USA > Iowa > Black Hawk County > History of Black Hawk County, Iowa, and its people, Volume II > Part 35
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In 1876 Mr. Wagner was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary Hyde, a native of Wisconsin and a daughter of Fred Hyde. Her parents came to Iowa from Wis- consin about 1867, taking up their abode in Gilbertsville, where the father was engaged in business as a carpenter and contractor until his demise in 1878. The mother was called to her final rest in the year 1902. To them were born three daughters, of whom Mrs. Wagner is the only survivor. By her marriage she has become the mother of three sons, as follows: Michael J., who is associated with his father in the automobile business; Peter, who is a pearl merchant; and William Dewey, who is a high-school student.
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Mr. Wagner gives his political allegiance to the democracy, but the honors and emoluments of office have no attraction for him. He and his family are devout communicants of the Catholic church. In business his course has been characterized by strict fidelity to principle, and in social relations he has displayed a courtesy and cordiality which have won him many friends.
C. T. WILSON.
C. T. Wilson is a general contractor and builder of Waterloo, with office at the corner of Bridge and Commercial streets. He has made thoroughness and efficiency his watchwords in connection with business, and by reason of the results attained thereby has secured a gratifying patronage. He was born in Washington township, Black Hawk county, in 1866, a son of Seth and Sarah Parnell (Hitchcock) Wilson. The grandparents were pioneer settlers of Wash- ington township, but the parents were both born in Illinois prior to the establish- ment of the Wilson and Hitchcock families in this county. Both the paternal and maternal grandfather entered land from the government and the paternal grandparents remained upon their claim until called to their final rest, Mr. Wil- son having in the meantime converted the place into a highly improved farm. The maternal grandfather operated his farm for a time, but in his later years removed to Cedar Falls, where both he and his wife passed away. Both families were closely associated with a number of the early events that shaped the pioneer history of the county, and Grandfather Wilson served on the first jury ever impaneled in Black Hawk county. In early days he sawed wood for the Illinois Central Railroad to use in their engines. At first Dubuque was their nearest market.
Both Seth Wilson and Sarah Hitchcock were reared in this county and were here married. They began their domestic life upon a farm, and Mr. Wilson continuously carried on general agricultural pursuits until 1904, when he removed to Waterloo, where he still makes his home at the age of seventy-two years. His wife, however, passed away in 1912. In their family were three children: C. T .; Mrs. Richards, who is living in Butler county, Iowa ; and Carrie, who is employed by the Leavitt & Johnson Trust Company of Waterloo.
C. T. Wilson acquired his education in the public schools of Parkersburg and lived upon the home farm until twenty-one years of age, during which period he taught school for two years. He afterward spent five years in Cornell Col- lege, Iowa, and was graduated therefrom in 1893 on the completion of a course in civil engineering. He followed that profession until 1912, and during the last nine years was city engineer of Waterloo. Previously he had done survey work in connection with railroad building. In 1912 he embarked in contracting. building and general construction work and has since been active along that line in Waterloo and northeastern Iowa, where many important contracts have been awarded him. Evidences of his skill and handiwork can be seen in many places, and he is widely recognized as one of the leading general contractors of his section of the state. As the years have passed on he has prospered in his
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undertakings and is now the owner of a number of residence properties and vacant lots in Waterloo, together with the fine home which he occupies.
In 1894 Mr. Wilson was united in marriage to Miss Clara Goodale, a native of New York, who came to the west with her parents in her childhood days and settled in Butler county, where both her father and mother passed away. Mrs. Wilson is one of the three children of the Goodale family who still survive, the others being: Oren E., of Los Angeles, California; and Annie C., who is a trained nurse of Iowa City. To Mr. and Mrs. Wilson have been born six chil- dren : Dorothy, who was born in 1895 and is now attending college in Mount Vernon ; Anna, who was born in 1897 and is at home; Clarence, who was born in 1899 and is now a student in the high school; Clara B., who was born in 1901 and is a high-school pupil; Donald, born in 1907; and Florence, born in 1912.
The religious faith of the family is that of the Methodist Episcopal denomina- tion and Mr. Wilson holds membership with the First Methodist church of Waterloo. He is quite liberal in his political views although his tendency is toward the republican party. He has served on the board of the west side and he was a member of the board of water commissioners of Waterloo in con- nection with J. M. Groat and J. E. Sedgewick when the plant was taken over by the city. He was likewise a member of the school board for nine years and has been thus closely connected with important public service and in many ways has contributed to the upbuilding and progress of the city in which he makes his home. He is guided at all times by the spirit of advancement and this is as strongly manifest in his business life as in other connections.
MRS. WILLIAM C. NASH.
Mirs. William C. Nash, well known to the theater-going public as Kitty De Lorme, was born in Columbus, Ohio, in 1863, and when three years of age was brought by her parents to Waterloo. Her father, Luther S. Freeman, was a brother of General H. B. Freeman, of the United States Army. For many years Luther S. Freeman was engaged in the harness and saddlery busi- ness in Waterloo and he died at the Soldiers' Home in Dayton, Ohio, where for several years he played the leading cornet in the band and acted as leader. Mr. Freeman was a native of Mount Vernon, Ohio, and at the outbreak of the Civil war enlisted for service with an Ohio regiment, with which he remained until the close of hostilities. On one occasion he was severely wounded in the left shoulder by a musket ball. His wife bore the maiden name of Miss Lydia Wilson and was born in Somerset county, Pennsylvania, seventy-nine years ago. She is a daughter of Thomas and Lydia Wilson, in whose family were fourteen children, and in Ohio she grew to womanhood. Mrs. Nash comes of a family noted for histrionic talent. Her brother, Luther B. Freeman, now of Westfield, Iowa, was for many years connected with the stage. His sister, known in the theatrical world as Nettie Dalton, is now deceased.
As previously stated, Mrs. Nash was but three years of age when brought by her parents to Waterloo. Here she attended the public schools and at four- teen years of age began her stage career, playing in children's parts. She was
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leading lady in the play Burr Oaks for three years, enacting the role of Margie, with David Higgins as leading man. She afterward played the leading lady with the De Lorme Stock Company, touring the west for three years. Later she was under the management of E. D. Stair, touring in the west for four years and still later supported John Dillon, after which she played in a stock com- pany in the Calumet theater of Chicago. Again going upon the road, she starred as Cigarette in the dramatization of Ouida's Under Two Flags, and for some time thereafter was connected with the Bennett Moulton Dramatie Company, travel- ing through the country. Subsequently she played with the International Stock Company of Niagara Falls, Canada, and afterward with a stock company in Detroit, Michigan. Five years ago she became seriously ill and was forced to give up her stage career on account of a general breakdown. She is now suf- ficiently recovered, however, to return to the stage and it is expected will repeat her former successes which brought her a wide acquaintance and an admiring following.
On the 10th of March, 1910, in St. Joseph, Missouri, she became the wife of William C. Nash, who was born in Detroit, Michigan, fifty-four years ago and is a son of William C. and Theresa (Cahill) Nash. During the thirty-seven years of her stage life Mrs. Nash has met with the leading celebrities of both the European and American stage. She is a lover of her art and has always held to high ideals in connection therewith. Her work has given general satis- faction, both upon the road and when she has been doing the arduous work of a stock company.
HARRY J. PARKS.
Harry J. Parks, vice president of the Waterloo Sash & Fixture Works, has in his business career advanced steadily step by step. When determination, perseverance and talent are arrayed against drawbacks and trials the result is almost absolutely certain. The former are invincible, they know no defeat -- a fact which has been exemplified in the life of Harry J. Parks, who by persistent energy has steadily worked his way upward.
Black Hawk county numbers him among her native sons. He was born November 9, 1886, a son of William H. and Anna B. (Hitt) Parks. The latter is a native of Waterloo, her father, Harrison Hitt, having come to this city about 1862. William H. Parks was born in Germany and came to the United States with his parents in his boyhood days, the family home being established in Waterloo in the early '6os, so that they were among the pioneer settlers of the town. The death of Mr. Parks occurred March 4, 1911, but the mother is still living. He was a farmer by occupation and in following that pursuit provided a good living for his family.
Harry J. Parks was reared upon the home farm and pursued his education in the public schools of La Porte, passing through consecutive grades until he became a high-school pupil. He afterward attended the Waterloo Business Col- lege, from which he was graduated with the class of 1907. The same spring he entered the employ of the Cascade Manufacturing Company, with which lie
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remained for five months. He then entered the employ of the Smith, Lichty & Hillman Company, with which he remained but a short time. He then secured a position with the Waterloo Sash & Fixture Works in 1908 and the following year he purchased stock in the company. In 1911 he was elected vice president, in which official capacity he has since continued, and as such is active in directing the interests and shaping the policy of the house. They are conducting a sub- stantial and growing business, and as the years pass on their patronage is steadily increasing.
On the 16th of June, 1914, Mr. Parks was united in marriage to Miss Mamie E. O'Neill, of Waterloo. They are members of the First Congregational church and they occupy an enviable position in social circles, having many warm friends in the city and county. Mr. Parks belongs to Helmet Lodge, No. 89, K. of P., and to the Brotherhood of American Yeomen. He is recognized as one of the progressive young business men of his city. To build up rather than to destroy is his broad policy, and he attacks everything with a contagious enthusiasm that is productive of substantial results.
EMERY ERNEST MAGEE, M. D.
Dr. Emery Ernest Magee, a medical graduate of Northwestern University, displayed the elemental strength of his character and his laudable ambition in providing for the expenses of his college course in both his literary and pro- fessional training. Such a man will always win success, and it is therefore 110 matter of marvel that Dr. Magee stands among the able and eminent physi- cians and surgeons of Waterloo.
He is a native of Black Hawk county, having been born October 28, 1882, on the farm near Dunkerton owned by his parents, Edward W. and Sarah Jane (Davis) Magee, both of whom are natives of the state of New York. In child- hood, however, they accompanied their parents on their removal to McHenry county, Illinois, where the marriage of Edward W. Magee and Sarah Jane Davis was celebrated in 1860. The following year they came to Iowa, settiing upon the farm in Black Hawk county which has since been their home. To his original holdings Mr. Magee has added until he now owns an entire section of land and is one of the prosperous farmers of this part of the state.
Dr. Magee was reared under the parental roof and acquired his preliminary education in the public schools. He afterward attended the Iowa Teachers College at Cedar Falls, from which he was graduated with the class of 1905, winning the degree of B. D. I. He paid his own way through college at Cedar Falls and in the autumn of 1905 entered the medical department of the North- western University, Chicago, from which he was graduated with the class of 1909. Again he paid his own way through school by selling books and when he left college he had a surplus of five hundred dollars. Subsequent to his gradu- ation he acted for two years as interne in the Wesley Hospital of Chicago and greatly augmented his knowledge through the broad and varied experience which is never gained as quickly in any other way as in hospital practice. On leaving that institution he made his way westward to South Dakota and while
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living in that state purchased a half section of land in Hamlin county, near Castlewood. He still owns that property, which has almost doubled in value.
His first location as a medical practitioner was in Waterloo, where in 1911 he opened his office, occupying a commodious suite of rooms in the new First National Bank building. His office is splendidly appointed in all of the equip- ments and accessories necessary to medical and surgical practice, and he has made steady advancement during the years in which he has followed his pro- fession in this city. That he keeps in touch with the progress and advanced thought of the day is indicated in the fact that he holds membership in the Waterloo City Medical Society, the Black Hawk County Medical Society, tlie Cedar Valley Austin Flint Medical Society, the Iowa State Medical Society and the American Medical Association. Dr. Magee is also a member of the Phi Beta Phi, a Greek letter fraternity, and a member of the Board of Trade of Waterloo. His interest in the welfare and upbuilding of city and county is that of a public-spirited citizen, but he has had no time for office seeking or public activities of other character to any extent because of the constantly increasing professional demands which are being made upon him.
JAMES E. ROBINSON.
James E. Robinson, superintendent of construction, buildings and grounds of the Iowa State Teachers College of Cedar Falls, is widely and prominently known because of his work in this connection, having erected all but two of the present college buildings. He was born in Cleveland, Ohio. September 28, 1858, and is a son of Peter S. and Sarah J. (Young) Robinson, the former a native of London, England, whence he came to the United States with his parents when but five years of age, the family home being established in New York city. Subsequently they removed to Cincinnati, Ohio, where Peter S. Robinson was reared. There he wedded Sarah J. Young, a native of Kentucky, and soon after their marriage they went to Cleveland, Ohio, where they made their home for fifteen years. In 1862 they came west to Iowa, locating in Cedar Falls, which was then the terminus of the Illinois Central Railroad. Here the father built a frame dwelling on Fourteenth and Franklin streets. Directly back of the resi- dence was an old Indian trail where in his boyhood James E. Robinson saw hundreds of Indians pass in a body. The father was a carpenter by trade and for many years conducted business as a contractor and builder, erecting many of the homes in Cedar Falls in the early years and thus contributing in large measure to the improvement of the city. He died in August, 1909, at the age of eighty-two years, while his widow still survives and yet makes her home in Cedar Falls at the age of eighty-three. She is still hale and hearty and refuses to allow anyone to do her housework, insisting that she is able to take care of her own home. Her grandfather lived to the remarkable old age of one hun- dred and fifteen years and her mother to the age of one hundred and twelve years, the latter dying while kneeling in prayer in church. The family is thus noted for longevity and there seems to be no reason why Mrs. Robinson should not survive for several years to come.
JAMES E. ROBINSON
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James E. Robinson was educated in the public and high schools of Cedar Falls and in early manhood he learned the carpenter's trade under the direction of his father. For fifteen years he worked at his trade as a journeyman and then engaged in the contracting and building business, which he followed for fourteen years. He built the Methodist church of Cedar Falls, the M. N. Day- ton home, the residence of M. N. Harris and many other of the finest homes of Cedar Falls. Most of the store buildings of the city have either been erected by his father or by himself. For several years he did all of the building of the state college and in 1901 he was persuaded by President Seerley to accept the position of superintendent of construction, buildings and grounds, since which time he has had absolute jurisdiction over all construction work. The magnifi- cent buildings erected by him will stand for years as a monument to his skill as a builder, and those who know say that he has saved the state many thousands of dollars since entering upon his present connection with the school. He is familiar with every phase of practical and scientific building and is constantly studying and thinking out along the line of his chosen vocation, so that the value of his work increases.
In 1884 Mr. Robinson was joined in wedlock to Miss Martha Davis, of Rich- mond, Indiana, by whom he has three children, as follows: Lilly May, who is a graduate of the Iowa State Teachers College and for the past six years has been engaged in teaching; Robert Lindsay, who is a student in the dental de- partment of the State University of Iowa at Iowa City; and Mary, who is attending a training school in Cedar Falls .....
Mr. Robinson is a republican, stalwart in support of the principles of the party. He holds membership with the Modern Woodmen, and he and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church. Their many good traits of heart and mind have won for them high esteem and warm personal friendships, while the business ability of Mr. Robinson has gained him enviable prominence in his chosen field.
ARTHUR I. BUNN.
Arthur I. Bunn is a partner in the firm of G. W. Bunn & Son, well known coal dealers of Waterloo. He was born in Butler county, Iowa, on the 8th of March, 1876, and is a son of George W. and Lucy J. (Bass) Bunn. The father was born in New Jersey, September 22, 1848, and the mother's birth occurred in Illinois on the 13th of October, 1847. The father remained in his native state until about his tenth year, when he accompanied his parents on their removal to Du Page county, Illinois, and in 1866 they went to Butler county, Iowa, where Peter Bunn, the grandfather of our subject, spent his remaining days, passing away about 1898. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Mary Hum- mer, died four years later in Waterloo, having made her home with her son George W. after the death of her husband.
On attaining his majority George W. Bunn engaged in farming in Butler county, devoting his attention to general agricultural pursuits until November, 1886, when he put aside the work of the fields and took up his abode in Waterloo. Vol. 11-18
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Immediately afterward he engaged in the coal business in partnership with B. D. Smith, under the firm style of Smith & Bunn, which relationship continued for three years, at the end of which time Mr. Bunn became sole proprietor of the business. He continued alone for twenty-two years, or until 1911, when he admitted his son Arthur to a partnership, at which time the present firm name of G. W. Bunn & Son was assumed.
No event of special importance occurred to vary the routine of life for Arthur I. Bunn in his boyhood. At the usual age he entered the public schools and ultimately became a pupil in the West Side high school, from which he was graduated with the class of 1893. The following year he entered the drug store of J. J. Knapp of Waterloo and took up the study of pharmacy. In 1895 he became a student in the pharmaceutical department of the Northwestern Uni- versity of Chicago, from which he was graduated in 1896. For four years thereafter he was identified with the drug business and then joined his father, since which time he has been connected with the coal trade. In 1911 he was admitted to a partnership and has since been active in the management and control of the business, which has now reached extensive and gratifying pro- portions. The firm of G. W. Bunn & Son is among the leading coal dealers of the city.
In 1900 was celebrated the marriage of Arthur I. Bunn and Miss Isabella Aitken, of Cedar Falls, Iowa, a daughter of W. T. M. Aitken, who for several years was city clerk of Cedar Falls but is now living retired. Mr. and Mrs. Bunn are the parents of three children, Mildred, George and Arthur.
Mr. Bunn exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and mea- sures of the republican party. His fraternal connections are with Waterloo Lodge, No. 105, F. & A. M .; Tabernacle Chapter, No. 52, R. A. M .; Crescent Council, No. 16, R. & S. M .; Ascalon Commandery, No. 25. K. T .; El Kahir Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of Cedar Rapids; and both he and his wife are members of the Order of the Eastern Star. They are likewise members of the First Methodist Episcopal church of Waterloo and Mr. Bunn is connected with the Waterloo Board of Trade and the Town Criers Club, the latter an organization which has for its prime object the advancement of the city's busi- ness affairs and the promotion of its civic interests. He has spent much of his life in this city and has been a cooperant in various measures and movements for the general good. He is highly esteemed wherever known and most of all where best known.
SAMUEL MORRELL HOFF.
Samuel Morrell Hoff was the first marshal of Waterloo and served on the police force for nine years. He has been connected with many other public posi- tions and throughout all the years has been a progressive, public-spirited citizen who has done much to further the welfare and upbuilding of Black Hawk county.
He was born in Allen township, Union county, Ohio, December 12, 1837. His grandfather, William Hoff, married Rebecca Johnston and followed the occupation of farming in Virginia until his death. He was a soldier in the War
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of 1812. His father, Anthony W. Hoff, was born in Barber county, Virginia, and was married there to Elizabeth Poland. He died in Ohio, after which his widow became the wife of Joshua S. Eaton, and her death also occurred in the Buckeye state. To Anthony W. Hoff and his wife were born five children : Sarah P., who became the wife of Isaac Broderick and died in Ohio; Rachel J., who first married Leonard Lott and after his death married James Wallace, of Villisca, Iowa; Samuel M .; Rebecca Ann, who became the wife of Edmund Foote and died in Ohio; and Minerva Jane, who became the wife of James Leonard and passed away in Missouri.
Samuel M. Hoff, whose name introduces this review, was sent to the old- fashioned district school in his early youth. His father was a farmer by occu- pation but was killed when his son was but five years of age, being murdered by a feilow who objected to his giving in evidence which made plain some shady transactions carried on by certain grafters. He was just returning on horseback from a visit to relatives in Indiana and was seen to enter a strip of woods near his home. The horse went home riderless and his body was never recovered. He left five children and, as stated, Samuel M. Hoff was then but five years of age. The mother kept the children together for five years and then married again, at which time the children went to live with their grandfather Hoff.
Samuel M. Hoff came to Iowa with an older married sister, Mrs. Leonard Lott. He was at that time seventeen years of age. The town of Waterloo con- tained one hundred and eight houses situated on both sides of the river, some built of logs and others of slabs, but that year there were seven brick dwellings erected. He first worked at anything he could find to do, being employed in a brickyard, in cutting logs and in rafting on the Cedar river. In these various ways he was employed up to the time of his marriage, which was celebrated July 19, 1857, Miss Mary Jane Collins of Waterloo becoming his wife. She was born in the state of Massachusetts, July 19, 1839, and was brought to Iowa when about eighteen years of age by her parents, Joseph and Sarah ( Blackwell) Col- lins. Mr. and Mrs. Hoff began their domestic life in Waterloo, where they lived until after the outbreak of the Civil war, when Mr. Hoff, prompted by a spirit of patriotism, offered his services to the government, enlisting on the 13th of June, 1861, as a member of Company G, First Iowa Cavalry, for three years. The regiment was attached to the Trans-Mississippi Department. He was under the command of Colonel Warren and General Curtis and participated in the bat- tle of Blackwater, Missouri, December 19, 1861. He took part in various other engagements, and at the end of three years received an honorable discharge at Davenport, Iowa, on the 9th of September, 1864, and returned home. He was promoted to corporal and later to first sergeant.
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