USA > Iowa > Linn County > History of Linn County Iowa : from its earliest settlement to the present time, Volume II > Part 1
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( Linn Co., La) Brew
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History
of
Linn County Iowa
From Its Earliest Settlement to the Present Time
ILLUSTRATED
Volume II
CHICAGO THE PIONEER PUBLISHING COMPANY 1911
4397 12
T
R
THE TORCH PRESS CEDAR RAPIDS IDWA
THE NEW YORK PUPLIC LIBRARY
BIOGRAPHICAL
JUDGE GEORGE GREENE
In the practice of law, in financial circles and in railroad building Judge Greene attained such success and prominence that his activities in any one of those fields would alone entitle him to representation among the men whose life work has conferred honor and dignity upon the history of Linn county. More- over, his name is inseparably interwoven with the annals of Cedar Rapids in that he was one of the founders of the city and remained thereafter until his death one of the most helpful factors in its progress and improvement.
George Greene was born in Alton, Staffordshire, England, a son of Robert and Sefer (Woodward) Greene, who were also natives of Staffordshire, and a brother of William and Joseph Greene, who, like Judge Greene, gave liberally of time, thought and energy to the work of upbuilding in the west. The parents came to the United States when their son George was only two years of age, and it was in Buffalo, New York, that the other sons were born and there the father died in 1825. After his demise the mother returned to England in the hope of obtaining possession of some property which was rightfully hers, but failed in this and passed away at her old home in 1827. She had left her children in Buffalo when she returned to England and George Greene was thus left an orphan at the age of ten years. During the ensuing four years he managed not only to support hin- self but also provide for his younger brothers. Then he, too, went to England hoping that he might recover the property which his mother had failed to secure. He worked his passage and had to provide for his own support by securing em- ployment when in his native land. He, too, failed in this mission and then he worked his passage back to America, saddened but not discouraged by his failure. Hle resolved that industry and economy should accomplish what he had failed to secure through inheritance and, realizing the value of education, he most earefully saved his earnings in order that he might further attend school. In this way he managed to supplement his early advantage by a year's study in the Carysville Collegiate Seminary, a year in the Aurora Seminary and two years at French's Collegiate Institute in Geneva, New York. During that period he taught school and did such other work as he could find to do. Ile next took up the study of law, hoping to make its praetice a life profession. His reading was directed by the Hon. George P. Baker of Buffalo and he met his expenses during that period by assisting in the office and aeting as bookkeeper for Dr. Chapin, with whom he made his home.
The year 1838 witnessed the arrival of Judge Greene in lowa. He proceeded to Davenport, where he entered the employ of David J. Owen, who was making a geological survey of the state, and six months were devoted by Mr. Greene to sur- veying. This brought him a broad knowledge of the country and at the same time he was paid a liberal salary, from which he saved a considerable sum. He then made his way to Ivanhoe, Linn county, where he continued his law studies while teaching school, and in 1840 he was admitted to the bar at Iowa City. Choosing Marion as his place of location, he entered upon active practice there and the following year was chosen a member of the territorial legislature. In 1845 he engaged in law practice and in journalism in Dubuque, having purchased the Miners Express, which he published for several years. There he entered into partnership with J. J. Dyer, who was soon afterward appointed judge of the United States district court. In his law practice Mr. Greene made steady prog- ress, giving proof of his ability to handle the complex and intricate problems of the
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HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY
law in his successful conduet of litigation before the courts. His reputation was such that in 1847 he was appointed one of the supreme judges of the state to fill a vacaney and the following year was regularly elected. He sat upon the bench for eight years and proved himself the peer of the ablest jurists of the west at an early day. He also compiled Greene's Reports, which were published in four volumes. Throughout his life he remained a learned and diseriminating lawyer and in his praetice ranked with the eminent members of the Iowa bar. He did not confine his attention alone to his work as counselor and advocate, however, but in other fields did service of far-reaching benefit and value. He became one of the founders of Cedar Rapids, joining in 1849 with others who owned the site in surveying and laying out the original town. He never ceased to feel the keenest interest in its upbuilding and progress and put forth earnest and effective effort in its behalf. He took up his abode in this city in 1851 and remained here con- tinuously until his death save for a brief period.
Judge Greene contributed to the material development of the city in financial eireles, becoming associated with John Weare, D. O. Finch, W. H. Merritt and others in the banking business and when the financial panie of 1857 eame on he was actively connected with the management of nine banks in different localities. He was largely interested in real estate in most of the counties and in nearly every large town of Iowa, and his initiative spirit enabled him to institute and success- fully control such enterprises.
In 1859 Judge Greene formed a law partnership with Cyrus Bently, of Chi- eago, which continued for five years and during most of that time he lived in that eity. He made his home in the winter of 1863-4 at MeGregor, Iowa, while he and his brothers were building the MeGregor Western Railroad to Conover. At the same time and for several years thereafter he was a factor in the building of the Rockford, Rock Island & St. Louis Railroad and thus became actively as- soeiated with the field of labor which is one of the most important sources of the upbuilding of any seetion of the country.
On his return to Cedar Rapids Judge Greene resumed the practice of law in partnership with Judge Dudley and his son-in-law, A. S. Belt, and the firm be- came solicitors for the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad. Continuing in active connection with railroad building and operation, Judge Greene was chosen to the presidency of the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Minnesota Railroad and took aetive part in the building of that line, which was afterward operated under the name of the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern Railroad. He constructed several other smaller railroads and was most prominent in the building of railway lines in lowa, Illinois. Minnesota, Missouri and Kansas. He also took active part in the material development of Cedar Rapids through the erection of many build- ings here and through the financial support which he gave to the Cedar Rapids & Marion Railway. Hardly an enterprise of any importance was instituted in Cedar Rapids in which he was not financially associated or had voice in its man- agement. He always looked beyond the exigencies of the moment to the possi- bilities of the future and labored for coming years as well as for the present.
Judge Greene was married twice. On the 30th of May, 1838, he wedded Miss Harriet Merritt, a daughter of Jesse and Harriet (Hilton) Merritt, of Buffalo, New York. They became parents of four children: George W., who was born April 4, 1839, and died in Ivanhoe, Iowa, March 13, 1840; Susan H., who was born Marel 3, 1841, in Marion, and was married November 26, 1862, to Algernon S. Belt, an attorney of the Cedar Rapids bar, and is now residing in San Francisco, California, her husband having died in 1878; Mary Ely, who was born in Du- buque, June 7, 1843, and died July 28, 1844 ; and Edward Merritt, who was born Mareh 29, 1845, in Dubuque, and married Emma Eberhart. He was at one time engaged in the lumber business in Cedar Rapids, and died in Chicago The mother passed away in Dubuque, April 25, 1850, and on the 21st of January,
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HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY
1855, Judge Greene married Miss Franees R. Graves, whose parents were Calvin and Fanny (Carlisle) Graves, of Cooperstown, New York. Six sons and two daughters were born to that union: Calvin G., born February 18, 1856, is now engaged in the real-estate business in Cedar Rapids; Fanny C., born January 19, 1858, died in October, 1859; George, born December 28, 1859, was married Sep- tember 1, 1886, to Charlotte Winton, and resides at Brookline, Massachusetts; William J., born November 28, 1861, married October 7, 1896, to Mae Huldah Whittam, and is construction engineer of the Cedar Rapids and Iowa City Railway and Light Company; Elizabeth, born August 13, 1864, was married to Nicholas Williams MeIvor, and is now a resident of Yokahana, Japan, where her husband (formerly United States consul general) is now engaged in the practice of law ; Robert C., born December 22, 1867, died June 19, 1885; Franeis, born May 14, 1870, is a mechanical engineer and now resides in Madison, Wisconsin; Wood- ward K., born August 2, 1873, married Ellen Belle Safely, May 29, 1899, and is a special agent of the National Biseuit Company, residing in Chicago.
While Judge Greene was an eminent lawyer and a successful business man lie was not unmindful of his obligations of citizenship and, on the contrary, took active and helpful interest in those things which tended to promote the intellectual and moral progress of the community. He was one of the founders and a warden of Grace Episcopal church and one of the most loyal promoters of Coe Collegiate Institute, which has since become Coe College, serving for many years as president of its board of trustees. His life record is a splendid illustration of the power and foree of chiaraeter and ability when the individual is deprived of the advan- tages which come through wealth and advantageous early environment. Strong and resourceful and possessed of diseriminating judgment, Judge Greene seemed to know when and where and how to put forth his efforts to obtain the best re- sults. Gifted by nature with strong intellectuality, he so used his natural gifts that they grew and developed with the passing years. He stood for that which is highest and best for the individual and for the community and his labors were ever far-reaching and beneficial in their effects. He stands today not only among the promoters and upbuilders of Cedar Rapids but is numbered among those to whom the middle west is much indebted because his business ateivities were largely of a character that contributed to the progress of this section of the country. Ile was laid to rest with Masonie honors following his demise, which occurred at his home in Cedar Rapids, June 23, 1880.
WILLIAM J. HENDERSON
William J. Henderson, well known as a successful agriculturist and stockman of Linn county, owns and operates a valuable farm of four hundred and forty aeres in Jackson township. His birth occurred in that township on the 13th of February, 1868, his parents being Peter G. and Jane (Arabell) Henderson. A sketeli of the father appears on another page of this work.
William J. Henderson attended the common schools in the acquirement of an education and remained at home until he had attained the age of twenty-one years, when he was married. During the following ten years he resided on what is now known as the Charlie Carl farm and on the expiration of that period pur- chased two hundred and forty acres of his present place in Jackson township. He has made his home thereon continuously since and has extended the boundaries of the farm by additional purchase until it now comprises four hundred and forty aeres. In connection with the tilling of the soil he makes a specialty of breeding and raising Englishshire horses and thoroughbred red polled eattle and this branch of his business has proved a gratifying source of remuneration to
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HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY
him. His live-stock interests have brought him an extensive acquaintance in Linn and adjoining counties and he is widely recognized as a prosperous, pro- gressive and enterprising citizen. He is a stockholder in the State Bank of Cen- tral City.
On the 19th of March, 1889, Mr. Henderson was united in marriage to Miss Lottie Freeman, of this county, her father being Hull Freeman, now deceased. Unto them have been born eight children, seven of whom still survive, namely : Vera B., Lonie A., Lawrence D., John C., Carl P., Ada L. and Floyd C., all at home.
Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise Mr. Henderson has sup- ported the men and measures of the republican party, believing that its principles are most conducive to good government. That many of his stanchest friends are numbered among those who have known him from his boyhood to the present time is an indication that his has been an honorable, upright life and one worthy of the esteem in which he is uniformly held.
ARTHUR TAPPAN AVERILL
In the passing of Arthur Tappan Averill, Cedar Rapids suffered the loss of one of its most prominent and representative citizens - a man whose work was of vital significance in the commercial and financial history of the city. While his business enterprise carried him into other fields beyond the boundaries of the state, his interest always centered in this city and Cedar Rapids ever benefitted by the prosperity which he attained elsewhere.
He was born at Highgate Springs, Franklin county, Vermont, September 14, 1843, and possessed many of the sterling characteristics attributed to the New Eng- land people. Ile traced his ancestry back to Captain John Averill who was commissioned under the crown of Great Britain and settled first in Northfield, Massachusetts, but in 1752 removed to township number 1. Vermont. The next in descent was John Averill, a soklier of the Revolutionary war, whose son, John Averill, was born in Westminster, Vermont, in 1777. and removed to Highgate Springs, that state, in 1812. Ile was a member of the Society of Friends and took a very active and prominent part in public affairs, being elected three times to the state legislature. The latter's son, Mark R. Averill, was the father of our subjeet. Ile was born in Highgate Springs, Vermont, in 1811.
Theodore Roosevelt has said: "A man of eastern birth, reared and trained in western environment becomes the strongest factor in American citizenship." Such was the record of Arthur Tappan Averill. who when a youth of nine years. accompanied his parents as they left their New England home and journeyed westward to become residents of Lee county, Illinois. In 1854 they removed to Whiteside county of the same state and there Arthur T. Averill was reared to manhood, attending school at Geneseo with John T. Hamilton, with whom he after- ward engaged in business. He arrived in Cedar Rapids in March, 1865,- a young man of twenty-one years - and here became assistant to the local agent of C. Il. & L. J. MeCormick. Later he became agent for the MeCormick interests at this point and further promotion brought him to the position of superintendent of agents for the firm in 1869, in which connection he had entire supervision of the lowa business. While thus engaged he induced his former schoolmate, John T. Hamilton, to come to Cedar Rapids as his associate in business and in 1869 the firm of Averill & Hamilton was organized for the purpose of dealing in agricultural implements, seeds, coal and kindred lines. The new enterprise prospered from the beginning and the partnership was profitably maintained for five years. The firm then became Averill & Amidon and so continued for two years, when Mr.
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HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY
Amidon disposed of his interests, Mr. Averill remaining as sole proprietor through the succeeding two years.
Energetic and enterprising, he extended his efforts into other fields, purchas- ing a controlling interest in the Cedar Rapids Gas Light Company in 1875, in which year he was chosen president and so continued to the time of his demise. Mr. Averill took a personal pride and interest in the gas plant and though he had many opportunities to dispose of it, refused all offers. Moreover, he figured prom- inently in financial eireles, serving for twenty years as the president of the Cedar Rapids National Bank, in which connection he instituted a progressive system that was, however, tempered by a safe conservatism, making the bank one of the strong- est financial concerns of the state. The years brought him wealth and the extension of his activities into other fields made him well known as an investor in business and real-estate interests of Cedar Rapids and also as an investor in business pro- jeets in Mississippi, Louisiana, Florida and Kentucky. Ile was likewise the proprietor of the Vincennes hotel, one of the leading family hotels of Chicago, finaneed the building of the Montrose hotel of Cedar Rapids and also the Welch- Cook building. It was a notable instance of his public spirit that his prosperity gained elsewhere was largely used for the benefit of his home town.
On the 22d of October, 1867, Mr. Averill was united in marriage to Miss Allie R. Doolittle, of this city, and unto them were born three children. Glenn M., Jessie and Arthur, but the last named died in infancy. The death of Mr. Averill occur- red February 14, 1910, and, while he was a prominent figure in business eireles and in public affairs, his loss was nowhere more keenly and poignantly felt than at his own fireside, for he was a devoted husband and father whose first consideration was ever his family. His activity in business circles was ever of the utmost benefit to Cedar Rapids and no man took a keener interest in such projects as were a matter of civic virtne and eivic pride. He never sought publie office but wielded an influence that was all the more potent from the fact that it was moral rather than political. His opinions came to be recognized as so sound and his views so correct as to make his support of any measure an influeneing factor that drew to it the further support of his fellow townsmen. Throughout the long period of his residence in Cedar Rapids he enjoyed in the fullest measure the confidenee and high regard of his colleagues and contemporaries.
DANIEL R. KINLEY
Daniel R. Kinley has through much of his life been in publie office and has to his credit four years of valorous service in the Civil war; six years in the office of sheriff of Linn county ; four years as deputy sheriff ; and is now justiee of the peace in Marion. His record is one that has ever been characterized by the utmost fidelity to dnty and to a high standard of official service. He was born on the 26th of January, 1842, near Richmond, Indiana, and is a son of Fred and Margaret (Reynolds) Kinley. The father was born in that loeality and built one of the first mills in that part of the country. He was the son of Isaae Kinley, who removed from the south to Indiana and became one of the first settlers in the vieinity of Richmond. Again the Kinley family were identified with pioneer interests following their removal to Mount Vernon, Iowa, where they arrived on the 10th of September, 1846, after driving across the country from their old home. Here Fred Kinley purchased land and devoted his remaining days to general agricultural pursuits. His father was killed by the kiek of a horse in 1858. At the time of the Civil war Fred Kinley responded to the country's call for troops and laid down his life on the altar of his country, being wounded at the battle of Missionary Ridge. In his family were two sons and three
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HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY
daughters, namely: Daniel R., of this review; Oliver C., who is living at the National Home of Tennessee; Mattie L., the widow of A. M. Hinsdale and a resident of Denver, Colorado; Mrs. Fredericka Wadleigh, who lives with her mother in Denver; and Mrs. Louie Ford, a resident of Chicago.
Daniel R. Kinley was reared on the home farm, his early experiences being those which usually fall to the lot of the farm lad. He was only four years of age when the family came to Iowa. He was educated in Knightstown, Indiana, and at an early age became a fireman on an engine. Aroused by the attempt of the south to overthrow the Union, he enlisted in 1861 as a member of Company A, Sixth Infantry, under Colonel MeDowell, and served for four years, meeting all of the hardships and incidents which are features in a soldier's life. He participated in the battles of Corinth, Memphis, Vieksburg, Black River, Jackson, Missionary Ridge and Atlanta, and ever proved a faithful and loyal soldier. He was promoted to the rank of sergeant and at the elose of the war was honorably discharged.
When the country no longer needed his aid Mr. Kinley returned to Linn county and purchased a traet of land in the vicinity of Marion, after which he gave his attention to farming for a number of years. Later he was called to various politieal offices and at lengthi was elected sheriff of the county in 1890, being the only republiean elected to offiec in Linn county that year. He ran far ahead of his tieket and received a majority of forty-eight votes. At the following election he received publie endorsement of his capable service by being re-elected with a majority of several hundred votes, and at his third election to the office he received a still larger majority. He discharged his duties without fear or favor and his name beeame a menace to evil-doers and brought a feeling of protection to those who obeyed the laws. He retired from the office as he had entered it - with the confidenee and good will of the general public. Ile is now serving as justice of the peace and his decisions are ever fair and impartial.
On the 5th of December, 1865, Mr. Kinley was married to Miss Lydia Gibson, who passed away August 22, 1909. They had an adopted daughter who has also passed away. Mrs. Kinley was a daughter of William B. and Martha (Willard) Gibson.
Fraternally Mr. Kinley is a prominent Mason, having taken many degrees in the order, and is a member of the Mystic Shrine. He organized the Robert Mitchell Grand Army Post and has ever been a faithful representative of that organization. He belongs to the Presbyterian church and a well spent life has gained him the high regard of all who know him throughout this county.
MARSHALL F. MEREDITH
Marshall F. Meredith, a well known and successful farmer and stoek-raiser of Buffalo township, is the owner of a valuable tract of land comprising two hundred and eight and two-thirds aeres. His birth oeeurred in Indiana in 1852, his parents being Daniel and Sarah (Ball) Meredith, who were likewise natives of the Hoosier state. There the father spent his entire life, passing away in 1881. The mother came to Linn county, lowa, in 1892 and made her home with our subjeet until called to her final rest on the 9th of May, 1909, her remains being interred in the Boulder cemetery in Buffalo township. She was a devoted and consistent member of the United Brethren churel. Her children were ten in number, namely : Elizabeth A .; Mary J., who is deceased ; Priseilla K. ; Marshall F., of this review; William B .; John D., who has likewise passed away ; Henry N. ; Sarah E .; Miranda, deceased; and Franees.
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HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY
Marshall F. Meredith remained under the parental roof until seventeen years of age and then began working as a farin hand by the month, being thus employed for three years. During the following twenty years he devoted his attention to the operation of rented land and in 1893 purchased one hundred and forty acres of the farm on which he now resides. Subsequently he extended the boundaries of the place by an additional purchase of sixty-eight and two-thirds acres, so that it now embraces two hundred and eight and two- thirds acres of land in Buffalo township, all of which is under a high state of cultivation and improvement. During the past twenty years he has also devoted considerable attention to the feeding of stock, handling both cattle and hogs. He derives a gratifying annual income from both his farming and stock-raising interests and has long been ummbered among the substantial and representative citizens of the community.
On the 22d of February, 1873, Mr. Meredith was united in marriage to Miss Lucinda M. Grayson, a daughter of Wren and Lucinda (Williamson) Grayson, who spent their entire lives in Indiana. They were both faithful members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Unto them were born thirteen children, as follows: Nancy and Byrel P., both of whom are deceased; John T .; Hiram T .; Catherine A .; Rebecca J., who is likewise deceased; William H .; Samuel B .; Eliza E .; Mary E .; Mrs. Meredith ; Anna D .; and one who died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Meredith became the parents of three children, namely: Eva Viola, who was born July 7, 1875, and died on the 15th of August, 1881 ; Daniel W., who is married and lives on a portion of the homestead farm; and Ray- mond G., at home.
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