USA > Iowa > Linn County > History of Linn County Iowa : from its earliest settlement to the present time, Volume II > Part 17
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Mr. Mika was identified with various fraternal organizations. He belonged to Rad Zizkuv, Dub No. 91; the Sokols; Prokop Velky, No. 46, C. S. P. S .; the Fraternal Order of Eagles; and Camp No. 26, of the Foresters. IIe also became a member of the Hlahol Singing Society. His social nature mnade him popular with the members of the various societies to which he belonged, for he possessed a genial spirit and cordial disposition that won him many friends among the people whom he met. He died after a short illness, February 15, 1910, and was buried in the Bohemian National cemetery. The large number of people that attended his funeral and the many floral offerings which were sent best expressed the high esteem in which he was held by the people of his own nationality and those with whom he came in eontaet. He fully deserved this esteem, for he was an unassuming, modest man, yet one who took deep interest in all the projects for state and national progress, giving his support to everything that tended toward moral and intelleetnal elevation. Many are the instances eited in which he gave a helping hand to the poor and needy, and while health remained to him he was ever a welcomed and valued factor in society because of his humor, his geniality and his cordial disposition.
CHARLES B. VANNOTE
The agricultural interests of Linn county find a worthy and successful repre- sentative in Charles B. Vannote, the owner of a well improved farm of two hundred and eighteen aeres in Washington township. His birth occurred at Mount Vernon, Linn county, Iowa, on the 9th of May, 1850, his parents being Brazilla and Maria (Wolfe) Vannote, who were natives of New Jersey and Indiana respectively. The year 1849 witnessed their arrival in Linn county and here they continued to reside throughout the remainder of their lives, the motlier passing away on the 29th of May, 1907, and the father on the 11th of March of the following year. Unto this worthy couple were born nine children, seven of whom are yet living.
Charles B. Vannote received the educational advantages afforded by the common sehools and remained at home until he was married at the age of twenty- two years. Following that important event in his life he devoted his attention to the operation of a rented farm for three years and then purchased a tract of land in Clinton township, residing thereon for six years. On the expiration of that period he disposed of the property and bought a farm in Monroe township, being actively engaged in its operation for ten years. After selling that traet he bought his present place of two hundred and eighteen aeres in Washington township and has resided thereon continuously since, having brought the fields under a high state of cultivation and improvement. He has been energetie, industrious and persevering, and in consequence has obtained a gratifying suc- cess, not only from growing cereals but also from the raising and feeding of stock.
On the 15th of February, 1872, Mr. Vannote was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary E. Stinson, a native of this eounty and a daughter of Horace and Jane (Sufficool) Stinson, who were born in New York and Ohio respectively. They came to Linn eounty in 1849 and spent the remainder of their lives on a farm which the father entered from the government. Their children were nine in number, six of whom still survive. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Vannote were born six children, as follows: Elsie L., who is deceased; Eva, the wife of W. J. Blake; Elva, who gave her hand in marriage to Lafayette Hoff and resides in Washing- ton township; Clara M., who has passed away; Inez, the wife of Herman K. Hoglan, of Washington township; and Vesta I., at home.
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Mr. Vannote is a democrat in politics and has been honored by election to several township offices. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Methodist Episcopal church. Both he and his wife have spent their entire lives in this county and the circle of their acquaintances is such a wide one that this biography cannot fail to prove of interest to many of our readers.
MISS CARRIE BARTO
The Barto family has been represented in Cedar Rapids since 1872. Daniel Barto was born in Millersburg, Pennsylvania, but removed to St. Louis prior to his marriage. It was in that city that he wedded Mary Blumenberger, a native of Germany, who came to the new world with an aunt and uncle in her early childhood days. Mr. and Mrs. Barto began their domestie life in St. Louis, where they lived for several years and then removed to Illinois, where Mr. Barto conducted a hardware business until 1872. In that year he removed with his family to Cedar Rapids and did not become actively interested in business affairs here but spent his remaining days in the enjoyment of a well earned and riehly merited rest. His death occurred in 1883 and for about seventeen years thereafter his wife survived him, passing away in 1900. They had but two children : Miss Carrie Barto, whose name introduces this review ; and Mary, deceased.
Miss Barto acquired her literary education in the schools of Rock Island, Illinois, and later went to Cineinnati, where she completed her musical studies in the College of Music of Cincinnati. Returning to Cedar Rapids in 1884, she established here a conservatory of music and has since been teaching in this city. She stands as one of the most prominent representatives of the musical art here and is regarded as a most capable instructor. She now owns a handsome apart- ment building called the Barto Flats, at Nos. 117-119 First avenue, West. She is deserving of much credit for her ability in the management of financial and business interests, while in her art she has made continuous progress by her study of the works of the greatest composers and also by her study of advanced methods of instruction. Moreover, she has displayed considerable originality in her teaching as she has planned to awaken and hold the interest of her pupils and promote their progress in the study of music.
JAY WALLACE
Jay Wallace, who devotes his time and energies to the operation of a farm of one hundred and sixty aeres on section 14, Marion township, was born in Indiana on the 6th of November, 1850. Ilis parents, James and Eliza Alls (Wheeler) Wallace, both of whom were natives of New York, removed to Indiana about 1844, there purchasing a tract of forty aeres of timber land. After residing thereon for twelve years they made their home in Black Hawk county, Iowa, for two years, on the expiration of which period they went to Benton county, where they bought land and spent the remainder of their lives. The demise of James Wallace occurred in 1876, while his wife was called to her final rest in September, 1904, when she had attained the age of eighty-four years. Unto this worthy couple were born nine children, five of whom are still living.
Jay Wallace attended the common schools in his youthful years and remained at home until after his mother's death. He then devoted his attention to the operation of a rented farm for two years and in 1907 bought his present place
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of one hundred and sixty acres on section 14, Marion township, Linn county. He not only engages in general farming but also makes a specialty of the raising and feeding of stock, which branel of his business adds materially to his income.
In October, 1895, Mr. Wallace was united in marriage to Mrs. Sarah J. (Baker) Hook, whose birth occurred in Wapello county, Iowa, in April, 1860, her parents being William and Mary (Colwell) Baker, both of whom are now deceased. By her first marriage Mrs. Wallace had nine children, as follows: I. N., a resident of Laporte City, Iowa ; Jason M., who also lives at that place; Walter L., who has passed away ; Mary May, the wife of David Gilbert, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Maud L., at home; Clinton S., who lives in California; Newton, who is also still at home; Minnie, who is attending business college at Cedar Rapids ; and Theresa, deceased.
In politics Mr. Wallace has always been a stanch democrat and keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day. He has capably served in the office of road supervisor. Fraternally he is identified with the Masons, belonging to the chapter and commandery at Vinton. He is likewise a member of the Odd Fellows lodge at Mount Auburn, Iowa, and has filled some of the chairs therein. Both he and his wife attend the Methodist Episcopal church and their religious faith is undoubtedly a permeating element and influence in their lives.
GEORGE A. GILLMORE
A student of history need not carry his investigations far into the records of Linn county before he recognizes the fact that the Gillmores were among thie early pioneer settlers and that through the ensuing years the representatives of the name have been loyal to all that is best in manhood and in citizenship. George A. Gillmore needs no introduction to the readers of this volume for he has always lived in this county and was born October 31, 1875, on the farm which he now owns and operates. At the usual age he began his education in the common schools and through the periods of vacation he worked in the fields, his labors being directed by his father, a man of sound judgment and of enterprise. The son early learned the value of industry, perserverance, economy and business integrity and those qualities have since characterized his life. After attaining his majority he rented land for a number of years or until 1889, when he purchased one hundred and twenty aeres situated on section 11, Marion town- ship. This constitutes a part of the old homestead farm and since it has come into his possession he has made further improvements on it, bringing the fields under a high state of cultivation and adding a number of equipments that are found upon the model farm of the twentieth century. In addition to his agri- cultural interests he is connected with the Bighead & Marion Telephone Company, of which he is now the president. He is interested in all such progres- sive movements and eooperates in many projects which are of value to the community.
On the 2nd of Mareli, 1897, Mr. Gillmore was united in marriage to Miss Lydia Williams, who was born on the 27th of January, 1877, and is a daughter of George and Ida (Ford) Williams, the former a native of Pennsylvania, and the latter of the state of New York. They became residents of this county during the period of its early settlement and the father devoted his attention to farming for many years, but his life's labors were ended in death in October, 1899. His widow still survives and is living on the old homestead in Linn town. ship. Their family consisted of six daughters, including Mrs. Gillmore, a lady
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of liberal education, who completed her studies in the high school of Marion and afterward engaged in teaching for two years.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Gillmore have been born two children, Ethelyn and George I. The parents hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal church and are also members of the Country Club, No. 3. In manner genial, in deportment courteous, in spirit kindly and genial, they have won many friends and neighbors and acquaintances speak of them only in terms of goodwill and high regard.
JOHN PERLEY MESSER
Prominent among the business men of Cedar Rapids is numbered John Perley Messer, who has been engaged in real estate and loan business for some years, with offices located at present in the Granby block. Mr. Messer was born at Bow Center, in the town of Bow, New Hampshire, on the 9th of December, 1843, and is the second son of Silas and Nancy (Hadley) Messer, who are also natives of the old Granite state. His father was a farmer in early life and later was a railroad man but is now living retired in St. Paul, Minnesota, at the ripe age of ninety-one years. The mother died in that city in 1894 and was buried in Oak Hill cemetery, Cedar Rapids.
John P. Messer was reared on the home farm and reecived his education in the public schools. At the age of sixteen he left the farm and went to work as a locomotive fireman on the Concord Railroad. At eighteen he was promoted to the position of locomotive engineer, and at that time was the youngest man who had ever been entrusted with an engine on that road. He continued in that em- ployment until 1862, when he resigned to enter the service of his country as assistant engineer (staff officer) in the United States navy, and was ordered to the United States steam frigate Colorado, on which he served for nearly three years. He participated in both bombardments and in the capture of Fort Fisher. (About forty-three thousand shot and shell were thrown at the fort in this bombardment. ) At the first battle Mr. Messer had charge of the fire department - a department of sixteen men to extinguish fires - and at the second battle he served as aid to B. F. Garvin, chief engineer, and as one of Commodore Henry K. Thatcher's staff officers. Admiral George Dewey, then Lieutenant Dewey, was executive officer of the Colorado, and with Commodore Thateher, Chief Engineer Garvin and Mr. Messer was stationed at the bridge. In these engagements the Colorado suffered severely and was ordered to the New York navy yards for repairs. Mr. Messer was then transferred to the U. S. S. Trefoil. He was on that vessel when she "accidentally" collided with and sunk the Confederate privateer Florida in Hampton Roads off Fortress Monroe; also at the capture of Spanish Fort and Fort Blakely in Mobile bay; and continued to serve on her until the elose of the war, when he resigned and received an honorable discharge from the United States navy.
At Bow, New Hampshire, September 1, 1866, Mr. Messer married Miss Carrie E. Evans, who was also a native of that state and a daughter of Stephen W. and Emma (Veazcy) Evans. Shortly after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Messer removed to the then new state of Minnesota, the journey occupying a full week and . requiring twelve changes of ears and boats. They are the parents of three chil- dren, namely: Walter S., who died April 5, 1881, at the age of eleven years; Emma Evans, who married James W. Clark, who died at El Paso, Texas, May 10, 1910; and Florence V., who is at Wellesley College. They also have two grand- children, Charles A. Clark, Jr., and Perley Messer Clark.
On his removal to Minnesota Mr. Messer at once entered the employ of the Minnesota Valley Railroad as locomottive engineer and ran the engine to pull the
J. P. MESSER
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first passenger train into St. Peter and Mankato, Minnesota. He was with that road about two years. From that state he came to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, in 1869, and has made his home here ever sinee. He was the first regular engineer and master mechanie at Cedar Rapids in the service of the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Minnesota (now Northern) Railroad, and he remained with that road for about ten years as engineer, master meelianie and passenger conductor. As engineer he was in charge of the first regular train into each of the towns along the line from Cedar Rapids to Rockford, Iowa, as the road was completed to those points.
Mr. Messer resigned his position with the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern Railroad in 1879 to take the superintendency of the Memphis, Kansas & Colorado Railroad, then in course of construction and built some twenty miles of this road besides opening about forty-five miles from Parsons to Messer, Kansas. This road was an enterprise of the late Judge Greene of Cedar Rapids and was sold to the Kansas City, Fort Seott & Gulf Railroad, at which time Mr. Messer resigned. As superintendent of the City Street Railway Company, of Cedar Rapids, he built the largest part of their road (at this time 1881), building the first line across the Cedar River to West Cedar Rapids and colleeted the first fare on the west side.
After about twenty years in the railway service, Mr. Messer entered the real- estate business in Cedar Rapids, in 1881, and is still actively engaged therein. He has met with well deserved success in this business, as he had formerly done in the railroad business, and has acquired a comfortable competence. For thirty- nine years Mr. Messer has been affiliated with the Masonie fraternity and has taken the various degrees, while in his life he has ever exemplified the beneficent spirit of the eraft, which recognizes the brotherhood of mankind. He holds membership in the First Presbyterian ehnreh and is in sympathy with all the movements which tend to uplift humanity and advance the race to a higher civilization.
ROBERT WILLIAM WAITE
Robert William Waite, a leading, progressive and enterprising young eitizen of Palo, is identified with financial interests as the cashier of the Palo Savings Bank. His birth oeeurred in Wyoming, Jones county, Iowa, on the 29th of May, 1883, his parents being John William and Janette (Inglis) Waite, who were natives of Iowa and Scotland respectively. The mother was brought to this country by her parents when but a year old, the family home being established in Hale township, Jones county, Iowa, where she was reared and married. For many years past John W. Waite has been one of the prominent and representa- tive citizens of Wyoming and Jones county. He has always been an active and influential worker in the local ranks of the republican party and served as postmaster of Wyoming for several years, while for six years he ably discharged the duties devolving upon him as treasurer of Jones county. He was likewise one of the leading merchants of Wyoming for several years and is numbered among the most prosperons and respected citizens of his community. Fratern- ally he is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Masons, having attained the Knight Templar degree in the latter order. Both he and his wife still survive and make their home in Wyoming.
Robert William Waite was reared at home and in the acquirement of an edu- eation attended the grammar and high schools of Wyoming and also the Anamosa high school. Subsequently he pursued a commercial course in the Cedar Rapids Business College and when a young man of twenty years embarked in business as a merchant of Wyoming. At the end of five years he abandoned merchandis-
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ing and went to Cambridge, Iowa, where he was engaged in the grain business for a year. On the expiration of that period he came to Palo, Linn county, to accept the eashiership of the Palo Savings Bank and has sinee had the manage- ment of the institution. His eourteons, genial manner has won patrons for the bank and mueh of its snecess is due to his untiring and well directed efforts.
On the 18th of June, 1908, Mr. Waite was united in marriage to Miss Alda E. Kranbuehl, of Dysart, Iowa. Mr. Waite is a republican in politics and now holds the office of city treasurer. He is a member of Keystone Lodge, No. 206, A. F. & A. M., of Wyoming, and both he and his wife are identified with Wyoming Chapter, No. 397, O. E. S. They also belong to the Methodist Episcopal church and are deeply interested in its work. Mr. Waite is widely and favorably known here, having those qualities of kindly consideration and deference for the opinions of others which always give rise to warm friendship and esteem.
JOSEPH S. ANDERSON
The history of Cedar Rapids would be incomplete if omission were made of the life record of J. S. Anderson, who in large measure left the impress of his individuality upon the public life and development of the city. Coming here in pioneer times, he was not only a witness of its progress but an active participant in those projeets which led to its substantial growth and npbuilding, his high character and sterling integrity constituting influencing elements in all the movements with which he was associated.
Mr. Anderson arrived in Cedar Rapids in 1853, being at that time a young man of nineteen years. He was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, Angust 10, 1834, his parents being James A. and Elizabeth (Johnson) Ander- son. His father was a wheelwright by oeenpation and died in 1845, while the mother survived until 1867. In the year 1853 she came with her family to Iowa, settling in Cedar Rapids. The journey westward from Pennsylvania was made by boat down the Ohio and up the Mississippi rivers to Muscatine and thence overland to this city. Joseph S. Anderson was a lad of eleven years at the time of his father's death and a young man of nineteen when the family came to Iowa. They took up their abode in a log cabin on the farm of Thomas Gainor, a part of which is now ineluded within the site of Linwood cemetery, and the last resting place of Mr. Anderson is within a few feet of the spot on which the old log eabin, his first home in this county, was built in 1838. The land belonging to Mr. Gainor in the early days was set apart for a family burying ground and the first interment there made was one of his children, a cousin of Mr. Anderson, in 1840. The cemetery was private until 1880, when the Linwood Company was organized and incorporated. Mr. Anderson was prominent in the formation of the company and was afterward active in the control of its affairs.
After coming to Iowa Joseph S. Anderson supplemented his early education by two years' study in Cornell College at Mount Vernon. In 1860 he went to Colorado, where he was engaged in the stock business for two years. after which he returned to Cedar Rapids and then became connected with the army in a clerical capacity. At the elose of the war he engaged in the grocery business and at one time was located in the old Angle block, while later he removed to Iowa avenne, conducting his store in the building which is now No. 120 First avenne. During the succeeding two years Mr. Anderson taught school in the Madison building in Kingston and also served as secretary of that school distriet. When Kingston was incorporated as a part of Cedar Rapids and the school distriets united Mr. Anderson was elected a member of the board of education, in
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which capacity he served for over twenty-two years, being a strong champion of the cause of the publie schools and putting forth every effort in his power to promote their interests and success.
In 1873 Mr. Anderson was elected justice of the peace and held the office for about twenty years. During that time he took up the study of law and was admited to the bar. His law praetiee was largely confined to probate matters and with the law of the probate eourts he was thoroughly familiar. When the bankruptey law was passed he was appointed referee for Linn and Cedar eoun- ties. In 1875 he turned his attention to the insurance business, in which he was engaged at the time of his death, eondueting an extensive ageney under the style of J. S. Anderson & Son, the firm being organized in 1885, when he was joined by his eldest son.
In 1859 Mr. Anderson was united in marriage to Miss Jennie Frazee, who was born in Herkimer eounty, New York, Deeember 9, 1840, and in 1848 was brought to Cedar Rapids by her parents, Aaron and Nancy (Clapsaddle) Frazee, who made the trip westward by way of the Erie canal and the Great Lakes to Chicago and thenee by team to their destination. Mrs. Frazee was a granddaughter of Major Dennis Clapsaddle, who was killed at the battle of Oriskany in 1777 when serving under General Nieholas Herkimer. She was also a granddaughter of Lieutenant George Helmer, likewise a soldier in the Revolutionary war. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Joseph S. Anderson were born three sons, Lew W., John B. and Joseph R. Mrs. Anderson has been a continuous resident of Cedar Rapids for sixty-two years and now makes her home with her youngest son at Vernon Heights. She has long been a devoted member of St. Paul's Methodist Epis- eopal ehureh and her life has been a beneficial influenee in the moral develop- ment and social progress of the community.
Mr. Anderson held membership in Crescent Lodge, A. F. & A. M .; Trowel Chapter, R. A. M .; Cedar Rapids Lodge No. 251, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; the Iowa Legion of Honor; and the National Union. He had many friends in those organizations and wherever he was known he won high regard and lasting esteem. As one of the early settlers of Cedar Rapids he wit- nessed the development from a struggling village to a beautiful, prosperous eity and in a high degree was instrumental in its advancement and improvement. His eooperation could always be counted upon to further any movement for the general good, and such was his worth as a man and eitizen that Cedar Rapids felt the greatest sorrow over his death, and the pioneers regarded his demise as a personal bereavement. He never held narrow or contracted views, was just and charitable in his opinions of others and was kindly in spirit and generous in disposition. In all of his business affairs, too, he was conseientious and reliable and his aetivity brought him to a prominent position among sueeessful men of Cedar Rapids.
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