USA > Iowa > Linn County > History of Linn County Iowa : from its earliest settlement to the present time, Volume II > Part 20
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It was on the 1st of January, 1868, that Mr. French was united in marriage to Miss Henrietta Hill, of Oneida county, New York, a daughter of William and Laura (Clark) Hill. The Clarks were an old family of that locality and Caleb Clark, the grandfather of Laura Clark, served as a soldier in the American army during the Revolutionary war, while his son, Isaac Clark, fought in the war of 1812. Mrs. French is thus eligible to the Daughters of the American Revolution. Unto Mr. and Mrs. French were born three children: May, the deceased wife of Rev. Francis Birchell ; Adelbert, who has also passed away ; and one who died in infancy.
While residing in this county Mr. French for a number of years carried on merchandising in Springville and was also interested in a creamery. Ile was never neglectful of the duties of citizenship and his fidelity to the best interests of the community led to his election to the office of county recorder on the republican ticket. He was also very prominent in Grand Army circles, holding membership in Mitchell post, and at one time was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He was classed with the most progressive and valued citizens of Marion and whatever he did was for the best interests of the community. His last years were devoted to church work, actuated by a spirit of devotion to things spiritual rather than temporal. He believed that the most important thing in life is char- acter-building and at all times he sought by example or by precept to instill into the minds of those with whom he came in contact an appreciation for righteousness and truth and an acceptance of the divine plan of salvation. His words sank deep into many hearts and continued as an inspiration in the lives of many who knew him.
LAWRENCE GILCHRIST
Lawrence Gilchrist, successfully engaged in the lumber business at Center Point, is also well known in financial circles as the president of the Linn County Bank. His birth occurred in Grant township, this county, on the 31st of Jan- uary, 1858, his parents being Chorydon and Margaret (Davis) Gilchrist, who were natives of New York and Illinois respectively. The mother came to Linn county, Iowa, in 1840 with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. William Davis, who were pioneers and settled in the northwestern part of the county. The father of our subjeet located here in 1856 and in Linn county continued to make his home until his death in 1893. The mother had passed away in 1863. All of the three children born to them still survive.
Lawrence Gilchrist supplemented his preliminary education by a college course and on attaining his majority became associated with his father in the
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conduet of a lumber and grain enterprise at Walker, Iowa, where they engaged in business for three years. On the expiration of that period the father retired and Mr. Gilehrist of this review continued in business with C. G. Gitchell until 1890, when he left Walker and established a lumber enterprise at Center Point, where he has since built up an extensive and profitable business.
In 1900 Mr. Gilchrist was united in marriage to Miss Carrie Vinton, a daughter of John and Harriet Vinton. The father has passed away, but the mother still survives and makes her home with our subject. Mr. and Mrs. Gil- christ are the parents of four children, namely: Lawrence V., Chorydon J., Margaret H. and Gertrude B.
Politically Mr. Gilchrist has always been an unfaltering republican, having firm faith in the principles of that party. At one time he served as mayor of Center Point and his administration was characterized by many measures of reform and improvement. Fraternally he is identified with the Masons, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias, all of Center Point, and has filled all of the chairs in Lodge No. 141 of the first named order. Both he and his wife are consistent and valued members of the Methodist Episcopal church. His entire life has been spent within the borders of Linn county and he has long been numbered among its most prosperous, respected and representative citizens.
ROBERT C. CUTTER
In a review of the history of Cedar Rapids in relation to the trade interests which are proving effective in promoting the business development of the city mention should be made of the Linn County Lumber & Coal Company, of which Robert C. Cutter is the secretary and treasurer. There are no unusual chapters in his life history, but it is the history of one who has sought success along honorable business lines, placing his dependence upon close application and indefatigable energy. He was born in Holmes county, Ohio, May 23, 1863. His father, A. B. Cutter, a farmer of Holmes county, died about five years ago. His wife, Mrs. Susan B. Cutter, was a daughter of Robert Armstrong, also a farmer of that locality.
At the usual age Robert C. Cutter entered the district schools and later sup- plemented the knowledge therein acquired by study through two winter seasons at the normal school at Ada, Ohio. He has been a resident of Cedar Rapids since attaining the age of twenty-two years. Thus practically the entire period of his manhood has been here passed. Soon after his arrival he entered the service of Lyman & Foster, lumber dealers, with whom he remained for two years, at the expiration of which time the firm dissolved, Mr. Lyman continuing the business alone and Mr. Cutter remaining in his employ through the succeeding two years. He then engaged with the firm of Fay Brothers in the same business and was with them for five years. On the expiration of that period he became connected with the Fullerton Lumber Company, which he represented for thir- teen years, and during the last nine years of that period he had charge of their business. In 1907 G. W. Fairchilds bought an interest in the firm and a year later Mr. Cutter became Mr. Fairchild's successor. The present officers of the Linn County Lumber & Coal Company are: B. R. Hervey, president; S. V. Martin, vice president; and R. C. Cutter, secretary and treasurer. The long experience of Mr. Cutter in this line of business well qualifies him for the work which he has now in charge and which he is conducting to successful completion. Ile is a man of resolute spirit, determined and purposeful, and his enterprise has
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enabled him to work his way steadily upward since he entered business circles in Cedar Rapids more than a quarter of a century ago.
On the 11th of January, 1894, Mr. Cutter was married to Miss Jennie Ryker, a daughter of John F. Ryker, of this city, and they have two children: Glen R., who is fifteen years old; and Gladys, eleven years of age. The family residence is at No. 409 South Tenth street, East, and the parents are members of the Presbyterian church. Their home is a hospitable one and they have a wide circle of friends in this city.
BURGESS MARTIN
Burgess Martin, who devotes his attention to the operation of a well improved and valuable farm of eighty-six and a half acres in Marion township, is a native of England, his birth having occurred in that country on the 28th of February, 1848. His parents, William and Ann Martin, spent their entire lives in Eng- land. Their children were nine in number, six of whom are yet living.
Burgess Martin remained a resident of his native land until he had attained his majority. In 1870, having determined to establish his home in the new world, he crossed the Atlantic to the United States and located in Michigan, where he resided for two years. Since leaving the Wolverine state he has made his home in Linn county, Iowa, the period of his residence here therefore covering thirty- eight years. He secured employment as a farm hand and at the end of four years had accumulated sufficient capital to enable him to purchase land of his own, coming into possession of a tract of eighty-six and a half acres adjoining the city limits of Marion. As the years have gone by he has made many improve- ments on the farm and its splendid appearance indicates his careful supervision, progressive methods and practical ideas. Excellent crops are annually harvested in return for the cultivation bestowed upon the fields.
On the 20th of December, 1872, Mr. Martin was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Cory, likewise a native of England and a daughter of William and Eliz- abeth Cory, who were also born in that country. They emigrated to the United States at an early day and spent the remainder of their lives in this county. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Martin were born seven children, namely: Charles, living in Linn county ; May, the wife of Henry Vahl; Oscar, who is a resident of South Dakota ; Clarence, of this county ; Florence, a graduate of the Marion high school, who is still at home; and two who died in infancy. The wife and mother was called to her final rest in April, 1902, her remains being interred in the Oak Shade cemetery. Coming to this country in early manhood, Mr. Martin found the opportunities he sought and through their wise utilization has gained a place among the prosperous and respected citizens of his community.
FRED J. RABE
Fred J. Rabe, one of the leading stock-raisers of Fayette township, was born in that township on the 14th of August, 1878. His parents, Carl and Sarah (Drafahl) Rabe, are mentioned at greater length on another page of this volume. He was reared at home and began his education in the common schools, while subsequently he attended Tilford Academy at Vinton, Iowa. Under the direction of his father he early became familiar with the best methods of breeding and raising stock and on attaining his majority he became associated with his father in the latter's live-stock operations. In March, 1909, Carl Rabe retired from
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active business and took up his abode in Palo, since which time our subject has had charge of their live-stock interests. They make a specialty of Poland China hogs, raising on an average of one hundred and twenty head annually. They also feed eattle on an extensive scale and have won a gratifying and well merited degree of prosperity in their undertakings. Mr. Rabe, of this review, is a stoek- holder in the Palo Savings Bank and is widely recognized as one of the enter- prising and progressive citizens of his native county.
On the 28th of September, 1904, Mr. Rabe was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary A. Hepker, of Palo, Linn county. They now have one child, Agnes Lucile. At the polls Mr. Rabe easts an independent ballot, considering the fitness of a candi- date of more importanee than his party affiliation. His fraternal relations are with Benton City Lodge, No. 81, A. F. & A. M., of Shellsburg; and the Modern Woodmen of America. Both he and his wife belong to the Methodist Episcopal church and take an active and helpful interest in its work. He has many friends in the community where his entire life has been spent, and his excellent traits of character have gained for him the respect and regard of his fellowmen.
JAMES R. BLOOM
James R. Bloom, who opened a blacksmith shop in Marion on coming to this city in 1855, has eondueted the same continuously to the present time - a fact which stands in incontrovertible evidence of his good workmanship and the sueeess he has achieved. His birth occurred in Pennsylvania in the year 1836, his parents being J. M. C. and Nancy (Roberts) Bloom, who were likewise natives of the Keystone state, the former born in 1810 and the latter in 1818. The father followed carpentering and contracting throughout practically his entire business career and passed away in 1895. The mother survived him until 1906, when slic, too, was called to her final rest. They were both consistent and devoted members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Their children were eleven in number, four of whom died in infancy. The others were as follows: James R., of this review ; Mary E., the wife of Smith Jackson, of Pennsylvania ; Thomas E., who is married and resides in the Keystone state; Rachel Mahala, who is the wife of William May and lives in Pennsylvania; Julia Ann, who gave her hand in marriage to George Tarbell and also makes her home in Pennsylvania; William E., now deceased, who was married and lived in Dubuque, Iowa; and Frank, who is married and resides in Pennsylvania.
James R. Bloom remained under the parental roof until nineteen years of age, when he left his native state and journeyed westward, locating in Marion, Linn county, Iowa, where he has made his home continuously since. Throughout the entire period of his residence here he has been suecessfully engaged in business as a blacksmith, having now conducted a shop of this character for fifty-five years.
On the 10th of November, 1857, Mr. Bloom was united in marriage to Miss Hannah Riley, a daughter of Phillip and Elizabeth Riley, both of whom were natives of Ireland. Crossing the Atlantic to America in 1840, they lived in the state of Ohio until 1856, when they came to Linn county and throughout the remainder of their lives resided in Marion. The demise of Phillip Riley oc- curred in March, 1890, while his wife passed away five years later. Unto them were born nine children, namely: Ellen, Hannah and Edward, all of whom are deceased ; Richard, Margaret, Robert, James, Etta and Phillip. Mr. and Mrs. Bloom became the parents of four children, as follows: Mahala A., who is the wife of Arthur Jones and lives in Shenandoah, Page county, Iowa; Mary E., who wedded R. W. White and also resides in Shenandoah, Page county, Iowa;
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Aliee E., who passed away in 1874 and was buried in the Oak Shade cemetery at Marion, Iowa ; and Carrie V., the wife of E. L. Fernow, of Linn county. The wife and mother was called to her final rest on the 4th of April, 1904, and her remains were likewise interred in the Oak Shade cemetery.
At the polls Mr. Bloom has supported the men and measures of the repub- lican party but has never sought official preferment. He has now passed the seventy-fourth milestone on life's journey but is still hale and hearty and yet works at his trade, indolence and idleness being utterly foreign to his nature. His life in all of its various relations has been of such a character as to command the respect and esteem of those with whom he has been associated.
CHARLES W. MONN
Charles W. Monn is president of the Cedar Rapids Bottling Works, one of the important industrial enterprises of Linn county, and he was here born May 14, 1873. His father, Samuel Monn, a native of Pennsylvania and a Union soldier during the Civil war, formerly engaged in farming and teaming. He wedded Mary Garlinger and they are still residents of Cedar Rapids.
After attending the public schools to the age of eleven years, Charles W. Monn worked upon a farm for three or four years and was afterward in the employ of a veterinary surgeon for two years. He then entered the employ of the Hamilton & Brown Bottling Works with which he was connected until about three years ago as an employe. He then purchased an interest in the business and is now president of the company.
On the 26th of October, 1896, in Cedar Rapids, Mr. Monn was united in marriage to Miss May Hardin of Cedar Rapids. They have one eliild, Ferol Franeis, seven years of age, who is with them in their home at No. 330 South Seventh Street West, which property Mr. Monn owns. Mr. Monn belongs to several fraternal organizations, being an Odd Fellow, Woodman and Eagle. His attention, however, is chiefly given to his business interests, his energy and determination enabling him to overcome the obstacles and difficulties in his path and win success when sometimes failure is threatened.
His partner, Arthur Hurtt, who is secretary and treasurer of the Cedar Rapids Bottling Works, was born in Kankakee, Illinois, March 3, 1867, a son of Allen S. and Esther (Porter) Hurtt. The father was a contractor and also a soldier of the Civil war. He died in 1906 after long surviving his wife who passed away in 1882.
Arthur Hurtt attended the public schools and at fourteen years began earn- ing his own living in the employ of the Shaver & Dows Craeker Company with whom he remained for six years. He then worked for J. R. Morin in a cold storage plant, continuing with that concern for eight years when he entered the service of the Brown Bottling Works. Two years were passed after which he purchased an interest in the business and is now secretary and treasurer of the Cedar Rapids Bottling Works.
In 1893 Mr. Hurtt wedded Miss Mary L. Dupuy of Cedar Rapids and they have two children, Enniee, fourteen years of age, and Lois L., ten years of age. Mr. Hurtt is a Mason, a Woodman, a Workman and a Forester.
It will be interesting in this connection to note something more of the Cedar Rapids Bottling Works of which Charles W. Monn and Arthur Hurtt are the partners. They are the first to make a success of this business in Cedar Rapids. The enterprise was originally started by the firm of Rank & Adams who failed. They sold out to John Hamilton who admitted Mr. Brown as a partner and the latter finally purchased Mr. Hamilton's interest and attempted to conduct the
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enterprise alone but he also failed. It was then that the present owners, who were in the employ of Mr. Brown, joined forces and purchased the business. In a short time they have made of it a splendid success. When they came into possession about three years ago the business was conducted in a small shanty and today they have a splendid plant thoroughly equipped with modern ma- ehinery and accessories. They attribute their success to hard work, to their mutual faith, and to their personal supervision of all departments of the busi- ness. Mr. Monn attends to all the outside work and the sales while Mr. Hurtt looks after the inside part, including bookkeeping and a general superintendence of the manufacture. The methods employed in manufacturing are of the most modern and the output is of such excellence as to secure a ready sale on the ınarket.
SAMUEL RESCHI
Samuel Resch is a worthy representative of an old and honored pioneer family of Linn county, his father having settled here during the early development of this section of the state. He was born in Crawford county, Ohio, July 13, 1855, a son of Fred W. and Naney (Reed) Resch. The father was born in Baden, Ger- many, November 9, 1830, and in 1846, when a youth of sixteen years, accompanied his parents on their emigration to the new world, the family home being established in Crawford county, Ohio. There the son formed the acquaintance of Miss Nancy Reed, who was born in that county, September 23, 1835, and is of German lincage. The young couple were married on the 16th of March, 1854, and they began their domestic life in the Buckeye state, there continuing until 1865, when the father came with his family to Linn county, settling on a farin of eighty acres on section 15, College township. He later purchased a traet of eighty acres and followed farming throughout his remaining years. The mother makes her home with her daughter Mary, now the wife of William Phillipson, in Wichita, Kansas.
Samuel Reseh began his edueation in the public schools, which was supple- mented by two terms' study in Western College then at Western, Iowa. After completing his studies he returned to the home farm, assisting his father until he was twenty-eight years of age. He then started out to make his own way in the world, choosing as his occupation the work to which he had been rcared. He has prospered as the years have gone by and is now the owner of one hundred and sixty aeres of valuable and well improved land on seetion 15, College township, which he now rents to a neighbor, while he is practically living retired. His place is improved with substantial buildings and in his work he always followed modern methods, keeping abreast with the times as advancement is made in agricultural lines.
It was on the 8th of February, 1883, that Mr. Reseh was united in marriage to Miss Louise A. Phillipson, a daughter of Thomas and Margaret Phillipson. The father was born at Lineolnshire, England, September 19, 1820. In February, 1850, he set sail for America, taking passage on the ship Olive Branch from Liverpool. He arrived in New York in March, five weeks later, and made his way from the eastern metropolis to Rochester, New York. It was in the latter place that he formed the acquaintance of Miss Margaret Howe, whom he wedded in 1857. Her parents, Jarvis and Julia Howe, were natives of County Tipperary, Ireland, whence they emigrated to the new world at an early day, establishing their home in Spencerport, Monroe county, New York. Their daughter Margaret was born April 9, 1834, and as above stated, in 1857, she gave her hand in marriage to Thomas Phillipson. On the day following their marriage they started for the middle west, traveling by rail from Rochester to lowa City, Iowa. From the latter
MR. AND MRS. SAMUEL RESCH
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city they journeyed by team to Cedar Rapids, where they made arrangements for the purchase of a forty-acre tract of land, paying for the same eleven dollars and a quarter per acre. On the place Mr. Phillipson erected a log cabin, in which he and his bride took up their abode, making it their home for many years. Even- tually he sold his original farm and purchased one hundred and twenty-five acres at thirty-seven dollars per acre. Mr. and Mrs. Phillipson have traveled life's journey together for fifty-three years, sharing with each other the joys and sor- rows, the prosperity and adversity which come to each individual. They are still making their home on the farm and although Mr. Phillipson has reached the advanced age of ninety years, he is still active in the work and management of his farm. He is now one of the oldest residents of Linn county and during his long residence here he has witnessed many changes as the work of development and im- provement has been carried forward in this section of the state.
Mr. and Mrs. Resch have five living children, four sons and one daughter, namely : Grover C., who was born June 15, 1884, and is now first sergeant in the United States Army, located at Fort Gibbon, Alaska ; Fred T., born February 21, 1887; Blanche J., whose birth occurred on the 27th of May, 1888; Marion, born February 26, 1896; and Pearl, who was born August 22, 1898. They also lost one child in infancy.
In politics Mr. Resch is a democrat. Himself well educated he ever takes a deep interest in the schools that his own children may acquire a good education and has served as school director and as road supervisor, while for three terms he has filled the office of justice of the peace. The family attend the Evangelical church and Mrs. Resch is an active worker in the Ladies Aid Society. Mr. Resch is a gentleman of culture, a fine scholar and still a student from habit. His opinions carry weight among his fellowmen, who recognize his superior ability and worth of character and he is thus classed among the men of affluence in Linn county and College township.
RICHARD M. McNIEL
Richard M. McNiel, who is numbered among the worthy native sons of Linn county, has won a gratifying measure of success in the conduct of his farming and stock-raising interests and owns a well improved tract of land comprising eighty acres on section 14, Washington township. His birth occurred on the 23d of October, 1867, his parents being George T. and Mary M. (Penn) McNiel, who are mentioned at greater length on another page of this work in connection with the sketch of Franklin B. McNiel, a brother of our subject.
Richard M. McNiel obtained his education in the common schools and remained under the parental roof until he had reached the age of twenty-two years. At that time he rented a tract of land and devoted his.attention to its cultivation for one year or until he came into possession of his present farm of eighty acres on section 14, Washington township. He has placed many substan- tial improvements on the property and in addition to the cultivation of cereals makes a specialty of raising and feeding stock, finding both branches of business congenial as well as profitable.
On the 9th of October, 1889, Mr. McNiel was united in marriage to Miss Lizzie Howe, a native of Washington township, this county, and a daughter of Nelson and Margaret (Hemphill) Howe. The father died prior to the birth of Mrs. McNiel. Mrs. Howe was born in Ohio and in 1838 came to Linn county with her parents, who took a squatter's claim and later entered the same. They erected a log cabin with clapboard roof and puncheon floor and experienced many of the hardships and privations of life in an nnsettled and undeveloped
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region. Mrs. Howe still resides in this county at the ripe old age of eighty years and the period of her residence here now covers more than seven decades. Mr. and Mrs. McNiel have three children, as follows: Burt L., who has a high school education ; Roy N .; and Elva G.
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