Polk Co. IAGenWeb

ENSIGN, C. W. — Livery and sale stable. The pioneer in this line of business in Des Moines is the subject of this sketch, who was born in Sara toga county, New York, on the 23d day of December, 1813, and was raised in this and Essex county. His father was a merchant and lumber manu facturer of considerable prominence and the son assisted his father in the store as well as in the more laborious duties pertaining to lumber manu facturing and marketing the same. After attaining his majority he contin ued to reside in Essex county and during his residence was elected High Sheriff of the county and served nine years. He became impressed with the favorable opportunities offered in the West for business, and, in 1859, emigrated to Iowa and settled in Des Moines and engaged in his present business, in which he has been eminently successful. He was married in December, 1837, to Miss Harriet Tarbell, a native of Vermont. Their family consists of three children: Edgar T., a promising attorney of Colo rado, and prominently identified in mining interests; Frances, now Mrs. John Lynde; and George F., associated with his father in business.