USA > Iowa > Johnson County > Leading events in Johnson County, Iowa history, biographical > Part 35
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Mr. Colbert was married November 16, 1887, to Miss Lu- cina Carl, daughter of F. T. Carl, of Lone Tree, Iowa. (See sketch of Mr. Carl elsewhere .- Ed.) They have two daugh- ters, Maybelle E., and Elda Merle, both living at home.
HIRAM HEATH (Deceased)
At the time of his death in Iowa City, January 21, 1907, Hiram Heath had just completed a continuous term of thir- ty-four years as secretary of the Lincoln Mutual Insurance Company, with which corporation he had been identified since its organization in 1873. This long term of service is illus- trative of the persistency and faithfulness which were domi- nant traits of his character. His life was marked by consist- ent, continuous attention to the duties and obligations of the citizen, the father, and the neighbor. His place in the con- 1 dence and affection of his family and friends was unshak- able. It was the universal verdict at his death that a good man had gone to his reward. This judgment of his fellows and his friends should temper the grief of his loved ones and crystallize their veneration for the departed. If the "good that men do lives after them," then the influence of Hiram Heath will unquestionably be a factor for righteousness for many years to come in the memories and consciousness of his family, his business associates, and his neighbors.
New Jersey was the birthplace of Hiram Heath, April 15. 1836. His parents, John and Rachel (Norman) Heath, were also natives of New Jersey. The family removed to Ohio when Hiram was a small child. They remained there until Hiram was eighteen years of age, when they pushed further westward to Iowa county, lowa. From that county, in 1861, at the age of twenty-five, young Heath enlisted in Company
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D of the Thirty-fifth lowa. He devoted three years to the service of his country, one of which was in active combat, during which he took part in the siege of Vicksburg. His health failed, however, and he was assigned to the position of clerk in the government hospital at Davenport, Iowa, which place he held for two years. On receiving his discharge he settled upon a farm in Muscatine county, lowa, where he re- mained until 1869 when he moved to a farm in Johnson county. He resided upon this latter place until 1891, when he went to Iowa City, there remaining until his death.
Mr. Heath was married in September, 1861, to Flora A. Taylor, who shared with her young husband the anxieties of the Civil War. She was born May 22, 1836, in Ohio. Her
RESIDENCE OF THE LATE HIRAM HEATH
parents were of Scotch descent. Her father died when she was five years of age and her mother many years ago. She is the only surviving member of her father's family of eight; the names of the deceased are: John, Mary, Archibald, Doug- las, Margaret, Daniel, and Jane. One brother and two sis- ters of Mr. Heath survive him : John, living in Idaho ; Naoma, living at Tacoma, Washington; and Sarah, living at Platte, South Dakota.
The family of Hiram and Flora Heath are: Edna, now Mrs. T. E. Fountain, living in Cedar county, Iowa, has one daughter, Dorothea; Mac, who died in 1891 at the age of twenty-two; Myrtle, new Mrs. O. R. Reeves, living on the old
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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY, IOWA
homestead, has six children, Teresa, Raymond, Helen, Wil- liam, Lois, and Vernon ; May, now Mrs. Dr. F. W. Beets, liv- ing at Hanover, Illinois, has two children, Margaret and Paul.
Mr. Heath was a pronounced republican in politics, and was honored by his party and fellow citizens by election to a num- ber of local offices. He and his wife were identified with the membership and work of the Methodist Episcopal church. Comrade Heath was a member of the G. A. R. of Iowa City.
JOSEPH PRIZLER
Joseph Prizler resides upon the old homestead of his par- ents in Lincoln township, where he was born April 11, 1873, and where his entire life has been spent. He takes pride in this place, and esteems it the highest privilege of his life to have been able to buy and to maintain the reputation of the old family home for productiveness and good cheer. Careful
RESIDENCE OF JOSEPH PRIZLER
management and constant industry have given Mr. Prizler a goodly quota of this world's goods, and the farm, well-kept, productive, and attractive, is a credit to its owner and to his capable wife, who has been his companion and help-mate for ten years.
Joseph Prizler is the son of Nerbet and Mary (Kezak)
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MR. AND MRS. JOE PRIZLER
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Prizler, natives of Bohemia, who were married in their na- tive land, and in 1866 came directly therefrom to Iowa City, soon after settling on the farm in Lincoln township, which is the present home of our subject. The mother died in 1890, but the father is still living in Iowa City at the advanced age of eighty-one. Of the eight children born to this couple, six now survive, one having died in infancy and one, John, at the age of forty. The survivors are: Frony, widow of Mr. Slaby, residing at Davenport; Peter, living in Iowa City; May, now Mrs. Frank Zeithammel, living in Iowa City; our subject; Frank, residing in Pleasant Valley township; Charles, resid- ing in Colorado; and Kate, now Mrs. Albert Tauber, living at Iowa City.
Mr. Prizler was married in October, 1901, to Miss Mary Kanek, a native of Bohemia, who came with her parents to Iowa City about 1891. The Kanek family settled at Iowa City, where they have since resided, the father, Frank Kanek, being a merchant tailor at 126 South Dubuque street. Mr. and Mrs. Prizler have four children : George, Ernest, Edna, and Melvin.
Mr. Prizler is in every respect a self-made man, having by frugality, industry, and intelligence worked his way up step by step to his present standing. He is bright, enter- prising, and progressive, a type of the ideal young Iowa farmer. He is a democrat in politics, and well informed con- cerning the vital issues of the day.
GEORGE WASHINGTON BALL
Very few men in Iowa City have witnessed more material changes in Johnson county than the subject of this sketch, who was born near Fairfield, Jefferson county, lowa, June 7, 1847. His parents were pioneers, having settled in this coun- ty during the spring of 1840. George W. remained on the farm assisting his father, and attending the rural schools. At the age of twenty-three he removed to Des Moines where he remained about four years.
November, 1874, he removed to lowa City, and established himself in law and has been in active practice since that time.
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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY, IOWA
He formed a partnership with Mr. Baker and their firm con- tinned as such until 1905, when George W. Ball, Jr., was ad- mitted. The death of Mr. Baker occurring July 1, 1910, the father and son continue the business, their offices being in the Crescent block.
After attending the rural schools, Mr. Ball continued his studies for some time at Fairfield college, one year at Iowa Wesleyan college at Mt. Pleasant, and then completed the law course of the State University of Iowa, graduating with
RESIDENCE OF GEORGE W. BALL
the class of 1870. He immediately took up the practice of law in Des Moines, lowa.
The Ball family are direct descendants of one of the earliest Colonial families of Virginia. Smith Ball, father of George W., was born in Madison county, Ky., July 29, 1810, and died at Fairfield, Iowa, December 13, 1890; his mother, Rebecca (Moffitte) Ball, was born in Fayette county, Kentucky, Feb- ruary 25, 1814, and died in Jefferson county, Iowa, October 3, 1902. There were seven children in the family: Emily Ann Case, born in Sangamon county, Illinois, March 27, 1838. died in Jefferson county, Iowa. November 18, 1895; Mary Melissa Phillips, born March 25, 1849, resides in Birmingham,
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Iowa ; Sarah Frances, born March 10, 1845, died 1895 ; the sub- ject of this sketch; Margaret Cassander Fisher, born Decem- ber 10, 1849, died August 20, 1905; Lewis Cass, born January 18, 1852, resides in Fairfield, Iowa; Frank Pierce, born Feb- ruary 25, 1854, resides in Jefferson county, lowa.
Mr. Ball was married January 1, 1880, to Estella E. Walker, who was born in Henry county, Iowa, April 29, 1854. Miles Walker, her father, was born in Indiana, February 22, 1827; died September, 1895. Her mother, Jane (McDowell) Walk- er, was born in Mercer county, Pennsylvania, October 27, 1822, and at present resides with her daughter, Mrs. Ball, in Iowa City. The grandfather, William Walter, was an Iowa pioneer, settling in the state in 1834. Mrs. Ball had one broth- er and three sisters; Joseph P., born in Henry county, Iowa, April 2, 1852, resides in Putnam county, Missouri; Dora Dell Dean, wife of Henry Clay Dean, born at Mount Pleasant, Sep- tember 16, 1856, died in Putnam county, Missouri, January 2, 1911; Mrs. Luella Porter, born in Mount Pleasant, Henry county, Iowa, October 23, 1858, resides in Putnam county, Missouri ; Mrs. Lavanda Helene Babcock, born October 23, 1861, resides in Custer county, Nebraska.
To Mr. and Mrs. Ball have been born three sons and one daughter: George Washington, Jr. (see sketch), born Feb- ruary 16, 1881, associated with his father in the practice of law in Iowa City ; graduated from Iowa City high school, class of 1897, from the Liberal Arts Department of the State Uni- versity of Iowa in 1901, and from the Law Department in 1903; he is major in 54th Regiment. I. N. G .: Henry Moffitte, born February 23, 1883, attended high school, two years in the Academy, and two years in civil engineering in the University and is now conducting a ranch in Montana ; Walter MeDowell, born February 23, 1883 - twin of the former - graduated from the Academy, three years in the Liberal Arts Depart- ment of the State University of Iowa, completed the course in the law school of the same, graduating in 1909, practicing law, and conducts an abstract office at Fort Benton, Montana : Edith B. Macbride, born November 29, 1887, wife of Philip D., resides in Seattle, Washington. There are two grandchildren : Virginia Hester Ball, and George W. Ball III.
In politics Mr. Ball is a democrat. He was a member of
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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY, IOWA
the city council from 1881 to 1883, and representative from Johnson county in the 21st General Assembly, 1886-87.
He was state senator in 28th-29th General Assemblies, 1900-04, and mayor of Iowa City two terms, 1905-09. Mr. Ball is a member of board of directors, and vice president of the First National Bank of Iowa City. He is a member of the board of curators of the State Historical society. ,
In his social relations he is a member of Iowa City lodge No. 4, A. F. & A. M., Iowa Chapter No. 2, Palestine Com- mandery, K. T., member of De Molay Consistory No. 1, of Clinton, 32nd degree, member of El Kahir Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. (Mystic Shrine), of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He has been W. M. of Iowa City lodge No. 4, H. P. of Iowa City Chapter No. 2, Eminent Commander of Palestine Commandery No. 2, Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Iowa for two terms, and of a sequence Past Grand Master, Grand High Priest of Grand Chapter of Iowa, and Grand Prelate of the Grand Commandery of Iowa.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Ball are members of the Methodist Epis- copal church of Iowa City. They reside in a modern home at 429 N. Clinton street. Their children were all educated in institutions of Iowa City. Mrs. Ball attended Simpson col- lege at Indianola. Iowa, completing the course and graduating in the class of 1876. She is a member of the O. E. S., No. 35. and is also a member of the Beta Chapter of the Phi Beta Phi at Simpson, transferred to the Zeta Chapter, of Iowa City.
JOHN J. KADERA
One of the notable examples of self-made men who have won success in Johnson county is John J. Kadera, a well-known and popular citizen of Graham township. He was born in Bohemia, April 1, 1858, son of Joseph and Kate (Cervenk) Kadera. the former of whom died February 13, 1879, as a re- sult of being overheated in the harvest fields some time prev- ious. The mother now resides with her daughter, Mrs. Krock. in Cedar county, Iowa, at the age of seventy-four years. John J. was the first born of their eight children, and the responsi- bility of caring for his mother and some of the younger chil-
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dren devolved upon him for some years after the father's death. Of the children born to this couple four now survive, namely: John J., of this sketch ; Wesley is a farmer of Cedar township; Jacob W., lives in Union township, and Mary, the only surviving daughter, married Nicholas J. Krock, and they reside in Cedar county. The other four children died in child- hood.
At the age of eighteen years, in 1876, John J. Kadera came to America, landing in Baltimore and going at once to Cedar Rapids, where he had an uncle. He worked by the month at farming for the first seven years and at odd times was en-
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RESIDENCE OF JOHN J. KADERA
gaged at the trade of mason. His parents came to America with the other children in 1877. Upon his father's death John Kadera was the mainstay of his mother, who was left with several small children, and those were trying times for all. He received six dollars a month for his first month's work. thirteen the second month and in the second year eighteen dollars per month, and sixteen the third year, on account of hard times, and this was considered good pay for a youth at that time. During these years he was learning the lessons of economy and thrift which enabled him to get so good a start in life afterwards. By his twenty-fifth year he had been re- lieved of the care of the other members of the family and had been able to save $800, so he felt justified in marrying and starting to farm on his own account. He had landed in Cedar
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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY, IOWA
Rapids on May 27, 1876, with a capital of but ten cents, and had need of his store of energy and ambition to enable him to see brighter days ahead. He has justified his faith in his own ability to get on and in the opportunities to be found in the land of his adoption.
Upon his marriage Mr. Kadera purchased forty-five acres of land and soon afterwards added another twenty-five acres, in Cedar county, and occupied that farm fifteen years, during which time he had greatly developed it and land had increased in value there to such an extent that he was able to sell it for a good price. He then purchased a farm of 160 acres in Sec- tion 23. Graham township, which is a most desirable location for general farming and stock raising. The place, which was known as the old Harrison estate, was transferred to him on February 22 (Washington's Birthday), 1898, he being the third person to whom the deed was transferred. There were several buildings there, and in 1908 he erected a fine modern residence, and during three years expended $8,000 in improv- ing the place. In 1911 he erected a fine barn, 50 x 54 feet, with a capacity of 120 tons of hay ; his fields are well fenced, and he has put tiling wherever it would add to the value and produc- tiveness of the land. He has raised sixty-five bushels to the acre, average on fifty acres of corn, and forty bushels to the acre of oats and other grains. He has set out a fine orchard, and the 500 catalpa trees which he set out are the first of the kind in the neighborhood and give the place the name of Ca- talpa Farm. Mr. Kadera is interested in local matters and in politics is a democrat. He is affiliated with Camp No. 5059, M. W. A., of Oasis. His religious views are liberal.
In 1883 Mr. Kadera was united in marriage with Mary Zenisek, by Father Emmons. She was born in Johnson coun- ty March 25, 1864, of a prominent family. She is a daughter of Albert and Anna (Kodl) Zenisek. Her father died in Ce- dar township and her mother resides with her son, Mika A. Zenisek, in Cedar township. Of their eleven children seven are living and have families. To Mr. and Mrs. Kadera seven children were born, and six of them survive: Emma, born November 8, 1883, is the wife of Frank J. Grezel, a farmer of Scott township, Johnson county, and they have one son, Leo Frank, born June 2, 1910: Joseph, born July 16, 1885, helps his
J. J. KADERA AND WIFE
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR _FNOX TILDEN FOUNDA IONS
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father on the home farm; Marie, born September 8, 1889, mar- ried Joseph J. Hora, they reside in Pleasant Valley township; Clara A., born May 28, 1897; Lilly Blanche, born August 8, 1899, and Charles, born March 20, 1901. Lilly B. died in in- fancy.
WILLIAM HENRY DROLL
William Henry Droll is the first child of the twelve children of Charles Droll and Magdaline Birrer. The family is re- markable from the fact that three pairs of twins were included, the first pair being a boy and a girl, the second pair two girls, and the third pair two boys. Of this trio of twins the first- born of each pair now survives. Charles Droll is a native of Germany, born November 29, 1832; his wife, Magdaline Bir- rer, is a native of Alsace, Germany. The couple were mar- ried in Johnson county. Father Droll was raised and edu- cated in Germany, and emigrated to America at the close of the Civil War, landing at New York. He ahnost immediately came west and settled in Liberty township, where he still re- sides with his estimable wife. The father of Charles Droll was William Droll, who was born and died in the Fatherland. (For further data of the Birrer family, see the Birrer sketch elsewhere in this volume. - Ed.) The twelve children of Charles and Magdaline Birrer are: William Henry, our subject ; Leo, married, father of one child ; Frank, accidentally drowned at the age of three years; Elizabeth, now Mrs. Vic- tor Schnoebelen, of Kansas; Frank and Mary, twins, the latter died when young; Mary, now Mrs. R. Knittel, of Riverside, Towa; Philomena and Annie, twins, the latter died August 5, 1909; Philomena became Mrs. William Scott, of Riverside; Cyril and Linns, twins, the latter died April 7, 1911. Cyril is now farming the home place. (See separate sketch of Linns. - Ed.) Mother Droll has suffered much for her children, and passed through many ordeals by sickness and death of her loved ones. The death of her son Linus particularly affected her. He was a fine character and a devont Christian. This venerable lady is known far and near as a kind and loving neighbor, devoted to her children and grandchildren and to her church, the Catholic.
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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY, IOWA
William Henry Droll was born in Johnson county, Liberty township, in 1870. He was raised on a farm and educated in the district schools of his township. From the age of sixteen to twenty-three he worked on farms in Liberty township, hav- ing assisted M. Sydell to plant corn in 1891 on the present town site of Hills. In the fall of 1893 he rented the farm of Burdette Cline and began the business of farming for himself, continuing until the close of 1900. In 1901 he opened a general store in Hills, which he conducted for one year and then sold. In 1902-03 he again engaged in farming on rented places. He, however, had acquired a taste for mer- chandising, and in 1904 began the business of grain and stock
RESIDENCE OF W. H. DROLL
dealing, in which he is now engaged. During 1904-05 he con- ducted the business alone, but in 1906-07 the firm was known as Droll & Riley, Philip Riley having purchased an interest. During those years an elevator of 12,000 bushels capacity was built. In 1909 the name of the firm was changed to Droll & Fitzpatrick Bros., and later in 1910 Frank Kral bought a half interest in the stock business. The volume of business of the firm may be estimated from the fact that during the year 1910 there were shipped 140 cars of hogs and from 8 to 10 cars of cattle ; from July 1, 1910, to July 1, 1911, the firm shipped 103 cars of wheat, oats, and corn, and during the month of Septem- ber, 1910, 65 cars of hay and straw. This will be accounted a fine record for a town of 200 people.
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Mr. Droll has been a witness to the entire growth of Hills, from a farm, with a double hedge fence along the road now known as Main street, to its present prosperous proportions, with himself as its mayor. The first resident of Hills was Dr. F. W. Lloyd, a graduate of the State University of Iowa, who built the first house in 1891. This small frame structure is now standing on the west side of the depot. The lumber contained in it was hauled from Iowa City. Dr. Lloyd carried on a drugstore with a small line of general merchandise. He was succeeded in 1893 by Burdette Cline, and it was during that year that William Droll farmed Mr. Burdette's place. In 1904 Lonis Kneble opened his blacksmith shop, which he still continues. The town of Hills was incorporated in 1906, the incorporators being Fred C. Hirt, William H. Droll, Jess Sy- dell, Charles Mentzer, Joseph Walker, and Albert Frantz. The first mayor of Hills was Dr. George J. Wensliek, and on his removal William H. Droll was appointed to fill the imex- pired term. On the conclusion of the term he was nominated and elected mayor and is now serving the town's second term as its chief magistrate. In addition to this office, Mr. Droll has served as school director for Liberty township for one term. Under his administration as mayor many improve- ments have been carried on, and Hills is looked upon as one of the progressive communities of Jolmson county. In addition to his business establishment and elevator, Mayor Droll owns several lots and a fine residence. He is a republican in poli- ties ; a member of the Eagles, and an adherent of the Roman Catholic church.
On June 16, 1897, Mr. Droll was joined in wedlock to Miss Ella Burger, a native of Iowa City, daughter of William and Catherine (Helmer) Burger. The ceremony was per- formed in St. Mary's church, by the pastor, Dean A. J. Schulte. (For data respecting the Burger family, see sketch elsewhere in this volume. - Ed.)
The children of Mr. and Mrs. Droll are: Genevieve, Cath- erine, William Edwin, Albert, Margaret Helen, and Blanche, the first three named being in attendance at the Sisters' school in Hills.
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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY, IOWA
JOSEPH FUHRMANN
Joseph Fuhrmann is a retired teacher of the Parochial schools of Iowa. Incidentally, also, he has been an extensive traveler, not only over this, but over most of the states of the Union. Incidentally, also, he is a booster for Iowa City, John- son county, and the state of Iowa. In the early seventies Fuhrmann rode on horseback from Keokuk to the north- western corner of, Iowa. Being a close observer, he is quite familiar with a large portion of the United States, and, in summing it all up, he says : "I found that almost every local- ity has a certain charm and advantage peculiarly its own; but in all my travels I have never found a city cleaner and neater
RESIDENCE OF JOSEPH FUHRMANN
in every respect than Iowa City, and I believe there is as good a chance to succeed here, both in city and country, in business and in farming, as in any of the much-lauded locations else- where." It follows as a natural sequence that the author of these sentiments is a respected and popular resident of the University City.
Joseph Fuhrmann was born October 9, 1851, in Kaifenheim, Rhine Province, Germany. He came to America with his par- ents (Peter and Anna M. Fuhrman) and five brothers, ar- riving May 1, 1868, and settled on a farm near Baden (now Harper), Keokuk county, Iowa. In 1873 he removed from Harper to Marathon county, Wisconsin, where he taught the
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parochial school in Marathon City until May 1, 1874, when he went to Richmond, Washington county, Iowa. There for ten years in succession he taught in Trinity school. In 1884 he settled on a farm one mile east of Richmond, and resided there until 1881, when he removed to a farm one and one-half miles sontheast of Iowa City, on the lower Muscatine road, in East Lucas township. In 1908 he moved into Iowa City to his present residence at 114 South Lincoln street, having rented his farm to his sons.
While living on his farm near Richmond, Mr. Fuhrmann held various township offices and other positions of trust. He was township clerk four years, justice of the peace five years, and townhip assesser for ten years in succession. He was school director and secretary of the school board for a number of years; also a director in the Washington County Mutual Insurance Company. While living on his farm near Iowa City he also held township office and other positions of trust. He was fundamentally a democrat from principle, be- lieving that the democratic party could and would do more for the common people at large than any other political or- ganization ; but he always had a profound respect for those who differed from him in their views, and frequently cooper- ated with them when he believed it to be for the welfare of the public.
Mr. Fuhrmann's educational attainments were enmulative and practical. After graduating from his parish school in Germany, he entered high school to prepare himself for the work of teaching, but being interrupted by his removal to America, on arriving in this country, he worked in summer on the farm and in the winter attended public and private schools, mostly in order to master the English language. Af- ter three years of study he received a first-class certificate from the county school superintendent and taught the public and parish schools at Baden (Harper) for two years. He also taught two years at Riverside, Iowa.
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