History of Linn County Iowa : from its earliest settlement to the present time, Volume II, Part 7

Author: Brewer, Luther Albertus, 1858-1933; Wick, Barthinius Larson, 1864-
Publication date: 1911
Publisher: Chicago : Pioneer Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 896

USA > Iowa > Linn County > History of Linn County Iowa : from its earliest settlement to the present time, Volume II > Part 7

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WESLEY B. FEE

Wesley B. Fee, an enterprising and successful farmer and stockman of Grant township, is the owner of a tract of land comprising one hundred and forty acres on section 33. His birth occurred in Linn county, Iowa, on the 15th of July, 1867, his parents being George W. and Almira (Miller) Fee, who were natives of Indiana and Ohio respectively. They came to this county in 1845 and were married here, spendng the remainder of their lives on a farm in Grant township. George W. Fee was called to his final rest on the 12th of March, 1909, having for a number of years survived his wife, who passed away in March, 1897. Both were consistent and devoted members of the Church of Christ and were highly respected and esteemed throughout the community where they resided for so many years. Their children were three in number, as fol- lows: William H., who is a resident of Center Point; Cynthia A., the wife of Benjamin Cress, of Center Point; and Wesley B., of this review.

Wesley B. Fee received his education in the common schools and when eighteen years of age started out on his own account as an agriculturist, devoting his attention to the operation of a rented farm for six years. On the expiration of that period he purchased the old homestead of one hundred acres and lived thereon for fifteen years, being busily engaged in its further cultivation and improvement. On disposing of the property he bought his present place of one hundred and forty acres on section 33, Grant township, where he has carried on his farming interests continuously since, his industry and energy being annually rewarded by bounteous harvests. His wife owns a tract of forty acres on section 4, Washington township. He is likewise well known as a stockman, raising, feed- ing, buying and selling stock of all kinds. His undertakings have been attended with a gratifying measure of success and he well deserves recognition among the substantial and progressive citizens of his native county.

As a companion and helpmate on the journey of life Mr. Fee chose Miss Estella Cox, who was born in this county in 1873, her parents being J. M. and Fannie F. (Smith) Cox. The father, a native of Canada, still survives and resides at Center Point. The mother, whose birth occurred at Center Point, was called to her final rest in 1880. They reared a family of three children. Mr. and Mrs. Fee likewise had three children, namely: Bernard V., whose natal day was April 16, 1893; Fannie E., born March 27, 1895; and Minnie V., who was born February 11. 1899, and passed away April 19, 1909.

Mr. Fee is a stanch democrat in politics but has never sought nor desired office as a reward for his party fealty. The cause of education, however, has

HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY

ever found in him a stalwart champion and for several years he served as a school director. Fraternally he is identified with the Modern Woodmen Camp, No. 948, at Center Point, in which he has filled all of the chairs. His religious faith is that of the Christian church, with which his wife is also affiliated. They have spent their entire lives in Linn county and enjoy a wide and favorable acquaintance here.

JOHN STIRSKY

John Stirsky, an enterprising and snecessful agrienlturist of Marion town- ship, is the owner of a productive traet of land comprising eighty-one and a third aeres. His birth occurred in Johnson county, Iowa, his parents being Antone and Dorothy Stirsky, both of whom are natives of Bohemia. They crossed the Atlantic to the United States in 1870, first locating in Johnson county, Iowa, while subsequently they came to Linn county. Here they have since continued to reside and their genuine personal worth is widely acknowledged. Their family numbers three sons and seven daughters, all of whom make their home in Linn county with the exception of Mary, who is the wife of George Denter and resides in Nebraska.

In his youthful years John Stirsky devoted his attention principally to the acquirement of an education that would fit him for the practical and responsible duties of life. He remained under the parental roof until the time of his mar- riage and in 1905 bought a farm of eighty-one and a third acres in Marion township, on which he has since resided and in the operation of which he is actively engaged. Energetic, industrious and enterprising, he has won a well merited degree of prosperity in the conduct of his agricultural interests and is widely recognized as a substantial and representative citizen.

In 1902 Mr. Stirsky was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary Jacobs, a native of Bohemia, who was a maiden of sixteen when she came to the new world with her father and mother, both of whom are now deceased. She has three brothers and three sisters, all living in this county. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Stirsky have been born three children, two of whom died in infancy. The surviving child is a daughter, Lenora.

In politics Mr. Stirsky is a democrat, believing firmly in the principles of that party. Both he and his wife are faithful communicants of the Catholic church and their upright and honorable lives have commended them to the esteem and confidence of all with whom they have come in contaet.

ORANGE JUDD CHAPMAN

Orange Judd Chapman, agent at Cedar Rapids for the United States Express Company, is numbered among the veterans of the Civil war. Few men of his years ean boast of a record of two years' service in defense of the Union. He was born at Lockport, New York, on Christmas day of 1846, his parents being Gardner S. and Amanda (Judd) Chapman, also of Loekport. The father was a farmer by occupation and died of fever while serving in the Union army during the Civil war. He passed away at Memphis, Tennessee, in September, 1863, and his discharge papers came the day after his death. His wife survived him until 1884.

In the usual channels Orange J. Chapman acquired his education, but at the age of fifteen years left school to join the army, becoming a member of Company

HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY

A, Ninth Iowa Cavalry. He was with that command for two years and took part in a number of the minor battles and also in the hotly contested engagement at Peach Orchard Gap. Following the close of the war he was honorably discharged June 21, 1865.

Almostly continuonsly since Mr. Chapman has been connected with the ex- press service, driving the first wagon put on at Des Moines, Iowa, for the United States Express Company. This was on the 1st of August, 1866. IIe was thus employed for six months, after which he was made messenger and clerk for the company. Promotion followed when, in 1876, he was made the company's agent at Museatine, Iowa, where he remained for about ten years. He then resigned and became manager of the street railway company at Wichita, Kansas, acting in that capacity for two years, when on account of illness he retired from active work. In 1896, however, he returned to the United States Express Company as agent at Independence and is now the company's representative at Cedar Rapids, in charge of the ageney at this point. That he was again taken into the service of the company is proof of the excellent record which he had previously made. He is today one of the oldest and most trusted employes of the company in Iowa, his record at all times being entirely commendable.

On the 10th of January, 1871, Mr. Chapman was united in marriage to Miss Mary Seymour, a daughter of Captain Seymour, of Rock Island, Illinois. Mrs. Chapman died June 7, 1910, and was buried in Oakwood cemetery, Independence, Iowa, June 10, 1910. They became the parents of two children, who are still living : Maud Dorothy, the wife of C. V. Rosenberger and residing in Independ- ence, Iowa ; and Letah Evangeline, at home. The family residence is at No. 1620 Second avenue. Mr. Chapman maintains pleasant relations with his old army comrades through his membership in the post at this place, and he also belongs to the Royal Arcanum and to the First Congregational church. ITis fidelity to duty and unfaltering industry have ever been numbered among his salient char- acteristics and his uniform courtesy and obligingness have made him popular with the patrons of the company which he represents and with its superior officers.

THE DANIELS FAMILY

There is probably no family in Cedar Rapids that has been more prominently identified with its development along many lines than the Daniels family, who have not only been actively connected with its business prosperity but have borne an important part in beantifying and upbuilding the city. There were four sons who came to Linn county at an early day, their father being Otis Daniels, who was born in Medway, Norfolk county, Massachusetts, April 14, 1786, and continued to make his home in his native state throughout life, his time and energies being devoted to agricultural pursuits. His ancestors, who were from Wales, became residents of Massachusetts in colonial times, and the family was well represented in the Revolutionary war. His father was one of the early settlers of Medway. In early manhood Otis Daniels wedded Jerusha Day, who was born in Wrentham, Massachusetts, May 13, 1790, and died in North Brookfield, that state, on the 14th of January, 1832. IIe also passed away at that place, October 24, 1843. They were the parents of nine children, all of whom are now deceased.

Addison Daniels, the oldest of the four brothers who became prominent busi- ness men of Linn county, Iowa, was born in Medway, Massachusetts, November 13, 1813, and was reared and educated in his native state, carly becoming inter- ested in mercantile pursnits there. When a young man he contracted the west- ern fever and in the spring of 1840 started for St. Louis, Missouri, with a stock

Lawson Daniel

HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY

of goods, preparatory to establishing a store some place in the Mississippi valley. Having heard favorable reports of the territory of Iowa, he decided to look over the country while waiting for his goods to arrive and at Muscatine gained some knowledge of Linn county. He then proceeded to lowa City, where he hired a horse, leaving his gold watch with the liveryman for security. Then on horse- back he proceeded to Marion and, being pleased with the prospects of that place, contracted for the erection of a log building, and then returned to St. Lonis for his goods, which had arrived in the meantime. It was in March, 1840, that he located here, opening the second store established in the place, the first being condneted by the firm of Woodbridge & Thompson. The Daniels store was a rude log structure on the west side of Market street. His judgment, however, proved correet, and here he laid the foundation for a large fortune. As he prospered in his undertakings he invested largely in real estate in Marion and Cedar Rapids, having great faith in the future of these cities. He was one of the nine original proprietors of Cedar Rapids and is, therefore, deserving of honorable mention among its pioneers. Ile was the first postmaster of Marion and also served as the first county recorder of Linn county, entering upon the duties of that position in 1841. He was enterprising, sagacious and prudent in business transactions, and energetie and active to a remarkable degree. He was not addieted to tobacco or stimulants and found the greatest excitement in his business ventures, which were many. As long as the name of Marion is re- membered in history his name will endure, for it was largely to his in- fluence and enterprise that the city owes its development. For forty-four years he was prominently identified with the business development and substantial upbuilding of Linn county and he was actively identified with railroad interests and many publie enterprises. In his mereantile enterprise he was associated with his three brothers. The firm at Marion was known as A. Daniels & Broth- ers. In business affairs he was prompt and reliable, was pleasant in speech and manner and polite and cordial to all. After a useful and well spent life he passed away at his home in Marion in June, 1883.

Preston Daniels, who was in business with his brother Addison, was born in North Brookfield, Massachusetts, December 16, 1819, and remained a resident of his native state until twenty-five years of age, receiving in the meantime a good common-school education. It was in 1846 that he came to Marion, Iowa, and joined his brother in the mercantile business, also establishing a branch house at Cedar Rapids with his brothers Lowell and Lawson as partners. In May, 1883, in company with A. L. Daniels, he organized a private bank under the name of A. Daniels & Company, of which Preston became president. On the 12th of February, 1849, he was united in marriage to Miss Mary A. Keys, a daughter of Amory and Lovisa (Cheadle) Keys, the former a native of Massa- chusetts and the latter of Windsor, Ohio. Three children blessed this union, a son and two daughters, namely : Addison L., manager of the Central Park Fuel Company; Caroline, the wife of B. F. Mentzer, a merchant of Marion; and Adeliza, who resides in Marion with her mother. By his ballot Preston Daniels supported the men and measures of the republican party, and, although he took no active part in political affairs, was recognized as one of the most public- spirited and enterprising citizens of the community. In religious faith he was a Congregationalist and his earthly career was ended December 22, 1897, at Marion.

Lowell Daniels, the third brother of this quartet, was born in North Brook- field, Massachusetts, on the 25th of February, 1822. and passed away November 7, 1876. He was conspicuous among the early merchants of Cedar Rapids, where he began business with his oldest brother, Addison, in 1846, later being joined by Lawson, the firm becoming famous under the title of L. Daniels & Company. They had one of the first brick stores west of the Mississippi river. Lowell Dan-

HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY

iels was a born merchant, possessing a quick and discerning mind and ready and willing hands to meet the many varied wants of his customers. He also possessed great taet and diplomacy, combined with shrewd sagacity, and to these character- isties may be attributed his success. In 1854 he married Miss Harriette S. Weare, the youngest daughter of John and Cynthia (Ashley) Weare, who is still living, being now one of the oldest pioneers of Linn county. Mr. Daniels was a man of excellent taste, a model of propriety and always maintained good order in both his home and store. He was naturally an optimist, who brought sun- shine wherever he went, and was a great admirer of fine horses, always keeping several of the best, which he treated as pets. His death was the occasion of deep and widespread regret, both in business and social eireles and outside the family there were many who felt stricken with a personal bereavement when he passed away.

Lawson Daniels, the youngest of the four brothers, was one of the men who were most active in inaugurating and shaping the business policy and commercial development of Cedar Rapids. His demise, therefore, removed from the city one whom it could ill afford to lose, a man whose strength of purpose and un- daunted energy found expression in the development of business concerns whose magnitude made them not only a source of individual profit but also an element in the city's growth.

Lawson Daniels was also born in North Brookfield, on the 4th of October, 1827, and was reared and educated in the east. At the age of fourteen years he went to Springfield, Massachusetts, where he attended school for two years and then obtained a position as clerk in the book store and publishing house of G. & C. Merriam, remaining there two years. He then returned to Brookfield, where he was employed as elerk in a general store until the fall of 1848, which wit- nessed his arrival in Iowa. He settled in Cedar Rapids, where he joined his brother Lowell in a general store. This was the second mercantile firm in the city and their place of business was located on what is now First avenue, where the Masonic Temple stands. At that time the store was considered the finest in Linn county. As time passed he became identified with other business enter- prises of importance and in 1883, in company with others, organized the Cedar Rapids Savings Bank, of which he became one of the heaviest stockholders, and up to the time of his death served as vice president of the bank. He was also the first postmaster of the city, serving in that office from 1849 to 1854.

On the 26th of July, 1882, Mr. Daniels married his brother's widow, Mrs. Harriette S. Daniels, a daughter of John and Cynthia (Ashley) Weare, natives of New Hampshire. (See Weare family record.) Her father was the first justice of the peace of Cedar Rapids and the family was prominently identified with the early development and upbuilding of the city. Mrs. Daniels now resides at No. 627 Second avenue, but spends her winters in California. She is an active member of the First Presbyterian church of this city, to which her hus- band also belonged. She is still a very active, bright and vivacious woman, with a great fund of interesting reminiscenees and has a delightful way of narrating them. She was born in Derby Line, Vermont, August 1, 1829, and is today the oldest surviving pioneer of Linn county. She was educated in the celebrated Mount Holyoke Female Seminary at South Hadley, Massachusetts, and, having enjoyed the advantages of the most cultivated society since she completed her education and having traveled extensively in her own country and abroad, her inind is well stored with information and anecdotes which make her a welcome and entertaining visitor and hostess. Her home is comfortable and attractive within and without and there hospitality reigns supreme. It was the lifelong seheme of Lowell and Lawson Daniels to present the city with a park, which was accordingly done and is now known as the beautiful Daniels Park, Mrs. Daniels recently adding five and a half aeres to its extent. This aet makes the

HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY

park complete and will long perpetuate the name of Daniels as a synonym for noble deeds, aetions and thoughts.

Lawson Daniels was one of the stockholders in the company that gave the eity its water works and by taking stoek he also assisted in completing the Chi- eago, Iowa & Nebraska Railroad, now a part of the Northwestern system, from Clinton to Cedar Rapids. He was seeretary of the Cedar Rapids Bridge Com- pany and also seeretary of the Cedar Rapids Transportation Company during its existenee. Having firm faith in the development and prosperity of his adopted state, he bought large traets of land in various counties throughout Iowa.

In his political views Mr. Daniels was a republican and up to the time of his death was an ardent admirer of Theodore Roosevelt. He was ever publie-spirited and progressive, willing to give aid to any object which he believed would ad- vanee the interests of his eity and county, and was a tireless worker in the in- terests of Coe College. He was a heavy stockholder in the Oak Hill cemetery and served as seeretary of that company from its organization until in later life he was made president of the same. The new entrance to the cemetery was one of his pet schemes and it was carried out after his death by a provision in his will and it now stands as a memorial to a long and honorable career. He was one of the board of trustees of the Old Ladies Home, which he substantially aided a great many times. After a useful and well spent life, he passed away on the 16th of June, 1906, leaving a host of friends and acquaintances to mourn his loss. As one of the pioneer business men of Cedar Rapids he bore a very prominent part in its development and prosperity, and in his death the eom- munity realized that it had lost a valued eitizen.

In speaking of him Mr. Weare, the esteemed pioneer of Cedar Rapids, said : "'You don't know how much good that brother-in-law of mine does in the world. He doesn't advertise his benevolences, but he gives away much more money than you or most people know." One of his closest friends said in telling of his many acts of charity and helpfulness, of his patience and self-restraint under unjust eritieism: "After twenty-four years of intimate association with Mr. Daniels I deeply feel his death. His was a quiet nature but his friendship was enduring. To his friends and all those in need he was generous, to all others just. He was a man with no resentment in his make-up, uneomplaining, with a belief that time evened all differenees better than man ean do it. In all these years I never heard him unkindly criticise anyone, yet in his reserve he was mis- understood. A elose aequaintaneeship with sueh men is a privilege. There will be the sineerest sorrow over his death in the hearts of those who knew him best."

OTTO E. BRINEY

Otto E. Briney, a prominent and prosperous farmer and stoek-raiser of Linn county, resides on a traet of one hundred and forty-four aeres of land on seetions 7 and 17, Marion township, known as a branch of the Long Grove Angus Herd Farm. He was born in this eounty, on the 15th of April, 1866, his parents being James R. and Mary (Stambaugh) Briney, who were natives of Ohio and Penn- sylvania respectively. It was in the year 1837 that James R. Briney came to Linn county with his parents and on the 10th of March, 1841, he wedded Miss Mary Stambaugh. He entered a traet of land as soon as it eame into the market and remained a resident of this county until ealled to his final rest in 1889, having thus lived here for more than a half century. His wife, surviving him for a

HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY

number of years, passed away in 1897. Unto this worthy couple were born ten children, seven of whom are yet living.

Otto E. Briney supplemented his preliminary education by a high-school course and remained at home until he had attained his majority. He then purehased a farm in Otter Creek township and resided thereon continuously until March, 1910, when he bought and removed to his present place of one hundred and forty-four aeres on sections 7 and 17, Marion township. His land hold- ings now aggregate three hundred and forty-four aeres in Marion and Otter Creek townships. In addition to the cultivation of cereals he makes a specialty of raising and breeding Black Aberdeen Angus eattle and has one cow for which he paid a thousand dollars. His place is known as the Long Grove Angus Herd Farm and his stoek, which is the best herd to be found in the county or state, is on sale at all times. The success which he now enjoys is the result of his own well directed efforts and enterprise and places him among the substan- tial and representative citizens of his native county.

On the 26th of February, 1891, Mr. Briney was united in marriage to Miss Ida C. Wright, whose birth occurred in Spring Grove township, Linn county, February 10, 1873, her parents being Thomas and Susanna (Clow) Wright, natives of England. They crossed the Atlantic to the United States in 1858, locating in Jackson county, Iowa, while later they took up their abode in Linn county and here resided throughout the remainder of their lives. Thomas Wright passed away in February, 1909, having long survived his wife, whose demise occurred in 1893. Mrs. Briney was the youngest of fifteen children born to her parents, fourteen of whom are yet living. By her marriage she has become the mother of nine children, as follows: one who died in infancy; Walter J., at home; Louise 1., who attends the high school at Marion; Otto Earl; Thomas H .; Mary, who was born January 27, 1900, and died November 18, 1902; Ella May; George, whose birth occurred in 1905, and who passed away in August, 1907; and Howard W., whose natal year was 1908.

Mr. Briney gives his politieal allegiance to the prohibition party, believing that the liquor traffie is the greatest evil with which our country has to contend. While serving in the capacity of township elerk he discharged his official duties in a most prompt and capable manner. His fraternal relations are with the Modern Woodmen of America at Alburnett, Iowa, and he has filled some of the chairs in the camp. Both he and his wife are faithful and consistent members of the Evangelical church. They are well known throughout the eounty in whiel they have spent their entire lives and are much esteemed by a large eirele of warm friends.

JOHN WEARE

An enumeration of those men of Linn county who have won honor and public recognition for themselves and at the same time have honored the state to which they belonged would be incomplete were there failure to make prominent refer- enee to John Weare, who at an early day became interested in the banking bus- iness in Cedar Rapids and elsewhere. He was also prominently identified with various other enterprises and through well directed energy and intelligent effort achieved notable success. There was no esoterie phase in all his career, but rather the gradual unfolding of powers that have enabled him to grasp and master eael situation and bring his interests to prosperous conelusions.

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History of Linn County Iowa : from its earliest settlement to the present time, Volume II, Part 7

Author: Brewer, Luther Albertus, 1858-1933; Wick, Barthinius Larson, 1864- Publication date: 1911 Publisher: Chicago : Pioneer Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 896

Author: Brewer, Luther Albertus, 1858-1933; Wick, Barthinius Larson, 1864-
Publication date: 1911
Publisher: Chicago : Pioneer Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 896