USA > Iowa > Linn County > History of Linn County Iowa : from its earliest settlement to the present time, Volume II > Part 36
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On the 4th of September, 1891, Dr. Harmon came to Cedar Rapids and here worked at his trade for five years, during which time he took up the study of dentistry and passed an examination before the state board on the 2d of June, 1897, being licensed to practice his profession here. On the 15th of the follow- ing July he opened his present office and is now enjoying the largest practice of any dentist west of Chicago. His business has been incorporated with a
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capital of fifty thousand dollars. the stock being mostly owned by Iowa farmers. It has been his desire to give the poor man as good work at a low priee as the rich man ean get at a high price and in carrying out this idea he has met with remarkable success. Being at one time in very limited eireumstanees himself, he realized that there was an opening in Cedar Rapids for just sueh an establish- ment as he now eonduets and the success that has come to him is certainly well merited. During his business career he has had many ups and downs but pros- perity has at length crowned his efforts and he now has extensive real-estate interests in Iowa. Progressive and up-to-date in his methods, he has beeome widely known throughout the state as a dentist of more than ordinary ability and as a citizen stands high in the esteem of his fellowmen.
WILLIAM E. DEAN
William E. Dean, president of the Dean Land Company, with headquarters in Cedar Rapids, was born in Belvidere, Illinois, June 27, 1853. His parents, Edwin and Rebecca (Low) Dean, were both natives of Bangor, Maine, where they were reared and married. On leaving New England they made their way to Illinois, settling on a farm just south of Belvidere, where the father gave luis attention to agricultural pursuits until ealled to his final rest, his death oe- curring in 1905, when he had reached the age of eighty-five years. His wife had passed away about ten years before. Mr. Dean was a republican in his politieal views and his fellow townsmen, recognizing his worth and ability, fre- quently ealled him to public offiee, his service as township trustee, eounty com- missioner, highway commissioner and other positions winning him the favorable commendation of the general public.
William E. Dean was reared on the home farm and in the Belvidere high school continued his education, which had been begun in the distriet sehools, At the early age of seventeen years he began teaching in the country schools, following that profession for two terms in Illinois and for three terms in small Minnesota towns. When he was only eighteen years of age the Dean Land Com- pany was formed, the other partner being his brother, Henry E. Dean. Through the following winter William E. Dean continued to engage in sehool teaching for the purpose of acquiring funds to carry on the business. In May of 1872 the office of the company was established in what was then Marshfield, Minnesota, but is now Lincoln, Henry E. Dean remaining in the office there, while William E. Dean went to Albert Lea to superintend the interests of the company from that point, sending out prospective customers to his brother farther west. In 1873 he began reading law in the office and under the direction of J. A. Lovley, later supreme court judge of the state. He afterward read law in the office of A. G. Wedge, who was subsequently judge of the municipal court, and for one summer Judge Weymouth of Marshall. Minnesota, was his preceptor. Dur- ing 1877 he attended the Iowa State University Law school at Iowa City. In 1878 he was admitted to the bar. He had not taken up the reading of law with the intention of practicing the profession but rather as a source of value to him in his other work. Nevertheless he gained an extensive practice before the United States land offiees in land eases. In 1879 the offiees of the Dean Land Company were removed from Marshfield to Tyler, Minnesota, when the Northwestern railroad was built through the latter place. In 1895 a further removal was made to What Cheer, Iowa, while in the fall of 1896 the head- quarters of the firm were established at Cedar Rapids. In the early '80s Henry E. Dean withdrew from the firm on account of illness and the business for some years was carried on by William E. Dean independently. When his sons,
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Robert L. and William E., became old enough to share in the business they were admitted to a partnership and the firm once more became the Dean Land Com- pany. Later a younger son, F. Edwin Dean, on reaching the age of manhood became a member of the firm. The Dean Land Company which was incor- porated February 1, 1910, with a paid up capital of fifty thousand dollars, has been longer in business than any other Iowa real-estate firm handling Minnesota lands and they are the largest exclusive dealers in Minnesota property.
In 1881 William E. Dean was married to Miss Mary Starr, of Lincoln county, Minnesota, and unto them were born two sons, Robert L. and William E. The wife and mother died in 1889 and Mr. Dean afterward wedded Miss Pauline L. Reck, of Wabasha county, Minnesota, the wedding being celebrated in Decem- ber, 1892. Their four children are F. Edwin, Velma P., Alice and Jack H.
In his political views Mr. Dean is an earnest republican and served as probate judge of Lincoln county, Minnesota. While living in that state he was also for many years chairman of the republican committee and has been an earnest and effective worker in the ranks of the party. He belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, his membership being at Lake Benton, Minnesota, and he is also identified with the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Fraternal Bank- ers Association, while his son William E. belongs to the Elks lodge. Connected with real-estate dealing from the age of eighteen years and a moving spirit in the Dean Land Company since that time, William E. Dean has conducted ex- tensive operations in Minnesota property and has made the business of which he is the head one of the important enterprises of the kind in the northwest, his efforts contributing largely to the upbuilding and development of Minnesota.
EARL W. FERNOW
Earl W. Fernow is one of the younger representatives of farming interests in Linn county, for he is now operating seventy-two acres, which constitutes a portion of the old homestead farm in Marion township. Mr. Fernow is a native of Linn county, born July 9, 1880, a son of Samuel and Barbara (McArthur) Fernow, the former now dereased. The parents were both natives of Ross county, Ohio, the father born October 9, 1835, while the mother was born in 1841. The father accompanied his parents on their removal from the Buckeye state to Linn county, where he was actively identified with agricultural pur- suits until the time of his death, which occurred in 1884. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Fernow were born six children: Mary A., the wife of J. H. Crew, of Linn county ; Edward L. and Fred P., also living in Linn county ; Lulu B., the deceased wife of A. H. Drew, now of Marion ; E. W., of this review; and Carl L., a twin brother of E. W., who is at home with his mother. More extended men- tion is made of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Fernow on another page of this work.
E. W. Fernow was a little lad of but four years at the time of his father's death. He was reared in the home of his mother and acquired his education in the common schools, completing the high-school course. He remained under the parental roof until he attained his majority and then secured employment as a clerk in a clothing store at Marion, being thus engaged for ten years. Believ- ing, however, that farm pursuits would prove more congenial to him, he then rented a tract of land in 1908 and began farming and at the present time he is operating seventy-two acres, of which fifteen acres is a part of the old home- stead. He is meeting with success in his work and is classed among the enter- prising young men of Marion township.
On the 21st of May, 1903, occurred the marriage of Mr. Fernow and Miss Grace D. Clements, who was born January 11, 1882, a daughter of Joseph J. and
,
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Grace L. (Reed) Clements. The father was born in Ireland, while the birth of the mother oeeurred in England. They emigrated to America in 1850 and for many years the father was engaged in the hardware business. Ilis death oc- curred April 15, 1900, but the mother still survives and makes her home in Marengo, Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Clements were the parents of seven children. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Fernow has been blessed with a little daughter, Elizabeth Marian, whose birth occurred May 8, 1904.
Mr. Fernow gives his political support to the republican party and is now serving as elerk of Marion township. His fraternal relations are with the Anejent Order of United Workmen at Marion, while both he and his wife hold membership with the Presbyterian church of this city. They are young people of the highest worth and respectability and have a host of warm friends in the community in which they live, the hospitality of their pleasant home being ex- tended to all.
THEODORE C. MUNGER
At the age of seventy years Theodore C. Munger is living retired in Cedar Rapids, where he established his home twenty-nine years ago. Through much of this period he has been an active factor in business circles, instituting and con- trolling interests which have constituted an important element in the commercial activity of the city. He has also become known in financial circles and his name has long been a most honored one on commercial paper. A native of Oneida county, New York, Mr. Munger was born September 4, 1839, of the marriage of Theodore H. and Emeline T. (Hanehett) Munger. The family is of English lineage and the progenitor of the family in the new world became one of the colonial settlers of Massachusetts. The name of Munger figures on the Revolu- tionary war records, as one of the ancestors of Theodore C. Munger stood with that valiant band of American soldiers, who on the Lexington green faced the British troops and fired the first volleys of the revolution that was to result in establishing the greatest republic on the face of the globe. The great-grandfather of Theodore C. Munger was a native of Massachusetts and on leaving New Eng- land became one of the pioneers of Oneida county, New York. The grandfather, Reuben Munger, lived in that county in the period of its early development and it was there that Theodore H. Munger was born in 1815. His youthful days were spent in the aequirement of an education and in the performance of such duties as were assigned him by parental authority, and when he had attained his majority he turned his attention to merchandising in what is now Deansboro, Oneida county, New York. While residing there he was united in marriage to Miss Emeline T. Hanehett, also a native of Oneida county, where her father had settled in pioneer times. Her death occurred in New York in 1843 and Theodore H. Munger afterward married again. In 1845 he came to Illinois, sailing around the Great Lakes and continuing his journey across this state to Peoria in one of the old-time moving wagons designated as a prairie schooner. He began farming in Peoria eounty, but subsequently removed to Fulton county, Illinois, where he put in operation an oil and saw mill. After engaging in the manufacture of lumber for a time he went to California in 1852 and continued his residence in the Golden state up to the time of his death.
Theodore C. Munger spent the first five years of his life in the Empire state and then accompanied his father to Illinois. The journey was one of marvelous interest to the young boy and many ineidents thereof were indelibly impressed upon his memory. Much of his youth was spent in Peoria and Fulton counties of Illinois, where he pursued his studies in the publie schools, although his oppor-
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T. C. MUNGER
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tunities in that direction were somewhat limited. In 1854 after the father's death he returned to New York and for a time attended school in Clinton, that state. Following the completion of his course he returned to Illinois, where he engaged in teaching school until after the outbreak of the Civil war. In the opening year of hostilities between the north and the south he offered his serviees to the country in response to President Lineohn's first eall for troops, but as the quota for the state was full the regiment was not accepted, but went into state service for thirty days. Soon it was seen that the war was to be no mere holiday affair and that a larger army was needed to conquer the rebellious south. Again President Lincoln issued a call for more troops and the Seventeenth Illinois Vol- unteer Infantry entered the service for three years. He was engaged in active duty for three years with the Army of the Tennessee and participated in many important engagements, including those of Frederiektown, Fort Donelson, the siege of Corinth and the siege of Vicksburg. Ile was first under fire, however, at Fredericktown, Missouri. He likewise took part in the battle of Hateliers Run, Iuka and the battle of Yazoo. An interesting feature in the military chapter of his history concerns a capture which he and a comrade, Chauncey Callaway, made on the 22d of May, 1863. They succeeded in capturing three prisoners, who were fully armed with loaded muskets and were hiding under a brush heap, which they supposed was surrounded by the Union forces. This was during the storming of Vicksburg, when Mr. Munger and his companion were on the skirmish line. The Seventeenth Illinois Infantry, as a part of the command of General John A. Logan, was the first regiment to march into Vicksburg. On the expiration of his three years' term of service Mr. Munger was honorably discharged at Springfield, Illi- nois, in June, 1864, at which time he held the rank of sergeant.
Returning to his home with a most creditable military record, he engaged in farming in Fulton county, Illinois, for two years and on the expiration of that period established an agricultural implement business in La Harpe, Illinois, which he carried on until 1878. IIe was also a traveling salesman a part of this time. In 1879 and 1880 he engaged in the manufacture of wooden pumps at La Harpe. Mr. Munger has been a resident of Cedar Rapids since 1881 and conducted a jobbing business in pumps here until 1885. He formed a partnership with James La Tourette, a pump manufacturer of St. Louis, Missouri, who the year previous had established a branch here. In 1885 a stock company was formed under the name of the Cedar Rapids Pump Company, of which Mr. La Tourette beeame president, with Mr. Munger as seeretary, treasurer and general manager and L. M. Rieh as superintendent. The entire stoek was held by those three gentlemen, who in the development of the business enlarged the plant until employment was given to many workmen. Mr. Munger remained aetive in control of the business up to the time of his retirement in 1902. He still holds his financial connection with the enterprise and is vice president of the company, which established business on a very modest scale. Largely owing to the ability, keen insight and unabating energy of Mr. Munger it was developed along substantial lines, becoming one of the most important manufacturing industries not only of Cedar Rapids but of the entire state. The rapid growth of the business led to the building of a factory in 1885 - a brick structure, one hundred by one hundred feet, two stories in height, on G avenue, bordering the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad, and many subse- quent additions have since been made to the plant. It was thoroughly equipped with modern machinery and furnished with steam power. The company was originally capitalized for twenty-five thousand dollars, but this was increased from time to time until the present capital is one hundred thousand dollars. As the years passed by Mr. Munger further extended his efforts, becoming a director of the Merchants National Bank and the president of the Cedar Rapids Building & Loan Association. His invested interests are of a character that bring to him substantial return, numbering him among the men of affluence in his adopted city.
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Mr. Munger was united in marriage in Hancock county. Illinois, October 17, 1877, to Miss Grace Breed, who was born in Fulton county, Illinois, and was a daughter of Amos and Mary (Flower) Breed, who were married in that state. Her father was a native of Connecticut and on his removal westward in 1833 became one of the pioneers of Fulton county, Illinois. His father, Jonas Breed, was born in Stonington, Connecticut, and was of English lineage, the family having been represented on American soil since 1630. His ancestors first located in Massachusetts and were among those who fought for the independence of the colonies in the Revolutionary war, taking part in the battle of Bunker Hill, the engagement, however, occurring on Breed's Hill, which was the family estate. At an early period in the colonization of the new world representatives of the same settled in Connecticut and successive generations were represented there, Amos Breed removing from Connectieut to Hancock county, Illinois. Mrs. Munger was reared in Illinois and there resided until she accompanied her husband on the removal to Cedar Rapids. She died in 1902 and her death was deeply regretted by many friends. By her marriage she had become the mother of nine children, Alice, Ruth, Mary, Bessie, Grant B .. John M., James La T., Clara Belle and Winnifred. The family home is at No. 837 Second avenue, but Mr. Munger spends the winters in California.
Mr. Munger still feels deep interest in the boys in blue, as is indicated through his membership in Cook Post, G. A. R. He gives his political support to the republican party, which was the defense of the Union during the dark days of the Civil war and, while not a politician in the sense of office seeking. has served as alderman from the eighth ward for two years. He is regarded as an exemplary representative of the Masonic fraternity and is a member and trustee of the Uni- versalist church. There is not one esoteric phase in his entire career. He has sought success along the legitimate lines of trade and commerce and his keen insight has enabled him to note and improve opportunities which others have passed heedlessly by. His labors, too, have been of a character that have con- tributed to general progress and prosperity as well as to individual success and he may, therefore, be justly classed among Cedar Rapids' representative men.
GEORGE HUTTON
George Hutton is sole proprietor of the Marion greenhouse, which is one of the largest in the country, for his close attention to business and careful management has developed an enterprise of extensive and profitable propor- tions. He was born on Guernsey of the Channel islands, England, September 23, 1865, and is a son of Thomas and Ellen (Randall) Hutton, the former a photographer by profession. The family numbered eight children, of whom three are in America : Albert, Perey and George.
George Hutton was educated in England and after his school days were over went to London, where he became connected with a greenhouse. There he gained extensive information and experience concerning the care, propagation and cultivation of flowers and plants, and later he went to France and Ger- many, where he continued in the same line. Undoubtedly one of the chief sources of his success is the fact that he has given his entire life to this busi- ness, never dissipating his energies over a varied field. On crossing the At- lantic to the United States he settled first in Boston, Massachusetts, where he remained for about three years. lle then went to San Francisco, where he continued for a year, and later he came to Marion on a visit to his brothers, Albert and Percy. Believing that this locality furnished a good field for one in his line, he established a greenhouse about ten years ago and has developed
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the business up to its present high standard and large extent. He sells to the retail trade and now has a very gratifying patronage, for in his greenhouse he grows a most attractive line of shrubs and flowering plants for which he finds a good market.
On the 13th of October, 1908, Mr. Hutton was married to Miss Olga M. Kaiser, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. L. Kaiser, of Marion. They have a pleasant home in Marion and a circle of friends almost coextensive with the eirele of their acquaintance. Mrs. Hutton is the sixth in order of birth in a family of eight ehildren, the others being: Margaret, the wife of Charles Peters, of Pekin, Illinois ; Paulina, the wife of Frank Charles, of Jefferson, Iowa ; Louise, the wife of August Boler, of Lancaster, Ohio; Albert Kaiser, a resident of Marion, Iowa; Minnie, the wife of George Bartlett, of Ogden, Utah; Rosa, the wife of William Speakman, of Marion, Iowa; and George Kaiser, also of Marion.
JOHN A. MARQUIS, D. D., LL.D.
Dr. John A. Marquis was born on a farm near Cross Creek village in the vieinity of Burgettstown, Washington county, Pennsylvania, and is a repre- sentative of one of the old colonial families of Huguenot lineage. The first of the name in America was William Marquis, who settled in Virginia in 1720. From that time to the present, representatives of the name have born active and helpful part in the work of progress in the various communities in which they have lived. John Marquis, the great-grandfather of Dr. Marquis, was a colonial scout and served as a soldier in what is known as Lord Dunmore's war in 1774-1775. About that time the family removed to Pennsylvania and there took up their abode. John Marquis was among the pioneers of that state, who fought the Indians during the Revolutionary war. His son John Marquis, Junior, was a native of Washington county, Pennsylvania, and at the time of the second war with England he served under General William Henry Harrison. He was the father of James Taggart Marquis, who was born on the old family homestead in Washington county, Pennsylvania, where he is still living at the venerable age of eighty-five years. Ile has devoted his life to farming and has always continued at the home farm. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Mary Bueher, is also living.
Their family ineluded Dr. Marquis of this review. His youthful days were spent at the aneestral home. After attending the public schools he prepared for college at the Cross Creek Academy. Later he engaged in teaching sehool in his home county and thereby acquired at least part of the funds necessary for the expense of a college course. Matrieulating in Washington and Jefferson College, he there pursued his studies to graduation with the class of 1885, after which he became an instructor in Blairsville College for Women, Blairsville, Pennsylvania, occupying the chair of science for two years. On the expiration of that period he entered the Western Theological Seminary and was graduated with the elass of 1890. He then became assistant pastor of the First Presbyterian ehureh at Greensburg, Pennsylvania, where he remained for two years: He also organized the Westminster church of the same town and remained its pastor for ten years, or until 1902. In that year he went to the Pacific coast to accept the pastorate of the First Presbyterian church of Redlands, California, where he continued for three years, or until November, 1905, when he became pastor of the First Presbyterian church at Beaver, Pennsylvania, where he remained for four years, or until the 1st of December, 1909, when he assumed the presideney of Coe College at Cedar Rapids. Since 1898 he has been a trustee of Washing- ton and Jefferson College of Pennsylvania, and a director in the Theological
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Seminary at Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. For ten years he was associate editor of the Presbyterian Banner.
On the 1st of September, 1896, Dr. Marquis was married to Miss Martha Neilson, a daughter of John and Sarah (Miller) Neilson. The father came from Larue, Ireland, to America in his youthful days and was reared in West- moreland county, Pennsylvania. Unto Dr. and Mrs. Marquis have been born two daughters and two sons: Sarah, who is now in school; James T., now de- ceased; John Neilson; and Elizabeth.
ABEL L. CORY
An excellent farm of one hundred aeres situated on seetion 12, Marion town- ship, is the property of Abel L. Cory and returns to him golden harvests for the care and labor which he bestows on the fields. Stoek-raising is also a feature of his business and contributes to his success. Mr. Cory has long resided in this county, being brought to Iowa by his parents in his boyhood days. He was born in England, February 16, 1851, and is the son of William and Elizabeth (Marshal) Cory, both of whom were natives of the same country. In the year 1853 they bade adieu to their native land and crossed the Atlantic to the new world, that they might verify the reports which had reached them concerning the better opportunities offered on this side of the Atlantic. Later William Cory purchased land in Linn county and in this part of the state reared his family which numbered nine children, of whom three are still living: Samuel E .. who resides in Cedar Rapids; Abel L., of this review, and Elizabeth A., the wife of Samuel E. Martin of Marion. The mother departed this life on the 21st of January, 1886, and the father died in December, 1887, both being in the seventy- sixth year of their age when called to their final rest. They were earnest Chris- tian people, holding membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, and their upright lives won for him the high regard of all with whom they came in contaet.
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