USA > Iowa > Linn County > History of Linn County Iowa : from its earliest settlement to the present time, Volume II > Part 10
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JOHN J. KULA
John J. Kula, a well known farmer of Buffalo township, Linn county, Iowa, was born in Bohemia in 1848, a son of Frank and Mary Kula, who brought their family to America in 1852 and the following year settled in Linn county. The father purchased a farm in Boulder township, which he successfully operated until his death in 1898. The mother passed away the year previous.
Being but five years of age when he came to this county, John J. Kula was practically reared here and is indebted to the public schools of the county for the educational advantages which he received. He remained with his parents until twenty-eight years of age and then took possession of an eighty-acre tract of land
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in Buffalo township, which his father had purchased. Upon this place he has since resided and as he has prospered in his undertakings has extended its boundaries from time to time until he is now the owner of two hundred acres of very valuable and well improved land. Throughout his business career he has followed farming and the prosperity that has come to him is but the just reward of earnest labor.
In 1873 Mr. Kula was united in marriage to Miss Mary Holub, a daughter of Joseph and Mary Holub, who were also natives of Bohemia and on coming to the United States in 1852 settled in Boulder township, Linn county, Iowa. Her father first acquired a farm'of eighty acres, but so successful was he in his farming operations that he was owning three hundred acres at the time he retired from active labor. He divided the property among his children and spent his last days in Howard, enjoying a well earned rest. Ilis death occurred in that place in 1896 and his wife departed this life in 1895. They were the parents of eight children, who are still living. To Mr. and Mrs. Kula have been born ten children, as fol- lows: Mary, now the wife of Adolph Lacy, of Oxford Junction, Iowa; Annie, the wife of Mathias Alas, of Lost Nation, Iowa; Katharine, the wife of Peter Ellis, of Clinton county ; Frank, who is married and is living in Buffalo township, Linn county ; Rose, John J. and Raymond, all at home; Frances, the wife of George Hartsell ; Lilly, at home; and Joseph, who died at the age of three years.
In religious faith the family are Catholics and in his political views Mr. Kula is an ardent democrat, but has never been a politician in the sense of office seeking. He has always been a stalwart champion of the principles in which he believes and has ever exerted his influence for the benefit of the community in which he resides.
WILLIAM DIETZ
William Dietz is the owner of a highly improved and valuable farm in Cedar township, within two and a half miles of Cedar Rapids. ITis birth occurred in Bedford county, Pennsylvania, in 1854, his parents being John and Mary E. (Damme) Dietz, both of whom were natives of Germany. After emigrating to America they located in the state of Maryland, where the father conducted a blacksmith shop for five years, while subsequently he was similarly engaged in Pennsylvania for two years. In 1855 he brought his family to Linn county, Iowa, and here also became identified with industrial interests as the owner of a blacksmith shop, at the same time following farming on a small scale. In 1882 he took up his abode on the farm which is now in possession of our subject, being actively engaged in its operation until the time of his death, which occurred in 1893. For almost two decades he had survived his wife, who passed away in 1874. Unto this worthy couple were born five children, namely : John, Elizabeth, Caroline, Katherine and William.
The last named, who was still in his first year when brought to this county by his parents, spent his youth in the acquirement of an education and also carly became familiar with the work of the fields. He has always remained on the old homestead farm in Cedar township, for when his father passed away the property came into his possession. The place comprises seventy-four acres and is situated within two and a half miles of Cedar Rapids. Mr. Dietz has brought the land under a high state of cultivation and improvement and it is now valned at three hundred dollars an acre. He is progressive and up-to-date in his methods and his close application, good judgment and business ability have been salient elements in the creditable degree of prosperity which he today enjoys.
On the 23d of March, 1882, Mr. Dietz was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary Bachmann, a daughter of Henry and Gertrude (Baerthel) Bachmann, natives of Germany. They crossed the Atlantic to the United States in 1850, settling in
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Cook county, Illinois, where they resided until 1877. In that year they came to Linn county, Iowa, loeating on a farm in Cedar township, where the father successfully carried on agricultural pursuits until called to his final rest in 1902. The demise of his wife occurred in 1906. Their children were ten in number, as follows: Jacob; Elizabeth, who died when a year and a half old; Charles; Edward, who passed away at the age of seven years; Mrs. Dietz; Julius; Elizabeth, the second of the name; Henry; Lonis; and August. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Dietz have been born two children: Elizabeth, now the wife of Frederick Williams, of Princeton, Illinois; and Gertrude, who is a graduate of Coe College of Cedar Rapids and is still at home.
Since his young manhood Mr. Dietz has consistently voted the democratic tieket, as he has believed in the value of the doetrines advocated in its platform. The cause of education has ever found in him a stalwart champion and he has served as a member of the school board for five years. His religions faith is indicated by his membership in the German Reformed church. Linn county has been his home throughout praetieally his entire life and he has a host of warm friends within its borders.
CHARLES DANIEL HUSTON
One of the leading printing establishments of Cedar Rapids is that condueted under the name of The Huston Printing Company, of which the subject of this review is the head. Moreover, he has been a recognized leader in political eireles and his activity in both directions entitles him to mention with the repre- sentative residents of this county. He was born in Carroll county, Ohio, Dec- ember 18, 1861, a son of Daniel and Margaret (Herron) Huston. The father was a native of Washington county, Pennsylvania, whenee he removed to Carroll county, Ohio, there devoting his life to general farming. He died December 12, 1908, having long survived his wife, who passed away in 1863.
Charles Daniel Huston is indebted to the public school system of the country for the educational privileges whiel he enjoyed. He attended at different times the schools of Washington, D. C., and of Toledo, Ohio, and afterward learned the printer's trade. In 1897 he was employed by the Hon. James Wilson on the Traer Clipper and in 1883 he formed a partnership with Hon. L. G. Kinne, who was the only democrat ever elected to the supreme bench of the state of Iowa. This partnership existed about four years in the publication of a paper in Toledo, Iowa. In 1887 Mr. IJuston came to Cedar Rapids and was connected with the Gazette for about six years. In 1893 he engaged in the job printing business under the firm name of Newton & Huston. It was while thus engaged that he was made a candidate for the mayoralty and after elected he sold out to his partner and served as chief executive of Cedar Rapids for four years, having been reelected in 1904. On his retirement from office he established a job printing business, which he is still conducting. He has a splendidly equipped office, supplied with everything necessary to carry on a business of this kind along the most progressive lines. The highly satisfactory character of his work brings to him a liberal patronage and he has one of the leading establishments of this character in the city. He belongs to the Typo- graphieal Union, his membership being with Cedar Rapids Lodge, No. 192, with which he has been identified for twenty years.
In his political views Mr. Huston has always been a democrat, and for two years, from 1908 until 1910, served as a member of the city council. As one of the aldermen and also as mayor of the city he exercised his official prerogatives in a manner that contributed to the progress and improvement of Cedar Rapids
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along many substantial and practical lines. His administration as mayor was conducted on businesslike plans and his reelection was the endorsement of his first term.
On the 2d of April, 1895, Mr. Huston was married to Miss Mary McKinnon, a daughter of John and Margaret (McDowall) Mckinnon, of College township, Linn county, who were old residents of this part of the state, arriving in 1852. Mr. and Mrs. IInston have three children: John, twenty-three years of age; Paul, who is twenty-one years of age and is employed in the Commercial National Bank ; and Margaret Louise, nineteen years of age, who is a kindergarten teacher in the Van Buren school. The family residence is at No. 1721 A avenue. Mr. Huston is prominently known in Masonic circles, having attained high rank in the order. He is past master of Mount Hermon Lodge, No. 263, A. F. & A. M .; past high priest of Trowel Chapter, No. 49, R. A. M .; and a member of Apollo Commandery, No. 26, K. T .; El Kahir Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S .; Iowa Con- sistory, No. 2, A. A. S. R .; Royal Order of Scotland; and Malta Chapter, No. 415, O. E. S. In his life he exemplifies the beneficent spirit of the craft and his brethren of the order entertain for him the warmest fraternal regard. In business he has won that success which results from close application and thorough mastery of the work undertaken, and under his guidance the establisli- ment of The Huston Printing Company has become one of the foremost printing houses of Cedar Rapids.
JOHN T. LIDDLE
The life of John T. Liddle, quiet and unostentations in all external con- nections, was yet one of the strong moving forces in Cedar Rapids. Few men have been brought more closely into contact with a large majority of citizens or have left their impress in as great a degree for good upon the community. His memory is enshrined in the hearts of those who knew him not only as a preeminently successful man but as a Christian gentleman, who fully recognized and met his obligations to his fellowmen, his helpful spirit having its root not in a sense of duty but in an earnest desire to aid others. His life was the expression of the highest and noblest characteristies of manhood, the embodi- ment of mercy and the exposition of charity and benevolence.
Mr. Liddle was a native of Salem, Washington county, New York, and at the age of sixteen years commenced his business career as a clerk in a general mercantile store. On removing to the middle west he settled at Marshalltown, Iowa, where he engaged in the dry-goods business. Later he removed to Nevada, Story county, Iowa, where he established and conducted a general store until the early '70s, when he came to Cedar Rapids. Here in connection with his brother, Stockwell Liddle, now of Walker, Iowa, he engaged in general mer- chandising and after a partnership of three years John T. Liddle conducted the business alone until 1883, meeting with substantial success during that period. He then sold out and established a wholesale notion and furnishing goods business under the firm style of Hull & Liddle. A short time afterward the business was reorganized under the corporate name of Liddle & Carter and a wholesale furnishing goods and manufacturing enterprise was conducted, Mr. Liddle being actively associated therewith until 1892, when, on account of fail- ing health, due to close application, he gave up active commercial life, dispos- ing of his interest to J. B. Carter and J. W. MeDaniel. Afterwards, however. he was aetively identified with the reestablishing of this business under the name of the Liddle-McDaniel Company, which later became and is now known
John I Lidade
٠
AAIION
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as the Clark-MeDaniel Company, it being one of the successful enterprises of the city.
Mr. Liddle possessed in large degree that quality which for want of a better term has been called commercial sense. He seemed to know just when and where and how to exereise his energies in the accomplishment of results which were far-reaching and beneficial. Upon the death of O. N. Hull, iu 1889, he was chosen executor of the extensive Hull estate, the settlement of which to the entire satisfaction of the heirs is accounted one of his greatest business achieve- ments. After retiring from the mercantile field he devoted his attention to real-estate investment and took a most helpful part in upbuilding and beautify- ing the city. IIe also erected and sold many small homes for wage earners. He was always their friend and they knew that they could trust him. Many there are who bear testimony of his kindly nature and who entertain for him the warmest gratitude because of his forebearance when they were unable to meet payments. He trusted his fellowmen and seldom, if ever, was this trust betrayed. If he found that a purchaser could not meet a payment at the designated time he awaited the convenience of the purchaser and many a labor- ing man was thus able to retain the home which he would otherwise have for- feited if pressed for payment. Because of his kindness and generosity in this way many a man was indueed to save and thus invest his earnings which would otherwise have been squandered and would have been of no permanent benefit to himself or family.
Mr. Liddle was married in Illinois to Miss Emma Goodwin and theirs was a most happy home life and close companionship, partaking largely of the ideal. He possessed a keen sense of wit and his humor was spontaneous and effervescent. Mr. Liddle belonged to Crescent Lodge, No. 25, A. F. & A. M., and was long an active and devoted member of the First Presbyterian church. IIe was ever most faithful in his attendanee at the church, never missing a meet- ing when he could possibly attend. He regarded his Christian duty as the foremost interest in his life. The standards which he set up for himself were ever high and, while he sought to influenee others to accept the same principles, he was ever charitable in his opinions and patient in his efforts with those who were dilatory in adopting the rules of conduct which he knew meant most in character building. He was, indeed, a Christian and carried his Christianity into his daily life and his business, closely following at all times the Golden Rule, doing unto others as he would have them do unto him. When he died, on the 3d of July, 1909, after an illness the serious nature of which he had long known, many of his friends expressed the thought that one of God's noblemen had been taken --- a man whose life and influence eounted for good and whose work was a valuable asset in the moral progress of the community. Many were the expressions of regard, honor and appreciation which Mrs. Liddle re- ceived concerning her husband. One wrote: "He was the best poor man's friend Cedar Rapids ever had .. He did more for me than my brother." Another wrote: "One of nature's noblemen, indeed, and that is just what he looked like from boyhood and just what he has been as you of his own family have known far better than any outside the inner eirele. I rejoice in every recognition of his unselfish, upright, manly and intensely human life. I want the world to know how kind, how human, how Christ-like and noble was the beautiful life he lived. Your companionship seemed such an ideal one, the most so of any I have ever known. What perfect union there always seemed, no jarring but such consideration, sueh perfeet comfort in each other. But O, the beautiful, blessed heritage for memory and inspiration and uplift to have had such a one for a friend and husband and father. I have thought of those words in Isaiah, in connection with your husband . 'in the shadow of his hand hath he hid me, and made me a polished shaft.'
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"If his beautiful spirit could not longer stay with you," wrote another, "you will always be grateful to God that he gave you so many happy years of such noble comradeship that shall be yours over again by and by." From another came these words: "Beautiful memories have I of his kindness. Surely heaven is richer but earth poorer when such as he are called away."
At the funeral services, which were held in the First Presbyterian church, July 8, 1909, Dr. E. R. Burkhalter, the pastor, said: "He was an officer in this church and loved the house of God. He has acquired a good standing among his brethren and I believe with all my heart that he has acquired a good stand- ing in the church above for having served so well in this world as a deacon. He was a generous man and never boastful. I never heard him utter a boastful word and when I speak of him I speak of one whose life has glorified God. It has done me good to have men come to me and tell me of his worth and they have especially thrown open the fact of his dealings with his fellowmen. He was so just, fair, honorable, kind, humane and considerate. I believe it most true that he would far rather suffer injury than to eause another to suffer; to suffer mistreatment than to mistreat his fellowmen. He was a man who could be trusted. Large interests had been placed in his hands with a feeling that they could be safely trusted to him. He was a man conservative and careful in the conduct of life. He had foresight and looked ahead, and never took a step without having first given it consideration. He had an excellent business foresight and rarely if ever erred in judgment.
"Everybody leaves a legacy behind him when he is gone entirely aside from and distinet from the fortune that he leaves. Everyone leaves the most im- portant thing behind him; a legacy, a memory. I will tell you I have written it upon my paper what this man has left to me and to you and to the community : "A Godly example; the sweetness and mildness of the Christian's demeanor; the honesty and integrity of the man of business; the kindness and gentleness of the Christian gentleman ; the witness of the good disciple of Jesus Christ."
WILLIS L. DECLOW
Willis L. DeClow, sole owner of the Cedar Rapids Importing Establishment, through the medium of which is condueted the largest business of the kind in the United States, has here made his home since the spring of 1906, at which time he began at this point the importation of horses. The business, instituted in a small way, has grown to mammoth proportions and in its conduct Mr. DeClow has displayed excellent management and executive ability. He was born in New York on the 5th of December, 1861, and is a son of William and Caroline (Pelton) DeClow. The father was a farmer by occupation and was never out- side his native county. Ilis parents were David and Celestina (Holdridge) DeClow. The former was also a native of New York and a farmer by occupation.
Willis L. DeClow acquired his education in the Empire state, and for a short period engaged iu teaching. He then removed to the west and took up a home- stead on the frontier in Nebraska not far distant from North Platte. There he resided until he came to Cedar Rapids and turned his attention to the breeding and sale of live stock and the importation of fine horses. He had been a shipper in Nebraska and his experiences well qualified him for the conduct of the business in which he is now engaged. He had in mind three cities as a place of location but at length decided upon Cedar Rapids on account of the excellent water power here, and believing that the eity was a good business center. In the spring of 1896 he organized the Cedar Rapids Importing Company, of which he is the only stockholder. The business was begun on a small scale but his
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capable management and enterprise have built it up to extensive proportions. He made ten importations in the year of 1909, paying to European breeders over one hundred thousand dollars for stock. The sales barns are situated on the boulevard near Cedar Rapids and cover about twenty aeres. He imports his jaeks from Spain and his blooded horses from different countries, ineluding Franee, Belgium, Germany, Spain and Russia. He is the only American who imports the famous Russian Orloff stallions, which are the Russian thorough- breds and are known the world over.
On the 5th of January, 1887, Mr. DeClow was married to Miss Luey Mann, of New York, whose people never left their native state. Mr. DeClow, however, has a brother, Frank, who is living in Iowa City and is also a stoekman. Willis L. DeClow concentrates his energies and attention almost entirely upon his business and as the result of his application and intelligently direeted energy, he has won a sueeess that is ereditable and gratifying and has indireetly contributed much toward the improvement of live stock in the country, introducing new strains, produeing high grade horses whereby the price has been gradually advanced.
WILLIAM SPORMANN
A partner in the Cedar Rapids Cornice Works, manufacturers of galvanized iron, eopper eorniee, steel ceilings and roofing materials, William Spormann has in the control of this enterprise manifested an aptitude for suceessful manage- ment and ability in carefully executing well defined plans. Recognizing the fact that labor is the basis of all success, he has applied himself diligently to the eonduet of the business with the result that his efforts are being crowned with a goodly measure of prosperity. Ile was born in Sterling, Illinois, October 20, 1865. His father, Charles G. Spormann, was a native of Germany, and about 1860 emigrated to the United States, establishing his home in Sterling. He superintended the building of the first bridge over the Mississippi river at Clinton, Iowa, in 1894 and was an engineer of marked ability. He also erected many large sawmills throughout Illinois and Iowa. He was by trade a mason and his knowledge of the business and of civil engineering gave him prominence and brought him success in the field to which he devoted his labors. He served his adopted country as a soldier in the Civil war and to him and his comrades was entrusted the work of destroying many bridges to cheek the advanee of the enemy. In Sterling, Illinois, he wedded Miss Johanna Bodenstein and unto them were born thirteen children. Mrs. Spormann died at the age of thirty- three years.
In the schools of his native eity William Spormann acquired his edneation and at the age of sixteen years entered the employ of the Clinton (Iowa) Lumber Company which was organized by his father. After his mother's death William Spormann went to San Francisco, California, where he learned the trade of the sheet metal and cornice worker. He was employed in that capacity for several years while on the Pacifie eoast and then returned to his home in Clinton, Iowa.
There Mr. Spormann married his first sweetheart and the playmate of his youth. Carolina Hilgendorf, of Clinton, and they became the parents of eight children, five of whom are still living: Alma, Florence, Charles, Marvin and Leona, and the two youngest now in school.
In 1898 Mr. Spormann eame to Cedar Rapids and for ten years occupied the position of foreman with the Cedar Rapids Cornice Company. He then became a member of the firm in 1908, his partner being M. W. Houser. They have a well-equipped plant devoted to the manufacture of galvanized iron, copper
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cornice, window caps, sky lights, corrugated iron shutters, steel ceilings, and slate, tile and tin roofing. Their place of business is at No. 320 Second avenue and the enterprise is proving one of the profitable productive industries of the city.
Mr. Spormann is a socialist, active in the cause. He believes in equal rights to all with special privileges to none. He is interested in baseball and fond of a good book and his wide reading has made him a well informed man, keeping him in touch with the trend of modern thought and of progress.
II. E. WITWER
H. E. Witwer, who has left and is leaving the impress of his individuality upon the business development of Cedar Rapids, has by the simple weight of his character and ability risen to a position of leadership in financial and commercial circles, being the president of the Peoples Savings Bank and vice president of the Witwer Brothers Company, wholesale grocers. He is the oldest grocer in years of continuous connection with the trade in this city, and his advancement has followed as the logical sequence of well developed powers, of unremitting industry and close application. IIe was born in Williamsville, Erie county, New York, on the 4th of September, 1844, and was educated at the Williamsville Classical Institute at Williamsville, Erie county, New York, and at Pembroke Col- lege, Pembroke, New York. He afterward returned to Rockford, Illinois, and de- voted his attention to work upon the farm owned by his father in Winnebago coun- ty. After the outbreak of the Civil war he enlisted in the state service and was quartered at Camp Douglas, being detailed for police duty in the guarding of ten thousand prisoners. He was one of those who enlisted for a hundred days' service.
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