USA > Iowa > Linn County > History of Linn County Iowa : from its earliest settlement to the present time, Volume II > Part 11
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Mr. Witwer arrived in Cedar Rapids in 1866 and secured a position in a grocery store, since which time he has been continuously connected with the grocery trade in Linn county. After remaining in the employ of others for about eleven years, during which time his industry and careful expenditure brought him sufficient capital to enable him to engage in business on his own account, he established a retail grocery in 1877 and so continued until 1881, when he was joined by his brother, B. H. Witwer, who at that time came west to Cedar Rapids. The firm of Witwer Brothers was then organized for the conduct of a wholesale grocery business, which they have since conducted. In the twenty-nine years which have elapsed to the present time the house has become widely known throughout the north and west, its trade covering a large area, while for commercial integrity, promptness in the execution of orders and the excellence of the line of goods carried the house sustains a most creditable and commendable reputation. Through the Witwer brothers the organization of the Peoples Savings Bank was effeeted in 1900 and H. E. Witwer was made president of the institution, which has been founded upon a safe, substantial basis. All departments of the banking business are carried on and the work has been so thoroughly systematized as to present an almost perfect business organization. II. E. Witwer is also the president of the Witwer Brothers Realty Company, operating largely in property interests, and he is, moreover, the president of the Pin Del Rio Company, owners and operators of a plantation in Cuba, devoted to sugar and tobacco and also to raising hogs and cattle. Mr. Witwer spends his winters there, when the cane and tobacco are being eut and prepared for the market. Ile is a director of the Montrose Hotel Company and vice president of the Shaver Realty Company of Cedar Rapids, and thus into various fields of business has he extended his efforts, all profiting by his sound judgment, his keen discrimination and his unfaltering enterprise.
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In 1875 Mr. Witwer was united in marriage to Miss Harriet E. Baker, of Williamsville, Erie county, New York. They were schoolmates in early youth. Their marriage has been blessed with seven children, five of whom are yet living : Benjamin Hershey, treasurer of the Witwer Brothers Company; Grace Charlotte, the wife of A. H. Sargeant, of the law firm of Deacon, Good, Sargeant & Spangler of Cedar Rapids; Harriet Baker, at home; George Person, a com- mercial salesman with Witwer Brothers Company; and Louis Heston, who is also connected with the business in a similar eapacity.
While Mr. Witwer has won notable success he has never allowed the accumu- lation of wealth to warp his kindly nature or to preelude his active participation in movements which benefit mankind. He is now serving as a director of the St. Luke's Hospital and is a member and treasurer of the First Christian church. He is also interested in fraternal organizations, being one of the charter members of the Knights of Pythias lodge of Cedar Rapids and one of the old members of Crescent Lodge, A. F. & A. M. His political allegianee is given to the republican party, but he has never been an aspirant for office. Coming to Cedar Rapids when it was a comparatively small plaee, for forty-four years he has resided here and has long been numbered among its most progressive and prominent citizens. He may well be termed one of the founders of the city, for he has been the promoter of many of its leading business enterprises. His connection with any undertaking insures a prosperous outcome of the same and he has earned for himself an enviable reputation as a careful man of business, who in his dealings is known for his prompt and honorable methods, which have won him the deserved and unbounded confidence of his fellowmen.
E. E. HENDERSON
One of the leading and progressive business men of Jackson township is E. E. Henderson, who is now prominently identified with several enterprises, which are proving of publie benefit to the community in which he resides. He was born in Jackson township, on the 13th of June, 1872, his parents being P. G. and J. Arabella (Mills) Henderson, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this volume. He began his education in the country schools near his boyhood home and later took a course at the business college. Being thus well fitted for the practical duties of life not only by his literary training but also by the knowledge he had acquired of farm work while aiding his father on the home place, he then started out for himself at the age of twenty-two years, buying the farm on which he now resides. It comprises two hundred acres on sections 22 and 27 Jackson township, and through his untiring effort it has been brought to a high state of cultivation and improvement. Mr. Henderson, however, has not confined his attention alone to agricultural pursuits, but has become actively identified with a number of business enterprises, being today one of the directors of the State Bank of Central City and secretary and manager of the Central City Creamery. For the past fifteen years he has been president of the Linn County Farmers Insti- tute and since 1903 has been secretary of the Wapsie Valley Fair Association at Central City, both of which organizations have done much to promote the interests of the farmer in this locality.
In 1894 Mr. Henderson was united in marriage to Miss Irene Richardson, also a native of Linn eounty, her birth occurring in Maine township, October 31, 1874. Her parents were Hiram and Laura (Adell) Richardson, both natives of New York state, whenee they came to Iowa at an early day but are now living in Minneapolis. In their family were five children and to Mr. and Mrs. Henderson have been born the same number, namely : E. Wayne, born July 1, 1896; Pierce
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G., July 18, 1897 ; Bernice A., September 13, 1898; Marion A., July 26, 1904; and Dora Aliee, July 13, 1906.
Mr. Henderson is a stalwart champion of the principles of the republican party and his fellow citizens, recognizing his worth and ability, have ealled upon him to serve in official positions, having filled the office of treasurer of the school board for fifteen years. Ilis business interests being extensive, however, he has found little time to devote to public affairs, aside to those already mentioned, but always gives his support to those enterprises which he believes ealeulated to promote the interests of the community. He has steadily prospered in all his undertakings and the sueeess that he has achieved is but the just reward of his own industry, enterprise and perseveranee.
AUSTIN B. GARRETSON
Austin B. Garretson is one of the most prominent figures in organized labor circles of America as president of the Order of Railway Conduetors of North America, in which capacity he has served since September 1, 1906. Through the development of his native powers he has made himself a potent and valued faetor in the world's work as the chief executive officer of the vast army of over forty- five thousand railway conductors, in whose hands praetieally one-tenth of the total population is placed every twenty-four hours, in addition to a large share of the commodities that go to make up the freight traffie of the country. Ile has been in the thick of the fight in every movement looking to the betterment of conditions of railway employees during the past score of years, and the sound judgment and spirit of fairness which has characterized his work have won for him the respect and admiration of both employer and employe.
A native lowan, he was born September 14, 1856, at Winterset, Iowa, his parents being Nathan and Ilannah (Garretson) Garretson. His father, who was a lawyer by profession, died in 1886, having survived the mother, whose death occurred in 1884.
Austin B. Garretson gained a good practical education in the schools of Osceola, Jowa. His father was strong in the belief that every man should learn a trade and he was apprenticed to the wheelwright's trade. His first railway experience was his appointment as agent at New Virginia, lowa, on a line that has since become a part of the Burlington system. He was later in charge of all supplies along the line and opened all the stations between Osceola and Des Moines. At the end of four years he became a conductor, remaining in that position until 1881, when he went with the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway to Denison, Texas, where he was located until 1888. He then entered the service of the Mexican National Railroad at San Luis Potosi, Mexico, and was later with the Mexican Central Railway at Jimuleo, Mexieo.
In 1889 he returned to the United States and shortly entered the service of the Order of Railway Conductors of North America. He was elected in 1894 to the office of grand senior conductor and served six consecutive terms of two years each until September 1, 1906, when he was made president of the order, and he is today the most liberally compensated official of any labor organization in the world. He is also president of the mutual benefit department of the order, which underwrites in exeess of one hundred millions dollars insurance on the members of the organization.
The executive headquarters in Cedar Rapids is a highly efficient business organization doing a banking business larger than any other single organiza- tion of the city and furnishes a very large proportion of the total business of the local postoffice.
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Since 1889 Mr. Garretson has made Cedar Rapids his home and there are few men in the city more widely or favorably known. On the 4th of September, 1873, he married Miss Marie Ream of Somerset, Pennsylvania, and they are the parents of three children. Ivan R., the eldest, is traffic clerk for the Chicago & Eastern Illinois Railway at Chicago, Illinois. Marie Aileen is now the wife of Everett S. Seely, secretary and treasurer of the Dearborn Brass Company of Cedar Rapids. The youngest, Vida, is at home. The family residence is at 1534 Third avenue.
Mr. Garretson comes of good old Quaker stock and by birthright is a member of the Smithfield Meeting. He is a big upstanding man, six feet two and a half inches tall, and in conversation conveys two distinct impressions, first his ab- solute sincerity and second that once enlisted in a cause he believed to be right he would fight and fight hard.
In addition to his duties as executive of the order of which he is president, he serves as one of the members of the executive committee of the recently organized American Railroad Employes & Investors Association. Ilis political support is given to the men and measures of the republican party. He serves as a member of the executive committee of the National Civic Federation, is a member of the Elks and of the Cedar Rapids Country Club.
He finds recreation during his leisure hours in golf and automobiling. Geni- al, companionable and level headed, he has risen through sheer merit to his present prominent place in organized labor, with the interests of which he has been identified for over twenty years, and the order with which he is connected could find no more capable or efficient president than Austin B. Garretson. His genius for organization and execution, combined with a wise conservatism have been large factors in his success and have contributed largely to the practical elimination of the costly strikes of former years. A splendid example of that peculiarly American product, the self-made man, Cedar Rapids numbers him among her successful and prominent citizens.
JAMES J. McCONKIE, M. D.
Dr. James J. McConkie, for many years recognized as one of the distinguished representatives of the medical fraternity in Cedar Rapids, is now virtually retired from the practice of medicine but still retains a deep interest in his chosen life work from a professional standpoint and accedes to the requests of some of his old-time patrons for professional services. He was born on a farmn near Newville, Richland county, Ohio, August 20, 1834, and is of Scotch lineage in the paternal line, his grandparents having both been born and reared in Scotland. Following their marriage they removed to Ireland whence they emigrated to America, settling in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania. Three sons and two daughters were born unto them there. After their children had attained to adult age they removed to Richland county, Ohio, and settled near Newville, where the grandfather of Dr. MeConkie secured a tract of wild land which he cleared and developed. He continued to supervise the operation of his farm until his death which occurred on the 28th of October, 1849, when he was ninety-six years of age.
James MeConkie, the second son of Robert MeConkie and the father of Dr. McConkie, was born February 17, 1793, and accompanied his parents on their removal to Richland county, Ohio. He settled upon the farm adjoining his father's place, cut timber from the stump and cleared a good tract of land upon which he successfully engaged in farming up to the time of his death, which occurred May 1, 1863, when he was seventy-five years of age. In disposition he
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was quiet and peaceable and although not a member of any church, he was a regular attendant of the Presbyterian. His political allegiance was given to the whig party until its dissolution when he joined the ranks of the republican party. In an early day he was elected justice of the peace which office he held for many years, his long service indicating that he "won golden opinions from all sorts of people." About 1826 he married Miss Sarah Johnston and to them were born twelve children, four of whom are now living, namely: James J., John, Alex- ander and Samuel, named in the order of birth. Mrs. McConkie was the daughter of William Johnston, a native of Wales, and was brought to America by her parents when but four years of age, the family home being established in Pennsylvania, whence he afterward removed to Stark county, Ohio. His wife was of Scotch lineage and they were married in Stark county, their family numbering seven sons and four daughters, all of whom lived to marry and rear families of their own.
Dr. James J. MeConkie spent his youthful days in his father's home in Rich- land county, Ohio, and began his education when a little lad of five years as a pupil in a round log school house about eighteen feet square. Along on either side of the room was cut out a space to the length of eight feet and a window frame inserted into the place. Over the frame was placed greased paper which was used until window glass was seeured some time later. Writing desks were formed of a wide board placed in front of the windows and laid upon wooden pins driven into holes which were bored into the logs below the window. The seats in the school room were formed of wide slabs secured at the saw mill and dressed in shape. Into these holes were bored into which were inserted wooden spikes which were called feet. The seats were without backs and little comfort could be obtained thereon. The lower floor of the school room was made of slabs or puncheons which were hewed quite smoothly on one side and placed on joists below, for the upper floor consisted of wide rough boards unmatched or grooved. These were laid on joists that were round save where they had been planed off that the boards might rest on them. In later years the greased paper was replaced by glass adjusted to the sash which was placed to fit the frames. Until Dr. MeConkie was about fourteen years of age he pursued his studies in that rude and humble school house, and during the time became a champion speller, good writer and well advanced in arithmetic. Leaving the farm, he attended a select school for two terms, after which he entered Vermilion Academy, located at Ilayesville, Ohio, where he completed his literary course of study.
Being then twenty years of age. Dr. MeConkie engaged in teaching school and for several years divided his time between teaching and the study of medicine. He was graduated in medicine at Starling Medical College, Columbus, Ohio, and in September, 1859, opened an office in Jeromeville, Ashland county, Ohio, where he entered upon the practice of medicine, in which he still engages as a pastime for the benefit of old friends and others who wished his service.
On the 22d of September, 1859, Dr. MeConkie was united in marriage to Miss Mary Ellen Davey of Richland county, Ohio, and unto them were born six children, but only two are now living, Dr. Willis A. MeConkie and Mrs. Rosa M. Kunzmann, both of Cedar Rapids. Mrs. MeConkie was born October 6, 1838, and died January 22, 1907.
After practicing medieine in Ohio for eight years, Dr. McConkie removed to Michigan where he continued to follow the profession for twenty years. On the 25th of January, 1888, he arrived in Cedar Rapids where he has now made his home for more than twenty-two years. Keeping in touch with the progress of the profession, he has been regarded as one of its most capable and eminent members in Cedar Rapids and a liberal patronage has been accorded him, but in more recent years he has to some extent put aside the more arduous work of the profession to enjoy in well earned retirement an honorable rest. In 1868 he
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identified himself with the Odd Fellows fraternity and filled the chairs of the subordinate lodge three different times and also the chairs of the encampment three different times, but for several years he has not met with the society and is no longer a member of the order. Reared by his mother in the faith of the Presbyterian church, he has been identified with that denomination for over fifty years, and is now a member of Olivet Presbyterian church of Cedar Rapids, of which he was recently elected elder emeritus. In politics he is a stanch republi- can but has never been an office secker, giving his entire time to the practice of his profession. A man of broad general as well as professional knowledge, and of liberal culture, association with Dr. McConkie has meant expansion and elevation.
FRANK P. MCNAMARA
Frank P. MeNamara, a well known farmer and prominent citizen of Buffalo township, has spent his entire life in Linn county, his birth occurring here on the 18th of February, 1866. His parents, John and Ann (Slattery) MeNamara, were natives of Ireland and on their emigration to America in 1849, located in Buffalo, New York, where they spent two years. At the end of that time, how- ever, they came to Iowa and for five years made their home in Jones county. The father then purchased forty acres of land in Buffalo township, Linn county, whereon the family took up their abode. As an agriculturist he steadily prospered and bought more land from time to time as his financial resources increased until he had accumulated five hundred acres in this county, one hundred acres in Jones county, and six hundred and forty .acres in South Dakota. IIis Linn county property he placed under a high state of cultivation and improved by the erection of good, substantial buildings. He continued the operation of his farm for many years but finally deeded eighty acres to each of his children as they became of age. After a useful and well spent life he passed away May 10, 1900, and his wife, who had been a faithful helpmate to him throughout her life, died February 25, 1903. They were communicants of the Catholic church and were laid to rest in Castle Grove Catholic cemetery.
Frank P. MeNamara was reared in much the usual manner of farm lads, acquiring his literary education in the schools near his boyhood home. He was twenty-five years of age when he left the parental roof and settled on the eighty acres of land given to him by his father and to its improvement and cultivation he has since devoted his energies. He has extended the boundaries of his farm from time to time, however, and now has two hundred and forty aeres of very valuable and productive land which has been improved by himself and is now one of the best farms of the county. IIe has always devoted considerable attention to the raising of fine stoek but has never made a specialty of any particular breed except the Hereford cattle.
Mr. MeNamara was married January 24, 1894, to Miss Katy Drummy who, like her husband, acquired a good common school education in her youth. Her parents are W. F. and Lizzie (Kehoe) Drummy, the former a native of New York and the latter of Delaware county, Iowa. They were married on the 25th of October, 1875, and loeated upon a farm in Delaware county. Both are still living. Eleven of the fifteen children born to them also survive. To Mr. and Mrs. McNamara have been born ten children, as follows: Francis P., who was born October 26, 1894, and died August 2, 1896; Thomas E., born February 26, 1896; John W., born August 8, 1897; Elizabeth B., born December 21, 1898; William Joseph, born July 4, 1900; Emlin A., born May 16, 1902; Bernard A., born May 15, 1903; Anna M., born May 30, 1905; Frances D., born June 4, 1907; Bernice M., born June 30, 1909. The parents are faithful members of the
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Catholic church and in his political views Mr. McNamara is liberal, supporting the men and measures he believes best calculated to promote the public welfare. He is a progressive and public-spirited citizen and gives his earnest support to those measures which he believes will advance the general welfare of the community in which he resides.
EDWARD U. BRIDEN
Entering business circles as a bookkeeper, Edward U. Briden is now active in control of one of the most important productive industries of Cedar Rapids, as the secretary and treasurer of the Cedar Rapids Sash & Door Company. Close application and indefatigable energy have been salient features in his advance- ment and as each step has brought him a broader outlook he has improved the opportunities which have been presented and is today prominent in the field of industrial activity in his adopted city. He was born in Bremer county, Iowa, September 27, 1864, and is a son of Horseman and Susan (Gish) Briden.
The father was a native of Cook county, Illinois, but was of English lineage, his parents having come to this country from England and settled on a tract of land that is now included within the corporation limits of Chicago. In 1854 the Briden family removed to Bremer county, settling near Janesville, and it was in that city that Horseman Briden was united in marriage to Miss Susan Gish, who was a native of the Buckeye state and in her maidenhood had come to Iowa with her parents who settled in the town of Waverly. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Briden took up their abode on a farm five miles east of Janesville, in Bremer county, and there the father followed general farming until 1909. His father, William Briden, after locating in Bremer county, entered about one thousand acres of land and on the event of his marriage Horseman Briden received as liis patrimony a farm of one hundred and sixty acres, to which he added from time to time until he became the owner of four hundred acres, con- stituting one of the best improved and most valuable farms of Bremer county. In 1900 he removed to Janesville, where he is now living retired. He and his wife are active and consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church and he gives his political allegiance to the republican party. He has always stood for progress and improvement along agricultural lines in citizenship, and in his relations to the educational and moral progress of the community in which he has made his home and in which he is numbered with the most prominent and honored citizens.
Edward U. Briden was reared on the old home farm and after mastering the elementary branches of learning in the country schools attended the Janesville high school, also Miss Field's Seminary at Waterloo and the Coe College at Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He left the last named institution at the age of nineteen years to take up educational work as a teacher in the country schools and taught for three years, after which he entered the Cedar Rapids Business College, being graduated therefrom with the class of 1886. Immediately thereafter he entered the office of the firm of Williams & Hunting, manufacturers of sash and doors, in the capacity of bookkeeper and shipping elerk. He remained with the firm for seventeen years and at the time of his withdrawal was its vice president and treasurer, having been promoted through intermediate positions and offices until he became the second executive and the manager of the financial interests of the house. He withdrew from the Williams & Hunting Company in April, 1903, and was one of the active promoters of the Cedar Rapids Sash & Door Company, which in the short space of seven years has become one of the leading industries of the city. The plant was opened for operation in August, 1903, and has since been successfully conducted. From the organization of the business Mr. Briden
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