USA > Iowa > Linn County > History of Linn County Iowa : from its earliest settlement to the present time, Volume II > Part 31
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Hugh L. Wilson spent his boyhood days under the parental roof, attending the district schools to the age of fifteen years when he entered high school and therein pursued a three years' course. Starting in business life, he accepted the position of bookkeeper with the firm of Piper Brothers, wholesale and retail grocers, with whom he continued for five years. He then became bookkeeper in the Citizens Bank and there remained until 1901, during which period he was advanced through successive promotions to the position of paying teller. On severing his connection with the bank, he went to Washington, D. C., and was special accountant in the comptroller's office in connection with an insolvent bank for a year. He then went to Dayton, Ohio, where he was employed as gen- eral bookkeeper for the Fourth National Bank for two years. On the expiration of that period he came to Cedar Rapids and was here elected secretary and man- ager of the Perfection Manufacturing Company, engaged in making a general line of ladies' suits, skirts, coats and petticoats. His previous experience has been brought to bear in the successful conduct of the enterprise with which he is now associated. Moreover, he manifests the progressive spirit of the times, utilizing every new idea that comes to him for the promotion of the business, and his efforts are at all times practical and resultant.
On the 6th of October, 1898, Mr. Wilson was united in marriage to Miss Ada Ailes, the wedding taking place in Sidney, Ohio. Their only child, Phoebe, six years of age, has recently begun her education in the public schools. Mr.
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Wilson exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the republican party, but the honors and emoluments of office have no attrac- tion for him. He is a Methodist in his religious faith and is a young man of many admirable characteristics who in all life's relations has merited the respect of his fellowmen.
FREDERICK ERICKSON
Among the representative citizens whom Sweden has given to the new world is Frederick Erickson who belongs to a family that, like many another, has come from across the water and sought the opportunities of the new world that ad- vaneement might be made in business lines and better advantages given to the members of the household. Born on the 9th of November, 1865, he is a son of Erie and Johannah (Berggren) Johnson, who became residents of Chicago in 1881, and there the father died in 1909. The mother, however, is still living in that city.
Mr. Erickson was principally reared and educated in his native land and after the removal of the family to Chicago began learning the brass business. He served an apprenticeship to the trade first with The Crane Company and later with Lehner-Johnston-Hoyer and so proficient did he become that at the age of twenty-one years he was serving as foreman of their plant. Ile remained with that company until 1899, when he embarked in his present business, being now president of the Dearborn Brass Company. About 1901 he removed his plant from Chicago to Cedar Rapids and here has built up an excellent business, selling to the jobbing trade exclusively. He manufactures all kinds of plumbers' brass goods which are shipped over the United States and he employs eighty people steadily during the entire year.
Mr. Eriekson was married October 4, 1890, to Miss Anna Olson and they have become the parents of four children, namely: Robert Frederick, born August 1, 1891; Gunhild, a daughter, who died in infancy; Edward, born in 1900; and Edna Louise, born in December, 1908.
During his residence in Cedar Rapids, Mr. Erickson has won for himself a prominent position in business circles and is today an honored member of the Commercial Club. He is what the world terms a self-made man for he started ont in life with no capital and the success that he has achieved is duc entirely to his own efforts. In business affairs he has ever displayed sound judgment and keen discrimination and at the same time has ever been straightforward and hon- orable, basing his business principles and actions upon the rules which govern striet and unswerving integrity. He is a man with many friends and is now numbered among the valued citizens of Cedar Rapids.
EDWARD L. FERNOW
One of the attractive farms of Marion township is the property of Edward L. Fernow and comprises a tract of land of one hundred and sixty-three acres on sections 8 and 9, Marion township. The place is well improved and its neat ap- pearance indicates the careful supervision and practical methods of the owner who is one of the native sons of Linn county, his birth having occurred here on the 3d of April, 1863. Ilis parents were Samuel and Barbara Ann (McArthur) Fernow, of whom mention is made elsewhere in this volume.
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Upon the home farm Edward L. Fernow spent his youthful days, attending the public schools and assisting in the work of the fields, so that he became thoroughly familiar with the best methods of plowing, planting and harvesting. He continued to aid his father until twenty-nine years of age when he was mar- ried and began farming on his own account. The lady of his choice was Miss Carrie Bloom who was born in Marion, June 15, 1865, and is a daughter of J. R. and II. R. (Riley) Bloom, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Ohio. Mr. Bloom arrived in Marion, Iowa, in 1856, and is still residing there, but his wife passed away April 3, 1904. In their family were four children of whom three are still living.
After his marriage Mr. Fernow purchased the farm upon which he is now living, thus coming into possession of one hundred and sixty-three acres of arable and productive land on sections 8 and 9, Marion township. On the farm are good buildings and in the further cultivation and development of the fields he is meeting with good success. As the years have passed three children have been added to the family : Olive Ruth, who was born July 5, 1893, and who is now attending the high school at Marion; Samuel Bloom, who was born Sep- tember 14, 1897; and Helen Marie, born September 8, 1902.
Mr. Fernow and wife are members of the Farmer's Club and also belong to the Presbyterian church in Marion. He has held every office in the church and is now one of its elders. He takes au active and helpful part in the work of the church and its upbuilding and his influence is ever on the side of reform, progress and improvement. His wife is a lady of good education and completed her studies at Coe College and afterward engaged in teaching school for several years. She is in sympathy with all of his church work and both are highly es- teemed in the community where they have a large circle of warm friends.
LAURENCE NELSON
Laurence Nelson is conducting a successful and growing business in ladies' tailoring with a well equipped establishment in the Granby building. He was born in Denmark, November 15, 1863, his parents being Nels and Mattie Marie (Steffenson) Janson. The father devoted his active business life to farming but is now retired in Denmark where he is living at the age of eighty-six years.
Laurence Nelson was educated in his native country and afterward learned the tailor's trade. He remained in Denmark until twenty-seven years of age and in 1890 crossed the Atlantic to America. He then entered the employ of Mr. Engstrom, a tailor at Marion, and subsequently removed to Cedar county where he was employed for a year. On his return to Linn county he settled at Cedar Rapids where for seven years he was employed by Mr. Anderson who was also engaged in the tailoring business. He afterward worked for various people and about seven years ago decided to start in business on his own account. He opened a shop in his own home and such was the success and the growth of his trade that after two years he was able to open a shop in the business center of the city. He was for four years at the corner of Second Avenue and Second Street and then removed to his present location. In addition to conducting his tailoring establishment, in which a liberal patronage has been accorded him, he has recently purchased Coffit's candy store which is now in charge of his son and which is the largest establishment of the kind in the city.
On the 24th of May, 1893, Mr. Nelson was married to Miss Mamie Jenson, a daughter of Jens Jenson, of Marion. They have four children : Berthy Raymond, sixteen years of age, who is now in his father's store; Irving Edison, aged four- teen ; Emma Margaret, who is twelve years of age; and Robert Morris. The fam-
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ily attend the Central Park Presbyterian church in which Mr. and Mrs. Nelson hold membership. He belongs to Modern Woodmen Camp and also to the Danish Society. The family residence is at No. 1643 Second Avenne, East. Mr. Nelson's interest eenters in his own home and in his business affairs. He has made sub- stantial progress sinee he came to the new world and feels that he made no mistake in leaving his native land. Here he has found the business opportunities which he sought and which are always open to ambitious and energetic young men. Gradually he has worked his way upward in the line of his trade and that he has won prosperity is indicated in the fact that he is not only the proprietor of a good tailoring establishment but is also now the owner of the finest con- fectionery store in Cedar Rapids.
JOHN A. SHUNK
Although John A. Shunk has not attained a large amount of this world's goods, when one takes into consideration the fact that he started out at the age of sixteen years in the humble capacity of a farm hand, and now owns a good farm of forty acres, it will be seen that he has been fairly successful. This land is located in Marion township and is some of the best soil to be found in this section of Linn county. Mr. Shunk was born in Pennsylvania, February 11, 1864, a son of Jesse and Susan (Anderson) Shunk, who were likewise natives of the Keystone state, where they were married and rearcd a family of seven children, of whom four still survive. Both the parents are now deceased.
John A. Shunk acquired a common-school education in his native state and at the age of sixteen years was thrown upon his own resources. He obtained work as a farm hand and was thus employed in the east for two years. Believing that the west offered more advantages in agricultural lines, Mr. Shunk then made his way to Linn county, where he was similarly employed during the succeeding three years. At the end of that time he was then married, after which he located on the tract of land where he has since resided. Through his own labor and the assistance of his wife he managed to save a sum of money that justified the pur- chase of land and he thus became the possessor of forty acres, located in Marion township, on section 5. Since taking up his abode on this farm he has made improvements and also keeps his land in good condition, so that each year he gathers good crops. In addition to cultivating his own land he also rents forty- three aeres. He studies closely the best methods of farming and is progressive in his work.
As above stated, Mr. Shunk was married after coming to Linn county, the lady of his choice being Miss Hattie B. Hunter. The latter was born in Marion township, June 26, 1866, one of five children, whose parents were James M. and Harriet E. (Scott) Hunter, both of whom were natives of Ohio, whenee they removed to Linn county. Both are now deceased, the father passing away on the 9th of June, 1902, while the mother departed this life, October 29, 1909. They were highly respected in the community where they had so long resided and their death caused sorrow not only in their immediate household, but in inany homes of the neighborhood. By her marriage Mrs. Shunk has become the mother of two sons and a daughter, namely : Earl M., who was born September 2, 1888, and is now in Cedar Rapids; Raymond II., who was born April 11, 1893, and is at home; and Edith Bell, whose birth occurred January 22, 1898, and who is also under the parental roof.
Mr. Shunk is a republican in his political views and for four years has served as sehool director. His fraternal relations are with the Ilighland Nobles
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of Marion, while both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. He is also a member of the Fraternal Bankers Reserve Society of Marion. Mr. Shunk deserves mueh eredit for what he has accomplished in a business way, while as a citizen he commands the respect of all, owing to his honorable and upright methods of living.
JOHN W. GAASCHI
John W. Gaasch, who passed away on the 1st of September, 1902, his death being occasioned by an accident, was for many years actively and successfully identified with the agricultural interests of Linn county, owning a fine farm in Grant township. His birth occurred in Dubuque county, Iowa, on the 16th of November, 1851, his parents being Jolin and Catherine (Sauber) Gaaseh, who were born, reared and married in Germany. They crossed the Atlantic to the United States at an early day, first loeating in Dubuque county, lowa, where they spent several years. Subsequently they took up their abode in Benton county and there spent the remainder of their lives. Their children were eleven in number.
Jolmn W. Gaaseh 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 took up agricultural pursuits in Grant township and remained a successful and enterprising representative of farming interests here throughout the remainder of his life. His death was the result of an aeei- dent, he being fatally injured by a horse. His widow still makes her home on the farm and now owns three hundred and seventy-six aeres of rieh and pro- duetive land in Grant township.
On the 27th of February, 1878, Mr. Gaaseh was joined in wedloek to Miss Martha Jolinson, a daughter of Martin and Martha (Pauly) Johnson, both of whom were natives of Indiana. They took up their abode among the pioneer settlers of Benton county, Iowa, entered a traet of land and there continued to reside until called to their final rest. They reared a family of eleven children, seven of whom are yet living. Mr. and Mrs. Gaaseh hecame the parents of seven children, the record of whom is as follows: Bertha E., the wife of Frank Wil- liams, of Austin, Minnesota ; Fred M., who has charge of the old homestead farm and also makes a specialty of raising and breeding stock of all kinds; Letha B., the wife of John Differding, of Buchanan county, Iowa; Roy D., who is em- ployed as bookkeeper in the Walker Savings Bank; and William H., Clarence C. and Kathryn Lucile, all still at home.
In polities Mr. Gaaseh was a democrat. Mrs. Gaaseh is a devoted member of the Christian church, and is widely and favorably known throughout the commun- ity in which she resides, her many good traits of heart and mind having endeared her to all with whom she has come in contaet.
HON. A. A. DOOLITTLE
Hon. A. A. Doolittle, who has been successfully engaged in business as a real- estate dealer of Cedar Rapids sinee 1893, has made his home in Kenwood Park for the past eleven years and is now mayor of that town. His birth ocenrred in Benton county, Iowa, on the 25th of December, 1863, his parents being Lucius M. and Mary J. (Tanner) Doolittle, both of whom were natives of Ohio but be- came early settlers of Benton county, this state. The father, who lost his parents
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in early life, took up his abode in Benton county as a young man, loeating about fifteen miles west of Cedar Rapids. The mother of our subjeet accompanied her parents on their removal to Benton county in her girlhood days, the family home being established some fifteen miles west of Cedar Rapids. At that time there were but two houses between their home and Cedar Rapids. Lucius M. Doolittle devoted his attention to farming and stock-raising until 1893, when he put aside active business cares and eame to Cedar Rapids, here spending the remainder of his life in honorable retirement. His widow still survives and makes her home with Mr. Doolittle of this review.
A. A. Doolittle grew to manhood on the home farm, enjoying the educational advantages afforded by the district schools. Hle early became familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist and after attaining his majority continued to devote his attention to the work of farming, becoming a partner of his father. As he prospered in his undertakings he purchased land of his own, and in association with his father he also conducted quite an ex- tensive business as a dealer in live stock. When the father retired in 1893, A. A. Doolittle abandoned agricultural pursuits and took up his abode in Cedar Rapids. In 1899 he engaged in the real-estate business, in which field of activity his undertakings have been attended with a gratifying measure of success.
In March, 1890, Mr. Doolittle was united in marriage to Miss Mattie J. Bower, of Benton county, her father being John Bower, one of the early settlers of that county. They are now the parents of two children: Leona M., who is pursuing her studies in Coe College; and Claire M., who is in his senior year at the Cedar Rapids high school.
In his political views Mr. Doolittle is a staneh republican and since taking up his abode at Kenwood Park in 1899 he has continuously represented his fel- low townsmen in an official capacity, serving as a member of the Kenwood Park school board for nine years and also as a member of the town couneil and as town treasurer for some years. In the spring of 1908 he was elected mayor of Kenwood Park, and reelected in 1910, and his administration has been charae- terized by many measures of reform and improvement. Fraternally he is identi- fied with Maine Lodge, No. 643, I. O. O. F. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, with which his wife is also affiliated. He is one of the trustees and a steward of the church, in the work of which he has taken an active and helpful part for many years. No trust reposed in him has ever been betrayed in the slightest degree and his fidelity to honorable, manly principles has ever won for him the good will and friendship of those with whom he has been brought in contaet.
GEORGE W. TOMS
Called to the leadership in every field into which his activity has been di- rected, George W. Toms is now president of the Farmers & Merchants State Bank, president of the Marion Water Company. president of the Stotts Signal Company, president of the Marion Light, Heat & Power Company, president of the board of education, and has been equally useful in his labors for educational and moral progress. IIe was born October 2, 1853, in Franklin county, Pennsyl- vania, and is a son of George W. and Naney (Misener) Toms. His father was an accountant. A well educated man, he had graduated from an eastern eollege and in 1867 came to the middle west, making his way to Linn connty where some years later he retired from active business on account of old age.
George W. Toms, whose name introduces this review, acquired his education in the common schools and went to work when he was quite young. He was a
GEORGE W. TOMS
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youth of fourteen years at the time of the removal of the family to Iowa. En- tering business life he was first employed as a clerk in a grocery store and after- ward in a drug store. Ambitious to engage in business on his own account, he carefully saved his earnings and at length embarked in the hardware business with a partner, investing the capital which he had saved from his earnings, and in the meantime he had become connected with the express business at this place, acting as clerk and agent for the express company in Marion for about twenty- two years. His mercantile interests were capably and profitably conducted and his success enabled him in later years to extend his efforts to other fields. He became one of the stockholders in the Farmers & Merchants State Bank, was elected its viee president and served in that capacity for two years, after which he was chosen to the presidency and has now been the chief executive of that institution for fourteen years. He has studied banking from every possible standpoint and accordingly solves the intricate problems which are continuously arising in connection with the banking business. IIe has also become the pres- ident of the Marion Water Company and president of the Stotts Signal Company, president of the Marion Light, Heat & Power Company, and president of the Board of Education. Gradually he has advanced along well defined lines of labor and his efforts have at all times been of a character that have contributed to publie progress as well as to individual success.
On the 8th of February, 1882, Mr. Toms was united in marriage to Miss Clara C. Cardell, a daughter of William B. and Saphronia (Foster) Cardell, who came from the state of New York to Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Toms now have two children : Bernice, a graduate of the high school and also of Coe College, attended one year at Wellesley College and one year at Smith College of Northampton, Massa- chusetts; Robert C., after his graduation from the high school entered Ames Col- ege, where he has now purused his studies for two and a half years. At the present time he is manager of the Marion Water Company, in which position he is receiving practical business education before finishing his course at Ames. Mrs. Toms is now touring Europe.
The family is one of the most prominent in Marion and Mr. Toms is a valued member of the Masonic fraternity, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias lodge. IIe takes a very active and helpful interest in the work of the Congregational church in which he is serving as deacon, and superintendent of the Sunday school.
The eause of education has always found in him a stalwart champion and for eighteen years he has served as a member of the Board of Education and has recently been reelected to the membership of the board for another three-year term. He has never allowed personal interests nor matters to dwarf his public spirit or activities. His is a record of a strenuous life - a record of a strong individuality, sure of itself, stable in purpose, quick in perception, swift in de- cision and energetic and persistent in action.
DAVID MeKAY WEST
David MeKay West, for many years a highly esteemed and well known resi- dent of Linn county, passed away at Cedar Rapids on the 15th of September, 1906, in St. Luke's hospital, whither he had been conveyed from the family home for surgical treatment. Throughout his aetive business career he devoted his attention to the pursuits of farming and stock-raising and in these branches of activity met with a gratifying measure of sueeess.
His birth occurred near Washington Court House, Fayette county, Ohio, on the 14th of November, 1856, his parents being Wesley and Polly Ann (MeKay)
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West. The father, a native of Kentucky, was reared in Ohio and in 1859 brought his family to this county, spending the remainder of his life on a farm in Frank- lin township. He passed away in 1894 at the age of eighty-five years, and thus the community lost one of its most worthy and respected pioneer settlers. His widow, who still survives him, now resides with a daughter at Ponca, Nebraska. Their children were ten in number, five sons and five daughters, all of whom reached years of maturity. The record is as follows: Sarah, the wife of J. T. Oldham, of Eldorado, Kansas; Margaret, who is the widow of Jeremiah Thomas and resides in Lisbon; Isaae, who is a neighbor of Mrs. David West; Thomas, living in Guthrie, Oklahoma; Harriet, the deceased wife of Homer Harper, of Minneapolis, Minnesota ; Elijah, who makes his home in Pierre, South Dakota; Ely, who is a resident of Franklin township, this county; David MeKay, of this review ; Flora, the deceased wife of George Waln; and Mary, the wife of Rev. Charles Kirk, of Ponea, Nebraska.
David MeKay West was but three years of age when brought by his parents to Linn county and here he continued to reside throughout the remainder of his life, living on the home farm during practically the entire period. His prelim- inary education, obtained in the public schools, was supplemented by a course of study at Cornell College. The old homestead property comprised one hundred and seventy-one acres of land, partly within the corporation limits of Mount Vernon and partly adjoining the town on the south. In the fall of 1877 Wesley West ereeted a handsome and commodious briek residenee, which in 1897 was remodeled by our subject. The latter made a specialty of the feeding of stock and his efforts in this direction were rewarded with gratifying results. In ad- dition to the home farm he likewise owned a quarter seetion of land in Greenfield township, Jones county, which is now in possession of his widow.
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