USA > Iowa > Linn County > History of Linn County Iowa : from its earliest settlement to the present time, Volume II > Part 27
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Religion was never to him a stern taskmaster - it was ever with him a service of love. He believed that Christian people should be the happiest people in the world and his intercourse with others always showed a light heart and a genialty that had their root in a belief that all was well and that the destiny of the world was being shaped according to the divine plan. The memory of his life remains as an inspiration and a benediction to many who knew him.
CHARLES M. TORRANCE
A valuable farm property of one hundred and forty-eight acres. situated in Linn township, has been in possession of Charles M. Torrance sinee 1905. He is a native of Linn County, born on a farm in Linn township January 20, 1873. His parents, Alexander and Henrietta F. (Coleman) Torrance, were natives of Pennsylvania and Ohio respectively. In 1863 they made a perman- ent settlement in Linn county, locating on a farm of one hundred and ninety acres in Linn township. The father thus became identified with the early devel- opment and progress of this section of the state and is still numbered among its honored and representative citizens. The mother died on the home farm in 1898 and in 1904 the father was again married. his second union being with Miss Nellie Smith, a native of Linn county. The father continued his residence on the farm until 1909, sinee which time he has lived retired in Springville. He is one of the family of ten children but only two of the number are living, his brother being W. S., who is a member of his household. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Torrance were born two sons but the elder, Eddy E., is deceased, leaving our subject as the only survivor.
Charles M. Torrance spent the period of his boyhood and youth in much the usual manner of farm lads, being assigned to various tasks about the home in the summer seasons, while in the winter months he trudged to the district schools, where he pursued the studies that fitted him for practical and responsible duties in later life. He remained with his father until he was thirty-two years of age and then purchased one hundred and forty-eight acres of land in Linn township, which is his present home. This place was partially improved when it came into
C. M. TORRANCE AND FAMILY
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his possession but Mr. Torrance made many needed and modern improvements and now has one of the prodnetive, as well as attractive farms of this locality.
Mr. Torrance was married on the 14th of February, 1906, to Miss Erma Phillips, a daughter of William and Susan (Phillips) Phillips. both natives of Pennsylvania. Coming to the middle west in 1877, they located on a farm in Franklin township, Linn county, Iowa, where they resided for several years and are now living on another tract in the same township, which the father rents. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Phillips have been born ten children, namely : John, a resi- dent of Jones county, Iowa; Katie, the wife of J. Burge, living in Franklin township, Linn county; Clara, the wife of Frank Beldon, a resident of Cedar Rapids; Nellie, deceased; Lester, at home; Ora, who has also departed this life ; Earl and Erma, twins, the former deceased and the latter now Mrs. Torrance; one who died in infancy; and Elsie, at home.
Mr. and Mrs. Torrance have a little daughter, Helen H., whose birth oceurred April 12, 1908. Their first born, Roxy I., whose birth occurred on the 29th of January, 1907, died in infaney. Mr. Torrance is a republican in his political views and affiliations. He belongs to the Knights of Pythias order in Mount Ver- non and is likewise a prominent member of the Odd Fellow's lodge of that place. He has filled all the chairs in the subordinate lodge and has represented the order in the grand lodge of the state. His religious faith is indicated by his member- ship in the Presbyterian ehureh. He ever discharges his duties with marked ability and fairness and is conspicious among his associates not only for his suceess but for his probity and honorable methods. In everything he has been eminently practical and this has been manifest not only in his business under- takings but also in social life.
PAUL R. MUENCH
Paul R. Muench, one of the representative and sueeessful business men of Linn county, conduets an extensive mercantile enterprise at Rogers and is like- wise the proprietor of the Rogers Creamery. His birth occurred in the Rhine province of Germany on the Sth of March, 1875, his parents being Henry and Mary (Adel) Muench, who spent their entire lives in the fatherland. He was reared at home and attended the public schools of Germany in the acquirement of an education.
In 1896, having attained his majority, Mr. Muench crossed the Atlantic to the United States, loeating in North Dakota, where he homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres of land, proved up the claim and resided thereon for seven years. In the meantime he had purchased an adjoining quarter section and in 1903 disposed of the entire half section. He was next engaged in merchandising in the town of Linton, North Dakota, for two years, on the expiration of which period he sold his business and came to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, with the intention of going on to Texas. His wife's people persuaded him to remain in Cedar Rapids, however, and here he became associated in business with Ed Hahn under the firm style of Hahn & Muench, cement contractors. One year later he sold his interest in the enterprise and purchased his present business at Rogers, where he has sinee successfully conducted an extensive mercantile establishment. He is like- wise the proprietor of the Rogers Creamery and has one of the best appointed creamery plants in Linn county, its weekly output being about one hundred tubs of butter of the highest grade.
In 1900 Mr. Mueneh was united in marriage to Miss Maud E. Porter, a daughter of Colvin Porter, now of North Dakota and formerly of Cedar Rapids. Our subjeet and his wife have two sons, Walter Paul and Harold Ralph.
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In his political views Mr. Muench is a republican, while fraternally he is identified with Main Lodge, No. 643, I. O. O. F., at Cedar Rapids, Iowa; and Linton Camp, No. 11020, M. W. A., of Linton, North Dakota. He is well worthy the proud American title of a self-made man, for at the time of his arrival in this country his cash capital amounted to but two and a half dollars and there- fore the prosperity which he now enjoys is attributable entirely to his own in- dustry and enterprise. His record may well serve as a source of inspiration and encouragement to others, showing what may be accomplished when one has the will to dare and to do.
JOHN MILLER PINGREY
John Miller Pingrey was born in Walpole, Cheshire county, New Hampshire, July 2, 1850, the son of Daniel and Amanda (Nye) Pingrey. He was the fourth child of a family of thirteen children, six of whom are now living. With his parents he removed to Benton county, Iowa, locating near Blairstown in 1866, where he worked on his father's farm in the summers and attended school in the winters. His father was one of the early breeders of high grade stock in Iowa.
After his father's death in 1876 John M. Pingrey took charge of the large stoek farm. He was married in 1877 to Mrs. Nora A. Stocker, to which union one son was born, Daniel W., who is now associated with his father in business in Marion. In 1878 he removed to Ottawa county, Kansas, where he engaged extensively in stock and grain raising. In 1885 he disposed of his business in Kansas and removed to Greenwood, Missouri, where he purchased and conducted a large flour mill. In 1891 he removed to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and in 1908 to Marion, where, with son Daniel W., he organized and is at present managing the furniture and undertaking business under the name of D. W. Pingrey & Company. The son was married February 26, 1906, to Miss Margaret E. Riley, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George W. Riley, who reside at Mount Vernon, Iowa.
Mr. Pingrey is by profession and practice a devoted Presbyterian and re- publican. He is also a member of the Masonie fraternity, having attained dis- tinction as a blue lodge, chapter and commandery Mason. Mr. Pingrey is a direct descendants of Moses Pingrey, who came from England and settled at Ipswich, Massachusetts, in 1640; and in all the history of the Pingrey family there is no record of a single member who did not ally himself with those who stood for the unity of the nation and authority of the United States government. In business and social life Mr. Pingrey exemplifies those stalwart characteristics of his noted family, of which he is justly proud, and merits the high place he has won and holds in the confidence and respect of the public.
EUGENE H. TAYLOR
The beauty and attractiveness of a city depend in large measure upon its architects, who, connected with its building operations, are the most active factors in establishing and continuing the unity and harmony in design and construction that are so essential in the work of general improvement. Such is the nature and character of the duties that devolve upon the architect that his work has come to be recognized as one of the seven fine arts. That this classification is well merited is indicated in the results achieved by the firm of Josselyn & Taylor, one of the most prominent in Cedar Rapids. That Iowa furnishes many advan-
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tages to her citizens is indicated in the fact that many of her native sons have elected to remain within her borders rather than to seek success in other parts of the country. Mr. Taylor is a native of Denmark, Lee county, Iowa, his birth having occurred there, October 23, 1853.
His parents, Hartwell J. and Harriett (Wilson) Taylor, were both natives of New Ipswich, New Hampshire, and in 1838, when a young man, the father journeyed westward to Iowa, becoming one of the pioneers of the state. This was several years before Iowa's admission to the Union. The seeds of civilization were being planted and among those who were prominent in the reclamation of this region was Father Turner, who was the first Congregational minister of the state and probably the first preacher of any denomination to visit the town of Denmark. He later became one of the founders of the Denmark Academy and was closely associated with the intellectual and moral progress of the com- munity. He took an advanced stand upon many subjects of vital import, was a stanch abolitionist in antebellum days and had one of the stations on the fa- mous underground railroad, his support of abolition causing a price to he set upon his head. Some time after Father Turner had founded the town Hartwell J. Taylor arrived, looking for a location. He secured a claim and after making a start in its development and improvement he returned to his New England home for his bride. In his native town he was married in 1842 and with his young wife started for his new home in the west, traveling by canal boat and wagon to his destination. 1Ie contributed not a little to the early development of the district in which he lived, but died in 1854, at the comparatively early age of forty years. His widow afterward made her home with her children and her death occurred in Grinnell, Iowa, while she was living with her son Eugene. She passed away in 1879, in her sixty-third year. Mr. Taylor had been quite successful and at the time of his death owned three farms. Both he and his wife were members of the Congregational church and their earnest Christian influence was a potent element for good in the community in which they lived.
Engene H. Taylor spent his youthful days with his parents and after ac- quiring his early education in the public schools attended Iowa College, now Grinnell College, at Grinnell, Iowa, being graduated from that institution with the Bachelor of Science degree in the class of 1876. He afterward went to Boston, Massachusetts, where he entered the Institute of Technology, pursuing a special course in architecture and later he spent two years in the office of a Chicago architect, thus putting his theoretical knowledge to the practical test. In 1882 he formed a partnership with H. S. Josselyn and began business under the firm name of Josselyn & Taylor. The former was located in Cedar Rapids but it seemed at the time that Des Moines was the coming city and while the Cedar Rapids office was maintained, Mr. Josselyn remaining in charge here, Mr. Taylor was sent to Des Moines, where he conducted a branch office. For four years he continued in that city, at the end of which time the office there was closed and both partners concentrated their energies upon the business conducted from the Cedar Rapids office. The firm has become one of the most prominent of this city and their ability is perhaps best indicated in the fact that they have been the architects and builders of Grace Episcopal church, the First Congregational church and the First Baptist church and have remodeled several other houses of worship. They were also the architects of the Young Men's Christian Association building, the Granby and Kimball buildings, the Security Savings Bank build- ing, the Cedar Rapids Savings Bank building, the Montrose Hotel, the Cedar Rapids Supply Company building, the Wilcox building and many others of the most important business blocks of this city. To them was awarded the commis- sion for designing the new Denecke store building. All of these stand as visible evidence of the skill and ability of the partners. They have furthermore been the architects of Mercy Hospital and the public library, while the Iowa building
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at the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago was built after their design. They also designed a fireproof warehouse at the state eapital in Des Moines and were arehiteets for the state building at the Omaha Exposition. They made the plans and superintended the construction of the residenee of P. E. Hall and of Mrs. T. M. Sinclair, now owned by George B. Douglas, also the F. F. Dawley and E. M. Seott residences.
On the 7th of September, 1886, Mr. Taylor wedded Miss Mary Woodworth, of Berlin, Connectieut, and their two children are Beryl and Ruby, now students in Coe College. Mr. Taylor and his family are members of the First Congrega- tional church, in the work of which they take active and helpful interest. He is now serving as a deaeon and trustee and also as a teacher in the Sunday school. He was for eighteen years a member of the board of directors of the Young Men's Christian Association and does all in his power to promote moral progress and to advance any project instituted for the betterment of the com- munity. His political allegianee is given to the republican party and his social nature finds expression in his membership with the Modern Woodmen of Amer- ica and the Commercial Club of Cedar Rapids. He was also one of the founders and is president of the Cedar Rapids Civic Improvement League and is most kcenly and helpfully interested in those movements wherein municipal virtue is involved. Along strietly professional lines he is connected with the American Institute of Architects and is secretary of the Iowa chapter. He has held to high ideals in his profession and has won that high and admirable reputation which is based upon business integrity as well as ability.
EMMETT I. KEMP
The farm on which he now resides in Marion township was the birthplace of Emmett I. Kemp, his natal day being February 25, 1858. His parents were Elisha and Louisa (Ford) Kemp, natives of Massachusetts and Vermont re- spectively. On leaving New England they made their way westward, arriving in Linn county, Iowa, in 1838, long before this district had been converted into a rich farming seetion and eight years before the admission of the state into the Union. Settling upon the farm which is now the property of Emmett I. Kemp, the father entered the land as soon as it was placed upon the market. Not a furrow had been turned nor an improvement made upon it when it came into his possession, but with characteristie energy lic took up the task of converting it into rich fields and upon it resided until his life's labors were ended in death in 1887. His wife survived him for three years and died March 11, 1890. In their family were four children: Xenophon, who is now living in Marion; Almina V., who died in July, 1887; Ida, the wife of Willis G. Lilly, of this county ; and Emmett I.
No event of special importance occurred to vary the routine of farm life for E. I. Kemp. Like most farm boys he labored from early Monday morning until Saturday night in the fields, save for the period which he devoted to obtaining an education as a pupil in the public school. He then rented the home farm for eight years, after which he purehased two hundred and forty-three acres of land on scetions 18 and 19, Marion township. He had earcfully saved his earnings dur- ing that period and was thus able to become the owner of the property upon which he has always lived. He makes a specialty of raising and fecding stock and this branch of his business is profitable, while the sale of his erops also brings him a good financial return each year.
On the 6th of December, 1882, Mr. Kemp was married to Miss Ida Mary Johnson, who was born in Michigan, October 31, 1858, and is a daughter of
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Warren and Clarissa (Church) Johnson, natives of New Hampshire and of New York respectively. On removing to the west they settled near Dixon, Illinois, where they resided for a short time, and in 1852 became residents of Lisbon, Iowa. There they lived until 1876, when they removed to Marion and for a third of a century thereafter continued as valued and highly respected citizens of that place. In fact, the father still resides there, one of the venerable and esteemed residents of the town. His wife, however, passed away on the 10th of September, 1909. In their family were ten children and with one exception all are yet living. Mrs. Kemp, a member of this family, spent her girlhood days in her parents' home and after her graduation from the Marion high school with the class of 1879 engaged in teaching for several years.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Kemp have been born four children: Warren J. and Louisa E., at home; Clarissa C., who is a graduate of the Marion high school and is now engaged in teaching; and Irwin E., at home. The parents are inem- bers of the Christian church and enjoy the high regard of many friends. They have been life-long residents of the county and their many good traits of char- acter have gained for them the high regard of those with whom they have be- come acquainted.
BENJAMIN WILLARD GIBSON
A life of industry, intelligently directed, has brought Benjamin Willard Gib- son to a creditable position among the successful farmers and stock-raisers of Marion township. Morcover there are many interesting chapters in his life his- tory which record the varied experiences that have come to him in military ser- vice, in life on the western frontier and through his agricultural connections in Iowa. He was born in Medina county, Ohio, November 19, 1836, his parents being William B. and Martha (Willard) Gibson, both of whom were natives of Chester county, Pennsylvania, whence they removed to Ohio, becoming early settlers of the state. They settled on a timber farm, the father clearing the land by cutting away the trees and grubbing up the stumps, and thus prepared the fields for the plow. He also built a log cabin with clapboard roof and puncheon floor and door, occupying that building for several years, during which time the ex- periences of the family were those which usually fall to the lot of pioneer settlers. In 1856 a removal was made to Linn county, Iowa, where the father purchased land and developed a farm which he owned and occupied until his death, which occurred on the 6th of November, 1888. His widow survived him for only one month, passing away on the 6th of December of the same year. In their family were seven children, namely: David and Jackson, both deceased; B. W .; Sarah, the wife of Z. V. Elsberry, now of Davenport, Iowa; Lida A., the deceased wife of Daniel Kinley, of Marion; J. W., who is living in Chicago; and William, who has departed this life.
Benjamin W. Gibson was reared on the old homestead farm in Ohio to the age of twenty years, when he accompanied his parents to Iowa and on attaining his majority began work at the carpenter's trade, which he followed for about thirty years. He put aside all business and personal considerations, however, during the period of the Civil war, enlisted in September, 1862, as a member of Company H, Twenty-fourth Iowa Infantry, with which he served for eighteen months, being on guard duty in Arkansas. He was mustered out at Helena, Arkansas, after which he returned to this county. In 1864 he made the long journey across the plains to California by team, being over three months upon the way. There he remained for fifteen months, after which he returned to Iowa, where he again followed carpentering. In the late '60s he purchased forty aeres
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of land where he now resides and to this has kept adding from time to time as his financial resources have increased, until he is now the owner of three hundred acres constituting a valuable property from which he derives a gratifying annual income. His is one of the fine farms of the county and its productive fields return to him gratifying harvests. He is also raising and feeding stock, keeping on hand good grades of cattle, horses and hogs, and this branch of his business is also a profitable one.
In March, 1859, Mr. Gibson was married to Miss Mary C. Courtney, who was born in Indiana in 1841 and is a daughter of Silas and Phoebe (Milner) Courtney, both of whom were natives of Kentucky whence they removed to Indiana at an early day. They also became pioneer residents of Linn county, arriving here in 1841, at which time they settled on a tract of wild land in Marion township. It had not yet been placed on the market but later Mr. Courtney entered his claim from the government and as the years passed on continuously and capably car- ried on the work of cultivation, his farm being well developed and highly im- proved ere he was called to his final rest. In his family were seven children, but only two are yet living. The father died in April, 1873, and the mother passed away in 1883. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Gibson have been born four children, namely : Frank E., deceased; Charles D., a farmer of Marion township; W. H., operating one of his father's farms; and Mand B., the wife of Charles A. Patten, a resident of Marion, Iowa.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Gibson hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he is serving as trustee and steward. Both take an active in- terest in the church work and do all in their power to promote its growth and extend its influence. Mr. Gibson is a republican in his political views. He has served as a member of the school board and the cause of education finds in him a warm friend. He belongs to the Grand Army post at Springville, Iowa, and thus maintains pleasant relations with his old army comrades. In all matters of citizenship he is as true and loyal to his country as when his patriotic spirit prompted his enlistment and caused him to go to the front in defense of the old flag. For more than half a century he has resided during the greater part of the time in this county and is numbered among its worthy and honored pioneer set- tlers. He has passed the seventy-third milestone on life's journey and his has been an upright life, winning him the respect and kindly regard of all with whom he has come in contact.
PETER KNUDSEN
Peter Knudsen is successfully engaged in farming on a tract of land compris- ing one hundred twenty-seven and a half aeres of land, which he owns in Marion township. He was born in Denmark, March 29, 1855, a son of Knute and Carrie (Olsen) Knudsen, both of whom were natives of Denmark, where they lived and died. Their family numbered eight children and six of the number still survive.
Peter Knudsen was reared in the home of his parents and acquired his educa- tion in the schools of his native country. When twenty-six years old, foreseeing no future there for him and having heard of the opportunity for advancement in this country, he decided to leave home. It was in the year 1881 that he first set foot on American soil and he at onee made his way to Cedar Rapids, seenr- ing work as a farm hand near that eity for one year. He carefully saved his earnings in the hope that he might sooner or later become the owner of land and at the end of one year he purchased forty acres in Bertram township, making that his home until 1899, when he disposed of that tract and purchased his present farm of one hundred twenty-seven and a half acres, located in Marion
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township. IIe has made improvements on the place, has placed the soil in good condition for cultivation and now has a valuable farming property. He makes a specialty of raising and feeding cattle and hogs and his work is meeting with well deserved success.
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