USA > Iowa > Linn County > History of Linn County Iowa : from its earliest settlement to the present time, Volume II > Part 66
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HENRY LEFEBURE
The name of Lefebure is known throughout this eountry and also in Belgium in eonnection with the breeding high grade Belgian draft horses, and Henry Lefebure of this review is fully sustaining the reputation which his father etsab- lished in the importation and breeding of what is now claimed to be the most popular breed of draft horses in America. A native of Fairfax, Iowa, where he was born on the 10th of March, 1866, he is a son of Emil and Sidony (Inteas) Lefebure. The father was born in Neufvilles, Belgium, May 17, 1839. Coming to America in 1860, he made his way to Iowa City, Iowa, where he purehased forty aeres of timber land and a few hogs, and during the period of the Civil war sold wood to the soldiers' wives and widows for ten dollars per load, while for his pork he received twelve cents per pound. By the close of the war, in 1865, he had saved enough money to purchase one hundred and sixty acres of land in Linn county, upon which he moved in 1866. From year to year, as he prospered, he added to his original holdings until he eventually became the owner of one thousand aeres, constituting him one of the extensive landowners of this section. The year 1875 witnessed his embarkation in the live-stoek busi- ness as a breeder of shorthorn cattle, while in 1SSS he began to import and breed Belgian draft horses, being one of the first and later becoming one of the largest importers of horses in this country. He remained aetively connected with this line of business for some years, subsequently retiring about 1902, while in May, 1906, he was ealled to his final rest.
Reared on the home farm, amid the busy environment of country life, Henry Lefebure acquired his early education in the district schools of that loeality, re- maining a student therein until eighteen years of age. Later he enjoyed the ad- vantage of a six months' course at St. Joseph's College, at Dubuque, Iowa, and upon the retirement of his father in 1902 returned home, where he assisted in the eondnet of the farm until the latter's death in 1906, when he came into possession of two hundred and forty-three acres of land, together with the large stoek farm owned by his father. The balance of the property was divided be- tween three brothers and two sisters of our subject. Mr. Lefebure has sinee acquired an additional traet of two hundred and sixty-three aeres, so that he is now the owner of more than five hundred aeres of land, to which has been given
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the name of the Sunny Crest Stock Farm, known as the "home of the Belgians." He raises shorthorn cattle and also hogs, but his specialty is Belgian draft horses, which he not only imports but also breeds. In 1909 he made three trips to Belgium to buy horses, while his sales of that year amounted to one hundred and twenty-five horses, the prices ranging from twelve hundred to three thous- and dollars per team, and he also sold about sixty head of fine cattle. Sunny Crest Stock Farm, the property of Henry Lefebure, is the home of the cham- pion stud of Belgian draft horses of America as awarded at the St. Louis World's Fair and the birthplace of the champion mare of the St. Louis World's Fair, while it is the present home of one hundred and fifteen high-grade Belgian stal- lions and mares. The Belgian horse is recognized throughout European countries as the best on the continent, and the efforts of Mr. Lefebure in importing and raising this, the oldest, purest and most energetic breed of draft horse in exist- ence, have been far-reaching in their effeets, proving potent forces in raising the grade of stock in this section of the country. He is president of the American Association of Importers and Breeders of Belgian Draft Horses.
It was in January, 1894, in Fairfax, that Mr. Lefebure was united in mar- riage to Miss Marguerette Ferreter, a daughter of Richard Ferreter, who located in Linn county in 1845, following the occupation of farming here throughout his remaining years. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Lefebure have been born seven ehildren, namely: Theodel, fifteen years of age, attending Sisters of Mercy St. Bereh- man's Seminary at Marion, Iowa; Regis, Emil, Charles and Richard, aged re- speetively fourteen, twelve, ten and eight years, all of whom are attending the same seminary ; Armand, four years of age, and Henry, aged two years, both still under the parental roof. Of this number the five eldest children have all re- eeived diplomas for perfeet handwriting.
The religious faith of Mr. Lefebure is indicated by his membership in the Catholic church, while he likewise belongs to the Knights of Columbus and also the Modern Woodmen of America. He is a republican in his political belief. but the activities of an exceedingly busy life have never permitted his participation in political affairs other than casting his vote at the polls. He is well known in finaneial eireles here, however, ocenpying the offiec of vice president of the Fair- fax Savings Bank, and is ranked among the most progressive and substantial of Linn county's citizens. The distinction which attaches to his name in stoek eireles throughout the country is well merited, for his efforts have ever been in the direction of improvement and advancement and have been attended by most excellent results.
CHARLES G. FLOYD
Charles G. Floyd, a prosperous and enterprising agriculturist of Washington township, owns and operates the farm on which his birth oeeurred - a tract of land comprising two hundred and twenty-seven aeres. He was born on the 10th of August, 1867, his parents being J. L. and Mary Ann (Blaekborn) Floyd, who were born, reared and married in Ohio. They came to this county in 1853, locat- ing on the farm which is now in possession of their son Charles. Here they continued to reside throughout the remainder of their lives, the mother passing away on the 16th of September, 1893, while the father was called to his final rest on the 3d of March, 1904. Unto this worthy couple were born ten children, eight of whom are yet living.
Charles G. Floyd received the educational advantages afforded by the common schools and remained at home until he had attained his majority. In 1889 he purchased and located upon a farm in Emmet county, lowa, devoting his attention
C. G. FLOYD AND FAMILY
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to its further cultivation and improvement for ten years. On the expiration of that period he disposed of the property and in 1900 bought the old homestead farm in Washington township, where he has resided continuously since. The place comprises two hundred and twenty-seven acres of land and is lacking in none of the convenienees and accessories of a model farm of the twentieth century, for Mr. Floyd employs the most up-to-date methods in the conduet of his agricul- tural interests.
Mr. Floyd has been married twice. In 1896 he wedded Miss Christina M. IIanson, by whom he had two children, Clarence L. and Florence C. The wife and mother passed away within two years after her marriage, and in 1898 Mr. Floyd was joined in wedlock to her sister, Miss Sena J. Hanson. By his second marriage he likewise has two children, Ronald S. and Genevieve V.
In exereising his right of franchise Mr. Floyd supports the men and measures of the republican party. At the present time he is serving as a school director. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Lutheran church, with which his wife is also affiliated. Upright and honorable in all life's relations, he is highly respected and esteemed in the community where he resides.
CHARLES H. CLARK
Charles H. Clark has spent his entire life in this county, for he was born on the farm on seetion 15, Maine township, where he now resides, April 21, 1858, and is a worthy representative of an honored, pioneer family, his parents being War- ren and Mary (Ball) Clark. On the maternal side he is descended from a promi- nent old family that lived near Washington, D. C., being related to George Washington through the Ball family. His maternal grandfather was a elerk in the library department in the capitol for some years. The paternal grandfather, Joseph Clark, was a native of Connectieut and the founder of the family in this state.
Warren Clark, our subjeet's father, was born in Wayne county, New York, but was only seven years of age when brought by his parents to Linn county, Iowa, locating near Central City in 1839. At that time their nearest neighbors were twelve miles distant and Indian boys, with the exception of a younger brother, were the only playmates Warren Clark had. Until three years prior to his death he resided on the farm now owned and oeenpied by our subjeet, it hav- ing been given to him by the grandfather. His last years were spent on a place just west of Central City, where he died in 1898, and was laid to rest in the Clark cemetery. Throughout life he followed agricultural pursuits and by his ballot supported the republican party. On reaching manhood he was married in Maine township to Miss Mary Ball, a native of Indiana, who died December 16, 1859, and was also laid to rest in the Clark cemetery. Unto them were born two children : Nellie, now the wife of William H. Ward, a cement contractor at Boise, Idaho; and Charles H., whose name introduces this sketch. For his second wife the father married Miss Sarah Millendy, by whom he had three children : Abbie, the wife of A. J. Bowen, a merchant of Waubeek, Iowa; and Otis and Fred W., who are in South Dakota and Idaho respectively.
Reared to agricultural pursuits on his present farm, Charles H. Clark ae- quired his early education in the common schools of the locality and later at- tended the Lenox College at Hopkinton, Iowa, for seven terms. He began his business career as a merchant in partnership with Fred MeLeod at Central City, where he remained for four years, and then went to Franklin county, Nebraska, where he followed farming for a similar length of time. The following year he engaged in agricultural pursuits near Central City and then returned to the old
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home place, which he has since successfully operated. Here he owns one hundred and sixty acres of well improved and valuable land and gives his attention wholly to general farming.
In 1882 Mr. Clark married Miss Nettie Finley and they became the parents of five children, namely: Maggie, the wife of Arthur McLeod, a farmer of Maine township; Harry, who is employed as an automobile driver in Kansas City ; Edna, a trained nurse in Dubuque; Nellie, deceased; and Warren, at home. Mr. Clark was again married in 1896, his second union being with Miss Henriette Clark, also a resident of Maine township, who was born in Cedar county, Iowa, and is a daughter of Henry and Mila (Donaldson) Clark. Her father was a native of Maine and came to Iowa at an early day.
The republican party always finds in Mr. Clark a staneh supporter of its principles and he is now serving his first term as township trustee. He has also filled the office of township clerk for eight years and has been a school director and secretary of the board, exerting quite a beneficial influenee in publie affairs. Ite supports every measure which he believes caleulated to prove of public bene- fit and is an earnest and consistent member of the Freewill Baptist church, in which he is now serving as deacon. He is also a member of the Modern Brother- hood of America.
CHARLES JOHNSON DEACON
Inscribed on the roll of Cedar Rapids' prominent lawyers is the name of Charles Johnson Deacon, whose connection with the bar has been characterized by an orderly progression indicative of his growing and expanding powers in a field calling for strong intellectuality and ready adaptability. He was born in Burlington county, New Jersey, May 21, 1849. His father, William Deaeon, who died April 15, 1882, was captain of a trading boat in his carly life and devoted his later years to farming. For some time prior to his death, which occurred at the home of his son Charles in Cedar Rapids, he lived retired. It was in the year 1853 that he settled in northern Indiana on the line of the Lake Shore Railroad and nearly a decade had passed ere he came to Linn county where he resided until his death. His wife bore the maiden name of Eliza Mason and she was born in Philadelphia. She was reared in New Jersey and her last days were spent in Linn county where she passed away August 3, 1878.
Charles Johnson Deacon pursued his education in the publie schools and in Parson Seminary, now Coe College, and also in the State University of Iowa. He was fourteen years of age when he came to Linn county and after leaving school he was employed as clerk by the Iowa Land Company, but becoming imbued with a desire to practice law, he began preparation for the bar in the office and under the direction of Judge Isaac Cook and Judge N. M. Hubbard, who directed his reading until his admission to the bar, on the 21st of October. 1873. He re- mained with Judge Hubbard during the following winter as assistant in his law office and proving his ability in his chosen field, he was then admitted to partner- ship under the firm name of Hubbard & Deacon, which relation was maintained from March, 1874, until September, 1876. The firm then became known as Hub- bard, Clark & Deacon and Mr. Deaeon practiced in that association until January 1, 1879, when he withdrew. He was alone much of the time save for the year when C. S. Smith was his partner, until 1896 when he was joined by Mr. Good, and in June, 1908. A. II. Sargent and H. E. Spangler became members of the firm under the style of Deacon. Good, Sargent & Spangler. Mr. Deacon has been connected with much of the important litigation tried in the state courts and has won equal prominenee as a counselor. His knowledge of the law is com-
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prehensive, his application of legal principles correct, his analysis is keen and his deductions logical. He is today regarded as one of the most eminent lawyers of Cedar Rapids and has long been accorded a distinctive and representative clientage. Occasionally in the winter he manages to leave the city for a time, going to the south, where he entirely puts aside professional cares, forgetting, as he expresses it, that there is such a thing as a law book. Nevertheless, his devo- tion to his clients' interests is proverbial and in a profession where success de- pends entirely upon individual merit, he has been accorded that liberal clientage which places him among the substantial residents of his adopted city.
On the 28th of October, 1873, Mr. Deacon was united in marriage to Miss Sylvia Mansfield, a daughter of Dr. E. L. Mansfield, of Cedar Rapids. Their children are five in number: Lucy, now the wife of James W. Good, a member of congress from this district ; Laura, the wife of John Fletcher, vice president of the Drovers Deposit National Bank of Chicago; William Mansfield, now engaged in the harness manufacturing business, being president and manager of the Ce- dar Rapids Saddlery Company; Mary, the wife of M. Merle Ogden, connected with the Cedar Rapids National Bank; and Margaret, who is at home with her parents at No. 1025 First avenue.
That Mr. Deacon's activities are not limited entirely to the practice of law is indicated in the fact he is a director of the American Trust & Savings Bank, is a trustee of Coe College, and is an active republican in politics, stanchly support- ing the principles of the party. He belongs to the Presbyterian church and also holds membership in the Country Club. His fellow townsmen find him genial and approachable and his fellow practitioners recognize in him one of the strong- est members of the bar in this section of the state. That his life has at all times commanded the high respect which is uniformly tendered him is indicated in the fact that many of his stanchest friends are those who have known him from his boyhood to the present time.
PETER L. PEYTON
Among the native sons of Linn county who have made creditable records in business, winning success through intelligent and well directed effort, is numbered Peter L. Peyton, who was born in this county in October, 1869. His parents, John and Emma (Dilts) Peyton, were natives of Indiana and Pennsylvania respectively and came to Linn county in 1859. When a young man of twenty- two years Mr. Peyton purchased eighty acres of land, which he operated for ten years and then made another purchase of eighty acres, his possessions then em- bracing one hundred and sixty acres. He became a well known citizen of Linn county and passed away April 7, 1888.
Peter L. Peyton spent his youthful days in his parents' home and after com- pleting his studies in the district schools continued to assist his father in his work on the farm until the latter's death, after which he remained with his mother. At the age of thirty-one years he established a home of his own by his marriage to Miss Effie Reece, the wedding taking place in November, 1901. Her parents, Abraham and Angeline (Betizer) Reece, were natives of Ohio.
Following their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Peyton began their domestic life in Buchanan county, where Mr. Peyton rented a tract of land of two hundred and forty acres. After a residence of eight years in that section of the state, he returned to Linn county in March, 1910, purchasing the homestead of one hun- dred and twenty acres in Spring Grove township. The land is in a good state of cultivation and gives promise of rich harvests in the autumn. Mr. Peyton has gained a reputation as an auctioneer not only in Linn county but in various other
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sections of the state. In the year 1908 he cried one hundred and one sales, while in the following year he cried one hundred and five sales. He carries on this work in connection with his farming interests and in this line has beeome very successful.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Peyton have been born five children, three sons and two daughters: Sarah A., George W., Theodore J., Dora A., aged respectively seven, six, five and three years ; and Charles W., one year old.
Mr. Peyton's politieal allegiance is unfalteringly given to the republican party. He belongs to the Modern Woodmen at Troy Mills, while his wife holds membership with the Methodist Episcopal church. His life has been a busy and useful one, his time being well spent, and thus his record reflects credit upon his native county, where the greater part of his life has been spent.
JOHN HAMILTON
The life record of John Hamilton covered the years between 1869 and April 16, 1905. He was born in Glasgow, Scotland, pursued his education in the schools of that city, and when nineteen years of age came to the United States in company with his mother, attracted by the better business opportunities of the new world. He was then employed by the Standard Oil Company for three years, after which he began business on his own account in Cedar Rapids.
He continued in business for himself for seven years, after which he went upon the road, selling goods. He spent three years as a traveling salesman, after which he made his way to Denver, Colorado, and entered the service of a brewing company as a traveling salesman.
Mr. Hamilton was married in Cedar Rapids to Miss Hattie Losey, who was born in Linn county, Iowa, and was a daughter of J. M. and Betsy (Colgrove) Losey, both of whom were natives of the Empire state. Removing westward they settled in Linn county, Iowa, in 1867, and the father purchased land here and turned his attention to farming which he followed for a number of years with substantial and gratifying success. He is now living a retired life, making his home in Fairfax, Iowa, but his wife is now deceased. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hamil- ton have been born four children, Hazel S., Margaret E., William M. and Bessie May, all of whom are yet living and making their home with their mother.
The death of Mr. Hamilton occurred at Fort Collins, Colorado, on the 16th of April, 1905. He had never had occasion to regret his determination to make his home in the new world, for he here found good business opportunities and gradually he advanced along substantial lines that enabled him to provide a com- fortable living for his family and to enjoy many of the pleasures of life which money seeures.
W. W. BAKER
W. W. Baker spent the last years of his life in honorable retirement in Cedar Rapids and passed away at a ripe old age in this city, where he had enjoyed the respect and good will of all with whom he had come in contact. A native of the state of New York, he was born in Plattsburg, in 1829, and there pursued his education and resided until he reached his majority. At that time he went to New York city, where he secured employment in a wholesale dry-goods house, with which he was connected for two years. On the expiration of that period he came to Freeport, Illinois, where he engaged in the grain commission business until after the commencement of the Civil war. Later he turned his attention
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to the pork packing business, in which he continued for eight years with sub- stantial and gratifying success, building up an enterprise of large and profitable proportions. At the end of that time he sold out and removed to Cedar Rapids, where he resided until his demise.
Mr. Baker was married in 1858, in Portland, Maine, to Miss Adalina Brown Purinton, a daughter of Amos and Abigail (Brown) Purinton, the former a native of the Pine Tree state and the latter of New Hampshire. Their family number five children, including Mrs. Baker, who by her marriage became the mother of eight children, namely : W. DeWalt, living at home; Chatta W. and Clifford, both deceased; Bertha, now Mrs. Richard Smith, of Pasadena, California; Clin- ton, deceased; Louis P., who is a candy maker and resides with his mother; F. W. C., who is located in Colorado City, Colorado; and Robert A., who is living in Butte, Montana. In her early womanhood Mrs. Baker engaged in teach- ing school and as the years have gone by reading has kept her in touch with the important current events.
The death of Mr. Baker occurred in June, 1904, and was the occasion of deep and widespread regret, for he had enjoyed the respect of business inen, the confidence of his associates and the high regard of all with whom he came in contact during the period of his residence in Cedar Rapids.
TOBE IIUSMANN
Tobe Husmann, who owns and operates a fine farm in Jackson township, claims Germany as the land of his birth, his natal day being January 7, 1868. Ilis parents were Harm G. and Katharina Husmann, also natives of the father- land, where they continued to make their home until 1870, which year witnessed their arrival in America. They first located in Illinois where they spent about a year and a half and then came to Iowa, the father buying two hundred and forty acres of land in Jones county, on which they lived until 1900. He then sold that property and purchased an eighty-acre tract in Jackson township, Linn county, where he and his wife are still living with our subject. They are well known and highly respected citizens of this community and are the parents of ten children, namely : Hattie, now the wife of Andrew Caspers of Castle Grove, Jones county, Iowa ; Mary, the wife of Henry Hedden of Jones county ; Tobe of this review; Margaret, also a resident of Jones connty; John and Lena, twins, the former deceased and the latter the wife of John Poppe of Jackson township, this county; Minnie, deceased; Minnie and Katharina, twins, the former also deceased and the latter the wife of Herman Hahn of Jones county, Iowa; and Anna, the wife of Carl Wendt of Delaware county, Iowa.
Tobe Husmann was only three years of age when brought by his parents to the United States and was reared in much the usual manner of farm boys, re- ceiving a thorough instruction in agricultural pursuits and a good practical edu- cation in the country schools. On the 20th of January, 1897, he married Miss Martha E. Prabel, who was also born in Germany in 1879, a daughter of Bern- hart and Carolina F. (Van Heiden) Prabel, also natives of Germany. Her mother died in 1899 but her father is still living. Mr. and Mrs. Husmann have become the parents of seven children, as follows: Herman B. C .; Bernhart J. W .; John Tobe; Anna K. L .; one who died in infancy ; Margaret M. M. ; and Reinhart A. A.
Throughout his active business life Mr. Husmann has always followed farm- ing and in his operations has met with good success, becoming the owner of a well improved farm of two hundred and sixty-six and one-half acres in Jackson township. He makes a specialty of dairying and hog raising and has found this
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business quite profitable. Ile possesses the German characteristies of thrift and industry and to these may be attributed mueh of his sueeess. He and his family are members of the Lutheran church and are people of prominence in the eom- munity where they reside.
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