USA > Iowa > Linn County > History of Linn County Iowa : from its earliest settlement to the present time, Volume II > Part 97
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In polities Dr. Ely was a stalwart republican and was deeply interested in the questions and issues of the day, but without politieal ambition. Aside from his business he preferred to give his time and attention to work along charitable, edu- cational and religious lines and no good work done in the name of charity or reli- gion sought his aid in vain. In all this he was ably assisted by his wife. He was one of the first trustees named by Daniel Coe in 1853 to invest a conditional dona- tion of fifteen hundred dollars in the purchase of lots and lands for the foundation of Coe College. He made the purchase of the lots in his own name and deeded the same to the college when the funds came from Mr. Coe. He was thereafter continued a member of the board of trustees. In 1865 he became senior elder of the First Presbyterian church, of which his wife was one of the original members.
It was on the 17th of January, 1853, that Dr. Ely wedded Mary A. Weare, of this eity, and the only surviving member of their family is John S. Ely, whose name introdnees this review. He was born on the 18th of November, 1853, and after attending the common schools pursned a classical course in Princeton Col- lege, from which he was graduated in 1877 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. During the following two years he was engaged in mining in Utah, and at the end of that time returned to Cedar Rapids, where he has since made his home. His initial step in the business world made him an employe of the Williams Harvester Works and since that time various interests have elaimed his attention and have profited by his capable direction. He is now devoting his attention largely to the real-estate business and is also serving as treasurer of the Cedar Rapids & Marion City Railway Company, with which he has been connected since its inception and has continuously held office therein. In his real-estate operations he has negotiat- ed many important property transfers and as the years have passed by his careful manipulations of his business affairs have brought him substantial sueeess.
Mr. Ely, however, has not confined his attention alone to those interests which result in material profit, but has worked as well along lines that develop the char- aeter, that promote progressive citizenship and contribute to the betterment of mankind. He has been especially interested in Coe College, of which he is a trustee and seeretary of the board, and he also holds the same office in connection with the Young Men's Christian Association and IIome for Aged Women. His politieal allegianee is given to the republican party and he is deeply interested in the vital questions and issues of the day.
In 1881 Mr. Ely was married in Cedar Rapids to Miss Bessie E. Shaver, a na- tive of Vinton, Iowa, and a daughter of I. H. Shaver, of Cedar Rapids. Their family numbers two sons and two daughters, John M., Mary Esther, Frederick S. and Martha W. The family attend the First Presbyterian church, of which the parents are members, Mr. Ely having been an active trustee for nearly twenty years. Mrs. Ely is an active worker in church societies and also in the ladies' literary societies of this eity. Mr. Ely belongs to the Sons of Veterans and to the Loyal Legion and is interested in all organizations and movements which promote
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a patriotie loyalty to eity, state and nation. His efforts have long been directed in those channels through which flows the greatest good to the greatest number, and with recognition of the brotherhood of mankind he has labored earnestly and effectively for the benefit of his fellowmen.
FRANK FALTIS
On the list of Linn county's honored dead appears the name of Frank Faltis, who was numbered among the citizens of foreign birth, for he was born in Bo- hemia, March 19, 1848, a son of Joseph and Josephine Faltis. After reaching manhood he decided to try his fortune in the new world and accordingly crossed the Atlantic to the United States, the year 1890 witnessing his arrival in Linn county. Here he purchased eighty aeres of land, located on section 24, Fairfax township, and took up the work of development and improvement, placing his fields under a high state of enltivation. On the farm is seen a good country resi- denee, in the rear of which are substantial outbuildings for the eare of grain and stock. Mr. Faltis became very successful in his business affairs and from the time of his arrival here until the date of his death, March 10, 1909, be was identified with agricultural pursuits, being classed with the substantial citizens of this section of the state.
It was prior to his emigration to the new world that Mr. Faltis was married in his native land, the lady of his choice being Miss Tracey Martinetz, their wed- ding being celebrated in November, 1871. Eight children were born of this union. the family record being as follows: Mrs. Anna Hubeek, a resident of Cedar Rapids; Joseph, who at the age of thirty-four years is a contractor in Cedar Rap- ids; Frank, who at the age of thirty-two is managing the farm for his mother; John, who is twenty-nine years of age and is a farmer of South Dakota; Rudolph. who at the age of twenty-seven is a building contractor in Montana ; William, who is a young man of twenty-four years and still on the home farm; and Libbie and Tracey, aged respectively twenty-two and twenty years, still with their mother. The family belong to the Catholic church.
Mr. Faltis was most loyal to the interests of his adopted country, being an active participant in much of the progress that was here carried forward from year to year. Coming to this country ignorant of the customs and language of American people, he soon adapted himself to his new surroundings and as the years passed met with gratifying suecess, leaving to his family a good farming property.
HON. JAMES WILLIAM GOOD
Hon. James William Good, a distinguished Cedar Rapids attorney, serving for the second term as representative from his district in congress, is a native of Monroe township, Linn county. born September 24, 1866, and is of German lin- eage. When the good ship Thistle, in command of Captain John Wilson, from Rotterdam, sailed by way of Plymouth, England, to Philadelphia, she brought as one of her passengers Lorentz Guth, or Good, who was emigrating from Rhein- fals, Germany, to the new world. The vessel dropped anchor in the harbor of Philadelphia on the 19th of September, 1738, and Lorentz Good settled on the banks of Jordan ereek. The site of his old homestead is still owned by one of his descendants. The dwelling which now shelters the seventh generation of the family was built with massive walls two feet thiek and was designed to serve the
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double purpose of home and fort, that the family and neighbors might be pro- tected from attack by prowling Indian bands. Lorentz Good added from time to time to his holdings until he became the owner of an estate of nearly one thousand acres. His death occurred in 1782. after a residence in America of forty-four years. This rugged old German pioneer was a man of religious convictions and built and gave to the congregation the Jordan Reformed church, together with fifty acres of land. This first church was constructed of logs with the earth for a floor and the pews were made from split logs resting on wooden pegs driven into the ground. But it sheltered a devout band of people who gathered each Sunday for worship. The founder of the Good family in America thus beeame also the founder of the Jordan Reformed church.
Henry Good, the grandfather of Hon. James W. Good, married Lydia Stoney and their son, Henry Good, Jr., became one of the pioneer settlers of Linn county. Iowa. He wedded Margaret Combs, a daughter of Thomas and Lorana ( Harri- son) Combs, who were natives of Indiana and Kentucky respectively. They eame to Linn county among its early residents, arriving in 1841, in which year they took up their abode in Marion township.
James W. Good, beginning his education at the usual age, attended the Center school in Monroe township until he entered upon a preparatory course in Coe College, Cedar Rapids, in 1885. He continued through the regular eollege course and was graduated in the class of 1892 with the Bachelor of Science degree. Previous to his graduation he had read law and the following autumn he passed the required examination that secured him admission to the law school of the University of Michigan, from which he was graduated with the class of 1893. receiving at that time the LL. B. degree. He entered and won the competitive contest for class orator and was elected orator of the class of 1893.
Following his graduation Mr. Good was admitted to the bar and practiced law in Indianapolis, Indiana, through the succeeding three years. In 1896 he returned to Cedar Rapids and entered into partnership with Charles J. Deacon under the firm style of Deacon & Good. Later Amor H. Sargent and Harrison E. Spangler were admitted to the firm and the name was changed to Deacon, Good, Sargent & Spangler. From the beginning of his connection with the Cedar Rapids bar Mr. Good has made continuous progress and has long occupied a position of distinction as one of the leading representatives of the legal profession of this city.
Mr. Good has been a lifelong republican and his party in 1906 elected him to the office of city attorney, in which position he served until 1908. His most im- portant work in this connection was the conduct of the litigation in the famous gas controversy in which he won a decision favorable to Cedar Rapids. The ability which he displayed as city attorney and his well known devotion to the public interests led to his selection. in 1908, as the republican nominee for representative of the fifth Iowa district to the sixty-first congress. Again he was elceted and in 1910 he was unanimously chosen for a second term, so that he is now a member of the national legislative council.
On the 4th of October, 1894, Mr. Good was married to Miss Luey Deacon, a daughter of Charles J. and Sylvia (Mansfield) Deacon, and a granddaughter of Dr. Eber L. Mansfield. one of Cedar Rapids' pioneer settlers and a most promi- nent physician of his day. Her maternal grandmother, Mrs. Lucy A. (Warri- ner) Mansfield, was a direct descendant of William Warriner, who came from Yorkshire, England, in 1638, and was among the first settlers of Springfield. Massachusetts, his descendants having a prominent place in subsequent New England history, participating actively in the colonial and Revolutionary wars and in events which have shaped the civil annals of the country. Mrs. Good is a member of the Cedar Rapids Art Club and is prominent socially. On the 26th of September, 1910, there was born to Mr. and Mrs. Good a son, James W., Jr.
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Their home at No. 1905 B avenue is among the finest of Cedar Rapids' handsome residences.
Mr. Good belongs to the Cedar Rapids Country Club and the Cedar Rapids Commercial Club. He also holds membership in the First Presbyterian church and has attained the thirty-second degree in Masonry. He belongs to the Iowa Bar Association and is a genial, generous, popular gentleman, numbered among Linn county's most successful native sons. By his own merit he has risen to a position of prominence, his broad Americanism, his sympathetic understanding of the perplexing problems of human society. his abiding sense of justice and his deep insight into the vital relations of our complex civilization have already won for him the admiration and esteem not only of the people of his home community but also of those with whom he has come into contact through mutual connection with national interests.
CHARLES F. BUTLER
A native of Linn county, Charles F. Butler has continued to reside here and since reaching manhood has been actively and prominently identified with the business interests of the county and is now president of the Springville Exchange Bank. He was born on the old homestead in Brown township, December 8, 1857, and is a son of Joseph S. and Maria L. (Reneau) Butler. His father was born in Gallipolis, Ohio, on the 28th of December, 1821, and was a son of Colonel Isaac Butler, who was born in Kentucky of Irish parentage and won his title as com- mander of a regiment of militia that was stationed at Fort Dearborn, now Chicago, Illinois, in 1836. In 1828 the family removed to Louisville, Kentucky, three years later went to Cass county, Michigan, and in 1835 to Racine, Wiscon- sin. It was in 1840 that Colonel Butler became a resident of Linn county, Iowa, and here his descendants have since made their home. He was the first postmaster and the first justice of the peace of Springville, which town was laid out by his son Joseph S., who also laid out the road from Marion, the county seat of Linn county, to Anamosa, Iowa.
Being nineteen years of age when the family located here. Joseph S. Butler assisted in the improvement and cultivation of the home farm and he hauled the lumber from Davenport to build the old hotel on the west side of Springville. On leaving the parental roof in 1850 he went to Anamosa, Iowa, where he formed a partnership with a gentleman and engaged in the manufacture of cultivators and fanning mills for four years. At the end of that time he returned to Linn county and for several years devoted his attention to farming and stock-raising and also dealt in real estate. From 1862 until 1876 he was also interested in the grain and stock business and two years later established the Springville Ex- change Bank, with a capital stock of twenty-five thousand dollars, which he con- ducted in connection with his farming and stock-raising interests. The bank was located in the old town on the south side of Big creek until 1881, when it was removed to its present location in the new town. His son Charles F. subsequently became a member of the firm and on the death of the father, December 31, 1898, the son took charge of the business.
Joseph S. Butler was married July 14, 1854, to Miss Maria L. Reneau, a native of Indianapolis, Indiana, and a daughter of Jesse Reneau, who was born in Tennessee of French ancestry and was married in that state. Some years later he removed to Indiana and subsequently became one of the early settlers of Linn county, Iowa. Of the three children born to Mr. and Mrs. Butler, A. J. died Jan- uary 1, 1876, when nearly twenty years of age, and Lnrman died in infancy, the only one now living being Charles F .. of this review.
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The father took a very active and prominent part in public affairs and in polities was a Jeffersonian democrat. He held a number of public offices of honor and trust and during the Civil war raised a company, which was organized as Company H, Twenty-fourth Iowa Volunteer Infantry. In religious faith he was a Presbyterian and not only supported that church but contributed liberally toward the erection of the Methodist Episcopal church of Springville. He was a Knight Templar Mason, belonging to Springville Lodge, Marion Chapter and Patmos Commandery. At his death he was laid to rest with Masonie honors. In 1881 he established the Springville New Era, which he conducted for some time. He was a man of unusual business ability and exerted his influence for the moral and material development of the community in which he lived.
Being reared on the home farm, eighty rods south of Springville. Charles F. Butler obtained his early education in the public schools of Springville and later attended Cornell College at Mount Vernon for two years. After putting aside his text-books he returned home and for some time devoted his attention to agri- cultural pursuits and the stock business. As before stated, he subsequently became a member of the firm owning the Springville Exchange Bank and on the death of his father became president of the same. The capital stock has been increased from time to time until now the bank has the largest capital of any in the county outside of Cedar Rapids, Mr. Butler is still extensively interested in farm land and in connection with its operation he is also engaged in raising stock, fattening several earloads of cattle annually.
On the old homestead in Brown township. where his parents were married and where he was born, Mr. Butler was married on Christmas day, 1882, to Miss Clara Burger, who was born in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, but at an early day was brought to Linn county, lowa, by her father, Abraham Burger. She was also a student at Mount Vernon for a time. On the home farm they began their domestic life and there their only child, Margaret Josephine, was born. Subsequently they took up their abode in Springville, where the daughter at- tended school, being graduated from the high school of that place in June, 1901.
Fraternally Mr. Butler is an honored member of the Knights of Pythias Lodge of Springville, of which he is past chancellor, having filled all the ehairs in the same and represented the lodge in the grand lodge of the state. By his ballot he usually supports the men and measures of the democratic party but, being in favor of a gold standard, he voted for President MeKinley in 1896 and again in 1900. He has ever taken an active and commendable interest in public affairs but has had no desire for official honors, preferring to devote his time and attention to his business interests. Ile gave to Springville the beautiful park, containing seven acres, which is said to be the handsomest natural park in the state of Iowa. He was one of the principal promoters of the water works system of Springville and owns a large share of the stock. A man of good business ability and sound judgment, he has met with excellent success in his undertakings and has so con- ducted his affairs that he has won the confidence and esteem of all those with whom he has been brought in contact during business or social life.
THOMAS READ WARRINER
Thomas Read Warriner, a civil engineer of Cedar Rapids, was born at North Adams, Jefferson county. New York, on the 11th of August, 1869. His birthplace was the same house in which his father was born on the 27th of April, 1827, and where he resided until about seventeen years ago, when he retired and took up his abode in the village of Adams. The ancestry of the family can be traced back to William Warriner, who came from Yorkshire, England. and joined the carly set-
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tlers of Springfield, Mass., in 1638. The following year he married Joanna Seant and they became the parents of Deacon James Warriner, who was the first Ameri- can born of the Warriner ancestors. William Warriner owned a considerable part of what is now the heart of the city of Springfield, Massachusetts. He was among the earliest residents of that section of the state and had made his home there for thirty-eight years when his death oeenrred June 2, 1676. Among his descendants who have gained places in colonial and later history were Ensign James Warriner and Captain James Warriner, who commanded the first soldiers from Wilbraham in the Revolutionary war when, aroused by the news of the firing upon of Lexington, he led a company of militia to the defense of American liber- ty. His son, Solomon Warriner, joined the Continental army at Bennington, serving in Colonel Pynchon's regiment in 1777. Lieutenant Noah Warriner served with the army that besieged Boston after the Lexington alarm, and his youngest daughter, Dolly, married Colonel Warren Lincoln, a member of the same family as President Abraham Lincoln.
Deacon James Warriner, the son of William Warriner and the founder of the family in America, was born at Springfield, Massachusetts, November 21, 1640. He married Elizabeth, daughter of Joseph Baldwin, the first settler of Milford, Massachusetts. He was one of the founders and a deacon of the First Congrega- tional church of Springfield, and in other ways took a prominent part in the early history of that eity. He was also a member of the volunteer company formed to protect the settlers from Indian raids and his name appears on the list of soldiers of King Phillip's war. He possessed considerable property and was one of the first grantors of a formal deed in Hampden county. His death occurred May 14, 1727. His son, Benjamin Warriner, was born at Springfield, Massachusetts, April 15, 1698, and married Lucy Bartlett. He died January 22, 1764, and a time- worn tombstone in the old cemetery in Wilbraham marks his last resting place. Israel Warriner, the son of Benjamin, was born at Ludlow, Massachusetts, May 19, 1742, and became a prominent factor in community affairs, serving as seleet- man at Ludlow for seven years. He afterward removed to Oneida county, New York, and later to Adams Center in the same state, where he engaged in farming up to the time of his death on the 26th of March, 1810. He wedded Mary Hitel- cock, and their family included Calvin Warriner, who was born in Ludlow, Massa- chusetts, April 4, 1784, and when sixteen years of age removed with his parents to Oneida county, New York. In 1823 he married Mrs. Abiah Riee, a daughter of Roger and Lydia Read, of Bennington, Vermont. His death occurred at North Adams, New York, April 8, 1858. Parley Ephraim Warriner, son of Calvin Warriner, and the father of Thomas Read Warriner, was born, as previously stat- ed, at North Adams, Jefferson county, New York. There he resided until about seventeen years ago, when he retired and took up his abode in the village of Adams. He has for many years, however, divided his time between New York and Cedar Rapids. He made his first trip to this eity in 1860. He has frequently visited Cedar Rapids, remaining here at times as long as a year and a half. He is widely known in this city and enjoys the high respect and good will of all with whom he has been brought in contaet. In polities he is a republican but has never been an office seeker. He married Sarah E. Ward on the 26th of December, 1861, and she is still living at the age of seventy-seven years. They have four children : Jennie May; Thomas Read; Frances, who died in infancy ; and Sarah Abiah.
Thomas R. Warriner spent his youthful days in his father's home, pursuing his education in the public schools of his home locality and in the Watertown (N. Y.) high school, from which he was graduated with the class of 1887. In Sep- tember, 1888, he came to Cedar Rapids and devoted two years to the preparatory course in Coe College. In 1890 he returned to the east and entered Cornell Uni- versity, from which he was graduated in 1893 with the degree of Civil Engineer. For a year thereafter he was in ill health. In the spring of 1895 he came to Cedar
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Rapids and formed a partnership under the firm name of Boynton & Warriner, civil engineers, which relation existed until 1899, since which time Mr. Warriner has continued the business independently. In 1896 he was elected county sur- veyor of Linn county, serving for two years, and in 1902 he was elected by the council of Cedar Falls, Iowa, city engineer of that city, in which capacity he served for four years, retaining his residence, however, in Cedar Rapids. From 1906 until 1908 he served as city engineer of Cedar Rapids, his professional ability well qualifying him for the onerous and responsible duties which devolved upon him in that connection. His business is an extensive one and he has gained a repu- tation as a capable civil engineer that extends beyond the confines of Iowa. He gives his attention principally to municipal work.
In 1901 Mr. Warriner was united in marriage to Miss Annette L. Harwood, of Cedar Rapids, a daughter of Franklin W. Harwood, who is now deputy clerk of the United States district court but was formerly a member of the Mower-Har- wood Creamery Company, dealers in creamery supplies. Unto Mr. and Mrs. War- riner have been born three children. Harwood, Robert Read and Janette.
In his political views Mr. Warriner is a republican. He is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, of the Kappa Sigma fraternity and of the Iowa Engineering Society, of which he is now the president, his election there- to being an indication of his high standing in the regard of his fellow members of the profession. Ile is also a member of the Cedar Rapids Country Club and the Cedar Rapids Commercial Club, and takes a deep interest in all movements for the benefit and upbuilding of the city. The family attend the First Presbyterian church.
GEORGE NYERE
No matter in how much fantastic theorizing one may indulge as to the cause of snecess, it is definitely known that business advancement has its root in earnest, persistent and intelligent effort. An analyzation of the life record of George Nyere shows that his progress has been made by reason of those qualities and he has thus won the proud American title of a salf-made man.
Cedar Rapids numbers him among her native sons. Ile was here horn Sep- tember 26. 1857. and is a son of Stephen Nyere, a native of Budapest, Hungary, who came to America in company with the distinguished General Louis Kossuth. He was a son of a wealthy and prominent family of Budapest and following the custom of his country, and not through necessity, he learned the trade of tailoring ere leaving his native land. On arriving in the United States he settled in Newark. New Jersey, where he engaged in business as a merchant tailor, remaining there for several years. In 1854, however, he decided to establish his home in the west and so came to Cedar Rapids but had to make the trip overland from Dubuque in a wagon train.
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