USA > Iowa > Linn County > History of Linn County Iowa : from its earliest settlement to the present time, Volume II > Part 85
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104
Since attaining his majority Mr. Wright has always affiliated with the re- publican party and has taken a very active and influential part in public affairs. His fellow citizens, recognizing his ability, elected him mayor on the incorpora- tion of the town and he has since filled that office in a most creditable manner. He also served as justice of the peace for six years and has always been found true to every trust reposed in him, whether of a public or private nature. So- cially he is a member of Center Point Lodge, No. 185. Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and he stands high in business, social and political circles.
J. W. MACDANEL
J. W. MacDanel is the president and manager of the Clark-MacDanel Com- pany, an important industrial concern of Cedar Rapids which is engaged in the manufacture of workingmen's clothing. His birth occurred near La Crosse, Wisconsin. on the 24th of August, 1864, his parents being J. P. and Catherine (Indelson) MacDanel, who are natives of Ohio and Indiana respectively. They were married in Illinois, to which state their respective parents had removed. J. P. MacDanel, the father of our subject, followed farming in Henderson county. Illinois, for one year and subsequently was engaged in general agricultural pur- suits near La Crosse, Wisconsin. for a similar period. He then took up his abode at Piper City, Ford county, Illinois, where he was engaged in the hardware bnsi- ness for a time but later again turned his attention to farming interests. His fellow townsmen, recognizing his worth and ability, called him to various positions of publie trust and for about a quarter of a century he capably discharged the duties devolving upon him as township clerk. He also represented his township in other positions for many years and over the record of his official career there falls no shadow of doubt or suspicion of evil. For the past fifteen years he and his wife have made their home in Cedar Rapids, where they are well known and highly esteemed as people of genuine personal worth and upright, honorable lives.
J. W. Mar Danel was reared under the parental roof and obtained his education in the public schools. His father was in only moderate financial ciremmstances and he therefore began providing for his own support at an early age, working as a chore boy and as a farm hand for neighboring agriculturalists in Ford county until he had attained his seventeenth year. At that time he came west to Cedar Rapids, lowa. here securing employment as a clerk in the dry goods store of H. C. Gillette. About a year and a half later Mr. Gillette disposed of his mercantile interests and Mr. Mae Danel then entered the service of Foot & Whitney, who were engaged in the same line of business and with whom he remained until 1888. In that year he entered the employ of Liddle & Carter, jobbers of men's furnishings and manufacturers of workingmen's clothing. gradually becoming familiar with the business in principle and detail. He remained an employe of the honse until 1900. when the reorganization of the business was effected and the style of the concern was changed to Clark-MacDanel Company, Mr. MacDanel becoming president and general manager of the new firm. In 1903 they erected a modern building with a floor space of about twenty thousand square feet and supplied
747
HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY
with all necessary equipments for the successful conduet of a manufacturing enterprise. Employment is furnished to some seventy-five persons and the trade of the house extends over a wide area. The Clark-MaeDanel Company is one of Cedar Rapids' important industrial concerns and the gentleman who is at its head has gained a prominent and enviable position in business eireles here.
In 1888 Mr. MacDanel was united in marriage to Miss Philopena Seitz, of Cedar Rapids, a daughter of Phillip and Caroline (Kruger) Seitz, who were among the early settlers of this place and are now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Mac- Danel are the parents of two children, namely: Mildred Bernice, who completed the high school course in Cedar Rapids with the class of 1908 and is now pursning a special course in Coe College; and Ellen Louise, a high school student.
In his political views Mr. MacDanel is a republican but the honors and emolu- ments of office have had no attraction for him. He belongs to the Cedar Rapids Commercial Club and has been a member of the board of directors of the Young Men's Christian Association for abont twenty years. Both he and his wife are devoted members of the First United Presbyterian church, in the work of which they are actively and helpfully interested, Mr. MacDanel having served as elder for twenty-five years. He is a man of many friends here and has made for him- self a ereditable place in industrial cireles, his capability and business efficiency winning him both recognition and prosperity.
JOHN K. DANIELS
John K. Daniels, who is for the fourth year capably filling the office of assessor of Bertram township and also serving as justice of the peace, is numbered among the publie-spirited citizens and successful farmers of Linn county. Ile is a native of the county, born April 20, 1859. a son of J. J. and Martha K. (Kinley ) Daniels. the former a native of Ohio and the latter of Indiana. In 1844 the father made a trip to Linn eonnty to look over the country and remained here one year. He then returned to the Buckeye state but in 1846 came again to Linn county, bring- ing with him his family. This time he entered land and erected a log cabin. which is still standing on that portion of the farm now owned by our subject. He developed and improved his farm, which he cultivated for a few years, but in 1865 he was elected on the republican ticket as recorder of Linn county, which necessitated his removal to Marion. His fidelity and eapability is attested by his reeleetions, for he was continued in office four terms. On the expiration of his last term he returned to the farm and once more took up the pursuits of farm life, making his home thereon throughout his remaining years. He died December 21, 1908, when he had reached the extreme old age of eighty-one years. The mother departed this life many years prior to his death. her demise ocenrring in 1895. Their family numbered fourteen children, of whom six are still living.
J. K. Daniels was given good educational advantages, completing the high- school course. He was reared to the ocenpation of farming and continued on the home farm until he was twenty-two years of age. in the meantime engaging in teaching for one term. He then went to California, remaining on the Pacific coast for fifteen years. In 1896 he returned to Linn county and for six years operated rented land. He then took up his abode on forty acres of land which he purchased from his father but after seven years he disposed of that land and purchased a portion of the old homestead property. located on section 28, Bertram township, and this has been his home to the present time. His farm embraces forty acres, all of which is under eultivation and is improved with good buildings.
Mr. Daniels has been twiee married. ITis first union was with Miss May C. Daniels, their marriage being celebrated in 1881. She was a native of Belle
748
HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY
Plaine, Iowa, and by her marriage became the mother of one son, Charles E., who is now in Colorado. In 1898 Mr. Daniels married Martha E. Vredenburg, who was born in Linn county. There are three children by the second marriage : Bessie L., John W. and Cecil R.
In his political belief Mr. Daniels has followed in his father's footsteps, voting the republican tieket, and he has served four years as assessor of Bertram town- ship, while for the past two years he has filled the office of justice of the peace. His entire political service has been in the interest of the people and his continu- ance in offiec is the best evidence of this statement.
M. M. ONDLER
M. M. Ondler is filling the position of township trustee of Spring Grove town- ship and is moreover numbered among the leading and representative farmers of the district. He was born in Buchanan county, Iowa, on the 28th of April. 1867, and is a son of Phillip and Sarah (Sherritts) Ondler, the former a native of Germany and the latter of Pennsylvania. Ile spent the days of his boyhood and youth quietly, his time being divided between the work of the fields, the duties of the schoolroom and the pleasures of the playground. He acquired a good English education and was trained in the labors of the farm. On reaching man- hood he engaged in breeding horses and was identified with that business for seven or eight years. He has displayed energy and determination in everything that he has undertaken and seldom fails to win success. He is now a director of the Farmers Telephone Company and for some years was its treasurer. His attention however, is chicfly given to his farming interests and he now owns one hundred and forty-two aeres of rich and arable land in Spring Grove township. Of this he owned ninety-two acres at the time of his marriage. In the development and improvement of the property he displays sound judgment and his perseverenee has brought to him success that he well merits.
On the 20th of February, 1894. Mr. Ondler was united in marriage to Miss Essie May Metcalf, of Spring Grove township, and he took his bride to the farm which he owned and which has since been their home, although its boundaries have been extended by additional purehase. Three children have been born unto them, namely : Clarence E., Estelle D. and Alvin P.
Mr. Ondler votes with the republican party, which he has supported since his majority. He is now serving his second term as a member of the board of township trustees and is also president of the school board. While he closely applies himself to the successful eondnet of his business interests, he also recog- nizes and meets the duties and obligations of citizenship and supports all the various measures and movements which he deems of value to the community.
EDWARD E. HACH
Edward E. Hach is known in financial eireles as a director of the Iowa State Savings Bank of Cedar Rapids and in manufacturing lines as the manager of The Peter Hach Bottling House. He was born February 19, 1885, on the corner on which he is now eondneting business, his parents being Peter and Frances (Skerik) Haeh, natives of Tama and Linn counties, Iowa. respectively. It is thus indicated that the families have been represented in this state from pioneer times. The father was reared on the homestead farm in Tama county and in 1882. when a young man, came to this city. where he entered the employ of his brother-in-
749
HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY
law, Joseph Skerik, of whom he later became a partner in the agricultural imple- ment business. In 1894, after the mulet law came into effect, he engaged in the saloon business and in 1896 turned his attention to the bottling business, in which connection he has built up one of the important industries of Cedar Rap- ids. He has now turned over the management of the enterprise, however, to his son and is praetieally living retired in the enjoyment of well earned rest on a small farm on Twenty-third avenue West.
Edward E. Hach was reared under the parental roof and after mastering the branches taught in the publie schools of this city continued his education in the Cedar Rapids Business College. On attaining his majority he became associated with his father in business in the capacity of bookkeeper and has sinee been iden- tified with The Peter Haeh Bottling House, of which he is now manager. To this position he was ealled soon after his marriage and has served in that capacity continuously sinee, carefully controlling the interests of the business, which is now thoroughly systematized, so that substantial results are secured without the waste of time or labor. Mr. Hach was also aetive in the organization of the Iowa State Savings Bank and two years later was chosen a member of its board of direetors, in which capacity he has since served.
It was in 1906 that Mr. Haeh was united in marriage to Miss Emma Uleh, of Solon, Iowa. Ile belongs to Prokap Velky, C. S. P. S .; Ziskuvdub, Z. C. B. J .; and to the Foresters of America. He is yet a young man and undoubtedly further success awaits him in the future, for unabating energy and industry that never flags are numbered among his strong characteristics.
WILLIAM H. CLEARY
William H. Cleary, assistant chief of police of Cedar Rapids, and long con- neeted with the public service of this city, was born in New York city on the 26th of May, 1858. His parents, Martin and Catherine (Guiry) Cleary, were natives of Ireland, the mother having been born in the city of Limerick. They came to the United States in early manhood and womanhood and took up their abode in Al- bany, New York, where they were married. Subsequently they removed west to Wisconsin where Mr. Cleary followed railroading for a short time, but after- wards turned his attention to farming and engaged in tilling the soil until after the outbreak of the Civil war. He served throughout the entire period of hos- tilities, enlisting from Madison, Wisconsin, in Company H, Fourth Wiseonsin Cavalry. He was injured in the battle of Fort Hudson, his horse being shot and rolled over on him, Mr. Cleary sustaining serious injuries in his baek. Following the elose of the war he returned to Wiseonsin and settled on a traet of land, after which he carried on general farming until his retirement from active business life. He then removed to the village of Elkhorn, Wisconsin, where he enjoyed a well earned rest until his death, which occurred March 15, 1904. His wife died in 1893.
William H. Cleary was reared on the home farm, working in the fields through the summer months and attending the publie schools in the winter seasons. On reaching his twenty-second year he went to Chicago and seeured employment in the plant of the Cramer Brothers Manufacturing Company, serving an appren- ticeship as a welder on furnace work. After completing his apprenticeship he was compelled to quit the work on account of ill health, and hoping that the change might prove beneficial he came west to Cedar Rapids in the summer of 1884 and secured a position in the Sinelair Paeking House, where he was em- ployed until Mareh, 1885. On the 14th of March of that year he was appoin- ted a member of the eity police force and served on the force for nine years
750
HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY
and three months. He was capable, faithful and trustworthy in the perform- anee of his duties, and was promoted to the rank of captain and assistant chief, serving in the latter capacity under two administrations for four years of the period of nine years in which he was connected with the police force. Following his retirement he entered the mayor's office where he spent one year as repre- sentative in the serving of claims and other kindred duties. He then found em- ployment in the Sinelair Packing House where he remained for six years and later, for about a year, represented the Swift Paeking House Company, of St. Louis Missouri, as a traveling salesman. In 1902 he was again appointed a member of the police force as a patrolman, and later was made the patrol sergeant. In the spring of 1908, under the commission plan of government he was appointed assistant chief, under Chief Carl, in which capacity he has since served. He has made a study of criminology and has proven an efficient officer in his present business, and an able assistant in the handling of the police affairs of the eity.
Mr. Cleary was married in 1891 to Miss Catherine Blakely of Cedar Rapids, and they became the parents of two children, but only one is now living, David Dempster, who is attending the parochial school of the Immaculate Conception church. The parents are members of the Catholic church, and Mr. Cleary holds membership with the Knights of Columbus and the Catholic Order of Foresters. He is one of the well known residents of Cedar Rapids, and has been a faithful and competent official, discharging his duties with a sense of conscientious obli- gation. endeavoring at all times to hold the eity to a high standard of law and order.
LEVITT J. SHURTLEFF
Levitt J. Shurtleff, one of Fayette township's prospesous farmers and success- 'ul citizens, has spent his entire life in this county, for he was born in that township on the 8th of March, 1861. a son of Jerome and Mary (Dumbauld) Shurtleff. Ilis father was a native of Vermont and was a young man on coming west about 1851. Before taking up his residence in lowa he drove a stage coach running from Galena, Illinois, to a spur of the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad connecting with Chicago. It was in lowa City, Johnson county, this state, that he was united in marriage to Miss Mary Dumbauld, a native of Perry county. Ohio, who came with her parents to this state during her girlhood. In early years he drove a stage from Anamosa to lowa City, but after his marriage entered one hundred and sixty acres of farming land in Fayette township and forty-five acres of timber land. He then located upon this property and to its development and improvement devoted his time and attention until he retired from active life and is now living retired in Shellsburg. lowa. He is a republican in politics and was called upon to fill various township offices during his residence in Fay- ette township, including that of township trustee. Fraternally he is a Mason and for more than thirty years served as master of Shellsburg lodge.
During his boyhood Levitt J. Shurtleff' attended the common schools and while assisting his father in the work of the home farm gained an excellent knowledge of all the duties that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. At the age of twenty-one years he began life for himself as a farmer and for two years operated the home farm on shares. He subsequently rented other property, which he farmed for three years, and after his marriage removed to one of his father's farms, which he carried on for four years. In 1889 he bought eighty acres of his present farm in Fayette township, on which he located in February. 1890. and in connection with its operation continued to carry on his father's farm for several years. In the meantime he added to his property as his financial resources increased and he
751
HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY
found opportunity until he is now the owner of a valuable tract of two hundred and thirty-seven acres. He has a well improved place and his fields are under a high state of cultivation.
On the 25th of February, 1886, Mr. Shurtleff married Miss Viola IIall, of Fayette township. Her father, James A. Hall, was born in Pennsylvania and was married in New York state in 1854 to Miss Mary Webber, who at that time was only seventeen years of age, while he was nineteen years old. . Not long afterward they came to Iowa and settled in Fayette township, Linn county. Dur- ing the Civil war Mr. Hall entered the service as a member of Company I. Twentieth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, while his wife went to the front as a nurse. In later years both drew pensions in recognition of their services and they died in Palo, this county, in 1905 within seventeen hours of each other. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Shurtleff have been born four children: Mary Frances, now the wife of Hezron Gillis, of Fayette township; Victoria Viola; Helen Marjorie; and Alberta Irene.
Politically Mr. Shurtleff is identified with the republican party and has been honored with several official positions of trust and responsibility. He has served as road supervisor and as a member of the school board and in November, 1908, was elected township trustee. He exerts a wide felt influence in local politics and his fiidelity to every trust reposed in him has gained him a large circle of warm friends. He is an automobile enthusiast and owns a Reo machine, from which he derives much pleasure.
HARRY ALEXANDER LINDSAY, M. D.
Dr. Harry Alexander Lindsay, who is now snecessfully engaged in practice as a physician and surgeon in Walker, Iowa, was born in Steubenville, Jefferson county, Ohio, on the 19th of April, 1872, his parents being Alexander and Mary (McKee) Lindsay, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania, but were married in the Buckeye state, whither they had removed with their respective parents in early life. The father, who was a gunsmith by trade, was engaged in that line of business in Steubenville at the time of his death, which occurred in 1875, when he was quite young. The mother died about the same time and the Doctor was thus left an orphan at the tender age of three years. He then made his home with his paternal grandmother, Mrs. Sarah Jane Lindsay, by whom he was reared to manhood.
At the age of twenty years Dr. Lindsay seenred a position in a drug store. connected with the Independence State Hospital at Independence, Iowa, where for ten years he was the officiating pharmacist. In 1902 he entered the medical department of the State University of Iowa at Iowa City, from which institution he was graduated with the class of 1906. Having received his degree, he first located at Stanley. Iowa, where he was engaged in practice for one year, and then returned to Independence, being made assistant physician at the state hospital and serving in that capacity for three years. In October. 1909, he came to Walker and during his short residence here has already built up a good practice, which is constantly increasing. He is also a partner in the H. A. Brink Drug Company of this city and as a druggist as well as a physician he has met with well deserved success.
In 1896, Dr. Lindsay was united in marriage to Miss Carlotta E. Robertson of Independence, Iowa. He recently purchased one of the finest homes in Walker, located on South Greene street, where they now reside. His fraternal brethren recognize his ability and he is today a prominent member of the Linn County Medical Society, the Buchanan County Medical Society, the Iowa State
752
HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY
Medical Society and the American Medical Association. Outside of his profes- sion he is identified with Rob Morris Lodge, A. F. & A. M., and is also connected with the Order of the Eastern Star. His skill as a physician and surgeon has been demonstrated in many important eases and he will undoubtedly make for himself a name and reputation in his ehosen ealling.
GEORGE ALFRED MERRILL
Through intermediate positions George Alfred Merrill has risen in the railway service until he is now division superintendent of the Cedar Rapids division of the Chicago, Roek Island & Pacific Railroad, with headquarters at Cedar Rapids. HIe was born in Carthage, Illinois, November 28, 1867, and is a son of Steven W. Merrill, a native of New Hampshire, who in early life was engaged in railroading under his brother, then superintendent of transportation of what was known as the Rutland Railroad but is now a part of the Grand Trunk system. S. W. Merrill served the railroad in various important eapaeities until 1851, when he removed westward to Burlington, Iowa, and became general freight and passenger agent with the Burlington & Missonri River Railroad Company, the only railroad at that time running west of Burlington and being built as far as Ageney City, Iowa. He remained in the service of that road until the outbreak of the Civil war, when his patriotie nature was aronsed and he put aside all business and personal considerations in order to aid in the preservation of the Union. Aeeord- ingly he enlisted in the Fifty-second Iowa regiment, which became a part of what was known as Crocker's brigade. He made a most ereditable military record, advaneing from the position of sergeant until he was ranking eaptain, his promo- tion coming to him in recognition of meritorious service and various aets of bravery. Ile remained in the south until the elose of the war and afterward settled in Warsaw, Illinois, where he filled the position of county elerk of Haneoek county. He also acted in that capacity after the removal of the county seat from Warsaw to Carthage. He is now living retired in Carthage at the age of eighty-five years, honored and respected by all who know him. His political allegiance has ever been given to the republican party sinee it was formed to prevent the further extension of slavery.
Steven W. Merrill married Miss Loretta W. Bliss, of Bradford, Vermont, who died in 1903 aged sixty-seven years, and unto them were born seven children, of whom five are now living: Edmund Bliss, who is filling the position of elaim agent for the Colorado Southern Railroad Company and makes his home in Denver : Charles Carroll, general agent for the New York Central Railroad Com- pany at Kansas City, Missouri; Carrie Dean, who is living with her father in Carthage, Illinois, engaged as a stenographer and bookkeeper for a number of years in the banking house of Berry & Berry Company at that place; Graham Foote, a machinist who is now foreman of the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railroad shops at Parsons, Kansas; and George A. Those deceased are Iowa Bliss and Mary Graham, both dying in infaney.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.