USA > Iowa > Cedar County > A topical history of Cedar County, Iowa, Volume II > Part 59
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HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY
contracting he had quarried stone at the Iowa state quarry in Johnson county. He now owns a large quarry, maintaining his office and residence at Cedar Rapids. His interests in Cedar county are among the most extensive and im- portant of this character in eastern Iowa. At the time of the Civil war E. J. C. Bealer responded to the country's call for troops and served for two years and three months as a member of Company A, Twenty-second Iowa Volunteer In- fantry, enlisting from Iowa City. After the war he located at North Liberty and was married in 1867. He then followed contracting until 1884, when, as previously stated, he removed to Cedar Rapids, from which point he has man- aged his quarrying interests. At the same time he has extended his efforts into other fields which have profited by his cooperation and keen business discern- ment. He is now the president of the Cedar Rapids Construction Company and of the Cedar Rapids Canning Company, is interested in various banking enter- prises and in the Montrose Hotel, the foundation for which he built. In all things he displays an aptitude for successful management and has won for him- self a prominent place in business circles. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and he is a recognized leader in its ranks. For three terms he represented Linn county in the state legislature and left the impress of his individuality upon the work enacted during those sessions. He takes a broad and comprehensive view of political questions and keeps thoroughly informed con- cerning all the vital issues of the day. Mrs. Bealer arrived in Iowa in 1855. She had been previously married and had lost her husband. There was one child of that union, L. L. Erb, now a resident of Brookings, South Dakota. By her second marriage she had three children: Mrs. Orpha D. M. Grimm, of Cedar Rapids; M. Y., of this review; and J. G., who is also living in Cedar Rapids.
M. Y. Bealer spent the first ten years of his life upon the home farm in Johnson county, where he was born, and then went with his parents to Cedar Rapids, where he remained until 1894, save that he had previously served for a brief period as an assayer in Arizona. In the latter year he took charge of his father's quarrying interests at Cedar Valley and has since remained in charge of the active operation. He displays the qualities of a strong and successful busi- ness man who recognizes and utilizes his opportunities, who keeps in touch with the trade and knows when, where and how to put forth his efforts to produce the best results. Aside from his quarrying interests Mr. Bealer is the owner of a quarter section of land in Cass township, which he rents. His father is sole owner of the quarry, in which connection he has six hundred acres of land. The quarry was first opened in 1884 and has now been operated continuously for twenty-six years with an output of one hundred thousand carloads of stone during that time. The output includes limestone, sandstone and magnesia stone, which is used for heavy bridge masonry, building and road purposes. When working to their full capacity one hundred and twenty-five men are employed. Twelve steam derricks are utilized in the conduct of the business with a crush- ing plant of two hundred yards capacity. The stone is taken exclusively out of a pit to a depth of ninety feet below the surface of the Cedar river. In addi- tion to the buildings and machinery which constitute the main plant there is a large machine shop and hotel upon the grounds. At one time there was also a
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HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY
lime kiln that had a capacity of four carloads per day, but owing to the use of cement this has been abandoned. In 1884, when the business was established, there was not even a wagon road here. The district was an unbroken wilderness to which only a cattle path led. But through the efforts of Mr. Bealer the Bur- lington, Cedar Rapids & Northern Railroad built a branch line of four miles to the quarry, the railroad company owning the rolling stock, while E. J. C. Bealer still owns the right of way. In the upbuilding of the village which necessarily had to be established to accommodate the workmen and their families, Mr. Bealer has moved thirty-six buildings to this place for dwelling purposes, also ten barns and a ware house. A large bridge has been built across the river and much has been done not only to facilitate the interests of the business but also to promote the welfare and comfort of the workmen here employed. The plant altogether has a splendid equipment not only for quarrying stone but also for handling it and placing it upon the market, and the business today is the most important and extensive in Cedar county outside of agricultural lines. All of the land owned in connection with the quarry is used for grazing purposes except about twenty acres.
In 1897 was celebrated the marriage of M. Y. Bealer and Miss M. A. Em- rich, who was born in Cass township in 1874 and is a daughter of Henry Em- rich. Their home has been blessed with three children: Errol M., Lois A. and Irving M. Mr. and Mrs. Bealer have a wide acquaintance in Cedar county and an extensive circle of friends. While entering upon a business already estab- lished, many a man of less resolute spirit would have failed in enlarging its scope and controlling its interests. With an aptitude for successful management, he has closely watched all of the details of the business and every indication pointing toward success. Systematic and methodical, he has learned the secret of prosperity-the attainment of maximum results with minimum effort, and at all times has coordinated forces so as to produce a harmonious whole.
CALEB H. WICKERSHAM.
All of the Wickershams in America trace their lineage to a common ancestry and Caleb H. Wickersham has in his possession abstracts of wills dating back more than three hundred years. The family had its origin in England and was founded in America by Thomas and Alice (Hoag) Wickersham, who were married according to the rites of the Society of Friends at Horsham, Sussex county, England, in 1684. With their three children they came to America in 1700, settling in Chester county, Pennsylvania, where many representatives of the name still live.
Joseph and Rachel E. Wickersham, parents of our subject, removed from Chester county to Ohio, and for a number of years lived in the latter state. The mother bore the maiden name of Rachel Edwards Brogan and her ancestors were among the first settlers of New Amsterdam, now New York city. Aveardus Bogardus was the first Dutch Lutheran minister of that settlement and was one of the ancestors of the family to which Mrs. Wickersham belonged. Both the
C. H. WICKERSHAM
MRS. C. H. WICKERSHAM
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HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY
father and mother of our subject were born and educated in Chester county, Pennsylvania, but were married in Columbiana county, Ohio, June 16, 1842, and in 1865 came to Iowa. The father died at Springdale, March 23, 1871, and his wife passed away at Rock Island, Illinois, April 14, 1900. Their family numbered six children. Reuben, who enlisted from Salem, Ohio, in 1861, in the Sixty-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and afterward joined the same company and regiment as his brother Caleb, died during the service. Martin Plummer, who enlisted from Salem, Ohio, in the One Hundred and Forty-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry, was on duty with the Army of the Potomac. The others are: Caleb H., of this review; Enoch F .; Rachel, who became the wife of Albert Wilson, of Rock Island, Illinois, and died in March, 1900; Joseph Sellers, living in Los Angeles, California, who has devoted his entire life to railroading.
Caleb H. Wickersham was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, July 12, 1846, and was reared and educated in Salem, but at the age of sixteen years responded to the country's call for troops, enlisting in September, 1862, as a private of Company B, Twelfth Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, from which he was honorably discharged on account of disability July 8, 1864. Following his return home he came with his parents to Cedar county, Iowa, on the 4th of April, 1865, and after spending one year in Tipton removed to Springdale township, within the borders of which he has since made his home. He followed the painter's trade until 1878, when he established a newspaper called The Local Record, now the Times. He published this paper at West Branch until 1881, after which he resumed work at his trade, to which he largely gave his attention until 1897, when he was ap- pointed postmaster. He still contributes to a considerable extent to newspapers, having been correspondent with different publications throughout the greater part of his life. His preference is for literary work and in that he displayed consider- able ability. However, at the present writing he is giving his attention to the duties of postmaster, which position he has filled for thirteen years. In November, 1907, he completed the present postoffice building, which he leases to the govern- ment for ten-year periods. The building is practically fireproof and is a handsome pressed brick structure. This was the first postoffice in the congressional district to get rural free delivery and the first in the state to be assigned more than one rural carrier.
Mr. Wickersham has also served as town clerk. In politics he has ever been a stalwart republican and in religious faith is a Presbyterian, his family also be- longing to the same church. Mr. Wickersham's military experience qualified him for membership in the Grand Army of the Republic, and he is also connected with the Masonic and Odd Fellows lodges.
On the 14th of May, 1868, Mr. Wickersham was united in marriage to Miss Phoebe Beeson, who was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, May 15, 1847, but was only three years old, when, in 1850, she accompanied her parents, Richard and Rebecca (Hale) Beeson, on their removal to Springdale township, Cedar county, Iowa, making the trip in a covered wagon. The father entered a tract of government land in Springdale township, where both he and his wife died. He was a successful farmer and owned three hundred and twenty acres of land. He traced his ancestry back to Henry Beeson, who emigrated from Liverpool, England, in company with William Penn in 1682, and was one of the founders of
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HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY
Uniontown, Pennsylvania. Mrs. Wickersham was an invalid for several years and passed away on the 28th of August, 1910. She was an earnest Christian woman, holding membership in the Presbyterian church, and was one of Cedar county's honored pioneers.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Wickersham were born eight children: Gertrude, who died in her sixteenth year ; Beatrice, the wife of F. B. John, of Davenport; Raymond, of Estherville, Iowa, who is a scenic artist; Ethel, the wife of Raymond Aldeman, a farmer living near West Branch; Bertha J., the wife of Frank Bell, who resides upon a farm in Keokuk county; Stella, the widow of Orison O. Randall, now living with Mr. Wickersham; 'Alta G., who died in her eighteenth year; and Richard Archie, at home.
Mr. Wickersham, in association with Dr. J. I. Bailey, engineered what is said to be the first country telephone line in Iowa, extending from West Branch to Tipton by way of Rochester. He has ever favored progressive public measures and those projects which have for their object the welfare and improvement of the community. He made for himself a creditable name in journalistic circles and is equally well known and esteemed through his connection with official service, his long continuance in office being plainly indicative of the faithful and able character of his service.
JOSEPH W. CREES.
Joseph W. Crees, who is numbered among the old and honored pioneers of Cedar county, has the distinction of being the only surviving one of the old set- tlers residing on the road from Tices bridge to Pedee, a distance of about thir- teen miles. As he grew up in this locality he has been an interested witness of much of its growth and development and was closely identified for a number of years with its business and agricultural interests.
One of Ohio's native sons, he was born in Wayne county, May 15, 1839, his parents being John H. and Sarah (Mclaughlin) Crees, natives of Pennsylva- nia. The father was born on the 13th of January, 1806, and the mother on the 2Ist of May, 1804, and both passed away in Cedar county, the former in April, 1879, and the latter in June, 1870. In their family were six children, of whom the subject of this review was the youngest in order of birth. The others were: Nancy, who makes her home with her brother, Joseph W .; Henry, deceased, who is mentioned elsewhere in this volume; Thomas M., Neely and Joel, who have all passed away.
In early childhood Joseph W. Crees left the state of his nativity and, with his parents, went to Pennsylvania, where a year was spent. The family then came to Iowa in 1845, two or three months being spent at Fort Madison, whence they removed to what was known as the "new purchase" and was the last purchase of land made from the Indians. After a year at that place the family went to Salem, Henry county, and in the winter of 1848-9 came to Cedar county, the family home being established at Pedee, Iowa township. Joseph W. Crees was a lad of ten years when he came with his parents to this county and within its
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HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY
borders he has since continued to live, covering a period of more than six decades. He was reared to farm life but later took up veterinary surgery and for twenty- five years after his marriage was engaged in that pursuit. Subsequently, how- ever, he turned his attention to farming and became the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of land located on section 27, Iowa township. There for a num- ber of years he carried on farming and stock-raising, and his efforts in that di- rection were so well directed and his interests so carefully managed that as the years passed his labor was rewarded with a substantial degree of prosperity which made it possible for him to lay aside active work and leave the actual management of his affairs to others. He rents the farm to his sons and now, in the evening of life, is enjoying in well earned rest the fruits of former toil.
It was in 1872 that Mr. Crees was united in marriage to Miss Jane Linn, who was born in Muskingum county, Ohio, April 20, 1849, and in 1855 came to Cedar county with her parents, Moses and Hannah (Darner) Linn, both of whom passed away in this county. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Crees were born nine children, as follows: James L., of Oklahoma; Clyde H., also residing in that state; Ver- rena, the wife of Fred Schafnit, of Atalissa; Edgar M., of Iowa township; Estelle, who wedded Charles Adams, of Rochester township; Frank, at home; Alice J. and Luella, also at home; and Florence, who passed away at the age of three years.
Outside of the demands made upon his attention by his business interests, Mr. Crees has yet found time and inclination for other interests in life and is an exemplary member of the Masonic fraternity, holding membership in Ionic Lodge, A. F. & A. M., at Atalissa. He was also a member of the Presbyterian church at Pedee until it went out of existence, and the teachings of that denom- ination have ever been the guiding influences in his life. In politics he gives stanch allegiance to the democratic party and has served his township as trustee and in other official capacities. Although he has passed the Psalmist's allotted span of three score years and ten, he yet retains a deep interest in all vital questions relative to local and national affairs and ranks among the honorable and valued citizens of Cedar county. As one of the oldest surviving settlers of the locality in which he resides, he is recognized as authority upon many sub- jects concerning the history of this section, his memory forming a connecting link between the primitive past and the progressive present.
JACOB SCHORR.
Jacob Schorr, a prosperous farmer of Farmington township, Cedar county, has made his home in the region where he now lives since 1867, and here he has attained a success which is the result of well directed effort in any honest in- dustry. He was born in Madison county, Illinois, October 20, 1850, and is a son of William and Maggie (Ruprecht) Schorr, who were both born in Germany and were there married. The father belonged to a hard-working family and as soon as he left the public schools he was apprenticed to the butcher's trade, in which he became quite expert.
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HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY
In order to improve their condition Mr. and Mrs. William Schorr came to this country and settled in Madison county, Illinois, where he followed his trade for five years. Having by this time acquired sufficient capital for investment, Mr. Schorr abandoned his trade and began farming. He purchased eighty-five acres of land, which he proceeded assiduously to cultivate, and his labor was rewarded to such an extent that in 1867 he came to Farmington township, this county, where he bought a tract of three hundred and twenty acres in Farmington town- ship and sixty-five acres elsewhere in this county, and brought the whole farm under a high degree of cultivation, greatly increasing its value. Mr. Schorr was called to his reward April 9, 1885, and his worthy wife followed him upon the long journey, August 30, 1905. They were both members of the Lutheran church and were highly respected by their neighbors and friends.
Jacob Schorr was educated in the public schools of Madison county, Illi- nois. He came to Iowa with his parents and has since devoted his attention to farming, having acquired one hundred and sixty acres which was originally owned by his father. He has engaged successfully in general farming opera- tions and the neat and orderly appearance of the buildings and everything about the farm indicates that he takes great interest in the work to which he has de- voted the best energies of his life.
In 1881 Mr. Schorr was united in marriage to Miss Anna Reimers, a daugh- ter of John and Anna (Kruse) Reimers. Eight children now living are the re- sult of the union: Maggie, now Mrs. Albert Shallenberger, of Scott county, Iowa; John; Annie, now Mrs. Herman Paustian, of Cedar county, Iowa; Wil- liam, who resides in Madison county, Illinois; and Arthur, Minnie, Elsie and Viola, all of whom are living at home. A promising son, Henry, died at the age of four years.
Mr. Schorr is identified with the republican party, whose candidates he heartily supports, and also is a member of the Lutheran church. As the head of a large family he has many responsibilities not known to those who are not so situated, but he always discharges his duties as they present themselves and thus has developed a sturdy character which is of more worth than great earthly possessions. In the various relations of life he has always been true to every trust reposed in him and as the result he enjoys the confidence and esteem of those with whom he is associated.
W. C. DODDS, M. D.
Dr. W. C. Dodds, honored and respected by all, was numbered among the pioneer physicians of this section of the state, beginning practice in Cedar Bluff in 1854. The weight of years finally caused him to put aside professional cares, but as the loved family physician the memory of his work is yet cherished in many a household.
Dr. Dodds was born in Maryland, April 25, 1822, a son of Andrew and Sarah Dodds. His education was acquired in Amesville, Ohio, his parents hav- ing removed with the family to that state. It required pluck and perseverance
DR. W. C. DODDS
MRS. W. C. DODDS
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HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY
for a poor boy in that early day to fit himself for the medical profession, but Dr. Dodds determined to engage in the practice of medicine as his life work and for four years studied with Dr. Fulton, one of the best physicians and sur- geons of that day, as his preceptor. He began practice in Rome, now Fostoria, Ohio, in 1850, and there remained for two years, returning in 1852 to Ames- ville, where for one year he engaged in practice in partnership with Dr. Fulton.
In 1854 Dr. Dodds was united in marriage to Miss Mary Ann Phillips, a daughter of Captain Ezra Phillips, of Athens county, Ohio, and shortly after- ward came to Iowa in search of a business location and home. He then settled in Cedar Bluff, where he met the usual experiences of a doctor in a new coun- try, with all the drawbacks attendant upon professional service in pioneer days. Such a practice meant long rides over a sparsely settled district, through the hot summer sun and the winter's cold, but he never refused to respond to a call where his services were needed, even at the sacrifice of his own personal comfort and interest, and thus in a comparatively short time was enjoying a pay- ing practice. He continued as an active and capable follower of his profession for nearly forty years, when his health failed, obliging him to abandon profes- sional duties. In the meantime he had wisely made investment in land and owned at one time nearly four hundred acres in Cedar county, while at the time of his death he was the owner of an excellent farm of one hundred and forty acres adjoining Cedar Bluff, together with some town property.
Unto Dr. and Mrs. Dodds there were born seven children, of whom one son died in infancy. The others are: Charles A., who married Susan Pfaff ; William O., who wedded Margaret Fisher; Harry, who married Alice Moyer ; Clara A., the wife of Charles Pfaff; Forrestine, the wife of Charles Laub- scher; and Mary E., the wife of Lewis Benda.
These children are all living within a radius of eight miles, of which the old homestead is the center, and within its walls until a short time ago many happy reunions were held, when the children all came home, adding cheerfulness to the latter part of the life journey which Dr. and Mrs. Dodds began together in 1852, but as a lightning bolt and thunder clap from a clear sky in the twink- ling of an eye all was changed, for the dear wife and mother was stricken by the relentless hand of death and earth knew her no more. Although seem- ingly in good health, on the Ist of August, 1904, she was that day called from life, at the age of seventy-three years, three months and twenty-three days. Her demise was mourned by the whole community. To each and all she had been a friend in every sense. Hers was a lovely character and all who knew her revere her memory. One of the local papers said of her: "Mrs. Dodds was an ideal home queen. Her life was wrapped up in her husband, children and grandchildren. Their sorrows were her sorrows, their joys were her joys. All her children and grandchildren are settled in or near Cedar Bluff, Iowa. They are all highly respected and prosperous which more clearly than anything else demonstrates the true life of Mrs. Dodds. Sixteen grandchildren, three brothers, three sisters and a host of friends mourned the loss of an ideal com- panion, a loving mother, a noble grandmother, an affectionate sister, a true friend and an obliging neighbor. Mrs. Dodds was a friend to all. Her delight
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HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY
To
was to plant flowers of love along the pathway of her fellow travelers. know her was to love her."
After the death of his wife Dr. Dodds made his home with his children, and died at the residence of his son Harry, north of Cedar Bluff, September 15, 1910, at the age of eighty-eight years, four months and ten days. For fifty-six years he was a resident of Cedar county and was closely associated with the life and best interests of the community, while his genuine personal worth ever commended him to the confidence and good will of his neighbors, his patrons and his friends. It has been given to but few to awaken as little enmity and to win as high regard as was uniformly tendered Dr. Dodds.
MRS. MARGARET SHROPE.
Mrs. Margaret Shrope is numbered among the worthy pioneer women of Cedar county and makes her home on section 35, Pioneer township. A native of Pennsylvania, she was born in Schuylkill county in 1836 and there spent her girl- hood. Like many of the residents of the Keystone state, she came of German ancestry, her father being Jacob Bickelman, a native of Germany, in which coun- try he was reared and married, the lady of his choice being Miss Eleanora Deal. Ere they left their native land four children were born unto them and another child was added to the family while they were on the Atlantic. They became early residents of Pennsylvania and it was in that state that their daughter Mar- garet was born and reared. She was trained to the work of the household and was thus well qualified to take charge of a home of her own when, in 1853, she gave her hand in marriage to James Schrope.
He, too, was a native of Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, born about 1822. Following his marriage he worked in the coal mines for a year or more and in 1855 came to Iowa, settling in Cedar county. His first investment here made him the owner of forty acres of land at Mason Grove. He built thereon and cultivated and improved the place for about eleven years, when. he sold that property and removed to the farm whereon Mrs. Schrope now resides. He first purchased eighty acres of land here, broke the sod and in time planted his crops, which in the autumn yielded good harvests. His labors were of a practical char- acter and in course of time his fields became very productive. He was busily engaged in their cultivation until his life's labors were ended in death in 1870. While in Pennsylvania he was a member of the Odd Fellows Society and both in his native state and his adopted state his good qualities won him many friends.
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