USA > Iowa > Linn County > History of Linn County Iowa : from its earliest settlement to the present time, Volume II > Part 77
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WILLIAM WALKER
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she was sixty-five years of age. This worthy couple were highly respected and esteemed in the community where they made their home.
During his boyhood and youth William Walker attended the country sehools near his home, as his father was then residing on a farm, and after laying aside his text-books at the age of sixteen years, began learning the harnessmaker's trade. Two years later he joined Henry F. Weeden in the harness business at Greene, New York, in which he met with suceess, but before the end of one year had turned his attention to the livery business and started a stage-coach line to Binghampton in opposition to the one there running. His partnership with Mr. Weeden existed about three years and at the end of that time he commenced running a canal boat between Greene and Troy, New York. Subsequently he conducted a hotel for six months but retired from that business on account of the death of his wife, which occurred in February. 1853. She bore the maiden name of Abigail Case and unto them was born one child who died at the age of twelve months.
Coming west in June, 1853, Mr. Walker first located in Elkhorn, Wiseonsin, where he worked at his trade by the day for a few months and then embarked in the harness business on his own account. In November, 1854, he was again mar- ried, his second nnion being with Miss Mary Ann Davis, by whom he had a daughter, Lillia, who is now the wife of Henry Hanright, of Cedar Rapids. The following year he sold out his business and eommeneed working for his eousin in a hotel at thirty-four dollars per month, holding that position for two years. Dur- ing this time he lived economieally and made judieions investments of his capital, so that at the end of the period he was in possession of five thousand dollars in what was then known as "shin plaster" money. This he invested in the eanning business in partnership with three others and had a fourth interest in the patent for which they sold state and county rights. But shortly after entering this ven- ture he discovered that his partners had no money, so that the result was he lost everything except two hundred and sixty-five dollars. He then resumed the harnessmaking business but in 1861 sold out and went to Denver where he engaged in mining for a time, but soon became interested in buying cattle on the plains and driving them up to the mountains where they were sold. His reminiscences of the early days in the west are keenly interesting and his experiences while freight- ing in the mountains of Colorado are thrilling and delight his large circle of friends. Ile had left his wife and little daughter at Black Hawk Point and in January, 1862, while on one of these trips, his wife died. It was seven days before the sad news reached him and he then returned and after making a special coffin lined with zine, he took the body in a wagon baek to their old home in Elkhorn, Wisconsin, it being in March, 1863, when the body was interred. This trip oecn- pied over thirty days, he and his little daughter sleeping in the wagon during that time. This was done in fulfillment of a promise which he had made his wife before they left Elkhorn, it being agreed that if either one died while away, the other should take the body baek there for interment. Three years after interment Mr. Walker had the body removed to another cemetery and on opening the eoffin found the body in a wonderful state of preservation, in fact just as if she had been recently buried. As this was previous to the discovery of embalming the faet was hard to believe and caused wide comment.
After the death of his wife he remained in Elkhorn for four years, his time and attention being again given to the harness business. While there he was married on the 20th of November, 1865, to his wife 's sister, Miss Eliza Davis, by whom he had a son, Clarence A., who died at the age of a year. Immediately after the wedding they started for Cedar Rapids, where he embarked in the livery business, which he carried on for thirty-seven years, selling ont finally to his son-in-law. During this time, however, he did not confine his attention exclusively to his livery but became extensively interested in the real-estate business and in many other different
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enterprises, at one time having eight partners all engaged in separate lines of bus- iness. During his life time he has had about seventy-five partners and with the exception of four of these he was the only member of the firm that had any money when they embarked in business. They were all honest and never intentionally cheated him out of a eent, with the exception of one, and he today has the greatest faith in humanity.
In 1904 Mr. Walker went to California on account of his wife's health, but she died in that state on the 25th of November, 1905, and he brought her remains back to Cedar Rapids for interment. On the 10th of May, 1909, he again married. this union being with Mrs. A. S. Heefner. By his third wife he has three children living, namely : Nellie, now Mrs. Hill of Freeport, Illinois; Minnie, now Mrs. Ben Miller of Cedar Rapids; and Bertha, now Mrs. Alfred S. Durin.
Since 1854, Mr. Walker has been identified with the Masonie fraternity and has held all of the ehairs except that of master in Crescent Lodge, A. F. & A. M .. Cedar Rapids. He was born and reared a democrat and was always affiliated with that party, and his religious faith is indicated by his attendance at the Bap- tist church. Although he still gives considerable attention to looking after his real-estate interests, Mr. Walker is now practically living retired. A man of good business and executive ability, he has prospered as the years have gone by and his success in life is due entirely to his own unaided efforts. He has always been found upright and honorable in all transactions and he justly deserves the eonfi- denee and high regard in which he is universally held. He is truly a self-made man and as such is deserving of prominent mention in the history of his adopted county.
JOSHUA J. SNOUFFER
The history of Joshua J. Snouffer is in large measure the history of Cedar Rapids. He resided here for fifty-two years, was the joint author with Justice Childs of the city's charter and with its material development, its industrial interests, its publie projeets and its charitable activities he was closely associated. Well fitted for leadership because of his keen insight into questions, the breadth of his view and his spirit of loyalty and devotion to all that was right, to all that promised improvement and advancement, he left the impress of his indi- viduality for good upon the annals of this eity and his name is inseparably inter- woven with its records while his memory is cherished and honored by all who knew him.
Captain Snonffer was born near Baltimore, Maryland, on the 24th of Feb- rnary, 1825. His father was of German birth and became a farmer in the vicinity of Baltimore, where the son received the rigorous early training that insures a man in future years against fear of hard work. He became familiar with all the labors of the farm, yet his duties were not so onerous as to prevent him from aequiring the substantial education which serves as the usual founda- tion for progress in later years. He completed his course of study at Notre Dame and was regarded as one of the hest educated among the pioneers of Cedar Rapids, with thorough knowledge in books, and with practical under- standing of business and the ways of the world. All through his life he re- inained an interested student of human nature and at the same time his reading was wide and varied so that he kept in touch with the onward march of pro- gress and with advaneing years grew in intelleet and moral strength and in that keen discernment which enables the individual to arrive at correct con- elusions concerning life and its opportunities. Completing his studies at Notre Dame at the age of nineteen years, he then learned the earpenter's trade, but.
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even previous to this time he had given evidence of the elemental strength of his character in business lines, for he was but fourteen years of age when he began buying cattle, hogs and sheep and bringing them over the famous old turnpike to the Baltimore market. For several years he was thus engaged. buying a drove of stock which he would take to market and then returning on foot, a distance of fifty miles, often making the trip on Saturday and arriving home early enough in the evening to participate in the social events of the community that night. After learning the carpenter's trade he began contract- ing for supplies used in railroad building across the mountains, and was meeting with substantial success in that undertaking when, on his twenty-first birthday he responded to his country's call for military aid and enlisted for volunteer service in the Mexican war, in which he served until almost the close of the struggle. On the 9th of November, 1847, he was wounded in the head by a Mexican bullet which he carried thereafter and which in his later years caused him much suffering. When able to leave the hospital he returned home, having won the post of first sergeant of his company of dragoons, commanded by Cap- tain Merrick, for many years a noted eriminal lawyer in Washington, D. C., who often intrusted to him the entire command of the organization. After somewhat recovering from his injuries he was honorably discharged.
Following his return home Captain Snouffer was married to Miss Anna White, a native of Maryland, and they became the parents of fifteen children. of whom four survive the father, namely : Mrs. A. D. Stevens, of Radford, Vir- ginia ; Mrs. Frances A. Benjamin; J. J. Snouffer, Jr .; and Mrs. Virginia Snouffer McClelland, of Cedar Rapids. For more than half a century Captain and Mrs. Snonffer traveled life's journey happily together and the wife was left to mourn the death of the husband when, on the 5th of May, 1904. he was called to his final rest.
It was in the year 1852 that Captain and Mrs. Snouffer, with their one child, left Maryland for Iowa. At length they reached Dubuque and it was their intention to go to Iowa City by team. But on reaching Cedar Rapids they met an old Virginia acquaintance who insisted upon their remaining here. Captain Snonffer believed that the little village, then containing only three hun- dred and fifty inhabitants, constituted the embryo of a growing and important city, and decided to remain. For more than half a century thereafter he con- tinned to reside here and his efforts in behalf of the city never ceased from that day until his death. He had first turned his attention to carpentry and con- tracting in which he had previously had some experience, and thus literally he engaged in the upbuilding of the town. But not alone to this line did he con- fine his efforts. He was early identified with the milling industry and superin- tended the erection of the old brick mill in 1875, at which time he was a member of the firm of W. A. Watrous & Company. His business activities covered a wide field and he achieved marked success in everything that he undertook. He was an active participant in the building of the Iowa and Nebraska Railroad. now a part of the Northwestern system, in the extension of the line west of Cedar Rapids. He personally located the town of Blairstown, surveyed. platted and sold the lots in advance of the buildings on the road and was the special agent of the company at Belle Plaine and other places, having almost unlimited responsibilities thrust upon him. He was identified with the work long after the Northwestern came into possession of the road and was intimately acquainted with Marvin Hughitt, president of that now great system. It would be almost impossible to enumerate the enterprises with which Captain Snouffer has been identified in Cedar Rapids, but whatever it was that claimed his attention the publie was ever a large direet or indirect beneficiary. For twenty-seven years he continued in active connection with milling interests here and his position among the representatives of that line of business is indicated by the fact that
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he was honored with the presidency of the Iowa Millers Association for many years.
As time passed on and Captain Snouffer saw opportunity for judicious in- vestment, he became the possessor of several farms, manifesting the same spirit of enterprise and progress in the management of his farming interests that he did in other relations of life, and for sixteen years was the vice president of the Iowa State Agricultural Society when the street fair was held in this city. No project instituted for the benefit of Cedar Rapids failed to elicit his interest and when his judgment convinced him that it was a wise one, he gave to it his hearty and unfaltering support. As stated, he was joint author with Justice Childs of the city's charter, was one of the originators and promoters of the water works and was one of those who gave the city its street railway. He served for many years as a member of the city council and was one of the best mayors Cedar Rapids has ever had, giving a public-spirited and beneficial ad- ministration, characterized by retrenchment in useless expenditure and by prac- tical reform and improvement.
For many years toward the close of his life he served in the position of overseer of the poor and exhibited the same unswerving loyalty to duty which marked his entire carcer. He was just and generous to the needy poor and practically no worthy case ever escaped his notice, but by imposters and frauds he was never deceived and no weak sentiment permitted him to squander the taxpayers' money. He was sometimes criticized for the severity of his methods in handling this office, but he always explained his actions and justified his course to those who knew the facts in the case. His services in this respect were fully appreciated by those whose constant association with the poor enabled them to make a distinction between those who are poor from necessity and those poor from choice. He did not believe in the indiscriminate giving which fosters vagrancy and idleness and yet he was himself a man of most kindly spirit and frequently gave of his own means for the benefit of those in real need of assistanec. He delighted to talk to his friends of the care which Linn county bestows on its real unfortunates and of the preparations made for their comfort. No man did more for those at the County Home than he. There was never any more intense loyalty or devotion to the public good displayed by any citizen of Cedar Rapids than by Captain Snouffer, who watched the city's growth from the time he arrived at the little struggling village on the banks of the Cedar river, with its three hundred and fifty inhabitants, until it became one of the metropolitan centers of lowa, with its ramifying trade interests reaching out to all seetions of the country. As he neared the end of life's journey it was his one desire that he might live to witness the semi-centennial anniversary of the granting of the city's charter, but this was not to be and a few days before that event he crossed the river and was ushered into life eternal. The funeral services were held at the former home at No. 108 South Fifth street which he had occupied for more than a half century, and the funeral cortege was one of the most impressive ever seen in Cedar Rapids, conveying the remains to their last resting place in Oak Hill cemetery.
The Saturday Record said of him at his death: "Few men were more in- fuential in shaping the destiny of Cedar Rapids than Mr. Snouffer, and he is almost the last of the old band of pioneers conspicuous for their attainments. Ile held many offices and places of trust and fulfilled all obligations with a singleness of purpose that won the confidence and praise of his fellowmen. . It is like tearing down a well known landmark or the felling of an ancient elm to think of this old pioneer as no more. He lived a decade beyond the time allotted to man and perhaps he was ready to go, but such men and such friends are never easily spared and his death has caused universal sorrow and regret." One of the other eity papers said : "Another of the real pioneers
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is gone. In the same home in which he ate his first meal in Cedar Rapids the last sad rites will be said. But in the memory of the people, in the history of the city his name will live. Out of the wilderness he helped to earve and shape one of the most beautiful spots in the world. Out of pioneer poverty he helped to make many fortunes, reserving a fair share for himself. Of his greatest work for humanity no one will ever know it all - how many stormy nights he faced the elements in his efforts to relieve suffering; how many thousands of dollars he gave out of his private purse to the unfortunate; how many people have been encouraged to face again the battle of life with the assurance of at least one good friend behind them."
MERCHANTS NATIONAL BANK
The Merchants National Bank was organized February 28, 1881, in room No. 4 of the old Postoffice building, on which oeeasion the question of its estab- lishment was discussed by R. D. Stephens, P. C. Friek, J. C. Broeksmit, James R. Morin, A. B. George, W. W. Higley, C. J. Ives, J. C. Haman, J. W. Henderson, George Douglas, I. H. Sheever, Peter Hollenbeck, J. S. Cook, T. M. Sinelair, Charles O'Hara, C. H. Clark, James Morton and H. O. Bradley. Its proposition was first that the capital stock be fixed at one hundred thousand dollars, with the privilege of increasing to two hundred and fifty thousand dollars. The following gentlemen were elected directors: R. D. Stephens, J. W. Henderson, J. C. Broeksmit, S. L. Dows, W. W. Higley, P. C. Friek and A. B. George. Of these, P. C. Friek still continues as director and vice president. The officers eleeted were: R. D. Stephens, president; J. W. Henderson, vice president; and Captain C. E. Putnam, cashier. On the 5th of June, 1899, Mr. Stephens resigned as director and John T. Hamilton was eleeted in his place, while on the 1st of July of the same year he was chosen to the presideney. This bank has had a remarkable growth during the past ten years and has beeome one of the strongest financial institutions of the state, founded upon a safe, conservative poliey, which combined with its progressive spirit in management, insures its continued growth.
J. T. AND A. H. PAUL
The brothers whose names introduce this sketeh are enterprising, progressive and energetie farmers, owning the old homestead property, comprising five hun- dred aeres, in Bertram and Marion townships. They are sons of Jonathan and Dorcas (Wilson) Paul, who were natives of Greene county, Pennsylvania, and came to the middle west in April, 1843, at which time they located in Linn county. Here the father entered land, on which he made his home during the two sueeeeding years. He then removed to Dubuque county, this state, where he purchased land and made his home for eight years. On the expiration of that period he onee more returned to Linn county, the year of his second arrival being 1855. At that time he located on the farm which is now owned by the sons, and both he and his wife spent their remaining days on this place, the father passing away on the 12th of January, 1901, when he had reached the age of eighty-four years, while the mother, surviving until October 16, 1906, died at the extreme old age of eighty-nine years. To them were born seven children, as follows: Margaret, the wife of L. B. Kramer, of Bertram township; William S., who makes his home in Calhoun county, Iowa; George, a resident of Linn
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county ; Wilson, also living here; Rachel D., the wife of P. S. Dean, of Marion township; and A. H. and J. T., whose names introduce this review.
A. H. Paul was born in Dubuque county, June 11, 1853. Both he and his brother J. T. acquired their education in the common schools and the period of their early boyhood was spent in much the usual manner of farm lads, as they assisted in the work of the fields from the time of early spring planting until crops were gathered in the late autumn. They are now the owners of the old home property of five hundred acres, located in Bertram and Marion townships, and are most progressive in carrying on their work. They devote a portion of the land to raising various grains, and in their pastures are found high grades of stock, which is a principal feature of their business interests. Their early training in the habits of industry, economy and integrity has been a factor in their later success, and today they stand among the substantial residents of their section of Linn county.
A. H. Paul has never married but J. T. Paul was united in marriage on the 10th of December, 1879, to Miss Susan Daniels, a sister of J. K. Daniels. whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work. The brothers are democrats in their political belief but have never aspired to public office. Having spent almost their entire lives in Linn county, they are deeply interested in the pro- gress that has already been made and is being continued along various lines. partienlarly those of agriculture. Their success is well merited for they have ever followed the most honorable methods in condneting their business affairs.
W. J. BRADLEY, M. D.
Dr. W. J. Bradley, whose professional training was received under some of the most eminent educators of America and of Europe, has been engaged in prac- tice in Cedar Rapids since the 1st of April, 1902, giving his attention specially to surgery. He was born in Berrien county, Michigan, April 4, 1866. His father, Henry Bradley, was a native of England and in his childhood days became a resident of Canada, where he was reared to manhood. Ife removed thence to Ohio and subsequently to Michigan, where he has given his attention to farming for many years but is now living retired, making his home in Bu- chanan, Michigan.
Dr. Bradley obtained his preliminary education in the country schools of Berrien county and afterward attended the Buchanan high school. Determin- ing upon the practice of medicine as a life work, he began reading and later entered Rush Medical College of Chicago, from which he was graduated with the class of 1890. Returning to Buchanan, he opened an office but after a short time removed to Grundy county, Illinois, practicing at Braceville and at Coal City until the 1st of April, 1902, when, seeking a broader field of labor, he came to Cedar Rapids. A year was devoted to study along surgical lines in Berlin and, though he continues in general practice, he yet makes a specialty of surgery and is eminently qualified for success in this department of professional work. He is very careful in the diagnosis of a ease, is particularly skilled in the use of surgical instruments and has performed some of the most difficult and delicate operations, winning him the admiration and respect of the profession as well as the community at large.
In 1892 Dr. Bradley was married to Miss Rachel Cumming, a native of Illinois, and they have one son, Paul Bernard. Dr. Bradley belongs to the Masonic fra- ternity, in which he has attained high rank, becoming a member of the Mystic Shrine. He also holds membership with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Knights of Pythias, the Country ('lub and the Methodist church --
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associations that indicate much of the nature of his interests and the principles that govern his life. In strictly professional lines he is connected with the Linn County Medieal Society, the Iowa State Medieal Society and the American Medi- cal Association and has come to be recognized in Cedar Rapids as a medieal and surgical practitioner of ability, who at all times conforms to a high standard of professional ethics.
AQUILLAR MILLER
Among the honored early residents of Linn county is numbered Aquillar Miller, who throughout the greater part of his life has made his home on see- tion 12, Fairfax township, where he located in 1863. It was in 1851 that he came to this county and he has since been prominently identified with its upbuilding and development.
He was born in York county, Pennsylvania, on the 22d of January, 1827. and on the paternal side is of German extraction, although his father, Samuel Miller, was also a native of York county, Pennsylvania. In that county the latter married Miss Elizabeth Winter, who was also born and reared there and. like her husband, was of German ancestry. In their family were seven children. five sons and two daughters, of whom our subjeet is the eldest. He was but fourteen years of age when the parents left their native state and removed to Ohio, locating in Morrow county when that region was a comparatively un- developed wilderness. To the improvement and cultivation of his land the father devoted his time and energies and as time passed prospered in his under- takings, becoming the owner of a well improved farm. Ile died on the 12th of January, 1872, at the age of seventy-one years, and his wife, who afterward made her home with her daughter Mrs. Sarah Fish, of Morrow county, passed away in 1892. In early life both took an active part in church work as mem- bers of the United Brethren denomination, and the father held a number of offices in the same. Our subject's maternal grandfather was a soldier of the war of 1812 and was a resident of York county, Pennsylvania, where he con- dueted what was then known as a public house, which became well and popularly known throughout the Keystone state on account of the superior apple brandy which it furnished to its guests. In that county Mr. Miller died.
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