History of Linn County Iowa : from its earliest settlement to the present time, Volume II, Part 9

Author: Brewer, Luther Albertus, 1858-1933; Wick, Barthinius Larson, 1864-
Publication date: 1911
Publisher: Chicago : Pioneer Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 896

USA > Iowa > Linn County > History of Linn County Iowa : from its earliest settlement to the present time, Volume II > Part 9

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HON. JOSEPH II. PRESTON

Few lawyers have made a more lasting impression upon the bar of the state both for legal ability of a high order and for the individuality of a personal ehar- acter which impresses itself upon a community than has Hon. Joseph H. Preston. Throughout the entire period of his connection with the bar his progress has been continuous, and this is due to the fact that no one better knows the necessity for thorough preparation and no one more industriously prepares his eases than he. Since 1881 he has practiced in Cedar Rapids, while his identifieation with the Iowa bar covers half a century.

Mr. Preston was born in Benton Center, Yates county, New York, on the 9th of July, 1838, and was, therefore, only four years of age when, in 1842, his parents, Colonel I. M. and Mary J. (Facer) Preston, removed with their family to Linn county, settling in Marion. The father was an attorney and for many years prae- ticed successfully in this part of the state. At the usual age Judge Preston entered the publie schools and after completing his preliminary course became a student in Cornell College at Mount Vernon. He attended the Union Law School of Cleveland, Ohio, winning the degree of LL. B. on his graduation from the latter in 1860. Having successfully passed the examination which secured him admis- sion to the bar, he entered into partnership with his father and was thus engaged in law practice at Marion for eight years. In 1869 he removed to Waterloo, lowa, where he continued in praetiee until 1881, the year of his arrival in Cedar Rapids. He was already known to many residents of the eity and had remained here for but a brief period when he was elected district attorney for the eighth judicial distriet, comprising seven counties. For four years he sat upon the bench, con- ducting the proceedings of the court. His course was exceptionally free from all judicial bias. His varied legal learning and wide experience in the courts, the patient eare with which he ascertained all the facts bearing upon every ease which came before him gave his decisions a solidity and an exhaustiveness from which no members of the bar could take exception. In 1886, on the expiration of his term in that office, he was elected judge of the eighteenth judicial distriet, con- sisting of Linn, Jones and Cedar counties, and received publie recognition of his capable serviee in his reëlection in 1890, with an increased majority although he was the demoeratie candidate in a republican district. He resigned from the beneh on the 1st of September, 1894, to again enter upon the private practice of law, becoming senior partner of the firm of Preston, Wheeler & Moffit. The second partner has sinee withdrawn, leaving the firm Preston & Moffit.

Judge Preston was married in September, 1860, to Miss Adeline L. Wood, of Marion, who passed away November 20, 1907, mourned by the friends who knew her and her kindly nature. Judge Preston is deeply interested in the questions of local, state and national importanee that bear upon the welfare of the individual and of the country at large. He has always been allied with democratie forees but is too broad minded and publie spirited to saerifiee the general good to partisan interests. While undoubtedly not without that honorable ambition which is so powerful and useful as an incentive to activity in publie affairs, he regards the

HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY

pursuits of private life as being in themselves abundantly worthy of his best- efforts. His is a noble character - one that subordinates personal ambition to public good and seeks rather the benefit of others than the aggrandizement of self. Endowed by nature with high intelleetnal qualities, well versed in the learning of his profession and with a deep knowledge of human nature and the springs of human eondnet, he is in the courts an advocate of great power and influence and has devoted fifty years to the practice of the profession to whiel right and liberty must look for protection.

WILLIAM T. JACKSON

Various phases in the life of William T. Jackson elieit favorable eomment and have won for him high and enduring regard. He eapably filled the office of county auditor for two terms but is even more widely known as the president of the Linn County Abstract Company of Marion, to the business interests of which he is now directing his energies. Ile was born in this city, August 12, 1868, and is the son of Robert M. and Rebecea (Cooper) Jackson. The Coopers were from Mercer county, Pennsylvania, while Robert M. Jackson was also a native of the Keystone state and a son of a farmer and hotel man. His parents were Samuel M. and Mary Ann (Moore) Jackson who, coming to the middle west, died in Linn county on the old Jackson place, about six miles north of Marion. The grand- father took a very active part in the work which promoted the early interests of the county and his labors were of far-reaching and beneficial effect.

Robert M. Jackson, the father of William T. Jackson, began his education in the common schools and afterward benefited by a course in Strasburg Academy. In early manhood he was a merchant and postmaster in Cochranville, Chester county, Pennsylvania, but after the outbreak of the Civil war enlisted for active service in Company A, Thirtieth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteer Militia. Before the war he married a lady who in her maidenhood hore the family name of MeClel- lan. They had two children : Ada E., now Mrs. James Horne ; and Samuel M., deccased. The mother of these children died before Mr. Jackson's enlistment for service in the Union army. In the winter of 1863-4 he made a trip to Linn county, and returned so well pleased with the country that the entire family, consisting of his parents, five brothers and sisters and the family of his brother-in-law, Dr. D. R. Hindman, decided to eome west and all eame the following spring. Here he was married a second time, Miss Rebecca J. Cooper, at that time a teacher in the public schools of Marion, becoming his wife. They were the parents of three children : William T., of this review ; R. Charles, ex-auditor of Linn county and now a banker of Manilla, Iowa ; and J. Edwin, a real estate dealer of the state of Washington. In 1879 Robert M. Jackson was elected county treasurer of Linn eounty and afterward served four terms.

William T. Jackson, reared in Marion, pursued his early education in the schools of this eity and afterward attended Coe College, from which he was grad- nated in 1901. Like all young men he faeed the business world with its varied conditions and responsibilities, seeking his first employment in the Cedar Rapids National Bank. Later he returned to Marion as deputy county anditor and filled the position so eapably that he was nominated for the office and eleeted by a hand- some majority. He received the endorsement of his first term's service in a reëleetion and at the close of his second term retired from the position as he had entered it - with the confidenee and good will of all concerned. After putting aside official cares he became president of the Linn County Abstraet Company and has sinee remained at the head of the enterprising eoneern, doing an extensive

HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY

abstract business, their elientage being such as to secure for him a gratifying an- nual income.

In November, 1902, Mr. Jackson was united in marriage to Miss Maude F. Helphrey, a daughter of F. Parrett and Fannie (Cozer) Helphrey of Mt. Pleasant, Iowa. Her father resides at Mt. Pleasant but her mother is deceased. Mrs. Jaekson was graduated from the Iowa Wesleyan University at Mt. Pleasant, with the class of 1893, and at the time of her marriage was a teacher in the Marion high school. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Jackson have been born four children, namely : Miriam R. and F. Parrett, both in school ; Eleanor G., who is deceased ; and Frances C.

Mr. Jackson and his family attend the Presbyterian church and he also holds membership with the Sons of Veterans. Although there have been no unusual chapters in his life history, his experienee being such as might come to any indi- vidual under like circumstances and like environment, he has nevertheless proved his worth as a man, citizen and publie official and his townsmen entertain for him that warm regard which is always given in recognition of true worth and business ability.

WALTER L. CHERRY

Although a young man, Walter L. Cherry is at the head of one of the most important industrial enterprises of Cedar Rapids. Honored and respeeted by all, no man occupies a more enviable position in commercial eireles, for in taking up a business established by his father, he has wrought along progressive lines for its expansion and development and has been the initiative spirit that has prompted substantial and desirable improvement. His life record began at Troy Mills, this county, on the 9th of January, 1874, and he is a son of J. G. Cherry, long an hon- ored and valued eitizen of this part of the state. He was five years of age when the family removed to Cedar Rapids, so that he pursued his education in the public schools of this eity, passing through eonseentive grades until he was graduated from the high school with the elass of 1891, and then attended Coe College for a few months, while practical experience came to him under the direction of his father, with whom he became connected in 1891.

In early manhood his father had been employed in the creamery of H. J. Nie- tert, and not only did he perform the tasks assigned him but gave earnest thought to the business, recognizing its needs and possibilities, and utilizing his mechanieal and inventive skill to meet its needs. It was after his removal to Cedar Rapids that he became associated with J. R. Morin & Company in operating a number of ereameries in this locality. While in the employ of that company Mr. Cherry continued his experiments until he had perfected and secured patents upon a jacketed eream ean, and in 1880 he began their manufacture for commercial pur- poses. The beginning of the business was a very humble one but gradually the value of his invention became recognized, orders poured in and the increasing trade led to the enlargement of factory and warehouse until there is today in Cedar Rapids an important industry which utilizes a four-story factory and ware- house in the manufacture of ereamery and dairy specialties. Private railroad tracks have been built to the factory to increase the shipping facilities and the most modern machinery has been introdneed. It was into this business that Walter L. Cherry eame in the days of its infaney, and working with his father, he became an active factor in the growth and development of the enterprise, which is now one of the most extensive of the kind in the country. Upon his father's death he as- sumed the management and was elected president of the company, of which Her- bert S. Cherry is now vice president and manager of the filler factory; Howard H. Cherry, secretary ; and E. B. Cameron, treasurer. To the original manufac-

HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY

tured product, the jacketed cream can, were added other products as the business was extended, to include all sorts of milk cans and creamery and dairy specialties. Then, too, the father recognized the growing importance of the egg business and in 1890 began the manufacture of egg cases and egg case fillers. Not only does the company own today an extensive plant in Cedar Rapids but also has one of the largest and best equipped filler factories in the country at Peoria, Illinois, where freight rates are advantageons and other favorable conditions exist. The business was incorporated by the father in 1898 under the style of the J. G. Cherry Com- pany. A branch was opened at Sioux Falls, South Dakota, in 1900, but was closed on the 1st of January, 1909, at which time a house was opened at St. Paul, where better shipping facilities can be secured. Thus gradually the business has develop- ed to mammoth proportions, and as its chief executive officer, Walter L. Cherry is bending his energies to promoting its further growth. He is also a director of the Merchants National Bank and of the Cedar Rapids Savings Bank and his coopera- tion is regarded as a valuable factor in financial circles.

On the 1st of December, 1905, Mr. Cherry was married to Miss Laura White, and they have one daughter, Virginia, who was born October 6, 1907. Mr. Cherry holds membership in the Masonic fraternity, in which he has taken the Knight Templar degree and is a member of the Shrine. Ile is also connected with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and is a trustee of the local lodge. He belongs to the First Presbyterian church and gives his political allegiance to the democratic party. For four years he served as a member of the city council and is now a member of the civil service commission. He takes a warm interest in the welfare of the city and gives much time to furthering the work of general develop- ment and improvement. As in business, his ideas concerning municipal affairs are practical, and his efforts resultant, and the consensus of public opinion numbers Walter L. Cherry among the prominent, honored and respected citizens of Cedar Rapids.

S. N. KRATZER

S. N. Kratzer, who has won a ereditable measure of prosperity in the operation of his fine farm on section 26, Jackson township, is also engaged in stock-raising to some extent. His birth occurred in Winnebago county, Illinois, on the 1st of February, 1850, his parents being Samuel and Malinda (Drake) Kratzer, both of whom were natives of Brown county, Ohio. They first established their home in Winnebago county, Illinois, and in the fall of 1868 came to Linn county, Iowa, settling on a farm in Jaekson township. Here they spent the remainder of their lives, the mother passing away in 1886 and the father in 1895. They reared a family of ten children, nine of whom are still living.

S. N. Kratzer attended the common schools in the acquirement of an education and remained under the parental roof until he was married at the age of twenty- eight. Subsequently he operated the old homestead place for four years and on the expiration of that period, in 1883, purchased seventy-three acres of the farm on which he now resides on seetion 26, Jackson township. Later he extended its boundaries to include one hundred and fifty-three and one-fourth acres of land, all of which he has brought under a high state of cultivation and improvement. The well tilled fields annually yield golden harvests in return for the care and labor which he bestows upon them, and in connection with his farming interests he also makes a specialty of raising and feeding stock.

In 1878 Mr. Kratzer was united in marriage to Miss Artie Gramling, by whom he had one son, Harley, who is now a resident of Marion. The wife and mother passed away in 1881 and on the 4th of January, 1887, Mr. Kratzer was again

HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY

married, his second union being with Miss Nellie Hicks, whose birth occurred near Rockford, Illinois. Her parents, Joel H. and Thankful (Kingsley) Hicks, were both natives of New York and celebrated their marriage at Rockford, Illinois, where they continued to reside until called to their final rest. Their children were five in number, three of whom yet survive. Mr. and Mrs. Kratzer have two children : J. H., who has a business college education and now operates the home farm; and Floyd N., likewise at home.

In politics Mr. Kratzer is a stanchi republican and is now capably discharging the duties devolving upon him in the eapacity of township trustee. The cause of education has ever found in him a warm friend and he served on the school board for more than twenty years. His fraternal relations are with the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows at Central City, while his religious faith is indi- cated by his membership in the Congregational chureli, with which his wife is also affiliated. He has now made his home within the borders of Linn county for more than four decades and the circle of his friends is a wide one.

FRANKLIN B. McNIEL

Franklin B. MeNiel, who devoted his time and energies to the operation of a farm of one hundred and twenty aeres on section 16, Washington township, is an agrieulturist whose labors have been attended with well merited success. His birth occurred in that township on the 11th of March, 1862, his parents being George T. and Mary M. (Penn) MeNiel, who were natives of New York and Maryland respectively. They took up their abode among the early settlers of Linn county, lowa, were married here and remained worthy and respected residents of this county throughout the remainder of their lives. George T. MeNiel, who followed general agricultural pursuits throughout his active bus- iness career, passed away on the 31st of March, 1882. His wife was called to her final rest on the 19th of April, 1899. Their children were five in number, as follows: Aletha E., a resident of Washington township; Edward, who is deceased; Franklin B., of this review ; Horace E., living in Spring Grove town- ship, this county ; and Richard M., of Washington township.

Franklin B. MeNiel attended the common schools in the acquirement of an education and remained with his parents until twenty-eight years of age, when he was married and established a home of his own. Following that important event in his life he rented a farm for two years and then purchased a traet of land on section 13, Washington township, where he resided until 1908. In that year he disposed of the property and bought his present place of one hundred and twenty acres on section 16, Washington township, where he has carried on his farming interests continuously since, annually gathering good crops which find a ready sale on the market.

On the 11th of March, 1891, Mr. MeNiel was united in marriage to Miss Lucy E. Priaulx, who was born in Jackson county, Iowa, on the 14th of De- cember, 1863, her parents being John and Elizabeth (Ballieu}) Priaulx, natives of France. They crossed the Atlantic to the United States at an early day, first locating in Ohio, while later they took up their abode on a farm in Jackson county, Iowa. John Priaulx was called to his final rest in January, 1868, and his wife passed away five years later. They were the parents of fourteen children: Joseph; Susan, the wife of H. Bobo, of Davenport, Iowa; Flora, who is the wife of A. W. Flathers and resides in Sioux City, Iowa; Mrs. MeNiel ; and ten who are deceased. Mr. and Mrs. McNiel have four children, as follows: John H., born July 30, 1893, who is a graduate of the Center Point

HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY

high school; Florence B., whose birth oeeurred April 20, 1902; Kenneth F., whose natal day was February 5, 1904; and Clarenee B., born January 29, 1907.

Mr. MeNiel exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the republican party, believing that its principles are most eon- ducive to good government. He has done effective serviee for the cause of education as a member of the school board, having held the office for twelve years. Both he and his wife belong to the Methodist Episcopal church and take a helpful interest in its work. Mr. MeNiel has many friends in the county where his entire life has been spent and is well entitled to a place among its esteemed and substantial eitizens.

HON. JACOB C. DAVIS

Ilon. Jacob C. Davis was for fifty-six years a resident of Marion during which time he was closely associated with its public interests. Few men have taken so active and so helpful a part in promoting the welfare and progress of the city and the record of no official here has been more constant in honor, more stainless in reputation and more fearless in service. No history of Marion would be consid- ered complete without extended mention of Jacob C. Davis.

A native of Baden, Germany, Mr. Davis was born September 15, 1843, and was the son of Jacob and Mary Davis. Ile spent the first ten years of his life in the land of his nativity and in 1853 eame with his parents to the United States, the family making their way direct to Waubeek where they resided until their removal to Marion a short time afterwards. Jacob C. Davis began his education in the schools of his native country and continued his studies in Marion. Through- out his life, however, he remained a student, investigating those subjects whiel were of vital interest to the home locality and to the nation. When twenty years of age he became a law student in the office of the late Thomas Corbett and in July, 1863, was admitted to the bar, after which he continued in active praetiee up to the time of his last illness. He was accorded a large clientage and tried many important cases in the courts of the county. His devotion to his elients' interests was proverbial and he prepared his cases with great thoroughness and eare, while in their presentation he was strong, forceful and logical.

On the 3d of October. 1867, Mr. Davis was married to Miss Minnie C. Schultz, a daughter of Peter and Mary (Busaeker) Schultz, who came from Mecklenburg, Germany, to the United States. They loeated first in Pennsylvania and afterward made their way direet from the Keystone state to Marion. In the vicinity of this city the father purchased land, which he cultivated, but the family lived in town. He was a very early settler in this part of the state and took an active interest in the work of publie progress. Mrs. Davis was born in Germany and accompanied her parents to the new world. By her marriage she became the mother of three children : Belle, now at home; Ella, deceased ; and Carrie, the wife of Carl F. Reichert, who has been engaged in the groeery business in Marion for many years.

The death of the husband and father occurred December 3, 1909, and he was laid to rest in the Marion cemetery. He belonged to the Masonie fraternity and his family holds membership in the Congregational ehureh. To him is aecorded the honor of having been the founder of the Linn County Old Settlers Association, which was organized in the summer of 1891, a meeting being ealled for that pur- pose to be held in the courthouse at Marion. Mr. Davis was elected the first secretary and continued to serve in that capacity for nine years, while in 1904-5 he was its president. He was always active in its work until he suffered a stroke of paralysis in September, 1907. Mr. Davis gave his politieal support to the republican party, and was nine times honored with election to the office of mayor

J. C. Davis

HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY

in which he served for many years. He discharged his duties in a most pleasing manner, studied closely the best interests of the town and sought to promote its progress and upbuilding along progressive lines. He was chosen county attorney in 1880 and held office of city attorney for two or three years. His life was indeed a busy, useful and npright one and Linn county acknowledges his worth as a man and citizen. Marion especially owes to him a debt of gratitude and among her citizens his memory is honored and cherished.

HARRY II. NEWELL

Harry HI. Newell, who has won a gratifying measure of prosperity as a raiser and feeder of stock, is the owner of a well improved farm of eighty acres in Marion township. He was born in Muskingum county, Ohio, October 27, 1877, his parents being James and Clara (Dailey) Newell, who are likewise natives of the Buckeye state. Both the father and mother are still living. They reared a family of four children, two sons and two daughters, all of whom make their home in Iowa. The sons are married and reside on farms in this county.

In his youthful years Harry H. Newell received the educational advantages afforded by the common schools. After attaining his majority he left the parental roof and during the following six years was actively identified with agricultural interests as a farm hand and also as a renter. He was then mar- ried and subsequently purchased the farm of eighty acres which he now owns and operates, having made all of the improvements on the property. He feeds stock on quite an extensive seale and thus utilizes all of the grain which he raises. In addition to the above he is now doing quite an extensive dairy busi- ness. His estimable wife has proven herself a true helpmate as well as companion and to her he largely attributes his success.

It was on the 28th of October, 1904, that Mr. Newell was joined in wedlock to Miss Sarah ITiekman, of Linn county, a daughter of Shelton and Chloe (Ross) Hickman. She was one of a family of two sons and four danghters, the others being as follows: Anna, the wife of W. J. Greer, of Marion, Linn county ; John M., who is deceased; Mrs. Carrie B. Cowan, who lives at Lake Park, Iowa ; Marcus S., whose sketch appears on another page of this work; and Laura, the wife of E. J. Gillmore, of Marion township. Mrs. Newell supplemented her preliminary education by a course of study in the high school. Both she and her husband are faithful members of the Methodist church, the teachings of which they exemplify in their daily lives. The young couple have an extensive circle of warm friends throughout the community and wherever known they are held in high esteem.

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History of Linn County Iowa : from its earliest settlement to the present time, Volume II, Part 9

Author: Brewer, Luther Albertus, 1858-1933; Wick, Barthinius Larson, 1864- Publication date: 1911 Publisher: Chicago : Pioneer Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 896

Author: Brewer, Luther Albertus, 1858-1933; Wick, Barthinius Larson, 1864-
Publication date: 1911
Publisher: Chicago : Pioneer Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 896