History of Linn County Iowa : from its earliest settlement to the present time, Volume II, Part 32

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 32

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The following is an excerpt from an obituary appearing in one of the local papers at the time of his demise. "Mr. West succeeded to a good estate, but was in addition one of the industrious, thrifty and substantial residents of the com- munity. Ilis farming operations were always conducted upon the improvement policy and steadily advanced until in every particular he became an example of the highest eharaeter of that honorable following in one of the finest agricultural seetions of the nation."

On the 15th of February, 1885, at Van Horn, Iowa, Mr. West was joined in wedloek to Miss Maria Louise Pfautz, who was born in Lisbon, Linn county, on the 27th day of November, 1860, her parents heing Samuel and Mary (MeAllis- ter) Pfautz. The father, whose birth oceurred at Laneaster, Pennsylvania, in 1819, came to Lisbon, lowa, in 1847, first residing with the IIon. J. E. Kurtz for a time. Later he embarked in the mereantile business at Lisbon in association with his hrother Jacob, while subsequently he purehased a farm north of the town. It was in 1855, at Marion, that he wedded Miss Mary MeAllister, who was born in Kingston, Ontario, in 1830, and who came to Mount Vernon, this county, in 1852, with her parents. She is a daughter of Enos and Naney (Craig) MeAllister, her mother being a sister of Thomas Craig, who took up his abode here in the '30s and received a deed from President Polk. Samuel Pfautz passed away in Cedar Rapids at the age of eighty-five years, and his widow now resides there with a daughter. They reared a family of six children, as follows: Anna, who lives in Cedar Rapids with her mother; Margaret, the wife of Sherman Riddle, of Eldon, Iowa; Mrs. West; John, living at Knife River, Minnesota ; Ella, the wife of J. Strouse, of Phoenix, Arizona; and Alice, who is the wife of Newell Whitsell, of Chicago.

Mrs. David M. West remained in the place of her nativity until two years prior to her marriage, when she accompanied her parents on their removal to Van Ilorn. She attended Cornell College for two years and afterward taught school for several years, proving a capable and sneeessful edneator. By her

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marriage she has become the mother of three daughters, namely: Graee, who is a high school graduate and also attended Cornell College for two years; Gail, who won the degree of A. B. in Cornell College, also pursued a course in oratory and is now studying oratory in Columbia University of New York city ; and Vera, who is a junior in Cornell College. Miss Gail West has won local renown as a reader, having taken part in college plays and also in the entertainments fur- nished by the college glee club. She was awarded first honors in a high school oratorieal contest and won second place at the academy here.

Mr. West was a stanch republican in politics and took an active interest in public affairs, shirking none of the duties of a patriotic, loyal eitizen. As a member of the board of education at Mount Vernon he labored effectively to ad- vance the best interests of the schools. In 1891 he was converted and became a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and for a number of years served on its board of trustees. IIis Christianity found expression in his daily life and his faith in the Savior remained unshaken to the end, so that his passing was serene and beautiful. His remains were interred in the Mount Vernon cemetery. He was companionable by nature, devoted to his home and family and happiest always in furthering their interest and comfort. In the community where prac- tically his entire life has been spent the news of his death brought a feeling of deep bereavement, for he had won a high place in the regard and esteem of many. Mrs. West, who still resides on the farm in Franklin township, is likewise widely and favorably known, her many good traits of heart and mind having endeared her to all with whom she has come in contact.

WILLIAM E. BEALL

William E. Beall, a representative of one of the old and prominent pioneer families of Linn county, was born here February 18, 1850, his parents being James and Dorcas (Martin) Beall, both of whom were natives of Ohio. The mother came to Linn county with her parents in 1839 when Iowa was still under terri- torial rule, the work of progress and improvement having been scarcely begun in this section at that time. James Beall also arrived in this county in the fall of 1839, and they were married in August, 1844. At the time of their arrival in Linn county there were but two houses in Marion and one in Cedar Rapids. He entered land from the government here and begun the development of a farm from a traet of wild prairie ou which not a furrow had been turned or an im- provement made. With characteristic energy he carried on the work of the fields and was identified with the farming interests of the county up to the time of his death which occurred in 1887. His wife survived until the 6th of January, 1903, and was seventy-seven years of age at the time of her demise. In their family were six children but only two are now living: Jacova and W. E. Beall.

Upon the old home farm Mr. Beall of this review was reared and there re- mained until thirty-three years of age. In the meantime he acquired his educa- tion in the district schools and after putting aside his text-books gave his undi- vided time and attention to the cultivation of the old home farm, so that he was well qualified by broad practical experience for farm work when he started out in life for himself. He was married at the age of thirty-three years to Miss Della M. Upton, who was born in New Hampshire, in 1850, and is a daughter of Elijah and Mary A. (Hills) Upton, the former a native of the old Granite state and the latter a native of Maine. They remained residents of New England until 1856 when they came with their family to Iowa and here spent their remaining days, both passing away on the farm which is now the property of W. E. Beall. They had but two children, the younger being the son, George Upton, who died at the

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age of sixteen years. Mr. Upton served as a soldier in the Civil war with the rank of sergeant.

Following his marriage W. E. Beall purchased a farm in Marion township and has since made it his home. He here owns a traet of one hundred and ninety aeres and makes a specialty of raising and feeding stoek in addition to cultivating the cereals best adapted to the soil and climate. The farm is a well improved property, equipped with all modern accessories and conveniences and in its at- tractive appearance indicates the careful supervision and progressive methods of the owner.

In 1900 Mr. Beall was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife. who died on the 25th of October of that year, her death being deeply regretted by many friends as well as her immediate family. She was laid to rest in Oak Shade cemetery at Marion and her memory is yet cherished by many who knew her. By her marriage she had become the mother of seven children : Oca, who is a grad- uate of the Marion high school of the elass of 1903 and of the state normal school at Cedar Falls and has been engaged in teaching for two years; Pearl, who was graduated from the Marion high school with the class of 1905 and is now in Lincoln, Nebraska; Jay, living on a farm at Carpenter, Wyoming; Ray, still at home; Myrtle, the wife of Alford M. Sheibley, now of Minneapolis; Lucy, who died in October, 1893; and Mary E., who is a student in the Marion high school.

Mr. Beall and his family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and he is ever loyal to its teachings and its principles and he endeavors at all times to live at peace with his fellowmen and is respected for his straightforward conduet in all business matters. Ilis politieal support is given to the democratic party and he has served as township trustee and school director. Mr. Beall is a stockholder and one of the directors of the Farmers and Merchants Bank. He belongs to the Masonie fraternity, holding membership in Marion Lodge, No. 6, A. F. & A. M .; Marion Chapter, No. 10, R. A. M .; and Patmos Commandery, No. 27, Knights Templar. Ile has filled all of the chairs in the blue lodge and is a worthy exemplar of the eraft. The entire period of his life, covering sixty years, has been spent in Linn county and that he has ever lived so as to merit the esteem and confidence of all is indicated by the fact that those who have known him longest are numbered among his stanchest friends.

C. J. STEWART

C. J. Stewart, one of the best known representatives of insurance interests in Iowa, succeeded to the management of the lowa Inspection Burean on the 1st of July, 1907. He was born in Burlington, this state, on the 30th of November, 1873, a son of William B. and Ida Stewart. His father was then railway postal clerk, running from Burlington to Albert Lea, Minnesota, and is now chief clerk in the railway mail service at Dubuque, Iowa, the 29th of March, 1910, complet- ing forty consecutive years in the mail service. While C. J. Stewart spent his early life in Dubnque, he was in reality closely connected with Cedar Rapids, for his grandfather, John Stewart, settled here with his family in 1850, since which time the name of Stewart has been a well known and honored one here. Through his boyhood, therefore, C. J. Stewart was a frequent visitor to Cedar Rapids and removed with his parents from Burlington to this eity and later to Cedar Falls, his father's route being extended north as rapidly as the old Bur- lington, Cedar Rapids & Northern Railroad was completed. In 1878 he removed from Cedar Falls to Dubuque, where he resided until June 15, 1901. He was educated in the graded and high schools of Dubuque, being graduated from the high school on the completion of the seientifie course in 1892. Following his

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graduation he entered the coal office of H. L. Conger & Company, thus receiving his initial training in business. He was afterward connected with the Dubuque County Bank, in which he held successively the positions of messenger, book- keeper and teller and in 1894, on the liquidation of the bank, he entered the office of the Dubuque Fire & Marine Insurance Company as clerk, there remaining until April 26, 1898. About that time the Spanish-American war broke out.

Mr. Stewart had previously had some military experience, having enlisted as a private in Company A of the First Regiment of the Iowa National Guard on the 11th of July, 1893. The civil organization of the company was known as the Governor's Grays, direct descendants of the Governor's Grays of Civil war times, an organization that had served with distinction during the hostilities between the north and the south. Mr. Stewart filled the offices of corporal and sergeant and later was elected and commissioned second lieutenant on the 22d of Febru- ary, 1898. On the 26th of April of that year the lowa National Guard mobilized for action in the Spanish-American war at Des Moines and there, after five weeks' maneuvering, were mustered into the United States service on the 2d of June. Mr. Stewart was commissioned a second lieutenant of the Forty-ninth Iowa Volunteer Infantry and was detailed as regimental ordnance offiecr, serving with his regiment at Des Moines, Iowa, Jacksonville, Florida, Savannah, Georgia, and Havana, Cuba. In April, 1899, he returned from Havana to Savannah and the regiment was mustered out of the United States service on the 13th day of May, 1899, after thirteen months of duty. On the reorganization of the Forty-ninth Regiment of the Iowa National Guard Mr. Stewart was commissioned commissary of subsistence, with the rank of first lieutenant, on the 1st of July, 1900. On the 15th of April, 1904, by act of the legislature, the commissary of subsistence was advanced in rank from first lieutenant to captain and Mr. Stewart was according- ly commissioned as captain. He continued in the service until June 15, 1905, when upon tendering his resignation he was honorably discharged from the service of the state.

In the meantime, following his return from the Spanish-American war, he had reentered the employ of the Dubuque Fire & Marine Insurance Company, with which he remained until May, 1900, when he accepted the position of as- sistant secretary of the Iowa Home Insurance Company of Dubuque, there re- maining until June 15, 1901, when he became inspector for II. Bennett of the Iowa Inspection Bureau of Cedar Rapids. On the 1st of July, 1907, he suc- ceeded to the management of the Iowa Inspection Bureau, which organization makes inspections of all insurable property in the state of Iowa and computes and publishes advisory rates at which fire insurance can be obtained. The office, because of the immense amount of detail work, is one of greatest importance to fire insurance companies, as a complete record of each and every risk in the state is compiled and kept on file. These records show, for instance, the exact thickness of each and every brick wall in the state.

On the 7th of February, 1907, Mr. Stewart was married to Mrs. Minnie M. Breen. He is prominent in Masonry, belonging to Metropolitan Lodge, No. 49, A. F. & A. M., of Dubuque; Trowel Chapter, No. 49, R. A. M., of Cedar Rapids; Iowa Consistory, No. 2, A. & A. S. R ..; and El Kahir Temple of the Mystic Shrine. He petitioned for Masonic degrees at Dubuque but was called into the volunteer army before the degrees were conferred and Metropolitan Lodge of Dubuque arranged with Temple Lodge of Jacksonville, Florida, to confer the work. Owing to his illness, only the first degree was received at that place and on his release from the hospital the regiment moved to Savannah, where arrange- ments were made by Metropolitan Lodge to confer the second and third degrees. Solomon Lodge, No. 1, of Savannah, therefore secured a special dispensation from the grand lodge of Georgia to confer the second and third degrees on the same night, allowing Mr. Stewart to receive his Master Mason degree before departing

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for Cuba, it being conferred on the 5th of December, 1898. His fraternal, mil- itary and business associations have brought him a wide acquaintance and his record in all relations has been one which has commended him to the confidence and high regard of his fellowmen.

CLARKE RUSSELL CREGLOW

Actively engaged in agricultural pursuits on a well developed farm in Marion township, Linn county, Clarke Russell Creglow has won success in the line which he has chosen as his life work for his efforts have at all times been characterized by a spirit of progress and by indefatigable energy and intelligently applied labor. A native of Ohio, his birth occurred in Fairfield county on the 19th of July, 1858, his parents being Jackson and Catherine Creglow. They were also natives of Ohio, where their entire lives were spent, the father passing away some years ago, while the mother survived until 1908. In their family were nine children, six of whom have now passed away. Those who are still living are: Clarke R., of this review; William, a resident of Ohio; and Myrtle, the wife of Edward Shafer, of Chicago.

On the Ohio homestead Clarke R. Creglow spent the period of his boyhood and youth, amid the busy activities of rural life, and when not engaged in ac- quiring an education in the public schools of the district, divided his time between tho pleasures usually enjoyed by youths of that period and the tasks that gener- ally fall to the lot of the country lad. He carly became familiar with farm work in its various phases, assisting in the work from early spring planting until the crops were gathered in the late autumn, and there, in the home fields, under the direction of his father, he learned many practical lessons which were later of infinite value to him when he took up business on his own account. After laying aside his text-books he remained at home until 1882, in which year he came to Iowa and for ten years carried on general farming on a rented farm in Linn county. In the meantime, however, his labors had been untiring and his perse- verance unflagging, while he practiced the strietest economy, for it was his am- bition some day to own a farm and to this end he concentrated all his energies upon the work at hand. When he felt that his capital was sufficient he purchased his present farm, a tract of eighty acres on section 27, Marion township, and here he has since made his home. Ile has continuously devoted his time and at- tention to its further development and improvement, bringing the fields under a high state of cultivation. With the passing of the years he has prospered and as success has come to him he has, from time to time, improved the place, erect- ing a fine residence and substantial barns and outbuildings and equipping it with all modern accessories necessary for facilitating farm labor, so that it is today one of the valuable farm properties of the township, everything about it indicating that he has kept in touch with the modern spirit of progress which is manifested in agricultural lines.

It was on the 28th of February, 1886, that Mr. Creglow was united in mar- riage to Miss Mary McClanahan, a native of Ohio, whose parents are both now deceased. Unto this union have been born two children : Lloyd, who is married and resides in Linn county ; and Leo Max, who makes his home with his parents and is a pupil in the high school at Marion. The parents are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, in the work of which they take a deep interest and the teachings of which form the guiding influence in their lives.

In politics Mr. Creglow is a stanch republican, and while never seeking nor desiring public preferment, he has served as school director, the cause of educa- tion finding in him a stalwart champion. Ever alive to the responsibilities of

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citizenship, he has at all times been most public-spirited and loyal, cooperating in those movements which tend toward the material, intellectual and moral np- building of the community, and feeling a deep interest in those things which are matters of civic virtue and civic pride. Earnest effort and intelligently directed labor have ever constituted the salient features of his business career, while his life has been governed by higu principles that have gained for him the respect and good will of his fellowmen.

JOHN J. REGAN

John J. Regan, general manager at Cedar Rapids for Armour & Company, was born in Dubuque county, Iowa, October 5, 1875, a son of Patrick J. and Margaret Regan. The father was born in Lake county, Illinois, and engaged in farming in that state until 1870 when he removed to Dubuque county, Iowa, where he again engaged in the work of the fields. Ile continued active in farm work until 1901 when he sold his land and removed to the city of Dubuque where he became proprietor of the Central Hotel, which he conducted until his death in March, 1909. He had been a resident of Iowa for almost three decades during which time he had established himself in the regard of his fellowmen as an energetic and progressive business man, while his social qualities have won his favor and friendship among those whom he entertained while host of the Central Hotel.

John J. Regan was a pupil in the public schools between the ages of six and seventeen years when he started in business life on his own account and engaged with the Ryan Packing Company as meat cutter in the retail department. That he was trustworthy and diligent is indicated in the fact that he was later pro- moted to the position of manager and in 1892 was made general manager of the wholesale department, serving in that capacity until 1894. He then worked as butcher in a retail meat market for eight months after which he became traveling salesman for Armour & Company. In 1904 he became general man- ager of the Cedar Rapids branch and is thus in control of an important plant constituting one of the subsidiary interests of the great Chicago plant. Since entering business life he has always been associated with the line in which he is now engaged and his thorough familiarity with the trade in every phase well equips him for the duties that devolve upon him in this connection.

Mr. Regan was married in Dubuque, Iowa, on the 4th of June, 1904, to Miss Kate I. Ford, and they have one son, Leo, now three years of age. The family home is a hospitable one and both Mr. and Mrs. Regan have gained many friends during the period of their residence in Cedar Rapids. Their religions faith is that of the Catholic church and Mr. Regan is identified with the fraternal Order of Eagles. In politics he is independent, holding himself frec of party ties that he may support the men whom he deems most competent for office and the measures which he regards as the most beneficial factors in the life of the community.

CALVIN FORD ORMISTON, M. D.

The active connection of Calvin Ford Ormiston with the medical profession of Cedar Rapids dates from 1899, during which time he has made a specialty of treating chronic diseases, his efforts being attended with marked success. He was born in Barlow, Washington county, Ohio, on the 7th of August, 1845. His father, Michael Ormiston, was a native of Scotland, born in the vicinity of Edinburg. He was reared as a farmer and followed that occupation dur-

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ing his residence in his native land. Coming to America in 1830, he settled in Ohio, and spent his last days in Brooklyn, Iowa, where he passed away in 1876. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Mary Disbro, was a native of Marietta, Ohio, and died in 1898.

Dr. Ormiston acquired his more specifically literary education at Beverly, Ohio, and entered upon a course in professional training in the Bennett Medieal School of Chicago, Illinois, from which he was graduated with the elass of 1890. He then located for practice at Brooklyn, Iowa, where he remained for two years, after which he spent a year and a half at New Sharon. Hle next went to Guernsey, Iowa, where he practiced for more than five years, and in 1899 he came to Cedar Rapids where he has sinee remained. Not only does he minister to many patients in a daily round of calls, but also maintains a large establish- ment in which he has accommodation for many patients, so that they can remain under his roof while taking treatment and thus receive his constant care and attention. While he engages in the general practice of medicine, he yet special- izes in the treatment of chronic diseases and his ability in this direction is most marked.

On June 20, 1871, Dr. Ormiston was united in marriage to Miss Mary L. Conway, daughter of James and Alvina (Folk) Conway, of Youngstown, Ohio, and unto them have been born three living children: Frank H., a barber of Cedar Rapids; Harry A., who assists his father and who married Martha M. Taylor, of Delmar Junetion, Iowa ; and Jennie, living at home. The family resi- dence is at No. 718 South Second street, west.

Dr. Ormiston is a member of the First Presbyterian church and also belongs. to the Iowa Legion of Honor, Mutual Benefit Association and the State Eclectic Society. Since taking up the practice of medicine as a life work he has largely devoted his time and attention to his duties in that connection and manifests a deep interest in all that bears upon professional attainments, that his labors may be most effective in checking the ravages of disease.

JAMES SAFLEY

An excellent tract of land of two hundred acres pays tribute to the care- and labor of James Safley. This place is situated in Brown township and is. equipped with all modern improvements and conveniences. Mr. Satley was born in Cedar county, Iowa, April 12, 1850, and is a son of John and Elizabeth (Davis) Safley. His father was born in Carrington, near Edinborough, Scot- land, while his mother was born in Pennsylvania and in her girlhood days eame to lowa with her parents, who located two miles west of Mount Vernon in Linn county. John Safley eame to this county as a young man about the year 1836. After crossing the Atlantic he lived for a year in the state of New York and also spent a short time in Indiana. IIe was undecided for a time whether to. enter land in Iowa or that upon which Roek Island now stands, but decided to go on farther west and located at Red Oak Grove, about five miles north of Tipton in Cedar county. He lived upon that farm and in California up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1890. In his political views he was a whig until the dissolution of the party, when he joined the ranks of the new repub- lican party. He held various local and township offices and was active in po- litical matters. In antebellum days he was one of the leading spirits in the. underground railroad. In later life his position on the temperance question led him to support the temperance cause. He always stood for reform, progress. and improvement. and his influenee was ever on the side of justice and truth .. The old Cedar county farm is still in possession of the family.

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History of Linn County Iowa : from its earliest settlement to the present time, Volume II, Part 32

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