History of Linn County Iowa : from its earliest settlement to the present time, Volume II, Part 3

Author: Brewer, Luther Albertus, 1858-1933; Wick, Barthinius Larson, 1864-
Publication date: 1911
Publisher: Chicago : Pioneer Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 896

USA > Iowa > Linn County > History of Linn County Iowa : from its earliest settlement to the present time, Volume II > Part 3

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In October, 1875, Mr. Werner was united in marriage to Miss Annie Hanson, a daughter of Christopher and Catherine (Peterson) Hanson, who spent their

HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY

entire lives in Denmark. Mrs. Werner came to Linn county in 1876 and by her marriage became the mother of twelve children, namely: Charles, who is a resident of North Dakota; Katie, at home; Mary, the wife of R. H. Turner, of Buchanan county, Iowa; Edward, likewise living in North Dakota; Anna, Harry H., Esther and Martha, all of whom are at home; Sarah, who died when seven- teen years of age; Matilda, who passed away at the age of seven; and Elizabeth and Harry, both of whom died when a year old.

Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise Mr. Werner has supported the men and measures of the republican party, believing its prin- ciples most conducive to good government. He is the present assessor of Cedar township and has held that office for ten years, while for sixteen years he has been on the school board as secretary. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Evangelical church. He has long resided in this county and his life, ever upright and honorable, has gained for him the warm esteem and unqualified confidence of those with whom business or social relations have brought him in contact.

JOHN B. SCOTT

John B. Scott passed away in Marion on the 27th of February, 1905, in his eightieth year. Here he had resided as one of the revered patriarchs of the community, whose tales of the early days compassed the period when railroad building and telegraph construction were in their infancy. While he lived to enjoy the benefits of improved and modern agricultural implements, he could remember the time when most of the farm labor was done by hand or with very crude machinery. For a number of years he was identified with agri- cultural interests in this part of the state and for some time prior to his demise lived retired in Marion. He was born in Knox county, Ohio, August 12, 1825, and belonged to one of the pioneer families of that state. In the paternal line he came of Scotch-Irish ancestry.

His father, Allen Scott, was born in York county, Pennsylvania, April 17, 1780, and, having arrived at years of maturity, was married January 21, 1808, to Miss Jane Newell, whose birth occurred in the village of Cross Creek, Wash- ington county, on the 8th of November, 1784. Not long afterward they removed to Ohio, making the journey on horseback. Ile settled on a heavily timbered tract of land in Knox county, where they had to face many hardships and priva- tions incident to pioneer life. Much difficult labor confronted them. Their land was covered with timber and it was therefore necessary to clear away the trees ere they could plow and plant their fields. Allen Scott was energetic and determined, however, and largely through his own efforts he opened up and de- veloped several farms in Knox county, Ohio, where he continued to make his home until his death. He was also among the first to successfully engage in raising fruit in that part of the state. He had thirty acres planted to apple and peach trees and in those early days gave away thousands of bushels of fruit to those who had none. He was greatly interested in the subject of horti- culture and found the keenest delight in giving the products of his orchard to the poor. Mr. Scott took an active part in the religious development of the community, serving for some time as an elder in the Presbyterian church, but on account of the slavery question the elders of the church to which he belonged formed a free church, which was later merged into the Congregational church and became the leading religious organization of Mount Vernon, Ohio. He served his country as a soldier of the war of 1812 and became a stalwart advocate of the abolition cause. His wife, a most estimable Christian woman, held mem- bership in the same church. She passed away in 1855, at the age of seventy-

113. Scott

HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY

two years, while on a visit to her son in Marion, Iowa, while the death of Allen Scott occurred in Mount Vernon, Knox county, Ohio, in 1848, when he was sixty-eight years of age.

In his family were the following children: Mary, who became the wife of Israel Murphy, lived to the advanced age of ninety years. Hugh died March 27, 1809. Margaret passed away February 19, 1813. Eliza J. became the wife of George W. Madden and died in Plumas county, California, in 1815. Eleanor passed away in 1817. James A., a farmer of Linn county, died March 24, 1820. Thomas S. passed away October 2, 1822. Harriet died in the spring of 1900. John B. completes the family.

In his youthful days J. B. Scott attended the public schools near his father's home. His educational privileges, however, were extremely meager, for at that date it was not regarded as necessary that a boy should be instructed in much beyond the elementary branches of learning. However, he later had the benefit of three months' instruction in an academy and during that time there occurred an event which made an indelible impression upon his mind. He was boarding with his unele, Judge MeGibboney, who condueted a station on the famous un- derground railroad and who for nine days had nine negroes concealed under the hay in his barn. To these John B. Scott carried food and he described them as among the finest type of men physically that he had ever seen. They were almost white, having very little African blood in their veins, but their mother was a slave and consequently they were held in bondage. They had escaped from their master in Virginia and were on their way to Canada when cared for by Judge MeGibboney.

Mr. Seott was about twenty-one years of age when he began learning the briekmaker's trade, which he followed in Mount Vernon, Ohio, for about nine years. In February, 1853, he became a resident of Muscatine, Iowa, and there remained until July 3, 1854, the latter date witnessing his arrival in Marion. There he followed his trade for five years and among the buildings he erected is the Hotel Daniels. In October, 1859, however, he put aside building interests and became identified with agricultural pursuits, owning and cultivating four hundred and twenty aeres of valuable land on sections 8 and 17, well improved with good buildings. His farm was equipped along modern lines and was the exponent of a spirit of progressiveness, as manifest in his buildings and the farm machinery, as well as in the high grades of stock. He made a specialty of rais- ing shorthorn cattle and was widely known because of his fine herd. In 1890 he retired from the farm and removed to Marion, where he erected a comfortable home. Throughout the remainder of his days he lived retired, enjoying a well earned rest. His former activity brought him substantial success, supplying him with all of the comforts of life in his later years.

It was on the 14th of April, 1855, in Washington county, Iowa, that Mr. Scott wedded Miss Mary E. Rissler, who was born twelve miles from Winchester, in Clarke county, Virginia, July 29, 1825. Her father, John Rissler, was born March 6, 1790, and died November 24, 1878. On the 14th of December, 1814, he married Catherine Madden, who died July 28, 1832, when Mrs. Seott was quite young. In their family were seven children, while unto Mr. and Mrs. Scott were born four children. Henry A., who married Sarah Wiggins, resides on the home farm. Edward, who married Jessie Loper, is mentioned on another page of this work. Lucy E., is the wife of W. W. Vaughn, a prominent stoek dealer of Marion township. John B. is a resident of Tacoma, Washington.

Mr. Scott for some years was connected with the Agricultural Society and at one time was a director of the First National Bank of Marion. He gave his political allegiance to the republican party and was called to serve in some local offices but never had marked aspiration along politieal lines. He belonged to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and Masonie societies and both he and

HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY

his wife were for many years identified with the Congregational church. The entire record of John B. Scott was characterized by qualities of noble and up- right manhood and citizenship. His residence in Iowa covered fifty-two years and since the 3d of July, 1854, he had lived in Linn county, so that he had largely witnessed its development and progress. He related many interesting incidents of pioneer times and his memory formed a connecting link between the primitive past and the progressive present. He was nearing the eightieth milestone on life's journey when called to his final rest and he passed away honored by all who knew him. The number of his friends practically equalled the number of his acquaintances, for his life was ever straightforward in its aims and its purposes, his deeds were just and kindly and he manifested a keen appreciation for good qualities in others. These characteristics gained him a firm hold on the regard of those with whom he came in contaet.

MALCOLM McFEE THOMPSON

At the age of sixteen years Malcolm M. Thompson entered upon active connee- tion with mercantile interests and the wise utilization of his time and opportunities has advanced him to a position where he is recognized as one of the progressive merchants of Cedar Rapids, conducting a well appointed men's furnishing goods establishment at No. 119 South Third street. He was born in Hemmingford, Quebec, September 13, 1875, and comes of Scotch-Irishi ancestry. His father, John Thompson, engaged in various business pursuits during his lifetime but was most prominently identified with the grain and lumber trades. He died in Jan- uary, 1895. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Catherine MeFee, was a daughter of John MeFee. Six children were born of this marriage: John Adam, engaged in the grain business in Minneapolis; William Charles, who conduets a banking business in St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin; Malcolm MeFee, of this review ; Albert Hugh, who is also engaged in the grain business; Gordon Graham, at present an interne in Cook County Hospital, Chicago, Illinois ; and Eliza, living at home.

Malcolm M. Thompson pursued his education in the public schools, passing through consecutive grades to the high school, whieli he attended until sixteen years of age. He afterward worked for a year in a store owned by his unele at St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin, and subsequently spent the succeeding year in college. He then returned to his unele's store and there remained for five or six years, receiving a thorough business training adequate to qualify him for life's practical and responsible duties. In the fall of 1900 he arrived in Cedar Rapids and estab- lished his present business, opening a line of hats and men's furnishing goods at No. 119 South Third street. This is one of the finest establishments of the kind in this city, catering to the best trade and carrying a large line of high class goods equal to those found in the larger cities. Here are shown the latest and most attractive styles and the establishment is thoroughly modern in every particular, while the business methods of the house are such as commend Mr. Thompson to the patronage of this city.

Mr. Thompson has been a Mason for a number of years and is known as an exemplary representative of the craft. He has become a Knight Templar in the commandery, has attained the thirty-second degree in the eonsistory and is also a member of the Mystic Shrine. He has likewise belonged to the Elks Lodge for seven years and has held various offices in the Cedar Rapids organization. He also belongs to the Cedar Rapids Country Club, of which he is serving as a direc- tor, and is a member of the house committee. He is a very active member of the Commercial Club, thoroughly in sympathy with the purposes of that organization intended to exploit the advantages and promote the interests of Cedar Rapids.

HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY

Fond of travel, he has visited many points of interest throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico, enjoying no greater pleasure than when he is aboard a Pullman car with some particular point in view as his destination. He pos- sesses an observing eye and retentive memory and is thus continuously broadening his knowledge of the world.

BURT R. DAY

Burt R. Day, general manager for the Cook-Lawrence Company, wholesale dealers in crockery, glassware, etc., of Cedar Rapids, was born at Oak Creck, now South Milwaukee, Wisconsin, August 26, 1866. His father was E. T. B. Day, a native of Massachusetts, born in 1835. Hc married Miss Laura E. Packard, a native of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, who is now residing in Janesville, that state.

Burt R. Day pursued his education in the country schools and public schools at Appleton, Wisconsin, and at an early age began work on the farmn but after three years decided to learn a trade and selected that of book-binding, beginning at Waterloo, Iowa. After six months, however, he gave up the idea and turned his attention to merchandising, entering the employ of the Cook-Lawrence Com- pany of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, in 1884, as crrand boy at five dollars per weck. He has continuously remained with this house to the present time, eovering a period of twenty-six years, his fidelity and industry winning him promotion as the years have passed until he now has entire management of what is one of the largest wholesale crockery and glassware houses in Iowa. No further comment need be made upon his ability and his fidelity for those facts are self-evident. He has watched every opportunity pointing to success and with untiring effort and devo- tion has labored to promote the interests of the house which he represents, at the same time winning for himself a creditable name and reputation in the business circles of the city.

In 1890 Mr. Day was married to Miss Carric L. Laphin of Cedar Rapids and unto them have been born five children: Margaret Pauline, Helen A., Burton H., Dorothy E., all attending school; and John D. Mr. Day votes with the repub- lican party where national issues arc involved but is allied with the independent movement at city elections, a movement which is one of the hopeful signs of the times, indicating that thinking men will no longer submit to party rule when the question is only one of the capability of the candidate to perform the business of the office. He holds membership in the Presbyterian church but attends the ser- vices of the Episcopal church with his wife who is a member thereof. Fraternally he is connected with the Elks, the Woodmen of the World and Commercial Club, and he possesses that quality of good fellowship which makes for popularity.

THOMAS C. LEWIS

Thomas C. Lewis, well known as a prosperous and enterprising agriculturist of Fayette township, still makes his home on the farm where he was born - a valuable tract of land comprising four hundred acres on sections 29, 31 and 32. His birth occurred on the 14th of June, 1865, his parents being Thomas and Mary (White) Lewis, who were natives of Pennsylvania and Ohio respectively. In 1839 they came to Linn county, Iowa, and took up their abode among its early settlers, locating on a tract of land which the father entered from the government. Here they continued to reside throughout the remainder of their lives, the mother passing away in 1893, while the father was called to his final

HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY

rest in May, 1909. He had attained the remarkable age of one hundred years and was for six decades numbered among the most respected and substantial citizens of this county. Unto him and his wife were born six children, all of whom still survive.

Thomas C. Lewis attended the common schools in his youthful years and also assisted his father in the operation of the home farm, thus early becoming familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. On obtaining his majority he took possession of the old homestead place and has owned and operated the farm continuously since. It comprises four hundred acres of land on sections 29, 31 and 32, Fayette township, all of which has been brought under a high state of cultivation and improvement. Bending his energies toward raising the best quality of cereals possible, Mr. Lewis annually gathers and markets good crops and has likewise devoted considerable time to feeding and shipping stock, deriving from this enterprise also a gratifying income.

In December, 1892, Mr. Lewis was united in marriage to Miss Alice Railsback, who was born in this county in 1864, her parents being Conrad and Mary J. (Elson) Railsback, both natives of Ohio. The father is still living, but the mother has passed away. Mrs. Lewis was one of a family of eleven children and by her marriage has become the mother of two, Orland and Albert.

In politics Mr. Lewis is a democrat and his fellow townsmen have called him . to the position of trustee. His wife belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church and takes an active and helpful interest in its work. Mr. and Mrs. Lewis have spent their entire lives within the borders of Linn county, and that they have lived honorably is manifest in the fact that they enjoy the respect and confidence of those who have known them from childhood.

HENRY R. BUSER

In the thirty-five years of his residence in Cedar Rapids Henry R. Buser so lived as to command the unqualified regard and esteem of his fellowmen. He was, during that period, engaged much of the time in the conduct of a photo- graphic studio and the excellence of his work won him liberal public support. It was his sterling traits of character, aside from his business connection, however, that gained him the firmest hold on the affections of his friends. He was a man who stood foursquare to every wind that blows. There were never any equivocal phases in his life but rather an open record which all might read. Born on a farm near Williamsport, Pennsylvania, on the 3d of April, 1840, he there remained until 1858, when the family decided to seek a location in the west, and with two brothers he made the journey across Ohio and Indiana by wagon. They first took up their abode upon a farm near Warren, Illinois, where Henry R. Buser made his home until after the outbreak of the Civil war. He was twenty-two years of age when, in response to the country's call for troops, he offered his services to the government and joined the boys in blue of Company K, Ninety-sixth Illinois Infantry. With that command he took part in the battles of Chickamauga, Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge, the siege of Atlanta and other important engagements which led up to the final victories that crowned the Union armies. His was a most creditable military record, characterized by loyalty and by bravery upon every battle field.

At the close of hostilities Mr. Buser was mustered out and returned to Warren, where he entered the employ of a sash and door manufacturing concern. In 1868, however, he took up the study of photography and removed to Cedar Rapids to become a permanent resident of this city. Here he opened the first

HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY

studio and for a long period conducted a prosperous business, keeping in touch with the advancement made in the methods of photography. He devoted nearly a quarter of a century to the profession and about 1898 retired from the business, after which he devoted his attention to his real estate interests, having in the meantime made extensive and judicious investments in property.

Just before coming to Cedar Rapids Mr. Buser was married on the 6th of February, 1868, to Miss Mary Elizabeth Gann and unto them were born two sons, who are yet living: Edward, now connected with the shoe trade of the city ; and Frank, a real-estate dealer. The elder son married Nellie Compton and has one daughter, while Frank married Verna Brock, of Chicago. Two other children died in infancy. The death of the husband and father occurred April 12, 1903, after a residence of more than a third of a century in Cedar Rapids. When he arrived here the city contained a population of about five thousand but he was pleased with its conditions and its prospects and took great pride in promoting its interests and upbuilding. He was always active in sup- port of any project or movement to promote its welfare and his labors were efficient and far-reaching. His home life was largely ideal and his best traits of character were ever reserved for his own fireside. His family found him a devoted husband and father who did everything in his power to promote the welfare and happiness of his wife and children. In fact, he possessed many traits of character which made him a valued member of the community and enshrined his memory in the hearts of those who knew him.

MILFORD W. STICKNEY

Milford W. Stickney, an enterprising and prosperous agriculturist of Maine township, was born in New York on the 14th of May, 1856, his parents being Franklin and Lydia (Pratt) Stickney, who were likewise natives of the Empire state. They came to Linn county, Iowa, in 1864, locating at Waubeek, where the father purchased a mill and operated the same for about two years. On the expiration of that period he bought the farm which is now in possession of our subject and devoted his attention to its cultivation and improvement until the time of his death, which occurred on the 1st of January, 1907. The period of his residence in this county covered more than four decades and he became well known and highly esteemed as a substantial and respected citizen. His widow, who still survives, now makes her home at Waubeek and has many friends throughout the community. The children were six in number and three are yet living.

Milford W. Stickney supplemented his early education by a college course and remained under the parental roof until twenty-seven years of age, when he was married and established a home of his own. Following that important event in his life he was engaged in the operation of a rented .farm for a year and then purchased eighty acres of land in Maine township, residing thereon for three years. At the expiration of that period he disposed of the property and went to California, where he made his home for seven years. On returning to Linn county he cultivated rented land for several years or until the time of his father's demise, when he took charge of the old homestead farm, which has since remained his place of abode. In addition to the cultivation of cereals he devotes considerable attention to the raising and feeding of stock, finding these branches of business both congenial and profitable.

On the 1st of January, 1881, Mr. Stickney was united in marriage to Miss Florence Bowen, whose birth occurred in this county in 1861, her parents being William C. and Sophia (Merriam) Bowen, natives of Vermont and New York

HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY

respectively. Their marriage was celebrated in the state of Ohio, where Mrs. Bowen taught school for several years. In the carly '50s they took up their abode in Linn county, Iowa, and here continued to reside throughout the remainder of their lives, William C. Bowen passing away in 1896 and his wife in 1875. They reared a family of four children. He was a soldier of the Civil war. Mr. and Mrs. Stickney are the parents of three children, as follows: Herschel A., now living at Savanna, Illinois, who is employed as an engineer by the Milwaukee Railroad; Arland B., likewise an engineer, living in Savanna; and Vera M., a high school student. Both sons are married.

Mr. Stickney is a republican in politics and has done effective service for the cause of education as a member of the school board. In religious faith he is a Baptist and his wife is also affiliated with the church of that denomination. At all times he has been true to the obligations and responsibilities that have devolved upon him in every relation of life, so that he well merits the esteem and good will which are uniformly accorded him.

NICHOLAS BRODHEAD BROWN

Nicholas Brodhead Brown, son of John and Johannah (Brodhead) Brown, was born in the village of Sandiston, Sussex county, New Jersey, July 10, 1814. His father, John Brown, was a native of Connecticut, while his mother was born in Wallpack, Warren county, New Jersey, a few miles above the Delaware water gap, and was the daughter of Garret Brodhead, Jr., and his wife, Affe Decker. Through his mother he was a descendant of Daniel Brodhead, a Yorkshire Englishman, who came to America in 1664 with Colonel Richard Nichols as a captain in the Nichols expedition, which was ordered to America by Charles II of England to capture New Amsterdam and the New Netherlands from Peter Stuyvesant and the colony of Dutch over which he was governor. Daniel Brodhead was for a time military governor of a part of New Netherlands under Colonel Nichols, and was located at what is now known as the town of Kingston, New York, dying there in 1670. His grandson, also named Daniel Brodhead, removed in 1733 to the Delaware water gap in what is now Monroe county. Pennsylvania. He acquired some six or seven hundred acres of land and some of his descendants are still living upon the orig- inal tract. He had four sons, Daniel. Garret, Charles and Luke, who with their father during the Indian wars in Pennsylvania refused to leave their home, pro- tected themselves, with others, by a stockade and maintained their stand until peace was restored. Of these sons three became officers in the Revolutionary army, Daniel serving as a general, Luke as captain, while Garret was also an officer. His son, Garret Brodhead, Jr., was a sergeant and was for a time in that part of the army commanded by General Washington. Garret Brodhead, Jr., was the grandfather of Nicholas B. Brown.

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History of Linn County Iowa : from its earliest settlement to the present time, Volume II, Part 3

Author: Brewer, Luther Albertus, 1858-1933; Wick, Barthinius Larson, 1864- Publication date: 1911 Publisher: Chicago : Pioneer Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 896

Author: Brewer, Luther Albertus, 1858-1933; Wick, Barthinius Larson, 1864-
Publication date: 1911
Publisher: Chicago : Pioneer Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 896