USA > Iowa > Johnson County > Leading events in Johnson County, Iowa history, biographical > Part 51
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VACLAV N. MARESH
Vaclav N. Maresh is one of the best known men in Iowa City, where he has made his home many years. He was born in Bo- hemia, November 14, 1839, son of John and Mary (Bolart) Maresh, and spent his early life in his native country, where he was educated. After traveling some time through different parts of Europe, Mr. Maresh decided to seek his fortune in America, and in the latter part of April, 1866, landed at New York City, where he remained four months and then came to Iowa City, his home since, with the exception of a few months spent at Brooklyn, Iowa.
In youth Mr. Maresh learned the trade of tinner and followed it in his native country. He went from Bohemia to Upper and Lower Austria, then returned home. Later he went to Ba- varia, remained there eleven months and then went to Witten-
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burg. He went from Wittenburg by way of the Boden Sea to Switzerland, living in Basle for fourteen months, and then to Frankfort-on-the-Main, and then on to Dusseldorf. He visited Cologne and took pleasure in examining the great cathedral there. Later he went via Inebeck and the North Sea to St. Petersburg, Russia, where he spent nearly a year and a half. During the time that he was in St. Petersburg he put in his spare time in seeing the things of interest there and was for- tunate enough to see a grand ball in the Imperial Palace. In returning to his native home he stopped over at Berlin and
RESIDENCE OF VACLAV N. MARESHI
Dresden. He did not remain long there, however, but returned to HIamburg, from which place he sailed for America in 1866, being then about twenty-seven years of age.
Upon locating in Iowa City Mr. Maresh engaged in business for himself and in 1870 established a store in company with Joseph Holubar, under the firm name of Maresh & Holubar, hardware dealers, in Iowa City. At that time tinware and stoves were handled in hardware stores, and the tin and cop- per articles for sale in this establishment were made by hand in their tin shop. Mr. Maresh also became the largest manu- facturer of galvanized iron cornices and tin and slate roofing west of Chicago, and shipped his product to various western
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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY, IOWA
states. In 1875 the firm erected a two-story business building on Dubuque street, using the first floor as a retail store and the second floor for the manufacture of their product. In 1882 they erected the building now occupied by the firm of Maresh Brothers. The firm continued in operation until 1900, when its members retired from active life and were succeeded by Maresh Brothers, now carrying on the business. They had built up a large and prosperous business and had a good pat- ronage. Being men of business integrity and enterprise, they won a good standing in the community.
In 1867 Mr. Maresh married Miss Antoinette Miller, a native of Bohemia, who came to America with her father in 1857. Seven children were born of this union: Mrs. Emma A. Yet- ters; Mrs. Lillian Choate ; Della married Thomas Chadima, of Cedar Rapids ; William ; George, practicing medicine at River- side, Iowa; and Reginald, a dentist of Cedar Rapids.
The family are members of the Unitarian church and Mr. Maresh belongs to Iowa City Lodge No. 4, A. F. & A. M. ; Royal Arch Chapter No. 2, Palestine Commandery No. 2, El Kahir Temple of the Mystic Shrine, of Cedar Rapids. He is a man of liberal views and takes an active interest in local af- fairs. He has a large number of friends and is held in high esteem by all who know him.
EDWARD C. FURHMEISTER
The residences of the first settlers of Johnson county were primitive affairs, built usually of logs, ofttimes without the formality of hewing - crude in architectural design and hur- riedly erected in order to provide shelter for the waiting wife and children. Of the thousands of such structures built dur- ing the pioneer period of 1832-56 but few remain intact. The engraving herewith is taken from an actual late photograph of the pioneer cabin of Christopher Furhmeister, built by him upon his government claim in Big Grove township in the late forties. Into this home Mr. Furhmeister took his young bride, and within its walls all the children of his household were born, including the subject of this sketch, Edward C. Furhmeister. The building is a fine type of the original homes of Johnson county, and is one of the few now standing.
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Edward C. Furhmeister was born October 7, 1855, and he was the second of five children of Christopher and Caroline (Rhineheimer) Furlmeister. The father was born in Ger- many and the mother in Ohio of German parents. Christo- pher Furhmeister came to America with his parents when sev- enteen years of age and settled in Big Grove township. Soon after his arrival he entered the land from the government on which our subject now resides, building the cabin as before mentioned. He lived upon and farmed this land for about twenty-five years, adding thereto until, at the time of his death in 1886, he owned 546 acres. All this land, with the exception
it
THE FUHRMEISTER HOME
of thirty-six acres, is now owned by his children. About the year 1865 the elder Furhmeister bought a new farm in Linn county, moving thereupon and remaining until his death. He was the father of five children, as follows: Henry, who died when five years old; our subject; Mary, died in infancy; Lou- isa, now Mrs. J. C. Chamberlain, living in Linn county ; Peter, living in Linn county; Carrie, living with her mother in Ely, Iowa. Father Furhmeister was justice of the peace for a good many years, and was county supervisor for several terms during the time when supervisors were chosen from each town- ship. He was a man of strong personality and made a success of life. His widow survives at an advanced age.
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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY, IOWA
Farming has been the life work of Edward C. Furhmeister. Born and raised on a farm, he has never departed therefrom. He began actually for himself at the age of twenty-three, and when twenty-seven years old he bought a tract of 110 acres; this he added to until today his holdings in Big Grove township approximate 260 acres. In 1879 he was married to Miss Lu- cinda Cee, daughter of Godfried Cee, an old pioneer of John- son county. Three children has blessed this union : Ella M., now Mrs. John W. Neiderhiser, residing in Linn county ; Mar- tha, living at home; Ernest, living at home.
Mr. Furhmeister holds allegiance to the democratic party, and has been honored with positions of trust. He was assessor of Big Grove township for seven years and township trustee for six years. He is at present county supervisor, having served two years. Has been a member of the board of educa- tion since 1879. Mr. and Mrs. Furhmeister are affiliated with the English Lutheran church.
JOSEPH SLEZAK
Frequent reference will be found in this volume to the suc- cesses achieved by the native sons of Austria-Hungary who, having renounced allegiance to the throne of Vienna, have se- lected America as the country of their adoption and Iowa as the state of their residence. Johnson county furnishes many examples of the progress of these people, as the pages of this history will verify. It looks as if a good formula for success would read about as follows: Be born in Austria-Hungary; remove to America, and settle in Johnson county, Iowa. This may have a humorous aspect, but it is stern fact in eastern Iowa.
A prominent example of the truth of the preceding para- graph is found in the person of Joseph Slezak, the subject of this sketch. When eight years of age, Mr. Slezak emigrated with his parents, John and Anna Slezak, direct from Austria to Linn county, Iowa. That was in the year 1855. The family remained in Linn county until 1870, when they removed to Johnson county. Here the parents died at a ripe old age. In those early days educational advantages were limited, and, as
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the times necessitated the labor of the entire family upon the farm, our subject had to content himself with such schooling as could be secured in the district school, putting in most of his time and effort in tilling the soil of the home farm in Linn county. On the removal of the family to Johnson county, how- ever, he entered the hotel and grocery business at Iowa City, continuing therein for thirty-one years. He began operations in a large building which he erected himself. Nine years ago he retired, well-to-do in this world's goods. As evidence of his success it may be stated that at the time of his death he owned four large buildings in Iowa City and 480 acres of val- uable land in Arkansas. His standing as a citizen was of the
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RESIDENCE OF JOSEPH SLEZAK
highest, and he was known as a public-spirited man who took a personal interest in every worthy enterprise for the advance- ment of the community. Thus the boy, born in Austria-Hun- gary February 11, 1847, had developed into the successful, well- rounded citizen of Iowa.
In the year of his removal to Iowa City (1870) Mr. Slezak was married to Miss Eva Til, also a native of Austria-Hun- gary, who came to America with her parents when a small child. She proved a worthy helpmeet, and proudly rejoices in the success of her husband. Twelve children were born to this worthy couple, of whom seven are living. The names of the
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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY, IOWA
survivors are: Anna, the eldest, now Mrs. Joseph Holub, of Iowa City (see sketch of Mr. Holub elsewhere) ; Frank, mar- ried and living in Cedar Rapids, where he is engaged in the wholesale cigar and tobacco business; John, married and en- gaged in broom manufacturing in Iowa City; Bertha, wife of Charles Lantz, a banker in Washington county ; Ella, now Mrs. Tribyl, living in Iowa City; Alma, now Mrs. Lou Berger, re- siding on a farm in South Dakota ; Leo, living at home, holds a fine position with the Iowa City State bank.
Following the religious training of his early life, Mr. Slezak was a member of the Catholic church. In politics he was a dem- ocrat, and took that dignified activity in political matters which is the duty of every American citizen.
Mr. Slezak passed away at the residence on Brown street on January 9, 1912. He left a great many friends and the ac- quaintances of many years to mourn his loss.
FRANK KIMBALL STEBBINS
Frank Kimball Stebbins belongs to an old and honored fam- ily of Iowa City, of which place he is a native, born February 17, 1856, the year the Cedar Rapids railroad was built to the city. He is a son of Walter S. and Sarah (Spicer) Stebbins, the former a native of New York and the latter of Pennsyl- vania. In early days Walter S. Stebbins conducted a meat market at the southeast corner of Dubuque street and Iowa avenue, in company with Mr. Kimball, and this corner has been occupied by a meat market since the year 1857. lle was a son of Caleb Stebbins and one of ten children, of whom two daugh- ters came to Iowa City in 1850 and died there, their names being: Rebecca, who married Jacob N. Seydel, and Elizabeth, who married Michael Seydel. Caleb Stebbins remained but a short time in Iowa City. He came to Chicago from New York in 1840 and occupied his time in the west buying and selling land. He lived successively in Des Moines and Council Bluffs and later went to Minnesota, being there at the time of Indian troubles.
Walter Stebbins and wife are buried in Oakland cemetery. The father died in 1900, at the age of sixty-seven years, and
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the mother died in 1897 at the same age. Of their children Frank Kimball is the eldest; Mary died young; Kate lives in Iowa City; Luella married Dr. John J. Kessing and lives at Oakland, California; Ruth died young; Thomas, deceased; Miss Lida, of Iowa City. Miss Kate and Miss Lida occupy their cozy home which was ercted in 1909 at the old home site, 810 North Linn street.
Frank K. Stebbins attended the public schools of Iowa City and in 1872, being then sixteen years of age, became associated with his father for the firm of Kimball, Stebbins & Meyer. In 1883 the name was changed to Frank K. Stebbins and business was continued in the old location by Mr. Stebbins alone. He
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RESIDENCE OF FRANK K. STEBBINS
subsequently became interested in other enterprises and has proven a man of business acumen and foresight. He owns val- nable city property and has taken a prominent part in local political affairs. He is an ardent republican in politics and in 1897 was elected mayor of Iowa City, being reëlected, serving eight years altogether. He was nominated six times and elect- ed four times, the times of his defeat showing a very close margin. During his administration of the city's affairs public improvements received much attention. He devoted himself wholly to the interests of the people and worked zealously and indefatigably to promote various movements. When he as- sumed office very little paving had been done, but at the close of his last term a great deal had been accomplished along this
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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY, IOWA
line. He also was instrumental in establishing the sewer sys- tem which has had an important part in promoting the city's growth and sanitary condition. He has represented his party in county, state and congressional conventions. He cast his first presidential vote in 1884. He was president of the Com- mercial Club several terms and during this time the new post- office building was erected. He helped organize the State Municipal League, in 1899, and served as its president one term. He is a forceful speaker, showing careful thought of any matter under discussion, and is able to express his views in a manner that leaves no doubt of his sentiments. He has been a member of Camp No. 189, M. W. A., for twenty-five years and was a member of the State Council two terms and six times a delegate to the national organization. He also belongs to the Elks in Iowa City. He is popular in all these various organiza- tions and has many friends in all circles. He is unmarried.
SAMUEL SHARPLESS (Deceased)
The late Samuel Sharpless, of Iowa City, belonged to an old family and was of the sixth generation known to the American branch here represented. The American family was founded by John Sharpless, who was born at Wybunburg, Cheshire, England, August 15, 1624, and died near Chester, Pennsyl- vania, April 11, 1685. He was married, April 27, 1662, to Jane Moor, and of their union eight children were born, one of whom, John, was the third child and progenitor of, the branch described below. The latter was born at Blakenhall, Pennsyl- vania, November 16, 1666, and died July 9, 1747. He married Hannah Pennell, September 23, 1692, in Chester, now Dela- ware county, Pennsylvania, who was born July 23, 1673, and died October 31, 1721. Of this union nine children were born, Daniel, the youngest, at Ridley, December 24, 1710-11, and died at the same place, then Nether Providence, August 17, 1775. On February 13, 1736, at Springfield meeting, he was married to Sarah Coppeck, who was born July 22, 1712, and died No- vember 30, 1797. This couple had five children, of whom Thomas, the eldest, was grandfather of the subject of this sketch.
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Thomas Sharpless was born at Ridley, now Nether Prov- idence, August 29, 1738, and died in Chester, Pennsylvania, in 1796. On June 23, 1763, he married Martha Preston, who was born June 22, 1744, and died October 6, 1797. They had eight children, of whom George was the eldest and became the father of Samuel, whose name heads this article.
General George Sharpless was born at Chester, Pennsyl- vania, and married Miss Ann Sackett, who was born in Massa- chusetts in 1752. He removed to Wilmington, Delaware, in 1802, and there learned the trade of potter. In 1807 he moved to Belmont county, Ohio, where his children were born. His
THE SHARPLESS HOMESTEAD
wife belonged to one of the old and influential families of Penn- sylvania and her grandfather, Dr. Samuel Syoel, was a ser- geant in the Revolutionary War. Three children were born to George Sharpless and wife: Edward, who was drowned in childhood, in the creek near the old woolen mill which was owned by his father; Samuel is the subject of this sketch; Martha Jane, born in January, 1825, died at Martinsville, Ohio, in October, 1865, and left a large family. The latter was the wife of HI. M. Smith, and of her children who were left, a daughter, Ada, was reared by Mrs. Samuel Sharpless, of Iowa City, being educated in Iowa City Academy and in a conserva-
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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY, IOWA
tory of music, of Boston, Massachusetts. She also studied French under a special tutor in Boston and became a very ac- complished young lady. She married William Sturtzman, an attorney, of Burlington, Iowa, now of Mandan, North Dakota, who is a graduate of Iowa State University, and three children have been born to this couple, as follows : Charlotte, is a stu- dent in college at Jamestown, North Dakota ; Eugenia, a daugh- ter; and William, the only son.
Samuel Sharpless, a direct descendant of the John Sharpless of Cheshire, England, who came to Pennsylvania with the col- ony of William Penn, became an influential man in Johnson county affairs. For nearly a quarter century he served as a director of Johnson County Savings bank, and at his death this body passed a touching set of resolutions and presented the same to his widow. His business ability and worth were much appreciated and esteemed by his associates and his name came to stand for uprightness and fair dealing. He passed away June 5, 1901, and was sincerely mourned by the entire community. He was identified with Iowa City in its early days and helped nurse many infant industries there. He pro- moted many worthy measures and always took an active in- terest in public affairs. He came to the city in 1865, soon after the close of the war. He was born near Bridgeport, Belmont county, Ohio, in 1822, and grew to manhood in his native state. He acquired his early education in the public schools and spent three years at Madison college. He became a prominent man of affairs and the owner of large farming interests. He was never actively engaged in farming but supervised various farming industries to good advantage.
In 1857 Mr. Sharpless married Mrs. Priscilla (Crain) Smith, widow of Rev. Smith and daughter of Andrew Crain. Her father, Andrew Crain, is mentioned further in a succeeding paragraph of this sketch. Samuel Sharpless and Priscilla Crain knew each other from childhood and grew up in the same neighborhood in Ohio. Both became members of the Presby- terian church, of which Mr. Sharpless served as an elder for over a quarter of a century. No children were born of their union.
Mr. Sharpless was one of the largest capitalists of Iowa City and made a business of loaning money on real estate. He be-
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came the owner of extensive farm lands in Johnson county and invested in various local enterprises. In politics he was a whig in early life, but joined the republican party at its in- ception, becoming active in party councils. He served as a member of Iowa City council. He was a substantial business man and a devout christian and upon his death had the stead- fast hope of joining his many friends on the other side. His widow is a woman of culture and refinement, being well edu- cated and taking great pleasure in continuing work begun by her husband in preserving the records of the Sharpless family, of which he was very proud, as well he might be. She is in her eighty-fifth year, but is vigorous in mind and body and enjoys the companionship of her many friends.
Andrew Crain, Mrs. Sharpless's father, was a native of Dauphin county, Pennsylvania, born December 25, 1793, and served under Capt. John MeClintock in the War of 1812. He was of Scotch-Irish descent. In 1813 he located in Uniontown, Pennsylvania. He married Sarah Gaddis, of Scotch descont, whose parents settled in Virginia in an early day, their umion taking place at Uniontown. Mr. Crain was a general merchant and came to Iowa City in 1851. For a short time he conducted a general store at Solon, Johnson county, then moved to Big Grove township, Johnson county, and later went to Wapello, Iowa, where he was engaged in mercantile business when his wife died. He and his wife were devout Presbyterians. He died at the age of eighty-five years, at the old Sharpless home, the residence of his daughter, on North Clinton street, Iowa City.
JOSEPH F. HOLUB
Joseph F. Holub, a prominent and successful merchant and hotel-keeper of Iowa City, is a self-made man and has won the respect and good-will of his fellow citizens, being always ready to promote any public enterprise. He is a native of Bohemia, born January 8, 1867, and came to America with his parents when he was one year old. He is a son of Joseph and Anna (Zajicek) Holub, now residents of Richmond, Washington county, Iowa, where they located upon coming to this country. They had three children: William, who died some thirty-four
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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY, IOWA
years ago; Mrs. Emma Boyd, of Aurora, Ill .; and Joseph F., the subject of this sketch.
After completing a course in the common schools Joseph F. Holub attended Elliott's Business College at Burlington, Iowa, and later became a clerk in the employ of Denecke & Yetter, in their dry goods store at Iowa City. He continued with them until about 1900, when he embarked in business for himself on
J.F.HOLUB.
NARODNÍ SİN
NATIONAL HALL
THE HOLUB HOTEL AND STORE
North Linn street. He has an up-to-date grocery and a well- kept hotel and has a good patronage in both lines. He is genial and social by nature and has a host of friends. In religious views he is a Catholic, being a member of St. Wenceslaus church. In politics he is a democrat.
In 1892 Mr. Holub was united in marriage with Anna Slazek, of Iowa City, where they have a pleasant home. One son has been born to them, William J., born in 1892, who assists his father in business.
JOHN DEATSCH
John Deatsch and wife are among the well known farmers of Liberty township, and have long been identified with local af- fairs. Since 1891 they have resided on what was formerly the old Nicholas Birrer farm, which comprises 120 acres of well cultivated land, and they still own the old log house which was long the Birrer home. Mr. Deatsch was born in Alsace, Ger-
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many, May 3, 1846, son of Sebastian and Mary Am (Shore) Deatsch. He was brought to America when he was six years of age. Sebastian and Mary Ann Deatsch had but two ehil- dren, one of whom, Sebastian, Jr., born in 1842, died in Cali- fornia in 1909, leaving a widow and six children. The Deatsch family located a half-miles west of the Nichalos Suppel farm in Washington county, Iowa, and lived there the remainder of their lives. They were buried in the Schnoebelin cemetery in Washington county. Their son John remained with them until they passed away and he and his wife occupied the old home- stead until 1891, when they purchased their present place.
RESIDENCE OF JOHN DEATSCH
Mr. Deatsch was educated in the district school, and on June 1, 1871, married Catherine Rummelhart, their union taking place in St. Stanislaus church, Rev. Knepley officiating. They lived with Mr. Deatsch's mother, who died in 1872, at the age of seventy-three years. Fifteen children were born to this couple, seven of whom, including twins, died in infancy. The other eight were as follows: Frances, married Victor Mongen and they have ten children; John, Jr., of Riverside, married An- toinette Wombacher and they have five children ; George, mar- ried Josephine Birrer and they have five children, as men- tioned in the sketch of the family which appears in this work ; Flora, married Louis Lanberg, of Clear Creek, and they have six sons and one daughter; Mary Helen, married Ray Wom-
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bacher and they have six children; Jacob is unmarried; Lo- vina is the wife of Warren Hall, of Riverside, and they have one daughter; Margaret, married Henry Birrer, as mentioned in the sketch of the Birrer family, and they have one son, Clar- ence. The children enumerated above were reared in the Cath- olie faith and remain faithful to its teachings. There are thirty-five grandchildren in the family. They have a good standing in the community and Mr. Deatsch has served as trustee of the township, road supervisor and school director. He is a democrat in political belief.
On the first day of June, 1913, Mr. and Mrs. John Deatsch celebrated the forty-second anniversary of their wedding at their comfortable home in Hills, Iowa. The occasion brought together one of the largest families of the section, Francis Rummelhart with 125 descendants sitting down to dinner. Of these, eight were children of Mr. and Mrs. Deatsch and 37 were grandchildren. The total number of guests was over 200. All of those present spent the day in visiting together and in enjoy- ing the host of good things in the way of eatables which the Germans know how to provide. All join in the wish that the happy couple will live to enjoy many more such days.
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