engaged in the
newspaper business in Council Bluffs.
Politically Mr. Smith is a republican, believing
firmly in the principles of the party as most
conducive to good government. His fellow townsmen,
recognizing his worth and ability, have frequently
called him to office, and he has served as assessor
and township clerk and in other local positions,
the duties of which he has discharged with promptness
and fidelity. He belongs to the Odd Fellows lodge,
No. 439, at Hancock, and is well known not only
in the order but throughout the county, where
he has lived for so long a period.
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Victor E. Bender is manager of the Daily Nonpareil
of Council Bluffs and owns a controlling interest
in the paper. The greater part of his life has
been devoted to journalism and he has made the
Nonpareil one of the 1eading daily papers of the
west. His birth occurred in Granville, Illinois,
September 1, 1861, and his parents, Mr. and Mrs.
Jacob Benlier, were both natives of Germany, whence
they emigrated to America in the early '30s.
In the public schools of his native town Victor
E. Bender acquired his early education and afterward
engaged in teaching for two years in a German
settlement, giving instruction in both the English
and German languages. At the age of twenty years
he entered Knox College at Galesburg, Illinois,
and was graduated with the class of 1885. During
his college course he did more or less newspaper
work in Galesburg and was also associate editor
of the college paper. After completing his college
course he engaged in teaching for two years at
Abingdon, Illinois, being principal of what was
known as the North school. In 1887 he returned
to his alma mater as teacher of oratory and in
1888 went to Omaha and took up his chosen profession,
for he had determined to devote his life to newspaper
work. He became reporter on the Omaha Dispatch
and later its editor and when the Dispatch was
purchased by the Republican he was made city editor
of the latter. In 1889 he bought a half interest
in the Omaha Mercury, a legal newspaper, and after
six months became sole proprietor by purchasing
his partner's interest. He conducted this paper
successfully until the fall of 1894, when he sold
out and with a number of business men of Omaha
and Council Bluffs he organized a company that
bought the Daily Nonpareil Since that time he
has been its manager, and at the present writing
he owns a controlling interest in the paper.
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On the 11th of June, 1889, Mr. Bender was married
to Miss Alma B. Colville, the wedding being celebrated
at the bride's home in Galesburg, Illinois. They
now have two children, Robert and Victoria, aged
respectively sixteen and nine years.
Mr. Bender is a member of the Benevolent and
Protective Order of Elks and is a past exalted
ruler. In politics he is a republican and champions
the principles of the party through the columns
of the Nonpareil. His interest in municipal affairs
in Council Bluffs is that of a public-spirited
citizen and his co-operation has been of decided
advantage to many movements that have been instituted
for the benefit of the city. At present he is
a member of the board of trustees, of the free
public library and he was also the first president
of the Council Bluffs Commercial Club. At all
times he is actuated by a sincere interest in
the city and her welfare and the Nonpareil is
ever found as a stalwart supporter of plans and
movements for the public good. America owes much
of her progress and advancement to a position
foremost among the nations of the world to her
newspapers, and in no line has the incidental
broadening out of the sphere of usefulness been
more marked than in this same line of journalism.
Council Bluffs has enlisted in its newspaper field
men of broad mental grasp, cosmopolitan ideas
and honorable business sagacity, and of this type
Mr. Bender is an excellent representative.
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Joel Harlan Mayne, surveyor of Pottawattamie
county, is one of Iowa's; native sons, his birth
having occurred in Keosauqua, Van Buren county,
on the 2d of March, 1865. He was but seven years
of age, when, in 1872, he accompanied his parents
to Red Oak, where he lived for four years, or
until May, 1876. That date witnessed his arrival
in Council Bluffs. He had attended school at Red
Oak for about four years and from 1876 until 1882
was a student in the schools of this city. His
education was further acquired in the Iowa Agricultural
College, at Ames, where he remained for three
years. Following his return home he became assistant
city engineer of Council Bluffs, filling the position
for about six months, after which he did general
engineering for a year. In 1886 he removed to
a farm near Crescent, in Pottawattamie county,
and for the next fourteen years was actively engaged
in general agricultural pursuits, bringing his
land under a high state of cultivation and gathering
good crops as the reward of his labors. In 1900
he again took up his abode in the city, where
he was engaged in the live-stock business and
later he again turned his attention to engineering.
In September, 1905, he was appointed county surveyor,
filling a vacancy caused by the death of the former
incumbent, and in November, 1906, he was elected
to the office for the full term of two years.
He is well qualified by training for this position,
and his skill and ability are manifest in his
767
work, while the public confidence is proven by
his election to the office after more than a year's
incumbency therein.
On the 9th of March, 1887, at Ransom, Illinois,
was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Mayne and Miss
Frances Verner, and unto them have been born three
sons, as follows: Winfield V., Arthur H. and George
H.
Mr. Mayne is not unknown in military circles.
He was second lieutenant in the Iowa National
Guard during the administration of Governor Buren
F. Sherman, and was formerly a member of the Council
Bluffs Light Guard, which was organized by Colonel
D. B. Dailey. Mr. Mayne belongs. to the Independent
Order of Odd Fellows, to the Modern Woodmen of
America and to the Council Bluffs Rowing Association.
His religious faith is indicated by his membership
in the Methodist Episcopal church and by his daily
life, which is in harmony with his professions.
In politics he is a republican and while he is
stanch in support of the party he has none of
the bitter partisanship which antagonizes. In
all life's relations he makes it his aim to be
just and is a man liberal in his opinions and
broad in his views.
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Henry E. Foote, who is engaged in general agricultural
pursuits on section 14, James township, was born
in the state of New York, January 28, 1856. His
father, E. W. Foote, was a native of Tioga county,
New York, and having arrived at years of maturity
he wedded Miss Jane Hines, whose birth occurred
in Massachusetts and who is now deceased. In their
family were five children, of whom three are now
living: E. R, a resident of Stanton county, Nebraska;
Sarah, the wife of James M. Hoaglen, of Tompkins
county, New York; and Henry E., of this review.
In the days of his boyhood and youth Henry E.
Foote remained under the parental roof and the
public schools afforded him his educational privileges.
When not busy with his text-books he worked upon
the home farm and thus assisted his father until
twenty-two years of age, when he started out in
life on his own account. The year 1878 witnessed
his arrival in Iowa: and in 1879 he went to South
Dakota, where he remained far one summer. He then
again came to this state, settling in Pottawattamie
county, where he worked by the month as a farm
hand for one year. He afterward went to Buchanan
county, Iowa, where he spent the succeeding year
and then again came to Pottawattamie county, where
he rented a tract of land and engaged in farming.
Later he purchased a farm in James township, upon
which he lived until 1893, when he sold out and
removed to Nebraska. There he continued for twelve
years, devoting a part of the time to farming
and the remainder to carpentering. In 1905 he
returned to Pottawattamie county and for a year
resided at Hancock, after which he took up his
abode upon the farm which is now his home on section
14, James township. His energies are now devoted
to general agricultural pursuits, and he has brought
768
his fields into a state of rich fertility, so
that he annually gathers therefrom rich and abundant
harvests.
In 1887 Mr. Foote was united in marriage to Miss
Laura L. Crouch, who was born in Clinton county,
Iowa, in 1867, a daughter of William and Esther
Crouch, in whose family were four children. The
parents are still living at Oakland, this county.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Foote has been blessed
with seven children, of whom six are yet living:
Amy E., W. B., Ida A., Henry E., Laura A. and
Wesley C., all yet with their parents.
Mr. and Mrs. Foote attend and support the Methodist
Episcopal church at Hancock. His political endorsement
is given to the republican party and for several
years he has served as school director but has
never sought nor desired political preferment.
He belongs to the Odd Fellows lodge, No. 439,
at Hancock, in which he has filled all of the
chairs, and is popular and prominent in the organization.
Whatever success he has achieved in life is attributable
to his own labors and perseverance, for he had
no special family or pecuniary advantages at the
outset of his career, placing his dependence upon
the safe and substantial qualities of energy,
determination and perseverance.
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JOHANN HEESCH,
SR.
The German-American element in our citizenship
is one which has always been accorded recognition
because of its value in promoting civilization
and advancing that progress which is the basis
of business activity and success. To this class
belongs Johann Heesch, Sr., a native of the fatherland,
born on the 22d of September, 1843. His parents
were Hans and Anna (Temm) Heesch, who were likewise
natives of Germany and both died in that country.
In their family were four sons and a daughter:
Hans, living in Germany; Johann, of this review;
George, a resident of Pottawattamie county; Marquis,
yet in Germany; and Catharine, of the same country.
Mr. Heesch obtained his education in accordance
with the laws of his native land, spending his
early youth in school. He came to America in 1865,
when twenty-two years of age, attracted by the
broader business opportunities and greater commercial
advantages of the new world. He first located
in Scott county, Iowa, where he worked by the
month at farm labor at eighteen dollars per month,
for three years and for two years was employed
in a stone quarry. Desiring that his efforts should
more directly benefit himself, he then began the
operation of a rented farm, on which he lived
for three years. In 1873 he came to Pottawattamie
county, Iowa, settling in Pleasant township, where
he invested the capital that he had saved from
his earnings in one hundred and sixty acres of
land on the northwest quarter of section 35. This
was raw prairie, entirely destitute of improvements,
but he commenced tilling the soil and developing
his property through the erection of good buildings.
He erected a story and a half frame house, sixteen
by twenty-four feet. Additional purchases were
made from time to time until he now owns four
773
hundred and eighty acres of fine land, all of
which has been brought into a state of rich fertility.
The improvements on this place are modern and
attractive and in addition to the homestead here
he owns three hundred and twenty acres of land
in Wadena county, Minnesota, for which he paid
twenty-nine dollars per acre. He also owns a block
in Avoca, on which stands a fine residence and
he and his wife are now living a retired life
in this beautiful home, having left the farm in
1898. While living in Pleasant township he made
a specialty of raising and feeding cattle and
hogs and his live-stock interests were an important
branch of his business, bringing to him a large
profit annually.
In the year 1869, Mr. Heesch was married to Miss
Wilhelmina Fresa, who was born in Germany, April
23, 1849. Her parents were also natives of that
country and the father died there but the mother
passed away in Iowa. Their family numbered three
children, while unto Mr. and Mrs. Heesch six children
have been born: Anna, the wife of Herman Udermarck,
of Minnesota; Louisa, the wife of Charles Ronford,
of this county; Catharine, the wife of August
Detlef, also of Pottawattamie county; John W.,
who is operating his father's farm; Wilhelmina,
the wife of Julius Rock, of Pottawattamie county;
and Frederick W., of this county.
Since becoming a naturalized American citizen
Mr. Heesch has voted with the democracy and has
held the offices of school director and supervisor
for several years each. He is a self-made man,
owing his prosperity entirely to his own labors
and the assistance of his estimable wife, who
has indeed been a helpmate to him on life's journey.
As the years have gone by he has accumulated a
handsome fortune, so that they are now enabled
to enjoy many of life's comforts and luxuries
in their pleasant and attractive home in the village
of Avoca. While having a deep love for the land
of his birth, he is, ever loyal to the land of
his adoption and its interests and though the
German traits of steadfast perseverance and diligence
are strong within him, he has, too, that progressive
spirit which has been the dominant factor in bringing
America to its present position in agricultural
and commercial life.
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Edward Canning, the well known sheriff of Pottawattamie
county, was born in Council Bluffs, Iowa, February
4, 1862. He there received his education but left
school at the age of seventeen and decided to
learn the machinist's trade. As a lad he was always
interested in machinery and could take apart most
any piece and put it together again with careful
accuracy. So enamored was he with this trade that
he worked at it successfully for fifteen years
and became proficient in its every detail.
The stir and whirl of politics attracted his
attention and in 1894 Mr. Canning consented to
run as city marshal of Council Bluffs and was
elected by a large majority, serving in that office
for four years. At the end of that time he was
at a loss to knew what was best to undertake and
for a year
774
was engaged in the stock business. But his early
occupation as a machinist once more attracted
him and he returned to its duties, entering the
Union Pacific shops at Council Bluffs. It is said
that a man once in !politics never again gets
far away from this interest and in 1900 Mr. Canning
was appointed deputy sheriff of Pottawattamie
county and for four years he served the county
in that capacity. In the fall of 1903 he was elected
sheriff and so effectively did he fulfill the
duties of this position that in 1906 he was re-elected
for two years.
In 1885 Mr. Canning was married, in Denver, Colorado,
to Lenora Shew. Their union has been blessed with
four children: Walter E., Florence M., Helen M.
and Richard H. Mr. Canning is a member of the
Episcopal church and is in the vestry of St. Paul's
church. He is a member of the Elks lodge, the
Masons, the Modern Woodmen, the Eagles and the
Maccabees, who have all worked earnestly and willingly
for his re-election to his various offices and
are proud of Mr. Canning as a representative of
their organizations. His political affiliation
has always been with the republican party and
he has served on county and city committees and
been a delegate to several conventions, county,
congressional and state. He is successful in politics
because he is a man among men. He is whole-souled
and genial and when he shakes you by the hand
you are sure he is glad to see you. His plan has
aimed to advance the principles of his party and
the efficiency of its office holders, and to this
end he has bent his efforts. Justice has ever
been maintained in his relations to his constituents
and he has never been slow to assist and encourage
those who have sought his help or his support
in any walk of life. He has been watchful of all
the details of his office and has in consequence
filled them with honor.
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Samuel Keast is the owner of the southwest quarter
of section 28, Carson township. He was born in
Cornwall, England, June 12, 1869, his parents
being Thomas and Eliza (Oliver) Keast, both of
whom were natives of England. The father died
in Macedonia township in 1895 at the age of fifty
years and nine months, but the mother is still
living on the old home place in this county.
Samuel Keast, the second in order of birth in
a family of seven children, was only nine months
old when his parents crossed the Atlantic to the
new world and located at Rockford, Illinois. About
eight years were there passed, after which they
came to this county in 1877, establishing their
home on a farm in Macedonia township, where Samuel
Keast lived until twenty-one years of age. Leaving
home, he then went to Hall county, Nebraska, where
he spent two years, and for five years was a resident
of Wayne county, that state. Upon the western
frontier he engaged in breaking prairie and in
operating a threshing machine most of the time.
Following his return to this county he lived with
his mother on the home farm for
775
three years and then began an independent farming
venture. He took up his abode five years ago upon
his present farm, which comprises a quarter section
of land that is rich and arable and responds freely
to the care and labor he bestows upon it. He now
raises both grain and stock and has a well improved
property.
Mr. Keast has been married twice. In January,
1900, he wedded Miss Tessie Bolyard, a native
of Warren county, Iowa, and they had two children,
Thomas Earl and Tessie Evelyn. On the 16th of
August, 1905, Mr. Keast was again married, his
second union being with Ruby Coons, a native of
Knoxville, Marion county, Iowa, and a daughter
of David ,and Miranda (Ruby) Coons, natives of
Ohio and Iowa respectively. They have one son,
Leland David, born September 28, 1907.
Mr. and Mrs. Keast have a wide acquaintance in
their locality and are greatly esteemed by many
friends, who recognize and appreciate their genuine
personal worth. Mr. Keast votes with the Republican
party, but the honors and emoluments of office
have little attraction for him, as he prefers
to give his attention to his business affairs,
which are now bringing him a success that he justly
merits.
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John J. Hess, county attorney of Pottawattamie
county, who since 1895 has been a member of the
bar of Council Bluffs, was born in Lancaster county,
Pennsylvania, on the 3d of December, 1872. He
was but six years of age when his parents removed
to Iowa, settling on a farm in Pottawattamie county
in the fall of 1878. Here John J. Hess was reared
to farm life, early becoming familiar with the
duties and labors that fall to the lot of the
agriculturist, while in the country schools he
acquired a knowledge of the elementary branches
of English learning. At the age of eighteen years
he attended a business college in Council Bluffs
and he also spent one year as a student in Iowa
College, at Grinnell, Iowa, and one year at Highland
Park College, in Des Moines. Having acquired a
good literary education to serve as a foundation
upon which to rear the superstructure of professional
knowledge, he entered the law department of the
State University of Iowa, and was graduated in
the class of 1895.
At the same time Mr. Hess was admitted to the
bar in Council Bluffs, where he has since remained.
Here he has enjoyed a good clientage and has been
connected with much important litigation tried
in the courts of the district. He is ever careful
and thorough in the pl1eparation of his cases,
is painstaking and watchful in the presentation
of his cause and in his arguments his deductions
follow in logical sequence. He has been called
to a number of public offices, is a republican
in politics and has been a delegate to various
county, congressional and state conventions. Indeed
he is recognized as one of the strong and able
republicans of this part of Iowa, and since 1902
has been continuously in public office, having
in that
776
year been appointed assistant county attorney
of Pottawattamie county. He served for two years
and was then elected to the office of county attorney
in 1904, to which position he was re-elected in
1906, so that he is the present incumbent.
In the year 1897 Mr. Hess was joined in wedlock
to Miss Belle Snyder, a daughter of J. R. Snyder,
now of Omaha but then of Council Bluffs. They
have two daughters, Geraldine and Gretchen. Mr.
Hess belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows
and also holds membership relations with the Benevolent
and Protective Order of Elks, the Fraternal Order
of Eagles and the Modern Woodmen. He has resided
almost continuously in Pottawattamie county for
thirty years and is well known here as a citizen
of progressive ideas, which he executes in practical
manner, so that desirable results follow. His
reputation as a lawyer has been won through earnest,
honest labor, and his standing at the bar is a
merited tribute to his ability.
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