■ c. t I ■,•:■■ ;■.;»■■ Class r ^ 2 7_ Rook .L i J)(^ T^I-IE; BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD OF LINN COUNTY IOWA. /FEO. ^A people that take no pride in the noble achievements of remote ancestors zvill never achieve anything worthy to be remembered with pride by remote generations.'''' — Macaulay. CHICAGO: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co.mi'any. 1901. "* ''I •'• :.•••..'. . w . *0^ ^ \^ \^ PRBKACE. HE greatest of English historians, Macaulay, and one of the most brilliant writers of the present century, has said: "The history of a country is best told in a record of the lives of its people." In con- formity with this idea, the Biooraphicai. Record has been prepared. Instead of going to musty records, and taking therefrom dry statistical matter that can be appreciated by but few, our corps of writers have gone to the people, the men and women who have, by their enterprise and industry, brought this county to a rank second to none among those comprising this great and noble State, and from their lips have the story of their life struggles. No more interesting or instructive matter could be presented to an intelligent public. In this volume will be found a record of many whose lives are worthy the imitation of coming generations. It tells how some, commencing life in poverty, by industry and economy have accumulated wealth. It tells how others, with limited advantages for securing an education, have become learned men and women, with an influence extending throughout the length and breadth of the land. It tells of men who have risen from the lower walks of life to eminence as statesmen, and whose names have become famous. It tells of those in every walk in life who have striven to succeed, and records how that success has usually crowned their efforts. It tells also of many, very many, who, not seeking the applause of the world, have pursued the " even tenor of their way," content to have it said of them, as Christ said of the woman performing a deed of mercy — "They nave done what they could." It tells how many, in the pride and strength of young manhood, left the plow and the anvil, the lawyer's office and the counting-room, left every trade and profession, and at their country's call went forth valiantly " to do or die," and how through their efforts the Union was restored and peace once more reigned in the land. In the life of every man and of every woman is a lesson that should not be lost upon those who follow after. Coming generations will appreciate this volume and preserve it as a sacred treasure, from the fact that it contains so much that would never And its waj^ into public records, and which would otherwise be inaccessible. Great care has been taken in the compilation of the work, and every opportunity possible given to those represented to insure correctness in what has been written ; and the publishers Hatter themselves that they give to their readers a work with few errors of consequence. In addition to biographical sketches, portraits ot a number of representative citizens are given. The faces of some, and biographical sketches of many, will be missed in this volume. For this the publishers are not to blame. Not having a proper conception of the work, some refused to give the information necessary to compile a sketch, while others were indifferent. Occasionally some member of the family would oppose the enterprise, and on account of such opposition the support of the interested one would be withheld. In a few instances men never could be found, though repeated calls were made at their residence or place of business. June, 1901. The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co. "Biographg is the only true liistorg."— Emerson. ^ INDEZX:. PAGE Aborn, Orrin E 701 Achter, Henry J 430 Achter, \V. F 420 Akers, J 841 Aler, Philip 'Sb~ Allen, G. W 644 Allen, Eugene 940 Allison, James F 249 Anderson, John 862 Andre, Thomas 140 Armstrong, Samuel G 872 Armstrong. Thomas 262 Ash. Reuben 582 Ashby, John H 838 Atwood, John E 414 Averill, Frederick E 921 Baerthel, Julius E 379 Bailey, Henry M 246 Bailey, James 599 Bair, Joseph 34 Baird, Rev. A. K 455 Baker, Thomas 962 Ballard, Nathan U 512 Barger, John 877 Barger, William G 108 Barnes, Ira A .523 Barnhiil, Joseph 106 Bartlett, Mark E 863 Barry, James N 890 Bauman. S. H 965 Baxter, John O 511 Beck, Martin 101 Bedell, Elwood T 630 Beebe, Frank S 827 Beechley, Jesse 398 Beechley, Nathaniel K 71 Beitz, Julius 841 Berry, Addison A 881 Berry, Charles E 532 Berry, Robert 878 Berry, Walter H 977 Bessler, Charles L 907 Besler, Henry 910 Bertrand.Ur. J. G 130 Bever, James L 46 Bever, Sampson C 3f) Bever, John B . . . 66 Bever, George \V 56 Bliss, George C 12 Blodgett, Simeon 699 Bokorny, Frederick 862 Bolton, Malcolm V 169 Booth, Levi G 942 liorghart, Henry F 463 Bywman, Benjamin 41 Boxwell, Moses 359 PAGE Boyd, D. L 502 Bovson, George H 587 Brackett, Charles 133 Breneman, Amos 766 Bressler, Allen P 964 Breviier, Luther A 558 Broeksmit, John C 9 Broeksmit, Wm. F 973 Brock, Robert G 708 Bromwell, James E 793 Bromwell, James E 794 Brosh. J. W 672 Brown, Nicholas B 241 Brown, Mrs. Julia A 486 Brown, Frank J 772 Bruner, Simon P 801 Buchanan, William 450 Buck, Robert N 564 Bunger, Jacob D 199 Burd, Edwin, M. D 904 Burge, J. M 735 Burnett, Albert C 945 Burns, William 138 Burns, John H _. 503 Burnside, George W 738 Burt, L. W 817 Burton, Charles W 604 Buser, J. S 869 Butler, Charles F 554 Butler, Joseph S 624 Byers, William C 619 Caldwell, Joseph J 370 Camburn, Dr. Jacob H 116 Cameron, Samuel P 892 Carbee, John P 623 Carpenter, Taylor 924 Carpenter, Dr. George P 190 Carpenter, Washington B.... 156 Chamberlam. Elijah G 304 Champlin, William L 949 Christman, Leonard B 731 Christman, John 750 Churchill, George R 837 Clark, David... 376 Clark, Charles A 76 Clark, Frank G 403 Clark, Norman E 572 Clark, Cyril H 711 Clark, Oliver 641 Cleveland, E.I) 719 Cobban, George A 84 Cocljran, '/.. Taylor 331 Colyer, John. 417 Cone, John 20 Cook, Joseph S 476 Cook, William 839 PAGE Cooper, William 990 Coquillette, Abram C 864 Cordes, Christian 341 Cowan, Joseph S 247 Crocker, E. H 931 Crosby, James H 978 Crow, Edward M 694 Cutler, John B 718 Dacy, Cornelius 482 Dale, George 224 Dance, Major John 120 Davis, James 92 Davis, A. K 6,5 Davis, James H 673 Davis, George W 382 Davis, L. L 955 Davis, Thomas 664 Davis, Tuillar J 533 Deacon, Charles J 251 Deck, Thomas J 369 Denning, Joseph M 242 Devendorf, Thomas 567 Dewees, William P 589 Dickover, George L 381 Diehl, Amos 115 Donnan, W. J 939 Dows.Col. W. G 972 Dows, Stephen L 958 Doolittle, Elton E 983 Dudley, John C 546 Dumont, A. B 96 Dunlap, John 553 Durlin, William W 440 Durno, George L 571 Dusill, Joseph 83 Dye, Enoch B 150 Easterly, George H 975 Eastlack, Charles H 197 Ely, Dr. John F 676 Elliott, Johnston, Jr 874 Elson, Andrew 928 Elv, John S 927 Ellis, Robert ». . 654 Ellison, John 264 Emery, Charles W 215 Engstrom, John 59 Evans, Martin 948 Evans, Buel 720 Fairchild, Henry 570 Faulkes, Fred W 993 Fay, Davids 832 Fisher, Russell H 929 Fiske, Ferd B 937 Fitzgerald, John H 40T INDEX. PAGE Fleming, John A t{26 Fluckiger, Ernest J 713 Ford, Oscar P 835 Ford, James B 947 Fosberg, Dr. George E 306 Franchere, Alphonse 759 Franchere, Oscar J 770 Frederick, Frank \V 345 Fuessley, John H 557 Fulkerson, William A 991 Funk, Abram S 729 Gable, Abraham 344 Gable, John E 483 Gamble, William 75 Gard, William H 412 Gardner, Dr. John R 474 Garretson, Edwin 127 Gater, Walter 7f)3 Gauby, Benjamin 200 Geiger, Solomon P 988 Gilchrist, Lawrence 263 Gilchrist, .Martin 411 Gilchrist, Fred W filo Gilchrist, Frank 601 Gillespie, William M 198 Gillette, C. A 333 Gillilan, Nathan C 688 Gilliland, Samuel 444 Goodrich, John E 137 Gordon, Charles F 643 Gormly, William J 983 Gornily, Thomas A., D. D. S. . 986 Granger, Joseph 119 Graves, Joseph G 810 Gray, W. W 903 Green, Alfred F 775 Greene, George 667 Greene, William C 957 Greulich, F. A. H 930 Griffith, John W 613 Grimm, John M 739 Grissel, Joseph P 129 Grupe, George G 1511 Gunn, Rev. Thomas F 61 Hahn, Elias E 493 Hahn, Clarence E 25 Hale, H, S 113 Hall, Marcus M 275 Hall. Samuel McLain 889 Hallett, Solomon .M 423 Hamblin, Theodore 312 Hamilton, John T 86 Hamilton, William W 883 Hanna, 1. S 747 Harman, Samuel 911 Harrier, Adam ;^3 Harrison, William H 466 Hart, Jacob A 230 Hart, Thomas J 375 Harvey, Andrew J 624 Haskell, Willis G 492 Hawkins, E. J 757 Hayes, James D 42 Healy, Michael L '. 270 Heaton, Peter A 709 Hedges, George T 472 Heimer, J. F.^ 168 Henderson, Peter T 781 Henderson, John W 303 Henderson Peter G 8ti4 Henderson, Henry 814 Henderson, Thomas S26 Henderson, James 848 Higley, Harvev G -496 Hill, William L 956 Hocken, yenry 653 Hodgin,JohnE 612 Hoffman, Frederick 569 Hoffman, Lincoln F 804 Hoffman, James W 529 Hogle, Dr. George W 268 Hogle, Dr. Kate A. .M 269 Holbrook, Roval H 285 H ol land, John W 380 Holman, Jesse H 404 ^"Holubar, Anton 64 Hoyle, Thomas 608 Hubbard, Charles P 274 H udson, George H , 422 Hudson, Joel S 511 Hunter, Joseph... 389 Huston, Charles D 174 lehl, John 600 Ink, M. L .54 Isherwood, Thomas G 300 Ives. EJihu 815 Ives, John B 179 Ives, Charles John 901 Jackson, Stephen 609 Jackson, Mark S S47 lames, Samuel 652 Jeffries, Rev. E. W 670 Jensen, Charles H 358 Jones, W. A 45 Jones, Thomas 541 Johnson, J. \' 286 Johnson, Samuel S 373 Johnson, Therlow 443 Johnson, William H 899 Johnston, Eli 210 Jordan, Charles R 390 Jordan, Chandler 726 Kadgihn, Henry 882 Kafer, Philip H 873 Kaufman, .V. S 669 Kearns, John A 338 (Keller, Ephraim 6;i8 '- Kepler, Dr. Thomas S 225 Kepler, Conrad 328 ' Kepler, Peter H. H 69 Kepler, C. Howard 536 Kepler, Charles W 516 Keyes, Marsden 846 Kilborn, William Franklin 842 Kimball, Henry .... 576 Kimbro, John A 348 King, David W 741 Kirki)atrick, Robert 223 Kirkpatrick, James 520 Kirkpatrick, Ralph 311 Kirkpatrick, John M 295 Kleinknecht, Georgtf G 228 /~Knapp, James 560 I'.AtJE Knickerbocker, Edward H.... 884 Knickerbocker, William B.... 923 Kohl, Henry S . 178 Koutny, Joseph 746 Kozlovsky, Joseph 602<^ Kranier,'ii. B 451/ Kreischer, Charles 453 Krueger, Carl H 276 Kui'tz, Samuel A 100 Kurtz, C.H 914 Lake, George W 218 Lampman, Theodore D 421 Larrabee, Dr. Ladurnia 107 Laurance, Charles A 580 Lawler, James E 346 Leaf, J. Harold Ko9 Le Clere, Charles F 952 Le Clere, George t-55 Le Clere, Henry 664 Leigh, John B 887 Leonanl, John 728 Lewis, John 413 Lillie, Dr. Bertha S 203 Lilly, Joseph 327 Lockhart, John 849 Loomis, J. C. and C. C 294 Lord, Richard, !\L D 976 Lounsbury, Leonard F 155 Love, Dr. John S 456 Lozier, John H 690 Lusk, Rev. I. C 550 Lutz, Barnett 908 Main, Lewis P 310 Magnus, Christian 220 Mann, Stephen 318 Mann, Alva 360 Manchester, Dr. A. W 631 Mathes, Benjamin.. 145 Mathes, John Nicholas 180 McClenahan, Dr. David 60 McCutcheon, Lloyd >-68 McCullough, lohn A S91 McDuflf, Allah 343 McEniry, Charles 722 McHugh,John 72 McLaughlin, James H 217 McMillan, Horace G 30 McMullen, William H .549 McPartland, lames R 693 .Mc(2ueen, |. "C 989 McTavish, William D 9;J4 Meek, Charles W 782 .Mekota, loseph 3'io Merriditli. George H 936 Messer, »>hn Perlev . 102 Milholirf, I. W.....' 209 Miller. M'ilo .364 Miller, Clarence L 836 Mills, Mason P 365 M inot, .Vdair W 838 Mitchell, Edwin E 166 Mohn, John F .531 Mohn, George F. .5:J4 Mohn, Philip 544 .Mohn, John W 786 Monroe. William J 363 Moore, J. E 188 IXDEX. PAGE Moore, Wallace M 591 Moore, Calvin R 633 Moses, Richard A 317 Moses, W. \V 650 Mott, Kenry 913 Munn, George T 893 Munhdlland, Thomas E 879 Munger, Theodore C 968 Murray, John E 754 Murray, Charles P 392 Murray, Andrew K 592 Murphy, John 43 Mutchler, Joseph 316 Nash, Isaac 578 Neal, Henry E 433 Neal, Elmer D 408 Neff, Myron K 257 Nelson, 'Nels 808 Newland, Hamilton D 820 Newman, A. H 332 Nicodemus, Joseph 73 Nietert, Henry J 622 Norris, James 871 North, James A 336 Null, John M 974 Odell, Lewis H 15 O'Hara, William H 490 Ottmar, Michael 167 Ovington, J. S. 159 Owen, Henry W 143 Owens, Alfred A 434 Oxley, Henry C 963 Parker, Charles O 391 Patten. C. A 196 Patterson. William J 347 Paul, Arthur 661 Paul, Alexander 177 Paul, George 660 Pearson, Thomas 621 Peck, Watrous 725 Pennington, James M 765 Perkms, W, E 510 Peterson, Peter A 237 Petrovitsky, John 500 Petty, Charles H 649 Pfautz, Samuel S 146 Phernn, Matthew C .598 Pherrin, William H 663 Phillips, Flower M 791 Pieper, William 194 Pitkin, Frank O 390 Pithk, Albert J 238 Plummer, Talbert .506 Plummer, M.B 239 Porter, Henry G ?23 Pospishil, Joseph 62 Post, George W 657 Power, William G 1.57 Preston, Isaac M 525 Preston, Joseph H .535 Pugh, John .540 Putnam, Charles E 547 Quaas, Lewis A 773 Ranck,C. H 464 VAGE Randall. Pitney F 81 Randall, R. K 2«1 Rattenbury, George H 3.55 Raymer, Dr. Henry S 732 Reasland, Robert E 207 Redmond, John M 462 Reece, David 661 Reece, Henry 562 Reichley, Joseph ."V 418 Resch, Frederick W 796 Rich, Lester M 771 Richards, Lewis W 951 Richards, Jacob H 292 Richards, Elmer E 677 Rick, Hugh G 749 Rickel, Henry 260 Riddle, Samuel S 926 Rigby, Martin F 858 Robinson, T. M .324 Rock, Reuben C 684 Rood, Col. H. H 614 Rogers, J. M 714 Rogers, John 367 Rogers, Frank M 470 Ross, Charles A 368 Rothrock, James H., Jr 785 Rothrock, James H 786 Rothrock, Edward E 803 Rowe, J. D 195 Rudis-facinsky, Dr. J 44 Runkle, Jesse'A 603 Sailor, Henry 160 Safely, Robert 1 950 Sanborn, Joseph F. W 430 Searles, lames M 446 Secrist, William P 63 .Sessions, Charles M 124 Severa, W. F 94 Scott, John B 90 Shafer, Samuel 505 Shattuck, Stephen A 126 Shaver, Isaac H 74 Sherk, N. B 51 Sher-nan, William H 851 Shields, Capt. J. Craig 431 Simmons. Thomas H 321 Simpson, W. J 922 Simpson, Henry B 208 Sinclair, Sydney E 9.32 Sinkey, Frank 585 Skillman. Dr. A. B 486 Skinner, Dr. G. R 831 Skinner, Dr. George C 713 Slife, James 702 Sloan, William J 323 Smith, John M ." 262 Smith, Robert 50 Smith, William M 23 Smith, HenryE 651 .Smith, loseph 682 Smyth, Robert 459 Smyth, Joseph C 14 Snyder, M ichael 396 Snyd r, Jacob 795 Stamb lugh, George W 436 Stambaugh, lames A 521 Stan^burv, Geo. W 953 Stauffer, Frederick 354 PAGE Soutter, Henry B S19 Speake, James B 475 Stark, Leonard S 967 Stearns, George L 136 Stein, John H 11 Stickel, I. M 798 Stone. Zephnia 424 Stone, Joshua D 659 Straley, Henry 189 Sullivan, Rev. T.J 342 Sullivan, Patrick 491 Taft, John H 829 Tamblyn, Andrew J 828 Tenney, Dr. A. C 634 Tindall, James C 435 Thomas, Theophilus 704 Thompson, George 183 Thompson, William G 16 TIapa, Joseph 629 Tomlinson, Joseph 170 Torrance, .•\lexander 441 Treat, Garry 26 Tyler, Joseph E 868 Van Albada, .-Xnne B 870 X'aughn, E. A 742 Vinton, A. J 809 \'ondracek, Joseph F 712 Vondracek, A. W 465 Walbrand, Henry F. 397 Walker, Michael 788 Wallace, Robert A 118 Wain, Lemuel J 204 Ware, A. Jerome 740 Weller, William L 515 Wenig, George K . . .■ 283 West, Ely 981 White, T. G 227 White, Hosea 569 White, J. R 542 White, losiah 526 White, James F 987 Whitlatch. Adam 148 Whitman, I. H 175 Whitney, F. W 780 Whitney. Joseph 776 Whittam, Judge Isaac N 984 Wilcox, T. A 681 Wild, David 640 Wilkin, John Henry 818 Willis, A. L 760 Wilson, James 803 Wilson, Leonidas L 279 Wilson, William F 566 Witter. Amos, M. D 852 Woitishek. Frank J., M. D. . . . 9,35 Woods, Edward A 817 Wood, John W 563 Wright, Thomas 552 Yeisley, George A 296 Yo:om, Thomas D .586 Yost, Dr. Francis M 291 Zika, Louis J 53 Zinkula, .Martin 95 /^'^^--U^^t><^ y€^^^^^tL^i ^S^ BIOGRAPHICAL ..ib BROEKbAlir. .'ition of our republican m the fact that young men ' ing Iionies in America ili-nonstrate the pov.i '.ly with the nati. I ihe country, work their way earnest effort and per- ^ -.cd by the caste system evails in the old countries and which mental to the development L. i_i-ining to this country, Mr. :t uTin icn 'Crnition by his merit and 1 '■ upward until he holds, L :■ ■ ■ iisible position of auditor of " Is & Northern ;in eventful and '.g one, and integrity, activity o :iave been the crowning points ich a career is well won: y 1 un the pages of Iowa's historv. pleasure we present this sketch '.nn in tnc i.ii\' oi ie 25th of Tannarv the son of Adrian I- •;'er) Broeksmit, also natives 'icestors have for maiiy in that country. His fa- m:a,..^, now f du fifty yeara ; fii spent •rid. ler the pat'; his boy quentlv wl'. hi,' gu. in. ' mainea tW'. 111^ vet tiic ere commcn'i-i- BIOGRAPHICAL. JOHN CORNELIS BROEKSMIT. The best justification of our republican government lies in the fact that young men of other lands seeking homes in America have opportunity to demonstrate the power they possess, and, equally with the native- born sons of the country, work thair way upward by diligence, earnest effort and per- severance, unhampered by the caste system which prevails in the old countries and which is certainly detrimental to the development of talent. Coming to this country, Mr. Broeksmit won recognition by his merit and has w'orked his way upward until he holds to-day the responsible position of auditor of the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern Railroad. His life has been an eventful and interesting one, and integrity, activity and energy have been the crowning points of his success. Such a career is well worthy of perpetuation on the pages of Iowa's history, and with pleasure we present this sketch to our readers. Mr. Broeksmit was born in the city of Zierikzee, Holland, on the 25th of January, 1825, and is the son of Adrian F. and Ger- trude (De Zwitzer) Broeksmit, also natives of Holland. His ancestors have for many generations resided in that countrv. His father was a merchant, dealing in grain and madder, the latter a commodity which has now fallen into disuse owing to the intro- duction of chemical dye stuff's, but which fifty years ago was in great demand all over the world. Under the parental roof Air. Broeksmit' spent his boyhood days, and the public schools of the neighborhood afforded him his early educational privileges. Subse- quently he entered the French Institute, where he studied engineering, algebra, the higher mathematics and the " French lan- guage. His business training was received in his father's counting room, where he re- mained lietween the ages of eighteen and twenty-one years. During this time he be- came attracted by the reports which he heard of the United States and the advantages here afforded, and resolved to try his fortune in the new world. In 1847 he sailed for New York, arriving in the eastern metropolis after a voyage of several weeks, for it was not yet the era of steam navigation. In his na- tive land he had demonstrated his ability as a young man of excellent capacity for busi- ness, possessing energy and sound judgment, and was given several letters of recommenda- tion; but he was unfamiliar with the Eng- lish language and it was therefore diflicult lO BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD to obtain a situation where his services would prove of any material value. Failing to obtain employment in New York, he went to Boston and secured a sit- uation in the office of Thomas H. Dixon & Son, importers and ship-owners, located at No. 41 India Wharf. The senior member of this firm was Consul General of the Neth- erlands for the state of Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Maine. He took a personal interest in our subject, hav- ing received a letter from the mayor of Zierikzee, urging him to assist the young man and assuring him that Mr. Broeksmit was worthy of any trust. During the two years that he remained with that firm our subject gained the mastery of mercantile ' methods in America, and also learned to speak, read and write the English language. His next position made him assistant book- keeper for the firm of George W. Warren ■& Company, extensive dealers in dry goods, doing both a wholesale and retail business. From 185 1 until 1855 he was bookkeeper in the Nahant Hotel near Boston, and then traveled southward, his object being a desire to see the country. Making his way to New Orkans Mr. Broeksmit became chief clerk for Samuel Van Loon, master mechanic of the New Orleans, Jackson & Great Northern Rail- road, in Louisiana. He occupied that posi- tion until the breaking out of the Civil war in 1 86 1. It happened that at that time a vessel of his own country lay in port at the Crescent City, the only ship flying the colors of that nation that had entered the 'harbor of New Orleans for twenty-three years. It was ready to start on the return trip to Holland, and ^Ir. Broeksmit, feel- ing a strong desire to \isit his natix'e land, became one of its passengers, and thirty- two days later reached his old home. In that country Mr. Broeksmit continued railroad work, being employed in various capacities and stationed at various places, in- cluding Breda and Zutphen. After a time he secured a clerkship for the railroad com- mission having in charge the construction and operation of the railroads in the Dutch East Indies, for which he sailed and saw service on the Island of Ja\a, at Batavia and Samarang. There he witnessed the ceremonials attending the building of the first railroad, and saw the first spade stuck into the ground for the railroads on that island by Baron Sloet A'an de Beele, Gov- ernor General of the Netherlands Indies. Subsequently iour subject returned to his native land, where he spent a part of the year 1867. .America, however, had won his love and he determined to again identify his inter- ests with this country. Accordingly, in 1868, he once more crossed the Atlantic and made his way to Chicago, where, through the instrumentality of George P. Lee, treas- urer of the Chicago & Northwestern Rail- road Company, he obtained the appointment of station agent at Cleveland, Illinois, where large coal mines of the company were lo- cated. Subsequently he was transferred to Coal Valley, Illinois, and later became agent of the Davenport & St. Paul Railroad un- der Hon. Hiram Price at Maquoketa, Iowa. In 1 87 1 he was promoted to the position of assistant auditor of the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Minnesota Railroad and removed to Cedar Rapids, where he has since made his home. Two years later he was appointed auditor of the same road, and on its reor- ganization in 1S76. when it l>ccanie known BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD II as the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern Railroad, his services were retained in the same capacity. He yet holds that position, but his duties are far more extensive and important, owing to the growth of the road. His position is indeed a responsible one, but he is fully capable of handling and managr ing its interests. That he has won and merited in the fullest extent the confidence of the railroad officials is demonstrated by his long continuance in this office, and his uniform courtesy and fairness to the em- ployees under him has also gained their genuine respect. Turning from the public to the private life of Mr. Broeksmit, we chronicle the event of his marriage, which was celebrated in 1873, the lady of his choice being Miss Laura Shaw, daughter of John Shaw, of Maquoketa, Iowa. She is a member by de- scent of an old New England family, mem-; bers of which participated with distinction in the Revolutionary war. Four children have been born in their family — Gertrude, Eugene, Helen and John. By a former marriage he had one son, W. F. Broeksmit, the present freight auditor of the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern Railroad. Mr. Broeksmit is pre-eminently a public- spirited citizen, devoted to the welfare of his adopted country and to the upbuilding of his community. He has been an import- ant factor in advancing several business en- terprises of importance in Cedar Rajjids, and has been a director of the Merchants' Na- tional Bank, and secretary of the Cedar Rapids Water Company. The cause of ed- ucation finds in him a stalwart champion, and he is treasurer of Cne College, which institution owes not a little of its advance- ment and success to his well directed efforts in its behalf. He is a consistent member and active worker in the Presbyterian church and was president of the board of trustees of the Young Men's Christian .Association. He votes with the Republican party, and though he has ne\'er sought or desired office he takes an interest in political affairs, as every true American citizen should do. His career has been one of honorable methods, and while it has won him prominence and suc- cess he has gained the respect and esteem of a large circle of warm friends, while he is a man of very genial and social nature. JOHN H. STEIN. Since 1879 John H. Stein has been a resident of Cedar Rapids, and for fourteen yearsi has successfully engaged in the transfer business here. He was born in Allegheny City, Pennsylvania, on the 6th of May, 1858, a son of John and Sarah J. (Johnston) Stein, the former, a native of Germany, the latter of Ireland. When young they came with their respective par- ents to America and located in Pennsylvania. Our subject's paternal grandparents lived to be over eighty years of age, and the ma- ternal grandparents were also well ad- vanced in years at the time of their deaths. During his business career in Pennsylvania the father of our subject engaged in team- ing and draying, and although meeting with many accidents he continued in active business for many years, but now, at the age of seventy-four years, is living a re- tired life in Cedar Rapids, where he locrled in 1884. His wife is about seventy-five years of age. Unto them were born seven children, of whom one died in early child- hood, antl \\"illiani passed away at the age of 12 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD twenty-two years. Tliose living are Dora, wife of Thomas Crea, of Allegheny City, Pennsylvania; John H., the subject of this sketch; Jacob, a resident of St. Louis; Sadie, at home with her parents; and Jennie, wife of Charles Ward, of Missouri. The chil- dren obtained their literary educations in the common schools of Pennsylvania. John H. Stein remained under the pa- rental roof until he attained his majority, being engaged in teaming for his father, and then worked on a farm for a t'me. In 1879 he came to Cedar Rapids as previously stated, and was in the employ of his uncle James Jolmston for two years, that gentle- man being engaged in farming near the city, where he had taken up go\ernment land and improved a place. In 1881 our subject em- liarked in his present business, starting his dray line with one team, but as the city grew and his I'usiness increased he enlarged his facilities, and now uses nine wagons in his business, doing general teaming, draying and transfer work. Although he started out with no capital he has met with marked suc- cess through his own exertions and good management, and now has the leading dray line in the city, giving employment to eleven men. Mr. Stein was married, September 28, 1885. in Cedar Rapids, to Miss Paulina J. I'urnelt. who was l;orn in Ohio, in 1859, and is a daughter of (Icorge and Lovina Ilurnett, early >etllcrs c f Cedar county, Iowa, who are now living near Vinton, Benton county, this state. Mrs. Stein has one sister, Ida, wife of Mark Speake, of Cedar Rapids, hour children were born to our subject and his wife, but one died in infancy. Those living are Ollie, born in 1889; Harvey, born in 1892; and Hazel, born in 1894. All are now in school. IMr. Stein jiurcliased property on the west side of the river and there makes his home. The Republican party has always found in him a stanch supporter of its prin- ciples, and in his social relations he is a member of the Odd Fellows Lodge, No. 141. He gives liberally to church and ch.aritable work, and never withholds his aid from any enterprise which he believes will prove of public benefit. GEORGE C. BLISS. George C. Bliss dates his residence in Linn county from 1855, and for a third of a century he was actively identified with the biisiness interests of Cedar Rapids, but is now practically living retired in his pleasant home at 1329 First avenue. He was born in Tioga county, Pennsylvania, January 9, 1841, and on the paternal side comes of an old English family, whicii \\as founded in America in 1635 by three brothers, Ben- jamin, George and Thomas Bliss, who were among the first settlers of Massachusetts. Of these our subject traces his ancestry back to Thomas. His grandfather, Stephen A. Bliss, was a native of Massachusetts, and a soldier of the war of 1812, and later moved to Pennsylvania. Wilson S. Bli.ss, the father of our sub- ject, was born in Springfield, Massachusetts, January i, 18 13, and was there reared and educated. When a young man he went to Pennsyh'ania, where lie wciltled ^liss Julia li. WJiitman, a native of I^^lmira, New York, and a daughter of Jacob Whitman, who was b(irn in Reading, Pennsylvania. They con- tinued their residence in the Keystone state until after tlu birth of their three children BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 13 and in 1855 came to Linn county, Iowa, where Mr. Bliss had entered land the year l)re\-ious. He was a mechanic, following the carpenter's and cabinetmaker's trades in the east, but on first coming to this county he turnetl liis attention to agricultural pursuits. After residing- upon his farm for about two years, however, he removed to Center Point, where he engaged in the manufacture of fur- niture, and also in contracting and building, spending his last years at that place, where he died January 20, 1880, at the age of sixty-seven. His wife survived him for some time and passed away January 16, 1S94. Their children were George C, the subject of this review; Elizabeth, a resident of Cedar Point, who married Victor B. Gib- son, a soldier of Company K, Ninth Iowa Infantry, and who married second Dr. John \\'. Megee and for a time li\-ed in Moberly, Missouri, where he died in the fall of 1894; and Edgar P., a business man of Center Point. T'he first fourteen years of his life George C. Bliss passed in his native state, and acquired his primary education in the pul>]ic schools. He then accompanied his parents on their removal to this state and re- mained at home until after the Civ'l \\ -y broke out. On the 30th of July, 1862, he enlisted in the Eighteenth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, but was soon transferred to Com- pany B, Twentieth Regiment, which was as- signed to the Western army. His first en- gagement was the battle of Prairie Grove, Arkansas, soon after which, at Fayetteville, Arkansas, he was captured, and held a pris- oner there for a time, but was exchanged before the siege of Fort Morgan. At time of his capture he was detailed as commissary sergeant to a hospital, the patients of which were all cajitured, paroled and exchanged. After his exchange he rejoined his regiment at Mustang Island, Texas, and later took part in the siege of Fort Morgan and the charge on Fort Blakesly. At the close of the war he went to Mobile, Alabama, where he was honorably discharged, and mustered out at Clinton, Iowa, July 30, 1865. For about a month in 1862 he was ill in the hos- pital at Springfield, Missouri, before going to Fayetteville, Arkansas. After lea\-ing the army Mr. Bliss re- turned to his home in Center Point, and on the 14th of December, 1866, embarked in merchandising in that place, opening a small g'rocery store. As his trade increased he enlarged his business, and later added to his stock dry goods, boots, shoes, clothing, etc., until he had a good general store, which he successfully conducted for thirty-five years. In 1896 he admitted his son, Willis O. Bliss, to a partnership in the business, the firm becoming G. C. Bliss & Son, he having been in the store for some years and therefore thoroughly familiar with the business. He is a well educated young man who completed a course in the Burlington Business College, 1895. In September, 1895, Mr. Bliss retired from active business, though still a member of the firm, and removed to Cedar Rapids, where he now makes his home, enjoying the competence secured in former years. At Center Point he was married, June 9, 1872, to Miss Frances Lucretia Bartle- son, a native of Berkeley county. West \^ir- ginia, and a daughter of Squire Bartlcson, who died in that state during the infancy of Mrs. Bliss. During her childhood she went to Missouri,, and was reared and edu- cated at St. Charles, that state. Tln-ee chil- dren have been born to our subject and his wife, namely: Arthur S., a physician, now 14 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD in the south; \\\ O., who is still carrying on the business at Center Point ; and George C, Jr., who holds a business position in Cedar Rapids. iTlie Republican party has always found in Mr. Bliss a stanch supporter of its prin- ciples since he cast his first presidential bal- lot for Abraham Lincoln in 1864, but he has never sought official honors, though he served six years as councilman at Cedar Point, and was president of the school board the same length of time, having always i.u'i.jif* interest in educational affairs and tlie welfare of his town and county. He holds membership in the Con- gregational church. For thirty years he has been a member of the Odd Fellows lodge at Center Point, in which he has filled all the chairs, is now past grand, and lias rep- resented the lodge in the grand lodge of tile state. He is al.so a member of Denison Post, G. A. R., .at Center Point, and has always been found a loyal and patriotic cit- izen, who is as true to his duties of citizen- ship in times of peace as in war. During his residence in Center Point he built two busi- ness houses and a number of residences at that place, and in other ways aided materi- ally in the development and upbuilding of the town. JOSEPH C. SM\TH. Joseph C. Smyth, a prosperous agricul- turist and leading citizen of Franklin town- ship, residing on section 7, was born in Phil- adelphia, Pennsylvania. February 28, 1857, and is a son of John and Sarah J. (Wilson) Smyth, natives of County Tyrone and County Donegal, Ireland, respectively. The father came to this country with his brcitiier. Colonel Robert Smyth, whose sketch ap- pears on another page of this volume, and he was married in Philadelphia. In 1861 he came west antl located in Franklin town- ship, this county, where he had previously purchased a farm of over four hundred acres, and continued to make that place his home until his death, which occurred Feb- ruary 26, 1882. His widow then lived with our subject until she, too, was called to her final rest on the 9th of June, 1899, and she was laid to rest by the side of her husband in Mt. \'ernon cemetery. They had a fam- ily of eight children, namely : Robert, who died at the age i>f nineteen years; John W'., who married Ida Goudy and resides in Ber- tram township, this county; William, who married Emma Gurtzer and lives in Rock- ford, Floyd county, Iowa; Joseph C. of this review : Sarah J., wife of George W. Grove, a retired farmer of Mt. Vernon ; Margaret A., wife of Fred Turner, a carpenter of Mt. \'ernon ; Elizabeth, who died at the age of three years; and George, who married Margaret Gormly and makes his home in Bertram township. 'The early education of our suliject, ac- qm'red in the country schools, was supple- mented by a course at Cornell College, and on laying aside his books he returned to the home farm, aiding in its cultivation uiuil after his marriage. On the 28th of May, 1884, at Marion, he wedded Miss Serena \\ bite, who was l)orn near Cedar Rapids, this county, March 10, 1858, and is a daugh- ter of John R. and Rebecca J. (Campbell) White, the former a native of Michigan, the latter of Indiana. Her parents were married in Cedar Rapids, near which city the father was engaged in farming for five years. He then bought eighty acres of land in Bertram township, where he made his BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 15 home for ten years. On disposing of tiiat place lie purchased another eighty-acre farm in the same township, and to it he has since added until now he has four hundred acres of rich and arable land, on which he and his wife continue to reside. Of their four children Mrs. Smyth is the oldest; Ro- setta, the second in tlie order of birth, is the wife of William Parker, a farmer living- four miles northwest of Bertram: I'nomas J. married Ellen Snyder and is als(3 engaged in farming' in Bertram township; and .Mice J. is the wife of Daniel Kleinknecht of the same township. Unto our suljject and his wife were born three children, namely: Robert ]., born March 5, 1885, died April 30, 1888; Harry W., born July 19. 1888, died .\pril 10, 1891 : and Raymond C, born October 24, 1897, is the only one now li\ing. For one year after his marriage Mr. Smyth had the management of his father's old homestead, and then Ijought the Josh Kudick farm of one hundred and twenty- four acres in Bertram township, but the fol- lowing fall he sold that place and purchased the Joseph Gambel farm of one hundre\al t Lislion. but in 1866 he went back to Lebanon, Pennsyl- \ania, where he married Miss Lydia Behny, v\ho was born at that place November 29, 1840, and is of German descent. Her par- ents, George and ^lary (Walter) Behny, were also natives of that state, and there the father died in 1870, but the mother is still living and makes her home in Mt. Xebo, Pennsylvania. In their family were six children, namely : Matilda, deceased wife of Samuel Wengert, of Lelianon countj^, Peimsylvania ; (ieorge, who married Amanda ]\Iease and lives at ]\It. Nebo; Lydia, wife of our subject ; Henry, who married Savilla Peiper and resides in Steelton, Pennsylvania ; Lizzie, wife of Thomas Fisher, of Schuyl- kill county. Pennsylvania; and Mary, w'ife of Ephraim Gingerich, of Leljanon county, Pennsylvania. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Sherk were also born six children: (l) Herman, born .\pril 17, 1868, is engaged in farming at Spirit Lake, Iowa. He married Lizzie Koch and they 'have five children, Ruth, Hope, Dorothy, Gladys and Cecil. (2) Mary E., torn No- vember 10, 1871 is the wife of Rev. Samuel Streyffeler, of Alburnett, Linn county, and they have four children, Carrie, Earl, Har- land and Florence. (3) Anna M., born January 19, 1873, died November 21, 1894. (4) Carrie P., born June 16, 1876, was ed- ucated at Cornell College and has become very proficient in music, which art she now teaches. She resides at home with h.er par- ents. (5) Ella R., born March 7, 1878, and (6) Cora L., born iMarch 2, 1880, are also at home. After his marriage Mr. Sherk went to Carlisle, Pennsylvania, where he followed coach making for five years, and then entered Dickinson College, where he spent two years preparing for the ministry. He tlien became connected with the Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Evangelical church, and took charge of the churches i.i th> Jersey Shore circuit, where he remained one year. In the fall of 1875 he returned to Lebanon, an 1 was there until the following spring, lie was then assigned the church at Mt. Carmel, Pennsylvania, and remained there until the spring* of 1877, when he again came to Lisbon, Iowa, and was assigned to the Buffalo circuit for one year. He then purchased a farm of eighty acres on section 16, Franklin township, and since his retire- ment from the ministry has devoted his at- tention to agricultural pursuits. He has made many improvements upon his farm and has added to it until he now has o e hun- dred and nineteen acres under a high state of cultivation. He makes a specialty of stock raising, and feeds all his grain to his stock. BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 53 Fraternally Mr. Sherk is an lio.inrecl member of \\'. C. Dimmick Post. G. A. R., of Mt. \ernon. and religiously is a meml:)ei" of the Evangelical church, of which he is one of the trustees and stewards. He still takes quite an active and influential part in church work, and his upright, honorable life commands the esteem of all who know him. In jjjlit'cs he is a Republican with prohibi- tion tendencies, and he has filled the office of school director for a number of years. . LOUIS J. ZIKA. This well-knciwn contractor and builder of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, was born in Bo- hemia September 17, i860, and was only four years old when brought to this country b_\- his parents, Jacol) and Anna (Petrovit- sky) Zitka, who were also natives of Bo- hemia, wdiere the father followed the mill- wright's trade until his emigration to the new world. Locating in Chicago, he worked as a carpenter in that city until 1869, when he came to Cedar Rapids. Here he engaged in contracting and building on a small scale for several years, but is \v>w li\ing a re- tired life. He is a well ])reser\'ed man for one of his years, and is held in the highest respect. His wife died in Cedar Rapids in 1882. To them were born five children, namely : Carrie, wife of M. Stolar, a farmer of College township, this county; Louis J., the only son ; Rose, who lives with her fa- ther in Cedar Rapids; Mary, a graduate of the public schools of this city, and now prin- ci])al of the Madison school; and Anna, ])rinci])al of the Taylor school. The public schools of Cedar Rapids af- forded our subject his educational ad- vanta^'is. At the age of fourteen years he commenced learning the carpenter's trade under his father's direction and worked with I'.im three years. For the following ten years he \\as in the employ of L. Wallace & Son, and during tliat time became thoroughly familiar with every branch of the business. During the last six years he spent with that firm he served as foreman, and was given entire supervision of every department of th.eir work. In 1886 Mr. Zika formed a liartnershi]) with F. J. Brown, and for nine }-ears they engaged in contracting and build- ing under the firm style of Brown & Zika, hut since then he has been alone in busi- ness. He does general contracting and has been quite successful, although he started' out with no capital save that which he saved from his wages. He took his first contract in June, 1886. He purchased lots on Six- teenth avenue and erected thereon two resi- dences, and has also built two houses on First street for himself. In September. 1886, Mr. .Zika was mar- ried, in Da\-enport, to Miss Julia Lewis, who was born in ^McGregor, Iowa, in 1868, but was then living in Davenport where she had attended business college for eight n-.onths, taking a full course. He brought his bride to Cedar Rapids, where they have since made their home. They had five chil- dren, but Raymond, the only son and second ill order of birth, died in 1895. The daugh- ters are Addie, Mabel. Pearl and Esther. The two oldest a^re now in school. JNIrs- Z'ka's parents were Henry T. and Sarah A. (Johnson) Lewis, natix'es of Xew York, who came to Iowa in 1859, and first settled near Independence, but later removed to Mc- Gregor. The father, who was a farmer by occupation, entered the ser\icc of his coun- ti\' when the Ci\il war broke out as a mem- 54 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD ber of Company G, Twenty-first Iowa In- fantry, and while in tlie army contracted disease, from whicli he died at his home in McGregor in 1868. Mrs. Lewis was living with our subject in Cedar Rapids at the time of her death in 1892. In the family were four children: Helen, wife of M. Templeton, of Ames, Iowa ; Charles and Ed- ward, both residents of Davenport; and Julia, wife of our subject. Since attaining his majority -Air. Zika has always affiliated with the Republican party, and has been a delegate t) city and county conventions. AUhough never an of- fice seeker, he has always been devoted to the interests of his party, and in 1893 ^^'^^ elected to the city council from the sixth ward. He was a member of the finance and park committees, and served his people faith- fully and well for two years. Since 1898 he has been a member of the school board. He gives to the support of church and' charitable work, and is an honored member of Crescent Lodge, No. 25, F. & A. M., and John Huss Lodge, No. 51, I. O. O. F. ]\l. L. IXK. The subject of this sketch, who is one of the most enterprising and energetic agricult- urists of Franklin township, owns and oper- ates a beautiful farm on section 3. He was born in New York, November 5, 1825, a son of Peter and Rhoda (Weatherby) Ink, both natives of New Jersey, as were also his pa- tcrnrd grandparents, John and Anna ( Uen- nett) Ink. His great-grandfather, however, was of German birth. The grandmother, who lived to the advanced age of eighty- seven years, was a resident of New Jersey during the Rexolutionarv war and was one of the women who were forced to hide in the swamps from the British Soldiers then encamped at Trenton. Her brother fought under Washington for the freedom of the colonies. The parents of our subject were married in Tompkins county, New York, and later removed to Knox county, Ohio, where they made their home throughout the re- mainder of their li\-es. The mother died in 1855, the father in 1872, and both were buried at Salem, Knox county. They had a family of nine children, namely: Abra- ham, who wedded Mary Ann Weider, now deceased, and resides in Monroe, Iowa; M. L., our subject ; Hannah, who married James Ball and both died in Knox county, Ohio; ]\Iar_\', widow 1 if James Amerson, of Morniw county, Ohio; Delia, wife of William Hultz, of Morrow county, Ohio ; Henrietta, who • died of consu:nption at the age of thirty- five years : Diana, wIkt married Schuyler Ball and both died in Knox county, Ohio ; Henry, who married Jane Chandler and he died in Knox county; and Raymond, who died of consumjition at the age of twenty- four. yi. L. Ink began his education in a stone school hous2 in Tompkins county, New York. It was a subscription school, and the books used were English — the Cobb's speller, and Deball's arithmetic with its pounds, shillings and pence. At the age of ten years he accompanied his ]:arents on their removal to Knox county, Ohio, where he continued his studies in the district schools until about twenty. He began his business career as a clerk fur the firm of Hooker & Johnson, at Freder.'cktown, Ohio, and re- mained with them one year. The firm ap- preciating his ability as a horseman, he was sent to Lancaster. Peimsylvania. with a dro\'e of horses, and while disposing of them he BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 55 received word from ]Mr. Hooker that tlie firm had dissol\-ed partnershij) ami for him to take the money from tiie sale of the horses and buy a stock of dry goods at Priladelphia under the firm name of Hooker & Ink, he being given a half interest in the business, which was a very pleasant surprise to him. For eight years he remained in business at Fredericktown, Ohio, Imt in 1854 he sold his interest and came to Mt. \'trnon, Iowa, where he was engaged in mercantile pursuits for some years. Before leaving Ohio, Mr. Ink was mar- ied at New Haven, Huron county, in Sep- tember, 1853, to Miss Lucretia Johnston, who was born in New Haven, Huron county, that state, December 11, 1829. Her father, John W. Johnston, was born in Pennsyl- vania, June 6, 1802, while his father was a native of Belfast, Ireland, who on coming to the new world settled near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The latter's brother, Hirshal Johnston, was a soldier of the Revolution- ary war. In New Haven, Ohio, April 13, 1829, Jnhn \\'. Johnston married Temper- ance Andrews, who was born in Southing- ton. Connecticut, March 29, 1801, where her ancestors located on their emigration from England to .\merica. Her father, Samuel Andrews, was also one of the men who took up arms against the mother country during the Revolutionary \\ar. Mr. Johnston died in Ohio, May i, 1835, and his wife passed away at Lima, that state, December I, 1890. They had three children: Eliza- beth M., born February 4, 1829, was mar- ried. September 16, 1847, to A. G. Stewart, now a resident of Rockford, Ohio, and she died December 3, 1891 ; Lucretia A., wife of our subject, is the second of the family; and John W., born December 21, 1834, died January 2^, 1846. Mr. and ]\Irs. Ink also had three. cliil- dren, namely: (i) Albert Worth, born August 30, 1854, resides on a farm adjoin- ing that of his father. He was married, October 14, 1880, to Alice R. Platner, who was born in Mt. Vernon, Iowa, January 12, 1859, and died April 13, 1900. Unto them were born three sons : Florin Lewis, Will- iam Henry and D wight Platner. (2) Clay- ton M., born March 29, i860, is now living in Dakota. He was married, February 15, 1897, to Maud Hahn, and they have one child, Morris L. (3) Raymond P., born August 21, 1872, is a graduate of Cornell College, Mt. Vernon, and now assists his father in the management of the home farm. When Mr. Ink came to Mt. Vernon it was a mere \illage containing only eight or ten houses, and he and his wife began house- keeping in one room of a log house on the main street, it being located where the M. K. Nefif residence now stands. Later he built a store room and residence on the present site of the building of the Hawkeye Pulilish- ing Company, and lie remained in the mer- cantile business at that place until 1864, when he traded his property in the village for a farm of eighty acres in Linn township, and has since engaged in agricultural pursuits. He has added to his landed possessions from time to time until he now has four hundred acres of valuable land, for which he has paid from twenty to seventy ilollars jier acre. He has placed the entire amour.t under a high state of cultivation and has made many ex- cellent improx-ements upon the place. He has one of the best barns in Linn county, it being erected at a cost of nearly four thou- sand dollars, while his elegant brick resi- dence cost two or three times that amount. I Ic has ex'ery reason to b.e proud of his beau- tiful home surrounded bv a fine grove of BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD fores't trees and well tilled fields which in- dicate the industrious and progressive spirit of tlie owner. 'Sh. Ink makes a specialty of the hreeding of Shorthorn cattle, and also raises a high grade of horses and hogs, feed- insr all his s'rain to his ^tock, as he has.f.nmd stock raising the most profitahle l^ranch of farming. In early life Mr. Ink filled the office of deputy sheriff, receiving the appointment owing to the following circumstances: His father had a horse stolen, an 1 ou • subject, then sixteen years of age, got rstride of another horse and started in pursuit. It was cold and rainy and the mud was \vi t) thi horse's knees, hut he followed the trail of the thief night and day without rest for si.xty miles until he overtook him at New Haven. Huron county, Ohio, on the night of IVIarch 2. 1S42. The robber was in bed and heavily armed when ]\Ir. Ink broke into tlie room and captured him. In the meantime neigh- boring farmers heard of the pursuit and rushed to his assistance. The thief was finally landed in jail. Our subject received the praise of the entire community, and on his return home was made deputy sheriff. It is needless to say that there was no more horse _ stealing in that community while he was in office, and it was said that the- des- peradoes were all afraid of "Ink, the human blood hound."' No man in the county was more honored and respected than he when he came west. In all the relations of life he has made for himself an honorable record by his upright, straightforward course, and his word is considered as good as his bond. Charitable and benevolent, he is always will- ing to lend a helping hand to those in need or distress, and he well merits the high re- gard in which he is held by his fellow citi- ^•.ens. He is one of the oldest Masons of the state, and is the oldest member of Alt. Ver- non Lodge, No. 112, A. F. & A. M., in whicli he lias filled all the offices. GEORGE ^^'. BEVER. Among the representative business men of Cedar Rapids is George W. Be\'er, who is a true type of Western progress and en- terprise. Since attaining to man's estate, he has been prominently identified with the banking interests of the city, and as a public- spirited citizen he has given liberal support to all enterprises which he believed would prove of public benefit. Mr. Bever was born in Coshocton, Ohio, in 1842, and was a lad of ten years when he came to Iowa with the family. He at- tended school in Cedar Rapids, and later he attended Kenyon College in Ohio, where his cducatiiin was completed. During the war of the Rebellion, he served as second lieutenant in Company E, Forty-Sixth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and is now a memljer of the Iowa Loyal Legion. On the termination of the war. Mr. Bever became actively connected with the City National Bank of Cedar Rapids, of which his fatiicr. S. C. Bever. was jiresidcnt : his brother James L. cashier, and another brother. John B., assistant cashier. Mr. Bever was afterward elected vice-president, and filled that position for twenty years, lie is now i)resident of the American Trust & Saxings Bank, and a director of the Citi- zens National Bank. He has also been con- nected with a numl)er of different business enterprises which have materially advanced the welfare of the city, and wa-; actively identified with tlie Imilding of the Auditor- GEO. W. BEVER. BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 59 ium and the ]\Iasonic Temple of Cedar Rapids. Mr. Be\-er married ]Miss Ada E. Taylor, of Marysville, Ohio, and their honle is con- spicuous in the social life of Cedar Rapids. They are memliers of the Episcopal church, and ill politics Air. Bever is a Repuhlican. He is a thirty-third-degree Mason, and has always taken an active interest in the work of that order. He is past commander of Apollo, Commandery, and past pntentate of El Kahir Temple of the Mystic S'hrine, both of Cedar Rapids, and past grand com- mander of the Knights Templar of Iowa. He is also a prominent memlier of the Be- nevolent Protective Order of Elks. Upon the declaration of war with Spain, he raised a company of Light Artillery, of which he was commissioned captain, and which was mustered into the United States service as the Fifth low-a Battery, but the war being of short duration, the battery was mustered out without being in acti\e service. His loyalty as a citizen and his devotion to his country's interests have been among his marked characteristics, while all worthy ol.tjects fur the good of the cdumuuiity in wliich he lives have recei\-ed his heart sup- ],ake and er.ergetic business men whose early home was on the other side of the .\tlantic, and prominent among them is J'lhn Engstrom, a merchant tailor of ]\Iari(in, whose place of business is over the postoffice. He was lorn in Sweden April 14, 1853. an 1 i? t'le only one of his family t(.) come to America." His parents were John and Anna Engstrom, the former of whom died in 1874, aged six- ty-one years, the latter in 1894. aged sev- enty-seven. Both were earnest and con- sistent members of the Swedish Lutheran church. They had six sons, five of whom are still li\"ing in Sweden. Mr. Engstrom, of this sketch, received a common school educatinn in tlie lar.d of his birth, and there learned the tailor's trade, which he followed as a journeyman for a time and later conducted a shop of his own. In 1883 he emigrated to the United States and first located in Chicago, where he worked one year. The following year was spent in Lacon, Illinois, and for over a year he lived at Storm Lake, Iowa. On the 21st of Jan- uary, 1887, he came to Marion and has since engaged in business at this place as a mer- chant tailor. He keeps samples of all kinds and varieties of cloth from whicli Ins cus- tomers can select their suits, and his work always gives a high degree of satisfaction. He is therefore doing a thriving business and enjoys the largest trade of aiy estab- lishment of the kind in the city. At Storm Lake, Iowa, April 22, 1886, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Eng- strom and Miss Cln-istina Magnuson, also a native of Sweden and a daugliter of Mag- nus Ingeborge, who spent his entire life in that country. By this union have been born six children, namely: George, Anna, Gust, Norma, and Ruth and Rudolph, twins. All are now attending the public schools of Ma- rion. Mr. and Mrs. Engstrom are Jjotli members of the Mtthcxlist Episcopal church, and he also belongs to the Independent Or- der of Odd Fellows, the Modern Woodmen of America, and the Masonic fraternity. In 6o BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD politics he is a supporter of the Republican party and its principles. He is an upright, reliable man and is held in higfh esteem by his fellow citizens. DAMD :McCLENAHAN, U. D. Among Cedar Rapids' honored and highly esteemed citizens is numbered the subject of this sketch, who was for many years one of the leading physicians of the city, but is now practically living a retired life, enjoying a rest which he has truly earned. He came here in 1866 from Guern- sey county, Ohio, and at one became prom- inently identified with the interests of the city. The Doctor is a native of Ohio, born in New Athens, Harrison county, January ', 1 82 1, and is a son of John and Mary ( Urey) McClenahan, who were Ixirn in Ireland of Scotch-Irish parentage. Throughout life the father followed the occupation of farm- ing and died in Fairview, Ohio, at the age of seventy-four years. The mother was seventy-eight years of age at the time of her death. In their family were eleven chil- dren, one of whom died in early childhood, and all are now deceased witli excei:)tion of our subject. His brother Robert died in De Witt. Iowa, in IQCO, age I ni lety-one years. During his boyhood Dr. McClenahan pursued his studies in the log schoolhouses tlien connnon in Ohio, but his early educa- tional ad\antages were rather limited. He remained on the home farm, assisting in its work until twenty years of age, when he entered Antrim C<3l]ege. Later he took a preparatory course at New Concord. Ohio, and then studied medicine with Dr. James Campbell, of Middletown, Ohio, for three years. He sulisequently took a course of lecturers at the Starling Medical College of Columbus, Ohio, but during the rush to the gold fields of California in 1849 he made a trip overland with an ox-team, being en- route from May till September, 1849, and spent about a year in the mines. On his re- turn to Ohio he completed his medical course and was graduated in the spring of 1853 with the degres of M. D. from Starling. He was then engaged in practice at Fair- view, Ohio, until coming to Cedar Rapids in 1866. Dr. [McClenahan was married, in Fair- view, Ohio, in 1855, to Miss Parmelia Grier, who died in Cedar Rapids July 20, 1894. They became the parents of four children : IMary, Thomas, Martha and Rob- Mary died in June, 1900, at the age of forty- one. \\'illiam married Ella Cooper, an I they have one child, Margaret; and Robert married Edith Shakaker, and they have four children ; ^lary, Thomas, Martha and Rob- ert. Both are business men of Cedar Rapids. The Doctor first came to Iowa in"iS54 and entered land in Benton county, but did not locate here until liis removal to Cedar Rapids in 1866. This city was then a small town of about five thousand inhabitants. Finding that there were good schools for his children to attend, he decided to make this his permanent home, and jjurchased prop- erty here. He was not long in Iniilding up a large and lucrative practice, which in early days e.xtended to many surrounding towns and other counties, and he continued to suc- cessfully engage in general practice until 1898, since which time he has lived retired, though he still visits some of his old patients BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 6i who will have no other physician. For many years l:e was a member of Linn .County; IMedical Society. He is one of the early stockholders in the Water Company. In early life Dr. McClenahan was a Whig in politics and cast his first presidential vote for Henry Clay, and since the dissolution of that party has been an ardent Republican. He is an active and faithful member of the United Presbyterian church, and has always been a liberal contributor to the charitable institutions of the city. In manner he is quiet and unassuming, yet very popular, makes friends wherever he goes, ami is held in high regard by old and young, rich and poor. ♦-•-• VERY REV. THO.AIAS F. GUNN. Father Gunn, pastor of the Immaculate Conception church of Cedar Rapids, has for over twenty years ministered faithfully to the spiritual needs of his people here and has given powerful and effective aid to all influences which work for the advancement of the community. Revered and beloved by his own congregation, he has also won the honor and esteem of all others who have seen his devotion to his noble calling. A native of Ireland, he was horn in Ros- common county, December 3, 1840, and is a son of Thomas and Catherine (Murray) Gunn, who spent their entire li\'es in that country. The father, who was a farmer by occupation, died at the age of se\enty-three years, and the mother only survived him three months, dying at the age of sixty-eight. Of their ele\en children our subject is the fifth in order of birth. Eight are .still liv- ing, and one brother, Francis Joseph, is now pastor of the Immaculate Conception church at Ehna, Iowa. While a boy in his native land Father Gunn attended the pulolic schools of Ros- common, and also the classical academy at Longford, completing his classical course at Alphin, Roscommon county. In 1861 he came to America and located at Galena, Illinois, where a first cousin, John McGann, was serving as priest, remaining with him until the latter's death, two months later. He then came to Iowa, and by order of Bishop Smith was sent to St. Michael's Col- lege, at Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, where he spent one year. He next took up the study of theology at St. Francis Seminary, ]\Iil- waukee, Wisconsin, where he remained three years and a half. On the 15th of Feliruary, 1867, Father Gunn was ordained a priest by Archbishop Haney, now deceased, and was first stationed at Cedar Falls, Iowa, where he spent three years. He was then called to Dubuque to take charge of the Cathedral in the alisence of the bishop, who was attending the \"atican council in Rome, and oh his return Father Gunn was retained at Dubuque to liuild the cathedral, which he accomplished, expending about forty thousand dollars. At the end of three years ha was appointed pastor of St. Paul's church at Burlington, w here the following seven years were passed and where he built the Academy of Lourdes, and in October, 1880. he came to Cedar Rapids as pastor of the Church of the Im- maculate Conception, with which he is still connected. During his residence here he has expended about fifty-six thousand dollars in improving the church, and has established a school, a co-educational institution, which is conducted by the Sisters of Mercy, and is now in a flourishing condition. He has also erected a fine parsonage, and has put a new organ in the ciuu-ch, costing thirty-five bun- 62 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD (Irecl dollars. He alsu built the priest's house and also the sister's house, and in fact all the improvenients of the parish. These evidences of material prosfress, however, give no indication of the great work he has done in molding and shaping to higher is- sites the lives of those to whom he gives his best thought. Father Gunn is now senior dean of the arch diocese of Dubuque, and has about ten churches in his district, to which he gives his active supervision in case of need. He is recognized as one of the ablest men in the Catholic church in Iowa. Personally he is \ery popular, not alone in his own church but with the people of all denominations, and is a man of fine personal appearance and a ready and eloquent speaker. JOSEPH POSPISHIL. It is said that biography yieUls to no other subject in point of interest and profit, and it is especially interesting to note the l^rogress that has been made along various lines of business by those of fore'g i birth v,'ho have sought homes in America — the readiness with which they adapt themselves to the different methods and customs of America, recogfnize the advantages ofifered and utdize the opportunities that the new world affords. Cedar Rapids has a number of prominent and successful Inisiness men ^vhose early home was in Bohemia, and to this class belongs Joseph Pospisiiil. who after years of active labor is now liv ny retired at Xo. 312 South First street west, where he has a most comfortable home. Mr. Pospishil was born in the city of Policka, Bohemia. April 17. 183-'. and was there reared and educated in his native tongue, his knowledge of the English lan- guage having all been acquired since com- ing to this country. It was in 1856 that he crossed the broad Atlantic on a sailing ves- sel from Hamburg. Germany, being six wsei stoppeLl at Paris, London, Berlin, Prague and other j laces of interest, spending three and a half months most delightfully in this way. At this time they were only abijut ten days in crossing the ocean. ♦-•-» WILLI. \M P. SECRIST. • .\mong the progressive and enterprising agriculturists of Marion township none are more deserving of mention in this volume than William P. Secrist, who successfully follows his chosen occupation on section 4. He is a native of the Old Dominion, his birth having occurred in .\ugusta county, Virginia, January 28, 1856. His parents, David W. and Susan B. (Burkett) Secrist, were natives of Franklin county. Pennsyl- vania, from which state they remn\e 1 to Virginia about 1853. and made tlieir home in .August county until 1857, when they re- turned to the place of their birth. In early life the father engaged in Imsiness as a mer- chant, but later followed farming. In 1859 he came to Linn county, Iowa, and located on section 12. Marion township, where he purchased one hundred and si.xty acres of prairie land and forty acres of timber. He removed his family to that place the same year and at once commenced the improve- ment of his farm. He continued its culti- vation until called to his final rest on the 1 2th of June, 1886. He was a prominent member of the Masonic fraternity at Cla- rion. His wife is still living and continues to reside on the old homestead in Marion township. Unto this worthy couple were born eight children, namel)-: A. M., a farmer of Ma- rion township; Luther B., who was also en- gaged in farming there until his death, which occurred April 7. 1892; Alice, wife of C. SI. Plummer, of Marion township; Daniel B., who died on his farm in that township August 12. 1882; \\'illiam P.. th; subject of this sketch ; John \\'., a farmer, who died ir Cedar county, Iowa, June 7, 1896; Charles v., a farmer of Marion township, this coun- ty; and Benjamin P., a farmer, who died in Marion township Sejitember 20. 1899. The children were principally educated in the common schools of this county, while some of the family attended Cornell College and the Dubuijue Business College. On starting out in life for himself Will- iam P. Secrist took up the occupation of farming, to which he had been reared, hav- ing become thoroughly familiar with that pursuit while aiding his father in the opera- tion of the home place. He was married, .Vpril 16, 1879. the lady of his choice being Miss Nancy E. Y'dn Fossen, of Linn county, whose parents were Benjamin and Julia .\nn (Matheny) Van Fossen, natives of Ohio. .\t an earlv day her family came to this 64 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD county, where her fatlier, who was by occu- pation a farmer, died January 28, 1882, while lier mother passed away in JNIay, 1862. Mr. and Mrs. Secrist have six children : J. Earl, Susie Mae, Carl Owen, Bertha Alice, Julia Belle and Ruby Ellen. Mr. Secrist engaged in farming on the old homestead until 1879, when he purchased ninety-six acres of his present farm, then known as the Durham place, eighty acres of which had been cleared, while ten acres were still covered with timber. In 1880 he bought the Goudy place, consisting of forty acres on section 9, Clarion township; in 1882 pur- chased seventy-six acres of cultivated land and ten acres of timber, known as the J. S. Torrence farm; in 1894 purchased the Garry Treat place of forty acres on section 9; in 1898 bought forty acres of prairie land on section 12. He also purchased five acres of land in Linn township in 1884. In 1893 he rebuilt his residence on section 4, Marion township, and the year before erected a good barn. He has made all of the improvements upon his place, which is to-day one of the most valuable and desirable farms of the locality. He carries on general farming, but has made a specialty of the raising of cattle and hogs, and in all his undertakings has met with marked success. In politics ^Ir. Secrist is an ardent Re- publican and takes an active interest in pub- lic affairs, especially along educational lines, having served as president of the school board lor S2veral years. He is also serving his third term as member of the board of trus- tees of Marion township. Religiously he is a faithful and earnest member of the Meth- odist Episcopal church. His life demon- strates what can be accomplished through industry, enterprise and fair dealing, his successful career being due entirely to his own unaided efforts and good management. As a citizen he is highly respected and es- teemed, and well merits the confidence so freely accorded him. AXTOX HOLUBAR. ]\Iany of Linn county's most progressive antl successful citizens have come from be- yond the sea, and through their own well- directed efforts have become prosperous men. To this class belongs Anton Holubar, who was born in Austria October 10, 1845, ^'''^ is a son of Joseph and Frances (Hyake) Holubar, natives of the same country. There he attended school for four years, the chil- dren of Austria only being required to at- tend school seven years, but he came to America before the expiration of that time. It was in 1855 that the family took passage at Hamburg on the Johanna, a sailing ves- sel, which dropped anchor in the harbor of Quebec after a voyage of six weeks. By boat and train they at once proceeded to Rock Island, Illinois, then crossed the Mis- issippi to Muscatine, and from there went to Johnson county, Iowa, where the father purchased sixty-five acres of land, on which he resided until his death, which occurred November 21, 1S96, his remains being in- terred in a Catholic cemetery near Solon on Thanksgiving day. His widow is still living and resides at Solon, Johnson county. Unto them were born five children, namely : Ste- ])hen married and went to California, where his death occurred; Joseph, who served for three years in Company K, Twenty-second Iowa Volunteer Infantry, during the Civil war. wedded Mary Chudaciiick, now de- ceased, and resides in Iowa City; Anton, our BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 65 subject, is next in order of birth ; Ferdinand married Frances Kotaze and lives in Oel- wein. Imva; and Anna died at the age of two years. Anton Holubar remained at iiome until his marriage, which was celebrated in Iowa City February 12, 1869, Miss Anna Smith becoming his wife. She was also born in Austria, September i, 1849, ^'id came to the United States in 1855 with her parents, Jacob and Mary (Kuchara) Smith, whose \vhole life had been spent in Austria up to that time. On landing in this country they came direct to Iowa, and took up their resi- dence in Johnson county, where th; father purchased forty acres of timber land, which he at once commenced to clear and improve. He (lied suddenly while at work in the field in the fall of 1858, and the mother departed this life in 1886, both being laid to rest in the Catholic cemetery near Solon. They had four children : Mary, who first married Jacob Kuchara, who was killed in the Civil war while serving as a member of the Twen- ty-fourth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and for her second husband she wedded George Schenischeck, of Johnson county; Barbara, deceased wife of John Elicl<, of the same county; Anna, wife of our subject; and one who died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Holubar have become the parents of five children, all born in Johnson county with exception of the youngest, who was born in Linn county. In order of birth they are as follows : Ferdinand, born Jan- uary 4, 1870, married Jennie Hildebrandt, by whom he has one child, Hilda, and they reside in Cedar Rapids. Anton, born No- vember 12, 1872, married Anna Schenis- check, by whom he has two children, Roy and Maggie, and they reside in Johnson county. Frank, born August 23, 1S80, as- sists his father in the operation of the home farm. Joseph, born March 23, 1883, died at the age of eighteen months. Annie, l)orn January 23, 1887, is still attending the home school. After his marriage Mr. Holubar bought a farm of ninety acres in Johnson county, w here he made his home for fifteen years, and then purchased one hundred and fifty- six acres of land on sections 14, 15 and 22, Franklin township, Linn county, where he lias since resided. He has extended its Ijoundaries until they now contain two hun- dred and sixteen acres, upon which he has made many substantial improvements, which add greatly to the value and attractive ap- pearance of the place. He has a good mod- ern residence and a fine barn. He raises a high grade of horses, cattle, sheep and hogs for market, and is meeting with eminent success in his undertakings. He has served as school director in his district, and has always taken an active and commendable in- terest in public affairs. In politics he is a Democrat, and in religious faith a Catholic. A. K. DAVIS. This gentleman, who is now spending the closing years of a long and useful life free from business cares at his pleasant home in Marion, was for over thirty years promi- nently identified with railroad contracting, and was also engaged in mercantile ])ursuits in Marion for a time, but is now living re- tred. He was born in York county, Maine, on the 30th of July, 1829, and is a son of Thomas and Mary (Durgin) Davis, both natives of Newfield, that state. Throughout life the father followed the occupation of 66 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD farming and continued tattle he won promotion rapidly, and was soon made adjutant of the regiment. Later he was successively commissioned captain and assistant adjutant-general, brevet-major and lieutenant-colonel. While serving as adjutant he received a congressional medal of honor by saving his regiment from cap- ture through his personal gallantry and skill at Banks Ford, Virginia, just outside of Fredericksl)urg, May 4, 1863. Ha was se- verely wounded in a successful -charge on the Confederate works at Rappahannock, No- vemljer 7, 1863, when from his regiment six- teen out of the twenty-one officers that en- tered the charge were either killed .or wounded, and in the official report it was recorded that Adjutant Clark fell "after he had dri\-en his sword into an enemy" in the hand to hand contest which resulted in hold- ing the works and capttu-ing two thousand prisoners, seven pieces of artillery and five Confederate battle flags. He was also with his regiment in its successful charge upon the heights of Fredericksburg, May 3, 1863, a portion of Sedgwick's operation, while Hooker was engaged in the battle of Chan- cellorsville. Colonel Clark was in the suc- cessful charge u])i)n the Confederate works at Petersburg, July 15, 1864, and upon Fort 8o BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD Harrison, in front of Richmond, in Septem- ber of the same year. He was with General Burnham, who led the victorious column, and received that commander in his arms when he fell mortally wounded within the assaulted fort. Thus Colonel Clark bore a conspicuous part in four out of the eleven successful charges made by the Union forces on earth works during the entire Civil war as recorded in Fox's work, "Regimental Losses." With exception of the first battle of Bull Run he participated in all of the im- portant engagements in which the Army of the Potomac took part, including the battle of Yorktown, the "seven days' battles" in front of Richmond, under McClellan, the battle of Williamsburg, the second battle of Bull Run, and the battles of Antie- tam, Fredericksburg, Brandy Station, Get- tysburg and Rappahannock Station. He was in the command of General Butler during his operations around Petersburg and Rich- mond, and was with General Grant at the battle of Cold Harbor, where ten thousand men were lost before breakfast. He was with Baldy Smith in his successful charge on the works of Petersburg and the engage- ments around that stronghold and Rich- mond. Being broken down in health and suffering from the wounds he had received, Colonel Clark resigned in the fall of 1864 and returned to his old home in Maine, with a war record nf which he may be justly proud. Tlie Colonel then took up the study of law with A. W. Paine, of Bangor, one of the foremost lawyers of the state. Taking Hor- ace Greeley's advice, he came west in May, 1866, and located in Webster City, Hamilton county, Iowa, where he made his home for about ten years, enjoying a large anj lucra- tive practice, which extended all over norlh- western Iowa, taking in fifteen or twenty counties. As there were no railroads in that locality at that time he traveled over the territory either on horseback or with livery teams and in stage coaches. He was instru- mental in getting the first railroad through, acting as attorney for Jolm I. Blair, when he built what is now the Illinois Central from Iowa Falls to Sioux City. In 1876 Colonel Clark came to Cedar Rapids and formed a partnership with Judge X. yi. Hubbard, which connection lasted for ten years. He was then alone in practice until 1898, when he admitted his son James W., to partnership under the firm name of Charles A. Clark & Son, and now his young- est brother A\'illiam G. Clark is also with tliem. During his residence here the Colonel has been interested in much of the important litigation of the state, either on one side or the other, and has practiced in the United States courts of half a dozen other states; in the United States supreme court at \\'ash- ii'gton, D. C, since 1880; and in the United States circuit court of appeals since its es- tablishment. He has argued in person a large number of important cases in the United States suijreme court. He is a man who thoroughly loves his profession, and is eminently gifted with the capabilities of mind which are indis]iensable at the bar. He is also a man of dee]) research and careful in- vestigation, and his skill and ability have won for liim an extensive practice. He has a very valuable and complete law library. On the 19th of December, 1863, in San- gcrville, IMaine. Colonel Clark was united in marriage with Miss Helen E. Brockway, a native of that town and a schoolmate of our subject. Her father, Cyrus Brockway, was a prominent and prosperous manufac- turer, proprietor of Brockway's Mills at San- BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 8i gerville, and a representative of an old pio- neer family of that locality. He had four children of whom ^Irs. Clark is the young- est. Of the seven children horn to the Colo- nel and his wife one son died in infancy. Those living are Mary A., at home; Laura A., wife of Robert I. Safely, of Cedar Rap- ids, whose sketch appears on another page of this volume ; Helen and Florence, both at home; James \\'., who married Miss Messer and is now engaged in the practice of law with his father; and Atherton B., who is at- tending the public schools of Cedar Rapids. Fraternally Colonel Clark is a prominent member of the Loyal Legion and was com- mander of the order in this state in 1899 and' 1900. He is also a member of the Medal of Honor Legion of Washington, D. C, and the Grand Army Post of Cedar Rapids. He now belongs to the blue lodge, chapter and commandery of the Masonic fraternity, and was master of the lodge at Webster Citv during his residence there. Formerly he was a Democrat in politics, but in 1896 and 1900 he supported William McKinley for the presidency. He has always taken a very active and prominent part in political affairs, and has made many addresses in every important campaign in Iowa during his residence here. The bar of Linn county made him their candidate for supreme judge in 1900, and he received a good support from lawyers all over the state but was not nominated,very inuch to his own satisfaction, as he prefers to give his entire time and at- tention to his extensive private practice. He served one term as mayor of Cedar Rapids, during which time he made many improve- ments in the city, es]]ecially as to its cleanli- ness, driving the horses and cows from the streets, and the pig pens from the hack yards It is but just and merited praise to say that as a lawyer Colonel Clark ranks among the ablest in the state, and as a citizen is honor- able, prompt and true to every engagement. It is not alone because of special prominence at the bar that he has, and is justly entitled to, the respect and confidence of his fellow men, for his personal qualities are such as to make him loved and honored. He is a worthy representative of that class to whom more than to any other is due the continued growth and prosperity of many thriving cit- ies of the west. PITNEY F. RANDALL. Since Novemlier, 1856, this gentleman has been a worthy citizen of Cedar Rapids, and is one of the best known civil engineers in the west. He was born in Madison coun- ty. New York, on the 3tst of August, 1832, and is a son of Asahel and Julia (Dykens) Randall, the former a native of Keene, New Hampshire, the latter of Elmira, New York. On the paternal side he is of Scotch ancestry, but the Dykens family is of Holland origin. The parents of our subject removed to Oneida, New York, and from a wild, un- broken tract of timber land tlie father de- veloped a good farm, devoting almost his entire life to agricultural pursuits. He died there in 1880, at the age of seventy-two years, and his wife departed this life in 1888. at about the age of seventy years. In their family were five children, three sons and two daughters, one of whom died in early childhood. The others were Pitney F., our subject; Alonzo, who died in Oneida, New York, in 1899; Andrew, a pioneer of Randalia, Iowa, which was named in his honor; and Malissa, deceased wife of Allen 82 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD R. Turner, of Oneida, Xew York. The fa- ther was a well-educated man for his day; was a Whig in politics, and a Presbyterian in religious belief, his wife being a member of the same church. Pitney F. Randall spent the first eighteen years of his life on the home farm, and his early education, acquired in the public schools of the neighborhood, was supple- mented by a two-years' course at an academy in Elmira. He took a special course in mathematics while attending the common schools, and at the age of eighteen joined an engineering party engaged in the con- struction of the Syracuse & Binghamton Railroad, now the D. L. & \V. He remained with that company for three years, and then in 1855 came to Iowa, his destination being the present city of Lyons. He came to this state with his uncle, Jefferson Randall, a railroad contractor, and going to Clinton the}' became connected with the Chicago, Iowa & Nebraska Railroad, now a part of the Chicago & Northwestern system, our subject having charge of the construction of the first ten miles of the road out of Clinton. In No\-ember, 1856, he came to Cedar Rapids to take charge of the construction of the read from this place to ]\It. Vernon, and in 1862 when the road was extended to Belle Phine, Iowa', he had charge of its construc- tion from Cedar Rapids to that place. While engaged in that work he was injured in 1862, and was given a position in the rail- way mail service until he was able to re- join the engineering party. He had a num- lier of offers to join the pioneer engineering corps of the Civil war. In 1866 ]\Ir. Ran- dall was given charge of the survey from Cedar Rapids to St. Louis for what is now the Ciiicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Rail- road, and two vears later was made engineer in charge of construction on the now Bur- lington, Cedar Rapids & Northern Railroad, which position he held until the completion of the road in 1875. Since then he has been in the employ of the Chicago, Burlington & Ouincy, the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul, and the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Rail- roads, having been connected with the last named corporation for ten 3'ears. He has had charge as engineer of location and con- struction on that road on many of its branches in the west, and for the last three years his work has been in Arizona on the Santa Fe & Grand Canyon Railroad, ha\-- ing just returned from there in 1901. He has made railroad location and construction his life work, and has been c ntinuously connected with that business longer than most any other man in the country. His practical knowledge of all the details of the business, together with his reliability in all transactions, makes him one of the most pop- ular railroad engineers in the \\est. From the fall of 1891 until the spring of 1893, he also had charge of the grading of Jackson Park, Chicago, for the A\'orld's Columbian E.xposition. Mr. Randall was married, at Bingham- ton, New York, in 1857, to Miss Josephine Smith, and brought his bride to the home he had prepared for her in Cedar Rapids. Of the five children born to them two died when quite young, the others being as fol- lows : (1) Frank, a resident of Kansas City, Missouri, was educated in railroad building with his father, and is now cm- ployed on the extension of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad. He is married and has two children, William and Agnes. (2) Lulu is the wife of William Richardson, living near Kenwood, and they have three children. (3) John makes his home with BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 85 his father and is connected with him in all his railroad work. He came back from Mexico to join the army during the Span- ish-American war, and enlisted in Company C, Forty-ninth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, with which he served one year in Cuba. The mother of these children died in Xovemher, 1875. and in 1880 Mr. Randall was again married, his second union being with Alary Eeech, of Cedar Rapids. She is a native of Mineral Point, Wisconsin. In political sentiment Air. Randall is a Republican, but his business has ever been such as to allijw him no opportunity to take an active part in public affairs. He was a charter member of the first lodge of the Le- gion of Honor in this state, and has always been an earnest memlier of the Presbyterian church, serving as treasurer and trustee when the church was being built at Cedar Rapids. He is to-day the oldest railroad engineer in continuous service in the United States with one exception, the other being a gentle- man connected with the Union Pacific Rail- road. He is a man of exemplary habits, commendable purpose and unbending integ- rity, and no citizen of Cedar Rapids is more honored or highlv esteemed. JOSEPH DUSILL. Among Cedar Rapids' honored residents is this well-known gentleman, who came to this city in 1856, and as a wagon and carriage manufacturer was actively identi- fied with its industrial interests for many years, but has now laid aside all his Inisiness cares to enjoy a well-earned rest at his pleas- ant home, Xo. 703 Fourth avenue. He was born in Bohemia, on Christmas day, 1830, a son of Frank Dusill, whose life was devoted to the blacksmith's trade in his na- tive land. There our subject ac(|uired a fair education in the German and Bohemian, languages, but his knowledge of English has been obtained through his own unaided efforts since coming to this country. In early life he learned the wagon and carriage maker's trade, working two years as an ap- prentice, and twehe years at his trade the later part of the time as boss, having charge of a factory at Borno. In 1855 Mr. Dusill emigrated to the new world and in 1856 took up his residence in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, which was then little more than a crossroads village. After work- ing at his trade for two years, he commenced the manufacture of wagons and carriages for himself, making carriages principally. He began business in a small way, but en- larged his facilities from year to year until he had a large factory located on Third ave- nue and Third street, and employed on an average of eight men for several years. His factory became noted for the superior cjuality of the work turned out, and he Iniilt up a large trade in this and adjoining states. After forty years in active business here, he retired in 1898 to enjoy the fruits of former toil. Besides his factory he built two good residences in Cedar Rapids, and is to-dajr quite well-to-do. Air. Dusill was married in Iowa City, June 4, 1857, to Aliss Aiitonia Pecka. wb.o was also Ijorn in Bohemia, April 24, 1838, and came to this country when a young lady on the same ship with Air. Dusill, the voy- age taking forty days. They have two children ti\ing: Josephine, wife of \\'. F. Severa, of Cedar Rapids; and Katie, wife of John Kale, a business man of that city. The children of the familv now deceased 84 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD were Antlionj-, Avho was engaged in tlie drug business in Cedar Rapids at the time of his death in 1888; Francis, who was also married and living in Cedar Rapids when he died in 1894; and three who died in child- hood. Forty-one years ago I\Ir. and Airs. Dusill moved onto the ])lock where they have since lived. It was then out in the country but now is in the best resident part of the cit}'. In politics yW. Dusill is independent, endeavoring to support the best men for the office, regardless of party ties. He cast his first presidential vote for James Buchanan, and has never missed a presidential election since that time. He is a loyal and devoted citizen of his adopted country, and is always willing to give liis aid and support to any enterprise which he believes will prove of public benefit. GEORGE A. COBBAN. George A. Cobban has been one of the important factors in the business circles of Marion, Iowa, for many years, and his life is an exemplification of the term " the dig- nitv of labor." The possibilities that the United States offers to her citizens he has utilized, and though he came to this country a poor boy he has steadily and perseveringly worked his way upward, leaving the ranks of the many to stand among the successful few. Mr. Cobban was born on the 8th of 3ilay, 1834, in Inverness, Canada East, a son of Rol>ert and Mary (Anderson) Cobljan, 1)oth of whom were natives of Scotland, and the latter a daughter of Captain Anderson, of Aberdeen. In early life the father of our subject was connected with a pulilishing house of that city, and for a number of years was editor of the Aberdeen Chronicle. In 1830 he emigrated to Canada, where he followed farming throughout the remainder of his life. Both he and his wife died there, our subject being only eight years old when the mother passed away. In the family were eleven children, namely : John A., Robert, William F., Mary Ann. Julia, Jessie, George A.. Charles, Jnseph, Simon and Joanna. Only four of the number are now living. Being an ambitious lad George A. Cob- ban asked his father's permission to come to the United States when fifteen years of age, but was told that he was too young to start out in life for himself. Being given a small piece of land to work, he made fifty cents from the products he raised thereon, and with this capital he decided to come to the United States. Accordingly one night in June, 1850, he left home to seek his for- tune, having first told his sister Jessie, who prepared him a lunch. The following day he walked thirty miles before sunset, and spent the night in a tavern. The second day he traveled forty miles, and after sleeping all night on the floor of an inn he walked thirty miles on the third day, arriving at Derby, on the Vermont line, at sundown. After buying five cents worth of crackers lie found that he had only ten cents of his half-dollar remaining. He started out to look for work, but found none and slept that night on the floor of the Derby House. He was told by the clerk that there was a farmer living ten miles from town who was in need of a boy, and without a bite to eat he started for the place, only to find that the place had already been taken. He inquired for work at different places glong the way, but found none. At length becoming discouraged, as \\'ell as tired and hungry, he entered a field BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 85 where a man was plowing, and again asked for employment. On being told that the man had no work for him he broke down, and large tears rolled down his cheeks. The kind-hearted farmer then questioned him, and on learning his story took him to the house and gave him something to eat. Mr. Cobban offered his last ten cents for the meal. On reaching town the hotel clerk told him that Colonel Kilbourne, across the line in Canada, might give him work, although he disliked to return to Canada he saw that this was his only chance and again started out. He was hired for one month at six dol- lars, and at the end of that time was per- suaded to stay a few months longer at seven dollars per month. Having saved twenty dollars from his wages, Mr. Cobban started for Boston on the 1st of October, 1850. He walked the first day to McEndos Falls, a distance of thirty miles, then the terminus of the Ver- mont Central Railroad. He met some boys who told him that there was a lumber train going that night to \\'ells River, fifteen miles below, and if he waited he could ride on the lumber . He had never seen a railroad or a car pre\-ious to this time. He rode to Wells River, and was not discovered by the conductor until arriving at that place. The following morning he decided to proceed to Boston, but arrived at the depot just in time to see the train pull out. He ran after it a short distance, calling for it to stop, but as it failed to heed him he had to wait until the next morning. On reaching Boston he pur- chased some new clotlies. and then took a train for West Xewbury, Massachusetts, where his brother William was living. He remained with him a sJKirt time and attended school. The foll(.)wing sjjring he joined his brother John, in Ib'lliston, tlirit state, and there worked one year pegging brogands at fi\'e dollars per month for thefirst six niLiUths, and ten dollars per month for the remaining time. Mr. Cobban next found employment at cutting sole leather in a shoe factory, and from that time on he has steadily prospered, until he is to-day one of the most substantial and prominent business men of his com- munity. He served for some time as fora- man of a large boot and shoe factory in the east. At the age of twenty ^h. Cobban visited his old home in Canada, and spent one eve- ning with his father's family without being known, so much had he changed in the years of his absence. In i860 he went to Scot- land to see his relatives there, but not meet- ing with a kindly reception he soon returned a wiser and happier man. His relatives there belonged to the aristocratic classes, and did not take very kindly to American ideas. \\'hile calling on his mother's sister, he was asked what profession he followed, and on bis replying that he was only a rnechanic, he was told that he n.eed not take the trouble to call again. He was glad to return to a country where any honest occupation was respected and where there was no such false ideas of respectability. The shoe firm for whom Mr. Cobban worked failed in 1861 and he was compelled to take notes for the amount due him at that time. He had previously saved three hun- dred dollars, and with that and what was due him he had intended to embark in business for himself. He was greatly disappointed therefore on being unable to obtain the latter amount, but not discouraged. He decided to come to Iowa and select some growing town where he believed he could succeed in business. ' Believing that Marion would prove a good location, he bought about fif- 86 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD teen hundred dollars worth of boots and shoes on time and shipped the same to Cedar Rapids. The freight charges on the goods amounted to fifty-two dollars, and as he had only seventeen dollars, he proposed to leave a part of the stock as security in Mr. Bever's warehouse, but that gentleman being a good judge of human nature told Mr. Cobban he could take all his goods and give him a due liill for the amount, which our subject paid two days later. By extensive advertising and close attention to business he met all his obligations in this way before the bills were due, and built up a large and prosperous business. He removed his store to Cedar Rapids in 1880, but has always made his home in Marion, and continued in active business until 1889, being one of the largest wholesale boot and shoe dealers in Iowa. He also employed several shoemakers and in this way placed a large amount of custom- made shoes on the market. Since 1889 he has been interested in Butte, Montana, real estate, loans and mining, and in this under- taking has been also successful. He also deals largely in Cedar Rapids property, and is one of the leading business men of Linn county. On the i6th of Xovember, 18O5, Mr. Cobban was united in marriage with Miss Marcia B. Todd, of St. Stephens, New Brunswick. Her father was Hon. William Todd, a highly respected and prominent citi- zen of that place, and a life-long meiuber of the provincial parliament. He was appointed by the Queen as meml)er of the executive council of the Confederation of Provinces, but owing to ill health never accepted. He was largely interested in railroads and other business enterprises, and was president of the St. Stephens Bank and of the New Brunswick & Canada Railroad. lie died August 5. 1873, at the age of se\-enty years. Mr. and Mrs. Cobban are th; pr.rents of five children, namely: Harry, born October 29, 1869, died at the age of seven and a half years; Mabel, born July 6, 1871, died at the age of one year and a half; Neva L., born July 2, 1873, is the wife of H. S. Scampton, who lives with our subject and is an engineer on the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad ; Alice M., born May 5, 1879, is at home; and George T., born May 8, 1880, is now at home. 'Mr. Cobban built his present home in IMarion in 1866, and has since made a num- ber of additions and improvements to the place. He also erected a brick business lilock in that city in 1872, and has been prom- inently identified with the growth and de- veliipmcnt of the place. In his religious views he is liberal and in politics is an ar- dent Repulilican. Coming to the United States without capital he deserves great credit for his success in life. He has always made the most of his opportunities, and by straightforward, honorable dealing has se- cured the public confidence and the public patronage. He has accumulated a hand- some property, and his life illustrates what can be accomplished through industry, per- severance, good management and a deter- mination to succeed. HON. JOHN' T. H.\MILTON. Ill mured and resi)ectcil by all, there .is no man in Cedar Rapids who occupies a more cnxiable position in mercantile and financial circles than John T. Hamilton, not alone on account of the brilliant success he has achie\'ed, but also on account of the lion- J. T. HAMILTON. BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 89 orable, straight fnrward business pi licy ha has ever followed. A native of Illinois, he was born in Gen- eseo, Henry county, on the i6th of October, 1843, and is a son of James Steele Hamil- ton, whose birth occurred in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, June 12, 18 12. His paternal grandfather, Alexander Hamilton, was born in Ireland of Scotch ancestry. The father grew to manhood in his native state, and about 1839 removed to Henry county, Illinois, where he married Miss ]\Iary E. Taylor, a native of Antrim, Xew Hamp- shire, and a daughter of .Vndrew Taylor, who was also one of the pioneer settlers of Henry county. There the father of our sub- ject engaged in farming throughout the greater part of his active business life, and there he died in 1889, though he had lived for a few years in Benton county, Iowa. He was always a Democrat in politics and a Presbvterian in religious belief. Plis wife is still living. Of their five children John T., of this review, is the oldest ; W. W. and Porter are also residents of Cedar Rapids : Sarah E. is the wife nf William Orr, of Geneseo, Illinois; and James W. died at Coggon, this county, in 1895. John T. Hamilton began his education in a small log school house, and later at- tended the Geneseo Seminar)-. He remained, under the parental roof until reaching man- hood, and from 1864 until 1868 was in the fire insurance business in Geneseo. On the 2d of February of the latter year he came to Cedar Rapids, and formed a ])artnershii) with A. T. Averill, under the lirm name of Averill & Hamilton, as dealers in farm ma- chinery, seeds and coal on North First street, where they continued to carry on b.usiness in a frame Ijuilding mitil 1873, when lliey built a part of what is known as the Mer- 6 chants block, now a part of the Fair, and removed to that location. A year later Mr. Averill sold his interest to J. R. Amidon, and business was successfully conducted under the style of Hamilton & Amidon. Needing more commodious (juarters, in 1883, they erected a larger block at the corner of First street and Third avenue, where they did busi- ness until 1 89 1, when our subject's brothers purchased Air. Amidon's interest, and ths name was changed to Hamilton Brothers. In 1899 they built a fine four-story brick block, one hundred and twenty feet square, exclusi\-ely for their own use. They handle seeds, coal and all kinds of vehicles, and do a large wholesale business which exteu'is throughout the state. Mr. Hamilton has not confined his at- tention alone to this line of trade, but has become prominent in banking circles. He was a stockholder of the City National Bank, and one of the organizers of the Cedar Rapids Savings Bank, which was the first savings bank established in fhe city. Its capital stock has been increased from fifty to one hundred thousand dollars, and it now has a surplus of thirty-five thousand dollars, while its deposits amount to one million two hundred and fifty thousand dollars, which is the heaviest of any savings bank in the city. They began business at No. S First street, but in 1896 removed to their new six-story building, the two lower stories of which are of Sioux Falls jasper. The \aults are all steel lined. Air. Hamilton has serx'ed as ])residcnt of this bank since its in- corporation, and not a little of its success is due to his able management and sound judgment. In 1898 the old City National I'ank was re-organizcd as the Citizens Na- tional ]jank, of which he was a director, biU he finallv sohl his interests there, an.l bought 90 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD stock in the Mercliants Xational Bank, of wliicli he was elected president in July, 1899. It has a capital stock of one hundred thou- sand dollars and is the oldest national bank in the city, as well as one of the most solid financial institutions in the state. Mr. Ham- ilton was one of the re-organizers of the Cedar Rapids Light & Power Company, of which he was president from January, 1893, imtil selling out his interest in the same in Decemlier, 1899, and he made the enterprise an eminent success. On the i6th of October, 1873, ^f"'- Ham- iltiin married Aliss Sarah A. Jone.-;. (if St. Andrews, Quebec, and of the four children born to them two are still living, namely : James E., who is now assistant cashier of the Merchants National Bank; and Mabel Faun. Our subject attends and supports the Episcopal church, of which his wife is an earnest member, and he has served as vestry- man in the same. The family is quite prom- inent socially. In his fraternal relations Mr. Hamilton is a member of Crescent Lodge, No. 25, F. & A. M., of which he was master three years ; has also served as high priest of Trowell Chapter, No. 49, R. A. M. ; is a mem- ber of Iowa Consistory, No. i : and Apollo Commandery, No. 26, K. T., of which he was the first commander, and held that office two terms. He was also a charter member of Star of the West Lodge, No. I, K. P. He is one of the prominent Democrats of the city and in 1878 was elected mayor, in which capacity he served for one year. He was a member of the board of supervisors for three years early in the '80s, and during that period bridges were built across the Cedar river at First avenue, Cedar Rapids, Center Point and Palo. For six years he was a prominent meml)cr of the Iowa legislature, and was speaker of the twenty-third general assembly. In 1S90 he was elected to congress from the fifth dis- trict of Iowa, and took his seat in December, 1 89 1, becoming a member of several im- jiortant committees. He was a candidate for re-election, but his district being strongly Republican he was defeated. As a business man he possesses untiring energy, is quick of perception, forms his plans readily and is determined in their execution ; and his close application to business and his excellent management have brought to him the high degree of prosperity which is to-day his. JOHN B. SCOTT. After many years of active labor, first as a contractor and builder, and later as a farmer, John B. Scott is now living a re- tired life in Marion, Iowa, enjoying a well- earned rest. He was born in Knox county, Ohiii, on the 12th of August, 1825, and is a worthy representative of a prominent pio- neer family of that state. His father, Allen Scott, was born in York county, Pennsyl- vania, April 17, 1780, of Scotch-Irish ances- try, and was married, January 21, 1808, to Jane Newell, who was born in Washington county. Cross Creek village, that state, No- \ember 8, 1784. Soon after their marriage they removed to Ohio, making the journey on horse back, and settled on a heavily tim- bered tract of land in Knox county, where they endured many of the hardships and pri- vations incident to pioneer life. In those early days people coming west always set- tled in the woods, shuiuiing the prairie land where fever and ague was more ])revalent. To clear the land and con\ert it into well BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 91 culti\-ated fields was an arduous task, but the spirit of adventure which filled the sails of the Alayflower has ever been the soul of American pioneer enterprise, and has been the means of making this nation one of the greatest on earth. Largely by his own work Allen Scott opened up farms in Knox coun- ty, Ohio, where he continued to make his home until death. He had a fine orchard of thirty acres of apple and peach trees, and in those early days gave away thousands of bushels of his best fruit to those who had none. He always took a great delight in fruit culture, and was never more happy than when distributing his apples and peaches among the poor. At present in that part of Ohio peaches cannot be raised, and the apple crop is poor. Mr. Scott was a very kind- hearted man of generous and noble impulses, and no one ever had a truer friend or bet- ter neighbor than he. For a number of years he was an elder in the Presbyterian church, but on account of the slavery question the elders of the church to which he belonged formed a free church, which was later merged into the Congregational church, which is now the leading church of Mt. Vernon, Ohio. He was a strong abolition- ist, and a soldier of the war of 1812. His wife was a member of the same church and was a most estimable lady. She died while on a visit to her son in Marion, Iowa, in 1855, at the age of seventy-two years, but his death occurred in Mt. Vernon. Knox county, Ohio, in 1848, when sixty-eight years of age. In the family of this wortln' couple were ten children, of whom only our subject and his oldest sister, Mary, are now living. She is the widow of Israel Murphy, and the mother of ten children. Although ninety years of age she is well preserved both in mind and body, except that her hearing is somewhat impaired. Recently she came alone from Hastings, Nebraska, to Chariton, Iowa, and is now spending the winter with her brother. The names and dates of birth of those of the family now deceased are Hugh, March 27, 1809; Margaret, February 19, 1813; Eliza J., married George W. Madden, and died in Plumas county, California, in 1815; Eleanor, 181 7; James A., a farmer of Linn county, March 24, 1820; Thomas S., Oc- tober 2, 1822; and Harriet, March 15, 1829, died in the spring of 1900. John B. Scott's early educational advan- tages were somewhat meager, as it was then believed by most people that the study of the "three R's" was sufficient for most boys. \\'hen nearly grown, however, he attended an academy for three months. \Vhile there he boarded with his uncle. Judge McGib- boney, who kept a station on the famous "underground railroad." For nine days nine negroes were concealed under hay in the Judge's barn, and our subject carried food to them. They were almost white, having very little African blood in their veins, and' were among the finest looking men pliysic- ally that Mr. Scott has ever seen, but their mother was a slave and consequently they were held in bondage. They had escaped from their master in Virginia and were on their way to Canada, when cared for by Judge McGibboney. At the age of twenty-one Mr. Scott com- menced learning the brickmason's trade, which he followed in Mt. Vernon, Ohio, fop about nine years. He then, in February, 1853, located in Muscatine, Iowa, where he remained until July 3, 1854. It was on that date that he came to Marion. Here he fol- lowed his tran rented land until the Civil war lM"oke out. Mr. Davis enlisted in Company F. Thir- teenth Iowa \'olunteer Infantry, and after being mustered in at Davenport went to Jefferson Barracks, St. Louis and from there to Cairo. With his command he next went up the Tennessee river l)v steamboat and landed at Hamburg Laniling. They tocjk part in a number of skirmishes and the battle of Corinth under General Halleck. They were next in the engagement at Jacinto, and then marclied back to Corinth, and later went into winter cjuarters at La Grange. In the spring they were with General Grant in Mississippi, proceeding as far as Abbeyville, and then returned to La Grange, where they remained four months. The}' next joined little Phil Sheridan, and took part in the battles of Bonneville and Johnstown. On the nth of October, 1864, I\Ir. Davis re- ceived an honorable discharge and returned tii Mt. \'ernon and resumed farming, .\fter his marriage he operated a farm belonging to his wife, three miles west of Mt. Vernon, and remained there for twenty years. On selling the place at the end of that time he removed to Mt. Vernon, and has since lived retired on account of ill health. At Springville, Iowa, January 23, 1868, Mr. Davis was united in marriage with Miss ^Nlary Ann Clark, who was born in Loraine county, Ohio, Deceml>er 7, 1837. Her par- ents, Oliver and Electa (Wilcox) Clark, were born, reared and married in Connecti- cut. Later they spent soine time in Ohio, and in 1840 came to Iowa, locating on a far:n in Franklin township. Linn county, two miles west of Mt. Vernon, making their hinne there until death. The father died January 13. 1871, and the mother passed away January 13, 18S1. They bad twelve children, namely : Julia married Elisha Williams, and both d ed in Franklin town- ship; Julius was killed in the war of the Rebellion; Oliver, deceased, married Bar- I;ara Brice, who lives on a farm in Frank- lin township; Jane married Chauncey Neal, of Linn township, and liotli are now de- ceased; Luther, deceasetl. married Mildred Wilhoit, a resident of Franklin t uxiiship; Elizabeth married Thomas Maclehenny. and both are now dead ; Huldah marrieil Dcnni.s Tryon, of Calffornia. and both are now de- ceased ; David wedded Mary Ann BoxwcU, and resides in Linn Grove; Edwin married Margaret Jordan and resides near Marion; 94 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD one died in infancy ; ^lary Ann is the wife of our subject; and Caroline is tlie wife of Jacob Easterly, of Kossuth county. Iowa. Politically Mr. Davis is identified with the Republican party, and socially is a mem- ber of \\". C. Dimmick Post, G. A. R., of Mt. \'ernon. He and h's wife attend the Presbyterian church, and are people of the highest respectability who have a large cir- cle of friends and acquaintances in Linn countv. W. F. SEVERA. A brilliant example cf a self-made Amer- ican citizen and a grand exemplification of the progress that an ambitious foreigner can make in this country of unbounded oppor- tunities, is shown in the case of W. F. Severa. a well-known manufacturing phar- macist of Cedar Rapids. His singular suc- cess is due to his own energy and the high ideal which his lofty and laudable ambition placed before him. Success in any walk of life is an indication of earnest endeavor and perse\'ering effort, — characteristics that he possesses in an eminent degree. ^Ir. Severa was born in Bohemia, Sep- tember 3, 1853, and is a son of John and Anna Severa, also natives of that country, where the father devoted his entire life to farming and died at the age of fifty-three 3'ears. Subsequently the widowed mother came to America and spent her last days in Cedar Rapids, where she passed away when nearly eighty years of age. Our subject is the youngest in their family of seven chil- dren, all of whom grew to maturity and cam; to the new world. JNIr. Severa of this review was educated in the common schools of his native land and was fifteen years of age when he crossed the broad Atlantic and settled at Racine, Wis- consin, where he first worked as a farm hand for his board, but later was given five dollars per month. After two years spent in this way he learned the trade of trunk manufac- turing in the city of Racine, and devoted his time to that occupation for seven years. In 1876 Mr. Severa came to Cedar Rap- ids, where he engaged in the trunk business for one year, and for the following four 5fears clerked in a drug store in Belle Plaine, Benton county, during which time he thor- oughly mastered the business. Having saved a little money, he embarked in the drug business on his own account at Cedar Rapids, in 1880. with a very limited stock, which he gradually increased as his means permitted and his trade grew. After a time he commenced manufacturing proprietary medicines and doing a wholesale business, and now employs two traveling salesmen, who cover the western and central states. He also sells to druggists in all of the large cities of the country, including New York, Philadelphia. Baltimore, Boston and Chi- cago, and his mail order trade is quite ex- tensive. In 1892 he started the Bohemian State Bank at Cedar Rapids, which' was afterward changed to the Bohemian Amer- ican Savings Bank, and in 1898 was consoli- dated with the City National Bank and the name changed to the American Trust & Sav- ings Bank. For six years he was president of the Bohemian American Savings Bank, and is now a stockholder in the American Trust & Savings Bank, and Citizens National Bank. He was a director of the Security Savings Bank until 1893. ^vhcn he resigned t(^ take charge of his own banking business. Pie conducts a printing office in connection with his drug business, publishing his own BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 95 circulars and small Iiills, and issues an alma- nac of over one-half million copies printed in nine different languages. On the 6th of July, 1881, Mr. Severa married Miss Josephine Du,sil, a native of Cedar Rapids, and a daughter of Joseph Dusil, one of the early settlers of the city, who is represented on another page of this volume. Prior to her marriage Mrs. Severa taught in the public schools of Cedar Rapids for some years. Our subject and his wife have two children: Lumir and Zulina, both now in school. Politically Mr. Severa is a Democrat, but in 1896 voted for William McKinley, the Republican candidate for president. As a boy of iifteen years he came to America alone empty-handed, in fact he had to borrow the money to pay his railroad fare from New York to Racine, Wisconsin. He was not only without means but was unable to speak the English language. While working as a trunk maker in Racine, he managed to save a little from his meager wages to buy books, and attended a private night school for a time, it being his ambitious desire to become conversant with the wavs and lan- guage of America. From a humlile posi- tion he has steadily worked his way upward to a position of affluence, and his success is clue entirely to his own well-directed, ener- getic efforts for he is a man of good busi- ness ability, sound judgment and keen dis- crimination. « ■ » MARTIN ZINKULA. This well-to-do and successful farmer, whose home is on sections 18 and 19, Frank- lin township, was born in Austria, Novem- ber 10, 1S49, and was five years of age when he came to the United States with his par- ents, Jacob and Barbara (Pesek) Zinkula, also natives of Austria. The family located in Johnson county, Iowa, where the mother died .Vpril 12, 1884, but the father is still living at the age of eighty years. In their family were four children, namely : Joseph, who married Joseiihine Krai and resides in Cedar township, Johnson county ; Martin, our subject; John, who married Frances Krob, and lives on the old homestead farm in Johnson county; and Mary, wife of John W. Brush, of Bertram township, Linn county. On first coming- to this country the fam- ily located in Iowa City, where they spent eight years, and' our subject attended its public schools. They then removed to a farm in Cedar township, Johnson county, where the father purchased sixty-eight acres of land, and Martin assisted in its cultivation until twenty-two years of age. On the 8th of February, 1872, in Iowa City, he was married by Father Emmons to Miss Joseph- ine Vetengle, who was born in Bohemia, Austria, August 15, 1853, ^""^ ^'''^y 'i^'^'^ ^^~ come the parents of four children : Mary F., born in Cedar county, Iowa, March 1 1, 1875, was married, April 27, 1898, to James Mar- shek, a farmer of that county; Emma F., born iMarch 12, 1880; Ludwig, born March 10, 1889, and George, born iMarch r, 1891, are all three at home. James Vetengle, j\lrs. Zinkula's father, was born in Bohemia, in 181 7, and mar- ried Josephine Ruscbek, also a nativei of that country. In 1866 they emigrated to America and took up their residence on a farm in Johnson county, Iowa, but later lived with iMrs. Zinkula. at whose home the mother died January 13, 1884. at the age of sixty years. The father is still living, how- 96 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD ever, and continues to reside with our sub- ject and his wife. In the family were three children of whom JNIrs. Zinkula is the young- est. The others were James, who married Rosie Bebee. and resides in Cedar county, Iowa ; and John, wlio married Josephine Majer. and died in Linn county. November I. 1889. After his marriage i\Ir. Zinkula bought seventy acres of land in Cedar county, a log house being the only improvement upon the place at that time, but he soon placed the land under a high state of cultivation and erected a good set of farm buildings thereon. At the end of fifteen years he sold that farm and ]jurchased one hundred and twenty-three acres of land on sections 18 and 19. Franklin township, Linn county, upon which he built a commodious and pleasant residence, a large barn and other outbuildings, making it one one of the best improved farms in the lo- cality. When l\Ir. Zinkula first came to Iowa there were no railroads in the state, and the family made the trip from Davenport to Iowa City in a covered wagon. At that time a large number of Indians used to visit the latter city several times each year. Many of the early settlers lived frorn five to ten miles apart, and would ha\c to drive to Davenport to mill, it requiring one week to make the trip. All farm work was done with oxen, and it usually took four yoke of cattle to break prairie. After his marriage Mr. Zinkula did his trading in Iowa City, and although the distance was only sixteen miles he would start from home about one o'clock at night and arrive there at one the next day with his team of oxen. In early days wild game was plentiful, includ- ing wild goats and hogs, besides feathered game, and wolves often prowded round the house at night, stealing chickens, etc. At one time they attacked a young man, Joe Brand, who fought them off by shaking his coat at them until he reached the house, when his friend ran out with a gun and dog and saved his companion. \\'hen they first be- gan farming all the planting, cutting of grain and hay was done by hand as it was some years later before farm machinery was introduced into this section of Iowa. Such was the life of the early pioneers in this sec- tion of the state. Mr. Zinkula is a wide- awake, progressive business man, who has prospered in his farming operations, antl besides his home place he now owns a tract of seventy-four acres of land east of his farm. He votes the Democratic ticket, and is a member of St. Peter's and St. Paul's Catholic church in Johnson county. A. B. DUMONT. For o\-er hall a century this gentleman has lieen a resident of Linn county, and has been ])romincnt]_\- identified with its com- mercial and political interests. He is now a leading business man of Marion, where he is engaged in the undertaking and furniture business. His life has been one of industry, and his business interests have been so man- aged as to win for him the confidence of the public and the prosperity which should al- ways attend honorable effort. ]\Ir. Dumont was born near New York city, Jul}' 19, 1824, a son of John B. and Elizabeth (Welch) Dumont, both of whom were natives of Greene county, New York, and of French Huguenot extraction. In 1845 the family came to Iowa and settled near Martelle, Jones comity. Iowa. At that time wBm-wh A. B. DUMONT. BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 99 Cedar Rapids contained only three or four houses and a sawmill, and most of the land Avas still in its primitive condition. The father died at the age of eighty-two years and the mcther passed away two years later at the same age. They were the parents of five children, three of whom are still living : A. B., of this review; Frederick S.. who resides on the old homestead near Martelle ; and Elida. wife of W". J. Patterson, of Cedar Rapids. Those deceased were \\'aldron B.. ■who died in Cedar Rapids ; and Sarah, who died in the early '30s. Our sul:)ject was adopted by his father's s'ster and was reared near Auburn, New York. At the age of fourteen he com- menced learning the carpenter's and mill- wright's trades, to which he devoted his at- tention for some years. At Baldwinville, New York, he was married, October 13, 1844. to Aliss Julia A. Leffingwell, who was born near Rutland, Vermont, and the fol- lowing year they removed to Marion, Iowa. The same j'ear her parents, Joseph and Bethia Leifingwell, also came west, and first located five miles east of town, and in 1849 took up their residence in ]\Iarion. During his early residence in Marion Dumont worked at his trade, and erecte 1 many of the early buildings of the town, but since i860 has engaged in his present business. He drafted the frame work for the old court house, for which he never re- ceived any pay, though it was not the fault of the county. ^^'hen he first came to Marion the place contained about a dozen houses which were widely scattered, and he has therefore witnessed almost its entire growth and development. During the gold excitement in California, in. 1849, ^Ir. Dumont. in company with four other men, started from Marinn with an ox- team, on .\pril 27, and in October they made their first stop near Portland. Oregon, where he worked for six months, receiving five dollars per day and board. On arrival at Fort Vancouver they disposed of their cattle. Six miles above Portland he erected a saw and gristmill for a large firm, and continued in their employ till June, 1850, when he went by water to San Franscisco, as a passenger on a lumber vessel. It was a \ery unpleasant trip as the weatlier was stormy, and it required six weeks to make the voyage. After spending a few days in San Francisco, Mr. Dumont went to Sacra- mento on a prospecting tour, but not being pleased with the country he decided to return home. He then took passage at San Fran- cisco, and on reaching the isthmus walked across to the Schagris river, a distance of twenty-four miles, thence by canoe to the eastern coast. He then proceeded by boat to New York, and after visiting friends iw the Empire state for a few weeks returned to Marion after an absence of two years. He had been fairly successful while in the west and had no occasion to regret his trip. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Dumont were born four children : Elizabeth married Emory Eggleston and died six months later at the age of twenty-one years; James \\'.. an em- ploye of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad, residing in Marion, married Rhoda E. Lake, and they have one child, Elizabeth, who was mairried on Thanksgiving Day, 1900, to Charley Frantz; Jolin E., also a resident of Marion, wedded Julia E. Waters, and they have one child, John E. ;and Charles \\'., who is with his father in the store, mar- ried Rebecca E. Reicherd, and they have five children: ]\Iaude A.. May, .Amasa B.. Jr.. Frederick S. and Dorotha. I\I:r. IXmiont and his famil\- are all L.ofC. lOO BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD members of the ]Metliodist Episcopal church, and he has been officially connected with the same for years. Since 1846 he has affiliated with the Masonic fraternity ; has filled all the offices in the blue lodge, including that of worshipful master; is also a member of the chapter and commandery ; a thirty- second-degree ]\Iason, and has been a del- egate to the grand lodge many times, be- ing well known in Masonic circles. Politi- cally he is an ardent supporter of the Repub- lican party, and his fellow citizens recogniz- ing his worth and ability have called upon him to fill important official positions. He was elected county judge and while serving it' that capacity the law was passed creating an auditor's office, and all county judges then in office were appointed to fill the posi- tion, as our subject was tlie first auditor of Linn county. From 1H5CS until 1866 he was connected with the county recorder's and county treasurer's offices, and served as jus- tice of the peace from 1858 until 1864. His official duties were always most capably and satisfactorily discharged, winning for him tlie commendation of all concerned. He studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1862, but has never engaged in the practice of that profession. However, he has never employed an attorney in his own affairs, but has attended to his own legal business. He is a man of more than oirdin'ary ability, sound judgment and keen fliscrimination, and gen- erally carries forward to successful com- pletion whatever he undertakes. SAMUEL A. KL'RTZ. In past ages the history of a countr\- was the record of wars and conquests; to-day it is the record of commercial activity, and those whose names are foremost in its annals are the leaders in business circles. The conciuests now made are those of mind over matter, not man (iver man. and the victor is he who can successfully e t .blish, control and operate extensive commercial interests. Prominent among the enterprising, energetic and prosperous business men of Linn county is Samuel A. Kurtz, whose whole life has been spent at Lisbon. He was born in that place, December 15, 1854, a son of John E. and Esther ( Her- shey) Kurtz, both natives of Lancaster coun- ty, Pennsylvania, in which state the fam- ily was founded over two centuries ago. In the east the father worked at the cabinet- maker's trade and engaged in the manufac- ture of lumbre. It was in th? spring nf 1847 t'l'^t he canie to Linn county, Iowa, and took up his residence on the present site of Lisbon, where he followed farming for several years and later engaged in merchan- dising and milling, though his last days were spent in retirement from active business. He built what was known as the Golden Sheaf Mill. During the Civil war he served as postmaster of Lisbon, and represented his district in the state legislature in 1856. He died in May. 1900, honored and respected by all who knew him. The mother of our subject passed away in 1876. They were the parents of nine children, namely : Christian H., who is represented on another page of this volume; John H., who died in i860, at the age of nineteen years: liarbara .\.. wife of Joel C. Ringer, of Lisbon ; Henry Clay, also a resident of that jilace: .Abraham E., of Chicago; David H.. of Cedar Rapids; Liz- zie, wife of J. F. Hahn. of Cedar Rapids; [Mary, who died when about nine years of age; Samuel .\.. oin- subject. Samuel .\. Kurtz obtained his early edu- cation in the dislricl scl'.ools of Lisbon, and BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD lOI later spent two years at Cornell College, Mt. Vernon. He entered njjon his business career as a clerk, and in 1S76 became a member of the firm of H. C. & S. A. Kurtz, dry-goods merchants of Lisbnn, lieing con- nected with that business until 1892. For several years he was engaged in getting out railroad ties and lumber, during which time he cleared over two thousand acres of timber land within a radius of six miles of Lisbon, and kept constantly in his employ from fifty to seventy-five men, cutting, haubng and pil- ing the wood. Most of this he sold to the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad Com- pany and furnished to the same company its piling used between Clinton and Jeffer- son, Iowa, a distance of two hundred miles. He continued in that business until 1897, and still does something along that line bur not so extensively. He is now carrying on business in Lisbon as a dealer in lumber, ^vood, coal, sewer pipe, fire brick and fire clay, and has built up an excellent trade. For the past ten years ^Ir. Kurtz has also been interested in real estate and owns a large amount of land in the city and sur- rounding country. He has improved con- siderable property in Lisbon which he has sold on contract, and has recently platted one of the finest additions to the city, it being known at Kurtz & Stuckslager's addition, vhich embraces about ten acres. Our sub- ject has several other pieces of 'property ■which he eventually intends to lay out in town lots, and has made many substantial improvements in various parts of the city. He is also connected with the Lisbon Tele- phone Company, and is a member of its board of directors. This company is now con- structing a line from Lisbon to Solon, and has a large patronage among the farmers of r'ranklin township. On the 2ist of February, 1878, at Lis- bon, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Kurtz and Aliss Ellen AI. Auracher, a native of Pennsylvania, and a daughter of Gotlieb Auracher, who was a prominent man': of Lisbon, now deceased. By this union were born three children who are still living, namely: Clara, wife of T. Macey Lee, a druggist of Lisbon ; Bessie and Esther, both at home. The Republican party has always found in Mr. Kurtz a stanch sujjporter of its principles, but he has never cared for po- litical honors. He has held nearly all of the township ofifices, and has served as alder- man of the city for se\-eral years and is still filling that position. As a citizen he is pre- eminently public-spirited and progressive, and his connection with various business en- terprises and industries have advanced the interests of his town and county in no un- certain manner. The history of such a man cannot fail to be of wide-spread interest for he ranks high in commercial circles. MARTIN BECK. Martin Beck, of the firm of Beck & Son, manufacturers of all kinds of liisiness wagons, wagonettes, carriages and omni^ buses, at Cedar Rapids, with also a depart- ment for the manufacture of automobiles, was born in Stein Buckenheim, the province of Hesse-Darmstadt, (iermany, on Christ- mas day, 1842, and is a son of Chris Beck, who spent his entire life there and was en- gaged in business for himself as a black- smith. Our subject is the youngest in a family of six sons, of wlii in nnly twn are now living, the other being Mark, a well-to- do resident of Albion, Noble county, In- diana. 102 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD During liis boyhood Martin Beck attend- ed the scliools of his native land, and on completing his education learned the black- smitlTs trade with his fathei. Later he traveled over the country working as a jour- neyman, and in i860 at the age of eighteen came to the L'nited States, taking passage on a sailing \'essel at London, and landing in Xew York after forty-six days spent upon the water. He remained with his brother William in the latter city for a time and Avorked at his trade, at the same time learn- ing to speak a little English. He then went to Janesville, Wisconsin, where he worked as a blacksmith for one firm for nearly ten years, and in 1870 removed to Broadhead, that state, where he was engaged in lousiness in partnersliip with John Laube. Subse- quently he was alone in business at that place, manufacturing hearses, wagonettes and delivery wagons, having there an exten- sive business till 1891, when he came to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and embarked in busi- ness at this place in partnership with his son, Martin P., under the firm name of ]\Iar- tin Beck & Son. Thev started in a modest way, but have gradualh^ increased their fa- cilities' to meet the grow'ing demandsof their trade, and now employ eighteen to twenty men, in the various dejjartments of their nianu factory. On coming to Cedar Rapids, they built ;i fine three-story br ck building, 72x140 feet, on the corner of I-'irst axenue and X'inth street, west, the building being l)articularly designed for their business. On the ground floor is the blacksmith and wood work departments, together with the offices. On the second floor is the i)aint shop and trimming rooms, while the third floor is oc- cupied as a store room. In addition to their manufacturing business they give special at- tention to repainting and trimming, and they now practically have the only shop in this section of the state. Since the introduc- tion of the automobile, they are working into the n:anufacture of that vehicle, and will manufacture a high grade of work. In 1864 Mr. Beck was married at Water- town, ^^'isconsin, to Miss Augusta Rhoda, and to them were born three ch.ildren : Emma, who married William Rogers, of Cedar Rapids, and died in 189S; Martin P., who is now' in business with his father; and \\'illiam, who died at the age of eight years. The mother of these children died, and in 1882 ]\Ir. Beck married Hettie Cortelo. He was again married, in 1898, his third wife being Mrs. Ellen Gleason, of Broadhead, Wisconsin. Mr. Beck was reared in the German Lu- theran church. In 1872 he was made a r^lason at Broadhead, Wisconsin, and now be- longs to Crescent Lodge, No. 25. F. & A. M. He is also a prominent member of the Germania Club and for the past two years lias served as its president. On national is- sues he always supports the Democratic party, but at local elections votes for the man whom he believes best fitted for the office re- gardless of party lines. He is an upright, reliable Inisiness man, wdiose success in life is due entirely to his own well-directed ef- forts, for he came to this country empty- handed and by his industry and economy has ac(|uired a comfortable competence and a prominent position in the business world. JOHN PERLEY MESSER. Prominent among the Inisiness men of Cedar Rapids is numbered John Pcrley Messer, who has been engaged in real estate anil loan business for some vears. with offices J. p. MESSER. BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 105. located at present in the Granby block. ^Ir. Messer was born at Bow Center, in the town of Bow, New Hampshire, on the 9th of December, 1843, '!"*-! '^ the second son of Silas and Xancy (Hadley) Messer, who are also natives of the okl Granite state. His father was a farmer in early life, and later was a railroad man, but is now living retired in St. Paul, Minnesota. The mother died in that city in 1894, and was buried in Oak Hill cemetery. Cedar Rapids. • John P. Alesser was reared on the home farm, and receix'ed his education in the public schools. At the age of sixteen he left the farm and went to work as a loco- motive fireman on the Concord Railroad. At eighteen he was promoted to the posi- tion of locomotive engineer, and at that time was the youngest man who had ever been entrusted with an engine on that road. He continueil in that emphjynient until 1862, when he resigned to enter the serv- ice of his country as assistant engineer in the navy, antl was ordered to the United States steam frigate Colorado, on which he served for nearly three years. He par- ticipated in both bombardments and in the capture of Fort Fisher. At the first battle Air. Alesser had charge of the fire depart- ment (a department of sixteen men to ex- tinguish fires), and at the second battle he served under B. F. Garvin, chief engineer, and Lieutenant George Dewey, executive officer as one of Commodore Henry K. Thatcher's stafif officers. In these engage- ments the Colorado suffered severely and was ordered to the Xew York navy yards for repairs. Mr. Alesser was then trans- ferred to the U. S. S. Trefoil. He was on that vessel when she "accidentally" collided with and sunk the Confederate privateer Florida. Al^o at the capture of Spanish Fort antl Fort Blakely in Mobile bay. and continued to ser\'e on her until the close of the war, when he resigned and received an honorable discharge from the United States na\-y. At Bow, New Hampshire, September I, 1866, Mr. Messer married Miss Carrie E. Evans, who was also a native of that state and a daughter of Stephen W. and Emma (Veazy) Evans. Shortly after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Messer removed to the then new state of Minnesota, the jour- ney occupying a full week and reiiuiring twelve changes of cars and boats. They are the parents of three children, namely : \\'alter S., who died April 5, 1881, at the age of eleven years; Emma Evans, now Airs. James W. Clark; and Florence V., who is at home. They also have one grandchild. Charles A. Clark, Jr. On his removal to Minnesota Air. Ales- ser at once entered the employ of the Alin- nesota Valley Railroad as a locomotive en- gineer. He was with that road about two years and ran the first freight and passen- ger trains into the towns of St. Peter and Alankato, Alinnesota. From that state he came to Cedar Rapids in 1869, and has made his home here ever since. He W'as the first regular engineer and master me- chanic at Cedar Rapids in the service of the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Minnesota (now Northern) Railroad, and he remained with that road for about ten years as en- gineer, master mechanic and passenger con- ductor. As engineer he was in charge of the first regular trains into each of the towns along the line from Cedar Rapids to Rockford, Iowa, as the road was com- pleted to those points. Mr. Alesser resigned his position with io6 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Xorthern Railroad in 1879 to take the superintend- ency of the ^lempliis, Kansas & Colorado Railroad, then in course of construction and built some twenty miles of this road be- sides opening about forty-five miles from Parsons to Messer. This road was an en- terprise of the late Judge Greene and the late C. S. Bennett, both of Cedar Rapids, and was sold by them to the Kansas City, Fort Scott & Gulf Railroad, at which time Mr. JMesser resigned. As superintendent of the old City Street Railway Company, of Cedar Rapids, he built the largest part of their road, Iniikling the first l.ne across the river. After about twenty years in the rail- way service, Mr. Messer entered the real- estate business in Cedar Rapids in 1881, and is still actively engaged therein. He has met with well-deserved success in this business, as he had formerly done in the railroad business, and has acquired a com- fortable competence. In his political affil- iations i\Ir. j\Iesser is a Republican, but has never sought office. As a public-spirited citizen, however, he takes an active inter- est in public affairs and gives his support to all enterprises which he believes cal- culated to advance the social, moral or ma- terial welfare of Cedar Rapids. JOSEPH BARNHILL. For almost a third (jf a century this gentleman has been a resident of Linn coun- ty, and is to-day numbered among the highly esteemed citizens of Marion, his home being on Sixth avenue. He is engaged in the fire insurance business and in fruit culture, but gives considerable attention to the duties of his office as justice of the peace. Mr. Barnhill was bi.irn near old Fort Findlay in Hancock county, Ohio, October 18, 1846, and is a son of Robert and Mary A. (Keel) Barnhill, both natives of Penn- sylvania, the former born near Harrisburg, the latter near Allegheny City. When a small boy the father accompanied his parents on their removal to \\'ayne county, Ohio, and later became one of the pioneers of Hancock county, where he owned and oper- ated a farm, making it his home until called to his final rest in 1890, at the age of eighty- three years. His wife died in 1896, at the age of eighty-six years. Both were mem- bers of the Christian Lnion church, and were highly respected by all who knew them. Joseph Barnliill is the seventh in order of birth in a family of nine children, seven of whom are still living. He acquired his edu- cation in the common schools of his native state, and when not in school worked on the home farm. On leaving the parental roof at the age of sixteen years he went to Ore- gon with Hiram Smith, the latter, however, going by the overland route with horses in his charge to be sold, while our subject went by way of New York, across the isthmus of Panama, and up the coast to San Francisco. Mr. Barnhill spent three years in Oregon as foreman in charge of the horses on a large ranch of sixteen hundred acres on the Co- lumbia river. Financially his trip was a success, and he thoroughly enjoyed his ex- perience in the far west. Returning to his Ohio home at the end of three years he re- sumed farming. On the 28th of September, 1868, Mr. Barnhill married Miss Sarah E. Loy, a na- tive of Morrow county, Ohio, and a daughter of George Lov. Five children blessed this BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 107 iiniun, namely: E\a Xellie, horn August 2, 1869, die,] from tlie effects of measles Fel)- ruary 16, 1887. Sylva M., born in 1871, married Burt S. Bailey and died June 25, 1899, leaving one child, Morrell. Wilfred L., born in 1874, died in Decemlier, 1894, in New jNIexico, where he had gone with the hope of benefiting his health. Harold died May 15, 1899, at the age of eighteen years just fifteen days after his return from Florida, where he had spent the winter. Margaret, a graduate of the Marion high school, is at home. In 1869 IMr. Barnhill came to Linn coun- ty, Iowa, and first located on a farm near Marion, where he engaged in agricultural pursuits for three years. He was next en- gaged in mercantile business in Palo until 1887, and at the same time served as post- master of that place for eleven years. In the fall of 1887 he was elected county treasurer of Linn county, and so acceptably did he fill the office that he was re-elected, serving until January, 1892. Subsequently he was engaged in the grocery business in Marion for a short time, and on disposing of his store bought a small farm of twenty acres en the boulevard in Marion, where he has quite a beautiful home near the bridge. Here he has engaged principally in raising fruit, and at present also gives some attention to the fire insurance business. He has now entered upon his third term as justice of the peace, the duties of which position he has most capably and satisfactorily performed. He is a man of high standing in the community, and is widely and favorably known through- out the county. With his wife and daughter he holds membership in the Methodist Epis- copal church, with which he was ofticially connected until recently, and he is also a member of the blue lodge, Xo. 6, A. F. & A. M.. and ^^lariola Lodge, No. 8, K. P., and the L'ni formed Rank of the latter order. He is past chancellor and a trustee of the Knights of Pythias lodge. In politics he is an ardent Republican. LADURNIA LARRABEE, M. D. For several years the subject of this re- \ie\v was a well-known and successful physician of Cedar Rapids, and his widow now resides in Kenwood Park. He was a native of New York and a son of Willett Larrabee, who was born in the same state and for many years was super-cargo or purser on a vessel plying between New York and Cuba. He was in Cuba when last heard from some years ago and is supposed to have been lost at sea. Dr. Larrabee obtained his early education iii the common schools of his birth place and was fitted for his chosen profession at the New York medical colleges, becoming an eclectic practitioner. He was quite a young man when he came to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and commenced the ])ractice of his profes- sion. He soon established a large and lu- crative practice which he continued to enjoy fur over twelve years, when, on account of failing health, he removed with his family to Andrew county, Missouri, where he re- siled for ten years, his death occurring there in January, 1879, when he was about fifty }ears of age. In 1 86 1 Dr. Larrabee was united in mar- riage with Miss Willerminia McKee. a a daughter of Joseph and Sarah (Sample) McKee. Her father was a native of Fay- ette county, Pennsylvania, where he con- tinued to reside until 1841. By trade he was a ])otter and followed that occupation dur- ing his residence in his native state. After io8 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD comiiio; to Iowa in 1841 lie was unable to find suitaljle clay to carry on that industry, and accordingly turned his attention to farm- ing, which he followed until called to his final rest in 1878 at the age of seventy-nine years. The death of his wife occurred in 1894. He was an active member of the Masonic fraternity and took a deep interest ir. all that pertained to Masonry. He was a prosperous and successful man, and was upright and honest in all his dealings. In his family were seven children, of whom four died in infancy, and three are still liv- ing, namely : Daniel, born in Fayette coun- ty, Pennsylvania, June 3, 1837, came with his parents to Iowa in 1841, and as soon as old enough to be of any assistance he com- menced to aid his father in the operation of the home farm near Cedar Rapids. He now lives with his sister in Kenwood Park. Mrs. Larrabee is the next in order of birth. John is a brick maker and small farmer living in Cedar Rapids. He served through the Civil war as a member of Company K, Ninth Iowa Volunteer Infantry. He is married and has a family. Shortly after her husband's death Mrs. Larrabee returned to this county, and is now residing with her older brother in Kenwood Park, where they have a comfortable home. She has one daughter, Calphuruia, wife of I'rederick Eeall, who has a larg^ depart- ment store at Aspen, Pitkin county, C(j1o- rado. They ha\e two childre;i, Hazel and Frederick. Mr. IScall is a son of Jeremiah Beall, a prominent farmer and highly re- spected citizen of this county, who lived east of Marion for many years, and who died about three years ago at an advanced age. His wife still surxives him anil continues to residi' on the old homestead in Marion town- ship. Dr. Larrabee was a successful physician and accumulated considerable propert}'. He was a Republican in piilitics and a believer in spiritualism. A public-spirited man, a devoted husband and a kind and indulgent father, he was held in high regard by all who knew him. He e\er maintained a high standard of right and wrong, and being kind- hearted and generous with his fellow men, he made many friends and no enemies. He was also a man of strong character and determined will ])ower, and was ever ready to assist the weak or oppressed. \\illia:m g. barger. ^\'illiam G. Barger, of Cedar Rapids, is niiw lixing a retired life in the enjoyment of a rest which he has truly earned and richly deserves by reason of his industrious efforts of former )-ears. He is now one of the highly respected citizens of Cedar Rapids, and his long residence in Linn county and' the active part he has taken in its develop- nienl well entitles him t ) representation in its histor_\-. Mr. Barger was born in Putnam county, Xew York, September 17, 1834. a son of David J. and Susan (Tompkins) Barger, both of w'honi were natives of the same coun- ty and representatives of pioneer families of that locality. There our subject's paternal grandfather, John Barger, spent his entire life and died at about the age of ninety years. The maternal grandfather, Ananias Tomp- kins, was also a native of Putnam county. In the county of his nativity William G. Larger grew to manhood, and as his school privileges were meager, he is almost wholly self-educated since reaching mature years. On leaving home he went to Poughkeepsie,. ■ 1 l^H ^^^^^^Hj^ ' ' ^^^m ■ K >l ^^E m^m ■ .jfl Jl W. G. BARGER. MRS. W. G. BARGER. BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 115 where he went to learn his trade in a sash, blind and door manufactory, and engine manufactory, for about two years, and in 1855 came west to Chicago. In May of that year he became a resident of Cedar Rapids, where he worked one season for H. L. Bryan, a o'ardener and dair\-nian. he winter of 1855-6 was very severe, it being extremely cold and snow covering the ground to a depth of two feet on the level. In the spring of 1856 Mr. Barger accepted a position as stationary engineer, to which occupation he devoted his attention for five or six years, and later was engineer in a sash factory for two years. He was next in the employ of the Chicago, Iowa & Nebraska Railroad in various capacities for two years, and for the same length of time he engaged in clerking for H. L. Bryan on Second avenue. In 1866 he embarked in the dairy business in a small way in the central part of the city, and later extended his business to meet the growing demands of his trade^ keeping about forty cows and furnishing milk to a large number of families. In the meantime he bought the property where he now resides. He continued to successfully engage in the dairy husiness until i8go. when he sold out and has since practically lived retired, though he continues to look after his property in- terests. He bought a fine farm of one hun- dred and seventy acres three miles from the city, where he kept his stock and where he also engaged in farming. Mr. Barger is also extensively interested in city real estate, and has owned about twenty buildings in Cedar Rapids, including fifteen residences which he himself erected. The jjroptjrty where he now lives consisted, when he bought it. of an undivided half of out-lots 18, 19 and 22. When it was divided he had about twelve acres fronting un Soutli Tenth street, and also on Fifth avenue. This he subdivided and sold, retaining, however, all of out-lot 19, or six and a half acres, the largest out-lot in Cedar Rapids. In the spring of 1859 Mr. Barger was married, in Cedar Rapids, to ]\Iiss ^lary Swab, a sister of Charles H. Swab, a hard- ware merchant of this city. She died in June, 1890, leaving two children: John, a real-estate dealer of Cedar Rapids : and Mary, wife of A. J. Hickey, of Brooklyn, New York. Mr. Barger was again mar- ried in Cedar Rapids, February 9, 1892, his second union being with Eleanora, daughter of William Reed, who was born and reared in Fayette, Iowa. By her former marriage she has one child, Clara Edna Cavanaugh, and by her present marriage she also has a daughter, Georgia Eleanora. Politically ^Ir. Barger was formerly a Jacksonian Democrat and cast his first presi- dential vote for James Buchanan, but in i860 he voted for Abraham Lincoln, and continued to support the Republican party for some years, but for some years inde- pendent of party lines. He began life irt Cedar Rapids with a capital of only four- teen dollars, and his wonderful success is due to his own energy, good business ability and sound judgment. He is a worthy rep- resentati\e nf our best type of American civ- ilization and well merits the prosperity that has come to him. H. S. HALE. .\mnng those who fought so gallantly for the preser\-alion of the L'uioii during the dark days of the Rehellion and have always been numbered among the most \)\\h- lic-spirited and loyal citizens of the com- 114 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD niunity in wliich they reside is H. S. Hale, of Mt. Vernon, Iowa, who was for many years identified with tlie business interests of that place, but is now living a retired life. A native of Xew Hampshire, he was born June 3, 1833, and is a son of Jo- seph W. and Susan (Emerson Hale, both of whom were torn in Barrington, Xew Hampshire, and died in Conway, that state. In order of birth their children were as fol- lows : Lorenzo T., who married Hannah Hill, served fourteen months in the Four- teenth Xew Hampshire Volunteer Infantry during the Civil war, and is now a resi- dent of Conway; Lydia married Silas Van Dexter, and both are now deceased; Susan died unmarried ; John married Ann W'illey and lives in Mt. Vernon, Iowa; Mary is the wife of George Perry, of Des Moines, Iowa; H. S. is the next of the family ; and Thomas married Addie Hol- man, and during the Civil war enlisted in Company F, Twenty-fourth Iowa Volun- teer Infantry, and was discharged on ac- count of illness at Helena, Arkansas, and died soon after his return home; and Edgar is engaged in the mining business in Colo- rado. During his boyhood H. S. Hale attended the district schools of his native state through the winter. On leaving home at the age of eighteen years he went to Boston, I^Iassachusetts, and obtained employment in the ship yard, where he worked on the Great Republic, the largest sailing vessel which had been built up to that time. He remained there from 1852 until 1859, and in the fall of the latter year came to Mt. \'er- non, Iowa, where he worked as a laborer until after the Civil war broke out. In 1862, Mr. Hale enlisted at Mt. \*ernon, in Company F, Twenty-fourth Iowa \'olun- teer Infantry, and went into camp at Mus- catine, Iowa, whence he went to St. Louis and later to Helena, Arkansas, where the regiment remained through the winter. While in camp the regiment made three ex- peditions first to Moose Lake, then up the St. Francis river and up the White river to DuBall's Bluff. In April they started the \'icksburg campaign, and took part in the skirmishes at Grand Gulf and Port Gib- son; the battles of Champion Hills, Ray- mond and Jackson ; and the siege of Vicks- i)urg. After the surrender of that strong- hold July 4, 1863, the regiment went in pursuit of General Johnston's forces, to Jackson, ^Mississippi, but on the 17th of that month returned to Vickburg. They next went to Xatchez, Mississippi, and later to Carrolton, Louisiana, and were in a ninn- ber of skirmishes during the fall and winter. Tlie next spring they went with General Banks on the Red river expedition, and re- turned to X'ew Orleans in June, 1 864. There they embarked on a large vessel, known as the Star of the West, and went down the Mississippi, across the Gulf and up the coast to Washington, D. C. They joined General Sheridan in the Shenadoah \'alley in July, and were in and around Harpers Ferry until the battle of Winchester, Sep- tember 19. They also took part in the famous engagement at Cedar creek on the 19th of October, when General Sheridan made his memorable ride. Our subject heard the General say, "We will camp this evening where you left this morning." He went with his command to Harrisburg, and from there to Stephenson's Station, where thcy remained in camp through the winter. In .\])ril, 1865, they went to Washington, and there took passage on board a ship for BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 115 ]\Iorehead Git)-, North Carolina, and from there went to Gouldsburg, that state. On their return to IMorehead City they shipped for Susannah, and on reaching there were ordered to Augusta, Georgia. They finally returned to Savannah, where they were mus- tered out of service July 17, 1865. They returned to Davenport, Iowa, by way of \\'a5hington, D. C, and were discharged on the 2nd of August. On again taking up his residence in Mt. Vernon, ^Ir. Hale was engaged in the lumber and grain business for three years, and later followed contracting and painting. He pur- chased si.x acres of land in what is now the heart of Mt. Vernon, which was divided into town lots. He has steadily prospered owning to the increase in value of his prop- erty, and his good business ability, and is now able to lav aside all business cares, and spend the remainder of his life in ease and quiet. He still owns some property which he rents. On the 25th of November, 1859, Mr. Hale was married in Chicago, Illinois, to Miss Abbie Hill, who was also born in New Hampshire, January 16, 1837. Her parents, Charles and Nancy (Russell) Hill, spent their entire lives in that state, and their re- mains were interred at Conway, New Hamp- shire. They had six children, namely: Hannah D., wife of Lorenzo T. Hale, of New Hampshire, brother of our subject; Richard, who wedded Mary Chase, now de- ceased, and lives on the old homestead in Conway, New Hampshire; Eunice, who married Joseph Cloutman and died in Con- way in 1S84; Abbie, wife nf nur subject; Charles, who was a member of the Four- teenth New Hampshire \'oIunteer Infantry and died in 1900: and Sarah, a resident of Ciinway, New Hampshire. Mr. and Mrs. Hale are the parents of six children ; Homer, born November 4, 1861, died July 9, 1863; Jesse, born April 28, 1867, was married August 16, 1893, to Mary Motherall, a native of this state, and is now a contractor in painting at Sioux Rap- ids, Iowa ; Charles, born in a log house at Mc^Iinnxille, Warren county, Tennessee, August I, 1870, and is engaged in painting at Mt. Vernon. He was married, Decem- ber 2, 1897, to Roxey Easterly, a native of Linn county, and they have one child, Mary M., born in May, 1899; Grace A., born June 3, 1872. was married, March 3, 1900, to George Towne, who is bookkeeper in a bank in Chicago ; an infant born December 30, 1874, died December 3, 1875; Sadie M., born September 14, 1876, lives with her parents. ;\Ir. Llale was reared a W'h'g and became a Republican on the organization of that party, casting the first presidential vote for John C. Fremont. He is an honored mem- ber of the Legion of Honor and W. C. Dimmock Post, No. 400, G. A. R., while his wife is connected with the \\'oman's Relief Corps and is a member of the ]\Ietho- dist Episcopal church. For over forty years they have been numbered among the leading residents of Mt. Vernon, and they have n large circle of friends and acquaintances throughout the county who esteem them highlv for their sterling worth. AMOS DIEHL. It was in the fall of 1867 that Amos Diehl came to Cedar Rapids, and with its interests he has since been closely identi- fied. In business affairs he has prospered ii6 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD during liis residence here and is now able to spend his last years in ease and comfort, free from the worries and trials of business life. Mr. Diehl was born near Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, January 25, 1825. and is a son of George and Elizabeth (Alickley) Diehl, als(j natives of that state and worthy representatives of two of its prominent old families. The father, who was a soldier of the war of 1812, lived to the ripe nld age of seventy-eight years, and both he and his wife died in Pennsylvania. In their family \vere six sons but only two are now li\-ing, these being Amos, our subject and Hamil- ton, wdio married and reared a family, and is now living retired on tlie west side of Cedar Rapids. In earl\- life Amos Diehl was given the advantages of a common school education. He grew to manhood on the home farm and worked at the carpenter's trade. When the Civil war broke out he enlisted in 1862 for nine months in Company D, One Hundred and Sixty-fifth Pennsylvania Volunteer In- fantry, which vvas assigned to the Army of •the Potomac, and he participated in the battle of Weldon Railroad, Virginia; a skirmish at Black Water ; and tlie siege of Suffolk. He had several narnjw escapes but fortunate] v was never wounded and when bis term of enlistment expired was honorably discharged at Gettysburg, in July 1863, soon after the battle at that place. After the war Air. Diehl engaged in the manufacture of lumber in Adams county, 1 'ennsyh'ania. where he carried on the mill- ing business for eight or ten years. Dis- posing of liis interests in that tate he came west in the fall of 1867 and located in Cedar Rapids, where he was engaged in teaming for several years, lie purchased property on the west side and built thereon a house which he subse(|uently sold. Later he im- proved other i)ropert\', and in this way did much toward the development of the city, always taking an active interest in its pros- perity. By his ballot he supports the men and nieasiu'es of the Republican party, but lias never cared for official honors. He is well known and is held in the highest es- teeem by his fellow townsmen. V.VJOR JACOB H. CAMBURX, M. D. More than forty-seven years have passed since this gentleman arrived in Cedar Rap- ids, and he is justly numbered among her honored pi(jneers and leading citizens. As a physician and surgeon he was actively identified with her professional interests in early life, Init is now li\-ing retired. His is an honorable record of a conscientious man, who by his upright life has won the confidence of all with whom he has come in contact. The D(jctor was Ijorn at Alacedon Centre, \\'a\-ne county. New York, December 8, 1823, and comes of good old Revolutionary stock, his paternal great-grandfather, the fatlier of Levi Camhurn, lia\-ing f.'.ught for the in died in St. Louis. Missouri, at the age of seven- teen years; and Stephen A., of this review. The early life of our subject was passed in Massachusetts, and he had fair educa- tional advantages, attending both the com- mon schools and an academy. From the age of ten to si.xteen years he spent most of his time upon a farm, and then turned his at- tention to learning the carpenter's trade, serving a three-years' apprenticeship. Dur- ing the following four years he worked as a journeyman in his native state, and then entered a furniture factory at Dedliam, ]\Ias- sachusetts. where he was employed at cab- inet Work for three or four years. • In 1851 ;\lr. Shattuck came west and after x'isiting a sister in Iowa City for some time, he located in Cedar Rapids in June, 1852, and .--(ion afterward emliarked in mer- chandising with his uncle, Henry A. Carter, under the firm name of Carter & Shattuck. BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 127 This relation was continued for about tliree years, wiien George Dewey purchased the interest of ^Ir. Carter, and the title of the firm was changed to Shattuck & Dewey. The first place of business occupied by Mr. Shattuck was on First street, between First and Second avenues, it being a frame build- ing one story in height. At that time there were not over four or five brick buildings in the place. They continued on First street until Mr. Carter sold his interests. In 1856 he built a brick block, forty feet front and eighty feet deep, three stories in lieight, which building is still standing. Mr. Shat- tuck was subsequently interested in other enterprises, and continued in active business until 1890, when he laid aside Imsiness cares, and has since lived a retired life. In 1856 he erected the third brick lilock in the city, it being located on First avenue, and in 1855 built his present brick residence, into which he moved in the spring of the fol- lowing year. It is believed that no man in tile city has so long resided in one house, it having been his home for the long period of forty-fi\'e years. ( )n the 1st of January, 1856, Mr. Shat- tuck was married in Berlin, Massachusetts, to Miss Harriet Rice, who was born in Northboro, April 2, 1831, that state, which was also the birthplace of her husl)and. Her parents, Captain Seth and Persis ( Bart- lett) Rice, were also natives of Massachu- setts. Soon after his marriage Mr. Shat- tuck brought his bride to the new home he had prepared for her reception in Cedar Rapids. Tliey had two children. William Lemuel, who was well educated in the Cedar Rapitis high scIkxjI, died in Los Angeles, California, IMarch 3, 1886, at the age of twenty-si.N; years. Nellie L. is at home, in earlv life Mr. Shattuck voted with the old Free Soil party, and he assisted in organizing the Republican party, voting for John C. Fremont in 1856, and for all the presidential candidates since that time. He has never sought political honors, but served as alderman of the city two years ; township assessor one year ; and township trustee three years. He has been a delegate to numerous conventions of his party, and has always taken a deep anil commendable interest in public affairs. For some years he was a member of Oak Lodge, No. 53, I. O. O. F. Wherever known he is held in high regard, and as an honored pioneer and highly re- spected citizen he is certainly deserving of honorable mention in the history of his adopted county. EDWIN GARRETSON. Among the honored and highly respect- ed citizens of Marion is this 'well-known retired farmer, whose home is at the cor- ner of Eleventh street and Fdurteenth ave- nue. He was born in Bedford county, Pennsylvania, May 8, 1838, a son of Aaron and Hannah (Miller) Garretson, natives of the same state. . When a ynung man the father went to Ohio, making the journey on foot, and took possession of a farm near Daytim which his father had given him. That region was then all wild and unimproved, and after spending one year there he returned to the Keystone state. .\fter his marriage he ])urchased a farm in I5edford county, I'ennsyKania. at the foot of the Allegheny mountains, and to the improvement and cultivation of that place devoted his energies until called to his final rest, at the age of fifty years. 128 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD Botli he and his wife were memhers of the Society of Friends, but after his death she united with the Dunkard churcli. For al- most thirty years she made iier home with our subject, where she died in 1892, at the age of ninety-one. In the family were nine children, of whom five are still living, namely : Thom- as, a resident of this county ; Mary, a widow and a resident of Marshall county, Iowa, who first married Moses Rogers, and after his death wedded John Merry; Mrs. Deb- orah Snyder, a widow of Benton county, Iowa; Edwin, our subject; and George, a resident of California. The family has al- ways been a patriotic and loyal one, and during the Civil war four of the brothers were numbered among the boys in blue. Thomas served four years in the Eighty- fourth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, which was a part of the Army of the Po- tomac. ]\Ioses and George were both mem- bers of Company H, Fifty-fifth Pennsyl- vania Volunteer Infantry. The former was overseer of a fort in South Carolina until he received a sunstroke on the battle- field. This brought on quick consumption. He was first taken to Baltimore and later ttj Philadelphia, from which citv our sub- ject brought him to Iowa, where he died eight days later at the age of twenty-five years. He was a Quaker by birthright, but belonged to no church. Prior to entering the army he took care of his mother. After ser\ing two years George was also taken ill and returned, home, but eight months later he had so far recovered as to be al)le to re-enlist, and he remained in the service until the close of the war. He was once wounded in the right shoulder. The sisters who have passed away were Sarah, who died at the age of twelve vears; Martha. who died at the age of twenty-one; and Edith, who died at the age of nineteen. During his boyhood Edwin Garretson attended the common schools of his native state and assisted in the labors of the farm. He was only ten years old when his father died, and he then started out in life for himself as a farm hand, working for two dollars and a half per month. He continued to follow farming until after the inaugura- tion of the Civil war. Laying aside all personal interests, he enlisted in July, 1863, in Company E, Twenty-first Pennsj'lvania Cavalry, his command being one of four companies which were placed' on detached duty. During his service he contracted typhoid fever, but remained at the front and did not return home until chronic diarrhea set in, when he was granted a two- weeks' furlough. As his term of enlist- ment had expired, he never returned to the front, but was mustered out in February, 1864. It was on the 29th of April, 1864, that Mr. Garretson landed in Cedar Rapids, and has since made this county his home. He was accompaified by his mother and older brother, l^Ili, his wife and three children. The l)rother died at the age of forty-five, leaving a widow and eight daughters who now reside in Toddville, this county. For several years after coming to Iowa our sub- ject engaged in farming upon rented land. On the 17th of May, 1865, Mr. Garret- son married Aliss Angela W. Andrews, a native of Morgan county, Ohio, and a daughter of C. C. and Delilah (Jordan) Andrews, who were also born in that state, and came to Iowa in 1850, locating three miles west of Marion. Her mother was b,orn December 26, 1819. and died July 27, 1877. She was a member of the Baptist BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 129 cliurcli. The father served as captain in the Ohii) MiHtia. hut took no active part in war. Mr. and I\Irs. Andrews were married Feh- ruar}- 7, 1840, and were the parents of seven children, namely: Sarah T., widow of D. S. Hindman, and a resident of Cedar Rap- ids; Angela \\'., wife of our subject: Wal- lace, a farmer of Buchanan county, Iowa; Emeline, wife of Henry Fleming, of Marion townsliii), Linn county; Rachel, wife of Paul Stevens, a farmer of Tama county, Iowa; Francis, a farmer of this county ; and Mary, wife of Brooks Stevens, of this county. Unto Mr. and !Mrs. Garretson were hnrn three children: Ella, who died in 1880, when nearly twelve years of age; Etta M., wife of C. A. Plummer, who is engaged in farm- ing in the northeast part of Marion town- ship, and by whom she has one child, Ger- aldine C. ; and Delia, at home. Mr. Garretson's first purchase of land consisted of forty acres in Spring Grove township, and on selling that bought an eighty-acre tract, which he subsecjuently dis- posed of. For seventeen years he and his wife efficiently carried on the county home, and so acceptable were their services that the board of supervisors were loath to have them give it up. On retiring from that position Mr. Garrettson bought one hun- dred and fifteen acres of well improved land in Marion township, which he still owns. He operated the farm until February, 1899, when he removed to Marion and has since lived a retired life, enjoying a well-earned rest. He rents his farm on the shares, but still looks after his Inisiness interests, and is now feeding a carload of cattle uix)n the place. He buys both steers and hogs wliich he fattens for market. In his political views Mr. Garretson is an ardent Republican, and be has filled the offices of assessor and school director, hav- ing taken an active interest in educational affairs in his locality. He and his estimable wife are active and prominent members of the Christian church, in which she is now serving as deaconess. They have a large circle of friends and acquaintances through- out the county who appreciate their sterling worth and many excellencies of character. JOSEPH P. GRISSEL. Among the leading representatives of the industrial interests of Cedar Rapids is Jo- seph P. Grissel, who came to this city in 1889, and has since been quite extensively engaged in the manufacture of cornice. He was born in New York city, on the 7th of July, 1859, and is a son of Vincent and An- nie (Katzerovsky) Grissel, both natives of Germany. The father was horn November 22, 1828, and remained in the land of his birth until 1852, when he came to the United States, accompanied by his wife and one son, John. He first located in New York, where he followed farming until about 1862, when he came to Iowa, and here worked as a farm hand for several years, but was fin- ally able to i^urchase a farm near Iowa City, and to its operation de\-oted his time and en- ergies for several years. He is now li\ing retired in Iowa City, enjoying a rest which he has truly earned. ;\s a \-oter he has always been an acti\e worker in political circles, and has held minor offices in his township and city. Fraternally he affiliates with the Independent Oriler of Odd Fel- lows. During his long resilience in this state be has watched with interest its wontlerful development, has seen towns and cities I30 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD spring into existence, and in tlie work of up- building and advancement he has ever bore his part. His wife died in February, 1897. Of the nine children born to this worthy couple one son, Frank, died at the age of four years, and John, the oldest, died at the age of thirty-five. The latter was admitted to the bar and engaged in the practice of law for some time before his death. Those of the family still living are Rudolph, a gen- eral merchant of W'oonsocket, Sanborn coun- ty, South Dakota ; Charles, a farmer of Iowa City; Joseph P., our subject; Annie, wife of J. J. Cerney, an employe of the Golden Eagle Clothing Company, of Iowa City; Mary, at home with her father; Vin- cent M.. a traveling salesman, and George, a tailor by trade, who is also at home. The children were educated in the public schools. Joseph P. Grissel is indebted to the schools of Iowa City for his educational ad- vantages. At the age of sixteen he began his business career by learning the tinner's trade, which he has since followed, doing general repair work and manufacturing cor- nice. He remained at Iowa City until com- ing to Cedar Rapids in 1889, and has since conducted liusiness at this place. He formed a partnershi]^ with \'. W. Maresli, a resi- dent of Iowa City, who sold his interest in the business in 1895 to his son, S. E. Maresh, and the latter was a memljer of the firm un- til 1900, since which time ^Ir. Grissel has been alone in business, though A'. W. !\Iaresh is still connected with him in the ownership of what is known as the A. O. U. \V. block on First avenue. F\- ume, but the work would be incomjilett.' without the record of his life. No man in Cedar Rapids has been more prominently identified with is Inisiness interests or has taken a more active part in its uplniilding and progress. He has cheerfully given his sup- port to those enterprises that tend to public de\-elopment, and has been connected with various interests that have promoted general welfare, though he is now practically living a retired life. Mr. Goodrich was born in Utica, New "^'ork, December 15, 1826, and belongs to an old colonial family of Welsh origin which was founded in Berlin, Connecticut, at a \ery early day in the history of this coun- try. His paternal grandfather, Leonard Goodrich, was a native of that state and was a pioneer of New York, settling near Utica. He fought for American independ- ence as a soldier of the Revolutionary war, and lived to the advanced age of ninety- four years. Curtis Goodrich, the father of our sub- ject, was born near Albany, New York, in 1 80 1, but reared on his father's farm near L^tice, and during his active business life en- gaged in farmine and stock raising, making a specialty of sheep and cattle. He married Sophia Brigham, a nati\-e of Massachusetts. In October, 1855, they came to Linn county, Iowa, where they spent their last days, his wife dying in 1878, while his death occurred in ^larch, 1884. All of their ten children reached mature years, but only three now survive, tliese being John E., the subject of this sketch ; Francis, a florist of Ocala, Flor- ida: and James C, who was a soldier of the Civil war. and after that struggle went to California, but is now a resident of ]\Ion- tana. where he is interested in mining. Mr. Goodrich, whose name introduces this review, grew to manhood on the home farm and received a good academic educa- tion, after first attending the common schools. He began his business career as 138 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD a hardware mercliant in Utica, but soon sold out and went to Buffalo, where he engaged in clerking for the firm of Jewett & Root for two or three years. In 1845 h^ went to Hillsdale, Michigan, where he was similarly employed for aliont a year, and then came to Iowa, locating first at Iowa City, where he engaged in teaming and railroad con- struction for a time. He next conducted a hotel at that place, it being a favorite stop- ping place for those emigrating westward. Subsequently he had charge of the Shields House at Vinton, Iowa, for one year, and in the fall of 1856 came to Linn county, locating at Lisbon, where he conducted the New York House until 1869, when se took charge of the Valley City House at Cedar Rapids, and carried on the same for thir- teen years. He continued to successfully engage in the hotel business in this city for thirteen years, and then sold out. In the meantime he had Ijecome interested in other enterprises, and bought and improved a large amount of city property. In 1876 he pur- chased a lot and erected the house where he now resides, and at different times has owned about twenty houses in Cedar Rapids. In advancing his own interests he has materi- ally aided in the growth and upbuilding of the city, and is to-day numl)ered among its most public-spirited and enterprising citizens. On the 1st of June, 1865, at Des Moines. Iowa, Mr. Goodrich was united in marriage with Miss Harriet E. Speck, who was born, reared and educated near Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. They have become the i)ar- ents of six children, who are st 11 living, namely: Minnie, wife of J. R. Morrin, of Chicago; Ahneda, wife of J. E. Byers, of Cedar Rapids: Belle, wife of E. E. Marquis, of Hastings, Nebraska: I'red. who liolds a business position with Swift & Company, of Chicago ; Gertrude, at home ; and Garfield, also with Swift & Company, of Chicago. In his political affiliations Mr. Goodrich was originally a ^^'hig, and cast his first presidential ballot for Zachary Taylor. He joined the Republican party on its organiza- tion, voting for John C. Fremont in 1856, and for every presidential nominee of that party since that time. He has never cared for the honors or emoluments of public i.if- fice. preferring rather to give his undivided attention to his business interests. He and bis wife are earnest and consistent memliers of St. Paul's Methodist Episcopal church and stand high in public esteem. He is always mentioned as one of the invaluable c'tizens of Cedar Rapids, and on the rolls of Linn county's most honored pioneers and repre- sentative citizens his name should be among the foremost. \\TLLI.\M BURNS. William Burns, a highly e.steemed citi- zen of Franklin township residing on sec- tion 14. was born in Trumbull county, Penn- sylvania. May 23. 1840, and is of Scotch- Irish descent. His ancestors, howex'er, came to -America at an early day and his great- grandfather took part in the Revolutionary w ar. I lis parents were Solomon and ]\Iar- garet (Faulk) Burns, also natives of Penn- sylvania, whence they came to Iowa in 1857, and after .spending three years in Appanoose county located in Marion, where they con- tinued to make their home throughout the remainder of their lives. The father died May 26. 1899. llowing spring. In 1853 ^^'S again tind ;\Ir. Pfautz in Lisbon, Iowa, where for a year he was em- ployed in a store, carried on in a brick build- ing which then occupied the site of the pres- ent opera house. He then purchased eighty acres of raw prairie land in Linn township, for which he paid six hundred dollars, and to which he afterward added one hundred acres that had previously been broken. All of this property he placed untler a high state of cultivation and continued to successfully oi>erate the same until the spring of 1883, when he removed to Van Horn, Benton county, Iowa. There he liought an improved farm of one hundred and si.xty acres, on which he made his home for four years, and at the end of that time went to Fall River county. South Dakota, taking up a claim of one hundred and sixty acres near Hot Springs, where he lived for eight years. At the end of that period he returned to Lisbon, Iowa, to spend his remaining days in ease and f|uiet, free from the cares and respon- sibilities of business life. Politically he is a supporter of the Democracy, and frater- nally was at one time a member of the Ma- sonic order. He is widely and favorably known throughout Linn county, and has a host of friends in the various communities where he has resided. On the 27th of February, 1855, in Ma- rion, Iowa, I\Ir. Pfautz wedded Miss Mary McAllister, who was born in Kingston, Up- per Canada, September 19, 1830, and is a daughter of Niece and Nancy (Craig) Mc- Allister, both natives of county Antrim, Ireland. She is one of a family of twelve children, but has only two brothers and one sister now living, namely : Thomas, who married Elizabeth McClusky and resides near Mechanicsville, Cedar county ; James, who married Lettie White and lives in Louisville, Pottawatomie county, Kansas; and Catherine Chcrr}', widow of John [Man- ning and a resident of Toledo, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Pfautz had a family of seven children, namely : ( i ) Anna resides with her parents. (2) ]\Iaggie is the wife of Sherman Riddell, of Chariton, Iowa. (3) Louise is the wife of David West, of Mt. Vernon, Iowa, and they have three daugh- ters, Grace, Gale and Vera. (4) Albert J. is mentioned below. (5) Samuel A. died in infancy. (6) Ella is the wife of J. W. Strouse, of Peck, Idaho, and they have twO' children. Vera and Byron. (7) Alice E. is the wife of Carey F. Harrington, of Rock- ford, Illinois, and they have one child, Fay. Albert J. Pfautz, the only son of our subject, was born in Linn county, Iowa, October 6, 1862, and was educated in a dis- trict school two miles north of Lisbon. He- was married, in Benton county, this state, ^larch 10, 1886, to Miss Gertrude Catlin, who was born near Vinton, Iowa, June 14, 1867, a daughter of James E. and Eliza (Mills) Catlin, natives of Pennsylvania. Her father is a farmer by occupation. Albert J. Pfautz and wife have six children : Lola,. 148 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD Loren, Lois, Ina, Harold and Elizabeth. For a time the father of these chilch-en engaged ii' farming near Van Horn, Benton county, but in April, 1886, went to the Black Hills, and as a squatter he located a claim in Fall River county. South Dakota, where he re- mained until the summer of 1889. He then went t(j the \Mnd River mountains in ^^'y- oniing, but returned home in the fall of that year, and removed to Hot Springs, South Dakota, where he engaged in the hotel busi- ness and also helped to build the Soldiers Home. About Christmas time he returned to his claim near Oelrich, South Dakota, but in the spring of 1890 we find him a resi- dent of Hay Springs, Nebraska, near which place he took up a homestead claim. He remaineil there until the following March, living there during the Indian outbreak. He served as United States messenger for Cap- tain Hanson of Company G, Nebraska Na- tional Guards. In the spring of 1891 he returned to Hot Springs, South Dakota, where he conducted a hotel and engaged in carpentering and contracting for two years. He was next engaged in farming on his place near Oelrich until September, 1895, when he and some companions took a trip in a covered wagon, crossing Iowa into Missouri and over into Nebraska by way of Omaha, thus traveling one thousand and fifty miles Ijy team. Mr. Pfautz then spent one year in Paullina, Iowa, and then re- moved to Cherokee, this state. In the fall of 1897 lie went to the grain belt of South Dakota, traveling through the country op- erating a threshing machine, and then re- turned to Pottawattamie county. Iowa, where he remained two months. He was ne.\t engaged in the grocery business at \'in- ton, Benton county. Iowa, for a year, and then followed farming for a time, but is now interested in the insurance business at Ken- wood Park, Linn county. He is serving a^- deputy of the Ancient Order of the Red Cross, and is also a member of the Modern Brotlierhood of America, while in religious belief he is a Baptist, and in politics is a Democrat. ADAM ^^'HITLATCH. Adam Whitlatch, a retired farmer and highly respected citizen of Mt. Vernon, was born in Perry county, Ohio, October 16, 1837, and is a son of John W. and Annie (Mann) Whitlatch, who were born, reared and married in Pennsylvania. He was only two years old when, in 1839, the family came to Linn county, Iowa, and located on a farm in Linn township, seven miles north- west of Mt. A'ernon, being among the earliest settlers of this region. Later his parents removed to Hardin county, Iowa, where the mother died. The father's death occurred in Neljraska. In their family were the f-.>l- Iciwing children: Jennie, widow of Adam Ivlann and a resident of Linn township, this county: Mary A., widow of Da\id Mann and a resident of Steele county, Minnesota ; William, who married Hulda Phillips, now deceased, and lives in the state of Wash- ington ; Rebecca, wife of Peter Mann, of Steele county, ^Minnesota; Polly M., widow of William Wood and a resident of Mt. Vernon, Iowa ; David, who married Almira Sanimons, now deceased, and makes his home in California; Adam, the subject of this sketch; Rachel, widow of George Run- clall and a resident of Genoa, Nebraska ; Sarah, wife of Amos Stevens, of St. Ed- ward, Nebraska: and Mahala, wife of Scott Willard, of St. Edwards. After the familv located in Linn county BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 149 ir was quite a while before a schonl-liouse was built in their neighborhood, but one was finally built of logs, and supplied with seats rnadc of split logs with pegs for legs. At lirst there were no desks, and those made consisted of a board laid across pins driven into the wall. Our subject had little op- portunity to attend school, as his father was not able to pay the subscription and there were no public schools at that time, but his training at farm work was not so meager and he assisted in the labors of the home place until twenty-four years of age. During the Civil war Mr. W'hitlatch en- listed October 11, 1861, in Company .\, Thirteenth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, which was mustered into the United States service at Davenport, and then sent to St. Louis, and later to Jefferson City, Misouri. On their return to St. Louis they boarded the steamer Hiawatha and were conveyed to Shiloh, taking part in the battle at that place, April 6 and 7. 1862. They participated in the siege of Corinth and the battle at that place, October 4 and 5, and then went to Ripley, where they defeated the rebels. Re- turning to Corinth, they remained there for a time, and then went down through Mis- sissippi to get in the rear of Vicksburg, but at Holly Springs the rebels got in behind them and blew up their base of supplies, so that they had to return to La Fayette on the ^Memphis & Charleston Railroad. They next went down the river from Mem- phis to iMilliken's Bend, just above Vicks- burg, from there to Lake Providence, and then back to Milliken's Bend. They marched round \^icksburg to Grand Gulf, and then crossed the river and took their stand op- posite Vicksburg. They were ne.xt sent to prevent Johnston from crossing I^lack river, and at the time of the surrender of \'icks- burg it was their duty to keep Johnston from going to the relief of the fort. After spending some time at that place they went up the Yazoo river to Yazoo City, antl then liack to Vicksburg, where they went into winter quarters. While there Mr. W'hit- latch re-enlisted for three years, and went with his command on the Meridian raid. He was then granted a furlough and spent one month at home. Taking a boat at Clinton, Iowa, he then went down the river to Cairo, and up the Tennessee to Clifton, from which place his command marched across the country to join General Sherman's army, which they avertook at Big Shanty, Georgia. During the following forty-eight days they were almost constantly under tire. On the 2d of July, 1864, they drove the enemy across the Chattahoochie ri\er, and then fell back, fighting for three days. On the 22d of that month Mr. Whitlatch was captured at Atlanta, and for two months was confined in the noted Andersonville prison. \\'hile en route from the place of his capture to Andersonville the train was \\recked between East Point and Macon, Georgia. He was then taken to Charles- ton, South Carolina, and a month later to Florence, that state, from which place he was transferred to Wilmington, was later sent to Goldsboro, then back to Wilmington and again to Goldsboro. He was finally turned over to the Union forces at Wilming- ton, February 27, 1865, but was ill at that time from the effects of his imprisonment, and was taken by a steamer to a hospital in New York, where he remained until able to travel. He was then sent to Newburn, Xurth Carolina, but as his regiment had started on the march he was taken to Alex- andria, Virginia. He jjarticipated in the grand review at Washington, D. C, May 24, ISO BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 1865, and was mustered nut of scr\-ice at Louisville, Kentueky, on the 21st of July, being paid off at Davenport. In history we read of the spring of pure water that so suddenly burst forth inside the stockade of Andersonx'ille prison, when the thousands of prisoners were dying from thirst. Our subject was there at the time and can vouch for the truth of the miracle. On his return home Mr. Whitlatch re- sumed farming. He was married, on the 31st of October, 1866, the lady of his choice being Miss Philomela Carnahan, who was born in Muskingum county, Ohio, February I, 1848, and is a daughter of Jacob and Mary (Phillips) Carnahan, natives of Penn- sylvania and Ohio, respectively. They were married in the latter state and in 1849 ^^' moved to Ivanhoe, Iowa, where the father worked at the carpenter's trade for a short time, and then went to Jones county, mak- ing his home there for eight years. He next came to Linn county, but afterward removed to Jasper county, Iowa, where he remained until the breaking out of the Civil war, when he enlisted in Company D, Fortieth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and served three years. In the meantime his family removed to Springville, Linn county, where he lived for ten years, but for the past twenty-eight years has been a resident 'of Colorado, his home l)eing at Palmer Lake, fifty miles south of Denver. He had seven children, namely : Mary, deceased wife of Frank Mc- Shane, of Brown township, this county; Philomela, wife of our subject; John, who married ^largaret P>rockman, now deceased, and lives in Springville, Iowa; Electa, wife of Daniel \Vinchell, of Colorado Springs, Colorado: Jennie, wife of Lorenzo Lamkins and resides in Texas; A|ilelaide, deceased wife nf Horace Bemis, of Pasadena, Cali- fornia ; and Lest(jn, who is supposed to have lost his life in the Rocky mountains. Unto Mr. and ^Irs. W'hitlatch were born nine children, of whom the oldest, born Sep- tember 2, 1867, died in infancy; Delcina, born August 31, 1868, is the wife of John Belk, of Buchanan county, Iowa; John, born May 3, 1870, lives on a farm in Franklin wife of James Hoffman, of Franklin town- township; Dora, born April 3, 1872, is the ship; Anna, born December 5, 1875, resides with her parents ; Mattie, born February 26, 1877, is the wife of Alvin Russell, of Frank- lin township; Ida, born July 13, 1881, Otis Howard, born July 24, 1882, and Hazel, born June 2, 1886, are all at home. After his marriage Mr. Whitlatch lo- cated on a farm of fifty acres on section 16, Linn townshi]), which he had previously purchased, rind made that his home for sev- enteen years. On selling that place he bought a farm of eighty acres on section 36, Franklin township, and continued his residence there until his retirement from active labor, March 4, 1901, when he re- moved to Mt. Vernon. In time of war he was a brave and fearless soldier, and in time of peace is an excellent citizen, taking a deep and commendable interest in public af- fairs. By his ballot he supports the Repub- lican party, while religiously he is a member nf the I'niteil I'lrethren church. ENOCH B. DYE. One tjf the representative farmers and honored citizens of Marion township is Enoch B. Dye, who was born in Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, May 31, 1829, a son of William and Susanna (Crothers) Dye,. BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 153 the fnrnier a native of Washington county, that state, tlie latter of Big Beaver, Beaver county, Pennsylvania. The father, who was a carpenter by trade, died in Pennsyl- vania in 183 1. He assisted in constructing the first bridge across the Allegheny river. The mother departed this life in October, 1890. For her second .husband she mar- ried Dr. Elijah W. Lake, of Loudonville, Ohio, and in 1853 they came to Iowa City, Johnson county, Iowa. He died in ]\Iarion. More extended mention is made of Dr. Lake in the sketch of George W. Lake on another page of this volume. There were only two children born to William and Susanna (Crothers) Dye, these being Enoch B., our subject, and Will- iam McEntire. The latter was l_)orn in Washington, Pennsylvauia, January 26, 1 83 1, and was reared in Mansfield, Ohio, from which state he was appointed to West Point. He entered the military academy as cadet, July i, 1849, ^"^ on his gradua- tion, July I, 1853, was appointed second lieutenant. He was then (in duty at Fort Columbus, New York; Benicia and Fort Reading, California; Fort Davis and San Antonio, Texas, until the war broke out. On the 14th of May, 1861, he was com- missioned captain of the Eighth United States Infantry, and on the 25th of August, 1862, was made colonel of the Twentieth Iowa Volunteer Infantry. Pie participated in many engagements, and was mustered out of the volunteer service at the close of the war, July 8, 1865. He was commis- sioned major in the Fourth United States Infantry, January 14, 1866, and was in tlie recruiting service until sent to Plattsburg Barracks, New York, where he remained until b'ebruary 18, 1867. He was a mem- ber of the examining board of New York city until April 15, 1868, when he was ordered to the frontier, and was on duty at Forts Larrimie and Fetterman until Feb- ruary 4, 1708. On the 30th of the follow- ing September he received an honorable discharge, and for the following three years was engaged in farming near Marion, Iowa. In 1873 he went to Egypt, having been recommended by General Sherman, who was traveling in that country and had been asked by the Egyptian government to rec- ommend some officer for service. Gen- eral Dye took part in the Abyssinian cam- paign in 1876, and was wounded in the battle of Gura. After five years spent in Egypt he returned to New York, June 30, 1878, and in 1880 [)ul)lishe(l a book on "Egypt and Abyssinia." He was superin- tendent of the metropolitan police of the District of Columbia from 1883 to 1886, and for the following two years was chief of the army and navy division of the pen- sion bureau and of its special examination division. In 1888 he wen to Korea to become military advisor and instructor in the service of the King of Korea. The Korean govern- ment wished to reorganize the army and they asked the United States legation to recom- mend some American officers to them. The legation referred it to the state depart- ment at Washington, which in turn referred it to tlie war department, and the war de- partment to the commander-in-chief of the army, who was General Sheridan. He of- fered the place to General Dye, who was a classmate of his at West Point, having graduated in the same year. He was also a cousin of General Dye. General Dye ac- cepted, and held the position until the spring of 1896, during which time he rose rapidly in the esteem of the king. As vice-minister of war and commander of the Korean. 154 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD army he worked a revolution in that miH- tary body and put it on a scale of excel- lence it had never known. He introduced modern guns and equipment, and revised American tactics to fit Korean needs. Through all the serious political disturb- ances which occurred in that country he remained the confidential advisor and trust- ed friend of the king. When treachery threatened the king's life General Dye lived in a house adjoining the royal palace and was believed and trusted. When Japan swooped down upon the helpless country he was practically a prisoner with the king in the royal palace. He was never permit- ted to take advantage of a month's leave of absence according to contract on account of the political condition of the country, although the condition of his health de- manded a vacation. He therefore remained in Korea continuously for more than eleven years, sacrificing his health, and without reaping such reward as the faithful might ■e.xpect. When the Russians came into power General Dye's military service ended, hut he remained in Seoul engaged in other public work. While there he had all kinds of fruit -trees shipped to that country and instructed the natives in the raising of fruit, etc. He was ill for some time, and on the 5th of May, 1899, 'Started for home by way of Japan and Hawaii, arriving in San Francisco June 2j, and remaining there nutil July 11, when he proceeded to his home in ]\Iuskegon, ^lichigan. There he passed away on the 13th of Novemljer fol- lowing. He was married February 18, 1864, to Miss Ellen A. Rucker, daughter of Judge Rucker, of Chicago, and to them were born three children : J. Henr\-, who was with his father in Korea for three vears and a half as civil engineer, and is now living in Muskegon, IMichigan ; Mrs. S. E. Baylis, of Chicago; and Annette M., a teacher in the Muskegon high school. Enoch B. Dye was educated in the schools of Mansfield, Ohio, and for a time was engaged in teaching in the country city schools for several years. He also engaged in bookkeeping to some extent. In 1858 he removed to Iowa City, John- son county, Iowa, and took charge of the Tremont House, which he conducted until it was destroyed by fire the following year. He next taught school in Crawford and Morrow counties, Ohio, until 1867, when he came to Marion, and for several years successfully followed that profession in this city. He is now engaged in farming in Marion township, and for the past five years has devoted considerable attention to his inventions, -having several different patents, such as car couplers, fire and burglar alarms, etc. On the 23d of June, 1857, in Washing- ton, Pennsylvania, was celebrated the mar- riage of Mr. Dye and Miss Malvina K. Dye, of that place, a daughter of David and Sarah Dye. The father was a tailor by trade, died in 1887, and the mother also died the same year. The children born to our subject and his wife are Sarah, wife of George Collins, of Belle Plain, Iowa; Will- iam L., a mason of Calhoun count}', Iowa ; John D. McC, who is engaged in farming on his father's farm in Marion tow nship ; George W. R., a carpenter and builder of Marion; and Joseph Milton, an attorney of Svvea, Iowa. Mr. Dye is a member of the First Con- gregational church of Marion, and a stanch supporter of the Democratic party, though he has never been an office-seeker. He is a man of recognized abilitv and stands BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD '55 high in the cninmunity wliere he has so long made his liome. Tliose wiio know him Ijest are numhered among his warmest friends, and no citizen in the county is more honored or highly respected. LEONARD F. LOUNSBURY. As a mason this gentleman has been actively identified with the business interests of Cedar Rapids since the i6th of June, 1882, and is accounted one of its most en- ergetic and reliable business men. A native of Connecticut, he was born in Stamford, Fairfield county, on the 3d of September, 1837, and belongs to a family of French extraction, which was founded in the new world in 1660, his ancestors being among the earliest settlers of Connecticut. His pa- ternal great-grandfather was Gideon Louns- bury, and his grandfather was Elijah Louns- bury, both life-long residents of that state. His father, Ezra Lounsbury, was born and reared there, and throughout his active busi- ness career followed the shoemaker's trade. In September, 1822, he married Miss Phoebe Scofield, also a native of Connecticut, and a daughter of Alpheus Scofield. To them were born four children, of whom Leonard F". is the youngest and the only one mar- ried. The others are Mary E., Betsy M. and E. Willard. all residents of New Canaan, Connecticut. The father died in that state in October, 1865. The early educational advantages of our subject were such as the cnmniDU school of Connecticut afforded during his boyhood. He learned the plasterer's trade, and later became a brick-layer, following those occu- pations in Fairfield county, Connecticut, for over twenty years. On the i6th of June, 1882, he joined an old friend, Charles E. Seely, in Cedar Rapids, and forming a part- nership they engaged in contracting and building for about ten years. The last piece of work which they diil together was plas- tering the Kimball block. Since then Mr. Lounsbury has been alone in business, and many of the public buildings and private ' residences of Cedar Rapids bear evidence of his handiwork. He has purchased several lots in the city and built residences thereon, and in this way has materially promoted its welfare. On the 1st of May, 1869, in Cnnnecti- cut, Mr. Lounsbury was united in marriage with Miss H. Eliza Kellogg, a native of that state, where she died February 13, 1881, and to them were born twO children : Alice, now a teacher of Connecticut, was educated in Cedar Rapids, and taught school here for a time. Frank L. is married and holds a responsible position in a mercantile estab- lishment of Cedar Rapids. Mr.- Lounsbury was again married, in New Haven, Connecti- cut. March 3, 1886, his second union being with Miss Elizabeth A. Root, who was born in Norwalk, that state, and reared and edu- cate 1 in Fairfield county. They have one (laughter, Florence May, now a student in the Cedar Rapids schools. The Root family is of English descent and among the pio- neers of Connecticut, of which state Mrs. Lounsbury's father, William E. Root, and her grandfather. Miles Root, were both na- tives. On reaching manhood the former marrie I Martha A. Saxon, who was born in England, and came to America when a young lady of eighteen years. By trade he was a mechanic and was engaged in manu- facturing Inisiness in Connecticut for many years, but spent his last days with his daugh- 156 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD ter, Mrs. Loiinsbury. in Cedar Rapids, where he died May lo, 1896. Since casting his first presidential ballot for Abraham Lincoln in i860, Mr. Louns- bur}- has been a stanch supporter of the Re- publican party on national issues, but at local elections votes independent of party lines, supporting the men whom he believes best qualified to fill the offices. He has never cared for political honors, but has always taken a deep and commendable interest in public aft'airs, as every true .\merican citi- zen should. He and his wife hold member- ship in the Methodist Episcopal church, and she is a very active wijrker in the same, be- ing a member of the Foreign Missionary Society, and a teacher in the Sunday-school for many years. Almost forty years ago Mr. Lounsbury joined the Independent Order of Odd Fellows in Connecticut, but has never transferre 1 his membership to the lodge at Cedar Rapids. Upright and reliable in all things, he commands the respect and con- fidence of all with whom he has lieen brought in contact either in business or social life, and well merits the high regard of his fel- low citizens. \\'ASITlXGTOX B. C.\RPFXTER. 'i"hc subject of this ]3ers >nal narration is one of the most successful and progressive farmers of Marion townshi]). though his home is in the city of Marion on Seventh ax'cnuu west. He was l)orn in Delaware county, New York, on the 27th of Octol)cr, 1829, and is a son of David P. and Rachel (Brownell) Carpenter, the former also a na- tive of the Empire state and the latter of Rutland, Vermont. The father was a farm- er by occupation and was an officer in the war of 1812. recei\ing a land warrant for bis services. He had two brothers, Will- iam and Charles, who fought for American independence as soldiers of the Revolution- ary war. Both he and his wife were active and consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he served as class leader for many years. He died in Xew York at the age of sixty-fcur years, and she passed away at the age of fifty-four. Of their thirteen children our subject is proljabl}- the only survivor, though his brother Caleb, who has not been heard of lor years, may be still living in Pennsyl- vania. During his boyhood Washington B. Car- penter attended the district schools of his native state, but his educational advantages were meager. His training at farm labor, howe\'er, was not so limited and he early acquired an excellent knowledge of agri- cultural pursuits. Before coming west he was employed in a wholesale store in New "^ ork city for eight or nine years. In March, 1864, he arrived in Mt. Vernon, Linn coun- ty, Iowa, aufl was first engaged in farming m Franklin tnwnship, where he purchased land. In his farming operations he has met \\ith most excellent success, and is now the owner of a fine farm of four hund^red and seventy-five acres of land in Marion town- ship, all of which is under a high state of cultivation with the exception of a small tract 111 timlier land. He has an orchard upnn his iilacc, but most of the land is ])!anted in corn and oats. He raises a high grade of thoriiughbred cattle, apd raised the finest steer ever i)roduced in the state, it weighing thirty-six hundred pounds in Chi- cago when four years old. He owns two farms, one of which he rents, while the other is operated by hired help. lUOGRAPHICAL RECORD 157 On the 2ist of r^Iarch, 1S5J, Air. C ar- penter was united in marriage with I\Iiss Frances .\. IMason, also a nati\-e of Xew York, and a daughter of R. W. and S. M. Mason, wlio came to Mt. \'ernon. Iowa, about 1850. By occupation her fatlier was a farmer. Of liis twelve children three sons were among the boys in blue of the Civil war. L. H.. who had previously serx'ed as sheriff of this county, was a quar- termaster in the service and died about tweh-e hours after his return home. E. R., now a resident of Marion, was a lieutenant, and was held a pris:iner at Andersonville for six months. John C. entered the serv- ice as a corporal, and was severely wounded in the battle of Shiloh, after which he re- turned home. Pie has been sergeant at arms at the capitol in Des Moines, and is now serving as justice of the peace in Green- field, Iowa. Unto Mr. and ]\Irs. Car[)enter were born three children: (i) .Vlfred M., a farmer of Marion township, Linn C(iunty, married, first, Alice D. Simpson, and they had seven children, Blanche, Florence, Frances, Pearl, Emily, Cora and Earl. In 1897 she died, and in April, 1899, he married Airs. Mar- jorie Goodlove, and they have one child, Dorothy. (2) Claud C, an extensive farm- er and cattle dealer living a mile east of Marion, married, first. Libbie Belle, and they had five children : Daisy, who died young; Belle; Benjamin; Clintnn and Ralph. In 1893 she passed away, and for his second wife he married Stella Stinson. in 1899, and they have one child, Frances Beulah. (3) Cora A. married Charles Heer and died in 1887. at the age of twenty- four years. \\'ith her was buried her daughter, Louise, who lican ])arty. ^IICHAEL OTTM.XR. This well-known boot and shoe dealer is one of the leading German-born citizens of Cedar Rapids, and in his successful business career he has shown the characteristic thrift and enterprise of his race. He was born in the Kingdom of W'ittenburg, Germany, Feb- ruary 25, 1840, a son of Frederick J. and Mary (Seger) Ottmar, who spent their en- tire lives in that country, where the father followed the shoemaker's trade throughout his business career. In their family were ten children, of whom our subject is the sixth in order of birth. He has only one brother living-. Jacob, a boot and shoe dealer of Iowa Falls, Iowa. Of those who came to America Frederick and John were both killed in the Civil war, the former being a member of an Illinois regiment, the latter of an Iowa regiment ; Gottfried died in Illi- nois; and Mary died in Omaha, Nebraska. The others remained in Germany, antl one of the numlier died in infancy. During his boyhood Jilichael Ottmar at- tended the common schools of his native land, and learned the shoemaker's trade with his father. At the age of seventeen yearS: he came to America and settled in Lafay- ette, Indiana, where he followed his trade for a number of years, during which time he became accustomed to the ways of the new world. Having brougiit with him to this country some capital he then embarked in business ijn his own account at Delphi, Indiana, and during the two years and a half he spent at that place he steadily prospered. Having a good opportunity to sell he did so in 1869, and came direct to Cedar Rapids, which was then a town of only five thousand inhaliitants. Here he opened a retail boot and shoe store, and also did some manu- facturing. As the city grew his trade ex- panded, and he did a very thriving busi- ness for many years, but now lea\-cs the management of his store to his son. while he practically lives a retired life. 1 68 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD Mr. Ottmar has been twice married, his first wife being Mary Kief, tlie marriage ceremony being performed at Rocktield, In- diana. She died in Cedar Rapids, leaving one child, Eliza, who is now Mrs. O. W. Zimmerman, of St. Paul, Minnesota. She has one child, Edna. In 1875 ^^r. Ottmar was married, in Cedar Rapids, to Miss Mary E. Moore, who was born in this city April 7, 1857, her parents, Martin and Nancy (Kimball) Moore, being among the pioneers of Linn county. Her father, who was a na- tive of Belfast, Ireland, came with his fa- ther to Cedar Rapids from Poughkeepsie, New York, in the fall of 1856, and here found a wide field for his labors as a con- tractor and builder. After following that occupation for a number of years he retired to private life. His death occurred in 1893. His first wife died in 1859, leaving four children, namely : Leslie, a bridge carpen- ter by trade, has taken quite a prominent part in public affairs, and is now serving as street commissioner of Cedar Rapids ; Fred- erick is a carpenter and contractor of bridges at Council BlufTs; Mary E., wife of our sub-. ject, is next in order of birth ; and Nannie is the wife of James Williamson, an engin- eer of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad, residing in Cedar Rapids. For his second wife Mr. Moore wedded Mary L. Webb, by whom he had four children, who are still living. Mrs. Ottmar pursued her studies in one of the school houses of Cedar Rapids, built by her father in 1873, and since its organization has been an active member of the Woman's Club, whose object is for study and social benefits. Mr. and Mrs. Ottmar have one son, Frederick Michael, who lives witii his par- ents. He was graduated from the Cedar Rai)ids ]niblic schools in 1893, at the age of eighteen years, and has since been asso- ciated witli his father in business, now hav- ing complete charge of the store on First avenue. During the Spanish-American war he enlisted in Company C, Forty-second l(jwa \'olunteer Infantry, and was in the service thirteen months. Soon after coming to Cedar Rapids Mr. Ottmar became prominently identified with its people socially, and has since been num- bere 1 among its most highly respected busi- ness men. He has confined his attention solely to the boot and shoe trade, which he has found fpiite profitable. He owns his store building and a good residence. He is a member of the German Social Club and the Odd Fellows Lodge, and is an active worker in the latter society, in which he has filled all the chairs. Politically he has al- ways affiliated with the Democratic party, and has served as alderman from the sixth ward and also as alderman at large for two terms, during which time he was a member of different committees. A man of sound judgment and good business ability, he has met with well-merited success in life, and h.is career has been such as to commend him to the confidence and high regard of all with whom he has been brought in contact. J. F. HEIMER. Tills enterprising and progressive farmer and stock raiser, residing on section 23, Franklin township, was born in Pennsyl- vania on the 15th of June, 1853, a son of (ieorge antl Mary (Aletz) Heimer, also na- tives of that state. In 1865 the family re- moved to Stepiienson county, Illinois, where tlie father engaged in farming (ov eleven vears. ami then sold out. moving to Cedar BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 169 county, Iowa, where he bought a farm of <.)ne hunilred and sixty acres, on which he lived for five years. On disposing of that iilace lie came to Lisbon, Linn county, where he pur- chased a home and is now H\ing retired, en- joying the fruits of former toil. For the past two years he has l>een a member of the city council, and he has ever taken an acti\e and commendable interest in public affairs. Religiously both he and his wife are mem- bers of the Reformed church, and are peo- ple of the highest respectability. Unto them were born three children, of whom our subject is the oldest; Henry I. died at the age of three years ; and Josephine is at home with her parents. J. F. Heimer was a lad of fourteen years when he accompanied his parents on their remo\-al to Stephenson county, Illinois. He had previously attended the district schools of his nati\-e state, and completed his educa- tion in Illinois. Early in life he became fa- miliar with all the duties which fall to the lot of the agriculturist, and continued to as- sist his father in the cultivation of the home farm until his marriage in 1875. He then removed to Cedar county, Iowa, where he bought a farm and followed his chosen oc- cupation there for se\-en years. Coming to Linn county, in 1883, he leased what was known as the J. B. Sargent farm on section 23, Franklin township, and here he lias made his home ever since. He has two linndred acres of well improved and valuable land, on which has been erected a good residence and barns. For the past twenty years he has given considerable attention to the breed- ing of short horn cattle, and is one of the best posted men on tliis grade of stock in Linn county. He also breeds Shropshire sheep and IWIand China hogs and raises horses for market, feeding all of the grain raised upon his farm to his stock. He is a thoroughly up-to-date and progressive farn.- er and stock raiser in every respect. Before leaving Stephenson county. Illi- nois, Air. Heimer was married, August 29, 1875, to Miss Mary Miller, wdio was also born in Pennsylvan'a, November 7, 1854, and is a daughter of John and Sophia (W'ertzy) Miller, natives of the Keystone state and farming people. It was in 1859 that the Miller family removed to Stephen- son county, Illinois, and when the mother died in the spring of the following year the children became separated. They were six in number, namely : Abraham, who mar- ried Anna Potter and lives in Cherokee, Iowa ; Franklin, who was born December 19, 1850, and is now deceased; Samuel, who married Sarah Leonard and resides in Min- nesota; Mary, wife of our subject; Jacob, who died in Cherokee county, Iowa ; and one who died in infancy. Religiously Mr. Heimer is a member of the Evangelical church of Lisbon, and po- litically is identified with the Repulilican party, but he has never cared for office, pre- ferring to devote his undivided attention to his extensive business interests. By his sys- tematic methods of comlucting his work, his strict attention to all the details of his busi- ness, and his thoroughly upright dealings, have made for him an honorable record in the Inisiness world, and he is highly re- spected and esteemed by all who knc.w him. MALCOM V. BOLTON. Among the enterprising and wide-awake business men of Cedar Rapids is this well- known real estate and loan agent. He was I70 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD born in Stockholm, St. Lawrence count}', New York, on the 30th day of June, i86g, a son of Thomas Harrison and Rosina Caro- line (Schellenger) Bolton, also nati\-es of that county. His paternal grandfather, James Bolton, was an Englishman by birth, and emigrated to America about 1835, locat- ing in St. Lawrence county, Xew York. As his father was a landed proprietor of Eng- land he was reared amid wealthy surround- ings, had no practical business experience, and lost his property. After coming to this countr}' he followed farming in St. Lawrence county, New York, until his death. Thomas H. Bolton, father of our sub- ject, was the fifth in order of birth in a family of six children. For many years he has followed the insurance business, making his home in Stockholm, New York, thousfh for about half the time in the past twenty years he has made Springfield, Illinois, his headquarters. He owns considerable farm property in St. Lawrence county, which is operated by tenants. Of his four children two sons died in infancy, while those living are Malcom V., our subject; and Thomas Harrison, Jr., who is attending the Cedar Rapids high school. Malcolm V. Bolton received his literary education in the schools of Stockholm and the Lawrenceville Academy, and in 1888, at the age of nineteen years, he removed to Cedar Rapids, took a course in the Cedar Rapids Business College, and then entered ihe employ of AIcGee & Kauppe, later Frick & Kauppe, wholesale dealers in cofifees, teas and spices. He remained with them in the capacity of bookkeeper and salesman for three years. At the end of that time he ac- cepted the position of bookk(.'e])er fur the Order of Railway Conductors, whose nation- al headquarters are located at Cetlar Rap- ids, and was in their employ for two years. He then engaged in the real estate and loan business. He deals in city and farm proper- ty and makes a specialty of city and farm loans. Mr. Bolton is secretary of the De La Hunt Flush Tank Company of Cedar Rap- ids, and is also secretary of the Occidental Club, a social organization composed of the Cedar Rapids business men. Fraternally he atliliates with Mt. Herman Lodge, F. & A. ]\I., and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. In pcilitics he is independent. JOSEPH TOMLINSON. A long life filled with useful efforts has won for this venerable resident of Cedar Rapids the respect and esteem of his fellow citizens and has gained for him a comfort- able competence which enables him to spend his declining years in ease and quiet, free from the turmoil of business life. He was born in Ruskington, Lincolnshire, England, June 22, 1816, and is one of a family of fourteen children whose parents were Joseph T. and Ann (Sherwood) Tomlinson, life- long residents of that country. He has two brothers still living, one a resident of New Zealand, the other of England. The father was an extensive land owner and farmer. At an early age Mr. Tomlinson showed a strong inclination for mechanics, and availed himself of study along that line when- ever he found opportunity. For seven years he served as an apprentice, learning the cab- inetmaker's trade, receiving nothing but his board. During that seven years, however, he attended the Mechanical Institute at New- ark, Nottinghamshire, where he applied him- JOSEPH TOMLINSON. BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 173 self diligently to his studies. In 1S40 he came to the United States, and on board the vessel coming over he met a gentleman liv- ing in New ]\Iilford, Connecticut, who in- duced him to locate there. On his arrival he became greatly interested in the construc- tion of a new railroad bridge at that place, and as an observer he gave his opinion that a miscalculation had been made regarding resistence and weight. Being convinced of this he confided his opinion to Dr. Porter later of Yale College, and his theory proved correct as the bridge afterwards partially col- lapsed. Mr. Tomlinson's first employment was upon the repairing of this bridge, and he was advised by Dr. Porter to turn his at- tention to mechanical engineering. He was employed as a rodman on the Housatonic Railroad extension, and also identified him- self with various bridge builders that he might acquire a practical and thorough knowledge of the business, and during his spare time he was designing and drafting bridges. Before coming to Iowa he built the bridge on the Whitehall & Rutland Rail- road and the Harlem Railroad extension, and after his removal returned and on con- tract finished the Whitehall tunnel, after it iiad practically been abandoned. In 1843 Mr. Tomlinson married Miss Ann R. Northrop, of New Milford, Con- necticut, and about ten years later he re- moved to a farm which he had purchased near Iowa City, Iowa, on account of his wife's ill health, but she died the same year. Previous to this time he had extensively pur- chased land warrants, and owned consider- able property at one time in Linn county. After his wife's death he removed to Brook- lyn, New York, and while there met and, September 10, 1853, niarried Miss Sarah A. Wvles, also a native of Lin- 9 colnshire, England, wlio had come to Brooklyn in 185 1, and a daughter of Will- iam Wyles. By his first marriage Mv. Tomlinson had three daughters: Mrs. Ida Pritchard, now deceased ; and lone, wife of Venable Smith, of Port Angeles, Wash- ington, and ^laria, who died in childhood. There are five children by the second union, namely: Anna, wife of R. N. Slater, of Ottawa. Canada: Joseph, who married Jean Russell and is now engaged in farming near Cedar Rapids, Iowa: Alfred Thomas, who married Fannie Smith, and is a construction engineer residing in Boston, Massachusetts; Fanny, who died at the age of five years; and Frances Ethel, at home. For a time Mr. '!"( unlinson was in the em- ploy of the New Brunswick government on the contruction of bridges, but in 1862 he came to Cedar Rapids, and engaged in farm- ing for a short time in this county. He then went to Cleveland, Ohio, and became con- nected with the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railroad, and also designed the Market House at that place. He was also construction engineer on the large bridge across the Missouri river at Kansas City. Considerable difliculty had been encountered there and the engineer had met with defeat, but Mr. Tomlinson was successful in a'ettinsr a foundation and also built the super-struc- ture. He next accepted a position that had been offered him by the Canadian govern- ment to take charge engineer of the Marine Department designing the light houses, piers, etc., from the Atlantic to the Pacific, and after serving in that capacity for eight years was transferred to the railroad department during the construction of the Canadian Pa- cific Railroad as a designer of bridges and buildings. He was sent to England to super- intend the manufacture of the cantilever 174 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD bridge across the Frazer river and had the honor of being entrusted and paid by both the government and contractors for so doing and afterwards superintended the erection of the bridge. This was the last work done by Mr. TomHnson. In 1883 he severed his con- nection with the Canadian government and returned to Cedar Rapids, where he has since Hved a retired hfe, his home being at 216 North Thirteenth street. He has made for himself an honorable record in business, and by his well-directed efforts has acquired a comfortable competence. Politically he is a supporter of the Republican party, and socially is identified with the Masonic fra- ternity, while religiously both he and his wife are Episcopalians and are held in high regard by all who know them. CHARLES D. HUSTON. Charles D. Huston, who since 1887 has been a resident of Cedar Rapids, is now suc- cessfully engaged in the job printing busi- ness as a member of the firm of Newton & Huston, and is efficiently serving as alder- man from the fourth ward. He was born in Carroll county, Ohio, December 18, i86iy a son of Daniel and Margaret (Herron) Huston. The father was born in Washing- ton county, Pennsylvania, December 23, 1825, of Scotch-Irish ancestry, and when a small boy accompanied his parents on their removal to Ohio, which was then practically a new country. He received only a com- mon school education, and as a means of livelihood followed farming throughout his active business life. On leaving Ohio in 1863 he came to Iowa and purchased a farm near the town of Toledo. There he success- fully engaged in agricultural pursuits for many years, but is now living a retired life in Cedar Rapids. On starting out in life for himself he was without capital, and the pros- perity that has come to him is due entirely to his industry and good management. In religious belief he is a Presbyterian, and in ix)litics a Democrat. The mother of our subject, who was born in Carroll county, Ohio, in 1 830, of Scotch lineage, died in 1863, just after coming to Iowa. Her chil- dren were Mary L., who also died in 1863; Samuel J. and William H., wdio were drowned in 1873 while swimming; Charles D., the subject of this sketch; and Florence, wife of Daniel Hufiford, of Toledo, Iowa. The father was again married, in 1870, his second union being with Mary I. Boggs, also a native of Carroll county, Ohio. She is still living. After the death of his mother Charles D. Huston made his home with an uncle, and attended the public schools of Ohio, and also of Washington, D. C, for one year. His uncle died in that city, and he was then thrown upon his own resources. At the age of thirteen years he commenced learning the printer's trade, and has since devoted iiis time and attention principally to that oc- cupation. In 1882 he formed a partnership with Hon. L. G. Kinne, now a member of the board of control of the state and ex- supreme judge, and continued the publica- tion of the Tama County Democrat for five years. On selling the paper in 1887, ^Ir. Huston accepted a position as compositor with the Cedar Rapids Gazette, and was con- nected with that journal for seven years. In 1893 he became a member of the firm of Newton & Huston, which is to-day doing a fine business in the job printing line. Mr. Huston was married, in 1885, to BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 175 Miss Minnie 'S[. ]\IcKinnon, who was born in College township, this count}', in 1862, and they have become the parents of three children, namely : John, born in April, 1886; Paul H., born in INIay, 1888, and I\Iar- guerite Louise, born in Novemlier, 1890. All are now attending the public schools of Cedar Rapids. ]\Irs. Huston is a graduate of the high school of the city, and prior to her marriage successfully engaged in teach- ing school in College township for three years. Her father, John McKinnon, was born in Scotland in 181 7, and on his emi- gration to the new world in 1852 located in College township.Linn county, Iowa, where he purchased a tract of government land. This place he has improved, and is now the owner of a good farm of one hundred and eighty acres two miles south of Cedar Rap- ids. He has four children: Minnie M., wife of our subject; John, a farmer; Gil- bert, who operates the home farm; and Agnes, who is now court reporter for the seventeenth judicial district. In his political affiliations Mr. Huston is a pronounced Democrat, and while a resi- dent of Tama county, Iowa, served as chair-, man of the county central committee sev- eral terms. He has never been an office seeker, however, and those positions he has held have been offered him by the people. On coming to this county he at once became identified with the local Democratic organi- zation here, and has ever taken an active part in politics, though he follows the prin- ciples of a conservative man. In 1898 he was elected alderman of the fourth ward, which is strongly Republican, and so ac- ceptably did he fill the office that he was re-elected in 1900, and is now a member of the committees on public impro\-emer,t, light and water. In 1899 he was the candidate for state senator on the Democratic ticket, but was defeated, being unable to overcome the large Republican majority, though he ran ahead of his ticket more than one thou- sand votes, being supported by his many friends throughout the county. Mr. Huston takes a great interest in labor organizations, and is a prominent member of the Typo- graphical Union, No. 192. He put in tlie first union label in the city in 1893. The union men are now recognized and employed in all the printing offices. He is a member of the National Union, No. 163, and of Court Cedar, No. 3, Foresters of America. He is also an active worker and prominent member of the Masonic fraternity, belong- ing to Mt. Hermon Lodge, No. 263, A. F. & A. M., of \\'hich he was worshipful mas- ter from 1897 to 1900; and also to Trowel Chapter, No. 49, R. A. M. ; and Cedar Chap- ter, No. 184, O. E. S. Mr. Huston is also a leader in philanthropical work, and gives an earnest support to all public improvements and anything for the benefit of the institu- tions to which he belongs. He was master of the Masonic lodge when their new temple was being built and dedicated. Socially he is a member of the Commercial club of Cedar Rapids. His wife holds membership in the L'nited Presbyterian church. I. H. WHITMAN. The subject of this sketch is a practical and enterprising farmer who owns and op- crates a valuable farm on section 26, Frank- lin township, and in its management is meet- nig with excellent success. A native of Linn county, he was born in Lisbon October 30, 1863, and is a worthy representative of 176 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD ai: old and lionored family of this county. His father, Henry Whitman, was born in Dauphin county, I'ennsylvania, December 13, 1823, and in early life married ]\Iiss Mary Dewey, also a native of that state, who died in 1854, leaving three children, namely: Mary, wife of William Connor, of California; Kate, wife of William Gorwel, of Nevada, Iowa; and Lucinda, wife of William Humphrey, of Ripley, Oklahoma. In the spring of 1856 Henry Whitman came west and located in Lisbon. Iowa, where he worked at the mason's trade for some time. In 1864 he Ixiught a farm of forty acres on section 26, Franklin town- ship, and four years later added to it a tract of fifty-five acres. In 1880 he purchased fortv acres more, making a farm of one hundred and thirty-five acres, which he op- c--ated for many years, but is nnw prac- tically living retired, while his so:i carries on the place. He was again married, in the fall of 1857, his second wife bejig Catherine Stucker, also a native of Pennsylvania, who died in 1888, and was laid to rest in the l,isl)on cemetery. Two children were born of this union, namely: Malinda, wife of ^ilichael Abel, of Lisbon: and I. H., our subject. The Repulilican party has always fonnd in Mr. Whitman a stanch supporter of its principles, and for a number of years he most capal.ily filled the office of road super- visor. He is an active and prominent mem- Ijer of the Lutheran church at Lisbon, with which he has long been officially connected^ serving as deacon for many years. I. H. Whitman attended the public schools of Franklin township until fifteen years of age, and then worked with his fa- ther upon the home farm until he attained Ifis majority, when he went to Laramie, \\yonfing, to engage in railroad work. He also drove a stage coach from that place to Rawlins, and led the life of a cowboy for a tmie. Returning home in 1888 he leased his father's farm for four years, and then pur- chased the same, later adding to it a tract of forty-five acres, so that he now has one hundred and eighty acres of very valuable and productive land. He has made many improvements upun the place, including the erection of a fine barn, erected at a cost of fourteen hundred dollars. It is one of the best improved and most desirable farms in that section of the county. In connection with general farming Mr. Whitman is very successfully engaged in the breeding of short horn cattle, of which he has a fine herd upon his place. He also breeds Norman horses, and raises mules, hogs and sheep for mar- ket, and feeds all the grain which he raises to his stock. Like his father, he is a stanch supporter of the Republican party, and he has served as school director for a number of years. At Lisbon, November 28, 1889, IMr. Whitman was united in marriage with Miss Nettie C. Cantrell, who was born in Carroll county, Illinois, November 12, 1865. Her father, David P. Cantrell, was a native of Ohio, and was twice married, his first wife lieing Miss Eleanor ]McLemore, a native of Illinois, by whom lie hafl four children, namel}' : Young, whn married, first, Eve- line Busell. and after her death weddetl Emma Hubbard, and now resides in Mill- cdgeville, Illinois; Katie, wife of George I'.iddle, of Kushville, Nebraska; Erastus, who died at the age of seventeen years; and Sarah, who died in infancy. The mother of tliese children died in Illinois, and for his second wife Mr. Cantrell married Ur- sulla r.ull. will I was born in Pennsylvania. 'I'hree children l)le>sed this unii.m; Edie, BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 177 ■wife of A. C. Kirkpatrick. of Lisbon; W'iott, who married Maggie Snyder and lives in Sanburn, Iowa: and Xettie C, wife of our suliject. In 1873 Mr. Cantrell brought his family to Iowa, and settled on a farm east of Lisbon, where he engaged in agricult- m-al pursuits until 1889, when he sold his place and removed to Lisbon, living retired until his death, which occurred in January, 1892. His second wife died in August, 1894, and both were buried at Lisbon. Mr. and Mrs. Whitman have an interest- ing family of six children, whose names and dates of birth are as follows : Clara. Xo- A-ember .24, 1890; Frank, December 3, 1892; Laura, October 16, 1894; Louie, June 8, 1896; Harry, October 17, 1898; and Carl Clare, November 5. 1900. Those who have reached a sufficient age are now attending school. ALEXANDER PAUL. Prominent among the citizens of Linn lounty who have witnessed the marvelous development of this section of the state in the past si.xty years, and who have, by hon- est toil and industry, succeeded in acquir- ing a competence, and are now able to spend the sunset of life in quiet and retirement, is the gentleman whose name introduces this sketch. He is now living retired at his pleasant home on the corner of Eighth street and Sixth avenue, Marion. Mr. Paul was born June 15, 1823, in Greene county, Pennsylvania, of which his parents, George and Sarah (Tipton) Paul, were also natives. The father taught school lor a time, but was principally engaged in agricultural pursuits, and spent his entire life on one farm, dying there at the age of se\-ent}--t\vo years. He was a very worthy and active member of the Methodist Epis- copal church, to which his wife also be- longed. She departed this life in 1852, at the age of sixty-three years. Her father was Jonathan Tipton and her step-father was Matthew Hannan, who served as a pri- vate in the Revolutionary war and died at the advanced age of ninety years. He was a most worthy Pennsylvania pioneer. Our subject's paternal grandfather, A\'illiam I'aul. was a farmer of that state. Alexander Paul is the fifth in order of birth in a family of nine children, the others being Mary, wife of Edmond Phillips ; Will- if;m S., who died young while on business in Ohio; Jonathan Tipton, deceased, was a resident of Linn county; Thomas, who diedi at the age of twenty-six unmarried ; David H.. the only member of the family now liv- ing in Pennsylvania; Enoch, who died in Iowa at the age of forty-five years; Na- thaniel, a resident of Lisbon, Iowa; and Wes- ley S., who died at the age of twenty-seven years. ]Mr. Paul, of this rc\ie\v, was reared on the home farm and eut his last days were spent in retirement from labor. He died in April, 1894, at the age of sixty-seven years, and was buried in the Lisbon cemetery, but his wife is still living on the old homestead farm. They had a family of five sons, of whom our subr ject is tlie oldest; Fred married Millie Pfaugh and resides on a farm in Cedar conn- BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 179 ty; Emanuel married Alice Tyson and lives in Cass county, Iowa; John married Flossie Nix and resides in Cedar county ; and Sam- uel married Ollie Mitchell and lives on the old homestead in Cedar county. The father of these children was for a great many years a minister in the United Brethren church. During the winter months Henry S. Kohl attended the district schools near his boyhood home until twenty j'cars of age, ■while the summer seasons were de\-i)ted to farm work. He remained under the parental roof until he was married, in Cedar county, July I, 1878, to Miss Susan Bittle, who was born in Pennsyh-ania August 12, 1853. and came west in 1869 with her parents. Henry and Rebecca (Becker) Bittle, also natives of the Keystone state. Her family located on a farm in Cedar count}-, where the fatlier still lives, but the mother died in August, 1891. Mr. Bittle since early manhood has been a minister in the Church of God. They had ten children, namely : David married Eliza Bucher and lives on the old home- stead in Cedar county ; Jesse, deceased, wedded ]\Iary Glantzey, now a resident of Franklin county, Liwa; Susan is the wife of our subject; Amelia died at the age of two years ; Stephen married Becky Smith, and resides in Shelby county, Iowa; George died at the age of ten years; Clara is the wife of Robert McLaughlin, of Ma])leton,. Iowa; Rebecca is a resident of San Diego, California; Alexander, deceased, married Nettie Mason and resided in Mapleton, Iowa ; and Walter married Lula Briegle and makes his home in Tindall, Alissouri. Mr. and Mrs. Kohl have a family of four children: Laura, born July i, 1878, is the wife of Fred Huey, a farmer of Cedar county, and they have one child, Harold; Clyde, born January 14, 1880, assists his father in the management of the farm ; and Ray, born October 16, 1882, and Clarence, born October 21, 1887, are also at home. After his marriage Mr. Kohl leased a farm which he operated for three years, and then came to Linn county, purchasing one hundred and twenty acres of land on section 36, Franklin township, which was only par- tially improved. To the further develop- ment and cultivation of his land he has since devoted his energies, and now has a most attractive place, supplied with all the conveniences and accessories found upon a model farm. In connection with general farming he raises horses, cattle and hogs. He gives his political support to the Repub- lican party, and for a number of years has served as school director. JOHN B. IVES. One of the pioneer settlers of Linn coun- t}", Iowa, is John B. Ives, who is now liv- ing retired in Marion, enjoying the income which he accumulated in former years. He was born in Wallingford, Connecticut, on the 2 1 St of August, 1824, his parents being- Elihu and Rachel (Blakesly) Ives, natives of the same state, where they continued to make their home until 1837. In that year they came west and located near Blooming- ton, Illinois, where the father purchased a farm and engaged in agricultural ])ursuit9 for two years. He then brought his family to Linn county, Iowa, and took up a claim in Marion township. After erecting a log b.ouse upoi-i his ])lace he at once commenced to break and improve his land. Through- out his active business life he followed farm- ing, but lived in ease and retirement the last I So BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD twenty years of his life. By his hallot he supported the men and measures of the Democratic party. Both he and his wife are now deceased. Tlie children of their family were Lucy, deceased wife of Garrett Andrews, of Connecticut ; Charles, whu died ii: that state; Xorman. a farmer of this county; George, decea.sed, who was also en- gaged in farming in Linn county; John B., our subject; Ruth, deceased; Ehliu, who lives on the old homestead in IMaricin town- ship; and Rachel, who died in infancy. During his boyhood John B. Ives re- ceived a common school education and ac- quired an excellent knowledge of farm work. He came with the family to this county in 1839, and purchased one hundred and sixty Jicres of land in Marion townshi]). two miles northeast of the village of Marion. When it came into his possession it was all a wild tract, and to its cultivation and improvement h^ devoted his energies for nianv years. meeting with marked success in his .labors. He followed general farming uninterruptedly until about 1880, when he disposed of his jdace and removed to Marion, where he has since made his home. For two years and a half he was engaged in the grocery business with his brother George, but for the past twenty years has practically lived retired. Besides his own home and a small piece of land in Marion, he owns two fine houses on Twenty-second street of that city. In 185 1 Mr. Ives was united in marriage with Miss Hannah Jane Wallace, a native of Ross county, Ohio, and a daughter of James and Hannah Wallace. By this union were born two children : James E., at home; and ^Margaret E., who died in in- fancy. Politically Mr. Ives is identified with the Democratic party, and religiously is a member of the Baptist church, in w hich he served as deacon for several years. He and his family are among the oldest resi- dents of the county, and have been actively identified with its growth and development. He can relate many interesting reminiscences of early day, when wild game was plentiful and the streams were full of fish. In those earl}- days he was a great fisherman, taking much delight in that sport. He is widely and favorably known throughout the county which has been his home for so many years, and it is safe to say that none of its early settlers are more highly respected and es- teemed. ■*—-*■ JOHX NICHOLAS MATHES. John Nicholas IMathes. deceased, was for several years an honored and highly re- spected citizen of Linn county, his last days being spent in the city of Marion, where he died on the 24th of October. 1889. A native of Germany, he was l)orn near Frankfort-on-the-Main November 13, 1825, his parents being Nicholas and Bar- bara (Fischer) Mathes, who were life-long residents of that place. The father, who was a farmer by occupation, died at the ad- vanced age of ninety-six years, and the mi^ither passed away at the age of eighty- eight. Religiously they were members of the Lutheran church. Their children were Margaret, Mary, Philip and John Nicholas, all deceased ; Dorothy, wife of Lewis Za- ger. of Johnson county, Iowa; and Ben- jamin, who is represented on another page of this volume. The subject of this sketch grew to man- hood in Germany, and in 1849 emigrated to the new world, locating first in Columbia, i'ennsyl\ani;i, where he was engaged in J. N. MATHES. BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 183 mining for two years. He was next em- ployed in the iron works at Safe Harbor, that state, until 1855, when he and his bro- ther Benjamin came west. After spending the winter in Dubuque. Iowa, they came t^i Linn county in the spring of 1856. and our subject engaged in teaming in Marion until 1862, when he purchased a slightly im- proved farm of one hundred and twenty acres in Otter Creek township. To the fur- ther improvement and cultivation of that place he devoted his time and attention for seven years. On selling that farm in 1869. he bought two hundred and eighty acres of land in Long Grove township, eighty acres of which had been placed under cultivation, and he continued to engage in agricultural pursuits on that place until his removal to Marion in 1874, making his home there un- til his death. There he dealt in wood and also engaged in teaming to some extent. He was very industrious and energetic, and developed one of the best farms in Linn county. On the 4th of March, 1851, in Colum- bia, Pennsylvania, ^Nlr. ]\Iathes married Miss Anna Mary Darmstetter, who w'as born ^larch 20, 1826, near his birthplace in Germany, and came with her mother to America in 1850. Her father, George Darmstetter, died in Germany. The other children of his family were George, who died in Germany; Barbara Mary, deceased; and Katie, wife of Mark Swain, of Chicago. Of the several children born to Mr. and Mrs. Mathes all died young with the excep- tion of two, namely: Kate married Will- iam Corum. who died in 1885, and she de- parted this life in 1873. They had two chil- dren : William, who died at the age of three years; and Anna Frances, wife of John Mathes, by whom she has one child, Anna Bernice. Benjamin, son of our sub- ject, died at the age of fourteen years. Mr. Mathes and his family held mem- bership in the Evangelical Lutheran church of Marion, and were among the most high- ly respected citizens of the community. He led an honorable and useful life, and due success was not denied him, so that at his death he was able to leave his widow in comfortable circumstances. She is a most estimable lady, and has a large circle of friends and acquaintances in Marion. GEORGE THO:\IPSOX. This highly esteemed citizen of ]\It. \'ernon is one of the adopted sons of Ameri- ca whose loyalty is above question, having bee manifested by his valiant service in the Civil war. He was born in Cumberland county, England, March 13, 1839, and was two years old when brought to 'this country by his parents, John and Xancy A. ( Beatv ) Thompson, also natives of England. His father was the only member of the Thomp- son family to come to America. His mother's youngest brother. Andrew Beaty, emigrated to the L'nited States, and is repre- sented on another page of this volume. John Thompson and his family located on a farm in Cortland county. New York, where he died Afarch 23. 1847, his reiuains being interred in Truxton, that county. His wife died January 15, 1854, and was buried in Daysville, Illinois. In their family were five children, namely: Elizabeth, who mar- ried George Reed and died in Daysville, Illi- nois ; Sarah, a resident of Mt. \^ernon, Iowa; George, our subject; Hannah, wjfe of Samuel Gray, of Oakland, California; 1 84 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD and Jane, wife of James Malarkey, of Oregon, Illinois. The subject of this sketch was reared in Cortland county, New York. Going to Illi- nois in the winter of 1852, he worked on the farm of J. \\'. Edmonds of Ogle county for a short time, and in 1854 and 1855 w^orked for that gentleman during the sum- mer months, while he attended school in winter. In 1856 he came to Mt. \'ernon, Iowa, the trip being made by way of the Northwestern Railroad to Fulton, on the Mississippi river; from there to Rock Island, Illinois, by stage coach ; by railroad to Iowa City; by stage to Cedar Rapids; by another stage to Marion ; and on foot to Mt. \"er- non. During the summer of that year he W'Orked on the farm of Irvin Wilcox, and the following winter he attended school in Mt. Vernon for about six weeks. In the summer of 1857 he was emplnyed on a farm in this county, but in the fall he re- turned to Illinois, and lived near Light House until the summer of 1859. when he commenced farming on the shares, operat- ing the \\'illiam Clemens farm in Ogle county, near Franklin Grove. In the fall of 1859 he went to Chariton Cdunty, Mis- souri, and engaged in cutting timl)er on "Old Jack Harris Island" in the Missouri river, three miles from Glasgow until the following March, when he went to work for Judge Salisbury, near Keatsville, that state. While there the town of Salisbury was laid out on the judge's farm. Our subject continued there until May, 1861, when he came to Columbus Junction, Iowa. In August of that year Mr. Thompson enlisted in Company M, First bnva Cav- alry under Captain William .\nkney, of Clinton, and Colonel Fitz Henry War- ren. He was mustered into the service at Davenport and then went to Bur- lington, where he joined his regiment, and then proceeded to St. Louis. \\'hile there he was taken ill and given a furlough, which he spent at home. In the summer of 1862 he rejoined his command at Butler, Bates county, jMissouri, and participated in the following engagements : Prairie Grove, Dripping Spring, \'an Buren, St. Francis River, Bayou !Metre, Brownsville, Little Rock, Xewtiinia, Prairie D'Anne, Camden, ]\Lars Creek, Price's Raid, California. ^loro River Bottom and others. On being mustered out of service in March, 1866, !Mr. Thompson returned to IMt. Vernon, Iowa, and resumed farming. In the fall of 1867 he purchased a partially improved farm of seventy acres in Franklin township, which he placed under a high state of cultivation, and to which he added until he now has one hundred and seventeen acres. He continued to successfully engage in ag- ricultural pursuits until November, 1893, when he bought a home in Mt. Vernon, and has since li\ed a retired life, enjoying the fruits of former toil. Mr. Thompson cast his first presidential vote for John C. Fre- mont, the Republican candidate, but is now a supporter cjf the Democracy. Fraternally, he is an honored member of W. C. Dimmitt Post, No. 400, G. .\. R. ; Mt. \'ernon Lodge, No. 551, I. O. O. F. ; and Mt. \'ernon Lodge, No. 112, A. F. & A. M. At Mt Vernon, September 6, 1866, Mr. Thompson married Miss Adelia Willits, and to them were born four children, namely: Allison, born July 12, 1867, died Septem- ber 30, 1883; John J., born February 27, 1870, is now traveling in the west: Horace G., born December 25, 1872, died February 17, 1887; and Grace E., born October 9, 1877, is now attending Cornell College. The BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 185 mother of tliese children died Octnher 4, 1889, and was buried in the Sumner district cemetery, two miles west of J\It. Vernon. Mrs. Thompson was a daughter of Alli- son I. and Elizabeth E. (Julian) W'illits. Her father was born near Green's Fork, Indiana, and, as customary in those early days, his boyhood and young manhood were spent working on the farm and attend- ing school when_ there was no work to be done. Of his early life no great amount of reliable data can be secured. Perhaps the best is that taken from a booklet written by his wife, in which she describes his early career in the following words : "His youth- ful labors and hardships, making farms in the forests of Ohio and Indiana, his suffer- ings on the inhospitable prairies of Illinois, in 1836, tending cattle that terrible winter, which froze most of the herd to death, barely escaping himself; bis swimming the Mississippi frequently by himelf or liy the side of his horse ; his arrival in Linn coun- ty, Iowa, in 1839, where he married a young wife, who died jn a year; bis return to In- diana; his second marriage; and back again to Iowa; the blight of his fondest hopes in the loss of his children and almost constant moving from cabin to cabin and from coun- try to town and from town to country; the numerous j(jurneys from the east to the west and the north to the south by wagon or horseback, all of which now in retrospect seemed like a disturbed, unhappv dream. Only on one point in his restless and check- ered career could his mind rest with entire satisfaction — the hour in which he gave himself fully to God and felt bis sins fully forgiven. Turning .away from these sad- dening memoirs of toil, sorrow and disap- pointment, the eye nf faith was more in- tently fixed than ever before upon a better country." In 1842 Mr. Willits married Miss Eliza- beth E. Julian, whose family resided in the vicinity of Green's Fork, Wayne county, In- diana. She was born in that county, July 15, 1 819, and was a daughter of Isaac and Rebecca (Hoover) Julian, natives of North Carolina, and of Quaker descent. Her par- ents were married about 1809 and settled near Centreville, where six children were born to them — four sons and two daughters. In 1823 Mr. Julian located near what is now LaFayette, Indiana, where in a short time he died. The young mother at once returned to Wayne county, Indiana, and finally took up her residence on a small farm at Green's Fork, where she reared her children. The first of the Julian family to come to America was Rene St. Julian, who emi- grated from France. (The name was ab- breviated and Anglicized prior to the Ameri- can Revolution.) His nativity is accredited to the city of Paris. His parents -died in his infancy or childhood. While but a ynuth he enlisted in the army and served in vari- ous foreign parts. In the wars of the Eng- lish Revolution, 1688, he served for a time in the armeies of James II, holding to the Roman Catholic faith. Later lie, with many others, deserted to the standard of William III, under whom he served at the battle of Boyne, July i, 1690, having become a Protestant and no doubt classed as a Hugue- not. He continued in the service of King \\'illiam and his successors during seven- teen years. The precise date of bis emigra- tion to America has not been ascertained, but it was early in the eighteenth century, en route he stopped at the island of Ber- muda, where he married a ladv named Mar- 1 86 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD garet Pallock. He was tlien fi)rty years of age He first settled on tlie coast of North Carolina, where he resided for some years and had two sons born to him, both of whom died early. Deeming the country unhealthy, he left it shortly afterward and settled on the western shore of Maryland, where he leased land for some years, when he purchased an estate in Maryland or Vir- ginia. He had six sons, Stephen, George, John, Peter, Isaac and Rene. The particu- lars of his subsequent life do not appear to have been preserved, but his closing years are believed to have been passed at or near the site of the present city of \\"inchester, Virginia. His son also resided in that part of the state. History records the fact that one of his sons, Isaac Julian, a young married man, was residing in that vicinity in 1755. This fact is recorded in Irving's Life of Wash- ington, chapter 18, in connection with the mention of an Indian panic. Braddock's defeat had occurred on the 9th of July, pre- vious, and the people were panic-stricken. Isaac Julian was personally well known to Colonel George Washington, aged thirty- four, who, after the defeat of Braddock, was made commander of the colonial troops stationed at Winchester. \''irginia. Isaac Julian married Barbara White. daughter of D. Robert White, of Win- chester, an emigrant from Scctland of a wealthy and noted family. Her mother was the daughter of another Scotch gentleman named Hoge. Barbara had two sisters, each of whom married a man named Mor- gan, and both had children taken captive by Indians. A daughter of one of them was released after a number of years, but a son, Ansiah Morgan, at about four years of age. was adopted into an Indian family and would not leave them. After he had grown to manhood he was taken in battle fighting against the whites and solicited to remain viith his kindred but was beguiled by his Indian wife into a corral and made his es- cape down the river. The panic continuing and proving too well founded, Isaac Julian and all his brothers save Stephen, the oldest, tied the country. So great and imminent was the anticipated danger that Isaac Julian, who had a farm well stocked, left all save his horses, — which he retained to. aid his flight, — his farm, standing crops, sheep and other stock, his house and most of its con- tents and with his family sped night and day southward. They stopped in North Carolina, and he purchased a homestead of (ine thousand acres in Randolph county. The original deed, still in possession of the family, bears date 1762, but he became jkjs- sessed of the property some years previous. There he lived and died, and his grave is still shown. The place, or part of it, still remains in possession of some of his des- cendants. The descendants of Steiihen, the l:)rother of Isaac Julian, who remained in \'irginia, are to be found in Ohio anil other portions of the central west. The nther brothers are believed to ha\e settled in the Carolinas and their descendants are scattered over the south and west. Isaac Julian (second) married Sarah Long, a native of Pennsylvania and a daugh- ter of Tobias Long. Her grandfather, Ed- ward Long, came to^ America with William Penn's fleet. Isaac Julian (second ) removed to Indiana territory, where he died July 17, 1 83 1. He had six sons. Bohan, Tobias. Isaac, Jacob. Rene and Shubel, and six daughters, Zernah, Elizabeth, Sarah, Elinor, Barbara BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 187 and [Martha. Tlie two last named were twins. All of the children save the two first named preceded their parents in removing to the northwest. Isaac Julian (third) located in what is now Wayne county, Indiana, in 1808, and the following year married Re- becca, daughter of Andrew Hoover, a lead- ing member of the Society of Friends and also an emigrant from Randolph county. North Carolina. John Scott, the noted old- time English Quaker e\-ange]ist, had- visited that part of Xorth Carolina in 1786. in con- sequence of \\hich a number of the people, including representatives of the Hoover and Julian families had become members of the society. The name Hoover was originally Huber, and the family, like the Julians, went by way of Maryland .to North Carolina. Three brothers, Jonas, Andrew and Chris- tian Huber, settled on Pike creek, Maryland. The family was of German descent, Andrew, of Pike creek, having left Germany when a boy. He found a wife in Pennsylvania in the person of Margaret Fants. He left eight sons and five daughters, all of whom had large families, while of course their des- cendants are very numerous. His son, An- drew Hoover, was born in Maryland, and removed to North Carolina about the time of the flight of the Julians from Virginia. He married Elizabeth ^^'aymire, whose father, Rudolph Waymire, eiuigrated from Han- over, Germany, after he had se\eral children. He had been a member of the famous foot guard regiment of Frederic the Great of Prussia, none of whom were less than seven feet in height. He left one son and seven daughters by his first wife and seven sons hy a second marriage. Their descendants are mostly to be found in the United States. Andrew Hoover (second) had ten cliildren, four sons and six daughters, as follows: David, Henry, Frederick, Andrew, Mary, Elizabeth, Susannah, Catherine, Rebecca and Sarah. Isaac Julian (third) and Rebecca, his wife, started in life in a region largely set- tled by North Carolinians and other emi- grants from the south. The Hoovers and Julians were identified with the origin of Richmond, Indiana. Isaac Julian assisted in clearing the heavy forest from a portion of the site and taught the first school in the township, while David Hoover, a brother- in-law^ — later prominent in the public affairs of the country and state — survej-ed the plat and gave the name to the future city. For a number of years the Quakers largely pre- dominated in the place, which was known as the Quaker City of the West. During the war of 1812 Isaac Julian's cabin was turned into a block house, where the neighbors came for safety from the savage Indians, allies of the British. In 1818, 1822 and 1823 he was a member of the Indiana . legislature then assembled at Corydon. He died in 1823 on the bare plains in Tippecanoe coun- ty, Indiana. At the time of her father's death Mrs. \\'illits was in her fifth }-ear. She had four brothers and one sister, namely : John M. died at the age of twenty-three years. Jacob B., known as Judge Julian, was a noted law- >'er. George W. studied law Init drifted into politics during the anti-slavery agita- tion and was nominated for vice-president with John P. Hale, on the Free Soil ticket in ICS52. ami on that issue was scut to con- gress, where he served several terms, be- coming noted as a leading statesman. Isaac N. also studied law but later entered the journalistic field, and lives at San Marcos, i88 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD Texas; Sarah, who became ^Nlrs. Jesse Hoi- man, resides at Mt. ^'ernon. The others are deceased. EHzabeth E. Juhan was twenty-two years of age v.hen she gave her hand in marriage to AlHson I. Wilhts, and after spending a year at the home of his parents, they came to Linn county, Iowa, in 1843, locating on a fine farm at Sugar Grove, Franklin township. Mr. Willits had come to this county three years previous, and had purchased the farm in partnership with a Mr. Abbey, and on his return bought the latter's interest in the place. Here he and his wife lived in true pioneer style. Eight- een months after their arrival here a child was born to them but it died in infancy, and the second child only lived to be seventeen months old. Adelia now Mrs. Thompson, was next in order of birth, and when she was three years old George J. Willits was born. From 1848 to 185J the family re- sided in ^It. \'ernon, where Mr. Willits conducted a store, and he also platted the town, in which he owned a large interest. About this time Rev. George B. Bowman first visited this section, and he and Mr. \\'illits became fast friends. The latter pro- posed that a school building be erected on the present site of Cornell College. His sug- gestion being approved, he and his wife sub- scribed the first five hundred dollars for the purpose. He lived to see the establishment of what is now one of the best colleges of the state. In 1855 he made a trip to Mis- souri and a year later mo\-ed his family to that state. There it was that he carried out his ideas of erecting a place of worship, that the common people could attend, but soon the country became more settled and he returned to Linn county, Iowa. Shortly afterward he was stricken down and passed away in 1858, in his forty-eighth year. He was a strong and earnest Christian, and was a man highly respected and esteemed by all who knew him. In 1859, Mrs. Willits mar- ried Andrew Beaty, of Linn county, and they resided on a farm in Franklin town- ship until 1879, when they removed to Mt. Vernon, where she died in 1889, honored and loved by the entire community. J. E. MOORE. J. E. Moore, an enterprising agricult- urist of Franklin township, is the owner of ft fine farm on section 25, and his manage- ment of the place is marked by the scientific knowledge and skill which characterize the modern farmer. He was born in Jones county, Iowa, May 13, 1866, and is the only child of Daniel and Mary (Wagner) Moore, both natives of Pennsylvania, their marriage being celebrated in Lycoming county, that state. The father was born, however, in Bucks county. In i860 they emigrated to Iowa and took up their residence in Jones county, where he engaged in farming until 1867. The following year was spent at Lis- bon, and at the end of that time they re- moved to Cedar county, where he also car- ried on farming for seventeen years. He then returned to Linn county and purchased two hundred and thirty acres of land on sections 25 and 36. AMien our subject took this place the father bought forty acres on which was a good set of farm buildings, making his home there until the spring of 1898, when he removed to Lisbon, where he owns a pleasant home, and stirrounded by all the comforts of life he is now living re- tired from active labor. He still owns one BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 189 hundred and eight)' acres of fine farming land in this county, having disposed of the remainder of his property. By his ballot he supports the men and measures of the Re- publican party and he has been called upon to fill the offices of township trustee, road supervisor and school director, the duties of which positions he most satisfactorily dis- charged. Both he and his wife are members of the United Brethren church, and he was formerly a trustee of the same. The subject of this sketch was principally reared in Cedar county, where he attended the district schools, and later took a course at the business college of Cedar Rapids. Be- ing the only child, he remained at home, and at the age of twenty-two took charge of the farm, which he successfully managed until 1899, when he bought that portion of the place, consisting of fifty acres on section 25, franklin township, on which stands all of the buildings. He is a most progressive and up-to-date farmer, who has made a scien- tific study of his chosen occupation, and is meeting with excellent success. He gives considerable attention to the breeding of cattle, making a specialty of thoroughbred Jerseys. In Linn county, February 15, 1893, Mr. Moore was united in marriage with Miss Lora A. Fisher, and to them were born twins, Howard and Homer, who were born June 2, 1899, but Homer tlied two days later. Mrs. Moore was born in Lisbon March 2, 1868, and is a daughter of Perry Jackson and Cornelia E. (Ringer) Fisher, the former a native of Ohio, and the latter of Crawfordsville, Indiana. Pier parents were married in Jones county, Iowa, and for some time made their liome in Lisbon, where the father taught school for a number of terms. He also engaged in farming for a while, and when thus employed studied law. After his admission t(j the bar he engaged in practice for many years at Lisbon, Linn county, but in 1886 removed to a fruit farm which he had pre\'iously purchased, making it his home until his death, which occurred December 7, 1895. His remains were in- terred in the Lisbon cemetery. His widow now makes her home in Linn county with her children. Their family con- sisted of the following named : Will- iam P. wedded Mary Russell and lived for a time in Oklahoma, but now resides in this county; Fannie F., born June 23, 1862, died October 9, 1895; Nellie B. is the wife of George G. Miller, a farmer of Linn town- ship; Lora A. is the wife of our subject; Mary E. is the wife of William Reigor, a farmer of this county ; and Howard R. is en- gaged in mercantile business in Oklahoma. Religiously Mr. Moore is a member of the United Brethren church, and politically is identified with the Republican party. He has served as treasurer of the school board for a number of years, and never withholds his support from an enterprise which he be- lieves calculated to advance the moral, in- tellectual or material welfare of his township or county, and is justly numbered among the valued citizens of the community in which he lives. HENRY STRALEY. The subject of this sketch is proprietor of a livery, feed and sale stable on the corner of Eleventh street and Eighth avenue, Marion, and for almost twenty years has been one of the leading business men of that place. He was born near Greenfield, I90 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD Ross county, Ohio on the 27th of December, 1846, his parents being John Lewis and EHzabeth Straley, natives of Virginia and Ohio, respectively. The father was engaged in farming in that county until 1850, when he came to Linn county, Iowa and took up his residence in Monroe township, where he died in the spring of 1853, when about forty- five years of age. He was a very de\out and earnest Christian, a member of the Metho- dist Episcopal church, to which his wife also belonged. She survived him several years, dying in 1S76 at the age of fifty-six. They were the parents of four children of whom Henry is third in order of birth. The others were as follows : Joseph enlisted at the age of eighteen years in the Ninth Iowa \'olun- teer Infantry during the Civil war. Being- wounded and ill he was sent to a hospital in Louisville, Kentucky, and from there was brought home, where he died three or four weeks later at the age of twenty-one. Charles is now postmaster at Jesup, Iowa. Anna L. married S. B. Gillin, and resides at Hud- son, Iowa. Henry Straley is indebted to the com- mon schools of this county for his education- al privileges. He assisted in the labors of the home farm until 1882, wdien he removed to Marion and opened a feed stable. He has since successfully engaged in the livery business at this place, and now keeps nine horses and a good assortment of vehicles to meet the wants of his customers. On the 4th of January, 1870, Mr. Straley led to the marriage altar Miss H. M. ^\■hite, also a native of Ohio and a daughter of A. E. and Mary White, who came to this state about 1856. Four children blessed this union : Frank, who is assisting his father ii5 business; William L., a clerk in Owen's drug store of Marion ; A. W., a stenographer of St. Paul : and Daisy, at home. All are g-raduates of the Marion high school. The parents are both members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and in politics Mr. Straley is independent, voting for the men whom he believes best qualified to fill the ofhces re- gardless of party lines. He is a worthy representative of one of the old and reliable families of this county, and as a public spirit- ed citizen he takes a deep interest in the wel- fare of the community. GEORGE P. CARPENTER, M. D. Dr. Carpenter, who is the oldest medi- cal practitioner in Cedar Rapids, has that love for and devotion to his profession which has brought to him success and secured him a place among the ablest rep- resentatives of the medical fraternity in this section of the state. He was born in Lancaster, Ohio, September 21, 1846, and is a son of Dr. Paul and Mary (Fetters) Carpenter. On the paternal side his ances- tors came from Holland in colonial days, and representatives of the family bore a prominent part in the Revolutionary war and the w-ar of 181 2. The Fetters family is of German origin and was founded in Ohio at an early day. Dr. Paul Carpenter, our subject's father, was born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and when a young man began the study of law with James BuchanJm, afterward president of the United States, but not liking that profession he ran away from home and lo- cated in Lancaster, Ohio, where he took up the study of medicine, later becoming one of the foremost physicians and surgeons in that part of the state. For forty-five years. DR. GEO. P. CARPENTER. BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 195 he was successfull\- engaged in practice in Lancaster, and there died in 1880, at the age of seventy. He was a prominent Ma- son and served as eminent grand command- er of the state for twenty years. As a RepuhHcan he took an active interest in political affairs, but could never be prevailed upon to accept office. Religiously both he and the mother of our subject were mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal church. The latter died in Lancaster, Ohio, at the age of thirty-five years. Of their five chil- dren our subject is the second in order of birth and the only survivor. I he father was twice married, his first wife Ijeing Mary Cannon, by whom he had two children, both living, namely: Henry \V., a physi- cian of Lancaster, Ohio; and Mary Ellen, wife of W. J. Carty, of Columbus, Ohio. Dr. George P. Carpenter obtained his early education in the schools of liis native place, and was graduated from the high school of that city at the age of fifteen years. He then entered the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware, Ohio, vv'here he pursued a literary course and was gradu- ated in 1865. He commenced the study of medicine under the able direction of his father, and later attended lectures at the Ohio Medical College, of Cincinnati, where he was graduated in March, 1868, at the age of twenty-two years. While yet a stu- dent he spent one year in an army hospital with his brother, Dr. H. \V. CarpeiUer. who w-as a surgeon in the army. There were from twelve hundred to eighteen hundred patients in the hospital the entire time, and there he gained a good practical knowledge of medicine and surgery, which was of great benefit to him in his snbsc(|ucnt career. Immediately after his graduation Dr. Carpenter came to Cedar Rapids, arriving 10 here on the 4th of .\pril. 1868, and at once opened an office. The city at that time contained a population of only three thou- sand, and he has therefore witnessed almost its entire growth and development. Two years after locating here he entered into partnership with Dr. E. L. Mansfield, and together they engaged in practice for five years, but with that exception Dr. Carpen- ter has always been alone. He has always engaged in general practice, but of late years has given special attention to surgery and has performed many notable opera- tions. On the 1st of July, 1869, in Delaware, Ohio, Dr. Carpenter was united in marriage with ]\Iiss Delia Pant, a native of ihat state and a daughter of Rev. S. Fant, who waS' a minister of the Methodist Episcopal church and one of the pioneer clergymen of that section. By this union were born four chil- dren, namely: Laura, wife of A. S. Smith, of Chicago; Alice, at home; Paul F., a resident of Los Angeles, California; and George B., a student in the high school of Cedar Rapids. The wife and mother died March 31, 1897, and was laid to rest in the Oak Hill cemetery of Cedar Rapids. In his political affiliations Dr. Carpen- ter is a Republican. Religiously he is one of the leading and' active members of the Methodist Episcopal church, in wliicii he has served as steward and trustee for thirty years. F"raternally he is a member of Mt> Herman Lodge, No. 263, F. & . M.. and Trowel Chapter, No. 49, R. A. M., and also orders. He is medical examiner for the Northwestern Life Insurance Company, of Milwaukee, and treasurer of the Iowa Union Medical Society, of which he is a member. He is also a member of the American Medical Society, the Tri-State 194 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD Medical Society, the Iowa State Medical Society, and the Cedar Rapids Medical So- ciety, and has been a member of the staff of St. Luke's hospital since it was founded fi"fteen years ago. He stands high in his profession and enjoys the personal friend- ship of a number of the most noted phy- sicians of the United States. The Doctor is widely and favorably known, and it is safe to say that no man in Linn county has more friends or is held in higher regard than he. He has a very fine collection of relics and curios gathered from all parts of the workl. \\'illia:\[ pieper. Among the honored and highly esteemed icitizens of Lisbon who have retired from acti\e labor is William Pieper, who was born •in Hanover, Germany, January 15, 181 7, a son of William and Philapena (Valbaum) Pieper, also natives of thac country, where the mother died. The father afterward mar- ried again, his second wife being Hannah Pieper, and in 1843 ^^s emigrated to Amer- ica, locating on a fariu in Wisconsin, where he died in 1852. His wife passed away in 1866. By his first marriage he had four chil- dren, namely : Caroline, now the widow of Henry Haulpni\-er and a resident of Colum- bia City, Indiana; William, our subject; iVIelzena, wife of Louis Pauk, of Los An- geles, California; and Frederick, who mar- ried Catherine Echart and both died in Jor.es county, Iowa. During his boyhood \\'illiam Pieper at- tended the district schools of his native land until fourteen years of age, and then worked as a farm hand until coming to this country with the hope of benefiting his financial con- dition. In 1840 he took passage on a sail- ing vessel at Bremen, and after a stormy voyage of nine weeks landed in Baltimore, Maryland. He at once proceeded to Day- ton, Ohio, and as he spent his last twenty- five cents on the day of his arrival there he was forced to seek employment at once. Go- ing to Piermont, that state, he hired out to a stock farmer at six dollars per month, and remained there six months. He then re- turned to Dayton, where he worked four months at eight dollars per month, and later was employed by Joseph Snyder at eighty dollars per year. In 1842 ]\Ir. Pieper went to Columbia City, \\'hitley county, Indiana, and after working for others at that place for two years he purchased eighty acres of land at three dollars per acre. Later he sold that farm for one thousand dollars and Iwught one hundred and ninety-five from a Mr. Hamilton. This property he sold in 1854 for twenty-five hundred dollars, and then came to Iowa, locating in Pioneer township. Cedar county, where he purchased a farm of two hundred and ten acres. To the cul- tivation and improvement of that place he (le\oted his energies until 1887, when he re- moved to Lisbon and has since lived a re- tired life. He owns a good home at this place, where, surrounded by all the comforts of life, he is now enjoying a well-earned rest. In Whitley county, Indiana, i\Ir. Pieper \vas married, in 1844, to Wilhelmina Reasey, who died in 1856. Of the three children l)orn of that union two are still living, name- ly : Plenry, who married Susan Cole and resides in Lisbon, Iowa; and Lazette, wife (if \\'illiam Robinson, who li\-cs near Me- chanicsville, Cedar county, Iowa. In 1857 Mr. Pieper was again married, BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 195 at Huntington, Indiana, his secon.l union being- with Hannah Foss, by whom he had five children : W'ilHam, who married Minnie Davis and resides at Olin, Iowa ; Louis, also a resident of that place; Minnie, who mar- ried Frank Jackson and died in 1897; Au- gust, who married Molhe Cameron and lives near Olin; Hannah, wife of Reuben Cole, of Clinton, Iowa. The mother of these chil- dren died in 1868. Later in the same year Mr. Pieper was married, in Sheboygan county, Wisconsin, to Miss Augusta Schwalbe, who was born in Menkin, Province of Brandenburg, Ger- many, July 3, 1845. After their marriage they took the steamer. Sea Bird, to go to Chicago, but stopped at Milwaukee to visit her brother, and that night the Sea Bird was burned and sank with all on board. Mrs. Pieper's parents were Michael and Fredericka (Dann) Schwalbe, also natives of Germany, who came to America in Au- gust, 1855, and settled on a farm in She- boygan county, Wisconsin, where they made their home until death, the father dying July 20, 1886, the mother*October i, 1895. They had eight children, but only four are now li\-ing, namely : Minnie, a resident of Plym- outh. Wisconsin, and widow of Helmuth F. Kohson, who died in California December 27, 1884; Augusta, wife of our subject; Ernest, who married Barbara Kestner and lives in Plymouth, Wisconsin; and Anna, wife of Otto Eotling, whose home is near Howard's Grove, Sheboygan county, Wis- consin. By his third marriage Mr. Pieper had tliree children: (i) Elvina, born May 5, J 869, is the wife of Albert M. Floyd, pub- lisher of the Lisbon Sun at Lisbon, Iowa, anil they have one child, Harriet H. (2) Anna died in infancy. (3) Augusta, born February 13, 1871, who first married David Fall, a traxeling salesman of Mechanics- \ille, Iowa, and after his death wedded Rev. Lewis Krome, the present pastor of the Ger- man Reformed church at Lisbon, and they have one child, Harold William. By his ballot Mr. Pieper supports the Democracy, and takes an active interest in public affairs. He is a member of the Lu- theran church, while his estimable wife is a Christian Scientist in religious belief. He is a genial, pleasant gentleman, who makes many friends, and he and his family receive and merit the high regard of the entire com- munity. His wife is particularly a well posted woman, and takes a commendable in- terest in general affairs. J. D. RO^^■E. For over thirty years this gentleman has been a resident of Marion, where he is now successfully engaged in businss as a car- penter and contractor, and also owns and operates a planing mill as the senior mem- ber of the firm of J. D. Rowe & Son, at No. 1408 North Tenth street. Throughout his career of continued and far-reaching useful- ness his duties have been performed with the greatest care, and his business interests have been so managed as to gain for him a lib- eral patronage, and the confidence of the ]iul>lic. A native of New York, Mr. Rowe wa^ burn in Essex county November 15, 1831, and is a son of Leland and Lucy (Durant) l-towe, who also claimed the Empire state as the place of their liirtli. Tlie father owned a home in the east, where he spent iiis entire life. He worked for others, and served as cntuity superintendent of schools, being 196 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD prominently identified with the educational affairs of Essex county. He was a musician in the war of 181 2. and received a land war- rant for services rendered. In religious faith both he and his wife were Baptists and were acti\e in all church work. He died at the age of seventy-two years, and she passed away several years later at the age of sev- enty. Of their seven children our subject is the fourth in order of birth, while only three are now living, these being J. D., of this review; and Eleanor, wife of G. J. Aliller, and Barlow L., both residents of Vermont. T. D. Rowe was educated in the public schools of Xew York, and after laying aside his text books learned the carpenter's trade, which he has followed since the age of eight- een years. In 1869 he came to Marion and has since been one of the leading business men of that ])lace. He has built many of its houses, including some of its finest resi- dences, and also erected the Christian church, the county home and other buildings. He not only has charge of the carpenter work, but as a contractor does everything fmrn ex- cavating the cellar until the building is ready for occupancy. He and his son also own a planing mill, and engage in the manufacture of sash, doors, moldings, ledges, etc., and have built up a good business in that line. Mr. Rowe was married. Decemlier 27, 1854. til Miss .\mna Storrs. also a native of Essex county. Xew York, and a daughter of Samuel Storrs. and to them have been Ijorn one daughter. Ida May. who died at the age of fifteen years, and two s(^ns, both residents of Marion. Fred A. married l"an- nie Williams and has two children. Charles and Walter. He is the jimior member of the firm; and I-'rank E. married Edith Eggleston and has one son. Harokl J. Fraternallv Mr. Rowe is a member of the Masonic order and the Iowa Workmen,^ and politicallv is identified with the Repub- lican party, in the success of which he takes a deep interest. His wife is a member of the Christian church, and both are held in high esteem by a large circle of friends and acquaintances. C. A. FATTEN. Marion has no more wide-awake or en- terprising business man than C. A. Patten, the well-known proprietor of the livery, feed and sale stable at No. 845 Eleventh street. He is a native of Linn county, born in Brown township, December 4, 1869, and is a son of Richard and Lydia (Pierpont) Patten, who were born, reared and married in Barnes- ville, Belmont county. Ohio. In 1865 they came to Linn county, Ohio, and purchased a farm, which the father operated until 1866, when he lost his right arm in a sawmill, and for fourteen )ears engaged in selling patent medicine in Linn, Jones and Cedar counties. Since then he has again followed farming near Whittier's Corners, where he and his wife now li\e. They are faithful and con- sistent members of the Society of I^~riends, and the mother was clerk of the church for several years. Both take an active interest in church work, and are among the most honored and highly esteemed citizens of their comnnuiity. Unto this worthy couple were born eight children as follows : William, who is engaged in farming near \A'hittier's Corners, Iowa; Ella, wife of Jesse Morris, a stock buyer and shipiier of that place; Jennie, who married William Test and died in 1892: John, an extensixe stock dealer of Springville. Iowa; BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD '97 Isaac, a hardware mercliant of Fullerton. Nebraska; C. A., our suljject; Marion, a farmer of Marion township, tliis county ; and Clarence, a teacher at \\'hittier. C. A. Patten, together with the otlier children of the family, was educated in the common and Quaker schools of this county, and he started out in life for himself as a horse trainer and breeder. In partnership with John Willard he bought a horse named Onard Wilkes, for breeding business, and together they engaged in Iniying, selling and breaking horses for three years. In 1894 he and S. B. Scott embarked in the livery business on the corner of Ele\-enth street and Eighth avenue, where they carried on business until their stable was destroyed by fire in August, 1894. Mr. Patten then pur- chased his partner's interest in tlie business and removed to his present location, taking possession of what was known as the old Markly feed stable. He now keeps fourteen head of fine horses and a good line of bug- gies and carriages to correspond, his proper- ty being valued at two thousand dollars. He has charge of the hearse work for both un- dertaking establishments in ^Marion. He is a thorough horseman, who has always been an ardent admirer of the noble steed, and to-day owns a fine five-year- old mare, who made a record of 2 136 in Au- gust, 1900. He is also assistant foreman for the G. B. Owen Hose Company. On the 1 2th of September, 1894, ^Ir. Patten married Miss Maude Gibson, of ]\Iarion township, Liim county, a daughter of Benjamin and Kate Gibson, prominent farming people of that township. To our subject and his wife has been born a son. Merle. In his political aftiliation 'Sir. Patten is a stanch Repubh'can, but has never been an office seeker. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias Lodge, No. 8, of Marion, and the Methodist Episcopal church. He stands high in business circles and commands the respect and confidence of all who know him. Mr. Patten is an extensive dealer in coach and driving horses, dealing mostly in home trade. ♦ « » CHARLES H. EASTLACK. Charles H. Eastlack, who resides on sec- tion 25, Franklin township, owns and ope- rates a valuable farm of one hundred and fifty-eight acres, whose neat and thrifty ap- pearance well indicates his careful super- vision. Substantial imiJrovements are sur- rounded by well-tilled fields, and all of the accessories and conveniences of a model farm are there found. Mr. Eastlack was born in Highland county, Ohio, October 10, 1852, and is a son of John and Jerusha (McVey) Eastlack, who were natives of New Jersey and Penn- sylvania, respecti\'ely, and were married in Ohio. They made their home in Highland county, Ohio, until 1854, when they came to Linn county, Iowa, and located in Frank- lin township, \\here the mother died in No- \-ember 15, 1859, her remains being interred in the Mt. Vernon cemetery. In 1863 the father wedded Miss Mary Shattuck. a native of New York, who died December 18, 1893, and was buried in Cedar Rapids, while he died December 19, 1883, and was laid to rest by the side of his first wife in the Mt. Vernon cemetery. By the first union he had thirteen children, namely : Isaac E. died at the age of twelve years ; Keziah. deceased, was the wife of George Hardy, who lives 198 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD near Leesburg, Ohio; James and William both died in childhood; Abigail died at the age of seven years ; Sarah is the widow of E. H. Cole and lives near Jameson, Daviess county, Missouri ; Catherine is the widow of Henry Ryan and resides in Clarke county, Iowa; Anna married Washington Shantz and both are now deceased ; Susan is the wife of John Stine, of Cedar Rapids; Eliza died in infanc}-; Rachel is the wife of Thomas Robinson, whose farm adjoins that of our subject: John A\". died at the age of four years; and Charles H., our subject, com- pletes the family. By his second union tiie father had two daughters: Stella, wife of Lucius Walker, of Cedar Rapids : and Jo- sephine, wife of Edward Elliott, of the same place. The subject of this sketch was only two years old when brought by his parents to Iowa, and he was reared on the farm in Franklin township, while his education was obtained in the district schools. He was sixteen years of age when his father sold his place and removed to town, and he then worked as a farm hand for some time. Prior to his marriage, however, he purchased one hundred and twenty acres of land three miles south of Cedar Rapids, upon which he lived for four years, and on disposing of that place he bought a farm in Franklin town- ship, consisting of two hundred acres. In 1897 he sold that farm, and purchased ninety acres of land on section 25, Franklin town- ship, and an adjoining sixty-eight acres in Cediar county, to the cultivation and im- provement of which he has since devoted his time and attention with most gratifying results. He is also engaged in buying selling and shipping stock, and probal)ly handles more horses than all the other farmers of Linn county i)ut tngether. I fe is also interested in the breeding of Short- horn cattle, and in all his undertakings is meeting with marked success. At Mt. \'ernon, December 22, 1879, was celebrated the marriage of ^Ir. Eastlack and Miss Olive Cordes, who was bom on a farm in Linn township, north of that city, April 30, 1863, and is a daughter of Christian and Ruhy (Doty) Cordes, who are still living in that locality. Her father is a German by l)irtli. His children were Lizzie, who died at the age of five years; Olive, wife of our subject; Carrie, wife of Lee Kleinecht, a farmer living west of Mt. Vernon ; Addie, wife of Barney Peddecort, a farmer living near Greene, Iowa ; and John,' who is at home with his parents. Mr. and Mrs. East- lack ha\-e three children : A\'. Roy, born May 3, 1880, assists his father in stock buy- ing; and Clara, born January 26, 1883, and John Earl, born July 4, 1892, are also at home with their parents. Politically, Mr. Eastlack has always been a stanch supporter of the Republican party, and for a number of years he has most ef- ficiently served as school director in his dis- trict. He is a trustee and active member of the L'nited Brethren church, and is a man highly respected and esteemed by all with whom has has come in contact either in business or social lite. WILLIAM M. GILLESPIE. After many years of active labor prin- cipally devoted to agricultural pursuits and teaming, William M. Gillespie is now living a retired life in Mt. \'ernon, Iowa, where he has made his home for twenty-one years. He is a native of county T\-rone, Ireland, and BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 199 was a young man of twenty-two years when he came to the United States in 1855. He landed in New York and proceeded at once to Granville, Vermont, wiiere he worked as a laborer for a few years. He then pur- chased a farm in Addison county, that state, and was engaged in its operation until he entered the Union army during the Civil war. His father, William Gillespie, died in Ireland and after tlie close of the Civil war his mother, ]\Iart]ia Gillespie, came to Ameri- ca and located in Gouldsville, Vermont, where she died in 1884. Our subject has one brother and two sisters residing in the last named place. In 1S64 Mr. Gillespie enlisted in Com- pany H, Seventeenth Vermont Volunteer In- fantry, and remained in the service until hos- tilities ceased. He participated in the battles of Cold Harbor, Spottsylv'ania Court House, Petersburg, Xortli Anna, Bethesda Church, Petersl5urg Aline, W'eldon Railroad, Poplar Spring Church, and Hatciiie's Run. He was wounded in the knee in an engagement be- fore Petersburg, April 2, 1865, and was also hit by a piece of shell just between the eyes. Pie now draws a pension of fourteen dollars per montli as a sort of compensation for the injuries received. His brother James was a member of Company F, Fifth Vermont Vol- unteer Infantry, and was killed in the battle of the W'ilderness at the age of t\vent\'-seven years. Mr. Gillespie was discharged frc-m the service at Alexandria, Virginia, and returned to Granville, Vermont, where he continued to foll(jw farming until iiis removal to Mt. Vernon, Iowa, in 1880. Here he engaged in teaming for some years, but fur the past few years has been living a retired life, en- joying a well-earned rest. Before leaving Ireland ]\lr. Gillespie married Miss Lydia Ann Reilly, also a native of that country, and to them were born ten children, six of whom are still li\ing, name- ly: William James, who owns and operates a small farm in Franklin township, this coun- ty; Robert, a teamster residing at home; George, who also has a small farm near the city and lives with his parents; Anna, wife of Frank Keiler, an engineer of Bethel, \'er- mont; Carrie, wife of James Thompson, a teamster of Mt. Vernon; and Susan, wife of Harry Nower, a painter of Cedar Rapids. The others all died when voung and the wife and mother departed this life in 1877. For his second wife Mr. Gillespie married Miss Jane Anderson, a native of Iowa. He is a faithful member of the Methodist church and is also connected with the Grand Army Post at Mt. A'ernon. In his political affilia- tions he is a Republican, and that he is a loyal and patriotic citizen of his adopted country is attested by his gallant service in the Civil war. JACOB D. BUNGER. Among the leading business men of Ce- dar Rapids and the honored veterans of the Civil war is this well-known contractor and builder, who came to this city in 1873 and has since been an important factor in its business affairs. A native of Moiiroe coun- ty, Indiana, he was born near Bloomingtoa on the 5th of May, 1834. His father, David Bunger, was a native of \"irginia, and when a young man went to Indiana, locating in Monroe county, where was celebrated liis marriage with Miss Juritha Berry, a nati\e of Kentucky. Throughout life he engaged in farming and stock raising, and died in Alon- roe county, in 1845, at the early age of thir- ty-three years. His wife survived him many 200 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD years and reared their family. In 1851 she removed to Illinois, and settled on a farm in Henderson county. Her last days were spent with her only daughter, Mary P., wife of Samuel Brightwell, residing near Chari- ton, Iowa, and there she died at the age of seventy-eight years. She had four sons, of whom Jacob D. is the oldest: \Villiam, who died in Burlington, Iowa, in 1884, was a soldier of the Ci\il war and lost a leg in the siege of Mcksburg; Green is a farmer of this county; and Joseph is a farmer of Xebraska. Jacob D. Bunger grew to manhood upon the home farm in Henderson cnunty, Illi- nois, and in early life learned the trade of a carpenter and joiner, at which he worked in Indiana and Illinois until the Ci\il war broke out. On the 14th of August, 1862, he joined the boys in blue of Company G, One Hundred and Eighteenth Illinois Vol- unteer Infantry, as corporal, and was sent down the Mississippi to Memphis. He par- ticipated in the battles of Chickasaw Bayou. Arkansas Post, Port Gibson and the siege of ^'icksburg, and assisting in taking that stronghold. He had two fingers of his right hand shot ofif, and was thus permanently disabled. He was ill ip the hospital at Keo- kuk, Iowa, until the close of the war, and \\'as then sent to Daven])i)rt, where he was mustered out and honoralily discharged on the 18th of May, 1865, after which he re- turned to his home in Illinois. In the fall of the same year, however, Mr. Bunger came to Iowa, and settled in Blairstown, where he engaged in contract- ing and building for five years. At the end of thai time he remo\-ecl to Marion, where he was similarly emiiloyed for three \ears. and then came to Cedar Rapids, where he has since successfully carried on operations as a contractor and builder. He has erected a number of bu>iness l)locks Ijut has mostly engaged in building private residences, and on all sides are seen evidences of his handi- work. He has bought lots and built two houses for himself. At Galesburg, Illinois, in June, 1856, Mr. Bunger married Miss Eliza H. W'ood- bridge, who was born and reared in McDon- ough county, that state, and was educated at Galesburg. Unto them were born fi\e children, namely : Clara married George Shaffer, of Cedar Rapids, and died here lea\-- ing one child, Nina, who now resides with her grandparents and is attending the Cedar Rapids high school ; Edward is married and engaged in farming in Linn county ; David is an energetic man of good business ability residing at home; Nora is the wife of George Holland, of Cedar Rapids; and Harry is in the upholstering business in Denver. Politically, Mr. Bunger has been a life- long Republican, haxing ne\er wa\ered in his allegiance to that party since casting his first presidential vote for John C. Fremont in 1856. His duties of citizenship are al- ways faithfully and conscientiously ])er- formed, but he has never sought political honors. He was made a Mason in Blairs- town in 1867, and is now a prominent and honored member of Crescent Lodge, No. 25, F. & A. AI. He and his wife are con- nected with the Christian Science church, and are people of the highest respectability. BENJAMIN GAUBY. There are few men more worthy of rep- resentation in a work of this kind than the subject of this biography, who is spending his declining years in retirement from act- BENJAMIN GAUBY. BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 203 i\'e labor in Lisbon. His has l:)een a \'n^g and useful career, in which he has estab- lished himself in the esteem and confidence of all who know him. He was born on the 1 2th of March, 1813, in Berks county, Pennsylvania, of which his parents, Daniel and Susan (Snyder) Gauby, were also na- tives, and they spent their entire lives in the Keystone state. In their family were fifteen children, eight sons and se\en daugh- ters, but only our subject and one brother are now living. Benjamin Gauby grew to manhond in the count}' of his nati\'ity, and there mar- ried Esther Shirar, who was also born in Pennsylvania, and died in Lisbon, Iowa, in 1873, at the age of sixty-two years. She was a faithful member of the L'nited Breth- ren church, and a devoted wife and loving mother. Of the nine children born of this union seven died in infancy, while those still living are Jonas S., a resident of Lis- bon; and Susan, wife of Amos Brenneman, a carpenter of Marion, Iowa. After his marriage Mr. Gauby removed to L'nion county, Pennsylvania, where he remained nine years, where he worked at his trade of a mason. Later he removed to Lebanon county, and in 1856 came to Iowa, locating in Lisbon, where he followed the same occupation for a number of years. Sub.sequently he purchased a farm in Frank- lin township, this county, but just at this time his wife died, and he rented same for some years, when he sold it, having since lived a retired life on Market street. In 1852 he went to California, where for three years he successfully engaged in mining. He has prospered in most of his business ventures, and is to-day quite well-to-do, having won success by giving close atten- tion to every detail of his business. He now owns several large residences in the city, and also business property. Mr. Gauby is a member of the L'nited Brethren church, and before coming west was also connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. His political sup- port is always gi\'en the men and measures of the Republican party, but he has never sought official honors. He was a member of the city council one term, being one of the first aldermen elected in Lisbon. Com- ing to this place when it was a mere ham- let, containing only a few houses, he has been prominentl}' identified with its up- building and development, and is to-day numbered among its most honored and high- ly respected citizens. His support is always gi\-en an\- worthy object for the public good. and educational and moral interests ha\e been promoted through his efforts. BERTHA S. LILLIE. M. D. Among those who dex'ote their time and energies to the practice of medicine and have gained a leading place in the ranks of the profession is Dr. Lillie, of Marian, who is a native of Linn county, where her parents W. L. and Eulalia (Lucore) Lillie, still re- side. The father was born in Vermont and is one of a family of seven children. On coming to this county in 1865, he was ac- ciimpanied by his brother, George A., and in 1880 Willis also located here. All three are now living 'in the same neigh- borhood in Marion township. One brother, K'ush, is still a resident of the Green Mountain state, as is al.so his sister. Dora, wife of Gardner Ashley, while Alma, wife of Cyrus H. Aikens, lives in Kansas; and Nellie, wife of lohn Carlin. makes her 204 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD Iiome in ^Massachusetts. The Doctor's moth- er is a native of Iowa, and one of a large family, the others being Alonzo. a ranch- man, of Colorado; Joseph, a music teacher, of this county: Herbert, a farmer of Nebras- ka ; Luther, a traveling salesman residing in Des Moines; Julalia, who is a twin sister of Mrs. Lillie and the wife of William Austin, a farmer of this county; Joanna, wife of F. D. ^\'ightman, a carpenter and contractor, of Marion: Lizzie, wife of ^^'. \\'. Scott, a farmer of this county; and ^ilahala, wife of Wilson \\'ightman, of Lincoln, Nebraska. During the dark days of the Civil war W. L. Lillie enlisted in 1862, in the Fifty- first Vermont Volunteer Infantry, which was assigned to the Army of the Potomac and was in the reserve force at the battle of Gettysburg. He was honorably discharged at the end of nine months when his term of enlistment expired. As previously stated he removed from Vermont to this county in 1865, and has since made his home in Marion township with the exception of two years spent in Buclianan county, b.iwa. As a farmer and stock raiser he has met with marked success during- his residence iierj. He makes a specialty of fine horses. He has efficiently served as school d.re:t)r of his district, and has ever taken a commendalile interest in educational affairs. He is to-day one of the most prosperous and extensive farmers of ]\Iarion township, as well as one of its leading and rejiresentative citizens. Dr. Lillie is the second in order of birth in a family of seven children, the others being as follows: (i) M. Jane is the wife of C. H. Brooks, an attorney of Wichita, Kansas, and they have four children, Willard L., Helen, Catherine and Josephine. (3) George L. and (4) Josephine E. are twins. The former married Inez Stinson, of Dakota City, Nebraska, and is engaged in farming in Marion township, this county, while the lat- ter is at home with her parents. (5) Frank J. assists his father in the operation of the home farm. (6) Park H. is also at home. (7) Alice is now attending the Marion high school, of which the others are all graduates. Dr. Lillie began her education in the district school near her childhood home. After her graduation she taught in the home district one year, and then took a six months course in stenography and type-writing at Cedar Ra.pids. Later she attended Cornell College, and subsequently entered the Ho- meopathic medical department of the State University of Iowa, where she was graduated in 1897, with the degree of M. D., standing second in a class of sixteen. Since then she has actiely engaged in practice in ^Marion and vicinity. She gives special attention to the diseases of women and children, and is con- sidered one of the best representatives of that branch of the profession in Linn count)'. She is well versed on all subjects pertaining to her chosen calling, and stands deservedly high in the profession and among the laity. The Doctor is now medical examiner fur the Legion of Honor and the Royal Neigiibors, and is vice-president of the Central Iowa Homeopathic Association, of which she is a prominent member. Religiously, she is a member of the Congregational church, and has been superintendent of the Sabbath school for the past three 3-ears. LEML'EL J. WALN. Linn county has many well-to-do and successful farmers who have been the archi- tects of their own fortunes, and by their well-directed efforts have acciuircd a cnm- BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 205 fortable competence. Among these is the subject of this personal history, who now owns and operates a good farm on section 19, FrankHn township, He was liorn in that township, May 26, 1858, and is a son of \\^iniam and Fannie (Burge) Wain, the former a native of Ohio, the latter of Greene county, Pennsylvania. He is great-grandfa- ther on the paternal side was a Mr. Barnard, who was drafted and served for;y years in the Swiss army before coming to America, and in this country took part in the W'av of 1812. He had two daughters, both of whom mar- ried Wains. The parents of our sul)ject were married in this county and made their home on wliat was known as the William Wain farm until the father's death, he being killed in a tornado in i860. The following four years she conducted the farm alrne and in 1864 she married Silas Bailey, and they con- tinued to make their home on the farm one year, when they sold their property and moved to Creston, Iowa, where they lived till 1879, when the property was sold, and sh.e returned to Linn county and remained one year. At the end' of that period she reji lined her husliand and nioxed to Xeljras- ka, where they purchased a farm. There she died December 13, 1892. The subject of this sketch is the seventh in order of Ijirth ii: a family nf eight chil- dren, the others being as follows : Marga- ret A., born October 20, 184S, is the wife of James McLaughlin, of Franklin township, a sketch of whom a])pears in this work; Sanuiel J., born April 8, 1850, married Ida Patmore and lives west of Alt. Vernon; Martha Jane, born June 11, 185 1, died in cliildhoDd; Eliza J., born Deceml)er 5, 1852, is the wife of Emanuel Welty, nf Wintcrset, Iowa; William Henry, born June 4, 1854, married Cynthia Hill and resides in Raven- den, Arkansas; John E., born February 24, 1857, married Hattie Russell and makes his home north of Mt. Vernon; and Milton B., born February 8, i860, married Emma May- bower and lives in Mt. Vernon. Being only two years old when his father died Lemuel J. Wain had few advantages during his boyhood and youth, and received very little schooling except that gained in the school of experience. lie profited by the lessons received, however, and has a good' practical knowledge of men and affairs. Prior to his marriage he worked as a farm hand by the month. On the 20th of Feb- ruary, 1884, at Marion, Iowa, he wedded Miss Lavina Burge, and they now have twn children: Milton B., born May 29, 1891 ; and Clara Ethelda, born October 9, 1893. The Burge family originated in Hull, Yorkshire, England, and came to America with Lord Baltimore in early colonial days, settling in ^Maryland. Some of its members took part in both the Revolutionary war and the war of 1812. The branch of the family to which Mrs. W'aln belongs came to Mus- catine, Iowa, in 1837, and two years later took up their residence in Linn county, where they entered quite a large amiiunt of land. Jeremiah Burge, the grandfather nf Mrs. Wain, was born in Pennsylvania, in 1800, and was a son of W^illiam and I'riscilla (Long) Burge, also natives of that state. He married Hester Morford and to them were born .seven children, namely; James M., the father of Airs. Wain ; Fannie, the mother of our subject; Jeremiah, deceased, who married Sarah Archer; \\'illiam, who married the widow of his brother Jeremiah and lived in Franklin township; John, who married Harriet Harles, deceased, and re- sides near Cedar Rapids ; Jane, who married 2o6 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD Robert ]\Iax\vell. of Cedar coiinty, Iowa, and both are now deceased ; and Martha, who married first Washington Turner, who was killed in the Civil war, and is now the widow of Elijah Rundel and resides in Clyde, Ne- braska. James M. Burge, Mrs. Wain's father, •was born in Greene county, Pennsylvania, and came to this county with the family in 1839. Here he married Elizalieth ^Ic- Roberts, a native of Kentucky, and a daugh- ter of ]\Iichael and ]\Iary ( Smith) McRob- erts. who was born in \'irginia. The Mc- Roberts family came from Scotland to America in the early part of the Eighteenth century, and it has been well represented in the wars of this country. William Smith, the maternal grandfather of Mrs. Burge, was in the secret service under General Ar- nold in the war of 181 2, was present at the surrender of Detroit, and was massacred at the battle of River Raisin. Mrs. Burge was fifth in order of birth in a family of eleven children, the others being \\'illiam. who married and lives at Watsonville, Califor- nia: Russell, who also married and resides in Greene county, Iowa : Mary Jane, who married John Prather. and after residing far a time in Linn county, Iowa, moved to Kansas and later to Oregon, where both died; George, who married Sarah Black, and makes his home in Mound City, Mis- souri; Frank and James, twins, both of whom entered the Union army during the Civil war, and died at ^lailland. Missouri, from the eff^ects of their army life: Lucinda. who married Henry Rogers. She died in California and he died in Greene county. Iowa ; Elsina, who died in infancy : Duncan, a physician, who was killed in the Civil war : and Margaret E., who died at the age of Iwentv vears. After his marriage James M. Burge located on a farm on section 21. Franklin township, where he spent the re- mainder of his life, his death occurring May 5, 1891. His wife died April 21, 1886, and both were laid to rest in Mt. Vernon ceme- terv. Unto this worthy couple were born twelve children, as follows : Frances mar- ried Jeremiah Thomas, a farmer of Franklin township, and died in 1878. Jerry was killed in a tornado on the home farm in Franklin township in i860. Hester M. married Joseph Moore, who died in Linn county, in 1877, while her death occurred in Greene county, this state, in 1885. Their sons are now en- eagfed in the cattle business in Tillamook, Oregon. John W. married Hannah Clark and is engaged in farming in Bertram, Iowa. Ellen married Andrew Dill, a farmer of Franklin township, this county, who died December 22, 1877, and she died August 21, 1879. Elizabeth is the wife of John Hoffman, a farmer of Franklin township. James R. married Alvena Minich and is en- gaged in the ice business in Mt. \'ernon. La- vina is the wife of our subject. Elmer mar- ried Kate Heller and resides on his grand- father's old homestead in Franklin township. Ethelda is keeping house for her brother George H. Anson S. married Lida Davis and resides in Spokane, Washington. George H., a farmer of Franklin township, is repre- sented on another page of this volume. For one year after his marriage INlr. \\'aln lived un the McCafferty farm where his wife was born, and spent the following year on the Jerry Burge farm. His wife owned forty acres of land which they traded for the Chris Conrad place on section 19, Franklin township, and Mr. \\'a]n has added to this until he now has one hundred and five acres of well imi)rcived and highly cultivated land, supplied with a good set of farm build- BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 207 ings. He is a most progressive, up-to-clate and successful farmer, and raises consider- able stock, including horses, cattle and hogs. In his political affiliations he is a Republican, and he has efficiently filled the office of school director. ROBERT E. REASLAND. Among the reliable, suljstantial and pros- perous farmers of Franklin township none are more deserving of representation in this volume than Robert E. Reasland, whose home is on section 29. He was liorn near Easton, Pennsylvania, October 2"], 1856, and is a son of Ernest and Mary (Cobol) Reasland, both natives of Germany. She being of a wealthy family and Mr. Reasland being, por, her parents were opposed to the n.arriage, an.l accordingly the young couple came to this country in 1849 '•''•'' ^vere mar- ried in Xew York, knowing that in America all men were equal according to tlieir ability and energy. They first located in Pennsyl- ania, where they made their home for some years, and where ]\Ir. Reasland died in 1863. Two years later the father brought his family to Lisbon, Iowa, and commenced work for Daniel Baker on the old Trout farm, chopping wood. A year later he lo- cated on the bank of Cedar river, where he built a thatched shanty, which was his home for two years. In 1866 he bought a place near the river on section '28, Franklin town- ship, southwest of Lisbon, and erectetl there- on a log cabin, where he resided until 1877, when he removed to the eighty-acre farm owned by Dr. Pease. Subsequently he lived one year on the Peter Betzer farm of eighty arces, and then went to Nebraska, where he remained until his death, which occurred October 15, 1898, his remains being interred eight miles northeast of Ravenna, Nebras- ka. In 1873 he married Mary Woods, who has resided in Lisbon, Iowa, since her hus- band's death. His children were all by the first marriage, namely: Henry, who mar- ried Mary Bushausen and resides in Sher- man county, Nebraska; Robert E., our sub- ject; August L., who married Addie Mc- Cuen and lives in Fillmore county, Nebras- ka; and Charles, who died at the age of thir- ty-four years. Robert E. Reasland was only seven years of age when brought to this county, and here • he was reared. During his minority he gave every cent which he earned to his father. He worked as a farm haml until 1869, and was then employed in a brick yard. The vear following his father's removal to Ne- braska he was in the employ of Samuel Horn on the Trout farm, and then again worked in a brick yard for a year. He next rented and operated th.e Carpenter farm of two hun- dred and twenty-si.x acres in Fra-nklin town- ship for two years, and on the expiration of that time went to Nebraska, but Ijeing un- successful there, he sold the farm which he had purchased there, and returned to this county in the fall of 1880. At Lisbon, .\pril 21, 1881, Mr. Reasland was united in marriage with Miss Anna Hel- ler, who was born in that place, November 27, i860, and is also of German descent, though her parents, Peter and Sarah (Teel) Heller, were both natives of Pennsylvania, and were married in Northampton county, that state. In 1845 they came west and lo- cated in Lisbon, Iowa, where Mr. Heller engaged in the tinning business and also ser\ed as justice of the peace for forty-years. He died August 4, 1887, at the age of sixty- two years, and was l)vu-icd in Lislwn, but 208 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD his wife is still a resident of that place. They had eight children, namely : ]\Iary, wife of Thomas A\'ooderson, of Indiana ; Ida, who died at the age of nineteen years : Fred, who married Anna Hafelfinger and lives in Fillmore county, Xehraska ; William, who is engaged in the marble business in Lisbon and lies with his mother ; Anna, wife of our subject; Lincoln, who died at the age of thirty-two years; Almira, widow of Russell ^lackey and a resident of Lisbon ; and Kate, wife of Elmer Burge, a farmer of Franklin township, this county. Mr. and Mrs. Reasland have six children : Ernest, born January 14, 1882, assists his father in the operation of the home farm; Peter, born March 29, 1883, is employed as an assistant in the nianagement of a large farm north- west of Mt. Vernon; Ruth, born April 21, 1886, is attending -school and resides with her parents; Katie May, born March 6. 1889; Robert, born February 28, 1S92; and Gertrude, born October 28, 1895, are all at home. After his marriage Mr. Reasland rented the Robinson farm for one year, and for the same length of time rented a place across the river. At the end of that time he bought the Ben Carpenter farm of one hundred and thirty-three acres on section 29, Franklin township, and has since purchased an ad- joining tract of forty-eight acres, making a good farm of one hundred and eighty- one acres. It is one of the best improved places in the locality, having one of the larg- est modern barns in the township, besides cattle sheds and other outbuildings, while the residence is a modern Queen Anne struc- ture, furnished in a most tasteful manner, and everything about the farm indicates the thrift and progressive spirit of the owner. As a stock raiser he has also met with suc- cess and is accounted one of the most thor- ough and skillful agriculturists of the com- munity. Fraternally, ^Ir. Reasland is a member of ]\It. \'ernon Lodge, M. B. A., and politically is a stanch Democrat. He is now servino; as district school treasurer. HEXRY B. SIMPSOX. For many years the subject of this sketch was one of the practical and progressive farmers of Rapids township, but is now living a retired life in his pleasant home, Xo. 34-1. Third avenue west. Cedar Rapids. He was born on Elkhart Prairie, Elkhart county, Indiana, October 17, 1830, and is a son of William and Elizabeth (Riggs) Simpson, who were born, reared and married in ennessee, and in 1828 removed to the Hoosier state, becoming early settlers of Elkhart county, where the father entered land and improved a farm. He was one of the prominent agriculturists of the commu- nity and continued to make his home there until called to his final rest in 1878, at the age of seventy-six years. The mother of our subject died about 1836, and the father later married Miss Elizabeth Longacre. In his native county Henry B. Simpson grew to manhood on the home farm, and ob- tained his education in the district schools of the neighborhood, which he attended when his services were not needed in the oper- ation of the farm. On the 19th of Febru- ary, 1852, he was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Garnant, who was born in Ohio, August 8, 1831, but was reared in In- diana, her father, John Garnant. being one of the early settlers of Elkhart county. After his marriage ]\Ir. Simpson followed farm- BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 209 ing in tliat county for nine years, and at the end of that time sold his property there, and in the spring of 1861 came to Linn county, Iowa, where he purchased a farm in Col- lege tonwship. He operated that place for two years, and on the expiration of that time he sold it and bought a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Rapids township, near Cedar Rapids, to the further improvement and cultivation of which he devoted his time and energies for many years. He erected thereon a good house and barn, set out shade and fruit trees, and made many other im- provements which added great])- to the value and attractive appearance of the place. Rent- ing his farm in 1892, he removed to Cedar Rapids, where he purchased a lot and built a neat residence which has since been his home. He has also erected two other houses in the city, and is now enjoying the income derived from his property. Mr. and Mrs. Simpson are the parents of six children, namely: Sarah Alice, wife of William M. Krebs, of Cedar Rapids ;Will- iam J., a farmer of this county; Mrs. Rosa Krebs, a widow residing in Cedar Rapids; Charles J., a mechanic of that city; Arvilla, wife of George L. Mentzer, of Cedar Rap- ids; and Cora, who married H. H. Jacobs, of Cedar Rapids, and'died in 1891, leaving one daughter, Cora R., who makes lier home with her grandparents and is now at- tending the Cedar Rapids schools. In 1863, during the dark days of the Civil war, Mr. Simpson offered his services to his country, but on going to Iowa City was discharged on account of illness. iTlie following year he was drafted and fur- nished a substitute. Politically he has been a life-long Democrat, liut at local elections where no issue is involved he voles inde- pendent of party lines, supporting the men whom he Ijelieves best (|ua]itied to fill the offices. He never sought political prefer- ment, but served as road commissioner while engaged in farming, both in Indiana and Iowa. He and liis wife are both mem- bers of the Baptist church and are people of the highest respectability, whose sterling worth has gained for them many friends. J. W. ^IILHOLIN. The agricultural interests of Franklin township are well represented by this gentle- man, who was born in Linn township, this county, on the 31st of December, i860. The Milholin family originated in Ireland, but many bearing the name now live in Scot- land and America. James Milholin, our subject's father, was born on the Emerald Isle, but when a boy went to Scotland, and in 1853 came to the L'nited States. After spending two years in Pennsylvania, he re- moved to Iowa, and was married in Marion, tc Miss Elizabeth McLaughlin, a native of Glasgow, Scotland, who came to the new Vvorld in 1856, and located in Marion, Iowa. After living in that place for a time, thev removed to a farm in Linn Grove, Linn township, and later spent two years on the farm of Colonel Robert Smyth in Franklin township. Their next home was on the Robert Rose farm, where they continued to reside until their deaths. The mother de- parted this life February 15, 187S, and the father died February 2, 1897, the remains of both being interreil in the Mt. Vernon ceme- tery. Unto them were born five children, as follows : Isabella Agnes is now the wife of Andrew Dill and lives south of Cedar Rapids; John C. is a railroad conductor and makes his home in Li\-ingston, jNIontana ; 2IO BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD J. \\'., our subject, is next in order of birth; Thomas H. lives on a farm adjoining our subject in Frankhn township; and Robert A. resides with his brotiier Thomas H. The district schools of Franklin town- ship afforded our subject his educational ad- ^•antages, and on leaving school at the age of nineteen years he ga\'e his entire time to the work of the home farm, continuing to manage the place for one year after his mar- riage. The following year he operated rented land, though in 1887 he had purchased fifty-five acres of land. In 1898, he bought the James Bryney farm of one hundred and five and one-half acres on section 18, Frank- lin township, and in the operation of this place he has since met with marked success. Like most of the farmers of this region he devotes considerable attention to the raising of stock. He is progressive in his methods and his success in life has been worthily achieved, it being due entirely to his own well-directed and energetic efforts. Politi- cally he is identified with the Republican party, and' socially is connected with the Camp of Alodern ^^'o(xlmen, Xo. 126, at Mt. Vernon. On the 19th of October, 1892, at Mt. Vernon, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Milholin and Miss Elsie Adella Bair, who was born at Elvira, Clinton county, Iowa, February 14, 1870, and is a daughter of Jo- soph Bair, whose sketch appears on another page of this volume. Four children bless this union, their names and dates of birth being as follows: Harry B., October 14, 1894; J. Clifford, May 10, 1896; Florence E., July 3, 1898; and Glen Leroy. March 10, 1900, died April i, 1901. Florence was born on the day Cervera's fleet was caj^tured by the Americans during the Spanish-Ameri- can war. ELI JOHXSTOX. Among the old and honored citizens of Linn county who have passed to their re- ward is Eli Johnston, who died in Mt. \'er- non, December 7, 1898. He was born in Richland county, Ohio, April 19, 1827, and could trace his ancestry back for two cent- uries. His great-grandfather, Adam John- ston, and his wife, whose maiden name was Crow, came to this country from Ireland when the grandfather, William Johnston, was only four vears old, and settled in Cum- berland count}-, Pennsylvania, but subse- quently remo\ed to W'estmoreland county, that state, and still later to Butler county, Pennsylvania. They had five children, all of whom were born in America with the ex- ception of \\'illiam, the others being Fran- cis, who died young leaving no issue : Adam, John and Benjamin, all of whom Ii\'ed to be old and left families. William Johnston, the grandfather of c_)ur subject, was reared in Cumberland and Westmoreland counties, Pennsylvania. He lived for a short time in Stark county, Ohio, but spent his last days in Knox county, that state, where his death occurred. He wedded Mary McCandless, also a native of Ireland, who came to the L'nited States when only a year old. Her father was Robert McCandless, while her mother bore the maiden name of Crow. They located in Butler county, Pennsylvania, where her father followed the occupation of a farmer until called to his final rest. Unto William Johnston and his wife were born eleven chil- dren, namely:- Francis, Polly, William, Susan, John. Isabel. Absalom, Adan-i, Rob- ert, Sarah and James. All are now de- ceased. Francis Johnston, our subject's father. ELI JOHNSTON. BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 213 was l^orn in \\'estmorelan(l county. Penn- sylvania, October i, 1794, and grew to manlioocl in Butler county, that state, where he learned the sickle making business uniler Thomas Parks. In 181 6 he married Jane Parks, the sister of his employer, and re- moved to Stark county, Ohio. She sickened and died while visitino- friends in 1821, leaving one son, \\'ilHam. who was born September 24, 1819. In 1823 Francis John- ston was again married, his second union being with Mrs. Anna Snoddy. Her fa- ther, George Fleming and b.is wife, whose maiden name was Alspaugh. were born and reared in Ireland, and on their emigration to America took up their residence in Frank- lin county, Pennsylvania. They had eight children: John, Jane, Anna. William, George, Charles, Joseph and ]\Iary. The parents and all of their children with the exception of William and Charles, died in Richland county, Ohio. Mrs. Johnston was born June 9, 1798, and first married John Snoddy, with whom she removed from But- ler county, Pennswylvania, to Franklin coun- ty, that state, and later to Stark county, Ohio, where Mr. Snoddy died leaving a widow and three children to mourn his loss. In 1824 Mr. and Mrs. Johnston removed to Richland county, Ohio. By their union were born nine children, namely: INIary Ann, Eli, Eliza, Robert, John, David, Sarah Jane, George and Harriet, all of whom are living with the exception of Eli, Mary Ann, Robert and Sarah Jane. Robert died March 5, 1842, of concussion of the brain induced by a fall; Sarah Jane died of consumptinn June I, 1857, and Mary Ann died in the fall of 1896. Eliza, John, David and Harriet are all residents of Kosciusko county, In- diana ; and George makes his home near Emporia, Kansas. 11 In the county of his nati\-ity Eli Juhn- ston passed the daj-s of his boyhood and youth, and pursued his studies in a primitive school house which had neither door, window or floor. Each pupil recited by himself as there were no classes, and the studying was done aloud. The teacher was most proficient in the use of the birch rod. Mr. Johnston was a stu- dent for one term at the Mansfield Academy and one at the Monroe Seminary, Avhere his education was completed so far as schools were concerned. In the fall of 1847 he commenced teaching school and taught every winter with exception of that of 1870, until elected principal of the Lisbon schools in the fall of 1872. On the 13th of March, 1856, Mr. John- ston was united in marriage with Miss Mar- garet Jane Reed, who died of consumption Feljruary 24, 1868. This was doubtless one of the darkest clouds of his life as his- family was bT(iken up and his children scat- tered. They had three children,- namely : Allie May. born in Richland county, Ohio, January i, 1857, is now' the widow of War- ren W. Richardson, mentioned below, and a resident of Linn Grove, Iowa; Elihugh R., born in \\'ashington county, Pennsylvania, December 29, i860; and Jessie, born in Liim county, Iowa, June 12, 1863, was married September 25, 1884, to Rev. Had- wen \\'illiani, now a resident of Elwood, Iowa. Warren W. Richardson was born in Linn Grove, near Mt. Vernon, April 21, 1853, and in childhood was known as a truthful, thoughtful and unselfish boy, and a favorite with his companions. He was married January i, 1880, to Miss Allie May Johnston, who was to him a most faith- ful companion. He died at his home near the place of his birth, June 14, 1896, Imn- 214 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD ored and respected by all who knew him. In 1878 he united with the Linn Grove Pres- byterian church, and always took an active and prominent part in all church work, serv- ing as superintendent of the Sabbath school and ruling elder of the church. Up- right and honorable in all things, he was found true to every trust reposed in him, and no man in the community was held in higher regard. Mr. Johnston was again married, April 15, 1869, his second union being with ]\Iiss Harriet Varner, by whnm he had one son, Francis, who was born September 24, 1870, and died December 12, 1885. Mrs. John- ston was born in Linn county, four miles and a half from Mt. \'ernon, January 23, 1843, and is a daughter of James S. Varner, who was born near Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, FeJjruary 29, 1804, his parents being na- tives of the same state. He was educated in a subscription school at Chartiers, and at the age of eighteen commenced work on the river as a boat hand, later becoming master of a keel-boat. Still later he was a pilot on a steamer running down the Ohio river to St. Louis. Afterward he owned and op- erated a small farm in Allegheny countv, Pennsylvania, and on disposing of that, in 1842, he came to Linn county, Iowa, where he secured a claim. Five years later he purchased more land and continued his resii dence here until called to his final rest, June 12, 1881, his remains being interred in J\It. Zion cemetery, Linn Grove. He was married at Pittsburg, in June, 1828, to Miss Ann Alsip, who was born in County Down, Ireland, February i, 181 1, and came with her parents to America in 1818; the family located in Allegheny City, Pennsylvania. She died February 22, 1875. Of the five children born to them Caroline died in in- fancy. Adeline, born June 16, 1836, mar- ried John H. Xulton of Islt. Vernon, Iowa, and died February 5, 1896; Francis, born September 6, 1838, was wounded in the battle of Shiloh during the Civil war, and died in the hospital at Camp Dennison, near Cincinnati, May 12, 1862. Mrs. Johnston is next in order of birth. Ann Eliza, born in Linn county, January 11, 1845, '^^"'is mar- ried, March 14, 1866, to W. A. Karns, of Linn countv, Kansas, and she died Tune 25, 1895. In 1849, ^I''- Johnston removed to In- diana, where he spent three years, and then returned to Ohio. In 1853 he spent a short time in Iowa, teaching one term of school, and then returned to Ohio. It was in 1858 that he removed with his wife and child to Keokuk county, Iowa, and in the fall of the same year came to Linn count)-. In 1 86 1 he purchased forty acres of land, and to it he subsequently added eighty acres as his financial resources permitted. Many times after the day's work was done in the school room he went to the timber, cut his load of wood and returned to his home by moonlight, not completing his day's work until far into the night. W'itli his election to the principalship of the Lisbon schools the field of his labors as an educator widened, and renting his farm he devoted his entire time to teaching. During his second year there, in the fall of 1873, he was elected county superintendent of schools on the Republican ticket, and filled that office most creditably for eiglit years. He was an al)le and competent instructor and displayed excellent judgment in the choice of instructor for normal institute work. After his retirement from office he and his wife taught in the public schools of Western, this county, for two years. The BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 215 college having- recentlv been remoN-ed to Toledo, there was a demand for a high school there, and he was chosen as teacher of the same. The following two years were spent in traveling over the country with a team and wagon in the vain endea\'or to re- store the health of his son, Frank. The family traveled all over Nebraska and Kan- sas, almost as far west as Colorado and as far south as Indian Territory, but death fin- ally claimed the boy and on December 12, 1885, at the old Varner farm in Linn Grove. ^\'orn out by the long vigil at the bedside of his dying boy, Mr. Johnston made no effort to follow his profession except teach- ing an occasional term of a country school, for over four years. About two years of this time were spent in Mulvane, Kansas. In the summer of 1889, Mr. Johnston received a commission as superintendent and Mrs. Johnston as matron of Dwight Alis- sion, Indian Territory, this lieing an acade- my for the education of full blood Cherokee Indiana, under the management of the Pres- Ijyterian Board of Home ^Missions. For four years they continued this work, when feel- ing the weight of many years he laid down the work he had carried on so faithfully for so long a time and retired permanently from the profession. Throughout life Mr. Johnston was an earnest and consistent Christian gentleman. He was reared in the rugged faith of the Associated Reform church, to wliich his parents lielonged. He became con\-erted in Indiana in the winter of 1850-51, under the preaching of the Rev. Clevinger of the United Brethren church, and for abuut eight years held membership in the Baptist church, but on coming to Iowa, in 1858, he and his wife united with the Presbyterian church at Tallevrantl, Keokuk cuuntv. Re- moving to Linn county, in the fall of that year they transferred their membership to tl'.e Linn Grove Presbyterian church, with which he was connected for forty years. In the meantime, however, he was a member, temporarily, of tlje church at Mulvane, Kan- sas, and Dwight, Indian Territury. For the long period of twenty years he was su- perintendent of the Linn Grove Sunday school, and as his services in that line were always in demand, he has been known to have conducted his own school in the fore- noon and two others in the afternoon. Dur- ing his labors in Indian Territory he was licensed by the Presbytery of Cherokee as a lay e\-angelist. He was a most entertaining companion, being fond of a good story with a point or moral to it, and few could tell one better, while his wit was of the genuine Irish kind, always ready and always pat. His influence was great and always for good, and his sympathy, his benevolence and his kindly greeting, will long be remembered. His duties were performed with the great- est of care, and throughout his life his per- sonal honor and integrity were without blemish. ♦-•-♦ CHARLES W. EMERY. Among the enterprising and successful Inisiness men of Marion must be numbered Charles W. Emery, a prominent contractor and builder residing at No. 1137 Ninth av- enue. He was born on the 14th of June, 1851, in Maine, of which state his parents, Gilmore and Elizabeth (Challies) Emery- were life-long residents. His paternal grand- parents were Jeremiah and Rosilla Emery, the former of whom was born in England and came to this country with his father about 1790 and located in what is now 2l6 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD known as Emery's yWW, Xurtli Shapley, Maine. This village was built bv them and named after them. Tlie father also bore the name of Jeremiah. Our subject's ma- ternal grandparents were Sumner and Susan Challies. The father was a molder by trade, but followed the occupation of the Union during the Civil war, enlisting in 1863 in the Second Maine Cavalry. He participated in the siege and capture of Mobile, and remained in active service until hostilities ceased, being honorably dis- charged in September, 1865. Fortunately he was never wounded nur taken prisoner. Both he and his wife were members of the Freewill Baptist church, and were hiwhly respected by all who knew them. He was born in 1829, and died in 1894, while she was born in i8_'8, and departed this life in 1890. Unto this worthy couple were born twelve children, namely: Alvira, who died at the age of a year and a half : Eugene, wdio died at the age of th.irty-nine: Charles W., our subject; Anna, who died at the age of seven years; George, wlm has Ijcen foreinau in an iron foundry at Lowell. Massachusetts, for twenty-one years; Ida, wife of a Mr. Eastman, of Lynn, Massachusetts; Ells- worth, a resident of Cireenfield, Xew Hamp- shire; Xellie and Anna, residents of Bos- ton ; Agnes, who is married : Sadie, wife of John Marsh; and F"rank, a conductor on the Boston & Maine Railroad. Of those livinsr all reside in the old Bay state with e.\ception of our subject. Charles A\'. Emery received a carnett, ■who was drafted and served forty years in the Swiss army before coming to America, •and in this country took part in the war. He had two daughters, both of whom mar- ried Wains. Mrs. McLaughlin's ])arents were married in this county and made their h.ome on what was known as the W'illiam ^\'aln farm until the father's death, he be- ing killed in a tornado in i860. The fol- lowing four years she conducted the farm alone, and in 1864 she married Silas Bailey, and continued to hake their home on the farm one year, when they sold their prop- erty and moved to Creston, Iowa, where tliey lived till 1874, when the property there ^\■as sold and she returned to Linn county and remained one year. At the end of that period she rejoined her husband and removed to Nebraska, where they purchased a farm. There she died December 13, 1892. Mrs. I\IcLaughlin is the oldest in a family of eight children, the others being as follows : Sam- uel J., born April 8, 1850, married Ida Pat- more and lives west of iMt. Vernon; Martha Jane, born June 11, 1851, died in childhood; Eliza J., born December 5, 1852, is the wife of Emanuel Welty, of Winterset, Iowa; \\'illiam Henry, born June 4, 1854, married Cvnth'a Hill and resides in Ravenen, Ar- kansas; John E., born February 24, 1857, married Hattie Russell and makes his home north fif i\lt. \'ernon ; Lemuel J., born iMay 26, 1858, is represented on another page of this volume; and Milton B., born February 8, i860, married Emma Maybower and lives in i\It. Vernon. GEORGE W. LAKE. George ^^^ Lake, of jMarion, has for several years been connected with the lirni of T. M. Sinclair & Company, of Cedar Rapids, as stock buyer, and in that capacity has become widely known throughout the countv. A native of Ohio, be was Ikmmi in BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 219 IMansfield, Richland county, on tlie 23d of September, 1847, 3"uth Christian Alagnus learned the brewing business with his fa- ther, and then traveled through Germany, working in different cities and thoroughly learning the business in all its branches. In connection with it he also worked two years at the cooper's trade in Frankfort and thus qualified himself for his chosen oc- cupation. He traveled and worked in dif- ferent cities of Germany for several years. In 1857 !Mr. Magnus crossed the Atlan- tic, and took up his residence in Twin Springs, Winneshiek county. Iowa, where he started a brewery for a Frenchman, re- maining there one year. He subsequently spent a short time in Chicago and Mil- waukee, and in 1859. came to Cedar Rapids, where he worked in the l^rewery of Jacob Wetzel as head brewer for two years. He next started a brewery in Kankakee. Illi- nois, where he remained two years, then returned to Cedar Rapids and formed a part- nership with Mr. Wetzel in the brewing business, that connection continuing until 1868, when Mr. Magnus bought out his jiartner. He began business here in a small way, l)ut has enlarged his facilities from time to time to meet the growing demands of his trade until the capacity of his lirewery is now twenty-five thousand barrels per year. He was at the head of the business when it was organized as a stock company with Mr. Magnus as a stockholder and director. He was one of the promoters and an original stockholder in the Cedar Ra])ids National Bank; a stockholder in the Cedar Rapids Savings Bank, the Electric Light and IViwcr CHRISTIAN MAGNUS. BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 223 Company, a stockholder and director of the Cedar Rapids \\'ater Company, and also ex- tensively interested in real estate and Ijuild- ing, owning the Magnus block on South Second street, and other valuable property. He was president of the Iowa State Brew- ers' Association for four years, during which time was fought the prohibition campaign. when the brewers made an active campaign to save their property. Politically. Mr. Magnus has been a Democrat, and sered two terms as alderman from the First ward, during which time the sewering was begun. Mr. Magnus was married in Cedar Rap- ids, in 1864. to Miss Mary A. Wetzel. a daughter of Jacob Wetzel, one of the old settlers of the city. Mr. Magnus has made a num1)er of trips to Europe, and has visited all of its great cities, spending some time at the Paris Exposition in 1900, and re- turning home in Februarv of the following year. Fraternally, he is a prominent mem- ber of the Odd Fellows lodge of Cedar Rapids, in which he has filled all the chairs and is now past grand. As a public-spirited and enterprising business man he has done much to promote the welfare of his adopted city and advance her interests along various lines. He has a large circle of friends and acquaintances here who will peruse this sketch with interest. ROBERT KIRKPATRICK. Linn count}- has C|uite a number of en- terprising and thorough-going farmers who are giving the greater share of their atten- tion to the raising of fine stock, and thus en- hancing materially the value of such in this locality. To this class belongs Robert Kirk- patrick, of section 18, Franklin township. A native of this county, he was born four miles south of Mt. V'ernon, August 21, 1867, and is a son of James Kirkpatrick, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this vol- ume. He acquired his early education in the district schools near his boyhood home, and later attended the business college at Cedar Rapids. After leaving school at the age of twenty-two years, he devoted his en- tire time to the work of the home farm. Mr. Kirkpatrick was married in Cedar county, Iowa, March 14, 1895, ^o Miss Jen- nie Light, who was born December 5, 1873, in Lebanon county. Pennsylvania, in the same house where her mother's birth oc- curred. Her parents were Cornelius \V. and Rosie A. (Meyer) Light, both natives of Pennsylvania, where they continued to make their home until coming to Linn county, Iowa, in 1882. Her father at first rented a farm five miles north of Lisbon for one year, and for three years rented anntlier place five miles northwest of Mt. Vernon. At the end of that time he purchased a farm of two hundred acres in Pioneer township, Cedar county, five miles southeast of Lis- bon, and there he has resided ever since, having one of the best farms in the locality. In his family were six children, namely: George W. married Estclla Ballard and re- sides on a farm two miles snulh of Lisbon; Joseph, a twin brother of Get)rge, died in infancy; Katie M. married Ernest Johnson and they lived on tlie old Johnson homestead in Franklin township; .she died January 13, 1890, at the home of her parents; Sallv A. died February 21, 1S96; Jennie, wife of our subject, is next in order of birth: and Eri AT. assists in the management of the Imme farm. Mr. and Mrs. Kirkjxitrick have three children: Pearl M., born August 8, 1896; 224 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD Eugene L., born April 9, 1898; and Clara Lucile, born July 8, 1900. Mrs. Kirkpat- rick taught school in Linn, Johnson and Cedar counties, and also one term in I-"rank- lin county. After his marriage Mr. Kirkpatrick bought what was known as the old Scott farm of one hundred acres on section 18, Franklin township, and under his careful supervision it has become one of the most highly cultivated and best improved tracts in the locality, while it has increased in value one-third since it came into his possession. He has made a careful study of both farm- ing and stock raising, and has been emi- nently successful in his chosen vocation. He breeds a high grade of cattle and Poland China hogs, and also raises horses, and feeds all the grain that he raises to his stock, hav- ing never sold but twenty-five Ijushels, as he believes stock raising to be the most profitable branch of his business. His at- tention being wholly occupied by his agri- cultural interests, he finds no time to devote to public aft'airs, and has always refused to become a candidate for of^ce. In politics he is a Republican. Both Mr. and Mrs. Kirkpatrick attend the Presbyterian church, and receive and merit the respect and es- teem of all who know them. GEORGE DALE. As a brick and stone mason (George Dale has been identified with the building inter- ests of Cedar Rapids for over thirty-five years, and for half a century he has been a resident of Iowa. His home is now at No. 1323 First avenue, Cedar Rapids. He was born on the 28th of December, 1835, in Union county, Pennsylvania, of which state his parents, Philip and Mary .\nn (Wiley) Dale, were also natives. About 1839 the family removed to Ohio, and were among the first settlers of Crawford county, where the father opened up a farm, making his home there for about eight years. In 1846 he went to Kosciusko county, Indiana, where he died the following winter. His wife sur- vived him many years and reared their fam- ily, and later married again. Her death also occurred in Kosciusko county, Indiana. Tlie subject of this sketch accompanied his parents on their removal to Ohio and later to Indiana, and until seventeen years of age made his home in Kosciusko county. He had but meager school privileges, and is therefore mostly self-educated since ar-, riving at mature years. In 1852 he and his brother started overland for California, but on arriving in Cedar county, Iowa, found their funds exhausted and resolved to locate permanently in this state. During the winter of 1852-3 George Dale engaged in chopping cord wood, and the following spring. com- menced driving a stage from Muscatine to Tipton and Iowa City, which pursuit claimed his attention for one year. He ne.xt spent one year and a half as an apprentice to the brick and stone mason's trade with his brother at Tipton, and later in partnership they engaged in contracting and building in different sections of the state for several years. In Cedar county, Iowa, November 12, 1S57, Mr. Dale was united in marriage with Miss Ruth Doty, daughter of James M. and Susan B. (Anderson) Doty, her father being one of the early settlers of Linn county, locating here in 1839. Mr. Doty laid out the town of Westport. si.x miles down the river from Cedar Rapids, where BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 225 he built a warehouse, and with ilatboats shipped produce down the river. After his death tiie town site was abandoned. lie was also tlie owner of one liundred and sixty acres in what is now Brown's addition in the west side of Cedar Rapids. He was born and reared near Middletown, 01iio,but died in Linn county. Iowa, January 17, 1846. After his death his wife and family returned to Ohio, where ]Mrs. Dale was principally reared, but later they returned to Linn county, Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Dale liave five children living: Curtis David, ■who has been a contractor and brick mason of Denver, Colorado, for the past ten years ; Lizzie, at home; Edmund G., an architect now with the Burlington, Cedar Rapids and Northern Railroad as a draftsman in the en- gineers' department; John, who now has charge of the plant of the electric light and power company of Oklahoma City; and Robert Burdette, a student in t!:e high school of Cedar Rajiids. One daughter, Nina, died at the age of four years. After his marriage Mr. Dale located on the west side of Cedar river in Cedar county, where he resided for a short time, and in the spring of 1865 removed to Boone, where he carried on business for one sumiuer, but in the fall of that year came to Cedar Rap- iils, where he worked at bis trade for two or three years. Sulisecpiently he was in the employ of T. M. Sinclair &- Company, meat packers, having charge of their mason work for nine years, during which time most of the plant was erected, and since that time has engaged in contracting and building in this city. In addition to contracting he has held and inipro\-ed a large amount of property by l.niying lots, erecting houses thereon, and then selling the same. In this way he has built about fifteen residences in the city, and has added materially to the prosperity of the city, as well as to its beauty. Althoug'h he began life for himself without capital he has by his own industry, persist- ency and good management accumulated a valuable property, and is now one of tb.e prosperous and substantial citizens of Cedar Rapids. In his political affiliations he is a stanch Republican, and for two years he efficiently served as the second alderman. from the fourth ward, Ixit has never cared for official honors, preferring to give his undivided attention to his business interests. He and his wife attend the Baptist church, and enjov the respect and esteem of all who know them. ♦-•-♦ THOMAS S. KEPLER, ^I. D. Dr. 'Tliomas S. Kepler, who is one of the successful physicians and a prominent resident of 'Sh. \"ernon, Iowa, was born in Frederick county, ]Maryland, November 14, 1838, and in 1843 was brought to this city by his parents, Conrad and Margaret ( Len- gerfelter) Kepler, also natives of Frederick county, Maryland, where the family was founded by the Doctor's paternal grand- father on coming from Germany to the L'nited States at an early day. In his native state the father followed farnu'ng, and after coming to Iowa he continued to follow that pursuit for many years, but is now living retired on a farm in Franklin township, Linn county, west of Mt. \'ernon. He was born in 181 1, and has now reached the advanced age of ninety years. During his long resi- dence here he has taken quite an active and influential part in public affairs, and has held many township oflices. In early life he was a Lutheran in religious belici, l)ut 226 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD now liulils membership in tlie Methodist Episcopal church, to which his wife also belonged. She died at their home in Frank- lin township at the age of sixty-nine years. Unto this worthy couple were l)orn eight children, six sons and two daughters, namely: John William, who was formerly a farmer of Franklin township, but is now engaged in the wood business in Mt. Ver- non ; Peter H., who followed farming in Franklin township until his death, but his widow and children now reside at ]Mt. \ er- non; Thomas S., our subject; Charles W., an attorney of ^h. X'ernim; Edward ^l.. who was a soldier of the Civil war and is now a farmer in Kansas; Columbus How- ard, who is engaged in farming a mile west of Mt. Vernon; Rebecca, wife of George Riley, a farmer of Franklin township; and Elizabeth, wife of O. B. Cole, a farmer of Cedar county, Iowa. Dr, Kepler obtained his primary educa- tion in the common schools of Linn c junty, and was afterward a student at Cornell Col- lege, Mt. Vernon. Immediately after leav- ing that institution he took up the study of medicine, and attended lectures at the med- ical college in Keokuk in 1862 and 1863. He was then engaged in the practice of his profession at Mt. Vernon until iSAf). when he formed a partnership w4th Dr. J. S. Love, and was in practice at Springville. Linn county, for two years, and at Dyersville, Dubuque county, the same length of time. At the end of that period he returned to Linn county and located between Si)ring- ville and Viola, where, in conneciion with his profession, he also carried on farming for three years. He then returned to Mt. Vernon, where he has successfully engaged in general practice ever since. In iS()_> Dr. Kepler was marrietl at Mt. Vernon to Miss Anna Grove, a native of Ohio and a daughter of John and Mary (Wain) Grove, who came to Linn county, Iowa, at an early day and settled in Ber- tram township, where the father engaged in farming until his death, which occurred about forty years ago. The mother long survived him, dying about three years ago at the age of eighty-nine. ]Mrs. Kei^ler wa^ born of a family of four children, all of whom are still living. Samuel is a retired farmer of i\It. \''ernon. George is also a resident of Mt. Vernon, but still retains his farm in Franklin township. Alice is the widow of Dr. Perkins, who studied under the direction of our subject and was grad- uated from Rush Medical College, Chicago. He engaged in the practice of his profession at Fairfax, Linn county, for sixteen years prior to his death. His widow now resides in Belle Plaine, Iowa. L'nto the doctor and his wife were born four sons and four daughters, namely : ( I ) Dallas Lincoln was for nine years con- nected with the Union Pacific Railroad as station agent at Cheyenne, \\'yoming. He then for several years conducted a cattle ranch in Colorado, and in the spring of 1901 he returned to Cheyenne and again entered the employ of the railroad. He married Kathryn I^IcFarland and has one daughter, Anna. (2) Xettie A. was graduated from Cornell College in 1891, and the same year went to Kingman, Kansas, where he com- menced teaching, but shortly afterward she accepted a position as teacher in the schools of East Waterloo, Iowa, where she has been ever since, with the exception of one year si)ent at tlie Chicago University. (3) Edna Alice pursued an art course at Cornell Col- lege, from which she, too, was graduated. She taught with her sister at Kingman, BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 227 Kansas, and is now connected with the \\'a- terloo schools. (4) Ot's L., who is engaged in the real estate business in Mt. Vernon, under the firm name of Kepler & Travis,mar- ried Jennette T'l-avis, a sister of his partner and a daughter of Daniel Travis, deceased, who was one of the early settlers of this county, and a retired farmer of Mt. Vernon at the time of his death. By this union were born two children, Annita and H'iiomas. (5) Mary A. taught in the district schools for a time, but is now engaged in the mil- linery business at Mt. \'ernon, being asso- ciated with ^liss Randall, a daughter of R. K. Randall, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work. (6) George N. has been a farmer of Cedar count}-, Ijut is now residing in Mt. Vernun. He married Carrie ^filler and has one son, Forrest. ( 7) Watson at- tended Cornell College and is now clerking in. a dry-goods store at ]Mt. Vernon. (8) Grace has attended Cornell College and is now studying music at ^It. \'ernon. For forty-nine years Dr. Ke]3]er has been a faithful and active memljer of the Methodist church ; has been leader of class No. I for fourteen j-ears; and steward of the church for about the same length of time. Fraternally he is now a non-affiliated Mason. He receives and merits the respect and esteem of all who knuw him and his genuine worth and man)- manly virtues are widely recognized. T. G. WHITE. Among the prominent representatives of the business interests of the city of Marion, and one who is doing much to promote its leading enterprises is the subject of this sketch, the proprietor of the Steam Rolltr Mills, where are manufactured the various cereal specialties of Mr. White. He is a native of the Hawkeye state, born in Mus- catine county, March Ji, 1861, and is a son of William G. and Sarah (Hopkinson) ^\'hite, the former a native of Boston, Massa- chusetts, and the latter of Ohio. In his na- tive city W'illiam G. White engaged in tiie mercantile business, and there remained un- til 1855, when he came west and located in :Muscatine, Iowa, where he was later mar- ried, and where the parents of his wife had located two years previously. On settling in Muscatine he engaged with G. A. Gar- retson, a wholesale grocer, and for some years was a traveling salesman. In 1862 he enlisted in Company A, Thirty-fifth Iowa A'olunteer Infantry, and with his regiment went south. Unfortunately he was cap- tured by the enemy, and for a time was held a prisoner at Vicksburg, being later trans- ferred to Libby prison, Richmond, Virginia, where he was confined for some time. His imprisonment ruined his health, and his death occurred at the military hospital, An- napolis, Maryland. The subject of this .sketch was the only child born to William G. and Sarah White. His bo\-h(iod and youth were spent in his native county, and his education was ob- tained in the common schools and at Wilton Junction, where he was graduated in the class of 1879. At the age of nineteen years he went to Butte City, Montana, where for about a year he worked at the carpenter's trade, and for two years was employed in a fiouring null. In 1883 he located in Marion, Iowa, where he has since made his home, and where he has met with success in a business way. On his arrival in Marion he rented a building and started the Steam 228 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD Grist Mill, and two years later purchased his present property. In due time he made an extensive addition to the plant, and changed the method of grinding to the roller process. Other improvements were made from time to time, until to-day it is one of the best equipped mills in this section of the state. For some years he has been engaged in the manufacture of various cereal specialties, among which are what is known to the trade and the general pul^lic as T. G. White's Wheat Flakes, an article of breakfast food made from wheat carefully selected for its nutritive (lualities, and which contain the fourteen necessary elements for health. This food is especially recommended by all repu- table physicians, and it is favorite with all who have used the same. It can be pre- pared for table use in more ways than any other preparation on the market. Many who have discarded the use of oatmeal as manufactured by certain mills, and who be- came prejudiced against all cereal products, after a trial of the rolled wheat flakes manu- factured by 'Mv. ^^'hite, became the most en- thusiastic advocates of this ideal food, which is at the same time wholesome, nutritious, easy of preparation and very palatable. His trade extends as far west as Denver, Colo- rado, and east to Chicago. In 1894 Mr. White took part in the or- ganization of what is known as the W. W. Gray Creamery Company, of Marion, and became the owner of one-half the stock. W^ith this company he retained his con- nection for four years, when he sold out that he might devote his entire time to his cereal products, the demand for which had been constantly increasing. At Muscatine, Iowa, in 1883, Mr. White was united in marriage with Miss Qlara Tenney, and Ijy this union four children have been born, namely : Helen, ]\Iuriel, Dorothy and Walter T., all of whom are at home. The family occupy a pleasant residence at No. 1555 Seventh avenue. Fraternally Mr. White is a member of Camp Xo. 129, M. W. A., with which he has been connected for fourteen years. It is not as a member of a fraternal order that he is best known, however, but as an up-to- date business man, one who has been suc- cessful in his undertakings, and who gives to his business his best thoughts. He has al- ways made the most of his opportunities in life, and by straightforward, honorable deal- mg has secured the public confidence and the public patronage. He is popular in the community with which he has been identified for the past se\-entcen years, and has many friends throughout the entire coimtv. GEORGE G. KLEINKNECHT. Many of Linn county's best and most highly esteemed citizens have come from across the sea, to which class belongs the subject of this article, who is now a resident of Mt. Vernon. He was born in Wurtem- burg, Germany, on the 12th of March, 1839, and was only six years of age when brought to America by his parents, George G. and Barbara (Summer) Kleinknecht, also na- tives of Germany, where the father engaged in business as a farmer and stock dealer. On coming to this coimtry he first settled at Little York, York county, Pennsylvania, where he also engaged in agricultural pur- suits for four years. In 1849 he removed with his family to Muscatine, Iowa, and purchased a farm in Muscatine county, though he never resiiled thereon, but occu- BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 229 pied another farm in the same county for three years. At the end of that time he lo- cated in Iowa City, where he bought prop- erty, and engaged in general work, teaming, etc., at that place for the same length of time. He next purchased over two hundred acres of land near Solon, Johnson county, Iowa, but shortly after locating there he died in 1853, at the age of forty-six years. He was a hard working man and accumu- lated considerable property, and also won the respect and confidence of his fellow citizens. Religiously he was a member of the German Lutheran church. Prior to coiuing to America he served six years in the German army as a member of the King's body guard, yVfter her husband's death the mother re- sided with our subject most of the time, but died while visiting her daughter in Craw- ford county, Kansas, at the age of seventy- six years. In their family were seven chil- dren, namely: Christian enlisted during the Civil war in Company F, Twenty-fourth Iowa Volunteer Infantr}-, and was killed in the battle of Champion Hills; Dora is the wife of Andrew Graver, a farmer of Kan- sas; George G. is next in order of birth; Mary is the wife of Samuel Wagner, of Greenfield, Adams count)', Iowa ; Hettie, de- ceased, was the wife of Frank Graver, who was also a soldier of the Civil war and is now a horse dealer of Lisbon, Iowa ; Charles is engaged in farming just outside the city limits of Cedar Rapids ; and Barbara is the wife of George Mason, a carpenter of Green- field, Iowa. Mr. Kleinknecht of this review received his early education in the district schools of Muscatine county, and during his boyhood and youth he aided his father in the work of the farm. After the hitter's death he con- tinued on the home farm with his mother for a number of years, becoming the mainstay of the family. In i860 he came to Lini\ county and purchased a farm of one hun- dred and sixty-seven acres on section 29, Franklin township, which at that time was only partially improved. There he mad^ his home until 1882, and was successfully engaged in general farming and stock rais- ing. On disposing of that place he bought another farm on section 29, Linn township, and to its cultivation and improvement he devoted his energies for nine )-ears, at the end of which time he removed to JMt. ^'er- non and purchased his present home on Jef- ferson street. He has not actively engaged in any certain occupation since then, though he followed the butcher lousiness for a time, and now does some carpenter work. He was marshal of the village for five years, and while living in the country filled tha office of school director for some time in a most creditable and satisfactory manner. Socially he is an honored member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Masonic fraternity, and religiously both he and his estimable wife are members of the Evangelical church. On the 4th of July, i860, in Johnson county, Iowa, was celebrated the marriage of Ah\ Kleinknecht and Miss Laura A. \\'olfe, a native of Linn county, and a daugh- ter of John and Annie (Dilldine) Wolfe, both of whom were born in Ohio. The father came to Iowa in 1840 and settled in Franklin township, Linn county, where ha engaged in farming and also ran a ferry boat on the Cedar river at Ivanhoe for many years. He held numerous public offices in Ins township and was postmaster of Ivanhoe fur a number of years. He was an indus- trious, energetic and progressive man, who was upright and honorable in all his deals, 230 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD and commanded the respect of all witli whom he came in contact. His death occurred on his farm in FrankHn townsliip in 1848, when he was forty-one years of age. His wife survived him a number of years and died at the age of sixty-two. They iiad ele\-en cliil- dren, but Mrs. Kleinkneclit and two others are the only ones now living, these being Melissa, wi^fe of Alexander Gregory, a farm- er of Schuyler county, ^Missouri; and Squire \\'illiam, a farmer of Franklin township, Linn county. Those deceased w^re Rhoda M., wife of Dr. John Briney; Sarah Rachel, wife of Wash Har\-ey; Daniel D., a farmer of Linn county, who died at the age of sixty- two years; and five wdio died when c|uite yoving. The mother of these children was twice married, her secontl husband being a Mr. Rollf, by whom she had two daughters, Isa Binda and Alice Viola. Ten children have been born to IMr. and Mrs. Kleinknecht as follows : ( i ) William G., born in Johnson county, Iowa, April 21, 1862, owns and operates a farm of eighty acres on section 29, Linn township, this county. He married Lucy Stoddard and they have two children, Mabel and Merrill. (2) Daniel D., was born December 20, 1863, in Linn county, where the birth of the others also occurred, and he is now engaged in farming in Bertram township, this county. He married Alice White and they have four children : Bessie, Fay, Jennie and Pearl. (3) Edith M., born May 4, 1865, dial June 10, 1867. (4) Wallace Lee, born Xovem- ber 16, 1866, follows farming on the old home place on section 29, Linn townshi]). He married Carrie Cordes and has three children, Annie, Marvin and Kenneth. (5) Andrew T., born December 14, i868, was drowned in Cedar river July 7, 1876. (6) Isa, born October 25, 1870, is the wife of Frank Kepler, a son of Peter M. Kepler, now deceased, and a farmer of Franklin township. They have two children, Glenn and Murl. (7) Dessie A., born September 2. 1872, is the wife of Elmer Travis, a livery- n^an of Mt. Vernon, who was born in this county, and is a son of Daniel Travis, now deceased, who w'as a farmer of Franklin township. They have one child, Earl. (8) Charles A., born May 4, 1874, is engaged in the grocery business in Mt. Vernon. He married Tillie Daubenmier, and they have two children, Ruby and Harold. (9) Emma L., born September 20, 1877, died April 15, 1887. (10) Carrie A., born October 29, 1882 attended Cornell College and is now pursuing her musical studies in Chicago. JACOB A. HART. On the 26th of May, 1900, there passed away at his home in Cedar Rapids this well- known and honored citizen, whose death oc- casioned the deepest regret throughout the community. For many years he labored with all the strength of a great nature and all tlie earnestness of a true heart for the bettering of the world about him; and when he was called to the rest and reward of the higher world his best monument w'as found in the lo\'e and respect of the community in which he lived for so many years. Mr. Hart was born in Frederick, Mary- land, November 18, 1831, a son of Jacob and ]\Iary (Herring) Hart. He was a good scholar and recei\'ed his educatinn in the best schools of the east, always making good use of his opportunities. He began his business career as a clerk in his father's grocery store, and later embarked in the to- c^ \ \m ^ 1 V*"'"' " ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^Hp^A -^ .. JACOB A. HART. ^H ■ jn ift ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^K ..-'' v^P^HHj^^ ^^ to r^ 1 k ■:^-^:.: ■ ■■ •«!.• f .<;',"'^ I 1' 1 .— PV 1 J JS^^ " ^^IL" /t ■: _, It .^ ^^^^mLMmi ''^ WKf- £ Sk^ J r MRS. J. A. HART. BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 235 bacco business on bis own account. Subse- quently be was in tbe employ of the Balti- more & Obio Railrnad Company as con- ductor for a time, ivom Baltimore toward tbe west. In April, 1S55, Jacob Hart, fatber of our subject, left Maryland, accompanied by his family, consisting of his wife, two sons and three daughters, and came to Linn coun- ty, Iowa. Tbey purchased a farm south of Cedar Rapids, Init after residing there for a short time sold the place and removed to Cedar Rapids, where they bought property. The father died October 25, 1S57. Of their children only twn are now living, these being Mrs. Frederick Kehne, who lives in Rapids township, this county; and Mrs. Sarah ]\Iorris, who lives at tbe Otter Creek settlement. The son, Casper J., who was in business with our subject for many years, served three years in tbe Twentieth Iowa Regiment during tbe Ci\'il war, and died in Cedar Rapids in January, 1892. After a summer spent in this county Jacol) A. Hart returned to Frederick, Mary- land, where he was married, October 17, 1855, to Miss Eleanor Louise Haller, who was born in that city in 1835, and was pro- vided with good school privileges. Her fa- ther, Daniel Haller, who was connected with tbe Farmers & Mechanics National Bank of Frederick, died in that city July 10, 1S76, and the mother died in Baltimore in 1885. In their famih- were six ch'ldren, namely: IMargaret, a resident of Frederick, Mary- land; Eleanor L., now Mrs. Hart; William T., of Baltimore, ^Maryland ; Thomas G., of Clinton, Inwa; I'rances V., of Baltimore; and Daniel G., also of Clinton, Iowa. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hart were born three daugh- ters, namely: (i) Mary M., who now re- sides with her mother, is tbe widow of Will- 12 iam E. Watts, of Chicago, and has two children, Eleanor 'SI. and Jay Hart. (2) Eleanor L. married William Huttig, of Kan- sas City, where she was accidentally killed in 1889, leaving two children, Ewart Hart and Frederick Jacob, who are still residents of that place. (3) Frances Virginia mar- ried \\\ L. Myers and died March 20, 1892, leaving two children. Hart H. and Willard Lee. Tbe latter makes his home with bis grandmother. Besides her daughter and three grandchildren, ^ilrs. Hart's household now includes Oliver C. and Jacob A., the two sons of Casper Hart. After their marriage ^Ir. Hart brought his bride to the home be bad prepared for her in Cedar Rapids. They left Frederick on Alonday evening and arrived here the following Sunday morning. At that time Cedar Rapids was a mere village and their bouse stood practically alone, but it is now in a densely populated district. On first lo- cating here Mr. Hart found employment in, the Ely & Angle ^Nlills, and later was with tbe Washburn Lumber Company, of Min- neapolis, in their yard at this place. Subse- quently he was agent for the Lambs of Clinton, Iowa, having charge of the lumber yard in Cedar Rapids, which he and his brother Casper J. purchased after a few years, and which they conducted under the lirm name of Hart Brothers for many years, tbe l)usiness being closed out soon after the death of the junior partner, Casper J. Our subject was a good bookkeeper and excel- lent manager, and by giving close attention to bis business afifairs was very successful. In a few years the business of the firm had as- sumed extensive proportions, and they in- vested largely in real estate. In partnership the brothers owned a farm in Kenwood, which a year previous to our subject's death 236 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD was subdivided, and is now under the con- trol of the Hart Land Company, composed of Mrs. Eleanor L. Hart and 01i\er and Jacob A., the two sons of Casper J. Hart. In connection with his lumber business our subject was also interested in the coal busi- ness, and in that as in his other undertak- ings he was eminently successful, owing to his industrious habits and indomitable per- severance. His fellow citizens placed in him the utmost confidence as to his business abil- ity and strict integrity, and he was often called upon to settle up estates and look after the property of other people. He was also a stockholder and director in the Ogden Plow Company and the woolen mills. In politics Mr. Hart was first a Whig and later a Democrat, but was not strictly partisan and at local elections voted for the men whom he believed best qualified for of- fice regardless of party lines. For one term he was a prominent and influential member of the city council, and was a liberal sup- porter of ah enterprises which he believed would benefit the city. During the days of the volunteer fire department he was an en- thusiastic member of the Independent Hose Company, in fact, he was one of the orig- inators of the company, and was a member of it until the fire department was merged into a paid system. It was proljably through his church re- lations that Mr. Hart's intlucnce was most widely felt. Although his business was large and varied it was never permitted to come between him and his church. He was a man of great energy and strong determina- tion in all things, as was shown by his re- ligious work. It was through the influence of himself and estimable wife that the first English Lutheran church of Cedar Rapids wat organized, and the first meeting was held in their house. He also paid for the first hall in which services were held, and the first minister of the denomination in the city was interested through his efforts. At length it was decided to build a church, and Mr. Hart was a member of the building committee. On Sunday the resolution was passed ; the following day ground was leased on the corner of Third avenue and Third street; and on Tuesday the masons began to work on the foundation for the struc- ture. Mr. Hart always took a just pride in his church, and always attended all of his meetings. He and his wife were among the charter members of the church, and he was always officially connected with the same, serving as treasurer and elder at the time of his death, while both took an active part in Sunday-school work. The beautiful organ which furnishes the First Lutheran church \\ith sweet music witnesses his liberalitw It was given in memory of his beloved daughters, who had passed on before. Mr. Hart was also a liberal supporter of all chari- table enterprises ; was an active worker in the Young Men's Christian Association; and a member of its board of managers. In all church work he was ably seconded by his vvife, and it was through her influence, with a few others, that the Woman's Llome and Ft)reign Missionary Society was organized at Cedar Rapids, it being the first enduring society of the kind in the United States synod of the English Lutheran church. At his death the following resolutions were passed : \\'hereas, in the Providence of God our brother and fellow laborer in the councils of this church has been removed from the scenes of life on earth to those in glory. We, his co-laborers in the council of the Biographical record ^37 First Lutheran church of Cedar Rapids. Iowa, will miss his wise and good counsel and intense interest in the welfare of thi church. \\'e further desire to place on record our very high appreciation of his life in the Lord's house, and shall pledge ourselves anew to labor more faithfully for the Lord's cause because of the noble example our Brother J. A. Hart has left us; and while we humbly pass under the rod we pray for a new baptism of the Holy Spirit upon our every endeavor in His name. We desire also to express our hearty sympathy to his family in their sure per- sonal bereavement and pray the blessing of Almighty God upon them all. In His name, C. W. Maggart, Pastor and President. H. J. Rap. Secretary. By order of the council First Lutheran church, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, June 6, 1900. Whereas, in the Providence of God, our school has been bereft of one of its charter memjjers. Brother J. A. Hart, who has been faithful and true to the last, be it Resolved, that we place on record our very high appreciation of his worth and helpfulness during all the years of the school's existence. We make ami record this Avork of love and memory and bow humbly and submissively to the will of our Heavenly Father, knowing that while we sustain a great loss, our deceased brother has made a great gain. We desire also to express our sincerest sympathy to all his family in tlieir sore per- sonal grief. (Action in Sunday-school, June 3, 1900.) PETER A. PETERSON. There is probably no one in Linn county who has a more varied or interesting career than Peter A. Peterson, of Cedar Rapids, who has been a resident of this city since 1884. He was born in Flensburg, the north of Germany, October 5, 1847, 3- son of Iver and Annie (Christisen) Peterson. His fa- ther, who w^as a seaman, was born September 4, 1800, and died at sea, September 30, 185S, by falling overboard and being drowned. The mother was born in 1806, and died in Germany, July 22, 1879. They were the par- ents of thirteen children, of whom five died in infancy. The others were Christian, who followed the sea for a number of years, but is now a custom house official in Germany, aged se\-enty-three years; Henry, who was killed by lightning oh board a vessel, wdiile making a voyage from Bohea to Gibralter; Jurgen, who is a pilot chief in Flensburg, Germany, and has been in the service twenty- two years; Martin, who was formerly a sea- faring man but is now living in Cedar Rap- ids, Iowa; Annie, a resident of Hamburg, Germany; Pauline, deceased; and Peter A., the subject of this sketch. During his boyhood Mr. Peterson of this review attended the public schools of Ger- many. At the age of fourteen he went to sea as a cabin boy on a vessel engaged in the German coasting trade. On the 23d of August, 1863, he left home and shipped on board a vessel sailing for China, being a member of its crew for twenty-one months. Leaving that vessel at Hong Kong, he was next on a Portuguese boat plying between tlial city and Manilla and for three years was on the coast of China during which time he made a trip to Australia, tin-ee of his brothers being in the merchant service on the ^38 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD Chinese coast at that time. As a sailor he next went from Hong Kong to San Fran- cisco on a Russian ship, and remained there in the employ of coasting vessels and on others pl3'ing between San Francisco and Honolulu until the fall of 1866, when he went to Li\erpool, England, the voyage tak- ing one hundred and fifty-two days. From there he came to New York, where he left the ocean service, going upon the Great Lakes in 1867. The following year he went to St. Louis to see the country, but soon re- sumed his career as a salt water seaman, making a trip around the Horn to Zanzabar and return. In 1S69 J^Ir. Peterson returned to the lakes, but the following vear went to New Orleans, where he was fireman on a sugar plantation until the spring of 1871, when he went back to the lakes. In September of that year he sailed from New York to Cape Town, Africa, where he af rived on the ist of Fel)ruary, 187J. On the loth nf that month he in company with four others left the ship and made a trip on foot to the Kimberly diamond fields, which they reached on the 17th yed on the night force of the Pinkerton Detective Agency. ^Ir. Peterson was married in Chicago, in 1881, til Miss .\utiinie \'anis, who was born in Uohemia, May 11. 1858, and in 1884 they remo\ed to Cetlar Rapids, where he followed various occupations until lie ac- cepted his present position as janitor of the Jackson school building in 1888. In the summer of 1900 he and his wife went to Germany, where they visited his old friends and relatives, and also spent some time in Denmark and Bohemia, returning home in August of that year. Financially Mr. Peter- son has met with success, and at times has purchased property and erected thereon houses, which he later disposed of. He is inclined to take the world as it comes and has always made the most of his opportuni- ties. He can speak all of the Scandinavian languages, as well as Dutch, German and English; is a great reader, and keeps well posted on the questions and issues of the day. Politically he is a prominent Demo- crat, but has never been an office seeker, and fraternally is a member of the subordinate lodge, encampment. Canton and Re])ekah branches of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and takes an active part in their meetings. He is also connected with the Independent Order of Foresters, an insur- ance society. He gives very liberally for charitable purposes, and is always willing to advance the interests of the people of Cedar Rapids. ALBERT J. PITLIK. Prominent among the energetic and pro- gressive farmers of Franklin town.-hi]) is this gentleman residing on section 19. His early home was on the other side of the Atlantic, for he was born in Austria, September 12, 1856, and attended school there until ten years of age. In 1866, in company with his jiarents, Albert and Barbara ( Snepeberger) Pitlik, he took passage on a sailing vessel at BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 239 Hamburg, and after a voyage of nine weeks and three days landed in Baltimore, ]Mary- land. 'They proceeded at once to Linn coun- ty. Iowa, and the father purchased a farm in Franklin township, where he is now living a retired life, enjoying the fruits cf former toil. In the family were eleven children, of whom Albert J. is the oldest, the others being Jo- sei)h, wh.o married Anna Prochaska and re- sides in Cedar Rapids ; Maggie, wife of George Ulcli, of Big Grove township, John- son county, Iowa ; \\'esley, who married Jo- sephine Novotney and lives in Cedar Rapids ; Annie, wife of Paul Dolezal, of Johnson county ; Barbara, who died at the age of nine- teen years; Emma, who died at the age of four years and a half; Katie, who died at the age of twentv vears ; Frank, who wedded Mary Crofter and makes his home in Cedar township, Johnson county; Mary, who died in infancy; and Lizzie, at home with her [larents. Albert J. Pitlik remained under the pa- rental roof until twenty-four years of age, giving his father the benefit of his labors, and then rented a farm of one hundred and twenty acres in Putnam township, Linn county, which he operated f^ir three years. At the end of that time he remox-ed to Cedar Rajiids, where he was in the empliiy of the Flooper Ice Company one year, and the Hu- ber Ice Company the same length of time. He was next engaged in the vinegar business, and on his retirement from that he bought a farm of sixty-five acres on section 19, I-'ranklin township. It was a tract of un- broken land full of stumps, but he has since transformed the same into one of the most highly cultivated and best impro\'ed farms of the locality. He has also tended its boundar- ies and now has one hundred acres. At St. Peter's and St. Paul's church near Solon. Iowa, Air. Pitlik was married l"el)ru- ary 21. 188 1, to ]\Iiss Katie Reyhons, who was also born in Austria, October 30, i860, and came to the new world in 1867, with her parents, John and Josephine (Rusheck) Reyhons. The family first located in Cedar Rapids, where they lived for three years, and the father then purchased a farm in Cedar township, Johnson county, Iowa, where his death occurred June 21, 1894. The mother now makes her home with her daughter, Mrs. Jose;;h Vrba, in Putnam township, Lina ci unity. The children of the family were Frank, whu wedded Mary Doepar, and re- sides in Tama county, Iowa; Katie, wife of our subject; Mary, who died in infancy; Joseph, who married Andrew Bronlik and Ii\es in Johnson county; Mary, wife of Jo- seph \'rba, of Putnam township, Linn coun- ty ; and Josephine, who died, at the age of ft ur vears and a half. i\Ir. and Mrs. Pitlik have four children: Joseph F., born Feb- ruary 5, 1882, is engaged in farming in this county; and ]\Iary M., born March 18, 1884; Lizzie A., born November 10, 1891, and Ed- die, ])nrn March 17, 1897, are all three at home with their parents. In political views ]\lr. Pitlik is a stanch Democrat and has creditably filled the office of school director ir: his district for two years. Religiously he is a member of St. Peter's and St. Paul's church near Solon, Iowa. :\I. B. PLUMMER. AI. B. Plummcr, a highly esteemed citi- zen of Bertram and an honored veteran of the Civil war, was born in Defiance county, Ohio, January 15, 1843, and is a son of Jnhn and ]\Ialinda (Perkins) Plummcr, both 240 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD natives of Kentucky, the former born in January, 1796, the latter in May, iSio. After their marriage the parents removed to Ohio, and in 1856 came to Linn county, Iowa, locating upon a farm which the fa- ther purchased in Bertram townsiiip. In the spring of i860 he sold that place, and after living retired for a time he rented a farm, although he owned three hundred and twenty acres of land in Tama county, Ii nva. Owing to ill health he and his wife went to Cali- fornia in 1870, and remained on the Pacific coast for two years, returning to this county in J\Iay, 1872. He died in August of the same year, and was buried in Campbell cem- etery near Bertram. Subsequently his wife returned to California, where her death oc- curred in May, 1897. They had a family of nine children, of whom threie died in infancy. The others were as follows : Alfred, de- ceased, married Hulda Sterner and lived in Bryan, Williams count}-, Ohio; Elizabeth married Andrew Steinbaugh and removed from Ohio to Iowa, then to Kansa:^. and still later to Los Angeles, California : Elijah mar- ried a Miss W'ilcoxian and alsn lives in Los Angeles: Susan is the widow of Arthur Mekeel and resides in Cedar Rapids, Iowa; M. B., our subject, is the next in order of birth ; and J. Chester married Fannie Fox and makes his home in California. M. B. Plummer came with his parents to this county, and assisted his father in the work of the farm until the Cix'il war liroke out. In August, 1862, he enlisted in Com- pany I, Twentieth Iowa Volunteer liifantry, and after being mustered in at Clinton, Iowa, was sent with his command to fJenton Bc^r- racks, St. Louis, where they remained a week. They next went by train to Rolla, Missouri, and the winter was spent in that state and Arkansas. In May, 1863, they marched to Cape Girardeau, and later went to Vicksburg by steamer, remaining there until its surrender, July 4. They next went up the Yazoo ri\'er on a scouting expedition, and then returned to \'icksburg. They sub- sequently spent one month at Port Hudson, and from there went to Xew Orleans, where they camped on the Champ de Mars, and there the Thirteenth Corps was re\'iewed by General Grant. On September 3 they marched to Morganzia Landing on a scout- ing expedition and then returned to New Or- leans. Later they went to Point Isaliel, Texas,- — General Taylor's okl battle ground during the Mexican war, — and from there they proceeded to Mustang Island, where they remained from November, 1863, to June, 1864, when they went to Brownsville, Texas, and later to New Orleans. They next went to Duvall's Bluff, Arkansas, and then back to New Orleans, from which city they were sent to I'ort Morgan, assisting in the bombardment and c;;ptin-e of that stronghold. On their return t ) New Or- leans they went liy boat to Fort Barancas, Florida, and then to Fort Blakely, near [Mo- bile, participating in the siege and capture of that place. This was the last engagement of the Civil war. Mr. Plunnner remained in JNIobile until mustered out of service, July 8, 1865. and on the 10th started for home, arriving in Clinton, Icnva, on the 23d of that month. There he was discharged three days later, ami returned home the same night. The first battle that Mr. Plum- mer's regiment was engaged in was fought on Sunday, and by a curious coincident tiu' last battle of the Cix'll war also took place on Sunday. For four years Mr. Plummer worked for the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad Company, but after his marriage he engaged BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 241 in farming fdr three years and in teaming for two years. He tlien resnmed agricult- ural pursuits, to wliicli he devoted his en- ergies until 1888, when he commenced drill- ing wells, and was thus emplnyed until his retirement from active lahor. The business is now carried on liy his sons. At Clarion, Iowa, September 25, 1866, Mr. Plummer married ]\Iiss Charlotte Stone- king, who was born in Kentucky Xoxember 23, 1846. Her parents, Samuel and Jane (Chaplin) Stoneking, were born, reared and married in Pennsylvania, whence they removed to Virginia, and in 1859 they came to Iowa, locating on a farm in Bertram town- ship, Linn county. In 1866 they went to Kansas, and two years later removed to ^lis- souri, where INIrs. Stoneking died in 1870. Her husband subsequently returned to this county with his family, and has made his home here ever since. Mrs. Plummer is the oldest of his eight children, the (ithers being Clark, who died in Missouri at the age of twenty-one years; Spencer, who died in Iowa at the same age; Alary Ann, wife of Edward Cress, a farmer of Bertram town- ship; John, who married Ida Richardson, now deceased, and lives in Bertram ; Mil- dred, wife of Stephen Woods, who lives on a farm in the southern part of Bertram townsliip: and two who died in infancy. Air. and Mrs. Plummer are the parents of twelve children : Lizzie M., born July 14. 1867, is the wife of \V. A. Burgess, of Bertram ; Sarah Ellen, born October 23, 1868, is the wife of Frank Alarks, of the same place; Edward, born September 29, 1870, married Minnie Masingale; James H., born November 17, 1872, is at home; Celia B., born Feljruary 5, 1875, is the wife of Edmund Thomjison, a farmer of Linn Grove; William F., born January 20, 1877, is at home; Fannie, born January 6, 1879, is the wife of Fred Lake, who lives near Springville, this comity; and Hattie, born February 15, 1881, Alice, born June 6, 1883, Static, born July 19, 18851 Myrtie, born February 19. 1887, and Laura, born Feb- ruary 22, 1890, are all at home. Mr. Plummer gives his political su]3port to the men and measures of tlie Reinililican party, and- his fellow citizens, recognizing his worth and ability, have called upon him tc fill several local offices. He has served sixteen years as township assessor; justice of the peace twenty years, and secretary of the school board for the same length of time. HON. NICHOLAS B. BROWN. Nicholas B. Brown, deceased, was one of the honored pioneers and representative citi- zens of Cedar Rapids, wdiere he made his home for forty years. He was born in Sus- sex county. New Jersey, July 10, 1814, and was a self-educated as well as a self-made man, having none of the school privileges and other advantages usually afforded the boys of the present day. His father was a miller and as a young man our subject fid- lowed the millwright's trade, which he ac- Cjuired in Pennsylvania. .\bout 1840 Mr. Brown came to Cedar Rapids, becoming one of the founders nf the town, as well as one of its most enterprising and public-spirited citizens. He built the dam across Cedar river, and as a millwright he put in operation scxeral of the first mills in this locality. Fie also had a woolen fac- tory, which gave employment to many peo- ple, and was also engaged in the mercantile business in an earlv dav. Aleeting with sue- 242 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD cess in liis business ventures, he Ijecame the ownei" here of considera1)ie city preperty and had landed interests elsewhere, which en- a];)led him to spend his last years in retire- ment from active labor. Mr. Brown was united in marriage. May 8, 1852, with Miss Susan Emery, who was born at Demons Ferry, Pike county, Penn- sylvania, August 19, 1824, a daughter of Nathan and Cornelia (Broadhead) Emery. Her ancestors came from England at an early day and settled in Pennsylvania, where her parents always made their home. The father died there at the age of ninety, the mother at the age of eighty years. Of their eleven children, four are still li\-ing, namely: Oliver and Mrs. Brown, both residents of Cedar Rapids; and Mrs. H. E. Higley and ]\Iiss M. E. Emery, both of Florida. \\'hen ^Mr. Brown brought his bride to Cedar Rapids it was but a small village, and she has watched with interest its growth and advancement. Five children were born to them, but three died in early childhood. Those living are Nathan E., who is married and resides in Cedar Ra]jids, and llarry T., vho lives with his mother. Mr. Brown died at his home on the cor- ner oi Sixth street and A avenue September 15, 1880, leaving many friends as well as his immediate family to mourn his loss. He was a \-ery acti\e and generous man and a liberal supporter of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he was an ofificial member. He was also an active member of the Ma- sonic fraternity. Politically he was a Dem- ocrat, but he never aspired to oflicial posi- tion, though he- served for a time as mayor of Cedar Rapids. In his life span of sixty- six years he accomplished much, and left l>e- h;nd an honoraljlc record well wnrthy of perpetuation. Mrs. Brown received a good academic education antl prior to her marriage success- fully engaged in teaching school in Pennsyl- vania for a number of years. As a stranger she accompanied her husband to their new home in Cedar Rapids, but at once adapted herself to the place, and became interested in the welfare of the community. Since his death she has erected a very large modern brick residence on the site of their old home, and has ably managed her business affairs. He left considerable property, all of which lies within the city limits. Although quite advanced in years Mrs. Brown is still well preserved. She, too, is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, to wdiich she is a liberal contributor, and formerly took an active part in church and charitable work. She is beloved by a large circle of friends and acquaintances, and is held in high re- gard by all who know her. JOSEPH M. DENXIXG. Jciseph M. Denning, proprietor of the Denning Fence Works, is but a recent ac- quisition to the progressive business men of Cedar Rapids, but his ability, enterprise and upright methods have already established for him an enviable reputation. Although he is a young man comparatively his pop- ularity is established on a firm basis — that of his own well-tested merit. Mr. Denning was born on a farm near Liberty Pole. Vernon county, Wisconsin, January 6, 1867, and is a son of John and Mary A. (Cass) Denning. The father was a native of Lake county, Illinois, and in boyhood removed to Rising Sun, Wisconsin. In the latter state he was engaged in mer- J. M. DENNING. BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 245 cantile business until his death, wliich dc- curred April 3, 1883, when he was thirty- seven years of age. His wife still survives him and now makes her home in Esther\'ille, Iowa. The subject of this sketch was educated in tlie public schools of his native state, and maile his home with his mother until nine- teen years of age. While a young lad he learned the printer's trade with the Leader, at \'iroqua, Wisconsin, which he followed for some time. In 1887 he went to Wash- ington territory on a prospecting tour. \\'hile there lie traveled over the greater portion of Washington and Oregon, work- ing at whatever he could get to do, thereby making his way as he went. Among the most humble labors he performed while touring this country was painting, paper hanging, dining room waiter, cooking in a logging camp, working in the harvest field and many other odd jobs to earn money to carry him further on his tour, until finally he settled down at his trade at Olympia, during the fall, winter and spring of 1887-8. He worked on territorial printing while the legislature was in session and afterward I)ecame foreman in the mechanical de- partment of the Olympia Transcript, a weekly newspaper. Although he start- ed with no capital, at the end of ten months he had managed to save enough to invest in real estate in Seattle, which he held for two years and then sold at three times the amount he had paid for the property. He invested the proceeds in three hundred and seventy acres of land in Emmet county, Iowa, where he located in 1890, and made some improvement, but sold out at the end of two and a half years. 1 )uring this time he was for two years en- gaged in the general mercantile and creamery liusiness at Swan Lake, Iowa, in connection with his mother under the firm name of I\I. A. Denning & Son. In 1S94 Mr. Denning embarked in the manufacture of slat fence at Estherville, Idwa, on a small scale, buying a hand ma- chine, which he con\erted into a power ma- chine. He also invented a slat corncrib, which he manufactured in connection with the fence, and continued his operations suc- cessfully at Estherville till December, 1899, conducting what was known as the Esther- \-ille Fence Factory. He also started a branch establishment at Sioux City in 1897. and conducted both institutions. In the mean- time he was working on impro\'ements for making wire fence antl completed the .^amL■ in 1899, patents having been secured prior to that time. He still has three machines in operation at Sioux City. Coming to Cedar Rapids in December, 1899, he pur- chased property at the corner of Eighth ave- nue and Walnut street west, and built his present plant, forty by sixty feet, two sories and basement, putting in ten machines. He makes a specialty of wo\en wire fencing and corn cribs, and employs twenty men in both factories, while he has three traveling sales- men covering six states. He manufactures lawn fence, poultry netting, wo\-en wire fiekl and hog fence, special farm and garden fence and also slat fence, portable corn cribs, gates, etc. Mr. Denning is sole owner and pro- prietor iif this industr}-, and has met with excellent success in the conduct of his busi- ness. At Estherville, Iowa, Mr. Denning was married, December 7, 1891, to Miss Lucy A. 'Mattson. ^Ir. and Mrs. Den- ning have one child, J. Wayne, horn in 1898. They have already made many friends during their shnrl residence in Cedar Rapids. 246 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 'Mv. Denning is a member of E^therville Lodge, No. 423, I. O. O. F., and in his po- litical affiliations is a Republican, but has never been an aspirant for office, He occu- pies an enviable position in business circles, and in all his undertakings thus far he has prospered, his excellent success being but the logical result of his careful and crrrect business methods. HEXRY M. BAILEY. Only those lives are worthy of record that have been potential factors in the public pro- gress in promoting the general welfare or advancing the educational or moral interests of the community. In advancing his own interests Air. Bailey never forgot or ignored the interests of others, and was always ready to lend a helping hand to advance the moral, social or material welfare of his town or county. His last years were spent at Marion, in retirement from active labor, and there he died February 18. 1S80, honored and re- spected by all wh(i knew him. Mr. Bailey was born in Somersetshire, England. February li, 1836, a son of John and Ann Bailey, life-long residents of that country, and members of the established church. The father, who was a very prom- inent attorney of England, visited this coun- try twice but never located here. He died at the age of seventy-two years, and his wife, who survived him a few years, passed away at about the same age. Of their eight chil- dren Henry M. was the third in order of birth. Three of the family came to .\mer- ica and located in Towa. J. ('•. lieing now a resident of Dubuque, and B. T., of Charles City, Iowa. The others were J. F., an at- torney, who succeeded to his father's prac- tice; .Airs. Marion Ransford; Airs. Alice Churchill : Airs. Amy Collins; and Airs. Rose Lloyd, all residents of England. Henry AI. Bailey was reared and edu- cated in his native land, and in 1852 came with his brother J. G. to the United States, locating in DyersvilIe,Dubuque county, Iowa, where he engaged in farming until the fall of 1875, ^vhen he removed to Alarion and lived retired throughout the remainder of his life. He always took a great interest in educational affairs and was serving as presi- dent of the school board at the time of his death. Air. Bailey was twice married, first in i860 to Aliss Ann C. Lain. They became the parents of three children, two sons and one daughter, all of whom are now deceased. The wife and mother died in 1866 and on the 13th of November, 1867, Mr. Bailey married Aliss Laura Foster, a native of Cleveland. Ohio, and a daughter of Dr. D. B. and Harriet R. Foster. The father, who was a physician and surgeon, brought his family to Iowa in 1845, but soon re- turned to Ohio, and did not locate per- manently in this state until 1847, when he took up his residence in Clinton county, v.here he engaged in practice many years. He was in the Union army a few UKniths ciurirg the Civil war and there contracted a disease which caused his discharge and later his death in January, 1867. His widow is now a resident of Alarion. Their son, Henry J., dietl in June, 1899, at the age of forty-nine years. Besides Airs. Bailey there is another daughter still living. Airs. Hattie Blancliard. of lioonc. Iowa. Unto our subject and his wife were born seven children, namely: (i) Edith studied music at CoriKdl College and the Alinne- BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 247 apolis Conservatory of ^^lusic, and now plays the pipe organ at the Methodist Epis- copal church in [Marion, and has a large class in music at that place. (2) Walter is a graduate of Hahnemann Medical College, Chicago, and also took a post-graduate course in Xew York. He has given special attention to the study of the diseases of the eye, ear, nose and throat, and took up special surgical work in a hospital in Xew York. He is now located at \'an Horn, Iowa, where he enjoys a large practice. He married Edith Hasbrouck, daughter of Dr. Has- brouck, of Dobb's Ferry, Xew York, and they have two children, Joseph H. and Muriel. (3) Burt S., assessor and an at- torney of Marion, married ]\Iyrtle. a daugh- ter of Joseph Barnhill, a sketch of whom appears in this work, who died lea\ing one child, Henry M. (4) Ralph P., a graduate of the law department of the State Univer- sity of Iowa, and also a civil engineer, has recently gone to Honolulu, largely for his healtli. (5) Hattie L., born in 1876, died ir, Feliruary, 1877. (6) Marian L. is a grad- uate of the Marion high school and has attended Cornell College two years. (7) Fannie G. is also a graduate of the Marion high school, and is now in Chicago prepar- ing for kindergarten teaching. In politics Mr. Bailey was a Republican, which party his sons also sup])ort. The fam- ily all hold memVjership in the [Methodist Episcopal church, with which Mr. Bailey was officially connected for nian_\- years. At the time of his death he was serving as local preacher, trustee, steward and class leader, and always took a \-ery active and prominent i:art in church work. Blest with wealth, he used it for the ijr(jmotion of Christianity and the good of men. On coming to Marion he found the church of his choice incumbered by a debt of several thousand dollars, which caused him much anxiety and hung like a pall over the congregation. He paid off this indebtedness, and took his own time and way to reimburse himself with the members. He succeeded admirably in this work, and had just completed the same when his course on earth was finished and he went to his re- ward. In his death his family lost a loving husband and father, the community an up- right and influential citizen, the poor a friend and benefactor, and the church an active worker and supporter. Truly such a life is worth having been lived, and such lives deserve permanent record on the pages of their country's history, that others, seeing their good works, may follow in their foot- steps. JOSEPH S. COWAN. Joseph S. Cowan, an industrious, thor- ough and successful farmer, is the owner of a good farm of one hundred and ten acres on section 27, Franklin township. He was born in Allegheny count}', Pennsyhania, April II, 1830, and is a son of Alexander T. and Margaret (Sample) Cowan, natives of Allegheny and Butler counties, Pennsyl- vania, respectively. They were married in IMurraysville, the latter county. In 1855 they came to Linn county, Iowa, the journey being made in a covered wagon from Mus- catine, as there were no railroads in this lo- cality at that time. Here they lived until 1878, when they removed to Tama county, Iowa, making their home with their son Rob- ert throughout the remainder of their lives. The mother died in Xovember, 188 r. the fa- ther in JMarch, 1S92, and Ixitli were buried at Salem, Tama count\-. 248 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD In their family were eight children, of whom Juseph S. is the oldest; David K. married Xancy Elwood. who died in 1886, and he lives in Hamilton, Marion county, Iowa ; ^lary R. wedded David Arb and both died in Tama county; Susan married James Kirkpatrick, of Mt. A'ernon. Linn county, and died in 1874; Sarah is the wife of Will- iam B. Mayes, a farmer of Los Angeles, California; John T., wlio resides near Sioux City, Iowa, married, first, Anna E. Town- send, and after her death wedded Carrie Dodd ; Elizabeth is the wife of John Bardue, of Webster City, Iowa; and Robert wedded yiavy Townsend and lives in Salem, Tama county. Reared in 'the county of his nativity, Joseph S. Cowan obtained his early educa- tion in its district schools, and under his fa- ther learned the cabinetmaker's trade. At the age of twenty-three he worked at the carpenter's trade at Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, until October, 1854, when he came to ^^la- rion, Iowa, and worked at the carpenter's trade for a short time. Later in the same tall he and his father bought the George Smith farm of one hundred and tweiit}' acres from Joseph Morford, and in payment for the same they built a kiln, manufactured the brick and erected a house for ^Ir. ^lorford, doing all the carjienter and mason work. They also cleared something fri)m this transaction. In ^larch, 1S55, the family took up their residence on the farm, which our subject and his father operated together until 1864, when the property was divided, the father and son each taking sixty acres. Our subject has since added to l;is ]5rop- erly until he now h;is one hrndred ami ten acres ; has placed the wild land under a high state of cultivation, and has erected a good set of farm buildings thereon, including a ccjmmodious country home. Air. Cowan is engaged in stock raising to some extent, makir.g a specialty of polled Angus cattle. At the Fat Stock Show in Chicago, in 1900, a steer of this breed was sold for one dollar and a half per pound. Mr. Cowan also raises a high grade of horses, sheep and hogs, and is one of the progressive and up-to-date farmers in his locality. On the 30th of June, 1857. in Tama county, Iowa, Air. Cowan married Aliss Eliza Jane Crawford, who was liorn in Washing- ton county, Pennsylvania, July 15. 1830, a daughter of Robert and Elizabeth (Hall) Crawford, also nati\es of that county, where they continued to make their home until coming west in Xovember, 1854. Locating in Tama county, Mr. Crawford entered one hundred and si.xty acres of wild prairie land. A\'hen the family took up th?ir residence th.ereon their nearest neighbors were living near Deer creek, a distance of fi\-p miles, where a colony of people from Pennsyl- vania had settled, including the Townsends, \\'ileys. AlcPriers. Dickeys and Craw fords, all members of the same church. INIr. Craw- ford liroke his land, placed it under cultiwi- tion and erected a good house. Iiarns and other outbuildings. There his death oc- curred December 21, 1879. His wife died Xovember 4. 180T. and both were laid to rest in the Salem cemetery. They had eleven ch.ildren, of whom Airs. Cowan is the oldest: Rebecca is the wife of James McOuilkin. of Laporte City, Iowa : Robert married Isabella Wyley, now of Garretson, Butler county, X'ebraska, and he died Alarch 31. 1885; Isa- l:ella died December i, 1885; Mary is the widow of \\'illiam Galagher and a resident of Tama. Iowa; James married X''ettie Cook, who died in 1886. and lie resides near Broken Bow, Custer county. X'ebraska; John wed:!ed BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 249- IMarian Hall and makes his home in Dickin- son county, Kansas; Moriah is the wife of Richard Brown, of Abilene, Dickinson coun- ty, Kansas; \Mlliam married EHzabeth Pat- terson and resides in Tama, Iowa; Samuel, a resident of Butler county, Nebraska, wedded ]Mary Overniyer, who died in 1882, and he is married again; and Martha is the wife of Silas Overmyer, of Lenox, Taylor county. Iowa. The Crawford family came to this country from the north of Ireland, while the Cowan family is of Scotch ex- traction. L'nti) Air. and Mrs. Cowan were born nine children, namely: (i) Margaret E., born April 12, 1858, died April 15, 1899. (2) Robert C. born October 7. 1859, is an electrical engineer employed in the city elec- tric light and water works at Grand Island, Nebraska. He married Hattie Alyea and they have four children, ]\Iaggie G., !\Iabel U.. Joseph S. and Cora. (3) Alexander T., born October 27, 1861, is a railroad man living in Kansas. He married Nancy Bar- due and they have one child. Adair B. (4) Alary G., born December 9, 1863, is a tailor- ess residing with her parents. (5) Mattie AL, born August 25, 1865. is the wife of Fred AIcKune, a farmer living west of Mt. ^'ernon, and they ha\-e three children, Craw- ford \V.. May Isabella and George. (6) Isabella D., born March 1867, is en- gaged in teaching school in Linn count}- and resides with her parents. (7) Sarah E., born April 5, 1869, was married, March 28, 1900. to Frank W. Blinks, a farmer of Franklin township, and they have one child, Albert. (8) Anna C, born August 8, 1871, is at home. (9) Susan R., born May 3, 1873. is teaching school in this county, and also resides at home. In his political views Air. Cowan is a stanch Republica:i, and he has filled the of- fices of assessor of his township for seven years, and school director and secretary of the school board for twenty-two years, his official duties ha\ing always been most faith- fully and conscientiously performed. Since the age of eighteen years he has been an active member of the Presbyterian church, and is a man highly respected and esteemed by all who know him. He has been an elder in his church for many years. JAMES F. ALLISON. Almost thirty years have elapsed since this gentleman came to Cedar Rapids and he is justly numbered among her leading citizens, having always taken a prominent part in public affairs. On his arrival here in August, 1872, he entered 'the employ of the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & 'Minnesota Railroad, now the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern, and is still one of the most trusted employes of the company, serving at present as commercial agent, which respon- sible position he has held for five years. Air. Allison was born in LeRoy. (jene- see county, New York, Alarch 20, 1S44, a son of James and Rachel C. (Brov\n) Alli- son, also natives of the Empire state, the former born in (.)ntariii cnuniv, in 1820, of Scotch ancestry, the latter in Genesee coun- ty, in 1828. Our subject's paternal grand- father was a soldier of the war of 181 2. and was one of a large family of children. J;imes -Allison, the father of our subject, received his education in the common scliools, and in early life was engaged in mercantile busi- ness. Sul)sc(|uently he served twenty-five years as station agent at LeRoy, Ne\v ^'ork, 250 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD fur the Buffalo, Corning & New York Rail- road, now the Erie road. In 1880 h.e came to Cedar Rapids, where he engaged in the flour and feed business for a few years, but spent his last days in ease and retirement, enjoying a well-earned rest. Politically he was identified with the Democratic party, and while never an office seeker, was always ^•erv actixx in municipal affairs in his com- munity, and took a commendable interest in the welfare of his fellow citizens. He was a member of the Universalist church, ami most highly respected and esteemed by all who knew him. He died in 1893, at the age of seventy-three years, but his estimable wife is still living and now makes her home with a son in Cedar Rapids. Of their three children. James P., our subject, is the oldest; Milton L. is a resident of Olathe, Kansas, where he follows farming; and George B. is ir. the employ of the Western Union Tele- graph Company at Cedar Rapids. The sons were all educated in the public schools. James F. Allison remained at home un- til attaining man's estate. In i860 he came west and located in Princeton, Bureau coun- ty, Illinois, where he clerked in a hotel for three years. In 1863 he went to Fort Madi- son, Iowa, where he spent two years, and during the following three years was en- gaged in clerking in a hotel in Galesburg, Illinois. He was ne.xt in the employ of the Merchants Union Express Company for one year, and for a short time was manager of a mercantile business at that place. As pre- viously stated, Mr. Allison came to Cedar Rapids in August, 1872, and began work for the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Minnesota Railroad Company as clerk in the local freight office, from which position he worked his way upward until he became chief clerk in the general freight oftice under A. L. Mohler and John E. Utt. Later he was made local freight agent for Cedar Rapids, in which capacity he served for twelve years, and for the past five years has been commer- cial agent, with office in Cedar Rapids. His practical knt)wledge of all the details of the business renders him a most valuable em- ploye, as is evinced by his long continuance in the service of one of the leading railroad companies of the state. Mr. Allison married ]Miss Emma A. ^^'agner, of Princeton, Illinois, who was liorn in Ohio, and they have become the par- ents of two sons : George F., who was IjQi'n in 1876, and is now rate clerk in the Burling- ton, Cedar Rapids & Xorthern Railroad freight office; and Walter, who was born in 1879, and is in the employ of the Security Savings Bank. Both sons are graduates of the Cedar Rapids high school, and went from there to their present positions. Mrs. Alli- son is a graduate of the College at Ravenna, Ohio, and is a prominent member of the Woman's Club of Cedar Rapids. Her par- ents are both deceased, but she has two sis- ters and a brother living, namely : Mrs. L. E. Hitchcock, of Cedar Rapids; Mrs. J. P. Allison, a widow of Princeton, Illi- nois; and Charles D., also a resident of Princeton. Mr. and Mrs. Allison are both niem1>ers of the Universalist church, while he has served as chairman of the church board for several years, and has taken an acti\-e part in its work. He is also a prominent mem- ber and a director of the Commercial Club of Cedar Rapids. During his residence here he has been connected with the city govern- ment, and has exerted considerable influence in public affairs. In 1890 he was elected alderman of the third ward for a two-years' term; was elected alderman at large in 1898; BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 25t and re-elected in 1899 for two years. He lias been chairman of the linance committee the last term. He is a man of even tempera- ment and very affable in manner, and' has the lia]i[)y faculty of making" friends easily, and as easily retaining- them. CHARLES J. DEACON. .\mono- the leading attorneys of Cedar Rapids is Charles J. Deacon, who has been successfully engaged in the practice of his profession in that city since 1874. He was born in Burlington county, New Jersey, May _'i. 1S49, and is the son of William and Eliza (Mason) Deacon, the former also a native of Burlington county. New Jersey, born .\pril 25, 181 5, while the latter was a native I if Philadelphia. Pennsylvania, born Decem- ber 18, 1816, although she was reared in Xew Jersey. In 1853 the family removed til northern Indiana, and ten years later came 111 Limi county, Iowa, locating on a farm in Marion township, where the father engaged in agricultural pursuits. In his younger days he led a sea-faring life, being captain of a trading vessel. He died in Linn county, April 15, 1882. and his wife passed away August 3, 1878, honored and respected by all who knew them. William and Eliza Deacon \\cre the par- ents of nine children, all of whom reached years of maturity, though two are now de- ceased, namely: Solomon M., who enlisted in .August, 18G2, in the Eighty-seventh In- diana Volunteer Infantry, and was killed at the storming of Missionary Ridge, in Octo- ber, 1863 ; and Anna, who died in Linn coun- ty, in January, 1878.. Those living are the following named: William H., now engaged in business in New Carlisle, Indiana, enlisted as a private in August, 1862, but when mus- tered out of service was captain of Company K, Eighty-seventh Indiana Volunteer In- fantry. He was wounded at both Chicka- mauga and ^A.tlanta,but remained at the front until the close of the war. Sarah G. is the wife of Daniel F. Baugher, of Neosho, Mis- souri. Hannah is the wife of James Oxley, of Marion, Iowa. Charles J., next in order of birth, is the subject of this sketch. George was graduated from Rush Medical College m i8(S5, and since 1887 has been engaged in the practice of his profession at Pasadena, California. Mary, engaged in teaching, makes her Imme with her brother in Pasa- dena. Edwin was graduated from Cornell College in 1885, studied law and was ad- mitted to the bar in Minnesota, but is now engaged in the work uf the ministry as pastor of the Methodist Episcopal church in Kim- ball, Alinnesota. Both parents were also members of the Methodist Episcopal church, while the other members of the family, witti the exception of William H., are connected with the Presbyterian church. All the chil- dren were given the best educational advan- tages obtainable. After receiving his [irimary education in the public schools, Charles J. Deacon entered Parsons Seminary, at Cedar Rapids, and later was a student at the State University. On leaving school, he entered the employ of the Iowa Railroad Land Company, whose offices were in Cedar Rapids, and subse- ciuently took up the study of law under Judges Isaac Cook and N. M. Hubbard, and in October, 1873, was admitted to the bar. The following .spring he formed a partner- shi]) with Judge Hubbard, and under the linn name of Plubbard & Deacon, engaged in the [iractice of his profession. In 1876 2$: BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD Colonel Clark became a member of the firm. From 1879 until October, 1896. Mr. Deacon was alone in practice, with the exception of two years, u hen associated with C. S. Smith. bmce October, 189O, James W. Good has been associated with hnn, the hrm being en- gaged in general practice. On the 28th of October, 1873, Mr. Deacon was united in marriage with Miss Sylvia Mansfield, a daughter of Dr. E. L. Aiansfield. (jne of the oldest physicians in the county, but who died in Cedar Rapids in 1887. She is the oldest in a family of three children, the others being Lura, wife of James A. Reed, mayor of Kansas City, Mis- souri, and L. W ., who has spent his entire lite in Cedar Rapids. Mr. and Mrs. Deacon have five children: Lucy, wife of J. W. Good; Laura, at home; William M., who is now connected with the wholesale dry-goods house of J. S. Cook Company; and Mary and Margaret, both at home. Mrs. Deacon received her education in the public schools and Parsons Seminary of Cedar Rapids, and at Rockford Seminaiy, Rockford, Illinois. She is especially active in clnirch and mis- sionary wn for the legal profession until Septem- ber, 1862, when he and his perceptor raised a company, which was mustered into the United States service at Davenjxjrt as Com- pany C, Sixth Iowa Cavalry, with Mr. Ainsworth as captain and our subject as lieutenant. This regiment did duty on the frontier among the Sioux Indians along the upi>er Missouri. On account of ill health Mr. Rickel resigned in June, 1864. Before bis enlistment- he assisted in raising twelve companies. He possesses a great deal of personal magnetism, which made him a splendid recruiting officer. Upon his return home Mr. Rickel re- sumed the study of law under Judge Mc- Clintock, of West Union, and on his admis- sion to the bar in 1866 formed a partner- ship with him, which lasted until 1872, al- though in 1870 our subject and W. V. Allen had established a branch office at Fayette. Iowa, the latter l)eing now United States senator from Nebraska. In 1878 Mr. Rickel came to Cedar Rapids, and became associated in practice with A. R. West and A. V. East- man under the firm name of Rickel, West & Eastman. Two years later when Mr. \\'est left the city, Hon. John T. Stoneman, after- ward superior judge, became a member of the firm and the name was changed to Stone- man, Rickel & Eastman. This partnership was later dissolved, and in 1884 Mr. Rickel formed a ])artnership with E. H. Crocker under the firm name of Rickel & Crocker, which connection was continued until April I, 1 90 1, when I'. W. Tourtellot was taken 262 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD into the firm. Tliey are numbered among the leading attorneys of the city and enjoy a large practice. Mr. Rickel is also inter- ested in business enterprises. In 1894 on the organization of the Cedar Rapids Candy Company as successors to the Buchanan Candy & Fruit Company, he Avas elected president and still holds that position. They are manufacturers and jobbers of candies, which they sell throughout Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota and South Dakota, keeping six traveling salesmen constantly on the road, and employing from si.xty-five to ninety peo- ple in their factory. He is also interested in various mining interests in Colorado, and is president of the Valley Mining Comimny of Custer county, Colorado. On the 14th of October, t8:;7. ^Ir. Rickel was united in marriage witli ?\Iiss Susan Brown, a native of Yates county, New York, and a daughter of Oliver A. Brown and Susan Brown, of Fayette county, Iowa. Mrs. Rickel is president, and has been for a num- ber of years, of the board of management of the Home for Aged Women of Cedar Rap- ids, and to her efforts is largely due the suc- cess of that noble charity. Mr. and Mrs. Rickel are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and fraternally he is connected with the Independent Or- der of Odd Fellows. He is a Republican in jKilitics, and served as mayor of West Union, Iowa, for several years, and as a member of the Seventeenth General Assemblv, but outside of these offices he has never been pre- vailed upon to accept political preferment. For many years he has been active in pro- moting temperance reform in Iowa ; has de- livered many lectures on the subject in northern Iowa, and has taken rm active part in enforcing the prohibitory law. As a citi- zen he is ever ready to discharge any duties which devolve upon him. and his honor- able and well spent life has gained for him the confidence and respect of all who know him. JOHN M. SMITH. For many years this gentleman has been engaged in the real estate business in Jones, Cedar and Linn counties and other parts of the state, and is accounted one of its most honorable and upright business men. He v.as born in Lycoming county, Pennsyhania, Decemlier 30. 1826. a son of James and Matilda (Shade) Smith. The father was a native of Lebanon county, that state, wliere he spent almost his entire life in Lycoming county, dying there at the age of eighty- four years. He was a shoemaker b\- trade and followed that occupation for a great many years, but afterward engaged in farm- ing. In politics he was a Democrat, but never cared for official honors, though he was a public-spirited man, who advocated all that tended to public improvement. The mother of our subject died in 1852, at the age of fifty-three years, shortly after visiting her sons in Iowa. She was born near Lock Haven, Clinton county, Pennsylvania, anfl remained there until her marriage. She was a devout member of the Methodist church and a constant attendant upon its services. In her family were eight children of whom dur subject is the only survivor, although all grew to man and womanhood with the exception of one who died in infancw One son, James C. Smith, was a Methodist min- ister and was presiding elder in St. Louis for three }'ears, his death occm-ring at the age of forty-two. He was well known in Linn county and throughout this state. John M. Smith was reared near his birth- BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 263 place and attended the cnmniDn schools of his native state. The knowledge there ac- quired was greatly supplemented by home study as he was a great lover of books. From early boyhood he has made his own way in the world, and during his youth learned the clothing business, but has never followed the same since attaining man's es- tate. He first came to Iowa in 1S49. but after a year spent in this state returned to Pennsylvania, and did not locate permanent- ly here until 1852. For a time he made his home in ]\Iaquoketa, Jackson county, where he followed \-arious occupations, and then removed to Wyoming, Jones county, erecting the first house at that place, but as the rail- road was not built through there as soon as he expected, he sold out, and after a short time spent in Anamosa, came to Marioti, Linn county, where he lived until 1892, when he removed to Kenwood Park — his present home. Here he purchased a number of vil- lage lots, which he has since sold, but still has large property interests in Marion, Ken- wood and elsewhere in this and other states. Throughout his active business life he has been a real estate dealer, Iniying and selling not only city property, but also farm lands. He has built a commodious and pleasant residence for himself on First avenue, Ken- wood Park. On the 1 8th of October, 1851, at Free- port, Penn.sylvania, Mr. Smith wedded Miss Mary J. Morehead, a native of Butler county, that state, and a daughter of J. M. and Anna (Graham) Morehead, and grand- daughter of David and Martha (Stanley) Morehead, who spent their entire lives in Pennsylvania. The father, who was en- gaged in general farming, died at the age of seventy-seven years, and the mother passed away at the age of fortv-nine. Mrs. Smith is the oldest of their eight children, six of whom are still living. Her maternal grand- father, Joseph Graham, was a native of Scotland, and at an early day came to the United States and located in Pennsylvania, which was then but sparsely settled. There he spent the remainder of his life. His wife bore the maiden name of Mary Ralston. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Smith were born two children: Sarah M., born in Maquoketa, Iowa, in 1852, died at the age of nine years. Oscar M., born in Wyoming, Jones county, July 17, 1857, is traveling and is now in I\Iontana. He married F.mnia Bennett, a native of Mechanicsville, Iowa, who died at that place April 21, 1896. She was a lady of more than ordinary intelligence, a devoted wife and a kind and loving mother, and was dearly loved by all who knew her on account of her strength of character and Christian spirit. She is therefore greatly missed by a large circle of friends. She left one child, J Bennett, who was born October 6, 1888, at Marion, and now makes his home with his grandparents, ^Ir. and Mrs. Smith. Our subject gives his political support to the Republican party, and is now serving as councilman of the village of Kenwood Park, which position he has filled with credit to himself and to the entire satisfaction of his constituents for several years. Socially he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and religiously holds member- ship in the ^Methodist church, while his wife is a member of the Episcopal church. LAWRENCE GILCHRIST. Prominent among the active and enter- prising citizens of Center Point is this well- known lumber dealer, wlui has succcssfuUv 264 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD engagetl in that line of bnsiness for twenty years. A native of Linn county, lie was born in Grant township January 31, 1858, and is a son of Corydon Gilchrist, whose birth occurred in Oswego, New York, in 1829. His paternal grandfather, Daniel I\l. Gilchrist, was born in Nova Scotia in 1800, of Scotch ancestry, the family being foundetl there at an early day by SctJtch emigrants. About 1838 he removed to Illinois, and was one of the early settlers of De Kalb county, where he opened up a farm. There Corydon Gilchrist grew to manhood, and in 1856 came to Linn county, Iowa, locating in what is now Grant township, where he became the owner of a tine farm of three hundred and twenty acres. In connection with the opera- tion of his land he also carried on the lum- ber business at Walker for some years, and was one of the well-to-do and prosperous citi- zens of his community. He was a stanch Democrat in jx^litics, and filled various pub- lic positions of honor and trust, ser\-ing as county supervisor for a number of years. In Linn county he married Margaret Davis, a native of Illinois, and a daughter of Will- iam Davis, who was a pioneer of the Prairie state, and came to this county about 1840. She died in 1863, and her husband, who long survived her, passed away in 1893. Lawrence Gilchrist was reared to man- hood upon the home farm, and his primary education, acquired in the country schools. was supplemented by four terms' attendance at Cornell College. Mt. Vernon. He early liecame familiar with the lunilier business while working in his father's yard at Walker. In 1881 he purchased the lumber yard at Walker in connection with Air. C. G. Git- cliell, where they were engaged in business for nine years, as dealers in lumiier and ])uilding material. In 1884 the tirm pur- chased the lumber yard at Center Point, which ]\Ir. Gilchrist has since conducted with good success, having built up an ex- cellent trade, which is constantly increasing. In 1890 the firm dissolved partnership, since which time Mr. Gilchrist has remained alone. In this county Mr. Gilchrist was mar- ried, in June, 1900. to Miss Carrie Vinton, who was born near Fond du Lac, W^isconsin, but was reared and educated in Linn county, Iowa, her fqjmily having located here in 1874. For about ten years prior to her marriage she successfully engaged in teaching school. Her father, John Vinton, purchased a farm in Jackson township, and became one of the substantial men of that locality. He died about 1898, but his wife still survives him and resides on the old homestead. Although reared a Democrat Mr. Gil- christ is a stanch su])porter of the Republican party. He has served as a member of the village board, and has always taken a deep and commendable interest in jjublic affairs. Fraternally he is a prominent member of Center Point Lodge. F. & A. M.. of which he is past master, and which he had repre- sented in the grand lodge of the state. He has also filled the chairs of the Odd Fellows Lodge and the Knights of Pythias fraternity, to which he belongs. He is quite popular both in business and social circles, and is a man highly respected and esteemed by all who know him. Mrs. Gilchrist is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. JOHN ELLISON. ]ohn Ellison, deceased, was for half a century one of the most enterprising and successful farmers and stock dealers of Linn township. His possessions were all acquired JOHN ELLISON. BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 267 through his own well-directed efforts, and as the result of his consecutive endeavor he became one of the most substantial and wealthy citizens of his community. He was born in Ulster, comity Tyrone. Ireland, March 14, 1825, and was a son of William and JMary Ellison, natives of the same coun- try, where both died when comparatively young. By occupation the father was a farmer. In his family were eleven children, nine sons and two daughters, of whom six are still living: William and Joseph, both residents of Ireland; James and David, of California ; Mrs. Matilda Campl^ell, of Indi- ana : and Stewart, of Lisbon, Iowa. It was in 1845 that John Ellison bade good-bye to home and friends in the Em- erald Island and came to the United States. He spent four years in Baltimore, Maryland, where he was employed as a stage driver, and then came to Linn county, Iowa, locat- ing on the military road in Linn township, where he took up one hundred and sixty acres of government laml on section 25, which he at once commenced to improve and cultivate. To this property he added from time to time until at one time he was the owner of eleven hundred acres of land, though at the time of his death he had sold a number of small farms to his children Avhich he had improved. He also had large property interests in Jones county, owning one-third of all the buildings in the village of Martelle, including four stores and the hotel at that place. At his death each of his daughters obtained eighty acres of the home place and other farms, while the widow retained one hundred and sixty acres. On the 3d of July, 1851, Mr. Ellison was united in marriage with Miss Rachel R. Curtis, a native of Belmont county, Ohio, and a daughter of Elisha and Frances (Scott) Curtis. His father was born in Virginia, and at an early day removed to Belmont county, Ohio, where he followed farming for some years. When j\lrs. Elli- s( )n was about a j-ear old her father removed with his family to Washington county, 'the same state, and in 1849 came to Linn coun- ty, Iowa, purchasing land in Linn township, on which he made his home until his death in 1881, when he was about seventy-nine years of age. His wife survived him and died in 1889. In their family were ten children. Mr. and Mrs. Ellison became the par- ents of eleven children, all born in Linn county. Nine of the number are st.ll living and reside within a radius of four miles of the old homestead. In order of birth they were as follows : ( i ) James, a farmer by occupation, married Hannah Ray, and died in August, 1876. Their only child died in infancy. (2) Elisha Franklin, a farmer of Jones county. Iowa, married Allie Hunter, who died March 24, 1889, leaving six chil- dren, George, William, Walter, Cora. Myrtle and Annie. For his second wife he married Sadie Paul. His farm consists of one hundred and sixty acres of land in Greenfield township, Jones county. (3) Charles, a farmer, married Ellen Boone, and she died four months after their mar- riage, and for his second wife he married Jane Boone, sister of his first wife. She is now a resident oi Martelle, Iowa. He died December 12, 1900. (4) Joseph, a farmer of Nebraska, married Lucy Wilton and they have fnur ciiildren, Otis. ()ri)ha. Ogle and an infant. (5) Huldah is the wife of Joseph Kohl, a railroad employe of Mar- telle, and they have one child, Ethel. (6) Mary R. is the wife of Frank Boxweil, of Martelle, a son of William Boxwe 1. and 268 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD they have four children, \''ertis and Virgil, twins. Hazel and Jessie. (7) Xancy is the wife of Jasper E. Wood, who has a farm of ninety-eight acres in Linn county, and to them have been boern four children. Xellie, John, Herbert and Ruth. (8) Linnie is the wife of John Moon, a farmer of Franklin township, and they have two children, Oscar and Freda Alpha. (9) John, who re ides on a part of the farm in Linn township which his maternal grandfather owned, married Daisy Joslin and they have one child, Cecil. (10) Clara is the wife of Frank Meyers, a farmer of Linn township, and they have two children. Aha and \^ernie. ^11) Bertie is the wife of George Joslin, who resides on the old homestead in Linn township, and they have one child, Sylvia. Since lier hus- band's death ^Mrs. Ellison has made her home in Martelle, Jones county, where she owns considerable property. During his early residence here Mr. Elli- son was prominently identified with the growth and development of this county, and aided materially in transforming its wild lands into highly cultivated farms. In 1882 he recrossed the Atlantic and visited the home of his youth. After a long, busy and useful life he passed away August 17, 1899, honored and respected by all who knew him. He had been ill for nearlv three vears. In politics he was a Democrat, but he never cared for official honors. In his native land he held membership in the Episcojial clnu'ch, but after coming to this c iunt"y identified himself with the Presbyterian church, and was a true and earnest Christian gentleman, who commanded the respect and c^mfidence of his fellow citizens in a marked degree. In business affairs he prospered, but con- ducted all transactions on the s'rictest prin- ciples of honesty and integrity. Certainly the record of such a life is well worthy of perpetuation and deserves an honore- port to all enterprises which he believes will promote the moral, social and material wel- fare of the cumniunitv in which he li\'es. MARCUS M. HALL. One of the most enterprising and pro- gressive business men of Cedar Rapids is Marcus M. Hall, a prominent contractor and builder, whose office is in the Higley block. He is a native of ^lassachusetts, his birth occurring in Worcester, on the i6th of June, 1850, His father, John S. Hall, was born in the same city, August 22, 18 18, and at- tended the common schools of his day, but was principally self-educated. For many years he was engaged in car building. When about thirty-seven years of age he removed to Aurora, Illinois, and took charge of the passenger coach department of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad shops at that place, which resixjnsible position he held for a number of years, and was numbered among its honored citizens. Politically he was a Republican and religiously a Baptist. He died at Aurora, March 7, 1901, and there his widow still resides. In early life he married Miss Abbie B. Hastings, who was born in Millbury, Massachusetts, March 20, 1818, and is of English descent. Marcus M. Hall is the fourth in order of birth in a family of six children, the others being George, who was a soldier of the Civil war and was killed in the battle of Stone River: Abbie R., wife of Charles Brundage, of Lincoln, Nebraska; Mary, wife of Wil- bur F. Wheadon, of Van Buren, Indiana; Susan M., wife of O. M. Barth, who is en- 276 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD gaged in tlie hardware business in Chicago; and Myron, who died in early childhood. The children were all educated in the public schools of Aurora. During his boyhood and youth ^Marcus M. Hall attended the high school of Aurora, though it was not graded at that time. At the age of sixteen years he entered the em- ploy of the Chicago, Burlington & Ouincy Railroad Company as a telegraph operator, and in 1869 began work in the construction department of the Pullman Car Company, becoming an expert workman in his line. Later he was with one of the leading con- tractors of Chicago, and was employed on the construction of many buildings erected in that city after the great fire of October, 1 87 1. He continued work there until the panic of 1873, when all building was prac- tically suspended. Mr. Hall then came to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to superintend the finishing of a school building, and from time to time has been identified with the building interests of this city. He takes only large contracts, confining himself wholly to the erection of public buildings, and has done a large amount of work both in Iowa and Minnesota. In business affairs he is ener- getic, prompt and notably reliable, and al- ways faithfully fulfills his part of any con- tract. February 11, 1875, Mr. Hall was mar- ried in Cedar Rapids to Mrs. Leonora Pres- ton, widow of Horace Preston, by whom she had two children : Maude, now the wife of Charles A. Locke, of Le Mars. Iowa ; and Horace, an engineer on the Missouri. Kan- sas & Texas Railroad, with residence at Dennison, Texas. To Mr. and Mrs. Hall have been lx>rn five children, namely : .\bbie H.. a graduate of Coe College and now a teacher in the Madison school of Cedar Rap- ids; George L.. who is now taking a classi- cal course at Coe College preparatory to fit- ting himself for a physician ; Myron M.. who was graduated from the Cedar Rapids high school, and is now a clerk in his father's office; Edward J., who will graduate from the high school in June, 1901 ; and Marcus W., who is a student in the grammar school. Mrs. Hall is a leader in the ladies clubs of Cedar Rapids and an active worker in the Baptist church, and the church societies to which she belongs. Mr. Hall is one of the prominent Masons of Cedar Rapids, holding membership in the blue lodge, chapter, commandery and con- sistory, and taking an active part in frater- nal work. He served as commander of the commandery in 1895 and 1898, and is a standing delegate to the grand commandery conclaves. In his political affiliations he is a Republican, but has never cared for the honors of public office. In manner he is quiet and unassuming, yet he makes many friends, and is held in high regard by all with whom he is brought in contact either in business or social life. CARL H. KRUEGER. Carl H. Krueger has for many years been prominently identified with the agricultural and stock raising interests of Linn township, his home being on section 36. He was born at Kloster Dobbertin. Mechlenburg. Schwer- in. Germany. A])ril 2^. 1849. and is a son of Frederick and Frederica (Hahn) Krue- ger. who spent their entire lives in that coun- try. In early life the father was a coach- man, and later was a forester in the employ of the government. Our subject is the eld- C. H. KRUEGER. BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 79 est in a family of seven children. He re- sided at the place of his birth until coining to the United States in 1873, and followed the occupation of a gardener. On the 1st of November, 1873, Mr. Krueger landed in New York city, and at once proceeded to Michigan City, Indiana. where he spent two years at various occu- pations. Later he resided for a time at La Porte, Indiana, and from there removed to Davis Junction, Illinois, where he engaged in dairying for four years. The following four years were spent in Vinton, Iowa, where he followed the same pursuit, and from that place he came to Linn township, this county. Mr. Krueger was married, Se])tember 25, 1883, to Miss Sovena Frederick, a daugh- ter of William and Elizabeth (Werner) Frederick, both natives of Pennsylvania, and a granddaughter of George Frederick, who was born in Germany and came to America when a child of four years. The father was born in Northampton county, Pennsylvania, January 30, 1820, and in early life engaged in farming during the summer and in work- ing at the cooper's trade in winter. In 1869 he came to Linn county, Iowa, and pur- chased a farm of eighty-six acres on section 36, Linn township, where our subject now resides. He engaged in general farming and stock raising until 1883, when he retired from active labor and removed to Lisbon, where he died October 21, 1896. He was a member of the United Evangelical church, and a Republican in politics. His first wife died in the spring of 1878, at the age of sixty-three years, and he subsequently mar- ried Mary A. Huffer, who is still living, and is now the wife of Amos Kohl, of Lisbon. By his first marriage Mr. Frederick had three children, namely : Thomas, who conducts a sash, door and blind factorv at his birth- 14 place in Northampton county, Pennsylvania ; Sovena, w'ife of our subject; and Frank W., whose sketch appears on another page of this volume. After his marriage Mr. Krueger located on his father-in-law's farm on section 36, Linn township, consisting of eightv acres, and he also operates an adjoining eighty- acre tract. He makes stock raising his prin- cipal business, however, his specialty being thoroughbred Holstein Friesian cattle. His wife being a farmer's daughter, has always taken a delight in fine cattle, and together they embarked in the business. They first tried common cows for dairying, but soon learned that Holsteins were far more profit- able, and for the past ten years have kept that breed exclusively, having one of the finest herds and some of the best individual cows in the state. A large number of their cows are in advanced registry, and three cows in the herd of 1896 took premiums in the competitive test for ofticially authenti- cated records made by the Holstein Friesian Association. Mr. Krueger's stock farm is conveniently located (ine and a half miles north of Lisbon, on the Chicago & North- western Railroad, and five miles south of Martelle, on the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad. He is a self-made man whose success in life is due to his own in- dustry, perseverance and good management, and he is held in high regard liv all who know him. LEONIDAS L. WILSON. Probably no one in Center Point is more widely known or highly esteemed than Dr. L. I>. Wilson, who has been a resident of this county since March, 1855. He was 28o BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD born in Cliesterville. Morrow county, Ohio, July 2Ti. 1843. and is a son of Dr. John F. Wilson, whose birth occurred in Emmits- burg, i\Iaryland, August 17, 181 2. His pa- ternal grandfather. Thomas ^Vilson, was a native of County Monaghan. Ireland, and was a child when he came to the new world with his parents and settled in Emmitsburg, Maryland. The latter's father owned prop- erty in County Monaghan, which he leased for a term of one hundred years on his emi- gration to America. Dr. Jiihn F. Wilson, father of oiu' sub- ject, was reared and educated in his native state, and on going to Ohio first located in Cambridge and later in Chesterville, where he studied medicine and engaged in practice for some years. There he married Miss Mary E. Alaxfield, who was born in Fred- ericktown, Ohio, in 1818, and was a daugh- ter of Dr. Albert Maxfield. the first physi- cian of Alt. A^ernon, Ohio. In March, 1855, Dr. Wilson came to Linn county, Iowa, and resumed practice at Center Point, where he soon afterward started a drug store. In connection with that bvisiness he also en- gaged in compounding and manufacturing medicines, and continued in active liusiness here until his death, which occurred May 10, 1881. His wife passed away July 14, 1885. The subject of this sketch was a lad of twehe years when he accompanied his par- ents on their removal to this county, and he remained with them until reaching man- hood, working on the home farm during the summer season and attending the district schools through the winter months. When the Civil war broke out he joined the boys in blue, enlisting in August, 1862, as a pri- \ate in Company B, Twentieth Iowa \'olun- tcer Infantry. The first engagement in which he participated was the fight at Xew- tonia. Missouri. Later he took part in the battle of Prairie Grove, Arkansas, and the siege of Vicksburg, and after the surrender of the latter place he was in the battles of Yazoo City. Fort Alorgan, Fort Blakely and Mobile, besides a number of skirmishes. Several times his clothes were pierced by bullets and his hat was once shot off, but fortunately he was never injured, though he received a sunstroke at \'icksl)urg. and was in the liospital at that place after the siege. He accompanied his regiment on their removal to Xew Orleans, but had not yet recovered from the effects of the sun- stroke and was soon sent home on sick leave. As soon as able he rejoined his command at Duvall's Bluff. Arkansas, and remained at the front until the close of the war. He was mustered out at Mobile and discharged at Clinton, Iowa, in July, 1865. On his return home Dr. W'ilson took up the study of medicine with his father and uncle. B. W. Wilson, devoting two years to tliat pursuit. He then became connected w ith his father in the drug business and the nianufacture of Dr. J. F. Wilson's Hawk- eye State Remedies, which he carried on qu extensively for a quarter of a century, at the end of which time he sold out. He and his father established the first newspaper pub- lished at Center Point, which was called The Center Point Lotus, the first issue ap])earing November 15, 1873, but they sold the plant at the end of two years. After selling his drug store our subject continued to engage in the manufacture of the Dr. J. F. Wilson & Company's remedies, including Iowa lini- ment, Iowa pain remedy, lung syrup, cholera remedy, vegetable anti-bilious pills, and the L. L. Wilson's Columbian electric panacea and headache cure, the merits of which have BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 281 long been known. The Doctor is also inter- ested in breeding- and dealing- in fancy poul- try, and is the inventor of the Wilson, Keagle & Company's wharf and fishing lamp, which is a very useful invention. At Center Point. January 24. 1867, Dr. Wilson married Miss Emma L. Hughes, a isative of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and a daughter of F. F. Hughes, who was born at Cape Alay, New Jersey, and brought his family to Iowa in 1857, Mrs. Wilson being reared in Benton and Linn counties. By this union was born one daughter, Lora E., now the wife of W. A. Rogers, a farmer of \\'ashington township, this county, and the only son of John Rogers, who is now living a retired life in Center Point. They have two children. Beth E. and Leo J. Politically Dr. Wilson is a life-long Re- publican, having cast his first presidential vote for General U. S. Grant and for every presidential candidate of the party since that time. He drew up the documents for the organization and incorporation of Center Point, and has ever taken an active and in- fiuential part in public affairs. He was a member of, the first city council, and has since served as township clerk, city assessor, and school treasurer. He has been a mem- ber of the school board twentj- years, and was first treasurer and later secretary of the same. In 1901 he was elected supervisor, and is now a member of the county board. The Doctor is also prominently identified with a number of civic societies. He was created a Master Mason at Center Point in 1865, and is a member of the Knights of Pythias Lodge at that place, of which he is past grand chancellor. He was one of the organizers of Dennison Post, No. 244, G. A. R., of which he was commander from 1883 to 1889, and again in 1899, and has been a delegate to the state encampments, as well as the national encampment at St. Paul, Minnesota. He has also been a mem- ber of the commander-in-chief's staff and the department CDinn-iander's staff; was presi- dent of the Twentieth Iowa Veteran Asso- ciation ; and vice-president and secretary of the Linn County Association. Dr. Wilson was one of the men who were instrumental in getting the right of way for the railroad through this county, and as a public-spirited progressive man he has taken a verjf active i;art in advancing those interests calculated to pro\-e of public benefit. R. K. RANDALL. For fourteen years the subject of this sketch has been actively identified with the building interests of Mt. Vernon, and is one of the most skillful carpenters of the place. He was born in Bennington county, Ver- mont. July 19, 1831, and is a son of Levi and Anna (Hurd) Randall, who were born in Connecticut but were married in the Green Mountain state, where they continued to re- side until their removal to Wisconsin in 1851. One son, A. B. Randall, had taken up one hundred and sixty acres of govern- ment land near Appleton, and a state claim of eighty acres, of which the father pur- chased one hundred and twenty acres, and in the midst of the forest began to clear and inijirove his farm. There his wife died in 1862, but he long survived her, passing away in .April, 1887, at the age of eighty-seven years. In their family were ten children, name- ly: Asa B. was married in Vermont to Theresa Gridley, and was residing in south- 282 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD ern Pennsylvania at the time of his death in 1897; Henry R., now deceased, married Harriet Rnssell, Aviio died about 1859, and for his second wife he wedded Sarah Sair; Ransford B. married Sarah A. Smith and lives on tlie old homestead at Sand Gate, Vermont ; Harriet A. is the wife of C. V. Smith, of Sand Gate; Riar H. inarried Sarah A. Prindell and lives in Appleton, Wiscon- sin; Levi L., also a resident of Appleton, married first Jennette Gridley and second a Mrs. Lampher, both of whom are now de- ceased ; R. K., our subject, is the next in iirder of liirth; Theresa A. married, first, Sherman Morehouse, and second, James Parkhurst and resides in Appleton, Wiscon- sin: Palmer died in 1871, at the age of twenty-two years; and Flora is the wife of George Thompson, of La Junta, Colorado. R. K. Randall was reared and educated in the county of his nativity, attending the district schools in winter, and aiding in the work of the farm through the summer months. In 185 1 he removed to Wiscon- sin with the family, and assisted his father ir, the arduous task of clearing a tract of wild timber land and transforming it into a good farm. He was married at Appleton on the 24th of June. 1857. to Miss Eliza- beth Taylor, who was liorn in Paisley, Scot- land, July 26, 1837, a daughter of James and Agnes (]VIcDonald) Taylor, natives of Glas- gow and Paisley, respectively. In 1839 the family came to America on a sailing vessel, and after six weeks spent upon the water landed in Montreal, Canada, from which place they accompanied Mr. Taylor's brother to Hinchinbrook, Canada, near Plattsburg, New York, where Mrs. Randall's father died in 1847, 'it the age of thirty-three years. Later the mother married James Small, and died in April, 1857. By her first marriage she had six children, of whom ]\Irs. Randall is the oldest. Catherine died in Paisley, Scotland. Agnes was married in New York to Isaac Dodds. who died shortly afterward, and she later removed to Appleton, Wiscon- sin, where she wedded Josiah Plummer, who died at Menasha, that state. For her third husband she married Joseph Sherwood, and now resides in \\'hitehall, Wisconsin. Cath- erine was married in Appleton to Henry W. Stevens, and is now living in Alilwaukee. IMargaret married Albert Converse, of New York, and they make their home in Minne- apolis, Minnesota. John is married and lives in \\'hitehall, Wisconsin. By her second union the mother had three children, Jessie, Mary and Ellen. Mr. and Mrs. Randall have three children : May, born August 25, 1865, is assistant cashier in the ofiice of the -Etna Life Insurance Company, of Chicago; Agnes A., born November 11, 1868, was graduated at Cornell College in vocal and in- strumental music, and is now a music teacher of J^Iihvaukee, Wisconsin, and organist in the Washington Avenue Methodist Epis- copal church; and Olive Edna, born Octo- ber 2^, 1871, is engaged in the millinery business with Mary ISI. Kepler at Mt. Ver- non, Iowa, and resides with her parents. She was graduated in elocution at Cornell College. \\'hen the Civil war broke out Mr. Ran- dall decided to strike a blow for the Union, and on the 2ist of September, 1861, enlisted in Company G, First Wisconsin Cavalry, at Appleton, Wisconsin, and on the 31st of October was mustered into service at Rippon, tb.at state. It took until the following !March to recruit the regiment, which was completed at Kenosha, Wisconsin, and on St. Patrick's day, 1862, they left for Mis- souri, going by train to Alton, Illinois, and BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 283 by boat to St. Louis, where the regiment was mounted. From tiiere l\v boat they Avent to Cape Girardeau, which was the sup- ply post for the command while they were on scout duty until May, 1863. During this time the regiment was in some pretty sharp engagements with General Price. In May,, 1863, they were transferred to the Army of the Cumberland, which had its liea(l(|uarters at Murfreesboro. under com- mantl of General Rosecrans. They re- mained there until June 17, when a general forward movement was made. They drove Bragg back until lie crossed the Tennessee river. Our subject's command continued to do general scout duty until September, Mhen they crossed the Tennessee river near Sand Mountain, and then crossed that moun- tain into Dixie Valley, and over Lookout Mountain into Chickamauga Valley, where they took part in the famous battle at that place on the 19th and 20th of September, 1863. After the battle the forces all con- centrated at Chattanooga and our subject's regiment remained in that vicinity three "days, and then went to Bridgeport, Alabama, for two days. Wheeler having cut off the supply train in the rear of the Union army, the cavalry force started in hot pursuit and (Irr)ve him over the Cumberland Mountains, tlirciugh Murfreesbori). middle Tennessee, tr ]\[ussel Shoals, Alabama, the soldiers be- ing in the saddle almost constantly for over a week, during which time a great many horses gave out. Returning to Winchester, Tennessee, the regiment to which our sub- ject belonged was recruited and then ordered east of the Cumberland mountains. They spent the winter in east Tennessee, and were in a number of skirmishes with General Forrest's troops, capturing a battery from the enemy at Tazewell. In the spring of 1864 they joined General Sherman's com- mand at Cleveland, near Chattanooga, and remained with him until the battle of At- lanta. As his term of enlistment had ex- pired our subject was mustered out of ser- \ ice at Calhoun, Georgia, October 31, 1864. After his teturn home General Harndert, commanding the First Wisconsin Cavalry, was ordered by General Wilson to take forty picked men and scour the country for Jeff Davis. In connection with the Fourth Michigan Cavalry, which was sent to his aid they capturetl the president of the Confed- eracy near Irwinville, Georgia. Returning to his home in Wisconsin, Mr. Randall engaged in carpentering and contracting there for three years, and then removed to Grundy Center, Iowa, where he was similarly employed for fifteen years. In September, 1887, he came to Mt. Vernon, where he has engaged in the same Inisiness ever since, assisting in the erection of a large number of private residences" and public 1)U Idings at this place. Since casting his first presidential \i)te for Cieneral Fremont, he has been an ardent supporter of the Re- publican party and its principles. Religious- 1} he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and socially is connected with W. C. Dimmitt Post. No. 400. G. A. R. During l;is residence in Mt. Vernon he has made a host of warm friends, and be stands high both in business and social circles. GEORGE K. WEXIG. This well known stock dealer of Cedar Rapids comes from the fatherland and the strongest and most creditable characteristics of the Teutonic race ha\e been marked ele- 284 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD . ments in his life and have enabled him to win success in the face bf opposing circum- stances. He possesses the energy and deter- mination which matk the people of Germany and by the exercise of his powers he has steadily progressed, and has not only won a handsome competence but has commanded universal respect by his straightforward busi- ness methods. 1 Mr. W'enig was liorn in Saxuny, Ger- many, July 23. 1842, and is a son of Chris- tian and ^largaret (Heller) Wenig, who spent their entire lives in that country. The father was a mechanic and was employed in' a factory there. For sc me time he was a soldier in the German army. .He: was born in 181 1, and died about. 1:867., ' Iti '^'S fam- ily were five children, four sons and one daughter, all of wlmm reached maturity, namely: George K.. the subject of this sketch; Philip V., who died in Pleasanton, California, in 1900; Margaret, a resident of Philadelphia. Pennsylvania: Henry, of Chi- cago; and Christian, of Germany. They were all reared and educated in Germany, and came to this country at different times. Our subject is indebted to the iniblic schools of his native land for his educational privileges. In early life he learned the butcher's trade, and remained at home until twenty years of age, when he crossed the Atlantic and took up his residence in Balti- more, ^laryland, where he worked for others at his trade for a few years. He subse- quently spent a short tinTe'iii Lycoming coun- ty, Pennsylvania, and in 1866 went to Chi- cago, where he followed his chosen occupa- tion for two years. In 1868 Mr. Wenig came to Cedar Rap- ids and entered the employ of Kingman & Bradley, for whom he worked two winters. In 1870 he started in business for himself on a small scale, and gradually increased it to meet tlie growing demands of his trade as the city increased in jjopulatinn. It was a place of only about five thousand inhabit- ants when he located here. . For eleven years Mr. W'enig was in partnership with Casper Schaeffer, who lives on a farm on the west side of the river, and was then alone in busi- ness until 1 897. when he sold his hieat market to Mr. Fluckeger. He then purchased what is known as the Cedar \'alley Stock Farm, a tract of three hundred and fifty acres on sections 17 and 18, Rai>ids township, particu- larly suited for stock raising purposes, and ti-' that industry he has since de\-oted his time and attention. He raises fancy stock for sale and breeding purposes, making "a specialty of Shorthorn cattle, all eligible to be registered, and in this enterprise he is also meeting with marked success. He also de- votes considerable attention to breeding standard bred horses and has raised some very fast animals. He sold recently a horse, Algoa Star, with a record of 2 :i i J<2, to Chi- cago parties for six thousand dollars, the highest price ever paid for a horse in Cedar Rapids. Besides his farm he owns city ■property on A a\enue, and the building now occupied by the Preston Shoe Company on First avenue. Mr. \\ enig was married in March, 1871, the lady of his choice being Miss Ida Ernst, also a native of Germany, who came to Cedar Rapids, when a ymmg lady, and to them have been born eigiit children, namely: Carrie, at home; Lizzie, wife of Dr. J. \V. Griffith, of Cedar Rapids, by whom she has one son, George William; Henry, a resident of Cali- fornia; and Christian. I'irda. Ernest, Helen and Carl, all at home. They have attended the public schools (.f Cedar Rapids. Mr. W'enig is identified with no ix)litical BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 285 party, but is inclined toward tlie Democracy. At local elections he supports the men whom he believes best qualified for ofiice, and has never cared for political preferment. He is practically a self-educated man who has ac- quired an excellent knowledge by reading in- structive literature, and keeps abreast of the times by taking many good papers and maga- zines. He is a lover of horses and an excel- lent judge of the noble steed. His success in life is due entirely to his own well-directed efforts, indomitable enterprise and good busi- ness ability, as he had but little capital on landing in this country, and the prosperity that has crowned his efforts is certainly well- merited. His wife is a member of the Lutheran churcli. and he gives liberally to the support of church work. ROYAL HERBERT HOLBROOK. Royal Herbert Holbrook, an expert en- gineer, who for ten years has been connected with the Cedar Rapids & Marion Electric Railway Company and has had charge of its plant since the construction of the road, was born in Wonewoc. Juneau county, Wiscon- sin, March 25, 1868, and is a son of Austin H. and Lavinia De Voe (Huff) Holbrook, the former a native of Vermont, the latter of Philadelphia, Pennsyhania. He and his twin brother, Leroy, were the fourth in or- der of birth in the family of seven children. The latter died in infancy. The mother is still living and now makes her home in Port- land, Oregon, but the father died during the childhood of our subject. He was a civil engineer by profession, and in that capacity went to Wisconsin at an early day to survey the Kickapoo Indian reservation, and from that time on made his residence in that state. At the time of his death he was conducting a general store in Wonewoc, carrying all of the various lines of merchandise. The early education of Royal H. Hol- brook was obtained in the common schools of his native state, and in 1883 he was grad- uated from the high school at ^^'onewoc. Subsequently he attended the Normal School at \\'inona, Minnesota, where he was grad- uated in 1887, and then engaged in teach- ing school for two years. In 1889 he went to St. Paul and entered the employ of the St. Anthony Hill Electric Light & Power Com- pany, with which he was connected until coming to Cedar Rapids in September, 1891. He assisted in the construction of the place of the Cedar Rapids & Marion Electric Rail- way, and on its completion took charge of the engines, serving as chief engineer since 1896 in a most capable and satisfactory man- ner, but on the ist of April, 1901, he severed his connection with this company and re- moved to Ottumwa, Iowa, to become general manager of the Ottumwa Electric & Steam Company. Mr. Holbrook is widely known as a con- tributor to the daily papers of Cedar Rapids, having written many able articles on literary and mechanical subjects, philanthropy, charity, etc., and he has creditably filled the position of secretary of the local university extension for seven years, being practically the life of that association. He is also prom- inently identified with the Methodism of the state, and takes a deep interest in educational matters, having delivered some able ad- dresses before Coe College, of Cedar Rapids, and Cornell College of Mt. Vernon. He is an active member of the Iowa Engineering Association, the Iowa Elective Associa- tion, and is an associate member of the 286 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD American Society of Civics, with head- quarters in New York city. He has done considerable as a consulting engineer in Cedar Rapids, jMarion, Mt. Vernon, Charles City, Emmetsburg, and other Iowa towns, also in Kansas City, Missouri, Lansing and St. John, Michigan, in surveying about fifty miles of railroad. During the ten years of his residence in Cedar Rapids he has become especially well and favorably known and on his removal to Ottumwa has left many friends here. J. V. JOHNSON. This well-known retired farmer of Lis- bon was born October 23, 1830, in Thorp, Northamptonshire. England, and is a son of Thomas and Sarah (Ballard) Johnson, tlie former also a native of Thorp, the latter of Rowell, the same shire. There the father was employed as a game keei)er until June, 1845, when he brought his family to Amer- ica. They took passage on the Cornelia, a sailing vessel, which carried seven hundred and sixty-three passengers, and was seven weeks and four days in crossing from Liver- pool to New York, during which time they encountered a severe storm. One child was born during the voyage, while three passen- gers died from smallpox and four from other causes. On landing in New York the Johnson family took a steamboat up the Hudson river to Albany; 1)y canal the\' pro- ceeded to Buffalo, then crossed the lake to Ashtal)ula harbor, and by wagon went to Geneva, Ashtabula comity, Ohio, where they resided for two years. The father then pur- chased two Jnmdred acres of land in Har- persfield. that cnuntv. and was engaged in dairy farming there for twenty years. He then moved to Madison, Lake county, Ohio, where he died in 1894. The mother of our suliject died in 1892. and both were buried at Harperstield. L'nto them were born eight children, namely : ( i ) Richard married Eliza Morris, now deceased, and resided in Harpersfield. When the Civil war broke out he enlisted in the Fifteenth Oliio Battery, under Captain Burrows, and took part in twenty-one battles, being wounded several times. He died six weeks after his return home from disease brought on by exposure. (2) Elizabeth married Reily Woodworth, of Harpersfield. Ohio. (3) One child died in infancy. (4) John v., our subject, is next in order of birth. (5) Benjamin, a resident of Harpersfield, married, first, Laura Wheeler, and after her death Emma Chapman. (6) George mar- ried Clara Brakeman and lives in Harpers- tield. (7) Emma died at the age of fifteen years. (8) Fannie is the widow of Nathan Brakeman, who was a soldier in the Civil war. and a resident of Harpersfield. Our subject had three uncles. George. John and William Johnson, who were members of the Queen's Guai^'d in England. During his boyhood John V. Johnson had little opportunity to attend school. At the age of eight he commenced work for an old lady who owned a dairy farm, where he learned the dairy business and the breeding of cattle. He remained there until fifteen years of age. when he came to America with his i)arents and settled in Ashtabula county, Ohio. At Harpersfield. March 12. 1859, he married Miss Kate A. Ingalls. who was born in Franklinville. New York, March 25, 1839. a daughter of Simeon and Martha Tngalls. On her mother's side Mrs. Johnson traces J. V. JOHNSON. BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 289 lier ancestry back to her great-grandfather, Alexander Campbell, a peer of Scotland, be- longing to the clan of Campbells. He was disinherited for marrying a French lady out- side the clan peerage. They emigrated to this country, where Mrs. Johnson's grand- mother, Katy Campbell, was born. Her brother, John Campbell, while a soldier of the war of 181 2. was taken prisoner, and with four others was confined in a Canadian prison at Quebec. It had been decided to give them up to the Indians, who claimed a portion of the prisoners, they being allies of the English, but the prisoners procured an old file and every night would sing aloud while filing the bars off their prison. The night their work was completed they decided to escape, as they had been notified that they were to be given over to the Indians the next day for torture. As they all sang the highest strains of the hymn called Black- burn they broke the bars. By means of ropes made of their bedding they scaled the wall, but as the last one came down the rope gave way, as there was no one above to hold it and he broke his leg. The others took turns in carrying him all night, but at daylight he persuaded them to leave him and make their escape, being convinced that they would all be killed if they remained. They left him beside a log, where he was found by a farmer, by whom he was saved. Later he made his way to the United States. The others made their way southward by night. Coming to a swamp at daylight, they ran out on a log and jumped into the mud, where they buried themselves, all except their faces, lying there all day. They often saw the Indians and dogs sent out to capture them, l)ut all trace was lost after reaching the log. The prisoners were stiff from lying in the cold mud and nearly star\-ed, but finally reached the United States in safety. In after years, when but two or three of the number remained, they would hold reunions and talk over the awful scenes they had passed through. Katy Campbell, the grandmother of Mrs. Johnson, married Thomas Denny Storrs, and to them were born seven children, five sons and two daughters. One was a lawyer and state senator and the father of Emery A. Storrs, a noted lawyer of Chicago; one a Baptist minister ; one a graduate of the State Normal School and a surveyor; while the other two sons engaged in farming. Only one of the number is now living. Miss Martha Storrs, the oldest child and the mother of Mrs. Johnson, was married, in Worcester, Otsego county, New York, to Simeon Ingalls, and in 1829 they removed to the western part of that state, where Mr. Ingalls bought land. There were no roads through the forest, only what was called cow paths, while howling wolves and prowl- ing bears and panthers made the night hideous. They made fearful havoc with the stock, often killing or carrying off hogs and calves, and the wolves would raid a whole line of habitations, killing hundreds of sheep in one night. No man ever went to the little town nine miles away or even to a neighbor's without carrying his gun. Among the beautiful hills and the sugar camps of Cattaraugas county Mrs. Johnson spent her early childhood. From New York the family removed to Grafton, Ohio, and in 1858 went to White county, Tennessee, where her father bought land and success- fully engaged in farming until the Civil war broke out. Being a northern man and a strong Unionist, his life was always in dan- ger (luring those trying t'mes. antl no words can tell the sufferings such men had to un- 290 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD dergo when living in the south. They were hunted by guerrillas and rebels, and their houses were often robbed of all that could be carried away or destroyed, while the owners would be forced to hide for weeks or months in hollow trees or caves. \\'ith the aid of a scout Mr. Ingalls finally suc- ceeded in reaching Kentucky and joined the Union army. He was sent with a provision train, which was surrounded, and all of the soldiers taken prisoners. He was first taken to the Nashville jail, where he nearly starved, and later was sent to the loathsome Libby prison at Richmond, Virginia, where it was almost impossible for a human being to long survive, as the filth on the floor came up to the tops of their shoes. The pris- oners were shot if seen for a moment at the barred windows, where they would go for a breath of fresh air. After some months Mr. Ingalls was exchanged and sent to An- napolis, IMaryland, where he was given a parole. He then went to the heing placed under cultivation until now the county is covered with fine farms, while city and vil- lages have sprung up and all <>i the con- veniences of an advanced civilization have been introduced. Being a man of industry and perseverance, as well as economical and enterprising, Mr. Yeisley prospered in his new home, and added to his landed posses- sions from time to time until he owned five hundred and thirty-eight acres of land, two hundred and thirty acres of which were cov- ered with timber. He still retains a farm of two hundred and forty acres on section 21, Linn township, where he makes his home, but is now living a retired life, enjoy- ing the fruits of former toil. In Ashland county, Ohio, January 5, 15 1837, 'Sir. Yeisley was united in marriage with Miss Nancy Deal, who was born in Somerset county, Pennsylvania, December 13, 1818, her parents being Frederick and Catherine (Cotfelter) Deal, also natives of that state and of German ancestry. At an early age she accompanied her parents on their removal to Ashland county, Ohio. She died on the old homestead April 15, 1896, and was laid to rest at Mt. Zion church in Linn Grove. She was a quiet, unobtrusive and most estimable woman, a good and kind neighbor, a devoted wife and loving mother, and her death was an irreparable loss to her husband and family. L^nto Mr. and !Mrs. Yeisley were born ten children, all brirn on the old homestead in Linn township with exception of the eld- est, whose birth occurred in Ohio. They were as follows : ( i ) Oliver passed his early life upon his father's farm in Linn township, but for twenty years has been a resident of California, and is now engaged in mining at Camptonville. He married Re- becca Keenon, and they have four children, namely: (a) John William, who resides on the farm of our subject in Linn township, married Susie Hoover and they have one child, Ralph, (b) Ella is the wife of Thom- as Daniels, a farmer of Springville, Brown township, this county, and they have two cliildren, Bernice and Charles W. (c) Har- old E. lives with his brother Hugh, (d) Hugh O., who is engaged in farming on sec- tion 28, Linn township, married Bessie Hoover, and they have two children, Ken- neth O. and Ruth lone. (2) Catherine is living at home with her father. (3) Josiah is engaged in farming in California. (4) Eliza J. died when a small child. (5) Anna is the wife of Samuel Johnson, a retired farmer of Lisbon, and they have five chil- 300 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD dren, namely: (a) Elice M. is the wife of Arthur Kamerling, of Cedar county, Iowa, and tliey have six children. Ray. Charles. Glenn. Alva. Delmer and Nellie IMay. (h) Charles is engaged in fanning near Iowa Falls, Franklin county, (c) Carrie is the wife of Jean j^^Vlbaugh, a retiretl citizen of Iowa Falls, and they had six children, Earl, Don. Paul, deceased, Lee, Edith and one unnamed. ( d ) E\a is the wife of Myron Albaugh, of Lisbon, (e) Nettie M. is at home with her parents. (6) Salina died in infancy. (7) Mary is the wife of George W. Belden, who resides on a farm owned by our subject, and they ha\'e seven children, namelv : Frank, a farmer of Jones county, Iowa, who married Clara Phillii)s and has one child, Hazel Fay: Abetha D.. wife of John Vanisli. a farmer of Floyd county, Iowa : and Clyte. John, Katie, Pearl and Clara, all at home. (8) George L.. who owns and operates a farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 4. Liim townsliip. married Miranda Paul, daughter of the late Enoch Paul, of Linn township, and they have two children. Bertha IMay and Paul Ivan. (9) John F. E. resides on the old liomestead. which he operates in connec- tion with his own farm of fifty-two and a half acres on section 28, Linn township, ad- ji lining his father's place. He was educated in the common schools and is also a grad- uate of the Davenport Business College, in 1880, and throughout his active business life has successfully engaged in general farm- ing and stock raising, making a specialty of hogs and cattle. Politically he is identified with the Democracy, and socially affiliates with Mt. Vernon Lodge. No. 551. I. O. O. ]■". (10) Rebecca M. is also living on the home farm with her father. Since casting his first presidential vote for Andrew Jackson in 1832 Mr. Yeisley has never failed in his allegiance to the Dem- ocratic party, and has supported all of its presidential candidates until the fall of 1900, when ill health prevented him from going to the polls. He has served as supervisor of his township, and has filled all of the local olifices. being school director in his district for a great many years. In early life he was a Presbyterian in religious belief. He can look back with satisfaction upon a well spent life, in which he has not only acquired a comfortable competence for himself and family through his own well-directed efforts, Ijut his career has e\'en been such as to com- mand the respect and confidence of all with whom he has come in contact either in busi- ness or social life, while his labors as one of the founders of the county justly entitle him to a prominent place in its history. THOMAS G. ISHERWOOD. Thomas G. Isherwood, deceasetl. was numbered among tlie honored early settlers of Linn Cduntv. Iowa, where he located in the spring of 1850, and with whose de\elop- ment and upbuilding he became closely iden- tified. .V native of Pennsyhania. he was horn in Lancaster City, Lancaster county, that state, November 6. 1816. and was a son I if Robert and Ann ((ireen) Isherwood. The father was a native of England, and made his hnnic in Liverpool for many years. He was a member of the Methodist Protest- ant church, where he was leading tenor in the choir. He composed his first poem when ten years old. Although it was of great length his mind retained it throughout life and he could recite it at anv time. He BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 301 wrote some Iiynms, and after lie was eighty years old would often dictate a verse to some grandchild to pen. The following two have been preserved : " 'Love Jesus.' He will be your friend. And when on earth your time shall end, Your happy soul to God will soar And dwell with Jesus evermore." " 'O, happy place,' I still must say, 'Where all but love is done away.' There dwells my Saviour, and my God. Lord, bring me to that blest abode." About 1809 he came tn the United States and settled in Lancaster, where he remained for a few years before his removal to Greene county, Pennsylvania. There he engaged in mercantile pursuits. In icality. He argued about fifty cases in the supreme court during his residence in Nebraska, and met with marked success l)oth ])rofessiona!ly and financially, becoming owner of some valuable property in Kearney, whichi he still has in his pos- session. Mr. }ily her first marriage ]\Irs. Cochran had tun children: Pearl, now a school teacher of Linn county; and Frank, a student in the high school at Center Point. In 1896 Mr. Cochran removed to Center Point, and has since lived a retired life. Politically he has been identified with the Republican party since he cast his first presi- dential vote for General L'. S. Grant in 1872, and has taken quite an active and in- fluential part in local i)olitics. He has served as a delegate to numerous con\entions, and was clerk of Otter Creek township for a inunber of years. I'oth he and bis wife hold meml)ershi]) in the Christian church, and he is now serx'ing as a member nf the official board and clerk of the churcli. His up- right, hnnorable course in life ha^ gained for him the confidence and high regard of his fellow citizens, and his friendship is highly prized. A. H. NEWMAN. One of Cedar Rapids' most wide-awake and energetic business men is .\. H. New- man, the secretary, treasurer and manager of the Cedar Rapids Candy Company, which largely through his well-directed efforts has become an important industry. He was born in Seneca Falls, New York, on the 30th of ]\Iarch, 1857, his parents being Thomas G. and Eliza (Powell) Newman, who were na- tives of Somersetshire, England, and cam.?. to -America shortly after their marriage in 1854. In his native land the father had served a seven-years' apprenticeshi]) to the p; inter's trade, and continued to follow that occupation there until his emigratinn to the United States. Locating iii Seneca Falls, New York, he immediately turned his at- tention to the newspaper business, publish- ing a religinus mimthly, known as the Mil- leiuiial Harbinger, in connection with a gen- eral printing business for a number of years. In 1866 he returned with his family to Eng- land, and was engaged in the same business at Teignmouth, Devonshire, for three years. On again crossing the Atlantic to the new world in 1869 Mr. Newman came to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where he located on the 23d of June. Here he purchased a half interest in the office of the Linn County Signal, which he published in partnership with F. H. Williams, now of Mechanicsxille. Iowa, for six months, and then became sole pro- prietor. In the fall of 1870 he started the J BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 333 Cedar Rapids Observer, which was the first daily of Linn county, and continued to pub- lish that paper for two years, during- wliich time he secured a large circulation. In the spring of 1872 he sold out to a stock com- pany organized under the name of the Re- publican Printing Company, who still con- duct the paper. After disposing of his in- terest in the same ]ilr. Newman remained one year as manager of the Republican. He removed to Chicago in 1873 ''"'' made his home there until 1896, publisliing the Amer- ican Bee Journal with good success, but in the spring of the latter year he went to San Francisco and established the Philosophical Journal, which he has since conducted. He has three children, all of whom were born in Seneca Falls, New York, namely : Hen- rietta, wife of Henry A. Cook, editor and jjublisher of the Fort Dodge Post; A. H., the subject of this sketch; and Matie, wife of Fred H. Chenoweth, who is engaged in the iron btisiness in San Francisco, Cali- fornia. Air. Newman, of this review, accpiired his early education in the schools of Seneca Falls, New York, and Devonshire, England, where he attended a private school. On the return of the family to America he entered the printing office with his father and learned the trade. At the age of fifteen he was oc- cupying the position of bookkeeper, adver- tising solicitor, and when his father sold out his business here he remained in the em- ploy of the Republican for one year. He accompanied his father on his removal to Chicago, and was identified with him as a partner in pulilishing the Aiuerican Bee Journal until 1892, when he returned to Cedar Rapids, and in connection with Henry Rickel organized the Cedar Rajiids Candy Company, of which Mr. Rickel is presi- dent ; E. H. Crocker, .vice-president ; and I\Ir. Newman, secretary, treasurer and gen- eral manager. They manufacture all kinds of candy, but their specialty is the Acme chocolates, for which the house has gained an excellent reputation. They do a large jobbing business and. furnish employment to from sixty to eighty people, including six traveling salesmen, who solicit trade all through Iowa, Minnesota, South Dakota and Illinois. On the 6th of May, 1880, Mr. Newman married Miss Lillian Rickel, a daughter of Henry Rickel, of Cedar Rapids, whose sketch appears on another page of this vol- ume. They have two children ; Irene, who is now attending the preparatory school Tor Vassar College ; and John H., a student in the Cedar Rapids high school. Mr. New- man is president at the age of seventy six, and enjoys good health. She is a native of Ohio and a daughter of John \V. and Annie (Afann) Whitlatch. Her father engaged in farming in Linn township for a great many years, but shortly before his death removed to Nebraska, where he passed away about twelve years ago. His wife has been dead twenty-three years. Mrs. Kearns is the oldest in a family of 4 JOHN A. KEARNS. BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 34* seven children, the others being as follows: Alva is represented on another page of this work; Hamilton died at the age of two years; William B. is a farmer of southern Kansas; Stephen married. Lucy Coleman and died in Linn township, this county, January 22, 1892; Nirah is the wife of William Lacock, of Linn township; and Addie is the wife of Abner Lacock, a farmer of the same town- ship. L'nto Mr. and ]\Irs. Kearns were l)orn five children, namely : ( i ) Ulysses died at the age of seven years, and (3) Esta died at the age of twelve years. (2) Lucretia, who is a twin of Ulj^sses, is now the wife of Adelbert Campbell, who operates a part of the Kearns homestead in Linn township, and they have seven children : Mabel, Min- nie, La Verne, John, Ethel, Leo and Melvin, all born in that township. (4) Elzadia and (5) Jennie are both at home with their mother. Mr. Kearns died June 10, 1900, after a long and lingering illness. He was a Re- publican in politics, and most acceptably filled the offices of school director and road super- visor for many years. Religiously he was a faithful and consistent member of the Pres- byterian church, and died on the day he was to have been ordained as elder of the same, having previously been appointed to that position. He led a (|uiet, useful and con- scientious life, and was held in the highest regard by his neighbors and many friends. He gave liberly to the erection of the Pres- byterian church at Paralta, and united with the same the day that it was organized. His remains were interred in the cemetery there. His family is one of prominence in the com- munity where they reside, and have an ex- tended circle of friends and acquaintances throughout Linn countv. 17 CHRISTIAN CORDES. The subject of this review, who is now successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits on a farm of eighty acres on section 34, Linn township, was born near Hanover, Germany, April 13, 1835, and was ten years of age when he came to the new world with his parents, Christian and Mary (Dett- mer) Cordes, also natives of that country. By trade the father was a mason, but after coming to the United States he worked in a bedstead factory in Cincinnati, Ohio. He died in that city at an advanced age, hav- ing survived his wife for some years. Of the seven children b(.)rn to them only our subject is now living. yh. Cordes left Cincinnati when a young man and went to Switzerland county, Indi- ana, where he worked on his uncle's farm for about three years. He was next em- ployed in a sawmill in Ripley county, Indi- ana, for the same length of time, and wheit the proprietors of the mill, Messrs. Bassett & Laycock, sold out and came to Iowa in; 1854, he accompanied them, locating at Linn Grove. He has since made his home in this county, and has engaged in general farming in various parts of Linn township. When he located here this region was near- ly all wild and unimproved, and he has watched with interest its development and progress until it is now one of the best im- proved counties in the state. In this work he has borne an important part, and is rec- ognized as one of the valuetl and useful citizens of the community. In jjolitics he is a Republican. On the 1st of December, 1861, Mr. Cordes married Miss Ruha Doty, a native of Ohio, and a daughter of Ephraim and Mary Ann (Snyder) Doty. The father, 342 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD who was a farmer by occupation, clietl wlieu Mrs. Cordes was a small child, and the mother subsequently came to Linn county. Iowa, and located in Linn township. She died in Alt. \'ernon, at the age of eighty- three years. In the family were twelve children, of whom Airs. Cordes is next to the youngest, but only six of the number are now living. Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Cordes, namely : ( i ) Olive is now the wife of Charles Eastlack, a farmer of Franklin township, who is represented on another page of this volume, and they have three children, LeRoy, Clara and Earl. (2) Elizabeth died at the age of five and a half years. (3) Carrie is the wife of Lee Klein- echt, also a farmer of Franklin township, and they ha\-e three children, Amy, Alarvin and Kenneth. (4) Addie is the wife of Barney Peddycoart, a farmer of Fayette county, Iowa. (6) John resides on the home farm with his father. REV. TIMOTHY J. SULLIVAX. Rev. Timothy J. Sullivan, pastor of St. Patrick's Catholic church of Cedar Rapids, was born in Glen Gariff, County Cork, Ire- land, on the 15th of -May, 1856, and is a son of Timothy and Bridget (Crowley) Sullivan, who came to America in 1863 and located first in Sandwich, Massachusetts, but only remained there a short time. In 1865 they came to Iowa and took up their resi- dence in Earlville. For some years the fa- ther superintended the construction of rail- roads in this state, but is now living a re- tired life in Cedar Falls, Iowa. His wife died in 1876. They were the parents of eleven children, namely: Mary, wife of Cain Holland, of Floyd county, Iowa; John, roadmaster on the Illinois Central Railroad at Clinton. Iowa ; Hannah, wife of D. Hol- land; I'atrick, who has super\'ision of the Illinois Central Railroad at Cherokee, Iowa; Timothy J., the subject of this sketch; Jo- sie, a resident of Denver, Colorado; Ali- chael C, a priest, who is now a professor in St. Joseph's College, of Dubuque, Iowa; Agnes, wife of P. C. Alurray, of Sheldon, Iowa; Kate, wife of J. Flynn. of Xew Hart- ford, Iowa; F. D., agent for the Chicago, St. Paul, Minnesota & O. Railroad at Eau Claire, \\'isconsin; and C. J., chief clerk in the office of his brother F. D. The father and all the children enjoy good health. During his boyhood Father Sullivan at- tended school in ^Massachusetts, and at Earl- ville and W'averly, Iowa, being a student in the high school at the latter place. In the spring of 1875 he entered St. Joseph's College, of Dubuque, where he studied for the priesthood, and was ordained May 28, 1882. He remained at that college as in- structor for two years, and in September, 1884, went to Sheldon, Iowa, having charge of the parish there until November, 1889, when he was transferred to Cedar Rapids. At first his parish was quite large, cover- ing three and a half counties. o\-er which he had to do a great deal of riding, as the country was sparsely settled. InU there are now about twelve priests in the territory of which he once had charge. On coming to Cedar Rapids Father Sul- livan found the church property in a very poor condition, but he at once purchased a lot, and on the i8th of October, 1891, laid the corner stone for the splendid church which now stands on the corner of First avenue and Fifth street west, which was BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 343 dedicated August 28, 1892. It is a Ijeauti- ful edifice and a very \-aluable property. In connection with the church there is a good free parochial school, which has been in successful operation since September, 1892, and is now on a self-supporting basis, having a large attendance from the parish children. St. Patrick's church belongs to the arch-diocese of Dubuque. Father Sullivan is a very progressive and enterprising man, and is of courteous and jovial disposition, making friends wher- ever he goes. He is prominently identified with the best literary circles of the city, but gives the greater part of his time and attention to his church work. He is a man of good address and winning manners; is a zealous, active and efficient worker for the church, and is held in high esteem not only by the people of his own congrega- tion, but by the residents of Cedar Rapids generally. ♦ «» ALLAN McDUFF. Allan McDufif, the well-known general foreman of the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Xorthern Railroad shops at Cedar Rap- ids, was born in Renfrew, Scotland, on the nth of August, 1847, his parents being Allan and Jane (Steele) McDufT, who were natives of the same country and came to America in 1868. Two of their sons had previously emigrated to the new world about 1856 and located in Marion, Iowa, but the older one, who was a carpenter and tinner by occupation, afterward removed to Mis- souri, where his parents joinerl him on com- ing to this country. Although the father was well advanced in years, he assisted his sons in the store until his death, which occurred shortly after his arri\-al here. The mother died six months later. The subject of this review was reared and educated in his native land, and in i860 was indentured as an apprentice to the machinist's trade, serving as such until his emigration to the United States, in September, 1869. He first located in Sul- lixan county, Missouri, where he remained until the spring of 1870, and then removed to \'inton, Iowa, where he was employed as a stationary engineer in a mill and ele- vator until coming to Cedar Rapids in 1871. After working as a stationary engineer at this place for three months, he entered the employ of the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern Railroad in the summer of that year, their shops being very small at that time. At first he worked as a general ma- chinist and also served as foreman, but as the road was extended the shops were en- larged. In 1883 he was made foreman of machinery. In 1887 Mr. McDufif was pro- moted to general foreman, with aboift one hundred and fifty men under his direct su- pervision, and also indirectly in charge of the general mechanical work of the entire di- vision. Having a good practical knowledge of e\ery detail of the business and being himself a skilled mechanic, he has most capably and satisfactorily discharged the responsil)le duties of that position. In April, 1873, Mr. McDuf? married Miss Catherine IMeikleham, who was born in Canada and came to Linn county, Iowa, with her parents. Her father was a farmer by occupation. Tlieir marriage was cele- brated in Cedar Rapids, and has been blessed by fi\"e daughters, namely: Christina, Jen- nie May, Elizabeth and Belle, twins, and Olive Margaret. Elizabeth is a graduate of Coe College, and the others are all grad- 344 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD uates of tlie Cedar Rapids high school. The family have a nice home at 1526 B avenue east, where they delight to enter- tain their many friends. Politically Mr. ISIcDiiff is identified with the Republican party, and socially is connected with the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He is one of the founders and directors of Per- petual B. & L. Association from its organi- zation in 1875. and a member of the Master Mechanics' Association. He attends and supports the United Presbyterian church. abraha:m gable. Abraham Gable is now retired from the active labors of life and occupies a comforta- ble home in the town of Center Point, Iowa. He is a native of Ohio, born in Marion county, November 20. 1839, 'i''"^ passed the days of his boyhood and youth upon a farm in that locality, pursuing his education in the district schools of the neighborhood. Mr. CiaJjle was among the Ijoys in blue of the war of the Rebellion, enlisting in Marion county, Ohio, in the fall of 1861, as a private in Company D, Eighty-second Ohio X'ulunteer Infantry. Later he was promoted to the rank of corporal and after- ward sergeant. His regiment was a part of the Army of the Potomac and was un- der the command of General Seigel. They assisted in the capture of Moorefield, Vir- ginia, and participated in the battle of Cross Keys and an engagement near Cedar Mount- ain. They were in a number of fights along the Rappahannock river, and the sec- ond battle of Bull Run, in August, 1862; the six days battle at Chancellorsville ; the battle of Gettysburg, July i, 2 and 3, 1863; \\'auhatchie. Alabama; Missionary Ridge; Knoxville and Lookout Mountain. Mr. Gable veteranized and returned home on a furlough. After rejoining his command, ^larch 3. 1864, he marched over twenty- five hundred miles, and participated in the Atlanta campaign, the march to the sea and the Carolina campaign. At Goldsboro he was taken prisoner, but ten days later was paroled at Richmond, \'irginia. He was honorably discharged at Camp Chase, Ohio, June 2^, 1865, and returned to the old home farm in Marion county, that state. There Air. Gable was married October 19, 1865, to ]\Iiss Catharine Heverly, who was born in Pennsylvania, but was reared in Ohio. Her father was John L. Heverly. By this union were born four children, namely : Elmer E., who is married and en- gaged in the grocery business in Cedar Rapids; Ida L., wife of Frank Grubbs, of Center Point; Cora B., wife of Homer ^Nlarkwell, of North English, Iowa; and Harley O., who will graduate from the Cen- ter Point high school in the spring of 1901. ]Mr. Gable purchased a small farm in ^Marion county, Ohio, and there engaged in agricultural pursuits after his marriage until coming to Linn county, Iowa, in February, 1884. Here he bought a farm of one hun- dred and fifty-four acres, but later sold a portion of this, though he still retains one hundred and twenty acres, on which he has erected a good residence, barn and other outbuildings. In 1888 he discontinued farming and removed to Center Point, where he was engaged in the meat business for two years, but has since lived a retired life. He owns a pleasant home in that vil- lage, where, surrounded by all the comforts and many of the luxuries of life, he is en- joying a well-earned rest. BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 345 In liis political views ^Ir. Gable is a stanch Republican, having supported that party since he cast his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln in 1864. He has al- ways been an earnest and consistent Chris- tian, and has devoted considerable time to the work of the ministrv, having preached in former years all over this section of th.e state. In early life he was connected v.ith the Evangelical church, and later engaged in preaching for the Congregational church at Green's Grove for two years, but now holds membership in the ^Methodist Epis- copal church. Fraternally he is a memlicr of Dennison Post, Xo. 244, G. A. R., of Center Point, of which he was chaplain for a number of years, and is now past com- mander. His life has been an upright, hon- orable and useful one, and he well merits the confidence and esteem so freelv accorded him bv his fellow citizens. FRANK W. FREDERICK. This well-known and highly esteemed citizen who is now successfully engaged in farming on section 35. Linn township. where he now owns sixty-five acres of well- improved land, was born in Northampton county, Pennsylvania, on the 14th of De- cember, 1851, and in the spring of 1869 came to Linn county, Iowa, with his par- ents, \\'illiam and Elizaljeth ( \\'erner) Frederick. The father was also a native of Northampton county, and was a son of George Frederick, who came to this coun- try from Germany when only four years old. \\'hile a resident of Pennsylvania. \\'i]liam Frederick engaged in farming tlur- ing the summer, and worked at his trade of a cooper during the winter months. On coming to Iowa, in 1869, he purchased eighty-six acres of land on section 36, Linn township, this county, which he placed un- der cultivation. He continued to success- fully engage in general farming and stock raising until 1883, when he laid aside act- ive labor and removed to Lisbon, where lie spent the remainder of his life in ease and quiet. Politically he always affiliated with the Republican party, but he never sought official honors. He was an active member of the United Evangelical church-, which his family also attended, and was a man highly respected and esteemed by all who knew him. He died at his home in Lisbon. October 21, 1896, at the age of se\'enty-six, hax^ing long survi\ed the moth- er of our suljject, who passed away at their country home in the spring of 1878, at the age of sixty-three years. She, too, was a native of Pennsylvania. The children born to them were Thomas, who is now conduct- ing a sash, door and blind factory at his birthplace in Northampton county, Pennsyl- vania; Sovena, wife of Carl Krueger, a farmer li\ing on section 36, Linn township, this county; and Frank \\'., our subject. For his second wife the father wedded Mary A. Huft'er, but had no children by that union. She is now Mrs. Amos Kohl, and resides in Lisbon. The sul)ject of this sketch remained on the home farm until his marriage, and then moved to his present farm, which he had purchased on section 35. Linn township, to the improvement and cultivation of which he has since devoted his time and energies with most gratifying results. He is ac- counted one of the most thorough and skill- ful agriculturists of his community. On the 27th of September, 1884, Mr. Freder- 346 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD ick was united in marriage with Miss Emma Hoodmaker, wiio was also born in Penn- sylvania, lier parents being Henry G. and Lucinda (Flyte) Hoodmaker, natives of the Keystone state. During the RebelHon her father enhsted in Company G, Sixty- seventh Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and served until the close of the war. He «lied in his native state December 29, 1877. By trade he was a mason, and continued to follow that occupation throughout life. His widow now makes her home with her daughter. Mrs. Frederick. Unto them were born seven children, five of whom are still iiving. Mr. and Mrs. Frederick have two chil- dren, namely : Elmer E., born November 6, 1885; and William Ray, born October I3> 1887. In politics ]\Ir. Frederick is a Republican. *-»-¥ JAMES E. LAW'LER. The subject of this biography, who is now foreman of the general blacksmith work in the shops of the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern Railroad at Cedar Rap- ids, was born in Berlin, Green Lake county, Wisconsin, on the 22(1 of November, 1852. His parents, Martin and Elizabeth (Flood) Lawler, were both natives of Ireland and were passengers on the same vessel on com- ing to this country, in 1849. Tliey were married in St. Charles, Illinois, the same year. The father was principally engaged in farming during his active business career. At an early day he settled in Wisconsin among the Indians, and from the govern- ment purchased one hundred and sixty acres of timber land on an Indian reservation, ■where he cleared and improved a farm. There his wife died in 1857, and four years later he removed with his family to Bur- lington, Iowa, where he engaged in con- tracting for stone work and in grading for ten years. He then removed to Council Bluffs, where he lived retired for a year, dying there in 1872, at the age of seventy- two years. His children were Julia, wife of George Welsh, a brickmason and contractor of St. Charles, Illinois; James E., the sub- ject of this sketch; and Mary, widow of James McCauley, who was engaged in the jewelrj' business at Council Bluffs, Iowa. James E. Lawler is indebted to the com- mon schools of Iowa for his educational privileges. He left school and home at the age of fifteen years and found employment in a sawmill at Burlington, where he worked two years. He then entered the Burling- ton Iron Works as an apprentice in the blacksmith department, wliere he learned the business which he now follows, remain- ing there four years. In 1871 he tame to Cedar Rapids and commenced work in the blacksmith department of the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern Railroad shops as a journeyman, in which capacity he served for two years. He was then appointed foreman and has held the position of head foreman since 1876 to the entire satisfac- tion of the company, having under his per- sonal direction thirty men. He was one of the organizers and a member of the board of directors of the Cedar Rapids Perpetual Building & Loan Association, which was organized in 1875, and since 1891 he has been president of the association, which takes in Linn county only and is in a very llourishing condition, having a capital stock of five million dollars and assets two hun- dred thousand dollars, while tlie member- ship is four hundred and fifty. Mr. Lawler is also a stockholder of the Cedar Rapids BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 347 Loan & Trust Company, and the People's Savings Bank. In 1876 Air. Lawler weddecl Miss Mary Kelley, who was born in St. Charles, Illi- nois, in 1853, her parents being Patrick and Mary Kelley. Her family came to this state about 1865 and settled in Benton coun- ty, where her father engaged in farming for some years, but is now living retired in Van Horn, Iowa. Mrs. Lawler is the fourth in order of birth in a family of nine children. The children born to our suljject and his wife' are Elizabeth, at home ; Ed- ward, who was graduated from Rush Medi- cal College, Chicago, in 1900, and is now engaged in practice in Cedar Rapids ; Nellie, a milliner employed in this city: Frank, who is attending high school; and .Alice, Alar- garet. Florence and Bernard, all students in the public schools of Cedar Rapids. The family are communicants of St. Patrick's Catholic church. In his social relations Mr. Lawler is a member of the Knights of Pythias Lodge, No. I ; the Ancient Order of United Work- men, No. 278 ; and the Modern Woodmen of America. Politically he votes with the Democratic party on national issues, but at local elections supports the men whom he believes best qualified to fill the offices re- gardless of party lines. He contributes to charitable and philanthropical enterprises, and is worthy of prominent mention among the representative citizens of his adopted countv. WILLIAAI J. PATTERSON. For over sixty years William J. Patter- son has been connected with the history of Linn county, and few have done more for its upbuilding than he. He was iiorn in Pike county, Pennsylvania, June 28, 1812, and is a worthy representative of a promi- nent old family of that state, being a grand- son of Robert Patterson, who was of Scotch- Irish parentage, and a pioneer of Pennsyl- vania. The father, Isaac Patterson, was born in that state, and when a young man w^ent to Pike county, where he married Nellie Jones, a native of that county and a daughter of Squire Jones, who was one of its earliest settlers. For several years Mr. Patterson was one of the prominent farm- ers of Pike county, but later removed to Knox county, Ohio, where he cleared and improved a farm, making it his home throughout the remainder of his life. William J. Patterson grew to manhood in Knox county, Ohio, and in early life as- sisted his father in clearing away the tim- ber from the farm, making rails and break- ing the land. As the great part of his time was devoted to these arduous tasks he had little opportunity to attend school, and is • almost wholly self-educated, though for a few months during the winter he pursued his studies in an old log school house. Dur- ing his youth he learned the carpenter's and joiner's trade at Mt. Vernon, Ohio, where he served a three years apprenticeship, and then worked as a journeyman on Kenyon College for thirteen dollars a month and board. He was employed at journeyman work for some time. He spent two seasons working at his trade in Toledo, Ohio, and then returned to Knox county, though he subsequently worked at Columbus. Ohio, for two years. In the spring of 1840 Mr. Patterson came to Marion, Iowa, having previously visited this locality in 1837, before going to Columbus. On coming to Marion he was in the employ of others for a time, and 348 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD then engaged in contracting and building on his own account. He assisted in Ijuild- ing the court liouse, several j-ears being spent in its construction, as there was no public mone}- in the treasury and lumber was hard to obtain. Later he superintentletl the erection of a public school building, the poor house, and the old Smith Hotel, be- sides building numerous business houses and residences in Marion. In 1875 he sold his home and other jjroperty in that place and removed to \'ineland, New Jersey, where he resided for about eighteen months. At the end of that time he went to Phila- delphia, where the following year was passed, and in 1878 returned U> Marion, Iowa. A year later he removed to Cedar Rapids and purchased a lot on which he erected his present home. After years of active labor he is now living retired, hav- ing acquired a comfortable competence which enables him to spend his declining days in ease and (|uiet. yir. Patterson was married in Alarion. in October, 1852, to JMiss Elida M. Du- mont, who was born reared and educated in Xew Jersey, and became one of the pio- neer teachers of this state. They have one 'son, \V. D., a dentist of Cedar Rapids, who is married and resides with his parents. Originally Mr. Patterson was an old line Whig in politics, and cast his first presidential vote for A\'illiam H. Harrison in 1836. Owing to his removal to this state in 1840. he lost his vote that year, but since tlien has never failed to deposit his ballot for the candidate of his choice at each presi- dential election. He continued to affiliate with the ^^'hig party until 185^), when he became a Republican, and has since been identified with that great political organi- zatirm. Coming to Linn county in pioneer days, Mr. Patterson has witnessed almost its entire growth and development. The difference between the past and present can scarcely be realized, even by those who have been active participants in the development of the county. Mr. Patterson has ever borne his part in the advancement and u[)- building of this locality. His upright course in life commands the respect and commen- dation of all, and his labors as a founder of this county justly entitle him to a promi- nent place in its annals. JOHN A. KIMBRO. Among the old and reliable engineers on the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern Railroad, none stand higher in public esteem than John A. Kimbro, who has been a resi- dent of Cedar Rapids since 1857. He was born in Lewisburg, Greenbriar county, West Virginia, February 27, 1 841, and is a son of Robert \\'. and Polly (Honaker) Kimbro, the former a native of North Carolina, the latter of West Virginia. His maternal an- cestors were of German descent. By trade the father was a miller and he continued to follow that occupation throughout his active Inisiness life. In 1857 he came with his family to Linn county, Iowa, and purchased a farm in College township, but the follow- ing vear returned to ^^'est \'irginia. where he lived retireil until called to his final rest at the age of eighty years. After his death his wife again came to this county and died in Cedar Rapids in March, 1891, at the age of seventy-five years. They were well-edu- cated people for their day and were support- ers of church work, while in politics the father was a Jacksonian Democrat, J. A. KIMBRO. MRS J A. KIMBRO. BIOGRAPHICAL . RECORD 353 Of the twelve children Iioni to this worthy couple four died in early childhood. The others all came to Cedar Rapids and seven are still living, namely : Mary, widow of Mr. Williams and a resident of Missouri ; Almina, wife of Amos Heath, of Kansas ; John A., the subject of this sketch: Elijah Andrew, a veteran of the Civil war and a resident of Cedar Rapids: James W .. also a resident of Cedar Rapids: Caroline, wife of Frank Parkhurst. of Nebraska: Catherine. wife of William Jordan, of Cedar Rapids. They were educated in the schools of West Virginia and of College township, this coun- ty, and all li\-ed on the home farm until after the Civil war broke out. Mr. Kimbro of this review continued his education in the schools of College town- ship for one year after coming to this coun- ty, and aided in the work of the farm until he entered the army, enlisting September 22, 1861, in Company A, Fifteenth Iowa Volun- teer Infantry. He veteranized with his regi- ment and continued in the service until the close of the war. He took part in the bat- tle of Shiloh, the siege and battle of Corinth ; the engagement at luka; and the siege of Vicksburg. during which the regiment was under ground for forty-six days and nights. During the battle of Atlanta, July 22, 1864, he was captured by the rebels and taken to Andersonville prison, where he was held for two months, being exchanged on the 22d of September. After rejoining his regiment he was sent to the hospital, where he re- mained until the close of the war, being mus- tered out at Louisville. Kentucky, and dis- charged at Davenport, Iowa, in August, 1865. For a few years after his return to Cedar Ra])ids. Mr. Kimbro was not engaged in any particular business, and later was employed in the flouring mills of the city for two years, and worked at the carpenter's Irade one }'ear. In 1872 he entered the service of the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern Rail- road as fireman, and four years later was Ijromoted to engineer, in which capacity he has since ser\-ed the company, ha\'ing run (in every division on the road. He is now the seventh oldest man in point of service on the road, and during his time has seen many improvements made in railroads. Since 1886 he has run a passenger train. March 20, ];866, Mr. Kimbro married Mrs. Margaret Coleman, widow of George Coleman, of Cisley Grove, who was killed at Manchester, Virginia, during the war of the Rebellion. She was born in Muscatine county, Iowa, March 8, 1843, and in 1852 \\'as brought to Linn county l.)y her parents, James and Priscilla Frees, but later returned to her native county. Her father died on a farm west of Cedar Rapids, and her mother's death occurred at the home of our subject. There were six children in the family, but only Mrs. Kimbro and her sister Aurelia are now living. The latter is the wife of John R. Steele, of western ]\Iinne- sota. The others were James P., who was killed during the Civil war; Andrew J., who served four years in the same struggle and was sul)se(|uently killed (in the Burlington. Cedar Rapids & Northern Railroad; La Fayette, who was also a soldier and died in Minnesota; and Martha E.. who married Charles Dudrey. and died in Cedar Rapids. These children were all reared in Iowa and educated in its subscription schools. Mr. and Mrs. Kimbro have a family of four children : f i ) Charles R.. owner of the Troy steam laundry in Cedar Rapids, is married and has two children. Gladys and Helen. (2).) Andrew J., fireman on the 354 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern Rail- road, and a resident of Rockford, Iowa, is married and has tliree daughters, Margaret, Rhoda and Laura. (3) Luella is the wife of G. A. Raymer, of Cedar Rapids, and they have one son, John A. (4) Mabel is the wife of Frank Woodman, of the same city. They were educated in the public schools of Cedar Rapids. Mr. Kimbro owns property in Cedar Rapids, which he purchased in 1876, and has since developed, and he js a stockholder in the Masonic Temple. He is a Knight Templar Mason, and has passed all the chairs in the blue lodge, and was standard bearer of the commandery one year. He is also a member of the Iowa Legion of Honor, and a man highly respected and esteemed by all who know him. His wife holds membership in the Evangelical church of the west side. Cedar Rapids. FREDERICK STAUFFER. Many of the most enterprising and pros- perous citizens of Linn county liave come from the land beyond the sea, and in this free country of ours have secured for them- selves and family a comfortable competence. Among this number is Frederick Stauffer, who for the past fourteen years has success- fully engaged in buying and shipping stock at Center Point. He was born in Germany, on the 25th of June, 1850, and belongs to an old and highly respected family of that country, his parents being Christian and Barbara (Wurtz) Stauffer. In 1863 the father brought his family tn the new world and located at Turner Junction, Illinois, where he worked in the shops of the Chi- cago & Northwestern Railroad Company until 1869, and then removed to Buchanan county, Iowa. Later he purchased a resi- dence at ^\'alker, Linn county, where he lived retired until his death, which occurred August 27, 1899. His wife died on the 4th of November, the same year. Frederick Stauffer spent the first thir- teen years of his life in his native land and received a good education in the German language, but his knowledge of English has been acquired through his own unaided ef- forts since coming to this country. He ac- companied his parents on -their emigration to the United States, and remained with them until 1866, when he started out in life for himself. On the first of March, 1876, he came to Center Point, and was employed on the farm of Dr. Yost for three years and a half. On the 1 8th of September, 1879, Mr. Stauffer was united in marriage with ^liss Edith F. Graves, a native of Linn county, and a daughter of John Graves, who came to America from England, and after spend- ing one year in Illinois, took up his resi- dence in this county in 1850. Here he en- tered land and opened up a farm, to the cultivation of which he devoted his energies for some years. His wife departed this life in 1864, and he died at the home of Mrs. Stauffer, December 25, 1891. Our subject and his wife have three sons, John, Charles and Walter, all at home. After his marriage ]Mr. Stauft'er contin- ued to engage in agricultural pursuits until 1887, when he located in Center Point and commenced dealing in stock. He now buys and ships about two hundred car-loads an- nually, and is one of the largest stock deal- ers in his part of the county. In this busi- ness he has met with markeil success, and BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 355 now owns a good home in Center Point and a well-improved farm near the village, which property has been acquired through his own unaided efforts, for he started out in life for himself with no capital or influ- ential friends to assist him. The Democratic party always finds in Mr. Stauffer a stanch supporter of its prin- ciples, and he has ever taken an active in- terest in public affairs, especially along edu- cational lines, having efficiently served as a member of the school board for some years. On the i6th of August, 1876, he joined the Odd Fellows Lodge at Center Point, in which he has filled all the chairs, and is now past grand. Both he and his wife are charter members of the Rebekah Lodge, and she takes a very active part in its working, having filled all the offices and represented the lodge in the grand lodge of the state. She is now treasurer of the lodge and past grand. Religiously she is a member of the Methudii-t Episcopal church. GEORGE HYDE R.\TTENBURY. Since 1892 Mr. Rattenbury has been an honored resident of Cedar Rapids and has filled the responsible position of foreman of the paint shop of the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern Railroad, having pre- viously had charge of the Pullman Palace Car shops at Pullman, Illinois. He was born in Detroit, Michigan, on Christmas Day, 1848, and comes of a good old En- glish family. His father, Thomas Ratten- bury, was born in Cheltenham, England, in 18 17, and was educated in some of the best schools of that country, his father being a very large contractor and quite wealthy. On reaching manhood he was married in Tewksbury, the birthplace of his l^ride, to Miss ]\Iatilda Ganoway, a daughter of Cap- tain Ganoway, of historic fame, who was an officer in the British navy. Four children were born to them in London. England, namely : Thomas, deceased ; Mary, wife of Nelson Bloom, of Detroit, ^Michigan; Sarah, deceased wife of Henry Willets, who was first lieutenant in Broadhead's First Michi- gan Cavalry, and was killed in ser\-ice dur- ing the Civil war; and John, who now has complete control as superintendent of the painting department of the Rock Island Railroad, having been in their employ foi- thirty-two years. The family circle was in- creased by the birth of four other children after coming to America, all born in De- troit, Michigan, namely: George H., (jur subject; Jennie, wife of David W'eare, a re- tired contractor of Montreal, Canada; Mil- lie, wife of Harry Sherris, a wholesale drug- gist of Toronto, Canada; and Alice, wife of James McDonald, of Buffalo, New York, general ticket agent of the Grand Trunk Railroad. Thomas Rattenburj- was a carver by trade, and followed that occupation while in England. In 1846 he came to the United States and settled in Detroit, where he en- gaged in car building for the Michigan Cen- tral Railroad, making his home there for nineteen years, and serving as superintend- ent of the car department most of the time. On leaving that city he went to Chicago as master car builder for the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad, and remained there from 1867 to 1872, when he entered the employ of the Pullman Palace Car Com- pany as traveling inspector. While in Mich- igan he built the Prince of Wales' private car and fitted it up completely. After the 356 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD Prince had used it tlie car was purchased by the Pullman company and converted into their first sleeping car, as an experiment. IMr. Rattenburj' was with that company un- til 1882, when he took charge, as superin- tendent, of the car department of the North- ern & Northwestern Railroad at Toronto. Canada, and held that positimi until his death, in 1889, having devoted almost his entire life to car building. His wife, who was born in 1818, also died in Toronto, in 1886. They were quite prominent in sucial ject holds membership in the Episcopal Church. Fraternally he is a member of Lodge No. 278, A. O. U. W., and i)olitically he is a supporter of the Repul)lican party, though he takes no active part in public affairs. Although still comparativey a young man, he has met with good success in his chosen vocation, and has advanced rapidly until he now occupies an important and responsible position, the duties of which he has niiost 'y discharged. MILO MILLER. This gentleman dates his residence in Linn count}- from January, 1853, and as a progressi\e agriculturist he was jirominently identified with the growth and development of the county for over a quarter of a cen- tury, but he has now laid aside all business cares, and is living retired in Cedar Point. A native of New York, he was born near Syracuse, September 8, 1821. His father, \Villiam ^Miller, was born and reared in England, and when a young man came to the United States. He was married in New York to Miss Loraine Fountaine, wiio was born in that state of French and German parentage, and there they continued to make their home throughout life. Milo Miller remained a resident of the Empire State until nineteen years of age, and then went to Warren county, Pennsyl- vania, where he worked in the lumber camps for about six years. The following year was spent near Alilan, Ohio, and at the end of that time he remo\'ed to McHenry county, Illinois, where he rented land and engaged in farming for a time. Fie next made his home near \'alparaisi>. Indiana, fur ab(_iut fi\'e years, and from there re- moved to Jackson county, Iowa, where he bought a farm of two hundred acres, of which sixty acres had been placed under the plow. After residing there for two years he sold that place and came to Linn county, in 1853, purchasing a partially im- proved farm of two hundred and twenty BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 365 acres in Grant tijwnsliip. He planted the first crop raised npon tliat place, and to the cultixatiiin and inipruvenient of that farm he continued to devote his time and ener- gies until his removal to Center Point in 1S76. He added to his property and erect- ed thereon good and substantial buildings. Feir some time after locating in Center Point he was engaged in the real estate business and has handled considerable prop- ert}'. He has made several farms by buy- ing raw land which he has broke and im- proved by the erection of a good set of farm buildings, and he has also improved considerable village property, which he either sells or rents. He is still the owner of about a dozen residences in Center Point and two business blocks, besides five farms aggregating six hundred acres of valuable land. He has been a man of industriotts habits, progressive and enterprising, and to his excellent business and executive abiHty he owes his success in life, for he started out in the world for himself empty-handed. Mr. Aliller has been twice married. In 1843, '" Pennsylvania, he wedded Miss Pa- tience ^Meeker, who died in Indiana. By that union he had two children, of whom one died in infancy. The other, Elmira married George Fee, of this county, and died in 1899. Mv. IMiller was again married in Indiana, in 1848, his second union being with ]\Iiss Cyuthia Sprague, who was born in Allen county, Ohio, and removed to Por- ter county, Indiana, with her father, Solo- mon Sprague, locating near \'alparaiso Unto them were born four children, namely : Delia, now the wife of Theodore Lampman, a farmer in Linn county, Iowa; Samuel, a resident of Center Point; Paulina, wife of Edward Sarchet. also a farmer of this coun- ty; and Anna, wife of Oliver Hines, of Cen- ter Point. Mr. Miller takes no active part in poli- tics or has never cared for office. During his long residence in this county, covering almost half a century, he has materially aid- ed in the growth and building of his town and county, and has become widely and fav- orably known as an upright, reliable busi- ness man of strict integrity and sterling worth. MASON P. MILLS. Mason P. Mills (deceased) was born at East Windsor, Connecticut, January 15, 1843, died at Cedar Rapids. Iowa, July 31, 1896. The life of this soldier, lawyer and citizen was a noble example of the best there is in American citizenship; his death a pub- lic calamity. As the public. is apt to place a ct)rrect estimate upon the character of a man whose career has been a highly prom- inent i_ine the biographer can do no better tlian to record in part an editorial which ap- peared in the Cedar Rapids Republican at the time of the death of Mr. Mills: "As a citizen he was, from the first, actixe in all things that make for a city. He was public spirited and energetic to a degree attained by few men. He was an alderman for many years, and in this capacity did a great deal to shape legis- lation. He was a born leader. If there was an enterprise on foot. I^Ir. Mills was either for or against it with ail his might. He had the courage, the strong intelligence, the rare, subtle magnetism, which. ;is ])ublic men are analyzed, compose the recjuisites of the real genius of leadership. As a lawyer 366 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD he attained a very high rank. He was a •worker, a master of the art of accumulation of testimony — a tactician, skillful in cross- examination, a perfect judge of men, and, therefore, one who selected a jury with method and keen analysis of those who pre- sented themselves for acceptance. I\lany of our foremost business men relied upon him absolutely, and to them the loss will be as a personal bereavement. As a friend, per- haps the word lnyal is the best and most ex- pressive adjective descriptive of this phase of his character. It is the fortune of strong characters like Mason P. Mills to be strong in friendship and intense in resentment, to have friends liound to them with hooks of steel, and at the same time have those who swear, Hamilcar-like, to love them not at all. And now, what of him? * * * It does not seem possible that a soul of a man like Mason P. Mills — the force that was in that lirain — can have gone out forever. Meeting by the side of his grave this great question which is the dark cloud on the horizon of all of us, we are glad to know that he here found reason for hope." Tlie father of the deceased died when he ^vas a mere boy and the mother, within a few years, married P. T. Crowell, of Springfield, Massachusetts, a trusted em- ploye of the United States armory at that city. The mother, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Strong, was a lineal descendant of the Grant family of East W'indsor. The early education of Mr. Mills was acquired in the common schools. He was a student in the Upper Iowa University at the break- ing out of the war, and at the first call for troops went to Washington and enlisted in a squadron of cavalry known as McClellan's Dragoons. This was George B. McClel- lan's lx)dyguar(l. He served in that capacity under the commanders of the Army of the Potomac until the winter of 1863-4, when the squadron of cavalry was ordered to Chi- cago and made a part of the Twelfth Illi- nois Cavalry. There he was made sergeant of the regiment, and afterward promoted to regimental quartermaster and first lieutenant by Governor Yates. He served gallantly at Yorktown, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chan- cellorsville, Gettysburg, and in the seven days' fight before Richmond, as well as in the smaller affairs in which the Army of the Potomac was engaged up to the year 1864. He was then sent on the Red river expedition under General Banks. He was mustered out of the service Feb- ruary 17, 1865. but until July of that year he was in the government employ, having charge of Camj) Fry, in Chicago. He was not mustered out as an officer until 1887, when he took advantage of the act of con- gress permitting volunteer officers to be mus- tered according to their rank, if they had failed to be so mustered, owing to active operations in the field. He did this in order to become eligible to membership in the Loyal Legion, which he at once joined. When his country no longer needed his services he commenced the study of law in the office of Ira P. Buell, of Chicago, and was admitted to the bar there in 1866. In 1867 he located in Cedar Rapids and en- gaged in practice, where he remained until his death. Although not a college-bred man, he was recognized as a thorough scholar. An omnivorous reader, his whole life was a jirocess of self-education. He was a Repub- lican in |)olitics, and was colonel on the staff' of Governor Gear during his last admini.s- tration. He was a prominent member of the Loyal Legion, and served as department commander of the G. A. R. in 1890. BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 367 jMr. Mills was married, October 14, i86g, to Miss Flora B. Coulter, a native of Wooster, Ohio. Her father, Colonel John P. Coulter, was born in Butler county, Penn- sylvania, and was engaged in the practice of medicine in Ohio for many years. In 1857 he came to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and followed his profession at this place until the breaking out of the Civil war. He as- sisted in organizing a regiment, which was mustered into the United States service as the Twelfth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and was commissioned lieutenant-colonel. Later he was made lieutenant-colonel of the Union Brigade. He was wounded during an en- gagement and ne\-er afterward regained his health. On his return to Cedar Rapids at the close of the war he lived retired from active practice, and died in that city in 1S76. His wife passed away in 1884, and both were laid to rest in Oak Hill cemetery. They had four children, namely: Lewis, a resident of Chicago; Edward, an express messenger on the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern Railroad, and a resident of Cedar Rapids; Eleanora, wife of J. M. Jol- ley, of Florida; and Mrs. Mills. Unto our subject and his wife were born three chil- dren : John P., of Cedar Rapids; Flora, wife of Edward R. Kaupke, of the firm of Frick & Kaupke, wholesale grocers ; and Mary M., a student in the high school at Cedar Rapids, Iowa. JOHN ROGERS. This well-known retired farmer and prosperous citizen of Center Point was b(M-n in Guernsey county, Ohio, on the iQth of April, 1840, and is a son of Samuel and Eliza ( Cheedell ) Rogers, natives of Penn- syl\-ariia and Ohio, respectively. The fa- ther was reared in the Buckeye state, and after reaching manhood he followed farm- ing there for some years. In 185 1 he came to Iowa, and the following year took up his residence on a farm in Linn county, where he died about 1853. His wife still survives him, and is now eighty-four years of age. \\'lien a lad of eleven years John Rogers came with the family to this state, and grew to manhood in Linn county, receiving but limited educational advantages. He began life fur himself liy working as a farm hand bv tlie mnnth and was thus employed for several \'ears. His first purchase of land consisted of a small tract of unbroken prairie, on which he Iniilt a log house, where he Ined while fencing and improving his land. As time advanced and he prospered in his labors he added to his landetl possessions from time to time until he now owns four hundred acres of rich and arable land, di- vided into two farms and supplied with two sets of buildings. He continued the opera- tion of his land until 1900, when he removed to Center Point, where he bought a lot and liuilt a neat residence. Here he is now liv- ing a retired life, enjoying a well-earned rest. Mr. Rogers was married, in this county, in February, 1862, the lady of his ciioice being Mrs. Elizalieth Meanor, who was torn and reared in Ohio. They have one son, A\'illiam A., a farmer of Washington town- ship, Linn county, who is married and has two children, Beth and Leo. In politics Mr, Rogers is a Jeft'ersonian Democrat, and has never failed in his al- legiance to that party since casting his first presidential vote for Stei)hen A. Douglas in i860. He is a stanch friend of education 368 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD and our public school system, and was an active and capable member of the school board for some years. His estimable wife is a member of the Christian church, and both are held in high regard by all who have the pleasure of their acquaintance. For his success in life he deserves great credit, as it is due entirely to his own well-directed and energetic efforts. CHARLES A. ROSS. Since the age of thirteen years this gentleman has been dependent upon his own resources for a livelihood, and has gradually worked his w^ay upward until he now oc- cupies the important position of yardmaster for the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & North- ern Railroad at Cedar Rapids, in which city lie has made his home since 1870. He was born in Logan, Hocking county, Ohio, on the i8th of April, i860, and was a lad of ten years when Ijrought to Cedar Rapids by his parents, James and Jane (Sherlock) Ross, ako natives of the Buckeye state. While a resident of Ohio the father was en- gaged in the manufacture and sale of tomb- stones, but after coming to Cedar Rapids devoted his attention to the real estate busi- ness ]irincipally, owning property in and around the city. He is now practically liv- ing a retired life, and on account of his health spends a part of his time in Cali- fornia, though he still looks after his landed interests in the northern part of Iowa. He is a self-educated and a self-made man, whose success in life is due entirely to his own unaided efforts. I'olitically he has al- ways been a supporter of the Reimblican party, and has taken an active interest in public affairs. In their church relations both he and his wife are Methodists, and they are highly respected and esteemed by all who know them. Both are now si.xty-nine years of age. Their family numbered four chil- dren, but two died in early childhood. Those living are Charles A., of this review; and Emma, wife of Dr. F. H. Cutler, of Cedar Falls, Iowa. Charles A. Ross attended the public schools of Cedar Rapids, but his education was completed at the age of thirteen, when he began his railroad career as news agent, holding that position for about four years. He then learned the printer's trade and opened a job printing office of his own in Cedar Ra])ids, which he conducted for a year. On disposing of that he returned to railroading in the fall of 1S81 as a brake- man on a freight train on the Chicago, Mil- waukee & St. Paul Railroad. In the spring of 1882 he left that road and found em- ployment on the Canadian Pacific Railroad in the capacity of conductor, being one of the pioneer railroad men of ihat S3'stem. At the end of four years he returned to Cedar Rapids and entered the train service of the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern Railroad, and was later transferred to the yards as foreman of yard work. In 1895 he was promoted to the ix)sition of yardmaster and given entire charge of the yards of that road at this place, having supervision of forty men who handle all the cars within the yard limits. He has a pleasant home at loji Fourteenth a\cnue west, and has also been interested in oilier real estate in the city. On the 6th of October, 1881, was cele- brated the marriage of Mr. Ross and Miss Matilda Schneider, who was born in Cedar Rapids in 1S64. Her father, the late Joseph BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 369 Schneider, was a brewer and one of the pio- neers of this city, having built and put in operation the first brewery in the city, where her niotiier is still living. Our subject and his wife have one son, James B., who was born in 1883, and is now in his junior year in the high school of Cedar Rapids. Mr. Ross is a supporter of the Methodist Epis- copal church, of which his wife is an earnest member. He belongs to Valley City Di- vision, No. 58, O. R. C, of which he was formerly an officer, and is a charter member of Cedar Rapids Lodge, No. 278, A. O. U. W'.. in which he also held office for several j-ears. His political support is given the men whom he believes are best qualified to fill the offices regardless of party lines. He is a straightforward and relial)le business man, who commands the confidence and re- spect of all with whom he is brought in con- tact either in business or social life. THOMAS T. DECK. Thomas Jefferson Deck, a well-to-do citizen of Linn township, who owns and op- erates a good farm of eighty acres on sec- tion 36, was born in Northampton county, Pennsylvania, ]\Iarch 30, 1835, ^'i*' '^ '-^ son of Daniel and Catherine (Stam) Deck. The father was a native of the same county, and a tailor by trade, following that occujiation throughout his active business life. He was a prosperous and progressive man of his day, and a ci insistent meml)er nf tlie Refurmed church. He died at his liDUie in Pennsyl- vania in 1854, at the age (if fifty two years. Subsequently his widow came to Iowa and made lier home with our subject until her death, which occurred in .March, ' 8(jr), when she had reached the ad\-anced age of eighty- five years. Her remains were interred at Lisbon. She, too, was a faithful member of the Reformed church, and a most es- timalile lady. There were only two children in the family, our subject being tjie older. His sister, Louisa, still resides on the old homestead in Northampton county. Pennsyl- vania, having purchased it from the estate. The paternal grandfather of our subject, George Deck, was a native of Pennsylvania, where he lived and died. When the Mex- ican war broke out he was a young man. and feeling that the country needed his serv- ices he enlisted and served all through the war. Thomas Deck was reared and educated in the county of his nativity, and remained there until coming to Iowa in 1869, when he took up his residence in Jones county. There he engaged in farming upon rented land for one year, but in 1870 came to Linn county and purchased forty a-cres in Frank- lin township, where he lived for seven years. On the expiration of that period he sold the place and purchased his present farm on sec- tion 36, Linn township, it being his home ever since. He has made nearly all of the improvements upon the i)lace, including the erection of a large and pleasant residence, which is surrounded by a well-kept lawn and enclosed by a beautiful cedar hedge. Religiously he is a member of the Reformed church, and politicallv is identified with the Democracy. In September, 1861, was celebrated the luarriage of Mr. Deck and Miss Mary Reese, who was also born in Northaiupton county. Pennsylvania, and was a daughter of Joseph and Sarah (Heller) Ree.se. Her parents spent tlieir entire lives as farming people in that county, and I)oth died at an 370 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD advanced age. In their family were six chil- dren, three of whom are now living. Mrs. Deck died on the home farm in Linn town- ship June 28, 1897. and was laid to rest in the Lisbon cemetery. She was an earnest member of the Reformed church, a de\-oted -wife and loving mother. Laito Mr. and Mrs. Deck were born five children, namely : ( I ) Lilly is the wife of Elmer Daubeumier, of Mt. Vernon, and they have two children, Oieto and Earl. (2) Ida is the wife of Philip Kafer, a farmer of Springville. Lmn county, and they have one child, Edith. (3) Sarah is the wife of Grant Kafer, a lirother of Philip, and a farmer of Franklm township. (4) Victor is aiding his father m the operation of the home farm. (5) Mabel is also at home. JOSEPH J. CALDWELL. Joseph J. Caldwell, a ])n>minent citizen and prosperous agriculturist of Bertram township, was born in Fountain county, In- diana June 20, 1836, and is of Scotch an- cestry, his paternal great-grandfather hav- ing emigrated from Scotland in the early part of the eighteenth century. The vessel on which he sailed was wrecked in a terrible storm, and he was the only one on Ijoard that was saved. He finally reached land and later went to New York. He located in the south and there reared his family, in which were four sons who fought for the freedom of the Colonies in the Revolutionary war. One of these was wounded in the hand dur- ing his service and another died of camp fe\er. The third subsequently removed to I'utler county, Ohio, and engaged in farm- ing. By trade one of the number was a weaver. Robert Caldwell, the grandfather of our subject, was the youngest of these patriotic brothers, and was only fifteen years of age when he enlisted in General Washington's army. After the war he continued to make his home in Maryland for some time and was there married. When the father of our subject was about two years old the grand- father removed with his family to Butler county, Ohio, becoming one of its early set- tlers. He was one of the ten prospectors who first settled on the present site of Cin- cinnati. At that time the Indians were very troublesome, and the pioneers needed stout hearts and ready hands to protect themselves against the red men and the wild beasts that roamed through the forest. Mr. Caldwell was a carpenter by trade and found a knowl- edge of this craft most useful in his pioneer life. He was in every sense of the word a representative frontiersman — courageous, energetic and enterprising. For some time he engaged in agricultural pursuits in But- ler county, Ohio, and then removed to Fountain county, Indiana, where he died at a gnnd (lid age. Joseph J. Caldwell, Sr., our suliject's father, was a native of INlarylanil, and was reared to agricultural pursuits upon the frontier. The greater ]3art of his life was passed in Indiana, but in 1S52 he removed tit Johnson county. Iowa, purchasing four hundred and eighty acres of raw prairie UukI in Cedar township, which he ])roceetled to break with six yoke of oxen and a breaking ]ilow. He soon had his land under cultiva- tion, and erected thereon a good house and l);irn. There he died in October, 1855, at the age of sixty-two years. His wife, who iif)re the maiden name of Nancy Ruiuiolds, was a native of \'irginia and a daughter of Nehemiah Ruimolds. She passetl away in JOSEPH CALDWELL. BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 373 January. 1855. and her deatli was widely and deeplv miiurned. In tlieir family were se\'en children, namely : Mary, who married Jacob Spitler and both died near Solon. Iowa : Eleaza, who died in California in 1850: Rcibert, who wedded Mary Spurgeon and both died in Holt county, Missouri; Frank, who first married Mary Williams and sec- ond Christina Fxjck. and died at his home eleven miles south of Independence. Iowa; Simon, who died at the age of two years ; Joseph T., the subject of this sketch: and Amzi, deceased, who married Eliza Will- iams, now residing near Solon, Iowa. Our subject's early school privileges were very limited, being able to attend the subscription schools for a brief time only. His, elder brother, however, had received a fair education, and taught hiiii at home, and by the time he was five years of age he was able to correctly repeat the multiplication • tables. At the age of six he commenced work in the fields, and has since labored on an average of sixteen hours per day. He grew up to a self-reliant and self-respecting manhood in his birth place, and came with tile family to Iowa in 1852. Immediately succeeding the death of his parents he took complete charge of the homestead farm. His father gave him eighty acres of land, and to this he subsequently added until he had three hundred and thirty acres of rich and arable land in Johnson countv, where he made his home until 1897, when he sold his property there and removed to Linn county. He I)ought one hundred and thirty acres of land on sections 26 and 35. and has since made many improvauients upon the place. Mrs. Caldwell, who was a most esti- mable lady, a devoted wife, a sincere friend and kind neighbor, died in September, 1892. Our subject was again married at Solon, Iowa, June 7, 1894, his second union being with Miss Elizabeth Blain, who was born in Linn county, April 2, 1874, and is a daugh- ter of Jesse and Erma (Hunter) Blain, nati\-es of Johnson and Linn counties, re- spectively. She is the second in order of birth in a family of ten children, the others being May, who died in childhood; Ella, wife of Frank Knapp, a merchant of Ber- tram ; Charles, a farmer of Bertram town- ship; Julia; James, Raymond, John and \^esta, all living at home. One died in in- fancy. Mr. and Mrs. Caldwell ha\e two children : Sherwin, born April 4, 1895 ; and Ilza. born July 20, 1897. For almost a quarter of a century j\Ir. Caldwell has engaged in buying, feeding and shipping cattle and is considered an excellent judge of stock, as well as a man of good financial ability. He is a scientific farmer, and has acquired a comfortable competence, to which he is continually adding. For- many years he has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and has always been found on the side of right and justice. He takes an active interest in all things per- taining to the good of the community in which he lives, and was a prominent factor in building the Burlington. Cedar Rapids & Northern Railroad through Linn and John- son counties. In his political affiliations he is a Republican. His wife is a bright, in- telligent ladv, most ])leasant in her social relations, and takes a very active interest in church work. SAMUEL S. JOHNSON. Samuel S. Johnson, one of the most es- teemed citizens and honored pioneers of Cedar Rapids, was for many years promi- 374 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD nently identitied with her leading business selhng iiis farm in 1884 he l)uiU a fine mod- interests, and did much to advance the gen- eral welfare and secure the material devel- opment of the city, but lie is now resting from his labors, living retired at his home, No. 311 Third avenue west. Mr. Johnson was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, July 8, 1820, and is a son of Robert Johnson, a native of Ireland, who came to the new world when a young man, and after residing in Westmoreland county for some years removed to Somerset county, Pennsyhania, where he followed farming throughout the remainder of his life. In his family were six sons and seven daughters. Samuel B. Johnson was reared cm the liome farm in Somerset county, and on reaching manhood was married there, Init his wife lived only a short time. After his marriage he followed farming in that county on his own account until 1847, ^vlien he came west to Iowa. He found Cedar Rapids a mere crossroad village with three or four business houses. For two years he was con- nected with Glass & Dodge in the manu- facture of fanning mills, and then turned his attention to the carpenter's trade. As a contractor and builder he erected the first frame house on the west side of the river, which still stands as a landmark of pioneer days. Continuing at that trade for two or three years, he then took up farming. In June, 1848, he had entered a tr;ict of one hundred and si.xty acres of land near the village, and in the fall of 1850 built thereon a house and commenced to break and im- prove his property, making it his hduie for ir^any years. One hundred and twenty acres of this tract lie sul)sequently laid out in city lots, it becoming known as Young's third and fifth additions to Cedar Rapids. On ern residence at the corner of Eighteenth avenue and Eighth street west, which was one of the best in the city. His present resi- dence was erected in 1900. Soon after the Civil war ^Ir. Johnson embarked in mer- chandising, but at the end nf a year he sold out. He was one of the organizers and original stockholders of the Van \'echten Cedar Rapids Bank, and also one of the or- ganizers and stockholders of the telephone company of the city. He has been one of Cedar Rapids' most active and progressive citizens, and has added materially to its de- velopment and progress. Mr. Johnson was again married, in Free- port, Illinois, April 14, 1850, his second union being with ^liss Catherine Gettemy, who was also born in Westmoreland coun- ty, Pennsylvania, but was reared in Ohio, and was a young lady when she remo\-ed to Stephenson county. Illinois. By this mar- riage w-as born a daughter, Alice E., wife of R. P. Taylor, of Cedar Rapids, by whom she has four sons, Howard Earl, Samuel and William, twins, and Richard. By his first wife ]\Ir. Johnson has a son, Curtis C, a farmer of Pawnee county, Nebraska, who is married and has three sons and tw'o daughters. Politically ]Mr. Johnson has been a stanch supporter of the Republican party since its organization, having voted for John C. Fre- mont in 1856. and for every presidential candidate of the party since that time with one exception when in the east. He has cast a presidential ballot at fourteen elec- tions, and has been a delegate tn many coun- ty and congressional conventions. He was tow-nship trustee for twelve or fourteen years, over,seer of the poor for a number of years, and ser\ed on the city board for sev- BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 375 eral years. He made a faithful and efficient officer in whatever position he was called vipon to fill. Both Mr. and IMrs. Johnson are charter members of the First United Presbyterian church on the west side, and he was one of the trustees of the same for a number of years. For fifty-four years he has made his home in Linn county, and is to-day the oldest male resident of Cedar Rapids. He has witnessed the wonderful growth and development of the city, and has ever borne his part in the work of building and advancement. He helped build the first ferry boat for the town, and as an enter- prising and public-spirited citizen he has been an important factor in public progress. His long residence here has made him widely known, and it is safe to say that no man in the community is more honored or respected than Samuel S. Johnson. THO.MAS J. HART. In November, 1870, this gentleman came to Linn county, and for ab^nit thirty years was one of its most thrifty and industrious agriculturists, owning and operating a val- uable and well-improved farm of two hun- dred and seventy acres in Washington town- ship, two miles from Center Pnint, but he is now living retired in that village. He was born on the 26th of April, 1S35, '" Preble county, Ohio, of which locality bis ancestors were pioneers. His parents, Silas and Han- nah S. (Slinger) Hart, were both natives of Ohio, and spent their entire lives as farm- ing people in Preble county, where the father died in 1870. On the old liomestead farm Thomas J. Hart passed the days of liis boyhood and youth, and was given good educatitinal pri\'- ileges. After arriving at man's estate he was married, in Preble county, November 14, i860, to Miss Ellen Kenney, a native of Delaware county, Ohio, wdiere her early life was spent. Her father, Albert J. Kenney, was born in Virginia, and was married in Maryland to Miss Susan Buzzard, a native of that state. They were among the first settlers of Delaware county, Ohio, where in the midst of the forest he cleared and im- proved a farm, making his home thereon throughout the remainder of his life. He died at the age of eighty-two years, his wife at the age of seventy-one. Mr. and Mrs. Hart have three children : Anna, wife of Isaac H. Kerr, a practicing attorney of Trenton, Missouri ; J. P., who is married and engaged in the livery business in \\'interset, Iowa ; and Forest, a resident of Linn, Iowa. After his marriage Mr. Hart was en- gaged in the manufacture of tile in Preble county. Ohio, for nine years, and built up a good business. In 1870 he came to Linn county, Iowa, and first located in Marion, where he handled washing machines and en- gaged in the patent right business for two years. He then purchased a farm in Otter Creek township, on which he made bis home for five years, and then traded that prop- erty for his present farm in Washington township. In 1876 he bought projierty in Center Point, and though lie made his home there he continued to ojierate his farm. The following year he returned to Delaware county, Ohio, where he engaged in farming on the Kenney homestead for two years, but at the end of that time he again came to Linn county, Iowa, and located on his farm in Washington township, to the further im- ])rovenient and cultivation of which he de- voted his time and energies for some years. 376 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD making it one of the most desirable farms of its size in the locality. Renting his farm in 1897, he removed to Center Point, where he purchased a lot and built a residence that has since been his home. Mr. and Mrs. Hart commenced life to- gether in limited circumstances, but by their united efforts and untiring industry they have acquired a large and valuable farm and a good home in Center Point. Religiously they are active members of the ^Methodist Episcopal church, with which Mr. Hart is officially connected, and are people of prom- inence in their communitv. Politically he is a Jeffersonian Democrat, as was his fa- ther before him, and he cast his first presi- dential ballot for James Buchanan in 1856, but he has never cared for political honors, preferring to de\-ote his undivided attention to his business interests. DAMD CLARK. Prominent among the honored pioneers and representative citizens of Linn township was the subject of this sketch, who for o\'er sixty years was activel}' identified with the agricultural interests of the county and bore an important part in its growth and develop- ment. He was born in Lorain county, Ohio, September 25, 1832, and was only eight years old when he came to this county with bis parents, Oliver and Electa (Wilcox) Clark, both natives of Connecticut. By trade the father was a blacksmith, but the greater part of his life was devoted ti; agricultural i)ursuits. After his marriage be removed to Ohio, and in 1837 came to Linn county, Iowa, taking up government land where the city of Cedar Rapids now stands. He then returned to Ohio for his family, but during his absence his claim was jumped, and when he again came to this county in 1839 he entered another tract in Franklin township of one hundred and sixty acres, uijon which he spent the remainder of his life. He died January 13, 1871, at the age of seventy-three years, and his wife passed away just ten years later, at the age of eighty-two. L'nto them were born twelve children, five sons and seven daughters, Init only one son and two daughters are now living. r)a\id Clark was indebted to the common schools of Linn county for his educational privileges, but his advantages along that line were rather limited, as he was in poor health nuich i)f the time during his boyhood. He remained with his parents until his marriage, ii' the meantime assisting his father in the farm duties, their home being in Franklin township. At Mt. \'ernon, on the 3d of April, 1861, Mr. Clark wedded Miss Mary A. Boxwell, who was born in Fayette county, Pennsyl- vania, January 15, 1842, a daughter of Rob- ert and Rhoda (Young) Boxwell, also na- tives of the Keystone state. In 1845 li^f family came to Linn county. Iowa, and her father, who was a farmer liy occupation, took up one hundred and twenty acres of government land in Linn township, where he niade his home until his death. He died at the age of seventy-four years, and his wile five years later, at the age of seventy- six. Of the eight children born to them four died when rjuite young; those living are William, Robert and Moses, all farmers of Linn township, and Mar_\- Ann, widow of our subject. L'nto Mr. ami Mrs. Clark were bLini nine children, as follows: (i) ]\Ioses A., DAVID CLARK AND WIFE. BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 379 Lorn in Franklin township, this county, died in infancy. {2) Walter E., born in Frank- Ini township, was reared on the home farm and educated in the district schools. He married Cynthia Armitage, a native of Jones county, Iowa, and then followed farming in Linn township for about six years. He was next engaged in the creamery business in Wyoming, Jones county, for a year, but the following two years were devoted to ag- ricultural pursuits. He then entered the em- ploy of the Chicago. Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad, and was killed in a wreck at Ana- mosa. Jones county, January 24, 1894. He left a widow and one child, Carl, born in Marion. (3) Ira J. was married, Decem- ber 30, 1890, to Isaac Flowers, who was born in Lebanon county, Pennsylvania, Feb- ruary 8, 1864. and came to Linn county, Iowa, in i88j. He is now operating an eighty-acre farm on section 15, Linn town- ship. They have two children, George D. and Glenn E., both born in that township. (4) Rhoda I. died at the age of four years. (5) David E., born in Linn township De- cember 30, 1872, has spent his entire life on the home farm. (6) Robert L., born Sep- tember 28, 1876, (7) Bertie J., born De- cember 7 1879, and (8) Ray E., born Jan- uary 25, 1882, are also at home. (9) Harry, born October 7, 1887, died at the age of six n-ionths and was Iniried in the Presbyterian church yard in Linn township. For about nine years after his marriage J\Ir. Clark was a resident of Franklin town- ship, but in 1871 removed to Linn town- ship, and purchased eighty acres of land on section 14, on which his family still reside. He met with far more than ordinary success ii! his chosen vocation, and added to his prop- erty from time to time until he had a fine farm of three hundred and twenty-five acres, on which he erected a go)d re-idence of modern architecture and made many other substantial improvements. He was quite ex- tensively engaged in stock raising, making a specialty of a high grade of cattle and hogs. Mr. Clark died on the home farm Jan- uary 12, 1901, after a brief illness of only a week's duration, and was laid to rest in the Presbyterian church cemetery in Linn town- ship. In political belief he was a Repub- lican, and never failed to cast his ballot for the candidates of that party. Socially he was a member of the Masonic fraternity, and religiously was a member of the United Brethren church. He whs a very successful and prosperous man and was held in the highest respect by all who knew him. on ac- count of his honesty and his upright deal- irgs with his fellow citizens. He made many friends but n(j enemies; was a kind hus- band and a devoted and generous father. He was also public-spirited and progressive and advocated all measures that tended to the advancement and impnnement of the com- numity in which he lived. JULIUS E. BAERTHEL. Julius E. Baerthel, now living retired at his home at 221 A avenue. Cedar Rapids, is one of the worthy citizens that Germany has furnished to the new world. He was born in Hesse-Cassel February 10, 1833. a son of Conrad Baerthel, who died in that country. He received a good education in his native tongue, and was a young man of se\-enteen years when he accompanied his widowed mother and the other members of the family on their emigration to the United States in 1850. They located in Chicago, 3 So BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD which was then a city of only thirty-five thousand population. There I\Ir. Baerthel attended English schools for a time, and began his business career as a farm hand in Cook county. Later he rented a farm and continued to engage in agricultural pursuits for some years. In March, 1868, Mr. Baerthel came to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where he conducted a boarding house for a time, and later rented the Dubuque House, of which he became pro- prietor. Subsequently he was engaged in the grocery business for two or three years, and on disposing of that again turned his attention to the hotel business. He built the Palace Hotel, which he conducted for fifteen years, but now rents the property, while he lives retired. He also erected a brick business lilock adjoining the hotel, and has other real estate interests in the city, in- cluding his own residence. As a young man of seventeen years he came to America, and with no capital started ciut in a strange land to overcome the difficulties and obstacles in his path to prosperity. His youth dreams have been realized, and in their ha]:)py ful- fillment he sees the fitting reward of his c;>rnest toil. On the 15th of October, 1865, in Cook county, Illinois, Mr. Baerthel was united in marriage with Miss Catherine Loese, also a native of Germany, who came to the new world in 1864. LTnto them were born four children, namely : Louis is married and re- sides in Cedar Rapids ; Charles died at the age of three years ; William, a highly es- teemed and respected young man, died j\Iarch 3, 1899, at the age of twenty-eight years; and Mary is the wife of Allen J- Fee, a farmer of Linn county. C^n the site of the old Palace Hotel Mr. Baerthel has erected the Delevan House, a modern fire- proof building, five stories in height, forty by one hundred and forty feet, with ninetv- se\'en sleejiing rooms, club room, office and parlor, all elegantly furnished throughout with all the modern improvements, includ- mg a passenger elevator. ]\Ir. Baerthel also o\\ ns a farm of one hundred and sixty acres, one-half mile from the city limits, which is well improved. Politically Mr. Baerthel has always been identified with the Republican part}' since casting his first presidential vote for John C. Fremont in 1856, but he has never sought official honors, preferring to give liis time and attention wholly to his business inter- ests. He was one of the original members of the Odd Fellows Lodge of Cedar 'Rap- ids, in which he has filled all the chairs, is now past grand, and has represented the lodge in the grand lodge of the state. Both he and his wife were reared in the Protestant faith, and are liberal supporters of churches. His life has been an upright, honorable and useful one, and due success has not been denied him, so that he is numbered among the substantial men of Cedar Rapids, as well as one of its highly respected citizens, who has taken an active interest in the wel- fare of the city. JOHN W. HOLLAND. John W. Holland, a prominent furniture dealer and undertaker of Center Point, Iowa, dates his residence in Linn county from the 15th of November, 1850. and is a worthy representative of one of its honored pioneer families. His father, Richard S. Holland, was b(irn in Tennessee, and when a young man went to Illinois, where he married Miss BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 381 IMartlia Fitzgerald, a native of Kentucky. In 1850 he brought his family to Linn coun- ty, Iowa, and settled on a farm in Wash- ington township, but was not long permitted to enjoy his new home, however, his death occurring in 1854. His wife survived him and reared their children. Later she be- came the wife of John Pifer, and still re- sides on the old home farm left by Mr. Hol- land. Our subject is the oldest of the three children born of her first marriage, the others being Mrs. Jane Bumgardner, of Vin- ton, Iowa; and Elizabeth, wife of D. J. Clark, of Linn county. Mr. Holland, of this review, was born in Hamilton county, Illinois, August 13, 1844, and was only six }-ears old when he came with the family to this county. His early educational advantages were rather limited, but he made the most of his op- portunities, and by reading and study in subsequent years has become a well-informed man. He learned the carpenter's and join- er's trade, at which he worked for about thirteen years. He then erected a store building and purchased a small stock of furniture, opening for business in Center Point along that line in the spring of 1878. As his trade increased he gradually enlarged his stock and now carries a fine line of furniture and undertaker's supplies. By fair and honorable dealing he has built up a good business, and has gained the confidence and respect of his fellow citizens in a marked degree. Besides his business property he also owns a good home in Center Point. At Lisbon, Iowa, March 29, 1877, Mr. Holland was united in marriage with Miss Rachel Nicholson, who was born in Ohio, but \\as principally reared in Linn county. Her father was Daniel Nicholson, who, in 1854, settled in Springville, Brown town- ship. Linn county. To our subject and his wife were born three daughters, Martha, Nellie and Ida. Nellie is now a student at the State Normal School at Iowa Falls, and the others are at home. In his political affiliations I^Ir. Holland is a stalwart Democrat, having supported that party since casting his first presidential A'ote for Seymour and Blair. Fraternally he is a Master ]\Iason, belonging to the lodge at Center Point, and is also a mem- ber of the Odd Fellows Lodge at that place, in which he has filled all the chairs and is now past grand. He has also taken the grand lodge degrees of the Independent Or- der of Odd Fellows. He is past chancellor of the Knights of Pythias Lodge of Center Point, and represented it in the grand lodge at \^'aterloo, Iowa, in 1900. He also be- longs to the Iowa Legion of Honor and the Modern Brotherhood of America, and stands high both in business and social circles. GEORGE L. DICKOVER. The subject of this sketch is one of the valued employes of the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern Railroad, and is now capably filling the position of foreman of the car department. He is a native of Ohio, born in Ashland county June 25, 1854, and is a son of Jacob and Lydia (Ohl) Dick- over. The father is a Pennsylvanian by birth, and being left motherless at an early (lay was reared by strangers. He was given fairly good educational advantages and was graduated from the public schools. During liis viiuth he learned the carpenter's, mill- wright's and cabinetmaker's trades, which he followed during his active business life. 382 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD but now, at tlie age of seventy years, he is living retired in Cedarville, Indiana, where he has a comfortable home. His wife is about the same age. They are earnest and consistent members of the ^Methodist Epis- copal church, and lie is a Democrat in pol- itics, though not radical in his views. Seven children were born to this worthy couple, of whom one died in infancy. The others are George L.. of this sketch; Will- iam, who is engaged in the milling business in Springport. Indiana ; Rebecca, wife of Isaac Astr3^ a farmer of the Hoosier state; Mary Ellen, wife of ^^'. E. Garrett, of Au- burn, Indiana; Sarah Jane, wife of Frank Hull, of Auburn; and Emma, at home. The children attended the district schools near their home and later paid their own wa}' at colleges and academies. In 1868 George L. Dickover accompanied his parents on their removal to Indiana, and completed his education in a select school at ilaysville, that state. On laying aside his text books he served a three-years' ap- prenticeship with his father, during which time he thoroughly mastered the carpenter's trade, and later worked as a journeyman in Indiana. Subserjuently he devoted consid- erable attention to the millwright's trade, and met with good success in tliat enterprise, being appointed foreman before he attained his majority. He next entered the car shops at Huntington, Indiana, as a journeyman, and was promoted from time to time imtil he became assistant foreman of the same, remaining there nine years. During that time he acquired a complete knowledge of car building, and has since devoted his time and energies to that occupation. He came to Cedar Rapids in March, 1892, to take the position of general foreman of the car de- partment of the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Xorthern Railroad, and has made this city his permanent home. He owns a pleasant home at 1220 Fourth avenue, and has also been successful in developing and operating mines in Colorado. ^Ir. Dickover was married, in Indiana, in 1 88 1, to ]Miss Olive I. DeMoss. who was born in that state in August, 1858, her par- ents being Charles W. and Louisa DeMoss, who are now living in Whiting, Indiana. By trade her father is a blacksmith. He had four children, but only two are now living, namely : Mrs. Dickover, and J. W. DeMoss, a machinist of Huntington, Indi- ana. Mrs. Dickover is a graduate of the public schools of Logansport, Indiana. To our suliject and his wife were born four children, uf whom one died in infancy. Those living are Edna M., born in 1886; George Clyde, in 1894; and Hazel Irene, in 1898. The two eldest are now attending school. The parents are memliers uf the ]\Iethodist Episcopal church. While a resi- dent of Huntington, Indiana, Mr. Dickover was an active member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, served as noble grand and represented his lodge in the grand lodge of the state. He is not identified with any political party, and devotes his entire time and attention to his busines3 affairs. On starting out in life for himself he re- ceived no assistance, and his success is due entirely to his own personal ambition and determination to succeed. GEORGE W, DAVIS. Just across the line in Greenfield town- ship. Jones county, Iowa, in a quiet cot- tage behind an evergreen grove, we find the subject of this biography, who is now living- a retired life. He was born in County Don- GEORGE W. DAVIS. BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 385 egal, Ireland, December 23, 1843, ^ son of George and Susannah (Fisher) Davis, na- tives of the same county, wliere they contin- ued to make tlieir home until their emigra- tion to America in October, 1854. The fam- ily took passage at Londonderry, Ireland, on the sailing vessel Creole, and were upon the water for twelve weeks, during which time they encountered some terrific storms and it was supposed that the vessel would go down. In fact the vessel was reported lost. They lost two passengers, but the others landed safely in Philadelphia. The Davis family settled in that city, where the father of our subject died in April, 1856. In the fall of the same year the mother and children came to Iowa and took up their residence in Jones county, where she made her home for many 3-ears, dying there in 1895, aged eigh- ty-six years. Her remains were interred in the Linn Grove cemetery. She was a devout member of the Presbyterian church, to whicli her husband also belonged. Of the eleven children born to this worthy couple nine are still living, namely: James, a retired farmer and veteran of the Civil war, wedded J\lary Ann Clark and re- sides in Mt. Vernon, Iowa ; Thomas F. mar- ried Jane Kepler, and is also a retired farmer of Mt. Vernon; William married Ruth Fisher and is living retired in Cedar Rapids; Martha was the wife of John McPherson, of Jones county, Iowa, who is now deceased ; Ruth is the wife of John W. Fink, of Lisbon; George W., our subject, is ne.xt in order of birth; Belle is the wife of Daniel Connor, who lives near Mechanicsville, Cedar county, Iowa; Jane is the wife of John F. Oldham, of Pierre, Oklahoma; and John .\. wedded Jude Chapman, who was born in the old court house at Marion, and resides in Dor- chester, Nebraska. 19 Mr. Davis of this review attended the national schools of Ireland until the family came to the United States, and for one year pursued his studies in the schools of Phila- delphia. He then worked in a cotton and woolen factory for the same length of time. When the family came to Iowa in 1856, he found employment with Samuel Pfoutz, two and one-half miles north of Lisbon, where he worked for his board and clothes until the following spring, and then went to Linn Grove, where he worked for Ab- ner Lacock for forty dollars per year and his clothes, remaining with him two years. The following year he was in the employ of Ed Clark, and then returned to his former employer, for whom he worked until the Civil war broke out. In July, 1 86 1, at the age of seventeen years, Mr. Davis offered his services to the government, joining the boys in blue of Company I, Second Iowa Veteran Volun- teer Cavalry, under command of Captain D. E. Coon, of Mason City, Iowa. Owing to the age of our subject he was obliged to tell a patriotic fib in order to be mustered in. After being mustered into the United States service at Davenport, the regiment was sent to Benton Barrack, St. Louis, in December, 1 86 1, where they remained until February, 1862. While here they were on scout duty and sixty of the members tlied from measles. They were then ordered to Island No. 10, under command of General John Pope, which they assisted in capturing and they were the first troops on the Kentucky side of the river. There were captured six thou- sand prisoners, one million five hundred thousand dollars worth of stores, and the Second Iowa captured a rebel flag on which was the inscription "Mississippi Devils, pre- sented by the ladies." After tl}e defeat 386 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD at Shiloli they were sent up the Tennes- see river to Pittsburg Landing, where tliey were placed under the command of Gen- eral Hallick, who was advancing on Corinth, anil they made the charge on the rebel army at that place under General Hatch, Z\Iay 9, 1862. The opposing force was so great that they were driven back, but saved Paine's division. They were the first troops to enter Corinth after the evacuation of the city. May 29. .\t twelve o'clock one night that summer they made the first cavalry raid of the war, under Colonel Washington L. Elli(Jtt, who was a graduate of West Point and had served seventeen years in the regular army. They also took part in the battle of Booneville, where Sheridan with the Second Iowa and Second Michigan Cavalry de- feated eight thousand rebels, and was there made brigadier-general. After this engage- ment the Second Iowa Cavalry moved back to Rienzi, and our subject was detailed as orderly for General Sheridan, having pre- Aaously been messenger boy for General El- liott and General Granger, being chosen out of twenty-seven hundred men in his command, which was cjuite an honor. Three months later he rejoined his command, and on the 5th of September they broke camp a* Rienza and returned to Corinth, where General Rosecrans was then in command. They next went to Payton's Mills in pursuit of General Faulkner, where they partici- pated in the battle at that place, and then moved back to lukg. to support the Fifth Iowa Infantry. There they stood to horse all night in a drenching rain. About midnight General Rosecrans called a council of bri- gade commanders, and gave the command to move at daybreak, the infantry with bayo- nets fi.xed and the cavalry with drawn sabers, not a shot to be fired. It was expected that General Grant would support them. The rebels retreated during the night, and the Union troops followed them twenty miles and made a stand at two o'clock next day. After this engagement Generals Price and \'an Dorn united their armies and moved north. The result was the two days' battle at Corinth on October i and 2, 1862, and the rebels were defeated. Here Mr. Davis was wounded in the ankle and sent to the Keo- kuk, Iowa, hospital, where he remained thir- ty days. Deserting the hospital, he went down the ^Mississippi river on a steamer to A'icksburg, and rejoined his regiment, which formed Grant's advance guard cm \'icks- burg at Grant Junction. They were next in an engagement with Colonel Faulkner at Holly Springs, November 29, and captured thirty horses and sixty men. On the 2d of December they crossed the Tallahatchee river and moved on Springdale, Mississippi, and from there went to \\'ater Valley, where they lost three men and six horses. They next proceeded to Oxford, Mississippi. After landing at Ponnetock they went back to Hol- ly Springs, and retreated northward Decem- ber 22, as Colonel Van Dorn had burned the supplies. The brigade to which our sub- ject belonged returned to Coffeeville, par- ticipating in the battle there, after which the)- commenced destroying the ^Mississippi Central Railroad, being the rear guard of General Grant's army. They retreated as far as the Tallahatchee river and then went into winter quarters at La Grange, Tennessee, where they built log houses. In the spring of 1863 they went to Waterford, Mississippi, where they were surrounded by the Texas Legion, but were rescued by citizens who no- tified the brigade and they escaped back to La Grange. In March our subject's regi- ment marched three hundred and sixtv miles, BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 387 and were placed under the command of Gen- eral B. H. Grierson, who started to cut the railroad communication of the rebels. On the 2 1 St of April they went to Palalto, and from there to Columbus. Mv. Davis" regi- ment returned to La Grange, where they remained all summer. On the 5th of June they went on a raid down the Mississippi river, and nine days later marched into Pa- nola, ^lississippi, where they burned fifteen million dollars worth of property. On the 1st of July they were ordered to Jackson, and after taking part in the battle at that place returned to La Grange. Later they captured six locomotives and twenty-five cars at Granada, which town the rebels sur- rendered August 2/, 1863. Two months were then spent in camp at Memphis, Ten- nessee, and in November went to Colliers- ville, taking part in an engagement at that place, defeating the rebels under General Gorge. They went to Oxford, Mississippi, December 4, and subsecjuently took part in the battle at Moscow, where their cimimand- er. General Hatch, was shot through tlie riglit lung. Here the rebels nunibered five thousand, and the Union forces bnly thirteen hundred. ]\Iarching back to La Grange, a distance of about thirty-five miles, they broke camp January i, 1864, and two days later reached Memphis, where they slept that night on the frozen ground. The_\' remained there till February 5, when they joined Gen- eral \V. S. Smith at Germantown. Tenne.-^- see, and started to join General Sherman's command at Aleridian. it being their inten- tion to form a large cavalry force to march through the Confederacy, but they were met and defeated by the rebels. They were soon in a part of the Confederacy which was still rich with provisions. At West Point, Mississippi, February 21, Gen- eral Smith ordered a retreat to Okolona, and the fighting became severe, the rebels ha\-ing eight thousand soldiers and tlie L'niun troops numbering only four thou- sand. As Mr. Davis' time had expired he re-enlisted in the same regiment at Germantown, being determined to see the end oi the war. He then returned to Da\-enport by \\-ay of St. Louis and was given a thirty-day furlough. He rejoined his commantl i\Iay 15 at Davenport, Iowa, and returned to St. Louis, where thev re- ceived a new e(|uii)ment. whence thev went to Memphis. They were then armed with the Spencer seven-shot carliines. They took part in the Iwttle of Tupalo under General A. J. Smith and Brigadier-General B. H. Grierson and several skirmishes, and then returned to Memphis, where they remained until the 2d of August, and from there went to Clrand Junction and Waterford to rebuild the railroad to Oxford, Mississippi. After tlieir return to ]\Iemphis they were ordered to join General Sherman on his march to the sea. At Clifton, however, the order was countermanded, and they were ordered to re- port to General Thomas, who was sent to repell General Hood, and joined his forces near Columbia. Tennessee. General Hood advanced on Nashville with forty-five thou- sand infantry, fifteen tliousand cavalry and ninety pieces of artillery, while the Union forces had nnl_\- four thousand ca\-alry in his front, and a small army of infantry and ar- tillery. Our subject's regiment on its retreat to Nashxille too part in the engagements at Campbellville. Linnvillle, Mt. Carmel, Duck River, Shelby ville. Pike, and Franklin, on the 29th of November, when the rebels lost fi\e generals and six thousand troops. The cavalry forces retreated across the Cum- berland river to Edgefield, where the mcr- 388 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD cury was ten degrees below zero, with no wood. On December 2 tliey recrossed to Nashville, and for three days camped in two feet of mud. On the morning of December 15 the battle of Xashville was opened and our subject's regiment captured a fort which Hood had left fifteen minutes previous with the instructions to hold the fort at all haz- ards, and later captured another fort. On the 25th of December General Spaulding, of the Twelfth Tennessee, called for two hundred volunteers to follow Hood and harass the rear of his army, and Mr. Davis was among the number to respond and go with Major Horton, of the Second Iowa Cavalry. On the ist of Januar}^ 1865, the regiment was ordered to Hunts- ville, and later to Eastport, }ilississippi. It was very cold fording the rivers and the troops suffered severely. They went into winter cjuarters at Gravelly Springs, Alabama. On the nth of April they re- ceived news of General Lee's surrender, and five days later came the sad news of Presi- dent Lincoln's assassination. Mr. Davis was finally mustered out September 17, 1865, at Selma, Alabama, and returned to Daven- port, where he was hi)n(,)rably discharged October 9, 1865. During the entire time he was in the service he was never reprimanded by an officer, and was offered a commission in a colored regiment at Mem[)his. Tennes- see, but declined, as he did Udt want to leave his comrades. In October, of the same year, we again find Iiim a resident nf Linn county, where he worked by the month one year. In 1867 he bought the farm which he now occupies, it being at that time, however, an eighty- acre tract of luibriiken prairie land in Green- field townshi]), Jones county, which he at once proceeded to place under cultivation. He has added to his landed possessions un- til he now lias three hundred and sixty-five acres of very valuable and productive land, on which he has erected two good houses and three immense Ijarns, together with other outbuildings. He raises Durham cat- tle and Poland China hogs, and also a high grade of horses. He not only feeds all of the grain raised on his own land ti) his stock, but one year was forced to buy ten thousand bushels for the same purpose. At. Anamosa, Iowa, September 16, 186'-'. IMr. Davis married j\Iiss Anis Jones, who was born in Indiana September 2. 1850, and came to Iowa in 1863 with her parents, Thomas and Jane Jones, who were reared and married in Lawrence county, In- diana. The family settled in Jones county, Iowa, where Mr. Jones died in !\Iay, 1880, his remains being interred at \\'alnut Grove. He had nine children, namely : Elmira, wife of Riley Jones, of \\'al! Lake. Calhoun coun- ty, Iowa: Mary, a resident of Doniphan, Nebraska, who first married Juseph Mc- Dowell and second Ephraim Jones; Henry, who married Jane Garnett, now deceased, and resides in Alontezuma, Iowa : Cenith, wife of Amerson Johnson, of Jefferson, Iowa; Anis, wife of our subject; IManford, who married Martha De Walt and lives at Grand Junction, Iowa; }tlillie, wife of John Young, of Laporte City, Iowa ; Amy, who died at the age of twenty- four years; and Delia, wife of P'rank Griflith, of Grand Junc- tion, Iowa. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Davis were born six children, as follows: (i) Thomas U., born Se|)tember 13, 1869, assists his father in the o])eration of the home farm. (2) Harry E., horn Xn\-em])er 14, 1870, in Jones county, was educated in the district schools, and now conducts a part of the old homestead BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 389 farm. He was married, at Climax. Michi- gan, December 19, igoo, to Hattie E. Card, whij was born at that place Decemlier 13, 1871, and is the oldest in a famil}- of four children, her parents being" Daniel \\'. and Rose (Eldred) Card, natives of New York. Harry E. and his wife attend the Reformed church of Lisbon. (3) Lottie Jane, born September 20, 1872, is the wife of Philip ]\Iohn. a farmer of Greenfield township, Jones county, Iowa, and they have two chil- dren, Ora R. and Conrad D. (4) George, born December 20, 1874, married Mina Wes- ton and lives in Greenfield township, Jones county. (5) Ira L., born November 3, 1876, is also a resident of that township on a part of our subject's farm. He married Ida Abel and they have one son, Harold. (6) Ora May, born August 29, 1883, is at home with her father. The mother of these children, who was a most estimable woman,' died Sep- tember 4, 1898, and was laid to rest in the Lisbon cemetery. Religiously Mr. Davis holds membership in the Reformed church, and socially is a member of John A. Buck Post, No. 140, G. A. R., of which he is past commander, and Franklin Lodge, Iowa Legion of Honor, of Lisbon. As a Republican he has always taken an active part in local politics; has filled a number of township offices, includ- ing that of road supervisor and president of the school board ; while serving in that capacity he raised the first flag- on the school house that was ever raised in Greenfield township, and has been the candidate of his party for the legislature. He, was one of the charter members of the Farmers Institute at Lisbon and served as president for two terms. He also bought the first roll of barbed wire that was ever sold in Lisbon, for which he paid seventeen cents per pound. He is one of the most prominent and influ- ential men of his community, and is held in the highest esteem by all who knew him. At a reunion of the Grand Arm)' of the Republic at ^Vashington, D. C, in 1892, he command- ed a platoon as the parade passed down Pennsylvania avenue, in which marched three congressmen. JOSEPH HUNTER. This old and honored resident of ^^'ash- ington township is now li\-ing a retired life on his farm im section 8, about a mile and a half from Center Point, v.'here he has now made his home for forty years. He was l.iorn in the town of INIooers, Clinton county, New York, March 8. 1816, and in early life learned the trade of making broom iron, at which he worked in Schuyler's Falls and Saranac fijr al.)Out thirty years. Mr. Hunter was married, in his native county, February 15, 1844, to Miss Sarah Ann Thomas, and continued his residence there until coming to Linn county, Iowa, in 1862. On his arrival here he purchased the farm which he now occupies, consisting of one hundred and fifty acres, but at that time only two acres had been cleared and the only improvement was a log cabin, into which he and his family moved. He has since erected good and sulistantial buildings upon the place, has put up a wind pump, drawing water from a well which he had to drill one hundred and seventy feet through limestone rock. He has made many other valuable improvements until it is now a most desir- able farm. For the past ten years his son Samuel has operated the farm, while he practically lives retired. 390 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD Mr. Hunter owns a good residence at Center Point, wliere he lived about a year, but after the death of his wife he returned to the farm. She passed away in August, 1894. They were the parents of nine chil- dren, of whom six are still living, namely : Henry is married and lives in ]\It. Vernon ; Permelia is the wife of James ]\Iorris, a farmer of Linn county; Joseph and Alex- ander are also married, and follow farming in this county ; Samuel, who operates the old homestead, married Emma Dennison, a daughter of Jonathan Dennison, an old set- tler and substantial farmer of this county; and Julia is the wife of Thomas Chambers, of Mt. Vernon. Mr. Hunter also has eight- een grandchildren and eight great-grand- children. Since attaining his majority 'Sir. Hunter has never failed to support the Democratic party at each presidential election, and is a believer in Jeffersonian principles. He merits and receives the confidence and re- spect of his fellow citizens, and wherever known he is held in high regard. FRANK O. PITKIN. One of the most popular business men of Cedar Rapids is this well-known druggist, who is now successfully engaged in busi- ness at No. 218 South First street. He was born in Lynn. Massachusetts. ^lay 7, 1863, bis early education Ijeing obtained in the common schools of that state. When a lad of thirteen years he came to Cedar Rapids, and entered the employ of \\'heeler & French, druggists of this city, as an apprentice. Later he was with N. P. Bailey, and sub- sequently was prescriptiou clerk for J. D. Mateer and George C. Haman. For a year and a half he was on the road selling physi- cians' supplies for F. A. Woods & Company, of Cedar Rapids, and was then with C. E. Shomler until he embarked in the drug busi- ness for himself at his present location in 1896. On starting out in life for himself he was witlmut capital, but soon made for himself an enviable reputation in business circles, and to-day enjoys an excellent trade which has been gained l)y fair and honor- able dealing and courteous treatment of hi.s customers. In 1886 Mr. Pitkin married ]\Iiss Mabel Batchelder, who was born at Traer, Iowa, and whose father was formerly a business man of Cedar Rapids, where she was edu- cated. They have two children, Edward F. and Edith M. In his political views ilr. Pitkin is a Republican, and in his social re- lations is a member of Mt. Herman Lodge, No. 263, F. & A. M., Trowel Chapter, No. 49, R. A. M., and the Royal Arcanum. He is also a member of the State Pharmaceutical Associatiou and the Commercial Club of Cedar Rapids : is a stockholder of the Audi- torium and is a supporter of the base ball clubs uf the city. He is public spirited and progressive, and takes an active interest in all enterprises which he believes will advance the welfare of the community or promote the general prosjierity. CHARLES R. JORDAN. There is probably no one in Cedar Rap- ids better known to the traveling public than Charles R. Jordan, now station master at the union depot for the Chicago & N, for some time, and was prominently identi- fied with those interests which he heheved calculated to prove of public benefit. Wher- ever known he is lield in high regard and has a host of friends throughout Linn countv. JOHN LEWIS. The subject of this sketch is one ofthe most enterprising and successful farmers and stock raisers of the western part of the county, and is now operating three hundred and fifty acres constituting a part of the old homestead on section 32, Fayette town- ship. He is a native of this county, born on the Cedar river bottom, Marcli 25. 1858, and is a son of Thomas and ?^Iary ( White) Lewis. The father was born on the 2d of September, i8og, in Greene county. Penn- sylvania, his parents being Levi and Sarah ( Carr(jll ) Lewis, both natives of Maryland. The former, who was born in 1770. came to Iowa in 1839, and died here in 1-853. He was a son of John Lewis, who served under General Washington in the Revolu- tionary war, and was a pioneer of INIary- land. He was of Welsh descent. Thomas Lewis, the father of our sub- ject, was the sixth in order of birth in a 414 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD family of eiglit children. At an early clay he removed to Ohio, and in 1839 came to Linn county, Iowa, with the family, lo- cating on the Cedar river hottoni, where they entered severa:l hundred acres of land, jDurchasing the same when it came into mar- ket. Thomas Lewis owned and operated a tract of four hundred acres, and continued its cultivation until 1890, when he removed ^ Palo, and has since lived a retired life, ■enjoying the fruits of former toil, sur- rounded hy kindred and friends who esteem him highly for his genuine worth. He has been twice married, his first wife being Eliza- beth Davis, who was burn in ^'irg■inia in 1815, and died in Iowa August 10, 1854, leaving four children. Subsequently he wedded Miss Mary W'liite, who was born in Carroll county, Ohio, in 1826, and to them were born six children, namely : Na- than, John, William, Angeline, Thomas C. and Mary E. Jiilm Lewis passed the da\-s of his boy- hood and youth on the home farm, and ac- quired his education in the neighboring schools. He was married at Palo, Septeni- lier 10, 1885, to Miss Sadie Rawson, a na- tive of Clinton county, Iowa, and a daugh- ter of \V. O. Rawson, who is now a resi- *4S>,Mi„_ ALFRED A. OWEXS. r .Alfred A. Owens, one of the best known engineers in the employ of the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Xorthern Railroad, has made his home in Cedar Rapids since the fall of 1882. .\ native of ( )liio, he was born in Clinton county February 28, i860, and is a son of John \V. and Leah (Sabin) Owens. The father, who was a native of Tennessee and a laborer by occupation, en- tered the service of his country at the presi- dent's first call for troops during tiie Civil war, enlisting for ninety days. On the ex- piration of that time he re-enlisted for three years, and when discharged again entered the service, serving in all four years, six months and seven days. Fortunately, how- ever, he was never wounded. In politics he was a Republican. He came to Iowa in 1867 and continued his residence in this state until called to his find r^st, in June, 1899, at the age of sixty-si.x years. His wife, who was born in Ohio in 1836, still survi\-es him and makes her home with her children. She is a most estimable lady and a member of the Protestant Methodist church. Of the twelve children born to them five died in infancy; and John M. died in Cedar Rapids at the age of nineteen years, and Elven at the same place at the age of twenty-four. Those li\-ing are Al- fred A., of this review: Helen, wife of T. M. Cullum. of Bridgeport, Connecticut; Margaret, wife of J. C. Leep, of .\rgentine, Kansas: Ella, a resident of (ilenwood, Iowa: and Flora, wife of .\lbert Matney, of Argentine. Kansas. Thev were all educa- ted in the public schools of this state. The subject of this sketch was but a lad of seven years when he came to Iowa with his parents, and he attended the common schools of I'oweshiek county, where the family located, continuing his studies until nineteen years n{ age. In 1879 and 1880 he taught a country school, and the follow- ing years entered the service of the Burling- ton, Cedar Rapids & Xorthern Railroad as a section hand, being thus employed until October, 1882, when he commenced work in the shops at Cedar Rapids, but in Decem- ber of that year went u])on the road as fire- man. In September. 1 SS his own well-directed efforts. ]\Irs. Stam- baugh passed away April 23, 1901, at the age of eighty years. George \V. Stambaugh was educated in the district schools near his boyhood home, which he attended until twenty year.; of age, and after laying aside his text bo(jks he de- voted his entire time and attention to the operation of the farm until the sunnner of 1886, when he went to Nebraska, and en- gaged in farming in that state for a year. He then returned to the old homestead where the following two years were passed. At Cedar Rapids, December 24, 1889, Mr. Stambaugh married Miss Anebel Sny- der, who was also born in this county, De- cember 10, 1859. Her father, James I. Snyder, was born in Preble county, Ohio, on the 1st of April, 1819, and was married in Goshen, Indiana, August 25, 1844, to Jane Longacre, a native of that state, who was born in Whitewater, October i, 1825. He engaged in farming in Indiana until the fall of 185 1, when he removed with his family to Iowa, and took up his residence in Linn county, buying a farm of two hun- dred and ten acres in Putnam township, which was his home until the fall of 1882. On disposing of that property he removed to Bertram township, where the following seven years were passed. He died on the i6th of May, 1890, and was buried in Bert- ram township. His wife survived him and made her home with Mrs. Stambaugh until her death, which occurred June 7, 1S96. Tiiey were the parents of eleven children, namely: Millie, wife of James H. Rogers, (if Medford, Oklahoma; Hulda G., wife of W. F. Miner, a farmer of College township, this county; Marion, who first married Izora Blain, and second Sarah Blain, and resides on a farm in Bertram township; E. D., who married Eleanor Cunningham and lives in Weston, Iowa; Corydon, who died at the age of nine years; Thomas, who died at tlie age of seven years; Anibel,, wife of our subject; Shirley married Zaidee Blain, of Marion; Chas. Frank, twin brother of Shir- ley, wdio died at the age of eighteen months; Jesse, who wedded Mary Hight and makes his home in Cedar Rapids; and Jackson, who married Grace Brugh and lives on a farm in College township. Mr. and Mrs. Stambaugh have five children whose names and dates of birth are as follows : Erwin G., March 24, 1892; Ira V., March 11, 1894; Elva H., July 14, 1895; and Wilbert and Sylva, twins, July 14, 1897. After his marriage Mr. Stamljaugh ope- rated the J. A. Stambaugh farm for one year, and for six years lived on the Cornish farm a mile and a half southwest of Bert- ram. Since then he lias resided on the old homestead, comprising two hundred and thirty-seven acres on sections 21 and 28, Bertram township, and in its operation he has met with^excellent success. It is under a high state of cultivation and improved with good buildings, including a modern resi- dence, and substantial barns and outbuild- ings. Mr. Stambaugh raises a high grade of cattle and horses for market, and finds this branch of his business quite profitable. Re-. ligiouslv he and his wife attend the I'nited 440 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD Brethren clnircli, of wliicli she is a nieniher and socially is connected witli the Brother- hood of American Yeoman, and tiie Modern \\'oodmen oi .America, in botli of which societies lie has held office. In politics he is a Prohibitionist, and has efificiently served as school direstor in his district. In all of the varied relations of life he has been true to every trust reposed in him, and well merits the high regard in which he is uni- formlv held bv his fellow citizens. WILLARD WILLIAM DURLIX. This well-known railmad man who has been in the employ of the Burlington, Ce- dar Rapids & Xorthern Railroad since com- ing to Cedar Rapids in iS8i, was born on the 20th of April. 1S53, in Aleadville, Crawford county, Pennsylvania, of which county his parents, James W. and Harriet E. (Littlefield) Durlin. were also natives. The town of Aleadville was named for the mother's grandparents, and her Grandmoth- er !Meade v.-as the first white child born in the county. Mrs. Durlin's father and moth- er lived to be ninety-seven and ninety-four years respectively. Our subject's paternal grandmother was connected with the Lee family, to which the famous Confederate general of that name belonged. In early life James A\'. Durlin, the father of our subject, was a pattern maker, drafts- man and engine builder, and he also ran boats on the Erie canal for a time. In 1857 he came to Iowa and took up his residence in Anamosa, Jones county, where he con- ducted a grocery store until the Ci\-il war broke out. In 1861 he enlisted in Company C, Thirtv-first Iowa \'olunteer InfaiUr\-, and remained in the service until Lee's sur- render. Soon after his return home he re- moved to Omaha, Nebraska, where he en- gaged in business as a contractor and builder until 1879. when he commenced teaming across the plains. He died in Huron, South Dakota, in 1899, at the age of seventy- four years, and his wife, who now lives in Cali- fornia, has also reached the age of seventy- four. They were the parents of si.x sons and three daughters, of wh(5m two daugh- ters are now deceased. The others are Eugene, Frank, Willard \\"., Charles. Em- mett and Fred, all railroad engineers with the exception of the youngest, who is a con- ductor; and Mary, the surviving daughter. They were educated in the schools of Coun- cil Bluffs and Creston, Iowa. Tlieir par- ents both received collegiate educations, and their mother taught in a- college for a time. During his boyhood and youth Willard W. Durlin attended the common schools of Anamosa, and remained at home until six- teen years of age, when he began his rail- road career at Council Bluffs as wiper on en- gines of the St. JoseiJi & Council Bluffs Railroad, taking care of engines for two years. For a time he was employed as fire- man and later as brakeman. After spend- ing two years at Ottumwa, Iowa, he re- moved to Creston and found permanent em- ployment, working as fireman on the Bur- lington & Missouri Railroad, now a i)art of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy system. In 1874 he was given an engine, and contin- ued in the employ of that road until coming to Cedar Rapids in 1881, when he entered the service of the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Xorthern Railroad as engineer. He was first given a freight run, but for the past six- teen years has been running specials and pas- senger trains on the northern division of the BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 441 road, being engineer on tlie fast mail and passenger train since 1895, runnig to All)ert Lea, Minnesota, each day. As a railroad man he has been very fortnnate and snccess- fnl, but lias met witli some accidents, his train going tlirougii the bridge at Cedar Falls in 1888, and being wrecked at Water- loo in 1899. At Ottumwa, Iowa, ]\Iay 13, 1872. Mr. Durlin married IMiss Eliza A. Cnrrick. who was born in Bloomfield. Davis county, Iowa, in 1854, and was living in Ottumwa at the time of her marriage. Both her parents are now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Durlin have one daughter, Florence ]\Iae, w ho was grad- uated at the high school, of Cedar Rapids in 1892, and engaged in teaching physical culture for five }-ears. The family are ])rom- inent members of the Universalist Church, of wdiich Mrs. Durlin is one of the otificers, and the daughter is organist. Fraternally j\Ir. Durlin affiliates with the Independent Order of Foresters of America, the Broth- erhood of Locomotive Engineers, and the blue lodge of Masonry. In politics he is in- dependent, but takes a deep and commenda- ble interest in public affairs, and gives his support to every enterprise for the public good. ■*—¥■ • ALEXANDER TORRANCE. The subject of this biography has for many years been prominently identified with the agricultural and industrial interests of Linn township, and is numbered among its most reliable and enterprising business men. He is the owner of a fine farm of one hun- dred antl ninety-seven and a half acres on section 17, and in connection with the cul- tivation of his land he also operates a saw- mill situated upon his place. Prosperity has crowned his well-directetl efforts, and he is now quite well-to-do. Mr. Torrance was born on the 20th of September, 1837, in Fayette county, Penn- sylvania, of which his parents, Cunningham and Margaret (Cunningham) Torrance, were also natives. They were of Scotch- Irish descent. After their marriage they continued their residence in Fayette coun- ty until 1847, which _\-ear witnessed their ar- rival in Linn county, Iowa. Locating in Franklin township, the father took up gov- ernment land on sections 21 and 22. and at once commenced to break the lantl and place it under cultivation. He successfully en- gaged in general farming and stock raising, and became the owner of six hundred acres of rich and arable land, which he afterward divided among his children. He died on the loth of December, 1863, and his wife passed away June 21, 1883, at the age of eighty-fi\-e years. Both were sincere and earnest Christians, holding mendjership in the Presbyterian church, and he was an elder of the same for over thirty years. Originally he was an old-line Whig in poli- lican party he joined its ranks, and con- tinued to vote that ticket throughout life. His fellow citizens had for him the highest regard, and he was called upon to fill some of the local offices, but he i)refered to de- vote his time to his inisiness interests, in which he prospered. Alexander Torrance is the tenth in or- der of birth in a family of eleven children, nine sons and two daughters, of whom one died in infancy unnamed. The others were as follows: James, a farmer of Calhoun countv, Iowa; Sarah, who married Ceorge Smith anil resided in Linn county until after the death of her husband, when she removed to Kansas, where she died }vlarch 4, 1890; 442 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD Hugh, who was engaged in farming in Franklin township, this county, until 1883, when he removed to Calhoun county. Iowa, where he followed the same pursuit until his death in 1900; Alary Ann. who married Kufus Dike and died in Ohio April 14. 1884; Samuel \\'ilson, who served three months in the Civil war and died a numlier of years ago; Aaron B., wlm ilied Septem- ber 16, 1859. at the age of thirty-one years: William S., a retired farmer of Calhoun county, Iowa; John, who resided in Texas iuul Arkansas and died October 15. 1889; and Boyd C, who was a member of Com- pany F, Eleventh Iowa Volunteer Infantry, in the Civil war, and died in the service September 8, 1863. The subject of this sketch was a lad of nine years when he came with his parents to this county, and grew to manhood upon his father's farm, receiving his etlucation in the district schools of the neighborhood. For about three years after starting out in life for himself he worked by the day and ninnth at \-arious occupations, and then lo- cated on a farm in Franklin township, near Mt. Vernon, given him by his father, mak- ing it his home for three years, during which time he devoted his entire attention to agricultural pursuits. In the fall of 1866 he removed to a farm of timber land on section 17, Linn township, on which he has erected a sawmill and' has since operated the same in addition to his farm work, being connected with the Cedar Rapids Wood Working Company, a corporation for the manufacture of furniture. He also car- ried on stock raising, and in all his busi- ness affairs he has steadily prospered, be- coming one of the substantial men of his comnumity. On the 1st of January. 1863, iu Frank- lin township, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Torrence and Miss Henrietta F. Coleman, who was born in Knox county, Ohio. February 5, 1837, and was a daugh- ter of Elisha and Rebecca (Carr) Coleman, also natives of Ohio, and of American and German ancestry. On leaving the Buckeye state in 1851, her family removed to Henry county, Iowa, and in the spring of i860 came to Linn county, locating in Linn town- ship. Later her parents removed to Kan- sas, where her father died November 22, 1879. and her mother passed away in Ne- braska, November 29, 1885. They had nine children, three sons and six daughters. Unto ]Mr. and Mrs. Torrance were born two children, but the older. Edward E., born in Franklin township, died in Linn township at the age of six months. Charles M.. born in Linn township, February 20, 1875, was educated in the common schools, and is now engaged in farming and the sawmill business with his father on the liome place. He is a Republican in politics and a member of Alt. \'ernoii Lotlge, No. 531, I. O. O. F. The mother of these chil- dren died December 4. 1898, loved and re- spected by all who knew her. In early life she united with the Christian Church, l)ut the congregation with which she was con- nected soon afterward dissolved and she and her husband subsequently attended the Presbyterian Church at Paralla. She was a good woman, a devoted wife, a lo\ing mother and a kind, sympathetic and ap- ])reciati\e friend, and her death was widely and deeply mourned. Mr. Torrance has served as secretary of the Farmers' Mutual Insurance Com- pany of Linn township, and also of the Linn County Tornado, Wind and Storm Insur- ance Conipanw He has filled a number of BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 443 local offices, such as justice of the peace, township clerk and secretary of the school board, and has always taken a deep and commendable interest in public affairs. In politics he is an ardent Repul)lican, and he is still serving as township ckrk. Fra- ternally he is a member of Mt. Vernon Lodge, Xo. 112, F. & A. M.. and the Ashler Chapter, Xo. 122, R. A. ]\I., of Mt. Vernon, but formerly was a memlier of Marion Chapter, Xo. 10. He is a man of promi- nence in his community, and has the entire confidence and respect of all with whom he comes in contact either in business or social life. THERLOW JOHNSOX. Therlow Johnson, a well-known and successful agriculturist residing on section 16, Grant township, was horn Octoljer 13, 1 86 1, in Jkledina county, Ohio, and is a son of Joseph and Sarah A. (W'iard) Johnson, both natives of X'ew York state. His ma- ternal grandparents were John and Julia (French) W'iard, who were born in Con- necticut and reared a family of three chil- dren, of whom Mrs. Johnson and one sister are the only ones living at the present time. For some years the parents of our sub- ject resided in Ohio, and at Royalton, that state, the father enlisted September 3, 1864, for one year or during the war, becoming a member of Company H, One Hundred and Seventy-seventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry, under command of Captain Tracy. This regiment became known as Sherman's Whip Lash Corps. In May, 1865, Mr. Johnson returned home on a sick furlough, and on the 24th of June received his discharge papers, which were made out at Greenljoro, North Carolina. In 1868 Joseph P. Johnson brought his- family to Linn county, Iowa, and after spending one year in enter Point, he pur- chased a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Grant township, where our subject now resides witii his mother. The father subseciuently sold forty acres of this tract, but the remaining one hundred and twenty acres are still in the family. He died upon this place, December 8, 1894, at the age of seventy-three years, and was laid to rest in the Walker cemetery. Politically he was a Republican, and at one time held the office of road supervisor. He was an honored member of the G. C. Francis Post, G. A. R., of Walker, in which he served as com- mander and held all the minor offices, while religiously he was an earnest and consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church at that place. He was highly respected and esteemed by all who knew him, and had a large number of friends throughout this county. On the loth of September, 1846, in Ohio, was celebrated the marriage of Jo- seph Johnson and Sarah \\'ard, and they be- came the parents of eight children, name- ly : Fanny B., now a widow residing in Ohio; Mary L., wife of George H. Hudson, of Grant township; William I'., who died in Xebraska in 1886, leaving a widow and two children ; Victor E., at home with his mother; Bradford H., a farmer of Bu- chanan county, Iowa; Lent C, a farmer of Xebraska; Therlow and John C, both at home. Therlow Johnson, whose name intro- duces this review, was educated in the coun- try schools of Grant township, and early acquired a good practical knowledge of agricultural pursuits while assisting his fa- ther in tlie operation of the home farm. 444 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD He never left tlie i)arental njof and since the latter's death he has liad charge of the place which he has success fnlly managed. He is a man of good business ability and scnmd judgment, and is progressive and en- terprising. ♦-•-♦ • SAMUEL GILLILAXD. The subject of this review is one of the A'ery earliest settlers of the state, and is to- day a prominent and highly respected citizen of ^It. Vernon, where he is living a retired life, enjoying a well-earned rest. He was iiorn in Logan county, Ohio, April i6, 1814, a son of Nathan and Jane ( Edmondson) Gilliland, both of whom were natives of \^ir- ginia. In 1810 they removed from Green- briar, that state, to Ohio, where they made their home throughout the remainder of their lives. The father, who was a soldier of the war of 1812. died in 1823 on his forty- seventh birthday, and the mother died in 1835. They were the parents of nine chil- dren, three sons and six daughters, all of whom are now deceased with exception of our subject and his sisters, Nancy Ann, wife of Peter Jacobs, a retired farmer of Tipton, Cedar county, Iowa. Samuel Gilliland spent the first twenty years of his life at the place of his nativity and obtained his literary education in the primitive log school house so common in those days. He then went to Indiana, where he spent two years, and in the fall of 1836 came to Iowa, locating in Cedar county, on the day Martin Van Buren was electeil presi- dent of the United States. For many years he successfully engaged in farming there, and together with his sons still owns two hundred and forty acres of land, whicli he purchased from the goxernnient at one dol- lar and a quarter per acre. In F'ioneer townsh.ip. Cedar ciunty. Mr. Gilliland was married, July 18, 1839, to Miss Martha Comstock, theirs being the first marriage celebrated in the township. She, too, was a native of Ohio and a daughter of Daniel and Elizabeth (Fox) Comstock. Her father was born in Massachusetts, in 1795, and was twelve years of age when he re- moved with his parents from that state to New York. He was one of the defenders of his country in the war of 18 12. At an early day he went to Ohio, and in the spring of 1836 came to Iowa, settling fifteen miles north of Muscatine, where he made his home for three years. He was accompanied by two other families and they were the first to come out from Muscatine with teams. He next located in Pioneer township. Cedar county, where he followed farming until his death, which occurred July 19. 1864. when he was seventy-one years of age. His wife died there at the age of fifty- nine years. They had a family of ten chil- dren, but only three are now living. Prior to his marriage with Elizabeth Fox, Mr. Comstock was married in New York. By this wife he had two daughters — Angeline, who married 'SI. Sterns and Julia, who mar- ried George Lattimer. Mrs. Comstock died prior to Mr. Comstock's emigration west. yir. Comstock took a very prominent part in public afifairs and was called upon to fill man)' local offices, including that of county trustee. He also assisted in the platting of the town of Tipton. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Gilliland were born seven children, namely: (i) Francis Marion, born Ma\- 28, 1840, engaged in farming on the old homestead in Cedar county for a number of years, but is now living retired in Mt. \'ernon. He married Louise Freeman, of Cedar county, a daughter of Walter Free- BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 445 man. a native of Ohio, -who settled in Sugar Creek township. Cedar county, in 1836, and followed the miller's trade throughout the greater part of his life. In 1852 he went to the Pacific coast and died in Oregon, at the extreme old age of ninety-three years. His wife died in 1842 when Mrs. Gilliland was only nine months old. Mr. and Mrs. F. M. GiTliland had three children, all borti in Cedar county, namely : Dollie. deceased ; Harry C. ; and Don \\'., deceased. (2) Nathan, born December 3, 1842, enlisted September 23, 1861, at the age of nineteen years, in Company A, Thirteenth Iowa In- fantry, and was mustered into the United States service on the i8th of October, fol- lowing. While at \'icksburg he re-enlisted January 4, 1864, as a veteran and was made corporal of his company. He participated in the battle of Shiloh, the siege of Corinth, and the engagements at Bolivar. luka. Holly Springs, Vicksburg, Monroe. Jackson, Meridian and Atlanta. He was wounded in a charge on the works at Xickajack creek. July 5, 1864, and was again wounded nn the 2ist of the same month, and died a few 'hours later, his remains being interred at Marietta, Georgia. (3) Julia A., born January 16, 1844, died in 1864. (4) Eliza- beth, liorn November 18, 1850, died at the age of fourteen years, five months and eleven days. (5) Mary, born November 5, 1852, died January 23, 1865. (6) Daniel C, born June 27, 185s, is engaged in the agricultural implement business in Mechanicsville, Iowa. He married Florence Brogan, and they have three children, Maude, Ethel and Haven. (7) William M., born November 29. t86i, married Annie \\'areham and died in Tokdo. Ohio, November 10, 1886. The mother of these children departed this life May 31, 1865. She was a devoted wife and loving mother, and a consistent member of the [Methodist church. For his second wife Mr. Gilliland mar- ried Mrs. Abigail Puffer, a younger sister of his first wife and the widow of Charles Puffer, who was born near Keene, New Hampshire, and lived there until twenty- three years of age, when he removed to Cedar county, Iowa. There he was united in marriage with Miss Abigail Comstock, June 13, 1847, and was successfully engaged in farming and stock raising in that county until called to his final rest February 15, 1863, at the age of forty-three years. He was a prosperous man and bad the respect and confidence of all who knew him as he was upright and honorable in all his dealings. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Puffer were born the following children : ( 1 ) Autliernial G. W'., born in 1848, followed farming on the old homestead in Cedar county, where he died at the age of forty-seven years. He mar- ried Amanda Boyles, and they had three children, Ray, Mabel and Everett. (2) Levi died in infancy. (3) Priscilla H. is the wife of William Bassett, a farmer of Bloom- field, Davis county, Iowa, and they have four children, Frank, Ora, Austin and Guy. (4) Daniel married Laura Boland, and is successfully engaged in farnnng in Mercer comity, Missouri, wliere he owns seven hun- dred acres of land. (5) Jemima died at the age of fifteen years. (6) IMary is the wife of George Keister. an architect of New ^'^rk citv. and they have one child, (ieorge. ( Nathan, a farmer of Bloomfield, Davis county, Iowa, married ]\Iary Hutchinsm. and thev have three chiklren. Lottie. Lola and Dorcas A. (8) Charles A., a farmer of Mercer county. Missouri, married Dora \'an Zent. and they have two children, Helen and a Ijov. 446 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD When ]\lr. Gilliland first came to Iowa the state was all wild prairie, but few settle- ments having previously been made. Cedar county was not surveyed until the year after he located there, at which time the boundar- ies were fixed. He has watched with in- terest the development of this section of the state; has seen towns and cities spring up; and the wild lands transformed into rich and productive farms. In the work of advance- ment and progress he has ever borne his part, and deserves a prominent place in the history of the honored pioneers and repre- sentative citizens oi his adopted state. While a resident of Cedar county, he served as supervisor for four years, was constable two years, and judge of election five years. After following farming and stock raising in Pio- neer township, that county, for over thirty years, he removed to Mt. Vernon, Linn county, on the 21st of March, 1867, and has since made this place his home. He has a pleasant residence on Second avenue. For some years he clerked in a store, was city marshal two years, and street commissioner three years. In his political views he is a Republican. In 1845 he united with the IMethodist church, and is still a faithful and consistent member of that body. He re- ceives and merits the high regard of the en- tire community, and he has a host of warm friends throughout both Cedar and Linn counties. CAPTAIN JAMES M. SEARLES. For over a third of a century this gentle- man has been one of the most energetic and progressive business men of Cedar Rapids, and is now at tlie head of tlie marbl.e trade in that city, lie is proud to claim Iowa as his native state, his birth having occurred in Johnson county, June 5, 1844, before its admission to the Union. He is one of the three children born to Isaac and Phoebe- (Hamilton) Searles, both of whom were natives of Connecticut, where they were married about 1838. In 1842 the fatlier came to Iowa as a circuit rider in the Metho- dist Episcopal church, and preached on the banks of the river at Cedar Rapids to the passengers on a steamboat from St. Louis, each of whom had been offered a lot as an inducement to settle here and help start the town. About 1846 he removed to W'iscon- sin, though he returned to this state on visits at various times. He probably remained longer in Aladison, Wisconsin, than any other place, serving as presiding elder there for eight years. He was one of the most prominent of the early ministers in both Iowa and Wisconsin. He died in 1870, at the age of fifty-six years. He was twice married, his first wife, Phoebe Hamilton, having died at the birth of our subject in 1S44. Her other children were William H. and Charles A., both of whom were sol- diers of the Civil war. The former served as assistant surgeon during the latter part of the war. Charles A. enlisted as a private in Company G, First Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and later was promoted to second and then to first lieutenant of the same company. He was detailed as adjutant-gen- eral of his brigade on the staff of General John C. Starkweather, and had been rec- ommended for promotion to the captaincy of his company at the time he was killed at Chickamauga, September 19, 1863, at the age of twenty-one years. The early life of James M. Searles was passed in Wisconsin until fourteen years of age, when he left home and entered upon. CAPT. J. M. SEARLES. BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 449 an apprenticeship at Fox Lake, Wisconsin, to the marble cutter's trade, which n-as com- pleted in 1861. The Civil war having broken out, he enlisted as a private in Com- pany C, Twenty-first Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, but at Chattanooga he was com- missioned second lieutenant of Company A, Thirty-eighth Wisconsin Infantry, when only eighteen years of age. He was pro- moted to first lieutenant while in front of Petersburg, and at the same place was made captain of his company on the reorganiza- tion of his regiment, which was a part nf the Fourteenth Army Corps. He was only twenty years old when commissioned cap- tain. For six months he acted as c^uarter- master of his regiment, and was officer in charge on picket line when Alexander Stev- ens, the Confederate peace commission, met the Union officers to negotiate for peace^ and was later present at the surrender of General Lee. Captain Searles and his com- mand took part in a number of important engagements, including the battles of Perry- ville. Stone River, Dug Gap, Chickamauga andMissionary Ridge. Thirty days after receiving his discharge from the army at the close of the war. Cap- tain Searles came to Cedar Rapids, where he has since successfully engaged in the marble or monument business. He carried on that enterprise alone until 1872, when he formed a partnership with John O. Bax- ter, who had been his fellow apprentice when learning his trade and later his army com- rade, having enlisted at the same time in the same regiment at its formation. This conec- tion has since continued to their mutual pleasure and profit, and they now enjoy an excellent trade and give employment to twelve men all the year round. Their place of business is at Xo. 317 Third avenue. The 22 Capain is one of the oldest and most success- ful marble men of Iowa, having done a large amount of work throughout this state, Wis- consin and Minnesota, and on the organiza- tion of the State Marble Dealers Association he was elected its first president. On the 18th of November, 1865, at Mad- ison, Wisconsin, Captain Searles mar- ried ]\Iiss Nettie E. Rhodes, a daughter of Lodowick and Lucinda (Piper) Rhodes, who were natives of New Y;ork and New Hampshire, respectively, and about 1842 removed to Illinois locating near Chicago. From there they went to Wisconsin, where they made their home until their deaths. In their family were eleven children, of whom eight are still living. Unto the Cap- tain and his wife were born four children, namely: Maud A., deceased wife of Charles E. Grosjean ; Nettie ^lay, who holds a gov- ernment position as inspector of meats for exportation in the agricultural department at Milwaukee; Charles J., wha is manager of the branch house of the T. M. Sinclair Packing Company at Des IMoines, Iowa ; and Hazel I., who is attending school in Cedar Rapids. The home of the family is at No. 1002 Fourth avenue. Politically Mr. Searles is a stanch sup- porter of the Republican party, and frater- nally is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, the Loyal Legion and the Knights of Honor at Cedar Rapids, at pres- ent serving as dictator in the last named so- ciety, while religiously he and his wife both hold membership in the Second Presbyterian church. His long residence in Cedar Rapids has numbered him among its valued citizens who have been devoted to the public wel- fare and wlio have manifested the same loy- alty in days of peace as in time of war, and by all who know him he is held in the high- 45° BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD est regard. He has always taken a com- mendable interest in public affairs, and for two terms, from 1882 until 1886, he effi- ciently represented the fourth ward in the citv council. WILLIAM BUCHAXAX. \\'illiani Buchanan, deceased, through the long years of his identification with Cedar Rapids, enjoyed the highest respect of his fellow townsmen by reason of his strict integrity and sterling worth. His devotion to the welfare of his adopted city made him a valued factor in public life, and by his death Cedar Rapids was deprived of one of her best citizens. A native of Scotland, Mr. Buchanan was born in Bak'ron, near Glasgow, Janu- ary 29. 1 83 1, and acquired his literary ed-> ucation in the schools of that country. He came to America w'hen a young man, in 1859, and took up his residence in Cedar Rapids, with whose commercial interests he was identified for many years. His early advantages from a financial standpoint were limited, and what he accumulated of . this world's goods was due to close atten- tion to business, good executive ability and sound judgment. In early manhood Mr. Buchanan mar- ried Miss Jane Thompson, a daughter of Captain R. J. Thompson. She died leaving one son, William, who is now living in Scotland. Mr. Buchanan had three broth- ers, who still survive him, these Ijeing John. Thomas and George. The last named is now a well-to-do farmer of this county. July 14. 1885, our subject was again mar- ried, his second union being with Miss Mary Anderson, who was born in Madison, Indi- ana. December 2'j. 1S48, and in i860 re- mo\ed to Washington county. Iowa, with her parents, John L. and Ellen ( McClena- han) Anderson. There the father improved a farm and successfully engaged in agricult- ural pursuits until his death, which occurred in 1876. The mother died July 19. 1891, in Cedar Rapids. Mrs. Buchanan's early education was obtained in the common schools of Washington county, but later she took an elective course at the State L'ni- \ersity at Iowa City. On leaving that in- stitution she accepted a position as teacher in the public schools of Cedar Rapids, where she taught until her marriage. For sev- eral years she was principal of the \'an Buren School, and became quite prominent in educational matters. She has always taken an active part in literary circles as well as in social affairs, and devotes a large portion of her time to church, charitable and philanthropic work. She is one of the lead- ing members of the United Presbyterian church and its ladies' societies, as well as the Young Woman's Christian Association. For a time she was also a member of the official board of the Home for the Friend- less and is noted for her charitable and be- ne\'olent spirit. On his arrival in Cedar Rapids, Mr. Buchanan began teaching in the schools of the county, after which he was connected with the Chicago & Xorthwestern Railway as auditor, and later was connected with the Hannibal & Keokuk Railroad. From the incorporation of the Cedar Rapids \\'ater Company until his death !Mr. Buchanan was treasurer of the same, and for many years was also assistant treasurer of Coe College. He was also an extensive owner of real estate, much of which he improved, laying out a number of addi- BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 4SI tions ti.) the citv with which his name is connected. A meniljer of tlie United Pres- Ijyterian church, he took an acti\'e interest in its work, and was a member of tlie buikl- ing- committee for tiie present liouse of worship. He was connected with a num- ber of philanthropic enterprises, and labored untiringlv for their maintenance. The Re- j)ublican partv always found in him a stanch supporter of its principles, and he was a recognized leader in public affairs, representing the fifth Iowa district on the Republican state central committee for sev- eral years. He was ever faithful to his duties of citizenship, and by the success- ful conduct oi his business interests not only promoted his individual success but also advanced the general prosperity. He was widely and favorably known and his career was such as to merit the confidence and trust so freely accorded him. L. B. KRAJMER. L. B. Kramer, who owns and operates a good farm on section 22, Bertram town- ship, is one of Linn county's native sons, born February 22. 1S41. and is a worthy representative of one of her honored pio- neer families. His father, Louis A. Kra- mer, was born in Greene county, Pennsylva- nia, on the 7th of December, 181 2, and was married in Fayette county, that state. Sep- tember 31. 1834, to Rel)ecca Varner, a na- tive of Virginia. In 1837 they removed to Ohio, and two years later came U> Iowa, lo- cating in Marion township, Linn county. This state was then a territory, and was in- habitated mainly by Indians, who were quite Iriendlv to Mr. Kramer. He would allow them to camp on his land, and they often came to the house and slept on the floor. Deer and other wild game was also plenti- ful at that time and furnished many a meal for the early settlers. When Mr. Kramer first located here there was only one log house in the county, which was built by a Mr. Hahn. The Kramer family lived in true pioneer style, while the father, with the assistance of his sons, cleared, broke and improved his farm. He died Sep- tember 18, 1896, at the age of eighty-three years, and his wife passed away March 12, 1887. at the age of sixty-nine years, eight months and twelve days. In the family of this W(.irthy couple were ten children, of whom two died in infancy, the others being as follows : William An- drew, the oldest, married Elizabeth Bell, now deceased, and resides in Cedar Rapids ; Ann Elizabeth is the widow of John Hig- gins and lives north of Marion; L. B., our subject, is next in order of birth; Rachel M. is the widow of William Garnett and re- sides in Montezuma, Iowa ; Scott married Elizabeth Wildnian and makes his home on a farm in Linn Grove ; Zachariah Taylor married Haley Todd and l.ives near Waverly, Iowa : Margaret E. is the wife of John Mil- ler (}f Avery, Oklahoma; and Edward H. married Catherine Harkness and resides at Paris, north of Marion, Iowa. During his boyhood L. B. Kramer aided in the work of the farm and pursued his studies in the district schools of Limi Grove until eighteen years of age, after which he devoted his entire time and energies to ag- ricultural pursuits. A month before he at- tained his majority, he was married in Ber- trant township, January 19. 1862, to Miss Margaret Paul, who was born in (ireene county, I'ennsylvania, September 29, 1841, 452 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD and is a daughter of Jonatlian and Dorcas (Wilson) Paul, also natives of that county, the former born at Davistown, October 24, 1817, the latter September 26. 1817. Her parents were married Decemlier 20, 1840, and in the spring of 1S43 came west to Linn county. Iowa, locating on a farm in Linn Grove, now known as the Jake Mc- Shane farm. After residing there four years they sold out and remo\ed to Dubuque county, Iowa, where Mr. Paul owned and operated a farm for nine years. At the end of that time he returned to this county and purchased two hundred and forty acres on section 22, Bertram township, to whidi he subsequently added. He made the jour- ney to this state from Pennsylvania by the river route, and landed at ]\Iuscatine in lim- ited circumstances, his property consisting of one horse, a set of harness, a half interest in a wagon, a few household goods, and twenty-five dollars in money. Loading his wagons with provisions at Muscatine, he started overland for Linn C(umty. and en- countered many difficulties on the journey, as all streams had to be forded and there were but few roads. He first located on a squatter's claim, but as time advanced he prospered in business, and became extensive- ly interested in breeding, feeding, buying and selling cattle. He was widely known as a stock buyer and an excellent judge of cattle. He continued that business until 1890, when failing health compelled his re- tirement, arid he was succeeded by his son, J. T. Paul. Politically he was a life-long Democrat, believing the principles of that party to be for the best interests of the people. Although not a member of any church or religious society, he was a firm believer in the brotherhood of man and the fatherhood of God. He was temperate and a man of strict integrity, and had the con- fidence and respect of all who knew him. He died January 12, 1901. Of his seven children !Mrs. Kramer is the oldest; Will- iam S., the second in order of birth, mar- ried Susan Campbell and resides in Lake City, Calhoun county, Iowa; George mar- ried Anna Ford and lives on a farm near Springville. this county ; Wilson married Lair Derr, now deceased, and also resides near Springville; Rachel ]\I. is the wife of Preston Dean, a farmer near Bertram town- ship; Alexander H. lives on the old honie- stead farm in this county; and Jonathan T. married Susan Daniels, and also lives on the home farm. Mr. and Mrs. Kramer became the par- ents of the following children : Andrew J., born November 16, 1862, died January 13,. 1887; Dorcas E., born May 31, 1864, was married April 5, 1889, and died April 12. 1890, leaving one child. Ethel K. ; Rebecca J., born December 12, 1865, was married September 24, 1884, to John H. Berry, of Johnson county. Iowa, and they have three children, Charles K.. Robert and Mary M. ; Abraham L., born ]\Iarch 19, 1868, died February 15, 1893; George L., born April 13, 1870, assi.sts his father in the manage- ment of the farm; Anna E., born November 4, 1872, died March i, 1898; and Isaac L., born March 18, 1876, Robert C, born June 21, 1878, Rachel M., born June 27, 1880, and Alexander H., born January 24. 1S83, are all at home. Fur a year after his marriage Mr. Kramer rented a farm belonging to his fa- ther-in-law, and then, after living on his father's farm for a year, he returr.ed to a farm owned by his father-in-law, consisting- of forty acres, which was gi\en the young- Cduple by Mr. Paul. Our subject has since BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 453 fallen heir to an adjoinino^ eighty-acre tract and he has a well impro\-ed and highly culti- vated farm of one hundred and twenty acres heir to an adjoining eighty-acre tract and his has a well improved and highly culti- vated farm of one hundred and twenty acre^ on section 22, Bertram township, on which he has built a good house and barn. He is also engaged in the raising of stock. In poli- tics he is a Republican, and in religious be- lief is a Methodist, and he is a man who commands the respect and esteem of all with whom he comes in ci-mtact either in business or social life. CHARLES KREISCHER. Charles Kreischer. a practical and up- .to-date farmer living on section 36, Put- nam township, is one of Linn countj-'s na- tive sons, his birth having occurred in Put- nam township, August 31, 1862. His fa- ther, Jacob Kreischer, was a native of Prussia, Germany, and in 1850 came to America. He was married in Iowa City, Iowa, in 1850, to Catherine Baker, who was born in the Rhine Province of Germany, and came to the new world in the same year as her husband. He purchased a farm in Putnam township, uixin which he made his home until death. He died February 6, 1892, and was laid to rest in Solon cem- etery. His parents, Jacob A. and Elizabeth (Leibs) Kreischer, spent their entire lives in Prussia. His widow is still living on the ■old homestead in Putnam township. She is the oldest in a family of three children. Her sister Barbara came to the Lhiited States, but died shortly after her arrival. When the father first purchased his first land in this county it was covered with a Jieavy growth of timlier. which had to be cleared away before the land could be culti- vated. In those early days there were often weeks at a time in which he saw no one but Indians, who were camping near liis h(jme. The woods abounded in wild game of all kinds, and he killed a number of deer, \-enison being his chief meat during the winter. Wolves were also numerous and were a great source of trouble to the early settlers. There was little money in circula- tion at that time, and farm produce was exchanged for the necessities of life after being hauled to Muscatine, which was then the nearest market place. Eggs were often sold as cheap as two dozen for five cents, but during the Civil war prices went up, and eggs brought forty cents per dozen, while coffee was worth sixty cents per pound and calico fifty cents per yard. The early settlers did all farm work with oxen and drove to church behind two yoke of cattle. There was iio improved farm ma- chinery such as is seen at the present day; corn was dropped by hand ; grain cut with a cradle and bound by hand. Charles Kreischer is the youngest in a family of five children, the others being as follows : Jacob wedded ]\Iary L^mbenden- stock and resides in Big Grove township, Jt)hnson county, Iowa; Mary is the wife of John See, living on a farm near Norway. Iowa; Lizzie married August Blittersdorf and died in Solon, Iowa, in 1892; and Caro- line is the wife of Lewis Maybower, living near Lisbon, this county. During his boyhood and youth Charles Kreischer attended the district schools in winter until seventeen years of age, and worked on the home farm djn"ing the re- mainder of the year. At the age of twenty- two he rented his father's farm of two hun- dred acres on section 36, Putnam township. 454 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD and to it he has since added a tract of forty- seven acres, which he lias placed under ex- cehent cultivation, so that he now has one of the best farms in that locality. He has a good residence, and has built a large barn and numerous cattle sheds. He has given considerable attention to the raising of stock, making a specialty of Shorthorn and later of Hereford cattle. He also raises thoroughbred Poland China hogs, and a high grade of horses. He not only feeds all the grain from his own farm to his stock but is compelled to buy more, believing stock raising to be the most profitable branch of farming. As he has made a thorough study of his chosen occupation he is meeting with well-deserved success in his labors. In his political views he is a Republican. At Cedar Rapids, March 2, 1886, Mr. Kreischer married Miss Anna Zenisheck. who was born April 25. 1866. Her parents, George and ]\Iary (Smith) Zenisheck, are natives of Austria, and in early life came to America about 1855. their marriage being celebrated in Ljwa City, Iowa. Mrs. Kreischer is the oldest of their eiglit chil- dren, the others being Lizzie, wife of Jo- seph Kolba, of Solon, Iowa; Emma, wife of Tony Schervenka, of Cedar Rapids; Rosie, wife of Bert Umbdenstock, of John- son county, Iowa; Amelia, wife nf Frank Myer, of Solon; Mary, wife of Jcjseph Henick, of ]\It. \'ernon; George, who died at the age of two years ; and Frank, who died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Kreischer have one son, Edward W'.. born January 14, 1887. ♦-•-♦ C. H. RAXCK. C. H. Ranck, now serving as coroner of Linn county, has spent almost his entire life in Cedar Rapids. He was born near Mt. Carmll. Carroll county. Illinois, De- cemjjer 19. 1S60. and is a son of S. L. and Elizabeth (Hollinger) Ranck, natives of Pennsylvania. The Ranck family is of German origin, and was founded in Amer- ica at quite an early day in the history of this country. Our subject's parental grand father spent his entire active life in the Key- stone state, and died when his son, S. L., was but a small boy. There the latter learned the grocerj- business by clerking irt a store, and also engaged in teaching in early life, after which he engaged in busi- ness for himself. In 1862 he removed to Carroll county, Illinois, and purchased a farm near ]\It. Carroll, where he engaged in agricultural pursuits for a few years, but subse(|uently he moved to Mt. Carroll and purchased a livery and bus line, which he conducted for many years. He also owned and ran the first omnibus in the northern part of the state. In 1870 he came to Cedar Rapids and embarked in the livery business at this place, successfully carrying on the same until 1885, since which time he has li\eil retired from active labor. He is now eighty years of age and continues to make his home in Cedar Rapids. His wife died in 1884. at the age of fifty-six years. Unto them were born nine children, of whom five sons and two daughters are still living, namely: Emma, wife of Benjamin Carter, an engineer on the Xorthern Pa- cific Railroad and a resident of Minneapolis; William, who is his father's successor in the livery business in Cedar Rapids; J. E., who is engaged in the same business in Cedar Rapids ; Albert, who is running a hack line in the same city; C. H., the subject of this sketch ; Irvin, who has been in the employ of tlie go\ernnient as mail carrier for about sixteen years; and Cora, widow of Frank BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 455 Holden, who was accidentally killed by the cars in the south. She is now keeping house for her father. C. H. Ranck was a lad of eight years when he accompanied his parents on their removal to Cedar Rapids, and he is indebted to the public schools of this city for his ed- ucational advantages. When a mere boy he began his business career, conducting a small confectioner)- and fruit stand, antl has since been engaged in various (ither lines of business. In 1887 he established a liv- ery stable, and in connection with that busi- ness he has engaged in undertaking since 1892, having taken a course at Clark's School of Embalming at Dubuque, from which institution he and his wife Iiave Ijoth obtained diplomas, and in iSijiS they passed the required examination and recei\-ed di- plomas from the state board of health at the second examinatinn held in Iowa. His undertaking rooms are at T)2J Second av- enue, where he has carried on the leading business of the city and only stable on the West Side. _ On the i6th of June, 1886, ^Ir. Ranck was united in marriage with Miss Xellie Tetters, of Marion, Iowa, a daughter of Moses Tetters, who was one of the nld set- tlers of Linn county. They have two chil- dren : Edith and Roy, who are now attend- ing the public schools of Cedar Rapids. For sixteen years Mr. Ranck has been an active member of the Knights of Pythias, and he also belongs to the Modsrn Wood- men of America, the Knights of Koran, the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Fraternal Aid. In politics he is a stalwart Republican, and was formerly a member of the county central committee. In the fall of 1897 he was elected coroner of Linn county, and so creditably and satisfactorily did he fill the office that he was re-elected in 1899, and is the present incumbent. REV. A. K. BAIRD. Among those who ha\'e de\oted their lives to the work of the ministr}' is A. K. Baird, who was pastor of the Presbyterian Church at Mt. Vernon for some years, and is now living retired at that place. He was born in Ayrshire. Scotland. Januar}- i, 1839, and is a son of Thomas and Mar- garet (Canady) Baird, who spent their en- tire lives in that country. Of their nine children only two came to America, those being our subject and his sister Margaret, wife of John Murdock. They reside in Asheville, North Carolina, where she died January 29, 1901. His oldest brother, James, and his youngest brother, Eljen, to- gether with a sister, Isabella, wife of Robert Cunningham, reside in London, England, and the others all died in Scotland. The family all engaged in the draper business. During his boyhood and youth ^Ir. Baird attended the public schools of his na- tive land and the Glasgow University. In 1858 he emigrated to Canada, and was a student in the Provincial University for two years, and the Presbyterian Theolog- ical Seminary for three years. He then en- gaged in teaching school in Canada until coming to Iowa in 1865, and for three taught at Clarence, Cedar county. .\t the end of that time he entered the ministry and was called to the church at Wyoming, Jones county, Iowa. In 1875 he was elected su- perintendent of missif)ns for the state, and 456 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD Jevoted his attention to that work for seven years, after which he was made superin- tendent of missions in Minnesota. In the fall of 1883 Mr. Baird came to Mt. \"ernon as pastor of the Presljyterian Church at this place. In 1885 he was su- perintendent of missions in New England, Init in the fall of that year he returned to I\It. Vernon, where he remained for three years. The following year he had charge of the mission work in Montana, but in the fall of 1888 we again find him installed as pastor of the church at Mt. Vernon. Having lost his voice in 1890, he went to Europe and spent one year in travel. After his return to this country he was pastor of the Presl>yterian Church at Wichita Falls, Texas, in 1892 and 1893, ^"'i i" 1^94 ^gain went to ^Montana as superintendent of mis- sions, remaining there until October, 1900, when he returned to ^It. \'ernon, Iowa, and is now living retired. At Whitley, Canada, Mr. Baird married Miss Elizabeth Chisholm. a native of Scot- land, who died in 1890. By that union were born two children : Margaret is now the wife of H. N. Fordham, of Wyoming, Jones county, Iowa, and they have one child, Baird. Thomas J., a physician of Victor, Montana, was married in 1890 to Olive Ash, wlio died on the 26th of July, that year, and in March, 1894, he wedded Sadie Barnhill. of Wyoming, Iowa, by whom he has two children, Kennedy and Elizabeth. Mr. Baird was again married at Mt. \'crnon, January 25, 1893, his second union Ijcing with Miss Jane Ash. who was born in Linn county, February 17, 1848, and is a daughter of Reuben Ash, a promi- nent pioneer of this county, who is repre- sented on aniither page of this volume. Mr. Baird is a man of thoughtful, earnest i)ur- pose, of strong intellectual endowments, of broad charity and kindly nature, and is held in the highest regard by all who know him. Both he and his wife are widely known and have manv warm friends throughout Linn countv. JOHN S. LOVE. A. M., ^I. D. For forty-three years this gentleman has successfuly engaged in the practice of medi- cine and surgery at Springville, Iowa, and is one of the honored and highly respected citizens of that place. He was born in Hunt- ingdon county, Pennsylvania, ]\Iay 19, 1831, a son of John Love, who was also a native of that state. He received his primary edu- cation in the common schools near his boy- hood home, and later attended Tuscarora Academy and JefTerson College, receix'ing the degree of A. B. from the latter institu- tion on his graduation in 1850, and A. M., in 1854. In 1850 the Doctor went to Harper's Ferry, Virginia, to take charge of Oak- dell Academy on the Potomac river, near that place, and remained there one year. He then returned to Pennsylvania, and had charge of the Montview Academy for a year and a half. At the end of that time he went to Philadelphia and completed a course at Jefferson Medical College, where he was graduated March 8, 1856, with the degree of M. D. He was first engaged in practice at Snow Shoe, Pennsylvania, for two years. On the 9th of December, 1858, Dr. Love arrived in Springville, Iowa, and has made his home here ever since. He soon built up a good practice, which extended over a large tiTritory. In \-isiting lu's patients he rode litirscback exclusivelv the first vears. and BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 459 for some years continued to make most of his professional calls in that way as there were very few good roads in this part of the county at that time. For several years he was the only physician at Springville, and his practice has always been as large as he could conveniently attend to. A man of pro- gressive ideas he has always kept posted on the latest theories and disci n-eries made in the science of medicine and surgery, and has taken several ijostgraduate courses, spending three winters at the Jefferson Med- ical College at Philadelphia, and a part of two at the P>ellevue Hospital ^ledical Col- lege and the College of Physicians and Sur- geons in New York City. He is acknowl- •edged to be one of the best and most suc- cessful physicians in this part of the state. He is a member of the Iowa Union Medical Society, Iowa State Medical Society, and American Medical Association. Dr. Love was married in Linn county, September 28, 1865, to Miss Alice Stone, a daughter of Joshua D. Stone, who came to this county from New York at an early day. She was born and reared here, and was edu- cated at Cornell College. She died June 22, 1872, and was laid to rest in Springville cemetery. The Doctor has not only met with suc- cess professionally but has also prospered financially during his residence in Spring- ville, and has built and stil.l owns six good residences in the village, besides a fine farm of one hundred and sixty. acres. He is a man of good business ability and practical sound common sense. During his vacations he has made a number of trips to the Pacific slope, and has also visited the east several times. Socially he is a member of Spring- ville Lodge, No. 139, A. F. & A. M.. and Marion Chapter, No. 10, R. A. M. At one time be was also connected with Patmos Commandery, No. 27, K. T., of Marion, but is now dimitted. Although not a mem- ber of any religious denomination he at- tends the Presbyterian church and gives to its support, having been reared in that faith. There is probably no man in this part of the county more widely known or universally respected than Dr. Love. HON. ROBERT SMYTH. Among the Covenanters of Scotland who fied to the north of Ireland at the time of the persecution was the Smyth family from which the subject of this sketch was descend- ed. He was born near Londonderry, in County Tyrone, Ireland, February 26, 18 14, his jiarents being Jeremiah and Nancy (Mc- Elhenny) Smyth, farming people. The fam- ily on the mother's side were also Covenant- ers and were driven out of Scotland. Roljert Smyth was reared on a farm, re- ceiving an ordinary common-school educa- tion. At the age of twenty he came to this country, and was employed for six years as a clerk in Bedford county, Pennsylwinia. On resigning that position March 4, 1S40, he started for the territory of Iowa. The journey was made by stage from Hollidays- burg to Pittsburg, thence by steamer to St. Louis, and up the Mississippi to Blooming- ton, now Aluscatine, Iowa, whence he came to Linn county on foot. For alx)ut four months he made his home with Mr. Craig, who was also from Ireland, and during that time he bought a farm near that gentleman's place, on what is now section 8, Franklin township. A log house had previously been built upon the place and eight acres of the 460 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD land had been broken. The first year Mr. Smyth planted a crop of wheat, potatoes and corn. In July, 1840, he was joined by his sister and brother-in-law, Air. and Mrs. Robert Alexander, who owned a half inter- est in the' farm, and with them he resided for two years. His parents crossed the Atlantic in June, 1842, accompanied by six daughters and their son James, and the family also lo- cated in Linn county. William, anmher son, had previously settled here, and John, the oldest son, after residing in Philadelphia for some time, removed to this county with his family in 1861. After establishing his parents in a comfortable home mir sub- ject went to live with them. The land in this region was not surve}-ed for some time after he located here, and when it came into market in 1S43. 'le \vas detailed as a bidder for all the land in Franklin township. His father had entered the northwest quarter of section 8, which he divided among his chil- dren, Robert securing forty acres of this. Their nearest markets at that time were Muscatine and Dubuc|ue, and for several years Mr. Smyth floated his farm produce down the ^Mississippi river on flatboats. as he could obtain a nnicli better ]irice for his grain in St. Louis. For two years he did all his farm with o.xen, excej)! plowing corn, and he also hauled his grain to Muscatine with them. Mr. Smyth made his home with his par- ents until he was married, July 2, 1846, to Miss Alargaret Moffitt, of Cedar county, Iowa, who was also born in County Tyrone, Ireland, in 1826, and was fourteen years of age when she came to the United States with her parents, William and Bessie (Arm- strong) Moffitt. Coming direct to Iowa, the family located at Mason's Grove, now Cass townshii). Cedar county, where Mr. and Mrs. Moffitt spent the remainder of their lives. Of the eight children born to our subject and his wife, four died in infancy, wliile the others are as follows: (i) John J., b ira in Marion. Iowa, in 1857. was principally educated in the public schools of this county, but attended Cornell College a short time. He is now engaged in general farming and stock raising on the old homestead farm on section 8, Franklin township\ In religious faith he is a Presbyterian. He was married in 1879 at Mt. Vernon, to Miss Ella W. Warren, who was born in Franklin town- ship, her parents, William and Rosina (Neal) Warren, bein early settlers of this county. Her father was a carpenter In- trade. During the Civil war he enlisted in the Thirteenth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and died in the service at Vicksburg when about forty-five years of age. Unto John J. Smyth and wife were born four children: Helen, Anna and Robert, all living: and Warren, deceased. (2) \\'illiam A. is a re- tired farmer now residing in Mt. \'ernon. (3) Elizalieth was educated in the public schools of Marion and at Cornell College, and resides with her mother at their pleas- ant home in Mt. \'ernon. (4) Anna is the widow of Samuel E. Holden, wlio died in Xapa City, California, December 31. 1900. leaving three children, Robert S.. Harold E. and Philip S. Mrs. Holden taught for several terms in the public schools of Cedar Rapids and stood very high in her profes- sion, and was also preceptress of Napa Col- lege. Mr. and Mrs. Smyth began their do- mestic life in a log house which he erected prior to his marriage on the site of his son John's present home. His wife was to him a true Iielpmate, and to her encourage- BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 461 meiit and support lie owed not a little of his success. From 1852 to 1866 he was a resi- dent of Marion most of the time, the greater portion of it being spent in a land, banking and law office. On going intn the real estate and banking business, he commenced reading law with his younger brother, the late Colonel William Smyth, who came to this country in 1843. J" ^^^54 he was ad- mitted to the bar, and later became a member of the, firm of Smyth, Young & Smyth, but he engaged only in office practice. In 1866 he returned to his farm, on whicli he erected a fine brick residence that year and which he made one of the most attractive places in Franklin township. He was a man of ex- cellent business and executive ability, was industrious, enterprising and progressive, and to these characteristics may be attributed his success in life. Air. Smyth was one of the most popular and influential men of his community, and as his fellow citizens recognized his ability he was called upon to fill a number of public positions of honor and trust. He was the first postmaster of Franklin township, which was the only office in this section for some time, and was made township clerk soon after it became necessary to have such an official. In the fall of 1843 he was elected to represent Cedar, Jones, Benton and Linn counties in the lower house of the territor- ial legislature, and in 1846 became a member of the first general assembly of the state, be- ing elected from Benton and Linn counties. In 1867 he was elected to the state senate by the people of Linn county for a term of four years, and was again electe 1 to the lower house of the twentieth general as- sembly in the fall of 1883, just f(-rty years from the time he was first elected. He was a member of several iinpcirtant cummittees, including the one on constitutional amend- ments, which was considered the first of im- jxirtance at that time. He was also chair- man of the committee for the suppression of intemperance and engineered the bill through the house. It was said that to his sterling- principles, wide and watchful diligence was due much of the early temperance legisla- tion of the state. He always stood for tem- perance principles and temperance law^, and the prohibition law found in him a stanch advocate and supporter. Air. Smyth cast his first presidential vote for Martin Van Buren. He was an aboli- tionist from the start, and in 1852 voted for J. P. Hale. On the organization of the Re- publican party in 1856, he joined its ranks and always remained a stanch supporter of its principles. In the fall of 1861 he was appointed by President Lincoln as pay- master in the United States army, and held that position until May, 1866, with head- (|uarters at St. Louis and Davenport, his pay- ments Ijeing made in Iowa, Alissouri, Ar- kansas, Kentucky, Tennessee and Aliss'.s- sippi. During this period he disbursed from the government treasury the vast sum of over ten million dollars, and furnished satis- factory \ouchers for every dollar paid out. His public and private life were alike above reproach, and he had the confidence and re- spect of all with whom he came in contact either in business or social affairs. It was said of him that he "was twenty years an Irishman, sixty years an American, and eighty years a Christian gentleman." He died Du Sunday, .\pril 3, 1898, honored and respected by all who knew him. He was a Presbyterian in religious I^elief and an elder in the Mt. Vernon church. His advice was sought in clnux'h councils, as it was always wise and practical, while he was simple in .462 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD his faith and childhke in liis trust. For thirty years lie was a trustee of Cornell Col- lege; with the exception of two years he was closely identified with the administrative -work as a member of the executi\e commit- tee. Not only was he liberal of his time in •behalf of the college, but also gave freely of his means to its support in early years when contributions were especially needed. He was also a member of the board of Coe Cnl- lege for many years. It is but ju t and merited praise to say of Mr. Smyth, that as ti liusiness man he ranked with the ablest : as a citizen he was honorable, prompt and true to every engagement ; as a man he held the honor and esteem of all classes of peo- ple, of all creeds and p(ilitical i)rocli\-ities; as a husband and father he was a model Avorthy of all imitation ; unassuming in man- ner, sincere in his friendships, steadfast and unswerving in his loyalty to the right. Throughout his career of continued and far- reaching usefulness, his duties were per- formed with the greatest care, and during a long life his personal honor and integrity ■were without blemish. JOHN M. REDMOND. Ji>hn M. Redmond, mayor of Cedar Rap- ids and a leading attorney of that place, is a man whose worth and ability have gained him success, honor and public confidence. He was born in Syracuse, New York, on the 8th of April, 1859, his parents 1>eing Edward and Adelia (Dowd) Redmoml. The fa- ther is a-native of Dublin, Ireland, and was a child when he came alone to the United States, about 1846, locating in Syracuse, New York, where he followed the saddler's Irade. There he married .\delia Dowd. wlio was born in Kells, Ireland, and thev contin- ued to make their home in Syracuse until coming to Mt. Vernon, Iowa, in 1866. There the father engaged in the harness and saddlery business for two years, and later followed the same pursuit in Cedar Rapids for six years; but in 1895 'he returned to Syracuse, New York, Avhere he is now li\- ing a retired Ufe. The wife and mother died ]\Iay 14, i8gi, leaving a family of six chil- dren, of whom John M. and George are still residents of Cedar Rapids. The common schools of ]\It. ^^ernon afforded John M. Redmond his early educa- tional pri\-ileges, and later he was a student at Cornell College, in the same place. He then entered the law department of the State University, and was graduated in the class of 1881, with the degree of LL. B. The same year lie was admitted to the bar, and began ])ractice in Cedar Rapids in January, 1883. as a memlier of the firm of Smith, Powell & Redmond, his partners being Milo P. Smith and J. J. Powell. This connection continued al)Out a year, since which time he has been alone and has successfully engaged in general practice before all the courts, making for himself an enviable reputation in liis chosen profession. His practice is now (|uite large and lucrative. He is interested in a number of different business enterprises, and is now a director of the Peoples Savings Bank of Cedar Rapids. On the 20th of February, 1895, ^I^- Red- mond married Miss Channie J. Porter, of Cedar Rapids, a daughter of J. S. Porter. They have a fine home on First avenue in one of the best parts of the city. Mr. Redmond attends and supports the Christian church, of which his wife is a member, and has taken an active part in supporting the charitable institutions of the citv. BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 463- The Democratic party lias always found in Mr. Redmond a stanch adherent, and he has been an active member of the executive committee, though he has never neglected his professional duties for politics. In 1890 he was elected on his party ticket as county at- torney, and ably filled that office two years. In March, 1898, he was elected mayor of the city, and two years later was re-elected by a largely increased majority, which show's con- clusively that his duties were most faithfully and satisfactorily performed. During his administration there have been many im- portant improvements made in the city in paving, sewering and financiering. Fra- ternally Mr. Redmond is a prominent mem- ber of Crescent Lodge, F. & A. M., in which he has held different offices ; and also belongs to the chapter and council of that order ; the Odd Fellows" Lodge, Xo. 141 ; the Protect- ive Order of Elks; and the Improved Order of Red Men. He has passed through all the chairs in the last named society. HEXRY F. BORGHART. Henry F. Borghart, deceased, was num- bered among the honored pioneers of Linn county, who located here when this region was wild and unimproved. In the work of development he took an active i)art in early days and aided in opening up the county to civilization. As the years passed he faithfully performed his duties of citizen- ship and his interest in the welfare and progress of the community never al)ated- Becoming widely and favorably known he made many friends and his death was a loss to the entire community. Mr. Borghart was born near Berlin, Germany, on the 3d day of March, 1838,. and in 1847 accompanied his parents on their emigration to the new world, being the only one of their family who reached years of maturity. Coming at once to Linn coun- ty, Iowa, the father, Frederick Borghart, purchased a small farm of forty acres in Col- lege township, on which a log house had- previously been erected. He was in limited circumstances on coming to this country, but succeeded in his farming operations here and after paying for his first tract made additional purchases. The mother of our subject died on the home farm December 12, 1871, at the age of fifty-seven, and the father subsequently married Mrs. Catherine Fuhrmeister, and reuKjved to Ely. where he resided for several years, but he died on the old homestead in College township in 1889. His second wife died at the home of her son, Andrew Fuhrmeister, in Ely, in 1S90. On his arrival in College township, Frederick Borghart erected a logxabin about fourteen feet square, in which the family lived until August, 1849, ^^ which time a tornado swept over this section of the state and completely demolished the cabin, sweep- ing it entirely away and destroying all the furniture, scattering the bedding and cloth- ing beyond recall, • and rendering the fam- ily completely homeless. When the tornado struck the cabin, the parents and their son. Henry F., our subject, were in bed. They were blown several feet from the site of the cabin, and although they were partially cov- ered with broken timbers, their injuries were slight anil they recm-ered in a few days' time. After the storm was over the neigh- hnrs gathered together and assisted in re- building the cabin, and the family then oc- cupied it until 1857, when a larger and more commodious dwelling was erecteil. 4^4 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD Henry F. Borghart began his education in the schools of Germany, and after coming to this country attended the pubHc schools of College township, Linn county, for a time. He grew to manhood' amid pioneer scenes. The father purchased his first waeon and a team of oen in Illinois, and then ferried them across the river at Musca- tine. Our subject aided in the arduous task of transforming the wild prairie land into richly cultivated fields, and he and his father carried on the farm together for some time. Later he purchased it, and as he suc- ceeded in his agricultural labors he added to it from time to time until at his death he owned five hundred and forty acres in the home tract and lands in other places, which he had placed under excellent cultivation and improved by the erection of some good, substantial buildings. He carried on gen- eral farming quite extensively, and was also successfully engaged in stock raismg. His prosperity was due to hard labor and good management, and he well merited the success that attended his efiforts. In 1 86 1 Mr. Borghart married Miss Jane 'Fuhrmeister, who died in 1872. leaving three children, who grew to maturity, name- ly : Amelia, wife of George Smith, of Col- lege township ; Frederick, also a resident of College township; and Martha, wife of Henry Wilkins, of the same township. They were all educated in the public schools near their childhood home. On the 24th of October, 1875, :\Ir. Borghart was again married, his second union being with Mrs, Louisa (Xiles) Pierce, a native of Erie county, Pennsyl- vania, and daughter of Henry and Cather- ine (Pulis) Xiles. and the widow of Rob- ert Pierce, by whom she bore one son, Ernest, born December 14, 1869, and who is now a land owner of Sac county. Iowa, but residing at Lytton. in the same state. Mrs. Borghart was one of the early teach- ers of Linn county, and followed that pro- fession for some ten or twelve years. In i860 her father brought his family to this county and for a time was engaged in farm- ing in College township, but finally sold his farm there and removed to Sac county, Iowa. Subsequently he returned to Linn county, and died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Borghart, in College township, February 22, 1895, at the age of eighty-two years. His wife, who was torn April 18, 1816, still survives him, and continues to reside with her daughter. Mr. Xiles was an earnest and consistent Christian and the Belle Prairie Baptist Church was organized ■ through his influence and that of his brother- in-law, Aaron B. Pulis. In his family were five children : A. C, who was a soldier of the Civil war and was killed in the battle of W'indiester ; WilliamF., who served four years in the L'nion army and is now engaged in farming in Sac county, Iowa; George, also a resident of Sac county; Louisa, now Mrs. Borghart, and Elnora J., who married Mortimer Hulce and died December 6, 1900. By his second marriage Mr. Borghart hail four children : Jennie, George, and Katie and Matie, twins. Mr. Borghart died on his farm June 6, 1893, and was laid to rest in College town- ship cemetery. In politics he was a Demo- crat, and being a very influential and pop- ular man in his community he was called upon to fill several local oftlces. He took a very active part in church work as a mem- ber of the United Evangelical Church, of which his wife was also a member, and was officially connected with the same for many years. It was mainly through his untiring BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 465 labor and influence that a church was or- ganized and maintained in College town- ship, and he was also a verj- active worker in the Sunday-school, being the superin- tendent many years. In 1897 Mrs. Borghart removed to Cedar Rapids in order to give her children better educational advantages than the country schools afforded, and purchased the home which they now occupy at 1102 South First street, west. As the children will graduate from the high school in the spring of 1901. it is her intention to return to the farm in College township. She is a woman of good business and executive ability, and to her aid and encouragement not a little of Mr. Borghart's success was due. She is highly esteemed wherever known, and lias made many friends during her residence in Cedar Rapids. « « » ■ A. W. VONDRACEK. A. \V. \'ondracek, a prominent hardware merciiant of Cedar Rapids, enjoys the well- earned distinction of being what tlie public calls a "self-made man," and an analyzation prise, well-directed effort and honorable deal- ing have been the essential features in his prosperity. Mr. Vondracek was born in Johnson county, Iowa, March 15, 1872, and is a son of John and ^vlarie (Sedlacek) Vondracek. both natives of Austria, tiiough they were married in Iowa City. They came to the United States in 1866, landing in New York. After tlieir marriage they located in John- son county, where the father followed farm- ing until his death, which occurred July 16, 1892. The mother is still living, and con- tinues to carry on the farm. Siie also has charge of the postoffice at Gregg, of whicli her husl)and was jjostmaster for six years. Our sul:)ject is the third in (;rder of l)irth in their family of twelve children, nine sons and three daughters, all of whom are still living with the exception of Joseph, who was drowned. June 15, 1891, at the age of twent3'-one years. A. W. Vondracek was reared on the home farm and was educated in tlie country schools of the neigiiborhood. At the age of seventeen he went to Danforth, Iowa, to take a position as salesman and traveled throughout the countrx- selling a miscellane- ous stock of goods for one year. At the age of nineteen he came to Cedar Rapids in search of employment, and being unsuccess- ful he accepted a position as bar-tender with George Stary, with whom he remained one year, still continuing his search for other work. Later he was employed by E. Z. Bontty, a dealer in farm implements, and three months later cmnmenced clerking in the shoe department of The Fair, but re- mained there only one month. Having saved some money, and feeling the need of a better education, Mr. Von- dracek tlien entered the Cedar Rapids Busi- ness College, where he took a thorough course in its various jjranches of learning. Being offered a position liy Heomatko Broth- ers, retail grocers, he relinquished his studies, and was in the employ of that firm for one year. In 1892 he accepted the position of manager of the Bohemian Grocery on the west side, and served in that capacity for three years. On tlie 14th of January, 1895, he formed a partnersirip with \\'. 11. Stepa- nek, as dealers in general iiardware, bicycles, sporting goods and groceries on the west side, and took charge of the grocery and hardware departments. Two years later thev disposed of tlieir grocery stock and es- 466 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD tablished a branch house in the old post- office building at the corner of Second ave- nue and Second street. At first their floor space was only 20x80 feet, but on account of an increase in trade more space was need- ed, and it was found necessary to secure the adjoining store room, so that they now have 40x80 feet. On enlarging their store they moved their entire stock from the west side in the fall of 1897. The firm does a large wholesale business in bicycles and sporting goods, and Mr. Stepanek represents that department on the road most of the time during the winter season. In 1899 they added a stock of dry goods, but on account of their limited space soon disposed of the same. On the 1 2th of September, 1895, ^Ii"- Vondracek married Miss \'ictoria L. Sevcik, who is the third in order of birth in a family of four children, one son and three daugh- ters. She is a native of Schuyler, Nebraska, and a daughter of Felix J. and ]\Iargaret Sevcik, both of whom were born in Austria, and came to America early in life, being mar- ried in Wisconsin. The father is a black- smith by trade, and is now a resident of Cedar Rapids. In his political afilliations ^Ir. Von- dracek is a Republican. Socially he is an honored member of the \Yoodmen of the World, and the Knights of Pythias, and is one of the charter memliers of Cedar Rap- ids Lodge, No. 98. He is well known as a straightforward and reliable business man and well deserves the success that has come to him. WILLIAM H. HARRISON. The subject of this sketch, who is suc- cessfully engaged in agricultural pursuits on sections 27 and 28, Bertram township, was born in this county, on the i8th of September, 1859, and is a son of Jacob and Ardelia (Look) Harrison, natives of New Jersey and New York, respectively. He was born in West Milford, Passaic coun- ty. New Jersey, February 16, 1835. They were married in the latter state, at Paint- ed Post, and in 1856 started for Kan- sas, but on reaching Mt. Vernon, lowa^ they decided to stop on account of the mother being in ill health. For some- time ]\Ir. Harrison was engaged in cut- ting timber, and also worked for a time in the Belden sawmill and then rented a farm, being engaged in agricultural pur- suits until 1863, when he went to Idaho- during the gold excitement in that state. When he left for the mountains he sent his family to New York, and about the close of the Civil war he rejoined them in that state, bringing them back to Linn county, Iowa. He purchased what is now known as a part of the Caldwell farm, in Bertram township, on which he lived for ten years, and in 1885 bought the James Berry farm of two- hundred acres, which he disposed of, though he afterward moved to another farm, where he lived for nine j-ears. His first wife died October 2, 1890, and was buried in Mt. \'ernon. He sul)sequently spent one year with a married daughter on the old home farm, and then went to California. He has since been back and forth a number of times, but has resided permanently in that state since his second marriage with Mrs. Millie Kup- ple in the fall of 1899, having sold his pos- sessions in Iowa. The children by his first union were Almeda, wife of Walter Berry, of Bertram township; W. H., our sub- ject; Mary wife of Frank Brown, who lives on the old homestead farm ; Jacob J., who married Hannah Berry and lives in- Bertram township; Lucinda J., wife of W. H. HARRISON. BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 469 Frank Tliompson, of Marion township; and one wlio died in infancy. \\\ H. Harrison only attended the sub- scription schools until ten years of age, and then commenced hauling railroad ties and logs on his father's farm, there being con- siderable timber upon the place. He re- mained under the parental roof until his marriage, which was celebrated at the home of the bride in Bertram township, March 30, 1880, the lady of his choice being Miss Jennie Berry, who was born in this county, April II, 1861. Her father, Robert Berry, was born in Ohio, July 4, 1828, a son of Samuel and ^lary (Emmons) Berry, the former of Irish, the latter of English de- scent. On starting out in life for himself he first followed farming and later engaged in railroad contracting for a time. Coming to Iowa in T851, he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land in Bertram township, Linn county, which has now been his home for half a century. In his farming opera- tions he has met with remarkable success, and in stock raising has also prospered, hav- ing been extensively engaged in that indus- try. He added to his original purchase from time to time until he owned nearly one thousand acres of valuable farming land. His is one of the model farms of the county, being supplied with all modern improve- ments and accessories known to the pro- gressive farmer of the present century. In the spring of 1901 he rented his farm and removed to Cedar Rapids, where his time is taken up attending to his numerous busi- ness interests. Mr. Berry was married in this county, April 25, 1854, to Miss Nancy Thorington, who was born near Crawforcls- ville, Montgomery county, Indiana, July 4, 1834, a daughter of Alexander and Martha (Webb) Thorington, natives of Maryland. 23 Eight children were born of this union, namely : \Valter H. married Rachel Harri- son and resides on a farm in Bertram town- ship; Charles E. married first Luella Byers, and second Lina Morrison, and is also a farmer of Bertram township; Jennie E. is the wife of our subject; Addison A. married Ella Hunter and makes his home in Mt. Vernon ; Robert Orville married Rachel Cory and lives on a farm in Marion town- ship : \\'illiam Jasper married Bertie H. Hutchinson and lives on a farm in Bertram township ; John Frederick married Ida Mc- Cloud and resides in Cedar Rapids ; and one died in infancy. The parents of these chil- dren are members of the Methodist church and are most estimable people. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Harrison were born the following children : Robert J., born Feb- ruary 9, 1881 ; Eva, born January i, 1883; Edna M., who was torn May 2, 1885, and died March 18, 1895; William H., who was born Deceiulier 11, 1887, and died March 5, 1888; Nellie, born July 19, 1890; ^Myrtle, born September 3, 1894; and Ruth, born April 29, 1897. For a year and a half after his marriage Mr. Harrison rented a farm of his father, and then purchased forty-eight and a half acres of land in Bertram township, on which he lived for aliout three years and a half. On selling that place he returned to the oldl homestead, where the following year was ])assed, and then rented a farm of his father- in-law. .\fter residing thereon for one year he removed to Mt. Vernon, where he was en- o'aeed in the liverv business for alxiut three years. He traded his property there for three hundred and twenty acres of land in Dakota, and on disposing of that bought twenty-nine acres of timberland in this cijunty, making his home thereon for twa 47° BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD years. At the end of that time lie returned to the farm on sections 27 and 28, Bertram township, where he now resides. This place had been given to Mrs. Harrison by her father. He has made many valuable im- provements upon the place, including the erection of a splendid residence with modern conveniences, and has also built good barns, cattle sheds, etc. He devotes considerable attention to buying, feeding and selling stock, and from this branch of his business derives a good income. J\Ir. Harrison attends the Methodist church, and is a member of Star of Bethle- hem Lodge, No. 3, K. P., of Mt. Vernon; Trojan Lodge, No. 6, A. F. cS: A. M.. of Marion; and Bertram Lodge, No. 534, I. O. O. F., of Bertram. He is a stanch sup- porter of the men and measures of the Dem- ocratic party, believing that its principles are best calculated to advance the interests of the people. He has filled the offices of township trustee and school director, and is now serving as school treasurer of Bertram township. He is one of the most popular and influential citizens of his community. FRANK M. ROGERS. Numbered among the energetic and pros- perous farmers and stock raisers of Ber- tram township is Frank M. Rogers, who carries on his chosen occupation on section 2. He was born on the 13th of .\pril. 1844, in Allegany county, New York, of which state his parents, Stillman and Rachel { Soper) Rogers, were also natives. There the mother died in 1844 during the infancy of our subject, and four years later the fa- ther married Sallv Graves, who was born in the same state and died in 1884. The fa- ther's death occurred in 1892. By his first union he had seven children, namely: E. • Mien, who served through the Civil war as a member of Company I, One Hundred and Eighty-ninth New York \'oIunteer Infantry, married Susan Graves and resided in Will- ing, Allegany county. New York. John, who served through the war as a member of the Eighth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, married Amelia Withey, and also lives in Willing, New York. Josiah. who was a member of the Sixty-fourth New York Regiment, married Amelia Withey and makes his home in Willing. [Maria mar- ried Charles Chaste, who served in the First Iowa Cavalry and afterward went west, dying in Wyoming. She now makes her home in Martin county, ^linnesota. She has two sons, one of whom is with the army in the Philippines, and the other is in the Klondike. Sarah married ^^'illiam Guinnip, who died in the service of his country while a member of a New York regiment, and in 1868 she wedded James George, now a resident of East Chain, Mar- tin county, Minnesota. George, who served four years and nine months in the First Iowa Cavalry, wedded Mary Williams, who died in 1894, and he lives in Mt. Vernon, this county. Frank M. completes the family. Until nineteen years of age the subject of this sketch attended the district school of New York, and worked in a sawmill for a number of years, after which he purchased twenty-fi\-e acres of land ami turned his at- tention to agricultural pursuits. On the 19th of June, 1864. he, too, joined the boys in lilue, becoming a member of Company I, One Hundred and Eighty-ninth New York Volunteer Infantry, which was mustered in at Elmira. New York, and was then ordered BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 471 to Washington. D. C. From tliere they went to Center Fount, near Richinnnd. \'ir- giiiia, and did scout duty in that locahty un- til Lee's surrender. Mr. Rogers participated in the battle of Hatchie's Run, the Weldon Railroad raid, and the engagements at Five Forks and Gravel Run, and was mustered out and discharged at Elmira, New York, June 10, 1865. ]\Ir. Rogers was married, September 30, 1863, to -Miss Margaret M. Sawyer, who was born in Independence, Allegany county, New York, February 9, 1846, a daughter of Elder Joel C. and Almira Kimbel Sawyer, also natives of the Empire state, where they made their home throughout life. The fa- ther, who was a minister of the Universalist church, died in 1882, and the mother de- parted this life in 1881. Mrs. Rogers was the second in order of birth in their family of three children. Her brother. Rev. Charles Sawyer, married and one night just four weeks after his marriage he, his wife ami his wife's father were accidentally drowned in the Connecticut river by driving off a ferryboat. Mrs. Roger's sister, Mary, wedded Chester Brownson, and for her sec- ond husband married George Keeler. She died at their home in Blaine, Washington. Our subject and his wife are the parents of se\en children : ( i ) Lenora A., born in Allegany county. New York, May 6, 1865, is now the wife of C. H. Emerson, of Rock- ford, Illinois, and they have one child, Blanche. (2) Lillian E., born in New York, May 21, 1867, is the wife of Charles Linder, of Grand Rapids, Michigan, and they have two children, Pearl and Isabella. (3) Her- bert L., born in Minnesota, July 3, 1871, wedded Mary Mattine ami lives in Minne- apolis. (4) Chester C, born in Minnesota, October 31, 1875, assists his father in the operation of the home farm. During the Spanish-American war, he enlisted June 27, 189S. in Company F, Forty-ninth Iowa Vol- unteer Infantry, and contracting typhoid fever while in the service, he was sent home on a furlough and was ill for seven weeks. He was finally discharged on account of dis- ability December 26, 1898. (5) George W'., born in Minnesota, September 13, 1878. (6) Elsworth L., born in Wisconsin, June 12, 1886, and (7) Hazel E., born in Ber- tram, Linn county, Iowa, June 7, 1892, are all at home. In 1869 Mr. Rogers removed from New York to Martin county, Minnesota, where he took a homestead and [iroxed up his claim, remaining" there until 1883, when he sold his farm and went to East Tro\-, Walworth count\'. Wisconsin. There he purchased a gristmill, which he operated for nearly six years, and on disposing of that came to Linn county. Iowa. He first bought a farm of one hundred and one acres on "section 2, Bertram township, and on selling that pur- chased another farm of one hundred and eighty-four acres near Marion, known as the Andy Safely farm, which he subsequently sold. He next bought a part of the Blaine estate, consisting of one lunulred and sixty- nine acres on section 4, Bertram township, and later purchased eighty and a half acres where he nciw resides. This is within the cor])orate limits of Bertram and has been laid off' in town lots. Here he has a nice liDnie, a good orchard and all modern im- pnwements, and is now jiractically living a retired life, while his sons carry on the farm. In connection with general farming he has engaged in raisiiig a high grade of horses, cattle and hogs for niarket. and has met with good success in his undertakings. Fraternally Mr. Rogers is a member of 472 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD Marion Lodge, Xo. 6, A. F. & A. M. ; is a charter member of Bertram Lodge, No. 534, L O. O. F., in whicli he has filled all the chairs; and also belongs to W. C. Dimmit Post, No. 400, G. A. R. In his political af- filiations he is a stanch Republican, and was the second trustee ever elected on his party ticket in Bertram township. While a resi- dent of Silver Lake, Martin county, Aliijne- sota, he ser\ed as justice of the peace for a number of years, and was also supervisor for four years. He is a public spirited citi- zen, and takes a deep and commendable in- terest in all enterprises calculated to prove of public benefit. GEORGE T. HEDGES. This gentleman is entitled to tlistinction as one of the most enterprising and pro- gressive men of Linn county, and has for almost twenty years been prominently identi- fied with the interests of Ceilar Rapids. Upon the commercial activity of a com- munity depends its prosperity and the men who are now recognized as leading citizens are those who are at the head of extensix'e business enterprises. Mr. Hedges is a man of broad capabilities who carries forward to successful completion whatever he un- dertakes. A native of New York, he was born near Red Creek, Wayne county, December 19, 1 85 1, and is a son of David T. and .Cynthia (Titus) Hedges, and a grandson of Samuel and Mary (Talmage) Hedges. The grandmother was a cousin of T. De Witt Talmage. In early life her husband folowed school teaching until about 1820, \vhen he removed to Poughkeepsie, New York, and purchased a farm, turning his- attention to agricultural pursuits. Subse- cjuentiy he went to Wayne county, that state, when it was considered the far west, and bought another farm, on which he spent the remainder of his life. Samuel was a family name, it being also borne by the great-grandfather of our subject. David T. Hedges, our subject's father, was born at Southampton, Long Island, New York, October zy, i8ig, and accom- panied his parents on their removal to Poughkeepsie, Wayne county. New York, where he grew to manhood and married Miss Cynthia Titus about 1842. She was an orphan at an early age, and died when our suljject \\'as only six years old. The father continued to make his home in \Vayne county until i860, when he removed to the northeastern corner of Cayuga county. New York, where he resided until coming to Cedar county, Iowa, in 1869. Here he followed farming and stock rais- ing, and did much to introduce a better grade of stock into the state. At the time of his death he was one of the directors of the First National Bank of Pipton. He took an active and commendable interest in public aft'airs. and served as one of the supervisors of his county. In religious be- lief he was a Presbyterian, to which church the mother of our subject also belonged. He died in Cedar county, December 4. 1895. For his second wife he married Miss Jane Hamilton, who still survives him. George F. Hedges began his education in the common schools of Cayuga county. New York, and after the removal of the family to this state attended the high school at Dtrrant. Cedar county, and the academy at Wilton. He then aided his father on th? farm imtil 1877, when he went BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 473 to Iowa City and took a course in the law department of tiie University of Iowa, where he was graduated the following year with the degree of LL. B. He was admitted to practice both in the Iowa and United States courts, and opened an office in Geneva, Ne- braska, where he remained until the spring ■of 1882. It was then that Mr. Hedges came to Cedar Rapids and entered the real estate business, being in the employ of a Mr. Young for four years and a half. During that time he became thoroughly familiar \ with the business in all its details, an dsince then has engaged in the same line on his own account. He handles principally Cedar Rapids property, and has made a success of it from the start, having built up the largest real estate business of any firm in the city. For some years he has made judicious in- vestments for himself, as well as handling a large amount of property for other per- sons, and has been interested in a number of subdivisions of the city. He was one of a syndicate of fi\-e who bought forty- three thousand acres of land in Mississippi three years ago, and have since disposed to advantage of over thirty thousand acres. Mr. Hedges has also dealt extensively in land in northwestern Iowa. He was one of the organizers and president of the Cedar Rapids Auditorium Company, wdiich built the auditorium at this i)lace in 1899-1900. It is the second largest building of the kinti in the state, having a seating capacity of thirty-five hundred; is built of brick and cost thirty-five thousand dollars. Mr. Hedges is also president of the Cedar Rapids & Marion Telephone Company, which has exchanges here and lines to Ma- rion, and has one thousand subscribers in Cedar Rapids, and it was the means of l)ring- ing down the rates in the city forty ])er cent. He is president of the Kilborn Paper Company for manufacturing sensetized pho- tographic and developing paper. On the 9th of September, 1874, Mr. Hedges was united in marriage with Miss Mary D. Gabriel, of Cedar county, lowa^ a daughter of I. N. and Cleopatra Gabriel ; and to them were born three children : Harry T., who is now his father's partner in busi- ness ; Nellie, a student at Lake Forest Uni- versity : and Horace G. The family have a^ Ijeautiful, home at the corner of Third av- enue and Twelfth street, which was built by Mr. Hedges six years ago. They at- tend and support the Presbyterian Church. In politics Mr. Hedges was always a Democrat until the c|uestion of free silver became a national issue, since which time he has voted with the Republican party. In the s])ring of 1897 '^^ ^^''is elected alderman for the second ward, and has since served as president of the council and chairman of the judiciary committee. He has also been a member of the finance committee. Dur- ing his administration the water works ques- tion has come prominently before the people, and the city has bought the property on which the old city hall stands, as a site for a new city hall, largely through the efforts of Mr. Hedges. Three different fire sta- tions have been Ijuilt. and the apparatus for the same has been largely increased. Mr. Hedges is past chancellor of the Knights of Pythias fraternity, and a director of the Masonic Temple Association. He took ar» active part in the erection of the temple, the lot and building of which cost one hundred and ten thousand dollars. The record of his life is that of a man wdio through his own well directed efforts has worked hi» way upward to a position of affluence. His 474 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD life has been one of industry and persever- ance, and the systematic and honorable business metliods which he has followed have won him the supimrt and confidence of his fellow citizens. During his residence in Cedar Rapids he has championed every movement designed to promote the general welfare, has supported every enterprise for the public good, and has materially aided in the advancement of all social, educational and moral interests. JOHN R. GARDNER, AI. D. Among the medical practitioners of Linn county, none have been more success- ful in the treatment of various diseases than this well-kni:)wn physician and surgeon of Lisbon. He is a native of Iowa, born in Johnson county, Septeml)er 23. 1875, and is a son of Enos Howard and Susan M. (Marshall) Gardner, natives of New York and Ohio, respectively. They were married in the latter state, where they continued to reside until coming to Iowa in 1866, when they took up their residence in Jnhnson coun- ty, the father Inlying one hundred and sixty acres in L^nion township. To the improve- ment and culti\-ation of that ])lace he de- voted his energies until called tn his tiiial rest in the spring of 1881, at the age of forty- eight years, his remains being interred in the Unity Church cemeterv of Johnson countv. The mother now makes her hinne in Iowa City. In the family of this wcirthy couple were eight chiklren, namely: Howard, wlin married Addie Mangus and lives on a farm in Hayes county, Nebraska; Mary, wife of C. W. Drake, a farmer of Jolinson county, Iowa ; Allen, who married Florence Reeve and resides on a farm in Dundee county, Nebraska ; Charles, who married Laura Reeves and is engaged in farming in John- son county, this state; Herbert, who married Jennie Groves and is engaged in the prac- tice of dentistry at Williamsburg, Iowa coun- ty; Lucy F., who is teaching in the public schools of Iowa City; John R., our subject; and Grace, wife of Dr. A. W. Howe, a practicing physician, of Des Moines, Iowa. During his boyhood Dr. Gardner pur- sued his studies in the district schools of Johnson county until twelve years of age, and then attended the Iowa City Academy and the Commercial School of Short Hand, Ijoth of Iowa City, graduating from tlie latter institution with the class of 1893. He then entered the medical department of the Iowa State Lniversity, and in the spring of 1897 took a special course in bactereolo- gy, graurth street in 1S76, and three years later he started a wholesale dry-goods ami notion house in the same block, admitting as a partner in this business J. W. Augsbury in 18S1, un- der the firm style of Cook & Augsbury. They had one of the finest and largest stores for jobbing purposes in the state. Besides liis interest in the wholesale dry-goods and grocery business, Mr. Cook also had large real estate interests in Cedar Rapids. He was one of the original organizers of the First National Bank, and a stockholder of the Merchants' National Bank and other corporations. He was also a director of the Cedar Rapids National Bank, the Cedar Rapids Water Company, and the Cedar Rapids Electric Railway Company. He materially aided in building the first rail- road that came into the city, and assisted in many iniprn\ements tending to the up- building of the city. On the 23d of September, 1861, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Cook and Aliss Vallissa L. Burncll, a native nf James- town, New York, and a daughter of Madi- son and Sarah ( Si)urr) Burnell, who were also born in the Empire state, but were de- scended from (lid Massachusetts families. The former was born I'ebruary 10, 1812, and the latter April 9, 18 14. The pro- genitor oi the Burnell, family in America probably came from Ireland a couple of centuries ago. In early life ]\Iadison Bur- nell studied law in the office of Judge R. P. Marxin, of Jamestown, New York, and later was graduated from the A ban\- Law School. He successfully engaged in the practice of his profession at Jamestown for many years, and was also prominent in public affairs, serving several terms as a member of the New York legislature. He passed away at Jamestown, December 8, 1865, and his wife, wdro long survi\-ed him, died at San Diego, California, April 8, 1897, at the age of eghty-three years. In their family were three children, of whom Mrs. Cook is the oldest. Melverton died at the age of nineteen years. Ella E. mar- ried Charles Hazeltine, of Jamestown, New York, and died in Grand Rapids, Michi- gan, where they were living at that time. She left two children: Irene, wife of George Douglas, of Cedar Rapids, li_)wa ; and pjurnell, a resident of ^Minneapolis, ^Minnesota. L'nto Mr. and ilrs. Cook were l)orn five children, namely: Isabella A., now the wife of Ward C. Favorite, of Chicago; Ella J., wife of E. II. Smith, of the Farmers' In- surance Company, of Cedar Rapids; .Mar- garet B., wife of Colonel William (i. Dows, who is now representing this district in the state legislature, and by whom she has two children, Sutherland Cook and i\Iar- garet Heiu-ietta ; Sarah Elizabeth, a resi- dent of New ^'ork city; and Robert Suther- land, wdio is now taking a preparatory course at Lawrenceville, New Jersey, with the in- tention of entering Princeton College. Mr. Cook died on the j-'nd of l-'cbruary, 1899, and was laid to rest in Oakh 11 cem- w}.82 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD •etery. Cedar Rapids. He was a member of the First Presbyterian church, and socially was connected witl; the ^lasonic fraternity. His political support was always gi\en the men and measures of the Republican party, and he never withheld his aid from any en- terprise which he believed would prove of public benefit. Endowed by nature with a sound judgment and an accurate, discrim- inating mind, he feared not that laborious attention to the details of business so neces- -sary to achieve success, and this essential cjuality was ever guided by a sense of moral right which would tolerate the employment only of those means that would bear the most rigid examination by a fairness of intention that never sought nor required ■disguise. His personal honor and integrit}' were without blemish and he had the respect and confidence of all with whom he came in contact either in business or social life. CORNELIUS DACY. The subject of this sketch is now living 3. retired life with his brother-in-law, Pat- rick Sullivan, in Mt. \'ernon. He was born in County Cork, Ireland, in August, 183 1. his parents, Cornelius and Catherine (Cay- lorher) Dacy, being life-long residents of that county. They had seven children, all ■of whiim came to America. Inu nothing is now known of two of them. The others were James, who married Johanna iNIahanna and both died in Boston, jMassacbusetts ; Mary, wife of Patrick Sullivan, of Mt. Ver- Jion, Iowa; Timothy, who married and died in Boston ; John, who married Margaret ■Curtain and resides in Green Isle townshi]), •Sibley county, Minnesota: and Cornelius. «our subject. Mr. Dacv of this re\-iew bad little o])- portunity to attend school as only the wealth- ier class could afford to pay the tuition, there being no free schools in Ireland during his boyhood. At an early age he commenced herding cattle, at three shillings for three months work. Subsequently he was em- ployed on a farm, working principally among he cattle. In the fall of 1846, at the age of fifteen 5-ears, he sailed from Oueenstown. Ireland, on the Brittania, a sailing vessel, which was seven weeks in crossing the ocean, meeting with five sex'ere storms, in which it was thought all on board would perish. The officers would shut the passengers in the hold of the vessel, where they had but little to eat until the storm was over, but all reached the new world in safety. On landing at St. John's. New Bruns- wick, Mr. Dacy found that he had not a cent remaining, and before coming to the L'nited States he worked at odd jobs in Canada for seven weeks. He then went to Boston, where he was employed to take charge of the horses in a feed stable for one year, and later worked on a farm for three years. He next went to Columbus, Ohio, where he was employed as section hand on the Ohio Central Railroad at eighty cents per day for two years, and then went further down the road to Zanesville, where he re- mained the same length of time. Going to Illinois, he next chopped wood one year, and at the end of that time came to Daven- port. Iowa, where he worked at dri\-ing piles with the bridge gang of the Rock Island Railroad, remaining with them until the road reached Iowa City. He then returned to Rock Island, and worked on the road run- ning from that place to Campbell for one vear. Mr. Dacy next spent two months at De Witt, Iowa, and from there went to Clin- ton, which at that time contained onlv a few BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 483. houses, and there engaged in teaming in connection with tlie grading of the streets as they had begun to lay out the town. After remaining there eight niijnths he re- turned to De Witt, where he was employed on a farm for two years. ^Ir. Dacy next went to New Orleans, where he worked on the le\-ees seven months, and later worked on a farm in Kentucky one year, at the end of which time he re- turned to Xew Orleans, where he again worked on the le\ees seven months. From there he went to Galveston, Texas, and later to Houston, that state, where he was employed in a warehouse three years, and on a section of the Houston & San Antonio Railroad two years. The following year he engaged in chopping wood in Texas, and then retivrned to Xew Orleans, whence he went to Cuba, where he was employed in digging ditches and putting down gas pipes. He was delighted with the country and its climate, and believes that this rich island will be of great benefit to the United States in the production of cotton, tobacco, oranges, bananas, etc. Corn will not bear in that country although it will grow as high as eight feet. The inhabitants of the island when Mr. Dacy was there were half savage, and in traveling over the country one had to have a passport and interpreter, though Americans were well thought of. After spending eight months in Cuba, Mr. Dacy returned to New York, and from there sailed by way of Aspinwall and the Panama route to San Francisco. Near that city he was engaged in digging iX)tatoes for one dollar per day and board for two months, and then returned to San Francisco, where he was employed in driving a tearii for one year. Subsequently he engaged in farm work in California for seven vears, and then went up in the nmuntains near \'irginia City, Nevada, where he worked in a (juartz mill one year. At then end of that time he returned to New York, and from there came to Bertram, Linn county, Iowa, where he- was employed in piling wood one year, and assisting Patrick Sullivan at the pumping station the same length of time. Mr. Dacy next bought eighty acres of unbroken prairie land in Benton county, Iowa, for five hundred dollars, but after two months spent there, he sold out and re- turned to this county, and purchased fifteen acres of timber land, from which he cut the timber and sold it to the railroad company for ties. After one year spent in Bertram township, he removed to Lisbon, where he worked as a section hand two years, and the following year engaged in shoveling coal for the locomotives. At the end of that time he bought a farm of forty-six acres in Bert- ram township, which he operated for five years, and on disposing of that removed to Linn township, where he engaged in farming and feeding cattle for si.x years, owning forty acres of land in that township and the same amount in Bertram township. On selling out he bought eighty-six acres in the latter township, and later added to it thirty acres, making a good farm of one hundred and sixteen acres. In 1899 he rented his land and has since lived a retired life with his brother-in-law, Patrick Sullivan, in Mt. \'ernon, having never married. He is a de- vout mem1)er of the Catholic church and a stanch supporter of the Democratic party and its principles. JOHN E. GABLE. Since 1883 this gentleman has been identified with the business interests of Cedar Rapids as manager of the lumber- 484 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD yard of Fay Brothers & Company, and is also president of the Consumers' Coal Com- pany. He was born in Perry county, Penn- sylvania, October 6, 1852, a son of John and Elizabeth (Eby) Gable, also natives of the Keystone state. On coming west in 1864 the fatlier located in Carroll count, Illinois, where he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of improved land and engaged in farming for two years. He then removed to Lost Nation, Clinton county, Iowa, where he bought two hundred acres of partially im- proved land, and to its further development and cultivation at once turned his attention, remaining there until 1884. He next owned and operated a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Mahaska county, Iowa, for twelve years, but since then has lived a re- tired life in Keokuk county, enjoying a well- earned rest. He is now seventy-five years of age, while liis wife is sixty-nine. Unto this worthy couple twelve children were born, all of whom are still living, namely: John E., our subject; J. H., a resi- dent of Dennison. Iowa ; I\Irs. L. H. Peck, of Olin, Iowa; W. A., of Laniartine, Colo- i^ado; R. M., of Lost Nation, Iowa; Mrs. Frank Gillam, of Ollie. Iowa; ^Nlrs. Daniel Kammer, of Monmouth, Iowa; ]\Irs. Emma Eby, also of Monmouth; G. A., of New Sharon, Iowa; I. A., of Hunt, Idaho; E. L., of New Sharon and B. I., of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. On the 14th of September, 1900, this family held a most enjoyable re-union at the home of their parents, three miles northeast of Ollie, Keokuk county, at which all of the children and thirty-three grand- children were present. At that time the ages of the children range from twenty-five to forty-eight years, and their average weight was one hundretl and eighty-one pounds. Many of them had not seen each other or their parents for a number of years, and the meeting was therefore a joyous ( me. It is remarkable in so large a family there has never Ijeen a death and from the fact that no physician has ever been called upon to attend them professionally as all enjoy most excellent health. John E. Gable began his education in the public schools of his native state, and at the age of twelve years accompanied his parents on their removal to Illinois, and two years later to Iowa, in which states he continued literary studies for a time. He remained at home, assisting in the farm work until twenty years of age, and then learned the carpenter's trade, which he fol- lowed for seven years at Lost Nation, Iowa. In the meantime Mr. Gable was united in marriage with Miss Heala Leimbaugh, a daughter of Adam and Elizabeth Leim- baugh, of Elwood, Iowa, who was born in Pennsylvania, of (ierman ancestry, and was the father of nine children, all of whom are still li\ing. ]\Ir. and !Mrs. Gable have four children, namely : Frank R., who is secre- tary and treasurer of the Consumers Coal Company, and has charge of the mining and shipping of the coal, with office at Cedar Rapids and mine at Jerome, Iowa ; Ed- ward B., Ixiokkeeper for his father and for Fay Brothers & Company; Otis A., who is working in the lumber yard with his father ; and Onolee, who is attending the Cedar Rapids high school. After working at the carpenter's trade for seven years, Mr. Gable purchased the lumber business of F. E. Moses at Lost Naticin, and conducted it for three years. In 18S3 he came to Cedar Rapids, and with Mr. F. M. Thompson purchased a half in- terest in the lumber business of C. F. Fav BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 48,5 & Co., the firm name being then clianged to Fay Bros. & Co., Messrs. Gable and Thomp- son having practically the entire charge of the business from that time to the present. The principal yards are at the corner of Fourth avenue and First street, where they occupy one-half block, and carry a large stock of all kinds of lumber. They have also a branch yard, occupying one- fourth block on the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Rail- road. The firm is both the oldest and larg- est in the cit}-. At the time of the organiza- tion of the Consumers Coal Co., Air. Gable became one of its first directors, the com- pany buying the mines located at Jerome, Iowa. One year later, in 1899, Mr. Gable was made president of the company, a posi- tion which he still holds. The company gi\'es employment to an average of forty- five men, while at times it has on its pay rolls sixty-five men. Mr. Gable has a pleasant home at Fourth avenue and Eighth street. In politics he is a Republican. A. B. SKILLMAN, M. D. In early life Dr. Skillman successfully engaged in the practice of medicine and surger}', but for several years has devoted his time and energies to farming in Bert- ram township. He was born on the 28th of June, 1839, in New Jersey, of which state his parents, Dr. Peter and Louisa (Beek- man) Skillman, were life-long residents, their home being at Harlingen. The father died April i, 1888, at the age of eighty years, the mother in the spring of 1886. They had five children, namely: Alfred, who died in New York City; Cornelius, a farmer, of Harlingen, New Jersey; A. B., our subjeet; John C, who married Mar_\- V'andervere and is engaged in mercantile business in New Brunswick, New Jersey: and Rachel, a resident of Harhngen. Dr. Skillman's maternal great-grandfather was Col. Cruser, who was an oflicer in the Revolutionary war. The Doctor also had a cousin who was with General Washington when he crossed the Delaware river. Dr. Skillman received his primary edu- cation in subscription schools, and later at- tended the public schools of Harlingen, New Jersey. At the age of thirteen he en- tered the Pennington Seminary at Penning- ton, that state, where he was a student for two years, and subsecpiently attended Pro- fessor Hofl:'ord's grammar school at Bever- ly, near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, for a year. For two terms he pursued his studies at Rutgers College in New Brunswick, New- Jersey, and next entered the Albany Aledical College, from which he was graduated with the degree of M. D. in 1863. The Civil war being then in progress. Dr. Skillman entered the service in the med- ical department and was first assigned to a hospital in New York, but later was con- nected with the Central Park hospital at Chattanooga, and a hospital in Atlanta. He next went to Savannah, and from there to ^Mcksonville, Florida, and then to A\'ash- ington, D. C, where he was discharged. After three months spent at his old home in New Jersey, Dr. Skillman came to Marion, Iowa, in the winter of 1865, and later located in Bertram. Becoming tired of the strain both on the mental and physical powers of the physician, he at length gave up practice and turned his attention to farm- ing, though he was subseciuently engaged in practice at Sloan, about twenty miles east of Sioux City, Iowa, in 1876 and 1877. For 486 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD some years he rented a farm in Bertram township, Linn county, but in 18S3 removed to Dakota, where lie conducted an elevator and engaged in buying grain for the firm of Bassett, Hunting & Company, of Chicago^ for two years. At the end of that time he returned to this county and resumed agri- cultural pursuits in Bertram township. He also raises horses, cattle and hogs for market. On the 13th of December, 1865, in Bert- ram township, was celebrated the marriage of Dr. Skillman and ]\Iiss Aura Moore, who was born in Indiana, January 24, 1847. Her parents, James and Lavinia (Phelps) Moore, were natives of New York and Ohio, respectively, and were married in Geneva, Ohio. In 1853 they came west and took up their residence on a farm in this coun- ty, where the father died in January, 1887. The mother is still living and now resides with her daughter, Mrs. P. F. White, in Cedar Rapids. They had seven children, namely : Sylva, who died at the age of sev- enteen years ; Joseph, who married Hester Burge and both died in Bertram townsliip; Aura, wife of our subject ; Lafayette, who married Elsie Harmon, now a resident of Denver, Colorado, and was killed in a wreck ■while a conductor on the Chicago & North- western Railroad; John F., who resides in Chicago and is now traveling auditor for the Great Northern Railroad; Kate, wife of Thomas White, of Tillamook, Oregon ; Frankie, widow of P. E. White and a resi- dent of Cedar Rapids ; and Minnie, who died in infancy. In early days the father of this family shot many a buffalo on the prairies of this state. When he first came to this state there was not a house in Cedar Rapids, and Council Bluffs contained Init a few log cabins. There were five children born to Dr. and Mrs. Skillman, as follows : Addie, born May- 31, 1867, died August 17. 1867; Alfred, born March 30, 1869, died October 31, 1872 ; Lula, born July 11, 1873, is attending Cor- nell College, ^It. Vernon. She has also engaged in teaching school having taught twenty-five terms ; Francis, born September 10, 1875, is at home, but will soon finish a course in bookkeeping and stenography; and two who died in infancy. In 1870, the Doctor, accompanied by his family, crossed the ]3lains to Colorado with a team and covered wagon, taking with him forty head of cattle. It required thirteen weeks to make the trip. Socially Dr. Skillman is a member of Stedman Post, G. A. R., of Springfield, South Dakota, and at one time was also connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. On national issues he usually supports the Republican party, but is only an advocate of its principles when he believes they will advance the best interests of the people. He has always refused to hold public office but is well qualified to fill any position to which he might be elected. MRS. JULIA A. BROWN. , Mrs. Julia A. Brown, widow of Horace Nathan Brown, has been a resident of Linn county since 1854, and during all these years has made her home on the farm where she now lives. It is one of the most de- sirable places in Brown township, being a valuable and well improved tract of five hundred and eighty-five acres on section 32, conveniently located within two miles of Springville. A native of Ohio, Mrs. Brown was born in what is now Ashland county, and is a r r \ m ^^IjL * / ' ?p«f / HORACE N. BROWN. MRS. JULIA A. BROWN. BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 489 daughter of Lemuel and Ruth ( Hardinger) Chapman, both natives of Pennsylvania, who when young removed to Ohio and ' were there married. They made their home in Ashland county, where the father was engaged in farming throughout his active business life. His wife survived him a number of years, he dying in that county, while his widow died in DeKall) county, In- diana. They were the parents of thirteen children, namely : William, who died in Ohio; Nathaniel and Daniel, who both died in Linn county, Iowa; Airs. Sarah Bemmen- derfer; Julia A., of this review; Wilson, a resident of Alichigan; Mrs. Elizabeth Bem- menderfer; Mrs. Mary Duncan, deceased; Lewis, a resident of Indiana; j\Irs. Nancy Shadrick, of Nebraska; Mrs. Jane Duncan, deceased; Ellen, who resides with Mrs. Brown; and Richard, a resident of Ohio. Mrs. Brown spent her early life in her native county and when a young lady came to Linn county, Iowa, in 1853, to visit her brother, Nathaniel Chapman, one of the first settlers of this county. She returned to Ohio in the fall of the same year, and was there married December 22, 1853, to Horace N. Brown, who was born in Erie county, Pennsylvania, April 6, 1822, and was quite young when he came to Iowa. His father, Nathan Brown, was a native of Westchester county. New York, and was married in Onondaga county, that state. On coming west in 1S38, he first located in Geneva, Kane county, Illinois, and two years later came to Linn county, Iowa, taking up his residence in Brown township, which was named in his honor. Mrs. Brown's husband assisted in building the first school house in Linn township, where he pursued his studies for a time, his sister being the first teacher employed there. 24 Mr. and Mrs. Brown l>ecame acquainted while she was visiting her brother in this county. They began their domestic life upon a tract of land in Brown township, which he had previously entered, and on which he erected a hewed-log house, making it their home for a few years, while he op- ened up and improved his farm. Subse- quently it was replaced by a neat and com- modious residence; two large barns and other outbuildings were also erected ; and fruit and shade trees were planted. As time passed and he prospered in his farming operations Mr. Brown added to the original tract until he owned nearly seven hundred acres of rich and arable land all in one body. He always gave considerable attention to the raising and feeding of cattle and hogs for market, and some seasons fed as high as one hundred head of cattle and five hun- dred hogs upon his farm. He was one of the most energetic and successful agricul- turists and stock dealers in the eastern part of the county. He continued in active busi- ness up to the time of his death, which oc- curred in the spring of 1893, and he was laid to rest in the Springville cemetery by the side of his parents. In his political aftiliations Mr. Brown was a Democrat, but he never cared for official honors. In early life, however, he served as justice of the peace and was presi- dent of the school board for a number of years. He also filled the office of county treasurer one term prior to his marriage, having been elected to that position soon after attaining his majority. He was a be- liever in Prohibition and often made tem- perance speeches, while religiously he was a consistent and faithful member of the Meth- odist Episcopal church. lie w^as a Knight Templar Mason and a prominent member (if 490 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD tlie order. As a citizen lie was public-spirited and progressive, ever ready to aid in any enterprise calculated to advance the inter- ests of his township or county, and was recognized as one of the leading citizens of the community. On the death of her husband Mrs. Brown took charge of the farm and business, and in the successful management of her affairs has displayed wonderful Inisiness and execu- tive ability. As a foreman she employs John McAtee, who has superintended the operation of the farm fi >r the past eight years, and also worked on the place for sev- eral years prior to her husband's death. Al- though she has no children of her own she has reared four, two of whom were her brother's children. All are now grown and married with the exception of one. She has also given homes to several others, and her place is often called the Orphans' Home. She, too, is an active and devout member of the ^lethodist Episcopal Church, and gave Hberally toward the erection of the church and parsonage at Springville, Quiet and unassuming, she delights in aiding those in need and has given generously to suft'ering humanity and worthy causes. She stands high in the community where slie has so long made her home, and those who know her best are numbered among her warmest friends. WILLIAM H. O'HARA. William H. O'Hara, of the firm of O'Hara Brothers, who are among the larg- est railroad contractors in the west, is an example of one, Avho, without extraordinary family or jrecuniary advantages at the com- mencement of life, has battled earnestlv and energetically, and by indomitaljle courage and integrity has achieved a success as a business man, enabling him to retire from active contracting. ^Ir. O'Hara was born in Clinton count)', Xew York, October 13, 1840, a son of John and Catherine (Spallon) O'Hara, both na- tives of Ireland. From the Empire State the family removed to \Msconsin, where the father engaged in fanning and contracting for some years, and after his son located in Cedar Rapids he came to this place, where he died at the ripe old age of se\enty-eiglit years. He was always a ver\' active man up to within a few years of his death. His wife died in Benton county, Iowa, at the age of seventy-five years. Only three of their nine children are now living, namely : John, a contractor living in Chicago, Illi- nois; William H., our subject; and Edwin R., a resident of Cedar Rapids. During his boyhood William H. O'Hara had but limited educational advantages, and he grew to manhood on the home farm. He accompanied his parents on their re- moval to A\'isconsiii, and at the age of twenty years commenced work on the railroad as a laborer. But his faithfulness to duty soon won him promotion and he worked his way steadily upward until in a few years he began taking contracts for construction work and was soon operating on a large scale. He worked in many of the western states on the Chicago & Xortliwestern, the Chica- go, Rock Island & Pacific, the Chicago, Mil- waukee & St. Paul and many other railroads, and his faithfulness and efficiency in full- filling contracts was the best advertisement for his work. In 1866 he came to Cedar Rapids and purchased property, this place being conveniently located for his work. In 1891, however, he removed to Chicago, BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 491 ^\•here he made liis home fur se\'en years, wliile still engaged in his cliosen occupa- tion, but in 1898 he returned to Cedar Rap- ids, and is now hving a retired life at this place. \\'ith his brother, he took large con- tracts of railroad work from the grading to the laying of rails. He has likewise done a great deal of building, both residences and several blocks in the business center of Cedar Rapids, and has been a large real estate- owner in the city. In 1876 ]\Ir. O'Hara married Miss Lydia Barker, who was born in Detroit, Michigan, but was then li\'ing in Burlington, Iowa. Unto them were born five children but two are now deceased. Those living are Thomas J., who graduated from the Chicago schools and is now at home; Henry and Edwin, also at home. In his political views Mr. O'Hara is a strong Repubhcan, and an active party worker, though never an aspirant for office. He is a member of the Catholic church and takes an active part in church afifairs. while his wife is quite a prominent member of the women's societies of Cedar Rapids. He was an earlv member of the church of the Im- maculate Conception, and a liberal supporter in the erection of the church. PATRICK SULLI\'AN. Patrick Sullivan, a well-to-do and highly esteemed citizen of Mt. X'ernon, who is now living a retired life, was born in County AN'aterford, Ireland, August 11, 1833. a son of John and Ellen (Healy) Sullivan, who spent their entire Hves in that county. In their family were four children, and the two daughters are probably still residents of Ire- land. John came to .\merica with our sub- ject and located in Newark, Ohio, where he was employed as bookkeeper in a distillery, but has not been heard of for some years. Our subject's opixtrtunities for obtaining an education were limited as the schools of his native land were conducted on the sub- scription plan, and his parents being in lim- ited circumstances were not able to pay hia tuition. At the age of twelve years he com- nienced herding cattle for a half cr<:)wn for three months work, which he thought was good wages at the time. He was thus em- ployed for a year, and for the following five years was engaged in repairing county roads, his father having a contract to keep a section of road in repair. Our subject would break and haul rock for this purpose. Later he engaged in farm work for two years. In 1853 ^Iv. Sullivan went to Liverpool, where he took passage on the Cornelia, a sailing vessel of the Black Star Line, and after a voyage of seven weeks and two days landed in Xew York. They encountered a number of severe storms, when it was thought that the vessel would lie lost; the hatches were battered down; and the pas- sengers could get very little to eat until the storm abated. There \vere four hundred people on board, of whom five died during the passage and were buried at .sea. One baby-was torn during the voyage. On land- ino- in Xew ^'ork, ^Ir. Sullivan took a New York & Erie train to Dunkirk, New York; then crossed Lake Erie to Cleveland; and from there went by train to Columbus, Ohio; where he found work on the Ohio Central Railroad at ninety cents per day, remain- ing there two years. In the sjiring of 1855 Mr, Sullivan went to Rock Island, Illinois, where he remained during the following summer and fall, and then went to De Witt, Iowa, where he en- 492 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD tered the employ of the Chicago, Iowa & Nebraska Railroad, which was afterward sold to the Galena, Chicago Unicjii Railroad Company, and still later became a part of the Chicago & Xorthwestern system. He spent three years at that place, and in the spring of 1858 came to Mt. \''ernon. where he did repair work for the same road for one year, and then was promoted to the po- sition of Avater pumper, pumping the water by hand for five years at Bertram, at the end of which time the nuul ])ut in a hi.>rsepower pumping apparatus, and he bought two horses, having charge of the pumping station at that place three years longer. During that time he received eighty-five di;>llars per month, which were the best wages he ever made. When the road abandoned the pump at Bertram, he removed to Lisbon, where he had charge of their steam pump for four- teen years, or until 1886, when he severed his connection with the rai!ri)ad. and turned his attention to farming, having purchased thirtv acres of land in Bertram township. He added to this from time tn time until he now owns two hunilred and thirty acres. \\'hen it came into his possession a part of the land was covered with slumps, but he cleared and improved it, until it is now under a high state of cultivation. He built two good houses upon the place, large barns and cattle sheds, and engaged in stock raising in connection with general farming. In 1892 he removed to Mt. \'e'rnon and bought two acres of land in the city, where he has a most beautiful home, sivrrounded l)y tall cedar trees, and here he is now living a re- tired life, enjoying a well earned rest in the midst of all the comforts which makes life worth the living. At the old Catholic church in De Witt, Clinton county, Iowa, August 14, 1857, Mr. Sullivan was married by Rev. Father IMc— Dermott, to Airs. Mary Quinn, a native of County Cork, Ireland, and to them were- T)orn two children, Ijut the older tiled in in- fancy. James, born September 10, 1859, is now hulding an excellent position at Kan- kakee, Illinois, as train master for the Chi- cago division of the Illinois Central Rail- road, and receives a salary of one hundred and fifty dollars per month and expenses. He was married in 1888 by Father Mc- Laughlin to Aliss Agnes Donahue, of Clin- ton, Iowa, and they have one child, Albert. Mr. Sullivan has never cared for political office, and votes for the men and measures which he believes are for the best interests of the working people. Of late years he has supported the Republican party. In religious faith he is a Catholic, and is a man highly respected and esteerned by all who know him. ♦-•-♦ WILLIS G. HASKELL. Willis G. Haskell is a leading representa- tive of the business interests of Cedar Rap- ids, being proprietor of the largest coal and wood yard at that place. Of excellent busi- ness ability and broad resources, he has at- tained a prominent place among the sub- stantial citizens of the community, and is a recognized leader in public affairs. He has won success by his well-directed, energetic efforts, and the prosperity that has come to- him is certainly well deserved. A native of Iowa,. Mr. Haskell was born in Bradford, June 5, 1857. His father, Ed- win A. Haskell, was born in Massachusetts,, and as a young man came west, first locating in Chicago, Illiriois, being one of the early merchants of that citv. Later he removed tO' BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 493 Rockford, Illini)is. ami tliere married Eliza Holmes. It was about 1850 when he located in Bradford, Iowa, before the railroad was built through that place, and he became one -of its pioneer merchants, being successfully engaged in business at that place until after the Civil war broke out. He was in the Union service for al.iout three years as a member of the Fourth Iowa Caxalry, and on his return home resumed mercantile pur- suits. Selling his projiertv in Bradford he later removed to Grand Junction, Coloradn, Axdiere he tlied. but there his widow still resides. During his boyhood Willis G. Haskell pursued his studies in the schools of Charles City, Cedar Falls and Independence, Iowa, and when his education was ciimpeted learned telegraphy Avith the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & northern, remaining in their ■employ for o\ev twenty years, first as agent git \^inton, Iowa, and Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and later as traveling freight agent with headquarters at Cedar Rapids. In 1893 he resigned his posiion and embarked in the coal and wood business as a jobber and wholesale dealer. So successful was he in this that he later added to it the retail business. He now occupies a quarter of a block at No. 401 Second avenue, and also has large yards at the corner of Eleventh avenue and Fourth streets. He does the largest jobbing and retail business in his line in this section of the state, and furnishes employment to about fifteen men, while he gives his entire attention to the enter])rise. On the 15th of June. 1881, Mr. Haskell married Miss Mae Williams, of Vinton, Iowa, a daughter of W. F. Williams, and to them have been born four children, nrune- ly : Maud W., Guy F., Frances F. and Willis G., Jr. The familv have a pleasant home at No. 1726 D avenue. Central Park. Mr. Haskell has not only owned some fine horses, being a lover of the noble steed, but is also the possessor of the first automobile ever owned in Cedar Rapids. For some years he has been an active sup- porter of the Republican party, and a recog- nized leader in its ranks. In 1896 he was first elected alderman of the fifth ward, which is the best section of the city, and so acceptably did he fill the office that he has been twice re-elected and is now serving his third term. During this time most of the city pa\'ing has been done and e.xtensive improve- ments made. Mr. Haskell is now serving as chairman of the' committee on parks, and is also a member of the judiciary, light and water committees. He has creditably and honorably performed his duties in the coun- cil, and has also capably served as a member of the board of health for the city. He has been connected with the Republican execu- tive committee. Socially he is a prominent Mason, belonging to Vinton Lodge, F. & A. :\r. ; \'inton Chapter, R. A. M. ; Apollo Commandery, K. T., of Cedar Rapids, Iowa: and El Kahir Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of Cedar Rapids. He is past eminent commander of Cypress Commandery, o£ Vinton. He is also a member of the Benev- lent Protective Order of Elks, No. 251, and the Knights of Pythias, both of Cedar Rap- ids, and is prominent in social, pulitical and business circles. ELI.\S E. HAHN. Elias E. Halm, who is nuw i)ractically living a retired life in Mt. \'ernon, Iowa, was born one-half mile south of the village, 494 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD April I, 1845, and is a worthy representative of one of tiie iionored pioneer families of Linn county. His father. Daniel S. Hahn, was born in Hamilton county, Ohio, June 8, 1808, and was a relative of Secretary Se- ward, who was a member of Lincoln's cabi- net during the trying days of the Civil wai* and who framed the bill that passed con- gress for the purchase of Alaska. Daniel S. Hahn was educated in the country schools of his native county, and being left an orphan at an early age he C(jmmenced life for him- self as a farm hand when quite young. Going to Indiana, he was married in Craw- fordsville, Montgomery county, that state, November 29, 1829, to Aliss Parmelia Ep- person, who was born in Tennessee, Novem- ber 29, 1804, but was reared in Kentucky. They continued their residence in the Hoosier State until 1835. when he removed to Illinois, where he remained until 1837, when they came to Linn county, Iowa, and purchased a farm nf two hundred and eighty acres just south df Mt. \'ernon, to the im- provement and cultivation of which the fa- ther devoted his energies for many years. He was the first settler of the county. It has l)een pnnen bv research that Mr. Hahn erected his claim two months prior to Mr. Crowe, who settled in Marion township. When he located here the land was all wild prairie and the Indians were far m^re num- erous than the white settlers. Our subject twice saw as many as six hundred red men camped on the hills of this county. Game of all kinds was plentiful and was about all the meat that the pioneer had. On locating here the father only had a horse and fifty cents in money, and he made a living for his family with his gun. i Ic was a devout mem- ber of the Eirst Baptist church, of Mt. \'er- non, and was a man highly respected and esteemed by all who knew him on account of his sterling worth and strict integrity. He died on the old homestead November 9, 1898, and his wife passed awav in 1881, and the remains of both are interred in the Mt. Vernon cemetery. In the family of this worthy couple were eleven children, namely: Lemuel B., born August 30, 1830, died December 16. 1838, and was the first person buried in ^It. Ver- non ceinetery; Susannah, born April 24, 1832, married Joseph West, of Mt. \'ernon, and is also deceased; Charles E.. born Oc- tober 19, 1833, married Almyra W'oli and is engaged in carpentering and contracting in Chadwick, Missouri; Joseph W'.. l")rn August 18. 1835, married Susannah E. Slatter and resides in Bloomington, Kan- .sas; Daniel, born October 4, 1837, marrierl Eliza Tison and lives in Ely, this county; Sarah, born August 28, 1838, is the wife of William Murry, of Jolon, California; Mary E., born August 8, 1841, is the wife of Ed- ward Hale_\-, who lives fi\c miles southeast of Mt. Vernon ; Lydia J., born May 18, 1843, married George Johns, of Mt. X'ernon, and died in April, 1900; Eljas E. is next in order of birth; Permelia A., biirn June 16. 1847, married Thomas Armstrong, of Mt. \'er- non, and died in Maj', 1900; and John E., born August 12, 1850, married Lizzie Kurtz, and is a carpenter and contractor of Cedar Rapids. Elias E. Hahn attended the district schools near his boyhood home until fifteen years of age. and on completing his educa- ti(Mi he assisted his father in the operation of the farm until twenty-four. He also worked at the carpenter trade with his bri)ther Charles E., when the farm work was slack. In the meantime the Civil war was in progress, and he tried to enlist BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 495 three different times. 1mt was always refused on account of his age, l)eing; unable to get his parents' consent. In 1869 he formed a partnershi]) with liis brother, Charles E., and engaged in contracting and building for a time. On the J5th of September, 1872, ^Ir. Hahn was married to a distant cmisin. Miss Johannah L. Hahn, who was born in Knox county. Illinois, Xovember 21, 1852, a daughter of Paul and Anna M. (Miller) Hahn. nati\'es of Ohio and Tennessee, re- spectively. During the war of the Rebellion her father enlisted in Company C. Twenty- second Illinois \'oIunteeer Infantry, and during his service he was a musician in the regimental band and a member nf the bridge construction corps. He ciintracted a disease of the lungs from exposure while building pontoon bridges and died at Xashville. Ten- nessee, in 1862. Fraternaljy he was a mem- ber of the Masonic Order. His wife died in Knox count}'. Illinois, in 1852. and was l)uried there. They had a family of five chil- dren : .\xa ]\I. married James Dennis, of Mt. \'ernon, Iowa, and died in 1883: Ed- ward married Josephine Yocaphets and-died in 1894: Martha Ellen married \\'illiam P(ir- ter and died in Warren county, Illinois, in 1876; Oscar, who was a resident (jf Warren county, Illinois, and a member of the Mason- ic fraternitv, married first Hannah .\tkinson and second Mary Lennox, and dieil in Leav- enworth. Kansas; and Johannah L., wife of our subject, completes tlie family. Mr. and Mrs. Hahn are the parents of nine children : Eva Gertrude, l)orn September 2, 1873, in Osborn county, Kansas, is now assisting her cousin in the ])ublication of The Educatinnal Magazine at lnwa City; Victor E., born in Osborn county, Kansas, October 20, 1873, went to Cuba as a member of Company F, Forty-ninth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, during the Spanish-American war, and was killed in front of the Mt. \'ernon depot by the fast mail as be was crossing the tracks after his return home. July 23, 1900. William A., born in a dug-out in Osborn county, Kansas, January 2. 1878, Lena M.. linrn in the same county. Feliruary 25, 1880, Lemuel E.. born in Cowley county, Kansas, December 26, 1881, Jessie E.. born in Chautauqua county, Kansas, August 8, 1884; Lillie E.. Ixirn in the same cnunt}-, July 25, 1887, Johannah A., born in Osborn county, Kansas, September 18, 1889, and El wood E., born on the old homestead in Linn county. Iowa, October 2, 1891. are all at home. Soon after his marriage, in Fel).. 1873, Mr. Hahn removed to Osborn county. Kan- sas, where he took up a homestead claim, and for some time was engaged in hunting buffaloes. He was considered at that time and is to-day one of the best shots with a rifle in his comnumitv. He can relate many interesting experiences of his life un the plains. At one ime he shot into a herd ijf buffaloes which had roamed near his house and wounded one. The others started to run, but his wife and his brother's wife frightened them by waving their ajirons and they started back, enabling Mr. Hahn to kill several others. On another occasion his broiber wounded a buffalo bull. Our subject jumped stride of the animal's neck with the intention of cutting its throat, but before he could ac- complish this the infuriated animal sprang to its feet, and then ensued a fight for life on the part of both, but Mr. Hahn was vic- torious and file buffalo soon lay tiead at his feet, while his companions were nowhere in sight. During his life in the west he became well acquainted with Wild P)ill. a well-known 496 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD cliaracter in the west. He became one of the most noted hunters of Wyoming, Colo- rado and western Nebraska at that time. He was hving in Kansas during the time of the great grassliopper pest. In 1883 he located in the southeastern part of that state, where he engaged in farming for seven years, and then returned to Linn county, Iowa, locat- ing on the old homestead farm, which lie greatly improved by the erection of new buildings, and which he successfuly operated until ^lay, 1900, when he removed to Mt. Vernon, Iowa, and has since practically li\ed a retired life, though he is interested in the coal and wood business at that place. There were five representatives of the Hahn family who were soldiers of the Spanish-American war, including Captain F. Hahn, of Cedar Rapids, who was presented with a gold watch for meritorious service. All followed the stars and stripes to Cuba, and for their gallant service reflected great on their country and name. Politically our subject is a stanch Democrat, as was also his father. He is a member of the Presby- terian chivrch, and also belongs to the Star of Bethlehem Lodge, No. 3, K. P., of Mt. Vernon. •-•-♦ HARVEY GRANT HIGLEY. Harvey Grant Higley, deceased, was for man\- years a leading business man of Ce- dar Rapids and one of its honored pioneers. He was burn in West Granby, Connecticut. September i, 1824, and was the third in or- der of birth in a family of six children, whose parents were Abiel and Prudence (Crane) Higley. He was seventeen years of age at the time of the remo\al of the familv from \\'est Granbv to Bloominsfton. Illinois, but after spending one winter at that place they came to Marion. Iowa, where the father died about six months later. At the end of a year the family came to Cedar Rapids. During pioneer days tiiey hauled all their grain either to Galena, Illinois, or Cascade, Iowa, where it was manufactured into flour. As they would often ha\e to wait a whole week before it was ground, it took some time to make the trip, which was often attended with many difficulties. Sometimes the streams which the)- were obliged to cross would rise suddenly, and as there were no bridges it was often almost impossible to ford them, endangering not only their load but their lives. At one time our subject and his eldest brother, accom- panied by six others, drove with teams from Cedar Rapids to Dubuque, and from there took a load of ten barrels of flour to Fort Atkinson for the government, receiving one dollar per barrel. The round trip was about five hundred miles, and it was made in the dead of winter. Just at the edge of a thirty mile prairie the little i^arty was struck by a blizzard of such violence and severity that they would have perished had they not fin- ally discovered a light in a distant house, left burning for the only time that winter on account of the illness of a child. Harvey G. Higley accjuired his educa- tion in the schools of Granby and Hartford, Connecticut. He was connected with his lirother, Henry E., in the manufacture of fanning mills for a short time. About 1846 they purchased an old stage line between Dubu(iue and Iowa City, a distance of one hundred and thirty miles, and carried on the business for two years. The line was siild. and the purchase money, two tlmusand dollars in cash, was paid to a triisted driver to bring to Cedar Rapids, Although he had H. G. HIGLEY. BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 499 been a personal friend of Mr. Higley, the temptation was too great and he disappeared with the proceeds of the sale. Sul)sequentl_\- our subject started in business in Cedar Rapids, and a few years later admitted his brother Henry E. to partnership, under the firm name of H. G. Higley & Company. Theirs was a general country stDre, for which they bought their goods in St. Louis and then shipped them up the ri\'er to Mus- catine, whence they were hauled overland to Cedar Rapids, as there were no railroads in the west at that time. To their original slock they subsequently added a full line of ■dry goods, boots, shoes, farm implements, vehicles, etc., until they had a first class .general store. Their trade extended for miles around, and the brothers continued in successful business together for a num- ber of years. They were located on First street north, which was then the main busi- ness street of tfie city, wdiile the family of our subject lived at the corner of First ave- nue and Second street. Harvey G. Higley was also identified with the livery business for a number of years, and was connected with other business enterprises. In later years he devoted considerable attention to his real estate and building interests, and erected the Higley block on First avenue, Avhich was one of the best business blocks of the city at that time, it ])eing sixty by one huntlred and forty feet in dimensions, but he died in course of its construction, June 23, 1878. He was president of the Cedar Rapids Gas Company, and was iden- tified with the movement which made the Third a\enue bridge possible, donating lib- erally toward its construction. It was the fir^t free bridge across the Cedar river at this place. He was one of the most promi- nent and influential business men of the city. On the 7th of November, 1849, ^^^'■ Higley was united in marriage with ]Miss Annah Bishop,who was born in Bristol, Con- necticut, of which place her parents. Homer and ]\Iatha (Smith J Bishop, were also na- ti\es. In 1842 her family removed to Iowa, and lived on a farm near Muscatine for about six years, 'Sir. Bishop having pur- chased a large tract of land in Muscatine county, which he broke and placed under cultivation. In 1847 '^^ came to Cedar Rap- ids, and was engaged in the dry goods busi- ness at this place for about two years. Dur- ing the gold excitement in California in 1849 fie went to the Pacific slope, and re- mained there about two years. After his return to Cedar Rapids he served as post- master for some time, and in 1861 was elected mayor of the city. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Higley were born four sons, who grew to maturity, namely : Henry Grant, now a resident of Ecuador, South America; Elmer A., of Cedar Rap- ids; Mortimer John, of Burlington, Iowa; and Albert Harvey, of Winona, Minnesota. Elmer A. Higley was born in Cedar Rap- ids, November 19, 1856, attended its public schools, and later was graduated from a business college in Davenport. He began his business career as a member of the firm of Walker, Passmore & Company, whole- sale dealers in butter, eggs, poultry and fruit, and when that partnership was dis- solved he and his brother ^Mortimer J. were engaged in a similar business for twelve years. In 1878 he assumed the manage- ment of the Higley estate, including the ercctidU of the Granby building in 1891, in connection with his limther Mortimer J. 500 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD It is a fine brick structure, one hundred and forty feet front by ninety feet deep, is four stories in height, contains one hundred rooms, and is modern and cumplete in all its appointments. Elmer A. Higley is also interested in the carriage business, having a large repository, and is one of the pro- gressive and energetic business men of the city. He married Miss Helen L. Olds, and they have three children, Harvey D., Fred- erick 'SI. and Helen. Mrs. Higley is a na- tive of \'ermnnt. and a daughter of Harmon D. and Sarah (Sturges) Olds. The mother died in the east. The father, who was en- gaged in the retail furniture business, and was a veteran of the Civil war, came to Cedar Rapids about 1870, and here his death occurred in 1889. JOHN PETROVITSKY. , It is astonishing to witness tiie success of young men who h.ave migrated to America without capital and from a ])osition of com- parative obscurity have worked their way upward to a position of proiuinence. The readiness with w liich tlie\- adapt themselves to circumstances and take adwintage of op- portunities offered brings to them success and wins them a place among the leading men of the comnumitv in which thev re- side. To this class belongs John I'etrovitsky, who is to-day one of the successful and prominent business men of Cedar Rapids. Mr. Petrovitsky is a native of Bohemia, born on Christmas day, 1846, and was there reared, receiving good educat'ona! advan- tages in bis native tongue, bul his knowledge of English has been self-ac(|uired since com- ing to this country. He also learned the butclier's trade in Bohemia. In 1864, at the age of eighteen years he came to the United States with the hope of bettering his finan- cial ci>ndition, and settled in Chicago, where after working at the butcher's trade for about three years he opened a meat market of his own in that city, where he carried on Inisiness for about four years. In 1873 he came to Ceilar Rapids and was engaged in this same enterprise for manj' rears, hav- ing excellent success in the undertaking. For some years he has been speculating in real estate, buying and improving prop- erty and developing many industries of various nature. He built ~ the Petrovitsky block and also another business block on First street, and has improved consider- able residence pro]ierty, erecting fourteen houses on one block in a year. \\'hile a resident of Chicago Mr. Petro- vitsky married Miss Teressa Trumbull, who died in Cedar Rapids in 1874. Of the two children born of that union, one survives, Charles (j.. who is a graduate of the law deijartment of the Iowa State Uni- versity. For his second wife Mr. Petro- vitsky married Miss Frances Witonsek, who was reared in Cedar Rapids, and died about six years after their marriage, leav- ing one son, Jolni C, who graduated from Rush Medical College in Jmie, 1901. He was again married, his third union I;eing with Mary Eedner, of Cedar Rapids, by whom he has three cJiildren : Sylva, • Zora and Robert E. Mr. Petrovitsky is of Democratic prin- ciples, but at elections supports the men whom he believes liest qualified to fill the offices and serve state interests regardless (jf party affiliations. He has served a.s township trustee, but has never cared for political honors. Fraternally, he is a BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 501 Master IMasoii ami a niemlier of the East- ern Star Cliapter, and also belongs to the Odd Fellows and Rebekah Lodges, being past grand of the former. He is a promi- nent and influential member of the Bohem- ian Benevolent Association, and has served as its president and as grand president of Iowa. As a citizen he is public-spirited and progressive, taking an acti\e interest in whatever tends to promote the welfare of the city, and has, as a real estate dealer, promoted its material welfare in no uncer- tain manner. His sueccess in life is due to his own labor, energy and good manage- ment, and the prosperity that has attended his efforts is certainly justly merited. JOEL S. HUDSON. This representative and prominent farm- er of Grant township, living on section 22, was born in Tioga county, Pennsylvania, on the 14th of March, 1842, and is a son of Syl- \'anus X. and Jane ( Somers ) Hudsnn. The father was born in A'ermont August 15. 181 5, his parents being Joel S. and Sally Hudson, also natives of that state, the for- mer born Fel)ruar\- 10. 1784, the latter No- vember 10, 1786. The grandfather of our subject spent his entire life in the Green Mountain state, where he died May 2. 1836, and sul)?equentlv his wife, accompanied by three of her children, removed to Tioga county, Pennsylvania, where her death oc- curred March 5, 1879. They were the par- ents of the follnwing children: Seth B., Priscilla. Dean, Abigail and Hainiah, twins, all now deceased; Sylvanus N.. father of our subject; Abigail, deceased; Joel E., a resident of Jackson township. Tioga coun- ty, Pennsvlvania : Martha, a resident of El- mira. Xew York: James Moiu-oe and Esther H., both deceased; George \\'.. a resident of Chemung county, Xew York; Sally L., of Lima, Livingston county. Xew York; and ?\Iary E., of Elmira, that state. It was in the fall of 1840 that Sylvanus. N. Hudson removed with his mother and the two oldest children of the family to Tioga county, PennsyK'ania. where he took up land and continued to make his home until coming to Linn county, Iowa, in 1864. He located in th.at part of Washington township which miw forms a part of Grant township, and after operating a rented farm for four years he purchased forty acres of wild land on section 22, where he continued to make his home throughout life. In pnji- tics he was a Republican. He died May 22, 1885, and his remains were interred at Walker. His widow now makes her home with her son. George H.. at the age of eighty-three years. They had ten children, namely : Har- riet M. first married E. B. Kemp, who was killed in the battle of Cold Harbor during the war of the Rebellion, and she is now the widow of William Woodford, of Tioga county. Pennsylvania. Sarah Jane died in infancy. Joel S., our subject, is the next .if the family. George H. is represented on another page of this volume. William H. married Esther Graham and lives in Penn- svlvania. He enlisted in i86_'. at Ivmira, Xew York, and was sent as a recruit to the same company and regiment to which our sul)ject and his bnither (jeorge H. belonged. Elsie married W. D. Davis, of Xew ^'ork. and thev now reside in Leadville, Colorado. Philander R. died in infancy. Dora M. is the wife of George Maylield, of O'Brien countv. Iowa. Benjamin W. lives vvitli nur subject. Beri died in infancy. •502 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD Joel S. Hudsi)!! is indebted to the pulilic schools of Pennsylvania for his educational privileges. Soon after the Civil war broke out he joined the boys in blue, enlisting at Elmira, Xew York, September 1861. in Company E, Eighty-sixth New York \'olunteer Infantry, which was assigned to the Army of the Potomac. He participated in the second battle of Bull Run and the hotly contested engagements at Fredericks- burg, Chancellorsville and Gettysburg. After two years service he re-enlisted. De- cember 29, 1863, in the same company and regiment, and remained in the service until ■ hostilities ceased, being finally discharged at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, July 16, 1865. ■ For a time he was a member of the Six- teenth Veteran Reserve Corps. On leaving the army Mr. Huilson came to Linn county. Iowa, where his parents Jiad previously located, and he purchased one hundred and twenty acres of wild land on section 22, Grant township, which he broke and improved, making liis home thereon for twelve years. On selling that place he bought an improved farm of one hundred and eighty acres on the same sec- tion, and to its cultivation has since de- voted his energies. He carries on stock raising in connection with general farming, and- in both branches of business has been eminently successful. ^Ir. Hudson was married April 15. 1871, to Miss Sarah A. Andrews, a daughter of A. B. and Elizabeth (Wells) Andrews, who were nati\es of \'ermont and \'irginia. re- spectively. Her mother died in August, 1883, but her father is still living and makes liis home in Nebraska. They were the par- ents of twelve children, seven of whcmi are living. INlr. and Mrs. Hudson have eight <;hildren : Louis, who married Sarah Fair- child and follows farming in Grant town- ship ; Nellie, wife of Edgar Fairchild. a farmer of the same township; and Fred, l\ul)y, Charlie, Jessie, Bessie and Amanda, all at home. Politically ]\Ir. Hudson is a supporter of the men and measures of the Republican party, and he has filled the offices of town- ship trustee and school director. For over a third of a century he has been numbered among the valued and useful citizens of his communitv, and wherever known he is held in high regard. D. L. BOYD. For alidut one-third of a century this well-kudwii lianker and lumber dealer has lieen a resident of Mt. Vernon, and by his industry, keen discrimination and good ex- ecutive ability he has placed himself among the foremost business men of Linn county. He is a native of Ireland, born in County Antrim, December 5, 1841, and is the son of James and Jennie Boyd, who spent their entire lives in that county, and who were the parents of eight children, of whom our subject is the youngest. During his l)oyhood our sul)ject attend- ed a model schiml in his nali\-e land, and was later a student in the training school at Dublin. On leaving that institution he successfully engaged in teaching in Ireland f(ir se\en years. But the new world had attractions for him, and he determined to come to that country where every man was equal in the eyes of the law, anil where all had an equal chance for advancement. In 1868 he bade good-bye to home and friends and went from Belfast to Liverpool, BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 503. England, fr(im which port he sailed for the United States. Landing in Xew York, he proceeded at once to ^larengo, Iowa, where he remained three weeks and then came to Mt. \'ernon. which has since been his home. He began life here as a farm hand in the employ of James Smyth, with whom he re- mained three months, and for three weeks he was similarly employed by Colonel Smyth. At the end of that time he accepted a po- sition in the lumber yard of Colonel R. Smyth & Co., at Mt. Vernon, and a year later purchased an interest in the business. This partnership continued for some time, and he then purchased his partner's inter- ests, and lias since continued to be identi- fied with the lumber business of his adopt- ed city. In ]\lay, 1900, he took into part- nership with him his son. Jay C, and under the firm name of D. L. Boyd & Son the business is continued with marked success. On the advent of his son into the firm, he became connected with the banking business as cashier of the Mt. Vernon Bank, and is now holding that position. His intimate knowledge and extensive acquaintance with the people who do business in Mt. Vernon make him a valuable acquisition to the Ijank. On the 8th of December, 1870, Mr. Boyd was united in marriage with Miss Mar- garet Craig, who wasi born three miles west of Mt. Vernon, and who was the daugh- ter of Thomas Craig, a native of County Antrim, Ireland, and who came to this country about 1830, first locating in Ohio. In 1839, soon after Linn county was first settled, he removed here and took up gov- ernment land, about three miles west of Mt. Vernon, where he engaged in farming until his death, in i860. He was twice married, his first wife being ^Margaret Shaver. Af- ter her death he married Martha Smyth, and to them were born three children, of whom Mrs. Boyd is the only survivor. Three children w^ere also born to Mr. and Mrs. Boyd. Jay Craig, born December 2^, 1872, isi now the junior member of the firm of D. L. Boyd & Son. He married Miss Mabel Shire, and they have one child, Don- ald L. William Walter, born May 26, 1876, resides at home. Florence B., born April 22, 1882, is attending Cornell College. Air. Boyd is a faithful and consistent member of the Presbyterian church, and in politics is an ardent Republican. For two years he efficiently served as mayor of Mt. Vernon, and has been a member of the school board for many years, while he is now serving as one of the tru^tees of Cor- nell College. He is a ^ery pleasant and courteous gentleman, who takes a deep in- terest in every enterprise which he believes will be of public benefit, and he stands de- servedly high in both business and social circles. JOHN H. BURNS. The spirit of self-help is the source of all genuine worth in the individual and is the means of bringing to man success when he has no advantages of wealth or infiuence to aid him. It illustrates in no uncertain manner what it is possible to accomplish when perseverance and determination form the keynote to a man's life. Depending on his own resources, looking for no outside aid or support, Mr. Burns has gradually worked his way upward and now holds the important position of assistant master me- chanic in the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern Railroad shops at Cedar Rapids. 504 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD He was born in Wheeling, West \'ir- ginia, June i, 1853. His father. John Burns, was' a native of Scotland, but was a mere lad when brought to this country li_\- his parents. Michael and IMartha (Mc- \\'illiams ) Burns, who were among the early settlers of Bellaire, Ohio, and endured all the hardships and privations of pioneer life. Michael Burns was a manufacturer oi brooms and a dealer in coal, ha\-ing mines at Bellaire. Both he and his wife died in Bellaire, Ohio. Of their six children. tw( 1 sons and one daughter are still living: ]\lary. widow of James Brazell ; John AL; Mar- garet, deceased, wife of Joseph Beam ; Mar- tha, deceased; Charles, of Bellaire. The father of our subject grew tn man- hood under the parental roof, and in early life was engaged in the milling and broom cfirn business with his father. Later he was captain of a steamboat on the < )hi(i river and on leaving the river lived retired at Bellaire until his death. He was married in 1849 to Miss Sarah McXulty, who was born in Somerset. Ohio, of Irish parentage. At an early day her father, Hugh McXulty, came to the L'nited States and settled in Maryland, where he engaged in ])nsiness as a peddler, speculator and money loaner. be- ing considered very well-to-do for those days. He spent most of his life at Som- erset. Ohio, where he owned' considerable land. About 1849 '""^ came overland by wagon to Iowa, and purchased government land at Mason City, Lemars and Waterloo for his family. He traveled all over the western country on horseback or by stage, and then returned to Somerset, Ohio, where lie died when over eighty years of age. He had been very successful in his business ven- tures and accumulated considerable ])roper- tv. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Sarah Jane Martin, also died in Somer- set. Ohio, aged seventy-nine years. Boch were very well educated, and held a promi- nent position in the community where they made their home. Their children were John, deceased, who was a lawyer and prom- inent politician of La Crosse, Wisconsin: Henry T., deceased, who was a prominent criminal lawyer and an old settler of Du- buque. Iowa: Ellen, who was a highly edu- cated lady, and died at the age of fifty years, unmarried: and Sarah J., mother of our subject. As their jjarents were well-to-do ]jeople, both Air. and Airs. Burns were given the best educational advantages that money could procure during their early life. Their entire married life was passed in Ohio, but since her husband's death Airs. Burns has resided with our subject in Cedar Rapids, and is now seventy-three years of age. They had two other children, of whom one died in childhood. Amanda, the eldest, was edu- cated at Ursaline Convent, Cincinnati, Ohio, and married Samuel Kullman. She died in Somerset. Ohio, leaving one son, Lewis, who is now engaged in the creamery busi- ness in Chicago. John H. Burns, of this review, com- menced his education in the pul)lic schools of Somerset, Ohio, but at the age of ten years went to live with his uncle, H. T. AlcNulty, in Dubuque, Iowa, where he at- tended the common schools for a time, and was later sent to Xotre Dame, Indiana, for one year. Subsequently he took a commer- cial course at the St. Louis University, where he remained two years, and was there when tiie Xatchez and Robert Lee made their race up the Alississippi river On leaving college Mr. Burns returned to Dubuque, and commenced reading law in the office of his uncle, who was a very BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 505 pruniinent attorney of that city, remaining with liim one year. Through a letter given him Ijy Augustus Gonclolfo, private secre- tary to Hon. George Greene, of Cedar Rap- ids, antl Hon. Piatt Smith, of Dubu(|ue. he s^ecured a position in the shops of the Bur- lington, Cedar Rapids & Northern Railroad at Cedar Rapids, where he first worked as a helper or apprentice in 1871, hut he gradu- ally advanced step by step until he attained his present responsible position. He was first promoted to fireman on a freight train; in 1874 was gi\-en a switch engine; later a freight engine; and still later a passenger engine. In 1887 he was made traveling engineer and air-brake instructor, in which capacity he served until I1S95, when he was promoted to assistant master mechanic, and has since filled that position most faithfully and satisfactorily. He has been \\ith the company since eighteen years of age, and has served under four different manage- ments, and his duties have always been dis- charged in a most creditable manner. He now has general supervision of the whole system under the general master mechanic, R. W. Bushnell. Mr. Burns was married in 1878 to !Miss Ella Crabill, who was born, reared and edu- cated in Cedar Rapids, her parents having come to this city from Urbana, Ohio, at an early day, and were among the pioneers of the county. By occu])ation her father was a cabinet maker and real estate dealer. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Burns were born four sons and one daughter, of whom one died in infancy, one at the age of five years and another at the age of ten. Lewis H. was educated in the public schools and H. N. I'almer's business college, and then en- tered the service of the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Xortliern Railroad as clerk under William Brocksmit in the freight depart- ment. Later he was transferred to the clerk's office in the mechanical department under R, W. Bushnell, and at present holds the position of general timekeejjer in the ^liojjs. He is a proficient musician, possess- ing much natural talent in that line, and has studied under Professor Lee. Reuben Tin- dall, the younger son now living, is attend- ing the public schools of Cedar Rapids. The mother of these children died in Cedar Rapids, and in 1900 Mr. Burns married ^Irs. Alargaret Smith, who has one son, Frederick, a resident of Cedar Rapids, who is now a clerk in the office of the division master mechanic of Estherville. Soon after his first marriage yiv. Burns purchased property in Cedar Rapids, and has since identified himself with the inter- ests of the city. He and his wife take quite an active part in social and literary cn-cles. They are well and favorably known and have a wide circle of friends and ac- quaintances. Fraternally Mr. Burns is a member of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers. His life record is one well wor- thy of emulation, and contains many valua- ble lessons of incentive, showing the pos- sibilities that are open to young men who wish to impro\e e\-ery opportunity for ad- vancement. ■« > » SAMUEL SHAFER. The subject of this sketch, who is pro- prietor of one of the leading livery stables of Cedar Rapids, was born in Richland county, Ohio, March 16, 1839, and was only a year old when he came to Iowa vvitii his father. Christopher S. Shafer, in whose faniilv were eight children. Of that num- 5o6 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD ber three died in infancy. The father was a native of Baltimore county, Alaryland. On coming to this state the family lo- cated in ^luscatine county, and there our subject attended the public schools until eleven years of age. Losing his mother at that time, he started out to make his own way in the world. At first he worked as a farm hand and did odd jobs at teaming until the Civil war broke out. when he en- listed in Company K, Eleventh Iowa Vol- unteer Infantry, under command of Cap- tain Marvin and Colonel Hall. Going at once to the front, he participated in the battle of Shiloh, the siege of Vicksburg and the Atlanta campaign. During the battle of Atlanta, on the 22d of July, 1864, he was captured and sent to Andersonville prison, where he was held for three months. He was then transferred to Charleston, South Carolina, in company with ten thou- sand other Union soldiers, and four weeks later was sent to Florence, that state. \\'hile there he was exchanged and soon re- joined his regiment at Washington. D. C, having been a prisoner of war seven months. When the war ended ^Ir. Shafer was honorably discharged. During liis four years' service he had managed to save two thousand dollars, with which he embarked in the livery business in Cedar Rapids in 1866, and has carried on that occupation very successfully ever since. He now has one of the best stables in the state. His son Herbert is now associated with him in business, and makes a specialty of buying and selling fine carriage horses,, having at the present time about five thousand dollars worth of that kind of stock on hand. He is exceptionally good at making a trade, and has accumulated what he now has without financial help. He takes quite an active in- terest in his father's business. Mr. Shafer married ]*Iiss Abbie C. Ben- nett, a daughter of Frank Bennett, who is now eighty years of age, and is actively employed by the Cedar Rapids Street Rail- way. By this imion were born seven chil- dren, four of whom are living, namely : Herbert, previously mentioned, was gradu- ated from the Cedar Rapids high school in 1890. and has since married Miss Laura A. Granger, whose father. Joseph Granger, is a prominent farmer of Marion township, this county. Herbert Shafer is a member of ^h. Herman Lodge, No. 263, F. & A. M., the National Union, No. 163, and the Sons of \'eterans, while his wife is a mem- ber of the Rathbone Sisters and was the first to hold oftice in that lodge. They have a nice home of their own in Cedar Rapids. Abbie is at home with her parents and is now attending the high school of Cedar Rapids. Samuel is a student at the Armour Institute, Chicago, where he has taken up the study of mechanical engineering, and will complete the course in 1902. Politically Mr. Shafer is identified with the Republican party, and socially affiliates with T. Z. Cook Post, G. A. R., and the- Woodmen of the World. As a business man he is straightforwartl and reliable, and through iiis own well-directed efiforts and capable management he has acquired a com- petence which numbers him among the well- to-do citizens of his communitv. TALBERT PLUMMER. After a long, active and beneficial career the subject of this review is now living a retired life in Springville. A native of TALBERT PLUMMER. BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 509 Ohio, he was horn in Belmont county April 23, 1824. His father, Abraham Plummer, was born in Alaryland in 1799, and was a son of Robert Plummer, who followed farm- ing in that state for many years, and in 1802 removed with his family to Ohio, be- coming one of the first settlers of Belmont county. There Abraham Plummer grew to manhood and married Elizabeth Straw. He continued his residence there until 1833, when he removed to Morgan county, Ohio, and became one of the substantial farmers of that locality. After the death of his wife, which occurred in 1856, he came to Iowa and spent his last years with our sub- ject, dying at his home in Linn county in 1887, at the age of eighty-seven years. Talbert Plummer passed the days of his boyhood and youth on the old homestead in Morgan county, Ohio, having but lim- ited educational advantages, so that he is almost wholly self-educated. He was mar- ried in that county, October 22, 1846, to Miss Sarah J. Maris, a daughter of Owen JMaris. She was born in Jefferson county, Ohio, but was reared in Morgan county. By this union were born six children, as follows : T. C, a resident of Chicago, Illi- nois; Rachel Amy, who died in Ohio, at the age of two years; C. M., a farmer of Linn county, Iowa; Le Roy, a farmer and stock dealer of Guthrie county, this state; Mary E., wife of W. C. Wilson, a business man of Marble Rock, Iowa; and Nellie J., wife of Eugene Stone, a son of Zeplmia Stone, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this vol- ume. Mr. Plummer owned and operated a small farm in Morgan county, Ohio, until 1853. when, accompanied by his wife and three children, he came to Clinton county, Iowa, arriving here on the 27th of Septem- 25 ber. His brother had entered one hundred and sixty acres of prairie land near the pres- ent town of Calamus for our subject, and he at once commenced to break and improve that place, erecting thereon a small house. After farming there for about eleven years he sold the place at a good advantage and bought one hundred and thirty-three acres of land in Brown and Linn townships, Linn county. Some improvements had already been made upon the farm, including a good hewed-log house. Mr. Plummer subsequently ly built a frame residence, erected a good barn and other outbuildings, set out an or- chard and shade trees, converting his farm into one of the most \-aluable and attract- ive places in the township. He continued to actively engage in farming, stock raising and dairying until 1894, when he sold his farm and purchased one of the best resi- dences in Springville, where he is now en- joying a well-earned rest, free from the cares and responsibilities of business life. ' Originally Mr. Plummer was an old line Whig in politics, but on the organization of the Republican party in 1856 he voted for John C. Fremont, and has since supported every presidential candidate of that great political party. For several years he effi- ciently served as township trustee in Clin- ton county, and also filled the office of road supervisor. For years he has served on the .school board and has been president of his district. Religiously he and his wife are both active members of the Presbyterian church, and he is now one of its elders, although they were both raised and married in the Quaker faith, and all their children had birthrights in the faith. The ancestors of both were Quakers, who were obliged to leave England on account of the religious persecution. 510 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD j\Ir. and Mrs. Plummer celebrated their golden wedding in 1896, when their chil- dren and friends received a joyons welcome at their home and left many tokens of their good will and kind regard. \V. E. PERKINS. The subject of this sketch is one of the leading and representative business men of Alt. \'ernon, and belongs to one of the old and honored pioneer families of this coun- ty, being a son of \\'illiam Perkins, who for almost sixty years has been prominently identified with the growth and upbuilding of this section of the state. The father was born in Wheeling. \\'est Virginia, and in 1842 came to Linn county, Iowa. He and Robert Stinson built the first house erected in 2\lt. \'ernon, it being a log structure, and here he lixetl in true pioneer style. AMld game of all kinds was plentiful and furnished the early settlers with many a meal when otherwise they would have had little to eat. The Indians were also far more numerous than the white settlers, and Mr. P^erkins was more than once annoyed by having them drive away the oxen, with which lie Ijroke hisi land and cultivated it. He and two companions — Mr. Holmes and Dr. Ristine — built a raft, which they loaded with eight hundred bushels of corn and a lot of wheat, and floated the same down the river to St. Louis, where the grain was marketed. They then walked back to ]\It. \'ernon. This was but one of the many disadvantages which the early settlers en- countered in making for themselves homes in a wild and unimproved region before the days of railroads. Mr. Perkins is still ]i\ing. at the age of seventy-seven years, a hale and hearty old man, and makes his home six miles north of Mt. \'ernon. in Linn township. For twenty-eight years he has served as justice of the peace in a most creditable and satisfactory manner; has been highway commi^sioner a number of years; and school director ever since a school was estaljlished in his neighborhood. It was in this county that William Per- kins, father of our subject, married Miss Margaret 'SI. Bassett, a native of Ripley county, Indiana, who died February 16, 1858, and was laid to rest in ^It. Zion Church cemetery in Linn Grove. By that union there were born twin boys, W. E., our subject, and Eddie, who died in in- fancy. For his second wife the father wed- ded Miss Mary Kepler, a native of ^Nlary- land and a daughter of Peter Y. and Betsy (Rice) Kepler, who were also born in that state. By his second marriage Sir. Perkins has seven children, namely : Frank, who is married and resides in ^lontana ; Hamil- ton, who married E\a ilcShane and is en- gaged in farming near ^It. \"ernon ; EfRe, wife of Peter Butler, a farmer of \'iola, Linn county ; Etta, wife of William Hig- gins, who lives near Central City, Linn county; Emery and Belle, both at home with their parents; and Flora, wife of .\rthur L. Engle, of Brown township. Linn county. W. E. Perkins, of this review, was born on the old homestead north of Mt. \'ernon, January 30, 1858. and was graduated from the public schools of Mt. \'ernon. In 1876 he entered Cornell College, where he pur- sued his studies for a year and a half, and tiien began his business career as a clerk in the store of E. T. Golf. Later he was with the firm of Swafford Brothers, and for five years engaged in clerking in the drug store of Dr. Dorans. In 1893 he embarked in the grocery business on his own account, and conducted his store in what is known BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 511 as the Bookstaler building, on the south side uf ]\Iain street, until Aus^ust. 1900, when he sold out. j\Ir. Perkins has been twice married, his first wife being ]\liss Lucretia Baker, also a native of Linn county, who died August 10, 1881, leaving two children, namely: Minnie May, born Xoxember 2, 1878, is a graduate of the public schools of this coun- ty, and now resides with her uncle, Albert Iglehart, near Mt. Vernon; and Grace A., born December 3, 1880, was married Sep- tember 3, 1900, to George Johnston, who was born Alarch 26, 1875, and is a professor in the public schools of Mt. Vernon. On the 28th of December, 1887, Mr. Perkins was united in marriage with Miss Anna Kafer, who was born in Linn county May 6, 1868, and is a daughter of Jacob and Catherine (Fink) Kafer, the latter a native of [Maryland. Her father was born near Heidleberg. Germany, November i, 1834, and was reared on a farm, being edu- cated in the district schools of his natix'e land. In the spring of 1853 he took pas- sage at Havre, France, on the sailing ves- sel William Tell, and after a voyage of thirty-eight days landed in New York. He commenced life in the new world with only a dollar and a half in his pocket, but he possessed plenty of energy and pluck, and soon found work on the railroad in Lancas- ter county, Pennsylvania, where he re- mained three months. He then walked from place to place in search of employment anil finally found work in a blacksmith shop. where he remained until the ist of May, 1854. He next worked in the pineries of northern Pennsylvania, and on leaving there in the fall of 1855, he and others started overland for California. Mr. Ka- fer, however, stopped at Lisbon, Iowa, where he worked at digging potatoes, quar- r}ing stone and chopping wood for fifty cents per day, and the following spring turned his attention to the carpenter's, trade. After about a year spent in this county he erected a sawmill near Mt. Vernon, which town was then known as Pin Hook, while Lisbon was called Dutchtown. ]\Ir. Kafer has worked at Cedar Rapids and various other places throughout the county, and, meeting with good success during his resi- dence here, he has accumulated a hand- some property, and now owns a hue farm of two hundred and forty acres in Linn township. He has served as road supervisor and school director, antl is widely and fa- vorabh' known throughout the count)'. His wife died April 17, 1891, and was buried in ^It. Vernon cemetery. They were the parents of nine chiklren, of whom six are still Ii\ing, namely : Elizabeth, wife of Al- fred Safely, who lives near Tipton, Cedar county, Iowa; Philip H., who married Ida Deck, and is engaged in farming near Springxille, Brown township, Linn county ; Rebecca, wife of Henry Clark, a farmer liv- ing near Mt. Vernon, in Franklin town- ship; Rose, wife of Charles Letts, of Linn township; Grant, who married Sarah Deck, a sister of his brother Philip's wife, and is engaged in farming in Linn township; and .\nna, wife of W. E. Perkins, of this sketch. Mr. Perkins has ahva_\-s been iden- tified with the Democratic party. JOHN O. BAXTER. The subject of this sketch, who is a member of the well-known firm of Searles & Baxter, dealers in m.irble and granite monuments, is a man wIkisc sound common 512 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD sense and vigorous, able management of his affairs have been important factors in his success, and witli his undoubted integ- rity of character have given liim an honora- ble position among his fellow men. Mr. Baxter was born in Llanfair, Mont- gomeryshire, \\'ales, March 22, 1843, ^"d is a son of ThomaS' and Elizabeth (Gehu) Baxter, also natives of that country, where the father followed the bookbinding busi- ness. Our subject spent the first fourteen years of his life in his nati\-e land, and ac- quired his primary education in its public schools. In 1857 he accompanied his par- ents on their emigration to America, and settled in Berlin, Wisconsin, where he pur- sued his studies in the high school for a time. He was one of a family of nine chil- dren, but only four are now living. In the summer of 1859 I\Ir. Baxter be- gan his business career by serx'ing an ap- prenticeship at the marble cutter's trade, and when his time expired, in 1862, he en- tered the army, as a sergeant in Company C, Twenty-first Wisconsin X'nlunteer In- fantry. He saw considerable active service and was with his regiment in the battles of Perryville, Stone River and Chickamauga, as well as numerous mimir engagements. The war having endetl and his services be- ing no longer needed, he was honorably discharged in June, 1865, and was mustered out at Madison. Wisconsin, where he was serving as sergeant major at the post there. Returning to his old home in Berlin, Wisconsin, he took charge of Campbell Brothers" marble wnrks, as superintendent, which position he held several years. In 1872 he came to Cedar Rapids and formed a partnership with J. IM. Searles in the same line of business, which they ha\-e since car- ried on with marked success. February 18, 1879, !Mr, Baxter was- united in marriage with Miss Mary A, Earl, a daughter of Porter \V. and Susan (Hil- ton) Earl, who were born in the Xew Eng- land states and are both now deceased. At an early day they came to Cedar Rapids, where ^Ir. Earl was engaged in the dry goods business for many years. Of their five children four are still living. ]\Ir. and Mrs. Baxter have no children. Their hos- pitable home is at No. 515 Eighth avenue, and is always open for the reception of their manv friends. ^Ir. Baxter is a prominent Alason, and has taken all the degrees in the York Rite. He is a member of Crescent Lodge, Xo. 25, A. F. & A. ]\1., of which he is past master and which he represented in the grand lodge in 1878 and 1879. He is also a member of Trowel Chapter, No. 49, and before coming here was high priest of Berlin Chaptei-, at Berlin, Wisconsin. He is also a member of Apollo Command- ery, of which he is past commander and at present is captain general of the command- ery. He is a menilier of the ]\lasonic Temple Association and of T, Z. Cook Post, G. A, R. In politics he is identified with the Republican party, but has never caretl for political preferment. NATHAN V. BALLARD. In early life the subject of this sketch was one (jf the most energetic and enter- prising farmers of Linn county, lint lie has retired from active labor and is spending his declining years in ease and quiet at his pleasant home in Mt. \'ernon. He was l)orn in Trumbull county, Ohio, February 16, 1839, and is a son of William and Louisa (Yeomans) Ballard, who were na- tives of New York and Connecticut, respec- tivelv, and were married in Trumbull conn- BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 513 -ty. Ohio, where they continued to make their home until coming to Linn county, Iowa, in the fall of 1854. They located on, a farm live miles from ^It. \'ernon, where the father practically made his home until his death, which occurred September 27, 1 872. The mother died in 1896, and was buried in Mt. Zion cemetery near ]\It. Vernon. In their family were seven chil- dren, of whom one died in infancy. The ■Others were Josephus, who married Phebe J. Lee, and both died in Xewton, Kansas; Warren W'., who married Sophia Andrews -and died in Linn township, this county, at the age of forty-eight years; Nathan U., ■of this re\'iew ; Lydia, who married Charles Lee and died in IMt. Vernon December 25, 1900; Azuba, who died at the age of fifteen j^ears; and Misell, who married Adelia Simmons and lives in Omaha, Neljraska. He was a member of Company M, First Iowa Cavalry, during the Civil war, and was in the service four years, six months and fifteen days. Nathan U. Ballard is indebted to the district schools of his native county for his educational privileges, and he earl}- accjuired ■an excellent knowledge of agricultural pur- suits while assisting his father in the opera- tion of the home farm. In 1854 he accom- panied his parents on their removal to Iowa, which was a seminary, after which he at- tended a district school for the same length and for a time was a student at Cornell College, in the first school building erected, of time. At the age of twenty-one he leased a farm of seventy acres and com- menced farming on his own account. Responding to his country's call for aid in putting down the reliellion, he enlisted in SeiJtember, 1861, as a member of Com- pany M, First Iowa Cavahy, and after spending thirteen days in tlrilling at Dax'en- port. went to Burlington, anil from there to St. Louis, the winter being passed at Jefferson Barracks. In March the regiment went to Clinton, Missouri, and was engaged in scouting through that state, fighting prin- cipally guerrillas and gangs of marauders, such as the James bijys, the Younger broth- ers and Ouantrell's band. With three hun- dred mounted men forming an advance guard our subject went from Butler to Lone Jack, where they encountered seven thou- sand of the enemy, including the Younger and James boys. In the retreat wdiich fol- lowed they met five thousand L^nion sol- diers under command of General Blunt bringing up the rear. This was a surprise to the enemy, who had attempted to sur- round the Iowa Cavalry, anil they turned back fi^llowed by the Union troops for four days. On the ride the advance guard went ninety miles in a day and a half, riding (inlv in da\-ligiit. The command then re- turned to Butler, Missouri, and was engaged in skirmishing in that locality until the "fall of 1863, when they started for Little Rock, dri\'ing the rebels before them. Mr. Bal- lard's regiment was the first to cross the river the day Little Rock was taken, and his company was on the skirmish line. Mr. Ballard, his brother and two others were the advance videttes twenty rods ahead of the skirmish line and drew the fire of a rebel regiment of infantry, but were un- hurt. Later in the day the company was ordered to capture a rebel battery, but when within twenty rods of it the enemy opened tire, and they were also under the cross fire of another battery. On the retreat Mr. Bal- lard was the last to turn back, and nar- rowly escaped being cut down by a passing cannon ball. The company was under fire SI4 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD tlie entire day. but only one man was wound- ed. A ci:)lunel of another regiment gave orders that his command sliould h.ead the inarch into the city, but the Iowa Cavahy could not be held back, and were the first to enter Little Rock. At the edge of the town they saw a house covered with the stars and stripes and a little girl marching up and down in front of it, waving a flag and singing the "Star Spangled Banner." The soldiers took off their hats and ga\e three rousing cheers for the brave little one and those in the house. After spend- ing the winter at Little Rock our subject's command started to join General Bank at Shreveport, Louisiana, but stopped at Cam- den to await further orders, and there learned of Banks' defeat, and that a large body of Confederates were under forced marching orders to cut them off from Lit- tle Rock. The Union troops had sixteen iiundred wagons with them, some loaded with supplies, which they endeavored tt) take back, but it was found necessary to destroy a large quantity of the supplies, while some was ca]Jtured, and when they leached Little Rock had only one wagon and two ambulances left, but they had two guns captured from a rebel Ijattery. and saved all their own artillery. They also had three hundred [jrisoners, whom they turned oxer t(j a colored regiment, and as they were never heard of afterward, it is supposed that the regiment must have re- taliated for the massacres and outrages per- petrated upon i)risoners in the hands of the rebels. During this retreat they destroyed the pontoon bridge and the eighty wagons that had carried it for two years. They re- mained at Little Rock until mustered out of .service, in September, 1864. Mr. Ballard then returned to Mt. \'er- non and resumed farming. He was married in Marion, Iowa, December ^i. 1865, to Miss Sarah E. Leigh, a native of Indiana, and a daughter of Foster W. and Sarah (Buzenburgh) Leigh, who were natives of New Jersey and Indiana. respecti\-ely, and came to Linn county, Iowa, in 1S51, locat- ing on a farm five miles northwest of Mt. Vernon, where they spent their remaining days. Mrs. Ballard was the eighth in or- der of liirth in a family of ten children, the others being Charles, who married Lydia A. Ballard and resides in Mt. \'ernon ; Isaiah, deceased, who married Elizabeth Buzenburg: John B., who married the widow of Isaiah and lives in Mt. Vernon; Phoebe J., wife of Josephus Ballard; Eliza,. wife of Philip Stinger, (jf Linn Grove; Clarissa E.. deceased wife of Joseph Xa- pier, who lives on the old Leigh homestead in Linn (jrove; a twin sister of Clarissa, who died in infancy; ]\Iary, wife of A. M. Walling, of r^avid City, Xeljraska; and Foster \\'., who married Emma Hammond and resides in Mt. \'ernon. Mrs. Ballard died in May, 1898, and was liuried in Mt. Vernon cemetery. She left two children, namely: (i) John L., Imrn (Jctuber 21, 1866, is engaged in farming on land near ilt. \'ernon, wliich was given him. by his lather, lie married Maggie Rile_\-, a na- tive of this county, and they have two chil- dren, Howard and Harold. (2) Martha Estella, born January 13. 1873. is the wife of George Light, who is engaged in farm- ing three miles southeast of Mt. Vernon, and they have three children, Roy, Grace and Homer. Mr. Ballard was again married Septem- ber 27, 1899, at his present home in Mt. \'ernon, to Miss Sue R. Berryman, who was born in Concord, Kentucky. Her par- BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 515 ents were formerly of Ohio. Mr. Berry- man followed farniino- most of the time. Both her father and mother are dead. j\Ir. Ballard's first farm consisted of one hundred and twenty acres, to which he add- ed by purchase and heritage until he had two hundred and eighty-three and a half acres, of which he has since g'i\'en sixty- eight acres to his son. forty acres to his daughter, and has sold five and a half acres, while he rents the remainder, and now lives retired in Alt. Aernim, where he mvns a good modern residence and two acres of land, which he also rents. Air. and ]\Irs. Ballard Ii\-e in a handsome residence which is owned by Mrs. Ballard. Mr. Ballard gives his political support to the Republi- can party, and cast his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln. He served as townsliip trustee and road supervisor for six years each, and was school director for two years. During the Civil war he en- tered the service as a ])rivate, and was made a non-commissioned officer, being promoted for meritorious service. Fraternally he is an honored member of W. C. Dimmit Post, No. 400, G. A. R., and religionsly holds membership in the Methodist Episcopal church. His well-spent and useful life has not only gained for him a comfortalile com- petence, but has won him the confidence and good will of his fellow citizens, and not a man in the communit\- is held in higher regard than Nathan I'. P)allard. A\'ILI.1AM L. WKLLER. The world instinctivelv pavs deference to the man whose success has been worthily achie\'ed. who has ac(|uired a high reputa- tion in his chosen calling and has overcome all the obstacles in the path to prosperity. This is a progressive age and he who diies not advance is soon left far behind. By the improvement of opportunities by which all are surrounded, Mr. AVeller has steadily and honorably worked his way upwfird and has attained a fair degree of prosperity. A native of Canada, he was born in Peterboro, Ontario, September 5, 1S46, and is one of a family of eight children, seven of whom are still li\ing, his i)arents being Lo- renzo R. and Corintha D. (Bettes) W'eller. His boyhood and youth were passed in Co- bourg, Canada, which is now a noted sum- mer resort, and his literary eilucation was obtained in its public schools. On leaving home at the age of seventeen he went to Oswego, New York, where he was employed in a drug store for two years, during which time he gained a thoroug'h knowleilge of the business which he had chosen as a life work. Deciding to try his fortune in the west, he came to Iowa, traveling by boat from Buffa- lo to Chicago. He stopped at each town be- tween Fulton and Cedar Rapids looking for a suitable location to establish a drug store, and finally decided to settle at the latter l)lace. He was a total stranger on his arrival here in Mardh, 1866. He rented a room, twelve by twenty-four feet, on First avenue, and opened for business on the 6th of March, 1866. When this building was lorn down three years later he removed to another in the same neighborhood, which he occupied for fifteen years. On the expiration of that time he built what is known as the W'eller block on the corner of Thirtl avenue and Third street, which is forty by ninety feet in dimensions, three stories brick, and at the time was one of the largest store and office buildings in the city. He jiersonally 5i6 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD superintended tlie construction of this build- ing and has since occupied it. For thirty- five years he has now successfully engaged, in the drug business in this city, and is ac- counted one of its leading business men. \^^ith one exception he has l)een longer en- gaged in the business than any other drug- gist in the city. He is a member of the State Pharmeceutical Association. Mr. Weller has not confined his attention alone to the drug trade but has become in- terested in other business enterprises which have not only advanced his individual pros- perity but have been of material benefit to the city. He owns considerable real estate, including both business and residence prop- erty, and has been instruniental in adding considerably to the real estate value of Cedar Rapids. He has laid off two additions to the west side of the city, known as Weller's first and second additions, and both proved very profitable ventures. He is also interested in farm land, and now owns a valuable farm of two hundred acres near the city limits on the East Side. Mr. Weller gives his political support to the men and measures of the Re- pul)lican party, and was a charter member of and one of the organizers of the Occidental Cluli, with which he is still connected. » « » CHARLES W. KEPLER. Among the prominent and successful at- tnrneys in Iowa is this well known citizen of Mount Vernon, who served with distinc- tion as an ofiicer in the Civil war, and in times of ])eace has borne a very important part in public affairs. He was l)orn in Fred- erick county, Maryland, January i, 1841, and is a son of Conrad Kepler, whose sketch appears on another page of this work. He was only two years old on the remi>\al of his parents to Linn comity, bnva, and was reared on the home farm in Franklin town- ship, his early education being obtained in the district schools of the neighborhood and in Cornell College at Mount \'ernon, at which latter place he was a student w hen the Civil war broke out. On the 1 8th day of September. 1861, ^Ir. Kepler enlisted as a private in Com- pany A, 13th Iowa \'olunteer Infantry, and was mustered into the Cnited States service at Davenport, after which he was sent to St. Louis, and later to Jefferson City, jMissouri. \^'ith his command he jiarticipated in the battles of Shiloh, Corinth, the siege and battles around Vicksburg, the siege and bat- tles around Atlanta, and was with Sher- man (3n his March to the Sea, and thniugh the Carolinas to Richmond, and from Rich- mi md to Washington, and participated iiT the grand review of the armies at Washing- ton, D. C, at the close of the war. In the great battle of Shiloh his soldierly qualities attracted the attention of the officers of the company and he was promoted to first ser- geant. At the battle of Corinth, October 3, 1862, he was severely wounded in the left thigh and was with difficulty saved from capture and death by the heroism of John R. McClaskey, of his company, who stopped tlie flow of blood and brougl.t him from the field, at the risk of his life. After his recoxery he was commissioned second lieu- tenant February 2, 1863, and served as such until he was j)romoted captain of Company A. January 9, 1865. Dinging his entire service he was never off duty except while absent recovering from his wounds. During the siege of At- lanta he was on detached service in charge of the amlnilancc corps, and discharged its delicate and trying duties w ith courage and CHA.S. W. KEPLER. BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 5>9 fidelity. After the battles around Atlanta, he was detailed as inspector of the 3d Bri- .gade, 4th Division, 17th Army Corps, on Gen. W. W. Belknap's staff, and served as such during the [March to the Sea. and ini- til mustered out of the ser\ice March 5, 1865, at Louisville, Kentucky, when he was brevetted m.ajor of United States Volunteers for gallant anti meritorious conduct in bat- tle by a sjjccial act of Congress. ^Ir. Kepler during the war took up the study of law under the guidance and direc- tion of General Belknap, an able lawyer, who afterwards was appointed secretarj- of war by President Grant. A few years after his return to Mount Vernon, he engaged in the practice of law and has continued in the practice ever since. He has met with marked success in his chosen profession and has won a merited place among the leading attorneys of the state, and enjoys a large and lucrative prac- tice. On the 26th da}- of April, 1900, he was appointed by Leslie M. Shaw, Governor of Iowa, a member of the Commission for the Erection of ^Monuments on the battlefield of Shiloh, Tennessee. On the 6th of November, 1866, at Lis- bon, Mr. Kepler married Miss Mary Adaline McClaskey, who was Irarn in Montgomery county, Indiana, June 6, 1849. Her father, David McClaskey, was born in Henry coun- ty, Kentucky, November 27, 1814, and was a son of Isaac McClaskey, a native of North- umberland county, Pennsylvania, and a grandson of James McClaskey, who came to this country from Ireland when a young man, and first settled in Pennsylvania, but later removed to Kentucky in 1794, at which time his son Isaac was ten years of age. The latter married ^liss Sarah Goodsil, and in 1 8 18 they removed to Washington coun- ty. Indiana, where he cleared and improved a farm. There he died in 1861 and his wife passed away in 1846. They had eight chil- dren, of whom David was fifth in order of birth. He was reared and educated in In- diana, and in February, 1836, wedded }iliss Mary Neely, who was born in Washington count}', West Virginia, November 13, 18 18, and was a daughter of William B. and Ju- dith (Poole) Neely, natives of \'irginia and North Carolina respectively. The year following the marriage Da\id McClaskey remox'ed to Montgomery coun- t}-, Indiana, where he owned and operated a farm until coming to Iowa in 1851. He purchased a farm in Pioneer township, Ce- dar county, where he made his home until 1883, when he removed to Mount \'ernon. Politically he was first a Whig and later a Republican, and religiously both he and his wife were faithful, and consisent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He died January 27, 1889, at Mt. Vernon, Iowa, and his wife passed away December 4, 1888, their remains being interred at M(_)unt Ver- non. In their family were eight children, namely : ]\Iartha E., Judith M., John R. (the one who so gallantly assisted in carrying our suliject off the field at the battle of Corinth, and who participated in all of the engage- ments in which his company took part, and lost a limb at Nickajack Creek, in front of Atlanta), Isaac M., Sarah Jane, Margaret K., Mary x\deline (wife of our subject), and Era A. They were all educated at Cornell Col- lege, and the father completed his education at De Pauw University, Indiana. Both ^Irs. Kepler's jiaternal grandfa- ther. James McClaskey, and paternal great- 520 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD grandfatlier. — Xeelv. were soldiers of the Revolutionary war, under General Washington, the former being captain of the company in which President McKinley's grandfather ser\-ed. Mr. and ]\Irs. Kepler have two children, Hattie J\Iay, at home with her parents, and who is a graduate of tlie Musical Depart- ment of Cornell College, and Louis How- ard, a graduate of Cornell College, who is now reading law in his father's of- fice, but who intends entering a law school in the fall of 1901. Socially Mr. Kepler is a member of the Knights of Pythias Lodge, Mount \'ernon, W. C. Dimmitt Post, Grand Army of the Republic, and the Military Order of the Loyal Legion. He has twice lieen elected president of the 13th Iowa Regimental As- sociation, and twice elected secretary of Crocker's Iowa Brigade, an outline history of which appears in the sketch of Col. H. H. Rood, on another page of this work, and is a member of the board of trustees of Cornell College and of the Alethodist church for twenty years. Pre-eminently public- spirited and progressive, he takes quite an active and influential part in the pulilic af- fairs of his own town and county, and in his earlv life his fellow citizens called upon him frequently to fill many of the local of- fices of the town, such as mayor, council- man, etc. As a citizen he ever stands ready to discharge any dut_\- devohing upon him, and his patriotism lias been manifested in days of peace as well as in times of war. J.\.MES KIRKP.VTRICK. This early resident of Linn county is to-day one of the most highly res])ected and worthy citizens of I\It. Vernon, where he is now living a retired life. He was born in Franklin county. Pennsylvania. Septem- ber 15, 1826, a son of John and ^Margaret (]\Iartin) Kirkpatrick, natives of Ireland, who came to this country in 18 19 and set- tled in Franklin county. Pennsylvania, where they spent the remainder of their lives, the former dying at tiie age of sixty-seven years, the latter at the age of sixty-three. The father followed farming and also worked at his trade as a linen weaver, which he had learned in his native land. In his family were nine children, the two eldest of whom were born in Ireland, but only, four of thu number are now living. The subject of this sketch was reared and educated in the county of bis nativity, anc'i during his early life acquired an excellent knowledge of agricultural pursuits by as- sisting his father in the operation of the fiome farm. In 1849 'i^ removed to Wayne county. Ohio, where he engaged in farming" until 1856, and then came to Linn county. Iowa, purchasing a farm of eighty acres in Franklin township, to which he added from time to time as his financial resources in- creased until he had four hundred acres. His home place was on sections _'/ and 34, where he fcillowed farming" most success- fully until 1895. when he removed tj Lisli )n. Two years later, however, he took up his residence in Mt. X'ernon, where he has since lived retired from active lalior. On the -'Oth of April. 1831. in Wayne county, Ohio, Mr. Kirkpatrick was united in marriage with Miss Sarah Plenderson, also a native of Pennsylvania, and a daugh- ter of Hugh and Xancy Henderson. Her father was a jjrosperous farmer of Arm- strong county, Pennsylvania, who afterward removed to Ohio. Mrs. Kirkpatrick. who was a faithful nicnibcr of the Presbyterian BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 521 church, died in Ohio, ahdut a year after her marriage, leaving one son, Ralph, only five days old. He is now a prominent farmer residing on section 27, Franklin township, and is represented on another page of this volume. Mr. Kirkpatrick was again ir.arried. in Franklin township, this county. A]iril 15. 1858, his second union heing with Miss Susan E. Cowan, a native of \\'est!noreland county, Pennsylvania, and a daughter of Alexander C. and Margaret (Sample) Cowan. Her lather was a carpenter and cah- inet maker Ijy trade, and followed these occu- pations during his residence in the Keystone State, but after his removal to Iowa in 1856, he engaged in farming in Franklin township, Linn county, for many years. His last days, however, were spent in Tama county, Iowa, where both he and his wife died. They had a family of eight children. By his second marriage Mr. Kirkpatrick had eight children, of whom two died when young. The others are as follows : ( i ) Cowan married Edith Cantral. and resides on the old homestead in Franklin township, though he expects soon to move to Lisbon. (2) John M. is also represented elsewhere in this work. (3) Robert, a farmer of Frank- lin township, married Jennie Light and they have three children. (4) Mary is the wife of Henry Wetzel, who is engaged in the grain and elevator business at Millburn, Dallas county, Iowa, and tlie_\' have seven children. ( 5 ) Emma is tlie wife of D. E. Long, a dry goods merchant, of Mt. Vernon. (6) Lizzie is the wife of Charles Krebs, a market gardener of Cedar Rapids, and they have six children. Mrs. Kirkpatrick, the mother of these children, died on the home farm in Franklin township, July 22, 1874, at the age of forty-one years. She was a devout and active member of the Presby- terian church, a faithful wife and lo\ing mother. As one of the prominent and infiuentiai citizens of his community Mr. Kirkpatrick was called upon to fill the offices of town- ship trustee and treasurer; and also district treasurer in Franklin township for nineteen years, and road commissioner for several terms. In religious belief he, too, is a Pres- byterian, and has taken (|uite an active and prominent part in church work, serx'ing as trustee of the church in Frankliii town- ship and Alt. \'ernon for several _\-ears. JAMES A. STAMBAUGH. James A. Stambaugh, who is successfully carrying on farming and stock raising on section 21, Bertram township, was born in Linn county, on the 8th of Dectmljer, 1852, and is a son of Samuel Stambaugh, of whom extended mention is made in the sketch oi George \\'. Stambaugh on another page of this volume. The father, who was a native of Pennsylvania, died on the old homestead in Bertram township, September 20, 1897. He was married in Schuyler count}', Illi- nois, to Rachel Bryant, a native of Ohio, who died at -the home of her daughter in Marion, April 2^,. 1901. By this uninn were 1)orn tweh'e children, of wlmm two died in infancy. The others were as follows ; Mary A. is the wife of William L. Stoneking, a farmer of Bertram township; Louisa A. is the wife of William Cory, a farmer of Green^. county, Iowa ; Sarah E. died at the age of forty years; Samuel E. married Delia Har- vev, of Lisbon. Iowa, and now resides in Santa Anna, California ; Xoah B. married '52 2 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD Lilly Lamson, of Marif.m. Iciwa. and li\-es in Curtis. Oklahoma: James is tlie next of ihe family; Rachel J. is the wife of Charles Lamson, of Sumas City, Washington ; George W. is represented on another page of this volume : All)ert H. married Lettie W^orkman and resides in Browning. Schuy- ler county, Illinois; and Martha Eva is the wife of Zach Berry, of Marion, Iowa. The district schools of this county atturd- ed James A. Stambaugh his educational pri\ileges, and while attending school in winter he assisted his father in the work of the home farm througli the summer months until nineteen \ears of age. He then rented forty acres of land of his father, and resided thereon for five years. The follow- ing year he rented the Daniels farm, and next rented the Berry farm one year, and at the end of which time he returned to the old homestead, remaining there three \ears. On the 25th of June, 1882. in Linn cmn- ty. ^Ir. Stambaugh was united in marriage -with JNIiss Louisa Berry, who was born in Illinois. August 29, 1852, a daughter of John and Polly Millner Berry, both natives ■of this country. She died Octnlier 1. 1883, and was laid to rest at Crab Apple, this county. She left one son, Charles L., who was born October i, 1883, and now assists his father in the labors of the farm. Mr. Stambaugh was again married. March y, 1887, in Alarion, Iowa, his second union being with Miss Mary Ella Parker, who was born in Concord, New Hampshire, July 20, 1862. Her parents. Sanniel and Amelna (Messer) Parker, were Ixith natives ■of Bow, New Hampshire, the farmer burn December 30, 1821, the latter July 24, 1825. They were married at that place April 8. 1847, and for eighteen years thereafter he devoted his time to the manufacture of piano and organ keys, and in 1866 came west, locating at Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where the father worked at his trade of carpenter for a short time. Subsequently thc_\- settled south of Mt. Vernon, where be followed mill- ing for about a year, and then removed west of that place, where he engaged in the same occupation for five years. He next locateil on a farm near Bertram, and devoted his attention to agricultural pursuits for fifteen years. He then retired from active labor and removed to Cedar Rapids, where his death occurred November i, 1894, his re- mains being interred in the cemetery there. His widow now resides with our subject. Their children were Frank B., who married ^Martha Oxley and resides in Cedar Rapids ; Martha A., who died at the age of eleven months; Arzilla M., who died at the age of nineteen; \\'illiam, who married Rosie \Miite and lives on a farm in Bertram township; Mary Ella, wife of our subject, and Charles, who married Frankie Boxwell and also re- sides on a farm in Bertram township. By his second marriage Mr. Staml;>augh has tliree children, namely: Hattie E.. born January 23, 1889; Clara E., liorn April 24. 1892; and Roy, born November 5, 1899. Mr. Stambaugh's first purchase of land consisted of forty acres on section 21. Bert- ram township, to which he has subsecpiently added fifty-four acres, and he also owns a one-thiril interest in the old homestead. He has made many substantial improvements on his farm, including a good residence, liarns and cattle sheds. He raises a high grade of stock for market, to which he feeds all of his grain, and is one of the most jjrogressive agriculturists of his comnumity. He attends the Christian Science church, of Cedar Rapids, and votes for the principles which he belie\-es are for the best interests BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 52 3-- of the people, regardless ui parly. He has filled the offices of road supervisor and school director for a number of years, and has ever faithfully discharged any duty de- volving upon him whetlier public or private. IRA A. BARNES. Among the energetic and successful agri- culturists of Franklin township is the sub- ject of this sketch who is now engaged in dairy farming on section 14. He was born in the same township, one mile west of Alt. Vernon, April 4, 1854. and Ijelongs to a family of English origin which was founded in Canada at a very early day. His father, IM. C. Barnes, was born in that country, in 1 81 7, and in 1839 wedded Miss Mary Wil- cox, a native of Xew York. Prior to Iowa's admission to the Union they came to this state in 1843, driving from Xew York with an ox team and sled, and crossing the Missis- sippi river on the ice ]\Iarch 20. On reaching Linn county they found an almost unbroken wilderness abounding with game and in- habited principally by Indians. The father purchased eighty acres of land in Franklin township, and during those early days did all of his trading in Cedar Rapids. He was called upon to fill local offices and served as constabe a number of years. He died at the home of his daughter in Chicago. June 16, 1890, and his wife died in Bentnn county, Iowa, May 4, the same year, while visiting at the home of our subject, and the remains of both were interred in the Mt. \'ernon cemetery. L'nto this worthy couple were l)orn eight children, as follows : George R. Enlisted Se])- tember 15, 1861, in Company A, Thirteenth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and died May 28, 1862; Jennette is the wife of William Cook, of Webster, Madison county, Iowa; Frank M., who is engaged in the dairy busi- ness in Calhoun county, Iowa, married first Eliza Robinson and after her death wedded Lizzie Kenderdine, a sister of our subject's wife; Almira is the wife of George McMil- len, who resides near Clarks, Merrick county, Nebraska ; Rosina is the wife of Joseph Shidler, who lives near Lisbon, Iowa: Ira A, is next in order of birth ; Mary E. is the wife of Wilbur Owens, of Chicago ; and Carrie is also a resident of that city. Reared on the home farm, Ira A. Barnes assisted his father in the labors of the fields, and attended the district schools until eight- een years of age. after which he devoted his entire time and attention to agricultural pursuits. He was married at Lisbon, Sep- tember 15, 1881, the lady of his choice being Miss Hannah Kenderdine, who was born in this county, June 17, 1858, of German ex- traction, though her parents, Theodore and Hannah (Baker) Kenderine, were both natives of Pennsylvania, where their mar- riage was celebrated. They came west about 1850 and settled in Lisbon, Iowa, where ]\Ir. Kenderdine engaged in the blacksmith busi- ness for some years, but is now living re- tired at that place. His wife died ]\Iay 15, 1870, and was buried in Lisbon. They had six children, namely : Josephine, who died at the age of ten years; Elizabeth, wife of Frank Barnes, of Lake City, Calhoun coun- ty, Iowa, a brother of our subject: Matilda, who died at the age of one year: Hannah, wife of our subject; Jennette, w-ife of W. H. Brown, of Lake City, Iowa ; and Alma, wife- of Fletcher Brown, of Primghar. O'Brien county, Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Barnes have one child, Ray Vernon, who was born July 524 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 17, 1882, and is now attending school in Lisbon. Mr. Barnes remained on his father's farm for five years after his marriage, and then went to Benton county, Iowa, where he ope- rated a rented farm for two years. On the expiration of that time he retm'ned to Linn county, and purchased a farm of eighty- five acres on section 14, Frankhn township, on which he has made a number of improve- ments, incKiding the erection of a fine barn. In 1899 he purchased an additional six acres on the same section, and on tlie ist of March. 1 90 1, bought what is known as the Mt. Vernon Dairy, which he is now successfully conducting. His farm is well stocked with a high grade of milch cows, and is supplied with all modern appliances found upon a first class dairy farm. In his social relations Mr. Barnes is a member of Alt. Vernon Lodge, No. 551, I. O. O. F.. and Mt. Vernon Camp, No. 116, M. W. A., and in religious belief he is a Methodist. Like his father he is a stanch supporter of the Republican party, and takes a deep and commendal)le interest in public affairs. ANDREW JACKSON HARVEY. The subject of this sketch is a popular and influential citizen of Troy Mills, where he has successfully engaged in mercantile business for fifteen years. He is a nati\-e of this county, born on the 21st of Septem- ber, 1844, and is a son of Henry Harrison and Rachel (Ellis) Harvey. In their family, of five children, he was the third in order of birth, and imlv himself and sister, Mrs. John Pugh, of Troy Alills, are now living. The father died when our subject was quite young. Mr. Harvey was reared and educated in this county, and at the age of twenty years started out to make his own way in the world. For some time he worked at La Fayette. On the 29th of October, 1886, he came to Troy Mills, wliere in partnership with James Breydon he purchased the store of \\'orth Jackman. Subsequently he bought his partner's interest in the business and now C( inducts the store alone. Lie carries a large and well-selected stock of general merchandise, and by fair an4 honorable deal- ing has built up an excellent trade. He also owns a farm which is dex'oted to stock rais- ing, and is engaged in the butcher business, conducting a market in connection with his store. When the country became involved in civil war, Mr. Harvey enlisted in August, 1862, in Company A, Thirty-first Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and was in active service for three }'ears, taking part in the siege of Vicksburg, and the celebrated march to the sea under the command of General Sherman. When the war was over and his services were no longer needed, he was mustered out at Davenport, Iowa, July 3, 1865. He is now a prominent member of the Orweiu Post, No. 509, G. A. R., in which he has held the offices of quartermaster anil com- mander, and he also belongs to the Masonic Lodge at Walker. He was always affiliated with the Repul)lican party since he cast his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln, and takes a dee]) and commendable interest in public aft'airs. He has served as trustee of his township for several years, and in all the varied relations of life has been found true to every trust reposed in him. BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 525 COLONEL ISAAC -M. PRESTON. Colonel Preston was one of the pioneer attorneys of Linn county, Iowa, and one of the most prominent criminal lawyers in the state. In this profession probably more than any other success depends upon individ- ual merit, upon a thorough understanding of the principles of jurisprudence, a power of keen analysis, and the ability to present clearly, concisely and forcibly the strong points in his cause. Possessing these neces- sary qualifications, Colonel Preston was ac- corded a foremost place in the ranks of the profession in Linn county. The Colonel was born in Bennington, Vermont, April 6, 1813, a son of Ephraim Preston, who during the boyhood of our subject removed to Elbridge, Onondago county, New York, which was then consid- ered the far west. There he was reared upon his father's farm, receiving but limited educational advantages, and at the age of sixteen years started out to make his own way in the world. He learned the carpen- ter's trade, and as a carpenter went to Iowa City, in 1841. While there he took up the study of law and was admitted to the bar. Prior to coming west Colonel Preston had wedded Miss Mary J. Facer, a native of New York City, whose father was of Eng- lish birtli, who, on coming tlican jjarty and its prin- ciples. JAMES W, HOFFMAN. James W^ Hoffman, who is successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits on section 26, Franklin township, was born in Linn county, Feljruary 15, 1858, a son of John and Mary (Coleman) Hoffman. The father was born in Pennsylvania, and in earl}' life went to Dayton, Ohio, where he mairied Eliza- beth Ausley, a native of that state, by whom he had three children. One of these died in infancy, and George W. w^as killed August 22, 1864, while fighting for his country in the war of the Rebellion. The only one now 26 Ii\ing is Susan, who is the widow of Will- iam Pisel, and makes her home with her daughter in Humboldt county, Iowa. In 1844 John Hoi¥man was again mar- ried, his second union being with Miss Mary Coleman, also a native of Dayton, Ohio, and by this marriage he had seven children who are still living: Martha J., wife of Albert Williams, a farmer of Franklin town- ship, this county: Lizzie A., who lives with her brother, Lincoln F. : John Henry, who married Lizzie Burge and follows farming in Franklin township: James Wesley, of this review ; Calvin Milion, who married Jennie Meakin, now deceased, and lives in Franklin township; Alary Catherine, wife of Charles Haskins, of Bonilla, Beadle county, South Dakota ; and Lincoln F., who is represented on another page of this volume. Another son, Joseph, was killed October 20, 1876, at the age of twenty years, six months and ten days by accidental discharge of a gun while out hunting. He was attending college at that time, and was an exceptionally bright young man. who was generous almost to a fault and was held in high regard by all who knew him. In 1846, accompanied by his wife and three children John Hoffman came to Iowa, the journey being made overland in what was known as a prairie schooner. On reach- ing Linn county he took up a claim of one hundred and sixty acres in Franklin town- ship, which at that time was all, wild prairie and timber land, and to its cultivation and improvement he at once turned his attention. Being an industrious man of good business ability, he prospered in his new home, and as time advanced he added to his farm until he had three hundred and sixty-seven acres of valuable land under a high state of culti- \ation and improved with good and sub- 530 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD stantial buildings, including a most com- fortable home. He continued to reside upon his farm until his death, which oc- curred April 21, 1896. He was a faitful and consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and was one of the most highlv esteemed citizens of his community. In his political affiliations he was a Republi- can. His estimable wife died Jime 3, 1883, and both were laid to rest in the Lisbon cemetery. During his boyhood and youth James W. Hoffman pursued his studies in the dis- trict schools near his father's home, and worked on the farm until 1890, when he re- moved to a forty-acre tract of land on sec- tion 26, Franklin township, which was given him by his father and which he still occupies. Subsequently he bought a forty-acre tract which he afterward sold, and then purchased forty-seven acres, so that he now has a good farm of eighty-se\-en acres, which he keeps under excellent cultivation. He gives con- siderable attention to the breeding of short- horn cattle and Jersey red swine, and also raises horses for market, feeding all the grain he raises to his stock. He has built a good residence upon his place, barns, sheds and other outlniildings, and has one of the most desirable farms of its size in the locality. Politically he is a supporter of the Re- publican party, and is now serving as treas- urer of the school board. On the 13th of April. 1893, in this coun- ty, Mr. Hoffman married ^liss Dora Whit- lach, who was born A])ril 2, 1872, and is a daughter of Adam ^^■hitlach, a sketch of whom is found elsewhere in this wmk. Three children grace this union, namely : Blanche Carroll, born May 15, 1894; Harold (;ienn, born March i, 1896; and Merrill J., born November 14. 1897. FRANCIS N. SEABROOK. Many of the leading railroad men of Cedar Rapids have gradually worked their way upward to positions of trust and re- sponsibility, becoming the head of important (le])artments. To this class belongs Francis X. Seabrook. who is now so efficiently serv- ing as city or local freight agent for the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern Rail- road. A native of Maryland, he was born in Emmetsburg, on the 8th of September, 1857, and is a son of Jesse A. and Mary C. ( Kirk) Seabrook, the former a native of Casstown. Pennsylvania, the latter of Em- metsburg, ^Maryland. The father had nc< regular occupation, but followed various pur- suits, such as teaming, farming and general merchandising, and after coming to Cedar Rapids served on the police force, being thus employed at the time of his death, as he died very suddenly of heart disease at che police station at the age of sixty-two years. His wife is also deceased. In their family were eight children, of whom six are still living. Francis N. Seabrook, the oldest of this family, spent the days of his boyhood and youth in Maryland, and received a good common school education. In 187G, at the age of eighteen years, he accompanied his uncle, who was a resident of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to this city, where he soon found em- ployment with the Burlington. Cedar Rapids & Northern Railroad as truckman. His next position was as city freight delivery clerk, and later served as bill clerk and after- ward as rate clerk. In 1900 he was made chief clerk of the office, and in November of that year was appohrted city or local freight agent, in which capacity he is now serving so acceptably. BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 531 On the loth of October. 1887. Air. Sea- brook married ]\Ii?s Louisa Duffack. who was born in Iowa, but at an early age re-- moved with the family to Minnesota, where tlieir marriage was celebrated. She is one of a family of ten children, of whom seven are living, her parents being John and Mar- garet Duffack. The father, who was a car- penter by occupation, died in 1871. while his wife died in 1898. He was born in Bavaria, and his wife in Austria. CJermany. ]\Ir. and Mrs. Seabrook have three children, Angelo, Paul and Gertrude. The family are communicants of the Catholic church, and Dilr. Seabrook is also a mem])er of the Cath- olic Order of Foresters and the Ancient Order of United ^^^o■rkmen. In politics he is independent. JOHN F. MOHN. i The subject o* this sketch, who is one of the leading agriculturists of Franklin town- ship, resides on section i. He is a native of the state, having been Ijorn in Cedar county, February 18, 1865, and is a son of Conrad and Elizabeth (Rick) Mohn, whc^ were born, reared and married in Hesse Darmstadt, Germany, Init who emigrated to the United States in 1858, first locating in the village of Lisbon, where the father worked by the day for a time. He later rented a farm in Cedar county, where he remained two years, when he returned witl, his family to Linn county and for the suc- ceeding four years cultivated a rented farm near Lisbon. In i86c> he mii\ed ti> White Oak. Jones county, and bought a farm of one hundred and forty acres, which was well improved. He there continued to reside until his death in 1891. His son. Philip, still resides on the old home place, while the niijther mo\ed to Lisbon, where she l:)0ught a comfortable home and where she still re- sides. To Conrad and Elizabeth Mohn six children were born, namely : William, who married Jennie Wickham and resides in Richmond. Alissouri ; Katie, who died at the age of four years; Philip G.. who married Lotta Davis, and lives on a farm in Jones count}-. Iowa; John F.. our suliject; ]\Iinnie, wife of John B. Merfield, a farmer of Jones county, Iowa ; and George, a twin brother of Philip, who died in infancy. At the age of five years John F. Mohn accompanied his parents on their removal t(j Jcjnes county, Iowa, where he attended the district schools imtil about eighteen years of age, and actjuired a thorough knowledge of agricultural pursuits by assisting his fa- ther in the operation of the home farm. On leaving the parental roof at the age of twenty-three years he rented a farm of one hundred acres, where he lived for two years, and for the same length of time rented a farm of similar size in Pioneer township, Cedar county. In the sjyring of 1893 he came to Linn county, and purchased one hundred and twenty acres of improved land on section i, Franklin township, which he has since operated most successfully. The land is rich black loam and is one of the best farms in the locality, being worth seven- ty-five dollars per acre. In connection with general farming Air. Mohn is also engaged in stock raising, and in this branch of his business he has also prospered. Besides his farm he owns six acres of good timber land< and other pro])crty in Martelle, Iowa. Mr. Mohn was married in Linn county, December 20, 1888, the lady of his choice being Miss Linnie C. Ellison, who was born 532 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD here, March 5. 1808. a daughter of John and Rachel (Curtis) Ellison, a sketch of whom appears on another page of this vol- mne. Two children bless this union: Oscar C, born July 29, 1890; and Freda A., born December 9. 1900. The family attend the Evangelical church, of Lisbon, and Mr. Mohn has always been an earnest advocate and stanch supporter of the Democratic party and its principles. CHARLES E. BERRY. The agricultural interests of Bertram township are well represented by this gentle- man whose home is on section 28. A native of this county, he was born in Bertram township. Februarv 27. 1859. and is a son of Robert Berry, whose sketch appears else- where in this work. During the first twenty years of his life our subject attended the country schools and aided in the work of the farm. On the 20th of September, 1882, ^Ir. Berry was married in Johnson county, Mis- souri, to Miss Laurana J. Byers, who was born in Ohio, .\ugust 13. 1862. Her par- ents, Joseph and Mary C. (Lynn) Byers, were l^irn. reared and married in Ohio, from which state thev remo\'ed to Michigan, remaining there until the close of the Civil war, when they remo\-ed to Johnson county, Missouri, where they still reside. They had three children of whom Mrs. Berry was the oldest: Sally is the wife of Marion Herring, of Henry county, Missouri : and Frank, who is also married and lives in the same county. After his marriage Mr. Berry rented one hundred and twenty acres of his father's land, which he operated until March, 1887, when he removed to Henry county. Missouri, and engaged in farming there until the fol- lowing fall. There his wife died Septem- Iier 2^. 1887. and her remains were brought back and interred in Campbell cemetery. Bertram. Iowa. She left four children, namely: Cordelia E.. born September 1. 1883: Gertruile X.. Iwrn December 26. 1884; Jennie A., liorn May 4. 1886; and Charles R.. born August 8. 1887. On the I St of October. 1887. Mr. Berry returned to this county, and was in the em- ploy of the Chicago & Northwestern Rail- road company, until July i, 1888. Since then he has resided upon the farm which he now occupies, it consisting of one hundred and eighty acres on section 28, Bertram township, and in its cultivation he has met with excellent success. He has made many improvements upon the place, including the erection of an elegant frame residence in modern style of architecture, and also large barns and cattle sheds. He intends making a specialty of the raising of Hereford cattle, of which he has a gcxid herd, and he also raises a liigh grade of hogs for market. ^fr. Berry was again married in Ring- gold county, Iowa, April i, 1889. his second union being with Miss Sarah C. Morrison, who was born in Sangamon county. Illinois, December 25, 1885. They have one child. Osmond R.. Iwrn January 2;^. 1890. Mrs. Berry's ])arents were John and Amanda (Shafer) Morrison, natives of Ohio, from which state tiiey removed to Illinois after their marriage. There the father died April 9, 1873, and in 1876 the nmther moved to Iowa with iier family, locating in Ringgold county. Their children were as follows! Martha married J. T. Ingles, who li\es near Springfield. Illinois, and she dieil in 1882; Xellie, deceased, was the wife of E\\a. and a ])rt)minent attorney of Cedar Ra])ids, Iowa, was born in Benton Center, Yates county. New York, on the 9th of July. 1838, but was only four years old when, in 1842. he was brought to this cmnitv by his jiarents. Col. I. ;\1. and Mary J. ( I'acer ) Preston, the family locating in Marinn. In tlie pub- lic schools of that place his ele:nentar\- edu- cation and later was a student at Cornell College, Mt. \'erniin. He also attended the Ohio State and L'nion Law College, of Cleveland, Ohio, graduating fmm the latter institution in 1860 with the degree of LL. B. He w;is then examined and admitted to the bar in this county, Judges Hubbard, .Smyth and Hon. I. L. Allen constituting the examining committee. 536 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD Forming' a partnership witli his father. j\Ir. Preston was engaged in practice at Clarion for eight years, and in 1869 removed to Waterloo. Iowa, where he followed his profession until coming to Cedar Rapids in 1881. Here he was first alone in lousiness, and soon after locating in Cedar Rapids was elected district attorney for the eightli judicial district, consisting of seven coun- ties, serving in that cajiacity for four years and having entire charge of the crimination prosecutions for the district. In 1886. on the expiration of his term in that office, he was elected judge of the eighteenth judicial district, consisting of Linn, Jones and Cedar counties, and so acceptal)ly did he fill the oflice that he was re-elected in 1890 with an increased majority, although a Democratic candidate in a Repuhlican district. On the 1st of Septemher. 1894. he resigned that oftice and turned his attention to the private practice of law. liecoming a member of the firm of Preston. Wheeler & Moflit. The firm is now Preston & Moffit and is doing an extensive business, with offices at Cedar Rapids and Ti])tiin. As an attorney Judge Preston ranks among the foremost in this section of the state. Genial and affable, possessed of a logical mind and ni rare persuasive powers, he is enal)led to api)ear well before a jury and to e.xert over it a wonderful influence. Holding marked precedence among the members nf the bar of Linn county and re- taining a clientele of so representative a character as to alone stand in evidence of his professional ability and personal popu- larity, the Jndge must assuredly be accorded a prominent place in the history of his adopted cmmty. He was married on the 4th of Septeml)er. i860, to Miss Adeline L. Wood, of Marion. C. HOW.\RD KEPLER. One of the best known and mOst highly respected of the citizens of Franklin town- ship is C. Howard Kepler, who resides on section 5. where he is engaged in general farming and stock raising. He is a native of the county, born May 9. 1846. and is a son of Conrad and Margaret (Lingerfelter) Kepler, both of whom were born in Frede- rick county. ]\Iarvland. Conrad Kepler, who is numbered among the pioneers of Linn county, was born in 181 1, and continued to reside in his native state until 1843, when he came to this coun- ty. Throughout his active business life he followed farming, but now, at the age of ninety years he is living retired at the home of our subject. In the years that ha\e passed, he has taken quite an active part in local affairs, and was called upon to fill manv local offices. In early life he was a member of the Lutlieran chiuxh. InU is now connected with the Methodist Epi.scopal church, of which his wife was also an earn- est member. She died on the home farm in Franklin township at the age of sixty- nine years. Six sons and two daughters were born unto Conrad and Margaret Kepler, as fol- lows: John \A'illiam, who formerly followed farming in Franklin township, but who is now engaged in the wood business in Mt. \'ernon; Peter H., a farmer who died in Franklin township: Thomas S., a practicing physician in IMt. \'ernon, whose .sketch ap- pears elsewhere in this volume; Charles W., an attorney of Mt. Vernon, who is also rep- resented in this work: Edward M.. who was a soldier in the Civil war and is now en- gaged in farming in Kansas: Columbus Howard, our subject: Rebecca, wife of George Riley, a farmer of Franklin town- BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 539 ship, this count}- : and Elizabeth, wife of O. B. Cole, a farmer of Jones county, Iowa. The boyhood and youth of our subject were spent on the liome farm in Franklin township, and liis elementar}- education was obtained in the country schools. Subse- cjuently he attended Cornell College, in Mt. Vernon, for a time, but left school at the age of nineteen years and commenced life for himself, renting his father's farm of one hundred and sixty acres. He made his first five hundred dollars in raising wheat which was marketed in Lisbon, and for which he received two dollars and twenty- five cents per bushel. This was about the close of the Civil war when everything was high. For four years he ci.mtinued to ope- rate rented land, during which time he ac- cumulated enough capital to purchase fiftv acres of his present farm on section 5, Franklin township, to which he subsequcntlj.' added a tract of thirty acres, and just west of his original farm he purchased a tract of one hundred and forty-three acres, and in all has now two liundred and twenty-five acres. He has made many improvements upon his home farm, including the erection of a large barn and cattle sheds, and has re- modeled the house fmm garret to cellar. Air. Kepler was united in marriage at Mt. Vernon, Iowa, October 2~, 1868, with Miss Alary E. Neal. who was Imrn in Ohio, April 11, 1851, and is a daughter of Horace and Maria Turner Xeal, nati\es of New York and Ohio respectively. Her parents were married in Ohio, from which state tliey came tn lnwa in 1834. locating in Mt. \'ernon, where the father engaged in the manufacture of harness. Being an excellent workman, and conscientious in all he did, some of the harness which he made over fortv years ago is still in use in this coun- t}'. He died in Marion. Iowa, September 15. 1884, on the sixtieth anniversary of his birth. By his union with Maria Turner there were two children, Myra. who died at the age of thirteen years, and Mary E., wife of our subject. L^nto Air. and Airs. Kepler have been born four children, and they have also an adopted daughter. Harry E., born Novem- ber 28, 1869. was graduated in the civil engineering department of Cornell College, and afterwards took a course in electrical engineering at Des Moines, Iowa, in the Highland Park College, but is now engaged in the telephone business in Aladison, Wis- consin. He was married June 16, 1898, to Grace Ingram, and they lia\-e one daughter. Dorothy. Hattie O., born April \~, 1872, has a remarkably fine voice, and was grad- uated in music from Cornell College. She was married October 25, 1893, to John How- ard Jones, a native of Wisconsin, who was graduated at Cornell College, and the law school at Denver, Colorado, and is now an attorney in Chicago. They ha\'e one son, Elliert. Alerton T., born Se])tember 19, 1875, was married June zj, 1890, to Stella Hogle, a native of Alt, Vernon. Iowa, and is now assisting his father in farming and stock raising on the homestead, .\gnes. born February 13, 1881, and Alerritt E.. born July 12, 1889, are also at liome. Since beginning life fi>r himself im tlic farm rented from his father. Air. Kepler has devoted much of his time and energies to raising a fine grade of stock. In the be- ginning, he devoted considerable attention to the handling of horses, but he now gi\es his attention to the raising of a hue grade of cattle and hogs, his .specialty being the breeding of the famous .Aberdeen .\ngus cattle, and he deri\ed his start in this line 540 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD througli ^^'illial^ Smith, now deceased, of Mt. Vernon, who secured a number of cattle* from the Pierce farm, which is located at Creston. Illinois, about sixty-five miles west of Chicago. A steer belonging to the same stock was sold at the Fat Stock Show in Chicago in 1900 for one dollar and fifty cents per pound, this being the highest price ever paid for an individual steer from the block in the history of the world. Mr. Kepler undoubtedly has some of the finest cattle of this breed in the state of Iowa. While ;Mr. Kepler is one of the most enterprising and public-spirited men in Linn county, and takes an active interest in publia afl^airs, he has never been prevailed to accept any office except that of school director, which he has so acceptably filled for twenty years. Politically he affiliates with the Re-i publican party, and socially with the Stan of Bethlehem Lodge, K. P., of Mt. \'ernon, and also the Legion of Honor and the Mod- ern Brotherhood of America. He is an active and prominent member of the Aletho- dist Episcopal church, of Islt. \'ernon, of which he has been steward for sixteen years, and has also been in charge of the ushers for a number of years. All who know him hold him in the highest esteem. TOHX PL'GH. John Pugh, the well-known proprietor of the Eagle Hotel, of Trov Mills, was born in North Carolina on the 12th of March, 1824, and is a son of Jacob and Dorcas (Glasgow ) J'ugli, also natives of that state. During his infancy the fann'ly removed to Indiana, where the father jiurchased land and engaged in farming until called to his final rest at the age of fifty-six years. The mother also died in that state at the age of seventy-six. The father was twice married and had fourteen children, of whom our subject is the youngest. He has one sister still living, who makes her home in Browns- burg, Indiana. Soon after attaining his majority — in the fall of 1845 — Mr. Pugh came to Linn county, Iowa, and settled in Otter Creek township, where he entered two hundred acres of W'ild land from the government. Sixty acres of this was covered with timber, but the remainder he placed under a high state of cultivation and made some good impro\ements thereon in the way of build- ing. He finally sold that place in 1868. and removed to Jackson tnwnship, where he purchased a partially improved farm of two hundred and twenty acres, on which he made his home until 1885. He next operated a rented farm near Troy Mills for several years, and then purchased seventy-five acres of land in Spring Grove township, which he now rents. In 1885 he bought the Eagle Hotel at Trov Mills, and is now carrying on the same with good success. J\lr. Pugh has been twice married, in 1853 having wedded Miss Charlotte Thurs- ton, a native of Ohio, by whom he had four children. The two now livmg are Edwin B., a hardware merchant of Ryan. Iowa: and Harriet, wife of William Sherlock, who lives near Knoxville. Liwa. In February, 1868, Mr. Pugh was united in marriage with Miss Temperance Harvey, and by this union has had four children, namely : Har- ley, who wedded Mary Atwood. and is en- gagetl in the hardware business with his brother, at Ryan, Iowa ; May, who died young; and Alice and ^lay (second), both at home. BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 541 j\Ir. Pugh cast his first presidential vote for Henry Clay, the \Vhig candidate, and since the dissolution of that party has been an ardent Republican. He is widely and favorably known throughout the county where he has so long made his home, and is held in the highest regard by his many friends and associates. THOMAS JOXES. The subject of this sketch has been a resident (if Cedar Rapids since 1867, and has been in the employ of the Burlington. Cedar Rapids & Xorthern Railroad since 1879. He was born near White Plains, New York, on the 8th of Septemlier, 1850, and is a son of Patrick and Johanna (Meadhin) Jones, both natives of Ireland, whence they came to America with a part I if their respective families when young, and were married in Ne\y York. In 1852 thev removed to Ohio, where the father engaged in farming for a time, and in 1858 came to Iowa, locating on a farm in Bert- ram township, Linn county, where he pur- chased fifty-nine acres of land. To the im- provement and cultivation of that farm he devoted the remainder of his life, and both he and his wife died upon that place. They were among the ])ioneers of Bertram town- shij), and when they first located there their children iiad to walk five miles through the timber to school, the father hax-ing to mark the treeS' to prevent them from getting lost. In the family were eight children, all of whom are still living with the exception of Julia, who married John (ireen and died in Cedar Rapids. The others are Thomas, our subject: Bridget, wife of John Steiner, of Clinton, Iowa; John. Patrick and .\nnie, who all live on the old h.omestead in Bert- ram township; and ^largaret. wife of John Green, of Cedar Rapids. Until sixteen years of age Thomas Jones worked on the home farm diu"ing the isummer season and attended school in win- ter. Leaving the parental roof he was then employed in sawing wood used as fuel on the engines of the Chicago & Xortluvestern Railroad, and later went as water boy on a construction train. Xot long afterward he secureil a position as brakeman on the Galena & Iowa division of that road, but during the winter he would return home, where he worked and also attended school. Coming to Cedar Rapids in 1870. he was brakeman on the Burlington, Cedar Rai)ids & Northern Railroad for a year, and then conductor on the 'same road for about one year, and was then brakeman on tl'ie Xorth- western between Clinton and Cedar Rapids, but at the end' of that time returned to Clinton, and was conductor on the Chicago & X'ortlnvestern Railroad' for two years. In Octol)er. 1S79, he again came to Cedar Rapids, and after a year spent as fireman on the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Xorth- ern Railroad, he entered the yards as night yarilmaster. Later he returned to the road, and after firing for about eighteen months was given an engine. He spent a part of the following summer in the round house as assistant machinist, and has worked up till he now has regular freight and extra passenger runs, haxing ser\eat plying l)e- tween St. Louis and New Orleans until the following spring, when he went to Mechan- icsville, Iowa, and rented the Scott farm until after the Ci\"il war broke out. On the 15th of August, 1862. Mr. Mohn enlisted in Company H. Thirty-fifth Iowa Volunteer Infantr}-, which was mustered into the L'nited States serx'ice at Muscatine and remained there two months. The com- mand then went by steamboat to Cairo, Illi- nois, and from there to Columbus, Ken- tucky, where they went into winter quarters. In the spring they did scout duty along the ]\Iississippi and later joined General Grant's command at Vicksburg, taking part in the siege of that place. They were next as- signed to General Smith's command and went on the Red river expedition. On their return they marched back to Vicksburg and then went in pursuit of General INIarmaduke, who was then in Missouri. They landed at Jefferson City and marched to Lexington, where they captured that general. Going to St. Louis, the troops boarded a steamboat and were taken to Nashville, Tennessee, reaching there in time to take part in the two-days battle at that place. They next went to New Orleans and jjy steamer to Spanish Fort, which they assisted in cap- turing, and after its surrender marched to Montgomery, Alabama. They founil the court house at that jjlace full of Confederate money, it being strewn on the Hoor a foot deep. The command to which our subject belonged then marched to Selma, Alabama, and from there to Cairo, Illinois. The war being over, the regiment returned to Daven- port, Iowa, where it was nnistereil out .\ug- ust 15, 1865. Mr. Mohn returned to Mechanics\ille and resumed farming. He subsequentlx' purchased eighty acres of land in Junes county, where lie made his home until 1871. In the meantime he met and married Miss Sarah E. Fink, their wedding being cele- brated at Mt. Vernon, Iowa, January i, 1867. She was born in Linn county April 15, 1845, a daughter of John and Sophia Fink, and was the fifth in order of birth in a family of seven children, the others being as follows : Mary, wife of \\'illiam Mohn, of Ray county, Missouri ; John, who married Ruth Davis and lives in Lisbon, Iowa; Susan, deceased wife of Jacob Rupert, of Lisbon; Emma, deceased wife of Frank Graver, of the same place; Jane, wife of George Kohl, of Cass county, Iowa; and Marie, wife of Elliott Robinson, of Cedar county, Iowa. Unto our subject and his wife were born three children: Ida, who •died at the age of six years; George, who married Lena A. JMuller; and John, who married Sally Frutchey. Sketches of both sons are given elsewhere in this volume. Selling his farm in Jones county in 1871, j\Ir. Mohn removed to Ray county, Missouri, where he operated a rented farm for one \1ear, but in the fall of 1872 he returned to Iowa. The following spring he pur- chased another farm of eighty acres in Jones county, where he continued to i^eside until 1880, when he disposed of that place and bought a farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section i, Franklin township, Linn county. Here he has made his home ever since, and in its successful operation has acquired a comfortable competence which now enables him to lav aside all 546 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD business cares and enjoy the fruits of former toil, while his sons carry on the work of the farm. His estimable wife died July 21, 1887, at the age of forty-two years, three months and six days, and was laid to rest in the Lislx)n cemetery. He has always re- fused public office but is a stanch supporter of the Repul)lican party and takes a deep interest in the welfare of his adopted coun- try. He is an lionored member of John A. Buck Post, No. 140, G. A. R., and also be- longs to the Evangelical Church of Lisbon. JOHN C. DUDLEY. This well-known agriculturist, resid- ing on section 5, Spring Grove township, was born in London, England, on the 2nd of November. 1828, and is a son of William and Ann (Chapman) Dudley. In that C(_>un- try the father was employed as a gardener. In December, 1828. he emigrated to the United States and first located in New Jer- sey, where he was engaged in the butcher business for a time, and then removed to Erie county, New York, where he followed farming throughout the remainder of his life. Both he and the mother of our sub- ject died' in that county when sixty years of age. He was twice married and was the father of fourteen children. He was one of twins, and ])otli his wives had two pairs of twins, and his sister was also the mother of twins. John Chapman Dudley, of this review, was one of the seven children born of his father's second marriage. He came with the family to .\mcrica and was reared in the east. In 1847, 'it 'l^^ ■'gc of nineteen years, he removed to Illinois, where he spent aljout nine years. On the ist of Jan- uary, 1855, he was married, in Buffalc), New York, to iMiss Emma Burling, who is the fourth in order of birth in the family of nine children born to Charles and Sarah Ann (Alilgate) Burling, both nati\es of Eng- land. By a second marriage the mother had three children. ])ut of the twelve only three sons and three daughters are now li\-ing. Airs. Dudley was born in New- market. Canada, and her parents both died in that couiury. the father at the age of thirty-eight, the mother at the age of eighty- foiu' years. He was a brick maker by trade. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Dudley were born six children, namely: Sarah Ann first mar- ried Homer Scott and after his death be- came the wife of William Peyton, of Wright county, Iowa ; William Charles married E\-a Williams and is engaged in farming near Newtonxille. Buchanan county, Iowa; Frank Al. married Nettie \'orce and lives in Troy Mills; Arthur Martin married Jane Wisnam and follows farming in Buchanan coinit)'; Henry wedded Mary Cook anil lives in Troy Mills; and Richard died of scarlet fever at the age of sixteen years and was buried in Troy cemetery. In September, 1855, Mr. Dudley came to Linn count}-. Iowa, and settled in Spring Grove township, where he was \ariously employed until 1863, when he purchased forty acres of land and commenced farming on his own account. This was a tract of wild land where the Methodist Episcopal church of Troy Grove now stands, but he soon placed it under cultivation. He sawed the lumber for the house and other build- ings uptm the place, and added to his orig- inal purchase a tract of thirty-three acres, on which he engaged in general farming and stock raising until 1896, when he sold BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 547 that property and bought thirty acres of timber land on section 5, Spring Grove township. A portion of this had been cleared and a house and barn erected there- on. Here he has since made his home. Politically Mr, Dudley affiliates with the Democracy, and he has efficiently filled the offices of school director one term and road supervisor for four years. Both he and his wife are members of the Old Set- tlers' Association of Iowa, and at one time he was also connected with the Odd Fellows fraternity. COLONEL CHARLES E. PUTXAM. One of Cedar Rapids' most dis- tinguished and prominent citizens is Col- onel Charles E. Putnam, who is deserving of special mention in the annals of his coun- try for the important part he played in the Civil war. In times of peace he is no less loyal and patriotic and to-day occupies an enviable position in business circles, as cashier of the Merchants National Bank of Cedar Rapids. The Colonel was born in Nashua, New Hampshire, July 10, 1839. The progenitor of the Putnam family in America was John Putnam, who came to this country from England in 1662. They trace their ancestry in England back to the fourteenth century, but the family came originally from Hol- land and the name was Pottenhouse. Our subject's great-grandfather was Joseph Put- nam, a brother of the Revolutionary hero — Geneal Israel Putnam — and the house which the fi)rmer built at Alstead, New Hampshire, is still standing. It was the birthplace of Gideon Putnam, Sr., the grand- father of our subject. The father, Gideon 27 Putnam, Jr., was born in the same house, and in early life engaged in farming near Boston. He married Miss Sally Rice, a na- tive of Massachusetts, and also a repre- sentative of an old New England family. A few years after his marriage Mr. Put- nam removed to Nashua, New Hampshire, where he made his home until 1854, when, accompanied by his wife and three children, he came to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, which at that lime was a mere village. He located in Fremont township, Benton county, twelve miles from Cedar Rapids, where he followed farming. He died in October, 1879, at the age of eighty years. His wife had passed away in the previous September, after a happy married life of fifty-nine years. L'nto this worthy couple were born nine children, all of whom reached maturity. In this family our subject is seventh in order of birth and the only one residing in Linn count}-. Colonel Putnam was educated in the Nashua Academy, which was "one of the oldest institutions of the kind in New Hampshire. On the r6th of October, 1854, he arrived with the family in Cedar Rapids, where he clerked in a store for a time. In April, 1855, he started north on a hunting expedition with William tl. Ingham, of New York, going to what is now Kossuth county, Lnva. It was his intention to spend only the summer there, but he re- mained three years in what was then a wilderness until game became scarce as the country settled up. On his return home in the fall of 1858, he entered Western Col- lege, and after leaving school engaged in teaching until after the inauguration of the Civil war. In the fall of 186 1 Colonel Putnam en- listed in Company G, Thirteenth Iowa Vol- 548 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD unteer Infantry, and was made second lieu- tenant. He was promoted to first lieutenant in April, 1862, and in March, 1863, was commissioned captain of his company. He participated in the hattle of Sliiloh; the siege and battle of Corinth, in which he lost his horse ; the battle of luka ; the second bat- tle of Corinth, October 3 and 4, 1862. He then went with liis regiment down the river to Vicksburg, and' took part in the engagements around that stronghold. Later his command was transferred to General Sherman's army, and was in the Atlanta campaign. In October, 1863, Colonel Put- nam was made general judge advocate for the district of Vicksburg, then under the command of General McPherson, with whom he remained until 1864. when he re- turned home on a veteran furlough. In May of that year he w-as detailed by the war de- partment as mustering officer and assigned to the Fourth Division of the Seventeenth Army Corps, serving on the staff of Major- Generals Walter O. Gresham, Giles A. Smith and W. W. Belknap in that capacity until mustered out November 2, 1864. Captain Putnam was a brave and gallant soldier, and especially distinguished himself October 3, 1862, at the battle of Corinth, being jiar- ticularly mentioned in the official report for his fearless service. He was in the hottest of the fight and his forgetfulness of self did much toward keeping up the spirits of his men. In the battle of Atlanta the Thir- teenth Iowa was in the thickest of that baptism of fire, which lasted from noon until seven o'clock in the evening, July 22, 1864. Of the four hundred and twenty- seven men of this regiment who entered the engagement, two hundred and forty-seven were numbered among the killed or missing at the end of the battle. For seven hours Captain Putnam fought bravely in the luidst of this carnage, losing both of his lieuten- ants, and out of the forty-two men who went into battle trader his command nnl\- nine were left to answer roll call. Of the others four had been captured, and the re.mainder were either killed or seriously wounded. The Thirteenth Iowa marched through Georgia to the sea. and their colors were the first to wave over the old capitol at Columbia, South Carolina. Captain Put- nam was held in high regard l)y his fellow officers, and by his many soldierly qualities won the hearts of his company and always retained their respect and friendship. When the first regiment of colored troops was raised he was offered the colonelcv but de- clined, and at the close of the war, with- out solicitation on his part, was offered the rank of major in the regular army, which offer was renewed in 1876. For the past five years he has been on Governors Drake's and Shaw's staff's, with the rank of colonel. While home on leave of absence Colonel I'utnam was married March 29, 1864, to I\Iiss Alary E. Fawcett, a native of Ohio, and a daughter of Jonathan Fawcett. of Benton count}-, Iowa. Three children were bnrn of this union, of whom the eldest died in infancy. Frank H., a graduate of Coe College, Cedar Rapids, married Maude Pict- ludl. and is now engaged in the banking business in Salem, South Dakota. Carolyn E. is a graduate of \\'ellesley College, and is now associate editor of the Cedar Rapitls Record. At the close of the war Colonel Put- nam returned to Cedar Rapids, but after \isiting for a time with friends, he removed to Chicago, where he made his home for a year. In the spring of 1866 he located in Mt. \'ernon, this couutv, where he en- BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 549 gaged in mercantile bnsiness nntil 1873, when he was elected county register and removetl to Alarion to assume the duties of the ot^ce, which he creditabl)- filled for eight years. In 1872 he recei\'ed the entire \'ote of Cedar Rapids, except seventy-twn, a fact which plainly indicates his popularity in that city. On the organization of the Mer- chants National Bank of Cedar Rapids in the spring of 1881 he was chosen cashier, and still holds that position. Fraternally the Colonel is a mcmher of the Masonic order, the R(.)yal Arcanum and the Woodmen of the World, antl also be- longs to the Grand Army of the Republic, and the Military Order of Loyal Legion, serving as commander of the Iowa Com- mandery one year. In years of peace, n(.) less than in those of war, he has bravely per- formed his duty, and is justly entitled to a place in the nation's roll of honor. His wife is a member of the Congregational church, and the family is one of prominence in social circles. WILLIAM H. McMULLEX. Prominent among the railroad men of Cedar Rapids is William H. McMuUen, who has made his home here since February. 1882, and during all this time has l)een con- nected with the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern Railroad. He was born in Bor- dentown. New Jersey, October 13, iSfn. and is a son of J. C. and Mary ( Cullen ) .\lcMul- len, natives of Pennsylvania and Xew Jersey respectively. On the maternal side be is of Irish ancestry, and his father's people were members of the Society of Friends. The fatlier has been identified with railroad in- terests since a lad of thirteen years, being' employed in \arious capacities, and now at the age of si.xty-five he is serving as yard- master at Fort Dodge, Iowa. For thirteen years be ran a train from Philadelphia to New York City on the Camden & Amboy railroad, Imt has been a resident of Iowa and cijnnected with the railroads of this state since 1871. The mother of our subject died in January. 1884. Of the nine children of the famih- William H. is the only one living in Linn countv, though three sons make their home in K)\va and the others reside in different parts of the country. In early life William H. McMullen lived for a time in Toledo, Ohio, and is mainly indelited to its i)ulilic schools for his educa- tional ])ri\ileges. On starting out in life for himself he became a messenger boy on the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern rail- road, and on leaving that road came to Iowa and entered the employ of the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern railroad in Feb- ruary, 1882. being a switchman in the yards for some }'ears. He then went upon the road as fireman, firing for different engineers on the various divisions for five years. In October, 1887, he was given an engine and was in the regular freight and extra passen- ger service until 1897, when he was put on tlie regular passenger service and in Novem- ber, lyoo. was given the fast passenger train running between Cedar Rapids and Al- bert Lea. Since coming to Iowa in 1882 he has resided permanently in Cedar Rapids. In 1800 he purchased a lot and erected a residence theretm. but has since sokl that place and built his present home, which has all modern improvements and is located at 72c) F avenue west. Mr. McMullen was married in January. 1887. to Miss Joanna (Ircen, who was born 5 so BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD in 1862 in Burlington. Iowa, where her par- ents both died. Her father. Michael Green, was a contractor and builder by occupation. She has one brother, John Green, who is a boilermaker by trade. ^Ir. AIcMullen is identified with the Knights of Pythias fra- ternity, Crescent Lodge, No. 25, A. F. & A. M. and Division No. 159, Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, in which he has held office. Politically he is a Republican. He is one of the most competent engineers and trusted employes of the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern Railroad Com- pany, and is held in held in the highest esteem by railroad men and all others who have the pleasure of his acquaintance. REV. I. C. LUSK. This well-known retired minister of the Methodist Episcopal church, now residing in Mt. Vernon, Iowa, was born in Living- ston county, near Dansville, New York, August 7, 1832. and is a son of Rdbert and Catherine (Cooper) Lusk, the former a na- tive of Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, the latter nf Livingston county. New York. They were married in l)ans\ ille, Livingston county. New ^'ork, and lived in that lo- cality until the mother's death, which oc- curred in 1856. The father subsequently came west and ni;iile his home with our subject. ] le died at Anamosa. Iowa, in the summer of 1870, and was buried at that place. In his family were six children, namely; Robert died at the age of se\'en- teen years, shortly after his graduation fremi Genesee College. He had previously been employed as superintendent of the schools at Grand Rapids, Michigan. George \V. married Huldah Shaw and resides at Ep- worth. Jowa. I. C, our subject, is next in order of birth. John married Eliza Bur- dick and after her death wedded a lady at Penn Yan, New York, and now resides in Allegany county, that state, lunily mar- ried Silas Randolph, who l)elongs to the distinguished \'irginian family of that name, and they reside in Farina. Illinois, and Mary Ann, who married Austin Kemp. She is now ileceased, passing away in 1858. Mr. Lusk, of this review, began his edu- cation in the district schools of his native state, and then attended Alfred University, at Alfred, New York, for one year, and later Genesee College, where he was graduated in 1 86 1. While in college he worked at the carpenter's trade, and also as a painter and decorator in order to ojjtain the money to meet his necessar}' expenses. Prior to this he had engaged in teaching school, and was superintendent of the city schools of Dansville and Avon, New York, at the time of his graduation, which office he held for a number of years. In 1858 and 1859 he represented Livingston county in the New York legislature, and also served as school commissioner for nine years, and deputy state 'Superintendent of schools. On the 6th of March, 1854, near Dans- ville, New York. Mr. Lusk married Miss ISIaggie Shaw, also a native of that state, who died in 1884. Unto them were born six children, of whom three are still living, namely : ( 1 ) Arthur, a traveling salesman living at Osceola, Iowa, married Nina Coppoc, daughter of a Baptist minister, and they lKi\e three children. RoJ)ert, Edwin and Edna. This Rev. Co|)p(ic is a brother of a Coppoc who was wounded and taken prisoner with old John Brown in the Harp- ers Ferry raid, and hung at the same time. BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 551 (2) Frank, a mercliant of Ida Grove, Iowa, married Ola Fish and they have two chil- ih'en, Uruce and Edith. (3) Robert, now pastor of tlie Methodist church at Greeley, Iowa, married Annie Ua\idsiin, daughter of the county attorney at Elkader, Iowa, and they ha\e one child, Erma. At Huron, South Dakota. ]\Ir. Lusk was again married, ]\Iay 12, 1886, his second union being- with Mrs. Mary A. Killam, who had one daughter b_\' her tirst mar- riage : Frankie, who married James A. Scoville, and died in Conrad, Iowa, Janu- ary 4. 1 90 1, leaving three children. Bertha A., \'io]a and Ira. Mrs. Lusk was born in Oswego. Xew York, February 6, 1835, a daughter of Nicholas and Lucy (Pierce) Mosher. both natives of the Empire state. They were married in Oswego county, Xew York, and when Mrs. Lusk was twenty-ti\'e years of age removed to ]\lorrison, Illinois, where they made their home until going to Saline county, Nebraska, in 1887. There the father died two years later, and the mother afterward lived w-ith her grandson at Anslex', that state, until she, too, was called to her final rest in the spring of 1898. Their children were: William H., who married Lovisa Leonard, of .\bingdon. New York, and resided in Alorrison, Illinois, until their death; Benjamin, wlm married Dolly Rounds, of iVbingdon, New York, and lives in Fullerton, Nebraska; Mary Alzada, wife of our subject; Polly, who married Seneca Simonds, of Cortland count}', Xew York, and after his return from the Civil war moved to Illinois, where she died ; Melvina. wiio first married a Mr. Richardson, and second, G. W. Merrill, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; and one who died in infancy. In the spring of 1868 Mr. Lusk came to Iowa and first located at Epworth, but the following fall removed to Anamosa, where he ser\-ed as superintendent of the city schools for four years. He then joined the Upper Iowa conference of the Methodist Episcopal church, and received the follow- ing appointments: Miles, 1872; Bellevue. 1873: Preston, 1875; Delmar, 1876; La- moille, 1878; Springville, 1879; Lang- worthy, 1 881; West Branch, 1882; Dyers- ville, 1884; Elkader, 1886; Floyd, 1887; Marion, 1888; Jesup, 1890; Laporte City, 1892; and Center Point, 1893. I" the fall of 1894 Mr. Lusk moved his household goods to Chicago, where he spent a part of the following year in work for the Chil- dren's Aid Society, and then returned to Springville, Linn county, Iowa, as minister. In the fall of 189O he came to Mt. \'ernon, and has since practically lived a retired life, although he has devoted considerable time to e\angelistic work and ministerial supply. Here he has built a splendid home, superin- tending the erection of it himself. He has improved quite a number of other pieces of property, which he later disposed of. and in this way has added ndt a little to the growth, development and impro\ement of Mt. X'erntm. He was one of the first to make a boulevard in the town, it being in front of his own residence. Mr. Lusk is public-spirited and progressive, and takes an acti\-e interest in all that tends to the advancement of the community in which lie li\es. In politics he is a Republican, and in his social relations is a member of the Ma- sonic fraternity and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He received the degree of D. D. from Alfred LTniversit}-. June 20, 1895, and also from the L'nixersity of Rochester, at about the same time. For twenty-one years he served as statistical sec- retary of the LIpper Iowa Conference, and 552 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD was one of the leading ministers of his de- nomination in this part of the state. His life lias been a source of inspiration and en- couragement to all who know him. and he is held in the highest regard in the various communities where he has resided. THO-MAS \\"RI(;HT. For many years the subject of this re- view was successfully engaged in agricult- ural pursuits in Spring Grove township, but has now retired from active labor, and is enjoying a comfortable competerice acquired in former years. His early home was on the other side of the Atlantic, fur he was born in Cambridgeshire, England. Xovem- l>er 4. 1830. His parents were John and Sarah ( Fundry ) ^^■right. Ixith natives of that country, where they made their home throughout life, the father being engaged in farming. He died in 1834. at the age of thirty-live, when our subject was onlv two years and a half old, and the mother passed away in 1861. They had a family of three children, two of whom are still livino'- Their daughter, Frances, is still a residenr of England. Thomas Wright sjient the first twenty- five years of his life in his native land, and was there united in marria.ge with Miss Su- sana Clow, who was also born in that coun- try. In 1853 he took passage at Liverpool on the Jacob Vestever, a sailin,g vessel, Ijound for .\merica, but after five weeks at sea they were obliged to return to port, the ship having been wrecked in a severe storm and driven Ijack by strong head winds. Two years later Mr. Wright again started for the new world on a sailing vessel, the Southampton, which also sailed from Liver- pool, and after a voyage of four weeks and four days he landed in New^ York. Proceeding at once to Iowa, he settled in Jackson county, where he engaged in farming upon rented land for about fifteen years, and then removed to Spring Grove township, Linn county, where he had pur- chased one hundred and sixty acres of raw prairie land in 1868. This he placed un- der a liigh state of cultivation, and later Iwught an additional one-hundred-and- sixty-acre tract, which was also wild and imimproved. He made of this place a fine farm, and subsequently sold one-half of the amount, still retaining one hundred and sixty acres on whicli he now resides. This he has improved by the erection of a pleas- ant residence and a good set of farm build- ings, and he continued to actively and suc- cessfully engage in general farming until 1893. since which time he has lived in ease and retirement. Mr. Wright's first wife died in 1893, and was laid to rest in the .Mice bur\-ing ground. By that union were born fifteen children, eight sons and seven daughters, namely: Sarali Ann. John A.. William, Thomas. Jane (Marv). James. George, IMargaret. Alice. Frederick. Susan, .\lbert, Charles. Ida P.ell and Ida Cornelia. All are living with the exception of Ida Bell. On the I3t]i of July, 1894, ^f''- ^^'right was again married, his second union being with Mrs. Statira Henry, who was born in Cayuga county. Ohio, and was one of a fam- ily of fi\e children, two of whoni are now lixing. Her ])arents were George and Amanda (Walton) Stocking, who were farming people and natives of Connecticut. The father died July i. 1889. at the age of eighty years, and the mother departed this BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD SS3 life February 1 1. 1888, at the age of seventy- 'jeven. By liis ballot ^Ir. Wright supports the men and measures of the Republican party, and he has capably filled the offices of road supervisor and school director. Religiously both he and his wife are members of the Christian church, and are highly respected and esteemed liv all who know them. JOHN DUNLAP. This well-known and honi)red citizen of Springvill.e, who is familiarly called Uncle John by his numerous friends thmughout Linn county, was born in County Antrim, Ireland, May 12. 1817, a .son of John and Mary Ann (Bell) Dunlap, natives of the same country and of Scotch descent. They were the parents of seven children, fi\e sons and two daughters, of whom our subject is now the only survix'or. The father dving in 1828. the mother was left to ])ro\-ide for her children. In 1832 she brought her fam- ily to the new world and settled in Alle- gheny county, Pennsylvania, where she con- tinued to make her home throughout the remainder of her life. She hvecl to the ad- vanced age of ninety-three years. John Dunlap grew to manhmul upon a farm in I'enns_\'l\'ania, and when onlx- nine- teen years of age was married at Philadel- phia in 1836 to Miss Ann Eliza Johnson, who was of Scotch parentage. After his marriage he was emploved at farm work in that state until 1841. when he remoxed ti) Athens county, Ohio, where he had ])revi- ously purcha.se(l eighty acres of land with- out seeing it. Clearing away the trees, he burned the brush and i)laced forty acres under cultivatii/'n. His first home was a rude log house, -which was replaced two or three years later by a more substantial dwell- ing built of hewed logs. He also built a good barn and continued the impro\ement and cultivation of that farm for seven years. Selling his property in Ohio, Mr. Dunlap came to Linn county, Iowa, in 1851, and with a land warrant entered ore hundred and sixty acres of land three u'.iles fron^i Springville, which village at that time con-, tained only the residence of Colonel But- ler. He at once commenced to lireak and im- prove his land, first building a log cabin, in which the family lived while he opened up the farm. Later he erected a more commod- ious frame residence and built one of the best barns in the township. He added to his original purchase from time to time until he owned nearly a section of land, (.lividerl into three farms, but later he disposed of these, though he continued to own and ope- rate two hundred acres of land in Brown township until 1895. In connection with farming he also carried on stock raising, and in his undertakings met with marked suc- cess. Being a man of industry, enterprise and good business ability he accuir.ulated a valuable estate, and is to-da_\- one of the substantial citizens of Spring\ille, where he purchased a residence in 1895 and has since lived retired from acti\-e lalior. Mr. Dunlap has been called upon to mourn the loss of his estimaljle wife, who passed away in Xoveiuber, 1891, and was laid to rest in the Linn Grove cemetery. They had nine children, namely: John was in the Union army during the Civil war and later removed to Nebraska, where he died, leaving a wife and se\'eral children; Elizabeth married Thomas Kerns and died in Maine township, this countx-; .Mar\- .\nii 554 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD wedded James Keenin and died in Nebraska : Ellen, deceased, was the wife of William Butler, of Linn county, who served through the war of the Rebellion and went with Sherman on the march to the sea : Rebecca is the wife of George Bolton, of Nebraska : Thomas is a resident of Springville; Mar- garet is the wife of James Wallace, of New \'irginia, W^arren county, Iowa: \\'iiliam is a farmer of Brown township ; Hugh com- pletes the family. Mr. Dunlap cast his first presidential ballot for W. H. Harrison in 1840, but for many years has been identified with the Democratic party. Religiously he is a member of the Presbyterian church of Linn Grove, with which his wife was also cnii- nected, and is a man of sterling worth and exemplary character, who has the confidence and respect of all who know him. CHARLES F. BUTLER. Charles F. Butler, president of the Springville Exchange Bank and a most ca- pable financier and successful business man, is a native of this county, born on the old homestead in Brown township, December 8, 1857, and is the son of Joseph S. Butler, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work. His boyhood and youth were spent ii])nn the farm, and his primarv education, acquired in the schools of Springville, was supplemented by two years' attendance at Cornell College, in Mt. \'^ernon. .After completing his education Mr. But- ler returned home and engage in farming and raising, feeding and dealing in stock. A few years after his father established the S])ring\ille E.xchange Bank he became con- nected with the same, and was in partnership with his father until the latter's death, when he succeeded to the business and estate. The capital stock has been increased from twenty-five to seventy-five thousand dollars, having the largest capita! of any bank in the county outside of Cedar Rapids. Be- sides his banking business Mr. Butler owns and operates several fine farms, and fattens for market several carloads of cattle annu- ally. He is one of the most public-spirited men of the town, and is ever ready to use liis influence and means to advance the in- terests of the communit}-. He was one of the principal promoters of the water works system of Springville, and owns a large share of the stock. On the old homestead in Brown town- ship, where he was born, Mr. Butler was married on Christmas Day. 1882, to ^liss Clara Burger, a native of Franklin county, Pennsylvania, and a daughter of Abraham Burger, who was one of the early settlers of Linn county. Here Mrs. Butler grew to womanhood, her education being acfjuired at Mt. Vernon. Thev began their married life on the old home farm, and there their only child, Margaret Josephine, w'as born. After residing there for a few years thev re- moved to Springville, and the daughter will graduate at the high school in that place in June, 1 90 1. Mr. Butler is a prominent member of the Knights of Pythias Lodge, of Spring- ville, of which he is past chancellor, having filled all the chairs in the same and repre- sented the lodge in the grand lodge of the state. His wife is an earnest and active member of the Presbyterian Church, and, although he is not a member of any religious organization, he attends church with her and gives liberally to its supp.irt. Politically he C. F. BUTLER. BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 557 is a stanch Democrat, liut, lieing in favor of a gold standard, he voted fur President McKinley in i8g6 and again in 1900. Public oflice has no attraction ferating rented land for some time he purchased one hundred and twenty acres in Spring Grove township in 1892. At that time there were no improve- ments u])on the place, except that a few acres had been broken, but he soon i)laced the farm under cultivation, has divided it into fiekls of convenient size by well-kept fences and has erected thereon a good set of farm build- ings, all of which improvements stand as monuments to his thrift and industry. He is engaged in general farming and stock raising, and is meeting with well-deserved success. In addition to the cultivation of 558 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD his own fann lie also operates a forty-acre tract adjoining. In politics Mr. Fuessley is a Republican, and he has efficiently filled the offices of school director and township trustee. Both he and his wife are members cf'the German United Evangelical Church near LaFayette, and are held in high regard bv all who know tliem. LUTHER A. BREWER. One of the prominent representatives of the journalistic profession in Iowa is Luther A. Brewer, the well-known assistant busi- ness manager of the Republican, of Cedar Rapids. He took up his residence in this city on the 14th of July, 1884, and since the lOth of March, 1887, has been connected with the paper of which he is now the active manager. He was l>orn in Welsh Run, Pennsylvania, December 17, 1858, and is a son of Jacob and Kate (Brewer) Brewer, also natives of that state and of Xormandy French extraction. Oiu' subject's ancestors were among the early settlers of Pennsyl- vania, his great-grandfather having come to this country in the early part of the eight- eenth century and located there. Thmugh- cut life the father followed farming and was a supporter of the Democrac}'. He died in 1892, aged si.xty-four years, but his wife is still living at the age of sexenty. and makes her liome in Mercersburg, Pennsyl- vania. They were the parents of seven children, namely: Luther A., our subject; Howard, a resident of Pittsburg, Pennsyl- vania; Harry, deceased; Louisa, wife of \\'inger Draper, who is engaged in the agri- cultural implement business at Hagerstown, Maryland ; Frank R., a resident of Funks- town, Marxland; Florence, wife of Samuel Troup, a farmer of Hicksville, Maryland; and one who died in infancy. During his boyhood Luther A. Brewer attended the public schools of his native state, and ])repared for college under private instruction. In 1879 ^^^ entered Pennsyl- vania College at Gettysburg, where he pur- sued a classical course and was graduated in 1883. He was then principal oi the high school at Boonesboro, Maryland, fur one year, and at the end of that time came west to Spencer, Iowa, where he was teller in the Clay county bank for a short time. As pre- viously stated, he came to Cedar Rapids July 14, 1884, and for a time engaged in the study of law. Later he was bookkeeper for a coal firm luitil ijffered the position of city editor of the Republican, entering ui)on the duties of that position March 10, 1887, and capably tilling them for two years. Subse- quently he was assistant manager in the business office of the company, and in 1894 was made business manager, having at the same time purchased an interest in the paper, which he subseciuentl}- sold. In the conduct of the business he has met with most excel- lent success, and has made the pa])er one of the leading journals in this section of the state. On the 3d of February, 1898. in Cedar Rapids, Mr. Brewer married Miss l^linore Taylor, a native of this city, born in 1868, and a daughter of .A. C. Taylor, who is one of the old settlers of Cedar Rapids. As a Republican Mr. Brewer has been promi- nentlv identified with political affairs, and was at one time secretary of the countv cen- tral committee and chairman of the city committee of this i)arty. He was state in- spector of illuminating oils for three years and a half, having been appointed to that BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 559 position to succeed tlie late L. S. Mercliant. Socially he is a member of the Knights of Pythias fraternity and religiously is a mem- ber of the Lutheran Church, of which he is treasurer. Mr. Brewer is university pub- lisher for the State University at Iowa City, and is also lecturer on journalism at that in- stitution. He is a man of literary tastes and exceptional ability, and has orn six children, of whom two are still living: Floyd X.. who mar- ried Lula Freeland and lives near Coggon, this countv ; and Rebecca Annetta, wife of William Ball, of Buchanan comity, Iowa. On the 8th of June. 1863. at \'inton, Iowa, Mr. Reece was united in marriage with Miss Anna Connor, who is now the oldest living resident of Spring (jrove town- ship. .She was born near Salem. Xew Jer- sey, and is a daughter of William and Clar- issa (Huffman) Connor, both of whom died in Ohio. By occupation the father was a farmer. He had four children, two sons and two daughters, of whom three are still living. By his last marriage Mr. Reece had four children, as follows: William C. and.. Mary Elizabeth, twins, who died in infancy: Curtis D., who married Eveline Renfer and is now operating the home farm for his father; and Anna Irene, wife of William H. Herman, a farmer of Newton township. Politically Mr. Reece was originally a Whig, and has been a stanch supporter of the Republican party since its organization. He was one of the first trustees of Spring Grove township, and the first election was held in his house, the ballot box being an old soft woolen hat. He also had the honor of casting the first ballot in the township, and still has the records of this election in a good state of preservation. At that time there were onlv thirteen voters in the town- ship, the others being D. X'. Saxton, L. D. Peyton, J. H. \\'alton, G. W. Carson, J. H. Swaim. A. J. Ward, A\'illiani Phillips, R. Gilbert, I. Swain, S. Ewing, R. W. Church and David G. Church. Mr. Reece has held e\ery office in the township with exception of clerk, which was held by his brother, and he has always taken quite an active and in- fluential part in public aft'airs. He and his wife are members of the ^lethodist Protest- ant Church, and it is safe to say that no couple in the community are more honored or highly respected than Mr. and Mrs. Reece. HEXRY REECE. For almost half a century the subject of this review has made his home in Linn county, Iowa, and during all this time has been one of the most prominent and influ- ential men of Spring Grove township, where he resides. A native of Ohio, he was born in Highland county on the 8th of August, 1829, and is a son of William and Rebecca (Hyatt) Reece, natives of South Carolina. He lost his mother during childhood, and was twenty years of age at the time of his father's death. Mr. Reece grew to manhood in his na- tive state, and in 1851 was married in Allen county, Ohio, to Miss Lucretia Nash, a nati\e of Fayette cmmty, Pennsylvania, and a daughter of John and Jane (Boyle) Xash. Her father was born in Ohio, her mother in Pennsylvania, and they were the parents of nine children, of whom six are still living. Five children were born to our subject and his wife, namely: Either H., who married Mrs. Reece, the widow of his cousin; A. L., who married Rosa Pevton : W. W., who BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 563 married Bess Shaffer; and Rebecca J. and Mary L., both deceased. At the age of twenty-five Mr. Reece came to Iowa and settled in Linn cnnnty, having previously purchased eighty acres of wild land in Spring Gro\'e township through his brother, who had preceded him to this state. On his arrival here our sub- ject bought an additional thirty-acre tract of timber land and at once commenced the development of a farm. He placed the land luider cultivation and erected thereon good and substantial buildings. He also bought other land and at one time had two hundred acres, but has since disposed of a portion of this, but still owns one hundred and forty acres, all well improved with ex- ception of the timber tract. Politicallv Mr. Reece is an ardent Repub- lican, and his fellow citizens, recognizing his worth and ability, have elected him to several important official positions. Soon after cmning to the county he was elected township clerk, and so acceptably did he fill that office that he was constantly re-elected and served for the long period of thirty-two consecutive years. He also served as town- ship trustee, justice of the peace and school director, and his duties have always been most capably and satisfactorily performed: Rehgiously he and his estimable wife hold membership in the Methodist Protestant Church. JOHN A\'. WOOD. Among the highly respected citizens of Springville who are now living in retire- ment from active labor is John W. Wood, who was born in Belmont county. Ohio, February 6, 1828. The Wood family is of English descent and of good old Quaker stock. To the same family belong all the Woods in southern Pennsylvania and north- ern ^Maryland. Our subject's paternal great- grandfather, James \\ ood, was a native of the former state, as was also the grandfa- ther, Matthew Wood, who was born in Del- aware county, Pennsylvania, July 9, 1755. In 181 1 the latter removed with his famdy to Belmont county, Ohio, and in the midst of the wilderness he and his sons cleared and improved a farm. John Wood, our subject's father, was born in Bucks county, Pennsylvania, in 1800, and grew to manhood in Belmont county, Ohio, where he was married at the age of nineteen to Miss Esther Williams, a native of Georgia. Her father. Thomas Williams, was born in Pennsylvania in 1765, and was a son of Lewis Williams, who came to this country from \\"ales. For several years Thomas \\"illiams resided in Georgia, and then removed to Belmont coun- ty, Ohio. There the father of our subject followed farming throughout his acti\e business life. He died in 1833, at the com- paratively early age of thirty-three years, and the mother passed away four years later. The subject of this sketch is the fifth in order of birth in their family of seven chil- dren and is the only survivor, the others having all died young, the last one passing away in 185 J. The early life of John W. Wood was passed upon a farm in Belmont county, Ohio, and he obtained a good practical edu- cation in the common and higher schools of that state. He successfully engaged in teaching school for fourteen terms in his , native county and in Jones county. Iowa. On the i6th of November, 1848, he mar- ried Miss Almeda Crew, also a native of Belmont countv, Ohio, and a daughter of 564 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD James and Sarah (Bain) Crew. Her fa- ther was burn in Virginia, and in early Hfe removed with his father, Jacob Crew, to Behiiont county, Ohio, where he spent the greater part of his hfe as a farmer. He came to Iowa in 1864 and bought land in Linn county, but died in Keokuk county, this state, the same year. .Mr. and ^Irs. Wood have four children living, namely: (i) Elam J., now a business man of Hardin county, Iowa, is married and has four chil- dren, Harry T., Mabel L., Allie ilay and Elam Paul. {2) Allen D., agent for the Union Pacific Railroad at Rollins, Wyom- ing, is married and has one child, Allen Claire. (3) Mary is the wife of Walter S. Manley, who is now in the Klondike, while she is with her parents in Springville, Iowa. She has one son, Walter Merle. (4) Sina is the wife of I. E. Jackson, of Springville, and they have one son, Julian L. Air. and Mrs. Wood have also lost four children, Sarah, Thomas and George having all died in childhood. Luther J. grew to manhood, and removed to Phtenix, Arizona, where he married, and where he died May 2, 1896. In 1864 Mr. Wood came to Iowa, and for some years made his home in Jones county, where he owned and operated one hundred acres of land just across the line from Linn county. In 1888 he removed to Linn county, locating in Brown township, where he had ninety-eight acres. He made many improvements upon his farm, and was successfully engaged in general farming, stock raising and dairying until his retire- ment from active labor in Alarch, 1901, when he removed to Springville, having pur- chased a pleasant residence there. He was always numbered among the most thrifty, enterprising and successful agriculturists of his community. Politically Mr. A\"ood has always been identified with the Republican party, but has never been an office-seeker. While in Jones county, however, he was elected and served several terms as assessor, and was also a member of the school board and secretary of the same for sixteen years, having al- ways taken an active interest in educational work. B)- birthright he and his wife are both members of the Society of Friends, and are now connected with the church at Whittier. In 1898 their children, grand- children and other relations gathered at their home to assist in celebrating their golden wedding, and left numerous tokens of their affection for this worthy couple who have so long traveled life's journey together, sharing its joys and sorrows, its adversity and prosperity. They are widely and fa- vorably known, and have a host of warm friends in Ijoth Junes and Linn cuunties. ROBERT X. BUCK. Robert N. Buck, the pcjpular alderman from the First ward and a well-known laundryman of Cedar Rapids, has been a resident of that city since 1879, baving come here from Davenport,- where he resided for a time. He was born in Greene county, Ohio, on the i8th of April, 1846, and is a son of James W. and Nancy (Kerr) Buck, also natives of Ohio, the former born in 1809, the latter in 1818. On the maternal side the father was of Scotch lineage, and his father was a native of Virginia. Dur- ing his boyhood James W'. Buck received a good common-school education, and for many years taught schools, but the greater jiart of his time and attention was devoted BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 565 to farming. In 1866 he came to Iowa, and took up a tract of unimproved land in Powe- slieik county, where he followed his chosen occupation. In pulitics he was a Democrat, but was never an active party \\orker or an office-seeker. He died in Montezuma, Iowa, in 1881, and his wife passed away at the home of their daughter in California in 1897. Of their seven children two died in early childhood, the others being Robert N., the subject of this sketch; Phcebe Ag- nes, who was married and died in tlie earh" '70s; James K., a resident of Davenport, Iowa; Eliza, wife of J. W. Patterson, of Tipton, Tulare county, California; and Catherine, wife of John Hutchison, of Fres- no, California. The children were given the advantages of the common schools of early days, but their educational privileges were limited, as the country in which they lived was sparsely settled and the schools were few. Robert N. Buck grew to manhood on the home farm, and remained with his par- ents until he entered the army during the Civil war, enlisting on the 1st of May, 1864, at the age of eighteen years, in Company F, One Hundred and P^irty-fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He served six months with the National Guards, and was then mustered out. In 1866 he came to Iowa with the fam- ily, but just before leaving Ohio he was united in marriage with Miss Kate Mc- Carty, a native of that state, who died in Cedar Rapids in 1883, leaving four chil- dren, namely: (i) James A., who is en- gaged in the toilet supply business in Cedar Rapids, is married and has two children, Harold and Paul. (2) liattie L. i> the wife of L. B. Hazelett. of New York city, and they have one child, Catherine. (3) Alida 28 J. is the wife of William Miller, of Cedar Rapids, and they have one child, Pauline. (4) Roy is married and a resident of Cedar Rapids. He is a graduate of the public schools of this city. In 1885 Mr. Buck was again married, his second union being with Mrs. Mary M. Bunt, ucc Nicholson, whi) was born in Wisconsin in 1849. On coming to this state the family lo- cated in Montezuma, where Mr. Buck en- gaged in farming until 1869, when he went to Davenport, and was in the employ of a grocery house as traveling salesman for eleven years. In 1879 he removed with his family to Cedar Rapids, where he has since made his home. He was injured in a rail- road wreck in 1881, and for a year was un- able to do any work. He then engaged in the confectionery business; later con- ducted a hotel for a few years, and in 18S7 purchased a laundry, which he has since operated with good success. In 1894 he purchased property and put jn a modern plant, so that he now has one of the best equipped laundries in the city, and has built up an excellent trade. The new plant at the corner of A avenue and- Third street is a modern two-story and liasement brick, twenty-live by one hundred feet, with mod- ern machinery, giving employment to from eighteen to twenty-five people — the largest business of its kind in the city. He also has other real estate interests in the city. Since attaining his majority Mr. Buck has always affiliated with the Democratic party, and has been an active party worker. In March, 1897, he was elected alderman from the First ward, and so acceptably did he till the office that he was re-elected the following year, and again in 1900, for two- year terms. He has served the people effi- ciently and well; was a member of the 566 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD finance committee the first year : was cliair- man of the public improvement and fire committees, during which time was built about three miles of pavement, also the Vin- ton ditcli sewer, and the Central [lark sewer was extended since that time; and also of the judiciary committee the fourth and fifth years. For three years he has been a mem- ber of the board of health ; has been a dele- gate to the state conventions of his party, and a member of the county and city cen- tral committees. Fraternally he is an hon- ored member of Mt. Hermon Lodge, No. 263, F. & A. M. ; Cedar Rapids Lodge, No. 98, Knights of Pythias, of which he is now master of works; Cedar Rapids Lodge, No. 141, I. O. O. F.. of which lie is now past grand, and the Encampment, of which he is now chief patriot. He is also a mem- ber of the Rebekah Lodge, No. 79, and of Patriarch Militant, Canton No. 21, and in the latter lodge is now chief of the staff with the rank of colonel on General I\I. A. Raney's stafif. He is widely known in Ce- dar Rapids, and is an active worker for the citv's interests. WILIJAM FINLEY WILSON. \\'illiani Finley W'il.-^on, who was famil- iarly known as Finley by his numerous friends, came to this county in March, 1865. and throughout the remainder of his life was recognized as one of its valued and useful citizens. He was born in Westmore- land county, Pennsylvania, on the 18th of March, 1S30, and was a son of William Wilson, who was also a native of the Ke\- stone state, and was engaged in farming in Westmoreland county for some vears. Init in 1S39 removed with his family to Wash- ington county, Ohio, where he opened up a farm. Finlev Wilson grew to manhood in that county, and assisted his father in the ardu- ous task of clearing and improving the farm. His educational advantages were somewhat limited. He was married April 15, 1858, in \\'ashington county, Ohio, to Miss Lucy A. Dunbar, a native of Massachusetts, which state was also the birthplace of her parents. Stephen and Lucy (Cutler) Dunbar. The father was Lwrn near North Amherst, in 1804, and was a son of Josiah Dunbar, also a native of Massachusetts, and a soldier of the war of 1812. Mrs. Wilson's maternal grandfather, Joseph Cutler, also lielonged to one of the pioneer families of the old Bay state. Her father, who was a wagonmaker liy trade, removed to Ohio in 1839, and after spending a short time in ]\Iorgan coun- ty settled in Washington county, where he engaged in the manufacture of wagons un- til coming to Iowa in 1885. He spent his last years with ]Mrs. \\'ilson in Linn coun- ty, where he died April 2. 1891, at the ripe okl age of eight}'-seven years. His first wile died in Athens. Ohio, when Mrs. Wilson was i|uite small, and he sul)sequentl_\' mar- ried again. Mr. and ]\Irs. Wilson began their domes- tic life on a farm in Washington county, Ohio, antl were residing there when the Civil war broke out. In May, 1863, he enlisted in the one hundreil days' service, becoming a member of Company D. One 1 hnulred and Forty-eighth Ohio Regiment. His command was sent to City Point, where it did guard duty, protecting a provisiou train. On the expiration of his term of en- listment Mr. Wilson was honorably dis- charged at Marietta, Ohio, in the fall of BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 567 1863, ami returned to his lionie in Wash- It was in the spring of 1S65 that he re moved with his family to Linn county. Iowa, and purchased a farm of one hundred and thirty-six acres in Brown township, one mile east of Springville. There was an old log cabin upon the place, and ever\-- thing was in a rather dilapidated condition, but he at once commenced its improx'ement. erecting thereon a good house, barn and other outbuildings. Subsequently he bought another farm at Xew Linden, one mile east of Springville, consisting of eighty acres, on which he made his home during the re- mainder of his active business life. He erected a pleasant residence upon this place, and made many other valuable iiTqirove- ments, which added greatly to its beauty and worth. In 1896 he bought residence priijierty in Springville. and there li\'ed re- tired until his death, which occurred Octo- ber 3, 1898. He had little capital on com- ing to this state, and his success was due entirely to his industry, perseverance and good management, and the assistance of his estimable wife, who aided and encouraged him in e\'er)- possible manner. Unto this worthy couple were burn fi\'e children, namely : Emma, who died at the age of seventeen years; Albert D., who died at the age of twelve years; Ella, who died at the age of nine: Roljert, whcj married Minnie Pollock, and is engaged in farming in Brown township, and they have five chil- dren. Cecil, Lee, Edith, Hattie and Anna; Hattie R. is the wife of Willi m Pollock, a brnther of Mrs. Robert Wilson, who is also a farmer of Brown township, and they are the parents of seven children. Florintha. Till mias, Elma, Lucy, Clinton, Edgar and Albert. Pnlitically Mr. Wilson was a stanch sup- porter of the men and measures of the Re- ])ublican party, but he never cared for the honors or emoluments of public office, pre- ferring to give his undivided attention to his business interests. He was a prominent member of the Grand Army Post at Spring- ville. in which he tilled all of the offices, including that of commander, .'ind buth he and his wife were earnest and consistent members of the Presln'terian church. She takes a very active part in its work, is a teacher in the Saliijath-school. and is a mem- ber of the Missionary Society. ]\Ir. Wil- son was well known in this section of the cnunty as a man of exemplary habits and ui)right character, as well as a pul)lic-s])irited and progressive citizen, who did all in his power to advance the interests of his com- munity. Since her husband's death Mrs. \\'ilsi:in has had charge of his business af- fairs, and has displayed exceptional ability along- that line. THOM.VS DEVEXDORF. Since 1867. a period of little more than a third nf a century, Thomas Devendorf. w ho is now serving his fourth term as city treasurer of Cedar Rapids, has been a resi- dent I if the citv. and one of its most enter- ])rising and representative citizens. He was born in Frankfort, New York, August .25, 1837. and is the son of Chauncy and Re- becca (Marshall) Devendorf, the former a native of New York, of German descent, and the latter of Connecticut, but of English descent, both families, however, liaving lung been residents of this cnuntry. The maternal grandfather Marshall was a sol- 568 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD dier in the Re\oIutionary war, serving his country faithfully in that struggle resulting in the independence of the colonies. He lived to a ripe old age. dying when about ninety-nine years old. The family has gen- erall)' been a long-lived one. For many years Chauncy Devendorf was engaged in the mercantde business in Frankfort , Xew York, and was a well- known and prijminent citizen of the place. A well-educated man, he exerted a good and healthy influence in the community where he resided. He was ];orn in 1806. and died in 1862. After his tleath his widow came to Cedar Rapids and made her home here until she, too, was called to lier final rest. She was born in 1812, and died in 1882. Of her hive children, all lived t his [jart- ner, who continued the business for a time and then sold out. \\'hile Mr. Devendorf has gi\en the greater part of his time to his l)usiness in- terests, he has not altogether neglected ptvblic affairs, and has e\er Ijeen willing to lend his influence to any and e\ery enter- prise for the good of his adopted city. For twelve years he was identified with the pub- lic schools, and was president of the board of education of the city for several years. During this period the schools of the city made commendable progress, and several school buildings were erected. The time given to the public schools he considers well spent. In 1896 he was elected city treas- urer, and he has been twice re-elected, and is ser\-ing the people to their entire satisfac- tion. As a Republican, Mr. Devendorf has BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 569 been a worker for the success of the party, licing a stanch advocate of its principles, wliich he beUeves to be for the best interest of tlie people. He has never been an aspi- rant for office, preferring to gi\'e his time to his private affairs, and what influence he ptissessed in a political way to his friend'^. He is a member of the Commercial Club of the city, organized for the purpose of promoting the cnmmercial interests of the ])lace. While formerly a member of the IMasonic order, he does not at present take an active part in its work, although believ- ing in its principles. ^^'hen Mr. De\-endorf came to Cedar Rapids, in 1867, ^"^^ found a little city of less than five thousand inhabitants. He has seen it grow until it has bec(jme the fourth city in the state in point of population, and second to none in the way of public and private improvements. In the accomplish- ment (jf all this he has borne his ])art, and he is recognized as one of the leading citi- zens of the city and county, with many friends throughout citv, countv and state. FREDERICK HOFFMAN. For over forty years Frederick Hoffman has been actively identified with the agri- cultural and commercial interests of Linn county, and is now successfully engaged in the grain business at \\'alker. He was born in Bavaria, Germany, and is a son of George and Margaret Hoffman, who spent their entire lives in that pro\'ince, the mother dy- ing when our subject was only three years and a half old. He attended the public schools of his native land until thirteen years of age, and then assisted his father. who was engaged in the manufacture of linen and cotton goods. At eighteen years of age Mr. Hoffman emigrated to America, taking passage on a sailing vessel at Bremen, wdiich was thirty- four days in crossing the Atlantic. On landing in Xew York he proceeded imme- diately to Buffalo, wdiere he was variously employed for a time, and then went to Cat- taraugus county, . New York, where he learned the shoemaker's trade, soon becom- ing a proficient and skilled workman. ^lany of the boots and shoes that he made were worn in the \\'hite House at that time, and by the leading families of the country, wdiile some pairs went from New York city round the Horn to San Francisco. During his stay of ten years in Catta- raugus county. New York, Mr. Huffman was married in 1857 to 3iliss Sylvia Baum- gardner, who was also a native of Bavaria, Germany, and came to the United States about 1854, locating in th'at county. By this union were born ten children, all of whom are living at the present time, name- ly: IMary, who is married and lives with our subject; Frank, who wedded Sadie Ciiam- bers and resides at Troy ^lills, Linn county; Jane, wife of Gilbert Crossland, of the state of Washington; Ella, wife of William Spade, of Buchanan ct)unty, Iowa: James, who married i^Iinnie Spencer and lives in (irant township. Linn county; Susan, wife died very sud- denly, on his farm in this county, January 13, 1871, and his wife departed this life January 13. 1881. just ten years later tn the day and hour. The mother of our sub- ject was born in ]\Iadison county. \'irginia, February 29, 1832, and is a daughter of Samuel and Juda (Rush) Willhite, also na- ti\-es of the Old Dominion, where her mother died in the fall of 1834. The father then removed with his family to Preble county, Ohio, and made his home near Eaton for a number of years, but in 1852 came to Linn county, Iowa. After li\ing for some time on a farm in Franklin township he removed to Mt. ^'ernon, where he engaged in the cooperage business. He w'as visiting at the home of our subject when he was taken sick and died April 15. 1885. He had four chil- dren, namely : John, a resident of Sacra- mento. California, who tirst married Electa Mansfield, and second ^Nlrs. Margaret Lyons, both now deceased ; Jane, who died at the age of twenty years : Sarah, wife of Marshall Tedford, of Mt. Vernon, and ha\h n\ April, 1822. in Sullixan county. New \'ork, andis a son of (jeorge D. Kimball, who was born in Orange county. X. Y., and grandson of Levi Kim- ball, a native of Connecticut. In early man- hood the father was married in Rockland, Sullivan county. New York, to Miss Eliza- beth Hitt, a native of that state. He en- gaged in farming and also owned and ope- rated a sawmill on the headwaters of the Delaware river. He died on the old home farm in Sullivan county, having survived his wife a few years. They were the parents of ele\en children, two sons and nine daugh- ters, all of whom reached maturity and mar- ried. Those still living are Henry, our sub- ject; Levi, a banker, of \\'akefield, Ne- braska ; Deborah Ann, wife of Henry Horn- beck, of Illinois; Abigail, wife of Clinton Wilson, of Rockland, New York ; Louisa, wife of William H. Young, of Liberty, Sulli'- \-an cnuntN' Xew York; ]\Irs. Ant(.iinette Apley and Mrs. Ellen Cochran, both resi- dents of Rockland. During his boyhood and youtii Henry Kimball worked on the home farm and in the lumber w(jotls, and his early schoy his sec(jnd marriage Mr. Jack- son had two children, name)}' : Israel E., a business man, of Springville, Iowa, who is married and has one .son, Julian; and Marie, who married H. J. Holloway, a business man. of Marion, and ha^ one son, Harold. Mr. Jackson continued to success full}' engage in agricultural pursuits in Marshall county until 1888, when he came to Linn county anf the Society of Friends. ♦-<-• FRED W. (ilLCHRIST. Grant township has no more energetic or progressive farn^er than Fred \\ . (lil- christ. whose home is on section 19. He was born in tliat township, and is a son of Corydon and Rebecca (Leonard) Gilchrist. The father was born in Oswego county, Xew York, August 22, 1828, and was a son of Daniel M. and Elizabeth (Schoonmaker) Gilchrist. Daniel M. Gilchrist was Ijorn in Argyle, Wasiiington county, Xew York, in 1800, of Scottish parentage, and lived to the age of seventy-two years, while his wife was born in Fiatbush, Kings countv, Xew \'ork. in 1805, and died at the home of a son in Strawberry Point, Clayton county, Iowa, in March. 1882, at the age of seventy-seven years. About 1838 they re- moved to Illinois, becoming early settlers of BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 6ii De Kalb county, where lie opened u]) a farm. Tliere Corydon Gilchrist grew U> nianhiind. and in 1856 came to Linn county. Iowa, lo- cating in what is now Grant township, where lie became the owner of a fine farm of three luuulred and twenty acres. In connectinn with the operation of his land he also car- ried on the lumber business at Walker for some years, and was one of the wealthy and substantial citizens of his community. He was a stanch Democrat in politics, and filled various public positions of honor and trust, serving as county supervisor for a number of years. In Alarch. 1857, lie wedded Mar- garet Da\is, who died ]\Iarch 20, 1863, lea\'ing three children, Lawrence, Florence and ]\Iargaret. He was again married April 3, 1864. his second unir)n lieing with Rebecca Leonard, who was born in Hunter- don county, Xew Jersey, June 24. 18 — , and died March 22. 1874. By that marriage were also born three children, Frank M., Fred \\'. and Mary E. On the 21st of De- cember, 1876, the father married Olive Phelps, who was born in Kane county, Illi- nois, Marcli 24. 1849. Of the three chil- dren born of this union Arthur and Edith are now deceased, while Geraldine is still living. The father died in 1S93. The district schools of his native town- ship afforded our subject his educational ])rivileges, and he early acquired an excel- lent knowledge of agricultural pursuits while assisting his father in the lalmrs of the farm. At the age of twenty-three he started out in life for himself as a farmer, operating- one hundrefl and sixty acres of land on sec- tion 19, Grant township, which he rented of his father, and which came into his pos- session after the father's death. He has made a number of imjiroyements upnn the place, and now has a \'ery desirable farm. He is engaged in the raising of both grain and stnck. keeping a high grade of cattle and thoroughbred Poland China hogs, and he also gi\-es considerable attention to the raising of Plymouth Rock chickens for lireeding and market purposes. On the 24tli of March, 1898, Mr. Gil- christ was united in marriage with ]\Iiss Clara Heddinger, who is the eldest in a fam- il_\' (if four children, her parents being James and Jane (Speke) Heddinger, both natives of Iowa. In his political views Mr. Gil- christ is an ardent Democrat, and he takes a deep and commendable interest in [lublic aiifairs, as every true American citizen should. He is well known and quite popu- lar in the communitv where he resides. GEORGE G. GRUPE. X'umliered anmng the capable and pro- gressive business men of Cedar Rapids is George G. Grui)e, manager of Laagomar- cino & Company, wholesale fruits, and a member of the firm. He cl.'iims lnwa as liis nati\-e state, his birth having occurred m Burlington, in 1867. His parents, Nich- olas P. and L_\'dia (Hartley) (irupe, were burn in lierlin, Penns_\'I\-ania. and were mar- ried in that state. In 1843 they remo\-ed to Burlington, Iowa, where the father engaged in business as a painter and decorator for many _\cars, but has now retired from active labiir. The mother died in March, 1899, hers being the first death to occur in the family. All of their seven children are still li\ing. George G, Grupe received his early ed- ucation in the common schools of his na- tive place, and at the age of twelve years began his business career as a helper to a 6l2 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD paper hanger. Later he entered an insur- ance office, and did office work for four years. At the end of that time he became connected with the firm of Laagomarcino & Company, taking ciiarge of their retail fruit store at BurHngton, Iowa, and subsequently spent one year on the road selling baking powder, spices and coffees for the Burling- ton branch of E. E. Andrews & Company, of ^lilwaukee, also working there as book- keeper and confidential clerk for a time. At the age of twenty-one 'Sir. Grupe returned to the employ of Laagomarcino & Company at Burlington, Iowa, where he remained six years and a half, and on the 4th of October, 1894. came to Cedar Rapids to open their branch house at this place, of which he has since had charge. The first yearthe business amounted to about one hun- dred thiiusand dollars, and tlie housa was rep- resented on the road by one traveling sales- man, but under' the able management of our subject the business lias increased so rapid- ly that now seven traveling salesmen aro employed and the business amounts to aliout three hundred thousand dollars per year. The company has a cold storage plant and a track of their own at Cedar Rapids, and furnish employment to twenty-two men and women. The success of the concern at this place is mainly due to the well-directed ef- forts of our suljject, who is a man of keen discrimination, sound judgment and untir- ing perseverance. In politics he is a Re- publican, and socially is a meml)er of the Knights of Pythias fraternity. ^Ir. Grupe was married in 1893 to Aliss Grace Greenwood De Lashmutte, also a na- tive of Burlington, and a daughter of Malhias J. and Muvia (.Arnold) De Lash- mutte, who are now living in California. Her father removed to Burlington in 1833, and was one of the earliest settlers of this state. In his family were nine children, five of whom are still living. JOHN E. HODGIX. Among the thrifty and progressive ag- riculturists of Brown township is num- bered Jolin E. Hodgin. who resides on sec- tion 1 8. and has made his home in this county since the fall of 1861. Like many of the best citizens of this locality he came from Ohio, being born in Belmont county, November 12, 1S30. His father, EH Hodgin, was born in Georgia, in 1798, and was a son of Samuel Hodgin, who removed with his family to Ohio about 1804 and settled in Belmont county, where he cleared and improved a farm. There Eli Hodgin grew to manhood and married iMiss iMary Engle, a native of that county, and a daugh- ter of Caleb Engle. wh > was also one of the pioneers of Belmont county. After farming in that state for maiiy years Eli Hodgin joined his children in Iowa, and for some time lived on a farm in Brown township, Linn county, but his last days were spent in the present town of Whittier, where he died in the summer of 1885, when nearly eighty-seven years of age. His first wife and mother of our subject died in (3hio in 1840, and he subsequently married again. John E. Hodgin passed the days of his boyhood and youth on the old farm, and re- ceived a good practical education in the common schools of that locality and the Friends Boarding School. He subsequently engaged in teaching schnol for some years, both in Ohio and Iowa. On the 31st of BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 6t3 October, 1855, lie was married in Morgan county, Ohio, to Miss Tamer D. Vernon, who was also born in Belmont county, but was mostly reared and educated in Athens county, that state. Her parents were Eli and Eliza (Hanson) Vernon. Unto ]\Ir. and ^Irs. Hodgin were born seven children, of whom two died in infancy, while Jesse died when a young man. Those living are Mary, wife of Thomas Thomason. wlio now owns the old home farm of seventy acres; Rachel, wife of Barton D. Coppock, a sub- stantial farmer of Brijwn township, this county; Elza, who is married and fol- lows farming in the same township; and Edgar, who served for five years in the regular army, and is now employed in the United States arsenal at Rock Island. Illi- nois. After his marriage Mr. Hodgin fol- lowed farming in [Morgan county, Ohio, until tlie fall of 1861, when he came to Linn county, Iowa, driving across the coun- try in a ci:i\-ered wagon. For two years after locating here he engaged in farming on rented land, and then purchased forty acres where the present town of W'hittier now stands, but a year later he suld that place and bought eighty acres of r;i\v prairie land where he now resides. L'nder his care- ful management acre after acre was soon placed under the plow, fences were built and uther inipnivenients were made. Dur- ing this time he lived in a log house for several years, and then erected his present neat and stibstantial residence. He has a fine orchard and niajile grove which he planted from the seed, and has also set out a grove of catalpas, making his farm one of the most beautiful and attractive places in the locality. For the past ten nr twelve years he has given considerable attention to the culture of small fruits, for which he finds a ready sale in the home market, and also raises a high grade of stock. For sev- eral years after coming to this county he engaged in teaching school during the win- ter term, and in all his undertakings has met with marked success. Originally Mr. Hodgin was a Republi- can in politics, supporting John C. FreiiMut for the presidenc}- in 1856, but for many years he has been identified with the Pro- hibition party, and has been an earnest ail- vocate of its principles. He served one term as assessor of his town, but has never cared for political honors. Both he and his wife were born and reared in the Society of Friends and were among the first to unite with the church at W'hittier. For forty years they lia\-e made their home in this county, and during their earh- residence here experienced many of the hardships and privations of pioneer life. Of sterling worth and strict integrity, they are honored and respected by all who know them. JOHX W". GRIFFITH. John W Griftith is a successful \eter- inary surgeon of Cedar Rapids, whose oftice is located at No. 121 North Second street. He was born in St. George, Brant county, Canada, December 2, 1869, and is a son of William and Mary (King) Griftith, also natives of that countrx- and farming peojjle. Our subject's maternal grandfather. John King, was born in Scotland, and was also a farmer by occupation. Mr. tiriffith is one of a family of seven children, of whom George, Jane, William and Herbert all died in Canada, and Cyrus and Lavina still live on the i.tld homestead there. 6i4 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD During- his boyliood Dr. Griffitli attend- ed the district schools uf Canada, and after completing iiis hterary education entered the Ontario \'eterinary College, at Toronto, Canada, where he was a student for about tlu-ee years, and was graduated frnni that institution in 1892, with the degree of \'. S. Immediately after his graduation he ctinimenced the practice of his profession ;it St. George, Canada, but in 1894 removed to Cedar Rapids, where he has since been in constant practice, and has met with ex- cellent success. He receives a very large ])atronage. and has the confidence of all \vith whom he has business dealings or meets socially. He now owns an interest ir; the livery and feed barn where his office is located. In 1899 Dr. Griffith married Miss Eliza- beth Wenig, a daughter of George K. W'e- nig, whose sketch appears on another page of this volume. They lia\e one ch.ld, George William. The Doctor was appoint- ed by Governor Drake and later l)y Gov- ernor Shaw as assistant state veterinary surgeon, and al.'o assistant dairy insi)ector of Cedar Rapids, which (jffices he is now ca])al)ly and satisfactorily filling. Frater- nally he is a member of Crescent Lodge, No. 25, F. & A. M. ; Cedar Rapids Lodge, No. 141, I. O. O. F-. ; the Woodmen of the World, No. 124; and the Knights of Pythias, No. 98. He is now past noble grand in the Odd Fellows Lodge, and is a liberal contributor to cluirch and charita- ble work. ♦-•-♦ COLONEL HENRY H. ROOD. One of the most prominent and widely known men of Linn count}- is Colonel Rood, of Mt, \'crnon, who served with dis- tinction in the Civil war and has been an important factor in business circles. His popularity is well deserved, as in him are embraced the characteristics of an unbend- ing integrity, unabated energy and industry that never flags, and as a public-spirited citizen he is thoroughly interested in what- ever tends to promote the moral, intellect- ual and material welfare of the commun- ity. He was born in Washington coun- ty. New York. February 6, 1841, and was named for President Harris(jn, his fa- ther being a s4:anch supporter of the \\ hig party. His parents were Nathaniel and Mercy ( Nye) Rood, who made their home in Washington county throughout life The father was Ix.irn in the town of (ireenwich, and in early life followed school teaching, but later engaged in agricultural pursuits. He ser\-ed as commissioner of deeds for his county and also as justice of the peace, be- ing elected to the latter office in 1840 by an overwhelming majority, although his town- ship was strongly Democratic — a fact which indicated his personal popularity. In his family were ten children. Colonel Rood acquired his elen-ientary education in the con-imon schools of New York. He was left an orphan when quite young, and at the age of fifteen years came t(j Nevada, Iowa, where he attended school two winters, ^^"hile there he learned the plasterer's and stone and brick mason's trade, and assisted in building the first court house and the first school building at that ])lace, besides many private residences. He followed that occupation until t!ie win- ter of 1859-60. when he taught school in the Ballard district of Howard township. Story comity, and in March, i860, came on foot from N'evada to Cedar Rapids, and -^llff ^^^B ^t ^^iPfi ' ,.,i^3 \yjj -%;^ ^^^ii^B wT^jA^^^^^^ i^K^ ~- l^tjT^^^^^M V| ^ J^^^^^^^^H COL. H. H. ROOD. BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 617 from there to Alt. \'eriioii, iur the jjurpose of i^ecuring- a lietter education in Cornell College, where he continued his studies un- til after the Ci\'il war hroke out. Prompted by a spirit of patriotism, our subject enlisted September 15. 1861, in Company A. Thirteenth Iowa \'olunteer In- fantry, and was elected second lieutenant on the i8th of Octolier. He was commis- sioned first lieutenant April jo, 1862, and served as acting adjutant from the loth of July. 1862. until the 22nd of the following January, when he was commissioned adju- tant. He was mentioned in the official re- ports for gallant and efficient discharge of duty at Atlanta. July 22. 1864. During the winter of 1863 and 1S64 he served as judge ad\-ocate of the fourth di\-is:on of the Seventeenth Army Corps, and was de- tailed as mustering officer on the staff of Gen. Frank P. Blair, in Se]nember, 1864. serving in that capacity until the close of liis service. November i, 1864. After being discharged from the army. Colonel Rood returned to Mt. Vernon. and in tlie spring of 1866 embarked in general merchandising with Dr. J. M. Armstrong, under the firm name of Armstrong & Rood, which partnership continued until 1878. when George \V. Young purchased Mr. Armstrong's in- terest, and the name was changed to Rood & Young, and the business changed to clothing and merchant tailoring. In April. 1900, William Wilcox bou,ght a half interest in the Inisiness. which is now car- ried on under the firm name of Rood. Young & Wilcox. In 1875, on account of impaired health from close confinement in the store. Colonel Rood commenced tra\el- ing as a salesman for the clothing house of Freoland, Harding & Loomis. of Boston. his territor_\- being the state of Iowa, and on the 1st of January. 1877, he made an en- gagement with H. A. Kohn & Brothers, now Kohn Bros.,- wholesale clothiers of Chicago, wh(jm he still represents on the road. During ;dl this time he has retained his connectioii with the business interests of Mt. Vernon, and on the ist of February. 1893. purchased a third interest in the I\It. \'ernon Bank, in connection with Dr. James Carson and \\'illiam ]\I. Smith, becoming vice-presi- dent, a jjosition which he still holds. On the 24th of August, 1863. he married Miss Frances E. Armstrong, who was born in Carroll county. Ohio, Jtuie 2. 1844. and was a daughter of Dr. J. M. and Nancy Jane (W'estfall) Armstrong, the former a native of western Pennsylva- nia, the latter of Columbiana county. Ohio. She is one of a family of five children and also has a half sister. Of the seven children born to the Colonel and his wife those li\'- ing are Luella, J. Albert and. Anna Belle. Colonel Rood has always taken an active and comniendal)lc interest in puMic aft'airs. .and has never withheld his sujjport from any enterjjrise which he ljelie\-ed would ])ro\'e of ])ublic benefit. In i8()7 be was elected a member of the board of trustees' of Cornell College, and the following year was made secretary of the board, a posi- tion which he still retains. L'pon the death of Henry .\. Collin, in Xo\ember. 1891. he was made Treasurer, and is still holding that r-ffice. He is also a member of the Ex- ecutive Committee: On the 14th of June, 1900, was granted the honorary degree of A. M., by the college. In company with twenty-two others Col- onel Rood assisted in organizin.g the civic society, known as Crockers Iowa Brigade, at Muscatine, Iowa, June 9. i88f. and be- 6i8 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD came its first recording secretary. In 1883 he was elected correspunding secretary of the organization, and in 1891, upon the death of Gen. W. A\'. Belknap, he became president, and has since been elected bienial- Iv to that position up to the present time. He also belongs to the Sons of tlie Ameri- can Revolution, being entitled to member- ship in that order through his grandfather, Daniel Rood, who was a member nf the first militia company organized in Bennington, Vermont, and participated in the battle of Bennington. He served under Colonel Stark, the noted commander of the Green Mountain Boys, and remained a member of the company as late of 1784. In religious faith Colonel Rood is a Methodist, and has been an earnest and con- sistent member of that church since 1868. Politically he is a stanch Republican, but has never been a candidate for ofiice. though he ser\-ed as presidential elector for the fifth district of Iowa in 1900, and was delegate to the Republican National con\-ention in 1888. Colonel Rood is especially honored, and will be best remembered by liis fellow citizens of Mount Yernon for his faith in the growth of the town and college, and the time, labor and means he has used to promote their advancement. In 1890, when the town seemed tn be unal)le to respond to the growth of the college and tlie country, though possessed of but moderate means he erected a group nf attractive cottages, which were all rented before completion by new and desirable families, demonstrating that it only needed faith and effort to give the town a new growth in keeping with its opportunities; from that time the town has gone steadily forward each year. CONDENSED MILITARY HISTORY. Rood, Henry H., Pvt. Co. A. 13th Iowa Infy. Vols., Sept. 15, '61 ; 2 Lt Oct. 18, '61 ; 1 Lt. April 20, '62; Act. Adj. July 10, '62, to Jan. 22. '63; com'd Adj. Jan. 22. '63. Col. John Shane, 13th Iowa Infantry \"ols., in his report of 'the battle of July 22, 1864, before Atlanta. Ga., says: "I can not close this report without acknowledging my in- debtedness to Adjutant Rood, Sergt. -Major Myers, and the line ofiicers of the regiment who ably seconded and assisted in all the movements of the command ; and who bore themselves throughout the trying scenes as brave men and gallant officers " Colonel ^^'illiam Hall commanding the brigade, 3rd Brig., 4th Div., 17th Army Corps, in his re- port of the same battle, says : "Where all officers and men devotedly did their whole duty, I can make special mention of but fe^Y * * -f Adjutants King, 15th Iowa, Prescott, nth Iowa, and Rood, 13th Iowa, for gallant and efficient service." Served as judge advocate. 4th Div., 17th Army Corps, during winter of V)3-()4: detailed as mustering officer cju General Blair's staff after Atlanta campaign ; mustered out Nov. I, '64; Lt.-Col. and A.-D.-C, Feb. 12. '84; Staff Gov. P.. R. Sherman special .\.-D.- C, May 22, '86; Inspector-General, May 8, '89; term e.xpired May i, '90; Col. and A.-D.-C, Feb. i, '96; Quartermaster-Gen., Feb. I, '98, with rank of Col. Crocker's Iowa Brigade was organized April 27, 1862, at Pittsbprg Landing. Ten- nessee, the fortieth birthday of Gen. Grant, and was composed of the nth, 13th. 15th and 1 6th Iowa Veteran Volunteer Infantry. All of the regiments had fought at Shiloh. BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 619 tliough not then Ijrigaded togetlier. with an aggregate loss in the funr regiments of 757 men. Gen. A. J. Hickenlooper. its last commander, says of it : "The theatre of whose operations eni1>raceil a territury con- tinental in its diniensinn.^. covering an area ten times greater than that of the United Kingdom of Great Britain. Actnally march- ing over 6,000 miles, yonr feet jiressed the soil (jf ever-\' suuthern state. Init tln'ee, and trampled into dust the meteor wreck of a lost cause. Your victorious Ijanners were unfurled in the capitals of six Confederate states; and were the first to wave in tri- umph over the birthplace of secession. Like the scales of a mighty serpent, ycjur bur- nished arms have glistened in the swamps of the Mississippi valley, over the moun- tain ranges of the AUeghanies. and along the shores of the broad Atlantic." L'nder the brilliant leadersliip of the ed- ucated soldier anil strict disciplinarian, Crocker; the quiet, undenKjnstrative and resolute Reed; the self-reliant, uncom- promising and e.xacting Chambers ; the im- petuous, self-willed and gallant Hall; or the brave, accomplished and wh(jle-souled Bel- knap, everywhere, and at all times, "Ijattle" and "victory" became synonxmous words. On April 24, 1865, three years le^s three davs after it v.'as organized as a brigade, it was reviewed b}- General Grant at Raleigh, North CaroHna. Its heroic story is best told by the following marches, battles, sieges and campaigns, participated in by Crocker's Iowa Brigade: SJiiloIi,. .-\pri] dth and 7th, 1862; Bolivar, July J7tli, 1862; luka, September 21st, 1862; Corinth. Octo- ber 3d and 4th, 1862; March to Monroe, Miss., Novemlier 29. 1862: Yicksburg cam- paign, April to July 4th, iSO^: March to Mechanicsville, (ia., .May 29. 1863; March to ^Monroe, La., August 29th, 1863: March to Jackson, Miss., July 5th to 18th. 1863; Meridian Expedition, Fel)ruary, 1864; Kenesaw Mountain, June 27th, 1864; Xick- ajack Creek, July y], 4th and 5th, 1S64; Atlanta, July 21st, 22(1, and 28th, 1864; Atlanta Campaign, June to Septem]:)er, 1864; "Marrh to the Sea," Nov. 15th to Dec. 2ist, 1864; Saxannah, Decemlier 21st, 1864; ;\Iarch Thrt>ugh the Carolinas, Janu- ary to .\pril, 1865; Columbia, February 16th and 17th, 1865; Benton ville, March 20th and 2ist, 1865; Raleigh, April 13th, 1865; Grand Review, Washington, May 24th, 1865. The present officers of the Brigade are H. H. Rood, president; D. W. Ikishnell. Cor. Sec. ; C. \V. Kepler, Rec. Sec. ; Peter Kiene, Jr., Treas. WILLIAM C. BYERS. Among the gallant defenders of the Union during the war of the Rebellion was tliis well-known engineer on the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern Railroad, -now residing in Cedar Rapids. He was born in Greencastle, Franklin county. Pennsyl- vania, ^larch 9, 1844, a son of Martin and Margaret (Cline) Byers, who were natives of the same state and came w'est in 1865, locating on a farm in Linn connty. Iowa, about eight miles east of Marion. The mother was accidentally killed bv being thrown from a wagon and breaking her neck, in September, 18C15. Tlie father sur- vi\ed nineteen years. William C, Byers attended the common schools of his native state until fourteen years of age and then learned 'the boot and shoemaker's trade. He ne.xt entered 620 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD the machine shop of Growl &• Davidson, at Greencastle. \vhere he worked aliout three years as an apprentice. Hardly had the echoes from Fort Sumter's guns died away when he joined the boys in blue, enlisting on the 20th of April. iS6i. at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, in Company C, Second Penn- sylvania Volunteer Infantry. On the ex- piration of his term of enlistment he re- turned home, but later re-enlisted for nine miinths in Company K, One Hundred and Twenty-sixth Pennsylvania Regiment. He participated in the battles of Falling Water. Martinsburg. Harpers l-'erry. the second battle of Bull Run. Antietam, White Plains. Snuckers Gap, Fredericksliurg. Chancellors- ville and Gettysburg. He was taken pris- oner during the last named engagement and recaptured by Colonel Dalgreen. He was discharged at Harrisburg. His two brothers. Charles and George, were also soldiers, the latter being a member of the same cnmpanv as our subject. He was killed at the battle of Fredericksljurg, and Charles lost his life at the battle of the Wilderness. Before leaving Pennsylvania. ^Ir. Byers was married October 8, 1863, to IMiss Lu- cretia C. Conrad, also a native of Shad\- Grove, Franklin county, that stale, and a daughter of Jacnb and Mary (Keysey) Conrad. She is one of a family of ten children, but only three of the number are now lix'ing. Six children were born U> our subject and his wife, namely: ( i ) Sherman \V. died in infancy. (2) Shannon M., an engineer on the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern Railroad, married Loretta Myers, and they have three children. Will- iam. Harry and Ruth. (3) Earle is now assistant bookkeejier for Rea & Company at Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, and also plays the pipe organ in the Christian church in that city. He was selected as a delegate fmni that place to the musical convention held in 1900. (4) Edward is employed in a drug store in Cedar Rapids. (5) Carl is connected with a wholesale harness and saddlery establishment in Omaha, Nebraska. One died in infancy. In the .-pring of 1864 I\Ir. Byers came til Linn cnunty. Iowa, and for a time en- gaged in farming. Later he carried on the boot and shoe business at Springville for about six years, and then accepted a posi- tion as locomotive fireman on the Dnbnciue & Southwestern Railroad, with which he was connected for two years. On the i6th of September, 1872, he entered the service of the Burlingtim. Cedar Rapids & Northern Railroad, and after firing for three years was promc»ted to engineer on a freight train, which position he filled for three >oars and for the past nineteen years has been on the best passenger runs on the r(jad and is now about the ninth oldest man pulling a train on the road. Religiously Mr. and Mrs. l)_\-ers rirc mem- liers of the Trinity Methodist Epi.scopal church, and they have made their home at 124 G avenue, \\'est Cedar Rapids, for eighteen years. He is also a member or the Ancient (^rdcr of United Wurkmen. the Brotherhood of Locomotive I'iremen and Engineers, and the Masonic fraternity, Crescent Lodge, No. 25. and 'i'rowel Chap- ter. No. 40. and is a stockholder of the Masnnic Temple at Cedar Rapids. The Re- ])ublican i)arty has always founil in him a stanch supporter of its principles, and he has taken a very active and inllncntial i)art in public affairs, serving as a delegate til five international conventions of the Brotherhood of Loconintivc I'lremen and BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 621 nuinerdus political conventions. \\'hile a resident of Springville, he served as school director one year, and constal)le two years, and since coming to Cedar Rapids has rep- resented the eighth ward in the city council, twice being elected on the Republican ticket, although it is the strongest Democratic ward in the city, being chairman of the side- walk and street committee for three years. His election plainly indicates his personal popularity and the confidence and trust re- posed in him by his fellow citizens. THO.MAS PEARSON. Prominent among the early settlers and representative citizens of Brown township is Thomas Pearson, who owns and operates a fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 8. He was born in Belmont county, Ohio, December 7, 1824, and comes of good old Quaker stock, his ancestors hav- ing all been members of the Society of Friends. His father, Jesse Pearson, was a native of Pennsylvania, and at an early day removed with his father, Benjamin Pear- son, to Belmont count}-, Ohio, where he was reared amid pioneer scenes. 'Fhere he mar- ried Cynthia Sinclair, a daughter of George Sinclair, who was also connected with the Society of Friends and was one of tiie earh- settlers of Belmont county, iia\-mg removed from Virginia to Ohio in pioneer days. After his marriage Jesse Pearson located in Morgan count}', Ohio, where he pur- chased one hundred and sixty acres of gov- ernment land and transformed the jilace into a good farm. After residing there for some years he sold out and remosx'd to anothet" part of the county and bought another farm. On disposing of the same in 1853 he came with his family to Linn county, Iowa, and bought a farm in Brown townsliip, on wdiich he spent the remainder of his life, dying here in 1878. His wife had passed away a few years previous. Thomas Pearson grew t(,i manhood on the home farm in Morgan county, Ohio, and there he was married in 185,^ to ^liss Alary- Eves, wdio was born in Belmont county, that state, but was principally reared in I^Iorgan county. Her father was James Eves, one of the early settlers of the former jilace. Soon after their marriage the young couple came to Iowa, and in the fail of 1854 Air. Pearson purchased eighty acres of wild land in Br(jwn tmvnshii), to which he subse- quently added another tract of similar size. Immediately after locating there he com- menced to fence and break his land, and built thereon a good, though small, rest- dence, which he subsequently enlarged and improved. He also built a bafn and set out fruit and shade trees. Later he bought the forty-acre tract where he now resides, and some years afterward erected his i)res- ent comfortable residence. By trade Mr. Pearson is a carpenter and j.iiner, and he successfully followed that occu])ation for some years, building many houses and barns in his part of the county, including the build- ings upon his own farm. His ])lace has three complete sets of farm buildings, one of which is occupied by his son. On com- ing to this county he was in rather limited circumstances, and the ])rosperity that has coine to liini is due entirel}' to his own well- directed and energetic eft'orts. Mr. and Mrs. Pearson have eight chil- dren Hving, namely: J. C, who operates the home farm; James M., a farmer of Brown township; A. E., who is also living 622 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD on the old homestead; William B.. a den- tist, of Anamosa, Iowa; Jesse, a farmer, of JMarion township; Hannah A., wife of J. M. Fields, of Stone City. Iowa; Agnes E.. wife of T. C. Fields, of Washington county. Kansas; and Ella, wife of William Barrett, a farmer of Alburnett, Linn coimty. They lost one daughter. Jennie, who married J. A. Hart, of this county, and died, leaving one child. In early life Air. Pearson supported the ^^'hig party and cast his tirst presidential vote for General \Mnfield Scott, but in 1856 he voted for John C. Fremont, and has since affiliated with the Repulilicau party. His fellow-citizens, recognizing his worth and ability, have called upon him tu fill se\- eral positions of honor and trust, the duties of which he most capably discharged. He served as township trustee several terms, jus- tice of the peace about seventeen years and as a member of the school board and school treasurer for some time. During his entire residence here he has been actively identi- fied with the welfare of his comnuuiity and is one of its most public-spirited and enter- j)rising citizens. HENRY J. XIETERT. Among the most progressive and enter- prising business men of the northern part of the county is Henry J. Nietert, a well-known Ijanker of Walker. He was born in Day- ton, Ohio, March 12, 1848, and is a son of John H. and Caroline (Buhlman) Nietert, both natives of Germany. The father came to America in 1836, at the age of fifteen years, the mother in 1S30, at the age of ten. and they were married in Dayton, Ohio, from which place they removed to Clayton county, Iowa, in 1854. By trade the father was a carpenter and millwright, but at that place he engaged in the produce business for about two years, and then conducted a hotel at Garnavillo for three years. He then re- moved to Clear Creek, Colorado, but in 1861 returned to Clayton county, Iowa, and in 1864 came ti) Delaware county where he was engaged in farming until 1875, when he came to Linn county, locating in \\'alker in 1876, where he lived a retired life until his death, which occurred in 1881, when he was sixty-one years of age. He served as post- master of that place under President Haves. His wife died in 1863. They had eight children but only three are now living. Henry J. Nietert is indebted to the pub- lic schools of this state for his eariy edu- catidual privileges. He remained at home until attaining his majority and then en- gaged in clerking in a store at Manchester and other places until 1873, when he em- l:)arked in business for himself at Delaware Center, remaining there about a year and a half. He next went to Earlville, where he carried on business under the firm name of Deily, Neitert & Co. until 1875, when he disposed of his interest in the store, and for about a year was employed as a traveling salesman for a Dubuque house. For two years he was in the agricultural business at Earlville for E. Healy & Co., of IManches- ter, and then liecame manager of a store of general merchandise at Alta, Iowa. On the I2th of February, 1872. Mr. Nie- tert married Miss Carrie Hauser, a native of Pennsylvania, and to them were born two children: William J., who died in Janu- ary. 1898, and a daughter who died in in- fancy. Mr. Nietert was again married BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 623 ]May 4, 1881, his second uniDii being with J\liss Anna E. Wilde, a native of Illinois and a daughter of Edmond \\'ilde. Unto them were also born two children, Roscue and Gertrude E. In 1878 Mr. Nietert came to Walker and was engaged in mercantile business here imder the firm name of J. R. Gitchell & Co. for about six 3rears. They also carried on the creamery business together for eight years, and our subject is still interested in that enterprise. On the 1 2th of ]\Iarch, 1885, he opened the Exchange Bank, of which he is presi- dent, while his brother Charles H. serves as cashier. He is one of the ablest financiers in this part of the county, and in his bank- ing business has met with excellent success. Although he started nut in life for himself with no capital, he has, through his own well-directed and energetic efforts, acquired a fair competence, and owns considerable property, including a fine farm of two hun- dred acres near W'alker. In 1890 he erected an excellent business block in the village, the lower floor of which he uses as his bank, and the hall above is the meeting place for the different secret societies of \\'alker. Mr. Nietert is a member of the Blue Lodge of the Masonic order at that place, and also belongs to the chapter, command- ery and temple of the Mystic Shrine at Cedar Rapids. As a Republican he takes quite an active and prominent part in politi- cal affairs, and in 1893, 1895 and 1897 was elected to the state legislature. During bis second and third term he was chairman of the committee on banks and banking. He is at present serving as mayor of Walker, to which position he was elected in 1900. He is one of the most influential and popular men of the community, and never were the reins of city government in more capable hands, for he is pre-eminently public spir- ited and progressive. HON. JOHN P. CARBEE. For many years this gentleman was one of the most popular and distinguished citi- zens of Brown township, and was promi- nently identified with the de\-elopment and prosperity of the count}- until death claimed him on the 25th of October, 1893. He was born in Grafton county. New Hampshire, May 3, 1823, a son of T<'hn H. and .-Vnna (Powers) Carbee, both of whom were natives of Newbury, Vermont. His pater- nal ancestors were originally from France and were among the pioneers of New Eng- land. His father, who was a farmer by oc- cupation, spent the last years of his life near Bath, Grafton county, New Hampshire. John P. Carbee acquired his early edu- cation in the common schools of his nati\'e county and remained upon the home farm until reaching man's estate. Coming west in 1850, he decided to locate in Linn county, Iowa, and entered a tract of two hundred and forty acres of land on sections 5 and 8, Brown township, where his family now re- side He at once turned his attention to the improvement and development of this farm, and built thereon a small frame house, which was his home for a number of \ears, but was later replaced by a large, neat and substantial residence. In 1856 he luiilt a large barn, which still has the ap- ])earance of being a recent structure. In connection with the operation of his land, ]\Ir. Carbee also engaged in raising thor- oughbred short horn cattle, and was ac- 624 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD counted one of tlie mijst successful farmers and stock raisers of the county. On the 1 2th of June, 1853, ^Nlr. Carbee was united in marriage with Miss Sarah and a daughter of Zachariaii Ilaminon, wlio Hampton, a hati\'e of [Morgan county, Ohio, was born in Pennsylvania of old Quaker stock and of English ancestry. For some years her father made his home on a farm in Morgan county, Ohio, and in 1851 came to Linn county, Iowa, locating in Brown township. She was a young lady on the removal of the family tu this state, liaving been reared in the county of her nativity. She still survives her husband and resides on the old homestead with her son, Henry C. Of the six children born tn Mr. and Mrs. Carbee one died in infancy, while the others are as follows : ( i ) Anna is the wife of Robert Bailey, a farmer, of Brown town- ship. (2) Ida is the wife of \\'. K. Pear- son, of Anamosa, Imva. (3) Hattie is the wife of I. S. Pearsim, of Brown township. (4) John W. owns and operates a farm in Brown township adjoining the old home- stead. (5) Henry C. is now carrying on the home farm, which he, with his brother, previously conducted for fi\e years after the father's death. He is one of the most progressive agriculturists of the community, and in the operation of the farm uses the most modern improved machinery He is also successfully engaged in raising a good grade of cattle and hogs, but makes a speci- alty of breeding and dealing in Shropshire sheep. He received his primary education in the common schools and also attended Cornell College for two years, thus being well fitted for the duties and responsibili- ties of business life. Socially he is a promi- nent member of .*>pringville Lodge, No. 139, A. F. & A. M., in which he has passed all the chairs and is now past master; and also belongs to the Ancient Order of I'ni- ted Workmen. The Carbee family is well known throughout the county, and stands high socially. The Republican party always found in Mr. Carljee a stanch supporter of its prin- ciples, and he took a very active and influ- ential part in local politics. In 18^)3 he was elected to the lower liouse of the state legislature, and so ably did he represent his district that he was re-elected in 1865, serving two terms with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of his constituents. He also tilled many other positions of hon- or and trust, serving for tweny-five years as justice of the peace, during which time he married a great many ct)uples. He was one of the most active and public-spirited citizens of his communitw and gave his sup- port to all enterprises whicli he believed would prove of public benefit or advance the moral, social or material welfare of his township, county or state. He was univer- sally esteemed and respected as a man of sterling worth and exemplary habits, and in iiis death the county lost one of its best and most prominent citizens. JOSEPH S. BUTLER. One of the most prominent Inisiness men of Springville for many years was Joseph S. Butler, who spent the greater part of his life in this count}- and was a worthy repre- sentative of one of its honored jiioneer fami- lies. He was born in Gallipolis, Ohio, September 28, 1821, and was a son of Colo- nel Isaac Butler, who was liorn in Kentucky of Irish parentage and won his title as com- J. S. BUTLER. BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 627 mander of a regiment of militia that was stationed at Fort Dearborn (now Chicago, lUinois) in 1836. In 1828 the father re- moved witli his family to Louisville, Ken- tucky ; three years later went to Cass county, Michigan, and in 1835 to Racine, Wiscon- sin. In 1840 he came to the territory of Iowa and made a permanent location in Linn county on land a part of which is now within the corporate limits of Springville. Joseph S. Butler was a young man of nineteen years when he came with the fam- ily to this county, and he assisted his father in breaking, fencing and improving the land, remaining on the home farm for sev- eral years. In 1850 he started out in life for himself with no capital. Going to Anamosa, Iowa, he formed a partnership with a gentleman and engaged in the manu- facture of cultivators and fanning mills for cleaning wheat for four years. On his return to this county in 1854, he settled in Brown township and engaged in farming and stock raising and also dealt in real es- tate. From 1862 until 1876 he was quite extensively engaged in dealing in grain and stock and in dressing hogs for market. In 1878 he established the Springville Ex- change Bank with a capital stock of twenty- five thousand dollars, and carried on the banking business by himself for eight years, at the same time attending to his farming and stock raising interests. His bank was in the old town on the south side of Big- Creek until 1 88 1, when it was removed to its present location in the new town. His son, C. F., subsequently became a member of the firm, and together they conducted the bank until the father's death, which occurred December 31, 1898. He was laid to rest with Masonic honors, the Springville lodge officiating, a great number of his fraternal 31 brethren fi-om Marion, Cedar Rapids and other places being present. The Old Settlers Association also attended the funeral in a body. On the 4th of July, 1854, Mr. Butler was united in marriage with Miss Maria L. Reneau, a native of Indianapolis, Indiana. Her father, Jesse Reneau, was born in Ten- nessee of French ancestry and was married in that state. Later he spent some years in Indiana, and from there came to Linn coun- ty, Iowa, being one of its early settlers. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Butler were l)orn three children. The oldest, A. J. Butler, was born September 28, 1856, on his father's birth day, and died January i, 1876, while had the father lived one day longer he would have died on the anniversary of his son's death. Lurman died in infancy. The other ■ son is Charles F. Butler, whose sketch ap- pers on another page of this volume. For several years Mr. Butler was obligecT to use crutches as the result of accidents. ^^'hen a young man he had his foot crushed by the fall of a horse, and in September, 1877, lis ^^'^s forced to have one leg ampu- tated below the knee as the result of an ac- cident in crossing a railroad track at Cleve- land, Ohio. Notwithstanding these mis- fortunes, he was actively engaged in busi- ness throughout life, and was one of the most successful men of I,inn county, ac- cumulating a large estate. As a public- spirited and progressive citizen he gave his time and means to advance the interests of the community in which he lived, and never withheld his support from anj^ enterprise which he believed would promote the general prosperity. • In 1862 Mr. Butler was commissioned by the Governor to raise a company for the war of the Rebellion, and he raised and or- 628 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD ganized what became Company H, mf the Twenty-fourth Iowa Volunteer Infantry. He was a Jefifersonian Democrat and took (juite an active part in poHtics. In 1S64 he was nominated and ran for representative to the state legislature on the Democratic ticket, but was defeated by a small majority. For some years he served as justice of tiie l^eace and also as a member of the school board, always taking an active part in es- tablishing good schools and promoting edu- cational interests. He was an active mem- lier of the Presbyterian church, of Spring- ville. and gave liberally toward the erection of the iiouse of worship and parsonage be- longing to the same, as well as toward the building of the Methodist Episcopal church. Fraternally he was a Knight Templar Mason, and an honored member of Spring- ^ille Lodge, Marion Chajjter, and Patmos 'Commandery. He was a man of recognized al)ility who stood high in public esteem, and had the confidence and respect of all with whom he came in contact either in business or social life. In 1 88 1 Mr. Butler established the Springville Xew Era, an eiglit-page sheet which he edited for a time, and was sole owner until he sold the same to .Mfred L. Flude. The paper was non-partisan in poli- tics and had a large circulation in Spring- ville and vicinity. ]\Ir. Butler was also one of the principal promoters of the water works system of Springville, in which he owns a large share of the stock. In August, 1896, Mr. Butler read the following paper before the Old Settlers As- sociation at Marion : "The pioneers who came to Linn county and stood the brunt of the hardships, the exposures and privations of a frontier life, found this country to lie a wilderness, a vast unbroken pasture field, with frequent groves and streams, an abundance of wild fruit and game. Highways and bridges there were none. It was a wilderness inhabited by rov- ing bands nf Indians, wild animals, and the dreaded Mossagger rattle snake. Occasion- ally a pioneer cabin was to be found in the edge of the timber for the better protection from storms in winter. Their cabins were built of round logs, the outside cracks daubed up with clay to keep out the cold. The root was covered with shakes and weight-jK)les, while a puncheon floor, an old fashioned fire place, and a log cut out for a window completed the interior arrangements. Many times greased paper served in place of glass for the windows. Some of these cabins when completed did not have a nail, spike or bolt, or a piece of glass in their entire con- struction, the work being done with an ax, saw, draw knife and augur. Often times it was many miles to the nearest neighbor. The early pioneers usually brought all of their worldly possessions with them, wliich usually consisted of an ox team, a wagon, a cow or two, and many time without a dollar in money, but with a good rifle, a faithful dog, and added to that he possessed a brave heart, a determined will to defend himself and family and his property against all in- truders, whether they were white men. In- dians or wild animals. "These pioneers w ere brave people, gen- erous to a fault and when a stranger visited their cabins, he always found the latch string out and was always welcome to the best they had. They were generally an indus- trious people, honest in their dealings, and usually paid their debts promptly when due. They were very conservative in their mmle of living and of doing business, sel- dom buying anything on time unless it was BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 629 a necessity. Tlieir credit was their only capital with which they could do business, and they were generally very careful not to abuse it. '"It was very seldom they had a lawsuit, as their disputes were usually settled by ar- bitration, each party picking a man, and if they failed to agree, these two chose a third man. and their decision was final and ended the matter. "At the same time there was quite a sprinkling of bad men in the country, such as horse thieves and robbers, but they were mostly transient, unwelcome night prowlers, ever to be dreaded, and occasionally Judge Lynch was called upon to administer the law with a rope and a gad, and sometimes in such a way that it was a terror to other evil d-oers. The result w"as such that thieves and rogues fountl it convenient to make haste to find a more congenial clime to per- petrate their dastardly deeds and make room for a better class of men to come in and locate and help improve, built up and make Linn covmty what it is to-day, with its thousands of beautiful farms under a high state of cultivation, with good houses and barns, man_v of them with lieautiful resi- dences finished off in the latest styles, witli beautiful lawns, flower gardens and orch- ards, artificial groves and splendid oittbuild- ings. The tln^usands of herds and flocks of the finest live stock, including horses, cattle, hogs and sheep, the great source of wealth of this cmmtr}', witii tiie splendid cheese factories and creameries scattered over the country with the finest iliachinery and fixtures, the products of which are great sources of revenue to our people; with goud l)ublic roads leading in e\ery direction; the county all checkered over with railroads, with their many depicts and wrre houses for the convenience of commerce and travel, all prove that these early pioneers budded well for the future prosperity of their coun- try. The numerous telegraph and telephone offices with easy communication by wire with all parts of the country, the streams spanned by the most substantial of iron bridges; the many weekly and daily papers with their immense circulations among an intelligent people; the country all dotted over with school houses, churches and colleges, with their spires pointing heavenward ; the thriving towns and cities, with capital, ener- gy and enterprise establishing jobbing houses doing immense businesses; the num- erous manufacturing institutions of various kinds, the products of which are being shipped to all parts of the state; the many solid monetar)^ institutions which compare fa\'iiral.)l_\' with any in this or anv other state ; the many systems of water works and organized fire departments for the pro- tection of property; the magnificent county building on the county farm, a home for the unfortunate poor and helpless, all these speak eloquently of the foundation laid in po\erty and privations b_\- these early jiinneers." PROFESSOR JOSEPH TLAPA. Professor Joseph Tlapa, a well-known teacher of music in Cedar Rapids, was born in Wodnian, Bohemia, March 17, 1848, and is a son of Joseph and .\nna (Kupctzky) Tlapa, in whose family were six children, five sons and one daughter. By trade the fa- ther was a tailor. Both he and his wife ne\er left Buhemia. Their f;inhlv consisted of Joseph, of this sketch; Anton, a mechanic, who has been employed in a steel mill since 630 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD eighteen years of age; John, a liardware merchant of Cleveland, Ohio; Carl, who is engaged in the retail hat business in Daxenport, Iowa; Cyril, deceased, who was a musician of Columbus, Ohio; and ilary, wife of ^Ir. W'aiss, who is a government official in Austria. Professor Tlapa acquired his early edu- cation in the public schools of his native land, and afterward attended Budweis, a normal school, where he was graduated in 1865. After leaving that institution he en- gaged in teaching school in Austria for eighteen years, having served as principal for some years, which included the posi- tion of church organist and musical instruc- tor. He gained a part of his musical edu- cation in the normal school and the remain- der from private teachers. In the colleges of Bohemia music is taught as a regular study, and the teachers are paid by the gov- ernment for their services. When fourteen years of age Prcjfessdr Tlapa taught the son of Ignace Jelinek to read and write in exchange for musical instruction from the father. Professor Tlapa married Miss Barbara Graf, and they have one child. Louisa, now the wife of Joseph Dostal, a druggist of Cedar Rapids. She has two children. Alliia and Robert. iXIrs. Tlapa died December 10, 1891, and the Professor was again mar- ried in August, 1894, to iVfrs. Frances Mitt- walsky. who was also born in Bohemia, but came to the L'nited States with her par- ents, iMr. and iMrs. Dobrovsky, when six years old. Professor Tlapa was thirty-five years of age when he came to the L'nited States. He first located in Toledo, Ohio, where his two brothers, John and Cyril, were then living, and accepted a position under one of his brothers as violinist in the orchestra, remaining there six months. He next went to Cleveland, where he taught Bohemian and German languages and music, and also attended a night school that he might better perfect himself in the English language. He spent three years in that city, and in 1886 came to Cedar Rapids, where he has since devoted his entire time and attention to the musical profession, with good suc- cess. He now has a large class, and is also director of Tlapa's orchestra, consisting of ten men, and considered one of the leading orchestras of the city. He has a fine home at 1035 South street. He is a valued ad- dition to the musical circles of the city, and his services are in constant demand. He is a member of John Hus Lodge, No. 51, I. O. O. F. ELWOOD T. BEDELL. Classed among the progressive agricul- turists of Linn county is this well-kn.)wn resident of Brown township, who is suc- cessfully engagetl in general farming, stock raising and the dairy business on section 17, where he owns a well-improvetl farm of one hundred and twenty acres two miles from Springville. He was biirn on the I2th of June, 1852, in Greene county. Xew York, which was also the birthplace of his parents, William P. and Keziah (Osborn) Bedell. His paternal grandfather. Thomas Bedell, was a native of the same state, wliere the family was founded at an early day by Welsh emigrants. His maternal grandfather, Xathan Osborn, was also one of the pioneers of Greene county. New York. BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 631 The lather of our subject was liorn in 18 16, and at an early age assumed the re- s[)i.insibility of caring fur the family, as his fatlier had been accidentally killed. There were eleven children, of whom \\'illiam P. was the oldest. He took charge of the home farm and contiinied its operation fiir a num- ber of years, all of his children being born upon that i)lace. In 1854 he came to Linn county, Iowa, and purchased one hundred and twenty acres of wild land near Whit- tier, which he brnke, fenceil and improved, making his home thereon until iiis death, in 1S69. The mother of our subject had passed away in 1855, and the father sul)- sequently married again, his second wife surviving him for a few years. Elwood T. Bedell, of this review, is the youngest in a family of seven children, four sons and three daughters, all of whom are still living with the exception of one son. Being reared on the home farm in Brown township, he earl_\' became familiar with all the duties wdiich fall to the lot of the agri- culturist, and he obtained a good practical education in the common schools, which was supplemented by one term's attendance at the West Branch high school. After attain- ing his majority he had charge of the home farm for ten years, and in the spring of 18S1 bought eighty acres of land on sec- tion 17, Brown township, where he now resides. He has since added to it a tract of forty acres, and has converted it into a highly culti\'ated and welI-impro\-ed farm. He has enlarged and remodeled the house which was standing thereon when the prop- erty came into his possession, and has built a large basement barn and other outbuild- ings ; has planted fruit, forest and evergreen trees; and now has one of the most attract- ive places of the localitji-. For the past ten years Mr. Bedell has been engaged in the wholesale poultry trade to a large extent. He raises thoroughbred Holstein cattle, and is als(j successfully engaged in the dairy Inisiness. In 1879 Mr. Bedell was united in mar- riage with Miss Hamiah Ellyson. a native of Ohio, and a daughter of Benjamin and Abbie Ellyson. By this union have been born three children, L. Franklin and Cora Amelia, who are still living, while the first Ijorn died in infancy. Politically Mr. Bedell is a stanch sup- porter of the men and measures of the Re- publican party, but has ne\-er cared for office, preferring to give his undivided at- tention to his business interests. By birth- right he and his wife are members of the Society of Friends and are connected with the church at \Miittier. Their circle of friends seems only limited by their circle of accpiaintances, and they are held in liigh regard b\' all who know them. A. W. MANCHESTER, M. D. Among the successful physicians and surgeons of Linn county is Dr. Manchester, who for sex'eral j'ears has engaged in prac- tice at \\'alker. He was born in Tiverton, Rhode Island, January 9, 1847, ^nd is a son of Abram and Jane (Hood) Alanches- ter, natives of Rhode Island and Massa- chusetts, respectively. In early life the fa- ther was a sea ' captain, but was engaged in mining in California at the time of his rleath. The mother died in her native state. They were the parents' of three children, of whom our subject is the }-oungest and the onlv one now living. 632 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD When eight years of age Dr. [Manches- ter removed with his motlier to Loda. Ilh- nois, where he spent two years on a farm, and then returned to the east, making his liome in Somerset. Massachusetts, where he acquired his elementary education. At the aee of seventeen lie entered Brown Uni- versity at Providence, Rhode Island, where he pursued his studies for about a year, and then came to Linn county, Iowa, locating" here about the close of the Civil war. For some time he was engaged in farming with a maternal uncle, and later attended Cor- nell College at Mt. X'ernon. After leaving school he engaged in teaching for a time in Buffalo township, this county, and at Central City, following that pursu't for three years in all. At the end ui that time he commenced the study of medicine with Dr. Harry Seigworth, of W'aubeek, remain- ing with him one year, and then entered the Iowa State University, where lie pur- sued a two-years' course in medicine. Af- ter leaving that institut'on he traveled for about a year, and then located at Walker, Linn county, where he scum built up a large and lucrative practice, his skill and ability being widely rect\gnized. In 1875 Dr. Manchester was united iii marriage with Miss .Mice Barnes, a daugh- ter of Orsamus and Alniira L. (Mitchell) Barnes. Her father was burn in Canan- daigua. New York, March 5, 1821, and is a son of .\nios and Jrme ( Mitchell ) Bar.ies, the former a native of Maine, the latter of New York. By trade .\mos Barnes was a millwright. He removed with his family to Indiana when his son Orsamus was a cliild of seven years, but subsequently re- turned east, w'here his death occurred. His wife died near Freeport, Illinois. In their family were five children, of whom two still survive, these being the father of [Mrs. Manchester and his brother, Oliver C. a resident of Freeport, Illinois. Orsamus Barnes was reared and educated in Indiana and remained at home until nineteen years of age. working at anything which he could find to ilo. He then went to Illinois, where he learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed until 1859, when he crossed the plains to Colorado, and there engaged in mining for a numl^er of years. His wife also crossed that vast American desert four times. In the fall of 1864 he came to Linn countv. biwa, and purchased one hundred and fifty acres of land in Grant township, forty-five acres of which was coxered with timber. There he made h's home for ten years, but is now living with his daughter, Mrs. Manche.'^ter. in Walker. His wife d'ed in January, 1900, and was buried there. They had only two children: Alice, wife of our subject: and Edwin, a tinner of Walker. Fraternally Mr. Barnes is a mem- ber of the Masonic order, and iiolitically is a supporter of the Republican i)arty. He cast his first presidential vote fi r Jojui 1'. Hale, the Freesoi! candidate, in 1844. and has always taken a deep and commendable intere.st in public affairs. For .seven years he efficiently served' as trurrtee of Grant townsliip. Of the lour children born to the Doctor and his wife. Gifford died at the age of three months. Those living are George E., Jennie and Gail, all at home. When Dr. Manchester first came to Walker he opened a drug store, which he conducted for a num- ber of years, and since disposing of that has carried a line of drugs for his own use. In politics he is a Democrat, and in relig- ious belief a Presbyterian. He is a Knight Templar Mason, belonging t) the blue lodge BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 633 in Walker, and the cliapter and conimandery at Cedar Rapids, and he is a member of the Odd Fellows Lodge at \\'alln, where he has since made his home, and where he has already built up quite a large practice. In the summer uf lyoo he at- tended lectures at the Chicago Clinical School and the Illinois School of Electro,- Therapeutics. Constant study and close ap- plication to the details of his profession hava enabled him to reach an enviable position in his chosen calling. While a resident of Spencer he as- sisted in organizing the Northwestern Iowa ]\Iedical Society, which is now one of the largest associations of the kind in the state, and was elected its first president. He is a prominent mem- l>er of the Central Homeopathic ^ledi- cal Society of Iowa, and was president of that organization in 1900. The Doctor is also a member of the Hahnemann Medical Association of Iowa, and has served on its committees and bureaus every year sines he became connected with it. This year he is engaged in the research work of proving a new drug, on which lie will report at tlieir next meeting. He is a regular con- tributor to the Clinique. a med'cal ji:)urnal publii-hed monthly in Chicago, and is a member of the American Institute of Homeopathy. In 1898 Dr. Tenney built a handsome residence in Mt. Vernon, which is supplied with all modern conveniences, and his of- fice, which is at his home, is equipped with all the modern appliances known to the science of medicine and surgery. In politics he is a sup])orter oi the Repub- lican party, and in his social relations he is a member of Star of Bethlehem Lodge. No. 3, K. P.. while in religious faith he is a Methodist. EPHRAIM KELLER. Among the leading agriculturists of Grant township is the gentleman whose n.ame introduces th!s re\ie\v, his home be- ing on section i. He was born in Ohio. July 10, 1843, '"T-1 i'' '^ •■^'"^ "^'f Jacob and Elizabeth (Dilts) Keller, natives of Penn- sylvania, who removed to Ohio at an early day and in 1849 came to Iowa. After spending about six years in Cedar county, •they removed to Buchanan county in the spring of 1855, and tlie father purchased eightv acres of government land, which he put under culti\ation, continuing to make that place his home until called to his final rest in January. 1864. at the age of fifty years. His wife died in .\ugust. 1895. and was buried in Cedar county. In jiol'tics he was a Republican. Our subject is the second in order of birth in a family of seven children, the oth- ers being William, a resident of Des Moines; Mary Ellen, of Buchanan county. BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD ^i9 Iowa; Henry, deceased; Margaret, of Linn county; and Ida and Marcus, both of Cedar county, Iowa. Reared in this state, Ephraini Keller attended the public schools of Cedar, Bu- chanan and Linn counties until nineteen years of age, and at the same time assisted in the operation of the home farm, taking charge of the same after his father's death, and remaining there until 1879. Later he resided at various places, and became a per- manent resident of Grant township, Linn cuiuitv, in i88j, when he purchased eighty acres of laiul on jectii:n i, to which he sub- sequently added forty acres. In i8yy he re- modeled his residence, and has made many other impri]\-ements upnn the place which add greatly to its value and attractix'e ap- Ijearance. He raises both grain and stock for market, and is meeting with well-de- ser\'ed success. At Independence, Iowa, Mr. Keller was married in 1869, to Miss Azul:a Stevens, who was born at Flag Staff, ]^Iaine, and \va.~ only a year and a half nld when she removed to Illinois with her parents. Prince Thomas and Asenath (Staples) Stevens. Later the family came to Iowa and took up their residence in Buchanan cnunty, remain- ing there until 1872, when they renrnved to Grant township, Linn c unty. Mr. Ste- vens spent his last years in retirement from acti\-e lalior in the \illage of \\"alker. where he diefl and was liurijd. His w.'dow still survives him at the age of eighty-seven years, and continues ti) make her linme in Walker. She is a member of the Method- ist Episcopal church, while her husband was connected with the Free Methodist church. L'nto them were born eight children, name- ly : Clara, deceased : Austin, a resident of southern Inwa; .\bia H., of ^Minnesota; Flora, of Walker; Azuba, wife of our sub- ject; Brooks, of Linn county; Paul Thomas, of Tama county" Iowa; and Clara, deceased. Mr. and ]\Irs. Keller are the parents of seven children, all living, namely : Lencira Dell, wife of Louis Payton, of Grant town- ship; Luetta, wife of Charles Church, of Troy Mills, Iowa; Tessa ]Mel\dna, wife of Charles Andrews, a farmer of Buchanan county; Prince Edward, who lives in (jrant township, Linn county, at home ; Frank Leslie, who married Esther Walton and is engaged in farming in Buchanan county ; and Ervin Wesley and Stewart Austin, both at home. In his political affiliations Mr. Keller is a Repulilican, and at present is a member of the school board in his dis- trict. He is a man of considerable promi- nence in the community in which he li\-es, and wherever known he is held in high regard. J. HAROLD LEAF. Among the energetic and enterprising" citizens of Brown township is numl)ered J. Harcild Leaf, who is successfully follow- ing his chosen vocation on section 6. where he owns a valuable and well-inipro\'ed farm of one hundred and forty acres. He was born in this county, August 8, 1867, his parents being James and Jane (Taylor) Leaf, both natives of England. The father was reared in his native land, and was a young man when he came to the new \\'orl(l. He was married in i'ennsvhania, where he made his home until 1865, and then came to Linn count}-, Iowa, locating on a farm which he purchased in Maine township. To the cultix'ation and imiirove- ment of that ])lace he devoted his tiir.e and 640 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD attention until called tu his final rest in 1878. There his wife also died. Of the eight children born to them only two are now living, these being our subject and his sister Elsie, wife of J. D. Crow, a farmer of Mapleton. Iowa. Harold Leaf spent his early life in much the usual manner of farmer b(jys on the old homestead, and after the death of his parents lie and his older hmther, Charles C, now deceased, took charge of the place, carrying it on together for a number of years. After the property was divided uur subject operated his pL>rtion for some years, and then traded the same for the farm where he now resides. He located here in 1896. and has since made a number of useful and \alualile improvements on the place, includ- ing the erection of a large modern residence, heated by furnace, and one of the best barns in this county. He has also set out fruit and ornamental trees, which adtl much to the beauty of the place. In connection Avith his farming operations he is also engaged in dairying and stock raising. At Anamosa, Iowa, Mr. Leaf was mar- ried. October 18, 1888, to Miss Orpha B. Crow, who was born in Buffalo township, this county. Her father was E. i\I. Crow, who came here from Indiana in 1^37. and was engaged in farming in Buffalo town- ship until his death, which occurred Jul}' 26, 1894. (See sketch elsewhere in this work. J His wife died in Xo\ember, 1872, when i\Irs. Leaf was quite young, and she was reared by her mother's people in Cedar county. Iowa. Our subject and his wife ha\e a family of live children. Pearl, Ethel, Fannie, Fred and Irene, all now in sclnol with the exception of the youngest. Since attaining his majority Mr. Leaf has aftiliated with the Democracy, but has rie\er been an aspirant for otihce. He is a member of the Odd Fellows Lodge at Springville. and in social as well as busi- ness circles he stands deservedly high among his fellow citizens. DAVID WILD. David Wild, a representative farmer and highly esteemed citizen of Brown town- ship, whose home is on section 6, was born in Cumberland county, England, on the 13th of September, 1836, and grew to man- hood in that country, learning the joiner's and cartwright's trades, which he followed until his emigration to America in 1858. Coming west by the Great Lakes, he went up the Mississippi river from Prairie du Chien to St. Paul on the steamboat that carried the first message that was sent l)y tiie Atlantic cable from Queen Victoria to President Buchanan. Mr. Wild went to Jackson county. iMinnesota, in search of a location, Ijut not being pleased with that legion he came to Iowa, and settled at Du- buque, where he worked at his trade in a sash, door and blind factory for a year and a half. He then went to- Cjrant county. Wisconsin, and continued to work at his trade in Georgetown until he entered the arm_\- during the Civil war. it was in the spring of 1864 that Mr. Wild enlisted as a mechanic and went to Xashville, Tennessee, where he was em- jjloyed as foreman on government works for a time. Subse(|uently he and twelve others i.ut of the twenty associated with him en- tered the volunteer service as regular sol- diers, to help dri\e Generals Hood and For- rest fn ni the state. They participated in BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 641 the battles of Johnsnnville and Xash\-ille. besides many skirniislies, and were in the rear of General Sherman's army fur a time. Mr. Wild was in the service for about a year, and when the war ended he was honoral)ly discharged at Nashville, in April, 1865. Returning to his old home in Wiscon- sin, ^Ir. ^\■ild worked at his traile in that state until 1868, when he came to Iowa and bought eighty acres of land on section 6, Brown township. Linn county, only a few- acres of which had been broken and a log- cabin erected thereon. He made that his home for two years while he devoted his attention to the development of his farm, and then built a small frame house, to which he has since added until he now has a com- modious and pleasant residence. He has also built a large basement barn, which is one of the best in the township, and has beautified his place by planting both fruit and forest trees around his home. He also owns another eighty-acre farm in Marion township, and his property has all been ac- quired through his own unaided and ener- getic efforts, for he came to the new world empty-handed, and has since been dependent upon his own resources. On the 2d of October, 1862, I\lr. Wild was married in Wisconsin to Miss Mary Ann Kay, the wedding ceremony being per- formed by Rev. John Sharp, a Methodist Episcopal minister of that state, who had come to this country from England as a missionary. Mrs. Wild was born in Wis- consin of English parentage, and was reared in Grant county, that state. Her father. Rev. William Kay, came to America in 1840, and was a pioneer local preacher of Wisconsin, who used to tra\cl over his cir- cuit in an ox-cart. Mr. and Mrs. Wild are the parents of thirteen children, all living, namely: Sarah M., now^ the wife of James M. Pearson, a substantial farmer of Brown township; Grace E., wife of George E. Calvert, of the same township; William K., a merchant of Delaware Junction, Delaware county, Iowa; Jennie, w-ife of Vinton Smith, a merchant of Tulsa, Indian Territory; John A., a farmer of Marion township, this county; Charles C, a farmer of ]\Iarion township, but who resides at home; Alice, who holds a business position in Springville; Rosa M.. who is a teacher by profession; George, who aids his father in carrying on the heme farm; and Ed, Leona, Bertha and Fred, all at home. In politics Mr. W'ild was a Republican until 1872, since which time he has affili- ated with the Democratic party. He has served on the schmjl board, and is now treasurer of the independent school district. He has also served as secretary and treas- urer of the Brown Township Horse Thief Association. He was reared in the Church of England and confirmed ])y the Bishop of Canterbury, but he and his wife now attend the Methodist Episcopal church, although they are not memljers of any church. He formerly affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Si)ringvil!e, and is highly respected and esteemed bv all whcj kmnv him. OLIVER CLARK. For many years this gentleman was one of the leading and prumiuent citizens of LitHi tnwnship, as well as one of the hon- ored pioneers of the cijunty. He was born 642 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD in Lorain cuunty. Ohio, Octoljcr 2. 1823, ■jnd lived at his Ijirthpiace until sixteen years of age, when he came to Iowa with his parents, Oliver and Electa ( Wilcox ) Clark, both natives of Connecticut, where they were married. They reared their fam- ily in Ohio. In 1S37 the father came to Linn county, Iowa, and took up a tract of government land where the cit_\- of Cedar Rapids now stands. He then returned to Ohio for his family, and during his ab- sence the claim was jumped. Two years later he became a resident of Franklin tnwn- ship, this county, and entered another tract of land, on which he made his home until his death, which o:curred January 13. 1871. when he was se\'enty-three years (if age. By trade he was a blacksmith, but during h.is residence in this state he followed agri- cultural pursuits. His wife mrvi\-ed him ten years, and died on the old homestead, at the age of eighty-two years. In their family were ele\en children, of whdm one son and two daughters are still living. As previously stated, the suljject of this sketch accompanied his parents on their re- moval to this coimty, and^ became promi- nently identified with the early improxement and development nf this lucalit}-. He tm-ned the first furrow ever tiu'ned \vhere the cit_\- of Cedar Rapids is now located it being on the site of the present postoflice building. He alsM hauled the hrst h^ad of merchan- dise that ever entered the city of r^larion, from Muscatine, then called Bloomington. He remained with his parents until his en- listment in the Alexican war, in which hj served nine months. On his return hume. in June, 1847, lie engaged in farming 011 his own account on a tract of land which he had purchased [irevious to entering the army, and in the spring of 1848 built for himself a home on section 32, Linn town- ship, one mile north of where he died. There he followed farming and stock rais- ing for twenty years. In 1868 Mr. Clark remii\-ed tn the farm where his widow ni,>w resides, and improved the place by erecting a tine barn and other buildings, besides plac- ingf it under an excellent state of culti\'ation. Since his death Mrs. Clark, in 1895, built a beautiful country home near where the old house was located wlien they first took possession of the i:)lace. On the i6th of October, 1847. Mr. Clark married Miss Barbara Ellen Brice, who was born in Leith, Scotland, June 25, 1828. a daughter of William and Agnes (Safley) Brice, also natives of that coim- try. The father, wh;] was an architect, died when Mrs. Clark was but a small child, and the mother afterward came to the Uni- ted States. Mrs. Clark crossed the Allantx aljout 1833 with her uncle and aunt, Mr. and Mrs. Safley, and after spending some time in Xew York state, came with them to Iowa in Xi)\enil)er, 1839, the trip across the continent being made by way oi the Erie canal to Buffalo, and thence by the Great Lakes to Chicago, where they were met l)y twd uncles. The journey from there was made by wagon, but owing to the heavy loads Mrs. Clark walked the entire distance with the exception of aliout Ave miles. They located at St. Julian. Linn township, this cuunty, where her uncle served as post- master and also engaged in blacksmithing, manufacturing the first diamontl mold- bnard plow and other machinery e\er made in Linn county. Before leaving Scotland Mrs. Clark's mother was married again, her second husband being William Hogue, by wliMUi she had one son whu came to America with his parents in 1852. All are now de- BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 643 ceased. Mrs. Hogue survi\ed her husband, and after his death made her liome witli Mrs. Clark, where she died January _'_'. i8y2. at the advanced age of ninety-luur years and ten months. jNIrs. Clark is now the only survivor of the five children bora of the first marriage. One brother and two sisters came to America, namely: William engaged in farming and the sawmill busi- ness in California untd his death in No- vember, 1895. He worked in the mill that sawed the immense tree, one board of which would cover a large room and was on ex- hibition at the World's Fair in 1893. Ag- nes married John Barr, and died in Water- ford, Xew York. Isabella was the wife of Alexander Rogers, who, after li\-ing in Iowa for four years, removed to California, and she died near San Francisco, at the age of twenty-six. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Clark were born six children, as follows : ( i J William Oli- ver, born in Linn township, .\ugust 21, 1848, was educated in the district schools and has always resided here. He assisted in the work of the. home farm until attain- ing his majority, and then commenced farm- ing on his own place, consisting of one hundred acres on section 32, Linn township. He is also engaged in stock raising. He resides with his mother. In politics 'he is a Democrat. (2) Agnes is the wife of Mi- chael Harrison Cavanatigh, now a resident of Denver, Colorado, who was born in Pittsburg;, Pennsvlvania, and for a numl;er of years resided in Linn township, this county, where he engaged in farming and school teaching. They have three children, Lester. Harry and Belle, all born in Linn county. (3) Marv wedded Bernett Ashton. a farmer of Danbury. Nebraska, and died in 1883. (4) Thomas G., a farmer of Ber- tram townshi]), this cinmty. married Eliza Calhoun, and they have one child, Etta, now the wife of Ray Goodyear, who is en- gaged in farming (in her father's place. (5j Henry was educated at Cornell Col- lege, and is now a prominent farmer of Franklin township, this county. He is a Democrat in ])oliticb and at present is serv- ing as assessor. He married Rebecca Kea- fer and they have four children, Lawrence, Pearl, Frederick and Ross, (6) Marlie D. married Cera Hyatt and is engaged in farm- ing and stock raising on the old homestead in Linn township, making a specialty of thoroughbred Shorthorn cattle, of \\hich he has a very fine herd, in politics he is a Democrat, and as a public-spirited and en- terprising citizen he advocates all that tends to improve the community in which he re- fides. 'Sir. Clark died on the farm now occu- pied by his widow, December 14, 1891, and was laid to rest in ^It. Zion cemetery, Linn township. He was a supporter of the I'resbyterian church, which his family all attended. Politically he was identified with the Democratic party, but he never cared for public office, though he ser\xd at one time as constable of his township. He was held in the highest respect by his fellow citizens for his ujiright and honest deal- ings, and made many friends throughout tlie county where he had so long made his Imme and where he was so widely known. CII.VULFS F. GORDON. Among the well-to-do and prosperous citizens of i-inn counl\- who devote their time and attention to agricultural i)tu-suits and have met with marked success in their labors is the gentleman whose name intro- 644 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD duces this review. He makes his hume on section 36, Brown township, and is the owner of two valualile farms aggregating two hundred and forty acres. A native of this county, ^ir.' Gordon was born in Mt. Vernon, October 14, 1857, and is a son of Charles S. Gordon, whose birth occurred in Behiiont county, Ohio, March 29, 18 18. The father was reared in his native state, and in ^Morgan county, Ohio, he married Miss Rachel A. Arment, who was born in Delaware, and in 1831, when a child of eight years, removed with her father, Levi Arment, to Ohio. ^Ir. Gordon was a mechanic and fallowed the plasterer's trade in early life. On trrst com- ing to Linn county, Iowa, in 1855, he lo- cated in Alt. \'ernon, and worked at his trade nine years. At the end of that time he purchased a farm in Brown township, and made many permanent improvements on the same. After residing there for twenty years he sold the farm and removed to Springville, where he spent the closing years of his life. He died at the residence of a son in Linn township, Alay I. 1898, and his wife passed away July 10, 1897, both being laid to rest in the Springville cemetery. Charles F. (Gordon was a lad of seven years when tlie family took up then- resi- dence on the farm in Brown township, which was their home just twenty years, as they left the place on the same day of the month that they located there. Our subject then engaged in farming on rented land for three years, and at the end of that time bought forty acres of his present farm. From time to time he has added to his original purchase until he now has two hun- dred and forty acres, divided into two farms and improved with two sets of good farm buildings. At the age of twenty-one he commenced hauling milk for the creamery in his neighborhood, and has since engaged in that pursuit. He now rents his farms and devotes his entire time to stock raising and the dairy business, which he has found a prohtable source of income. In this county, Mr. Gordon was mar- ried. May 13, 1885, to Miss Rebecca Dun- lap, who was liorn and reared in Licking county, Ohio, and was a young lady when she came to Linn county, Iowa. In 1876, m company with a brother and a sister and her husband, she came to this state, and were later joined by the other members of the family. They came across the country with teams, arriving here on the 6th of November, that year. William Dunlap, fa- ther of Airs. Gordon, was a native of Vir- ginia, antl emigrated to Ohio, where he lived until his death. Mr. and Airs. Gordon ha\-e one daugh- ter. Their first born, a son, died in infancy. Since casting his first presidential ballot for James A. Garfield. Air. Gordon has al- ways afliliated with the Republican party, but has never sought or held public office, preferring to give his entire time and at- tention to his business interests. He is widely known as an upright and reliable business man, and he commands the con- fidence and respect of all with whom he comes in contact either in business or social life. His success is due to his own well- directed and energetic efforts and the as- sistance of his estimable wife. C;. W^ ALLEN. Outside of Cedar Rapids there are many progressive and energetic business men in Linn countv who have met with excellent G. W^. ALLEN. BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 647 success in their undertakings, and are ni_)\v quite wealthy. Among these is numbered G. W. Allen, a well-known merchant of Bertram. He was born in Adams county, Illinois, September 25, 1843, and is a son of Franklin and Rebecca (flyers) Allen. The father was born in Dresden, New York, April 15, 18 18, and came west during the '30s. He assisted in building Fort Leaven- worth, Kansas, and was engaged in rafting- logs down the Missouri river for a time in connection with a brother, who was drowned while following that pursuit. Franklin Al- len then went to Illinois, where he engaged in milling, and in that state he was married October 10, 1842, to Rebecca Myers, who was born in Richland county, Ohio, July 25, 1825. Subsequently they removed to Mis- souri, where he also followed milling until the Mexican war broke out. In 1846 he enlisted with five hundred others, and was in the service for sixteen months. He then returned to Council Bluffs, Iowa, where he had left his family, and fol- lowed his chosen occupation there until the spring of 1852. Being a Mormon at that time, he, with a colony and train of forty wagons, went to Salt Lake City, Utah, where he made his home until 1857, when he returned to Iowa and settled in Cedar county. He operated a mill at that place for two years, and then came to Linn count}-, where he followed the same oc- cupation near Bertram until 1862. During that year he again entered the service of his country, enlisting in Company A, Twentieth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, hut was dis- charged fifteen months later on account of disability and returned to his home in this county. He subsequently had the misfor- tune to lose an arm in the machinery of Scott's mill, near Bertram, and then removed 32 to Bertram and embarked in mercantile-busi- ness. He remained a resident of that place until his death, which occurred December 16, 1890, and he was laid to rest in Camp- bell's cemetery. During the latter part of his life he was a member of the Freewill Baptist Church, and was always a supporter of the men and measures of the Democratic party. His patriotism and loyalty were manifested by his service in two wars, and he was ever recognized as a valued citizen of his community. His estimable wife died February 16, 1885. Unto them were born fourteen children, of whom G. W., our subject, is the oldest; Samuel, the next in order of birth, died in infancy; JNIatilda is the wife of Thompson Kountz, of Bertram township, this county; Franklin married Nancy Bickford and lives in Maquoketa, Iowa; Vina, deceased, was the wife of Peter Flanagan, of Oxford, Iowa; Rebecca is the wife of James Moore, of Clinton; Jacob died April. 2Ti, 1895; Amanda is the widow of Alexander Blair and a resident of Rock Island, Illinois; Daniel died in infancy; Sarah died in child- hood; Henry married and resides in Daven- port ; Wesley married Jessie Murphy, and is also a resident of Davenport; Edith is the wife of O. J. Knapp, of Marion; and an- other child died in infancy. G. \V. Allen accompanied his parents on their various removals during his boyhood, and was principally educated in the subscrip- tion schools of Salt Lake City and the dis- trict schools of Cedar and Linn counties, Iowa, but his opportunities along that line were rather limited. At the age of seven- teen he commenced assisting his father in the mill, and he also engaged in the tim- ber and tie business, and followed that until the breaking out of the war. 648 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD Mr. Allen remained at home until he joined the boys in blue during the war nf the Rebellion, enlisting at Cedar Rapids. August II, 1862, in Company A, Twentieth Iowa \^ounteer Infantry. After being mustered in at Clintnn he went with his command to Da\cnpi)rt and later to St. Louis and Rolla, Missouri, where they drew accoutrements. For some time they were engaged in skirmishing between Springfield, that state, and Fayetteville, Arkansas, and took part in the battle of Prairie Grove, Ar- kansas, December 7, 1862. Later they were in a number of skirmishes in that state and Alissouri until June, 1863, when they re- turned to St. Louis, where Mr. Allen was taken sick from exposure and was sent to the hospital in Jefferson City, Missouri. Subsequently he was grantetl a thirty-day furlough, which he spent at home, and on the expiration of that time rejoined his regi- ment at Corpus Christi Bay, Texas, where they remained six months. They next went to Browns\ille, opposite Matamoras, Mex- ico, and from there to St. ]\Iary's Light House, where they boarded a vessel, which carried them to New Orleans. They marched up White river and were engaged in scouting around Duvall's Bluff for a time, and then returned to New Orleans, from which place they were ordered to Fort Morgan, and assisted in the capture of that stronghold. After this engagement they retirrned to New Orleans and later took a steamer to Pensacola, Florida, and from there went to Fort Barancas, Florida, and then to Fort Blakeiy, near Mobile, arriving in time to take an active part in the siege and capture of that fort. This practically closed the war, and they were mustereil nut at Mobile in April, 1865. By steamer they went to St. Louis, and frnm there returned to Clinton, Iowa, where they were dis- charged on the 27th of July. Returning to his home in Bertram, Mr. Allen assisted his father in business until March, 1866, when he went to a point on the ^lissouri river near Omaha and engaged in rafting and flatboating on the river fur some years. In 1879 we again find him in Linn county, and he devoted his time to rail- road construction work until July 3, 1883, when he opened a general store in Bertram, and has since successfully engaged in busi- ness at that place, having the largest store of the kind in this sectitm of the county. He is a most progressive and up-to-date business man, and has been remarkably successful in his financial ventures. Besides his business propert}- he owns town lots in Bertram, one lot in Marion, four and a half lots in Cedar Rapids, two hundred and sixty acres of land in this county, three hundred and twenty acres in South Dakota, fi\e hundred and t\vent\" acres in Missouri, eighty acres in Kansas, and eighty acres in Nebraska, Near Tipton, Cedar county, Iowa. Mr. Allen was married, Februarv 16, 1S81. to Miss Ida Wirick, who was born December 26, 1854, in Richland county, Ohio, of which her parents, Joseph and Sarah ('Myers) Wirick, were also natives. Mr. and Mrs. Wirick were married in Cedar county, this state, April i, 1852, and then returned to Ohio to visit his parents, remaining there three v'ears, during which time two chil- dren were liorn to them. In the fall nf 1849 they returned to Cedar county, where Mr. Wirick engaged in farming until his death, which occurred November 7. 1891. In 1896 his wife came to Linn county, and now makes her home with her children. L'nto them were born fifteen children, namely: Thcimas married Ella Fulwider and lives in BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 649 Buiikler, Culoratlo; Mr#. Allen is next in order of birth ; Loduska is engaged in mis- sionary work at Tokio, Japan; Cassias M., who is professor of chemistry in the Boys' jNIanual Training School of Chicago, mar- ried Fannie Pearce and second Cora Rhiner- son; Plimpton is an expert machinist, living in Greensboro, North Carolina ; Orange married Addie Foster, and is engaged in mining in Salina, Colorado; Asher married Catherine Thompson, and is a blacksmith of Cedar Bluffs, Iowa; \'iola married John D. W'erling, and died in Carbondale, Colo- rado, ^lay 14, 1889; Minnie is the widow of John Howard, and a resident of Clarence, Iowa; ]\Iyrta is the wife of William W'er- ling, a farmer, of Cedar county ; Lulu is a tailoress of Salina, Colorado ; Helen mar- ried Isaac Collar, and died in Cedar county, Iowa, in November, 1896; Frank is a farm- er, living near Tipton, Iowa; Beatrice is the wife of Frank Hunter, of Bertram ; and Lucian, twin brother of Beatrice, died at the age of eleven months. 'Sir. and Mrs. Allen have two daughters: Cora R.. burn June 4, 1884; and Oma, born December 14, 1885, on the anniversarj- of George Washington's death. Both will graduate fn.m the Bert- ram schools in 1 90 1. Socially Mr. Alleri affiliates with the In- dependent Order of Odd Fellows and T. Z. Cook Post, Xo. 235, G. A. R., of Cedar Rapids, and politically he is identified with the Democrac}-. Public spirited and enter- ])rising, lie takes a \ery acti\-e interest in pul)lic affairs, and has acceptably filled a number of local offices, serving many years as a member of the school board and also as towii.ship clerk and treasiu-er fur a nuni- l)er (if years, as well as postmaster of Bert- ram. He is one of the most popular and influential citizens of his communitv. CHARLES H. PETTY. Prominent aniong the progressive, en- terprising and successful business men of the eastern part of the county is Charles H. Petty, of Viola, who is the senior mem- ber of the \Aell-kn(i\\n iirm of Petty & James, general merchants of that place. Almost his entire life has been passed in this county, and with its agricultural and commercial interests he has l)L'en promi- nently identified since reaching man's estate. Mr. Petty was Ijorn on the 26th of De- cemljer, 1849, in Whilesitle count}-, Illinois, near the present city of Sterling, and is a son of Jiihn P'etty, who brought his family to Linn county, Iowa, in 1856. The father was a nati\e of X'ermont and one of tl:e pioneer settlers of \\'hiteside county, Illi- nois. There he married Mrs. Lydia Dun- lap, who was born near New IMilford, Pennsylvania, and was a daughter of Gid- eon Peck. As previously stated, they came to this county in 1856, but the father was not long permitted to enjoy his new home, as he died three years later. The mother sur\i\ed him some years and reared their family. In their family were five children, four bo)-s and (jne girl, and all are living with the exceptinn of one son, who died in 1887. The subject of this review grew to man- hoocl on a farm in this county, receiving but limiti'd educational advantages, so that he is practically a self-educated as well as a self-made man. After arriving at mature years he engaged in farming on rented land for several years, llis first piu-chase consisted of si.xty-eight acres in Brown township, which he improved and cultivated for some time and then sold at a good 650 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD profit, buying another farm near Viola. This was known as the nkl Peet farm and comprised two hundred and twenty acres, on which he l(jcated in 1886. Ijut had pur- chased it three years previously, making it liis liome for seven years. \\'hile engaged in farming he also devoted considerable at- tention to raising, feeding and shipping stock, and was one of the prominent stock dealers of the county. In 1893 he rented his farm and built a pleasant h(jme in Viola, where he has since resided. In April, 1900, he formed a partnership with Samuel James and purchased a mercantile estalilishment in Viola, which they have since successfully carried on under the firm name of Petty & James. They carry a well-selected stock of general merchandise, and by fair and honorable dealing have gained the confi- dence of the public and a liberal patronage. When he began his business career Mr. Petty was withinit capital, and by his own unaided efforts he has worked his way up- ward to a position of affluence, so that he is now one of the prosperous and substantial men of his cummnnity. In Linn ccnuity, in 1878 Mr. Petty was united in marriage with Miss Mahala Par- sons, who was born and reared on a farm in Jones count)-, lnwa. They have one son, Clarence, who is now a young man and is still at home. Mr. Petty is connected with Viola Lodge, A. O. U. W. In his political affiliations he has been a life-long Republi- can, having ne\er faik'd to \ote with that party at each presiilential election since casting his first ballot for General U. S. (irant in ii California, where he engaged ROBERT ELLIS. BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 6S7 in mining and mercantile business until 1856, when he returned to Linn count}-, Iowa, and moved on a claim of one hun- dred and sixty acres of timber land on sec- tion 17, Rapids township, which he had entered in 1846 at the land office, which had been temporarily moved from Dubuque to JNIarion for the convenience of tl:e early settlers in this part of the state, lie paid the government price of one dollar and a cpiarter and received a patent from the gov- ernment. This property has now been in his possession for over half a century, and is to-day a highly cultivated and well im- proved tract. His residence is of brick, and here, surrounded liy all the comforts which make life worth the living, iMr. Ellis expects to spend his remaining year.-^. On the 2nd of July, 1857, at Marion, he was united in marriage w ith Miss Martha L. King, a daughter of William and Cath- erine (Ambrose) King. Her mother was twice married, her first husband being Lester Barger. Mrs. Ellis, who was a na- tive of Pennsylvania, died September 20. 1899, and was laid to rest in the Linnwcod cemetery. She was a consistent member of the First Presbyterian Church of Cedar Rapids and a most estimable lady. Of the nine children born to Mr. and Mrs. Ellis, the oldest is deceased. Those living are King \\ ., a resident of Rapids township; Elizabeth, who marrit-d Ceorge P)Uchanan and is now li\ing on the old homestead keeping house for her father; Sherman 1\.. a resident of Butte City, Mon- tana; Charles G. ; Ralph R.. who is with the wholesale grocery firm of J. S. Ci:ok & P'rick, of Cedar Rapids; Amanda, wife of F. A. Lyman, of that city; Wirt H., at home; and George \\'., of Butte City, Mon- tana. In his political views Mr. Ellis is a Re- publican, and has held the offices of town- ship trustee and president of the school dis- trict. During his long residence in this county he has witnessed its marvelous trans- formation from a wild, uncultivated region into beautiful homes and farms, and has watched with interest the growth of its towns and cities. He is to-day the oldest resident of Linn county, having resided within its borders for over sixty-three years. iU the early days he bought cattle and hogs all through this count}- and would sell them at the Indian agency and also at F(:;rt Al- Kuison, and at times at Prairie du Chein. /\s a generous, liberal-minded and progress- ive citizen he has aided in the developmeur ^f the county, and is deserving of prominent mention on her roll of honored pioneers. GEORGE W. POST. George W. Post, who was one of the valiant defenders of the Union during the dark days of the Rebellion, dates his resi- dence in Linn county, Iowa, from Novem- ber, 185 1, and is now successfull}- engaged in general farming and stock raising on sec- tion II, Brown township. He was b irn in Cayuga county, New Yiirk, on the 17th of August, 1843, and is a son of William T. and Rosetta A. (Sharp) Post, also na- tives of that county. His paternal grand- father, James Post, was a \'irginian by birth. He was one of the early settlers of Cayuga county. New York, and a soldier of the war of 1812. The father of our sub- ject was a mechanic and in early life fol- lowed the shoemaker's trade, and also worked as a stone masin to si;me extent. 658 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD In 185 1 he removed with his family to Linn county, Iowa, and entered land in Marion township, where he engaged in farming up to the time of the Civil war, when he sold his farm and removed to Wisconsin. Lo- cating near Shellsburg, he commenced prospecting for lead, and continued to re- side in that state until his death, which occurred in 1899, wlien he was eighty-three years of age. His wife had passed away in 1869. The subject of this review was a child of eight years when brought 1)_\' his fatlier to this county, and upon the home farm he grew to manhood, receiving the advantages of the country schools. Responding to the president's call for troops to help crush out the rebellion, he enlisted in September, iS5i, in Captain \\'illiam Car'cee's' company, which was made up at Springville, and was mustered into the L'nited State:; service as Company H. Twenty-fourth Iowa X'olun- teer Infantry. They were first ordered south to Helena, Arkansas, and from there went to Vicksburg, participating in the siege at that place. They also took part in the battles of Port Gibson, Champion Hill, Jackson and Black River Bridge. Later they returned to Vicksburg antl were sent down the river to Xew Orleans, where they joined General Banks in time to start on the Red river exi)edition. They were in the battle at Sabine Cross Roads and a great many skirmishes during that expedition. On their return to ew Orleans they were transferred by boat to V\'ashington, D. C, and later joined General Sheridan at Harpers Ferry, in the Shenandoah valley, serving under him until Decemb.er, 1864. They were then sent to Savannah. Georgia, where they remained in camp all winter. In the spring they marched to Augustine, then in June returned to Savannah, where he was mustered out, and honorably dis- charged at Davenport, Iowa, in July, 1865, after which he returned to his home. For four weeks he was ill in the hospital at Xew Orleans, and on account of sickness was off duty about four months before going on the Red river expedition, but with that ex- ception he was in active service all the time, and was a brave and fearless suld.er, who Vias always found at his post of duty. After his return from the war, Mr. Post worked for a banking firm in Marion for a time, and then engaged in feeding and herding cattle for sixteen months. Sub- sequently he was in the employ of an osage fence company for four years, putting in fences in this county. On the i6th of March, 1869, at the home of the bride at \'ioIa, he wedded Miss Mary C. Wilson, a daugh- ter of D. C. Wilson. She was born in Ohio, and* was about eight years of age when iier family removed to this county, where she grew to womanhood. Prior to her marriage she successfully engaged in teaching school for five or six years. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Post were born three chil- dren, of whom one son. Earl, died at the age of two months. Alice R. is now the wife of Charles C. Pollock, who is engaged in the creamery business in \'iola and they have one son, Robert G. Charles C. is en- gaged in the creamery business in Sac coun- ty, Iowa. After his marriage Mr. Post engaged in farming on rented land in Brown town- ship'for several years, and then bought the farm of eighty-eight acres on section 11, the same township, where he now resides. He has made many substantial improve- ments upon tin? place, and its neat and thrifty appearance plainly indicates his BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 659 careful supervision and good ljus!ne-s abil- ity. In connection witli general farming- he is engaged in sti;ck raising and the tlairy business, and in all his undertakings is meeting with \vell-deser\-ed success. Religiously both Mr. and I\Irs. Post are members of the Alethodist Episcopal church of Viola, and fraternally he is also an hohored menilier of the Grand Army Post at Spring\'ille. Although he was reared a Democrat, he is now a stanc'.i supi)nrter of the Republican party and its principles, and takes a deep and commendable intere=;t in political affairs. He was elected and capably served as townshii) trustee fur six years, and has been a member of the school board for the same length of time. For half a century he has made his home in this County, during which time Cedar Rapids has grown from a cross roads \'i'ilage to a flourishing city of many thousand iidiab- itants, and the whole country has been luade to bloom and bloss nn as tlie rose, in the work of dexelnpnient and ])rogress lie has ever borne his jiart, and is accounted one of the most useful and progressive citi- zens of his comniunitv JOSH LA DEAX STOXE. Joshua Dean Stone, one of the honored j)ioneers of Linn c: u:ity, to:;k ujj his resi- dence here in 1S47 <>"<' *'"■ many years was engaged in farming hut is now lixing in ease and (piiet at his pleasant hnme in Springville, He was born on the 31st of August. 1822, in Genesee county, Xew York, and is a son of Har\-ev and Laura (Bowers) Stone, natives of Mas.-achusetts and Xew York, resjicctively. He is also a brother of Zephnia Stone, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this volume. Our suljject grew to manhood in Tnmp- kins ciiunty, Xew York, and had good school pri\-ileges, attending Ijoth the com- mon and higher schools of that locality. In 1847 he joined his father's family in Linn county, Iowa, they ha\ing located here two years previously. He entered a tract of one hundred and sixty acres of school land in Brown township, and at \'icks- burg and went down the Mississippi river to New Orleans, from which jjlace they started on the Red River e.xijedition. 'i'liey were in the fight at Sal)ine Cross Roads and a nuiubcr of other smaller engagements. On their return to Xew Orleans they went bv boat to \\'ashington, D. C. and from there into the Shenandoah \'allcv, where. under the command nf General Sheridan, they imrticipated in the battles of Win- chester, Fisher's Hill and Cedar Creek, be- sides many skirmishes. Subsequently they joined General Sherman at Sa\annah, Georgia, but did not acci_impany him on his campaign, though they subsequently went to Goldsboro after the battle at that place. They were then stationed at Augusta, Georgia, until the close of the war, and were mustereil out at Sa\annah. Mr. Pher- rin was honorably discharged at Davenport, Iowa, August 2, 1865, lacking only five days of ha\ing been in the service for three years. Returning home Mr. Pherrin assisted his father in the operation of the farm for a few years. On the 21st of March, 1869, in this county, he was united in marriage with Miss Sarah Green, a native of Denmark, Lee county, Iowa. Pier father, Eli Green, was born in \\'ashington county, Xew York, in 1796, and in 1806" removed to Washington county, Ohio, with his father. Duty Green, the famih^ being among the first settlers of that I(.)cality. There he was reared and educated, and on reaching man- hood married Miss Barbara Moore, a native of Ohio. In 1846 he removed to Iowa, and for some years was engaged in farming in Lee county. Later he made his home in Mercer county, Illinois, where he owned and operated a farm several years, and then re- turned to Lee count}', Iowa, ])ut his last years were spent in Bates county, Missouri, where he passed away in September, 1871. .Mrs. Pherrin spent the greater part of her girlhood in Mercer countv, Illinois. After the return of the family to Lee county, Towa, she came to Linn county with her sister, Mrs. Elizabeth White, who is represented elsewhere in this work. Bv her marriage 664 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD to our subject slie has become the mother of six cliildren : J. Bruce, now a dentist at Central City, Iowa; Eva Luelia, at liome; Xannie E., a teacher of this county; Charles A., who is engaged in farming near the old homestead ; Robert Edward, who is at- tending the Springville high school ; and Archie, who died in 1X96, at the age of six years. yir. and Mrs. Pherrin l:)egan their do- mestic life on his father's farm, but in 1872 they went to Kansas and took a sol- dier's homesteail in Republic county, where they resided two years while he perfected his claim, and then returned to this county. Leaving his wife and children to carry on the farm, Mr. Pherrin went to California in 1874, and spent four years on the Pa- cific slope engaged in railroad construction, a part of the time being carpenter for the Southern Pacific Railroad. Since 1881 he has made his home uninterrupted in this county, and has devoted his time and en- ergies to the operation of his farm. It is a well imprmed place of seventy-eight acres on section 21, Brown township, pleas- antly situated about a mile fmm Spring- ville. Mr. Pherrin is also successfully en- gaged in stock raising. In his political affiliations he is a stanch Republican, and cast his fivst presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln while in the army, in 1864. He served six years as township clerk, and was an eflicient mem- ber of the school Ijoard for 5onie years, having always taken an active interest in echicational aft'airs. Both he and his wife hold membership in tlic Springville Pres- byterian church, and his wife takes a very active part in its work and is a member of the auxiliary societies. Fraternally Mr. Pherrin belongs to the Masonic lodge in Springxille, with which he has been offi- cially connected, and is also a honored mem- ber of the Grand Army Post, of which he is past commander. He is a man of many sterling traits of character, and commands the respect and confidence of all witli whom he comes in o)ntact, either in business or social life. < » » THOAIAS DAVIS. The subject of this biography is now successfull}' engaged in the practice of law in Central City, Iowa, and is one of the most prominent citizens of that place. He was born in Coshocton county, Oiiio, June Q, 1856, of Scotch-Irish parentage. His fa- ther, James Davis, is a native of Ireland, born near Londonderry in 1S17, and in that country married iliss Jane Fullerton, who was born there in 1827. Both are still liv- ing and continue to make their home in Coshocton county, Ohio. Throughout the greater part of his life the father has fol- lowed farming, and although he came to the new world a poor man he is now quite well- to-do. In iK^litics he is a Republican, and is an active party worker, who has held a number of local offices in his township. In religious belief he is a Presbyterian and also takes an acti\ e ])art in church work. Unto James and Jane (Fullerton) Davis were born fifteen children, nine sons and six daughters, of whom five died in early child- hood, and one son at the age of eighteen years, and a daughter died in Colorado at the age of about twenty-six. Those living are Mrs. Martha Scott, a resident of Ari- zona; Mrs. Rebecca Infield, of Coshocton county, Ohio; John F., a farmer, living near Milford, Dickinson county, Iowa; Mrs. BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 667 Jane Parker, of Denver, Culoradn; 'l"h(jmas, of this review; Robert M., of Milford, Iowa; James E., of Coshocton county. Ohio; and Ella, at home with her parents. All were educated in the schools of (Jhio, and the daughters attended seminaries and colleges. Thomas Davis began liis educatir)n in the district schools of his native state, and at the same time he assisted in the work of the home farm. Later he engaged in teach- ing country schools, and with the money tluif acfjuired lie paid his way through the Spring- Mountain Academy of Ohio, where he took up the cf)mmon branches and the regular English course. After graduating from that institution he attended the One Study University at Coshocton, Ohio, a branch of the Scio College, remaining there one year. He next entered the Ohio Central Normal School at W'orthington, where he worked his way tin-ough scliool by teaching, and al- ter graduating in the scientific coiu^se in 1876, he had charge of the Spring Moun- tain Academy as principal for a short tnnc. In April. 1X79, he came to ],inn county. Iowa, and taught in the schools of Walker, Springville and Centre Point for a time. Mr. Davis next took a course at the Iowa State University in Iowa City, mid was graduated from the law dei)artment in 1886. He was then aiimittcd to practice liefore tlie L^nited States and district courts and also the court of claims at Washington. D. C. In 18S6 he opened an office in Walker, but in November of the following year he removed to Central Cit}', Iowa, where he has engager! in ]iractice ever since and has met with excellent success. He now gives his attention principally to commercial law, and in this line has gained a most en- viable reputation. For one year prior to the time emploved in teaching he was engaged 33 in railroad construction for the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad Company, and worked his way to the front as a civil engineer. He has prospered financially as well as professionally, and has invested his capital largely in city property, doing much for the prosperity of Central City. In politics ?ilr. Davis is a stanch Repub- lican, and formerly took a very active part in political affairs, being a recognized leader of the party in Central City. For five years he filled the office of mayor. In re- ligious l)elief he is a Congregationalist. (iEORGE GREENE. To Robert Greene and Scfcr Woodward Greene, natives of Staffordshire, England, were born three sons, (ieorge. William and Josei)h, who, jointly and severally, gave the' best they could of thought and energy to the cause of progress in that section of the new west which early in life they selected to be the field of their lives' work. George, who was born in Alton, Staf- fordsliire, was two years old when his par- ents brought him to the United States and located in Buffalo, New York, where the other sons were born, and where the father died in 1825. The mother, leaving her voung children in Ihiffalo, returned to Eng- land, where some property had been left, which she sought but failed to recover. .She died at her old home in 1827. For four years George, who had tlnis been left an orphan at the age of ten, managed to su])- port himself and his brothers. Then he went to I^ngland, hoping to succeed where his nioiher had failed. He returned in less than a year, having worked his passage each 668 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD way, and Ijringing back nothing except a meagre fund saved from his own personal earnings while away and a dogged determi- nation to succeed by his own efforts. By dint of industry and economy he managed to study one year at Carj-sville Collegiate Seminary, a year at Aurora Academy and two years at French's Collegiate Institute in Geneva, Xew York. During these years he taught school and did such other w(,>rk as he could find to do. After leaving the institute he read law in the office of Hon. George P. Baker, uf Buffalo, making his home with a Dr. Chapin and assisting the Doctor in office wurk. keeping his books, etc. He came west in 1838. His first stop- ping jilace was Davenport. Here he met and was at once employed by David J. Owen, who was making a geological survey of Iowa. For the next six months he was a surveyor. Thus he acquired an intimate knowledge of much of the country and saved considerable from his liberal salary. Then he came to Ivanhoe, Linn countw, and taught school, continuing his law stud- ies at the same time. In 1840 he was ad- mitted to the bar at Iowa City. The same year he moved to Marion and began prac- tice. The next year he was a member of the Territorial Legislature. In 1845 ^^^ ^"" gaged in law practice and journalism in Du- buque, having purchased the ^linero E.x- press, which he conducted fur se\eral years. His law partner was J. J. Dyer. Soon after the formation of the partnership Mr. Dyer was appointed judge of the United States district court. In 1847 (ieorge Greene was appointed one of the supreme judges of the state, to fiill a vacancy. The follow- ing year he was regularly elected. Me served on the supreme bench foj eight years. During that period lie comjMled "Greene's Reports," published in four \iilumes. Judge Greene was one of the founders of the city of Cedar Rapids. In 1849 he, with others who owned the site, surveyed and laid out tiie original town. l-"rom that time his best efforts were devoted to promoting the growth and welfare of the city. In 1851 the city became his home, and so continued, ex- cept a short inter\-al, until his death. He engaged extensively in the Ijanking business, associated with John Weare, D. O. Finch, W. H. Merritt and others. When the panic of 1857 came he was actively con- nected with the management of nine banks in different localities. He was largely in- terested in real estate in most of the counties and nearly every large town of the state. In 1859 Judge Greene formed a law part- nership with Cyrus Bently, of Chicago, which continued for five years, during most of which time he lived in Chicago. During the winter of 1863- 1864 he lived in Mc- (jregor, Iowa, while he and his brothers were building the McGregor A\'estern Railroad to Conover. At this same time and for sexeral years following he was also engaged in the construction of the Rockford, Rock Island & St. Louis Railroad. On his return to Cedar Rapids he formed a law partnership. The other members of the firm were Judge Dudley and A. S. Belt. Judge Greene's s;in- in-law. The firm were solicitors for the Chicago & Xorlhwestern Railroad. About this time Judge Greene became president of the Burlington. Cedar Rapids & Minnesota Railroad and was a most imjiortant factor in the construction of that road, which after- ward became the Burlington, Cedar Rap- ids & Northern Railroad. He constructed several other smaller railroads, and alto- gether was proniinentl}- identified with rail- BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 669 road enterprises in six states. Ii)\va, Illinois. Wisconsin, IMissoivri, Minnesota and Kan- sas. Judge Greene erected man_\- liuiklings in Cedar Rapids. Chiefly tiirough his ef- forts and backino- the Cedar Rajjids & ]\Iar- ion Railway was built, and he was at the head of or actually interested in almost every important corporate enterprise that was de- veloped in the city before his death. He was one of the founders and a warden of Grace Episcopal church, and one of the most loyal promoters of Coe Collegiate In- stitute, the forerunner of Coe College. He was for many years president of the hoard of trustees of that institution. On May 30, 1838, George Greene was united in marriage with Miss Harriet jMer- ritt, a daughter of Jesse and Harriet (Mil- ton) jMerritt, of Buffalo, New York. Of the four children born to them. George W'., born April 4. 1839, died in I\anhoe. Iowa, March X3, 1840; Susan H., born March 3, 1841, in Marion, was married Xovember 26, 1862, to Algernon S. Belt, a lawyer of Cedar Rapids; Mary Ely, born in Dulnuiue June 7, 1843, died July 28, 1844; Edward Merritt, born March 29, 1845, i''^ Dubuque, married Emma Eberhart and is engaged in the insurance business in Cedar Rapids. The mother of these children died in Du- buque April 25, 1850. Judge Greene was again married Fel)ru- arv 21, 1855, his second union being with Miss Frances R. Greene, a daughter of Cal- vin and Fanny (Carlisle) Graves, of Coo])- erstown, New York. Mrs. Greene is still living, and is now. May 22, 1901. in Ynko- hama. Japan, with her daughter. Mrs. N. W. IMclvor. Eight children, six sons and twn daughters, namely: Calvin G., born Feb- ruary 18, 1856, is now engaged in the real estate Inisiness in Cedar Rapids; Fanny C, burn January 19, 1858, died in October, 1859; George, born December 28, 1859, was married September i, 1886, to Charlotte W'inton. and resides at Jamaica Plain, Bos- ton, Massachusetts; William J., born No- vember 28, 1 861, married, October 7, 1896, to ]\Iae Huldah Whittam, is manager of the Cedar Rapids Electric Light and Power Company: Elizabeth, born .August 13, 1864, was married to Nicholas Williams Mclvor, and is now a resident of Yokohama, Japan, where her husband ( formerly United States consul general ) is now engaged in the prac- tice of law; Robert C, born December 22, 1867. died June 19, 1885; Francis, born May 14. 1870, is a mechanical engineer and now resides in Chicago: Woodward K., born August 2. 1873. married Ellen Belle Safely May 29. 1899, and is employed in the gen- eral offices of the Burlington, Cedar Rap- ids & Northern Railroad. Judge Greene died at his honie in Cedar Rapids June 23, 1880, surrounded by all the members of his family. He was buried with Alasonic honors. A. S. KAUFMAN. Since 1864 this gentleman has made his home in Cedar Rapids, and as a mason con- tractor lias been actively identified with its business interests. He was born in Juniata ciiunty. Pennsylvania, on the 3Tst of Octo- ber, 1S48. and is a son of Joshua and Elizrilieth ( Kniscly I Kaufman, also nati\'es of that state and of German descent, al- though the ancestors of our subject have made their home in Pennsylvania for sev- eral generations. He comes of a long-lived 670 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD race, his paternal grandfatlier being eighty- six years of age at the time uf his death in 1855. The father received such an educa- tion as the subscription scliools of his boy- hood aftorded. and in early life he learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed for a number of years. In 1S54 he came to Linn county, Iowa, and here engaged in farming for a slK.irt time, but at the time of his death was proprietor of a sawmill in Fayette township. He was born in 1806, and departed this life in 1862. His widow, who was burn in Septemlier. 1S17. is still living and finds a pleasant home with our subject in Cedar Rapids. In the family were eight children, two of whom died in childhood. The others were as follows: Ann E. married A. J. Allen, and died in Cedar Rapids after rear- ing a family; Emma J., deceased, was the wife of T. J. Lewis, of Cedar Rapids; lielle yi.. deceased, was the wife of F. J. Shefier, foreman of the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Xorthern Railroad shops at Cedar Rapids; .\. S., our subject, is next in order of birth : James T. is a marble cutter of Cedar Rai)ids; and Thomas A. is a marble cutter of Kankakee. Illinois. The children were all educated in the public scliools of Linn countv. A. S. Kaufman was reared in this coun- ty .and during his youth learned the plas- terer's trade. In 1864 he located on the lot where he still resides, though at that time there was not a iiouse west of him, it being all prairie land in that direction. Since seventeen years of age he has given the greater part uf his time and attention to his trade, and his work has been confined to Cedar Rapids mostly. He now takes l)rincipally ])lastering contracts, but does some brick work. In 1879 he went to Lead- ville, Colorado, where he spent about six years following various occupations. Mr. Kaufman then returned to his -home in Cedar Rapids, and for five year.s he was engaged in photography with good success. REV. E. W". JEFFRIES. This age is not wholly utilitarian. On all sides we see some earnest souls labor- ing devotedly to liring about a recognition of some higher principle in life than selfish greed, and stimulating in the hearts of others a desire for spiritual progress. The frie.ids of Rev. E. \\". Jeffries will see in his years of faithful work in all forms of religious en- deavor, a source of present good to the community and long after he has entered int(.) his final rest his influence will continue in e\-erlasting circles. Mr. Jeft'ries was born on the 17th of X'o- vember, 1827, in Somersetshire. England, of which country his parents. Roger and Xancy (Hussey) Jefifries, were life-long residents. In their family were five chil- dren, four sons and one daughter. Our subject received his early education at his mother's knee. At the age of twenty-three he came to the United States with his brother Isaac, sailing from London on the Gcntoo. a sailing vessel, which was eight weeks in making the \()yage. He landed at Mon- treal. Canada, where he remained two days, and then went by boat to Detroit, Michi- gan, and from there to Chicago, .\fter spending a short time in the latter city he proceeded to Joliet. Illinois, where he ])as.-ed the winter, and then returned to Chicago, where he worked at the car- penter's trade. BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 671 ^\'lliIe atteiuling a i"e\i\'al meeting held in tlie Indiana Street ]\Iethu(list Episcopal church of that city, Mr. JefYries experi- enced religion and joined that church. Feeling called to preach the gospel, and being urged Ijv the pastor — Sias Bolls — he commenced attending school in the fall of 1853. ^t the old Rock River Seminary at ]\It. Morris. Ogle county. Illinois, and con- tinued there during the winter and spring terms, and then returned to Chicago, .\fter spending the summer vacation there he at- tended the Albion Seminary, .\lbion, ^lichi- gan. three terms. Dr. Dempster, who found- ed Garrett Biblical Institute at Evanston, Illinois, persuaded Mr. Jeffries and a num- ber of other students attending Albion Seminary to go to the Garrett Biblical In- stitute the next fall, which he did in 1855, and after three years, having completed the course of study, graduated in the first class in June, 1858. On leaving school Mr. Jeffries spent liis vacation in St. Paul, Minnesota, and then went to Lyons. Iowa, where the L'pper Iowa Annual Conference of the Methodist Episcopal church was then in session. The conference received him on ])robation and he was assigned to the Delhi charge as junior jjreacher, with L. S. Ashbaugh as colleague. ]\Ir. Jeffries has served the fol- lowing charges, namely: Delhi, Dubuque circuit, Andrew, Manchester, .Anamosa. Alt. A'ernon, Cedar Rapids, \\'a\-erly, Xew Hartford. Eldora, Nashua, Center Gro\e, Dyersville, Lyons and Wyoming. Having contracted throat trouble he was obliged to discontinue pastoral work and was ap- ]iointed superintendent of church and Sun- day-school library work, with head(|uarters at Alt. Vernon. In 1888 he took a super- numerar\- relation in the conference, and in 1900 was put on the superannuated list. He has now been a member of this con- ference forty-three years. For the last twenty-eight years he has been elected and ser\ed as conference publisher, and by se- curing ad\'ertisements has been able to fur- nish the preachers of the conference three thousand copies of the minutes of the con- ference every year at about half the cost of printing them, and for twelve years of the twenty-eight was able to pay the print- er's bill in full by advertisements. For the last fifteen years he has been assistant sec- retary of the conference. On the loth of July, 1859, Mr. Jeffries was united in marriage with Aliss Emeroie E. Goodell. of Delaware count}-, Iowa, who was born in \'ermont in 1838, and is a claughter of Horace and Harriet (Spalding) Goodell, natives of Vermont and Xew York, respectively. In 1854 she removed with her parents to Delaware county, Iowa. In 1865 Air. Goodell and family came to Linn coun- t_\-. locating on a farm near Alt. Vernon, where he died in 1892. His wife now makes her home in Lisbon. They had five children, namely: Alerritt, who married Ophelia Alattison, and is now pastor of the Alethodist Episcojjal church at Lisbon ; Emeroie, wife of our sul)ject: Eliza, who died unmarried in 1863; Delos, who mar- ried Emma Powers and died in 1882; and Hattie, who died at the age of nine years. Air. and Airs. Jcft'ries ha\e two children: Harriet .\., who was born in Delaware coun- ty, Iowa, in Alarch, 1861, and is now the wife of George W. Smith, of Dixon. Illi- nois; and William I'"., who was born in Alan- chester. Delaware county, in .\pril, 1864, and died at the age of fifteen months. Air. Jeffries owns one of the best homes in Mt. \'ernon, where he is now resting 672 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD from his labors, reaping the reward of a well-spent life, being in his se\-enty-fonrth j'ear. He has a very large and complete library and takes great pleasure in his books. He is probably one of the oldest Odd Fellows in Iowa, having joined the order in 1846, and he is now a member of ]\It. \^ernon Lodge. Xo. 551. He has also been a member of the Lidependent Order of Good Templars. He is a thorough be- liever in the new system of political economy, known as the "single tax" theory, and is fitlly confident that it will be adopt- ed and put into practical use b}' the people of the L'nited States in the very near future. He is widely and favorably known through- out the state and his friends are legion. J. \\'. BROSH. J. W. Brosh. a successful farmer and representative citizen of Bertram township, whose home is on section 12. was born on the 13th of September, 1S57. "'' Cedar townslii]i, Johnson county. Iowa. His par- ents, John and .\nna ( Belshan) Brosh, were born, reared and married in the northern part of Austria, and came to America about 1852. They located on a farm in Johnson county. Iowa, where they are still living, hale and hearty in their (3ld age. Fourteen children were born to them, three of whom are deceased. In order of birth tliey are as follows : James married Lizzie Dobricka, now deceased, and resides in O'Brien coun- ty, Iowa; Mary is the wife of Herman Keppee, of Davenport; Josie is the wife of Frank Stach, who lives near Prairieburg, Iowa; Annie, wife of James Kasparek, of Big Grove township, Johufon county ; J. W., our subject, is the ne.\t of th; family; Joseph married ^lary Ilek and makes his home in Cedar township, Johnson county; Frank married .\nnie Klouda and resides in Solon, Iowa; Barbara is the wife of John Horsky, of Bain, Oregon; Frances is the wife of Frank Dobricka, of O'Brien county. Iowa; Lizzie is the wife of Edward Urbanek, of Big Grove township, Johnson county ; and Lewis married Annie Sedlacek and li\es in Cedar townshi]), Johnson county. Reared on his father's farm in Jcjhn- son county. J. W. Brosh attended the district schools of the neighborhood imtil tweh'e years of age, and then gave his entire time and attention to the work of the farm un- til he attained his majority, when he started out in life for himself. He i)urchased eighty acres of land in Franklin township, Limi county, on which he made his home for twenty-three years, and added to it a tract of forty-five acres. He cleared away the timber, broke the land and placed it under cultivation, and he also erected a good set of farm buildings upon the place. Selling that farm in 1900. he bought on? hundred and fourteen acres of land on section 12, Bertram townshi]), upon which he has al- ready made some \alual)le improvements, and to-dav has one of the most desiralile farms of its size in the hxality. There is a good modern residence u])on the place, substantial barns and other outbuildings, ^ilr. Brosh raises a high grade of cattle for the market, and in all his undertakings has steadily prospered until he is now quite well- to-do. At St. Peter's and St. Paul's Catholic church, in Cedar township, Johnson county, Mr. Brosh was married, .April 22. jS^jH. to Mi.^s Mary Zinkula, win was born in Iowa City, October r, 1860, her parents be- BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 673 ing Jacob and Barbara (Pesek) Zinkula, both natives of Austria. On tiieir emi- gration to America in 1S54, they settled in Johnson county, Iowa, where tlie father is still living on a farm. The nrntlier died April 12, 1884. They had four children: Joseph, who married Josephine Karl and resides in Cedar township, Johnson coun- ty; ]VIartin, who married Josie \'iteiigi and resides in Franklin township Linn cminty; John, who married Frances Krob and also lives in Cedar township, Johnson county; anil Mary, wife of our subject. Air. and Mrs. Brosh have had two sons, ^\'esley J., born July 26. 1879, and L. J. born November 8, 1882. The latter met death by a falling tree, wliich fractured his skull. He died December 25, 1899. Wes- ley J. Brosh was educated in the district schools of this county and the business col- lege at Cedar Rapids, where he was grad- uated in 1899, and is now assisting his fa- ther in the labors of tlie farm. Both fa- ther and son give their allegiance tn the Republican party, and take an acti\-e in- terest in local politics. The former has served as school director in his district for a number of years. Religiously he is a member of St. Peter's and St. Paul's Cath- olic church. He is a good practical farmer, who thoroughly understands his business, and his upright, honorable dealings com- mend him to tlie confidence and respect of all. * » » JAMES H. I)A\"]S. It is the enterprise and character of the citizen that enrich and ennoble the common- wealth. From individual entcrjirise has sprung all the splendur and im])orlance of this great west. The greatest merchants have developed from the humblest origins. From clerkships have emerged men who have built great enterprises and farm hands ha\-e become wealthv land owners. America is a self-made country and those who have created it are self-made men. Xo influence of birth or fortune has favored the archi- tects of her glory. Among those who have achieved prominence as men of marked abil- ity and substantial worth in Central City the subject of this sketch, James H. Davis, oc- cupies a prominent position. He has been a resident of Linn county since 1855. He was born in Manchester, England, August 7, 1849, '^'s parents being George A. and Susanna ( Ghislett ) Davis. In his native land the father was timekeeper and cashier for a foreign shipping house, oc- cupying that position until he came to America. Crossing the Atlantic to Amer- ica, he came direct to Iowa and began farm- ing in Linn county. When he arrived he had about five hundred d.dlars in gold. He entered eighty acres of land fmrn the gov- ernment in Jackson t(jwnship and erected a log cabin, after which he began the devel- opment of fields hitherto uncultivalcd. There was then not a house between Paris and Marion until near the latter i)lace, the wild prairie stretching away in every direc- tion, while bands of Indians roamed through this portion of the coiuUr\-, slmwing eastern • Iowa to be still on the frontier. Mr. Davis had always been employed in an nffice and had no practical knowledge of farm work, but he soon made a good home for his fam- ily ami placed his land under cultivation. He also taught school in a log school house at Long Grove for five years. He waji likewise a proficient bookkeeper, and fre- quently replenished his exchef|uer by acting 674 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD as bookkeeper for some merchant in the com- munity. On the 30th of June, 1863, he left the farm on account of a great hailstorm which had ruined his crops and accepted a position as clerk in the store of S. Mer- riam, at Marion, Iowa. He then removed to that place, selling his farm, and there re- mained until March, 1868, when he took uj) his aljode in Paris, Jackson township, Avhere he opened up a small stock of general merchandise, the famil_\- living in tlie liack part of the store. This \'enture proved very profital)le. and he carried on operations there until 1879. wiien he retired from the store and returned to Marion, where he pur- chased property and erected several houses, renting most of them. His deatli there oc- curred in August. i8()4, when he was sev- entv years of age, and his wife passed away January 12, 1884, at the age of tifty-eight,. liaving l)een horn January 15. 1826. In ]3olitics he was a zealous Repulilican. and, lieing an ardent su])porter of the govern- ment, he loaned to it in war times all the money that lie had saved in business. He held \arious district and township offices and' ■was recognized as a leader in local political circles. Both he and his wife were mem- bers of the Christian church and were people of the highest respectability, who w^armly merited the liigh regard in which they were held. They had been educated in the pay schools of England and had started out in life together em|>ty handed, so that all they accpiired in later years was the reward of their own labors. This worthy couple were the parents of se\'en children, of wliom two died in infancy, while one daughter, Laura, died in Marion at tlie age of fourteen vears. .\ son, .\lbert, ^vas drowned in the river in Maine township Avh.cn twent\-one \ears of age. The three living children are: J. H.. who is tlie eld- est of tlie family ; Mrs. Amelia A. Curtis, a widow residing in Chicago, whose hus- band was in the employ of the Burlington Railroad and resided at St. Joseph. Mis- souri; and George A., who has spent his en- tire life in Jackson township, where he owns a large tract of land and carries on general farming. His home is now in Central City. Our subject was only five years of age when brouglit with bis family to America. The voyage was made in a sailing vessel, and they were six weeks in making the trip. In the common schools of Jackson township he accjuired his education, pursuing his studies only through the winter season after he was old enougli to assist his father in tlie work of the fields through the summer montlis. He remained at home with his father and in 1875 entered into business with him as a partner in the store in Paris. In 1N79 he liecame sole proprietor and continued tlie en- terprise, increasing the business with the passing years until 1888, wdien he disi)osed of his store and remo\ed to Central City, to which place the railroad had just been com- ])leted. Here be purchased property and opened a lumber and coal yard, and the first train which crossed the bridge carried a car- load of lumber for the linn of Daxis & Blakely. This was the pioneer lumber busi- ness in the town. In i8yo Mr. Blakely re- tired. l)ut Mr. Davis continued in business until i8(j5. when he sold out to E. K. Hatch, the present proprietor. 'I'he Land and Im- pro\-ement Company was organized in 1888 by P. G. Henderson, E. K. Hatch, Fred Mc- l.eod and J. II. Daxis, and from the begin- ning Mr. Davis has been its secretary. Propertv to the value of ten tliousand dol- lars was purchased and laid out in town lots, residences and store buildings were erected BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 6/5 thereon and since that time ninch nt the property has Ijeen sold at a good adxance in price, but the company still retains a large store building known as the Union Block, also a few lots and residences. After sell- ing out his business Mr. Davis undertook the work of organizing what is known as the Bishoi) Telephone Company, with P. G. Henderson, president: Fred McLeod, vice president; J. H. Davis, manager, and Fred Bishop, electrician. They instituted a large independent line and have since conducted a successful business. In 1900 the follow- ing officers were chosen : W. M. Downey, of Marion, president; Fred McLeod, treas- urer; J. H. Davis, manager, and Fred Bishop, electrician. They have a very ex- tensive intlependent system and with their connection reach nearly every point in east- ern Iowa. The luisiness is now in a flourish- ing condition. The company has been in- corporated with a capital stock of twenty- five thousand dollars, and since its organiza- tion Mr. Davis has devoted the greater part of his time to the management, and has been the most active factor in its success. When he started out upon his business career he had nothing but energy and de- terminatiiin, and practically all that he has is the direct result of his labor, although he inherited some capital from his father. On Christmas day of 1877 Mr. Davis was united in marriage to Miss Attula Flem- ing, who was Ijorn in Linn county June 2, 1857, a daughter of William Fleming, of Otter Creek townshi]), one of the hon:ired pioneers who settled on land entered f n lui the government and which has nm since passed from his possession. He has three daughters, Alice, Inez and Attula, and two sons, C. D. and O. M. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Davis was blessed with six- children, but one child was drowned at the age of seven years. The others are Ger- trude and Arhur, who attended Willis Acad- emv and W'illiams Business College at Iowa City; Grace, Inez and I'arke, who are stu- dents in the pu1)lic school. The parents are members of the Christian church, and Mr. Da\-is is one of its officers and takes a very active and heli)ful interest in the work of the church and Sunday-school. He is also a member of Level Lodge, Xo. 284, A. F. & A. ^I., of Central City, with which he has been identified since 1873. and he also be- longs to the cliapter Xo. 112 and Patmos Commandery of Alarion. In politics he has always been a Re]:)ublican and has held local offices in the tiiwnshi]) and incounection with the schools. In 1882 lie was elected as one of the county supervisors and by re-election was continued in the position for six years. There are three super\-isnrs, having full con- trol of the county business. He has lieen a meml^er of the school board and of the city council of Central City, and in all these po- sitions has been found most loyal and faith- ful to his duty. His support and c:j-opera- tion are cheerfully and abundantlx- given to all movements to upbuild the county along substantial lines of reform and jirogress, and he is also one of the leaders in ])hilantbropic works. He regards a pul)lic office as a pub- lic trust and. therefore, over the record of his official career there is no bint nf disloy- alty or neglect. He indeed deserves men- tion among the most prominent men of Cen- tral City and among her representative citi- zens, and shduld find a place in the history of the men of business and enLer])rise in the g'reat west whose force of character, ster- ling integrity, control of circumstances and whose marked success in establishing- indus- tries lia\-e contributed in such an eminent 676 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD degree to tlie solidity and progress of the entire country. His life has been manly, his actions sincere and his example is well worthy of emulation. JOHX F. ELY, M. D. The deserved reward of a well-^pent life is an honored retirement from business in which to enjoy the fruits of former toil. Today, after a useful career. Dr. Eh- is quietly living at his beautiful home in Cedar Rapids, surrounded by comforts that earnest labor has brought him. He came to this city in October, 1848, and has since been prominently identified with its growth and upbuilding. The Doctor was born in Rochester, Xew York, June 25, 1821. and is the fourth son of Elisha and Hannah (Dickinson) Ely, both representatives of old Xew Eng- land families. He is of Puritan stock. His ancestor, Nathaniel Ely, was one of tlie l)and that sailed from Ipswich, England, in 1634 with Rev. Thomas Hooker to find reli,gious freedom in the Massachusetts colony. He located first in Camljridge, Massachusetts. then successivel}' in Hartford and Xorwalk, Connecticut, and finally at .'Springfield. iMassachusetts. in 1659. Elisha Ely, the Doctor's father, was born in \Vest Springfield, where he received a liberal education. Soon after his mar- riage, in 1807. he removed to Pittsfield. aiifl there engaged in mercantile ])ursuits. In 1810 he went to Rochester, Xew York, where he commenced the development of the water-power on its site and erected the first flf)uring-niill in that city. He was also a mcmlier of its first largfe mercantile firm (Bissell. Elv & Co.), and was abo promi- nent in shaping the future of the city, not only along business lines, but also in re- gard to its religious and mora! aspects. He, with his wife, were among the original members of the First Presbyterian church. His wife died of cholera in 1832. The following year lie went to western Mich- igan, and founded the town of Allegan. There he spent the remainder of his days. He filled many positions of hcjnor and re- sponsibility in the county and state. He was one of the first regents of the Staie L'niversity, and for several terms was coun- ty judge. During the war with Britain, with a captain's commission, he served with his regiment (Col. Isaac Stone's) in the de- fense of Rochester and afterwards, under General Scott, at Buffalo and vicinity. Dr. Ely has led an eventful life. Early in his career he enjoyed suiierior ad- vantages for education, was fitted for col- lege in his twelfth year, and at that time occurred the death of his mother. The next year the family was broken up. The father, with Ids three eldest sons, going to Michigan, and the younger boys to Massa- chusetts. Our subject was sent to an aunt in Stockbridge. where for three years he worked on the farm during the summer and attended tlie academy during the winter months. Here two of the noted Field lirothers, Cyrus W. anany. They located at Milford. Illi- nois, where they were engaged in merchan- dising and milling until 1861, when they removed to Clear Water, Miimesota, and Ijuilt a mill for the manufacture of sta\'es, which busines.s was discontinued' on the breaking out of the Indian troubles at the beginning of the Civil war. Returning to Connecticut in 1862, Mr. Wilcox enlisted as a pri\ate in Company I, 682 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD F"ifth Connecticut \'olunteer Infantry. which was assigned to the Army nf the Potomac. After participating in the !)attles of Chancellorsville and Gettysburg, tlie regiment went to Chickamauga, Tennessee, and later went with General Sherman on the Atlanta campaign. They took ])art in the battle of Resaca, and other battles and arduous duties of the campaign, after which they were ordered to proceed to ^^'ashing- ton, D. C. by way of Richmond, and par- ticipated in the grand review in the capital city. Mr. Wilcox was off duty but little during his entire ser\-ice, although he was confined to a hospital in Georgia for a few weeks. He was mustered out at George- town, D. C, and honorably discharged at Hartford, Connecticut, in July, 1865. The following two years Mr. W'ilci x spent in Connecticut, and in 1867 went to Texas, where Mr. St. John owned a large tract of land, with the intention of engag- ing in the stock business. He was quar- antined there on account of yellow fever from July, 1868, until February. 1869, when he returned home and entered the office of the .-Etna Life Insurance Com- pany as bookkeeper, which position he held until the great Chicago fire in 0:tober, 1S71. when he went to that city in the inter- est of the company. He arrixed Monday morning when the conflagration was at its height. He expected to open a loan office for the coriipany, but their building Ijeing destroyed the project was abandoned. The same fall he came to Cedar Rapids, and engaged in loaning money for the com- pany. Since then he has placed loans for the .-Etna Company on farm property in Iowa to the amount of about fifty million dollars and has been remarkably successful in business affairs for the company. He lias bought and improved farm property on his iiwn account. l)ut has since disposed of the same. Mr. Wilcox was married in Cedar Rap- ids. December 16, 1880, to Miss Ida A. Wetzel, wh(j was born in this city, her father, Jacob Wetzel, being one of its pio- neer busines.', men. To them has been born one son, Lucien T., now a student at Phil- lips Academy, Andover, Massachusetts. Since attaining his majority Mr. Wilcox has usually supported the Republican party, but has \'oted for every successful presi- dential candidate. He has never cared for political honors, preferring to give his un- divided attention to his business interests. Enterprising and public-spirited, however, he has given his support to all measures which he believes will advance the interests of his adopted city and state, and is there- fore a valued member of the community. His wife is a member of Grace Episcopal church, and to them are accorded an envia- ble position in social circles, where true worth is received as a passport into the best society. JOSEPH SMITH. For more than half a century Joseph Smith has resided 'within a radius of ten miles of Central City, where he is now mak- ing his home, living retired from the more arduous duties of business life. His activity in former years enabled him to gain a fair share of this world's goods, prosperity com- ing to him as a justly merited reward of his diligence, carefully directed by sound busi- ness judgment and sagacity. Mr. Smith was born in Pickaway county, Ohio, May 31, 1834, and on both the pa- BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 683 tenia] and maternal sides is of German lineage. His grandparents were nati\-es of Penns3dvania, however, and became pioneer settlers of the Buckeye state, locating in Pickaway county, where John Smith, the father, was born in 1809. There he was reared amid the wild scenes of the frontier and becoming familiar Avith farm work in his youth he made it his life occupation. He was married there to Catherine Wood- ring, who was born in Fairfield county, Ohio, in 1808, and unto them were born three sons while they remained in Ohii.i. In 1850, with his wife and children. John Smith came to Iowa and after their ar- rival here they became the parents of a daughter, who died at the age of seven years. The eldest son, Joshua, went west, to make a home for liimself and died in Kansas in 1886. Daniel, formerly a farmer, is now living retired in Central City, where Joseph also makes his home. Both parents died in Marion, Iowa. On coming to this state the father secured his land from the government and partially improved it. The place was in ButTalo township, and at their pioneer home the early settlers frequently gathered to hold their religious ser\-ices. for the parents were earnest Christian people. Joseph Smith began his education in the common schools of his native state and also continued his studies in a select school in Marion, Iowa. He remainetl at hmne upon the farm until twenty-four years of age, and was early trained to habits of industry. As is usual with young men just starting out in life for themselves, he sought a compan- ion and helpmate for the journey, and in 1858 was united in marriage to Miss Rebec- ca Shoemaker, wh<> was born in I'airlield county, Ohio, in 1842, a daughter of Jacob and Susanna Shoemaker, who always re- sided in the Buckeye state, the latter dying in 1845, t'^^ former in 1850. They were the parents of elexxn children. One of the daughters, Hannah, married the oldest brother of our subject and in 1855, with her sister Rebecca, she came to Iowa. She is now a widow and resides in Kansas. One of the brother of the family — William Shoe- maker — is a farmer residing" in Buttalo township. At the time of the marriage of ]Mr. and Mrs. Smith of this review Dubuque was their nearest trading point and all produce was hauled to the river. The tirst railroad was built in 1859. For eight years Mr. Smith worked in his father's sawmill which he aided in building and then in operating. In an early day he also engaged in teaching school for five winters in Iowa, four of them in his own district. He taught the first school held in Central City, ci inducting it in a house which he built in the embryo town in the fall of 1857, There wei^e but two houses in the town at the time he erected his, but the same season three or four others were built. After leaving the sawmill he engaged in farming for nine years upon part of his father's land, becoming the pos- sessor of two hundred acres. He then con- ducted a general merchandising establish- ment at Waubeek for five years and then returned to the farm where he remained for fifteen years, giving his time and attention to its cultivation and further improvement until March, 1891, when he rented his land and came to Central City, where he pur- chased a home and has since li\ed retired. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Smith have lieen born seven children, but one died in infancy and Jennie M. died in December, 1898, at the age of twenty-three years. Those still living are as follows: Arthur L., residing in 684 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD Central City, where he is engaged in the hardware business, lias a wife and two sons, Roy and Clifford B. ; Clara A. is the wife of J.. Fox, a general merchant of \\'aubeek, by whom she has a daughter Edna : Ida F. is the wife of Frank Foncannn, an engineer in the electric light plant of Macon, Missouri, by w^hom she has three daughters. Grace A., Roxey L. and Julia R. ; Harry E., who re- sides on a farm in Linn townshi]), is married and has two children, J. Marie and Dilman C. ; and Burleigh M., who has attended a dental college in Chicago, was a traveling dentist, but now is located in Schalder, Iowa. The children all attended the public schools of the county and snme of them have been college students, \vhile the daughters were teachers for a number of years. Although now living retired Mr. Smith is yet the owner of two hundred and forty acres of rich land under cultivation and has forty acres of timber land, in addili-.m to property in Central City,^ — all acquired through his diligence and enterprise, directed by keen business discernment. For four years he served as justice of the peace in Buffalo townshii) and for five years in Elaine township. He has held other local positions and has been a stalwart Republican in politics since the organization of the party. He is a warm friend of the ])ublic-scliour and a half years old. Her paternal grandfather was in the Revolu- tiiinarv war, serving for seven years as an armv sivrgeon. Two of the flaughters df the Heaton familv are yet living, a sister of Mrs. Gillilan being Mrs. Barber, who resides in -Central City, at the age of eighty-two vears. L'nto our suljj'ect and his wife have been born thirteen children, two of whom died in early childhood, while the others are yet living, namely: Charles H., a farmer residing in Elaine township; Lydia, the wife of H. P. Bellows, a blncksmith of \\'ahoo, Nebraska; Augustus 11.. a well driller, residing at home; Orplia J., the wife of E. E. Good, of W'ah.io, Nebraska; Mar- cus, a farmer of Maine towushi]); Will C.. who is lix'ing in Minnesota; .Slu-ridan .and Sherman, twins, the former at home, wh'le the latter is married and resides upon a farm in Jackson township; Jake L., a soldier of the Spanish-American war, wh(j re-enlisted in the Thirty-sixth Regiment of the Regu- lar Army and is now in the Philippines; Mar\', the wife of A. A. Schwantz, who makes his home near Creston, in L^nion county, Iowa: and Oscar R., who is a grad- uate of Cornell College and is now principal of the schools in Center Junction, Iowa. The children all attended the schools of Linn county and afterward attended college, pur- suing literary, scientific or business courses, and six of the number ha\'e become success- ful educators. Mr. Gillilan in 1853 purchased one hun- dred and sixtv acres of land at the govern- ment price and also twenty acres of timber, and for many years he continued farming, transforming his place into a very valuable and highly cultivated property. In 1890, howe\'er, he left the farm and came to Cen- tral Citv. He has since purchased a small farm near the town and has disposed of the old homestead. His enterprise and energy in the control of agricultin-al jtursuits brought to him a handsome competence. For the ]5ast nine years he has engaged in the undertaking business here, being the only re])resentati\e of that industry in the place. In early life he was a supporter of the \Miig party and cast his vote for Zachary Tavli r. In 1856 he voted for John C. Fre- mont and has never failed to cast a ballot for the Republican crmdidates since that t'me. He has held a number of local offices, has been a delegate to district and state crmven- tions and has taken an active pait in p ilitics, his influence being a poteiU elemeiU in se- curing the best interests of the ]iarty. He has always contributed to clnvrch work and is a prominent member of Mar\'in Mills 693 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD Post, Xo. J 1 2. G. A. 1\., in which he has Jield the office of vice commander. Through almost six decades lie has resided in Linn county and is therefore familiar with its history, his career here forming a connecting link between the primitive past and the pro- gressive present with its splendid facilities and advantages. He has taken just pride in its progress and has contributed in no un- important manner to its upbuilding. REV. JOHN HOGARTH LOZIER, A. M. There is probably no man in Linn coun- ty more widely known or is held in higher esteem than Chaplain Lozier, of Mt. Ver- non. Llis life has l)een a source of constant inspiration to those around him, and is de- serving of permanent record on the pages of his country's history, that others seeing iiis good wnrks mav f.illow in his footsteps. The Cha])lain was born in Dearborn county. Indiana. January 22, 1830, a son of Lawrence and ]\Iary (McCracken) Lozier. The father was Ijorn in England, April 24, 1787, and belonged to an old French Huge- not family, being related to (jeneral La Fayette and also to Earl De Gray, who was ])rominent in English liistnrv during the '60s. The mother was a native of Scotland, born May 25, 1791, and also came of a dis- tinmiished familv, being a descendant of Sir Walter Scott and related to Flogarth, the great English artist. The Chaplain's parents were married in New Jersey, on the i8th of Au.gust. 1811. and at an early day started westward. Crossing the mount- ains of Pennsylvania, they first settled in Pittsburg, and later removed to Lawrence- burg, Indiana, locating there about the time the war of 1812 broke out. Being an expert machinist he first assisted in Ijuilding the first steamboat ever constructed. After his removal to the Hoosier state he worked at the machinist's and blacksmith's trades and engaged in the manufactiux of plow shares, which at that time were pointed pieces of iron nailed to a piece of wood. He als(.i built a wagon which resembled the freight cars (jf the present day. In Indiana he se- cured a claim of one hundred and sixty acres, and made his home in that state until his death, which occurred in 1859, his remains being interred at Aurora. His wife died in 1853, '^"'^^ ^^'^s buried at Wright's Corners, Dearborn county. Tliey had ei,ght children, namely: Mary, born July 18, 1812. married Sewell Pluiiimer, of Aiu^ora, Indiana, and died in 1886. George, born I-'ebruarv Ji^, 181 5, married Eliza A. Blaisdell, a sister of ex-Governor Blaisdell, of Nevada, and both died in Dearborn county. Indiana. i\[arga- ret, born December 30, 18 — , died in infancy. Abram, born January 19, 1819, first married Lucinda Lemley, and after her death wedded Charlotte Turner, and died in Aurora, In- diana, in January, J90i. Sally .\nn, born September J2. 1822, died in infancy. Sarah J., born September 26, 1824, is tlie widow of James C. Perry and a resident of Kanka- kee, Illinois. Her eldest son is now United States district attorney of South Dakota. James O., born June 29, 1827, died at about the age of twenty-two years. John H., our subject, is the youngest of the family. Chaiilain Lozier began his education in the district schools of his native state, and at the age oi fourteen went to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he learned the pharmaceutical business, remaining there six years. Dur- ing that time he became converted and chan,ged his mode of life. At the age of BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 691 twenty he entered the De Pauw I'nixers'ty at Greencastle, Inchana, and htivini;- no money he worked his way tlirough cnlk^s^-e by sawing and chopping wood, hoeing gardens, mowing )-ards, etc. At that time cane bottom furniture was new, and \'ery popular, and he and his room-mate karned tlie Ijusiness, becoming quite skilled in that line. Air. Lozier made a rack for his books by the side of his study-table so th.at he might study and work at the same time. He also taught elocution to lawyers, minis- ters and others, and conducted classes in the college, for which he received a good salary. After graduating at that institution in 18^7, he studied medicine for a time, but that pro- fession was repellent to him. He next took up the stiulv of law at .\urora, Indiana, under William S. Holman, who became known as the "watch dog of the treasury," being the conservative Democratic senator who objected to all seemingly unnecessary expenditures during the Civil war. On the 17th of September, 1S57, Mr. Lozier was married at Lawrenceburg, In- diana, in the old manor of General Zebulon Pike, to Miss Sarah Shaw, who was born and reared in New York city, and is a daughter of Colonel Edward and .\manda ( Lewis) Shaw, also natives of that place. About 1846 her family removed to Cin- cinnati, and from there went to Lawrence- burg, Indiana, her father being engaged in steamboating on the Ohio ri\er at that time. During the Civil war he was com- mander of the A. O. Tyler, the flagship of the Mississippi squadron, which was shot to pieces by the "Ram" Arkansas — the terror Cif the western gunboat fleet. After the war. he was given a position in the L^nited States mail department at Indianapolis and moved his familv to that citv. where our sub- ject was then pastor of a church. Colonel Shaw subsequentlv made his home with our subject and died in ]\It. Vernon, Iowa, in 1887. He had four children, of whom Mrs. Lozier was the eldest; Abram died in 1889; Frank went west and has not besn heard of since : and Horace died in infancy. Chaplain Lozier spent two years in Aurora. Indiana, and after his marriage entered the ministry of the ]\Iethodist Epis- copal church. He had preached at different times before this, but his first pastoral charge was at W'estpiirt, Indiana, where he spent one year. He was next at \'ersailles .for two years, and was then transferred to Dills- boro, Indiana. It was during bis second year at the last named place that the Civil war broke out. On Sunday morning while hitch- ing his horse preparatory to going to Hart's ]Mills, a distance of seven miles, to preach, a horseman came galloi)ing alimg the road, shouting that Fort Sumter had been fired upon and that President Lincoln had issued a call for seventy- five thousand men to come at once to defend the capital. That morn- ing Mr. Lozier preached a war sermon, and commenced to organize a company the same (lav. In the afternoon he preached the same sermon, anne quarrv with eighty acres in Kansas. He was (juite extensively engaged in stock raising, feeding about sixty head of cattle. six horses and fifty hogs annually. On the 14th of November, 1839, in Linn township, Mr. Crow was united in marriage with Miss Elizal)eth Bennett, who taught the first school in this county. Her fatner, Ezra Bennett, was lost at sea. She was born in Syracuse, Xew York. l)ut was reared in Canada, and died at her home in Buft'alo township, this county. February 3. 1844. r>v this union were born two chil- dren: Mary V... born Xovemlier 11. 1840. married |ohn Wall and dicoth were \ery acti\'e and earnest members of the United Brethren church, antl were highly respected bv all who knew them. The fa- ther was a fairly well educated man for his da\^ and was well ])osled on the (|uestions and issues of the times. On the organization of the Republican party in 1856, he joined its ranks and continued one of its stanch su]i- ])orters throughout life. There were ten children born to Daniel and E\-e (Millow) Slife. of whom four died in childhood. The others were as follows: BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 703 Valentine, who was a fanner 1)\' nccupaii.m, (lied in Junes county, Iowa, in July, 1899; Mary wedded Jacob Fesler, of Ri\'ei"side. Washington county, and die ill in the hospital for a time. He was subse(|uently able to rejoin his command at Morehead City. Xorth Carolina, and re- mained with them until mustered out at Savannah, Georgia, in 1865. The regiment lost heavily at Champion Hill, there l)eing over two hundred either killed or wounded. After the war Mr. Slife resumed the more (piiet pursuits of farm life, which he continued to carry on until 1888, when he rented his farm and removed to Central City, where he engaged in the hardware business very successfully for five years. He pur- chased a lot, erected a building, and put in a stock of new goods. Selling his farm in Jones county, Iowa, he next purchased a place of one hundre. 1896; rnid h'lliott A(|uil]a, born December 17, 1897. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas have also reared and educated Lillie Stevenson, a daughter of Mrs. Thomas' sister Jane. I'eside his farm Mr. Thomas is engaged in the dairy business, his |)rodncts being of the highest quality. In ixjiitics Mr. Thomas is a Repubbcan ■o8 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD and has served two terms as school di- rector. In religion he is a member of the Christian churcli. whicli he joined over twelve years ago, and to which he has been one of its most liberal contributors. Mrs. Thomas has for the past sixteen years been a teacher of the Christian church Sunday school. 'Sir. Thomas belongs to the [Modern Brotherhood of America and the Royal Circle of Cedar Rapids. He was formerly treasurer of the Modern Brotherhood. ROBERT G. BROCK. As proprietor of the Grand view dairy farm Robert G. Brock is widely known throughout Cedar Rapids and surrounding country. A native of Orange county, \'er- mont. he was born in the shadow of the Green Mountains, Feliruary 5, 1832, and is a son of William and Ann ( Wallace) Brock, also natives of that county, where the father spent his entire life as a farmer. After his death, the mother, in company with some of her children, came west and located in Rock county, \\'isconsin. InU her last days were spent at the home of her daughter, ]\Irs. Emmert, in Freeport, Illinois. Our sub- ject's paternal grandfather, Tlmmas Brock. was of*English descent and one of the early settlers of Vermont. The maternal grand- father, William Wallace, was born in Gla.s- gow, Scotland, and came to the new world when a young man. Robert G. Brock passed the first twehe vears of his life in his native coimty. and then went to Lowell, Massachusetts, where' he received a good education He then learned the machinist's trade in the .\mos- Keag shops, where he remamed about four years, and at the end of that time went to New York city, where he engaged in clerk- and in an (iffice for one year In iS^(> he ing in a grocery store for about two years, came U> Iowa and after looking over the country located at Cedar Rapids A year later he went to ^McGregor, where he en- gaged in the roofing business one year, and then returned to Cedar Rapids, becoming interested in the boot, shoe and leather business at this place, where he conducted a tannery until i 859 He was then ill for some time, and on partially recovering hife health he went west in i860, crossing the plains with Judge Greene's party to Pikes Peak, where he remained until December of that year Having regained his health Mr. Brock returned home and soon after x'isited his mother and other members of the family in Rock county, Wisconsin. He secured a farm near Janesville and there engaged in agricultural pursuits during the Civil war. In the spring of 1865 he went to Audrain county, ^lissouri, and was engaged in the drug business with a brother-in-law at Mex- ico lor aljout four years. At the end of that time he returned to Iowa, and for three vears followed farming in Marshall coun- tv. but was at length forced to leave the farm on accnunt of his wife's health. Dur- ing the construction of the Burlington. Ce- dar Rapids & Northern Railroad he had charge of their supply store for two years, and on the expiration of that time returned to Cedar Rapids, where he engaged in the wood and coal business for thirteen years, and also owned and operated a sawmill, manufacturing lumber. At the same time he ran a small steam bnat on the Cedar river between this place and X'intou, Iowa, BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 709 and owned a tug and several Ijarges car- rying freight and passenger?, and doing a large excursion business. In 1886 he re- nio\-ed to what is now knnwn as the Grand- view dairy farm, and has since successfully engaged in the milk business, keeping a large number of cows and supplying about two hundred familie.- with milk and cream. On the 15th of March, iiS65, in Xew- burv, Vermont, j\Ir. Brock married Miss ■i Frances E. Doe, who was born and reared in tile same town where her husband's birth occurred. Her parents were William and Phoebe (Craig) Doe, natives of \'ermont and Pennsylvania, respectively. Our sub- ject and his wife have one son. William W.. who assists his father in the dairy busi- ness, and has run a milk wagon for some years, making daily trips. Mr. Brock cast his first presidential bal- lot for John C. Fremont in 1856, and is a stalwart supporter of the Republican party and its principles. Religiously both he and his wife hold membership in the Second Presbyterian church of Cedar Rapids, and are among the most honored and highly esteemed citizens of their community. In business circles he occupies an en\ia])le po- sition. Thoroughness and persistency have characterized his entire business career and have been the means of bringing to him a well-emrited success PETER A. IIEATON. This well-known l)oot and ."line dealer is one of the leading business men and liiremost citizens of Central City. lie is one of Linn county's native sons, born February 9. 1845. ''"'"^ '^ ^ worthy repre- sentati\-e of one of her Imnored pioneer famil.es. His father, Alonzo Heaton, was born in St. Lawrence county, New York, in 181 5. and on the ijaternal side was of English descent, and on the maternal of German extraction. His ancestors, how- ever, came to this country in the early part of the eighteenth century. Our subject's paternal great-grandfather fought for American independence in the Revolution- ary war. and his grandfather was a soldier of the Mexican war. In 1839 Alonzo Heaton came to Iowa, and after spending about a year in Du- buque, he came to Linn count)', and took up line lunidrcd and sixty acres of gov- ernment land in Maine township. At that time this region was all wild and unim- proved ; the Indians were far more numer- ous than the white settlers; and wolves, deer and all kinds of wild game was plen- tiful ; while all trading was done in Du- buque. Air. Heaton was one of a family of thirteen children, seven sons and six daughters, who were l)orn in New York and from there removed to Michigan and later came to Iowa. He was single on c: niin;.;' lo this state, and here married Mrs. Rebecca (Poet) Ileaton, the widow of James Heaton, his okler brother. There- are no li\-ing ohildren bv the first mar- riage, but by the second union two sons uere'born, one of wl'om died in early childhood, the other beiil^- Peter A., the subject of this sketch. 1'he father, who • followed the occupation of farming through- out life, died in 1848, and his widow sub- sequently became the wife of an older brother, Samuel Heaton. who was burn in 181 i. ;ind died in 1888. Bv this union were burn live children, all living, namely: lames, a resident of Kansas: William, a 7IO BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD farmer of .Maine tdwnsliip. tliis eounty; Ann, wife uf J. D. Matteson, who formerly lived in Kansas fur iwenty-seven years, but now makes his liome in Central City, Iowa ; and B. F. and N. C. Ixitli residents of Kansas. They were all reared and edu- cated in this county. In 1875 the father of these children remox-eil to Kansas and took up a homestead, becoming the owner of several hundred acres of land in that state, where he spent the remainder of his life. His wife, who was born in 1823, is still living there. Politically the family are all identified witli the Republican party, and have held local offices in the communi- ties where they reside. Peter A. Heat(.)n recei\ed his education in the common schools of Linn county, but his opportunities along that line were lim- ited. During the Civil war he enlisted in 1862 in Company K, Sixth Iowa Ca\alry, under General Sully. This regiment was stationed on the western plains to quell the Indian insurrections, and participated in the battle of Whitestone Hill and many skirmishes. At the close of the war Mr. Heaton was honorably discharged in 1865, and returned home to resume the more (luiet pursuits of farm life. He imrchased and improved several farms in this county. On the 31st of December, 1865, Mr. Heaton was luiitcd in marriage with Miss Mary A. Sa\v_\-er, who wa.- burn near Med- ford, Massachusetts, Xovemljer 17, 1846, a daughter of Abner J. and Sophia (Gillam) Sawyer. Her mother died in that state, and in 1854 her father came west, his death occurring in this county when he was sev- enty-se\en years of age. He was a ship carpenter by trade, and lived in Chicago for a num])er of years. He had une son, William Sawver, who was a mem])er of the Twentieth Iowa \'olunteer Infantry during the Rebellion, and died in the service, and one living at Central City, Iowa, George, who was also a memljer <-if the Twentieth Iowa A'olunteer Infantry. Those of his family still living are Almira, widow of James Sawyer, of Central City; iMary A., wife of our suljject; Annie, wife of C. H. Clark, of Central City : and George, the eldest of the family, who was also a soldier of the Civil war and is now a resident of Central City. Si.K children were born to i\Ir. and i\Irs. Heaton. but two died in early childhood, and Susie died January 23, 1900, at the age of thirty-one years. Those liv- ing are Curtis, Maud A. and Benjamin F.. all at hoiue. The children were educated in the public schools of Central City. On leaving the farm in 1S73, iMr. Hea- ton removed to Central City and embarked in general merchandising. He has since been interested in various business enter- prises, being connected with the hardware trade for some time, and in 1900 he pur- chased the l)oot and shoe store, which he now conducts. He has dealt (juite exten- sively in property for some time, and in all his business ventures has been marked b_v success. He owns a good home in Cen- tral City, besides his store, and still has an interest in the liar Ce- dar Rapids, and in its public schools he acquired his early education. Later he took a classical course at Coe College, and s])ent one year at the college in Grinnell. Iowa. He attended his first course of medical lec- tures at the medical deiJartment of the Uni- versity of Michigan, in .\nn Arlior, and then entered Rush ^^lecKcal College, Chica- go, from which he was graduated May 23, 1894, with the degree of M. D. Imme- diately after his graduation he returned to Cedar Rapids and entered into partnership with his father. He has since devoted his entire time and attention to his profession, and has been eminently successful in both the practice of medicine and surgery. On the 3(1 of Fel^ruary 1894. Dr. Skin- ner married Miss Helen Bowen, a resident of Broadhead, Wisconsin. Her mother died at the time of her birth, and her father died in Los Angeles, California, when she was a mere child. They have two children. .Ste- phen B. and George H. Fraternally the Doctor is a member of the Loyal Legion of Iowa; Mt. Herman Lodge, No. 263, F. & A, M, ; and Cedar Rapids Lodge, No. 98, K. P., of which he is past chancellor. He is also a meml^er of the Knights of Khorassan, and was i.ne of the organizers of that lodge in Cedar Rap- ids, while in connection with his profession he belongs to the State Medical Society and the Union Aledical Society. He is a pro- gressive physician, who keejis well informed on the latest discoveries and theories by his perusal of medical journals, and his skill and ability are attested by the liberal pat- ronage he receives. ERNEST J. FLUCKIGER. The subject of this review is the popular proprietor of the Fulton Meat Market, w liich is one of the largest and best in Ce- dar Rapids. He is a native of Switzerland, born March 24, 1859, and is a son of John and Mary (jMaurer) Fluckiger, who spent their entire lives in that countr\-, where both 714 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD died at about the age of fifty-eight years. In their family were eleven children, all of whom are still living and five of the num- ber continue to make their home in Switz- erland. Those who came to the United States are Frederick, a farmer of the state of Washington: Ernest J., our suliject: Jiihn. also a farmer of Washington; Charles; Rudolph, proprietor of a meat market in Cleveland, Ohio: and Anna, also a resident of that city. Ernest J. Fluckiger was educated in the public schools of his native land, and at the age of sixteen went to Paris, France, where he spent two years working at the butcher business. At the end of that time he came to America, and first located at Long Branch. New Jersey, where he re- mained for one year, and then went to Cleveland, Ohio, following his trade at both I'laces. He was the first of his family to enu'grate to .\merica. After working in a packing house at Cle\-eland for two years he oi)ened a siuall market of his own and carried on business quite successfully there until coming to Cedar Rapids in 1891, when he sold out to his brother, who still con- ducts the business. During his residence in Cleveland i\Ir. Fluckiger was married in 1882 to Miss Lena Snyder, who was also born in Switz- erland, in 1803. but was lixing in Cleve- land at the time of their marriage. They have three children, namely : Hulda, Ida and Henry, all of whum are attending the Cedar Ra])ids public schools. On coming to Cedar Rapids, in 1891, ]\Ir. Fluckiger was employed to take charge of the beef de])artment at the Sinclair jjacking house, and \v;is connected with the same for three years, having fifteen men working under him. .\t the end of that time he purchased his present market of George K. Wenig, who had the oldest es- tablished business of the kind in the city. Since ^Ir. Fluckiger took possession his trade has increased so rapidly that it has trebled in volume and comes from the best class of people in the city. He is also en- gaged in buying and shipping cattle for market purposes, and furnishes employment to six men besides a bookkeeper. As a progressi\'e and enterprising man 'Sir. Fluckiger has not confined his attention to one line of business, but has become inter- ested in other undertakings, and is now a stocklKilder in the Tycoon Mining Company of the Black Hills, and also of the Audi- torium Company anil the Cedar Rapids Car- nival Company. He purchased a lot on the west side with three houses ui)on it, two of which he now rents, while the other he occupies as a residence. In all his business \entures he has been remarkably succes.-ful. and the prosperity that has come to him is certainly well deserved, for he began life in the new world with no capital sa\e that actiuired by his own industry. He is char- itable and l)ene\-olcnt, and contributes lib- erally to all enterprises which he believes will prt)ve of pul)lic benefit. Fraternally he is a member of the blue lodge of Masonry; Star of the West Lodge, >io. i, K. P.; and the Uniformed Rank of Knights of Pythias, and filled all the chairs of the lat- ter order in Cleveland, Ohio. J. M. ROGERS. J. M. Rogers, a pronnnent and influ- ential citizen of Fairfax township, has been a resident of Linn countv for manv vcars, BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 717 ami has been actively identified with its agricultural and ix)litical interests. He was born in Putnam township, Linn coimty, Iowa. December 14. 1849. ^ son of William and Elizabeth (McKinnon) Rogers. The father, born in Zanesville. Ohio, in 1830, came west when a very young man and settled in Rogers Grove, now known as Putnam township, Linn count}-. At the time of his moving westward he was prac- tically penniless, but upon the death of his lather received forty acres of timber land. This he cleared and bv building a saw- mill upon the land and rafting the lumber down the river to Muscatine, Iowa, near which place the property was located, he was enabled to dispose of all the timber. He then proceeded to cultivate the land, and built for himself, being a carpenter by trade, a small frame residence. Later on he erected a l:)arn. which at that time was the largest in the county. Here upon the second tloor he threshed his grain by walk- ing his horses over it, the wheat dropping througli til the first floor where it was clean- ed. Little by little he acquired land until he became the owner of two hundred acres, upon which, after some years, he erected a ^ery fine dwelling, for which he himself made the brick. J. M. Rogers received his early edu- cation in the district schools of Putnam townshi]), and later attended the ])ublic schools of Cedar Rapids. L'i)on leaving school he rented a farm of eighty acres from Art Skiles. Here he remained for two years and tlien took up thresliing ;md corn shelling as a means of lixelihood, at which he was employed fluring the summer months, while the winter months he spent in hauling wood to Cedar Rapids. June 27,, 1873, Mr. Rogers married Miss Margaret Russell, a daughter of William and Alargaret (Buchon) Russell, natives of Scotland. After leaving their nati\'e land the Russell family took up their residence in Canada and from there moved to Linn county, where the parents spent the remainder of their live/i. They had eight children: \\'illiam (i), the oldest, died on shipboard on the way to Canada ; \\'illiam (2) ; Margaret; Anna; Jennie; An- drew, Jessie and IMary are still living. To Mr. and Mrs. Rogers have been born ten children, of wIkiui William and (iertie died in infancy, while the others, still living, are as follows: Annie, Maggie, Jessie, Elsie, Norma, Orville, ]Mabel and Wallace. After his marriage Mr. Rogers moved to Benton county, rented a farm and re- mained there two years. He then went to Cedar Rapids, where he was engaged as a teamster, but after a short time moved to the old homestead, which .he had bought and where he lived for twehe years. He then solrmont afYorded Jolm B. Cutler his educational privileges. On leaving home at tlie age of sixteen he went to Barton, Vermont, where he had charge of stage horses, and was quite young when put upon the road as a driver. After the railmad was l)uill in that Incality he went fn>m Cnncord to Boston, where he spent five years, and then went to New Or- leans, hoi)ing to go to northern Alabama to drive a stage, but instead came to Iowa, locating" in Linn cnunty, in 1844. Here he first worked as a farm hand during the summer, while the winter was passed at Mobile. Mr. Cutler's first purchase of land con- sisted of one hundred and sixty acres, which he at once commenced to improve, and as lie met with success in his farming opera- tions he kept adding to his property until he owned about four hundred acres, which he placed under a high state of cultivation, making it one of the most desirable farms in the locality. He always made a specialty of stock raising, and had some of the best horses in the county. He has practically lived retired since 1875, leaving his son to conduct the farm, but he continued to re- side thereon until 1891, when he removed to Cential City and has purchased a pleas- ant home at that place. From time to time he has disposed of portions of his farm, though his wife still has forty acres in Jack- son township, which is to be the property of her daughters when she is through with it. In May. 1856, Air. Cutler married Miss -Ann Crookshank, who was born in X? he was connected witii the old Western Union Raih-nail fulon and .\nna (l)\-er) Water- house. The mother died in 1835, ■"""' ''* 1854 the father came to Linn county, Iowa, where he departed this life in 1879. at the age of eighty-four years. Mrs. Jordan was reared and educited in her native state. (M the se\-en children born to our subject and liis wife only tw-o are now- living, namely : Lytlia B., liorn in 1855, is the wife a faithful and consistent menilier of the Free Methodist church. He led an upright, hon- orable and useful life, and in his death the community realized that it bad lost one of its most valuable and highly esteemetl citi- zens. Omar S. Leonard, the tmly son of our subject, was torn in Grant township Oc- tober 17, 1869, and was educated in the local .schools. In early life he assisted his father in the labors of the farm, and since the hit- ter's death has had comjilete charge of the same. In its management he has displayed excellent business ability and sound judg- ment, and is successfully engaged in general farming and stock raising. Politically he is a stanch Democrat. He was married March 24, 1S96, to Miss Temperance PIofF, who is one of a family of seven children, six of whom are now living. Her parents are Jacob and Ellen (Palmer) Ilofif, natives BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 729 of Oliio and luwa. respectively. Her fatlier came to this county in 185 1. and here he and his wife still reside. Mr. and Mrs. Lenn- ard ha\-e one child. Lnis. ABRAM S. FUXK. AI)rani S. Funk, one of the oldest and most ])opular engineers on the Burlington, Cedar Ra])ids & Northern Railroad, residing in Cedar Rapids, was born in High Spire. Dauphin county. Pennsylvania. January i. 1845, '"''*^' 's a son of Abraham and Alagda- Hne fSjiringer) Funk, also natives of the Keystone state, the former b^rn October 5, 1803, the latter January 2, 1805. The father was a well-educated man for his dav anfl a cmiper by trade. On leaving Penn- sylvania April II, 1850, he started overlaufl for Iowa, and landed in Muscatine the same month. He engaged in farming in Musca- tine county until 1873. when he removed t(, the city of Muscatine and lived retired until his death, which occurred October 23, 1898. He was then m'nety-five years of age, while his mother was ninety-nine at the time of her death. The mother of our subject died at the home of her son in Cedar Rapids July, 1 89 1, at the age of eighty-six. She had four children b\- her marriage with Mr. Funk, namely: Barbara, who married Jose])h ^^'ilhelm, of Muscatine, and died in that city: Sarah, wife of Rev. Peter C. Hetz- ler, of Salem, Oregon ; Rebecca, wife of A. W'hitten, who lives near Portland, Oregon: and .\braham S.. our subject. Bv a former marriage the mother had two children : Jacob Steese, who lives in Hummelstown, Pennsylvania: anrl Mrs. Elizabeth Gegler, \\ho died in Philadelphia, leaving a son. Henry Gegler, who has been for twenty-six years connected with the Bank of Xorth America, of Philadelphia. The father of our sul)ject was also married twice, and by the first wife had four children: Daniel At., deceased, who was a farmer and black- smith by occupation; Mrs. Catherine Bond, a resident of Musatine: Mrs. Maria Whist- ler, of (Jrand View, Iowa; and Mrs. Su.san Erb. of Muscatine. The children were all educated in the public schools, either of Pennsylvania or Iowa. In connection with the operation of his farm, consisting of three hundred and twenty acres, the father con- ducted what was known as the Four Mil© House, a tavern (•)n the Iowa City road. He sold his farm in 1886 and purchased a home in Muscatine, where he continued to reside throughout the remainder of his life, as ])re- vi'iuslv stated. In prilitics he was first a Whig and later a Repul)lican, but ne\'er took an active part in political affairs. In early life both he and his wife were members of the Winebrennerian church, but after com- ing to Iowa joined the United Brethren church. The subject of this sketch attended the common schools of Muscatine county until seventeen years of age, when he entered the service of his country during the dark days of the Rebellion, enlisting August 13, 1862, in Company B, Thirty-fifth Iowa Volunteer Infantry. His regiment was a part of the Fifteenth Army Corps until the fall of Vicks- Ijurg, when it was transferred to the Six- teenth Corps, and remained with the same until the close of the war. Mr. Fimk par- ticipated in the battle of Jackson, Missis- sippi, May 14, 1863; the siege of Vicksburg from the i8th of May until the 4th of July; the ten days siege of Jackson from July 10; the battle of Fort Derusa. Louisiana, March 730 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 14. 1864; Pleasant Hill, April 9: ^lonsuri. Louisiana, ^Fay 16: Yellow Bayou, May 18; Old River Lake, Arkansas, June 6, 1864, when the ca])tain of his company was killed \vhile actinjj as major; Tupelo, Mississippi, July 14: Xaslnille, Tennessee. December 15 and 16; and the siege of Spanish Fort, Alabama, from March 27 tn April 8, 1865. Mr. Funk was wcmnded in the head at Pleas- ant Hill, and still has the bullet in his pos- session. He was honorably discharged at Daven])nrt, Towa. August 10. 18(15, and re- turned liiiuie with a war reord nf which he may be justly proud. ^Fr. Funk then worked with his father iil)on the farm until the 1st nf Jamiarv. 1868, when he married ]\Iiss Fleanor L. Cook, whu was born in Indiana March 5, i84r). and died in Mu.scatine, Iowa. November 3, 1874. In the fall of 1872 he left the farm, and on the 15th (if januar}', 1873, entered the em- ploy of the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern Railroad as fireman. At that time he removed to Cedar Rapids, but after residing here Due }'ear he returned tn Mus- catine, where his wife died. On the 19th of August, 1877, he was promoted to the position of engineer, and has continued with the rciad in that capacity e\'er since, ranking ninth as the oldest engineer in point of serv- ice now with the road. He ran a freight train until 1883. when he was ]>r()moted to passenger engineer. lil.xceedingly careful, he met witii no accident requiring the as- sistance of a wrecking train until in No- vember, 1900, when he had to send for it. On the 5th of September. 1877. Mr. Funk was united in marriage with Miss Maggie M. Macler, who was born in Musca- tine .August 19, 1857, of German ])arentage, and was educated in the schools of that citv. L'nto them have I)een l)orn f. lur children. namely: Myra AL. a professional nurse; Frank M., a machinist in the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern shops: and How- ard M. an.d Ruth M., both in school. They are all still at home. Ruth M. Funk was born at 5:20 a. m., November 17. 1893. '^"'^ at ten minutes past nine the same morning her father took four shares in the Perpetual Building .\ssociation of Cedar Rapids for her, which makes her the ycningest stock- holder known in .\merica, being not quite four hours old. In 1884 Mr. Funk removed to Cedar Rapids and built his jjresent home on South Ninth street. With his wife and eldest daughter he holds membership in the United Brethren church, and is one elongs to T. Z. Cook Post, G. .\. R. : the Ancient Order of Cnited Workmen: cmd the Iowa Legion of Honor, as well as the I'rotlierliood of Locomotive Engineers, in which he has served as chief engineer and first assistant of the Dixision. Xo. 1 3(;. and also delegate to the national liody. Mr. I'unk has traveled (|uite e.Ktensively. \isiting nearh- e\erv state and territory of the L'nion. He has a fine cabinet of curios, which he has lieen collecting for fort_\" years, and consists of a miscellaneous assortment of very interesting relices, including all the ballots he has ever cast since attaining his majority: a history of the IJank of North .\merica, which is the oldest in the United States, being founded in 1781 ; and one of the largest jiersonal collections of liooks of \iews of the nrinci])al cities of this country. He also has bullets picked u\) bv himself BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 731 mainly fruni the l.iattlehelils of \'ickshui'S'. Jackson, Cnrintli. l"u]jeIo. Black Ri\er Bridge, P'ort Gibson, Pleasant Hill, Port Hudson, Petersburg, Fair Oaks, Harper's Ferry, the Wilderness, Cold Harbor, Spolt- sylvania, Fredericksburg, Atlanta, Kenesaw Mountain, Kesaca, Alissionarv Ridge, Xasli- ville. Lookout Mountain, Chickaniauga, Murfreeslioro, Shiloh, Antietani, Stone River, Gettysliurg, Arkansas Post, Old River Lake and Perrys\'ille. His nephew, Edward Erb, who was a Siildier of the Span- ish-American war, also obtained a number of interesting articles for his cnllecti.m. Mr. Funk has an apple preser\ed since i8fi6; a piece of bread baked by his mother in 1850 in the house where he was born ; and a copy of the Muscatine Jnm-nal with a notice of the fir>t declarati.m of the war of tlie Re- bellion. LEONARD B. CHRISTMAN. Leonard B. Christman, one of the lead- ing business men and most prominent citi- zens of Springville. is a native of Iowa, born in Dubuque, February 16, 1856, and is a son of John and Elizabeth (Berg) Christman, who are represented elsewhere in this volume. He was a lad of six years when he came with his parents to Sjjring- ville. and here he grew to manhood, receiv- ing his primary education in the public schools of the village. Subsequentlv he at- tended Cornell College at Mt. X'ernnn for a number of years, and also took a commer- cial course at a business college in Dubuque. His vacations were spent in lis father's store, where he received a thorough and practical ])usiuess training, and on leaving school was well (jualified to enter ujjon his business career. On returning home from college in 1876 -Mr. Christman timk charge of h.is father's store and oiUside business, with which he was also familiar, and on his father's death, in 1889, he succeeded to the business. He has since greatly enlarged the store room anrmer- ly a preacher but is now a member of the firm of Stauffacher. ^IcCook & Cerney, of Cedar Rapids; John J., and Levi, both farm- ers of Green county, \\'isconsin ; Harrison, also a xery prosperous farmer of that coun- ty : Sarah, wife of Henry C. Stevens, a minister of the United Evangelical Asso- ciation at I'erre Haute. Indiana ; and Emma, wife of Rev. Eugene Fuessle, of Ottaw a. Illi- nt)is. The children were afforded the best educational advantages, and after attending the ]jublic schools three of the number en- tered the Northwestern College of Naper- ville, Illinois. Our subject and his brother George engaged in school for a number of years. Dr. Raymer began his education in the district schortion of a day's work, though he had traveled one hundred and forty miles in that time. His home was midway between Dubucjue and Iowa City, on the old military road, and was the fa- vorite stopping place for all passing that way. No onfe was ever turned away hungr}' from his door, and he would charge nothing for the meals and accommodations furnished. Mr. Burge was a very generous, open- hearted man, who was always willing to lend a helping hand to friend or stranger, it mattered not. Even his youngest son re- members seeing as many as forty-six people entertained at one meal. On starting out in life for himself Mr. Burge became interested in the stock busi- ness in connection with farming, and Ixiught cattle in three states. He wcnild start out on horse back, going first to Illinois, and working his way into Missouri and Iowa. He marketed much of his stock at Daven- port and Muscatine, and was one of the first to ship cattle to the Chicago market after the opening of shipping facilities to that place. He was one of the most prominent cattle men of Iowa in early days, and as he ])rospered in business he became an extensive land owner, having at one time over four- teen hundred acres of land. He presented each of his children with a farm. Mr. Burge was a man of splendid physique and unusual strength, and when a boy was able to cradle grain with any of the men in the field. In early days he used to raft his wheat down the Cedar and Mississippi rivers to St. Louis and then return home on foot. In 1844 Mr. Burge was married in this county to Miss Elizabeth AIcRoberts, a na- tive of Kentucky and a daughter of Michael and Mary (Smith) McRoberts. who were born in \^irginia. The McRoberts fannly came from Scotland to America in the early part of the eighteenth century and it has been well represented in the wars of this country. ^^'illiam Smith, the maternal grandfather of Mrs. Burge, was in the secret service under General Arnold in the war of 1 81 2, was present at the surrender of Detroit, and was massacred at the battle of River Raisin. Mrs. Burge was the fifth in order of birth in a family of eleven chil- dren, the others being William, who is mar- BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 737 ried. and is ncnv living- at W'atsonville, California: Russell, who wedded Mary Fitz and resides in (ireene county. Iowa: Mary Jane, whn married John Trather. and after residing for a time in Linn county. Iowa, moved to Kansas and later to Oregon, where lioth died : George, who married Sarah Black and makes his home in Mrk. DAVHJ W. KING. David W. King came to this county in the spring of 1839. when the Indians were far nidre numerous than the white settlers, and when the land was still in its primitive condition. He was born in Westmoreland Cdunty, Pennsylvania, in 1800, and in early life fiilliiwcd mercantile, pursuits. In 1S36 he was married in his native state to Miss Mary Ann Singer, who was also born in Westmoreland county, January 6, 1817. Siion after their marriage they started in a carriage for Michigan, and in that state Mr. King engaged in farming for three years. 74^ BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD In the spring of 1839, accompanied l)v his wife and two children, lie came tu Iowa with an ox-team. In the party was also Thomas Gainor and his family, all of whom are now deceased. ]\Irs. King was the first white woman to cross the river at Cedar Rapids, Indian canoes being the only means of trans- portation at that time. The family located on the west side of the river in a log house. ^Nlr. King entered a tract of govern- ment land on the west side of Cedar river when the land' first came into the market. Early in the '40s he built the first ferry ever run at Cedar Rapids, obtaining the material for the same from Dubuque and Muscatine. The cable used in operating the ferry was of wire, which he brought on horseback from the furmer city. At that time most farm products were rafted down the river to a point about opposite Musca- tine, and then conxeyed by team to that city. Mr. King became the owner of con- siderable property in Cedar Rapids, besides about three seetinns of land in other parts of Linn county. In the early '50s he laid out the town of Kingston upon his land, it being now that part of the west side of Cedar Rapids formerly known as Kings- tun. During his residence here he engaged in farming and the real estate l)usiness with most excellent success, and was pruminent- ly identified with all of the early improve- ments of the city. He gave many luts for the !)enefit of public enterprises, as well as for manufacturing plants and other indus- tries which he believed would lead to the upbuilding and development of the city. He was always very liberal and public spirited, and never withheld his support from any object which was calculated to promote the public welfare. The west side was growing rapidly when he was called from this life, but the many improvements and enterprises with which he was connected having lost their leader, its gowth was practically stopped at his death. He was really at the head of every industry that had been start- ed, and was serving as justice of the peace. His death resulted from exposure while fighting a prairie fire. He passed away in 1854, at the age of forty-six }-ears. He was a well-educated man for his day. and possessed exceptionally good business and executive ability. He was the first person buried under the auspices of the Freemasons at Cedar Rapids, of which body he was an active worker. In politics he was a Whig, and in religious belief was a Methodist. Both he and his wife were earnest and con- sistent members (jf that church, and took an active part in its work. In his house he built a large hall twenty-four by sixty feet for church purposes, and there religious services were held until churches were built. The meetings of the Independent Order of Good Templars were also held there, he and his wife having assisted in organizing the lodge at this place. His life was exemplary in all respects, and he well deserves the high regard in which he was uniformly held. Mrs. Mary A. King still survives her husband, and for thirty years has made her home with her son \\'illiam. Her father, Samuel Singer, remained in Pennsylvania until his death. His wife died there when Mrs. King was a child. Mr. Singer was a soldier of the Revolutionary war. E. A. VAUGHN. Success is determined by one's ability to recognize opportunity, and to pursue this with a resolute and unflagging energ)-. It E. A. VAUGHN. BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 745 results from C(.intiiuied laljur. and tlie man who tlius accomplislies liis purpose usually becomes an important factor in the business circles of the community with which he is connected. Through such means Mr. Vaughn has attained a leading place among- the successful men of Marion, and his well- spent and honorable life commands the re- spent of all who know him. A native of Pennsylvania, he was born in fiercer county, June i, 1829, and is a son of William and Irene Vaughn, also na- tives of the Keystone state, whence they came to Linn county, Iowa, in 1841. Throughout his active business life the fa- ther engaged in agricultural pursuits. He was a very active and earnest member of the Presbyterian church, in which he served as elder, and his life was ever in harmony with his profession. He was born Decem- ber 16, 1 79 1, and died February 18, 1878. His wife, who passed away in 1851, at the age of tifty-si.x years, was also a faith- ful member of the Presbyterian church. This worthy couple were the parents of ten children, namely : Thomas, who died at the age of eighty-two years; Eunice, married Silas Dodd and died in 1842, at the age of thirty ; !Mary, \\ho wedded Samuel Ross and died in 1851, at about the age of thirty; Phebe, widow of Joseph Carson and a resi- dent of Bedford, Iowa; Cynthia, widow of William Carson and a resident of Greeley, Colorado; E. A., our subject; Ruth, who died at the age of fifty-six years; J. C, who enlisted in 1862, in the Twenty- fourth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and served through the Civil war; Hattie H., a teacher, who died at the age of thirty; and Myrtie, wife of R. B. W'aliace. of Topeka, Kansas. E. A. Vaughn was reared on the home farm and educated in the public schools of 37 the neighborhood. He remained under the parental roof until 1850, when he went to the Pacific coast by the overland route, the journey consuming nearly four months. He spent the first winter lumbering in Oregon, on the Columljia river, and later became in- terested in mining on Robe river between Oregon and California, where he remained for some time, meeting with fair success. After three and one-half }-ears spent in the far west he returneil to this county, and em- barked in farming and stock dealing. For a number of years he bought stock, which he drove to St. Paul and there disposed of the same, being quite successful in that en- terprise. He had a cattle stable where now stands the Nicollet Hotel — one of the largest liotels of Minneapolis. For a third of a cen- tury he continued to engage in the raising. of fine cattle and hogs, and the business- is still carried on by his son, William \\'., who now lives on the old home farm, our subject having renio\ed to ^Marion in 1893. On coming to this county Mr. \''aughn en- tered government land, antl three years later when the land came into market he purchased his claims. He transformed the wild tract into a well-improved and valu- able farm, and is still the owner of over three hundred acres in jNlarion township. He has raised principally corn and hay, reserving a portion of his land for pasture, as he always kept a large amount of stock. He is now vice-president and director of the First National Bank of .Marion, and is a financier of recognized al)ility. In 1858 Mr. Vaughn was united \in marriage with Miss Lizzie Pierce, who was born in Chester C(nu-ity, Pennsylvania, in March, 1838. Her parents, Isaac and Han- wdh Pierce, both died in the '50s, the former at the age of fifty-three, the latter at the 746 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD age uf forty-fi\e. Tliey were members of the Society of Friends and were liiglily re- spected by all \vh(_i knew tliem. Mrs. X'aughn is the fourth in order of birtii in their fam- ily of six children and the only survivor. Unto our subject and his wife have been born five children, namely: (i) Lura I. is professor of English literature in Lenox College, at Hopkinton. Iowa, in which in- stitution she has taught for thirteen years. and she is considered the best in her depart- ment in the state. She alsn taught in a Montana college for two years, and was a missionary at Ogden. L'tah, for a time. She is a graduate of Lenox College and Lake Forest University, and occupies a po- sition of no little prominence in literary circles. (2) Etta R.is the wife of Rev E. J. Groeneveld, a Presbyterian mini.-ter of Butte. Montana, who is now tra\eling in Europe, and they have two children, Eliza- beth and John. (3) William W. is success- full}' engaged in farming on the old home- ^tead in Marion township, known as the Wild Wood farm, and is an extensive dealer in thoroughbred cattle, hogs and thickens, and also keeps a fine lot of horses. He married Lucy, daughter of J. B. Scott, and they have four children. Howard, Ed- ward. Mary and Ruth. (4) Isaac Merton recognized as one of the UKist pro- gressive, enterprising and reliable business men of his community. He is not identified with any [jdlitical party, but uses his right of franchise in support uf the men and measures which he belie\es will best jiro- nrnte the public welfare. I. S. HAXXA. Fur many years I. S. Hanna, of Coggon, was one of the active and progresisive busi- ness men of this count)-, as well as one of its ninst reliable and honored citizens and he is nijw enjoying a well-earned rest, free from the cares and responsibilities of busi- ness life. A native of Pennsylvania, he was born in Fayette county, September 14, 1N45. hut his parents onl)- resided there alxiut two years when they moved back tn Mahiming county, Ohio, where they had fdrmerly resided. In 1854 he came to Iowa with his parents, Henr\- 1). and Mary Hanna, whd Idcated in Jackson county. There the father worked at his trade, that I if wagon making, until 1860, when he re- niii\eil to ClaNton count)", Iowa, and turnetl his atteiUidU to farming. In hSfij; he came td Linn county and purchased an unim- lird\-ed tract of land in Bowlder township fdi- fdur ddllars per acre, and at once com- menced td iniprd\e the farm. In 1864, during the dark days of the Rebellion, he en- listed in Coni])any E, Twenty-seventh low-a \'dhniteer Infantr)-. In the earl\- part of his ser\-ice he was injured b)- being thrown from a car. l""rom the etifects of that in- jur)- he was discharged in Xovember, 1864. After his rctiu-n fnuri the army he located 748 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD at H(ii)kiiUnn, Iowa, where the family had resided (hiring iiis absence, but resided there only a short time, and then returned to this county and resumed the operation of his farm in Bowlder tnwnship. He sub- sequently engaged in farming un another place in that tcnvnship until J 873, wiien he sold out and removed to Jones county, Iowa, where he carried on the merchandis- ing and creamery business and also bought and shipped grain. There he resided un- til his death, which occurred July 16, 1881. The mother of our subject had died in 1849, <"ine hunilred and twenty acres of rich and arable land. Political!}- INIr. Hanna was fdrmerly a Republican, but is now a supporter of the Prohibition party. He has never sought official honors, but has served as school di- rect' ir in Coggon for six vears, and was secretary of the board for some time. So- cially he is a member of John Kyle Post. No. 457, G. A. R., of Coggon, of which he is niiw (juartermaster. Brith he and his wife are earnest and consistent members of the Christian church of that place, which was organized in 1866, and he is now senior elder vt the same. He has always taken quite an active part in church work, and has given his supjxirt to e\-er_\- enterprise calculated to ad\ance the moral, social ov material welfare of his town and count\'. HUGH G. RICK. One of the busiest, most energetic and most enterprising men of Cedar Rapids. Inwa, is Hugh G. Rick, a prominent con- tractor and Ijuilder. who has met with ex- cellent success during his long residence here, covering over a quarter of a century. He was bnrn in Crawford county, Pennsylvania, Septcmlier 4. 1845, <'"i'l '* ne state, where they spent their entire li\-es. The former was of Ger- man, the latter of Scotch descent. The father was also born in Crawford county, and in early life learned the blacksmith's trade, which he followed for some years, but later turned his attention to agricultural pursuit>. He died in 1878. when al)out seventy \ears of age. Of his se\en chil- dren one son died in early childhood and a daughter died at the age of twelve years. Those lix'ing are James, a farmer of Ohio; Hugh G., the subject of this sketch: George B.. who is engaged in farming on the old homestead in Pennsyhania; Uriah, a fanner of Ohio: and Ellen, wife of Henry Oates, a f.armer of Pennsylvania. The children all attended the public schools of Pennsyl- vania, but in their younger days schools were far apart and teachers were scarce. By the reading of good and instructive l)ooks since leax'ing school Hugh G. Rick has practically educated himself .and has be- come a well-informed man. He grew to manhood on the t)ld homestead and with his father learned the blacksmitirs trade, at which he worked until the country became involved in civil war. In September, 1862, he enlisted in Company B, Eighteenth Penn- sylvania Cavalry, when but eighteen years of age. and remained in the service until the cessation of hostilities, taking part in over eighty regular engagements and skir- mishes. These included some very import- ant battles, such as the engagements in the Shenandoah valley, the battles of Gettysburg and the Wilderness, and the siege of Peters Inirg. Mr. Rick had a horse shot from under him in the battle of Gettysburg, and in the Shenandoah valley had a second horse shot and was knocked o\cr by the force of a shell passing him. .\fter three 750 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 3'ears uf arduuus and faithful service he was discharged in July, 1S65, and returned to his home in Pennsylvania, where he re- mained fur a year, his time and energies being devoted to learning the carpenter's trade. Mr. Rick then folic jwed that pursuit in Wisconsin and ^lichigan. and subsequent- ly spent seven years in Daxenport, Iowa. Having a natural tendency for the trade, he soon l>ecame a very proficient work- man, and for five years engaged in con- tracting and building on his f only six thousand, and he lias watched with pride and interest its growth until the city now contains twenty-seven thousand in- habitants. While at Edgerton, Wisconsin, Air. Rick was married in 1868 to Miss Ellen O. Place, who was born in Vermont, but was reared and educated near Chicago, and was then living in the Badger state. They have two sons: ( i ) Lillian, a graduate of the Cedar Rajjids public schools, is now in partnership with his father and resides in Kenwood. lie is married and has four children. Hugh, John, Alfred and Ellen. (2) William E., a carpenter working with his father, is married and has two children, Ray and Glenn. Both learned their trade with their father and have since been with him. He has a pleasant home at 121 1 Third avenue, which he built in 1900. Since attaining his majority Mr. Rick has affiliated with the Republican party, and though he has been an active worker for its interests lie has never cared for political l)referment. Fraternally he is a member of the Commercial Club of Cedar Rapids and the Odd Fellows Lodge, Xo. 141 ; the Encampment, Patriarchs r^Iillitant. and Rebekahs (I. O. O. F.), and of the T. Z. Cook Post, G. A. R. ; and religiously both he and his wife are members of the Third Presbyterian church. As a btisiness man he is a true type of we.-tern progress and en- terprise, and his success is due to his own well-directed and energetic efforts. His in- tegrity stands as an un(|uestioned fact in his history — endowed l)v n;Uure with a sound judgment and an accurate, discriniinatnig- mind, he has not feared that laborious at- tention to liusiness so necessary to achieve success, and this essential (piality has ever been guided by a sense of moral right which would tolerate the employment only of the means that would bear the most rigid ex- amination, by a fairness of intention that has neither sought nor recjuired disguise. JOHN CHRIST.MAX. l"or over a third of a century this gen- tleman was prominently identitied with tlie commercial and industrial interests of Springville. and probalily did more than any JOHN CHRISTMAN. BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 753 otlier one man t.i advance the t;"eneral wel- fare and secure tlie material dexelopinent ot the village. He was b.irn near the tmvn ot Cleinon. Province of the Loire, France, on the 23d of Jannary. 1826, and in 183 1 came to the United States with his father, Peter Christman, who was also a native of that country. He married Margaret Deitz. They first located in Xew Jersey, and from there removed to Pennsylvania, where they spent five years. In January, 1837, they came to Dnhuque, Iowa, and the father erected the first steam saw and grist mill at that place. Peter Christman, Sr.. the father of our suhject and Peter, his brnther, l)uilt about five mills in eastern Iowa, but later in life he gave his attention to agricultural pursuits. \\'hen a yuung man Juhn Christman en- gaged in clerking in Dubuijue for about four years, and while thus employed gained a good practical kudwledge of mercantile pursuits. Subsecjuently he did a wlmlesale businesss on his own account for some years. Later he worked for one year on a farm and spent about a year in Culorado and the Rocky mountains. At the end of that time he returned to Dubu(|ue and re- sumed clerking. In 1857 during the panic he was financially ruined and obliged to again start at the bottom ni the ladder. While a resident of that citv Mr. Christ- man was married. August 8, 1852, t(j iMiss Elizabeth Berg, who was born in Hesse- Darmstadt, Cicrmany, Se])teniber 13, 1830, a (laughter of Jnhn and Cecilia I'erg. Her father was born in the same ])r()\-ince in 1777. and was a great friend of Xapuleon. In 1835 he emigrated U> the new world and located near Pittsburg, in Butler county. Pennsylvania, where he engaged in farm- ing for some years. He died there in 1849, and his wife, who sur\i\ed him some years, pasetl away at the same place in 1865, and was laid to rest by his side. Mrs. Christman went to Dubui|ue m 1850, and there gave her hand in marriage to our subject as previously stated. Unto them were born nine children, namely : Augustus John, born Mav 5, 1853, died July 21, 1856. Leonard B. is represented on another page of this work. Harry Augustus, born June 19. 1858, died I-"eb. 11, 1861. Mary Margaret, the wife of C. X. Peck, l)orn Decemlier 2, i860, died December 10, 1892. Elizabeth Cecilia, born Xo\eni])£r 6, 1862, is the wife of C. \\'. Daniels, of Spring\ille. Frank ]\I., born Aug. 12, 1865, and died June 15, 1899. Fanny L., l)orn Oct. 28, 1869, is the wife of A. L. Elude, of Spring\-ille, who is a well-known news- paper man of eastern Iowa. Jacob H., born Oct. 2, 1873, now a reident of Pittsburg, Pa., but is now attending a course of lectures at a medical college in Cincinnatti, Ohio. Anna B.. born March 10, 1877, is the wife of F. M. Hann, of Springxille. In March, 1862 Air. Christman came to Linn county and took up his residence in Springxille, when it was but a cross roads \illage containing only one store and a few shanties. In partnershiiJ with his brother Peter, he erected a store Iniild- ing and embarked in general merchan- dising, which they carried on together for some years, but later our subject l)urchased the interests of his brother Peter and continued to conduct the business until his death. He also served as depot agent for several years, and was interested in the grain trade, lumber and coal, owning and conducting an elevatroderick, of Harrison county, Iowa: Thomas F,. who died in Cedar l-Japids in 1S98; Maggie, widow of C. H. I'sher and a resident of Cedar Rapids; Charles P., who is in partnersliip with our ^ubject; Jennie, who lives with Mrs. Brod- crick: ad .Anna F.. wife of Eugene Ouinn, of Cedar Rapids. The subject of this rc\iew began his education in the .-schools of Montreal, and J. E. MURRAY. BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 757 after the remo\-aI of the laniilv to this state he continued his studies in the common schools of Benton county. He remained on the home farm until twenty-nine years of age. when he began contracting alone, his first work being grading for the Bur- Imgton. Cedar Rapids & Minnesota Rail- road between Waterloo antl Cedar F"alls. He has since done a large amount of work for the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & North- ern Railroad; the Chicago & Northwestern; the Fremont, Elkhorn & !\Iissouri Valley in Nebraska and Dakrita. especially in the Black Hills ; the Chicago, Burlington & Northern up the east bank of the Mississippi river, now a part of the Chicago, Burlington & Ouincy systeiu : the Chicago. Milwaukee & St. Paul: the Chicago & Alton on new construction in Missouri ; and the Chicago. Burlington & Ouincy Railroad. In 1880 Mr. Murray's brother. Charles P., became associated with him in business under the firm name of Murray Brothers, and they are now known as the leading railroad con- tractors in this section. At present they are engaged in the construction of a branch for the W'aljash Railroad in Ohio. They frequently gi\-e employment to five or six hundred men. and ha\e had as high as seven hundred and fifty people and four hundred and fifty teams at work for them. John E. Murray was one of the first stockholders and directors of the Security Savings Bank, and has been identified with various cor- porate companies. He has also done con- siderable building in Cedar Rajiids, and has <\(me nuich to advance the interests of his adopted city along various lines. On the l6th of May. 1S76, Mr. Murray was united in marriage with Miss Mary Culkin, a dau.ghter of Michael Culkin. of Rockford, Illinois, and to them were born eight children, as follows: ^larv : W'ill- iam T., who is a graduate of St. Mary's College, Kansas, and is now with his fa- ther in business ; Helen C. : Maude : Jr>hn A.: Leo: Edward: and Donald. The faiuily h.ave a beautiful home at /2j Fifth avenue, and they are communicants of the Church of Immaculate Conception. Mr. Murray usually \()tes with the Democratic party but is n(_)t strictly partisan, though he al- Avays takes a deep and commendalile inter- est in public affairs. As a busines- man and citizen he stands high in pulilic esteem. E. J. HA\\'KIXS. For many years this gentleman was acti\ely identified with the agricultural and commercial interests of Linn county, and ha\-ing met with excellent success in busi- ness affirs he is now living a retired life ness aft'airs he is now living a retired life ship, enjoying the fruits of former toil. He was born in coniU_\- Kent in the south of England, January jy. 1826, antl is a son of Edward and Susanna (Bradley) Hawkins, natives of Yiu-kshire and county Kent, respectively. When about twenty years of age the father removed to the lat- ter place, where he was married, and con- tinued to make his home until his emigration to Aiuerica. As a contractor he construct- ed many of the roads in that part of the country, and for 'some time had charge of the road between Roundsgate and Market, a distance of six miles. He brought his family to the United States when our sub- ject was ten years old. and located in Geauga county, Ohio, where he purchased a farm, making his home therei>n until called to his final rest at the age of sixty- 758 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD seven years. His widow siirvi\e(l liini a number of years, and died at the same place at tlie age of seventy-eight. Tiiey were the parents of four children, namely ; Jane, de- ceased : Mary, widow of Merritt Thayer and a resident of Ohio; E. J., our subject: and William, a resident of Lee county, Illinois. Air. Hawkins, of this re\'iew, attended school in his native land, but his educa- tional advantages were limited, and the greater part of iiis education was obtained by reading and obser\ation in later years. After Cuming to this country he and his brother assisted his father in clearing awa\- the timber from his land and he worked hard from the age of ten years until his retirement a few years ago. For three montlis he attendted school in Ohio, the school house being built of logs with slab benches and a puncheon floor. Mr. Hawkins remained at home until he was married June 13. 1H47, to Mi>s Ivliza J. Brainard, a native of Cuyahoga count}', Ohio, of which her parents were pioneers, having removed thither from Xew York at an early day. By this union were liorn nine children, namely : Adeline E., widow . where he conducted a crockery st(jre until al)out ten _\'ears before his death, whicli occurred in 1898, when he was seven- ty-eight }ears of age. He was a self-edu- cated man. and in business affairs was (ju,te successful. Like the other children of the family Alphonse Franchere was educated in the public schools of Chicago. The sons all ob- tained their business education in the large mercanitile establishment of ^Marshall Field & Company of that city. On lea\-ing that firm our subject sought a location with the view of em])arking in business for himself, and finally decided on Cedar Rapids, where he settled in 1885. Having but small capital he opened a shoe store, and as he l)ecame familiar witli the wants of his customers he gradually enlarged his stock as fast as his resources wmild permit. He liegan busi- ness at Xo. 212 First ;i\enue, occupying only about one-third of the space he now has, and two years later ojiened a dr_\- goods and fancy goods department at Xo. 214. In 1X89 he again enlarged his store liy an addition forty feet' stpiare and two stories high, and also increased his stock. In 1891 he secured the adjoining store room. No. 216. and converted his establishment into a regular (lei)artment store, carrying" everything found in a first-class general store with tlie exception of hea\}- hardware. In 1S94 he was joined by his brother Oscar j., from Chicago, and uvo vears later sold to him the crockery, groceries and hnusclu'ld 76o BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD giinils (le])arlnients. which imw nccupy Xo. 218-220-222, while our subject has the re- mainder of the stock in Xos. 212-214-216. He carries a iine line of dry goods, milUnery, shoes, clothing, gents' furnishing goods, furs, cari^ets, etc. On the sec(.)nd floor he has five rooms devoted to bargain counters, Avhile the six moms on the third floor are de- volted exclusively to the mail order depart- ment. Mr. Franchere has recetly pur- chased sixty feet in the rear of Nos. 212, 214 and 216 First avenue, where he is i)uilding a warehouse for storage purposes. The Fair, by which name their store is known, is fitted up with all modern improve- ments in the way of heating, lighting, etc., and would be a credit to a city much larger than Cedar Kapids. It uccupies the i>r;)perty fmm 212 to 226 First avenue. By adver- tising e.xtensively, the firm ha\-e secured a large trade from several of the adjoining sta'tes, and alsn from Xew ^Mexico and Colo- rado. They have one hundred and fifty employes on their pay roll, and keep eight deli\ery wagons and fourteen hordes. Their business has grown so rapidly that for the Aear'iQOi it will undoulitedly amount to a (|uarter of a million dollars. The brothers own ]M-operty at 216 and 218 First avenue occupied liy their business. -Mphonse Franchere is not iden'tified with any political ])arty, but at local elec- tions \-otes for the men wliom he believes best <|ualified to fill the oftices. Fraternally he is a member of the Henevolent Protective Order of Elks and the Commercial Club of Cedar Rapids. He takes consideralile interest in outdoor sports, such as baseball, bicycling and horse racing, and is what may be termed a baseball enthusiast. He built the Athletic Park, which has since been sold to the Carnival .\ssociation. with which he is connected, and he is also a stockholder of the Auditorium Building. His first thoughts are always for the city of his adop- tion, and he has been a liberal contributor to all enteri)rises which he beheved would prove of public benefit. He also gives free- Iv to charity, putting his donations where thev will do the most good. Pleasanit and genial bv nattu'e, he makes hosts of friends wherever he goes, and has been a welcome addition to the business interests '>f Cedar Rapids. . « « » A. L. W ILLIS. Xo man is lietter known in the northern imrt of Linn county than 'Squire Albert Willis, who was one of the early settlers of Jackson township, having located there in 1855 before the village of Coggon was established. He was born in Franklin coun- ty. Massachusetts, September 17, 1831, a ,s(jn of George W. and Esther (Smith) Willis, also natives of that county, where the father carried on business as a clothier in early days, lie also engaged in farming and run a small cloth factory. Coming west in 1854 he settled in Linn county, Iowa, on the .southwest (piarter of section 16, Jackson township, where he followed farm- ing until his death, which occurred on the 14th of April, 1807. llis wife died .May 8. 1879. There were six children born to them, namely: Sarah, who died in infancy: A. ]... our subject: Sarah, deceased wife of William Henderson, who was a ])rominent farmer of Jackson township: I'rank, also deceased: Carrie L.. wife of W. L. Brown, of Titstin, California: and .\urelia H.. wife of E. J. Martin, a painter of Coggon. .Ml were educated in the common schools, and the daughters all engaged in teaching in A. L. WILLIS. BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 763 tlie public schools of Jackson township for a time. On reaching manhood A. L. Willis was united in marriage with Miss Laura P. White, of Berkshire county, Massachusetts, a daughter of J. White and Alice Pease White, the former being a slKjemaker by trade and spent his entire life in that state. By this union were liorn nine children, fi\-e of whom are now living, namely: Frank R., a prominent lawyer of Los Angeles, California, who is now serving as district attorney of Los Angeles county; ^linnie E., wife of Thomas Henderson, a pros[)eruus farmer of Jackson township, this county; Alice M., wife of John Dix, a farmer of W^right county, Iowa; Fred E., a farmer of Lake I'ark, Dickinson county, Iowa ; and Jessie L., wife of F. E. Dutton, a harness maker of Coggon. Those deceased were Bertha, Victoria, Nellie and Carrie. Air. Willis came west in 1855, and on landing in Davenport, Iowa, found that he had but three d(jllars in his pocket with which to begin life in this state. Locating in ^h. \'ernon and Marion he worked at the shoemaker's trade in those places for one year, and then removed to Springville, where he was similarly employed for about five years, and conducted a retail boot and shoe Inisiness. In the spring of 1861 he l)ought a farm on section 16, Jackson township, formerly owned by his father, and to the improvement and culti\ati(.)n of tliat place he devoted his energies until 1863. This he disposed of and bought 160 acres of im- proved land in 'Section 16, which he still owns, where he resided from 1875 to 1885, meeting with good success in his farming operation. He then removed to Coggon and emliarked in the grocery business, which he carried on f(jr four vears, and since sell- ing out has lived retired. He still nwns his farm of one liundrei] and sixty acres in Jackson township, and also has one store building and two houses in Coggon, which he rents, besides his own pleasant residence. He has money out on interest, and is a stock- holder and director of the Coggon State Bank, and also a stockholder of the Coggon creamery. All of this property has been acquired through his own well-directed ef- forts, and his life is a li\-ing illustration of what ability, energy and force of charac- ter can accomplish. It is to such men that the west owes its prosperity, its rapid progress and its advancement. As a Republican Mr. Willis takes quite an active interest in political affairs, and has served his fellow citizens as justice of the peace for eight years and two years as mayor of the village, and has served as council- man, with the exception of one year, since the incorporati(.>n of the village, filling the last named office at the present time. He has also served in se\'eral minor positions. His estimable wife is a meml)er of the Con- gregatioal church of Jackson township. WALTER (iATER. Among the veterans of the Civil war residing in Linn county probably none stand liigher in public esteem than Walter Cater, who is n(jw living a retired life in Coggon. He was born in London, England, on the 8th of April, 1841, a son of Lewis and Mary Ann (Aldred) Gater. also natives of that country, where the father resided umil J 844, and then came to America. For five years he made his jiome in Xew York City and then returned to London, and remained there one vear. In 1S50 he brought his faiu- 764 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD ily t(i tlie L'nited States, and again tk up his residence in New York City, where he worked as a painter and paper hanger for a fiiort time. Later he was emi)ioyed at the bookbinder's trade until 1857, wlien he came wes/t and settled in Bowlder town- ship, Linn cnuntv. Iowa, where he was en- gaged in farming until the spring ot 1863. He next made his, home in Anamosa, Iowa, for two years, while he followed the house painter's trade, and then remoxed to St. Louis, Missouri, where he was engaged in house and steamboat painting for three years. At the end of than time he returned to Linn cmnitv, Iowa, and made hi.- home with our subject in Jackson townsliip until his death in i8go. His wife had died in 1875, leaving three children: Walter, of this sketch: Louisa, deceased wife of .Albert Grant, who is now living retired in Kansas City, Missouri, 'though their two children, Cora Bisho]j and Xellie Kincaid, reside in Cedar Rapids. Iowa: and George \\\, a farmer of Giranl. Kansas, who died .\pril 5, 1901. Walter ( iatcr received only a common- schtiiil educatidu during his hovhoiul and learned the bonk binder's trade with his father in Xew York cit_\'. working at the same for two years. He then accom])anied his ])arents on their reniii\al to this county, and was engaged in farming in Bowlder township imtil after the Civil war broke out. lla\ing- a lo\e fur liis adii])ied country, lie enlisted in .\ugust, iSAj. in Company (i. Twenty-fourth Iowa VoluiUeer Infantry, and was under the com- mand of Colonel Byam, Captain \'inson and Captain Smith. Hi- command was in a large number of battles and skirmishes, and during the hght at Champion Hills, Missis- sippi, May 16, 1863, he was severely wound- ed by a musket Ijall in the right shoulder, and was in the hospitals at Memphis, Benton Barracks, St. Louis, and Jefferson Barracks. At the last named place he was honorably discharged .April 28, J864. his discharge Ijaper- reading as folk^ws : "Was engaged in the battle of Champion Hill. Mississippi, and on May 16, 1863, was severely wound- ed. He was a true and bra\-e soldier as per endorsemenl on descriptixe roll, signed by William W. Smith. Captain of Company G, Twenty- fourth Iowa Infantry." Mr. Gater returned to his home in Bowlder township, this county, but in the fall of 1864 again went to Jefferson Barracks. St. Loui.-. where he v>as employed in the government hospital until the clo.se of the war in 1865. He was then connected with the c|uartermaster"s de- |)artment until ICS67, when he again retiu"ned home and resinned farming. In 1872 Mr. (jater married Miss Susan- na Reynolds, of Jackson township, this coun- ty, who was born January 27. 1845, a daughter of Jacob and I'armelia (Cheno- weth ) Reynolds, both now deceased. Her father was a farmer of Jackson townshii), where he located in 1833. ( )ur subject and his wife have two chililren; Willie Lytton, born March J5, 1874; and Eva May, born October 6, 1879. Both are at heme and the oldei is now teaching school in Ely, and Eva attending school at Cornell College. Mt. \'eriion, Iowa. Mr. (later followed farming in I'lowlder tiiwn>hip luitil .March, 1893. when he re- nio\ed to Coggon and has since li\-ed re- tired, altlmugh he does a little speculating in land. He still owns a fine farm of one luHidred ;nid se\ enty-tive acres in lackson townshii) and has a nice residence in die southern i)art of Coggon. Politically lie is identified with the Repnlilican party. Fra- BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 765 ternally lie is a memlier (if the 1>hie ludge of Masonry at Coggoii. In manner lie is pleasant and genial, and his many s'terling n her father's farm in I-'airfield county, Ohio, and she obtained her education in the district schools of that localit}'. After itlie death of her mother, which occurred in that state, she came with her father to Iowa in 1851. He died in Linn county three years later. By occupation he was a farmer. i\Irs. Penninglton is now the only one living in a family of four chiklren. At an early age she ' became interested in church work and has always lived an earnest Christian life. She is a woman of intelli- o-ence and refinement, who has endeared o herself to all her friends liy her Cliri.-tian character and her (le\-otion to her family. Both Mr. and Mrs. Pennington are mem- bers of the Christian church, and wliile a resident of Lafayette he served as deacon for about five years. Se\en children were born to Mr. and }ilrs. Pennington, namely: (i) Eugenia (lied at the age of two years. (2) Eugene died at the age of fourteen. (3) Flora is now the wife of James \an .\ken, a fanner of liellesille, Kansas, and they ha\'e one child. l\-a. (4) b'rank. a painter of Central -66 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD City, this county, married Lnttie Read, and tliev have three cliildren. Frank R., \'i\-ian and Wayne. ( 5 ) klaxon. Ijurn in Otter Creek township, July 5, 1866, has spent his entire life in this county, and is now operat- ing his father's farm. On tlie 17th of Feb- ruary, 1897, he was married in Maine town- ship, to ]\Iiss Margaret A. Xoah, a daugh- ter of Wiley and Harriet (Jones) Xoah, farming people of that township. After a long and lingering illness she died of con- sumption, March 12, 1899, leaving one child, Ariel Garfield, wlm was born August I, 1898. She was an active and faithful mem- ber of the Christian church, a devoted wife and loving mother, and was greatly loved by all who knew her. (6) James G. married Mertie Fleming, daughter of William Flem- ing, of Otter Creek township, and resides in Alburnett, where he follows the painter's trade. (7) Bertha E. died at the age of eight years. AMOS BRENEMAN. This honored veteran of the Civil war and highly esteemed citizen of -Marion, whose home is on the corner of Eighth avenue and Sixth street, was born in Lan- caster county, Pennsylvania, .\pril 15, 1834, and is a son nf Jacob and Elizabeth (Hershey) Breneman, also natives of the Keystone state, and representatives of two of its old families. The father, who was i. farmer by occupation, came west in 1847, when Marion was quite small and Cedar Rapids had not yet sprung into existence. An uncle of our subject could then have purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land in what is now the center of the latter city for fifteen hundred dollars. Imt the Soil was so sandv he abandoned the idea. The family located between Mt. \'ernon and Lisbon, nut far from the former city, where the father died about the ist of January, 1865, at the age of lifty-eight years. The mother who was born in 1812, passed away in 1873. Both were consistent members of the United Brethren church and most estimable people. Amos is the oldest of their ten children, four of whom are still living. Amos Breneman accompanied his par- ents on their removal to this county and completed his education in the Mt. \'ernon College, taking only a partial course how- ever. While attending school in winter he devoted the summer months to learning the carpenter's trade, and also aided in the work of the farm, especially during harvest. He has built many houses throughout the coun- ty, and as a carpenter was employed on the college buildings at Mt. \'ernon. In ]8G2, during the dark days of the Rebellion, Mr. Breneman joined the boys in blue of Company F, Twenty-fourth Iowa Volunteer Infantr}-. The first engagement he witnessed was the battle of Grand Gulf, which was fought under General GranC, whom he then saw for the first time. He participated in the battles of Fort Gibson and Champion Hills, the siege of Vicks- burg and Jackson; and then accompanied General Banks on the Red River expedition. He was taken prisoner at Saline Cross Roads with about eleven hundred men be- sides those detailed to care for the wound- ed, and was first sent to Camp Lickskillet, but shortly afterward was transferred to Camp I-'ord, where he remained about four months, and then sent to Camp Gross. He was at Houston, Texas, for a time, but was at Camp Gross when paroled, having been held a prisciuer from the 8th of April, A. BRENEMAN AND WIFE. BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 769 1864, until tlie 15th of tlie following De- cember. During that time he manufactured rings, canes, etc.. which he sold to the rebels and thus did not suffer for food, such as it was. After being paroled the prisoners. were taken to Galveston, and from there by boat to New Orleans, where they spent six weeks, before being sent to Governor's Island, New York. On finally reaching the parole camp at .Vnnapulis, Mr. Breneman was granted a thirty days' furlough, which he spent at home. He then reported for duty at St. Louis, wdiere he ended his sol- dier's career. The following two years Mr. Breneman spent on a fruit farm near Iowa City, and at the end of that time purchased a saw- mill on Otto creek, which he operated for seven years. He then came to jMarion, where he assisted in running an agricult- ural implement store for a time, and has since engaged in carpenter work, house moving, bridge building, and all kinds of mechanical work. He has built hundreds of bridges throughout the county, and is considered an excellent workman. On the 1 6th of December, 1858, Mr. Breneman married Miss Susan Gauby, a native of Berks county, Pennsylvania, and a daughter of Benjamin and Ksthe Gauliy, who were also, born in that state and came to Iowa in 1854, locating at Lisbon, of which place the father is still an honored resident and is to-day its nldest citizen, be- ing eighty-eight years of age. He is a stone mason by trade, being a member of the United Brethren church, to which his wife belongs. They are the parents of four children, of wliuni Jonas S. and Mrs. Brene- man are nbw the only survivors. Jonas en- listed as a private in Company F, Thirteenth 38 Iowa\'iilunteer Infantry, and when mustered out was serving as captain of his company. A wound received at Shiloh has caused him to lose the use of his left arm. He is still a resident of this county. He married' Ma- tilda Cook, and they have five children : Amy, wife of Charles Delo, of Cedar Rapids ; Carrie, wife of John Jameson, prin- cipal of the schools at Green, Iowa ; Bertha, wife of John Fouse, of Lislxm ; and Mabel and Gaile, both at home. Seven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Birneman, namely: (i) Eliza- beth A. married, first, Anson Freeman, and, second, John Nihill, of Marion, and has three children, Earl, Bennie by the first hus- band, and Annie E. (2) John, a resident of Marion, wedded Georgia Savoy, and they have four children, Lillian, Agnes, John and Clarence. (3) Emery, a railroad em- ploye and a resident of Iowa, married Wini- fred Star and they ha\e two children, How- ard and Eveline. (4) Clarence B. married Catherine Devlin and is now a photographer of Marion. (5) Lawrence is also a resi- dent of Marion. (6) Essie died at the age of two and a half years. (7) Ernest E. was graduated from the Marion high school in 1895, and for five years has suc- cessful!}' engaged in teaching in this coun- ty, making his residence with his parents. Mrs. Breneman is a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church, while our subject has held membershi]) in the Good Templars Society and the Sons of Temperance. Formerly he was a Republi- can in politics, but now votes with the Popu- list party. He is one of Marion's most worthy citizens, and is a man highly re- spected and esteemed by all who know him. 770 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD OSCAR J. FRAXCHERE. The Fair, which is (Mie of the leading business houses of Cedar Rapids, is owned by Oscar J. and Alphonse Francliere, t\\o l)ri)thers. who are numbered among the most energetic, enterprising and successful business men of the city. The oltler, Oscar J., was born in Montreal, Canada. April 30, 1853. liut during his infancy was taken to Chicago by his parents, David and ]\Ia- tikla (^]^lot) Francere, who were also na- tives of Montreal and nf French descent. The mother died in i one of its most l)ri)minent citizens. He died upon his farm in Otter Creek township. iMay i. 1871, at the age of fifty-one years, and his wife departed this life at the home of her daugh- ter, Mrs. Henry Etzzel, in the same town- ship, in 1893. Both were members of the Evangelical church and he served as class leader for many years. In their family were the following children: (i) Henri- etta i? the wife of George Eidamiller. a prominent farmer of Otter Creek township, and they had four children, Charles, de- ceased, Sarah, Maggie and Lydia (2) J: cob lives on the old homestead in Otter Creek township, married Carrie Switzer and they have six children. (3) John married Emma Belzer and is engaged in farming in Frank- lin coun'ty. Iowa; they have three chiMren. (4) Andrew, a farmer of Otter Creek township, Linn county, married Sarah \\'il- ley, and they have one child. Edna. (3) Caroline, wife of i>ur subject, is th^ next of the family. (6) Sanniel, also a farmer of Otter Creek townshij), wedded Mary Schmickly, and they have two children. (7) Sarah is the wife of 1 lenry Etzzel. a farmer of the same townshii), and they have three children. Clarence, Maggie and Er- nest. Seven childre:i have been l)orn to iMr. and .Mr>. Qnaas, namely: William .\.. Lydia, Lutishey, Millie. Charles G., Walter and iMary i\l., all at home. -At the age of twenty-six years Mr. Quaas purchased the old homestead in Rap- ids township, consisting of two hundred and sixty-six acres of land, which h^ now ope- rates in connection with the farm of one lunulred and sixt_\' acres on sectinn 26, Otter Creek township, where Ik now re- sides. Besides his propertv he owns an- other tract of one hundred and four acres on section 23, Otter Creek townsliip, ;uid BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 775 is justly regarded as (ine lulionarv war. in wliich her grandfather fought under the standard of George W'ashington. 'i'his gentleman was Enos Marsli, who married a New Eng- land lady of high culture. an w n BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 785 Avlien lie accepted tlie p(jsiti()n of manager of. the Armstrong Grocery Company. He is a man of good business and executive ability, and in the conduct of this business is meeting with excellent success. On the 5th of May, 1897, Mr. Meek was united in marriage with Miss Mina A. Armstrong, the youngest daughter of Thom- as G. Armstrong. She was born in Ben- ton coimty, Iowa, and was educated in the public schools and academy at Vinton. They had two children, but one died in in- fancy, the other being Thomas A., who was born May 31, 1898. Mr. and ]\Irs. Meek are both members of Calvary Baptist church of Cedar Rapids, and he also belongs to the dd Fellows Lodge, No. 141, and Linn Tent, No. 38, Knights of the Maccabees. He is a member of the St. Louis Bar Asso- cation, and is held in high esteem by his professional brethren, while socially he is cjuite popular. JUDGE JAMES H. ROTHROCK, Jr. Judge Rothrock is one of th." younger members of the Cedar Rai)icls bar, but his prominence is by no means measured by his years ; on tlie contrary, he has won a reputation which many an older practitioi^-r might well envy. In the fall of 1900 he was elected judge of the superior court and entered upon the duties of that office ]\larch 14, 1901. A native of Iowa, he was born in Cedar county on the 4th of April, 1865, and is a son of Judge James H. Rothrock, Sr., who is represented elsewhere in this work. He attended the public schools of his native count}-, and after tlie removal of the family to Cedar Rapids, in 1881, he entered Coe College, where he took an elective course. Subsequently he took a classical course at Racine College, and on leaving that insti- tution, in 1888, he took up the study of law in his father's office, remaining there two years. He then entered the law department of the State University of Iowa, where he was graduated in 1890. Immediately after his graduation Judge Rothrock returned to Cedar Rapids and formed a partnership with John M. Grimm, being successfully en- gaged in the practice of law for several years. In January, 1897, his father, vipon retiring from the supreme bench, became a member of the tirm and continued in prac- tice until his death, in 1899. The firm of Rothrock & Grimm was dissolved January I, 1901, and Mr. Grimm took entire charge of their business, our subject ha\-ing been elected judge of the superior court to suc- cee Judge Giberson, for a term of four years. The firm always had as much busi- ness as they could conveniently attend to, and stooil deservedly high in professional circles. Socially Judge Rothrock is a memlier of the Knights of Pythias, the jModern Woodmen of America, and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, and has held office in the last named order. .-Vs a Re- publican he has always been an active work- er in political circles, and has been a dele- gate to state and county conventions of his party. In 1897 he was elected as a member of the city council from the I'ifth ward, and served one year, but the greater part of his tinie and attention has been devoted to his professional duties. As a citizen he at heart, and all his abilities are exerted has at all times the good of the communitv 786 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD to make tiie city and county of liis adop- tion rank among the brightest and best of all composing this great commonwealth. JOHN \V. MOHN. John W. Altjhn. a reliable and intelli- gent young farmer residing on section i. Franklin township, Linn county, was born in Jones county, biwa. on the Jth of Octo- ber. 1S75, and is a son of Philip and Sarah (Fink) Mohn. nati\-es of Clerman}- and Iowa, respectively. 'J^hey were married in this State, and when our subject was only three years old took u[) their residence on a farm in Franklin township. Liim cnuntw where the father still continues to make liis home. There the mother died Jidy ji. 1887. and was laid to rest in the Lisbon cemetery. In their family were three chil- dren, namely : Ida. who died at the age of six years; George, who married Lena Muller and resides on the old homestead farm, and a sketch of wlmm will be fi anid on another i)age of this work: and John ^\'., our subject. During his buxliddd and x'unth John W. Mohn attended the district schools of Cedar ccjunty. antl on completing his education, at the age of eighteen, he aided his father in the oi)eration of the home farm for four years. lie then took charge of a part of the place, and now has one hundred and forty acres on section i. Franklin tnwnship. which he has put under excellent cultiva- tif this sketch is the third in order of birth in a family of seven chil- dren. The others who readied manhood and vvomanho(jd were Cyrus S., a rc-idcnt of Tecumseh. Johnson county. Nebraska: Clar- issa P.. who first married Lora Tripp and after his death wedded John S. Carrington, and now lives in Jijhnson county. Nebraska; I'^lizabeth I)., who became the wife of W'ill- iam Sanders, and died in Chicago, Illinois; l\ansom. who was a member of an Illinois regiment in the Civil war and died in the service, his remains l)eing interrert to those enterprises which he believed would prove of public benefit. He died in May, 1900, at the age of eighty-two years, hon- ored and respected by all who knew him. BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 795 His wife is still living and makes her home with our subject in Marion. A more ex- tended sketch of Mr. Bromwel Iwill be found on another page of this volume. The early lioyhood days of our subject were spent on the home farm, and he at- tended the country schools and the schools of Marion. At the age of fourteen he en- tered Cornell College at Mt. \'ernon, where he pursued his. studies for about seven years, taking two courses and graduating in 1881. He then read law in the office of J. B. Young, of Marion, for two years, and for four years ser\-ed as deputy auditor. In 1887 he was elected auditor, having always taken an active part in politics as a supporter of the Republican part}'. As early as 1884 he commenced making stump speeches, and has since devoted considerable attention to political matters. In 1894 he commenced the practice of law in Alarion. and nnw en- joys quite a liberal patronage. In 1892 Mr. Bromwell married Miss Theodora Stearns, a native of Cedar Falls, Iowa, and a daughter of George L. Stearns, who was prominently identified with the official life of Linn county, serving as clerk of the courts for eight years. Both Mr. and Mrs. Stearns are still lixing, as are also their four children. Mr. Bromwell takes an active interest in ci\ic societies, and is a prominent mem- ber of the Masf)nic fraternity, prelate of the Commandery of Knights Templar and senior warden of the blue lodge. . He is also past chief patriarch of the Encampment of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows; and past chancellor of the Knights of Pyth- ias, and captain of the Uniform Rank of that order. For fourteen years he has been captain of the Mentzer Drill Corjis, and since holding that office the company has won more prizes and medals than an_\' other company in the state, securing one every year for twelve years. The company is composed of forty-eight men. Mr. and Mrs. Bromwell attend the Methodist church and are quite prominent socially. He has won an enviable reputation as an orator, and is called upon to speak on many special occasions. He represented Marion at the reception given the Forty-ninth Iowa Regi- ment at the opera house in Cedar Rapids in 1899, in company with men of promi- nence, antl his speech with others was fa- vorably comiuented upon by the various newspapers. JACOB SNYDER. The subject of this review is successfully engaged in farming on section 36, Otter Creek t(_)wnship, where he owns eighty acres of rich farming land under a high state of cultivation. He is a native of France, born in the province of Alsace, November 18, 1834, and is a son of George and Madeline (Schilein) Snyder, who spent their entire lives in that country. In their family were eight children, five of whom came to the United States and are now liv- ing in different parts of the country. Jacob Snyder passed the days of his boyhood and youth in his native land. With the hope of bettering his financial cmdi- tion in America, he crossed the Atlantic antl landed in New York city at the age of inneteen years, h'nr aliout three years he w I irked in the Empire state and then came to Iowa, locating in Scott county, where he was engaged in farming upon rented land for some time. In i860 he came to Linn county, and purchased his present farm in Otter Creek township, to the im- 796 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD provenient and cultivation of which he has devoted his energies ever since. In con- nection witli general farming he is also engaged in stock raising to some extent. At the age of twenty-nine, Mr. Snyder was married in Davenport, lovva, to Miss Annie M. Sclniff. liy wliom he had seven children, all still living, namely : George, a painter by trade residing in Marion, Iowa ; Philip, a well driller and tanner of Ottum- \va, Iowa ; Henry, who married Lilly ^\'hite and is working in an elevator in Alburnett ; Lizzie, wife of August Wolff, a farmer of Murray, Iowa; Anna, wife of Oscar Smith, of the same place; Emma, wife of Jeff Williams, a farmer of Pomerou, Wasli- ington ; and Jacob, who assists his father in the work of the home farm. Mrs. Snyder, who was a consistent Christian, a devoted wife and loving mother, died in December, 1894, and was buried in Otter Creek town- ship. For his second wife oiu' subject mar- ried Miss Julia Hunt, who died in 1897, and was also laid to rest in Otter Creek township. On the 13th of December, 1897, Mr. Snyder was again married, his third union being with Mrs. Sarah A. ( Hewett ) Humphrey, widow of Myron Hiunphrey. By her former marria.ge she had three chil- dren, namely: Carrie ^lay. now the wife of Jacob Biber, a farmer of Maine town- ship, this county; John, a farmer of Mon- tana; and Eva, wife of Judson Benson, a farmer of Alontana. In his political affiliations Mr. .Snyder is a Democrat, but has never taken an acti\e part in public affairs. He advocates all measures that tend to ad\ance or im])ro\e the district in which he li\-es, and has al- ways taken an interest in educational af- fairs, serving as the first school director of district Xo. 7, Otter Creek town>bip. He is a supporter of the Evangelical cliurch, and is a man highly respected and esteemed by all who kn(jw him. FREDERICK W. RESCH. For almost a third of a century this gentleman was numbered among the repre- sentative and prominent citizens of College township and was actively identified with its agricultural interests u)) to the time of his death, which occurred June 4, 1894. A native of Germany, he was born in Bailen, near the river Rhine, on the 9th of No- Aember, i8jj, and was a son of Frederick and Christine (Roth) Resell, natives of the same province. On the maternal side his grandfather was a wa,gonmaker bv trade, and most ni his descendants in the male line were skille help their father abnut the farm. Their assistance being constantly required, as time went on. their education was \ery much neglected; in fact, IMr. Stickel attended school but eight months during- his entire life. However, short as Avas the time si)ent at school, much of the knowledge he acquired in after years was the result of the principles inculcated to the child by his first teacher, Aliss Ida Jewett. At the early age of nineteen years, with the consent of both his parents, ^Ir. Stickel started out in life for himself. For three winters he was occupied as a wood chopper, working during the summer months on a farm, at the end of which time, having taken up his residence in Cedar Rapids, he worked in a butcher shop there for George K. W'enig. On the 6th day of October, 1S84, Mr. Stickel was united in marriage witl: Mis- souri R. Rohrbacher. daughter of Chris- tian Rhorbacher, of Johnson county, Iowa, and they became the parents of eight chil- ublican in national and state politics, in township and county affairs it is the man and not the part}' for whom he casts his vote. SIMON P. BRUNER. Simon P. Bruner, a retired farmer of Central City, has spent the most of his life in Linn county and bore a very active part in its early develoiMiient and progress. Like many of our best citizens lie comes from Ohio, his birth having occurred in Logan county, that state. May 23, 1836. His father, John L. P.ruher, was born and reared in \\'urtem])urg, Germany, and was educated in the schools of that country. His knowledge of the English language was ac(|uired after coming to this country by reading. When a young man he crossed the Atlantic and took up his residence in Green Beach \\'oods, Ohio. There he mar- ried Hannah Hall, a native of Pennsylvania. By trade he was a shoemaker and for some vears divided his attention between that oc- 802 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD cupatidii and farming. Selling his property in Ohio, in 1851. he came with his family to Linn county, Iowa, making the trip over- land in a wagon and arriving here in May of that year. They found this county hut sparsely settled and wild game was abundant. Two brothers helped to move the family and on reaching Iowa sold their teams and re- turned to Ohio by water. The father bought two hundred acres of land in Buffalo town- ship and entered one Ijundred and twenty acres from the government. This he placed under cultivation, and at the time of his death in 1858 had a nicely improved farm. In those early days he did his market ng either in Dubucjue or ^Muscatine. Ten children were born to John L. and Hannah (Hallj liruner, two sons and eight daughters, all of whom reached man and womanhood and married. In order of liirth they were as follows ; Anna M. is the wife of Daniel Smith, of Central City; Christina married George W. Minehart and died in 1868; Simon P., our subject, is the next of the family; Hannah C. married W. R. jMittan and died in 1873; Laura A. married William Shoemaker and died in 1882; Lovina J. is the wife of J. R. Campbell, a truck farmer and harnessmaker of Viola, this county; Elizabeth 'M. married David P'aler and died in 1887; Lewis A. was a soldier on the frontier during the Civil war and is now a resident of Idaho; Mary M. wedded Andrew E. Fuller and died in 1889; and Lydia A. married Thomas Bond and died in 1882. All of the daughters reared families of their own with the exception of the youngest. The mother remained a widow until her death, which occurred in 1886, and assisted her children in caring for their families. Roth she and her hus- band were earnest and consistent members uf the Reformed church. After his death the farm was divided among the heirs, and she continued to remain on the old home- stead. The subject of this sketch spent the first fifteen years of his life in his native state and is indebted to its common schools for the greater part of his early education. After coming to Iowa he had little chance to atend school, being the oldest son, his father needed his assistance in the work of the farm. The school house nearest the farm at that time w-as four miles away. After his father's death he took charge of the place and conducted it for a number of years. On the loth of September, 1861. ]\Ir. Bruner was united in marrige with INIiss Catharine Walanta, who was born in Bo- hemia, May 16, 1841, and attended school in that country and also for a short time after coming to the new world. She was the only child of Mathias and Elenoria \\'alanta, and was twelve years of age when the family came to America. Her father worked at the shoemaker's trade, and also followed farming on a small scale. He was born in i8i_' and died in 1885. while her mother was l)orn in 1816 and died in 1880. 'Mr. nd Mrs. liruner have no chil- dren of their own, but have an ailopted daughter, !Mary C, now the wife of A. A. Richley, who operates our subject's farm. Mr. Bruner purchased forty acres of his father's old homestead, ami froiu time to time added to it different tracts which he improved. His wife inherited her parents' property, and together they now have one hundred and eighty-six acres of land in Buffalo township, where Mr. Bruner suc- cessfully engaged in general farming until 1891, when he laid aside active labor and BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 803 removed to Central City. Here he pur- cliased a home and has since H\ed retired, though lie still continues to look after his business interests. He is a self-made man, ' whose success is due solely to aliility, stead- fast purpose and indefatigable industry, and he well deserves the prosperity that has come t^ him. Although he has never been an aspirant fur (jffice. he was called upon to till township offices for several years. Religiously he is a memlier of the Reformed church, and is a man who com- mands the respect and ccmbdence of all with whom he comes in contact either in busi- ness or social life. EDWARD E. ROTH ROCK. The suljject of this sketch, who is one of the representative Ijusiness men of Cedar Rapids, was born in Fayette county, Ohio, December 6, 1859, '^"'^ ^^ a son of the late Judge James H. Rothrock, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this volume. During his infancy he was brought by his parents to Iowa, and was reared in Tiptmi. his early education being obtained in its public schools. Later he took a classical course at Mt. Vernon College, and subsequently pur- sued a regular business course at Bryant & Stratton Business College in Davenport. Mr. Rothrock remained at home until he attained his majority and then fouml em- ployment as station agent at Tipton, which position he held for three years. In 1881 he accompanied his parents on their re- moval to Cedar Rapids, and was connected with the freight department of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad at this place for over a year. For the following two years he was citv ticket ar twelve years with a Mr. Farmer, remaining with him until he attained his majority. The day after celebrating the twenty- first anniversary of liis birth, John Hoff- man was married in Dayotn, Ohio, to ]\Iiss Elizabeth Ensley. a native of that state, by whom he had three children. One of these died in infancy, and George W. was killed August 22. 1864, while fighting for his country in the war of the Rebellion. The only one now li\-ing is Susan, the widow of William Pisel, and makes her home with a daughter in Hum- boldt county, Iowa. In 1844 John Hoffman was again mar- ried, his secnnd union lieing with ]\Iiss Alary Coleman, also a native of Dayton, Ohio, their marria.ge being celebrated in Franklin township, this county. Untc) them were born the fi)lli)wing children: Martha J. is now the wife of Albert W'ill- iame, a farmer of Franklin township. Lizzie A. is living with her I)rother Lin- coln on 'the old homestead. John Henry married Lizzie Burdge and follows farm- ing in Franklin towuiship. James Wesley married Dora Whitlatch, and is also en- gaged in farming in I'ranklin townshii). Joseph was killed October 20, 1876, at the age of twenty years, six months and ten days, by the accidental discharge of a gun while out hunting. He was attending col- lege at that time, and w^as an exceptionally bright young man, who w'as generous al- most to a fault, and w-as held in high regard by all who knew him. Cal\-iii Milton mar- ried Jennie Makin, now deceased, and lives in Franklin township. Mary C"atherine is the wife of Charles Haskins, of Bonilla, Beadle county, Suth Dakota. Lincoln F., whose name introduces this sketch, com- pletes the famil\-. In 1846, accompanied by his wife and two children, the father came to Iowa, the journey being made overland in what was known as a prairie schooner and consuming eight weeks. On reaching Linn county he took up a claim of one hundred and sixty acres in Franklin township, which at that time was all wild prairie and timber land, and to its cultivation and improvement he at once turned his attention. Being an in- dustrious man of good business ability, he prospered in his new home, and as time ad- vanced he added to his farm until he had tliree hundred and sixty-seven acres of val- ual)le land under a high state of cultivation and improved with good and sulistantial buildings, including a most comfortable home. He continued to reside upon his- farm imtil his death, which occurred April 21. 1896. He was a faithful and consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church, with which he united when ten years of age, and was one of the most highly esteemed citizens of his community. In his p(.)litical affiliations he was a Republican. His esti- mable wife died June 3, 1883. and both were laid to rest in the Lisbon cemetery. Lincoln F. Hoffman grew to nnanhood ujjon the home farm, and his early educa- tion, acujuired in the district schools of the neighborhood, was supplemented by a course at Cornell College in 1885. When his school days were over he took up the work of the farm, and in his successful management of the place has proven himself to be one of 'the most skillful agriculturists of Franklin township. Like his father, he is a supporter 8o8 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD of tlie Republican i)arty. ami fraternally is a member of Mt. \'ernon Lodge. Xo. 551. I. O. O. F., of Mt. \'ernon; and Majestic Lodge. Xo. Ill, K. P. He and his sister attend the Methodist church and are people of prnminence in the community where the}- reside. XELS XELSOX. Prominent among the self-made men ui ilaine township who are of foreign birth, is this well-kniiwn f;irmer, who has been a resident of Linn county since 1875. He was bnrn in Christianstadt. Sweden, on the 20th of ^larch. 1850. and is a son of X^. X'elson, who died in that country. In the family were se\'en children who came to America, namely: Xelson. of this re- view; Xellie, who lives near De Kalb, Illi- nois; and Axel. Olof. Peter. Ellen and Carrie, all of whom settled in Chicago. Mr. Xelson was reared and educated in the land of his birth and there learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed for a time. In 1873 he emigrated to the United States and first located in Chicago, where he followed his trade for two years. Subse(|uently he spent a sliort time in llu- chanan county, Iowa, and in 1876 came to Linn coimty, where lie worked as a farm hand for aljont four years. He then i)ur- chased eighty acres of latul on section y. Maine township, for which he paid from fifteen to twenty-five dollars per acre. Later he bought forty-five acres on section 16, and thirty acres on section 11. making in all one hundred and fifty-five acres. This was all wild and unimproved when it came intf) his possession, Init he has placed it un- der a high state of culti\ation and has erect- ed thereon a comfortal>le residence and also good barns and outl)uildings fur the accom- modation of his stock. In connection -with general farming he has engaged in the rais- ing of stock for market, and has met with good success in l)oth branches of his busi- ness. In 1877 Mr. Xelson was united in mar- riage with ]\Iiss Emma E. Jayne, who was born in Illin(^)is. in 1851. and they have become the parents of seven children: Worthy, Chastie, Waldo, Milton, Clifford and Otis, all at liome; and one who died in infancy. They ha\e been educated in the district schools of Maine township, and the daughter has also attended school in Ma- rion. David D. Jayne. the father of Mrs. Xel- son, was boru in Setuben county. X'ew York, in 1820, of English ancestry, and in the east worked as a laborer, but after com- ing west followed farming. During his boyhood he removed to Ohio, where he was married, August 25, 1845, to Miss Fanny Himes. who was born in Wayne county, Xew York, in 1820. In 1847 they went to Winnebago county, Illinois, and made their home near Rockford until 1865, when they came to Central City. Iowa, where the mother died in 1894. Since then i\Ir. Jayne has made his home with his son. Albert M.. in Maine township. He pre-emi)ted land in Illinois, which he converted into a good farm of one hundred and sixty acres, and after coming to this state was also suc- cessfully engaged in farming for some years. Since the organization of the Re- publican part}' in 1856. he has been one c>f its stanch supi)orters, and for forty }ears has been a consistent member of the ]\Ieth- odist Episcopal church, to which his wife also belonged. In his political affiliations Mr. X'elson BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 809 is also a Republican, and tor one year he has served as school direcler. Both he and his wife hold membership in the ^lethodist Episcopal church of Central City and are people of the highest respectability. ( )n coming to Iowa he had but little capital, but has always made the most of his oppor- tunities in life, and the success that he has achieved has been justly merited, being due entirely to his and his wife's energetic and well-directed efforts. A. J. MXTOX. A. J. \'inton. better known as "Del" Vinton, is an attorney and farmer residing on section 8, Jackson township, Linn coun- ty, Iowa. His early home was in Wis- ccjnsin. his birth having occurred in Fond du Lac count}-, that state, on the 13th <>f April, i860. He is a son of Jolm C. and Harriet (Collar) \'inton, the former a na- tive of Wales, the latter of Dutchess county. New York. Tlie father was born in i8iy. and came to America about 1840. On land- ing in New York City, he went direct to Pennsyl\-ania, where he followed farming for a few years, and then removed to Fond du Lac county, \\'isconsin. where he en- gaged in the same occupation until com- ing to Linn county, Iowa, in 1871 Here he located on the present farm of our subject, and to its cultivation and improvement he devoted his time and attention until called to his final rest in 1890. His widuw nnw makes her home with her children in this state Adelbert J. nur subject, is tlie third in (jrder of birth in this family, the others be- ing as follows: (ieorge, wlm married Georgia Lanning and resides in West Che- halem. Oregon; .Vbbie, assistant principal nf the school at Center Point, this comity; Fred, who married Mary Bartholomew and also lives in West Chehalem, Oregon; Hat- tie, a teacher in the public sc'hools of Palo, Iowa; Carrie, wife of Lawrence Gilchrist, of Center Point, Iowa; William, who mar- ried Aliiuiie \\'(j(ids and makes his home in McMinnville, where he is serving as city attorney; and Eva, w'ife of Dr. Byerly, a prominent physician of Coggon, this county. The children were mostly educated in the common schools of Iowa, though William is a graduate of Lenox College, and our subject attended the Iowa State Normal School and Cornell College at Mt. \'ernon. After completing his education A. J. Vinton began teaching in the schools of Jackson township, and taught there for se\en terms. He then went west and lo- cated in Los Angeles, California, where he t(;ok up the study of law aiid w.as admitted the bar in 1887, after which he engaged in the practice of his protessii.iu in that c.ty for four years. On the expiration of that time he returned to Linn counlty. Iowa, and settled on the old homestead in Jack- son township, where he has since resided. He owns one hundred and twenty acres of rich and arable land, and is successfully engaged in general farming ami stock rais- in,g. He is also engaged in the practice of law to a limited extent in the northern part of the county. In lyoo Mr. \'inton led to the marriage altar Miss Nellie Richardson, of Hopkin- ton, Iowa. Her father, Aaron Richard- son, was a passen,ger locomotive engineer in Xew Hampshire during his early years, and in 1855 or '56 came west and settled in L'nion township, seven miles from Hop- 8io BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD kiii'ton, Iowa, and later moved into that place, where he engaged in merchandising for a time. He subsequently followed farm- ing in Delaware county, this state, but for the past few years has- lived retired in Hop- kinton. Socially Mr. Vinton is an honored mem- ber of the Knights of Pythias and the Ancient Order of United Workmen at Cog- gon. The Repuljlican party has always found in him a stanch supporter of its prin- ciples, and he has been called uiwn to fill the offices of school director and road supervisor in Jackson township for se\eral years. He is one of the most popular and influential citizens of his community, and is a man highly respected and esteemed liy all who know him. *—~^ JOSEPH G. GRAVES. Since 1867 Joseph G. Graves has been prominently identified with the business and social interests of Cedar Rapids, and is ac- counted one of its leading and repre>enta- tive citizens. He is a native of New York, born in Westford, Otsego county, March 27, 1832, and is a son of H. X. Graves, whose birth occurred in Cooperstown. that state, in 1807. The family is of Scotch origin and was founded in this country in the early part of tlie seventeenth cen- tury, becoming early settlers of both Ver- mont and Massachusetts. Our subject's paternal grandfather, Abner (Graves, was born in 1765 and died in 1855. The father, who was a tanner by trade, went to Cali- fornia in 1849 by way of the water route from New York around Cape Horn to San Francisco, the voyage consuming near- ly six months. He was accompanied by his son Aimer, who was only fifteen years of age at the time. He served as captain of in- fantry in the New York State ^Militia, and continued his residence in the Empire state until 1855, when he came to Linn county, Iowa, and engaged in farming for two years. He was a wide-awake, energetic man, and was always quite successful in his under- takings. His last days were spent in retire- ment frum business at Dow City, Iowa, where he died in 1882. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Sabra (jreene, was born in Massachusetts in 1809, and died in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, in 1865. Of the eight children born to this wor- thy couple two died in infancy, while the others are Jose])h G., the subject of this sketch: Aimer, who lives in Dow City, and is interested in mining in Denver; Mary, deceased; Isabella, deceased wife of George M, Hewlett, of Cedar Rapids; Henry, who died from exposure at Syracuse, Missouri, in 1862, while a soldier of the Civil war; and George, who died at his home while preparing for the ministry at Davenport, Iowa. Joseph G. Graves began his education in the public schools of New York, and also attended the seminary at Cooperstown. On leaving home at the age of seventeen years he learned the carriage maker's trade, be- coming thoroughly familiar with every de- tail connected with that industry from start t(j finish. He followed it continuously for six years, but later discontinued it on ac- count of ill health and engaged in clerking for several years. In 1854 he came west and located ;it Warren, Illinois, where he worked at his trade for some time. In the fall of 1862 he first came to Cedar Rapids, where he remained six months, and then went to Waterloo, Iowa, where the follow- J. G. GRAVES. BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 813 ing two years were passed, for eiglit niontlis of which time he was clerk in tlie county recorder's oi^ce. He next made his home in Mechanicsville, Iowa, for two years, and fully regained his health while engaged as manager of a lumber yard there, in which he was interested financially. On his re- turn to Cedar Rapids, in 1867, Air. Craves purchased a book and stationery store, which he conducted until 1879, when he sold out, though he was connected with the business as an employe until 1884. Since then he has devoted his time and energies to the insurance business, ami has met with marked success. He represents the folhjw- ing companies: The Traders of Chicago; Security of New Haven, Connecticut; and the Lumberman's of Philadelpjhia. While a resident of Illinois Mr. Graves was married in Deceiuber, 1854, to Miss Sarah Coltrin, who was born in Ohio, Feb- ruary 28, 1835. and died in Cedar Rapids December 22, 1898. She was a graduate of Berea College, and successfully engaged ir. teaching school for some time. On the 9th of August. 1900, Mr. Graves was again married, his second union being with Mrs. Belle F. Powers, who was born in Penn- sylvania March 28, 1850, and is a well-edu- cated lady, who takes an active ])art in so- cial atTairs. She is a member of Grace Ejjis- copal church and the Woman's (iuild, and is now a director of the Vestment Guild. She also belongs to a whist club, and is very popular in social circles. Mr. Graves has ever taken a pruminent and active part in fraternal matters, and has held some of the most important of^ces in the lodges to which he belongs. He was one of the organizers of the Leginii of Hon- or and the second member of Cedar Lodge, No. I, of Cedar Raiiids. He was also a 40 charter member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen ol Cedar Rapids. In 1863 he was made a Mason at Waterloo, Iowa, and became one of the charter mem- bers of Mt. Hermon Lodge, No. 263, F. & A. M., of which he was master four years. He is one of the leading members of the order in Iowa, ha\ing received the thirty-third degree in the jurisdiction of thg United States of America, their territories and dependencies. He was a member of Trowel Chaiiter, No. 49, R. A. M., of Ce- dar Rapids, Iowa, in which he held several offices, serving as king two _\ears, and also held office in Apijllo Commanilery of Cedar Rapids. He is master of finance in Star of the West Lodge, No. i. K. P. Since 1877 '1^ '1^'^ \x*tn a member of the Knights of Honor Lodge, Xo. 271, of which he is now financial reporter and treasurer, and is also grand reporter for the state of Iowa, and representative to supreme lodge for 1901-2, and in .\ugust, 1901, wi.ll have com- l)leled his sixth biennial term (twehe years) as grand protector of the grand lodge of the Knights and Ladies of Honor for tlie state, — a fraternal insurance order, with which he has been connected since 1881. lu the work of these various organizations he has taken a \-ery acti\e and influential part, and by his connection with the same has be- come widely and fa\'orably known through- lodgett, of Jackson township, who was born December ij- i^.^7- 'I'lfl '* ^ daughter of Simeon BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 815 Blodgett, of Central City, whose l)iography appears on another page of tliis \-olume. Our subject and his wife ha\'e no children of their own, but have two adoi)ted sons, Charles and Lester. ^Ir. and Mrs. Hen- derson are members of the Jackson Con- gregational church, and he is also a mem- ber of the Brotherhood of America at Cog- gon. Politically he has always affiliated with the Republican party, and is an earnest adxocate of all measures calculated to ad- vance the moral, social or material welfare of the community in which he lives. ELIHU R'ES. The subject of this sketch is not only a representative of one of the prominent pio- neer families of this countv, but is also descended from good old Resolutionary stock. He was born on the 21st of Decem- ber, 1 83 1, in Xew Haven county, Connec- ticut, of which county his parents, Elihu and Rachel (Blakeslee) Ives, were also na- tives. The Ives family came originally from England and was founded in this country in early colonial days. Our sul)ject's pa- ternal grandfather, Charles Ives, who was a shoemaker and tanner by trade, enlisted in the Continental Army during the Revolu- tionary war, and made shoes for the soldiers. He had a l)rother who was also in the serv- ice, and being captured by the British, was taken to Xew York, where lie contracted smallpox and died. The father of our sub- ject did guartl duty in the war of 1812. In 1837 he removed with his family to Illi- nois, the journey being made with a team and covered wagon. Our subject still has some of the offspr-ing of this team. For nine months the family made their home near BUmiington, and then removed to Hender- sonville, Illinois, where they spent nearly two years. In 1S39 they came to Linn count}-, Iowa, and took u\) their residence in Marion township, the father entering a claim of one hundred and ninety-seven acres on sections 11 and 14, where our subject now resides. At that time there were many Indians in this locality, and deer and fea- thered game was found in abundance. The cities of Cedar Rapids and Alarion had not been laid out, and the family went twice a year to Illini)is for provisions, and to within twelve miles of Muscatine for their flour and feed, a distance of thirty miles. On their arrival here they took up their abode with a neighbor in a one-room log cabin, makmg a family of seventeen, remaining six weeks until the father could build a cabin of is own. The Baptist church of Mari(jn was organized at his home, and he served as one of its deacons throughout life. He died on the old homestead Sep- tember 15, i8f)4, and his wife passed away December 24. 1885, the remains of both being interred in the Marion cemetery. Unto this worthy couple were born eight children, namely: Lucy, who mar- ried (i. Andrews, of Marii)n township, and both are nnw deceased; Charles, deceased, who married Louisa Moss and resided in Xew Ha\en, Connecticut; Norman, de- ceased, who marrieil llannah (irav. who is now living with her daughter, Lucy, in Marion, Iowa: (George, who married Han- nab Jones and both died in Marion towiv ship, this county; John 1'.., who married Jane Wallace and makes his home iw Ma- rion; Ruth, deceased wife of Dean Cheadle, of Marion; I-llihu. our sul)ject; and one who died in infancy. 8i6 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD Mr. Ives, of tliis review, was only six years old when the family removed to Illi- nois, and since the age of eight he has made his home in Linn county. Iowa. He pur- sued his studies in an old log school house on the Mt. Vernon road, which was later moved a half mile west of the home farm, and continued to attend school until about twenty years of age. At the same time he assisted his father in the work of the farm, and on the latter's death, in 1864, he took complete charge of the place, though he had practically had tlie management of the farm from the age of nineteen years, his father being an invalid. In rvlarion township, ^Ir. Ives was mar- ried, January 4, 1865, to Miss Celia J. O.x- ley. who was born there Xo\-ember 15, 1842. and is a daughter of John S. and Jane (Hawley) Oxley, natives of Indiana. In 1 84 1 her parents came to Iowa and set- tled un Big creek, in Marion township. Linn county, later removing to- another farm in the same township. There the father died in 1879. and the mother, who long sur- vived him. departed this life in 1893. Both were laid to rest in Martin's church bury- ing ground in Marion township. They had a family of ten children : Everette mar- ried Susan Benham and died on his farm in Marion township; Emeline is the wife of John W. Ciray. a farmer of the same township; John W. died at the age of two years; James, a resident of Marion town- ship, married Delia Tryon. who died while he was in the army during the Civil war; Celia J. is the wife of our subject: Georgia Ann is the wife of A. M. Sechrist. who Hves five miles north of the old homestead in Marion township; Henry married .Mice Ives and makes his home in Marion ; Taylor married Emma Cheadle and is also a resi- dent tif Marion; Marshall married Tillie Ellison and lives in Marion township; and Robert S. married Lizzie Hoover and is also living in Marion township. Mr. and Mrs. Ives have three children ; Julius E.. a traveling salesman for the Cedar Rapids Supply Company, married Laura ^I. Harris and they make their home on a farm four miles east of Marion; Charles E. married Maud Beckley and car- ries on an orange ranch at Corona, Cali- fornia ; and John R. married Lila Scott, and now operates the home farm fi\e miles southeast of ^vlarion, and also deals C|urte extensively in stock, buying and feeding for market. The mother of these children was called to her final rest March _>8. 1891, her remains being interred in the cemetery at Marion. She was an earnest and consist- ent member of the MetlK.dist Episcopal church at Martin's Creek. Marion township. She took a very active part in clnu'ch work and when called to her final reward her death was not only mourned In- her im- mediate family, but by the entire com- munity. Mr. Ives has practically retired from active labor, leaving the work of the farm to his sons. He has a well improved place, on which is an elegant home, large barns and good outbuildings, and in fact here may be found all of the conveniences and ac- cessories seen upon a model farm of the present day. Ijv his ballot he supports the men and measures of the Republican party, and he has filled the ofiices of road super- visor and school director for a number of years. In religious belief he is a Baptist, and is a deacon and active member of the church of that denomination at Marion. For o\er sixty years he has been a resident of this county, and his upright, honorable BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 817 life justly entitles him to a iJi'ominent place on the roil of the country's lionnred piimeers and representative citizens. L. W. BURT. This well-known farmer and stock rais- er residing on section 4, Jackson township, is a native of New York, born in Oswego count)-, Jul}- 12, 1842, and is a son of William R. and Charlotte Burt, who made their hoiue in that coimtv thrcnighout life, the former dying in 1850, the latter in 1875. By occupation the father was a tan- ner, currier and slioemaker. L. W. Burt was reared and educated in the county of his nativity, and was still residing there when the Cixil war broke out, enlisting August 8, 1862, in Company A, One Hundred and Tenth Xew York X'olunteer Infantry, under Colonel D. C. Littlejohn and Captain Ira Pratt. His com- mand took part in the Red river expedition, starting frorn New Orleans, and then went to Fort Jefferson. They participated in a nun-ilier of engagements, including the siege of Port Huekon, and during the battle at that place Mr. Burt received a gunshot wound which disabled him, but lie re- mained with his compau}- until the clusc of the war. At Washington, D. C, he was discharged June 26, 1865, on account of a general order from the war department. Mr. Burt was the only one of his fam- ily to come west. In 1868 he removed to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and was engaged in farming near tliat city for a few years. He then located in the city, where he established a dray and transfer line, which he conduct- ed about nine vears. During this time he was married in 1872 to Miss -Alice Bressler, a native of Cedar Ra])ids and a daughter of Jacob C. Bressler, who was a house mo\er of Cedar Rapids. Her father is now deceased and her mother still resides in Cedar Rapids. Our subject and his wife have four children: Burl R., who resides on a farm in Jackson township; Bessie, Jacob C. and L. Neal, all at home. After his marriage Mr. Burt continued to engage in the transfer business in Cedar Rapids for a short time, and then removed to his present farm in Jackson townsliip, where he has made his home for sixteen years. It was known as the old Dan Castle farm and Cdmjirises one hundred and twenty acres on section 4. In connection with general farming Mr. Burt is successfully engaged in stock raising, making a spe- cialty of the breecHug of tine Chester White hogs and White Plymouth Rock chickens, which he has found quite profitable. Mr. Burt uses his right of franchise in support of the Republican |)arty and its principles, but lias never been an office seeker. Fraternally he holds membership in the Masonic lodge and the Grand Artiiy ])ost at Cdggon, while religiously his wife is a member of the Presbyterian church at that place. They are widely and favorably known throughout the count}-, and have many warm friends in the commnnil}- where thev reside. EDWARD .\. \\'OODS. .Xniiiiig the I lid and trusted employes of the Burlington, Cedar Rajjids & North- ern Railroad this well-known resident of Cedar Rapids stands fifth in point of serv- 8i8 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD ice. He was born in Nashua, New Hamp- shire, on the 1st day of July, 1849, ^"\va, and on March 3, 1897. married Miss Martha Jane Borghart, daughter of Henry Borg- hart, whose sketch appears on another page. ^Ir. Wilkin now lives upon the farm of the late Henry Borghart, which contains about four hundred and .seventy acres of land. He devotes the greater part of his time to the raising of cattle for the market and also to the raising of horses and hogs for which he linds a ready sale in the markets of Cedar Rapids. ]\Irs. Wilkin is a member of the Evangelical Church and he and his family enjov the esteem of a large circle of family enjoy the esteem and crmfulence uf a large circle of friends. HENRY B. SOUTTER. Tlie subject of this sketch was Imi-n at Astoria, Long Island, August 22. 1S52. and is a son of Robert and Philadelphia (Camp- bell) Soutter, natives of Scotland. The first of the family to make their home in Amer- ica was Robert Soutter. the grandfather of H. B. Soutter, wlm settled in Xnrfulk. Vir- ginia, where he became a lumber and ship- ping merchant, owning packets which ran to Boston. In this way he was brought into business and social relalii;ns with some of the leading men of that city. In the war of 1812 he sh(5wed his loyalty to his adn])t- ed ciiuntr)- hv serving as a \t)lunteer. He was a man of large, l)ut unostentatious charities, and his home was one >>{ popular resort of the clergy and the na\al (jtticers who were stationed at Norfolk, His 'son, Robert, married Philadelphia Campbell, and to them were born twelve children, of whom Henry B. is eleventh in order of birth. He was a member of the firni of Maitland, Kennedy & Camijliell, one of the old New York and Norfolk business firms. For many years he was connected with the Dela- ware & Hudson Canal Company, occupy- ing the position of vice-president. He died in Fredericksburg, Virginia, when Plenry B. was about si.xteen years of age. His son, Charles f>.. is a resident of Cedar l\apids, and is vice-presitlent (if the Cedar Kapids Sa\ings Bank. Henry B. Soutter was educated in the schools of New York city, and l)egan his business career as an office boy and clerk with the firm of J. J. & J. P. Lathrop. Hour ci inimission merchants of that place. He was next in the employ of John .Sinclair & Company, of New York, and a year later came to Cedar Rapids to accept a clerical position with T. M. Sinclair & Comjiany. He ad\-anced from one ])osition to another until he became vice-president of the com- pany, in which capacity he was serving when he retired from active business in November, 820 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 1900. When he came to Cedar Rapids the business of the firm was carried on on a small scale, and he became an important factor in its success. On the 13th of September. 1877. ?\Ir. Sdutter was united in marriage with ^liss Lilly Dewey, who was born in \'irginia, and was educated at Aslnu'v L'niversity, Greencastle. Indiana, with which her cousin. Rev. Dr. Fiske. D. D., was connected. Her parents were George and Sarah (Elder) Dewey, the former being one of the pioneer merchants of Cedar Rapids. He was born in Brunswick, Maine, and while he was quite young his father moved to Coshoc- ton, Ohio, where he spent his youth. Here the amiability of his disposition, the gravity and sober thought fulness of his mind, anrl the love and devotion of his heart, called forth the admiration of all who were brought in contact witli him. In 1855 he came to Cedai^ Rapids, and was for some years act- ively engaged in mercantile pursuits. Here, by his modest, retiring manner, his zeal and unbending integrit\- in all the relations of life, won him uni\ersal respect and esteem. He married Miss Sarah Elder, of Coshocton. Ohio, a daughter of Thomas Elder, who came to Cedar Rapids in 1861. but spent the latter years of his life in Council Bluffs, Iowa. Miss Elder was a graduate of the Steubenville Female Seminary. She now makes her home with Mr. antl Mrs. Soutter. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Soutter were born three cliildren. namely: Caroline Campbell, who was graduated at Lake Forest Univer- sity, Lake Forest. Illinnis. and who is now taking a classical course at W'ellesley ; May Dewey, who died November 22, 1889: and Charles Henry, who is attending the public schools of Cedar Rapids. Biith Mr. and Mrs. Soutter are active members of the First Presbyterian church, of which he is an elder. For many years he has been identified with the Young Men's Christian .Association, and has held the office of president of the association at Cedar Rapids for seven years. As a citizen he has been the advocate of everj- movement designed to promote the general welfare of his adopted city, a supporter of e\ery en- terprise for the pul)lic good, and has mate- rially aided in the advancement of all social, industrial, educational anrl moral interests. HAMILTON D. NEW'LAND. Since the fall of 1866 Hamilton D. Xewland has been a resident of Linn county, and for many years he was actively identi- fied with its agricultural interests, but is now practically li\ing a retired life in Cen- ter Point, having by his industry and good management acquired a comfortable compe- tence, which enables him ti> lay aside all business cares. He was born in Union coun- ty, Ohio, September 7, 1841, and belongs to a family of English extraction, which originally settled in North Carolina. His paternal great-grandfather. John Newland, was a soldier of the Revolutionary war. The grandfather, Isaac Newland, was a na- ti\e of X'irginia, to which state his father remo\ed prior to the Revolutionary war. A. .\. Newland, the father of our sub- ject, was born in Montgomery county, \'ir- ginia. in 1804. and was reared in that state. When a young man he removed to Wash- ington countv, Pennsylvania, where he was married. June 6. 1831, to Sarah .\. .\rgo, a native of the Keystone state and a daugh- ter of Smith .\rgo. Two years later he H. D. NEWLAND. ■ ^H^^ .' ,/r' ,/^^^^^^^^^H m 1^ ^**" '«^^^| B M^^^l R ^Bp9 wBm 1 ■mI ^^^Bj ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^Bh ^^^Hi< if^^^^^B MRS. H. D. NEWLAND. BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 825 went to Oliio. and located in Union county, wiiere lie followed his trade of a brick and stone mason, and also engaged in agricul- tural i)ursuits upon a farm which he opened up and improved. In 1871 he joined his sons. Hamilton D. and George W.. in Linn county, Iowa, and dietl here February 20, 1897, '^^ the advanced age of ninety-two years. His wife departed this life June 27, 1888, at the age of seventy-seven years. Hamilton D. Xewland grew to manhood in the county oi his nativity, and his early education, obtained in the common schools near his home, was supplemented by a two- years' course at the college in Hillsdale, Michigan. While there the Ci\il \var broke out and he enlisted in the three months" service, but did not go to the front at that time. At his home in L'nion count v, Ohio, he again enlisted, June 11, i86[, liccoming a meiuber of Company F, of the noted Twenty-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry, w hich regimeiU had among its officers Pres- idents Hayes and McKinley, and was a part of the .Vrmy of the Potomac. His first engagement was at Carnifa.x Ferry, West Virginia, in 1861, and later he participated ill the battles of South Mountain and An- tietam, the second battle of Bull Run, the Shenandoah campaign, and battle of Cedar Creek, Stanton and Floyd Mountain, in fact, all of the engagements in which his regi- ment took ])art, losing no time from illness or other causes. He was on detaclied' duty for about a month, being connected with the recruiting service at home. On the expira- tion of his term of enlistment he was hon- firably discharged at Columbus, Ohio, in July. 1864. (_)n his return home Mr. Xewland en- gaged in teaching school during the winter months, and was also interested in the gro- cery business. In 1866 he came to Linn county, Iowa, antl during that hnd the fol- lowing years taught school at Center Point and \iciiiitv. Here he was married Decem- ber iJ, 1867, to Aliss Malinda Newman, who was born and reared in this county, her father, John X. .Xewmaii, having removed from Indiana to Iowa in the fall of 1832 and taken up his residence here. Si.x chil- dren ha\-e been born to them, namely : Mark .\.. who was educated at the Iowa State I'niversity, at Iowa City, and tor the past nine years has engaged in the practice of medicine at Center Point; Zell, wife of C. C. Lewis, of Kenwood Park, this county: J. F.. who is engaged in farming on the old homestead; and Eva B., George O. and Don H., all at home. .After his marriage Mr. Xewland located oil a farm of one hundred acres near Cen- ter Point, and in connection with the cul- tivation of his land he engaged in teach- ing school during the winter montiis for about twenty years. .As his financial re- .sources increased he added to his landed possessions from time to time until he now owns a valuable and well-improved farm of three hundred and seventy-seven acres, ami his wife owns a part of the old New- man homestead. Mr. Xewland continued to reside upon his farm until 1892, when he removed to Center i'oint and engaged in merchandising for a time, being in busi- ness here for several years at different times, l)ut he is now practically living retired, en- joying the fruits of former toil. On coming to Iowa he was in limited circumstances, but has gradually worked his way upward, overcoming the obstacles in the jiath to suc- cess until he is to-day one oi the prosper- ous and substantial citizens of his commu- nity. In all his undertakings he has been 826 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD ably assisted and encouraged l)y liis esti- nialile wife, who has indeed prnved a true lielpmate to him. Politically Mr. Newland has been a life- long Republican, and cast his lirst presi- dential vote for Abraham Lincoln in 1864. He has been a member of the county Re- publican central committee, and for some years was chairman of the township central committee, but he has never sought official honors. He has served as assessor of his township, and took the census of Washing- ton township in 1870 and 1890. Frater- nally he is a charter member of Dennison Post. Xo. 244, G. A. R., in which he has filled all the offices and is past commander. He has also been a delegate to numerous state encampments. His wife is a memlier of the Relief Corps. They are people of respectability, and have a large circle of friends and acquaintances throughout the • C(junty who appreciate their sterling worth. THOMAS HEXDERSON. Thomas Henderson, a successful and prosperous agriculturist who has made his home in Jackson township for about thirty years, was born on the 14th of March. 1852, in Canada, and is a son of Robert and Jen- nette (Douglas) Henderson, natives of Can- ada and Scotland, resjiectively. The father followed farming in the land of jiis birth until 1854. when he decided to try his for- tune in the United States and removed to Fillmore county, Minnesota, where he en- gaged in the same occupation throughout the remainder of his life. He died there on the J5th of March, i88f), and his wife departed this life March 8, 1901. They were the parents of nine children : William, now a farmer of Tennessee; James, a farmer of Fillmore county, Minnesota; Robert, a liveryman of Jackson, Minnesota; Thomas, our subject ; John, a farmer, living near Pipestone, Minnesota; Henry, a teamster in \\'yoming; Catherine, wife of \\'. A. Dux- bury, a farmer of South Dakota; Jessie, wife of Ole Ystnes, who lives on the old home- stead in Fillmore county, Minnesota; and Ella, wife of Edward Stone, a farmer of Jackson, Minnesota. The children received common school educations. When his school days were over Thomas Henderson took up farming, with which pursuit he had 1)ecome thoroughly familiar while aiding in the operation of the home farm, and has since followed that occupa- tion with good success. He was married December 20. 1874, the lady of his choice being Miss Minnie Willis, a daughter of A. L. Willis, of Coggon, this county, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work. Mrs. Henderson was born December 12, 1855, and b\' her marriage has bec(:)me the mother of eight children, namely Frank; Leila, now the wife of Charles Mills, a farmer of Jack- son township: Mark, Arthur; Carrie; Leslie; Ruth; and ]\[arion. most of whom are still at home. In January, 1878, Mr. Henderson re- moved to his present farm in Jackson town- ship, known as the old Pliilbrick place. He now owns one hundred and sixty-six acres of excellent farming land on section 16, and is successfully engaged in its operation, but makes stock raising his i)rincipal business, having found that quite profitable. He is a man of ken discrimination and sound judg- ment, and generally carries forward to suc- cessful completion whatever he undertakes. In politics he is a Republican, and for two BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 827 years lie served as assessor of Jackson town- ship. Fraternally he is a member of the Modern Bnitherhood of America at Coggon, and religil)u^ly buth he and his wife are members of the Jackson Congregational Church of their township. FRANK STUVIL BEEBE. Mr. Beebe is a local minister of the Methiidist E]iisc(>]ial church, and also the owner of a very beautiful farm in Fairfa.K township. Linn ci>unty, where he is widely known and highly respected throughout the entire district. A native of the state of Wisconsin, he at an early age took up his residence in Iowa, where he has made an unlimited niunber of friends for himself. His father, H. P. Beebe. is now engaged in farming in Richland county, Wisconsin, where he lives with his wife, Emma (Good) Beebe, whose father, Richard Good, born in England in 1796. came to this country in 1816, at tlie age of twenty years, and lived to the extreme old age of one hundred and one years, dying September 3. 1897 while his lirother lixed to the age of one hundred and six years. IMr. Good married Sarah Adams March i. 1822. and to this marriage were born eleven children : Susan and Jane, twins: Charles, Mary, Benjamin, Betsey, Rebecca. Marguerite, Richard, Thomas and Emma. IMr. Beelie, our sul)ject's father, was the third of nine children born to his parents that grew to matm-it}-. the others being Benton. Wilder. Natlian, Harriet, Mary, Sarah Ann, Eliza and Maria. This worthy coujile were among the earlv settlers of Vernicint. the father, although bnrn in England, having settled there at a very early dav. Mr. Beebe received a good education in Richland county. Wisconsin, where his child- hood was spent. Our subject is the oldest of a family of nine children. His brother Pery. who is engaged in farming in \\'iscon- sin, married Everetta Bigsby ; Oscar, another brother. li\-es on a farm in Fairfax town- ship with his wife. Alyrtle (Cleveland) Beebe; Ada became the wife of Lewis Pow- ers, and together they reside upon a farm in Wisconsin ; another brother. Charles, mar- ried Dove Hubanks. and they are also en- gaged in farming in Wiscousin; Eva died April I. 1856. when but seventeen years of age; Sarah married Charles Garner, who is a well-to-do farmer in \\'isconsin ; Charles Owens, one of Wisconsin's agriculturists, became the hu.sband of Mary; Lizzie abo married an agriculturist. Edward Dobbs, and is a resident of Wisconsin: and the youngest sister. Jane, married Prett Hu- banks. another of Wisconsin's thrifty farmers. When our subject finished school he en- gaged in farming with his father until he reached the age of nineteen years, when he mo\-ed westward to Linn county. Here he spent a short time in the employ of a rail- road company, and then for tive years was employed by the month on a farm. At the expiration of this time Air. Beebe rented a farm of tw(j hunch'ed and fort\- acres, and one year afterward, July 3, 1877. mar- ried Clara McDowell, daughter of Godfrey and Keziah ( Burkholder) McDowell, and the oldest of four children: Allen, her brother, died in infancy: Anna, a sister, became the wife of George AlcKinnon, a farmer of Hartford townshii): and Addie was married to George Rider, a farmer re- siding in (jreene county, Iowa. At the end of one year after his mar- 828 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD riage. liaving rented liis farm until that time, he purchased one hunth^ed and twenty acres of it, and liaving erected a beautiful residence upon it has ever since made it his linme. During the winter nmnths ISIr. Beebe is engaged in evangelistic work, in which he has Ijeen very successful. Along the lines of temperance and church work Mr. Beebe is ever a liberal supporter, and the Prohibition ticket always receives his vote, but he has no desire for political offices, his private business requiring his constant at- tention. Five children ha\e been born to Air. and Mrs. Beebe : Adison Claire is now engaged with the Lefebure Ledger Company, of Ce- dar Rapids : Eva Bertha, Godfrey Hiram, Emma Keziah and James Leghorn being at home with their parents, Bertha graduating from the high school in June, 1899. ANDREW J. TAMBLYX. One of the busiest, most energetic and most enterprising men in Linn county, is the subject of this sketch, who is success- fully engaged in farming and stock raising on his highly cultivated farm, situated in Fairfax township. His father, Henry Tam- blyn, was o^ English parentage and born on English soil. November 14, ii>jj. His early life was passed in England where he received his education. On reaching man- ho: he has been variously employed. For a time he held a position in the paint department with the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Ni)rt1icrn Railroad, and later serxed as constable. In 1900 he was appointed by Sheriff' Murton Evans as deputy for a term of two years, and is now capably and satisfactorily filling that office. Mr. Aker was married in 1S77 to Miss Carrie D. Justice, a daughter of Martin R. and Lou Justice, of Cedar Rapids. Her fa- ther is a cooper by trade and is still a res- ident of Cedar Rapids. Our subject and his wife have three children : Charles A., Gladys i\Iay and Hazel Ruth. They both hold mem- bership in the Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church of Cedar Rapids, and Mr. Aker is also connected with the Knights of the Mac- cabees, having served as keeper of finance for his tent. By his ballot he supports the men and measures of the Republican party and he takes an active and commendajile in- terest in puljlic affairs. JULIUS BEITZ. Julius Beitz is one of the worthy citi- zens of Otter Creek township, who is en- gaged in general farming and stock raising on section 23. He was born in Germany, January 18, 1835, and spent the first six- teen years of his life in his native land, coming to the United States in 1851. The folowing year his parents, Frederick and Augusta (Unverdros) Beitz, also crossed the ocean and located in Chicago, Illinois, where the father died two years later. The mother long survived him, passing away in 1879. Frederick Beitz conducted a young ladies school in Germany, but after coming to this country lived retired. He had a fam- ily of nine children, of whom four are still living. 842 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD On first coming to America our subject also made his home in Chicago until 1861, working at liis trade of a carpenter. He then removed to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where he was similarly employed for about a year, and at the end of that time entered the service of his adopted country by enlisting in Com- pany H, Sixth Iowa Cavalry Volunteers. When the war was over he was honorably discharged at Davenport in 1865. Mr. Beitz then purchased a farm in Benton count}', where he made his home for seven years, and on the expiration of that .time re- moved to Linn county, and purchased his jn-esent farm on section 23, Otter Creek township. Here he has since resided and has successfully engaged in general farming and stock raising. In March, 1868, Mr. Beitz married Miss Johanna Pflueger, a daughter of Frederick and Fredericka ( Rinderknecht) Pflueger. She was born in the city of Erie, Pennsyl- ^•a^ia. and was three years of age when she came to Linn county, Iowa, with her par- ents. After residing at Waubeek, Maine township, for some time, the family re- moved to Benton county, where Mrs. Beitz was living at the time of her marriage. Her mother died in 1898, but her father is still living and makes his home in Ida county, Iowa. During liis active business life he followed farming, but is now living retired. Mr. and Mrs. Beitz became the parents of nine children, of whom the four oldest were bnrn in Benton county, and tlic others in Linn county. In order of birth they were as follows: ( i) Ellen is the wife of Henry Hoeck. a farmer of Kossuth coun- ty, Iowa, and they have five children, Jen- nie, Mary, Emma and twin liabies. (2) Louisa is the wife of Andrew Hoeck, also a farmer of Kossuth county, and tliey have five and May. (3) Ida May died at the age of children, Julius, Frederick, Lewis, Charles eight months and a half. (4) William died at the age of fourteen months. (5) jNIary wedded John G. Schmidt, a farmer of 3iler- rill, Iowa, and died at the age of twenty- two years, leaving one child, Clara L. (6) Frederick married .Vugusta ^'(lss and fol- lows farming in Kossuth, Iowa. (7) Charles. (8) Nettie and (9) Clara are all at home. The family is one of ])ruminence in the communitv where thev reside. \\'illia:\i fraxklix kilborx. In this age of extensive business enter- prises and marked intellectual energv, the lirominent and successful men are those whose abilities, persistence and courage lead them into new and important undertakings and assume the responsibilities and labors leaders in their respective avocations. Prom- inent among the men who have given their time and attention to the photographic art is William Franklin Kilborn, of Cedar Rap- ids, who is not only at the head of his pro- fession in this section of the state, but through the manufacture of improved pho- tographic supplies has become widely known throughout the country. Besides his studio he has a fine art store in Cedar Rapids, and connnancls a large share of the public patronage. Mr. Kilborn was born in \\'ashihgton, Ontario, Canada. July 19, 1854, and is a worthy representative of an old and pr(jmi- ncnt tamilv, of whom mention is made in rolls of Scotland preserved in the tower of London and Westminster .Vbbev as early as 1336. Such noted English writers as FRANK KILBORN, BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 845 Halsted and Brayley alsn speak of the Kil- bonis as being residents first of Yorkshire and later of Cambridge and Essex, where they had large estates. The occasion of the grant of arms to the family is unknown but history states this pedigree being authen- tically proved is entered in visitation of London, A. D. 1634, Hon. St. George Richmond. Their motto is "Vincit Veritas." The family name has been variously spelled by different generations and branches of the family. The first to come to America was Thomas Kilbuurne.of Cambridgeshire. Eng- land, who crossed the Atlantic with his fam- ily in 1636, and settled in Wethersfield, Con.- necticut, and from him are descended all bearing the name in this country. Repre- sentatives of the family are now (juite nu- merous in Canada, Iowa, Wisconsin and Ohio. Among its prominent members is Paine Kenyon Kilborn, of Litchfield, Con- necticut, who is the author of a history of the Kilborn family^ dedicated to Hon. Byron Kilburn, of ]Milwaukee, who is president of the Kilbourne Historical and Genealogi- cal Society, and for whom Kilburn City, Wisconsin, was named. The suljject of our sketch is descended from Captain Wliiting Kilborn, of Canada, who had a large family of sons and daugh- ters. Among the number were Jared and David Kilborn, both noted pioneer preach- ers of the Methodist church. The latter, who was the father of Frank Killjorn, mar- ried Lavina Bowers, a daughter of Sanniel Bowers, a land owner and manufacturer of Berlin, Ontario. \Mien b'rank was only two years old his parents removed to Plattsville, Ontario, where the father successfully en- gaged in mercantile and manufacturing busi- ness until 1864, when he removed to a farm near Grand Rapids, Michigan. I\Ir. Kilborn, of this review, accompan- ied his father on his various removals, and while living near Grand Rapids. Michigan, attended the local schools and assisted in the labors of the farm until 1873. when he came to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to complete his education. He learned the art of pho- tography in the studio of liis uncle, Wil- bur F. Kilborn, where his artistic ability, industry and perseverance, with constant study, enabled him to become most profi- cient. In 1878 he purchased a lialf inter- est in the business, and eight years later became sole proprietor of the Kilborn gal- ler_\-, which is the oldest in Iowa. He has constantly enlarged his facilities and made numerous improvements until he has one of the best and finest studios in the west. Being very progressive and having that true love for his work withmit wliich there can be no success, he has constantly improved in his own and others' methods until he ranks among the ablest photographers of the state. He has studied under the most competent instructors, and has been unusu- ally successful. In connection with his pro- fession he has also taken up the study of chemistrv, and his e.\i)crinients lia\'e result- ed in the manufacture of a photographic l)aper, known as the K. K. paper, which was ])laced ui)on the market by the West- ern Ci>l]i)diiin Paper Ciim|)an\-. in 1891, and soon became one of the leading brands. Knowing its value, the Eastman Kodak Company purchased the plant in 1894, and Jiad it remo\-e(l U> Rochester, New \'ork, taking with them 'Mr. Kilborn, who after putting the plant in operation remained in charge of it lor one year. At the end of 846 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD that time he returned to Cedar Rapids, and in connection with his studio and art store he has since conducted a photographic sup- pljr liouse, which is one of the best of the kind in this region. He still devotes con- siderable attention to perfecting appliances in his profession, and has made many im- provements in the paper manufactured by the Kilborn Company, the latest product of which is the Kraxo. He gives his personal supervision to every branch of his business, and thoroughly understands the work in all its details. Mr. Kilborn not only stands high in !iis profession, but is very popular both in business and social circles, and has •many warm friends in Cedar Rapids, where he has made his home for oyer a quarter of a century. On the 4th. of September, 1884, in Lan- caster, Ohio, Mr. Kilborn was united in marriage with Miss Mary Carty, a daugh- ter of William J. and Ellen (Carpenter) Cart}'. They have two children, Mary Ellen, born July 28, 1885, and Paul Frank- lin, born June 17, 1897. Mrs. Kilborn pre- sides with cordial hospitality and gracious dignity over her handsome home, which is one of the most beautiful residences in Ce- dar Rapids, MARSDEN KEYES. This well-known and honored citizen of Mt. Vernon, was born in Saratoga county, New York, on the 15th of February, 1832, and comes of an old and prominent colonial famih', his parents being William and Laura (Rice) Keyes. They had three children, of whom our subject is the second in order of birth and the only one now living. Charles E., the eldest, was born in Xew York state, and followed railnjading throughout life. He died at about the age of sixty-six years, leaving a family. Abigail married James Miller, a farmer of Wisconsin, and died at the age of sixty-four. The mother of these children died when our subject was only ten years old. The father was born in New York in 1797, and made carpentering his life occupation. In the fall of 1864 he went to Wisconsin to live with his daughter for a short time, and then went to Rockford, Illi- nois, to visit a son, and died there the same year. He was a son of Frederick and Rachel (Jacobs) Keyes. The former was born in Northumberland township, Saratoga county. New Y'ork, May 4, 1776, and was the third child of Captain \\'illiam Keyes, who was born September 18, 1744, and was married in 1767 to Hannah, daughter of Stephen and Margaret (Stowell) Scar- borough. In 1868, accompanied by his wife and one child, Huldah, Captain Keyes re- moved to Ackworth, New Hampshire, be- coming the first settler of that place. He died April 21, 1813. He is supposed to have been the eldest son of Lieutenant Ephraim Keyes. who married Sarah Wadkins of Ash- ford, Connecticut. The Lieutenant was the oldest son of Elias and Mary Keyes. Elias Keyes was born in Chelmsford. Connecticut, and was one of the original proprietors of Londonderry, New Hampshire, which was settled in 1719. He was a son of Solomon Keyes, who was the eldest son of Solomon and Frances (Grant) Keyes, who was mar- ried in Newbury, Alassachusetts, October 2, 1653- Marsden Keyes, of this review, was reared in the county of his nativity, and ob- tained his early education in its common schools. At the age of nineteen he removed to western New York, where he worked at the carpenter's trade, and continued to follow BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 847 that ocupation in \-ari(ius jiarts of tlie state for several years. In the fall of 1^54 he went to New Brunswick, where the following; two years were devoted to the same pursuit, and in the summer of 1856 came west, first locat- ing at Lone Rock, Wisconsin, where he also lived for two years. At the end of that time he came to Linn county, Iowa, and after residing- near El\- for one year, he took up his residence in ]\It. \'ernon, where he has since made his home. Here he worked at his trade, and for several years was engaged in building railroad depots for the construc- tion companies, but is now living retired at his present home in Mt. Vernon surrounded by all the comforts and many of the luxuries of life which have been secured by former industry. On the 2nd of July, 1856, "Sir. Keyes was united in marriage with Miss Margaret Purves, a native of Kings county. New Brunswick, and a daughter of Thomas Purves, a Scotchman by birth, who came to America in early manhood, and died at the age of eighty years. By occupation he was a farmer. Mrs. Keyes departed this life at her home in Mt. Vernon, December 30, 1863, lea\-ing two children, namely: Harlow, born July 9, 1857, was married in 1885 to Helen Chandler and is now a prom- inent lawyer of Indianola, Red Willow' county, Nebraska. Laura, born June 27, i860, married Lester Keyes, of Wisconsin, who is now engaged in farming near Stella, Nebraska. For his second wife Air. Keyes married Miss Alartha M. Whittington of Iowa City, and to them were born seven children : ( I ) Carrie Ellen, born May 24. 1867, is the wife of Edgar R. Lahman. a farmer of Franklin Grove, Illinois, and they have five children, Clififord K., John Lewis, Arthur Harlow, Clare Marsden and ]\Iartha. (2) Hattie Julia, born Sejitemher 9, 1868, is the wife of Arthur J. Keyes, a traveling man of Marion, Iowa, and they have one child, Ralph J. (3) Charles Reuben, born May 5, 1871, was graduated from Cornell College in 1894, and then took a post-graduate course at Harvard University. He afterward trav- eled abroad for some time to perfect himself in the German language, and is now profes- sor of modern languages in the University of California. (4) Margaret Bertie, born April 3, 1873, is the wife of William H. Hoover, a jeweler of Mt. Vernon, and they have one child, Harriet. (5) Geneva May, born February 10, 1876, is the wife of Roy Kurtz, who is clerking in a clothing store in Mt. A'ernon, and they have two children, Maurice and Helen. (6) Florence A., born April 3, 1883, is now attending Cor- nell College. (7) Carl M., born Alarch 13, 1885, is attending the public schools at Mt. Vernon. For five years Mr. Keyes was a member of the city council, and has also served on the scho(il board in a most creditable and satisfactory manner. Fraternally he is a Master Mason, and religiously he and his wife are faithful and consistent members of the Methodist Church. They have a wide circle of friends and acquaintances, and the family is one of prominence in the commu- nity where they reside. :MARK S. JACKSON. For over thirty years Mark S. Jackson has been a resident of Cedar Rapids, and is to-day numbered among its leading and enterprising business men, his home being 848 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD at 14 1 3 B avenue. He was Ijorn in Orleans county, Xew York, on the 28th of Janu- ary, 1859, and is a son of Spencer Jackson, whose sketch appears on another page of this volume. His paternal grandfather was James Jackson, who was born near Syracuse, New York, of English parentage. The subject of this sketch was a lad of only ten years when he came with the family to Cedar Rapids, and here he grew to manhood, being educated in the city schools. After completing his studies he accepted a position in a clothing store, where he clerked for a few years, thus acquiring a good business training. So ably did he discharge his duties that he was made man- ager of the store before eighteen 3-ears of age. Later he went with a party of civil engineers engaged in the construction of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad through Mexico and Xew Mexico, and re- mained* with them two years, returning home in 1882. Lie then began to take con- tracts for public works, and has sinc^ laid about thirty-five miles of sewer in Cedar Rapids, having charge of nearly all the sani- tary sewerage of the city. He has also been connected with similar work in Brookfield, Missouri; Atchison, Kansas: Winona, Min- nesota; Anamosa and Marion. Iowa, and other cities; and he has been very successful in tliis enterprise. Mr. Jackson was married in Cedar Raji- ids, August 26, 1884, to Miss Addie Coole\-. a native of Colchester, Vermont, and a daughter of J. P. and Elizabeth (Cavan- augh ) Cooley. who came to Iowa in 1876. Her father, who was a contractor and con- nected with the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern Railroad, died in Cedar Rap- ids in 1882. but her mother is still living, a hale and heartv old ladv of sixtv-seveu years. ]\Ir. and 'Sin. Jackson have two children: Inez M. and Laura C, both in school. Politically our subject is a Jacksoniau Democrat, and cast his first presidential vote for Grover Cleveland in 1884. Lie was elected and served as alderman for a short time, but soon resigned that office. Fraternally he is a prominent Knight Tem- plar Mason and a member of the Mystic Shrine, in which he has held oftice. He also belongs to the Independent Order of For- esters and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, and is now serving as exalted ruler in the latter fraternity. Base ball has been b.is chief recreation, and in past years he took a very active part in that sport, being identified with the Illinois and Iowa leagues and later with the Western Association. As a business man he is wide-awake, ener- getic and progressive, and his i)leasant, genial manner makes him quite popular both in business and social circles. JAMES HENDERSON. Jaiues Henderson, who is now success- fulh' engaged in general merchandising at bdder, Delaware colmty, Iowa, was born in llemingford; Canada, March 4, 1840, and is a representative of an old and prominent family of Linn county, being a son of Will- iam and Aley (Bursell) Henderson, natives of Scotland and Yorkshire, England, re- spectively, William Henderson was a lad of thirteen years when he crossed the .\t- lantic with his father and took up his resi- dence on a farm in Canada, where he en- gaged in agricultural pursuits until coiuing to Linn county, Iowa, in the s])ring of 1854. 5 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 849 He purchased a tract of land in Jackson township, which he cleared and improved with the assistance of his sons, and con- tinued to engage in farming tiiere until the death of his wife, which occurred June 30, 1874. He then removed tn anuther farm in the same township, where he made his home until he, too, was called to his final rest on the i^th of January, 1892. After the death of the mother of our subject, he was again married, his second union being with Sarah Willis, of Jackson township, who died in July. 1892. By the first union there were six chil- dren, namely : William, who died in the army during the Civil war; James, our sub- ject; Peter G., who is represented elsewhere in this work ; Robert, a farmer of Cedar county, Iowa, who first married Helen Brown, and after her death wedded Emma Phelps; Henry, wdiose sketch appears on another page of this volume; and Hamiah Jane, wife of Peter T. Henderson, who is also represented elsewhere in this work. The subject of this sketch acquired his literary education in the common schools near his old Canadian home, and at the age of fourteen he accompanied his parents on their emigration to the United States, the family being amongthe early settlers of Linn county, Iowa. Here he was first engaged in farming, and later followed the milling business in Jackson township for some time. Mr. Henderson was married in 1863 to Miss Mary Sheldon, a native of Ohio, and a daughter of William Sheldon, who were also pioneers of Jackson township, this count}', and are now deceased. L^ito our subject and his wife were born three chil- dren, as follows : William married Bessie Swindle, and ilied in 1897. Bert J. wedded Mary Patton and resides in Ehler. where he is engaged in general merchandising with his father, and is also interested in farming and live stock business. ^laime is at home with her parents. After his marriage Mr. Henderson con- tinued to engage in the milling business at Coggon for four years, and then sold out and removed to Ehler. Delaware county, which is only a few miles north of the for- mer village. Upon locating at Ehler he started a creamery and also opened a gen- eral store, which he and his son are still conducting. They carrj- a fine stock of merchandise, and by fair and honorable dealing have built up an excellent trade, which is constantly increasing. Our subject is also engaged in farming to some extent. Mr. Henderson gives his political sup- port to the Republican party, but has never been an aspirant for office, preferring to give his undivided attention to his business in- terests. By untiring industry and sound business judgment he has won a merited success in all of his luidertakings, and is in all respects worthy the high regard in which he is held b\- his fellow citizens. He and his wife are both meml)ers of the Methodist Episcopal church of Ehler, and their many friends in Linn county will be pleased to read this short sketch of their lives. ♦-•-• JOHN LOCKHART. John Lockhart is the owner of an ex- cellent farm of three hundred and three acres on section 8, Washington township, "just west of Center Point, on which he has spent his entire life, his birth occurring there March 6, 1851. His father, Thomas 850 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD G. Lockhart, was born in Adams county, Ohio, May 28, 1814, and was a son of Thomas and Mary (Brown) Lockhart, both natives of Pennsylvania, the former born in 1789. the latter in 1788. They were of Scotch descent. At an early day they removed to Adams county, Pennsyl- vania, where our subject's grandfather, Thomas Lockhart, Sr., successfully engaged in business as a farmer and distiller, and became one of the prominent men of his community. He was a soldier of the war of 1812. Thomas Lockhart, Jr.. father of our subject, grew to manhood upon a farm m his native county, and in 1837 went to Sangamon county, Illinois, where he U\ed for a few years. \\'hile there he was mar- ried. December 10, 1837, to Lettie Osborn. a native of Indiana, and a daughter of Jonathan and Susan Osborn. In 1838 they came to Iowa, and in 1840 took up their residence in Linn county, being among its first settlers. yiv. Lockhart entered the land on which our subject now re- sides, and at once commenced to clear and improve the place. His first home here was a log cabin, in which he lived while open- ing up his farm. He owned o\er three hun- dred acres of land, which he converted into one of the most productive and valuable farms of the locality, and made many ex- cellent improvement.- upon the place, includ- ing the erection of three sets of farm build- ings. He was one of the largest land own- ers and most substantial farmers of Wash- ington township, as well as one of its most prominent and influential citizens. For about twelve consecutive years he filled the office of justice of the peace, and also served as township treasurer for some years. Po- litically he was a Democrat, and religiously was an active and faithful member of the Church of Christ at Center Point, with which he was officially connected. He died on the home farm January 24, 1891, and his wife passed away July 5, 1899, both being laid to rest in the Davis cemetery in Grant township. Unto them were born eleven children, but only four are now liv- ing, these being Craton and Samuel, both residents of the state of W'ashington, the latter being a carpenter and joiner by trade; Mrs. Amanda Bunker, of Urbana, Iowa; and John, of this review. In early life John Lockhart attended the home school and aided his father in carrying on the work of the farm. He soon became familiar with all the duties which fall to the lot of the agriculturist, and is to-day numbered among the most skillful farmers of his community. On the death of his father he succeeded to the old homestead, and there he is now success- fully engaged in general farming and stock raising. On the 1 2th of October, 1882, in Benton county, Iowa, Mr. Lockhart was united in marriage with Miss Belle Cross, a native of that county and a daughter of Solomon Cross, who was one of its early settlers, but is now residing near Moberly, Mis- souri. Mr. and Mrs. Lockhart have three children: Inez May; and Paul C. and Ross \\'., twins. In politics Mr. Lockhart is a Jefferson- ian D'jmocrat, and cast his first presiden- tial vote for Horace Greeley. He has frequently been a delegate to the coun- ty conventions of his party, and has served for five years as township treasurer. Both he and his wife are members of the Church of Christ, and he is also connected witli the Masonic lodge at BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 851 Center Point, in which he has filled all the offices and is now past master. He has also represented the lodge in the grand lodge of the state. Throughout life he has been closely identified with the upbuilding and development of this county, and is ac- knowledged as one of the useful and valued citizens of his community. WILLIA:^! H. SHERMAN. The subject of this sketch is a \Vealthy and influential citizen of Coggon, and one of the largest land owners in this section of the state. He was born in Brunswick, Me- dina county, Ohio, on the 15th of March, 1838, his parents being Cornelius and Sa- mantha (Hire) Sherman, natives of Ohio and Vermont, respectively. For many years they made their home in Medina county, where the father followed farming through- out life. There the mother's death also occurred. They had nine children, namely : Emery, deceased; Sarah A.; William H., our subject; Hiram; Richard, deceased; Frank; Cornelius; Charles C. ; and Ida. Those living all reside in Cleveland, Ohio, and vicinity with the exception of our sub- ject. William li. .Sherman grew la nianhond in his native county and was educated in its public schools. There he was married in i860 to ^liss Lutia Cleveland, who died April 15, 1890, leaving four children: Eva, now the wife of N. Chesmore, of Albur- nett, this county; Anna, wife of Charles Fishmeyer, a resident of Wyoming; Ida, wife of George Powell, of Alburnett. Iowa; and Frank, who lives on the old homestead in Delaware countv, Iowa, married ]\Iiss Ida Ramsy. For his second wife Mr. Sherman married Mrs. Martha Flint, of Linn county, the widow of S. W. Flint, who resitled in Junes county for some years and came to Linn county in 1866. Here he died in March, 1881. Of the seven chil- dren born to Mr. and Mrs. Flint, five are still living, namely: Charles, Edwin, Wil- lard, Grace and Am)-. Charles married Anna Ary, and they reside in La Crosse, ^\'isconsin. Edwin married Martha Bracel- ton, and they make their home in Buffalo Center, Iowa. Willard married Cora Lee, and they reside in Des Moines, Iowa. Grace is the wife of Wallace Dewody, of Coggon, Iowa. Amy is the wife of Elgin Lemon, of Lake Park, Iowa. Mrs. Sherman was one of the fourteen children born to Jona- than B. and Elizabeth (Kinney) Ros.-, who were both natives of Xew York and came to Iowa in 1855, locating near Monticello, Jones county, where the father purchased one hundred and twenty acres of improved land, being a farmer by occupation. He resided upon that place a number of years and remained in that immediate vicinity until his death, which occurred in 1886. ]\Irs. Ross departed this life in 1864, and the remains of both were interred in Jones county. Mr. Sherman continued his residence in Medina county, Ohio, until 1862, when he came with his family to Iowa and settled in Delaware county, near the Linn county line, where he purchased land and success- fully engaged in general farming and stock raising until 1892. In 1899 he came to Coggon and has since lived a retired life, enjoying the fruits of former toil. He has been remarkably successful in his business career, and has invested his capital princi- pally in land, becoming one of the largest 852 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD land owners in this section. He not only has extensive landed interests in Linn, Del- aware and Winnebago counties, Iowa, but also has property in northwestern Nebraska, which he now leases. Politically Mr. Sherman is a Republican, but takes very little interest in politics aside from voting, and has never been an office- seeker,, preferring to give his undivided at- tention to his business affairs. His wife is a member of the Christian church of Coggon. Besides the above mentioned property Mr. Sherman owns a nice home in the southeastern part of the village, and a residence in Hammond, Louisiana, where he and his wife go near every fall to spend the winter. His career has ever been such as to warrant the trust and confidence of the business world, for he has conducted all transactions on the strictest principles of honor and integrity, and he well merits the high regard in which he is held by his fellow citizens. AMOS WITTER, M. D. In early days there was probably no one in Linn county more widely t)r favorably known than Dr. Writer, who was not only a successful physician of Mt. Vernon, but also took a very prominent and influential part in ])ul)lic affairs. He was born in Phelps, Ontario county. New York, Alarch 24, 1807, a son of Alfred and Deborah (Dunwell) Witter, natives of Connecticut, 'ilie father was born at Preston, in 1779, and during his youth renK)vcd 'to Peru, Massachusetts, and later to Ontario county, New York, where he died' in 1864. He became a Master Mason in 1801, and later took the Royal Arch degrees at Painesville, Ohio. Dr. Witter was the third in order of Iiirth in a family of thirteen children, and was ten years of age when he accompanied his parents on their removal to Lake county, Ohio. Although he was taken from the advantages of a more settled community to the wilds of Ohiii, this did not prove a mis- fortune, as it tended to develop the latent genius of a high-minded and noble boy. He lived with his parents at Kirtland until fifteen years of age, when he commenced the study of medicine with Dr. Chapman, of Middlebury, Ohio, having already ob- tained a good common-school education. Although his educational privileges were meager, he made the best use of the good books to which he obtained access, and be- came competent to teach, by which pursuit lie secured the money with which to pay his way through college. He attended a course of lectures at the medical college in Cin- cinnati, and was considered the best scholar in the class. After graduating from that institution he also received a diploma from the medical board of Cleveland, Ohio, and l)egan the practice of his profession at At- tica, Seneca county, Ohio. In the meantime Dr. Witter had mar- ried, and on account of the failing health of his wife he removed to Seville, Ohio, where he died, and he afterward localetl at C'hagrin T'alls, that state, where he made his home until going to Belvidere, Illinois. He built up (|uite a good practice at that place. in iS4<; he started for California with his family in a wagon drawn by three yoke of oxen, and they carried their cook- ing utensils and porvisions with them, but on their arrixal in Clintnn cnunty, Iowa, he traded his team fur a tract of land near AMOS WITTER. MRS. AMOS WITTER. BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 857 tlie W'apsipinicon river, where he remained one year, and then sold his property and removed to Tipton. Cedar county, where he was engaged in the practice of his profes- sion with good success, for four years. In 1854 he became a resident of Dixon, Scott county, where he hved for three years, and then in order to give his chikh'en better educational advantages he came to 'Sit. Ver- non, where he continued to make his home throughout the remainder of his life. On the 24th of January, 1830, Dr. Wit- ter was united in marriage with Miss Alary Anne Burr, who was born in Harrisville, Medina county, Ohio, May 18, 1814, and died October 31, 1843. The only child born of this union died in infancy. The Doc- tor was again married, August 28, 1844, his second union being with Miss Jerusha Nelson, who was born in Suffield. Hartford county, Connecticut. March 13, 1815, and was a daughter of Philip and Rowena (Stiles) Nelson, natives of Connecticut and Massacliusetts, respectively. Fi\-E chiFdren Vv-ere born to them. Mary A. B., born Julj 9, 1845, is principal of the high school at Denver, Colorado. Emma A., born Novem- ber 10, 1846, was married on the 29th of December, 1871, to Thomas B. Hutson, who was born in Henry county, Indiana, February 6, 1846. For nine years after their marriage he was engaged in farming and well drilling at Union, after which they removed to Dexter, Iowa. On account of failing health, Mr. Hutson then started west, but died at Burr Oak, Kansas. March 13, 1882. He was in the one hundred days' service during the Civil war, enlisting May 18. 1864. in Company C, Forty- fourth Iowa A'olunteer Infantry, and being discharged September 15. 1864. Mr. and Mrs. Hutson had live children : Edna, born May 23, 42 1873, died July 29, 1S74; Daisy M-. born August 28, 1887, at home; Thomas E., born March 24, 1880, a soldier in the regular army, being a member of Company I, Tenth United States Infantry, is now with his command in the Philippines ; and Josephine L., born January 29, 1882, at home. Frank- lin Eberle. born April 7, 1848. married Frances E. Foster, who owns and conducts a large cattle ranch at Roscoe, South Dakota. They are the parents of six children, as follows: Mary, born June 18, 1877; Mar- vin, born July 29, 1879, died N(jvember 14, 1900; Ruth, born May 30, 1881; Eva, born September 25, 1885; Clara, born June 20, 1887; and Florence, born January 5, 1894. Clara, born January 11, 1851, is the widow of William Hauser, and lives on the old home farm near Mt. Vernon She became the mother of three children : Amos W., born November 12, 1874; Irvin. April 2t^, 1879; and Carl, November 4, 1880. Amos Nelson died at the age of five months. When the Civil war broke out Dr. Wit- ter offered his services to his country, and was at once commissioned surgeon of the famous Seventh Iowa Infantry. Through the campaign in Missouri he passed many trying ordeals, and especially distinguished himself at the battle of Belmont. He was brave and fearless on the field of battle and was always found at his post of duty, car- ing fnr the sick ami wounded wherever they might be. Shortly after entering the army he was appointed post surgeon, and a little later was made brigade surgeon of Louman's brigade in General Wallace's di- vision. His brigade was in the thickest of the fi.ght during the battles of Forts Henry and Donelson, and nowhere was greater courage displayed than in the conduct of Dr. Witter, although he had arisen from a sick 858 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD bed to take part in the engagements. He was on duty day and night for a period of four days, during which time he had no rest, and becoming completely exhausted he was sent home on a furknigh, where he died ten days later, on the 13th of March, 1862. After her husband's death Mrs. Witter took charge of and managed the farm of eighty acres, and paid off the mortgage thereon. In her efforts to provide for her family she displayed a heroism equaled by few. She wasi a well-read woman, who was not only familiar with the best literature, but was also well posted on agricultural topics, and met with success in the operation of her farm, to which she added seventy-two acres. She also sent her children to college, and was entirely devoted to her family. She died ]\[ay 30, 1893, mourned by all who knew her as a lady of many noble traits of character who endeared herself to those with whom she came in contact. JJuring his residence in this state Dr. Witter became prominently identified with political affairs, and in 185 1 was elected to the legislature while a resident of Tip- ton. Four years later he was chosen to represent Scott county in the general as- sembly, and during that term he presented a bill for the suppression of the liquor traf- fic, as he had also done in the previous ses- sion. In i860 he was elected to represent Linn county, and served two extra sessions besides the three regular sessions. He was a natural orator and stumped the county, district and state on various causes which he represented. He was a strong abolition- ist and a temperance man who labored ear- nestly for the principles which he believed would aid the cause of justice and right. He was also greatly interested in educa- tional matters, and gave his support to any enterprise calculated to advance the moral, intellectual or material welfare of his cqm- munity. For a time he served as trustee (jf the State L^niversity at Iowa City. The character of Dr. Witter presented the happy combination of great refinement of mind and the practical adaptation of the qualities which enabled him to carry on his life pur- suits with dignity and honor and at the same time made him financially successful and a favorite with the common people. He was a model man, who was ever willing to lend a helping hand to those in need or distress, and wdll be affectionately remem- Ijered in the community long after those who knew him most intimately ha\e passed away. In religious belief he was a member of the ^Methodist church. MARTIN F. RIGBY. Martin F. Rigby, a retired farmer and honored citizen of Mt. Vernon, Iowa, as well as one of the gallant defenders of the Union during the dark days of the Civil war, was born in Marion county, Ohio, December 3, 1S35, and is descended from good old Puritan stock. His ancestors were of English extraction and were members of Cromwell's army prior to their emigration to America. His father, Caleb P. Rigljy, was a native of Virginia, and in early life went to Licking county, Ohio, where he married Christiana Fate, a native of that state. In September, 1846, they came to Iowa,- and in January, 1847, they settled on a farm near Mechanicsville, Cedar coun- ty, where the mother died in March, 1850. The father died in August, 1871, and the remains of both were interred in the Pio- 5! BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD S59 neer Grove cemetery nortliwest of Mechan- icsville. Our suliject is the tliirtl iit order of birth in a family of eight children, the oth- ers being as follows : Elizabeth J. married Lucas Weeks, and died in March, 1858, in Pioneer township. Cedar county; Elmer C. married Hattie Johnson and resides in Seat- tle, Washington; ]\Ialissa D. is the wife of Samuel Todd and is living in Des Moines, Iowa; Washington H. wedded Mary Kalb, and died at ^Nlechanicsville, Iowa, in 1894; Jesse W., who was graduated at Cornell College, and is a minister of the Methodist church, married Julia Case and is now liv- ing at Hood River, Oregon ; Joshua C. died in Davenport, Iowa, in October, 1878; Thomas H. married Aliss Irene Bridenstine and makes his home in Seattle, Washington. Martin F. Rigby spent the first ten years of his life in his native county, and in September, 1846, started for Iowa, the journey being made with three teams and co\-ered wagons, known as prairie schoon- ers. He cared for and drove a team the entire distance, passing through Tipton, Iowa, on election day, while the people were voting for the adoption of the new constitution and the admission of the state to the L'nion. Locating on a farm near JMechanicsville, in Fremont township, Ce- dar county, lie pursued his studies during the winter months in a log school house. He remained on the hoiue farm until 1856, when he entered Cornell College at Mt. Vernon. He assisted in forming the Re- publican party, and enlisted twenty-seven men in the L'nited States service. In 1862 Mr. Ri.gby enlisted in Com- pany B, Twenty-fourth Iowa Volunteer In- fantry, uiader Captain Rathlione and Col- onel Ever C. B}'am. The regiment was first ordered to Helena, .\rkanas, where they remained in camp during the fall and win- ter, and participated in several expeditions at White river, St. Francis river. Moon lake and Coldwater, after which they re- turned tu Helena. They were connected with one of General Grant's divisions, and were landed on the west shore of the Mis- sissippi opposite Vicksburg. After their failure to take the furt b_\- b. mibardment, they went to Grand Gulf at the mouth of the Big Black river, and after landing marched past \'icksburg to Hard Times Landing, where they crossed to the east side on a pontoon built of transports. On the 1st of May, 1863, they marched to Fort Gibson, and the following day Mr. Rigby participated in his first real battle at that place, his regiment being a part of Hovey's division. All their accoutrements were piled in the fence corners and left, and they went intu action with the old Iowa yell. They never recovered their accoutrements. i\Ir. Rigby's company was then detached and did provost guard duty at the corps head- quarters in the rear of Raymond under coiumand of John A. McClerand, and re- ceived only four days' rations in twenty days. On the i6th of May, 1863, they took part in the liattle of Champion Hills. Our sul:)ject was then ^serving as sergeant, and was detailed to guard twenty-three rebel prisoners at Bowl's house during the battle. That night he went to Edward's Station, now the town of Edward, where he was given a detachment to invoice the quartermaster's stores captured in battle, and after accomplishing this and turning over his prisoners he rejoined his command at Vicksburg on the evening of the i8th, and- was on duty there with the Thirteenth Army Corps until the surrender of that 86o BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD strunghold on the 4tli "t J"')' The fol- lowing day his regiment started for Jack- son. Mississippi, and was present at the second capture of tliat place. On their re- turn march to Vick^burg, July 25, 1865, the heat was terrific, and many of the men, including the captain of our subject's com- pany, were overcome. The night follow- ing, on their approach to Big Black river, Mr. Rigby witnessed the worst storm he has ever seen, the thunder and lightning being worse than any bombardment, and the soldiers stood knee deep in water all night. The next day they returned to Vicksburg, where they remained in camp two weeks. At the end of this period they took transports and went to Natchez, and from there to New Orleans. They were in camp between Carlton and Vicksburg for a time. That fall Mr. Rigby's command went to Oppolusas. Lcniisiana, but he was left in the marine hospital, being ill with malarial fever for two months. He rejoined his command at New Iberia in November. 1863, and was in camp at Algers, near New Or- leans, until January, when they were or- dered to Madisonville. where they remained until about March i, when they joined Gen- eral Banks' Red River expedition. They were in a skirmish almost c\'ery day, and on the 8th of April took part in the light at Saljine Cross Roads. They marched for- ty miles and participated in the battle of Alexander, and then retreated to Atcha- foliah, on Morganza Bend, and in July, 1864, returned by boat to New Orleans, and by steamer to Washington, being the first Iowa regiment to enter the cai>ital city during the war. . They next went to Man- assas Junction, and later to Harper's Ferry, where the Sixth, Eighth and Nineteenth Corps were organized into the ■Middle Di- vision of the Army of the Potoiuac, under command of General Sheridan. They marched up the Shenandoah \'alley, and took part in the battle of Winchester, after which the enemy retreated to Fisher's Hill, where another engagement was Ijrought on. When they again retreated to Mt. Craw- ford, Mr. Rigby's command returned to Harper's Ferry, and later took part in the battle of Cedar Creek, which was one of the most remarkable battles of the war. There our subject was wounded in the right side Iw a piece of shell. His command followed the enemy, ami after dri\-ing them out of the valley retreated to Fort Stephenson. On Christmas Day, 1864. Mr. Rigby was granted a furlough and returned home for a few days. He then went to New York and by boat proceeded to Savannah, Geor- gia, where he rejoined his regiment, and from there they went on transports to More- head City, near New burn, NoHh Carolina. They were at Goldsboro when General John- ston surrendered to General Sherman. While there Mr. Rigby and others of his company were detailed to guard General Sherman on his way to Wilmington, North Carolina, and they then returned to More- head City, finding on their arrival there the flags at half mast on account of the assas- sination of President Lincoln. Later they returned to Savannah, whence they marched to Augusta, Georgia, and were in camp at Hamburg, North Carolina, for a time. Sub- isequently they returned to Savannah, which was one of the worst marches our subject was forced to endure, as it rained con- tinuously. There he was mustered out of service July 17, 1865, and then returned to Davenport and to his old home in Cedar county. After the war Mr. Rigliy was engaged BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 86 1 ill the liarthvare and agricultural implement business at Stanwood. Iowa, and also taught (schoi)l in winter, remaining there three years. He next followed farming in Fre- mont township. Cedar county, where he owned a well-improved place of three hun- dred and twenty acres, besides other farm property. He also engaged in speculating in lands and continued to follow agricultural pursuits for eighteen years. On the 12th of February, 1889, he removed to Mt. Ver- non, where he purchased forty acres of land, which he has since laid off in town lots. He has built him a splendid residence with all modern improvements, and is now prac- tically living a retired life, enjoying" the competence acquired by his labor in for- mer years. Mr. Rigby was married June 10. 1869,. in Cedar county, to Miss Harriet Alma Miles, a cousin of General Nelson A. Miles, and also of Russell A. Alger, fcjrmerly sec- retary of war under President McKinley. She was born near W'ooster, Wayne county, Ohio. May 17. 1844. and was the youngest in a family of six children, the others being as follows : J. W'illard, a banker of Man- chester, Iowa, married Jane Heckard, and represented Jackson county in the state leg- islature; Orison X., who married Alaria McLannan, and is now living on a farm near Stanwood, Iowa, spent twenty years in .Australia, where he was engaged in gold mining and in l)anking. and was also in the United States mail service between New Zealand and Australia; Avery married So- phia Prussia, and lives in Miles, Iowa ; Sarah married Alfred J. Scofield. who resided in Jackson county, Iowa, until the Civil war broke out, when he joined the army and was killed in the battle of Champion Hills. For her .^econd husband she wedded Ji>hn Demning, who died in September, 1900. and he now resides in Rhodes, Marshall county. Iowa; Forrest, who was wounded in the battle of Cedar Creek during his serv- ice in the Cix'il war, married Xettie Gra- ham, and is now a retired farmer of Miles, Jackson county, Iowa, which town was laid out on his father's farm. Mrs. Rigby's parentis were Justin and Harriet (Rice) Allies, both natives of Vermont, though they were married in Wooster, Wayne county, Ohio. For his first wife Air. Miles married Tabitha Hoskins, by whom he has three children, namely: James Nelson mar- ried Harriet Wood, of De Witt, Iowa, and is now a prominent attorney and real estate dealer of Burlingame, Kansas; Elizabeth T. married Dr. F. Thompson, of Lyons, Iowa, and died about 1S60; and Alary wed- ded Hiram Hall, a farmer near Clarence, Iowa, where she died in I-'ebruary. 1877. Unto Air. and Airs. Rigby were born two children. Elsie Allies, born August 22, 1871. was graduated from Cornell College in 1892, and finished a post-graduate course in 1894, and has since taken a year's stutly of law at the Iowa State University, at Iowa City, preparing for admission to the bar. On Thanksgiving Day, 1898, she married E. A. Alaxwell. an .attorney of Waterloo, Iowa, and they have one child, Louis Ri.gby, who was born Alay 28, 1900. Justin Crom- well, S(jn of our subject, was born Sep- tember 10, 1878, and died when only nine days okl. Air. Rigby is a ]jrominent ineniljcr of the Grand Army of the Republic, and is past commander of Colonel J. O. Wilde Post, of Stanwood, and also past commander of W. C. Dimmick Post, of Alt. Vernon. He is a member of the blue lodge, chapter and council of the Alasonic fraternity, and 862 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD has also' taken the suI)ordinate degrees of Odd Fellowship. He is a member of tlie official lioard of the Methodist Episcopal church, and takes an active and influential part in church work. Mr. Rigby also be- longs to the Adelphian Society, and is one of the most popular and highly respected citizens of Mt. Vernon. FREDERICK BOKORNY. This well-known contractor on public works, residing at 422 C avenue, dates his residence in Cedar Rapids from 1868. He was born in the city of Chicago on the 15th of December, 1862, and is a son of Frederick Bokorny, Sr., who came to the new world in early life and settled in Chi- cago, where he worked at his trade of stone cutter for some years. On leaving tliat city he made a permanent location in Cedar Rapids in 1868. At this place he was first in the employ of otliers and subsequently as a contractor and builder he followed his chosen occupation for some years, though his last days were spent in retirement from active labor. He died here in 1885. His wife still survives him, and is now seventy- eight years of age. Our subject accompanied his parents on their removal to Cedar Rapids, and is in- debted to the city schools for ifis educa- tional advantages. He partially learned his trade with his father, and later commenced contracting on public works in his own in- tercut, and has since ])een activelv engaged in business in connectinn with the laying of .sewers, the building of bridges and with other public enter])rises in Cedar Rapids and Linn cnuniy fur fifteen years. He is a practical and skilled mechanic, who thor- oughly understands the business, and is meeting with well-deserved success. He has bought lots and erected several houses in the city, and also owns some valuable farm property near Cedar Rapids. Mr. Bokorny was married in Cedar Rap- ids in 1884 to Miss Katie Guinn, who was born, reared and educated in Germany, and was a young" lady when she came to Amer- ica and tiiok up her residence in Cedar Rap- ids. They have two children living, namely : Katie, a graduate of the Cedar Rapids high school; and Trophy, still a student in the city schools. Their son Frederick died at the age of six month's. In his social relations iMr. Boki_)niy is a meml)er of tlie Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Benevolent Protective Or- der of Elks. As a business man he stands high in the esteem of his fellow citizens, who recognize his ability, and the success that has crowned his efforts has been wor- thily achie\'ed, as it has come to him through his own industry and persistent effort. On national issues he votes with the Democracy, but at local elections he votes independent of party lines, supporting the men whom he believes best (|ualific(l to fill the offices. He has never cared fur politi- cal hiincirs fur himself. JOHN AXDERSOX. Cellar Rapids has nianv successful busi- ness men who started out in life for them- selves emiity-handed and l>y their own well- directed and energetic eft'orts have pros- pered and are now recognized leaders in the business world. To this class belongs John BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 863 Anderson. \vh»]ew ^'ork, and where all the descendants of three genera- A. C. COQUILLETT. BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 867 tions are buried. The grand fatlier of mir subject. Daniel Coquillette. was l)orn on the ocean. W'ilHam Coquillette, the father, was born in Rockland county. New York. During- his boyhood and youth Abraham C. Coquillette received a rather limited education in the public 'schools of New York city, and at the age of fourteen coiu- menced learning the cooper's trade, at which he there worked for about seven years. He then purchased a horse and dray, and en- gaged in the draying btisiness in the me- tropolis until after his marriage. Soon after this he joined the New York fire tle- ■partment and served five years with Hose Company No. 12. and Engine Company No. 50, witli headquarters on Horatio 'Street, between Eighth and Ninth avenues.. Dur- ing this time he served one year as assist- ant and one j-ear as foreman. At the end of this time he was engaged as a porter in a Hour and grain store until 1856, when he came west. In 1849 Air. Coquillette wedded Miss Sarah JM. Lascell, of New York city, who was born December 25, 1832, and died May 31, 1900. She was a daughter of John B. and Mp.ry B. (West) Lascell, who made their home in New York until death, the father having charge of a pork packing business in that city during the most of his life. Unto our subject and his wife were born the following children ; Mary B., Abram and John WiUiam, who all died in infancy: Sarah Jane, wife of Dr. Albert Welsh, a physician and druggist of Hagler, Nebraska; ^\■illiam Henry, who married Lilly E. Southworth, of McHenry county. Illinois, and they now reside ^iit Coggon, where he is engaged in the meat business; Daniel L., who married Carrie \\'hitney, of Bowlder townshii). this county, and is now engaged in farming in Spring Grove township; and ^Vndrew W., who married Carrie Alspaugh and resides in Marion, this couiUy, where he is serving as deputy sheriff, and a sketch of whom will be found on another page cf this work. The mother of these children passed away May 31, 1900. She was a faithful and consistent memlier of the M. E. church of Coggon. After his marriage Mr. Co(|uillette came west and located at Franklinville. McHenry county, Illinois, where he followed farming for about nine years. On disposing of his property in that locality he came to Linn county. ln\v;i, in the fall of 1866. and settled 6on a farm in Bowlder township, where he continued to successfully engage in agricult- ural pursuits for twenty-four years. Since then he has made his home in the \-illage of Coggon and has lived retired from active labor. He has a pleasant residence and also two acres of land adjoining the village, and still owns the old home farm nf one hundred and sixty acres on the soutlieast quarter of section 18, Bowlder township. Religiously Mr. Coquillette is a member of the Methodist E[)iscopal church of Cog- gon, and politically is identified with the Republican party, having always affiliated that great political organization since voting for its first presidential candidate — John C. Fremont — in 1856. In 18S9 he was elected county supervisor, and filled that office with credit to himself and to the entire satis- faction of his constituents for six vears. In 1900 he was made justice of the peace and is now serving in that capacity. He is one of the most prominent citizens of his part of the county and is held in iiigh re- 868 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD gard wlierever known. He lias been very successful since coming to this count}', and by his industry and economy has succeeded in accumulating a comfortable competence. LLOYD McCUTCHEON. Lloyd McCutcheon, editor and proprie- tor of The Record, of Alt. Vernon, one of the best papers of the county, was born in Washington, Iowa, on the 30th of Xo\-em- ber, 1875, and is a son of James A. and Georgiana (Ward^ McCutcheon, who were natives of Pennsylvania and Maryland, re- spectively, and were married in Washing- ton, Iowa, in 1870. By occupation the fa- ther is a contractor and builder. Our subject is the oldest living of a famih' of four children, the others being Alma E., who was born January 13, 1880, and is now attending Drake University, of Des Aloines; ^\'ard, who was born March 17, 1893, ^""i is attending the home school; and Charles, who died in infancy, in 1875. During his boyhood Lloyd AlcCutcheon attended the Washington public schools, and was graduated from the high school of that place in 1890. He then entered the cfifice of the Washington Gazette to learn the printer's trade, and later worked for the Press of Washington, remaining with the latter paper until the fall of 1893. when he l^ecame connected with the Washington Journal, which was then known as the Hustler. He was employed on that paper until Xoveniber, 1894, when he went to Waterloo, Iowa, and started the Evening Record. He soon sold out, and accepted the position of city editor on that paper. In the fall of the same vear he went to Hudson, Iowa, and purchased the Hudson Record, which he carried on until the ist of January, 1900. In the meantime Mr. McCutcheon had attended the State Normal School during the summer season, and then entered the University of Chicago, where he took up the studies of p litical science, history and English literature. On the ist of January, 1901, he came to Mt. Vernon and bought The Remarker. the name of which he has changed to The Record. JOSEPH E. TYLER. For some years Joseph E. Tyler has been prominently identified with the busi- ness interests of Cedar Rapids, and is now proprietor of a first class market at Xo. 411 Second avenue, where he handles all kinds of meats, provisions, oysters, fish and game. He was born in Boston, Alassa- chusetts, August 11. 1867, a son of Charles A. and Eunice (Horton) Tyler, also na- tives of the old Bay state. In 1868 they removed to Farmington, Illinois, where they made their home for some time. The father was a traveling salesman, first in the employ of the firm of McKinley & Gilchrist, of Chicago, and later with Franklin Mc- \eigh, of that city. Both he and his wife are now deceased, and are iiUerrod at Farm- ington, Illinois. In the family of this wor- thy couple were seven chiklren, all of whom are still living. It was dvunng his infanc}' that Joseph E. Tyler accompanied his parents on their removal to Peoria county. Illinois, and the public schools of tliat city afYijrded him his early educational privileges. He laid aside his text books at the age of thirteen, how- BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 869 ever, and started out to make his own way in the world by working^ as a farm hand, but as this occupation did not accord with his tastes his father persuaded liim to re- turn home at the end of a year. In the meantime the family had removed to Dav- enport, Iowa, where at the age of fifteen our subject embarked in the butcher busi- ness. Two years later he went tn Spirit Lake, Iowa, where he spent about a year, and then came to Cedar Rapids, which has since been his home. He is meeting with excellent success in his present Ijusiness, having, by fair and honorable dealing, built up a good trade. On the i6th of November, 1S92, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. T}-ler and Miss Theresa Weldon, of Cedar Rapids, a daughter of James Weldon, an early set- tler of this place and one of the first gar- deners to come west. Her parents are still living, and six of their seven children also survive. ]Mr. and Mrs. Tyler ha\-e two children, namely : Bernice, born September 12, 1893; and Charles James, born April 10. 1895. The}' make their home at 614 South Eighth street. Mr. Tyler is a mem- ber of the Knights of Pythias fraternity, and stands deservedly high both in social and business circles. J. S. BUSER. J. S. Buser, the well-known and popu- lar photographer of Mt. Vernon, was born in Pennsylvania, of which state his parents, Jacob and Xancy (Rothrauff) Buser, were also natives. The family came west in 1859, and settled near Warren, Illinois, though just across the line in Wisconsin. The father, who was a farmer by occupa- tion, died there in 1881, when about sev- enty-three years of age. The mother sur- vived him several years, dying May 13, 1900, when past the age of ninety-three. In their family were eleven children, name- ly: John married Sarah De Hasse, and both died in Williamsport, Pennsylvania; ]\Iary is the widow of John Dershame and resides in Warren, Illinois; \\'illiam mar- ried Sadie Deffenbaucher and lives in Cali- fornia; Elizabeth is the widow of Henry Allen and resides in Bird City, Kansas ; Samuel is also married and makes his home in Warren, Illinois; Levi married Jane Maheny, who is deceased, and he is again married and lives in Warren, Illinois; Lydia is the wife of Erastus Mellinger and re- sides in Pine Island, IMinnesota ; Henry R. married Elizabeth Gann and makes his home in Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Ellis married a Miss Thornton and lives in Dawson, Ne- braska; J. S., our subject, is the next of the family; and Emma died at the age of eighteen years. Mr. Buser, of this review, began his education in the district schools, his father having donated a part of the old home- stead farm on \\hich to erect a school house. \\'hen our subject was a small boy the fam- ily removed to Warren, Illinois, where he attended the public schools, and on com- pleting his education was granted a teach- er's certificate. After teaching for a few terms he took up photography and trav- eled over a greater part of the United States taking views. Pie finally located in Lan- sing, Iowa, where he spent one year, and then removed to JNIonroe, Wisconsin, where the following two years were passed. Sub- sequently he was a resident of Waterloo, Liwa, fur iive vears, and at tiie end of that 8/0 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD time reniDved to CecUr Rapids. From there he traveled over the state in the interests of liis profession and made many thousand stereoptican views. About 1885 he came to Mt. Vernon, and at this place he now has one of th bst galleries in Iowa, it be- ing built purposely for his business. He also has a branch studio in Mechanicsville and another at Lislion. He is recognized as one of the best and most artistic photog- raphers in this section of the state, and is a member of the National Photographers Association of America. He attends the Methodist church, and is a supjjorter of the Republican party. On the 2d of May, 1893, Mr. Buser was married at Cedar Rapids to Mrs. Mary A. Bruch, a daughter of John and Mary M. (Metzgar) Mingle, both natives of Penn- sylvania, while her paternal grandfather was a German by birth. Her father ched in 1893, tii-it her mother is still living and makes her home in Sailorsburg, Pennsyl- vania. The children of their family were John, who married Minnie Rantz and lives in Michigan ; Frank, w ho married Alvesta Bachman and resides in Pennsylvania; Ja- cob, who married Flora Meson and died in Scranton, Pennsylvania, in 1893; Joseph, a resident of Oregon ; Charles, who married Louise Fox and makes his home in Scran- ton, Pennsylvania; Mary M., wife of our subject; and Eugene, a railroad man of California. *—*■ • ANNE B. VAN ALBADA. 'J"he .subject of this sketch, who is now chief clerk in the general auditing depart- ment of the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern Railroad at Cedar Rajiids, was born in \\"orkum, province of Friesland, Holland, ]May 16, 1831, and is a son of Bruno and Ytje Van Albada, who spent their entire lives in that country, the father being at the head of a government school for over forty years. In the family were nine children, l)ut only three are now liv- ing, and but two of the number came to the United States, these l)eing our subject and his sister, Aukje, \\'ho makes her home with him. During his boyhood .\nne B. Van Al- bada ot)tained a good practical education in the common schools of Holland, and at the early age of sixteen passed the required ex- amination for a teacher. Two years later he received his second certificate, and the third and last at the age of twenty-two. During all this time he successfully engaged in teaching, and later received the appoint- ment of principal upon examination, being number one in a list of competitors. On the 4th of July, 1869, Mr. Van Albada came to America, sailing from Hol- land to England and thence to New York, where he spent four months. He then pro- ceeded to Chicago, where he made his home for six years and a half, being employed as collector for one of the leading news- l)apers of that city. He came to Cedar Rapids September 13, 1875, and entered the service of the Burlington, Cedar Rap- ids & Northern Railroad in the capacity of chief clerk in the general auditing depart- ment, and still retains that position, his work always giving the utmost satisfaction. Mr. Van Albada was married June 16, 1S59, in Holland, to Miss Dieuwertje Kui- per, also a native of that countrv and a (laughter of Jacob Kuiper. She is one of A family of three children, two of whom are now living. Unto our subject antl his wife BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 871 were born nine chiUlren. bnt only three of the number now survive, namely : Cather- ine, wife of H. Denny, an engineer on the Burlington. Cedar Rapids & Northern Rail- road, residing in Iowa City ; Ida, unmar- ried, residing in Colorado Springs. Colo- rado ; and Cora, wife of O. W. Lyman, who is engaged in the wholesale milinery business in Cedar Rapids. In politics ^Ir. Van Albada is some- what independent, but on national issues usually supports the men and measures of the Democratic party. For tiftecn years he efficiently served as secretary of the school board in Cedar Rapids, resigning that posi- tion in September, 1899. Socially he is an honored member of the Benevolent Protec- tive Order of Elks, the Blue Lodge and chapter of the Masonic fraternity, and the Legion of Honor, and has been officially connected with these orders. Both he and his wife are members of the Second Presby- terian Church, and are people of the high- est respectability who make many friends. Their pleasant home is located at 309 Fifth avenue west. JAMES NORRIS. James Norris, deceased, was for many years one of the most substantial and pros- perous agriculturists of Spring Gro\e town- ship, as well as one of its most highly es- teemed citizens. He was born in County Cork. Ireland. April 22, 1846, a son of Thomas and Mary (Xash) Xorris, who were also natives of the Emerald I?Ie. About 1857 the father came to America, leaving his family in Ireland until he could secure a strat on this side of the .\tlantic. They then joined him, and made their home in Alassachusetts for about three years. At the end of that time they came to Iowa, and after living in Jones county for a year, they removed to Delaware count}', where the fol- lowing two years were passed, and then came to Linn county. On coming to this county our subject made his first purchase of land, consisting of forty acres. In connection with his brother he next bought one liundred and sixty acres of raw prairie land in Spring Grove township, which he placed under cul- tivation and improved with good buildings. He also became the owner of eighty acres of land in Grant township, and an additional eighty acres in Spring Gro\-e township, hav- ing at the time of his death three hundred and twenty acres of very valualile and pro- ductive land, besides real estate in Mt. \*er- non, all of which property is nr)\v owned and successfully managed by Mrs. Xorris. On the 19th of Xovember, 1876, Mr. X'orris was united in marriage with Miss Mary Thomas, a daughter of Isaac H. and Mary Ann (Miller) Thomas, Iioth nati\-es of Kentucky, where the father died at the comparatively early age of thirty-two years, but the motlier is still li\-ing at the age of seventy-three and makes her home with Mrs. X^'orris. She brought her family to this state in 1864, and settled in Otter Creek township, Linn county. Of her five chil- dren ionr are yet living. L'nto Mr. and Mrs. Xorris were eight children : W'alter, born in 1877; William, in 1879; James, in 1880; Eva Blanche, in 1882 ; Mark, in 1884; Ocea B., in 1886; John, in 1888; and Eddie, in 1890. Eva B. died in infancy, but the others are all living and are still at home w-ith their mother, while tlie oldest son follows the occupations of a farmer and carpenter. 872 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD , Mr. Xorris died April 27, 18(32, and was laid to rest in the Troy r^Iills cemetery. Politically he was an ardent Repulilican, and his fellow citizens recognizing his worth and ability called upon him to fill several local positions of honor and trust, such as road supervisor, school director and treas- urer, the duties of which he ably and con- scientiously dischargetl. He was a consist- ent member of the ]\Iethodist Episcopal church, to which his wife also belongs, while her mother is a Presbyterian in relig- ious belief. He was a loving and devoted husband and father, a kind neighbor and a generous friend, and had the confidence and respect of all with whom he came in con- tact either in ])usiness or social life. SAMUEL G. ARMSTRONG. The subject of this review, who is the senior member of the firm of Armstrong & ^IcClenahan, ha.- through his own exertions attained an honorable position and marked prestige among the representative business men of Cedar Rapids, and with signal con- sistency it may be said that he is the archi- tect of his own fortunes and one whose suc- cess amply justifies the application of the somewhat hackneyed but most expressive title, "a self-maile man." Mr. Armstrong was born near the pres- ent village of Clarence, Cedar county, Iowa, August 24, 1858, and is one of a family of se\en children, all living at the present writ- ing in 1901. His father, Charles Corne- lius Armstrong, was born in Connecticut, and when young went to Ohio, where he married Miss Lucy Dawson, a native of Virginia. About 1845 they came to Iowa and were among the early settlers of Cedar county. The father first located on a farm near what is now Clarence in Cedar county, where he lived till 1866, when he moved to 3.1t. \'ernon, where he lix'ed one year, and then to a farm near Alarion, afterward living at Alarion and 'Mt. Vernon again. The father died in 1885, and the muther passed away in 1893. The primary education of our subject was received in the public schools of ^Marion, and later he attended Cornell College at Mt. \'ernon for a few terms. At the age of seventeen he commenced teaching school and followed that profession quite successfully from 1876 to 1879, attending school in the meantime. He began his mercantile career as a clerk in a country store at Bertram, Iowa, where he was employed for one year, and in the fall of 1880 came to Cedar Rap- ids, and commenced work for the dry-goods firm of Foote & Whitney, remaining with them about two months, but not liking the business, he entered the employ of I. N. Isham, a picjueer merchant of Cedar Rapids, then conducting a clothing business, being with him and his successors until the fall of 1890. On the 3d of September, that year, .Mr. Armstrong embarked in business for him- self as a member of the firm of Ann- trong, Fletcher & Company, opening a clothing store in a room 40x70 feet, the site being a part of their present location. Two years later the firm was changed to .Vrmstrong, McClenahan & Company, the company being H. \\ . I'agley, of St. Paul, Minnesota, whose interest Mr. Armstrong purchased in 1897, when the firm name was changed to Armstrong & McClenahan, as it now stands. They carry a fine line of cloth- ing and gents' furnishing goods and have BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 873 met witli remarkaljle success frdui the start. Tlieir rapidly increasing^ trade has com- pelled them to enlarge their stock from time to time, and to make many improvements in their store. At first they occupied only one door, but now use all of the three stories with a basement at numbers 120- 122- 124 South Second street, ha\'ing sixteen thou- sand square feet of floor space. They have on an average of fifteen in their employ, and their extensive trade is not only in the city and county, but extends throughout this section of the state. The following is an ex- tract from the Evening Gazette : "Largest in Iowa — Armstrong & ISIc- Clenahan's Remodeled Clothing Store — Now equipped with an electric passenger elevator and every modern convenience — Children's Department on Second Floor. The people of Cedar Rapids ought to take civic pride in the remodeled clothing store of Messrs. Armstrong & AlcClenahan, for that popular institution is now the very largest of its kind in the entire state of Iowa. The immense stock covers four floors, in- cluding the basement, with sixteen thousand eight hundred square feet of floor space, giving the store front rank among all the great mercantile establishment of Iowa." Mr. Armstrong was in his 'teens when his mother was left a widow and he was called upon to contribute to the support of the family. For nine years he was employed as a clerk, during which time, by economy and judicious investments, he managed to save a nucleus, with which to embark in bu^iness for himself. A man of good busi- ness ability, sound judgment and keen dis- crimination, he has met with well deserved success in his undertakings, and is now in- terested in a number of difi^erent enterprises. He is connected with the store of the Arm- strong Clothing Compan_\' at Lincoln, Xe- . braska ; is a stockholder in the Clark Mac- Daniels Company, manufacturers of overalls and shirts, and the Cellar Rapids National liank; and a stockholder and director of the Cedar Rapids Loan & Trust Company, the latter of which he helped to organize. On the 5th of September^ 1896, Mr. Armstrong married Miss Anna Cooper, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. S. Cooper, old residents of Cedar Rapids, who were born in Ireland and are now well advanced in life. Our subject and his wife have one child, Robert Cooper, born July 4, 1897. They ha\'e a pleasant home at 1015 Fourth a\enue, and are memliers of the Methodist Episcopal church. In his political affilia- tions Mr. Armstrong is a Republican, and he is deeply interested in public aft'airs and the good of the community in which he hves. He is genial, courteous, enterprising and progressive, of commendable public-spirit and the highest integrity, and well deserves the success that has come to him. PHILIP H. KAFER. This progressive and enterprising agri- culturist residing on section 20, Brown township, within two miles of Springville, is one of Linn county's native sons, born near Marion, on the 17th of January, 1861. His father, Jacob Kafer, was born in Ger- many about 1830, and was seventeen years of age when he came to the Lnited States. ^Vfter spending about a year in Pennsly- vania, he came to Iowa in 1845, 'i'"'*^!' took up his residence in Linn county. Here he married Catherine b'ink, who was born in Ohio of German [jarentage. As early as 874 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 1840, her father, Louis Fink, brought his family to this county, and pre-empted land in Linn township, near Alt. Vernon, where he opened up and improved a farm. On the death of Mr. Kafer, Sr., the father of our subject succeeded to the old homestead two miles from Mt. Vernon, and to its further improvement and cultivation he devoted his energies for many }-ears, making it one of the best improved farms in Linn township. After the death of his wife, which occurred in 1890, he removed to Alt. Vernon, and has since lived retired with a daughter, although he still looks after his farming interests. He has two sons and four daughters living. Philip H. Kafer passed the days of his boyhood and youth on the old home farm, and after attending the public schools of that locality for some years, he was a student at Cornell College in Alt. Vernon, for a time. He remained under the parental roof until his marriage, which was celebrated in Linn township, January 18, 1886, Aliss Ida Cath- erine Deck becoming his -wife. She was born in Xorthampton county, Pennsylvania, and is a daughter of Thomas Deck, a well- known farmer of Linn township, this county. Here she was reared and was educated in the common and high schools of Liljon. Air. and Airs. Kafer have one child, Edith Alay. After his marriage our suliject contin- ued on his father's farm until 1888, when he purchased the farm of eighty acres on section 20, Brown township, where he now resides, and has since engaged in its culti- vation. He has erected thereon a good modern residence, healed by a furnace and supplied with hnt and cold water, and has a bath room and cellar, and in fact all of the conveniences found in a city home, it being one of the best farm houses in the town.ship. There is also a good barn and other out- buildings upon the place and it is adorned with beautiful shade and fruit trees. Well- kept fences divide sixty acres of the land into ten-acre fields, and there is one field of twenty-five acres. Air. Kafer raises a good grade of cattle and hogs, and in all his undertakings is meeting with marked suc- cess, being a good practical farmer of sound common sense. His political support is gi\-en the Democratic party, but he cares nothing for official honors. Socially he is a member of the Knights of Pythias Lodge of Springville, and is a man whose pleasant, genial manner has made him many friends. On starting out in life f(jr himself he re- ceived no financial aid, but is now the owner of a valual>le farm, and is entirely free from debt. JOHNSTON ELLIOTT, Jr. For over a third of a century this gen- tleman was prominently identified with the commercial interests of Alarion. Iowa, and was numbered among its foremost citizens. He was born in Alt. Vernon, Ohio, on the 2 1st of February, 1842, and came with his parents to Alarion, Iowa, April 6, 1856, when fourteen years of age. When a mere l)oy he engaged in teaming between here and Aluscatine, carrying grain and produce to that city and returning with merchandise for the stores in Alarion, and later he was employed as clerk in the general store of A. Daniels & Company, acquiring a good knowledsre of mercantile business durino- the few years spent with them. In August, 1865, he embarked in the grocery business at Marion in partnership with his brother Alilton. and continued to engage in that line of trade until 1884 when he retired from JOHNSTON ELLIOTT, JR. BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 877 business until June, 1889. lie then turned his attention U_> the hunber business, which he carried on in connection with his son-in- law for several years under the lirni name of the Elliott-Davis Lumber Company. He was also interested in the Farmers & ]\Ier- chants State Bank of Alarion, but during the last six years of his life lived retired from active business. On the 2 1st of March, 186, Mr. Elliott was united in marriage with Miss Esther Primrose, of West Dryden, New York, who still survives him. Unto them were born three children, but Nellie, now Mrs. T. J. Davis, is the only one now living. La- vernie and George died of scarlet fever in 1878 within a few days of each other, the former at the age of eight, the latter at the age of three years. Mr. Elliott died in Marion, April 17, 1899. and his death came as a loss to each individual of the community, as well as to his immediate family. He was one of the leading and representative citizens of Cla- rion, as well as one of its must active and enterprising Inisiness men, ranking among its strongest men financially. He always took a prominent part in advancing any en- terprise for the good of the city, and was preeminently public spirited and progressive. One who knows him well said of ]\Ir. Elliott that he did not lack in many of the virtues and excellencies which go to make up what is popularly termed a good man. He did not lack in any good business qualifica- tion. He was strictly and exclusively a business man, and his ambition was to make a success of business, which he did. He prospered in every undertaking and his labors were crowned with success. He dis- dained mean competition, low tricks in trade, which have ruined many another. He was 43 always fair and upright; was genial, warm and cordial in his greetings in business re- lations, and it was a pleasure to do business with him. j\lr. Elliott did not lack in those qualities which connnand the respect, confi- dence and admiration of the people. He drew these as a merchant, citizen and man, from all classes in a marked degree. While he never held any office, he could have had any position in the gift of the people had he consented to their oft-repeated solicita- tions. He felt that one thing well done, one business well established and success- fully built up, was far better for himself and his town than many things partially accom- plished and nothing a complete success. He liberally patronized every laudajjle enterprise for the improvement of the town and help* of its needy. He was large and opeit hearted and was especially fond of children.. In turn they loved him for he always had a smile, a word of cheer and a drive for all. No man was more companionable anw the wife of H. X. Booth, a business man of Walker, Iowa, while the latter married Benjamin Hyde, of (irant township, and died in 1899. Charles O. married Ella Edwards, daug'h- ter of Byron Edwards, and resides in Walker, of which place he is now post- master, and is also part owner of the Walker Xews. which w;is finmded in 1883 by David Brant. George is deceased. Justin, bnrn in 1873, is editor and part owner of the Walker Xews and resides in ^^"alker, Linn cnuntv. Iowa. Wallace died in childhood. BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 891 Arthur J. is engaged in general mercantile business in HameT\ille, Iowa. Mr. Barry made his liome in Walker and was appointed postmaster of that place dur- ing President Harrison's administration, which he was accejitalily filling at the time of his death, which occurred April 22. 1890. His wife succeeded him in office and served until the expiration of his term of appointment. He also serxed as constable and local deputy sheriff of Grant township. In jwlitics he was a stalwart Republican. Religicmsly both he and his wife were earnest and consistent members of the Alethodist Episcopal church, and he was also an honored member of the blue lodge of ^Masonry, and C. G. Francis Post, No. i8r, G. A. R. He was widely and favorably known, and was held in the high- est esteem by his many friends throughout the county. ♦-•-♦ JOHN A. Mcculloch. John A. McCulloch, a well-known gen- eral contractor and one of the reliable busi- ness men of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, was born in Glasgow, Scotland, October 16, 1869. his parents being Neil and Janet (Andrew) Mc- Culloch, who brought their family to the new world in 1884 and settled in Cedar Raj^ids. In his native land the father was a grain mer- chant, but since coming to this country has principal!)- engaged in farming, and is now conducting what is known as Green's Stock Farm, in Rapids township, Linn comity, north of Cedar Rapids. He is now about fifty-six years of age. and is still quite active and energetic. He is a .self-educated, as well as a self-made man, and deserves great credit for the success that he has achieved in life. John A. McCulloch is the oldest in a famil)- of nine children, the others being Donald, who was formerly with Donaldson Brothers' "Glass Block," of Minneapolis; Mary, at home with her parents; Margaret, who is teaching in the schools of Cedar Rapids; Jessie, a stenographer of this city; and Elizabeth, Robert, William and George, all at home. The subject of this sketch acquired his education in an academy of his native city, and was a lad of fifteen years when he came to America. He grew to manhood under the parental roof and remained at home un- til 1889, wben be secured emplo}anent in Cedar Rapids with C. G. Green, in the real estate and insurance business, working for him two years. During that time he acquired an excellent knowledge of the liusiness, which he subseiiuentl}- followed on his own accoulit with fair success. In 1896 he be- came connected with J. B. ^IcGorrisk, the contractor, who ])ut in the street paving at Cedar Rapids, and as assistant superintend- ent our subject had charge of the same. In 1897 and 1898 he was in the employ of the Likes Improvement Company as assist- ant superintendent of pa\ing. and continued in that capacity until the contract was fin- ished. Since then he has engaged in gen- eral contracting on his own account, and is now well and fav(.)rablv known throughout the city among its business and professional men. On the 20th of Jauuarv, i8ij8. Mr. Mc- Culloch married Miss 1-illa .A. Sisam. a na- tive of Linn county, w'ho was educated at Coe College and successfully engaged in teaching for a time. The year of his mar- riage he purchased propertv in Central Park, and erected thereon a modern and pleasant residence. He is a stanch supporter of the 892 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD Republican party, and has done all in his power to insure its success as an active party worker, l)ut has never been an aspirant for office. Religiously he is a member of the Presbyterian church, and socially is a mem- ber of Cedar Rapids Lodge, No. 278, A. O. U. W., of which lie is past master, and a member of Linn Tent, No. 38, K. O. T. ]\I., in which he has served as chairman of the board of trustees. He is a genial, pleasant man, who well merits the ])rosperity that has come to him, being of industrious habits, enterprising and energetic, and thoroughly reliable in all things. SAMUEL P. CA^IERON. Samuel P. Camenm is one of the leadiu';' and representative railroad men of Cedar Rapids, where he has made his home since 1.882, and during this time has been in the employ of the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern Railroad. He was born in Juniata county, Pennsylvania, ?klarch 20. 1 85 1, and is a son of Samuel P. and Eliza- beth (Coulter) Cameron, natives of the same county and of Cerman descent, the former born in 181 7, the latter in 1821. The father followed farming in Pennsyl- vania until 1856, when he remo\-ed with his family to Bureau county, Illinois, locating near Princeton, where he owned and op- erated a farm of two liundred and twenty acres. On dis])osing of that place in 1885, he went to Kansas and invested his money in land in that state. There his wife died in 1 89 1, and he subse(|uently came to Cedar Rapids, where he made his borne with his children until bis death, wliich dccurrcd February 14, 1897. Originally he was a ^^'hig in politics and later supported the Republican party, but took no active part in political affairs aside from voting. In religious faith both he and his wife were Lutherans. They had a family of seven children, of whom two died in Illinois in early childhood, and William died in Min- neapolis, Minnesota, in 1898. The others are Samuel P.. our subject, who is the oldest of the family; Mary E., wife of Henry Gehvicks, of Minneapobs; Margaret M., wife of George Steinbrook, of Columbus, Kansas; and Jennie, wife of Luther Henry, of Red Oak, Iowa. By a former marriage four children were born to Mr. Cameron. One of these, Hannah, is the wife of Daniel Ernest, of Princeton, Illinois. The subject of this sketch passed the days of bis boyhood and youth in Bureau county, Illinois, and attended its public schools until fifteen years of age. During the following three years he worked on the home farm, and at the end of that time he secured a position as brakeman on the Bur- lington & ^Missouri Railroad at Burlington, remaining there until 1874, when he went to Galesburg, Illinois, and commenced fir- ing for the Chicago, Burlington & Ouincy Railroad. In iS7() he was given an engine in the freight service and remained with that road until coming to Cedar Rapids in 1882. He ran a freight train for the Burlington. Cedar Rapids «S: Northern Railroad until 1896, when he was promoted to jjassenger engineer, in which capacity he is still serv- ing. He has worked on all of the divisions of the ro.nd and is one of its most reliable ;md trusted employes. At Kewance. Illinois, in 1875. Mr. Cameron was united in marriage with Miss Christie Cnwan, who was born in Oshkosh. Wisconsin, in 18^^!, a daughter of Andrew BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 89; and Briilget (Kehoe) Cowan. Tlie father is now deceased, but the niotlier is still liv- ing and makes her home in Cedar Kap'ils. Their children were Elizabeth, wife of John Anderson, of Denison, Texas; Christie, wife of our subject; Hilary, wife of John Webster, of Cedar Rapids; and John W., also a resi- dent of this city. Unto ^Ir. and Mrs. Cameron were born two children, but Harry died in 1S89, at the age of eight years. Edna B., born in 1879, is a graduate of the Cedar Rapids high school and is at home with her parents. In 1884 !Mr. Cameron purchased a home in Cedar Rapids, but later sold it, and in 1899 bought a lot, on which he erected a good modern residence with all of the con- veniences of the present day. Politically he is identified with the Democratic party, and fraternally ai^Iiates with Alt. Herman Lodge, Xo. 263, A. F. & A. M; Lodge No. 278, A. O. U. W.; and Division No. 159, B. of L. E., of which he has been chief two years. Religiously he is a meml)er of the L'^nited Evangelical church, and is a man highly respected and esteemed by all who know him. GEORGE T. MUNN. Among the self-made men who have successfully followed railroading through- out the greater part of their active business life is George T. ]\Funn, of Cedar Ra])ids, who has been in the employ of the Burling- ton, Cedar Rapids & Northern Railroad since March, 1873. He was born in Clitt, county Kent, England, February I'l, 1852, and is a son of Frederick and Sarah (George) Munn. The father, w-ho was a sheplierd by occupation, died in that country in August, 1854. In 1S70, the mother, ac- companied by some of her children, crossed the l)rnad All;uuic and came direct to Cedar Rapids, where she died in 1880, at the age of si.xty-four years. She was a mem- ber of the Episcopal church and a most estimable lady. She had eight chil- dren, of w^hom one died in childhood, and Eliza died in England, and Walter in Joliet, Illinois, in 1893. Those living are Benja- min B., a resident of Cedar Rapids; ]\Irs. Sarah Munn, whose husband is a stationary engineer in California; Ann, widow of Daniel Street and a resident of England : Frederick, a farmer of England ; and George T., our subject. During his boyhood George T. Munn attended the public schools of his native land until eleven years of age, and then started out to make his own way in the world, working as a farm hand to assist in the support of the family. He was eight- een years of age when he came to this country w'ith his mother and took up his residence in Cedar Rapids, where he vvas employed as a section hand for a short time. For two years he engaged in farming for Hon. George Greene, and in March, T873, entered the employ of the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern Railroad as a car re- pairer, and also followed various occupa- tions in the shops until 1883, when he went upon the road as fireman for four years. In 1887 he was given an engine and has since had a train, running i)ver nearlv the whole system. I*"or nine years he ran be- tween Burlington and Cedar Rapids and made his home in the former city for eight years of that time. lie then returned to Cedar Rapids, and since January, 1901, has had a fast freight, making dail)' runs be- 894 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD tween Cedar Rapids and Imva Falls. Dur- ing his entire railroad career he has been very successful and fortunately has met with no personal injuries, though in 1885 his train ran into a snow plow at Grundy Center, but no one out of the two crews was hurt. In 1879 Mr. Munn married Miss Eliza- beth Ott, who was born in Quincy, Illinois, May 13. 1856, and was living in Cedar Rapids at the time of their marriage. Her parents are both deceased. Mr. and ^Irs. Munn have three children. Otto W., Sadie and Eva B., all at home. The parents are members, of the Episcopal church, and Mr. Munn also belongs to the Odd Fellows Lodge, No. 141, of Cedar Rapids. Al- though he started out in life for himself with no capital and has been dependent upon his own resources from an early' age, he has met with success in life, and now has property interests in Cedar Rapids. His course has al.so been such as to commend him to the confidence and esteem of all who know him. PETER G. HENDERSON. Wliile "the race is not always to the swift nor the battle to the strong," the in- variable law of destiny accords to tireless energy, industry and aliility a successful career. The truth of this assertion is abundantly vcrilied in the life of Mr. Flen- derson, who is one of the most successful as well as one of the most prominent citi- ezns of Jackson township. A native of Canada, he was born in St. Reime, January 2, 1842. and is a son of ^\■illiam and Aley ( Bursell) Henderson. the former a native of Scotland, the latter of Yorkshire, Englanrad- ford countv on the 23rd of December, 1830. His parents were George and Sarah (Hume) Gray, the former a native of New York. By occupation the father was a farmer. When a young man he removed to Penn- sylvania, where he followed his chosen call- ing until he started for the west with his family. They spent one winter in Ohio and the next in Illinois, and then came to Iowa, stopping in ^luscatine county. In the fall of 1839 the father came to Linn county and took up a claim of one hundred and sixty acres in Marion township, on which he erected a log cabin. He brought his family to the home which he had prepared for them in the spring of 1840. and to the im- provement and cultivation of his land he devoted his time and attention until called to his final rest in 1874. His first wife died and he was again married, his second imion being with Olive Wilsey, who died in 1847. His third wife was Carrie Sloan, who de- parted this life in 1879. By his first mar- riage he had five children, namely : ^^^ \Y., our subject; Parthania Emma, deceased; Angeline, wife of A. Hagerman, a farmer of Otter Creek township; G. A., a retired attorney of Marion, who served as captain in the Civil war; and Ida C, deceased. By his second union the father had one son, Addison D., a retired farmer of Walker, Iowa. There were no children by his last marriage. During his boyhood \\'. ^^'. Gray at- tended the common and subscription schools near his home, and remained imdcr tlie pa- rental roof until after he attained his nia- j(n-ity. For four j-ears he and his father en- gaged in the manufacture of l)rick and in farming together. He then purchased eighty acres of land in Clarion townshi]). about four and a half miles ncrlheast of the citv, which 904 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD was wild prairie land, and later added to it, making a good farm of one hnndred and twenty acres, which he placed under a high state of cultiation and improved with good buildings. He successfully engaged in gen- eral farming until his removal to Marion in 1893. The following year he and T. G. White started the Marion Creamery, which they conducted under the firm name of Gray «& White for three years, when he bought out his partner's interest and has since owned the place. His son. George B. Gray, now has charge of the business and is successfully managing it, while our subject lives retired in the enjoyment of a competence which he has truly earned and richly deserves. Mr. Gray was married in i860, to Miss Saphrona Hardin, who was born near Jef- ferson, Madison county, Ohio, and is a daughter of Benjamin and Mary ( Imlay) Hardin, nati\-es nf \'irginia and Xew Jer- sey, respectively. Her parents came to Iowa in 1855. and located in Marion town- ship. Her father, who devoted his life to agricultural pursuits, died in 1871, and the mother passed away in 1888. Of the chil- dren born to Mr. and Mrs. Gray Mary and Elizabeth are both deceased. George B. married Jennie Keenan, of Linn county, and they ha\'e three children, Grace, Opal and Hazel. Angeline L. is the wife of James R. Van Forsen, a farmer of Marion town- -sliip. Emma is deceased. Sophronia Jane is at home with her parents. W. \\'., Jr., is engaged in mining in Placer county, Cali- fornia. In 1870 Mr. Gray united with the ]Meth- odist Episcopal church and has since taken an active jiart in its work. He is also a member of the United Workmen Lodge, No. 19, of Marion. Through the si.xty years of his residence here he has Ijecduie widely known and his many excellent traits of character have gained him the high regard of his many friends. ED\MX BURD, M. D. Prominent among the successful physi- cians and surgeons of this county is Dr. Edwin Burd, of Lisbon, who is a practi- tioner of far more than local reputation. He was born in Warren county, Xew Jersey, September 9. 1846, and is a son of John and Susanna (Albertson) Burd, also natives of that state, the fortner born February 5, 181 7, the latter September 28, 1822. Throughout his active business life the fa- ther followed farming, but for fifteen years prior to his death lived retired. He was a very public-spirited man and a supporter of the Republican party, but always refused to accept public ofiice. An earnest and con- sistent Christian gentleman, he was a very active member and a ruling elder in the Presbyterian, church. The last twenty-five years of his life were passed in Delaware, New Jersey, where he died October i, 1891, at the age of se\'entv-nine years, and was buried there. His wife is still a resident of that city. She is one of a large family of children, and nt her brothers Agnew was a snldier of the Ci\'il war and died in .\n- dersonville )rrison. She comes of a family which has long been connected v.ith the Episcopal church. The Doctor is the oldest of their three chihh-en. Sarah J. is the wife of M. C. Allen, who is extensively engaged in the lumber business at Delaware, Xew Jersey, and makes a specialty of taking large railroad contracts. Marv, Imrn December BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 905 16, 1856, died at tlie age of eighteen years and \Aas Ijuricd in Delaware. Xew Jersey. Dr. Burd attended the puhlic schools until thirteen years of age, and then entered the academy at Belvidere, New Jersey, where the following year was passed. He next attended Oxford Seminary at Oxford, New Jersey, and after leaving that institu- tion received a teacher's certificate. For fifteen months he engaged in teaching in Alt. Pleasant. Harmony and Oxford, and then turned his attention to the study of telegraphy at the last named place. His first appointment as an operator was at Delaware, New Jersey, where he spent two years, and was next on the United States telegraph lines at Binghamton. New York, and White Ha\en, Pennsylvania. He was next apointed manager for the company at Trenton, New Jersey, and was later trans- ferred in that capacity to Allentown, Penn- sylvania. While at Allentown Dr. Burd took up the study of medicine unde Professor T. C. Yeager, M. D., of Aluhlenburg College at that place, and later attended medical lec- tures at the University of Pennsylvania, where he was graduated March 14, 1S71. \\'hile there he received the appointment as interne of the Philadelphia Lving-in C'harit\' Hospital, which position he held one year, and was also one of the practicing physi- cians and surgeons of the Philadelphia and Pennsylvania Hospitals. On the .24th of April, 1871, he came to Lisbon, Iowa, and here he has since remained, having built up one of the most extensive and lucrative practices of any physician in the coiuUy. In the w'inter of 1881-82 he attended lec- tures and was graduated at the Hahnemann Homeopathic Medical College, of Chicago, and at the same time he also attended lec- tures at the Chicago Medical Ci.illege and clinics at Alercy Hospital. The Doctor is a member of the Iowa L^nion Aledical Soci- ety, of which he is ex-president, and was for many years its secretary. He is also a member of the Imva State Medical Society; the American Medical Associa- tion ; the Iowa State Association of Rail- way Surgeons ; the National Associa- tion of Railway Surgeons ; and was a mem- ber of the Ninth International Medical Congress. He has attended many national and state medical associations, and takes a most active interest in the advancement of his profession, and in any new discoveries made along that line. He spent several, weeks in the various hospitals of Phila- delphia and did some special work there dur- ing the semi-centennial jubilee of the Amer- ican Medical Association. On the 20th of April, 1871. at Anamosa, Iowa, Dr. Burd was united in marriage with Aliss Alary H. Bocher, who was born in Allentown, Pennsylvania, September i, 1848, a daughter of Amos and Isabella (Horn) Bocher, also natives of that state. Her father was one of the leading business men of Allentown. He was a man of strong mental capacity and of literary tastes. His ancestors were among the early settlers of this country, being direct descendants of the French Huguenots who left France after the revi ication of the edict of Nantes, and landed in South Carolina, i le was a man of in- tense i)atriotism and helped to organize the Rei)ublicau party in his county. His early death, September 15, 1862, cut short his ])lans for upholding his principles in' the Rebellion. However, his eldest son. \\'ill- iam Henri, at the age of sixteen years, joined the ranks and served three years. The mother descended from an old Hoi- 9o5 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD land Dutch family who were also among the early pioneers of this country. Her grand- father. Captain Rinker, served in the war of 1812. Eight children blessed this union, as follows : William Henri, Mary Henrietta, Francis Christiania, John Herljert, George Rousseau, Annie Helfenstein, Charles Jud- kins, and Ella Isabella. Mary Henrietta re- ceived her education in the public schools of her nati\-e town. After lea\-ing the high school she entered the Allentown Academy, remaining there until the principal, Pro- fessor I. N^. Gregory, with some of his pupils, enlisted in the army in defense of Gettys- burg, and the school was permanently closed. Afterwards she held a position as teacher in the public schools for seven years — 1863 to 1870. About this lime the mother and fam- ily moved to Iowa and purchased a farm near Anamosa. Here they resided for sev- eral years until, after the marriage of most of the children, the farm was sold and the mother went to IMonticello to live with her son John, who had married Miss Millie Gib- son, of ]\Ionticello. Mrs. Boeher is still li\-ing at the ad\-anccd age of seventy-si.x years. John Herbert married Miss Millie Gibson, and they have two children, Charles and Margaret. Frances Christiania married Edward Thompson, and they have three children living, Edna, Edith, and Frank — husband dead. George Rousseau married Miss Lillie Cashman, of Chicago, who died, leaving a daughter Lillian. He then mar- ried Miss Luella Main, of Boone, by whom he has one son, Main. Anna Helfenstein married George R. \\'illsee, of Parker, South Dakota. She died April 16, 1898, leaving three children. Belle, Helen and Lois. Charles Judkins married a young lady of I'ort Smith, .\rkansa?, and lias one living son, Lawrence. Ella Isabella died in in- fancy. William Henri is now li\ing in Paris, France. He married Miss Mar_\- Jenkins, of Philadelphia, and is the father of four liv- ing children. Belle, May, AgneS and Frank. To the Doctor and his wife were born six children, namely : John Edward, born April 20, 1872, died in infancy. Edith M., born March 29, 1873, died December I, 1899. Slie seemed to have inherited her parents' musical talent, her father having been church organist for many years, and she possessed remarkable ability in that line. She was a graduate of the Conservatory con- nected with Cornell College, and also attend- ed the Chicago Conservatory of Music three years. George R., born August 10, 1874, died of diphtheria September 25, 1879. Ar- tliur H., born January 18, 1876, died Feb- ruary 17, 1877. Laura D., born April 30, 1 88 1, was graduated at the Lisbon high school and is now attending Cornell College, and Charles Leroy, l)orn June 29, 1884, is also a graduate of the Lisbon high school. Dr. Burd has been a Mason since the age of twenty-one, and is now an honored mem- lier of Benjamin Franklin Lodge, No. 574, A. F. & A. M., and is a dimitted member of Trowel Chapter, R. A. M., of Cedar Rapids. He also belongs to Camp No. 907, M. W. A., of Lisbon, and was formerly connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows, and the Iowa Legion of Honor. Po- litically he is a stanch supporter of the Re- pul>]ican ]iarty, and was a memlier of the first town coimcil of Lisbon. He was a member of the scJiool board for a (luarter of a century, serving as its president a great many years; ;md for over fifteen years was health offi- cer. He has been local surgeon for the Chicago & Northwestern Railway for thir- teen vears. and medical examiner for twenty- live life insurance companies for over thirty BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 907 3'ears, duriiii^ wliicli time not one of those examined l^j' him and passed has died of consumption or lieart disease. There has been only one to die of Bright's disease, and that was twent}' years after the exam- ination. Dr. Burd is also president of the Lisbon Telephone Company. On the 8th of August, 1878, he was appointed by Governor Gear as assistant surgeon of the First Regi- ment of Iowa National Guards. His popu- larity among the members of his own pro- fession is shown by his large consultation practice, and his practice among the fam- ilies of physicians. He is a man of deep research and careful investigation, who keeps abreast of any discoveries made in the science oi medicine and surgery, and ti i-day occupies a foremost place in the ranks of his profession. CHARLES L. BESLER. The suliject of this sketch is a promi- nent and successful young business man of Cedar Rapids, who was born here February 14, 1874. His father, Henry Be.sler, was Ijorn in Germany, in 1848, and when young came to the L'nited States, locating in this county about 1868. (See father's biog- raphy.) He had previously learned the carpenter's trade, and was engaged in l)usi- ness as a general contractor, first, in Marion, and, later, in Cedar Rapids, where he con- tinued to follow that pursuit until 1894. One of his largest contracts was the leav- ing of the streets of Peoria, Illinois, and he also did much paving in Cedar Rapids and Waterloo, Iowa, but is now living a retired life in Cedar Rapids, enjox-jng a well-earned rest. He was educated in the cnmmiin schools and is a well read man, who gives to the support of church work, and never withholds his aid from an}' enterprise which he believes will prove of public benefit. He was married in Cedar Rapids to Miss Anna Kuen, who was born in Alsace Loraine, Germany, in 1845, and they have become the parents of five children, namely: Charles L., our subject; Eliza])eth, wife of C. F. Clarke, an attorney of Cedar Rapids; and Frances A., Rosa H. and Henry J., all three at home. They were all educated in the public schools and the daughters are gradu- ates of the same. Charles L. Besler completed the gram- mar school course, but instead of entering th.e high school, he commenced work with his father at the age of fourteen, and was with him continuously until he embarked in business on his own account. He was man- ager in charge of the paving in Peoria and other places, and thoroughly mastered tlie business. In 1895 he embarked in the manu- facture of brick at Cedar Rapids, buving property, on which he erected kilns and the necessary buildings for his business, and now in the busy seasons employs on an average seventeen men, and produces about one million. fi\-e hundred thousand annuallv. He has met with good success in this en- terprise. Although his trade is principally local, he ships considerable brick, and is now at the head of a profitable and successful in- dustry. On the 25th of August, 1896, Air. Besler married Miss Margaret Nyere, who was also horn in Cedar Rapids in 1871, and after graduating from the .schools of this place served as assistant i)rincii)al of the Madison school for some time. Her i)arents were Stephen and Katherine Nyere. The father, wli(^ was a tailor by trade, and an early 9o8 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD settler of Cedar Rapids, died, luit the mi ither still survi\-es him and makes her home with her children. Her family numhers eleven children, of whom nine are residents of Cedar Rapids. Mr. Besler is a pmminent Knight Temp- lar Mason, belonging to Mt. Herman Lodge, No. 263, F. & A. M., of which he is worthy master: 'rnnvel Chapter, Xo. 49. R. A. M. ; and Apollo Commandery. No. 26. K. T. He takes an active part in the work of the order, and has represented his lodge in the grand lodge of Iowa at Davenport. BARNETT LUTZ. Years of quiet usefulness and a life in which the old-fashioned virtues of sincerity, industry and integrity are exemplified have a simple beauty that no words can portray. Youth has its charms, l)ut an honorable and honored old age. to which the lenghtening years have aded dignity and sweetness, has a brighter radiance, as if some rav from the life beyond already rested ujion it. Among the old and prominent citizens of Linn county is Barnett Lutz, of Kenwood Park, who has been a resident of the county since 1839, and has been an important factor in advancing its moral, social and material welfare. ]\lr. Lutz was burn in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, September 12, 181 6, a son of Martin and Catherine (Cline) Lutz, who were born, reared and married in the east- ern jjart of that state and were of German descent. A few years after their marriage they crossed the Alleghany mountains and made n permanent home in Fayette county. The father was a carpenter by trade and fol- lowed that occujiation to some extent, but the greater ])art of his life was devoted to agricultural pursuits. Being energetic and industrious he prrispered in business, and became a well-to-do man. In early life both he and the mother of our subject were earnest and faithful members of the Lu- theran church, but after the latter's death he united with the Presbyterian church, and died in that faith in March, 1833, at the age of eighty-five years. His first wife died in 1832, at the age of fifty years, and he sub- sequently married Mrs. Christina (Kramer) Scott, whi> was also a native of Pennsyl- vania, and died at the age of eighty-four years. By her first marriage she had five children, of whom Oliver Scott. Mrs. Mar- tha Fields and Airs. IMargaret Core are still li\-ing. The subject of this sketch is the third in order of birth in a family of eleven chil- dren, seven sons and four daughters, the others being as follows: David, a prominent farmer of Knox county, Illinois, died there at the age of eighty-seven years, leaving a large family: Catharine married Hugh Alc- Kee, of \\'ashington county. Pennsylvania, where he died in January, 1886, and she died in ^Michigan in 1900, at the advanced age of ninety-three years; George, deceased, was a farmer and carpenter of Fayette county, Pennsyl\-ania : Susan, deceased, was the wife of Christian Best, of Ohio; Sarah married John Patterson and b^th are now deceased; Henry, Adam and William are all deceased : Barbara died when a young woman; and .Martin, a stone mason of Cedar Rapids, Imva. died at the age of eighty-two years. During his boyhood and youth Barnett Lutz assisted his father on the home farm and attended the common schools of the BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 909 neighborhood. On the 1st of March, 1835, he was united in niariage with Miss Anna M. Kramer, a daughter of Andrew and Rachel (Knotts) Kramer, wlio were na- tives of Fayette and Ch'eene counties, Penn- sylvania, respectix'ely, and of (jerman an- cestry. In early life the father followed the occupat on of a glass blower and later engaged in farming. His last years, how- e\er, were spent in retirement from active labor, and he died in 1873, at the age of eighty-two years. Mrs. Kramer died when young, leaving four sons and three daugh- ters. The wife of our subject was reared on her father's farm and educated in the schools of her nati\-e county. Unto ^Ir. and IMrs. Lutz were born eleven children, namely: (ij Rachel mar- ried Henry Ross, who was killed in the bat- tle of Pea Ridge, Arkansas, during the Civil war, and for her second hu.sljand wed- ded Al(3nzo Smith. She is now deceased. (2) Andrew died at the age of one year and nine days. (3) Christina is the wife of Henry G. Strong, a retired farmer of Ken- wood Park, and now a member of the vil- lage council. They have four ch Idren, Charles. Alice, Caroline and George. {4) Caroline E. is the wife of John J. W'ayt, an optician of. Kenwood Park, and they have five children, \Villiam, Mary, Nora, Clara and Anna. (5) Sarah J. is the wife of Charles Cooper, a retired farmer of \\'oodbury county, Iowa, and they have six children, Frank. William, Anna, Calvin, Maude and Stanwell, all born in Linn coun- ty. (6) Mary is the wife of John H. Smith, who is 'a marble cutter l)y trade, Init is now engaged in mercantile business in Belle Plaine. Iowa, and they have four children. Frederick, Terry, Ada ;uihtical affairs of the county, and in l]usiness cir- cles stands deservedly high. Whether in public or private life, his integrity is aljove queftioa and his honur alcove reproach, and Linn county mav well number him among her valued cit.zens. FREDERICK E. AVERILL. Frederick E. Averill, one of the lead- ing railroad men of Cedar Rapids, was born on the i8th of September, 1843, in Northfield, Washington county, Vermont, and is a worthy representative of an old and honored New England family, his par- ents being Roland and Susan (Brown) Averill, natives of the same state, the for- mer born in 1814, the latter in 1817. His paternal great-grandfather came to this country from England at an early day, but the maternal great-grandfather was of Scotch ancestry. The grandfather. Colo- nel Oliver Averill, was an officer in the war of 1812, and was in a skirmish with the English at Plattsburg. He was ap- pointed postmaster of Northfield, Vermont, in 1842, and filled the office of town treas- urer many years. Our subject's maternal grandfather, Joel Brown, was born in 1779, and in 1800 cut the first tree and built the first log cabin in Center Village, Vermont, where he afterward lived. During his boyhood Rolan A\erill re- ceived a fair education for those early days, and with his father learned the blacksmith's trade, afterward working as a blacksmith in railroad shops for twenty-eight years. He died in 1894. and his \vife passed away in 1897. She was a well-educated woman, as her father was (piile wealthy and could afford to give his children the best school privileges. Five children were born to Ro- lan and Susan (Brown) Averill. and of these ( )li\er died in infancy, and William, a railroad engineer, died in Beardstown, Illinois. Those living are Ellen, widow of Langdon Davis, of Bellows Falls, Vermont, who was also an engineer and was killed while on duty; Frederick E., the subject of this sketch; and Elizabeth, wife of Frank Thompson, an engineer on the Boston & Maine Railrnad. Frederick E. Averill began his educa- tion in the public schools of his- native town, w hich he attended during the winter months, while he worked through the summer. He pursued his studies at an academj- for one year, and completed his education at the a.ge of sixteen. Three years before this he began earning his own li\-elihood, and has since been dependent upon his owai resources. He learned the blacksmith's trade with his father, and worked in railroad shops until he attained his majority, when he left the Green Mountain state and came to Iowa. After a short time spent in Clinton, he came to Cedar Rapids, but soon returned to the former place, where he found employment as fireman un the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad, running between that place and Cedar Rapids. On the 31st of December, 1866, after firing for over two years, he was gi\-en an engine, wdiich he ran until July, 1868, when he entered the service of the L'nion Pacific Railroad. Subsequently he was engaged in engineering in Wyom- ing for three months, and then tra\-eled eight hundred miles overland to Skull .^'ancli. now Igenta, on the Central Pacific Rnilrnad. I'^or one year he ran an engine 1 etween Wordsworth and \^'intermucke, 92: BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD and at tlie end of tliat time went to Illi- nois, running an engine out of Beardstown on the Rockford, Rock Island & St. Louis Railroad for three years. In the fall of 1872 he came to Cedar Rapids, and for six years was in the employ of the Bur- lington, Cedar Rapids & Northern Rail- road as engineer, but on the expiration of that time he returned to Illinois, and was engaged in the draying business in Mon- mouth for two years. Mr. Averill next went to Minneapolis, Minnesota, and for eighteen months was an engineer on the Minneapolis & St. Louis Railroad. In the fall of 1 88 1 he returned to Cedar Rapids and has since been an engineer on the Bur- lington, Cedar Rapids, & Xorthern Rail- road, having had both freight and passen- ger runs. Since 1893 he has been engineer on a freight running between Cedar Rap- ids and Decorah, Iowa. He is the fourth oldest freight man on the road, and the thirtieth in point of service as engineer. Mr. Averill was married May 27, 1871, to Miss Mary Belle Hood, who was born at Rock Run, Illinois, May 5, 1853, a daugh- ter of Samuel and Alary Hood. The mother died in June, 1881, but the father is still living at the age uf eighty-four years, and makes his home in Los Angeles, California. Of their ten children Mrs. Averill is the only one living in Linn county, Iowa. She was educated in the schools of Monmouth, Illinois. Unto our subject and his wife were born five children, of whom Lizzie E. died in 1881, at the age of nine years. Su- sie B., born July 9. 1874, is now the wife of Charles E. Claussen. an employe of the Farmers Insurance Company at Cedar Rap- ids. Mina L., born February 6, 1877, is at home. Fred R., born June 17, 1881, is cmpldved in a steam laundrj' at Albert Lea, Minnesota. Charles S., born January 26, 1886, is at home. All have been educated in the public schools of Cedar Rapids, from which the daughters both graduated, and they also attended the high school for a year and a half. Susie has engaged in clerking, while Mina has engaged in book- keeping. The family have a pleasant hcmie in Ce- dar Rapids, which Mr. Averill purchased in 1893. He is a supporter of the Method- ist Episcopal church, of which his wife is an earnest member, and he is connected with Division No. 159, Brotherhood of Lo- comotive Engineers, in which he has held office. He can relate many interesting ex- periences in his railroad career, especially in the west. He used wood as fuel on the engines while with the Central Pacific Rail- road, and as it was often green, he has had the fires go out when there was not a house within one hundred miles of where he stoijped. W. J. SIMPSON. W. J. Simpson, who is successfully en- gaged in agricultural pursuits in Clinton township, Linn county, Iowa, was born in the state of Indiana, near Goshen, Elkhart county, January 24, 1855. His parents were Henry B. and Elizabeth ( Garnnant ) Simpson. In 1861 his father came to Linn county and purchased a farm close to Wes- ton, which was then known as Hoosier Grove. This farm contained about one hundred and sixty acres, and for six years he lived and worked upon it. He then bought a farm from Sampson Bever, which contained one hundred and eighty acres. Mrs. Simpson, our subject's mother, was a native of Ohio, and to her and Mr. Simp- BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 923 son were born the following six children : Alice lives with her husljand, William Krebs, who is engaged in the m(.)nument buiness on Rockford avenue, Cedar Rapids ; John Krebs became the husband of Rosa, now a widow living at Fourth avenue and Second street, Cedar Rapids; Charles, a carpenter with Loomis Brothers in Cedar Rapids; Arvilla, the wife of George Ment- zer, a clerk in the dry-goods department of tile Fair store; Cora married Harry Jacobs, but is now deceased, passing away April II, 1893. The schools of Cedar Rapids were the places of the early education of W. J. Simp- son. Farm life always having been a very attractive one for Mr. Simpson, upon leav- ing school he went to live upon his father's beautiful place. At the age of twenty-three years he married Mi'SS Delia Foster, daugh- ter of Jonathan and Clarissa (Self) Fos- ter. The father of Mrs. Foster was born in Pennsylvania, January 18, 1800. Her mother was a native of Ohio, born ]\Iarch 21. 1820. ]\Irs. Simpson was one of five children : Robert is a farmer by occupa- tion and lives with his wife, who was Miss i^Iay Plough, near Leeburg, Indiana; Clara, now deceased, wife of Melviu Rowan, died July 7, 1888, in Ligonier, Indiana; Taze- well died in infancy, at the age of four years; Osie lives in Ligonier, Indiana, with her husband, Hainan Nelson, who is a teamster. Alarried December 5, 1878, Mr. and ]\lrs. Simpson have become the parents of three children : Harry, now deceased, born September 13, 1879, died May 9, 1892; Iva. born October 7, 1885, and Tvlay, born March 10, 1890, are attending school in Clinton township. .\t the age of twenty-eight years, up to which time Air. Simpson had charge of his father's farm, he niox-ed to La Porte City, Benton county, Iowa, where he bought ninety-three acres of improved land. He spent four years here, and then bought a farm of two hundred acres near Watkins, Benton county, upon which he resided for twelve years. Selling this property, he moved on his father's farm on Rockford avenue, and lived there about a year. On the 28th of February, 1900. he purchased the farm upon which he now li\-es. This farm contains eighty acres of land, all in the highest state of cultivation. Starting in life with a team of horses and a couple of head of cows as his only possessions, Mr. Simpson's determination to succeed soon enabled him to accumulate property, so that to-day he is one of the prosperous as well as one of the highly respected citizens of the township. A Re- publican in national and state politics, in township and county affairs his vote is cast for the man he considers best suited to fill the ofiiice. As a member of the Pres- byterian church, to which he and his wife have belonged for the past eight years, he takes an active interest in its work, and by the community in general he is held in the highest esteem. WTLLIAAI B. KNICKERBOCKER. William B. Knickerbocker, who is now- living a retired life in Kenwood Park, was born in Ontario county, New York, De- cember 12, 1822, and is a son of John Knickerbocker, who was also a native of the Empire state and of celebrated old Knickerbocker stock, well known for their 924 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD sterling worth and enterprising industry. The father was reared in Ontario county from a small boy, and there married Miss Theodosia Bodman, who was born in that county and belonged to a very wealthy and prominent family. After a happy mar- ried life of thirty years the mother passed away, but the father survived her many years, and died February 12. 1883. at the aee of eio-htv-six vears and six months. They were deeply religious, and in their later days became adherents of the Advent doctrine. \\'illiam B. is the only surviving member of their family of three children, his two sisters having died at the ages of five and twelve years, respectively. When a small b(_iy our subject removed with his parents to Sandusky county, Ohio, and later to Norwalk, that state, where the family made their home for several years, it being there that the mother died. Sub- sequently they came to Linn county, Iowa, and settled on section 14, Fairfax township, where the father's death occurred. William Ij. Knickerljocker tirst located in Monroe township, where he purchased one hundred anl thirty acres of wild land, and to its im- provement and cultivation devoted his en- ergies for some time. On selling that place he removed to Fairfax township, and was successfully engaged in farming on section 14 for many years, but is ncnv living a retired life in Kenwood Park, enjoying a well-earned rest. Mr. Knickerbocker was first married in 'Seneca county, Ohio, February 9, 1849, to Miss Sarah Han ford, who was of New England parentage and of English descent. She was born in that county, June 9, 1832, and was reared and educated in her native state, remaining with her parent- imt 1 her niru'riage. Slie died .August 26, 1867. leav- ing three children : Laura, now Mrs. Gib- son, who lives with her father; Edward, whose sketch appears on another page of this volume; and Ida, wife of Benton Brown, a farmer and stock raiser of South Dakota. On the 22nd of January, 1868, Mr. Knickerbocker was again married, his sec- ond union being with Miss Augusta Gib- sun, a native of Pennsylvania, wh(j died September i, 1876. By this marriage he had four children: Etta, now the wife of Walter Ure, who is engaged in mining at Cripple Creek; Bertha, wife of H. Porter, who owns a large fruit ranch in California; Buton, an employe in the office of the Air Motor Company of Chicago; and Mark, a comiuercial tra\eler living in Elkhart, In- diana. In his political views Mr. Knickerbocker is a Republican, and he has been called upon to fill the offices of assessor and justice of the peace. He is. a consistent and faithful member of the Congregational church, and is a man highly respected and esteemed by all who know him. TAYLOR CARPENTER. The subject of this biography was born in Cedar Rapids. February 27. 1859, and is a worthy representative of one of its old and honored families, being a son of Ga- briel Carpenter, who located here in 1852, and bore an important part in the early de- velo])ment and ])rosperity of the cit_\'. The Carpenter family is of Swiss origin, and was foundetl in America in 1690, by Hein- rich Zimmerman, who located in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and afterward changed his name to the luiglish name "i Cari)enter. BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 925 The early ancestors of our subject were soldiers and officers in the Re\-olutionary war, and the family has always Ijeen a pa- triotic and loyal one. Gabriel Carpenter, our subject's father, was born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, in 1 80 1, and was but a 'small child when he removed to Lancaster, Ohio, where his par- ents died. There he was reared to agricult- ural pursuits and educated in the country schools. As previously stated he came to Cedar Rapids in 1852, and purchased five hundred acres of land. He erected his resi- dence on the corner of Twelfth avenue and Eighth street, and his farm lay between that and the citj- pniper. The material fur this building was hauled by team from Mus- catine, there being no railroad at that time, and the trip from Ohio was made overland. IMr. Carpenter fnund the country but sparsely settled, while there were no small tnwns in this locality, and Cedar Rapids was a mere village. As the city grew he laid out several additions on his farm at different times, now known as Carpenter's additions from one to seven. He finally gave up farming and devoted his entire attention t(.) his real estate interests, while during his last years he lived retired from active business. He was one of the original stockholders of the City Water Company and of the old First National Bank of Cedar Rapids, and one of the owners and first president of the Marshalltown Gas Company. In later years he was an extensive dealer in real estate. At one time he owned what was known as the Pullman House, which was burned in 1876, and which he later replaced by a twn- istory brick structure. His fir.st home here was also destroyed by fire in 1865. and was rebuilt on the same foundation, it being afterward used for several years as the Old Ladies' Home. He acquired considerable property, l)ut always gave lil)erally of his means to all \\i)i;thy objects and assisted in advancing all public enterprises which he be- lieved would pro\'e of benefit to the city. By his ballot he supported the Republican party, but never cared for political promin- ence. Fraternally he was a member of the Masonic order, and at his death, which oc- curred March 10, 1881, he was laid to rest with IMasonic honors by Crescent Lodge, Xo. 25. He also held membership in the Episcopal Church, and was one of its officers for about a quarter of a century, serving as junior warden for several years. To churches and all charitable institutions of the city he was a liberal contributor, and was in every way deserving of the high re- gard in which he was uniformly held. Gabriel Carpenter was twice married, his first wife being Catheryn Pierce, who died in Ohio. Of the seven children' b :)rn to them two died in infancy, while the others reached years of maturity, namely : Sey- mour D., born in 1826, was a physician by profession, but after coming to this state at an early day he became identified with rail- road liuilding as a contractor, and now lives in Ottumwa, Iowa ; Rebecca died in Sioux City. Iowa ; Emanuel B. is a farmer of Republic county, Kan.sas; Mary is the wife of George W'eare, of Sioux City. Iowa; and Su.sana is the widow of H. B. Stibbs and a resident of Chicago. Mr. Carpenter was again married in Ohio, his second union be- ing with Maria Clifton, who was born in that state in April, 1820, and still survives her husband, making her home in Cedar Rapids. She too is an earnest member of the Episcopal church and takes an active part in its work. Five children were born of the second marriage of whom one died in 926 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD infancy; Delia died in Cedar Rapids. June 16, 1900; John died in the same city, in 1897, at the age of forty-two years; Tay- lor, the subject of this sketch, is the next of the family; and George, who lives in Nashville, Tennessee, is now forty years of age. Taylor Carpenter acquired his early edu- cation in the public schools of Cedar Rap- ids, and later took an elective course at Shat- tuck Hall of Faribault, Alinnesota. He be- gan his business career as an employe of C. W. Eaton in the liardware business, and continued with him for ten years or until 1888. He was next in the employ of Will- iam King until 1897, and for the following two years was a clerk in the office of the American Cereal Company. In 1899 he entered the office of A. H. Connors, con- tractor and builder, where he holds the po- sition of head bookkeeper. In 1885 I\Ir. Carpenter was united in marriage with ]\Iiss Maude Woodman, who was born in Alarengo, Iowa, in 1863, a daughter of Frank B. and Rebecca L. Wood- man. Her father, who is now deceased, served as deputy marshal and was connected with the police department of Cedar Rapids for ten years. His wife still survives him. Their children were Maud, wife of our sub- ject; Charles L., a resident of Cedar Rap- ids ; and Frank R. In politics Mr. Carpenter is a Repub- lican, but has never taken an active part in political affairs. Socially he is a prominent member of Crescent Lodge, No. 25, F. & A. M., of wliich he was made master January I, 1901 ; is a charter member of Lodge Xo. 278, A. O. U. W., of which he was treas- urer three terms; and also belongs to tlie Woodmen of the \\'orld. IJoth he and h s wife are members of the Episcopal Church, and she is now president of St. Clary's Guild and takes an active part in the work of the ladies' societies. SAMUEL S. RIDDLE. Among the leading and influential citi- zens of Franklin township is numbered the gentleman whose name introduces this sketch, his home being on section 14. A native of Pennsylvania, he was born in Bed- ford county, on the 9th of November, 183 1, and is a son of George F. Riddle, who was born near Harper's Ferry, Virginia. His paternal grandfather, Joseph Riddle, was a Scotchman by birth, and was reared in his native land. On his emigration to the new world in an early day he located in Virginia, but afterward removed to Bedford county, Pennsylvania, where he bought a large farm, making it his home throughout the remain- der of his life. Like his father, George F. Riddle, was also an agriculturist. Desir- ing to try his fortune in the west he re- moved to La Salle county, Illinois, in 1858, and for four years made his home on a farm one mile from Mendota. He then came to Iowa, and for a year resided near Marengo. At the end of that time he be- came a resident of Linn county, purchasing a farm near Lisbon, and to its cultivation and improvement he devoted the remainder of his life, his death occurring there in April, 1867. In early manhood he married iMiss Sophia Sill, a native of Bedford coun- ty, Pennsylvania, and a daughter of Daniel and Catherine Sill, who were of English descent. She survived her husband about twelve years, and died on the home farm in 1879. They had a family of eight children, BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 927 seven sons and one daughter, of whom our subject was fuurtli in order of birth. Samuel S. Riddle passed the days of his boyhood and youth in the county of his na- tivity, and is indebted to its common schools for his educational privileges. On leaving home in 1854 he went to New York city, where he spent one year with an elder brother, and then returned to his father's farm. In 1856 he was unitetl in marriage with Harriet Spang, who was born in Leba- non count}-. Pennsylvania, a daughter of Rudolph and Mary (Dunarbarger) Spang. A year later they left their native state and removed to Mendota, Illinois, where Mr. Riddle conducted a store for one year, and then turned his attention to agricultural pur- suits, operating a rented farm near that place until 1861. He then came to Iowa, and after living on his father's farm for a year, he purchased land on section i, Frank- lin township, this county, where he made his home for four years. On disposing of that property he located on his brother's farm, where the following three years were spent, and at the end of that time he bought a farm on section 15, Franklin township, which he occupied until 1884, when he rented it and removed to his present farm on section 14, the same township. This place is conveniently located on the main road from Mt. Verncju to Lisljon, and is one of the most desirable farms in that locality. Its neat and thrifty appearance evidences the skill and ability of the owner in his chosen calling, as well as his sound judgment in business affairs. Good and sul)stant^al buildings are surrounded by wtll tilled fields, and all of the conveniences and accessories of a model farm arc there found. L'nto -VIr. and Mrs. Riddle were born six children, namely : Calvin, War Bell, Hattie, Laura Cecelia, Eva S., and Lloyd Edwin. They are people of the highest respectability and are quite prominent socially in the com- munities where they reside. In religious faith they are Lutherans, and in political sentiment Mr. Riddle is an ardent Repub- lican. JOHN S. ELY. John S. Ely is one of tlie ])ul)lic-spirited citizens of Cedar Rapids to whose energy and enterprise the city is indebted for many improvements. While Mr. Ely, as a pros- perous business man, has given close atten- tion to his private affairs, he has never for- gotten or ignored that bond of common in- terest which should unite the people of every community and is a liberal supporter of all philanthropic work. -Mr. Ely was born in Cedar Rapids on the i8th of November, 1853, ^'i^l is a son of John F. and Mary A. ( Weare) Ely, w^ho are represented on another page of this vol- ume. His elementary education was ob- tained in the one school house aft'orded dur- ing his boyhood. Later he entered Prince- ton College, where he pursued a classical course and was graduated in 1877. with the degree of A. B. During the following two years he was engaged in mining in Utah, and at the end of that time returned to Cedar Rapids, where he has since made his home. For a time he held a jjosition in the office of the Williams Harvester Works, and has since engaged in variou.s lines of business, in which he has been quite success- ful. At present he is devoting his time and energies to the real estate business, and is also serving as vice-president, secretary and treasurer of the Cedar Rapids & Marion 928 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD City Railway Company, witli wliich he has been connected since its organization, and , has always held some office in the company. In 1881 Air. Ely was married in Cedar Rapids to Miss Bessie E. Shaver, a native of Vinton, Iowa, and a daughter of I. H. Shaver, of Cedar Rapids, and to them have been born four children, namely: ■ John AI.. Mary Esther, Frederick S. and Alartha W., three of whom are either attending the pub- lic schools or Coe College, of Cedar Ra lids. Politically Mr. Ely is identified with the Republican party, and takes an active inter- est in its welfare, while fraternally he anili- ates with the Sons of Veterans and the Loyal Legion. He and his wife are both connected with the First Presbyterian Church, and she is a very active worker in church societies, and also in the Ladies' Literary Societies of the city. Air. Ely is truly benevolent, and the jioor and needy count him among their friends, for no worthy one ever sought his aid in vain. He has always been especially active in philan- thropical work, and was instrumental in or- ganizing the home for aged women, of which he is now trustee. He is also a trustee of the Young Men's Christian Association and of Coe College, giving the latter institution his special care. His private interests must always gi\-e way to the public good, and thus he has become honored and esteemed by all wliii iia\e the jjleasure of his acquaintance of who have met him in a business wav. AXDREW FLSOX. For thirty-six years the subject of this sketch was one of the honored and highly respected citizens of Fairfax township, as well as one of its well-to-do agriculturists. He was born near the city of London, Eng- land, ou the 2gth of April. 1829, and was a son of John and Sarah Elson, also natives of that country. The father followed the wheelwright's trade up to the time he came to America in 1831. when he settled in Buffalo and commenced work at the cabi- netmaker's and carpenter's trades. Subse- quently he lived for a number of years in Alilwaukee. Wisconsin, and in i860 came to Linn county, Iowa, where he made his home with his 50ns, dying here in 1874. His wife survi\ed him about nine years and passed away in 1883. They were the par- ents of four children who reached matm-ity. Init the only one now living is James Elson, a resident of Fairfax township. Andrew Elson, the youngest of tliis fam- ily, acfpiired his education in the schools of Buffalo, New York, and in early life learn- ed the stove molder's trade. \\'hen the family came west he followed that occu- pation in Chicago for a number of years. but nn their remn\;d to Linn ci>untv he purchased land and turned his attention to agricultural pursuits. He owned the farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 4. Fairfax townshiji. where his family still live, and placed it under a high state of cul- tivation. To the further improvement and cultivation of this place he gave his entire time until called to his final rest March 22, 1896. His remains were interred in the Fairfax cemetery. On the 23d of December, 1869. Mr. El- son was united in marriage with Aliss N. A. Pitt, a native of Burlington, Des Aloines county, Iowa, and a daughter of Philip Pitt, who was one of the pioneers of this state, ha\ing located here in 1837 when it was still a territory. Burlington at that time was BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 929 a mere village of log cabins. ]\Ir. Pitt was a native of Ohio, as was also his wife, who bore the maiden name of Sarah J. Winter- stein, but they were married in liurlington. Airs. Elson is the oldest of the four children born to this worthy couple. She has a sister living in this county, the wife of L. W. Richards, who is represented elsewhere in this volume. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Elson were born three children as follows: Philip, who married ]\Iay Stone and is now engaged in the blacksmith business in Belle Plaine, Iowa; James, who is now operating the home farm; and Frederick A., who is in the em- ploy of the United States government in California. In his political views Air. Elson was a Democrat, and he was called upon to fill a numljer oi mini ir official positions. He was widely and favorably known throughout the community where he so long made his home, and commanded the respe:t and confidence of all with whom he came in contact either iii business or social life. RUSSELL H. FISHER. Since 1891 this gentleman has been prominently identified with the bns'ness in- terests of Cedar Rapids as a contractor and builder, and has met with most excellent success. He was born near Bedford, Bed- ford county, Pennsylvania, on the i6th of February, i860, his parents being Jacob and Sarah (Hammond) Fisher, also natives of Pennsylvania, the former born in 1820, the latter in 1S33. In early life the father worked at the blacksmith's trade, but after his removal to Illinois followed farming. On first going to the Prairie state in 1865, he located in Stephenson county, and later re- moved to a farm near Shannon, Carroll county, where he dieil in 1893. His wife is still living and continues to reside on the old homestead in Carroll county. They were the parents of ten children, all of whum are still li\-ing, namely: Scott, a contract- or of Aloline, Illinois; Emma, wife of Will- iam Fennel, of Stephenson count}', Illinois; Ellen, wife of John Keltner. a farmer of Carroll county, Illinois; Margaret, wife of Daniel Studebaker, of Richland county, Wisconsin; Russell H., our subject; Shan- non, a ranchman of Colorado; Simon, a farmer of Carroll county, Illinois; \\'illiani, a carpenter of Shannon, Illinois ; Edward, a bookkeeper of Chicago ; and Myrtle, wife of William Coon, a farmer of Carroll coun- ty. The children were all educated in the public schools of Illinois. Russell PI. Fisher grew to manhood on the farm and at the age of eightee:i years commenced work at the carpenter's trade, which he has followed ever since with good success. He engaged in contracting and building in Carroll county. Illinois, until 1891, when, deiring a wider field for his labors, he came to Cedar Rapids. His skill and ability soon won for him a liberal pa- tronage, and is now kept very bus}-, em- ploying about nine men all the year round. He builds mostly residences, but also does general contracting, and ranks among the best in his line in the city. In 1884 Mr. Fisher was married in Car- roll county, Illinois, to Mis'S' Margaret Cow- ley, a native of Ridott, Stephenson county, that state, and a daughter of Joseph and Jane Cowle}', who are now residing in Shan- non, Illinois. Our subject and his wife have one daughter, Bernice M., born in 1893. 930 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD Mrs. Fisher is a member of the Catholic cliurch, and while not connected with any- religious organization our subject is a sup- porter of all church and charitable work. Socially he affiliates with Camp Linden, No. 45, M. W. A., and politically is identi- fied with the Republican party, though he has never been an aspirant for office. In manner he is ratlier quiet and unassuming, 3-et is a successful contractor, and is highly respected and esteemed by all who know him. F. A. H. GREL'LICH. Since the fall of 1883 this gentleman has been a resident of Marion, Iowa, and his name is inseparably connected with its business interests. He has built up an ex- cellent trade as a dealer in grain, coal, stock, brick, rock salt and tiling, and now occu- pies an enviable position in business cir- cles. He is a native of the Buckeye state, being born in Tiffin, Ohio. April 21. 1S50, and is a son of F. J. and Lena ( Younker ) Greulich, natives of Germany ami France. respectively. As a boy the father came to America in 1832. and grew to manhood in Cleveland, Ohio, where he followed the oc- cupation of a teamster for some time. In 1840 he removed to Wooster, Ohio, and in 1854 came to Iowa City. Iowa, where he conducted a hotel and also engaged in farming. Subsequently he was engaged in the coal business in Chicago, Illinois, for six years, and on leaving that city removed to Independence, Iowa, where he carried on merchandising until his death, which oc- curred in 1885. His wife died in 1890. Of the thirteen children boi'n to them the following reached years of maturity: John, a resident of Iowa City; Frank A. H., our subject; Helen; Philip, of Denver. Colo- rado; Tressa, of Beloit, Wisconsin; Mary, of Independence, Iowa; and Julia and Ida, both of Iowa City. Frank A. H. Greulich received only a limited education in the common schools, his time being principally devoted to work during his boyhood and youth. At the age of twenty-one he entered a butter and egg commission house of Iowa City, where he was employed for three >'ears, and then started in business for himself as a grain and produce dealer in Luzerne, Iowa, car- rying on operations there for thirteen years. Disposing of his business in Luzerne, he removed to ?*Iarion in the fall of 1883. and has since made this latter city his home. In 1 88 1 he built a grain elevator at Key- stone, and three years later bought three more elevators in the following places : \'an Home, \' ining and Elberon, Iowa, all of which he still conducts in connection with his business at Marion. His elevators have a capacity of fift}' thon.-and bushels, and as a grain dealer he makes his head- quarters at Keystone. On the 4th of September, 1876, in Lnva City, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. (ireulich and ]\Iiss Philomena L. O'Don- nell, of that place, a daughter of John O'Donnell. In 1893 Mr. (h-eulich built his present beautiful home at 970 Twelfth street. Marion, at a cost of fifty-five hun- dred dollars. It is supplied with all mod- ern improvements, being lighted b\' elec- tricity and heated with hot water, and is one of the most atracti\-e residences of the city. Fraternally Mr. Greulich is a mem- ber of Cedar Rapids Lodge, No. 251, B. P. O. E.. and religiously is a member on the Emerald Isle and met with remarkable success in the enterprise. Thomas Sinclair spent his entire life in Ireland and died in 1867. He took a very active part in relig- ious and charital)le work and founded the Church of Duncairn at Belfast, which is now one of the most fi(uu-ishing of that city, while his liruther John founded what is known as the Sinclair Seaman's Church. BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 933 Botli were Pre;byterians in relginiis 1)elief. The subject of this sketch is the third in urder of birth in a family of five children and the only one of the number to come to America. His mother is still a resident of Belfast. By a former marriage the father also had five children. During his boyhood Sydney E. Sinclair attended a private school in Clifton, Eng- land, where he acquired a knowledge of the Ijrimary branches of learning, and later was a student at the Academical Institution in Belfast. Subsequently he entered Uueen's College, of Belfast, now a part of the Royal University of Ireland, taking a course in engineering with the view of making that his profession, but abandoned that project a year later. He next entered a chemical laboratory at Dresden, Germany, where he carried on the philosophical studies begun at Queen's College. ^Ir. Sinclair began his business career soon after his return to Belfast, by entering the olfice of an agent of the S'nclair Com- pany at Leeds, England, to familiarize him- self with that part of the busine-s, after which he thoroughly mastered the manu- facturing part at Belfast. In i8(Si he came to America locating at Indianapolis, where a branch establishment had been started by the Belfast house. There he spent three mnnths, during which time T. M. Sinclair, who conduted the business at Cedar Rapids, met death by accident. Our subject next went to New York cit}' that he might gain a better knowleilge of the financial and shipping department of the business, and remained with the house there until the fall of 1H83, when he came to Cedar Rai)itls as assistant manager. He was connected with the Ijusiness at this place until the fall of 1892, when he returned ti.i England atlle of Lookout Mountain. He is a gold mining expert in Wyoining, where he is interested in a number of large mines. Altogether the five brothers ser\ed about fifteen yearjs in the army, ax'eraging three years each, — a record equaled by but few faniilies, and showing their loyalty to their country and their love for the stars and stripes. Eugene Allen was about five years of age when he removed with his parents to Portage county, Wisconsin, where he was reared and educated. He was only sixteen when he enlisted in 1864 as a recruit in the Twelfth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and joined his regiment at Marietta, Georgia, in time to take part with General Sherman in the famous march to the sea. Becoming ill at Savannah, he was placed on board the old boat, General Barnes, and was taken to Xew York, where he remained in a hospital until he received his discharge at th,^ close of the war. He then returned to his fa- ther's home in Wisconsin, and after the latter's death, in 1868, managed the farm until his mother married again, in 1873. iMr. Allen then went to Kock Island, Illinois, where he took a commercial ct.un-se at a business college, and on hvs- gTaduation accepted a position with a wholesale and jobbing grocery house, but on account of ill health was forced to resign a few months later. He next learned the carpenter's trade under the instruction of his brother Cliarles, and worked at the same in Rock Island for six years. In April. 188.2, he came to Cedar Rapids and entered the employ of Lorenzo Cooper as foreman, whicli position he filled for four years. On the expiration of that period he started in business for himself as a contractor and builder, and has met with well-deserved success, command- ing a liberal share of the public patronage. At Rock Island, Illinois, ifr. Allen was married in 1881 to ^liss Kate M. Baker, 942 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD who was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsyh-ania, in 1848, and is a daughter of William and Hannah Baker, early set- tlers of the Prairie state. B}- this union was born a son, Robert Kenneth, now a student in the high school of Cedar Rapids. i\Ir. Allen has a niece, Louise Tenne}-, who possesses considerable talent as a musician. She first studied music at Ida Grove, Iowa, and later spent two years at the Chicago Conservatory of Alusic, after which she taught for a time. In August, 1900. in company with one of her pupils, she sailed for Germany to pursue her studies in the Conservatory of ]\Iusic at Leipsic, where she will remain about two years. Both INIr. and i\Irs. Allen are active and prominent members of the Christian church of Cedar Rapids, and he is now hold- ing the office of deacon in the same. He is also connected with the Independent Or- der of Odd Fellows, and while a resident of Rock Island passed all the chairs in the subordinate lodge, and served as worthy deputy grand master of the grand lodge. He is an honored member of T. C. Cook Post No. 235, G. A. R., and has fiUed all the offices in that lodge up to senior vice- commander. In politics he is a Republican, but has never cared for political honors, preferring to devote his undivided atten- tion ti) his extensive business interests. He is a quiet, unassuming man, but makes many friends, and has the confidence and respect; of all who know him. LE\"I G. 1500TH. Levi G. Booth was one of the furcnicist citizens of College township fn^ni early maiihood until his death, and throughout the greater portion of his life continued to re- side on the old homestead on sectinn 10, where he was born April 12, 1853. lie Avas not only a representative of an old and honored family of this country, l)ut traced his ancestry back to good old Revolutionary stock. In early colonial days his paternal great-great-grandfather, John Booth, emi- grated from England in company with his brother, and they became the founders of the family in the new world. He located in Connecticut, where he engaged in agri- cultural pursuits in early life, and when the colonies took up arms against the muther country during the Revolutionary war, he was commissioned captain of a company in the Continental army. He made a brilliant mllltar}' record and survived the vicissitudes of war, but received fatal injuries by being thrown from a horse while fighting on Long Island. It is supposed that he was married in Connecticut, where his son, Isaiah Booth, the great-grandfather of our subject, was liorn, reared and married. In 1800 the lat- ter removed to Madison county. New York, where he became a successful farmer and ll\-ed to the good old age of eighty years. Ezra Booth, the only child of Isaiah of whom the family have any account, and the grandfather of our subject, was a native of Connecticut, and was a young man of twen- ty-one }-ears when the faniil}' renioxed to Xew York, where he was also engaged in farming throughout life. There he married Miss Clarissa Madison, a native of ^^ladison C'lunly. Xew 'N'ork, and to them were horn eight children, six sons and two daughters. Tliey continued their residence in that coun- ty throughout life and died when well ad- \anced in years. Rev. Isaiah' Booth, our subject's father, was born in ]\Iadison cinnity. X^ew York, BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 943 October ly, 1816, and was the third son and cliild of his parents. He was most care- fuhy trained in tiiose moral and religious principles which combine to make the up- right man and good citizen, and remained under the parental roof until eighteen years of age. Two years later, in 1836, he went to Illinois, where he spent one winter in tra\- eling over the country, devoting much time to hunting and trapping. He also cr(jssed the Mississippi, and being delighted with tlie appearance of this state, he decided to make his future home here. Although so young- he had aready been married, his wife be- ing Miss \\'ealthy Taylor, who lived near his old home in Xew York, Iwt she died of consumption a few months after their mar- riage, before he started west. On his first trip to Iowa ]\Ir. Booth re- mained only a short time. Feeling the need of a better education than had been afforded him during his boyhood and youth, he returned to Hillsboro, Illinois, and en- tered the academy at that place, where he fitted himself for teaching. lie then went to Springfield, that state, where he taught school for two terms. That city was then a mere \-illage and the disease known as milk sickness was prevalent. Of so little value was the land at that time that he was once ofifered the whole block on which the state house now stands for his watch, whicii was worth about eleven dollars. Still in- tent upon obtaining a better education, ^Ir. Booth next entered the college at Gran- \i\\e, Ohio, where he paid for his tuilinn and supported himself by doing such odd juhs as he could obtain. He completed the regu- lar collegiate course with the view of en- tering the ministry of the Uaptist clnu'ch. of which his parents were earnest and active members, and also took a course in theology. For ten or tweKe _\ears he engaged in preaching. ^^■hile at Granville, Ohio, Mr. Booth was married, Jmie 2^, ihotographers of England, which business he followed for some time, but the greater part of his life was spent as ca,er 24. 1858, and is the only child of John C. and Jane (Burns) Broeksmit. Dur- ing his boyhood he pursued his studies i,n the common schools of his native parish, and at the age of thirteen years joined his father at Cedar Rapids, his father being con- nected with the old Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Minnesota Railroad. Here our subject attended school for several years, and in 1879 found employment in the car- penter shops of the same road. Two years later he was transferred to the stationery supjjly deiiartment as clerk, and reiuained there about a year. He next accepted, a clerkship in the auditor's office under his father, being employed in that capacity from 1S82 until August, 1885, when he was made chief clerk in the freight auditor's oftice. He held the latter position until -Octoljer i, 1886, when he received the appointment of freight auditor for the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern Railroad, and has filled the oftice ever since with credit to himself and to the entire satisfaction of the com- pany. His duties have always been per- formed in a most conscientious and capable manner, and he well merits the confidence imposed in him. On the _'8th of September, 1886. Mr. Broekmit was united in marriage with Miss Fanny .\. Tisdale, of Cedar Rapids, the wedding ceremoiu' being performeil bv Revs. Casebeer and Fowler. She was born in Herkimer county. New York, the third in order of birth in a family of nine children, all still li\ing, and in 1869 accom])anied her parents, Daniel and Harriet L. Tisdale, on their removal to Cedar Rapids, where they 974 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD now reside. Mrs. Boeksmit was educated in the schools of Cedar Rapids. Both she and her husband are members of the Second Presbyterian cliurcli of tlie city, and ha\'e a large circle of friends and acquaintances throughout the community. In his political views. Mr. Broeksmit is a Republican, and he takes a deep interest in public affairs, as every true American citizen should. JOHN M. NULL. For many years John M. Null has been numbered among the progressive and en- energetic citizens of Cedar Rapids, and at present is practically living retired. He dates his residence here from May 20, 1856, and as a contractor and builder was promi- nently identified with the business interests of the city for forty years. He was born on the 1st of January, 1828, in Frederick county, ^laryland, of which place his par- ents, Williaiu and Catherine (Zimmerman) Null, were also natives. The father was horn in 1801 of German ancestry, and was a son of John Null, an early settler of Fred- erick C(.)uiUy, Maryland, where the former spent his entire life as a farmer, dying there in 1880. Our subject's maternal grandfa- ther, Michael Zimmerman, was of English lineage. In the county of his nativity John M. Null passed the ilays of his boyhood and youth, and acquired his early education in its common schools. 1 Ic learned the carpen- ter's and ji)iner"s trade in Frederick City, and when a young man went to Allegany county, Maryland, where he followed that occupation for some years. In May, 1856, he came to Iowa and took up his residence in Cedar Rapids, which was then a small vil- lage. His ability in his chosen vocation was soon widely recognized, and he commanded a liberal patronage. He erected a large num- ber of the business houses and pri\-ate resi- dences, including some of the best in the city, and many imblic buildings show his archi- tectural skill. He employed a large number of exj.ert mechanics, and successfully en- gaged in business here for forty years. He has purchased lots and erected a number of residences on his own account. In 1849, i'l AHegany county. Maryland, was celebrated tlie marriage of Mr. Null and Miss Ellen Gephart, a native of Cumber- land City, Allegany county, that state, and a daughter of William Gephart. She died in Cedar Rapids in 1886, leaving five chil- dren, namely : Kate, now Mrs. Otto, of Cedar Rapids; Lucy, wife of James C. Tin- dall, of the same place; John W'., a con- tractor and luiilder of Montana; Lizzie, wife of Frederick Munson, of Chicago, by whom she has one child, Ellen; and Charles P., who died in Cedar Rapids in 1885. I\Ir. Null was again married, in Mil- waukee, Wisconsin, June 28, 1887, his sec- ond union l)eing with Mrs. Mary E. Guynn, who was born in Indiana, but was reared in this county, her father, Alfred T. McDaneld, being one of the early settlers of Marion. By a former marriage Mrs. Null became the mother of the following named children : Mrs. Florence Welch, who has two sons, Charles H. and John; Theodore, now with our subject; Henry G., a resident of Ari- zona; and Mary Etta, wife of Bruce H. Bettis. of Anaconda, Montana, and they have two children, Bruce and Celia. Mr. Null is the oldest contractor in the town by years. In his jinlitical views Mr. Null was orig- inallv an nld-linc Whig, but in i860 joined BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 975 the Democratic party, and has since fought under its l)anner. He has never cared for political honors, preferring to devote his en- tire time and attention to his business in- terests. To-day he enjoys the rewarti of his painstaking and conscientious work. By his energy, perseverance and fine business ability lie has been enabled to secure a ctjm- fortable competence, and he can well afford to lay aside all business cares and spend his remaining years in peace and quiet. Mrs. Null is a member ni tlie Presbyterian church. GEORGE H. EASTERLY. Prominent among the representative farmers and highly esteemed citizens of I""ranklin township is numl)ered George H. Easterly, whose home is on section 2. He was born in Kosciusko county, Indiana. May 1 8, 1844, and on the ])aternal side is of Ger- man descent. His grandfather, Lawrence Easterly, Sr., was a native of Pennsyh-ania, and not only worked at the blacksmith's trade but also engaged in preaching as a min- ister of the United Brethren church. At an early day he accompanied his parents on their removal to Richland county, Ohio, where his father entered a tract of government Irmd, and he assisted in the arduous task of clear- ing away the timber and placing tlie land under cultivation. Pie erected a church on the farm and also laid rmt a cemetery, which became his resting place, as he died in Rich- land county. Lawrence Easterly, Jr., the father of our subject, was burn in Cumberland county. Pennsylvania, June i, 18 14, and grew to manhood on his father's farm. He married Miss Rebecca Hamnion, a native of Rock- ingham county, Virginia, and continued to reside upon his father's farm until 1842, when he removed to Kosciusko, Indiana, where he bought one hundred and sixty acres of land, only five acres of which had been broken, the remainder being timber land. After clearing about fifty acres he came to Iowa in 1861, and spent three years in Cedar county. He then bought a farm in Green- field township, Jones county, where he made his home until 1870, and he came to Linn county and purchased a farm on section 2, I'ranklin township. There he continued to reside throughout the remainder of his life, his death occurring February 11, 1888. In \iis family were six children, namely: Mary Ellen, wife of Henry Towns, of Hamburg, Fremont county, Iowa; George H., our sub- ject; Albert, a resident of Mechanicsville, Cedar county, wdio first married Louisa Coleman, and after her death wedded Cath- erine Noos ; John, who married Nancy Rob- inson and resides in Defiance, Shelby county, Iowa ; Catherine, who died at the age of one year; and Emma, wife of George Miller, a farmer of Franklin township, Linn county. In the spring of 1861 George H. East- erly came with the faniib^ to Iowa. He had previously acquired a ,gootI practical ed- ucation in the schools of Indiana, and had also gained an excellent knowledge of agri- cultural pursuits while aiding his father in the work of the home farm. Buying a threshing machine and breaking plow, he started out in life for himself in 1868, and for five years after his marriage he engaged in farming upon rented land. He then pur- chased forty acres of land from his brother, and his father gave biai a tract of similar size, to which he added by subsequent pur- chase until he now has one hundred and sixty acres of rich and arable land on sec- 976 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD tion 2, Franklin townsliip. He has a good modern residence and substantial barns and outbuildings uix:)n the place, and the neat and thrifty appearance of the farm plainly indi- cates his careful supervision and good busi- ness ability. On the 14th of March, 1870, in Jones county, Iowa, Mr. Easterly was united in marriage with Miss Catherine Ann Spade, who was born in Marion county, Ohio, Sep- tember 9, 1848, and is a daughter of Jacob and Catherine (Moyier) Spade, both na- tives of Pennsylvania, where they continued to make their home until after their mar- riage. From that state they remtjved to Ohio, where the father first worked at the millwright's trade, and also engaged in the marble business, and later followed farming. In 1852 he brought his family to Iowa and located on a farm in Jones county, two and a half miles east of Fairview, where he made his home for some years. He then came to live with his daughter, the wife of our sub- ject, where he died very suddenly a few weeks later. He had ten children, six sons and four daughters, namely: Elizabeth, wife of Emanuel Newman, of Martelle, Iowa; Passa, deceased wife of Daniel Moyier, of Adair county, Iowa; Rosina H., wife of Robert Hester, of Texas; Catherine A., wife of our subject; Elijah, who died at the age of sixteen years; John, who died in infancy; Ami, who married Rose Under- wood and lives in southern Kansas; George, a resident of Martelle, Iowa ; William L., who married Alice Rudisil and resides in South Dakota ; and Jacol), who married Emma Brown and makes his home in the same state. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Easterly were born eight children, as follows : Ida E., born in Jones county February 25, 1871, is the wife of Samuel Doubenmier, who lives on a farm near Alburnett, Linn county, and they have one child. Fay; Esta. torn in Linn county October 2, 1873, died January 21, 1893; Vadie, born h'ebruary 24, 1875, is at home; Roxie, born February 27, 1877, is the wife of Charles Hill, of Mt. Vernon, and they have one child, Mary May; Willard, born October 3, 1882, is at home with his par- ents; Clemence, born August 10, 1881, died June 7, 1886; Huldah, Ix)rn July 10, 1884, is also at home; and Delbert. Ixirn October 2, 1889, died March 9, 1897. Mrs. Easterly is a member of the Lutheran church, and the family are people of the highest respecta- bility, who have a large circle of friends and accpiaintances in the community where they reside. RICHARD LORD, M. D. Dr. Richard Lord, one of Cedar Rapids' most progressive piiysicians and surgeons, was born in Mantorville, Dodge county, Minnesota, on the 28th of October, 1868. his parents l)eing Samuel and Louisa (Compton) Lord. The father was a native of Meadville, Pennsylvania, and there grew to manhood and was married. He ac(|uired his literary education at Allegheny College of that place, and later took up the study of law and was admitted to practice in Penn- sylvania. About i860 he removed to Min- nesota, where be followed his chosen pro- fession. He was one of the most active and prominent representatives of the Republican party in his locality, and was elected to both the lower house and the senate of the .state legislature, where he served for .some time. Later he was elected judge of the fifthjudicial district. BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 977 and was linlding that office at the time of his death, whicii occurred in 1880. His wife had (Hed tlie vear previous. Both were niemi)ers of the Episcopal church and were people (if prominence. In their family were eight children, of whom four are s.till living, viz: Samuel is a leading lawyer of Kasson, Dodge county, Minnesota, and is now a member of the state senate. He, too, takes an active inter- est in political affairs, and was chairman of the Minnesota delegation at the national convention held in Philadelphia in 1900. Hugh C. is a leading attorney of Erie, Pennsylvania, and is prominent in Republi- can politics. Myrtle A. is an artist of ability, who has devoted several years to study in Europe, but on account of ill health is not actively engaged in lier art work at present. She resides with her brother in Erie, Penn- sylvania. The Doctor completes the family. During his boyhood and youth Dr. Lord attended school in Mantorville, Kasson and Fariliault, Minnesota, where the family re- sided at different times, and later was a student in the L'ni\-ersity of Minnesota at ISIinneapolis. Subsequently he took a ft)ur years' course at Rusli Medical College, Chi- cago, and was graduated in 1893. He first located at Louisville, Nebraska, where he was engaged in practice for three years and in the fall of 1896 came to Cedar Rapids, where he has succeeded in building up a fine and lucrative practice. He is a member of the staff of St. Luke's hosi)ita!, and is also supix'me medical e.xaminer for the Fraternal Bankers Keser\x' Society. I'ratern.'dly he be- longs to the Union Medical Society and the State Medical Society of Iowa, and is a charter member of Maine Lodge, I. O. O. F., of which he is now a past grand. In 1894 Dr. Lortl married Miss Jessie A. Leedy, and they now have one child, Josephine C, who was born September 28, 1899. Mrs. Lord was born in New Provi- dence,. Hardin county, Iowa, the daughter of Henry M. and Mary Elizabeth (John- ston) Leedy, but at the time of her marriage was living with her foster parents, Mr. and Mrs. J. L. Lang, at Wasioja, Dodge county, Minnesota. She was edaicated in the semi- nary at that i)lace and at Oberlin College in Oberlin, Ohio, taking a course in vocal music at the Conservatory of Music there. Re- ligiously she is a memljer of the Methodist Episcopal church. WALTER H. BERRY. This energetic and enterprising agricult- urist, residing on section 21, Bertram town- ship, was born in this county, April 29, 1856, and is a son of Robert Berry, whose sketch appears on another page of this vol- ume. Reared on 'his father's farm, he was educated in the district schools of the neigh- borhood, which he attended during the winter montlis, while through the summer season he aided in the lalx)rs of the tields. On the 28th of April, 1880, in Bertram township, Mr. Berry was united in marriage with Miss Almeda Harrison, who was born in Mt. Vernon, this county, January 3, 1857, and is a daughter of Jacob ajid .\r- delia (Look) Harrison, nati\es of New Jersey and New York, respectively. An ex- tended sketch of the Harrison family will be found in the biograjihy of W. 11. ] lar- rison on another page of this work. Mrs. Berry is the oldest in a family of five chil- dren the others being William H., just mentioned; Mary, wife of Frank Brown, who lives north of Bertram ; Jacob, who 9/8 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD married Hannah Ben-y and resides in tlie west; and Lucinda. wife of Frank Tliomp- son, a farmer of Marion townsliip. this county. Mr. and Mrs. Berry liave five chil- dren: Ardeha, horn March 6, 1881, com- pleted her education in Marion and is now at home with her parents. Tliomas, born August 16. 188 J. assists his father with the farm work. In addition to attending the Marion liigh school, he also took a course in the Cedar Rapids Business College. \\"\\\- iam. born September 26. 1S85, Almeda, born March 4. 1887. and Mary, born December H). 1894. are all attending school. After his marriage Mr. Berry operated a rented farm for three years and at the end of that time removed to his present place on section 21. Bertram township, where he has made many improvements, though his fine residence and commodious barn were built by his father. To the original tract our subject has added one hundred and seventy- five acres of land. He gives considerable attention to the breeding of a high grade of cattle, making a specialty of the short horn breed, and also raises horses and hogs for market. He is a very progressive and practical farmer and as he thoroughly un- derstands his chosen vocation in all its vari- ous departments, he has met with remark- able success. He and his family attend the Methodist Episcopal church, and he is a supporter of the Democratic ]i,Trtv and it< principles. TXMrS IT CRO.SP.y, A. B., T.T.. B. Tiiis veil-known and successful attorney of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, was born in a log cnliiii ill Tcffer'^Kn riMuifv. W'i^rc nisin. Oc- tober 28, 1866. and is a son of James and Ellen (Biglan) Crosby, natives of Ireland. The father came to America in early youth and settled in Bucks county, Pennsylvania, whence he removed to Wisconsin in 1858. There he engaged in farming until the spring of 1869, when he came to Iowa and located in Lucas county, where he continued to fol- low that occupation until called to his final rest May 15, 1898. His widow is now liv- ing in Cedar Rapids with a daughter, Cath- erine A. Crosby. Of their si.x children our subject is the youngest, and he and his sister Catherine are the only ones residing in Linn county. During his boyhood ^Ir. Crosby pur- sued his studies in the district schools of Lucas county, Init from the time he was old enough to be of any assistance lie worked on the farm most of the year, only attend- ing school for a short term during the win- ter months. He aided in breaking prairie, grubbing and such other arduous duties which usually fall to the lot of a farmer's son in a new country. In 1887 he entered St. Ambrose College at Davenport, where he took a classical course and was graduated in 1889 with the degree of A. B. Mr. Cros- by was next a stmlent in the law department of the State University at Iowa City, and, on graduating from that institution witli the degree of LL. B. in 1891, he w-as admitted to practice before the various courts of the -tatc. In July of the same year he caine to Cedar Rapids and opened an office. It was not long before his ability in his chosen pro- fession was recognized, and to-day he en- joys a very large and lucrative practice, which extends to several adjacent counties and has been built up by his own unaided eflforts. so that he may be justly styled a J. H. CROSBY. BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 981 self-made man. He has ever made it a practice after examining his clients to aid them to the best of his ability if he finds that they have a just cause, no matter whether they be rich or poor, although knowing that from the latter he may receive no remuner- ation. He is a logical reasoner, has a ready command of language, and manages his cases with masterly skill and tact. On the 30th of October, 1894, Mr. Cros- by was united in marriage with Miss Mar- garet A. McGovern, of Iowa City, a daugli- ter of Hugh McGovern, who was one of the oldest settlers of that part of the state. By this union have been born three children, namely: Margaret Mary, Edward James and Alice Catherine. ^Ir. antl Mrs. Crosljy are both members of St. Patrick's Catholic church of Cedar Rapids, and he also be- longs to the Ancient Order of United Work- men, the Knights of the Maccabees, and the Tribe of Ben Hur. In his political views he is a Democrat, but is not a politician in the sense of office seeking. He always re- spects the opinions of others, though they may difTer from his own, and he accords to all the fullest liberty of thought and expres- sion. While in l)usiness matters ne is rather strict, he is liberal to employes and desires them to take advantage of all pleas- ures and holidays which they can afford. He has been found to be the laboring man's friend as against ;uiy injustice from cor- porate power or moneyed inthience, but is not opposed to cor])orations if kept within reason and right. In manner he is pleasant and genial, and enjoys a good joke or story, whether on himself or others. This makes him (|uite poijular socially, and he has made many warm friends during his residence in Cedar Rapids. ELY WEST. Ely West, an experienced farmer and stock raiser, who owns and successfully op- erates a farm of two hundred and thirty- seven acres on sections 20 and 21, I^'rank- lin township, claims Ohio as his native state, his l)irth having occurred in Fayette county, June 29, 1854. His parents were Wesley and Polly (McKay) West, natives of Ken- tucky and Ohio, respectively. They were married in the latter state, where they con- tinued to make their home until the fall of 1859, and then came to Linn C(_iunty, Iowa, locating on a farm in Franklin township, which was their home for three years. They next remo\-e(l to the farm now owned bv Mr. Bair, and in the fall of 1877 returned to the farm on which they had first resided. U|)on that place the father died in the spring of 1895, but the mother is still living and now makes her home in Peterson, I(iwa. In the family of this worthy couple were twelve children, namely: Sally, wife of Thomas Oldham, of Eldorado, Kansas; Margaret, who first married Peter Harmon, and second Jerry Thomas, of Mt. Vernon; Isaac, who married Eva Scott and lives on a farm near Mt. Vernon ; Thomas, who mar- ried Lncinda Leonard and resides in Paw- nee City, Oklahoma; Elijah, who married Clara Ziegler and makes his hoijie in Mt. Vernon; David, who married Lou Pfantz and resides west of Mt. Vernon; Flora, deceased wife of George Wain, of Clarion, Iowa; Mary, wife of Rev. Charles Kirk, of Peterson. Iowa; Ely, our subject; Hattie, wife of llonicr Har])er, of Minneapolis, Minnesota; and two who died in infancw The subject of this sketch was live vears of age when in the fall of 1S59 the family 982 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD came tu Liiiii county, Iowa, and took np their residence upon a farm of one hundred and twenty acres on section i6, Franklin town- ship, where he was principally reared. He attended the common schools until eighteen years of age during the winter season, while the summer months were devoted to the work of the farm. He remained under the parental roof until after he attained his ma- jority. On the 2nd of March, 1876, at Marion, Iowa, Mr. West was united in marriage with Miss Jane Hayden, who was born in Clinton county, Iowa, May 9, 1855, a daugh- ter of Nathaniel and Maria (Pierce) Har- den, the former a native of Indiana, the latter of Ohio, where their marriage was celebrated. It was in 1855 that her parents came west and took up their residence in Clinton county, Iowa, but after living there for three years they removed to Cedar coun- ty, and in 1862 came to Linn county, the father purchasing a farm in Franklin town- ship. There he died March i, 1897, and his wife passed away in February, 1895, Ixjth l)cing laid to rest in the Mt. Vernon cemetery. They had seven children, name- ly: Angelina, who first married Daniel Grant, and after his death became the wife of Henry Taylor, of Oneida, Iowa; Lydia A., who married Jesse Thomas, of Mt. Vernon, and died in 1892; Pierce who mar- ried Alice Christman and lives in Pomona, Kansas; Zura, who married Jane Dill and resides in Bertram, Iowa ; Sylvester, who married Louisa Pierce and both died in Mt. Vernon: Allen, who married Stella Wins- low and makes his home in Lincoln, Ne- braska; and Jane M., wife of our subject. Nine children blesseil the union of Mr. and Mrs. West, namely: Charles, born Feb- ruary 7, 1877, is a stenographer and Ixwk- keeper of Tilton, Iowa. Clarence Earl, born July 7, 1880, was accidentally drowned in Cedar river, June 13, 1897; Leila, born July 19, 1883, is at home with her parents; Glenn, born December 14, 1886, died No- vember 6, 1889; Ely, born December 31, 1887, died February 12, 1888; and Irwin, born February 20, 1889, Ruth, born Sep- tember 14, 1 89 1, Louis George, born De- cember, 10, 1894, and Clyde Lawrence, born November 23, 1895, are all at home. After his marriage Mr. West rented one of his father's farms for a year, and then rented the farm belonging to his father, which his brother had previously operated. A year later he leased the farm adjoining the one he now occupies, and after living there for three years he moved to a place north of Mechanicsville. in Pioneer town- ship. Cedar county, where he purchased one hundred and five acres, making it his home for a year and a half. In the spring of 1882 he sold out and returned to Linn coun- ty, buying a farm of one hundreil and thirty- four acres on section 21, Franklin township, to which he has since added until he now has two hundred and thirty-seven acres on sections 20 and 21. He has made many improvements upon the place in tiie way of building, but the house which he erected in 1896 was destroyed by fire May zj, 1900. With characteristic energy, however, he at once set to work to replace it, and now has an elegant and commodious home supi)lied with all modern improvements. He makes a sjjecialty of stock raising, and feeds all the grain raised upon his ulace to his stock. Socially he belongs to Lodge No. 522, I. O. O. F., and Eureka Lodge. No. 45, Legion of Honor, both of Mt. Vernon, and political- BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 983 ]y he affiliates with the Republican party. He is a genial, companiable tjentlenian, who makes many friends and is highly respected by all who know him. ELTON E. DOOLITTLE. Among the progressive farmers and rep- resentative citizens of Jackson township is numbered Elton E. Doolittle, who was born in New Haven county, Connecticut, Sep- tember 7, 1833, and is a worthy representa- tive of a good old New England family, his parents being Levi and Esther (Tuttle) Doolittle, both of whom were natives of the old Nutmeg state. The father spent the most of his life in New Haven county en- gaged in farming, and both be and his wife died there. They had a family of ten chil- dren, namely : Matilda Elizabeth, Levi, Francis, Abigail and Adolphus, all deceased ; Eliza, now the widow of Rufus Hitchcock and a resident of Milldale, Connecticut ; Augustus ; Leonard ; and Elton E. All re- ceived nothing more than common school educations. Mr. Doolittle, of this sketch, began his business career as an employe in a clock factory at Southington, Connecticut, and later worked as a gtmsmith and blacksmith at the same place. While there he was married, October 2, 1859, to Miss Ellen H. Russell, of New Haven county, who was born Feljruary 25, 1839, a daughter of Charles L. and Amanda (Gord) Russell. During his active business life her father followed farming in that county, and there he is still living at the advanced age of ninety-two years, while his wife has reached the age of eighty- six. Of the five children Ixirn to Mr. and Mrs. Doolittle, Addie, Charles Albert and Charles Levi are all deceased. Those liv- ing are Jennie, now the wife of Percy Sloper, a market gardener residing in Cheshire, Connecticut; and IMinnie Leola, wife of Daniel L. Castle, a farmer living near Marion, Linn countv. Iowa. It was in February, 1864, that Mr. Doo- little came west and took up his residence in Linn county, Iowa. He purchased his present farm on section 16, Jackson town- ship, and has since successfully engaged in general farming and stock raising. He has also given considerable attention to fruit culture, and in his orchard is one of the oldest apple trees in the county. He has always been a hardworking man, and the success that has attended his efforts is cer- tainly well merited. By his ballot he sup- ports the men and measures of the Repub- lican party, but has never cared for political honors. Both Mr. and Mrs. Doolittle are members of the Jackson Congregational church of their townshii) and are people of the highest respectability. WILLIAM J. GORMLY. Numbered among the successful farm- ers and stock raisers of Franklin township is William J. Gormly, whose home is on sec- tion 18. He was born in Londonderry, County Tyrone, Ireland, March 6, 1865, and is a son of William and Eliza (Rankin) Gormly, whose family history is given in connection with Dr. Thomas A. Gormly, on another page of this volume. At the age of six years he came to America with his ])arents mi the steamer Caledonia, and after a voyage nf seventeen days landed in New 984 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD York. In passing through Chicago thej' stoped to see the ruins of the great fire in October, 1871, and then proceeded to Linn county, Iowa, 'i'hc fatlier bought the ok! Bol) Stinsou farm of one hundred and thirty- six acres, on section 18, Franklin township, and there our subject grew to manhood. He attended tlie (Hstrict schools of the neigh- borhood and later was a student at Cornell College, where he completed his education at the age of twenty-one. On the death of his father, his brother. Dr. T. A. Gormly, took charge of the farm, and when the latter removed to Colorado, our subject assumed its management and has since successfully engaged in its cultivation. Mr. Gormly was married in Bertram township, this county, December 27, 1899, to Miss Anna L. Ford, wdio was born in Mt. Vernon, Iowa, August 25, 1876. She at- tended first the district schools near her childhood home, and later the iiigh school of Mt. Vernon, where slie w'as graduated with the class of 1893. For seven terms she was a student at Cornell College, but left that institution when in the sophomore year. Prior to her marriage she taught school in Linn and Johnson counties, Iowa, eight terms. Iler parents arc D. ^\'. and Mary O. (Neflf) Ford, the former a native of Vermont, the latter of Massachusetts. They were married in Mt. X'ernon, Iowa, and for two years made their Imuie in Es- thcrville, where they were engaged in teach- ing school. Subsetiuently they followed the same profession in Algona, Iowa, for two years, and then returned to Mt. X'ernnn. Mr. Ford being connected with the furni- ture store of Myron Neff for a time. He then operated a rented farm near that place, and subsequently bought a farm in Bertram township, In the cultivation of which he has since devoted his energies. Mrs. Ford taught school in the east for a number of years, and was one of the professors at Cornell College, Mt. Vernon, for five years. Later she w-as associated with her husband in teaching. Both are graduates of Cornell College. L^nto them were born three chil- dren, namely: Ainia L., wife of our sub- ject; Charles H.. who is with his parents; and Clara, who died at the age of one year. Mr. Gormly is quite extensively engaged in stDck raising, making a specialty of breed- ing thoroughbred Poland China hogs, and also raises a high grade of cattle, sheep and horses for market. He not only feeds all the grain he raises to his stock, but is com- pcled to buy more for the same purpose, believing stock raising to be more profit- able than general farming, and he lias met with wonderful success. Religiously he is a member of the Presbyterian church, and politically is identified with the Republican party. He has served as school director, and gives his suppirt to all enterprises calcu- lated to advance the mural, educational or material welfare of his township and county. JUDGE ISAAC N. WllITTAM. For forty-six years this gentleman has been engaged in the practice of law in Ledar Rapids. Iowa, and is one of its oldest and most honored citizens. His early home was on the other side of the Atlantic, for he was born in Lancastershire, England, April 9. 1824. a son of Ricliard and Sarah (Pletcher) W'hittam, both natives of the same shire. By occupation tlie father was a woolen man- ufacturer and devoted his attention to that business throughout the greater part of his BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 985 life. On coming to this country, in 1835, he located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he fnllnwed the same pursuits, lieing one of the piimeer woolen manufacturers of that state. In religious belief he was an Episcopalian. He died near Bradford, Pennsylvania, at the ripe old age of eighty- five years. The mother of our suljject died in England. ■ Of their five children all are now deceased, with the exception of Isaac X., who was the youngest. Judge W'hittam was educated in the schools of his native land, and began a collegiate course, but in 1840, at the age of sixteen years, he came to the United States, sailing from Liverpool to New York. The voyage lasted seven weeks, the vessel encountering a number of severe storms, and losing part of the bulwark. The Judge began to think he would never reach Amer- ica, but at length the vessel dropped anchor in the harbor of New York. He proceeded at once to Philadelphia, where he spent two years with an uncle, and then went to Yates county, New York, where his father was running a woolen mill. There he attended school for a time, and also learned the trade of a woolen manufacturer. In 1848 Judge Whittam removed to Aurora, Kane county, Illinois, and became manager of Stolp's wolen mill at that place, having charge of the same until October, 1850, when he came to Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He and his wife and baby made the trip in a one-horse buggy, crossing the Mississippi river at New .Mhany, Whiteside county. Illinois. Cedar Rapids at that time was a village containing only one hundred and fifty inhabitants. Judge \\'hittam took charge of a woolen mill fur the Bryans and man- aged it about a year. While a resident of Penn Yan, Yates countv, N^ew 'S'lirk, he commenced the study of law, and completed his preparations to enter the legal profession with Judge George Greene, of Cedar Rapids, who was on the supreme bench. Our sub- ject was admitted to the bar in October, 1854, and has since engaged in active prac- tice, with the exception of six years, when serving as justice of the peace. On the 19th of April, 1S45. Judge Whit- tam wedded Miss Maria J. Cole, a native of Somersetshire, England, by whom he has four children, three still living, namely: Fannie, wife of James Russell, of Williams- burg, Iowa ; J. J., who is engaged in the wholesale confectionery and bakery business in Corsicana, Texas ; and Jennie Mohler, wife of A. L. Mohler, a jjrominent railroad official. ^Irs. \\'hittman died in December, 1856, and on the 8th of August, 1857, the Judge was again married, his second union being with Miss Relief Ayers, a native of Maine. Of the seven children born of this marriage four are living, namely : Relia W., wife (jf Lou W. Vail, ex-state senator and a prominent attorney of Goshen, Indi- ana; Cora, head lx)okkee])er of the Ameri- can Linseed Oil Comjiany, uf Chicago ; ]\Iay H., wife of W. J. Greene, of Cedar Rapids, whose sketch appears on another page of this \-olume; and Rae L., contract- ing agent for the I""risco Railroad at St. Louis. Louisa died at the age of twent)'- one years, and the other two children died in infancy. The mother of this family de- parted this life Octol)er 17. 1899, and her remains were interred in f)ak Hill cemetery. Religiously Judge Whittam is a memb,.T of the Episcopal church, and st)cially is a member of Herman Lodge, No. 263, I". & .\. .M., being the oldest Mason initiated in Cedar Rapids now a resident of Iowa. For- merl\- he was also connected with the Inde- 986 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD pendent Order of Odd Fellows. In poli- tics he has been identified with the Republi- can party since its organization, and has served as a delegate to its con\entinns. He has been (|uite prtjminentlv connected with public affairs, serving as the last mayor of the old town, and during his admhiistration in 1856 the city was incorporated. Later he was twice re-elected to the same office. but at length resigned in order to give his undivided attention to his constantly in- creasing practice. He served as city at- tornev twelve years, and was police justice two terms. In all the relations of life he has been found true to everv trust repused in him. whether public or private, and has the confidence and high regard of all wlio know him. THOMAS A. GORMLY, D. D. S. Dr. Thomas -\. Gormly, the present mayor of Mt. Vernon, and a prominent dentist of that place, was born in county Tyrone, Ireland, in 1858, and began his education in the national schools of that country. In 1871 he accompanied his par- ents, William and Eliza (Rankin) (ji irmly. on their emigration to America. In early life the father was employed as buyer fur a milling company, and later was with a mer- cantile concern in (ilasgow, Scotland, but on account of failing heahh he returned to his father's farm in Ireland where he was born and reared. On coming to the United States he located on a farm in h^ank Hn township, this county, about three miles southwest of Mt. Vernon, where he died in 1879. His wife survived him several years, passing away October 21, 1898. This worthy couple were the parents of eight children, (if wlmm Thomas A. is the eldest; Samuel J. died in infancy: Liz- zie M. resides with her brother, William J., on the oUl home place in Franklin town- ship, he being the next in order of birth; Margaret J. is the wife of George J. Smyth, a prosperous farmer of Bertram township, this county; Sanniel J. is chief assayer for the Anaconda Mining Company at Butte, Montana; Robert died in infancy; and an- other dietl in infancv unnamed. After coming to this country Dr. Gorm- ly attended Coe College at Cedar Rapids for a short time, and later Cornell College at Alt. \'ernon, but his studies there were interrupted by his father's death in 1879. He then took charge of the home farm, which he continued to operate until 1889, when he entered the dental department of the Iowa State University, from which he was graduated in 1891. Immediately af- terward he commenced the practice of dent- istry at Alt. \'ernon, his offices being lo- cated in the Brackett building. He has wtni an envial)le reputation in his chosen profession, and enjoys a large and lucrative practice. He is now president of the Iowa State Dental Society. Dr. Gormly was married at JNIonmouth, Illinois, in 1891, to Aliss Annie R. Wilson, a native of Iowa and a daughter of James r. and Mary Katherine (Kinney) Wilson. Her father is a United Presbyterian niin- i.^ter, but for the past three years has been living a retired life at Canon City, Colo- rado. The Doctor and his wife ha\e two little daughters. Clare Wilson and .\nna Irene, both born in Mt. ^'ern(ln. They have a pleasant home on Second avenue, which was erected by the Doctor in 1895. Religiously they are members of the Pres- byterian church, and socially they are quite BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 987 prominent. Since 1897 Dr. Gormly lias been mayor of Mt. \'ernon, and has proved a very popular and capable official, under whose administration a great many impor- tant improvements have been made in the town. JAAIES F. WHITE. This well-known carpenter of Alburnett, Linn county, Iowa, was born on the 20th of June, 1840, in Cass county, Alichigan, and is a son of Andrew and Jane (Organ) White, natives of Virginia and Ohio, re- spectivelv. Throughout his active business life the father followed the occupation of tanning. At an early day he removed to Michigan, and died at his home in Cass county at the age of fifty-seven years. In 1853 the mother came to Linn county, Iowa, and lived near Mt. Vernon for si.x years, at the end of which time she removed to Kansas, where she died in 189I; at the ripe old age of eighty-four years. She was the mother of five sons and five daughters, all of whom are still living with one exception. Mr, White began his education in the schools of his native state, and after com- ing to Iowa with his mother in 1852 con- tinued his studies for a time in the schools of this county. The family spent one year in Bertram township, and then removed to Linn township, where they made their home until going to Kansas in 1858. In i860 our suljject returned to Iowa and settled near Mechanicsville. Cedar county. Dur- ing the summer of 1861 he worked on ;i farm in Linn township, this county, and then followed the same jjursuit in Cedar cf)unty. On the nth of Augu.st. 1862, Mr. White enlisted in Company F. Twenty- fourth Iowa \'()lunteer Infantry, and took part in sev- eral important engagements, including the battle of Cedar Creek. Vicksburg, Sabine, Cross Roads, Winchester, Fisher's Hill and other engagements in the Shenandoah Val- ley, besides many skirmishes. At Vicksburg he was promoted to corporal, and served with that rank until discharged from .the service at Cumberland, Maryland, in April, 1865. Mr. White then returned to Kansas and located about fifty miles west of Atkinson, where he engaged in breaking prairie for a short time, but later, in 1865, he went with a party of twenty-one men across the plains to Julesburg, Colorado, taking supplies to the fort at that place. He spent the follow- ing summer in Kansas, and in 1866 returned to Iowa. On the 4th of September, that year. Mr. White married Miss Levina Kepler, a daugh- ter of Peter Y. and Elizabeth (James) Kep- ler. Her father was a native of Maryland and a pioneer (.)f this county,, ha\ing l(.)cated here in 1839. He ownel the farm in Linn township now' occupied by Elmer D. Neal, and was successfully engaged in farming and stock raising liere until March, 1889, when he removed to Oregon. He then lived a retired life seven miles from Ashland, where lie died in .\pril, 1899, at the ad- vanced age of ninety-one years. His wife passed away November 3, 1888, at the age of se\-enty-three years. They were the par- ents of seven children and all are now living with the exception of one who died in in- fancy. Unto Mr. and Mrs. White were born four children, namely: ( i) Eddie J., a farmer of Otter Creek townsiiip, married .\nna K;ifer. and they have two children, Sylvia E. and h^rankie J. (2) Elizabeth J. is the wife of O. C. Clark, a carpenter of 988 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD Alburnett, and tliey have one child, Violet. (3) Lilly B. is the wife of Henry W. Sny- der, who is connected with the elevator at Alburnett. and they have one child. Leon R. (4J Bertie A. died at the age of nine years. The three oldest were born in Kan- sas, and the youngest in Bertram township, tliis county. After his marriage Mr. White lived in Linn township, this county, for a short time, and then returned to Kansas, being engaged in farming in Butler county for ten years. In 1876 he again came to Iowa and fol- lowed the same pursuit in Franklin town- ship, Linn county, for some time. He ne.xt engaged in farming in Maine township, but nine years ago sold his place and removed to his present home in Alburnett in 1892. Since then he has devoted his time and atten- tion to carpentering. He is a member of Marion Post, G. A. R., and is a man highly respected and esteemed by all who know^ him. SOLOMOX P. GEIGER. Among the highly respected citizens of Mt. \'ernon is the subject of this sketch, who is now serving as a rural mail carrier in parts of Franklin and Linn townships. He was born in Somerset county, Pennsylvania, November 13, 1846, a son of John and Re- becca (May) Geiger. who w-ere also natives of that state, where the fatlier owned a large tract of timber land and a sawmill and was (piite extensively engaged in the manufacture of lumber. By trade he was a millwright, but after coming to Mt. Vernon, Iowa, in the spring of 1859 he worked as a laborer and farmer. During the Civil war he enlisted in 1862 in Company F, Twen- ty-fourth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and died within a year from sickness, being buried in the south. He was of German de- scent, while the mother of our subject was of English extraction. Unto them were born eight children, all of whom are living, namely : William is an employe in the shoe factory at Dixon, Illinois. John T. is a teamster of Chicago. George is manager of a department store in Johnstown, Pennsyl- vania. Mary E. is married and living in Dixon, Illinois. Catherine is the wife of Isaac Klingerman, a liveryman of Somerset county, Pennsylvania. Hannah, is the wife of John Constantine. a tinner of Dixon, Lydia is the wife of Isaac Cummings, a veteran of the Civil war and an employe in the shoe factory at Dixon. Their oldest son, Jackson, was a soldier of the Cuban war, and of ^Irs. Cummings it can be said that she is the daughter, sister, wife and mother of a soldier. Solomon P.. our subject, com- pletes the family. After the death of the father the mother returned to Pennsylvania, where she remained some years, and there married William Sheets, also a native of that state. Fur some years after coming west he was engineer of the Chicago water works, and later w as engineer at a creamery in Dixon, Illinois, where he and his wife still reside. During the boyhood of our subject he removed with his parents to Illinois, where. they s])ent two years and then returned to Pennsvlvania. lie attended school in both states. In the spring of 1859 he came with the family to Mt. Vernon, Iowa, and was engaged in farming in Franklin township until tile Civil war. He enlisted in Mt. Vernon in i8C)2. in Company F, Twenty- BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 989 fourth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and par- ticipated in the battles of Champion Hills, Black River, X'ickslnirg, Winchester, Cedar Creek, Sabine, Cross Roads and Fort Gib- son. When hostilities ceased, he was hon- orably discharged in August, 1865, and re- turned to this county. He was engaged in agricultural pursuits on a farm of eighty acres in Franklin township until 1876, when he removed to Nebraska and followed farm- ing there for eighteen years. At the end of that period he returned to Iowa, and. has since made his home in the village of Mt. Vernon, where he was engaged in the confec- tionery business for some years, and later waS' engineer in the high school building. In the winter of 1901 he was appointed rural mail carrier, his route being west and north of Mt. Vernon in Franklin and Linn townships, and he entered upon the duties of that position on the ist of March, that year. For the last three years he has also served as city marshal of Mt. Vernon, and filled the same (jffice at Benedict, Nebraska, for four years during his residence there. Mr. Geiger married Miss Margaret E. Kyle, a native of this county and a daughter of William and Martha (McCroskey) Kyle. Her father, who was a farmer of Linn town- ship, is now deceased, but her mother is still living at the age of seventy years and makes her home in Mt. Vernon. Mr. and Mrs. Geiger are the parents of two children, both of whom were born in Linn county. Will- iam, who is in the employ of the telephone company of Tipton, Iowa, married Emma Woodcock, and they have two children, Ralph S. and Rudolph E. Leona .\., daugh- ter of our subject, died in Linn township at the age of seven years. Religiously Mr. and Mrs. Geiger are earnest and consistent mem- 49 hers of the Lutheran church, and socially he is connected with the Grand Army of the Republic. ♦ « » J. C. McOUEEN. After a busy and useful life, mainly de- voted to agricultural pursuits, J. C. Mc- Queen is now practically living retired in the enjoyment of the fruit of former toil. For almost half a century he has been a resident of Bowlder township, and has borne an important part in her upbuilding and development. He was born in Ran- dolph county, Indiana, April 16, 1842, his parents being William and Mary (Mosier) McQueen, natives of New Jersey and Vir- ginia, respectively. Her father was a mil- ler by trade, and in earlv life built a num- ber of gristmills in Ohio, where he made his home for several years. In 1837 he removed to Randolph county, Indiana, where he also worked at his trade to some extent, but devoted his attention principally to farming. In 1852 he came to Linn county, Iowa, and took up his residence in the locality where our subject now resides, becoming one of the early settlers of Bowl- der township. There he spent the remain- der of his life engaged in milling and farm- ing, and died April 16, 1863. His widow long survived him, and passed away Febru- ary 13, 1898, at tiie advanced age of ninety- two years. Of the twelve children born to them only three are now living, namely : Hannah, widow of Mr. Sales, and a resident of Colorado; Mary, wife of William Hall, a prominent retired citizen of Cuggon, this county; and J. C, the subject of this sketch. J. C. McQueen ac(|uired his education in the cDUinKin schools near his bnvh.iud 990 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD home. He was only nineteen years of age wlien the Civil war broke out. Init he offered his services to his country, enlisting in 1861 in Company H, Fourteenth Ljwa \'olunteer Infantry, under Colonel Shaw and Captain Crane. He took part in a numlier ui im- portant engagements, among which were the battles of Shiloh and Fort Donelsi^n. At Shiloh he was captured by the reliels and held a prisoner in Missouri, for three months and a half. Fortunately he was never injured or wounded during his ser\- ice, and when his term of enlistment ex- pired was honorably discharged at Daven- port, Iowa, December 16, 1864. Returning home he resumed work on his father's farm in Bowlder township. In 1870 ]\rr. McQueen married Miss Ionia Payne, a native of New York state and a daughter of John Payne, who came ito Iowa from the east at an early day. By this union were born three children, namely : Gertie, wife of Dr. E. Adams, a practicing physician of Augusta, Wisconsin ; Mattie. wife of Edward Fish, of Kansas City, Mis- souri ; and Ionia, who is now living with her sister in Augusta, Wisconsin. After his marriage Mr. McQueen pur- chased a farm in Bowlder townsliip. and has since resided there. He now owns one hundred and eighty-three acres of \-ery val- uable and productive land on section 28 and 39, which is devoted to general farming and stock raising. He has recently rented his farm and expects to sjiend a few months with his daughter in .\ugusta, Wisconsin. The Republican party has always found in him a stanch supjxirtcr of its principles, and he has done all in his power to advance its interests and insure its success. He has lilled several local offices, and is a recognized leader in his township. Socially Mr. Mc- Queen is a member of Prairieburg Lodge, No. 421, .\. F. & A. M. ; and religiouslv Ijoth he and his wife hold membership in the Baptist church at Prairieburg. He is a man of i)rominence in hi.^ communitv. and wliere- e\'er known is held in high regard. WILLIAM COOPER. Among Linn county's honored pioneers and representative citizens is numbered William Cooper, who as an agriculturist aided in the development and upbuilding of the county for many years, but is now living retired at his pleasant home in Marion. He was born in Lincolnshire, England, on the 2 1 St of February, 1818, a son of Joseph and Mary Cooper, natives of the same place. The early lif'e of the father was spent as a boatman in that country, but in 1821 he came to America and purchased a farm in Washington county, Ohio, devoting the re- mainder of his life to agricultural pursuits. His death occurred in 1830. In his fam- ily were five children, namely: William, our subject ; Jane, who died in Ohio : Josejjh, who died in IMarion ; Harriet, who resides in Missouri; and Charles, a resident of Deer Lodge, Montana. The mother was mar- rietl again, her second husband being John Shar]), who came to America about the time of Mr. Cooper's death. Coming to Limi county, Iowa, in 1845, he took up govern- ment land in Marion townshi]). becoming one of the pioneers of this section. By oc- cu[)ation he was a farmer. In i8f)o he started for Pike's Peak, and there died. His wife passed away in 1880. I')\' her sec- ond union she had one son, l\e\-. Thomp- son Sharp, a resident of I, inn count v, Mis- souri. BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 991 \\'illiani Cnoiier was only three )-ears old when brouglit by liis parents to this country, and the common schools of Ohio afforded him his educational privileges. Like his father, he began his business career as a boatman, and was captain of vessels plying the Ohio and Mississippi rivers be-i tween Marietta Ohio, and New Orleans, carrying flour and pork. He fiill.)we(l that pursuit until his removal to Linn c .unty, Iowa, in- 1849. Four years prior to locating here he had visited the county in comiwny with his stepfather, Mr. Sharp, and ])ur- chased two hundred acres of wild land in Marion township, and it was on this tract that he took up his abode in 1849. During the six years he resided there m he made many improvements on the place, I>ut at the end of that time he sold the property and bought one hundred and twenty acres of partially impro\ed land in Rapids township, where he continued to successfully engage in farming until his retirement from active labor in July, 1888, when he removed to Mari;)n and purchased his present cnmfort- able home. He snld his farm in 1898. In Washington county, Ohio. Mr. Coojjer was married in 1845 to -Miss Laura E\-ans, of that county, who died in 1855. By that union he had five children, namely: Augusta, wife of John Stuckbarger, an em- ploye of the Chicago, Milwaukee iS; St. Paul Railroad at Marion; Caroline, wife of Joseph Granger, a dairyman of Marion* whose sketch appears on another page of this volume; Plmct. wife of Fergus Cooper, a farmer of Buchanan countv, b)\\a; .Mary E., wife of Charles Eddy, a car])cnter of Seattle, Washington, and \Vilham !'.. who died in infancy. In October, i85f), in this county, .Mr. Coo])er was again married, his second union lieing with Miss Clilne Dndd, of Mercer county, Pennsylvania, a daughter of Ithiel and Elizabeth Dodd, of that state, where her father engaged in school teach- ing. While a resident of Marion townsliip Mr. Cooper served as justice of the peace for some time, and also filled the oftices Oi- school director and treasurer in a most cred- itable and satisfactory manner. Politically he is identified with the Republican party, and religiously is a faithful meml^er of the Presbyterian church. For se\-eral years he has been afflicted with rheumatism. Inu he still retains his mental faculties unim- paired. He is a worthy representative of that class of citizens that li\e cpiiet, indus- trious, honest and useful li\-es and fnrm the best portion of any cnumunity. WILLIA^I A. FULKERSON. \\'illiam A. Eulkers(jn, one of the lead- ing architects residing in Cedar Rai)ids, was born in Bucyrus, Crawford county. Ohio, October 17, 1847, and is a son of Joseph F. and Margaret (Messinger) Fulkerson, the former a native of New York, the latter of Pennsylvania. He is the youngest in a family of ten children and the only one liv- ing in Iowa. He was carefully reared and received an e.Kcellent education in the pub- lic schools. In 1856 he came with the fam- ily to Linn county, Iowa, the journe}' being made by teams, and they camped and cooked by the roadside during the four weeks en route. They first located on what is known as the Biggs' farm, between Cedar Rapids and Marion, but after residing there for six months they reiuoved to a farm near hnva Citv in lohnson countv. The winter of 992 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 1856-7 being unusually severe, the crops were almost a total failure, and Air. Fulk- erson, like many others, became so discour- aged that he returned to his old home in the Buckeye state, the j(nH-ney being made by way of the AIississipi)i and Ohio rivers. Only three of the children had removed with the parents to Iowa, though two daughters had previously located there. After the return of the family to Ohio, \\'illiam A. Ful+cerson attended school until the spring of 1864, when he joined the Union army, enlisting in Company E, Thir- ty-fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. His command was a part of Duffey's brigade in the Eighth Army Corps, and participated in the engagements at Lloyd's Mountain, Xew- burn Bridge, jMartinsburg, and the two bat- tles of Winchester on July 24 and September 19, 1864. Mr. Fulkenson celebrated his seventeenth birthday liy taking part in the battle of Cedar Creek, where Sheridan made his famous ride. On the nth of January, 1865, the rebel general Rosseau surprised the Union outposts at Beverly. Virginia, and captured the regiment of which our subject was a member, together with the Eighth Iowa Cavalry, both stationed at that point, but Mr. Fulkerson with about one hundred others managed to escape, and after travel- ing about forty miles reached the village of Philippi near the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, where they remained for several weeks. They were then ordered to Cumberland, Maryland, where they went into winter quarters. The regiment to which our sub- ject belonged had lost all its officers above a sergeant, as well as most of its men. and was then consoli