USA > Iowa > Linn County > History of Linn County Iowa : from its earliest settlement to the present time, Volume II > Part 40
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Henry Etzel was reared to farm life, remaining under the parental roof until he attained his majority, after which he worked at farm labor in the employ of others. Ambitious that his labors might more directly benefit himself, he then rented a tract of land, which he operated for a time. After his marriage he located on a farm near Marion, renting the same for one year. On the expiration of that period he purchased one hundred and thirty-three acres in Otter Creek township and from time to time as he has prospered in his undertakings, he has added to his original holdings until his possessions in Linn county aggregate three hundred and thirty-eight acres and he likewise owns one hundred and sixty acres in South Dakota. His home place is well improved with substantial build- ings, while his fields are under a high state of cultivation and each year yield abundant harvests. He has been quick to discern opportunities for advancement and, wisely investing his money in land, is now numbered among the well-to-do citizens of Linn county.
Mr. Etzel was married March 1, 1887, to Miss Sarah Maier, a daughter of Jacob and Margaret Maier, who were natives of Germany and upon emigrating to America first located in Pennsylvania. Shortly afterward they continued their journey to the middle west, their destination being Linn county. The father was here engaged in farming until his death, which occurred in 1872. The mother, surviving for a long period, departed this life in 1895.
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The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Etzel has been blessed with four children: Clarence E., at home ; Maggie May, the wife of Edward Halen, a resident of Linn county ; and Ernest H., and Milton M., also with their parents.
In politics Mr. Etzel is a republican but has never been active as an office seeker, preferring to concentrate his energies upon his private business affairs, in which he is meeting with success. His fraternal relations connect him with the Modern Brotherhood of America, his membership being with Lafayette Lodge, No. 35. Both he and his wife belong to the United Evangelical church. His success has come to him through his own well directed efforts and as it has been won through honorable and fair dealing it is richly deserved.
CLARENCE E. LEIGH
Success has come to many men who have labored earnestly and persistently and it is not an unusual thing to obtain a competence, but the record is one which never fails to elicit admiration that commands respect if honorable methods have been followed in its attainment. Sueh has been the history of Clarence E. Leigh, who is today successfully engaged in the real-estate brokerage business in Cedar Rapids, being treasurer of the North Empire Timber Company, an important corporation, its officers and directors being composed principally of Cedar Rapids men.
He is one of Linn county's native sons, his natal day being February 7, 1866. The Leigh family was founded in America by his great-grandfather, who was of English birth and descended from a very distinguished English family related on the paternal side to King Charles and were entitled to a portion of his majesty's estate consisting of two thousand, nine hundred and sixty-five acres of land, but never came into possession of it through legal technicalities and the avarice of others. He emigrated to the United States, settling in New Jersey, where he spent the remainder of his life.
Foster W. Leigh, the grandfather of our subject, was born in New Jersey and when a young man left that state and removed to Butler county, Ohio, where he was united in marriage to Miss Saralı Busenbark, a native of the Buckeye state. In 1851, accompanied by his family, he came to Linn county, Iowa, and settled in Linn township, where he became an extensive landowner, being at one time pro- prietor of one thousand acres. His wife died in 1862 and his death occurred in 1878. They were the parents of nine children, five sons and four daughters.
Charles A. Leigh, our subject's father, was born in Butler county, Ohio, on the 1st of October, 1829, and accompanied his parents on their emigration to this state in the year 1851. Settling in Mount Vernon, he devoted his time and attention to agricultural pursuits until he retired from active labor in 1892. He was mar- ried in 1857 to Miss Lydia A. Ballard, also a native of Ohio, and they became the parents of three children, William F., Minnie J. and Clarence E.
Reared on the home farm, Clarence E. Leigh began his education in the dis- trict schools, which he attended until fourteen years of age, and then entered Cornell College at Mount Vernon, Iowa, where he was a student for two years. He next went to Chicago and attended Souders Business College, being graduated from that institution in 1886. On his return to Mount Vernon he assumed man- agement of his father's farm, which he operated for eight years, and then bought one hundred and forty acres upon which he was engaged in agricultural pursuits for two years. At the end of that time he sold out and removed to Mount Vernon, where he conducted a drug store until 1896. In the meantime he bought and sold two other farms. On disposing of his drug store he embarked in the live-stock business, dealing in horses and cattle until 1899, when he turned his attention to
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real-estate operations in Mount Vernon, handling large traets of land in South Dakota. In 1905 he disposed of his property in Mount Vernon and removed to Cedar Rapids, where he has since engaged in the real-estate brokerage business, handling large traets of farm and timber land. In September, 1906, he formed a partnership with J. M. Tallman and has since conducted operations under the firm style of Leigh & Tallman and has handled about two hundred and thirty thousand aeres of land and timber besides their local business. As before stated, Mr. Leigh is now treasurer of the North Empire Timber Company, which is eap- italized for one million dollars, and Mr. Tallman is assistant secretary. Owing to the excellent business ability of its officers this corporation has met with a large measure of success and the proposition which it makes to its investors is certainly attractive. The company hold a large amount of timber land in British Colum- bia, which is today the seat of the largest and best timber producing forests of Canada. Mr. Leigh also has individual holdings in South Dakota and two good Iowa farmns.
In Mount Vernon, Iowa, February 17, 1892, Mr. Leigh was united in marriage to Miss Clara E. Boxwell, and they now have one daughter, Grace F., who is sixteen years of age and is attending Coe College. Mrs. Leigh is a daughter of William and Julia (MeCreary) Boxwell and a granddaughter of Robert and Rhoda (Young) Boxwell, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania, where their early lives were passed and where they were married, continuing to reside there until 1845. That year witnessed the arrival of the family in Linn county, Iowa, and they settled upon a farm in Linn township, where the grandparents continued to make their home until called to their final rest. In their family were six sons and two daughters. William Boxwell was born in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, January 23, 1830, and was a boy of fifteen years when he came with his parents to Iowa, the succeeding years being spent upon the home farm. He was scarcely more than a boy, however, when with his first savings he purchased forty acres of land and began farming on his own account. Subsequently he added to this property from time to time until he became one of the large landholders of the township. On the 25th of January, 1865, at Marion, Iowa, he married Miss Julia MeCreary, a daughter of William and Almira MeCreary, and by this union four children were born, namely, Frank L., Moses A., Clarence and Clara E.
In religious faith Mr. Leigh and his family are Methodists and in his political affiliations he is an ardent republican, taking an active and commendable interest in public affairs. He is a wide-awake, energetie business man of known reli- ability, who has won success along lines which bear close investigation and serutiny, for he has never sacrificed the interests of others to further his own prosperity.
JOHN E. GABLE
John E. Gable, who is today one of the prominent and sneeessful business men of this eity, was born on the 6th of October, 1852, in Perry county, Pennsylvania, and is the eldest son of John and Elizabeth (Eby) Gable. At the age of twelve years he accompanied his parents on their removal to Mount Carroll, Carroll county, Illinois, but two years later became a resident of Lost Nation, Clinton county, Iowa, where he grew to manhood upon a farm. At the age of nineteen years he began learning the carpenter's trade and continued to follow that pur- suit up to the time of his marriage.
It was on the 5th of June, 1875, that Mr. Gable wedded Miss IIeala E. Lein- baugh, a daughter of Adam and Elizabeth (Fisher) Leinbaugh, of Elwood, Iowa, and they became the parents of four children, namely : Onalee, who died in 1909; Frank, who now has charge of the coal mine belonging to the Consumers Coal
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Company, at Jerome, Iowa; Edward, who is a salesman for the Fay Lumber Company of Cedar Rapids; and Otis, who has charge of the lumber yard of J. E. Gable & Company at Oxford Junction, Iowa.
In 1879, in company with J. C. Fay and F. E. Moses, Mr. Gable purchased a lumber yard at Lost Nation and about two years later bought Mr. Fay's interest in the business. In 1883, however, he sold out there and purchased an interest in the lumber yard of C. F. Fay & Company at Cedar Rapids, the firm name being changed to Fay Brothers & Company, and is now manager of that company. As time has passed success has attended his efforts and he is today one of the pros- perous business men of the city, being president of the Cedar Rapids Cereal Com- pany and the Consumers Coal Company, secretary of the American Manufactur- ing Company and a stockholder in the Merchants National Bank of Cedar Rapids. He also has some real-estate interests and is today regarded as one of the leading business men of the city. His life has ever been upright and honorable and the motives which have guided his aetions have been such as will bear the closest inves- tigation and scrutiny. IIe attributes his success to his elose attention to business and his habit of keeping down expenses. All that he had when he started out for himself was a good record and the influence which his father's honest name could give him. He has excellent ability as an organizer, forms plans readily and is determined in their execution. This enables him to conquer obstacles which deter many a man and it has been one of the salient features in his success. For many years he has been an active worker in the English Lutheran church and is today an honored member of the Commercial Club of Cedar Rapids. In his political views he is a republican but votes independently on local issues.
ANDREW J. MURRAY
As stock-raising became an important factor in the development of the country west of the Mississippi, there sprang up in a number of the leading cities of this part of the country important business enterprises that are the outgrowth of the livestock business. The great packing houses of Chicago established branches and appointed to their control men of keen business discernment and unfaltering en- terprise. It is thus that Andrew J. Murray now figures as manager for Swift & Company of Cedar Rapids, in which connection he has given of his executive ability, keen discrimination and constructive efforts. He was born in Benton county, Iowa, October 15, 1873, a son of John B. and Anna Murray. The father was a native of West Meath, Ireland, and on coming to Iowa in 1854, settled in Benton county, where he engaged in farming. The youthful days of our sub- ject were spent on the old home farm where he early became familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. He attended the public schools until fifteen years of age and then accompanied his parents on their re- moval to Plymouth county, Iowa, after which he engaged in farming with his father until he reached the age of twenty-two years. In that year he came to Cedar Rapids and engaged with his cousins, Murray Brothers, in railroad con- struction, acting as foreman for a year. He afterward became connected with Swift & Company, wholesale dealers in meats, occupying a position in the ac- counting department for three months, after which he served for a similar period as city salesman. He then became traveling salesman, in which capacity he served for five years and six months, covering local territory. He was next appointed manager of the Cedar Rapids branch of the business, his ability thus winning recognition, his faithfulness having already been proven in the positions which he had previously filled.
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In October, 1903, Mr. Murray was united in marriage to Miss Katharine De- Laney, in Fairfax, Iowa. Their children are: Pauline, four years of age; Lucille, two years of age; and John Robert in his first year. The parents are communi- cants of the Catholic church and Mr. Murray belongs to the Knights of Columbus. He votes for the democratic party but has never been an aspirant for office, feel- ing that his entire time and attention should be given to business interests. It is this spirit of faithfulness which has gained him promotion and he is now well known in the business circles of his adopted city.
ADELBERT J. VINTON
Adelbert J. Vinton, a respected and influential resident of Jackson township, is the owner of a valuable tract of land comprising one hundred and twenty acres on section 8 and in connection with his farming interests also follows the legal profession to some extent, practicing in the northern part of the county. His birth occurred in Fon du Lac county, Wisconsin, on the 13th of April, 1860, his parents being John C. and Harriet (Collar) Vinton, who were natives of Wales and Dutchess county, New York, respectively. The father, who was born in 1819, crossed the Atlantic to the United States about 1840, locating in Pennsyl- vania, where he followed farming for a few years. Subsequently he became an agriculturist of Fon du Lac county, Wisconsin, and in 1871 came to Linn county, Iowa, locating on the farm which is now in possession of our subject. Here he continued to reside throughout the remainder of his life, and when he passed away in 1890 the community mourned the loss of one of its most substantial and esteemed citizens. His widow still survives and makes her home with her children.
They reared a family of four sons and four daughters, as follows: George, a resident of West Chehalem, Oregon; Abbie, who has followed the profession of teaching for twenty years, spending four years in the government schools in Alaska, and who has recently returned from that territory and is now temporarily engaged in teaching near Cedar Rapids; Albert J., of this review ; Fred, who lives at West Chehalem, Oregon ; Hattie, who was engaged in teaching for some years and who is now the wife of Melvin Barker, a farmer near Prairieburg, Iowa; Carrie, the wife of Lawrence Gilchrist, of Center Point, Iowa; William, the junior member of the law firm of McKane & Vinton, practicing at MeMinnville, Oregon ; and Eva, the wife of Dr. Byerly, of Saco, Montana.
The gentleman whose name introduces this review and who is best known as "Del" Vinton, took up the profession of teaching after completing his own edu- cation and was for seven terms an instructor in the schools of Jackson township. He then removed westward to Los Angeles, California, and there began the study of law, reading in the office of Judge F. R. Wills, now judge of the superior court of Los Angeles. In 1887 he was admitted to the bar and during the following four years remained a successful legal practitioner of Los Angeles. After returning to this county he took up his abode on the old homestead farm and has resided thereon continuously since. The property comprises one hundred and twenty acres of the most valuable land in Jackson township and is lacking in none of the improvements and accessories of a model farm of the twentieth century. In connection with his agricultural interests Mr. Vinton also practices law to some extent in the northern part of Linn county.
In 1900 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Vinton and Miss Nellie Richardson, of Hopkinton, Iowa. Her father, Aaron Richardson, was a passenger locomotive engineer in New Hampshire during his early manhood and came west in 1855 or 1856, locating in Union township, seven miles from Hopkinton, Iowa. Subse- quently he was engaged in merchandising at Hopkinton for a few years and later
JOHN C. VINTON
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followed farming in Delaware county but eventually returned to Hopkinton and there spent the few remaining years of his life in honorable retirement. His demise occurred on the 7th of October, 1903.
In politics Mr. Vinton has ever been a stalwart republican, giving unfaltering allegiance to the men and measures of that party. Fraternally he is identified with the Modern Woodmen of America and is also a demitted member of the Knights of Pythias. The principles that have actuated his life have been such as to win for him the highest esteem and good will of his fellow townsmen and he is widely recognized as one of the popular and honored residents of his community.
FRANCIS M. HENDRICKSON
Francis M. Hendrickson, who has followed general agricultural pursuits in this county throughout his entire business career, now owns and operates a fine farm of two hundred acres in Monroe township. His birth occurred in Ohio on the 30th of March, 1846, his parents being Otha and Mary Maria (Kirkpatrick) Hendrickson, who were natives of Maryland and Pennsylvania respectively. In 1853 they came to Linn county, Iowa, settling in Otter Creek township, where the father purchased two hundred and eighty acres of land and devoted his at- tention to the raising of grain and stock. As the years passed by he brought his fields under a high state of cultivation and improvement, and the log cabin in which he lived during the first five years of his residence here was replaced by a more commodious and modern structure. He remained a respected and worthy citizen of the community until called to his final rest in February, 1883, passing away in the faith of the Christian church, of which his wife was also a member. Both Mr. and Mrs. Hendrickson were laid to rest in the Allis cemetery in Otter Creek township, the latter's demise having occurred in July, 1890.
Francis M. Hendrickson spent the first twenty-six years of his life under the parental roof and then rented a farm of eighty acres, in the operation of which he was actively engaged for one year, living in a log house which stood on the property. In 1872 he took charge of the old homestead place and gave his at- tention to its operation until 1875. In that year he purchased a tract of eighty acres of prairie land in Otter Creek township, broke the sod and gradually trans- formed it into a productive farming property, selling it for thirty dollars an acre to Kalop Bach in 1880. He next lived with his father-in-law in Otter Creek township for one year and in 1882 bought a farm of eighty acres in Washington township, this county, where he carried on his agricultural interests for three years and then sold out. In 1885 he rented a tract of land in Otter Creek town- ship but at the end of a year purchased an unimproved farm of one hundred and twenty-eight acres in Washington township, paying twenty-two dollars an acre for the place. After cultivating the property for ten years he disposed of it in 1896 for forty-six dollars an acre and came into possession of another farm of three hundred acres, which included an inheritance of fifty-seven acres. He made many substantial improvements thereon and received fifty-five dollars an acre when he sold the place in 1902. In that year he purchased a tract of two hundred acres in Monroe township and has since resided thereon, having made it one of the highly improved and attractive farming properties of the county. He devotes considerable attention to the raising and feeding of stock, thus util- izing all his grain. For three years he acted as treasurer of the West Side Mutual Fire and Lightning Insurance Company of Linn county.
On the 7th of April, 1872, Mr. Hendrickson was joined in wedlock to Miss" Mary E. Wilson, a native of Linn county, born December 4, 1855, and a daughter of William and Rebecca J. (Thompson) Wilson, who were born in Pennsylvania
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and Ohio respectively. They reared a family of ten children. The father died in June, 1899, but the mother still survives. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hendrickson have been born eleven children, as follows: Charles II., who is married and lives in Tennessee; Ira D. Sankey, who is married and resides in Waterloo, Iowa; Melvin M., at home; Goldsbury R., who is married and makes his home in Gor- donsville, Minnesota ; Edna A., the wife of Roy Chismore, of Tennessee; Sylvia V., the wife of John Vannote, of Linn county; Claude E., Otha F., Daisy D., and Crystal M., all at home; and Zuilla Blanche, who is deceased.
At the polls Mr. Hendrickson casts his ballot in support of the men and measures of the democracy and has himself held several township offices. He has lived in this county for the past fifty-seven years and there is no better evidence of the sterling worth of his eharaeter than the fact that many of his stanchest friends are those who have known him from youth, having found him true to high principles in every relation of life.
JOSEPHI STRAUGHIN LAKE
On the list of Linn eounty officials who in the discharge of their duties proved their loyalty and devotion to the public good appears the name of Joseph S. Lake, now deceased. He was at one time treasurer of the county and also aceeptably filled the office of postmaster at Marion. He was a representative of one of the old pioneer families of Ohio, his birth having oeeurred in Mansfield in 1846. His parents were Elijah W. and Susan (Dye) Lake. The father was a physician who was born and reared in Ohio and spent his entire life there in the practice of medicine, his professional skill and ability winning him a liberal patronage.
Joseph S. Lake began his education in the schools of Ohio and after coming to Iowa attended the State University. He was widely recognized as a man of cul- ture and education, having continually broadened his knowledge by reading and investigation, keeping at all times well informed on the questions of the day, politieal and otherwise. He was only seventeen years of age when in response to the country's eall for troops he offered his service to the government and became a member of an Iowa regiment, serving under his half-brother, Colonel Mack E. Dye. He was with the army for three years, during which time he was promoted to commissary sergeant, and at the close of the war was honorably discharged, returning home with ereditable military record.
On the 16th of January, 1870, Mr. Lake was united in marriage to Miss Mary L. Ives, a daughter of Norman and Hannah (Gray) Ives. Her father, who was born in 1819, eame to Linn county in 1839, from Connecticut, and settled in Mar- ion township. He died here on the 1st of March, 1890. Of his seven children Mrs. Lake is the third in order of birth. By her marriage she became the mother of six children. John, the eldest, who is now engaged in the grocery business in Terre Haute, Indiana, married Pearl Brown and they have three children - Mary Gray Brown, Ruth Marie and Carlton Joseph. Edith, the second of the family, is deceased, and the third member died in infancy. Clara Louise, who is living at home, would have graduated from the Marion high school but illness prevented her from attending the last year. Elijah Ware, born in Marion, was educated in the schools of that eity and is now an engine dispatcher in the employ of the Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad Company, but has recently been notified of a promotion. Benjamin Fred is a fireman on the Rock Island Railroad and lives at Cedar Rapids.
The family are members of the Christian church but Mr. Lake held member- ship in the Baptist ehureh. He belonged to the Masonie fraternity and was an exemplary representative of the eraft. IIis political support was given to the
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democratic party and he was recognized as one of its leaders in this county. He was called to public office when elected county treasurer, the duties of which he discharged in a most capable and faithful manner, thus winning the commendation of all concerned. He was also postmaster of Marion and carefully systematized the work of the office and gave to the public a satisfactory administration in that connection. He died April 6, 1900, and his death deprived Marion of one of her representative and worthy citizens. In his family he was a devoted husband and father, was also a loyal friend, and in other relations of life manifested a most patriotic devotion to his country in days of peace as when he followed the old flag on southern battlefields.
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