USA > Iowa > Linn County > History of Linn County Iowa : from its earliest settlement to the present time, Volume II > Part 35
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and they are constantly taught to strive after such virtues and manly habits as will fit them for positions of honor and trust, when their happy school days are gone, and they must meet the stern realities of life.
In addition to his work in Marion, Father Loughnane built St. John's church in 1906 at Lisbon and once each month goes there to minister to the spiritual needs of the parish which numbers about thirty families.
JOHN VAHL
By adhering strictly to honest and honorable methods, John Vahl had so won the regard of his fellowmen and the affection of his neighbors and friends, that his death which occurred on the 13th of June, 1897, caused deep regret throughout the community as well as in his immediate household. He was of German birth, his natal day being April 25, 1858. He is the only deceased member of a family of four children, born of the marriage of Henry and Louise Vahl, both of whom were natives of the fatherland, whence they emigrated to America in an early day and both are now deceased.
The rules of honesty and integrity were early instilled in the mind of John Vahl and he never departed from such a course of living. He was reared under the parental roof and the period of his boyhood and youth was spent in much the usual manner of most lads, as he assisted his father and pursued his studies in the common schools during the winter seasons.
In 1880, when a young man af twenty-two years, he established a home of his own by his marriage to Miss Mary Semmen, who was born in Switzerland, June, 3, 1858. Her parents, Abraham and Maria Semmen, were likewise natives of the land of the Alps. Mr. and Mrs. Semmen, on emigrating to America in 1864, located in Pennsylvania, but after a short time they continued their journey westward, making a permanent location in Linn county, where their deaths occurred.
In 1890 Mr. Vahl purchased a farm of eighty acres in Marion township and removing thereto, he at once began to improve and cultivate the place, and for seven years, or until called to his final rest, he worked diligently in the conduct of his farming interests and met with success, so that his widow and children are now in possession of a good property. His labors were brought to a close when he seemed to have reached his field of greatest usefulness, for he was but thirty-nine years of age when he was called to his final rest. He had, however, come to be known as a most honored citizen and his loss was deplored by all who knew him.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Vahl was blessed with four children, namely : Henry W .; Laura M., the wife of Oscar Martin, a resident of South Dakota ; Lewis C., at home; and Harold Arthur. The widow still resides on the home farm and is capably managing her business affairs. The family are highly re- spected in their home locality, where they have many warm friends.
JOHN W. STEFFY
John W. Steffy, deceased, was born on a farm near Marengo, Iowa, De- cember 5, 1872, a son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Housman) Steffy, who were natives of Pennsylvania and Iowa respectively. For many years the father was a prominent farmer of Linn county but is now living retired in Victor. John W. Steffy received a good practical education in the schools of this county and
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remained on the farm assisting his father in its operation until twenty-one years of age, when he leased and assumed the management of one of his father's farms, which he operated successfully until he removed to Marengo. There he engaged in business as a dealer in horses and also conducted a livery, feed and sale stable for six years with marked success, during which time he established an enviable reputation for business ability and integrity, gaining thereby a large cirele of friends. In July, 1904, he removed to Cedar Rapids and began the erection of a new residence and stables for the accommodation of his busi- ness, which with the exception of about a year spent on a farm he had purchased near Marion, he continued to conduet with gratifying suecess until his death, which occurred on the 3rd of April, 1910, at the family residenee, No. 1719 A avenue, east.
On the 19th of June, 1896, Mr. Steffy was united in marriage to Miss Belle F. Higgins, a daughter of Edward and Matilda (Walls) Higgins. Her father died in 1899 but her mother is still living and now resides with Mrs. Steffy in Cedar Rapids.
Fraternally Mr. Steffy was identified with the Knights of Pythias and in polities was an ardent republiean. He was a man who commanded the confi- dence and esteem of all who knew him and few men in the county of his age had more or warmer friends. In his business affairs he met with more than ordinary success and the prosperity which eame to him was but the just reward of his untiring efforts, good judgment and sterling integrity. He was a great lover of home and outside of business hours eould always be found at his own fireside. He eared for no pleasure in which his wife could not participate and to her he was not alone husband but a loving, cheerful, patient companion. The passing of John W. Steffy removed from the walks of life a young man of special promise, for whom his host of acquaintances had predicted a long and successful career, and his demise was cause for the deepest regret and sorrow to his large eirele of friends in his boyhood home at Victor, Marengo, and Cedar Rapids, where his entire life had been spent. Yet after all it may be best, he had not reached on life's highway the stone which marks the highest point but being weary for a moment he lay down by the wayside and fell into that dream- less sleep. While yet in love with life, just in the happiest, sunniest hours of all the voyage, the pathetie end came.
GEORGE WASHINGTON KUNTZ
A well improved farm of one hundred and thirty-eight and a half aeres, located in Linn township, has been the home of George Washington Kuntz since 1903, and in the conduct of his business affairs he displays many of the charac- teristies of his German ancestry. He was born in Iowa, September 10, 1867, a son of Jaeob and Henrietta (Smith) Kuntz, who were natives of Germany and among the first settlers of Iowa. Upon their emigration to the new world the father purchased eighty acres of land in Jones county, the year 1853 witnessing their arrival in this section of the state. He later added to it a traet of the same size so his farm embraced one hundred and sixty acres, to the cultivation and improvement of which he gave his time and attention until his death in 1882. He had survived his wife for several years, her death having occurred in 1874. Their family numbered four children: Charles Ilenry, a resident of Jones county ; John L., also a resident of that county; George W., of this review ; and Luella, the wife of Daniel Doubenmier, a resident of Linn eounty.
George W. Kuntz remained under the parental roof to the age of fifteen years, when he lost his father. He then left home, being employed at farm
MR. AND MRS. G. W. KUNTZ
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labor by the month for ten years. In the meantime he carefully saved his earn- ings and on the expiration of that period felt justified in conducting farming on his own account. Accordingly he rented a traet of land, which he operated for seven years. He then purchased his present property of one hundred and thirty-eight and a half acres, taking up his abode thereon on the 1st of January, 1903. He has made all the improvements on the place, on which stands a nice country home, in the rear of which are good barns and outbuildings for the shelter of grain and stock. His land is also in good condition, so that it returns excellent crops each year. He gives much of his time to the raising of stock and this branch of his business adds not a little to his finanees each year.
Mr. Kuntz made final arrangements for a home of his own by his marriage on the 29th of December, 1906, to Miss Eliza L. Albert, a daughter of Henry and Elizabeth (Ushal) Albert, who were natives of Germany. In 1879 they emigrated to Ameriea, settling in Cedar county, Iowa, where Mr. Albert opened a mercantile establishment, which he eondueted for several years. IIe then specu- lated in land, buying and selling throughout his remaining years, his death oc- curring in 1894. The mother is still living and now makes her home in Spokane, Washington. Mrs. Kuntz is one of a family of five children, the others being Henry, August, Fred and Marie. By her marriage she has become the mother of one son, Charles Herbert, whose birth occurred on the 6th of August, 1909.
Mr. Kuntz gives his political support to the democratie party but has never been active as an offiee seeker, preferring to give his time to his private business affairs. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the United Bretli- ren church. He may truly be termed a self-made man, one who through the inherent foree of his nature and the utilization of opportunities has passed from the humble position of a farm hand to that of one of the most substantial farmers of Linn township and this county.
ALFRED M. CARPENTER
A well developed and highly improved farm of one hundred and forty aeres, located on seetions 9 and 10, Marion township, is the property of Alfred M. Car- penter. He was born in Delaware county, New York, March 11, 1853, a son of W. B. and Frances (Mason) Carpenter, of whom extended mention is made else- where in this work.
Alfred M. Carpenter pursued his studies in the common schools and remained under the parental roof until he had attained his majority, when he began business on his own account, by purchasing eighty aeres of land, situated on section 10, Marion township. Taking up his abode thereon he made it his home for five years, when he disposed of that property and purchased his present farm of one hundred and forty acres, located on sections 9 and 10, Marion township. He has made all the improvements on the place, ineluding a good country residence, barn and out- buildings, while the soil has been placed in good condition for cultivation and each year he gathers good crops. He makes a specialty, however, of raising and feeding stock and finds this a profitable source of income.
In 1877 Mr. Carpenter wedded Miss Alice Simpson, who was born in Brown township, Linn county, April 8, 1847. This union was blessed with seven chil- dren, namely: Blanch, the wife of Robert Lary, a resident of Oregon; Florence, the wife of L. Mathes, of Marion, Iowa ; Franees A., the wife of Andy Falcon, of Linn county ; Pearl, the wife of Marion Owens, a resident of Madison, Nebraska ; Emily, the wife of Oscar Boosenbark, their home being in Linn eounty ; Cora, the wife of Sumner Jordan, of Marion; and Earl, who departed this life May 30, 1904. The family were called upon to mourn the loss of the wife and mother in
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December, 1897, and in 1899 Mr. Carpenter was again married, this union being with Mrs. Marjorie (Jenkins) Goodlove, the widow of Oscar Goodlove. By her former marriage Mrs. Carpenter had a son and daughter, Ralph J. and Hazel M., both with their mother, and by her marriage to Mr. Carpenter she has become the mother of two daughters, Dorothy Alice and Ida Charlotte.
Mr. Carpenter's study of political questions has led him to give stalwart sup- port to the republican party, while in religious faith he is a Methodist, while his wife is identified with the Baptist church. He is not in the sense of office seeking a man in publie life, though his opinions carry weight in the community in which he lives. His chief interests, however, center in his home and his family and yet he is never found unmindful of his duties of citizenship.
HON. JOHN M. TERRY
On the pages of the legislative history in Iowa appears the name of Hon. John M. Terry whose senatorial record was characterized by the same spirit of activity and progress that has marked his business life, making him one of the prosperous residents and extensive landowners of Linn county. He was long closely associated with agricultural interests here but is now living retired in an attractive home at Cedar Rapids, that in the evening of his days he may enjoy the comforts made possible by a well-spent life. He was born in Seneca county, Ohio, October 18, 1835. His father, John Terry, was a native of New York and was among the vanguard of that great band of emigrants that wended their way westward over the mountains to the frontier territory of Ohio. He settled on a traet of land in Seneca county. Three years before he had married Elizabeth Cole, a native of New York, and on their removal to the west he built for them a little log cabin in the midst of the Seneca county forest. There they reared their family of five children, two sons and three daughters, and in 1846 they removed from Seneca to Huron county, Ohio, where John Terry passed away in 1858 at the age of fifty-two years. The mother reached an advanced age and spent her deelining years with her daughter in Lawrence, Kansas. Here her death occurred in 1908.
John M. Terry pursued his education in the common schools and remained upon the home farm engaged in the various duties that fall to the lot of the agrienlturist until twenty-three years of age. He was then married on the 15th of December, 1858, to Miss Mary E. Howe, a daughter of Baxter and Lydia (Hicks) Howe, who were natives of the Empire state. The father was a ear- penter by trade but carried on farming conjointly with his building operations. He was married in the state of New York and subsequently removed to Huron county, Ohio, where Mrs. Terry was born. After their marriage the young people began domestie life on a farm, Mr. Terry thus starting out in business on his own account. The new state of Iowa was then attracting much attention and hearing and heeding the call of the west, he disposed of his interests in Ohio and in the fall of 1868 removed to the Hawkeye state, settling on a farm of about five hundred acres which he had recently purchased in Linn and Benton counties. It was wild prairie land upon which not a furrow had been turned or an improvement made. The arduous task of developing the new land was at once begun by Mr. Terry and in the course of time he brought the farm under a high state of cultivation and made it a very valuable property. To this he afterward added two hundred acres more, so that he became the owner of val- nable holdings of seven hundred aeres in Linn and Benton counties. The home- stead is pleasantly located where the four counties of Linn, Johnson, Iowa and Benton join. There he erected good buildings in the midst of a fine grove.
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Year by year he earefully supervised his farming interests until 1891 when he retired from agricultural life and removed to Cedar Rapids. Ile continued the owner of the farm for two years longer, however, and then sold the property.
There is an interesting military chapter in the life history of Mr. Terry which entitles him to wear the Grand Army button. He enlisted on the 2d of May, 1864, with the First Ohio National Guard, becoming a part of Company C, One Hundred and Sixty-sixth Regiment, under Captain Joseph Sutton. He entered the service with the rank of first lieutenant and held that position during his connection with the regiment. He was with the Army of the Potomac and was engaged on active duty for five months, after which he was honorably discharged by special order of the war department, being mustered out on the 9th of September, 1864.
As the years passed by eight children were added to the family of Mr. Terry, but only four are now living: Ralph II., Bertha, Kate L., and John B. The family are widely and favorably known in Linn county and the hospitality of many of the best homes of Cedar Rapids is cordially extended them.
Fraternally Mr. Terry is connected with Fidelity Lodge, No. 364, A. F. & A. M. of Fairfax, having become a Master Mason in 1858. He is a charter member of Apollo Lodge, No. 26, Knights Templars; belongs also to Iowa Consistory, No. 2, A. & A. S. R., and El Kahir Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. of Cedar Rapids. He also became a charter member of the Elks Lodge at Cedar Rapids and is most loyal to the teachings and purposes of these fraternities. ITis political allegianee has always been given to the democratie party and he is a recognized leader in its ranks in this portion of the state. He served as a member of the twenty-fourth and twenty-fifth general assemblies of Iowa, hav- ing been elected in 1891, his incumbeney covering four years, during which time he gave careful consideration to the important questions which came up for settlement and east the weight of his influence on what he believed to be the side of right, justice and progress. He has long been eounted one of the foremost agriculturists and business men of the county and his retirement is well deserved for his former activity entitles him to his present leisure which gives him an opportunity for the enjoyment of those interests which contribute most to his pleasure.
PETER T. HENDERSON
Peter T. Henderson, a retired agriculturist of Linn county, has continuously resided on the farm where he has made his home for the past third of a century. The property comprises five hundred and seventy-one acres of valu- able land, all of which lies in Jaekson township with the exception of a tract of eighty acres, which is situated in Delaware county. Mr. Henderson was born in Canada on the 13th of February, 1840, his parents being Peter and Jeannette (Forester) Henderson, who were natives of Scotland and Canada respectively. When but fifteen years of age the father crossed the Atlantic to America, locating in Canada, where he was later married. Both he and his wife continued to reside in that country until ealled to their final rest. They became the parents of twelve children, seven of whom are yet living.
Peter T. Henderson attended the common schools in the acquirement of an education and when but twelve years of age began providing for his own support as an employe in a machine shop, thus working for four and a half years. In 1860 he crossed the border into the United States, loeating in Michigan, where he remained for eleven years. On the expiration of that period, in 1871, he came to Linn county, Iowa, and has here resided continuously since. On arriv-
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ing in this county he immediately took up general agricultural pursuits and in 1877 located on the farm of five hundred and seventy-one acres which has re- mained in his possession to the present time. All of the land lies in Jackson township with the exception of a tract of eighty acres, which is situated in Dela- ware county. Mr. Henderson won a gratifying measure of success in the con- duct of his farming interests and in connection with the tilling of the soil also conducted a dairy, which branch of his business likewise proved very profitable. At the present time, however, he is living retired, leaving the active work of the fields to his son, Walter.
On the 13th of January, 1873, Mr. Henderson was united in marriage to Miss Hannah Jane Henderson, likewise a native of Canada. Unto them were born three children, as follows: Allie May, the wife of W. H. Kerr; Walter E., who lives on the home farm; and one who died in infancy.
Mr. and Mrs. Henderson are valued members of the Congregational church and their daily lives are in conformity with its teachings. A good citizen, a noble man and one whose life may bear examination, Mr. Henderson enjoys a well deserved respect among those with whom he has associated during a long period.
DANIEL W. HAMPTON
Daniel W. Hampton, who is successfully engaged in agricultural and dairy- ing interests in Linn county, owns a well improved farm of one hundred and twenty acres on section 1, Marion township. He is a native of the county, born January 21, 1858, a son of Oliver L. and Hannah G. (Gregg) Hampton, who were natives of Ohio, whence they removed to Linn county in 1854 and entered a tract of land. The father followed farming in this county until his death, which occurred in 1899. The mother, however, still survives at the age of sixty-seven, and makes her home in Maine township. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Oliver L. Hampton were born eight children but only three of the number are now living, the two brothers of our subject being Dilwin C., of Maine township, and Wilbur E.
Daniel W. Hampton was early trained to the work of the fields, assisting his father in the work on the home farm during the spring and summer months, while in the winter seasons he pursued his studies in the district schools near his home. He gave his father the benefit of his services until he attained his majority and then started out to make his own way in the world. He chose as his work the occupation to which he had been reared and rented a farm, which he operated for three years. He then purchased a tract of forty acres, located on section 1, Marion township, cultivating the same for five years. He then leased his land and made a trip to California, remaining on the Pacific coast for two years. On the expiration of that period he returned to Linn county and took up his abode on his own farm, where he remained during the succeeding four years. He then sold this land to advantage and removed to the place he now owns but for six years he rented the same. Since he became the owner he has made some improvements in the way of buildings, which are all arranged with a view to convenience, while everything about the place is kept in a neat and attractive condition, indicating the progressive and enterprising methods of the owner. While Mr. Hampton gives much of his time to general farming, he makes a specialty of the dairy business and of raising hogs, and in cach branch of business he is meeting with success.
On September 18, 1879, occurred the marriage of Mr. Hampton and Miss Mary S. Vail, who was born in Belmont county. Ohio, in 1860. Her parents,
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Jesse and Mary Jane (Southers) Vail, left the Bnekeve state in 1864 and locat- ed in Iowa. The father passed away in 1905, respected by all who knew him, but the mother is still living and now makes her home in Springville, Linn county.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hampton have been born seven children, four sons and three daughters, as follows: Alfred G., of Maine township; Emma Lura, the wife of Daniel M. Morris, a resident of Brown township, Linn county; Earl D., who graduated from Scattergood Seminary, in Cedar county, Iowa, and is now located in New Jersey : Millie, who died in infancy ; Floyd, at home; Hattie, who was born July 31, 1894, and died on the 2d of February, 1909; and Dean at home.
Mr. Hampton gives his political support to the republican party and has served as road supervisor. He is also a member of the Farmers Practical Club, and in religious faith he is identified with the Friends church, of which his wife is also a member.
With the exception of a brief period spent on the Pacific coast, Mr. Hampton has spent his entire life in Linn county and the greater part of the time in Marion township, so that he is well known in this section of the state. His life has conformed to high ideals and those who know him or have business dealings with him have for him the highest regard.
WILLIAM RANSOM HARMON, D. D. S.
The life record of Dr. William R. Harmon is an eventful one. With no special advantages in his youth, he started out in life for himself at an early age and at different times has met with various hardships and difficulties, but with persistent effort he has continued on his way until success has crowned his efforts and he is now one of the leading dentists of Cedar Rapids. He was born in Marengo, Illinois, August 21, 1865, and is a son of Ransom J. and Mary Ann (Schane) Harmon, now residents of Davis City, Iowa. By occupa- tion the father is a stone mason, plasterer and brick layer.
In early life Dr. Harmon attended the public schools of Davis City until seventeen years of age and then began earning his own livelihood, learning the trade of stone mason under the direction of his father. Throughout his business career, however, he has followed various occupations, being employed in a canning factory for two years, and for the same length of time was engaged in rail- roading. He next worked on a farm near Lincoln, Nebraska, for a year and later went to Wayne, Nebraska, where he was employed on his uncle's farm. His next removal made him a resident of Kansas City, where he worked at the stone mason's trade for two years. At one time he was also a resident of St. Jo- seph, Missouri, and while residing there was married on the 28th of March, 1890, to Miss Laura V. Hynds of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Harmon has been born a daughter, Alice, who is now the wife of Charles A. McDonald of Cedar Rapids. Shortly after his marriage he lost all that he had accumulated during the boom which swept over St. Joseph and the following. winter was obliged to seek employment. The only thing he could obtain was a position as driver of a coal wagon, for which he was paid nine dollars per week.
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