USA > Iowa > Linn County > History of Linn County Iowa : from its earliest settlement to the present time, Volume II > Part 15
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Arthur G. Brown was only two years of age when left an orphan by the death of his father. His mother had previously passed away and he was reared by a stepmother, acquiring his education in the public schools of Oneida, Illinois, which he attended to the age of eighteen years. He then began learning the trade of a master baker at Knoxville, Illinois, and after two years he established business in that line on his own account at Stevens Point, Wisconsin, where he remained for three years. On the 15th of February, 1901, he arrived in Cedar Rapids and with the eapital which he had previously acquired he established himself in business here, beginning the manufacture of candies and ice cream. His establishment, known as the Palace of Sweets, has become one of the popular resorts of this character in this city and its trade is constantly growing. Its manufactured products are of the highest grade, tempting the most capricious palate, and as a caterer Mr. Brown is also doing a successful business, his services being constantly in demand by the people of Cedar Rapids and vicinity. His business, too, is earefully and systematically managed and his store is thoroughly equipped with all accessories needed in making the goods which he handles. IIe has recently ereeted a splendid briek business bloek on one of the prominent streets and entertains optimistie views concerning the future of Cedar Rapids.
In 1904 occurred the marriage of Arthur G. Brown and Miss Elizabeth Parrott, of Waverly, Iowa. Fraternally he is connected with the Knights of the Maeeabees, the Knights of Pythias and the Red Men. His political views arc in aeeord with republican principles where national issues are involved, but at local elections when the only question for consideration is the capability of the candidate he easts an independent ballot. Dependent upon his own resources from the age of eighteen years, he has made continuous advancement in business and as the architeet of his own fortune has builded wisely and well, recognizing the faet that there is no exeellenee without labor and that elose application and energy constitute the most substantial foundation for success.
MELVIN J. PEET
Throughout his aetive business career, Melvin J. Peet has engaged in agri- cultural pursuits and is today the owner of a well improved and vahable farm in Buffalo township, Linn county, Iowa. He was born in that township on the 13th of July, 1875, and is one of a family of six children whose parents were Phillip J. and Jane E. (Story) Peet. The birth of the mother occurred in New York, but the father is a native of Iowa, born in Fairview. Soon after their marriage they located on a farm in Buffalo township, this county, where they now reside. The father first purchased eighty aeres of land and added to his property from time to time until he owned three hundred and seventy aeres, but has sinee sold most of this, only retaining forty aeres on which he is now living retired. Industrious and energetic, he met with well merited suecess in his labors and he deserves the rest he is now enjoying.
Until he attained his majority Melvin J. Peet remained under the parental roof and is indebted to the public schools of the locality for the educational priv- ileges he enjoyed. On starting out in life for himself he rented a part of his father's farm which he operated for two years and then purchased a one hundred and twenty aere traet on which he now resides. It is a well improved place and he has placed it under a high state of eultivation. He is not only engaged in
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general farming but makes a specialty of high grade stock and both branches of his business have proved profitable, for he is wide awake and energetic and thoroughly understands the occupation which he has chosen as a life work.
On the 25th of May, 1898, Mr. Peet was united in marriage to Miss Nancy Wolmutt, a daughter of Joseph and Mary (Bennish) Wolmutt, both of whom were natives of Bohemia but came to America when quite young. They settled in Linn county, Iowa, where the father continued to make his home throughout the remainder of his life, dying in 1886. The mother is still living, however, and continues to make her home in Buffalo township. In their family were ten children. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Peet are as follows: Miles A., born February 13, 1899; Wilma M., who was born October 9, 1901, and died January 31, 1906; Howard M., born June 28, 1903; Nellie M., born May 16, 1905 ; Loren, born September 1, 1908.
Politically Mr. Peet is an ardent republican and is now efficiently serving as trustee of his township. He never withholds his support from men and measures which he deems will be of public benefit and is regarded as one of the leading and progressive citizens of the community. Fraternally he is a member of Camp No. 32, Modern Woodmen of America, at Anamosa, Iowa, and both he and his wife hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal church.
JOHN CHRISTMAN
John Christman, deceased, was one of the worthy citizens that France has furnished to this country, but for over half a century Iowa claimed him as one of her residents and he was prominently identified with the business affairs of Spring- ville for almost thirty years. He was born in France in 1826 and there spent the first nine years of his life, acquiring the greater part of his literary education in the schools of his native land. At an early age he crossed the Atlantic to the new world and took up his residence in Pennsylvania, where he spent some time.
In 1835 Mr. Christman came to Dubuque county, Iowa, where he grew to man- hood and was married in 1851 to Miss Elizabeth Berg. She was born in Germany in 1830 and was only five years of age when she came to America with her parents, the family locating in Butler county, Pennsylvania, where the father's death occurred in 1848. There the mother also died some time later. In their family were twelve children, but Mrs. Christman is now the only one living. It was in 1850 that she accompanied her sister on her removal to Dubuque, Iowa, and the following year she gave her hand in marriage to Mr. Christman, who was engaged in mercantile pursuits in that city for nine years. In 1862 he removed to Spring- ville, where he followed the same business with good success. He also served as the first agent for the Milwaukee Railroad Company at Springville and, being energetic and thoroughly reliable, he prospered in all of his undertakings, hecom- ing a man of affluence as well as of prominence in the county of his adoption.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Christman were born nine children, as follows: Leonard B., now living in Texas; Cecilia, the wife of Charles Wesley Daniels, whose home is in Michigan ; Fannie, the wife of Alfred Flude, now of Chicago, Illinois; Jacob, a physician of Pittsburg, Pensylvania; Anna Belle, the wife of Fenton Hann, of Springville ; and four who are now deceased. After a useful and well spent life the father passed away October 26, 1889, leaving a large fortune to his widow and children. The former is now the owner of five good residences and a large store building in Springville.
John Christina
Élisabeth Christman
1
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Fraternally Mr. Christman was an active and prominent member of the Ma- sonie order and politically was an ardent republican, taking a commendable interest in public affairs and doing all in his power to advance the interests of his community both materially and morally. His wife was reared in the Catholic faith and the family is one of prominence in the community in which they reside.
JOHN H. KRAMER
The growth of a eity does not depend so much upon its machinery of govern- ment or even upon the men who control its municipal affairs as upon its business activity. Where many interests center, conducted by men of enterprise and determination, growth and prosperity are sure to follow. Mr. Kramer is identi- fied with one of the productive industries of Cedar Rapids, where he is now carrying on a successful business as a cigar manufacturer, employing a large force of workmen, his output all being taken by merchants in this part of the state.
Mr. Kramer was born near Akron in Summit county, Ohio, April 23, 1843, a son of J. H. and Catherine (Dice) Kramer, the former a native of Germany and the latter of Ohio. The father came to the new world in 1835, settling first in Baltimore, Maryland, where he remained for four years. He then made his way to St. Louis, Missouri, where he resided for some time, and subsequently went to Akron, Ohio, where he was engaged in the grocery business and also condueted a cigar factory, becoming one of the enterprising and leading business men at that place. He died about 1881.
When seventeen years of age John H. Kramer left school to join the army, offering his services to the country in 1861 soon after the outbreak of the Civil war. He was assigned to duty with the Sixth Ohio Independent Artillery, which at that time was known as Sherman's brigade, and he participated in many hotly contested battles, including the engagements at Perryville, Pittsburg Landing, Nashville and the battle of Chickamauga. He reenlisted in 1863 and was sent to the Mexican border, where he remained until the regiment returned to Columbus, Ohio, and was there honorably discharged in the fall of 1865. He had then been at the front for almost four years and yet was but twenty-two years of age at the time he left the army.
Following his military experience Mr. Kramer started to work as a elerk and salesman in his father's store, where he remained for about four years. He afterward accepted the position of salesman for a wholesale house dealing in lumbermen's supplies and acted in that capacity for some time. He afterward went to Iowa City, where he was employed as a cigar maker, thoroughly master- ing the business and becoming an expert workman. Afterward he entered into partnership with C. W. Landaberg and the relation was maintained for a year and a half, after which Mr. Kramer continued the business alone, but during the hard times, from 1876 until 1878, he lost all that he had, owing to the generous spirit which prompted him to help his partner. He then went to Lincoln, Nebraska, where he became active in the labor movement and in poli- ties. He held the position of assessor there and also deputy sheriff for a time. IIe afterward went to various towns, working at his trade, and in 1902 came to Cedar Rapids, where he was employed as a cigar maker for about three years. In 1905 he established his present business and has met with growing success in the undertaking, now having a large force of workmen. The excellence of his output secures him a liberal patronage and his goods are all sold in this locality.
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He employs the most modern methods in the manufacture and in the treatment of tobacco and his different brands of cigars find a ready sale.
Mr. Kramer was married in 1872 to Miss Belle Freer, a daughter of Daniel and Susan Freer, of Iowa City. She died in 1897, leaving a son, Charles H., who is now on the police force of Cedar Rapids
JAMES RAFTER
James Rafter, a well known farmer and dairyman of Marion township, is thic owner of sixty acres of productive land on section 29. His birth occurred in New York city on the 3d of July, 1860, his parents being Thomas and Anna (Dulenty) Rafter, both of whom were natives of Ireland. They crossed the Atlantic to the United States at an early day, taking up their abode in the state of New York, where Thomas Rafter passed away in 1864. ITis widow afterward came to Linn county, Iowa, settling in Marion, where she continued to reside until called to her final rest in March, 1910, at the age of sixty-eight years. She was the mother of three children, two of whom still survive.
James Rafter attended the common schools in pursuit of an education and lived with his mother until thirty-seven years of age, when he was married and established a home of his own. At that time he purchased a part of the old homestead farm and also rented a portion and has since devoted his attention to general agricultural pursuits with excellent success. He now owns one hundred and sixty acres on section 29, Marion township, and also has a quarter section of land in South Dakota. In addition to the cultivation of cereals he also conducts a dairy and both branches of his business are proving remunerative.
As a companion and helpmate on the journey of life Mr. Rafter chose Miss Katherine Russell, a native of Lansing, lowa, by whom he has a daughter, Anna Dorothy, who was born May 3, 1901.
At the polls Mr. Rafter casts his ballot in support of the men and measures of the democracy but has never sought office for himself. Fraternally he is identified with the Modern Woodmen of America at Marion, while both he and his wife are faithful communicants of the Catholic church. Throughout the long period of his residence in this county Mr. Rafter has displayed many good qualities which have won him warm friendships and high regard.
CHARLES T. BROWN, M. D.
In fourteen years' connection with the medical fraternity Dr. Charles T. Brown worked his way upward to a foremost position in its ranks, and the liberal patronage accorded him is indicative of the confidence and trust reposed in him. He was born on a farm at Springville, Linn county, on the 1st of Angust, 1866, and represents one of the old pioneer families of this part of the state, his parents being T. C. and Helen (Johnston) Brown. ITis father was a native of Ross county, Ohio, and came to Linn county with his father in 1852. Here he took up the occupation of farming, which he followed successfully for many years, but is now living retired.
In the district schools Dr. Brown began his education and later continued his studies in the public schools, while subsequently he matriculated in Cornell College, from which he was graduated with the class of 1892. In that institu- tion he studied civil engineering and for some time was assistant city engineer of Cedar Rapids. He practiced his profession during and after leaving college
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and in this way earned the money with which he met the expenses of his medical education. After spending two years as a medical student in the Iowa State Uni- versity he entered the Chicago Homeopathic Medical College, from which he was duly graduated, and then began practice at Tipton, Iowa, where he remained for nine months. Subsequently he went to Waverly, Iowa, where he continued until February 1, 1909, when he returned to Cedar Rapids and located in his present office in the Cedar Rapids Savings Bank building. IIere he has secured a good practice and his ability has become recognized. He keeps in touch with the trend of modern professional thought and investigation through his membership in the Linn County Medical Society, the Iowa State Medical Society and the American Medical Association.
In August, 1903, Dr. Brown was united in marriage to Miss Irene Chaffee, a native of Elwood, Iowa, and a daughter of the Rev. W. N. Chaffec. They have become the parents of three children : Florence and Elcanor, twins; and Richard McClure. Dr. and Mrs. Brown have many friends in this city and he is popular in Masonic circles, holding membership in the lodge, chapter and commandery. He frequently exemplifies the beneficent spirit of the craft in his practice by the generous aid which he renders when he knows that no financial remuneration can be expected. He is, however, building up a substantial and gratifying prac- tice and his ability is being continually augmented by his close and discrimi- nating research and study.
FRANK B. TISDALE
Reliable and trustworthy at all times, Frank B. Tisdale, now deceased, enjoyed the confidence of all with whom he came in contact, and his record there- fore deserves place with the representative citizens of Cedar Rapids. He was one of the city's native sons, his birth having here occurred on the 4th of May, 1869, while on the 29th of April, 1904, he passed away. He was the son of Daniel and Harriet Jane (Edick) Tisdale. The father was a carriage maker and became a good workman, at length establishing business on his own account, operating a carriage factory for a number of years. Some time before his death, however, he retired from active life, spending his remaining days in the enjoyment of well earned rest. He removed the family from Frankfort, New York, to Iowa and established his home in Cedar Rapids, where he was well known as an industrious, persevering and capable business man. He owned a homestead on Sixth avenue and his interests centered in his family, his greatest pleasure coming to him when he was with his wife and children at his own fireside.
Frank B. Tisdale was the sixth in order of birth in a family of nine children and at the usual age he entered school in Cedar Rapids, pursuing his studies through successive grades until he put aside his text-books in order to earn his own living. He was first employed as clerk in a store and afterward secured a position in a cracker factory, being connected with the clerical force, and for a time he worked in a shoe factory. Later he was employed as one of the office men with the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern Railroad Company. Ile then entered the employ of the A. N. Palmer Company, with whom he remained up to the time of his death as one of the most trusted and capable employes of the house. His ability secured him a position of large responsibility and his diligence and fidelity were elements in the continued growth of the business.
On the 4th of November, 1891, Mr. Tisdale was married to Miss Lulu Davis, a daughter of W. L. and Martha (Cowden) Davis. Her father was postmaster at Lisbon, Iowa, and has been connected with the postoffice in Cedar Rapids for
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the past twenty years. He is a prominent and influential resident of this city, having many friends here.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Tisdale were born three children: Leslie Owen, now a high-school student; and Lois Blanche, also attending school; and one who died in infancy. The death of the father occurred on the 29th of April, 1904, when he was but thirty-five years of age. He belonged to the Modern Woodmen and to the Methodist Episcopal church and his life was an upright and honorable one, gaining for him the warm regard and kindly feeling of all with whom he came in contact.
DAVID GILLMORE
In the year in which Iowa was admitted to the Union, David Gillmore became a resident of this state, being at that time a lad of about eleven years. He was born in Ireland in September, 1835, his parents being Alexander and Eliza Gill- more, who were also natives of the Emerald isle, whence they sailed for America in 1835. They established their home in Erie county, New York, and there resided for seven years, after which they sought the opportunities of the growing west and removed to Linn county, Iowa, in 1846. It was not until three years later that Cedar Rapids was founded and in this section of the state the work of improvement and development seemed scareely begun. Indians at times still visited the neighborhood and on the outlying prairies was found considerable wild game. With the work of early development along agricultural lines Alex- ander Gillmore became closely associated. He first cultivated a rented farm for six years and then purehased a tract of land in Marion township which he converted into a productive farm upon which he and his wife spent their remain- ing days. The former died March 20, 1877, and was long survived by Mrs. Gillmore who passed away in January, 1906. In their family were eight chil- dren, six of whom are yet living.
David Gillmore remained upon the old homestead farm until thirty years of age. ITis educational opportunities were those which could be secured upon the frontier and he shared with the family in the hardships and experiences of pioneer life. On leaving the old homestead le purchased a farm of one hundred and twenty acres in Marion township and with characteristic energy began its development and improvement. As the years have passed he has won a credit- able measure of success and making further investments in real estate, he is now the owner of two hundred acres of as fine land as can be found in the county. Not only has he successfully cultivated the crops but he has also made a specialty of buying and raising stock of all kinds and handles high grades. Owing to the intelligent direction of his labors and his unfaltering enterprise, he is meeting with substantial success and is now numbered among the men of affluence in Marion township.
On the 18th of January, 1875, Mr. Gillmore was united in marriage to Miss Addie Jones, who was born in Marion on the 2nd of October, 1854, and is a daughter of John H. and Mary (Carmean) Jones, natives of Ohio. The father came to Iowa at an early day and after living here for a time returned to Ohio where he remained until 1869. Ile then came again to Linn county, but was not long permited to enjoy his new home, for his death occurred on the 6th of April, 1870. His widow still survives and is now living in Marion in her eighty-eighth year. Mrs. Gillmore was one of a famly of seven children and by her marriage has become the mother of one son, David Earl, who was born February 16, 1892. He has been edneated in the Business College of Cedar Rapids and is at home with his parents.
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Mr. Gillmore has always been independent in politics, casting his vote for the candidates whom he thinks best qualified for office. He and his wife are mem- bers of the Dry Creek Agricultural Society and both are members of the Meth. odist Episcopal church. For sixty-four years he has lived in this county and his memory forms a connecting link between the primitive past and the progres- sive present. flis life has been well spent and his activity and reliability have constituted the foundation of the success which he now enjoys.
FREDERICK P. FERNOW
Frederick P. Fernow, whose efforts as a farmer and stock-raiser have been attended with a well merited measure of success, is the owner of two hundred and ten acres of valuable land on sections 4 and 33, Marion township. His birth occurred in Linn county, Iowa, on the 18th of September, 1868, his parents being Samuel and B. A. Fernow, of whom more extended mention is made on another page of this work. In his youthful years he enjoyed the educational advantages afforded by the common schools, and after attaining his majority he devoted his attention to the operation of the old homestead farm for a few years, having been reared to the work of the fields. In the fall of 1906 he purchased a tract of eighty acres on section 33, Marion township, in the further cultivation and improvement of which he has since been actively engaged. The well tilled fields annually yield bounteous harvests and his operations as a raiser and feeder of stock are likewise proving profitable.
On the 27th of February, 1894, Mr. Fernow was united in marriage to Miss Olive B. Howard, who was born in Galesburg, Illinois, in 1871. Her parents, Frank M. and Helen C. (Gage) Howard, who are likewise natives of Illinois, removed to Ottumwa, Iowa, in 1904. Mrs. Fernow had but one brother, Fred M., who is now deceased. By her marriage she has become the mother of four children, as follows: Esther Pearl, whose natal day was March 23, 1895, and who is now attending the high school at Marion; Howard M., whose birth occurred February 5, 1900; and Margaret E., and Marjory H., twins, who were born July 24, 1905.
In politics Mr. Fernow is a republican and, as every true American citizen should do, keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day. The cause of education finds in him a stalwart champion and he has served in the capacity of school director, but aside from that has not held nor desired public office. His entire life has been spent in Linn county and he is widely recognized as one of its substantial agriculturists and esteemed citizens.
GEORGE W. RANDALL
George W. Randall spent the later years of his life in honorable retirement in Cedar Rapids and prior to that time was closely associated with the agricultural interests of Linn county. His honesty in business affairs, his reliability in citizenship and his devotion to the welfare of family and friends were qualities which won for him the high regard of all with whom he was associated. He was born in Kendall, Orleans county, New York, in 1828, his parents being Amos and Fanny (Tahor) Randall. The father was a native of Massachusetts, while the mother was born in Vermont. In their family were six children, including George W. Randall, who resided in the Empire state up to the time of his mar- riage, which was celebrated in 1854, the lady of his choice being Miss Ann S.
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Avery, who was born in Massachusetts and was a daughter of Jeremialı and Edith P. (Hoar) Avery and a cousin of George Frisbie Hoar, the distinguished statesman.
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