USA > Iowa > Linn County > History of Linn County Iowa : from its earliest settlement to the present time, Volume II > Part 16
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For about two years after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Randall continued to reside in the east and in 1855 sought a home in the middle west, settling first in Rockford, Illinois. Her parents accompanied them to that state and there her mother died in 1867, after which the father came to Cedar Rapids and passed away in this eity in 1891. Although he had reached the venerable age of ninety- one years at the time of his death, he was active to the last, retaining his mental and physical faculties to a remarkable degree. Mr. and Mrs. Randall continued their residence in Illinois for about eleven years and in 1867 eame to Linn county, Iowa, where he purchased a farm, continuing its cultivation until 1880. During that period he energetically and perseveringly carried on the work of the fields and won such good results that as the years passed he accumulated a comfortable competence. He then retired from active business life and removed to Cedar Rapids, where he built a beautiful residence at No. 1414 East First avenue. For eighteen years thereafter he was permitted to enjoy his new home and the companionship of his family, but in 1898 was called to his final rest, leaving a widow and four children to survive him.
The family numbered two sons and two daughters: Charles W., who is now in Mason City, Iowa; Rev. Amos A. Randall, living in La Crosse, Wisconsin ; Mary R., the wife of C. O. Bates, one of the professors in Coe College at Cedar Rapids; and Fannie R., the wife of E. R. Watters, of Seattle, Washington. Mrs. Randall was educated in western New York, where she taught school for several years. She is a lady of broad and liberal culture and innate refinement and is a consistent member of the Presbyterian church of Cedar Rapids, with which she has been identified for forty-one years, taking an active and helpful interest in its work and contributing generously to its support as her financial resources have permitted.
JOSEPH J. CALDWELL
A finely improved farm property of two hundred and fifty aeres, situated in Bertram township, has been the home of Joseph J .- Caldwell since 1897, at which time he located in Linn county. He is a native of Indiana, born on the 20th of June, 1836. a son of Joseph and Nancy ( Runnells) Caldwell, natives of Maryland and Virginia, respectively. In the year 1852 they journeyed from Indiana to Johnson county, where the father entered land and lived in true pioneer style. He built a house of clapboards and to keep out the cold he daubed the same with mud. They continued their residence in Johnson county until their deaths. Their family numbered seven children, but Joseph J. of this re- view is the only one now living.
Joseph J. Caldwell was reared in the state of his nativity to the age of six- teen years and it was in the schools of Indiana that he acquired his education. At that period in his life he accompanied his parents on their removal to Johnson county, lowa. and shared with the other members of the household in the privations of a pioneer existence, incident to establishing a home in a new country. He assisted his father in the development and improvement of the home farm, remaining under the parental roof until he had attained his majority, at which time he rented a part of the old homestead. It was through this means that he acquired the competence that a few years later enabled him to purchase eighty acres of land, on which he made his home until 1897. He then disposed of his property in Johnson county and in that year came to Linn county, pur-
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chasing two hundred and fifty aeres in Bertram township. On the place stands a good country residence, substantial barns and outbuildings, and everything about the farm is kept in a good state of repair, so that his is one of the valuable properties of this section of the state. He makes a specialty of raising Duroc Jersey hogs and has been very successful in this venture.
In 1866 oceurred the marriage of Mr. Caldwell and Miss Mary Douglas, who was born in Ohio. After a happy married life of twenty-six years Mr. Caldwell was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, her death occurring in September, 1892. On the 7th of June, 1894, he was again married, his second union being with Miss Elizabeth Blain, who was born in Linn county, April 2. 1874, a daughter of Jesse and Emma (Hunter) Blain, natives of Johnson and Linn counties, Iowa, respectively. Their family numbered ten children and the parents are still living, making their home in Linn county. By her marriage Mrs. Caldwell has become the mother of two children: Sherwin, at home; and Iles, whose death occurred in 1910.
Mr. Caldwell is a republican in his political views and affiliations but has never desired nor held publie office. Both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, while Mrs. Caldwell is identified with the Rebekah lodge. Mr. Caldwell may truly be called a self-made man, for, starting out without capital, he has worked his way steadily upward until today he stands among the successful men of Linn county, in possession of a competeney that supplies him with all the comforts of life.
EDGAR MILTON OXLEY
Edgar Milton Oxley, who passed away on the 24th of May, 1902, was for a number of years identified with industrial interests in Marion as a bridge car. penter in the employ of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway Company. His birth occurred near Springville, Linn county, Iowa, on the 21st of September, 1857, his parents being James Milton and Mary (Reaneau) Oxley, both of whom were natives of Indiana. They came to Linn county in the early '40s and here the father continued to reside throughout the remainder of his life, his demise occurring in Springville. The mother, who still survives, has now attained the age of seventy-nine years and makes her home in Springville, where she has an extensive circle of friends. She reared a family of seven chil- dren, as follows: Mrs. Julius White, of Rolfe, Iowa ; Mrs. Mattie Gill, Mrs. Cora Stone, Mrs. Alberta Pickering and Mrs. Althea Beck, all of whom reside in Springville; Edgar M., of this review ; and Evart T., living in Dana, Iowa.
On the 31st of March, 1880, Edgar M. Oxley was united in marriage to Miss Ehna F. Bear, who was born in this county on the 28th of September, 1859, a daughter of Samuel and Rebecca (Raffensparger) Bear, who were natives of Ohio and Pennsylvania respectively. The year 1850 witnessed their arrival iu Linn county and here they made their home on a farm until called to their final rest, the father passing away on the 8th of August, 1884, and the mother on the 18th of October, 1867. Their children were four in number, namely: Mary, the wife of Nelson Paulson, of Kenwood Park, Iowa ; John A., living in this county ; Mrs. Oxley ; and Marion A., who resides near Kingsley, Iowa. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Oxley was born a son, Homer, who lives in Marion. Homer Oxley married Miss Maude Osborne, a daughter of Jackson and Mary Osborne, of Marion, and unto them have been born two children: Edgar J. and Mary F., aged four and two years respectively.
The year following his marriage Mr. Oxley took up his abode on his father's farm near Springville and the next year removed to Greene county, this state,
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where he remained for three years. On the expiration of that period he went to Bayard, Iowa, and in 1890 came to Marion, where he entered the service of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway Company as a bridge carpenter, remain- ing a trusted and valuable employe of the corporation until the time of his death. Fraternally he was identified with the Ancient Order of United Work- men, who had charge of the funeral services, which were held in the Methodist Episcopal church of Marion. His remains were interred in the Oak Shade cemetery. He was ever a devoted husband and loving father and, though modest and retiring in disposition, his friends were many. Ilis widow still lives in Marion, where she is well known and highly esteemed as a lady of many excellent traits of heart and mind.
ANTONIO NASO
Among the element which goes to make up the majority of the citizenship of Cedar Rapids are many who have, by the utilization of their native talents and the opportunities here offered, worked their way up in the business world and have become foremost in their various lines of activity. Numbered among those who have attained a most gratifying degree of success in their chosen field of labor is Antonio Naso. He is a native of Sicily, and a son of Francesco Naso, who was born in Termini, Sicily, and served his country as a naval officer, with the rank of captain, for four years. Later he again entered the Italian navy in 1863, serving throughout the war with Austria, and subse- quently took up merchandising as his life work, conducting business in Termini until the time of his death, which occurred in 1883. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Gueseppi Lazio, passed away in 1878. In their family were six children, of whom one died in infancy. The others are: Francesca, now the wife of Matte Purpini, of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania; Gujotina, a fruit dealer of San Francisco, California; Antonia Delmonica, the widow of Augustino Lazio, now residing in the old home in Termini, Sicily; and Salvador, engaged in the mercantile business at Marion, Iowa.
Antonio Naso, the subject of this review, spent the period of his boyhood and youth in his native country and it was in 1884 that he decided to try his fortunes in the new world. Crossing the Atlantic to the United States, he first made his way to Burlington, Iowa, where he undertook to provide for his own support as a fruit dealer. He there continued to sell fruit in a small way for two years, or until 1886, when he came to Cedar Rapids and here opened up a fruit and con- fectionery store, which he conducted for about six years. At the expiration of that time he sold out and went to Waterloo, Iowa, where after three months he lost his wife. Ile continued in business in that city for sixteen months, when he returned to Cedar Rapids and has since made this his place of residence. Here he carries on a wholesale and retail fruit business which, with the passing years, has grown from a small enterprise into one of the principal concerns of this kind in the city. Realizing that work is the basis of all success, he has, by patient, persistent labor, sought to expand his business and the large and constantly inereasing patronage which is today accorded him is the logical result of his intelligently directed efforts, his untiring energy and unfaltering perseverance.
After losing his first wife, who hore the maiden name of Maria Guchardi, Mr. Naso was again married, his second union being with Nelly Gnehardi, a sister of his former wife. Unto them have been born six children, as follows: Francesco Antonio, Leonardo Philippo, Gueseppo Maria, Theresa Delmonica, Antonio Lorenzo and Gujton Mecali, of whom the first four are students in the public schools of Cedar Rapids.
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Mr. Naso's religious belief is indicated by the fact that he holds membership in the Catholic church, while in politics he gives stalwart allegiance to the republican party. Although of foreign birth, he has ever remained loyal to the laws and institutions of his adopted country, and Cedar Rapids has no more faithful citizen than he who more than a quarter of a century ago left the land of his nativity to seek his fortune in the new world. Although a stranger to the customs and language of the people with whom he cast in his lot, he never for a moment doubted the outcome but persevered from year to year until today he has attained that success which ranks him among the substantial business men of the city.
TIIURLOW WADE JOHNSON
T. W. Johnson, an energetic and enterprising farmer and stock-raiser of Grant township, was born in Ohio on the 13th of October, 1861. His parents, Joseph P. and Sarah (Wiard) Johnson, were both natives of the state of New York. They came to this eounty in 1868, locating on the farm where our subject now resides. Joseph P. Johnson was a soldier of the Civil war, having enlisted September 4, 1864, and was honorably discharged July 4, 1865. He passed away on the 8th of December, 1894, but his widow, who has attained the age of eighty- two years, still survives and makes her home with her son, T. W. She became the mother of eight children, six of whom are yet living.
T. W. Johnson atended the common schools in the acquirement of an educa tion and when not busy with his text-books assisted his father in the work of the home farm, thus gaining practical knowledge of the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops. Since his father's death he has had entire charge of the old homestead place and now owns forty acres thereof on section 9, Grant township. In addition to the cultivation of cereals he makes a specialty of rais- ing and feeding hogs and both branches of his business return to him a gratifying annual income.
Politically Mr. Johnson is a stalwart republican, having supported the men and measures of that party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. He has ably served in the capacity of township trustee for the past eleven years and has acted as a school director for nine years. Fraternally he is identified with the Modern Woodmen of America, belonging to Camp No. 4169, at Walker, of which he has served as clerk for two years. The period of his residence in Linn county, now covers more than four decades and he has a host of warm friends within its borders.
ALONZO L. DE WEES
Alonzo L. De Wees, the owner of a well improved farm of eighty acres on section 21, Washington township, was born in Washington county, Iowa, on the 29th of December, 1870, his parents being Curtis and Lavina J. (Dawson) De Wees, who were natives of Ohio and Indiana respectively. At an early day they removed to Washington county, Iowa, locating on a farm. The mother of our subject passed away in 1890, her demise occurring in Adams county, this state, where Curtis De Wees still makes his home. Unto him and his wife were born nine children, six of whom yet survive.
Alonzo L. De Wees remained under the parental roof until he had attained his majority. He then took up evangelistic work, which he carried on for five
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years. Subsequently he turned his attention to general agricultural pursuits and for two years was engaged in the operation of a rented farm near Vinton. In 1902 he bought his present place of eighty aeres on seetion 21, Washington township, and has there carried on his farming interests continuously since. In addition to cultivating the cereals best adapted to soil and climate he makes a specialty of raising and feeding hogs and his undertakings in both connections have met with success.
In June, 1896, Mr. De Wees was united in marriage to Miss Mamie E. Floyd, a native of Benton county, Iowa, and a daughter of Malon and Martha (Linder- man) Floyd, who were born in Ohio and Germany respectively. They took up their abode in Benton county, Iowa, at an early day and still reside there on a farm of three hundred aeres. Mrs. De Wees, who was one of five children born to her parents, followed the profession of school teaching for sixteen terms.
Politically Mr. De Wees is a republican, believing that the principles of that party are most conducive to good government. The cause of education has ever found in him a staneli champion and he is now serving as a school director. Both he and his wife are consistent and devoted members of the Methodist Epis- eopal ehureh, exemplifying its teachings in their daily lives. A young man of high worth and sterling integrity, Mr. De Wees is much esteemed in the com. munity in which he lives.
WILLIAM HENRY ROBERTS
William Henry Roberts, a progressive and enterprising agriculturist residing on seetion 36, Marion township, was born in Raeine county, Wisconsin, on the 16th of March, 1853. His parents, John and Sarah (Jenkins) Roberts, werc natives of England and Long Island respectively. The year 1856 witnessed their removal to Fayette county, Iowa, where the father continued to reside throughout the remainder of his life, passing away in 1907. The mother still survives and has attained the age of seventy-six years. They reared a family of four children, all of whom are yet living.
William H. Roberts attended the common schools in the acquirement of au education and remained at home until twenty-one years of age. He then secured employment as a farm hand and was thus busily engaged for eleven years, ou the expiration of which period he began the operation of a rented farm. At the end of a year he purchased a quarter section of land in Marion township, Linn county, and made his home thereon for four years. After disposing of the property he bought his present farm of one hundred and twenty-two and a half aeres on section 36, Marion township, where he has sinee carried on his agrieul. tural interests with excellent suceess. In addition to the eultivation of cereals he makes a specialty of feeding stoek and this branch of his business adds materially to his income.
On August 10, 1887, Mr. Roberts was united in marriage to Miss May E. Grandle, a native of Ohio and a daughter of Harvey and Susan Grandle. The mother has passed away but the father still survives and makes his home in Marion. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Roberts were born four children, as follows: Harvey R., who is deceased; John R., who was graduated from the Marion high school in 1905, and is now engaged as bookkeeper at the Farmers and Merchants Bank of Marion ; Bertha M., a graduate of the Marion schools, who now follows the profession of teaching; and Carroll F., a high school graduate of the class of 1910.
In polities Mr. Roberts is a staneh republican and for twelve years he was the capable ineumbent in the office of road supervisor. He likewise served on
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the school board for twelve years and acted as its president during three years of that time. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Meth- odist Episcopal church, with which his wife is also affiliated. They are widely and favorably known throughout the community, their upright and honorable lives commending them to the confidence and esteem of all with whom they come in contact.
BENJAMIN BOWMAN
Benjamin Bowman, whose demise occurred September 16, 1902, was for many years extensively and successfully identified with the agricultural interests of Linn county, owning and operating a farm of four hundred and fifteen acres in Marion township. Ile was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, on the 26th of February, 1830, and remained in the state of his nativity until twenty-two years of age, when he came to Linn county, Iowa. In 1856 he went to Ohio and was there married, but soon afterward returned to this county with his bride. Locating at Marion, he was there engaged in the milling business for five years and then purchased a farm of four hundred and fifteen acres in Marion town- ship, to the further cultivation and improvement of which he devoted his time and energies until called to his final rest. The estate was then divided among his children, with the exception of the tract of fifty acres on which his widow makes her home. Mr. Bowman had long been numbered among the highly esteemed and prosperous residents of the community and his death was the occasion of deep and widespread regret.
Mrs. Bowman, who bore the maiden name of Eliza Wilson, was born in Ohio in 1832. Her parents, Abel and Mary (Forry) Wilson, werc natives of Vir- ginia and Pennsylvania respectively, her father's birth occurring in 1799. MIs. Bowman's grandmother was born in 1797 and lived to the advanced age of ninety-seven years.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Bowman were born five children, as follows: Arthur W., a resident of Omaha, Nebraska; James W., who is the cashier of the First National Bank of Marion, Iowa; Mary B., who is the wife of B. F. Gill and resides with her mother on the old homestead place; Nettie L., the wife of George A. Strong; and Myrtle, who is the wife of W. B. Sebern, of this county. Mrs. Bowman is a faithful and devoted member of the Presbyterian church and has an extensive circle of friends throughout the county where she has now lived for more than a half century, her many good traits of heart and mind having endeared her to all with whom she has come in contact.
JOHN M. THOMPSON
While the record of his father, the Hon. William G. Thompson, may be an inspiration to the son, the former's prominence is no guaranty of success for the latter, as he is devoting his energies and attention to a profession wherein success must be won through individual effort and merit. That John M. Thompson is numbered among the strong and able lawyers of the Marion bar is due entirely to his capability and the careful and thorough manner in which he prepares his cases and his logical arguments before the court. He was born in Marion, May 24, 1875, spent his youthful days in his parents' home and, passing through con- secutive grades of the public schools, was graduated from the Marion high school with the class of 1893. He then entered Coe College, from which he was grad-
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uated with the class of 1897. In the summer of that year he took up the study of law, reading in the office of J. H. Preston, of Cedar Rapids, and in the fall of 1898 he matriculated in the law department of the University of Iowa, from which he was graduated with the class of 1900. He was then admitted to the bar and in November of that year opened an office in Marion, where he has since engaged in active practice. An analytical mind and keen discrimination are factors in his success. He prepares his cases with an earnestness and precision that leaves no weak point unprotected and at the same time he closely studies the possible position of his adversary that he may attack him at the point of least resistance. His deductions follow in logical sequence and he is seldom, if ever, at fault in the application of a legal principle.
On the 22d of October, 1902, Mr. Thompson was married to Miss Ada E. Gray, of Seville, Ohio, and unto them have been born two children, William Gray and John M. Mr. Thompson holds membership with S. W. Rathbun Camp, No. 7, of the Sons of Veterans, and with the Masonic fraternity, in which he has attained high rank, belonging to Trojan Lodge, No. 548, F. & A. M .; Marion Chapter, No. 10, R. A. M .; Patmos Commandery, No. 27, K. T .; and Iowa Con- sistory, No. 2, A. & A. S. R. His life is in harmony with the beneficent principles of the craft, among whose membership he numbers many of his stanchest friends. Widely known in Marion and Linn county, where he has always lived, his salient traits of character and his professional ability have given him firm hold on the regard and good will of his fellow townsmen.
FRANK MIKA
Cedar Rapids includes in her citizenship a large percentage of Bohemian residents. Among those who had their nativity in or traced their lineage to Bohemia, Frank Mika was numbered. He was born in Zybnic, near Klatovy, on the 4th of September, 1861, and in the acquirement of his education attended the Latin school in Sobeslav, where he was also a pupil in the normal school, but as a boy of sixteen years of age he came to the new world, making his way to Wisconsin, where he worked for three years in the lumber woods, thus making his start in business circles in the United States. IIis financial condition was such as to render immediate employment a necessity and he resolved that his service should be of benefit to his employers, knowing that therein lay the path of promotion. At the end of three years he went to Chicago, where he was em- ployed at odd jobs for a time and also spent a period in a freight depot in that city.
With two companions Mr. Mika came on foot to Cedar Rapids in 1881 and soon secured a city position, being employed as foreman at the city water works. He was employed at different times by the Hubbard Ice Company and the Water Supply Company. Following his marriage, Mr. Mika entered the employ of the Magnus Brewing Company and subsequently was in the service of the Williams Beer Company. He finally began independent business operations, opening a saloon on Fourteenth avenue and Second street, in property which he purchased. He continued in that business up to the time of his death and was accorded a liberal patronage.
On the 27th of November, 1890, Mr. Mika was united in marriage to Miss Rosalia Vostrel, a daughter of John and Rosalia Vostrel, the latter now living at a very advanced age. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Mika there were born four children: Frank, Emma and Charlie, who are still living; and Lucille, the eldest, who died September 21, 1909, at the age of eighteen years.
Frank Hika
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