USA > Iowa > Linn County > History of Linn County Iowa : from its earliest settlement to the present time, Volume II > Part 12
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HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY
has been secretary and treasurer and largely to his knowledge of the business in all its details the remarkable success and the growth of the enterprise are due. Each year there has been a demand for inercased space and operating facilities until the output of the plant is now very extensive and a large force of workmen is employed.
On the 14th of April, 1887, Mr. Briden was married to Miss Mary E. Stears, of Waterloo, Iowa, who after a happy married life of about twenty-three years passed away on the 10th of January, 1910, leaving a daughter, Inez M. She held membership in St. Paul's Methodist Episcopal church to which Mr. Briden also belongs. He holds membership in a number of fraternal organizations, including Kingston Lodge, No. 722, I. O. O. F., and the Rebekahs, the Modern Brotherhood Association, the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Trav- elers Protective Association. His political endorsement is given to the republican party but while he keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day and is never remiss in the duties of citizenship, he does not seek nor desire office, preferring to concentrate his energies upon his business affairs which are of constantly growing importance and magnitude. Since entering into active connection with industrial interests he has ever recognized the fact that the present and not the future holds his opportunity, and by the faithful perform- ance of each day's duties he has found inspiration and strength for the labors of the ensuing day. ITis determined purpose has enabled him to overcome the difficulties and obstacles which are always to be met with in business life, and, possessing moreover an initiative spirit that enables him to carefully formulate and execute plans, he has gradually advanced to a foremost position as a representative of the industrial interests of Cedar Rapids.
JAMES EBER BIGGER
The farm upon which he now resides in Marion township was the birth place of James Eber Bigger and his natal day was January 13, 1859. His parents were J. W. and Frances (Acres) Bigger. The father was born in Ireland and after coming to America met and married Frances Aeres, a native of Fayette county, Pennsylvania. Their marriage was celebrated in Linn county, Iowa, where Mr. Bigger arrived in 1838 - a number of years before the admis- sion of the state into the Union. He entered land from the government and at once began to cultivate the farm upon which, up to that time, no furrow had been turned or improvement made. He built his house there and carried on his farming interests until his death which oeeurred August 6, 1875. His widow continued to reside upon the old homestead until her demise, which occurred February 26, 1906. In their family were seven children, of whom four still survive.
In the usual manner of farm lads James E. Bigger spent his youthful days, the common schools affording him his educational privileges, his business training being received under his father's directions. He assisted in the work of the home farm until twenty-one years of age and then took charge of it. As the years have passed he has won success and his prosperity is indicated in the fact that he now owns a valuable property of one hundred and ninety-six acres on sections 8 and 9, Marion township. The fields are well tilled and he annually harvests good crops of corn, wheat and other cereals. He also makes a specialty of raising and selling stock and has become well known in that connection. He is diligent and persevering, accomplishing whatever he undertakes, and in all of his business transactions has never been known to take advantage of the neces- sities of a fellowman.
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On the 7th of February, 1900, Mr. Bigger was married to Miss Elizabeth Seholtz, who was born in Marion township and is a daughter of Henry and Minnie (Schrader) Seholtz, both of whom were natives of Germany, whenee they came to America in 1855 in a sailing vessel that was six weeks in reaching American shores. Both are still living and are now highly esteemed residents of Marion. Their family number six children, including Mrs. Bigger, who, by her marriage, has become the mother of four children: Ethel M., who was born June 3, 1901; James Lawrence, July 7, 1903; Julius W., August 31, 1905, and Gladys L., March 22, 1907.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Bigger hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal church and he is also identified with the Odd Fellows Lodge at Marion. He has served as school director and is interested in public affairs to the extent of giving helpful support to many measures for the general good. In polities he is a republican but the honors and emoluments of office have had no attraction for him. He prefers to concentrate his energies upon his business affairs and his unfaltering diligence and determination have been the strong features in his success, which is as honorable as it is desirable.
E. E. PINNEY
Cedar Rapids counts E. E. Pinney among its most far-seeing, progressive and publie-spirited citizens. He has operated actively and continuously in business cireles and through the stimulus of his exertions has aroused the enterprise of others. He has never consented to hold public office yet he has held many import- ant relations to the public interests, for in all of his activities, commercial and otherwise, the publie has been a large indirect beneficiary.
A native of Vermont, Mr. Pinney was born in Orleans county, on the 31st of May, 1854. His father, Ilenry Pinney, a native of Canada, removed to the Green Mountain state in his childhood days with his parents and after attaining his majority took up the oeeupation of farming. He was recognized not only as a very successful but also as an influential man in his community, trusted and respected by all who knew him. He was chosen by his fellow townsmen to various local positions of honor and trust, including that of representative to state legis- lature and selectman and ever discharged his duties with promptness and fidelity. He passed away at the age of seventy-nine years, while visiting his son, E. E. Pin- ney in Cedar Rapids. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Philena Boynton and was a native of Vermont, had died at a previous date.
E. E. Pinney supplemented his publie-school course by study in Derby Acad- emy, whither he went to prepare for college, but. his eyes failing him, he did not pursue a lengthy college course, but devoted a brief period to study in Eastman's Business College at Poughkeepsie, New York. He made his initial step in com- mereial life as a elerk in a store in Derby Line, Vermont, at a very small salary, selling everything from silks to lumber and working fifteen hours per day. After two years there passed he became imbued with a strong desire to try his fortune in the middle west and in 1874 arrived in Burlington, Iowa. where he remained for a short period. He then went to Civer, Illinois, where he eondueted a store and eoal business and was meeting with the snecess that has usually attended his efforts when he was recalled home on account of the illness of his father and remained in Vermont through the ensuing five years. That he was popular among his fellow townsmen in the distriet in which he had been reared is indicated in the fact that during that period he was elected to the state legislature, serving for one
E. E. Quiny
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term. It was also during the second period of his residence in Vermont that he was married in 1879 to Miss Ellen F. Moulton, a native of Canada and a daughter of Dr. J. F. Moulton.
Mr. Pinney dates his residence in Cedar Rapids from December, 1883, at which time he entered the coal trade here as a member of the firm of Cummings, Wadleigh & Company. While a silent member of the firm, Mr. Pinney was an equal partner and had charge of much of the business. After three years a change in the partnership led to the adoption of the firm style of Cummings & Pinney and in 1893 Mr. Pinney bought out his partner's interest and continued the business under his own name until 1902, when he organized the E. E. Pinney Coal Com- pany, of which he has since remained the head. The rapid growth of the business and the consequent increase in the work connected with its management together with outside interests led to the organization of a stock company, Mr. Pinney admitting a number of his old and reliable employes into a partnership by giving them a working interest to be paid for out of the profits of the business. He has continuously remained as president of the company and has inaugurated a safe business poliey that, combined with progressive methods, has made the enterprise a continuously growing one. It is very gratifying to Mr. Pinney that many of his office employes, who have left with his best wishes to engage in business for them- selves, have almost without exception been successful.
From the time that he became a resident of Cedar Rapids, Mr. Pinney has labored persistently and untiringly for the benefit of the city and few men have done as much to promote business activity and material development here. He is connected with many of Cedar Rapids' most successful business enterprises. He was president of the American Trust & Savings Bank until he sold out his interest ; was one of the organizers of the Independent Telephone Company ; was a director of the old Bohemian American Bank and the Citizens National Bank, recently consolidated with the Merchants National Bank, in which he is a director. Ilis resourceful business ability has made him a valued factor in the management of various concerns and his opinions upon any vital question always carry weight and influence. He was one of the organizers and for some time was the secretary of the Cedar Rapids & Iowa City Railway & Light Company and is still one of its directors. He is a director in the Weleh-Cook Dry Goods Company and the Cook- Laurance Company ; is president of the Williams & Hunting Manufacturing Com- pany ; vice president of the Realty Company; a director of the Allison Hotel; a director of the Cedar Rapids Canning Company and of other enterprises. His plans are always carefully formulated and their execution leads to substantial and desirable results. The material interests of the eity have been promoted in substan- tial measure through his labors and Cedar Rapids acknowledges her indebtedness to him for valuable service.
Mr. Pinney's great pride is in his family, in whose society he spends much of his spare time at home and in daily drives about the country. To him and his wife were born four daughters and a son, namely : Lena, who died at the age of four years; Jean Ethiel and Ruth F., who are graduates of Wellesley College, near Bos- ton, Massachusetts; Charlotte, a graduate of Abbott Academy ; and Eugene M., who is now preparing for Cornell College.
The family is affiliated with the Episcopal church, to which Mr. Pinney gives liberal financial support as well as to many charitable institutions of the city. He has taken high rank in Masonry, attaining the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite, while with the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine he is also affiliated. He likewise belongs to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and to the Country and Commercial Clubs. He is fond of all outdoor sports and takes especial pleasure in horseback riding and golf.
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While he leads an active life and is most devoted to the publie interests he has always refused to hold office but perhaps wields a power which is all the more potent from the fact that it is moral rather than political and is exercised for the publie weal rather than for personal ends. While his chief life work has been that of a remarkably successful merchant and business man, yet the range of his aetiv- ities and the scope of his influence have reached far beyond this special field, his rare aptitude and ability in achieving results making his aid constantly sought. where material and municipal interests are involved.
JAMES C. PICKERING
James C. Piekering has spent the greater part of his life west of the Missis- sippi and in the fields in which he has conducted business operations has met with substantial and honorable success. Many enterprises have felt the stimulus of his activity and have benefitted by his judgment in business matters, which is usually most keen and discriminating. A native of Belmont county, Ohio, Mr. Pickering was born on the 14th of February, 1850. His father, John C. Pieker- ing, was an Ohio farmer, who died about twenty years ago, when sixty-five years of age. His mother hore the maiden name of Lueia J. Baker.
At the usual age James C. Pickering began his edneation in the public schools and afterward attended Springdale Academy. At the age of twenty years he began farming and continuously followed agricultural pursuits until 1880, when he left the plow and went to West Liberty, Iowa, where he was employed in connection with an implement business for about a year. In 1882 he turned his attention to the cattle business in Wyoming, but after a short time there became connected with the C. Anltman Machinery Company of Canton, Ohio, as their sales manager for Iowa, Nebraska and Dakota. For twenty years he continued in the business, becoming financially interested as well. While still manager he is now elosing ont the business for the purpose of concentrating his energies upon his commercial interests at Cedar Rapids. During the period of his active management he had supervision over thirty salesmen and three sub-managers, the expenses of his department amounting to about sixty-six thousand dollars per year. Almost continuously sinee leaving the farm he has been identified with the sale of agricultural implements, thus gaining compre- hensive knowledge of everything in this line upon the market and the relative value of different kinds of machinery.
In 1905 Mr. Pickering opened his present business under the firm name of the Cedar Rapids Machinery & Supply Company, establishing the business with the intention of turning it over to his only living son, Ernst E. Pickering, after a year or so. He is now holding the position of a director in the company in order to give his son the benefit of his advice and experience until he is able to assume the duties of management, the son acting at the present time as treasurer of the company. Mr. Pickering has invested extensively in lands in Texas and Nebraska and to some extent in Kansas and has opened a real estate office in Cedar Rapids in order to dispose of his properties, which he handles exclusively. A man of resourceful business ability, looking ever beyond the exigencies of the moment to the possibilities of the future, he has ever improved his opportunities for profitable investment and has become connected with a number of important corporate coneerns, being a stockholder in the Juggette coal mine; the Pure Food bakery of Cedar Rapids; the Cedar Rapids Wood- working Company, of which he is president ; the Smith-Talbot Manufacturing Company ; and the Montrose Hotel. He is also a heavy investor in Cedar Rapids real estate and derives a gratifying income from his property here.
In 1874 Mr. Piekering was united in marriage to Miss Elma G. Mead, a
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daughter of Philo Mead, of Ohio. They had three children but, as stated, only one is living. Mr. Pickering is an active member of the Commercial Club and a cooperant factor in all of its movements and projects for the business develop- ment and upbuilding of this city. He also belongs to the Country Club of Cedar Rapids and to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. His interests both of a public and private nature have been wide and varied, and in the conduct of business affairs he has shown an aptitude for successful management and judi- cious investment that has brought substantial and gratifying returns. In his vocabulary there is no such word as fail. When one avenue of activity seems closed he seeks out other paths which will lead to the desired result; neither does he ever regard any position as final, but rather as the starting point for further effort. His life has, indeed, been a busy and useful one and he deserves recog- nition among Cedar Rapids' representative citizens.
CARL RABE
Carl Rabe, who has lived retired in Palo since the spring of 1909, won his success as a farmer and stock-raiser and is still the owner of four hundred and sixty-nine acres of valuable land in Fayette township. His birth occurred in Mecklenburg, Germany, on the 27th of December, 1847, his parents being Fritz and Reika (Sukuss) Rabe. They emigrated to the United States in 1867, locat- ing in Watertown, Jefferson county, Wisconsin, where they resided until October, 1869. The latter date witnessed their arrival in Fayette township, Linn county, Iowa, and there the father made his home until called to his final rest on the 19th of September, 1904. The mother still survives at the advanced age of eighty- seven years and makes her home with our subject.
Carl Rabe was reared under the parental roof and obtained his education in the common schools of his native country. Accompanying his parents on their emigration to the new world when a young man of twenty, he became identified with railroad service in Wisconsin as an employe on the wood train, for at that time engines were fired by wood. On coming to Iowa he took up general agricultural pursuits and for fourteen years was actively engaged in the eultivation of rented land. He bought a farm of one hundred and ten acres in Fayette township in 1881 but continued to reside on the rented place until 1887. In the meantime he had purchased another tract of one hundred and sixty acres in Fayette township and thereon he took up his abode in 1887. This is a part of the present Rabe home farm, on which our subject resided until the spring of 1909, when he put aside the active work of the fields and removed to Palo, where he has since lived retired. His land holdings now embrace four hundred and sixty-nine acres of rich and productive land in Fayette township, constituting him one of the prosperous and substantial citizens of the community. He attributes his success largely to his operations as a stockman, having been extensively engaged in the raising of Poland China hogs and shorthorn cattle. The Palo Savings Bank numbers him among its stockholders.
On the 22d of February, 1876, Mr. Rabe was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Drafahl, a native of Illinois. Unto them were born five children, three of whom yet survive, namely : Fred J., a stockman of Fayette township, Linn county ; Dora, the wife of W. G. Cain, a merchant of Cedar Rapids; and Minnie, at home.
When national questions and issues are involved Mr. Rabe votes the repub- lican ticket but at local elections casts an independent ballot, supporting the candidate whom he believes best qualified for the office in question. Fraternally he is identified with Benton City Lodge, No. 81, A. F. & A. M. In religions
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faith he is a Lutheran, while his wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He is an automobile enthusiast and has ever kept abreast with the progress of the times. Though born aeross the water, he is thoroughly Amer- iean in thought and feeling, and is patriotie and sincere in his love for the stars and stripes. His career is identified with the history of Linn county, where he has acquired a competence and where he is an honored and respected citizen.
SAMUEL M. STICKEL
Samuel M. Stiekel, one of the enterprising farmers and eattle raisers of Linn county, is the owner of a rich and productive tract of land comprising one hundred and fifty-seven and one-half acres on section 10, Cedar township. His birth occurred in Ohio in 1862, his parents being Irvin J. and Barbara A. (Newport) Stickel, who were natives of Pennsylvania and Ohio respectively. They came to this county in 1865, purchasing and locating upon the farm which is now in possession of our subject. To the cultivation and improvement of that property Irvin J. Stickel devoted his attention throughout the remainder of his life, passing away on the 23d of September, 1909, while his wife was called to her final rest on the 1st of February, 1910. Unto this worthy couple were born two children, namely : Martin, a resident of Center Point, who is an extensive land- owner of Linn county ; and Samuel M., of this review.
After attaining his majority Samuel M. Stickel took charge of the home farm and was actively engaged in its operation until the time of his parents' death, when the property came into his possession. The place comprises one hundred and fifty-seven and one-half acres of valuable land on section 10, Cedar town- ship, and is lacking in none of the improvements and accessories of a model farm of the twentieth century. In connection with the tilling of the soil Mr. Stickel makes a specialty of raising and breeding polled Angus cattle and his herd of one hundred and twenty head is as fine as can be found in the county.
In politics Mr. Stickel is a republican but the honors and emoluments of office have never had any attraction for him. In religious faith he is a Lutheran. His many excellent traits of character have won him an extensive circle of friends and he is well known and highly esteemed throughout the community in which practically his entire life has been spent.
PETER G. IIENDERSON
Peter G. Henderson, a well known and prominent citizen of Central City, has long been actively identified with the agricultural business interests of Linn county and has done much toward the development and upbuilding of this section of the state. A native of Canada, he was born in St. Reime, on the 2d of January, 1843, and is a son of William and Alie (Bursell) Henderson, the former a native of Scotland and the latter of Yorkshire, England. Wil- liam Henderson was a lad of eight years when he crossed the Atlantic with his father and took up his residence on a farm in Canada, where he engaged in agricultural pursuits until coming to Linn county, Iowa, in the spring of 1854. He purchased a tract of land in Jackson township, which he cleared and im- proved with the assistance of his sons, and continued to engage in farming there until the death of his wife, which occurred June 30, 1874. He then removed to another farm in the same township, where he made his home until he, too, was called to his final rest on the 2d of January, 1892. After the death of his
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Peter & Henderson
Mor PG Henderson
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first wife he married Sarah Willis of Jackson county, who died in June, 1892. By his first union there were six children, namely: William, who died while serving his country during the Civil war; James, president of the Henderson State Bank of Wessington, South Dakota; Peter G., of this review; Robert, a farmer of Cedar county, Iowa; Henry who is engaged in agricultural pursuits in Jackson township, Linn county; and Hannah Jane, the wife of Peter T. Henderson.
Peter G. Henderson passed the first eleven years of his life in Canada and then accompanied his parents on their removal to this county. He remained with them until reaching manhood and on leaving home removed to his present farm on section 28, Jackson township, where he has over two hundred acres of valuable and well improved land. In his farming operations he met with excellent success but has not confined his attention entirely to agricultural pur- suits, for he is interested in a number of business enterprises. Besides his home farm, he owns other property in this county and also extensive real-estate in- terests in Central City. At the present time he gives very little attention to the operaion of his land, as his son Earl now has supervision of the farm work, while he devotes his time to his other business interests.
In 1867 Mr. Henderson was united in marriage to Miss Jane A. Mills, of Jackson township. who was born December 7, 1844, a daughter of Albin D. and Dotha (Ford) Mills, both of whom are now deceased. Her father was a farmer of that township. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Henderson were born six children, name- ly : William, who married Lottie Freeman and is engaged in farming near his father; Elsie, who died in infancy; Ernest, who married Irene Richardson and resides on a farm in Jackson township; IIenry, who married Pearl Ford and is also living near his father; Mary, the wife of William D. McTavish, a stockman of Jackson township; and Earl, who is at home with his father. The mother, who was a most estimable woman, died on the 26th of February, 1909, mourned by all who knew her as well as by her immediate family.
Mr. Ilenderson owns a third interest in a ereamery at Central City and also a half interest in another located on scetion 5, Jackson township, being one of the organizers of that industry in the middle west. He is also interested in banking, being president of the State Bank of Central City and for a number of years has also been president of the Linn County Telephone Company. In connection with E. K. Hatch and Fred MeLeod he secured the right of way for the Illinois Central Railroad through Spring Grove, Jackson and Maine town- ships for a distance of fourteen miles, these gentlemen becoming personally responsible for the payment of the same. This was one of the greatest things for the good of this section that Mr. Henderson has ever accomplished and the people of the community certainly owe him a debt of gratitude which can never be repaid. He and three other gentlemen also conceived the idea of or- ganizing an association for a fair to be held at Central City, which was started and which has since become the largest with possibly one exception in the state, and Mr. Henderson served as its president for several years.
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