USA > Iowa > Linn County > History of Linn County Iowa : from its earliest settlement to the present time, Volume II > Part 71
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In 1849, while in the pineries of Minnesota, Mr. Ellis read Governor Mason's report of the discovery of gold in California and resolved to make his way to the mines. Ile erossed the plains by way of Council Bluffs to the Platte river and remained on the coast for six or seven years, returning to Cedar Rapids in 1856 - the year in which the eity charter was granted. He then seenred a man to assist him in building a frame house, a part of which is still standing on his original elaim. From that time to the present he has been closely associated with Cedar Rapids and her improvement.
On the 2d of July, 1857, Mr. Ellis was married to Miss Martha L. King. a daughter of William and Catherine (Ambrose) King. The mother was twiee married, her first husband being a Mr. Listerbarger. Mrs. Ellis was born in Pennsylvania and died September 29, 1899. She was a member of the First Presbyterian church and was held in the highest esteem by all who knew her. There were nine children in the family, of whom the eldest is deeeased, the others being : King W., Elizabeth, IIerman R., Charles G., Ralph R., Amanda, Wirt N. and George W.
In his political views Mr. Ellis has been a stalwart republiean from the organ- ization of the party and has served as township trustee and as president of the sehool distriet, but the honors and emoluments of office have had little attraction for him. He has preferred to labor for the publie interest along other lines and he has witnessed marvelous changes in the surroundings during the long period of his residenee here. He is today the oldest resident in Linn county and he relates many interesting tales and stories of pioneer times, when the red men roamed at will over this seetion of the country, when deer and other wild game were frequently seen and when one eould travel for miles without coming to a habitation or an indication that the seeds of civilization were being planted on the western frontier. In the early days he bought cattle and hogs and sold them at an Indian agency, also at Fort Atkinson and Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin. All who know him - and he has a most wide acquaintance - have ever realized that
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he is a generous man and a liberal-minded citizen. As the years passed on he made investment in property and became the owner of valuable landholdings. In 1901 the eity purchased from Mr. Ellis forty-seven acres of his original elaim and converted it into a park which was named in his honor Ellis Park. Beeause of the use to which it was to be put Mr. Ellis sold it at half its actual value, thus making a most generous donation to the eity. Ellis Park is now one of the beauty spots of Cedar Rapids and will forever perpetuate the memory of the man whose name it bears.
KENT CORWIN FERMAN
Kent Corwin Ferman, prominent among the enterprising, energetic and suc- cessful business men of Cedar Rapids, belongs to that class who, while promoting individual suceess, also contribute in large measure to the general prosperity through their promotion of commercial and financial activity. He is now iden- tified with several of the city's important business interests, being cashier of the Cedar Rapids National Bank, treasurer and director of the Frick-Stearns-Russell Company and treasurer and director of the Perpetual Savings & Loan Association. He was born in Blairstown, Benton county, lowa, on the 27th of December, 1872, a son of Robert and Rebeeea Ferman, the former a wealthy farmer of Blairstown.
The son supplemented his publie-school education by a four years' course in Cornell College at Mount Vernon, lowa, and on the 10th of June, 1895, soon after his college days were over, he entered the employ of The Cedar Rapids National Bank as colleetor and messenger. Gradually he has been advaneed through inter- mediate positions to the one which he now occupies, having in the meantime served as manager of the collection department, manager of the transit department, teller, note teller, chief clerk and assistant cashier, while on the 1st of February, 1908, he was promoted to the position of eashier, which is his present connection. Each promotion has come in recognition of his ability and expanding business powers, his energy and fidelity, and although a young man he is recognized as one of the prominent representatives of financial interests in his adopted city. Ile has also extended the seope of his activities by his investment in other directions and is now one of the large stockholders in the wholesale grocery house of the Friek- Stearns-Russell Company, with which he has official connection as treasurer and director. He is also connected in a similar capacity with the Perpetual Savings & Loan Association and is interested in a number of other enterprises which are features in the business life and consequently factors in the growth and develop- ment of Cedar Rapids. Moreover, he is serving as a director of the Cedar Rapids Commereial Club and is a eooperant factor in the various movements instituted by that organization for the benefit and upbuilding of the city.
On the 12th of June, 1900, in Tipton, Iowa, Mr. Ferman was married to Miss Carrie Elwood, whose brothers are the owners of The Elwood, a leading dry-goods house of Tipton. Mr. and Mrs. Ferman have two daughters: Ruth, now in her fifth year; and Florenee, in her seeond year. The parents are members of the First Presbyterian church and take a deep interest in its varions activities and the extension of its influenee.
Mr. Ferman is also a prominent Mason, belonging to Mount Hermon Lodge. A. F. & A. M., while in the Scottish Rite he has attained the thirty-second degree, and is also a member of El Kahir Temple of the Mystie Shrine. IIe likewise belongs to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and to the Country Club of Cedar Rapids, of which he is treasurer. Appreciative of the social amenities of life, by his geniality and unfeigned cordiality he has won many friends. He also finds genuine pleasure in successfully accomplishing whatever he undertakes in the bus-
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iness world, in solving difficult problems, overcoming difficulties and obstacles and in carving out a new path to prosperity when another avenue seems closed. The simple weight of his character and ability have thus carried him forward into important relations.
ONEY WOODS
The farming interests of Jackson township find a worthy representative in Oney Woods, who now owns and operates the farm on which he was born, on section 15, that township. His birth occurred December 8, 1871, and he belongs to an old and honored family of Linn county, his parents being Peter and Mary (Rooney) Woods, both natives of County Monaghan, Ireland. They came to America in 1847, their marriage being celebrated in New York state. On first coming west they located at Rock Island, Illinois, where the father, who was a stone mason by trade, laid the foundation for the factory of the John Deere Plow Company at Moline. Later he brought his family to Linn county, lowa, where he purchased land and turned his attention to agricultural pursuits throughout the remainder of his life. He was born in 1816 and died in July, 1904, while his wife was born in 1823 and passed away on the 10th of August, 1902. Eight chil- dren blessed their union: Bridget, who is now living in Linn county; Edward; Peter S., of Jackson township; Thomas, deceased; William, a stock buyer living in Coggon, Iowa; Anna; Maggie, deceased; and Oney.
The last named remained with his parents until twenty-five years of age, giving his father the benefit of his services in carrying on the work of the farm. He was then married on the 17th of February, 1897, to Miss Margaret G. Clark, who was born in Delaware county, lowa, April 29, 1875. Her parents were Philip and Bridget (Seery) Clark, both natives of Ireland, the former born in County Cavan and the latter in County West Meath. They emigrated to America in early life and the father died in this state in March, 1910, but the mother is still living and continues to reside on the old home place in Delaware county, Iowa. They were the parents of eleven children, nine of whom are still living. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Woods are as follows: Clement H., born Jan- nary 11, 1898; Joseph R., July 13, 1899; Agnes M., January 10, 1902; Francis O., July 29, 1904; Walter V., March 28, 1906; and Margaret B., January 1, 1908. After his marriage Mr. Woods purchased the old homestead of one hundred and sixty aeres in Jackson township and has since devoted his time and atten- tion to its further improvement and cultivation. He now makes a specialty of raising and breeding good stock of all kinds and in business affairs has steadily prospered, being today one of the well-to-do citizens of his community. Both he and his wife hold membership in the Catholic church and politically he is identified with the democratic party, but has never cared for the honors or emoluments of public office. Being one of the leading citizens of the community, however, he stands high in the esteem of all who know him.
LOUIS SCHANTZ
Louis Schantz has occupied his present home since 1897. His farm is pleas- antly located in Spring Grove township and in his work he is displaying good business ability and keen discernment. His birth occurred in Washington county, Ohio, in August, 1865, his parents being Jacob and Amelia (Sehram) Schantz, natives of Germany.
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Louis Schantz was reared in his parents' home and acquired his education in the common schools. At the age of eighteen years he began working as a farm hand by the month, being thus employed for two years. At the end of that period, in 1885, he came to Linn county and for five years thereafter operated eighty acres of land in Otter Creek township which he rented. In 1897 he purchased one hundred and twenty acres in Spring Grove township and this he has operated to the present time. He has made some improvements on the place, including a neat little home and substantial barns and outbuildings for the shelter of grain and stock. His farm presents a well kept appearance, indicat- ing the careful supervision and progressive methods of the owner, who is practical in all that he undertakes and is winning a fair measure of success as the years go by.
In April, 1890, Mr. Schantz was united in marriage to Miss Emma Zellar, a daughter of Christian and Catherine (Bloom) Zellar, who were born in Ger- many. There is one son of this union, Frank B., who at the age of eighteen years is with his parents.
In politics Mr. Schantz is a republican but, aside from serving as school director for eight years, has filled no public office. Both he and his wife are members of the Christian church. They are prominent and respected in the community and have a circle of friends almost eoextensive with the cirele of their acquaintances.
JACOB SCHANTZ
Although a resident of Linn county for a period of but seventeen years, Jacob Schantz, the owner of a splendid farin of eighty aeres in Spring Grove township, has become one of the more progressive men of the township, as is proven by the well kept appearance of his farm and the modern improvements that he has placed upon the tract, improvements which cause it to rank with the best farms in the county.
Jacob Schantz is a native of Ohio, where he was born December 18, 1859. Washington county was the portion of the Buekeye state wherein he grew to man- hood while working on his father's farm. His parents, Jacob and Elizabeth (Schuff) Schantz, were born in Germany and in their carly youth came to the United States, where they were subsequently married, making their home in Wash- ington county, Ohio. Their son Jacob was twenty years old when he started out to make his own way in the world. IIe began by working for farmers in the neigh- borhood, saving his money in preparation for the time when he should be able to own a place and make a home. For nearly fifteen years he worked out by the month and then decided to come west, so left Ohio. This was early in the spring of 1893, and on March 8 of that year he located in Linn county, Iowa, ready to make his way in this new and growing country.
For a period of five years after coming to the county Mr. Sehantz worked for the farmers of the distriet and steadily saved his money. All this time he was acquiring knowledge of the methods of farming in the west and when the time came for him to bny his own place and operate it, he was a seasoned farmer so far as the western methods of farming went. It was just five years after his arrival in the county that Mr. Sehantz made the purchase which gave him his present home. The portion he decided to buy was an eighty acre tract in Spring Grove township, the farm now occupied by himself and wife. He has greatly improved this farm, erecting thereon many necessary buildings, a windmill and sheds for implements and stock. The condition of the soil has greatly improved under his careful man- agement and the farm has nearly doubled in value since first he took charge of it.
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On March 17, 1910, Mr. Schantz was united in marriage to Miss Nora Wilking, of this county, who is the daughter of Daniel and Elizabeth (Ludwig) Wilking, residents of Ohio, where their daughter was born.
Botlı Mr. Schantz and his wife are affiliated with the German Lutheran church and their lives have ever been in accord with its teachings. In the expression of his politieal beliefs Mr. Sehantz is a demoerat, but his allegianee to that party is not such as to preelude his supporting a worthy man of independent character and beliefs. Although he began life with empty hands yet he has, by indefatigable energy and great perseverance, become the owner of his own home, which is one of the best in the district. He has gained the regard and esteem of those with whom he has come in contact by his honesty and earnestness of purpose.
CLAUDE CLINTON CARPENTER
Claude Clinton Carpenter, a prominent and progressive farmer of Marion township, Linn county, is a native of New York city, his birth there occurring on the 21st of March, 1855, and is a son of W. B. Carpenter, of whom extended mention is made on another page of this volume. He spent the period of his boy- hood and youth in his parents' home and is indebted to the publie-school system of his native city for the educational advantages enjoyed. He remained at home until twenty-eight years of age, when, attraeted by the advantages offered by the great western country, which was entering upon a period of rapid but substantial growth, he decided to try his fortunes in the middle west and, coming to Iowa, settled in Linn county, where he purchased a tract of land of eighty acres located on section 8, Marion township. For five years he remained on that place, eul- tivating the fields with such sueeess that at the expiration of that period he was able to purchase his present large farm of three hundred and fifty-nine aeres on sections 5 and 18, Marion township, where he has continued to make his home to the present time. Owing to the unfaltering energy and unflagging perseverenee with which he has earried on his farming, his place has been brought under a fine state of cultivation, everything about it indieating that he has kept in touch with the modern spirit of progress which is manifest in agricultural lines. In con- neetion with tilling the soil he makes a specialty of raising and fattening stock of all kinds, and both branches of his business are proving sources of gratifying an- nual remuneration. Ile is one of the directors of The Farmers & Merchants. Bank of Marion.
Mr. Carpenter has been twice married. On the 1st of January, 1883, he was united in marriage to Miss Libby Beall, a native of Linn county and a daughter of James and Doreas Beall, who are mentioned elsewhere in this work. Unto this union were born four children: Belle, the wife of Joseph A. Napier; W. B. Jr .; Claude Clinton, Jr .; and Ralph. The wife and mother was called to her final rest on the 19th of July, 1893, and on the 26th of. January, 1899, Mr. Car- penter wedded Miss Stella Stinson, whose birth oeeurred in Linn county, Iowa. Her parents, Robert and Elmina Stinson, were natives of Indiana, who came to Linn county at an early date and are still residents here. This marriage was also blessed by four children, Frances Beulah, Mary E., Howard and Irene.
Mr. Carpenter has been a stalwart republican sinee age conferred upon him the right of franchise and has served as treasurer of the Marion distriet township school board for seventeen years and is still holding that position, but he has never sought nor desired publie office, preferring to concentrate his attention upon his private business affairs, which earefully conducted, have brought him substantial suecess. He is an exemplary member of the Masonie order, belonging to Marion Lodge, No. 6, A. F. & A. M .; Apollo Commandery, No. 27, K. T .; and El Kahir
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Temple of the Mystie Shrine at Cedar Rapids. At the age of fifteen years he united with the Methodist Episcopal church and has been a member of the same ever sinee. Realizing that labor is the basis of all success, he has manifested elose application and unfaltering industry, which, combined with sound judgment and wise management have advanced him to a most ereditable place among the repre- sentative agriculturists of this county.
DAVID EDMOND HOWELL
David Edmond Howell has been active in promoting business enterprise in Iowa, various localities having felt the stimulus of his enterprise and diserimi- nating judgment. He is connected with various lines in Cedar Rapids, but is perhaps most widely known as assistant secretary and treasurer of the firm of Warfield, Pratt & Howell, wholesale grocers in Des Moines, Sioux City and Cedar Rapids. Ohio claims him as one of her native sons, his birth having occurred in Bridgeport, that state, on the 15th of November, 1858. Ilis father, David E. Howell, a native of Wales, came to America in early life and devoted the years of his residence in Ohio to preaching the gospel as a minister of the Methodist church. He died about two decades ago. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Susan Mardis, was the daughter of a Mississippi planter and slaveowner. She is now living in Washington, D. C., at the age of eighty-eight and, notwithstanding her advanced years, her mind is as clear as a bell, her memory undimmed.
Having mastered the elementary branches of learning taught in the public schools, David E. Howell, whose name introduces this review, continued his education in Allegheny College at Meadville, Pennsylvania, and crossed the threshold of business life when nineteen years of age, becoming a telegraph oper- ator for the Pennsylvania Railroad Company. He remained at that work for about two years and in 1879 made his way westward to Quiney, Illinois, where he spent a year in a bank. At the end of that time he accepted a position with the Warfield Grocery Company of that city and in 1892 he went to Sioux City, Iowa, with Mr. Warfield's son, and together they organized a company for the conduct of a grocery business at that point under the name of Howell, Warfield & Com- pany. Mr. Howell had saved from his earnings the money which enabled him to become a partner in this enterprise and was active in the management of the new undertaking, which proved successful from the beginning. In 1898 he assisted in the reorganization of the company there and then came to Cedar Rapids, where he established business under the firm name of the Warfield, Pratt & Howell Company, of which he is assistant secretary and treasurer. Theirs is a very extensive wholesale grocery house, their trade covering a wide territory in the states of Iowa, Nebraska, Minnesota, North and South Dakota. They have always regarded satisfied patrons as their best advertisement and have ever endeavored to please their customers, utilizing in the conduet of their business only such methods as will hear the closest investigation and scrutiny. They carry a large line of standard goods so that they are ready to meet the demands of the trade, and their commercial integrity is unassailable. As the years have passed Mr. Howell has also become interested in many other business concerns, being a director of the Merchants National Bank, of the Cedar Rapids Canning Com- pany. of the Welsh-Cook Company ; and vice president of both the Iowa Windmill & Pump Company and the Aeme Fire Insurance Company. Ile also owns real estate in Cedar Rapids and in all business matters his actions have been guided by sound judgment and he has not feared to venture where favoring opportunity has led the way.
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Mr. Howell was married on the 9th of December, 1884, to Miss Margaret Lynds, a daughter of Daniel E. Lynds, a wholesale druggist of Quiney, Illinois. They have one daughter, Isabel, twenty-one years of age, living with her parents at No. 1962 First aveme in an attractive new home, which Mr. Howell recently purchased.
He has been affiliated with the Masonic fraternity sinee 1882 and has passed through all the degrees of the York and Scottish Rites to the thirty-second degree of the eonsistory. Ile has been a member of the Elks lodge sinee 1893, belongs to the Cedar Rapids Country Club and is interested in the work of the Commercial Club, of which he is a member, for the extension of the trade eonneetions and the development of the municipal interests of the city. He is fond of horsebaek riding and all manly outdoor sports, and when the cares of his business permit he enjoys a sojourn at the seashore or in the mountains. His political allegiance is given to the republican party, but he has no aspiration for political office. A man of well balanced mind, even temper and conservative habit, his judgment and even-paced energy have earried him forward to the goal of suecess.
S. B. BEATTY
S. B. Beatty, ranking with the substantial eitizens and prominent and progres- sive business men of Cedar Rapids, is numbered among lowa's native sons and in his life displays the enterprising spirit characteristic of the middle west. llis birth oceurred in Caseade, Dubuque county, Iowa, April 13, 1854. His father, David Beatty, was a native of Ireland and in the year 1838 crossed the Atlantie to Philadelphia in company with his parents, James and Nancy ( Dixon) Beatty. IIe was but a boy when his parents settled in Philadelphia, where he resided until 1846, when he became one of the first settlers of Cascade. His early life was de- voted to farming and he was thus elosely associated with the agricultural develop- ment of the community. As the years wore on he became a very active and influ- ential eitizen and was one of the promoters and builders of the narrow gauge rail- road from Caseade to Bellevue. He continued to make his home at Caseade until his death, which oeeurred in 1907, when he had reached the advanced age of eighty- four years. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Jane McCartney, was a native of Tyrone, Ireland.
S. B. Beatty pursued his education in the public schools of his native town and in Caseade Academy and through the periods of vacation assisted in the work of the home farm. After putting aside his text-books he gave his further attention to general agrieultural pursuits until twenty-two years of age, when, believing that he would find commercial interests more eongenial and profitable, he began mer- chandising in Caseade, opening a furniture and undertaking establishment. There he eondueted a successful business until 1898, when he removed to Cedar Rapids, and opened an undertaking business at his present location. He is also' interested in milling and mining in Montana and his carefully formed and well executed plans are bringing to him substantial and well merited suecess.
In 1881 Mr. Beatty was married to Miss Carrie L. Kelly, a daughter of Samuel R. and Mary M. (Maedonald) Kelly and a native of Brooklyn, New York, and they have beeome parents of three sons and a daughter: Donald R., married Florence Wittie and was secretary of the Kilbourn Milling & Cereal Company, of Kilbourn, Wisconsin. He was killed accidentally February 5. 1910. Robert .J., is engaged in the undertaking business in South Dakota. Clarenee is a graduate of the Cedar Rapids high school. Zelda is at home.
Mr. Beatty and his family attend the Baptist ehureh, in which he holds mem- bership. He belongs to Lodge No. 643, I. O. O. F .; Cedar Rapids Lodge, No. 25,
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B. P. O. E .; the American Order of United Workmen; and the Fraternal Aid. In polities he is a republican but at local elections votes independent of party ,ties, supporting the men whom he believes best qualified for office. In all matters of citizenship he takes a progressive stand, advocating reform and advancement, and his cooperation has constituted an effective element along the line of general improvement. He is respected and trusted as a business man and in social rela- tions wins that warm friendship which is only given in recognition of genuine personal wortlı.
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