The following biographies were scanned from the remnants of a book that apparently was a copy of "The History of Polk County, Iowa" published by the Union Historical Company, Birdsall, Williams & Co. 1880.  Marion John Rice has a copyright to this transcription file and gives permission for this file to be posted to at the Iowa Biographies Projects. DES MOINES. 863 SCHOLTZ, LOUIS-Mr. Scholtz war, born in Prussia, April 13, 1826. When thirteen years of age he was apprenticed to the tailoring trade and served three and one-half years. He then spent four years in Berlin, Dresden, Vienna, Warsaw and St. Petersburg, where he acquired a perfect knowledge of his business. At twenty-one years of age he entered the Prussian army, and served three years, during the revolution of 1848 and 1850, and during the latter year was honorably discharged. He at once returned to his trade and spent five years in Paris, Hamburg and London. In 1855 he came to America and stopped for a short time in Boston and New York; thence he went to Toronto, where he remained one year, thence he returned to New York, where he was employed as a cutter until 1861, when he went to Cincinnati and Indianapolis, where he embarked in the merchant tailoring business. In 1868 he came to Des Moines and has established a popular and profitable business and has the leading house in that line. Mr. Scholtz is of sanguine temperament, positive in character, radical in ideas and independent in action. He is courteous, social and highly esteemed in business and social circles. April 3, 1855, he was united in marriage, at Sheffield, England, with Marian, second daughter of Captain John Nelsen, of London. Six children have been born to them: Edmund L., John Nelsey, Alfred H., Ada M., William O. and Beatrice L. Three of the children have died. SCOTT, RUFUS I.-Was born in Richmond, Wayne county, Indiana, where he received his education and early training. At the age of fifteen years he commenced his railroad career as a train boy and steadily advanced till the age of eighteen years, when he was given charge of a train on the Chicago & Great Eastern Railway. He remained in the employ of that company until 1867, and in May, 1868, came to Des Moines and entered the employ of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad. After twelve years' continual service in the employ of this great corporation, he still holds the position of passenger conductor, and is favorably known by hundreds of the traveling public as one of the most gentlemanly and efficient officers of the road. He was married March 3,1870, to Miss Sarah H. Jordan, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They have one child, a son, named Harry V. A very interesting and lovely child, a daughter named Jessie J., died July 9, 1871. SCUVILLE, TYLER-Manager of the Iowa School Furniture Company, was born in Chatauqua county, New York, April 3,1839, and resided there until 1869, when he came to Des Moines, and for a time was in the real estate business with Percival & Hatton. His father is a carriage builder by trade, which business the son followed until he came West. In January, 1874, he became treasurer and manager of the furniture company, which position he still occupies. He is an active, zealous business man, and has done much to enhance. the interests and extend the trade of the company. He was married in Cleveland, Ohio, April 3, 1860, to Miss Eunice H. Percival. They have four sons and one daughter: Willie P., Melvin J., Percy, Tyler and Ella. SEEBERGER, J. D.-Comparatively few business men are successful in these days of fluctuation, strife and competition. The risks are great in all enterprises, and rarely does mere genius succeed, aside from untiring industry, in any department. Moreover, it is the man who follows a single line and bends his energies in one direction, in whatever occupation, who is most likely to make his mark in the world. Mr. Seeberger, who is here briefly noticed, is one of the few who may fairly and rightly claim to have 864 BIOGRAPHICAL. been successful in business, and he has become so by fulfilling the conditions of success as suggested above. He was born at New York City on the 4th of November, 1836, but was raised in Wooster, Ohio. He received his early education at the common schools, and in 1850, being but fourteen years of age, he left home to commence life for himself. He secured a situation as clerk in a dry goods store, remaining in that position for ten years, when the severe hard work and close confinement he had undergone commenced to tell upon his physical system and he was forced to make a change. He went to Idaho, where he was restored to health, and remained there three years. Then, in 1864, returned to Chicago, and in February of the year following came to this city and bought the interest of Mr. Childs, of the firm of Childs & Howell, hardware dealers, and conducted the business for nine years udder the name of Howell & Seeberger. At the expiration of this time he purchased the former's interest and has since conducted a business second to no house in his line in the State, and, as a business man, has established a wide and honorable reputation, and no one has contributed more to Des Moines' good name as a business center. He was married November 13, 1866, to Miss M. B. Cooper, of Mount Vernon, Ohio. SEEBURGER, R.-Is one of the contributions of Germany to the list of successful business men of Des Moines. He was born in" Faderland," December 29, 1833, and was there educated and served his time at the trade of harness making and upholstering. He came to this country in 1854 and settled in Columbus, Ohio, where for a year he followed his trade. He then came to Iowa City and followed the same business. While there he lined and trimmed the first stage coach in this State. Here he remained until 1860, when he came to Des Moines in the employ of the Western Stage Company until 1863. He then went into the grocery trade, buying out Rollins & Hermon, following this business until 1873. He then sold out and went into the butter and egg business, which he has since successfully managed. In this line his business has been immense, and it has required rare business tact to manage it. April, 1857, he was married to Miss Fannie Ruck. She was a native of Erie, Pennsylvania. They are the parents of four children: Rammond J., Albert H., Walter L. and Francis E. SERRIN, J. R.-Of the firm of Serrin & Fairbanks, millers, was born in Washington, D. C., March 2, 1831, and at the age of three years removed with his parents to Terre Haute, Indiana, living there until fourteen years of age, at which time he went to New York City. While there he was engaged in clerking until 1856, when he came to Iowa and settled at Davenport, and for one year followed different lines of business. In 1857 he went to Marengo, Iowa county, and engaged in the mercantile business, which he followed until September, 1862, when he enlisted in company E, Twenty-fourth Iowa infantry. May 16, 1863. he was wounded at the battle of Champion's Hill, through the knee, and while rolling down the hill was shot in the head and thigh. He was discharged in September, 1863, on this account, and after returning home he again commenced the mercantile business, which he continued until 1870. He then went into the milling business, continued the same until December, 1879, then came to Des Moines and bought the mill in company with Mr. Fairbanks. In 1864 he was appointed postmaster at Marengo, which office he held until Andrew Johnson's administration. He was elected to the Eleventh General Assembly of Iowa, from Iowa county, in 1866, and served for one term. Was DES MOINES. 865 married, August 18, 1859, to Miss Sophia McConnell, a native of Ohio. They have three children: J. R. and Thomas H., living, and one deceased, Lincoln. SHANKLAND, J. M.-Of the firm of Shankland & Lockwood, grocers was born in Noble county, Ohio, November 13, 1830, and there was raised on a farm and educated in the common schools. In 1864 he engaged in the mercantile business in Summerfield, Ohio, where he remained until 1870. He then came to this city and was employed to work by City Engineer Pelton, following the same about two years. He then went to clerking in the grocery house of B. W. Morrison, with whom he remained until October 1, 1878, when, in company with B. C. Lockwood, bought out Mr. Morrison, and since that time have continued the business at the old stand. He was married, November 20, 1860, to Miss E. G. Hare, a native of Ohio. They have six children : Carrie, John, Wilbur, Frank, Nellie and an infant. SHERMAN, HOYT-Among the early pioneer settlers who have watched the growth of this populous city, from a little hamlet of a few houses to its present population, and have seen it take its place as the metropolis of Iowa, is the name which heads this sketch. He is the son of Hon. Charles R. Sherman, Judge of the Supreme Court of Iowa, from 1825 until his death, which occurred in 1829, and brother of Hon. John Sherman, Secretary of the Treasury, Gen. W. T. Sherman of the U. S. army, and of the late Hon. Chas. B. Sherman, Judge of the U. S. Court, for the Northern district of Ohio, and was born in Lancaster, Ohio, November 1, 1827, and until eighteen years of age divided his time between attending school and learning the trade of printer with his brothers Charles and John in Mansfield, Ohio. He then followed a cherished plan to emigrate West, and early in the spring of 1848 he came to Iowa and settled in Des Moines, and in 1849 was admitted to the bar. His first business engagement was with Thomas McMullen, School Fund Commissioner. He became connected with Casady & Tidrick and served as deputy postmaster until 1849, when he was appointed postmaster by President Pierce, and held the office until 1853 when he resigned and recommended his successor, who was appointed. In 1849 he was elected clerk of the District Court. Mr. Sherman was one of the organizers of the State Bank of Iowa, and was cashier of the same until 1861 when he was appointed a paymaster in the U. S. army with the rank of major. After his return from the army he engaged for a short time in mercantile pursuits. He was one of the incorporators of the Equitable Life Insurance Company, and in 1868 took the general management of the same and still holds this position. As a citizen he has always shown a worthy public spiritedness, and has heartily sympathized with all local improvements and enterprise. His career has been both honorable and successful, and as a man is appreciated most by those who know him best. He was married to Miss Sarah Moulton in 1855. She is a native of Ohio. Their family consists of five children: Frank A. (an attorney in his father's office), Addie M., Charles M., Arthur and Nellie T. SHERMAN, BUREN R.-Auditor of State, was born in Phelps, Ontario county, New York, on the twenty-eighth of May, 1836, and there received his early education in the public schools, concluding his studies at Elmira, New York. He never had a collegiate course but being a close observer has gained a practical knowledge of men and things that admirable fits him for active business life. At the close of his studies he apprenticed himself to learn the watchmaker's trade, and in 1855 he removed to 866 BIOGRAPHICAL. Iowa and settled in Tama county. There he followed agricultural pursuits, employing his leisure hours in the study of law, which he had begun at Elmira. In the summer of 1859 he was admitted to the bar and the following spring removed to Vinton and began the practice of law. A flourishing practice was built up, and he was prospering, when, upon the opening of the war in 1861, Mr. Sherman enlisted as second sergeant in company G, Thirteenth Iowa volunteer infantry, and immediately went to the front. In February, 1862, he was made second lieutenant of company E. On the sixth of the following April he was severely wounded at the battle of Pittsburg Landing, and while in the hospital was promoted to the rank of captain. He remained on duty till the summer of 1863, when by reason of his wound he was compelled to resign and return home. Soon after returning from the army he was elected County Judge of Benton county, Iowa, and re-elected without opposition, in 1865. In the fall of 1866 he resigned the judgeship, and accepted the office of Clerk of the District Court, to which he was reelected in 1868, 1870 and 1872, and in December, 1874, resigned in order to accept his present office, Auditor of State. Captain Sherman was married on the twentieth of August, 1862, to Miss Lena Kendall of Vinton, Iowa, a young lady of rare accomplishments and strength of character. They have two children: Lena K. and Oscar E. SHERMAN, L. P.-Collector of revenues for the Fifth District of Iowa. Is a native of Fairfield county, Ohio, and was born on the 13th day of October, 1821, and belongs to the Sherman family who have attained to a high civil and military fame. Being deprived of the care of a father early in life he went to Cincinnati when eight years of age and became a member of the family of Charles Hammond, Esg., by whom he was principally raised. He learned the trade of printing and followed it for many years: In 1849 he came to Des Moines and was urged to enter journalism and inducements were offered in the way of a bonus and a promised list of subscribers, which were accepted, and he commenced the publication of the Fort Des Moines Weekly Gazette. The promises were easily broken, and there was almost an utter failure in the bonus and the subscription list fell far below the promised number. He was urged to continue his enterprise, and he accepted conditionally, that he should be paid one-half the cost of his material in Cincinnati, and have a business manager and an editor. The proposition met with favor, and P. Meyers became business manager and Judge Williamson editor. The name was changed to the State Journal, and after continuing under the new management for a few months Mr. Sherman was left to shoulder the responsibility, minus the promised aid, and at the end of the year sold the material, which was used in the office of the Star. He then engaged in mercantile pursuits and afterward entered the employ of Hoyt Sherman & Co. In 1867 he was appointed to his present position, and as an official he is prompt, methodical, perfectly reliable and very efficient. He has been honored by his fellow citizens with the offices of mayor, recorder, treasurer, and member of the city council. He has been twice married. First to Miss Mary Getchell, of Ohio, in 1846. She died in 1849, leaving one son, Charles H., now connected with the United States Mint, in San Francisco. His second marriage occurred December 31, 1851, to Miss Susan R. Lawson, a native of Missouri. They have by this marriage three children: John, Minnie E., and L. P., Jr. DES MOINES. 867 SIMS, GEORGE C.-Railway Postal Clerk, was born July 28, 1844,- in Pickaway county, Ohio, and when four years of age his parents removed to this county, where he was raised and educated. During the war of the rebellion he served in company E, Fourth Iowa infantry, enlisting in 1861, and serving three years, when he re-enlisted as a veteran and served until the close of the war. During the latter part of the war he was on detached duty at brigade headquarters. During the time he was in the service he participated in no less than thirty-three hard fought battles, being twice slightly wounded, the first being at White Oak Mountain and the other at the battle of Atlanta. At the close of the war he engaged in agricultural pursuits, which he followed until 1873, when he removed to Des Moines and was appointed constable for Lee township, which office he held until 1874, when he resigned for the purpose of accepting a position in the mail service from Omaha to Davenport, and afterward from Omaha to Chicago. He is now occupying the position of Railway Post-office Clerk, running from Wilton Junction to Chicago. He was united in marriage to Phebe D. Hallett, of this county, July 4, 1869. Have two children living: Mertie and William D. SMITH, PROF. T. H.-The public schools of the country are its chief glory, and those of Iowa are deservedly popular, and among the schools of the State those at the capital are, as they should be, among the best. They are not the creature of day, neither did they spring into their present condition of efficiency and usefulness without years of toil and perseverance. Scores of noble men and women have contributed to this result, and should have a share in the honor. Among this number none deserve more credit than Prof. Smith, who has so long and so faithfully been engaged in building up the schools of the Capital City, and who still holds the position of superintendent. He was born in Harrison county. Ohio. April 22, 1838. During the late war he enlisted in the One Hundred and Twenty-sixth Ohio infantry. After serving one year was discharged on account of disability in the form of inflammatory rheumatism. Prior to his enlistment he had completed a regular classical course at Oberlin College, graduating in 1860. He came to Iowa in 1871, having been located at Mattoon, Ill., as Superintendent of Schools for four years. From Washington Prof. Smith went to Cedar Rapids, and was superintendent of the public schools in that city for a number of years. From Cedar Rapids he came to Des Moines, and has faithfully, efficiently, and acceptably discharged the duties of the office of superintendent till the present time. By his untiring efforts the schools have been raised from a condition of inefficiency and chaos to that of the best discipline and most perfect organization in the State. Prof. Smith was married in 1879 to Sarah E. Graham. Mrs. Smith, at the time of her marriage, was also engaged in the school work, and had earned the reputation of being one of the most successful teachers in the State. SMITH, N. W.-Superintendent of the machinery, derricks, etc., on the capitol. Born July 24, 1838, in what is now Scott county, Iowa not then being organized as a Territory. He was raised and learned the trade of a stonemason, and also that of a blacksmith, in that county. In 1868 he removed to Macoupin county, Ill., where was engaged in the construction of the new court-house at that place. From there he went to Springfield, Ill., and was engaged on the new capitol building of that State, until he came to Des Moines in 1871. Since coming to Des Moines he has had charge 868 BIOGRAPHICAL. of his present position on the new State House, having under his supervising all of the work except carpentering, stone-cutting and brick-laying. In 1871, he was united in marriage to Miss Augusta Haskins, a resident of New York State. Have three children: Anna May, Nettie B., and Ernest N. SMITH, J. H.-City marshal. Was born in Johnson county, Iowa, December 27, 1848, and was raised on a farm until sixteen years of age, then went to Iowa City, where he learned the trade of blacksmith. On arriving at his majority he came to this city and opened a shop, and continued business until February, 1879, when he went to Leadville; returned in August of the same year, and in the spring of 1880 was elected to his present position. He married Elnora Wical, November 9, 1870. She was a resident of Johnson county, Iowa, but a native of Ohio. They have two children: Guy W. and Nellie M. SMITH, JOHN L.-Was born at Cazanovia, New York, December 12, 1814. His father died when he was quite young and left his mother with a large family of children. At the age of fourteen he joined the American Fur Company and went as a trader among the Chippeway and Winnebago Indians in Michigan and Wisconsin, delivering fur at Chicago as early as 1830. Mr. Smith remained in the employ of the company seven years and then settled at Findlay, Ohio. In 1840 he moved to Piqua, Miami county, Ohio, and engaged in the manufacture of fanning mills, under the firm name of Sawyer & Smith. He there married Mary A. Girard, May 3, 1842, who survives him. He removed to Rock Island, Illinois, in 1850, and engaged in the mercantile business until October, 1854, when he moved to Des Moines, Iowa, and was for a short time in the same business on Second street. He then engaged in the land business and subsequently in the marble business. In 1866 he was appointed Indian Agent for the Otoe and Missouri reservation in Gage county, Nebraska, and held that position until superseded by the Quaker policy of President Grant, when he again organized in business in Des Moines. Mr. Smith died on the 26th of May, 1874, from injuries received from being thrown from a carriage drawn by a runaway team. Mr. S. united with the Baptist Church at the early age of thirteen years, and continued a consistent and active member of that denomination to the time of his death. He was widely known among the Baptists of Central Iowa, and was generally in attendance at their annual associations. He was a man of unusual energy, active and earnest in all his undertakings. Five children survive him: Three girls, and Hiram Y. Smith, formerly District Attorney, and Ed. L. Smith, at present and for seven years last past Deputy Sheriff of Polk county. SMITH, HIRAM Y.-Was born at Piqua, Miami county, Ohio, on the 22d day of March, 1843, moved with his father, John L. Smith, to Rock Island, Illinois, in 1850, and from thence to Des Moines, Iowa, in October, 1854. Was appointed captain's clerk in the United States navy, in January, 1862, but subsequently resigned and was appointed to a clerkship in the dead letter office of the post office department at Washington. From thence Mr. Smith was promoted to a clerkship in the office of the Secretary of the Treasury. In May, 1866, he graduated at the Law School at Albany, New York, and immediately returned to Des Moines and entered upon the practice of law, a member of the firm of Ingersoll & Smith. He has continued since in the practice of his profession and is now a member of the firm of Smith & Morris. Mr. S. was master of Pioneer Lodge No, DES MOINES. 869 22, A. F. & A. M. of Des Moines in 1874, and was Grand Master of the Grand Council of Royal and Select Masons of Iowa for two terms, from October, 1872, to October, 1874. He was District Attorney of the Fifth judicial district of Iowa, consisting of Polk, Warren, Madison, Adair, Guthrie and Dallas counties, from 1875 to 1879. He was married to Susan Smiley, of Piqua, Ohio, April 10, 1873. SNEER, GORGE-Was born in Washington county, Maryland, on the 3d day of May, 1835. His father died before his birth, and his mother was again married to Dr. F. C. Grimmel, by whom he was principally raised. From Maryland he was taken to Ohio, and in October, 1846, came with his family to Des Moines, and where for thirty-four years he has been so closely identified with all its interests. In early life he was engaged in agricultural pursuits, and in later years has held many important offices, among them member of the city council, in 1861; city clerk, in 1869; street commissioner, in 1870; member of the city council, in 1876; and mayor of the city in 1878-79; and as an officer has been fortunate in every capacity in which he has served and has made a good record, and his administration while mayor was characterized by efficiency and economy, and such as has recommended him to the hearty approval of the taxpayers and residents of the city. He was married November 23, 1856, to Miss Pauline E. Rein, a native of Baden, Germany. They have two children: George S. and Minnie E. SOULES, R. B.-Of the firm of Soules & Fleming, proprietors of the Utica Clothing Store. Was born in Oneida county, New York, August 19, 1824, and was there raised. Was educated in the common schools, and has followed mercantile pursuits most of his life. In 1854 he opened a general store in Oneida county, which he kept about three years and also began the manufacture of sheeting, cotton-wadding and paper. There he remained until 1875, when he sold out his interests and commenced the clothing trade at Utica, New York. He came to this city in .March, 1877, and opened the celebrated Utica Clothing House, of which he still remains the head. They keep none but fine goods and enjoy an excellent trade, as they treat all alike and sell the goods for what they are worth. He was married March 3, 1847, to Miss Satira Bessey, a native of Oneida county, New York. She died January 19, 1856, leaving one child, D. D. Was married again, January 4, 1860, to Miss Mary A. Shaw, also a native of Oneida county, New York. They have no children. SPOFFORD, S. F.-Was born in Jeffrey, Cheshire county, New Hampshire, May 11, 1808, and is the son of Abner Spofford and Betsey, nee Litch, both natives of New Hampshire. His father was a blacksmith and miller, and young Spofford, during his minority, was engaged a part of the time in "blowing and striking," as mill-boy and on the farm. In 1824. he removed to Tecumseh, Michigan, and engaged in agricultural pursuits. In the Spring of 1830 he drove the first stage that ever went west of Tecumseh. He bought a farm in 1839 and lived upon it until 1840, when, upon account of his wife's illness, he moved into the village of Tecumseh. While there he was elected constable, and during the following twelve years he held the offices of Sheriff, Deputy-Sheriff and United States Marshall of Lenawee county. In 1851 he became conductor on the Michigan Southern & Northern Indiana Railroad, between Toledo and Chicago, which position he held until 1855. In September of that year he moved to Des Moines, Iowa, and on the 16th of October next he purchased an undivided 870 BIOGRAPHICAL. half interest in the "Des Moines House." The following 10th of June he purchased the other half and continued to run the hotel until 1862. During his residence in this city he has held many offices of trust and honor, being elected mayor of the city in the spring of 1864. He was one of the Directors of the State Agricultural Society for twelve years, and afterward served as Vice-President two years and President of the same society for 1877-8. He was Director and Treasurer of the City School Board for six years, and April 1, 1870, was commissioned by Governor Samuel Merrill, a member of the Iowa Centennial Board of Commissioners and served on the executive committee of both boards. For many years he was a director of the Citizens' National Bank of Des Moines. April 20, 1836, he married Miss Emeline E. Bixby, daughter of David and Laura Bixby, of Adrian, Michigan. She was born in Middlebury, Massachusetts, November 15, 1814, and died at Des Moines, July 17, 1878. To them three children, one son and two daughters, were born: Charles S. (born in Tecumseh, Michigan, October 10, 1837, died January 16th, 1872); Ellen E. (born in Adrian, May 14, 1845, died August 30, 1845); and Laura E. (born in Adrian, December 5; 1847, died August 25, 1849). STEELE, DR. B. L.-Was born in Belmont county, Ohio, January 9, 1816, and was raised there until 1832, and his early life was divided between attending school and working on a farm. At the age of sixteen he commenced the study of medicine, and in 1852 came to Iowa and settled in Hartford, Warren county, and in 1861 came to this county and has since continued the practice of his profession. He married Miss Mary Carter, in 1844. She was born in Belmont county, Ohio. STEWART, J. B.-Among the pioneer settlers of what is now the prosperous State of Iowa, and one who has witnessed the growth of Des Moines from a town of a few houses to one of the leading and most important cities of the State, is the subject of this sketch, who was born in St. Charles, Missouri, on the 2d day of August, 1821, and is the son of Abram Stewart and Emily, nee Ayers. The former was born in Vermont and the latter is a native of Ohio. His father was a physician, who received an appointment as surgeon in the United States army, and in 1805 was stationed at St. Louis. His mother preceded his father a year or two at this place and was present when the Spanish surrendered the place to the French, previous to the United States acquiring title. Dr. Stewart was wounded by the Indians in 1814 on his way to the river Prairie du Chien. Young Stewart's boyhood, until fourteen years of age, was spent principally in Pike and Marion counties, Missouri. In 1835 he came to what is now Lee county, then a part of Michigan Territory, and lived there under three Territorial Governments previous to Iowa being admitted as a State. Mr. Stewart was a reader of the Dubuque Visitor, the first paper published in the State. Until 1853 his time had been occupied in agricultural pursuits combined with a mercantile experience, and in that year he came to Des Moines as an employee of the United States Land Office. He has since that time been a resident of the county and has been closely identified with its interests. He married Miss Dora McKay in 1861. She is a native of Wyoming county, New York. Their family consists of four children: Mary, Cecil McK., Dora and Emily. STEWART, WILLIAM R.-Was born in Lee county, Iowa, October 29,1853, where he passed the years of youth, and where he received the first lessons in commercial business under the watchful eye of his father, DES MOINES. 871 William R. Stewart, Sr., one of the first and for many years the leading business man of Southeastern Iowa. While yet a mere youth he became connected with his father and brothers in the well known firm of W. R. Stewart & Co. In 1877 the sons sold their interest in the business to the father and senior member of the firm. From 1877 to 1880 the subject of this sketch held the responsible position of traveling agent for the firm of Pitkin & Brooks, of Chicago, dealers in crockery, glassware, etc. Though holding a most desirable and lucrative position, Mr. Stewart did not design to continue the employment of his energies in the interest of another house when there was such an inviting field as Des Moines for the establishment of a house of his own. In May, 1880, he opened out at the corner of Fifth and Locust streets, numbers 419, 421, 423, Des Moines, a wholesale crockery-house. Though of but three months standing the house has already acquired a wide-spread reputation and is now doing a large and remunerative business. Mr. Stewart was married August 14, 1875, to Miss Carl Berte Little. She was a native of New Hampshire, daughter of William Little, Esq., of Littleton, New Hampshire, whose ancestors were the first settlers of that State. Mrs. Stewart died September 9,1876. STEWART, L. A.-Was born in Lee county, Iowa, June 10, 1855 where he spent his youth and early manhood. He took a regular course of studies at the Iowa Wesleyan University, located at Mt. Pleasant, Iowa. His father, William R. Stewart, Sr., was one of the early merchants of the State, who, by uniting industry, with rare business sagacity, achieved an enviable reputation in the various business circles which came within the range of his influence. It was in his father's store that the subject of this sketch received the first lessons in business. At the age of fourteen he commenced business for himself, when, in 1869, he went to Hopeville, Clark county, Iowa, and engaged in an extensive general merchandise business, in which he continued for about one year. In 1870 he came to Des Moines, where his father had in the meantime located and engaged with the latter in business. In 1878 he established a wholesale oil store. This was the first oil jobbing house established in the Capital City and still remains the only one. It is one of the leading houses of the city and Central Iowa. It has full control of the oil market throughout a large region of country. Every barrel of oil which is shipped to Des Moines is ordered through this house. Mr. Stewart is a natural born business man and his experience has well fitted him to compete successfully with the shrewdest and most active business men. Though yet young in years he has a record which would do credit to one who has attained a fullness of years. STEWART, ADRIAN S.-Was born in Lee county, Iowa. He early entered his father's store, where he received a thorough and practical business education. He was in the employ of his brothers, L. A. and W. R. Stewart, until 1880, when he established the business which he now controls. His establishment is located on the corner of Fifth and Locust streets. He is a wholesale dealer in pocket-cutlery, scissors, shears, razors, etc. In connection with his two brothers, who likewise have been engaged in business in Des Moines, he has been succeeding far beyond his most sanguine expectations. The father, William R. Stewart, Sr., elsewhere alluded to as a prominent business man of many years standing, was born in Athens county, Ohio, March 11, 1819, where he was raised and resided until he was twenty-one years of age, when he removed to West Point, 872 BIOGRAPHICAL. Lee county, Iowa. Upon locating in Iowa he entered into the general merchandise business in partnership with his father, Col. William Stewart, who is now a resident of Fort Madison. Col. Stewart, the grandfather, was a veteran of the war of 1812, where he achieved a good reputation as an efficient officer. The great grandfather was a soldier of the Revolutionary war, and as a veteran of that great conflict made a record of which his descendants may well be proud. The subject of this sketch is the youngest son and head of the wholesale cutlery house. His splendid business education and natural adaptations for his chosen life work are sufficient guaranties of success. SWOPE, HENRY H.-Blacksmith. Was born September 11,1828, in Clermont county, Ohio, and was raised in Ross county, although he served his apprenticeship in the former county. He spent his 'younger years at journey work, having been engaged in the same at different points. He came to Des Moines in May, 1855, where he has since resided. During the war he served as a member of company B, Twenty-third Iowa infantry, enlisting August 1, 1862, and serving until August, 1865, when his regiment was mustered out of the service. After being honorably mustered out of the service he returned to Des Moines and at once engaged in business on the East Side. He was united in marriage in 1868, to Melissa M. Simmons. She died June 6, 1877, in Des Moines, leaving one child, J. S.