History of Linn County Iowa : from its earliest settlement to the present time, Volume II, Part 46

Author: Brewer, Luther Albertus, 1858-1933; Wick, Barthinius Larson, 1864-
Publication date: 1911
Publisher: Chicago : Pioneer Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 896

USA > Iowa > Linn County > History of Linn County Iowa : from its earliest settlement to the present time, Volume II > Part 46

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James M. Beall, who remained with his parents until he had attained the age of twenty-six years, devoted his life to work along educational and moral lines, teaching school and preaching the gospel for twenty-one years. He first labored as a minister of the gospel in Missouri but at the end of two years returned to Iowa, joined the Upper Iowa Conference and taught school for several years. Subse- quently he again removed to Missouri and for two years worked in behalf of Grand River College. Becoming ill, he abandoned his duties and after two years of siekness passed away at Edinburg, Missouri, on the 11th of September, 1899. His remains were laid to rest in the Edinburg cemetery.

On the 22d of February, 1874, Mr. Beall was united in marriage to Miss Izora C. Craven, a daughter of Emsley W. and Frances J. Craven, who were natives of

JAMES M. BEALL

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Tennessee and North Carolina respectively. The year 1827 witnessed their re- moval to Missouri and there they continued to reside throughout the remainder of their lives, the father following his trade as a carriage builder. Mr. Craven was called to his final rest in 1908, while his wife survived until March 14, 1910, when she, too, passed away. Both lie buried in Missouri City, Missouri. Their children were eleven in number, eight of whom are yet living, namely: Mrs. Beall, Josephine, Mary L., Minnie M., Calvin L., Oliver S., William C. and Walter S. Those deceased are Ella A., Barbara E. and Buona B. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Beall were born eight children, as follows: Leonidas, now a resident of Washing- ton, D. C., who attended the Delhi school and Epworth Seminary and also pursued a course in the Cedar Rapids Business College; William Calvin, who is married and resides in Edinburg, Missouri; Ertic M., who was born March 1, 1880, and passed away on the 23d of January, 1901; Lora A., the wife of Frank Maxson, of Missouri ; Thomas H. O., Clifford C., Hazel L. and Frances G., all at home.

Politically Mr. Beall was a stanch prohibitionist and did all in his power to further the cause of temperance. His influence for good was widely felt and he is well entitled to a place among the honored and representative citizens of his native county. Mrs. Beall now makes her home in Marion, where she has a host of warm friends.

FRANK HRADECKY

Frank Hradecky, meeting with success in his journalistic and printing inter- ests, is now publishing the Cedar Rapidske Listy and is also conducting a suc- cessful job printing business. As the name indicates, he belongs to that class of representative and progressive Bohemian citizens who have done so much for the upbuilding of Cedar Rapids. He was born in Bohemia, December 15, 1880, his parents being Mr. and Mrs. Frank Hradecky, who are residents of this city. The father was a laborer and about 1895 he came to Cedar Rapids, where he is still living.

Frank Hradecky was educated in the public schools of Bohemia to the age of fourteen years, when he began learning the printing business in Cedar Rap- ids. Ten years were spent in the employ of three companies, during which time his industry and careful expenditure brought him sufficient capital to enable him to engage in business upon his own account about five years ago. He first established a job printing business and in 1906 began the publication of a comic paper printed in the Bohemian language. He found this a losing venture, however, and discontinued its publication in 1908. On the 10th of December of that year he established the Cedar Rapidske Listy, which proved successful from the beginning and now has a weekly circulation of twenty-four hundred copies. Mr. Hradecky remains as editor and business manager and does much job work in both the Bohemian and English languages. He has a well-equipped plant and everything about his place bespeaks a thorough knowledge of the business and careful systematization of his work. Thus since entering business circles he has spent five years with F. K. Ringsmutt, one with the Weekly Pravda, three years with the Slovan Americky, and for five years he has been in business on his own account, publishing the Humoristicke Listy from 1906 until 1908, and the Cedar Rapidske Listy from December, 1908, to the present timc.

Mr. Hradecky was married on the 6th of May, 1905, to Miss Libbie Mrazek of Cedar Rapids, and they have two children, Elsie and Agnes. Mr. Hradecky

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is identified with a number of societies, including the Mladocech, No. 15, Z. C. B. J .; Odvaha, M. W. A .; Prokop Velky, No. 46, C. S. P. S .; Cechie, M. B. A .; Tel. Jednota Tyrs; Ctenarsky Spolek; and the Typographieal Union. In these different organizations he is well known and popular, having won many friends among their members.

FRED W. KILMEYER

Fred W. Kilmeyer, the owner of a well improved tract of land comprising seventy-five aeres in Cedar township, devotes his attention to the pursuits of farming and stock-raising. His birth ocenrred in Johnson county, Iowa, on the 7th of September, 1871, his parents being Frederick and Elizabeth (Hoffman) Kilmeyer, who were natives of Germany and Dayton, Ohio. respectively. They took up their abode in Johnson county, Iowa, at an early day, settling in Iowa City, where the father operated a brewery for some time. Later he removed to California. The mother of our subjeet passed away in the state of Washington in the year 1909. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Kilmeyer were born nine ehil- dren, four of whom are yet living, namely: Katic, Rose, Nora and Fred W.

The last named remained under the parental roof until about twenty-four years of age, when he was married and established a home of his own. Follow- ing that important event in his life he rented a tract of land and was actively engaged in its cultivation for thirteen years. On the expiration of that period, having accumulated the necessary capital by dint of industry and economy, he purchased a farm of seventy-five acres in Cedar township, Linn county, to the further cultivation and improvement of which he has devoted his time and en- ergies continuously since. The well tilled fields annually yield golden harvests in return for the care and labor which is bestowed upon them, and in connection with the tilling of the soil, Mr. Kilmeyer likewise handles stock to advantage.

In May, 1895, Mr. Kilmeyer was united in marriage to Miss Laura Fisher, a daughter of Adam and Elizabeth (Roth) Fisher, who are natives of Ohio and Germany respectively. They took up their abode among the early residents of Iowa, settling on a farm near the center of the state, where the father success- fully carried on his agricultural interests until 1908. He then leased the prop- erty and purchased a home in Cedar Rapids, where both he and his wife have since resided, enjoying the fruits of their former toil in well earned rest. Their children were eight in number, as follows: Emma; Mrs. Kilmeyer; Charles; Mary; Elizabeth; George, who is deceased; Nellie; and Albert.

Mr. Kilmeyer is a demoerat in politics but not bitterly partisan. Upright and honorable in all the relations of life, he well merits the regard and esteem which are uniformly accorded him.

FRANK B. VAVRICHEK

Frank B. Vavrichek is one of the younger representatives of farming interests in College township, where he owns a well improved farm of eighty acres, located on seetion 34. He was born on the 6th of February, 1872, a son of Anthony and Antonia (Ukil) Vavrichek. The former was born in Moravia, Austria, in 1837, and in 1868 emigrated to the United States, establishing his home at Western in Linn county, where he engaged in blacksmithing and also handled farm imple- ments, wagons and buggies. He now makes his home in Spirit Lake, this state. Unto him and his wife were born five children: Frank B., of this review ; Lewis,

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who is a bookkeeper in Cedar Rapids; Sophie and Amy, who are engaged in the millinery business at Spirit Lake; and Anton, a farmer at Dodge Center, Min- nesota.

Frank B. Vavriehek was afforded liberal educational advantages, his public school education being supplemented by study in a commercial college at Dixon, Iowa, and in the Agricultural College at Ames, this state, his time in the latter institution being given to a special course in butter-making. Having thoroughly learned this trade, he then engaged in the manufacture of butter and cheese, following the same for fourteen years. During that time he was employed by others throughout various sections of the country and on the expiration of that period returned to Linn county. Mueh of his farm is meadow land, whereon he pastures his stoek, but he devotes a portion of the land to the raising of cereals best adapted to soil and climate. On the place stands a good country home and substantial outbuildings, and his is one of the valuable properties of this section of the county.

It was in the year that he established his home on his present farm - 1905 - that Mr. Vavriehek wedded Mrs. Anna Witoucek, who in her maidenhood bore the name of Hubresh, now the only surviving child of Anthony and Rose (Bustie) Hubresh, wealthy farming people and pioneer settlers of Johnson county, lowa, where they still make their home. In 1893 Mrs. Vavrichek became the wife of Joseph Witoucek, and there are three children of that marriage, namely: Clara, who was born October 3, 1894, and is now spending her fourth year at Saered Heart Academy, Cedar Rapids, where she is pursuing a general course and taking a course in music; Norbert, who was born June 7, 1895, who is now a high school student at Shueyville, Iowa; and Alfred, whose birth oceurred December 23, 1897, and who is now a student in the publie schools.

Mr. Vavrichek supports the principles of the republican party and has served as school director for one term, while at the present writing he is justiee of the peace, his decisions ever being strictly fair and impartial. He belongs to Min- newaukon Lodge, No. 274, I. O. O. F., at Spirit Lake. He takes a deep interest in any improvement that tends to benefit his home locality and is now a trustee of the telephone company. Although he has traveled over various seetions of the country, he finds Linn county a most desirable place of abode and believes it offers splendid advantages to the agriculturist. IIe is a man of firm purpose and laudable ambition, and undoubtedly the future holds for him greater success.

THOMAS M. GIBERSON

Thomas M. Giberson, a distinguished member of the Cedar Rapids bar, who for two terms sat as judge of the superior court, is thus leaving the impress of his individuality and ability upon the legal history of this portion of the state. A native of Prince Edward county, Canada, he was born November 11, 1850, a son of William and Mahala (Rightmyer) Giberson, who were also natives of Canada. The father was a carpenter by trade, identified with building interests in Prince Edward county until 1889. when he removed with his family to Cedar Rapids. Here his death occurred in August, 1903, while his widow is still living in this city, at the advanced age of seventy-seven years.

Judge Giberson was a pupil in the common schools of Canada until fifteen years of age, when he secured employment as a clerk in a store in Belleville, that country. There he remained until twenty years of age, when, believing that he would have better business opportunities across the border, he made his way to Iowa and took up his abode in Cedar Rapids in August, 1871. Here he was

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employed in a clothing store until 1878, when he entered upon the study of law and was admitted to the bar in Linn county in 1880. The following year he joined with Judge Leach in the conduct of a fire insurance business. The part- nership was maintained until 1884, since which time Judge Giberson has been alone, devoting his energies to the law and insurance. He was called to public office by the democratic party, which recognized his fitness for political service and in 1881 elected him a member of the city council, in which capacity he discharged his duties so ably that in 1883 he was reelected. In 1892 he was elected justice of the peace for a term of two years and was afterward chosen judge of the superior court, sitting upon the bench for two terms of four years each. At the bar and as a trial lawyer Judge Giberson has always been courte- ous. He prepares his cases with patience, faithfulness and ability and seldom is involved by his opponents in a phase of the litigation which he has not care- . fully considered. In his court decisions he has exhibited the same traits as marked his career at the bar, always thoroughly examining the pending matter and basing his clearly expressed conclusions on the fundamental principles of the law. Those who know Judge Giberson personally or have had professional dealings with him in his judicial capacity need not be told that his decisions from the bench were quite devoid of political considerations or individual leanings.

On the 29th of September, 1881, Judge Giberson was married to Miss Ida B. Smouse, a daughter of W. H. Smouse, a harness manufacturer of Cedar Rapids. They have a daughter, Belle, who is with them in an attractive home at No. 333 A avenue, West. Since 1874, when he was initiated into the mysteries of the fraternity, Judge Giberson has been a prominent Mason, honored with various official positions in the various branches of the order, being now a past master of the lodge; a past high priest in the chapter; preceptor of council in the con- sistory ; and past worthy patron of the Eastern Star. He belongs to the Cedar Rapids Country Club and finds rest and recreation in the game of golf. His attention, however, is most largely given to his insurance business.

JOHN A. OWENS

John A. Owens is one of the extensive landowners of Clinton township, his holdings embracing four hundred and twelve acres which he has acquired through his own labors. Diligence and determination have constituted the basis of his success and his business record is one that will bear close investigation and scrutiny. He was born in Benton county, Iowa, on the 18th of October, 1869, and is a son of Joseph and Anna Owens. The father was born in Allegheny county, Pennsyl- vania, on the 22d of August, 1840, and was therefore about twenty-eight years of age when, in 1868, he came to the middle west, settling in Butler county, Iowa, where he purchased one hundred and twenty acres of land. He immediately began the task of further developing and improving the property and year after year carried on farm work and also raised stock until 1909, when he retired from active life with a handsome competence that he had acquired. His record proves that success is not a matter of genius nor does it result from a fortunate combi- nation of circumstances but comes as the direct reward of perseverance and earnest labor.

At the usual age John A. Owens, who was reared in Iowa, entered the district schools of this state and therein pursued his studies to the age of eighteen. He afterward attended Coc College for a year and likewise spent a year in the Cedar Rapids Business College, from which he received his diploma. In his youthful days he had worked in the fields and after completing his education he worked with his father on the home farm until twenty-six years of age. He was ambitious

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to carry on farming on his own account, however, and, carefully saving his earn- ings, he at length purchased one hundred and twenty-seven acres of land lying in Clinton township. This constituted the nucleus of his present extensive posses- sions. He has added to the property from time to time until he now owns four hundred and twelve acres, constituting one of the desirable and valuable farms of the community. Stock-raising has ever been a prominent feature of his place and he now has upon his farm one hundred and twenty-five head of steers, one hundred and seventeen head of hogs and ten cows. He raises good grades of stock and at the same time he carefully cultivates his fields, which annually return to him a gratifying income.

In February, 1898, Mr. Owens was united in marriage in Cedar Rapids to Miss Lilly Burgess, who died on July 27, 1905. After losing his first wife, Mr. After losing his first wife Mr. Owens was married in Marion, Iowa, to Miss Effie Owens was married in Marion, Iowa, to Miss Effie Reynolds, the wedding being celebrated on the 30th of May, 1907. He has two children, Mahel and May, aged respectively fourteen and twelve years, and now attending the district school.

Mr. Owens is a Mason in his fraternal relations, belonging to Benton Lodge, No. 81. He also belongs to the Knights of Pythias fraternity. His entire life has been spent in this part of the state and has ever conformed to the highest standards concerning good citizenship and business integrity. He has therefore won the kindly regard and lasting friendship of those with whom business or social relations have brought him in contact.

OSCAR J. FRANCHERE

To those who are familiar with the life history of Oscar J. Franchere it will seem trite to say that he has risen from a humble position in commercial circles to a position of leadership in Cedar Rapids, where he is now conducting an ex- tensive commercial enterprise. It is, however, just to say in a history that will descend to future generations that his is a record of which any business man might be proud, for it indicates the force of his character, his enterprising spirit and his ready adaptability. Never making an engagement that he does not keep nor incurring obligations that he does not meet, he stands today as one of the honored representatives of the commercial life of Cedar Rapids, en- joying in unqualified measure the respect of colleagues and contemporaries.

He was born in Montreal, Canada, on the 31st of April, 1852. His father, David Franchere, was engaged in merchandising in Montreal and, as his name indicates, was of French lineage. Equipped for life's practical and responsible duties by a college course which he completed by graduation, he removed to Chicago in 1849 and became actively identified with the business development of the metropolis as it was emerging from villagehood and taking on the pro- portions and activities of a city. There he was engaged in merchandising for a quarter of a century, after which he retired from active life, spending his remaining days in the enjoyment of well earned rest. He had married Mathilda Mather, who was also of French lineage and was born in Vandraeul, a suburb of Montreal. They became the parents of the following children, of whom two passed away in infancy, while Euclide lived to the age of twenty-seven years and at his death was laid to rest in a Chicago cemetery. Adolphus, who died at the age of thirty-five, was also buried in Chicago. The other members of the family are : Oscar J .; Gabriel; Napoleon F., now a prominent merchant of Minneapolis, Minnesota ; Elvina, now the widow of P. U. Magnan of Chicago; and Cordelia, now Mrs. N. F. Chinquay of Chicago. The parents have both passed away.

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Oscar J. Franchere was educated in the public schools of Chicago and en- tered business life as a cash boy in the employ of the Potter Palmer Dry Goods Company. The business was afterward sold to Field, Leiter & Company and eventually became the property of the Marshall Field Company. For eighteen years Mr. Franchere remained with that house, winning promotion from time to time, until he eventually became cashier. He left that position in 1880 to enter the retail shoe business ou his own account and so continued for fourteen years, during which time he met with substantial success. In 1894 he came to Cedar Rapids and was associated with his brother Alphonse, conducting the gro- cery department in the well known and popular department store of Cedar Rapids, known as "The Fair Store." This was the first department store and is the largest retail establishment in Cedar Rapids. The business has con- tinued to increase as from time to time different departments have been added until now almost anything can be had in the dry-goods and house-furnishing lines. Mr. Franchere is also associated with his son, Alfred Oscar, in another and later venture, the conduct of a grocery business under the name of O. J. Franchere & Son. His business ability is well demonstrated in the success which has attended his efforts. Notably prompt and reliable in all his undertakings, his energy and industry, guided by sound common sense and stimulated by laudable ambition have carried him into important relations with the trade interests of his adopted city.

Mr. Franchere has been married twice. He first wedded Mary F. Le Beau, also of French parentage, who was born in Chicago and there passed away in 1894. There were two children by that marriage, John Ernest and Alfred O. The former is now occupying a prominent position in connection with the Kan- sas City Electric Light Company. On the 2d of March, 1903, Mr. Franchere was again married to Miss Blanche Gelins, of Kankakee, Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. Franehere are members of the Catholic church and he is also identified with the Catholic Order of Foresters and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Throughout his entire life he has concentrated his energies upon mercan- tile interests, and, thoroughly familiar with the methods of trade, he has so directed his labors that success in large measure has come to him. Ever recog- nizing the faet that the present and not the future holds the opportunity, he has utilized each passing moment in a way that has written his name on the commercial history of Cedar Rapids in tangible terms of profit.

THOMAS S. OVINGTON

Thomas S. Ovington, whose name is on the roll of Marion's honored dead, was for many years identified with the business interests of this city as a mer- chant but for some time prior to his demise lived retired. He was born in Hull, Yorkshire, England, in 1815, and was a son of Charles and Ann (Sher- wood) Ovington. The father was captain of a vessel connected with the whaling business up to the time of his demise.

Thomas S. Ovington came to America when a young man and. making his way into the interior of the country, settled in Albany, New York, and Louisville. Kentucky, where he worked at the trade as a merchant tailor which he had previously learned in England. He came to Iowa in 1845 and east in his lot with the early settlers of Linn county. Here he resumed work at his trade and during the Civil war changed the uniform of the soldiers going from this locality and made pockets in all of their suits. He also made the powder bags for the use of the home cannon at the time each victory was announced. In early life he became well acquainted with Zachary Taylor and the General's uniform was made in his shop. Eventually Mr. Ovington retired from his

THOMAS S. OVINGTON

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trade and embarked in the dry-goods business, conducting a store of that ebar- acter for a number of years. Afterward he concentrated his energies upon the hardware trade and built up a good business during the five years of his con- nection with that field. He followed constructive methods, manifested sound judgment and keen discrimination and as the years passed so carefully and cap- ably managed his interests that he won substantial success and spent his last years in honorable and well earned retirement. At the organization of the Farmers & Merchants State Bank he was elected a director and remained such till his death. He was also a stockholder in the Marion Savings Bank.

In 1840 Mr. Ovington was married to Miss Mary Cook, a daughter of Samuel Cook, of Youngstown, Ohio, and they became the parents of five chil- dren. Charles, now deceased, learned the printer's trade in early life and en- gaged in business for himself shortly after the war in Clinton, Iowa, and remained there till death. During the Civil war he enlisted in Company A, Sixth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and was captured at the battle of Shiloh, being held a prisoner at Andersonville for some time. He was also wounded at Jacksonville, Mississippi. He married Flora Roberts and they had one daughter, Flora Louise. Mary Jane, the second of the family, is the wife of A. A. McCoy, of Trenton, Nebraska, and they have two children, Ora and Thomas. Thomas C., now deceased, wedded Josie Walton, and at his death left a daughter, now Mrs. Mary Rich. Samuel, who has also passed away, wedded Emma McMullen, and their children were Carl, Gertrude, Robert. Joseph and Harold. Anna E., the youngest of the family, is yet at home. After losing his first wife Mr. Ovington was married to Miss Matilda Morrow, and they had one son, Joseph S., who is now engaged in the real-estate business in Minneapolis, Minnesota, being sec- retary and treasurer of the Twin City Loan & Realty Company. IIe married Frances Spry, and their children are Marion E. and Frances S.

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History of Linn County Iowa : from its earliest settlement to the present time, Volume II, Part 46

Author: Brewer, Luther Albertus, 1858-1933; Wick, Barthinius Larson, 1864- Publication date: 1911 Publisher: Chicago : Pioneer Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 896

Author: Brewer, Luther Albertus, 1858-1933; Wick, Barthinius Larson, 1864-
Publication date: 1911
Publisher: Chicago : Pioneer Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 896