USA > Iowa > Linn County > History of Linn County Iowa : from its earliest settlement to the present time, Volume II > Part 100
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WILLIS G. HASKELL
While Willis G. Haskell has been a resident of Cedar Rapids for but a com- paratively brief period, few men in the same length of time have done equally effective service for the material upbuilding and substantial progress of the eity. Identified with many corporate interests, the promoter of many business affairs which are of inestimable value in the growth and upbuilding of Cedar Rapids. he is now devoting a portion of his time to publie service as the postmaster of the city, to which position he was appointed in July. 1909. Reared in the dynamic atmosphere of the west, where men recognize the possibilities and put forth every effort to achieve desired results, he stands today as a typical representative of the spirit of enterprise and progress which has been the potent factor in the rapid development of this section of the country.
Mr. Haskell was born in Bradford, lowa. on the 5th of June. 1857. His father, Edwin A. Haskell, was of English descent and removed from his old home in Massachusetts to Iowa in pioneer times. He followed merchandising in Brad- ford and at Cedar Falls as proprietor of a general store, the only interruption to his active business career coming through his service in the Civil war, when he was an officer of an lowa regiment. He married Eliza Ilolmes, who was born in England, and both are now deceased.
Willis G. Haskell pursued his education in the public schools at Cedar Falls and at Independence, Iowa, and when seventeen years of age started out in life on his own account as a telegraph operator with the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern Railroad. He remained with that road for twenty years, during which time he was promoted through intermediate positions until he became traveling freight and passenger agent. At length he resigned, thinking to make more rapid progress if he should engage in business on his own account. Accordingly, in 1893, he came to Cedar Rapids and here established a wholesale and retail coal business, in which he has since been engaged, seenring an extensive patronage in this line. The business has been incorporated under the name of the W. G. Has- kell Company, of which he is president. but this by no means measures the seope of his activities. He extended his efforts to many lines, which have felt the stimulus of his energy and have profited by his sound judgment and business sagacity. He is a director in the Merchants National Bank, is vice president of the Cedar Rapids Canning Company, president of the C. J. Johnston Gas Appli- ance Company, a director in the Allison Hotel Company and has extensive realty interests in Cedar Rapids, having made judicions investment in property here. He derives from his holdings a substantial income and his various business inter- ests are recognized as among the profitable eoneerns of the city. contributing not only to the success of the stockholders but also constituting factors in the general prosperity.
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The fact that Mr. Haskell is the incumbent in the position of postmaster is indieative of his allegiance to the republican party, which he has supported since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. He was called to his pres- ent office in July, 1910, and to the administration of his affairs is bringing the same principles and system that have ever characterized the conduct of his business interests. His fellow townsmen knew something of his ability and fidelity in office, for he had previously served for six years, from 1896 until 1902, as a member of the city council. He is now custodian of the postoffice and court- house and is a member of the river front commission. For some years he has been chairman of the park commission and has been identified with various projects for the upbuilding and benefit of the city. He is also a member of the republican state central committee from the fifth district and is recognized as one of the leaders in republican ranks in lown.
Mr. Haskell was married in 1881 to Miss May E. Williams, a daughter of the late W. F. Williams, a banker of Vinton, Iowa. They have beeome the parents of four children : Maud, now the wife of John Newman, of Cedar Rapids; Guy F., the vice president and secretary of the W. G. Haskell Company; Francis, who is now attending the National Park Seminary of Maryland; and Willis G., in school in this city. The family residence is at No. 1726 D avenue and its hospitality is one of its attractive features.
Mr. Haskell is very fond of traveling and has visited Cuba as well as every state in the Union. For over twenty-six years he has been a member of the Masonie fraternity and is past eminent commander of Cypress Commandery, K. T .; has attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite in Iowa Consis- tory, No. 2, and is a past potentate of El Kahir Temple of the Mystie Shrine. He likewise belongs to the Knights of Pythias fraternity. In manner he is genial and unostentatious, and the attainment of success has never affected his treatment of the less fortunate friends of his earlier years. Active in politics and promi- nent in fraternal eireles, his ambition, however, seems to be in the line of business, and he regards his other interests as side issues with which, however, no life can be well rounded, no character well balanced. Yet they have never drawn his attention from the chief ain in his life and he has found that snecess is ambition's answer.
WALTER E. HENDERSON
Walter E. Henderson, who now has the management of his father's farm of two hundred and thirty acres in Jaekson township, has remained on this place from his birth to the present time, his natal day being October 3, 1882. A sketch of his father, Peter T. Henderson, is given on another page of this work. Our subject was reared under the parental roof and attended the common sehools in the acquirement of an education. Being the only son in his father's family. he remained at home after reaching man's estate and assisted in the operation of the home farm. Since the spring of 1907 he has had the entire management of the property, his father having put aside active business cares.
On the 10th of February, 1909, Mr. Henderson was joined in wedlock to Miss Edith M. Jackson, who was born in New Hampshire but was living in Portland, Maine, at the time of her marriage. Following his son's marriage Peter T. Henderson erected a separate residence on the farm and took up his abode therein. turning the old homestead over to our subject, who has thus always resided in the house where he was born. In the conduct of his agricultural interests Mr. Henderson is methodical, systematie, progressive and up-to-date, and because of the excellent results which have attended his labors he is entitled to a place among the representative and substantial young farmers of the community.
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Mr. and Mrs. Henderson are the parents of one child, Paul Wallace. Sinee age conferred upon him the right of franchise Mr. Henderson has supported the men and measures of the republican party, believing firmly in its principles. He is an automobile enthusiast and drives a Flanders machine, deriving there- from both pleasure and recreation. His religions faith is indicated by his membership in the Congregational church.
JOHN CORNELIS BROEKSMIT
In a history of Cedar Rapids it is imperative that mention be made of John C. Broeksmit if the record is complete, for through many years he took aetive and helpful part in the work of general improvement and progress, cooperating in many movements which have been of direet benefit to the city in promoting its material interests and upholding its legal, political and moral status. Moreover, he occupied a prominent position in business eireles as auditor of the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern Railroad. He was eonneeted with railway interests through much of his life and for more than a third of a century occupied the position of anditor with the forementioned road and its predecessor.
A native of Holland, he was born in Zierikzee, on the 25th of January, 1825. His parents, Adrian F. and Gertrude (De Zwitzer) Broeksmit, were also natives of that country, where their ancestors had resided for many generations. The father through an active and successful business eareer dealt in grain and madder, the latter a commodity which has now fallen into disuse, owing to the introduction of chemieal dye stuffs, but which fifty years ago was in great demand all over the world.
In his youthful days John C. Broeksmit mastered the branches of learning taught in the schools of the neighborhood, while his more advanced intellectual training was received in the French Institute and inelnded a course in engineer- ing, algebra, the higher mathematies and the French language. On putting aside his text-books he became an assistant in his father's counting room, where he remained for three years or until he had attained his majority. Attraeted by the opportunities of the new world, he eame to the United States in 1847, wishing to enjoy the advantages which report had told him were to be secured on this side the Atlantic. So slow was ocean travel in those days that several weeks elapsed ere lie reached the harbor of New York. He at onee sought employment in the metropolis, having brought with him several letters of recommendation, which had been given him in recognition of his ability, enterprise and readiness of re- sonree in the old world. He was entirely unfamiliar with the English language, however, and, therefore, found it difficult to secure a position. From New York he went to Boston and was more fortunate in his efforts to obtain employment in the latter eity. He engaged with Thomas H. Dixon & Son, importers and shipowners, located at No. 41 India wharf. The senior member of the firm was consul general of the Netherlands for the state of Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Maine and manifested a personal interest in Mr. Broeksmit, having in the meantime received a letter from the mayor of Zierikzee urging him to assist the young man, whom he stated was worthy of any trust. For two years Mr. Broeksmit remained with the firm of Dixon & Son, during which time he closely applied himself to the duties assigned him and not only mastered mereantile methods in America but also learned to speak, read and write the English language. His business experience broadened when he became an em- ploye of George W. Warren & Company, condneting a large wholesale and retail business in dry goods. He served as bookkeeper in the Nahant Hotel near Boston
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from 1851 until 1855, at the end of which time, with a desire to see the country, he started for the south.
For about six years Mr. Broeksmit filled the position of elief clerk with Sam- uel Van Loon, master mechanie of the New Orleans, Jackson & Great Northern Railroad, in Louisiana, but at the outbreak of the Civil war left New Orleans as a passenger on board a Holland vessel, which had anchored in the harbor of the Crescent City. It was the only Holland ship visiting that port in twenty-three years and after thirty-two days spent upon the water Mr. Broeksmit found him- self once more upon the shores of his native country. While in Holland he gave his attention to railroad work, which called him to various places, some time being spent in the eities of Breda and Zutphen. Later he seeured a clerkship for the railroad commission having in charge the construction and operation of the rail- roads in the Dutch East Indies, for which he sailed and saw serviee on the island of Java at Batavia and Samarang. It was at that time that the project of the first railroad on the island was being put into execution, Baron Sloet Van de Beele, governor general of the Netherland Indies, turning the first spade full of earth at the ceremonies which inaugurated the project.
A part of the year 1867 Mr. Broeksmit again spent in Holland, but the broader and more rapidly developing opportunities of the new world proved to him an irresistible attraetion and in 1868 he again crossed the Atlantic. With pre- seience to discern what the future had in store for this great and growing western country, he made his way to the Mississippi valley, going first to Chicago, where through the influence of George P. Lee, treasurer of the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad Company, he obtained the appointment of station agent at Cleveland, Illinois, where the company owned large coal mines. Subsequently he was made agent at Coal Valley, Illinois, and afterward served under Hon. Hiram Priee at Maquoketa, Iowa, as agent for the Davenport & St. Paul Railroad. Coming thence to Cedar Rapids in 1871, he was first connected with the accounting de- partment of the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Minnesota Railway Company and after two years was made auditor of the road, which in 1876 was reorganized under the name of the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern Railroad. In that capacity he continued to represent the road until his retirement from active bus- iness in 1902. His efforts in that connection constituted a valuable force in promoting the interests of the road. The responsibilities of his position eontin- ually increased with the growth of the business, yet in no particular did he fall short of capable service, enjoying at all times the entire confidenee of the railroad officials and the genuine respeet of the employes who served under him by his uniform courtesy and fairness.
While Mr. Broeksmit made his work of worth to the railroad company, he was at the same time a cooperant factor in many measures and projects for the im- provement of the city. He became one of the organizers and was the treasurer of the Cedar Rapids Water Company, was one of the organizers and the first diree- tors of the Merchants National Bank and in other fields of business and public enterprise the stimulus of his activity was felt as a directing foree. Educational and moral progress found in him a champion and he served as trustee and treas- urer of Coe College, while in the Young Men's Christian Association he acted as first president of the board of trustees. He held membership in the Presbyterian church and his life at all times was actuated by principles of honor and integrity that won for him the untarnished name that is rather to be chosen than great riches. His political allegiance was given to the republican party, which found in him an earnest supporter because of his firm belief in its platform as the con- servator of good government.
Mr. Broeksmit was married in 1873 to Miss Laura Shaw, a native of Maquo- keta, Iowa, a daughter of John Shaw and a representative of one of the old families of New England, whose history contains a most creditable chapter in
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connection with the Revolutionary war. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Broeksinit were born four children, Gertrude, Eugene, Helen and Jolin, and by a former marriage Mr. Broeksmit had one son, W. F. Broeksmit, who is now freight auditor of the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern Railroad Company. For many years Mr. Broeksmit enjoyed a happy home life until called to his final rest on the 4th of March, 1907. He had long been recognized as one of Cedar Rapids' most promi- nent and valued citizens, and his death was felt as a distinet loss by the city, while in social circles he was mourned as a sineere and loyal friend.
JOHN S. BROEKSMIT
John S. Broeksmit, cashier of the Merchants National Bank, is one of Cedar Rapids' native sons, his birth having here occurred February 12, 1881. While spending his youthful days in the home of his parents, John C. and Laura (Shaw) Broeksmit, he attended the public schools and Coe College, being graduated from the latter with the class of 1890. Further educational privileges were then afforded him, and, matriculating in Yale, he completed the elassieal course in 1904, at which time the Bachelor of Arts degree was conferred upon him. Re- turning to Cedar Rapids, he entered the Merchants National Bank in February, 1905, and has worked his way upward through successive promotions. In Dec- ember, 1906, he was elected cashier of the Citizens National Bank and was eontin- ued in that position, when on the 18th of May, 1908, the two banks were consoli- dated under the name of the Merchants National. He is diligently applying himself to the mastery of financial problems and his developing business ability has gained him a creditable position in banking eireles. He is popular socially in his home eity and holds membership in the Commercial and University Clubs.
NIMROD JASPER CURTIS
Nimrod Jasper Curtis, who is now living retired at Lisbon, was formerly actively identified with the agricultural interests of this part of the state and thus won the competenee that enables him to spend his declining years in well earned ease. His birth occurred in Washington county, Ohio, on the 22d of February, 1838, his parents being Elisha and Frances (Scott) Curtis. The father, who was born in Virginia in 1804, was a little lad of six years when he accompanied his parents on their removal to Ohio. The mother, whose birth occurred in Penn- sylvania in 1806, was ten years old when brought by her parents to the Buekeye state. It was in that state that Elisha Curtis met and married Miss Frances Seott and there they made their home until the year 1850, when they came to Linn county, Iowa, here continuing to reside throughout the remainder of their lives. Mr. Curtis devoted his attention to general agricultural pursuits through- out his aetive business eareer and owned a fine farm of two hundred and forty aeres in Linn township. this eounty. His demise occurred on the 22d of March, 1881, and his wife was called to her final rest on the 4th of July, 1887. Unto this worthy couple were born ten children, as follows: James, who is deceased; Mrs. Rachel Ellison, living in Martelle, Jones county, Iowa; Isaiah P., who has likewise passed away ; Mrs. Anna Eliza Burk, who is deceased; Nimrod Jasper, of this review; Mrs: Martha J. Burk, who has passed away; Joseph. living in Cen- tralia, Washington ; Charles, who is a resident of Taylor county, Iowa ; William. deceased ; and Ida Royal, who makes her home in Washington.
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HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY
Nimrod J. Curtis was a lad of twelve years when in October, 1850, he came to Iowa with his parents, who in the spring of 1853 took up their abode on a farm which the father had purchased in Linn township, this county. The family home was maintained thereon until 1868 and during that period our subject spent four years in mining at Idaho City, Idaho, returning home in 1867 and living with his parents until the time of his marriage. Following that important event in his life he purchased a farm of one hundred and sixty acres on the edge of Jones county, in Greenfield township, and for a number of years devoted his time and energies to its further cultivation and improvement with excellent results. Nineteen years ago he put aside the active work of the fields and came . to Lisbon, where he has sinee lived retired in a handsome residence which he erected at the corner of School and Walnut streets. From his father-in-law he purchased a farm of two hundred and ninety acres near his property in Jones county and this traet of land he still owns. The quarter section in Greenfield township remained in his possession until abont a year ago, when he disposed of the same.
In September, 1873, Mr. Curtis was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary Keller, who was born in Augusta county, Virginia, on the 15th of June, 1848, her parents being Harmon D. and Susanna (Engleman) Keller, both natives of Virginia. In 1852 they removed to Jones county, Iowa, where the father was successfully engaged in farming and stock-raising until the time of his death. Mrs. Keller then made her home with her daughter, Mrs. Curtis, until she, too, passed away. Our subject and his wife have a daughter, Susanna F., who was graduated from Cornell College at Mount Vernon in June, 1909, and in that year gave her hand in marriage to A. F. Kohl, of Clinton, Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Curtis have traveled extensively over the United States and intend soon to take up their abode in Washington. Both are widely and favorably known throughout the community. enjoying the regard and esteem of a large circle of friends. Mr. Curtis has now passed the seventy-second milestone on life's journey and can look back over an active, useful and honorable career.
JOHN W. PICHNER
John W. Pichner, the secretary and treasurer of the Kings Crown Plaster Company, is one of the substantial young business men of Cedar Rapids. He was born in this city on the 21st of January, 1872. a son of John and Teresa (Hrdlicka) Pichner, who were natives of Bohemia but were brought to the United States by their respective parents in their childhood days. The paternal grand- parents first located in Illinois, where they made their home for four years and then removed westward to Iowa, residing for a short time in the colonies of Iowa county. They next went to Owatonna, Minesota, where John Pichner grew to manhood. After attaining his majority he came to Cedar Rapids, walking from Owatonna to this city in five days. He first secured employment in an implement store and later clerked in a dry goods establishment. In 1880 he removed west- ward to Kansas but hard times prevailed in that state because of the drought and after seven months he returned to Iowa, locating in Iowa City, where for seven years he worked in a dry goods store. On the expiration of that period he purchased a farm in Johnson county, twelve miles northwest of Iowa City, resid- ing thereon for six years. Coming to Cedar Rapids, he then embarked in the dry goods business on his own account and was thus identified with mereantile inter- ests for a number of years. Since disposing of his store, however, he has been employed in the mail service.
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HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY
John W. Piehner was reared under the parental roof and obtained his pre- liminary edneation in the common schools. Subsequently he pursued a commercial course in the Iowa State College of Iowa City, from which institution he was graduated in 1893, acting as janitor in order to pay his way through college. Going to Davenport, he was there employed in a wholesale house for almost two years, on the expiration of which period he resigned in order to accept a position in the hardware store of C. H. Swab & Company of Cedar Rapids. After serv- ing in the capacity of bookkeeper for one year he was admitted to the firm as a partner, but three years later his health had become so impaired that he was .obliged to dispose of his interest in the business. He then purchased and located upon a farm of two hundred and forty acres in Johnson county and devoted his time and energies to its operation for five years, finding the outdoor life benefi- eial to his health. On selling his farm he returned to Cedar Rapids and became identified with the Kings Crown Plaster Company, being made secretary and treasurer of the concern. In addition to his interests in this connection he owns a valuable tract of land comprising two hundred aeres in Oxford township, John- son county, and is likewise a stockholder in the Consolidated Casualty Company. His home is at No. 1615 Fifth avenue and he is widely recognized as one of the prosperons and enterprising young business men of Cedar Rapids.
On the 23d of November, 1897, Mr. Piehner was united in marriage to Miss Eleanor F. Riddle, of Johnson county, Iowa, by whom he has one child, Leona A. His political allegianee is given to the democracy. He is a member of the Cedar Rapids Commercial Club and also belongs to Jan HIus Lodge, No. 51, I. O. O. F., Jednota Tyrs Cedar Rapids Sokol and the Ceske Ochniei, a Bohemian dramatic association.
F. J. RICHARDS
F. J. Richards, an enterprising and progressive agriculturist and stoekman of Linn county, is the owner of an excellent farm of two hundred and two acres in Buffalo township. His birth oeenrred in Wisconsin in 1858, his parents being James and Elizabeth (Hendy) Richards, both of whom were natives of England. The year 1860 witnessed their arrival in Linn county and the father purchased and located upon a farm of one hundred and sixty aeres in Boulder township. After having devoted his attention to its cultivation and improvement for a period of twenty years he sold the property and removed to Anamosa. Jones county, where he spent the remainder of his life, passing away about 1900. His widow subsequently came to Viola, where her demise occurred in 1908. Unto this worthy couple were born eight children, as follows : Mary Ann, who is deceased; Wil- liam II. ; George C., who passed away in 1907 ; Joseph J. ; Charlotte E .; Frederick T .; F. J. ; and Louis A., who died in 1890.
F. J. Richards spent the first eighteen years of his life under the parental roof and then began earning his own livelihood, working as a farm hand for five years. At the end of that time he had accumulated sufficient capital to enable him to buy land of his own and thus he came into possession of a tract of one hundred and seventeen aeres. His land holdings now embrace two hundred and two aeres in Buffalo township-all under a high state of cultivation and improvement. In addition to raising the cereals best adapted to soil and elimate he also handles high grade stock and both branches of his business return to him a gratifying annual income. His place is lacking in none of the conveniences and accessories of a model farm of the twentieth century and his labors as an agriculturist have been attended with excellent results.
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