USA > Iowa > Linn County > History of Linn County Iowa : from its earliest settlement to the present time, Volume II > Part 52
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HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY
serviees to be sought soon afterward by the Warder & Glessner Company, manu- facturers of Champion binders and mowers, of Chicago, Illinois. His expert salesmanship and work soon drew to him the attention of other firms who em- ployed traveling men and his serviees were sought by the William Deering Com- pany, manufacturers of the Deering binder and mower, at Chicago. He remained with that house for several years, filling the responsible position of general man- ager of the office of the firm at Cedar Falls, Iowa, having the northern half of the state under his jurisdiction, while his labors included the direction of the efforts of several traveling salesmen. In 1896 he resigned this position to take charge of the home farm located in Clinton township, to which he had gone when a boy of nine years and which was his home at the time of his death, on the 6th of December, 1907.
On the 5th of September, 1888, Edward M. Donohue was married to Miss Anna M. O'Connell in the Catholic church at Fairfax, Iowa. She was the youngest ehild of David and Bridget (Ryan) O'Connell, who were married April 14, 1849, in New York city and lived in Harlem, New York. The father was born in Ireland in 1817 and when a young man, with his brother and sister emigrated to the United States in 1845, settling in Dutchess county, New York, where he made his home until he came to Iowa. Bridget Ryan eame to the new world in early womanhood in company with her brother Patriek and they, too, settled in Dutehess county, New York. Patriek Ryan and David O'Connell worked for the Harlem railroad, the latter being roadmaster from Harlem to New York eity, a distance of one hundred miles. Saving his money, he invested in property in New York. In 1861 he disposed of his interests there and made his way westward to the Mississippi valley, accompanied by his little family, then consisting of his wife and five children. They settled in Clinton township, Linn county, on the farm which was their home to the time of ther death. Five children were born in New York and five in Iowa, namely : John, Mary, David, Timothy and Charles, who were natives of the Empire state, and George, Theresa, Emma, Ellen and Anna, upon the home farm in Iowa. Of these Emma is now Mother Mary Ross of Dubuque, Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. O'Connell purchased three hundred and twenty aeres of land in Linn and Benton counties and in the early days he carried the mail across the prairie from Cedar Rapids to Toledo, Iowa, long before the building of railroads. During the period of the Civil war at the little postoffices which were in the homes of the early settlers, eager faces watched and waited for the lone horsebaek rider to bring them news of their country's welfare and of the loved ones and friends who were at the front. Mrs. O'Connell died December 23, 1886, while Mr. O'Connell passed away February 23, 1891. Both were members of the Roman Catholic church.
Unto Mi. and Mrs. Donohue were born four children: Raymond Edward, Chester L. Justine, Edina Marguerite and Rose Bridget, all of whom reside at home. At the time of their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Donohue purchased a res- idenee in Cedar Rapids, where they remained for five years while Mr. Donohue was upon the road as a traveling salesman. When he took charge of the Deering offiee at Cedar Falls he removed to that city, there remaining for two years, and in 1896 he removed to the home farm in Clinton township where he remained until his death, on the 6th of December, 1907.
While residing at Cedar Falls, Mr. Donohue was a notary publie and for several years was president of the school board of Clinton Center. It was during his serviee in that capacity that the fine modern school house of Clinton Center was built. He was a member of the Aneient Order of Hibernians, also of the Commercial Pilgrims of America and for several years filled the position of elerk in the Modern Woodmen Camp to which he belonged. He likewise held membership in the Catholie Proteetive Association. He was a Roman Catholic in religious faith and at the time of his death was a member of St. Patrick's church
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of Cedar Rapids. The family name of Donohue is an old and honored one and the subject of this review was a man of more than ordinary intelligence who kept himself well informed on the leading questions of the day and was deeply interested in all matters pertaining to the welfare of his community but also to the state and nation.
BENJAMIN B. CURRELL
Benjamin B. Currell, proprietor of a model bakery in Cedar Rapids, a liberal patronage insuring him success, was born in Fredericksburg, Virginia, March 27, 1861. His father, Benjamin French Currell, also a native of Fredericksburg, where he was well known as a contractor, died about 1903. His wife bore the maiden name of Anna King.
At the usual age Benjamin B. Currell entered the public schools in which he continued to the age of sixteen years, when he entered Bethel Academy. When his education was completed he began learning the confectioner's trade in Fred- ericksburg in the employ of William Lang. Conditions then were very different from the present day. He was bound ont for a term of three years, the first year receiving one dollar per week, the next year two dollars per week and the third year three dollars per week, and the work now done by machinery was then done by hand. His apprenticeship therefore was a period of unremitting toil, but it gave him a most thorough understanding of the business and well qualified him for the attainment of suecess along that line when his term of indenture was ended. The hours, too, of work were much longer than at the present time, when it seems the tendeney on the part of employes is to do as little as possible within a given period. After learning the trade he worked in various parts of the country, being first employed by Julius Rising for two years, after which he spent two years in the employ of the Calpeper bakery. Later he accepted a position at Grafton, West Virginia, and afterward was for two years employed by the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, looking after the pastry used on that line. Returning to Virginia he worked for various firms for some time and later went to Mahin, Georgia, where he worked for John Helfrich for one year. He was at Eaton, Georgia, when the yellow fever epidemie broke out and, leaving that part of the country, he went to North Carolina and thence to Waynesburg, Kentucky. Finally he reached Chicago about 1880 and followed his trade in that city until ten years ago, when he came to Cedar Rapids. Here he opened a bakery for the firm of Pettalett & Williams, conducting that for about eighteen months, after which he purchased a small place of Mrs. Andrews, and was so successful in its conduet that after three years he removed to his present location. Here he bought property and built a model bakery which he equipped with the very latest and most improved machinery, and everything new to the trade can be found here. Ilis products are of such excellence that his patronage extends all over the state and his establishment has become recognized as one of the important productive indus- tries of Cedar Rapids.
On the 1st of September, 1882, Mr. Currell was married to Miss Emma B. Linn, a daughter of James Linn, of Christiana, Norway, and unto them have been born three sons and a daughter. Fred, the eldest, born March 16, 1883, was married June 11, 1907, to Miss Florence Rooke, of Cedar Rapids, and is now asso- ciated in business with his father. Ray, born in 1890, is also a member of the firm. Anna Laura, fourteen years of age, is attending school and Benjamin F., eleven years of age, completes the family.
Mr. Currell is a member of several fraternities, having been an Odd Fellow for ten years and a Mason for two years, while with the Ancient Order of United
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Workmen he is also connected. He likewise belongs to the Baptist church and is interested in questions that relate to the welfare and progress of his adopted city. His success results from the fact that his training was thorough, that he has dili- gently and closely applied himself to his work at all times, thus winning gradual advancement until the capital saved from his earnings was sufficient to enable him to engage in business for himself.
A. A. GILCHRIST
A. A. Gilchrist, who is now successfully engaged in the livery business in Central City, was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia, on the 11th of September, 1875, and is a son of Daniel M. and Mary J. (Myers) Gilchrist. His father was also a native of Nova Scotia and continued to make his home there until 1883, when he left Canada and came to Linn county, lowa, locating in Central City. He lived here until 1893, when he removed to Ryan, Iowa, making his home there until 1909. Since that time he has resided in Frankfort, Spink county, South Da- kota. By trade he is a carpenter but spent considerable time as a sailor on the lakes on board a fishing smack. His wife is also living and they are the parents of fourteen children, as follows: William E. and John H., both of South Dakota ; A. A., of this review ; Lizzie, the wife of George Bailey ; Flora, deceased; Daniel M., a resident of South Dakota; Sydney and Sarah, both deceased; Emery, Walter, Artie and Mary, all living in South Dakota; one who died in infancy ; and another who died young.
A. A. Gilchrist was reared and educated in much the usual manner of farm boys, attending the district schools and early acquiring an excellent knowledge of agricultural pursuits as he assisted his father in the work of the home farm. He remained under the parental roof until eighteen years of age, when he com- menced working by the month as a farm hand and was thus engaged until about five years ago, when he removed to Central City and embarked in the livery business, which he has since conducted with good success, having built up a fine trade.
In 1906 Mr. Gilchrist married Miss Nettie Bateman and during their residence here they have made many warm friends. In his fraternal relations Mr. Gil- christ is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, in which he has served as venerable consul, and he is also connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, while both he and his wife hold membership in the Rebekalı order. He takes quite an active interest in public affairs and is now efficiently serving as constable.
CHARLES M. MOORE
Charles M. Moore, a resident of Iowa from 1856, his last years being spent in Cedar Rapids, was born in Blackwood, New Jersey, March 17, 1835. His father was F. Josiah Moore, a farmer by occupation, who in the year 1856 left the east and came to Iowa, spending his remaining days in Scott county.
In the schools of his native state Charles M. Moore pursued his education and spent the period of his minority. He was twenty-one years of age when he came with his parents to this state and took up his abode in the city of Daven- port. There he engaged in the milling business for a time, but later removed to Grinnell, Iowa, where he continued in the same line af activity. In 1870 he went to Vinton, where he also built a mill, which he conducted successfully until his
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removal to Boone, this state. A few years were there passed and in 1895 he eame to Cedar Rapids, but here lived retired on account of ill health. Soon after his arrival in Iowa he purchased a tract of land just over the county line in Benton county. He purchased this at the usual government price and began its develop- ment, for at that time not a furrow had been turned or an improvement made upon it. He converted it into an excellent farm and it is still owned by the family.
In 1868, in Davenport, Mr. Moore was united in marriage to Miss Aostie D. Campbell, a native of that eity and a daughter of Foster Campbell, who was a farmer by occupation. He carried on general agricultural pursuits in Scott county for a long period, but later took up his abode in Davenport, where he lived retired up to the time of his death. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Moore were born six children, all of whom are yet living, namely: Foster C., now a resident of Philadelphia ; Charles A., who is a practicing dentist of Sioux City, Iowa; Robert A., an attorney who is living in Kansas City, Missouri; Agnes, the wife of F. J. MeNeil, of Eldora, Jowa ; Amy and Harold, at home. The death of Mr. Moore occurred in Cedar Rapids in January, 1900. His life had been in harmony with his professions as a member of the Presbyterian church, in the work and activities of which he had always taken a helpful part. He was, moreover, an exemplary member of the Masonic fraternity and of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and was in entire sympathy with the beneficent spirit of those societies. He proudly east his first presidential ballot for John C. Fremont, the first republican candidate, and always remained a stanch supporter of the republican party, feeling that its principles and purposes would best conserve the interests of good government. He was a man of high character, his many sterling traits winning him the love of all who knew him. He embraced many opportunities for doing good, was ever ready to extend a helping hand to a fellow traveler on life's journey or to speak a word of encouragement and kindly counsel. While in active business his integrity was ever above question and fair dealing as well as industry and perseverance constituted features in his success. Such a history embraees the truth of the fact that it is not from the few conspicuous deeds of life that the blessings chiefly come which make the world better, sweeter, happier; but from the countless, lowly ministries of every days, the little faithfulnesses that fill long years.
D. P. LONG
D. P. Long, whose demise occurred on the 4th of October, 1906, was for many years actively and successfully identified with the agricultural interests of Linn county. His birth occurred in Chenango county, New York, on the 28th of Jan- uary, 1827, his parents being Peter and Lana (Callannan) Long, who were natives of Albany county, New York. He remained at home until seventeen years of age and then went to work on a steamboat, being thins employed for a time. Wishing to sec inore of the west, he went to California and remained in that state until 1858, when he returned to Linn county, Iowa. For ten years he devoted his attention to the operation of a farm which he had purchased in Maine township and on the expiration of that period sold the property and bought a farm of two hundred and eighty aeres in Jackson township, which is now in possession of his widow. Ile likewise eame into possession of another tract of forty-nine acres and thirteen lots in the village of Paris, all of which real estate is now owned by his widow, who rents the same. In the conduet of his agricultural interests he won a gratifying and well merited measure of success and when he passed away the community lost one of its most respected and substantial citizens.
D. P. LONG
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On the 26th of February, 1859, Mr. Long was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary E. Bowen, a native of St. Lawrence county, New York, and a daughter of Nathan and Aurora (Foster) Bowen, who came to Linn county in 1848 and died of fever shortly after their arrival. They were the parents of six children. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Long were born two children, namely : B. W., who follows farming in Jack- son township; and Maggie, who was formerly a school teacher and is at home with her mother.
Mr. Long was a democrat in his political views and his fellow townsmen, recognizing his worth and ability, repeatedly elected him to positions of public trust. He capably served as justice of the peace and acted as township trustee and also as a member of the school board for many years. Fraternally he was identified with the Royal Arch Masons, being a worthy exemplar of the craft. He was likewise a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he served as class leader and trustee. His widow and children also belong to that church and take an active and helpful interest in its work. He passed away on the 4th of October, 1906. and his remains were interred in the Blodgett cemetery. Mrs. Long has now resided within the borders of Linn county for more than six decades and has a host of warm friends whose esteem she has won by reason of her many excellent traits of heart and mind.
THOMAS F. COLIGAN
Thomas F. Coligan is numbered among the well-to-do and substantial farmers of Fairfax township, Linn county, for he is today the owner of two hundred and fifty-five acres of land, located on section 10, Fairfax township, all of which is in cultivable condition. He is a native son of the township in which he makes his home, his birth having occurred on a farm on the 7th of November, 1868. His parents were Michael and Ellen (Weir) Coligan, both of whom were natives of Ireland, whence they emigrated in an early day to Iowa, first locating in Iowa City, while later they made a permanent location in Linn county. After having worked for the railroad several years, the father established a home for himself and family on a farm in Fairfax township and although the land, when it came into his possession, was rough and unbroken prairie, in due time he placed it in condition to raise crops and each year gathered good harvests. He acted as division superintendent of the building of sixty miles of the Chicago & North- western Railroad in Iowa. Both he and his wife died several years ago. Their family numbered two sons and five daughters: Thomas F., of this review ; Charles, who is likewise a farmer of Fairfax township ; Mary, the wife of L. Lucas, of Cedar Rapids; Clara, who makes her home at Ida Grove, Ida county, this state ; Mrs. Nellie McDonough, of Omaha; Jane, also living at Ida Grove; and Caroline, who makes her home in Craig, Nebraska.
Thomas F. Coligan was educated in the schools near his father's home and was reared to the occupation of farming, remaining under the parental roof until he had reached the age of twenty-eight years. He then began business for himself by purchasing one hundred and twenty-five acres of land in Fairfax township, to which he immediately turned his attention and twelve years later he purchased the old homestead farm, his possessions now embracing two hundred and fifty-five acres, all of which is tillable and well improved. He carries on general farming and stock-raising and his well kept farm indicates the progressive and modern methods which he follows in his work and in the improvement of his land.
Mr. Coligan was married on the 22d of April, 1895, to Miss Rose Lefebure, a daughter of Emil Lefebure, the well known importer and breeder of Belgian horses, who made his home in Fairfax. Her brothers, Henry, John and Leander,
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are likewise residents of Fairfax. By her marriage Mrs. Coligan has become the mother of four daughters and four sons, namely : Mary C., whose birth occurred March 22, 1897; Vincent T., who was born April 19, 1899; Mildred E., born October 5, 1901 ; Ethel C., born June 5, 1903 ; Harold M., who was born Septem- ber 15, 1905, and died on the 17th of May, 1908; Walter C., whose birth occurred August 26, 1907 ; Clara M., who was born May 13, 1909; and Charles, born July 23, 1910.
In his political views Mr. Coligan is a democrat, while his religious faith is indicated by his membership in St. Mary's Catholic church at Fairfax. His success is well merited, for he has ever followed the most honorable methods in carrying on his business and in dealing with his fellowmen. Having always made his home in Linn county, he is well known to many of our readers, who have for him the warmest regard and esteem.
MARK E. BARTLETT
The life record of Mark E. Bartlett is one that proves that success and an honored name may be won simultaneously and that the public official may rep- resent in his service the highest and most unselfish devotion to the general welfare. A native of Ohio, Mr. Bartlett was born in Lorain county, February 3, 1854. His parents, William and Sarah A. (Sturdevant) Bartlett, were natives of Maine, but were married in Ohio where they made their home for a number of years. In 1855 they came to Iowa, settling in Clayton county where the father entered land from the government and developed the farm upon which he made his home throughout his remaining days. He died January 18, 1899, having long survived his wife, who passed away in 1871. In their family were seven children, of whom three are yet living.
Mark E. Bartlett was only about a year old when the family came to lowa and upon the home farm in Clayton county he was reared. He acquired his edu- cation in the district schools and upon leaving home at the age of seventeen years engaged in clerking. After a year and one-half spent in that way he began working for a surveying party with which he remained for some time and then again secured a clerkship. A year later he turned his attention to the painter's trade and after working in the employ of others for a time began contracting in that line and continued in the business until his death. He was aceorded a liberal patronage and his business interests constantly developed in volume and import- ance, making him one of the leading painting contractors in Cedar Rapids, where he took up his abode in 1875. For ten years he also conducted a store in this city, dealing in wall paper and paints, and he occupied a prominent position among the representative and progressive merchants of Cedar Rapids.
On December 6, 1878, Mr. Bartlett was united in marriage to Miss Mary Steb- bins, who was born in Delaware county, Ohio, in 1855, a daughter of Joseph and Jane (Young) Stebbins, who were natives of Indiana, but removed to Delaware county in an early day. Her father entered land there and remained a resident of that county until 1858, when he brought his family to Linn county, Iowa. Her mother died in 1884, while Mr. Stebbins survived until 1897. In their family were five children. Mr. and Mrs. Bartlett became the parents of eleven children : Harry C., now deceased ; Mabel M., the wife of W. E. Miller of Linn county ; Pearl, the wife of F. P. Hanson of Muscatine county, lowa; . I. W., who is living in Nebraska ; Ray and Berry, who are deceased ; Charles E., at home ; Hazel, who has also passed away; Josephine, who is now attending high school ; Howard, at home; and one who died in infancy.
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The husband and father died January 28, 1901, leaving a widow and six chil- dren to mourn his loss. His remains were laid to rest in the Linwood cemetery and his death was a matter of deep regret to many who knew him. He held mem- bership in the Modern Woodmen camp at Cedar Rapids and gave his political support to the republican party. On that ticket he was elected mayor of Kenwood and gave to the town a public spirited business-like and practical administration, characterized by many needed reforms and improvements. He also served as alderman and was a member of the city council and did effective work for the interests of Kenwood. He likewise served on the school board for six years and the cause of education found in him a stalwart champion. He attended the Methodist Episcopal church and was active and helpful in its work. Mrs. Bart- lett is also a member of that church and belongs to the Yeomen lodge at Cedar Rapids. She now has a beautiful home in Kenwood Park which she and her husband occupied and where they delighted to extend to their many friends a warm-hearted hospitality. In all of his public duties Mr. Bartlett was actuated by a spirit of unfaltering devotion to the general good and his business life was characterized by unquestioned probity. Wherever he was known he was held in high esteem and most of all where he was best known.
FRANK LEIDIGH
Frank Leidigh, owning and operating a well improved farm of one hundred and ninety-four acres in Monroe township, was born in Linn county on the 1st of January, 1860, his parents being George and Susanna (Boyd) Leidigli, who were natives of Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, and Ashland county, Ohio, respec- tively. At an early day the father left the Keystone state and took up his abode in Ohio, where he was married in 1856. In the fall of that year he came to Linn county, Iowa, and purchased the farm in Monroe township which has remained his place of residence continuously since. He lived in a log cabin for several years but later erected a more modern and commodious dwelling and has been an inter- ested witness of the many wonderful changes which time and man have wrought in this section of the state during the past half century. His wife is deceased, her death having occurred in December, 1869. Their children were five in num- ber, as follows: Rebecca, who is the wife of Allen Robinett, and resides in Jewell, Kansas; Frank, of this review ; Dora, who has passed away ; John, living in Mon- roe township ; and Scott, who is a resident of Marion, Iowa.
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