USA > Iowa > Linn County > History of Linn County Iowa : from its earliest settlement to the present time, Volume II > Part 50
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WILLIAM HOWARD
The life history of William Howard, if written in detail, would present a complete and most interesting account of pioneer life and conditions in Linn county, where the family has been represented for sixty-five years. His father, Joseph Howard, was born in Maine in 1810 and in 1839 arrived in Linn county, Iowa, his worldly possessions consisting of a bushel of corn, an ax and twenty-five cents in money. He had something, however, that is better than capital - he was industrious, diligent and determined, working hard, and in a short time was the proud owner of a pair of oxen. These he sold for fifty dollars in order to make his first payment on a small tract of land of forty acres, which is a part of the present farm now owned by his son. The purchase made, he realized that he had the farm but had nothing to work it with. Not discouraged with the outlook, however, he resolutely sought a way in which to meet the conditions which confronted him in the improvement and development of his property. At length he arranged with a neighbor for logs with which to build a cabin. With primitive farm machinery he cultivated his land and after a brief time his wife inherited some money which was invested in forty acres adjoining the other tract. In course of time Mr. How- ard came to be recognized as one of the enterprising and substantial farmers of his community and added to his place from time to time until within its boun- daries were comprised one hundred and seventy acres well known as the Howard farm and constituting now one of the valuable properties of this portion of the
state. When William Howard was fifteen years of age his father went to war. He was a man of fifty-two years and joined the Thirty-seventh Regiment of Iowa Volunteers, known as the Greybeards - a regiment that achieved a distinc- tion by reason of its creditable military service. He was at the front for two years and nine months, during which time William Howard and his mother carried on the farming and succeeded so well that they were able to pay off a five hundred dollar mortgage upon it. On his return the father again assumed its management and continued in active connection with agricultural interests until his death, which occurred on the 23d of May, 1884. His wife died on the 11th of August, 1881, and thus passed away two of the most worthy and respected pioneer residents of Linn county.
William Howard retains many vivid memories of the early days. He relates interesting incidents of the Indians whom he saw in his childhood. They mani- fested none of those savage characteristics usually attributed to the red men, how- ever, but were very friendly and in numbers exceeded the white settlers of the neighborhood. Amid such a frontier environment William Howard was reared and as opportunity offered pursued his education in the public schools. Having reached years of maturity he was married January 2, 1868, to a cousin, Miss Liza A. Howard, who died in 1905. Their only child, a son, was killed on the 9th of January, 1908. On the 10th of May, 1909, Mr. Howard was again mar- ried, his second union being with Miss Adda LeGore, of Cedar Rapids.
His political support was given to the republican party and he has long been a faithful member of the Methodist church. He is now practically living retired save for the attention which he gives to the management of his investments which are largely in real estate. A lifelong resident of Cedar Rapids and Linn county,
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he is widely known within its borders and his long continuance here enables him to speak with authority concerning the events which have shaped the history of this part of the state. IIe has watched the passing of the Indians and the replace- ment of their tepees and wigwams with the modern farm dwelling; has seen the wild prairie land converted into rich and productive fields and the wild animals of the early days supplanted by the domesticated farm stock. It is hard now to realize that it is within the memory of a living man when this was a frontier reg- ion, so complete has been the transformation wrought by modern civilization.
SAMUEL I. HUNTER
Samuel I. Hunter is a worthy representative of one of the old and honored pioneer families of Linn county whose labors have done mnuch toward the develop- ment of the agricultural interests of this section of Iowa. Mr. Hunter was born in Linn county, Iowa, March 6, 1848. His father, William Hunter, was a native of Ireland, and was but six months old when brought by his parents to America. The family located in Ohio and there William Hunter was reared to years of maturity. He was married in the Buckeye state to Miss Mary J. Howe, who was a native of Pickaway county, and subsequent to their marriage they located in Linn county, Iowa. the year 1840 witnessing their arrival here. This was six years prior to the admission of the state into the Union and much of the land was still in possession of the government. Mr. Hunter located on a tract of land which he entered from the government and on which he built a log cabin, that was cov- ered with a elapboard roof and had a stick chimney. Although it meant arduous labor to establish a home in this pioneer district, Mr. Hunter with steadiness and courage met the problems and addressed himself to the task which western life presented and in due time he had cleared his land, placed the fields under culti- vation and reaped the reward of his labor. He lived in this crude dwelling for several years but when the country became more thickly settled and its people became more prosperous, the log cabins were replaced with modern structures and Mr. Hunter likewise provided a better home for himself and family. Ten children were added to the household and five of the number are still living, namely : Katherine, the wife of Amos Pletcher, of Robins, lowa ; Samuel I., of this review; Henry, now a resident of Chicago, Illinois; Jane. the wife of Samuel Miller, of Sylvia, Linn county; and Elizabeth, the widow of Arthur Vowls, also of Linn county. The mother of this family departed this life in October, 1878, and the father surviving for about six years, passed away in March, 1884, at the advanced age of eighty-one years.
Samuel I. Hunter was born on the home farm and was reared in the usual manner of farm lads of the early period, assisting in the work of the fields during the spring and summer months, while during the winter seasons he pursued his studies in the district schools, which were primitive in appearance as well as in their methods of instruction. The son remained under the parental roof until 1875, when he made a trip to California, remaining on the Pacific coast for eight years, during which time he dealt in stock. On the expiration of that period he returned to Linn county, where he has lived to the present time.
On the 22d of November, 1895, Mr. Hunter was united in marriage to Miss Edith Alsop, their courtship having covered a period of twenty-five years. Mrs. Hunter was born in Cheder, Somersetshire, England, October 9, 1844, a daughter of Daniel and Honer (Jeffers) Alsop, who were likewise natives of England, whence they emigrated to America in 1847. Landing in New York they there established their home and reared their family. The mother died in 1864, and the father continued in the east until 1868, when he came to Linn county. He
SAMUEL I. HUNTER
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HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY
purchased a farm, located in Marion township, and throughout his years of use- fulness he gave his attention to the cultivation of his land. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Alsop were born six children but two of the number are now deceased, the surviv- ing members being: Jane M., the wife of George Cook, of Marion, Iowa; George, a resident of New York; Daniel, who makes his home in Marion township; and Edith, now Mrs. Hunter. The father survived the death of the wife and mother for many years and departed this life in 1891, when he had reached the extreme old age of ninety-one years.
Subsequent to his marriage, Mr. Hunter purchased the farm on which he has since made his home, the place comprising forty-five acres. For several years he gave his attention to the cultivation of the fields and although he still maintains his residence on the farm, he is now living retired, his labors during his early years having brought him a competency that now supplies him with all the com- forts of life.
While he has never taken an active part in political affairs, Mr. Hunter sup- ports the men and measures of democracy. He is identified with the Masons, belonging to Marion Lodge, No. 6, at Marion, and both he and his wife hold membership relations with the Presbyterian church. The people of the present period can scarcely realize the struggles and hardships which attended the carly settlers but Mr. Hunter is familiar with pioneer life and shared with the other members of the household in the sacrifice that necessarily had to be made in estab- lishing a home on the frontier. He has lived, however, to witness many changes in this district as it has been placed on a par with the older east and now in the evening of life he finds no more desirable place for a quiet home than here in the community which he and his honored father helped to establish.
EDWIN KING LARIMER
While agriculture forms the basis of prosperity for the country at large, commercial enterprise is the foundation of the city's growth and development and the men who are most helpful in the work of public progress are those who are capably and honorably controlling legitimate mercantile enterprises. Of this class Edwin King Larimer was a worthy representative and Cedar Rapids is proud of his record.
A pioneer resident of Linn county, he was born in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, on the 19th of September, 1842, a son of William and Rachel (McMasters) Larimer, in whose family were nine children, seven sons and two daughters. The father, who was very prominent in banking circles, came west and had the distinction in connection with one of his sons of building the first house in Den- ver, the date of erection being 1858.
Edwin King Larimer acquired his education in both public and private schools, which he attended until thirteen years of age. In 1855 he accompanied his parents on their removal to Nebraska territory, settling on the banks of the Missouri river, near Bellevue Mission, which place is now known as La Platte. After living there for two years the family removed to Omaha, where they spent the winter of 1857-8, and in May of the latter year took up their abode in Leavenworth, Kansas. During the years 1859 and 1860 Mr. Larimer was em- ployed in a retail store in Leavenworth and in the fall of the latter year crossed the plains to Denver, driving oxen for his eldest brother. He remained in Colo- rado with his father and brothers until the early spring of 1862, when he re- turned to Leavenworth. In June of that year, however, he found employment in Chicago in the branch store of the American Iron Works of Pittsburg, Penn- sylvania, where he remained almost continuously for seven years, serving as
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office boy, salesman, shipping clerk and traveling agent. In September, 1869, Mr. Larimer arrived in Cedar Rapids and, having saved a few hundred dollars, he established the hardware business, now conducted under the name of the E. K. Larimer Hardware Company.
Mr. Larimer was united in marriage on the 4th of November, 1869, to Miss Mary Elizabeth Dunlap, of Leavenworth, who was born March 17, 1844, and was a daughter of William Dunlap, whose family home was Ripley, Ohio, and who removed to Leavenworth in the early '60s. They became the parents of four children, namely : Edwin J., who was born October 4, 1870, and is now a prominent business man of Cedar Rapids; Joseph A., born September 13, 1873; Mary D., born July 18, 1876, now the wife of William L. Phipps, of Cedar Rapids; and William D., who died in infancy.
After coming to Cedar Rapids, Mr. Larimer took an active and helpful part in public affairs of moment here, serving as a member of the school board for several years and as a member of the city council for four years, being called to the latter office about 1878. As an alderman he aided in promoting much im- portant city legislation and at all times he furthered the projects and movements which he deemed most useful to the city's welfare and improvement. He died on the 17th of January, 1906, honored and respected by all who knew him. His widow still survives and makes her home at No. 1400 Second avenue, Cedar Rapids.
WILLIAM FOGARTY
William Fogarty owns and operates a finely improved farm of one hundred acres in Buffalo township, Linn county. He is a native son of the state, born in Dubuque county, in 1858, his parents being Daniel and Mary (Cleary) Fogarty, bothı natives of Ireland. They came to America at a very early day and spent five years in New York state, whence they removed to Dubuque county, Iowa, where the father spent several years in railroading. He then rented a farm in Buffalo township, Linn county, operating the same for three years, and at the end of that time he was enabled to purchase forty acres in that township. This proved but the beginning of his success, however, for as he prospered he kept adding to his original holdings from time to time until at his death his posses- sions aggregated five hundred and sixty acres of land, which he divided among his children, each of his sons receiving one hundred acres, while the remainder was given to his other children. He was twice married, William, the subject of this · review, having been born of his first marriage. His mother died in 1865, and in 1868 the father was again married, his second union being with Mrs. Ellen O'Neal, who was born in Ireland, and by whom he had three children, Maggie, Daniel and John. The father died November 14, 1908.
William Fogarty acquired his edueation in the common schools and was early trained in the work of the fields, assisting his father during the periods of vacation. Putting aside his text-books, he gave his entire time to the cultivation of the farm, remaining under the parental roof until he was thirty years of age. He was then given by his father the one hundred acres of land on which he now makes his home, this being located in Buffalo township. IIe has made many modern improvements on the place, which include a good country residence, a substantial barn and out- buildings for the shelter of grain and stock, and everything about the place is neat and attractive in appearance, indicating the progressive methods of the owner.
On the 6th of June, 1899, occurred the marriage of Mr. Fogarty and Miss Bridget Fay, a daughter of Edward and Margaret (Mulconery) Fay, who were
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natives of Ireland. In early life they emigrated to America, first locating in Chicago, but after ten years spent in the western metropolis, they made their way to Jones county, Iowa. There the father purchased one hundred aeres of land, operating the same until the mother's death in February. 1898, after which he lived retired in Anamosa until he passed away on the 6th of August, 1909. Their family numbered six children.
Politically Mr. Fogarty is a democrat and at present is serving as township trustee. Both he and his wife are members of the Catholic church. He shows good judgment in the conduct of his business affairs and in his work is meeting success.
MARTIN IIOLUB
Martin Holub is one of the wealthy landowners of Linn county, owning alto- gether three hundred and ten acres in Boulder township. He is a native of that township, born in 1856, of the marriage of Wensel and Mary (Ceman) Holub, who were natives of Bohemia, Austria. Emigrating to America in 1852, the family located on forty acres of land in Linn eounty, which the father entered from the government. Their first home was a dugout but as soon as circumstances would permit Mr. Holub built a log house containing but one room, and in this erude structure the family lived for many years. As time passed and he prospered in his undertakings, he added to his holdings and erected buildings in keeping with the times, eventually accumulating two hundred acres. In 1883 he abandoned agricultural pursuits and took up his abode in Prairieburg, where he lived retired until his death in 1889. The mother still survives, making her home in that village with her youngest daughter. She has reached the ripe old age of eighty- four years and has reared a family of fourteen children, of whom only seven are living.
Martin Holub was reared under the parental roof and aequired his education in the public schools. At the age of twenty-two years his father started him in business by deeding him a farm of eighty acres, which constitutes a portion of his present holdings. He has purchased land from time to time as he prospered and is now the owner of three hundred and ten acres, all of which is under a high state of cultivation, while the improvements on the place are some of the finest to be found in his section of the county. Method is apparent in the conduct of this farm, the land being platted and arranged so that the best results may be obtained from the labor expended. Closely adhering to a systematic rule of crop rotation, he has made a study of the adaptability of certain crop to certain soils, and each year he gathers golden harvests.
On the 2d of November. 1889, Mr. Holub was united in marriage to Miss Mary Holub, a daughter of Frank and Katrena (Malena) Holub, who were born in Bohemia, Austria, whence they emigrated to the new world in 1847. Locating in Iowa City. the father there followed carpentering for many years, eventually purchasing farm land and engaging in agricultural pursuits. Hle led a busy and active life until his death in 1899, having survived his wife only eight months. They had a family of thirteen children, but only four of the number are now living.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Holub have been born eighteen children, of whom two died in infancy, the living members being Joseph, Martin, Emma. Frank, John, Paul, Mary, Thomas, Anna, Victor, Sophia. Elizabeth, Raymond, Vencle, Henry and William. All have been educated in the common sehools.
Mr. Holub gives his political support to the republican party and for several terms served as township supervisor, while for several terms he was also on the
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school board, the cause of education ever receiving his hearty cooperation. Both he and his wife are members of the Catholic church. He has made wise use of his talents and opportunities and has met with well merited success. He is public-spirited to a marked degree and has a host of friends, by whom he is highly esteemed.
ABRAHAM SNYDER
Abraham Snyder, deceased. is not only deserving of prominent mention be- cause of the active part he took in the early development and progress of Linn county but also because of his participation in the Civil war. He was born in Ohio on the 27th of January, 1836, a son of George W. and Elizabeth (Diveley) Snyder, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania, but at an early day re- moved to Ohio, where they continued to make their home until their demise.
In the city of his nativity Abraham Snyder was reared and educated and when a young man engaged in teaching school. In 1855 he came to Iowa, taking up his abode in Linn county. Here he purchased land and to its improvement and cultivation devoted his attention until the dark days of the Rebellion. Feeling that his country needed his services, he enlisted for three years in Com- pany A, Thirty-first Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and participated in several hard- fought battles and was also with Sherman on his march to the sea. His term of enlistment having expired. he was honorably discharged and mustered out at Davenport. Returning to Linn county. he settled on the farm where his family still reside and continued to engage in its operation up to the time of his death, which occurred on the 29th of May, 1900. His remains were interred in the Center Point cemetery and in his passing the community realized that it had lost a valued and useful citizen. On his return from the war in 1865 he united with the Methodist Episcopal church and continued an active member of the same up to the time of his death.
On the 27th of March, 1859, Mr. Snyder had married Miss Mary B. Chamber- lain, who was born in Linn county on the 18th of March, 1841, a representative of an old and honored family, her parents being William and Rachel (Davis) Chamberlain, who were married in this county. Her father, who was a native of Massachusetts, came to this county in 1835 and three years later her mother, who was born in Ohio, also located here. They continued to make their home in Linn county throughout the remainder of their lives, although Mrs. Chamber- lain spent her last years with a son and daughter in Des Moines, where she passed away June 22, 1909. Mrs. Snyder's brothers were the originators of the Chamberlain Medieine Company and were natives of Linn county.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Snyder were born the following children: Simon W., who is now operating the home farm ; Lawson E., a resident of South Dakota ; Ulysses A., deceased; Ida, who died in infancy; Eva, who commeneed teaching at the age of seventeen years and continued to follow that profession until her daeth at the age of thirty-nine; Minnie, who was employed as a teacher in the publie schools for some time and later held a position as stenographer in the office of Mr. Bealer at Cedar Rapids for nine years: Edwin, who died in infancy; Arthur J., who is now a resident of Australia, where his sister Minnie is visiting at the present time; and Davis C., who is at home. Several of the family have engaged in teaching school, including besides those already mentioned Lawson E., Ulysses A. and Arhtur J.
Mrs. Snyder still owns the old homestead comprising two hundred acres, on section 15, Washington township, which is now operated by her sons Simon W. and Davis C., it being known as the Linn County Nursery & Fruit Farm. They
ABRAHAM SNYDER
1
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also have a nursery at Center Point, where their general office is located. They are wide-awake, progressive business men and in connection with carrying on farming have also devoted considerable attention to bee culture, having an apiary of one hundred and ten colonies.
The sons are both members of Center Point Lodge, No. 142, A. F. & A. M., in which work Simon W. Snyder has taken a very active and prominent part, having filled all of the chairs. He is also a member of Center Point Lodge, No. 385, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and has filled every office in that lodge, while both sons and the mother are connected with the Eastern Star Chapter No. 390. at Center Point, and she is also identified with the Methodist Episcopal church. For many years the family has been one of the most prominent in the community where they reside and they have borne a very active part in its up- building and prosperity.
SIMON H. BAUMAN
From many parts of the Union came the pioneers of Iowa, and while some states sent more cmigrants to our commonwealth, none has contributed nobler or more useful citizens than Ohio. Those tracing the nativity of men and wo- men prominent in Iowa history find that a large number of them were born in Ohio, the state likely to wrest from Virginia her proud title as mother of the presidents. Among Ohio's illustrious sons who in early life came to the beautiful land between the two great rivers is Simon H. Bauman, who, since April, 1854, has been a resident of Mount Vernon except the two years 1865 and 1866, when his home was at Dixon, Illinois. He removed to Iowa with his parents from Smithville, Wayne county, Ohio, where he was born on the 18th of April, 1842. His brother dying in infancy, Mr. Bauman became the oldest of the seven chil- dren of Augustus and Elizabeth (Huntsberger) Bauman, who were both natives of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, and who were married in Wayne county, Ohio, in 1839.
Coming of good stock, Mr. Bauman inherited superior physical and mental qualites, and has used these endowments to the best advantage. He has been one of Mount Vernon's most public-spirited and respected citizens, and his life has been a model of industry and integrity. When in business his fair dealing and accommodating ways made him many friends, and when he became editor and proprietor of the Mount Vernon Hawkeye in June, 1869, he at once gained the loyal support of the business and professional men of the town, all realizing that he had the qualificatons for a good newspaper man. For over forty years Mount Vernon has had a local paper far better than those of other towns of its size, and in fact better than the weeklies of many cities of the middle west. Its columns have not been open to scandals and sensations, and personalities and other objectionable features have been carefully excluded. The editorials have been sensible, able and sincere, and questions of community, state or na- tional interest have been fearlessly discussed. While not mixing in personal or neighborhood quarrels, the Mount Vernon Hawkeye has not hesitated to take a decided position on matters of public interest. Though Mr. Bauman has been a radical republican, he has treated those with a different political belief with cour- tesy and fairness, and has had warm friends in all parties. He has given the citizens of the southeast part of Linn county a newspaper which they could permit their familes to read without danger of moral contamination or decadence of character. The effort of the editorial management has been to advance every Mount Vernon enterprise, and the town and college have known that the Hawk- eye was loyal to both interests. Brought up in the one and educated in the other, both were dear to the editor. No person has spent more time in gratuitous work
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