USA > Iowa > Jones County > History of Jones County, Iowa, past and present, Volume II > Part 8
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FRITZ GUHL.
One of the enterprising farmers of Rome township, who is industriously mak- ing a home for his children in this land and a name for himself among the cattle men of Jones county, is Fritz Guhl. German born and reared, he is yet one of Iowa's best citizens, for he has brought the strong characteristics of the sons of the fatherland to swell the racial elements that contribute to her greatness. His parents, Ludwich and Dora (Todts) Guhl, were also of German nativity and never left the land of their birth. They are now deceased.
Fritz Guhl was born September 1I, 1851, and received his education in the schools of Germany, in which country he grew to manhood and was married. In 1890, he came to America to make for himself a home upon a farm in Iowa. For eight years after his arrival he rented land, and then, having prospered in his un- dertakings, he was able to purchase the farm he now occupies in Rome township.
It is a tract of one hundred and sixty acres, good for agricultural purposes, but especially adapted to the feeding of hogs and cattle. To this enterprise accord- ingly Mr. Guhl has given more and more attention and with increasing success.
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He ships several carloads of stock every year and is always certain of finding a ready market and good price.
While still living in his native land Mr. Guhl married Miss Dora Todts, who has borne him four children. It was only after these young people were well able to stand an ocean voyage and the trip across this country that Mr. Guhl brought his family to America. They have grown up in America, and some have already started out to make their own way in the world. Charles, the eldest, has married and follows farming in this county. Louis is still at home. Mary has become the wife of Louis Westphal, of Wyoming township. Fred, the youngest, remains at home and assists his father on the farm.
Mr. and Mrs. Guhl were reared in the faith of the Lutheran church and still give to it their allegiance, being members of the congregation at Olin. The chil- dren, too, have been brought up in that faith and all have been confirmed. Frugal, industrious and determined to succeed, Mr. Guhl bids fair to become one of the more important farmers of Rome township, and his advance can only be viewed with good-will by his fellows, for they benefit and do not suffer through his efforts.
CHARLES HENRY ANDERSON.
On the list of city officials in Anamosa appears the name of Charles Henry Anderson for he is the popular, efficient postmaster of the city, prompt, capable and systematic in the discharge of his duties. He is numbered among Iowa's native sons, his birth having occurred in Hartford, Warren county, on the 23d of Novem- ber, 1861. His parents were Leonard V. and Julia A. (Taylor) Anderson, na- tives of Ohio and North Carolina respectively. The father was born in Knox county, Ohio, May 13, 1834, while the mother was born in North Carolina Sep- tember 12, 1827. They became pioneer residents of Warren county, Iowa, where they resided until 1863, and then removed to Linn county, this state, re- maining there for twenty-three years or until 1886, when they became residents of Anamosa. The father was a carpenter by trade and lived a busy and useful life, passing away in April, 1899, at the age of sixty-five years. The wife still sur- vives at the advanced age of eighty-two years and is now living in the old home in Anamosa.
Charles H. Anderson was the third in order of birth in a family of four chil- dren, but is the only one now living. At the usual age he began his education in the public schools and continued his studies until he was graduated from the high school of Viola, Iowa. He was only two years of age when his parents removed from Hartford to Viola, where he continued to reside until October, 1885, when he became a resident of Anamosa. He had previously made his initial step in the business world as a clerk in a general store at Viola, where he remained until his removal to Jones county. In the city where he now resides he had secured a clerk- ship in the grocery store of Buell Evans and continued with him for about a year, after which he engaged in the firm of Brasted & Prentice. He continued with them for three years, at the end of which time he accepted a position as traveling salesman, representing the wholesale grocery firm of John A. Tolman & Company
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of Chicago. He held that position for about two years and was next engaged as bookkeeper with the grocery firm of Shaw & Buttow at Anamosa, acting in that capacity for six years. On the 15th of April, 1898, he was appointed postmaster of Anamosa and has been the incumbent in the office to the present time, covering a period of more than eleven years. His long continuance in the position indicates clearly the fidelity which he has displayed in discharging his duties and the promptness and capability that has characterized his service at all times.
On the 12th of September, 1883, Mr. Anderson was united in marriage to Miss Cora L. Meader, a daughter of George W. and Julia A. (Howe) Meader, the latter a direct descendant of Eli Howe, the inventor of the sewing machine. Mrs. Anderson's parents were natives of New York and at an early day removed west- ward to Michigan, while subsequently they became pioneer residents of Linn county, Iowa, where the father died. The mother afterward removed to Jones county. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Anderson have been born two sons : Leonard E., who is now attending law school in Chicago ; and Roy J., a cartoonist, who is connected with the St. Joseph News Press.
In his political views Mr. Anderson has always been a stalwart republican since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. He keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day and is thus able to support his position by intelligent argument. He has served as a member of the school board and the cause of education finds in him a diligent and effective champion. He belongs to the Baptist church and fraternally is connected with Anamosa Lodge, No. 16, A. F. & A. M .; Mount Sinai Chapter, No. 66, R. A. M .; Mount Olivet Commandery, No. 36, K. T .; and El Kahir Temple of the Mystic Shrine. He also holds member- ship with the Mystic Workers and the Modern Woodmen and is loyal to the teach- ings of these orders, which are based upon the principles of mutual helpfulness and brotherly kindness. His life record in all of its phases has measured up to the standard of honorable manhood, and in Anamosa, where he has now resided for almost a quarter of a century, he has a circle of friends that is nearly if not quite coextensive with the circle of his acquaintance.
HON. NATHAN POTTER.
When a good and noble man has passed from the midst of the community in which he had lived and for whose welfare and advancement he had exerted him- self, the richness of his life comes strongly to the fore and his comrades realize fully, perhaps for the first time, the dignity of a fine character. So it was with Nathan Potter, who responded to the call of death November 30, 1908. His was a life worthy of emulation, whether it be regarded as that of a citizen, as that of a minister of the gospel or as that of a public servant. He was born in Hartford, Licking county, Ohio, October 26, 1835, being a son of William and Rachel Pot- ter. The former was born in England, August 28, 1767, and was a descendant of one of the men who crossed the Atlantic in the Mayflower. In 1844 he brought his family to Jackson county, Iowa, where they experienced all the hardships of pioneer life and where the parents lived the rest of their lives. Eight children
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were born to them, namely, Nathan, the subject of this sketch; James G., of Mon- mouth, Illinois ; Mrs. Charies Brown, of Anamosa; Mrs. Jacob Pitzenbarger, of Linden, Iowa ; John, of Waynoka, Oklahoma ; Luke, of Ruthven, Iowa; Jarvis, of Dallas Center, Iowa; and Mrs. Marion Gilmore, of Rhinelander, Wisconsin. In addition to his full brothers and sisters, Mr. Potter had two half-brothers and three half-sisters, all of whom preceded him to the grave.
In 1844 Mr. Potter came with his parents to Iowa, where he grew to manhood, sharing in the hardships and privations which fell to the lot of those courageous men and women who made for themselves and their families a home in the heart of the wilderness. Regular training he did not know, but by dint of application and study at home he fitted himself to teach in the common schools. In 1865, hav- ing married five years previously, he removed to Jones county, where he procured a farm in the neighborhood of Anamosa, on which he and his wife lived happily until her death. He improved the property and erected several large and com- fortable buildings, while he cultivated the soil with skill and profit. Two years after his wife's demise, in 1896, Mr. Potter removed to Olin, which remained his home until his life was brought to a close.
While still a young man Mr. Potter was converted to the Christian faith, tak- ing up ministerial work shortly after his conversion, and in 1863, in Clayton county, Iowa, he was regularly ordained to preach the gospel in the Christian church, continuing in that work until his death. When he assumed charge of the congregation in Jackson township, Antioch church was in an unfinished condition, but he threw himself into the actual work of construction with a vigor that ever distinguished his acts and did as much as any other to complete the structure. His life and his interest in public affairs made him prominent, and the people, who in recognition of his abilities, elected him to different township offices and to the mayoralty of the city of Olin. He also served in the legislature as a member of the Twenty-fourth General Assembly, and being an able and painstaking man ac- quitted himself with honor and to the satisfaction of his constituents. In politics as in religion he was always broad-minded, respecting the opinions of others, but when once convinced that he was right or that the welfare of society and humanity demanded a certain attitude on his part, he never hesitated to assert his convic- tions, so that in all sincerity the house in which he had sat might pass the follow- ing resolutions :
Resolved, That in the death of Mr. Potter the state and county in which he resided loses a worthy and honored and upright citizen; and that we extend to his bereaved wife and relatives our sincere sorrow and sympathy in their great loss ; and that an enrolled copy of these resolutions be spread upon the journal of the house ; and that a copy be sent to the bereaved family. Adopted, March 13, 1909.
Signed by, W. M. BYERLY J. W. ELLIS A. W. KENDALL GUY A. FEELY, speaker of the house. G. R. BENEDICT, chief clerk of the house.
Mr. Potter was twice married. In January, 1860, he wedded Miss Clementine Demoss, of Canton, Iowa. Two children were born of this union: Mrs. J. L.
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Streeter, of Olin; and Mrs. Dell Olmstead, of Maquoketa, Iowa. Mrs. Potter died June 19, 1894, and November 9, 1899, Mr. Potter married again, his second wife having been Mrs. W. D. Hutton, nee Shaw. She was born in Scotland, March 9, 1858, and was a daughter of Robert and Margaret (Gordon Lamond) Shaw, also natives of that country. Her father died in 1871, but her mother is still living in the land of her birth, having attained the advanced age of eighty- two years. Four of the seven children born to her and her husband are also living. In 1877, in Scotland, Mrs. Potter was united to her first husband, W. D. Hutton, and in 1892 they came to America, locating in Jones county, Iowa, where Mr. Hut- ton died. Four children were born to them: A. C., who is in Olin, in the employ of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad; Margaret C., who is the wife of A. C. Ramsey, of Rock Island, Illinois ; Mary G., who is at home with her mother ; and David, who is deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Potter adopted a son, James R. Shaw Potter.
Mr. Potter was a Master Mason from 1869 to within a short time of his death and was also made a member of the Mt. Olivet Commandery at Anamosa. He was a man of great physical strength and tough fiber, but the end came suddenly, with- out any warning, for he died as the result of a paralytic stroke which seemed to cut him off while still in the enjoyment of good health. An esteemed friend and an eminent citizen, he was deeply mourned at his death. Mrs. Potter, who was administratrix of his affairs, now owns a fine three story, brick hotel, seven lots in the village of Olin, a well improved farm in Hale township, besides having numerous interests in Scotland. These interests she manages with great business skill.
ARAM GARABED HEJINIAN, M. D.
Ability will come to the front anywhere and the circumstances of a man's birth or early environment have little to do with the position to which he may attain if he wisely develops his native powers and talents and directs his energy by sound judgment and discrimination. This is evidenced in the record of Dr. Aram Garabed Hejinian, one of the foremost physicians and surgeons of eastern Iowa, practicing in Anamosa.
He was born July 25, 1863, in Arabkir in the province of Harpoot, Armenia. His parents were Garabed A. and Surmaly Y. Hejinian. The father was de- scended from an aristocratic family of that country and his life was a most active, useful and honorable one. During the Crimcan war he was appointed by the English government as a local agent for the province of Harpoot, which impor- tant position he held until the war was over. For several years he was the civil head of the protestant community of Harpoot, representing it before the Turkish government. For many years he was a member of the city council of Arabkir and for about ten years was a member of the court of commerce in Constanti- nople. For more than seven years he was judge of the court of commerce at Van for the stame province in eastern Armenia, being appointed by Sublime Porte at Constantinople. He was born in the ancient Armenian church but became one of the first protestants of Arabkir and was one of the first to invite American
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DR. A. G. HEJINIAN
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missionaries to establish an American mission at that place. He had a prom- inent and responsible position in the church and also in educational lines and was one of the foremost men of the city and province in which he lived. His death resulted from a severe mental shock caused by events of the Armenian massacre of 1895, in which he lost the old family home and estate by fire and pillage but worse than that in the same massacre lost one of his sons, who was a distin- guished lawyer, a linguist of fame and had been advocate in various courts, even being recognized as an advocate of the English courts of Cyprus. His wife's maiden name was Surmaly Yaqubyan. The Yaqubyan family is one of promi- nence in Arabkir and representatives of the name are now bankers in Cairo, Egypt. Mrs. Hejinian was a devoted member of the old Armenian church until her death.
The life history of Dr. Hejinian is one of interest because of the wide and varied experiences which have been his. His primary education was acquired in the schools of Arabkir, supplemented by a high-school course at Harpoot, while in 1885 he was graduated from Euphrates College at Harpoot. Before his graduation C. H. Wheeler, D. D., the president of the college had chosen him from a large class and invited him to fill the vacancy in the chair of higher mathematics during a leave of absence of the regular professor who had gone to America for further study. Dr. Hejinian accepted the position and taught at the college for two years, after which he decided to come to the United States to prepare himself for his life work. On the 17th of September, 1887, he left Armenia and made his way to Cairo, Egypt, where lived a brother and a sister. They requested him to pass the winter season with them and in the following spring he came to the United States, landing at New York City on the 22d of May, 1888. He then visited a friend in Philadelphia for a few days, reaching Chicago on the 4th of June. As it was then vacation time he prepared to enter the Chicago Theological Seminary in the fall and was graduated therefrom in 1890.
Immediately afterward Dr. Hejinian entered Rush Medical College with the intention of returning to his native land well equipped in medicines as well as in theology. He completed his course at Rush in 1893 and was elected class chap- lain. In all collegiate courses he held a leading position in his classes. Follow- ing his graduation from medical college he accepted a position in the Chicago health department as health inspector during the World's Columbian Exposition. That summer the Armenian massacres began and the condition of his native country was such that it would not warrant safety of life for him to return as he had always intended doing. Being compelled to remain, he reentered Rush Medical College, where he pursued a special post-graduate course in 1893-94 with the intention of preparing himself not only for the active practice of medi- cine in this country but also that he might compete with the leading members of the medical fraternity here. Through the influence of the late Dr. Nicholas Senn, one of Chicago's most famous surgeons and the head professor in surgery at Rush Medical College, he entered St. Joseph Hospital in Chicago, as resident physician and surgeon, remaining there for about two years-from 1894 until 1896-during which time his broad experience in hospital work greatly aug- mented the knowledge which he had acquired through collegiate training. Dr.
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Senn was in charge of the hospital and thus almost daily Dr. Hejinian was in close touch with that master surgeon and master mind, from whom he received not only his practical surgical knowledge but also stimulated his ability for keen observation and accurate diagnosis in complex cases.
After leaving the hospital in 1896 Dr. Hejinian went to Monmouth, Iowa, for a short vacation and rest, visiting a friend who was a physician at that place. While there a colleague at Wyoming, Iowa, requested him to take care of his practice during a three months' absence and Dr. Hejinian acceded the request. Then he left Wyoming for Chicago, intending to locate in that city and make it his future home, but after reaching the metropolis by the lake he received some communications from Iowa which caused him to return to this state, settling in Anamosa on the 4th of August, 1896. Since then he has been surgeon in charge of the local hospital at this point and has, moreover, enjoyed a lucrative practice. His success, especially in surgery, has been equal to that of anyone in the state. Almost every year he visits some of the chief medical centers of the world to keep himself abreast with the advances of the time. He took post-graduate work in surgery in 1902-03 in London, Berlin and Vienna and when abroad was ac- companied by his wife and little daughter, Lucea. He not only studied while in Europe but visited many points of ancient and modern interest, including the cities of Edinburgh, Glasgow, Cologne. Paris, Dresden, Venice, Florence, Rome and Naples. He likewise went to Alexandria and Cairo in Egypt and after an absence of eight and a half months returned to the United States. In his prac- tice he has displayed marked ability and familiarity with the most advanced methods and processes of surgical work and has performed some very important and difficult operations. In addition to his hospital work and his private prac- tice he is now medical examiner for the Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company of Milwaukee, Wisconsin; the Aetna Life Insurance Company of Hartford, Connecticut; the Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company and the Provident Life & Trust Company, both of Philadelphia; and the Central Life Assurance Society of Des Moines. He is also medical examiner for the Modern Woodmen of America and the Mystic Workers of the World and he is one of the original stockholders of the Citizens Savings Bank of Anamosa and has been one of its directors since its organization.
On the 14th of September, 1898, Dr. Hejinian was married in Anamosa to Miss Bertha S. Stacy, a daughter of Judge John S. and Charlotte A. K. Stacy. Her father has been prominently identified with the growth of Anamosa and Jones county, being recognized as one of the leading residents here through many years. His wife is a descendant of Governor Bradford, of Massachusetts. Mrs. Hejinian is a graduate of the Cornell College art department and has taken post-graduate courses in the Chicago Art Institute and Cowles School of Art in Boston, Massachusetts. For several years she was at the head of the art de- partment of Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa. Dr. and Mrs. Hejinian have two children : Lucca M., born June 18, 1899; and John S., born July 2, 1904.
Dr. Hejinian received his final naturalization papers on the 31st of May, 1895. He has always been a republican in his political views and cast his first presi- dential vote for William McKinley in 1896. He belongs to Anamosa Lodge, No. 42, A. F. & A. M .; Mount Sinai Chapter, No. 66, R. A. M .; Olivet Commandery,
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No. 36, K. T .; and Moriah Chapter, No. 16, O. E. S. He is also connected with the Modern Woodmen Camp, No. 167, M. W. A., and Anamosa Lodge, No. 17I, of the Mystic Workers of the World. His religious faith is that of the Con- gregational church, in which he is serving as a deacon and trustee. In specific- ally professional lines he is connected with the Jones County, the Iowa Union and the Iowa State Medical Societies and the American Medical Association. Dr. Hejinian is a man of earnest purpose and of high ideals. He has kept to high standards in his profession but not more so than in every relation of life, being actuated in all that he does by the principles that govern upright and hon- orable manhood and Christian citizenship.
HERBERT G. A. HARPER.
On the roster of county officials appears the name of Herbert G. A. Harper, who is now acceptably filling the position of county clerk and his record is in har- mony with all that makes for good citizenship and for loyalty and progressiveness in public affairs. His life record began in Buckhannon, Upshur county, West Virginia, on the 30th of December, 1873, his parents being the Rev. Enoch and Jane (Heckert) Harper, who were also natives of West Virginia. In the year 1886 they removed to Colorado where they remained for about four years and in 1890 came to Iowa, settling in Olin, where they resided until 1897. Subsequently they were located in different parts of the state and are now living at Julian, Ne- braska. Rev. Harper has recently completed his forty-sixth successive year in the ministry and for the past three years has been presiding elder of the North Ne- braska conference of the United Brethren church. His influence in behalf of moral progress has been of no restricted order and his labors have not been denied the full harvest nor the aftermath. The family numbered but two children, the elder being William O., who married Myrtle Legler, the adopted daughter of J. J. Legler, of Muscatine, Iowa, and they now reside at Aurora, Nebraska.
At seventeen years of age Herbert G. A. Harper assumed the responsibilities of life. He had attended the public schools and also enjoyed the benefits of a course of study in the West Virginia Academy at Buckhannon during the year of 1885-86. The family then removed to Colorado, after which he attended the pub- lic schools there for two winters. The summer months were devoted to farm work in Colorado for about four years. In the meantime, however, he had con- tinued his education by entering the Western College at Toledo, Ohio, in 1889 and was graduated from the commercial department of this school in June, 1891. Af- ter his education was completed he secured employment in the general store of Lamb Brothers at Olin, remaining in their employ from 1891 until 1897. In the latter year he went to Chicago and secured employment in the wholesale produce commission house of Gregson, Easterly & Company. He remained with that firm until October, 1903, when he came to Jones county and has since made his home in Anamosa. Here he was appointed a guard at the Iowa State Peniten- tiary and in May, 1905, was made turnkey of the institution, which position he held until the 13th of September, of that year. On that date he received ap-
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pointment to the position of deputy clerk of the district court of Jones county and in November, 1908, was elected clerk of the court, which position he is now filling. In all places of public trust his record has been characterized by the utmost fidelity to duty and by unswerving allegiance to all that which is best in public service. His political support is given to the republican party for he has firm belief in the efficiency and value of its principles as factors in good government.
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