USA > Iowa > Linn County > History of Linn County Iowa : from its earliest settlement to the present time, Volume II > Part 41
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104
THOMAS KORAB
Thomas Korab, in whose vocabulary the word failure has never found a plaee, is a representative farmer of College township, living on section 21. HIc was born in Bohemia, March 5, 1847, and is the eldest son of Thomas and Rosa (Kutehra) Korab, who crossed the Atlantic to America and took up their abode in Wisconsin in the autumn of 1854. In the following spring they crossed the Mississippi to Iowa and made their way to Linn county, driving a yoke of oxen. There were two families in the party that made the trip. They took up their abode upon a tract of wild prairie land of forty aeres located on section 35, Col- lege township, on the boundary line of Johnson county. It was a difficult task to break the sod and till the fields, but with unfaltering purpose Thomas Korab, Sr., accomplished this and after making a number of improvements upon his property sold it. He afterward rented a farm and four years later purchased the Sulick farm of eighty acres on section 21, College township, which remains as the homestead of the family to the present time. The purchase was made on the 4th of April, 1862, so that the land has been owned by the family for forty- eight years. The father died in 1904, at the venerable age of eighty years, while his wife passed away in 1894, when seventy years of age, both having been born in 1824.
The public schools afforded Thomas Korab his educational advantages but his opportunities were quite limited, for at the age of twelve years he was obliged to put aside his text-books and aid in the support of the family by assisting in the farm work. He early became familiar with all the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist and practical experience well qualified him for carrying on the work of the farm when he started out in life on his own aceount. He continued to assist his father until twenty-four years of age, and then he- gan farming independently. Prosperity has attended his efforts and in fact he is recognized as one of the successful agriculturists of the community. He has never wanted for anything and has never lost a crop. Of course some years have been better than others, but he has always raised something. He possesses a genial. happy disposition, looks upon the bright side of things and makes the best use of his opportunities. He has eighty acres of arable land and five acres of timber and upon this place he is carrying on general farming and stock raising, making a specialty of raising blooded Poland China hogs. He keeps five horses, has twenty-five acres planted to corn, twenty-five acres in oats, five acres in wheat, while the remainder is meadow and pasture land. In addition he has property in College township and owns a section of land in Morrison county, Minnesota, and ten city lots in Cedar Rapids, where he soon intends to build a modern residence and retire from active life.
On the 16th of September, 1870, Mr. Korab was united in marriage to Miss Anna Machacek, who was born December 29, 1852, in Bohemia, and is a daughter of Wesley and Anna Machacek, successful farming people, who for many years
368
HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY
lived retired in Cedar Rapids. where the mother died in 1890, while the father passed away in 1900. Mr. and Mrs. Korab lost their first born, a daughter, in infancy. Their living children are: Rosa, who was born September 16, 1872, and is now the wife of John Vonderacek, of Cedar Rapids; Anna, who was born in 1875 and is the wife of Joseph Votsek, of Cedar Rapids; and Thomas P., who was born April 7, 1884. and assists his father in the development and cultivation of the home farm.
Mr. Korab has filled various local offices, serving at different times as town- ship trustee, supervisor of roads and school director. His politieal support is given to the democracy. He may truly be called a self-made man and as the architect of his own fortune he has builded wisely and well. Allowing nothing to discourage him or har his path. he has worked his way steadily upward and his labors have brought him to an enviable position among the substantial resi- dents of the county.
GEORGE B. DOUGLAS
The industrial activity of Cedar Rapids has been largely promoted through the cooperation and intelligent effort of George B. Douglas, president of the firm of Douglas & Company, operating the most extensive starch manufactory west of the Mississippi river. He is likewise the vice president of the Cedar Rapids National Bank, a director of the Cedar Rapids & Marion City Railway Company, vice pres- ident of the Oak Hill Cemetery Company and president of the Grand Avenue Land Company. He is also extensively interested as a stoekholder in the Quaker Oats Company. Thus his activity in business lines places him among those who are the real promoters of a city's greatness and prosperity, for the upbuilding of any community does not depend so much upon its machinery of government or upon the men who fill its offices as upon the progress and perseverance of those who are controlling its commercial and industrial interests.
Mr. Douglas was born in Waterloo, Iowa. on the 23d of September, 1857, and is a son of George and Margaret (Boyd) Douglas, natives of Scotland and Ireland respectively. The father came to the United States when a young man and the mother crossed the Atlantic in her girlhood days with her parents. George Douglas engaged in railroad construction work on coming to America. Entering the field as a contractor, he was identified with the building of the Illinois Central Railroad and also with the construction of the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad in Iowa and Nebraska and with the International & Great Northern Railroad in Texas. He became widely known as an operator in the field of railroad building and finally took up his abode in Cedar Rapids in 1868, maintaining his residence here until his death, which occurred in 1884 when he was sixty-seven years of age. In 1874, because of the financial depression which followed the financial panic of the previous year. railroad building was practically suspended and he interested himself in the cereal business in Cedar Rapids, becoming associated with Robert Stuart under the firm name of Douglas & Stuart, thus establishing a business which later developed into one of the most important industrial enterprises of Cedar Rapids. In his political views Mr. Douglas was an earnest republican but never an aspirant for office.
George B. Douglas, whose name introduces this review, acquired his education in the public and private schools of Cedar Rapids and in the University of Iowa at Iowa City. Prior to his advanced course, however, he was employed in the office of Douglas & Stuart for a time. After completing his education he reentered their office and on the death of his father became a member of the firm. He was actively identified with the business until 1891. when it was merged with the
GEORGE B. DOUGLAS
371
HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY
Quaker Oats Company. For three years thereafter he was not actively identified with any industry, but in 1894 in company with his brother, W. D. Douglas, and G. F. Piper organized the Douglas Company for the manufacture of linseed oil in Cedar Rapids and Minneapolis, Minnesota. They operated the two plants until 1899, when their business was sold to the American Linseed Company. In 1903 the present firm of Douglas & Company was organized for the manufacture of starch from corn and this has been developed into the largest starch industry west of the Mississippi river, their plant being an extensive one and splendidly equip- ped for the conduct of the business. From time to time Mr. Douglas has become financially interested in other important business concerns, wherein his sound judgment and well known enterprise have led to his selection for official manage- ment.
In 1892 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Douglas and Miss Irene Hazeltine, of Grand Rapids, Michigan. Unto them have been born three children, Margaret, Ellen and Barbara B. The family attend the First Presbyterian church, of which Mr. Douglas is a trustee. He is also a trustee of Coe College and chairman of its finance committee. Few men are more prominent or more widely known in the enterprising city of Cedar Rapids than Mr. Douglas. He has been an important factor in business cireles and his prosperity is well deserved, as in him are em- braced the characteristics of an unbending integrity, unabating energy and indus- try. He is public-spirited, giving his cooperation to every movement which tends to promote the moral, intellectual and material welfare of the community and personally or by reputation he is known to practically every citizen of Cedar Rapids.
His political allegiance is given to the republican party where questions of state and national importance are involved, but at the local elections, where no political issue is before the people, he casts an independent ballot. He is a member of the Cedar Rapids Country Club, of the Chicago Club of Chicago, Illinois, the Santa Barbara Club of Santa Barbara, California, where he spends a portion of each winter, and the Chicago Club at Charlevoix, Michigan, where he has a summer home. He greatly enjoys golf and outdoor sports. His Cedar Rapids home. Brucemore, is one of the finest in Iowa or the west - a handsome residence sur- rounded by twenty-five acres of grounds, adorned by all of the arts of the landscape gardener without the sacrifice of natural beauties. One of the finest and largest libraries of Iowa indicates his love of literature. His splendid success has brought him opportunity for that leisure which means intellectual liberty - time to pursue those interests from which strenuous necessity excludes one and which mean the expansion of knowledge and hence the greater enjoyment that comes through the intellectual appreciation of all that nature. art and science have to offer.
SAMUEL DIX
In the death of Samnel Dix on the 23d of December, 1905. commercial inter- ests in the middle west lost a prominent and well known representative. Not only was he connected with merchandising in Cedar Rapids, where he conducted a clothing store, but was also the owner of three other stores in this part of the country. In all business matters he was diligent and determined and his keen insight and carefully formulated plans enabled him to win a substantial measure of success and at the same time contribute to general progress through his busi- ness activity.
His father was in early life a farmer but later retired from agricultural pur- suits and died in Wilmington. Vermont, at the age of ninety-four years. A native of Vermont, Samuel Dix was educated in the Green Mountain state, and
372
HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY
when a young man, came to the west. He started in business in Mendota, Illinois, where for a short period he was employed as a clerk in a store. But he could never be content to thus remain in the services of others and, carefully saving his earnings, he secured the capital that enabled him to embark in business on his own account. As the years passed he extended the scope of his activities and at one time was the owner of four stores - one in Paw Paw, Illinois, another in Mendota, Illinois, a third in Walnut, Illinois, and the fourth in Cedar Rapids. In all of these he carried a well selected line of clothing and men's furnishing goods. IIe was very watchful of the details of the business and all indications pointing to success, and at all times conducted his mercantile interests in a man- ner that conformed to a high standard of commercial ethics.
Mr. Dix was united in marriage to Miss Helen Thompson, a daughter of G. L. and Jeannetta (Fisher) Thompson. Her father was a native of the state of New York, who came to the middle west in early life and was married in Illinois. For a long period he engaged in the drug business in Nunda, that state, retiring after fifty years of hard labor and close application. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Dix was born a daughter, Helen Mae, who attended Coc College and is now living at home with her mother.
Mr. Dix was a member of the Masonic fraternity and, passing through the different degrees of the order, at length became a member of the Mystic Shrinc. He was in thorough sympathy with the basic clements of the craft, which is based upon mutual helpfulness and brotherly kindness. Moreover, he was a de- voted member of the Baptist church and his family are prominent in the church work. As a business man he was progressive, diligent and far-sighted, in citizen- ship was loyal and patriotic. He held friendship inviolable but his best traits of character were reserved for his own home and fireside, where he was a devoted husband and father, considering no sacrifice on his part too great if it would promote the happiness and welfare of the members of his own household.
FRANK A. HOPSON
For almost a third of a century Frank A. Hopson has been in the employ of the American Express Company and has steadily worked his way upward until he now holds the important position of agent at Cedar Rapids. He was born in Chautauqua county, New York, on the 20th of August, 1859, a son of Hiram P. and Lucy (Brown) Hopson. The father was also a native of Chautau- qua county, his natal year being 1832, and in early life engaged in business as a tanner and shoemaker. He operated a small factory and continued to do work for the farmers throughout life. It was in 1869 that he came to lowa and settled in Brandon, Buchanan county, where he engaged in farming for a few years, but at the end of that time removed to Vinton, Iowa, and resumed work at his trade. There he spent the remainder of his life. passing away in 1900, while his wife survived until June 22, 1907.
During his boyhood Frank A. Hopson accompanied his parents on their re- moval to lowa, being thirteen years of age at the time they located in Vinton, where he attended the public schools for three years. During the following two years he engaged in clerking in a drug store at that place and at the end of that time entered the employ of the American Express Company as elerk at Vinton for ten months. On the 10th of April, 1879, he was transferred to Cedar Rapids, where he served as driver for the company until May 13. 1880. when he was made railroad express messenger. and later became utility man in various offices and on different runs. In 1887 he was advanced to the position of cashier in the Cedar Rapids office, holding that position for five months, and was then again a messenger on the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad until June 4, 1908, when he
373
HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY
was appointed agent of the Cedar Rapids branch. During his able management the business of the company here has been increased twenty-five per cent. and he now has in his employ thirteen men and runs five wagons. He has always been found true to every trust reposed in him and has ever been prompt and reliable in the discharge of his duties.
Mr. Hopson was married in Dayton, Ohio, November 27, 1888, to Miss Mamie Dell Weaver, who died on the 6th of January. 1900, leaving two children, Mar- garet and Alma, both attending college at Grand Rapids, Michigan. On the 17th of November, 1904, Mr. Hopson was again married in Chicago, his second union being with Mrs. Mary Anna Fitzgerald, by whom he lias one son, Charles, who is attending the public schools of Cedar Rapids. He is a prominent Mason, be- longing to Crescent Lodge, No. 25, A. F. & A. M .; Trowell Chapter, No. 49, R. A. M .; Apollo Commandery, No. 26, K. T .; EI Kahir Temple of the Mystic Shrine. He is also an honored member of the Mystic Workers of the World and the Tribe of Ben Hur. In religious faith he is a Methodist and in his political views is an ardent republican. He takes a deep and commendable interest in public affairs and does all in his power to promote the general welfare.
J. H. STORY
Buffalo township has its full quota of progressive farmers who have con- tributed their share to the upbuilding and development of Linn county. Among this number is J. H. Story, whose time and energies are fully occupied with general farming. His birth occurred on the farm which is still his home, his natal day being January 18, 1859, and he is a son of Joseph and Jane (Story) Story, both natives of England, the former born April 1, 1819, and the latter July 5, 1818. They emigrated to America in 1843 and in 1844 were married in this country. Following their marriage they established their home in New York, where they lived until 1850, in that year coming to the middle west and establishing their home in Anamosa, Iowa. A little later the father purchased land in both Jones and Linn eonunties and at the time of his death owned three hundred and fifty acres in Buffalo township. Seventy acres of this tract was disposed of, while the remainder was divided among his children. Both he and his wife were highly respected in the community in which they long resided and the father was known for his honesty and integrity, winning a reputation for honorable dealing surpassed by no man in the locality. He departed this life in 1875, and his name is yet cherished by all who knew him. The mother died in 1901.
J. H. Story is one of a family of twelve children. His boyhood and youth were spent in the usual manner of farm lads as he assisted his father in the work of the fields during the spring and summer months, while the winter seasons were largely devoted to study in the district schools. His first venture in the business world was the operation of eighty acres of the farm which is now in his possession. He has made modern improvements on the place and his is one of the valuable tracts in Buffalo township. In addition to this land Mr. Story also has an interest in the old homestead, which will later be added to his present holdings.
On the 11th of September, 1895, occurred the marriage of Mr. Story and Miss Martha E. Wolmutt, a daughter of Joseph and Mary (Benish) Wolmutt, who were natives of Bohemia. They cmigrated to America in an early day, lo- cating in Linn county. Here Mr. Wolmutt operated a tract of rented land until 1880, when he purchased a farm of one hundred and twenty acres in Buffalo township. cultivating the same until his death on the 8th of July, 1885. The
374
HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY
mother still makes her home on the farm, one of her ten children being with her. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Story has been blessed with four daughters and one son, Hazel B., Ruby E., Dorothy J .. Letha M. and Joseph W., all still with their parents.
In politics a stanch republican, Mr. Story has always manifested a deep eon- eern in public affairs and has been called by his fellow townsmen to fill some offices. For one term he served as clerk of the township, while for several terms he has been a member of the school board, the eause of education finding in him a stalwart friend. Having spent his entire life on the farm which is now his home, it has been made dear to him through the associations of his boyhood and youth as well as the experiences of later life. He is continuing the work of de- velopment and improvement that was begun by his honored father, and while adding to his individual success he is doing not a little for the upbuilding of the community in which he has always made his home.
W. H. GOODLOVE
For a period of forty-three years W. H. Goodlove has been continuously iden- tified with the development and improvement of his farm, which is a productive tract comprising two hundred and forty aeres, situated on seetions 27 and 28, Maine township. During this time his labors have not only advanced his individ- ual interests but have also done much toward public progress and improvement in the locality which has long been his home.
He was born in Clark county, Ohio, October 22, 1836, a son of Conrad and Katharine (MeKinnon) Goodlove, the former born in West Virginia and the latter in Kentucky. They became early settlers of Ohio and in that state the father enlisted for service in the war of 1812. The year 1854 witnessed the arrival of the family in Linn county, Iowa, the father purchasing land in Marion township. His wife had died prior to his removal here, her death oceurring in the Buckeye state in 1849. Ile was not long permitted to enjoy his new home in Linn county, for his death oceurred here in 1861. His family numbered six children but only two are now living, the sister of our subject being Mary Ann, of Columbus, Ohio.
W. II. Goodlove was reared in the state of his nativity and acquired his eduea- tion in the common schools. Ile had reached mature years when he accompanied his father and the other members of the family on their removal to Linn county and here he assisted in establishing a home in what was then a comparatively new distriet. He remained with his father until the latter's death and at the outbreak of the Civil war enlisted for service as a member of Company H, Twenty-fourth Iowa Infantry, with which he served for two years. He participated in a number of hotly contested engagements, and, after making a most ereditable military record, was mustered out at Davenport. He then returned to Linn county and began farming on the old homestead but in 1867 bought the farm on which he has sinee made his home, embracing two hundred and forty aeres on seetions 27 and 28, Maine township. Ile has made the improvements which are now seen on the farm, including a comfortable country residenec, a substantial barn and outbuild- ings for the shelter of grain and stock. His fields annually yield abundant harvests, for his land is in a productive state. while in the pastures are seen good grades of stock, for he has always made a specialty of raising stoek in addition to general farming. He has become a prosperous man. owing to the capable management and unfaltering enterprise which he displays in the con- duet of his business interests.
On the 22d of June, 1866, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Goodlove and Bliss Sarah C. Pyle, who was born in Clark county, Ohio, May 15. 1844, and
375
HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY
prior to her marriage engaged in teaching. Her parents, John and Catherine (Myers) Pyle, were both natives of West Virginia, whence they removed to Ohio in pioneer times, the father there passing away in 1846. The mother made her home with her daughter Mrs. Goodlove, until her death in 1894, when she departed this life at the age of eighty-eight years. Mrs. Goodlove is the young- est in their family of six children.
Unto our subject and his wife have been born six children, three daughters and three sons, as follows: Nettie I., the wife of Richard Gray, a resident of San Antonio, Texas; Willis R., of Maine township; Oscar S .; Cora A., the wife of Thomas Wilkinson, also of Maine township; Earl L., who also resides in the same township; and Jessie P., the wife of Richard Boudish, of Maine township.
The parents are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Goodlove is a republican in his political views and has served as township trustee and as a member of the school board. He is a member of Milon Mills Post, No. 212, G. A. R. He is as loyal to the interests of his country today as he was in the dark days of the Civil war when he followed the old flag on southern battle- fields. He is now one of the few remaining veterans and, having spent an upright and honorable life, receives the veneration and respect which should ever be accorded to one of his years.
WALTER S. BERSLEY
Of the substantial men of Linn county, none rank higher in agricultural circles than Walter S. Bersley, owner of one hundred and fifty acres of land in Spring Grove township. He has made his farm one of the best in the district in which he resides, and it is one of the most productive in the township, as is evidenced by the condition in which it is maintained as well as by the rating of its owner
John and Rosetta (Webster) Bersley, natives respectively of New York and Illinois, came to Buchanan county, Iowa, in 1871, bringing with them their family of small children. Among these was the subject of this review, Walter S., then eleven years of age. His birth occurred in Illinois, August 3, 1860, and in that state he received a portion of his education in the district schools. In Buchanan county, John Bersley purchased thirty acres acres of land eventually, though for the first eight years after coming to Iowa he rented an eighty acre tract. This smaller tract of thirty acres he improved and lived upon until his death, which occurred in February, 1899. His wife Rosetta passed away many years before, her death occurring in 1868 in Tama county, Iowa. just before the family moved from there to Linn county.
Attaining the age of twenty years, Walter S. Bersley began making his way in the world by working for other farmers in the neighborhood. This he con- tinued doing until his marriage in 1880, when he rented a forty acre tract of land and operated it for a year. Then he increased the acreage under cultiva- tion, renting one hundred and sixty acres. This tract he continued to handle for seventeen years, winning splendid success by his diligence and ability. In 1899 he bought his present farm, consisting of one hundred and twenty acres of land in Spring Grove township, and has since resided upon it. In 1909 he purchased thirty acres in Jackson township.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.