USA > Iowa > Johnson County > Leading events in Johnson County, Iowa history, biographical > Part 45
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America in 1871 and at once located in Johnson county. They came by rail to Iowa City and thence by wagon to Solon, Big Grove township, where they lived on a farm until the death of the mother in April, 1899. The father died December 19, 1909. They were parents of four children : Joseph, lives on a farm in Scott township; Katherine, married Wesley Fremmel and they lived in Crawford county, where she died a few years ago; Wesley, of this sketch ; John J., of Linn county.
After coming to Johnson county, Wesley Kadlec helped with the work on his father's farm until old enough to begin opera- tions on his own account. He received most of his education
RESIDENCE OF WESLEY KADLEC
in his native country and learned the details of his future work from his father. In 1887 he became owner of his first farm, when he purchased fifty-three acres of land in Jefferson town- ship. He later added to his possessions from time to time as he was able and eventually became owner of 83 acres, which he sold seventeen years after his first purchase, and bought his present fine farm of 243 acres of well improved land. He de- serves great credit for the part he has taken in local affairs and for his attitude on public questions. He has always been a democrat in political belief. He served over twenty years as justice of the peace in Jefferson township; served four terms, or eight years, as township assessor; is now township trustee, and has held other local offices. He belongs to the C. S. P. S. at Western, and to M. W. of America Camp No. 5382, of Shuey-
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ville. He has many friends and acquaintances, among whom he is held in high esteem.
On January 28, 1881, Mr. Kadlec was united in marriage with Miss Helen Andrele, of Jefferson township, daughter of John and Christena (Bys) Anderle. The family is mentioned at some length in connection with the sketch of J. M. Anderle, of North Liberty. Five children have been born to this union : John M., deputy recorder of Johnson county; Wesley J., mar- ried and carrying on a farm in Linn county; Joseph W., Alois F. and Edward Frank, at home with their parents.
DR. MILLER YOUNG
Many men who retire from farm life continue to live on their farms, as in these modern times they find there many of the ad- vantages and luxuries that were formerly only to be enjoyed in towns and cities. In this respect the home of Dr. Miller Young is most desirable, for he has sold a right-of-way to the Iowa City & Cedar Rapids Interurban electric road, and thus can reach either city in a short time. He has a siding from the railway track and a chute has been constructed so that he can load his cattle and hogs for shipment on the freight cars supplied by the company, and they are delivered in Cedar Rap- ids within an hour and a half. It was formerly necessary to haul stock to the city in wagons. For several years past Dr. Young has been retired from active life, and but for the fact that he is able to enjoy so many conveniences where he is, he would probably consider it pleasanter to live in some nearby town and there spend his declining years. He has lived on his present farm many years and has a strong affection for it, so that he is glad to be able to find so much enjoyment there. He was born in Fulton county, Ohio, March 6, 1846, son of William Young.
William Young was a native of County Antrim, Ireland, born near the city of Belfast, April 18, 1808, and died on his seventy- third birthday, at Mt. Pleasant, Henry county, Iowa. He is buried by the side of his wife. He was descended from sturdy Scotch forbears, who left Scotland for Ireland because of re- ligious persecution and intolerance, so that the subject of this
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sketch is of Scotch-Irish ancestry. The father of William Young came to America in 1818, accompanied by his two sons William and Robert. The trip was made in a sailing vessel and consumed some three months, according to family tradi- tion. They located first at Danville, Pennsylvania, and there the father passed away. The mother was a Miss Janet McCul- loch. William Young was a child of ten years when he reached the United States, but was well-grown and active and led in boyish sports and pastimes. He made the most of his oppor- tunities and became a well-read and intelligent man. He chose the trade of miller and followed the same in his young man- hood. He removed to Ohio and spent three years there, after
RESIDENCE OF DR. MILLER YOUNG
which he located in Fulton county, where in 1835 he entered land from the government. This region was then covered with heavy timber and he, like other pioneers, began clearing his farm, redeeming and delevolping it from an unbroken wil- derness to a high state of cultivation. The country was sparse- ly settled in the first years of his residence there and wild game, such as deer and turkeys, abounded. Some years later he sold his homestead there in October, 1855, spending the winter in Muscatine. He then moved to Henry county, arriv- ing there in March, 1856, and there he spent the remainder of his life. Like most boys of Scotch families, he was strictly
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reared in the Presbyterian faith, but after coming to Ohio he joined the United Brethren church. He was a man of sterling worth, genial and pleasant in manner, and enjoyed the con- fidence and esteem of a large number of friends. He had high ability in business matters and was successful in life.
William Young was married in Danville, Pennsylvania, to Miss Hester Stott, a native of Sunbury, Pennsylvania, born April 18, 1808, but her father was born in Germany. Like her husband, she lived and died a good Christian, being a member of the United Brethren church. She passed away in 1871. This venerable couple made the trip from Ohio to Iowa with a prairie schooner, and brought some stock with them. They purchased 160 acres of land on the military road, near Mt. Pleasant, which they improved and developed, and which is still in the possession of the family. They had nine children, of whom but three now survive: Dr. Miller Young is the youngest of those surviving; Robert, and William Pitt.
Dr. Young received his primary education in a log school- house in Ohio, near his father's homestead. In later years he attended the district school in Iowa and Howe's Academy at Mt. Pleasant. From 1864 to 1871 he taught school intermit- tently. On February 27, 1866, he graduated from Eastman Business College in Chicago. For a time he had charge of the home farm, but after the death of his mother, began studying medicine with Dr. Bird, at Mt. Pleasant, and in 1871 he entered Rush Medical School in Chicago, arriving two weeks before the big Chicago fire which started on October 9th of that year, and burned his boarding place. Returning to Iowa, he entered Iowa Medical College, a part of the State University at Iowa City, and there studied under several eminent professors, among whom were: Dr. Peck, in surgery; Dr. Ilwader, who held the chair of obstetrics; Dr. Clapp in anatomy, and Dr. James Boucher, preceptor. Dr. Young read with the last- named while attending lectures. He graduated from Jefferson Medical College, of Philadelphia, with the class of 1873, and soon afterwards engaged in active practice at Iowa City, in partnership with Dr. James H. Boucher. His partner died soon afterwards and in 1874 Dr. Young moved to North Lib- erty. Meanwhile he had married.
Dr. Young's wife, Miss Iowa Wray, was born in a log house
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where Dr. Young's home now stands, June 8, 1846, and died October 9, 1909, having borne her husband several children. She was deeply mourned by the entire community, having been a loving wife and mother and having made her influence felt in the neighborhood. She was held in high esteem by all. She was a daughter of David and Maria (Ault) Wray. A sketch of the Wray family appears at some length in this work, and is given more briefly in the latter part of this review.
In 1875 Dr. Young and wife moved on the old Wray home- stead in Section 2 of Madison township, at the place now known as Young's Station. There Dr. Young devoted his energies to farming and continued to make improvements on the estate where he had located. This place comprised 320 acres of land, 100 acres which were covered by good oak timber. There was a good house and a barn, which he remodeled, and the fields were mostly divided by rail fences. He has since erected vari- ous new buildings and has developed the land to a high state of cultivation. He has added land from time to time and the place now contains some 600 acres, operated by his two sons. To each of these two sons, Henry and William, Dr. Young has deeded eighty acres of land, and each has a home of his own. He is an excellent business manager and has managed his af- fairs with the ability which assured success. At the same time he has been active and influential in local affairs of the community and county. He has held various township offices, has served as treasurer of the school board, treasurer of the farmers' insurance and distriet telephone companies, and has been a candidate on the republican ticket for the office of rep- resentative in the legislature. He has been a delegate to conn- ty, state and congressional conventions. He has borne an hon- orable part in all these relations and has used his influence for what he believed to be the best interests of the people he repre- sented.
The following children were born to Dr. and Mrs. Young : William Wray, married Cora Moreland and they have four children - Alexander, Richard, Dorothy, and Lillian; Henry Miller, married Rose Green and they have two children - Bernice and George Henry; Blanche, married John Myers (a son of Isaac Myers, a sketch of whom appears in this work), and they have three children - Stewart, Janet, and Carolyn;
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Mand, married George Ball, Jr., a sketch of whom appears in this work; Madge, married Clarence Macy, and she and her husband, both graduates of State University and reside in Adel, Iowa, have two children, Robert and Eleanor. Mr. Macy was prominent as a member of the University football team.
Dr. Young has been identified with various local interests. He is a member and trustee of the Methodist church and fra- ternally, belongs to White Marble Lodge No. 238, A. F. & A. M., of which he was an early member. He is a stockholder in the Iowa City State Bank and in the Citizens Savings & Trust Bank. The cars run by his door often and regularly, and as mentioned before, he can easily reach the city. He is one of the best known men in his community and is a genial, pleasant- mannered gentleman.
David Wray, a prominent citizen of Johnson county, was born in Ohio, October 8, 1815, a son of Richard and Catherine (Buford) Wray, and died in Johnson county, Iowa, September 22, 1872, the year of the great Boston fire. He came to what later became Johnson county, in 1840, arriving at his destina- tion December 10th. During that year he married Miss Maria Ault, daughter of Jacob and Mary Ault. He took up a claim in Madison township, a half-mile east of the present home of his nephew, Joseph C. Wray, where he erected a hut of round logs, in the edge of the timber. His brother Carson came to John- son county one year later, and as he was then unmarried, made his home with David Wray, later taking up a claim for himself on the present site of the home of David Wray, Jr.
David Wray, Sr., was reared on an Indiana farm and re- ceived but a limited education in the primitive schools of his neighborhood, which were held in log buildings. He removed to Illinois as a young man and was married. His wife was a sister of Jacob and Joseph Ault, pioneers of Penn township, Johnson county, now deceased. The descendants of these two worthy brothers hold their old farms on Sections 8 and 17. A sketch of the Ault family appears in this book. David Wray and wife had four children, all deceased, and the eldest became the wife of Dr. Miller Young. Mrs. David Wray died Novem- ber 5, 1848, and on July 20, 1851, Mr. Wray married, as his sec- ond wife, Miss Eunice H. Holt, of Iowa City, who died March 29, 1869, having borne no children.
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CHARLES NOVE
Charles Nove owns one of the choice farms of Madison town- ship, Johnson county, and belongs to a well-known family of the county, where he has spent his entire life. He is the sev- enth child of Joseph and Mary Nove, who now reside on a farm five and one-half miles west of Solon in Big Grove township. The parents are natives of Bohemia and own a large and pro- ductive farm, which has been their home for a number of years. They have had children as follows: Frank lives in Madison township; Annie is the wife of West Kroll, of Cedar Rapids; Barbara lives in Cedar Rapids ; Joseph lives in Madison town- ship; John lives in Big Grove township; Fannie is the wife of
RESIDENCE OF CHARLES NOVE
Joe Buresh; Charles, born in 1883, and Anton, born in 1886, in partnership on the farm in Madison township; Mary is the wife of Caspar Holetchek.
In boyhood and early youth Charles Nove attended the school near his father's home in Big Grove township, and at the age of seventeen years engaged in operations on his own ac- count. At that time he purchased the old Babcock estate of 249 acres in Section 31, Madison township, where he and his brother Anton are highly successful. Both are young men of enterprise and ambition and have a high ideal of the quality of their work. They are keen judges of stock and have a fine grade of it on the farm. They keep a fine herd of Hereford
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cattle and a number of good horses. Charles Nove is one of the ablest farmers and business men of his community and reaps the maximum of profit from his operations. He and his brother have several hundred hogs in their rich pasture land, and find a good maket for all their stock when ready for sale. They have some 75 acres of land in corn, wheat and rye; 55 acres in oats, and a good acreage of hay. They harvest on an average some 50 bushels of wheat and rye and some 50 to 75 bushels of corn to the acre.
Mr. Nove possesses a great natural ability as a farmer and stockman and has made a special study of conditions and soil in his locality, with the result that he is able to choose the most lucrative branches of agriculture. He is much interested in local affairs and has a large number of warm friends in both Madison and Big Grove townships. He and his brother are both unmarried.
DAVID W. WRAY
David W. Wray is one of the native sons of Johnson county who have won success in life in that locality. He was born on the old homestead where he still resides, on Section 2, Madison township, January 7, 1848, son of Carson Buford Wray, one of the earliest settlers of Johnson county, who became one of its most influential citizens and extensive landholders. Carson Buford Wray was born in Hamilton county, Ohio, July 24, 1819, son of Richard Wray, a Pennsylvania farmer.
Richard Wray was a pioneer of Hamilton county. His father and uncle emigrated to the United States from Ireland, coming in a primitive sailing vessel. They located first in Maryland, where they separated, Richard Wray's father go- ing to Pennsylvania and the brother never being heard of again by his family. Richard Wray was one of six sons, two of whom became farmers, two blacksmiths, and two tinners. He moved from Pennsylvania to Ohio and thence to Indiana in a very early day. He met his death by accident, at a horse race, in 1825. He married Catherine Buford, a native of Maryland, who lived to the venerable age of eighty-five years. They be- came parents of eight children.
Carson Buford Wray was reared on a pioneer farm and re-
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ceived his education in a primitive log school house. After the death of his father, being then a small boy, he was sent to live with a neighboring farmer, where he soon began life for him- self. He worked by the month when he was old enough to do so, and after reaching his majority, ran a distillery for seven years. In 1841 he started on foot and alone for the newly opened and unsettled land in eastern Iowa, arriving at Iowa City May 8th of that year. He took up a claim in the spring and about the same time (1842) married Miss Mary Ault, a na- tive of Ohio. A sketch of the Ault family appears in this vol- ume. The young couple began housekeeping in the primitive log cabin he had erected for them, which they made a tem.
RESIDENCE OF D. W. WRAY
porary home. This shelter was replaced by a frame building on the same site, the family home for fifty-six years. Mr. Wray went a long distance to mill and was thus often caught in blind- ing snowstorms. Many of the farmers of the neighborhood pulverized their own corn in a home-made mortar or similar primitive contrivance, and all endured many inconveniences and trials in the early days. Mr. Wray was for many years an influential member of the school board of his district, being much interested in the cause of education, and often when the other members failed to be present at an appointed meeting, he acted for them, nominating himself as chairman and secre- tary, after which he would nominate a neighbor for director
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and vote on various questions in the regular way. He filled out a certificate of membership for the new member and was always careful to observe the rules for such proceedings. He was a stanch democrat in politics and active in the councils of his party, representing its interests at various township and county conventions. He was many times selected by his party for offices which he declined, preferring a quiet life. However, he was many times elected to the office of supervisor and took great interest in anything pertaining to local affairs up to the time of his death. He also served as township trustee. For many years he made a specialty of stock-raising and handled some of the best bred horses in the state. For over thirty years he shipped his stock to the Chicago market. At one time he owned 1,100 acres of rich Iowa farm land, which he eventually divided among his children. He was truly a self- made man, beginning life for himself with a capital of one hundred dollars. His wife was a most valuable helpmeet, a good business manager and a wise advisor in affairs in general. At the time of the Civil War and afterwards Mr. Wray con- tributed generously to the help of the unfortunate families of soldiers, who were left to eke out a living as best they might.
Carson B. Wray died March 1, 1899, only twenty-four hours after the death of his beloved daughter Catherine, who had tenderly cared for him during his last years. Their funeral was one of the saddest ever held in Johnson county. Of the eight children born to Carson B. and Mary (Ault) Wray, but four now survive, namely : Joseph C. and David W., both given extensive mention in this review; Anna, wife of Charles Ault, of Penn township; Mrs. C. Custer, of Greene county. Cath- erine Wray was born December 12, 1842, and died February 27, 1899. She had been ill for some time but her condition had not been considered serious, and her death was a great shock to her many friends. Her devotion to her aged father was touch- ing, and on account of the close attachment between the two, their friends found the occasion of the double funeral very painful. She was his constant companion and solace in his declining days, especially after the death of the wife and mother, which occurred in February, 1898, and her beautiful character will be remembered as long as her friends remain on earth. The services for these two were held in the pioneer
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home on Thursday morning at ten o'clock, Rev. W. C. Barclay, a Methodist divine, officiating, and numerous beautiful floral offerings were sent from near and far by those who sym- pathized with the doubly bereaved family. Mr. Wray had been connected with many affairs and incidents of pioneer days that are creditable to him, and had won a reputation of which his children are proud. In the 'forties he had helped in rafting down rock for building the state house in Iowa's new capital. The rock was loaded on flat boats, which were propelled down the Iowa river by means of poles. He and his wife partici- pated in many movements for the public welfare and for the development of the community and both were held in high esteem for their many fine qualities of mind and heart.
David W. Wray early developed a taste for learning and has always kept abreast of the times as to current events and is- sues, being an intelligent, well-read citizen. He has been active in political matters and is a recognized power in the councils of his party. For years he has subseribed for the Commoner, William Jennings Bryan's periodical, and he has great confidence in the sagacity and integrity of the proprietor and editor. As he says, he is a democrat "from the crown of his head to the sole of his foot," and has always upheld the principles advanced by the party's leaders. He would travel many miles to hear Mr. Bryan set forth his views, and fully be- lieves the latter's predictions that the republicans will be com- pelled to "sit up and take notice," are about to be fulfilled. He has represented his party in county and state conventions and has served as township committeeman. He is to be found in the front ranks whenever the party is in action and is a leader in all measures affecting its welfare and advancement. He cares little for publie office for himself, though he has served as school director, following his revered father in this respect. He rents most of his farm land at the present time, but has large herds of stock and keeps abundant pasture for them. He and his brother Joseph C. own about 800 acres of land in part- nership. After the death of the father David W. moved from his own home to the old homestead, where all his father's chil- dren were born.
In boyhood and young manhood Mr. Wray had many inter- esting and exciting adventures. One of the most thrilling and
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one which he remembers most vividly, was connected with a trip to Chicago when he was in his seventeenth year. His father had fattened a herd of cattle for market, and in company with David and a neighbor, John P. Oakes, started to Chicago with the stock. (Mr. Oakes became brother-in-law of David Wray when, on October 11, 1865, he married Isabel Wray, who died December 17, 1875.) The trio mentioned above started with 117 cattle, going over the prairie, through much slough, with a yoke of oxen, and crossed the Mississippi River at Rock River Bridge, this particular portion of the journey being ac- complished on July 4th. All went well until they had pro- ceeded into Illinois, when they experienced trouble with the farmers living along the route of their journey. While they were in what was known as the "cat-tail" sloughs, the cattle stampeded and were lost for two days. Young David Wray took off his trousers and waded into the slough after the cattle and eventually they were all recovered and taken to Chicago. A month had been spent on this trip. The party camped out at night and had many interesting experiences during this time.
David W. Wray has married twice, (first) to Martha Vir- ginia Vonstein, daughter of Philip Vonstein, who was killed in the Civil War, a sketch of whose brother, Peter Vonstein, appears in this work. The widow of Philip Vonstein married John Stoner, of North Liberty. Mrs. Wray was born October 18, 1850. Children as follows were born of this union : Carson Philip married Eva Lentz, lives on a farm in Madison town- ship, and they have three children, Charley, Pearl Irene, and Everett William; Miss Lillie Belle, who was long the most noted beauty of her native township, married Clarence Wolfe, of Iowa City, a sketch of whom appears in this work, and they have a beautiful little daughter, Catherine Wray Wolfe.
David Wray was married (second) on December 17, 1893, to Dora Adeline Milby, a native of Illinois, and they have one daughter, Emma Edith (Burton) Wray.
Joseph Cyrus Wray was born and reared on his father's old homestead, attended the district school in boyhood and for one term studied in Iowa City Academy. Like his brother, men- tioned above, he is well-read and wide-awake, and takes an in- telligent interests in the issues and events of the day, being a stanch democrat. He is active in party councils and has
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served as township committeeman and delegate to county and state conventions. He rents most of his land and there are about 300 acres under cultivation. He and his father were for some time in partnership in raising horses, and many fine ani- mals left their care. He married rather late in life, being in his thirty-fourth year when he was united in holy matrimony with Miss Dora Mansfield, a native of Danbury, Connecticut, but who was reared in Johnson county. Mrs. Wray is a gifted housekeeper and hostess and a valuable helpmate to her hus- band, looking out for his interests with intelligence and ability. One son has blessed their union, Frederick, who is married and lives in Cedar Rapids. Frederick Wray and wife had two children, Frances Thelma, four years old, who has been adopt- ed by her father's parents, and Dora Elizabeth, with her mother in Cedar Rapids.
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