USA > Iowa > Johnson County > Leading events in Johnson County, Iowa history, biographical > Part 4
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MRS. E. C. HUMPHREYS CHICAGO. ILL.
CAPT. S. D. PRYCE IOWA CITY. IOWA
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BIOGRAPHICAL
Two sons were born to William Philip Coast and Ellen Bradshaw, namely, Preston Craft, and William Oscar. The former was born April 11, 1870, and was married in 1894 to Miss Grace M. McGee, of Iowa City, Iowa. They have two children, Marjory E. and Alice Bradshaw. William Oscar Coast was born September 5, 1880, and was married to Miss Maude Cleaveland Kingsbury October 24, 1904. They have one daughter, Louise Cleaveland, born April 13, 1910.
William Philip Coast and family are attendants and mem- bers of the First Presbyterian church. Practically all their lives have been lived in Johnson county, and the record of their activities is an open book, without blot or erasement. Lives like these are an honor to any community, and furnish conspicuous examples for emulation. It is a sufficient en- comium for any couple to write of them: "Sixty years resi- dents of Iowa City, and beloved by all who know them." That is particularly true of William Philip and Mary Ellen Brad- shaw Coast.
CAPT. SAMUEL DAVID PRYCE
Samuel David Pryce was born and reared in Ebensburg, Cambria county, Pa., near the head waters of the Conemaugh, the scene of the Johnstown flood. It was also near Cresson, where the loyal governors met during the Civil War, and only six miles from the summit of the Allegheny mountains. His father was born and reared in the same county, of Welsh parents who emigrated to this mountain district of the state near the close of the eighteenth century. His mother, Eliza- beth (Jones) Pryce, was born in Llanfair, Montgomeryshire, North Wales, and came to this country with her parents in her eighteenth year. Seven children were born to this fam- ily. Three sons died in early life, and were buried in the old mountain home.
With only a limited education in the public schools, and just about a year preceding the Civil War, the subject of this sketch took the advice of Horace Greeley, and resolved to try his fortune in the west. He went to Pittsburg, and from this point worked his way down the Ohio river on a
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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY, IOWA
steamboat to Cairo, then up the Mississippi river to Burling- ton, Iowa, and from there walked to Iowa City. He worked for his board for several weeks and then taught school in Sharon, Union, and Liberty townships. He returned to Iowa City in the summer of 1862, to matriculate in the State Uni- versity, but yielding to the patriotic impulse of the times, en- listed in a company being recruited by Captain Harvey W. Graham which was assigned to the 18th regiment, then in ren- dezvous at Clinton, Iowa.
This company was later transferred to the 22d Iowa, at Camp Pope, Iowa City. It became one of the fighting regi- ments of the war, having campaigned in nearly every southern state from Virginia to the mouth of the Rio Grande river. It made a complete circuit of the southern confederacy and traveled by land and sea more than fifteen thousand miles. The regiment served under Curtis in southwest Missouri in the winter of 1862-3 and marched 250 miles through the Ozark mountains. It was the first engaged in the midnight march to Port Gibson. It participated in the battles of Champion Hills and Black River Bridge, and led the assault on Vicks- burg, May 22, 1863. The regiment had been greatly deci- mated by sickness, disease, and death. Out of the 200 en- gaged in this charge it lost 170 - an average of 85 per cent - which stands without a parallel in modern times. The orig- inal report was 164, but six more were traced to remote hos- pitals. Nearly half of the number were either killed outright or mortally wounded, and many died within a few days.
Col. E. W. Fox in his Regimental Losses in the Civil War, places the 22d Iowa at Vicksburg, the First Minnesota at Gettysburg, and the First Texas at Antietam, as having suf- fered the heaviest losses in any one battle in the war of the rebellion on either side - an average of a fraction more than eighty-two per cent. Gen. Grant says in his report to the war department, "the 22d Iowa planted its flag on the parapet, took twelve prisoners, and marched them out into the ditch. No other troops succeeded in entering the enemy's works." It held the fort for nine hours, begging for reenforcements. Twelve of the 22d Iowa were killed inside the fort. For con- firmation of this record see the official reports. After the Vicksburg campaign the regiment was sent to New Orleans
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BIOGRAPHICAL
and then participated in the campaign up the Teche valley in Louisiana. It was then sent to Texas, then up the Red river, Arkansas, and was then transferred to the east, via the Flor- ida Keys, and served in the trenches at Petersburg - the only Iowa regiment on the entire line of investment. It then par- ticipated in the battles of Winchester, Fisher's Hill, and Cedar Creek in the Shenandoah Valley. Then it went to Georgia and North and South Carolina. These facts are re- ferred to in this sketch because seven companies were from Johnson county. It is a part of its gallant record in the war.
HOME OF CAPT. SAM. D. PRYCE
Mr. Pryce participated in all the battles and campaigns of this regiment and never missed a day's service during its term of enlistment. He served for nearly two years as regi- mental adjutant, was promoted to the captaincy of his com- pany, and served on the staff of Gen. Molineux as brigade adjutant general - one of the youngest officers of this rank in the volunteer service. He was mentioned in general orders for conspicuous gallantry at the battle of Winchester. Sergt .- Major Geo. Remley, who was killed in this battle, was named
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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY, IOWA
in the same order. (See register of Union and Confederate armies, series 1, vol. 43, part i, page 331.)
He met and talked to Sheridan on his famous ride from Winchester to Cedar creek. He was in charge of a scouting party to reconnoitre Fisher's Hill, and spent the en- tire night inside of the confederate lines. At "Camp Rus- sell," Virginia, he wrote the history of the regiment pub- lished in the adjutant general's reports. With some additions it is to be used in the new history of Iowa soldiers. He has also written a history of the 22d Iowa of five or six hundred pages, with complete roster, and list of casualties.
At the close of the war Mr. Pryce was elected county superintendent of schools, but resigned to accept a position in Chicago, where he remained two years. Returning to Iowa City he was a member of the mercantile firm of Donaldson, Pryce & Lee. From 1868 to 1872, he served on the staff of Gov. Samuel Merrill, with the rank of lieutenant-colonel of cavalry. In 1874 he purchased an interest in the Iowa City Republican and was associated with Col. J. H. C. Wilson in the editorial management of this paper. Pryce and Wilson established the present Iowa City Daily Republican, June 6, 1876. He was chairman of the county central committee at this time, and succeeded in the election of the entire repub- lican representative ticket, for the first and last time in the history of the county. It was then entitled to one senator and two representatives. He also served eight years on the state central committee.
After his retirement from the active management of the Republican, he was president and one of the organizers of the Republican Printing Co., and also president of the Iowa City Cutlery Works, which gave employment to one hundred per- sons. It was destroyed by lightning in 1880. He was also financially interested in the glucose works, the glass works, and the Iowa City Packing Company. He was also one of the founders of the present Central Manufacturing Co. He was president of the board of trade, the Iowa City Improvement Co., and of the Johnson County Fish and Game Protective Association. He was senior member of the firm of Pryce & Schell, in the hardware and farm machinery business. He
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BIOGRAPHICAL
also takes pride in the fact that he has erected ten buildings in Iowa City, more than any single individual, except the contractors themselves.
In 1881 he was nominated by the republican party for rep- resentative, but declined for business reasons. He was a del- egate to the first national encampment of the Grand Army of the Republic, soon after the close of the war, and with Gen- eral Vandever of Dubuque represented the state. He was a member of the committee on constitution and by-laws, and with Colonel Lester, of Wisconsin, was the joint author of the laws for the future government of the order. For years he was a leading contributor to the press of the state in favor of permanent public highways. He was also a leading con- tributor to the press against the discrimination in favor of living persons on the Iowa soldier's monument. These dis- tinctions should be made in favor of the brave men who met the supreme test of courage on the battlefield.
Mr. Pryce is a member of Iowa City lodge No. 4, A. F. & A. M., the Royal Arch chapter, the Palestine Commandery of Knights Templar. He is also a charter member of Corinth Lodge, Knights of Pythias, and Kirkwood Post, Grand Army of the Republic. He has held but one public office, that of township trustee being the full measure of his political ambi- tion. He is a veteran of the fire department and served ten years in Rescue Hook and Ladder Co.
There is a law that takes the waters of the river, and bears them away, and lays them at rest upon the bosom of the sea. So there is a law that compensates patriotism and sacrifice, integrity of purpose and well directed effort, and makes full and complete a well rounded life. Mr. Pryce as he appears today is in the very prime of manhood; strong and vigorous in mind and body. Blessed with all the comforts of life that health and wealth can give, he can look back across the busy years and contemplate the past with a satisfaction which comes only from having lived a life of accomplishment, of duty well performed.
The long weary marches under southern skies have long since ended, the bugle call resounds no more, the danger, the strife, the struggle, and smoke of battle are only memories
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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY, IOWA
now, but the brave deeds performed by the gallant heroes in defence of freedom, home and country shall not be forgotten, they shall live forever.
JOHN L. THEOBALD, JR.
John L. Theobald, Sr., father of our subject, is one of the eldest members of the printing craft in Iowa. For upwards of fifty years he has been a disciple of Gutenberg and Faust. He is one of the vanishing army of old-time, all-round printers, whose knowledge of the art preservative runs from "type- lice" to web-perfecting press; from "italie spaces" to Mer- ganthaler. It was a grand army, that old-time company of
RESIDENCE OF JOHN L. THEOBALD, JR.
compositors, whose "chapels" extended from the Atlantic to the Pacific. Its feasts of "fat takes" and "standing matter" are but memories, and its "jeffing" contests have passed into history. Most of its members have gone to meet the "Father of the Chapel," where "double-price" is their reward and
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BIOGRAPHICAL
"distribution" is no more. Their "forms are closed" and the "last edition has gone to press."
Theobald, Sr., was born in Philadelphia, the home of Frank- lin. His parents removed to Iowa in 1855, and he came with them. The family settled in Johnson county. There he learned the printer's trade, and there he met and married Mary Karetz, of Bohemian birth, in 1863. One of their four children died in infancy; three are now living: William, mar- ried, residing in Iowa City; Emma, now Mrs. George L. Far- well, residing in Minneapolis, Minnesota; and our subject. The elder Theobald always adhered to the democratic faith. Mother Theobald died in 1898.
John L. Theobald, Jr., was born in Iowa City, June 20, 1874, attended the public schools of Iowa City, subsequent to which he worked for the Pioneer Knitting Works for six years. Thereafter he took up the restaurant business, in which he has been engaged for sixteen years. For the past six years he has been proprietor of the Bon Ton Cafe, of Iowa City.
Our subject was married in 1902 to Miss Mary Ellen Burns, a native of Iowa City. They have five children, all living at home: Mary Helen, Marguerite, John, Lucille, and William. Politically Mr. Theobald has always been a democrat. The family are members of the St. Patrick's Catholic church.
FRANK E. AYERS
Much of the vim, intelligence, and practical usefulness for which the Commercial Club of Iowa City is noted is charge- able to the sterling common sense and direct business methods of its president, Frank E. Ayers, the subject of this sketch. During his eight years residence in the University City, Mr. Ayers has been a recognized factor in its business life, and his election to the chief executive office of its representative commercial organization was both timely and fitting. Under his able administration, coupled with the hearty cooperation of as thorough a set of boosters as ever got together for pro- motion and publicity in eastern Iowa, the Iowa City Com- mercial Club ranks with the best in the middle west, and is bringing to the attention of the business world far and near
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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY, IOWA
the distinct advantages of this famous old city as a center for industrial and commercial enterprises and for home life of a high order.
Frank E. Ayers has been a business man and a quasi-public official from boyhood. At fourteen years of age he entered upon a commercial career in Chickasaw county, his native heath, and at twenty-six was made deputy treasurer of the county, an office which he filled for two years. Removing to Lawler in 1887, he entered the lumber business, and that has been his occupation continuously until the present time. He came to Iowa City in 1903. While a resident of Lawler he was continuously a member of the city council, part of the time be-
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RESIDENCE OF F. E. AYERS
ing mayor of the city. He was also a member of the 28th Gen- eral Assembly of Iowa for two years, and was vice president and a director of the Citizens Loan & Trust Company, of Iowa City, but retired from the duties of this last-named position on account of pressure of business. It will thus be seen that his training has fitted him for the responsibilities of commercial life, a fact which accounts in some measure for his aptitude as chief officer of the Iowa City Commercial Club.
As before stated, Mr. Ayers was born in Chickasaw county. His parents were David Judson Ayers and Malissa F. Grey. The former was a native of New York and the latter of Penn-
NEW YORK - LIC LIBRARY
AS' OR. LENOX À N FOUNDATIONS.
Las Michallista
MRS. JAMES Mº COLLISTER
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR. LENOX TILDEN FOUNDATIONS
4.9
BIOGRAPHICAL
sylvania. The couple were married at the wife's old home in Scranton, Pennsylvania, and came to Iowa in 1857, settling in Chickasaw county, where the elder Ayers pursued the occupa- tion of farming until his death. The mother died at the resi- dence of her son in Iowa City. David Judson Ayers was of German and Irish descent, and his wife of English, her lineage being traceable to the Jennings family of England. She was a relative of Judge Grey, of Indiana.
The date of Frank E. Avers's birth was April 13, 1859. He was educated at Decorah, Iowa, and at the Breckenridge In- stitute, and, as heretofore stated, left home at fourteen years of age to begin his business career. In 1887 he was married to Miss Alice F. Sheldon, and two children have blessed the union, Roscoe B., and Lucille V.
Mr. Ayers is a member of the Masonic order, the Knights of Pythias, and the Modern Woodmen of America. His place of business is at 223 South Dubuque street, and his resi- dence at 430 South Summit street, Iowa City.
JAMES McCOLLISTER
The "Old Philip Clark farm," situated one and one-half miles south of Iowa City, on the River Road, is famous as the scene of the first court house in Johnson county, wherein the early legal history of the county took form. This house was the residence of James McCollister for some time after his purchase of the farm in 1864, and therein his only daugh- ter Mrs. A. G. Showers, of Iowa City, was born. The legends of court life in Johnson county recite that juries, after re- ceiving the evidence, left the old building and made their deliberations on the open prairie on account of lack of room for privacy in the court house. James McCollister, soon after purchasing the farm in 1864, began the erection of a new brick residence, which he has added to from time to time until it has reached very large proportions, being one of the most stately mansions in Johnson county, with every modern improvement. The great farm of eight hundred acres has been improved until it is easily one of the finest estates in Iowa. In addition to the family mansion, the farm contains
JAMES M'COLLISTER
OSCAR M'COLLISTER
T. JEFF M'COLLISTER
MARY M'COLLISTER
( FOUR GENERATIONS )
ELLEN STEVENS
EMMA WHITACRE
SARAH MOON
MARY BYINGTON
ELIZABETHT NELSON
JAMES M COLLISTER
LYDIA CORWINE
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BIOGRAPHICAL
judge of the court of common pleas, remaining on the bench for ten years. He was a lifelong democrat, and the only defeat he ever suffered was at the hands of the know-nothing party in 1854. The following year he removed to Johnson county, Iowa, and settled five miles south of Iowa City on the farm known as the "Judge Coleman Farm," consisting of 1,000 acres, which he purchased. Under his management this place became one of the best cultivated and most pro- ductive farms of eastern Iowa. His agricultural interests were of such extent that he never took an active part in pol- ities in Iowa. He was an active member of the Methodist Episcopal church, though formerly a Presbyterian. His death in 1876 was universally regretted. His wife, our sub- ject's mother, was Mary Stinson, born in Ross county, Ohio, in 1802, her father being James Stinson, a native of New Jersey and a veteran of the War of 1812. She died at the advanced age of eighty-eight years in 1890, having survived her husband fourteen years. This excellent couple were the parents of eleven children, all of whom reached maturity and reared families of their own. Their names are as follows : Jacob, of Oklahoma City; Malinda, wife of Samuel Maneir; Robert, deceased, married to Malinda Stinson; Mary, wife of the late Le Grande Byington, of Iowa City; Lydia, wife of George Corwin, of Carthage, Missouri; Martha, wife of M. Dunlop, of Ross county, Ohio, both deceased; Elizabeth, wife of G. W. Nelson, of Johnson county, lowa; James, our sub- ject ; Sarah, wife of William E. Moon, of Springfield, Mis- souri ; Ellen, wife of James Stevens, of Johnson county, Iowa ; and Emma, widow of James Anderson, of Johnson county, Iowa.
James McCollister received a common school education in Pike county, Ohio, his "schooling" being obtained in one of the log cabin school houses of the day, where the methods and facilities were of the most primitive sort. School teach- ers were poorly paid, the highest salary received being only $20.00 per month. Perseverance and ambition were essential on the part of the student in those days to cover the handicap of short terms and limited curriculum, in striking contrast to the advantages of the twentieth century, which "Dad's pocketbook" can place within the reach of every child. Young
MR. AND MRS. CHARLES M'COLLISTER
CHARLES M'COLLISTER II
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BIOGRAPHICAL
deep conviction, and, while not an offensive partisan, he has been active in the work of his party and has served it when- ever occasion demanded. He has been identified with every important enterprise in Johnson county which his judgment approved, his opinion being law in many instances in the settlement of business propositions. Having amassed large wealth, he has felt himself to be in a sense a steward of his possessions and his pocketbook has always been available for the promotion of the best interests of his county and his fellow men. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. and the Legion of Honor, having held prominent positions in both orders. At seventy-six years, he is in stalwart health and is regarded as one of the progressive representative citizens of the county.
KATZENMEYER BROTHERS
The name of Katzenmeyer is largely interwoven with the business development of Johnson county and Iowa City. Phillip Katzenmeyer, Sr., father of George and Phillip, Jr., was a pioneer of Iowa and was the founder of the flour and feed enterprise which now bears the name of Katzenmeyer Brothers. The elder Katzenmeyer was a native of Hesse- Darmstadt, Germany, where he was born in 1831. He came to America with his parents in 1850. The family landed at New Orleans, and from that point went direct to Upper San- dusky, Ohio, where they joined other relatives who had pre- ceded them. In 1853 Mr. Katzenmeyer decided to seek a home in the great west. In pursuance of this purpose, he and two companions, one his brother, walked from the then railway terminus thirty miles west of Chicago to Iowa City, a distance of about two hundred miles. The travelers carried their earthly possessions in a grip, and were provided with fire- arms with which to shoot game for their meals en route. They made as high as thirty miles a day, and enjoyed every moment of the journey. Game was plentiful, and their larder was well supplied as a result of their marksmanship. Mr. Katzenmeyer's first employment on reaching Iowa City was on a proposed railroad line running north of the city. This project being abandoned, he was afterwards employed by the
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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY, IOWA
Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad. Mr. Katzenmeyer was married in 1854 to Miss Ursula Kempher, who was a faithful companion and helpmeet until the day of her death in 1907. Nine children were born to them, eight of whom are living. The first business venture of Phillip Katzenmeyer, Sr., was his purchase of the Jacob Sam mill, including a flour and feed store. Mr. Katzenmeyer had been employed in this establishment for some time; first under Jacob Sam, later under Dietz S. Hemmer, and lastly under Mr. Johnson, from
OFFICE OF KATZENMEYER BROS.
whom he purchased the business. He conducted this business successfully for twenty-four years, when, on account of fail- ing health, and age, he retired, selling the business to his two sons, Phillip, Jr., and George, the present proprietors, doing business under the firm name of Katzenmeyer Bros. Mr. Katzenmeyer died in the summer of 1911, his demise being greatly regretted by hosts of personal friends who had come to know him intimately during the long period of his resi- dence in Iowa City. Deceased was one of the charter mem-
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BIOGRAPHICAL
bers of the German Aid Society of Iowa City, in the affairs of which he took an active interest. His remains were buried by the side of his wife in Oakland cemetery. The funeral was conducted by Rev. J. G. Hoerline from the German Lutheran church.
PHILLIP KATZENMEYER, JR., was born in Iowa City in 1862, and received a thorough education in the common schools of his native town. Prior to his partnership with his brother George he worked at the printer's trade and various other occupations. He is unmarried and lives at the old home.
GEORGE KATZENMEYER was born in Iowa City in 1875, and is the youngest of nine children. He attended the public schools of Iowa City, but at the age of fifteen withdrew from school life to assist his father in the flour and feed bus- iness, with which he was identified for twenty years, having grown up in the business, working in every department. He and his brother Phillip purchased the father's interest in the business March 3, 1907, and have conducted the same with in- creasing success to date. The enterprise is located at No. 10 South Dubuque street. The firm handles Minnesota, Kansas and Nebraska flour, and does a large trade, mostly local. The building is owned by the firm.
George Katzemeyer was married to Ellen Schilling, of Iowa City. They have two children, George Katzenmeyer, Jr., and Cyril. Our subject, as was his venerable father, is an active member of the German Aid Society.
ROBERT BANKISON SMITII
Twelve hundred men mustered in at Davenport, Iowa, in 1861, in the Second Towa Cavalry, of which Company G, under Captain Lundy, was a part. In that company was Robert Bankison Smith, now the sole survivor in Iowa City of the numerous members who enlisted from this city. The Second, recruiting from time to time, during its service, contained in all 3,500 men on its roster. When it was mustered out in Ala-
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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY, IOWA
bama, September 19, 1865, it contained 800 men. Between these maximum and minimum totals of membership lies a his- tory of courage, sacrifice, patriotism, and bravery which the world may never read. It is one of the chapters of the Ameri- con Conflict which finds worthy companionship with its im- mortal fellows in the nation's book of heroic remembrance. A line or two from that chapter will give the index of its con- tents. In one episode in one battle in Mississippi known as Farmington Charge, the Second lost sixty-five men and one hundred horses in ten minutes. This intrepid regiment saw sixty-five days of battle with General Hood in the Nashville
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