USA > Iowa > Linn County > History of Linn County Iowa : from its earliest settlement to the present time, Volume II > Part 47
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Mr. Ovington was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows in England and a charter member of Osceola Lodge, No. 18, of Marion, Iowa. He also belonged to the Church of England and his family are very prominent in church work. He served as president of the school board for a considerable period and was recognized as one of Marion's best citizens, furthering and sup- porting every project for the public good. Ile died in Marion in 1895 and was laid to rest in the cemetery at that place. Deep regret was felt at his death, for he had endeared himself to many friends and in large measure enjoyed the confidence and respect of all with whom he came in contact.
WILLIAM F. WEBB
A well improved farm of one hundred and sixty-seven acres, located partly in Jackson township, Linn county, and the remainder in Delaware county, has been in possession of William F. Webb since 1900 and has been his home since 1902. He was born in Defiance county, Ohio, November 9, 1855, a son of Joseph and Susan (Claw) Webb, the former a native of Belfast, Ireland, and the latter of Holmes county, Ohio. The father was brought to this country when but two years of age, the family home being established in St. Lawrence county, New York. As a young man he went to Ohio and was married in that state to Miss Claw, their union being blessed with eight children. In 1864 he came west with his wife and eight children and located in Buchanan county, Iowa, where he was engaged in the cattle industry, buying and selling stock on an extensive scale. During the Civil war he also purchased horses for the cavalry. He made his home in Buchanan county until the date of his death, September 26, 1876. His wife
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had passed to the home beyond a few years previously, her demise oceurring August 22, 1871.
William F. Webb was a little lad of nine years at the time of the removal of the family from Ohio to Buchanan county, Iowa, and it was in the schools of the latter place that he acquired his edueation. At the age of twenty-three he began an independent business venture, farming rented land for ten years. In the meantime he lived frugally and economically and in 1900 was enabled to purchase land, becoming the owner of his present traet of one hundred and sixty-seven aeres. Two years later, in 1902, he took up his abode on this place, which has been his home to the present time. The farm is supplied with modern build- ings, and the land is in a productive state. Mr. Webb follows diversified farm- ing and, meeting with suecess in his undertakings, is classed among the sub- stantial farmers of Jackson township.
Mr. Webb was married on the 11th of March, 1885, to Miss Hattie Swezye, of Linn county. Her father, John Swezye, was a native of New Jersey but lived in Michigan prior to his settlement in Linn county. Mr. and Mrs. Webb have no children of their own but have reared an adopted daughter, Nettie Seism, who is now the wife of George Wilmot, a resident of Jackson township.
Although Mr. Webb gives his political support to the republican party he has never been aetive as au offiee seeker, preferring to give his entire time to his private affairs. IIe and his wife are members of the Congregational church. They are people of the highest respectability and worth, fully meriting the esteem in which they are uniformly held.
A. J. WARD, M. D.
Among the leading physicians of Linn county is numbered A. J. Ward, who is now suecessfully engaged in the praetiec of his profession at Waubeek. He is a native of the Buckeye state, being born in Lima, Allen county, Ohio, January 9, 1854, and is a son of Dr. Alexander and Susan (Kokenaust) Ward. His paternal grandfather was James Ward, who with Alexander Campbell re- moved to Brooklyn, New York, and in that city our subject's father was born. From the Empire state the latter removed to Ohio and in the spring of 1854 started for the west, journeying by team from Galesburg, Illinois, to Center Point, Iowa. His wife started with him on this journey but died near Viola, Iowa. She was probably born in Pennsylvania and was of Holland Dutch extraction. They were married, however, in Ohio. After spending one year at Center Point, Dr. Alexander Ward removed to Fairbanks, Buchanan county, Iowa, where he made his home for thirty-six years, dying at the end of that timc. He was a graduate of the State University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, where he received the degree of M. D., and throughout the remainder of his life was suecessfully engaged in the general praetiec of medicine. His political support was given to the republican party. In his family were four children: Cassius, deceased ; Benjamin, also deceased; Mary, the wife of Freeman Bershirus, of Columbus, Ohio; and A. J. After the death of his first wife, the father was again married, his second union being with Mary J. Smith, by whom he had one child, Benjamin Griffith, a general practitioner of medieine in Fairbanks.
Dr. Ward of this review began his education in the public schools of Fair- banks and after completing his literary studies commeneed the study of medicine under the direction of his brother B. G. He later attended mncdieal lectures at Iowa State University, from which he graduated in 1887. He commenced the practice of his chosen profession at Lamont, Buchanan county, Iowa, where he remained for three years and then returned to the State University to com-
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plete his course there. After his graduation he again located at Lamont and continued to reside there for twenty-one years but for the past seven years has made his home in Waubeek, where he has built up a good practice.
In 1877 was celebrated thic marriage of Dr. Ward and Miss Emma Boutwell, and to them have been born five children: Daisy, the wife of Otto Schutte, who is employed as a bank clerk iu Elgin, Illinois ; Dale, a resident of Fairfax, Iowa ; Hazel, the wife of John W. Woortman, of Waubeek; Glen, at home; and Orissa G., twin sister of Glen, who is deceased.
Dr. Ward gives his support to the men and measures of the republican party and is deeply interested in public affairs thongh he has taken no active part in politics. He holds membership in the Knights of Pythias lodge, at Fairbanks, and is also connected with Cedar Valley Medical Society, the Buchanan County Medical Society and the Iowa State Medical Association. Wherever known he has made many warm friends and during his residence in Waubeek has retained the confidence and respect of all with whom he has been brought in contact either in business or social relations.
GEORGE EDGAR KING
George Edgar King, vice president and resident manager of the Cedar Rapids Business College, was born in Buena Vista county, Iowa, March 27, 1870. His father, Charles King, a farmer by occupation, is now living in South Dakota at the age of sixty-one years. His mother, Elizabeth Ann (Murphy) King, died in 1881. The family numbered five children : William S., who resides at Plaser Rock, New Brunswick; Albert M .; Cora M., the wife of James H. Patrick, of Peterson, Iowa ; Bernice Ella, the wife of Charles H. King, of Glenwood Springs, Colorado; and George E.
The last named was educated in the public schools and in the Normal school at Spencer, Iowa, and took up the profession of teaching at the age of eighteen years. He devoted two years to that work in connection with the public schools, after which he came to Cedar Rapids and pursued a complete course in a business college. In 1891 he purchased an interest in a business college at Honston, Texas, but a few months later disposed of it and returned to Cedar Rapids, asso- ciating himself with the institution known as the Cedar Rapids Business College, of which he is now vice president and resident manager. Since with the development and growing complexity of business interests it is demanded that the employe shall be specially trained for his work, the business college has become an essential factor in the educational work of every city of any size. The training received in the Cedar Rapids Business College is thorough, comprehen- sive and practical. It embraces the various lines of study which qualify one for the duties of commercial life and develop in him an appreciation of the value of systematic and methodical effort. There is an enrollment of about five hundred students a year in this institution, and their work is largely received with favor wherever they are employed, many of the graduates of the school are now holding important positions. In addition to his work in connection with the business college Mr. King is likewise secretary and treasurer of the Palmer Building Com- pany. He is a man of keen discernment who readily recognizes the needs of any interest which he undertakes and his resourcefulness and adaptability enable him at all times to meet these needs. He is the author of a system of accounting especially adapted to the farm.
On the 4th of July, 1893, Mr. King was united in marriage to Miss Gertrude M. Kohl, of Lisbon, Iowa, who died in 1895. There were two children of that marriage, one of whom has passed away, while the surviving son is Harold Ed-
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ward, fifteen years of age. On the 18th of August, 1898, Mr. King was married to Miss Vesta D. Gott, a daughter of John M. and Anna M. (Mason) Gott. Her father was one of Linn county's earliest settlers, having located here in the early '40s. Mr. and Mrs. King have three children: Harlan Everett, nine years of age; Dorothy Alice, a little maiden of five summers; and Rex Austin, in his first year.
Mr. King is a prominent member of the First Christian church, in which he is serving as an elder, and in the teachings of that denomination he finds the guid- ing rule of his life, so that in all things his record conforms to honorable manhood and progressive citizenship. He is a member of the Commercial Club, the Central Commercial Teachers Association and the Missouri Valley School Managers Asso- ciation, having served as president of the second.
EPHRAIM S. WETHERBEE
Among Central City's representative business men and leading citizens must be numbered Ephraim S. Wetherbee, who has spent liis entire life in Iowa, his birth occurring at Belle Plaine, October 29, 1868. His parents were Ephraim R. and Samantha (Franklin) Wetherbee. The early home of his father was in the New England states, for he was born in Pelham, Massachusetts, in 1836, and remained in the east until fourteen years of age, when he removed to Sterling, Illinois. Ile made the journey alone but two years later was joined by the re- mainder of the family. When the Civil war broke out he decided to enter the army and in 1861 offered his services to the government, becoming a member of the Forty-second Illinois Volunteer Infantry, with when he served for three years and was then discharged at the expiration of his term of enlistment. He took part in the Vicksburg campaign and was in a number of hard fought battles, in one of which a bullet passed through his eap, elipping off a lock of his hair and knocking lim senseless. His company having retreated, he saw that the rebels were coming when he again regained consciousness, and dodging behind some trees, was able to fire two shots at them. He then ran up a ravine where he found his company, much to his surprise, as well as to his comrades, for they left him for dead.
On his return to Sterling, Illinois, he was united in marriage, December 25, 1865, to Miss Samantha Franklin, who was born in Zanesville, Ohio, September 14, 1838, and died June 14, 1903. In 1866 they removed to Belle Plaine, Iowa, near which place the father engaged in farming for two years and then con- ducted a livery stable for a time. He then removed to Jones county, Iowa, and in Fairview township followed farming. For about three years he lived south of Anamosa and then removed to a farm one mile north of that eity, where he made his home for one year. At the expiraton of that time he came to Linn county and here he also devoted his time and energies to agricultural pursuits until 1890, then removed to Central City where he made his home until 1909, devoting his time for a number of years to the carpenter's trade. He now makes his home in St. Cloud, Florida, and is living retired, enjoying well deserved rest. Since the formation of the republican party he has been a stalwart supporter of its principles but has never taken a very active part in pubile affairs. He is a member of Wap- sie Lodge, No. 255, I. O. O. F., and while living in Central City seldom missed a meeting of the lodge. He is also a member of the Congregational church of Central City. In his family were eight children: Mary, deceased; Cynthia, the wife of J. I. Moles, a resident of Central City ; Ephraim S., of this review ; Almira, the wife of James Sage, of Seneca, South Dakota; Edwin M., a farmer of this county ; Ole, a resident of Central City ; Lonisa, the wife of A. C. Weatherstone, of Breckenridge, Minnesota; and William N., whose whereabouts are now un- known.
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Ephraim S. Wetherbee spent his boyhood and youth upon the home farm and when his services were not in demand in the work of the fields he attended the district schools, but his educational advantages were somewhat limited as he had to assist his father most of the time. IIe aided in the operation of the home place until sixteen years of age and then hired out as a farm hand for a year. Hle also engaged in railroad construction work for a time and on his return home one Christmas was the possessor of one hundred dollars, which he had saved from his earnings. He would like to have used this in acquiring a better education but as his father needed the money he had to give up the idea. The following spring his father told him he could have his time and he left home with ten cents in his pocket, and after walking fifteen miles was able to secure work, being employed on a farm for two years. The following year he rented a farm and worked for him- self, and during his leisure hours pursued his studies, as he felt the need of a better education. Coming to Central City, he secured a position in a printing office at a salary of one dollar per week and at the end of two years his salary had been raised to eight dollars per week. He remained in that office for three years and then went to Coggon, where he bought a small printing establishment and conducted the same for eight years. At the end of that time he removed to Grin- nell, Iowa, where he purchased the Gazette and carried on the paper and a job printing plant for seven years. During the following six months he was editor of the Pioneer at Mandan, North Dakota, one of the leading papers of that state. On leaving that place Mr. Wetherbee returned to Central City and purchased the News Letter, which paper he has now conducted for three years with most grati- fying success, as the business has increased during that time, so that it amounts to more than it ever has during its previous history. In connection with the conduct of this paper he is also engaged in the undertaking business here.
On the 12th of May, 1892, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Wetherbee and Miss Blanch Van Auken, a daughter of David H. Van Auken, who is living south- east of Central City. Two children bless this union: Hazel M., born March 21, 1893; and Hilda R., born September 20, 1897. At the age of twenty years Mr. Wetherbee became a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and has always been an advocate of that denomination. He is a prominent member of Wapsie Lodge, No. 235, I. O. O. F. of Central City, is a past grand of this and Coggon lodges and has represented Linn county in the grand lodge of the state. He is also a member of Major Warner Camp, Sons of Veterans, of which he is a past commander. The republican party has always found in him a stalwart supporter and he has taken quite an active and influential part in public affairs, having for the past two years served as mayor of Central City. Never were the reins of city government in more capable hands and he has proved a popular and success- ful official.
WILLIAM W. POST
William W. Post, who is filling the position of baggage agent with the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad in Cedar Rapids, his native city, was born on the 23d of November, 1867. He is a son of William W. and Mary (Homan) Post, and a grandson of Israel Homan. The last named was born in Pennsylvania but, removing westward to Cedar Rapids, was for a long period in the employ of the Sinclair Packing Company. William W. Post, Sr., learned and followed the carpenter's trade in early life and afterward became a stock buyer. When a young man he left his old home in New York and came to the middle west, es- tablishing his home in Cedar Rapids. Here he began buying stock and his opera- tions in that direction made him widely known and brought to him a substantial
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measure of success. During his later years he also worked at carpentering and at the same time carried on his dealing in live stock.
William W. Post, Jr., the eldest in a family of seven children, was sent at the usual age to the public schools of Cedar Rapids, and the instruction which he there received qualified him for the active and responsible duties of life which came when he put aside his text-books. He first began earning his living by working in a dairy during the periods of vacation and subsequently he was em- ployed at the stock yards. He afterward entered the services of the Sinclair Packing Company and when he began business on his own account he established a transfer line. For the past seventeen years he has held the position of baggage agent with the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad Company and his long continuance in that position is proof of his capability and his promptness in dis- charging his duties.
In October, 1887, Mr. Post was united in marriage to Miss Effie Goss, a daughter of Washington and Amanda (McFarland) Goss. They were farming people who resided in Johnson county, Iowa, having come to this state from the east. Mr. and Mrs. Post are now widely known in Cedar Rapids where they have an extensive circle of warm friends. He is recognized as a prominent political leader and gives stalwart allegiance to the republican party, believing that its principles are best calculated to conserve the public good. November 2, 1906, he was elected a member of the city council from the fourth ward and is now serving on the board of legislation, exercising his official prerogative in support of many measures which he deems beneficial to the city. He is identified with a number of social organizations, including Cedar Rapids Lodge, No. 278, A. O. U. W .; Court Cedar Camp, No. 3, of the Foresters of America; Maine Lodge, No. 643, I. O. O. F .; and the Sons of Veterans. His religious faith is indicated by his member- ship in the United Brethren church. He has ever been interested in progress along material, political, social and moral lines in his native city, standing for all that is beneficial and cooperating in the carnest effort to promote the general welfare.
WILLIAM D. McTAVISHI
William D. MeTavish, proprietor of the Chapel Hill Farm, is perhaps the best known stock-breeder residing in this section of the state. He was born near New London, Canada, on the 21st of September, 1867, a son of Dr. Duncan and Eliza- beth (Beattie) McTavislı. Ilis paternal grandfather was Dugald McTavish, a native of Argyleshire, Scotland, who was reared and edueated in Glascow, grad- nating from the university at that place. About 1829 he emigrated to Canada, where he followed his profession as a mechanical engineer for several years and in the meantime purchased land in Halton county, employing labor to clear it, and he later located thereon, devoting the remainder of his life to agricultural pur- suits. He married Miss Catherine Buchanan, also a native of Argyleshire, Scotland, who died in 1884, while his death occurred in 1882.
Dr. Duncan MeTavish, the father of our subject, was born in Halton county, Ontario, Jannary 17, 1840, and acquired a good common school education, which was supplemented by study of the English elassies and mathematics up to his nine- teenth year, when he took up teaching. In the meantime he began preparation for the medical profession and later entered the Pennsylvania Eclectic College at Philadelphia, from which he was graduated with the degree of M. D., but eighteen months after leaving the institution lie abandoned the eclectic and adopted the regular school of medicine. In 1872 he came to Iowa and located at Colo, Story county, where he was engaged in practice until 1879, and then removed
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RESIDENCE OF W. D. McTAVISH
WILLIAM D. McTAVISH
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to Wright county, but his health failing him, he was obliged to abandon practice for a time. In the winters of 1883-4 he went to Des Moines, where he attended a course of lectures at the College of Physicians & Surgeons and pursued his studies there the following summer. The next winter he took up another course at the same institution and received a diploma in the spring of 1885. He then opened an office in Eagle Grove, but the following October was again attacked with malaria and was forced to seck another location. He came to Linn county and made his home in Paris until February, 1886, at which time he became a resident of Central City, there building up a large and Incrative practice. He was an active member of the Northwestern District Medical Association and the Iowa Union Medical Society and was one of the most learned and esteemed men of this section of the state. He also belonged to the Masonic and Independent Order of Odd Fellows fraternities and his useful and well spent life was ended in 1889. His wife, who was born in Ireland of Scotch ancestry, passed away on the 21st of October, 1886.
William D. McTavish started out in life for himself at a very early age and when eleven years old entered a newspaper office at Sheldahl, Story county, as printer's devil, and there served an apprenticeship of three years. At the end of that time, although only fourteen years of age, he started a small publication at Sheldahl, which he ran for one year, and then sold out. He then went to Maxwell, where he started the Maxwell Times, which he sold a year later, removing to Eagle Grove, where he secured a position in the assistant superintendent's office of the northern Iowa division of the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad Company, remaining there for threc and one-half years. In the meantime, having lived frugally and saved enough money to gratify his ambition of obtaining a little more education, he came to Cedar Rapids and entered Coe College, where he remained a student until his father's death, when he was called home to look after the affairs of the family, who were then living in Central City. He remained at home for two years.
In 1891 Mr. MeTavish was united in marriage to Miss Mary Henderson, a daughter of Peter G. Henderson, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this volume, and they have become the parents of four children, namely: Hugh G., Ruby, Harold B. and William Dugald. After his marriage Mr. McTavish re- moved to a farm which he owned south of Central City near Waubeek, on which he lived for one year. He then bought eighty acres of his present farm, having since made his home upon this place. He has extended its boundaries from time to time, however, until he now owns two hundred acres of very valuable and well improved land in Jackson township. Although he has engaged in general farming he has devoted the principal part of his attention to the breeding of stock, making a specialty of red polled cattle and Berkshire hogs, in which he has gained inter- national renown. He was one of the first exhibitors at the International Live Stock Show when organized in Chicago and was successful in getting his share of ribbons, and has showed stock at all of their exhibitions for several years. He won more prizes at the Iowa State Fair in 1900 than any other exhibitor of Berkshire hogs. At the great International Stock Show at Chicago his boar took the first prize in his class, the sow winning first in the class for sows and championship over all ages, thus placing his herd as the prize breeding herd of not only America but all countries. He has exhibited at all of the Iowa and many other state fairs and all the national fairs and has possibly taken more prizes than any other on Berkshire hogs in this state. Although he has never exhibited his red polled cattle, yet he has bred and sold many head that, in the hands of others, have been first prize winners in the leading stock shows of the country. He is a prominent member of the American Berkshire Association and for some time served as its president and is also connected with the Red Polled Cattle Club of America. As
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