USA > Iowa > Linn County > History of Linn County Iowa : from its earliest settlement to the present time, Volume II > Part 68
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Under the management and care of William W. Reece the farm has been greatly improved. He has built a fine new barn, forty-four by sixty-eight feet, erected a steel windmill and granary, and has brought the entire place to a high point of perfection, it having greatly increased in value as a result of his enter- prise.
Mr. Reece was united in marriage to Miss Bessie E. Shaffer, a daughter of Elias and Charlotte Shaffer, of Linn county, in July, 1888. Her parents were natives of Pennsylvania and came to Iowa in 1876, locating in Linn county. There were born to Mr. and Mrs. Reece six children, namely: Lottie, born in 1889, who is now married and living in Linn county ; Charles P., born in 1892, who is at home; Curtis H., who was born in 1894, and is living with his parents ; Clyde E., who died in 1898; Dale O., horn in 1902, and Carl H., born in 1906, both at home.
In his political beliefs Mr. Reece finds expression in national affairs in the re- publican party, though he is an independent voter when it comes to local matters. He has held the office of school director for a number of years and at the present time is school treasurer. Fraternally he is identified with Troy Lodge, No. 299, I. O. O. F., of Troy Mills, Iowa ; and of Meeea Lodge, No. 523, A. F. & A. M., of Coggon, Iowa. His wife is a member of the Methodist Protestant church. The suecess which Mr. Reece has attained is the result of persistent effort and rigid honesty in all his affairs.
LOUIS VISHA
Cooperation is the rule in business and the source of all suecess. That insti- tution is most prosperous which has a well organized corps of officers and em- ployes, bending every energy to the expansion of the business in such a manner that the labors of one supplement and promote the efforts of another. Louis Visha is now numbered with those who are contributing to the growth of the Cedar Rapids National Bank, in which he has risen from the position of mes- senger boy to that of assistant cashier. He was born in this city on the 8th of March, 1880. His father, Joseph Visha, was a native of Bohemia and came to the United States in 1865, settling in New York city, where he remained for two years. In 1867 he removed to Cedar Rapids, where he resided until the time of his death in 1886, being numbered among its most respected and worthy citizens. He wedded Mary Wilimek, also a native of Bohemia. They were married in New York City and soon afterward eame west, establishing their home in Cedar Rap-
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ids. Mrs. Visha survived her husband for many years, departing this life on the 23d of March, 1909.
Reared under the parental roof, Louis Visha acquired a publie sehool ednea- tion and started upon his business eareer at the age of sixteen, when he entered the employ of the Cedar Rapids National Bank in the capacity of messenger. He diligently applied himself to the mastery of the tasks assigned him and gradually worked his way npward by reason of his fidelity and industry until, on the 1st of February, 1908, he was appointed to the responsible position of assistant eashier. He has thoroughly mastered the banking business in every department with which he has been connected and his usefulness has thus been augmented and the scope of his activities increased.
On the 18th of August, 1908, Mr. Visha was married to Miss Rose M. Petska, of Cedar Rapids. Mr. Visha is a member of the Masonic fraternity, the Benevo- lent and Proteetive Order of Elks, the Iowa Legion of Honor and Z. C. B. J., No. 7. Ile is also a member of the Commercial and Country Clubs. His reeord has at all times been most creditable and his advancement is well merited.
CHIARLES R. MILLS
A tract of land of three hundred aeres lying in Jackson township, is the property of Charles R. Mills, it being the old homestead. The fields are well tilled and in spring give promise of rich harvests to be gathered in the autumn, while in the pastures and feed lots are good grades of stock and it is evident to the passerby that the farm work is carried on along progressive lines and that good results are being obtained.
It was on this farm that the birth of Charles R. Mills occurred June 28, 1876, and he is a son of Mahlon and Fannie (Joslyn) Mills, natives of Connecticut and Illinois respectively. They came to Linn county with their respective parents, the father arriving about the year 1851, while the mother eame about 1860. It was in Linn eounty that they were married about 1863 and soon afterward they located on the farm which is now the home of our subjeet. As time passed and Mr. Mills prospered in his work he invested his eapital in more land until his holdings embraced three hundred aeres of rich and valuable property. Here he carried on farming until the time of his death in 1892, becoming one of the prom- inent and substantial citizens of this section of the state. In polities he was a republiean, giving staneh support to the party and the principles it represented. Mrs. Mills survived until 1903, when she, too, was ealled to the home beyond.
Charles R. Mills was reared on the home farm and acquired his literary edu- eation in the common sehools, while later he took a business course in a college at Cedar Rapids. He was but fifteen years of age at the time of his father's demise and he then gave to his three older brothers assistanec on the home place and later he and his brother Jay operated the farm as partners for about two years. The latter then purchased a farm of his own, while Charles R. assumed entire management of the home place during the succeeding four years. It was about that time that the death of the mother occurred and he then purchased the interest of the other heirs and is now the owner of the farm, embracing three hundred acres in Jackson township. He has made some improvements on the place, which in its entirety is an exponent of modern progress along agricultural lines. He possesses marked ability in earrying on his business affairs and his labors are being annually rewarded in good harvests.
In 1900 was eclebrated the marriage of Mr. Mills and Miss Leila Henderson, a daughter of Thomas Henderson, of Jaekson township. Four sons and one
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daughter grace the home of Mr. and Mrs. Mills, Thomas M., Lloyd, Perry, Grace and Willis F.
Following in the politieal footsteps of his father, Mr. Mills gives his support to the republican party. He has been called by his fellow townsmen to fill some public offices, having served one term as assessor of Jackson township, while at the present time he is serving on the board of trustees. Ile is a valued member of the Modern Woodmen camp, while his religious faith is indicated by his mem- bership in the Congregational church, to which his wife also belongs. He has alded materially in the development and progress of this section of the state, gives his support to every measure which he deems will benefit the county along intellectual, material, politieal and social lines, and at the same time has so carefully directed his business affairs that he is now numbered among the men of Jaekson township who are enjoying a comfortable competenee.
GEORGE A. STRONG
In the years of an active business eareer George A. Strong has devoted his time and attention to general farming and stock-raising and is now located in Marion township, where he owns and cultivates two hundred aeres of finely improved land. His birth oceurred in Linn county, lowa, on the 16th of Janu- ary, 1870, his parents being Henry G. and Christina (Lutz) Strong.
His paternal grandfather, Luman M. Strong, who was born in Vermont in 1806, journeyed westward in 1830 and took up his abode in Ohio. Six years later he removed still further westward, erossing the Mississippi river and loeat- ing in Muscatine county, Iowa, where he remained for three years. On the expiration of that period, in 1839, he came to Linn county and here soon became recognized as a prominent and leading citizen. He aeted as the first postmaster of Marion under President Van Buren and also condueted the first hotel at that place. He was likewise sent as a delegate to the first constitutional convention of the state of Iowa, acted as one of the first commissioners of Linn county and served in the legislature for one term. Subsequently he removed to Wisconsin, where he was likewise eleeted to the state legislature and was also chosen eounty judge. He belonged to the Masonic fraternity and was a worthy exemplar of the teachings of the craft. His demise oeeurred in 1870.
Henry G. Strong, the father of our subjeet, was born in Ohio and came to this state in 1856, settling in Butler county, where he resided for two years. In 1868 he took up his abode on a traet of eighty acres which he had purchased in Linn county, making his home thereon until 1885, when he disposed of the pro- perty. He then bought another traet of similar size near Marion and operated that farm for ten years, at the end of which time he sold the place. His next purchase was a farm of eighty acres near Alburnett, which he disposed of in 1895. In that year he invested in eity property in Cedar Rapids and Kenwood and still owns the same. On the 6th of February, 1860, he was united in mar- riage to Miss Christina Lutz, a daughter of Barnett Lutz, of Kenwood Park, who eame to this county in 1839 and entered one hundred and sixty aeres of govern- ment land, making his home thereon until his death, which oceurred in 1902. Kenwood Park was laid out upon his land. Mrs. Strong passed away in February, 1910, and her husband now lives with their son George. The period of his resi- denee in this eounty now eovers more than a half century and he is well known and highly esteemed within its borders. Unto him and his wife were born four children, as follows: Charles, who is deceased; Alice A., the wife of S. H. Jones, of California ; Carrie M., who is the wife of J. L. Drury and resides in Cedar Rapids, Iowa; and George A., of this review.
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The last named attended the common schools in the acquirement of an educa- tion and when he had attained his majority took charge of the home farm, being actively engaged in its operation until the time of his marriage in 1895. He now owns two hundred acres of land adjoining the city of Marion and here success- fully carries on his farming interests, also devoting considerable attention to the feeding of cattle and hogs. The place is supplied with all modern equipments and improvements that facilitate farm work and add to the comforts and conven- ienees of life in a rural community and its owner is widely recognized as a most substantial and progressive citizen.
As a companion and helpmate on the journey of life Mr. Strong chose Miss Nettie L. Bowman, a daughter of Benjamin and Eliza (Wilson) Bowman, who were natives of Pennsylvania and Ohio respectively. Mrs. Strong was one of a family of five children and by her marriage has become the mother of two, Dale B. and Walter B. Both Mr. and Mrs. Strong are devoted members of the Presbyterian church, the teachings of which they exemplify in their daily lives. Mr. Strong has spent his entire life in this county and has made substantial advancement in the line of agriculture, being now one of the representative young farmers of this part of the state.
REV. FLORIAN SVRDLIK
Rev. Florian Svrdlik, whose labors are proving a most effective force in pro- moting Catholic interests in Cedar Rapids, is now pastor of St. Wenceslaus church. He was born in Moravia in 1860, and having determined to devote his life to the priesthood, was educated in the Theological Institute at Olmutz, Mo- ravia. Ile was ordained to holy orders in 1884 by Cardinal Fuerstenberg at Olmutz and entered upon the work of the priesthood at Vsetin, where he remained for two years. He was then assigned to the churches at Hradisko and Mirov, where he continued for six years at each place.
In 1899 he came to the United States and was first assigned to the pastorate of the Catholic church at Oxford Junction, Iowa, where he continued for nine months. In August, 1899, he came to Cedar Rapids to take charge of St. Wen- ceslaus church and parisli and during his pastorate thebeautiful new church building has been erected. It was built in 1904 and is an ornament to the city. Under the guidance of Father Svrdlik the work of the church has been carefully organized and promoted and he has also been very active along educational lines, the schools under his charge doing good work among the children of his congre- gation. The church has increased in numerical strength and the various societies of the church are in good working condition.
Father Svrdlik is a courteous gentleman, of liberal education, genial in manner ยท and popular with all who know him and his zeal and devotion to the cause are constituting strong elements in the growth of his parish.
B. L. SHELDON, M. D.
Among the younger physicians of Cedar Rapids, whose ability is attested in the liberal patronage extended him, is Dr. B. L. Sheldon, whose study in this country and abroad well qualifies him for the onerous duties which devolve upon him. He was born on a farm near Perry Center. New York, October 26, 1877. His father, William E. Sheldon, was a native of Massachusetts and a representa- tive of an old family of that state. At the time of the Civil war he responded to
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DR. B. L. SHELDON
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the country's call, serving with an Indiana regiment in defense of the Union cause for two years. He married Anna Lillibridge, a native of the state of New York, and in 1892 came with his family to Cedar Rapids, where he has since resided, being a well known representative of commercial interests in this eity.
Dr. Sheldon, an only child, was educated in the public schools of Buffalo and of Cedar Rapids, being graduated from the high school of the latter city in the elass of 1895. Determining to devote his life to a professional career and believ- ing that he would find the practice of medicine congenial, he entered the Iowa State University, where he devoted two years to the seientifie course and two years to the study of medieine. He afterward matrienlated in Rush Medical College of Chicago, from which he was graduated in 1902. He put his theoretical knowl- edge to the practical test in two years' hospital work, being connected with the Hospital of St. Anthony of Padua. He then entered upon the private practice of medieine in Cedar Rapids and was associated with Dr. Reimer for two years. Later he went to Europe and spent two years in study in Vienna, London and Berlin under some of the most eminent physicians and surgeons of the old world. He gave special attention to surgery and upon his return to Cedar Rapids opened an office in the Larimer building, later removing to the Seenrity Savings Bank building. His ability has found expression in the successful work that he has done along professional lines and his practice is constantly increasing both in volume and importance.
Dr. Sheldon is a member of the Linn County Medical Society, the Iowa State Medical Society, the American Medical Association and the Iowa Union Medical Society, and through those organizations as well as by private reading and research he keeps in touch with the advanced work that is being done by the profession.
WILLIAM JAMES MAXWELL
William James Maxwell, who for twelve years has been a resident of Cedar Rapids, came to this eity as grand secretary and treasurer of the Order of Rail- way Conductors, in which connection he has since given his energies to furthering the interests of the society. He has not, however, confined his attention solely to this line for Cedar Rapids has found in him an advocate of municipal progress and improvement. He was born in Philadelphia, July 23, 1859, a son of Robert and Elizabeth (Green) Maxwell. The father, a native of Ireland, came to the United States with his parents in 1845 and settled in Philadelphia, where his remaining days were spent, his death there occurring in 1890. Ilis wife, who was a native of that eity, died March 21, 1910, at the age of seventy-five years.
William J. Maxwell pursued his education in the public schools of Phila- delphia and afterward learned the trade of tin and sheet iron working. Subse- quently he entered the employ of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company as a conductor and remained in that service for eighteen years, his long retention being incontrovertible proof of his capability and fidelity. In May, 1898, he resigned that position to come to Cedar Rapids as grand secretary and treasurer of the Order of Railway Conductors, of which he has been a member since 1884. Appreciative of the need of concerted effort among train men that their interests may be conserved in this day of monopolistic tendeney toward oppression, arising from a desire to secure labor at the lowest possible price, Mr. Maxwell is putting forth his efforts to promote the interests of the order, which has its headquarters in this city. The order has grown to very large and important proportions, having a membership of over forty-five thousand. It is based upon a spirit of mutual helpfulness as well as protection and has paid out over twelve million dollars in insurance alone. All business of the order is eondneted in Cedar
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Rapids and as grand seeretary and treasurer Mr. Maxwell is greatly promoting its interests.
Ile is also connected with other fraternities, holding membership in the various Masonic bodies and likewise with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, of which order he is loeal secretary.
In 1879 Mr. Maxwell was married to Miss Mamie Wilfong, who died in 1883. In 1890 he wedded Miss Emma MeDermott, a native of Philadelphia, and they have one daughter, Lizzie, who is now Mrs. Benson of Philadelphia. Mr. Max- well is very popular and sinee coming to this city has thoroughly identified him- self with the best interests of Cedar Rapids. He is also the secretary of the Cedar Rapids Country Club. Ilis nature is genial and cordial and at all times he is approachable and kindly so that he wins friends wherever he goes and is very popular. Cedar Rapids finds in him a progressive and enterprising citizen and one whose labors are an effective force in promoting her best interests.
MARCUS S. HICKMAN
Marcus S. Hiekman, who devotes his time and energies to farming and stock- raising, is the owner of a valuable tract of land of eighty aeres on section 1, Marion township. His birth occurred in Jones county, Iowa, September 1, 1872, his parents being Shelton and Chloe E. (Ross) Hickman, who are natives of New York and Ohio respectively. Both the paternal and maternal grand- fathers of our subject, Joseph Hiekman and Bailey Ross, were natives of the Empire state. Shelton Ifickman, the father of Marcus S. Hickman, took up his abode in Jones county, Iowa, in 1852, there purchasing four hundred acres of land. His marriage was celebrated in that county in 1859. He prospered in his undertakings and was enabled to assist his children in making a start in life, giving each of them a farm. He still owns one hundred and sixty aeres of land in Linn county but is now living retired at Alburnett, lowa, enjoying in well earned ease the fruits of his former toil. For one term he served as supervisor of Jones county. Both he and his wife are well known and highly esteemed throughout the community as people of genuine personal worth and upright, honorable lives. They were the parents of six children, as follows: Anna, the wife of W. J. Greer, of Linn county; John M., who is deceased; Mrs. Carrie B. Cowan, who lives in Diekinson county, lowa; Mareus S., of this review ; Lanra, the wife of E. J. Gillmore, of Marion township; and Sarah E., the wife of II. H. Newell, of Marion township.
Marcus S. Hickman obtained his education in the common schools and remained at home until twenty-three years of age, when he started out in life for himself. When he was married two years later his father gave him eighty acres of land on section 1, Marion township, and here he has since carried on his agricultural interests with gratifying snceess. In connection with the tilling of the soil he makes a specialty of raising and feeding stoek, mostly hogs. His place is laek- ing in none of the accessories and equipments of a model farm of the twentieth century and indicates the supervision of a practical and progressive owner.
As a companion and helpmate on the journey of life Mr. Hiekman chose Miss Nellie E. McCreery, a daughter of David and Margaret (Mathews) MeCreery, natives of Ohio and Pennsylvania respectively, who came to this state in the early '60s. Her father has passed away but her mother is still living on the old homestead in Linn county. Her unele, Alvin MeCreery, was a soldier of the Civil war. Mr. and Mrs. Hickman now have four children, namely : Myrtle N., Mildred L., Paul J. and Irene R.
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Mr. Hickman is a democrat in his political views but has never sought office as a reward for his party fealty, though he has served as a member of the school board for four years. Both he and his wife are devoted and consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Alburnett, and they occupy an enviable position in the social circles in which they move.
JOHN C. PETROVITSKY, M. D.
Dr. John C. Petrovitsky, physician and surgeon with a practice the extent of which is indicative of high standing in professional circles, was born in Cedar Rapids, January 12, 1878. His father, John Petrovitsky, was a native of Bohem- ia and arrived in the United States in the early '60s, after which he lived in Baltimore and Chicago until 1870, when he came to Cedar Rapids and entered business circles of this city. For a number of years he was with the Sinclair Packing Company and later engaged in the pork packing business on his own account. In this undertaking he met with substantial success and continued the business until a few years ago, when he retired. IIe is a well known and influ- ential citizen, especially among the Bohemian residents of Cedar Rapids, and is highly respected by all who know him.
After mastering the branches of learning taught in the publie schools of Cedar Rapids Dr. Petrovitsky continued his education in the Coe College and later took up the study of medicine, being graduated from the Rush Medical College of Chicago with the class of 1901. He then went to Europe and spent sixteen months in study, pursuing a post-graduate course in the University of Prague, the University of Vienna and the University of Berlin. He entered upon active practice in Cedar Rapids in 1902 and, while he is conversant with and practices in all departments of the profession, he is yet giving special attention to surgery, in which line he displays notable skill. He enjoys a large practice and is a very busy man.
In addition to his private professional interest Dr. Petrovitsky is chief medi- cal examiner for all the Bohemian societies and in these holds membership. He likewise belongs to the Masonic fraternity, the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows, the American Medical Association, the Iowa State Medical Association, the Iowa Union Medical Association, the Linn County Medieal Association and the Cedar Rapids Practitioners Club. In 1903 he was married to Miss Olga Vos- mek, a native of this eity and a daughter of John Vosmek, one of the old and representative early settlers here.
HENRY HENDERSON
That the rich soil of Linn county offers splendid opportunities to the agri- culturist is indicated in the faet that so many of her citizens control extensive interests. The day of small undertakings seems to have passed and the farmer, as well as the man of business, reaches out into broader fields, and this is true in the life of Henry Henderson, who now owns and operates a farm of two hundred and seventy acres, located on sections 10 and 15, Jackson township. He is a native of Canada, born June 25, 1848, and a son of William and Aley (Bersell) Henderson, both of foreign birth, the former of Scotland and the latter of Wales. The parents are mentioned in connection with the sketch of P. G. Hen- derson on another page of this work.
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Henry Henderson accompanied his parents on their removal from Canada to Iowa, when a lad of about six years, for it was about the year 1854 that they made a permanent location in Linn county. The son was trained in the work of the fields during the spring and summer seasons, while in the winter months he pursued his studies in the district schools. He continued to assist his father until his twenty-seventh year and then began operating the home farm on his own account. He has since purchased the place, which embraces two hundred and seventy acres on sections 10 and 15, Jackson township. His fields are well tilled, while in the pastures are seen a fine herd of polled Durham cattle, of which Mr. Henderson makes a specialty. He displays sound judgment in the manage- ment of his affairs and in the operation of his farm and his stock-raising interests find scope for his energy and activity - his dominant qualities.
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