USA > Iowa > Linn County > History of Linn County Iowa : from its earliest settlement to the present time, Volume II > Part 72
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
DAVID H. LIGIITY
Among the retired citizens of Cedar Rapids is numbered David H. Lighty, whose life record represents many substantial phases of good citizenship and of business ability and enterprise and he, therefore, deserves mention among the representative residents of this part of the state. He claims Ohio as the state of his nativity, his birth having occurred in Montgomery county, on the 8th of October, 1828, and his parents were Benjamin and Mary (Ilubler) Lighty, who were of Swiss descent. He was reared and educated in much the usual manner of farm boys, pursuing his studies in the country schools when his aid was not required in the cultivation of the fields.
Leaving the home farm at the age of seventeen, Mr. Lighty began learning the cabinet-maker's trade, at which he served a three years' apprenticeship and then went to Lafayette, Indiana, where he worked in a foundry and machine shop, and there learned the pattern-maker's trade, which he continued to follow throughout the remainder of his aetive business life. He also installed mill ma- chinery in various places and in his chosen occupation met with most excellent success. It was about 1855 that he located in Cedar. Rapids and he has seen almost the entire development and upbuilding of this eity, ever bearing his part as a public-spirited and progressive eitizen. As he prospered in his labors he invested in real estate and today has extensive holdings that enabled him to lay aside all business cares and live retired, enjoying well earned rest.
On the 20th of May, 1851, Mr. Lighty was united in marriage to Miss Susan M. Cory, also a native of the Buckeye state, and they have become the parents of three daughters, namely : Adelia T., now the wife of Jerry W. Rudy ; Jennie E., the wife of Charles II. Mulvester; and Nellie E., the wife of O. B. Talley.
Mr. Lighty has always been a student and has paid especial attention to as- tronomy, in which he is well versed, and he has written many able and interesting articles on that subject, one of which recently appeared in the Evening Times of Cedar Rapids, telling of Halley's comet. ITis record as a business man and citi- zen is altogether commendable, characterized by devotion to the public good and to those principles which are elements in honorable, upright manhood.
JOHN N. DUNN
Among the leading business men of Linn county who devote their attention principally to the stock business is John N. Dunn, residing on section 14, Maine township, near Central City. He is a representative of a good old New England family, his paternal grandfather having come to this country from England and having been one of the first settlers of Vermont. Our subject's father, Lewis A. Dunn, D.D., was born in Bakersfield, Vermont, on the 12th of June, 1814, and was reared and edueated in the east, attending school at New Hampton, New
PUBLIC NIE
ASILE : " TILDEN FUUN JA
٠٧ ٠٠
T. IT un ...
Josie I Dunn
655
HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY
Hampshire. In early life he entered the ministry of the Baptist church and preached at Fairfax, Vermont, for thirty years. He then came to lowa in 1872 and for twelve years was president of the Central University at Pella. He next spent four years in Marshall, Michigan, but at the end of that time returned to Pella, where he made his home until his death in 1888. He was regarded as one of the leading ministers of his denomination and was also prominent in public affairs. In politics he was an ardent republican, serving in the Vermont legisla- ture, and was one of the founders of the Reform School in that state. He was broad and liberal in his views and he was well informed on all subjects, having made two tours through Europe, Egypt and Palestine. As an author he also at- tracted considerable attention, having published several works, including one entitled The Footprints of the Redeemer in the Holy Land.
In 1842 Rev. L. A. Dunn was united in marriage to Miss Lucy N. Teel, who died in 1853. By that union he had four children, namely: George, who entered the cavalry service during the war of the Rebellion and lost his life at Appomattox, being the last soldier killed before Lee surrendered ; Cornelia, the wife of John W. Henry, of Berkeley, California ; Albert, deceased, who was also a prominent min- ister of the Baptist church and served as secretary of the state convention in Maine ; and Eney, the wife of Dr. Hendershop, of Monroe, Iowa. The father was again married in 1854, his second union being with Arvilla Hammond, by whom he had three children : John N., of this review ; and Ida L. and Mary, both de- ceased. The mother passed away in May, 1904.
John N. Dunn was born in Franklin county, Vermont, March 3, 1855, and spent his boyhood in the east, attending school in Fairfax, Vermont. After com- ing to lowa he entered the Central College, from which he was graduated in 1881 with the degree of B. C., and later studied medicine for two years at lowa City, but, being in ill health, he was forced to abandon that profession and seeure out- door work. Coming to Linn county in 1888, he embarked in the stock business, with his father-in-law, Chandler Jordan, proprietor of the Maine Valley Stock Farm, which was established in 1872. Mr. Dunn has since devoted his entire time and attention to this business, making a specialty of Scotch shorthorn cattle, Poland China hogs, Shropshire sheep and barred Plymouth Rock chickens. The Breeder's Gazette in speaking of his place said that today on the Maine Valley Farm is to be found one of the most uniform herds in the west. In this enter- prise he has met with most excellent success, and he and his children are today the owners of about eight hundred and sixty acres of well improved and valuable land and one of the most valuable herds of shorthorn cattle in the country. He also owns stock in the Central City bank and has real estate in Pella, Iowa. En- terprising and energetie, he has prospered in all his undertakings and is regarded as one of the most progressive and leading business men of his community.
On September 23, 1886, Mr. Dunn was united in marriage to Miss Josie .J. Jordan, a daughter of Chandler Jordan, who was one of the pioneers of Linn county, arriving here in 1844. No land in Maine townsip had at that time been entered from the government. He was acknowledged to be one of the most prom- inent and influential citizens of the county and took active and helpful part in its development and progress. He died November 29, 1909, having for only a short period survived his wife, who passed away on the 10th of July of the same year. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Dunn were born three children. Julia A., Lewis J. and Jessie S., all attending Central College. The wife and mother passed away December 10, 1907, mourned by many friends as well as her immediate family. She was born in Maine township, August 18, 1861, and was therefore forty-six years, three months and twenty-two days of age when called to her final rest. She was edu- cated in the public schools of Linn county and spent six years at Central Univer- sity at Pella, Iowa, from which institution she was graduated with valedictorian honors in June, 1885, the degree of Bachelor of Arts being at that time con-
656
HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY
ferred upon her. With the exception of the six years spent at school and eighteen months' residence at Pella following her marriage, she always resided on the farm where she was born.
At her death one of the local papers said: "Her life was spent, her work donc, among the friends and surroundings of her childhood and young woman- hood. These friends and associations, together with her family, she prized and loved above all carthly things, and here she was content to live, to labor, and ex- emplify in her daily life her piety and devotion that shed its radiance on every relation in life she assumed. She was, in the highest and best sense, everybody's friend. She had a kind word and friendly hand for all ; she was sweet tempered, soft voiced and always self contained. She was thoughtful, careful of speech and act, and always weighed well her words of counsel, advice or criticism. She had the highest regard for the rights of others, and her first thought was, in any proposition, what is the right thing to do or say. This alone was her guiding star, and once determined what was right, nothing could move her from it. She was thoroughly educated and refined in all the graces of true womanhood, and yet there was never a display or insinuation of superior attainments, but a niec re- gard for all the finer sensibilities of her associates, and always a sinking of self in the work proposed or accomplished. She was devoted to the work of the church and Sunday school, and never shirked responsibility of any thing that promised an uplift of the work there. Her life was consecrated to her family, and she was a dutiful and loving daughter and sister, a noble wife and mother, a good neighbor and friend, which made her whole life a benediction to her family, her church, her neighbors and her friends. She leaves her husband and three children, her aged parents and one sister, and a legion of friends, whose every heart will always beat responsive to her memory, and her death leaves a vacancy in the church, the Sun- day school, the Aid and Mission societies, that all feel will be hard to fill."
Being one of the prominent and influential eitizens of his part of the county, Mr. Dunn has taken quite an active part in public affairs. He is the secretary and was one of the organizers of the Farmers' Institute and also of the Linn County Fair Association. By his ballot he supports the men and measures of the republican party and has served as school director and township trustee for sev- eral years. An earnest member of the Baptist church, he is now serving as deacon and has filled the offices of treasurer for twenty years and as Sunday-school super- intendent for nineteen years. Ile is also a member of the board of Central College and of the board of the Baptist state convention. His life has ever been upright and honorable and wherever known he is held in the highest regard.
WILLIAM J. SLOAN
Among those who are filling positions of public trust in Cedar Rapids is numbered William J. Sloan, now serving as justiee of the peace. He was born in County Antrim, Ireland, October 31, 1846, his parents being James and Jane Sloan. The father was also a native of County Antrim and was born in 1796 and devoted his entire life to general agricultural pursuits. He passed away in 1863.
On the green isle of Erin William J. Sloan spent his youthful days, acquiring his education in the public schools which he attended to the age of sixteen years. He then began farming with his father and was associated with him in business until his father's death. The favorable reports which he heard concerning America for business advantages and opportunities led him to seek a home in the new world. Bidding adieu to friends and native country in 1866 he sailed for the United States and with Anamosa. Jones county, Iowa, as his destination
657
HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY
pursued his westward journey until he reached this state. There he learned the cooper's trade which he followed in Anamosa from 1866 until 1874. In the latter year he came to Cedar Rapids and accepted a position in the cooperage department of the Sinclair Packing Company with which he remained for a quarter of a century as one of its most trustworthy employes. At the end of that time he accepted the position of justice of the peace. His decisions in that office have been strietly fair and impartial, being based upon the law and equity in the case.
In January, 1874, Mr. Sloan was united in marriage to Miss Jennie Arm- strong, the wedding being celebrated in Buchanan county, Iowa. Theirs was a happy married life ten years after which they were separated by the death of Mrs. Sloan, in 1884. They had one child, Martha G., now twenty-seven years of age. Mr. Sloan is prominent in Masonry, having attained the thirty-second degree in the Scottish Rite. He belongs to the Odd Fellows Society and also affiliates with the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Royal Arcanum. Ilis political endorsement is given to the republican party for his study of the questions and issues which are prominently before the public has led him to the belief that republiean principles contain the best elements of good government. His religious faith is that of the Presbyterian churchi. His friends, and they are many, recognize in him those sterling traits of manhood which make him a valued friend and a good citizen.
JOSEPH FIALA
Joseph Fiala, carrying on general farming in Spring Grove township, where he owns two hundred and forty acres of fine farming land, is a native of Bohemia, his birth having oceurred there April 6, 1851. He is a son of Frank and Frances Fiala, who lived and died in Bohemia. ITis carly education was received in his native country, where he grew to manhood and married, his wife being Miss Anna Burval, a daughter of Frank and Anna Burval, natives of Bohemia. The date of their marriage was February, 1873, and two years later Mr. Fiala came to America, alone and friendless, to make a home for himself and his wife. IIe came at once to the west, locating in Linn county, lowa, where he worked by the month at the mason's trade, which he had followed in his native land. Success attended him from the very start, he made money rapidly, and lived economically and saved it, so that he was soon able to send for his wife, whom he had left behind with her parents. IIe also sent money sufficient to pay the passages of both of his wife's parents, who accompanied their daughter to this country and made their homes with her, the father dying in December, 1909, while the mother had preceded him several years, her death having occurred May 2, 1906.
Joseph and Anna Fiala became the parents of four children. Anna, now thirty-five years of age, is married and makes her home in Grant township. Joseph, aged thirty-three years, makes his home with his parents, as does Frank. who was born thirty-one years ago. Edward, fourteen years of age, lives at home and works on the farm when not attending school.
Mr. Fiala's first purchase of land in this country was made in 1877. He had landed in Linn county June 14, 1875, and with characteristic thrift had, in two years' time, succeeded in earning and saving sufficient money to purchase thirty acres of land as well as to pay for the passages of his wife and her parents. This first purchase was timber land. Mr. Fiala eleared his place and built his first home upon it. A few years later he had sufficient money to enable him to pur- ehase forty acres more, while two years later he bought an additional twenty acres, making a total of ninety aeres. For twenty years Mr. Fiala lived upon
658
HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY
this tract and in 1897 purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land in Spring Grove township. This is the homestead he at present lives upon with his wife and family, although two years after taking possession of his first purchase he added eighty aeres adjacent to his estate, making two hundred and forty acres in all. The farm has been carefully cultivated and cared for, the required build- ings ereeted and improvements made, until the place is now one of the best in the entire township.
Mr. Fiala is a democrat in politics and has served in many offices during his residence in the United States. In Putnam township he served as school director several terms and also served two years as justice of the peace. Fraternally he is connected with but one organization, being a member of the Z. C. B. J., a Bohemian lodge of Ely, lowa. Both Mr. and Mrs. Fiala are members of the Roman Catholic church, in the work of which they are deeply and helpfully interested. The splendid success which Mr. Fiala has achieved came to him as the result of years of severe labor and saving, coupled with an honest determina- tion to succeed.
DANIEL D. DEMPSEY
Daniel D. Dempsey, owner and manager of the Cedar Rapids Steam Dye Works, is a native of Illinois, born November 1, 1865. His father, William Demp- sey, was a native of Ireland and in that country devoted his time and attention to farming but after crossing the Atlantic to the new world he ran a boat on the Hudson river for a time. Subsequently he became bookkeeper and private sec- retary for the mayor of Jersey City. In 1862 he removed to Ogle county, Illi- nois, where he engaged in farming, and in 1869 he made his way westward to Iowa. Here he again took up general agricultural pursuits, successfully tilling his fields for about twenty-seven years, bringing his farm under a high state of cultivation and improvement. In 1896 he retired from active life and established his home in Cedar Rapids, where his remaining days were passed in the enjoy- ment of well earned rest. In New York city he married Miss Ellen Redmond, a native of Ireland, and they became parents of six children of whom five are yet living : Edward Z., a merchant of Dysart, Iowa; William II., who is living retired in Cedar Rapids; James G., who is associated in business with his brother Daniel D. in Cedar Rapids; Johanna, the wife of Patrick Brennan of Benton county, Iowa ; and John E., of Grand Rapids, Michigan, who died July 30, 1904. The mother passed away at Dysart, lowa, in 1899, and the father departed this life in 1907. He was numbered among the most loyal and faithful residents of the community in which he lived, interested at all times in those measures and projeets which work for the upbuilding and development of the community or the country at large.
Daniel D. Dempsey, spending his boyhood days on his father's farm, attended the country schools, working in the fields and indulging in such sports as usually claim the attention of the farm hoy. He continued to assist in the work of plow- ing, planting and harvesting until 1903, when, leaving the farm, he removed to Dysart, Iowa, where he conducted a billiard room until January, 1907. He is still the owner thereof but leaves its management to others. Removing to Cedar Rapids he established a billiard room in the Montrose Hotel, the finest in this eity, and was given a liberal patronage while conducting that business. In February, 1910, he purchased the Cedar Rapids Steam Dye Works, which he is now condueting. It is one of the large and growing enterprises of this character in this city and the excellent class of work turned out together with the reason- able prices charged insure a continuance of the trade. Mr. Dempsey is also a
659
HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY
stockholder in the Cedar Rapids Life Insurance Company and is a quarter owner in a fine and valuable farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Benton county, Iowa.
On the 18th of February, 1896, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Dempsey and Miss Jean Campbell, a daughter of John and Sarah (Jameson) Campbell, of Traer, Iowa. They reside at No. 508 Third avenue, East, and have three inter- esting children : Mildred, ten years of age; Loraine, six years of age; and Kath- leen, who is the baby of the household. The parents are communicants of the Catholic church and Mr. Dempsey belongs to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Knights of Columbus and the Modern Woodmen of America. Since leaving the farm he has applied himself diligently to the work he has under- taken and has won substantial success which numbers him among the men of affluence in Cedar Rapids.
SAMUEL SHAFER
While Samuel Shafer has now passed the seventieth milestone on life's jour- ney, he is yet an active factor in the business world and is now conducting a livery stable in Cedar Rapids, in which enterprise his son Herbert is associated with him. They have built up a business of large and extensive proportions and have one of the best equipped livery barns in Iowa. There are other chapters in the life record of Mr. Shafer that are equally creditable and his history cannot fail to prove of interest to many of the readers of this volume, for he is widely known in Linn county. His birth occurred in Richland county, Ohio, March 16, 1839. Ilis father, Christopher Shafer, a native of Baltimore county, Maryland, followed farming in that state and afterward became a resident of Ohio, where he resided until 1840, when he came to Iowa, casting in his lot with the pioneer settlers of this state. His family numbered eight children, of whom three died in infancy. The father passed away more than a half century ago.
Samuel Shafer was only a year old when brought to this state with his parents, who settled first in Muscatine county, where at the usual age Samuel Shafer entered the public schools, pursuing his studies to the age of eleven years, when he was left an orphan by the death of his mother. Facing the necessity of pro- viding for his own support, he secured work as a farm hand and also did odd jobs at teaming until the difficulties between the north and the south involved the country in civil war. Believing that the government at Washington was supreme and that the Union should be maintained, he joined Company K of the Eleventh Iowa Volunteer Infantry, under command of Captain Marvin and Colonel Hall. The regiment was assigned to General Crocker's brigade. With this command he participated in the battle of Shiloh, the siege of Vieksburg and the Atlanta campaign. During the battle of Atlanta, on the 22d of July, 1864, he was captured and incarcerated in Andersonville prison, where he was held for three months, during which period he was almost starved to death. He was then transferred to Charleston, South Carolina, in company with ten thous- and other Union soldiers, and four weeks later was sent to Florence, that state. He went through all the hardships, horrors and experiences of war but never faltered in his loyalty to the old flag and the eause it represented. While at Florence he was exchanged and soon rejoined his regiment at Washington, D. C., after being held as a prisoner of war for seven months. In July, 1865, he was honorably discharged and returned home with a most creditable military reeord.
During his four years' service Mr. Shafer had managed to save two thousand dollars and with this capital he established a livery business in Cedar Rapids. He dates his residence in this city, however, from 1856, at which time he entered
660
HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY
the employ of Higley Brothers, liverymen, with whom he remained until the outbreak of the war. It was in 1866 that he began business on his own account here and since that time has figured as one of the leading liverymen not only of the city but also of this part of the state. A liberal patronage has been accorded him, making his business a profitable one. His son Herbert is now associated with him and makes a specialty of buying and selling fine carriage horses, dis- playing exceptional ability at making a trade.
On the 4th of May, 1869, Mr. Shafer was united in marriage in Cedar Rapids to Miss Ava C. Bennett, a daughter of Frank Bennett, who was employed by the Cedar Rapids Street Railway Company until he was eighty years of age. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Shafer were born seven children, three of whom are now living : Herbert R., who is now engaged in business with his father and is also conducting a real-estate business here ; Samuel E., a mechanical engineer, living in Milwau- kee, Wisconsin; and Abbie, who is at home with her parents at No. 511 Eighth avenue East. The children have been liberally educated. The elder son is a graduate of the Cedar Rapids high school, where he completed his course in 1890, and since that time he has married Miss Laura A. Granger, a daughter of Joseph Granger, a prominent farmer of Marion township. Ilerbert Shafer is a member of Mount Hermon Lodge, No. 263, A. F. & A. M., the National Union and the Sons of Veterans, while his wife is a member of the Rathbone Sisters and was the first to hold office in that lodge. The younger son pursued a course in mechanical engineering in Armour Institute at Chicago.
Mr. Shafer is a member of T. Z. Cook Post, G. A. R., and of the Woodmen of the World, while in his political views he has always been a stalwart republican. He owns his residence property here and also his livery barn. He belongs to the Baptist church and his life has been well spent, while he lias ever endeavored to deal fairly and justly with all men, to faithfully perform his duties as a citizen and to meet all of the obligations of life in a straightforward, honorable manner.
PASQUALE PUSATERI
Among the business enterprises of Cedar Rapids which are accorded a liberal patronage is the firm of Pusateri Brothers, of which Pasquale Pusateri is a mem- ber. As the name indicates, he is of foreign birth, his birth occurring on the 21st of May, 1877, at Termini, Tmeresi, Sicily. llis parents were Agostino and Maria (Delise) Pusateri, the former an expert in fruit culture who passed away in his native land in 1890, after acquiring a very comfortable competency. Ilis wife later came to Cedar Rapids to make her home with her children. In their family were seven children, namely: Maria, the wife of Antonio Scolaro, of this city ; Joseph, a well known merchant of Iowa City ; Peter, Pasquale, An- tonio and Agostino, joint partners in the retail fruit business; and Rosy, mak- ing her home with her mother. Of this number Agostino is also engaged as foreman in the Russell Candy Company, being recognized as an expert candy manufacturer.
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.