USA > Iowa > Linn County > History of Linn County Iowa : from its earliest settlement to the present time, Volume II > Part 102
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JOHN H. BENION
A well improved farm of one hundred and twenty acres pays tribute to the labors of John H. Benion, this property being situated in Spring Grove township. He was born November 3. 1854, a son of Enoch and Ann (Humphrey) Benion, both of whom were natives of Wales. On emigrating to America in 1850, they lo- cated in the state of New York, remaining in the east until 1862, when they removed to Rockford, Illinois, the father there renting land, which he operated until 1870. A year later he came to Linn county, Iowa, and purchased one hun- dred and twenty acres of land, which he cultivated until 1899. He is now mak- ing his home with his daughter, Mrs. Henry Parks, near Center Point, this county.
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John H. Benion spent the period of his boyhood and youth in much the usual manner of farm lads, assisting in the work of the home place during the spring and summer months, while in the winter season he pursued his studies in the distriet schools. He remained on the home farm until he reached the age of twenty-five years, when he began working for others at farm labor. Six years later he established a home of his own by his marriage, after which he purchased eighty acres of land in Spring Grove township, to which he later added forty aeres, his possessions now embracing one hundred and twenty acres. This is a well improved tract, and the fields annually yield rich harvests.
In October, 1889, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Benion and Miss Lois G. Hull, a daughter of Milton C. and Mary (Staleop) Hull, the former a native of Michigan, while the latter claims the state of Indiana as the place of her nativity. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Benion has been blessed with eight children: Milton C., who at the age of twenty years is assisting his father on the farm; Carl W., aged nineteen ; Ernest E., a youth of seventeen years; Helen V., Bernice B., Mildred L., aged respectively fourteen, twelve and eight years; and Gladys E. and Norma F., aged three and two years.
In polities Mr. Benion is a republican, and he and his wife are identified with the Evangelical church. Enterprise and progress have ever characterized the labors of Mr. Benion and he is numbered among the substantial citizens of the community in which he resides.
CHARLES A. CALDER
Placing his dependenee upon the substantial qualities of energy, perseveranee and ready adaptability in business affairs, Charles A. Calder has made continu- ous and gratifying progress since starting out in life for himself and is now conducting a profitable business as proprietor of the Calder Van & Storage Com- pany. He was born January 10, 1866, in Cedar Rapids, upon the site of the Commercial National Bank, which the estate still owns. His parents were Charles E. and Aleinda (Roberts) Calder, the former a native of Cooperstown, New York, and the latter of Hagerstown. The father came to Cedar Rapids with his parents, who drove across the country with team and wagon from Cooperstown. New York. The grandfather, Joseph Calder, was a butcher by trade and killed the first beef ever slaughtered in this eity for commercial purposes. So small was the town and so few patrons could be secured that it took him six weeks to make arrangements for the disposal of the beef ere he dared to kill it. He con- tinued in the butchering business throughout his active life and on retiring was succeeded by his sons Charles E. and Joseph Calder. The former continued in active identification with the butchering business in Cedar Rapids for twenty- three years, when his health failed and he retired. He died December 31, 1899, and is still survived by his widow, who has now reached the age of seventy-seven years.
Charles A. Calder largely devoted his youthful days to the attainment of an education in the public school and in Cornell College but attended the latter for only one term. From an early age he displayed the spirit of energy, industry and enterprise which has characterized his entire life. His father wanted no nore butchers in the family, so that during the periods of vacation the boy worked on his father's farm but after reaching manhood he turned to the occupation which had largely been the pursuit of the family, condneting a butcher shop at Foster, Iowa. Following his father's death he returned to Linn county and took up his abode upon the old home farm three miles north of Cedar Rapids, which he continued to cultivate for three years. He and his sister Mary were made exe-
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cutors of the estate and in order to manage the business he removed to Cedar Rapids. Four or five years later his sister Mary died, since which time Mr. Cal- der has had complete charge of the cstate. At the time of his death the father owned the Commercial National Bank property besides several residence properties and a farm north of Cedar Rapids.
In 1901 Charles A. Calder turned his attention to the van and storage business, in which he has since engaged, and in 1907 he built his present modern brick warehouse, the dimensions of which are sixty by one hundred and forty feet and four stories in height. He has been accorded a liberal patronage in this connec- tion and is one of the successful business men of Cedar Rapids. Having been taught the value of labor when a boy, he regards it as the best schooling he ever had and has always kept busy. There have been no moments of idleness in his life and indolence forms no part of his nature. He carly realized that diligence and perseverance are the basis of all success and has utilized those qualities in promoting his own advancement in the business world.
In October, 1889, Mr. Calder was married to Miss Anna C. Fagan, a native of Belfast, Ireland, and unto them have been. born five children: Allie, at home; Charles, who is attending Clayton College, at Omaha, Nebraska; John, who is managing his father's stock ranch in Polk county, Wisconsin; and Paul and Thomas, both at home.
In his political views Mr. Calder is a democrat where national issues are in- volved but casts an independent local ballot, considering the capability of the candidate and his fitness for the office to which he aspires. He belongs to Cedar Rapids Lodge, No. 251, B. P. O. E., and to several fraternal insurance organiza- tions. He is also a member of the Cedar Rapids Commercial Club and is thor- oughly in sympathy with its object. He has never forgotten the lessons of life which he learned in early boyhood and following closely the teachings of his youth he has become one of the prosperous residents of his native city.
HORACE E. McNEIL
Living in Spring Grove township upon his farm of eighty acres are Horace E. McNeil and family. He is one of the progressive men of the community and has been identified with Linn county all his life, having been born upon the old McNeil homestead, June 28, 1865. He is a son of the late George and Mary (Penn) McNeil, who were among the early settlers of this county, the father being a native of New York, while the mother was of Maryland birth.
George McNeil came to Linn county in 1860, when he bought eighty acres of land and farmed for a number of years in Washington township. He was very successful in his work and eventually acquired two hundred and twenty acres of valuable land, all of which he operated with the assistance of his sons until his death, which occurred in March, 1880. His wife's death occurred fifteen years later.
Upon the death of his father, Horace E. McNeil continued to work upon the homestead and aided in caring for his mother. Until he was twenty-three years of age he resided upon the home place and then marrying, he rented sixty-five acres of land and began life for himself. For two years he operated this farni and next rented a tract of two hundred acres which he cultivated for three years, moving from that farm to another one containing one hundred and twenty acres, where he remained but a year. His next move was to a farm owned by himself. It was an eighty acre tract lying in Washington township that he first purchased and for the next fifteen years he lived there. Disposing of that farm he bought eighty acres in Spring Grove township, where he located and has since lived with
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his wife and family. This property is in excellent condition, owing to the splen- did eare Mr. MeNeil takes of it, and has increased greatly in value, owing to the ex- tensive improvements which he has made. House, barn and sheds upon the place are in fine condition and the entire place has a homelike air, that makes it an ex- tremely attractive place.
Mr. MeNeil was united in marriage to Miss Emeline Hemphill in November. 1888. She is a daughter of Mason and Rachel (Lewison) Hemphill, who eame from Ohio to Linn county in 1850, and here the father entered land. They lived in this county until their death. Mrs. Hemphill passing away in March, 1900, and her husband in March, 1905. Mr. and Mrs. MeNeil became the parents of four children. Elsie, born 1889, makes her home with her parents. Myrtle, born 1887, is the wife of Frank Berry and lives near Coggon, Iowa. Leona M., aged fifteen years, and George Nathan, aged thirteen, both live with their parents npon the home place.
Both Mr. and Mrs. MeNeil are members of the Christian church, in the work of which they both take an active part. Politically he is identified with the re- publiean party, though independent in local matters. IIe has served the town- ship in which he has resided both as school director and road supervisor, in the former capacity holding office for five years and in the latter a term of six years. He is a man of decided strength of character and is possessed of the unqualified respect and good-will of his fellowmen.
EDWARD J. MULHERIN
Although Edward J. Mulherin is one of the more recent acquisitions to the citizenship of Linn county, he has already gained a place among the substantial farmers of Fairfax township. He is a native of Iowa, his birth having oeeurred on the 9th of April. 1873. a son of John and Ellen (Wall) Mulherin. The father was born in County Donegal, Ireland, on the 15th of August, 1842, and when a little lad of seven years was brought by his parents to America. The year 1849 witnessed the landing of the family on American soil, their home being established in New York. There John Mulherin attended the public schools and made his home in the castern metropolis until 1858, when he came to the middle west. His destination was lowa City, Iowa, and he there spent one year in construction work. In 1859 he removed to Marengo in Iowa county, this state, and engaged in farm- ing. his time being thus spent until the outbreak of the Civil war in 1861, when. no longer content to remain at home when he felt that his serviees were needed at the front, he enlisted as a member of Company I, Twenty-eighth Iowa Infan- try. His services were given to his country throughout the entire period of hostilities, or until 1865, when he returned to his farm in Iowa county, there remaining until the 1st of March, 1910, when he took np his abode in Williamsburg, there to spend the remainder of his days in honorable retirement.
Edward J. Mulherin was reared on the home farm and attended the district schools to the age of seventeen years. At that period in his life he took np the work of farming on the home place, remaining with his father until he was twenty-seven years of age. He then desired to engage in business on his own account and accordingly removed to Clay county. this state, purchasing eighty acres of land. This tract he operated until 1904, when he removed to Iowa county. and in partnership with his father engaged in the operation of six hundred and forty aeres of land. They disposed of their interests in March, 1908, and Mr. Mulherin then came to his present farm of one hundred and sixty aeres. located in Fairfax township. Linn conuty. Ile has made some improvements on the place and has placed the fields under a good state of enltivation. so that
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they annually yield rich returns. In his pastures are also found good grades of stock, for he takes great pride in keeping his work animals in good condition and he likewise raises some stock for the market. In all his work he is eminently practical, and this truth is abundantly verified in the success he has achieved.
Mr. Mulherin was married in Holbrook, Iowa, to Miss Theresa HIarrison, the date of the wedding being October 17, 1901. Their home has been blessed with two sons and three daughters, namely: Joseph, who is eight years of age and is attending the district school; Marie, seven years of age and also in school; and Agnes, Elizabeth and Vincent, aged respectively five, three and one year.
Mr. Mulherin gives his political support to the republican party, while his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Catholic church. Oppor- tunities that others have passed by he has noted and improved, and this forms the basis of his success.
CHARLES M. MCHUGHI
Charles M. McHugh is chief of the city plumbing inspection department and his long experience and expert knowledge in this line have given him sueh effi- ciency that he has been retained in the position for eight years, through both democratic and republican administrations. He resides at No. 627 Sixth avenue in Cedar Rapids and is widely known among those who are active in office and in municipal affairs in this eity. He was born in Gratiot, Wisconsin, and is a son of Daniel and Anna (Brannen) MeHugh. The father was also a native of Wisconsin and was a stone-mason by trade. He was a very prominent man in the locality in which he lived, not only because of his business interests but also because of his helpful interests in affairs relating to public progress. After following his trade for some years in the employ of others he began contracting and conducted a large and profitable business for a number of years but at length retired from active life. He died at an advanced age and is still survived by his wife, who is now living in Cedar Rapids. The MeHugh family is of Irish lin- eage, the paternal grandparents of Charles Mellugh being John and Sarah MeHugh, both natives of Ireland: John MeHugh was the first of his family to come to the United States. Both he and his wife were from County Donegal and it was with the hope of enjoying better advantages and opportunities in the new world that he crossed the Atlantic to the United States, establishing his home in Wisconsin, where he reared his family.
Charles M. MeHugh began his education in the schools of Gratiot and when comparatively young started out in life on his own account. He was employed on a farm for five years, after which he turned his attention to railroading, which he followed for about twenty years. He then began learning the plumbing trade and at that field of activity has since directed his energies. He removed to Cedar Rapids twenty-three years ago and took up plumbing here and was very snecessful in the conduct of his business, which each year substantially increased in volume. In 1902 he was appointed by Mayor Huston to the position of chief of the city plumbing inspection department and has sinee continued in that position, serving through both democratie and republican administrations, his excellent qualifications continuing him in the office.
On the 27th of September, 1898, Mr. MeHugh was married to Miss Minnie Forbes of Oxford Junction, Iowa. Two sons have been born unto them, twins, John William and Charles Leo. The parents are members of the Catholic church and Mr. MeHugh also belongs to the Knights of Columbus and the Catholie For- esters. Ile has likewise been a member of the Union Association of Plumbers for sixteen years, has filled all of the offices in that organization and is ehairman
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of the finance committee. He is also a member of the executive committee of the Federation of Labor and of the labor fountain committee. Mr. McHugh deserves much credit for what he has accomplished. He is a self-made man whose labor and ability is the basis of his progress and success. He has the confidence of all who know aught of his official serviee, and his ability and trustworthiness are indicated by the fact that he has been retained in office by those who hold opposite political views.
CHARLES WRIGHT
Among the prosperous farmers and representative citizens of Linn county must be numbered Charles Wright, who is now extensively engaged in agricul- tural pursuits in Brown township. A native of this county, he was born in Linn township on the 4th of April, 1857, and is a son of Robert and Elizabeth (Mentzer) Wright, the former a native of Maryland and the latter of Pennsylvania. It was in 1852 that his parents eame to Fowa and located in Linn county, where the father purehased land and extensively engaged in farming up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1889. The mother is still living at the age of seventy-three and now makes her home in Virginia. In the family of this worthy couple were six children, of whom our subject is the eldest.
Charles Wright was given excellent educational advantages during his boy- hood and youth, completing his course at college. Under the direction of his father he obtained an excellent knowledge of every department of farm work and at the latter's death he purchased the old homestead, which comprises four hundred and sixty acres of land, which he now has under a high state of eulti- vation and has improved by the erection of good and substantial buildings for the shelter of both grain and stock. He makes a specialty of raising all kinds of high grade stock and finds this branch of his business quite profitable.
In 1891 Mr. Wright was united in marriage to Miss Minnie Dunlap, a native of Licking county, Ohio, and a daughter of William and Mary Dunlap. They now have one son, Charles M., at home.
In his fraternal relations Mr. Wright is a member of Springville Lodge, No. 139, A. F. & A. M., and both he and his wife are also connected with the Eastern Star. His political affiliations are with the republican party, but he has never sought the honors or emoluments of public office, although he is a public-spirited and progressive citizen and gives his support to all measures which he believes will advance the general welfare or improve the community in which he resides.
FRED A. CANFIELD
Fred A. Canfield, living at No. 375 Sixteenth avenue, South, is a contractor of Cedar Rapids. Ile is a young man of thirty-four years, diligent and resource- ful, and has eagerly embraced every opportunity pointing to success. He was born in Mansfield, Pennsylvania, on the 28th of September, 1876, and is a son of J. A. and Hattie (Thompson) Canfield. The father is a carpenter contractor and brought his family to the west about thirty years ago. When he left the Keystone state he went first to Nebraska, where he secured a homestead claim. At a later date he returned to Buffalo, New York, and about sixteen years ago came to Cedar Rapids, where he entered business circles as a contractor and was not long in establishing an enviable reputation for good workmanship and reli-
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ability in business transactions. The family numbered but two children : Fred, of this review; and Edna, now the wife of C. C. Post, also a resident of Cedar Rapids.
Fred A. Canfield was a young lad at the time of his parents' removal to Nebraska and in the country schools of Neligh he pursued his education, while later he spent a year as a pupil in a school in Buffalo, New York. Following the establishment of the family home in Cedar Rapids he became a pupil in the public schools here and afterward pursued a course in the Cedar Rapids Business Col- lege and became an expert accountant. He decided upon carpentering, however, as his life work and during his school days learned the trade under the direction of his father, with whom he was afterward associated in a partnership relation for a number of years. Later he took up his present line of work and is the only one in the city following this business. The liberal patronage accorded him is proof of his skill and his understanding of the trade, and he is now conducting a profitable enterprise.
On the 15th of Jannary, 1903, occurred the marriage of Mr. Canfield and Miss May Kleinknecht, a daughter of Charles and Belle (Lile) Kleinknecht, of Mount Vernon, Iowa. Their union has been blessed with one daughter, Gladys Edna.
In his fraternal connections Mr. Canfield is an Eagle and is also associated with the Ancient Order of United Workmen. Much of his life has been passed in the middle west and has been actuated by the spirit of enterprise which has ever been a dominant element in the npbuilding of this section of the country. Living in Cedar Rapids from his boyhood days, he has formed a wide acquain- tance here and his salient characteristics have commended him not only to the good will but also to the business support of the public.
JOHN TOMAS
John Tomas, residing on section 28, College township, where his time and energies are devoted to the further development and improvement of a good farm, upon which he has resided for a quarter of a century, was born May 14, 1863, in Johnson county, Iowa, and was the sixth son of Charles and Theresa (Musil) Tomas, progressive farming people who in 1858 left their native land of Bohemia and became residents of Wisconsin. Later they removed to Iowa, settling in Johnson county, the journey being made by ox-team. After reaching this place the father worked at farm labor in the employ of others until he had saved enough with which to purchase forty acres of prairie land. This he at once began to cultivate and improve and his business ability, capable management and judicious investment at length made him the owner of a valuable property of seven hundred and twenty acres, all of which was improved. For many years he was actively, extensively and successfully engaged in farming but in his later years disposed of his farm property and purchased a business block in Iowa City, at which time he retired from active life to enjoy throughout his remaining days the fruits of his former toil. He was born in 1822 and departed this life February 12, 1891, having for several months survived his wife, who passed away July 27, 1890, at the age of sixty-seven years.
John Tomas, reared in Johnson county, pursued his education in the public schools only to the age of twelve years, for at that time he had to put aside his text-books and assist his father and others in the work of the home farm. His youth was largely a period of earnest and unremitting toil in which there were few leisure hours and little opportunity to indulge in the sports which claimed the attention of most boys. He early formed habits of industry, economy and
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business integrity, and upon those qualities as a sure and safe foundation he has builded his success.
Mr. Tomas was in his twenty-first year when, on the 12th of December, 1883, he wedded Miss Katherine Staneel, a daughter or Florian and Katharina (Pat- avia) Staneel, whose parents came to this state in 1860 from Bohemia and took up their abode in Iowa City. After working for seventeen and a half years, her father was able to invest in a fine farm of two hundred acres in Linn county. Success came to him as the merited reward of earnest, untiring labor intelligently directed. He died October 5, 1905, while his wife passed away June 6, 1908, and both were seventy-seven years of age when called to their final rest. Mrs. Tomas was born in one of the little log cabins that were common in this state in the pio- neer times. By her marriage she has become the mother of five children. Kath- erine T., who was born December 17, 1884 is the wife of Frank Mitvalsky, a well known buyer of hides, tallow, etc., for a Cedar Rapids firm. Lillie C., born May 22, 1887, is the wife of Fred Bondra, of Linn county. William F., born June 2, 1889, and Mary Libbie, born April 5, 1891, are both at home. Agnes Elizabeth. born March 4. 1894, is in school.
It was in 1885 when Mr. Tomas and his wife took up their abode upon their present farm. Through his able management he has succeeded in working a marked transformation in the appearance of the place. The little two-room house which was their first home has been replaced by a commodious residence built in modern style of architecture. Nearby is a large and well kept orchard, and the lawn is adorned with attraetive flower beds. There is also a garden in close proximity to the house and a ten-acre traet of timber land furnishes fire wood. In connection with the cultivation of cereals best adapted to soil and eli- mate, Mr. Tomas also engages in general farming and stock-raising, fattening hogs and cattle for the market. IIe is persistent and energetic and accomplishes whatever he undertakes, and his property is now the visible evidence of a life of well directed effort and industry. He belongs to the C. S. P. Y., a Bohemian organization, attends the Roman Catholic church in Cedar Rapids, and gives his political support to the democracy. Altogether his life has been well spent, and he deserves classification with the representative farmers of College township.
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