USA > Iowa > Linn County > History of Linn County Iowa : from its earliest settlement to the present time, Volume II > Part 98
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After arriving in this city he was employed on the construction of the first mill race and dam at Cedar Rapids, but after a short time he again took up merchant tailoring, in which business he continued until 1883, or until his death, which occurred on the 20th of September of that year. During the Civil war Mr. Nyere made frequent attempts to enlist in the Union army, but, owing to his weight of two hundred and sixty pounds, was not accepted. He married Miss Katherine Webber, of Wittenberg, Germany, who passed away on the 19th of March, 1910, and both were buried at Cedar Rapids. They were the parents of the following children, all of whom are yet living, namely: Stephen ; George ; Joseph ; Augus- tus; Louis : John : Mary, who is now Mrs Ren Reichert, of Chicago; Anna ; Han- nah; Mrs. Katie Onson, of Cedar Rapids; Margaret, the wife of Charles Bessler,
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of Kansas; and Emma, also of Cedar Rapids. The three brothers, August, John and Louis, constitute the leading firm of plumbers in this city, while Joseph is foreman of the Rock Island Railroad shops at Davenport and Stephen is a master painter of Kansas City, Missouri.
The family was large and the father's income comparatively small and because of this George Nyere early in life was forced to start out and earn his own living. His father could ill afford the cost of books so that after a short period in the public schools he had no further educational advantages save that in the school of experience he has learned many valuable lessons, becoming at length a practical and well informed business man. He began to work as a washer in the bottle works of Cedar Rapids and was thus employed for several months, after which he secured a situation in the local brickyards. There he remained for four years and later was employed in a furniture factory. On the 27th of April, 1875, he decid- ed to learn the trade of blacksmithing. At that time the firm of Soule & Miller occupied space directly opposite the present shop of Mr. Nyere. He entered the employ of that firm and remained with them for six years, earning seventy-five cents per day during that time. By the strictest economy he contrived to save the sum of two hundred dollars and with that meager amount, on the 16th of Novem- ber, 1881, he opened his present shop. His business has steadily grown until it is today one of the largest of the kind in Cedar Rapids, employment being con- tinuously furnished to nine men.
On the 7th of October, 1879, Mr. Nyere was united in marriage to Miss Mary A. Correll, of Berks county, Pennsylvania. They became the parents of two chil- dren, Mabel Louise Kelly and George L. Nyere, both of whom were liberally educated. The father, because of his own lack in that direction, realized fully the value of educational training. The son is now one of the well known and suc- cessful attorneys of Portland, Oregon, removing to the west after practicing law for four years at Cedar Rapids. Ile is a graduate of Notre Dame University and was also for two years a pupil in the New York Military Academy. The daughter, Mabel, is a graduate of Wellesley College and for two years attended a well known young ladies' academy of New York.
Mr. Nyere is independent in politics. Ile keeps well informed on questions of the day but does not desire to ally himself with any particular party. Fratern- ally he is connected with Mount Hermon Lodge, A. F. & A. M., the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Knights of Pythias. He has been identified with the last named for more than twenty-eight years and his life is in harmony with the teachings of the eraft. Diligence and determination have constituted the keynote of his character and have brought him the enviable position which he now occupies in business circles in Cedar Rapids.
DAVID ILGENFRITZ
David Ilgenfritz, who has continuously resided within the borders of Linn county for the past fifty-five years, has followed general agricultural pursuits throughout his active business career and is the owner of a well improved and valuable farm of two hundred and thirteen and one-fourth acres in Brown and Linn townships. His birth occurred in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, on the 8th of February, 1844. his parents being David and Elizabeth (Shoop) Ilgenfritz, who were likewise natives of the Keystone state. The year 1855 witnessed their ar- rival in this county and for ten years they made their home in Mount Vernon. On the expiration of that period the father purchased a farm in Marion township and resided thereon until ealled to his final rest in 1875. His wife, surviving him for a number of years, passed away in 1886. Unto them were born six children,
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namely : David, of this review; Barbara, the wife of William Bolton, of South Dakota; Elizabeth, who is the wife of Joseph Reaser and makes her home in Kansas; and three who are deceased.
David Ilgenfritz was educated in the common schools and remained at home until he had attained his majority. He then rented a tract of land and operated a thresher for several years. Subsequently he bought forty acres of the farm on which he now resides and later made additional purchase until his land hold- ings embrace two hundred and thirteen and one-fourth acres in Brown and Linn townships. The place is lacking in none of the improvements and accessories of a model farm of the twentieth century, and in connection with the tilling of the soil Mr. Ilgenfritz has also made a specialty of the raising of hogs and horses, meeting with success in both branches of his business.
In 1869 Mr. Ilgenfritz was united in marriage to Miss Anna Bolton, who was born in West Virginia in 1845, her parents being Noah and Elizabeth Bolton, both of whom passed away in Linn county. Mrs. Ilgenfritz was one of a family of six children and by her marriage has become the mother of eight, as follows: Fadella, the wife of Elmer Wilson, of Poweshiek county, Iowa; Frederiek, living in this county ; Bertha, at home; Minnie, the wife of Fred Nicholas, of Linn eoun- ty ; Maude, who gave her hand in marriage to Charles Riger, and likewise resides in this county ; Delila, the wife of Elmer Platenburger, of this county ; Mary, who wedded O. Clarke and also makes her home in Linn county; and Nora, the wife of Fred Woods.
Mr. Ilgenfritz is a staneh republican in his political views but the honors and emoluments of office have never had any attraction for him. Both he and his wife are consistent members of the Presbyterian church, exemplifying its teachings in their daily lives. The eirele of their friends is a wide one, for they have ever displayed those sterling traits of character which in every land and clime win confidenee and regard.
WENSEL POSPISHIL
Wensel Pospishil, whose life of activity finds visible proof in his attractive home, situated in the midst of a farm of twenty acres about three miles from Cedar Rapids, has for thirty-one years been connected with the Roek Island Rail- road Company, filling the position at the present time of section foreman between Linn Junction and Cedar Rapids. IIe was born in Bohemia on the 15th of May, 1859, and is one of five living children - Joseph, John, Anna, Mrs. Mary Pesck and Wensel - whose parents were Joseph and Anna Pospishil, farming people of Bohemia. They remained residents of their native land until abont 1864, when they emigrated to the new world, settling in Johnson county, Iowa, where the father again took up general agricultural pursnits.
Wensel Pospishil was but five years of age at the time of the emigration to the United States. Owing to the limited financial resources of the father he had to begin work in carly boyhood. His educational opportunities were in consequence very limited but in the school of experience he has learned many lessons that have tanght him the value of industry, determination and resolute will. He learned that a fixed and unalterable purpose, pursued under all circumstances, in season and out of season, with no shadow of turning, is the best motive power a man ean have. Such a purpose has imbued him in his entire life.
Prompted by landable ambition, he has worked his way upward through the period of his connection with the Roek Island Railroad Company, which began when he was but a boy and which has brought him ultimately to his present posi- tion of responsibility as seetion foreman between Linn Junetion and Cedar Rapids.
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Through hard work and with the assistance of his wife he was at length enabled to purchase property, becoming the owner of a home in Cedar Rapids, which some time ago he traded for his present attractive home, which is situated about three miles from the city. It is a pleasant and comfortable residenee, surrounded by good farin buildings in the midst of twenty aeres of fine land. The place is being superintended by his wife, while Mr. Pospishil still holds his position with the railroad company.
It was on the 26th of September, 1882, that he was united in marriage to Miss Josephine S. Enderlen, a daughter of Ignacius and Anna Enderlen, whose family numbered five children, namely : Mrs. Pospishil, Miss Mary Blaha, Mrs. Christine Rubek, Mrs. Stacey Jondera and Joseph. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Pospi- shil have been born six children : Mrs. Emma Necerka, who is married and has two children, William and Esther; Stacy Dutch, a resident of North Dakota; Mrs. Barbara Stinarn, who has one ehild, Helen ; William, a resident of Portland, Oregon ; Lydia and Wesley, both at home. The family attend the Evangelical church. The life record of Mr. Pospishil is a commendable one and proves that honorable success has its root in persistent, earnest effort and faithful service.
JOSEPH ZAHRADNIK
Among the Bohemian citizens of Linn county who are winning success along agricultural lines is numbered Joseph Zahradnik, who is now living on seetion 8, Putnam township, where he carries on general farming and stock-raising. He was born in Bohemia, March 2, 1857, and is the only son of Joseph and Katherine (Jukl) Zahradnik, who were farming people in their native country. They arrived in Putnam township, Linn county, on the 10th of August. 1867, and set- tled upon a traet of forty acres of land, which constitutes a part of the present farm of their son Joseph. Only about two acres of the land had been cleared and were ready for cultivation. Their home was a little log cabin, containing but one room, and this the family occupied until a more commodious and sub- stantial residence could be erected. The parents were in limited financial cir- enmstances but possessed laudable ambition and firm purpose and upon those qualities as a foundation builded their success. For five years Mr. Zahradnik used a yoke of oxen in working the land. In course of time his aeres were con- verted into productive fields and he was able to enjoy many more of the comforts of life than he could obtain during the early period of his residence here. He continued to make his home in Linn county until his death, which occurred February 18, 1890, when he was in his seventieth year, his birth having occurred November 17, 1820. His wife, who was born October 17, 1822, died on the 3d of August, 1902, when in her eightieth year.
Joseph Zahradnik, whose name introduces this record, was a lad of ten years when he crossed the Atlantic with his parents and came with them to Linn county, where he has since made his home. In his youthful days he experienced the usual hardships and trials of pioneer life in the little log cabin home which the family occupied. He attended the public schools through the winter months until fourteen years of age and through the summer seasons worked on his father's farm. After reaching the age of fourteen his entire attention was given to farm work and more and more largely the care and management of the place devolved upon him. He has owned the farm since 1877, his property now comprising two hundred and two acres of rich and valuable land situated on seetion 8, Put- nam township. He carries on general farming and stock-raising, the latter being an important feature of his place. He makes a specialty of sheep. having about
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one hundred and twenty-five head. He also keeps fifteen milk cows and sells cream to the Ely Creamery.
On the 1st of May, 1877, Mr. Zahradnik was united in marriage to Miss Anna Koutny, of College township, a daughter of Joseph and Theresa (Tichy) Koutny, early settlers of the county, where they established their home in 1861 on coming to the new world from Bohemia. The mother now spends the summer monthhs in Ely and the winter seasons at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Zahradnik. She is yet enjoying good health although she has passed the eighty-fourth mile- stone on life's journey, her birth having occurred on the 13th of February, 1826. Mr. Koutny, who was born in 1834, passed away in 1887. Their daughter, Mrs. Zahradnik, was born August 28, 1857, and by her marriage has become the mother of nine children, of whom two daughters died in infancy. The others are: Anna, who was born August 24, 1879, and is now Mrs. Anton Holec, of Putnam town- ship; Joseph J., who was born January 15, 1883; Mary, who was born October 16, 1884, and is now the wife of John Kriz, of College township; Libbie, who was born November 16, 1887; Anastasia, born May 2, 1890; Frank A., June 6, 1894; and Henry J., June 6, 1897.
In his political views Mr. Zahradnik is a democrat and is serving as township trustee at the present time. He is holding the office for the second term and dis- charges his duties with promptness and fidelity. He has also been justice of the peace and was school treasurer for fifteen years and school director for four years. The cause of education finds in him a warm friend and his interest in the welfare of the community is manifested by his loyalty in the discharge of every duty which has devolved upon him in an official capacity. Fraternally he is connected with the Ancient Order of United Workmen at Ely and he belongs to the Bohemian Reformed Evangelical church. In his business affairs he has prospered because of the close attention which he gives to his work, and his energy and enterprise make him one of the representative men of the community.
CARLE D. BROWN
One of the native sons of Iowa who has won success in his business affairs is Carle D. Brown, now secretary, treasurer and manager of the Commercial Art Press and the Commercial Art Engravers. He was born in Webster City, Iowa, on the 22d of September, 1876, and is a son of William John and Ida Florence (Branch) Brown, both of whom are still living, being now residents of Cedar Rapids. The father is a sign writer by trade and for some years was employed in the internal revenue department of the government.
After attending the public schools, Carle D. Brown learned the printer's trade in the Freeman office at Webster City, at which he worked for four years on a country newspaper and then went on the road as salesman for an advertis- ing firm. He was next engaged in the advertising business on his own account for three years in southwestern Missouri and from 1901 to 1903 was employed on the Cedar Rapids Gazette. The following year he became general manager of the printing department of the Interstate Schools of Cedar Rapids and was con- nected therewith until April, 1908, when he formed the company of which he is now secretary and treasurer.
At that time they purchased the plant of which he had previously been man- ager and in 1909 bought out the Alden Engraving Company and have since operated them both. Being thoroughly familiar with the business in all its departments, Mr. Brown has made a success of this venture and today has a splendidly equipped plant which can equal in quality and price any work done in Chicago along the same lines. His artistie skill and ability is manifest in the
CARLE D. BROWN
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work turned out and much of the success of the company is due to his untiring efforts.
On the 17th of December, 1902, Mr. Brown was united in marriage to Miss Mina L. Averill of Cedar Rapids, and they now have a little daughter, Caryl Susan. Mr. Brown has for some time been identified with the Commercial Club of Cedar Rapids, is a member of the State Historical Society and seerctary of the Civic Improvement Club.
ORPHEUS L. KELLEY
A little thoughtful consideration of the career of Orpheus L. Kelley, one of the proprietors of the Grand Hotel, brings one to the conclusion that he has in most of his business operations been impelled by the spirit of the pioneer. He has sought out new plans and new conditions likely to favor his projeets and after he has made them available and profitable he has sought out still others and after those, others. The wisdom of his selection has been proven by the success which has crowned his efforts. He is thoroughly conversant with all the details of good hotel keeping and, operating as a member of the firm of Kellcy & Sprague, he is maintaining an excellent hostelry in his conduet of the Grand Hotel.
Mr. Kelley is a native of New England, his birth having occurred in Derby, Orleans county, Vermont, on the 14th of January, 1860. He is a son of John and Malina (Roberts) Kelley, the former a native of St. Johnsbury, Vermont, and the latter of Sheffield, Vermont. When a young man the father drove a peddler's wagon through the country and after his marriage opened a store in Derby, Vermont, condueting one of the largest mereantile enterprises of that plaec. He acquired a very substantial competence but later met with financial reverses through speculation in hops. He died in Derby, and his widow still resides in Cedar Rapids at the age of eighty-four years.
Orpheus L. Kelley was reared under the parental roof, acquiring his edu- cation in the public schools. When about sixteen years of age he began to earn a salary as a potato buyer for a commission merchant of Providence, Rhode Island. He was given five hundred dollars and a horse and buggy and in this way he drove through Canada, buying potatoes. Later his father purchased a farm and the son remained upon the home farm until his twenty-first year, when he went to North Dakota and turned his attention to the agricultural implement business. He introduced into Lisbon the first agricultural implements ever taken into that city and remained in North Dakota for four years, during which time he was con- nected with various business interests. On the expiration of that period he returned home. His father was a dominant faetor in the ranks of the democratic party but was too old to hold office, and Orpheus L. Kelley through his instru- mentality was chosen for the office of government inspector of railroad baggage. Later he was made bookkeeper of impost and duties and served in that capacity for four years, after which he went to Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, where he received his initial training and experience as a hotel man, becoming steward for the Milwaukee Sanitarium, with which he was connected for two years. He then went to Chicago, where he was employed in the steward's department of the Grand Pacific Hotel for five years, after which he removed to Milwaukee, Wis- consin, and became purchasing steward for the Hotel Pfister, buying all the produce for that hotel. There he remained for two years, after which he returned to Chicago.
In 1896 Mr. Kelley came to Cedar Rapids as steward of the Grand Hotel under Major H. M. Hamilton. Not long afterward he was made manager of the hotel and some four years later he purchased the Pullman House. The same fall he
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went east and brought his brother and his family to Cedar Rapids and in eonnee- tion with his brother John engaged in the fish business, but this venture proved unprofitable. For one summer thereafter Orpheus L. Kelley managed the Out- ing Club at Clear Lake and later was associated with Mr. Dalzel in the restaurant and ice cream business for two years. In 1906 he and C. O. Sprague purchased the Pullman House, borrowing the money for that purpose, but so successful were they in its conduet that after six months they were able to take up all the notes. On the 1st of March, 1908, they leased the Grand Hotel, which they have made one of the popular and attractive hostelries of Iowa. While Mr. Kelley failed in business in Cedar Rapids, he never took advantage of the bankruptey law but paid dollar for dollar on all of his debts. In the field of hotel manage- ment he has been very successful and the firm of Kelley & Sprague now own over thirteen hundred aeres of land in Minnesota and eight hundred aeres in North Dakota near Bismarek, on which they are putting in a section of wheat in the present year, their land lying in the great wheat belt of the northwest. The Grand Hotel is one of the leading hostelries of this part of the state, while the Pullman is a popular chop house containing twenty-eight rooms.
Mr. Kelley was married in 1895, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to Miss Louise Friend, of Norwalk, Ohio, and to them have been born two daughters, Dorothy F. and Katherine L. Mr. Kelley belongs to Cedar Rapids Lodge, No. 251, B. P. O. E., and to the Maeeabees tent at this place, while his political allegiance is given to the democratic party. IIe concentrates his attention largely upon the management of his business interests and in the control of interests relating to hotel eonduet displays marked ability as well as undaunted enterprise. He has become widely known as one of the leading hotel men of Iowa - a reputation which is well deserved.
GUY P. LINVILLE
Six years' connection with the bar of Linn county has established Mr. Lin- ville's position as one of the able lawyers of Cedar Rapids. He is now accorded a large and distinetively representative elientage and in the presentation of his cause before the courts he gives proof of his comprehensive knowledge of the principles of jurisprudence.
A native of Mills county, Iowa, Guy P. Linville was born March 28, 1876, and is a son of Z. F. and Sarah E. (Davis) Linville, who were natives of Missouri and Iowa respectively. The father came to this state when seven years of age in company with his parents, who located in Mills county, where he was reared and educated. In due course of time he was graduated from Tabor College and following his graduation gave his attention to educational work for a few years. Later he engaged in general merchandising at. Carson, Iowa, eontinning in bus- iness at that place and at Hillsdale, Iowa. for twenty years, at the end of which time he retired to private life. He is still a valued resident of Carson, where he is held in the highest esteem by all who have known him.
The public schools of Carson afforded Guy P. Linville his early educational advantages and after a year devoted to teaching school he entered the Liberal Arts College of the State University, wherein he continued his studies for two years. Ile then accepted the position of high school teacher in Carson, acting for two years as assistant principal of the schools there and for a similar period as superintendent of schools. During the four summer seasons he took college work in Drake University of Des Moines, Iowa, and in the University of Chicago. Directing his energies into other professional lines, he entered the College of Law of the State University in preparation for the bar. He was graduated therefrom
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with the class of 1904, since which time he has engaged in law practice in Linn county. While a law student he became a member of the national legal fraternity, Phi Delta Phi, and during his senior year held the office of counsel of MeClain Chapter. Ile also took an active part in the debating societies while attending college and thus aided in developing his powers as an orator - powers which have been of incalculable value to him in his presentation of his cases before the courts. He entered upon the practice of law as a member of the firm of Gardner, Heald & Linville, the firm maintaining an office in Cedar Rapids and another at Center Point, Mr. Einville spending the greater part of his time in charge of the Center Point, office. After a year or more the partnership was dissolved by the withdrawal of the senior member but the firm of Heald & Linville continued until the fall of 1908, when this association was also discontinued. Later Mr. Linville formed a partnership with W. L. Crissman and H. R. Churchill under the firm name of Crissman, Linville & Churchill and in that connection successfully engaged in the practice of law, a large and distinctively representative clientage being aecorded him.
At the June primaries in 1910, Mr. Linville was nominated for the office of county attorney and should he be ealled to the office will undoubtedly prove a faithful official, for he is deeply interested in his profession and his progressive citizenship is a fact recognized by all. Fraternally he is connected with a number of orders, including the Masonic lodge, the Knights of Pythias, the Modern Wood- men, the Moose, and two of the ladies' auxiliaries of the above mentioned soci- eties - the Eastern Star and the Pythian Sisters. He is in thorough sympathy with the purposes of the different organizations and conforms his life to their beneficent teachings.
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