USA > Iowa > Linn County > History of Linn County Iowa : from its earliest settlement to the present time, Volume II > Part 24
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ciated with his father in the grain business, gaining a thorough knowledge thereof under the latter's able direction. At the end of two or three years he entered the service of the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Minnesota Railroad Com- pany, acting as telegraph operator for about seven or eight years, while subse- quently he was employed by the Northwestern Railroad Company for four months. He then came to Lisbon, this county, purchased his present elevator and has here carried on a successful business as a dealer in grain, coal and cement for the past ten years. Recently he bought another elevator at Ely, Iowa, now operating the same under the name of W. J. Fiala & Company.
On the 27th of April, 1898, Mr. Fiala was united in marriage to Miss Anna Krob, who was born in Johnson county, Iowa, in 1876, a daughter of Joseph and Frances Krob. Her father was born in Iowa but her mother is a native of Bohemia. In 1879 Mrs. Fiala was brought to Franklin township, Linn county, by her parents, who there resided on a farm for twenty years. They now make their home in Lisbon. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Fiala were born three children, namely : Florence, who died when but two years of age; Willard; and Helen.
Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise Mr. Fiala has supported the men and measures of the democracy and for about nine years he has capably served as a member of the city council. In religious faith he is a Catholic, being a communicant of the church of that denomination at Lisbon. He has gained the warm esteem of all with whom he has come in contact because of his upright and honorable life and also by reason of the straightforward methods he has ever followed in his business career.
VINCENT CUHEL
The agricultural interests of Linn county are largely represented by men of foreign birth and among this class none are more worthy of mention in this volume than Vincent Cuhel, who has persevered in his undertakings until he is now the owner of two hundred and forty acres of valuable land located on section 36, Fair- fax township. Born in Moravia, Austria, October 20, 1856, he is a son of Vincent and Frances (Mach) Cuhel, the latter a daughter of John and Mary Mach, pros- perous farming people of that country. The year 1861 witnessed the arrival of the Cuhel family in America. They at onec made their way to Iowa and settled on forty acres of raw and unbroken land in Johnson county. It was an arduous task that confronted the father but he at once set to work to develop and improve his land and as soon as he had acquired a sufficient sum of money, he purchased one hundred aeres, which he also improved, and thus he became a prosperous farmer of this state. He died in Johnson county in 1896 when he had reached the ripe old age of eighty-six years, while his wife passed away in 1905 at the age of seventy-five.
Vincent Cuhel was a little lad of five years when with his parents he took pas- sage on the steamer at Hamburg bound for the United States. He still has vivid recollection of the trip across the Atlantic and of the establishment of a home in a new country. At the usual age he was sent to school but he was permitted to pursue his studies only to the age of fifteen years, for it was then necessary that he give his entire time to work on the home farm, as at that time his father was in limited circumstances and was trying to acquire a competence. He remained under the parental roof until the age of twenty-six and then started out in life for himself, purchasing eighty acres of land on section 36, Fairfax township. He developed and improved this tract and in due time added one hundred and sixty acres to his original holdings, so that his possessions now embrace two hundred and forty acres. He has made all of the improvements on the place, including a
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MR. AND MRS. VINCENT CUHEL
PUBLIC
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good country residence and a substantial barn and outbuildings for the shelter of his grain and stock. He has made a close study of the soil, knows the crops to which it is best adapted and therefore meets with good results in his labors. In his pastures are also found good grades of stock, for he gives much of his time to this branch of his business.
On the 13th of September, 1882, occurred the marriage of Mr. Cuhel and Miss Mary Mekota, a daughter of Frank and Dorothea Mekota. Mrs. Cuhel was born December 8, 1863, in Bohemia, and accompanied her parents on their emigration to the new world, the family home being established on a farm near Solon, Iowa. For many years the father followed general agricultural pursuits but spent the last years of his life in honorable retirement and passed away in Solon in 1907. Mrs. Cuhel has a sister, Mrs. John F. Janko, who lives on a farm in College town- ship, while another sister, Mrs. Jausa, resides in Los Angeles, California. One brother, John, is living retired in Cedar Rapids, while her brother Joseph is a well known attorney of that city. IIer brother Wencil follows farming near Solon and Charles C. and Frank M. are farmers of Johnson county, this state.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Cuhel has been blessed with ten ehildren, as follows: Charles E., who was born September 26, 1883, and follows farming in Johnson county ; Anna, who was born February 14, 1885, and is now the wife of Ed Holets of Cedar Rapids; Mary, who was born December 23, 1886, and is a resident of Los Angeles ; Joseph, who was born June 27, 1889, is a graduate of Coc College in Cedar Rapids and is now in California; Frank, whose birth occurred September 4, 1891; Jerry, born December 14, 1893; Bessie, born March 23, 1895; Stephen, born March 29, 1897 ; Lillian, who was born November 21, 1900; and Dor- othea Olga, whose birth occurred on the 31st of December, 1903.
In politics Mr. Cuhel is independent and for two terms served as school director, the cause of education ever finding in him a warm friend. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Reformed Evangelical church. Success has erowned his efforts and he is ever found loyal to the best interests of his adopted state.
JOHN KLEITSCH
John Kleitsch, a farmer and stoek-raiser of Linn county, owns two hundred acres of land in Grant township and also has a tract of one hundred and thirty aeres in Benton county, Iowa. His birth occurred in Germany on the 8th of October, 1854, his parents being John and Katherine (Nemmers) Kleitsch, like- wise natives of that country. In 1857 they crossed the Atlantie to the United States and purchased and located upon a tract of land in Jackson county, Iowa. Later they took up their abode in Linn county and here spent the remainder of their lives. They had a family of nine children, six of whom are yet living.
John Kleitsch, who was a little lad of five years when he accompanied his parents on their emigration to the new world, attended the common schools in the acquirement of an education and remained at home until twenty-nine years of age. He then purchased the old homestead place of one hundred and sixty acres and later bought another tract of similar size. At the present time he owns three hundred and thirty acres of rich and productive land, one hundred and thirty acres of which lies in Benton county, Iowa, while the remaining two hundred acres comprises his home farm in Grant township, this county. Under his wise and careful management the fields have been brought under a high state of cultivation and annually yield bounteous harvests. The raising and feeding of stoek also claims his attention and has proved a profitable undertaking to him.
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In 1881 Mr. Kleitsch was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary Hingtgen, a native of Jackson county, Iowa, and a daughter of Theodore and Margaret Hingten, both of whom were born in Germany. The father is deceased, but the mother still survives and makes her home in Jackson county. They reared a family of twelve children, all of whom are yet living. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Kleitsch were also born twelve children, namely: Elizabeth, the wife of Harry Faber, of Dubuque county ; Theodore, likewise a resident of that county ; John, Jr .; Nich- olas; Susan; Mary ; Francis; Margaret; Lawrence; and three who are deceased.
In politics Mr. Kleitsch is a democrat and for three terms he held the office of road supervisor. Both he and his wife are faithful communicants of the Catholic church and their genuine worth is widely recognized by a large circle of warm friends.
JAMES F. YATES
James F. Yates, who is busily engaged in the operation of his fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Fayette township, was born in that township on the 6th of February, 1873. His parents, Benjamin F. and Elizabeth J. (Mc- Arthur) Yates, are mentioned at greater length on another page of this work. He was reared at home and supplemented his preliminary education, obtained in the public schools, by a course of study in Tilford Collegiate Academy of Vinton, Iowa. When twenty years of age he started out as an agriculturist on his own account, cultivating rented land for a period of three years. At the end of that time, in 1896, his father purchased another farm and thus became the owner of five hundred acres of land. Benjamin F. Yates cultivated and im- proved this property in partnership with his three sons until 1902, when he divided the land, our subject coming into possession of one hundred and sixty acres. He has since devoted his time and attention to the operation of this farm and the well tilled fields annually yield golden harvests as a reward for the care and labor which he bestows upon them.
On the 22d of February, 1893, Mr. Yates was united in marriage to Miss Viola Manwell, of Benton county, Iowa. They now have three children, as follows: Anita M., Earle M., and Lenora Bernice. Mr. Yates is a republican in politics and for four years ably discharged the duties devolving upon him in the capacity of township clerk. He acts as president of the school board and has been secretary or member of the board for several years. He holds mem- bership relations with the Modern Woodmen of America and is clerk of his lodge. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, to which his wife also belongs. In the community where his entire life has been spent he enjoys the regard and esteem of an extensive circle of friends.
EDWARD E. WILCOX
Edward E. Wilcox, secretary of the Cedar Rapids Commission Company, was born in Tipton, Iowa, August 12, 1874. His father, William Wilcox, who died in 1902, was one of the distinguished educators of the state and for two different years was honored with the presidency of the Iowa State Teachers Association. He was for many years connected with the public schools and his labors were a most potent force in advancing the standard of public instruction in this state. He also served as a member of the National Educational Council about 1897.
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His wife, Mrs. Anna Wilcox, was a daughter of J. C. Betts, who at one time occupied the bench of the Cedar county court and at different times filled the positions of county treasurer and county clerk. He was long thic incumbent in public office, his duties being discharged with a promptness, capability and fidelity that made his record an irreproachable one.
Edward E. Wilcox was educated in the public schools of Mason City, Iowa, and in Cornell College, from which he was graduated. Following in his father's footsteps he took up school work as a profession in 1897, devoting three years to teaching. But believing that he would find commercial pursuits more con- genial and profitable, he turned his attention to the clothing business at Mount Vernon, Iowa, in which he continued from 1900 until 1906. In the latter year he sold out and went upon a ranch which he owned in North Dakota, there remaining for two years. He came to Cedar Rapids about a year ago, or in the early part of 1909, and purchased the interest of T. C. Munger in the Cedar Rapids Commission Company, in which he now holds the position of secretary. His previous experience in different lines, liis ready adaptability and his keen insight into every situation enable him to carefully control the interests which are now under his direction and contribute in substantial measure to the suceess of what is now one of the leading enterprises of this character in Cedar Rapids.
Mr. Wilcox was married on the 30th of October, 1901, to Miss Marian Bailey, a daughter of Laura F. Bailey, of Marion, Linn county. Mr. Wilcox belongs to the Masonic fraternity in which he has taken the degrees of the chapter. IIe is also a member of the University Club and cooperates in the organized movements instituted by the Commercial Club for the development of the city along the lines of material upbuilding and of civic virtue and pride.
JOSEPH STEVENSON
Joseplı Stevenson, whose entire business career has been characterized by agricultural pursuits, in which line of activity his well directed labor and intel- ligently applied efforts have brought him creditable success, claims Indiana as the state of his nativity, his birth occurring in Wayne county, that state, on the 5th of May, 1839. His parents, Lawrence M. and Lydia T. (Evans) Stevenson, were natives of New Jersey, who settled in Indiana at an early day, where they continued to reside until 1861. In that year they removed to Iowa, purchasing land in Linn county, and here made their home until called to their final rest, the father passing away in December, 1879, while the mother survived until Nov- ember, 1900. In their family were seven children, but only two of this number are now living: R. H., the eldest son, who makes his home in Sigourney, Iowa; and Joseph, of this review.
Spending the period of his boyhood and youth in his native state, Joseplı Stevenson is indebted to the public school system of Indiana for the educational privileges which he enjoyed. As a young man of twenty-two years he came with his parents to Linn county, and within its borders he has continuously made his home to the present time. Upon attaining his majority he did not at once em- bark upon an independent business venture, but remained at home with his parents, taking charge of the old homestead farm until the time of his father's demise, when he purchased the home property, consisting of one hundred acres, and continued to further cultivate and improve it for nineteen years. He then sold the place and purchased another tract of one hundred and five acres, which he operated for twenty-two years, at the expiration of which time lie again sold out and bought the farm upon which he now makes his home. The land, which is naturally rich and arable, has responded readily to the care and attention
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which he has bestowed upon it, and during the years of his residence upon the farm his unceasing efforts, his indefatigable energy and his wise management have made it one of the finest and most valuable properties in Linn county. Not only to the cultivation of the fields, however, has he directed his attention, but he has engaged to some extent in stock-raising, making a specialty of horses and hogs, and this branch of his business has also proved most successful, the excellent grade of his stock demanding ready sale and good prices on the market. Systematic and careful in his methods, he has made a close study of agriculture and is wise in the management of his affairs, so that he is now numbered among the substantial and successful farmers and stock-raisers of the county.
It was on the 17th of March, 1875, that Mr. Stevenson was united in mar- riage to Miss Emeline Cooper, who was born in Linn county on the 7th of November, 1854, a daughter of Joseph and Polly P. (Smith) Cooper. Her parents were both natives of Ohio and came to Iowa in 1845, being numbered among the early settlers of Linn county. Here Mr. Cooper entered land from the government and erected a log cabin, with clapboard roof and puncheon floor, in which the family resided for some time. The father passed away in 1894 but the mother is still living at the ripe old age of eighty-six years. Mrs. Stevenson is one of five children, three of whom yet survive, and she traces relationship back to Daniel Webster and also to Benjamin Franklin. With the passing of the years the home of Mr. and Mrs. Stevenson has been blessed with seven children, as follows: Elizabeth F., residing at home; Mary E., the wife of F. W. Stirm, of Marion township; William H., who passed away in 1882; and Charles O., J. Franklin, Albert C. and Alleta F., who are all yet under the parental roof.
Mr. Stevenson and his wife are attendants of the Methodist Episcopal church and are active and helpful in the various branches of its work. He is a republi- can in his political allegiance, proudly casting his first vote for Abraham Lin- coln, since which time he has been steadfast in his loyalty to the principles of that party. A stalwart champion of the cause of education, he has served as school director, and all matters tending toward the material, educational and moral development of the community are of deep interest to him. With him perseverance, diligence and integrity have constituted the guiding posts of life, bringing him to the honorable position which he now occupies in the opinion of his fellowmen who entertain for him only high regard and esteem.
ROBERT PALMER
Prominent among the energetic, far-seeing and successful business men of Cedar Rapids is numbered Robert Palmer, who in various commercial and financial connections has given proof of his capability in important business interests. He is now widely known in the city as manager of P. G. Dun Company and as the vice president of the Cedar Rapids Savings Bank. He is a native of Marlbor- ough, Wiltshire, England, and the same county was also the birth place of his parents, Samuel Anstin and Elizabeth (Edwards) Palmer. Having acquired his education in the public schools, he was for three years in the railway service being employed in freight and passenger offices.
On the twentieth anniversary of his birth Mr. Palmer left his native land for America, arriving at Quebec, whence he made his way to Chicago. He spent a number of years in that city in several positions, eventually entering the employ of R. G. Dun & Company. In 1822, when they established a branch in Cedar Rapids, he was given charge at this point. Here he has remained continuously since and has figured prominently in the business and civic interests of the city.
ROBERT PALMER
L
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In fact he has become thoroughly identified with Cedar Rapids and his devotion to the city has led him to refuse advantageous offers elsewhere. He has figured prominently in financial cireles since 1883, when he took aetive part in organizing the Cedar Rapids Savings Bank and was chosen a member of its board of directors. On the death of Lawson Daniels in 1906 he became vice president of the institu- tion and has so continued to the present time. He is also treasurer of the Acme Insurance Company ; vice president of the Cedar Rapids & Minnesota Land Com- pany ; and has other business interests in addition to his connection with the R. G. Dun Comuany. A man of resourceful business ability, he carries forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes and when one avenue for advance- ment seems elosed seeks out other paths which will lead him to the desired goal.
Mr. Palmer was first married in Chicago to Miss Elizabeth Mary Fowler, who died in April, 1906. In the following year he wedded Kathryn C. Cowden, a daughter of James P. Cowden, a respected and representative citizen of Cedar Rapids. His family numbers two sons and two daughters, Samuel Robert, Wil- liam Arthur, Edith Maud and Helen Louise, resulting from his first marriage; and a son, John Cowden Palmer, born in February, 1910. The elder daughter is now the wife of Victor L. Wright, of Indianapolis, Indiana.
Mr. Palmer is aetive in church and mission work, holds membership and has been vestryman in Graee Episcopal church for some twenty years and is one of the earnest champions of Sunshine Mission, which has done so much for the city. His efforts are ever of a practical character, looking to the benefit and betterment of his fellowmen, and with him religion constitutes a motive force rather than a Sunday observanee, although he seldom fails to attend the regular Sunday serviees of the ehurel. He seeks advancement along all lines and is now president and treasurer of the library board. Travel has greatly broadened his knowledge and in addition to visiting many points of interest in this country, he has made many trips to England with his children. He is a member of the Commercial Club and in polities he is independent, supporting men and measures rather than party. From each experience he has learned the lessons of life and has come to regard as above all wealth, fame or position the building of an upright character, believing with Lincoln that "there is something better than making a living -making a life."
JOHN DE MOTTE BLUE, JR.
John De Motte Blue, Jr., of Cedar Rapids, is a member of that class of men whose extensive operations, whose capability for sueeessful management and whose initiative spirit well entitle them to be termed captains of industry. No idle chanee has carried him to his present prominent position in business cireles. His advance has been the result of an orderly progression and if it has seemed that he has reached his present plaee by leaps and bounds it is because he has seen and utilized the opportunities that others have passed by heedlessly. With marked discernment he recognized the essential, separating it from the incidental or cireumstantial features of any business projeet.
Mr. Blue was born in Belle Plaine, Iowa, July 25, 1878. His parents, John D. and Ella (Anderson) Blue, were both natives of Ohio and came to Iowa in early manhood and womanhood. They were married in Marion, Ohio, after which the father engaged in merchandising for twenty-eight years at Belle Plaine, Iowa. Later he turned his attention to the insurance business and is now the district manager of the Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company with headquarters at Belle Plaine where he has resided as a valued and honored citizen for the past forty-five years. He has taken a most active and helpful
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part in the moral progress of the community as one of the leading members of the Methodist Episcopal church, supporting all of its different lines of activity. He has reared a family of six children of whom his namesake is the youngest. Dr. Leonard A. Blue is the eldest and is Professor of Education in the Women's College, now Goucher College, at Baltimore, Maryland; Iona B., is the wife of W. H. Burrows, a elothing merchant of Cedar Rapids; Alice B. is the widow of Dr. E. P. Noble of Belle Plaine; Thomas C. is a manufacturer of hosiery at Des Moines, Iowa ; Dr. Robert B. Blue is a practicing physician at Wichita, Kansas.
John D. Blue, Jr., who completes the family, acquired his preliminary edu- cation in the public schools of Belle Plaine, pursuing his course through the consecutive grades until he was graduated from the high school with the class of 1897. IIe then entered Cornell College where he completed his course in the class of 1902, winning the degree of Bachelor of Science. He spent the year 1901 in the employ of the Simmons Hardware Company of St. Louis as assistant buyer, after which he returned to college for the completion of his studies. When he entered upon his college course he had but eleven dollars but he possessed that resolute spirit and unfaltering determination which are better than money and not only was he able to pay his way through college but com- pleted the course with a bank account. He had done this by mowing lawns, tending furnaces, acting as a laundry agent and performing other honorable service that would yield him the desired financial return. His real start in bus- iness, however, was made when he was yet a young boy, when he rode his bicycle out into the country and carried home a pig upon his back, the farmer telling him that he might have the little animal if he would take it home on his bicycle. It was a runt and the farmer considered it worthless but Mr. Blue, glad of the opportunity, returned with the pig and built a pen in the back yard and a year later sold his porker for nine dollars. He afterward sold pop-corn at the trains and earned money to take him to the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago in 1893. Thus early he displayed the elemental strength of his character by undaunted enterprise and perseverance which even then enabled him to accomp- lish the results which he sought.
Following his graduation, Mr. Blue in 1902 went on a trip of inspection to Old Mexico to see some real estate properties there, and pleased with the pros- pect, assisted in the organization and incorporation of a company that purchased fifty thousand acres of land and assisted in the sale of stock and bonds in the corporation to the value of three million five hundred thousand dollars. This was the beginning of his present extensive real-estate operations and from that point he branched out into the general real estate brokerage and bond business. In 1907 he went to Colorado and in company with his brother, Thomas C. Blue, purchased five thousand acres of irrigated land, organizing the Logan County Development Company which at the present time is operating an extensive alfalfa, sugar beet and stock ranch. He then platted the town of Proctor, Col- orado, organized the Proctor State Bank of which he is vice president, and has been the chief promoter of the town. He is general sales manager and treasurer of the Logan County Development Company in which connection he has con- tributed largely to the material upbuilding and progress of that portion of the state. In 1908 he organized the J. D. Blue, Jr., Brokerage Company, becoming president and manager, a company doing business in twenty different states in stocks, bonds, and securities. Mr. Blue has gained a very wide reputation as one of the prominent financiers in this field and such is his knowledge of com- mercial paper and investment securities that his opinions are largely accepted as anthoritative in the western world of finance.
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