USA > Iowa > Linn County > History of Linn County Iowa : from its earliest settlement to the present time, Volume II > Part 93
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Antonio, Texas. Mme. Hartzell has a rich soprano voice and is a gifted singer. She received her early vocal training in New York and Boston and devoted many years of unceasing study to the art, finally leaving her native land for sunny Italy, where she was fitted for the grand opera stage under the careful direction of the distinguished tenor, Sig. Ernesto Baldanza, at Bologna. Mme. Hartzell has sung for a number of years in concerts and grand opera, appearing with the Imperial Concert Company, the Liberati Band and the Trabelli Grand Opera Company. Mme. Hartzell's beautiful soprano voice attracted attention in the first years of her studies and the predictions of discriminating friends have cer- tainly been fulfilled. Amanda Ellinora became the wife of William Jameson. who became secretary and treasurer of the United States Masonic Benevolent. Association of Council Bluffs. He died in 1901. The youngest child, Eunier Alma, when a young lady was secretary and treasurer of the Western Mortgage Company of Cedar Rapids. She became the wife of P. C. Madison, a veteran con- ductor of the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern Railroad, but now engaged in farming.
At his death John P. Glass left his estate in trust for a term of years with the youngest son, Osccola, and the youngest daughter, Eunice. Upon the death of Osceola Mrs. Madison became sole administratrix and is now handling the affairs of her father's estate alone. She is a prominent member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and a well known club woman, having served for a number of years on the state board of patriotic education. She was the first graduate of the Cedar Rapids Business College in April, 1881, and the year previous was graduated from Coe College. In the house she now occupies, which was then the home of her father, the first meeting of the Cumberland Presbyterian church in Linn county was held.
A SISTER'S TRIBUTE
To her brother, the late Israel Osceola Glass.
"Well, 'tis not a pleasant thing to fall asleep with all one's friends, To pass in silence from the paths of men.".
Memory calls us back to a sleeping baby in the cradle of a Linn county pioneer home. The noble sire hails with joy the advent of another son, while the gifted mother declares a halo of light encircles his brow. When but a mere lad he assumes responsibilities of one many years his senior and the beautiful character today becomes a sacred memory. Time moves back and forth on its rusty hinges. until the finger on the dial plate points to a bright, handsome, attractive youtlı. who becomes a central figure in the social life of pioneer Cedar Rapids. He touched life at all possible points and lived nobly, possessing one of those sub- stantial analytical minds that could separate the false from the true. He was a joy in the home - cheerful, brave, gentle and unselfish. A great financial wave sweeps over the land and Oscie returns from college. brushing away the tears of regret at the half finished education. His mother and seven sisters lean heavily upon the arm of a devoted son and brother. He makes a veritable heaven of the home he loved - his bright smile haunts us still. His charming hospitality beckoned all classes to that primitive parlor.
"The great fires of the chimney roared. The stranger feasted at the board."
Finally there hovers over the old home "the white winged messenger" and mother's soul takes its flight with these words upon her lips: "The greatest joy
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of my life is that I lived to raise a son who never gave me an unkind word or an nnkind look."
Ten years more and the noble sire joins her, leaving to the care and keeping of his companion and counselor, Oscie, the accumulations of a lifetime. Fifty- seven years have now passed since the halo of light encircled the brow of the sleeping baby. Almost in the same spot where his mother received pain's only royal recompense - the crown of motherhood - the white winged messenger again beekons. In the grey of the morning Oscie summons friend and foe to his bedside, imploring their forgiveness for his shortcomings, while over dim and loving eyes deatlı softly pressed the lids of rest and the princely character is clothed with the white radiance of eternity.
The rich and the poor, the high and the low, gather in vast concourse to drop a tear on the bier of the dead prince.
"Ilow beautiful to live as thou did'st live.
How beautiful to die as thou did'st die
In moonlight of the night without a sigh,
At rest, in all the best that love could give."
CHARLES EMMETT BATCHELDER
Charles Emmett Batchelder, the well known proprietor of the Springville Creamery, is one of Iowa's native sons, his birth occurring in Langworthy, Jones county, on the 27th of April, 1868. His parents were Albert and Harriet (Hunter) Batehelder, who were natives of New Hampshire and New York re- speetively. The father was a young man and the mother a young woman when they accompanied their respective parents on their removal to Iowa, and in Jones county the grandfathers of our subject both entered land near Langworthy, securing it at the government price of a dollar and a quarter per acre, as at that time the country was but sparsely settled, it being in the early '50s. Mr. and Mrs. Batchelder were married in Anamosa, Iowa, and shortly afterward located on a farm near Langworthy, where they continued to make their home until called to their final rest, the father dying in 1891 at the age of fifty-two years and the mother in 1906 at the age of sixty-two. He was a prosperous farmer, owning one hundred and twenty-four acres of well improved and valuable land, and in politics was a stalwart republican.
In the schools of his native county Charles E. Batchelder acquired a good practical education that well fitted him for teaching, which profession he followed after attaining his majority, teaching for seven terms during the winter months, while the summer seasons were devoted to farm work. It was on the 12th of June, 1895, that he was united in marriage to Miss Luey M. Worster, a danghter of George and Frances (Boone) Worster, who came to Langworthy, Iowa, from New Hampshire at an early day in the development of this state. Being but five years of age when she lost her mother, Mrs. Batchelder was reared by her paternal grandfather, Selim Worster, at Langworthy. By her marriage she has become the mother of three children, namely, Lynn L., Frances I. and Nellie M., all attending the public schools of Springville.
For two years after his marriage Mr. Batchelder operated the farm belonging to his wife's Grandfather Worster and then removed to Martelle, Iowa, where he gained his first knowledge of the creamery business, becoming a copartner with a cousin, S. C. Batchelder. For four years they operated the Martelle Creamery alone and then purchased the Springville Creamery, operating both ereameries and also a skimming station at Linn Grove. At the end of two years, however, they severed their business relations, our subjeet aequiring the Springville plant,
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while his partner took the Martelle plant. The former is now one of the best equipped creameries in Linn county and makes more butter than any other indi- vidual plant within its borders. The success of this enterprise is due to the untiring efforts of Mr. Batchelder, who is regarded as one of the most progressive and energetie business men of the town. Politically he affiliates with the republi- can party and his fellow citizens, recognizing his worth and ability, have called upon him to serve as a member of the city council for four years and as a member of the school board for the past six years. His fraternal relations are with Springville Lodge, No. 227, I. O. O. F., and Springville Camp, No. 3346, M. W. A.
ARTHUR H. WILSON
Arthur H. Wilson is one of the venerable citizens of Linn county. He has passed the eighty-second milestone on life's journey and for forty-five years of this time has lived in Iowa, so that he has witnessed much of its growth and development. He was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, May 7, 1828, a son of William and Sarah (Hara) Wilson, who were also natives of the Keystone state. They came to Iowa in 1864, settling in Brown township, Linn county, upon the farm where Arthur H. Wilson now resides. The father pur- chased one hundred and eighty-five acres of land and made the farm his home until he retired from active business life and removed to Springville, where his death occurred in 1881, when he was more than eighty-nine years of age. His first wife, however, survived her arrival in Iowa for but a brief period, passing away in 1866. Subsequently William Wilson married again, his second union being with Mrs. Sarah McAtee nee Johnston. Both the parents of A. H. Wilson were members of the Society of Friends and their many good qualities gained for them the high regard of all who knew them.
Arthur H. Wilson was reared under the parental roof. When a lad of ten years he accompanied his parents to Ohio, the family removing to that state in 1838. In the public schools there he mastered the lessons that usually constitute the publie school curriculum and through the periods of vacation he worked in the fields and came to recognize the value of industry, economy and honesty as factors in the business world. On the 12th of January, 1855, he was united in marriage to Miss Mary Green, of Washington county, Ohio, where his parents were living at that time, having removed to Ohio in 1838.
After his marriage Mr. Wilson began farming on his own account, residing in Ohio through the succeeding ten years, at the end of which time he came to Iowa in 1865. He located just outside the town limits of Springville on a small farm of eighty-three acres and there lived for five years, when he exchanged places with his father, who had grown old and wished to be burdened with less care and work than were required in the management and operation of his place. Since 1870, therefore, A. H. Wilson has resided upon the old homestead and has ex- tended the boundaries of the place by additional purchase until he now has a farmi of two hundred and forty-six and a half acres, all of which is valuable and desir- able property. He has carefully superintended the cultivation of the fields and the improvement of the farm and it is now one of the attractive features of the landscape.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Wilson have been born five children, of whom four are yet living, namely : William C., who is engaged in the hardware business at Marble Rock, Iowa, wedded Mary E. Plummer of Springville and they have two sons, Clarence C. and Ralph A. Sarah J. is the wife of O. S. Johnston of Cedar Rap- ids and they have two daughters, Ethel M. and Clarice. Mary L. is the wife of W. H. McElhinny of Chillicothe, Missouri, and they have one daughter, Beryl.
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Arthur, Jr., who is superintendent of the city schools of Aberdeen, Washington. married Sarah Durno of Springville and has one ehild, Edwin D.
Mr. Wilson has exereised his right of franchise in support of the men and meas- ures of the republican party sinee its organization and believes firmly in its principles. He served for fifteen or twenty years as a member of the school board and the cause of education has ever found in him a warm friend. He and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church and for several years he served as an elder in the church. He also filled the position of road master for several years and was one of the organizers of the Brown Township Mutual Insurance Company and for several years served as president of that organization. He is one of the township's best known and most highly esteemed citizens and, although . he is now eighty-two years of age, he is remarkably well preserved and looks many years younger. His has been an active, busy and useful life, which at all times has conformed to the highest principles of manhood and eitizenship.
THEODORE E. STINGER
The Stinger family is an old and prominent one in Linn county, its members. having lived here since 1844, and Theodore E. Stinger of this review is one of its most worthy representatives. He was born here on the 20th of October, 1864. His grandparents in the paternal line were natives of Pennsylvania and were of Prussian ancestry. They were reared and married in the Keystone state but in 1844 sought a home in the middle west, their destination being Linn county. They located on a farm and from that time to the present the name of Stinger has been one well known in agrieultural eireles in this section of the state. Their family numbered four sons and three daughters, namely: Phillip M., Theodore A., Franeis and Louisa, twins, Adaline, Mary and Andrew. Theodore and Andrew served in the Civil war, becoming members of Company F, Twenty-fourth Iowa Infantry. The former was killed at the battle of Winehester, Virginia, while the latter beeame ill at the front and, being brought to his home in Linn township, here passed away. For many years the grandparents resided on their farm in Linn township and were identified with the early development and improvement of that section of the county. The death of Mr. Stinger occurred in 1876, his wife having preceded him to the home beyond.
Phillip M. Stinger, the father of our subject, was born in Washington, D. C., May 7, 1835, and was a lad of nine years when the family removed to Linn county. He was here reared to the occupation of farming and acquired his education in the primitive schools of this district. After reaching years of maturity he wedded Miss Eliza Leigh, who was born in Montgomery county, Indiana. Following their marriage they took up their abode upon a farm and as the years passed the father aeeumulated more land until at, the time of his death he owned three hundred and twenty-six aeres, which had been in his possession sinee 1863. Like his father, he took an active part in the development and improvement of his home locality, and in his death, which occurred November 21, 1906, when he was seventy-one years of age, the community lost one of its most valuable and helpful citizens. The mother still survives and continues her residence on the farm which was left her by her husband. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Phillip M. Stinger were born three sons and two daughters: George E .; Theodore E., the subject of this sketch; Carrie, who died in infancy; Alice, who died February 22, 1896; and Harry.
Theodore E. Stinger spent his youth in the usual manner of farm lads. Ile attended the country schools and when opportunity offered enjoyed the pleas- ures in which most lads indulge. Much of his time, however, was spent in the
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fields, where he worked from early spring planting until crops were gathered in the autumn. His practical training, however, has proved of value to him in his later life. Ile remained under the parental roof until he reached the age of twenty-three years, and was then married, in 1887, to Miss Estella Kepler, who was born July 30, 1866, a daughter of P. H. H. and Elizabeth (Doty) Kepler, the former a native of Maryland and the latter of Defiance county, Ohio. In 1842 they came to Linn county, settling on a farm in Franklin township, and here reared their family numbering a son and two daughters, of whom Mrs. Stinger is the youngest, the others being: Frank H., who is married and makes his home in Linn county ; and Hester A., the wife of Daniel Travis, also of this county. Mr. Kepler passed away November 23, 1887, while his wife, surviving for a long period, was called to the home beyond on the 3d of October, 1908.
Following their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Stinger began their domestie life upon eighty aeres of land belonging to Mrs. Stinger. Through his perseverance and careful management and the assistance of his estimable wife Mr. Stinger has added to this property until their possessions now embrace two hundred, fifty-five and three-quarters acres of as highly cultivated and finely improved land as Lin county affords. He has made a success of handling stoek as well as of farming and today he stands among the substantial residents of this section of the state.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Stinger have been born two children. Lee A., who was born July 22, 1888, and was educated in the schools of Springville and Mount Vernon ; and Arlo K., who was born April 21, 1897. Both sons remain at home.
Mr. Stinger is a republican in his political views and affiliations but has never been active as an office seeker. He is a member of Mount Vernon Lodge, No. 551, I. O. O. F., at Mount Vernon, and of Star of Bethlehem Lodge, No. 3, K. P .. of that eity. The work instituted by the grandfather and carried on by the father is still continued by the son, who fully sustains the reputation that was borne by them. He stands today as a high type of American manhood, who has won success in life and at the same time has gained the respeet and honor of his fellowmen.
ALPHONSO C. PORT
Alphonso C. Port, who has resided within the borders of Linn county from his birth to the present time, has followed farming as a life work and is now the owner of two hundred and eighty aeres of rich and productive land in Brown township. He was born in this county on the 29th of December, 1859, his par- ents being John and Catherine (Armstrong) Port, who were natives of London and New York respectively. At an early day they took up their abode in Linn county, entering the land which is now in possession of our subjeet. On that farm they continued to reside until 1875, when they removed to Denver, Col- orado, where the father passed away in 1880. The mother still makes her home in that eity and enjoys excellent health at the age of seventy-six years. Unto this worthy couple were born seven children, namely: Charles, who is a resident of Denver. Colorado; Alphonso C., of this review; F. E. and John A., both living in Colorado ; and Mary, Hattie and Jennie, all three deeeased.
Alphonso C. Port supplemented his preliminary edneation by a high school course and remained under the parental roof until he had attained his majority. He then devoted his attention to the operation of a rented farm for a time and later purchased the old homestead place, in the further cultivation and improve- ment of which he has since been actively engaged. The property comprises two hundred and eighty aeres of valuable land in Brown township and in its neat and thrifty appearance indieates the supervision of a practical and progressive
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owner. Mr. Port likewise has a tract of five acres of timber land in Jones county, Iowa, and an orchard of ten acres in Colorado. In addition to cultivating the cereals best adapted to soil and climate he makes a specialty of raising hogs and this branch of his business adds materially to his income.
On the 3d of November, 1886, Mr. Port was united in marriage to Miss Hattie Hakes, a native of Jones county, Iowa. They now have seven children, as fol- lows: Claude J., who is married; Clelland; Dever; Mary; Devilla, who is de- ceased ; John L .; and Martha. The surviving children are all at home.
Mr. Port votes with the republican party and manifests a citizen's interest in the political situation of the country, yet does not seek office as a reward for party fealty. In the community where his entire life has been spent he has gained an extensive eirele of warm friends who entertain for him the utmost regard and esteem because of his excellent traits of character.
GODFREY QUAAS
Since civilization took root in Europe the German race has sent its represen- tatives into all sections of the community to become factors in planting the seeds of development and improvement. The sterling traits of character of the German people are manifest in Godfrey Quaas, who was born in Saxony, on the 13th of June. 1823. His parents were Christopher and Elizabeth Quaas, who spent their entire lives in Germany, where long since they passed away. Their family num- bered eight children, including the subject of this review, who remained at home until sixteen years of age and during that period pursued his education in the public schools. He then began learning the wagon-maker's trade which he fol- lowed for a number of years, working diligently and persistently in his native land in order to gain a good start in life.
On the 12th of April, 1846, Mr. Quaas was united in marriage to Miss Mary Lantman, who was born May 20, 1823. Her parents were born in Germany and both died in that country. Their family numbered five children including the daughter Mary, who in 1846 took charge of her own household. the young couple beginning their- domestic life in their native land. In 1849 they started for America, hoping to find here the improved business conditions which they had heard existed in the new world. At that time it took about six weeks to eross the sea for it was before the period of steam navigation and most ocean vessels were propelled by sails. On the 25th of May, 1849, they arrived in Marion, Linn county, Iowa. The town was small and the county but sparsely settled, but the young couple possessed stout hearts and willing hands and Mr. Quaas improved every opportunity that would enable him to provide a comfortable living for his family. He began work at the carpenter's trade and in connection with John · Marion he built the two first two-story buildings in Cedar Rapids. These were located on First avenue and were built for William Stuart. In September, 1849, Mr. Quaas purchased eighty acres of land in Rapids township and took up his abode thereon, the family occupying a little log eabin which was covered with a elapboard roof and had a puncheon floor. There was not a nail in the whole house. The door was made of upright boards joined together and hung with wooden hinges. There was no window but the little cabin was well ventilated by a large fireplace eight feet long and four feet deep. Mr. Qnaas and his family occupied this primitive home until 1860, when his prosperity enabled him to erect a two-story frame residence, commodious and comfortable in its equipment. He resided upon the farm for forty-nine years. during which period he bronght the land under a high state of cultivation, transforming the once wild prairie into rich and productive fields, from which he annually gathered abundant
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harvests. When almost a half century had passed he sold the farm, then com- prising two hundred and sixty acres, to his oldest son, Louis, and removed to Cedar Rapids, where he lived retired. IIe owned a fine residence at No. 1615 C avenue, which he recently sold to a grandson and he and his wife now reside with another grandson on the old home farm. His former labor, intelligently directed, brought to him a substantial competence which enables him to enjoy many of the comforts of life.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Quaas have been born nine children of whom six are yet living: F. A., whose home is in this county ; Matilda; Anna M .; W. H .; E. E .; and Sarah. There are also thirty-one grandchildren and fifteen great-grand- children. Fifteen of the grandchildren are now married.
Mr. and Mrs. Quaas have long been devoted and faithful members of the Evangelical church and their lives have been permeated by their Christian belief. Mr. Quaas has always given his political allegiance to the republican party since becoming a naturalized American eitizen, but has never sought nor desired office, preferring to give his time and attention to his business affairs whereby he pro- vided a comfortable living for his family and laid by a handsome competence for old age. He has now reached the eighty-seventh milestone on life's journey and is one of the venerable and honored citizens of Cedar Rapids, deserving much credit for what he has accomplished.
JAMES L. BEVER
If one were asked to characterize James L. Bever in a single sentence it might perhaps best be done in saying that in him splendid business ability and public- spirited citizenship are well balanced forces. It would be impossible to disasso- ciate his activities from the growth and progress of Cedar Rapids, for even along business lines his efforts have been an element in the city's material growth, while in many ways from which he has derived no personal benefit he has put forth earnest and effective effort for the progress and improvement of Cedar Rapids.
A blinding snowstorm ent off the view of the city when, on the 2d of April, 1852, the Bever family arrived in Cedar Rapids. They found themselves, how- ever, in a village containing only about three hundred inhabitants, while upon the west bank of the river there was a large camp of Indians. James L. Bever was at that time a youth of fourteen years. His birth had occurred in Coshocton county, Ohio, March 4, 1838, his father being Sampson C. Bever, who for forty years continued an honored and prominent resident of Iowa. He, too, was a native of Ohio, his birth having occurred in Columbiana county. July 13, 1808. The grandfather of James L. Bever also bore the name of James, while the great- igrandfather was Sampson Bever, a native of Germany, who lived for a time in Ireland and in 1777 crossed the Atlantic to America. Soon after his arrival he joined the army, participating in the Revolutionary war, and after the indepen- denee of the nation was declared he established his home in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, while his last days were spent in Washington county. that state. James L. Bever is also a descendant in the fourth generation of James Imbrie, who was born in Scotland and came to the new world in 1780, after which he made his home in Washington county, Pennsylvania, until his death. His danghter became the wife of James Bever, who in 1809 removed to Holmes county, Ohio, and thereafter took active part in the pioneer development of the Buckeye state. Amid the hardships and environment of frontier life Sampson C. Bever was reared and again he became identified with the frontier when he removed to Cedar Rapids on the 2d of April, 1852. Here he began farming, but later turned his
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