USA > Iowa > Linn County > History of Linn County Iowa : from its earliest settlement to the present time, Volume II > Part 25
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On the 8th of June, 1904, Mr. Blue was united in marriage to Miss Pearl Mac Hill of Mount Vernon, Iowa, and they have two children, Ruth Eleanor and Beatrice Marie. Both Mr. and Mrs. Blue hold membership in the Methodist
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Episcopal church and he is further identified with Mount Hermon Lodge, No. 263, A. F. & A. M .; Iowa Consistory, No. 2, A. & A. S. R .; El Kahir Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. He is very active in Masonie work and the high degree to which he has attained indicates his deep interest therein. His membership in the Iowa Society of the Sons of the American Revolution is gained through his direet deseendeney from Thomas Anderson.
Cedar Rapids benefits by the efforts of Mr. Blue along industrial lines for he is the cooperant factor in several of the produetive industries of the city. Indeed, the extent and importance of his business connections makes him one of the distinguished residents of this place. His initiative spirit and keen discern- ment enable him to recognize and utilize opportunities and exploit advantages in a manner that produces substantial results. His real-estate operations have been eondneted along the line of mammoth undertakings, but in all things he has shown the capability for successful management, knowing when and where and how to put forth every effort and direet interests that the desired results may be obtained.
JOSEPH G. SCOTT
Joseph G. Scott has a vast acreage in Linn county, for in one body lies six hundred aeres of land, of which he is the owner. He has taken especial interest in the agricultural development of this section of the state, for he is a native son of Linn county, born February 16, 1848, one of eight surviving members in a family of ten children born of the marriage of John and Mary (Ferguson) Scott. The mother was born in Indiana, while the father was born in Ohio, whence he removed to Illinois in an early day, while the year 1839 witnessed his arrival in Linn county. He entered land from the government, his tract constituting a portion of the land which is now owned by the son, who is the subject of this review. The father devoted his entire time to the improvement and cultivation of his land here until his death, which occurred in 1855. The mother survived for more than thirty years and departed this life in August, 1887.
Joseph G. Seott was but seven years of age at the time he lost his father but he continued under the parental roof throughout the period of his boyhood and youth, during which time he pursued his studies in the common schools. When he attained his majority he assumed the management of the home farm for his mother, being thus engaged until the latter's death in 1887, after which he pur- chased the interest of the other heirs in the homestead. He has sinee added to this tract until he now owns six hundred acres all in one body in Marion and Bertram townships. With the assistance of his sons he carries on farming on quite an extensive seale and he also gives much time to raising and feeding cattle and hogs, fattening about one hundred head of cattle each year. While he has achieved unusual success in life, his business has ever been carried on with a view to striet honesty in all his dealings with his fellowmen.
Mr. Seott established a home of his own on the 7th of September, 1871, by his marriage to Miss Myra J. Kennedy, who was born in Bradford county, Pennsylvania, August 24, 1852. Her parents were Thomas and Jane (Cole) Kennedy, the former born in the Keystone state, while the latter elaimed the Buekeye state as the place of her nativity. The parents located in Linn county in 1866 and here the father followed farming until the time of his death, which occurred in 1872. The mother is still living at the age of seventy-five years and now makes her home in Walker, Iowa. Mrs. Seott is the eldest in a family of seven children, of whom two are deceased, and by her marriage she has become
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the mother of nine children, as follows: John W., a resident of Cedar Rapids ; Mary L., the wife of W. T. Beach, of Mount Vernon, Iowa; Delilah, the wife of J. R. Ives, who lives in Marion township; Pearl Esther, at home; T. H., J. Y., Lester and Gerald, all still under the parental roof; and one who died in infancy.
Mr. Scott has always given stalwart support to the democratic party and has served as school director and as road supervisor but he has never taken a very active interest in public affairs, for his extensive business interests claim the greater part of his time and attention. Both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Scott displays method in the conduct of his farm, all fields being platted and arranged so that the best results may be obtained for the labor expended. His outbuildings and barns are arranged with a view to convenience and on this model farm there is a place for every- thing and everything is in its place, so that a view of it is in itself a lesson in thrift, perseverance and industry.
GEORGE DALE
For thirty-seven years George Dale, who is now numbered among the hon- ored dead of Cedar Rapids, was a resident of this city and he made a splendid record in business circles as a contractor and builder, who was held in equally high esteem in social circles and indeed among all who knew him for throughout his life he manifested the sterling qualities of good citizenship, of faithful friendship and of loyalty to all the duties that devolved upon him. He was born in Union county, Pennsylvania, on the 28th of December, 1835, and was a son of Philip and Maric Dale, of German and English descent. In the year 1837 the parents left the Keystone state and removed to Ohio, where they lived for some time after which they went to Indiana, where their last days were passed.
George Dale was a lad of only twelve years when left an orphan. He con- tinued to reside in Indiana until he attained the age of nineteen years, and then walked from his home in that state to Cedar county, Iowa, where he met his uncle and soon afterward secured a position as stage driver between Tipton and Davenport. This was in 1855-a period antedating the era of rapid railroads in this state. He continued to drive stage for a year, after which he learned the mason's trade which he followed during the greater part of his life. Soon becoming an expert workman, he began contracting and building and erected many of the substantial structures of this city and always enjoyed an extensive patronage which he well merited. He was ever faithful to the terms of a con- tract, prompt and reliable in its execution and by honorable business methods won his success.
In 1857 Mr. Dale was married in Cedar county, Iowa, to Miss Rutlı Doty, a native of Butler county, Ohio, born in 1838. Her parents were James M. and Susan (Anderson) Doty, natives of New Jersey and Ohio respectively. In the year 1839 her father arrived in Linn county, Iowa, with his family, and here resided until his death, which occurred in 1846. He and his brother Elias built a saw mill on Indian creek near Bertram, and there the brother was killed. James Doty afterward sold the mill in 1841 and laid out a town called Westport, which at that time was larger than Cedar Rapids. He was closely associated with the pioneer development and progress of the community and Linn county lost a valuable citizen at his death. Following her husband's demise in 1846, Mrs. Doty returned with her family to Indiana and there resided until 1854, when she again came to Linn county. Subsequently she removed to Cherokee
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county, where she lived until her death in 1908, passing away at the remarkable old age of ninety-three years.
Mrs. Dale was one of a family of six children, all of whom are yet living with the exception of one sister. After her marriage she resided for a short time at Wilton Junction, and then they removed to Boone county, Iowa, where they resided for a year. In 1865 they became residents of Cedar Rapids and here Mr. Dale began contracting and building as a brick mason, being thereafter identified with building operations and the substantial improvement of the city up to the time of his death.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Dale was blessed with six children : David C., now living in Golden, Colorado; Elizabeth, at home; Edmond G., who is located in Topeka, Kansas ; John Allen, now at Nichols Junction, Iowa; Nina Laura, who has passed away ; and Robert Burdette, an instructor in mechanical engineering in the State University at Iowa City. The death of the husband and father occurred March 20, 1902, and was deeply regretted by many friends as well as his immediate family. All who knew him respected and honored him for his sterling worth, for his life was in harmony with high and honorable principles of manhood and citizenship. He inspired the regard of his fellowmen because he was considered just and reliable, adopting as his rule of conduct those principles which in every land and clime awaken confidence and regard. Mrs. Dale now owns an at- tractive home at 1323 First avenue. She is a member of the Baptist church, her well spent life being in harmony with its teachings.
HENRY FAIRCHILD
Henry Fairchild, one of the prosperous agriculturists and prominent citizens of Grant township, is the owner of a well improved farm of three hundred and twenty acres on sections 2 and 11. His birth occurred in Ohio on the 6th of Sep- tember, 1851, his parents being J. H. and Saralı Ann (Ellis) Fairchild, who were likewise natives of the Buckeye state. They came to Linn county, Iowa, in 1855, purchased a tract of land on section 1, Spring Grove township, and here continued to reside throughout the remainder of their lives. The mother passed away in 1870, while the father was called to his final rest in August, 1909, when eighty-two years of age. Unto this worthy couple were born seven children, four of whom still survive, as follows: Ada, who is a resident of Cog- gon, Iowa; Hattie, the wife of Fred Willis; William, living in Sully county, South Dakota; and Henry, of this review.
The last named, who was but four years of age when he came to this county with his parents, attended the common schools in the acquirement of an edu- cation and remained at home until the time of his marriage in 1870. He has devoted his attention to general agricultural pursuits throughout his entire busi- ness career and in 1892 purchased his present home farm of three hundred and twenty acres on sections 2 and 11, Grant township, where he has resided con- tinuously since. In addition to cultivating the cereals best adapted to soil and climate he makes a specialty of raising and feeding stock and has found both branches of business congenial as well as profitable. He is likewise one of the directors of the Walker State Bank and is widely recognized as one of the enterprising and representative citizens of the community.
In 1870 Mr. Fairchild was united in marriage to Miss Deborah Jane Walton, a native of Linn county and a daughter of J. H. and Maria Walton, both of whom were born in Ohio. They came to this county in the early '40s, entering eighty acres of land and erecting thereon a log cabin. The mother was called to her final rest in 1883, while the father survived until 1894, when he, too,
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passed away. They reared a family of nine children, seven of whom are yet living. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Fairehild were born thirteen children, namely : Lena, the wife of Fred Vantassel, of Grant township ; John H., likewise a resident of Grant township; Edward J., living in Dawson county, Montana; Sarah A., who married L. Hudson, but both are now deceased; Rebecea, the wife of Wil- liam Horrack, of Linn county; Agnes, who is the wife of William Norris and makes her home in Buchanan county, Iowa; Clarence, who is a resident of this county ; Matilda, the deceased wife of Roy Meliek; Emma, the wife of Frank Chester, of Linn county ; Blanche, who is the wife of Charles Leach and resides in Buchanan county, Iowa; Jennie, who is now attending normal school; Fred- eriek, who is deceased; and Ross, at home.
Mr. Fairehild is a republican in political views and is now serving in the office of township trustee, having held that position for nine years. He likewise acted as county commissioner for six years and has ever discharged his official duties in a manner that has won public approval and commendation. Fra- ternally he is identified with the Modern Woodmen eamp at Walker, while his religious faith is indicated by his attendance at the Methodist Episcopal ehureh, with which his wife is also affiliated. Having resided within the borders of Linn county for fifty-five years, he has gained a large eirele of friends which is almost eoextensive with the eirele of his acquaintances, and his salient eharaeteristies are such as have won for him the unqualified respeet, esteem and good will of his fellowmen.
R. H. MIELL
R. H. Miell, a prosperous agriculturist and extensive landowner of Buffalo township, was born on Long Island, New York, on the 7th of December, 1854, his parents being James and Mary (Brown) Miell, natives of England and Ire- land respectively. They came to this country in early manhood and womanhood and were married in the city of New York. Later they took up their abode on Long Island and in 1861 came to Iowa, locating at Anamosa, Jones county, where the father worked at his trade of brickmaking. He passed away at Ana- mosa in 1866, while his wife, surviving him for almost three decades, was called to her final rest in 1894.
R. H. Miell was reared under the parental roof and obtained his education in the common schools. When only about eleven years of age he began to provide for his own support by working as ehore boy on a farm, being thus engaged during the summer months for two or three years, while in the winter seasons he attended school. He continued to work as a farm land until his marriage in 1878 but had previously bought twenty acres of land in Jones county and locat- ed there with his bride, at that time purchasing an adjoining traet of twenty aeres. Later he extended the boundaries of his farm by an additional purehase of ten aeres. In 1882 or 1883 he sold the property and went to South Dakota, homesteading a quarter seetion of land in Brule county, that state. Three years later he disposed of that traet and returned to Jones county, Iowa, where for five years he was busily engaged in the operation of rented land. On the ex- piration of that period he bought a farm of one hundred and ten aeres in Jones county, residing thereon until 1902, when he sold the property and purchased his present home farm of two hundred aeres in Buffalo township, Linn county. Prior to that time, in 1900, he had purchased three hundred and twenty aeres in the Hart settlement in Buffalo, which land still remains in his possession, though he has never resided thereon. His holdings therefore embrace five hun- dred and twenty aeres of valuable land and in the conduct of his agricultural
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interests he has won a gratifying measure of success. He follows diversified farming and annually gathers rich crops, for which he finds a ready sale on the market. Starting out in life for himself when still but a boy, he has since worked his way steadily upward to a position of affluence and thus well merits the proud American title of a self-made man.
Mr. Miell has been married twice. In 1878 he wedded Miss Ella Robertson, by whom he had three children, namely: William, who follows farming in Nebraska; James, an agriculturist of Buffalo township; and George, who is re- siding on his claim in South Dakota. The wife and mother passed away in 1885 and in February, 1900, Mr. Miell was again married, his second union being with Mrs. John Johnson, who bore the maiden name of Violet Hines. Unto them have been born five children, as follows: Eleanor, Earl, Dean, Keith and Barney.
At the polls Mr. Miell exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the republican party, being a firm believer in its principles. His fraternal relations are with the Modern Woodmen of America and the Mystic Workers of America. His entire career has been characterized by high ideals and and noble principles and in every relation of life his record has ever meas- ured up to a high standard of honorable manhood.
SILAS T. WIGGINS
Silas T. Wiggins, deceased, came to Cedar Rapids in 1876, and for a number of years was a leading photographer here. He was born July 21, 1831, in Bangor, Maine, and his life covered the intervening years to the 21st of January, 1908. On leaving New England he made his way westward to Fall City, Wis- consin, in company with his parents, Elijah and Matilda (Blodgett) Wiggins. The father was a farmer by occupation and after his removal to the Badger state continued to reside there throughout his remaining days. He was one of the first of the family to seek a home in the middle west. His wife also continued to reside in Wisconsin until called to her final home and both were laid to rest in the cemetery at Fall City.
Silas T. Wiggins was a youth of fourteen years when he accompanied his parents to Wisconsin. He completed his education in the schools of that state and afterward took up the study of photography, going to Chicago when about twenty-one years of age in order to acquaint himself with that art. When he had become familiar with the modern methods of photography he returned to Fall City where he opened a studio and began business on his own account. Later he removed to Winona, Minnesota, where he remained for about ten years, and was there accorded a very liberal patronage, meeting with gratifying success. On the expiration of that period he came to Cedar Rapids, arriving in the year 1876, after which he remained for a number of years as the leading photographer of this city. He always kept abreast with modern ideas and improvements in the art, had the keenest appreciation for the effects of light, shade and pose, and the life-like results which he obtained made his work highly satisfactory to his patrons. He continued in the business until the time of his death and his abil- ity was widely recognized and constituted the basis of a pleasing success.
On the 12th of May, 1870, Mr. Wiggins was united in marriage to Miss Laura A. Ritchie, a daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Kennedy) Ritchie. Mrs. Wiggins is a representative of an old English family that came from Canada to the United States. The father was a bridge contractor and established his home in Winona, Minnesota, where the family were long widely and favorably known. Mr. Wiggins held membership in the Episcopal church and was prom-
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inent in Masonry, becoming a Sir Knight Templar, holding membership in Apol- lo Commandery. His life was ever in harmony with the teachings of his church and of the craft, and at all times he sought to cooperate in movements which he deemed beneficial to the individual and the community. His own life was an exemplification of many sterling traits of character and thus an honorable career was ended when on the 21st of January, 1908, he passed away.
GEORGE A. EVANS
George A. Evans, traveling inspector of the Iowa Inspection Bureau, was born in Johnson county, this state, on the 7th of June, 1856, and is a son of Abel and Ruhama (Minor) Evans, both of whom were natives of Greene county, Pennsyl- vania, where they were reared and married. In early manhood the father studied civil engineering, which he followed for several years prior to his marriage. Removing westward to Missouri, he aided in the survey for the Hamilton & St. Joseph Railroad across the state during the period of the Mexican war. After his marriage he located in Wayne county, Ohio, where he engaged in farming, and in 1853 came to Iowa, settling on a farm in Johnson county, where he resided until 1865. That year witnessed his arrival in Linn county and he took up his abode upon a farm adjoining the present city limits of Cedar Rapids, although that section of the city was then called Kingston. He lived upon his farm in West Cedar Rapids up to the time of his death, which occurred on the 7th of October, 1896. He served as justice of the peace for a number of years in Johnson county and his decisions were strictly fair and impartial, while in other duties of citizenship he was equally loyal and progressive. He and his wife were consistent members of the Baptist church and their many good traits of heart and mind won for them the confidence and friendship of those with whom they came in contact. Mrs. Evans survived her husband for about seven years, passing away on the 2d of November, 1903.
George A. Evans was reared at home, acquiring his education in the public schools, passing through consecutive grades until he was graduated from the Cedar Rapids high school with the class of 1878. He then took up the profession of teaching and to it devoted his time for several years. He next turned his atten- tion to the carpenter's trade, at which he worked for eight years. Later he was offered and accepted the management of the Bicycle Step Ladder Company and remained in that capacity for eight years, during which time he had charge of the preparation of a display of the company's product in the World's Columbian Exposition at Chicago, for which he was awarded a diploma as an expert wood worker.
There is an interesting military chapter in the life record of Mr. Evans, who on the organization of Company C of the First Regiment of the Iowa National Guard, on the 1st of November, 1883, became a member of the company, in which he rose from the ranks through the various non-commissioned offices and on the 15th of August, 1893, was commissioned lieutenant of his company, while on the 13th of January, 1895, he became its captain. On the 2d of Jnne. 1898, following the outbreak of hostilities between America and Spain, he was mustered into the United States service and nine days later left Des Moines, arriving in Jackson- ville, Florida, on the 14th of June. From that point the troops went to Savannah, Georgia, on the 18th of October, and from that point proceeded to Havana, Cuba. They left the American harbor on the 19th of December, arriving in the harbor of Havana on the evening of the 20th, and marched out to Camp Columbia on the evening of the 22d. They took part in the services marking the surrender of the Spanish forces on the 1st of January, 1899, and left for Savannah on the 5th of
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April, steaming into the harbor of the Georgian city on the 9th. They then re- mained in camp at Savannah until mustered out of service on the 13th of May. Following his return home Mr. Evans was appointed inspector of small arms practice in the Iowa National Guard with the rank of captain on the 11th of June, 1900, and was made regimental quartermaster of the Forty-ninth Regiment of the Iowa National Guard on the 9th of July. He was reappointed quartermaster of the Fifty-third Regiment, formerly the Forty-ninth, on the 9th of July, 1905, and is still filling that position. In February, 1907, he was presented by the state with a gold and jeweled twenty-five-year service medal. There were five of these medals provided by special act of the state legislature as a mark of special honor to members of the official staff of the state guard for long and meritorious servicc. On the 1st of June, 1899, he was offered and accepted his present position as traveling inspector for the Iowa State Inspection Bureau, and has since served in that capacity. He is today regarded as an authority on military matters in Iowa and has had a varied experience in connection with the Spanish American war and through his service with the National Guard.
In politics Mr. Evans is a progressive republican, taking an advanced stand upon many questions which are subjects of general discussion. He belongs to Mount Hermon Lodge, No. 263, F. & A. M., and holds membership with the Eagles and with the Blue Goose Lodge. Prominent as a member of the Spanish Amer- ican War Veterans, he is now serving as vice grand commander of the department of Iowa and as a member of the military order of the Spanish American war. He is likewise one of the grand yamen of the state of Iowa of the Sunim Order of the Dragon. He is well known as a prominent and representative resident of Cedar Rapids, occupying a prominent position in military and fraternal circles, and he has a wide acquaintance throughout the state,winning friends wherever he goes.
HENRY W. KERR
Henry W. Kerr, one of the representative and successful farmers and stock- raisers of Jackson township, is the owner of one hundred and eighty acres of land on sections 4 and 5. His birth occurred in Macoupin county, Illinois, on the 9th of August, 1867, his parents being Henry W. and Mary (Purviance) Kerr, the former a native of Kentucky and the latter of Macoupin county, Illi- nois. Their marriage was celebrated in the Prairie state, the father having been brought to Macoupin county by his parents when still but a boy. That county has remained his home continuously since and he is well known and highly es- teemed throughout the community where he resides. His wife was called to her final rest on the 8th of January, 1901.
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