USA > Iowa > Linn County > History of Linn County Iowa : from its earliest settlement to the present time, Volume II > Part 55
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MYRON D. WILLIAMS
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while the army was eneamped near West Point." While on the north side of the monument appeared General Washington's letter to the president of congress, in October, 1780. "The parties that took Major Andre acted in such a manner as does them the highest honor and proves them to be men of great virtue." On the west side of the monument was inscribed: "Naney Benedict, wife of David Wil- liams, died Angust 5, 1844, at the age of eighty-seven years, six months and eight days.'
David Williams, Jr., the father of Myron D. Williams, died in the state of New York. The son remained with his parents until twenty-two years of age, after which he removed westward to Scott county, Iowa, where he was united in mar- riage to Miss Naney J. Conklin, who was born in Dutehess county, New York, October 16, 1846. Her parents were William B. and Margaret A. (Smith) Conk- lin, who were also natives of the state of New York, and on going to Seott county, Iowa, in 1861, took up their abode on the farm which remained their home for four years. They then became residents of Kendall county, Illinois, where the father died in 1881, his widow afterward making her home with her daughter, Mrs. Williams. She survived her husband for more than two decades, passing away October 20, 1903.
Following their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Williams began domestie life upon a farm in Seott eonnty where they lived for four years. They then came to Linn eounty and Mr. Williams purchased the farm which is now owned and oceupied by his widow. It is a tract of eighty aeres of rich land upon which he made many improvements while he brought the fields under a high state of cultivation. He was diligent and persistent in his farm work and as the years passed his labors were crowned with sueecss.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Williams were born three children: Isban Q., living in Linn county ; David W., who resides upon the old homestead with his mother and in addition to the cultivation of the fields engages in the raising and feeding of hogs and horses ; and Nina I., the wife of John W. Seott of Kenwood Park, Linn county, and they have two children, Beryl and Fern. The death of Mr. Williams occurred April 22, 1902, and he was laid to rest in Oak Shade cemetery at Mar- ion. He had commanded the good will of all during his residence in this county and his death was deeply regretted by many friends as well as his immediate fam- ily. Mrs. Williams yet lives on the old homestead, is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and a lady of many good qualities, highly esteemed by all who know her.
JAMES A. DUNN
James A. Dunn, who owns and operates a farm of one hundred and twenty aeres in Spring Grove township, is engaged in general farming and stoek-raising. He is a native of that township, his birth having oeeurred upon his father's homestead, just a short distance from where he now lives, on the 16th of April, 1881. He is a son of James and Mary Dunn, natives of lowa, and grandson of those pioneers, Alexander and Susan Dunn, who settled in Clinton county, this state, in 1837. The father eame to Linn county in 1875 with his wife and sinee that time has resided here, having become one of the most prominent citizens and representative men of the community.
James A. Dunn was reared to farm life and attended the district sehools of Spring Grove township, where he received his edneation. He was married at the age of twenty-four years and, until that event transpired, made Ins home with his parents, assisting his father with the work npon the large farm owned by the latter. On September 5, 1905, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Dunn and
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Miss Esther Moles, a daughter of John and Ella Moles, both of whom were natives of Iowa. They have become the parents of one son, Gifford, who was born in 1906.
Following their marriage Mr. Dunn purchased one hundred and twenty acres of land adjoining that occupied and owned by his father and has continued to live upon the place since that time. He has greatly improved its condition, recently erecting an excellent barn thirty-three by forty feet, has built an addi- tion to his house and installed a forty-foot steel-tower wind-mill of latest design. While a republican in politics Mr. Dunn takes little interest, other than as a voter, in the political affairs of the county. He is serving his township in the capacity of secretary of the school board but does not desire political preferment of any kind. With his wife he holds membership in the Methodist church. He is a man whose enterprise has won him prosperity and he is rated as one of the sound and honest men of the community.
HENRY BENNETT
Henry Bennett, one of the best known insurance men in lowa, his opinions being largely accepted as authority upon all matters of insurance, was born in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, on the 29th of October, 1850. His parents were Henry and Angeline (Fife) Bennett. The father, a native of York, England, was but three years of age when brought to the United States by his parents, who located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and some time later removed to Pittsburg, that state. In that city he was married and also learned the trade of a merchant tailor. Removing westward in 1855, he took up his abode in Iowa City, Iowa, and two years later came to Cedar Rapids, where for a number of years he was identified with the merchant tailoring business. ITis demise occurred in that city in 1903, when he had attained the age of seventy-six years, and, his wife surviving him for only one year, was called to her final rest in 1904.
Henry Bennett was reared under the parental roof and obtained his education in the grammar and high schools of Cedar Rapids. In June, 1862, when not yet twelve years of age, he went to work for a farmer living near Cedar Rapids, by whom he was employed during the entire summer, receiving his board and five dollars in cash for his season's work. The second summer he was paid twenty dollars and during the two following summers he received a wage of ten dollars per month. After completing his education he entered the law office of West & Eastman, with whom he was associated in the law and insurance business for about fifteen years. A compact of fire insurance agents was organized in 1883 to promote a uniform practice in fire underwriting and Mr. Bennett was appointed by the companies manager of the organization. An anti-compact law was en- acted by the legislature in 1896 by which it was made unlawful for companies and their representatives to enter into any understanding or agreement relating to the rates to be charged for insurance or the manner of transacting the business within the state, whereupon Mr. Bennett organized an independent rating bureau, which he successfully condneted for a number of years, selling his rates, maps and other published information to the companies and others. IIe is a stock- holder in several local corporations, and well deserves representation in this volume as one of the best known, most influential and prosperous citizens of Cedar Rapids.
In 1883 Mr. Bennett was united in marriage to Miss Ella J. Evans, a daughter of Abel Evans, who was one of the early settlers of Cedar Rapids and is now de- ceased. Unto them have been born six children, namely : Helen E., the wife of
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Emmett J. Carter, of Cedar Rapids; Margaret, who has passed away ; Max, who is pursuing his studies at the University of Michigan; Mary, who is pursuing a course of domestic science at the Iowa State College; Murray E., deceased ; and Alice.
Mr. Bennett gives stalwart allegianee to the men and measures of the demo- cratie party and in the spring of 1910 was elected couneilman of the city of Cedar Rapids under the commission plan of government, and was appointed superintendent of department of publie safety. He belongs to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Young Men's Christian Association and is also a valued member of the Commercial Club and the Country Club. Relig- iously he is identified with the Methodist Episcopal church. He is widely and favorably known throughout the county which has been his home for more than a half century, having those qualities of kindly consideration and deferenee for the opinions of others which always give rise to warm friendship and esteem. Having attained suceess by reason of his own strength of character and persis- teney of purpose, he well merits the proud American title of a self-made man.
F. A. HOBSON
F. A. Hobson, who is operating the old homestead farm in Otter Creek town- ship, is numbered among the progressive and enterprising farmers of his seetion of Linn county. He is a native of Illinois, born in Winnebago county, July 3, 1867, but his parents, John and Eleeia (Tompkins) Hobson, were both natives of Canada. Upon crossing the border into the United States they first settled in Illinois, where they lived until 1876 and then made a permanent location in Linn county, settling on the farm that is now owned and operated by the son. The father died April 14, 1895, while the mother, surviving for a few years, was called to her final rest July 3, 1907.
F. A. Hobson remained at home until he had attained his majority, being a little lad of nine years at the time the family removed from the Prairie state to Linn county. When he started out in life on his own account he returned to Illinois and for one year thereafter was engaged in the butehering business with his brother. At the end of that period he onee more eame to Iowa, spending one year as a elerk in a dry-goods store in Cedar Rapids. He was then for three years a fireman in the employ of the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern Rail- road Company. In 1895, following his father's death, he assumed the manage- ment of the homestead farm, on which he has resided to the present time. This traet comprises one hundred and sixty acres of well improved land and Mr. Hobson uses the latest improved machinery to facilitate his labors, so that good results follow.
In 1895 Mr. Hobson further made arrangements for having a home of his own by his marriage to Miss Della Simmen, a daughter of Nicholas and Margaret Simmen, who were natives of Switzerland and emigrated to America in 1872. From that date until 1900 Mr. Simmen was identified with the farming interests of Iowa but in the latter year removed to Marion, where he spent seven years, or until his wife died February 28, 1907. Following her demise, the father returned to the farm and has sinee made his home with his son. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hobson have been born two sons: Carl, born Mareh 18, 1897; and Leo F., whose birth oeeurred August 19, 1899. Both are with their parents.
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Although Mr. Hobson is a stanch supporter of the principles of democracy, he is not an office seeker. He is a Modern Woodman, belonging to Alburnett Camp, No. 9286. In Linn county, where much of his life has been passed, he is well and favorably known. Steadily pursuing his way, undeterred by the ob- staeles and difficulties in his path, he is achieving a prosperity of which he has every reason to be proud.
SIMON BIXBY
The name of Bixby is one of the first inseribed on the pages of Linn county's history. He whose name introduces this review was born in Canada in 1800 and was of French lineage. On crossing the border into the United States he made his way to Bellevue, Ohio, and after residing there for some time came to Linn county. arriving about 1837. Even the eastern section of the state was then but sparsely settled and nine years elapsed before Iowa was admitted to the Union. The central and western portions of the state were largely a wild and unbroken prairie, over which Indian tribes still roamed and wild animals were frequently seen. The work of progress and development seemed scarcely begun and yet a few venturesome spirits had planted the seed of civilization on this western frontier. Mr. Bixby at once took his part in the work of developing and improv- ing the section of the state in which he located. He possessed natural mechanical ability and always worked along mechanical lines. He established his home in Marion, where he spent his remaining days.
In 1825 was celebrated the marriage of Simon Bixby and Miss Hannah Stone, a daughter of Isaac Stone, of Vermont. She was descended from the carly Puritans, being able to trace her ancestry back to one of the passengers on the Mayflower. Mr. and Mrs. Bixby became the parents of four children, the eldest being Dr. Nahum Bixby, who was born July 31, 1830, and died January 10, 1879. He was a surgeon of the Civil war and married Rebecca Elliott, who was born December 26, 1835. Emory Bixby, the second son, was born May 7, 1836, and also aided in the defense of his country during the Civil war. He married Lydia Bardwell, a daughter of Dr. Bardwell, one of the pioneer physicians and surgeons of Linn county. Judson. the third son, died in infaney.
Jesse C. Bixby. the youngest of this family, was born June 6, 1848. In 1862 he began serving an apprenticeship to the printer's trade in the office of the Marion Register and later rose to the position of foreman. He subsequently became one of the editors and owners of that paper, with which he was connected up to the time of his death, which occurred on the 13th of February, 1903. At that time he was the oldest journalist in continuons service in Linn county and was universally esteemed by every member of the craft as well as by all who knew him. He was a man respeeted most by those who knew him best. Kind and generous hearted, he revereneed religion and was of simple tastes and tem- perate habits. Had he given his attention to editorial work he would undoubt- edly have become one of the best writers connected with the Iowa press. He seemed to have no inelination for political strife but was a writer of much more than ordinary ability.
In 1866 Jesse C. Bixby was united in marriage to Miss Alice Oakley, a daughter of Merritt and Susan (Morgan) Oakley. IIer father was born in Es- sex county, New York, and in early life learned the miller's trade, becoming a good workman. He removed to the west in 1855, establishing his home in Marion, where he followed his trade until after the outbreak of the Civil war, when, re- sponding to the country's call for troops, he offered his services to the govern- ment and enlisted as a member of the Sixth Iowa Cavalry under Colonel Pollock.
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JESSE BIXBY
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HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY
He became a corporal and served for three years and three months, for following the expiration of his first term of enlistment he had again joined the army as a member of the same regiment. His military record was altogether creditable and, indeed, his whole life conformed to a high standard of manhood and citizenship. He died on the 13th of May, 1886, and is still survived by his widow, Mrs. Susan Oakley, who now makes her home with her daughter, o nthe old Bixby homestead, at the advanced age of eighty-four years In 1855 she became the first public- school teacher in Marysville, Benton county, Iowa, where she taught for several terms. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Oakley were born two children, the elder being George, who married Addie Burke and has a daughter, Mary.
Aliec Oakley, the younger of the two, was born in Lawrenceville, Pennsylvania, February 5, 1850, and was brought to Iowa by her parents in her early girlhood days. In acquiring her education she first attended the public schools and after- ward became a pupil in a seminary. In 1866 she gave her hand in marriage to Jesse C. Bixby and they traveled life's journey happily together for ahnost four decades, being separated by the death of the husband. While editor of the Marion Register he was ably assisted in his editorial work by his wife as associate editor. She has always taken an active interest in literature and art and has be- come an excellent short story writer and a very clever artist. Mrs. Bixby is a member of the Eastern Star, Masonic order of True Kindred, American Woman's League and also holds a membership in the Chicago South Side Club. She is a member of the Methodist church and is active in all departments of church work. She is a great reader and extensive traveler having visited nearly every large city, resorts and places of interest in the United States, Canada and Mexico and con- tributed interesting articles for the press on these travels. Since her husband's death much of her life has been spent in Chicago.
Mr. Bixby was a popular member of the Masonic fraternity and als oof the An- cient Order of United Workman. Unto him and his wife was born one child, Hal C., who married Laura Clark. He became interested in the printing business with- his father in the office of the Marion Register and established an amateur paper called the Bixby Bazoo. He subsequently removed to Chicago, where he accepted a position in one of the largest printing establishments in that city, of which he is today foreman, and has now been connected with that office for eighteen years. He still publishes the Bixby Bazoo in Magazine form as the official organ of the Western Amateur Press Association and is also a member of the Associated Press. He is chairman of the Printers' Union of the office with which he is connected.
JAMES P. SMITH
James P. Smith is numbered among the substantial farmers of Boulder town- ship, where he owns a valuable farm of one hundred and sixty acres, located on section 15. He was born in Lawrence county, Pennsylvania, in 1846, of the marriage of David and Margaret (Patten) Smith, who were likewise natives of the Keystone state. The mother died when her son was but two years of age, after which the father eame to Iowa, settling on a tract of rented land in Jackson county and making it his home for eight years. At the end of that time he found him- self in possession of a capital which justified his purchase of land and he accord- ingly bought one hundred and twenty acres in Boulder township, Linn county. He improved and cultivated his land for many years but spent his last days in retirement.
James P. Smith of this review was reared under the parental roof and acquired his education in the public schools. When thirty years of age he began farming
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on his own account, having purchased one hundred and sixty acres in Clay county, Iowa. After seven years he disposed of that land and invested his money in one hundred and sixty acres on section 15, Boulder township. This is one of the best improved farms in Linn county, due to the efforts and labors of Mr. Smith. He is carrying on a successful business as a general farmer and stock-raiser, handling some very fine grades of animals.
On the 24th of December, 1876, Mr. Smith was married to Miss Juliet Geheringer, a daughter of Louise and Catherine (Drexler) Geheringer, who were natives of Germany and upon their emigration to the new world located on a farm in Jackson township, Linn county. Mr. Geheringer was employed at farm labor for several years but eventually became the owner of three hundred and sixty acres of land in Boulder township, whereon he and his wife made their home for many years but they are now living retired in Prairieburg. Mrs. Smith is the only child born to her parents, while Mr. Smith is one of a family of seven. Their marriage has likewise been blessed with seven children, as follows: Cora, the wife of Louis Pelard ; Louis; Minnie and Mand, twins, the former the wife of W. Burnsides, and the latter the wife of Fred Jousie; Ida, the wife of Seward Smith ; Lester; and Ruby.
Mr. Smith is a republican in politics and for ten years served on the school board but otherwise has filled no public office, preferring to concentrate his ener- gies upon his private business affairs. He and his wife are devoted members of the Presbyterian church. They are people of the highest respectability and worth and fully merit the high esteem in which they are held.
JOHN F. JANKO
John F. Janko gives his attention to the operation of a farm of one hundred and twenty aeres, located on section 32, College township. He was born in Monroe, Johnson county, Iowa, December 12, 1867, a son of Jolin and Elizabeth Janko, the former a son of John and Helena Janko. The grandfather of our subject is still living at the advanced age of ninety-three years, making his home in this state on the line between Johnson and Linn counties. The parents of our subject were both born in Bohemia and in 1854 emigrated to America, at which time they made a settlement in Johnson county on eighty acres of unim- proved land. They endured all the hardships and privations incident to the establishment of a home in a new country but with characteristic energy the father developed and improved his land and as time passed he invested in more property, thus hecoming one of the substantial farmers of this section of the state. In later life he spent thirteen years in the conduct of a lumber business at Ely, Linn county, but for the past three years has lived retired in Cedar Rapids, having now reached the age of seventy years. His wife, however, is deceased, her death occurring in June, 1894.
John F. Janko was reared on the home farm in Johnson county, early be- coming familiar with all the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the farmer boy, and he attended the public schools to the age of sixteen years. After com- pleting his education he gave his entire time to assisting in the farm work and at the age of twenty-two years was married and started out in life for himself. He is now the owner of one hundred and twenty acres of well improved land, situated on seetion 32, College township, all of which is tillable, while on the place are found good buildings adequate to his needs. He raises wheat, corn and oats and devotes a portion of his place to pasturage, for he keeps both cattle and hogs, raising thoroughbred Hereford cattle. Although he started out with but little of this world's goods, through his own energy and perseverance
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he has accumulated a good property and is numbered among the substantial residents of this section of the state.
Mr. Janko was married on the 22d of April, 1889, to Miss Frances Cuhel, a daughter of Vincent and Frances Cuhel, farming people of College township. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Janko has been blessed with two daughters and two sons : Agnes, who was born December 8, 1892; Milo, born August 8, 1900; Charles, whose birth occurred March 4, 1902; and Caroline, born January 1, 1905.
In politics Mr. Janko is a democrat, while his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Evangelical chureh. Both he and his wife are well known in the community in which they reside and the hospitality of their pleasant home is freely extended to their many friends.
FRANK KONIGSMARK, JR.
Frank Konigsmark, Jr., who in the conduct of his agricultural pursuits is manifesting the value of scientific as well as practical knowledge of farming, is one of Linn county's native sons, his birth occurring in College township on the 9th of March, 1884. Of noble origin, he comes of a family whose name has long been an honored one in German Bohemia and is descended from ancestry distin- guished for noble deeds in both peace and war.
The family was founded in America by Anthony Konigsmark, the grandfather of our subject, who was born in Bohemia on the 28th of March, 1812. In his native country he was reared and educated and there was united in marriage to Lydia Cech. In 1860 he crossed the Atlantic to the United States, making his way direct to Iowa, where he acquired six hundred and forty acres of land, cast- ing in his lot with the early settlers of this district. He endured all of the hard- ships and privations incident to the opening up of a new farm, but with un- daunted energy and untiring industry persevered from year to year, and the results of his labors became manifest in a well developed and valuable farm property. He passed away on the 12th of March, 1898, having survived his wife for three years, her death occurring in 1895.
Their son, Frank Konigsmark, Sr., the father of our subject, was born in 1863 in College township, Linn county, and was here reared and educated. He, too, followed agricultural pursuits as a life work, and his efforts were attended with such gratifying success that he is now able, as a result of industry, energy and perseverance, to live in retirement from active labor, enjoying in well earned rest the fruits of his former toil. His wife, who in her maidenhood was Anna Castek, was born on the 24th of February, 1863, a daughter of a well known farmer of Johnson county, who is now deceased, as is also his wife. Mr. and Mrs. Konigsmark now reside in Cedar Rapids. In their family are the following chil- dren, of whom our subject is the eldest, the others being: Oldrich C., who is now a clerk in Cedar Rapids; Vlasta, a graduate of the Cedar Rapids high school; Rudolph; and Stanley and Lester, twins.
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