USA > Iowa > Des Moines County > History of Des Moines County, Iowa, Volume II > Part 14
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Fred S. Fear supplemented a public-school course by study in Elliott's Business College of Burlington, from which he was gradu- ated. He then entered the employ of the Burlington Insurance Com- pany, with which he remained for seven years. He afterward occu- pied a clerical position under the general superintendent of the Burlington & Northwestern Railroad, representing that corporation for twelve years. He was afterward with the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Company for eleven years, becoming roadmaster and afterward chief clerk to the division superintendent. He thus became widely and favorably known in railroad circles but eventually withdrew from that line of business and entered into active connec- tion with the coal trade, being now secretary and treasurer of the Cave Coal Company, which was organized by W. F. Cave, who conducted the business for a period of about twenty-five years, or until his death, which occurred in May, 1911. In 1909 he admitted George J. Finck to a partnership and at that date the business was incorporated. Upon the death of Mr. Cave Mr. Fear purchased an interest in the business, of which he is now the secretary and treasurer, with Mr. Finck as the president. The yards are located at No. 105 North Fifth street. They have a frontage of one hun- dred feet on Fifth street and a depth of one hundred feet on Valley street. They are extensively engaged in handling fuel, employing from fifteen to twenty men and using from ten to twelve wagons in the business. Their trade is steadily growing and the company en-
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joys a well earned reputation for thorough reliability and trust- worthiness.
In 1904 Mr. Fear was united in marriage to Miss Lillian A. Finck, a daughter of George and Zora (Moffatt) Finck. Mr. and Mrs. Fear have one child, Jane. Politically he is a democrat but is without aspiration for office. His interest in the public welfare is manifest in his cooperation with the plans and projects of the Com- mercial Exchange for the benefit and upbuilding of the city. He belongs to the Golf Club and thus finds recreation from arduous business cares and duties. The success which he has gained is well deserved, for it has come to him as the reward of earnest effort, close application and unfaltering energy-qualities which he has displayed from the outset of his business career and which have enabled him to embark in business on his own account.
THOMAS GEORGE HARPER.
Thomas George Harper, who owns and conducts a restaurant at No. 207 North Third street, has by the employment of reliable business methods and indefatigable enterprise won a measure of suc- cess that is at once creditable and desirable. He was born in New York city on the 7th of June, 1853, a son of W. A. and Matilda (Park) Harper. The father was born in the north of Ireland, in a little town called Tullyhouge, in County Tyrone, November 23, 1828, and in that place learned the blacksmith's trade, after which he crossed the Atlantic to New York in early life. In 1855 he became a resident of Burlington, where he worked at his trade for several years, but a long time prior to his death he retired. In politics he was a democrat but not an office seeker. He was a strict Scotch- Irish Protestant and a very warm-hearted man, possessed of many admirable traits of character. He passed away in March. 1903. His wife was born in the same village as her husband, her natal year being 1831. She passed away in Burlington in 1905 and was laid to rest by the side of her husband in Aspen Grove cemetery. All of their five children with the exception of Thomas G. were born in Burlington. Two of the number died in early childhood, the others being: Thomas G., of this review; Maria and Edith, who was a milliner, but since her brother's marriage has helped superintend the work in the dining room, doing a great deal for its success. The daughter Maria became the wife of Henry Bauer and died about
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1909, leaving two daughters: Hattie, the wife of Frederick Mauer, of Burlington; and Gertrude, who married Floyd J. Engle, a resi- dent of Texas.
Thomas G. Harper was a little child of but two years when brought by his parents to Burlington, where he was reared and has spent practically his entire life. He attended the North Hill school and afterward was a pupil in Mr. Graff's school and in the Bryant & Stratton Business College. He afterward clerked in a grocery store for three years and later was employed as clerk in a drug store for a year and a half. Subsequently he was in the employ of E. F. Runge, one of the leading confectioners of the city, and while in that connection he thoroughly acquainted himself with every phase of the restaurant business. He remained with Mr. Runge for over four years and later held various positions in the old Barrett House for about three years. Subsequently he was in the commissary depart- ment of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, under the supervision of A. E. Touzalin, for two years and later he held various positions in the Gorham Hotel for four years, acting, however, as steward most of the time. He then started out upon an independent business venture, opening an oyster house at No. 213 Valley street. He afterward removed to the Odd Fellows building, where he con- ducted a restaurant, and there was married. His wife at once began to assist him in the conduct of the business and after some time they removed to the Tama building where they were for two and a half years. For twelve years they have been at their present location at No. 207 North Third street, where they conduct the largest and most exclusive restaurant in the city, "Harper's" being known far and wide over the country. The establishment is noted for the excellence of the cuisine, Mrs. Harper superintending that part, for prompt service and for the thoroughly reliable business methods insisted upon by the proprietors.
On the 8th of February, 1887, Mr. Harper was united in mar- riage to Miss Mary Johnsen, who was born in Copenhagen, Den- mark, on the 8th of February, 1866, a daughter of Jans Christian and Christine (Petersen) Johnsen. Two of her brothers, Charles P. and John, were also born in Copenhagen, but the other two members of the family Robert Peter and Helen Josephine, were born in this country, the former in New York city and the latter at Burlington, Jowa, which had become the family residence. Some time after the emigration of the Johnsen family to the United States Hans Jordan Petersen, a brother of Mrs. Johnsen, came to this country and made his home with his sister. He and Mr. Johnsen went south several
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winters and while on such a trip Mr. Johnsen contracted the cholera, from which he died, and he was buried in the south before his family could be notified of his demise. Mary Johnsen Harper received her education in the grammar schools, completing the course there of- fered, and when twenty-one years of age was married to Mr. Harper. Her older brother, John, died in 1885; Charles P., a resident of Seattle, Washington, is married and has a daughter, Violet; Robert Peter, who is living in Augusta, Montana, is married and has five daughters and a son; Helen Josephine gave her hand in marriage to Samuel Irving McKown and became a resident of Augusta, Mon- tana. She passed away on the 5th of March, 1914, leaving her hus- band and two children, Christine, five years of age, and Lucy, two years old. Mrs. Christine (Petersen) Johnsen passed away in 1907 and she, her daughter Helen Josephine and her brother, Hans Jordan Petersen, have all found their last resting place in Aspen Grove cemetery of Burlington.
Mr. and Mrs. Harper have a daughter, Edith May, whose birth occurred on the 11th of October, 1888. She was married on the 2d of September, 1909, to Neal Oliver Ekdale, a valued representative of the wholesale house of John Blaul, and they are the parents of a daughter, Mary Edith, whose birth occurred on the 4th of October, 1910. Nr. and Mrs. Ekdale and their daughter make their home with Mr. and Mrs. Harper. In 1894 the Harper family moved into the Henry home on North Third street and after renting it for a few years purchased it and thoroughly modernized it. At his death in 1905 Hans Jordan Petersen, an uncle of Mrs. Harper, left to her and her daughter Edith his property situated just across the street from the Harper home and formerly known as the Harvey home- stead. Although the Johnsen family was of Lutheran faith, Mrs. Harper and her daughter and son-in-law all attend the Episcopal church and Mr. and Mrs. Ekdale met each other through singing in the choir. Mrs. Harper is a member of Ruth Lodge, No. 12, Daughters of Rebekah, to the Degree of Honor and to Charity Lodge, No. 1, A. O. U. W.
Mr. Harper was reared in the faith of the Presbyterian church. In his political views he is a republican but with independent tend- encies, voting at local elections for the man whom he considers best qualified for the office. Fraternally he is an Odd Fellow and he also has membership with the Knights of Pythias, the Modern Wood- men, the Workmen and the Red Men, while formerly he was identi- fied with the Ancient Order of Druids. He has held all of the offices in the Odd Fellows and Knights of Pythias lodges. Mr. and Mrs.
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Harper are well fitted for the life work which they have chosen, as they are genial, always agreeable and courteous, and their consider- ate attitude toward their employes has ever commanded their con- fidence and respect. Their salient characteristics have won them popularity with the general public and they have gained many friends through business associations as well as in strictly social circles.
WILLIAM F. MCFARLAND.
William F. McFarland, formerly private secretary to Charles E. Perkins, president of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Company and since his death connected with the estate and the busi- ness of the family, was born in Chicopee Falls, Massachusetts, on the 26th of June, 1861, a son of William P. and Eliza Ann ( Robinson) McFarland. The father engaged in business as a gun manufacturer and his interest along those lines probably led to his selection of the Peeksdale Military Academy as a fitting school in which his son, W. F. McFarland, might continue his education after he had com- pleted his public-school course.
It was in the year 1879 that W. F. McFarland arrived in Iowa, going first to Creston, where he entered the employ of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Company in the office of the train- master. His ability gained recognition there and won for him ad- vancement, so that on the 5th of April, 1880, he came to Burlington and entered the office of the president of the road. Soon afterward Mr. Perkins made him private secretary and he continued in that connection with the president until the latter's death, since which time he has been identified with the conduct of the estate and business interests in which the family are concerned. His long connection with Mr. Perkins as private secretary has made him thoroughly acquainted with his business affairs and interests and thus he is well qualified to aid and counsel the family along such lines. Aside from his activity in that connection Mr. McFarland is the treasurer and one of the directors of the Merchants Life Association.
On the 15th of January, 1884, Mr. McFarland was married to Miss Martha G. Williams, of Worcester, Massachusetts, and they have become parents of five children : Eleanor, the wife of M. J. R. Copeland, a resident of Burlington, by whom she has a son and daugh- ter ; William, who is foreman of the roundhouse at Dickinson, North
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Dakota; Catherine, at home; and Richard and John, who are also under the parental roof.
In his political views Mr. McFarland has been a stalwart repub- lican since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. In 1913 he was elected a member of the school board, but otherwise has held no public offices. He is interested, however, in all that pertains not only to educational affairs but to the public welfare in every respect. Fraternally he is a Mason, having taken the degrees of the lodge, chapter and commandery. He is also identified with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and along even more strictly social lines is connected with the Crystal Lake Club, the Golf Club and the Tennis Club of Burlington. In the midst of all these varied activi- ties he has never neglected the higher and holier duties of life, hav- ing membership in the Episcopal church and in the Young Men's Christian Association. He is widely and favorably known in Bur- lington, where he has resided continuously for thirty-five years, enjoy- ing the confidence, goodwill and high regard of all with whom he has been brought in contact.
FREDERICK J. KUHLEMEIER.
In insurance circles the advance of Frederick J. Kuhlemeier has been continuous until at the present writing he is a prominent figure in connection therewith as secretary of the Merchants Life Associa- tion of Burlington. He is yet a young man and the position to which he has attained speaks volumes concerning his business ability, his commendable ambition, his indefatigable energy and his resource- fulness. He was born in Charles City, Iowa, March 10, 1873, a son of the Hon. August H. and Lena (Cramer) Kuhlemeier. The fam- ily numbered three sons, the younger sons being August R. and Harry F.
A native of Germany, the father was born in Lippe-Detmold on the 10th of December, 1846, and in 1853 he came to the new world, the family home being established at Freeport, Illinois. He there made his initial step in the business world as a clerk in a dry goods store and subsequently went upon the road as a traveling salesman for a Freeport house. Advancement came to him rapidly as the re- sult of his developing powers, and he was made general agent for Iowa, Nebraska and Dakota, in which states he built up an enormous and highly profitable business. In 1870 he removed to Burlington
FREDERICK J. KUHLEMEIER
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and under appointment of President Cleveland became revenue col- lector for the fourth district of lowa. The next step forward in his business career was the organization of the Merchants Life Associa- tion, of which he became the first president, so continuing until his demise. A contemporary writer has said of him: "As a man who enjoyed the implicit confidence of the public and of financial circles, he was enabled to place the company in a prominent position from the start, securing for the enterprise its full share of prestige among older institutions of recognized standing. Possessing indomitable resolution and great personal force, any undertaking to which he lent his efforts was destined to succeed, while his keen judgment and re- markable power of analyzing a business situation were of immeas- urable benefit to the company and carried it to triumphs even be- yond the expectations of those who gave it their heartiest support. Outside his business activities, he played a notable part in the polit- ical life of his day, exercising a commanding influence in the coun- cils of the democratic party, of which he was a stanch adherent and supporter, and in recognition of his talents and the sterling virtues of his character he was at one. time returned by Des Moines county as her representative in the state legislature of Iowa, while during an extended term of years he was frequently called by an important con- stituency to serve their interests as a member of the city council. All these public trusts he executed with the efficiency and conscientious- ness which characterized everything he did, and the loss which the community sustained in his death was one which cannot soon be repaired."
When but an infant Frederick J. Kuhlemeier was brought to Burlington, where he attended the public schools and also studied under the direction of private tutors. Like his father, he was a traveling salesman in early manhood, going upon the road as a rep- resentative of the Burlington Basket Company, with which he re- mained for three years, severing that connection to the great regret of his employers. In the meantime he had formed warm friend- ships throughout the territory and this has stood him in good stead in later life. On leaving his first position he became chief clerk to the superintendent of construction in charge of the erection of the federal building in Burlington and when the Merchants Life Asso- ciation was formed a year later he became bookkeeper for the com- pany and also one of its directors. He has since represented its directorate and thus from the beginning has had voice in the man- agement of the corporation. At different times he has been ad- vanced and eventually reached the position of superintendent of
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agencies. In that position he displayed notable tact and executive force. He wisely directed the interests of the agencies and proved himself capable of handling and directing the men. His next pro- motion made him secretary of the company, of which J. J. Seerley is the president; John Blaul, vice president; and William F. McFarland, treasurer. Comparatively few business men of his years have attained a place of equal prominence and importance. This is not because special advantages have been his, but because he has made a wise use of his time, talents and opportunities and, rising step by step, he has now controlling interests that give him a conspicuous place in financial circles of his adopted city.
The home life of Mr. Kuhlemeier is attractive. He was mar- ried September 30, 1903, to Miss Carrie Crawford, a native of Des Moines county and a daughter of Mrs. Jane Crawford. She belongs to the Musical Club, the King's Daughters and the Presbyterian church and is an active and efficient worker in all. She possesses, moreover, attractive social gifts, which renders her home a favorite resort with many friends. Mr. Kuhlemeier holds membership with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, the Boat Club and the Burlington Golf Club, and his political indorsement is given to the democratic party. Another biographer has said of him in this con- nection : "He has always been vitally interested in public affairs and by his honesty and ability has been able to perform much val- uable service, enjoying extreme popularity among the younger ele- ment of the party, while the conservative and solid qualities of his character have brought him the reward of universal favor and esteem." Wherever he has gone he has made friends. There is about him that quality which for want of a better term has been called personal magnetism. He easily inspires confidence and re- gard, and his qualities bear the test of long acquaintance.
HERBERT L. MADISON, D. D. S.
Dentistry is somewhat unique among the professions. It demands ability of a three-fold character; mechanical skill and ingenuity, broad scientific knowledge and sound judgment in handling the financial interests which must feature in every well regulated busi- ness undertaking. Possessing all of these requirements, Dr. Herbert L. Madison has gained a place among the successful practitioners of Burlington. He was born in Salisbury, Herkimer county, New
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York, in 1863 and is a son of William H. and Electa A. (Leavitt) Madison, the latter a daughter of Ormel Leavitt, who was a lawyer by profession. The father of Dr. Madison followed the occupation of farming and thus provided for his family.
After attending the public schools Herbert L. Madison took up the profession of teaching, which he followed between the ages of seventeen and twenty-one years. He attended the Rochester Business College at Rochester, New York. In October, 1885, he arrived in Burlington, Iowa, and for about two and a half years was a teacher in Elliott's Business College. He regarded this merely as an initial step to other professional labor, however, and, taking up the study of dentistry, was graduated from the Ohio College of Dental Surgery with the class of 1889. He then returned to Burlington, opened an office and has since been engaged in the practice of dentistry. Throughout all the intervening years he has kept in touch with the improvements which have been made in methods of dental practice and is thoroughly conversant with the most advanced scientific ideas relating to the care and treatment of the teeth. His office is well sup- plied with the most improved dental instruments and equipments and that his work is highly satisfactory is indicated by his growing patronage. He is a member of the county, district and state dental societies and has been president of the first two.
In 1891 Dr. Madison wedded Miss Mary A. Clement, a native of Orleans county, New York, and a daughter of Joseph Henry and Mary Ann (Sutton) Clement, who were farming people of the Em- pire state. Dr. and Mrs. Madison have become parents of four chil- dren : Frances, a graduate of Rockford College; John H., who is now studying in the Michigan University at Ann Arbor; and Herbert C. and Mary Elizabeth, both at home. The family are members of the Congregational church and they occupy an enviable position in the social circles where intelligence and true worth are accepted as passports to good society.
In politics Dr. Madison was formerly a democrat but is now a progressive. For four years he served as a member of the city council of Burlington, in which connection he labored earnestly to advance the interests of the city and to give to it an economical and beneficial administration. He is now serving for the second term on the school board and the cause of education finds in him a stalwart champion. He is identified with several fraternal organizations, including Excelsior Lodge, No. 284, I. O. O. F., in which he has held all of the offices. He is likewise a past exalted ruler of the Burlington lodge of Elks and is a prominent Mason, holding membership in the
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Knights Templar commandery and in the Mystic Shrine. His many substantial and admirable personal qualities, as well as his profes- sional skill and judgment, have gained for him a high position in public regard and won for him the goodwill and friendship of his brethren of the dental fraternity.
E. A. FLORANG.
E. A. Florang is the president of the Burlington Basket Company, in which connection he has developed an enterprise of considerable importance, his output now being sold over a wide territory. A native of Switzerland, he was born on the 4th of February, 1859, a son of Anton E. and Mary Anna (Senn) Florang. The father was born in Geneva, Switzerland, in 1822 and just before his death re- turned to that city, there passing away in 1885. His wife died in Burlington in 1873.
E. A. Florang was a youth of eleven years when he left the land of the Alps and accompanied his parents to the new world. They made their way direct to Burlington and here E. A. Florang con- tinued his education in the public schools, thus supplementing the training which he had already acquired in Switzerland. At the age of fourteen years, however, his text-books were put aside and he began earning his own living. In 1884 he embarked in the retail liquor busi- ness on his own account and conducted the enterprise for several years, or until he organized the Burlington Basket Company in 1889. He started in a small way at the corner of Court and Front streets and gradually built up his trade until the volume of his business justified him in 1897 in the erection of a plant at Front and North streets. His building has twice been largely destroyed by fire but each time has been rebuilt on a more commodious scale. They make a line of staple baskets which sell throughout the west and also as far as the Pacific coast. They also make a line of specialties which they ship all over the world. The output of the Burlington plant is now very extensive and they have several warehouses in the west. The business has been thoroughly systematized and carefully managed and they have one hundred and fifty employes. The officers of the company are: E. A. Florang, president; C. A. Florang, vice president; and O. E. Florang, secretary and treasurer.
On the 29th of June, 1880, Mr. Florang was united in marriage to Miss Clara A. Wagner, of Burlington, who was educated in this
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city and by her marriage became the mother of two sons and two daughters : Hazel, the wife of O. T. Fansel, of Burlington, by whom she has two children : Adele C., the wife of Ralph P. Mercer, of the Mercer Electric Company of Burlington, by whom she has one child ; O. E., who married Gertrude Dollner, of Mount Pleasant, Iowa; and Clarence A., who married Frances Williams, of Burlington.
Mr. Florang is rather independent in politics, yet is inclined to the progressive party. He prefers, however, to concentrate his ener- gies upon his manufacturing interests and is today one of the sub- stantial business men of the city, having advanced continuously in his chosen field of labor until he is now at the head of one of the impor- tant and growing productive industries. Starting out in life for him- self at an early age, he deserves much credit for what he has accom- plished and his record shows what can be done when determination and energy point out the way.
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