USA > Iowa > Linn County > History of Linn County Iowa : from its earliest settlement to the present time, Volume II > Part 26
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Henry W. Kerr was reared under the parental roof and began his education in the common schools, later pursuing a course of study in the Carlinville high school. He next spent two years as a student in Blackburn University of Carlin- ville and then followed the profession of teaching during one winter term. Subsequently he took up general agricultural pursuits in association with his father and was thus busily engaged until December, 1895, when he came to Iowa on a business trip. While in Linn county he met and married Miss Allie Henderson, a daughter of Peter T. Henderson, of Jackson township, this county. The wedding ceremony took place on Christmas day of 1895 and following his marriage Mr. Kerr worked on the Henderson farm for a couple of years. He then removed to his present place of one hundred and eighty acres on sections 4 and 5, Jackson township, and has there carried on his agricultural interests continuously since. In connection with the tilling of the soil he has for many
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years been successfully engaged in business as a stockman, raising thoroughbred red polled cattle.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Kerr were born two children, one of whom still survives, Henry W., Jr. Mr. Kerr is a stanch republican in his political views. Both he and his wife belong to the Congregational church and are deeply and helpfully interested in its work. They are people of high standing in the community in which they reside, are sociable and hospitable to an eminent degree and by their many excellent traits of character have gained the respect and high regard of an extensive circle of warm friends.
C. B. SVOBODA
C. B. Svoboda, secretary of the Cedar Rapids Life Insurance Company and an active factor in planning its development and promoting its growth, is a native of southern Bohemia, having been born in Zeletinka, made famous by the distinguished Bohemian poet, K. H. Macha, whose poetry bears marks of Byron's influence. The beauty of the forests of that locality was the inspiration for one of Mr. Macha's most exquisite poems.
In the common schools of his native village, C. B. Svoboda acquired his elementary education and later attended the schools of the county seat, after which he left home for Prague, Bohemia's beautiful capital, where he attended a high school or gymnasium. The prescribed course of study there is eight years and consists among other things of a thorough course in Latin and Greek classics. He was graduated from that institution in 1890 and thereafter matri- culated at the University of Prague, one of Bohemia's oldest institutions of learning, in which he pursned the study of law.
While there preparing for the bar and also acting as instructor, Mr. Svoboda had many opportunities for travel which he embraced, visiting various sections of Europe and especially prizing his experience in Germany.
Coming to America as a man of broad scholarship and ripe experience, he spent a brief period in New York and thence removed to Chicago, becoming assistant superintendent for the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company. In 1906, however, he resigned that position to enter into active connection with the newly organized Cedar Rapids Life Insurance Company, becoming its assistant secretary within six months, and being promoted to the position of secretary in January, 1908. Although his residence in Liun county covers a comparatively brief period, he has become actively interested in the affairs of Cedar Rapids and in making the insurance company of which he is now secretary one that will always be a credit to the city.
JOSEPH H. ZACHARY, JR.
Linn county has a large percentage of foreign born citizens who, in sympathy with the republican form of government in this land, have come to the new world and have enjoyed the business opportunities offered on this side of the Atlantic. Among the number was Joseph P. Zachary, a native of Belgium, who in 1852 journeyed westward to Dubuque county, Iowa, where he established his home and, being pleased with the district he sent for his family and in 1853 was joined by his wife, Mrs. Tressa Zachary and their children. They continued in Dubuque county until 1867, when they came to Linn county where the par- ents resided until called to the home beyond. The mother died in April, 1907,
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GEORGE A. EVANS
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and the father survived her for less than a year, passing away on the 23d of January, 1908. In their family were eight children, but only four now survive.
Joseph H. Zachary, whose name introduces this review, was born in Belgium, December 19, 1850, and was therefore only two years of age when he was brought by his mother to the new world. He remained at home until twenty-two years of age, was reared to farm work and in his boyhood gained practical and com- prehensive knowledge of the best methods of tilling the fields and caring for the erops. After he had attained his majority he left home and worked as a farm hand for three years. He was then married in 1875 to Miss Martha J. Gorton, who was born in Rock Island county, Illinois, March 24, 1857, her parents being Foster and Luey Jane (Herrick) Gorton, the former a native of the state of New York and the latter of Ohio. Arriving in Illinois at an early day, they removed to Linn county, Iowa, in 1866, and in 1895 became residents of Emmet county, Iowa, where the mother passed away March 10, 1907, while the father died on the 17th of April, 1908. Their family numbered ten children of whom five are yet living.
Mr. and Mrs. Zachary began their domestie life upon a farm which he rented for five years, during which time they carefully considered expenses and labored diligently to acquire a measure of success that would enable them to purchase a farm. At the end of that time Mr. Zachary invested in seventy-one acres where he now lives in Marion township, and as he has further prospered in his undertakings he has extended the boundaries of his farm until it now comprises one hundred and twelve acres. The land is rich and productive and in the inter- vening years has brought to him rich returns. He is now living retired, however, although he still makes his home upon the farm.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Zachary were born two children but the younger died in infancy. The surviving son operates the home place and is one of the enterpris- ing agriculturists of the township. He married Flossie Elliott, a native of this county, and they have two children, Edna Merl and Howard Delbert.
In his political views Joseph H. Zachary has always been a democrat since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. He and his wife hold mem- bership in the Methodist Episcopal church and they conform their lives to its teachings, seeking at all times to do unto others as they would have them do unto them. Mr. Zachary's diligence, determination and capable management have brought him success which is well merited and now, leaving the active work of the farm to his son, he is living retired in the enjoyment of well earned and well merited rest.
JOHN THOMAS
Nature seems to have intended that man shall enjoy a period of rest in the evening of life. In youth, vigorous and ambitious, he undertakes his tasks with a will and later his efforts are directed by the more mature judgment and ex- perience of middle life. If he be diligent and determined, utilizing his oppor- tunities, he will achieve a measure of success that will enable him in later years to rest from further labor and with an honored name and comfortable com- petence devote his time to such pursuits as are of interest and pleasure to him. Such is the record of John Thomas, who figured prominently for many years in the commercial cireles of Cedar Rapids, conducting a wholesale leather and saddlery business here. He was born in Bethany, Connecticut, January 16, 1833, a son of Allen and Mary (Gilbert) Thomas, the former a farmer by oc- cupation.
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After attending the public schools John Thomas entered a preparatory school in New Haven, attending there until about fifteen years of age. He afterward remained at home for some time, continuing his studies privately, but in 1849 he followed Greeley's advice to young men and came west, entering the employ of a brother-in-law who was conducting a general store at Oquawka, Illinois, on the Mississippi river just above Burlington. After remaining there for three years he went to Galesburg, Illinois, where he established a general store, bor- rowing a part of the capital necessary for the undertaking while the remainder he had saved from his earnings. Ile purchased a store that was largely bank- rupt, and bending every energy to the upbuilding of the trade he soon made it a most successful enterprise, conducting it until the outbreak of the Civil war, when business activity was largely brought to a standstill. He then closed out his business and, prompted by the spirit of patriotism, joined the army in the fall of 1861, becoming a first lieutenant in Company H of the One Hundred and Second Illinois Infantry. After about three months he was detailed to take charge of and command a company which was known as the Pioneer Brigade in Kentucky. During the Chickamauga campaign he was actively engaged in duty and after the battle of Chickamauga passed the required examination and became captain of engineers in which capacity he commanded a company of one hundred and fifty men, the duty of whom was to look after the defense and to build bridges. The services which Captain Thomas thus rendered were of a very important nature.
At the elose of the war, in 1865, he came to Cedar Rapids and established a wholesale leather and saddlery business in which he continued until about twelve years ago, when he disposed of his stock and practically retired. He is the president of the Cedar Rapids Gas Company and is interested in the Welch Cook Company, the Hawkeye Skirt Company and many other local enterprises, but takes no active part in their management, his interest being simply that of investment. He has also become the owner of large real-estate holdings and maintains a general supervision over his business affairs. Ilis judgment has ever been most sound, his discrimination keen and his energy unfaltering, and these qualities have ever been the concomitants of success.
In January, 1855, Mr. Thomas was united in marriage to Miss Harriet Con- ger, a daughter of Lawrence Conger, of Galesburg, Illinois, and a sister of E. H. Conger who was minister to China during the Boxer uprising. Mrs. Thomas passed away leaving a daughter Mary, who is now the wife of Dr. J. W. Morris, of Cedar Rapids, and who has two children: Elizabeth, four years of age; and John, a little lad of two summers.
For forty-five years a resident of Cedar Rapids, Mr. Thomas has throughout this period been associated with many projects and movements for the public good, endorsing the organized activities which have been instituted for the up- building and advancement of the eity in business, social, political and moral lines. IIe has so established himself in public regard that his opinions have carried weight on many important questions and he is widely known as one of the valued and highly respected residents of this part of the state.
JOHN ADAMS
Through the years of his manhood John Adams devoted his time and labors to general agricultural pursuits and made an excellent record as an enterprising and reliable business man, so that his memory is honored as one who well de- served to be elassed with the representative citizens of Linn county. A native of Scotland, lie was born June 26, 1836, a son of James and Ann (Miller) Adams,
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who were also natives of Scotland, the father having been born in 1812 and the mother in 1807. They crossed the Atlantic to America in 1854 and settled at St. Charles, Illinois, while subsequently they removed to Linn county, where both passed away.
John Adams remained a resident of the land of hills and heather until he had reached the age of seventeen years, when he heard and heeded the call of the western world, attracted by the broader opportunities that were to be ob- tained on this side of the Atlantic. He landed on the castern coast and at once made his way into the interior of the country, settling in Kane county, Illinois, where he resided for twelve years. On the 28th of November, 1864, he arrived in Linn county, Iowa, and with the proceeds of his earnings he purchased eighty acres of land and thus became identified with the agricultural interests of this section of the state. He made further arrangements for having a home of his own by his marriage on the 28th of November, 1865, to Miss Myra J. Gray, who was born in Marion township, this county, December 30, 1848. Her parents, O. N. and Rosanna (Pratt) Gray, were both natives of Bradford county, Penn- sylvania, and were among the early settlers of Linn county, arriving in 1843, which was several years before Cedar Rapids was founded. All this section of the state was practically wild and uncultivated and from the government he entered a tract of wild land, placing the first improvement thercon-a log cabin. He then resolutely took up the task of breaking the sod and tilling the fields and year after year he continued the cultivation of the farm until threc decades had elapsed. In 1873 he removed to Kansas, where he again sceured a elaim, there carrying on general agricultural pursuits until advanced age caused him to retire from business life. He died in December, 1909, at the age of ninety years and is still survived by his widow, who is enjoying good health at the age of eighty-six years. Their family numbered six ehildren, of whom four are still living. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Adams have been born five children : Anna, the wife of Charles B. Webb, of Marion township; O. N., also residing in this township; L. C., operating the home farm; Mable E., who passed away in 1890 at the age of fourteen years; and Delsina, still at home.
After his marriage Mr. Adams located on his eighty-acre farm in Marion township, which he occupied and improved for thirteen years, when he sold that property and invested in one hundred and sixty acres in the same township, upon which his widow now resides. He resolutely sct to work to further improve his property and the results of his efforts were soon seen in the highly cultivated fields from which he annually gathered large crops. He was diligent and deter- mined in business and his energy enabled him to overcome all the difficulties and obstacles in his path. Year after year he toiled on, anxious to provide a good living for his family, to whom he left a comfortable competence when in June, 1894, he was called to his final rest, his remains being interred in Oak Shade cemetery.
Mr. Adams was a devoted member of the Presbyterian church, his life being in harmony with its teachings. His wife also belongs to that church and is a lady of many estimable qualities which have won for her the high esteem of all with whom she has been brought in contact. The son, L. C. Adams, now operates the old home farm of one hundred and twenty-five acres and makes a specialty of raising and feeding stock. He acquired a common school education and was carefully trained in the best methods of tilling the soil by assisting his father in the work of the fields. In August, 1899, he married Miss Eva M. Em- mons who was born in Linn county, April 22, 1875, and is a daughter of John and Alice (Hill) Emmons, who were natives of this county and are now resi- dents of Marion. Mr. and Mrs. L. C. Adams became parents of two children but the first born died in infancy. The living son, Howard E., was born December 17, 1904. The parents are consistent and faithful members of the
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Presbyterian church and their well spent lives have won for them classification with the representative and honored citizens of this community. Mr. Adams gives his politieal allegiance to the republican party but has never sought nor desired office. He is serving, however, as a school director and the cause of education finds in him a warm and stalwart friend. In fact he stands for pro- gress in all those lines which touch the general interests of society. The Adams family has long been known in Linn county and throughont all the years its members have been found on the side of right, justice and truth, of advance- ment and improvement.
REV. JACOB B. CASEBEER
History largely records the material upbuilding, the political progress and the military movements of a country, and yet back of all this are the principles that actuate men in their lives, in all of their relations with their fellowinen, and these principles in large measure have their root in religious faith and belief. In a history of Iowa, therefore, it is meet that extended mention be made of those who have had to do with planting the seeds of righteousness and truth which in the passing years have sprung up and borne rich fruit. Among the early ministers of the gospel in this state was the Rev. Jacob B. Casebeer, who almost to the time of his death was filling the pastorate of St. Paul's Method- ist Episcopal church in Cedar Rapids. So widespread was his influence, so beneficient his work, that his history is inseparably interwoven with the annals of Iowa.
A native of Ohio, he was born at New Philadelphia, February 11, 1838, but in his youthful days accompanied his parents on their removal to the neighbor- hood of Muscatine, Iowa, where his father engaged in the practice of medicine as one of the early physicians of that district. In young manhood Jacob Case- beer studied medicine under his father's direction and for a time engaged in practice, but was destined to devote his life to even a higher and holier work than the healing of the body. In 1857, while residing near Des Moines, he at- tended a Methodist campmeeting at Mnd Creek and there joined the church. He at once entered actively into phases of religious work and manifested an adaptability for the labors of spiritual ministration which has made his career peculiarly successful. His first sermon was preached in the log schoolhonse at Corrys Grove. He was licensed to preach on the 21st of August, 1858, and was assigned to duty on the Palmyra circuit which included twenty appointments and required four weeks to visit each. IIe met the usual experiences and hard- ships of the itinerary minister in pioneer times, but never faltered in the course which he had set out for himself nor murmured when his path seemed beset with difficulties while he carried the gospel into sparsely settled districts of western Iowa. He found that the people eagerly listened to the word of God and that their hospitality was generous and their welcome most hearty. He possessed ready adaptability that enabled him to meet all conditions of life as he found them, and speak the ready and timely word of encouragement, assistance and sympathy. Ilis love for his fellowmen was the predominant influence in his life and thus he wanted to share with them what he regarded as life's richest gift -the blessings of a belief in religion. In 1859 he was assigned to the Marengo circuit and in 1860 to the Muscatine circuit as junior preacher, thus returning as a messenger of the gospel to the field where he had first begun his labors in behalf of the cause. He was next assigned to the Richmond eircuit and soon his pastoral duties were interrupted by work which he regarded as high and holy as that in which he had formerly engaged.
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It was in 1861 that he was importuned to go south to bring home an insane soldier, the son of a parishioner. He made his way to the contested ground where the two armies lay, and gaining personal knowledge of the conditions and a clear insight into the eauses of war, he became another "fighting parson," and was as stalwart and loyal a soldier of the country as he was a soldier of the cross. Returning to the north in 1862 he raised a military organization that became known as Company D, Twenty-fourth Iowa Infantry, of Johnson and Cedar counties, and Governor Kirkwood sent him a commission as captain on the 9th of August. He refused to accept this, however, and enlisted as a private. But the company that he had raised, thoroughly loyal to him and believing in his ability, unanimously elected him to the captaincy. He then consented to serve and the company, which was organized on the 20th, rendezvoused eight days later at Muscatine, was mustered into the service on the 24th of September, and on the 20th of October started for the south. His history during the re- mainder of the war was that of the regiment. Ile shared in all the hardships and privations incident to the life of the soldier engaged in active duty. He in- spired his men with mueh of his own loyalty and bravery ; he did not command but led them into the thickest of the fight and while earefully looking after their physical wants he also ministered to their spiritual needs, looking after them with the devotion of a brother. One of the lowa papers said of him: "In the 'hornet's nest' at Champion's Hill his company was deeimated, but when the sun set on that bloody field he gathered the survivors of his company about him and with tears that were mingled with prayer poured out his heart to the God of battles. In the Red river expedition he was wounded by the explosion of a shell, and after struggling heroically for weeks to keep at the head of his men he was compelled to return home when the surgeons declared that his life would pay the penalty unless he did."
When the war was over and the country no longer needed liis aid Rev. Case- beer returned to the active work of the ministry in Iowa. During the progress of the war he had married Miss Mira Riggs, daughter of John and Eliza (Long- streth) Riggs, of Muscatine, the wedding being celebrated in 1863. They be- came the parents of two daughters, Mrs. H. S. Kneedler, and Mand C., the wife of Dr. H. L. Walker of Cedar Rapids.
In 1864 Rev. Casebeer had been transferred to the Upper Iowa conference and was pastor of the Methodist church in Dubuque until 1866; afterward spent a year at Lyons, and from 1867 until 1869 was at Waterloo. Through the two succeeding years he labored at Charles City; was at Decorah for two years; at Anamosa from 1873 until 1875; at West Union from 1875 until 1877; Osage, from 1877 until 1879; McGregor from 1879 until 1882; Marshalltown from 1882 until 1885; Cedar Rapids from 1885 until 1887; and then accepted the pastorate of the Fourteenth Street Methodist church in Davenport. But after four months' service in that connection he was obliged to put aside the active work of the ministry because of the great nervous strain under which he had labored for years and because of the wounds which he had sustained in the army. He continued in ill health until the end, which came on the 18th of December, 1889.
Mr. Casebeer was honored and revered wherever he was known. He was a valued member of the Masonic fraternity in which he took the degrees of the lodge, chapter, commandery and eonsistory and of the Mystic Shrine. He was an Odd Fellow and was identified with other fraternal organiationzs. He served as state chaplain of the Grand Army of the Republic and was chaplain of the First Regiment of the Iowa National Guard. It has been written of him: "His willingness to respond to all ealls, the warm fellowship of his nature and his ready oratory, have conspired to make him friends all over the state where he is undoubtedly as well and widely known as any minister in Iowa. But by a narrower - and yet wide - circle of friends he is held in even
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higher esteem. We refer to those innumerable ones who have tested the warmth of his affection and the generousness of his disposition. In secret he was con- tinually doing good, even at the expense of time and health and money which he could illy afford. Since his sickness many poor people have called at his home to inquire for him and to tearfully tell of his goodness to them. Helpless and decrepit men, needy and suffering women and especially little children whom he tenderly loved, have sounded the depth of his abundant charity. Dur- ing his ministry here there were many who tested this spirit of sacrifice and who in the hour of deepest affliction found in him a responsive chord for the expression of their woes. He was moved by the misfortune of others, and his compassion had no mean or sordid bounds. Greater even than the imperishable tribute of the twenty-five hundred brought into his church during his twenty- five years of ministry will be the jewels on his erown which will be added by the unforgotten prayers of the needy whom he has suecored. This life which was so full of varied activity, so stiringly dramatie when it rose to the heroic de- mands of war and so abundantly meet for the tender work of the Saviour when it followed the walks of its own choosing - has elosed. The man who has gone among us for so long and who has so tenderly cemented the ties of friendship, is dead. Rousing from the deep sleep that hung over him as the end drew near a day or two ago he said distinetly as he clasped the hand of his wife and lifted his eyes heavenward, 'Thy will be done.'"
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