USA > Iowa > Black Hawk County > History of Black Hawk County, Iowa, and its people, Volume II > Part 18
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MORTIMER B. CLEVELAND.
Mortimer B. Cleveland, a well known and successful architect of Waterloo, although his practice comes to him from a wide territory, was born in Osage, lowa, on the 19th of November, 1882, a son of Byron M. and Lucia B. (Burn- ham) Cleveland, the former born in Wisconsin in 1859 and the latter in Massa- chusetts, in 1863. The father engaged in business as a traveling salesman for twenty-seven years. When a young man he came to Iowa, settling in Waterloo, where his remaining days were passed, his death occurring on the 6th of Febru- ary, 1912. His widow still resides in Waterloo. In their family were two children, the younger being Ruth B., now the wife of S. J. Johnson, of Blue Earth, Minnesota.
The elder, Mortimer B. Cleveland, has spent practically all of his life in Waterloo, acquiring a public-school education until he had completed the high- school course, after which'he entered Cornell College at Mount Vernon, Iowa, and later the University of Illinois, from which he holds degrees. He had made a study of architecture and when his college days were over he opened an office for the practice of his profession and has since devoted his time and energies to his chosen calling and gradually has built up a large business, which has come to him from a broad territory. He is constantly studying along the line of his profession and experience and reading are bringing to him a large knowledge by which his patrons benefit. He maintains an office in the First National Bank building, having a fine suite of rooms on the third floor, and one conversing
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with him for but a few moments must recognize at once that he has compre- hensive knowledge and ability in the field of his chosen calling.
On the ISth of September, 1912, Mr. Cleveland was united in marriage to Miss Edith M. Munger, a native of Waterloo and a daughter of Nelson O. and Mary (Parmenter) Munger. The mother has now passed away, while the father is living retired in California.
Mr. Cleveland's political allegiance is given to the democratic party and he keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day but is not an aspirant for office. He belongs to Waterloo Lodge, No. 290, B. P. O. E., and to the Order of Moose. He is likewise a member of the Board of Trade. Along strictly professional lines his connections are with the Iowa Chapter of the American Institute of Architects and with the Architectural League of America. A· deep interest in and love for his profession combined with laudable ambition have been the stimulating forces that have brought him to his present enviable position as one of the foremost architects of northeastern Iowa.
W. W. SMITH.
La Porte City is fortunate in having as its mayor W. W. Smith, a man of undoubted administrative ability and of unimpeachable integrity. He is a native of the Empire state, born in May, 1843, a son of Isaac and Dollie (Canfield) Smith, who were likewise born in New York. The father removed with his family to Tama county, Iowa, in 1858 and made his home there through the remaining years of his life. He died in 1872, and his wife passed away in 1854 while the family were still living in New York.
W. W. Smith was reared upon the home farm and as soon as he was old enough began to help his father with the cultivation of the fields and the care of the live stock, and thus he gained a practical training that was of great ad- vantage to him later in life. Nor was his formal education neglected, as he attended the common schools of the neighborhood. When eighteen years of age liis patriotic spirit was aroused by the news of the assault on Fort Sumter and the attempt of the southern states to secede, and at the beginning of the war he enlisted in the Union army, being enrolled as a member of Company D. Thirty-first Iowa Volunteer Infantry. He served for three years and was under fire many times, taking part in a number of important engagements. At the close of the war he went to Benton county, Iowa, and purchased eighty acres of land, which he improved and developed. He gradually increased his acreage until he became the owner of two hundred and eighty acres, which is still in his possession and which he operated until 1902. In that year he rented his land and removed to La Porte City, where he has since resided. He immediately identified himself with public affairs and the welfare of the community and is now serving his third term as mayor of the city, his record being indorsed by reelection.
In December, 1867, Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Miss Estella D. Marsh, who was a daughter of Jasper and Caroline (Davis) Marsh, both natives of New York. In 1860 they removed to Tama county, Iowa, and the father
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operated a farm there until his death, which occurred in 1868. His widow lived many years longer, dying in 1911. To Mr. and Mrs. Smith were born five chil- dren: O. J., a resident of Dysart, Iowa; Carrie, the wife of M. M. Hill, of Hood River, Oregon; W. H., who is farming the homestead; Mary, who died in 1912; and George L., also a resident of Hood River, Oregon. After a year's illness Mrs. Smith died in 1884 and Mr. Smith was married to Miss Louisa J. Johnson in April, 1887. To this union have been born two children: Leota, the wife of WV. H. Grove, of Montana ; and Lloyd J., who is at home.
Mr. Smith is a consistent member of the Presbyterian church and cooperates with all movements seeking the moral advancement of the community. He supports the republican party at the polls and is quite prominent in local political circles. He belongs to M. F. Thompson Post, No. 187, G. A. R., and fraternally holds membership in the Knights of Pythias and in the Ancient Order of United Workmen. Whether engaged as an agricuiturist or devoting his time as a public official to the administration of the city government, he has invariably manifested the qualities of energy, initiative and sound common sense. These characteristics have enabled him to gain success and to win the confidence of his fellowmen.
ABRAHAM WILD.
Abraham Wild is a dealer in lumber, coal and building materials in Cedar Falls, his place of business at No. 1524 Main street being conducted under the name of the Wild Lumber Company. He was born in Bavaria, Germany, March 12, 1842, and in accordance with the laws of that country served in the army and participated in one of the wars in which the fatherland has been engaged. He received his education there and when about thirty years of age, attracted by the opportunities of the new world, crossed the Atlantic and settled in Cedar Falls, where he was first employed in a brick yard. He afterward worked for nine years in a lumber yard at Cedar Falls and this gave him the broad practical ex- perience which has served as a foundation upon which he has built his present success. At the end of that time, or in 1883, he established a yard of his own on Fourth and State streets and operated it successfully until 1908. The following year he opened the yard which he is now conducting.
Mr. Wild carries a large line of building materials and lumber and also enjoys a good trade as a coal dealer. His reliable business methods have been one of the strongest factors in his growing success. His business has now reached ex- tensive proportions and his prosperity is well merited, for throughout his business career to upbuild rather than to destroy has ever been his broad policy. He is, moreover, a stockholder in the Citizens Bank of Cedar Falls and in the broom factory, and is president of the Germania Building, Loan & Savings Association. He likewise owns a number of fine farms in various counties of Iowa and also in Minnesota and South Dakota, and in Cedar Falls he owns business property, a fine residence and some vacant lots. His interests have constantly broadened and his energy and determination have enabled him to overcome all of the diffi- culties and obstacles in his path.
ABRAHAM WILD
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In Germany, about forty-two years ago, Mr. Wild was united in marriage to Miss Katrina Wild, who although of the same name was not a relative, and they came to the new world on their wedding journey. They are the parents of four children. Matilda A., who is a graduate of the Normal School at Cedar Falls and has taught school, is now a nurse in the Presbyterian Hospital. Anna R., a graduate of a business college in Cedar Rapids, has taught school for one term and for fifteen years has been secretary of the Normal College at Cedar Falls. Fred Richard H., a graduate of the University of New York, is now a mechanical engineer of California. Harry B., who was educated in a military college of Kentucky, is now a lumberman of Los Angeles, California. The children were all provided with liberal educational opportunities and have become valued factors in the life of the different communities in which they reside.
Mr. Wild votes with the republican party, which he has supported continuously since becoming a naturalized American citizen. He has never had occasion to regret his determination to come to the new world. He was guided by a desire to embrace the better business opportunities offered on this side of the Atlantic, nor did he have any false ideas that a fortune was to be had for the asking. He knew that industry and determination must win success here as elsewhere, but at the time of his arrival competition was not so great. Gradually he has worked his way upward and is now controlling a profitable business which has won him rank with the substantial residents of his city.
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HENRY BECKER.
Henry Becker, who is living in honorable retirement at La Porte City, de- voted his attention to general agricultural pursuits throughout his active business career with excellent results. His birth occurred in eastern Pennsylvania on the 8th of May, 1838, his parents being John and Rebecca (Zimmerman) Becker, who were likewise natives of the Keystone state. The father, who spent his entire life in Pennsylvania and followed farming throughout his active business career, passed away in 1874, while his wife died in that state in 1852.
Henry Becker was reared and educated in the state of his nativity and re- mained under the parental roof until twenty-five years of age. He then made his way to Will county, Illinois, where he was first employed as a farm hand and subsequently rented a tract of land which he cultivated until 1871. In that year he came to Black Hawk county and here operated a rented farm for two years, on the expiration of which period he purchased eighty acres of land in Bruce township, Benton county, Iowa, improving the property and there carry- ing on farming for four years. His first wife died on that place and he was married again, afterward removing to the two-hundred-acre farm of his second wife in Black Hawk county. He was actively engaged in the operation of that tract until 1890 and then retired with a comfortable competence, taking up his abode in La Porte City, where he has made his home continuously since with the exception of seven years spent in Arkansas. He owns a handsome residence and has erected and sold five houses in La Porte City.
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In November, 1865, Mr. Becker was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary A. Brown, her father being John Brown, who was one of the pioneer settlers of Will county, Illinois. She passed away in 1875 and in July of the following year Mr. Becker was again married, his second union being with Mrs. Sarah E. Foulk, a daughter of John Reed, who was a pioneer settler of Pennsylvania.
Mr. Becker is a republican in his political views and has served as a member of the school board, the cause of education ever finding in him a stalwart cham- pion. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Church of Zion, while his wife is a Christian Scientist. His life has been well spent, in harmony with his professions, and in every relation he has been honorable and upright, winning for himself the warm regard of his fellow citizens.
GEORGE V. FOWLER.
George V. Fowler has been engaged in the grocery business in Waterloo through an extended period and his success is the legitimate outcome of close application, earnest purpose and honorable dealing. He was born in Pittsford, Monroe county, New York, March 18, 1847, and is a son of Vincent and Rebecca A. (Field) Fowler. The birthplace of both the father and mother was Peekskill, upon the banks of the Hudson in the state of New York. In early life Vincent Fowler learned and followed the miller's trade. From Pittsford he removed to Hinckley, New York, where he followed milling for five years and then located on a farm near Spencerport, New York, where he remained until his death, which occurred in 1911, having for about three years survived his wife. His father was a blacksmith and made swords for General Washington. George V. Fowler was the second in order of birth in a family of five chil- · dren. He attended the district schools of his native state until about fifteen years of age and afterward spent three or four years in a select school con- ducted by Professor Clark, the author of the well known "Clark's Grammar." When eighteen years of age he began operating his father's farm on shares and continued upon the old homestead for eight years. Before leaving the farm he and his older brother had embarked in the nursery business at Waterloo, Iowa, the brother conducting the business at this point, while George V. Fowler remained in charge of the home farm in New York. He left the Empire state, however, in 1873 and came to Waterloo to become a factor in the active man- agement of the nursery business, in which he remained for about ten years. Gradually, however, he withdrew from active connection with that interest and confined his attention more and more largely to the wholesale fruit and grocery business, that undertaking having its inception in his shipping fruits and pure cider vinegar from New York. Eventually he gave practically all of his atten- tion to the grocery trade. He still owns, however, a farm which is cultivated under his supervision and he has extensive interests in real estate, owning a large amount of land in Waterloo Heights. He is likewise connected with the Waterloo Canning Company, the Rath Packing Company, the Union Mill Com- pany and the First National Bank, in all of which he is a stockholder. His busi- ness interests are thus large and important and he has become a foremost factor
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in commercial, industrial and financial circles in Waterloo. He has likewise been a stockholder in the Waterloo Chautauqua Association since its inception more than twenty-five years ago. His property holdings in Waterloo are very exten- sive, for in connection with his two brothers he owns a number of the principal business blocks of the city. His investments in realty have been most judiciously made and have brought to him splendid returns.
Mr. Fowler has always had firm faith in Waterloo and her future and has done everything in his power to promote the welfare and upbuilding of the city and of Black Hawk county. His chief ambition, perhaps, has been to further the agricultural development of this section of the state, for he believes that Iowa people have an unparalleled chance in that direction, for the land is rolling, requiring little artificial drainage and, moreover, is naturally rich and productive. He has done everything in his power to stimulate an interest in all branches of agriculture and has himself engaged in the manufacture of cheese which has become famous.
On the 18th of March, 1875, Mr. Fowler was united in marriage to Miss Alice Hillman, who was born in Parma, Monroe county, New York, a daughter of Roy E. and Harriet (Castle) Hillman, who were natives of Cattaraugus county, New York, the father there following the occupation of farming. To Mr. and Mrs. Fowler have been born five children: Roy H., who is a salesman for the Fowler Grocery Company ; Mae F. and Florence, both at home; Arthur, who is employed in his father's office; and Julia, also at home.
Mr. Fowler holds membership in the Ancient Order of United Workmen and with the United Commercial Travelers. He is a member of the Board of Trade of Waterloo and is interested in every plan and project for the upbuilding and benefit of his city. His political allegiance is given to the democratic party but he has never sought nor desired public office. His religious faith is indi- cated in his membership in the First Baptist church. His life has indeed been a busy and useful one, characterized by the wise use of the opportunities which have come to him. He has displayed sound judgment in placing a valuation upon his chances and in judging those things which make up his life's contacts and experiences. In all of his business career he has quickly discriminated between the essential and the non-essential and his efforts have ever been of a character which have contributed to public progress as well as to individual success.
JAMES H. GOODRICH.
James HI. Goodrich is engaged in the real-estate business in Waterloo, buy- ing, selling and exchanging property. He was born in the old town of Charles- town, now a part of Boston, Massachusetts, October 1, 1857, a son of James H. and Janette (Field) Goodrich, who were natives of New York and Vermont respectively. The father came to Iowa in 1867, the family following in 1869, when they joined him in the establishment of a home in Waterloo. He was a bookkeeper by profession and for several years was employed in Farwell's Bank of this city. He afterward turned his attention to the insurance business,
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which he conducted to the time of his death in 1900. His wife survived for several years, passing away in 1909. In their family were four children: Cor- nelia, now the wife of J. M. Kirkpatrick, a resident of Ashland, Oregon ; Leon, living in Waterloo ; Lizzie B., whose home is in Mound, Minnesota ; and James H.
The last named attended the schools of Vermont and of Massachusetts until he reached the age of twelve years and following the removal of the family to this state continued his studies in the public and high schools of Waterloo to the age of eighteen years. He afterward secured a situation as a clerk in Water- loo and was similarly employed in Cedar Rapids, thus spending his time to the age of twenty-one years, when he went to southwestern Nebraska and took up government land, residing thereon until he had proved up his claim. In the meantime he was elected treasurer of Redwillow county, Nebraska, and occu- pied that position for five years, on the expiration of which period he went to Lincoln, that state, where he was engaged in the real-estate business for about three years. He next located at Holdrege, Nebraska, where he conducted a real-estate and loan business for two years, after which he purchased a large ranch of five thousand acres and engaged in the live-stock business for two years. At the end of that time he returned to Iowa and accepted a position as traveling salesman, spending two years upon the road.
In 1900 Mr. Goodrich embarked in the grocery business in Waterloo and for six years was connected with that line of business but bought and sold sev- eral times in that period. He next returned to the real-estate field and in con- nection with the purchase and sale of property began speculative building in 1906. He first erected the brick building on Third street known as the Third Street Grocery. He also built a large apartment house at the corner of Third and Locust streets which he now owns, occupying one of the apartments. He has built and sold about thirty-five residences in that section of Waterloo and has thus contributed much to the improvement of the city, transforming un- sightly vacancies into a fine residential district. In addition he owns and rents one thousand acres in Minnesota and an improved farm of eighty acres in Iowa. He follows the most progressive business methods and has done much toward the upbuilding of Waterloo. He is thoroughly acquainted with property values, which enables him to make judicious investments and profitable sales, and as the years have gone on his efforts have been an element in public progress as well as individual prosperity.
Mr. Goodrich has been married twice. In September, 1885. he wedded Miss Eva Bishop, a native of Iowa and a daughter of George Bishop, of La Porte City, this state, who there engaged in the practice of law but is now deceased. Mrs. Goodrich passed away in June, 1893, leaving a son, Paul K., who is now engaged in the grocery business in Waterloo. In 1901 Mr. Goodrich was again married, his second union being with Miss Carrie Hitchcock, a daughter of Nelson and Mary Hitchcock. In addition to the son of his first marriage Mr. Goodrich has an adopted daughter, Lucy Whitney, now eleven years of age.
James H. Goodrich is a member of the Congregational church and he was reared in that faith, his father having been a deacon of the church for twenty- five years. In his political views Mr. Goodrich is a republican and for two years served as a member of the city council of Indianola, Nebraska, but since coming to Waterloo has never sought office, preferring to concentrate his ener-
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gies upon his business affairs which, carefully conducted, have brought to him substantial and gratifying success. He belongs to the blue lodge and chapter in the Masonic fraternity and has held some of the offices in those organizations. Before the era of the automobile he was a lover of fine horses but since the in- troduction of the car he has taken an intense delight in motoring and greatly enjoys a good run. He has long been actively interested in church work, con- tributes generously to the cause, and for a number of years has served as trustee in his church. In a word, his influence is always on the side of right, truth and justice, of progress, reform and improvement. He is practical in all that he undertakes and while he holds to high ideals, uses the most practical methods to secure their adoption.
JUDSON LAUGHLIN, A. M., M. D.
Dr. Judson Laughlin, a well known resident of Waterloo, was born at College Springs, Iowa, on the 16th of July, 1868, a son of James Birney and Sarah A. (Cross) Laughlin, both of whom were born near Bloomington, Illinois. The father was a nurseryman and horticulturist and in 1854 removed to Iowa, locating in College Springs. Immediately upon his arrival there he established a nursery and continued to conduct it with growing success until his death, which occurred on the 20th of January, 1911. His wife had passed away many years before, as she was called to her reward in 1877. He was not remiss in his duties as a citizen and was always interested in anything pertaining to the public welfare but never aspired to office.
Dr. Laughlin is the second in order of birth in a family of six children and received excellent educational advantages. After attending the public schools of College Springs he became a student at Amity College, graduating in June, 1890, and he subsequently entered the Ensworth Central Medical school at St. Joseph, Missouri, from which he was graduated with the degree of M. D. in 1896. Amity College conferred upon him the degree of A. M. in 1897. Dr. Laughlin was married in 1890 to Miss Ella McCann, who was born and reared in St. Joseph, Missouri, and belonged to a prominent family. This beloved com- panion and wife was called to her reward April 29, 1892. Dr. Laughlin com- menced business as a fruit grower near St. Joseph, Missouri, and so continued for about eighteen months. It was after this that he began his professional studies and immediately after completing his medical course in 1896 he began practice at Blanchard, Iowa, where he remained for two years. He then spent three years at Grinnell, Iowa, and was for thirteen years a general practitioner at Ledyard, Iowa. At the end of that time he came to Waterloo with the inten- tion of opening a wholesale drug house here but has since decided to establish it at Mason City, Iowa, instead. He is not only a successful physician but he also is an excellent business man, and the combination of detailed and technical knowledge of drugs, their composition and use, and sound judgment in financial matters should insure the success of the concern which he intends to establish.
Dr. Laughlin was married on the 27th of June, 1895, to Miss Anna Roy, who was born at Palmyra, Missouri, and was left an orphan when a mere child.
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To Dr. and Mrs. Laughlin were born five children, Birney Roy, James Byron, Geraldine, Judson M. and William R. The wife and mother passed away on the 24th of November, 1910, and on the 21st of February, 1912, the Doctor was united in marriage to Miss Elsie M. Simpson, a native of Mason City, Iowa, and a daughter of John Simpson, a prominent farmer of Rake, Iowa.
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