USA > Iowa > Linn County > History of Linn County Iowa : from its earliest settlement to the present time, Volume II > Part 80
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chased his present farm of one hundred and seventy-three acres on section 19, Fayette township, Linn county, where he now makes his home, his time being wholly occupied with the cultivation and improvement of this place. Besides his property here he also owns a tract of four hundred acres of land in Cass county, Minnesota. Dr. Young is also a member of the firm of MeClintock & Young, engaged ir business at Palo as dealers in grain and hogs.
In January, 1905, Dr. Young was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Caffery, of Cedar Rapids, and unto them have been born three children, Estelle Frances, Bradley De Witt, and an infant son. The Doetor is a member of Benton City Lodge, No. 81, A. F. & A. M., of Shellsburg, and also of Cedar Rapids Lodge, No. 251, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He is one of the substantial farmers and leading citizens of his community and is a man who is held in high regard by all who know him.
MORIES KERNS
That Mories Kerns possesses many of the traits of his Irish ancestry, chief among which are energy and perseverance, is indicated in the success which he has attained, for with his sister he now owns two hundred and sixteen acres of val- uable land in Bertram township. He is a native of that township, born in 1872, and is one of a family of six children, of whom five are now living, born of the marriage of John and Barbara Kerns, who were natives of Ireland. At an early day they emigrated to America and spent their remaining years in Linn eounty, both being now deceased.
Mories Kerns spent his boyhood and youth in much the usual manner of farm lads and gave his father the benefit of his services until he had reached man's estate. Ile and his sister Katie then purchased the old homestead farm, their possessions embracing two hundred and sixteen acres in Bertram township. This is a well improved property and the fields annually return bounteous har- vests in return for the care and labor he bestows upon them, while in the pastnres arc found high grades of stoek, for Mr. Kerns gives much of his time to the stock- raising industry. On the place stands a good country home and splendid farm buildings for the shelter of grain and stock, and the farm in all of its equipments and accessories presents a neat and attractive appearance. Mr. Kerns' sister Katie aets as his housekeeper.
Mr. Kerns is a republican in his political views and affiliations but has never been active as an office seeker, preferring to devote his time to his private business affairs. He is a communieant of the Catholic church. He belongs to that class of representative men who rapidly discern opportunities of improvement and who are rapidly forging to the front.
JOSEPH J. HAJEK
Joseph J. Hajek, a prominent citizen of Cedar Rapids, especially among the people of his nationality, was born in Hrin, County Tabor, Bohemia, on the 23d of February, 1866, and is a son of Jake and Francis Hajek who were farming people. Reared and educated in his native land, he passed through eight Latin schools and was graduated with distinction in 1885, after which he took up the study of law in the University of Prague. At the instigation of his brother, who is now a designer in New York, but at that time lived in Chicago, he left the old country with the intention of continuing the study of law, but after locating here
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he became interested in journalistie work as a member of the editorial staff of the "Chicagske Listy" and took such delight in the occupation that he decided to devote his life to it. The financial crisis of 1903, shortly after he was married, . was a hard trial for the paper which went to ruin, but finally a position was offered him on the oldest Bohemian daily in the United States, the "Svornost," with which paper he remained for nine years as loeal editor. At the same time he translated Coin's Financial School and wrote two volumes of "Ready Made Speeches" for all occasions, which books are now largely sold. Later he was correspondent for a Bohemian concern in Cedar Rapids, but at the end of three years he became so dissatisfied that he returned to newspaper work, becoming general manager of the "Vestnik lowsky." a branch of his old paper which under his control has grown in favor and cireulation until it is now an important factor in the life of the Bohemian-Americans of Cedar Rapids. The tendeney of this paper is in- dependent in politics, while in religious matters it advocates free thought. Mr. Hajek has been selected speaker of the Congregation with right to solemnize mar- riages, conduet funeral services, perform the naming of children, etc. He be- longs to the Sokols of which he was secretary for two terms and is now secretary of the Middle Circuit, which is the central body of twenty-four societies; belongs to "Zizkny Dub" Western Fraternal Association, "Camp Odvaha," M. W. A., Reading Society, Karel Havlieek, C. S. B. P. J .; Royal Arcanum ; Singing So- viety "Hlahol" and other organizations. Ile has taken a very active part in publie affairs and was, with others. instrumental in bringing about Bohemian Day at the Golden Jubilee of Cedar Rapids and the organization of the Bohemian National Guard, which now works for the Bohemian Home for the Aged. In short he takes an active interest in everything for the benefit of his countrymen and for the progress of the whole community.
In 1893 Mr. Hajek married Miss Louise Eisler, of Minneapolis, and four chil- dren have been born to them: Irma, who is now a stenographer in the employ of Williams & Ihunting : Robert ; Elsie; and Sylvia. They live a happy home life at their new and attractive residenee, No. 511 Seventh avenue West, and are well liked by all who know them. Mr. Hajek has written a number of very good poems, is a speaker of renown and is a tireless worker in everything he under- takes. ITis office is at No. 125 Third avenue, Cedar Rapids.
WILLIAM C. WILSON
William C. Wilson, who has been successfully. engaged in business as a mer- chant of Toddville since 1903, was born in Otter Creek township, Linn county, Iowa, on the 20th day of April, 1878, his parents being William and Rebecca J. (Thompson) Wilson. The father was a native of Ohio, while the mother's birth occurred near Pittsburg. Pennsylvania. They took up their abode among the early settlers of this state and here William Wilson spent the remainder of his life, passing away in 1898. His widow still makes her home in Linn county, where she is well known and highly esteemed.
William C. Wilson of this review attended the common schools in the aeqnire- ment of an education and remained at home until he had attained his majority. Ile then worked at common labor for five years and subsequently embarked in business on his own account as a merchant, having for the past seven years con- dueted a successful and growing mercantile enterprise at Toddville. He gives careful attention to the wants of his patrons, and his reasonable prices, fair deal- ing and enterprising methods have won him a liberal trade.
On the 30th of September, 1903, Mr. Wilson was united in marriage to Miss Ethel Lanning, a native of Linn county and a daughter of John K. and Angelina
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(Hogeland) Lanning. Her father's birth occurred in Ohio, while her inother was born in this eounty and is still living here. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson have one son, Meryl Grant, whose natal day was February 5, 1907.
Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise Mr. Wilson has supported the temperance or prohibition party and in 1904 was appointed to the position of postmaster but has never been a politician in the sense of office seeking. Both he and his wife belong to the Church of Christ and do all in their power to pro- mote its growth and extend its influence. Mr. Wilson is a minister of the denom- ination, having been ordained on the 6th of February, 1909. He and his wife are widely and favorably known in the county where they have always resided, the eirele of their friends being almost eoextensive with the cirele of their acquaint- anees.
BENJAMIN H. WITWER
Benjamin H. Witwer has written his name large in the commercial history of Cedar Rapids, vet his activities have been by no means confined to business lines ; on the contrary he has done effective, far-reaching and beneficial work for the moral and civie interests of the community, and is interested in all things that are factors of municipal advancement and betterment. In his business relations lie is perhaps best known as the president of the Witwer Brothers Company, wholesale groeers, although he has other connections, being widely known in banking and real-estate circles and in other fields of business activity and enter- prise. A native of New York, he was born in Erie county, June 25, 1842, and is a son of Jolin and Maria (Weaver) Witwer, both of whom were natives of Penn- sylvania, where they were reared and married. The father learned the miller's trade when a young man and to that business devoted his attention until 1858 when he removed from the Empire state to Rockford, Illinois, where he purchased a farm and engaged in agricultural pursuits. In 1866 he disposed of his land and removed to Rockford, where he lived retired until his death. His life was a well spent and useful one and his success came as a reward of his earnest and dili- gent efforts. Ile lost his wife in 1872 and after her demise he went to live with his son Benjamin with whom he remained until ealled to his final rest in March, 1881. Both he and his wife were devout members of the Christian church and their many sterling qualities of heart and mind endeared them to all who knew them.
Benjamin H. Witwer was reared in his native state to his sixteenth year when he accompanied his parents on their removal to Illinois. After attending the publie schools he continued his education in an academy at Williamsville, New York, and following his removal to Illinois lie spent one term as a pupil in the Rockford high school. He afterwards went to Marion, Indiana, and was for one year a pupil in the Marion Academy, but at the outbreak of the Civil war the school was discontinued and he returned home. Subsequently he went to Buffalo, ยท New York, and was graduated from the Bryant and Stratton Business College in the class of 1863. Following his graduation he was employed in a grain ele- vator in Buffalo for one year. after which he returned to Rockford, Illinois, and engaged in the wholesale and retail grocery business with which he was promi- nently identified until 1881.
That year witnessed the arrival of Mr. Witwer in Cedar Rapids and here he became associated in business with his brother, H. E. Witwer, who had come to this eity fourteen years before, arriving in 1867. Here they established a whole- sale and retail business under the firm name of Witwer Brothers. Discontinuing the retail department they centered their energies upon the upbuilding of the
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wholesale trade and how well they have succeeded is told by the present magnitude of their enterprise. They have one of the most extensive mercantile interests of Cedar Rapids, their trade relations covering a wide territory while the house sustains an unassailable reputation for the integrity of its business methods which conform to the high standard of commercial ethics. In 1904 the firm was reorganized and the business incorporated under the style of The Witwer Brothers Company. On the organization of the Security Savings Bank, Benjamin H. Wit- wer became one of its stockholders and sometime later was chosen a member of its board of directors. He is also a member of the real-estate firm operating under the name of The B. H. & H. E. Witwer Company, of which Benjamin H. Witwer is the secretary and treasurer. This company was incorporated in Jan- uary, 1908, and is building up an extensive business, handling much important real estate and negotiating many property transfers. The brothers have also been identified with several manufacturing and business enterprises and are classed with the most prominent representative business men of the city. Never content to sit idly by and watch others promote the growth of the city they have taken an active part in advancing its interests in the fields of business and have cooperated in many movements which are matters of civic virtue and civic pride.
On the 25th of September, 1866, Mr. Witwer was united in marriage to Miss Mary A. Hurd, of Rockford, Illinois, and they have become the parents of two danghters; Mary W., the wife of Rev. DeWitt L. Pelton, an Episcopal minister of New York city ; and Jessie J., the wife of James J. Adams, a prominent lawyer of Omaha, Nebraska. Mr. and Mrs. Witwer are members of the Christian church in which Mr. Witwer is an elder and both take an active and helpful part in the church work, doing all in their power to promote its growth and extend its influence. Mr. Witwer is also a member of the Cedar Rapids Country Club and since the building of the Old Ladies Home in Cedar Rapids, has been a member of its board of trustees. No good work done in the name of charity or religion seeks his aid in vain and he stands as an example of high and honorable manhood. of progressive citizenship, of true humanitarianism and of modern commercial- ism that has as its root integrity and unahating enterprise.
FRANK M. BARTA
In 1893 Frank M. Barta was appointed sewer inspector of the city of Cedar Rapids, a token of his thorough knowledge of the system, which qualified him in every regard for the position, and, moreover, because of his unfaltering loyalty he has been reappointed through successive administrations, continuing in the office for seventeen years. Like a large number of the citizens of Cedar Rapids. he had his birth in Bohemia, at the village of Javorniee, near Rychnow, November 2, 1863. He is one of a family of eleven sons and daughters, all living, healthy and strong. His father, Joseph Barta, owned and for many years conducted a blacksmith shop in Javornice, and Frank M. Barta there acquired a good common- school education such as was obtainable at his time. He was graduated from the public school of his native village in 1877 and his parents, desiring him to learn a trade, it was decided that he was to become a miller. According to the require- ments of his native country, he served an apprenticeship of fully four years. It has been and still is a custom in Europe that a young man. after learning his trade, is expected to travel and work in different places to promote his efficiency by broad experienee. Accordingly Frank M. Barta left home in 1881 and traveled on foot across Moravia. Upper Hungary and then south until he reached Bunda- pest, the Hungarian eapital. There he remained for some time. when he decided
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to try other cities of Hungary. Accordingly he walked from Budapest to Pressburg, and thence to Zidlochovice, Moravia, where he remained for a year and a half. He was afterward at Cicice, Bohemia, where he remained until his departure for America.
In 1883 Mr. Barta landed at New York and remained in that city for a year, employed at different occupations. In 1884 he eame west as far as Cedar Rapids but did not remain long. He accepted a position on the railroad and after a year, in 1885, decided to try life on a farm, accepting a position as a farm hand in Iowa. When another year had passed he went to Omaha, Nebraska, but spent only one summer season there. Returning to Cedar Rapids he made permanent location here and entered the large packing house of T. M. Sinclair & Company, Ltd., there remaining until 1893. In that year when the city of Cedar Rapids installed the sewer system he was offered employment and when it was seen that he possessed a thorough knowledge of the construction of sewers he was appointed city sewer inspector, which position he has now held for seventeen years, each new city administration appointing him without opposition. He is regarded as thoroughly competent and the efficient manner in which he has discharged his duties has won for him high encomiums from all concerned.
On the 4th of October, 1890, Mr. Barta was married to Miss Elizabeth Nezerka, who was born at Piskora, Lhota, near Podebrady, Bohemia. She came to Cedar Rapids from the old country in 1885 with her father. Three children have been born of this marriage: Laura Elizabeth, who was born in 1891 and is now sten- ographer and secretary to H. Cushman, of the Kreider-Cushman Shoe Company ; Charles, who was born in 1892 and is now a machinist in the employ of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad Company ; and Adolph, who was born in 1894 and is now a student of the Cedar Rapids high school.
In 1890 Mr. Barta joined the Bohemian Slavic Benevolent Association (Lodge Karel, IV No. 77, C. S. P. S.) In the same year he joined the Reading Society, the oldest Bohemian society west of Chicago, organized for literary and educational purposes. In 1895 he became a member of the Woodmen of the World, joining Lodge Sumavan, No. 34. In 1897 he joined the Western Bohemian Fraternal Association, Kaid IV, No. 13, Z. C. B. J., which in that year was organized in Cedar Rapids, and of this organization Mr. Barta has been the national president since 1906. In 1899 he was initiated into Lodge Maine, No. 643, I. O. O. F., and in 1900 became a member of the Bohemian Gymnastic Association (Turners) known as Tel Jednota Sokol Tyrs. In 1907 he joined the Independent Order of Foresters of America and has been prominent in several of these organizations. In 1907 when the large and now growing Western Bohemian Fraternal Association, which since its organization in 1897 has had its head office in Cedar Rapids, met in con- vention in Milwaukee Mr. Barta was unanimously clected for president of that progressive association, which has now over two hundred and fifteen lodges scattered all over the western half of the United States. Well qualified for this position, Mr. Barta devotes all of his spare time and many of his evenings to the management of the affairs of this association, known among the Bohemian people as Zapadni Cesko-Bratrska Jednota (Z. C. B. J.) Under the able guid- ance and management of Mr. Barta this organization has greatly increased its membership and its finances have been placed on a sound and secure basis so that it has a large reserve fund. In 1910 when the Central School Association of Cedar Rapids was organized Mr. Barta was elected as the first president of that body known as U. Matice Skolska, which looks after the education and uplifting of American youth of Bohemian descent. The cooperation and support of Mr. Barta in these various organizations is regarded as a most valuable asset. He is a man of strong character, always honest and honorable, is a keen observer and a ready and fluent talker. He possesses good judgment and is an able leader in society work. His genial disposition and kindly temperament make him popular
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in social gatherings and while he readily forms his opinions and maintains them stoutly, he is yet accommodating and obliging and gives others the same rights which he retains for himself. Every movement which speaks for pro- gress finds a staneh supporter in him.
HEINRICH M. KELSEY
Heinrich M. Kelsey, who carries on general farming, and stoek-raising, con- ducts a small dairy and also raises fruit in Clinton township, has a property that is growing in value and to which he is gradually adding modern conveniences. He was born in the house where he still resides on the 12th of January, 1856, his par- ents being James C. and Harriet Jane Kelsey, who were natives of Niagara county, New York. James C. Kelsey was born on the 13th of July, 1821, and when a young man of abont twenty-nine made his way westward, arriving in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, (where his older brother, John H. Kelsey, had already located) on the 25th of May, 1850. He was accompanied by his parents and two sisters. HIis mother died in 1853 and his father returned to New York. Mr. Kelsey first settled in Cedar Rapids but later took up his abode on a farm four miles northwest of the village, upon which he continued to reside until his death, which oeenrred on the 7th of February, 1903. He had for more than half a century been a resi- dent of this county, so that he had witnessed almost its entire growth and develop- ment and in the work of progress and improvement he had borne his share. In the late '50s, when the stage coach passed his home on the way to Cedar Falls from Cedar Rapids, there was a postoffice established in his house called Mon Dieu, of which he was the postmaster. He also served as assessor. Harriet Jane Kelsey was born near Pekin, Niagara county, New York, on August 7, 1823, and was married to James C. Kelsey on the 16th of November, 1853. She was a stanch Methodist and always ready to work for the upbuilding of Christ's king- dom on earth. She died in the old home on February 14, 1900.
Ileinrich M. Kelsey, who was reared on the old homestead. attended the dis- triet schools until the age of sixteen years. In the meantime the vacation periods had been devoted to sueh work upon the farm as he could accomplish. and as his age and strength increased he more and more assumed the responsibility of carrying on the home place. Ile continued upon his father's farm until 1895, when he removed to Covington, Iowa, where he engaged in general merchan- dising for two years. At that time he held the offices of postmaster of Covington and clerk of Clinton township. At the expiration of that period he removed to Alburnett, where he continued in the same line of business for another two years. At the end of that time he sold out and returned to the old home farm, which he had purchased from his father. The farm now consists of one hundred and forty-one avres lying in section 14, range 8. which, although rough near the river. is well adapted to the line of farming and fruit raising that Mr. Kelsey is pursuing. "Kelsey's Bend" is located on this farm.
Mr. Kelsey was married on the 31st of March, 1880. to Miss Lida J. Shields, a daughter of George and Susan (Lutz) Shields. She lived but one year after their marriage, dying on the 5th of April, 1881, of Werlhoff's disease. On December 27. 1883, Mr. Kelsey was again married, his second union being with Miss Minerva Sackett Stevenson, a daughter of Thomas and Mary Ann Stevenson. Mrs. Kelsey was born near Rochester, New York, and eame to Iowa with her parents in May, 1868. IIer parents were natives of County Antrim, Ireland, and were married there in 1856, coming to America the following spring. They lived in New York eity for a short time. later near Rochester. New York, and then came to Linn county. Iowa. Mrs. Stevenson died on the 24th of May. 1906, since
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which time Mr. Stevenson has made his home with his daughter. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Kelsey have been born four children. Lida Margaret, whose birth occurred on the 26th of March, 1885, was married to James Smyth, of Ely, on the 19th of December, 1906, and is the mother of two sons, namely : Harvey J., born October 28, 1907; and Delbert Leigh, born May 15, 1909. Orendo Rogers Kelsey was born on the 31st of January, 1888, and has just returned from a trip through several of the southern and western states. Le Claire, whose natal day was Sep- tember 6, 1893, assists in the operation of the farm. Harold Mortimer, whose birth occurred August 21, 1903, has just begun his education in the district schools.
Mr. Kelsey is a republican in his political views, always giving the party the benefit of his support. He belongs to the Modern Woodmen camp and has held office in the local organization. A lifelong resident of Linn county, he needs no introduction to the readers of this volume. Many of his warmest friends are those who have known him from his boyhood to the present time - a faet which indicates that his life has been well spent and that his strongest qualities are those which win him respeet and confidence.
JAMES ORBISON STEWART
James Orbison Stewart, familiarly known as Captain Stewart, is of Scotch- Irish descent and a native of Mercer county, Pennsylvania, having been born near North Liberty in that state, on the 3d of October, 1837. His father, John Stewart, removed with his family to Washington, Iowa, in 1844. His mother's maiden name was Waddell. Her father, who was of Scotch descent, was a soldier in the war of 1812.
James O. Stewart was a lad of only seven years when his parents came to Iowa and the journey was regarded by him at that age as the event of a life time. The trip was made long before the day of railroads and they sailed down the Ohio river from Allegheny City, Pennsylvania, and up the Mississippi to Keokuk, Iowa, from which point they made the remaining distance to Washington with horses and wagons, which they had brought for the purpose. In 1850, in the same prim- itive fashion the family removed to Cedar Rapids, which was then a tiny village. The country round about was sparsely settled and the family endured all the hard- ships and privations which are incident to carly pioneer life in the west.
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