H. B. Betty Biography >From "History of Davenport and Scott County" Vol. II by Harry E. Downer-S. J. Clarke Publishing Co. 1910 Chicago. Surnames: Betty, LeClaire, Crampton, Littig Few men are more prominently before the public in Davenport than H. B. Betty, an able lawyer and one of the most prominent workers for civic reform and progress. Believing that the same honesty should be maintained in public affairs as in private life and that as rigid integrity should be maintained in the execution of the duties of public office as in the conduct of business affairs, he has labored persistently, earnestly and effectively in opposition to all lawbreaking methods, which in previous years existed unrestrained in Davenport. He has accomplished much and the city owes to him a debt of gratitude for what he has done. The birthplace of H. R. (sic) Betty was a farmer in Rock Island county, Illinois, and his natal day May 31, 1874. His father, James W. Betty, was born in County Fermanagh, Ireland, and in his youthful days came to the United States with his father, John Betty, the voyage being made in a sailing vessel. They landed in New Orleans and, proceeding up the river, settled in Rock Island county, Illinois, where the grandfather purchased a farm of six hundred and forty acres. He became a man of affairs in that locality and his son, James W. Betty, in the course of time was equally prominent. He, too, followed agricultural pursuits and remained a resident of Rock Island county until 1898, when he removed to Davenport and purchased the old Joe Le Claire place, which he now occupies. At present he is living retired but for a number of years was president of a paper mill concern at Milan, Illinois. He married Anna Crampton, a native of Brooklyn, New York, and of Irish parentage. He has! never been a politician nor has he sought to figure prominently in any public light. He was educated at Danville College in Kentucky and throughout the greater part of his life has been extensively engaged in farming and stock-raising. He has only consented to put aside his business cares at rare intervals when called to township offices but for more important service has had no inclination, preferring always to concentrate his time and energies upon his business interests. He is a man of liberal education and upright character, whose life is in harmony with the teachings of the Presbyterian church, in which he and his family hold membership. H. B. Betty is the eldest of three sons and two daughters. His education was acquired at Milan, Illinois, after which he engaged in teaching in Rock Island County for two years. Subsequently he attended the Northern University at Valparaiso, Indiana, in which he spent four years, pursuing a collegiate course. He also studied law at Valparaiso and in the Chicago Law School, being graduated from the latter with the class of 1898. He then commenced practice in Davenport and was for three years in partnership with Victor Littig. On the expiration of that period he removed to Beaumont, Texas, where he practiced for three years, and while there became actively and deeply interested in politics. He was the candidate for county judge on the republican ticket and made a strong canvass on a reform ticket, exposing graft which was proving so detrimental to the best interests of that locality. Notwithstanding the democratic party has always been one of superior numbers in that locality! , he ran far ahead of his ticket and only lost by 300 votes. He received the support of the great majority of democrats who are public-spirited and fair-minded citizens and was also supported by the democratic press. He has ever been found on the side of clean politics and against graft and lawbreaking. He believes in a governmental policy that shall be burglary protection and at all times has stood in opposition to misrule in public affairs and in support of every project tending to bring about an honest administration. His father's interests caused him to return to Davenport and in 1908 he was joined by his brother Frank, who had graduated from the Michigan State university at Ann Arbor, in the organization of the present partnership that exists under the firm style of Betty & Betty. This firm represents the civic federation of Scott county which was organized in 1907 to prevent the violation of law by saloon keepers. Mr. Betty commenced work in February, 1908, at which time saloons were running in open violation of the law. He at once made vigilant warfare on such and has so continued to the present time with the result that there has been a great change in conditions, every saloon now complying with the strict letter of the law. When he began his work there was open gambling everywhere-a condition that is now unknown. In this time Mr. Betty has prosecuted one hundred and fifty suits against saloon keepers and, although his witnesses were mobbed and every known means used to defeat the l! aw he has won success. Davenport has, therefore, ceased to be known as a "wide open town in everything the term implies," and now there is no cleaner or more law-abiding city. His efforts have, indeed, been widespread benefits, for he stands as the champion of all that is righteous and just in municipal government, and as the years have gone by his firm purpose and practical methods have gained for him the endorsement of a large number of those who seek municipal virtue as well as private honor and integrity. ~~~~~~*~~~~~~ Elaine Rathmann Assist. CC: Scott Co, IA USGenWeb Project List Adm. for: *IA-CIVIL-WAR *IA-DANES