More Carroll County Biographies

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B

BENNETT BANK

This banking institution was established April 14, 1899 with a capital stock of $20,000.00 and responsibility of over $50,000.  The present bank building was built in the summer of 1896 and was first occupied by the bank in October of that year.  It is located on Main and 3rd streets and the building is one of the finest in the town.  The firs floor is occupied by the bank and the basement floor which is built half above ground with concrete floor is occupied by the Monitor printing office.

Mr. A. T. Bennett the president of the institution is well known in Carroll county.  He was born in Mendon, Mass. October 8, 1855 and moved to this county in 1869.  For the past fifteen years Mr. Bennett has been engaged in the banking business and his profession as a lawyer.  He has always been identified with he business interest of his town as one of its most enterprising and liberal minded citizens.

Mr. W. F. Carpenter the cashier is also well known in Manning and the county generally.  He is a gentlemen of conservative methods and shrewd business capabilities and the interest of depositors are in safe hands when placed in his care.

The new bank is enjoying a very prosperous business and is fast becoming one of the leading financial institutions of Carroll county.

M. W. Beach

Mr. M. W. Beach was born in La Grange, Cass county, Michigan, Aug. 27 1844.  At the age of five years he became an orphan an says like "Topsy," "Just Growed." He had to shift for himself and acquired most of the education he had by study at night and other times when he could get time.  Never the less he succeeded in getting sufficient education to place him on an equal footing with the majority of young men of the time who had much better opportunities.  He spent several year in knocking about the world and upon reaching manhood was fully capable of taking care of himself.

In 1865 he came in Carroll county and settled at Glidden.  While her he was always holding some office in connection with the schools.  In 1875 he was elected county superintendent and filled the office very creditably.  His admission to the bar was a surprise to himself as well as his friend.  He had read law simply as a pastime while running a drug store in Glidden and took the examination just to see how he stood and passed a better examination that most of the students who were before the same board.  He soon had such a practice that he had to give up his drug business.  In 1883 Mr. Beach came to Carroll and since then has been one of her leading citizens.  He was mayor for one term in the early 90's.  He is regarded as the strongest lawyer in the county and has a large practice.  He served as a soldier with Co. "I" Michigan Sharp Shooters.

THOMAS F. BARBEE

Among the men who have been instrumental in making Carroll one of the best towns in the state, is Thomas Barbee who spent twenty-five years of his life here, and during that period of time has been always at the head of every move that was likely to add to the prosperity of the city. Every town that has made a success is largely indebted to a few such public spirited men who are always ready to devote their time and energies to the matters that the general public is likely to neglect in their pursuit after private gain.

Mr. Barbee brought a large fortune with him to Carroll and this enabled him to do much that other men would have failed in, and he never seemed to count the cost to himself. If he believed anything that he was asked to lend a hand might benefit Carroll. He is a lawyer of wide learning and has always had a large practice. He has been mayor of Carroll four different terms, and has held nearly every other position of trust that the town could give him and in every place called has never failed in doing his duty. He was one of the promoters of the First National Bank and principal stockholder but sold out as soon as the enterprise was on its feet. Many of the leading business blocks were built with his money and under his care. In later years he has been largely interested in mining through the west.

Mr. Barbee comes of one of the oldest families of Kentucky and one that has produced many illustrious men. He is a cousin of Vice-president Stevenson, and is as strong a Democrat as he. Mr. Barbee is a graduate of Harvard College and a man of wide learning. He is one those men who attach men to them by their personality. Born and bred in the south, he still preserves the congenial manners of the Southern gentleman.

He ran for congress in 1882 against Isaac Stroble but of course belonging to the minority party failed to be elected, although he polled a vote much above the general ticket.

Mr. Barbee is a widower, his wife having died in ?, and he has no children. He is a man well advanced in years and has partially retired from active business, although he still does as much as the ordinary run of much younger men.

This sketch transcribed by: Sandra Carter IAGENWEB volunteer

Dr, Barker's Dentists Office

William H. Badeau

Photo and beginning missing

was more fortunate than many young men resorting to great cities in that he was successful is arranging residence with the proprietor in his own home in Brooklyn. He became at once actively interested in Sunday School choir and church work at the Presbyterian Church, Brooklyn Heights, whose pastor was Rev. Ichabod S. Spencer. D. D.. author of “A Pastor’s Sketches” and other works. After seven years passed in the business house, and very delightful home of G. S. Ely, Mr. Badean arranged connection with the renowned firm of E. & H. T. Anthony & Co., No. ? Broadway, New York, manufacturers, importers, publishers and wholesale dealers in every class of photographic requisites.

Transferring now his residence to the Seventh Ward, New York City (at that time a pleasant quarter), and making as his Church home the Allen Street Presbyterian, Rev. W. W. Newell. D. D., pastor, was afterward elected a member of its Board of Trustees. Mr. Badeau was at this time a member of the Twenty-second Regiment, New York City, which was ordered to temporary service in Pennsylvania, at the time of the Battle of Gettysburg, and at the same time he volunteered to put a man in the army at his own cost of several hundred dollars.

At one stage during those troublous war times, Mr. Badeau served the United States Government credentialed, to-wit:

Bearer of Dispatches

Legation of the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,

At London,

To all whom theses presents shall come, Greetings;

KNOW YE, that the bearer hereof.

William H. Badeau

In proceeding to France, bearing Dispatches from this Legation to the United States Legation at Paris.

Those are, therefore, to request all whom it may concern to permit him to pass freely without let or molestation and to extend to him such friendly aid and protection as would be extended to Citizens and Subjects of Foreign Countries resorting to the United States bearing Dispatches.

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I, CHARLES FRANCIS ADAMS, Envoy Extraordinary, and Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States of America, at London have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of this Legation to be affixed this Twenty-third day of April. A. D. 1862 and of the Independence of the United State, the 86^th.

Signed Charles Francis Adams

The business of E. & H. T. Anthony & Co. became a rapidly increasing one, and had for its field every State in the Union, the Canada's, Mexico, West Indies, Central America, South America, Australia, Europe, and even China. At this juncture, and as showing the then course of events, we copy from a little historical brochure issued by E. & H. T. Anthony & Co. not long since:

“After a time these gentlemen found it impossible to look after all the interests of the firm, and Wm. H. Badeau, after being associated with the Brothers Anthony for several years, was admitted to the firm, and became the representative of the house in Europe.”

Mr. Badeau made many voyages across the water both before and after the formation of the co-partnership. By the way, one crossing was by the monster steamship “Great Eastern,” which was one-eighth of a mile in length. It was a smooth August trip, eighteen hundred merry-making souls being on board.

It soon became necessary that Mr. Badeau should remain permanently abroad, and he accordingly established his residence by turns at the capitals of the Old World – Vienna, Berlin, Paris and London making occasional tours through Italy, Austria, Germany and France, also through all parts of the United Kingdom: and in midsummer (for recreation) the Orkney and Shetland Islands.

While residing at the Austrian capital and during the Vienna Exhibition, Mr. Badeau his firm co-operating set his heart upon and addressed himself arduously to the capturing, in that international contest of the “Medal of Progress.” There was only one prize medal of this rank, and that was to be competed for by the wide world.

After the close of the World’s Fair he shipped part of his exhibit from Vienna to London, and entered it at the annual exhibition of British Photographers. As setting forth the outcome of his efforts to carry off honors at Vienna, we quote from the “British Journal of Photography” of October 31, 1873, a part of its serial critique upon that autumn exhibition, viz:

“And that of all let us accord a hearty welcome to a firm as well known in this country as it is in America, we mean that of Messrs. E. and H. T. Anthony & Co., of New York – a firm which, although young so far as mere years are concerned seeing that it has only recently entered upon its fourth decade, is yet as old as it can possibly be finding as we do that it dates from the introduction of photography in 18?3. This establishment is so ? in its extent and ramifications as to occupy 40,000? square feet of floor room, and its industries are so numerous and varied as to necessitate the services of 200? skilled work people and 40 warehouse men. We are glad to see so eminent a firm contributing to our annual collection of pictures, knowing what personal power they possess in securing American representation: for much is gained in many ways by the international advances toward each other of two great nations so intimately connected in lineage and language, thus promoting the mutual interchange of whatever is exceptional and valuable in the pursuit of our art-science as practiced in both the Old and New Worlds. Let us hope that through the friendly agency of this, the largest photographic firm in the world and through the cordial services of Mr. William H. Badeau, the English resident partner. American photography will hence forth be adequately represented at our annual exhibition. It is fitting that we should here remind our readers that the senior member of this great firm, Mr. Edward Anthony, has generously offered $500 in prizes to be contested for in February next and as the artistic encounter is an international one, we urge upon the photographers of the United Kingdom to commence the preparation of such works as will enable our trans-Atlantic brethren to see that, although the progressive proclivities of their nation have secured for the firm to which we have referred the only and much ? “Medal of Progress” awarded at the Vienna Exhibition, yet, that Englishmen will retaliate by wresting from our American friends of they can the magnificent prizes offered by Mr. Edward Anthony.  We should have been please to have seen the Medal of Progress sent to England: but as the fates or jurors otherwise decided it only remains for us to congratulate the fortunate recipient of this coveted awarded."

During his whole stay abroad whether in visit or in residence Mr. Badeau was the foreign contributor to the columns of "Anthony's Photographic Bulletin" over the non-de-plume "Viator."

Fifteen years with the firm of E. & H. T. Anthony & Co., he after a much varied and exceedingly pleased experience and having acquired a competency retired from the firm.  The portrait accompanying this sketch is a copy of the photographic souvenir made on that occasion.

Personally Mr. Badeau is a gentleman of simple habits, cultured, well educated, lover of science, research art.  To his tastes the whole co-partnership career was contributive bringing him into hand and hand intimacy with Art of both worlds.

Relinquishment of the hustling activities form installation of appreciations for the fruitions of Post Commercial Relations Pleasure travel the diversified diversions and numerous private affairs have made his life since retiring one of busy leisure he residing by turns in  Europe, New York City, State of Iowa and the Counties of Schoharie, Rockland and Duchess in New York State.  Mr. Badeau has many interests in the West.  He is a member of the Board of Directors and Vice-President of the First National Bank of Glidden, Iowa.

^{(Transcribed By: Sandra Carter IAGENWEB volunteer)}
 

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