USA > Iowa > Linn County > History of Linn County Iowa : from its earliest settlement to the present time, Volume II > Part 45
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
404
HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY
was never paid. Finally, after twenty-one years, when the infant daughter had grown to womanhood and was married, the bill was paid without interest and the doetor invested the amount in a silver piteher, which he presented to his daughter with the remark that it was to requite her for so suddenly leaving her on a long journey when she was but three or four days old. He gave generously of his means to the poor and needy, yet always without ostentation. He was well known, however, as a most charitable and benevolent man and won friends wherever he went. For years he remained the loved family physician in many of the leading households in Cedar Rapids and in the surrounding country. He died very sud- denly May 26, 1887, and the news of his demise was received with deep sorrow wherever he was known. He was a man of strong personality and marked char- acteristies and at all hazards he would defend the right as he saw it, nor was his position ever an equivocal one. IIe formed his opinions from elose study and keen observation and his judgment was rarely if ever at fault. He believed in the enjoyment of life and took pleasure in his work and in looking after his buildings and real estate. There was no better man in Cedar Rapids. Said one who knew him well and had excellent opportunity to judge: "He was an upright and excel- lent physician, a very positive character, a true friend, and in his death Cedar Rapids has sustained a great loss." Such was the opinion voieed of all who knew him. IIe set himself resolutely to the tasks of this world and accomplished what he undertook, but never allowed the serious side of business to so engross his life that joy and pleasure, helpfulness and benevolence had no part in it. On the contrary, few men had more largely embraced their opportunities for doing good, and the record which he leaves behind him is a credit to the city which his life adorned.
LEVI ETZEL
A well improved farm of eighty aeres pays tribute to the labor of Levi Etzel, who was born in Pennsylvania, March 9, 1846, and is the eldest in a family of eight children whose parents were Gotlieb and Julia Etzel, natives of Germany. At an early day they came to America. their first location being in Pennsylvania. After a time spent in the east, they sought a home in the middle west and lo- eated on a farm in Otter Creek township, Linn county, Iowa. The father pur- chased land from time to time in this section of Iowa until, at his demise, he owned one hundred and sixty aeres. From the time of his arrival in Linn county until his death in 1895 he was continuously identified with farming and became not only a successful man but one who was highly honored and respected in the community in which he made his home. ITis wife died in December, 1874. As above stated our subject was the eldest of their eight children, the others being : Henry, who follows farming in Otter Creek township and is mentioned else- where in this work; George, also residing in this county; Albert and Jacob, res- idents of Linn county: Charles and Samuel. deceased; John, who makes his home in Dakota; and Julia, who has passed away.
Levi Etzel was reared under the parental roof to the age of sixteen years, in the meantime being trained in the work of the home farm during the spring and summer months. while the winter seasons were devoted to study in the common schools. At the age of sixteen he began life on his own account by working as a farm hand for eight years. During this period he carefully saved his earnings, which he eventually invested in eighty acres of land. Shortly afterward he was married and took up his abode on his farm, which he has since improved. On the place stands a good country residence, a substantial
405
HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY
barn and outbuildings for the shelter of grain and stock, and the fields are very arable, returning good crops each year.
It was in 1884 that Mr. Etzel was united in marriage to Miss Mary Schantz, a daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Schuff) Schantz, who spent their entire lives in Ohio, where the mother died in 1865 at the age of thirty-five years, leaving two children : Jacob, of Spring Grove ; and Mary, the wife of our subject. The fath- er was again married and his second wife died December 15, 1905, while his death occurred January 23, 1897. He was one of the prominent men of his com- munity and was the owner of two hundred and fifty acres of land in Ohio. By his second marriage he had ten children. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Etzel have been born two sons and one daughter, but the eldest son, Ilenry, died May 14, 1886, while the surviving members, Frank H. and Anna, are at home.
Mr. Etzel gives his political support to the republican party but has never been an aspirant for public office. Ilis religious faith is indicated by his mem- bership in the United Evangelical church. Starting out in the humble capacity of a farm hand, he has gradually worked his way upward until today he finds a place among the substantial and worthy citizens of Linn county and Otter Creck township.
JACOB L. DAVIS, M. D.
Dr. Jacob L. Davis, actuated by strong purpose and high ideals in the work of his profession, has firmly established himself in the public regard as a physi- cian of ability, and the confidence of the community is indicated in the liberal patronage extended him. He is a native son of Iowa, born in Marion, October 21, 1860, his parents being Lewis and Mary (Jacobs) Davis, both of foreign birth. The father was born in Germany, while the mother claimed Austria as the land of her nativity. Each came to America about 1848, settling in Rockford, Illi- nois, and they were married there about 1853. A year later, in 1854, they came to Iowa, their home being established on a farm near Marion. Later they took up their abode in that city and at the outbreak of the Civil war Lewis Davis enlisted as a member of Company K, Eleventh Iowa Infantry, for service at the front. After a period of two years he was wounded and honorably dis- charged. Returning home in 1863, he purchased a farm in Linn county, operat- ing the same for four years. He finally disposed of that land and purchased another tract of one hundred and sixty acres, which remained in his possession for a similar period. After making another change in location in Linn county, he disposed of his interests in this district and purchased a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Boone county, Iowa, making that his home for nine years. Then deciding upon a professional career, he abandoned farming and removed to St. Louis, where he pursued a course in medicine. Upon his graduation he removed to Belleville, Illinois, for the practice of his profession, but only re- mained there a short time, after which he took up his abode in Marion, living in that city until his death, which occurred in 1892. His widow continued her residence in that city until she, too, was called to her final rest on the 22d of November, 1904. Their family numbered nine children, of whom four are deceased.
Jacob L. Davis was reared to the occupation of farming and his preliminary education was acquired in the common schools. At the age of twenty-four years, having decided to make the practice of medicine his life work, to this end he entered the Eclectic Medical College at St. Louis, graduating from that institution June 1, 1888, after pursuing a four years' course. He then opened an office for practice in Belleville, Illinois, remaining in that city for two years,
406
HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY
at the end of which time he located in Alburnett, where he has practiced to the present time. He is competent and capable, conscientious and considerate. In the diagnosis of a case he is rarely, if ever, at fault, and his judgment seldom errs in forecasting the outcome of disease.
Dr. Davis was married September 13, 1894, the lady of his choice being Miss Elma Zeller, a daughter of Christian and Katherine (Bloom) Zeller, who were natives of Germany, emigrating to America in 1858. They established their home in Linn county, the father erecting a log cabin on his farm, in which the family took up their abode and lived for many years, several of their children having been born in that crude structure. They worked persistently and earnestly and in due time accumulated two hundred and ninety acres of land. The mother died on the farm, September 5, 1902, after which the father removed to Troy, Linn county, and he still makes his home in that village. Unto him and his wife were born twelve children, of whom six are deceased.
In politics the Doetor is a republican but the demands of his profession leave him little time for active participation in public affairs. He is an Odd Fellow, belonging to Threntham Lodge, No. 520, at Alburnett. He also affiliates with the Modern Woodmen and the Modern Brotherhood. He is highly esteemed in Alburnett and vieinity, not only as a professional man but also as a citizen and friend of humanity, who lives for the good he can do to his fellowman.
EDWIN J. ESGATE
Actuated by the spirit of enterprise in all that he does, Edwin J. Esgate is now and has been from its organization one of the potent factors in the success of the Farmers & Merchants State Bank of which he is the cashier. He is also secretary of the Home Building & Loan Association and is thus actively connected with the financial interests of Marion. Born in Sabula, Iowa, on the 15th of January, 1862, he is a son of B. H. and Sarah A. (Hathaway) Esgate. The father eame to Iowa from St. Michaels, Maryland, one of the old historical towns of that state, having been founded about two hundred and twenty-five years ago. Mr. Esgate was a well educated man and a farmer by occupation, devoting the greater part of his life to general agricultural pursuits. In 1838 he made his way westward and settled in Jackson county, Iowa, several years before the admission of the state in- to the Union. He was one of the first to establish a home in that locality and was actively connected with its pioneer development, aiding in laying broad and deep the foundation of the present progress and upbuilding of the county. At length he retired from active farm life and spent his remaining days in the enjoyment of a well earned rest, passing away in Jaskson county in 1893. His widow afterward came to Marion to make her home with her son Edwin and here died in the year 1909.
Edwin J. Esgate acquired a common school education in Sabula and afterward pursned a classical course in Cornell College, from which he graduated with the class of 1884. Later he accepted the superintendeney of the Marion publie schools and oceupied that position in a fitting, capable and ereditable manner until 1890, becoming recognized as one of the leading educators associated with the publie school system in this part of the state. In 1889 he was elected secretary of the Iowa State Teachers Association. Resigning his position as superintendent of the Marion schools he was afterwards engaged for ahout three years in the banking business in Greeley, Nebraska, during which time he aeted as cashier of the Greeley State Bank in which he is largely interested financially. During the widespread financial panic of 1893 in association with Mr. Toms and others he organized the Farmers & Merchants State Bank at Marion which opened its doors
E. J. ESGATE
PT
409
HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY
for business on the 15th of Jannary, 1894. He was then elected cashier and has since served in that capacity, largely controlling the interests of the institution and making it one of the strong financial concerns of the county.
On the 17th of June, 1885, Mr. Esgate was married to Miss May A. Treat, a daughter of Garry and Delia J. (Lathrop) Treat. Her father was one of Linn county's prominent citizens and for a number of years served on the board of supervisors and otherwise took an active and helpful interest in public affairs. He is now living retired, spending the winter months in California and the summer seasons in this eonnty. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Esgate has been blessed with three children : Arthur, a graduate of Cornell College who is now connected with a bank in Cedar Rapids; Edith M., a senior at Cornell ; and Helen, a student in the Marion high school.
In his fraternal relations Mr. Esgate is a Mason and Knight of Pythias. He is a trustee of Cornell College, a member of its executive committee and is deeply in- terested in the moral progress of the community, putting forth earnest effort to ad- vance the interests of the Methodist Episcopal church in which he and his family hold membership. He takes a prominent part in all church work, is serving as treasurer and trustee of the church and was for many years superintendent of the Sunday school which is one of the largest in the state. At the quadrennial session of the general conference of Methodism held in Baltimore, Maryland, in 1908, he was sent as a delegate from the Upper Iowa Conference. In him the interests of life which are ever features in well rounded manhood are most evenly balanced. Prompted in business by laudable ambition to attain success, he does not allow his banking and other interests to monopolize his time but finds opportunity to co- operate in movements which benefit the community and develop the character of the individual.
VINCEL DRAHOS
Vincel Drahos, a member of the Cedar Rapids bar, who for more than a quarter of a century has been engaged in practice, was born in Bohemia, Sep- tember 14, 1853. His father. John Drahos, is retired, now living in Belle Plaine, Iowa, at the venerable age of eighty years. In his early days he was a weaver, following that trade in Bohemia, whence he came to America in 1858. He re- sided in Cedar Rapids until 1862. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Katie Pesina, died in 1889.
Vincel Drahos was only five years of age at the time of the emigration of the family to the new world. Ile acquired his literary education in the public schools of Minnesota and this state and in 1884 was graduated from the law department of the State University of Iowa at Iowa City. IIe left the publie schools in 1871 and then started to work as clerk in a dry goods store, being thus employed for twelve years, and the fact that he was with only two firms in that time indicates that his service was highly satisfactory to his employers. Throughout that period he was in Belle Plaine and the firms which he repre- sented regarded him as thoroughly reliable and trustworthy, while his diligence largely augmented their business. At length he decided to turn his attention to professional interests and in 1883 entered upon the study of law at the Iowa City Law School, from which he was graduated one year later. He then entered into partnership with a classmate, John R. Caldwell, and practiced law in Toledo, Iowa, for four years in that connection. The partnership was then dis- solved and Mr. Drahos was thus alone in Toledo until 1894, when he came to Cedar Rapids, where he has since built up a good practice. About twenty years ago he discovered he had the magnetie power of healing the sick and has ae-
410
HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY
complished some remarkable cures, being called upon from time to time by many people in and around Cedar Rapids, to practice the healing art.
On the 10th of September, 1884, Mr. Drahos was united in marriage to Miss Annie Hubble, a daughter of Wentzel Hubble, late of Tama county, Iowa, who, during the Civil war, enlisted in Company F, Sixth Iowa Cavalry, and was in the service three years until disabled. His regiment was engaged in fighting the Indians in the Black Hills and bad lands of Dakota. His eldest son was also in the same regiment and company for four years. Mr. and Mrs. Drahos have one daughter, Vlasta, who is now attending the Iowa State University at Iowa City, and will graduate in 1911 as a homeopathie physician. She will be the first woman of that school of Bohemian parentage to become a doetor.
Mr. Drahos is a member of the Masonic fraternity, with which he has been identified for twenty-four years. Ile belongs to the Royal Areh chapter and has held the position of senior deacon and also senior warden in the blue lodge. Ile is connected with the Knights of Pythias, the Pythian Sisters, and the Eastern Star. He is well known in Cedar Rapids, where he has made his home for sixteen years and where his professional services and his ability as a healer have brought him a wide acquaintanee.
EDWIN B. FISHER
Edwin B. Fisher, constable of Spring Grove township for the past six years and recently a candidate for the office of sheriff of Linn county, is one of Iowa's sons who is typical of that class of men who have developed the middle west. He is a native of the township in which he resides and has always maintained his home here, although for several years lie traveled through the extreme western portion of the country. The date of his birth was October 2, 1869, and he is a son of the late Edwin Fisher and Mrs. Mary (Fitts) Fisher, early settlers of Linn county.
His father was born in New York. His early education was received there, and he also read law in that state, preparatory to his admission to the bar. But his health and fortunes demanded that he seek another location, so he came west and settled in Linn county, Iowa. He and his wife located in Spring Grove township, where he purchased one hundred and twenty aeres of land and commeneed farm- ing. After a time he began buying other properties, for he was very successful in his work, and later praetieed law, having been admitted to the bar in this state. He followed his profession for about fifteen years, then discontinued it entirely and devoted his attention exclusively to his farms. At the time of his death, which occurred January 23, 1904, he owned over four hundred acres of fine land. His wife, who is also a native of New York and is yet living, makes her home at Walker, Iowa, being in her seventy-sixth year.
Edwin B. Fisher remained with his parents upon the home farm until he was twenty years old. He received a good education in the district schools of Spring Grove township, and then went to work for himself, renting eighty acres of land, which he farmed for five years. For three years he traveled about the west, going as far as the coast, and upon his return to Linn county embarked in the business of painting and paper hanging, which lie continued to follow. Ile makes his home upon one of the smaller but finely improved farms of the county, cultivating twenty-six acres of land, upon which he has made all of the improvements.
On June 16, 1897, Mr. Fisher was united in marriage to Miss Gertie Powell, a daughter of Chester and Emma Powell. She passed away January 25, 1900, leaving one son, Carl E., now aged eleven years. On April 4, 1906, Mr. Fisher was again married, his second union being with Mrs. Julia Ellsworth, a daughter
411
HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY
of Mr. and Mrs. Norman Pike, natives of Vermont and Iowa respectively, at pres- ent living at Central City, lowa, where her father owns and operates a fine farm. By this marriage Mr. Fisher has two children, namely : Fred C., aged three years, and Bessie I., aged eight months. Mrs. Fisher had one son by her former mar- riage, Harold, now eight years of age. She is a member of the Christian church and is active in religious work.
Mr. Fisher is a member of the Odd Fellows Lodge, No. 299, at Troy Mills, and his political allegiance is given the republican party. He has been constable of Spring Grove township for six years and at the recent primaries he hotly contested the nomination for sheriff with W. G. Loftus, who secured it by a narrow margin, Mr. Fisher having many warm partisans. An honest, determined man, he makes an efficient officer and a very desirable citizen.
ALFRED O. FRANCHERE
Among the younger business men of Cedar Rapids who have won recognition in trade circles and are now conducting profitable enterprises is numbered Alfred O. Franchere, a son of Oscar J. Franchere. He was born in Chicago, January 26, 1875, and pursued his education through the consecutive grades of the public schools, being at length graduated from a Chicago high school. His initial step in the business world was made as errand boy with the firm of James Miller & Company of Chicago, at a salary of three dollars per week. He re- mained with that house for two years, after which he came to Cedar Rapids with his father, following his mother's death. He was then nineteen years of age and remained in his father's employ until 1900, when the firm of O. J. Franchere & Son was organized, since which time he has been junior partner in the con- duct of the finest retail grocery establishment in this city. They cater to the best trade of Cedar Rapids and the surrounding country and from the beginning the enterprise has proved a source of substantial profit. Only the hest lines of goods are carried and the tasteful and attractive arrangement of the store adds not a little to the success of the business.
Mr. Franchere was married to Mrs. Albia Le Tourneau of Kankakee, Illi- nois. He belongs to the Country Club and to the Catholic church, and while his sympathies are largely with the democratic party, he may yet be said to be in- dependent in politics. While he had the benefit of association with his father during the early days of his business activity here, his success is nevertheless attributable to his keen discernment and unflagging industry.
WESLEY J. DVORAK
The success of one of Ely's most important business enterprises is largely due to Wesley J. Dvorak, the junior partner of the firm of Dvorak & Son, dealers in hardware and agricultural implements. He was born August 27, 1885, in the town in which he still makes his home and is the only son of Joseph C. and Mary A. (Cerveny) Dvorak, of whom mention is made elsewhere in this volume. At the usual age he entered the public schools and pursued his studies through the successive grades until eighteen years of age whereby he acquired a good educa- tion.
Mr. Dvorak then put aside his text-books and began working in his father's store, thoroughly learning the business. Later he was admitted to partnership under the firm name of J. C. Dvorak & Son, a relation that has been maintained
412
HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY
continuously sinee the 1st of January, 1906. He is a very progressive and enter- prising young business man, watchful of all the details of the enterprise with which he is connected, while his intelligent command of his interests is winning him well merited prosperity. The success of the business is attributable to the large line of goods which the firm handles, to their straightforward dealing and to their earnest efforts to please their patrons.
On the 2d of April, 1907, Mr. Dvorak was married to Miss Delia Kremenak, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Bures. Her mother bore the maiden name of Burianek and by her first marriage beeame Mrs. Kremenak. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Dvorak there was born a son, Stanley Wesley, whose birth occurred August 15, 1909, but he lived only to the 12th of November of that year.
Mr. Dvorak is well known in local musical circles. He organized what is known as the W. J. Dvorak Ely Band, a musical organization, the members of which live in Ely, College and Putnam townships. They furnish musie for pic- nics, dancing and social parties and have attained more than a local reputation by reason of the ability which they display. Mr. Dvorak votes with the demo- cratic party but does not seek or desire office. He is a prominent young business man, wide-awake, energetic and ambitious, and has not only been of great assist- ance in the condnet of the enterprise in which he is now a partner but has also been a factor in the progress of the community.
JAMES M. BEALL
James M. Beall, whose demise occurred at Edinburg, Missouri, on the 11th of September, 1899, devoted his life to teaching and preaching, working in both fields for twenty-one years. His birth oceurred in Linn county, Iowa, on the 18th of May, 1846, his parents being James and Dorcas (Martin) Beall, both of whom were natives of Ohio. The father was born on the 8th of May, 1817, while the mother's natal day was June 11, 1825. They were married in the Buckeye state and took up their abode in Linn county, Iowa, erecting a log house in which they resided for many years. James Beall afterward bought a farm of one hundred and sixty acres near Marion and continuously devoted his attention to its opera- tion until 1884, when he put aside the active work of the fields and spent the remainder of his life in honorable retirement at Marion. His demise occurred on the 15th of January, 1887, and his remains were interred in the Oak Shade ceme- tery, where his wife was also buried when she passed away about 1901. They were both exemplary members of the Methodist Episcopal church and were widely recognized as worthy pioneer settlers who had done their full share in the work of early development and upbuilding here. They became the parents of six chil- dren, two of whom still survive, namely: Jacove, the wife of Perry Oxley, of Marion, Iowa ; and William E., a resident of Marion township, who is mentioned on another page of this volume.
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.