USA > Iowa > Linn County > History of Linn County Iowa : from its earliest settlement to the present time, Volume II > Part 81
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James Stewart acquired his education in the common schools but largely sup- plemented his knowledge by the experience gained in a country printing office. At the age of sixteen years he entered the office of the Progressive Era, the first paper published in Cedar Rapids, winning his first dollar by rolling and inking the type for the Iowa supreme court reports, which were printed on a hand press. After about six months' service in that capacity he was regularly apprenticed as the printer's devil for the fours years' term service, receiving the sum of thirty dollars the first year, fifty dollars the second year, seventy-five dollars the third year and one hundred dollars the fourth year. At this princely salary he was supposed to pay his board and clothe himself.
Mr. Stewart worked at the printer's trade until the spring of 1861, when he enlisted as a private soldier in Company K, First Iowa Infantry, on the first call for volunteers. He took part in the engagements of Mud Springs and Forsythe and the noted battle of Wilson's Creek, Missouri, where he received his first "glory mark" and in which the noble General Lyon fell while he was leading the First Iowa. In May, 1862, Mr. Stewart reenlisted, entering the service as first sergeant of Company B, Twentieth Iowa Infantry. He took part in all the marches and battles of the regiment, the more important being Prairie Grove, the siege of
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Vicksburg, the battles of Fort Morgan and Fort Blakely and the capture of Mobile, Alabama. Soon after entering the service he was promoted to seeond lieutenant and later commissioned first lieutenant. He was also promoted to the rank of captain but was not mustered into the two latter offices owing to the re- dneed number of the company. During about eighteen months of his serviee he acted as adjutant of the regiment, an honor seldom conferred upon a second lieu- tenant. He also acted for a time as judge advocate of the Second Division of the Thirteenth Army Corps and later as mustering officer on the staff of General C. C. Andrews. In October, 1865, when mustered out of the service, he still held that position on the staff of General Joseph C. Mower for the Department of Texas.
On his return to eivil life Mr. Stewart again took up the printer's trade and in 1866 bought a half interest in the Waverly Republican. On selling that paper he purchased the Clarksville Star, which he published for twelve years, building up a state reputation for himself and for the paper as an unswerving advocate of the principles of the republican party, to which he still adheres.
Captain Stewart has always been an enthusiastic Grand Army man and has held all the positions in the post from the lowest to the highest and also appoint- ments on the staffs of the national and department commanders but his best work has been in the quiet aid to indigent comrades and other dependents. In 1884 he again took up his abode in Cedar Rapids and was connected as a writer and otherwise with various newspapers. In 1895 he was appointed deputy elerk of the United States circuit and district courts and United States commissioner for
the northern district of Iowa. He takes an active interest in politics but is not a politician except in the better sense of the term. In all his long and active career he would never allow his name to be presented for an elective office although often urged to do so, preferring to aid others rather than hold office himself. He has therefore never served in an official capacity except that of deputy elerk of the United States eireuit and distriet courts, and four years as assistant postmaster in his home city. He resigned his position and relinquished his office August 15, 1910, after serving continuously for fifteen years and is now engaged in busi- ness for himself in Cedar Rapids.
Mr. Stewart was married in 1868 to Miss Leah E. Alexander, of New York state, and they have one child, Raymond Grant Stewart, who is now a resident of Cedar Rapids and is following in the footsteps of his father as a printer. Mr. Stewart was reared in the faith of the United Presbyterian church and is a men- ber of that society.
JOSEPII HRBEK
In the middle portion of the nineteenth century Joseph Hrbek figured prom- inently in industrial eireles, being proprietor of one of the largest and most im- portant blacksmith establishments in the city. As the name indicates, he was of Bohemian birth and was a splendid representative of that country which has furn- ished so many valuable citizens to Cedar Rapids. His birth occurred in 1837, his parents being Mathew and Katherine Hrbek, who were also natives of Bo- hemia. The father eame to Ameriea at an early day, bringing his family and loeating in Michigan, where both he and his wife died. In their family were nine children.
Joseph Hrbek was a young man when he left home and made his way to Mil- waukee. He was married in that city to Miss Barbara Dolezal, who was born in Bohemia in 1842 and was a daughter of Thomas and Barbara Dolezal, also natives of that country, where they spent their entire lives. Mrs. Hrbek was one of a
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family of five children and crossed the Atlantic to the United States when a young maiden of about fourteen years.
Following their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Hrbek removed to Champaign, Illi- nois, where he worked as a blacksmith and wagonmaker, having previously learned the trades. ITis life was always given to industrial interests of that character. In 1866 he removed to Cedar Rapids and turned his attention to business inter- ests here, building a two-story briek shop, in which he carried on blacksmithing and wagonmaking until his death. He was an excellent workman, thorough and reliable in all that he did, and his capability and integrity won him a liberal patronage.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hrbek were born nine children: Milvoj, Vlasta, Jacenka, Sarah, Jeffrey, and four who are now deceased. The daughter Sarah is adjunet professor of Bohemian at Lincoln, Nebraska. The death of Mr. Hrbek occurred in December, 1881. He had lived a busy and useful life and was a self-made man, his success being attributable entirely to his earnest and persistent labor. He had no influential friends to assist him in gaining a start nor did he depend upon fortunate circumstances but sought his advancement in the legitimate lines of trade, gaining a liberal patronage through merit. IIe had pleasing qualities that won him many friends and he was particularly widely and favorably known among the people of his own nationality. IIe rejoiced in his success because it enabled him to provide comforts for his family, and Mrs. Hrbek is still the owner of several valuable pieces of real estate in Cedar Rapids, from which she derives a gratifying annual income.
RICHARD LORD, M. D.
With tireless energy, keen perception and ability to devise the right thing at the right time, with power to plan and to perform, Dr. Richard Lord has not only won a prominent place in the medical profession but is today recognized as one of the most successful business men of Cedar Rapids. He was born in Mantor- ville, Dodge county, Minnesota, on the 28th of October, 1868, and is descended from one of the oldest New England families, his direet ancestors being Thomas and Dorothy Lord, who came with their family to America from England with the Rev. Hooker and his floek in 1635, becoming the founders of Hartford, Connec- ticut, and the family has taken a prominent place in the succeeding history of New England.
The Doctor is the son of Samuel and Lonisa (Compton) Lord. Samuel Lord's birth occurred in Meadville, Pennsylvania, where he continued to reside through- ont his boyhood and youth. He received a good classical education, attending Allegheny College at Meadville, and subsequently took up the study of law, being admitted to the Pennsylvania bar. He was united in marriage to Miss Louisa Compton, and in 1860 they removed to Minnesota, where he successfully engaged in the practice of law throughout the remainder of his life. As a republican he took a very active and prominent part in local politics and was called upon to represent his district in the lower house of the general assembly. Later he was eleeted to the senate and became a prominent member of that body. High honors came to him in professional lines also, for he was made judge of the fifth judicial distriet and was serving on the bench at the time of his death, which occurred in 1880. His wife had passed away the year previous. They were people of prom- inence in the city where they resided and were faithful members of the Episcopal church.
In the family of this worthy couple were eight children, of whom four are still living, namely: Samuel, a distinguished attorney of Kasson, Dodge county,
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Minnesota, and at one time a member of the state senate, has taken an active interest in political affairs and in 1900 was chairman of the Minnesota delegation at the republican national convention held in Philadelphia, and is at present serv- ing as chairman of the state tax commission. Hngh C. is also prominent in re- publican politics and is a leading attorney of Erie, Pennsylvania. Myrtle is an artist of ability who devoted several years to study in Europe and is now living at Meadville, Pennsylvania. Richard completes the family.
In the state of his nativity Dr. Lord grew to manhood and was given good educational advantages, attending the high schools of Mantorville and Kasson and in the fall of 1890 began preparation for his ehosen profession under the preceptorship of his cousin, Dr. C. L. Chambers, late of Kasson. Minnesota. Sub- seqnently he entered the medical department of the University of Minnesota, where he attended one course of lectures, and then matriculated at Rush Medieal College in Chicago, from which he was graduated with the class of 1893. After his graduation he did substitute praetiec in Michigan City and in Crary, North Dakota, for three or four months, and then located at Louisville, Nebraska, where he was engaged in practice until the summer of 1896, which witnessed his arrival in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. In the practice of his profession at this place he has met remarkable snecess, his patrons coming from many of the best families of the city.
Dr. Lord has not confined his attention wholly to his professional labors, but has become extensively interested in several land companies, owning a large amount of property in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan, and individually has extensive holdings in the first named state. It has been largely through his efforts that abont fifteen thousand acres of land have been opened np and devel- oped in Minnesota between Two Harbors and Duluth, which is being colonized by the best class of American citizens, progressive, energetic men, who have done much toward making that region a most productive agricultural one. Situated in the Knife River valley, it is a country of nusnal beanty and a soil of excep- tional fertility. As aids to its development he has installed a fully equipped sawmill and the most modern machinery for clearing the land. The Doctor is also identified with various business enterprises, being associated with the Glenn Voting Machine Company, the Aeme Fire Insurance Company, the LeFebre Ledger Company, and has various other financial interests in Cedar Rapids.
In 1894 was celebrated the marriage of Dr. Lord and Miss Jessie A. Leedy, a daughter of Henry M. and Mary Elizabeth (Johnston ) Leedy, of New Providence, Iowa. Her parents dying when she was but a baby, she with an older brother. John W., were reared in the family of Mr. and Mrs. John Lang, of Wasioja, Minnesota. This brother is now professor of seience at Central Holiness Uni- versity at Oskaloosa, Iowa. The family residence at 1580 Third avenne is one of the finest of the city's many fine homes. The Doctor is prominent in pro- fessional circles and is a member of the Linn County Medical Society and also belongs to the Iowa Union Medical Society, the Iowa State Medieal Society and the American Medical Association. He is supreme medical director of the Fra- ternal Bankers Reserve Society, in which capacity he has served since its organ- ization. He is popular in fraternal as well as professional circles and is a mem- ber of Crescent Lodge, No. 25. A. F. & A. M .; Trowel Chapter, No. 49, R. A. M .; Apollo Commandery, No. 26; Iowa Consistory, No. 2. A. & A. S. R. ; and El Kahir Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. He also belongs to Maine Lodge, No. 643, the Indepen- dent Order of Odd Fellows, the Modern Woodmen of America and other societies.
Dr. Lord is one of the city's foremost citizens and belongs to the Cedar Rapids Country Club and to the Cedar Rapids Commercial Club. Public-spirited and progressive, he is actively identified with various movements for the publie good. He has given his attention to his professional interests with a success that is truly enviable. He has not cramped his interests by confining them to a few matters.
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On the contrary his breadth of sympathy and his broad outlook upon life are among the many things that make him an esteemed eitizen of binn county. Ile is an alert, enterprising business man, rejoicing in opportunities for activity and in improving all the opportunities that have come to him he has found the success that places him in a prominent position among the leading business and profes- sional men of this part of the state.
JAMES MONROE BARTLESON
For fifty-six years James Monroe Bartleson has been identified with the busi- ness interests of Linn eounty and is today prominently identified with the mer- cantile interests of Center Point. A native of Pennsylvania, he was born in Philadelphia, December 31, 1835, his parents being Elijah and Hester Bartleson, both of whom were born in the vicinity of Philadelphia. From their native state they removed to Berkeley county, Virginia, in 1836, when our subject was only a year old, and there the father engaged in business as an arehiteet and earpen- ter, becoming one of the leading builders of his locality. During the eholera epidemie of 1853 he died of that dread disease, and the mother of our subject passed away in 1850.
Thus at the age of eighteen years James M. Bartleson was left an orphan and following his father's death bound himself ont as an apprentice to the carpenter's trade for a term of three years, to receive only his board and elothes in compensation for his labor. He worked but one year, however, for on going to spend Sunday with an unele and returninng a little too late on Monday morn- ing his employer became angry and they severed their connections at onee. Mr. Bartleson then seenred a position at a dollar and a half per day and after working at his trade for two months managed to save thirty-nine dollars. With this amount in his pocket he started for Iowa, reaching Wapello in November, 1854. On leaving his old home in Virginia the weather was warm and sunshiny but on 'landing in Iowa he found snowy winter weather. Having on canvas shoes he was compelled to spend his last two dollars and a half for a pair of boots. He stopped at a hotel in Wapello and with his gun killed an abundance of game to supply the needs of the hotel, and the proprietor charged him nothing for his accommodations that winter. In the spring he seeured a contraet to build a house and after this was finished he and three other carpenters formed a co- partnership and engaged in building and contracting for some time, as there was inneh building to be done in those early days.
In November, 1855, Mr. Bartleson came to Marion, Linn county, and two weeks later settled at Center Point, where he had a brother-in-law and his parents living. Here he spent the following winter, during which time he took an ox team belonging to his brother-in-law's father, Samuel Mentzer, and hanled logs to a mill, where they were sawed into lumber. He then purchased a lot in Center Point for twenty-five dollars and on it erected a house, which he sold for eight hundred dollars, taking the man's note instead of a mortgage for the property. Shortly after selling, however, the purchaser went to Cedar Rapids, where he mortgaged the house for one thousand dollars and left the country, leaving Mr. Bartleson without recourse. For a time he continued to work at the ear- penter's trade, but later accepted a position in the store of John Carr, whose daughter, Miss Amanda Carr, he married on the 11th of November, 1858. During the Civil war he and his father-in-law operated the stage line from Cedar Rapids to Waterloo under contraet from the government for four years and following the expiration of this contraet seeured another for the same length of time. Mr. Carr then asked Mr. Bartleson whether he wanted the mercantile business in Center
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Point or the stage route, and our subject chose the former, which he conducted for about twenty years, when he went to Marion, accepting the position of assistant manager of the Marion branch of the implement business of E. B. Alderman & Son, with whom he was connected for six years. In March, 1887, he returned to Center Point and established himself in the implement business at his present location. In 1898 he also embarked in the general mercantile business and still conducts both stores, having built up an excellent trade along those lines. He is a wide-awake and progressive business man and the success that has come to him is but the merited reward of industry, perseverance and good management. In ad- dition to his business interests he is also a stockholder in the Linn County Savings Bank of Center Point.
Mr. Bartleson has been called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who passed away in April, 1902. Unto them were born three children, namely : Ida, now the wife of William H. La Vell, who is manager of her father's mercantile business at Center Point; Emma, the wife of A. E. Dunbar, a general merchant of the same place ; and John, deceased.
Mr. Bartleson is now serving as secretary of Vienna Lodge, No. 142, A. F. & A. M., of Center Point, and is also a member of Center Point Chapter, No. 390, O. E. S. His political support is given the demoeratie party and his fellow cit- izens, recognizing his worth and ability, have called upon him to serve as township elerk for six years and as town aud city clerk for the same length of time. He is a progressive and public-spirited citizen, who takes a commendable interest in public affairs and never withholds his support from any enterprise which he believes will advance the moral or material welfare of his community.
ALBERT OXLEY
A deep feeling of sadness spread throughout Bertram township when it was announced that Albert Oxley had passed from this life, but while those who knew him remain his memory will be cherished because of his life of helpfulness, of good cheer, of broad sympathy and his deep interest in and labors for the benefit of his fellowmen. Mr. Oxley was born in Linn county, in 1849, a son of William and Mary (Grey) Oxley, who were natives of Indiana. They settled in Linn county at an early day, the father establishing his home on a farm, which he operated until 1864. He then disposed of that property and purchased two hun- dred acres in Washington county, Iowa, which he operated until his death, both he and his wife passing away at their home in that section of the state. Seven sons were born unto Mr. and Mrs. William Oxley, namely: Thomas, Albert. Perry, William, deceased, Randolph, Simpson and Jacob.
Albert Oxley was reared in the usual manner of farm lads of the period, as- sisting his father in the work of the home farm until he attained his majority. He then began life on his own account, purchasing one hundred acres of land in Marion township, this county, which he operated for ten years. He then dis- posed of that place to advantage and invested his money in a tract of ninety acres, also located in Marion township. This remained his home until 1900, when he sold and bought eighty acres on section 20, Bertram township, and to the cultiva- tion of this place he gave his time and attention until his death, which occurred in 1901. He made some improvements on the place and brought the fields under a high state of cultivation, so that it annually yields good crops. This property is still in possession of Mrs. Oxley, who makes her home thereon.
In 1865 Mr. Oxley was married to Miss Sarah E. Patterson, a native of Marion township and a daughter of George and Eliza Jane Patterson. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Oxley were born three children, two daughters and a son, but the daughters,
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Ellen C. and Mary E., are both deceased. The son, Albert M., is at home and assists his mother in the management of the farm.
Mr. Oxley gave his politieal support to the demoeratie party and while he was ever found loyal to the best interests of his eounty he never sought nor desired publie offiee. He was a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church, to which his wife also belongs. He was a man most highly esteemed in the locality in which he so long made his home and his death was a source of regret not only in his own household but among his many friends and neighbors. His remains were interred in the Oak Shade cemetery at Marion.
JOSEPH I. BEATTY
The farming interests of Fayette township find a worthy representative in Joseph I. Beatty, who is a native of Iowa, his birth occurring in Benton county, on the 5th of October, 1879. His parents, Charles and Catherine ( Whcelan) Beatty, were both natives of Ireland. The father came to this country with his parents at an early day and the mother was a young woman when she erossed the Atlantie, both becoming residents of Benton county, Iowa, where their marriage was eele- brated and where they continued to reside up to the time of their death. The mother passed away December 1, 1904, and the father died in May, 1907. During his residence here he had steadily prospered until he became the owner of four hundred aeres of very valuable land in Benton county and two hundred aeres in Fayette township, Linn county. In polities he was a democrat and was honored with several local offices, having served as township trustee for a number of years.
During his boyhood and youth Joseph I. Beatty remained at home with his parents, pursuing his education in the publie schools and acquiring an exeellent knowledge of all the duties which fall to the lot of the agriculturist. In March, 1906, he married Miss Margaret Gasser, of Benton county, and they have beeome the parents of one child, Archibald C.
After his marriage Mr. Beatty located on his present farm in Fayette township, consisting of two hundred acres, which came into his possession on his father's death. He has since erected new buildings upon the place and improved it in such a manner that today it is one of the best farms of its size in his section of the county. In his farming operations he has been remarkably sueeessful, for he is industrious, energetie and progressive, and in addition to his home place he now owns an eighty-aere traet cornering on his farm, so that he now has two hundred and eighty aeres of very valuable land. His poliiteal support is given the democratic party but he has never taken a very active part in publie affairs aside from voting. His wife holds membership in the Lutheran church and they have a large eirele of friends and acquaintances throughout the community. .
REV. TIMOTHY J. SULLIVAN
For twenty-one years the Rev. Timothy J. Sullivan has been pastor of St. Patrick's Catholic church of Cedar Rapids and during this period has largely promoted the interests of Catholicism among his parishioners and the people of the eity. He has been most zealous in his efforts to advanee the work of the ehureh along its various lines of activity and his preaching at the same time has been an effective foree for good in the lives of those who have come under his teaching.
His birth oeeurred in Glengariff, County Cork, Ireland, on the 15th of May. 1856, his parents being Timothy and Bridget (Crowley) Sullivan, who arrived
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in America in 1863 and became residents of Sandwich, Massachusetts. They remained there for only a brief period, however, and in 1865 arrived in Iowa, becoming residents of Earlville. For some years Timothy Sullivan, Sr., super- intended railroad construction in this state but at length retired from aetive business life, taking up his abode in Cedar Falls. His wife died in 1876.
They were the parents of eleven children, as follows: Mary, the wife of Cain Holland, of Floyd county, Iowa; John. roadmaster of the Illinois Central Rail- road at Clinton, Illinois: Hannah, the wife of D. Holland; Patrick, who has supervision of the Illinois Central Railroad at Cherokee, Iowa; Timothy J., of this review; Josie, a resident of Denver, Colorado; Michael C., a priest, who is now a professor in St. Joseph's College, of Dubuque, Iowa; Agnes, the wife of P. C. Murray, of Sheldon, Iowa; Kate, the wife of J. Flynn, of New Hartford. Iowa; F. D., agent for the Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha Railroad at Eau Claire, Wiseonsin ; and C. J., chief elerk in the office of his brother F. D.
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