USA > Iowa > Linn County > History of Linn County Iowa : from its earliest settlement to the present time, Volume II > Part 60
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Miss Mary Dunn, the daughter of Patrick and Elizabeth Dunn, both natives of Ireland, became the wife of James Dunn on the 13th of November, 1879. There were six children born of this union, namely: James A., who is married and is living in Spring Grove township ; Arthur E., who is married and is living in South Dakota; Ernest G., Charles H., Edna V. and Leo M., all living at home, the last named being but two years old.
Mr. Dunn's politieal allegiance has been given to the democracy but he has never sought office, his business affairs and his home being the recipients of his entire attention and energy. Fraternally he is connected with the Mutual Brother- hood Association of Alburnett, Iowa, while he and his family affiliate with the Methodist church. Using his opportunities to the best advantage, he has made an enviable record as an alert, enterprising business man and has won a pleasurable amount of success as a result of his energy and ability.
C. D. VAN VECHTEN
C. D. Van Vechten, general agent for the Central Ageney of the Northwestern Insurance Company of Milwaukee and a director and second vice president of the Security Savings Bank, ranks with the prominent and representative business men of Cedar Rapids - men who are energetic and resourceful, improving the opportunities that others pass by heedlessly and instituting original business methods for the promotion of the interests in which they are concerned and which constitute sources of the city's material growth and upbuilding.
Mr. Van Veehten was born in Lewis county, New York, September 4, 1839, and is a son of Gilbert and Ilona (Bent) Van Vechten, the former a native of Cherry Valley, Montgomery county, New York, and the latter of Lewis county, that state. The father became a resident farmer of Lewis county, where he died at the comparatively early age of forty-three years. Some time following his demise his widow came to Cedar Rapids to make her home among her children and here she lived to the advanced age of ninety years, retaining unimpaired her physical and mental faculties up to the time of her death. She was a woman of strong intellect and related in most interesting manner many reminiscences of pioneer times.
C. D. Van Vechten spent his early youth on the old homestead farm in the Empire state, but in his sixteenth year, following his father's death, the family was broken up and he made his way westward to Michigan, hoping to find good business opportunities in that state. After a year spent in Battle Creek he went to Kal- amazoo and for two years attended Kalamazoo College, completing the work of the sophomore year. On attaining his majority he married a farmer's daughter, Miss Ada A. Fiteh, who resided twelve miles west of Kalamazoo, and in order to
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provide for the home which he then established he engaged in general merchandis- ing and in the lumber business in the town of Mattawan, Michigan. From the beginning he prospered in that undertaking and for fifteen years continued in those lines of trade. The lumber business was developed to extensive proportions and constituted an important feature in the commercial activity of the town until the building of the Kalamazoo & South Haven Railroad, about twelve miles north of Mattawan, when the market was taken away from the town. As there was no future outlook there Mr. Van Vechten in 1876 disposed of his business and removed to Minneapolis, where he assisted his brother in the conduct of a loan business. The year 1877, however, witnessed his arrival in Cedar Rapids, his brother Giles F., his former Minneapolis business associate, having preceded him to this place in November, 1876. He had then opened the private bank of G. F. Van Vechten and following his arrival C. D. Van Veehten was for seven years associated with his brother as cashier of the bank. In August, 1884, he was offered and accepted the secretaryship of a fire insurance company of Cedar Rapids. The capital of this company was impaired at the time, a fact not actu- ally known until the end of the year when the annual statement was made. The directory of the company then decided to go into liquidation and made arrange- ment with the Continental Fire Insurance Company of New York for gradual reinsurance of its business. Mr. Van Vechten had charge of this business, taking four years in its accomplishment.
In February, 1888, Mr. Van Vechten accepted the district agency of the Northwestern Life Insurance Company under the general management of IIomer A. Munger, of Cedar Rapids, continuing his efforts under the supervision of Mr. Munger until the latter's death in September, 1903. At that date Iowa was redistricted and Mr. Van Vechten was made general agent of the Central Ageney of this state. In the field of insurance he has been very successful, his field covering about fourteen per cent of the entire state and producing twenty-eight per cent of that company's 1909 business. His office ranks eighth among about one hundred agencies of the Northwestern Life Insurance in the United States in the amount of business done according to the population of the agencies. Nor does Mr. Van Vechten give his entire attention to insurance, for on the organ- ization of the Cedar Rapids National Bank he became a stockholder of the insti- tution and was made a member of the board of directors, in which capacity he has since served. On the organization of the Security Savings Bank he also became a stockholder, was later made a member of its board of directors and recently was chosen to the office of second vice president of the bank. He is likewise a stock- holder and director in the Frick-Stearns-Russell Grocery Company, wholesale grocers in Cedar Rapids. His business judgment is sound, his insight keen and his energy unfaltering, and those qualities stand as strong concomitants in the prosperity with which his labors have been rewarded.
On the 8th of Angust, 1861, as previously stated, Mr. Van Vechten wedded Miss Ada A. Fitch, and they became parents of three children. Ralph, the eldest, is now the first vice president of the Commercial Bank of Chicago and resides at No. 1415 Hyde Park boulevard in that city. He is also the president of the Cedar Rapids National Bank and one of its heaviest stockholders. Emma is the wife of C. K. Shaffer, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Carl is musical critic and reporter on the New York Times. The wife and mother passed away Nov- ember 12, 1905, and in November, 1907, Mr. Van Vechten was again married, his second union being with Mrs. N. O. Lawton. They reside at No. 845 Second ave- nue in Cedar Rapids.
Mr. Van Vechten is a member of Mount Hermon Lodge, No. 263, F. & A. M .; Trowel Chapter, R. A. M .; Iowa Consistory, No. 2, A. A. S. R .; and El Kahir Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. He is likewise identified with the Cedar Rapids Country Club and with the Universalist church. His political allegiance is given
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to the republican party and for four or five years he served as a member of the city council, exercising his official prerogatives in support of many measures for the general good. He is alert and in his life exemplifies the enterprising spirit of the times. His judgment is too sound not to recognize the fact that success depends upon close application and capable management and, therefore, he has utilized those qualities in winning the creditable position which he now fills, being highly esteemed in both insurance and banking circles.
WILLIAM P. ESREY
William P. Esrey, who is managing the old homestead farm comprising two hundred and fifteen aeres, is numbered among the young and enterprising farmers of Linn county. He was born in Clinton township, November 19, 1879, a son of Joseph W. and Etta Esrey. The former, a native of Delaware county, Pennsyl- vania, purchased one hundred and sixty-one acres of land in Fairfax township on coming to Linn county. Locating on this land he continued to make it his home until 1885, when he disposed of it and removed to what was known as the old Scott farm, which was inherited by his wife. From that time until his death, which occurred in December, 1899, Mr. Esrey was identified with the development and improvement of the latter place and became a successful man.
William P. Esrey pursued his studies in the district schools of Clinton township until his sixteenth year, when he entered the Cedar Rapids high school, which he attended for one year. The knowledge there acquired was supplemented by one year's study in the Cedar Rapids Business College and thus well equipped for the responsibilities of life he resumed work on the farm. Since the death of his father he has been managing the homestead for his mother, the tract embracing two hundred and fifteen aeres on section 29, Clinton township. He follows the most modern methods in earrying on his work and his labors are rewarded by gratifying returns each year. Ile keeps on his farm good grades of stock, having about one hundred head of hogs.
On the 19th of December, 1904, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Esrey and Miss Margaret Rogers, and to them have been born two daughters: Anna, aged four years, and Margaret, who died August 16, 1910, at the age of one year. In politics Mr. Esrey is a republican. He is a wide-awake, energetic farmer and business man, and both he and his wife are highly respected in the community where they make their home.
SAMUEL G. SMITH
Samuel G. Smith who, sinee 1901 has lived retired, was formerly identified with general agricultural pursuits and is still the owner of two hundred and fifty- one aeres of good land on section 23, Clinton township. A native of Pennsylvania, he was born in MeKean county on the 16th of June, 1838, and is a son of Samuel and Catharine Smith. The father was born in Big Island. Pennsylvania, in 1805. and was engaged in merchant tailoring and in farmning while in the east. In 1854 he came to the middle west, settling in Linn county, Iowa, his home being in Rapids township, where he carried on farming for more than three decades. His was a busy and useful life and he continued in active connection with general agricultural interests until 1885 when he retired to spend his remaining days in the enjoyment of a well earned rest. His death occurred in 1896.
S. G. SMITH
MRS. S. G. SMITH
IIL.
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Samuel G. Smith attended the public schools of Smithport, Pennsylvania, until 1854 when he came to Linn county with his parents. Here he continued his edu- cation as a pupil in the district schools for two years and on putting aside his text-books he became his father's assistant in the work of the home farm, to which he devoted his time and energies until twenty-one years of age. On attaining his majority he started out in life on his own account and, removing to Clinton town- ship, rented land which he cultivated until 1865. During that time he bought eighty acres and to it added from time to time until he owned one hundred and twenty acres. His attention was given to the further development of the prop- erty until 1884 when he sold that place and invested in two hundred and fifty-one acres on section 23, Clinton township, which he improved and cultivated for seventeen years and which his son has operated since Mr. Smith retired from active business life in 1901.
Mr. Smith was married in Rapids township, Linn county, to Miss Martha Fairbanks, the wedding being celebrated on the 30th of September, 1858. The groom was a young man of twenty years and his wife still younger. She was a daughter of William and Sarah Fairbanks and by her marriage she has become the mother of eight children, five of whom are living, namely: William H., now fifty years of age, who is engaged in farming in Buchanan county, Iowa; Ellis E., forty-six years of age, who carries on general agricultural pursuits in Benton county, Iowa; Samuel G., forty years of age, who is engaged in farming in Bil- chanan county, Iowa ; Mrs. Belle Lazenby, who occupies a farm in Linn county, Iowa; and Robert F., twenty-eight years of age, who manages his father's farm.
In his political views Mr. Smith is a democrat and while he keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day, he has never sought nor desired office, pre- ferring to concentrate his energies upon his business affairs. He has now passed the seventy-second milestone on life's journey and his has been an active and use- ful life, crowned not only with success but also with the respect and good will of his fellowinen.
GEORGE A. CAMPBELL
George A. Campbell, chief engineer in the engine room of the Cedar Rapids & Iowa City Railway & Light Company, was born in the province of Ontario, Canada, November 8, 1869, a son of Hector and Rachel (McBurney) Campbell, the former born amid the highlands of Scotland, while the latter was a native of Belfast, Ireland. In his childhood days Hector Campbell was brought to America by his sister, who established her home in Canada, and the mother of our subject came to the new world in her girlhood days with her parents. The father lived and died in Canada, where for many years he engaged in business as a contractor and builder and also operated a planing mill and lumber yards in the town of Ingersoll. About 1895, after the death of her husband, Mrs. Campbell came to Cedar Rapids and made her home with her son.
George A. Campbell was reared under the parental roof and supplemented his early education acquired in the common schools of his native county by a special course in engineering and electrical work pursued under the direction of the International Correspondence Schools of Scranton, Pennsylvania. When about seventeen years of age he was employed as engineer in his father's shops and was continued in the same position by his father's successor. On the 23d of May, 1889, he crossed the border into the United States and for a short time was employed by the American Cereal Company, after which he secured a situation in the power houses of the Chicago City Railway Company, there remaining until January, 1892, working in all three power houses of that city, including the one
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at Fifty-second and State streets; Twenty-first and State streets; and Fifty-fifth and Cottage Grove avenue. In January, 1892, he arrived in Cedar Rapids to accept the position of night engineer at this point for the American Cereal Com- pany, with which he continued until June 7, 1893, when he accepted a position with the Cedar Rapids & Iowa City Railway & Light Company. This connection has since been maintained, but in August, 1906, he was promoted to the position of chief engineer. The promotion was well merited for he had proven his worth and as the years have gone on he has made his service of value to the company which he represents.
On the 20th of July, 1897, Mr. Campbell was married to Miss Mary Edwards, of Cedar Rapids. They are members of the Presbyterian church and have won many friends in this city. Mr. Campbell belongs to Cedar Rapids Lodge, No. 9, National Association of Stationary Engineers; and is also identified with Main Lodge, No. 643, I. O. O. F., and Cedar Rapids Lodge, No. 278, A. O. U. W. He is a well known representative of industrial interests, has become widely known in his adopted city and his personal worth, as well as his business ability, has gained him firm holds on the regard of those with whom he has been associated.
DOMINICK FEIEREISEN
Dominick Feiereisen, connected with the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Rail- road Company at Cedar Rapids, was born in the grand duchy of Luxemburg, January 6, 1872. His parents, Henry L. and Marie (Shuster) Feiereisen, were also natives of Luxemburg and in 1880 emigrated to the United States, their son Dominick being at that time a lad of but eight years. The father made his way to Chicago, where he engaged in the operation of a sawmill and in carpentering, following those lines of industrial activity for fifteen years. He afterward turned his attention to the liquor business, in which he continued until his death, passing away at the age of fifty-six years. His wife had previously died, being fifty years of age at the time of her demise. Both parents were laid to rest in a Chicago cemetery.
Dominick Feiereisen was educated in the publie schools of Chicago, but at the early age of fourteen years was obliged to start out in life on his own account. He afterward supplemented his early education by study in night schools and experience has also largely broadened his knowledge. He was first employed by the Swift Packing Company, there remaining until 1891, when he entered the service of S. Oppenheimer, of Chicago, to act as foreman of his plant located at Cedar Rapids. He afterward became foreman for the T. M. Sinclair Packing Com- pany of Cedar Rapids and his fidelity and ability are attested in the fact that he occupied the position for seventeen years. He has since been employed by the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Panl Railroad Company, which he represents in both the freight and passenger departments at Cedar Rapids, the position being one of considerable responsibility.
In 1893 Mr. Feiereisen was united in marriage to Miss Mary Dite, of Chicago, and unto them have been born two children: Jeannette and Thomas, both of whom are pupils in the public schools. The family are of the Catholic faith and Mr. Feiereisen gives his political support to the democracy. He is prominent in the local ranks of the party and has twice been elected a member of the city council, receiving endorsement of his first term in a reelection. He has also acted in an official capacity in numerous fraternities. He was secretary of Court Cedar, No. 3, of the Foresters of America, grand secretary for the jurisdiction of Iowa and Minnesota for six years in the Foresters of America, has been master and past master of the lodge of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, holds membership
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with the Modern Woodmen of America and is a member of Mount Hermon Lodge, No. 263, A. F. & A. M. When leisure permits he enjoys fishing and boating, but his life on a whole has been a very busy one from the time that he was fourteen years of age to the present. His industry and perseverance have been the salient features in achievements which have brought him a substantial measure of success.
B. W. LONG
B. W. Long follows farming and stock-raising and owns a valuable farm of two hundred and thirty-seven acres, located on sections 31 and 32, Jackson township, and sections 5 and 6, Maine township. He was born in the latter township, Dec- ember 28, 1861, a son of David P. and Mary E. (Bowen) Long, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work.
B. W. Long was reared under the parental roof and was accorded good edu- cational advantages, pursuing a college course. After reaching mature years le purchased a farm of seventy-five acres in Jackson township, just west of Paris, and there he made his home for six years. He then disposed of that land and purchased the farm on which he now makes his home, this tract comprising two hundred and thirty-seven acres in Jackson and Maine townships. He has made improvements on his farm and it is now one of the valuable properties of his section of Linn county. In addition to carrying on general farming, he raises and feeds stock, keeping shorthorn cattle. In all his undertakings he is meeting with a success that classes him with the substantial citizens of the county.
On the 1st of November, 1894, Mr. Long was married to Miss Anna B. Mc- Burney, who was born in Linn county, a daughter of John T. and Elizabeth McBurney, both of whom were natives of Ohio. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Long were born four children, two daughters and two sons: Mary E., a high-school student at Central City ; John D .; Ellen; and Benjamin W. The wife and mother was called to her final rest July 2, 1904, her remains being interred in the Blodgett cemetery.
In his political views Mr. Long is a democrat and has served as a member of the school board, the cause of education ever finding in him a warm and stalwart friend. His religious faith is indicated in his membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, to which his wife also belonged. Mr. Long is a representative of our best type of American manhood and chivalry. By perseverance, deter- mination and honorable effort, he has overthrown the obstacles which barred his path to success and reached the goal of prosperity, while his genuine worth, broad mind and public spirit have made him a director of public thought and action.
THOMAS C. MARTIN
A neat little farm of eighteen acres, located in Marion township, Linn county, is the home of Thomas C. Martin, who is now living retired. He was born in Wayne county, Indiana, August 18, 1851, a son of Isaac N. and Elizabeth S. (Reid) Martin, whose family numbered eight children, of whom four still sur- vive. The father was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, while the mother claimed Indiana as the place of her nativity. The parents located in Linn county, Iowa, in 1856, and the father purchased a tract of timber land in Marion township. This land he cleared and placed under cultivation, making it his home until the time of his death, which occurred March 14, 1879. The mother survived for a few years and passed away on the 2d of April, 1886.
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Thomas C. Martin was a little lad of five years when he accompanied his par- ents on their removal from Indiana to Linn county. He was trained to the work of the home farm, remaining under the parental roof until he had reached his twentieth year. In the meantime he acquired his education in the district schools in the winter seasons, and at the above mentioned age rented a tract of land and thus began business on his own account. He continued to cultivate rented land until 1876, when he purchased a portion of the old homestead farm, on which he lived until 1902. He then put aside business cares and removed to Marion, where for six years he lived a retired life. Not content, however, he purchased eighteen acres of land adjoining his old home place and has since made his home on this. He has found employment and recreation in cultivating his fields and keeping lis buildings in repair. He owns altogether one hundred and two acres and he formerly owned another traet of one hundred and twenty acres, which he has disposed of to his son.
Mr. Martin chose as a companion and helpmate for the journey of life, Miss Anna E. Mentzer, their marriage being celebrated on the 12th of September, 1871. Mrs. Martin was born in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, January 1, 1855, a daughter of Jonathan and Elizabeth (Wiles) Mentzer, in whose family were nine children but two of the number are now deceased. The father was likewise born in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, and the mother was born in Maryland. Coming to Linn county in 1857, they here spent their remaining 'days, the father passing away in 1867, while the mother departed this life in 1878. The mar- riage of Mr. and Mrs. Martin was blessed with two children but the younger died in infancy, leaving Harry N. as the only survivor. He now resides on the home farm. He was married January 18, 1897, to Miss Mary E. Bear, a daughter of Daniel Bear, and they have three children : Ralph F., and Willard C. and Robert B., twins.
Mr. Martin has always supported the men and measures of the republican party and has served as trustee of Marion township and as school director. Aside from these minor offices, he has never taken a very active part in public life, preferring to devote his time to his private interests. Both he and his wife are consistent members of the Brethren church. They are people of high worth and respecta- bility and their long residence in the county enables them to number their friends and acquaintances by the score.
L. K. HATCH
The business interests of Central City have a worthy representative in L. K. Hatch, who is now devoting liis attention to the furniture trade, carrying a large and well selected stock to meet the demands of the public. His life has been spent in the middle west, for he was born near Phillipsburg, Kansas, on the 18th of May, 1880, a son of H. M. Hatch, a native of Illinois. The father, who was a farmer by occupation, removed from his native state to Iowa when a young man and here entered the army, serving for ninety days. After receiving an honor- able discharge he returned to this state and located in Central City, where he made his home until his removal to Kansas, remaining there about two years. Subsequently he again became a resident of Linn county, this time making his home near Paris and later near Central City, where he died in 1893. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Sadie B. Jordan, was born in Maine and was but twelve years of age when she accompanied her parents on their removal to the west. She died one year after the death of her husband. In the family of this worthy couple were six children : Olive M., the wife of William Trueblood, of Colorado ; Angie H., the wife of L. E. Brookman, a merchant of Central City;
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