1899 Index

Biographies and Portraits of the Progressive Men of Iowa
Leaders in Business, Politics and the Professions
together with an original and authentic history of the state
by ex-Lieutenant-Governor B. F. Gue. Des Moines: Conaway & Shaw, 1899. 2 volumes.

H

HALEY, FELIX EMMET, secretary and treasurer of the Iowa State Traveling Men's association, is a resident of Des Moines, where, as a business man, he is well and favorably known. Mr. Haley was born-in Iowa, at Mt. Pleasant, May 31, 1862, and is the son of Timothy and Mary Haley. They are prosperous farmers, now living in Henry county; well provided for by the industry and thrift of a prudent and active life. They have not sought any public notoriety, but have attended to their own affairs and brought up a respectable and successful family of children. Mrs. Haley is known as a good mother and wife, and what more need be said? They were born in Ireland, and all their ancestors lived in the Emerald Isle. Their son, F. E. Haley, received his early education in the public schools and in Howe's academy in Mt. Pleasant. But some of the best lessons of his boyhood were those of industry and economy, which were taught him on his father's farm. He began early in his youth to support himself and learn to depend upon his own efforts. After leaving school in 1883 he was at once elected principal of the public schools of New London, Iowa, and in this capacity he was uniformly successful. Four years of his life were spent in this work. In the fall of 1886 he became associated with the Iowa State Register. In this line of work he at once achieved success as traveling representative for the paper, and built up a large and valuable acquaintance all over the state. He increased the business of the paper and did well for himself at the same time. While employed as a traveling man he became interested in the Iowa State Traveling Men's association, which was first organized partly for social intercourse and partly for a mutual accident insurance association. He devoted himself with all his accustomed energy to building up this association, and secured several hundred new members for it. In 1890 he was elected secretary and treasurer and very shortly gave up his work on the road to put all his time into the development and management of the association, which had, in the fall of 1891, grown to a large and substantial membership. Mr. Haley has been re-elected each year since that time and has rarely had any opposition. Under his administration the organization has grown and developed into one of the largest and strongest accident insurance associations in the United States, paying out annually something like $100,000 in benefits and death losses. Their membership has steadily increased, although the restrictions have been multiplied until now no one but an actual traveling man, who has been selling goods on the road by sample for more than one year, can become a member. It now has, in 1899, 10,500 members. The members fully appreciating the value of Mr. Haley's services, and being nearly all business men themselves, consider that it is only a plain business matter in which they are all interested to retain the services of Mr. Haley as chief administrative officer.

Mr. Haley was married in Burlington, Iowa, January 29, 1895, to Miss Katherine A. Norton. They have a family of two children, Mary and Katherine, both bright, interesting girls. Mr. Haley has been successful in business ventures. He is conservative in his dealings, both in the management of the corporation he represents as its chief officer and in his personal business transactions. Besides being energetic and aggressive, he is particularly courteous, and no young business man in Des Moines stands higher in the estimation of the general public than the subject of this sketch. Whatever degree of success he may achieve, to his own personal efforts, strength of character and honesty of purpose can the credit be given. His highest ambition is to faithfully perform every duty and to live the life of a good and upright citizen.

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Haley, F. E., of Des Moines ... was re-elected in 1899 and 1900 to be secretary and treasurer of the Iowa State Traveling Men's Association, having no opposition. His successful management of the Association's business assures him this position as long as he desires it.

HORNE, DR. WILLIAM submitted by Dick Barton

HORNE, DR. WILLIAM, of Mt. Ayr, A physician who has followed the practice of his profession for almost thirty years in one place in enlightened Iowa , must deserve to be called progressive; for those who do not keep abreast of the times by special courses and extended reading usually find it imperative that they change their base of operations frequently. Dr. William Horne located in Mt. Ayr on the 3d day of February, 1869, three years after his graduation, and his shingle still swings in the breeze at the same old stand. Through all the long years that have intervened, he has labored by day and by night for the alleviation of the sufferings of humanity, and many there are to testify to his skill and knowledge of the science, than which there is none more blessed. He was born in Switzerland County , Indiana , December 30, 1843 . His father was a native of Scotland , and his mother was of Scotch descent, although born in Indiana . He received the usual elementary education in the district schools of his native state, and he graduated from Chicago Medical College March 1, 1866 . He attended the institution named during the winters of 1864-65 and 1865-66. This was supplemented by a practitioner's course in 1882. He has not made a specialty of any one branch of the profession, but through deep research and long experience has fitted himself for the emergencies and many requirements of a general country practice.

He takes great interest in all organizations for the promotion and betterment of his chosen profession, and is active in the work of Iowa societies of that character. Among the many associations of which he is a member may be mentioned the South western Iowa Medical Society, Iowa State Medical Society, American Medical Association and the National Association of Railway Surgeons. He affiliates with the republican party. He was married to Miss Mary Law December 14, 1869 . They have three children: Mrs. Minnie Horne-Sheldon, J. O. Horne and Charles L. Horne.