USA > Iowa > Linn County > History of Linn County Iowa : from its earliest settlement to the present time, Volume II > Part 70
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104
635
HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY
Returning to Linn county, Mr. Bice purchased sixty aeres of land and for ten years cultivated it. Then he removed to Spring Grove township, where he had purchased three hundred and twenty aeres of land. Finding this too great an amount for himself to handle he disposed of eighty aeres a short time later, and since that time has farmed the remaining two hundred and forty. This farm has been highly improved sinee Mr. Bice has taken charge of it. The buildings are all of modern design and with the latest applianees and conveniences, while numerons improvements in the cultivation of the fields has added greatly to the value of the soil.
The 9th of November, 1864, witnessed the marriage of Mr. Bice and Miss Mary C. Branaman, a daughter of Finley and Margaret Branaman, both natives of Ohio. There were nine children born of this union. Georgia E., who is married and lives in North Dakota ; Gifford C., who is married and lives in Linn county ; Roy G., who is married and lives in Ferndale, Washington; Guy L., who died in May, 1867; Gussie E., who is married and lives in Seattle, Washington ; as does Ethel G., the sixth in order of birth; Ray V., auditor for the Ramsey Company, who is married and lives at Devils Lake, North Dakota; Delma F., who is attending the Northwestern University at Chicago; and Mamie R., at home with her parents.
During his long and honorable life within the boundaries of this state - and the major portion of that time he lived in Linn county - Mr. Bice has served the community in which he resided in several official capacities, and always to the very best of his ability, as is evideneed by the fact of his continuation for such long periods in the several offiees which he filled. For over twenty-five years he served as constable and for fifteen years was deputy sheriff under various officials of that title. In the minor positions he has served the township as school director, the period of that service covering eighteen years. A republican in polities, he is yet a man of independent spirit and will, and his support is ever given to matters that have for their purpose the general betterment of the com- munity or state. With his wife he holds membership in the Methodist Episcopal church and they take an active interest in all matters that are related to its work.
JOSEPH W. LESINGER
Joseph W. Lesinger, well known as a representative of financial interests in Cedar Rapids, aided in the organization of the Iowa State Savings Bank in 1906 and has since oeeupied the position of cashier. Bending his energies to the solution of intricate and complex financial problems and to the wise and prudent management of the bank, he has contributed in no small measure to its success. He was born in Kingston, Linn county, Iowa, on the 20th of March, 1873, and like many of the worthy citizens here comes of Bohemian ancestry. His father, Vaclav Lesinger, was born in Bohemia in 1846, and arrived in Linn county in 1868. Here he was married to Miss Anna R. Zerzan, a native of Bohemia, who came to this county in 1867 with her parents, Joseph and Rosalia Zerzan, who from the time they left their native country regarded lowa as their destination. Mr. and Mrs. Vaelav Lesinger were married in 1871 and the father, who had previously learned tailoring, continued to work at the trade and, in faet, was continuously connected with the business until he retired from active life at a recent date. He had two brothers, George and Frank Lesinger, who came to America at the time he crossed the Atlantie. The former is now deceased.
Joseph W. Lesinger, one of a family of three sons and three daughters, pur- sued his education in the public schools of this eounty and in a business college, after which he made his initial step in the business world by securing a position
636
HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY
in an abstract office, where he remained for four years. His health becoming impaired through the close confinement of the office, he then accepted a position as collector with the Merchants National Bank in 1893 and has since been identi- fied with banking interests in Cedar Rapids. He was advanced through successive promotions to the position of assistant cashier and was the first Bohemian officer in a national bank in this city. In 1906 he became one of the organizers of the Iowa State Savings Bank, was chosen cashier and has since remained in this position.
Mr. Lesinger was married June 4, 1895, to Miss Anna M. Kominek, a native of West Virginia, who came in 1875 to Linn county with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Kominek. Two children, Lillian and Leona, have been born unto Mr. and Mrs. Lesinger. In fraternal eireles Mr. Lesinger is well known. He is the treasurer of Rad Mladoeeeh, No. 14, Z. C. B. J .; treasurer of the South End Business Men's Club; treasurer of the Mir Zapadu Lodge, No. 118, F. U. of A .; treasurer of Cechie Lodge, No. 196, M. B. A .; and a member of Cedar Rapids Lodge, No. 578, A. O. U. W .; Linden Camp, No. 145, M. W. A .; and of the Bohemian Catholie Dramatie Club. He was chairman of the municipal civil service commission and he resigned this office after nearly two years' service, to accept the position of treasurer of the independent school district of Cedar Rap- ids, to which office he was elected March 14, 1910, and is serving in this capacity at the present time. Mr. Lesinger is interested in all things that pertain to the welfare and progress of the city, cooperating in many projects and measures for the general good.
JOSEPH DEDITZ
Of the many fine farm properties of Linn county which bring their owners ample returns for their labors, none exceed in richness of soil nor improved con- dition that of Joseph Deditz, located in Spring Grove township. This farm, which has been his property over fifteen years, is two hundred aeres in extent and is equipped with all the modern improvements that facilitate the cultivation of the soil or render less laborious the duties of the husbandman. Its appearance indicates the splendid management of an owner, who is not only practical but progressive. He is well worthy of representation in the history of the county by reason of his having been among those who developed the resources of this rich district, once it was opened to settlement.
Joseph Deditz was born in February, 1850, in Bohemia, that country which has produced so many sons who have brought fame to their native land and decided credit to the land of their adoption in peaceful pursuits. He is a son of John and Katherine Deditz, who were born, reared, lived and died in Bohemia. Until he attained the age of seventeen years, Joseph lived with his parents, learn- ing the trade of a tailor. It was in 1867 that he came to the United States and located in the city of St. Louis, where for two years he worked in a tailor shop. Tiring of the indoor labor and hearing constantly of the success of those who tilled the soil, the young man, not yet of age, started out into the agricultural portion of the country to make his way. His steps led him toward Linn county, lowa, and in 1869 he entered the boundaries of what is now his home county. He first rented land, operating one hundred and twenty-six aeres for twenty-five years. He accumulated quite an amount of money and became fairly well off in this world's goods. It was about fifteen years ago that he decided to purchase a homestead and make permanent his residence in Linn county. He bought a two hundred aere traet in Spring Grove township and has resided upon it ever sinee. The farm, when first Mr. Deditz took charge, was in anything but a good
637
HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY
condition. Buildings were necessary and the entire equipment of the place was in bad repair. IIe installed new machinery, built new buildings and sheds, drained the fields on a more extensive seale and, within the past few months has built a fine new barn, eighty-four by sixty-four feet, and ereeted a new steel- tower windmill for use in handling feed and watering stoek.
An important event in the life of Mr. Deditz was his marriage to Miss Barbra Freml. She is a daughter of Wesley and Mary Freml, natives of Bohemia, who came to this country in 1869 and first settled in Mount Vernon, Iowa, where they lived until they passed away, the father in 1892 and the mother some time earlier. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Deditz were born seven children: Annie, who lives with her father; Frank, who is a farmer and is married; Aliee, who became the wife of M. Jellar, a farmer of Spring Grove township; Barbara, the wife of J. Sehaffer, a farmer living in Spring Grove township; Jane, who died in Mareh, 1909; and Margaret and Joseph, who make their home with their father. Mrs. Deditz died July 28, 1905, sincerely mourned by all who had known her as she was a very charitable, kindly-natured woman devoted to her home and family.
Mr. Deditz is a republican in polities and takes an active interest in the affairs of his distriet. He has little desire for office, however, having served but once in any township office, and then as road supervisor for a term of two years. IIe is a publie-spirited man and is ever striving for the good of the entire community. He and his family are members of the Roman Catholic church and aetively assist in any undertaking that has to do with the condition of their church or parish.
FRED W. BAILEY, M. D.
Prominent among the representatives of professional interests in Cedar Rap- ids is Dr. Fred W. Bailey, who is now specializing on diseases of the eye, ear, nose and throat, in which connection he has won distinguished honors and gratifying sueeess. Ile is yet a young man, his birth having oeeurred in Iowa City, Iowa, August 26, 1878. His father, M. HI. Bailey, was a native of England and in the year 1861 became a resident of Iowa City, where he continued to make his home until ealled to his final rest in 1909. He married Anna Wiekham, who was also a native of England and died in 1897.
Dr. Bailey pursued his early education in the publie schools of Iowa City, being graduated from the high school with the elass of 1897. He then matrieu- lated in the lowa State University and completed the liberal arts course with the elass of 1901, at which time the Bachelor of Arts degree was conferred upon him. He next entered the Johns Hopkins University at Baltimore, Maryland, where he devoted a year to the study of physiology, after which he beeame instructor in physiology in the Iowa State University. At the same time he continued his preparation for the medieal profession as a student in the medieal department of that institution, winning the Master of Science degree in 1903 and the M. D. degree in 1905. In his studies he had prepared for the department of praetiee which he has made his specialty and following his graduation was elected assistant professor of the eye, ear, nose and throat. He entered upon praetiee in Iowa City as a partner of Dr. L. W. Dean, with whom he was associated until September 15, 1907, when he came to Cedar Rapids. He was already known to some extent by reputation in this city and was not long in building up a good praetiee, in which he has been very sneeessful, limiting his efforts to the treat- ment of diseases of the eye, ear, nose and throat. His elose and discriminating study along these lines has gained him marked ability, which is attested in the excellent results that attend his praetiee. He is now retained as oeulist by the Chieago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad Company at this point and in 1910 was
638
HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY
appointed a member of the staff of St. Luke's Hospital, Cedar Rapids. While in the University he was physical director of the gymnasium of the Young Men's Christian Association and he belongs to the County, State and American Medi- cal Associations.
In 1906 Dr. Bailey was united in marriage to Miss Bertha Wilkinson, a native of England and a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Rushworth) Wilkinson, who were born in Durham, England, and came to the United States with their family when Mrs. Bailey was seventeen years of age. She was graduated in 1899 from St. Luke's Hospital Training School for Nurses in Chicago and was superin- tendent of the training school for nurses in Iowa City from 1904 until 1907. By her marriage she has beeome the mother of one daughter, Aliee, who was born April 27, 1907.
Both Dr. and Mrs. Bailey have made many friends during their residence in ('edar Rapids and their home is noted for its warm-hearted hospitality. The Doctor belongs to the Phi Rho Sigma and the Sigma Alpha Epsilon, college fraternities. While in school he was the leader of the College Glee Club and still takes an active interest in musical cireles, being a singer of marked ability. Socially he is a member of the Cedar Rapids Country Club. Courteous, genial and approachable in manner, he easily wins friends, and gains high regard through his personal worth as well as his professional ability.
SILAS A. DEVOL
Silas A. Devol, who is operating a splendid farm of two hundred and forty acres in Spring Grove township, has been a resident of Linn county for forty-one years. He is a veteran of the Civil war, who came west after that confliet ended, and has worked his way from a farm hand to that of the owner of one of the finest farms in his portion of the county. lle is one of the substantial farmers of this splendid agricultural district and stands high in the community. .
In his early youth Silas A. Devol worked upon his father's farm in Washing- ton county, Ohio, where he was born January 31, 1843. ITis parents, Alpha and Avice Devol, were also natives of Ohio, where they were born, reared, lived and died, both passing away in the year 1871. Early in his life, the father was em- ployed on Hat boats on the Ohio river, hut settled upon a farm when he had laid away sufficient money and followed farming the remainder of his life. Ilis son Silas received but a meagre education, as he started to work very early in life and labored earnestly upon his father's place until the outbreak of the Civil war. Then he enlisted, at the age of eighteen years and was assigned to Company A, Thirty- sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. With this regiment he served throughout three years of the war and at its conclusion returned to Ohio, but remained there only a briel time, turning westward to find opportunity to make a home for himself.
In the state of Illinois he first stopped, working upon a farm for three years as a hired hand. Then he rented a small farm for a year, made some money and decided to go farther west in search of land. He came to lowa, arriving in Linn county December 29, 1869. He first rented a farm and set up housekeeping. For thirty years he operated that farm, then, in 1895, bought one hundred and sixty aeres of fine land in Spring Grove township and made that place his per- manent home. In 1905 he purchased an additional eighty acres of land, which gave him a farm of two hundred and forty acres. Mr. Devol has improved his place, adding new buildings when necessary and rebuilding and replacing old ones with new and modernly equipped ones of latest design. He has installed a fine windmill upon the place and has brought both his fields and general farm equipment to a very high standard of excellence. In polities Mr. Devol is allied
639
HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY
with the republicans but has sought no office, though for twenty-five years he has served as school director of his township.
One of the most important events that has occurred in the life of Mr. Devol happened November 16, 1871, just two years after he came to Linn county. It was the celebration of his marriage to Miss Miranda Stambaugh, a daughter of David and Elizabeth Stambaugh, who were among the early settlers of Iowa. Her father was born in Pennsylvania, while her mother was a native of Ohio. They came to Iowa quite early in its history as a state and took up government land, spending their entire lives upon their farm.
Mr. and Mrs. Devol beeame the parents of five children : Nellie A., born in 1873, is now the wife of Attorney A. W. Fisher, of Walker, Iowa; William, died March 10, 1874; Perley O., makes her home with her parents; Asenath HI., born in 1880, married Miss Delos Bueklin and they make their home in Otter Creek town- ship ; and Etta M., born in 1885, became the wife of Thomas O'Connor, of Central City, Iowa. Both Mr. Devol and wife, as well as their children, affiliate with the Christian church and the family is active in its work and generous in its support. Mr. Devol is known as a man of his word and is among the most esteemed citizens of the community in which he resides.
ROBERT S. OXLEY
Robert S. Oxley is now living practically retired in Marion but still supervises the operation of his fine farm in Marion township. His birth occurred in that township on the 4th of August, 1856, his parents being John S. and Jane ( Halley) Oxley, both of whom were natives of Kentucky. They came to Linn county in 1840 and more extended mention is made of them in connection with the sketel of Marshall Oxley on another page of this volume. Their son James P., now living in Marion, was a soldier of the Civil war.
Robert S. Oxley obtained his education in an old log schoolhouse such as was characteristic of the period and locality. On attaining his majority he rented a part of the old homestead farm and later bought a portion thereof. As his financial resources inereased, owing to his untiring energy and good management, he purchased more land from time to time until his holdings now embrace three hundred and seventy-five and a half aeres on sections 11 and 12, Marion township, all under a high state of cultivation and improvement. In connection with the tilling of the soil he made a specialty of raising and feeding stock and in all of his undertakings met with a gratifying and well merited measure of success. He has now put aside the active work of the fields, however, and is living retired in Marion, where he is well known as a respected, representative and prosperous citizen.
On the 13th of October, 1880, Mr. Oxley was united in marriage to Miss Eliza- beth E. Hoover, who was born in Lisbon, Iowa, on the 16th of November, 1857, her parents being Benjamin and Sarah (Bresler) Hoover, both of whom were born near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. They eame to Linn county in the late '40s and here spent the remainder of their lives. They had a family of four children, two of whom yet survive. Mrs. Oxley's uncles, Henry and Christian Hoover, participated in the Civil war, fighting for the Union cause. Mr. and Mrs. Oxley have become the parents of four children. Nellie E., whose birth occurred Feb- ruary 11, 1882, passed away on the 7th of May, 1905. She was the wife of W. T. Beach, by whom she had a daughter, Gladys Clara, who now lives with our subjeet. Sarah J. is the wife of Harry Horn, of Marion township. Harrison B. Oxley is a resident of this county. Luey May Oxley is a high-school student.
640
HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY
In politics Mr. Oxley is an earnest republican and has eapably served in several township offiees. The cause of education has ever found in him a staneh champion and he has done effective serviee in its behalf as a school director. Both he and his wife belong to the Methodist Episcopal church, in the work of which they are deeply and helpfully interested. Having spent their entire lives in Linn county, they have a wide acquaintance within its borders and enjoy the unqualified respeet and esteem of those who have come to know them intimately.
ROBERT ELLIS
Ninety-three years of age, the most venerable citizen and patriarch of Cedar Rapids, no history of the eity would be complete without extended mention of Robert Ellis. He came to western Iowa when this portion of the state was a great unimproved district and still a part of Wisconsin territory, the prairie covered with its native grasses, furnishing shelter to feathered game, while wild animals and Indians roamed at will over the district. Reeognizing the natural advan- tages of the place Robert Ellis staked out a elaim, and while other business inter- ests drew him elsewhere for a time he has almost continuously resided in Cedar Rapids since that early day, or for a period of seventy-two years. It seems hardly possible that within the memory of living man this city has sprung up and grown to its present size, but the record of its development has left an indelible impress upon the memory of Mr. Ellis, who has always taken active and helpful part in the work of improvement and upbuilding here. Moreover, in this direction he has displayed marked ability and keen discernment, and suceess has crowned his efforts. Ile is today one of the most prominent and honored eitizens of Linn county.
A native of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, Mr. Ellis was born January 20, 1817. His parents, John and Elizabeth (Cairns) Ellis, were natives of Ire- land but in early life crossed the Atlantic, becoming residents of the Keystone state, where the father followed farming until his death in 1836. It was in this country that he married Elizabeth Cairns, who died in 1840. Robert Ellis was the eldest child of that marriage and is the only survivor of his father's children, John Ellis having had eight children by a former marriage.
In his native county Robert Ellis acquired his education and in 1837, when a young man of twenty years, started westward. He spent a year in Ohio and Michigan, and then crossed the Mississippi at Rock Island, Illinois, and followed an Indian trail through Iowa. He spent six weeks in what is now Cedar county, but learning that there was a more beautiful section still farther west, he resumed his journey. He was then scareely more than a boy and was withont money, but he was blessed with health and strength, with courage and determination. On the 6th of May, 1838, he reached the house of Michael Donahue in Sugar Grove and there spent the night. Two days later, on the 8th of May, he approached the site of Cedar Rapids. As he drew near from the east he was charmed with the view that was presented. Not knowing the exact location of the men who had settled here he was unable to decide which way to go, but observing the signs of travel in the brush near him he followed the stream and suddenly came upon a rude shanty which showed every indication of recent habitation by a white man. No person, however, was in sight. A path led to the river and down this Robert Ellis walked with rapid stride. He had gone but a few steps when he beheld a sight which thrilled him with horror. There at his feet in a patch of gardening which was being dug up for seeding, lay the body of a man apparently lifeless. Mr. Ellis says that he could feel his hair rise under his hat at the sight. The solemnity of the place, the desolation, the distance from civilization and the
Robert Ellis
The ! « FUELIC LELERY AUF : X ALIL. P . A. IN
643
HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY
surprise of the situation all tended to increase the horror to the lonely traveler who thus stood face to face with the speetre of death. He was no coward but involuntarily he shouted aloud. The shout was as startling as the discovery and with the first sound the body suddenly stood erect. The situation was eer- tainly novel. "Hello, stranger! Well I swan!" said the man. Explanations quickly followed. It seems that the pioneer farmer had become weary and had thrown himself on the ground in the warm sunshine for sleep. Such was the introdnetion of Mr. Ellis to Cedar Rapids. The man proved to be Phillip Hull, one of the first settlers in this part of the state.
Charmed with the country, Mr. Ellis seenred a elaim on the bluff overlooking the river where he now has his home. Ile marked out his one hundred and sixty aeres by guess, as there was no surveyor here, blazing the trees to show the land had been taken. Ile made no improvements thereon, however, until it came into the market in 1840, in which year George Greene succeeded in having the gov- ernment land office changed temporarily from Dubuque to Marion. In the meantime Mr. Ellis worked in different ways in Iowa, Wisconsin, Illinois and other states, while his friends looked out for his elaim for him, which eost him a dollar and a quarter per aere. There were indeed few families in this loeality when he arrived in Cedar Rapids in 1838. From that time he took an active and helpful part in the early development of the city and county. In 1844 or 1845 he purchased four thousand bushels of wheat for a Dubnque firm. He found it necessary to eonstruet three flatboats near Palo on which to load the wheat, and then proceeded down the Cedar to Burlington. Ile found the firm unable, on account of the money panie, to meet their obligation in eurreney, so they gave him flour in exchange, which he took down the Mississippi to New Orleans. Ile found that city affected also by the panie and on the deal just came out even.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.