Walter I. Smith, a prominent lawyer of Council Bluffs, was born in this City on the 10th of July, 18§2, a son of George Francis and Sarah H. (Forrest) Smith, early settlers of Council Bluffs, where the father carried on business as a contractor and builder for many years. During his boyhood Walter I. Smith attended the public schools of this city, graduating from the Council Bluffs high school in 1878, and for a part of the following year he was a student at Park College in Missouri. He then taught school in Pottawattamie county from the spring of 1880 until the summer of 1881, when he commenced the study of law in the office of Colonel D. B. Dailey and was admitted to the bar in December, 1882. He began practice at once in partnership with his former preceptor, Colonel Dailey, and this connection continued until May, 1885, after which he was alone for two years. In 1887 he formed a partnership with Hon. J. E. F. McGee, a relation that was maintained until Mr. McGee was elected superior judge of Council Bluffs in the spring of 1890.

In July, 1890, he was united in marriage to Miss Effie Marie Moon, and to them have been born four children, all of whom are still living, namely: Howard Forrest, Barbara, Grace Marian and Malcolm Alan. Mr. Smith is a member of various fraternal organizations. He has taken all of the York rite degrees of Masonry; is a Noble of the Mystic Shrine; and a member of the Order of the Eastern Star; the Independent Order of Odd Fellows; the Knights of Pythias; the Royal Arcanum; the Ancient Order of United Workmen; the Modern Woodmen of America; and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.

Recognizing his worth and ability, Mr. Smith has been called to various official positions of honor and trust. He was elected judge of the fifteenth judicial district of Iowa, composed of the counties of Shelby, Audubon, Pottawattamie, Cass, Montgomery, Mills, Fremont and Page, to which Harrison was subsequently added. He was re-elected in 1894 and 1898, but resigned on the 1st of September, 1900, to accept the republican nomination for congress in the ninth district of Iowa, composed of Harrison, Shelby, Audubon, Guthrie, Pottawattamie, Cass, Adair, Mills and Montgomery counties. He was elected to fill a vacancy in the fifty-sixth congress and was elected a member of the fifty-seventh, fifty-eighth, fifty-ninth and sixtieth congress.

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He has served on the committee to investigate hazing at the West Point Military Academy; also the committee on banking and currency; on elections i and is now in 1907 a member of the committee on appropriations.

Dr. C. H. Read, an active and successful member of the dental profession, practicing in Avoca, where he is also filling the position of postmaster, was born in Ogden, Iowa, on the 20th of August, 1875. His parents were Herbert R. and Cora (Ring) Read. The father was born in Utica, New York, in 1842, and when eight years of age accompanied his parents on their removal to Wales, that state, where he was reared, his early education being supplemented by a course of study in the normal school. After winning a state certificate he began his career as a teacher and followed that profession for a number of years. He afterward spent some time as a commercial traveler and later engaged in mercantile business on his own account in partnership with his brother, Elgene Read, in Wales, New York. After carrying on the store for some time he sold his interest to his brother in 1872 and came to Iowa, settling near Ogden, where he engaged in farming. He made purchase of three hundred and twenty acres of good land, which he cultivated and improved, his time and energies being devoted to active farm labor for fourteen years. In 1886 he took up his abode in Ogden, where he established a lumber business, conducting the same with goodly success until 1900, when he retired from active commercial life. Removing to Avoca, he purchased a small farm of forty acres adjoining the town and has since given his time here to the raising of Duroc Jersey hogs. This has proven a very successful venture, as have his other business interests in life, and as the years have gone by his labors have enabled him to enjoy many of the comforts and some of life's luxuries. A stalwart republican in politics, he has never been an aspirant for public honors nor office, yet has held some minor positions in the township, to which he has been called by his fellow townsmen, while in the local councils of his party his opinions have proved an influencing factor. An earnest and consistent Christian gentleman, he is an active worker in the Methodist Episcopal church and for many years was superintendent of the Sunday school. For a long period he was also a member of the official board of the church and his labors have been far-reaching and effective in promoting its welfare and growth. Unto him and his wife have been born three sons: Professor William B. Read, who fills the chair of mathematics in Simpson College at Indianola, Iowa; C. H., of this review and Dr. Ervin C. Read, a practicing dentist of Oakland, this county.

Dr. Read, of Avoca, was reared under the parental roof and in the public schools of Ogden acquired his early education, which was supplemented by study in Simpson College in the spring of 1893. He afterward attended the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago and from that city went east to Buffalo, New York, where he was employed in the mercantile store of his

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uncle, E. W. Read & Company, for one year. On the expiration of that period he returned to his native state and took up the study of dentistry, entering the dental department of the University of Iowa in the fall of 1894. In the fall of 1895 he became a student in the University of Pennsylvania at Philadelphia, where he spent one term, after which he again came to Iowa and for three years was engaged' in the practice of his profession in Ogden. In order to further perfect himself in his chosen field of labor, in the fall of 1899 he once more entered college as a student in the Northwestern University of Chicago, from which he was graduated in the class of 1900. He then came to Avoca and on the 14th of May of that year opened his office for the practice of his profession. His skill soon gained him an extensive practice and he has since conducted a business which is constantly growing in volume and importance. His work is of a satisfactory character and he continued in active charge thereof until his appointment to the position of postmaster in September, 1906. Assuming the duties of this position, he placed his office in charge of his cousin, Dr. H. E. Read.

On the 5th of January, 1898, Dr. C. H. Read was married to Miss Lilly S. Williams, of Ogden, Iowa, and unto them have been born two children, Cora Lilly and Florence Charlotte. Dr. Read is a republican and for two years has served as clerk of Knox township, Pottawattamie county. He belongs to Mount Nebo lodge, No. 297, A. F. & A. M., served for two years as its master, and in 1906 was junior grand deacon of the grand lodge of Iowa. He likewise affiliates with Raboni chapter, R. A. M., and with the Eastern Star, of which he has been worthy patron. He is also an Odd Fellow, holding membership in Avoca lodge, No. 220. He is regarded as one of the representative citizens of Avoca and in the position of postmaster is making a record equally creditable with that which he has made .as a member of the dental fraternity.

Soren Jensen Myrtue, architect and building contractor, occupies a prominent position in business circles of the city and his success is the public acknowledgment of his skill and ability in his chosen field of labor. He was born at Wester Hjermitslev, in the extreme northern part of Denmark. His father, Jens C. Sorensen Myrtue, born in the same place, September 13, 1826, still lives in his native country and has devoted his life to farming. The mother, Karen Marie (Jensen) Myrtue, was born at Wester Hjermitslev, June 23, 1832, and died in that country in June, 1881.

In the public schools of his native country Soren J. Myrtue pursued his preliminary education and afterward took a three years' course in a technical school in Denmark, completing courses in architecture and construction,

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thus becoming well trained for his life work. Coming to America he settled in Council Bluffs, February 12, 1890, and turned his attention to the business in which he is now engaged. He is widely known and has gained a most enviable reputation as an architect and contracting builder, and since 1894 he has been associated with his brother, J. J. Myrtue, their place of business being No. 30 South Fourth street. They employ on an average twenty men, with a payroll of three hundred and fifty dollars a week, their business having constantly increased in volume and importance until it is scarcely equalled by any in their line in the city. Many of the fine structures of the city are monuments to their skill and handiwork, and the firm bears an unassailable reputation for fidelity and reliability.

On the 22d of July, 1904, Mr. Myrtue was united in marri8.ge to Miss Ella Smith, of Council Bluffs, who was born near Macomb, Illinois, in 1867. Her father died when she was quite young and her mother died in Council Bluffs, in September, 1906. Both Mr. and Mrs. Myrtue have a wide acquaintance and the friendship of many with whom they have been brought in contact. He is a member of the Danish Brotherhood and is a stockholder in the building owned by that society. He lives at No. 384 Harrison street, where he owns a pleasant residence, and in addition to his business property he has an interest in several properties elsewhere in the city, from which he derives a good income. Throughout his life he has made good use of his opportunities, seeking in the field of unremitting diligence the chance for advancement, and his business rectitude, combined with his technical skill and practical methods, has, brought him a goodly measure of prosperity.

John Beno, deceased, was for many years prominently identified with the business interests of Council Bluffs, being at the head of the largest department store in the city. His early home was on the other side of the Atlantic, for he was born in Alsace, France, now a part of Germany, January 11, 1843, but was only seven years of age when he was brought to this country by his parents. The mother, however, died soon after coming to America.

The family home being established in St. Louis, the son there worked at anything he coul4 find to do for about six years. He then spent three years in St. Joseph, Missouri, where he was also variously employed, and in 1861 came to Council Bluffs. During the first year after his arrival here he made his home with a brother, who removed from the city on the expiration of that time and he then went to work for Mrs. W. D. Turner, at whose home he stayed. He had only been able to attend school at short intervals up to this time, and feeling the need of a better education, he entered night school. Through persistent and untiring effort he acquired a good practical education, which well fitted him for a business career in later years. In 1863 Mr. Beno made his home with H. C. McNutt and worked in a local express office. Later he entered the store of Johnson, Spratlan & Company, as salesman, and remained with

HISTORY OF POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY

that firm until July, 1866. For a short time he was in the employ of Foreman & Warner. The former eventually withdrew his interests from the firm and Mr. Beno resigned his position and formed a partnership with Mr. Foreman, conducting business under the firm style of Foreman & Beno. In August, 1879, Mr. Beno withdrew from the business and went to Portland, Oregon, to visit his father, brothers and sisters, but in the fall of 1880 he returned to Council Bluffs and opened a general store at No. 18 Main street and 17 Pearl street. Success attended his efforts from the start and to meet the growing demands of his trade he was obliged to move to larger quarters opposite the Grand Hotel, where he occupied five adjoining stores, three stories in height. In 1900 he purchased the building erected by Eiseman & Company, which is still occupied by his nephews, who are his successors in business. In 1901 the business was incorporated under the name of The John Beno Company and in 1902 Mr. Beno sold his interest to his nephews, the business being conducted under the original firm style. Of excellent business ability and sound judgment, Mr. Beno succeeded in establishing the largest department store in this section of the state, carrying an extensive stock of dry goods, clothing, millinery, etc., for which he found a ready market. Owing to ill health he retired from the business about four years prior to his death, but it is still carried on under his name, the present directors being Adolph F. Beno, Charles A. Beno, Lincoln R. Hypes, F. L. Ellis and W. F. Hypes, the last named being a resident of Chicago. In addition to an extensive wholesale and retail trade, they do a large mail order business and their stock is unexcelled by any similar establishment in this part of the country.

On the 4th of June, 1872, Mr. Beno was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth M. Robertson, of Little Sioux, Iowa, who had previously been a resident of Council Bluffs, and after her marriage her parents, William H. and Catherine Robertson, returned to this city, making their home with Mr. and Mrs. Beno throughout the remainder of their lives, Mr. Robertson having retired from business. Unto our subject and his wife were born five children, who are still living, namely: John, Donald, Grover, Elizabeth and Catherine, and with the family also resided Mr. Beno's two nephews, Charles A. and Adolph Beno.

After disposing of his interest in the store Mr. Beno practically lived retired though he gave his personal supervision to his property, but owing to a cancer he was forced to spend considerable time in the hospital. Death finally released him from his sufferings on the 13th of June, 1907, and the community mourned the loss of one of, its most valued and useful citizens.

He was a member of the Elks lodge but was not identified with any political organization, holding himself free to support the men whom he believed best qualified for office regardless of party lines. His business affairs were always conducted along the strictest principles of honor and integrity and through his own unaided efforts he worked his way upward to a position of affluence, but the most envious could not grudge him his, success, so worthily was it achieved. His business associates always spoke of him in terms of the highest praise. He was loyal in friendship and in his home was a loving

HISTORY OF POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY

and indulgent husband and father. Mrs. Beno is an earnest member of the Presbyterian church and a most estimable lady, who resides with her children at a beautiful home at No. 120 Frank street.

ALFRED A. LENOCKER.

Alfred A. Lenocker, with varied business interests, is accounted one of the most alert, energetic and prominent citizens of Oakland, where he owns and conducts a drug store. As the growth and prosperity of any community depends upon its business men, it is easily seen that Mr. Lenocker may well be termed one of the foremost resident of Oakland.

He was born in Holmes county, Ohio, in 1861, a son of Jacob Lenocker, a native of Switzerland, who is now living in Dexter, Iowa, at the age of seventy-five years. He was brought to the United States at the age of seven by his parents, who located on a farm in Holmes county, Ohio, and he was reared to agricultural life, which he chose for an occupation when he started out in business on his own account. For many years he carried on farming but is now living retired in Dexter. He dates his arrival in Iowa from 1869, at which time he took up his abode in Madison county, where he carried on the tilling of the soil and became prosperous. He was also a large cattle raiser and shipper and owned a farm, of four hundred and forty acres, which is one of the finest in the state. He belongs to the Odd Fellows society and gives his political allegiance to the democracy. He married Barbara Drushal, who was born in Pennsylvania and died in 1879 at the age of thirty-eight years. She was a member of the German Lutheran church. Their family numbered seven children, of wham four survive: Henry D., who follows farming at Fort Morgan, Colorado; Alfred A.; Mary E., the wife of J. J. Larky, a farmer of Oxford, Nebraska; and Carolyn S, the wife of R. H. Rankin, a stock raiser and buyer of Cambridge, Nebraska.

Alfred A. Lenocker was reared to farm life' and attended the country schools. In 1881, abandoning agricultural pursuits, he turned his attention to the drug business, entering a store in Dexter, in which he acquainted himself with pharmacy. In 1885 he removed to Oakland, where he established a store of his own and has since been successfully engaged in its conduct, his modern business methods and his well known reliability securing him a liberal patronage. He is, moreover, a stockholder and director of the Oakland Savings Bank and was the builder of the Lenocker Rural Telephone lines, which he built in 1901. He is likewise a stockholder in the Council Bluffs telephone exchange and the Harlan and Avoca exchanges and has acted as manager of the Oakland exchange. His property holdings embrace four hundred acres of land in Furnas county, Nebraska, and two hundred and forty acres in Yuma county, Colorado. His business interests are thus varied and extensive but the ability which enables him to readily solve intricate business problems qualifies him for the successful control of all these

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meat and fruit inspector, which position he is still filling, and in 1907 he was appointed by Governor Cummings assistant state veterinary.

Dr. Miller was married in 1891, in Kansas, to Miss Ida Roys, and they have three children: Russell T., Miss Marvel D. and Bernard C. Dr. Miller belongs to the Yeomen and to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is also connected with the Methodist Episcopal church. Although he was denied in youth many advantages which. ,most boys enjoy, owing to the fact that he lived upon the frontier, he has nevertheless made use of his opportunities and he has now attained to a position of prominence in his profession owing to the skill which he has acquired therein.