History of Linn County Iowa : from its earliest settlement to the present time, Volume II, Part 54

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 54

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James IIill acquired his education in the schools of Ohio and when a young man made his way westward, for he believed that the more recently settled states would offer better advantages to one who must depend upon his own resources for success and advancement. After living for a time in Illinois he and the other members of the family came to Linn county, Iowa, where the mother purchased land near the city of Cedar Rapids. There were four sons in the family, James Hill being the third in order of birth, and, like his brothers, he bore an active and helpful part in the work of developing and improving the new farm upon the Iowa prairies.

Having arrived at years of maturity, Mr. Hill sought to establish a home of his own by his marriage, on the 20th of April, 1856, to Miss Aurilla T. Bort, a daughter of Sylvester B. and Lurana (Burdick) Bort. Mrs. Hill was born No- vember 13, 1838. Her people were among the oldest settlers of Linn county, arriving here in 1852. They journeyed westward from Erie county, Pennsyl- vania, living for a short time in Chicago and spending six years near Clinton. Wiseonsin, before settling in Linn county. Mr. and Mrs. Hill became the parents of ten children, but only two of the number are now living. Emery L., the sur- viving son, married Lydia L. Cooper and their children were Carl, Harrison, Rose, Florence, Lacy, Aurilla, Adrian, Lawrence and two who died in infancy. Nellie L. Hill became the wife of Avery E. Miller, who was born in Linn county and came to Cedar Rapids, where he established himself in the plumbing and heating business. The members of the Hill family now deceased are Rosabelle, Eldora, Sybil, Franklin, Nettie, James, Roy and William Henry. Of these Sybil beeame the wife of John Knox and they had three children, Levi, Aurilla and Claudie, who were reared by their grandmother. Mrs. Hill. Claudie became the wife of George W. Stofflet and their son, Curtis Knox Stofflet, is a great-grandson of Mrs. Hill. Levi Knox wedded Miss Margaret Devlin and resides in Deuver, Colorado, with his wife and son, Clarence, while their daughter, Helen, who was their seeond born, is deceased. Nettie Hill became the wife of Harry Marchant, who is now living in Seranton, Greene county, Iowa, where he is a successful hard- ware merchant.

Following his marriage Mr. Hill established his home on a farm south of Cedar Rapids and with characteristie energy took up the work of developing the fields, which he brought under a high state of cultivation. He was diligent and practical in all that he undertook and his progressive methods were also indieated in the

MR. AND MRS. JAMES HILL

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attractive appearance of the farm. He added to it substantial buildings and as farm machinery was improved secured better agricultural implements to facilitate his work. As the years passed on he prospered and at length was in possession of a comfortable competence so that eighteen years prior to his death he took up his abode in Cedar Rapids, his financial resources enabling him to there enjoy the comforts of life. His business integrity was above question and all who knew him recognized in him a straightforward, reliable man. Both he and his wife belonged to the Old Settlers Association and were also members of the Christian church. Their children likewise became members of the church and the family have been very prominent in its work and upbuilding. Mrs. Hill still survives her husband, who passed away November 23, 1902. Hers has been a busy and most useful and helpful life. She not only reared her own children but has also reared and cared for some of her grandchildren and has neglected no opportunity to do good to friend and neighbor.

ALFRED H. NEWMAN

Alfred H. Newman, a well known, respected and influential resident of Cedar Rapids, has since 1905 served as president and general manager of the Cedar Rapids Candy Company, manufacturing confectioners. His birth occurred in Seneca Falls, New York, on the 30th of March, 1857, his parents being Thomas G. and Eliza (Evans) Newman, both of whom were natives of England, in which country they were reared and married. The year 1854 witnessed their emigration to the United States.

Thomas G. Newman was a newspaper man and his first location was at Rochies- ter, New York, but after a short time he took up liis abode at Seneca Falls, where he embarked in business on his own account, publishing a religious magazine. In 1860 he journeyed westward to Detroit, Michigan, and five years later went to Harvard, Illinois, where he remained for one year. On the expiration of that period, in 1866, he returned to his native land with his family, but the opportuni- ties and advantages of the new world proved an irresistible attraction and after settling up his business in England he again came to America in 1869, locating in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The following year he established the Daily Observer and began operating the plant by power, being with one exception the first man in Iowa to utilize steam power in a printing office. He was also the pioneer in the use of a cylinder printing press in Cedar Rapids. In 1871 he sold the plant, which was then reorganized as a stock company and became known as the Republican Printing Company, Judge George Greene acting as its first president. Thomas G. Newman next removed to Chicago and on leaving the western metrop- olis went to San Francisco, where he was prominently identified with journalistic interests until the time of his demise in March, 1903, passing away in his seventieth year. His political views were in accord with the principles of the democracy and he was long a worthy exemplar of the Masonic fraternity, serving as worship- ful master of Golden Rule Lodge in Chicago for thirteen years. His widow still survives and makes her home in San Francisco.

Alfred H. Newman was reared under the parental roof and obtained his edu- cation in the public schools. When but twelve years of age he began learning the newspaper business under the direction of his father, who was a thoroughi and strict disciplinarian, and the association between father and son was maintained with mutual pleasure and profit until the latter had reached his thirty-first year, with the exception of the two years from 1875 until 1877. After the removal of the father to Chicago in 1875, Mr. Newman of this review established himself in the publishing business, issuing a weekly newspaper called The Standard and also

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doing much job printing. He had the distinction of publishing the first annual catalogne ever published for Coe College, issuing the same without cost to the institution. In 1877 he disposed of his plant and went to Chicago, where he joined his father in the publication of the American Bee Journal, being thus engaged until 1892. His wife's parents, who lived in Cedar Rapids, then per- suaded him to return to this city and here he has since continued to reside.

Soon after he had taken up his abode in Cedar Rapids a stock company was formed to purchase the business of W. A. Buchanan & Company, manufacturing confeetioners, and the concern was then reorganized as the Buchanan Candy & Fruit Company, Mr. Newman being made its secretary and treasurer. Eighteen months later the style of the firm was changed to the Cedar Rapids Candy Com- pany. In 1905 Mr. Newman was made president and general manager of the concern and in this responsible position has since carefully controlled its interests, ever maintaining a commercial poliey that is unassailable from the standpoint of integrity and fair dealing. During the past ten years the business has been more than doubled and the firm has recently erceted a hundred thousand dollar strue- ture that is indeed a credit to Cedar Rapids. It is four stories in height, has two basements and is entirely of reenforced concrete and steel construction. Mr. New- man is a member of the Cedar Rapids Commercial Club and for three years served as its president. While acting in that capacity he was instrumental in the organization of the Great Western Creamery Company and, being later obliged to take it over, is now the sole owner of the enterprise.

On the 6th of May, 1880, Mr. Newman was united in marriage to Miss Lillian M. Riekel, a danghter of Henry Rickel, who is a prominent attorney and the vice president of the Cedar Rapids Candy Company. They have two children, name- ly : John II., who is associated with his father in business; and Irene, the wife of John H. Herron, secretary and general manager of the Great Western Creamery Company.

Mr. Newman is a popular member of the Cedar Rapids Commercial Club and the Automobile Club. Both he and his wife belong to the First Presbyterian church, the teachings of which they exemplify in their daily lives. While Mr. Newman enjoys rationally the material comforts of life, the most enduring reward of his work as a business man he considers to be the respect and esteem of his fellowmen, the real, honest personal friendship and confidence of those with whom he has come in contact.

JACOB WETZEL

Active in the affairs of Cedar Rapids and much interested in its growth and progress during the period of his residence here, Jacob Wetzel lived to witness its transformation from a town of comparatively little industrial and commercial importance to one of the thriving cities of the state. He was born in Franec in 1813 and pursued his education in the schools of that country. After leaving school he served for seven years in the army of France under Louis Phillipe. On coming to America he was located for a time at Cleveland, Ohio.

Before the period of extensive railroad building in Iowa, whereby almost every little town and hamlet in the state is connected with the outside world by railway lines, Mr. Wetzel made his way to Cedar Rapids, driving across the country from Iowa City, Iowa, in a wagon. His home at first was at the corner of Fifth street and Eighth avenue and later on Fourth avenne between Seventh and Eighth, but he resided for many years at the intersection of Seventh and B avenue. Throughout the period of his residence here he manifested a deep, abiding and helpful interest in the city and its progress, cooperating in many

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movements for its growth and doing all in his power to promote its advancement along lines that have wrought for its permanent good. He was at different times the owner of considerable property here and was the builder of the Eagle brewery, which he sold in 1869 to Mr. Magnus. From time to time he made investment in real estate until his property holdings were quite extensive and he was thus able to leave his family in very comfortable financial circumstances.

Mr. Wetzel was married to Margaret B. Biermacher, a daughter of Peter John and Madeline (Schwartz) Biermacher, and a native of France. Her uncle was a soldier in the Napoleonic wars. Her family, crossing the Atlantic to the new world, settled at Cleveland, Ohio, in a very early day, and were active in the pioneer progress and development of that city. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Wetzel were born two daughters and a son, Mary, John and Ida, the last named being, now Mrs. T. A. Wilcox, of Cedar Rapids. In 1870 Mr. and Mrs. Wetzel traveled abroad, visiting their native land and many points of interest in Europe. Re- turning to Cedar Rapids Mr. Wetzel continued to make his home here until his death, which occurred on the 8th of July, 1880, when he was sixty-seven years of age. Ile had watched the city emerge from villagehood to take on the habiliments of metropolitan existence and his public spirit was manifest again and again by his active and tangible support of measures and movements for the public good. For many years he was identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

HENRY RICKEL

IIenry Rickel, prominently connected with the profession which has import- ant bearing upon the progress and stability of every community, and which has always been considered as conserving the public interests, as well as protecting life and property, has now practiced at the Cedar Rapids bar for almost a third of a century and throughout this period has maintained a position of distinctive preferment as an able and learned lawyer. Moreover he has proven his worth in commercial circles and has extended his efforts into various fields of business which have profited by his sound and discriminating judgment.

A native of Ohio, Mr. Rickel was born in Richland county, August 16, 1835, a son of Samuel and Barbara (Smith) Rickel, who were natives of Bedford county, Pennsylvania. As the name indicates, the family is of German origin, but has long been represented in America, for in the seventeenth century Henry Rickel, leaving his home at Frankfort-on-the-Main, braving the dangers incident to an ocean voyage at that time, took up his abode in the state of Pennsylvania. Representatives of the family left their impress upon important events of colon- ial days and several of the name participated in the Revolutionary war, including a great-uncle of Henry Rickel, who was killed at the battle of Brandywine. The paternal grandmother of Mr. Rickel was in her maidenhood a Miss Walters, whose people came to this country from Holland and were among the early Dutch land- owners of New York. He is also descended from ancestry from Frankfort-on- the-Main, Germany, who came to America in pioneer times. His grandmother in the maternal line was a Miss Cleve, of an English family.

Samuel Rickel in early life learned the cabinet-making trade, which he contin- ued to follow for many years. In 1839 he became a resident of Springfield, Sangamon county, Illinois, the capital city of that state being at the time only a little town. There he continued to follow his trade for a few years, after which he made his way northward to Galena, Illinois, then the leading town in the central Mississippi valley. It was there that all Iowa pioneers secured their sup- plies before crossing the prairies of this state, and at that point they purchased

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timber which came from the northern pineries. For ten years Mr. Rickel re. mained a resident of Illinois, and in 1849 went with his family to Elkader, Clayton county, Iowa, which at that time contained only two or three hundred inhabitants. There he established a cabinet-making shop and with the assistance of his son Henry manufactured most of the furniture used by the early settlers of that section for many miles around. He died at West Union, Iowa, in 1876, and his widow long survived him, retaining her mental and physical faculties unimpaired to a remarkable old age. She had passed the ninety-second mile- stone of life's journey when called to her final rest. Their family consisted of six children, of whom Henry Rickel is the eldest. The others are: Elizabeth, who is the wife of N. S. Fisk and a resident of Wolf Creek, Wisconsin ; Sophronia, the wife of Amos White, of West Union, Iowa ; and Esther, Alice and Emma, all deceased.

Through centuries the name of Henry has again and again appeared in the Rickel family. He who now bears it, a well known lawyer and business man of Cedar Rapids, was but four years old when his parents removed from Ohio to Illinois, and in one of the old time log school houses of Sangamon county he pursued his education. He still has vivid recollections of the teacher who wore a blue coat with brass buttons and had firm belief in the old adage "Spare the rod and spoil the child." He was for a time a student in the select school at West Union, Iowa, under the direction of Professor J. E. Cooke, a noted educator of that day, and while there he learned the trades of the cabinet maker and wood turner, becoming an expert workman. His ability in that line enabled him to. readily secure work and he was busily occupied with such labor until 1856. The following year he entered business circles at West Union in connection with the hardware trade, and afterward formed a partnership with D. G. Huffman, con- ducting a book and stationery business under the firm style of Rickel & Huffman, conducting a wholesale house at McGregor and a retail store in West Union. This business was continued until 1860, when the discovery of gold at Pike's Peak led Mr. Rickel to join three young men comrades and start with teams for the mountains of Colorado. After thirty days of travel they reached their des- tination and soon found that they would be unable to gain the success which they had hoped for at placer mining. On the return trip they visited several Indian tribes and enjoyed a number of buffalo hunts. Such are some of the broadening experiences which have come to Mr. Rickel, and it has been characteristic of him that from each experience of life he has learned the lesson which it has contained.

It was subsequent to his return from Colorado that Mr. Rickel entered upon the execution of a plan to study law and engage in practice before the bar. He began his reading with Hon. L. L. Ainsworth as his preceptor and in 1862 was associated with him in raising a company for active service in the Civil war. The troops were mustered into the United States service at Davenport as Company C, Sixth Iowa Cavalry, with Mr. Ainsworth as captain and Mr. Rickel as lieuten- ant. They were engaged in duty along the frontier among the Sioux Indians on the Upper Missouri. In June, 1864, ill health forced Mr. Rickel to resign. Before his enlistment he had assisted in raising twelve companies. His personal magnetism and oratory had made him a splendid recruiting officer and besides he was animated by firm belief in the justice of the cause which he espoused. Fol- lowing his return to Iowa he continned his law studies under the direction of Judge MeClintock, of West Union, with whom he entered into partnership follow- ing his admission to the bar in 1866. The relations between them were main- tained until 1872, although in 1870 Mr. Rickel had joined Hon. W. V. Allen, once United States senator from Nebraska, in establishing a private office at Fayette. Iowa. For several years Mr. Rickel was a partner of Hon. W. E. Fuller, of West Union, Iowa, who has later been a member of congress from Iowa, and was

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also assistant United States attorney general at Washington, D. C., having charge of the Spanish war claim.

Since 1878 Mr. Riekel has been a resident of Cedar Rapids and here entered upon practice in connection with A. W. West and A. V. Eastman under the firm style of Rickel, West & Eastman. When Mr. West left the city two years later Hon. John T. Stoneman, afterward superior judge, joined the firm and practice was thereafter continued under the name of Stoneman, Rickel & Eastman, until 1884, when Mr. Riekel withdrew and entered into partnership with E. H. Croeker, the firm of Rickel & Crocker continuing successfully in practice until April 1, 1901, when they were joined by P. W. Tourtellot. Their practice has ever been large and of a distinctively representative character, Mr. Rickel, like his asso- ciates, having been accorded a prominent place as a leading attorney. There are few lawyers who win a larger percentage of cases before either judge or jury. He convinces by his concise statement of law and facts rather than by flights of oratory, and so high is the respect for his legal ability and integrity that his asser- tions in court are seldom questioned seriously. Whatever he does is for the best interests of his clients and for the honor of his profession, and no man gives more unqualified allegiance or riper ability.

While the practice of law has been the main feature in the life work of Mr. Rickel, he has also been interested in other business enterprises. In 1894 he became president and is now vice president of the Cedar Rapids Candy Company which was organized and succeeded to the business of the Buchanan Candy & Fruit Company. They are manufacturers and jobbers of candies which they sell throughout Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota and South Dakota, the house being repre- sented on the road by several traveling salesmen, while the factory furnishes employment to almost one hundred people. Mr. Rickel is also connected with various mining companies in California.

A pleasant home life had its beginning in the marriage of Mr. Rickel on the 14th of October, 1857, to Miss Susan Brown, a native of Yates county, New York, and a daughter of Oliver A. and Susan Brown, of Fayette county, Iowa. They were the parents of two children: Willie, who died at the age of eleven years; and Lillian M., now the wife of A. H. Newman, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work. Mrs. Riekel has become very active and prominent in charitable and benevolent work, accomplishing especially notable results as president of the board of managers of the Home for Aged Women in Cedar Rapids. She has also bestowed large charity upon individuals and in all such work her efforts are, prompted by a kindly and tactful spirit which makes the recipient sure of her sympathy. Both Mr. and Mrs. Rickel hold membership in the Methodist Episco- pal church and his fraternal relations are with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, G. A. R., and the Loyal Legion.

Since age conferred the right of franchise upon Henry Rickel he has voted with the men in the republican ranks, and while living in West Union filled the office of mayor for several years. Still higher political honors were accorded him in his election to the seventeenth general assembly, yet he has never been a politician in the sense of office seeking. On the contrary he has preferred that his publie work shall be that of individual effort and influence rather than of ser- vice in publie office. His position upon the temperance question has never been an equivocal one and he has put forth active aid for temperance reform in Iowa, delivering many lectures upon the subject in the northern part of the state and taking active part in enforcing the prohibitory law. Carlyle has said "The story of any man's life would have interest and value if truly told," and in presenting the history of Mr. Rickel we have given to our readers the record of one who has swayed men toward good with the force of his example, who has never allowed per-

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sonal interests nor ambitions to dwarf his publie spirit or activities. His feelings have ever found expresson in prompt aetion rather than in theory and he has been aptly termed a man of purpose. His breadth of thought has not only seen possibilities for his own advancement but for the city's development, and his patriotism has prompted him to utilize the latter as quickly and as effectively as the former.

MYRON D. WILLIAMS

Through the years of his residence in Linn eounty Myron D. Williams followed the occupation of farming and was respected by his fellow-citizens because of his loyalty to the principles of honorable and upright manhood. He was born in the state of New York, February 15, 1835, a son of David and Lany (Hess) Williams, both natives of the state of New York.

The grandfather, David Williams, Sr., was a man of marked strength of ehar- aeter, respected by all for his integrity and sterling worth. Moreover, he was one of the heroes of the Revolutionary war and in his later years the stories of his military experience were eagerly listened to by the representatives of the younger generation. He frequently went to the nearby town where he would join in the celebration of Independence Day, on which occasions he was given a eonspieuous place and received the honors and plaudits of the public. At such times the speakers would turn to the old major, as he was usually called, and em- ploying their gifts of oratory, would tender to him the thanks of a grateful country. After which they would call upon the rising generation to emulate his patriotism. He was a very liberal and generous-spirited man and therefore accumulated but a small property. His political views were in aeeord with the principles of the republican party of which Thomas Jefferson was the leader. Although his early educational opportunities were limited, he was always fond of reading and in this way and by experience he acquired a good fund of general information. Although he was not a member of any church he frequently attended divine serviees and also oceasionally opened his home that religious services might be held therein. In the fall of 1830 the city of New York sent by special mes- senger to invite him to be present as a guest at the celebration of the French Revolution on which occasion, with Enoch Crosby, another hero of 1776, and two others, he rode in an elegant carriage at the head of the procession. The four veterans of the Revolutionary war received enthusiastie applause all along the line of mareh, while in the city he visited with the mayor and other distinguished residents. Honor was shown him on every hand, the courtesies of the theatres and the schools were extended him and at one school a silver eup was presented to him and at another a silver-headed eane, the stem of which was made from a part of the "chevaux de Frise" used near West Point during the Revolution. While on this visit he was also presented with an elegant horse and carriage and harness by the mayor of the city. Soon after his visit to New York he began to fail rap- idly, for the exeitement attendant thereon was undoubtedly too much for one of his age and retired habits. He passed away at sunset, on the 2nd of August. 1831. He was the last survivor of the captors of Major Andre and in the cemetery where he was laid to rest there was ereeted over his grave a white marble monument twenty-three feet and nine inches in height. On one side appears the inscription "David Williams, died Angust 2, 1831, aged seventy-six years, six months and eight days." On another side are inscribed the words: "By authority of eon- gress in 1780 a silver medal was voted to them and presented to the captors of Major Andre by General George Washington at a dinner to which he invited them

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History of Linn County Iowa : from its earliest settlement to the present time, Volume II, Part 54

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