My Genealogy Hound

Caleb D. Agnew, a prominent photographer of Creston, has attained a degree of skill and proficiency in his chosen calling that has secured for him a gratifying and well merited patronage. He was born in Licking county, Ohio, in 1871. His father, Samuel Agnew, was a native of the Buckeye state and was of Scotch-Irish ancestry. He devoted his life to farming and in 1876 removed from Ohio to Illinois, and a year later became a resident of Spaulding, Iowa. In 1886 he removed to Creston and is now living in Des Moines, at the age of sixty-four years. He enlisted for service in the Civil war but was never called out for active duty. His political views have been in accord with the principles of the republican party since he attained his majority. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Almira De Muth, was born in Ohio, and is now living in Creston, at the age of sixty-two years. She is of German descent and a sister of Mr. De Muth, a prominent shoe merchant of Chicago. She belongs to the United Presbyterian church and the many good qualities which she has displayed in her life have gained for her warm esteem. In the family were three sons, the brothers of our subject being: Frank, a clothing merchant of Creston; and Joseph, a music dealer of Des Moines.

Caleb D. Agnew, the youngest, attended the country schools and afterward continued his education in the public schools of Creston. On putting aside his text-books he entered the photographic gallery of S. C. Burgess, in St. Joseph, Missouri, and after having thoroughly mastered the art in principle and detail, gaining comprehensive knowledge of all the photographic work connected therewith, he established a studio in Creston in 1897 and is now the leading photographer of the city. He has a well equipped gallery, supplied with all modern appliances for carrying on the work and he has kept in touch with the latest improved methods in the photographic art.

In 1893 Mr. Agnew was married to Miss Daisy Vickers, who was born in Afton, Iowa, in 1875, a daughter of Nathan and Sarah Vickers. Her father was in early life a cabinet maker and afterward became a carpenter and contractor. In search of gold he went to Pike’s Peak, making the journey across the country with an ox-team. He is now living in Creston. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Agnew have been born three children, of whom the eldest is deceased, the others being Mervyn and John.

Mr. Agnew is a Master Mason, thoroughly in sympathy with the teachings and tenets of the craft. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and he is always loyal to its interests but has never sought nor desired public office. He belongs to the Photographer’s Association of Iowa and does all in his power to promote the interests of the art, while his advancement in the profession has given him prestige as a leading photographer of this part of the state.