Marion County >> 1915 Index

The History of Marion County, Iowa
John W. Wright and W. A. Young, supervising eds. 2 vols. Chicago: S. J. Clarke Pub. Co., 1915.

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L. E. Park, M. D. - page 335

Dr. L. E. Park has been actively engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery at Tracy for about a third of a century, being one of the oldest physicians in Marion county. He likewise conducts a drug store in the town and is widely recognized as one of its most prosperous and respected residents. His birth occurred in Brown county, Ohio, on the 3d of January, 1855, his parents being William R. and Rachel (Wood) Park, both of whom were natives of the Buckeye state. They came to Iowa in the fall of 1856 and spent the following winter on a farm in Marion county, subsequently purchasing a tract of land in Monroe county, where they continued to reside for almost forty years. In 1896 they removed to Harrison county, Iowa, there spending the remainder of their lives. They became the parents of ten children, five of whom survive.

Dr. L. E. Park spent the first twenty years of his life under the parental roof and subsequently followed the profession of teaching for a period of five years, imparting clearly and readily to others the knowledge that he had acquired. Having determined upon the practice of medicine as a life work, he entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Keokuk, Iowa, and won the degree of M. D. from that institution in 1880 and in 1904 took a post-graduate course at the Chicago Polyclinic. He first opened an office at Marysville and in 1882 came to Tracy, which place has since remained the scene of his professional labors. An extensive and lucrative practice has been accorded him and he is known all over the county, enjoying an enviable reputation for skill and ability in the field of his chosen profession. He belongs to the Marion County Medical Society and the Iowa State Medical Society and thus keeps in close touch with the advanced thought of the fraternity. Dr. Park also conducts a drug store in Tracy, owning the store building. He likewise owns an attractive residence and three hundred and twenty acres of land in Colorado and is one of the directors of the Iowa Savings Bank at Tracy.

In 1882 Dr. Park was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary Bireley, a native of Missouri and a daughter of James W. and Martha (Royce) Bireley, who were born in Indiana and Missouri respectively. The mother has passed away, but the father survives and now makes his home with our subject. Dr. and Mrs. Park have no children of their own but have reared five with parental affection and to whom they have afforded excellent educational advantages. They are devoted members of the Methodist Episcopal church, exemplifying its teachings in their daily lives.

Dr. Park is fraternally identified with Lodge No. 163, A. F. & A. M., and Lodge No. 568 of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in both of which organizations he has filled all of the chairs. As a citizen he is ever ready to assist in advancing the general welfare and as a physician his constant aim is to discharge his duties conscientiously and always in accordance with the most advanced ideas as to diagnosis and treatment. He has attained deserved recognition in his profession and financially enjoys a condition of practical independence.

Benjamin L. Parsons is well remembered in the village of Columbia and throughout the surrounding country, although twenty years have come and gone since he was called to his final rest. He lived retired in the village, although in earlier years he was a very active, energetic business man. His birth occurred in Pennsylvania in 1804, and he was descended from old Quaker stock, the kind that upheld the political and legal status of the state and promoted its intellectual and moral progress. He was reared in the east, pursued his education there and for many years conducted business in Ohio as proprietor of a store in Marion county.

Mr. Parsons came to Marion county, Iowa, about 1862, and at Columbia was united in marriage to Mrs. Salina Williams, the widow of Joseph Williams and a daughter of Adam and Mary Ann Quillen. Her first husband was a carpenter and cabinet-maker and followed those trades throughout his entire life. He built a mill at Columbia and operated it until it was destroyed by fire, when he retired from active business and spent his remaining days in the enjoyment of well earned rest. To Mr. and Mrs. Williams were born two children: Alice, now deceased; and Charlotte, who died when but two weeks old. Since the death of her second husband Mrs. Parsons has lived in Columbia, where she is the owner of town lots and other property. She is now eighty-six years of age and is a keen minded, well informed woman whose appearance greatly belies her age.

The death of Mr. Parsons occurred September 5, 1894, and he was laid to rest in the Columbia cemetery. During his later years, because of the fact that he was living retired, he had more leisure for social life than many a business man enjoys and he gained a large circle of friends in Columbia. His success in a business way was derived entirely through his energy, his industry, determination and diligence and his history illustrates what may be accomplished by close application and honorable purpose.

Dr. Irvin J. Pascoe is a well known and successful young medical practitioner of Harvey and has already won an enviable reputation in professional circles of the county. His birth occurred in Wisconsin on the 27th of April, 1885, his parents being J. J. and Sarah E. (Trenery) Pascoe, likewise natives of that state. In 1886 they removed to Monroe county, Iowa, and have there resided continuously since. They became the parents of nine children, six of whom survive.

Irvin J. Pascoe, who was only about a year old when brought to this state, spent the period of his minority under the parental roof. Having determined upon a professional career, he entered the Chicago College of Medicine and Surgery and was graduated from that institution in May, 1910. He first located for practice at Hiteman, Monroe county, but at the end of two years opened an office in Harvey, where he has remained continuously to the present time. He now enjoys an extensive and gratifying practice which has steadily grown as he has demonstrated his skill and ability in coping with the intricate problems which continually confront the physician in his efforts to restore health and prolong life. Through his membership in the Iowa State Medical Society he keeps in close touch with the progress of the profession.

In 1910 Dr. Pascoe was united in marriage to Miss Mildred Merrill, a native of Chicago, Illinois, and a daughter of Sanford and Mary (Miller) Merrill, both of whom were born in Ohio. The father is now a resident of Chicago and is superintendent of the Oak Park schools, but the mother has passed away. Their four children are all yet living. To Dr. and Mrs. Pascoe have been born three children, namely: Gladys M., Merrill B., and Irvin Theodore.

Dr. Pascoe gives his political allegiance to the republic party and is fraternally identified with the Masons, belonging to the blue lodge and chapter, while he wife is a member of the Eastern Star. He is likewise affiliated with the Yeomen and the Red Men, and both he and his wife are devoted members of the Methodist Episcopal church. They have won many friends throughout the community and are very popular in social circles.

The Pauls Lumber Company, with its home office in Washington, Iowa, has a well stocked lumberyard in Knoxville, of which Benjamin R. Beach is the manager. The yard has been established in the city for many years, in fact, is one of the oldest in Knoxville, but it has belonged to the Pauls Lumber Company only since January, 1908. Previous to that it was the property of the Anthes Lumber Company. Its founder was J. S. Bellamy, who incorporated the business in 1875. The present owners continue the liberal policies which made the yard successful in its early history and carry a full line of lumber of all kinds and various building materials. A large patronage is accorded them and the volume of their business is steadily increasing.

The Pella Overall Company - page 153

One of the most prosperous industrial concerns of Pella is the Pella Overall Company, which in the seven years of its existence has grown rapidly and steadily. It was organized in September, 1907, and now manufactures several thousand dozen garments per year and employs thirty-three people regularly. Its present officers are: H. J. Vanden Berg, Jr., president; Y. T. Van Niewaal, vice president; J. D. Gaass, secretary and treasurer; and J. W. Boyd, manager; and its directorate is composed of the following men: Y. T. Van Niewaal, H. D. Wormhoudt, J. P. Klein, James G. Vander Pol, H. J. Vanden Berg, Jr., A. T. Klein, A. Waechter, G. G. Gaass and H. S. Keables. It manufactures the Dutch brand of overalls, coats and pants and sells its product over Iowa, Missouri and South Dakota, although its brand is widely known in this state. Two traveling salesmen are upon the road constantly and its goods are being introduced in new territory. As the garments are hygienically made, are of high quality and will stand an unusual amount of hard wear, when trade is once secured it is permanent. The factory building is twenty-five by seventy-five feet in dimensions and the Pella Overall Company occupies all three floors. Its equipment is modern and adequate and its present output is several thousand dozen garments annually. Its stock is a profitable investment, and the company is also of service to the entire community, as it contributes in no small degree to the prosperity of the city and as its goods advertise the city over a constantly increasing territory.

Pella's Weekblad - page 136

Pella's Weekblad has a large and representative circulation among the residents of Iowa and adjoining states who are of Dutch birth or ancestry, and is one of the leading papers in this section of the country printed in the Dutch language. It was established in 1861 by Henry Hospers, a prominent figure in the state at that time. About 1870 he sold the business to H. Neyenesch, who took charge June 20 of that year and conducted it until January 1, 1899, and then sold it to the Rev. H. Poot, who conducted it for thirteen months, when Mr. Neyenesch bought the paper again and conducted it until October 11, 1901. He then sold the subscription list to Jansma Brothers, who were the publishers if Nieuwsblad, which they had established on the 10th of February, 1899. On the 11th of October, 1901, they combined the two papers, retaining the name of Pella's Weekblad, as that was the older and better known publication. On the 28th of February, 1902, John Jansma died and his brother James continued to publish the paper until 1904, in which year H. F. Johnson, the present business manager, purchased a half interest. On New Year's day, 1909, Mr. Johnson and H. L. Boland bought James Jansma's interest in the paper and have remained its sole owners ever since.

Pella's Weekblad, as its name indicates, is published weekly and is an excellent paper of eight pages of six columns each. It is printed in the Dutch language and has a large circulation which is steadily increasing. Its editor, E. C. Varenkamp, is a man of broad learning, with an intimate knowledge of the life of the people in whose interests it is printed, and under his direction a high standard of journalism is maintained and at the same time it is popular in its appeal. The business phase of this publication is ably managed by H. F. Johnson and its finances are in excellent condition.

Burr Phelps has for a number of years performed a public service of no little value to the community as manager of the annual Chautauqua held in Knoxville and many other movements which make for civil welfare have benefited by his advice and labor. He is traveling salesman for the J. Miller Shoe Company of Racine, Wisconsin, and covers a territory including part of Iowa, Missouri, Kansas and Oklahoma.

Mr. Phelps was born in Monroe county, this state, on the 12th of October, 1858, a son of E. H. and Martha (Dow) Phelps, both natives of Indiana, where their marriage occurred. The paternal grandfather was born in New York. E. H. Phelps brought his family to Iowa in 1845 and located in Appanoose county. He was a miller by trade and was one of the first millers in that county. In 1850 he removed to Monroe county and erected a mill upon the site where the town of Hiteman now stands. Subsequently he came to Marion county, living first at Columbia and later at Attica, and he owned a mill in both places. He passed away in Attica in 1893 and was survived by his widow until 1898. They were both members of the Baptist church and he belonged to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

Burr Phelps was their youngest child and he and three brothers survive. He attended the academy of Knoxville after completing a public-school course and as a youth also farmed and assisted his father in the mill. In 1880 he entered the employ of the Cushing & Squire Company of Knoxville and remained with them until Mr. Cushing went into the wholesale business, becoming a member of the Manning-Cushing Company of Ottumwa, Iowa. In 1883 Mr. Phelps became traveling salesman for that concern and so continued until 1888, when he began to represent the J. Miller Shoe Company, of Racine, Wisconsin, manufacturers of boots and shoes, for whom he has traveled ever since. He is an authority upon his line of goods, is also an expert salesman and is one of the most valued men in the employ of the company.

Mr. Phelps was married in 1883 to Miss Lola Cunningham, a daughter of A. C. and Martha (Phillips) Cunningham. Her father was a native of Virginia and came to Knoxville in pioneer times, entering land upon the present site of the city. He was one of the first postmasters of Knoxville and in his early life was a physician. For a number of years he was engaged in the coal business and became a well-to-do citizen of the town. He has passed away. To Mr. and Mrs. Phelps were born six children: Dow, a resident of Kansas City, Missouri; Alice, Dean and Helen, all at home; and Phillip and Cam, who died in childhood.

Mr. Phelps has belonged to the Methodist church since 1889 and contributes generously to its support. In his political views he is a republican and is stanch in his support of the principles of that party. Fraternally he belongs to Oriental Lodge, No. 61, A. F. & A. M., of which he has been a member since 1880, and to the Eastern Star. His wife is also a member of the latter organization. Although much of his time is spent on the road he has always considered Knoxville his home and has given much time and effort to the advancement of its welfare. He was one of the originators of the Knoxville Chautauqua, which was established in 1910, and has had charge of the booking of the program and making of arrangements ever since. The success of the Chautauqua is due more largely to him than to any other one individual in the city and he takes a commendable pride in this achievement. His friends are many and they hold him in warm regard because of his generosity and kindness of heart and also because of his integrity.

C. A. Porter, a mine operator, who for the past four years has resided at Knoxville, was born in Mahaska county, Iowa, in 1871, a son of Jerome H. and Mary M. (Stolzer) Porter. The father was born in Ohio but in 1852, when a boy of ten years, accompanied his parents to Mahaska county, the family settling in White Oak township, ten miles east of Oskaloosa. There the grandfather, John Porter, followed farming for some time but his death occurred in Missouri. Jerome H. Porter enlisted in the Federal army before he was fifteen years of age and served for three years in the Civil war. He followed the carpenter's trade, being mainly employed upon railroad work. He spent one year in Mexico, but as his health became impaired he returned to Iowa, where he died when fifty-two years of age. His widow survives and lives in Oskaloosa at the age of sixty-four. C. A. Porter has two brothers living, R. H., who is a plumber of Knoxville and is mentioned on another page of this work; and Walter, a resident of Oskaloosa.

C. A. Porter grew to manhood in Mahaska county and acquired his education in the common schools. Since reaching adult age he has engaged in various occupations, having been a farmer and also a merchant, while at present he is a coal and lumber dealer. He not only deals in those commodities but operates a coal mine which yields a paying grade of coal in considerable quantity. At one time or another he has also dealt in real estate to a considerable extent, buying, selling and trading residence and business property. He has a native shrewdness and is an excellent judge of values and his many transactions have been upon the whole profitable. He has gained a competence and owns his comfortable residence in Knoxville.

Mr. Porter was married in Mahaska county in 1896 to Miss Nettie E. De Long, a native of that county and the only daughter of Edward F. De Long. The De Long family settled in Mahaska county in 1842 and in 1847 Edward F. De Long went to the gold fields of California, but in 1850 he returned to Iowa, where he passed away when seventy-three years of age. He was a veterinarian by profession but the greater part of his time was devoted to other interests, for he owned a farm and dealt largely in race horses. He was also active in politics. To Mr. and Mrs. Porter have been born three children: Mary M., who will graduate from the Knoxville high school in 1915; and Charles A., a lad of fifteen years, and Ruth N., a child of eight years, both in school.

The family belong to the Methodist Episcopal church and are active in the various organizations connected with that denomination. Mr. Porter is a republican and was the candidate for sheriff of Marion county at the last election and came very nearly being successful. Fraternally he belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, being a member of the subordinate lodge, the encampment and the Rebekahs, and is likewise a member of the Knights of Pythias. His wife also belongs to the Rebekahs as well. His many friends hold him in high regard, knowing him to be a man of many admirable traits of character.

Ralph H. Porter has been the proprietor of a large plumbing establishment in Knoxville since 1912 and has done a great deal of work of that character in some of the best houses in the city. He was born in Mahaska county, Iowa, on the 4th of October, 1885, a son of J. H. and Mary M. (Stolzer) Porter, both natives of Germany, who accompanied their respective parents to this country. They settled in Iowa many years ago and were highly esteemed in their locality. The father was a carpenter by trade and was known as an expert workman. He is deceased but his widow survives and lives at Oskaloosa.

Ralph H. Porter attended the public schools and was graduated from the Beacon high school in due time. He subsequently learned the plumbing business and in 1907 opened a shop of his own at Oskaloosa, where he remained for five years but in 1912 sold his interests in that city and came to Knoxville and opened a shop. He employs four men regularly and carries a full line of plumbing goods. He also sells and installs heating plants and all branches of his business have proved remunerative. He is himself an expert workman and insists that all plumbing put in by his men shall be properly installed and as a result the work for which he is responsible is invariably well done and gives satisfaction.

On the 11th of October, 1905, Mr. Porter married Miss Bessie Sowden, of Oskaloosa, a daughter of G. H. and M. J. Sowden, the former of whom was for many years a farmer. To Mr. and Mrs. Porter has been born a daughter, Marjorie.

Mr. and Mrs. Porter are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and can always be counted upon to contribute their share of money and effort in the accomplishment of a worthy project. Mr. Porter is a republican in politics and takes a citizen's interest in public affairs. His fraternal affiliation is with Oriental Lodge., No. 61, A. F. & A. M.; Tadmor Chapter, No. 18, R. A. M.; and with the Knights of Pythias. He has achieved an unusual degree of success for one of his years and his energy and business ability presage still greater prosperity for him in the future. Personally he is well liked and has many warm friends.