USA > Iowa > Linn County > History of Linn County Iowa : from its earliest settlement to the present time, Volume II > Part 83
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In June, 1891. Mr. Stepanek was united in marriage to Miss Josephine Castek. a daughter of Joseph and Anna Castek, of Cedar Rapids. They have one son, Leo. Mr. Stepanek belongs to a number of fraternal and social organizations, including the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. the Knights of Pythias
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and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, together with some Bohemian socie- ties, including the C. S. P. S. and the Z. C. B. J. He is active in politics as a supporter of the republican party and has served as alderman at large. In March, 1910, he was elected to the city council and holds the position of com- missioner of accounts and finances. He does all in his power to secure the suc- cess of the principles in which he believes and is a man of considerable influence in local political circles. He has also proven a friend to the public schools in his service on the school board and gives active endorsement to every object and measure which he deems will benefit the city or promote the general welfare in the lines of intellectual, material, political, social and moral advancement. He takes great delight in automobiling and travel.
HIRAM I. BOOTH
With the farming interests of Fayette township the Booth family has long been prominently identified and he whose name introduces this sketch now owns and operates a good farm within its borders. A native of Ohio, he was born in Licking county, on the 1st of February, 1847. His father, Isaiah Booth, was a native of New York state and was educated for the ministry. While attending Granville College, now Denison University, from which he was graduated in 1844, he became acquainted with Phoebe H. Jones who was pursuing her studies in the academy at the same time and she afterward became his wife. She, too, was born in New York but during her girlhood had removed with her parents to the Buckeye state. Instead of devoting his time to ministerial work the father commenced teaching at Lancaster, Ohio, where he conducted a select school for eight years. At the end of that time his health failed and he came to Linn coun- ty, Iowa. He located on a farm in College township, four miles southeast of Cedar Rapids, and for ten years was engaged in agricultural pursuits. In the meantime, in 1851, he erected the first frame house built in that township. In 1862 he went to Kansas, but three years later returned to Iowa and settled on his farm in College township. In 1870, however, he crossed the plains to California on account of his health, but after the family had received three letters from him they heard nothing more and it is supposed that he died suddenly among strangers or was murdered for the money which he had with him. The mother of our sub- ject passed away on the old home place in 1879.
Hiram I. Booth passed his boyhood and youth in much the usual manner of farm lads and the knowledge which he acquired in the district schools was sup- plemented by one year's attendance at Western College. For three terms he en- gaged in teaching school but since that time has devoted his entire time to agri- cultural pursuits, owning sixty-one and one-half acres of his present farm. In 1872 he went to Colfax county, Nebraska, where he homesteaded eighty acres, living thereon for five years, during which time the grasshoppers ate his crops every year. Becoming discouraged there, he then returned to his farm in Fay- ette township, this county, and has since engaged in its cultivation with marked success. He has added to the property from time to time until he now owns one hundred and twenty-six and one-half acres that he has placed under a high state of cultivation and improved with good and substantial buildings.
On the 14th of November, 1869, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Booth to Miss Rhoda D. Nelson of College township and they have become the parents of eleven children, ten of whom are still living, namely: Carrie R .; Abbie A .; Phoebe D .; Julia B .; Mary D .; Berith L .; Esther C .; Isaiah J .; Harvey W. and Vera O. Since attaining his majority Mr. Booth has affiliated with the democra- tic party but at local elections where no issue is involved he votes for the men
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whom he believes best qualified for office regardless of party lines. He has been called upon to serve as a member of the board of township trustees and was assessor of his township for several years and for more than a quarter of a cen- tury has been a member of the school board. He has always been found prompt and faithful in the discharge of any duties imposed upon him and he is justly re- garded as one of the leading citizens of his community. Both he and his wife are consistent members of the Seventh Day Adventist church and their lives have ever been such as to gain for them the esteem and friendship of a large circle of acquaintances.
JOSEPH BECICKA
Among the business enterprises which are contributing to the commercial activity and growth of Ely is numbered that of which Joseph Becicka is the owner. He has for some years been well known here as a dealer in lumber, shingles, lath, sash and doors and enjoys a large trade which extends over the sonthern portion of Linn county and the northern portion of Johnson county The name indieates his Bohemian lineage. He was born at Horky, Bohemia, December 22, 1867, and is the second son of John and Anna ( Elias) Becicka. The father, who was born in 1828, was a merchant in his native country. The mother was born in 1834. They were reared, educated and married in Bohemia and in 1885 crossed the Atlantic to the new world, settling near Ely in Linn county, Iowa. For a considerable period the father followed farming in College township and through his untiring industry, intelligently directed, he acquired a comfortable competence that now enables him to live retired, and both he and his wife still make their home in Cedar Rapids. They have a son Samuel, who is a fresco painter and decorator of that city. Their daughters are Mrs. Dostal. Mrs. Joseph Bulieek and Mrs. Godfrey Kun, all residents of Cedar Rapids.
Joseph Becieka, whose name introduces this record, pursued his education in the schools of his native country and also spent one term as a pupil in the public schools of College township. He came with his parents to the United States when seventeen years of age and after putting aside his text-books he began earning his living by working as a farm hand. Ambitious and energetie, he saved his money until his economy and careful expenditure enabled him in 1892 to estab- lish a lumber business at Ely with John Filipi, where he has since been closely associated with trade interests. Ile has been quite successful in the intervening period of eighteen years and now has a profitable and growing business, his trade extending largely over the southern portion of Lin county and the north- ern portion of Johnson county. Ile is ever found reliable in his dealings, and his business integrity is never questioned.
In June. 1893, Mr. Becieka was married to Miss Mary Zvacek, a daughter of Frank and Mary (Filipi) Zvacek, who were pioneer settlers of College township, where they became successful farming people. They, too, were natives of Bo- hemia and in their youth came to America. Since 1856 they have lived in Linn county, arriving here before the railroads were built. Mr. Zvacek settled upon a forty-aere tract of rongh timber land on section 33. Putnam township, and at onee cleared away the trees and developed his fields. He continued to improve the property for some time, when he sold it and purchased eighty acres in what is now College township. Prospering as the years went by, he added to his prop- erty from time to time until on his retirement he had two hundred and eighty acres of highly improved land and twenty-five acres of timber land. He first made his home in Wisconsin and from that state drove across the country to C'edar county with a yoke of oxen. The original home of the family was a log
HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY 735
eabin, in which some of the children were born. After carrying on general agri- cultural pursuits for a long period Mr. Zvacek retired to private life and is now living in Ely in the enjoyment of a well earned rest. The father was born in 1844 and the mother in 1852. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Zvaeek are: Mrs. Fanny Stanek; Emma, the wife of John Zezula; Agnes, the wife of George Chadinea ; Lillie and Libbie, at home; Charles, in Cedar Rapids; and Frank, who follows farming.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Beeieka have been born two children: Mary, who was born July 8, 1894, and Joseph, born September 1, 1895, both having been educated in the schools of Ely. The parents are members of the Bohemian Reformed ehureh and Mr. Beeieka belongs to Ely Lodge, No. 581, I. O. O. F., and Ely Lodge, No. 325, A. O. U. W. He is independent in his political views, supporting the men and measures whom he regards as best qualified for office without consider- ing party affiliation. For a quarter of a eentury he has been a resident of Linn county and, improving his opportunities throughout that entire period, has steadily worked his way upward, winning sueeess which is the merited reward of his earnest labor and elose application.
JESSE H. SMITH, M. D.
The character of the individual is determined by his utilization of his oppor- tunities, his employment of his talents and his fulfillment of his obligations to mankind. In all these partieulars Dr. Jesse H. Smith measures up to the highest standard and his life is recognized as one of large usefulness in the county and state in which he has long made his home. His enterprise and adaptability in business, his loyalty and progressiveness in political eireles and his broad human- itarianism and philanthropy have all indelibly engraven his name upon the pages of Iowa's annals. He is probably today the oldest president of a fire insurance company in the United States, having since 1869 oceupied the position of chief exeentive officer of the Farmers Insurance Company.
He was born in Elkhart county, Indiana, August 27, 1837, and is a son of Isaae and Sarah (Thomas) Smith, who were natives of Ohio and Virginia respect- ively. The father was a farmer by oeeupation and made stock-raising on an ex- tensive seale one of the chief features of his business. In 1853 he came to Iowa, settling in College township, Linn county. He purchased sixteen hundred aeres of land in this county and continued to engage aetively in agricultural pursuits until October, 1880, when he was ealled to his final rest, at the venerable age of eighty years. His wife died in 1870, at the age of sixty-nine years.
Dr. Jesse H. Smith, the sixth in order of birth in his father's family of six children, spent his youthful days to the age of fifteen years in his native eounty and then accompanied his parents to Linn county, Iowa. His youth was passed on a farm and his preliminary edneation was acquired in the usual log school houses of the pioneer days. He became one of the first students in Western College in the town of Western, Linn county, spending two years in study there, and his more specifically literary course constituted a broad foundation upon which to build his professional knowledge. In January, 1858, he began reading medieine under the direction of Drs. Milligan and Taylor and subsequently at- tended leetures at Rush Medieal College at Chicago, being graduated from that institution with the elass of 1860. He first began practice in Cedar Rapids, where he continued for over sixteen years, being mueh of that time in partnership with Dr. Mansfield, one of the first physicians of this eity.
Sinee his retirement from the field of professional service he has devoted his time largely to the interests of the Farmers Insurance Company, of which he is
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the president. He became identified with this company when it was a mutual company. It is now the oldest corporation in Linn county. In 1868 it was or- ganized as a joint stock company and in January, 1869, Dr. Smith was elected to the presidency and has since guided its destinies. Its affairs were in a deplorable condition when he assumed its management. He closely studied the situation and bent his energies to administrative direction and executive control. A change was soon noticeable in the business of the company and its growth has been con- tinuous under his management to the present time, until it is today recognized as one of the soundest companies of the kind in the United States. He has made it what it claims to be, a protective insurance company and not an organization for the benefit of a few at the sacrifice of the many as various insurance compan- ies have been. Its business policy has always been such as would bear the closest scrutiny, no fictitious methods of business being employed, its course at all times conforming to the old and time tried maxim that honesty is the best policy. Into other fields Dr. Smith has extended his efforts and is now one of the directors and the vice president of the Cedar Rapids & Iowa City Railway & Light Company. Moreover, he has extensive farming interests. owning over eight hundred acres of valuable land. He now gives his attention largely to his farm, which is the old homestead of his father and which is one of the valuable agricultural properties of this part of the state.
Dr. Smith has been recognized as one of the republican leaders of Linn county and belongs to that elass of men who have sought to make the party stand for principle and not for the furtherance of the interests of certain individuals. While high political honors have been conferred upon him, he has never placed personal ambition or aggrandizement before the party welfare or the interests of the com- monwealth. In 1875 he was elected mayor of Cedar Rapids for a two years' term and again filled the office in 1878 and 1879. In 1888 he was elected state senator from Linn county for a term of four years, which covered an important epoch in the history of the state, during which legislation of far reaching mo- ment was enacted. In 1900 he was a delegate at large from Iowa to the republican national convention which nominated MeKinley and Roosevelt at Philadelphia.
Dr. Smith has been married twice. In 1862 he wedded Lucy Henderson, a daughter of John W. Henderson. She died October 20, 1863, leaving one ehild, Edward H., who was born March 20, 1863. In 1866 he wedded Mary E. Ward, of Illinois, who died in April, 1904, leaving a son, Isaac B., who was born January 20, 1868.
Dr. Smith is an Episcopalian in religious faith and a Mason in his faternal relations. Both organizations find him a worthy exponent of their principles and in the latter he has attained high rank, having reached the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite in the consistory, while of the Mystic Shrine he is also a mem- ber. Ile has been president of the Masonic Temple Association since its organiza- tion and was one of the organizers of St. Luke's Hospital Association in 1887, sinee which time he has been its president. Ilis deep interest in this is manifest in 'his active and helpful cooperation and his untiring efforts to promote its growth and extend the field of its usefulness. He belongs to the Cedar Rapids Country Club and to the Commercial Club and his sincere cordiality has made him a favorite in the prominent social eireles in which he has always moved.
For the past twenty years he has spent his winters in the south or in Cali- fornia and he has traveled extensively throughout the entire country. There is no more splendid example of the self-made man in Linn county than Dr. Smith, his career being a striking example of what may be accomplished by one who must look to self-reliance, industry and perseverence for success. The pos- sibilities of high position afforded in the United States to industry and fidelity were never better illustrated than in the case of Dr. Smith. In his youth he worked for whatever the world was to bring him of enjoyment or honors. He
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has reached the evening of life not only possessed of wealth and past politieal honors but also of exalted social position and of a mind enriehed by travel and by constant mingling with men and women of the highest breeding, edneation and accomplishments. He is today possessed of almost everything that men eovet as of value and in the midst of his sueeess he has found time for the finer things that our self-made inen are so prone to overlook - aid in money and personal attention to sehools and churches, benefieenee to charitable institutions and the artistie adornment of his home and of his eity.
HENRY E. MASON
Henry E. Mason, who is an enterprising and sueeessful farmer of Bertram township, was born in Fairfield county, Ohio, on the 4th of October, 1851, a son. of Robert and Susannah (Branneller) Mason. The father was a native of Virginia, while the mother was born in the Buckeye state. They spent their married life in Ohio and to them were born ten children of whom four are de- eeased. With the exception of Henry E. all the others live in Ohio. Both the parents are now deceased, their death occurring in that state.
Henry E. Mason was reared in the state of his nativity and assisted his father in his work until he had reached the age of twenty-six years. He then rented land in Ohio, which lie operated for ten years, and subsequently sought the broader opportunities of the middle west, coming to Linn county, Iowa. He has made farming and stock-raising his work sinee eoming to this state and now rents a farm of two hundred and forty aeres in Bertram township.
Mr. Mason was married to Miss Clara Sawyer, a daughter of William and Isabel Sawyer, both of whom died in Ohio. Mrs. Mason is one of six children born to her parents, of whom four are now living, the other three making their home in Ohio. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Mason have been born three children: Valid F., who married Flora Munn and lives at home; Orval C., who married a Miss Walters and lives in Bertram township; and Merrill M., still under the parental roof.
In politics Mr. Mason is a republican and his fellow townsmen have called upon him to fill a number of local offices. He has served as alderman of Mount Vernon, has been sehool director and at the present time is serving as trustee of Bertram township. His fraternal relations eonnect him with Mount Vernon Lodge, No. 551, 1. O. O. F., in which he has filled the chair of noble grand. Both he and his wife are members of the Presbyterian ehureh, in which he has served as trustee. Mr. Mason is a man of worth in the community in which he makes his home. He takes a deep interest in publie affairs, lending his aid and influenee in the cause of every good movement and heartily promoting the pro- gress and advancement of his locality.
FRED KERN
One by one the soldiers of the Civil war have answered the last roll eall. They have bivouaeed on the other side of the river when their last march was eom- pleted, but history remains to tell the story of their bravery and their loyalty. Among those that Iowa sent to the country's defense when rebellion threatened the destruction of the Union Fred Kern was numbered. He was equally faithful to his duties of eitizenship in days of peace and Cedar Rapids numbered him among her representative and valued residents.
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He was a native of Switzerland, born on the 22d of May, 1849, but was only two years of age when his parents left the land of the Alps and crossed the At- lantie to the new world, settling at Museatine, Iowa. There he was edueated in the public schools and spent his youthful days. When a young man he entered the steamship service on the lower Mississippi river and devoted several years thereto, but after the outbreak of the Civil war he returned to the north to enlist with the Iowa troops, who were marching to the front in defense of the old flag. He joined Company E, of the Sixteenth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, one of the regiments composing the famous Crocker lowa Brigade, participating in many hotly contested battles and in all of the marehes and movements in which his regi- ment took part. When the country no longer needed his aid. victory having crowned the Union arms, he returned to the north and established his home in Sigourney, Iowa, where he engaged in business for a few years.
In 1886 Mr. Kern removed to Cedar Rapids, where he established a bakery. His place on Second street was one of the best known in the city and he prospered in his undertakings, securing an extensive and gratifying trade. He held to a high standard of excellence in his output and his reasonable priees and thoroughly reliable dealing were also elements in his success. As he prospered with the pass- ing of the years he made investment in real estate until he became one of the large property owners of the city.
Mr. Kern was married in Mount Pleasant, Iowa, in 1877, to Miss Katherine Nevin, whose brother, John Nevin, was for a number of years associated in busi- ness with Mr. Kern in Cedar Rapids. Her father, Edward Nevin, was a native of Ireland. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Kern were born two sons, George H. and Fred E., who still survive the father, whose death occurred on the 6th of February. 1899, at San Diego, California, where he had spent the winters for several years.
In his political views Mr. Kern was ever a stalwart republican, esponsing the cause of the party which was formed to prevent the further extension of slavery and which proved the defense of the Union during the dark days of the Civil war. He was a very prominent and popular member of the Knights of Pythias fraternity and maintained pleasant relations with his old army com- rades through his membership in the Grand Army of the Republic. During the thirteen years of his residenee in Cedar Rapids he made for himself a leading and ereditable position in business cireles, and his social qualities, too, won him many friends. In his life he manifested many of the sterling traits of his Swiss an- cestry - a people whose bravery, courage and determination seems to partake of the ruggedness and of the strength of the mountains among which they were reared.
CHARLES O. BARRY
Charles O. Barry, the well and popular postmaster of Walker, is one of Iowa's native sons, his birth having occurred in Jackson county, September 10. 1868. His parents, Nicholas J. and Mary S. (French) Barry, were natives of New York and Pennsylvania respectively and it was during the latter part of the '50s or early '60s that they came west, the mother's people locating in Illinois aeross the river from Muscatine, while the father's family settled near Bellevue, Jackson county. While residing there the father entered the Union army, becoming a member of Company K. Thirty-first Iowa Volunteer Infantry, with which he served until honorably discharged for disability. He was with Sherman on his famons mareh to the sea and after the close of hostilities was honorably discharged and returned to this state. He located at Lamotte, where he worked at his trade as a harnessmaker until 1874, which year witnessed his arrival in Walker. Here he
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made his home until called to his final rest in 1890. His widow is still living and now resides with her son Justin in Walker.
During his boyhood and youth Charles O. Barry received a good practical education in the common schools and remained at home with his parents. As a young man he worked at the carpenter's trade for a time and was later employed in the creamery at Walker for four years. In the meantime his father had been appointed postmaster of Walker and he assisted in the office, continuing to carry on affairs after the father's death when his mother was appointed postmistress. He praetically had charge of the office until Grover Cleveland was elected to the presideney. when, being a republican, the office passed into other hands. In the meantime he and his brother Justin had acquired the printing plant of the Walker News and after pursuing a commercial course in the Cedar Rapids Busi- ness College he returned to Walker and entered the printing office, being a part- ner of his brother in its operation. They have since carried on the paper and have made it one of the leading journals of this section of the state. On the 1st of March, 1898, Mr. Barry was appointed postmaster and is now filling that office in a most ereditable and satisfactory manner, having early become familiar with the duties which devolve upon him in this connection.
On the 23d of June, 1897, Mr. Barry was united in marriage to Miss Ella M. Edwards, of Walker, and to them was born one child, who died in infancy. They have since adopted a son, Charles Paul. whom they are now rearing. By his ballot Mr. Barry has always supported the men and measures of the republican party and has taken an active and commendable interest in public affairs. For the past five years he has served as president of the Iowa branch of the National League of Postmasters and prior to that time served one year as secretary of the organization. He has been sought to allow his name to be used for the office of national president but has refused the honor. Fraternally he is a member of Walker Lodge. No. 498, I. O. O. F., and is a man prominent in business, social and political circles, for he is a wide-awake and progressive citizen, whose genial. pleasant manner has gained him a host of warm friends.
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