USA > Iowa > Linn County > History of Linn County Iowa : from its earliest settlement to the present time, Volume II > Part 76
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Mr. Hall was married on the 23d of November, 1887, the lady of his choiee being Miss Inez E. Fleming, who was born in Otter Creek township, Linn county, in 1867, a daughter of William and Anna E. (Eastman) Fleming, the former a native of Indiana and the latter of Ohio. Unto them were born seven children. The mother was called to her final rest in 1881 but the father still survives and yet makes his home in Otter Creek township. Prior to her marriage Mrs. Hall engaged in teaching for several years. She was a student of Marion high school at Marion and Tilford Academy at Vinton, Iowa. She has become the mother of two danghters and a son. Hazel W. is now a student in Mary Baldwin's Sem- inary in Virginia. Muriel M. died in July, 1907. The only son, D. W. MeK .. is at home.
In polities Mr. Hall is a stanch republican and has served on the town council in Coggon. Ile is also president of the school board in Coggon and ever takes a deep interest in the cause of education. He has attained high rank in Masonry. having taken the thirty-second degree, while his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Zion Presbyterian church. High and manly principles have characterized his entire life, winning for him a creditable position in the regard of his fellowmen.
CHARLES DENECKE
Various corporate interests have felt the stimulus of the activity and enter- prise of Charles Denecke, who gives his attention chiefly, however, to the interests of the Denecke Department Store, one of the most important commercial enter- prises of Cedar Rapids. He was born in Wood county, Ohio, June 20, 1856. Ilis father, Herman D. Denecke, studied for the ministry in early life and later took up the study of medicine, but could not practice, owing to the fact that he was strieken with an affliction of his eyes in 1862. Thus being unable to continue in his profession, he turned his attention to farming. He married Miss Sophia Meha, a lady of German descent, and both are now deceased. There were three children in the family, two daughters and one son. One of the sisters is living. Mrs. Charles Sager, now a resident of Arizona.
The public schools afforded Charles Denecke his educational privileges. He continued his studies to the age of sixteen years and then entered Black's shor store at Toledo, Ohio, being employed in that establishment for about a year and a half. He was afterward a clerk in the department store owned by La Salle. Cohen & Koch, in Toledo, Ohio, and during his ten years' connection therewith he gained comprehensive knowledge of the business, the line of goods required
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and the methods of management. Moreover, he gave proof of his ability in such positive terms that he was advanced from a humble position through intermediate promotions until he became manager of his department.
Mr. Denecke's broad and varied experience constituted an excellent founda- tion upon which to build success when, in 1886, he came to Cedar Rapids and es- tablished his present store on a small scale in partnership with Christian Yetter, under the firm name of Denecke & Yetter. Something of the growth of the busi- ness is indicated by the fact that at first they employed only seven people and today employ about eighty. The partnership with Mr. Yetter was dissolved in 1901 and the store is now the property of Mr. Deneeke, who conducts it under the name of the Deneeke Department Store. It is one of the finest and largest in Cedar Rapids, a large and attractive line of goods being carried. Content with a rea- sonable profit, seeking his success along the legitimate lines of trade, Mr. Deneeke has ever commanded the respect of his colleagues, and his business integrity is one of many enviable characteristics, for he has never made engagements that he has not filled nor incurred obligations that he has not met. Aside from his con- nection with mercantile interests he is the president of the Hawkeye Skirt Com- pany, a director of the Commercial National Bank, of the Barton Parker Com- pany, the Carmody Foundry and the First Trust & Savings Bank, and also owns the property occupied by the store.
Mr. Denecke was married in 1883 to Miss Frances Granling, of Toledo, Ohio, and they have become parents of three daughters: Marie, now the wife of James L. Bever, Jr., of Cedar Rapids ; and Gertrude and Louise, both at home.
The parents are communicants of the Catholic church. Mr. Denecke is iden- tified with organizations having for their object the welfare and promotion of the city's interests, being connected with both the Commercial Club and the Mer- chants Association. He is also a member of the Country Club. He is interested in fishing and golf, to which he devotes his hours of leisure. Itis time, however, is largely taken up by business affairs of constantly growing magnitude and import- ance, the careful direction of which is manifest in the success which has attended him since he entered mercantile cireles here. Such is his success that his methods are of interest to the commercial world and an analyzation of his life record shows that has always based his success upon the rules whichi govern strict and unswearv- ing integrity and unflagging enterprise.
GEORGE E. FINN
George E. Finn, who has been successfully engaged in farming and stock-rais- ing in Buffalo township throughout his active business career, has lived in that township from his birth to the present time, his natal day being December 23, 1879. His parents, Mathew D. and Sarah (Patterson) Finn, were natives of New York and Virginia respectively. The father was a sailor boy on the Nebraska for three years and was likewise a volunteer of the Protective Fire Engine Company No. 2, of New York city. In the spring of 1856 he eame to Iowa with his mother, locating in Buffalo township, Linn county. On the 3d of January, 1861, he wedded Miss Sarah Patterson, who had accompanied her parents on their re- moval to this county in 1850. Mathew D. Finn was identified with industrial interests as a carpenter and contractor for sixteen years and in 1872 turned his attention to general agricultural pursuits, taking up his abode on a farm of eighty acres which he had purchased in 1866. As his financial resources increased, ow- ing to his well directed industry and capable management, he added to his hold- ings by additional purchase until at the time of his death he owned two hundred aeres of rich and productive land. He passed away on the 12th of February,
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1907, so that the period of his residenee in this county covered more than a half century. He was honored by election to all of the township offices and served as justice of the peace for thirty-three years, his decisions being ever strictly fair and impartial. Fraternally he was identified with Anamosa Lodge, No. 46, A. F. & A. M., having joined the order on the 29th of December, 1865. His widow still survives him and now makes her home with her son George, the youngest of six children. The others were as follows: Martha E., who passed away in 1879; Augustus 1., whose demise occurred in 1897; William H., who lives in Buffalo township; Sarah E., who died in infancy ; and Mary A., who was called to her final rest in 1879.
Through the assistance which he rendered his father in the operation of the home farm, George E. Finn early became familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist, and since his father's death he has continued to operate the old homestead place in Buffalo township. In addition to his inter- est in the home property he also owns another traet of twenty-six aeres. For several years past he has handled stock in connection with his farming interests and both branches of his business return to him a gratifying annual ineome. He has likewise served as the president of the Buffalo Telephone Company for nine years and is widely recognized as one of the prominent and prosperous citizens of his native country.
On the 16th of March, 1904, Mr. Finn was united in marriage to Miss Ida B. Henderson, a daughter of John I. and Mary E. (Scott) Henderson, who were natives of New York and lowa respectively. The father eame to this state at an early day and following his marriage he operated a rented farm in Castle Grove township, Jones county, for several years. Subsequently he bought a quarter section of land and later added to his holdings by additional purchase from time to time until he owned four hundred and twenty-five aeres. When his wife passed away in 1899 he leased the property and came to Prairieburg, Iowa, where he has since lived in honorable retirement. IIe has four children, as follows: Lillian J., the wife of Daniel Meredith, of Buffalo township; Jennie M., who is the widow of J. P. Burnside and resides in Boulder township; Mrs. Finn; and Henry J., who lives in this county. Mr. and Mrs. Finn have two children, namely: Gladys S., who was born January 21, 1907; and Everett H., whose birth oeenrred Sep- tember 18. 1908.
Mr. Finn is a demoerat in politics and has held the office of constable for two years, while for two terms he aeted as assessor. Fraternally he is identified with the Masons, belonging to Lodge No. 46 at Anamosa. His religious faith is that of the Methodist Episcopal church. A young man of unfailing courtesy and unfeigned cordiality, he has a host of warm friends in the community where his entire life has been spent.
MALCOLM V. BOLTON
Varied are the agencies which contribute to the upbuilding of the city, and the greater its growth and progress the more complex are its commercial, manu- facturing and professional interests. To meet the conditions which exist, to keep in toneh with the trend of the times, and so manipulate business conditions that prosperity may be attained withont the sacrifice of other interests, require men of keen judgment and ready resource, and such a one is found in Malcolm V. Bolton, conducting a real-estate business in Cedar Rapids.
Half the width of the continent separates him from his birthplace. for he is a native of Stockholm, St. Lawrence county, New York, where he was born on the 30th of June, 1869. His parents, Thomas Harrison and Rosina Caroline (Schel-
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lenger) Bolton, were also natives of that county. His paternal grandfather, James Bolton, was of English birth and about 1835 arrived in the United States, at which time he took up his abode in St. Lawrence county, New York. He had been reared in a home of wealth without practical business training or experience and thus unqualified to meet the conditions of his new life lost his property. In St. Lawrence county he devoted his attention to farming and was thus engaged up to the time of his death. His family numbered six children, the fifth in order of birth being Thomas H. Bolton, who became a resident of Stockholm, New York, and for many years was there engaged in the insurance business. About half of the time, however, during the last two or three decades he made his headquarters at Springfield, Illinois. His death occurred in October, 1909. Of his four chil- dren two sons died in infancy, while those living are Malcolm V. and Thomas Harrison.
The schools of Stockholm afforded Malcolm V. Bolton his early education and in Lawrenceville Academy he mastered the more advanced studies. He became a resident of Cedar Rapids in 1888 and made his entrance into the business world in the service of MeGee & Kaupke, the predecessors of the firm of Frick & Kaupke, wholesale dealers in coffees, teas and spices. For three years he remained with that house as bookkeeper and salesman, after which he became bookkeeper for the Order of Railway Conductors, which organization has its national headquar- ters in Cedar Rapids. Two years were thus spent and he then turned his attention to the real-estate business, and in 1893 opened up offices in the Oriel block. The year 1910 finds him, after having been obliged by the growth of his business to increase his office space five different times, in the magnificent ground floor offices of the Cedar Rapids Savings Bank building, which he now occupies. Mr. Bolton by the application of many progressive methods then new in Cedar Rapids, to- gether with a willingness to work, with enthusiasm and with correct principles, has built his business up more rapidly than any real-estate business in Cedar Rapids and today the firm of Malcolm V. Bolton & Company is without doubt the biggest, strongest and best known real-estate firm in the city.
In addition to the time devoted to the many details in the upbuilding of his business, Mr. Bolton, being naturally a promoter, has been instrumental in finance- ing, platting and acting as selling agent for many of the fine subdivisions of which Cedar Rapids is justly proud, chief among which is Ridgewood, comprising some hundred and thirty acres. Ridgewood, which was landscaped by Ossian C. Si- monds & Company, the famous landscape gardeners of Chicago, has attracted wide attention on account of its many superb building sites, beautiful winding drives and walks, and is destined to gain a national reputation. It is without question one of the finest subdivisions west of the Mississippi river. In 1908 Mr. Bolton financed and built the Majestic Theater, one of the handsomest and most perfectly equipped vaudeville houses west of Chicago. This attractive playhouse has a seating capacity of one thousand four hundred and twenty-two and has received favorable comment from theatrical men and theater architects from all over the country.
Mr. Bolton was married in 1905 to Miss Louise Hamilton, a daughter of the late William Wallace Hamilton, of Hamilton Brothers, and the happiness of their home life has been greatly increased by the addition of a daughter, Jane. Mr. Bolton has little political preference. In fact he prefers to follow an independent course, supporting men and measures rather than party. He belongs to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and is an exemplary representative of Mount Hermon Lodge, A. F. & A. M. He was formerly secretary of the Cedar Rapids Country Club, with which organization he has been closely identified since its inception. In conjunction with H. V. Ferguson and others he deserves great credit for the promotion of this club, which has one of the finest properties in the west, comprising one hundred and eighty acres of land, on which has been erected
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a beautiful club house, with fine golf course and all necessary accessories. The elub is rapidly growing and will be more and more appreciated each year in the social life of the city. He is also an active member of the Commercial Club, an organization composed of Cedar Rapids business men, and in these different as- sociations measure up to a high standard of citizenship, of loyalty and of personal worth which they demand of their members.
THOMAS C. STONEKING
Thomas C. Stoneking, living in Bertram township, has won that prosperity which results fro melose application and intelligently directed effort. His pos- sessions embrace eleven hundred and thirty-five acres of Linn county's most val- nable land, most of which is improved. The long period of his residence in this county well entitles Mr. Stoneking to representation in this volume for he has made his home in Linn county for fifty-three years, arriving in the year 1857. Today a man of purpose whose life experiences have been varied and valuable. he was then a young lad of nine years, manifesting the interest of boyhood in all the scenes through which the family passed as they journeyed to the middle west. He was born in Greene county, Pennsylvania, March 8, 1848, a son of Jacob and Jane (Price) Stoneking. both of whom were also natives of the Keystone state, whence they came to Linn county. Iowa. in 1857 and located on a farm in Bertram township. The father first operated rented land but he was later en- abled to purchase property. on which he and his wife made their home nutil their demise, the mother, who was born in 1817, passing away in 1891, while the father, who was born in 1807, survived for only a few years and was called to the home beyond in 1895.
Thomas C. Stoneking acquired his education in the common schools and re- mained under the parental roof until he had reached the age of twenty-five years. He is the youngest of four sons, his brothers being: William, a resident of Oklahoma; James and John, of Linn county. All were trained in the work of the farm, so that when they started ont to make their own way in the world they were prepared to meet the responsibilities which came to them.
Thomas C. Stoneking assisted his father until the age of twenty-five years. and at that period in his life he established a home of his own by his marriage to Miss Margaret Scott, who was born in Linn county in 1856. a danghter of James and Mahulda (Newton) Scott, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of Virginia. They came to Linn county in 1838 and established their home upon a farm. In 1853 Mr. Seott erected on his place a brick house, which is still standing, one of the old landmarks of this section of the state. Their family numbered six children, of whom all are still living. The father died in 1894 and the mother departed this life in 1900, both having reached an ad- vaneed age.
Following their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Stoneking began their domestic life npon a farm. Mr. Stoneking renting a portion of the old homestead property. He worked diligently and persistently and this, combined with the able assistance of his estimable wife, has brought him his present success, for as the years have gone by he has purchased land from time to time until he is now the . owner of eleven hundred and thirty-five aeres, all located in Linn county. It is mostly improved land, while the home place in Bertram township is one of the model farms of this section of the state, being improved with modern buildings. He raises good erops and also feeds and fattens stock. He possesses keen fore- sight, which has enabled him to make judicions investments, so that today he stands among the wealthiest landowners of Linn county.
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Unto Mr. and Mrs. Stoneking have been born seven children, six sons and one daughter, namely: Fred S., who is married and makes his home in Linn county ; Frank J., who died in December, 1907; James H. and Elmer T., also of Linn county ; Jennie II., the wife of Emmet Albaugh, of this eounty; and Harry O. and Roy, at home. They have also reared a granddaughter, Marie Stoneking, who is still a member of their household.
In politics Mr. Stoneking is a democrat. He has filled the office of township trustee for the past two years and has likewise served as school director. IIe is, however, not given to public life, as his private interests claim the major part of his attention. Fraternally he is connected with Mount Vernon Lodge, No. 551, I. O. O. F. He has aided materially in the development and progress of this section of the state, gives his support to every measure that he deems will benefit the county along material, intellectual, political and social lines, and at the same time has so capably managed his business affairs that he is now numbered among the men of Bertram township who are enjoying a very com- fortable competence.
JOIIN BISSELL TURNER
John Bissell Turner, of the undertaking firm of John B. Turner & Son of Cedar Rapids, was born in Crown Point, Indiana, September 19, 1845. He comes of a family that was founded in America by his grandfather, Samnel Turner, who emigrated to this country from Dublin, Ireland, and settled in Pennsylvania, where David Turner, the father of our subject, was born. On coming west the latter located in Laporte county, Indiana, and later removed to Crown Point, that state, where he continued to make his home throughout the remainder of his life, dying in that eity in 1890, at the age of seventy-two years. He was a banker and was one of the most prominent men of the city. In early life he married Miss Caroline Bissell, who is still living at the advanced age of eighty-five years and now makes her home in Hammond, Indiana. To them were born the following children : Mrs. Sarah J. Montieth, now a resident of Port Huron, Michigan; Emma, the wife of I. C. Emery; Anna, the wife of Freeman Morgan, of Chicago; Mrs. Mary A. Holm, of Hammond, Indiana; Mrs. Austria C. Ross, of Kansas City, Missouri; Alexander M., of Hammond, Indiana; and John Bissell, of this review.
Jolın B. Turner is indebted to the public-school system of Indiana for the early educational privileges which he received. At the age of twenty-one years he started in the hardware business on his own account at Crown Point. Two years later he sold out and removed to Fort Dodge, Iowa, where he opened a hardware store, which he conducted with good snecess until 1872, when he disposed of his stoek. Removing to Cedar Rapids about that time, he was ap- pointed to the railroad mail service, making the run between Clinton and Council Bluffs for seven years. When the Cedar Rapids division was estab- lished he was put upon that run and there remained for five years, making the trips between Cedar Rapids and Chicago. He was afterward appointed money order clerk at the Cedar Rapids postoffice, which position he continued to fill for three years, and in 1887 he resigned and entered into partnership with Herbert MeDongall in the furniture and undertaking business. Two years later they dissolved their trade connections, Mr. Turner assuming the manage- ment of the undertaking department, while his partner remained proprietor of the furniture department. Mr. Turner has since continued in his line, cov- ering a period of twenty-two years, and has one of the leading undertaking establishments of the city. He owns considerable real estate in Cedar Rapids,
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including business property, from which he derives a substantial income. He has served as coroner of Linn county for eight years and for two years was a member of the city council. His activities in this direction have been beneficial, for as a member of the board of aldermen he exercised his official prerogatives in support of many progressive measures.
On the 30th of August, 1870, Mr. Turner was united in marriage to Miss Mary B. Boynton, a daughter of Benjamin Franklin Boynton, of Tipton, Iowa, and they have four children : Nettie C., who is now the wife of F. B. Neff, of Cedar Rapids, and has one son, Howard Edgar; Aliec Ethel, who is the wife of John B. Brunot, of Greensburg, Pennsylvania, and has three children, John Burton, Mary Alice and William Turner Brunot; Laura, at home; and David, who is in business with his father. He was married June 27, 1907, to Miss Hildegarde Eleanor Beurle, a daughter of Charles Beurle, of Cedar Rapids, and they have one son, John Beurle.
Mr. Turner has attained high rank in Masonry, having been a representative of the craft since 1875, during which period he has advanced through the various degrees of the York Rite to the Knight Templar degree. He also belongs to the Odd Fellows society, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Royal Arcanum and the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He holds membership in the First Presbyterian church. His has been a well spent life, in which he has made good use of his opportunities. Early realizing that there is no excel- lenee without labor and that the present and not the future holds one's chance for advancement, he has so directed his efforts day by day that he laid a solid foundation for a successful business career. His friends - and they are many - find him a genial, companionable gentleman and his good traits are acknowledged by all who know him.
WILLIAM WALKER
For over forty years William Walker was regarded as one of the leading bus- iness men of Cedar Rapids but is now practically living retired, enjoying in well earned rest the fruits of former toil. His early home was in New York, for he was born in Greene, Chenango county, that state, on the 9th of January, 1827, his parents being Samuel and Clarissa (Evans) Walker.
ITis father, who died in June, 1839, was a man of unusual ability and although he could not read or write, he was able to transact a large amount of business as a contractor and builder, remembering all his accounts and even remembering the hours which each of the several men working for him had put in during the week. He kept no books and his memory of accounts was remarkable. He took a very active and prominent part in church work and at the age of twenty-five years he was made a deacon in the Baptist church with which he was connected. He could make a splendid prayer and was well posted on the Bible, which his children would read to him and after reading one chapter he would be able to repeat it word for word. He was only eighteen years of age when he was united in marriage to Miss Clarissa Evans, she being seventeen years old at that time. They became the par- ents of seventeen children, nine sons and eight daughters, of whom our subjeet is sixteenth in order of birth. In 1838 the father fitted out three of his children and sent them west, giving each sufficient funds to start in life on his own account. The following year three more were given the same advantages, but these were loath to leave on account of the father's ill health. He persisted in their going, however, and after seeing them on their way for a few miles, returned home where he had a stroke of apoplexy and died the following day at the age of fifty-five years, nine months and ten days. The death of his wife occurred in 1845, when
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