USA > Iowa > Linn County > History of Linn County Iowa : from its earliest settlement to the present time, Volume II > Part 39
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GEORGE C. FERNOW
An exeellent farm of ninety-one aeres is the property of George C. Fernow and lies on sections 33 and 34, Marion township. His time and- energies are given to its further development and improvement and he has thus come to rank with the wide-awake and progressive agriculturists of his community. He was born in Linn county, Iowa, October 6, 1851, his parents being James and Naney E. (Clark) Fernow, both of whom were natives of Ross county, Ohio, whenee they came to Linn county in 1850. That this district was but sparsely settled at that time was indieated in the faet that Mr. Fernow was able to enter a traet of land from the government and thus eame into possession of a elaim in Marion township which he at onee cultivated, making his home thereon until his death which oceur- red on the 11th of July, 1871. His widow long survived him and died on the 30th
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of September, 1905, at the very advanced age of eighty-three years. They had but two children: George C., of this review, and Owen S., who is also a resident farmer of Marion township.
At the usual age George C. Fernow entered the public schools wherein he gained a good knowledge of those branches of learning which qualify one for life's practical and responsible duties. Through the periods of vacation and after leaving school he worked upon the home farm, attending to its cultivation until his mother's death. IIe is now the owner of ninety-one acres in Marion township and the land is rich and productive, responding readily to the care and labor which he bestows upon it. He annually harvests good crops and he has a well developed farm property. That he is in touch with the trend of modern progress in agricultural lines is indicated in the fact that he belongs to the Farmer's Club.
In 1883 Mr. Fernow was united in marriage to Miss Margaret F. Shimm, who was born in this county in 1857 and is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. R. Shimm, both of whom are now deceased. Their family numbered five children including Mrs. Fernow who died in 1888 and was laid to rest in Oak Shade cemetery at Marion. She left a husband and one son to mourn her loss. This son, James R. Fernow, is still living on the farm with his father.
In his political views Mr. Fernow is a republican but has never sought or desired office, preferring to concentrate his energies upon his business affairs in which he is meeting with substantial success. His life has been quietly passed, yet he has always been loyal to the duties of citizenship and to his obligations to his fellowmen and thus is numbered among the respected residents of his part of the county.
JOSEPH MEKOTA
Joseph Mekota, one of Cedar Rapids' most prominent lawyers, was born in Bohemia on the 17th of April, 1866, his parents being Frank and Dorothea (Petr) Mekota, also natives of that country. The father who was a farmer by occupation, brought his family to the United States in 1869 and settled near Solon, Iowa, and his death occurred in 1908. He had survived his wife for some years, as she passed away in 1892.
Reared upon the home farm, Joseph Mekota obtained his early education in the country schools and later attended the Iowa City Academy for one year, after which he entered the State University, from which he was graduated in the law department in 1893. Being admitted to practice, he immediately opened an office in Cedar Rapids and in the years that have since come and gone has seenred an excellent clientage. He has won for himself very favorable criticism for the care- ful and systematic methods which he has followed. He has remarkable powers of concentration and application and his retentive mind has often excited the sur- prise of his professional colleagues. As an orator he stands high, especially in the discussion of legal matters before the court, where his comprehensive knowl- edge of the law is manifest and his application of legal principles demonstrates the wide range of his professional acquirements. In 1902 he was elected county attorney on the democratic ticket and has also been called upon to serve as a member of the school board for six years and a member of the public library board for a time. At all times he is a stalwart champion of the cause of public educa- tion, promoting its interests through the employment of competent teachers and the adoption of improved methods of instruction.
On the 23d of June, 1909, Mr. Mekota was united in marriage to Miss Batrica Machula, of Cedar Rapids. They are members of the Liberal Christian church, known as Mr. Newton's church, and in a well written article which appeared in
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the Cedar Rapids Evening Gazette Mr. Mekota ably set forth the religion of the Bohemians in America.
Fraternally he is an honored member of the C. S. P. S., Z. C. B. J. and C. S. P. B. J. and also belongs to Jan Hus Lodge, No. 51, I. O. O. F., which is the only Bohemian Odd Fellows lodge west of Chicago. In professional circles he has made for himself an honored name and his career has been such as to win the confidence and high regard of all with whom he has been brought in contact.
KNUTE LASSEN
For ten years Knute Lassen has been the owner of the excellent farm of one hundred and eighty acres on seetion 2, Marion township, on which he now resides and during this period has carried forward the work of improvement and devel- opment to such an extent that his property has greatly increased in value. He was born in Denmark, May 11, 1860, and is a son of Peter and Mattie Lassen, both of whom were natives of that country, where they spent their entire lives, there rearing their family of eight children, of whom Knute was the youngest.
No event of special importance occurred to vary the routine of life for Knute Lassen during the period of his minority. He attended the public schools, per- formed such tasks as parental authority assigned him and enjoyed the pleasures and sports in which boys of the period indulged. At length he reached man's estate and was married in Denmark in 1881. The following year he started for America and settled in Cedar Rapids. He was entirely empty-handed and the necessity of providing for his own support caused him to seek employment as a common laborer. He worked in that way for several years, during which time he carefully saved his earnings until he felt justified in beginning farm work on his own account. He then rented land, which he cultivated for ten years, and in 1900 with the capital saved from his earnings he purchased the farm of one hun- dred and eighty acres on seetion 2, Marion township, which is now his home. It is a richly cultivated tract of land, arable and productive, and the fields generously return to him good harvests as the reward for the care and labor he bestows upon them.
Mr. Lassen wedded Miss Sarah Andersen and they have become the parents of seven children: Andrew, a farmer of Marion township; Peter, who is living in South Dakota ; Mattie H., who is engaged in dressmaking and lives at home ; one who died in infancy ; Carrie A., a graduate of the Cedar Rapids Business College ; Christina, now attending the high school in Marion ; and Katherinc, at home. The family are members of the Lutheran church. Mr. Lassen gives his political allegiance to the democratic party and has served as school director but has never held political office. He is a self-made man and as the architect of his own for- tunes has builded wisely and well. He has worked diligently and persistently year after year until his carnest and unfaltering effort has made him one of the substantial agriculturists of his adopted county.
GEORGE H. EASTERLY
George H. Easterly, a retired agriculturist residing in Kenwood Park, Iowa, was born near Warsaw, Indiana. on the 18th of May, 1844, his parents being Lawrence and Rebecca (Hammond) Easterly. The father, a native of Cumber- land county, Pennsylvania, worked on a farm and also on a canal boat for a number of years but subsequently took up his abode on a farm near Warsaw, Indiana. George H. Easterly, who was the second in order of birth in a family of six children, obtained his early education in the common schools of his native
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state and afterward continued his studies in Linn county, Iowa. His time was fully occupied during his school days, for when not busy with his text-books he assisted in the work of the home farm, thus early becoming familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. Throughout his active business career lie was actively and successfully identified with general agri- cultural pursuits, operating a valuable and well improved farm north of Lisbon for a number of years or until he disposed of the property and took up his abode in Kenwood Park, where he is now living retired in the enjoyment of well earned rest.
On the 14th of March, 1870, Mr. Easterly was united in marriage to Miss Catharine Ann Spade, a daughter of Jacob and Catharine (Moyer) Spade. The father, who was a farmer and stone mason, came to this state from Pennsylvania in the year 1853, settling on a farm three miles south of Anamosa, where the remainder of his life was spent. His family numbered ten children, Mrs. Easterly being the seventh in order of birth. By her marriage she has become the mother of eight children, as follows: Ida, who is the wife of Samuel Doubenmier, by whom she has one child, Iva Fay; Estie, who completed her education at Lisbon, Iowa, and who is now deceased; Vada, who gave her hand in marriage to Ralph Darst; Roxie, the wife of Charles Hale, by whom she has three children - Mary May, Dorothy True and Florence G .; Clemmence, who died at the age if eight years; Willard, who wedded Miss Louise Cole; and Adelbert and Hulda, both of whom have passed away.
Mr. Easterly belongs to the Good Templars and he was also a member of the famous organization known as the Anti-IIorse Thief Company. Mrs. Easterly is a devoted and valued member of the Lutheran church at Lisbon and the dif- ferent members of the family take a prominent and helpful part in its work. Much of Mr. Easterly's life has been spent in Linn county, where he has a wide acquaintance and is favorably known.
OWEN S. FERNOW
When Linn county was a pioneer district the Fernow family, of which Owen S. Fernow is a representative, was established in this state. His parents were James and Nancy E. (Clark) Fernow, both of whom were natives of Ross county, Ohio, and on removing to the west in 1850, settled in Linn county, Iowa, where the father entered land from the government, devoting his remaining days to the development of the farm in Marion township. Further mention of him is made on another page of this volume in connection with the sketch of George C. Fernow, . the only brother of our subject.
No event of special importance occurred to vary the routine of farm life for Owen S. Fernow in his boyhood and youth. His time was divided between the duties of the schoolroom, the pleasures of the playground and the work of the fields, and when his school days were over he gave his undivided attention to farm work, remaining on the old homestead until thirty-two years of age when he mar- ried and established a home of his own. He had a high school education and was thus well qualified for life's practical and responsible duties. He wedded Miss Ina M. Wilson, who was born in this county on the 4th of April, 1871, and is a daughter of John and Angeline T. (Holland) Wilson, both of whom were natives of New Jersey. They arrived in Iowa in 1853 and the mother is still living here, making her home with her daughter, Mrs. Fernow, at the advanced age of seventy- seven years. The father, however, passed away in 1899. In their family were three children.
Following his marriage Owen S. Fernow removed to the farm which he now owns and occupies, situated on section 3, Marion township. It is a tract of ninety-
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five acres, carefully cultivated and improved, the well tilled fields giving evidence of the care and supervision of the owner who is at once practical and progressive. He also raises stock of high grades and thus adds materially to his annual income. He has ever been a diligent and progressive man and his earnest and intelligently directed labor constitutes the basis of his success.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Fernow have been born two children, Mary Alice and Wilson Clark, both at home. The parents are members of the Presbyterian church at Marion, in which Mr. Fernow is serving as elder, while both take an active and helpful interest in church work. In his political views Mr. Fernow is a democrat and while he has never sought political office, he lias served as a school director. He and his wife are members of the Concord Literary Club and their influence is always on the side of intellectual and moral progress and their home is the abode of warm-hearted and cordial hospitality.
CHARLES P. HUBBARD
Charles P. Hubbard, who came to Cedar Rapids in 1866 to accept a clerkship, has for forty-four years been a resident in this city and, making continuous progress in the field of business, is now president of the Hubbard Ice Company, one of the most important productive industries of this city. His record proves that success is ambition's answer and that prosperity is builded upon the foun- dation of unabating industry, unfaltering perseverance and energy that never flags. A native of West Cummington, Massachusetts, he was born on the 27th of September, 1846, his parents being Samuel P. and Venila (Mitchell) Hubbard, both of whom were natives of Massachusetts, the former born in 1810 and the latter in 1814. Both the Hubbards and Mitchells were old New England families and several of their representatives were active participants in the Revolutionary war and were also associated with other prominent events which shaped the carly history of their respective localities and of the country. Samuel P. Hubbard removed with his family to Oswego, New York, when his son Charles was only a year old. There he was associated with others in the operation of a tannery for many years and both he and his wife died at that place, the former when eighty- four years of age and the latter at the ripe old age of eighty-seven years.
Charles P. Hubbard spent his youthful days in Oswego and the public schools of that city afforded him his educational privileges. In March, 1866, he left the parental roof and came to the middle west, arriving in Cedar Rapids on the 17th of March. He came to this point to accept a position as clerk in the leather store of W. S. Bradley & Company, the business having been established by the firm of Hubbard & North, tauners of Oswego, New York. A year later Charles P. Hub- bard was sent upon the road as a traveling salesman and thus represented the house for five years, building up a good business and winning the kindly regard of his many patrons. In the winter of 1870-1 he engaged in the ice business in Cedar Rapids, which at that time was a town of about five thousand inhabitants. For the conduct of the enterprise the firmn of Hooper & Hubbard was established, the partners remaining together in the successful management of the business until 1882, when Mr. Hubbard purchased Mr. Hooper's interest and for twenty years conducted the business independently. In 1902, however, it was incorp- orated under the name of the Hubbard Ice Company, with Charles P. Huhbard as the president. The infant industry established in 1870 has grown to be one of the leading business concerns of Cedar Rapids, the company now putting up about thirty thousand tons of ice annually. At the beginning their capacity was fifteen hundred tons. The business has been developed along substantial lines, its trade
,
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being secured through straightforward dealing and promptness in the execution of orders as well as through the quality of the product sent out.
On the 11th of May, 1869, Mr. Hubbard was united in marriage to Miss Martha E. Hanney, a native of Canada, who came to Cedar Rapids with her mother and the Weare and Ely families in June, 1848. She is today among the oldest residents of this city, having lived within its borders for sixty-two years, so that she has witnessed its growth from a small village to a city of large proportions having ex- tensive trade and commercial relations. By her marriage she became the mother of a daughter and four sons, one of whom died in infancy. The living children are as follows: Lueins Ely, the superintendent of the Hubbard Ice Company ; Chester William, a practicing physician of Atkins, Iowa ; Charles M., who is em- ployed in a clerical capacity by the Douglas Brothers Starch Company ; and Helen Venila, at home, who is a graduate of the Cedar Rapids high school and the Bradford Academy at Bradford, Massachusetts.
Mr. Hubbard is a member of Cedar Rapids Lodge, No. 251, B. P. O. E., and Star of the West Lodge, No. 1, K. P. He also belongs to the Cedar Rapids Coun- try Club, thus giving expression to his social nature, while his interest in the moral advancement of the community is indicated in the fact that he has served as a trustee of the First Presbyterian church for twelve years or more. His advancement in business has been in harmony with the growth of Cedar Rapids, which is today one of the progressive western cities, having been builded upon a safe foundation. He has sought his success in business life along the lines of safe industrial and commercial transactions rather than through speculation and his record is one which at all times will bear close investigation and scrutiny. He has conformed his operations to a high standard of commercial ethics and straight- forward business principles, close application and carefully devised plans have brought to him substantial and gratifying success, making him one of the leading business men of the city.
HON. JOIIN P. CARBEE
Ere Linn county had emerged from pioneer conditions Hon. John P. Carbee took up his abode within its borders and from that day until his death he was recognized as one who desired and sought the best interests of the community, while at the same time he carefully promoted his business affairs that he might make due provision for the comfort and welfare of his family. A native of New Hampshire, Mr. Carbee was born in Grafton county, May 3, 1823, a son of James H. and Anna (Powers) Carbee, who were natives of Vermont, where they were reared and married. They afterward removed to New Hampshire, where they spent their remaining days. They reared a family of nine children, of whom two are now living: Henry, yet a resident of the old Granite state; and Anna, who is the widow of Edward Johnson and makes her home in Massachusetts. The father, John H. Carbee, who was born in 1791. passed away June 25. 1877, while his wife, whose birth occurred in 1797, died in 1884.
John P. Carbee continued under the parental roof until he had attained his majority and, starting out in life on his own account, was employed as a farm hand for a year. In 1850 he arrived in Linn eounty, which was then largely an undeveloped and nnimproved region. So few were its settlers that much of the land was still in possession of the government and he entered three hundred aeres in Brown township. As quickly as possible he made improve- ments and the barn which he built in 1856 is still in use and is in a good state of preservation. As his financial resources increased, enabling him to add more modern improvements, he erected a fine residence, which is still one of
JOHN P. CARBEE
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the excellent homes of Brown township. He equipped it with all modern con- veniences and accessories, carrying on his farm work along the most progressive lines. In connection with the cultivation of the fields he raised stoek, making a specialty of shorthorns. The land which he entered from the government remained in his possession up to the time of his death and was the visible proof of his life of well direeted thrift and activity.
While he led a busy life in connection with his agricultural interests, Mr. Carbee also found time and opportunity to serve his fellow townsmen in positions of public trust. He held all of the offices in the township with the exception of that of constable and in 1863 he was elected to represent his distriet in the gen- eral assembly, where his two years' serviee won him sueh commendation and approval that in the fall of 1865 he was reeleeted and occupied a seat on the republican side of the house for four years, giving his support to many measures which found their way to the statute books of the state and have proven sig- nificant factors in maintaining and promoting the best interests of the com- monwealth.
On the 12th of June, 1853, Mr. Carbee was married to Miss Sarah Hampton, who was born in Morgan county, Ohio, May 18, 1832, and is a daughter of Zachariah and Sarah (Griffith) Hampton, who were natives of Bueks and Fayette counties, Pennsylvania, respectively. At an early day they removed to Ohio and in 1851 arrived in Linn county, Iowa, settling on a farm in Brown township. Mr. Hampton was identified with the farming interests of the com- munity until his life's labors terminated in death in 1861. IFis wife, who was born in 1803, survived him for many years, passing away in 1886.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Carbee was blessed with six children: Eva, who died in infaney ; Anna, the wife of Robert Bailey, a resident farmer of Brown township; Ida, the wife of W. K. Pearson, treasurer of Jones county, Iowa; Hattic, the wife of I. S. Pearson, who is living in Brown township, Linn county ; John W., who follows farming in Brown township; and Henry C., who was educated in Cornell College and is now operating the home farm. He is a member of the Masonie lodge at Springville and has filled nearly all of its chairs, being past master. He also belongs to the Knights of Pythias lodge at Springville.
Many years' residence in Linn county conneets the name of John P. Carbee inseperably with its history, for throughout that period his interest eentered in publie progress and his cooperation was given to many measures and move- ments which have been valuable and essential factors in the growth and upbuild- ing of the community. There was no aet of his life that needed expiation, no business transaction for which he should feel deep regret. He lived honorably among his fellowmen, and was true to the trusts reposed in him and at his passing left to his family an untarnished name.
JOHN W. CARBEE
John W. Carbee, a lifelong resident of Linn county, was born in Brown township, June 12, 1868, a son of John P. and Sarah (Hampton) Carbee, who are mentioned above. He continued at home through the period of his youth and in early manhood rented the old homestead, operating the farm for several years. In 1902 he purchased the farm upon which he now resides, comprising one hundred and sixty acres. He was well qualified for the duties that have since devolved upon him by a liberal education, having attended the high school and also pursued a course in a business college. In his farming and stock- raising interests he has manifested sound judgment that has led to substantial results.
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On the 8th of May, 1889, Mr. Carbee was married to Miss Alice D. Gordon, who was born in Brown township, in December, 1867, and is a daughter of Charles F. and Rachel A. (Arment) Gordon, who were natives of Ohio and Delaware respectively. Their family numbered nine children, including Mrs. Carbee, who in her early womanhood successfully engaged in teaching school. By her marriage she has become the mother of nine children: J. Melvin, now of Waubeek, Iowa ; Samuel C .; Clarence, a high-school student; Anna V .; Florence ; Engene; and Wilna and Wilmar, twins; and a baby boy.
The parents attend the Presbyterian church. Mr. Carbee is a member of the Masonic lodge at Springville, in which he has filled all of the offices, and his wife is connected with the Eastern Star. They are representatives of one of the prominent old families of the county and are well known here.
HENRY ETZEL
Farming has claimed the time and attention of Henry Etzel throughout his business career and he is now the owner of three hundred and thirty-eight acres of valuable land in Linn county, pleasantly sitnated in Otter Creek township. Ile was born in that township, February 9, 1858, a son of Gotlieb and Julia Etzel, both natives of Germany. Coming to America at an carly day, they first located in Pennsylvania but later came to Iowa and established their home on a farm in Otter Creek township. The father purchased forty acres of land at a dollar and a quarter per acre and cast in his lot with the pioneer settlers of Linn county. He later added eighty acres to his tract but subsequently sold the first forty and bought another eighty, making one hundred and sixty acres. He made his home on this farm for thirty years and at his death, which occurred in 1895, he was accounted one of the prosperous and highly respected citizens of the county. His wife had died many years before, her death occurring in December, 1874. Their family numbered cight children, as follows : Levi, of Linn county ; Henry, of this review ; George, also residing in this county ; Albert and Jacob, who live here; Charles and Samuel, who have passed away ; John, a resident of Dakota; and Julia, who has also departed this life.
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