USA > Iowa > Linn County > History of Linn County Iowa : from its earliest settlement to the present time, Volume II > Part 96
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MRS. MARTHA CARPENTER
Mrs. Martha Carpenter, living in Cedar Rapids, was in her maidenhood Miss Martha Harris, a daughter of J. G. and Jane (Tatham) Harris. Her father, at one time a resident of Zanesville, Ohio, was a son of Simon Harris. The latter was a farmer by occupation and a native of England, from which country he made his way direct to Ohio, where he settled and reared his family. It was in that state that J. G. Harris spent his boyhood and youth and he, too, was reared to the occupation of farming, which he decided to make his life work.
Arriving at years of maturity, he married Miss Jane Tatham and they had a family of children, which included the daughter Martha, who about eleven years ago, on the 18th of February, 1889, became the wife of B. C. Carpenter, an upholsterer and a representative of one of the old and well known families of Cedar Rapids. This marriage bas been blessed with one child, a son, Terry, who is now in school. The parents attend the Zion Evangelieal church and are well known in Cedar Rapids, where they have many friends.
WILLIAM SPELLERBERG
William Spellerberg is a worthy representative of the younger generation of men who are successfully conducting agricultural interests in Linn county. As the name indicates, he comes of German ancestry but he is a native of Linn county, born April 27, 1883, of the marriage of Lawrence and Mary Spellerberg. The father was born in Germany on the 31st of March, 1842, and was a little lad of ten years when he was brought to America by his parents, who were farming people of this section of the state. Lawrence Spellerberg was trained to farm
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work and remained with his parents until he was twenty-seven years of age. He then started out to make his own way in the business world by purchasing one hundred and sixty aeres of land on seetion 18. Fairfax township, which he eulti- vated and improved until his death, which occurred in 1906. He was a highly respected citizen of Linn eounty and the community mourned his loss.
William Spellerberg was reared in much the usual manner of farm lads. At the usual age he began his education in the distriet sehools, continuing his studies to the age of thirteen years. From that time on he gave his entire time to the work of the fields, giving his father the benefit of his serviees until he had at- tained the age of twenty-two. It was about that time that his father's death oeeurred, after which he inherited one hundred and sixty aeres of land from the estate, and this has been his home to the present time. His land is located in Fairfax township and is one of the most produetive traets in that seetion of the county. He has ereeted a beautiful home, which is supplied with all the modern conveniences, while his barn and ontbuildings are arranged with a view to conven- ienee and his farm in all its equipments presents a most attractive appearance. He also owns a touring car.
On the 12th of September, 1905, oeeurred the marriage of Mr. Spellerberg and Miss Anna Tehel. their wedding being celebrated in Norway, Iowa. In religious faith he is a Catholie, while his fraternal relations are indicated by his membership in the Catholie Foresters. His life has been one of continuous activity and today he is numbered among the substantial farmers of Linn eounty.
CHIARLES H. STARK
No more productive land can be found in the great state of Iowa than is found in Linn county, and this truth is abundantly verified by the fact that so many of her native sons remain within her borders and follow farming as a life work. This is true of Charles H. Stark, who now owns and operates the homestead. comprising two hundred and eighty aeres, located in Clinton township. Born in that township on the 1st of June, 1870, he is a son of Andrew and Mary Stark. The father was born in Germany in 1835 and on reaching his eighteenth year decided to try his fortune in the new world. On reaching American shores, he at onee made his way to Linn county, where he followed farming throughout his life, accumulating a valuable traet of six hundred and eighty aeres, two hundred and eighty of this now being owned by the son.
Charles H. Stark attended the district schools to the age of sixteen years. During the periods of vacation he was trained in the work of the home farm, his duties and responsibilities inereasing with his strength and years. After com- pleting his studies he took up farm work in earnest, assisting his father until the latter's death in 1900. He then took charge of the estate and now owns the farm, embracing two hundred and eighty aeres in Clinton township. Mr. Stark has made a elose study of farm work, knows what erops are best adapted to the soil and climate, and in his undertakings is meeting with suecess. Ile is a hard worker as may be seen in a glance at his farm, for everything about the place is neat and attractive in appearance, while his fields give promise of rieh harvests each year.
Mr. Stark established a home of his own by his marriage on the 28th of April, 1908, the lady of his choiee being Miss Edna Jensieke, their marriage being cele- brated in Clinton, Iowa. A little son, Arnold Henry, less than a year old, is the light and life of the household.
Mr. Stark is a demoerat in his political views and affiliations and holds men- bership with the Catholic church. Although he is deeply interested in the
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welfare of the community, he finds little time for active participation in public affairs, for his time is fully taken up with his private business affairs, in which he is meeting with success. He has spent his entire life in Clinton township, where his friends are numbered by the score.
J. G. LAIRD
J. G. Laird, holding a responsible position as superintendent of the interests of the Quaker Oats Company in Cedar Rapids, his business ability and enterprise being recognized by the corporation which he thus represents, was born in Scot- land, September 27, 1869. His father, Francis O. Laird, was also a native of the land of hills and heather, of mountain peak and glen, and when he left that country in the '50s sailed for Canada. The mother bore the maiden name of Eliza Pat- terson and it was during one of her visits to Scotland that J. G. Laird was born. He was educated in the public schools of Canada and in Guelph Agricultural College, where he completed the full course.
Crossing the boundary into the United States in 1897, he made his way to Chicago, where he entered the employ of the Quaker Oats Company, becoming familiar with both the office and mill work connected with the mammoth business interests of the corporation. He was stationed at Kansas City until 1900, when he came to Cedar Rapids, where for six years he had charge of the office. IIe then became assistant to George Stuart, superintendent at this place, and upon the death of Mr. Stuart, in March, 1907, was appointed his successor in the fall of that year. Ilis is the deciding voice in matters of vital importance to the bus- iness at this point and his position is indicative of his skill and the trust reposed in him by a house second to none in America in the extent and importance of its trade.
In 1900 Mr. Laird was married to Miss Flora A. Weatherton, a native of Kentucky. He has attained high rank in Masonry, having taken the degrees of the commandery and the Scottish Rite. Ile belongs to the Commercial and Country Clubs and his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Pres- byterian church. Those who meet Mr. Laird at once appreciate his genial qualities and recognize the alert, enterprising spirit which is characteristic of him and which has enabled him to gain a position of prominence in business circles. No higher testimonial of his capability and worth could be given than the fact that throughout the entire period of his residence in the United States he has been in the employ of one corporation, working his way upward by successive promo- tions to a position of trust and responsibility.
HENRY SPELLERBERG
Henry Spellerberg has been identified with the interests of Linn county from the time of his entrance into the business world to the present. He is a native of the county, born on the 9th of September, 1873, a son of Joseph and Annie Spellerberg. The father, who was born in Westphalia, Germany, on the 5th of October, 1837, was a young man of twenty-one years when he emigrated to the new world and from that time until his death, on the 16th of November, 1907, he was engaged in farming in Linn county. He was thus identified with much of the early development and improvement of this section of the state and not only won success but at the same time commanded the full esteem and respect of all with whom he was associated. He was seventy years of age when called from this life.
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Henry Spellerberg was reared on the home farm and pursued his studies in . the district schools to the age of sixteen years. He then took up farming in ear- nest, giving his father the benefit of his services until the latter's death. The son then purchased eighty acres of land, which he rents, while he gives his time to contract work in laying tile, making his home in Fairfax. He always lives up to the terms of his contract and performs his labors most satisfactorily to those by whom he is employed. He is now well situated in life, for his farm returns him a good yearly rental, and he also realizes a good financial profit from his contracts.
In politics Mr. Spellerberg is independent, while in religious faith he is a Cath- olie. His fraternal relations are indicated by his membership in the R. M. C. P. S. of Iowa and the Holy Name Society. He derives much pleasure in touring the country in his automobile and is a most popular young man among his friends with whom he has been associated from childhood as well as those of later acquaintanceship.
HENRY J. WICKE
On section 20, Fairfax township, stands one of the most modern and finest country homes to be found in Linn county, it being occupied by Henry J. Wieke and his family. It is surrounded by a tract of valuable and productive land, embracing three hundred and twenty aeres, to the cultivation of which the owner gives his entire time and attention. Mr. Wieke was born on this farm, a portion of which formerly constituted the old family homestead, in a little dwelling, which still stands on the place and which was his home from the date of his birth until 1910, when he erected his present fine residenee. The date of his birth was January 15, 1866, his parents being Henry and Katherine (Lucas) Wieke. The father was born in Hanover, Germany, in October, 1828. He emigrated to the new world in 1860 and took up his abode in Linn county, Iowa, on a tract of eighty acres of raw and unimproved land which he entered from the government. This was prior to the building of railroads through this section and many hardships had to be endured in establishing a home in this pioneer district. On his place the father built a small house with a porch, this being the first porch in this part of the country. In the little dwelling he and his family resided and he worked for many years in the further development and improvement of the place. As he prospered in his undertakings he added to his original holdings a traet of eighty acres, which he also improved, and still later he bought one hundred and sixty aeres more, but this last tract he sold to a neighbor during the last years of his life. His death occurred June 23, 1876, when he was but forty-eight years of age. The mother, who was born on the 5th of April, 1834, in Soignies, Belgium, accompanied her parents, John and Mary (Baptist) Lucas, on their emigration to the new world in 1859, the family home heing established in Iowa City, this state. She eventually gave her hand in marriage to IIenry Wieke, after which they took up their abode on a farm in Linn county and here reared their family of four sons and two daughters, of whom Henry J. is the third son. His sisters are : Mrs. Joe Thoman, of Fairfax; and Mrs. Frank Spellerberg, residing near Dalhart, Texas. His brothers are: John P., of Bemidji, Minnesota ; and Joseph A., who is agent for the Moline Auto Company and makes his home in Marengo. Iowa. He is an expert in his line of business and has made several sueeessful races with the automobile. Another brother, Charles Wieke, makes his home in Fairfax, Iowa. Following the father's demise, the mother continued to reside on the farm until all her children had reached years of maturity and she now makes her home in Fairfax with her son Charles.
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Henry J. Wieke enjoyed the advantages of a public school education and during the periods of vacation was trained in the work of the farm. He remained with his parents until he attained his majority, in the meantime giving his father the benefit of his serviees, and at that age he started ont in life for himself. As the years have passed by he has purchased land from time to time until his pos- sessions now aggregate three hundred and twenty aeres, a portion of which for- merly constituted the old homestead farm. He has made many improvements on his land and for several years past has spent a thousand dollars each year in tiling and in the present year, 1910, he expects to complete this work, when all his land will be well drained. He has recently erected a fourteen-room house, which is lighted by electricity and is supplied with all the most modern convenienees, it being one of the finest homes in Linn county. Mr. Wieke gives his time to general farming and stoek-raising, planting about one hundred aeres to eorn and one hundred and twenty-five aeres to small grains, while he utilizes the remainder of his land for pasturage. Ile keeps good grades of stock for farm purposes and raises eattle and hogs on quite an extensive seale. He possesses much meehani- eal ingenuity and is thus able to keep all his farm implements in the best of repair, while he takes great pride in keeping the buildings about the place in good condition.
Mr. Wieke was married on the 6th of June, 1899, to Miss Mary Dunealf, a daughter of Joseph and Katherine (O'Hara) Dunealf, farming people of Benton county, Iowa. The father was born in England in 1834, while the mother was born in Ireland, in 1838. Upon their emigration to the new world, they loeated in Rochester, New York, where they spent some time but later moved to Benton county, this state, where they reared their family, numbering four sons and three daughters, the brothers and sisters of Mrs. Wieke being: Robert; William; Frank; George; Mrs. L. E. Coghy, living near Van Horn, Iowa; and Katherine, who wedded Joseph A. Wieke, a brother of our subject. She died August 9, 1906, leaving three daughters.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Wicke has been blessed with two daughters and two sons, as follows: Florenee K., who was born July 3, 1900; Leo Joseph, born November 9, 1902; Lester Franeis, whose birth occurred December 11, 1906; and Ella Elizabeth, who was born September 3, 1908.
Mr. Wieke supports the men and measures of the republican party and has served as sehool director for three terms but otherwise has filled no publie office. He belongs to the Modern Brotherhood Association, of which his wife is also a member, and their religious faith is indicated by their membership in the Catlı- olie ehureh at Fairfax. The terms progress and patriotism might be considered the keynote of his character, for throughout his career he has labored for the betterment of his community as well as for his individual sneeess, and today he stands among the most substantial and representative citizens of Fairfax township and Linn eounty.
HARRY J. MANCHESTER
Harry J. Manchester, an employe of the Chicago, Roek Island & Paeifie Rail- road Company at Cedar Rapids, was born in Lisbon, this eounty, and is a son of John M. and Elmira (Withem) Manchester. The mother is now deceased. The father, who is a carpenter hy trade, eame from Pennsylvania to Iowa when a young man and here began work at earpentering. For a long period he was aetively identified with building operations here, but is now living retired and makes his home with his son, Harry J. Manchester.
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At the usual age, Harry J. Manchester began his education in the public schools, but his opportunities in that direction were somewhat limited for when a youth of twelve years he went to work with horses and was employed in that way for a number of years. He has been identified with railroad interests much of the time since 1894, in which year he became a fireman occupying that position for about five years. He was afterward with the Sinclair Packing Company for a time and later entered the service of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad Company, with which he is now connected.
On the 30th of August, 1900, Mr. Manchester was united in marriage to Miss Ida Fawcett, a daughter of Jonas and Angeline (Farmer) Fawcett. The father came to Iowa when a young man from his old home in Belmont, Ohio. He had learned the carpenter's trade and here turned his attention to contraeting. Mr. Manchester and his wife are members of the Lutheran Evangelical church and take a very prominent and active part in the various lines of church work. He also belongs to the Knights of Pythias lodge and to the Switchmen's Union. He is deeply interested in affairs relating to the progress and improvement of the city and he believes in upholding those measures which are equitable . to all alike. He does not believe in class distinction in the eyes of the law, but seeks at all times to further general good.
JOHN S. ELY
A man should never be judged by his modest estimate of himself and his ae- complishments nor by the flattering opinion of friends, but rather by the coneensus of public opinion, which judges and weighs his worth and his work. By this standard John S. Ely measures up to all the requirements of honorable manhood and progressive eitizenship. Moreover, ever mindful of his obligations to his fel- lowmen, he is largely actuated by broad humanitarian principles in his relations with others and is ever ready to extend a helping hand where assistance is needed. Such qualities have gained for Mr. Ely recognition and classification with the most prominent citizens of Cedar Rapids.
Moreover, he is one of her native sons, his birth having occurred here on the 18th of November, 1853. His parents were John F. and Mary A. (Weare) Ely. llis father was born in Rochester, New York, June 25, 1821. The grandparents Elisha and Hannah (Dickinson) Ely, both belonged to old New England families and the former came of Puritan ancestry, being a descendant of Nathaniel Ely, who in 1634 sailed from Ipswich, England, with a band of Pilgrims, who under the leadership of the Rev. Thomas Hooker sought religious liberty in the Massa- chusetts eolony. He lived at different times at Cambridge, Massachusetts, at Hartford and Norwalk, Connecticut, and at Springfield, Massachusetts, taking up his abode at the last named place in 1659. Elisha Ely was born at West Spring- field, Massachusetts, was liberally educated and soon after his marriage, in 1807, removed to Pittsfield, where he engaged in merchandising. In 1810 he went to Rochester, New York, where he began the development of the water power and creeted the first flouring mill of that eity. He was also a member of its first im- portant mercantile firm, Bissell. Ely & Company and took active part in shaping the commercial, religious and moral history of the eity. Ile and his wife were among the charter members of the First Presbyterian church. Mrs. Ely passed away in 1832 and the following year Elisha went to western Michigan, founded the town of Allegan, in which he spent his remaining days. He also took part in the public life of his adopted eounty and state, served for several terms as county
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judge and was one of the first regents of the State University. At the time of the war of 1812 he held a captain's commission and with Colonel Isaac Stone's regi- ment participated in the defense of Rochester and afterward under General Scott was on active duty in Buffalo and vicinity.
Dr. Ely, an apt student and liberally educated, was qualified for college in his twelfth year, but at that time the mother's death occurred and the following year the family was broken up, the father with his three eldest sons going to Michigan and the younger boys to Massachusetts. Dr. Ely made his home with an aunt in Stockbridge, Massachusetts, and there attended an academy, where he was a classmate of Cyrus W. and Henry M. Field. He studied civil engineering and other special branches, which were of great service to him in his subsequent career. In 1836 he joined his father in Michigan, but after three years entered the employ of his uncle Hervey Ely, who then owned the largest mills in Rochester, New York. In 1841 he was again in his father's home and under the tutorship of a graduate of Williams College sought to prepare himself for the third term of the sophomore year in that college. At the same time he acted as deputy county clerk, deputy town elerk and also edited the Allegan Record. All this impaired his health, and, changing his plans, he took up the study of medicine. In the fall of 1845 he entered the office of Dr. Willard Parker, professor of surgery in the College of Physicians and Surgeons of New York, in which institution he attended lectures and won his M. D. degree in March, 1848. Ifis close application to his studies again impaired his health and he returned to the west for recuperation.
In October, 1848, Dr. Ely arrived in Cedar Rapids, then a town of three hun- dred population and with but one physician. He engaged in general practice and also had charge of a considerable estate left by his brother Alexander, includ- ing a flouring mill. Dr. Ely purchased this mill and also a sawmill, which he oper- ated for some years with success. He also became largely interested in water pow- er. In 1856 he became associated with his three brothers in the construction of a railroad from Marquette, Michigan, to the Lake Superior mine, this being the first railroad in the upper peninsula of Michigan. After six miles of the track were completed his brother Heman B. Ely died suddenly, in October, 1856. In July of that year congress made four grants of land to the state to aid in building railroads in that region. The Doctor spent two months during the winter of 1856-7 at Lansing, Michigan, and in connection with Lewis H. Morgan, attorney of Rochester, New York, succeeded in securing two of these grants. Prior to this the brothers had made a sale of their road to W. B. Ogden, then president of the Chicago, St. Paul & Fon du Lac Railroad. The terms of sale provided that Dr. Ely should go to Marquette the following season and complete the road, and his previously acquired knowledge of civil engineering now proved of untold value in railroad construction. Beginning the work in June, 1857, in less than three months it was completed and accepted. Soon afterward the Chicago, Iowa & Ne- braska Railroad Company was organized to build the line from Clinton to Cedar Rapids and in this Dr. Ely became a large stockholder and a director of the com- pany, giving of his time and labor toward the completion of this, the first railroad to reach the city. Afterward he was connected with the Iowa Falls & Sioux City Railroad, but before the completion of these lines war was inaugurated between the north and the south, and in August, 1862, Dr. Ely was commissioned surgeon of the Twenty-fourth Iowa Volunteer Infantry. In February, 1863, he was made sur- geon of General Clinton B. Fiske's brigade and later became division surgeon of the Twelfth Division of the Thirteenth Army Corps, under General Alvin P. Hovey. He performed a very arduous service in Arkansas, Mississippi and Louis- iana and in June, 1863, ill health compelled him to resign. After a few years spent in rest and recuperation he again became actively engaged in railroad work. He was one of the organizers of the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Minnesota Rail-
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way Company in 1868 and for some years was its vice president and treasurer, during which time the road was completed from Burlington to Nora Springs on the main line, with branches from Cedar Rapids to Decorah, to Muscatine, to Iowa City and to Traer. Thus Dr. Ely became connected with the construction of about five hundred miles of traek in this state, and Cedar Rapids owes much to him, for his labors made it an important railroad center. He was also vice president and one of the principal stockholders of the St. Louis, Hannibal & Keo- kuk Railroad built in Missouri by Cedar Rapids parties. He served on the di- rectorate of the First National and the Union Savings Banks of Cedar Rapids, and few public enterprises of the city have not felt the stimulus of his eooperation and support. He was appointed by the governor as treasurer of the State Agricul- tural College and thus served for a year.
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